Chapter 5: The Flame Dancers of Apollo’s Inferno

Deciding it was time to change the subject, "The art of Rune Sculpting can vary greatly depending on the Order, so let's begin breaking them down to understand them. First, the FLAME DANCERS OF APOLLO'S INFERNO."

…

Captain Hassan walked to the board and began to map out the structure of the Squad, "At the top of the Flame Dancers, is—"

"Big Sis Athena!!" interrupted the excited Virgo. This earned him a smack to the back of his head as Uncle Hassan, from the child's young perspective at least, melted into thin air. The stupefied prince apologized while rubbing his head, allowing his Uncle to carry on with the lesson.

"As I was saying *Ahem*" Uncle Hassan continued, "At the top is Captain Athena, better known or should I say feared by her title, which she most definitely one thousand percent deserves, the 'Crimson Sun'. The young Captain currently has 10 Stars to her rank." A hand shot up as the Prince seemed to have sparkling eyes now. Relenting his uncle nodded which earned him a question from the little Prince, "What's a rank, Wise Uncle?!"

Hassan stroked his non-existent beard as he replied, "Very well my knowledge seeking nephew. A rank is how we label the amount of power someone has attained in this Cosmos. Apart from Celestials that is, as we are only as powerful as how much Authority we have over our Divine Attribute. I can introduce these to you once you claim an Authority as your own.

But to continue answering your question, the Flame Dancers believe that the tattoos on their bodies are a physical representation of their internal strength and power. The tattoos, or dancing murals as they are better known, are a reflection of their dedication, skill, and commitment to the art of flame dancing. The larger, more intricate, and more beautiful the mural, the higher the rank of the dancer. The glowing stars on the tattoos indicate the level of divinity channeled through the dancer's body. As the dancer channels more divinity, the stars on their tattoos glow brighter and the mural appears to move. The divine flames released by the stars are a testament to the Flame Dancer's mastery of the art and their connection to the divine.

The ranking system of the Flame Dancers is based on the number of stars on their tattoos. A dancer with 1-3 stars is considered a normal soldier, while those with 4-6 stars are Officers. Lieutenants have 7-9 stars, and captains have 10-12 stars. This ranking system is a way to identify the most skilled and powerful dancers among the group, and it also serves as a form of motivation for dancers to continue to improve and grow in their abilities."

The little Virgo too rubbed his non-existent beard, "Hmmm, I see Uncle. That makes the most sense. What are the abilities of the Flame Dancers Squad?"

Contemplating smacking his nephew for his obvious mockery of him, he decides against it when he remembers how his older Nephew ended up. 'Perhaps I should hit him less' he thought. Shaking his head from the distracting thoughts, "The Flame Dancers are Sun Eaters with the ability to absorb divinity through various tattoos representing different runes to cultivate their internal strength. This gives them fierce physiques and an even fiercer control over Divine Flames. The Flame Dancers have a fearsome physical presence. They are towering figures with huge, muscular bodies that exude strength and power. Their skin is usually extremely tanned or as grey as volcanic ash, as if they have spent a lifetime training next to or better yet, on the sun. Each of them is adorned with intricate tattoos that can cover their arms, chest, and back, each one representing a different rune that channels the power of the sun. The Flame Dancers call forth their flames through vigorous dances and techniques. Ironically, despite this flame being best suited for long range attacks, they are more known for their close combat grappling techniques. In close combat, they use their strength and grappling techniques to overpower their opponents, while their Divine Flames burn hot and bright, scorching everything in their path.

When they call forth their Divine Flames, their tattoos glow with an intense heat and their bodies seem to ignite from within. Their movements are fluid and precise, as if they have complete control over every muscle in their body. Despite their imposing physical presence, there is a grace and fluidity to their movements that is truly mesmerizing to behold."

Virgo nods his head, "I see. So, then Rune Sculpting is utilized in order to be able to create tattoo ink which is then used by the Flame Dancer to increase their power and utilize divine flames. The Flame Dancers sound really strong…and Big Sis Athena is the strongest one!!" Cheers Virgo as he stands with a foot on his desk.

