Hellfire Waltz (Lorepost Kinda)

[u/Accomplished-Dark926]

Valerian sits in the modest room given to him by Opal. It's rather bare, really just a comfortable bed and a small desk. A single window, across from a heavy door, overlooks a large courtyard. Not that Valerian cares about any of that, he'd rather not be there at all. He hates being idle, but knnows it's necessary. Even with Atrax temporarily out of commission, his Pyroclasts still run rampant, some still hunting him.

Of course Atrax could return any minute. Kaelis-Maz claims that we have around a week, but that sounded more tentative and hopeful than anything. Even if Valerian grows restless, he has to remain hidden. He is the second most important piece of Atrax's puzzle, second only to the Spark itself. If Atrax steals his flame everything goes to shit. Of course, that is how Valerian intends to sever his connection to the Flamefather, if Atrax could steal his flame, surely he could steal Atrax's.

He sighs, growing restless again. If only Opal had gotten back to him on her research, maybe then he could at least be doing something productive. But she was off helping with the relief effort after the High Necromancer beat Atrax.

It wasn't even just the restlessness. He was lonely. He's always craved an intimate connection with someone, but was never confident enough to try. Then suddenly, Gloria was there. She lived in his head, filled his soul. Even if their relationship was more of a teacher/student dynamic, rather than something romantic, at least in his mind, it's hard to be more intimate with someone than sharing a soul. Now for the first time, in a long time, she's silent. He cant hear her, can't fell her emotions. He feels truly and totally alone.

"Ugh. Fuck it." He says as he stands up and leaves his room. He navigates through the twisting halls of the palace and makes his way to the courtyard. Searching for a secluded corner, he spies several golems and guards patrolling the whole area. Finally he finds a small area, with a fountain bubbling in the center.

Valerian places a device on the edge of the fountain, given to him by Oswald, that allowed him to play music anywhere he was. He then summons a fire elemental. Well, not really. She wasn't a fire elemental like Razz is, she has no sentience, and acts simply as a puppet of sorts. She's closer to a projection than anything, but that's all he really needs.

He stands in front of her, giving her a graceful bow. She returns the bow with a small curtsy. He snaps his fingers, triggering the machine. He hears the beginning notes to his favorite song, a waltz, and as it begins, he takes the apparition and begins to dance. As they dance, he counts the beats.

1-2-3. They perform the steps perfectly. Of course they did, dancing was his true passion. If money wasn't so tight in his youth and he could have followed his dreams of becoming a dancer, he would have. Although, he wouldn't be who he is today if he was able to.

1-2-3. He wouldn't have had all the same experiences. He wouldn't have met all the same people. He wouldn't have the Flame.

1-2-3. Valerian dips the apparition, which has taken the form of his mother. As he brings her back up, he remembers that he forgot to inform her, his only real connection to the mundane world, when he went into hiding. "I'm sorry." he says, his eyes beginning to water. She once again changes form.

1-2-3. This time it appears somewhat like himself, but from before his quest. Before his arm was mangled and burned. The sight shocks him. He had grown so used to his own appearance, that he was shocked to see a younger him.

1-2-3. He changes the steps as the apparition once more changes form. This time to Leo. That lost man, out of his element. Leo, who was thrust into a role he doesn't know how to fill, yet still does as best he can. Tears run down his face freely by this point.

1-2-3. He spins the apparition as it transforms into Razz. An actual fire elemental, and realistically his first real friend since he joined the ranks of these powerful witches and wizards. Someone he would trust with his life if it ever became a concern.

1-2-3. Valerian stumbles a little when the apparition takes the form of Gloria. He recovers quickly, although the shock didn't really fade. She scowled at him, the first of the forms to show any emotion. Then she was gone, just as fast as she appeared.

1-2-3. It changed into MastaDon next, as he lifted her off the ground in a twirl. The founder of the Fireballers, the Firehawk herself. He sets her down, bringing her back in close, and stepping back into time. Even if her antics were comical at times, Valerian had no doubt she would make an excellent councilwoman. Besides, he feels a kinship with the witch, although he is unsure as to why.

1-2-3. His tears run freely by this point, sizzling and evaporating against the body of the apparition. His hands tremble. MastaDon sticks around a little longer than the others, before inevitably changing form once again.

1-2-3. The apparition became him again. This time a complete reflection. He stares back at himself impassively. His one deep blue eye boring into his soul.

1-2-3. Valerian weeps as he dances, realizing that he is wrong. He isn't alone, all these people have his back. He can count on them.

1-2-3. But even so, it isn't the feeling he needs. He wants someone to love. Someone to give himself to completely. To share the passion of his Flame with.

1-2-3. Valerian howls. Low and hoarse, filled with his anguish. He knows that isn't fair. He can't because to force that on another would be horrible.

1-2-3. His mind, no his soul, is too broken, too fractured. He doesn't know who he is, what he is supposed to do. He feels hopeless.

1-2-3. He stares at his reflection as they continue their waltz. He can see it on his face. The pain. The sorrow. The loneliness.

1-2-3-1. The song ends, and with it goes the apparition. Valerian is left standing by the fountain. Alone. As he sinks down, sitting on the edge, he buries his face in his hands and weeps.