Part 7.10 - Trial by Fire
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The moment Sade had been waiting for was quickly approaching. He had patiently manipulated events as best he could for thirty years to be led to this exact spot, at this exact moment. He stood alone before the Crystal Forge at the center of the Nexus, eagerly awaiting the next move his master would make with his body, which he had given freely.
And yet, he was afraid. The dark presence of his ever-wrathful master, Moloch, had filled his life since his rebirth in the Flames of Dis. Whether he was awake or asleep, his master was always with him, mercilessly pushing him forward in their shared goal of vengeance. It was a trying experience, both physically and mentally, but Sade bore it as dutifully as Jehad had once borne the burdens of honest priesthood. Now, here at the heart of all things, he would be rewarded for his undying devotion. Or so he hoped. Even he did not always know fully the mind of his master, and even now he was afraid. But that fear would be wiped away once he was reborn a second time in the fires of the Forge. Reborn as a legendary Esper.
The Crystal Forge glimmered in front of Sade with an infinitude of colors. The Nexus was a world of light, completely pure and unformed, but even light has a source. At the very heart of the Nexus, where it began its ascent into the unfathomable world of the gods, raged the Crystal Forge. It was a swirling vortex of light, twisting the very fabric of reality upwards and inwards until it twisted itself right out of mortal existence and into the higher realm of the gods. The sheer force of this ever-feeding maw was beyond measure, and to stand before it was to look into the face of eternity.
Sade now stood here, his master guiding his every step. He could hear his master's deep, rumbling voice echoing both in his mind and from the gruesome face on his armor.
I have brought you here, and now you must fulfill one last task for me, Vessel. To taste of the Forge is to be blessed with the power of the gods truly. But one is not given such power without being tested to their utmost. I know of your fear, and this fear must be conquered, or you will be utterly destroyed by the Forge, with not even an atom of your being left to find. Open your heart and mind, and let the power of the Forge shape your deepest fears into reality, and then crush them!
Sade did not know what his deepest fears were, but it seemed the light flowing around him did. From the whirling light before him came at first a few wisps of glowing matter, then solid objects began to form around him from the wisps. Piece by piece the ephemeral light ordered itself into recognizable shapes and patterns, and soon Sade knew where he was, and when.
As if in a dream, Sade looked down on himself as he once was, as Jehad, and then the two become one again, and Sade was once more Jehad. This was the heart of the Nacropolis, and he was about to pledge himself to the Vengeful Master at the Altar of Fire, thereby betraying everything he had ever believed in up to that point. He watched helplessly as he once again committed the gravest sin of his mortal life.
Welcome, Jehad. You have journeyed far, and now have come to the journey's end.
This was not the voice of Moloch, but another's voice. It was sweet and full of love, not harsh and spiteful. Jehad could feel a great fire warm him from within as it spoke. It gave him courage as he stood at the brink of the magma-filled hole known as the Altar of Fire.
You stand before the final trial of your pilgrimage, and must not fail. You are weary, but let my flames ease your heart and give you renewed life.
Jehad said nothing, but dropped to his knees as a wave of heat washed over his body. Such warmth and kindness! And yet, there was deep sorrow in the great power that swept over his soul. He knew in an instant what was being asked of him. And he was afraid.
"Must I?" Jehad cried.
My poor son! There is no other way. Life must be renewed with life. You have been led here for this reason, for this moment. My flames are the flames of rebirth, and they are also the flames of destruction. For this world to live, you must die. I am sorry...
Jehad had not expected this. He had assumed he would complete the ritual, and then return home to his Order victorious. A hero. Now, that was all gone. His future was obliterated in an instant. The flames continued to bathe him, but they no longer felt quite as comforting. The bitterness of a life unfairly cut short clung to them, and Jehad's heart cried out in defiance, even as his mind prepared to finish the ritual.
"I must...but, it is so hard...," Jehad wavered.
You may yet live, if you so choose...
Another voice echoed through the chamber. This was not the voice of love, but a voice of hate. But it promised life. Jehad listened with his heart, even though his mind knew evil when it spoke and tried to turn away.
Hear my words, for I am the true Master of Fire. Do not listen to the lies of the Phoenix, for she is a false flame. You will give your life for nothing, and no one will remember or care about you after you are gone. Your Elder knew he was sending you to your death, and yet he willingly, gladly chose you instead of himself.
