tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48643262954197034222024-03-13T12:26:35.149-07:00Tokyo Surrenders To A Hamsterpranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-13203218355091792892018-01-01T21:51:00.002-08:002018-01-01T21:51:42.566-08:00GMC Cycles<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">GMC
Cycles</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is an outlining style that I
recently tried out, and it worked really well. I usually write by the seat of
my pants, more of a Gardener than a Pantser, so standard outlines were the
worst for me, but doing GMC Cycles made the process feel like writing a “First
Draft” that needed to be revised and filled in rather than an outline. It made
the whole process go really well. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are two things I need to
address before moving on. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First: what is a GMC? GMC stands for
Goal, Motivation and Conflict. These are the keys to keeping your characters
and story on track. The Goal is what CHARACTER wants. The Motivation is why CHARACTER
wants it. The Conflict is what is stopping CHARACTER from getting it. It’s easy
to write a simple GMC for a scene: CHARACTER wants THING because REASON, but
PROBLEM. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The other thing I needed to discuss:
what is the cycle? Well, the cycle is a try/fail cycle. It’s what CHARACTER
goes through to achieve that Goal by overcoming the Conflict. All a try/fail
cycle really is though, is just answering the question, “Does CHARACTER get
THING?” But the answer is not a simple yes or no. It’s, “Yes, but UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES,” or “No, and PROBLEM GETS WORSE.” With the second part of this,
it gives the character a new Goal and a new Motivation, as well as sets up a
new Conflict, thus cycling to your next GMC. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, where do we start? </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, we need to start with an
opening image. What do you want to happen at the very beginning? Write one line
of motion, one line of description and one thought by CHARACTER. CHARACTER doesn’t
have to be named at his point. Use the tense you will write the story in for
this. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
CHARACTER rushed out of the subway. People congested the sidewalk, and clangs
of construction clouded his senses. The thought of Big Bob’s Bakery, BBB, made
his mouth water. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now we have a starting point. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After writing your opening image,
copy and paste the four topic points below. Paste it like a hundred times (or
as many as you feel like since you can just paste more later): </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">GMC:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> X
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Y
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Characters:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Z
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Try/fail:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> XYZ
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Make
sure there is at least one line between each of these sets (not between the topic
points). From here, we will start to fill these out. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Based on the initial image, what
does CHARACTER want? Why? What is stopping CHARACTER? Replace X with a GMC
sentence. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
CHARACTER wants to make it to BBB before it closes, because he is hungry, but there
are too many people in the way. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where does this GMC take place?
Replace Y with the location, don’t be too detailed. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
Just outside the subway, on the sidewalk, lots of traffic in the streets. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who is taking part in this GMC?
Replace Z with the characters involved. They don’t need to be named, just categorized:
Main, Enemy, Love, Sidekick, elder, etc. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
CHARACTER. Faceless crowd. Enemy, but only described. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The final part of the cycle is to
answer the try/fail question. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
Yes, CHARACTER makes it, but BBB is already closed, early, and it never closed
early. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This leads us to our next cycle. We
have a new Goal (CHARACTER wants a sandwich), a new motivation (because
CHARACTER is still hungry and now he’s also worried) and a new conflict (but
the store is already closed). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now we just repeat the cycle,
filling in the location, characters and answering the try/fail question. And
again. And again. And again until we reach the ending. At the ending we need to
write a final image, which is like the opening image, to show us the last thing
the character is doing when the curtain closes. For this, also write three
sentences: motion, description and thought. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
CHARACTER stuffed a sandwich into his mouth from BBB as he leaped out of the
window, running away from the police. The alley behind BBB was full of refuse
and wasted meat that should have been thrown away weeks ago. This sandwich tasted
so good, it was totally worth being framed for Big Bob’s murder. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finishing this feels like finishing
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last three steps are pretty
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example:</b>
CHARACTER wants to eat at BBB because it has the best sandwiches in the city,
but Big Bob has been murdered, and the killer is trying to frame CHARACTER. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second to last step is to revise
the GMC Cycles up to this point, then revise the overall GMC. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, put a page break after each
GMC Cycle and start writing under each GMC Cycle. When you finish with a GMC
Cycle, and are looking to stop for the time being, write at least the first
line of the next GMC Cycle. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode: char; line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-56437652186647482362017-08-23T20:32:00.000-07:002017-08-23T20:32:33.711-07:00Character buildingLong time no post. Sorry about that. Really been focused on writing. And recently, I went on the <a href="http://writingexcuses.com/">Writing Excuses</a> Writing Retreat (WXR17). It was wonderful, and I learned so much. There, one of the things that really stuck with me was a character building exercise/lecture that <a href="https://www.oldeheuvelt.com/"><span>Thomas Olde Heuvelt</span></a><span> gave. It was amazing. So, I took notes and added a few things and tried to be as detailed as possible. It's long, but that's only because I go step by step through the process. I hope it helps out. (Sorry for any typos and grammar errors in advance, though I don't think there are any. I just don't have the time to comb through it.)</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>Also, if you love horror, please check out his book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25533076-hex">Hex</a>. </span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrt3m9zXiZg/WZ5Idchk5HI/AAAAAAAABgk/MGeeGK6_jq8uu6eA2coqlCDcn0Dm2VFegCLcBGAs/s1600/KIMG0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrt3m9zXiZg/WZ5Idchk5HI/AAAAAAAABgk/MGeeGK6_jq8uu6eA2coqlCDcn0Dm2VFegCLcBGAs/s320/KIMG0565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span><br /></span>
<span><br /></span>
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<h1>
Character building</h1>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Brief outline:</u></b> 14 steps </div>
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1. Basic character description </div>
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2. Background </div>
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3. Inciting incident </div>
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4. Consequences </div>
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5. Dilemmas </div>
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6. Greatest desires </div>
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7. Themes </div>
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8. Messages </div>
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9. Traits </div>
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10. Elements that lead to change </div>
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11. Immediate game changer </div>
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12. Character development </div>
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13. Outcome </div>
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14. Symbolism </div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>1. Basic character description</u></b> </div>
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First of all, you don’t want to be
too detailed here or you can make writing a bit tedious and remove the reader’s
imagination/bog you down when writing. You can always add more later and fix
major points, depending on your writing process. </div>
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First, start with a name. Every
character needs a name, and they should know their own name, or at least what
they are called. (Amnesia stories still usually call a character something,
right?) </div>
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Next, age. How old is the
character? Is that adulthood? Near adulthood? A child? Depending on society,
the age can be very important, or not at all, but it’s still a good starting
point. </div>
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After that, five basic physical
descriptions. Emotional stuff comes later, but this is the stuff that you would
use via a mirror or another character to describe the character. (Please don’t
use a mirror) Remember, these are minor, like hair color, height, clothing,
etc. </div>
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Second to last, a major
distinguishing feature. This is the first thing other characters (most of them)
will notice about the character and describe it. Do they have a scar? A face
tattoo? Pink hair in a black and white society? Abnormally tall in Japan? What
is something that really just stands out. </div>
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Last (and this doesn’t really have
to be the last thing, depending on your process), a major feature of the
character that no one else (or very few people) know about that the character
doesn’t advertise. Three nipples? Sixteen toes? Carries a locket of a secret
lover/puppy? Give us something that really shows who the character is to
themselves. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 1:</b> </div>
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-Andy Paterson. </div>
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-27 years old. </div>
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-Brown hair and eyes, 5’8’’, goatee,
wide shoulders and often wears black and green clothes. </div>
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-Always wears a flamboyant hat to
draw attention.</div>
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-Has a tattoo of his original
family name (Darwin) across his left breast. </div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>2. Background</u></b> </div>
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This is where we find out about the
character (and a flash of the world) prior to the story starting, and even some
things that might happen/be on page before the inciting incident. Don’t go into
too much detail here, just a few to give you a basic idea. </div>
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First, start with a single line
about the setting. Is it real world? Sci-Fi? Medieval? Horror fantasy? </div>
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Then, try to answer some of these
questions (3-5 is good, more is okay based on your process): </div>
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-Who is the character in life? </div>
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-What does the character do? </div>
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-What is the character’s family
situation? </div>
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-Does the character have any pets
or special items? </div>
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-Are there any secret relationships
or family ties, known or unknown to the character? </div>
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-Is there a defining incident that
has shaped the character? </div>
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-Where does the character spend
most of their time? </div>
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-Who is important to the character?
</div>
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-When does the character do
something important in their life? </div>
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-Why does the character value
something? (This one is not so important, but just in case) </div>
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-What has the character done that
is important/significant? </div>
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-Why is the character important to
those around them? </div>
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-What kind of training does the
character have? </div>
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-Does the character have any
special skills/magic/tech? </div>
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-Are there any particular things
that have caused the character to repeat mistakes? <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 2:</b> </div>
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-Real world with hidden fantasy
elements, starts in Scotland, moves to South America </div>
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-YouTube channel where he whispers
to different animals </div>
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-Descendant of Charles Darwin, but
his family has long since changed his name </div>
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-Has a brother who is also his YouTube
editor and a hedgehog named Milo</div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>3. Inciting incident</u></b> </div>
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This is the big moment that will
change the character’s life and start to move them towards the main plot,
whatever it may be. This is really important (and though it may be edited out,
changed when the scene arrives or be reworked from a different angle, it’s
worth the time to think about it). </div>
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What will drag the character out of
their everyday life? </div>
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-Did they piss on a grave and get
possessed by a ghost? </div>
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-Did someone discover their secret?
</div>
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-Are they being blackmailed? </div>
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-Was there a dead body in the bed
with them when they woke up? </div>
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Just spend a few moments to think
about this and think about what kind of event would shake the character. What
kind of event would move them towards the plot, whatever it may be. (I mostly
pants, more of a gardener at least, so I don’t like outlines/knowing the
ending, but this method has been really good for me to look at stories, and
this part in particular helps story doctor it up.) </div>
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Everything that happens after this
(well, almost everything) will be based on what the inciting incident is. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 3:</b> </div>
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-The KGB shows up one day during
filming, kidnaps his brother and gives him the secret diary of Charles Darwin
that shows Dragons exist, and that it breaks the link of evolution. </div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>4. Consequences</u></b> </div>
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This is mostly a reaction to the
inciting incident and how it changes the character’s life. Focusing on the
character’s initial emotions and what has changed about them (inside and out
sometimes) will help you get a picture of what the character is made of. </div>
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You don’t want to focus too much on
how they physically react, sticking more to their emotional reactions to the
inciting incident. </div>
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How do they feel? </div>
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Do they have newfound emotional
issues or have old issues gotten worse? </div>
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Have they become attached to
something? </div>
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What (if anything) in their belief
system has changed? </div>
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Have their family/personal
relationships changed? </div>
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Is something more/less important to
them after the inciting incident? </div>
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Have they finally accepted/began
denying something? </div>
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Do they want to do something they
know they shouldn’t? (or feel like it’s not such a bad thing?) </div>
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These questions are just to give
you an idea of what you could ask the character, but I’m sure there are many
more. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 4:</b> </div>
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-Becomes paranoid </div>
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-Emotionally attached to Milo the
hedgehog </div>
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-resentful of Charles Darwin </div>
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-Believes in destiny now</div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>5. Dilemmas:</u></b> </div>
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This is where you have to think
back to the inciting incident and come up with two problems the character will
have to face before the end of the story. (Again, these are not set in stone,
but they will give you a good idea of where the story could go before you
write/detailed outline and some more tests for the character and how it will
shape them.) </div>
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First, come up with a big dilemma.
What is something that the character must face before then end? And not
gumdrops or kittens (unless it’s choke his family with gumdrops or murder all
the kittens in the world). It needs to be a tough option, where neither choice
is really good. (This can go into the ‘Third option’ that I learned from Dave
Farland, but that’s a different discussion). </div>
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For the second dilemma, depending
on how long you are thinking the story will be, will determine how related to
your first dilemma the second is. If your story is short, the two dilemmas
should be interconnected. If it’s really long, they should be a world apart (at
least on the outside/first glance). </div>
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Review these dilemmas and look back
to the inciting incident as they will be important for shaping who the
character is and what they will become. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 5:</b> </div>
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-Train the dragons and give them to
Russia or allow the KGB to kill his brother and protect the dragons </div>
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-Will he tell the world that his
grandfather was wrong and that dragons exist </div>
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</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>6 Greatest desires:</u></b> </div>
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The character’s desires are very
important, but focusing on the ones they want above all others is better for
this part of the process. Though, adding in a minor desire does help round the
character out, so it is important to not completely avoid it. </div>
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First, what does the character want
most before the inciting incident? Come up with one or two things here to give
the character initial motivation and make them more proactive at the start. You
might also want to think about something character wants the least/is trying to
avoid from happening. A negative desire is still a goal. </div>
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Second, what does the character
want most after the inciting incident? Come up with at least two (no more than
four) things here to add more layers to the character. You really want to dive
into this and show that the plot, while important, isn’t the only driving
factor here for the character. Think about the dilemmas and how they could tie
into the character’s desires. </div>
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Finally, what is something small
the character wants before and after the inciting incident? It could be a
chocolate bar because they gave up chocolate and suddenly a super villain blew
up the only store in their area that sold it. Try to stick to only one desire
for before and one desire for after, as to not bog the character’s thought
process down. (In the outline/writing, adding more is not a bad thing, in fact,
it’s really awesome in most cases as small goals and desires help move the
story along, but at this part, you don’t want to overthink it.) </div>
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Having the desires in mind at this
point will help shape the character to the end. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 6:</b> </div>
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-Wants to reach 1million YouTube
subscribers </div>
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-Train unknown and great animals </div>
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-Train the dragons </div>
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-Save his brother </div>
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-Get revenge on the KGB</div>
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-Have people understand him without
having to speak one word at a time or without subtitles</div>
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<br /></div>
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</span>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>7. Theme:</u></b> </div>
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Focusing too much on the theme can
ruin the story, but not looking at it all can also have a negative impact on
it. Here, you’re not really coming up with the final theme of the story, or
even the final theme of what the character is doing. You just want to think of
a theme or two (no more than four) that could really show off parts of the
character, world and plot. In the end, this probably won’t survive the first
draft (or detailed outline in some cases), and that’s a good thing. (You don’t
want to take a ham-handed approach here.) But this will drive arguments and
character interactions, so it is important to at least give it a bit of your
time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thinking back to the inciting
incident, why did it affect the character? This will give you the biggest
connection to your theme. If you can answer this question with more than one
theme, that’s fine, but you don’t want to have too many as that will make the
character and their interactions seem scatterbrained. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 7:</b> </div>
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-Family love </div>
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-Truth and lies </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>8. Message:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Like the theme, you don’t want to
harp on this too much, and it often won’t survive the first draft/detailed
outline. But this will give the character a good idea of how the character will
look at their dilemmas and their thought process during
dialogue/action/fun-bits. It will also show a bit of the character arc and
something the character is wrestling with. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Usually this is related to one of
the dilemmas, but it doesn’t have to be. Again, it will wash away with the
later drafts/detailed outlines, and that is a good thing as it will keep it
from being ham-handed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
For this, really think about what
the dilemma (or dilemmas if you chose both of them) means to the character.
What would making either choice mean? That will usually give you your message. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 8:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- The truth has consequences </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>9. Traits:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Traits are things that make the
character special. They don’t have to be personal traits, but most of them will
be. Sometimes, a trait can be an item or something that is special to the
character. Negative traits are also important as they will help shape how the
character reacts to certain situations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
First, let’s look at positive
traits. What are two or three things that make the character stand out in a
good way? You don’t want to give the character too many of these (though more
will come up as the story progresses, and some of the negative traits can be
turned into positive ones throughout the story), so try to stick to three at
this point. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Does the character have a magical
power/special ability/item? Be detailed here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Why is this the character needed
to be in this story? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Next, look at the character’s negative
traits. What are two or three things that make the character a pain/stand out
in a bad way? More is okay here, especially if you want to turn them into a
character arc to correct them or add more conflict with them, but don’t just
add them for no reason. These are as important, if not more important, than the
positive traits, so be as detailed as you can here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-You may even want to detail how
the trait must be overcome for a happy ending. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Finally, go back over each of the
traits and look at how they relate to the dilemmas, inciting incident and
desires. Try to mold them a bit to have more synergy. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 9:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- Animal whisperer (magically) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-A loyal following on YouTube,
getting about 500k views within the first day his videos are up </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-A strong memory </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Doesn’t know how computers work </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Super Scottish accent to the point
most Scottish people can’t understand him </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Dislikes smaller animals because
they aren’t worth his time </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Never had a girlfriend </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Likes to hide in booze when things
get tough </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>10. Elements that lead to change:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This is basically small bumps in
the road that will alter where the character goes and how they may see the
dilemmas differently. These are things that the character will have to
overcome, maybe not move past or defeat, but things that must be dealt with
before the story can progress to the conclusion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Think about the things in the
characters life: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-What are the other people in the
story doing? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-What is something that jumps out
of nowhere and tries to push the character off course? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Any romance or other cross-genre
elements? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Any new/broken attachments? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Anything surprising that makes the
character thing differently? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
These are important to give a bit
of extra thought to since they will help shape how you’ll view the character
arc. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 10:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- His Russian liaison and
translator can understand him, and he falls in love with her </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Finds his dream when he sees the
dragons and becomes attached to them at first sight </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Dragons are human whispers, but
his power cancels it out, slowly overriding it </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Followers threatening to
unsubscribe if he doesn’t release a new video soon </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>11. Immediate game changer:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This is something that changes
everything for the character. If the dilemma seemed like an easy choice (even
if awful) at first, this is something that makes it a much tougher decision.
This is also something that throws everything the character knew, thought they
knew or believed into the blender. This is also a hard stop for some of the
character’s desires, and makes them question things. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Think of this as the brick wall
that can’t be climbed over, and once the character got too close to it, the
path behind them fell away. This is a major thing that will make them look at
the world and themselves differently (in most cases), and it will (should)
change how they look at the other characters, conflict and resolution. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-What will shake the character’s
world? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Coming up with more than one of
these is okay, but be careful not to overdo it, and the more there are, the
longer the story will be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Also, this doesn’t always make it
to the first draft/detailed outline, (and often it is changed unless you are
using this exercise like a story doctor) but it will give the character a
second major moment (after the inciting incident) for change, and that is
important for moving towards the end. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 11:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- The dragons whispered to Charles
Darwin to make him keep them out of his studies, and they gave him the ideas
for his Theory of Evolution </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Dragons manipulate evolution</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>12. Character development:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
From the background to the inciting
incident, to immediate game changer, the character will change. Their thoughts
and ideas will change. Their plans and goals will change. Even some of their
desires and relationships will change. For this section, you need to figure out
how the character will be influenced by all this and come out after the
immediate game changer? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Will they be broken and ready to
give up? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Was that the hardening they needed
to move forward? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Does everything make sense? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Try to come up with at least one
development to their plan and one emotional/relationship development for the
character to go through, but try not to do more than four developments here.
(More will come in the drafts and/or outlines, so it’s not all that important
to harp on it here.) <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 12:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- This revelation makes him want to
train the dragons to take down Russia and save his brother </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Finds peace with Charles Darwin,
moving from resentment to understanding </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Sees a blend between destiny and
science </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-So excited, starts dating his
liaison and they have the fun-bits </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>13. Outcome:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This is where everything comes
together. How will the character choose during the dilemmas? What will they use
to reach the ‘happy’ third option where they make their own rules/choice? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
A key here is to go back through
this exercise and look for anything you hadn’t used/brought up after
introducing it, and have it be a part of the conclusion/climax. This is another
reason, while you may add more details in later on, you didn’t want to add too
many here, as these are only the keys. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Often, this will not survive
drafts/outlines, but it’s a good starting point for looking at the character. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 13:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- Once he gets the dragons trained
for war, his liaison betrays him, taking the dragons with her back to the KGB.
