Flame Caller

by Jon Messenger

  “You’re really her, aren’t you? You’re the Wind Elemental. You’re real.”

  The Elemental smiled and nodded. “I’m real and I’ve been waiting for you for some time.”

  Xander knelt beside the bed, since there wasn’t any other furniture in the room. “If you’ve been waiting for me, then you know why I’m here. We need your help. The world is on the edge of being destroyed by—”

  “The Fire Caste. I know.”

  “Then you know why we need your help. I’ve tried to stop them myself and I can’t. We need your power.”

  She smiled again. “Yes you do, far more than you even realize.”

  Xander sat back on his feet and set his hands on his legs. “I can’t help but feel that you brought us here for a purpose. I don’t think we could have gotten through that hurricane by ourselves, which means you helped us with that too. Why do you need us so bad? What can we possibly do to help someone as powerful as you?”

  “Not ‘us’, Xander. ‘You’. I brought you here for a purpose.”

  “Why me?”

  “That’s a far more complicated question than you realize, young warrior.” The Elemental looked up toward the exposed beams that crossed the ceiling. “Forgive the history lesson, but you need to understand where all this started before you can fully understand the part you play in this game.

  “Millennia ago, we four Elementals gathered to decide our role in the future of humankind. We knew that we each had something to offer the youthful creatures, but disagreed on how best to help. We didn’t always agree with one another, you have to realize. Fire and Water bickered often. Earth was stoic and unbending in his ideas. Even I was lured into the disagreements, despite my agreeable nature. In the end, we realized that we couldn’t hope to help humanity if we were forced to work together. To that end, we made a pact in which only one element would exist on Earth at any given time.”

  “The Earth gives way to the Water, the Water bows to the Wind, the Wind feeds the Flame, and the Flame burns the world of man down to the Earth. I’ve been told it once or twice. Is this where it came from?”

  The Elemental looked over to him, her eyes milky with early stages of cataracts. “The words to describe it came much later but yes, our meeting was where it began. We agreed to take our turns, starting with the Earth Elemental. He had the power to create the land that would support humanity. Next came the Water Elemental, who ensured humanity had all it would require to sustain life. When humanity had grown enough, I awoke to lead humanity to a higher level of consciousness.

  “I’d like to think I’ve done a good job with humanity. Under our guidance, they built cities and roads, flew through the air, and walked on the moon. We were muses for invention, poetry, and prose. We truly helped humanity reach its fullest potential.”

  Xander shook his head. “But the Fire Caste is going to ruin all that. They’re going to burn everything you did to the ground. But you already know this. It was part of the prophecy from the beginning. ‘The Flame burns the world of man down to the Earth.’”

  He stood and stretched his legs, which had already grown stiff from kneeling. “I don’t get it. Why bother? Why go through all the effort of cultivating humanity if your plan all along was just to destroy it?” He felt himself growing angry. “Why give us hope at all?”

  The Wind Elemental sighed in a very human manner. “Because we made our decisions about humanity before we ever knew you. The young creatures we knew when we made our pact were juvenile, hardly capable of speaking a formal language or using tools. We hoped, but could have never known, exactly how you would turn out. Believe me when I tell you that we’ve grown to love you and don’t want to see you destroyed.”

  “Then help me stop the Fire Elemental,” Xander said. “If you don’t want to see us destroyed, then get out of bed and help us.”

  “I—we—already have,” the Elemental said with a smile. “We gave the world a chance when we made you.”

  Xander stopped his incessant pacing. “Me?”

  “You. You’re humanity’s future.”

  “How? What can I do that you can’t?”

  “You were created to be the next stage of the elemental evolution. When the Fire Elemental awoke, it argued that humanity had overstepped its bounds, causing irreparable damage to the planet. It no longer took into consideration the needs of the world when it blasted through mountains, pumped toxins into the air, or polluted the oceans. Fire argued that it was time to fulfill the prophecy and burn down the world of man, letting the world reset after humanity was gone. We could try again with whatever took humanity’s place.”

