FATED FOLLY

The hairpin thrummed, alive with power. I had reached for it instinctively, unable to resist the weight of its inexplicable pull. As my fingertips brushed its cool surface, the air thickened, vibrating with an energy that felt older than time itself.

I stumbled back, bumping into the woman beside me. Her gasp was sharp, filled with fear, eyes locking onto the pin as though I held coals in my palms. "The pin-"

"Chooses its owner." I finished my voice barely above a whisper. The words weren't mine, they were my mother's ringing in a distant memory. I heard her tell this story a thousand times, but it always felt like some myth, a bedtime tale to keep me entertained. 

Now, in this dimly lit chamber with the pin practically burning in my hand, the weight of those stories became terrifyingly real.

The woman whose name I couldn't recall whispered something in a language I couldn't understand. Her gaze never left my face. There was fear, yes, but also awe.

A cold chill slithered down my spine, lifting the fine downy hairs on my arms and making me aware of the man standing in the archway, a thin fake smile tugged at his lips.

My heart pounded in my chest, and the pin's strange energy surged and crawled up my arm.

The man stepped forward, his inky eyes shimmering in the low light. "Some may consider it bad luck, but the real tragedy would be to miss this very moment. You are the one." His voice dripped with honey. 

I snorted. "Let me guess. There's a prophecy? And I'm chosen one? Realms in peril." I couldn't keep the sarcasm from my voice. Still, I shuddered, thinking of my mother and how she spoke these same words two days ago.

The man's lips twitched as though amused. "In our lore, there exists a bride who will bring balance-"

"Yeah, balance to the realms, I get it." I cut him off, needing to stay cool, to act like the nerves in my arm weren't completely alive with a power emanating from the pin that wanted to crush him. "Can we skip to the part where you're completely trashing this scene for me? I was having a moment with the pin."

Despite my bravado, unease coiled tighter in my chest. This was no longer a scene. It was life. The pin continued to pulse with an undeniable fervour.

The woman at my side shifted nervously, her eyes darting between me and the man. "My Lady," she whispered with reverence and urgency. "We must continue the wedding preparations. There is no turning back now."

Her words didn't fully register until she touched me gently with the tip of her fan. "Fine," I sighed, anything to escape the potent stare of the man in the archway.

She quickly ushered me behind the silken screen, her fingers fumbling as she tried to rearrange the various fabrics and sash. Her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "You don't understand, my lady. This is no mere ritual, or game. You are the Phoenix's champion. The fate of the realms-"

She was cut off by a sudden crash. The screen shattered as the man kicked it away with brutal force. The pounding of my heart clawed at my throat as his hand lashed across the woman's face with ferocity before I could react. She crumpled to the floor, her cheek already beginning to show the imprint of his hand. 

Without thinking I lunged at him, my fingers curling around the thick braid of his hair, I yanked hard, pulling him off balance. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I shouted, my voice echoed sharply through the small chamber.

He staggered back, eyes wide with surprise. He wasn't expecting a fight. Most girls in this situation would cower. Not me. You live by the sword. You die by the sword. The pin was still in my hand, pulsing violently as though responding to my anger. I wasn't going to stand by while this creep abused this woman.

"You've made a grave mistake." The man growled, regaining his balance advancing on me. "Give me that hairpin." His eyes simmered with unveiled rage and contempt. 

"I'll sleep at night. Will you?" I shot back, gripping the pin tighter. "He'd need to pry it from my cold dead hand."

He lunged at me. I spun and twisted from his grasp like I'd done so many times in my martial arts classes. Using his body weight against him, I used his momentum to my advantage. Before he could recover, I kicked out, aiming at the knee. He buckled, clutching his injury, falling to the ground with a grunt of pain.

The woman scrambled to her feet, clutching the side of her face where he'd struck her. Her gaze met mine, and for another brief moment, I saw hope flicker.

The man struggled to stand, but a thirst for vengeance had me swiftly to his side, the Phoenix Pin at his throat, stopping him in his tracks.

"Maybe that will teach you not to lay hands on a woman, you coward." I tried to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.

His eyes darkened and shifted to fear. "You don't know what dark magic you're meddling with," he hissed. "The Phoenix will destroy you, give it to me while you still have a chance." 

I leaned in, eyes narrowing. "Well, I guess she and I will have to discuss that, won't we?" 

Before he could respond, the chamber door burst open, and a group of figures clad in ceremonial robes rushed in. Their faces were stern and unreadable. 

As they approached, I felt something shift inside me, powerful, but peaceful. Like a wellspring set to erupt, as opposed to a volcano of rage. Maybe the Phoenix had chosen me. And maybe, just maybe I was ready to rise to the challenge.