Baptized by fire (1)

With the eyes closed, I thought it would be possible to just relax and wait till everything had been settled in my body. But the battlefield, that was the inside of my body did not get that memo.

Whoever had decided to roast me, has absolutely no taste whatsoever. Who does not know, that human flesh is a pure waste in comparison to good meat? It is called roasted pig not roasted human.

The time frames, in which I was forced to dive into the lake again kept on decreasing. The fire inside of me refused to go out, even after so much water had been absorbed. Since this method did not work, I decided to see for myself exactly where the problem was.

Opening my body was easier said than done, but I planned on using the holes that already plastered my entire body to make it easier. Contrary to my expectation my body was beyond weak and had lost its general durability. It felt like I had returned to the weak and frail body I started with.

This development caught me by surprise as I felt exceptionally well with my current body. It did not feel like a general breeze could rip me apart.

After I had a clear view of my upper body I was left with a general feeling of confusion. The warmth I felt in my body was indeed caused by a flame, that was currently burning brightly inside of me. But the flame was somehow powered by the water I had brought into my body. My insides already had changed in colour and had turned into colour, that did not look too healthy. Lungs, that looked like charcoal were less than ideal.

What put me off, how well I felt despite the obvious chaos going on in my body. I am quite literally getting burned from the inside out, the bit of warmth I feel is nothing compared to what I should be feeling.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed, that the flame was targeting my entire body, but certain spots were unaffected by its might. These part of skin were not black but had retained their previous fleshy colouring.

This must be the matter, that came with me from Earth or at least part of it. Otherwise, I would not have been called an enigma for just existing. If it is not affected by the general magic here, why exactly is the skin surrounding it also damaged? Should any change not destroy this balance?

If nothing changes, then exactly 2 conclusions are possible. Either the compound is a lot more stable than previously thought off or the matters are an entirely separated existence. It was annoying, that every knowledge I previously acquired was obsolete, after being lied to. I might as well, just be a creation by the Observer, with only my mind being implemented into this strange body. So many possibilities yet so few answers. I should not focus on this point, at the moment I waste precious time going around in circles.

Back to the topic, how can I extinguish this fire? I doubt, that my life is in danger per se, but it does not feel like my partner in crime has everything under its control. The questions he asked me were not very reassuring in that regard. If it was not pressured, it would have likely tried to gain more information from me. That is why I have given the answer without stating any demand.

The fires purpose was likely to purify the magic inside of my body and temper the flash at the same time. Or it was used for some other gain. Whatever the intent behind it is, I did not doubt, that it was supposed to be harmful. Such an aggressive method perfectly suits its character.

Yet it requires a lot of fine control in order to accomplish the best results. This was the major downside to such a strategy. Given the current circumstances, it would be unwise to risk permanent injuries to accomplish the best result. Defusing the situation was the best course of action, even at the cost of lowering the potential gain. Which benefits are of any use, if I am dead?

But the options he currently had were indeed quite limited. He could either try his best to gain control of this situation or solving the troublesome matter, that affected my partner. The decision did not take too long, as the latter was somewhat of a last resort.

My previous try did not work the way I had intended and made the matter even worse. If water can not be used in this way I should just cut off its supply. If a normal fire needs air, then this fire might need magic particles to constantly fuel itself.

Whether Earth or this strange world, the principles were one and the same. The potential energy a matter had, was a finite resource. If the energy of a matter runs its course, then it needs to replenish itself by getting its energy elsewhere. A fire needs many things to sustain its potency, the same goes for magic.

So how should I approach this matter? I am unable to handle magic directly, as my aptitude is beyond bad. Could I guide the fire outside by exploiting its inherent nature? That might just work, but that can only be accomplished if my body has no combustible material left. This option is just not suitable, as everything was beyond repair by then.

What about cutting off the fire, from its surroundings? This way I could limit the damage it causes, by confining the fire to a small place. I also could use the slime inside of my body to strengthen the properties of the substances in question.

I had a bad feeling, after thinking about the slime inside of my body. The slime might have caused the situation to worsen even more. I took a look at the flames affecting my legs, only to be proven right. The flames in my legs were a lot dimmer and did not cause as much damage.

