Syndrome.

Kashmir looked directly at John. "Men, who's hands be orchestrated by the Gods' will. I am cursed, John. I am cursed as I always have been. My sins lay heavy upon my shoulders, and now... Now... " He looked over and the body of his still wife. His voice

John sat up, "No Kashmir! No! You have devoted your life to searching for the Gods, they could not have been part of this! "

Kashmir looked back, "I have found the Gods, John. I have found them, right here. Amongst the ruins of my life. Our Gods, that we pray to. That we confide in. That we give our lives to. They are not holy beings. They are not the Gods we have believed them to be. How can they be.  How can they allow this... "

John moved over to Kashmir, on his knees until he was in front of him. "Kashmir, blame not the Gods for this. Blame not yourself. There is good in what the Gods do. You know there is. "

Kashmir shook his head, tears flowing down his soot-ridden cheeks. "If there is good amongst the Gods, it is losing a battle we know nothing about. It has left me. They punish me for what I am. For who I am. For my existence. "

His voice merely a whisper now, "No Kashmir, you... You aren't right. You're a man, just as anyone else. You have no sin that could have brought this upon you. "

Kashmir began shuddering, his entire body quaking with each breath. The fury had not left his eyes, his voice grew louder, "No sin that you are aware of. Nor a sin I considered not paid in full with the absence of child!! "

John was taken aback, "Kashmir, of what... What do you speak? "

Kashmir stood up, "I am no man John. I am no human as this mask would have you believe. " He pointed to the remains of his wife that he had dropped on the ground. "This is a sign John. A mask, same as I am wearing. A sin from which I cannot escape, but for which I am not at fault. I DID NOT DESERVE THIS!! "

Kashmir placed a finger on his chest, "The Gods have forsaken me. Tortured me, and shown me for what they truly believe me to be. A masked sin in itself. "

John, still on the ground looked up to Kashmir, "No... How, how could they have? "

Kashmir looked down at him, "Because John. The Gods are not the benevolent beings we thought they were. This is now clear to me. They are weak, tyrannical, evil. THEIR OWN HATRED! It is spilling forth from the heavens! Don't you see!? They reject me for what I am! Their compassion better spent on those more deserving! I am a monster to them, a horror! " Kashmir's finger that he had placed on his chest began to glow white. "I will not have it, John! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THEIR INJUSTICE!! " His body began to glow a brilliant, searing white. His skin began to boil and steam, melting off his body slowly, white light radiating from his wounds.

John looked on in horror, moving backwards. "Kashmir! Stop! "

"NO! The syndrome of the Gods will NOT CONTROL ME! " The pain in Kashmir's eyes did nothing to betray the fire ripping through his flesh, screaming through his soul. He tiled his head back and released a howl never before heard by John's ears. Kashmir was engulfed in a white light as his magic tore the rest of his body away, forcing John to cover his eyes.

When the light faded John looked forward, trying to allow his eyes to adjust to the now pitch black sky. Before him, where Kashmir once stood, now was occupied by something unlike any that he ever knew existed.  Towering over him, several feet his senior, stood a machine. Gears, pulleys, pistons... All the makings of a machine, formed into a humanoid figure. The flesh that entombed this beast now melted away.

John, horrified could only say "Kashmir... " The machine's head looked downwards at him, it's voice raspy, unkind. "I am done hiding. " Kashmir turned towards the body of his wife and walked to it. Kneeling it reached an arm out, sharp mechanical fingers extended over the body. In a flash, the body caught fire, the ashes raising  into the night's sky. "Rest well, my love, " he said in the raspy, mechanical voice. " Standing up, without another word, nor a glance back to John, Kashmir walked off into the night.

Syndrome.

As they drew closer to Kashmir's house the plume of smoke grew thicker, the fires that created it still smouldering amongst the  ash of that which it burned. Then the odor hit. Rancid, acidic and strong enough to make the two of them begin coughing. They had slowed their pace down to a trot, wary of any danger, and still not knowing from where the fire burned. As they drew closer however, it became apparent to both of them. The smoke's origin lay within his home.