He stops himself from drowning himself in booze and hanks Milo for comforting
him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
overcomes his disdain for smaller creatures and tells Milo he loves him and is
sorry for not being able to save his brother. Milo transforms into a dragon,
revealing that he’d been with the family since Charles Darwin, watching over
them. But one dragon against hundreds isn’t enough, but this is when he,
poorly, goes to his YouTube channel and calls out to his followers, bringing
them down to South America. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Milo
transforms them into dragons (without the power to control evolution, but more
the standard war type), and they fly on Russia, rescuing his brother and the
dragons at the cost of Milo’s and the liaison’s lives. Despite her betrayal, he
feels hurt by her loss and by the loss of Milo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the end, the dragons return everyone to normal and transform themselves before
(possibly) removing their ability to manipulate evolution. But his video
calling out his followers exploded, pushing him over 10 million subscribers and
the video going everywhere. The science community is devastated, and the world
is not looking towards brighter days after the attack on Russia and this
information. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>14. Symbolism:</u></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This is important to help tie your
story down in reality. Think of things in our world that you can attach to your
world to help create a hook for the reader that will help them suspend their
disbelief. This doesn’t have to be anything major, just small things that will
anchor your story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Answer the question: How will you
add reality to this story? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Often, these will stick to the
story, though they may not be apparent after several drafts/outlines, but they
will be there to solidify your world and character. <br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Example 14:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
- Truth hurts </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Accepting heritage and family </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Bonds of family will drive someone
to do something awful</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
That is the basics of the character
building exercise. It’s a good way to look at a new story, doctor an old story
or go through a story you’re in the middle of to help shore things up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I hope this helps and my explanations
make sense. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Here are all the examples typed
into one place to give you an idea of what it all looks like together. This was
the group brainstormed character at WXR17, and I’m looking to write it soon,
but if you feel the itch, go ahead and try it out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.</b> Andy Paterson. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-27 years old. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Brown hair and eyes, 5’8’’, goatee,
wide shoulders and often wears black and green clothes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Always wears a flamboyant hat to
draw attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Has a tattoo of his original
family name (Darwin) across his left breast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.</b> Real world with hidden fantasy elements, starts in Scotland,
moves to South America </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-YouTube channel where he whispers
to different animals </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Descendant of Charles Darwin, but
his family has long since changed his name </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Has a brother who is also his
YouTube editor and a hedgehog named Milo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.</b> The KGB shows up one day during filming, kidnaps his brother and
gives him the secret diary of Charles Darwin that shows Dragons exist, and that
it breaks the link of evolution. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4.</b> Becomes paranoid </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Emotionally attached to Milo the
hedgehog </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-resentful of Charles Darwin </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Believes in destiny now</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5.</b> Train the dragons and give them to Russia or allow the KGB to
kill his brother and protect the dragons </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Will he tell the world that his
grandfather was wrong and that dragons exist </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6.</b> Wants to reach 1million YouTube subscribers </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Train unknown and great animals </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Train the dragons </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Save his brother </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Get revenge on the KGB</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Have people understand him without
having to speak one word at a time or without subtitles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7.</b> Family love </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Truth and lies </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8.</b> The truth has consequences </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9.</b> Animal whisperer (magically) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-A loyal following on YouTube,
getting about 500k views within the first day his videos are up </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-A strong memory </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Doesn’t know how computers work </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Super Scottish accent to the point
most Scottish people can’t understand him </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Dislikes smaller animals because
they aren’t worth his time </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Never had a girlfriend </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Likes to hide in booze when things
get tough </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10.</b> His Russian liaison and translator can understand him, and he
falls in love with her </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Finds his dream when he sees the
dragons and becomes attached to them at first sight </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Dragons are human whispers, but
his power cancels it out, slowly overriding it </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Followers threatening to
unsubscribe if he doesn’t release a new video soon </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11.</b> The dragons whispered to Charles Darwin to make him keep them
out of his studies, and they gave him the ideas for his Theory of Evolution </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12.</b> This revelation makes him want to train the dragons to take
down Russia and save his brother </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Finds peace with Charles Darwin,
moving from resentment to understanding </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Sees a blend between destiny and
science </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-So excited, starts dating his
liaison and they have the fun-bits </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13.</b> Once he gets the dragons trained for war, his liaison betrays
him, taking the dragons with her back to the KGB. He stops himself from drowning
himself in booze and hanks Milo for comforting him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
overcomes his disdain for smaller creatures and tells Milo he loves him and is
sorry for not being able to save his brother. Milo transforms into a dragon,
revealing that he’d been with the family since Charles Darwin, watching over
them. But one dragon against hundreds isn’t enough, but this is when he,
poorly, goes to his YouTube channel and calls out to his followers, bringing
them down to South America. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Milo
transforms them into dragons (without the power to control evolution, but more
the standard war type), and they fly on Russia, rescuing his brother and the
dragons at the cost of Milo’s and the liaison’s lives. Despite her betrayal, he
feels hurt by her loss and by the loss of Milo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the end, the dragons return everyone to normal and transform themselves before
(possibly) removing their ability to manipulate evolution. But his video
calling out his followers exploded, pushing him over 10 million subscribers and
the video going everywhere. The science community is devastated, and the world
is not looking towards brighter days after the attack on Russia and this
information. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">14.</b> Truth hurts </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Accepting heritage and family </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-Bonds of family will drive someone
to do something awful</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-1584499506958027852016-11-27T01:08:00.002-08:002016-11-27T01:08:41.874-08:00By Your Powers Combined Short StoryThis is the semi-final draft, the one I submitted to <a href="http://www.writersofthefuture.com/">Writers Of The Future</a> and got an honorable mention for. (I'll post more updates on that when I find out more) It's a bit long, over 10k words and almost 40 pages, but I hope it reads easy enough that it doesn't feel this way.<br />
<br />
Also, one of my students may make a webcomic out of the story, so stay tuned for more information about that.<br />
<br />
As far as other news goes, still working on my urban fantasy, hopefully yall will hear some good news about that soon enough.<br />
<br />
Anyway, without further hemming and hawing, here is the story:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUnYPAm-Ljw/WDqiW0DjiXI/AAAAAAAABec/EPc8_7SrQDUejirzktxGKQA3ECl0zauRwCLcB/s1600/KIMG0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUnYPAm-Ljw/WDqiW0DjiXI/AAAAAAAABec/EPc8_7SrQDUejirzktxGKQA3ECl0zauRwCLcB/s320/KIMG0063.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Your Powers
Combined</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Smoke billowed from the factory
across the street and left an oily taste in my mouth, but still, I grinned at
Igu. This was our sparring spot, no matter what was being made here. Clutching
the azure-forged hammer, I squared my feet; my shoulders screamed from the
weight. The instant exhaustion was worse than working overtime in the azure-ore
mines. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu pointed the tip of her
whip-blade at me, the ocean-blue ripples across its steel matching my hammer. “Tima,
are you sure you don’t want to use the practice weapons one last time?” Her
voice was softer than the tunics we both wore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I couldn’t wait to get my soul
crystal implanted into the hammer after this morning’s ceremony. Fire … The
best of the four powers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shaggy hair whipped across my face
as I shook my head. “You scared?” Just maintaining my stance strained my
muscles to the point of breaking: only years of mining gave me the strength to
step forward. The One! Without the soul crystal’s weight reduction, my hammer
weighed a ton, but I’d power through it like I did everything else. “Like a
little baby?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t cry when I cut you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t cry.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You do, too.” Igu edged to her
right. She was average height for someone in our village, which put her up to
my chest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Liar. I haven’t cried since I was a
child.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu rolled her eyes. “You just
turned sixteen.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Which means I’m an adult.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not until we get our soul crystals
removed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She was down the mine this morning,
acting all pissed off and touchy for no reason. It was like she didn’t want to
leave the village with me. If she’d told anyone about our plans, they’d stop
us— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu would never do that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just shut up.” I charged, and gripping
the four-foot handle, I turned my hips into the swing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu rolled under the strike and
pulled her whip-blade’s trigger. The sword blade elongated and extended like a
lasso around my feet. “Should have thought first.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I released my grip on the hammer and
allowed it to flip through the air and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thunk</i>
to the ground. The lack of weight threw my body into a quick spin, and my knee
caught Igu in the chest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She grunted, dropping her whip-blade
before the impact lifted her into the air. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hardly surprising considering I was
almost twice her weight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu tumbled upon hitting the ground
with liquid grace. Grime coated her inch-long pink hair, a shade lighter than
mine. “We’re supposed to be practicing with our weapons.” Her off-white eyes
burned with indignation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We can’t just rely on our weapons or
powers in the Gladiatorium. We have to be ready to change at a moment’s notice.
Adapt.” I kicked her whip-blade behind me, and glanced at my hammer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Think, stupid.” Igu was right in
front of me, her open palm smacking me in the chin and sending me staggering
backwards. She leaped forward and planted a boot in my chest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I turned with the blow, shrugging it
aside with raw power and pulling her into a bear-hug. “No need.” I lifted her
into the air as the Ritual Temple’s bell chimed: time’s up. I set her down then
hurried to pick up our weapons. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Staring at us from an entrance into
the factory were four adults of the same height: short. They didn’t look much
older than me, but instead of the milky white eyes of childhood, they each had
colored irises to represent their powers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Red, a fire wielder and the only
woman in the group, had maroon hair to match her eyes and wore a scowl that
made my hands tremble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wasn’t nervous or scared of her … much.
Really, I wasn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Green, the bald earth wielder,
looked like a twig while Yellow—the wind wielder—turned to Blue and kissed him.
Ugh, why would Yellow stoop to kissing Blue? Didn’t Yellow know water was a
worthless element? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All had on sleeveless fighter’s
tunics like me and Igu, but they each had metallic tattoos covering their arms:
they were Regime Hunters. Dogs doing whatever job the Regime sent them out for,
without care of cost or collateral damage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A shiver twisted my gut, and I
turned away, handing Igu her whip-blade. “Ready?” I asked, voice cracking. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Of course,” Igu said. “But, you
know, if you go into a fight with the One like that—” She nudged me in the
side, “—you’re going to get roasted.” Her joking tone about religious fairy tales
helped me forget the bastards staring a hole into my back, whom Igu didn’t even
seem to notice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wait, was she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i> going on about that think-before-I-act nonsense? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “Just
leave off.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tima …” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The One was shattered long ago to
save everyone; he was going to kill every last man, woman and child to protect
the planet.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That doesn’t make him any less frightening.”
She shivered. “If anything, more so.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not scared of a God who can’t
stay out past sundown. I’m an adult.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not yet.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Starting towards the Ritual Temple,
I waved for Igu to hurry it up. “Look, as bulky as I am, I need to be fluid if
I’m going to win the Gladiatorium and convince Aisa to marry me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu scoffed. “One, she’s twice as
old as you, and two—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are you getting at?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That you should find someone closer
to your age.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Like who? Ekanli? She’s taken.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu puffed out her cheeks then
crossed her arms, glancing at the ground. “There’s me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bursting into laughter, I stumbled
over my own feet. “You’re. Not. A girl.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu’s whip-blade shot out in its
solid form, the cold azure-steel pressing against my ribs. “What was that?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I grinned down at her. “You’re my
best friend. Nothing can come between us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She lowered her whip-blade and
muttered something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Cheer up. By this time tomorrow,
we’ll be living the dream. Never having to go back to the mine, sneaking out of
the village, finally getting out of here like we’ve always wanted, just you and
me, riding off on a big adventure.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And you promise we’ll leave
together?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I promise.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">###</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After placing our weapons in one of
the Ritual Temple’s lockers and throwing on brown robes, I motioned for Igu to
go in first. A few deep breaths and some focus would do me good. My soul
crystal had to be fire. My training with Mother, my size and my fighting style
were all based on the inherent strength fire granted, though the speed from
wind or the endurance from earth wouldn’t go to waste. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just as long as it wasn’t water,
whatever its inherent ability was. I’d have to study water’s power after
becoming an adult in case I fought someone with water, but that could come
later. Water wasn’t important enough to really merit my time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Though the power of any element was
amazing, it was countered easily enough with an azure-forged weapon or defensive
use of an element. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I ducked through the high archway.
Centering the whole chamber was the ancient device granted by the One to remove
soul crystals from our bodies. The same device that gave rise to the Regime’s
factories and new technology: high-calorie food, medical equipment, weapons. Some
ever claimed the Regime was being foolish and trying to replace horses,
building some machine here in the village, in that factory. Several gears
churned in the main device, which was connected to four tables, all forged from
azure-ore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mayor and village elders stood
around the circular room and wore bored expressions. Mother and my uncles were
there, too, among others; at least, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i>
wore smiles. All here would bear witness to our ascent into adulthood and bless
our futures by adding their prayers to ours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa, the village healer, was in her
early thirties, tall compared to the other villagers—almost up to my chin—and
had held my heart for the last seven years. At the moment, she stood next to
two of my friends: Ekanli and Modaj. Her beautiful red eyes marked her as a
fire-wielder, and after today, my eyes would no longer be a stark white; we’d
match. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the third ritual table, Igu
grinned up at me, her lips quivering. Despite the solid stone she lay on, she
looked more nervous than uncomfortable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Forcing the biggest smile I could
manage, I nodded. When the tension in her face relaxed, I moved to the last
ritual table and lay down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa’s robes swished as she came over
to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I bit into my lower lip, cheeks warm.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you nervous, Tima?” Aisa’s
voice was a mix of honey and sweet cakes: delicious to hear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, I’m ready.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good,” Aisa said. “Remember, Tima,
you can’t get off the table.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can we start?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Okay,” Aisa said before projecting
her voice to everyone, “let’s pray.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May the Four shelter us from the
One until day becomes night and takes his power away,” I said along with everyone
else. “And may the One be just while reigning over the day and only punish
those who draw his gaze.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The chamber fell silent, and the
ritual device <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">buzzed</i> to life; the
four fist-sized crystals mounted atop it bursting to light, each emulating a
different element’s color. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything went white, and pain
locked my joints into place. Ahhhhhh! My toes curled. Teeth gritted. Not right!
My joints were being jerked out to the side, or at least they felt like that.
My legs contorted, and every hair on my body was being ripped free. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can’t die here. I— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flopping to the side, I came to the
edge of the table. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone screamed, a woman. Silence. Two
more screams filled the void. A fourth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My voice? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Distant, Aisa cried out a warning, then
something about the other three children. The other three … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friends were dying! Igu was dying!
I pushed myself up, vision gone. I had to get to them, to save them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rough hands seized my shoulders and
pressed me flat onto my back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I thrashed against those holding me
down until my muscles revolted. No matter how strong I was. No matter how much
Mother had trained me. I was helpless. Unable to save my friends. Dead. Worthless—
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Couldn’t breathe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The white faded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Darkness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Needed air! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sat up, gasping. I … had passed
out during the ritual? The ritual … Why had I passed out? How long had I been
out? A haze hung over my thoughts; I was forgetting something. Something very
important. I ran my fingers through my hair: it was matted with sweat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My gray tunic and shorts were no
longer covered in dust and grime. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Huh? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The purple couch underneath me said
I was in Aisa’s house, one leg sprawled across the coffee table. Maybe she’d
washed my clothes. By the door were my hammer and a backpack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How much time had been wasted
sleeping? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A pounding headache kicked me in the
skull, and something drew my attention to the fireplace. It felt like something
was pulling me to it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the mantel, inside a small glass
box lay a blue crystal as big as my thumbnail. The crystal pulsed and magnified
my headache. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What,” I said. “Is. Happening?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Establishing
our link,”</i> a baritone voice said inside my head as a thin, blue line of
light extended from my chest to the crystal. It was the crystal speaking. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filthy human.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once connected, dizziness smacked me
across the face, and I stumbled backwards; the coffee table took my legs out
from under me. I landed on the couch, but my head <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thunked</i> into the wall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
was that necessary?”</i> the crystal asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Filth,
I am Barges, and I am a water soul crystal.”</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Water?” I ground my teeth then
punched the couch as my stomach sank. The One, it felt like I’d swallowed a
chunk of azure-ore. My research and training had all been a waste of time. The
One, the One, the One! “It shouldn’t be like this. I’m a fire wielder. This has
to be a mistake.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It
isn’t.” </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Worthless! Why do I have such a
worthless element like water?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You
think water is worthless?”</i> Barges asked. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filthy human.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No strength to overpower my
opponents. No endurance to shrug off attacks. No speed to strike like lightning.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
inherent abilities offered by fire, earth and wind are nice, but what I offer
is far more grand.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And what’s that?” Hope threatened
reality, but I knew better. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Grace.”</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m never going to win the
Gladiatorium.” But that wouldn’t stop me from trying. Since I hadn’t had the
time to study water, maybe I could find a way to use it— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
I can hear your thoughts; you do not have to speak aloud.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t need you telling me what to
do.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yes,
you do,”</i> Barges said, his voice oozing with contempt. Our link was thin at
this distance, and I could only see it while focusing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am supposed to teach you how to harness my rather incredible power.”</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wait, harness?” My throat was
scratchy. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Can’t you use it yourself?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I
can levitate myself and make whatever object I inhabit lighter, but unless you
ingest our link, I have no control. Filth, I give </i>you<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> access to my power. When our link is visible without focusing, we are
connected, and as long as you are not starving, you can draw on my power.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I rose from the couch and made my
way back to the fireplace, our link thickening with each step. This close,
Barges’s power sank into me. It felt like having a warm coat down in the mines.
A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth, and I picked up the glass container. I
could work around this. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not sure what
grace is, and creating and manipulating water is nice, but—”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth!”</i>
Barges’s voice rang inside my skull. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You
think simple creation and manipulation is all a fragment of the One is capable
of?”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Huh?</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Even
without ingesting our link for a burst of power, with me at your side, no other
filthy human will stand against us.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Aisa stepped into the living room and arched an eyebrow. The flowing robe clung
to her body, but the golden belt gave me something to focus on that wouldn’t
make my cheeks burn. “Awake already?” she asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges buzzed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enough
from you for now.</i> I forced a smile. “Aisa …” I let her name rest on my
tongue, but hearing it brought back memories of pain. The ritual had gone
wrong. There had been screaming and— “My friends!” I moved towards Aisa. “What
happened?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She scratched her nose as if about
to make up an excuse or lie; she had always done the gesture before dodging my
proposals. “Something went wrong, and they, to some degree or another, managed
to get off the ritual tables. After working all night to heal them, two are in
stable condition.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa tugged on the collar of her robes.
“But Igu’s still in bad shape.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My jaw dropped. I had to be
mishearing her. Igu was in trouble, and I hadn’t done anything for her during
the ritual. Worthless. My best friend— I sucked in a breath I didn’t know I
needed then slipped past Aisa and rushed down the hall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The primary care room was only big
enough for a cabinet that reached the ceiling, three beds and one of those new
machines that beeped. Technology didn’t make sense and wasn’t worth my
attention. The beeping machine next to the leftmost bed bound Igu’s right arm
with some type of cable. Her pink hair was a sweat-soaked mess, and her chest
rose at random intervals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Something caught in my throat.
Swallowing over and over didn’t help. My knees became weak, and I dropped to the
tiles beside Igu’s bed. “What’s going on?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges buzzed in his glass container.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Three other buzzes joined in, and
something about an eternal host reached my thoughts. A chatter of four voices
cried out in what sounded like elation, repeating, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Eternal host,”</i> over and over again. It didn’t make sense, and I
didn’t have time to make sense of it. It wasn’t important right now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why is she like this?” I asked,
mostly to myself. Maybe Barges would know, so I asked him, “Why?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s hard to say,” Aisa said, answering
the question not meant for her as she stepped into the room. “Usually, when
someone breaks the ritual table’s containment, their soul crystal shatters,
they’re unconscious for a few days or both.” She gestured to Ekanli and Modaj. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few days? Their plans to leave—
No, that wasn’t important. Igu’s life was. She had to be alright. Please, say
she would be alright. I promise, I’d pay more attention to her, give her the
attention she deserves if she just woke up. If she was just okay. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Igu screamed then stopped breathing,”
Aisa said, gesturing around the room, “as you and the other two started
screaming.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For some reason, it felt like she
was holding something back: no matter. I clutched Igu’s unbound hand. “Is there
anything I can do?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She needs a bit more rest before I
can push anymore power into her, but …” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But what?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, I have a meeting tonight in
the heart of the Gyutrop Forest, and I must not appear weak for it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I blinked. “A meeting? You’re
joking, right?” How could Aisa even be considering this? What had happened to
her over these past few days? She’d known Igu and me all of our lives: she
wouldn’t just give up on us. “That has to be a joke.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If I don’t go to that meeting,
millions of lives will be lost. If I don’t deliver this message to Kude—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I could deliver the message for
you!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A smile tugged at the edges of her
lips. “You’d do that for me?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d do a lot more for her. “Of
course. Just tell me where, and I’ll head there.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Travel south towards the forest and
go off road when you see the split boulder on your left.” Something felt
rehearsed and off about her words. “Travel across the fields until you reach a
nature trail at the edge of the forest, marked with honey-vines of a bright
purple. Follow that trail until you reach a meadow. By the time the moons are
out tonight, Kude should be there.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And what do I tell him?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rebirth has come. He’ll
understand.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t like the sound of that. It
sounded like some anti-regime code-phrase, but I didn’t say anything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa pointed back towards the living
room. “Your overly large hammer and a backpack with some high-calorie food and
waterskins in it are waiting for you.” She sounded as if she had planned for me
to go this whole time, which doubly made this situation feel weird. “And your
horse is ready.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Make sure Igu is good and healed by
the time I get back.” When Aisa nodded, I hurried to the door, grabbing my
things and heading out into the afternoon light. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">###</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was so full I wanted to lay down
for a nap as I eased Puudra onto the nature trail marked by purple honey-vines.
Now fused into my massive, azure-forged hammer, Barges made it lighter than a
mining pick. The belt hook that held Barges was specifically designed for
gladiators and had cost me two-month’s salary from the mine. But it was totally
worth it: sturdy, easy release, a design Aisa liked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A good bit of food still remained in
my backpack, and I was second-guessing how smart stuffing my face while riding
had been. The constant bouncing was rougher on my stomach than falling down a
mining shaft was on my head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Towering pines quickly replaced
shrubberies as the main obstacle to moving deeper into the Gyutrop Forest;
evening sunlight glinted off Barges, showing a range of blue in the folds of
steel. The crisp, pine-scented air was refreshing after weeks of overtime in
the mine and that new factory in my training spot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I trotted deeper into the underbrush;
hopefully, it wouldn’t take me much longer to get to this meeting place. Shadows
were extending across the trees, and the sun would be setting soon. Twenty
minutes, maybe: knowing when the sun would set was something no one else did
better than me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pulled Barges free and dropped him
onto the ground with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crunch</i>. A
smile came upon me. Positive thoughts: Igu would be fine. Focusing on our link,
I summoned him back to my hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
was that necessary?”</i> Barges asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I dropped him again. The summoning
trick was pretty neat. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anyway, while we
have time, let’s see what you can do with water.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges groaned. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For the last time, filth, it is not me; it is you who do the work.
You— No, you know what. Just do what I say. The One, humans are stupid.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
was that?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Focus
on the image of water. Think of it like reaching out with your hand to scoop
out a little from a river. But do not move your hands, and target the air in
front of you.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I gritted my teeth and reached out
to the air with a mental bucket rather than mental hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Water flowed out of nothing—it was like
that time someone, who was not me, for real, upended a bucket of ice water onto
Igu’s head—and the water sloshed around until it formed a ring around my body.
It wasn’t fire, but this was still awesome. In one pull, there was enough water
to cover both me and Puudra like armor. That would be a good complement to my fighting
style if it was light enough. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges chirped something, but somehow,
with the thought of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be quiet</i>, I muted
him before he could break my concentration. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shaped the water into armor—weightless—then
into a giant sword that floated in front of me. I slashed through the thick bushes
and small trees that had encroached on the nature trail: it cut so easily,
effortlessly. Two more swings, and my stomach groaned. The water slipped from
my grasp and splashed to the ground. I jerked on Puudra’s reins, pulling her to
a stop as I reached out to the water. It would be easier to manipulate water
than just create it— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My stomach roared; the forest spun
around me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tumbled to the side and landed
flat on my back, breath fleeing my lungs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Puudra snorted then leaned over to
lick my face. And again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had a good coat of slobber before
my arms answered the call and reached up to stop another one of her sloppy
horse kisses. “Thank you, girl. I’m fine.” Pain stabbed through my middle, so I
released the silence command to ask what’d happened. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
I tried to warn you.”</i> Barges’s voice was so condescending that if he weren’t
a solid piece of azure-steel, a slap upside the head would be in order. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are starving. You burned every last bit
of food in your stomach and most of the fat from your body because you have not
practiced creation or manipulation before. I told you to only create and
control a little bit. But no, you had to prove you were a stupid human and rush
it.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t need to hear this from a
hammer. Forcing myself to stand, I stumbled to Puudra’s saddle and braced on
it. Unslinging my backpack, I pulled out a granola bar. It felt like I hadn’t
eaten in weeks. Two bars later and a third in my mouth, I grabbed a waterskin
and sucked it dry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Eat
more.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes,
mom.</i> I stuffed another two bars in my mouth, choking down the chewy granola.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ahead, the pines cramped together,
and low branches hung across the nature trail. It’d be faster to walk Puudra
towards the meeting place with so little light left, but my back ached from the
fall, which had made my legs stiff. And the call of the night—insects and
birds—was not scary at all, for real. I was an adult. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still, I scrambled back into the
saddle and moved forward as night finished overtaking the forest. I was off by
a minute. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Vines tangled around Puudra’s legs
and made her fight her way into a clearing. All four moons reflected off the
small pond in the center, giving enough light to see clearly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wait, all four moons … Bad things
always happened on nights like this. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No. That was a child’s superstition.
I was an adult now. The One couldn’t return, and even if he did, he couldn’t
remain out at night. He always went away at sundown. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I climbed down to lead Puudra over
to the water and let her drink. I stretched, limbering up— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A twig <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">snapped</i> in the distance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I muffled a squeal. I wasn’t scared.
No matter how much my hands were trembling. Nope. The One wasn’t here. He
couldn’t be: a God wouldn’t come back to take vengeance on the world. My breath
caught, and I reached out to the air around me to draw water and shield myself.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A short woman with hair that
practically glowed crimson stepped into the clearing not ten feet from me with
a bald man behind her. They both had metallic tattoos winding up their arms.
Even though I hadn’t seen them up close in the village, these two were clearly
the Regime Hunters I’d seen while sparring with Igu: Red and Green. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I cocked my head to the side. Where
were Yellow and Blue? And was one of them Kude? “Are you following me? Or were
you coming here on your own?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s suspicious,” Red said, voice
shrill, words slurred. She rested a hand on the pommel of a short sword. “Very
suspicious. What are you doing out here, this late?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Camping?” I shrugged. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Green grinned while a snarl
contorted Red’s full lips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,” I asked, “what brings you
two—Four?—out here?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The lovers didn’t want to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">waste their time</i>,” Green said in a hoarse
whisper, “so they didn’t come.” He tugged on the collar of his fighter’s tunic.
“But, children aren’t supposed to be out of the village at night, so I had no
choice but to accompany the hothead.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I scoffed. “Do I look like a child?”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.” Red bared her teeth. “You look
suspicious.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yelling at her would be so
refreshing, but she was a Regime Hunter: I’d get into a cart load of trouble.
