********************
Emmet 'Bonfire' Knox
"Eat him."
"No."
"Just his eyeball? It'd be soooooo tasty. You know you want to? Maybe cook it a bit? Ohhhh... how it'd smell! Like simmering venison! Come on! It's what Mother would want!"
I shake my head vehemently, attempting to force the many voices in my head out. Yet, it never works. The instant one leaves, another invades. There is a near-infinite army of insane madmen controlled by that God to remove my mind.
Yet I won't let them win.
I was going to after killing those four, but not anymore. After escaping that waking nightmare of rage, there are a few more things I wish to do—namely, one.
Find where the fuck Abraham went.
I can't be kicking the bucket and having my best man do the same. That shit ain't right.
One of us has to live. Just the way things go.
"Are you sure you fine, sir? You keep looking all over the place and speaking to yourself."
I glare at Feldman, this Augur that Wyatt spoke of. He doesn't seem like much. Weak despite being a 6th Sigiled.
"You could eat him with a finger of effort, at most."
The words don't even compute in my mind as I return to Feldman. The blind man stares back at me, his hollow sockets meeting mine.
"Yes. I am perfectly fine. Now, where is that man I was talking about?"
Feldman crosses his arms, leaning in closer to me despite the fact he cannot see with those orbs of his. Nonetheless, he moves so close that I can smell the liquor he drank yesterday.
"You... I've seen you before. You were the flame. The Shattered Flame. How have you put yourself back together? That... that should be impossible. No one can recover from the lightful darkness. Unless... you were never fully shattered..."
His negligence over Abraham stokes my hand, and I raise it toward him, only managing to stop myself partway through smacking him with a flaming palm. My teeth grind as the Augur sees through me.
"Oh... I see. You are shattered, still. There is simply a part that remains, capable of repelling the darkness. Incredible. What a brilliant flame. But for how long will that last, I wonder? It is, after all, but a shard. A week? Two? A month? Do those who care for you know the truth?"
I feel my tooth crack and break within my mouth from the frustration I keep boiling within, yet a second later, slimy fluid reconnects the enamel and repairs it. Another sign that what he says is right despite how much it fucking infuriates me.
I'm Bonfire. The Bonfire.
No one. Nothing. Not even a God will control me. I am free. I am free to do as I please and to live my life as I want. For if I cannot, then there is no point in living.
The moment I am no longer free is the moment I will no longer be alive.
"I will hold out for as long as I must. I refuse to die in any position other than standing, however. Now, if you do not tell me what I want to know, I will fucking burn out your insides so that they leave through your orifices."
A trim fit of chuckling laughter resounds in this tiny room I found this man in. The other crew are fixing the ship together, but Feldman is all alone in this dark place. It is odd and suspicious but not my problem as he is threatless.
"Of course. I don't want to keep an Eventide waiting. Your friend... grab my hand."
I search the Augur's eyes, looking for any hint of betrayal or violence. I find none. Old habits die hard, though. So, I keep fire flowing within my left hand, the black flames of my flesh blooming while I reach out my right hand.
Before I take his hand, however, I prompt him on something he said, discovering that to be the bizarre point.
"Eventide? Is there really such a name for something such as this?"
Feldman ruffles his coat and slides his chair closer to me with a nod. The man opens his palm again and again as if asking me to hurry while he explains himself. All the while, a motionless body lies beside us, with neither of us making mention of it. Lennon Hull has never been a man I've cared much for, but I also don't know any way to help him. So, I'll simply leave him be.
"Of course. All things have names if they have been seen before. Do you think you are the only one to ever resist her? No. That would be... No. You are, however, the only non-Graves or Comanche ever to do so, I believe. You walk the precipitous balance between insanity and the right of mind. In fact... do you know your lineage? There is a chance you are from the deep woods. Nevertheless, just as a Wendigo battles the artifact within them, you are fighting the God that has supplanted themselves within you. Take my hand. Every second you waste is one you will not regain."