"Kashmir, wait! " John yelled, but he had already broken away, leaving John behind. Urging his horse forward ever faster, digging his heels into the beasts sides. He could see it now, as he sped along the plains. His house, on the outskirts of the village, in ruins, it's life fleeing upwards into the sky on the trail of the black soot. His horse thundered closer, it's hooves pounding the ground relentlessly, it's nostrils flaring as it breathed heavily. John was still shouting from behind him, trying to get him to stop. There was no stopping. He had to get to her, she had to be okay. She had to be.

John had fallen far behind Kashmir, as the man rushed towards his burning home, pushing his horse so hard it's a wonder the beast hadn't collapsed by now. John pushed his forward as well, trying to catch Kashmir, but to no avail. In the distance, he saw the man disappear into the smoke that surrounded the house. John stopped his horse several hundreds yards short, watching, not knowing what to expect.

Silence. Nothing had happened in nearly a minute - suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced his ears, shattering the silence and sending his horse in a panic, throwing him from the saddle. John immediately got to his feet and ran, as hard as his legs would allow it. Breathing harder than he ever had in his life, his feet carried him to Kashmir's house. The house was little more than rubble now, the entirety of the structure had been reduced to ash. It wasn't a large house, but the pile of smouldering wood lay scattered in several directions. Kashmir was no where to be seen. Breathing hard, John made his way around the side of the house. There, beyond the extent of the wreckage, was Kashmir, hunched over on the the ground. John stopped in his tracks as if punched in the gut. To Kashmir's left was a body, lying sprawled on the ground. It went without telling who the body belonged to. John moved forward, cautiously, so as not to startle Kashmir, keeping his eyes fixed on the body next to him. The light from the fading sun was enough to give illumination to what John had wished not to see. The body was blackened, burned in the same manner as the house. But from so far out... It was not from the same fire. Wrenching his gaze off the remains of Kashmir's wife and back to the man himself he continued moving forward, but stopped short again when a voice came from in front of him.

"John. " Barely more than a whisper. "Why? "

John continued to look at Kashmir as he stood up, his hands in front of him, his head down. "Why? " He uttered again, louder this time. "Kashmir... " John said quietly as he moved forward again, reaching Kashmir's back. Putting a hand out and grabbing his shoulder he pulled Kashmir, attempting to pull him around. As Kashmir turned, John jumped in shock and horror to what he saw before him. Kashmir's downwards gaze became suddenly apparent. In his hands, stripped brutally from her head, lie the burnt flesh that was once his wife's visage. John stumbled backwards and fell down, tripping over a rock. He leaned over and emptied his stomach onto the ground beside him. He looked back  up at Kashmir, who still held the same pose. His arms fell, dropping the flesh in his hands. Falling to his knees, Kashmir looked up at John. "Why John? Why has this happened? "

John stammered, "I-I-I don't know... I... Kashmir... "

Fury ignited in Kashmir's eyes, "WHY HAVE THE GODS FORSAKEN ME!? " His fists clenched as he yelled into the sky, "Why have you taken all I ever cared about from me!? WHY!? "

John could barely find his voice, "K-Kashmir. This could not have been the Gods' doing. It was men Kashmir... The Gods, they... They could not have done this."

Syndrome.

The trip down the mountain went without incident of outside influence. Once a man nearly slipped down a steep slope, but with a quick spell of levitation, his life was spared. Upon reaching camp, the clamor of another successful excursion burst through the group. One last night was to be spent here, before their return the following day. As the sun faded and all returned to their tents a few remained outside to take in the feeling of accomplishment, Kashmir and John among them.

They stood out on the Eastern ridge of the plateau upon which their trail had begun. "Soon, " John said to Kashmir, "Soon you will be back with her. We are fortunate that we needed only be gone for such a short amount of time. "

Kashmir nodded, "I had promised her I'd return by the week's end, however. " He chuckled, "I am already late, she will have both my ears when I return. "

John scoffed, "Well you would be the deserving recipient for having foolishly promised your timeliness! "

Laughing Kashmir nodded, "As we men always our in our loving wives eyes. "

Yawning John turned around towards the camp, "I fear I must retire. The night is growing late and we've still a few days travel ahead of us. You should think about doing the same. "

John nodded, "I am sure all is well. The world is not a perfect place, so never will it feel so. Especially not to one such as you. Good night, Kashmir. "

As John walked off, Kashmir turned back towards the East. A feeling of pure dread washed over his body. He kneeled in prayer.

