Light, Passion, and Cleansing
For what he surmised was close to a half hour, Finn had maneuvered through the increasingly jagged and irregular path the Sages had provided. As of yet, nothing unusual had appeared. The strange light held in his hand had remained self-sustaining the entire trek, giving him little to be concerned about as he moved.
The simplicity of his walk began to discern him soon enough, however. If this was a trial, what could possibly be the challenge in it? Was it a natural underground maze, or perhaps he was going in circles and had to figure out how to escape? Whatever the purpose of his lighted path, he found nothing but an increasing amount of sharp rocks jutting from the walls of the tunnel.
Another several minutes passed; the subtle hum of volcanic activity now buzzed all around Finn. Interestingly, he found large patches of mineral etched into the rock, easily catching his eye as it reflected the light he held. The size of the tunnel was also becoming noticeable smaller. Reduced to a squatting position as he put one foot in front of the other, the flame human kept his mysterious light close, worried he may smother it if a stone tripped him up.
A moment later, further shrinkage of the path caused Finn to work his flexibility, bending around a pair of stone struts running at an angle. As he did, the flame in his hand brushed one of the deposits of mineral.
Fsssssh!
Finn barely registered the sound before it was followed up by a bang, knocking him against the opposite wall. The flame, still held but flailing in the movement, touched another deposit.
Fsssssh! Fsssssh!
Rolling away instinctually, Finn avoided another round of flashbangs, keeping himself steady as he held the flame near his chest and darted his eyes around the cave.
It was quiet a full minute before he decided he wasn't being attacked. Seeing the shimmer in the tunnel again, he furrowed his brow. With the upmost care, he raised his only source of light to the ceiling of his path, seeing that nearly the entire way forward was covered in thick sheets of mineral. He thought carefully, wondering about all the chemicals and elements Princess Bubblegum kept in her lab on a daily basis. His whole body tensed.
"Magnesium."
The flammable alkaline caked his only direction of travel. The fact that its detonation caused enough force to shove the hero had him reach the conclusion that below the element was another, more volatile substance. Walking deeper into the cave risked collapsing thousands of tons of dirt and rock, from which not even a fire elemental could escape.
Finn looked down at the flame, burning at a constant rate and almost mockingly calm. He looked to his cloak. Though fireproof, it would still cut off oxygen, as well as block his much needed light. No matter what he considered, the fact remained that his charge had to remain free in his hand. Gritting his teeth, the young man stared straight down the narrow tunnel.
"The heck with it."
Kicking off with his feet, Finn made a run for it. As he ducked, sidestepped, and rolled, bits of magnesium continued to ignite behind him. The flashes alone gave him a wide field of vision for what lay ahead, raising his stress as he found a chokingly cramped tunnel waiting for him. His ears rung madly from the bangs and with his doused state, could feel the heat from the blasts occurring at his back.
The flame human was finally brought to his knees, crawling desperately on three limbs as his movement speed decreased. With little room to maneuver, he began enduring the chemical explosions. The feeling was akin to being shot at by fireworks. In addition, barely above the notice of the crackles and booms, Finn could just make out the rumbling of the tunnel, its structural integrity weakening by the second.
Several jagged rocks cut at Finn's arms and legs as he crawled, adding a sense of lashes to the sting of the explosions. It wasn't long before the hero struck his head on the shrinking ceiling. Despite it all, the exhausting pain, the dizzying flashes, there was no other option available. To press on was his sole thought. Seconds dragged into minutes, as the journey seemed more and more like inching along a warzone.
In a sudden, unexpected moment, the tunnel sprung open, giving way to a large rounded chamber than Finn slammed into with his shoulder, falling to his bottom and heaving from the effort he'd just given. From within his exit point, the magnesium flashes sputtered off, cut off from the rest of the area. Unfortunately, Finn didn't have time to relax. The cavern was still rumbling, as enough damage had been done to seriously cripple the earth's strength. To make matters worse, the chamber too was laced with magnesium.
Looking up, Finn found that there was no visible roof to his final location. A straight shot up into darkness. Holding up his light source slightly, he spotted the terrain of the pit walls. They were jagged, just like the tunnel. The flame human grinned hopefully, bending his knees and springing upwards. As soon as his feet hit the first jutting rock, he zeroed in on the next closest one in his range of light. To his utter disappointment, said light seemed to be dimming.
Unable to plot his next jump, the hero slid back down to the bottom, nearly losing his balance as the ground beneath him shook from the tremors being set off. Time was running out. Any minute the chamber would collapse on top of him, with no one around to save him. The flame continued to dim, his field of view fading away by the second. Panic began to set in; Finn took a knee, fist shaking as he stared at his dying light.
Damn it. Light. I need light!
Light was always important. For dungeons especially. One never knew what could be scurrying about in the darkness, or where there may be a pitfall starving for a victim. Finn had always had a source of light to bring with him in such treacherous locations, but here, stuck at the bottom of a unknown depth, he had only a darkening flame, and walls of magnesium.
