Spirit of the Flame [Beastmaster Quest][Complete]
Jun 20, 2023 14:54:13 GMT -5
Post by Morrigan Moonweaver on Jun 20, 2023 14:54:13 GMT -5
“Very well.” Morrigan wasn’t sure what to make of Shitakibo’s words, that she didn’t expect any kind of debt or tally. It didn’t quite make sense to Morrigan. Even their idea of friendship was transactional - a give and take in which Morrigan was more used to taking than being on the other end. Were they expected to be kind in equal measure? Were they supposed to… shower her in money or something? The idea of not honoring that life debt seemed weird, that Shitakibo would do kind things simply because she wanted to. They had a lot to learn about this kindness stuff.
They brushed themselves off, making sure that Ceres Celestia got into the wagon. She’d exerted herself training with Shitakibo, and she would need to sleep a long time to replenish her mana. Once she was secure in a pile of plush pillows and silks, Morrigan and Shitakibo made their way back down into the remains of the Yudraehati. The destroyed temple felt less ominous than the second time, if only because there was no… presence here. The last time Morrigan and Shitakibo descended these steps, there had been a palpable heat and magic to the air, pulsating almost as if something had been breathing, almost. Now, it just felt… empty.
Morrigan frowned as they made their way to the chamber.
“Something doesn’t feel right.”
But there was nothing they could do about this unnerving sensation until they made their way back to the circular chamber. The pit was empty, safe for the softly flickering rainbow flame. The phoenix’s perch, too, was empty. There was only one change. Five runes, organized on the wall from top to bottom in a neat line, softly glowing. Morrigan had no idea what they said, but something compelled the charlatan to step closer to the wall… something ancient. They had no choice but to obey, as if compelled rather than moving of their own volition. With a ring-clad hand, they reached up and brushed against the bottommost rune.
“My apologies, Master phoenix. As it turns out, I don’t know how to wield your flame. Nor am I worthy of it. I only hope that the next candidate who braves the temple…” Or what remained of it, “Fares better than I.”
Their fingers curled along now cool stone.
“Farewell.”
Only, as they moved away, all at once the light in the runes… disappeared. Morrigan stopped, staring at the empty space on the stone where magic had once been etched into its very being, eyes widening. They were so focused on the wall that they almost didn’t notice the sweltering heat radiating from the pit, the rainbow of the flames flickering faster - pink to blue to green to yellow to white to orange to pink again - until they began to blend into one another, the colors no longer discernible to the naked eye.
And then, all at once - POP, POP, POP, POP POP! - the fire crackled and grew, sparks flying the air as the flame grew, until the flames licked the ceiling, a brilliant candle that burned bright in an explosion of pure light. And from the blinding light, a pair of wings and a long tail fanning out through the sky. With the seals on the temple broken, the Phoenix was freed. Morrigan let out a jubilant cheer at the sight, wondering if perhaps this was some vision or illusion. But no - the heat from the flames, that powerful, ageless aura - it was all real. But how? Morrigan had failed the trial of reflection, and given up their chance back at the brazier to return and save Shitakibo.
Elegant and refined, the Phoenix moved to land on its perch as the fire died down around it. There almost seemed to be an amused glint in her eye as she regarded the shaman and the charlatan once more. “I had assumed that when the Guardian made its way to this room that I would not be seeing either of you again.”
Morrigan winced. “… That would be me. I failed the trial of reflection.”
“And yet, you stand here before me, alive, and I stand before you, freed. Curious.”
Morrigan’s eyes widened. “Freed? Truly?”
If the phoenix could smile, Morrigan thought it would have. “For the first time in millennia, now.” Her rainbow wings fluttered behind her, as if anxious to get out in the sky.
Morrigan could only stare, dumbfounded. They stood for a long time, watching the elegant swirling rainbow flames and tail. Eventually, they managed a dumb, “How?”
“You tell me, young fellblood. The seals put in place by my captors once long ago have been opened. I can only assume that one of you passed the trial of the self.”
Morrigan’s brows knit. They couldn’t remember such a trial - only the chamber of reflection, which they’d failed before. They gestured towards Shitakibo, confused. “It must have been Shitakibo that freed you, then. I failed the test of reflection. I was confronted with a reality that I cannot accept.” Kvasir’s hatred, his disdain. All because of Morrigan’s lies. “I am a liar and a cheat, and for so long I have desired to have my cake and eat it too. But that vision showed me that will not always be the case. It is a bitter pill to swallow. I still cannot believe that will be the reality of my life. At the very least I can own up to my lies when it comes to pass, and make up for them. But honesty is a different concept entirely.”
