Adapting a Myth - The Way of the Immortal Flame (Part B)

Year 70 of the Reign of Kiladar the First, in the month of Arra 

Mortality is a bitter, cold thing without glory. 

It steals joy and laughter. It plunges the soul into darkness. 

I shall learn this Way of the Immortal Flame. And when I become king, I will not let my kingdom die without eternal glory. I shall make my kingdom the most glorious in all the annals of history. 

I cannot stand the mindless brutes who roam the villages along the shore. They know nothing. All they think about are material things which will be burned away in the Final Flame. But alas, I found a friend, a helper amongst one of the least likely places.

As I walked in a great grove of peaches, a delicate voice shimmering through the air alighted upon my ears. It sang of the pure and eternal Way. Out from between two peach trees, a lovely maiden walked. She was not of dragon race, for no horns were upon her head. Her face was far softer and lighter than any of the women from my blackened home. She walked with a supple elegance, like a tree swaying in gentle wind. 

I bowed my head before her, falling to my knees, for no other reaction seemed right. Her voice, a sound as sweet and smooth as honey, flowed forth. “Why do you fall to your knees, dear traveller?”

“I fall to my knees because I can do no other. The song of which you sing is one of beauty and power. From whom did you learn to sing of things imperishable?”

The fair coral lips of the maiden parted in a smile. “I learned my song from the great sage Fiere Ashi.” She lifted a long, elegant arm and pointed to the rim of mountains in the far distance. A dark plume lay over them, casting them in shadow. It emanated from one mountain towering above the others. “He lives in the heart of Mount Ralrrak. But be wary, for his home sits in a river of liquid fire.”

A smile curled my lips. Fire was my home. If this great sage sat within the flames, it would be my delight to step into them. 

“Thank you, fair maiden. Your help on this journey will not go unforgotten.”

And so I began my trek to the mountains. Though my dragon form twisted restless within me, I did not shift to ease my journey and fly to the peaks. I had to prove to this great teacher that I would not take the easy way out. And so I traveled deep into the mountains until I finally arrived at the base of Mount Ralrrak.

Smoke billowed from the top of the mountain, and nestled in a soot-blackened crevice at its base was a door. It grieves me to admit I stood quietly at the door for many falling sands, gathering my courage to face this teacher. At last, I knocked. The door swung open into a dark hall.

After traveling quite some time down this hall, I entered into a chamber. It was all of stone and marble, and in the middle is what one could call a bird bath. Yet, from this bath flowed molten, glowing stone oozing onto the ground and down into cracks in the floor. Sitting atop this pedestal was a magnificent flaming red hawk, larger than I. Yet, to call it a hawk seems almost too small a word. It was a great beast of flight and power.

Its orange eyes fixed upon me. 

Everything within me called out to run from this wondrous thing. But if I ran, I would die a dishonorable beast. 

It spoke. “Why are you here, son of Kiladar?”

I fought to remain standing as fear shook my frame. “I am here to learn the Way of the Immortal Flame. Are you the great sage Fiere Ashi?”

He watched me, not responding. Suddenly, flames swarmed up around him engulfing him in a blaze. Even I, born of fire, was forced back. 

Standing now on the pedestal was a man, looking not 5 years older than I, swathed in white robes that though they touched the rippling flames they were not consumed by them. His hair was the same flaming red as the feathers of the bird.

I immediately prostrated myself before him, knowing I had found the one whom I sought. “Teach me, I beg thee. I see now you are one of the unquenchable Flame. I thirst for those rivers of immortality.”

He stepped down from his pedestal and walked to me. After many hours in which he questioned me of my origin and desires, he agreed to teach me. It is in this encounter that he gave me the name Xan Fiera. Translated from his language, it means One Who Thirsts for the Flame. 

So, here I am, sitting now on one of the mountains near his home. He has created a Sanctuary where no fire has touched. It is full of green life. I sit under a tree, writing these words as the sun sets behind mount Ralrrak. I feel now this will be my home for many years. 

