Chapter 2: Offer of the Gods
Magnus's vision soon returned, and after shaking his head, he began glance around. He was…in Hell, by the looks of things. And as was his passive nature, he didn't seem too concerned. There was much fire around him, the sky streaked with red, the heat in the air being almost stifling, peppered with ash. He also saw that he was alone, of the others; there was no sign.
Alone on a hilltop of black ash, looking over a raging sea of fire, Magnus stood all by himself, wondering what had happened. Had his and the others actions not saved the world? Had they done something wrong to deserve to be sent to Hell? Had he…done something wrong himself, as the others were absent. He did not know.
"No," came a resonating and rumbling voice, "You have done quite well if anything, and you are not in the Abyss. One such as you has no business in a place like that. But you do have business here." It was a commanding voice, filled with omnipotence and authority. Magnus strangely enough was not at all surprised to hear such a voice, to speak without warning, or to having seemingly no origin.
As after casually glancing around, he could see no one in the immediate vicinity. There actually were now that he looked a bit closer, creatures on this land, dark winged silhouettes soaring high in the crimson smog, and immense giants of flame, streaking across the scorched earth below him. But he was quite sure that none of these where what had spoken.
"And who are you?" he asked aloud, his tone unchanged, sounding perfectly fine with the situation, "That summons me to such a place, and then speaks to me from nowhere and everywhere? You are the one who brought me here. Am I right?"
This was followed by a booming laugh, as whoever had been speaking obviously found this funny. With a whirl of blistering heat, and a roaring column of fire right in front of Magnus, erupting out of the black ground itself, was a being made of fire, having a vague demi-human shape, two legs, two arms, and a head. Then, it stepped out of the fire surrounding it. It was…a man.
A normal man by the looks. Almost at least. He was perhaps nine spans tall, far taller than Magnus, with a strong chiseled body, a rippling broad bare chest, great thick arms, and fluid features. His hair at first glance seemed to be a blazing red or orange, but then it became quite clear that his hair was fire itself, flickering flames, rising and waving in the heated wind. His eyes were nothing but two sockets filled with a smoldering light, like he had a fire burning inside his head. He was dressed in naught but black pants, perhaps to symbolize the charred landscape around him.
An interesting thing was the armor he wore. It looked like plate mail armor, but made out of black glass. Obsidian. Furthermore, it had red cracks running along it, reminding Magnus of a volcano. The dark stones, and then the splits, the molten rock boiling up. This figure gazed at him for a moment, then took a step forward. As his foot touched the ground, it burned, and sent a cloud of steam boiling up. This man stood for a moment, and then, began to speak.
"I trust," he said to him, with the same voice as before, just not quite as mighty and overpowering, "That you are alright if you speak to a form that you can relate with? Normally, I would not take so lowly an appearance, but I did not wish to overwhelm you. But I suppose…even I can make exceptions." Magnus took a step up himself, crossing his arms.
"On my account? I'm flattered. But perhaps you could tell me exactly who you are, and why you thought it to be necessary to bring me to this…place. And where are the others? Are they here too?" The being shook his head.
"No. They are not. But I will wager that they are in a similar place, talking to similar beings. Come now Magnus, you are a smart fellow. I would think that you of all people should know where you are, and who I am. If you are truly not in the Abyss, then where does that leave?" Magnus once more glanced at his surroundings, and then back to this stranger, who was apparently waiting for an answer. He shrugged.
"I suppose," he answered, in an almost bored like way, "if this isn't Hell, and considering what we had just gone through, than I suppose that this is either a dimensional pocket of Fire, or actually the infamous Elemental Plane of Fire. What with me wielding the sword of Fire, that made me the one you're interested in."
Pleased by his words, and pleased that he had chosen so very well, the man leaned forward and in a crooning voice asked, "And who would that make me?" He parted his teeth in a grin, unveiling a set of flawless teeth.
"The elemental god of fire, Zigar. And forgive me for saying so, but you are a bit…unimposing. But then, as you said, you're keeping your power restrained for my sake, as to insure my physical form doesn't fry at you're fiery presence." This…man, or god, flashed another fervent grin.
"You know much, Magnus, warrior of flame. That is precisely why I summoned you to me now. To grant you immense power." Even after hearing of this promise, Magnus didn't seem too impressed, and didn't even ask about it.
"So the others I take it have been transported to their respective planes, and talking with the elemental god that they are most affiliated with?" Zigar gave him a shrug and a nod.
"I suppose, but then, your group isn't the issue here. But as separate individuals, you hold vast significance. You see, you and your group have done exceptionally well, fending off the plots of the Demi-Elements, gathering the artifacts, and utilizing their powers to defeat them. You have kept the elements in their proper place, and sustained the world a little longer. For this, and other accomplishments you are now here, where I shall offer you something…something that I imagine most mortals' dream of."
Magnus had heard of what he had said beforehand, but not wanting to appear eager, for as it was, he really wasn't, only nodded slightly, and gazed around.