Walls… of magnesium…
Finn's eyes widened, turning to the element beside him and placing a hand on it. This was a dense, yet very striped deposit, easily capable of igniting on end, possibly to the very top of the pit.
Standing up with renewed vigor, the flame human held up the entrusted flame, giving it a nod. Taking in a deep breath, he waved it across the minerals, while quickly bracing himself for another leap.
FSSSSSH!
At the sound, he made his big break. Jumping to the same angled stone, he watched as the pit was illuminated in a strobe effect of magnesium ignition, carrying precious light high up the walls of his confinement. Spotting the next viable point, he shoved off, climbing higher up the hole as the blasts below surged up to swallow him. He gave them no concern, only focusing on the ascension. Each push off the walls was agonizing, his legs already spent, but the instinct to survive would not allow him to stop now.
The lip of the pit scarcely caught his eye, barreling over the edge as an eruption of sparks and light reached out after him. Finn's tumbling was halted soon after by a wall, grunting as his back struck the hard rock. His arms were subconsciously locked in loose position around the flame, still flickering nonchalantly near his chest.
It took a minute, but the fireworks finally died down, leaving the room in a peaceful amber glow, filled only with the sound of Finn's panting. His body was already at work healing his scrapes and cuts, though he still felt each and every sting the tunnel below had lashed into his nerves. He simply lay there on his side, waiting, waiting for his heart to keep a rhythm his mind could calm itself with.
As his muscles at last burned with relief rather than strain, Finn pulled himself into a sitting position, limply holding the gentle flame in his hand.
"Well done, hero."
The fire burst with additional light, before zooming out of Finn's grasp faster than he could react. The luminous form hovered in the air, gradually filling the cavern with more visibility as it began to grow and shift. The flame human watched in shock as it expanded to the figure of an elemental, who now graced him with an impressed smile.
The Sage of Light reached out his hand to the young man, who shakily extended his own to grasp it. The moment Finn managed a firm grip, a surge of energy shot through his entire body. All at once, his flames flared to their natural vigor, flooding the cave with enough light to see the single exit just behind the sage. Once the flame human got his bearings and shook off the adrenaline, he turned his full attention to the man before him, who nodded towards the hero.
"You clearly understand and value the force of light. At times it overwhelms, at times it is salvation; in either case, I have confidence you'll command the situation with the cunning of a wise fire elemental."
As Triab finished his declaration, Finn felt a slight sting on his upper arm, looking over to his left side to see what was happening. Before his eyes, a ring was being imprinted around his upper limb, fiery orange, with no apparent design to distinguish. However, as the bizarre circle nearly closed, it abruptly cut off, instead stopping on one end in a small insignia, reminiscent of the symbols the Sages wore on their cloaks.
Triab held up his hand, generating a moderate sized flame in his palm and drawing Finn's attention from his new etching.
"I have bestowed upon you a portion of the sages' fire. A culmination of every elder than came before us, since the formation of the Fire Kingdom, now flows through your body."
Finn flexed every muscle he could think of systematically, trying to feel for a new sensation; to no avail.
"What does it grant me?" he inquired.
Triab placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"At present, little, but as you use your powers more, as you conquer the trials of the other sages, you will gradually become more attuned to your own energies and abilities. Your senses, your reaction time, your instincts as a fire elemental, all will grow with the bonding of these flames passed down from generations."
Finn nodded slowly, seeming to understand. He brushed the ring imprinted on his arm.
"What exactly are these rings?"
The Sage of Light folded his arms, turning towards the exit. As he began to causally stroll, Finn made to follow.
"They are a sign that you have gained the approval of a sage. They grant no position, or acknowledgement from others, it is a symbol purely to oneself."
Triab stopped, glancing back over his shoulder.
"You are undergoing great struggles from here on, Finn. Those marks will be with you to remind you of those."
Before the flame human could reply, Triab vanished, shifting into a complete flame, and then dispersing into the air. Finn took a moment to absorb what the elder had said, placing his hand over the ring. It left no texture, he couldn't feel it upon his skin, but Triab was right; he remembered what it stood for. There was no turning back, the trials had begun without any room for doubt.
He stepped forward through the only path available.
Compared to his previous trek through exploding tunnels, the quiet stroll to Finn's next trial was almost suspicious. Despite that, his defensive posture upon emerging into a new chamber was unwarranted. Perfectly circular, almost seamless, with an ancient fire carving as its floor, this mysterious setting contained no exit as far as Finn could see. He briefly considered walking along the wall, feeling for a switch or enchanted panel, but decided against it. Such a solution was insulting to beings as complex as the Fire Sages.
In the end, the flame human simply stepped towards the center, trying to find any clues on the ceiling. The moment he stepped dead center of the design beneath his feet, something changed. He couldn't decide how, but the atmosphere had a definite shift. He felt no chill, increased heat, dread, bliss, or any other emotion. The room's blank aura seemed to seep into him, leaving the young man in a state of suggestion. Unsure how to react, he casually turned around.
