Anaar stood from his seat and grabbed the hammer as if he had been doing it all his life. Judging how it fit against his scale, it was longer than her previous hammer as well. As he twirled it around deftly, treating it with an elegant style she could never muster, she shrieked inside when she realized the most essential part of her hammer, its collapsible handle was missing. She did not have the heart to deliver the bad news, especially after he spent so much time making something so extraordinary, so she took it graciously from him as he flashed a broad smile.
“This is… amazing… I don’t think I want to actually use it in combat. It is far too pretty to ruin! Why is it so sparkly? It feels slightly different from metal too. Though this luster can’t be beat.”
“That is probably because it is coated in diamond. I tried not to make the prismatic quality too obvious less people try to steal it.”
“Oh I see, that makes sens- Did you say DIAMOND?!”
“Yeah. Do you know how tough diamonds are? I decided to make it with me in mind. Even I would have a hard time breaking this with just my strength. It has a diamagnetic boron alloy core, encased in diamond for an additional layer of sturdiness.”
“How can you say that so casually?! This is worse than you making gold bars! What are all these gorgeous blue swirls?”
“I added a cobalt accent to the inlay. Since it is naturally blue, I thought it would make a nice touch. It is also functional in that it helps with tricking Ferrokinetics.”
Maggie swung the hammer a few times, finding that she actually preferred the increased length. Something about its balance felt far superior to her old hammer. If it had nothing else, that alone was such a substantial improvement that she could immediately recognize. The handle felt smooth, yet it gave the sensation it contoured to her hands as if it recognized her.
“Anaar… I don’t know what to say… It is beautiful, feels amazing, and seems unbreakable. I will treasure it, but since it doesn’t collapse, it won’t make for convenient use.”
Anaar looked at her confused. “Who said it didn’t collapse? That is the most important feature for your weapons given your size. I made the head bigger and heavier, but the handle extremely light. It is hidden for aesthetic, but this button here triggers the collapse. It is a graduated collapse feature which lets you choose the perfect length for the situation.”
It took her a moment, but Maggie found the button in question. Anaar had not lied about it being well hidden, nor about how much control she had over the length now. It would take extensive practice, but she could already imagine all the possibilities. As she played with the length of the handle, she was left more and more in awe by the construction.
“How is this possible?! My other hammer had this telescopic look to it. How does it stay more or less the same thickness no matter the length?!”
“That was a tricky one, it took me a while to get right. These accents aren’t just for show. Actually nothing is, it all serves some function. Your old hammer was clearly separate pieces that were assembled. Though this works, being able to build it as one contiguous unit allows much more versatility since it removes waste. Have you noticed anything about the hammer just yet?”
“Other than the fact I’m sure something like this could never be created by anyone else and even if it could be, it would be worth millions in just the diamond alone?!”
“Well yeah there is that. Take a moment to really concentrate and feel the hammer. Hold it by the head and try to tune everything else out.”
Maggie did as she was told and once she did, though it was faint, she felt as if the hammer was quivering, or possibly more accurately, vibrating.
“It feels like it is humming or something.”
“Exactly! Inside the center is this highly concentrated magnetic field that has a fragment held in the middle of the space by the fields. Because these are constantly pitted in a fierce war, it creates vibrations that only intensify when the hammer contacts something. Also, since the field is electromagnetic, it is generating a faint electric pulse. How could I make a weapon fit for a queen if it did not have features especially for her skillset? With enough practice, this gives you two new sources of power to amplify for devastating effects. I look forward to seeing how you grow with it. My lady, I present to you, Vulcan’s Deliverance.”
Maggie flung the hammer to the sofa and immediately jumped onto Anaar, wrapping her legs around him as she hung from his neck, giving him sloppy kisses all over. Tears streamed down her face as she continued to shower him with love, to his laughing, feeble resistance. In the midst of all that was happening, they suddenly heard a voice from the doorway.
“What in the fuck is going on here?!”
The two looked toward the hall to see Phavian standing there with a raised eyebrow demanding an explanation. Maggie clambered down, face flushed and still streaked with tears. She grabbed the hammer from the sofa and raced over to a tensed Phavian who had braced for impact.
“Look! Look what Anaar made me! Isn’t it the most beautiful thing you have ever seen? It is perfect in every way! If I had known this was possible, I would have broken my hammer long ago!”
Phavian took the hammer and immediately could appreciate the work of art. As he had much more experience with weaponry of all types, unlike Maggie, the intricacies of the design boggled his mind. He was not surprised given who made it, but it was still amazing nonetheless.
“It definitely is a thing a beauty. Too much beauty. How are you going to use this without worrying about every little scratch it will get?! Also, what is the little inscription down here? A-V? You signed it?!”
Anaar turns his nose up unabashed. “That took a long time to make! I felt I at least reserved the right to sign it!”
“He’s right! I don’t mind one bit! I’m so excited! I’m ready to go hit something!!”
Anaar smiles at the bounding Maggie as Phavian hold up his hands to calm her down.
“That is going to have to wait. We have something we need to do. It is perfect that you are here Maggie, because that saves me the trouble of coming to get you.”
