Vessels of the Gods

My body immediately jumped into action before I could process the situation. I grabbed blankets, clothes, scrap metals, bags, and numerous other valuables I knew I’d need later. I didn’t know how bad the fire was until I entered the center of the slums. The heat was excruciating. Shouts ricocheted off the buildings. Parents rushed their kids to safety. Others carried bodies covered in burns. Unconscious people littered the edges of the streets.

My stomach lurched, forcefully bringing me to the ground. I tried my best to ignore the pull while I tied a cloth around the strange flamelike marking burnt into my stomach. The tug eased, and I was able to notice familiar shouts. They sent me sprinting in the direction of Raymond’s tent.

I sliced a knife into the material and found Raymond, tears rolling down his cheeks, flames surrounding him. I didn’t think—I just acted. I tore through the blaze and yanked Raymond away from the danger. He quickly sprinted for cover in the opposite direction of me. I gathered my trinkets into my arms and ran.

As I reached the end of the slums, I noticed a girl around my age watching the whole scene in horror. The light from the fire reflected off her brown hair in weird patterns. I shoved her out of the way in an attempt to get myself out of there. She shouted and went tumbling towards the flames. I didn’t have the time or strength to stop and help her.

I eventually found an abandoned building to squat in for the rest of that day. I was so exhausted that I passed out on the floor, my belongings surrounding me. But the visitor who came during my rest rattled me. It was almost as if I was drifting in the clouds. The goddess of flames, Tarsa, appeared before me, her dress of ashes rimmed with red lace flowing outward. The coal color of her hair contrasted against her red eyes. Her delicate lips formed the words, “you’ve been chosen.” Then she was gone.

My eyes fluttered open. The smell of smoke was lighter than before, bringing relief to my soul. It took a few minutes for what happened during my slumber to register to my brain.

I sat up in pain and gently removed the beige cloth wrapped around my torso. The pain was tight, but less than before. I ran my fingers across the marking of the flame. The tips of the mark twisted onto my chest. It was truly astonishing to look at, but sore and hot to the touch. Starting from the top of my hips, the charcoal and blood red colors mixed and rose together.

I knew that, because the Four had died, the gods would choose new vessels. But I didn’t expect to be one of them. Everything pointed to it: the mark on my stomach, the goddess of fire coming to me. I had been picked to be one of the Four. I was chosen.

My hands shook the entire walk to the tavern, where I knew everyone in the slums would undoubtedly be. The tavern was our meeting place in case anything ever went south. Upon arrival, I saw Ackley yelling at Raymond. I couldn’t tell what it was about exactly because, when they spotted me, both men fanned out in opposite directions.

Once I had managed to catch up to Raymond, he turned on me, anger in every aspect of his face. “Did you know it was your fault? What did you do to catch everything on fire?” he hissed at me.

Some heads turned in disgust, and I tried to calm Raymond by putting a hand against his chest, but it only seemed to fuel him more.

“I swear I didn’t know it started in my area. I fell asleep as soon as I got back from the raid.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me! Not right now.” Raymond pushed me onto the floor. I let a surprised gasp escape me. In all the years Raymond and I had been friends, he’d never laid an aggressive hand on me.

I scrambled to my feet and made my way to the front of the tavern. I overheard Raymond call my name a couple times, but I refused to turn and let him see the tears in my eyes. To make matters worse, Ackley waved me over to talk. I really wasn’t in the mood for anything else at that moment.

“Ren, I’ve heard on multiple accounts that the fire started in your sector of the slums. Usually, there wouldn’t be a punishment for this. But considering how many people were injured and the anger everyone feels, it wouldn’t be in your, or our, best interest to have you be a part of the group anymore.” He awkwardly raised his hand to the back of his neck. I was bawling into my hands. It was all so much: learning I’d been chosen, Raymond, and then Ackley kicking me out. They were all I had, and now I had no one.

I peered up for a second; everyone’s eyes were on me—and Raymond, his arms limp, watched me from the corner of the room. I didn’t have anything to say to them. My emotional level was through the roof and my mind couldn’t focus on anything other than all the horrible things that had just happened.

My legs started jogging in one direction, the tears falling faster with every step I took. I didn’t even notice that Raymond was following me until I was standing on the beach a few blocks from the tavern and peering out toward the ocean.

“Ren, can I just explain before you leave?” He took a second to catch his breath and then continued. “I don’t want us to leave off on a bad foot. I didn’t mean to shove you, it was instinct. We were raised around violence. I can’t say that I forgive you for starting the fire—whether it was intentional or not—but I wanted to say goodbye.”

I shifted on my feet. “I’ve had the worst day ever, and it keeps escalating. I woke this morning and found out that I, of all people, was chosen to be one of the new Four. Then my supposed friend decides to lay a hand against me, and to top it all off, the only people I’ve ever known cut me from their lives.” My heart was pounding a thousand times each second.

“Wait, you’re one of the Four? How can you tell?” His mouth dropped open.

I lifted part of my shirt to show him the fire brand. “The goddess Tarsa even spoke to me in my sleep. I was chosen.”

“Dear Gods, I can’t believe this. Ren, I’m so sorry for how I treated you. Can you please forgive me?” Raymond asked.

I nodded. “I have to get going. After all, it’s a long way to the capital, and Ackley—and everyone else—doesn’t want me anymore.”

“Before you leave, there’s something I want to do to say goodbye.” His fingers intertwined with mine and he stepped closer. Before I knew it, Raymond’s lips smashed into mine. For a split second, I was lost, until I realized what was really happening. I gently pulled away from him and took a few steps back.

“Raymond, I really have to go.” I walked backward for a stretch as he waved to me.

My journey would begin with me heading south to the capital. This was my chance to start a new life— a life I never thought I’d be offered. A new beginning in a new place. I was one of the Four.