Into the Storm

by Christopher Johns

  There was a breath of air that puffed against my face. That’s fine. She will have my Dusty to guide her until our deliberations conclude. I only ask that you see to it she is not harmed.

  I nodded once, and the touch of chilling air in my mind was gone, then reached out to my brothers. The primordials are discussing our rewards for the quest.

  I wonder what we’re going to get! Muu’s voice sounded like he was smiling at the thought of it all.

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure we’re gonna be stronger for it.” Jaken grasped my shoulder and turned me to look at him. “You’re doing a good job, man. Don’t worry, I think between Kayda and me, we can manage the kid. Why don’t you look around the ship and see what you can find until we have to go see the captain?”

  I looked from his gentle expression of understanding to Odany playing with Kayda and Bea standing guard over Vrawn, where she stood by the cabins.

  I pulled Jaken into a hug and nodded once. Watch over her, baby.

  Kayda shuffled her feathers, and I moved to stand next to Vrawn. “You want to look around the ship?”

  “I would be delighted.” Her tusks flashed with her pleasure, and she took my hand before we went to see what our new surroundings were like.

  The ship’s wide deck was roughly thirty-five feet wide and one hundred and seventy long. Probably galleon sized? Maybe a little larger, but who knew. Sure wasn’t my area of expertise, despite all the pirate fantasy I’d read as a kid. Ships were cool and all, but the water was not my forte. So anything on said water was extra learning I didn’t truly care for.

  “Whatever will we do for all the time we are here aboard this ship?” Vrawn’s question brought me out of thinking of childhood-afternoons spent reading books about vampire pirates and Viking inspired teens sailing the seas.

  “We can focus on leveling up our various crafts, training, and protecting the ship.” I raised her hand and kissed it. “As well as spending time together. How are you holding up?”

  “It is odd being away from the village, but the company is not displeasing.” She watched the clouds above us moving by for a moment. “What happens once Maebe returns?”

  “She comes to us, and we move on.” I motioned to our route at the fore of the ship.

  “No, I meant, with me.” She turned to me, and I couldn’t help but see the worry in her eyes. “Will I be returning to the village?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. You’re a part of Storm Company, now. You’re a part of the team. And as such, I’m going to be working on getting you better gear, first and foremost.”

  She smiled. “I’ve never had an enchanted item before, what is the process like?”

  “Not hard.” I shrugged and motioned to the ones I wore. “Don’t worry, I got you. I just think it would be prudent to wait for a little bit on doing it, so I have a little more juice to go on from the elements. Hopefully.”

  “I understand your desire to wait, and I appreciate your thought, thank you.” She paused for a moment, “Might I make a request?”

  I found myself smiling. “I have a pair of boots planned that will allow you to walk on water.” She turned to me sheepishly. “I know that you’re still fearful of the water, that’s okay. But we have your back like you will have ours.”

  “Thank you.” Her quiet acceptance was nice, though I could tell she was still worried.

  “If you want to talk about it, we can.” My offer was soft-spoken, but the weight of the words carried farther. She shook her head, and that was all.

  Gather, all of you who helped with the quest. Gorumbal tumbled through my mind.

  I nodded and sent the call to the group, It’s time. Meet at the rear of the ship.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the others for a moment, but if you need to talk, I’ll be here for you.” She seemed a little deflated, so I kissed her on her forehead and touched her cheek. “The elemental primordials are calling for us to gather so they can reward us. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

  I made my way from where Vrawn and I stood by the middle deck where the gangplank had been around to the rear of the deck where I found the others, except for Yoh.

  “Should we have Yohsuke come?” Muu asked with a raised brow.

  “Kayda and I will take care of the sun for now,” I advised and he turned to go and wake our brother while I turned my thoughts to my bringer of the storm.

  She took my thoughts and used her powers to summon Blessed Rain, the clouds around her darkening, and the breeze quickening. A warm smattering of droplets flecked the area, sailors began to swear and move over the rigging around the sails fervently until they realized that the wind wasn’t picking up.

