Elements (Tear of God Book 1)

by Henri, Raymond

  “Okay, kids. Let’s keep going,” Alré said, climbing back on Mouké’s scooter.

  It wasn’t until they got moving again that Mink felt the stillness of the Air around them. Why an Air user or two weren’t creating a breeze was beyond him. It’s not like the extra hit to the Lightning users’ power mattered on this stretch. Keeping at this pace over dry land in the middle of the afternoon on a full stomach felt horrible, and they weren’t even permitted the simple distractions of conversation or music.

  “Sapo? Could you get a little mist going, please? I don’t feel so well,” Mink said, breaking the code of silence.

  “She is not under your command, Mink!” barked Alré. “If you have a question or complaint, you will address me and I will tell you to be quiet. Understood?”

  “My bad. Sorry. I just don’t feel so good.”

  “Understood?” Alré practically yelled.

  “Yes, ma’am. I understand perfectly.”

  The next hour seemed unbearably long until at last, they reached the edge of the pergnut forest. Mink half-expected them to camp there for the night. A few more good hours of daylight remained though, and after waiting in formation while the army communicated via Silent Signal Fire, it became obvious they were going to press on. The prospect of shade improved Mink’s morale. Still, considering the wagon’s trouble getting over the field, the forest would prove an even greater obstacle.

  “All right, Mink,” Alré addressed him, once she had received the order to continue. “Where did you cross over the range?”

  Mink scanned the mountaintops up ahead and spotted the large tree with its branches bent to one side. It was some distance south of where they were currently facing. The tree looked so small to Mink now without the benefit of Tunnel Vision. Without a way to gauge how much forest stood between them and the tree, Mink had no idea how much longer they had to go.

  “That tree up there. The big guy with all its branches to one side. That’s where I came over. It also has a yellow cloth tied around it.”

  “Good,” Alré said to herself. “A marker tree. That makes it easier.”

  Judging the distance left to travel, Tralé gave a long whistle. Sapo slumped, and Mouké cracked his neck. Alré went silent, likely making her report and awaiting instructions.

  “Everyone agrees that’s too steep to take the Team,” she spoke after the pause. “Would you be able to find your way if we cut through a lower pass along the range?”

  “I wouldn’t bet on it. I’ve only been through this way once by myself.”

  “Ma’am, if I may?” Mouké said, not waiting for permission to continue. “The side of the mountain lends itself well to switchbacks. Tralé and I can easily clear a path wide enough for the Soil users to flatten it out for the wagon. Probably with room for Body users on either side to help with cornering.”

  Alré held her hand up, indicating that she was either having trouble hearing or being heard via Silent Signal Fire. Mink tried to guess the length of time it would take to travel the path that the twins proposed. They were already running behind schedule, and this was only the first day of the journey.

  “Apparently, our best approach to the base lies ahead at a fifteen degree angle to the right,” Alré reported to her Cell. “The Soil users sense a natural incline there that we can use to save some time and give them a grade to work with for the rest of the path. I hope you can move fast. Our first campsite is fifty feet below that marker tree.”

  The Penbik twins uttered their Animation chants, low and deliberate,

  “Wood appears to have life with me.

  I make it move, fight, bend, and dance.

  My hands implement my intent.

  I use the target like a tool.

  It remains separate from me.

  I cannot kill my Element.

  I control as Atriarb does.

  Animate as soon as I reach.”

  Controlling their scooters with one hand and using the other to perform effects, Tralé and Mouké demonstrated more Elemental skill than Mink had ever witnessed. The two of them reached ahead with their free hands and moved the trees one at a time, trunks gouging deep trenches in the dirt as they slid to the side. Once they had cleared a path about ten yards wide, they moved their scooters forward.

  Mink could hear the soft grinding sound of the Soil users behind them smoothing out the road, while the twins wove around the troughs ahead, not waiting for the ground to be restored. There were some miles to clear and everyone wanted to set up camp in time to get some good sleep. Mink felt relieved as he listened to the twins’ chants mixed with the creaking of moving trees. They were making better time than they had all day, with the Soil users filling and flattening the path a good distance ahead of the wagon. By now, the sun hung low on the far side of the Great Barrier Range, blocked by the bulk of the mountains.

