Come speak with me.
The voice spoke within Blaze’s head. He heard it not with his ears, but with his mind. Startled, he looked around, but saw nobody near him whose voice matched the one he had heard.
“What is it?” Faith asked, confused.
“I thought I heard someone.” Blaze replied, still looking around.
Come speak with me.
“There it was again!” Blaze exclaimed.
Hearing this, a light of understanding appeared in Faith’s eyes. “Blaze, Valde Abbas is trying to speak with you!”
Blaze’s legs suddenly felt weak underneath him, and his head swam with dizziness. He lowered his body to the ground slowly. “I think I’ll take a little nap,” he said, groggily.
“I’ll be waiting for you when you come back.” Faith promised.
Chapter Twenty Four
Blaze looked around and saw, without surprise, that he was once again in the black desert. Looking around, everything appeared to be the same as it always had been. Why, then, would Valde Abbas call him here again?
Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light in the distance, and a glowing white pillar rose out of the ground. It shined brighter than the sun, but its light did not reach where Blaze stood.
Come to me.
The voice echoed in his mind again, but Blaze could tell that the creator’s presence had left him before he could even respond. There was only one thing to do, then. Turning towards the light, he began to march across the desert.
Fifteen minutes went by without anything of interest happening. The sand was cool under Blaze’s paws, and he could walk on it with no trouble. Then, in the distance, he saw someone blocking his way. It was a large badger, with fearsome claws protruding from its paws, large enough to cut any saloli in half with little effort.
“Who are you?” Blaze called out to it.
“I am Doubt,” the badger replied, I am the one who crushes your hopes and dreams, leaving you with nothing but despair. In the coming time, I will be one of your greatest enemies. Yield to me.”
“No,” Blaze answered, “I will not yield to you! I do not carry only my own hopes and dreams, but those of every saloli in Icefire. If I were to give in to you, they all would as well. I will not let that happen!”
Blaze bared his claws, prepared to fight off this unwelcome visitor. Before either could make a move, though, the badger named Doubt began to glow, and vanished in a flash of white light. Blaze could not comprehend what he had just seen, and so decided to keep walking. Ten more minutes went by without further incident, and then another creature came to stand in Blaze’s way. It was a saloli and, to Blaze’s horror, he saw that it looked exactly like him! His fur glowed like embers, and beams of crimson light came from its eyes. When it spoke, its voice sounded like the crackling of flames.
“I am your hatred,” the saloli said, “I am what burns in your heart, the anger that your enemies kindle. In time, I will become stronger, and the fire within me will grow larger. If you do not yield to me, I will eventually consume your heart and mind, controlling your every thought and action. Heed my words and turn back.”
“No,” Blaze answered, “I will never let you control me. I will control you, and you will fuel my determination to protect the ones I love, and destroy those who would do them harm. I will not yield to you!”
Just as the badger had done, the saloli that looked like Blaze also vanished in a bright flash of white light. Blaze was more than a little unsettled by these events, and shivered in the cool desert air. What were these creatures? Why were they here? Why were they all telling him to turn back? Receiving no answer, Blaze had no choice but to forge on ahead. Before he had taken more than three steps, though, he heard footsteps approach him from behind.
Whirling around, Blaze now saw that he was being followed by two more creatures. One was a gray fox, and the other a massive falcon.
“I am Death,” said the fox, “And this is destruction. We have followed behind you ever since you became a part of this war. If you continue to fight, we will only grow stronger and multiply, for you leave both in your wake. If you care for the lives of those you claim to love, yield to us, and turn back.”
“No,” said Blaze, “you may follow in my pawprints, but that does not make me evil. I fight for what is right, and you are only the results of what is necessary. If I yielded to you, you would be increased even further than you would otherwise. I will continue to fight, and you will be my servants, used whenever you will aid the bringing of justice.”
Juts as the previous two had, Death and Destruction also began to glow, and vanished. Turning back towards the light, Blaze began to walk once again. He walked for what seemed to him like days, but his body did not feel the weariness that should have accompanied such a long trek. When he finally drew close to the great light, a mere fifty feet away, Blaze could hardly keep his eyes open from the brilliant glare. It was a beautiful sight, though, and it radiated the purity that Blaze knew only Valde Abbas could procure. He paused for a moment to bask in its glory. Before he could take another step, though, something rose out of the ground in front of him. It was another saloli, this time with fur as black as the midnight sky. Its eyes burned a sickening green color.
“Who are you?” Blaze challenged it.
“I am the evil that rests within your heart.” The saloli responded, and Blaze was horrified to hear his own voice come from its mouth. “I have been with you since the day you were born, and will stay with you until the day you die. There is nothing you can do to be rid of me, and I will continually grow stronger with each passing day.”
“Don’t bother telling me to yield,” Blaze said, anticipating Evil’s next words, “If there’s anything I won’t let stand in my way, it’s you!” He put himself in a battle stance, “I’ll never yield to evil!”
