Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 167- Flame Eternal No Longer

[Keeno POV]

About a week after our fight with that delicious scorpion not much else had happened. We ran into a small herd(?) of those cactus things and managed to catch two.  Drinking the cactus juice was an…experience I’d rather not ever go through again. It didn’t taste like anything really, but it messed with my head worse than any alcohol and I almost ended up burning more than half of our supplies…On another note, Geri and Freki have ceased being Irbs of black with a small glow in the middle and have become a glowing orange and blue orb. Ama said that meant they were almost through their adolescent phase, but it would still take a bit for them to ‘hatch.’

Today we were passing one of the smoking pits in the ash. It was close enough to the road that we could safely walk to it so I can check it out and see if there was anything I can do about it or the flames or if it would be a more persistent issue than I can handle in one fell swoop.  We neared the edge of the massive smoking crater and I felt the familiar heat of Fia’s flames, though they were more concentrated than I’d ever felt personally.  Looking at them through the smoke the red orange of the flames with a slight tint of gold flickered and moved in the way only flames could, mesmerizing me further.

“Hmm. I rate them 8/10.” (Keeno)

“Pfft.  Fia’d be so mad at you for that.” (Mostima)

“Well, these are unrefined compared to the current quality of her flames.” (Keeno)

I produced a small blue flame in my palm.

“See, compared to this, it’s like it was made by an amateur.  A very good amateur, but an amateur nonetheless.” (Keeno)

“Sorry, the look the same to me.” (Mostima)

I just shrugged my shoulders and looked down into the pit again.

“No time like the present.” (Keeno)

I took a step forward, summoned one of my swords, and stuck it into the surprisingly sturdy wall of the pit and began sliding toward the fire.  I saw Margaret, who was standing next to Mostima, reach out but she was stopped.  Sliding down, the heat continued to grow more intense and comfortable. When my feet hit the bottom, I sank to my knees in loose ash, but only that far. Wading into the flames was nice. The searing heat felt nice on my exposed skin and made it feel like all impurities were being cleansed.

I waded as far in as I could before the ash started to cover my belly.  I then released a small flame from my hand. The two mingled together for a moment before my flame began to grow, replacing the red-orange of Fia’s. The flame spread like, well, a wildfire in a drought ridden forest until the entire crater was awash with cerulean light and a heat so hot it could melt and evaporate metal.  I don’t know if it was another aspect of my Solar Authority, but when my flames took over Fia’s, it was like I could feel the area the flames touched, though it only lasted for half an instant.  Once I was completely sure my flames completely consumed Fia’s, I waved my hand, and the flames rapidly cooled until the completely went out, leaving an empty pit.

“Mostima, Huginn, Muninn, some assistance please.” (Keeno)

My two feathered friends flew out of my tails and I saw Mostima raise her gravity stave and a strange, almost wet feeling assailed me as Huginn and Muninn grabbed the end of my chains and began lifting me up.  Once I was back on the ground next to Margaret and Mostima, the eternal feeling vanished.

“That felt weird.” (Keeno)

“Well, just accept that as punishment for scaring me like that. It’s not good for any of us to watch you fall into a pit of ever burning flames.”(Mostima)

“You were scared?  For the one person here who hasn’t so much as turned a bit red from the sunlight, or ever said anything about being hot, or loves taking baths in boiling water?” (Keeno)

“Hehe.  Just stating what Margaret’s too flustered to say. Ain’t that right?” (Mostima)

“…Yes. It would have been nice to know you are immune to burning.” (Margret)

“I could have sworn I mentioned that at some point.” (Keeno)

“You didn’t.  That aside though, that was amazing. And it already feels cooler here than most places.” (Margaret)

“Well yeah, that’s how it works when a fire goes out. In my semi-professional opinion, a sizable chunk of this area should start to cool down over the next few months. I don’t know how livable it’ll be, but I think once all the eternal flames are taken care of, people should be able to expand out of the one city you have here.  Depending on how you go about it, you and the Radiant Knights could lead that charge.” (Keeno)

It was then that I felt a small itch in my Dragon Core and I turned my head north. Scanning the horizon I saw nothing but a few more columns of smoke denoting other burning pits that were too far away to take care of right now.  Filing it in the back of my mind for later, the three of us moved back to the others and started off again.  The itch in my Core now faint, but ever present.

