8 Agni

The last thing Dan remembered as he gathered his bearings in the darkness was the giant hand of fire that consumed him. As he looked around, he found himself in darkness all around, he began to explore the darkness by walking about, and it was here that he discovered the spirit again. The spirit he had previously encountered was no longer standing still but was looking up. Dan followed the eyes of the spirit and found the most majestic site he had ever witnessed.

There, high in the distance, stood a giant made entirely of fire, yet his blazing flame was of no consequence to Dan and the spirit as it did not burn them away; Dan only felt warmth under the mighty presence. The majestic being made of flame had eyes as bright and yellow as the sun; he had two heads, and on each of them, he wore a headgear designed ornately with golden flames, and his body was fire itself, given form as if he would explode any moment with four arms that seemed to remind Dan of the fire-like hand that had grabbed him. From what Dan could make out, the being was not wearing clothes on his upper body, and the lower half seemed to be covered in flame-like clothing of loose garments.

"Oh, it seems you have awoken, young ones" the being was broken from his reverie as he noticed the spirit and the young boy staring at him in what he could only describe would be awe and reverence. He slowly nodded and began to continue.

"I am Agni, the God of Fire; you may know of me by other names such as Prometheus, Izanami, Vulcan, etc. And you, my dear young ones, have found yourself juxtaposed between a great opportunity or a cursed situation."

Confused, the being ushered words from within him. "And what is this situation that you speak of, Agni ?"

His tone was surreal as his mystical appearance added to the charming feeling in his voice; while he was undoubtedly puny in comparison to the God in front of them, Dan was certainly fascinated by it nonetheless. In his eyes, both were beings he had never even imagined encountering; whilst one looked like a ghost, the other embodied elements.

"The thing is, young ones, I am not a God of this world. I was able to come here thanks to you, Damian; your soul was somehow able to bypass the reincarnation cycle of Earth and wander into this dimension which allowed me a tether to pull on as your soul is marked under the rules of Earth."

"I want you to spread the faith in this universe. The problem is that your soul is too powerful for this dimension, so the dimensional laws have forcefully fragmented them into seven pieces, and the largest one has now been absorbed by this young soul here."

The God said as they began to look towards Dan. Dan found both their gazes to be highly uncomfortable to him as an immeasurable amount of pressure was being directed toward him. He had listened in on the conversation of the two but could barely understand what they were saying.

"So I can't have my own body, can I ?" Damian asked, hoping that Agni would answer in the negative. His hopes, however, were soon dashed into oblivion by the nod Agni gave. "It would seem that the young Dan here has begun absorbing your fragmented soul and assimilating your memories as an inheritance. You both are being molded into a completely different being now. Once the process is done it will take you some years to acclimate to the new body and soul. The boy is proficient in mind and body which is why he took so keenly to your soul's interference, normally you would have just assimilated his soul into your own and he would have died by accident. Yet it would seem he is formidable and quite unwilling to die as of yet."

Dan upon hearing all this was mortified, to think that he would have died at the whims and fancies of the God before him. He thanked his fate for not allowing it but soon pondered on the situation he found himself in. It would stand to reason that his suffering had only worsened in the current circumstances and there seemed to be nothing he could do to change it.

"M..may I say something...I doubt you would listen to me oh great God but I plead with you to let me live please."

Seeing the boy on his knees Agni's previously roaring flames grew more gentle, he looked at the boy with much more compassion than was previously present.

"You need not worry child, by fortune most profound you have found yourself in a situation many would envy. If you so choose you could be someone of great importance to this unholy world, a Messiah to its people, an Emperor of its boundless lands."

Agni then looked at Dan, the boy was now thoroughly lost in thought of his own grandeur but it seemed to work to Agni's benefit for he could now pay attention to Damian who was the party that seemed more and more reluctant to the present case of events. Damian grew worried for his life now, his death had been unsatisfactory, and now even before he could expect a new life he found his own soul being absorbed by the very body he was intended to dominate.

"You know I always thought that if I transmigrated, I would start my own kingdom using my knowledge, become a great swordsman, a master tactician, a faithful husband, a loving father. I finally found myself in the grasp of all those dreams and yet you tell me that it is my worst nightmare. How am I to reconcile with this at a moment's notice Agni? You're God are you not then why are you not using your omnipotence to help me out? Why? Why?"

Agni sighed he understood Damian's predicament yet he too was unable to help him, "Forgive me young soul I too am bound to the laws of the Omniverse, my power, my knowledge all of my arts cannot help you in this universe for my presence here is not established. I have no root here which is exactly why I have asked for your help here now. If you establish me as a deity in this universe I will have some hold over its laws, whilst I cannot help you I will be able to help others and your future descendants. Think not of this as a tragedy for once your soul is combined with this boy's here you will be an entirely new entity, a new lifeform born out of both your personalities. It is the will of the Supreme Being that it be done this way and I cannot intercede. It is on you to take this chance and make something of it or let it go and die in vainglory"

Damian was conflicted, he could not bring himself to accept his sudden rebirth and death at such short notice but he understood when things were unachievable. He knew that he would not be able to get what he wanted so he made up his mind to milk this opportunity for what it was worth. With some resignation and hope he finally looked at Agni.

"I accept your proposition Lord of Fire but I ask that in return I am made someone far above the common, someone who has the power to bend the world to his whim and do your bidding in earnest."

Agni immediately turned to the young Dan, "What say you young child?"

Dan at this point had contemplated everything and he was sure of one thing, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill his desires, ambitions, and dreams and he was not at all willing to let it pass by him.

"I agree"

Agni smiled and his flames began to rage as the void itself was lit up by the show of supreme providence, " In the name of Agni the Lord of Fire I bless you. May the Supreme Soul guide your path ahead."