An Inheritance of Fire

Selerim threw his pack down, then collapsed next to it, grateful for even a moment’s respite. He should have left it behind days ago. It was too heavy, its toll on his stamina too great– but it was the last of his father’s belongings. Reaching for the worn leather bag, he fished the Heart out.

A gentle, persistent warmth flowed into his fingers as they closed around its smooth surface. It was a welcome relief from winter’s stinging bite. Selerim brought the pale red globe to his chest, staring up as its heat pervaded his tired body. The sky gazed down in return, uncaring and indifferent in its yawning violet embrace.

Progress was slow. Without his weapon, he was forced to give any Reavers a wide berth. Even now, a week after beginning the trek back, there was nothing familiar in sight. Just how far did I go? The snow certainly didn’t help. The tree he sat under was one of the few spots not blanketed by a white sheet.Selerim forced himself to relax as he pulled a ration strip from his bag. There was plenty of time until the convoy left, but the impending deadline still left him anxious. Sorry, Mom. Gwyn. he felt guilty. Like he’d nearly disappointed them for his own selfish desires.

Sighing, Selerim scooped up a small handful of snow, rubbing it between his hands to clean them before whistling a shrill note. Nyx immediately landed on his outstretched arm. “How far from home?” His voice cracked. Nyx still responded. She raised one clawed foot, opening and closing her talons thrice. Still three days worth of travel to go. “Go,” Selerim said softly, and his Wyrd vanished.

As soon as her dark feathers disappeared, a deluge of pain poured into Selerim, as if it had been waiting for the Reaver’s absence. It was the same as before; a scraping, cutting pain that filled his veins and stole his breath. But it was more intense this time. It cut through his mind, scattering his thoughts and crowding out all else.

The Heart slipped from his grasp as he fell to the side. There was a hissing sound as it landed in the snow, melting it and conjuring wisps of steam that curled to life in the frigid air. Selerim lost track of time as he lay there, half-buried in the thick snow. His awareness flickered; alert at times, and smothered by the cold and pain at others.

It wasn’t until Nyx landed in the snow next to his head that the pain receded slightly. He heard her cry out. It sounded distant. Faraway. It still made his ears ring. Selerim groaned as she cried again. The pain merged with the shrill sound– and then it was gone. His vision cleared as his breath returned. “Wha…?” He started, but snapped back to attention as Nyx let out the same cry for a third time. Enemies. Close.

Selerim rose to his feet, only to immediately collapse. Nyx hopped frantically from side to side as he struggled to stand. His legs were weak. Much more than they should have been. He took a tentative step forward, then caught himself as he toppled forward. His fingers curled around the fallen Heart as they landed on top of it. Its warmth poured into him once more, offering some semblance of strength. Selerim stood– more steadily this time– and reached for his pack. But try as he might, he could barely lift it, much less carry it. Nyx cried out again, more urgent than before.

Reluctantly, Selerim let the leather bag fall back to the snowy ground. I’m sorry, father. Throwing it open, he pulled three things from it. His sketchbook, his canteen, and as many rations he could carry. He hesitated for a moment, then pulled out another item. It was the other Heart. He set it on the ground. That might keep them busy for a bit.

Nyx jumped up as Selerim stowed the rest into his waist pouch. “Show me the way,” he whispered, following as she raced into the dark beyond.

Nalos pushed essence to his fingertip with his breath, careful not to move too much too quickly. A small flame jumped up from his fingertip in response. He watched as Shaw did something similar, pushing essence through his Sigil and summoning a ring of invisible blades with his body at the epicenter. The only hint of magic was a slight shimmer in the air. Nalos hid his envy at the sight. Though he was technically a higher rank, the scarred man’s Sigil catapulted his combat prowess beyond what Nalos could muster. He trickled more essence onto the fire at his fingertip, sighing in relief as the pressure crushing his body eased. After so much time so deep in Umbra, even the Well could only do so much.

Shaw broke the silence. “One more week.” His voice was terse. Nalos nodded. Seven more days, and they’d reach their destination. Even that was pushing it. By the time they arrived, the consequences of their mission would become dreadful. Shaw had already experienced it, albeit much more tame. Try as he might to hide it, the other Spellweaver’s apprehension still seeped into Nalos, staining his own emotions. It had only grown since Shaw used his Sigil, and Nalos knew that, truthfully, he was afraid.