Directly behind him stood Ares, a grin quickly expanding.
Finn's instincts reacted on par with his cursed sword, already having his arm drawn back as the metal-coated vine formed into a blade. With a roar, the flame human ran the weapon straight into the enemy's chest, directly where an elemental matrix would be. He couldn't be sure Ares had the same anatomy, due to his efreet origin, but it was the best shot Finn had at the time.
As brutal as the stab was, reaching all the way through the Olympian's body, Ares gave no reaction. As Finn's heart rate stayed fervent, his eyes stared angrily into the cruel glowing pupils of his foe. Still, nothing happened. Ares didn't attempt to slash him, or even speak one of his cryptic lines. Unconvinced it wasn't a trick, Finn brought in his free arm, a fist already aimed at the Olympian's exposed face. The punch connected, easily breaking through Ares' flame-composed head. The rest of him went limp, with Finn retracting his blade as the man's body fell back, landing on the floor. As if Ares was as fragile as glass, his remains exploded into embers, quickly disappearing as the ashes faded into the air.
The hero's cursed sword returned to hugging its host's arm, as Finn himself simply staggered, taking a step back.
"There is great strength with emotions, wouldn't you agree?"
Though the voice was unexpected, Finn found himself quite calm as he turned to find its source. Another sage, a woman with her hands held together in front of her, stood watching him, an expression of interest on her face. As he was now facing her, the elder gave a small bow.
"I am Syla, the Sage of Passion."
Finn relaxed, realizing he was within his next trial. Syla, noticing this, quietly walked around to his side. Believing he was expected to speak now, the flame human furrowed his brow.
"What was that about? That wasn't the real Ares, was it?"
The sage stopped, turning her head to look him in the eyes.
"Your flames are an imprint of who you are, whether you're a natural fire elemental or a product of other means. This imprint can tell me a great many things."
Syla waved her hand, upon which a rapid swirl of flames appeared beside her, forming into, to Finn's displeasure, another figure of Ares. She placed a hand on the fabricated Olympian's shoulder, tilting her head just slightly.
"What does this person invoke in you, Finn? What does he make you feel?"
While still struggling to accept having to look at such a vicious enemy, the young man nonetheless complied.
"Anger, plenty of it. This… man, hurt so many people. Not just attacking them, but forcing them to attack their friends and loved ones. That's sick, it's heartless, and makes me want to erase him."
Syla hummed thoughtfully, stepping away from her image of Ares and taking a stand beside Finn, placing an arm around his back, joining him in looking upon the unmoving Olympian.
"Erase. That's quite the choice of words. You don't just mean that as a way of justice, do you?"
She glanced the flame human out of the corner of her eye.
"You feel guilt."
Finn bit his lip, still staring down his foe.
"I…"
Syla sighed, joining him.
"Because of this man, your own hand hurt those you cared about. You were in a position to kill them. You were overcome by anger ripped from the deepest depths of your heart. Anger born of your own insecurities; easy prey for the Olympians."
She let her arm fall from Finn's back, walking back to where the flame human first saw her.
"Your guilt has dulled your passion, and without it, there's no chance of you defeating such a horrid foe. As vile as Ares may be, he is brimming with his own passion. Every fiber of his being seeks conflict, not for a vendetta, or simply for fun, but a true cause that he places his soul into, as twisted as it may be."
Finn found his hands tightening into fists.
"You're defending him?"
Syla frowned.
"Not in the least, young hero. I make my stand to those who know their passion."
The sage pointed at him.
"Yours is smothered. What caused this degradation, hm? A mere few years back you always burned with a determination to smite evil and impress the fairest of ladies."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What changed?"
Finn swiped his hand to the side, becoming aggravated.
"Nothing's changed! I still swear my heart and body to defending the innocent from threats to their happiness!"
Syla's flames suddenly erupted, knocking Finn off his feet.
"No!" she bellowed dismissively.
The sage's blazing hair kept its wildness even as her skin calmed. Her eyes, a moment ago wise, were now orange with fury.
"You do so out of duty, out of obligation! Before, you smiled and gave welcome to the thanks and appreciation of those you saved, you felt joy from seeing their gratitude. Now you but dismiss them all, insisting it's just your job."
She folded her arms, stepping back from the flame human, who had made his way back to his feet.
"If you can't find that lost passion, you're nothing but a husk following a doctrine."
As her declaration came to a close, the image of Ares was engulfed with a cyclone of flames, only to quickly disperse, revealing a perfect replica of Flame Princess. Before Finn could even register the change, several dozen more cyclones delivered additional copies of the fiery ruler, surrounding the flame human in multiple rings of elementals, who all proceeded to activate flame swords. A second later, they charged.