I hope this will make my family proud. I hope this will enable me to serve my kingdom with power, that I might conquer my foes and gain glory everlasting. For what is life, but to pursue glory so that one might be immortal? 

Year 77 of the Reign of Kiladar the First, in the month of Ignar  

7 years have passed, a number of perfection. And truly, I have perfected that which Fiere Ashi has given to me. I have worked hard under his training. But today, today is different. I have finally met with him tonight to learn the Way of the Eternal Flame. 

Earlier this day, I was practicing with his other students. If truth be told, I was somewhat frustrated when I saw he had others. But at times, I have learned more from them than Fiere Ashi. But now, I am far greater than they. I have fought for knowledge. I have bled for it. And I have earned it. 

Fiere Ashi came to our practice field and told us he would teach us the 6 main Ways. After giving a short explanation of one, I asked if it led to immortality. This continued until he had completed all 6 explanations. Seeming annoyed with my constant questions,

Fiere Ashi finally challenged me to a duel. I gritted my teeth and accepted the challenge. 

We faced one another in an open meadow. His students stood back against the treeline, encircling us. He only allowed us a wooden sword each. A weapon I find amusing because of our heart of flames. 

I must admit, I was firmly beaten. As I lay on the ground, he tapped my chest thrice with his blade, then turned and walked away with his blade clasped behind his back. I quickly realized this was a secret message: meet him at three at the back entrance to the sanctuary tonight.

When I arrived, he seemed pleased to see me. Knowing me well to trust my ambitions and desire were pure, he began my training of Way to immortality. He explained it would take many years for me to learn to balance myself and cleanse myself of the impure. I must practice various breathing techniques and the mantras that he will teach me. 

But, I am here. This has been the goal of my journey. At last, I will find this well of life and learn how to draw up its purifying flames. It will strip me of my mortality, and cleanse me to live with everlasting fire. 

Year 84 of the Reign of Kiladar the First, in the month of Winkarr 

7 years have passed since Fiere Ashi began teaching me the Way of Immortality. I am now packing for my journey home. It feels odd to be leaving the brilliantly green trees and colorful flowers of the Sanctuary. To be leaving my friends. 

But, let me record how I have come to this point of leaving. I mastered the Way of Immortality about two years ago, after which Fiere Ashi gave me a warning which still rings loudly in my ears. “Beware, this Way you have mastered is not pleasing to the Spirits and Elements, for many think mortal creatures never are meant to taste the imperishable. As the years pass, these beings of power will send disasters to try to take your life. You will know it is them if there is lighting which comes from no cloud, wind from no storm, or a wave of salty water from no ocean.”

After explaining this, he taught me how to shift my energy into different forms, an ability which I did not know was possible. I took on these forms in flame, though from the outside I looked normal. I would need to be careful though, for these forms are hot to the touch and will quickly give me away unless I remain at a distance.

I practiced these skills, and have mastered them. For a long time, I practiced separately from the other students. But today, as I walked from my lodging, I could not help but show some of my talent to the others, for in their eyes I had spent many years without much progress. 

I changed my form to that of a great cat. They all thought it was quite excellent and laughed and clapped as I bounded around them. But, Fiere Ashi saw me and took me to the side. With soft words he warned me to not do this again. For, the things he has shown me could cause great grief. In time, if I did not share my knowledge, people would resent me. But, in the wrong hands, it would be used for evil. 

I realized then it was time for me to leave. I cannot stay here and enjoy the fellowship of others, for my power has grown great and I must return to my kingdom. Fiere Ashi has taught me all he knows. I will miss this place. The trees, the comradery, the thirst for knowledge. I thank the Flames for giving me this knowledge. It will not be wasted.  

***

Today was Part B of my adaptation of the myth The Tao of Immortality. As I'm sure you caught on, it is written in 3 journal entries. The entries are aligned with the three main stages of the hero's journey: The Departure, The Initiation, and The Return. See Part A for an overview of the original myth and an explanation of my adaptation.

#25

17 Oct 2025