The Agreement

With that consent, the true beginning of Damian and Dan's life had just been inked in flames. There would come a time when these two would regret their decision today, but that is a story for the future.

Damian and Dan stood before Agni, their eyes shining with excitement and determination. They had made up their minds; they were going to become Agni's champions. It was a decision that had been a long time coming, but now they were ready to take the next step in their journey.

Agni nodded solemnly, his fiery eyes reflecting the passion that burned within him. "Very well," he said, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "If you are truly committed to this path, then I will teach you everything I know."

And so, Damian began his training. Agni taught him the art of fire manipulation, showing him how to control the flames and bend them to his will. It was a difficult skill to master, and Damian sometimes struggled to keep up. But Agni was patient, guiding him through the process step by step until he began to feel more comfortable with the flames.

As Damian progressed, he began to teach Dan what he had learned. At first, Dan found it difficult to grasp the concept of manipulating fire, but with practice and determination, he, too, began to master the skill. Together, they honed their abilities, pushing each other to become stronger and more skilled.

Their training was not limited to fire arts, however. They also practised swordsmanship and blood arts, honing their combat skills and learning how to harness the power within their own bodies. It was a gruelling process, but they knew that they had to be prepared for anything if they were going to become true champions.

Over the years, Damian and Dan became more than just training partners; they became friends, confidants, and brothers in arms. They supported each other through difficult times and celebrated together during the victories. As they grew closer, they developed a better soul integration, their energies merging and intertwining until they became a unified entity.

It was during the final year of their training that Damian achieved the ultimate goal. Through sheer force of will and determination, he fully integrated his soul with Dan's, their energies blending together until they were no longer separate beings. They had become a true champion of Agni, a powerful force to be reckoned with. Though their psyches still existed independently of each other.

And so, Damian and Dan stood before Agni once more, their bodies glowing with the power of their combined energy. They had come a long way since meeting Agni, but now they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. They were the champions of the flame, the defenders of the innocent, and the protectors of the weak. And nothing would stand in their way.

Agni looked at them proud of what he had done over the past few decades, he had done his pantheon's bidding and forged in his flames a champion who will undoubtedly allow for the Trinity to step foot in this realm one day. "You are now ready to leave my dimension and return to yours, do keep in mind that once you return you will not be as powerful as you feel right now. Your souls have been refined and have become a unified entity but you still exist to a certain extent as two individuals and you must still find the pieces of Damian's soul that continue to roam around the world."

Damian and Dan acknowledged Agni's words and began to consider how they would solve the conundrum but for now, they had chosen to accept their gains and plan for the future when they returned. Damian came forth and bowed to Agni, "Thank you for teaching me and giving me a survival chance in the world I found myself abandoned in."

Dan also came forward to express his appreciation, "Thank you Lord of Flames for choosing me with your knowledge and arts I have a chance to surpass my low birth and make something of myself and for that, you have my eternal gratitude."

"Our time here has come to an end young ones, I will take my leave now and hope to be in contact with you soon, though in your case it may take decades before that happens. I wish you good fortune in the wars to come. Tatvamasi"

With that final word, Agni's flames died out and the souls of the two boys were suddenly sucked out of the void as they found their vision blackened by it.

...

Dan woke up in a lotus position his body covered in ice, dried leaves, cobwebs, and anthills with many insects making his still body their home. Even the task of opening his eyes was of extreme effort, yet he somehow managed to do it. His body had been stationary for years and he did not immediately regain full control of it.

'Use the flame arts to heat up your body'

Dan heard Damian's voice resound within his head, which gave him reassurance that his surreal experience had been all too real and not just hallucinations of the mind. Heeding Damian's words Dan began channelising the mantra to begin the heat circulation in his body and slowly heat gathered in his solar plexus and began to circulate throughout his blood vessels.

With time Dan regained the sensation of touch and then he felt movement in his twitching muscles, he twisted his neck leading to all the leaves and frozen ice falling from above his head revealing a face covered in dried blood and mud. His face looked gaunt indicating that his body was emaciated as well, he needed food which was made plenty clear from the feeling that arose in his stomach as he regained control of his body.

'We need to find food fast or the body will not be able to survive', Damian commented.

"Did you see the condition I am in, just standing up took everything I had, we are in a ravine and won't be able to find fruits here, hunting is out of the question since no animals are around and I don't believe I have enough strength to do that either."

'We have to do something genius or we die before we even begin our journey, that will not be a pretty picture after all the big words that we threw just a moment ago', Damian chortled.

"You find this funny don't you big man, we'll see if you have a smile when you don't have a body to reside in after I pass away," Dan replied with a tone of morbidity and sarcasm mixed together.

'Ye...Yeah let us not do that shall we, how about you use some blood art to kill that snake over there and then use fire arts to roast and eat it? Would it taste good, surely not but will it help us survive, most definitely'

"Well that's a good idea actually I think I'll do just that"

Dan began to move forward towards a snake that seemed to be slithering towards him after sensing the heat that was radiating from Dan's body. Dan bit his hand which made blood seep out from it which he then promptly sprayed on the snake.

As soon as the blood struck the snake it began to coil and wriggle around as smoke began to rise from the place the blood had contact with the snake's body. After a few moments of that it died making its body limp.

'Well that was fortunate and savage if I do say so myself', Damian stated.

"Necessary is what it was" Dan replied.

'Yes that too, let's eat shall we'

"I will you just keep watching me"

'Hahahaha good one bud'