Growing Through the Years

With a simple nod and new life started for Maloney. Seeing the need for introductions Gott decide to speak first.

"My name is Gott, now that you're my friend, will you tell me yours?" His prodding voice summoned the girl's courage.

"Maloney…" her hushed tone started to show the signs of little child's voice should. No matter how overdeveloped her outlook on life was, the mention of having her first ever friend snuck a smile on to her face.

This response brought joy to Gott as he could see the subtle change. Time flowed, and their relationship grew. Throughout a decade their companionship took the identity of a brother and his younger sister. The reason why the link did not take on the attributes of a father and daughter related to the fact that the only relationships covered in the books Gott had were master and student, lovers and fellow disciples. Considering Gott had yet to teach her, and lover was out of the option Feuersberg followed the idea of brother and sister disciples. However, another mutation occurred due to the lack of a master thus, and sibling bond was formed.

Maloney went through the decade with one primary wish still unanswered. One would expect the outside world to be the most sought after thing for a curious child. Yet, the codependency replaced her desire for freedom, with knowledge. At the age of 6, Maloney stumbled upon a set of instructions. These manuals were in the form of a scroll, book, and pamphlet. Yet, when she tried to get Gott to tell her about them but he just pushed it aside. Finally, 8 years later and with constant "reminding," Gott conceded and allowed her to learn what was in the scrolls.

Walking with natural grace, Maloney hurriedly carried the desired items to the table she had before Gott. Her joy, though contained, was evident.

"These manuals are vital to The Organization I will establish. You shall be the first to ever learn them. Yet, there is something that must be done first. But I have never lied to you nor will I now, it will hurt." Gott said these words with solemn, and even though she understood the gravity of them, Maloney's courage broke down any walls of doubt.

"I thank you for your care, but I want to be a part of what your creating, not to mention reading these manuals are what I sought since I was 6 years old. I'm 14 now, and from what I have read, a lot of practitioners started earlier than me." Her voice was soft and brimming with confidence.

"I see nothing will sway you. Only refusal could halt you, and I could not bear to torture you with that. Lucky, ever since you showed interest I have been slowly inuring your body. Even though I have done this, the pain you experience shall be horrible, but I'll be with you for each step." A hint of pride could be seen in Gott's voice, and he felt responsible for raising such a strong character.

Without a moments pause, Feuersberg started to breathe. If anyone else were to be there, they would feel the temperature rising. Maloney understood the bizarre amount of strength Gott had thus when she saw him just breathe she ready herself for the tribulation she was going to face. Feint flames started to whirl around Maloney, this fire could melt a person but do to Gott's control and her tempering beforehand, neither she nor the metals of the room were affected. A slight searing pain stretched on her skin, but no burn could be seen. A crimson smoke began to spin around her with the flames making a beautiful tornado of sorts. Finally, it reached an unbearable point, and the first moan of pain was uttered from Maloney's lips. They transformed from grunts to screams, becoming shriller with each passing second. The air seemed to be shaking as if it wanted to escape wind rushed outwards from Maloney but was then just dragged back in by the fiery cyclone. Hurt could be seen in Gott's eyes as he watched his loved one be harassed by flickering flames. At this point, the inferno had surpassed any dragon's or phoenix's fire which existed in the world.

"Gott… it hurts, Gott please comfort me, please Gott please!" The pleading which echoed held fear and pain but no surrender.

"I'm her child, I'm here Maloney… listen to my voice, you could be strong and mighty, or frail and weak but you could never, be without me…" These words of love almost seemed to numb Maloney's pain as when they were spoken only soft weeping could be heard. The wails which earlier haunted the cavern were hushed by the strong will of a young girl.

The flames died down, and the lack of pain let Maloney feint. She was caught midair by what seemed to be the wind itself and placed on to her bed. Feuersberg beamed with kindness and pride from his eyes while staring at the peaceful figure.

"Rest my child and when you wake up a new world awaits you…" A complete silence hung over the cave except for the whisper-like snoring of Maloney.

Three days went by, and Maloney finally woke up. She was forced to eat some food and drink water before she was allowed to start her training. When she was, ready Gott explained what he knew about the different training styles. Then, he divulged what the flames that he produced did. For most people, their bodies, mind, and souls can't handle multiple cultivation types. But using fire from his breath, Gott tempered Maloney's body allowing it, though only one at a time, study all techniques. Even deities when reaching the peak, having their bodies to engrain in their own ways to practice another one. With this rebuilding process of his flames, the body becomes something it wasn't even able to think of before.

To put it in Gott's own words. "A phoenix's flame can make you reborn into a stronger person, but my fire re-forges you into a god."