Zenon tried to match his breathing with whoever's memory this was. It was the third time he got transported inside a memory, so it still took some tries.
Eventually, he managed to match all of his senses with the memory.
"Friendly talk? Prophet, I believe you are mistaking my intentions."
The blind man remained quiet, and suddenly, veils of the void appeared in front of him. They were moving. Slowly, gracefully, as if they were trying to conceive a masterpiece.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I have all the time in the world."
The veils of void traveled all around the room, and Zenon could finally see his surroundings. It was the same room where they stepped inside first, the bedroom.
And in front of him?
'He's the same Fire Keeper… from the last time.'
The void created the form of a humanoid with a demonic mask, protruding three horns from its head. Standing in front of the door, the leader remained still with a straightened back and lifted chin.
"Don't make me repeat it a third time, where is the Doppel? Where is your Familiar."
"Oh, my dear Doppel? He was helping me with some errands, I don't know where he is. Perhaps he'll come back in a few hours? We have some time for good tea."
Suddenly, the void started revolving around the Fire Keeper's mask before calming down again.
He sighed and relaxed his posture before saying,
"Prophet, I-"
"Don't call me that. There's no feeling of superiority here! Just call me Kthali, just like everyone else does."
Zenon felt a strange sensation around his body as a certain question began caressing his Soul itself. He kept it to himself until he gained more clues, not wanting to jump to conclusions.
"Kthali, I believe you know what happened to your town."
Kthali remained quiet for some seconds before chuckling and saying,
"I have lived through many wars, my dear friend. Some… were destructive, some were diplomatic, and others deadly. If you are here, it means that Zyldush has died. Am I right?"
"Indeed. Your king is now dead, Void Carrier."
The blind man remained silent again. This time, he looked at the ceiling for a long time yet was respected by the Fire Keeper. Unexpectedly he began chuckling,
"Then that means my days are counted… or shall I say hours? Whatever it is…"
Kthali got up from the chair and slowly walked toward the exit. Before leaving, he looked at the Fire Keeper and moved his head, inviting him to follow.
The Fire Keeper nodded and calmly walked beside Kthali.
'Just… who the hell is this person?! He's casually walking and talking with a Fire Keeper?!'
Zenon, being a mere spectator, couldn't believe what he was seeing. Ever since he was born, he knew by law that Void and Fire were the greatest of enemies.
As if it wasn't clear by now!
Yet this Kthali was casually walking with the leader! The leader of the Fire Keepers!
The leader said, "It pains the Angels your execution."
"Really? Haha…" Kthali laughed, "May I know the reason? Perhaps it's because of my remarkable achievement hundreds of years ago?"
"Indeed. Enhancing your Soul and pushing it to the Prophet Tier… and not only that but your kindness to pass the torch and let us progress as well…
Even if no one managed to break through the Third Layer of our Soul, your instructions have brought great prosperity to us."
Zenon could feel how his mind was pierced by the sudden reveal. Now he knew why the word Prophet made something inside of him shake.
Somehow and without the help from the Angels' system of progression, Khtali managed to reach the Prophet Tier. Equivalent to conquering the Third-Layer.
'He even said Third Layer of their Soul… how does that even work?'
Kthali reached the small room at the depths of the tunnel, and without further ado, he sat on the chair. He looked at the Fire Keeper and said,
"I see you are in great pain, my dear friend."
The leader remained quiet and still for a while. Eventually, he took his mask off and put it in his armor belt.
This action both surprised Zenon and Kthali since Fire Keepers were known for hiding their identity at all costs. Under no circumstances could they take their mask off.
"Not in pain, but saddened. Nonetheless, these emotions won't save you from death. You aren't exactly an obstacle in our plans, given your nonexistent actions in any war.
But Fire has ordered us to destroy your Soul."
Kthali laughed, "So you are killing me because your Angel said so? Strange… to say the least. I thought that from every Angel's civilization, you would be the last one to receive orders.
Are you using this war as an excuse to execute me and make yourself the next most powerful Prophet? Does Fire fear I might grow stronger?"
The Fire Keeper laughed as well. It was the first time Zenon has seen a Keeper lose his composure this way.
Eventually, he calmed down and said,
"Of course not…"
Kthali inwardly sighed in relief. He knew that the Fire Keepers didn't lie about anything, since they found the very act of hiding the truth a sin itself.
That's why…
"I am not the next Prophet anyways. I believe she is preparing for the journey this very instant."
That's why these next words made Kthali nervous for the first time in centuries. Zenon could feel how his heartbeats began accelerating and cold sweat appeared around his body.
Living for centuries didn't mean he was immune to surprises…
"Then, what are you planning?"
Kthali emphasized you, referring to the Fire Keepers in general. The leader put his mask back again and said,
"I liked you more before I met you. Now seeing you this scared is making me ill. Sick."
The void began violently revolving around the Keeper's body, signaling that he was preparing his Element for a fight. Kthali calmly stood up and said,
"Do you really think you can kill me?"
"I can't. There's no way I can achieve such an accomplishment. Killing a Prophet? I wish that a mere Visionary like could pull it off. So you may feel honored Kthali…"
A flapping of wings reached Kthali's ears. The void became even more violent, alerting him of the threat arriving. His eyes widened as he stared behind the leader.
"Feel honored to be killed by an Angel…"
A red and orange bird landed on top of the Keeper's shoulder. For once in his life, Kthali could properly see a detailed figure.
Perfect, splendid plumage covered the bird's body entirely. Its beak was painted with a beautiful fire orange, and its tail was so long it almost touched the floor.
Its two orange eyes glowed like an inferno burning behind them. Setting fear in whoever dares to stare at them.
Kthali stared at the bird for a long time before chuckling and sitting back again.
"It seems like age has made me reckless. I failed to consider this outcome." Leaning forward, he said, "How are you doing, Fire? Has time treated you well?"
The bird screamed a loud "Eeeee!". Kthali smiled before straightening his back as he looked at the phoenix.
A strange atmosphere appeared around the room, suffocating anything that dared to enter. Even the Fire Keeper was having a hard time standing straight.
After some seconds of silence, he said, "The Layers and the Angels are honored to have had you here. But it is time to rest."
Kthali looked at the Fire Keeper and smiled before saying,
"I'll warn you, Fire… this is a mistake whose consequences you'll pay. You know they won't hold back after this. Especially him. Are you sure this is what you really want?"
The bird looked at Kthali for a few seconds, still and quiet. Eventually, his plumage began lighting up, and the next second?
Strange hotness and relief engulfed Kthali, eventually transforming into peaceful darkness.
Peaceful darkness he so deeply desired.