Chapter Text
Chara trudged through the mud, rain pouring down as they made their way through the treacherous mountain side. There weren't any paths this way, or any easy way up the mountain for that matter. After all, everyone knew monsters lived here, and no one was too keen on dying a horrible death. Especially considering the powerful demons that lead them.
Demon. That's a name that's haunted Chara since they were born, their red eyes being a point of vitriol from anyone who met them. The abuse they suffered in their village was proof of this, a festering hatred for humanity bubbled within them, daring to spill outward at the slightest provocation. There were other reasons they were reviled, their sharp teeth and love of flame spelled disaster in the eyes of the locals, believing them to be the spawn of a chaos demon.
Well, what was to happen now, that this so-called demon was granted a vision by a god?
They would follow it, of course, if only the chance to spare them from the endless mistreatment spurred on by everyone else.
Last night, Chara was visited in their dreams by a golden star, it promised them power if they climbed Mt Ebbot. A teacher who would grant them dominion over fire itself would be found in a cave near the summit. They just hoped that the promise was true and not just a baseless hallucination from the sickness they had caught the other day.
Their body burned from the illness, muscles aching from the seemingly endless march. The rain began to come down harder, drenching their already worn down attire. Just as they began to ponder how worthwhile it would be to turn back, they spotted something in the distance. An opening in the mountainside, just like the star had said there would be. As they started to hurry with renewed spirit, they tripped on a root and crashed to the ground, sharp stones dug into them as they rose to their feet once more. They were so close to becoming someone worth something, they wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
Chara approached the gash in the terrain, only hesitating slightly when they noticed the smell of smoke emanating from it. They steeled their resolve as they shuffled into the crack, determined to face whatever might lie in wait on the other side.
The first thing they saw when they entered was a campfire in the center of the grotto the space opened up into. The second thing they saw was an old lady sitting at that campfire staring directly at them, seemingly waiting for them to make a move. Chara flinched when they met her gaze, her glassy, unfocused eyes were full of unyielding resolve. Even though she looked fragile enough that a strong breeze might send her away, they recognized those tattered clothes she wore, signifying that she was a genuine pyromancer.
Once, one would pass through their home town wearing armor identical to hers. He was met with scorn from the villagers, but Chara didn't care because the Pyromancer, while odd yet friendly, prattled on about fire with them for as long as they cared to listen. He even told them about his homeland, The Great Swamp, and how he was off to Lordran, the home of the gods, to seek the truth behind the rumors of the Chosen Undead. They had planned to sneak out of the village to join his pilgrimage, But when the others found out he was undead himself, they chased him out for fear of him spreading the curse.
Chara locked eyes with the decrepit woman before plastering on their signature smile, perhaps it would be enough to placate her out of murdering them for their intrusion.
"Greetings, I am Chara. I was told there would be someone here who would be willing to teach me Pyromancy?"
The old crone leaned forward, sparks from the campfire danced dangerously close to her face. "Come closer child, so that I might see you in the light."
Chara stepped closer to her, they knew they must look like they crawled out of a dreg heap with how poorly maintained their outfit was. They were scrawny in comparison to most people their age due to their lesser status, on top of them shivering violently from the poor weather and their sickness. She spoke again,
"Ahhh, yes, crimson eyes. Polaris spoke highly of you. Indeed, it promised me a worthy pupil who would bathe the wretched world in the flames of new beginnings."
Chara perked up at the name. "...Is that what that star is called?"
"It didn't tell you? Hm, I knew it was eager for us to meet, but for it to not tell you its name… ha! The old bastard must have wanted me to explain instead, oh you sly beast!"
She let out a hearty laugh at the thought, before motioning to Chara to sit. "Come, come, let me tell you a bit about Polaris The Guiding Star, god of monsters."
"Why would you tell me of this god? Am I not here to learn Pyromancy?" Chara asked.
"Ah, but it is the origin you seek, flame had shaped this world, as did Polaris. Now, listen closely."
"Once, a long time ago, when the world was still in an age of dark, a star fell out of the sky. This star would breathe life into rock, creating the first monsters."
"The monsters and the star would journey together across the land in search of a home."
"They would find a dying Archdragon, one who was stripped of its immortality by Gwyn and his knights.
"The dragon and the star struck a deal, the dragon would be granted its immortality back in exchange for protecting the monsters."
"In a sign of friendship, they named one another."
"And thus the star became Polaris, and the dragon became Ebott."
Chara put a hand up, "Wait wait, hold on, you're telling me that Mt Ebbot is actually the body of a dragon?" That story was far too short and far too vague for their liking.
The old woman tilted her head, "Why, that's how the story goes. There's more to it than just that however, and I wouldn't mind sharing more later, after you get what you came here for, that is."
"Of course." Chara said, "How does one learn Pyromancy anyway?"
"Every Pyromancer needs a flame." She gestures to the campfire in front of them. "Go on." She urges, "Take it."
Chara holds their hand out, hesitant at what exactly they were supposed to do, before the woman reaches through the fire, and pulls their hand into it. Chara grits their teeth, expecting searing pain and boiling blisters, but they are instead greeted with a gentle warmth that soothes their ailing body.
"This is my gift to you, student of mine. Grasp it, make the fire yours."
They do as they are told, the hag places a hand atop their fist and pushes them back a bit, out of the heat. When they open their hand, they are met with the sight of a flickering ember.
"That, young one, is a Pyromancy flame. The first step to learning the arts is to have one of your own, granted to you by your teacher."
"What did you do to me?" Chara asks, they felt better than they had in years.
"Healed you, fire can give as it can take away, you'll know all about that in due time. But for now, I shall teach you until this campfire goes out, then you will return home."
Chara frowned, but wondered as they had no other real place to go, "Why would Polaris intend to send me home? Am I not supposed to become one of its new champions?" It had not so subtly hinted that there would be more to things than just acquisition of free power, and they were dying to know what the full deal entailed.
"You know, it will take at least a few weeks to teach you everything that I know, on top of what Polaris gave me to tell you. And it would take a lifetime of traveling to master all of fire's secrets."
"The first time I tried to come here the hike took six hours." Chara motioned behind them, noting how it was now night outside and still pouring down rain.
She shrugged, "It's a part of your training, then. Now if there are no more questions, we should start soon." Chara's anger threatened to come out, but she was right, the more time they talked the less time there was to learn. Even so, their curiosity burned at a single detail.
"One last thing, you never told me your name, and I would much rather like to show some respect instead of just calling you… teacher." They were tempted to call her 'old lady' but if she was as good at Pyromancy as they thought she was, she might just burn them to a crisp for their insolence.
She leaned back, face shrouded in shadow when she next spoke, "But of course, I am Ignis. Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes."
"Then let us begin the journey of learning together."