  Xander sighed and sat heavily on the floor beside the bed. “He’s not wrong, you know? We’re not exactly good to the planet.”

  “But he was wrong about it being irreparable. Humanity has the potential to fix its mistakes. Earth, Water, and I understood that and argued the point, much to Fire’s chagrin.”

  “I’m sure he took that well,” Xander smirked. His experience was that the Fire Caste didn’t have much of a sense of humor.

  The Wind Elemental cackled. “No, he was quite upset at what he viewed as a coup against his right to rule. We knew we could never convince him to see the wisdom of our words, so we tricked him. Earth trapped Fire deep under the ground in a cavern too small for him to escape. While he was gone, we set to work finding a salvation for humanity.”

  The humor bled from the Wind Elemental’s face as she continued. “You were our salvation.”

  “You still haven’t explained what I can do that you three Elementals can’t.”

  “You have youthful exuberance, Xander. When you’ve used your powers, have you noticed the sense of an unending well of power within you? We created you to be able to hold vast amounts of power.” She looked at him sternly to ensure he understood what she meant. “Vast amounts of pure, Elemental power.”

  Xander covered his mouth with his hand as he tried to absorb what she was telling him. “Are you saying…?”

  He paused and she finished his thought. “We created you to replace us, Xander. To replace all the Elementals.”

  “I can’t. There are four other Wind Warriors standing outside that are much stronger than I am. Giovanni or, God help me, even Patrick, would be better suited for this. I’m not strong enough to be your host.”

  “Not host,” the Wind Elemental corrected. “Replacement.”

  Xander shook his head. “I don’t think I understand.”

  “This body is a host. In my pure form, I appear more like a mist or a cloud. But to pass amongst the humans, most of the Elementals choose a human host. This body was once a Wind Warrior like you but she was dying of a rare disease. She agreed to become my host, giving her life so that I could more easily move among humanity and influence its development.

  “What I’m asking of you is different. I’m asking you to take my power, all of it. Not as a host but as a replacement. I want you to become the Wind Elemental.”

  Xander blanched. Sammy had told him before that she was amazed at the depth of the power within him whenever he faced General Abraxas and later when he faced Patrick in their duel. It had been hard enough to come to terms with the fact that he went from being a slacker college student to a powerful Wind Warrior. Now, he wasn’t sure he was ready for what she was asking.

  “I’m not sure I’m the right person,” he replied. “Even if I agreed, what good would it do? If the Wind Warriors are weak against the Fire Caste, wouldn’t that make you weak against the Fire Elemental?”

  “You’re not wrong. I’m so very tired. With so few of the Wind Warriors remaining, I should be preparing for my own slumber, not planning a revolution.

  “My power alone isn’t enough. To defeat the Fire Warrior and save the planet, you’ll need the combined powers of the Water and Earth Elementals. The other two Elementals know that you’re our best chance. I’m not just offering my power, Xander. I’m offering you their power as well.”

  His
mind spun with hundreds of possibilities. When they had set off from the ruined island, he had known their only chance at victory rested on the shoulders of the Wind Elemental. He never could have fathomed the offer she would make or the implications. He thought again about Sammy and wondered what she would think about the offer.

  “I had a friend, a Fire Warrior,” Xander blurted.

  The Wind Elemental smiled sadly but didn’t reply.

  “She was like me; she gained her powers really young. We have this connection, something I couldn’t explain before. If you created me for something special, then that means that she was created for a purpose too, right?”

  The Elemental’s smile faded. “I know of your friend and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  “What do you mean you’re sorry?”

  “When we discussed giving humanity another chance and postponing the Fire Caste’s awakening, the Fire Elemental vehemently disagreed. That was why the Earth Elemental trapped him in the first place. But Fire can escape if he has a host. By his nature, the Fire Elemental’s power burns up a normal host. He needed someone… special.”

