Two Remain

JP with Largehobbit, Winteroak and Cindy

The friar gave a nod of understanding seeing their reactions to the raging flames. Both Silina and Madaya looked suddenly troubled as the power they instinctively called upon did not answer. The heat of the flames grew now, biting at their skin and causing them to blink moisture into their drying eyes.

"A true leader of the faith must be willing to step into the flames of doubt and uncertainty without hesitation." the holy man reached out and plunged his hand into the fire and the flames flickered hungrily around his flesh. After a moment he withdrew the limb and presented it to them unscathed.

"If you will not step willingly into the flame then how can you ask others to do likewise." he turned then to the young lad Toman.

"Perhaps you will show them the way?" he prompted and Toman responded with a serious nod.

The boy stepped forward and offered an open hand to Madaya. She glanced up to Islana for reassurance before grasping his hand tightly in her own. Toman smiled reassuringly as he stepped toward the fire. Madaya resisted momentarily before seemingly coming to a decision. Her eyes fixed on the boy she followed willingly into the flames. There came a bright flash and wave of heat and then the two children were gone leaving Islana and Silina alone with the friar.

Islana nodded to the girl to go ahead. If faith was what protected her, Madaya certainly had that in spades. Then she watched the two children disappear into the flames.

Islana looked at Silina but only for a brief moment, before uttering the words. "The Twins will protect us."

Silina looked at her but said nothing. Islana simply stated, "I'm going. You can come with me."

Islana didn't wait for a response as it was up to Silina to make her decision. The redhead walked forward and stepped into the flames.

The heat of the flames grew unbearable as Islana stepped into them, yet they did not consume her. Silina followed but a step behind, but as she reached the edge of the fire she hesitated and flinched back.

"You must continue!" the friar called out in sudden panic, but the bite of the fire caused Silina to take a step back and then another. The flames followed her, enveloping her frame and blanketing her body in their writhing heat. Islana saw the girl vanish within a dazzling ball of flame just has her own world was consumed by a blinding white light.

Islana dropped to her knees. She blinked away the blinding white light that had left dots across her vision and gathered her breath. The cobbles of the shrine were gone and now she knelt in dust and ash. Looking up she saw the ruins of a burning fort and around her the familiar mountainous landscape of Fang. Bodies were strew about her, torn and bloodied from the violence of battle. Madaya ran to her side, a look of concern etched upon her young face. The boy Tomen stood behind her and Silina... was nowhere to be seen.

Islana had moved forward remembering her faith would protect her and it was doing just that. It was impossible to ignore the heat, that would be like ignoring the sand in the desert, but she pushed on.

Islana could sense Silina behind her, it wasn't until the Friar called out that the redhead turned her head enough to look at the other teen.

Whatever words Islana was going to say to try to help the other penitent didn't matter as it was too late, all her eyes could do was watch as Silina got consumed by flames.

Islana turned forward, only to met by a flash of light. Regaining her vision took a moment but then her head went up. The where was clear, a fort in Fang. It certainly looked a battle had taken place.

As Madaya ran towards her, Islana rose to her feet and spotted Toman. Silina though hadn't come out of the fire. Islana didn't really need to ask what had become of Silina she had witnessed it.

"What about Silina?" Islana asked Tomen.

Considering what they were going through, there was a slight possibility she would still appear even if the likelihood was doubtful.

"She is no longer here." Toman replied, he peered off then into the distance where a small campfire could be seen flickering in the dimming light. Someone was sitting there, next to the fire.

"It is just the two of you now." Toman began to walk toward the distant fire, "We must hurry."

As if on cue a roll of thunder sounded from the distant mountains.