  The sun being safely covered by the clouds of the spell allowed our vampire brother to storm grumpily around the corner of the cabin area toward us.

  “This better be good, man,” Yohsuke said, then growled, his eyes casting about dangerously.

  “Do you even sleep?” I found myself frowning at him as he crossed his arms.

  “It’s the vampire equivalent to recharging the batteries.” Yohsuke shrugged and motioned vaguely. “If I rest anywhere else, the hunger gets to me, and I can’t really get the level of relaxation I need to not be a raging asshole.”

  Jaken, Bokaj, and Muu all grinned and glanced at each other before they asked, “When aren’t you?”

  He stared at them coldly, until the world around us fell so quiet that the lack of sound unnerved me.

  The view was as much the same as it had been, but the people working aboard the ship moved as if through molasses.

  We have altered time and reality by our presence, we must be swift. Gorumbal’s voice greeted us all. All around us, motes of elemental energy grew from orbs the size of a nickel to the size of small suns that blotted out the world behind them.

  Every element represented, for a moment, I worried that Yohsuke would burst into flame with the Light Primordial so near. His arms moved to protect him as the light intensified greatly, but nothing happened.

  My light will not punish you this once, undead. The Light’s voice echoed around us. Though the sun will still harm you should you stand in it. Attend us.

  The energy of the elements pulsed around us, and a rush of energy crashed into my body, overloading my vision with notifications I dismissed until I could focus on them.

  The Flame Primordial spoke first, Your toiling for our gain has not gone unnoticed, and while we would reward all of you as greatly as we plan to do, few of you have the natural ability to become vessels for our strength.

  This is why we have chosen to bless all of you that we can, The Water Primordial’s soothing voice washed over all of us. In what way that we can. I have chosen. The living flesh of normal mortals cannot cope with the cold of the depths, this is why I bequeath my frozen gratitude to Yohsuke and Bokaj.

  Water rushed from her manifestation and covered their skin, pooling around their forearms, then sinking in.

  Heat washed over all of us. I have chosen to bless Balmur, at his request, and as a child of my realm.

  The flames on Balmur’s body intensified, and he sighed as if stepping into a warm bath after being in the cold all day.

  We have given the blessings we will give, as our price was paid, the Shadow Primordials low voice that sounded like a multitude of speakers made me shiver. All three of you have proven worthy, pass on my adoration to my champion.

  I nodded, and so did Yohsuke and Balmur.

  I choose to offer my freedom of movement to both James and Muu, The Wind Primordial moaned. Whipping tornadoes of green energy swirled from the tempest of primal wind and lifted the two melee fighters from the ground. They settled back down after a second or so and began to look themselves over in delight.

  Light flooded the area around us, blinding all of us until it faded shortly after. A single glow was all that was left once the light faded to normal, and that glow came from Jaken.

  You have earned this light, paladin. Her sof
t voice was warm against my skin, and I smiled at the pleasantness of it.

  I nodded. This was as it should be. Everyone had worked so hard for all of this.

  Druid, six voices drew my attention, and all eyes were on me.

  The shadows swept forward. Our beloved adores you, and your manipulation of our being pleases us. Continue as you are, and we shall see if you do not rival our beloved.

  Water, earth, wind, and light surged forward, striking me from several directions at once, and the same overload of information overtook me.

  A burning on my chest where my tattoo was made me claw open my shirt and watch, as once more, the tattoo shifted and raised, the white line turning from white to solid gold against my black fur. The diamond mountain became a full-fledged piece of diamond in my skin, the tidal wave of water a sapphire in the same shape. The flame crown that showed the Flame Primordial’s dominion solidified into a ruby version.

  The green tornado became an emerald, and finally, the darkness of the pentagram’s blank spaces filled with pure obsidian. The star-like flecks of golden light that dotted my fur filtered into the golden lines and created a nimbus of energy that swirled hypnotically. Once all the representative elements had mutated, agonizingly so, the mark sank into my skin, and I felt it breaking apart. Breaking down and spreading throughout my being.