“Can you leave me alone? I’m supposed to meet someone.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Green swallowed. “Kude?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I nodded. “It’s you then?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,” Green said, voice sounding
resigned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Steel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rasped</i> across leather as Red drew her short sword. “Traitor!” Fire ignited
around her free fist; she rushed towards me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ready for it, I drew out a wall of
water, and steam filled the clearing, obscuring my view. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Good
instincts,”</i> Barges said, sounding impressed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Just enough water, and you hardened it. Not bad for filth.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Puudra,” I said to my horse, voice
trembling, “stay.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Deep breaths. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Drawing Barges felt right, the
weight perfect: for me alone, heavy enough to have a solid feel, light enough
to stay exhaustion. I took a step away from the pond. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A bolt of fire zipped by, singeing
my hair. Soon, the ground beneath my feet began to shake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sprinted towards where Red and
Green had been, using Barges to slap a bolt of fire out of the air. How did she
know exactly where I was— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Green! He was using his power over
earth to track me! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If water were anything like fire, I
could reach out to sources around me and control them with ease as long as
there was no opposition. So, I grabbed onto the steam and compressed it,
creating a small shield that floated ahead of me. The area cleared, and I
swung, hitting nothing but empty dirt where Red should have been. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Red stepped out from behind a tree a
few feet ahead, her short sword glowing orange. She charged. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rather than stumbling from the
missed swing, I danced forward in a twirl of fluid motion. Grace? I slammed my
water shield into Red’s outstretched arm, opening her up. A quick strike to the
gut wouldn’t kill her, and it should give me enough time to get away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But if I didn’t deliver the message to
Kude or the Regime Hunters knew who I was, my family and friends would be in
trouble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ground pitched beneath my feet
and threw me forward. Red’s fire leapt from her sword and destroyed my shield
with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boom</i>! The explosion threw both
of us back, and a shock of pain jolted my mind with the loss of the shield,
leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Spikes grew from the ground below me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Water
armor,”</i> Barges said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Burning almost every bit of food in
my stomach, I dried the air and created water armor like earlier, hardening it
with all my focus. The spikes ripped into the armor as I landed on them, but
they didn’t pierce it, and my weight shattered them. I kicked my feet under me
then tumbled to the side and lifted Barges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fists of stone slammed into my side,
pulverizing my armor and sending me for a spin. Green stepped forward and held
his hands out towards me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I twirled to regain my footing and
prepared to charge Red, who’d just stood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You traitor.” Red pumped more fire
into her short sword. “Know that soon your family and that bitch, Aisa, will join
you in the One’s prison.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They were going to kill Mother? Impossible,
she was a gladiator. But Aisa— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
they are trying to distract you,”</i> Barges said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Red and Green strode forward, side
by side, closing the distance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
going to ingest our link since you said it’d give me a burst of power.</i> Which
I needed with so little food left. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
it could take a whole day to regenerate our link. During which time, I will
return to my normal weight: you won’t be able to carry me without straining.”</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No
choice.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Good
…”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As if my chest were a giant mouth
and the blue link between us were a noodle, I slurped it into my body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges screamed, and a surge of
power pulsed through my veins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mental silence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Filth, now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> was in control. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And these humans needed to die!
Every one of them. For the sake of the planet, together, Tima and I would kill
them all, starting with these two. I hurled my hammer-body to the ground
between Red and Green then shot a spear of water at each. They slammed their
powers against the spears, shattering them easily since I had not resisted. My
water sloshed across their exposed skin, harmless until I used it to establish a
connection. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They were mine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I churned the blood in their veins,
stopping the flow, reversing it, speeding it up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Howls of agony erupted from both. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A smirk crossed my face. No time to
keep playing though; I ripped the blood from their filthy bodies, riddling them
with holes. The sound of liquid <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pattering</i>
the underbrush preceded the metallic smell of a forge. Two fewer humans to
destroy the planet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No … more time. If only the sun were
still out— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything felt heavy. My head. My
eyelids. My thoughts. My body crumpled to the ground beside Barges and the
empty Regime Hunters. Bastard. Barges, that bastard made me kill them. Horrible
person. I. Never again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone approached me, wearing
shorts and an open shirt that exposed bright yellow, rock-like skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d come all this way for Igu.
Failure. Talking big, but couldn’t save anyone. I just rushed in without
thought. Just a worthless murderer. Aisa would never love me … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,” the yellow man without Regime
Hunter Tattoos said as he knelt down. Darkness erased everything but his voice.
“Aisa sent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> to find me in her
place? This had better be good.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">###</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My back screamed out in pain as I
awoke on a bed in the corner of a cold room … No, a cave. And my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bed</i> was just a lump of stone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, I was alive? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Glowing rocks illuminated this
section of the cave, and there was a constant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">drip, drip, drip</i> somewhere in the distance. That explained the
stink of mildew. Across from me, a stone desk protruded from the wall. My
hammer and backpack lay on the table, both looking clean compared to my
dirt-covered clothing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pushed myself up and waddled over
to the desk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How had I gotten here? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where
are we?</i> I asked Barges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No answer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Barges?</i>
I wrapped my hands around his handle and gritted my teeth as I picked him up.
So heavy. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This isn’t funny.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still no answer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then the image of killing two people
twisted my stomach. Now, as then, it felt like watching someone else do it. I
stared at the blue folds in Barges’s steel. The bastard had made me kill them.
But it was my fault for trusting him, for rushing to the decision without
thinking it through. But that’s all I was, a brute who struck first and never
thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You recover quickly after using so
much power,” a gruff voice said from the left. The yellow man strode to the
bed, wearing wave-patterned shorts and an unbuttoned shirt that had branchless
trees growing on a beach. “You’ve only been out for a few hours after going
against two who should have killed you.” He sounded bitter as he sat on the bed.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Had they been his friends? Or had he
wanted to kill them himself? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now,” he said, “tell me why Aisa
sent you instead of coming herself.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because she’s busy healing my best
friend. Igu is dying. Was, I hope.” My heart pounded against my chest. Was this
guy on my side? That would make things so much easier, but after … killing two
Regime Hunters, I had to be careful. “So, are you Kude?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grinning, he looked at his yellow,
stone-like hands then tapped himself on the chest: there was a c<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">link.</i> “Clearly.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Any proof?” My arms were starting
to ache, so I set Barges down by my feet, handle pointed towards the ceiling. My
muscles must still be exhausted from the fight, from my first powered fight.
“Like a passcode or something?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why did she send you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She has a message for Kude.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The message, boy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m an adult.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He took a deep breath and closed his
eyes for a long moment. “You’re powerful alright. Even some of the best
water-wielders I know couldn’t manage blood control like that.” He looked me up
and down. “But that wouldn’t work on me, so talk.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you sure you’re Kude?” I couldn’t
quite put my hammer on why I was questioning him like this, but if millions of
lives were at stake as Aisa had said, even if I didn’t understand the message,
I had to be sure. And the way he wrung his hands together made my skin crawl.
“Like sure sure?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you stupid?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My hands rested atop the bottom of
Barges’s handle. “You want to say that again?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re too young to match me, boy.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Boy? I’m twice your size, rock-biter.”
I bent over and took Barges in both hands, lifting the massive hammer into my
forward fighting stance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Willing to fight?” Kude asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Always,” I said, adding as much
threat to my voice as I could manage. I needed to hurry back to the village and
get ready to leave. Igu should be awake by now, and if I didn’t hurry, Mother
and everyone else would find out we’re going to leave. They would stop us. I’d
be trapped. And when they found out I’d killed those two Regime Hunters … “I
don’t have time for your meanness.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Meanness? You really are a— Look,
both of us are on a tight schedule. Didn’t Aisa tell you that millions of lives
depended on this meeting? And it’s timeliness?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She had … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just tell me what you know.” he
said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fine.” This seemed like the best
and only proof I’d get. I rested Barges on my shoulder, holding it with one
hand, and took a deep breath. What had been the exact words Aisa had told me?
“Rebirth has come. You’ll understand. Well, she said, ‘he’ll understand,’ but I
think you get it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude frowned. “Oh?” His eyes bulged,
and he rushed to the far side of the cave, opposite the door he’d come in. “The
One, I have to get to the village now. No time. If you see Aisa before me, tell
her to wait at her house.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fine by me.” I stood and grabbed my
backpack off the table before hooking Barges onto my belt. I wanted to ask how
this message was going to save so many lives, or what it meant, but there was
no time for that. Igu and I needed to start our journey before Mother found out.
“So, is my horse, Puudra, wherever we are, anywhere nearby?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes. I tied the beast to a tree
just outside.” Kude placed his trembling hands on the wall, and everything
began to shake. Soon, the ceiling opened up, and the floor rose to meet the new
opening like stairs, leading out into the morning. He raced out ahead of me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">###</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A bit past noon, I finished my last granola
bar and hopped off Puudra outside Aisa’s house. I’d expected Kude to head to
Aisa’s with me, despite what he’d said, but instead, he’d never slowed and rode
off towards the center of the village. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like every other building in the
village, the roof of Aisa’s two-story house was a sharp triangle to break up
the hail that came off storms crashing into the northern mountains. The
infirmary’s sign was still flipped to ‘in,’ but unlike when I’d left, the front
porch was covered in some type of green slime. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just in case Mother came by, and to
avoid whatever that slime was, I decided it would be best to bring Puudra
around back and tie her up there next to Igu’s horse, hidden by the privacy
fence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A spray of green liquid shot from
the second floor as I stepped away from Puudra, and slime covered me from head
to toe. My arms clung to my side, and a burning sensation raced across my skin.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I could summon some water— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I dropped to the ground and rolled
through the brown grass in Aisa’s backyard, but rather than removing the green
slime, it only dried it; hardening around my body, the slime trapped me in a
burning cocoon. Everything blurred. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My power … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It couldn’t end like this. Igu and I
were so close to realizing our dream. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An icy sensation engulfed me, and my
body was lifted into the air. Nothing bound me anymore, yet I couldn’t move as I
was taken somewhere and dropped onto a soft bed. I phased in and out, the
images jumbling around me. Then, Aisa was there. So lovely. Modaj and Ekanli, my
friends, stepped up behind Aisa. It was good to see them out of their infirmary
beds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What were you fools doing?” Aisa
placed her hand on me. “I said slime anyone you don’t recognize.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj and Ekanli stared at their
feet and said, “Sorry,” at the same time. “We only saw someone coming around
back,” Modaj said, his face pale, and Ekanli wrung her hands, finishing his
sentence with, “We didn’t get a good look at Tima.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now, the four of you have to delay
your escape. The One, this might mess everything up.” Fire energy swarmed
around Aisa like a dust storm before lancing into my body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfiltered agony screamed from every
inch of my body. Hot. Hotter than that slime. Something popped. My teeth
ground. And I howled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the pain vanished, Aisa slumped
over me. It felt like days had passed, every muscle in my body begging for a nap.
But Aisa was resting on me! Her soft breasts were pressed against my chest, and
her warm breath brushed across my neck. I had to be strong: this was my big
chance. My hand trembled as I reached out and patted Aisa on the head, but she
didn’t stir. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, that was deflating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unlike the last time I’d been in this
room, the plain white ceiling towered above me, and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beep, beep, beep</i> of the machine had a steady rhythm. Something was attached
to my right arm, opposite of Aisa: I couldn’t move it. The smell of rust and
rubbing alcohol gagged me, and the sudden motion drew a sigh from Aisa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How is Igu?” I asked, throat scratchy.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa smiled up at me. “Always
worrying about others first. You know, you nearly died, right? That slime is
our newest weapon.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m fine. Though, a bit thirsty.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A low chuckle bubbled out of Aisa’s mouth
and warmed my cheeks. With her deep crimson eyes and full lips, she was beyond
beautiful. She stood then turned around to grab a glass of water from the
cabinet, handing it to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I gulped it down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Better?” Aisa placed the cup back
on a shelf. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thanks.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Anyway, Igu is fine. She woke up a
little bit ago, but she’s still exhausted.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I moved to sit up, the good news
giving me a bit of energy and removing the mining clamps that had been gripping
my heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, you don’t.” She rested a firm
hand on my chest and held me down. Fire’s strength must be nice. “Conserve your
energy for the journey ahead.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did Aisa know Igu and I weren’t
planning to just visit the nearby villages? That our plan was to go far away and
fight in the Gladiatorium, to a place where we’d never have to come back if we
didn’t want to? “Umm, what journey? The plan was to just do a circuit of the
Range villages.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa bit into her lower lip then
scratched her nose. “Well, if Kude is a traitor as I suspect, the Regime will
know about you four soon enough. And if not, which I doubt since Kude’s a lying
bastard, you four still need to make your way to our base of operations. The
future will depend on it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Four? Huh? The plan— Wait, the
future?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And Kude is a traitor?” I coughed
into my fist. “But he said to wait for him here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The One, really?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The way her nose flared when she
swore made me smile. “Yeah.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, it looks like he failed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Failed?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa nodded. “For the future, I had
to give Kude one last test of loyalty. I gave him the information, preparing
for everything. If he’d just stayed in the forest, he’d have caught any group
leaving if he was a traitor. But without the right information, he wouldn’t
come to the village. I knew he wouldn’t kill you because he’d be in too much of
a rush when he got that information.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” A lump formed in my throat. She’d
said, ‘our new weapon,’ earlier, not the Regime’s. She talked as if she wanted
the One to come back. This wasn’t good. “Loyalty … to the anti-Regime criminals,
right?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The rebellion to overthrow the
Regime’s oppressive control and stop them from destroying our ecosystem.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa was a criminal. Or a rebel as
she called herself, fighting against the Regime. I guess I’d suspected,
especially since the Regime was filled with One-forsaken bastards, but still,
no good can come from destroying the Regime from the outside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May the Four come together as One,
returning God to once again rule our world,” Aisa said, eyes focused on mine as
if I were the only thing that existed. “May the One find permanent residence
within one of the chosen.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the chosen? A fragment of the
One … What had Barges said? Eternal host? That had to be Igu: I wouldn’t let
Igu get taken, so I had to play dumb. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do prayers have to do with
this?” I had to get answers out of her, no matter how much I wanted her to keep
looking at me in this adoring manner. “I don’t understand.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A long time ago, the Regime split
the One’s essence, but they couldn’t destroy him. Now we have a chance to bring
him back. You four can fix so many problems with your combined powers, but if
Kude is on his way here, we have already wasted too much time.” Aisa leaned
over and kissed me, her lips softer than I’d imagined against mine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An inferno, hotter than being healed,
burned my cheeks. I was going to faint. “I—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom!</i>
The entire house shook, and cracks spiderwebbed across the roof. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aisa! We know they’re in there!”
The mayor’s sharp voice pierced the walls. “Don’t make this any worse than it
has to be.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa gritted her teeth. “So, this
seals it. Kude is a traitor. Guess he has to die.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Killing draws the One’s gaze.” And
I knew how much that gaze weighed down one’s shoulders, how sick it still made
me feel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Some people are worth the risk of
drawing the One’s gaze.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shook my head. “That’s not true.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It is.” Aisa unhooked the device
from my left arm and helped me sit up when Ekanli and Modaj stepped into the
room, each wearing a backpack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’ve got everything,” Modaj said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli nodded. “And the horses are
ready.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good.” Aisa hoisted me over her
shoulder and gave me a good look at her butt; she carried me to the back door
as another blast shook the house. “Get Igu out back and onto a horse.” Once out
back, Aisa’s house groaned under a third blast. She laid me over Puudra’s long
saddle, face down, then stuck Barges into a saddle strap. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When had she grabbed him? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A faint blue line grew from my
chest, linking me to Barges, but all I heard was a low groan, and that might
have come from me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli hoisted Igu onto the second
horse, Igu’s horse, as Modaj put on a second backpack—mine—before getting onto
Puudra behind me. Craning my neck like this made my entire spine scream out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Follow the road through the Gyutrop
Forest to get to Serion-Town and meet my friends at the Fire-Spark Inn.” Aisa
helped Ekanli onto the horse with Igu as Aisa’s house collapsed under another
blast. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">woomph,</i> and three figures edged forward from the front yard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa threw up a wall of fire. “Tell
the innkeeper, ‘Fire brings us together,’ and he’ll take over from there.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alright,” Ekanli said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aisa,” I managed to say. “What
about you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll stall the Regime dogs while
you four escape.” She smiled, and all I could think about was the kiss. “Don’t
worry about me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That wasn’t possible, but the words
caught in my throat, choking me and causing Aisa’s gorgeous face to blur. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Let’s go.” Ekanli kicked her horse
into a gallop. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj followed, Igu and I just along
for the bumpy ride. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything whirled, and my stomach
turned, but I wasn’t sure if the unease was from the constant pounding or
leaving the woman I loved behind. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crack</i>
of an explosion behind us was distant, and the buildings around the town faded
beyond sight. We’d made it out onto the open road and passed the broken boulder,
yet the horses skidded to a stop half way between the boulder and the Gyutrop
Forest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pushed myself into a sitting
position in the saddle, trying not to burst into tears or turn Puudra around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj grunted from behind me, and
Ekanli, who was on the horse with Igu, glanced my way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Twenty feet away, Kude stood in
front of a ten-foot wall that blocked the road. He was … a traitor; he’d forced
me to leave Aisa behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stay back,” I said to Modaj and
Ekanli in a low voice. I hopped off Puudra and grabbed Barges, who was once
again light, but I couldn’t feel the strength of his presence in my mind or the
warm mining coat of his power. Time to teach Kude some respect. But I couldn’t
let him attack my friends. Think! “But if you can figure out how to use your
soul crystals,” I said then took a deep breath, “that might help.” It would
stop me from worrying so much about them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj handed me my backpack before
unslinging his own and pulling out his green soul crystal, still in its glass
case. “Should we get down and help you fight?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You?” I stifled a laugh while
keeping an eye on Kude. I had to discourage my friend to keep him safe. “The
scholar? No, you two would only get in my way.” There was more food in my
backpack. “If things get rough, I want you two to get Igu out of here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli stared at her yellow soul
crystal. “Sure.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj shook his head. “I—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s the holdup, boy?” Smiling, Kude
looked like a child’s depiction of the One: scary and monstrous with rock-like
teeth to match his yellow skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges trembled in my grasp: this
wasn’t my first powered fight, but there was something about Kude. No, for Aisa,
I’d crush him. “I’m going to shatter every bone in your body!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh?” Looking as if he were
stalling, Kude started forward at a winter’s pace. “You know, I’m kind of
surprised you’re one of the four. Should have snuffed you out when we first
met. If only I hadn’t had to hurry to deal with Aisa.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If I hold Barges over my head with
one hand and point,” I said in a low voice to my friends, “make a break for it
in that direction.” I bolted towards Kude, Barges held out to the side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come, boy.” Kude opened his arms
wide. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Think
before you act!</i> I screamed at myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude was an earth-wielder, and a
powerful one at that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Skidding to a stop a few feet from Kude,
I spun and hit the ground, scooping up dirt and slinging it at him. The section
of the road in front of him opened into a massive pit, and my breath caught as
I danced back to safety. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude turned away, but some of the
dirt had made it into his eyes, and he howled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I rolled to the left, circling
around him and the pit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude slashed his hands through the
air, and his pit expanded, devouring the ground around it. He rubbed at his
eyes then glanced to the left and right. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My body, as if moving on its own,
twirled forward on what was left of the ground around Kude to stand between him
and my friends. I placed my lead leg between his and slammed Barges square into
Kude’s midsection. The perfectly placed strike sang through my joints. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His eyes bulged, and his body
collapsed in around Barges’s head then flew backwards and crashed into the wall.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I followed, knowing where to swing
before Kude bounced off the wall. His earth-hardened body came forward, and
Barges met his chest halfway. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crunch!</i>
Kude crumpled next to the wall as cracks spread along its surface, and soon, it
joined him on the ground in a heap. The pits behind me vanished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We could leave— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude shot to his feet and roared as
the stones around him wrapped around his arms, creating massive talons. Warping
his body with his power like this had made him a real monster when combined
with the earth’s endurance. Raw earth energy hovered around his face: the
dirt-slinging trick wouldn’t work again. And if Aisa couldn’t stall the Regime
much longer … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My chest heaved, and each inhalation
burned. I threw up Barges, hoisting it above my head and pointing to the east, then
charged Kude. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flying rocks and spinning blades of
wind crashed into Kude, opening his stance and throwing him back a few steps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu let out a cry from behind, but Kude
held my focus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Filth,
water armor,”</i> Barges said, voice weak. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The blue link between me and Barges
pulsed, and his power warmed my skin. Despite still being upset with Barges, I
drew water from the air and wrapped a thick layer around my body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude, despite his monstrous body,
looked winded and sore as he glanced between me and my friends, who had edged off
the road and towards the tree line. Still, he swung at me with lightning speed when
I reached him. His claws tore into my armor, but Barges smashed into his side. He
grunted, but appeared unharmed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I stepped back and reset my stance,
the water armor thin. The ground rumbled beneath me, and I tumbled to the left
as a new pit opened. The bastard was fond of that trick. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blades of wind and spears of water
skewered the ground behind me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Had my friends lost control of their
powers? Wait, water? Not earth? And from behind rather than the right … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I scrambled to my feet and risked a
glance around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friends were trotting the horses
farther to the right, Igu sitting up with Ekanli. Almost opposite them, from
back towards the village, Yellow and Blue, the two remaining Regime Hunters,
sprinted towards me and Kude, water spears forming around Blue and wind blades
swirling in front of Yellow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa … had been beaten. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I swallowed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They had to have captured her, not
killed her. Please, say that was the case. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s over, boy.” Kude stalked
forward, moving to pin me between himself and the two Regime Hunters while
cutting me off from my friends. He’d been stalling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One, guess it was my turn to be the
hero. “Go!” I shouted to my friends, hoping my voice could reach Igu one last
time. Though, honestly, they should have already been on their way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stone claws snapped up and bit into
my leg, draining my water armor to nothing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I managed to slip out of the clamp
without taking any damage, but Blue and Yellow had arrived, and I turned to keep
an eye on all three at once. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Create
more water!”</i> Barges’s voice rang inside my head. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Combine the Fragments.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As long as you don’t fight back,”
Kude said, gesturing with his talons, “I’ll let your friends live. Three is not
a threat.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If my friends would be safe, it
would be worth giving up here. But Kude was a One-forsaken liar who’d betrayed Aisa.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I created a ball of water. The ground
beneath my feet undulated and a spike of earth shot up towards my head, but
Kude’s gaping expression said it hadn’t been him. Modaj and my other friends … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yes,
yes, yes!”</i> Barges sounded excited. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Finally!”</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t understand— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hiss</i> of fire and a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">squeal</i>
of wind slammed into my ball of water as soon as the spike of earth did. My
friends had brought their elements together with mine. No! This couldn’t be
happening. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I glanced back at my friends. “Get
Igu out of here! Now!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude growled, dashing forward. The
water spears around Blue shot forward at the same time as Yellow’s wind blades.
From three different directions! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Barges,
what should I do?</i> I reached out to the water my friends had hit with their
elements; it rebuffed me then started glowing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Too late! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not good, not good, not good! Especially
with the sun still up, even though it was just a spec on the horizon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I danced around Kude to use him as a
shield, forcing Blue and Yellow to pull their attacks up short then reached out
to craft more water, but nothing happened. I froze in place. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What?</i> Barges was still light, but his
presence was gone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A stone fist slammed into my head
and threw me onto my butt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spots filled my vision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude, Blue and Yellow stood over me,
and Kude’s arrogant smirk made me want to puke. He— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May all be sheltered in my light,”
a resonant voice said from behind Kude. It sounded as if four people were
speaking at once, and one of them had Barges’s baritone voice. “May all those
who have wronged my planet suffer. By your powers combined, I have been reborn!”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was the worst; this made Aisa
the worst. The One, God, should never be allowed to return. Aisa had wanted
this to happen, and now my friends were in trouble because of her. Igu was in
trouble. How much time was left? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude’s jaw dropped as he peered over
his shoulder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flowing green hair, short in the
front and long in the back, a shade lighter than his face. An orange glowing
orb on his chest that looked like the sun. His arms were red. His legs yellow.
