The Spark And The Flame

Friend and Hope

Theran left the bar but moments after learning of were Dolor spend his drunken nights. It appears the city was thoroughly engaged with the guards, the scale at which they were drafted reminded him of war. It was clear that the threat Filos posed was staggering. Lost in thought though he was, it was not enough of a distraction to keep Theran from noticing the man approaching him in full plate armour. The armour was more ornate than the rest of the guard, his helmet rested under his arm. His matted black hair hung on his forehead, beads of sweat crawled down his temple. It was clear he didn't notice, instead he was analyzing Theran intently. He seemed to get stuck on Therans eyes, the new amulet that rested on his armour flared slightly with an orange glow.

"Yes?" Theran asked.

"Who are you?" The man asked.

"Well who are you? If you haven't noticed, I'm not human, and that makes my name a dangerous thing," Theran said.

"Tyrus, captain of the guard," The man looked annoyed, but understanding.

"Tyrus? Let me ask, is there a reason I should tell you?"

"I've got a job offer for you. After all, we had a minor prophecy that a child of the sun would come to destroy the city, and yet, you stopped it."

"That is an offer I will not be taking you up on, I'm not in the habit of changing prophecies often. Besides I've already got quite a task ahead of me, and I'm not the biggest fan of standing on a wall all day wearing full plate armour."

"You misunderstand sir, not as a guard, more as a bounty hunter, going after monsters we can't handle, and not just in this city, everywhere, and you'll be sanctioned by the authorities, and wont get in trouble for any of the damages caused in the process. So long as you carry this insignia," Tyrus said offering Theran a disk shaped metal object, on it was a symbol, two crossed swords.

"Hmm, you've got a compelling case. My names Theran, if anybody asks, I'm The Nameless Soldier." Theran said, taking the insignia.

"Ok... but why? Why attract so much attention? I mean, you could have picked anyone, why try and carry on such an infamous title?" He questioned, then a look of realization and surprised spread across his face. "Y-you're not some impersonator... your actually him... except... its just that... your our boogie man, but you don't seem that bad, after all, you saved this city" he said dumbfounded.

"The stories you know are from a war, and those are always seeped in exaggeration and fear. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go talk to a friend" Theran said, and walked off.

This section of the city had buildings that were closely packed together. Between each one their was barely enough breadth to walk though without touching the walls.

Upon reaching the other side the sky had a vibrant orange with the setting sun. Light shining between the cracks of the opposing buildings to give everything a warm feeling. However, the feeling was dashed slightly by a pungent miasma of poor alcohol wafting from near by.

Theran glanced around the area and saw an old man who seemed unhealthily thin. His normally grey beard a dull brown from the mud he was asleep in. He laid in the hay in the stead of its usual horses. A plethora of different bottles were strewn about, next to an empty, presumably stolen crate, that doesn't even seem to come from this city.

Theran questioned what he would have to do to get Dolor out of this alcohol induced coma. As he approached his answer came to him, Dolor bolted up straight, and looked around quickly, before wincing and grabbing his head.

After a moment he asked in a hoarse voice, "How long's it been? It has to at least be a couple years past a decade."

"That it has, tell me-" Theran stopped, shocked by what he saw. Dolor raised his head and his eyes came into view, a solid dull grey, wavering along its edge. Dolor locked his gaze and had a similar reaction to Theran's eyes.

"Well, it seems there's a lot to discuss." Theran said. And upon that remark the curiosity left Dolor's expression, and was replaced with a deep grief, one that seemed at home on his face, the wrinkles on his face emphasizing it perfectly.

"No." He said plainly. "I'm done, with all of it. So get out of here, let me drown my demons in peace." He started looking around for another bottle with anything in it.

Theran stood there for a moment, incredulous, this was not the man he knew, not entirely. "I am not going to accept that, I need your help, I have a mission without a chance of success. And I need a foothold in this battle. You got out of the war, you stayed out, I've been pulled back in."

Dolor stopped half way through reaching for a bottle, and slowly turned his head to Theran, a dark glare on his face. "You don't get to act like its some harrowing curse. You love it. You are just a soldier who never truly left the war. Do you know what I did when I left the war? Exactly what I said, I went to the love of my life, and we had a child, a beautiful baby boy, and for 3... amazing months I was a happy father, and then we decided to move here. But on the road we were ambushed... and then... then..." He trailed off, tears welling in his eyes. "Your child is still alive, you still have something to fight for, I've got nothing... I lost that war..."

Theran, walked over to Dolor to kneel next to him, "What was his name?" he asked softly.

"Ictus... his name... was Ictus. I still see his face... his big smile while he laid in Maria's arms every time I close my eyes."

"His smile... I bet, every time you saw it, the world was a bright place again, were there never was a war... my daughter has the very same one"

Dolor nodded, a smile spread across his tear stricken face, "Yeah... it was"

In silence they sat, fond and sorrowful memories fluttering through their minds.

"Damn it... you got me talking anyway" Dolor said softly. "Fine, I'll help you"