A cold wind blew out across the plains. It came down from the high mountains. Blowing back the Fur cloak exposing the flesh to the pounding rain. Hands strong and worn from a great many battles reach up to unfasten the furs letting them slip down to the ground. Long ebon tresses spill over the now half naked form. Naked, save for the loin cloth that hung from the hips. A lone man approaches leaning upon a crooked staff. He wears a simple green robe, His body adorned in strange pictish writings. He speaks in an odd tongue no one seems to understand. "Vedui' Isto Chath. Ph' dos kr'athin whol dosst z'hind?" The lone warrior seems to understand the language of the forgotten tribe.
Nodding once the green eyes burn into him. A spark flares between the two. Something that has always bonded them. Something that always will. The eternal fire that burns with in their souls uniting them in spirit, even though they can not be in body. She nods still speaking in the tribes tongue, though clearly he can understand. "I am Ready Cryso. This is a journey long awaited."
Brushing back his hood runes covered his face. "I am not a Shaman Chath I can not even begin to prepare you for the trip you will undertake. However, as the last healer and wielder of magic with this forgotten tribe, all I can do is give you the proper blessings, and wish you a safe journey." His eyes were filled with care, and deep concern.
"I know Cryso," she said softly. "I expect nothing else from you." He nodded again and with drew a small bowl. Crushing some herbs with in along with a trickle of his own blood he made an odd purplish ink. Dipping is right index and middle finger with in the strange paste he held his hand forth and began the long process of painting odd markings, pictish swirls, and tribal runes all along her flesh.
The process was long and tedious. She stood with the cold winds baring down on her exposed flesh as he toiled long and hard covering every inch of her skin. Each blessing he chanted in silent prayer in the ancient tongue of their tribe. His face coloring red at odd times as her marked other parts of her flesh.
When she was covered from head to foot in the markings of her people he stepped back. Studying her. She opened her eyes stepping out of the deep thought she had placed herself in. "You have them? " She asked softly. He merely nodded as he handed her the 2 keys she would need for this. One was the symbol of the Element in which she lived. The element she was sworn to protect. That of the sacred fire. The other, was the Emblem of the very creature who stood as great lord over that element. The great phoenix. The fire bird Ju jak. Clutching the keys tight in both hands, she nodded once a farewell to he druid, as a high pitched whistle split the are.
Thunder cascaded across the plains as a beast of solid midnight pounded in fast beats across the plains. "Ahh Demon, ever loyal." She said to the beautiful horse. His long black mane shivered in a wave to the ground as he shook his head. She mounded him swiftly. Sitting astride his back she held both keys close to her heart. Legs wrapped tight around him to keep from falling off. She gave a whispered command and he took off with lightning speed. Leaving behind the lone druid as they made their way to the first place she learned her true nature. The Great Tree.
Once they arrived, she sent demon on his way. Laying out stones she gathered around the abandoned fire pit. The place where she first learned of fire. Where she had learned to make and wield fire, as well to cook her first meals. The place the Druid Whippet had taken her on a long journey to align with the element she now spoke for. The Element who's creator she now seeks out. Setting down the Key to Fire upon one Stone, and the Key of the great Ju jak upon the one opposite, she turned and began to build a fire with in the pit.
In no time her expert hands had the flames dancing high above her. Smiling softly she set her spear down in front of the fire. Stepping back she sat slowly down next to the tree. Her back against it's strong trunk she folded her fee under her. Her legs crossed (Indian style) Resting her hands upon her knees she stared into the fire. "I have come. I am ready" Her voice was soft, but firm. It was enough. Both keys flared suddenly and then faded to a soft glow. The fire danced in a rainbow of colors. Breathing in slow her eyes focused upon the flames she sat back and let them engulf her mind.
The fires burned higher until they covered all of her vision. Were they truly that large or was her mind dream scaping? She could not tell. She did not care. A screech came above the din. A loud ear splitting noise. The flames parted before her. There amidst the flames once more, was the Spear. Her spear. The one she had found amongst the great fire in Buya. The spear the fire could not burn. The weapon that aided her all her days. A voice came then, flooding her mind.
"Yes," it said. "the spear first granted to you. Your support, you defense, the weapon by which you live. It has aided you before, it will aide you in times to come. Justas well, it will aide you now. Take the spear, you will need my first gift to you in order to go one. Be you not afraid, then clutch it and journey in." Reaching out a trembling hand she clutched the spear As always the wood was cool, unscathed, and brought he comfort. The flames danced around her once more. But she stood bold, and unafraid. Her wrist felt warm. Looking down upon her sword arm, she seen the leather thong that which held the orb of fire she had forged. Forging with he very spirit. She had embedded it in leather, and tied it around her sword arm to give her strength in battle.