And his body blue. A monster with sharp, pointed teeth … just like the prayers
had said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fire and wind wrapped around Blue
and ripped his body to shreds. Yellow cried out to his lover until water and
earth stabbed into him then tore him apart. Their blood and body parts
splattered across me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude gritted his teeth. “We
shattered you once. We’ll shatter you again.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shattered?” the figure, the One,
asked as if looking for the memory. “Ah … No.” He shook his head. “No one will
take me away from this world again. I will soon be eternal.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One minute till sundown, I guessed. Please
say I was on point this time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One extended a hand towards
Kude, and all four elements blended together. Kude drew the ground to him, but
it was too slow. The One blasted Kude, the shockwave throwing me across the
ground along with a swath of dirt and debris. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom</i>! Another wave hit Kude. When everything settled down, he was
nowhere to be seen, nothing left but scraps of his shirt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pushed myself up to my feet. I had
to run. I would be next. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As if I were insignificant, the One looked
past me and searched the area until his gaze fell on my friends, fell on Igu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My heart leaped into my throat. Igu
… I should have loved her, not Aisa. Something deep down screamed for Aisa, but
she was wrong for me. Igu had been right about that; Igu had always been there
for me, and I was so stupid not to see it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One circled around, putting
himself closer to the tree line, blocking my friends’ escape. The four elements
gathered around his outstretched hand as he pointed at them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fifty seconds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shot to my feet and hurled Barges
at the One. “Get out of here!” Barges hit him in the chest, and his blast of
raw energy ripped through the air above my friends. I summoned Barges back to
my hands as I barreled past my friends. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One blinked as if he’d just seen
me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perfect footwork. Perfect
positioning. I hit the One in the gut with everything I had and sent him
tumbling backwards. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friends cantered over to me, the
One between us and the Gyutrop Forest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Forty. Please say my guess was true.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I gritted my teeth. “What are you
doing?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get on,” Igu said, lips quivering. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We can’t outrun him. I’ll draw him
away and hold his attention.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One rose from the ground,
floating above it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Go west then hit the woods,” I
said, “Trails should bring you back to the road. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thirty seconds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu shook her head. “Tima, you
promised—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll catch up later.” After taking
a deep breath, I rushed towards the One. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Please, by the Four, leave and say
my timing is true! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clack-clack-clack</i> of horseshoes on stone and hard dirt heading west
along the tree line and growing farther away from me was reassuring. The One floated
towards me, his attention shifting between me and my friends. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before anything else, I had to draw
his attention long enough to let my friends get away, so I hurled Barges at him
again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He caught it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I slid forward and punched him in
his steel-like jaw. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Twenty. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He didn’t budge. Instead, he grabbed
me by the neck and hurled me towards the woods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I collided with a tree, and the granola
bars in my backpack dug into my flesh. After <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">flopping</i> to the ground, I lay flat on my back, my body too heavy to
move. A moment. Just a moment to catch my breath and reorient myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One floated over to me, Barges
in hand. He seemed hesitant. “Fragment, you are not my intended host.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Host?” I asked, drawing out the
word. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But you will work as a temporary
vessel till I find the girl.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I swallowed. “Are you sure?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ten. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One extended his free hand
towards me. “You will give me enough time in this world to find my true host.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shook my head and forced tears.
“Please, no.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Five. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Placing his hand on my chest, the
four elements wrapped around us. “Rejoice.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Four. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Igu!” I pointed behind the One. “Stay
away!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Three. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One froze, glancing over his
shoulder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I laughed despite the pain of the
One’s touch. “Even I wouldn’t fall for that trick. Ha!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One: the sun set, and the One
screamed. “No!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll have you back in my hammer
now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You—” Darkness swept across the
land, and the One vanished in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">puff</i>
of smoke, leaving a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grinding hum</i> in
the air. Barges dropped to the ground beside me, crushing the underbrush, and
groggy muttering came through our link. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I stumbled to my feet and retrieved
Barges before walking deeper into the woods, heading east and away from my
friends. Sorry Igu, but I had to break my promise; I had to keep her safe. I
couldn’t risk our powers being close enough to combine again during the day or
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rebellion</i> getting hold of all
four fragments. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Too bad I couldn’t gloat about this
victory or tell Igu I might love her, but at least, I was getting out of the
village and knew she would be safe, far away from me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The end </span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-22264632272166684282016-02-18T04:33:00.001-08:002016-02-18T04:33:29.549-08:00By your powers combined chapter 23Only one or two more of these cinematic POVs left in this section. They kind of throw my momentum off, plus everything else that's going on this week.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IK8hV-g3EWw/VsW5yoFdFKI/AAAAAAAABaM/RhNG93-UDrc/s1600/IMG_4023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IK8hV-g3EWw/VsW5yoFdFKI/AAAAAAAABaM/RhNG93-UDrc/s320/IMG_4023.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
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Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-22.html">Chapter 22</a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 23 (Stupidity)</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aisa groaned as she plopped into
the towering bed of the Yus-Market Inn, smiling. The bed was so soft, and when
she rolled onto her side, it gave her a nice view out the window. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Behind her in
the six-person suite room, Iomat was still unconscious, and together, Rokki and
Tesol lifted her up of the rock-forged stretcher and placed her on the bed
beside Aisa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Regime
Hunters roamed the streets just outside their window, but none of them seems to
have noticed Aisa or her group. A sign on the lamppost across the street said
why there were so many Regime Hunters in the streets and why there were so many
guards to go along with the thick crowds: preliminary rounds for the
Gladiatorium were being held in Jutzoran this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good thing
Tima and his group won’t be passing through this city,” Aisa said. “I would
hate to see—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tima, or at
least someone who looked like him, strode down the street with someone who
appeared to be Yalrein then disappeared into the crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa rolled
over onto her back and sat bolt upright. “Impossible.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”
Rokki asked. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“By the
One, Tima is here. In this city. And the others aren’t with him.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s not
good.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And the
mayor was only slightly crazy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rokki
blinked. “Slightly? He released some monster and blew up the village.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was
trying to match your understatement.” Aisa climbed down from the bed and
stomped over to the door, grabbing her bracer and a piece of bread before
stepping out into the hallway on the third floor of the inn. . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rokki
stumbled out the door behind her, belting on a pair of daggers and checking his
ring. He panted, and like her, his clothes were grimy and disheveled from their
long rolling hike. But unlike her, dark bags decorated his eyes from constantly
molding the tunnel and helping with the burden of travel. “You shouldn’t go
alone.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“With this
many guards and Regime Hunters about, I doubt anyone will give me trouble.” She
started down the stairs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They’re
the ones I’m worrying about.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“With that
secret weapon, I doubt our descriptions were sent ahead. At worst, they will be
looking for someone coming from that direction. Like Tima. Which is why we have
to get him out of here before fingers start pointing in his direction.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I hope
you’re right.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I always
am.” Aisa grinned back at him before hurrying out into the sunlight, Rokki on
her heels like a jealous older brother. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: Chapter 24<br />
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-63249110365000374752016-02-16T04:43:00.000-08:002016-02-18T04:34:01.695-08:00By your powers combined chapter 22So busy over the past few days that I've found it hard to even think about the BYPC, much less get motivated to get it done. Been thinking about the next story since part 1 of BYPC is coming to an end. Looking like it's going to be Romeo and Juliet meets ???? not sure yet. Got the magic system and the opening idea done. And some of the world as well. The two main characters are clear in my head right now, and the conflict between them, too. I'm trying to start closer to a normal life part with the character striving to do something, but not something major the upends his life at the very beginning. And as I write this, Goo is running around like a crazy cat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HP6PKPdIIdQ/VsMYM__gWPI/AAAAAAAABZ8/eD7QXfDMOuY/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HP6PKPdIIdQ/VsMYM__gWPI/AAAAAAAABZ8/eD7QXfDMOuY/s320/IMG_4022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-21.html">Chapter 21</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 22 (False
names)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
Yalrein beside me, I waved goodbye for now to Wholt and Pentorse as we stepped
out of the cheap inn’s stable by the western gate. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There were
so many people in this area it was hard to breathe. Like in Ayuhod, the stink
of oil and burned hair permitted the air, but on a much thicker, smoke-like
scale, mixed with the rotten grapefruit smell of the crowd’s body odor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe that
was the reason it was hard to breathe. That mixture of smells on top of the
heat was atrocious. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By ten
steps away from the stable, my last good shirt had been soaked through with
sweat. Too bad I hadn’t thought of training shirtless sooner. Though, I still
had a bit of a rash from exercising in the armor without one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
grumbled something behind me as I used my grace to maneuver through the crowd,
leaving him to shove his way forward. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Remember,”
I said, glancing back at him, raising my voice, “we’re from a small mountain
family, isolated from the world and apart of the same martial arts school.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
rolled his eyes, shoving his way next to me. “Tell everyone, why don’t you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I inhaled
sharply to do just that then stopped myself. “I still hate you.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And today,
I finally get to go all out on you.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shouldn’t
that be my line?” I started forward again, stalking through the crowd and
glaring at everyone I passed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The line
outside the stadium stretched around the block and made me want to scream. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How were
there this many people who wanted to compete in the preliminaries? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I stepped
into the line by a bakery, and the mouth-watering scent of pie reminded me that
we had trained this morning and burned through the last of our food. Deep
breaths calmed my stomach and allowed me to focus on the fools around me—well,
in front of me and Yalrein. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The purple,
metallic-skinned group directly in front of me were all at least as tall as me,
two of them more than a foot taller. Their weapons were solid black, hung from
hooks on their shoulders and belts, sable-forged steel bare. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I turned
away from the Wave Rider people, unsure why they were so far from their
homeland, into Regime territory, but it couldn’t be anything good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Or, I
reminded myself, they could just be here for the fame and price money. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Despite how
long the line was, it moved pretty quickly. The Wave Rider people in front of
them each registered their names, though only one of their names stuck: Kkustt.
Odd for a woman to have a name that didn’t start with a vowel, even odder than
her being the tallest in the group. They were handed a letter, one for the
entire group of four. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking of
names, I hadn’t come up with any good ideas yet. Just reversing their names
wouldn’t work. Well, it could work for Yalrein since his name ended in a
consonant, but my name ended in a vowel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How many
in your group?” the gray-haired old man asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Group?” I
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He narrowed
his eyes then looked at me then Yalrein. “I’ll take it as two. Names?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wait.” I
shook my head, and a wave of dizziness kicked me in the nose. “We’re not a
group. We’re going to fight alone.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you
make it past the first trial. Which is a group competition considering the
number of participants.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh.” I
glanced at Yalrein, who nodded. “Okay. Markdown … Penta-Destroyer and
The-Great-Spiderchicken.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I could
feel Yalrein’s gaze boring into the back of my head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Right …”
The old man scribbled on a piece of paper then handed me a letter. “While it is
alright to enter under an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">assumed</i>
name, the final records of this round will require your real name.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swallowed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“For now,
I’ll just put you down as--” He met my eyes. “—Penta-Destroyer and--” He
glanced over at Yalrein. “—The-Great-Spiderchicken.” After scribbling a few
more notes, including their descriptions, the old man handed me an envelope.
“Open it when you get back to your room and follow the instructions exactly for
your first trial.” He closed his book and stood, retreating into the {stadium}
since we were the last in line. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thinking on
that, we were lucky to make it on time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I stifled a
sigh and turned to Yalrein. “Now, we just need to find a room. Any--” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tima!”
Aisa shouted as she skidded around the corner, stabbing a finger at me as if to
shoot my eye out. “What in the One’s name do you think you’re doing?” </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-23.html">Chapter 23</a><br />
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-45420925762165909932016-02-13T05:51:00.000-08:002016-02-16T04:43:58.193-08:00By your powers combined chapter 21Was a semi-productive day with pancakes<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsjzrYZLBt4/Vr8xb6pDDxI/AAAAAAAABZo/wiLFHyf6S7E/s1600/IMG_3995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsjzrYZLBt4/Vr8xb6pDDxI/AAAAAAAABZo/wiLFHyf6S7E/s320/IMG_3995.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-20.html">Chapter 20</a><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 21 (A new
plan)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli walked
out of the healer’s room on the first floor of the in, curling and uncurling
her toes with each step. Her heart still raced faster than they had to get
inside the walls of the city. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
looked groggy sitting at the table in the center of the inn’s common room while
Igu, across from him, shoveled food into her mouth. At this early hour, only
the red-eyed, portly innkeeper was moving around. With his flabby cheeks and
soft smile, he looked like he was saving up food for a large-scale battle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The smell
of bacon made Ekanli’s stomach growl, so she made her way across the quiet inn common
room and waved at the innkeeper before pointing at Igu’s plate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As if
Ekanli was planning to steal her food, Igu leaned over her plate and wrapped
her arms around it protectively. Paper rustled in her pocket. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
going to eat your food.” Ekanli sat down then glanced over her shoulder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
innkeeper headed into the back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She scooted
her seat closer to the table and whispered, “What are we going to do?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wait for
Orshis and Weron,” Modaj said, voice sounding as unsteady as he looked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
shook her head. “Impossible. Not with that monster so close and the Regime
Hunters probably knowing we’re here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Speaking
of that monster.” Modaj’s hands trembled in his lap. “Did either of you get a
good look at it?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu shook
her head, still staring at her plate and putting small bites of food in her
mouth. “Something knocked me out, the monster I guess, and the next thing I
know, I’m waking up next to you with Ekanli running towards me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
lucky it didn’t kill you,” Ekanli said, voice cracking. “It. It was horrible.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
swallowed. “What was it?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t
know. Ekanli hugged herself to still the shivers rolling across her body. “But
we broke the seal on the door, so whatever it is, it could come here next.
Which is why we can’t wait.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,” he
said, shrugging, “what else can we do? There’s no way we can make it across the
wastes without a map or someone to lead us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli’s
foot began tapping, and she placed her hands in her lap to stop it. “What else <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> we do?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu looked
up, still trying to guard her food. “Find Tima. He has a map, right?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
opened her mouth then shut it. She blinked. “Well, that would be good if we
knew where to start looking.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu bit
into her lower lip as if she didn’t want to share something. After sighing, she
reached into her pocket and pulled out a flyer. “I found this on the bar of the
inn while waiting for you and Modaj to get healed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So?”
Ekanli reached out for the paper. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The bumping
of doors announced the innkeeper coming out with her food, so Modaj took the
chance to grab the paper. His brow scrunched. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”
Ekanli asked, mouth full of grits and ham. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why would
a flyer for the Gladiatorium Preliminaries in Jutzoran let you think you know
where Tima is?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Half-eaten
chunks of ham fell from Ekanli’s mouth and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plopped</i>
onto her plate. “The Gladiatorium. Or course.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
narrowed her eyes and scanned Modaj’s face. “Are you really Modaj?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes?” he
said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And how
long have you known Tima,” Igu asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Since we
were both old enough to walk. Same as you and Ekanli.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu nodded
as if Modaj were stupid. “And what has he always wanted more than anything
else?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aisa.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
flinched, Modaj’s words striking her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Besides
that, ass,” Ekanli said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To compete
in the …” Modaj’s eyes grew wide. “Oh. But Jutzoran is more than a week by
horse from here, even if we ride hard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good find,
Igu.” Ekanli went back to eating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu stood. “I’ll
ask the innkeeper to get us supplies and leave a message for Orshis and Weron
if they follow after us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Be careful
how you word that,” Modaj said, always the careful one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
stupid.” Igu spun on her heels and stalked off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
washed her food down with some cold water then burped. “Let’s check the route
and make sure we know the fastest way there.” With that, she rose and moved
towards the healer’s room, the old wind wielder seeming more knowledgeable
about these sorts of things than the innkeeper. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-22.html">Chapter 22</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-4904885452701796112016-02-13T05:31:00.000-08:002016-02-13T05:52:36.019-08:00By your powers combined chapter 20So, part one of this story is almost complete. After chapter 21, there will be one or two more cinematic chapters with Igu's group and one or two more with Aisa's group before their all back together for the finally against the flame monster, sacrificing something major to bring out captain planet while kind of controlling him and heading off to the rebel capital. Maybe. I'm still discovery writing, so it may all change. That's just the idea I had today while eating pancakes. Not sure about part 2. When/if I'll go forward with it or not. This piece in the first draft form is probably only going to be about 40k to 50k words long. Maybe. If I get a good enough response, I'll see what I can do about a part 2. Or I may just start working on my next piece. I do have to write 2 more pieces and turn the openings into short stories this year. After that, who knows.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dy-V2lga9ac/Vr8sowVS6XI/AAAAAAAABZc/GpPlDzP8-VY/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dy-V2lga9ac/Vr8sowVS6XI/AAAAAAAABZc/GpPlDzP8-VY/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-19.html">Chapter 19</a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 20 (A haunting monster)</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ekanli’s voice died, but the
sickness in her belly didn’t, and she puked into the gore covered room. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything
smelled like the mountain river before the Regime’s companies had to stop dumping
metal shavings from the stop floors into it. That, mixed with the lemon-sour
gunk clinging to her mouth, gave the small entry room an expansive feel. The
cramped walls with one door to the right and the stairwell to the left seemed
to quiver as her voice echoed back into the room. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">howled</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli’s
breath caught, and she stumbled to the side, bracing on the doorframe that led
into the kitchen behind her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">howl</i> came again, clearly from the room
to the right. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, no, no,”
Ekanli said to herself before bolting into the stairwell. “Igu! Modaj! We have
to—” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A bald
woman with the metallic tattoos of a Regime Hunter stepped in front of Ekanli.
The woman’s clothes were singed, and several burn marks decorated her exposed
skin. She gritted her teeth and pulled out a pair of daggers, lunging at Ekanli
with the speed of a wind wielder. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
pressed her back against the wall then danced around the woman into the open
room by the stairwell. “Stop.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You!” The
woman righted her footwork and lashed out with a tendril of wind as she moved
forward, but her hands shook, and the tendril shot low, knocking Ekanli from
her feet instead. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wind
adjusted and wrapped around Ekanli’s leg, digging into her flesh, and she let
out a hoarse scream. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t
know what did,” the woman’s voice cracked, and her lips quivered, “but I’m
going to put an end to it now.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I didn’t
do anything.” Ekanli pushed herself backwards with her hands. “But this tower
is—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A malformed
shadow appeared out of the stairwell behind the woman, its form roiling
forward. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli’s
eyes bulged, and she pointed behind the woman. “Monster!” Ekanli scrambled to
her feet despite the tendril still ripping away at her leg and took a step. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You think
I’d just let you go?” the woman asked. “I—” She screamed, and hot blood
splattered across Ekanli’s back. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Heat filled
the room, and sweat beaded Ekanli’s forehead as a howling gale rose up behind
her. The floor shook, and the wind around her leg vanished while she hobbled
out of the room. She moved from room to room, trying to find the stairwell down
in this maze of a tower. Left, right, right, left. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli had
turned around so many times and moved through so many rooms everything started
looking the same. She crossed through a room she had been in before and took a
right. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
stairwell down waited for her across the room. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She started
forward, heart pounding in her ears. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A blood-curdling
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">roar</i> reverberated through the walls
all around her. It came from the room she had just come from. From the
stairwell. From the room to the left. It sounded so close. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tearing the
tendons in her leg as she took the stairs down two at a time, Ekanli gritted
her teeth and ignored the pain. She made her way towards the exit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the room
by the gaping front door, in a pool of blood and scorched clothing, Igu lay
behind Modaj, both of them flat on their backs staring at the ceiling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get up;
get up; get up!” Ekanli put her weight on her good leg and leaned over to shake
Modaj first then Igu. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
stirred, blinking up at Ekanli. “Terrible. Monster.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I know.”
Ekanli pointed at Modaj. “Help me get him to a horse.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
stumbled to her feet and helped Ekanli hoist Modaj, doing most of the work with
her gift of fire. They started out the door, and Igu glanced down. “You’re
hurt?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Better
than dead.” Ekanli gestured at the group of horses. “Can you lead a horse while
you ride?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu nodded.
“Probably.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Together,
once again with Igu doing most of the work, they flopped Modaj over the saddle
of one of the Regime Hunters’ horses then climbed into their own saddles and
rode out of the tower then towards the city, not bothering to look back. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-21.html">Chapter 21</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-65724189730829950682016-02-12T01:12:00.003-08:002016-02-13T05:35:35.505-08:00By your powers combined chapter 19Been busy and unmotivated over the past few days. Finally finished working out this latest chapter. One or two more chapters from this POV before we come back to Tima then one from Aisa before sticking to Tima till the end of part one of this story.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yffZv0_qqtA/Vr2cb9FZkAI/AAAAAAAABZM/wl6XsbUsvbc/s1600/IMG_4008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yffZv0_qqtA/Vr2cb9FZkAI/AAAAAAAABZM/wl6XsbUsvbc/s320/IMG_4008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-18.html">Chapter 18</a><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 19 (Haunted)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
stretched out by the fire, leaning a bit on her side after riding so hard for a
week. The city of Feerstor was visible in the distance, but with how dark it
was and how hard they’d been riding, none of the group seemed able to ride even
five more feet. Plus, the horses were tired, and the city gates appeared to be
locked from this distance. Though, there was a large, haunted-looking white
tower about half way to the city, a remnant from the time of war. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With the
rolling hills all around, the woods behind them seemed like a dark shadow on
the land. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu sat on
the other side of the fire and wrung her hands, muttering something about Tima.
Beside her, Modaj thumbed through a book, squinting as if that would make the
firelight brighter. Weron rewrapped some bandages around Orshis’s middle over
by the horses then put feeding bags over their mouths to quiet them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The muggy
air made each breath feel like drinking a glass of water, and the three moons
which were out tonight—the blood moon, the infection moon and the virus moon—and
cast their red, yellow and green lights across the land, making it easy enough
to see. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron
strode over to the fire and placed some skewered meat over the open flames. “Once
this is done, we have to put this fire out.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why?”
Ekanli put a hand on her hip as she turned her head to stare at him, her other
hand holding her up in the lounging position. She stretched but held her
indignant posture, as much as one could while lying down at least. “Didn’t you
say we lost those Regime Hunters chasing after us?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu perked
up, looking between Ekanli and Weron. Modaj buried himself deeper into his
book. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Slowly,
Weron shook his head. “The explosion allowed us to escape, and the traps slowed
them, but there is no way they would give up that easily.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Says you.”
Ekanli scoffed then laid herself out flat. She closed her eyes. “We’re so close
to the city; there’s no reason to bear it tonight.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You don’t
get to make that decision.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And who
does? You?” Ekanli scoffed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What about
Tima?” Igu asked, speaking loud enough for others to hear for the first time
since the explosion that engulfed Ayuhod. Her voice was hoarse and heavy bags decorated
her eyes like black purses. “When can we go after him?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s
impossible,” Weron said in a solemn voice. He bit into his lower lip. “We just
have to hope he makes it to—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A branch
snapped in the woods behind them, and their horses began whinnying despite the
feedbags. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron held
a hand out to the fire and snuffed it out with his power. “Quiet.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wind roiled
just outside the tree line and whipped through the air above their camp. A bolt
of lightning streaked down and blasted the fire pit, charring their food and
sending a spray of dirt into the air. The blinding light and explosive sound
stunned everyone in the circle; though, Modaj with his eyes squinted as they
were, recovered first. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get ahold
of yourselves,” Orshis said from beside the horses. Unable to heal herself and
without a real healer despite Ekanli’s attempts, Orshis moved like a
spiderchicken without wings and only one good leg. “We have to go! Now!” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron
patted at his ears while Modaj tucked his book into the pocket of his robe. He,
unlike Weron, seemed completely unaffected. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
shook her head as Orshis led a pair of horses over towards them. Modaj helped
Ekanli and Igu onto the same horse then got onto the second horse, whispering
something to Orshis. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Twelve
Regime Hunters burst from the woods. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Orshis
spanked the horse Ekanli and Igu were own, sending it into a gallop towards the
creepy white tower in the distance. It looked more unused than Old Betty’s
Beauty Salon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
pointed forward, away from the wave of elements sweeping over their former camp—away
from where Orshis and Weron still were. “We,” Modaj said, voice high-pitched, “have
to get to the tower no matter what.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What good
will it do us?” Ekanli asked as she crafted a barrier of wind around them.
