Way of the Knights

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The Flames of Olympus…

Records about this flame are incomplete. It was unknown whether it appeared during the era of the Founders or after that. What most people knew is that the Flames of Olympus is important to the sect and that it had been with it for a long time. 

It might be because of the peculiarity of the flames or it's quality; that it managed to form a collective consciousness. This consciousness is named Elder Flame, as to whether he got this name from someone of it's something that the consciousness of the flames named itself - that too is unknown…

According to the Records of 'Athena the 5th' - which is also the oldest text that has information about the Flames of Olympus, Elder Flame made his existence known to them. He said that he was the last and strongest wall that the Devil Emperor has to pass through if it wanted to be freed. 

Athena the 5th said that Elder Flame's personality is a little eccentric. Not just anyone was allowed to him, he decided whether someone has the right to meet him or not. He has no interest about the matters of the sect nor he cared about the disciples, it was as if he exists for the sole purpose of imprisoning the Devil Emperor and whipping it hard enough every time it throws a tantrum. 

The subsequent records about Elder Flames also supported this claim. Elder Flame remained a vital existence to sect and famous for his fickle mood swings. As for how vital he truly was for the sect, well…he is important, after all he's preventing the Devil Emperor from escaping but, how difficult is it truly? How long can he keep this up? Does he had a pre-destined lifespan? Does he get weaker? Stronger? These details remain unclear since Elder Flame never said anything. 

If there's people who know more about Elder Flame, it should've been the 'Fire Keepers', but according to records left by the old Fire Keepers, Elder Flame doesn't share a lot with them. 

Speaking of Fire Keepers, these people are the ones responsible for monitoring the Flames of Olympus but that's the fancy way of describing them. Old records said that the first demand that Elder Flame asked ever since making his presence known is to have some people near him since he was lonely.

'It feels boring without young'uns around. Give me four and call uh…Fire Keepers or whatever. Who knows, maybe a day will come when my mood is good and I'll give them some pointers.' - Elder Flame on 7th Elysium Era. 

Isn't he weird? He is right? Yeah, everyone who were in contact with him will definitely say so too. Sufficed to say, from the earlier eras up until now, nobody really understands Elder Flame's 'profundity'. Even Theo who had been a Fire Keeper for a long time, can't say that he totally understood Elder Flame at all. 

Well? How about Raven then? Will he be able to understand Elder Flame? Let's find out…

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"Why are you here?" A disembodied voice suddenly sounded right next to Raven's ears. 

Raven clasped his fist and bowed, he then responded to the familiar voice and said: "Greetings Elder Flame, it's me Raven."

"I didn't ask who you are, I know you already. You didn't answer my question." 

Raven titled his head in confusion and asked: "Theo said you wanted to meet me."

"That's right, but that was a week ago. I changed my mind." Elder Flame stated. 

"Oh, is that so?" Raven shrugged, "A pity then. I shall excuse myself, Elder. Sorry for disturbing you." 

"Wait." 

Raven stopped on his tracks and asked: "What is it?"

"I didn't tell you to leave."

'Wow.' The corners of Raven's lips were twitching in annoyance. 

He then felt a gaze landing on him and saw that Theo was nearby, sitting in a lotus position in front of large bonfire which contained different shades of fire. He could feel Theo's apology in his gaze and a slight encouragement, telling him to endure it. 

Raven took a quick glance around and saw three more people who were giving him similar gazes. He sighed and said…

"It was my mistake, Elder Flame." Raven smiled and showed a polite expression. "If Elder doesn't want me to leave, then what shall I do?" 

"I don't know." Elder Flame's voice echoed once more. 

Raven fought the urge to not explode in curses. He took a deep breath and said: "Shall I sit and wait for you to think then?" 

"No."  action

"Can I lay down on the floor then?"

"You're weird, why would do that?"