Jehad heard the new voice's words with despair. What was the truth? Surely the High Elder knew the fate of those who were sent on the pilgrimage here. Why had he been chosen among all the others? Was he simply the most expendable? Did his revered Father truly think so little of one of his sons? Jehad remained motionless for what seemed an eternity, locked in conflict with himself.
You must find the truth for yourself, my son.
This was the first voice again, the voice of the Phoenix.
This is the final trial, the trial of Fire. You must face your fears and the evil at the heart of all mortals. You must pass through the raging flames of your own heart and willingly give yourself to the Flames of Rebirth. Do not be tempted by the Flames of Dis, for that path leads only to the destruction of your very soul, as well as the downfall of all life. In the end, it is your choice, Jehad. We are all in your hands.
Jehad did not know what he should do. He knew the kind voice of the Phoenix must be right, but he was so afraid of death. He had not known until this moment how much he wanted to live. In his mind, he had always said he would give his life for the Order, and yet, his heart showed him the truth of his soul. Why must the gods be so cruel?
"Why?" Jehad yelled out, rising to his feet. He could feel anger welling up inside him at this fate that he was tricked into.
"I want to live!" He said defiantly, looking straight down into the mouth of fire churning at his feet. The magma quickened its violent flow, and bubbles of fire began to erupt on its surface. The room shook in response to Jehad's wavering spirit, and the single ray of light that had illuminated the room from above vanished as if a hand of stone had passed over the opening.
Join with me, Jehad. I will fulfill all your earthly desires. You do not need to die for these people. They used you. The gods used you, just as they used me. Together, we will make things right. We will return Order ourselves! We do not need anyone, mortal or god!
"I...aah, Altimus have mercy on me! I cannot choose to die!" Jehad wailed, his heart winning over his mind. The flames flew up in front of him, casting an infernal light on his face. It was the haggard face of a man condemned. He knew he was lost no matter what he chose, and in his soul, he knew he was damned.
He gazed into the wall of flames, and made his choice. No words needed speaking, it was with his heart he betrayed the Order in that moment, and the consequences were immediate.
Ah, my poor son, you have been lost to your earthly desire! I weep for the future, and pray for your soul. Farewell, Jehad. May Altimus have mercy on you!
Phoenix's sad voice faded as the flames grew higher and the room shook with more violence. And then all motion stopped, and the room grew still. The flames quietly licked at the air inches from Jehad's face.
It is done. The Flames of Rebirth have been rejected. Now, embrace the Flames of Dis! Embrace me!
Knowing it was far too late to turn back, Jehad said the words that he knew would ruin him.
"Come to me, my Master. Come, Moloch...," Jehad said these words quietly, a strange sense of calmness filling him as he finally made his choice, poor as it was. He stood motionless while the blaze grew and grew until it reached the ceiling, the intense heat meaning nothing to him, for he was now one with the Vengeful One.
The great doors of mythril that had sealed themselves behind him swung open as he made his decision, and two men tumbled into the room.
You are my Vessel. The voice of his master spoke.
"Jehad!" Another voice cried out from behind him. Jehad paid it no heed.
Jehad is no more. The voice said into his mind.
"Get away from there!" The other voice continued, meaninglessly. Jehad could barely hear it now.
You are now my servant. You are hereby SADE, the Vessel of Moloch. You know what it is you must do. The voice of his master was irresistible, and Jehad - Sade - no longer wished to resist. He succumbed to the power of the Vengeful Master.
"I know," Sade said with absolutely no emotion whatsoever, and became one with his Master.
The flames surrounded Sade, and the memory of his downfall was devoured in a blaze of red light as his body plunged deep into the magma and was reborn, remade, reforged. The heat intensified, and Sade once again lived through the agonizing transformation at the heart of the Altar of Fire. He felt his body melt away, then his mind, and for a moment, he was nothing, no one. And then he was once again before the Crystal Forge.
In that moment he felt the weight of all his fears on his soul. The fear was past enduring, and he cried out. There was no one here now, though. He was abandoned to the fate he had chosen for himself, and witnessing his own downfall a second time had pushed him over the brink. He could feel the soul of Jehad crying out in despair from deep inside him, but he could not let it win. This was the final test. He must vanquish his own humanity once and for all. Jehad must die for Sade to live.
I am Sade!
No! I am Jehad, and you know I must atone for my sins! Our sins!
Die, you damnable dreg!
I must live, I must die...I must...
Die, damn you! Die! Die! Die!
No...I must...remain...I am...Jehad...
DIE!
No...I...am...
...
...

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