Harnessing Ones Power
I looked out over the burning city-state. Everything was burning. I was alone. Everyone was scattered. I didn't even know what I was supposed to do next.
Put out the fires, Mara. Came a voice in my head. It was very clearly a man's voice. I started looking about for someone. Anyone. Put out the fires, Mara. It repeated.
Of course, she won't do it. You're scaring her. Came another. One that sounded more like my own. She's never recognized my voice and I've been with her for almost her entire life. You think she will listen to some random voice inside her head?
I didn't think that far.
You sure you think at all?
"Quiet!" I bellowed, knowing full well by now the voices I heard were not around me. "I can't believe you are arguing in my head." I took a deep breath. What I wouldn't do right now for a taste of Nesbeth's cheesecake.
This is no time to be thinking with your gullet. Reprimanded the male voice. It sounded familiar. Like it belonged to Kaddyr.
I focused carefully on the image of Kaddyr and the thought of Lillith. I tried to materialize their images in my mind so that I could have something to focus on when they were trying to guide me. I closed my eyes tightly. Focused even harder. And, when I opened them, two people stood before me. A wolfman and a lamia with wings.
So, you chose to manifest us. Said the woman. Lillith for sure. Kaddyr is right, you know. The flames have to go.
How do you think I will erase all these flames? I asked, putting my hands on my hips. I had no idea how either one of these Minor Ones expected me to muster up so much power all at once. At best, I could only spread the flames.
You have more power than you did when you came to see me, Mara. Countered Kaddyr. I am within you and Rammel has even given you a piece of himself.
To think Rammel has come so far. I definitely would like to face him again. Just once. Lillith licked her lips, running her thumb at the edge of her mouth, probably wiping drool from it.
Quiet woman. Rammel has no time for the likes of you. Kaddyr screamed, throwing his hands into the air.
The likes of me! Lillith argued back, making faces at Kaddyr. Leave it to you and Rammel to paint me in the darkest light. I wanted balance just as much as each one of us. It is why we banded together. We each have our reasons for doing as we have. Same with Tiamat and Grammel. Lillith turned away from Kaddyr, pouting.
Would you quit arguing in my head, please. I reprimanded. I felt like I was punishing two children. Now, one of you. Only one. Please explain how to get rid of all these flames. And then, we can move on from here. I began walking over to the gates of Eh'zanko. I overlooked all I could see. Relief washed over me. The damage was localized to only a little area. My father's power made sure of that. The more I took in what was before me, the more I realized that the damage was less than it should be.
I want you to pretend you feel a ball spinning in your gut. Slowly. As you focus on it, I want you to apply pressure to it, causing it to spin faster until you can no longer harness its spin. Kaddyr said, carefully. I could tell he was choosing his words.
Don't expect too much, Kaddyr. Lillith turned to Kaddyr. All this time, when she was under duress from Yog's agenda, I have been the one invoking her power to defend her. She may very well be able to harness something.
I attempted to do as he suggested. I ignored Lillith. I wouldn't know what I was capable of if I didn't try. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine the spinning ball. It started rotate very slowly, almost at a crawl. The more intense my concentration, the faster the ball spun. The pressure built up inside me, clenching all my muscles, until it was almost unbearable. I opened my eyes and put out my hands. Nothing happened.
Mara. Lillith called my name. Her eyes went wide. Why did you summon them.
Kaddyr just looked on, not saying anything.
I turned around abruptly. I was sure nothing happened when I tried to release all the built up power as Kaddyr had suggested. I hadn't even felt anything come from me. But, I definitely could tell I was empty.
There they were.
Nine feet tall. Their bat-like wings were folded against their back. Their long pterodactyl claws on each foot cut into the dirt. Their tails wagged back and forth, creating a swishing sound and belying the flexibility I would have assumed them to have considering it appeared to be scaled and spiked. Their eyeless faces bore one defining feature. A three-jawed mouth. They smelled of death and decay.
Hell-hounds.
I fell backward onto my butt from shock. I never expected Yog's servants to appear before me. I don't think I can summon them, Lillith.
Oh, you most certainly did. You do have a piece of Yog's soul after all. I made sure of that.
I took a deep breath and returned to my feet. And, how am I supposed to get rid of these flames now? I didn't really expect an answer. I closed my eyes to start again from the beginning.
<Master, > I heard a whine from within my head, <let us do it for you.>
<We are here to serve.> Came a second whine.
Then, without waiting for me to reply, the two hell-hounds took to the sky, circling over the burning city. Kaddyr, Lillith, and I watched as they spread black ash over all the fires and the embers returned to their bodies, causing them to burn brightly. Once they returned, the radiance had begun to dim.
I looked on in shock. I didn't even know what to say. These creatures surprised me. They surpassed my expectations of them. Even their willingness to serve made me recoil.
<I am called Kratos.> The burlier one of the two said. <My brother is Kerberos. We are at your service, Master Mara.>
To think, you have managed to take what is Yog's and bend it to your will. Kaddyr chuckled. You really are destined for greatness, Mara. Lillith and I will just have to get you ready to face your destiny.
Kaddyr, time is not on our side.
Even more reason for us to do what needs doing now.