Syla, arms held behind her back, a glazed look in her eyes, stood at the back of the chamber, watching as Finn extended his own weapon and began parrying and dodging the numerous opponents. He hadn't the faintest idea what Syla was going for, but knew he had to at least clear the room to think. With another dodge, he swung his blade around to bisect the nearest FP duplicate. However, the moment his metallic weapon came with an inch of the fake, Finn's mind was blinded by an intrusive vision.
Flame Princess was crying. Before her stood the remains of the treehouse. The pain in her shaking body evident to the immense crowd behind her.
Drawn to his foe's face, Finn was shocked to see the same expression on the one now swinging a sword at him. He ducked rather than continuing the attack. Rushing away, he found another clone within striking distance. He went for a thrust, using his flame powers to increase his speed rapidly. Another mental flash.
He was charging at the real Phoebe, her face frozen in terror and angst. It wasn't fear of death, it was fear of what he was doing. He was attacking her!
The clone's face broke Finn's concentration, allowing another clone to kick him square in the ribs, sending him flying into the nearest wall. Though he shook it off in a flash, three flame swords struck down on him, forcing him to block as his blade extended to accommodate the numbers. On the other side of the chamber, Syla closed her eyes and shook her head, somewhat distraught.
"You know they're fakes. Surely such a low level psychological tactic wouldn't work on the hardened hero of Ooo."
Groaning as he pushed the clones away from him, Finn just grinded his teeth.
"Shut up!"
Syla cracked open an eye.
"You still care for her."
Finn slashes away several more blades, beginning to run the perimeter of the room.
"It doesn't matter if I do or don't!"
The Sage of Passion opened her other eye.
"She still cares for you. Did you not see it in her eyes? All those times, while you were presumed dead, did you not notice the longing whenever you were mentioned?"
Finn was pushed into another wall, but managed to move his head as a flame sword was stabbed into the rock by his ear.
"So what? It was my duty to protect her! She didn't have time for love anyway, her own duty was to her kingdom!"
Syla tilted her head as the flame human proceeded to acrobatically flip past a dozen clones.
"You're saying that she didn't desire happiness? Did she not value her friendship with that knight of hers? Did you not bring her happiness with the little things you did?"
As Finn tried to swing at another copy's neckline, another flash penetrated his mind.
Phoebe admired the statue he'd created, appearing flattered and happy as he sheepishly offered a smile in return.
Again, the reflected joy on the fake caught him off guard. He spun out of the way of a retaliatory strike, then brought his fist up to punch the one that had come up behind him. His vision distorted.
The gentle notes of their combined keys filled the library, bringing the piano to life as it had not been done in many years. Both flame human and fire elemental had a tingle in their hearts the other could feel.
Finn closed his eyes, refusing to look. The result landed a punch on his face instead, finding himself skidding across the floor back to the center of the chamber. Exhausted, but still able to stand, the hero took up a defensive posture, the clones slowly moving to surround him again.
"When you finally revealed yourself, couldn't you see the pain melting from her eyes?"
Syla's voice drilled into him, echoed perfectly off the curvature of the walls and ceiling.
"She felt such joy at knowing you were alive. The tears were real. Her happiness came from you, from a passion you had since lost, only scratching at the surface every so often."
Finn's hand shook as it gripped the alloy-infused sword, his head bowed in near defeat. The fakes closed in.
"Even now, as she fights to defend her home, she wears that necklace that you took the time to save."
Finn's head shot up, staring at the distant sage. Her features had somewhat softened, as if still hoping he could find the answer.
"She still loves you. You repented for your mistakes in trying to impress her, and for that she sees the growth you've experienced as a man and a hero. That is what she needed, what she needs now, can't you understand?"
Syla's final words sounded almost desperate. A mere moment after, Finn found himself being charged in all directions. He could not evade, not with what energy he had. He surrendered, even as the alloy vine strangled his arm in protest. It was done in a flash, a dozen blades stuck throughout his torso, each sending his nervous system a death rattle. He could not scream from the pain, he only found himself sink into the confines of his subconscious.
She loved him. She really did. She admired the strong and dependable man he'd grown into. The kind that would do anything to protect that which was dear to him. His support, it was an addition to her own strength. Her flames grew with passion, knowing he was there cheering her on, where so many others feared her power.
"For years, I've abandoned by heart. But it's impossible to lock it away. Not when it was because of her that I ended up here in the first place."
"I still have feelings for her."
"Does she even know that?"
"What would happen if she did?"
"I'd… I'd have to tell her myself."
"Could I?"
"Should I?"
"…"
Finn coughed out blood as his physical realm returned. Struggling, he moved his head to study the faces of the fake Flame Princesses around him. Each wore a different expression: sadness, anger, fear, hope, emptiness. He could sense it all through the flames piercing his body as well. Perhaps, he pondered, this was the effect of the fires Triab had gifted him earlier. He couldn't tell if he was going to die here, if he could even leave this room.