  It was weird not having my tattoo anymore, but I could feel the bond with the elements was still there. Just… deeper. Then as I watched, the tattoo, marks and all, resurfaced as they had been.

  We bestow upon you a power you have earned, Gorumbal’s voice held a tinge of almost guilt while he rumbled at me. While it will make you vastly stronger and more versatile, our combined blessings might interfere with each other.

  The Fire Primordial picked up after his brother finished. It is rare that a body holds so many affinities, but your body is not purely mortal any longer. Where a trifling interest was safe, our full gifts now resonate with you wholly.

  This has never happened, finished the Water Prime. Her somber tone worried me almost as much as being in the depths would. We… do not know what this could do to you, droplet.

  It is our sincere hope that your strength of will and the natural balance of our gifts will meld well with your Primal Warrior abilities, as a Druid keeps the balance between civilization and nature. Light pulsed warmly from her and I basked in it for a moment before she continued, But it is a hope we cannot be certain of.

  “Are you certain I should have this power?” I did my damnedest to keep my voice steady despite the messy tangle of nerves roiling my gut. “Please, know that I hold your musings and decisions in high regard, but isn’t this too much for one man? Am I even worthy of this?”

  No, you are not, the Wind Prime seethed, wind whipping at my clothing. But power comes at a cost, and the price for our assisting this realm and our resurgence was such that this was born of necessity. My brothers and sisters adore you, druid. This decision has cost them much, and I do not unders—

  Gorumbal’s vibrating bass voice rumbled over his brother’s, Our friendship will cost you much, friend Zeke, but we believe you responsible enough to hold sway over our dominions. You have earned this.

  Your question shows humility, flame. The Fire Prime’s crackling tone sounded more at ease. It is your conscience and consideration for the ramifications of your actions and impact that we can trust you to hold yourself accountable.

  And strike at our foes, ridding this world of those who would subjugate us for their own machinations, The Shadow Primordial hissed darkly.

  “I will do my best.” I looked around at my brothers. “We all will.”

  Thank you, and good luck. They left us then, the Water Primordial’s words of gratitude signaling the real passage of time. Sailors moved about and watched the clouds slowly drifting by above.

  You can end the spell in a few minutes baby, I warned Kayda and looked to Yoh. “You can go back to sleep, man. We can discuss things later on, if needed. Thanks for being here.”

  He nodded and walked off toward the cabin entrance as I turned back to the others.

  “These notifications could be trippy.” I watched the others’ reactions, and the gravity of it wasn’t lost on them. “Anyone want to start?”

  “I can manipulate fire now, like tinkering with spells,” Balmur began and smiled. “This means I can add all kinds of cool stuff to my repertoire of spells!”

  I nodded, and as I was about to speak, Muu and James grinned at each other, then us before James spoke, “Five points to dexterity. Nice!”

  “I can tinker with Light magic.” Jaken smiled. “I think it may add some oomph to my smite, too.”

  “Added ice manipulation, though I can make some spells with it if I try hard enough. I don’t really have a ton of mana, so it may be harder for me.” Bokaj seemed a little let down, but he was okay after a moment, letting it go. “It’ll be worth it if I can figure out how to coat my arrows in ice.”

  “I can help you with that, I think,” Balmur offered, and the two grinned.

  “I take it that Yoh got the same kind of tinkering ability,” I began. “I got it all, I think. The other elements, that is.”

  “Do you feel any different?” Muu asked with a spark of concern in his eyes.

  I took an inventory of myself and shook my head. “Not really? A little stronger, I think, and kind of tired, though.”

  “Well, if anything happens or gets weird, let us know, okay?” Jaken took his hand and set on my shoulder as he looked me in the eyes. “Seriously. Anything at all.”

