(Kyla’s point of view)

Usually I didn’t notice the broadcast screens as they quietly repeated their message.

Almost always, it was the same thing anyway. Something about serenity for everyone all thanks to Pyro the great.

However, tonight the words were different. “It's time to meet our new hero candidate.” The broadcast anchor smiled then the video cut to a shot of a fourth floor balcony, often used for Pyro’s big announcements.

“Good evening, my SAFE society!” Pyro said with fanfare as he strode up to the railing.

The crowd responded with roaring praise and adoration for their favorite hero. It took so long for them to calm down that Pyro had to settle the crowd by raising his hand.

“Tonight you will witness a power so unique that it has never been seen before. It is a power as beautiful as it is strong and literally so radiant that you won’t be able to look directly at it.”

The crowd cheered again to which Pyro responded, “Are you ready to meet your newest bright star?”

“Yea!” They shouted.

“Then clap your hands, stomp your feet, shout it to the heavens who you want to meet! Ky-la Ray!”

“Ky-la Ray!” They chanted back, “Ky-la Ray!”

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The crowd was overwhelming. The noise, the lights, the myriad of sweet smells and foul odors. It was the last place I wanted to be, but I knew I had to do this. I had to give people a show and a reason to support me.

They needed to know who I was so that if I ever had to save them, they’d already love and trust me.

I needed to do this for them as well. If I wanted to be a hero, people would expect certain things from me and public appearances were only the beginning — that’s what Pyro said…

I still wasn’t sure, but ready or not, it was already too late to back out. Any moment now, he would give the signal and I’d have to walk out on the terrace.

Watching on the monitor I could fool myself for a moment that none of this was real. I was just a normal girl watching someone else’s big moment, but when I turned my gaze back toward the window, I wasn’t just some girl anymore.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, giving way to a light queasiness that threatened to ruin my dress. A few feet and two huge glass doors were all that separated me from the rancor outside.

I was trying not to think about it, but this room was actually one of Pyro’s apartments. Earlier in the evening, someone on the production crew had mistaken me for Pyro’s girlfriend. Apparently bringing girls here wasn’t something Pyro did frequently so the crew member assumed I must’ve been “special.”

I wish it were that simple. Then I imagined Pyro laying next to me on the bed, which made me immediately uncomfortable being here.

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The glass doors leading out were already open, but lights were set up in such a way that no one could see me until I stepped out onto the balcony.

I wasn’t sure how many times the crowd chanted my name before Pyro turned to me and mouthed ‘are you ready?’

Wanting to just get it over with, I nodded and stepped through the door. My bright red dress sparkling like fire as the shimmering wyvern scales it was made from caught the light.

None of this was my idea and it felt way over the top; but again Pyro insisted that it was necessary, so I agreed.

By now the sun had long gone down and the moon was high in the sky, although it seemed as if the city didn’t know that.

When I reached my place beside Pyro, I waved at a crowd so large I was convinced every soul in Sky City was present. I had no idea how they all fit on the bridge to the campus.

I tried not to flinch when Pyro unexpectedly placed his hand atop my hand which rested on the railing.

I doubted anyone noticed, but I was sure he felt it. I felt bad for being so jumpy every time he got close to me, but there was nothing I could do to stop the reaction. It was slowly getting better with time…

Eventually, I told myself, I wouldn’t shudder at his touch.

Turning to me, he smiled big and said, “Now show these people the sun!”

I had practiced the new sun spell hundreds of times but never in front of a crowd this large. I felt my stomach tie itself in knots and my hands trembled when I lifted them, but Pyro placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and nodded.

In his gaze, I could see that he believed in me. Even if I doubted myself, Pyro still believed I could do it.

It was enough. With his support, I raised my hands confidently towards the sky above the gathered citizens.

I envisioned a flaming orb burning bright like the blazing sun. After the ritual, I no longer needed chants or Incantations, but not using them made it more likely for my spells to fail. “Daylight!” I shouted proudly and a burning ball of fire fifty feet wide blinked into existence.

The sun hovered high over the crowd so that no one would be burned by its flames, but its heat could still be felt. The massive fireball burned so brightly that I had to squint and look away. Its light chased away the night as the crowd cheered and continued chanting my name.

I was proud.

Then Pyro, speaking over them, said, “No, not Kyla Ray. From today on she will be called Starla Ray, the sun summoner, banisher of darkness.”

I couldn’t believe it. Not only did I now hold power on par with a hero, but Pyro was giving me a new name and title.

If something like this had happened before, I wasn’t aware of it. Only Heroes got new names, and they didn’t usually get a title until they’d earned it.

The crowd roared mightily in response and began chanting “We love Starla! We love Starla!”

I was giddy with excitement when Pyro met eyes with a smile.

“That’s enough.” He said so that only I could hear. “Let us go and celebrate.”

Releasing the spell I took his hand and followed him back inside, all the while smiling like a fool.

The sense of satisfaction at what I’d just accomplished, threatened to overwhelm me with joy. Butterflies, going wild in my stomach, were only moments from bursting out.

When Pyro released my hand there was a momentary relief, but when he ran his finger down my spine the sensation immediately came back stronger.

He closed the terrace doors behind us then turned back to me.

He held me in his gaze with a sense of longing and desire. I didn’t understand it, but my heart beat faster with each step he took towards me. I didn’t think I could get anymore excited, but he was proving me wrong.

With a single finger he caressed my chin as he asked, “So, what shall we do?”