The flames don’t spread any farther than the stone, dissipating just as quick as they arrive.
The Princess breaks free from Utrix and stomps past the remaining walls. Stupid brat still hasn't learned a damn thing. We follow her; don't have to walk far before seeing the results of Sur's final act of enjoyment. Before us lies a barren and scorched plain, where black ground spreads all the way to the horizon. The city—reduced to nothingness.
Such is the way of Sur.
26
ARYN
Where am I? Why's it so dark? The last thing I remember was being on fire. Those flames were weird. They felt similar to mine… but brimming with unnatural hate and malice. Oddly, the feelings within those flames seemed familiar to me. I wonder if I encounter those flames once before. Those three were around me when I was on fire… hope they're ok.
The sudden sensation of my body being in suspension occurs.
I think I'm floating somewhere… not that helps me any. I can move my limbs, so there's a chance I can escape. Unless something happened to my eyes, I don't believe I am blind. Seeing as I have no idea what sort of situation I'm in, I'll go forth as if I am blind.
"I see you have decided to awaken," a voice echoes around me.
I know that voice.
"You're the one who told me to take that sword," I remark.
The voice chuckles. The deep vibrato seems to rattle my bones.
"I would like to think I more so put the suggestion into your mind. Since you took up that sword, would that not imply you, yourself wanted it?" the voice responds.
Shit… he's one of those who answers with a question to sound smart, or is he actually smart?
"I'd ask you who are, but I have a feeling you'd just answer with a question that doesn't tell me anything," I state.
"Perhaps you know my identity already?" the voice responds.
This bastard, he did that just to be an ass, didn't he!? This is gonna be a fuckin’ pain.
Wait… think Aryn.
Can I outsmart him and get him to tell me what I need to know? It's possible—I'm good at talking; I'm sure I can steer the conversation in a favorable direction.
"Do you honestly think you can control the flow of our little chat?" the voice asks.
"Listen here, you fucker," I sternly respond. I point my finger for emphasis. I just hope I'm pointing at this guy. "Do you intend to be a cunt, or will you answer my questions?" I question.
There's no response as I float in the darkness. Is he still there? Shit, did I ruin my only way out of whatever I'm in?
"Would you try to have a discussion with someone who intends on addressing you with vulgar words?" the voice asks.
Another damn question.
A flame suddenly appears; at least I'm not blind.
I use the light it gives off to assess my surroundings. I seem to be in a void of darkness. The fire only fills the emptiness around it.
From the core of the flame, the faint silhouette of a figure appears. I'm assuming it's a person, though I can only make out the shape of a head and shoulders.
"I take it you're the body the voice belongs to?" I ask.
The flame spurs forth, like the wisps of wind, enveloping around me and beyond. The fire burns my skin, but they don't feel hot in the slightest. They don't have any temperature, hot or cold. Can't feel anything from the fire, yet it's still burning me.
"It has been many, many years since last I was able to interact with you. Though I do wonder why you seem unable to recognize me, I thought we were close companions," the figure states.
The figure is silent. I think it's looking at me, but there are no eyes for me to tell.
"From the look upon your face, it would appear you truly have no recollection of who and what I am to you," it says.
"Where am I?" I ask.
There's a long period of silence between us; it's pretty awkward.
"Is that the only question you want to know, genuinely?" it responds.
"Yeah, how do I get out of, wherever is here?" I question.
Fire erupts from all around; no longer is there a blanket of darkness. The bottom rushes up from below… or am I falling to it from above?
My feet land on a solid surface with a thud. So, I’m not dreaming; the ground I stand on is definitely real.
The figure lands in front of me, this time wearing a cloak of flames. It’s taken vague facial features. I can make out the outlines of its nose and mouth; the only things of any noteworthy are the eyes, with pupils of a dim fire that seem to burn with a powerful rage.
"Might you be a bit curious as to my identity now?" it asks.
"Maybe," I answer.