Despite using this before, it felt thinner than before, proven so when bolts of
fire and stone crashed into the barrier, nearly shattering it. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu went
back to muttering under her breath for a few heartbeats then quieted. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The beating
of hooves on hard-packed dirt came from behind. Orshis and Weron were holding
their own, but the Regime Hunters, like the smell of ozone that had erased all
other smells, were getting away from them. Of the twelve, two were down and
four were engaged with Weron and Orshis. Four were riding hard to catch up, and
the last two were headed off to the sides as if to cut off any escape. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
swallowed. “I don’t think we can hold the tower doors, if they even work in
that old thing.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But we
delay them.” Modaj crafted shields of stone to cover their backs just before
Ekanli’s barrier shattered. But like hers, it was thin. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also like
before, Igu snarled and started muttering under her breath. It was something
about Tima and not being able to live without him. But this time, she just
complained over and over again. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The riders
closed in and hurled elemental bolts, blasting Modaj’s shields into dust. Ten
feet away and closing. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The tower
was still a good twenty feet away. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu gritted
her teeth and held a hand above her head, gathering a ball of fire that could
have shaded them from the moons’ light. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each of the
Regime Hunters’ horses whinnied as they pulled on their reins and scattered. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu flung
her hand towards them, but the blast of fire shrank upon leaving its perch
above her, and the Regime Hunters easily avoided the stream of fire. She began
muttering again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They passed
through the outer gates around the tower, which were broken pieces of scrap
metal. A creepy howl rang through the air. Modaj leaped off his horse and
placed both hands on the ground. Jaw set, he closed his eyes, and the ground
began to tremble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
climbed down then glanced between the closed doors of the tower and Modaj. “Hurry
up.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
trying.” His voice was strained. “Get Igu inside, and hide.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu,, still
on the horse, shook her head. A convulsion rippled through her as Modaj’s wall
came up to block the entryway, the shaking ground knocking Ekanli from her
feet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
scrambled to her feet and pulled Igu from the saddle then hurried to the door,
towing her along. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ground
trembled again, and Modaj growled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
pushed on the door, but it didn’t budge. “We have a problem!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You think?”
Modaj said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I mean the
door is locked!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” He
glanced over his shoulder at her, cracks forming in his crafted wall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli sent
blades of wind into the lock, but nothing happened. Like most things of war
before the Regime took power, this door was power-forged. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu pried
her wrist free. “We have to hurry. Find a way to escape and find Tima.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tima’s the
least of our problems right now.” Ekanli took a deep breath then ingested her
link, the glow of her eyes intensifying and bathing the door in yellow light. “Step
back.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu did so.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
everything she had, Ekanli blasted the door with a rush of wind. The gale
howled, and the door groaned. Her knees grew weak as her stomach grumbled, but
she only pushed harder, ripping the door from its hinges. The light in her eyes
died. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu nodded
the sprinted inside, disappearing into the flickering lights mounted on the
walls inside the tower. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wait!”
Ekanli glanced back at Modaj. “The door is open, but Igu ran off.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj stood
and stumbled over to her. After taking one step inside, the created wall
exploded in a spray of stone. “Move.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two of
them slammed the doors behind them and bound the doors together with a slate of
granite wrapped in wind before working their way in through the maze of rooms,
each connected to others by a series of doors as if the idea of hallways was
foreign to the original architects. The place smelled of mold and cobwebs, and
the walls of every room were a dusty, gray-green to match. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A low hum
came from the ceiling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
swallowed then forced herself to grin. “You here that?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj shook
his head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom!</i> The explosion came from behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Up the
stairs.” Modaj pointed to the incredibly dark room in the distance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ringing
footsteps came from behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli only
hesitated for a moment then ran into the stairwell, Modaj on her heels. Despite
the untold number of floors this tower had, this particular stairwell only went
up one flight. Room after room, she ran, saying Igu’s name after each door <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">smacked</i> shut behind her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last
room, covered in red, led to another stairwell. The temperature dropped with
each step closer to the stairwell, and silence turned each breath into a
scream. No footsteps followed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli spun
on her heels, chest heaving. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj was
nowhere to be seen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The eerie
hum started up again, and the hairs on the back of Ekanli’s arms stood on end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She stifled
a scream by covering mouth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Did you
hear that?” an unfamiliar, gruff voice asked from one room over. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t let
your guard down,” another said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
eased into the stairwell on her tiptoes and made her way to the third floor.
Without access to her powers and no weapons, she’d be hard-pressed to defend
herself, but with the speed of wind, she could get the jump on them, so she
made her way a few rooms away from the stairwell into what looked like a dining
hall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like the
rest of this tower save for the crimson room, this place smelled like old
people with the moldy-colored walls to match. Rows and rows of tables filled
the expansive room with a kitchen in the back and a few toppled tables by the
door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Perfect,”
she whispered to herself as she made her way over to one of the turned over
tables. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This way,
right?” the gruff voice asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, I’m
sure—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A gurgling
screech cut off whatever the second Regime Hunter was going to say. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rather than
crouching in her position, ready to attack, Ekanli huddled, arms wrapped around
her knees, her entire body trembling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Long
moments passed and there were no sounds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli took
a deep breath and stood. There was no reason to be frightened since it didn’t
sound like the Regime Hunters had caught either of her friends. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No hum. No
voices. Just a cold silence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Knees
shaking, Ekanli tiptoed to the door into the other room and peeked through it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The once
gray-green room was now crimson with gore and blood creeping down the wall, A
pair of heads rested in the center of the room, one with a beard and one with
a pig nose. If they were whole, at least. The heads had been split in two and
put with the opposite half of the other, creating a pair of odd creatures. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
screamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-20.html">Chapter 20</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-3372426013534819512016-02-10T18:51:00.002-08:002016-02-10T18:51:57.086-08:00The prime sentenceSo, this is something I teach my students, and it really helps them out, especially when they're trying to figure out the meaning of a sentence or question for their tests and what not. (I teach English as a second language for all ages in Japan, right now I'm at a JHS and about to start at SHS)<br />
<br />
The prime sentence helps you figure out where commas have to go. You can add unnecessary commas to add pauses into the sentence; though, most conjunctions and dependent clause markers come with a pause. The same thing goes with omitted words. Necessary commas also don't come with a pause, usually.<br />
<br />
For example, how often do you pause when you say, "Yes, I do," in response to a question? Or "Of course, I can." when someone is checking with you? The answer is you don't often pause here, but some dialects do. The pause with a comma is based on dialect, not on a specific rule.<br />
<br />
In Japan, we use the trains to get around instead of cars.<br />
-I don't pause for this comma, but it's necessary because the prepositional phrase is out of place.<br />
<br />
Do your homework, and study for the test.<br />
-I also don't pause here for two command sentences, but the comma is necessary.<br />
<br />
I'm going to speak to your mother and discuss your attitude in class. <br />
-No comma here, but I do pause often before this conjunction. I could add an unnecessary comma here to indicate the pause, but that makes it look/feel a bit choppy when I read through it, as if I need to pause twice.<br />
<br />
The prime sentence is simple: Subject+verb makes up a basic sentence. Sometimes you have objects that follow, and sometimes the subject is the understood 'you' in a command sentence. Sometimes you have verb helpers like can/will, but I count those as a verb set.<br />
-I hesitated.<br />
-I swam ten miles.<br />
-I can eat sushi. <br />
<br />
Questions with question words are a bit more complicated in this realm, but leading questions are the same. Lead+subject+verb or Be-verb+subject.<br />
-Do you like sushi?<br />
-Can you play soccer? <br />
-Are you here?<br />
-Is John a football fan?<br />
<br />
With question words, as I said, it's a bit more complicated. Question word+topic+lead+subject+verb or question word+topic+be-verb+subject.<br />
-What sport do you like?<br />
-Where can I eat the best sushi?<br />
-What time is it?<br />
-Who is that? (This one combines the question word and the topic)<br />
<br />
Finding the prime sentence will make sure you never miss necessary commas/semicolons.<br />
<br />
I like sushi, and I went swimming.<br />
-'I like sushi' is a prime sentence.<br />
-'I went swimming' is a prime sentence.<br />
-Thus, when combining the two with a standard conjunction, you need a comma.<br />
-Dependent clause conjunctions don't require the comma (I like sushi when I go swimming), but you must make sure the tense of both verbs match when you combine them with a dependent clause conjunction.<br />
<br />
I'll probably go deeper into this later on with unnecessary commas and the pause later, but I hope this gives you something to think about when constructing your sentences to help reduce basic punctuation errors) <br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-10402397272927342052016-02-09T07:32:00.001-08:002016-02-12T01:13:43.687-08:00By your powers combined chapter 18Been working on revising short stories and doing other work. I should be able to get back to this and hammer out a lot more chapters later this week, but we'll see. Also, Goo has made it his prerogative to take my seat if he can trick me into getting up. This is the face he makes when I just sit down with him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvHxpc-QawQ/VroF5dmZcBI/AAAAAAAABY4/u8d13qR9qxk/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvHxpc-QawQ/VroF5dmZcBI/AAAAAAAABY4/u8d13qR9qxk/s320/IMG_3983.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-17.html">Chapter 17</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 18 (A fist
fight)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About a day
after escaping Blood the second time, I laid Yalrein’s body next to the fire
then fed Pentorse and Wholt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It had been
a hard ride, and Barges was still as groggy as Yalrein, but at least the hammer
didn’t weigh like murder anymore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
pulling out some food and our bedrolls, I proceeded to kick Yalrein awake.
“Stop being lazy. I didn’t hit you that hard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
gritted his teeth and drew his gladius, eyes still closed and lying flat on his
back. He slashed at my shins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scampered backwards then ruled his bedroll,
hitting his gut so hard he folded around it, his gladius flopping into the
grass. I kicked out of his reach before tossing Barges on top of it and setting
the food and my bedroll down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eyes wide
open, Yalrein stared murder at me and snarled something under his breath. He
tossed his bedroll aside, the edges singing as it passed through the fire.
Acrid wisps rose from his bedroll as it caught fire, and the stink of wet paint
filled the small clearing. I extended a hand and devoured most of the food that
remained in my stomach to quench the fire. It wouldn’t do to come all this way
just to have Yalrein get since from sleeping on the cold ground. Ekanli was
going to owe me big after putting up with all this— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein’s
stomach <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">groaned</i>. He was standing
right beside me, fire-wrapped fist cocked back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The One,
Ekanli was going to owe me really really really big. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Throwing my
shoulder back, I slipped under his strike, but the fire tore through my new
shirt. Ugh, I’ve been going through way too many shirts recently. I twisted and
kicked out with both feet, knocking his legs out from under him. Next time I
get clothes, I’m going to get some that are resistant to attacks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
pushed off the ground before he hit and shot back to his feet as I tumbled back
to mine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This any
way to thank me for saving your life?” I stepped into an orthodox stance,
knowing he’d only fought me when I used southpaw. This wasn’t my best foot
forward, but it should give him pause. “Really?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Saving my
life?” Yalrein hesitated, the fire around his fist snuffing out. “You mean
taking away my chance at revenge.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t
delude yourself; you know as well as I do that he would have killed both of
us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“After you
fed him!” Yalrein charged forward and threw a wild, looping punch. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I caught
his wrist and used my shoulder and his momentum to flip him over, slamming him
into the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He gasped. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I took a
few steps away and reset my stance. “As we are now, he would’ve killed both of
us well before the villagers showed up to interfere.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
slammed his fist against the ground, leaving a small crater. “I. I. I—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He won’t
stop chasing us.” I moved over to him and offered him a hand up, which he took.
Reluctantly. “And we’ll have another chance.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To do
what? Die?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re
going to kill that bastard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I still
hate you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grinning, I
gestured towards the fire. “That makes two of us. Should make training fun.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Training?
With you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We can’t
go all out until we reach Jutzoran since we didn’t have a healer, but we can
get strong enough to crush Blood the next time we see him. Even if it takes
longer to get to Jutzoran.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And what’s
so different about Jutzoran?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The preliminaries
for this year’s Gladiatorium for this region are being held there. We can go
all out against one another in the finals.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
licked his lips. “Then what are we waiting for?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I reached
over and grabbed the food, skewering the meat so we could heat it over the
fire. “Dinner.” </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-19.html">Chapter 19</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-9680472575474792742016-02-06T05:06:00.001-08:002016-02-09T07:34:14.366-08:00By your powers combined chapter 17A good day for writing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PecbyOUnBLQ/VrXvbjFG8aI/AAAAAAAABYc/ZAU69Y-4S2I/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PecbyOUnBLQ/VrXvbjFG8aI/AAAAAAAABYc/ZAU69Y-4S2I/s320/IMG_3909.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-16.html">Chapter 16</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 17
(Bringing out the monster)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pulled on
Pentorse’s reins, stopping her several feet from the ungroomed man and his
filed teeth, illuminated by our travel lanterns. “What in the One and the
void?” I placed my hand on Barges’s handle and prepared to create water spears
to fling at the man. Or whatever he was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His wicked
grin only deepened. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein’s
horse danced to the side, leaving the hard-packed dirt of the road and
venturing out into the weed strewn field to our left. There was a farmhouse lit
by several lanterns a good ways down the road, and the inviting smell of
grilled chicken drifted on the wind. But other than the distant memory of my
words, the area was silent. More silent than the mine at night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was wrong. Wild animals or even our
horses should be making some type of noise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swallowed.
“What are you?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m free,”
the man said, his voice half cackle, half grinding wheeze.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That makes
a lot of sense.” Now was not the time to be smarting off, but maybe it would
remove the tension. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man
crossed his arms across his chest then turned to face me, cocking his head.
“Sense? No. Blood. Food. That is sense.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you
saying you’re hungry, because I can’t really tell.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hungry?
Yes. Something to eat.” He took a step towards me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hoisted
Barges, still blocking out the hammer’s voice. “Now don’t get any ideas.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ideas?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Let’s just
go,” Yalrein said. “We don’t have time to watch over him, and I want to get a
bit farther away before we rest.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Since when
did you become the leader?” I peered at Yalrein through the corner of my eye,
not allowing my focus to leave the crazy man for too long. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ve
always been the leader.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Like the
void you have.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shall I put
you on your back like old times?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As I
recall, you were the one laid out flat in our last two encounters.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
turned Wholt to face me, teeth gritted. “What to say that again now that I’ve
got a full belly and nothing to draw my attention away?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
results will be the same.” This was the attitude that always infuriated me when
he had trained in Mother’s school. He was so arrogant, and I was going to have
to put him in his place before we went any farther down the road. “Why don’t
you come a bit closer and see how you like the taste of my--” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The crazy
man was within arms reach of Pentorse, blinking up, arms still crossed as me as
drool rolled down his chin. “Food?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I started,
pulling on the reins, and Pentorse sauntered to the side. “Yes, I have food,
but I need to know your name.” That way this crazy person would have to think
twice about attacking me. It would make him feel more familiar and friendly
towards me. “It’s only common courtesy for those who help you.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Name?” The
man cocked his head to the other side and ground his foot in the road. “No
name. Just called Blood.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blood?” I
swallowed. I had to think of something to take the edge off this situation.
“Like the blood moon, right? The red moon of the four which is the patron of fire
crystals?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, yes,
yes,” Blood said, practically howling the words. “Yes! That is me!” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I bit into
my lower lip. “Okay, Blood.” Barges’s buzzing was starting to give me a
headache, but I refused to listen to his distractions right now. If we helped
this poor, crazy man, with the villagers came after us, his story of our
kindness would surely turn them off our trail. “I’m afraid the only thing we
can really spare is a bit of dried meat and some crackers.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Drool
rolled down Blood’s chin. “Meat. Meat to feed the fire.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That didn’t
sound crazy and ominous at all. I shook the thought and reached into my saddlebag.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
moved over beside me and grabbed my wrist. “Stop this now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If we
weren’t being chased,” I said, jerking my arm free as I pulled out a piece of
meat, “I’d stomp you into the ground where you stand.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah?”
Yalrein slapped the meat from my hand, and it flopped to the ground, dirt and
grime encasing it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bastard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do
something about it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blood
lunged forward and scooped the meat up, stuffing it into his mouth. On his
chest, as if part of his chest, were four crimson soul crystals. No wonder he
was mad, but where had the other four stones come from? And how was he still
beathing? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I opened my
mouth to say something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
drew his gladius and placed the tip of its blade against Blood’s throat. “Move,
and I’ll take your head.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blood’s
head?” He nodded as if that we something he heard every day. “Yes, Blood’s head
serves little purpose but to store Blood’s teeth. Which leads to Blood’s
stomach. Blood’s stomach is important. Ah. Rapture. Connection. I can feel him.
Feel them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” I
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“For your
kindness,” Blood said, smiling with his creepy teeth, “I’ll just kill you two.
No need to eat you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
shoved his gladius forward, its blade biting into Blood’s neck as fire poured
from the four crystals in his chest. Wholt shied away from the heat, Pentorse
doing the same. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sizzling</i> stench of blood and hair
entered the air for the briefest moment. Then it was all I could do to breathe
the raw heat filling the area. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I released
the lock I had on Barges. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I consume
our link again, can I beat that thing?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I tried to warn you about him,”</i> Barges
said in a smug voice, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“but you just
wouldn’t listen to me.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“As you are now, no. If you could work
together with Yalrein, maybe.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yalrein,”
I said gritting my teeth. “No.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I may
fight to save him for Ekanli, but I won’t work with him.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Then run.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I took a
deep breath and pointed down the road. “Yalrein! Listen; we have to run.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Die in a
pit.” Yalrein hopped off Wholt and urged the horse to step backwards. White
fire wrapped around Yalrein, and he strode towards Blood, who stood still and
just released strings of fire into the air as he laughed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Stop him,”</i> Barges said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I leaped
off Pentorse, the oppressive heat from both fire wielders weakening my knees.
The fields around me spun. Not good. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Barges!</i>
Before he could respond, I drew his link into my body, ingesting him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Peace.
Calm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blood and
Yalrein charged one another. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With a snap
of my fingers, I created a massive flood in between them, throwing both back
with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hiss</i> of steam. My skin turned
into ice, and I dashed forward, replacing each section that melted away and
moving with more grace that I had before. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Part of me
wanted to crack Yalrein over the head with Barges so hard he would never wake
up, but I was able to suppress that voice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blood shot
into the air, all the water beneath him evaporated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I skidded
to a stop beside Yalrin and brought Barges down like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crack</i> of thunder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His fire
vanished, and his body went limp. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In one
quick twist, I hooked Barges onto my belt and grabbed Yalrein before he hit the
ground. His gladius <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clanged</i>, but I
managed to scoop it up and unload another wave into Blood, throwing him back
into the field. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
wouldn’t give me much time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hurried
over to Wholt and slung Yalrein over the saddle like I had to go through when
leaving Ayuhod then sheathed his gladius. Leanding Wholt by the reins, I hopped
onto Pentorse and rode as hard as I could, The consumed link vanishing,
Barges’s weight tugging on my side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But with
Blood howling behind us, and the night lighting again, I didn’t have much
choice but to ride as we were. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-18.html">Chapter 18</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-52811847006801254392016-02-06T05:03:00.000-08:002016-02-06T05:07:54.967-08:00By your powers combined chapter 16Had a good day of writing today, so there are a lot of new chapters up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu-WZ8CQrP8/VrXsolv7rUI/AAAAAAAABYQ/cgDW-YKjF8s/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu-WZ8CQrP8/VrXsolv7rUI/AAAAAAAABYQ/cgDW-YKjF8s/s320/IMG_3915.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-15.html">Chapter 15</a><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 16 (Supplies)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I woke up,
face pressed against a fluffy white pillow, but when I tried to turn over, I
found my arms and legs strapped down. The groan of my stomach said I was still
alive, which brought up a lot of questions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Though, the
only one that mattered right then was what could I get my hands on to eat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A lime
scent clung to the pillow, and there was no trace of my body odor that had been
present since going after the Fevered Four. Not being able to bathe had been
awful, but not nearly as bad as not being able to eat right now. Food. I needed
some food. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tugged on
my restraints, but it was no good. Opening my mouth to call for help, I took a
deep breath then shut my mouth. I could be a prisoner. The Regime could have
me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But why was
I strapped to a bed, comfortable mind you, face down? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“That’s a good question,”</i> Barges said,
once again his presence filling my thoughts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Back after trying to kill me?</i> I felt at
the side of the bed, which my hands barely reached, looking for some way to
release the straps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The One wasn’t trying to kill you.”</i><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m sure. Throwing me against a tree and
gathering energy to rip me to shreds was just his way of giving me a hug.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He was just trying to teach you a lesson
for getting in his way and betraying his will.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His will? You mean killing Orshis? My
friends? The horses? Yes, that sounds like something I would have loved for him
to do.</i> The straps on my arms were bolted into the frame of the bed, so I
went back to tugging on them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Horses aren’t destroying this planet, and
your friends are part of the One’s circle. Especially …”</i> Barges made a
garbling sound. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just be quiet for now. We’ll talk more about
this when I get out of this—</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I wouldn’t
do that if I were you,” Yalrein said from somewhere to my left. “You’ll undo
all the work Torkis did to fix you up last night.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why,” I
said through gritted teeth, “am I strapped to the bed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because,”
Yalrein said in a low voice with a hint of scorn in it, “you’re a criminal, and
the Regime wants you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Muscles
tense, I thrashed about in the bed. “You—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
burst into laughter, but it was full of mirth, not hate. “You are easy to mess
with. I still hate you, but you saved me last night. Twice. And the Regime
burned my home down and killed my family. Until I make them pay, things between
us are on hold.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then why
am I tied to a bed?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To keep
you from rolling over onto your back. Whatever that was last night has melted
part of your spine, and it was all Torkis could do after I got you here to heal
you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Here?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, from
our run into the night while being chased, we had made it most of the way to Paster.