He raised a shaking hand and gripped one of the clone's arms, causing it to become surprised. Finn looked her in the eye, opening his mouth even as more fluids leaked from it.
"Can I tell you?" he croaked with effort.
"Can I tell you how I feel?"
The fake Phoebe was stunned, her eyes trembling. However, she managed to nod once. Finn softened his grip, but put no less energy into holding on.
"I want to, I really do."
He chuckled.
"After so long, I need to. I need to let you know I still have that feeling, because it made me so happy to have you next to me, and…"
He let go of FP's arm, bringing his hand up towards her face.
"I think it'll make you happy, to know I do."
He gently placed his hand on the back of her head, pulling it closer to his as he craned is neck to do the same.
"I'll fight for you, the same as you would for me, but this time with the full honesty you deserve."
At last, their foreheads touched, ocean blue eyes staring into wondering amber ones.
"I love you."
He watched, patiently, as tears began streaming down the shocked Phoebe's cheeks. Even as he held his gaze, he found the clone becoming more and more transparent. In a matter of moments, his hand fell through the image, dangling limply by his side. The blades in his torso disappeared, finally leaving Finn to support his own weight. He felt numb all over, hearing the occasional splatter at his feet, the vine squirming around his arm. He wasn't sure if he could take a step forward at all.
Before long, Syla stopped in front of him, watching the flame human swaying slightly from fatigue. Her face let slip no emotion, even as she opened her mouth to speak.
"What will you do, hero?"
Finn focused as best he could on the sage, feeling faint.
"I'm going to her. I'm telling her how much she means to me. And I'll fight by her side so that I can see that smile of hers again."
He took in a breath.
"Because that's what I live for."
A moment of silence. Syla and the young man stood facing each other, the gentle hum of the earth present in their empty chamber. This atmosphere was finally shattered, when Syla smiled once more.
"Indeed, Finn of Ooo."
The Sage of Passion reached up with a finger, poking the flame human dead in the forehead. In response, Finn's vision was clouded by flames from an unknown source, enveloping him in a fierce but seemingly harmless cyclone. Dizziness set in immediately, causing him to believe he'd fall over and pass out, risking death from loss of blood. The flames then parted, vanishing as quickly as they'd appeared.
Nothing.
Finn's eyes scanned the chamber, its condition no different than when he'd first entered: empty. He turned his head, slowly confirming his solitude. Though considering the idea of calling out for Syla, his attention was drawn to his upper arm.
There lay a second ring, identical to the first, imprinted just below its twin. The two bands lay dormant, with Finn wondering when exactly Syla had given him her seal of approval. Initially lost in thought, he suddenly remembered being stabbed, looking down at his torso. Not a scratch lay upon his chest, the floor at his feet unstained. The alloy vine around his arm was at peace, as if it hadn't moved in quite some time. It was then Finn had to wonder, if anything in the material world had happened at all.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the fires coursing through his body. He could still feel the newly acquired gift from the first sage; however, a sensation now emanated from every inch of his skin. Concentrating, Finn reached out with loose flames, closing his eyes and penetrating the thick rock around him. Far, far above, at the surface of the Fire Kingdom, he could feel anxiety, fear, rage, frustration, and the rampant worries of those fighting. It was different from heat sense, far more entwined with all.
Syla's gift to Finn soon faded into dormancy. He would find its purpose later, but now, he had to continue to the next trial. As if reading his mind, a passage revealed itself. Part of the surrounding wall sunk further underground to allow him forward, to which he swiftly made his way. As he trudged through an uneven path of tunnel, he held a closed fist to his heart.
I need to see that smile. I want to feel the strength it gives me.
Finn's latest trek eventually opened up into an impressively large cavern. Lava flows from both sides spilled into molten streams that paved the ground, providing enough natural light to see all the way to the back wall, where the hero noticed was his way out. Carved steps led him further down into the area, now proving to be somewhere between eight to ten stories high to the stalactite-coated ceiling. Upon reaching the bottommost surface, Finn began wondering if this was simply a scenic breather from his hardships, or a challenge in disguise.
On guard, the young man walked past the rocky spires and lava streams, keeping his heading true to the exit on the other side, while also scanning the area for the potential appearance of a sage. To his surprise, and upmost confusion, he almost walked right past one.
As Finn stopped dead in his tracks, he blinked, watching as one of the seven sages was casually sitting against a stalagmite, picking up random pebbles from the ground. He would brush them with his thumb, examine the rock, then proceed to toss them briskly into the nearby lava, watching it melt into the glowing stream before picking out another. Finn wasn't sure if he was even noticed. Looking at the exit in the distance, then back at the elder, he decided the wisest move was to interact with the content rock-thrower.
As quietly and courteously as he could, the hero sat down beside the man, waiting for a reaction. A whole minute passed, yet the sage said nothing, continuing to pick up stones and toss them once his inspection was done. Chancing a thought, Finn reached out and picked up a pebble as well. He flipped it over in his hand a couple times, feeling the smooth curvature of the rock. The hero drew back his arm to toss the pebble into the lava, only to have the sage beside him grab his wrist.
