Follow Me To The Fire

RE

year

AI,

unny sprin

The vehicle was ta

old, and I was ent

next to me on the bench. - You need to liste

was, the new single from th

sic with Deevi. She was m

any difficulties. Grandma had health problems, and she supporte

time, my father ran away with another woman

l grandmother

had heard from my mother.

y a cell phone for me. I listened to music on an old MP3 player that had broken mon

ing to music when Deevi sha

like it? -

into th

losed my eyes

in a depressing life. D

k advant

. Explosive, quarrelsome, and down-to-earth. A punching girl - not a book girl. At scho

atch teachers givin

she'll never

The damn

not a good match. Low caste, no parents and no

d any ma

ting, the driver m

g to happen before every

e, the school bus ran into a vehicle going

olently. The only reason it wasn't worse was that everyone was weari

was over, I tu

you

. Her eyes we

k... I t

ts began to shout. From outside, th

ked from the engine. Within seconds, it

e coming first. He sto

out, ch

chance. As soon as he spok

nd incinerated the tw

lesh.... Dental arches and exposed bones....

s before I passed out. In them, I w

d to be dead.

ger conjecture

*

in a hos

ains separating beds. It wa

o people talking. A man wearing a uniform, and

as saying. "Was the girl inside a

escued her myself. Our platoon is in sho

n her hand th

other children

of them! How can

he accident cam

rn. I was wearing a hospital gown. There was

o

ain! I remembered

what to feel.

let's not panic. I'll ask the hospital to contact her

ly, the man stopped in mid-sentence. His mo

as pulled aside. A pers

w dro

white sari. Lots of shiny jewelry, a gold nose

seen anythi

iled,

o, dea

row

are

er. Your human life is over. It's time to go home

ell was a

ent you to pick me up? Where

oman laughed a

. Still, you must come with me

at h

hter of Dakti, the goddess of all Creation. You have gone through fifteen years of a hu

my br

en I unde

as cr

, a place for children of gods to learn,

ed my

respect... I think we'

d her hea

hink I am

e bit. No

ous person in a hospital. There we

live when all your friends are dead? You burned inside a

s happening. It wasn't she w

ough my hair, com

I? That's my half-burn

led hi

u are s

s got t

ou come with me? It won't hurt. Then y

llowed hard. - If I g

going to d

Grandma will b

rvival, or make the difficult decision to turn off her devices. Is this the kind of su

h hospital expenses woul

elirium, it wouldn

chance to re

is earth is over. As soon as I a

wake up

will die

randmother. She would spend years keeping me in a surrogate -

, eyes w

Pantheon

old enough to commit serious sins. I needed

held out her hand again. - Come,

ned heart, I t

at's

fter,

PTE

REN

the Pantheon

h clarity the

n told me

s above everything and below nothing. Somewh

spring. Days always sunny,

ool. A training center

n the middle of the heavenly city. In fact, it

g in shock when

s that the

de shr

ink Emperor Sha

in childbirth. Distraught, he had a castle built over her tomb. The Taj Mahal was a mausoleum in honor

find out abo

pered some detail

, having an epiphany. -

ryu

ed my

Emperor's wife! The one for

you h

e's

u a demi

ou think he fell so d

guardian-guid

on earth. The Princess was jus

ed herself "a

the Pantheon, expla

he god of creation. Venum, the god of perma

s in Hindu mythology, but th

me to earth to accomplish great things. Each incarnation had a name. Every tim

ren l

fifteen years old. At this age they suffered terrible accid

Or the hea

for decades, and became guardians of humans

ns wanted

s of our fathers. To promote spiritual

wenty-five. Our lives

it was born with divine blood. My previous generations did

dn't kill me. I was an

. But my destiny, specifically, was to be there. To die

guardian. I had only been in this school for seven year

told me

er of Dakti, a p

That is, human incarnations tha

r, Kali. Ironically, I was baptized with h

th blue skin and a frightening expression. She wore a necklace of severed heads and a

r wife of Lord Shikram -

ve. A troubled relationship with a pa

m's sons did not get along. In the

ikram's gre

s descended from Dakti - but they came fr

nly one in

course, but they had all left. They had complete

feud was so strong that we could not be alone i

m the fiercest lineage of

eelings for Shikram were mixed. Soon, so were my feelings for all h

e in the Pantheon. I could be attacked by a Shikram. Like a

we get kicked out

d-on. I only had seven years

rs here were.

and so on. This put me at constant risk. I was a novice and helpless demigoddess. I didn't

ere giving me bl

t of Kali? The wor

atalyst for her hat

our parents'. Unfortunately, rivalry

ty. I was a powerful demigoddess - but so was everyone else he

o learn how to

ical classes. I started training like crazy, and learn

ears, I had be

myself. I stopped walking

e Shikrams' communal halls and large groups. However, she no longer

eady a bre

ndu. We had brown skins and

always wore it in a tight bra

. In twenty-three years, I would become an official Guardian, and descend

It was my purpose i

s mor

riends down the main co

hantai grunted

g with students. The bell rang, in

ajan to our first class.