With the help of your ointment after that monster disappeared and sent your
hurtling into a tree, I was able to get us here by sunrise.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Guess we
got lucky we were going in the right direction.” I knew that was a lie. I had
planned this path long ago when Mother first told me she didn’t want me
becoming a gladiator. Plus it was headed away from my friends. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Right …” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I tugged at
my restraints again. “Can you remove these? And do you have any food?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The click
of Yalrein’s boots on hardwood drew closer then the pressure on my left wrist
vanished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The other
restraints joined the first on the bed before I pushed myself up onto all
fours, not trusting myself not to just roll onto my back. “Thank you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This makes
us even.” Yalrein gestured for me to follow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the next
room over, a kitchen, a plate full of sausages, ham and chicken wings acted as
the centerpiece for the table. Around it were all types of peppers and
vegetables that I couldn’t name, but most were yellow or blue. An elderly woman
sat a pair of cups on the table, each filled with Maroon, the sweetest juice I
had ever drunk and my favorite. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I leaned in
close to Yalrein. “Is that Torkis?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He shook
his head. “That’s his mother.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
wiping the drool from my mouth, I sat and began to stuff my face without
ceremony. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Heathen,”
Yalrein said before taking the place next to me and doing the same thing. He
sure was one to talk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once all
the mouthwatering meat had vanished into our stomachs, we moved onto the
vegetables, systematically working our way around the table till there was
nothing left. We each had four more glasses of Maroon before the last piece of
food vanished, and that piece—a long blue pepper—almost sparked up a fight
between me and Yalrein. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
middle-aged man with tatters of gray in his dark hair entered the room. The
healer’s coat he wore marked him as Torkis, the man who had saved my life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I stood to
bow. “Thank you so much for saving me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Torkis came
over to me and strengthened me with a gesture. “How are you feeling this
afternoon?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Better now
that I’ve eaten.” I wiped at my mouth with the back of my hand, sure there were
scraps of food there. There always were. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s
good to hear.” He turned to Yalrein and handed him a list. “I’ve arranged for
some supplies and horses for the two of you, but you’ll have to go get the
supplies and do a bit to help the shopkeepers you’re getting them from. The
horses are already in my stable, as well as the saddles and saddlebags. You
just need to do a few chores and bring your loads back over here.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We can’t
thank you enough,” Yalrein said as he stood and bowed. At least, he kept some
of his honor he had learned from Mother. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Torkis
glanced at me. “Don’t do too much heavy lifting. Your back isn’t fully ready
for it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I nodded
then glanced down at my white t-shirt, yet again another new one. I’ve been
going through shirts faster than Modaj went through books, but I was still
breathing, so that was something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein and
I hit the streets a few minutes later and made our way to the first merchant on
Torkis’s list. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
clothing shop, which also sold mild armor, had a line out the door, mostly
older women. Despite the looks we were given for skipping the wait, the owner,
a fat man named Hyaxe, waved for them to hurry inside. The tanned smell of
leather and burned silk made the whole place feel authentic, but the constant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">jab-jab-jab</i> of the sewing machine
quickly wore out its welcome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ummm,” I
said, glancing around at all the angry faces, “Torkis sent us.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hyaxe smiled
from ear to ear, chubby cheeks folding. “About time. Help me get this line out
the door and the clothes and armor are yours.” He gestured back towards the
woman on the sewing machine. “She should have the size right by then.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Helping
customers reach packages up high, carrying boxes down from the attic, bagging
products and collecting money made up the good part of the late afternoon, dusk
taking the sky before we made it to the camping supply vendor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The young,
bearded owner, no older than Yalrein, had them set up displays to earn the
sleeping rolls, rope, backpacks and traps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the time
we finished with the weapons dealer, getting a bow and other hunting weapons as
well as the food and water merchant, the night was half over. A good night’s
sleep in a soft bed before a long, hard ride to Jutzoran would be welcome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein led
the way into the stables where we packed up our supplies and prepared the
horses. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now can we
take a break?” I asked as we stumbled out of the stable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah.”
Yalrein blinked, glancing down the street. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I know you wanted to concentrate,”</i>
Barges said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“But something is very wrong
to the north of the city.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And how do you know that?</i> North was the
way we needed to go, and if there was something blocking our path, it would be
good for me to learn. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There was a
crowd gathering around a young woman sitting atop a horse. She was gesturing
wildly with her hands and gasps ran through the crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t
like the look of this.” Yalrein started towards the group. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And there
went my chance to rest. I started after him. “This is going to be a pain.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are you going to answer me?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I can feel something. Some disturbance in
the flow of the planet.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As long as it’s just a feeling, we won’t
have to waste a few days going around.</i> I reached the gathered crowd with
Yalrein. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’re probably still shaken up
from merging with the other three.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I don’t think so, but you could be right. I
just can’t shake this feeling.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’ll be fine.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And there
was nothing left,” the young woman on the horse said. “The Regime scouts I had
talked to on the trail said it had been the Fevered Four. They had finally
struck out against Ayuhod with some agents on the inside and killed everyone,
including Mayor Brumpet.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We need to
go,” Yalrein said as he leaned in close to me, “now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But … a
soft bed.” I knew Yalrein was right, but it didn’t make accepting this any
easier. I groaned then spun on my heels, heading back towards the stable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have to
keep our eyes out for any strangers,” the young woman said, voice raising,
“because the Regime said they may be trying to do to us what Ayuhod. If you see
anyone you don’t know, report them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A lump
formed in my throat, and I doubled my pace, slipping into the stable as the
angry mutters of the crowd grew to a fevered pitch. “How are we going to get
past that group?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blast them
with a wave of fire.” Yalrein grabbed his saddle and set it onto a white horse
with blue stripes down its side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had
wanted that horse because it looked awesome, but I didn’t really know much
about them. I had only cared for Guudra with food and checking its shoes. So I
did the same for Wholt—White Bolt was where I got the idea for his
name—checking all six of the metal shoes on the his feet. Then I did the same
for … What would I call her? She was skinnier than Wholt with a purple head of
hair and pink spots covering her brown coat. Hmmm, she could be Pentorse since
the pink reminded him of the monstrous pentabulls that roamed the waists in the
south. Like Wholt, Pentorse’s shoes were fine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Everything
check out?” Yalrein asked as he put my saddle on Pentorse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah.” I
looked at the door to the stable. “But I don’t think we should hurt the
villagers.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
climbed into Wholt’s saddle. “Only if they get in our way.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After making
sure all of our supplies were loaded, I got onto Pentorse, patting her on the
neck and flicking on the travel lantern attached to the saddle. “Maybe we could
just scare them out of the way.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And if
that doesn’t work?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We just have
to race past them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If they
gather against us, they will stop us from reaching the north road.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
buzzed, but I ignored him and trotted Pentorse forward. “We just have to leave
in a burst and try and sling those out of our way before they know what hit
them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
turned on his travel lantern. “I hope you’re right.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I did, too.
Taking a deep breath, I burst out of the stable and charged through the group,
gathering a ball of water in front of me and using it to throw men and women in
the crowd to the side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everyone
gaped after us, and it wasn’t until we had gotten several blocks away and
shouts of alarm rose up behind us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We made it.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Riding hard
for about an hour put us a safe distance away from Paster, and we slowed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ahead, a
man, alone, stumbled down the side of the road, heading in the same direction
we were. Without a shirt and his pants in tatters, the bones in his back were
visible as well as his lack of metallic tattoos. He looked like he hadn’t eaten
in weeks, and his long, matted hair spoke of sleeping in bushes and one the
ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He looks
like he could use our help,” I said trotting over to the man. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not a good
idea.” Yalrein hurried up behind me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man
peered over his shoulder and smiled. His teeth had been filed to points. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-17.html">Chapter 17</a><br />
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-91872887320325734192016-02-06T04:37:00.000-08:002016-02-06T05:03:42.079-08:00By your powers combined chapter 15Reforging a bond between old friends who have turned into enemies is tough, but having a massive fire monster chasing you helps. They won't be friends, but it's always good to have a rival.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haC0-tiAOzM/VrSrY5_aa0I/AAAAAAAABX8/4MnDsH5FyfY/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haC0-tiAOzM/VrSrY5_aa0I/AAAAAAAABX8/4MnDsH5FyfY/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html"><br /></a>
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-14.html">Chapter 14</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 15 (For all I’m worth)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We panted, darting between trees
as we ran. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
figure’s body, wreathed in flame as it was, illuminated the woods with ease,
but the smell of burning pine and the heat kissing our backs made the
exhaustion and hunger seem irrelevant. No matter how fast we ran, the creature
slowly closed the distance. Animals of all sorts burst out of their hiding
places at our passing, but instead of bothering us, they bolted to the left and
right of us, out of the figure’s path. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wasn’t
sure how far or for how long we had run, but we couldn’t stop. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
tripped, landing in a prickly bush that ripped into his side and right thigh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No time to
pull out the ointment and bandage him up, I skidded to a stop and picked him
up, placing his left arm around my shoulder and starting forward again. “Hang
in there.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Leave me.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bugger
off.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop
imitating Ekanli.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then stop
telling me to do something that would hurt her.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
gritted his teeth and worked his right leg as much as he could, unable to put a
lot of weight on it. But with me being half a foot taller than him, my hunched
form, no matter how trained my muscles were, couldn’t keep up the pace we had
been going. That was until the figure behind us let out a roar like an enraged
pentabull. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hooked
Barges on my belt then scooped Yalrein up in my arms, running with him as my
burden for all I was worth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you
ever mention this to anyone,” Yalrein said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wouldn’t
dream of it.” I tried not to smile, and with another roar from the figure
behind us, this time sounding rather close, it wasn’t too hard not to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The heat
behind me intensified and crunching footsteps followed close on my heels. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No looking
back. Just forward. Go. Watch out for trees. Watch out for bushes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A blazing
hot hand pressed into my back, and like when I had gotten Weron’s way, the
melting of flesh blackened my vision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was
it. We were done for. But maybe … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Roll and
crawl off to the left!” I tossed Yalrein with everything I had left then took
off in the opposite direction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The hand on
my back shoved me forward then a wave of hot air threw me through the forest
into a massive pine. The heat vanished, and darkness overtook the woods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wasn’t
sure if it meant the figure had gone away, run out of time like the One or if I
was just passing out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The slack
in my muscles and my heavy eyelids said it was probably just me passing out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At least
Yalrein should be safe. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-16.html">Chapter 16</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-43264779043037626822016-02-05T14:03:00.000-08:002016-02-06T04:37:40.299-08:00By your powers combined chapter 14Back to Tima now that we know what is going on with the other two characters, and he has a lot to deal with after being floored by the shockwave in his last chapter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-qIttt8xHk/VrSpRA5I1MI/AAAAAAAABX0/uKu9Y80jEwI/s1600/IMG_3970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-qIttt8xHk/VrSpRA5I1MI/AAAAAAAABX0/uKu9Y80jEwI/s320/IMG_3970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-13.html">Chapter 13</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 14 (A
monster wrapped in fire)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dizzy, I
pushed myself to my feet with my one good arm then picked up Barges, stomach
groaning for food. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ground
trembled, and the smell of sulfur and rotten garlic followed the shockwave. An
eerie silence came next, and the woods were illuminated as if it were day. To
my left, Yalrein lay crumpled next to a tree, blood rolling down his face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The One be
damned.” I trudged over to Yalrein and unslung the backpack. “Are you alive?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
groaned in response. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m going
to do something about your head wound. Ekanli would kill me if I didn’t.” I
pulled out a pair of bandages and a jar of ointment. “Don’t attack me when you
come to.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
groaned again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I took that
to mean yes then applied the ointment to the gash in his scalp, wrapping his
head up after. The ointment, forged with all four elements, had sealed the cut
and brought lucidity back to Yalrein’s eyes before I could tape the wrap on.
Honestly though, I never understood why I had to wrap cuts. Something about
keeping it clean and keeping the ointment on the area, but it didn’t really
make sense to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eyes
narrowed, Yalrein’s lips quivered. “Why?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Did you
not hear me?” I rubbed some of the ointment on the gash in my arm and replaced
the stopper. “Ekanli still loves you even though you’re a dick. Doing this one
handed is a pain, so can you help me?” I slipped the remaining ointment into
the backpack and offered him the bandages. “Please?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I still
don’t like you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Feeling is
mutual.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
grabbed my arm, tighter than was comfortable. “Why is it suddenly so bright?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
sure, but I’m worried.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“About?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How hard
did you hit your head?” I jerked my arm free. “Can’t you tell where that light
is coming from?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
blinked then his eyes grew wide, and he stumbled to his feet. “The village!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re a
smart one.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shut it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I stood,
I put the backpack on and started off back towards the village. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
grabbed my injured arm and pulled me to a stop, forcing me to grimace. “Where
are you going.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aisa and
Mother are still in the village. My uncles, too.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But the
mayor and a lot of Regime Hunters are there.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t
care. My friends are safe, and I thought Mother would be able to get everyone else
out of there, but after that explosion …” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
swallowed before hurrying to catch up with me. His gladius trembled in his
hand. “What’s the plan?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, he was
right. I needed to think things through. “Well, I just want to know what that explosion
and light are. If I—we can, I’d like to get close enough to see if we can find
out anything about Mother and Aisa. Maybe we can overhear that they escaped or
something. Or if this light is some sort of searchlight, that would be enough
to say that they escaped, but that explosion …” Something caught in my throat,
and my chest heaved. Despite the light, everything dimmed around me, and I
stumbled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
caught me by the shoulder and stopped me from face planting into a
prickly-looking bush. “I’m sure they’re okay. My family was in that shelter the
mayor set up the other day after Aisa visited him.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Let’s
hurry.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Together,
we moved as fast as we could for as hungry as we were. Coming out of the woods
felt like staring directly into the sun. Even from this distance, the heat
licked my face and soaked my clothes through with sweat. Twenty feet high and
as engulfing the entire village, as well as the area around it, a white-hot
fire blazed and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crackled</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My jaw
dropped, and I shambled forward. This couldn’t be real. None of it. I had to
have lost my shit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Impossible,”
Yalrein said, sounding as stupefied as I felt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shook my
head. “This—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A figure,
bathed in red fire and about ten feet tall, turned in our direction. Inside the
white light, each deliberate step was easy to see as the figure moved towards
us. Like the One had earlier, this monster exuded an aura of death and
destruction, though not quite on the One’s level. But still … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have to
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But … my
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close the distance between us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein was
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I gritted
my teeth. “We’ll have our revenge. But as we are now, there’s nothing we can do
against that thing but die.” I turned Yalrein around and cocked Barges back.
“Don’t make me carry you.” Since the figure was less than fifty feet away now,
gaining on us quickly, I doubted I could outrun it if I had to run with Yalrein
on my shoulders. Plus, my stomach was groaning up a storm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-15.html">Chapter 15</a>pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-41515789634601647682016-02-05T02:05:00.000-08:002016-02-05T14:04:13.427-08:00By your powers combined chapter 13I'm so much more comfortable writing in 3rd person lol. So, this is the last 3rd cinematic POV before getting back to Tima in 1st person. For a while, at least. I'm finding cinematic to be kind of fun, especially since I usually write in 3rd intimate.<br />
<br />
So, Goo decided he wants to do some work to. And by work, I mean steal my chair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHXDOuPi-N0/VrRwNC0yfgI/AAAAAAAABXk/mq2lRRvBaHk/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHXDOuPi-N0/VrRwNC0yfgI/AAAAAAAABXk/mq2lRRvBaHk/s320/IMG_3964.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-12.html">Chapter 12</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 13 (A
losing battle)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sun
began to set as Aisa crafted a wall of fire across her front lawn, separating
her group from the mayor’s. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat
placed her hands on her knees, Versist—her azure-forged katana—stuck in the
ground in front of her. She panted while Rokki and Tesol knelt, eyes closed and
mumbling under their breath. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just give
up,” the mayor said from the other side of the fire wall. “With the heat from
the sun leaving, we’ll snuff out your little barrier in no time, and you’ll be
left starving and powerless.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat
gritted her teeth. “Jump off a cliff. And take your fools with you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m sure
your boy would prefer it if you were more mannered,” the mayor said, voice full
of scorn. “Especially since he is most assuredly in our custody now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The One
take you!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, but I’ll
take him.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m going
to rip your heart out and feed it to my spiderchickens!” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fire
barrier shook and wavered, and Asia grunted. Her face contorted in pain, and
her hands clenched into fists. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat sat
on the ground in front of Versist and crossed her legs. “A few moments,” she
said in a low voice as she bowed her head. “Hold that barrier for a few more
moments.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,
Sister,” Rokki and Tesol said at the same time, both looking up at her, “we’re
almost done.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
going anywhere until I kill that bastard, even if it’s the last thing I do.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It will
be,” Rokki said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tesol shook
his head. “Remember the last time you used Wind-Breaker?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah,”
Iomat said, bands of gray wind swirling around her. “I won the Gladiatorium.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And you
were in a comma for a month afterwards.” Tesol closed his eyes. “And you’re not
as young and strong as you once were.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’ll have
the tunnel finished soon,” Rokki said, “so don’t do this.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The barrier
shattered, and Aisa hit the ground, gasping. The sun set, and streetlights
around the village came to life. Iomat stood and drew Versist from the ground
as the gray bands of wind encased her body like armor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eyes wide,
the mayor took a step back and grabbed the man next to him by the arm. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa sat up,
groaning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Make sure
our way out is clear since there are probably more of these bastards around.”
Iomat vanished then Versist ripped through the mayor’s improvised shield,
splitting the young man down the middle. She vanished again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blood splattered
to the hard-packed dirt of Aisa’s front yard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Release
it!” The mayor darted to the left and dove to the ground beside a pair of
Regime Hunters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A flash of
blue and gray sent both Regime Hunters’ heads flying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Water and
wind crashed into the area as the mayor scrambled into the street, crushing the
bodies of the two Regime Hunters. Spears of stone hurtled towards Rokki and
Tesol. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa’s
stomach growled, but she threw her hands up and unleashed a wave of fire then
turned it into hands to snatch the spears from the air and drive them into the
ground, shattering them. She panted. “How much … longer?” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rokki
grunted. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A few more
seconds,” Tesol said. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Breathing
hard, Iomat stopped in front of the mayor, Versist held out to the side, blade
facing him. “Last words.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He was
meant to be used against the One.” The mayor snapped his fingers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat decapitated
him then slashed his body from crotch to neck. Her knees gave out, and she
wobbled to the side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A man
wearing a gag, a blindfold and some type of glass breastplate stood behind the
mayor’s corpse, and a boy began unclasping the glass breastplate. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Finished,”
Rokki said as Tesol stood. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop him
from removing the restrictor!” Aisa gathered a fist of fire and threw it at the
boy. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat
regained her balance and charged him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But both
were moving too slow. The boy’s fingers worked through the clasps before either
attack struck him down. The boy crumpled, and the glass breastplate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clanked</i> to the stone street beside him. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Iomat
ripped Versist free from the boy then fell backwards, stiff as a stretcher. With
the grace granted by water, Tesol slipped under Iomat and caught her before she
hit the ground. Versist <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clanged</i>
beside them, and Rokki scooped it off the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The stink
of sulfur filled the air. A crackling sound accompanied it as sweat beaded
every face. It was so hot steam rose from the ground. The stones in front of
Iomat began to melt. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get away
from there!” Aisa crafted a heat vortex to dampen the inferno gathering around
the man and placed it in front of him. Her stomach screamed, but she set her
jaw and held the heat vortex. “Hurry!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The gag and
blindfold around the man’s face melted away, revealing filed teeth and long
hair that had been tied behind his head; his glowing red eyes were alight with
rage. Four crimson soul crystals were embedded in his chest. A red aura
expanded from the man, bumping up against Aisa’s heat vortex. </span></div>
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in tow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tesol
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My nephew
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forward and grabbed Aisa by the wrist. He shifted the ground and used it to
fling them towards the tunnel as Aisa’s heat vortex vanished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fine.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa pushed
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rokki
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started.” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aisa
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lead and heading towards Jutzoran, the first major city in this region and the
best way for them to avoid notice on their way to Yarsek. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-14.html">Chapter 14</a><br />
pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-35089380216512277822016-02-02T23:19:00.000-08:002016-02-05T02:05:54.086-08:00By your powers combined chapter 12<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
this novel is a lot of trying new things. One of them being alternate POVs in my
first person epic fantasy, but in the 3<sup>rd</sup> cinematic POV where we can
see what happens and some trouble of the other characters leading into an
invent. I’ll try to anchor them with time frames and locations to not make it
so jarring, and make it clear within the first few paragraphs that this is not
the main POV, in 1<sup>st</sup> person, and which character the cinematic
camera is anchored to. If you find anything that doesn't feel right, please let me know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bayAucocaio/VrGn9gFsEPI/AAAAAAAABXQ/6HL5s3OlUqo/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bayAucocaio/VrGn9gFsEPI/AAAAAAAABXQ/6HL5s3OlUqo/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-11.html">Chapter 11</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 12 (No
choice but to go)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli rode
the horse with the injured woman named Orshis, leading Igu and Modaj deeper
into the </span>Gyutrop Forest<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
“If we do that,” Ekanli said, voice cold, “whatever plan Tima came up with will
get gutted.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wonderful
imagery after seeing that monster,” Modaj said, rolling his eyes and edging his
horse closer Igu’s. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank you.”
Ekanli closed her eyes then placed a hand Orshis’s back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
blinked. “What are you doing?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Concentrating.”
Ekanli’s horse nearly collided with a tree, dancing out of the way at the last
moment. “Bugger off.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
gasped, eyes wide. “Watch your language.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You too,
you uptight tattletale,” Ekanli said, words looking as if they had struck
Modaj. “If you hadn’t reported it, Yalrein would’ve never been part of that
group. He’d still be with me, and I wouldn’t feel so dirty for helping Tima
strike him down.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
wilted in his saddle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu opened
her mouth several times before closing it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
breathed out a sigh, and Orshis stirred. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dark
settled on everything, and Igu created a globe of fire to illuminate the
haunted-looking woods. “Ekanli, what did you do?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What I had
been training to do while you two lazy spiderchickens did nothing but waste
time.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modaj
perked up, and Igu arched an eyebrow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I healed
the bitch. Best I could, at least. Still new.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can you
speak without swearing?” Igu asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,” Modaj
said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the same
time, Ekanli said, “When talking to Yalrein and Tima.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu puffed
out her cheeks. “I see.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With Igu’s
light guiding the way, Ekanli picked up the pace through the woods, following a
pretty wide trail. “Where do we go?” She nudged Orshis a few times. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Go?”
Orshis asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah,”
Ekanli said, “we’re heading west through these maggot-forgotten woods and have
no idea where our destination is.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Woods?”
Orshis sounded groggy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fight.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, that’s
over. Kind of.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yarsek.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
gritted her teeth, clutching the reins tight. “How do we get there?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“West.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m going
to punch you in the back of the head.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop,” Igu
said, kicking her horse forward. “She’s not well yet.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
pounding of hooves sounded from behind. A man, leading four horses, rode
towards them hard. A loud <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boom</i>
cracked the air behind him, and three of the horses stumbled, legs breaking.
The man, Weron, didn’t stop, his horse and one other managed to shrug off the
shockwave. He just pointed forward. “Go!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ekanli
glanced back at him, Orshis nearly pitching from the horse as the shockwave
passed. “What?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There are
riders following me, and whatever caused that explosion now is not something we
should stick around to see,” Weron continued by, and the group followed him,
heading farther west towards Yarsek and away from Tima. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-13.html">Chapter 13</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-3478375849235622132016-02-01T23:41:00.001-08:002016-02-02T23:20:18.517-08:00By your powers combined Chapter 11<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Things have changed. POV
is still Tima. Friend is still Igu. Uncle is still Weron. Healer is now named
Aisa. Ewmak is now named Modaj. Kanli is now named Ekanli. Wheeler and Helious
are no longer characters. Sashis is now Orshis and is Aisa’s sister. Captain
planet aka the One was summoned at the end of chapter 10 and it turns out he is
crazy and evil as the two groups have parted ways. Also, POV is now a water
wielder and there is no more psychic. Sorry for the major changes. I hope the
transition is smooth, and I apologize for not being able to post the updated
version of chapters 1-10 since I’m going to use it for a short story contest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FJnohKfT6w/VrBdCTAS6uI/AAAAAAAABXA/FGEDzZwlWuM/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FJnohKfT6w/VrBdCTAS6uI/AAAAAAAABXA/FGEDzZwlWuM/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></a>
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">First chapter</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-10.html">Chapter 10</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 11 (Never look back)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another twig snapped behind me,
and I started off at a run. Well, a lumbering trot. My back was still killing
me, and my muscles screamed out in exhaustion, which was more the reason to get
out of here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whoever was
following me couldn’t have my best interests in mind. As if confronting the One
hadn’t been enough. I would say it was an awful day, but Igu had lived, and I
wasn’t absolutely sure Mother and Aisa had been killed or taken. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fresh
scent of pine and holly made me want to lay down and take a nap, but the crunch
of leaves—other than my own footfalls—said I didn’t have that luxury. Even my
shorts and forge vest started to feel smothering, the night doing nothing to
dampen the heat. Worst of all, few stars were out, and after last night, none
of the four moons decided shown themselves. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This day
just kept getting better. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fine, if
that’s what the day wanted, I’d turn to fight. It wasn’t like I had any
supplies or any destination in mind. Just away from my friends so they would be
safe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I passed a
tree and slowed, pressing my back to it. I stilled my breath and clutched
Barges tight. Without supplies, using my power would be suicide. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein’s
gladius <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thunked</i> the tree, inches from
my head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the
four! I exhaled as Yalrein ripped his blade free. Oh yeah, this wasn’t the time
to be admiring how clean a strike that had been. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If only
Yaldrein hadn’t started picking fights with everyone and been accused raping
Ekanli, though she had been willing. No, now wasn’t the time to think about age
differences. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I rolled
backwards, focusing on the fight, allowing grace to flow through me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hopefully, he
didn’t have enough food in his belly to produce— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fire
exploded around Yalrein, destroying the towering pine and stabbing me with
thousands of splinters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">creaking</i> groan of the woods around me howled
that was the least of my problems. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I scrambled
to the left as the pine crashed into the ground, and I brought Barges up to
deflect a wild strike just before it bit into my flesh. But my timing and
footwork didn’t give me a good angle, and Yalrein’s strength sent me skidding backwards.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was on
top of me before I could take a breath. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By my
grace, I managed to slip under a wild strike and out of his range, edging
backwards. “Yalrein, stop.” I was still pissed at him, but in the face of all that
has happened, his reckless violence and disrespect of Mother when she confronted
him about Ekanli—which didn’t bother me since he was only two years older—seemed
a bit childish, and I was an adult now. I needed to act like one. “We shouldn’t
be fighting.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Monster,”
Yalrein said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Floor
calling the ground uncomfortable.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
sure what you did back there, but you’re responsible for the deaths of at least
four people.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In self-defense.