"Indeed?" he asked casually, tapping his fingers on one of the pommels of his swords. "Great power you say? Just because of dealing a decisive blow to the sub-elements. And what? Saving the world? It's logical that for such a benevolent and charitable act, we'd be rewarded certainly. However, I wasn't aware that mere mortals are granted "great power" by doing such. If that were the case, then why are there not more beings on the Prime material with such abilities? Surely there have been others who have done the same as us, if not more." Zigar shrugged his shoulder.
"Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps they were too reckless with it, and ended up destroying themselves. You mortals are indeed an incautious lot. But regardless, I know not, and more importantly I care not. They are not significant. What is significant is I, or rather we, the Elementals, which have governed the Prime material for so very long, feel that there are far too many conspiring forces against us, trying to construct schemes to wipe out the primary elements for whatever reason. We therefore agreed that we need someone with considerable power to fight them upon our behalf on the Prime. We have watched your struggle against the Demi-Elements, and you have prevailed with great success."
"Being as strong as you are, we decided that we must have these warriors now. If we were to wait much longer, we may be wiped out. Unfortunately as gods, we are not allowed to intervene on the Prime directly. Otho is rather austere about that, thus we ourselves can do little more than observe. But if we were to empower mortals with elemental abilities and powers, as a form of indirect intervention, you could maintain order in the world, acting as our hands. What say you on this?"
There was no answer for sometime, as Magnus was thinking hard on this. This was all very sudden, yes, but there were a small number of things he wanted to know before accepting this awfully generous proposal.
"A few things I'm wondering," he said, turning to reface the god, "First…why me? I have little doubt that there are other warriors out there, greater servants of Fire, members of your following that would probably literally bite and claw to obtain what you are offering. I only now have aided you, but not in the name of the elements, but in all. What makes me so special?" Zigar gave him a smile, flashing those straight white teeth.
"You are answering you own question, Magnus. You are naturally intelligent, curious and cautious. Most of the servants that you speak of are far too rash; thinking my will must be done with no hesitation or planning. Some see fire as Chaotic, random and unpredictable, while others see it as Lawful, following the certain principles of the world. Tell me, what do you see Fire as?" Magnus thought upon this interesting question for a moment. His answer soon followed.
"I believe Fire is Fire. One must decide on their own what order it alignment it falls under. But you avoid my questions. Yes, I am smart, but no smarter than some wizards and warriors out there. So once again I ask you…why me?" The god avatar stepped forward, and laid a hand over his shoulders.
"It is because of your intelligence. Your perception of things is greatly fascinating, but yes, you are right, that is not the only reason. To put it simply, your abilities are one of the factors. You are a psionicist, one who wields a very great power, utilizing the hidden strength that most mortals do not have access to."
"I believe that a Demi God should be not only strong of body, but mind, and not merely in the ways of intelligence. All these aspects are present in you, an able bodied warrior, with a firm set of morals, a sharp and keen wit, and lastly, a power that few possess. With such perception, you could become aware of conspiring scenario very early on, and eliminate it before it truly begins. The only thing you need in order to become a being of great ability, skill, and power, is your consent. Accept, and you shall have it. Decline, and you will continue you life as you see fit." Of course Magnus heard all of this, but there was only one thing that he had heard that now intrigued him.
"Demi God you say? Do you speak of me, or is this some colossal joke?" Zigar once more shook his head.
"I am being completely serious and honest with you. Should you accept this charge, you will be infused with my essence, becoming a living avatar one might say. Immortal of age. Not wholly indestructible though, but much more durable than a fleshy human. But then, you would be given great access to the strengths of Fire, enhancing your physical body. Not only that, but you will be given admittance in the Halls of Alaronus, where all the most powerful of weapons and arcane arts of Flame will be bestowed upon you."
"All I ask of in return is for you to remain vigilant. We would not keep you tied to one spot, you would return to the Prime, and go on with your life as see fit, using these powers to whatever end suits you. However, should a new threat arise, it will fall to you to combat it, it will be your responsibility to fight it and defeat it. For if you don't, and the elements are destroyed, their servants go with them. Do you understand?" Magnus listened to all of this, sorting it through his mind.
"I fail to have the right words I suppose. You are offering me a sort of immortality, to live for as long as I wish, fused with magical energies of the eternal flame, and to use these powers whatever way I want. That's an awful lot of power to give to one man. And to give me accessibility to the weapons of the heavens, that would increase my strength tenfold. I understand the reason behind it, but I still must ask…is it not a bit reckless to give a single man such power? What if I should become corrupted?" The avatar said nothing in response to this at first, and only cast a hand to the world around them, the burning charred plane.
"A fate similar to this," was all he said in return. Magnus pretty much figured that, but now he was certain. He stood thinking, even though deep down, he knew what the outcome of his answer would be. It wasn't the whole promise of power that was so very enticing, nor was it the immortality, to live longer than he rightly should. It was…something else, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. A feeling if you will. That he…needed to do this, that there was something to do with this granted strength beyond what he was to be appointed with. And as a psionicist, he knew better than to disregard these feelings.
"Very well," said he, standing up to his full size, and clenching his fists at his side, striking a mighty pose. "I accept this duty. I will become a servant of Flame." Zigar gave him another smile.
"Nothing," he told him, "Could make me happier."