The market town of Fishbourne sat in a bay on the coast, its waterfront extending onto the beach with wooden jetties anchoring the small boats at high tide. Its building were faded and cracked from storms lashing salt on the woodwork, and the air smelled of salt and seaweed. At the back of the town, a huge stone citadel rose, the temple of Selk the Wise overlooking the town, and adding an ominous note to the otherwise pleasant surroundings.

Takuya and the twins had never seen anything like what was spread before them as they sat on their ponies at the top of a nearby hill.

Kouichi broke the silence. "So it is true. A place where water goes father than the eye can see, where the lords and ladies cast stones, making waves move across the surface of the giant pond."

Kouji shuddered. "This is not a place that our kind travels to. There may not be a village of People of the Trees for a hundred miles."

Takuya shrugged, grinning. "I think it's great. I used to think I'd never see the sea for myself, as it would require me to journey far. Now I find that it's only the first step of what may be a larger journey." He looked down. "I'd be a fool to not admit I'm a little afraid. What if I've made a mistake and gotten ideas above my station? And even if I am right, then I'm at the start of what may be a long and painful path to walk. I can't ask you two to walk it with me." Takuya looked up as Kouji placed a hand over his.

"We aren't following your orders, Takuya." He smiled at Takuya gently. "We're choosing to walk alongside you, where ever your path may take you. It's no great burden to me… I love you." He blushed and looked away.

Kouichi laughed slightly. "Afraid my reason isn't quite as compelling to you as Kouji's. I just want to see this through to the end, by his side. I have what I wanted, my answers about where I come from. That can't be taken away from me now, all I can do is learn more about my human side." He looked at Takuya, then seemed a little sad. "But I'll stay with you until you no longer need me. I feel this may be important to the world, so my wants will be pushed aside for now."

"Kouichi…" Takuya bowed his head. "Thanks. I couldn't face this alone, and I'm sorry that I'm taking time from you that you could spend with Lady Tomoko." He looked up again. "You remember that you'll have to hide your identities again. The sun will set soon, it's time we found an inn. We can strike out for the temple tomorrow. If destiny has waited so long for me, it can wait another night until we're rested." His stomach growled, and Kouichi laughed again. Kouji moved his hand to cover his mouth and the grin that was threatening to escape him.

"And of course," said Kouichi, still smiling, "The fact that you are hungry, and that the inn will have food as well as a room means nothing?"

Takuya blushed. "You know me far too well."

...........................

The great temple of Selk the Wise was composed of two parts. Upon entering the courtyard, Takuya saw the same curtained awning surrounded with braziers that every other temple was formed from. Grey-robed initiates moved about, seeing to their individual duties, and occasionally a white robe, that of a priest could be seen. Takuya placed a hand over the heavy clay marker that he wore under his shirt, then moved into the courtyard, where he and the twins were met with some surprise by one of the initiates.

He bowed slightly. "Pilgrims are unexpected in the summer months, when it is hard to travel far. What is this urgent business that brings you here? Surely it is not for pleasure you travel."

Takuya straightened his shoulders. "We want to see the high priest. I will only discuss my business with him."

The initiate shook his head. "We cannot allow you to just see him, there must he checks before then. We do don't disturb his contemplation without good reason."

Takuya bit back an obnoxious reply. "Then who do we see to see him?"

"Follow me." The initiate threw an unhappy glance as the cloaked twins, then moved in.

Takuya sighed. I know that they'll disapprove of people covering their heads in temple, but I would think they would disapprove even more about their elven heritage.

The initiate showed them into the main stone building, where the worshippers were not usually permitted. It was dark, cool, and lit using mirrors to reflect light from skylights about the rooms. The walls were unadorned, only plastered to a fine white finish, and the footsteps of the group echoed strangely. Eventually they were led to a door, which the initiate knocked on.

"First you must convince Brother Bokon. He will decide if you are allowed to see the high priest." He pushed the door open, then stepped aside. "I will send a guide to see to your upkeep." He cast a wary glance at the hooded figures of the twins. "And I suggest you remove your hoods, else you'll cause offence."

Takuya nodded. "Thank you for your help." He entered the room slowly, letting his eyes adjust to the new light levels, caused by a myriad of candles. The room was filled with books and pieces of parchment, leading Takuya to think that this 'Brother Bokon' might be the keeper of accounts and quartermaster for the temple.

A high-pitched voice called out "Come in, come in!" in a jovial manner that Takuya had never heard coming from a priest before. Takuya peered around the piles of books and scrolls, to find a small, wizened man sat at the desk. He was nearly bald, only a few wisps of white hair remained, draped across his otherwise bare head, and beady black eyes peered out from behind thick paned spectacles.

Brother Bokon squinted at Takuya, before drawing back. "Ohhh… A boy come to serve at temple, yes yes, you're most welcome here, to serve the great Selk."

Takuya shook his head. "That's not what I'm here for. I want to serve the gods another way." He cast a glance at where the twins were almost hiding in the shadows. "I want what's mine. A weapon."

Bokon clicked his tongue and pulled a piece of parchment out from an already shaky pile. Only Takuya's quick reflexes saved the pile of papers from covering the floor of the office.

"Now then, now then…" Bokon moved the parchment close to his eyes, almost grazing his nose. "No weapons have been reported lost for quite some time. When did it go missing?"

Takuya shook his head. "I haven't lost it, it's here waiting for me. I'm the Warrior of Flames."

Bokon put the parchment down and squinted at Takuya again. "Oro? You don't look like a mighty warrior. Just a child."

Takuya blushed. "Yeah. I am a child. I'm also the one who's meant to hold the weapon that the God made for me. You can't deny me what's mine."

