Embers in the Dust

“As customary of the new Archmage, Leaf, as well as the rest of you, will be allowed to ask the Gem Dragons one question, which will be answered in full to the best of their knowledge.” Dean Rikgos stated.

Questions? I didn’t know we had to ask questions! Lyla mentally told her sister.

This is a monumental thing… What should we ask?

I don’t know!

“Leaf, please step forward.”

Lyla watched as Leaf walked to the edge of the platform. She could tell that he was nervous, but tried hard to hide it. At the edge, Eduzan leaned forward. Leaf and the dragon closed their eyes, and after a few minutes, Leaf opened his eyes again and stepped back.

“Next.”

Leaf looked over to Lyla, nodding in a way that gestured for her to go next. Her mind blazed with questions, unsure of what to ask. As she walked forward, Sothasem leaned toward her. She closed her eyes, waiting for their voice in her mind.

You are plagued with many questions. What is it that you would ask of me?

I’ve been moving from place to place for a few years now, but I’m unsure of my path. Lyla replied, her thoughts bursting out of her quickly. I’ve been following my Quori, which has sent us on a long trail, and I don’t know what to do.

It seems that you already have your answer. Your Quori would tell you, no?

But, I received a vision from someone else. A Primordial. She said that we’re all going to die in a year…

And your Quori?

She’s been silent about it.

Then, it seems like your answer is clear. You are to walk with your friends toward doom.

What if that’s not what I want? I don’t want them all to die because of me.

Then, you choose not to listen to your Quori?

I don’t know…

Lyla could feel the dragon sigh, its breath pushing against her clothes as sudden as a windstorm.

Your question is not one of knowledge, but of truth. My answer is, if you follow your Quori, as you have stated, your friends and you will die in one year. If your life is more than what your guide tells you, then do not listen.

But… Aren’t I supposed to follow her?

The future is not as ironclad as a sword. It is a thread that weaves through all of life. Changes, even inconsequential ones, cause a rift in destiny. As one that has lived since the dawn of Midgard’s creation, I have seen many fight, follow, and take control of their destiny. They all die in the end, as is the nature of all things, but they chose the path. While your Quori shows you this path, that is not the only one.

Then, what do I do?

Whatever it is that you want.

She opened her eyes and saw that Sothasem was staring right back at her. She turned as Rhokhishi stepped forward and took her place, Tagitar leaning down to her. Lyla felt uneasy.

It is my destiny to follow my Quori. She thought to herself.

But Nyx and Sothasem say otherwise. Who do I follow?

She realized that she had been lost in thought for a while, as Mr. Muffins, the last of the troupe to ask their question, stepped back behind the others, allowing Leaf to step forward again. Lyla felt the tightness in her hands, and looked down to see that they were clenched. Inside, a dim, radiant light shone within. She thought back to Nyx, to Nazira and Wren’s words, and to her sister.

My destiny is my own.

On the side of the platform, Onisa reached up and touched Lyla’s hand. She looked down to the Dean, her face showing a mix of concern and care. In her mind, she heard Onisa’s voice.

Your hands have been used to redirect the flow of those around you. You have used them many times to hurt others in defense. I sense your power changing.

How?

You are coming into the divine power, not just your own. In time, you may find that you can do more than change what’s already happening, and instead cause change before it takes place.

She nodded, unsure exactly as to what the Dean meant, but as she spoke to her, she felt the energy in her hands grow, then fade away. As Onisa stepped back over to the rest of the Deans, Dalia stepped toward them again.

“It seems that the dragons have deliberated during your time. Master Leaf, please step forward.”

Leaf made his way to the edge of the platform again. Lyla could tell that he was more comfortable than he had been, but held a confused look on his face. Whatever he had asked had clearly rattled him, but it also renewed him.

“Leaf, your question is, as are many in this situation, selfish. In some instances, this is not considered a quality worthy of an Archmage, who spends their time helping any and all, regardless of their own self interests. It was clear though, as we thought upon it, that this question was not one of only selfish reasoning, but of one that still controls you from your past. In order to let go of past traumas, it was one that was needed. It is also true that the answer you expected was not one you received.”

Lyla looked over to Leaf, confused as to what he could have asked. She knew that this wasn’t the time for it, so she kept quiet, waiting to hear more.

“Also,” Dalia continued. “Your friends are always a limb of your choosing, not of blood, but of necessity and care. Their questions spoke of their interests, but contained you, which showed their care of your life and actions. For these reasons, you have passed your first test.”

“F-First test?” Leaf asked, confused.

“Yes,” Onisa replied, smiling. “The first test is not one of knowledge, but passion. In order to adequately receive truthfulness, it had to be given in a way that surprised the apprentice. Congratulations, Leaf! One test finished successfully.”

Behind her, she heard Mr. Muffins whisper.

“What a load of shit…”

She stifled a laugh, but was excited to see Leaf’s face, beaming with pride amidst the confusion he felt. Over the next hour, Dean Rikgos conjured a door. Opening it, the party shuffled in to find a large circular table, and five rooms inside. At the other end was a staircase that led to a small loft with a few bookshelves and comfortable chairs. She listened as they explained that a room was conjured for each of them, and they quickly opened a door with their name on it.

Lyla’s room was simple, resembling her time at the monastery. A cot was positioned in the corner, along with a small nightstand with an orb of light which floated a few inches above it. On the other side of the room was a large punching bag which hung from the ceiling, and some padded gear to wear if she chose to train.

She quickly left the room excited to see that the center table had been filled with food. She sat, filling her plate quickly, and watched as the rest of the troupe traveled in and out of each others’ rooms, remarking how similar it was to other things from their past, or mentioning various items that had been placed inside them. When they finished, they gathered at the table and Dalia entered.

“I’m glad to see that you’re all celebrating your first success. Tomorrow morning, the conjuration will end at sunrise. Then, we’ll move on to the second test.”

“What is the second test?” Lyla asked, not wanting any more surprises.

“Goodnight.” Dalia said with a smile.

She exited, closing the door behind her. Lyla was dissatisfied with that answer, but didn’t want to ruminate on it for too long. Instead, she lifted her cup, which magically filled with wine, and spoke out to the group.

“To Leaf! First test down!”

“That test was for more than just me.” Leaf added.

“Then, to us!” Myla exclaimed.