"Not that one. They're my favorite."
Bemused, Finn allowed the elder to take the stone from his hand, at which point he slipped it into one of his robe sleeves. An awkward silence imposed itself between the two, with Finn occasionally rubbing his arm, or the back of his head. Though he seemed distracted, the sage eventually broke the ice himself.
"Lesser, Sage of Cleansing."
Finn nodded to the man.
"Nice to meet you."
Lesser offered a slight smile in return, but never looked away from his rock throwing.
"Marvelous, isn't it? The blood of the earth, coursing beneath her skin."
He tossed another pebble, watching it sizzle and disappear in the flow of molten rock.
"An unyielding force, pulling along any and all matter without a care. With time it can eat away the sturdiest of walls, mountains, even tunnel underground. All is swept away."
Finn nodded again, considering.
"Yeah. But, it's also kind of a burden."
The Sage of Cleansing raised an eyebrow, finally looking at his companion.
"Oh?"
The flame human reached out and brushed his hand through the lava, feeling the thick substance plop back to its source between his fingers.
"Eventually the lava hardens, then it becomes an obstacle itself, clogging up passages, or sprouting random islands in the ocean."
Lesser mused at the young man's words, give a single nod.
"Hm, a good point. I suppose it really is a nuisance. Not even fire elementals can stand it, whether it's being crushed under its weight or drowning."
He tossed another pebble.
"No oxygen in there."
Finn chuckled, bringing his knees further in and setting his forearms upon them.
"It's pretty fun to surf down, though."
Lesser's expression changed to one of astonishment.
"Really? I can't even imagine. Being old, it's not the brightest idea for an elemental such as myself."
Finn shrugged.
"Guess so. It's a good way to clear your head; letting your troubles flow down with the lava."
The sage hummed thoughtfully.
"That's indeed an important act."
Finn looked over to the elder.
"You sure seemed upset by Zeus' plan."
Lesser scoffed irritably, throwing his next rock with more vigor.
"Incompetent fool; such a ridiculous effort. What he fails to realize is that cleansing is separate from extinction. To purify oneself, or others, heal the sick, remove invasive elements from an otherwise balanced environment, these are true acts of cleansing. Physical destruction, indiscriminate death, mass burning? Ha!"
The sage folded his arms.
"Only nature, the true hand of chance, can alter the world as a whole."
He gazed at the surrounding cavern, admiring the lava flows and spires running up and down.
"This is one of my favorites, you know. Always a peaceful place to come and ponder your thoughts."
Finn agreed as he too studied the cave's features.
"Yeah."
His attention returned to Lesser when he heard the elder sigh.
"I'm afraid its time is fast approaching, however. Nature has patiently worked its way down here. Soon the cavern will flood, taking the serene landscape with it."
Finn was sympathetic to the man, remembering the incredible view of a sunrise from the old treehouse. He certainly wouldn't be seeing it anytime soon, as a single Gumball Guardian wasn't enough to place his house back where it belonged. Lesser soon grumbled, getting to his feet and dusting off his robe. He turned to the flame human, smiled, then gave him a pat on the arm.
"Thank you for talking with me. It's pleasant to have conversation with someone other than my fellow geezers."
Finn couldn't help but grin holding up a hand.
"Don't mention- huh?"
The young man's attention was brought to his arm, where now a third band emerged around his limb, just below the second. He furrowed his brow, skeptical, considering his previous feats.
"That's it? All I had to do was talk to you?"
Even as Finn looked back at Lesser, the Sage of Cleansing had already dispersed into a flurry of wisps, before vanishing into the air completely. The hero sighed.
"When can I learn to do that?"
CRACK!
Swinging around, Finn saw a decently sized break in the wall beside a lava spout. Another drew his eyes to the far side of the chamber. The ground had begun trembling ever so slightly. Clearly, Lesser had been correct. With the cave walls failing, Finn made a run for the other end of the room, darting his eyes from one side to the other as more leaks of lava sprung from the flows. Stalactites had also commenced raining down, though dodging them was easier than with most dungeon obstacles. The real issue came when the rock finally burst, spilling vast amounts of molten rock into the room. The floor was quickly swept away in a wave of glowing orange, closing in on Finn fast.
The material itself caused the flame human no harm as he found his foot splash down into high temperature goop, but it certainly slowed his movement significantly. Even worse, the level was already rising past his ankles. Concentrating, the young man resorted to flame shifting multiple times, initially succeeding in nearing his escape route.
Just then, the ceiling directly above him burst.
Unable to resist the immense weight of the new lava surge, Finn's body was forced downward, before being pummeled between the rising floor and falling liquid. There was enough pain for him to cry out, allowing molten rock to fill his throat and induce choking. His arms desperately tried digging his way to the surface, succeeding just as he felt his lungs run out of oxygen.