After donating a professional Uncle Hassan head smack, with carefully controlled strength, he continued, "Exactly, but that is not their greatest trait. The Flame Dancers are based in APOLLO'S INFERNO. Apollo's Inferno is a fiery and treacherous environment that serves as the headquarters and training ground for the Flame Dancers of Helios. This location is essential for the Flame Dancers, as they utilize the intense heat and flames to temper their bodies and cultivate their internal divine flames. The area is a massive hole dug out of volcanic rock, surrounded on all sides by towering volcanoes that spew molten lava and ash into the air. The closer one ventures towards the center of the pit, the hotter and more unforgiving the environment becomes. The motto of the Flame Dancers is, 'By dancing through hell, one can always walk to Paradise!' A true testament to their unwavering focus on developing internal strength. To withstand the searing temperatures and challenging conditions of Apollo's Inferno, one must have a fierce and unbreakable passion. Those who lack the inner fire required to succeed will be consumed by the intense heat and left to wither away."

A sparkle eyed Virgo screamed in awe, "Tell me more about it uncle!!"

With a kind smile Uncle Hassan carried on, "The walls of the pit are made of dark black rock, and the air is thick with the smell of sulfur and smoke. The ground is scorching hot, making it almost impossible to walk without specialized footwear, at least for normal mortals. However, the Flame Dancers have adapted to this environment, using their nothing but their will to withstand the heat and even dance on the burning ground in their bare feet."

Finally confused at something else Virgo questions, "But why do they dance barefoot if the floor is hot? Is there any reason to suffer so much physically?"

"Well," Hassan thought before speaking, "The Flame Dancers often gather around the pit to perform their dances and rituals, which help to strengthen their internal flames and cultivate their divine powers. The importance of Apollo's Inferno to the Flame Dancers cannot be overstated. It is the place where they go to hone their skills, test their limits, and push themselves to new heights. The motto, 'By dancing through hell, one can always walk to Paradise,' embodies the spirit of the Flame Dancers, who believe that by enduring the trials and tribulations of Apollo's Inferno, they can achieve ultimate power and transcendence.

For the Flame Dancers, Apollo's Inferno is not just a physical location, but a spiritual one as well. It represents the fiery passion and burning desire that drives them to be the best they can be, and to unlock the true potential of their divine flames."

While Virgo seemed to be somewhat following the explanation, he couldn't wrap his head around going through torment for power. "…Is power really that important that you should destroy yourself for it?"

With a deep sigh, Uncle Hassan walked up to the prince and took a knee to be at his level, "Although this is a simplistic overview of the ideology of the Flame Dancers, I will do my best. The Flame Dancers believe that passion is the key to unlocking their true potential, and Apollo's Inferno is the ultimate test of that passion. By dancing through the flames, they learn to channel their passion and control their Divine Flames, which are both sources of immense power. They also learn to embrace pain and suffering as necessary steps on the path to enlightenment, as the fire of the Inferno burns away their weaknesses and flaws, leaving only the pure essence of their being.

The Flame Dancers view the pain and suffering they endure in Apollo's Inferno as a small price to pay for the power and strength they gain in return. They see it as a way to transcend their mortal limitations and become something greater, to walk the path to Paradise through the flames of Hell. For them, this pain is not just a physical sensation, but a spiritual one, a reminder of the sacrifice and dedication required to master the Divine Flames and achieve true greatness."

Still noticing the contemplating face of Little Virgo, he decided on a different approach, "Perhaps a story will be of more use than a lecture. You will eventually know the legend passed down for how the Flame Dancers Squad came to be founded, as you'll be joining their ranks tomorrow."

Nodding his head Virgo replied, "Yes, I will be joining…" He froze for a few seconds, letting his consciousness, that was currently thinking of a way to make fun of his Uncle Hassan, connect the dots of what he had just heard. "Huuuuh?!"