Fire Dreams (Leo Varniak)

[Taln]

Anguished terror wracked Taln's frame mercilessly and his life was extinguished like a puff of smoke. He suddenly found himself watching the scene from above and he mourned the deaths of Sultros and Alvias. The young man had assumed that if he rushed Ssena that she would only focus on him, keeping everyone else safe and it was a fatal mistake. One that he could never make again. A powerful magic Release rushed headlong from Leo to every corner of the room and he saw one and all instantly respond to the command. Ivak, Akvin, Leo and Glav moved into action, he and the Gods fighting in a mind blurring flurry of motion. Taln abruptly rushed into his body but it was foreign to him now. An ancient ocean of memories washed over him at the same time a burning, fire consumed him entirely. Mind and body violently fought each other, vying for control within a far too fragile Inartan body. A volcanic might extended through every limb, stretching and tearing the sinew and skin to their breaking point. A heart rending longing tore through Taln/Inferno and he missed his lover more than a need for breath. The form writhed and rippled between Velispar and human as the Dek's place was lost to an older, wiser creature. Ivak touched his hair and it didn't feel like anything Taln had ever experienced. Searing flames burned down his spine as Ivak spoke in a laureate tone, attempting to soothe the aching body and mind. The more the God spoke to them/him, the more the same comforting phrase echoed in Taln and Inferno's minds. "You are mine..." A kind and enormous hand reached for him and lifted the shocked man to his shaky feet. It took the redhead a moment to figure out what Ivak was doing with his strange hand motions to brush him off. Taln's clothing was charred to the point of indecency and every inch of bared skin was blackened with soot. In social reflex, he grinned back at Ivak before even realizing the joke at cleaning up. He listened in silence as Leo was spoken to and things slowly began to make more sense. A shocking thought made his mind go numb. The only way to escape being a Dek was to die, and that was exactly what he'd done! Taln was free! No. Only his body was free of Inarta servitude, but his will belonged to Ivak. He felt the exchange was more than fair to actively and willingly serve the God Ivak, despite the physical and mental uncertainty of someone within him. Inferno brought countless memories throughout time and a physical well being that Taln had never previously enjoyed. For the first time ever, he felt strong. The touch of the Gods had graced him with the ability to see with peace, clarity, opportunity and confidence. The chime he grasped this concept, he and Leo were whisked away to the Deep Lake shore. He felt heavy with strength and wondered at it briefly until he caught sight of his own crimson foot complete with razor sharp claws! The earth felt so comforting beneath his weight, he longed to sink into it. That is, until he felt Leo's gaze on him. Leo Zaital stood clearly before him, with no detail unnoticed. Taln blinked his molten eyes rapidly, but Leo remained crystal clear in his vision! He could SEE! For the first time since he was six years old, he could see everything! He focused an unwaveringly eerie glowing gaze on Ivak's Champion and his form shifted and stayed as a human body. His voice first came out as a deep, liquid growl that briefly changed into the Ancient Tongue. Taln consciously coughed and gathered his thoughts to him, working hard to keep one shape and pay attention to Leo's words. "You have my deepest gratitude for showing me what a friend is." His friend's questions confused him at first, his freedom still a very newly hatched ideal. He felt Inferno shift within him, offering a thousand answers to Leo's questions. Struggling a bit, Taln searched for and found his own thoughts. A throaty growl that was supposed to be a laugh, preceded his words. "Do? Ivak, the other Gods, and Inferno gifted me this life so I think it is meant to be lived in their service. Although I'm not a Dek of Wind Reach property any longer, loyalty is what I've always known and I owe that to Ivak and the other Gods. I'm not sure where I'll travel. Why are you heading east?" 'He's heading east for his father's sake, human,' answered Inferno internally. 'He is Ivak's Champion now and must act on this.' "I thought this would be the end of everything, but it looks like it's all just beginning for us now." He watched Leo with a newly sharp, golden gaze and gave a genuine smile.

[Leo Varniak]

Leo regarded Taln - or the being previously known as Taln - a little longer. Died and reborn, unmade and made anew. The possibilities had been there all along, but it had taken Akvin's genius to bring them out to the fullest potential. Akvin's ascension alongside Glav reassured Leo that the two of them could support each other and make it through the troublesome initial stages of godhood. At least on that count he needed not worry. As for Leo Zaital, he had no Kova left in the world. Not even a ghost, or the ghost of a ghost. No-one was waiting for him by the fireplace, praying for his safe return. He was the fireplace now, for the whole of mankind. The burden placed on his shoulders would have crushed a lesser man. Even now he felt a premonition deep in his heart, that his quest would likely claim his life in the end... that there wouldn't be a happily ever after for him. Some lives were never meant for that. The thread of his life would not burn with the pursuit of happiness, but with a blaze of glory on a quest for the future of the world. There would be no praise. No money. No appreciation. No rest. No sympathy. It would be a great life. And even if he'd made an enemy of half the world, it was just as true that half the world had made an enemy of him. Leo Zaital smiled at Taln. "I need to tell the Isur how their king died to defend Ivak. I need to rekindle Ivak's cult across the continent. There are Triads waiting to be established... that's how we Azenth operate usually, in groups of three that guard over a city and one another. There is evil festering that needs rooted out, lies that need exposed. And there's a goddess I helped create, and whom I must destroy even if it costs my life. So I'm going East." He gave Taln one last look before starting back towards the surface. "You, too, have a role to play in all of this. I'm sure you will find your way. Those who bear the mark of the flame have no difficulty meeting their destiny... just keep burning long enough and you'll find yours." Leo found that he had no further advice for Taln. He was hardly a teacher, for he himself believed that the things worth learning could not be taught with words. And that was a lesson in itself. To his friends. And especially to his enemies. Leo Zaital closed his eyes. The Champion of Ivak opened his eyes. OOCThanks for the thread, both of you!