Change everything you are and everything you were
Your number has been called
More of the same, water to combat fire, a rush of cascading abyss to inevitably tear through the flames. The raw power and distortion he’d gained in life drain’s expanse was something he yearned to utilize, calculations searing while the steam pulsed and pervaded; the inferno diminished in elemental decree, head rearing back and body maneuvering to get out of the way of rising, burning steam. It still contorted over the fabric of his clothing, a smoldering, ignited sensation that caused the raising of hackles and a slight growl; pain an emblem, pain a banner, pain a mark he frequently bore. “Interesting,” he noted, rubbing at the inevitable scorch marks beneath the tunic. “Can you alter temperature on your own, or must it be within the fire’s reach?” Curiosity entangled, like facts, figures, means and measures, even when aches slunk like nettles and knives, pin-pricks of scalding motives, aligned and segmented across his left shoulder; irritated, exasperated, he ceased and desisted, pondering over other openings.
Because the dome was now an aperture, a threshold; the clearing sought.
There were always other opportunities, other Machiavellian pursuits.
He shifted once more, the beat of wings familiar, gaining swift access to the skies, despite his shoulder’s simmering protest, and then tried to plummet straight for the gap in the once ample water shield. Then, for he had more tricks, more tandems, more abilities, he recalled the way he’d snagged at Roana –
And altered himself again, into the massive form of the argent tiger, dropping, dropping, dropping, intending to land upon or near Loren, snatching and reaching with claws, with teeth, with anything to rip and tear.
Because the dome was now an aperture, a threshold; the clearing sought.
There were always other opportunities, other Machiavellian pursuits.
He shifted once more, the beat of wings familiar, gaining swift access to the skies, despite his shoulder’s simmering protest, and then tried to plummet straight for the gap in the once ample water shield. Then, for he had more tricks, more tandems, more abilities, he recalled the way he’d snagged at Roana –
And altered himself again, into the massive form of the argent tiger, dropping, dropping, dropping, intending to land upon or near Loren, snatching and reaching with claws, with teeth, with anything to rip and tear.
DEIMOS