  “Yeah, you got it.” I couldn’t argue with him on that, and I wasn’t about to try.

  The others cleared away to do various things for a little bit before dinner with the captain and I went to the room we had and sat on one of the cots to go through my notifications.

  ABILITIES UNLOCKED!

  Elemental Tinkering (Earth) – Earth now heeds your command unlike it had before, and new spells can be created and discovered within the proper elemental realm. Be warned that mana is consumed at a higher rate while tinkering with a spell, or discovering a new spell.

  Elemental Tinkering (Light) – Light now heeds your command unlike it had before, and new spells can be created and discovered within the proper elemental realm. Be warned that mana is consumed at a higher rate while tinkering with a spell, or discovering a new spell.

  Elemental Tinkering (Water) – Water now heeds your command unlike it had before, and new spells can be created and discovered within the proper elemental realm. Be warned that mana is consumed at a higher rate while tinkering with a spell, or discovering a new spell.

  Elemental Tinkering (Wind) – Wind now heeds your command unlike it had before, and new spells can be created and discovered within the proper elemental realm. Be warned that mana is consumed at a higher rate while tinkering with a spell, or discovering a new spell.

  That was all well and good, but the other notification was wilder.

  ABILITIES UPGRADED!

  With the collection of so many Elemental Tinkering abilities, your strength as a Primal Warrior has grown to reflect these new aspects.

  Elemental Aspects now available!

  Elemental Aspects! I wondered what they did, and I would definitely be checking into them sooner rather than later.

  Watching the sailors working was cool and all, but I had some new power I could wield for enchanting, and I planned to use it.

  I went out and found Vrawn, taking a sword that she had grabbed from the hoard as well as a pair of metal boots, a leather breastplate, and a couple rings.

  “No other requests than the boots?” I raised an eyebrow at her, and she shook her head.

  “Nothing from me.” She smiled indulgently as Odany clambered about her waist and up onto her out-stretched arm. “If you have suggestions that might do well against creatures of the sea and beyond, I will take them.”

  I nodded and called Kayda to me for a moment, leaving Bea behind t
o watch over the two playing ladies.

  “You’re going to help me lay lightning into this weapon, sweetheart.” Kayda seemed excited by the prospect, her grip tightening as she spread her wings in pride.

  The sword was longer than most of the ones I had seen before, wider as well but not quite a great sword like the one Jaken would wield at times. The weapon was sharp at the edges, and the hilt was plain too. Definitely a weapon meant to kill and not shine too much in the eyes of others.

  If I had to guess, the metal itself was something stronger than even mithril, but what it was exactly I couldn’t say. Jaken may have known, but I wasn’t going to interrupt whatever he was doing just to satisfy my curiosity.

  I gathered the image of what I wanted to engrave in my mind, and Kayda pecked at my ear angrily. If I am to assist you, you must share your ideas with me.

  I glared at her for a moment, then acquiesced by spinning my mana out of my finger into the design I had in mind.

  Lightning arcs more, and more here, here and here, she pecked places I should add bits of arcing power and the intense creative musings I had felt before took over again.

  I pressed the centerline down in a sort of meandering path with the arcs from it stretching out. Then pressed all the way through it, while the arcs only engraved a bit from the line to the outside of the blade. Then, the same thing on the other side, but not uniform, because lightning varied and each strike was different.

  The total mana I’d used for the design of the engraving had been intense—847 MP. Probably one of my most expensive engravings.

  But it would be worth it, I hoped.

  Add some of my feathers! Kayda offered and plucked some of her older feathers from her plumage. Five of the softly crackling items landed in my hands.

  I thanked her by stroking her small head, and the feathers grew until they were normal sized in my hands, each almost as long as my forearm.

  “Great idea!” I set them aside and dug around in my inventory for a decent kind of conductive metal. Which, if paying attention in science classes at all as a kid, had been silver. While it would be painful, I could add the metal with a glove, or have Kayda drop it on for me. The second sounded better since she wanted to be involved.