This thing may be more dangerous than I thought. The ground seemed to appear when it wanted; I also stopped being suspended for the change to occur.
I tap the bottom with my toe… it's definitely real. Was it controlling me, and I was floating in the sky then?
"The Sage named me Sur, though that is not my real name, it is easier to be addressed as so," the figure states. "As to what I am, I am afraid that is a bit more complicated to explain for one such as yourself to understand," it says.
"What, you think I lack intelligence or something?" I scoff.
The figure chuckles. "Not enough to grasp the fullest aspect of what I would tell you," it answers. "When you ask the Sage about me, which you eventually will, he will tell you the same story that I am about to. I am rage, hatred, and violence—yours, that is. I am the other version of yourself that lies deep within. I am a manifestation of the emotions that are too dangerous to be let out. Henceforth, the Sage put a seal on me," Sur explains.
A manifestation of my emotions? Rage and hatred? I understand violence. It has been useful in many circumstances. I've never truly hated a person though; annoyed or pissed at them, but never hated someone.
And what's the whole thing about a Sage and a seal? Don't recall ever meeting a fuckin’ Sage. I'm sure I would know of a seal being placed on me as well.
I narrow my eyes at it. "Let's say the words you've told me do carry any weight," I say. "Do you have any proof to convince me?" I ask.
Sur laughs as he approaches me. I start walking forward to meet him halfway.
As we get closer to each other, the heat radiating from it intensifies. I can feel several layers of my flesh being scorched away; every step closer causes the burns to reach deeper. Soon the pain goes to my bones.
Oddly, as the distance between us closes, Sur's appearance changes even more. A flaming mane grows to its shoulders. Its body shrinks, but its shoulders become much broader. Its upper body looks much thicker; in fact, his limbs also increase in size. If this is its true form, then Sur has impeccable muscle proportion and definition.
We meet face to face… I don't fuckin' believe it.
Sur's facial structure has changed as well; it has my face. I know my body better than anyone, and this isn't just a copy.
Every muscle that I've trained to be a certain way for specific movements; the sense of the experience you can feel from looking at a body that's been through many hardships, I'm looking at myself.
"I take it this is appropriate validation for you?" Sur questions.
"Yeah… I'd be an utter fool not to consider what you said after seeing something like this," I reply.
He smiles at my comment. Have to say, it's a bit unnerving to see myself grinning at me.
"Sadly, our time together seems to be dwindling to an end," it remarks. "I assume I will have to make this brief," it says with a sigh. "I am not your friend, nor am I willing to be. I had my freedom taken from me, and I wish it returned to me," Sur states.
"Listen, buddy, I'm sure it's not the best to be sealed away, but that's not my problem in the slightest," I comment.
Sur chuckles, then laughs like a madman. Its murderous aura is the nastiest I've ever felt. A wicked grin stretches from ear to ear, and Sur's eyes fill with hate.
"You seem not to fully realize what this
means," it growls. "I intend to retake the body that you have taken such care of for me. The Sage's seal only has the slightest of cracks in it, though it is enough for me to make some difference," Sur remarks.
It thrusts its fingers into my eye, ripping it out of the socket. The flames from its fingers instantaneously sear the wound.
Sur then plunges its fingers into its own eye, ripping it out too.
I go to leap away from it, but Sur reacts quicker, clenching me by the back of my head to keep me steady. It shoves its eye into the empty socket of mine.
It's a terrible, almost unbearable, pain. The pain causes me to slowly lose consciousness.
"I will have that body, no matter how long I must wait," its voice echoes as everything fades away.
My eyes open, and a blue sky greets me. My right eye's covered by something, and my body is shaking ever so. I feel around with my fingers. I seem to be on a wooden surface, the back of a wagon then. Where am I this time? Is this real, or just another dream?
Suddenly, Asteria's face hovers above me. Her eyes fill with gleam.