‘Ama.’ (Keeno)

{It’s nothing bad. By my estimation he will get to you in about four days, maybe two if he doesn’t sleep, which I doubt he will so be prepared to meet another dragon.}

‘Mum’s friend?’ (Keeno)

{Not Shu.  I think his name was Volundr.}

‘Ok.  I’ll let the others know.’ (Keeno)

Doing just that I let the others know we were going to meet a dragon in the next few days. Many of the knights were uneasy about this, but Margaret was able to calm them down enough to reason with them. My group was less surprised and more interested in how this dragon would act seeing as the ones we’ve met so far all had different personalities.  We found out two days later.

The suns were setting, just about to dip below the horizon when I noticed what looked to be a small cloud. The distance made it seem like nothing important, but the feeling in my Dragon Core said otherwise.  Not even ten minutes later, the dust cloud was growing larger and larger rapidly. We could feel a rumbling under our feet.

Once the close was practically on top of us, a giant serpentine form erupted from the ash.  This dragon had the form of an eastern dragon with a mix of ash grey and bronze colored scales that reflected the dimming light beautifully.  He gave off a different kind of regal feeling than mum. If she gave of he feeling of absolute authority and dominance, he gave off the feeling of a calm and wise advisor. Like someone who you could trust with secrets and let all façades down.

He settled in front of our group, his calm eyes reflecting us observantly.  After slow blink, his body began to shine and several seconds later an older looking man with an impressive beard that flowed like a river down to the middle of his chest and wearing grey-bronze robes that flowed like smoke stood in front of us.  When he spoke, his voice resounded like a bass drum.

“Hello, young ones. I am Volundr, Dragon of Ash and Metal and the one who calls this land home. I apologize for the abruptness of my appearance, but I would very much like to speak to my half-kin.” (Volundr)

I stepped forward from the group and lifted my chin slightly, my flaming horns appearing and, though for only a few seconds, manifesting my wings, while showing off my four tails.

“Greetings, Volundr.  I am Keeno Fafnir Okami, Goddess apparent of Death, the Blue Sun, and Runes.  Fated One of Amaterasu, Goddess of Life, the Orange Sun, and Magic.  Daughter of Dragon Queen Fafnir.  I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” (Keeno)

“Well met, Princess. Her Majesty has informed those of us as of yet unacquainted with you about your name, and as such I shall not impose.  And greetings to you lot. I see many of you are knights of the city.  Judging from your armor and the weapons at your hips, my teachings are still being practiced, though to a lesser quality from what I prefer.” (Volundr)

When his eyes passed over Mostima and Freya, his gaze lingered, especially at Mostima.

“Hoh?  If it isn’t-” (Volundr)

“Please keep that to yourself.” (Mostima)

Volundr stopped and nodded after a second of contemplation.

“Apologies.  My age has made me prone to rambling.” (Volundr)

Glancing over at Mostima, I thought about anything she’d like to hide. She’s told us pretty much everything about herself, the only exception being how she Fell.

“Where are my manners. Please, allow me to make a better spot for discussion.” (Volundr)

Turning around, he lifted his hands and quietly chanted something.  A rumbling feeling under our feet occurred and next to the path a makeshift cave rose from the ash.

“Please, I will have some tea prepared shortly.” (Volundr)

He moved into the cave, his robes making it seem like he was a specter floating.  I followed shortly after, the others filling me a moment later.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: …

Tamamo: …

Atmos: …

What?

Atmos: You’re different now.

Tamamo: You give off the same vibe as Luna.

Luna: Abyss?

And Luna wins the prize. In all of my domain I have transcended godhood and become the Abyss of Chaos and Nihility. Order, Astraea, and Nykuro are still undergoing their transcendence, but they should be finished soon.

Luna: What exactly does that imply?

Basically we are merging completely with the Concepts we control so that we are one and the same. Just like you are the embodiment of all Fluff that has, is, and ever will be, it’s the same for us, though in our respective Concepts.  But that aside, nothing much for any of you I consider family at this point.  It just means I can relax the rules for you slightly more without upsetting balance.

Atmos: Oh?

No traveling to Keeno’s world. Luna I allowed that one time, but I really don’t want others to know about my preferential treatment.

Atmos: Fine.

Feel free to cake people though.

Atmos: I’ll take what I can get.

Tamamo: Wha-

!!!

Luna: Oh!

Atmos: This is going to be interesting.

Tamamo: What I was saying isn’t important. This development is more interesting.

Luna: Keeno has two more fluffy friends now. Payto, help me with the blessing.

Go whenever you are ready.

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