Chapter Text
Lord Felwinter could almost laugh at the disgruntled looking Warlock as he stood in the snows of the Peak. There was a small hollow around the Warlock’s feet where the snow had melted away, leaving behind brown grass and grey stone. The Solar Light the Warlock was emitting was impressive, even if it seemed like a bad habit the man was exhibiting. No one had bothered to keep him in check, let alone correct his mastery over the Light. Perhaps that was why he was here, standing before Felwinter, Saladin, and Jolder. The biting wind only soured the Warlock’s features as he tore his gaze away from the misty mountain valleys to look to the three Iron Lords. Felwinter saw the defiance in those golden brown eyes, daring, testing his limits even as he stood there quietly, waiting for the Warlord Shaxx to finish his ramblings. He was an average size man, brown hair that fell in tangles and waves around his shoulders, a beard with flecks of silver in it. His features were still young, as echoed by his exuding arrogance. Black lined tattoos decorated his arms and vanished up into his sleeves. Despite it being freezing, the Warlock wore light fall clothes, a feather cloak around his shoulders. Lord Felwinter guessed that if he drew close, the Warlock was indeed the inferno that was only hinted at by the melted snow around his boots. Felwinter tilted his head slightly, before he spoke, curious on how the Warlock would answer.
“I fear Warlord Shaxx brought you here for nothing. I do not take on students.” Felwinter waved his hand in front of him, almost dismissively.
“Good. I’ll be your first and only student then.” The Warlock’s cocky tone got the better of Felwinter, causing the Ironlord to smile inwardly as Lord Saladin made a disgusted sound.
“You will show respect to Lord Felwinter.” Saladin snarled, baring his teeth like the Wolf he was.
“Manners can be taught, Lord Saladin.” Felwinter spoke quietly, earning a look from Saladin.
“You can’t be serious.” Saladin stated flatly, gesturing to the Warlock. “The stories I’ve heard about him…Osiris is obsessed with knowledge. Selfish. Undeserving of the title of Iron Lord.”
“I don’t want the title of Iron Lord. I have no intentions of being one. I came here to learn. To grow, to research. The Archives in the City are lacking in certain areas. I came here to learn better mastery over my Light, not fight and keep the Warlords in check. That is done enough by you, Lord Saladin, Lady Jolder. I want Lord Felwinter to teach me as a Warlock.” Osiris sounded bored, logical, to the point, eyes on Saladin, an amused mirth dancing around the corner of his eyes as he got a rise out of the Iron Lord.
“You little shit.” Saladin growled, turning to Osiris.
“Now, now.” Felwinter interjected gently. “He has a right to learn with us…If he is to learn, he is to learn from all of us. You can help hone his blade, Lord Saladin.”
Saladin paused, then nodded. “A blade that is dull is useless. The mind must be as sharp as the body.”
“I’m glad we agreed then!” Felwinter clasped his hands together. “Thank you, Warlord Shaxx for your news and delivering Osiris to us. We have food for you and your people. I’ll have a transport arranged for you.”
Shaxx gave a small nod, looking to Osiris, who gave him an even stare, before walking past him, following Felwinter into the Keep. Shaxx didn’t know who to feel sorry for. The Iron Lords, or Osiris. The Warlock glanced to Saladin and Jolder as he passed, the fierce intelligence behind the eyes rubbed Saladin the wrong way somehow. The cocky bastard held himself in an almost superior manner, walking with confidence into the Iron Temple. The tall pillars gave way to tall iron doors, leading to a large fire pit. Felwinter moved towards the library, nodding towards a few other students and Iron Lords as he passed. He knew the whispers that would follow Osiris as soon as the others learned that the famed Iron Lord Felwinter finally took on a student. They would wonder what made this Warlock so special, so above the rest. How they would just
wonder.
The reality was much more simple: Felwinter simply liked Osiris and the arrogance the Warlock had. A spark of something more and brilliant was wrapped up in all of that self assuredness, and Felwinter was curious.
