SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY

Revelry of Flames — Vol. 3

Franklinia

https://readmedium.com/starforged-anthology-revelry-of-flames-785d21fd68d1 [ Read REVELRY OF FLAMES VOL. 1 here 🙂🔥🐲] + https://readmedium.com/starforged-anthology-revelry-of-flames-vol-2-567a9bea2861 [ Read REVELRY OF FLAMES VOL. 2 here 👹💀🦋]

Aceobal: (determined blood flowing freely from his face) What’s next Boss? I’ve got plenty of time leftover before work, I could hit the weights or work the heavy tires. Whatever it is, I’m ready to get back in the game.

Tony: (smiling proudly) Unnecessary, Ace. Only place I need you to be right now is over yonder with Medicine Woman. Now scram.

With Tony's guidance, Aceobal stood up, and with a sense of urgency stumbled his way over to Dr. Calarose's tent for treatment with his hand pressed against the gushing wound. The Doc tent was dimly lit by little sea salt candles, filled with the strong scent of herbs and potions. A half-elven woman who sat at a small Brazilian olive wood table sported a green western wild rag bandana around her neck featuring a rose gold dragonfly slider. Her skin a beautiful sienna, nonchalantly completed the rolling of a king-sized blunt with nimble fingers. Her jumbo box braids cascaded down her back, bejeweled with translucent jadeite cuffs yellow, red, and green in their coloration.

Adorning her delicate ears were a pair of exquisitely crafted rose gold hoop earrings, while her captivating face displayed the allure of rose gold cyber bite piercings. The vibrant hue of her meticulously painted red nails added a touch of refined elegance to her overall aesthetic.

“Griitinz, mi bredren," she greeted, her voice carrying a soothing Jamaican accent. "Looks like yuh inna need of some healin’, eh?"

Aceobal nodded, his eyes filled with pain and gratitude. "Yeah, guess so."

The healer then lit and took a long drag from her blunt, the smoke swirling around her potent fragrance of Bazooka Soda {mix of grapefruit & Indian vanilla cream soda} blanketing the entire space as she leaned closer to Aceobal. She gently placed her hand on his cheek, her touch surprisingly cool and comforting.

“Mi gonna heal yuh up real good, mi man," she said, her voice filled with reassurance. "But first, we gonna cast a likkle spell to make it all betta."

She closed her eyes, her lips moving in a soft chant. The words flowed effortlessly from her mouth, a mixture of ancient incantations and Jamaican slang. The air around them shimmered with a faint glow as the spell took effect.

"By de power of beloved Magmellian ghosts, by de might of daadie Noctifer paragon of dusk, let dis wound mend, rejuvenate de flesh at once! "

As the last word left her lips, a warm tingling sensation spread across Aceobal's cheek. The pain subsided, and he could feel the wound closing up, leaving only a faint scar behind.

"Th-thank you, thanks so much, I owe you, medicine woman," Aceobal whispered, his voice filled with relief.

The healer smiled, her eyes sparkling with kindness. "Yuh welcome, mi bredren. But we ain't done yet. Mi gonna cast a healin' spell on de rest of yuh body, and den prescribes yuh some herbal tea infused with de queen fairy dust. It gonna ease extra discomfort yuh might be feelin' after."

Aceobal nodded gratefully as the healer prepared the tea. The aroma of the herbs calming to the spirit, soothing his senses. As he sipped on the warm liquid, feeling its healing properties seeped into his weary body.

Post-treatment, Aceobal manifested from his C. L. I. vault five jade hobo nickels, one of three widely accepted magmell currencies, paid for Calarose’s services. Accepting the donation with a nod, Calarose’s smile widened in between drags of her blunt. "Yuh welcome, mi bredren. Take care of yuhself now."

Leaving the medics' tent, Aceobal made his way to the outdoor shower section of the militia’s compound. The cool water washed away the dried-up blood and sweat from his body with a soap smelling of dark chocolate and cocoa butter, which left him refreshed after the intense sparring session. Afterwards, he conjured clean clothing from his C.L.I {aka Chain Link Interface} a pair of black silver biker rings on his fingers, two necklaces one of red coral beads, and the other made from green jadeite beads, a silver red leather cuffed watch with black cyber sigilism engravings, militia standard issue urban woodland camo pants, a black silver studded belt, and black jungle combat boots. Stepping outside, he made his way towards the compound’s exit when he came face to face with figurehead Akeldama. Tony was wearing the same black combat jungle boots, a solid gold Francois Leer watch on his left wrist, a dark gray polo shirt with the red dragonfly logo embroidered on it, blue denim jeans, as well as a black cobra cap featuring a yellow rope and the same dragonfly logo.

Tony sat in his black wicker chair, munching on a jumbo iced honey bun and sipping iced coffee. His eyes met Aceobal's, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Where you off to, son? " Tony asked, his voice carrying a fatherly tone.

Aceobal hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm gonna go grab a bite to eat sir, got work tonight."

Tony with a cheek full of honey bun manifested from his own C. L. I. Howlite hobo nickel, equivalent to 45$. He extended it towards Aceobal, as he chewed.

"Take it, son," Tony insisted. "Consider it collision coverage. You were gonna get pancaked anyhow but fought bravely out there while knowing it, you've earned a free lunch on me."

Aceobal's eyes widened in surprise, his hand trembling as he reached out to accept the coins. "Thank you, sir. I ... I don't know what to say."

Tony chuckled softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Just take it, Ace. It's the least I can do."

As Aceobal walked away, his heart filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and a fortified sense of familial belonging within the militia ranks, and the haunt was the only place he truly believed kindness and civility thrived, even in the face of danger.

{ The inspiration for the ROF series came from the idea of what a father should be and what it means to be a man. What is masculinity / what are the different expressions for it? What does it mean to be a good romantic partner for someone, and what is a leader?

I wanted to explore these things in depth within a prequel series and develop some answers as I go along. }

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