Night fell, and the smell of burnt flesh saturated the air while the smoke billowed from the ashes. Axis laid sprawled in the middle of the charred remains of the village with a twisted grin and his hand covering his eyes.

“Burn in hell?!” Axis laughed defiantly. “Why do people keep telling me that?!” he cackled with flames flickering over him. “BURN IN HELL, MONSTER!” he mocked the world, but his laughter slowly faded. “Monster,” he repeated, tasting the word on his tongue, “I’m a monster?... No… No. A monster slaughtered my mother and sacrificed me.” he growled as the flames danced around him in a circle.

“Too blinded by his own pain to understand the treacherous path he walks, and the others will not see it coming…” the God of Sight fretted, “I do not wish my children to be victims of madness… I will bless those who follow me with sight so they may see and avoid the danger he holds.”

“A monster sentenced me to death for no other reason than fear!” he spat venomously while abruptly sitting up, pulling a knee to his chest to rest an elbow upon it, and he ran his other hand through his golden hair. “They’re the monsters,” he growled through clenched teeth.

“Yet, you are the only one taking lives,” a man chuckled, and Axis swung his hand, sending his flames to consume the man without looking, but another soft laugh filled the air with amusement and him with agitation. “You’re building quite the reputation for yourself, little bird.” the man mocked, and Axis scowled with a glare.

“What do you want, Larsolis?!” Axis snapped while looking upon the god.

The god waved his magnificent wings once, extinguishing Axis’s flames.

“I only wish to see how my chosen one is doing with his sanity,” Larsolis hummed.

“Then fuck off,” Axis spat while standing.

“More gods have joined me you know,” Larsolis commented, crossing his arms behind his back while ignoring Axis’s dismissal. “Inspired by the chaos you have brought... Sanocuro has gifted an ability to heal to his apprentice in hopes of saving your surviving victims,” Larsolis stated dryly as Axis clenched his teeth. “Myndvivus has found a champion as well, granting her the ability to summon beasts in a rather peculiar way, while Viserus continues to toy with the idea. Aerimber has given lightning, Lunanorma gave one the ability to grant serenity or blindness, Visushio is sharing his sight, and even Menshio has lent his ancient powers of knowledge to mortals.

“Why are you telling me this?” Axis growled. “I don’t care.” he stated as he began walking away until a wall of fire appeared before him.

“Because my dear boy, they may seek you out.” Larsolis warned.

“Why the hell would they?” Axis pressed.

“Because who doesn’t like a challenge?” he answered playfully before smirking, “And who doesn’t want to be a hero?”

“What are you implying?” Axis questioned dangerously, “That they’d become a hero if they killed me?!” he barked as Larsolis shrugged with a grin before disappearing in a brilliant display of flames. “LARSOLIS!” Axis shouted as flames flashed and swirled in chaos. “GET BACK HERE!” he screamed as his flames continued to grow. “YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU MADE ME THIS WAY!” he blamed the god as a torrent of wind crashed over the ground, nearly knocking him over, and torrential rain assaulted him.

“Do not worry Visushio, my champion will slay him, and put an end to his terror.” the Goddess of Weather vowed.

An anguished scream escaped Axis as the rain continued to pour, extinguishing his flames.

“There are always other options, dear Aerimber,” the ancient God of Knowledge reminded her, “Flames can be tamed when the fuel is controlled.”