  INDEED, THEY reached the base of the mountain and the anticipated grade in less than an hour. There were fewer trees to move on the mountainside which should’ve meant faster progress, but it turned out to only be favorable for the twins. Even with their Manipulation effect, Shape Land, the Soil users had a harder time making a flat road ten yards wide on the incline, and many large rocks had to be physically cleared out by Body users.

  The third switchback brought them high enough for Mink to easily look out over the trees below. That the western gate of Eternsa was still visible after traveling so long discouraged him. Then, thankfully he heard Sapo and the eliding flow of her adapted Area of Effect chant, Washout,

  “One cloud of mist descend from high.

  The greater area be soaked.

  Water swirling relentlessly.

  All things become saturated.

  Cloudless, the mist hangs forever.

  Eternsa’s essence be my fuel.

  The wrath of Floth herself take form.

  Cover with mist upon my spit.”

  Sapo spat and moved her hands in large arcs with her fingers tickling the Air. The area around them humidified with a light mist. Tiny droplets hung in clouds that rippled in swirls reminiscent of Sapo’s own flowing movements. The cooling effect of the mist collecting on Mink’s arms and face refreshed him.

  “Thanks, Sapo. That feels awesome,” Mink said.

  Sapo shot him a quick glance like she had forgotten he was even there. Tralé looked back at Mink with a humored grin.

  “Thank you, Sapo. I feel better now,” he emphasized between Animation chants. “Don’t you, Mouké?”

  “Thank you, Sapo.” Mouké said monotonously.

  Mink felt a little foolish forgetting that Sapo was just doing her job of keeping up the twins’ energy with her Water effect. His own responsibilities were proving to be a cakewalk compared to everyone else’s. He made a mental note not to make any more complaints. His sole contribution of the day was to point out a marker tree that the army already seemed to be acquainted with.

  Fortunately, the Guide Cell received permission to move forward, leaving a path for the rest of the Team to follow. That meant no more stopping, and the promise of more time to rest at the campsite. Powered by Sapo’s mist, the Penbik twins got into a rhythm lining up the trees like a natural colonnade along the road.

  Despite their progress, twilight came down upon Alré’s Cell with a few more switchbacks still to carve out until camp. Scanning the horizon out across the plain, Mink saw that none of the moons had yet risen to illuminate their way. Without the sun’s heat, Sapo’s mist began to give Mink a chill. His clothes and hair had become very damp and now clung to him. Alré’s raspy voice chanted the Fire user’s Materialization effect, Candle,

  “I bring Fire into this world.

  My power makes it manifest.

  Newly formed flowing from my palms.

  I can change its shape with my hand.

  My Fire burns with warmth and light.

  My creation ends with a fist.

  Create Fire upon my snap.”

  She snapped her fingers, the
n lifted her palms skyward and shaped a two-foot column of blue-white Fire, careful to keep it out of the mist. It hung high in the Air as she followed up with the Animation chant, Flame Ghost,

  “Fire has a new life with me.

  I make it move, fight, bend, and dance.

  My snapping implements my intent.

  I use the target like a tool.

  It remains separate from me.

  I cannot kill my Element.

  I can control just as Symg does.

  Animate as soon as I snap.”

  After a second snap, she reached for the Fire column and moved it along ahead of them. Mink looked away from the light, his eyes having adjusted to the dark. He could see a greater distance now. Alré’s Fire cast stark shadows throughout the Woods, lending a new creepiness to the trek. He was glad to be drying off in the warmth given off by Flame Ghost, but the process quickly became itchy and irritating. He shifted around a bit on the back of Tralé’s scooter and distracted himself by anticipating which trees would be next to slide out of their path.

