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“People are driven by two forces. Their own passion tugs them forward – their ambition fueling their dedication and loyalty.” Abbad’s eyes drifted back to the room, his words echoing faintly in the now-empty room. “But that alone isn’t enough. No, you need both a carrot and a stick. A person also needs to be afraid of failure – desperately afraid. That fear pushes them forward even when the carrot is taken away or success seems impossible.”
A rare smile pulled at the corners of the librarian’s mouth. “As I’m sure you are aware, knowledge is often more dangerous than a blade…
Where you go, chaos seems to follow. I want front-row seats to watch the blaze!”
“He will come in a blaze of flame and fire and purify the corruption that plagues the sands,” the old man replied quietly, clutching at Finn’s arm with a surprising strength. “He is the Najmat Alhidad.”
“What were they calling me?” Finn asked Julia. “Najmat Alhidad?” Julia grimaced, glancing away. “It’s a silly myth. Part of the lore of this world.” “So, you know what it means?” Kyyle asked. She focused her attention on them, her eyes hardening. “It means Mourning Star.”
It is important to acknowledge when someone is more powerful than you. Only the most foolhardy would poke a dragon with a butter knife,”
Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Those in the vicinity tell all sorts of tales – of a multi-headed serpent wandering the halls, of the heavens opening and bolts of lightning descending from the sky, of a tremor that shook the entire guild. Others say I called down a falling star… Parting the myth, the truth is more simple. I killed those men.
Yet fear is the death of passion. I cannot let it prevent me from moving forward.
“If it’s any consolation, I haven’t left,” Daniel chirped from nearby. A brief pause. “Although, I suppose I also can’t leave.” Glancing up sharply, Finn asked, “Was that supposed to be a joke?” The AI bobbed in place for a moment. “An attempt. I’ve been studying humor by watching you and your companions. It seems to primarily involve making uncomfortable factual observations.”
“I did, indeed,” Daniel chirped, projecting a glowing orange image beside him. “I have taken to scanning all potential aggressors immediately. So, basically everyone and everything you three encounter.” “His sense of humor really is improving,” Kyyle murmured with a grin.
“You’re giving her a lot of credit,” Julia retorted. “She was a bug. I mean a really, really big bug… that could cast magic… with a flaming crown.” She hesitated. “Actually, you know what, your explanation kind of makes sense as I say it out loud.”
“Okay, I think I have a plan,” Finn murmured, his attention snapping back to Kyyle and Julia. “But, as usual, you’re both going to hate it.”
He slowly pulled down the edge of his bandages, revealing the dark metal that had replaced his eyes. What Finn didn’t know – couldn’t know – was that with his mana active, the metal heated and glowed a dull red, as though he had replaced his eyes with molten metal, tendrils of flame licking across his skin like two miniature dark suns. He looked like the devil himself.
In short, kill as many people as you want, just don’t hurt them. Wait, that might actually be impossible. Okay, let’s try again. If you start hurting someone, make sure you go all the way. You know what? That’s not really any better…
His clothing was burnt and singed, his body wreathed in flame, and his eyes covered in a single band of cloth. Flaming orbs of metal encircled him slowly, like miniature fiery moons orbiting a sun. And atop his head burned a glowing crown comprised entirely of fire, the flames streaking up into the night air. “The Najmat Alhidad,” a voice murmured to Altair’s left.
“The blind prophet shall rise from the pit, his brow wreathed in flame, leaving only fire and destruction in his wake,”
“Just don’t let the fan worship go to your head. Kalisha was sort of right, although I’d never admit it to her face. You’re mostly just insane… and kind of lucky.” “I like to think there’s some skill and planning involved,” he whispered back in mock indignation.
