The Legend Of The Fire Barer

Chapter 7

Early that morning Julian burst into the dungeon.

"KAL!"

"Holy-" Kal yelled, falling off his bed. "What the hell? Julian. It's like... dawn. What are you doing here?"

"I was right!"

"About what exactly?"

"You! I found a legend. Everything lines up. Come over here and I'll show you." He said sitting by the bars.

"Wait. You're telling me, that I AM connected to the dragon attacks?" he asked standing.

"Yes. It's all here."

"Alright. Let me hear it." Kal said not sitting.

"It's called the legend of the Fire Barer."

"Of course it is."

"No one knows if it's true. But according to records. Every 200 years, a person is born to possess the power of the goddess Ara. As this person gains their abilities, a force starts harassing the village, looking for the child. After the fire bearer grows to use his power. He meets the prince. Together the two venture from the kingdom to find the source of the force. Once there. The fire bearer goes in to destroy it. While the prince goes back home to fight the final battle. But... the way it ends... isn't exactly pleasant."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... um..."

"Just tell me. I can take it."

Julian hesitated. He pursed his lips and looked away. "After the fire barer goes in... he destroys the source. But... according to records. He um... never... comes... back."

Kal felt his heart sink. His facial expression changed completely. He almost fell he was in so much shock. "O-oh." He managed. "So... he dies?"

"It doesn't say that. But... maybe yeah."

Kal's legs gave out and he crumpled to the ground gripping the walls for support. He was shaking. "Well... guess I won't get to see your victory." He managed to hold back tears.

"Kal... I'm so sorry."

"No. It's not your fault. It's what has to happen." He said smiling. The smile faded quickly. "Right?"

"Maybe not. We can... we can find another way."

"How?" Kal asked, turning to him. "How can we possibly avoid this?"

"Well. Maybe if I come in with you. I can make sure you get out."

"But then what if you die too? You have to finish the final battle. It says that."

"Well... this legend happens every 200 years. So it's a cycle. But maybe we can do something to make it so that the cycle doesn't happen. We can break the cycle."

"But..." Kal failed at hiding how scared he was. A tear rolled down his cheek. "What if... we can't."

"We have to believe that we can. We can find a way out of this. I will find a way out of this. I promise. You won't have to die."

"You can't be sure of that."

"Well I am. I won't let you die."

Kal looked at him and saw the genuine care in his expression. The genuine worry. Kal fell against the bars and started to cry.

Julian wrapped his arms around him.

"I... I don't want... to die." Kal muttered.

"You won't. I won't let that happen. I promise."

Julian held Kal. As he cried.

"I wish these stupid bars weren't here. This hurts." Kal muttered.

Julian chuckled. "I wish I could let you out. But I don't know where the keys are. I'm useless aren't I."

"You're not useless. Just... not helpful at this exact moment. I'm not sure I could take this if it wasn't you who told me."

"I wish I didn't have to tell you. I wish I could just tell you that one we go we can destroy it and come back together. But... I don't want to lie to you."

"Does this mean... I'm not a monster?"

"You were never a monster Kal. This should just prove it to you."

"I suppose. So. You wake me up super early. To prove you were right. And tell me, I'm going to die? Wonderful morning."

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't wait to tell you. I don't know why. But I was kinda scared if I waited any longer you would be gone."

"Where would I go?"

"I don't know. It was a stupid fear."

"I think it's sweet."

There was silence.

"What happens if... we fail?" Kal asked

"We won't fail. We can't."

"But what if we do find a way for me to survive. What if that results in YOU dying? What if you can't finish the final battle? What if we lose?"

"You need to stop worrying. You'll make me worry. And I don't worry. That is. Unless it's about you for some reason."

Kal chuckled.

"You laughed." Julian muttered with a smile on his face.

"Somehow you realize your life is going to end really entertainingly."

"It's one of my many talents."

"Oh really? What are your other talents?"

"Um... I've been told my voice is comforting. Is that true? Can you testify?"

"Definitely." Kal said, holding his hand.

"What about you? You have any special talents."

"Getting myself hurt."

"That's not a talent."

"Um... I don't think I really have any talents. Other than my powers that is."

"Well. Even if you don't have any other cool talents. I think the one you have is pretty amazing. You don't need talents to be the nicest person I know either."

"Nice? The rest of the village would think differently. They seem to think I'm some type of trouble maker. I suppose in some form they were right. But I never really did anything."

"Well I think you're nice."

"I did practically scream at you to be careful. Didn't I?"

"Multiple times. You are nice in the most aggressive way possible."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yes."

Kal giggled. "Ok." He closed his eyes, resting his head against Julian's chest. "Thank you for comforting me. Even if we don't find a way out of it. I'd be ok. It'd be hard. But it's inevitable."

"But. I wouldn't be ok. I'd miss you. If I don't find another way... I don't know if I can live with myself if you have to..."

"Die?" he laughed nervously. "It all has to end some day. My day is just coming sooner than I'd like. You'll die one day too. If there is an after life. Maybe I can see you again."

"But you don't understand." Julian sat up making Kal look him in the eye. "I... I love you."