Les Gris - TI4

by Heckrotte, Fran

  Dis snorted at the absurdity of the statement.

  "Ridiculous! More likely they don't want to associate with primitives."

  Realizing this could escalate into something confrontational, Lilith decided to step in.

  "Be nice, Dis! Now isn't the time to debate superiority."

  "You're right, of course," Dis replied. "Not that there is anything to debate. At the moment, though, I have guests waiting for me. Perhaps I should leave this matter for you to handle, Lilly. You were always better dealing with humans."

  Before she could reply, Dis vanished.

  "Isn't that just like a male demon?" she asked and then turned to the others. "Tell me what I need to do."

  Lunara quickly explained her plan to Belle, who passed the information on to Lilith.

  "Lunara says it's imperative that the Child be ready for the merging before the Blood Moon rises. If she's even one second late, there's nothing we can do."

  "She'll be there," Lilith promised.

  "One more thing. The Les Gris fear something called the Shadow Demon. They're afraid it might try to capture Raylena during the merger."

  "This isn't a demon, otherwise I would know about it. I'm not sure what I can do to help other than make sure Caelene isn't distracted."

  Before anyone could reply, a black void opened near the kitchen door. Stepping from the darkness, Intunecat walked into the room.

  Randi's mouth fell open and then she plopped down onto a chair unable to speak.

  "Good evening, Belle. Lilith, it's good to see you again."

  "You too, Intunecat. You just missed Dis."

  "Ah, too bad. I was looking forward to meeting him."

  Lilith laughed. Having two powerful males in the same room would indeed have been interesting. "Perhaps another time," he said and then turned to Randi. "I take it you are the human Belle mentioned?"

  "Ummm, yeah." Randi was at a loss for words. The whole evening was becoming too surreal.

  "Has your Les Gris agreed to the proposition? We have a great deal to do in a short time."

  I will do it!

  "She's agreed to do it!" Randi translated.

  "And Caelene?" Intunecat asked, looking at Lilith.

  "My daughter has no choice."

  "Unfortunately, she does. If she doesn't cooperate, it will never happen." Belle interjected.

  "Like I said, she has no choice."

  "Then I guess there's nothing left to do but determine how we're going to do this. My biggest concern is protecting Raylena and the Child. The Les Gris will be extremely vulnerable while they are focusing their energies on the joining."

  "I will do what I can to help," Intunecat offered, "but I'm not sure it will be enough. This Shadow Demon appears to be extremely elusive; otherwise I would have noticed it sooner."

  "I'll provide demons to help you search the darkness," Lilith added. "Maybe between all of us, we'll scare it off or at least discover it before it does any damage."

  It won't be enough, Lunara said. As Intunecat said, this demon is elusive. We need the Elementals to search the darkness. Hopefully Rainbow will be able to talk them into it.

  "Lunara doesn't think it will be enough," Belle explained. "She's hoping the Elementals will get involved."

  "It's been a long time since I've heard that name," Intunecat said. "Most have disappeared from this world, thanks to humans. Why would they agree now?"

  "Lunara thinks they might. She's sent someone to ask them."

  "That would be extremely helpful. Now if Rainbow can get the Aurora to help, we might just pull this off," Belle said.

  "There is no might," Lilith replied. "Failure isn't an option. I must be going now. I need to talk to Caelene."

  If Belle could have seen Randi's face she would have laughed at the stunned expression as the demoness vanished. Without saying anything, Intunecat also disappeared, wanting to get back to his own realm. He had plenty to do and saw no reason to hang around once Lilith was gone.

  "She... they..." sputtered Randi. "Did you see... I mean, of course, you didn't... but..."

  Frowning, Belle turned in the direction of Randi's voice.

  "Are you alright?"

  She's fine, Lunara interjected, sending Belle an image of what happened. Lilith's and Intunecat's sudden departure caught her by surprise.

  Oh! Is that all? Belle replied, unfazed. Considering who they are, what did she expect? Besides, I'm finding it harder and harder to be surprised by anything anymore.

  I know what you mean. Meeting Lilith and Intunecat was impressive enough without Dis showing up.

  He was rather interesting, wasn't he? I wish I could have seen him. Belle sighed dramatically.

  You should have taken his offer.

  Naw, I like things the way they are. Besides, he could never live up to my imagination, could he? Belle asked.

  No, Lunara lied. Belle had sacrificed so much by refusing Dis' offer, Lunara felt guilty. The last thing she wanted was for Belle to think she had missed seeing someone as magnificent as him. You'd have been very disappointed. Now I think you need to attend to Randi. Lighthra and Raylena are having a hard time calming her down.

  I can imagine.

  "So, Randi, how about some more homemade spaghetti?" Belle asked, moving toward her friend. Mumbling to herself, Randi just shook her head and followed the blind woman as she made her way into the kitchen.