Anaar rolls his eyes and folds his arms. “By that you mean have me go pick her up.”
“Same thing.”
Grumbling under his breath, “No it isn’t but whatever…”
“What is this you are talking about Phave?”
“There is this huge rally for affinity equality in DC about an hour from now. It is a big deal because all of the prominent figures of the movement will be there and speaking! We have to go! This will be perfect! Imagine the knowledge we can gain to help with our efforts in the Seeds!”
Maggie’s eyes lit up when she heard about the rally, to which she then immediately turned to Anaar with puppy-dog eyes. “Anaar… please…!?”
Anaar looked to Phavian, who was doing his best to mimic the facial expression. “I just made you a new hammer! He is probably going to be bugging me for something later tonight! Why am I always getting roped into these things?! I just wanted a nice relaxing day at home!”
Phavian puffs out his chest in an attempt to look assertive. “Fine! If you refuse this, just know you are shirking your responsibility as a member of the oppressors to help your loved ones that are oppressed!”
“I’m all affinities. I don’t think that argument works on me.”
“But you grew up as a Water and Air affinity!”
“Actually, I grew up as a Fire affinity, raised by a low echelon Earth affinity. It still doesn’t work.”
Phavian puffs up his cheeks stubbornly. “Well…! If you don’t do this… then no sex for the foreseeable future!”
Maggie leans toward Phavian and whispers, “Would that actually work on him?”
Anaar who heard the comment as clearly as if it were shouted responds dryly, “No, it doesn’t… Not at all… Fine, I see your no sex, and raise you staying in your own room from now on.”
Phavian’s face plummets while Maggie grins at him. “I think you lost this one really bad
ly.”
Phavian scrambles to Anaar, falling to his knees, and hugging him tightly. “Please?! Just take us!! If you don’t, I’m going to stay like this!”
“That wouldn’t have worked even before I became a Fire affinity since I could just shift into my elemental form, but it really doesn’t work now since you don’t even come close to having the strength to hold me. Get up already! Fine, we’ll go but know you have used up like ten transport passes with this!”
“You guys have transport passes?”
Phavian grumbles as he stands from the floor. “He puts me on a budget of three a month that he won’t refuse.”
“It’s only the 8th…”
“And he has already used all of them up. Get prepared. Maggie did you need to get changed?”
Maggie nods happily. “Yes please! Can’t go meeting influential leaders looking like this!”
A portal opens to her room, to which she bounds through happily, hugging her new hammer. It was not lost upon Anaar that she had left her old broken one, but he decided to give her a pass since she had just gotten two big rewards at once. He then went to shower and prepare himself, banishing Phavian to one of the other bathrooms when he attempted to join him. Once all their preparations were complete, they picked up Maggie and headed to the rally.
They arrived to find a massive gathering of people numbering in the tens of thousands. Phavian and Maggie were both overwhelmed as they compared the small scope of their organization to what they were witnessing. Together they fought their way through the crowds to move closer to the front. By the time they had made it to a location they found appropriate, the event had begun in earnest. They listened to inspiring messages, one after the other, but one particularly struck home for Phavian.
“The time is now! Too long have we begged to simply be treated as humans! How entitled can Water and Air affinities be that something so meager is beyond the pale?! Look at the president. Nineteen presidents running have been Water affinities. Look at the Senate and the House. 94% and 91% Water and Air affinities! We vastly outnumber them, so why are our votes and voices not heard?! The corruption and underhanded tactics abound, and we sit here happy the smallest of crumbs have fallen from the table, so that we may squabble and fight over that, as we are disparaged and spat upon because we are behaving like the animals they say we are! If we can’t have our voices heard through lawful, democratic means, we are left with no other choice but fight!”
The crowd roared with passion, many people pumping their fists into the air and bouncing around against each other. Anaar was surprised to see Phavian had joined in with just as much fervor, which did not completely surprise him, but he was most accustomed to seeing Phavian give the rallying speeches rather than respond to them. A quick scan gave Anaar an accurate composition of the attunements in attendance.
Throughout the tens of thousands of people gathered, there were only seven Water affinities in attendance, and ninety Air affinities. Such ratios boggled Anaar’s mind since the only exposure he had to similar organizations was the Seeds, and the diversity of the group abounded. He mused whether the lack of representation was caused by the type of messages that were to be presented. He could understand people not wanting to put themselves in harms way with such inciteful speech.
Before he knew it, Phavian was pulling him deeper into the crowd, toward the stage. Since his body had found some way to distinguish harmful intent on its own, he no longer had to worry about drawing suspicion due to his being completely immovable by any force if he did now wish it. Quickly grabbing Maggie’ hand to make sure they did not get separated, Phavian roughly pushed his way through, most people ignoring it in the excitement, but some turning, their expression indicating they were ready for a fight.
They had managed to get in range of the stage in record time, with many of the speakers hanging around to greet likeminded individuals and take questions or comments. It appeared Phavian was not the only person who had a thirst to meet this man, as the line for him was much longer than the others. When it was finally their turn, Phavian rushed to the man, shaking his hand with an eagerness that put him in the mind of Deakin. While Maggie did not rush in to greet the man, she did advance slightly, thinking she might say a few words once Phavian had his fill.