I reach forward and grasp his palm, my fingers entwining with his. I ignore his vague comments about my family, despite the oddness he doesn't even consider for an instant I could be a Graves. The instant I touch the blind man, everything in my vision shifts.
The world around us dissolves, and my vision fractures into a kaleidoscope of colors. The colors spread out as if creating a road for me to travel along, forcing my untrained mind to realize the vast distance my mind must traverse.
And in mere moments, the colors break into fractured sights within the depths of my mind. I witness scenes that defy the natural order, things that should not exist at all. Lava flows like rivers, cascading in fiery torrents across the land akin to typical streams. Falling flames mock the presence of rain, illuminating vast stretches of sunless earth. The air is thick with the stench of sulfur, one that pierces into my nose despite the distance.
Amidst this fevered dreamscape, I strain to identify the familiar features of my friend. Alongside Feldman's spirit, I reach out, grasping for the half-Nahullo bastard that I can't ever seem to agree with. Nor, could I ever truly get rid of him. No matter how many times we fought in one city, somehow, somehow, we'd find each other again. It was a relief every time we got rid of the pale bastard. Only... this time... I don't like that he's gone. Yet, the kaleidoscope shifts, revealing only a haunting image to my mind. I almost gasp in shock, but I stop myself in case it could affect the Ether that Feldman is using. I see only the pallid arms of the man encased in abyssal black shackles that bind him mercilessly to a desolate wall.
I don't see his face. I don't even see his torso. I only see thin, malnourished, and sleepless wrists within chains.
The gravity of this revelation settles upon me like an ominous shadow. It wraps around my shoulders, and...
"You should give him the light. He could use it. Look... he's so... helpless. How pathetic. He needs the light. You need the light. Spread it. Spread those wings, O' Calamitous Flame."
A creeping voice slides into the image, and the connection is abruptly severed. Still, the haunting image lingers even as Feldman falls from his chair, clattering to the ground in a panic.
"Dear... You have less time than I thought, Eventide. Make amends. Write your will. Then, end it before it all takes you."
The sheer idea that I would lose to this thing provokes such a profound fury that I can't stop my hand this time. It moves with a bout of darkness so bottomless that I worry the flame will incinerate my own hand.
"Yessssssss, my flame. Strike not while the fire is hot. Strike to ignite the calamitous blaze!"
Nevertheless, the hand, tainted with bits of silver, doesn't reach the Augur. A firm, constantly regenerating palm catches mine. Wyatt's face moves into mine, shouting at me. His tone and volume wake me from the anger. Sheepishly, I lower my eyes as I come to.
"What the fuck are you doing!? We need him alive, not dead, you idiot!"
I stumble back, glaring at my own hands. These fucking things! They... they aren't listening to me! Why won't they listen! Don't hit people! Go away Ether! GO!
I scream inside my mind, bulging veins on the outside, yet nothing happens. The flames still burn, even as Wyatt shakes off melted skin from his palm. If it were anyone else... they'd never have a hand again. Ordinary beings cannot heal from the wounds my flames inflict anymore. But Wyatt is not an ordinary being.
A swish of water beside me doesn't even resonate within my mind until my own victim shouts for my safety. Ironic.
"Don't! He has regained control, Maddox. Such a weapon, while running on maddened embers, should not be put out quite yet."
Pivoting on my light feet, I find Maddox Adkins straining not to lob my head off with that Claymore of his against my throat. I didn't even notice him move... My eyes shift down to meet the liquid running over the edge, like that of a changing tide.
"I would prefer not to die."
"We would prefer if you were all to die."
Wyatt stands up for me as well, despite not knowing the whole truth. The young man places himself between Maddox and me, taking charge. I don't think I've ever seen him do that.
Huh.
The old Wyatt would have simply swung, not provided actual reasoning.
*************
Wyatt Graves
"Don't kill him, Maddox. If you do, you will have to deal with me. And her. I can control him. You see this, correct?"