It was not getting any easier, to find a good solution by having so many factors influencing the flames. I had to consider, what influence my choices had. What ramifications come with each decision?

Clicking my teeth in annoyance, I thought about everything I know in the context of fire. The crux of the problem, could not be solved by any normal methods. If I am not able to solve this matter, I can only buy as much time as possible. Looking at the lake in front of me a crazy idea popped up in my mind.

What if I do not cut off the supply but instead give it as much supply as possible. It can not burn my body if it is surrounded by water. Even if it is fueled by the water, the water might act as a temporary shield. If I can keep this delicate balance, I might be able to buy enough time. I tore my skin as apart as much as possible to spread out the surface of my skin. This sight was not for the faint of heart, but this way I could assure to limit the damage as much as possible while surrounding the fire with as much water as possible.

I wanted to the same to my muscles and tissue but I hesitated at the last second. They were the last line of defence in front of many areas, that had not been affected yet.

Here I was diving in a lake full of monsters, with my skin floating right beside me. The only area, that was not affected was my brain. Therefore there was no need to cut off that my facial skin. Though the sight of a human skeleton, without the skin attached was eerie enough on its own. Now all that was left to do was wait and see how the spectacle unfolds.

--------

Currently in the midsts of my head...

" By the Gods exactly what is he doing?" exclaimed the black substance as it could not believe what this brat had just done.

" As crazy as always. He is a treat to watch." said a man in his 20. He looked just like a supermodel from Earth.

" So he is the reason, you have changed that much," said the black substance clearly still irritated by the absurd action, taking place right in front of it.

The man did not feel insulted by this statement. He had to admit, that his perspective had shifted a lot after getting to know this irritating human.

" Good or evil, those are just 2 labels we use to describe things. But have you once considered why our definitions differ that much? Why it is so hard to find common ground?"

" Don't try to sway me with your words. We both know, million years of history lead to this. So your words are just useless, a waste of time". The black liquid wondered why exactly it uttered such words.

" Exactly, you and I share the same opinion. So why would I waste your and my time by making such statements?" The men smiled upon saying these words. He managed to guide the conversation as he wanted to. It was easy to catch its interest by saying he was confined to this body. Shifting the focus to the brat was done in order to accomplish his plan.

"This person in front of you is different from us. For reasons even I fail to truly comprehend he does not bind himself to these concepts. He is hellbent on taking his own path. He has no respect for deities or devils alike."

" You tell me, you put so much trust into this madmen? He just cut open his entire body. And you still put that much trust into him? You are even more insane than him."

The black substance was unable to grasp why a fiend, would lower itself to such a low level. It would rather prefer death in this situation.

The men did not answer but sent a strand of magic towards the black liquid.

" Before you speak any further, take a look at this."

The black substance was quiet for a long time after receiving that strand of mana.

" I do not have to tell you, what implications come with that knowledge, right?"

The men received no reply but still continued to speak without any hesitation.

" The exact reason I place so much trust in this boy lies in this single memory fragment I have sent you. His origin is pivotal and I am afraid that the times are changing. The borders have become unstable."

After contemplating for a long period of time the black liquid finally spoke.

" If what you speak is true, it is much bigger than you and me. What is your aim?"

" It is simple I want to close the hole, that this boy came through. A war of that scale is not something I want either."

" You still have some hidden motives, but who am I to care about that. You and I can only work with him in order to accomplish something like this"

The man nodded upon hearing the result he had aimed for. The form he had chosen, was part of the memories he had traded his knowledge for and he took a liking to it. While the human body may be frail it surely can be pleasing to the eye.

He had to give away many of his secrets in order to get that liquid on board with its plan. But his goal of surpassing magic had not stopped. It was just the fact, that this boy came to this world that something out of his realm of control had occurred.

" But I know one thing for certain, this occurrence is not manmade. This is not a conspiracy."

"Why are you so sure about that?"

" Quite simply, if it is was manmade they would not have chosen this world. They would have been insane if they did this voluntary. "

A loud chuckle filled the room leaving behind a confused black substance.

" Let us continue to watch how he will deal with the cleansing process."