“Man! You were amazing up there! You were really speaking my language! I felt so inspired by your words! This is exactly why I came to this rally!”
The man was slender, short, and very pale with dark hair and eyes. Despite that, there was no doubt he had a commanding presence. He exuded a confidence that nearly shouted he was indomitable. He appeared to be in his late thirties, which might account for his demeanor as he was almost twice their age and had no doubt seen many tempering things along his journey. Upon closer inspection, Anaar had a better explanation for the man’s confidence.
Interesting… Time Dilation. Shit, that is a big deal. With such a rare and powerful manifestation as that, no wonder why he feels untouchable.
“Do you suppose he would be amenable to the idea of a study?”
Not a chance. I’m somewhat tempted to steal it with Assimilation though to study later.
“That would be ill advised. You are still quite inexperienced with that ability, and it could create unforeseen calamity.”
Good point. Just my luck, at my level it wouldn’t just slow time, it would completely stop it in some absurd range, and I wouldn’t know how to turn it off. Better to just leave it as one of those things like Affinity Detection people just assume is a myth these days.
The man shook Phavian’s hand heartily and gave him a toothy smile. “Glad to hear it kid! It always gives me hope when I see kids your age already so serious about the fight. Where did you come from?”
“Well, I’m from New York, but I came here from school in Montana.”
“Well I’ll be damned! That is quite a trip! Some serious dedication you got there!”
“It wasn’t that bad. Thankfully I had a Transporter, so it made it brainless.”
“Coming from Montana, and you had a Transporter?! Talk like that would make people think you were a Sophangence student.”
Phavian scratched the back of his neck, surprisingly meek for someone who is usually boisterous. “Actually I am. I’m a senior there.”
The man’s eyes grew wide as he stepped closer to Phavian. “Really now…? I could get some serious shit done if I had some access to a place like that. I hear they want you to be all hand holding and kumbaya with Water affinities there. Ha! What a joke. It isn’t like they give a fuck about us. They can all fucking burn if you ask me. Excision. That is the only way you will get rid of the cancer. Every time I meet one, I find some way to fuck them over. I’m sure you feel the same way right?”
The meekness Phavian had displayed evaporated in an instant to reveal the man he typically was. Standing tall, he looked down on the man with a different glint in his eyes.
“To be honest, I used to. I lead a group called the Seeds of Life on campus that is about everyone coming together. There was a time where I thought all Water affinities were the devil and Air affinities were right behind them, but my best friend is an Air Affinity, and my boyfriend is a Water Affinity. They showed me that it was wrong to so readily lump everyone into a group and villainize them. That is the reason we are in this piss poor state now.”
Anaar could feel the man’s gaze shift to him, a seething malice emanating from within. “I bet it is this one here, am I right? You two look like you’d be together. He just smells like privilege and money he never had to work for. Yet here he is, pretending like he gives a shit. You better cut the cord before he gets tired of having a pet, lest your ass be tossed out and heartbroken. Happens to pretty ones like you all the time.” The man sidles over to Anaar. “Am I lying you elitist fucker?”
Anaar could see Phavian’s temper flare, but in that same moment, something odd washed over him. He looked around and everything felt as if someone had pushed a slow-motion button. Wh
at was significant to him was that there was a hard line between those that were affected and those that were not. Despite the effect being fairly powerful the range was laughable.
This is interesting. Even though I can recognize people outside of about ten feet are unaffected, it isn’t as if much time has passed, even for the ones outside the range. It really does feel like when we communicate Hobb.
“Indeed, this is a similar sensation. Could that be why it seems to have no effect on you?”
Anaar, as he was wont to do was so engrossed in his study, he failed to heed the obvious.
Oh damn, you are right. I didn’t even pick up on that. I suppose that knife he has is supposed to take me out before I ever knew what happened? Since it would happen so fast and he is just approaching me, no one would suspect him. I’ll give it to him that such a move is clever. I wonder how long he has been doing this.
“Based on his own account, I would be logical to expect this is a longstanding and frequent occurrence. What shall you do about the situation?”
It isn’t like he can hurt me, but I don’t like the idea of him trying to shank me in the first place. I do reserve the right to defend myself.
Anaar waited for what felt like an eternity, not understanding why his perception of time was both slowed and sped up simultaneously. He wondered if the man was experiencing everything in normal time, or if it was slowed for him as well. As he finally reached his side, knife extended, Anaar grabbed the man by the face, palming his head like a basketball and fully extended his arm leaving the man dangling off the ground. Time snapped back to a normal speed, Phavian still charging up with anger, and the crowd beginning to notice the disturbance.
Holding the man aloft as he kicked and squirmed, everyone was shocked the see the popular man being attacked. “Time Dilation is a hell of an ability, and you seem to know how to use it well. It is unfortunate for you I was able to counter it, or your little phantom knifing act would have been successful.”
Upon hearing the words, the knife in the man’s hand clatters to the ground as he wheezes and groans under the pressure Anaar is exerting on his head. “… the fuck?!”
Revelations (Song of Sophangence Book 4) Page 36