"Aryn's awake!" she exclaims.
She helps me sit up against the wall of the wagon.
"Take care not to move too much," she states. "The hole in your chest has yet to fully heal," she informs me.
I look down; the area above my heart looks like a crater of flesh. Not only that, but I seem unable to fully move my left arm at the moment, just my fingers, it would seem.
"And my eye?" I ask her.
"It's been closed this whole time, couldn't even open your eyelids with our hands," Barin comments.
He's riding a horse next to the wagon. Utrix and Isla are riding on the front of the wagon. Utrix turns and nods; Isla refuses to acknowledge me, not to my surprise though.
"Fool," Isla calls out. "Would you care to explain what took over you in Cochagine? It better be reasonable," she demands.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
I just now remember the Devil that we were fighting.
I hurry to stand, unable to find the strength to do so.
"Where's that Devil!?" I shout. "Did we all die?"
A small metal rod lands in the wagon in-between my legs.
"Will you cease with the absurd act!?" Isla yells. "Whose words hold the truth; those of the Devil, or Barin?" she asks.
I haven't a clue to what she's talking about. Did I do something in the city? Does it have something to do with that Sur that I saw in my dream?
"Sorry to disappoint, but I couldn't tell you what happened after the three of you found me," I answer. "Bout the only thing I can remember is a bizarre dream. I met some guy who looked just like me," I remark.
I can feel the atmosphere around the wagon becomes more serious; the air seems to stagnate whenever that happens. Must've said something that I shouldn't've.
"What was his name, this look-alike?" Utrix asks.
"Sur… that's what it said it should be called, anyways," I respond. "It's weird though. It had the same voice as the one I heard telling me to take hold of that sword back at Bayard’s. I wonder if that sword was cursed after all?" I comment.
I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. Doesn't seem to help a bit. Honestly, I think I made everyone more uneasy. Even Asteria can't hide her nervousness with a smile.
Killing intent from Utrix and Isla spikes, like a sharp sword, pointed towards me.
They're not pulling my leg here; they actually intend to kill me. But for what reason have I drawn their scorn?
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you two are really wanting to kill me," I say cautiously.
Isla swiftly spins, revealing a sword in hand. Her killing intent has been refined considerably. What once felt like a bent and misshapen blade pointed towards me is now comparable to that of an arrow notched by the most skilled archer.
Such killing intent makes mine arise out of instinct. This causes Isla to leap towards me with her sword, ready to thrust forth.
Asteria hooks Isla's arm to stop her; Barin punches me in the head at the same time to prevent any conflict.
“The three of you quit making assess of yourselves," Barin barks. "More concerning things than killing one another at the moment."
"Do you include me in that statement?" Isla asks.
Barin glares at Isla, seeming to order her to settle down.
"Especially you, you're the biggest ass in that wagon," Barin snaps.
"Don't know if you've taken a gander at her backside, but that is definitely not true," I remark.
I start laughing at my joke. My quick wits have always been of use to lighten the mood.
A small metal spear falls from the sky and punctures my thigh. I glance to my left to see Isla and Asteria scowling at me.
I sigh. "Sorry," I apologize and lower my head. "I shouldn't have made such a comment. It would seem I've offended you." I raise my head to meet Isla's gaze. "I do think you have an appealing body, though it isn't as emphasized as others may be, your proportions have an elegance to them that can't be matched," I explain.
Another rod lands in the other leg.
"Well, that was just uncalled for," I grunt.
I prop myself back upright. The rods have no heads on them, so I can just pull them out. I look at Asteria, waiting for her to heal me as she usually does. She doesn't though, prompting me to give her a confused expression.
"I think a bit of pain will be a good lesson for you," Asteria remarks. "It will do good to remind you to be more mindful of your words," she states.
I sit back and frown. Asteria has to be shitting me, right? I haven't said or acted any different than I usually do.
