The Name of the F'dor

After a short chat with Achmed, who was very, very suspicious of me, we went out to the Heath and camped there. Once morning came, it found me up already, sitting near a nearby stream. I sat cross-legged and dunked my hands into the water. Mentally, I summoned the power of the Ether I had control of. I hoped to create enough of a disturbance that Ashe would take notice and come to me. He did and stood nearby for a while as I pretended not to notice him. Eventually he just gave up and snatched my hands out of the water. "What are you doing?" He hissed.

"Hm? Simply calling for you. And it appears that it worked."

"That hurt me." He growled.

"Sorry." I chuckled. "Now that you're here, I need to speak with you." I dunk my hands once more into the water.

"About what?" Ashe watched my hands suspiciously.

"About what will happen. The man named Lanacan Orlando is the Host."

"How do you know this?" I sighed and slightly heated up the water with just wisps of the starfire.

"As I've said already, I was once an assassin. Now, I am just an ordinary traveling mage."

"There is nothing ordinary about you." Ashe scoffed. "Don't try to lie to me." I blinked at the vehemence in his voice.

"But I wasn't. At least, not to myself. I believe I am your typical traveler. I've just got a little more power, that's all."

"Not a little." Ashe shook his head. I released the starfire and the water quickly cooled.

"Now, I need to explain more. Lanacan Orlando is the current Host of the F'dor. The F'dor is going to change Hosts at some point."

"I see." Ashe nods.

"But, we can kill him soon."

"Right. Have you told Achmed this yet?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because, he still doesn't trust me. Hell, he trusts you more than me!" I laughed. "And we know he doesn't trust you much at all."

"Yeah." Ashe laughed as well.

"So, I believe that though I am telling you this, you should not act on it quite yet."

"Why shouldn't I?" He cocked his head.

"Because there are numerous things that must happen first. For one thing, Rhapsody is going to become Queen of the Lirins. For another, you need to stay in Elysian for a time."

"Why?"

"Because you will meet someone from your Past once more."

"My Past? But there's- Wait. The only person I can think of is Emily..."

I simply stayed silent as he became lost in thought. He left and I sighed, knowing how hard it'd be for him. "This really sucks. I really don't want them to deal with all this pain. But, without it, they will not meet their destined ones." I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. I growled and rubbed it away, this is no time to be showing weakness. Not with where I am now. "Come on out Achmed."

"You're rather good. For a magician. Oh wait, you're an assassin."

"That's right. I am an assassin. But, as I've said before, I am not here to kill you. Not in the slightest. Please stop suspecting me. I am all that I told you. A traveling mage, a Namer, and once an assassin." The last part was not totally true, an assassin gets paid to kill, I just killed the people. "So please, stop this."

"No, I don't think I will."

"Fine. You know what? Whatever. Do your worst. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving." I stood with a huff and walked away.

"Why'd you provoke him? He's a king you know." Thila said when I returned.

"I know that, damn it! He's just so aggravating and I didn't even provoke him!"

"Stop it."

"Eclipse? What's-"

"You need to stop being so negative. Don't be so naïve as to think it'll all go your way. It won't and you need to learn how to deal with that."

"But-" I cut myself off and sighed. "I get it." Eclipse nodded curtly. "Now, let's get going."

"Where're we going?" Thila asked.

"I- I dunno." I chuckled nervously. "I guess we should go out. Not sure where though."

"We should go to Elysian again." The dragon in human form spoke up once more.

"But we aren't welcome there."

"I'm sure I could convince her. But it's cold at night up here and I'd rather be there."

"Whatever. If you're totally certain she won't make Achmed kick us out then go ahead."

"Yes! Thanks!" I just smiled and nodded at her enthusiastic grin. She ran off and I stood back up, having sit down while we were chatting, and walked back to the stream where I lay with a hand dipped in the water, feeling the cool liquid as it rushed past following the path of the stream.

"Why do you rush? Why must you hurry down along this path? Why must you go so fast? Do you every slow? Or must you always race along this path eternally? Do I need to do the same? Will there ever be peace for me? Or will I be destined to do as you do, rushing down a path that doesn't matter, that's not important in the plans of the gods? What do I need to do to stop this? Where can I finally be in peace?"

The questions hung heavily in the air, accompanied by the trickling sound the water made. "When can I find the person who can help me in my goals? Must I be destined to be alone forever, never knowing someone to love, and live with? Am I destined to always watch as those around me always die, never staying long enough to matter? Will I ever, ever find someone to love?"

The tears began streaking down my face, growing faster as more came. "Will I be always alone, never truly knowing anyone who'll stay besides those that're my friends?" I continued asking questions to the stream as the night descended, turning the sunny sky to one darker. I fell silent as the sun did and just lay there, tears falling still, until I fell asleep.