Beside me, Lily smiles with an emotionless grin, focused entirely on Maddox. The little girl has only been out of the Colt for thirty seconds or so since we came straight to the ship. I jurred, knowing that Bonfire would do something stupid. Furthermore, Maddox told me to come here while the island resurfaced, and I wanted to anyway, so I followed. I am surprised, though, how quickly Bonfire found the Augur.
Lily's countenance makes even me, someone who has known her for over a year, uncomfortable. That smile... even I know it's not quite right upon a human's frame. It's like... death made manifested. Still, I don't let it show on my face as I pull Bonfire toward me with my hand, careful not to touch his still-flaming palm.
Maddox peers down at me with those torrential eyes as always. He scans me, examining every inch of me as if sizing me up for a bout. I know what he's doing as he does it, but I don't strike.
I don't want to fight him, even if he is wounded. Blood leaks all over the captain in thick volumes, but I keep my hands stable. I'd have to kill him and then fight through the whole island to find Elizabeth, Dakota, and Autumn. Not worth it at all. I might survive, but I don't think they will. That's if I even win. He's hurt, but he was injured and fatigued before Eli even appeared. This is his realm, his home, his domain, not mine. In one day, he beat Lennon, then fought off the only other Virtue of mankind besides Richard Lang.
In the end, the Sea's Shadow snorts, waving his hand at Bonfire dismissively.
"Sure. You will be his keeper. I will, however, not allow any Eventide within the confines of my ship or my island. Put him on a raft. I don't care. Keep him from the people. You have two hours."
I nod along with Maddox's words, even as I grow curious about this 'Eventide' thing. Nonetheless, I don't disagree with him to keep the man appeased. Despite that, Adkins steps forward and meets my eyes at my level.
"And if this man should fall to the other side while within range of damaging what is mine, you will pay. I do not allow betrayals or mutiny."
My teeth unconsciously chew on my cheek as he speaks. Regardless, I don't have much of an option here. I can only nod and move on with this conversation as Bonfire is still staring right at his hands.
"Yes, sir."
Maddox smiles at my answer before turning around and heading back toward the deck—the Virtued Human waves at the three of us to follow him. I move to do so but pause as I see Lennon's unmoving body in the room.
And so, I step to my tenuous ally, falling to a knee while I check his pulse.
Still beating. What a tricky bastard. However, who am I to talk?
His hands, or his nubs, are still bleeding and leaking out his life. With my teeth, I rip off pieces of my shirt to wrap his wound with. Then, I turn to Bonfire.
"Can you burn this to stop the bleeding?"
The man wakes up to my words as if coming from a whole night's sleep. Several blinks elucidate the man before he shakes his head.
"Not unless you don't want those arms to ever heal. My flames prevent healing, except apparently from those who can grow new limbs like it's nothing."
Bonfire's words provoke a thought as Blodwyn answers it immediately with the memory of him ending the black flame on my hand.
"Exhausting."
Okay. Good to know, I suppose. As I prepare to disagree, Feldman releases a piece of knowledge before walking away.
"His arms aren't coming back anyway. Clarence stabbed them with a powerful artifact that strikes the very soul."
I nod to Bonfire after hearing Feldman's words. I doubt he'd lie or twist the meaning at all. He seems quite honest. Bonfire then sears Lennon's arms, closing them even in the man's sleep. Sighing, I pick up Lennon and lug him outside over my shoulder. The Bladed Monster only groans in wakeless pain as I enter the open sea air.
Before us, Maddox stands with several of his crew's mighty men and women, all six reaching the 6th Sigil. Even Feldman is now among them. I listen closely as the captain addresses them.
"I have suffered a betrayal at the hands of the Estates. For years, we have done as they asked, killed those they wished, and returned those they pleaded for. No longer. They seek war. They seek strife. They seek strength. We shall deliver all three to them, only not how they seek them."
