A Deal Part III: In the Heat of the Fire Caves

Posted on Thu Oct 24th, 2024 @ 5:57pm by Lieutenant Fang Lee

1,314 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Fire Plains | Vulcan
Timeline: --- Several Years Ago --- (Fang's Final Academy Year)

ON:

Fang came running back, stick in one hand and a stone bowl in the other. He was careful not to spill a drop. He had burn marks on his arms and soot on his face but he didn’t care.

The man looked up. “Dedication and speed. I like you very much Mr. Fang.” He motioned to the fire pit. “Throw some dirt on it put it out then light it again with fire from the lake. Bring me the bowl.”

Fang did as asked. He set the bowl down gently and then kicked dirt into the fire until it was out. He dropped the stick with the fire from the lake onto the wood and the flames shot up towards the top of the cave so fully and quickly that Fang stumbled back and fell.

The man smiled. “You scare so easily Mr. Fang.” He motioned. “Come I require your assistance.”

Fang scuttled over. “What can I do?"

“First give me your hands.”

Fang did so without question causing the man to raise an eyebrow. “Fascinating.” He said as he waved his gloved hands over Fangs hands and arms.

Fang felt a deathly cold wash over him. When he looked down he noticed the burns were gone. “How…”

The man shrugged. “A small matter. Now then are you sure you wish to help. If you say yes I will require part of your life force to save him.”

“Whatever you need.”

“I see. Then Drink half of this water.” He offered Fang the bowl.

Fang drank without question. As soon as he’d drunk half he set the bowl down. It had been cold and filling. He was just about to relax when he felt a deep burning in his stomach spreading throughout his whole body. It was not the burn of heat but deep cold. As of his insides were freezing. He gasped and looked over at the man who just tilted his head.

“I told you I need a part of your life force.”

Fang clenched his fists and gave a nod for he couldn’t talk. The man stood and walked over to him. He lashed out and his hand seemed to enter Fang’s chest. It felt as if fire had wrapped around his heart and was squeezing it. He held the man’s gaze his mouth falling open as the man's eyes glowed a deep red. He watched as the man pulled back and a tiny emerald spark lay in his palm. He walked over to Zai. He began to chant a strange melodic chant, it was Vulcan, Capellan, Human, Andorian even Klingon. He opened Zai’s mouth and poured the water in.

Fang fell to his knees clutching his chest. He used all his strength to crawl to Zai. The man looked at him then went back to what he was doing. He used the green spark he’d removed from Fang and pushed it into Zai’s heart.

Zai’s chest glowed green and violet.

“Emerald and Lavender. Remember those colours Mr. Fang.”

Fang watched as Zai’s body, a pale shell seemed to fill with a rush of lavender and Emerald energy coursing through the veins as if it were blood and the colors flooded his face and hands. The wound seemed to seal itself back up and Fang felt the burn in his gut. Looking down he saw a wound briefly appear on his own body and then disappear.

His breathing became easier and the warmth of the cave seemed to find its way back into his body. His arms shook but he crawled further getting to Zai and collapsing by his side. With his last bit of strength he grabbed Zai’s hand.

The man smiled and gave a nod. “Sleep. When you awaken we shall have a conversation, you and I. Until then Feel free to explore the world you will enter.”

Fang’s browns knit in confusion and then his strength seemed to give out.

The man stood and walked over to Fang turning him on his back. “My debt to you is paid. Yet it’s not that simple is it? Sleep son of Capella. We have much to talk about.” He turned to Zai. “Your soul is free to roam. Come when I call.” With that the fire died down and the man sat on the rock a few steps away watching over the two sleeping forms.

“They are a fascinating pair. I hope you both understand the journey that your lives are about to take. Sorrow, pain, but also hope. Rest now. I shall watch over you and no harm shall come to either of you.

***

“Nǐ gǎnjué rúhé?”

Fang’s eyes opened. The cave spun as he tried to get his baring. The Vulcan was still there sitting staring at the fire. “I..”

“Nǐ gǎnjué rúhé?”

He hadn’t misheard. The phrase was in Chinese, his adopted father’s language. “You speak...”

“Many languages.” The man caught his eye. “Come sit by me Ainar.”

Fang’s eyes widened as he’d just switched to Capellan so smoothly.

Fang got up and on shaky legs walked over collapsing by the man. “Wh..who are you and why are you wearing red eyeshadow.”

The man threw back his head and laughed seeming genuinely amused. “You always were straight forward. Alright. I am known by many names.” He motioned with the flick of his wrist. “On Vulcan I am known as Shariel. On Earth I had many names. Pluto, Osiris, Hel, Hades, Izanami in the Shinto religion.” He sighed. “Fek'lhr on the Klingon home world. On a world know as Ventax II, a planet you humans have yet to discover, I am Ardra. I am of many worlds.” He looked at Fang. “I exist beyond gender and time. I am, on Capella, known as Anastasios.”

Fang choked on his spit. “As in the lord of the Afterlife. The God of Death and Rebirth?”

“Yes.”

Fang shook his head. “No way. That’s impossible.”

He smiled. “Yet it is true. I saved your friend … what do you call him? Zai. I even saved you when you were a child Ainar. Do you not remember? Then many years later I was roaming Capella and one of your tribe mistook me for one of Zai’s. They came at me but you blocked it and took a hit meant for me. It wouldn’t have harmed me but you were willing to sacrifice yourself to save my life. You often came to my shrine. Spoke to me. Told me that you always felt as if you were hovering in this world yet not of it.”

Fang’s eyes widened. “I…” But he closes his mouth. How could this man know so much? He looked at him.

The man smiled. “Still skeptical. Well how about this. I know that you exist through life pining for Xingtian the only person you truly loved and felt loved by. You used to ask me in your prayers to keep him alive and to make sure he didn’t suffer through life. He has suffered but all of it was necessary for the future. Now then you miss Xingtian and know that your reunion will eventually happen.” He waved his hand.

“Not enough? How about that scar you hide on the small of your back. You fell when you were a child but were so scared to tell anyone for fear of being yelled at and called clumsy and stupid you tried to dress it yourself but it never healed right now you have the scar that is in the shape of a lotus on your back.”

Fang paled. “You really are Anastasios.”

“Indeed, child. Now then. Shall we stop with the identity proof and talk?”



To Be Continued...

 

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