Chapter 6: Vessel of Purity

I have studied the idea of infecting a sentient host more closely, and I doubt such a thing is possible. The brain patterns of a sentient host are too complex for my creations to commune with. They have limited storage capacity in their cerebral cortexes. Their brains would have to continually adapt and change to suit the often fickle nature of the human psyche.

Ryan just stared blankly at Zanderius for a few moments, not certain of how to take this current insight. Éclair looked upset herself, but she seemed more concerned for Ryan as she turned to him with a worried expression.

Ryan remained silent for a few more tense moments as Zanderius waited patiently for him to react. Finally, Ryan spoke in a low whisper. “So, you’re telling me ... that all this time, you knew exactly why my parents were killed.”

With mournful eyes, Zanderius nodded. “Yes.”

“And you know the one who did it, too?” asked Ryan, a fire bubbling inside him that could not be contained.

Again, Zanderius nodded slowly, his face all the more sorrowful. “Yes.”

“THEN TELL ME WHO THE HELL HE IS BEFORE I KNOCK YOUR OLD BLOCK OFF!” suddenly screamed Ryan, rising to his feet.

As Ryan spoke, a red mist emanated from his body in a wave of heat and power, but he was too angry to notice. Éclair flinched and backed away from him in surprise at his distressing display of malice. Even as Ryan rose to his feet, the ground beneath him quacked and cracked as if sensing his anger.

However, before Ryan could make good on his threat, Green-Eyes suddenly sprang into action, tackling him to the ground and pinning him on his back with her paws while growling menacingly. Zanderius remained motionless as he sat with his face downcast in silent contemplation. Éclair watched in shock and horror at the disturbing turn of events.

Ryan, though surprised and taken aback by Green-Eyes’ unexpected hostility, was not fully quelled as he struggled against the surprisingly strong and heavy wolf spirit. “Get off of me, you crazy mutt!”

“I will not tolerate such a blatant act of disrespect against my friend and master,” said Green-Eyes with her strange way of talking without talking, and all the while bearing her fangs at Ryan’s face. “Not even from one of the Children of Destiny who could bear the mantle of my father.”

“Green-Eyes, release him,” commanded Zand calmly.

The wolf turned in surprise with her ears angled curiously in Zand’s direction. “But Zanderius, he-”

“His anger is understandable,” continued Zanderius in a gentle tone. “He’s been denied answers for so long. We must be patient with him, Green-Eyes.”

Hesitantly, Green-Eyes backed away from Ryan, but watched him closely like ... well, like a wolf watched its prey. Even though Green-Eyes said she was not a wolf, she made a good impression of one as her ears perked up with the intent to pounce should Ryan provoke her.

Dusting himself off, and feeling embarrassed at his reaction, especially considering that he had just cursed at Éclair’s beloved godfather while she stood right next to him, Ryan bowed his head humbly.

“Okay,” said Ryan, raising his hands up in the air in a show of non-hostility. “I’m ... I’m sorry, okay, Zand.”

Ryan then looked at Éclair full of remorse, and said slowly, “Éclair, I’m sorry.”

Éclair did not respond, studying Ryan with an unreadable expression as she continued sitting on the floor.

Now she probably hates me or is afraid of me again! he thought, feeling frustrated with himself. Damn it! Why can’t I ever get this right?!

“Look, guys,” said Ryan apologetically. “I know I was out of line, but I still think I deserve answers, that’s all. I’ve been in the dark for years now. I just need to know who killed my parents.”

“I understand that, Ryan,” said Zanderius mercifully, not at all perturbed by the previous outburst. “And I will answer that question as well, but only after you understand why. To do that, you must understand what it means to be a Child of Destiny.”

Glancing at Éclair who still watched him intently, Ryan conceded. “Okay. Do your whole spiel. I’ll listen quietly this time. I promise.” And with that, Ryan sat down next to Éclair, deciding to withhold judgment until he heard Zand’s entire explanation.