  The Guide Cell finished the last few switchbacks in good time, and finally got permission to break formation once they reached their campsite destination. They wouldn’t be able to set up camp until the wagon reached them, so the Cell members hunted out a flat spot for their tents. To stake a claim for their Cell, Tralé and Mouké Materialized some long-burning Wood logs which Alré Imbued with Radiate. This made them glow without any flames or excess light that might call unwanted attention in the night. Alré recited,

  “Fire’s power is mine to give.

  I grant my target extreme heat.

  The target feels comfortable.

  Touching the target will cause burns.

  Heat extends from around the target.

  Nothing can cool down the target.

  I may use the Fire of Symg.

  Imbue Fire upon my snap.”

  She implemented the chant with a snap, and a wave of flameless heat reached Mink’s face. He backed away a little farther up the grade, selecting a flattish area on the outskirts of the group. Mink tracked the progress of the rest of the Team by way of the other Fire users’ Flame Ghosted Candles. They were still far enough away that he caught only one glimpse of the wagon through the trees below. That left him plenty of time to climb his way up to the marker tree, have a look at it, and be down before they arrived.

  “I’m going up to the top. Be back in a bit.”

  “Suit yourself.” Alré reclined by the Radiated logs and looked back toward Octernal. “I can’t promise your spot will still be available when the Team arrives.”

  “Duly noted.” Mink set off on his ascent, not particularly caring if he had to spend the night by the tree alone. He would have to reclaim his pack from the wagon, though. He climbed with hands and feet, gripping the trunks and roots of the pergnut trees. A moon was rising, giving Mink the benefit of some light as he hoisted himself from one foothold to another. Moss and shrubs peppered the slope, but offered no more reliable support for climbing than the soft dirt they clung to. Close to the top, the mountain rounded off and Mink was able to walk comfortably the rest of the way to the marker tree, seeing it up close for the first time with his natural vision.

  The trunk itself was quite wide. Four people holding hands couldn’t form a circle around it. Mink barely had room to stand under the branches that were bent and woven to the north. He ducked below them and tested the bed of dry needles on the ground for comfort. Looking up, the thick weave of limbs and their hundreds of thousands of needle-like leaves blocked all but the brightest of stars from view. The pergnut’s branches swayed hypnotically in the breeze with a persistent rustling sound, revealing the random sparkle of distant stars.

  Mink sat and leaned back against the tree, looking skyward. Though extremely tired, he enjoyed having this moment to himself to reflect upon the past week, clearly the most eventful of his arduous sixteen years. His parents beating him up, killing him, and finding what very well might be a Tear of God… Somehow, he had used effects to be the harbinger, until Blin Attacked him. Yet he still made the mission, only to be grilled by all the advocates running his country. Too soon after that, he managed to make a complete fool of himself at a party and, without adequate time to recover, got volunteered among his age group’s geniuses to help rescue his parents.

  Any one of these things was more than he had hoped or expected of the past week, but in combination… Mink didn’t recall falling asleep, but he awoke abruptly to a swift kick in the ribs. Blin stood above him in just enough moonlight to illuminate the sneer on his face.

  “Wakey, wakey, Blankey.” Blin crouched down, cocking his head to make eye contact with Mink in the dark. “Let’s have a chat.”

  MINK CONCENTRATED on breathing steadily while shielding himself from another attack. He was at a complete disadvantage.

  “A thrilling conversation to be had, I’m sure.” He sat up straighter against the tree, clenching his teeth through the pain. “But can’t it wait until tomorrow? Next year, maybe?” He didn’t want Blin to gain any satisfaction from knowing how much his ribs hurt, let alone give off a sense of fear.

  “Tolrin wants to talk to you, but I think we need to get some things straight first.”

  “Okay, Blin. What exactly do we need to get straight?”

  Blin extended his hand for Mink to shake. “Truce? For now?”

  Mink left Blin hanging. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Listen, Blankey.” Blin slipped into a more serious and vulnerable demeanor than Mink thought possible, which made him uncomfortable. “I need this gig. I’m only here because I’m the third fastest with Flash Feet in our age group. If I can prove myself, I might be able to get a courier job with the army. My grades the way they are, I could really use the help.”

  Mink laughed and the resurging pain in his side reinforced his doubt of Blin’s sincerity. “Blin, Blin, Blin. Are your brains that rotten? Why would I care about helping you? You want a truce? Then leave me alone. You’re the one always beating up on me.”

  Blin finally gave up on getting a handshake out of Mink and abruptly withdrew his hand. “If you don’t help me,” Blin sneered, pulling Nyam’s flatwrap out of his jacket, “then everyone will know what a nasty habit your mom has. So, if your brains aren’t rotten, I suggest you put in a good word for me.”

  Mink’s mind raced to process this turn of events. Even if his mom denied the boost bars were hers, it wouldn’t take long for a Body user to detect signs of it on her using Diagnosis. Her short-lived legacy of turning a self effect into a target effect would be tainted by criminal activity. Not to mention the charges brought against Mink for possession.

  “What do you mean ‘put in a good word’ for you?”

  Blin quickly shoved Nyam’s flatwrap back inside his jacket. “Tréa has been making reports from your Corporal, and Tolrin keeps asking about you. Now he wants to talk to you in his cabin. If you get me in his good graces, I’ll give it back to you.”

  Mink had a bad feeling about making a deal with Blin, who had far from proven himself trustworthy. If he gave Blin any leverage, he might not ever let it go. “Well, what do I do, make stuff up? What makes you think you’ve given me anything nice to say?”

  “Thoy told me at the party that you were sorry I got hurt.” So, Thoy had been Eavesdropping on him last night! “That you were just trying to get away. Even that you wanted to apologize. If that’s true, this is your chance.” Blin sat, folding his arms as if he just won an argument.

  Mink shook his head, both amused and irritated by Blin’s audacity. “You have a funny way of trying to make friends. Tolrin is a Spirit user, Blin. He’s smart enough to be suspicious if I just name drop you randomly. When there’s a chance, I’ll ‘put in a good word.’ But if anyone ever hears about the contents of that flatwrap, you’ll have to defect to find work. My uncle will see to that without any prompting from me. Deal?”

  Mink extended his hand and Blin hast
ily shook it. “If I can get this job, I’ll make it up to you.”

  “You can start by not calling me ‘Blankey.’”

  Mink trailed Blin back down the slope to find that the camp had been well-established. Some people had set up tents made of fabric, others had Materialized octagonal Wood cabins. A few groups encircled Radiated logs, but the camp as a whole was quiet and dark. The camping spot Mink had chosen earlier was still available, and he could swear it looked smoother and flatter than before, as though a Soil user had actually gone to the trouble of preparing it for him.

  All the same, Mink avoided making eye contact with others as Blin led him through the camp to a small cabin, dwarfed by its proximity to the enormous wagon. Mink was sensitive to conversations that hushed as he passed. He couldn’t get a sense yet of just how the rest of the Team felt about him. They reached the doorless opening to Tolrin’s cabin and Blin knocked on the wall.

  “It’s Blin with Mink, sir!”

  “Come on in, Mink. You are dismissed, Blin,” Tolrin called from inside.

  As Mink passed him to enter, Blin patted the chest of his jacket where he carried Nyam’s flatwrap. The inside of the octagonal cabin was quite spartan. Tolrin sat on the ground in front of a low Wood platform covered in papers. A bed roll waited off to the side, suggesting that the make-shift desk doubled as a bed. A glow crystal hung from the ceiling, bathing the interior in a stark white. The walls were a grainless brown Materialized Wood.

  “Sit here,” Tolrin ordered, pointing to the floor beside him.

  Mink settled in, sitting cross-legged. He could make out about a dozen maps spread haphazardly in front of Tolrin.

  “You know, it’s times like these I wish we had more initiative to map out this rotting wilderness. Does it ever seem to you like our country is oblivious to the world outside its borders?” Tolrin looked up at Mink poker-faced.