“Yield to me?” Evil repeated with a chuckle, “Fool! Why should I ask you to turn back when I will someday control you?”
Blaze was nearly knocked off of his paws by this revelation. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“I have my ways,” Evil said, his voice as smooth as black ice, “I will worm my way into your words, your actions, even your thoughts, until I have corrupted you. I will destroy those you care for, and you will not be able to shed a tear through your wall of selfishness. You will turn your back on the Father of All, and worship me instead, because I alone can grant you the instant gratification that everything desires! I will be your king!”
With these last five words, the evil Blaze began to grow. He stretched until he towered well over a thousand feet long, wings unfolded from his back, and his face extended into a reptilian snout. Blaze recoiled in horror, for now it was the Dragon itself that stood before him in all its terrible power.
“You will fall, just as the last Sword did!” the Dragon roared, its voice now as deep and powerful as thunder, “And you will bow before me as your true master!” The Dragon opened its mouth, revealing rows upon rows of massive onyx teeth, and slowly snaked its head forward to catch Blaze and swallow him.
Blaze could only watch in horror as thee snakelike jaws came towards him, and he shouted the one thing that came into his mind at the top of his voice: “Valde Abbas!”
There came a flash of light far brighter than those before it, and Blaze had to close his eyes, or else be blinded. Even behind his eyelids, the light still burned his eyes. He waited for what seemed like an eternity for the light to die down, but it did not.
Open your eyes, young one.
This time, to Blaze’s surprise, the voice did not simply speak in his mind, but also directly in front of him. Blaze slowly opened his eyes to a sight that he would never forget. It was ingrained in his memory as if by a chisel, and no amount of punishment could ever wear it away.
Standing before Blaze was a man. He wore a suit of armor that gleamed like the sun on a summer day, and carried a sword that looked as if it could cut mountains into pebbles. The man’s face was
not visible beneath the helmet’s visor, but a light radiated from within it, as if a star had been placed within it. It was the same light that had shown from the pillar only minutes before. Blaze knew, without a doubt, who now stood before him.
“Valde Abbas!” He whispered in awe. He quickly began to move around, unsure of what to do. Should he bow his head in respect? Raise it in trust? Would those even be worthy of such an occasion?
Be at peace, young one. Valde Abbas said. You know what you have come to do. It was not a question.
“Yes,” Blaze responded, “I am here to become the Sword.”
Indeed. Are you willing to do so?
“Of course!” Blaze insisted, “I’ll do anything to help my friends!”
I know you will, young one, but you must always remember that you made this decision. It was not forced upon you. If you wish to turn back, you must do so now, because you will not get another chance.
“I don’t need to think about it. I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”
“Father?” a voice came from behind Valde Abbas. It was young, and full of innocence, the kind that you could not find on earth. “Is everything all right?”
Everything is going according to plan. You need not come down just yet.
“Who was that?” Blaze asked.
The other half of the plan that begins with you. Valde Abbas answered. It was my son. Someday, he will come to join you, and he will do that which even the Sword can not.
“What is it the Sword can’t do?” Blaze asked.
Valde Abbas looked at Blaze, and for a moment the red saloli felt a chill of incomprehensible sorrow, and a scream of pain. Blood. It was everywhere! And then darkness. Blaze’s eyes widened in horror at the vision that arose before his eyes.
“Why?” was all he could ask when it faded from his vision.
Because the price of these creature’s deeds can only be paid with blood. Now, it is time to proceed. Are you ready and willing to undertake the task that I have chosen for you?
“I am.” Blaze answered.
Then from this day forth, you will no longer be an ordinary saloli. You will carry a piece of me with you everywhere you go. Use it to conquer the evil that pervades my world. The task will not be easy, but with me on your side you will be able to do it. The light coming from Valde Abbas’ helmet turned a light shade of red. I have commanded my subjects not to take revenge on those who have done them wrong, for vengeance is mine. I now send my vengeance to the earth within you, so that you may rid the world of those who wish to cause my follower’s pain.
Valde Abbas raised his hand, palm up, and Blaze slowly rose into the air, and alighted within it.
Now, become the Sword!
There was a final flash of light, and Blaze felt the power enter his body.
<><><><><>
Six hours had passed since Blaze had gone to sleep, but Icefire was still gathered around him, waiting for the first sign that he would awaken. An air of extreme anticipation had covered the camp, and the only sound that could be heard was the breathing of the saloli, slow with anxiety. What if Blaze didn’t wake up? Was he even asleep? What if he was dead? Nobody moved to prod him, though. Faith sat by his side, her gaze never moving from his prone form. Slowly, Sunbeam came to stand beside her, embarrassed to have the entire tribe looking at her all of a sudden, but her love mattered more.
“Is he okay?” she asked, her voice betraying her fears.
“Yes, dear,” Faith responded, still not looking away from the fiery red saloli, “he is conversing with Valde Abbas right now. He will awaken, and when he does he will be our deliverance.”
