by the fire

By the time we reach the summit pagoda, the sun is already dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the mountainside. The journey back was a blur - a trek under a hot and unforgiving sun, made all the more brutal because of the lingering smell of Manticore on my clothing, but we made it back in one piece.

We didn't talk much on the walk home. Decoy was lost in her own world, fantasizing about her new life as a 'Sage-in-Training'. While I feel like Kieran and I have 'made up', there's still a tinge of awkwardness and stiltedness to our interactions. He'll come around. He always does.

I opt for a short rest in my room when we return, while Kieran and Decoy fill in Rav about the day's events. Sola flutters away, back to her silent perch on the upper levels of the pagoda. It's nice to be alone for a while.

When I finally climb out of my room and return to the others, it's already dark out. I see my companions are gathered around a large fire pit.

The fire crackles and pops, sending tiny embers spiraling into the dark sky. Its golden light casts flickering shadows across the ornate wooden fixtures of the pagoda. Decoy spins around the fire, her voice carrying a joyful, if slightly off-key, melody as she belts out an old Ferin folk song at the top of her lungs. Her bushy tail sways to the rhythm, catching the light like a dancing flame itself.

I sit next to Kieran on the small, carved log he's perched on. He jumps as I do - he'd been so absorbed in his own head he didn't even notice me coming. I put my arm around him, tuning out Decoy's song and Rav's clapping along. 

"How's it going, buddy?" I ask quietly. Anything to dispel the awkwardness. 

He leans into me, putting his head on my shoulder and exhaling, his breath uneven. "Just one of those days, Augs."

"I understand."

I say that I do, but I don't. Not fully, anyway. Kieran's the most important person in my life. No matter how upset I get, that will never change. The thought of going even a day or two without being on good terms with him makes my stomach ache. 

I catch Rav's glance. His gaze is uncharacteristically serious, staring at me with great intensity as if he were trying to read my soul. He must have been zoned out because his eyes linger on me for a few moments before he realizes we're staring at each other and he breaks his look away. 

"I think I just need time." Kieran's voice sounds so far away, even though he's right on my shoulder. As if I can feel how emotionally distant he is from me right now from his words alone. "It's been a rough day physically, too. I climbed up that mountain pass twice today. And you used a lot of your Ignition Blade..."

That's right. As my Vessel, Kieran 'holds' my mana for me. The benefit to that, and the beauty of a Magician/Vessel relationship, is that I can use a LOT of magic. The bad part is, each spell I use takes some of Kieran's stamina. And he's right - I used the Ignition Blade no fewer than ten times today, each one fully charged. Every time I swung my blade into a Manticore, I was also sapping some of Kieran's strength. He'll need some time to recover from that, but he's strong. At this point, he might even be stronger than me, at least as far as stamina's concerned.

"How about a quick walk? Just you and me," he suggests. I nod and we stand up from the log.

"Be back in a bit," I say to Decoy and Rav. She's no longer singing, instead showing Rav some arts and crafts she's been working on. Rav looks up as I speak. He's got the same scrying stare he had earlier. Without a reply, he nods us off. I wonder what's on his mind?

We walk through the cobblestone path toward the back of the pagoda. I step carefully along the uneven cobblestone path as we make our way to the pagoda's edge. The stone feels cool on my bare feet, damp from the lingering mountain mist.

As we glance out over the edge, the Ferin valley stretches out below us, a patchwork of silver and shadow under the moon's gentle glow. The village lights twinkle faintly, like a cluster of fireflies resting between the rolling hills. A cool breeze whispers through the bamboo around us, carrying the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves and the croaking of frogs from the small pond nearby. 

It's a beautiful scene, especially at night. I always feel more comfortable at night. It reminds me of home, under the barrier. The blaring light of the sun isn't something I think I'll ever truly be used to.

"Already a full year, since we found each other again down there," Kieran says, a small smile forming in the corner of his mouth. It's nice to see him perking up already.

"Yeah."

I stare down at the sleepy village. It's filled with warm orange light. The night is still young, and the night market is one of the most bustling times of day for the Ferin Village. Many of the Ferin themselves are nocturnal, or sleep multiple times a day for a couple hours here and there. But from around seven to ten, everyone in the village is awake. You could call it the main social event of the day - an unrepentant blend of raucous laughter, flagrant consumerism, and even some romance. The Ferin are profoundly prolific, after all. Just ask Rav.