As he awoke the next morning, Kashmir left his tent, the rising sun greeting him from the base of the mountain. He had slept longer than he desired but felt quite rested. The negative feeling swimming through his mind had not been extinguished however. There still remained doubt that everything was well.

To his surprise, John was still on the mountain, whereas mostly everybody else had departed before the sun arose. Walking over to him with a smile John greeted him. "Morning! I decided I'd ride back with you today, and you have no say in matter. " Laughing Kashmir grinned, "your presence is always accepted, brother. Is this decision absent reason? "

"Is companionship not reason enough!? " John laughed. "Come, you lazy child, your slumber has wasted much of the day already! "

It had indeed, having wanted to leave long before now, Kashmir was beyond tardy for departure. Wrapping up the last of their supplies and stringing them to their saddles, they both mounted their horses and set off down the mountain. With the Gods' favor they would make as good of time on their return they did on their arrival.

During the entire travel home, Kashmir could not shake his feeling that something was amiss. He only wish through all his wondering and his prayers of the first night on the trip back, that something would reveal the meaning of his worry.

"Kashmir, " John said his name in a low voice, threaded with concern. "What's that, over there? "

Kashmir looked towards the direction of John's outstretched finger, directly in front of them on the horizon. A black cloud filled the sky at the far reaches of their sight, stringing up from the ground and expanding as it reached the clouds. Smoke. For the past few hours they had been on a direct course towards Kashmir's home, John had planned to stay the night with him and his wife, as his residence was another day's march south. The smoke that lay in front of them, lay in the direction of his home and village. Were they burning crops?

"I don't know, " Kashmir replied. "Perhaps the village is burning waste. Around this time of year anything from the harvest that isn't to be used is burned. The smoke is not generally so black though... " He looked over at John, who's expression was riddled with doubt. The same feeling of utter horror washed over Kashmir again. This is what had been nagging at his senses for the past two days.

"John, we must hurry."

With that, the two kicked their horses into a gallop, speeding towards the village.

Syndrome.

A scream caused John to stop in his tracks and quickly spin around. As soon as he had time to turn around, the sound of steel being drawn rang through the air. One of their warriors had drawn his blade in the middle of a commotion in the center of the group where a wolf had attacked one of the monks. The man was lying on his back, his arms crossed over his face as the wolf stood on top of his biting at the man's face. Before John could reach them, however, the man who had drawn his blade had  thrust it forward, plunging it deep into the wolf's side. With a loud yelp, the wolf let off it's attack and stumbled to the side. Panting and bleeding it collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily until at last it's last breath fled from it's body.

John ran down to the wounded man still lying on the ground. The warrior that had struck the wolf down sheathed his blade, and amidst deep breaths reported, "it came out of no where John, just attacked this man. "

John waived his hand, "no matter, this man needs attention. " The monk had deep lacerations along his arms and abdomen. The wolf had managed to tear through his robes with it's claws while scoring several bites on the man's arms.

Arriving at John's side Kashmir kneeled next to the man, surveying his wounds. "How's it look, Kash? "

Kashmir reached his hands out, touching the man's cuts on his stomach. The monk squirmed in pain. "They're not beyond repair, but only just. He is lucky." His hands over the man's body, Kashmir began to hum in tones, softly. With no visual indication of what was happening, the man's wounds began to glow white. Nothing much happened at first, until he started screaming in pain. John and the other warrior each held the man down to prevent him from further injuring himself. His wounds began to emit a fine white steam as Kashmir's magic cauterized them shut. It was a painful process, however, it was life saving in every instance John had ever seen it used.

Kashmir nodded when his task was done. "Bandage him, as the wounds may yet bleed. He will be well enough to walk in an hour or two though, the wounds weren't deep enough to cause severe damage. " The wounded monk grabbed Kashmir's hand and looked at him sternly. "Thank you, priest." was all he said before lying his head down on the ground.

