Vortex Origins
Chapter 61: Back at ironhold

Chapter 61: Back at ironhold

Kevin stepped off the ship first. The cold met him like a claw—gripping his shoulders, sliding down his arms. The mist didn’t push him back. It parted. Like it knew him. Or feared what walked inside him.

Kael’s eyes narrowed as he watched the mist swallow Kevin’s figure.

"Is he still mad about what I said?"

Alex didn’t look his way.

"Well... He’s never not like that. Ice users don’t talk. They don’t warm up. They just stay cold."

Max’s coat hung loose. He gripped it tight, his teeth clenched.

"He kinda reminds me of Elias."

Nobody said a word. For a breath. For two.

Then Mia moved. Her steps were sharp, her back straight, her face locked in stone. She reached the door and stopped.

She looked back.

"Lets move. Elder Eir’s waiting."

Her voice didn’t shout. It didn’t need to. Something hung inside her tone—quiet, heavy. Like a shadow stretched too far.

Max nodded. The lightness in him vanished. One by one, they stepped out.

The wind slapped their skin. Thin and Dry. The taste of rust sat on the air. Something else too. Faint. Wrong. Like old meat hidden under metal.

The landing platform was steel and stone. Cold and gray. The walls around it reached high, lined with lights that flickered and hummed like flies. Ships rested like beasts with closed eyes—engines quiet, hulls scarred.

Ironhold lay ahead. A place with no space for dreams. Homes stitched together with wires and welds. Cables hung above like veins pulled too tight.

People moved fast. Eyes empty. Mouths tight. The kind of place where even children didn’t cry.

Ash stared. The weight in the air pressed on his chest.

’Why do they look more afraid now?’

He kept walking. His eyes watching everything. His mind pulled backward—to the valley. Crushed bones. Bodies swallowed whole. Fire eating through skin. Screams that ended too soon. Too sharp.

’This place... Almost feels the same.’

His thoughts drifted.

’The people of Dunehaven...’

He tried to stop it.

’No. Don’t think about that. My brothers are safe. That’s what matters. Dunehaven gave up its own. That must be karma... or maybe worse.’

Kael cracked his knuckles. The sound snapped through the wind.

"So this is Ironhold. Looks dead already."

Mia didn’t answer. She kept moving.

At the edge of the street, a figure waited Still. Robes dragging near the floor. Hands behind his back. His eyes were like glass that had once shattered but never healed.

Max leaned close to Ash, voice low.

"That him?"

Ash nodded.

"Yeah. That’s Eir."

Eir moved toward them, slow and deliberate. His robes brushed against the ground, the fabric making no sound, like it was afraid to speak.

Two guards flanked him, their muted steel armor reflecting the pale light. His smile was smooth, almost carved. Too perfect, too still. Like it had belonged there for years, untouched by time or pain.

Ash caught the smile and felt something coil in his chest.

’Oh right... I should probably warn them. He’s a big fan of Da—’

Before he could finish the thought, Eir opened his arms wide, the gesture almost reverent.

"Welcome, dear friends,"

His voice was low, but it reached them all, threading between the wind.

"We’ve been waiting for you. I prayed for your safe return. I’m truly glad you made it back in one piece."

Max cut through the words, stepping forward without hesitating.

"Thanks for the welcome, Elder. But—did the people of Dunehaven arrive here? Recently?"

Eir’s smile flickered, just a brief shift.

"Yes. They came. But... not well. Many of them looked like they’d been through something that shattered them. Some haven’t spoken a word since."

Max exhaled, the breath rattling slightly.

"At least they made it."

Eir’s eyes drifted over the group. They stopped on Kael, his smile returning. It grew—wider, warmer, almost too warm.

Kael leaned close to Ash and muttered.

"What’s his deal? This guy’s creeping me out. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I definitely don’t swing that way."

Ash didn’t look at him, just whispered,

"He’s a big fan of Dad. Meeting us? It’s like meeting royalty to him."

Kael grinned, his eyes flashing.

"Another fan? This’ll be fun."

Ash’s thoughts twisted.

’What is he planning now...?’

Before he could speak, Kael stepped forward again.

"Elder Eir, forgive us. We’ve had a long journey. We haven’t had the chance to clean up. Could you arrange something for us?"

Eir nodded, his gaze sharpening with sudden concern.

"Of course! I should’ve thought of that. You must feel miserable. Come with me—rooms are ready. You can wash, change, rest. You all look like a mess."

Kael bowed his head slightly, his tone surprisingly respectful.

"Thank you, Elder. My father would be proud to know there are still people like you—people who care."

Ash raised an eyebrow.

’Since when did Kael become so polite?’

Max turned to Ash with the same look, silently mouthing: what the hell?

Eir chuckled, ruffling Kael’s hair like he was a child.

"Yes, yes! Do tell him how old Uncle Eir helped you boys!"

Kael kept the act going, flawless as ever.

"Of course, Uncle Eir. I won’t forget this kindness."

The group followed Eir deeper into Ironhold, the towers looming over them like silent sentinels. The air grew heavier with every step—thicker, dense with whispers of old scars.

Eir turned to Max and Ash, his eyes gleaming with something playful.

"And what about you two? You won’t call me Uncle?"

Max scoffed, his voice sharp.

"No. Absolutely not."

Ash didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed on something far off, his mind trailing somewhere beyond the walls of Ironhold.

Eir looked back at Kael, his smile curling with curiosity.

"You must be the good one in your family."

Ash quickly turn to look at them.

’what?’

Kael pressed a hand to his chest, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yes, I am. Am glad you noticed. I love my brothers, but they can be difficult. Max, for example—he’s calm-headed. But gods, is he arrogant."

Max’s eyes narrowed. His glare could’ve turned stone to ash.

Kael went on, undeterred.

"And Ash? He’s the worst of the worst."

Ash blinked.

’What?’

Kael smirked.

"He plays the quiet, mysterious one in front of everyone. But when he’s alone with us? He turns wild. Like a storm with no leash."

Eir stroked his chin, nodding thoughtfully.

"Yes... yes, I sensed something like that. Even when he was here before, still in Stage 1... I could feel it. That simmering anger a fire user gets. Hidden deep beneath the skin."

Ash clenched his jaw, feeling the burn rise, hot and sharp.

’That idiot... I keep it buried. I never let it out. Not even at home...’

Kael glanced back at him, his grin widening. As if he could hear every thought crawling through Ash’s mind.

Behind them, Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Is this the same Kael I challenged to a duel? What’s with this weird, polite act?"

Mia, arms folded, walked beside him.

"No idea. But his brothers really want to punch him right now."