I was the first to hear them, thanks to my extra-sensitive ears and my position atop the tower.
I went running down to Brendan, the fire already starting to build in my belly, and my excitement grew with it.
“Scorched earth?” I said when I reached him. I was literally hopping with excitement.
“Not yet,” he said, holding up a hand. As if that could do anything to stop me if I were determined to let loose.
“Oh, come on!”
“Not yet!” His voice was louder this time. Firmer. I pouted, but he never waivered. Not even when the bows arced over the walls and took out some of our own archers.
The second time I heard them, I jumped down from the tower and scrambled to find Brendan. By the time I located him, the fire in my belly was working its way up my throat. It was all I could do not to let loose right there.
“Not yet,” he said.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?”
He did not.
With an effort I felt sure he did not appreciate, I swallowed hard to contain my rage.
The third time I heard them, I knew my time had finally come. I hurried down to Brendan, as always, but my voice was calm, assured, when I said, “Scorched earth?”
He looked at me for a long moment. So long I was afraid he would back out. He broke eye contact for a moment to look around. He looked at all the food we had stockpiled – months’ worth of it. It would last as long as we needed it to … if we protected it.
He finally looked back at me and nodded.
“Yes!” I said before I could stop myself. I gave a little hop of excitement before making my way to the top of the tower, letting the fire in my belly build the whole way up.
By the time I reached the top of the tower, they were within view. But not within reach. I had been holding in the flame for so long, it had build to an intolerable pressure. Holding it in felt like holding my breath. But I knew I had to keep holding it until the moment was just right.
Finally, they were within range, but I held my flame until they reached the walls. I watched as they drew their bows and took aim.
Then I fired.
I lit up the first flank, then the second flank. Then I stretched myself. I decided to see if I could reach beyond the second flank. And I could. I could burn and burn and burn. And I did.
I had always known my rage could burn the world.
The end.