Chapter 16 Part 2: Why me?

Jun knelt next to his bed, pulling his right hand up before clutching it in a prayer like pose.

“I’m here,” he voiced, eyes closed and his tasks done. While he could converse while doing other tasks, he found this was becoming the easiest way to communicate with the Silver Flame.

He felt darkness descend, though it was illuminated by a silvery fire ball. As he turned to it, he felt hot and cold, similar to the pains of his breakthrough from red to yellow.

‘Hello Jasper, beloved prophet.’

Jun felt his right arm move and he folded both in front of him, smiling.

“You said you wanted to talk?” The flames shaped into a feminine figure.

‘Yes, though let’s start with your questions.’ Her smile was gentle and her hand came to her cheek as she waited.

Jun took a few deep breaths. He had some questions that had surfaced since his conversation with Mei and Arvad. Though, he did feel sorry for the man. Between Frosty and Mei, Arvad’s secrets were being forcibly pulled out from him. Though, to Arvad’s admittance, the only one they did that to, was him. He wondered if he hadn’t learned that Arvad was an Alinta, if he would still be ignorant to his dark past.

‘Quite possible.’ The silver flame answered. Jun huffed a chuckle.

“Alright. You like to read my mind. But how about I say them, it will keep my prayer reserves up.”

The Silver Flame chuckled at this and waited. Jun pulled his hand to his chin, wondering where to begin.

“What can you tell me about my artifact and my memories inside?”

‘You seek validation about Arvad’s claims?’

“In a way.”

‘Well Jasper. There are those who know what it is like to be without their memories of their past.’

“So you are saying that it’s true. In essence. But what happens if someone gives their artifact away and wants to keep their memories.”

‘I cannot say.’

Jun’s eyes dimmed. He had never wanted to remove his ring, even after Ellen, or rather Elain, had come after him. It was part of his promise to her. To always wear it, in sickness in health and since death hadn’t entirely made them part, he still intended to keep to his word.

“Fine, then let’s talk about something else.”

His gaze steadied as he looked at the Silver Flame.

“Why me.” His voice was calm, unlike the last time he had asked. “Oh, and I’m sorry for how this went last time. But I still want to know. Why did you want me as your prophet?”

The Silver Flame’s eyes narrowed as her smile grew. She closed her eyes as she put her hands together and then separated them so a small sacred ember could appear.

‘Hold out your hand, Jun.’

He did as he was told, though wondered why she changed the conversation. As she placed the sacred ember in his palm, his hand grew warm and a pure blue light flickered. Jun’s eyes were wide and he stilled. It was the same color as the first time he had done this.

‘You have returned, and so I will answer.’

She rose up, her form becoming more distinct as she stood right in front of him. Her height was a bit short, and she looked up into his eyes.

‘Dear Prophet. We trusted you to overcome your hardships. We favored your commitment to your family. Your approach to your life’s challenges inspired us. As your life was cut short, we felt that this world could learn from you and your family.’ She took the sacred ember back and Jun listened as she continued. ‘Other Alinta have been called to be prophets, but did not make it to a place where they could help this world.’

“But I almost didn’t,” Jun reminded. The Silver Flame nodded.

‘And your responsibility would be different had it not happened.’

“What would have been my responsibility?”

‘You would just lack the prophet part. But that isn’t what you are asking.’

Jun nodded. He could faintly remember her saying he needed to heal this world. At first he had assigned that to his role as a prophet, but now he wasn’t so sure.

‘Then let me answer some of the questions before. Since you have returned to a blue faith, I can more easily converse with you.’

She moved her hand and two chairs appeared in the darkness. She invited them to sit and Jun did so.

‘I know your ability to survive the harshness of the Jinshari would allow the White Flames to find you and your daughter. As for the betrothal to her, I did not orchestrate that. Though I did allow her to be part of a family that would support you.’

“The Kasai?” Jun iterated and the Silver Flame nodded, her hands resting on her thigh.

‘You would need someone to give you courage and ground you. I planted the two of you there for a reason, just as I put your wife and son in those places. Though not many things have gone as I would have hoped. For that I apologize.’

Jun wasn’t sure what to think. Having a near deity-level being apologize was… different. He had wanted to hear it, but now it didn’t seem all that important. He waved his hand and she continued.

‘Your mission has been and always will be to heal this world.’

“You mentioned that before, but what do you mean?”

‘It’s your family.’ The way her face darkened, Jun knew it wasn’t about his earthly family.

“I know the Jinshari are messed up-“

‘No, Jun. They must be stopped.’ The tone made him shiver, despite the warmth. ‘And you will not be able to do it alone. We have… little time.’ Her words petered off.

“And you.. Can’t tell me why? Is it because of one of the laws Solara mentioned?” The silver flame nodded and Jun thought on the laws the Silver Flame had to follow, at least according to Solara’s religion.

The Silver Flame couldn’t reveal information that violated another’s privacy. The very fact that she mentioned ‘others knew of the experience of loosing their artifact and memories’ was sharable, but she didn’t elaborate. Another rule was the inability to infringe on another’s agency. She couldn’t force anyone to do anything. She could converse and sometimes try to persuade, but if the information given would be followed blindly, she couldn’t give it.

“Can you share why you made me a part of the Jinshari family if you want me to stop them?”

The Silver Flame was silent and Jun was about to ask something else when she spoke.

‘Because the fate of that boy was sealed when he was born. He would never live long because of the Matriarch. I put you there to be a thorn, and a hope for the people of Oranalas.’

The faces of his head maid, Lila, and Master Bernard came to mind. He vaguely remembered the faces of some of the other members of his faction. They had protected him, but without his healing ability, he would have perished to poison long ago.

“Is this why you said I can’t run from responsibility?” he asked.

‘Yes. Though…’ her eyes flew to the surrounding darkness. ‘You’re nearly out of prayer. Until next time, prophet.’