Again the voice flooded her mind. "yes the Orb in which you forged. The fires of destruction. You carry them with in that orb. They aide you in slaying the foes before you. I show you now something you have earned. She felt another warm feeling upon her shield arm. Looking down was another thong of leather, imbedded with an orb of fire. "Fire, just as it destroys life, creates it. Defends and keeps life moving. Thus this second orb, The fires of Creation dwell, thus it will protect you in your hour of need." There was a long pause as she reveled in the events unfolding about her. But even as she sat there. She pondered where this voice was coming from. Whose voice uttered the words spoken? She could see naught but flames.
"your heart young one is in the right place. But truly is your soul ready for the burden you try to place upon it? You must survive much in order to take so much into your keeping. For that I show you a task you must conquer." There floating amidst the flames was a sun mail dress. It glittered in the flames and danced before her. She reached out for it but it moved ever away from her grasp. "No you must endure fires greater then these to wear such a gift. To be a True Guardian of flame. This, is your future, this if you choose. I will guide you through to see a reality."
The armor vanished before her eyes, and a path appeared before her. Slowly her feet stepped onto the path, and began walking through the flames. The tried in vain to hurt her. To scare her, to make her flee. But she refused. She travel onward. Guided by the sound of the voice.
"You have shown me you have mastered the flames power of destruction, to have braved the fires den and came out alive with the spear you no carry. You have shown me you have mastered the flames power of creation, to have captured its essence in n orb of power. You have shown me you posses the flames heart." She hesitated then. Heart? How so? An image flooded her mind. The day she had been burned. Yes badly burned. Her flesh had been blackened and charred. The druid tried in vain to cut her melted armor from her flesh. Her brothers looking on with tear filled eyes praying she lived. Her mind's first step back into consciousness as she opened her eyes to see a young druid leaning over her. Holding her head in his lap as he sat with her in the water. "Cryso" The young druid's name upon her lips. His healing touch. The love in his eyes. The pain when she stood and went to leave after her long stay there. The gown he had given her to wear.
But she still did not understand. As if in answer to he thoughts the voice came again. "Perhaps this will help.." First, the day in the wilderness, when he took her into his arms, and kissed her for the first time. She had felt the fire lick at her skin. The cold empty feeling when they had parted. A love to never be. Again deep in the mythic caves as he saved her life from uncertain danger. Healing her swiftly, from rage after rage. Again when she saved him from the mythic boss. Beating the foe into submission. Each time they embraced, they kissed, then in shame of their love, they had parted. For he was given to another.
The day upon the bridge, he took her in one last time. The fires danced clouding his mind. Tempting her. Yet she saw his pain. She warned him they were being consumed. He cared not this time, and wanted to fall prey to them. But through these cleansing fires of love, would com those of pain and destruction, she could see. Sparing his injured heart further pain she had pulled away this time. Reminding him of his vows to another woman. He sobbed with her. The fire of passions was never to be seen between them. He kissed her once more before fleeing.
She looked down, and over all the images. That gown he had given her. She was always wearing it. His gift to her, his symbol of love. She was never with out it. And she hated dresses! It shone down on he then as she seen the fain wool garment fluttering in the air before her. "yes, the flames of passion. The Fire's heart you possess deeply." Her heart ached again.
The gown faded from view. The path opened before her again. "Yes. The spear represents your strength. The Orb, your will. The gown, your heart. But we are not done. You will truly understand yourself by the end." She walked on and thought. But what of the armor? What was that. In her boldness she dared to speak to the voice that called her onward. "What of the armor?" She asked. A deep resounding chuckle exploded and the flames danced higher. "You did not guess it from the clues I gave you before?"
She thought back over what the voice had said. What was it? 'But truly is your soul ready for the burden you try to place upon it? You must survive much in order to take so much into your keeping' She rubbed her temples trying to focus. "Wait, I have not achieved the armor. And you say my soul must still endure much. The armor, Is it, My soul?" She looked oddly forward at nothing curiously. There amongst the flames before very were two very large eyes. Seeming at one with the flames. "Indeed I have chosen the right one to speak to. You are correct. The Armor, is your soul. The guardian spirit of flame. It is your essence of life. It is your strongest force against anything. In this last trial you have shown me you indeed deserve this next gift." The eyes faded.