"What's next for us, Aug? We can't stay here forever, as much as I'd like to."

So that's what's on his mind, huh? He's right, of course. We have two years left before my date with destiny comes. And right now, we know almost nothing about the Flamekeeper. We're not even sure what nation he's in, though the fact he's active somewhere to the east is a good first clue. 

Another big question mark is how powerful he is. Is he an upstart Magician, like me? Or does he have years of experience, a legend in his own right, like Rav? Or is it possible he's even stronger, something else entirely? If my battle with Leoni a year ago was any indication, the Flamekeeper must be strong. He's got powerful allies, after all - ones who wield corestones casually. As such, even the normal humans under his command can be a threat.

"Not forever," I state. "But I'm not ready to leave. Not quite yet." I think to the events of the day. We were successful in killing four Manticores. Something to be proud of, for sure. But I think back to Adma's ferocious battle against the Oktinu a year ago. I'm still not as strong as Adma, and she's not even a Magician. I need to get stronger, faster. That much is certain. And if I were to compare myself to Rav, there's no contest. He could sweep me off my feet and turn me into dust before I'd even know what hit me - but maybe I won't ever get to Rav's level. He is a 'legendary Sage' after all. The magical beast he defeated was as powerful as a ninth-rank or tenth-rank Encephalim, and he did it all by himself when he was a young teenager. It's humbling to even think about it.

Kieran looks up to the sky. I can see what he's staring at, what he's thinking about. His wide green eyes are completely engrossed by the sight of the full moon hanging over the valley. For a moment, it feels as though it's watching us, a silent guardian in the sky, keeping its secrets close. It always feels like this. The moon is home, but its as much a mystery as anything these days.

"I wonder how everyone's doing up there."

We both stare up at the moon, wondering the same thing. How tall has Venetio gotten? Is he still as wild and hyperactive as he once was? Now that I think about it, Decoy reminds me a lot of him.

How was my mom doing? Kieran's brother? Rosaria - she was having a bit of a rough patch when we left. I wonder if she's found happiness? 

And -

"Rylin," Kieran says, his voice heavy. "I can feel her, sometimes. Almost...hear her, when I sleep. It's hard to explain, but it feels like she's watching over us, in her own way. Checking in. Probably making sure you aren't slacking off, August."

I stick my bottom lip out and pout, but before I speak, I feel an anxious wave of emotion wash over me. Thinking about Rylin hasn't gotten any easier over the past year. I try to focus on the task at hand, but her memory lingers in the shadow of every thought I have. I'm doing everything I can to make sure she can have a life. No, more than that. I'm fighting for a future where Rylin and I might have a life together.

"If you are watching, Rylin," Kieran murmurs, "I'm taking good care of August. It should've been you, though. I think he needed you this last year. More than he needed me."

My chest tightens. Hearing him say that feels like stepping on a trap—unexpected and painful. How could he ever think that?

I turn to my best friend. Words like that from him are hard to hear. I grab his shoulder, pulling him in for a one-arm hug. "That's not true, Kieran," I say as I pull back to look at him. I graze my hands through his spiky blond hair, grab a handful, and then ruffle it around menacingly. 

"Stop it!" he yelps as I rustle his hair around, making it a big mess. He gives me a playful frown as I stop, his hair sticking up all over like he's just been electrocuted. His hands rush to his hair as he starts tidying it up. 

"Without you here, I wouldn't have made it this far."

I look back to the moon. "Yeah, my relationship with Rylin was different. I can't deny that. There's something she and I have that's irreplaceable."

I let the words stew in his brain for a moment before continuing. "But...Kieran, there's something you and I have that's irreplaceable, too. Rylin holds the part of me that isn't afraid to be vulnerable. But you, Kieran. You're my strength."

I hear his breath catch in his throat. A faint gasp. He's surprised to hear me say something like that. 

He turns to me, as I look back to the fire. I see Rav over there, and he makes a subtle gesture to me, pointing toward the den. Does he want to talk, too?

"Let's see what they're up to," I say as I start walking back, but before I do, I feel Kieran's hand on my shoulder. 

"Thanks, Augs. I needed to hear that."

"Any time, Kier."