Breathing heavily, seeing only continuous lava pouring in from all sides, the flame human saw that the exit he was seeking now existed beneath the surface. Beginning his quickest stroke in the right direction, Finn took in as large a breath as he could. Rocks still rained down on his head, occasionally obstructing his vision, or disorienting him with a bump to the noggin. Eventually, he dove under, pushing off as best he could with the help of his flames.
The opening he'd found earlier was difficult to see through the thick molten rock, but he reached out nonetheless, planning to grab the edge and pull himself into whatever passage was ahead. As he felt contact with solid, albeit soft rock, he worked his muscles to overpower the flow of the lava, already stretching his free arm forward to grasp another holding.
Unfortunately, all his hand felt was a wall of coalescing rubble. Whatever exit may have been present earlier, it had been blocked off by numerous abstract boulders, sealing Finn in with the disappearing room. Cursing, the flame human pushed away, running out of oxygen rapidly. Every inch of his skin felt the stab of a needle as he rushed for what little open air remained in the cavern.
Upon refilling his lungs, he found the ceiling almost hitting the top of his head. Placing his hands against it for support, Finn looked around the remaining area in a panic. He could see no other ways to escape; the exit was plugged, the lava flowing in was too strong to swim through, the ceiling showed no signs of structural weakness beyond dumping more molten rock by the second. His hands turned into fists, scraping against the jagged ceiling.
What am I supposed to do? Is this even a test? Cleansing. What is there to cleanse? This entire room is being blank-slated!
As the lava reached up to his chin, Finn bashed a fist against the rock above. The result gave him a small cut along the knuckles, allowing his magma-like blood to drip down past his wrist and down towards his elbow. He watched it, up until it finally merged with the lava around him. The effect was subtle, barely noticeable; in fact, had he not received the power from Syla, he doubted he could've caught it at all.
The lava had expelled vehement energy, unnatural as can be. The sprout from the earth was untainted, pure, and yet the molten rock showed signs of anger, violence. Finn looked back at the blood seeping between his closed fingers. He recalled what had been said of his condition. Ares' venomous substance was still circulating through his body, however diluted it may be. As the lava bubbled up past his chin, the flame human finally let go of the ceiling, taking in the largest breath his lungs could occupy. He sank into the thick liquid, crushing his fiery body with pressure that multiplied by the second. Oxygen was already nearly depleted, he could see his light fading, his face dimming.
With the last of his energy, Finn formed his alloy-infused sword, angling it to the top of his chest. One swipe downward was all it took, spilling his vitals into the surrounding mass. The sting was barely felt, his senses already dulled by the loss of air. As the blood dispersed, Finn could just feel the supernatural aggression being transferred to the environment.
A violent lurch in the lava flow suddenly grabbed the hero, pulling him downward as the molten rock grew unstable. His already limp body was carried all over, the room shaking from all sides. Finn compared it to an upset stomach, desperately trying to upchuck its contents. In the end, it found the only exit point weak enough to vent towards. This was made evident as Finn's form was pulled further down, towards the exit he'd previously found plugged. The overwhelming force of lava had torn through like a burst dam, erupting into the opening.
The jerking suction finally carried him in, at which point his consciousness finally faded.
It was homely to him by now, the gentle hum of the earth, a hundred feet below the surface. Peaceful, warm, indulgent even. As he lay there on solid rock, sure that he could open his eyes at any time, Finn chose to remain, taking in the natural world. His body wasn't quite up to speed as of yet, though he could still sense someone else nearby. They gave off an aura of absolute calmness, so he saw no reason to panic.
Unfortunately, Finn also knew he had little time to waste. The flame human opened his sight to the outside, met immediately with a dark, rocky ceiling. Moving his pupils to the side, he found Lesser, sitting beside him on a stubby boulder. The sage's expression betrayed no initial opinion on the hero's condition, he simply gazed down at him. Once more, Finn found himself beginning the conversation.
"I failed, didn't I?"
Lesser tilted him head slightly, placing a resting hand against his chin.
"Hm, did you?"
Confused, though not wanting to disappoint the man with a flittering response, the young hero recounted his actions.
"I used my tainted blood to stir the lava, to agitate its natural flow and break myself out of that cavern. That goes against everything you believe in."
The Sage of Cleansing smirked, then chuckled.
"And as a result of those unnatural actions, you grew to understand, didn't you?"
Finn managed to lift up his arm, placing his hand atop his chest, feeling the cut he'd made earlier, already healing.
"I understand that Ares' curse is still with me."
Lesser brushed him off with the wave of a hand.
"Please, Finn, we knew of that the moment you first stood before us. I could sense it within your body."
The flame human furrowed his brow, understanding this wasn't what the sage wanted to hear.
"I… I could see the difference."
Lesser seemed to gain interest.
"I could feel the way the lava behaved both before and after I infected it. It was guided perfectly before, but then struggled when I interfered. Afterwards, I was pulled away, rejected."