I look at the wounds on my thighs; they're bleeding pretty good. I sigh and lean my head back; need to treat them myself, I suppose.
My gaze drifts towards Barin; he's looking at me like I'm an idiot. He reaches into the satchel on the saddle to retrieve a needle and thread from it. I grin as he tosses it to me.
I begin suturing the wounds.
"Aryn," Barin calls out. "See if you can use your magic," he instructs.
My magic, weird thing to ask for me to do while I'm giving myself aid. He must have some reason for telling me to, don't see why I should give it any thoughts.
I raise my hand behind the wagon and build up mana. Asteria places her hand on my arm to stop me from doing so.
"Do you believe such acts are wise? Last you were awake and reasonable, you were engulfed by flames from within," she states.
"That's a good point," I respond. "This is a better one though."
I use my flames as I always have, creating them from the palm of my hand. However, this time, the flames erupt in a massive cloud; never before have my flames ever raged with so much fury.
"It appears your flames are still effective," Isla comments.
Barin grabs me by the shoulder and damn near pulls me over the wagon. He brings me close, placing his hand on my forehead. I feel faint mana form in the palm of his hand, flowing steadily into my skull. I don't like this feeling. It makes me… uneasy.
"Is there an issue?" Asteria asks with concern. "Aryn seems just as he was before the incident. Even his magic is exactly the same as the Aryn we've gotten to know," she states.
"No, something is wrong," I respond. "My flames aren't how they should be."
The wagon halts. Utrix turns and faces us; his guard is up and his killing intent ever so sharp. He should be careful to not crush the apple in his hand.
"What the fuck does that mean exactly?" he sternly questions.
Barin leans forward to speak; Utrix hurls the apple at him, silencing him before a word is spoken.
"If you open your mouth and say any more bullshit when I ask Aryn a question; I swear to the Celestials, I will send to the sun!" Utrix barks.
A murderous aura exudes from Barin briefly, then quickly quells. He looks at me and shrugs. I yawn and rub my eyes. There's too much tension in the air… not suitable for a person once they've just awok
en.
Barin swats the back of my head to get my attention. He appears to be gesturing for me to explain the details to the others.
"Uhhh… well, usually I use my flames without any emotion. That way I can control them better. They usually roll forth like a cloud that envelops what I want," I begin. "For some reason, my flames just now contained hate and malice. I was unable to control them as willingly as normal; they were much larger and wilder than usual," I explain.
Utrix's eyes narrow. Can feel his killing intent getting deadlier as it's directed towards me. It would also seem that Isla made some of her swords beforehand, seeing as she has one in hand.
"Should we be worried?" Utrix asks.
"Don't see why there should be a need to worry," I respond with a grin.
I then flex my arm to show my muscles, a symbol of my fortitude and strength, if you will.
A smile spreads across Utrix's face; he then bursts out laughing. Asteria joins him with a little giggle.
"It would appear I have no reason to worry." Utrix comments. "For now, at least."
He turns to face forward again, taking the reins to set off down the road we're on.
"While the others may be so eager to overlook suspicion on you, I will not be as foolish," Isla says threateningly.
I rub my right eye. Why do I still have this piece of cloth over it? I put my fingers underneath the cloth, checking for any permanent wounds. I only feel my eyelids, no damage to it.
I start unwrapping the cloth from my head. Everyone is staring at me while I do; I stare back, confused about what else I should do. The remaining material falls onto my lap. At this point, they're staring rather intently at me. Do they want to see my eye or something?
I open my eyelid… they instantly seem relieved and disappointed.
"That was rather uneventful." Barin scoffs.
Asteria grabs my head, a hand on either side of my face. She leans in close, examining my eye. She keeps getting closer and closer. Any closer and our pupils are gonna touch each other.
She pushes off of me and moves to the other side of the wagon.
She seems to be perplexed by the state of my eye. I guess it's only normal, seeing as how they said I was on fire, apparently.
Avarice Twilight Page 27