Nalos cut the flow of essence with a flick of the wrist, and the small flame guttered out. In truth, Shaw’s anxiety only served to amplify his own. Their skirmishes with Reavers had only grown more intense. They’d lost more than half of their remaining company just yesterday. He sighed. So much death…

“We’ll be fine.” Nalos clamped down on his doubts as he turned to Shaw, who raised one scarred eyebrow. “If you say so.” He closed his eyes, and the ring of shimmering air around him vanished.

“... It doesn’t feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Watching them die while we sit on our asses.”

Nalos blinked, caught off guard by the decidedly out-of-character comment. “They knew what they were signing up for. You told them as much.”

“Doesn’t make it feel any less wrong,” Shaw mused, leaning on his jeweled staff. “Here we are, with the power to raze cities, but unable to save the people right in front of us.” His voice hardened. “Just remember, that Warden of yours is the one who ordered this. All–” he stressed the word– “these deaths are on his hands.” Nalos shrugged, both unable and unwilling to continue the conversation surrounding this topic. Shaw snorted. “This place wasn’t meant for us. I’ll be glad to never set foot in it again.”

Senri kicked her legs idly against the village wall. Seated atop the front side, she could see far out across the horizon, while to the back, the mountain range stood tall. The sunlight– what little there was– faded bit by bit, scattering varying hues of purple light across the night sky. Boredom was a constant struggle, but she knew this was important. No one was scheduled to return tonight, but there was always the possibility of an emergency. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow, she would set out in search of her friend, regardless of the consequences. Try as she might, Senri hadn’t been able to convince the others to stay back. Her sister had laughed, while Verad merely rolled his eyes. She sighed. So much for being a leader…

A sharp cry cut through her thoughts, and she nearly fell off as a duskwing materialized from the gloom and landed on her shoulder. “You scared me!” She protested as she felt for the pouch around its leg. Senri frowned. “Where– wait. Nyx?” The Reaver’s head tilted in recognition at the name. “That means–” She yelped as Nyx took flight, her sharp talons drawing blood. Selerim’s Wyrd circled overhead once, then twice, before letting out a shrill cry. Is she asking me to follow? Senri hesitated for a moment before dropping her weapon over the side. It landed with a dull clang. She followed suit. The impact numbed her legs, but she ignored it and retrieved her spear.

Turning her attention skyward, she saw Nyx circle again before straightening her path. Senri ignored the pain in her legs as she ran after the duskwing. The fact that she’d left Selerim’s side on a hunt meant that he was injured– or worse. Her fear gave way to relief as he came into view, and then to horror as she realized what state he was in. Selerim’s armor was covered in gashes; some trickled red, while others bled profusely. His dirty white hair was disheveled and his light blue eyes, normally full of warmth, held a wild ferocity that Senri had never seen before. Three corpses lay on the ground around him.

She froze as that ferocity was directed at her. It only lasted a moment “Senri?” Selerim’s expression relaxed as recognition replaced desperation. “What–” Senri’s eyes widened. “Look out!” Another Reaver leapt out from behind him.Selerim spun around at the warning, bringing his arm up in defense. He screamed in pain as its vicious teeth sank into his shoulder. Seeing the vicious wound shocked Senri into action. Holding her spear in front, she stepped forward, jamming its point into the beast’s head. It cut through its skull and into the brain, killing it instantly. Blood and grey matter spurted out as she tore it free.

She turned towards Selerim, who had collapsed on the ground. “Nyx– brought– you here?” He asked between ragged breaths. Senri dropped to her knees as she inspected his injured arm. For the first time, she noticed that Selerim’s only weapon was the bone knife he had dropped moments ago. She ignored his question.

“You need medical attention. Let me–”

“No!”

Selerim cut her off and struggled to his feet. “You know the rules. I have to return alone.”

“Are you serious?” Senri asked in disbelief.

“I have to.”

“You won’t make it even ten steps!”

“I’ll be–”

The words died on Selerim’s lips as his legs gave out. Senri caught him as he picked forward, putting his arm around around the back of her neck. She glared at him. “You were saying?”

He tensed, and then struggled to pull away. She responded by wrapping her other arm around his waist and pulling him closer. “Stop being an idiot. I'm on watch tonight– we’ll just tell them you made it back on your own.” He struggled a moment longer before giving up.

“... Fine.”

It only took the pair a couple of minutes to reach the village wall. As they came within arm’s reach, Selerim squirmed out of Senri’s grip. Before she could protest, he pulled away and rapped on the gate portion of the wall. After a moment of still, the door was pulled open, accompanied by a harsh grinding sound.

Senri gestured towards the opening. “After you,” she said dryly.