Zanderius sighed, and in that moment, Ryan thought the old man’s sadness was a match for his own ... perhaps even deeper. “The Three Children of Destiny is a phrase used since ancient times that refers to three individuals who will affect a great change in the universe, one which could determine the fates of every living being in creation. Every few millennia, usually during turbulent times in the universe, there are three new Children chosen by forces which ... frankly, not even I fully understand. Our only source of information on who and when the choosing occurs comes from the prophecies set down by the Angels who live on the outer edge of the universe. The prophecy that foretold of you two and the third child was set down over a thousand years ago, and until only a few years back, I myself was not entirely certain of who specifically the prophecy pertained to.”

“Papa, if I may ask,” started Éclair meekly. “What specific requirements did we fulfill that makes you certain that this prophecy pertains to us? I’m sorry for interrupting, but I would like to know if possible.”

Ryan had never seen Éclair treat anyone with such devotion like the way she treated her godfather, and no wonder. As Ryan listened to the old man speak, it seemed like nothing less than the secrets of the universe were being unraveled before his very eyes. To Ryan, everything that Zanderius did, every word he spoke, everything that he was personified nothing less than absolute wisdom and strength.

“Let’s just say that each of you committed acts that were foretold in great detail within the prophecies, acts that could not have been done by anyone other than the Children of Destiny,” Zanderius said as he folded his hands thoughtfully. “I will tell you the details of how you each fulfilled the prophecy at a later date, but as I said earlier, there are still some things that are best left unsaid. You must trust me in this, both of you.”

Zanderius then paused and looked at each of them in turn, as if waiting for a response. Ryan found Zand’s gaze unsettling. Before, Zanderius had seemed to Ryan to be nothing more than a jolly old man, like Santa or something like that. But this was a whole new side of Zanderius Alastar. This side of him seemed strong and majestic, and even on a certain level, dangerous. But more than that, Ryan got the genuine feeling that Zanderius was asking for his trust, not demanding it.

Speaking up first, Éclair said slowly, “I do trust you, godfather.”

Zanderius then turned to Ryan, who said in a meek voice, “I guess I will, too.”

Zand nodded before continuing his lecture. “The important thing is that I know for a fact that you are Children of Destiny.”

“But godfather, how could you possibly mean me as well? I mean ... I’m not...”

Zanderius held up a hand that silenced Éclair before saying resolutely. “Both of you, Éclair. You said you trusted me, then trust my words as well as my intent.”

“I ... I do, godfather,” said Éclair with a slight bow of her head.

Ryan observed Éclair’s sad demeanor as he tried yet again to unravel the mystery that was Éclair Hamashe, an act that never failed to fascinate him. Why does Éclair find it so hard to believe that she’s special? She’s the daughter of an Emperor, and the adopted daughter of Zanderius Alastar, the most powerful guy in the universe. What could have happened that has made Éclair so insecure about herself?

Zanderius then raised a questioning eyebrow to Ryan, and asked, “Are you tracking with me so far, Ryan.”

Ryan scratched his chin reflexively. “I think so. There’s just one thing that still kind of bugs me.”

“I think I can guess your next question without stealing your thoughts, but please ask it, said Zanderius politely.

“You say we’ll affect a great change, but how? What does that even mean?”

Zanderius chuckled softly, and for a moment, he was once again the merry old hermit that Ryan had met on the streets of Tarrus. “Just like your father. Quick to think and quicker to speak. I miss Richard’s company. He might have explained things better than I can.”

Ryan might have been upset if not for the weight of sadness that emanated from Zand’s voice when he spoke of Richard. I can’t believe dad never mentioned Zand since they apparently knew each other so well. Maybe he knew all this stuff and he was just trying to protect me from it somehow.

“To put it simply, a Child of Destiny is one who has it within them the ability to become like me.”

Ryan’s eyes popped in astonishment, but not as much as Éclair’s did as she whispered urgently, “Godfather! You don’t mean...”

“I do, precious one,” finished Zanderius, though Ryan wasn’t sure what they were talking about. “Each Child of Destiny has it within them the potential to become a Sacred Vessel.”

Ryan gasped. You can’t be serious! One day, I’m going to be powerful enough to travel through galaxies without a ship, and even blow up freakin’ planets if I wanted to?! And on a darker note, Ryan even contemplated if the power he would wield would be enough to kill the Dark Creature.

Éclair seemed to have a different line of thought as her mouth hung open loosely. “But that means that ... I thought it was just Ryan!”

This statement surprised Ryan on a number of levels. “Wait, ‘just Ryan’? So you knew too, Éclair?”

