The site of the miracle was empty. Of breath, at any rate. Wax puddled on the floor, the product of a hundred candles pooling together as they flickered. The hall was not dark, but they flickered anyway, marking with warm light the shrine of the City God, Mysa. The sunlight cast dappled beams from the surface of the rippling water below.

A mist erupted from the pool.

[b]"Have you had your fun?"[/b]

The centermost candle of the shrine array brightened, just a little, swaying as it wavered. A breeze had caught it, only one little flame among a multitude that were perfectly still, swaying it on the line between flaring and going out.

[color=fdc68a][i]"A jealous spark in you, little son."[/i][/color]

The mist thinned, revealing the form of a powerful man on its breath. Phlogiston tossed his hair. His arms were crossed. [b]"Do not taunt me, Mysa. This canal was our domain, and remains so, by your agreement. Keep to your lane."[/b]

[color=fdc68a][i]"Keep to my lane!"[/i][/color] a merry laughter from the candle. For a moment it flashed, and in the fire was the shape of a woman, fat and healthy from the wealth she ate. [color=fdc68a][i]"Keep to my lane! Oh, you! You little fool."[/i][/color] The water bubbled beneath Phlogiston's feet. [color=fdc68a][i]"You think you can divide this city, in neat little lines, and have your share untouched, while my power encompasses all. It was necessary, my dear, all the people cried for it. Who am I to deny them?"[/i][/color] Low, mirthful laughter.

Phlogiston's heel ground against the surface of the low pool. It whitened. Steam filled the room. [b]"I had [b]purpose[/b] in denying them, and you are nought but an opportunist. You are a scavenger, a seeker of mortal affection, and it is disgraceful. You spoil your subjects! O [i]great[/i] and [i]powerful[/i] Mysa, these people rule you. How are you to say you control them when they have not learned to fear you and take mind? Nay, o firelady, they take you for [i]granted![/i] How shall you deny them when you are become but a tool in their fickle lives?"[/b]

[color=fdc68a][i]"With cruel satisfaction,"[/i][/color] said Mysa, hardening somewhat. The shape of the candle brightened, a tiny image of her true splendour. [color=fdc68a][i]" 'Control them'? To hear you talk! What will our dear Phi say? She shall take it for insurrection."[/i][/color]

Phlogiston rolled his eyes. [b]"My father has [i]always[/i] controlled these people, since the birth of their nation. The line of Phlegethon is and remains the First Spiryt of Metera."[/b] He cast out his arm, and a great cloak seemed to follow, thick and royal. [b]"I am his son! You fear him, and I fear nothing. Phi is feeble! She cannot hear us talk. My own sons prevent her. It is but you and I here, [i]o Mysa,[/i]"[/b] he sneered, with cold command, [b][i]"And you have overstepped your bounds."[/i][/b]

[color=fdc68a][i]" 'My bounds.' "[/i][/color]

With a vicious flare, the candles erupted, their wax igniting into liquid fire. The light filled Phlogiston's fog, and before he had braced, five daughters of Mysa now stood on the candles. They were lean and bitter, emaciated, hungry spiryts eager to burn. Mysa's greed was great.

[color=f9ad81]"Remember where you are, fog-whipper,"[/color] rasped one.

Phlogiston twirled his hand, slowly flexing his wrist, and two brothers of his stood beside him. [b]"...You would risk this. You [i]fool.[/i]"[/b]

[color=f9ad81]"I will not [i]risk[/i] anything but our own-"[/color]

A noise. Both parties flinched. They cast their awareness out.

[b]"...Syokoy."[/b]

[color=6ecff6][b][i]"Bahahahahaha!"[/i][/b][/color]

The waters erupted, again into a figure, but this time with no class. Water sprayed everywhere, extinguishing half the candles, which were immediately relit by a sister. The channel cooled, a line drawn around Syokoy where white met cool transparent blue, expanding until only the feet of the eight other djinni were still hot.

[color=6ecff6][b]"Two's company, but I prefer crowds,"[/b][/color] he said, teasing. [color=6ecff6][b]"Or not- you may leave now, son of Phlegethon; the two [i]true[/i] elements are here now, and you are irrelevant."[/b][/color]

Phlogiston hissed. 

The daughter took a step forward, tossed her head. [color=f9ad81]"This does not concern you. Go back to your [i]business,[/i] Syokoy. Go tease some [i]women.[/i] You know that they're the only ones who'll stick up with your perverted delusions, and then only out of fear."[/color]

Syokoy flexed his arms, unbowed. They morphed fluidly from his human to his fish-like forms. [color=6ecff6][b]"The mortals like me. My [i]perversion-[/i]"[/b][/color] he laughed. He couldn't help it. [color=6ecff6][b]"They represent you as a [i]candle,[/i] Mysa! They commune with Phlogiston through the steam that pours from their [i]kettles![/i] So what if I should take the proud form of my element? It's a fish, you tightened prudes, a fish! Elegant! Refined! What's there to be afraid of? Y'vahn? Bah."[/b][/color]

[b]"...You are worse than Lumikki,"[/b] grit Phlogiston over the fingers on his eyes. [b]"The [i]truant.[/i]"[/b]

[color=6ecff6][b]"She never served Boreas for long, you know,"[/b][/color] he commented.

[color=f9ad81]"We [i]eat[/i] fish,"[/color] said the daughter, who was tired. That brought conversation to a grinding halt.

[color=6ecff6][b]"...'til next time,"[/b][/color] said Syokoy, disappearing. The dorsal fin of a mighty shark followed him out down the channel. Phlogiston shared one long look at the daughters of Mysa, and then he, too, was gone. The hungry daughters turned, shrugged, and disappeared. The moment had been exhausted. The candles went out.

Smoke filled the empty room.

[color=cornflowerblue][i]Ah,[/i][/color] thought a voice, [color=cornflowerblue][i]kids.[/i][/color]

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