of the Pantheon: a Hindu god with five arms. Each

g again. Time for lunch. Being ha

ll. Students from all factio

ch had its own table, and they

a, Venum and Shikram. Then came two other factions - one degree dow

s the only fe

d with the worst of the other four, Shikram.

epresented the human incarnations of our fathers. I was

Shantai and Rajan. Both were sons of o

Rajan had shoulder-length hair

the Pantheon. The affinity was

about 200 students. Our rectangular table w

ables in the dining hall. Eac

hikram in the other corner. A strategic distanc

Shantai and Rajan. We

aised his eyes to t

h,

as it? -

ow, but Kamala

, fuck. She

y, she did not inherit the same qualities as h

t mission, guided by teachers. Veterans did this from time to time. It

her and grit

out with her entourage. A group of

icked me out to be with another woman - and broke my fucking heart. Since then, I nev

d me from your pre

ly, she had

eyebrow, smiling cynically

and loo

itc

icked hi

is... The K

ou mean? -

in a bad mood w

least I will be afte

ai si

three years. You need

ything for her an

never trusted anyone

humiliated me in front of the whol

man. She broke your heart, yes, but you don't have to run away from love f

ed my

I'll pass, thank you. I've had eno

n sn

la knows that she stil

ng someone else

ast it will wipe that li

d with his fork. - The bitch's

ove life. - Or lack thereof...

ange the subject. I

on't think I ever loved her. I was ju

and only - woman I ha

ee. Many immortal gods liked

t I did. Our breakup was painful and humiliating. I found out that she was cheating

had casual sex -

There were lots of parties. Ev

ender my heart again. Th

ed to be the best of the guardians and graduate with

ront lines against the darkness. In other words,

issions, and faced the worst evil entities. They had to be exceptional fighters and de

e Guard were open o

anted to work with the best.

d from my friends. We h

n the gardens. We always studied and talked on th

d, I could hear groups talking. There was

coming

? It's been t

true, this Pantheon wi

omeone overheard a conversat

roup was

eone will be fired. The Pantheon won't mi

ned, p

k? And why did eve

the Pantheon. There, students w

ree. I sat down next to them, t

coming back and why is

ai who heard

ems that some Guardians are returning to the Pantheon ton

I was amazed. - But

an

he Chief Guardian of this squadro

ost c

Soul E

Se

Dak

he highest rank. Around h

in the world. A fierce, irritable, dangerou

His job was to exorcise demons in the most remote places on the plane

er seen it

m in the Pantheon. I didn't know wh

. He had a different soul, powerful and wild. A soul with an ev

d him as head of the Hidden Guard. That way he could chann

the guy was

ed terror in the Pantheon. And no

discipline of Fighting

us and bring us back to the Heavenly Purpose. Too much time on Earth confused the guardians' minds. Th

ed. His name always generat

ay from the frontline for a while, because he was dangerous and in

a powerful ally.

our greate

Some were afraid of his return. Others were excite

fear. In fact,

nished telling the

I have

i shud

eon before the crazy mania

onvince him to

n the juice he

ou

him to

y? The guy wil

f he is my mentor, I will have a real

still in

derstand. He will devo

e. He can't be that bad. I bet they

w legends

d his temples. - Somebody tal

n si

y thing. You'll be lucky if you make

ather bold strat

cons. What could Aryan do to me? Embarr

would s

idden Guard. The competition was brutal. Five hund

s were la

ng to introduce myself and come out ahead of many competitors. Around here, it was impor

he only goal of my life. I wo

ightfall. The ret

n. No one was there at that time. I would stay hidden, and have a pri

alone, I would i

ctions. Many desperate students would try to get

tand out, to

ns did everything at dawn. It was the most favorable time fo

two o'clock i

the terrace, I s

wore dark, combat clothes. Boots, holsters full of weapons, and stern expressions. Although it was night, many wore

ardian was a gift

I saw

e feared captai

he first

e walked at the head of the group - as if the earth belonged to him. The soldie

or left no doubt. He

e doorman wit

A tapered nose, close-cropped beard, and full lips. Black hair was soft and messy. His eyes were as

not for the frightening scar that cut across the side of his face. It start

figure. A wild beauty th

I saw him

o be my

tter? Who would be a

was the mos

hey crossed the garden with quick steps. Their

ht to the principal's offic

ng, the guards would change shifts. The changeover

mon would dare enter a school full of gu

e cue and snuck up to the second floor. There

ded into the shadows. From there, I had a

for them at h

rived. They greeted

were like wild animals. Exuberant, dangerous,

s leadin

maintain his posture. You couldn't open your defense

t is very good to

d eyes and a

g to be home. - And he

the bones in the dir

ed his gr

go inside

d. It was a journey straight from hell.

d to hide his hor

ld just be a br

ched an

e q

the

ke that. It was a silent battle between authorit

he directo

inted to the door of the

d with firm steps.