“This is the library, the fireplace is over there.” Felwinter guided Osiris in, glancing back to the Warlock, watching the curiosity flit across the young face, hands twitching, edger to pull books off the shelf, and fade into the pages.
“It’s beautiful.” Osiris murmured softly, reverence in his voice as he swept his eyes over the high vaulted ceilings, the soft wooden arches that bled their way into shelves of books. Smooth flag stone floors seemed to circle their way towards the central location of the fireplace. Sofas, armchairs, soft pillows sat before the alter of warmth, waiting silently for someone to enter into their domain.
Felwinter watched him venture over to a row of books, running a hand almost lovingly across some of the spines, joy filling his features. The arrogance seemed to melt away, replaced with
need
and desire. Needing to understand more. To be more. Felwinter understood that all too well, even now. Stepping away from being a Warlord to being an Iron Lord, keeping the peace, he believed in his companions goals fully. Pulling himself from his thoughts, he saw Osiris already in a book, reading it over, and for the first time since meeting him, still as a statue. Felwinter smiled softly, before clearing his throat.
“Let me show you to your quarters.” Felwinter turned, tucking his hands behind his back as he walked. “You can bring the book with you.” He called over his shoulder as Osiris made to put it back.
The young Warlock inhaled softly, before hurrying to catch up to Lord Felwinter, book tucked under his arm. He glanced to the Exo, assessing him carefully. Osiris brushed his Light against Felwinter’s, then pulled it back abruptly, realising that was a boundary he crossed. Felwinter turned his head slightly to Osiris, before a gentle brush of cold Void Light touched the Solar warmth of Osiris’s Light. For a moment, Osiris could swear he heard soft whispers of song between the two connecting point, before it faded away as Felwinter pulled away.
“Curious. You’re nearly compatible with my own Light. Maybe your opposition is Void.” Felwinter hummed, resuming his path.
“Compatible?” Osiris asked, staying a half step behind Felwinter, wanting to show respect.
“Yes. Sometimes, two Lightbearers have compatible Light, deepening their connection to the Traveller, to each other, to their Light. It’s rare, but it does happen. You and I…are almost there. Void might be your other half, so to say. You have a strong connection with Solar Light, I can see that much, but it rounds itself out when tied to Void.” Felwinter explained gently. “Hm…I wonder who would be the exact match.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Osiris blush and duck his head, muttering softly in Arabic. Felwinter tilted his head, turning to Osiris.
“Oh? Do you already know?” He asked, leaning towards the flustered Warlock. Felwinter took some small pleasure in the fact Osiris squirmed under the pressure of the question.
“I…There…is a Titan who uses Void to protect the people of the Last City. He…and I are…on speaking terms.” Osiris cleared his throat.
“And you want to be on more than speaking terms?” Felwinter asked. “He must be rather special.”
“I…well. He is.” Osiris blushed more. “To the Last City!” He rushed to clarify.
Felwinter smiled knowingly, before turning around. “I see. It’s good to know what you will fight for.”
“I fight for the City. I am here for the City.” The arrogance returned to Osiris’s voice. No…No, not arrogance. Determination. Focus and will. Absolution.
Felwinter lead him past the meditation garden, with a simple tree and small decorative plants dotted around the zen garden. Felwinter pushed a large door open with ease, before stepping into a hall with dark wood and dark red wallpaper, dimly lit by small lanterns. Dark wooden doors were evenly spaced out in the hall. There was a table with an orchid resting in a planter near a door that Felwinter went to. He opened it and gestured inside.
“Your room. We will meet in the library tomorrow, to start your training in the morning. Early.” Felwinter nodded as Osiris ventured in.
A simple room, en suite style. A bed tucked in the corner, shelf near a window overlooking the mountain peak. It would have a lot of natural light, and lots of space enough for books and trinkets. Osiris nodded, turning to Felwinter.
“Thank you, Lord Felwinter. I will see you-” Osiris began.