“A liar?” The phoenix leaned forward, staring into Morrigan’s soul once more. Earlier they had been afraid of being seen, truly seen. But now, after everything they’d admitted to themselves, everything they’d done today, they no longer feared her judgement. “Perhaps that was the person I met this morning. But then again… you are not that person anymore, are you? Not entirely.”
Morrigan thought of their double, pushed into the flames and sacrificed so that Morrigan could get back to Shitakibo. That ugly part of them that would have let Shitakibo die without a second thought, and razed Charon to the ground to become its king. Except that version of Morrigan Moonweaver wouldn’t have succeeded, would they? They would have died alone, or left to bleed out in a back alley or in the middle of the desert where no one bothered to save them. Forgotten, cast aside in mediocrity. Now, Morrigan had done the job and taken care of that before the prophecy could come to fruition.
“… No. I am not.” They straightened to their full height. “Which is why I am comfortable saying that I am not the one that passed these trials. It was Shitakibo.”
The Phoenix turned to the shaman, now regarding her with that same, piercing gaze. “You are the one that destroyed the Guardian. A powerful enchantment, designed by the elder acolytes of this temple long ago. Designed to eliminate criminals and heretics that were not worthy of the sun’s rays… for you to destroy one speaks of your great power.”
She tilted her head before speaking to something that Morrigan could not hear. “Yes, I see. Of course.”
Then, to Shitakibo once more - “It seems that you hold the favor of my only companion in these lonely eons. And for good reason, it seems. You are unyielding as uncut stone and bear the constant heat of lava. You will make a fine warrior with the blessing of my companion.”
She bowed low, conveying her deep respect.
“And I thank you for your efforts to free me. You have my eternal gratitude.”
Morrigan held their breath.
“Perhaps I will have the opportunity to repay this life debt the next time we see each other.”
What?
“You’re not going with her?”
The Phoenix whirled around on Morrigan, her tone sharp where it reverberated in Morrigan’s mind. “It is not a matter of going with anyone, young fellblood. I am freed, and bound to no one. I have the freedom to choose whether I bind myself to a mortal, or whether I will be free to see the world. If you have freed me with the expectation that I will be your eternal servant, then you are dead wrong.”
At the beginning, yes. That as exactly what Morrigan had wanted. To use her eternal flames and her power of reincarnation to capture some facsimile of power. But staring at her now, they knew they couldn’t.
“Then be free.” Morrigan said, gesturing to the stairs up to the Ash Ruins. “Take to the skies again. That is who you’re meant to be. That is your nature, and you have been denied it for so long.”
The Phoenix, once more, fell silent.
“In my nature.” She repeated. “I suppose that’s true. It is in the bird’s nature to soar just as it is in a scammer’s nature to steal. And yet, you denied that nature, didn’t you? You evolved. You were reborn from the ashes. Perhaps, then, it is time for me to evolve, too. It has been too long since I’ve seen the world. I only know it in absolutes. But it is not a black and white world. There is much I don’t know, and so much I haven’t seen.”
“You can go see the world and learn, then.” Morrigan winked. “Just don’t get taken advantage of by scammers like me.”
“Do you travel the world?”
Morrigan nodded. Born in a merchant’s caravan, the sedentary life never quite suited them. Even living in Kvasir’s home only happened in short bursts, for as long as they could stay still. “Wherever work takes me.”
“Then perhaps I will travel with you, young fellblood. If you are amenable to it.”
“… I don’t understand.”
The Phoenix laughed. It was not an unkind sound. “And I thought you were supposed to be the clever one. You say you are a liar and a cheat. But I see honesty in you, and a desire to be better. Not perfect, but learning. And willing to look within yourself to change. I want to see how you will grow.”
Silence.
Then, Morrigan burst out in startled giggles. “You want to watch me grow?” What a turn this afternoon had taken! The charlatan held their hand out for the Phoenix to perch - an invitation. “Very well, then. I would be honored to show you the world, Master Phoenix.”
The phoenix raised her wings, flying from the perch to land on Morrigan’s arm. From this proximity, Morrigan could feel the heat from her feathers, though it didn’t burn. It was a pleasant sort of warmth, not unlike the searing desert sun of their homeland.
“I believe you owe me a name.”
“I’ll think of one.” They promised.
She closed her eyes, pressing her forehead to Morrigan. A great surge of energy rippled through the air, so potent that Morrigan could feel it all the way from their feet to the tips of their horns. The Phoenix’s power intermingled with their empty vessel as she bonded herself to them - a fiery band snaked itself around Morrigan’s wrist, a rainbow coil of flame that cooled and twisted until it formed a bracelet, glimmering rainbow gemstones along the side.