Kashmir smiled and nodded. "Rest for a bit, drink some tea and eat. You will recover before long. " He stood up and left the man's side to address the crowd that had gathered. "All is well, everyone. Take a break for now, our pace has been strenuous. Eat, drink, and rest. We will continue in a couple hours. "

The crowd dispersed as the people search for a place to sit and rest their legs, talking amongst themselves about what had just taken place. John left the monk's side as well and walked over to Kashmir, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.

Kashmir turned around and smiled.

"I am sorry, my friend, for my-"

Kashmir cut him off by raising a hand. "Worry not, John. I understand your intended haste, I would have greater need of it myself were I a smarter man. "

John sighed in relief, "Were you yet able to pray? "

Nodding, Kashmir smiled again and replied, "Of course. I believe it the luck of the Gods that that man survived tonight. The wounds were worse than I had admitted to. He will be fine however. "

John returned the smile. "I am glad. Thank you, Kashmir. "

Kashmir clasped John's hand, "I am happy to be along for the ride, friend. "

Midday of the next day saw the end of the first half of their journey. John was the first to breach the summit, followed by a few of the hardier monks and priests. Kashmir arrived last, helping the monk that had been attacked the day before along the last steep incline. The view was breathtaking. There was naught on the top of the mountain aside from their party save the cool air as if breathed from the heavens themselves. This place truly was as close to the Gods as you could hope to reach. And below, through the sporadic cover of wispy clouds, could all the lands been seen. Kashmir looked over to the east, towards his home. Soon, darling. Soon I will return to your arms.

John walked up to Kashmir and slapped him hard on the back. "How about THIS! Is this not a spectacle greater than any you've witnessed before?"

Kashmir smiled warmly, "Almost, John. Almost. "

John took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of the mountaintop. "Shall we now pray, my friend? I feel we have much to catch up on."

Syndrome.

John stood in the front of the large crowd of explorers, preparing to lead them on what they call an excursion. Their company had no name, yet they worked unanimously together. They explored the extreme reaches of the realm in search of higher religious understanding and knowledge. This particular area has been known to be home to several anomalies, thought to be caused by the Gods. Anomalies such a strange lights in the night skies and noises not known to be procured from any man nor beast. These journeys were often dangerous and requires a great amount of care along the way. Violence was not amongst their ideals, however in areas such as this it cannot be avoided at times. Many within the group were skilled warriors and mages. John was one such warrior. His skills honed in the arenas of a land which he has never spoken. His time as a slave was not one he cared to return his memory's eye toward. His freedom he had taken as an act of mercy from the Gods, for he was to die in the pits of the arena's underworld. Since his release he had traveled the world, in search of the hand that graced moved the will to see him free.

A torch in one hand, John turned towards the crowd, lifting it high above his head. His voice boomed out, reaching all ears, wanting of reception or not. "Listen up! We haven't much time. The storms of ice and snow here are not mere legend. The Gods have seen fit to bless us with a few days of relief. We must use this to our advantage! If we march fast, we will reach our goal on the summit of this peak in 2 days time, and another 2 for our return. We will begin in one hour! Pack all you will  need and return to this area when ready. We will begin at the break of dawn! "

Lowering his torch, John stepped down off the outcropping of rock that had him hoisted above the heads of his many onlookers. At the bottom he met Kashmir, who was waiting expectantly. Kashmir, along with his pursuit of religious enlightenment, was a man of battle, the same as John. However his gift lie not in the harming of others, but in the healing. His gift of restorative magic had been a welcome presence these past few years. So invaluable were they, in fact, that the past several trips had seen not a single person lose their life, to any sort of attack or malady. His true purpose was not known to any, not even John, for he never spoke a word of his meaning behind his search. Though none asked, as his reasons were his own. "Kashmir! Is there something you needed before we left? "

Kashmir shook his head, smiling. "I am fine John, I just wished to know if we might pray before we departed. We could use all the favor we can get in his harsh climate. "

John looked forlorn at the request, "I am sorry Kashmir, but there is simply not enough time. We must finish preparations if we are to return safely before the weather worsens. I am truly sorry, my friend. " With that, he left Kashmir with a nod and walked towards the encampment now being torn down and packed up for the journey. He still had his own packing to do.