He frowned.
"But then, nature doesn't discriminate. Plants grow and overpower buildings, no matter how much people resist. A tidal wave can wash away everything in its path with no one to stop it. It's not doing anything wrong, really, it's just trying to return to its natural state."
Finn looked back to Lesser.
"And that's what we all want for ourselves too, except…"
The sage raised his eyebrows.
"Except..?"
Finn relaxed, letting his arm fall back to his side, staring up at the ceiling.
"Sometimes people want to change themselves, or something else. And they have to fight for that change, struggle. In a way, we infect ourselves with a new way of thinking, one that our old selves might disagree with, but gradually we wipe it away in favor of a better future for ourselves. We cleanse our minds to pave better thoughts."
Lesser didn't move for a time, watching as Finn turned back to him. Even in his weakened state, the sage felt a certain force from the young man, a drive to understand. He gradually smiled, folding his arms.
"A fire may burn away a house that exists in perfect order, one that is clean, maintained, only to leave piles of dirty ashes in its wake. Fire does not cleanse by simply burning impurities away, fire is an energy that fuels a powerful change. Those ashes would nurture generations of plants, returning what was once ours back to nature. Fire is an instrument to return the earth to its decisive state, a constantly growing and renewing plain."
Lesser held out his hand to the resting flame human.
"And just as nature uses fire to trigger rebirth, so to do we fire elementals use it to renew ourselves, whether from physical trauma, or emotional stagnation. You, Finn, understand this as we do."
Finn reached out, accepting the help to his feet. As his hand grasped the sage's, he instantly felt the elder transferring energy to him. Like the sages before him, this power was different. His body pulsed at certain points, points he recognized as his bloodstream. He could feel it now, the remnants of Ares' toxin. It was weakening by the second, but he didn't care. He wanted it gone now. Breathing in, he took advantage of the flames Triab had given him.
The fires of ages past swept deep through his system, seeking out all shreds of Olympian filth. The toxin was smothered completely, expunged from Finn's body, freeing him at last. As the process faded out, he looked the Sage of Cleansing in the eye.
"Tell me one more thing. Why did you give me this ring before I even started my trial?"
Lesser blinked at the young man, before giving a witty smile.
"Those rings signify our approval, not your success. I approved of you the moment we exchanged words, I knew you had the potential to learn, simply from talking and learning a bit of who you were."
The sage nodded.
"And I fully believe you can overcome whatever trials my brethren have in store for you, truly I do."
The elder beamed one last time.
"Good luck, Finn of Ooo."
He dispersed into the air, leaving Finn to himself. The flame human thought about the sages he'd encountered thus far. Triab had been with him the entire time, masquerading as a helpless light in his grasp. Syla had dove straight into his mind, to the point and very determined to see him change his ways. Lesser, meanwhile, simply put his faith in him and waited at the end. Nothing was straightforward with them, each had a differing method, despite sharing motives.
Finn looked ahead, spotting the way out through a torch lit tunnel. There was nothing left there for him, and so the hero pressed on, clinging tightly to the words and gifts he'd received.
Ah, it's good to be back. Suffice to say, I'm just bad at letting people know when I'm gonna be MIA for a while. But hey, I've fully moved in to my new apartment, I've got a decent enough internet connection, and have settled into a new full-time job; the time has come to continue (and finish) what I started. Thank you all for your patience. I'll be seeing you all after cutting down the list of updates I haven't had the chance to read yet. Peace!
gamelover41592: It'll go nuts is what I'm going for.
DRAGONNINJAMAN: It's great to see such enthusiastic support, thanks so much!
Kazini Looper: I'm definitely glad for that. Fillers are infamous among anime fans.
Ledgeion: Wow, that's an impressively deep web of thought, I like.
TheMentalAdventurer: Well then I'm sure you've enjoyed the episodes and miniseries' we've gotten since then, because I sure did.
Neo Deadmau5: Can't lay off the Greek, even if I tried.
Lector Luigi: Truth to that, it's gonna be a long day underground.
Major144: And I hope I still have you on board for it.
Fiery Crusader: Haha, I could see that. And I guess in a way I did deliver on that vibe.
ghostkiller608: Glad to hear it.
Guest: I know, it's a tragic loss for the fanfiction community.
BlueNinja0324: And I in turn appreciate your patience in getting these updates. Yours is next on my priorities.
The Book of Eli: Got that right, he's not even halfway there.
Lionheart: Yeah, I Know, it's a tough feeling every time I drop off and leave you guys hanging.
Upstart Psycho: One of my favorites!
MUTO TOHO: Well, I was kinda expecting that. But then, there's still plenty of lore and excitement to be had. Finn and Flame Princess may be a valued part of the show, but the series itself still has a lot to offer, I think the miniseries' proved that nicely.
Awolfx9: Nice to see you again, I will.
Hope you enjoyed and thanks for any comments/reviews!