"Gift?" She looked around for the eyes but they were gone. "What gift?" But the flames were gone. Leaving nothing behind. Nothing except hard scorched earth. Dark brown and black withered from intense heat. The same solid earthen rock you find at a volcano. The sky was ablaze in the deep reds and oranges you only see at the coming of dawn, or the fading sunset. The clouds whisping about like flickers of fire in a pit. Yet the Sun did not sit in the east of morning, nor the west of evening. It was neither exploding into creation, nor fading and the dimming end of destruction as the sky would have you believe. No it sat strait over head. I swirling red spiral. One burning solitary mass from which the flames of the sky emanated from. Yet as she watched the sun got closer. It appeared to be falling right out of the sky!
She stared in sheer bizarre wonder, the sun exploded out on each side. Two long arms stretched out. Arms? No! they were wings. It was not falling, but diving! She Clutched her spear and ran to get out of the way. It swooped down and collided with the earth. A roar escaladed in her ears as the earth split apart. There out of the Earth sprang a well. A well of seething hot molten lava. It surged forth like a river. Spewing up from the ground like a great fountain. The Center rose. And Rose high. There at the center of the fountain emerged large building. A shrine.
Magma spewed forth from the door. Liquid rock. Flowing down and hardening instantly. It formed the only path into the shrine. A bridge over the pool of lava. Walking forward she looked at the bridge. It steamed still. Taking a deep breath she stepped onto it. The stone was still very hot. It burned the bottom of her bare feet. But she walked on. She ad endured the flames before. She would do so again. Clenching her jaw she did not scream once. Walking on she passed the great door that lead deep with in.
The door opened into a great hall. The hall was made of solid black marble. Finely polished it reflected back like a great black mirror no matter where you looked. The sconces with candles and torches were reflected back into forever against the black surfaces. The marble was cool to her blistered and hurting feet. Padding softly forward, she came to a raise plat form. Upon this platform she saw to great talons. They splayed out along the marble, razor sharp yet oddly not scratching it. The talons led upwards to a giant bird. No, it was a phoenix. The proud head came down to look her in the eyes. The same eyes she had seen with in the fire. Again came the voice. Clear this time. Though still with in her mind. "Not just any phoenix," the voice said. "I am the phoenix of all phoenix's. I, am Ju jak." She stepped back in disbelief. The large curved beak opened and a screech was heard. A squawk confirming its words.
"It is rare when one of your path in life comes under my watchful eyes. Even rarer when they decide to brave flames beyond mortal men to seek me out. I am accustomed to seeing Magi here. But surprised to see warrior. But not just any warrior. A wandering nomad. A barbarian. Fitting I think. Both caring, and cruel. Perhaps your people are not unlike the flame. You are a fighter, and have proven your courage, and strength beyond measure. Yet, oddly you have proven more then that. You have proven to me that the Magi are not the only one's gifted with keen intellect. Other's may possess it as well. You carry the mind of a true kindred flame. You carry and unforgiving anger, that causes destruction. Yet you carry a loving heart, capable of creating and surviving anything. For that I reward you with this." A lone helm appeared shinning brilliant amongst the stones and flame. Reaching out she clutched it in her hands. "My Helm. Forged in the fires of creation, it will strengthen you intellect and will. It will protect you from the flames of destruction. This, my gift to you. For making thus far. Stray not from your path, and I will grant you all aide I can. A long dark path awaits ye yet. Keep true to who you are, and I shall be your guiding light."
Still staring in rapt fascination at the helm a moment longer, before she turned to look up at the great bird. The head dipped again in a nod. Then the great wings spread. Talons gripped into the marble tearing in apart as it's strong legs pushed its great form into the air. Fire burst from its body and the temple collapsed into flames. Falling back into the lava pool. She realized then she was sinking with it. The ground opening up beneath her the flames rushed up to consume her, and the world fell away. The flames danced a moment longer in her vision. She blinked at the light. Her heart pounding she looked about. Eyes coming into focus she saw the sun setting behind the mountains. Her camp fire flickered before her gaze. Both keys still sat there. Plain as day. Though not glowing as she remembered.
Was it all a dream? Her mind started to think so. She felt something cool with in her hands. Looking down, the helm on Ju jak rest in her lap. Her eyes widened in surprise. She looked back at the fire, and saw to glowing eyes. "Remember.." Came a voice. "I will be your light" The eyes faded and were gone. She stood and put out the fire. Leaning down to pick up the keys she noticed they were charred black. Shaking her head still in shock she wrapped them and placed them with in a pouch. Kneeling over a rock she began to recount the journey on parchment. Recording everything in detail before it burned from her mind.
_//\||-
.:|Wielder of the Spear of Fire|:.
.:|Cleaver of Manparts|:.
.:|Eye of the Horde|:.
Isto Chath
