Sparks Beneath the Surface.

ＦＩＦＴＥＥＮ- I Stand Before you.

After we went back to the village and confirmed that I was indeed the Supreme Elemental of Fire, Madalena nodded as if she'd known all along. The council she was with then bowed before me, herself included. We said our thank yous and goodbyes, and then Zade sent out a signal for the Bureau to retrieve us.

When we finally got back, the air inside the Bureau was thick with exhaustion and unspoken tension as we filed through the grand doors, the weight of the jungle still clinging to our skin. The sterile light of the Board's chamber was a stark contrast to the wild chaos we'd left behind, but the unease was just as palpable. All I can think about is how I wanna be back in my own bed after a hot shower with a mug of hot chocolate filled to the brim with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and mini marshmallows. But no. The second we got back, we were told by some guards that we had been requested for an audience, and immediately too. The hallways were so full of heroes throwing us glances and whispering at us it felt like I was back in high school. I guess getting powers and being a superhero doesn't guarantee emotional maturity.

"Are we all headed to the same place?" I ask.

"We shouldn't be. Usually, audiences with the Board are very private things with just those summoned and the Board themselves." Clarke tells me.

I guess they're doing things differently because the Board chamber looks very much like a large and high-tech courtoom with people, fellow heroes I'm assuming filling the stands as they watch. The Board sits high above us; their faces carved with condescension and veiled disdain. They had sent us to the jungle with a clear purpose; to uncover if I truly was the Supreme Elemental of Fire. And I am, so now what? 

We're all standing around, pretty much saying nothing except for the occasional sounds of coughing or shuffling from someone in the audience before the Board member sitting in the middle speaks, "I now call forward case D3867-D. Earlier this week, the other members of Board and I instructed you all, members of Team A to go and investigate the claim that your newest member, Danielle, was the Supreme Elemental of Fire, an ancient being of centuries past with the ability to do magnificent and inconceivable things within their respective element of powers," He says, his accent similar to Delilah's. Gasps, whispers, and murmurs fill the room before he speaks once more, "Elian Acosta, leader of Team A, report to us your findings."

Elian steps forward, his voice steady but carrying the weight of revelation, "Yes, you did," he began, eyes scanning the room with a mix of resolve and something deeper, "We investigated the claim and are pleased to report that it is true. She's the Supreme Elemental of Fire."

A heavy silence falls. The Board exchanges glances, disbelief flickering across their faces. I guess they had suspected, yes, but to hear it confirmed was another matter entirely. One member, a sharp-eyed woman with a voice like ice, finally broke the silence. "You expect us to believe this based off, what, just your word? After the catastrophic success that was your last mission trying to uncover the identities of Octurna's secret force?"

Another man sneers, "Perhaps this is a convenient tale to cover your failures. We will not be so easily swayed."

"With all due respect," Ivy says as she steps forward, her gaze sweeping the council, her expression serious, like, the most serious I've ever seen her be, "As Director of the Board of Medicine, in my professional opinion, the presence of our colleagues as an audience to this hearing is unnecessary and counterproductive. This is a matter of grave importance that requires focus and discretion, not spectacle."

"Your opinion is noted and recorded, Ms. Sexton. However, within the time you and the rest of your teammates were gone, rest of the Board and I decided on a new way of handling hearings."

"Are you suggesting that my voice, my position no longer holds any weight in this new system you've created?"

"You do, and it does. It just creates a conflict of interest, and as a Board Director, I'm sure you can understand why we want to set an example of how all of us, regardless of position, are all held to the same standard."