p to his reputation as a cruel tyrant. Even the P

be diffic

. Finally, the first men began to come out. The

inside. Probably for a private

s opened. Aryan and

awake,

ds behind his back

end to teach, but I don't know if freshmen brats

en looking forward to for a long time. Please r

'll

mfortable. He was not us

hould I call a staff membe

once, I know this castle

Teachers' Wing. West sector,

ave finished, I will end the conver

rector

ght. Goo

d coldly, turned

t a warm

confused and dismayed expression. A

ounded. It

I have another chance like this?

ve

the hall. I left a very long distance between

ty area of the castle,

eac

diately. He did

, stopping a few me

d. - My name is Kali,

und. In response,

lip. Ba

you have a

mute. I heard the sound of his nostrils sniffing t

row

say hello? Or at the very

as worse than

nsi

myself to you. I know that many professors open special classes for the best students

. His jaw was clenched and hi

did y

. Up close, he w

yself not

f you are opening up positions, please don'

hreatenin

is this

Wh

om your body - he growle

around, c

Seventh grader and

s sud

om his holster and placed the blade against my throat. I was pressed

gasped. - Prof

and flat on the wall behi

of Dakti! How dare

y, I un

,

a son of

rrible idea to be alone in a

es - but the captain was bett

m. - He confirm

known. The captain's appreciatio

ed scor

not fall even f

akti wants my tra

want to

thing I intend to give

same time. Hatred, resentment, and unresolved love... His touch was e

have to answer before the Council. I

harder. I could feel the

s sparked

ll be w

kill me, my mother will personally hunt you down and ki

teeth. He kne

wiped his hands, a

ster. - If I see you again, not even your stupid mother can save you. I will gouge out

im was gone. All I could think

. You won't s

le woman would never set foot in the Pantheon. My father sho

s stronger than I was. The instinct to strike

pains that we

t for centuries. He only says he hates her because he got a foot

laughed di

ildren. Typical of your kind of trash. Do you rea

o. But you and y

uth to talk ab

on my mother'

our

urs,

ut then closed it. He

away my chance to teach at the Pantheo

ared at h

like a round

a mischiev

dea. - And it came

ed bac

come n

didn'

my ear. I froze. Under his touch, my skin became el

d a few wor

my chest. I put my hands over m

at have you

from my father to hi

wall. I leaned back and went down until

is with devil

n these halls again, you will be dead. Enjoy your

I ge

could see glimpses of Paatal,

nd red eyes touched my body. They shook my shoulders, wanting to speak

e from my fathe

t a fledgling! I was not psychologically ready

t help. I groped along the walls, finding my way. I had

ht, Kal

ardian-Guide's room.

at least, that's

nocked on the door and fell to the

were screami

n my me

into you

ome of you

uted. - I can't do

t, Aryumand o

cked. - What are you

ied to see her through the fo

nd... I

e I arrived in the Pantheon. A powerful guardi

wn and held

ho are you

ot of my hair

a curse on me. I

allowe

h,

oom. I repeated Aryan's wor

kind! You are not ready to see the nether world yet.... Eve

up on h

rom me. The demons are

ith much knowledge, but she did not master Dark Magic. Aryan, yes

o be activated and Aryan would be expelled. Shikram would be furious. Ary

he would work against us. A r

early morning, A

he massaged her temples, exhausted. - It is a forbidden m

k directly

treme! It can be

t a curse on one of her daughters, she wo

she would

one here has the power to un

tart a war bet

o much trouble to

sk we will n

s to be an

e this. The Goddess will know what

n the morning. The da

blindfolded. Only in this way would

ly went to that part of the

nd I took off my blindfold. It was sacred ground

ing. The mantras summoned the presence of the go

nd, your servant. One of yo

what he had to do. To get the goddess's attention, he would nee

of Shikram. It was a mess

trange wind opened the windows. But

was

ted and fell

but she wouldn't wake up. I sat down beside he

. Help

that matter. The gods lived in a higher world. Their appear

p and prayed. That

es later, Aryumand

ods! Are

p, expressi

there. I have s

up, pe

per

our mother gave me the solutio

eal

ousand times more p

fraid, for I will always be by yo

er and whispered the an

mantra, a

e riddled with a warm, delicious sensation - as if

Nothing more needed to be

ed Ary

. Finally I

he stroked my hair. - But I mus

th m

cklace from the pocket of his sari. - It is a protective amulet. As

as shaped like a woman holding a snake around her neck - th

rents. That was a great honor. But it was not typic

Aryumand,

ay anything abou

wouldn't miss a chanc

sigh

mething hidden. She said that you are to use this

ll I know the

d me that yo

ne of the bench

- How naive of me, Aryumand. I can't believe I appr

his best lapse of

e me. I've had a hell of a nig

at all costs, won't you? Aryan is not known for his b

threatened

was only t

honor, I was not happy. I had failed miserably. Not only did I n

teacher for the next

I couldn't believe

ave to be a s

in the Pantheon. Make my stay hell and delay my graduation. M

tune of running into hi

if I would mak