If they hadn’t attacked me, they would still be alive.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein’s
stomach grumbled, and a grimace crossed his face as fire glowed on the tip of
his sword. “Because you betrayed the village and conspired with terrorists.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And that
was good enough reason to try and kill me? Because I wanted to save Igu. Is my
action also why you attacked Aisa and Mother? How about the attack against
Ekanli?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
started, and he shook his head. The fire turned white. “I wouldn’t have let
them hurt her.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So, even
after you were punished, you kept seeing her.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t act
like you didn’t know.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t act
like I didn’t help you keep it a secret.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Help me?”
Yalrein spat into the underbrush. “You only helped Ekanli out because she asked
you to. I told her not to do it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But the
two of you would have been caught if it weren’t for my help. Then you would
have lost your place on the mayor’s staff and probably have been disqualified
from ever entering the Gladiatorium.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not like
you can ever enter it, momma’s boy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That truth
hurt. “I might be able to enter under a fake name. Or maybe my description hasn’t
reached the higher-ups of the Regime.” I stopped moving away from Yalrein and
set my feet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And I
couldn’t have done that?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein had
a point. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why don’t
we just stop fighting?” I wasn’t starving, but without food, using water to
deflect the fire would mean I’d never make it to Paster. If I could get
supplies there, I’d be able to get far away from here. And considering how the
Regime dealt with information, I doubted I’d have any issues other than with
Regime Hunters. “We can go our separate ways, and no one has to know.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If the
Regime found out I didn’t follow direct orders, I’d be executed as surely as
you will be when they catch you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Any major
city has enough people to hide amongst, much less the free cities.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You mean
the terrorist refuges.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I guess.”
I drew upon water, preparing to craft a layered shield in front of me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s too
bad no one knows exactly where they are. That almost sounds tempting, but I’d
rather not wonder through the dessert, and hiding in a city doesn’t appeal to
me.” The fire lanced straight at me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I darted to
the side as I crafted a barrier of water then charged Yalrein. The fire ripped
through my barrier with ease, but I closed the distance between us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
slashed down. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spinning, I
got inside his guard and elbowed him in the chin. The difference in our size
gave me the power to knock him off balance, but I pulled Barges up short of
striking him in the face. Killing the Regime Hunters—from how foggy that time
was—wouldn’t be the same as killing someone I knew. And Ekanli would hate me if
I did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
lashed out with his blade and gashed open my arm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It dropped
limp to my side, blood dripping from my fingers to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">patter</i> against the underbrush. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I reset my
stance, Barges in my left hand, held tight. My stomach groaned, but I could
produce enough water to strike Yalrein or to throw him off and land a blow with
Barges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He came at
me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ba-boom!</i> A massive shockwave ripped
through the woods and threw me and Yalrein to the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It had come
from near the village. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-12.html">Chapter 12</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-74682770770748037112016-01-19T06:55:00.002-08:002016-01-19T06:55:43.068-08:00Mage EaterSo, I didn't place with this story. Sad really, but I still really like the story. And since it's no longer held up in the competition and I'm working on short stories for other competitions and life (which is more complicated than it sounds), I'll throw this one out there for y'all to read. I really enjoyed the magic system and characters in this story, and it has gone through quite a few drafts (unlike By Your Powers Combined, which is coming at y'all first draft). It'll probably be another week at the best before I can get chapter 11 of BYPC out, but I hope this holds you over.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APQ6cjc4G6Q/Vp5NqHL-SpI/AAAAAAAABWs/VRfKFv889JM/s1600/IMG_3879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APQ6cjc4G6Q/Vp5NqHL-SpI/AAAAAAAABWs/VRfKFv889JM/s320/IMG_3879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Mage
Eater </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex lumbered into the dismal
excuse of a town that was clearly not on fire. If a mage were here, everything
should have been burned to ash by now. Especially with this heat and lack of
rain. His stomach growled. Spending this last month trekking across the desert better
pay off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the second moon rose, casting
crimson across the town, windows opened, and bumpkins came out of their hovels
to begin the day. Merchants set up street shops along the dusty road into town
while children came out to play in dirt-colored slacks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did they even know a mage was suspected
of being here? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No,
if they did, they’d be screaming for mercy.</i> Moving deeper into the town, Jayex
reached into his pouch, pulling out a piece of jerky. It reminded him of Vea,
but he had to eat it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The excessive salt covered the
stringy meat well, but the garbage-like aftertaste burned his dry throat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vea
… Why did I leave you alone?</i> He patted the waterskin hanging from his belt
then felt the pouch beside it. No water and only a few slices of jerky. No
matter how he felt about Vea losing her innocence to the purple energy, he had
to find the mage in this town or starve. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If only Vea were still alive— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clanking footsteps from behind
drowned out the other sounds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guess
the church stooge made it out of the quicksand. </i>Jayex frowned before turning
to glare at Ae. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dingy yellow hair tied up in a bun and
sand-covered blue robes. The three moons had burned her exposed face and hands
to match her ruby rings. She stood almost as tall as Jayex, a head taller than
the bumpkins. Her round body contrasted her hard face, and luckily, she no
longer wore the Fist of God necklace that constantly reminded him of Vea’s
final moments. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not dead yet?” Jayex asked, his
voice hoarse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This mage will not continue to soil
God’s name.” Ae’s flat voice was somehow haughty, like everyone from the
church. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How are they soiling your god’s
name?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She is everyone’s God.” Her pig-like
nose needed a good punching. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Doesn’t answer my question.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Their existence is enough to soil
God’s name.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Forget it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You mage eaters are too full of
yourselves to question the church like this. Is it because your kind runs
around without guidance?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t need guidance.” Jayex started
forward again. “If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your kind</i> wants to
be useful, find out where all the mages have gone.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We found one.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“One.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae crossed her arms. “How are we
supposed to find them if they are not destroying villages or killing people
with their corrupted power?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex headed towards the center of
town. “Shouldn’t your god tell you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Insolent fool. For the last time, she
is everyone’s God.” Her fists trembled at her sides—the most emotion she had
shown since they began this trip. “But no. God is not here to answer your
stupid questions.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then what good is she?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“God gives us morals. She gives us
society. She gives—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t
need her preaching right now.</i> “Sorry.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why are you so worried?” Ae moved
up beside him. “Your job is to nullify their magic, eat it or whatever you do,
and capture them.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah…” Jayex’s stomach grumbled,
louder than before. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She reached into her backpack and
pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle, holding it out to him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex pushed the food away. “Not
hungry.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For anything from the church.</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae stared at him. “So, it is true.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Street shops filled the town square.
Merchants sold various kinds of meat. Some jewelry. Some weapons. The most enticing
of them all was the one with a man wheeling barrels of water in front of his shop.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex strode towards the water
vendor, tongue screaming for a taste. “Not sure what you’re talking about.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eat</i> magic. Gain sustenance from absorbing a mage’s sin-against-God
power.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex scratched his nose. “Yeah? Sure.
That’s … why their disappearance is so galling.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae cocked her head to the side, the
expression odd as if she didn’t understand why people did it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did she have any emotions at all? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not
important.</i> Jayex rummaged through his turtle-pack. He reached into his razor-fin
gauntlets to pull out a wad of cash and placed a few bills on the counter,
returning the rest and throwing his turtle-pack back over his shoulders. “Need
a few pouches of water.” He should have let Ae roast that night instead of
wasting their water. He had told her not to sleep so close to the fire, but—</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the merchant reached under the
counter, the taste of dirt filled Jayex’s mouth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He turned to the left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The grimy flavor lessened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex gritted his teeth. “Purple!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Watch your language,” Ae said,
words droning. “I will not permit you to blaspheme. I—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex spun on his heels and took off
down the road, following his taste buds. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
mage is close.</i> His mouth watered. Refreshing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Magic’s foul taste emanated from the
hovel on the corner of an intersection. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex unlocked his power, devouring
the little bit of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">food</i> left in his
stomach. It growled. He kicked the door open. “Don’t—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Purple energy swelled in the unadorned
room, swirling around a cot in the center. A twig of a man in brown slacks and
a loose white t-shirt hovered over a woman. Blood spurted from a gash down the
center of the woman’s face, and she spasmed on the cot as the vile energy flowed
into her flesh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop!” Jayex reached out towards
the purple energy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mage started, but his gray-eyed gaze
didn’t leave the woman. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gray eyes? Not purple. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex froze. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mage’s dainty hands guided the
energy into the woman. Making her a victim. She would turn into his pet. Become
a mindless beast that— The woman coughed, and the massive gash closed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex gaped, outstretched hand
trembling. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just like Vea used to do. No, she
was special. Able to resist the purple taint.</i> “Impossible.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Magic didn’t heal. It corrupted the
user. It destroyed. Animals. Families. Cities. It didn’t matter to the vile
power. But if this mage hadn’t killed yet and was still innocent … </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New skin knitted the wound together,
and the tension in the woman’s face fled. Her eyes opened as the rest of the
purple energy flowed into her body, and the mage’s hands stopped moving. He looked
up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Magic always transformed someone
into a monster. Vea had to be the only exception. The church claimed— Yes, this
mage had to have another motive for healing this woman. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex’s griping stomach forced him
to focus. The woman didn’t matter. He would take the mage. Jayex had to. “Don’t
fight. You know what I am.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mage eater,” the mage said, voice high-pitched.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Right.” Jayex stepped forward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mage edged backwards. “I did
nothing wrong.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember
the training after the incident with Vea.</i> “Your existence is wrong.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And yours isn’t?” The mage pressed
his back to the wall. “I know your kind’s secret.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What? Second time someone had made
that claim today. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The window was several feet to the
left of the mage, but the woman on her cot was in Jayex’s way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mage looked at his hands. “I
didn’t seek this power.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Few ask for what life gives them.” Jayex
took another step forward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tears rolled down the mage’s smooth cheeks.
“I’ve struggled every day since Father abandoned me. I ignore the voice telling
me to slaughter children. I ignore the cravings to bathe in blood. For what? To
be preyed upon by a mage eater? I’ve been good. I’ve healed the sick. The debilitated.
Why? Why me?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A pit formed in Jayex’s stomach. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Innocent.</i> “No other choice.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So, Father’s plan to starve the
world has begun.” Sniffling, the mage wiped at his eyes. “And I’m the one taxed.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Huh?</i>
Jayex tilted his head to the side. “Well, everyone has to pay at some point.
But a donation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">food</i> and
information about—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The woman on the cot shot to her
feet. “I won’t let you hurt Ell!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ell?</i>
Jayex blinked. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Single-syllable names are
only for women.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She crashed into Jayex, the two of
them stumbling towards the door. “Go!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mage, Ell, squirmed out the
window. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex planted his feet and picked the
woman up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She screamed and flailed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex backed up to the still open
door and dropped the woman before stepping out and slamming the door shut. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Which way?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cracking and clattering came from
around the corner. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex stepped into the intersection
and glanced at the hovel’s open window. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barrels and broken wood lay beside
the window. Ahead, someone screamed from a small alley. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Taking off, Jayex pushed his muscles
as hard as he could. His stomach screamed. Reaching into his pouch, he popped
his last two pieces of jerky into his mouth and skidded into an alley where an
old woman stood, panting. As he passed her, she kicked him in the foot, and he
stumbled out onto the next street. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A loose white t-shirt flapped in the
wind to the right, just past a pie vendor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Got
to be him.</i> Without absorbing magic to enhance his body, running at a full
sprint made Jayex’s legs feel as heavy as an elephant-cart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Around the pie vendor. Down another
street. Into an empty warehouse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex grabbed Ell’s legs as he tried
to climb out the window and jerked him back to the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell landed flat with a squeal. He
reached out with his hand, and purple energy lashed out towards Jayex. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex’s power sucked in the energy
as soon as it touched his skin. Fatigue vanished. Strength flooded his muscles.
He blurred forward and drew Ell up to his feet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thrashing, Ell’s sweaty wrists
slipped free. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t think so!” Jayex grabbed Ell
in a bear hug and pulled his soft, spongy chest against Jayex’s. Jayex’s brow
furrowed. “Soft?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell pushed away from Jayex and slapped
him. “Bastard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex poked Ell in the chest. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Men shouldn’t have—</i> “A woman!” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vea …</i> He yanked his hand away from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>, and he swallowed. Shouldn’t have
touched her like that. He staggered backwards. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Face red, Ell wrapped her hands
around her chest, knees trembling. “You’re such a purple bastard.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sorry.” Jayex shook his head. “Sorry.
I.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell’s dimpled cheeks and hooked nose
looked just like Vea’s. How had he not noticed it before? Even the short hair reminded
him of his time with Vea. A time before she had killed in self-defense and lost
her innocence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex wouldn’t even ask Ell for substance.
He would find a way on his own. With how much she reminded him of Vea, he
couldn’t ask Ell to sacrifice anything. She was too much like the woman he’d
loved. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Find somewhere else to hide,” Jayex
said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.” Ell shook her head. “I don’t want
to be alone again. I’ll die. I …” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bile climbed up his throat, but he
swallowed it. This <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> a sacrifice
she had to make, and there was nothing he could do about it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Purple!</i> “Sorry, but a woman from the
church came here with me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?” Ell’s eyes bulged, and she
glanced towards the door of the warehouse. “Is she a Fist of God?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s the sect.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, no, no.” Ell bolted towards the
door. “How did they discover the town was sheltering me?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Huh?</i>
Jayex followed her outside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gray smoke rose in the distance. The
town square? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell dropped to her knees. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex helped her stand. “I’ll deal
with the fire. Get out of here.” He started off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.” Sniffling, Ell followed him
down the road. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the market square, mangled bodies
of men, women and children littered the ground. Splintered wood and trade goods
soaked up blood. Its stink polluted the air, leaving the taste of rust and rotten
grapes on Jayex’s tongue. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why?” a boy asked as he backed out
of a hovel across the square. “Mom. Dad.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From deeper inside the hovel, a snake-like
chain shot towards the boy’s head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still amped up on Ell’s magic, Jayex
bolted forward and wrapped both hands around the chain. He planted his feet and
with enhanced strength, yanked. The joints connecting his arms to his shoulders
screamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The chain didn’t budge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Run, kid.” Jayex gritted his teeth.
His feet ground the dirt as he was pulled forward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You should not interfere with God’s
justice.” Ae’s cold voice turned Jayex’s blood to ice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How could someone commit such
atrocities and still be so calm? Come to think of it, he had never heard Ae’s
voice change in tone or pitch. And having a special power like controlling the chains
could only mean one thing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rule-bound.” Jayex shook his head
and released the chain, stumbling back into the square. Gore squished
underfoot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I am gifted from God.” Ae stepped
into the light, church robes gone. Chains wrapped around her body, a skintight black
suit barely visible underneath. On her hands, her eight ruby rings glowed. “Rule-bound
who do not serve God are abominations.” She glanced over to Ell. “Ah. The
target.” The chains unwrapped themselves, slinking to the ground, slithering away
from Ae’s body as if alive. She planted her feet and swung both chains. Just
the ends at first, but the chains extend farther and farther. “Sin confirmed. Delivering
justice.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex regained his footing and
sprinted for Ell, who stood there, gaping at the carnage with glazed-over eyes.
Taking her hand, he pulled her towards the running boy and scooped him up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her chains whoomphed through the air
behind him. Stone shattered. People screamed from inside their hovels. The
sound of death grew closer and closer as Ae’s chains decimated everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The magic in Jayex’s system
evaporated. His steps slowed. Stomach growling, he locked his power. Fatigue
returned. The boy could have passed for an elephant-cart filled with a ton of
bricks. Dragging Ell tore at his shoulder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The edge of the village was less
than five steps away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her
chains have to have a limit.</i> Jayex gritted his teeth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The whoomph licked the back of his
neck like a humid breeze. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell squealed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With his last remaining strength, he
slung Ell and the boy forward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The chain clipped him on the back of
the head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He stumbled into the sand outside of
town then flopped onto his back. The light of the blood moon dimmed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A vile taste drudged into his mouth,
but he couldn’t make it out. Something oozed into his body. It left his skin grimy,
but the world stopped spinning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex blinked the spots from his
eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mage eater?” Ell hovered over him,
a grimace contorting her demure features. Her trembling lips made him want to
kiss her. Her tear-glistened cheeks made him want to hold her. To be there for
her and make up for failing Vea when she had needed him the most. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But no. All he could do now was buy
some time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With Ell’s help, Jayex got to his
feet and removed his turtle-pack. He pulled out his razor-fin gauntlets and
dumped the wad of cash back into his turtle-pack. The rule-forged black steel
was cool to the touch. He slipped them on. Unhooking the pin by each wrist, six
blades slid from their sheaths inside each gauntlet. He replaced the pins to
lock the blades in place. The first blade, by his wrist, was two inches long,
and each blade after was two inches longer than the previous one, the last
being a foot long and jutting past his elbow. “The name’s Jayex.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Jayex,” Ell said, his name never sounding
so sweet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fire and piles of rubble had
replaced the hovels of the backdune town. Only the back half of a street shop
seemed to avoid complete destruction. Black smoke billowed into the air,
tainting the crimson sky. In the distance, the blue light of the peace moon
peeked over the horizon and reflected off the silver chains wrapped around Ae’s
body. The smirk on Ae’s face dampened the desert heat as she marched through
the wake of her destruction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Take the boy and run as far as you
can.” Jayex handed the boy his turtle-pack. “Should be enough money. Avoid the
church.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell shook her head. “I can’t leave.
She’ll slay you.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Probably.</i>
“Survived worse.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll … be alone again.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You have the boy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae stepped on the remains of a head,
crushing it on her way through the rubble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy whimpered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Be safe.” Jayex sprinted forward,
hurtling over chunks of stone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae’s chains loosened around her
arms, once again slinking to the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex landed in front of her and
planted his feet. Gravel turned underfoot. He jabbed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The end of Ae’s chain shot into the
air on its own and met his fist. The echoing clang reverberated through his
bones, and his fist was knocked aside. She stared past him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He twisted and slashed for her
throat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second chain batted his fin-like
blades away, rattling his teeth. Ae strode forward, around him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No,
no, no!</i> Jayex backpedaled to put himself between Ae and Ell. His muscles were
spent, but if he grabbed her— </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop!” Ell shouted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Told
her to get out of here.</i> Jayex spun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy ran by Jayex, a knife in
hand. “You killed my parents!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Purple!” Jayex dashed after the boy.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“God thanks you for accepting punishment.”
Ae’s chains shot towards the boy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex knocked the boy aside and
grabbed one of Ae’s chains. Jayex’s flesh parted as the other chain dug into
his thigh. Fire screamed down his leg as the chain snapped his bone in half and
exited the back of his leg. His back arched. White flashed across his vision as
he crumpled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae lifted her hands. The chains
started to retract. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex gripped both tightly. “Get him
out of here, Ell!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But,” Ell said, voice cracking, “Jayex.
I—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Go!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell scooped the boy into her arms
and took off running. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae jerked the chains, and the one in
his leg ground through his muscles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His grip faltered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You know,” Ae said as the chain in
his leg lifted him into the air while the other snaked past him, “I never
understood why the church bothered with your kind.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell screamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I missed the mage.” Ae slammed Jayex
into the ground; black flecks filled his vision. She yanked the chain from his
leg, and blood gushed onto the shattered stones around him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His vision cleared. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae twirled both chains over her
head, facing away from him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beyond Ae, Ell clutched the headless
body of the boy to her chest. Purple energy swirled around her, saturating the
air with its tainted flavor. She was going to use her power to kill. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ell, no!” Jayex gritted his teeth
and pushed himself up to his knees. “Don’t do this!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell didn’t even bat an eye. She
dropped the child. Her hands moved in a circular pattern. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae launched both chains at Ell, and
the chains crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell whipped her hand to the left,
and the purple energy devoured most of Ae’s chains. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae gasped as the shattered remains
of her chains sprang back to her hands, coiling around her body. She scrambled
backwards, freezing beside Jayex. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
am I going to do? If she kills—</i> Jayex shook his head, stomach grumbling. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The church was there when Vea had killed!</i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell gathered the purple energy into
a whirlpool and flung it towards Ae. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex unlocked his power and pushed
himself to his feet, leaping in front of Ae. The wave of corrupt energy slammed
into him, and he howled, taking in every last drop. Ecstasy. So much energy it
seeped from his skin. Pain vanished. Fatigue vanished. Only one leg worked?
That was all he needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell shook her head, pupils dilating
as she shambled forward. “What are you doing, Jayex?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Saving you.” He spun and punched
the fake grin off Ae’s face before her chains could move; the smack of metal
against flesh and bone had a refreshing quality. Launching himself forward, he
shot past her flying body, planted his foot against the remains of the street
shop and caught her by the head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her skull was mud in his grip, but
this wasn’t over. Not yet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He smashed her face into the ground.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her chains had created a helmet and absorbed
the impact. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex grabbed the chain around Ae’s face
and shattered the links. He tossed the rent metal aside and ripped another
section from her body. And another. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae held her hand up, and a section
of chain shot through his middle. A shock ran up his spine and contorted his
neck, but it felt as if it had happened to someone else. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He tore the chain away from her and pulled
it from his body, tossing it aside. “Is the church responsible for taking away every
mage’s innocence?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.” Ae closed her eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Liar!” Jayex punched her in the
nose, bones crunching under the blow. Gratifying to feel. To hear. He placed his
gauntlet’s blades against her arm, thrusting forward. The first of his blades
tore through flesh. Then muscle. Then the bone. Eventually ripping the arm
free. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She screamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tell me!” Jayex cut her other arm
off. “How many mages has the church corrupted? Was Vea one of them?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ae spat in his face. “Mages are
cursed by God. Born corrupted. Die corrupted. The church only helps those who do
not understand that.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t understand?” Jayex drove the
elbow blade into her chest, ripping through her ribs and piercing her heart. A
spurting sound came from her mouth, and he twisted the blade to feel her bones
snap before wrenching the blade out. “Destroying their lives? Making them succumb
to their urges? Purple!” He stabbed her through the gut. And again in the lungs.
