Smoke

This takes place immediately after Ash (the preceding story).

Smoke

                Viktir, a creature of charcoal and ashes shaped to human form, a being who had once been human, the first Ash Priest, stood before Eleez, a being outwardly human but in truth made of living fire and strange magic, who had also once been an ordinary human, the High Priestess of the Ever Growing Inferno that they both served. They had walked from the temple of the Inferno and made their way up along the coast, eventually reaching a secluded beach.

                “Now we shall find out what you can do,” said Eleez, curling some of her bright red hair back behind her ears as she spoke.

                Viktir began to move his arms and hands rapidly, forming signs. The signs he formed meant, “I am not sure how to begin, High Priestess.” As he signed, small pieces of ash fell off of his mottled white, gray and black ‘skin’ – though it was more akin to the ash and charcoal left behind by a fire that has burnt its course.

                “Earlier, your cough – it produced a great cloud of ash. Begin with that,” commanded Eleez.

                Viktir nodded, and took in a huge breath. His throat made strange noises as he did so; a strangled gurgle, as parts of his throat were drawn in as well. Eleez noticed that the breath seemed far greater than that of an ordinary human – the amount of air Viktir took in caused his body to expand, although he did not seem to notice.

                Once full of air, Viktir paused for a second and looked at himself. Holding the breath within him, he signed, “What is this?”

                “You’ve drawn in around ten ordinary breaths, I think,” said Eleez in reply. “Your body’s ability to draw in air is no longer limited by your lungs. Now, cough.”

                Viktir nodded. He began to cough a terrible, groaning, hacking series of coughs. With each great cough he released a huge cloud of ash into the air; small pieces spiralling and catching in the moonlight. After coughing out all the air he had breathed in, he began to cough more normally – drawing in air to cough it out. Within a minute, the entire area was obscured by a cloud of ash too thick for Eleez to see through.

                “Enough, Viktir. I can no longer see you,” said Eleez, stepping towards where Viktir had stood. Eventually he came into view.

                “I can see fine,” he signed to her, “Although I can tell the ash is there. You truly cannot see through it?”

                “No, I cannot. Can you tell me how large this cloud is?” she asked, waving her hand to indicate the ash.

                “It covers the entire beach,” he replied. He added, “I think I am in control of it; although it does seem to be slowly leaving my control and covering the ground.”

                “I can think of many uses for this ability. Next, I wish to test your strength. Stand still.”

                As Viktir stood, Eleez took several steps backwards. Focusing her magic into the ground before her, she melted the sand and forged it into a black glass ball. She raised the ball with both her hands, pointed it at Viktir and channelled her power into a small explosion. Blasted from her hands, the ball flew through the air and slammed into Viktir’s belly with a thud and a sickening crunch. Viktir’s breath was expelled from him, and he fell to the ground coughing; the ball dropping from his gut to the ground.

                Eleez rushed to Viktir’s side, yelling, “Are you alright?”

                Viktir groaned and coughed for a time, but eventually managed to sign, “I’ll live, I think. I am damaged, but I don’t believe I need the parts of me you hit to live. Anymore, at least.”

                Eleez smiled with relief, and sat down beside him. “I didn’t expect that the ball would fly that far. It was only a small explosion!” she said, and then laughed.

                “I do not want to try that again,” replied Viktir.

                “Of course,” replied Eleez. “I have ascertained what degree of resilience you possess now. And I have several new ideas to utilise my own abilities. There is one more thing I would ask of you: punch me.”

                Viktir nodded, and swung his fist at Eleez. It connected with her stomach with a dull thud; sending small chunks of ash flying in all directions. Eleez let out a little cough from the impact, but was otherwise unharmed. Viktir pulled back his fist, leaving behind a large, smudged imprint on Eleez’s clothing.

                “Was I that weak?” signed Viktir.

                “No, your strength is a little greater than before your transformation. Your flesh – made of ash and charcoal – seems to be softer, however; I suspect you no longer have true bones. So the impact was a bit weaker,” replied Eleez. “Also, my form is quite difficult to harm, despite appearances,” she added, smiling. Viktir nodded respectfully to her.

                “Come, it is time to head back,” Eleez said, beckoning Viktir. Together they made their way back to the temple as dawn was breaking. The night had been good.