Chapter 4 –
“The entire world will be yours one day. You will have an eternity to experience the world and all the women in it,” the fire guardian coaxed persuasively. Valko’s soul was ripe, powerful, and dark. Hotaru was tired of waiting for his vessel to decide he was ready.
“Time is a necessity if your plan is to dominate the entire world,” Valko agreed. “If your intention with these women is anything less than for battle then they are useless. We need swords, not whores.”
“What about Demera? Would you endanger her life for your personal gain?” the man of fire asked as if he outwitted Valko.
It was true that in the three years since his grandfather’s death their relationship became adolescent passion. Hotaru made a nasty habit of making Demera the focus of their recent conversation. Valko was more than sick of it. “She is well aware of what I ask of her. She is strong. If necessary, I will protect her,” the young man replied, confident.
“You would risk your goal, your power, your life, for one woman?” Hotaru asked with a sly grin.
Valko was not as quick to respond. He decided the best answer to provide was the same as before. “She is well aware of what I ask. You cannot persuade me to abandon her.”
“You are being a fool!” Hotaru snapped.
“You still need me,” Valko reminded him. His renewed confidence faltered when Hotaru laughed cruelly.
“Do not try to use my own methods against me.”
“I have allowed you to corrupt me. I will allow you to use me as a tool in your plan. You will not be the one who remains in the end,” Valko promised, turning his back to his mentor. He walked away with pride, knowing he would one day best the fire guardian at his own game.
“Do not visit me again until you are ready to put our plan into action,” Hotaru hissed and slinked back into the fire.
That night, Valko stood at the entrance of Demera’s home, a wooden hut with two bedrooms and a small living area, the perfect home for a small family. He had just knocked and was waiting for an answer. To his displeasure, Basira came to the door.
“What do you want?” she asked, irritated.
Her voice made him cringe. “I am here to see Demera.”
Throwing her hands in the air, Basira whined, “Have you no manners? It is inappropriate for a man to come calling on a woman unexpectedly, especially at such a late hour!”
“Mom, it’s fine,” Demera said from behind her. Basira turned, shaking her head, and Demera appeared in her place. She smiled so brightly that Valko could not help but also smile. With all of his constant doubts, he sometimes envied her simple life. “You need to come with me to the Tower of Hotaru,” he said, his smile fading.
“Why?” she asked, stepping out of the house and closing the front door.
“You are the only person I trust enough to share this with,” he pleaded.
She looked at him with concern. He always talked in riddles, but he was never so mysterious. “Very well. I will come with you.”
Valko snatched her hand before she could ask more questions. He led her through the shadows created by the moonlight against the trees, so no one would know where they were going. The temple was half a mile from their small village, but the distance was nothing to them. At fifteen and seventeen years of age, they were healthy and reckless, and reached their destination in less than ten minutes.
The tall tower was four buildings high with only two actual floors, and round windows placed every few feet for light. The doorway was decorated with wreaths and flowers, both native and exotic, that were intended to please Hotaru. Only once Demera and Valko were inside did they finally stop to rest for a minute. He took her by the hand and pulled her close, planting a passionate kiss on her lips. She smiled, and said teasing, “If that is all you have brought me here for you should have said as much.”
Valko gazed into her golden eyes and brushed a strand of stray crimson hair away from her lovely face. “If only it were so. Come,” he said, and led her toward the mantel. Fearlessly, he approached the fire, but she hesitated to follow him. “I will not allow him to hurt you. Come here.”
Cautiously, she ascended the five wooden steps and came to stand beside Valko. “Who?”
“I’ll show you,” he said eagerly. He placed his hand on and pressed the ornate jewel on the side of the mantel. Demera stepped back to the edge of the stage. Valko moved to stand vigilant at her side.
Suddenly, a red featureless silhouette of a man appeared inside the fire, and then walked to stand just before them. “Valko,” Hotaru greeted. The voice came coarse and sinister.
“Demera, I want you to meet Hotaru,” Valko said to introduce him, gesturing at the red flaming man.
“The fire guardian?” she asked, shocked. Her eyes widened with fear. “What is going on? Valko, how long have you known about this?”
Calmly, and proudly, he explained, “Hotaru has been sharing his knowledge with me.”
“You should have told someone. You have no idea what kind of danger you might be in,” Demera said, concerned and shaken with fear. “The power of fire can corrupt even the purest of men. It’s no wonder my parents think you’ve lost your sanity.”
Valko had hoped for a different reaction. He gripped her arms firmly and looked straight into her eyes to quell her fear. After a moment, he asked, “What danger do you speak of?”
Demera suddenly broke away from him. “Have you forgotten that our life’s duty is to protect Hotaru from being released?”
“From the day Valko was born I have watched him,” Hotaru interjected to defend his student. “Do you not think he should be praised for such an honor? I have chosen him out of the rest of your pitiful clan as my personal servant.”
Valko frowned. He spoke neutrally to Demera. “You are jumping to radical conclusions. If it will ease your fears, I will speak to my father tomorrow and inform him of what I have discovered. I showed you because my father may dismiss me and say that Hotaru speaks to us all.”
Demera kept one cautious eye on Hotaru when she said, “That would relieve me greatly.” What if the High Priest did dismiss the claim that Hotaru was making real contact with Valko? She resolved to take Valko’s safety into her own hands. She looked at him with a furrowed brow of concern and worry. “Can we leave?” she asked gently.
“Yes. I am grateful you came,” Valko said directly. He rested his hands on the side of her face so she could not move away. “You will keep this between us.”
“You have my word,” Demera said with a tender smile.
Valko turned back to Hotaru and said, “Good night, my friend.”
“Good night,” Hotaru responded with a cruel chuckle.
Kilena Shrelack 