“My godfather told me that you could become a Sacred Vessel while you were resting,” explained Éclair in a panicked voice. “And given what I’ve seen from you, I tended to agree with him, but I never imagined that this referred to me as well.”

“That’s right, Éclair,” suddenly said Green-Eyes, speaking up for the first time in what felt like ages. “You have it within you to walk the path of Light and Love. Just like your godfather.”

Green-Eyes then walked to Éclair and nuzzled her snout under her hands affectionately. “Just as your ancestors did ages ago when Elemency was first discovered in the human race. The founders of the Hamashe family line.”

“But,” stuttered Éclair, almost too starstruck for words. “The Hamashe family has never had Elemental bloodlines, let alone ties to the Sacred Vessels, the most powerful Elementals that ever lived. They were the royal family. It’s forbidden for anyone possessing Elemental powers to sit on the throne of Tarrus.”

“And yet, you yourself are an Elemental, are you not, my dear?” cooed Green-Eyes playfully as she licked Éclair’s hands.

“But I’m just a fluke. There hasn’t been a single Elemental like me in the Hamashe royal line for centuries.”

“Ah, but the Hamashes were not always royals,” countered Green-Eyes as she hopped up, placing her front paws on Éclair’s shoulders in a sort of doggy hug with her hindlegs still on the ground and her tail wagging. Éclair was not sure how to respond as the ancient wolf spirit started licking her face. “There were other royal families besides your family. The Hamashes were stewards to the Emperor in those days, and hailed from a powerful line of Elemental warriors from the age of Maranu Toramir. In the beginning days of the Tarrus Empire, many Hamashes became bonded with me as Sacred Vessels of Purity. It was only after the throne was bequeathed to them that Elemency was suppressed in your bloodline. Though I’m not exclusive to the Hamashe lineage, I do remember my first master from eons past. Her name was Sifa Hamashe, and you look almost exactly like she did. Your scent is so similar to hers, too.”

Green-Eyes then sniffed at Éclair excitedly before bobbing up and down, as if she were a giddy little puppy. “Oh, how I miss Sifa. She was a kind soul, like you. And tragically sad, too. A part of her persona has remained with me all these millennia, and I’m certain she would have loved you as tenderly as Zand does.”

“It’s just like I’ve always said. You really are awesome, Éclair,” said Ryan, sincerely astounded by Éclair’s latent potential. “I just never realized how awesome until now.”

Éclair started laughing in astonishment, and Ryan found himself doing more or less the same. Zanderius beamed with a smile that seemed a mixture of pride and grief. Ryan didn’t know where the grief came from, but more than anything, Zand’s smile conveyed how much he loved his goddaughter, Éclair Hamashe, future Sacred Vessel of Purity.

Then, a discouraging thought occurred to Ryan, and he hoped that Green-Eyes would not pick up on it. I always thought Éclair was way out of my league before. Now I’m not even sure I deserve to breathe the same air she does. It was stupid of me to ever think that she could ever love me. She’s going to become as strong as Zand one day. What will she need me anymore after that? The only reason we’ve gotten closer is because I’ve protected her. But soon she’ll leave me in the dust and won’t need my protection anymore. In fact, she’ll probably be the one saving my life then. I’ll be nothing to her when that happens.

It was a sad thought, but it didn’t make Ryan any less proud or happy for Éclair. He just hoped there would be something ... anything he could still do for her when she became almost god-like.

Though Ryan hoped Green-Eyes wouldn’t pick up on his train of thought, regrettably, the metaphysical being turned her head in his direction, and spoke in her strange way without speaking.

“Do not sell yourself short, young one. Did we not say that you are also a Child of Destiny?”

“Uh ... Green-Eyes,” growled Ryan under his breath in aggravation. “I didn’t say that out loud?”

“Oops,” said Green-Eyes, jumping down from Éclair and trotting towards Ryan on all fours. “I did it again, didn’t I?”

I still think you do it on purpose, thought Ryan at the Wolf.

“I do not,” protested Green-Eyes at Ryan’s thoughts.

“At any rate, Green-Eyes is correct. You are both Children of Destiny. You both have it in yourselves to obtain the power of a Sacred Vessel one day,” added Zanderius.