The Flame of Anger

[Oicha]

"Mom. Dad. Why didn't you just save her?"

In a world such as the one we all live in, there is little joy in a child's life. Even those born of squallor, with nothing more than the clothes on their back. Know the same pain that the children of high born mages do.

Anger.

Revenge.

Sorrow.

The world of mages is one of constant pain and loss. Those the world looks to as lucky, are those who die before fate calls upon them to experience that loss for themselves. To inflict the loss upon others before they know of it personally. How many can truly claim themselves immune to these things? How many fewer can claim with any sincerity that they know not of them.

Among the many mages of this continent, of this world. There is a man who knows his own grief, who had come to terms with it, or so it seemed.
A murder in response to inaction, or so it seemed.
Justified revenge on those with the power to save, or so it seemed.
Absolution. Or so it seemed.
Yet that journey is not so simple, and one cannot find the end in such a short time. It is a long and twisted road through hel and heavens alike. The myriad turns one must take are perilous, and nigh impossible to prepare for, yet all he can do, is trek on.

"You've been mah constant companion since that day. A constant reminder of the loss Ah inflicted on myself."
"For that, you've looked upon me with the same hatred I viewed the world with for years."
"Yes, Ah hated you. You reminded me of what Ah did every day I had the displeasure of looking upon yer face."
"What changed then. Tell me what it is boy. Why do you attempt to love me once more. If I am the source of your pain."
"No. That's wrong. Yer not tha source o' my pain, ah am. Even if ya aren't a part o' me, not truly ah part o' me. Ya didn't ask ta be born from mah hatred, from mah regret, mah sorrow."
"And yet those very emotions I inflicted upon you for years, I reminded you of what you had done. For years. I relished in your torment, your agony. It was the sweetest nectar to me. The bliss I felt as I watched your face contort in terror and anguish was unlike anything I have felt before."
"You live, you yearn fer love. Ah've felt it. Yer eyes can't show more than anger, but ah can feel what yer thinkin'. More 'n' more lately."
For a time, there is only silence. A lingering stillness to the air. As a man and his companion contemplate their words. The meaning of their relationship.
Symbiosis.
Harmony even in this great anger.
Forgiveness.
"... If you know what is that I want, then tell me. What do I seek now more than anything?"
"Heh, that one's easy. You an' me are gonna find yer name."

[Oicha]

The dripping grows louder. What is that sound, I find myself wondering this often. A near silent splish splosh in the distance.

Plip

Plop

How long has it been since I have learned what it truly feels like to love? How long since I have truly only been consumed by my ever present, raging hatred? That clawing need for V E N G E A N C E is always there, yet I have not acted upon it in years. Perhaps he knows, my constant companion through these times. Even as I have settled into this peaceful routine, his life has hardly changed. Or is it more appropriate to say our lives? I find myself dwelling on such questions even as I watch the children play. Even as I watch Sayu happily go about her day to day routine. Am I truly myself, or am I simply one half of a larger being? Can we truly call ourselves seperate now?

Plop

Plip

Ah, the relentless dripping will not cease. it drives me M A D with F U R Y, yet I cannot act upon that fury. It is simply out of reach, even if I claw towards the deepest recesses of my mind, I cannot find my way back to the comfort of my old ways. Yes, comfort, that is a fitting word. There was ease in the simplicity of being a wild beast. Destroying and conquering as I saw fit. 

Plip

Was that truly me?

Plop

Who am I truly? Am I Robert, or am I Goreal? Were we always the same? Was that incident simply a means to awaken me, or a way to create me? The peace I know now, watching these children frolick, observing this small village busily work away, toiling in their fields every day, is this true peace? Do I enjoy these moments or do I simply repress my H A T R E D for his sake?

Plip

Ah, I see now. I know what that dripping sound is.

Plop

I mourn what I have lost, while I celebrate what I have gained.

Plip

Tears. Happiness and Anguish in equal measure.

Plop

I was Goreal. Once great savage spirit, conqueror of the weak, dealer of vengeance. Now, I am Goreal. Friend to Robert, protector of his family and children, defender of his loved ones.

"Yer more than that, yer family too."

Plip

Yes, I have found family here. I have seen another path, and these tears of joy will continue to flow.

But should you die Robert. My vengeance will be renewed ten-fold.

Plop

[Oicha]

Unused tools sit scattered around the room, a once lively forge reduced to a quite impressive collection of dust. Scrolls, papers and blueprints are all over the place, here and there. In the chests sit many fine materials and rare metals. All of that would go untouched, there was just one thing Robert was after.

"Sorry ta come uninvited ma. I see ya been gone awhile, haven't kept up on tha place much. Wish ah could talk ta ya a bit, you'd love tha kids, they're such sweethearts."

The silence invites a profound sadness in the red haired man. This room was where he had worked on many projects with his mother, shared anger, sadness and love with one another. Even if she was just the one that adopted him, this was his true home, she was his true mother.

The spare key slides back into his coat pocket, as he makes his way towards the forge on the left side of the house. There was only the one blueprint he needed, one they had made together all those years ago. It was time to continue on their legacy.

"I'll make ya proud ma. When ya finally come back, ah'll have it finished fer both of our sakes. We're gonna leave our mark on tha world like we planned. I love you."

The fiery haired man left the house, locking the door again with great care and making his way to the school. Only one thing on his mind.

I'll continue our legacy ma.