Chapter 35
The proud, self assured look on Thaddaeus' face was visibly altered as Fira's open hand collided with it. The smacking sound resounded along with the rolling thunder which had begun to announce its presence. The crowd murmured with speculation as to how this latest attack played into the result of the contest. Fira did not look at them, she kept her angry glare locked on her target. She simply made a motion with her hands to let them know that they could leave.
Thaddaeus sat on the ground holding his throbbing head, "Why though?!" His shock prevented him from forming a proper question.
"What exactly were you attempting to demonstrate?" She started her lecture, "Was it how brave you could be or perhaps how desperately thoughtless you were?" He wanted to respond, but these seemed like rhetorical questions. "I will warn you; the difference between the two is small but definite nonetheless. Does my brother, Lux, display a shred of foolishness?" Once again, this was clearly rhetorical, but Thaddaeus couldn't help but respond.
"Whoa! Brother? At this point it's just like...okay, why not." He made a small gesture with his hands to show his frustration. "But...to answer your question: no. I would say he never does anything stupid."
"Stupid?" She said with a smirk. "Oh, I could tell you some stories of his stupidity. Just look at the situation we are in, you are in our homeland, and he still has not told you enough about us to know that we are related. There is definitely some stupid in that head of his. No one is perfect. That is my point.
Lux is not perfect, yet there is a group of people who would die to protect him. There is a simple trait he possesses that you have no doubt witnessed. It is the reason you want to be like him. It is the reason we all want to be like him. It is the simple difference between bravery and foolishness. That is: he would give his life for anyone. He takes care of others before taking care of himself."
Thaddaeus was shocked. Of course, there is no bravery in getting hurt for no reason, only foolishness. This information seemed to be in his head already, but somehow, this was the first time he understood it so clearly. He couldn't believe that the truth was so obvious, but it had eluded him all along. He finally understood the difference between himself and his hero. Lux never fought for no reason, but he would willingly fight to his bitter end if it meant safety for his family. His life was a clear example of bravery.
"I believe you have the answer to my question now," she continued. "Do you remember? 'Would you attempt to eliminate a disease by encouraging its causes?' Do you think it is logical? Of course it is not. The disease you wish to destroy in yourself causes your unhappiness; or rather, it causes your emptiness. The disease could be labeled 'discontentment' or possibly 'greed'. It is what causes you to only focus on what you do not possess. I find it amusing that the fading of The Lights of the Spirits brought this to your attention, but you are a peculiar one so it is fitting I suppose.
Next, we bring our attention to the cause of your disease. What could possibly cause a person to grow blind to the treasures they possess yet fixate on the ones they do not? I have found only one reasonable cause. The person with the disease can see nothing clearly except for the image of themselves. The cause of your disease could be labeled 'self-vision'.
We among the Primis abhor this trait in ourselves. That is certainly not to say that we do not allow it to exist among us. It is here, and we cannot change that. However, we live by a phrase: 'Loyalty to the First'. It represents a belief which we each hold dear. We strive to serve the Primis before we serve ourselves. It is our ideal which keeps our family ever-present in our minds.
Previously, I informed you that I have struggled with the issues you currently find within yourself. Indeed, I have. I will not bore you with all the details at this moment, but there are some points that are relevant for you. For years, as I was being held prisoner by the people who will soon witness my fury, I persisted in a saddened state. I believed their actions could cause me agony. I was wrong. I was in the dark and alone, yet somehow, I could still see myself clearly. I realized that my vision of myself was making me weak. I pitied myself. My vision needed to be of my family, the ones I was protecting with every moment of strength I could muster. I had no time to dwell on my circumstances or how they affected me. I learned that I no longer mattered when the vision of my family became clear. In the end, the enemy failed to siphon my power. That Alpha joker only managed to get a tenuous access to our land. He can enter, but their powers would be weak here. If he chooses to come here, I will disintegrate his entire army in seconds. If he does not, my land and my family will remain safe. You see, the strength of the Primis cannot be defeated in twelve measly human years."
The only thing that alarmed Thaddaeus more than the crazy look in her eyes was the fact that he actually challenged her to a battle. It seemed like an action only a truly insane man would consider. However, even in the midst of her war mongering she made a lot of really good points. These were the possible cures to the issues that had been haunting him. It didn't feel like an overstatement when she called them diseases. It seemed like these types of problems could cause any damage an actual disease could, except death. Then again, they might even be capable of that.
Suddenly Thaddaeus looked up at her, "But, what about Ignis? I mean everything you said makes sense. So then, why did I jump in front of that spear for you and Ignis?"
Fira smiled, "Only you possess the knowledge of your inward thoughts and feelings. I can only tell you what I know of the disease. You must discover what lies inside of you. However...I have my theories."
By the time the two had settled their scores with one another, the lights had completely faded. For a moment it was completely dark, then the lamps from all over the city began lighting, one after the other. Torches were lit along the sides of the street. The lights all seemed to lead toward their gathering place in the center of Vellstone.
"Very well," Lux declared, "The true celebration begins! We will finally attend the Ceremony of the Iura."