“Thank you for freeing me, young fellblood. I look forward to learning and growing with you.” Once more, she looked between Shitakibo and Morrigan, curious. “I suppose now I should ask the names of those that have helped me.”
The charlatan smiled - not a scorpion’s grin, but one alight with cautious glee.
“You can call me Morrigan.”
They brushed themselves off, making sure that Ceres Celestia got into the wagon. She’d exerted herself training with Shitakibo, and she would need to sleep a long time to replenish her mana. Once she was secure in a pile of plush pillows and silks, Morrigan and Shitakibo made their way back down into the remains of the Yudraehati. The destroyed temple felt less ominous than the second time, if only because there was no… presence here. The last time Morrigan and Shitakibo descended these steps, there had been a palpable heat and magic to the air, pulsating almost as if something had been breathing, almost. Now, it just felt… empty.
Morrigan frowned as they made their way to the chamber.
“Something doesn’t feel right.”
But there was nothing they could do about this unnerving sensation until they made their way back to the circular chamber. The pit was empty, safe for the softly flickering rainbow flame. The phoenix’s perch, too, was empty. There was only one change. Five runes, organized on the wall from top to bottom in a neat line, softly glowing. Morrigan had no idea what they said, but something compelled the charlatan to step closer to the wall… something ancient. They had no choice but to obey, as if compelled rather than moving of their own volition. With a ring-clad hand, they reached up and brushed against the bottommost rune.
“My apologies, Master phoenix. As it turns out, I don’t know how to wield your flame. Nor am I worthy of it. I only hope that the next candidate who braves the temple…” Or what remained of it, “Fares better than I.”
Their fingers curled along now cool stone.
“Farewell.”
Only, as they moved away, all at once the light in the runes… disappeared. Morrigan stopped, staring at the empty space on the stone where magic had once been etched into its very being, eyes widening. They were so focused on the wall that they almost didn’t notice the sweltering heat radiating from the pit, the rainbow of the flames flickering faster - pink to blue to green to yellow to white to orange to pink again - until they began to blend into one another, the colors no longer discernible to the naked eye.
And then, all at once - POP, POP, POP, POP POP! - the fire crackled and grew, sparks flying the air as the flame grew, until the flames licked the ceiling, a brilliant candle that burned bright in an explosion of pure light. And from the blinding light, a pair of wings and a long tail fanning out through the sky. With the seals on the temple broken, the Phoenix was freed. Morrigan let out a jubilant cheer at the sight, wondering if perhaps this was some vision or illusion. But no - the heat from the flames, that powerful, ageless aura - it was all real. But how? Morrigan had failed the trial of reflection, and given up their chance back at the brazier to return and save Shitakibo.
Elegant and refined, the Phoenix moved to land on its perch as the fire died down around it. There almost seemed to be an amused glint in her eye as she regarded the shaman and the charlatan once more. “I had assumed that when the Guardian made its way to this room that I would not be seeing either of you again.”
Morrigan winced. “… That would be me. I failed the trial of reflection.”
“And yet, you stand here before me, alive, and I stand before you, freed. Curious.”
Morrigan’s eyes widened. “Freed? Truly?”
If the phoenix could smile, Morrigan thought it would have. “For the first time in millennia, now.” Her rainbow wings fluttered behind her, as if anxious to get out in the sky.
Morrigan could only stare, dumbfounded. They stood for a long time, watching the elegant swirling rainbow flames and tail. Eventually, they managed a dumb, “How?”
“You tell me, young fellblood. The seals put in place by my captors once long ago have been opened. I can only assume that one of you passed the trial of the self.”
Morrigan’s brows knit. They couldn’t remember such a trial - only the chamber of reflection, which they’d failed before. They gestured towards Shitakibo, confused. “It must have been Shitakibo that freed you, then. I failed the test of reflection. I was confronted with a reality that I cannot accept.” Kvasir’s hatred, his disdain. All because of Morrigan’s lies. “I am a liar and a cheat, and for so long I have desired to have my cake and eat it too. But that vision showed me that will not always be the case. It is a bitter pill to swallow. I still cannot believe that will be the reality of my life. At the very least I can own up to my lies when it comes to pass, and make up for them. But honesty is a different concept entirely.”
“A liar?” The phoenix leaned forward, staring into Morrigan’s soul once more. Earlier they had been afraid of being seen, truly seen. But now, after everything they’d admitted to themselves, everything they’d done today, they no longer feared her judgement. “Perhaps that was the person I met this morning. But then again… you are not that person anymore, are you? Not entirely.”
