[center][u][h1]Belivahnn[/h1][/u][/center]

[center]Part Three[/center]

"Father." Johannas whispered quietly, "The stag has fourteen points..."

"A stag born the year of your birth... It fits that we find one upon your birthday and the end of the war." 

Johannas stood towering over the man by several feet, he drew back what could only be considered a tree branch, but it was a thick bow made for the young giant. He drew it back slowly, letting it glide upon thick white skin, and nocked an arrow upon its string. He slowly let it rise to his eye level. He balanced the bow before loosing the arrow. 

There was a squeak as the animal dropped to the ground impaled by the thick arrow. 

"Fourteen years at war, it is all you have known, let us hope you never have to see war again."

"I hope I never will... it was needed, but now, let peace and harmony reign."

[hr]

Johannas leaned against the stone looking over the white fields into the forest. He saw the blackened field and trees of his birth, a beautiful place far away, it was one of his favorite places to visit, he was one of the few able to go there still. He loved it, no longer did fire rage, but most were still too afraid. He had met a friend who lived there long ago, and it is where faith sprouted there.

Faith, something that he had known since birth, it was the reason most fought now, and it is the death of thousands. He had visions as well, along with the blind priest the two had felt something coming. He knew it was something he hated now, he hated what it meant, but he did not know what it was. He knew that it was his burden. 

"It is your birthday; you should prepare for your party... it is your first, you will enjoy life away from the field. It will be your first in a long time." An old man with clouded eyes said weakly, "Everyone knows where you are, but... no one has the heart to come up and speak to you as I will... Did you have another vision?"

"No... no, I haven't had one in several weeks, but something is coming... I look out into the sky and see a flicker of light far out into the void of night; even in day, I can see it far into the green skies. It knows me, I feel it... him... I feel him, I feel fire, and war... I feel birth, like I was in Johannasburg... I feel like I was born again when I look into it, a baptism in fire." The young man was shaken, and it was visible, "I feel it now..."

An old hand felt the palm of the young giant, "I knew you since you were the size of your hand, I knew that your parents were right for you since she dragged you from your fire crying. When she hushed you, I knew that this world would become beautiful and wonderful."

"Father Ekhearv... you can't see it's beautiful."

"Oh, but I can... I know that you, your friends, siblings, I know that everyone in your life is happy, everyone you touch has become happy, even those you took everything from, you did nothing to them... They know you, and you are friends with many of those young children of your namesake. You have helped everyone you know since that day... You have warmed quite literally the hearts of many, you are merciful and bright. Deep inside you is a fire that burns, bravery and beauty; you learned to tame fire and made it beautiful..."

"I have killed thousands out of anger..."

"You were in a war against those who see you as nothing but a witch... you are a son of the suns. They spoke against what you were, and you gave them chances, but they threw it away into the flames of war."

"I got angry and burned them and their families."

"I know... but you are strong, and since coming back to me, we have quieted that anger." the priest said, "You have not burned or destroyed anything in some time; you controlled your fire."

"I suppress it; I never wish to see the fire again..."

"Then continue, and live free, live happily... Those visions are far into the future, machines that can destroy mountains, flying metal boats through the stars. War in the stars, those are visions, dreams. Nothing like that can happen, giants like you. I know there are giants, but nothing will be larger than you... You are the titan. You are not one of his sons. It is your choice if war determines the stars, that is your realm, and everything you see now is yours. You will be the king of it all."

"Father... They are visions; they are something happening far away from here. There is a war. There is only war, whatever he is, I don't want it... I don't want more war, I do not like the fire, I do not want to see it grow again."

"Then I will stand with you forever, we all will, all of those who believe in you on this world, we will stand beside you, and you will never see that flame again." the priest lied.

[hr]

"Fourteen years, fourteen summers, and fourteen winters have passed, my son... You are the heir; you have brought this world to purity; the fields are white... The world is pure, fields of white grain and grass. To you, the purity of this stag shows us all that there is a heart of gold." Aleksandr said quietly, "It is time we grow this world and see culture flourish instead of death. Tomorrow, enjoy life and explore some; you have not been back here since you were my height; when was that... nine years ago, eight?"

"Father... I know... I have grown quickly compared to my siblings and cousins..." he said, "But, they are still children; I am a giant. I know I was born from fire, but still..."

"You are my son... whatever you see will pass, you will see, it will be alright. We will be a jewel; this place will be the brightest point. Art will line the streets, and we will see stone and statues dot the land around. Fields able to feed all. Our people will live free and happy till the end of time."

"Father... if that is your belief, I will trust you... but I would wish to start seeing this place become beautiful... and that darkness of my past covered and buried by the future... I will focus on my studies; instead of weapons of war, I will make tools of innovation and science. I will build cities that can feed, house, and let all enjoy life in a humble way...like we were, I love the culture, but simplicity is where my heart lies."

"Then do as what is needed tomorrow... start, I will allocate funds for your projects, and we will see what happens." 

[hr]

The morning came, and work was set; he was given ten stacks of coins and twenty men to follow him. Then they marched and found a place just before the wall, it was black, soot caked on from years and years of being left alone. It has been guarded since his birth, fire still rages, but untamed wilds come from beyond the eight cardinal gates. Men still died in the hottest parts of the year when the suns were shining together. They livened up the untamed wilds and the trees that had turned resistant to fire, but they often spread their wings of firey death with the firey creatures that still arise from time to time. 

"This will become the last fortress I ever build." the young man said, staring at the dark dust that flaked around him and radiated toward him. "Stone... get as much stone as we can, marble, granites, jets... We will start on the southern gate, and this will be the last one... It will be a fortress of solitude, one of peace and harmony, I will end the fire I created forever... I will make sure it never burns again."