  Xander’s heart fluttered in his chest. “Are you saying that she’s going to be its host?”

  “I did say I was sorry. You were both created directly by Elemental influence, though for such very different reasons. It’s why you felt such a strong connection to one another.”

  “But you also said that your host gave her life when you took over,” Xander yelled angrily. The fluttering in his heart had become a pounding as he swore his heart would soon leap out of his chest. “Please tell me it hasn’t happened yet.”

  “The Elementals can sense one another. As far as I can tell, Fire still remains trapped in his prison.”

  “Then I have to save her before it can happen.”

  “All the more reason for you to accept my offer,” the Wind Elemental said calmly. “You can only face and defeat Fire if you wield our combined strength.”

  “Then I’ll do it,” he said hastily.

  The Wind Elemental nodded. “There’s one more thing you need to know before you make your final decision. The Elementals grant the power to their followers. We create the castes to further our goals. What it means is that when I give you my power, the rest of the Wind Warriors will be cut off from their power forever. If you take my power, they’ll become normal humans once again.”

  The flames from his wings looked like a shooting star, visible even in the morning light. General Abraxas didn’t slow as he approached land, instead increasing his speed as he focused on the sensation of other Fire Warriors nearby. His velocity broke the sound barrier. The sonic boom in his wake shattered the windows of the automobiles and houses underneath his flight path. A wail of car alarms and screams were left in his aftermath.

  Imbued by the power of the Fire Elemental, his body glowed with flames as he flew. His vision danced in patterns of blues and reds as his eyes slid seamlessly between normal vision and infrared. Heat signatures from farmhouses and country cottages burned brightly. In the distance, the horizon ignited in wavering shades of red as he approached the western edge of London. Abraxas smiled wickedly at the sight. It looked like London was on fire.

  With reservation, he turned his attention away from London. His target was quickly approaching and the General angled downward while he rocketed toward the ground. The flames of his wings poured over his body as he flew, encompassing him in a flying ball of flames. He turned sharply downward as he reached the outskirts of Reading. Without slowing, he slammed into the ground.

  An explosion of dirt, grass, and stone showered over him. His body dug a trench through the earth until he finally came to a stop, pushing a mound of unearthed soil in front of him. Smoke billowed from the end of the trench but it quickly dissipated in the strong, English wind. As the smoke cleared, flaming wings emerged from the top of the trench, as Abraxas stood, unscathed.

  The flaming wings faded in a cloud of smoke as the General stepped onto the moist grass beyond the trench. He frowned deeply as his eyes fell on the lonesome cottage resting far beyond the city limits of Reading.

  He leaned down into a crouch and placed his palm on the cool soil. The plants withered and charred from his touch but Abraxas didn’t notice. With his hand on the ground, he could feel the Fire Warriors nearby.

  His frown turned to a smile as he admired the small, wooden-framed home. It had a quaint architecture that decried its true purpose. Dried herbs hung beside the front door and a welcome mat sat, muddied and neglected, on the narrow doorstep.

  Abraxas’ eyes ignited in violent, red flames and he clutched his fist. The house exploded in flames, showering wood and glass for hundreds of feet in all directions. The debris turned to ash as it neared him, leaving him sooty but unharmed. He stepped over the shattered remnants of the home as he approached its now-exposed foundation.

  Beams and segments of the roof still lay over the frame of the destroyed home. He pushed a sheet of shingles aside with his booted foot, exposing a hidden staircase beneath. The stonework of the upper stairs was blackened in the explosion but still remained sturdy.

  General Abraxas descended the stairs, entering the cool natural cavern past the base of the stairwell. The passage led him under one of the nearby fields before it ended at an intricately carved door. Dancing flames were intermixed with a symbol General Abraxas didn’t immediately recognize but assumed it was a clan notation.

  He raised his hand to knock but paused, his hand hovering inches from the ornate door. He smiled again, opened his hand, and the shattered inward. The flaming shards fell to the floor and scattered across the polished tile of the room beyond.