"The Warrior is coming, but there is only one way to find who he is." Bokon look at Takuya, then rose slowly. "Let's see Brother Jebadiah. He returned recently from his mission to help one who might be the chosen." He walked out the door, then squarked as he tripped over another figure.

"Oww," moaned the other person, rubbing his head, then looked up dully. "Ohh? Visitors? I was meant to help some visitors. Are you them?"

"They," corrected Bokon, standing up shakily, with Takuya's help. "You should say 'Are these they?' not 'them'." He motioned at the newcomer. "Initiate Neevan, my sometime assistant."

The initiate bowed to Takuya and the twins. "Cloaks aren't allowed here. We get so very wet when it rains."

"Is he quite right in the head?" muttered Kouji, inaudible to the humans standing near.

Kouichi's amusement floated through their link. "A kind and giving person, brother, that's what important. But yes, he is a simple-minded fellow."

Bokon huffed slightly. "Well it's not raining now. We should take these strangers to Brother Jebadiah, let him break this boy's dream of being a warrior."

"Ohh?" said Neevan, and then walked off into the temple. "He is in the gardens, that's where I saw him. Follow me?"

Takuya shrugged and did as he was told, following through the palely lit halls, the twins ghosting silently behind. When they entered the gardens, and Neevan pointed out Brother Jebadiah, all three of them were shocked.

Takuya was the first to speak. "Jeb?"

Jeb stood and straightened his robes. "Aye. But the others at the temple don't like me being called that. They prefer to be all proper."

Takuya laughed, and hugged him. "Thought I'd never see you again, and here of all places. What are you doing here?"

Jeb looked a little guilty. "I guess I have that in common with your companions, hiding my identity at Applefields." He looked at the twins. "Remove your hoods, Kouichi, Kouji. I'll vouch for you, and make sure that you're respected."

The twins hesitantly did as they were told, and Kouji spoke. "You still haven't told us why you're here. Did you manipulate us into this?"

Jeb shook his head. "Not quite. From time to time, the high priest receives instructions… corrections to the scrolls of predictions stored in the vaults of the temple under high guard. I was sent to Applefields under his orders because it was known that the warrior would be passing through, and it was a critical fork. If he remained friendless, and did not bond to his generals, then the future would diverge. His heart would turn cold and bitter, turn against those he would serve, and turn to the cause of the one he should fight. I was to be there as a friend, but I didn't expect a boy… I beg your pardon, three boys, two of which were not even of the Goddess's people." He smiled at Takuya. "But you made a believer out of me when you returned from being taken to the castle no longer afraid of who you were, of what you were becoming. Not a scared runaway anymore."

Takuya nodded. "You're right. Back when I was a starving child who thought I was a demon, telling me of my destiny without a kind word would've sent me running in fear. Now I think I'm finally ready to take my destiny into my own hands."

Jeb clapped Takuya on the shoulder. "And who would've thought that those two mute, foolish boys would be as vital? I sure didn't. I thought that you'd find two grown men, warriors through and through." He looked at the twins. "I'm sorry for misjudging you. You might just be the others in the prophecy." He looked back at Takuya. "Are you ready for the final test? To see if you can raise from the alter the weapons for the Warrior of Flames and his generals?"

Takuya took a deep breath. "Yes. I'm ready to claim what's mine."

.............................

The catacombs of the temple were full of flickering shadows, lit only by torchlight. The air smelt faintly of incense and decay, and felt heavy and damp against Takuya's skin. Although he couldn't claim to be sure, he thought he could only hear four sets of footsteps, his own, Jeb's, and those of Kouji and Kouichi. Jeb led them unerringly through the shadowy passages, past more turnings than Takuya could hope to retrace for himself. As he drew closer to where ever Jeb was leading them, Takuya started to feel the static in the air that meant a source of great magic was near.

He soon found the source when finally the corridors opened out into a stone-walled chamber, plain and unadorned. In its centre rose a stone plinth, on which sat three objects, glinting in the torchlight. As Takuya drew close he could see what these objects were. On the left of the alter sat a bow, seemingly carved of ebony, its black surface reflecting the red flames, making it seem to be covered in flickering flames of its own. On the right, the longest of the three objects rested, a staff made of wood, bleached almost white, and capped with heavy-looking brass at either end.

The final object was also the most impressive looking. A long sword rested in the exact centre of the alter, reflecting the light more brilliantly than either the ebony bow, or the brass caps of the staff. It's hilt shone faintly gold, and red designs traced across the hand guard, and up onto the blade. At the exact middle of the cross bar rested a ruby, about the size of an almond. Red bindings traced down the hilt, ending in a golden pommel, with another, smaller ruby set within it.

Takuya started to feel light-headed as the rising feel of magic and the flickering torches made his own magic start to rise up within him. He tapped it down gently and advanced, looking at the sword the whole time. "This is mine… I can feel it is." He turned to look at Kouji, and saw a look of wonder on Kouji's face that he was sure was mirrored on his own.

"It's singing to me… It says it's mine…"

"They're ours."

Takuya turned to see Kouichi standing the other side, a mirror image in position to his brother.

"We're the ones they've been waiting for," continued Kouichi, moving forwards until his hand hovered over the bow.

Takuya found himself in a similar position, hand over the sword without noticing his own movement. "Together. We take this step together." He met Kouichi's gaze, then Kouji's. Both of them seemed afraid and in awe over what was happening in the room. "On three. One, two…" He flexed his hand over the hilt. "Three."

It was like taking hold of a burning rod of iron. Heat seemed to be surging through him, and his magic danced free and out of his control, into the torches making them burn to the roof. Takuya felt like his whole body was aflame, and a gurgling scream escaped him, echoed moments later by animal-sounding wails. The room seemed to grow dark to him, even as the flames burned higher, and his body went limp, over-taxed from the power flowing through him.

He was unconscious before he even fell to the stone floor.