“Tonight. Dinner is in the grand hall. Please be there. I want the others to meet you.” Felwinter smiled at him. “That way you can seek them out, should I not be around.”
“Are there reasons you would not be around?” Osiris asked, squinting slightly at him.
“Warlords like to push their luck at times. I remind them of their place.” Felwinter tilted his head in a slight nod. “Peace is only achieved if we are willing to ensure the cost of that peace.”
Osiris fell silent, but nodded in agreement. “I…yes. I will see you at dinner.”
Felwinter smiled, turned and dismissed himself, shutting the door behind him as he left. He felt almost giddy as he left down the hall. Osiris presented a challenge, of curiosity. Felwinter almost wished that the morrow would arrive already, wanting to test the young Warlock and see how he shook out.
Hours passed, and dinner time arrived. Felwinter had purposefully not told Osiris where the dining hall was, wanting to see what Osiris would do. Make friends, seek it out on his own, or simply just wander in with the crowds? He leaned back in his seat, watching the door as people filtered in. Towards the end, he spotted Osiris listening to another student, nodding now and then. Felwinter watched Osiris observe his surroundings, mimicking them to blend in, getting up to gather his food when his table was allowed to gather their meal. Survival. A good instinct to have in a new place. Felwinter hummed softly, glancing away to Saladin, who was enjoying his own meal.
“What do you think of Osiris?” Felwinter asked, taking in the Wolf’s features as they soured a little.
“...I hope you teach him manners. If you don’t, I will on the training fields.” Saladin huffed. “His arrogance is…not flattering. His disregard of respect is concerning.”
“Good thing you’ll be here to teach him, Lord Saladin. His blade will be tested and shaped by you, after all.” Felwinter mused at him.
Saladin huffed. “We’ll see if he can even fight.”
“Oh, I doubt he would come up here without knowing how to fight. He is a Guardian after all.” Felwinter pointed out.
“One who needs to be broken.” Saladin growled. “You teach him his Light…I will hone it.”
“Deal.” Felwinter practically purred, drawing a soft sound from Saladin as the Iron Lord gave him a look.
“Don’t flirt with me. It won’t get you anywhere, Felwinter.” Saladin grumbled.
“Who’s forgetting respectable titles now?” Felwinter teased gently.
Saladin rolled his eyes, returning to his meal, effectively ending their conversation, drawing a laugh from Felwinter. The Iron Lords and their students ate their dinner, parting when they were done. When Felwinter glanced over to Osiris’s table, he saw that the Warlock was already gone. Seemed the Warlock knew how to leave without being noticed, even in a large crowd of people. The Iron Lord would need to seek him out…
Rich and deep smell of books, leather, and wood permeated the vast library of the Iron Temple. Dim light flickered throughout, casting shadows through the rows of shelves, glinting off dull bits of metal that decorated older tomes. The silence of the library was disrupted with the soft sigh and slide of pages being turned, a book being shut, replaced on a shelf, and repeated. Soft footsteps fell across the decorated stone floor as Osiris emerged from between the shelves towards the comfortable chairs set by the fireplace. The man was dressed in short loose sleeves, dark brown with dull yellow pattern threads over it. Heavy pants with insulated leather boots pulled over them. He had changed out of his travel clothes, wanting to be in more of the robes worn around the temple. Soft brown hair curled around his face, pulled up in a half ponytail, framing a handsome face, supporting a thin beard. Full lips pursed slightly as he paused before the chair, his brown-gold eyes flickered over the pages, before he bit his lower lip in thought. The dying light of the fire danced over his warm brown skin, playing over his tattoos that decorated his arms, creating an almost delicate illusion of the man in the light. The sudden pop of wood drew Osiris from his thoughts, drawing his eyes to the fireplace. With great care, he closed the book and set it down, before adding more wood to the fire, watching it grow after a moment, humming in appreciation as more heat spilled from the hearth over his form.
“Osiris?” A soft voice called, seeking.
“Here.” The man called from the hearth, picking up his book once more, turning towards the direction of the voice.