Morrigan thought of their double, pushed into the flames and sacrificed so that Morrigan could get back to Shitakibo. That ugly part of them that would have let Shitakibo die without a second thought, and razed Charon to the ground to become its king. Except that version of Morrigan Moonweaver wouldn’t have succeeded, would they? They would have died alone, or left to bleed out in a back alley or in the middle of the desert where no one bothered to save them. Forgotten, cast aside in mediocrity. Now, Morrigan had done the job and taken care of that before the prophecy could come to fruition.
“… No. I am not.” They straightened to their full height. “Which is why I am comfortable saying that I am not the one that passed these trials. It was Shitakibo.”
The Phoenix turned to the shaman, now regarding her with that same, piercing gaze. “You are the one that destroyed the Guardian. A powerful enchantment, designed by the elder acolytes of this temple long ago. Designed to eliminate criminals and heretics that were not worthy of the sun’s rays… for you to destroy one speaks of your great power.”
She tilted her head before speaking to something that Morrigan could not hear. “Yes, I see. Of course.”
Then, to Shitakibo once more - “It seems that you hold the favor of my only companion in these lonely eons. And for good reason, it seems. You are unyielding as uncut stone and bear the constant heat of lava. You will make a fine warrior with the blessing of my companion.”
She bowed low, conveying her deep respect.
“And I thank you for your efforts to free me. You have my eternal gratitude.”
Morrigan held their breath.
“Perhaps I will have the opportunity to repay this life debt the next time we see each other.”
What?
“You’re not going with her?”
The Phoenix whirled around on Morrigan, her tone sharp where it reverberated in Morrigan’s mind. “It is not a matter of going with anyone, young fellblood. I am freed, and bound to no one. I have the freedom to choose whether I bind myself to a mortal, or whether I will be free to see the world. If you have freed me with the expectation that I will be your eternal servant, then you are dead wrong.”
At the beginning, yes. That as exactly what Morrigan had wanted. To use her eternal flames and her power of reincarnation to capture some facsimile of power. But staring at her now, they knew they couldn’t.
“Then be free.” Morrigan said, gesturing to the stairs up to the Ash Ruins. “Take to the skies again. That is who you’re meant to be. That is your nature, and you have been denied it for so long.”
The Phoenix, once more, fell silent.
“In my nature.” She repeated. “I suppose that’s true. It is in the bird’s nature to soar just as it is in a scammer’s nature to steal. And yet, you denied that nature, didn’t you? You evolved. You were reborn from the ashes. Perhaps, then, it is time for me to evolve, too. It has been too long since I’ve seen the world. I only know it in absolutes. But it is not a black and white world. There is much I don’t know, and so much I haven’t seen.”
“You can go see the world and learn, then.” Morrigan winked. “Just don’t get taken advantage of by scammers like me.”
“Do you travel the world?”
Morrigan nodded. Born in a merchant’s caravan, the sedentary life never quite suited them. Even living in Kvasir’s home only happened in short bursts, for as long as they could stay still. “Wherever work takes me.”
“Then perhaps I will travel with you, young fellblood. If you are amenable to it.”
“… I don’t understand.”
The Phoenix laughed. It was not an unkind sound. “And I thought you were supposed to be the clever one. You say you are a liar and a cheat. But I see honesty in you, and a desire to be better. Not perfect, but learning. And willing to look within yourself to change. I want to see how you will grow.”
Silence.
Then, Morrigan burst out in startled giggles. “You want to watch me grow?” What a turn this afternoon had taken! The charlatan held their hand out for the Phoenix to perch - an invitation. “Very well, then. I would be honored to show you the world, Master Phoenix.”
The phoenix raised her wings, flying from the perch to land on Morrigan’s arm. From this proximity, Morrigan could feel the heat from her feathers, though it didn’t burn. It was a pleasant sort of warmth, not unlike the searing desert sun of their homeland.
“I believe you owe me a name.”
“I’ll think of one.” They promised.
She closed her eyes, pressing her forehead to Morrigan. A great surge of energy rippled through the air, so potent that Morrigan could feel it all the way from their feet to the tips of their horns. The Phoenix’s power intermingled with their empty vessel as she bonded herself to them - a fiery band snaked itself around Morrigan’s wrist, a rainbow coil of flame that cooled and twisted until it formed a bracelet, glimmering rainbow gemstones along the side.
“Thank you for freeing me, young fellblood. I look forward to learning and growing with you.” Once more, she looked between Shitakibo and Morrigan, curious. “I suppose now I should ask the names of those that have helped me.”
The charlatan smiled - not a scorpion’s grin, but one alight with cautious glee.
“You can call me Morrigan.”