Vortex Origins
Chapter 62: Sibling conflict

Chapter 62: Sibling conflict

"Ahhh... now this is living,"

Kael’s arms stretched high, steam still clinging to his skin. A towel hung loose around his waist. Droplets rolled down his chest, tracing paths over muscle and scars.

The necklace on his neck glowed from the light. The smirk on his face hadn’t moved since they entered the room.

The chamber was more than just a resting place. Polished stone floors gleamed like water. Soft golden light spilled from lamps above, casting a warm glow across velvet couches and carved tables. Everything looked expensive—too expensive. Like the kind of room made for kings, not survivors.

Kael’s eyes wandered.

Ash lay on the couch, arm over his eyes, still. His chest rose and fell, slow and deep. Not asleep. Just far away.

Max stood near the wall. His new clothes fit him like they were made for him. He tapped on a wristwatch that glowed blue, its holographic screen full of moving maps, logs, and strange shapes.

Kael tilted his head.

"So you finally got Eir to give you one of those, huh?"

Max didn’t answer right away. His fingers kept moving, sharp and clean, scrolling through the screen like he’d done it a thousand times.

"Yes, But it wasn’t easy. You know how expensive this tech is? It’s military-grade. Eir had to think twice before handing it over."

Kael grabbed his clothes from the corner.

"Huh. That’s funny."

Max looked up.

"What?"

Kael pulled on his shirt.

"I got mine earlier. Right after they brought the food."

Max didn’t move.

"You mean... for free?"

Kael grinned.

"Yup. I mean, it’s not like I brought money with me, right? I guess Eir was just... impressed. Maybe it’s the charm."

Ash didn’t move, but his thoughts spun fast.

’Charm, my foot... This idiot made us look like fools. And somehow, he walks out with the best food, softest bed, cleanest clothes... Eir looked like he wanted to kill us and crown Kael all at once.’

Max’s hand curled into a fist.

"Charm? Or manipulation? You used us back there. You humiliated us in front of a political figure, made yourself look like some golden son... and called me arrogant?"

He stepped forward, shoulders tight.

"I stayed quiet because I refused to stoop to your level. But maybe I should’ve said something."

Kael let out a laugh. Not friendly. Not kind. Just loud enough to push buttons.

"Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t. You never do. Always so careful, so... tactical. You think you’re above all this, like the ’bigger man’. But truth is, you just don’t have the guts to face things when they get real."

Ash groaned inside.

’Seriously? We’re finally safe, and they’re picking a fight?’

Max’s voice came low and sharp.

"You want real? You don’t know half of what I’ve done just to keep us together. While you were busy charming your way into people’s hearts, I was the one watching our backs, calculating risks, fixing your mistakes."

Kael stepped closer, eyes locked.

"And what? You want a medal for that? Poor Max, the burdened strategist, always hiding behind his perfect logic and emotionless face. You’re not the glue—you’re just the mask."

Ash sat up now. His voice cracked, dry and heavy.

"Enough."

They didn’t stop.

Keal continued.

"You think that little tech toy makes you smarter? It makes you predictable, Max. Eir knew you’d ask for it eventually. That’s why he gave me one first."

Max’s teeth clenched.

"You’re not special, Kael. You’re just reckless. A smiling bomb waiting to go off. One day, that fake charm of yours will fall apart—and you’ll realize no one’s laughing anymore."

Kael’s grin fell. His eyes sharpened.

"At least I’m not hiding like Ash. Tell me, brother—when was the last time you told someone how you really feel, huh?"

Ash’s fingers tightened around the edge of the couch.

’Thought so.’

Silence fell like a hammer. Heavy. Loud in all the ways words weren’t.

Then came the knock.

Sharp and Metallic. One beat. Then another.

All three turned.

A voice came through the door—calm, cold.

"Elder Eir has summoned you all. There’s been... a development."

Ash rose first. His eyes were darker than before.

Max adjusted his watch, fingers steady.

Kael pulled the shirt down over his head, and for once, his smirk didn’t return.

The peace had ended.

Max reached the door first. It slid open with a soft hiss.

"I’m going ahead,"

He was already stepping through. His eyes didn’t look back.