And again. And again. Jayex screamed before placing his blades against Ae’s
neck. “I’ll—” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Stop.” Her voice cracked. “She’s dead. Please. Just stop.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell was right. But … No. She was
right. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex’s stomach roared as he straightened.
His power locked on its own; the absorbed energy fled his body in an instant,
and the pain returned. “Live a happy life.” He slumped in Ell’s arms. “Find a peaceful
place.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I can save you.” Ell released
purple energy and bound his wounds as she laid him out flat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Darkness crept up on him, but he
relaxed. “Not dying from my wounds.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell’s eyes bulged. “That— How long
has it been since you’ve taken nourishment?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jayex smiled as Vea’s image flashed
through his thoughts. “Would have loved you, without question this time.” He
slipped out of his gauntlet then caressed her cheek. “Never ask you to go to
the city with me.” His arm flopped back to the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ell’s tears pelted his face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rain in the desert.” He took a deep
breath. “Miracle.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, you don’t.” Ell picked up his
gauntlet and placed the elbow blade against the bottom side of her forearm. She
slid it across her smooth skin, removing a chunk of flesh. Raw and bloody, she
shoved the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meat</i> into his mouth and
forced him to chew. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He swallowed the stringy meat with
the aftertaste of garbage— No. Not this time. Couldn’t think like that. This
time, it tasted like honeyed roses. A gift from Vea. No! A gift from Ell. He inhaled
sharply as life coursed through his body. His heart beat faster. His breathing
steadied. The darkness retreated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She placed the blade to the back of
her other forearm, blood dripping onto his chest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He grabbed her wrist and sat up. “No.
Enough for now.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have no one left.” She swallowed,
staring into his eyes. “Don’t abandon me.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Never.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The End</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I hope y'all enjoyed reading. I'd love to hear your comments about this story and if y'all like to hear more in this world, leave a comment or send me a message. pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-79082270103743007332016-01-13T04:58:00.000-08:002016-02-01T23:42:06.655-08:00By your powers combined chapter 10So, this will be the last chapter for at least a week. I have a lot to do between now and when I can get back to working on this piece, but hopefully it won't be more than a week. As I said before, if you want to beta read the short story (which consists of a revised and semi-reworked version of the first 10 chapters), please let me know. Email, DM on twitter or otherwise. I should have the revised version of this short story by Monday or Tuesday next week, mabye sooner depending on other things popping up in life.<br />
<br />
Anyway, sorry for the delay in coming with the rest of this story. Once this is done, hopefully I'll be able to hammer the rest of this story out in a month.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gae9jxrCtgU/VpY4dnmBxsI/AAAAAAAABWU/ZTOpp0PbdxI/s1600/IMG_3866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gae9jxrCtgU/VpY4dnmBxsI/AAAAAAAABWU/ZTOpp0PbdxI/s320/IMG_3866.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-9.html">Chapter 9</a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 10 (The Regime)</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
body protested as I transitioned from lying across the large saddle to sitting
on it, double with Rehleew behind me. I took the horse’s reins, Guudra’s reins,
from him and motioned for him to hold onto me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis’s
horse danced back from the five Regime Hunters. This had to be a full set, a
group with one of each element. Ewmak’s hands started trembling as he gripped
Pershis tighter, but Kanli just grinned. Kanli was clearly enjoying herself way
too much, but then again, she was crazy. I mean, who else would go swimming in
the lake without a stitch of clothing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
if to prove me right, each of the five Regime Hunters’ eyes began to glow. From
left to right—Red, brown, blue, green and yellow. It really was a full set. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shook my head, remembering that I had joined her on that little jaunt, and a
grin split my face, too. I had to focus on this situation. There had to be a
way around them. “Pershis,” I said in a low voice, “can we get around them?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
shrugged. “Not riding double as we are.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shit.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every
face but Igu’s turned to regard me, Rehleew going as far as to lean forward to
make sure I knew he was staring at me from behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”
I glanced around and clutched the reins. “I’m an adult. I can use swear words
when I like.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Regardless,”
Pershis said, turning back towards the Regime Hunters, “we can’t outrun them
like this, and without an earth wielder to steady the grounds, we won’t get
far.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can
someone use their soul crystal’s powers without forging it into an item?” I
asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,
but it’s very dangerous. The forging helps protect not only the crystal but
also the mind of the wielder.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do
we have much of a choice?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
grunted before unslinging the backpack. “Take your crystal out, slowly. Then
give your friends theirs.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ewmak
nodded before unhooking the latch and reaching into the backpack. “I’m not
really sure what to do.” His voice cracked, wavering between a squeal and a
rumble. Sweat rolled down his thin neck, and the loose-fitting scholar’s robes
he wore looked two sizes too big. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
crystal should have some instructions for you,” I said as I eased Guudra
forward. “Just don’t starve yourself.” Like I had done. Though, I wouldn’t tell
any of my friends about that. I had to be the strong one. The one that kept
them safe, and it was hard enough to do that when they still made fun of me for
jumping into the lake without my clothes, with a girl nonetheless. But if I
hadn’t done that, she would have gotten into trouble. My way ended with me
taking the blame and her not being hit by her father. “It’s real easy to starve
yourself if you overuse your power.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ewmak
nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He handed me the backpack, and Rehleew took
his soul crystal. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
passed the bag to Kanli who retrieved her soul crystal. Since Igu’s soul
crystal was still in there, I took the backpack back and slung it over my
shoulders. “Probably best to just open the cases and rest your fingers on the
soul crystals rather than taking them out of the cases completely.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Very
wise,” Pershis said. “Now, we should make a break for the left.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
wouldn’t be wise,” the Regime Hunter in the center of the group, Blue, said in
a booming voice. “Untrained children won’t be able to stand up to our power.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
shit. They had heard us. What were we going to do now? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blue
stepped forward, ahead of the other members of his set. He clicked his tongue,
somehow audible despite the distance. “Dead or alive, it doesn’t matter to
Captain Kude, but I’ve been promised bushels and bushels of slaves if I take at
least a few of you alive.” Blue snapped his fingers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Save
for Blue in the center, all four other in the full set extended their hands.
Now was a wonderful time to be separated from Barges, but if my memory served
me right, I wouldn’t be able to use him till well after dark anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
to do? I needed to come up with a plan. My friends had never used their powers
in a fight, and if I guessed correctly, Pershis had never been in an open fight
before. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
bastard!” Pershis said, drawing a pair of sacks from her cloak. “Deal,” she
said in just above a whisper, “with psychic wielder and stop the others from
hurting our horses, and we can get past them.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
hopped to the ground and took Igu’s soul crystal from the bag, moving it to the
saddle bag. “Ewmak, do everything in your power to still the ground beneath my
feet.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ewmak
shook his head. “That. No.” He glanced between me and Pershis. “I have to keep
the horses safe.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
the best way to do that is to stop Brown from slowing me.” I took a deep breath
then strode in front of the three horses. “Rehleew, pelt them with as many
bolts of fire as you can.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blue
bared his teeth. “Is this what the terrorists have resorted to? Using children
to shield you?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
should I do?” Kanli asked, the giddy expression on her face telling me I was
going to regret this. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When
I give you the signal, hit me with a blunt strike of wind to throw me forward.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kanli
cackled. She really was mad. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get
ready.” I had to go now. Before the Regime Hunters made the first move. A smile
crossed my lips. Without fire, this whole planning thing might be the only way
I reach the top. As long as I can focus on the situation at hand, at least. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Last
chance to give up.” Blue held up a hand; the hand I needed to</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
break to take his soul bracer. “I’ll—”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now!
I bolted forward, my left hand extended so the light of the morning sun caught
on the fake ring Uncle Weron had crafted for me. With it to the side, it wouldn’t
help much in closing the distance, but seeing the ring might. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blue
flinched. The ground under my feet rumbled, but it didn’t leap up to bite down
on my ankles or devour my legs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
would really have to thank Ewmak later, but for now, I needed to avoid that
ball of fire forming in front of Red. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom!</i> The ground to my left exploded in
a spray of dirt. And again to my right. My ears rang, and a thumping headache
set in as soon as another blast of fire hit the ground behind me, causing me to
stumble to the side. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sweat
formed and soaked my face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>White
hot fire zipped past my head, ripping through the area where my face had just
been and filling the air with the stink of singed hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
dirt settled down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ten
feet till Blue is within striking distance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One
step. I made a fist with my ring hand and growled as if I were concentrating. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spikes
shot from the ground and tore through my foot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
crashed into the ground and tumbled forward, cringing as one of the ointment
bottles dug into my back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
wave of fire shot overhead, and the ground beneath me undulated. Blue had a
look of concentration on his face while Brown just grinned. Ewmak cried out
from behind, and the three horses whinnied. The fire stopped inches from the
Regime Hunters. Water encircled it, shuffling out the fire as the air around me
took on a thin and stale taste. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
stumbled up to my feet, well foot since only one was really functional. I
gritted my teeth and hopped to the side. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
spike shot up where I had been standing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
effort and motion made me gasp. Yet there was no air to fill my lungs.
Everything blurred in front of me, and I had no choice but to use my plan of
escape. To waste the only chance I had of getting out of this group. I held up
both hands, balled into fists save for the pinkies which pointed straight into
the air. When my fists touched one another, thumb to thumb, I set my jaw and
tensed my muscles. The sign of the pentabull was the sign of our little group.
The sign my friends and I used for everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Force
like unseen driftwood in a rabid river crashed into the small of my back under
the small backpack and hurled me forward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
body hurdled through the air, and a gale of cackles rose up from behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kanli
was far from stable. Or sane for that matter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blue’s
eyes bulged. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
grinned, cocking one fist back and reaching for his wrist with my other hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Invisible
chains bound my body, and my momentum ground to a halt inches from Blue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
could scream. Well, I could if my jaw hadn’t been held as tight as the rest of
my body. I mumbled wordless complaints that came out like, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mmmmhucmmnkmmmu.</i> Though, I was probably wasting my time. Even I
didn’t know what I had wanted to say. Just complaining about the shit lot I had
been given. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
ring slipped from my finger and landed in Blue’s outstretched palm. Then, a
grin to match Kanli’s cackle spread across Blue’s face. “Does failure hurt so
bad?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
tension in my jaw slacked. I licked my lips and closed my eyes. Even still,
this was going to hurt. “I’ve got him!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blue
blinked then burst into laughter. The grip on me clenched, and black flecks
rolled across my vision as my jaw snapped shut laughter rose up behind Blue.
But that only lasted for the briefest moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
was when the laughs were replaced by screams. High-pitched. Low growls.
Gurgling nonsense. But altogether, they mounted to screams of pain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
I could understand why. Pain shredded the flesh of my back, and if my jaw hadn’t
been resealed shut, I’d be howling just the same as the Regime Hunters in front
of me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hoof
beats approached. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
dropped to the ground in a lump, still in the center of the chorus of screams;
though, the pained voices died down to the point that at least two had to be
faking it. I had to stop my friends from coming after me. If they did, they
would die with me. Despite how much my body screamed through the countless
lacerations on my back and arms, I jabbed my arm out to the side, pointing
towards the forest. To make their decision easy, I shot to my feet and
scrambled into a run. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
had risked everything to heal Igu, even I’d gone about it in a stupid way, I
wouldn’t let her die now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe
they had gotten the message, or maybe they had given up on me, either way I
couldn’t look back, even if the torrent of glass—or whatever sharp dust-like
particles Pershis had unleashed—had ceased. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
hesitation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
waiting for things to happen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
had made the plan, so I would sink with it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
matter what. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
ran and ran and ran. When silence fell on my ears and the sweet smell trees and
crunched leaves punched me in the nose, I exhaled and opened my eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
was alone. A blessing or a curse, I had made it. At this point, I could only
hope my friends had made it out safely. But without me, at least they would no
longer be in danger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
twig <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">snapped</i> behind me. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/02/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-11.html">Chapter 11</a><br />
<br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-30256199370247591122016-01-10T20:30:00.001-08:002016-01-13T04:59:43.570-08:00By your powers combined chapter 9Chapter 10 would be the end of the first arc I believe, but through nine chapters, I'm already close to 10k words (The cut off is 14k words, but the average is 7k to 10k, so I need to take the first 10 chapters and edit them then trim them a lot, then I'll need a few beta readers to read and critique the short story version of the opening through email. If you're interested, comment or send me a message)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8jrQ1AV9tI/VpMvSj_Rl-I/AAAAAAAABWA/hZoVpFGEwpA/s1600/IMG_3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8jrQ1AV9tI/VpMvSj_Rl-I/AAAAAAAABWA/hZoVpFGEwpA/s320/IMG_3852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-8.html">Chapter 8</a><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 9 (Never on time)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
panted, as hard or harder than Aiga who slumped over me. I could hear Helius’s
labored breaths to my left. My hands trembled, and every muscle screamed in
protest, but I reached out and patted Aiga on the top of the head. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
didn’t stir and the plain white room felt enormous. It smelled like rust and
rubbing alcohol while the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beep, beep,
beep</i> of the machine hooked to Igu had a steady rhythm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How
is Igu?” I asked, throat scratchy. Some water would be nice. Or, since I was an
adult now, beer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
smiled up at him, her brow creasing. “Always worrying about others first. You
know you nearly died yourself.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
fine. Though, a bit thirsty.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
low chuckle bubbled up from Aiga’s chest and warmed my cheeks. She was so
beautiful. Pushing off me before my body could get any ideas, she turned around
and brought over a glass of water. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
drank it down and a second and third. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
placed the cup back on the shelf in the center of the room. “Igu is fine. She
woke up a little bit ago, but she is still exhausted. Like I’m sure you are
feeling.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
fine.” I couldn’t show any weakness in front of Aiga. She’d still treat me like
a child if I did, so I tensed my muscles and moved to sit up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,
you’re not.” She rested a firm hand on my chest, and despite the difference in
our size, she easily held me down. “You need to conserve your strength for the
journey ahead.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
blinked. “What journey?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
bit into her lower lip then scratched her nose. “Well, needless to say, the
Regime knows about you five, and they are desperate to put an end to you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
lump formed in my throat. “Why all five of us? I’m the only one who made
contact with the terrorists. Shouldn’t it only be me?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
only that were the case. The five of you, especially Igu, are special. You five
have a chance to fix so many problems.” Aiga leaned over and kissed me on my
forehead. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
nearly fainted as an inferno burned behind my cheeks. “I. Special?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Very.
I’ll explain more about the Soul Generator when we get to Yarsek.” She brushed
her fingers down my cheek, and someone—probably Helius—scoffed. “Just rest
until your uncle returns with the horses, and we’ll—” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom!</i> The entire house shook, and cracks
spiderwebbed across the roof. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
gritted her teeth. “Too soon.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Helius
stepped into view. “You can always count of the Regime and their agents to be
early. They’re annoying like that.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
and my mother stepped into the room, shaking their heads. My mother, all lean
muscles and wrinkles from raising my troublesome self, hurried to my side while
Pershis shook her head. “The fire wielder, Weron, hasn’t returned yet and a
group of five Regime Hunters are knocking on our door.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get
Tima and Igu onto a horse, and get them and the other three out of town.” Aiga
looked at Helius then my mother. “Will the two of you help buy them some time?”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They
nodded as my other two uncles came into the room, saying they would stand
guard, too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll
reach out to Weron,” Aiga said. “Tell him to meet you at the edge of the Gyutrop
Forest.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
nodded as more explosions ripped into the front of the house. “Do you think he
was able to get enough horses and supplies for all of us?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“All
that matters is getting enough for you and the five.”Aiga grabbed a pack and
placed all four soul crystals, my friends’ soul crystals, into it with a map
and a few jars of ointment. “Get them to Yarsek no matter the cost. We can’t
stop the Regime without the Eco Savior.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>None
of this made any sense, but when I opened my mouth to protest, one of my
uncles, I think, hoisted me up onto his shoulders and hurried me to the back
door, slinging me over the saddle, face down. My mother came over and kissed me
on the forehead, telling me to be safe and that she would catch up soon. The
quiver in her voice said she was lying, but I couldn’t find my voice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More
explosions preceded the roof of Aiga’s place collapsing. Aiga and Helius
stepped out, a bubble of water and force sheltering themselves and my three
friends. Everything whirled a bit, and the next thing I knew, one of my friends
was on the horse with me, and we were riding hard. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
bouncing sensation made me want to puke. I tensed my gut, but I wasn’t sure my
uneasy stomach was from the constant pounding my gut was taking or the fact
that I had left the two women I loved behind. My mother was strong, but Aiga
was just a healer. She wasn’t a gladiator like my mother hand been. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Explosions
grew distant, but the total amount of them increased. The buildings around the
town faded in the distance. We had made it, yet the horse skidded to a stop
only about half way to the Gyutrop Forest. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
pushed myself up to see. To stop my midsection from being pounded into dust. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Rehleew
was riding with me, and Kanli with Igu. Ewmak held onto Pershis, who shook her
head, tight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spread
out in a line twenty feet ahead of us were five Regime Hunters, probably a full
set, in their sleeveless tunics, late afternoon sun glimmering off their
metallic tattoos. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-10.html">Chapter 10</a><br />
<br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-89119182566340492782016-01-10T20:21:00.000-08:002016-01-10T20:31:23.392-08:00By your powers combined chapter 8Getting close to the end of the first arc where they will have to leave their old lives behind. Once this is all over, I'm thinking of taking the first arc and making it into a 10k word revised short story ish. We'll see.<br />
<br />
<br />
And yesterday was Goo's birthday! He's five years old now! This is his birthday dinner. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apljuzlXxWA/VpMozl3vK7I/AAAAAAAABVw/vSRegAJFOrg/s1600/IMG_3858%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apljuzlXxWA/VpMozl3vK7I/AAAAAAAABVw/vSRegAJFOrg/s320/IMG_3858%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.com/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-7.html">Chapter 7</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 8 (Healing)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
hopped off Guudra just outside of town as the sun came up behind me, hiding me
from whoever was on guard duty at the checkpoint. They probably weren’t using
lenses to watch this road, but I glanced back at my two companions anyway, back
at Igu’s only hope and my damnation. “If you wear those masks into town, you’re
just going to alert the guards.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Purshis
the psychic wielder shrugged before trotting his horse up beside me and
dismounting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Helius
scoffed, and instead of dismounting, she rode around us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
open field around them smelled of dew and ozone as if it had rained, but each
step closer to the village brought more and more of the stink of industry.
Despite being summer, this morning was a bit chill. Though, that could be
because I was still wearing Kude’s beach clothes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
groaned, watching Helius get farther and farther ahead, wondering why Kude had
went off in a different direction than the three who held Burges at the edge of
the Gyutrop Forest. “Yep, I’m going to be executed for sure.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wasn’t
that what the hunters were trying to do to you last night said,” Purshis said
in a soft, rasping voice, sounding like a … </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
started then looked her up and down. “You’re. You’re. You’re a woman?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Purshis
nodded. “Not all women have long hair.” She gestured to the cloak. “This thing
hides my body, so I guess I can understand how you didn’t notice.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
there are two women in the Fevered Five?” I started forward again, drawing
Guudra behind me in a rush to catch up to Helius. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Three
if the twins count as women.” Purshis laughed to herself, a golden sound. “They’re
more like spoiled brats.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Twins?
You mean the wind and earth wielders?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s
them.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
gestured towards Helius. “And?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Purshis’s
laughter only deepened. “By all five, no. Helius wants nothing to do with
women.” She edged over and elbowed me in the side. “And I mean nothing to do
with them.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
blinked, not entirely sure what she was getting at. “Okay?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
roared in laughter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
cheeks burned, but I wasn’t sure why. I was being made fun of or something, so
I needed to change the subject. Plus, this was something I really wanted to
know. “Just who is Kude? He’s not part of your group, and his attitude feels …
off.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Like
me,” Pershis said in a low voice as we reached the checkpoint that watched over
this way into the village, “Kude was once part of the Regime. He turned on them
at the battle of the lost spring, and we had a major victory that day.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
nodded, but something felt off about all that. Even more so than the lack of
guards on the way into the village. “And you trust him?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Helius
pulled on the reins of her—I mean his—horse, and he hopped from the saddle when
it slowed. With murder burning in his eyes, he glared back at me. “Of course,
we don’t. But that’s why my sister, Aiga offered the info to him. To test him
before Operation Soul Crush begins.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To
test—” I choked on what Helius had said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pershis
nudged me in the shoulder. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Apparently,
I had stopped in my tracks. I shook the stupor and hurried forward to catch up
with Helius with Pershis in tow. “What do you mean sister?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are
you daft?” Helius asked, voice sharper than the murder in his eyes. If only he
would take off his mask and give me a better look at his face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No?”
I looked around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
section of town, despite the sunrise, was quiet. No one roamed the streets. No
one set up shops. No children were running around to play. The only constant,
familiar about the town was the stink of industry and the shape of buildings.
And that greasy stink was really distinct after being in the forest for the
night. If it wasn’t for the Regime’s push for the creation of more weapons and
more minerals, this stink would not be so heavy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swallowed. Something was really wrong, but that didn’t matter. I needed to
focus on the problem at hand. Whatever reason the other villagers hadn’t come
out today wasn’t my concern. “I never new Aiga had a sister.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why
would she tell someone like you?” Helius asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
took the lead and turned at the next intersection, moving towards Aiga’s place.
“Because I’’m going to marry her.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sounds
sputtered from Helius’s mouth, but none actually reached word form. For her
part, Pershis gasped in what I assumed was more laughter. For a terrorist, she
sure laughed a lot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
were scorch marks all over the front of Aiga’s place and all three buildings
around it—an herb shop, a bakery and a jewelry shop—had been demolished. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
heart thundered in my ears, and I dropped Guudra’s reins and hurried up the
steps. I reached out and grabbed the door handle. Searing heat melted the skin
from my hand, and I screamed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
door swung open and threw me from the porch. Guudra whinnied and danced back
away from me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the blink of an eye, Pershis and Helius stepped in front of me. Six knives
lifted from Pershis’s pockets and floated in front of her while a barbed spear
of water appeared in Helius’s outstretched hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Uncle
Weron stepped out onto the porch with two others behind him. Probably my other
uncles. Fire, earth and water formed in their massive hands. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop!”
I rasped, but neither side seemed to hear me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blades
flipped into a wall of earth. Fire snaked over the wall and lanced towards
Pershis and Helius only for Helius to step forward and swat it out of the air
like a pesky sharkfly. Water bound his ankles and jerked his feet out from
under him while Preshis shoved on the created wall, crushing it with sheer
force. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scrambling
to my feet, I darted between the two groups. In retrospect, not a good idea. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New
blades whizzed towards my neck on one side while fire licked my cheeks on the
other. Helius’s spear bit into my side, and a jet of water hit my other side to
match it. The ground around my feet clamped down onto my ankles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
wanted to cry out in pain. To gasp or moan. But no words came out. With my legs
trapped as they were, I could only turn slightly enough to have the dagger gash
into the side of my neck rather than across my throat, but the whirling motion
whipped Helius’s spear lodged into my side up into the bolt of fire, turning
both to steam. Unfortunately, the twisting motion excluded my feet, and a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">snap</i> sent a jolt of pain that tensed my
jaw and made everything seem distant. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the bright side, at least I couldn’t feel the wound in my side or across my
neck anymore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
uncles and two of the two from the Fevered Five loomed over me, arguing about
something in a jumble of voices. My body lifted into the air, and I was dropped
onto a soft bed. Aiga was there. So were my three friends who hadn’t been in
such bad condition. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
could hear the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beep, beep, beep</i> of
the machine hooked up to Igu. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
shook her head. “What were you fools doing?” She place her hand on me as her
eyes took on an azure glow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,”
I managed to say. “See to Igu first.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Helius
is seeing to her.” