Elements (Tear of God Book 1)

by Henri, Raymond

  “Torrents of rain descend from high.

  The greater area be soaked.

  Water falling relentlessly.

  All things become saturated.

  Cloudless, the rain falls forever.

  Eternsa’s essence be my fuel.

  The wrath of Floth herself take form.

  Cover with rain upon my spit.”

  Sapo spat and managed to keep the rain isolated to the Guide Cell. Mink could have stepped away to stay dry, but he wanted the Water effect to snuff out the Silent Signal Fire Tolrin had put on him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm rain, relieved to know his thoughts were all his own. Apparently, everyone was angry that he had talked directly to the puppets. Was Gyov upset with him too? She did compliment him, but what did she mean by “talk later?” Mink knew it was partly his fault that she got so worn out. He rested his chin on the back of Tralé’s scooter and worked on his apologies.

  Using Quick Legs, Pulti finally made a much appreciated appearance beside Mink. “Can’t stay long. Sergeant Holph is being a real rothead about everyone keeping with their Cell right now.” It only took a second for Sapo’s rain to drench her.

  “I can understand that,” Mink admitted, wondering how she planned on explaining her sudden soaked appearance.

  “Just wanted to congratulate you on saving everyone’s hide. After lights out tonight, I’ll find you. We can spend some time together then.”

  Mink smiled. “That would be awesome. We might even join my parents, if we can make it to Rift Ridge.”

  Pulti shrugged with a half-smile. “We’ll see. Gotta run.” Just before she disappeared, she kissed his cheek.

  Sapo’s Washout canceled all at once, leaving Mink feeling suddenly quiet and still. Alré returned to the Cell from the path ahead without a word and sat on the back of Mouké’s scooter. No one looked her way, instead focusing on the valley ahead to the west, all still dripping.

  “Move out. Quickly,” Alré said in an eerie calm. “We are going to try to make camp at Rift Ridge tonight.”

  Mink’s heart lept in anticipation of their imminent arrival. Perhaps the encounter with the Reeks put a Fire under everyone’s feet to complete the mission. A clear sign of their somber focus, Tralé removed Mink’s music crystal and handed it back to him.

  “You’re some kind of genius, Mink. I like the way you handled yourself.”

  Mink appreciated the endorsement and tucked his crystal away as Tralé embedded his thumb and finger, Sledding them away on his scooter.

  Not a word was uttered the rest of the day other than the chants necessary for removing obstacles along the valley floor. They made good time, and ascended the slope to approach the northern plateau before the sun completely disappeared behind the ridge. There were fewer trees at this elevation, but still enough to feel adequately hidden between the valley walls. The occasional waft of the Reeks’ puppets were the only indication of their dark escorts, hiding among the trees to the northwest.

  Alré held up a hand and whispered hurriedly, “Stop, stop, stop. Halt!”

  The twins and Sapo froze and looked at her. Alré held a finger to her lips and put her forehead on the back of Mouké’s scooter.

  “Mink,” Tolrin’s voice came so soft at first through Silent Signal Fire that Mink thought he imagined it. “First, let me say your parents seem to be all right.” Mink’s throat tightened and his heart skipped a beat. “But scouts on the hilltop report that it looks like the Machinists have surrounded the opening above the cavern.”

  “What?!” Mink involuntarily shouted in his mind.

  “From what we can tell, your dad has most of them under the Hibernation effect and your mom is preventing the rest from entering. We’re formulating a plan to help them.”

  Mink’s mind went into overdrive. Hibernation wouldn’t last long, and although the effect might be reapplied, any Machinist with an Elemental affinity for Body and Water would be immune.

  “Furthermore,” Tolrin continued with more bad news. “there are hundreds of cloaks mixed in with their forces. The Machinists appear to be working with the Reeks.”

  Mink caught another waft of death. It made sense that the Reeks controlling the puppets moving ahead of them would also be in communication with those on Rift Ridge, making the illusion of the camping trip that much more important. Mink shared his suspicions with Tolrin by thinking, “Those puppets we encountered must have been sent to gather information about us. I think we were spotted coming down the western slope of the Great Barrier Range.”

  “Way ahead of you there, Mink. The only way they could have surrounded us like that back there would be if they knew which way we were headed to begin with.”

  Alré lifted her head and kept her voice to a whisper, announcing what Mink already knew. “We’re going to camp here tonight. Sapo and I will take first watch.”

  UNDER THE inching dark of night, each Cell established its own cabin one by one down the valley path from whence they came. The persistent call of insects helped muffle the sounds that might give away the position of the Team. Knowing that the puppets were likely watching from the shadows of the surrounding trees above, great care was taken to maintain the guise of a educational camping trip. Extra precaution was necessary, and Cell members had to bunk together.

  The twins fashioned one large octagonal cabin that could house the Guide Cell and their scooters, plus give whoever was on watch an elevated and protected position on the roof. Sapo used her canvas tent as a barrier between herself and the Wood, lest her energy be drained overnight. They each had a simple platform bed extending out from one of the eight walls, partitioned for privacy. Mink stowed his pack on the floor next to his head, reclining fitfully. Knowing his parents were at a stalemate against Machinist forces, he doubted he would sleep before watch.

  A knock came on the door, followed by Blin’s voice. “Mink, Tolrin wants to see you.”

  He had expected to be called, but had about given up on it by the time the second moon rose. “Be right there.” On his way out, he nodded to the twins, who were already climbing into their beds.

  This night seemed darker than the previous one. If anyone was using a glow crystal, Mink couldn’t see it. Aside from the people on watch, everyone had holed up in their Cell’s bunk. Blin walked beside him in silence.

  “Mink?” Blin started as they neared Tolrin’s cabin. “Just want to say I hope your parents are okay.”

  “Then hand over my mom’s flatwrap.”

  Mink startled as Blin stepped in front of him and raised an arm. To his surprise, no blow followed, but rather an earnest squeeze on the shoulder.

  “When we’re headed home, I’ll hand it to her myself,” Blin offered.

  Mink didn’t feel like he understood anything or anyone anymore. “Fine, then. Thanks.”

  Blin headed off, and Mink knocked on the Command Cell’s door. He heard Tolrin’s voice come from outside, around the back. “Over this way, Mink.” Following the sound of low voices, he discovered Tolrin engaged in conversation with some members of the Strike Cell under Corporal Counkrat’s command, including the Water user Rénys. Squaring up, Tolrin addressed Mink. “It seems Rénys here has a massive effect loaded up. He chanted specifications for eighteen hours after we left the briefing yesterday morning.”

  Mink looked at Rénys, who gave a silent nod. “Will it harm those with Water affinity?”

  Rénys shook his head, remaining quiet to keep the effect ready to implement.

  “Anyone know what kind of an effect it is?” Tolrin questioned the rest of the group. “Some kind of A.o.E.? Waterjet?”

  Crali, a Body user in the Strike Cell, spoke up, “I don’t think it’s either. The specification he kept repeating was—” Crali paused to make sure he got it right. “the target’s Water expanded.”

  “Rénys,” Mink said, facing the silent Water user. “Do you think your effect can give us an advantage against the Machinists?”

  Rénys nodded, smiling slyly
.

  Turning his attention to Tolrin, Mink wasted no time in laying out his idea. “I can believe that Rénys stands a good chance of eliminating a large number of the Machinists and Harvest forces, except for those with Fire, Water, and Wood affinities. I would suggest that your Air and Lightning users of the Perimeter Cell sneak around the cliff side of the Ridge and take care of as many of the remaining as possible. If we strike first and thoroughly, the only ones left to deal with will be those who are hidden.”

  “But most of them will be dead or asleep… Much better odds!” Tolrin finished. “A+ on Mr. Gusky’s exam… I believe it.” He grabbed Mink by the back of the neck approvingly. Then he conceded, “We aren’t a battle-ready army. There’s no way we can get reinforcements. But we cannot go back empty handed. And I’m not going to stay here and wait to see what happens. We have the first twenty seconds of the battle planned.

  “Our priority is to distract enemy forces from the Tear of God, clearing entry for ourselves. The Guide, Scout, and Strike Cells should form a Decoy Unit pulling them to the north, away from the site. My Relay Cell can help the Extraction Unit sneak around to the south and make for the hole while the Machinists’ attention is on the Decoy Unit.”

  Mink cleverly added, “Same way you won the National Thornball Championship against the Tad Stormwings.”

  Tolrin smiled, amused. “Against heavy defense, the best strategy is to make them defend the wrong area. They had some monstrous layers of defense in front of the Grax goal. Too bad we already scored on that one.” He allowed himself a chuckle.

  “And,” Mink’s resolve strengthened, “we’ll catch any remaining Machinists between the crossfire of the Decoy Unit and the Tear of God Unit’s defensive Cells.” Approving nods of agreement circulated among the group.

  “What about the Reeks?” Crali apparently voiced a concern of the others. Either the odor of rot had lessened, or Mink was getting used to it. The Reeks disturbed Mink as well, but he knew that Machinists posed a greater threat, since they had weapons that shot metal. And metal damaged all Elemental types.

  “I don’t think the Reeks will miss out on the opportunity to acquire puppets,” Mink answered. “They’ll have their hands full reaping all the dead bodies from the battlefield.”

  Lieutenant Jannri finally spoke up, her voice soft and warm. “Which Unit would you rather go with, Mink? You would reach your parents more quickly with the Tear of God Unit.”

  He hadn’t considered this. Although Mink wanted nothing more than to be reunited with Nyam and Juré as soon as possible, he felt a greater obligation to stay with his group. “I’ll move with the Guide Cell and find my parents after we’ve pushed through to meet the Tear of God Unit,” he decided. “I’ll just need a paddle.”

  Jannri approved. “Have the twins make something up for you. Whatever you need.”

  Dismissed, Mink rushed back to his cabin, feeling excited and optimistic about the newly hatched battle plan. The prospect of getting a new paddle made by the twins and using it to fight Machinists also energized him. En route, he spotted Gyov standing outside the door of the Scout Cell’s cabin. Mink approached her at a walking pace, trying desparately to remember the apology he had come up with.

  “Gyov, I’m so sorry for putting you in danger. And it was selfish of me to let you drain your energy just so I could sit by you. Please—”

  Gyov cut Mink off by shoving her hand over his mouth. “Are you going to let me say something?”

  Mink nodded, bewildered.

  “But not here.” Gyov led Mink by the hand off into the misty Woods to the south. He almost suggested they stay close to the group, but the prospect of having some time alone with her under the blanket of night was too tempting. He inhaled deeply to be sure no puppets were in the area, and instead got drunk on a noseful of her sweet, floral perfume. They snuck down into a vale low enough to be completely hidden from sight, Gyov insisting they lay down on the warm Soil. After they settled side by side, Mink studied the moons now obscured by the wide leaves of the almany trees. He waited for her to speak.

  “There’s a song,” Gyov said at last. “Back at Gynsgade, that was my favorite song when I was little girl. It’s all I could think of earlier when those puppets were coming at us. It played over and over in my head while I sat closed in my Clay Pot.”

  Mink propped up on an elbow and listened while she spoke, her eyes fixed on the sky.

  “’Oongk Ggyoriah Ahtima,’ translated as ‘The World I Have.’ About a princess who knows only of her safe world and yet the man she loves lives a life of hardship and disappointment.” Gyov continued to elaborate in the accent Mink found so endearing. “She tries to bring the man from his harsh world into her luxury, but the love suffers. Only when she leaves her easy life to share his difficult one, then she becomes strong enough for them to have sustainable love.”

  Gyov paused and bit her lower lip, blinking rapidly. Mink rolled onto his back, giving her space. The night insects sang over the silence.

  She continued, “I wish to believe that I could be strengthened by your world, Mink. I want to be strong enough. All that time I tried to bolster courage in safety of my Elemental Armor, only made me feel weaker and without courage.”

  Mink’s eyes traced the braid along the side of her head as he tried to understand what she was getting at. Too weak for him?

  “Then you took charge of the situation and truly showed everyone how strong your world has made you. I don’t deserve to be with you.” Gyov rolled to face him, her expression sullen and hands folded protectively on her stomach.

  “You need to leave that up to me to decide,” Mink echoed Tralé’s advice from the morning. “Don’t reject yourself, Gyov.”

  “You’re strongest and bravest person I know, Mink.” she stared into his eyes. “I can’t imagine your daily struggles not knowing your Element. Yet, you remain so sweet and positive and sure.”

  Mink smiled, returning her gaze. “That’s funny. You are the one who inspired me to be that way.” Gyov gave him a dubious look. “Really. I was always impressed by how cheerful and playful you were when you first moved to Floth, even when everyone made fun of you for being different. I decided that’s how I wanted to be. Like you.”

  Gyov rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t want me once you got to know me better.”

  Mink had heard enough. He moved closer and firmly set his lips against the warm tenderness of hers. She recoiled slightly, but not enough to break away from him. She relaxed into it, grabbing the back of his head. Her lips were soft, soon stretching thin in a smile of pleasure and relief. Mink leaned away and returned her grin. At last, he had kissed the girl he longed for all these years. The moment did not disappoint, and when it fully hit Mink that this was his first kiss, he beamed. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

  “Sing it to me,” Mink coaxed.

  “What? ‘Oongk Ggyoriah Ahtima?’”

  “I want to hear it.”

  Gyov laughed and cleared her throat. “You may not laugh at my singing.”

  “You didn’t laugh at mine, so it’s a deal.”

  “Oh…” Gyov gave Mink a little kiss. “Okay. I only know in Pashmeeta. I will translate later.” She began,

  “Uhertcha o sogreng yota

  Jehdati sa Ggyoriah ri

  Yoriah oo meeckseng brooba

  Kah oongk Ggyoriah ahtima

  Baengo engllti sio—”

  Mink listened, captivated by the soft lilt of her voice in the night. The singing of her language was somehow even more lovely than when she spoke. Her lulling of the tune was cut short by the crack of splitting Wood, making them both jump, searching to find the source of the sudden sound. The echo made it more difficult to pinpoint, but Mink was sure it had come from the direction of the camp.

  “We should get back.” Mink scanned the shadows.

  “Good idea,” Gyov agreed nervously, helping Mink stand. They walked up out of the vale holding hands. As the camp came back in view, Mink could f
ind no reason for the sound they heard, but it was a sobering reminder of the dangers they faced.

  “Do you feel better?” he asked.

  “Do you still want to be with me?” Gyov countered his question with her own.

  “Yes. Very much so.” Mink gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “Then, yes, better. But I still think you are crazy. In good way.” Gyov gave him another short, comfortable kiss before they split up toward their respective Cells.

  Mink reached his cabin and took two steps inside before turning on his heel. He suddenly remembered that Pulti wanted to meet up with him after everyone got settled. Did he have a story to tell her! He walked with a purpose as if he were on his way to meet with Tolrin. The Pull Cell’s cabin had to be near the rest of the Tear of God Unit’s cabins, but other than that, he wasn’t sure how to find Pulti. No one stopped him, which was a good thing. Mink pretended to be on a patrol and nodded amiably to the people standing guard atop their cabins. With any luck, Pulti would be on watch.

  He found her, shaking by the side of her cabin. He sped up his pace, careful not to draw attention. The unmistakable stench of puppets had returned.

  “Hey, Pulti. So glad I found you…” He suddenly realized she was crying. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  She shot him a pained and angry look, tears streaming. “Go back to your cabin, Mink,” she said through clenched teeth. Mink reeled. Did something happen while he and Gyov were out of sight? What did they miss?

  “Just tell me—”

  “I swear by Curpo, if you don’t leave right now, I will throw you back home.” Pulti broke down in quiet sobs again and clutched the wall.

  “All right,” he relented, hands raised and backing away. “I’ll come find you at breakfast.”

  Pulti slumped to the ground, sobbing and shaking her head.

  Mink hurried back to his cabin with his hands shoved in his pockets, both elated and worried, convinced that he knew nothing about women. He and Theen had last watch of the night, which naturally meant no more sleep before battle. Relentless thoughts of his parents’ fight, Gyov, Pulti, and everyone’s safety contorted his emotions. He tossed around in his bed until somehow, sleep finally caught up with him. When Tralé tapped Mink for his watch shift, adrenaline kicked in and cold kwona did the rest.