  CHAPTER 21

  The Elementals

  RIDING AMONGST the winds, Wandra watched the leaves caught up in her wake scatter across the land. Nothing could stop her progress as she sped over the lands and seas, enjoying the freedom that only an air Elemental could experience. Occasionally, she would encounter another Sylph and they would frolic with wild abandon, catching the tumultuous gusts of winds that the summer thunderstorms kicked up. Eventually, exhausted, they would bid each other farewell and continue on their lonely journey. There were so few of her kind left. They were a dying breed, caught up in the destruction that humanity had wreaked upon the planet. In time, like many other mystical creatures, they too would pass beyond, leaving the world a poorer place.

  Wandra threw back her head and laughed. It felt good to ride the wild winds as they carried her across the lands and oceans. Storms were her favorite, providing unpredictable twists and turns, ups and downs, and exhilarating speed. Only hours before, she had been resting in her cloud cave, high above the Himalayas, enjoying the cold winds that bounced off the snowy peaks. Singing softly, her siren-like voice scattered in all directions, carried on the jet stream, where it was eventually lost amongst the booming thunderclaps of a tropical storm. Still, it remained audible to her own kind. A Sylph could hear another from anywhere on the planet.

  Now sailing over the Blue Ridge Mountains, she glanced toward the earth and saw fires racing across the coastal plains of Georgia.

  Salamanders, she thought and grimaced. One of these days they're going to realize that even they are doomed if they don't stop their destruction.

  Changing directions to get a better view, she saw two Gnomes, a few miles north of the advancing flames, motioning for her to come closer.

  Are you in trouble, my friends? she called out, hovering over the thermo-drafts the hot flames were causing as they heated up the air.

  No, no, Cousin. We've been looking for you. Rainbow asked us to give you a message if we saw you.

  And what message would that be?

  She needs to see you. It's very important.

  It must be for you to come so close to the Salamander's havoc. Thank you. Hurry now, the fires come. Have you a place of safety?

  Yes, there's a cave nearby. It will provide a safe harbor if we can beat the fires.

  Hurry then! I'll send the winds to keep them at bay until you find shelter.

  Thank you, Cousin, the Gnomes replied simultaneously. Waving goodbye, they set off toward a cavern, knowing the cool air would shelter them from the heat of the devastation.

  Nodding her head,
Wandra watched the two Gnomes until they disappeared into the darkness and then set out in search of Rainbow. It wasn't long before she found the colorful Boreal dancing above a storm blowing across the Atlantic waters, her shimmering body glistening in the sunlight.

  Good morning, Sister. I hear you are looking for me.

  Wandra, how are you?, Rainbow yelled, making sure she could be heard above the roar of the thunder. In her excitement, she danced happily around the Sylph, her colors flashing rapidly.

  I'm fine. Just caught a jet stream from the Arctic. It was quite refreshing. How are you?

  Oh, I'm quite well, thank you. It's a glorious day. The sun is so bright up here, I feel young again.

  Wandra grinned. It was good to see her friend happy. The world of the Elementals was shrinking and many now lived in despair.

  It's good to see you so full of life, but I hear you needed to talk with me.

  Yes, I need your help... or at least my friend does. She's in a lot of trouble.

  I'm sorry to hear that. What can I do?

  I need you to take a message to the Aurora. They might be able to help her.

  Who is this friend?

  She is Les Gris.

  Les Gris? Wandra asked in surprise.

  Yes! It's a rather complicated situation. Perhaps I should explain what has happened.

  Perhaps you should, the Sylph agreed.

  Wandra knew that Rainbow had a special relationship with a few humans, unlike many of the Boreal. Although she, herself, held no animosity toward mankind, the Sylph wasn't exactly thrilled to assist them in any way, even if it was indirectly through one of their life partners. After listening to Rainbow's story, she unconsciously shook her head, unsure of her feelings.

  You know I never involve myself in human affairs, she said.

  Yes, but this isn't just about them. It's about all of us. I fear our world will suffer greatly if we ignore their problem. A powerful demoness has lost her life partner. Without her Les Gris, she'll eventually become unbalanced.

  History is filled with unbalanced demons. What makes this one so different?

  Rainbow danced nervously around Wandra, her brilliant blues and reds pulsating almost hypnotically.

  She's the offspring of the Underlord and Lilith. Her potential for destruction is unimaginable.

  Wandra frowned. Although the Elementals paid little heed to demons, they were very much aware of the damage demons had wrought upon mankind. Much of humanity's problems were rooted in the demons' penchant for creating trouble amongst believers. Interestingly, the non-believers were relatively safe from the mischief-makers. It was extremely difficult trying to get someone to see something they didn't think existed.

  That could indeed be a problem. What can the Aurora do?

  The Les Gris need them to watch for the Shadow Demon while they try to bond another life partner to this demoness. The transition has to take place during the Blood Moon.