Upon reaching his tent, John looked back before entering to where he had left Kashmir. He still stood in the same spot as before, his head down. A pang of sorrow stabbed at John's heart.

It was noon of the next day. The progression had made good time thus far, blessed with an ever forgiving path. John stayed out front, leading the group towards the summit. Their path had taken them in a winding direction around the peak of the mountain, to avoid the need to scale. Their group was not large, only around 30 people followed behind John, however a vertical climb would be dangerous, and at the very least could slow them down significantly.

John turned his head around for a moment, peering through the faces, checking to ensure all looked well. Kashmir was near the rear of the party, where he always stayed, in order to keep an eye on everybody were something to happen. Turning his head back to the front, John pressed forward, allowing thoughts to run through his head. Thoughts of the previous night and the state in which he had left his friend. Thought they had only known each other for a small few years, Kashmir has been there alongside John since the founding of the missions. It pained John to have turned away Kashmir's request. The man took prayer very seriously, and John knew he had insulted his friend. He would have to make things right as soon as they reached -

"AUGGGHHHH!!!! "

Syndrome.

"I won't be long, love. 'Tis a swift journey, and a small errand. The week's end shall see my home coming." Kashmir, a man of average build and fair looks yet of exceptional height, stood on his front door step. A slight breeze gently pushing his black, smooth hair across his bronzed face. He stood facing the only woman he need know in his life. His wife was a gift from the Gods that defied all reasoning. Beyond the intelligence allowed most human beings, beauty that he believes makes the days longer, loyalty that could cause a hound to doubt his service, and a humor that jackal's would envy. He could endure the curses of his life if she remained his companion.

She smiled at him, her features marred by perfection. "Your Gods that you pursue, will land you in trouble one of these days my husband. Theirs is not a power to take lightly. " As she had warned him countless times before. Kashmir smiled back, "In this, and this only, I consider your thoughts astray. They do so gift us with happiness. "

At this, a look of sadness crossed her eyes as she brought a hand to her belly. "But they do yet curse us in other ways. Forget that not, dear. "

Taking her hands, he comforted her as well as he could. "The fault lies not with you, 'tis I that bear the curse which holds a child from our arms. "

With a kiss on her lips he said, "Perhaps before my trip is through, the God's will have realized that fact. " Returning the smile to her face.

"Then with bated breath it is that I await your return. "

"I must leave with haste then, lest you wait too long to remember. " With another kiss, he released her hands and turned away down his steps and to his horse that awaited his presence at the bottom. The horses saddle was laden with supplies for his journey. Though it was short, it would be taxing for he must travel into the mountains to the west. The arduous trek required ample preparation. Mounting the horse turned towards his wife and returned the wave she bid him farewell with.

Turning on his steed he set off, leaving his wife and his modest country-side home behind him. The sun just barely having risen greeted his skin warmly.

"KASHMIR! "

He barely had time to dismount his horse than he was embraced in a hug unmatched by any bear. Laughing he returned the hug, "John! I had not thought to see you here on this excursion, was it not only a fortnight ago your wife gave birth? "

Breaking their grasp on each other John nodded, "Yes yes, but Sam can well take care of the little bastard. She has had experience in this, you know! " John newborn isn't their first and most likely not their last, for seven others have preceded the most recent. Their love for children keeps the whole lot of them well cared for, however.

Kashmir chuckled, "I suppose your right. Mayhap the two of you could give me some well heeded advice! "

John slapped Kashmir on the shoulder and laughed, "The only advice you need lies here, my friend. In this mountain. " Beyond his now outstretched arm, the whole of the mountainside lie before them. The wind was chill and the white of the snow reflected brightly the sun's midday gaze. It had taken Kashmir merely two days and nights to reach the destination. The remainder of the expedition were not to arrive until the next day. John's early arrival was a welcome surprise. "Of that you are correct, John, I do pray for our success here in the coming days. "

John nodded his agreement, "Shall we begin to set up the camp? We've a lot of work to do before we can set out. We may as well ready the area for the rest of the group. "

Nodding, Kashmir turned back to his horse and began unpacking the required supplies.