The Last Celestial

Fire Within The Forest Part II

"I was hoping you'd remember me, young man." Diomedes said with a genuine smile on his face.

Andrew examined the old man's features. The old man's rounded face and deep eyes. He remembers his face, as there's a tingling sensation on his chest right after he sees the man. Andrew knew the man had no ill-intention... but something about the old man made him feel sheer discomfort.

Only when the boy noticed burnt marks on the man's hand --- an important memory flashed back from almost eleven years ago --- did his memory of the man completely resurface.

The young man remembered the fire. Six days.  Six whole days and bursts of flames still combusted from different parts of his body. Day in and day out, he can feel extreme and unexplainable pain in his whole being. Fear consumed him, and he felt truly alone and scared and angry with the man wearing a blue tuxedo. He's angry with the world, but mostly he is angry with himself.

His father ran to him on the first day of the fire, panicked and only had a wet towel in hand.

His father's frightened face will always remain on the back of his mind, a gruesome reminder of how dangerous his power can be. And how quickly fire can consume lives. Andrew particularly hated this memory. He never liked recalling the day his power showed up and everything around him burst into flames.

His neighborhood collapsed, and people looked at him with eyes that pierced right through his soul. They called him the devil. They called him hell-bringer. So many hurtful names that he doesn't want to remember.

His father's dying words were still fresh from his Memory, as if it happened yesterday.

"It's not your fault... don't cry, Andrew... it's okay, it's okay..." Boils and burns filled hands reached out to him, his father dying and burning in front of his eyes. "...it's Daddy's fault, Andrew... I'm sorry."

His hands balled into a fist and his body began to shake. The old man in front of him was younger back then... and he arrived at the scene on the third day. Almost half of Florida burned to the ground, the police, the military and other authorities tried to get hold of him but all retracted. His fear created an even bigger flame --- it ignited the hottest flame of them all. The fire's heat could be compared to the sun.

This man was the only one who calmed him down.

This man was younger back then. Andrew recalled that moment.

The tall man came wearing a special suit. But even through the flames, he removed a glove and held the little boy's hand and said. "Little one, listen to the guiding voice..."

He remembered those words very clearly. And soon as little Andrew calmed down, it was the first time Sagittarius communicated with him. Then slowly, the fire vanquished three days later. He felt like his skin was burning, yet he was not hurt.

People who were wearing similar suits circled around him, and took him somewhere else where no prying eyes could make him feel like he was an abomination or monster.

The next day was when he met Dah. Dah was still a teenager back then, yet he was already mature for his age. Dah was like a parent to him, a brother and a Dad. He gave Andrew what he needed and helped the boy grow. They lived in a small apartment somewhere remote. And then every year... this man in front of him would go to their small apartment and visit during his birthday to bring him gifts and delicious meals.

"I remember you, sir." Andrew said, politely as he could. And then he bowed his head as a sign of respect to the man. "It has been a long time since I've last seen you. I'm sorry if I've forgotten your face."

Diomedes asked the boy to raise his head. "People get old and their appearances change." He said calmly. He stood up from his seat, pushing back against the chair then putting it back on the proper place right after. He stood in front of Andrew who was still looking down.

He lived long enough to know that the boy recalled something horrific from the past, Diomedes can see it in Andrew's face... Remorse.

Without hesitation, Diomedes placed his hand on top of Andrew's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. When the boy looked up, the old man nudged his head to the side, a light implication that the old man wants some privacy with Andrew.

"You want to go for a walk?" Diomedes asked. "I heard the beach is beautiful here... can you take me there?"

Timothy and Dah were standing on the sideline. Andrew looked at both of them, seemingly asking for permission. And Timothy immediately told him to go. "Go now, Kiddo..."

===================

They were sitting on the white sand beach where Andrew always practices. Diomedes notes how there are so many patches of fragmented mirrors on the sand, and Andrew explained to him that it was the result of his everyday training.

The beach was serene, and was calm. The ocean was still as beautiful and diamond like sparkles gleamed. A reflection of the sun's ray against the ocean. Andrew inhaled through the ocean breeze and let out a sigh.

"There are still times I ask Sagittarius why he chose me..." Andrew mumbled, but it was loud enough for the old man to hear. "...I could always turn against them. I could always change my mind and side with the Undying man. I always ask him, but he doesn't answer..."

"Sometimes... there are questions in life that may never get answers." Diomedes answered, reciprocating the seriousness of Andrew's questions. "But if Sagittarius did not see goodness in your heart, then I bet with my life that he would not choose you... Also, Leo was known for his righteousness. If the fire within you sensed your intentions to be ill. The fire will be the one to put an end to your life. The day I was appointed as an Elder, Sagittarius appeared in my dream and showed me a little boy... crying, in desperate need of help. And it was you..."

"Did he give me my power so that I can protect myself then?" Was Andrew's direct question. 

Diomedes hummed and shook his head. "No... he gave you Leo's power because he knows you don't want anyone else to go through what you've been through... He knows you're born to protect... You have the heart which Aries and Libra wished for in humans... A heart that cares, and a strong will to protect others from harm."

Andrew did not answer, he pulled his knees closer against his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs. He placed his chin on top of his knees and his eyes gazed up on the clouds. His grey eyes reflect the sky above.

The old man decided not to delay the news anymore. Andrew needs to now, and the boy needs to make a decision. "The time has come, young man. The world needs you." He said.

Andrew, who was in a daze, looked at him, with a questioning look on his face. "What do you mean?"

"The Undying man is making his move. And his minions---the creatures of Tar and coal bring death to hundreds of thousands as we speak. The creatures have reached almost half of the world and invaded one of the fortresses. The Fortress of Taurus. Many keepers are laying their lives, and many  people --- young and old are still fighting for theirs. You now have a choice to protect and fight. But the choice is also yours if you wish to back out."

Andrew's eyes widened in horror, his lips gaped and soon anger took place. He stood up from his seat, and stood firm. He imagines how horrified the children may be, how scared they are. How alone they must've felt right now.

He doesn't want anyone to go through what he's been through. Families separated, and children left alone crying and calling for help... yet no one answered.

He remembered the pain he went through that day. The feeling of sheer fear crawling and gnashing on his insides.

If the Keepers hadn't saved him back then, he would've been gone. As a small child, he felt hopeless and helpless. He doesn't want anyone to feel the pain he went through. 

"I want to go there now." He said and his voice was loud and clear. "You have to take me there now!"

Diomedes knew that this was going to be Andrew's answer. He smiled and felt satisfaction and relief in his heart, knowing that Sagittarius chose the right person and Leo's burning passion and heart lives within the boy. "We will... but first I have to take you somewhere."

The old man carefully lifted himself, as he was not as zealous and strong as he used to be. He began to walk back to the house, and asked Andrew to follow him.

"But where do we need to go?" Was Andrew's confused question. "I---I thought I have to go to the fortress?!"

Diomedes nodded his head and hummed in agreement. "I agree, you have to go there as fast as possible. But not until we go to the Forest of the Zodiacs first."

Andrew stopped on his tracks, if he was confused before --- he was literally dumbfounded now. "What?"

"We need to have you properly anointed. Plus, Tahani is waiting for you there. She said she prepared a battle suit for you." Was what the old man said before leaving Andrew behind.

When the young man noticed that the Elder was far from him, he was snapped out of his stupor. He shook his head and ran as fast as he could to catch up to the older man. "Wa---wait!" He screams as he runs.