A willowy exo quietly moved towards him, glancing towards the book, then towards Osiris. “Did you enjoy dinner?” Felwinter asked.
“Yes. Jacob was a gracious guide. He found me outside my room and offered to take me to the hall. A cryptarch, I believe.” Osiris nodded, brushing his fingers over the book, looking up at Felwinter.
“Yes, a rather talented one. I think Lady Jolder plans on sending him to study under Master Rahoul to further his studies.” Felwinter said.
“A good teacher. Master Rahoul has been able to pull data out of the smallest of things…Jacob will flourish under his teachings.” Osiris agreed, giving praise to the Awoken man.
Felwinter smiled softly, then waved him over. “Come now, you should go to bed. We’ll be here early in the morning.”
Osiris ducked his head in a bow, picking up his bag he had tucked next to the chair, placing his book inside of it. A Ghost appeared, chasing after Osiris, twirling in the air, their shell a lovely pointed star, golden in colour. It seemed to scan Felwinter, before glancing back to Osiris. The Warlock gave a warm smile up at his Ghost, holding a hand up for comfort, muttering softly and fondly to them.
“Ah, this is Sagria.” Osiris introduced his Ghost to Felwinter. “She’s been my constant companion.”
Felwinter gave a small nod to her. “Pleased to meet you. I hope you and your Guardian are up to the task of being here in the Iron Temple.”
“Please, he’s nothing but up to the task.” Sagira piped up, facing Felwinter. Protective of her Guardian, just as defiant, but in a more…welcoming way.
Felwinter snorted softly, before nodding. “Come, both of you.”
Osiris moved towards Lord Felwinter, before stumbling slightly. Lord Felwinter paused, before crossing quickly to Osiris, catching him before he fell forward as his body slumped against him. He carefully lowered Osiris to the ground, cradled in his arms, pushing the hair from his face. The brown-gold eyes were glowing a bright gold colour, staring blankly up at the ceiling as Osiris’ head lulled back against Felwinter’s shoulder.
“What is this?” Felwinter asked Sagira, shifting his face to frown.
“A vision…He has them now and then. They always just seem to come when he’s least expecting them.” Sagria fussed, twirling above Osiris, examining him. “He…might take a moment to come from it.”
“Do they happen often?” Felwinter asked, sounding surprise.
“Ah…they vary. It’s…part of the reason he came here. He doesn’t know how to control them. Osiris tried to do research, tried to understand them, but so few Lightbearers have this, there aren’t many records in the Archives.” Sagria explained.
“No…no, the Archives wouldn’t have something like this. This is…exceptionally rare, if his visions are proven true.” Felwinter nodded, placing a hand on Osiris’s face.
The Warlock didn’t respond, the gold in his eyes swirled with a deep red as if being pulled from the sun itself. Sagira hovered close as if waiting for something. Felwinter glanced to her, taking a moment to form his thoughts.
“This is the real reason he came here. To manage these visions.” Felwinter stated.
“It’s…one of the reasons. He really does admire you, and he’s practical about knowing when to further his research and training. The Iron Lords offer more than the City does.” Sagira turned her optic to him. “He is a great man…he will be a good man if you help him.”
Felwinter opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Osiris started to speak.
“
Two siblings cleaved by time and space, reflections never found alone,
The ending of the eldritch race—a path long seen but never known…”
Osiris spoke clearly, voice rippling with…strange distortion, before he fell silent.
Felwinter stared as Sagira recorded what Osiris had said, both watching as Osiris’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, passing out in Felwinter’s arms. The crackling of the fire filled the quiet space as Felwinter was silent for a moment, before standing with Osiris in his arms. He carried his new student back to Osiris’s room, setting him on the bed.
“...A rare gift indeed. I’ll stay until he wakes.” Felwinter brushed the hair from Osiris’s face, pulling covers over him lightly. “What a curious student indeed.”
Felwinter glanced outside as the snow fell and a lone wolf howled in the night, singing to the bleakness of the long winter that had settled over the Iron Temple.