"No, you're the one that's weird. What am I supposed to do here then? You called me here, but you changed you mood. When I try to leave, you prevent me from doing so. I asked if I can sit down, you told me no. I asked if I could lie down, you call me weird and puzzled why would I do that? I don't want to hear this from you, you know!" 

"Y-you!" 

Elder Flame was gobsmacked. It wasn't just him, even the Fire Keepers were similarly stunned. Of all people, they didn't expect Raven to be the one to lose patience and outright scold the Elder. Even Theo was looking at Raven as if he was a stranger.

"Y-you're rude!! How can you be this -"

"Make up your mind then! If you can do that, then I won't be rude! Seriously. What's up with you? You're just a piece of a Sun Rock that managed to form a little bit of intelligence and cultivate a hundred-colored flame, if it weren't for the fact that you're integrated with the Last Seal the Forefather Zeus created, you would've long be gone from here. Don't think that gives you the right to randomly give me orders!" 

*Gasps!!*

What an unexpected development this truly was. The faces of the Fire Keepers changed as they stared at the bonfire in front of them. From a single glance, they could tell that the this so-called Elder Flame was agitated, it was obvious since the flames were getting unstable. 

"C-cease your slandering Junior!" Elder Flame tried to sound like a proper Elder this time but his agitated flames and stuttering voice wasn't so convincing. 

"Shut-it you free-loader!" Raven spat, "You should really thank your stupid luck that the Last Seal bound you and we can't extricate you from it without risk. If I could, then I would've thrown you into the Sun right away!"

"Heiik!" Elder Flame shrieked like he just heard something incredibly horrifying just now. The Fire Keepers were dumbfounded upon hearing that screech from the 'Eccentric Elder' they were worshipping for a long time. A trace of disbelief and betrayal crept-up to their hearts. 

*A-ahem!*

Realizing that he slipped-up just now, Elder Flame cleared his throat and said: "Anyways - "

"Anyways my ass!" Raven stomped his feet furiously, causing Elder Flame's flame to flicker like it was on the verge of extinguishing, they could even hear a small whimper afterwards. "Don't 'Ahem' me! You think I would just let that pass? You must be dreaming, bitch!"

"B-bitch! H-how vulgar…"

"Shut-up!!" 

"Eek!" 

The Fire Keepers couldn't keep-up. They could all just stare blankly at the scene unfolding right before their very eyes. Raven looked like a mad parent scolding his child while Elder Flame was acting like an innocent kid that's being bullied by a street thug. 

They had all sorts of expectations of what's going to happen but this…was something that they never could've imagined happening. Theo pinched his arm in order to check if he was dreaming, sadly…he wasn't.

Raven berated Elder Flame some more until he was satisfied. After subduing him with his ferocious attitude, Raven asked: "So? What the hell did you want from me? Why did you call me here? Try bullshitting me and I'll make sure you suffer." 

"Alright, alright…geez." 

"What's that?" Raven glared at the flames, causing it to flicker. 

"Sir!!" Elder Flame replied, "Sir, I wanted you assistance, Sir!!" 

'S-Sir?' The Fire Keepers were dazed. They just couldn't comprehend what's happening. Why the hell is this Elder Flame of theirs, addressing Raven as 'Sir?' Shouldn't it be the opposite? Wasn't he supposed to be a lot older and wiser compared to Raven? Did Raven just scared the shit out of Elder Flame What's going on?

The Fire Keepers felt their hears shattering at this betrayal. If whatever Raven says turns out to be true, then didn't they just became this thing's clowns for nothing? Just the thought of it causes their expressions to darken with rebellious thoughts. Unfortunately, now's not the time for revenge…

"My assistance?" Raven frowned as his expression turned serious. "Tell me more." 

"Yes, Sir!" Elder Flame replied politely, "The Devil Emperor's tantrums are getting harder and harder for me to suppress. I can also sense that it is getting stronger. I tried to interrupt it but it's rampage is getting stronger.. I am a bit…s-scared, Sir! What if it recovers enough strength to break the seal on it's own. I'm at a dilemma, Sir!"