Nodding reassurance that she did not feel, Sunbeam moved back to stand among Icefire’s ranks once more. Her mind buzzed with thoughts. Blaze, the love of her life, the Sword? It seemed too far out to be true, but at the same time she found that she wasn’t in the least surprised. Caught off guard by the announcement, yes, but not by the revelation. There had always been something different about Blaze, but she had never been able to identify it. Now she knew.
Sunbeam sighed in confusion. When he woke up, would Blaze still be the saloli she knew and loved? Or would he be something completely different? The Sword. The title itself gave her images of a cold, uncaring creature who existed only to take the lives of others.
Goliath.
No! She quickly pushed that thought out of her head. Even if Blaze was willing to do what was needed, he would never be Goliath. Ever. Blaze was the one of the kindest saloli she had ever met. He cared for others, was loyal and protective of his friends, and he could even take time from his schedule to play with children like Springthorn. Children. He would make a wonderful father.
Before she could dwell a moment longer on the idea of parenthood, Blaze’s fur began to glow! He shined bright red, like a fire, lighting up ever inch of the Icefire camp. The saloli began to chatter excitedly. This was it! Sunbeam could only watch in fascination and fear as Blaze slowly began to rise from where he laid, his eyes still closed in slumber. Suspended ten feet above the ground, the fiery glow began to move up his body, and soon had congregated in the exact center of Blaze’s brow. There was a brilliant flash, and a tremendous BOOM, and some of Icefire screamed in fright. The light was instantly gone, though, and the resounding echoes soon diminished into nothing. Blaze remained in the air, but slowly began to descend back to the ground. He touched down standing up, his back turned to the rest of the tribe.
“Where is Rust?” he asked. His voice sounded the same, but was somehow different. It sounded stronger, more confident. With a trace of unease in his step, Icefire’s chief slowly made his way to stand behind his tribemate, stopping a good twelve inches away. Blaze turned around, and Icefire gasped in shock. Where Blaze’s fur had, earlier, been pure red, a streak of white reached upwards from his nose, and forked to both sides, which reached out to meet his eyes, while the original line continued up to the top of his brow. The end by his nose tapered into a point. It was the image of a sword.
“Rust, the Sword offers his services to the tribe of Icefire!” Blaze announced, and bowed his head.
Icefire waited with baited breath for their chief to respond. For a moment, Rust could only stare at the white streak on his friend’s head. This was unbelievable. Looking Blaze in the eye, he spoke clear and true for all those who could hear him.
“And Icefire accepts it!”
<><><><><>
BOOOM!
Goliath awoke with a start, panting heavily. He had been having a horrible nightmare! It had started as a good dream, seeing himself standing over a mile tall, looming over the forest, able to strike fear into the hearts of its inhabitants with only a glance. Then, out of the sky, a great sword had fallen, impaling him in its descent. Goliath didn’t need Mordred to interpret this one. Standing up, Goliath shook his head. No, he was being ridiculous. He was winning the war! Three tribes were now under his command, and there was nothing to stop him from conquering the third at his leisure. Still, he was glad that the thunder had awoken him. It wouldn’t do to let someone from his tribe find him quivering in fear from a meaningless dream. He looked up to gauge how strong the storm was. The sky was completely clear, and the stars shown down on him.
Goliath’s heart began to beat faster. Looking across the camp, he spotted Mordred sitting on the far edge, facing north. Climbing out of his tree, he made his way through the Darkcover saloli that had massed on the ground, wondering what was going on. They, too, had heard the blast.
“Get back in your trees!” Goliath ordered, “Go back to sleep! Now!” He waited for his saloli to obey before making his way to stand beside Mordred. “What is going on?”
Mordred looked at Goliath, seeing nothing, and Goliath was shocked to see fear etched across his prophet’s face.
“The Sword has come.” He said.
Chapter Twenty Five
Blaze awoke with the sunrise. Shaking the sleepiness out of his head, he was momentarily startled to find tha
t he was alone in his tree. Then he remembered that Rust had insisted that the Sword have a tree all to himself, like the chief and prophet did. Blaze wasn’t entirely sure he liked that idea, but went along with it anyway. Part of being the Sword, Rust had deduced, was acting like a creature that would take charge in any given circumstance, and thus should be set apart from the normal saloli. After spending a night by himself, Blaze decided that he would speak to Rust about sleeping in the Common’s Tree again. He wasn’t like the other saloli, he knew that, but he didn’t want to become an outsider within his own tribe. Besides, Sunbeam was still in the Common’s Tree.
Only two days remained until their wedding day, and Blaze felt his insides churn with eagerness and anxiety every time he thought about it. It would be- should be- the happiest day of his life, but he couldn’t rid himself of the notion that something would go wrong. It usually did. Blaze shook his head once more to clear it of these horrid thoughts. He would not look forward to his own wedding day with dread! It would be the greatest day of his life, even if he had to kill all of Darkcover beforehand to make sure they didn’t interfere.
Legends of the Saloli: Vengeance and Mercy Page 10