The Sea's Shadow finishes speaking while gazing out into the waves of the rising island. The water falls over the colossal turtle in mesmerizing ways, preventing my gaze from leaving the sight, even as Feldman speaks up to his captain.
"What about the war that has been delivered by other figures? Ryder is dead, sir. Are we indeed to let that slide? You placed me to guard his life and guide him to lordship. Am I to die now without a purpose?"
A dozen eyes fall upon me, boring profoundly into my soul. I can feel the hate and disdain in each. There are fragments of respect, but I can tell that is only for the power I wield—for the death I can dish out.
The Pillar of Lawless Lake sighs, shaking his head at his crew. I immediately see all of them tremble with frustration, but the captain eases it with only a few choice words.
"You are all welcome to challenge the Undying's son in combat. Should you prove yourself capable, then I have no problem with it. However, should you fail and waste a meaningful member of this crew, I will take away the bounty set aside for your family should you die. Otherwise... do as you have always done, Feldman. Guide the next generation. I expect my daughter to take his place."
All the eyes shift away from me at Maddox's declaration. None of them seem willing to face me, yet the eyeless focus remains on me. Feldman.
I return his focus, even as a seagull lands on the ship only a foot from Maddox, boasting a strip of paper on its neck. My eyebrows move on their own in confusion as Maddox unfurls the paper, revealing the title of a newspaper.
"NEW PRIME ANNOINTED—————— Eli Weiss——————"
The remainder of the paper cannot be read by anyone as Maddox shreds the thing into innumerable pieces in but an instant. Rages fill the captain's eyes as he slams his fist against the side of his ship, shattering a portion of the newly repaired wood.
"That fucking weasel. How dare he!? A Prime MUST be a DOMINION! What is he thinking!? The only exception was the Second due to his brilliance! All the rest!? They... he's going to get us all killed!? Fuck!"
Maddox then turns to me and his men, his fist still clenched close. I can feel the purpose burning within him, but why is he so angry that Eli Weiss was made Prime? I feel like that was inevitable.
However, the Sea's Shadow does not think so and continues his fervor toward us.
"I am going to kill that fucking bastard. Both for trying to kill me while I was having a fun duel and for this bullshit. I may not have a say in this, but I do respect the men who came before. To tarnish their legacies... Men!"
Footsteps slam into the wood of the ship as the captain of the Rising Tide calls everyone to attention. And with his rising voice, hundreds gather from below deck. All the souls aboard his crew are Sigiled, and my eyes widen as I find an army of men that could exceed the forces Marshall had at Bent.
Even the repairmen gather on the deck of the ship while Bonfire and I, with Lennon on my back, stand away. But I cannot halt my shock. There are more 6th, 5th, and 4th Sigileds here than Marshall had when we arrived. Now, the great General had already lost half his men in total at that point, but still.
Even if the soldiers of Bent are bar for bar more potent than these bandits, the numbers might win it all out. I grind my teeth, thinking about how much all these people could have helped, while Maddox opens his jaw to them all.
"Fix up my pretty lady. We are to set out the instant we are good to move. Our destination will be the shores of Qune, but we will not stop there. All the loot, bounty, and riches you desire will be found in Onyx Gate. I will not stop or request any portion of this loot. It will be all yours, given that we make it to the shadowy bricks of Onyx Gate."
The captain then begins answering questions that his many men deliver. While he does so, a burning sensation grows in the back of my mind. Onyx Gate. That is where Eli Weiss is. I want him dead, too.
Plus, the most reliable way to the Gate Of Death is there. I don't want to go directly with Maddox, though. I don't think I could see what his people do and not stop them.
"You mind if I join you, Maddox? I'll have to take the scenic route to Gravecross first, though."
The Sea's Shadows smiles a grin so wide that I worry it'll split his flesh before he extends his hand out to greet mine. In comparison to the heartless bastard's joy, his crew stares daggers at me.
Nonetheless, I shake his hand.
I don't plan on fighting anywhere near them.
I only want to use them as a distraction to get the twelfth Prime.