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Title: Guardian of Fire Island

Summary: Keahi is known as the Peace Keeper on an Island known as Fire Island. It is his duty to quell the Volcano’s fury should it erupt...by giving up his life. He is resigned to his fate - until he meets an unusual man called Masou...

Warnings: Yaoi, Boyslove, fantasy.

Claimer: All characters and events belong solely to me, and are not to be used without permission.

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Chapter 1: The Peace-Keeper

Stepping out into the warm morning light, Keahi Khatsho blinked his deep golden eyes a few times to adjust to the bright light. Fixing the marron bandanna tied around his forehead, he quickly threaded his fingers through his messy black hair, trying his best to hold them back as a small breeze picked up, playing idly with his wayward bangs. Silky strands of his hair spilled over the bandanna and lined his face, the ends tickling his chin.

Deciding that the battle with his usually messy and dishevelled hair was a losing one, Keahi instead straightened his clothing, running his hands down the black and gold embroidery tunic, of which was worn over a loose fitting shirt that was the same colour as his bandanna, a pair of loosely fitted black pants and black boots finished his look.

After he deemed himself reasonable, Keahi began his journey along a winding, sandstone path that would lead him from one grand structure, a building known to all as the Fire Temple to another, a even more majestic estate known as the Fire Palace. It was situated high upon a grassy hill, overlooking the bustling markets situated near the ocean front, the temple located further away from the market place.

And as he walked, Keahi took a moment to appreciate his surroundings that still, even after his 21 years of being alive, left him in awe.

The Island was beautiful, pristine and lush, the sandstone buildings of the Fire Temple and the Fire Palace stood starkly out against the landscape of luscious green trees, the stone reflecting the bright sunlight in a golden hue. Small, shanty grass huts lined the white sand beaches, the people of this island living in harmony with nature.

The scenery was not unlike the other islands that chained out across the sapphire blue seas. Except, of course, for the large dormant volcano shadowing the centre of the island. And at the very peak, behind the smoky mist, a constant flame burned, the flames dancing across the ground like playful sprites. The fires had been burning undaunted for as long as living memory or written word could say.

This was Fire Island.

And the volcano at the very centre of this exotic place is known as Obsidian Volcano, the home of the Fire God that protected everyone who resided there.

And it was this same Fire God that Keahi may one day have to give his life to.

Looking up at the peak of Obsidian, Keahi sent a silent prayer to the Fire God that he could live for just one more day. For as long as he could remember, he had been preparing himself for his fate.

Since birth, he had been known and referred to as the Peace Keeper. It was his duty to act as a means to appease the Fire God. And, ultimately, sacrifice himself in a ceremony known as the Sacrificial Ritual. The ritual had never been performed in living memory as the written began shortly after the last eruption of Obsidian, so there was much speculation of what the ritual entails. And from the ancient writings held within the catacombs and ancient libraries, it was assumed that the Peace Keeper will be used as a gift to quell the Fire God’s anger.

Which involved the Peace Keeper being taken to a platform at the very peak of Obsidian Volcano, his hands bound where he was then, quite literally, pushed into the lake of Lava hidden at the very top of the volcano.

And the person to do that was someone of the immediate royal family and was none other than the Fire Princess herself, Flamenca Ashesh.

Also known as his cousin.

Despite his circumstances and the knowledge that any day could very well be his last, Keahi was at peace with his destiny...or, he would be if his ‘cousin’ wouldn’t find such joy in the aftermath of his sacrifice.

“Ah, good morning, Master Keahi,” Fudo, a respected elder within the Fire Council greeted Keahi as he walked into the Council Chambers.

“Oh, good morning, Elder Fudo,” Keahi returned the greeting with his own, bowing his head in a sign of respect.

He was attending a council meeting, yet another duty of being the Peace Keeper. As well as being a Fire Priest as a lot of people tend to forget about in regards to him. Keahi may not be the most powerful Fire Priest within the Fire Temple, but he was one nonetheless. Many just tend to overlook that fact, instead focusing on reminding him of his fate of being the one and only Peace Keeper.

Still, he tried not to let that get to him. He was a Fire Priest and took his role within the Fire Temple seriously. It was his duty to act as a guide and a medium between the people of the island and the Fire God who watches over them all. He was much closer to the people and was more acutely aware of their troubles and trails of the land better than anyone residing in the Fire Palace could possibly be. Which was why he attended such meetings in hope of helping the very people he will one day die to save.

But as his cousin liked to tell him constantly that the only reason he was allowed to attend these meetings was because he was related, distantly apparently, to her. After all, it’s not like he actually had any say on any matters they discuss nor was he the most knowledgeable and skilled Fire Priest.

Returning the other greetings he received from the other Council members, Keahi resisted the urge to sigh. He must admit that he, himself, didn’t know why he continued to attend the meetings. Although the elders of the Fire Council were usually open for suggestions and words of a different perspective, especially from a Fire Priest, which doesn’t always have to be him personally. But it seemed that no matter what Keahi said, Flamenca always had an argument against him or would just blatantly ignore him.

Even though there was very little Keahi could say or do about his treatment, it still irritated him as it was quite apparent that she really didn’t care much for the average people who grow their food and build their structures. He had to be satisfied with the codes of conduct that Council held, which did not always go her way. The inner workings of the Council involved debating and the casting of votes, so ultimately the decisions made were that of the majority.

Still, the vote ‘conveniently’ when Flamenca’s way most of the time as she was a little...feisty at the best of times. Not only was she the Fire Princess, she was also a FireBrand, someone who can wield Fire Magic in special battles. Only a few people, mostly Fire Priests and Fire Guards, can become FireBrands and it’s not something an average Joe could wield easily.

Even he, Keahi himself, was finding the casting of fire difficult. There was a knack to it, he has been told, and he just hadn’t discovered what that knack was...

Because Flamenca was a FireBrand, she would use her ability to her advantage as many of the Fire Council are elderly, so would not fare as well in a physical battle as she would. And, from what Keahi had unfortunately witnessed, she wasn’t exactly fair in her battles either. She would issue her challenges against everyone and anyone who dared to either defy or question her in some way.

It really all depends on her mood for a particular time of day.

Taking his seat next to Elder Fudo, Keapi kept mostly silent and to himself as the other council members chattered amongst themselves as they awaited for the arrival of their Fire Princess. And she was due to enter at any moment now...

Slam!

Ah, there was the Fire Princess now...

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