"Being in the same room as him is exhausting. Ash, you coming?"

Ash pushed himself up from the couch. His legs felt heavy, like they’d sunk into the cushions.

"Yeah... I’m coming."

Just as he reached the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder. Kael still stood inside, wearing that same crooked smile like a shield. Something stirred in Ash’s chest—tight and bitter.

"You know... what you did back there—yeah, it looked funny. But it wasn’t. You made us look like fools."

His voice didn’t rise.

"And for what? A laugh?"

Kael tilted his head like he didn’t hear it right.

"Wow. You finally decided to talk. Good for you."

Ash stared for a second, then let out a quiet scoff. He turned and walked out.

’What was I expecting? He never listens.’

He caught up to Max without saying anything else.

Behind them, the room sank into silence. Kael stood alone now, the smirk slowly slipping from his face. He turned toward the mirror near the wall. His reflection stared back—wet hair now drying, eyes unreadable.

"So... they hate me now, huh?"

He said under his breath. The corners of his lips twitched again. But this time, it wasn’t the same grin.

"They don’t get it. But they will. I’ll push them if I have to. Break them if I must. They have to understand what it means... to be the Son of Flame."

He grabbed his shirt and coat, tossed them on, and stepped out into the hallway.

————

Max’s steps were sharp. Every footfall echoed across the cold floor. His eyes stayed locked on the glowing screen floating above his wrist. The data kept shifting, but he barely saw it. His jaw tightened, and his fingers hit the screen harder each time.

Ash followed a few steps behind. His eyes were fixed on Max’s back.

’This isn’t good. He’s cracking. Kael really got to him.’

Ash cleared his throat.

"That was... unlike you, Max. I thought you’d hit him with some clever counter and make him look dumb. But he actually got under your skin."

Max stopped. His fingers hovered above the screen for a moment, then he dragged them down his face.

"Yeah. You’re right. I lost it back there. I let him get to me. Maybe because I thought he was right."

Ash blinked.

"You mean... he was right?"

Max let the screen fade out.

"About some things, yeah. I do hide. Behind logic, plans, systems. I built walls because I thought it would protect all of us."

He turned his head, eyes softer now.

"But lately... I’m not sure anymore."

Ash looked down. His hands curled at his sides.

"Maybe he was right about me too. I shut myself off ever since mom died. Not just from people... from myself. I wanted to be better, stronger, but it’s like I’ve been stuck in that same moment ever since."

Max turned his full body toward him now.

"You still think about her."

Ash’s voice dropped.

"Yeah... Every day."

Max didn’t move for a while. Then he nodded and walked again, this time slower.

"It hit you really hard huh. I know. You never talked much, but after she died, it was like something broke in you. Like you couldn’t breathe. It was the same for me."

Ash didn’t speak at first. Then his voice came, low.

"It’s been a year, Max. And still, every time I close my eyes, I see her face. I hear her voice. I feel the fire. My body won’t rest until I do something."

They stopped in front of a large metal door. The surface was scratched and scarred, like it had survived more than one battle.

Max turned to face him.

"Do what, Ash?"

Ash’s eyes stared ahead.

"Avenge her. Kill every single creature that helped destroy this world. I know my soul cores are weak—but with this upgrade... this new power... I think I can grow as a fighter without relying on the darkness darkness. With this speed skill, I can outrun anything. Kill anything."

Max’s face didn’t shift, but something in his voice grew sharper.

"Ash... I get it. But don’t throw yourself into something you can’t come back from. Your speed skill comes with consequences. Overusing it could tear you apart."

Ash’s jaw clenched.

"Then I’ll tear. I rather burn out than not do anything."

The air between them thickened.

Then a voice called out behind them—light and smooth, like none of it mattered.

"Ohhh, you guys were waiting for me?"

Kael strolled down the hall, now fully dressed, hands stuffed in his coat pockets. His steps were relaxed. His smile was back, like nothing happened.

Neither Max nor Ash spoke.

Kael passed right between them, reached for the door, and pushed it open without pause.

"Hey, Uncle Eir,"

Kael said with a smug grin.

"You called for us?"