The Master of Names

Chapter 16- The Name of Fire

Activate Skill: Greater Origin of Flame

 

 Keldon's heart almost leapt out of his chest. The way that Salem controlled his flames was a work of art. The heat emitted was careful yet deliberate. But there was such an intense practicality in the way that Salem used his magic, binding ethereal heat and light into precise movements, precise actions. There was no better comparison Keldon could give other than it was akin to watching a master surgeon at work.

  So why couldn't he even copy it in the slightest?

  "It's not working Salem." Keldon said, huddled over a small bundle of sticks. They had built a small fire, taking small steps as Keldon called out to the name of fire.

  "Perhaps it isn't my skill's presence then after all." Salem said, dismissing his skill.

  "Let me try again." said Keldon, "Karyx."

  The flame flickered, vibrating to the sound of Keldon's voice. Instantly there was a connection between Keldon and the flame, a hunger to consume life-sustaining kindle. Keldon closed his eyes, concentrating on the feeling of steady growth as he willed the flame to grow, suggesting gradual increases as a chilly prickle crawled up his fingertips.

  "Maybe just a little more..." Keldon thought, his heartbeat ramping up.

  No. Not enough.

  Momentum, the fire DEMANDED momentum. He could have it all... power...respect... He. Just. Needed. Momentum!! Raw PASSION spilt forth, blood rushing to Keldon's head as the flame flickered in front of him, suddenly bursting into a bonfire. This was it!! This was-

  "Wait!!" thought Keldon, wrestling back control. But the fire would not listen, waiting was not in its nature.

  Salem tossed a bucket of water onto the fire, bursting it into steam with a hiss as the flame died down and the pumping in his ears quieted. Keldon touched his chest, feeling... guilt? Disappointment? It was hard to quantify his failure into a single feeling.

  Seeing Keldon's face, Salem rested his hand on his shoulders. "Don't worry pup, control takes time."

  "I know." said Keldon, pulling Salem's hand off his shoulders.

  Salem opened his mouth but couldn't find the words, letting the silence fill the air instead. Keldon stared into the smoldering embers, piling on a few pieces of tinder as small flames rose from the ashes.

  "Fire is just combusting carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen... What else is there to know about it?" thought Keldon. He remembered Ars' words, speaking to the soul of the object. But only living being had souls, how could he talk to something that doesn't even exist?

  "I mean, it's just a dinky little fire?! How does it even have a name?" thought Keldon "Wait..."

  Maybe... just maybe, the dinky little fire DIDN'T have a name.

  "Salem!" said Keldon, mind racing at the potential implications.

  "Hm?"

  "What do you think when you activate your skill, the greater origin of fire?!"

  "I'm gonna hurt someone now probably?" said Salem.

  "No! Not like that. I mean what do you visualize?! Do you feel anything?" asked Keldon.

  "I haven't done visual training in ages, nowadays it's more like flexing a muscle." said Salem. "It's not something I've thought about, that's what the skill orbs are for."