Master Of None

”Races, we have not met many races. We are protected here by the ways of the ember and our relationship with the wise ones in the flames beyond our farmlands.” one of the more well dressed nobles and begun to speak while the smoldering ember was listening to all things.

The smoldering ember appeared to be more of a recorder and a guide than anything. The traditions of their society were more established. Things were a lot less like the ways that Walker had begun to expect.

They had believer that there would be a lot of the generic issues that they expected from other nobles. However, they were seeing that there was more traditional and breaking that tradition was even more terrifying than any emotional ego related to who was or was not powerful.

On top of that, there was the fact that a greater deal of what they were doing was allowing for the smoldering ember, their guide and foremost figure, to learn and improve the decisions that would be made for all of their people.

Somewhat of what the entire party started to think was because of how they lived and survived. It wasn’t just the fact that they were within the calmer areas of the fire elemental planes. It was because they had managed to rely on the flame crawling coal along with the unique building and protection from more powerful beings and races.

”We have heard of the pure flame elementals, they have neared out home seven times in the past decade. They are always able to be repelled by the yellow flame falcon race. They are golden feathered and move through the flames as if they are more than an elemental.” The reverence in the voices as they all began speaking of these yellow flame falcon race struck Walker as very important.

This race could be an important race that was able to move through fire more easily because of their higher fire affinity. However, what walker believed, was that they were similar to the harpy or the angel race. They had yellow gold feathers because that was where they absorbed and used the yellow fire mana that they were able to produce. This would make them much more in touch with that firm of fire mana and clearly more able to utilize it too.

It would also establish the similarities between the other races that Walker and Genesis had that used fire mana and processed mana in general. Besides this, it would explain what the coal people would be feeling some connection to it. They had the same sort of yellow red flames in their bodies so when they saw a race with purer flames they would be able to feel it instinctually.

”I can see how that would be helpful. They sound like very good protectors, are they the ones that came to let us know you were going to see us?” Walker wasn’t trying to pry, he was just curious if they were working for the true fire sage or the elemental fire king at all. If they were then it would be like the angel’s distant cousin race who completely fused with light mana.

”They are emissaries of those greater. We may have been told of the true fire sage’s words by them but we do not know more of their stronger commands.” They were not intricately connected to the movements beyond their race. It was easily a fact that this race was so small compared to what some of the others were.

This was all the more clear to Walker since the coal people didn’t actually appear to have immense magical abilities like the other fire elemental races within the fire elemental plane. They were surprisingly weak and peaceful. Farming here and growing with their traditions.

”I believe that we could all be very good allies. We do not have a lot of the same things in Genesis as you have in your home here. Our traditions are different, but our people are all looking for peace, unity, and growth. I believe you can share a lot of your culture with us and we can show a greater deal with you.” Su had become much more invested in this conversation the more that she was here.

This was simply because she saw the ways the walls were built and how every single guard had a shield. It was clear that the entire culture was more focused on caring for and protecting the well being of their people. Meaning that they would fit right in line with everything that Su worked for.

”You may be right, you are showing us the armor you made just to ensure you could make a journey here to speak and even build a small connection. We have been a blessed people protected, even that wanes. We have not grown as fast as others.”

The moving ember spoke again. This time though, more flames reared up on the pile of claim crawling coal he survived in. This changed the entire atmosphere of every single coal person in the larger hall. Their downcast emotions were both clear on their coal faces and also in the decreased embering of flames within their bodies.

”What do you mean?” Midnight looked at those who had been speaking with her on the side. They had been immersed in her dark and shiny black scales. She was more than happy to share with them especially since they saw how she could channel the fire mana around her and cause an almost similar effect of smoldering light just like they naturally had at all times.

A long pause raised the tension in the air. All these amazing conversations sharing information about the coal people and Genesis seemed to halt. Everything that they had been speaking about was seemingly a cover now. Just a potential happiness that they were not lost to since their future had been more ambiguous than what they had led on to be.

”Some time ago, one of the protectors, the yellow feathered falcon race landed here to warn us. The shifting of the fire elemental planes would bring us near a different land. One closer to where larger flame behemoths are born. Monsters that would consume the very planes. They are monsters, but they are balance.”

From the very beginning, this had been a weight that landed on all of these people. The reason that all the people had been confined to their homes wasn’t just because this was a potentially dangerous meeting with strangers, it was because they were all scared.

They worked their hardest every day and the farmers had seemed very well off. Yet, they too might have been making the best of things so that they were able to stand another day. Live another day. Prepare for the next day.

”Do you know of the greater forces? Those who build the elemental planes and contribute to the growth of every elemental plane which is not becoming closer to the central world where we are from?” A small spark of understanding flicked through the unmoving ember’s eyes.

”Those beings. The gods and creators. Those above all others. We have heard stories spoken by merchants. Tales we did not believe.”

”They do exist. They are the reason for all the growth and they speak with the greatest elemental kings and potentially the sages. They even speak to beings above those you know of. I have seen them and they have opened my eyes to larger parts of all things. Knowing such things has brought me to an understanding that some races can not survive within the fire elemental planes because they are in need of a different environment.”

”What I am saying is that the true fire sage might have chosen your people for us to meet first because we have accepted other races from the elemental planes as well. So, why not consider coming to our home. I might be able to bring all you have here with me.”

This was like a crashing thought smashing every idea and perception that the coal people had. They didn’t have words since this entire situation was well beyond what generations had ever been a part of. Even more so. They were the kind of people that followed their traditions.

This would be something different and new.

”You can take your time and debate with your people. We can take our time to search the surrounding lands and see what we might find to take back and learn from in our home. I will leave a squadron of soldiers here to speak with you. You can ask them what you wish. You won’t have to listen to just us.” This was proof of trust so that Walker could put them more at ease. It was an unexpected offer that could present many challenges and changes. Something Walker didn’t plan for but he now felt he understood.

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