  Why can't they watch out? There are plenty of Les Gris to stand guard, Wandra asked.

  Their energies will be focused on the bonding. It will mean the humans and Les Gris are going to be vulnerable to an attack should it come. The Aurora may be able distract the Shadow Demon long enough for them to complete their task, Rainbow explained patiently.

  If they're willing to help, you mean, which is a big if.

  You must convince them, Wandra. I can't stress the importance of this. There's no place this demon child can't reach if it wishes. Even the Aurora wouldn't be able to hide from her.

  True, Wandra agreed. There were few places a demon couldn't access. I'll try but I make no promises.

  That's all I can ask. Thank you.

  Before departing, Rainbow gave the Sylph a more detailed plan of what needed to be done.

  Call to me once you have an answer. I'll be as close as the daylight will allow me.

  Good. Wish me luck.

  Before Rainbow could respond, Wandra was whisked away on a strong gust of wind. Within minutes she disappeared into the mouth of a cave several miles away.

  * * *

  Several Aurora were gathered in a chamber amongst the crystal chandeliers of their dark subterranean home. Except for the constant dripping of water and occasional breezes sweeping through the labyrinth of shafts, the black world of these Elementals was quiet and peaceful. The heart of the earth provided them the one thing the surface could not... complete security. Even though humans had made great advances probing into the depths of these caverns, it would be a long time before they could reach the dark sanctuaries of the Aurora... perhaps never – and never suited the Elementals just fine. Of course, the reclusive Elementals had one weapon against which even the humans couldn't defend, although they rarely used it. Should the intruders get too close to their homes, the Aurora could collapse entire cave systems, either trapping or blocking the uninvited visitors.

  Aurora were different from other Elementals in that they loved to socialize. At any given time, there could be dozens of them packed together in the same cavern, gossiping about their newest exploits or openly copulating with any willing to partake in their favorite diversion.

  Although they lived in darkness, they were quite capable of seeing everything around them. Nothing escaped their keen eyesight or sharp hearing, which gave them an advantage over everything entering their world. Wandra's arrival was no surprise.

  * * *

  "What brings you here, Sylph?" an invisible voice called out from the darkness.

  "Forgive the intrusion, but it's imperative I speak to your council."

  "I speak for my people. Again I ask, what brings you here?"

  Wandra could feel movement around her as the other Aurora stopped their playful antics to listen to the intruder. Sylphs were known for their sexual prowess and thus the object of many a fantasy amongst the dark Elementals.

  "I've come to deliver a message to you."

  "And you are?"

  "Wandra."

  "Ah, well now, we're most honored to have you visit us. You're legendary amongst my people. It's said that you can satisfy even the lustiest of the Aurora."

  Wandra would have denied it... if it weren't true. The fact was that she had enjoyed many sexual encounters with the different races of Elementals and was more than capable of fulfilling their wildest fantasies.

  "There is truth in that," she replied matter-of-factly, "but that isn't why I'm here."

  "That's too bad. I was looking forward to a little excitement. Perhaps another time."

  "Perhaps," she agreed. "I've come as a messenger of the Boreal. They're in need of your assistance."

  "It must be very important indeed. Our cousins rarely make such requests since our worlds are such opposites. We can only meet during the dawns and dusks. What can we do for them?"

  "They need you to assist the Les Gris in a ritual during the next Blood Moon."

  "A ritual? Since when did the Les Gris ever need help from Elementals? I've met a few over the centuries. They're a strange species, somewhat solitary considering their relationship to mortals."

  "I suppose. It can't be pleasant knowing your very existence is so dependent on another. We Elementals are lucky. We need no one to survive."

  The Aurora laughed.

  "Maybe you don't, but my people thrive on social interaction. Where there is one, there will be many. We're digressing though. I've heard a few Les Gris have become friends with some of the Sylph and Boreal but I've never heard them requesting assistance before."

  "Then you will understand their desperation. They don't make such requests lightly. Do you have a name?" Wandra asked. It felt odd talking to someone she couldn't see.

  "Forgive my rudeness. I am Obsidia, descendent of Ebonia, Piceous and Negriscent."

  From the tone, Wandra knew it was meant to impress her. Unlike most races of Elementals, it took three Aurora to create an offspring and the timing of their climaxes had to be perfect. Added to the problem was that each Aurora, who was hermaphrod
itic, had to adjust their gender at the moment of copulation to accommodate the other participants making success extremely difficult and reproduction rare. Only seven new Aurora had been conceived in the last eight hundred years. Fifty had disappeared without a trace, leaving their numbers only a few thousand. They too were a dying race. As humanity's technologies grew, the ability to light the world had improved tremendously. Although the Aurora knew there were places mankind could never touch, deep within the bowels of Earth, they still felt the pressure of encroachment. Many resented humans; others simply accepted their fate. A few, though, believed that, in time, Gaia would exert her will and bring the Earth back in balance and humanity under control.