Re: Wishes Have Aftershock Tremors (Kiriyama)
Where are you going?
"I wanted to discover more about this place called Red Hill," Pyralis replied in a dead tone, pausing at the entrance to his home. This was not the truth, and his master easily sensed this. Pyralis could never hide things from his master normally, although there were times he seemed to.
You want another like you did with her, don't you? You look for satisfaction. You will get it if you are faithful and obedient. You must remain here. The wisher approaches.
"A wish? Ah... good." He fingered a few of the silver rings on his sash. "More for me... no... more for us."
Something else troubles you. What is it, my servant?
"I... cannot say. I do not know how to word it. I am satisfied another wishing person comes." He slinked back into the darkness of the clearing, waiting. "It is a feeling that is good."
~
"Hello?" The figure dropped the bag containing the unconscious Con without much care, looking around the suspicious environment. This seemed to be the origin of the ash, as it was thickest here, easily a few inches deep. "Wishmaster. I have a wish for you." He made a mental note not to get near the small pond of water in the middle of this clearing. He never did like water much.
Do not show yourself.
The ash crunched slightly after a moment, his boots reacting to it as if it were a gray snow. He slinked between the trees, standing tall and fearless on the outcrop of dull rock that shadowed the dirty pool of water.
"You have called me. You know my name. Who told you this?" The voice was low, bitter, and commanding. He swept back a bit of his tunic as he rubbed a few fingers of his right hand together, a small piece of flint nimbly moving in his palm. He liked playing with the rock; it gave him something to do while he thought.
What are you doing? I ordered you to remain hidden. You're defying me?
"I have heard the locals speak of you. They tell me you grant wishes in exchange for things, am I right?" Lai asked, tail swishing behind him calmly.
His dark orbs snapped towards Lai, an almost evil smile on his face. "You know many things. It seems my reputation preceeds me. You also know then that you must have payment for such things as wishes. They do not come cheaply. What can you offer me?"
I see. Continue.
"I offer you this man." Lai glanced down at the sack, taking a few hurried steps back as it suddenly began to burn off.
"Hm..." Pyralis rested his hand in mid-air, flames swirling about his flesh, but not brothering him. The sack completely disintegrated within moments of the heated fire's licking about it. Con's figure lay sprawled out on the ashen ground, still unconscious. "A man? Why would I require this as payment? What do you propose I do with him?" He turned his deadly gaze on Lai, hand still shimmering with a fire that crackled about a foot high.
"You... can keep him as a slave, kill him, whatever it is that would please you." Lai's tail had begun to move a bit faster, perhaps an outlet for nervousness.
A slave?... this idea intrigues me. You could use a slave... someone to obey you and any order you give. Perhaps it will be of good use to you. Accept this payment. It is fair.
"What is he called?" Pyralis asked, narrowing his eyes at the fallen man.
"He claimed his name was Con."
"Con... yes, he will do as payment." Flash. A bright eruption of bright heat and he appeared near the payment. "He could prove to be quite useful, should I decide to do more with him... now. Awaken." He placed a single palm against the man's forehead, and a chute of flame, in the form of the letter "P", alighted on his head.
Within moments, the thief shot up to his feet, screaming in the shock of the pain. His feet instinctively carried him to the pond of water near the middle of the clearing, and he dunked his head under it, soaking his hair in the frantic effort. He lifted his head from the water, gazing at his reflection for a moment. After lifting his bangs, the burned letter clearly shone through, glowing a deep red.
The flesh began to slowly regenerate itself, covering up the bare bone and stopping the blood flow. Con staggered to his feet, violently turning to Lai. "You!" He couldn't be sure this boy was the cause of his pain, but it was most likely, since his memory blurred after he was caught with the coin. "What the hell did you do to me?" he shouted as he approached the prince.
"Ah ah ah..." Con froze in place and cried out, holding his head as his knees buckled from under him. He collapsed onto them, his forehead smoking a little as the skin sizzled like bacon. "No being rude to the wishers now, Con."
"Who... what are you? How do you know my name?" the man gasped out in between the tears that escaped his eyes. He couldn't help it. Even if Con normally showed no emotion, the pain was just too much.
"You are my new slave. You will obey me. If you choose to do otherwise, the results will not be pleasant. Now. Go wait by the outcrop. I will see to you once I hear this wish. All will be explained in due time... all in my time."
"The hell it will." Con croaked as he lifted a middle finger up to Pyralis, lip curling upward as he spoke. "I'm no slave. For anyone. I'm my own person, individually free." What was this supposed to be? God punishing him for his deeds? What on earth had he done to deserve this?
"You will learn in time." Pyralis equaled the hand expression Con showed him, not knowing what it meant, but having a feeling it was hostile. His hand's flames flared for a moment, and the man formerly defying the Wishmaster disappeared, leaving only a few specks of ash in his place. He turned back to Lai, who blinked in shock.
"Did you... did you kill him?" the stunned boy asked.
"Don't be silly. I have use for him in the future, I'll bet. I merely sent him somewhere where he can... think privately, without any people to distract him. I'll call him back after our business is finished." Pyralis smiled and waved a hand cheerfully. He did not mention that the private quarters happened to be the inner chambers of the not-so-dormant volcano, where Con was currently enduring constant burning of his flesh as it healed over, a never-ending carousel of pain. "He will learn to see things my way."
"Oh... I see. So you will grant my wish?"
"What is your name?" Pyralis asked, tilting his head slightly.
Why are you asking that? What use is a name to me?
"Lailoken," the young man answered, looking a little confused himself. Perhaps the Wishmaster was not what he had thought.
"Lailoken? Lailoken. I like it... My name is Pyralis. I'm... satisfied with meeting you. I will grant your wish."
Making decisions without me?! And telling others your given name?! You are committing treason against me!
Simply blinking once, Pyralis blocked his master's voice from his ears. "Tell me..." He seated himself in the ash on the ground, drawing a very detailed picture of a woman in it with his finger. "What is it you wish for?"