  Fire Warriors leapt to their feet, flames erupting from their clenched fists. General Abraxas strode confidently into the center of the room, allowing himself to be surrounded by the warriors.

  “Where is your Lord?” General Abraxas asked, his voice carrying clearly across the room. The warriors looked at one another hesitantly but offered no answer. As Abraxas opened his mouth to ask again, a door on the far side of the room was flung open and an opulently dressed, blonde-haired man emerged. A gold-trimmed cloak hung over his shoulders, barely concealing the carved leather breastplate he wore over his torso.

  “By what right do you barge into the home of my clan?” the Lord asked, his words tainted faintly with a British accent.

  General Abraxas sneered at the man, exposing his sharp teeth. “I come on behalf of our shared master. You’d do well to hold your tongue in my presence.”

  The older Fire Warrior blanched momentarily before regaining his composure. “What do you want here?”

  “I come bearing a message.” His eyes rolled back into his head as Abraxas looked unseeingly up at the ceiling. When he spoke, his voice was raspy and hoarse. “Gather your men. It’s time.”

  Abraxas recovered quickly and coughed to clear his now-sore throat.

  “It’s time for…” the Lord began before shaking his head quickly. “You can’t be serious. A pact remains between the elements. We don’t move until the last of the Wind Caste is dead, that’s the law. That hasn’t happened. What do you think you’re trying to do here?”

  “I’m passing along the word of our master, you insolent whelp. You’d do well to heed my warning.”

  “You say you bring His word but I have only your word, don’t I? I think it’s about time you leave before we find a place to bury you.”

  General Abraxas clenched and unclenched his fists. The Lord turned his back to leave and the dozen Fire Warriors in the room pressed in around the General. He opened his mouth, as though to speak, but instead a brilliant fire ignited in the back of his throat. The Elemental flame—a gift from the Fire Elemental himself—poured from Abraxas’ mouth and consumed the clan’s Lord.

  The man screamed as the intense flames flowed over his body, consuming every inch of him simultaneously. He reached out his hand toward his second in command, who had remained behind in
the throne room. Before the Fire Warrior could reach the Lord, the elder warrior’s skin had turned gray, as had his leather uniform and hair. He appeared to be nothing more than ash.

  Like a virus, the flames leapt from the body of the Lord and set ablaze the two closest Fire Warriors. Their screams of pain mixed with the yelps of anger from the rest of those surrounding Abraxas. They let loose their flames but the fire rolled harmlessly off the General’s body.

  Abraxas smiled as the flames leapt again and again until all twelve Fire Warriors were consumed by its unimaginable might. When the last of the warriors had turned to ash, Abraxas turned lazily in a circle, admiring his work.

  At the end of his turn, he stared at the back of the former Lord of the clan. He strode to the Lord’s side, admiring the look of anguish on the man’s frozen face. The hand remained outstretched, though Abraxas could already see the flaking of the ashy skin on the boney fingertips.

  “What have you done?” the clan’s second in command asked in disbelief.

  “I’ve done our master’s bidding, as I encourage you to do as well. That is, unless you wish to share the same fate as your former Lord.”

  Abraxas slammed his fist through the Lord’s arm, which erupted in a cloud of ash and dust. The forearm and hand fell to the ground, where it shattered as well. The General finished the arc of his swing, striking the Lord in the chin. The head exploded, showering everyone in black, choking soot.

  “Our master has sent me to make sure all the clans begin their march. His word is non-negotiable. Regardless of the Wind Warriors’ presence…”

  Abraxas paused and grimaced at the thought of the Wind Caste.

  “No matter the Wind Warriors. The time of man has come to an end. You are to march on humanity and show them the might of the Fire Caste. Burn their world to the ground. Am I understood?”

  The second in command nodded hastily. “Understood, my Lord.”

  General Abraxas smiled, though the expression had a markedly frightening effect on the worrisome Fire Warrior.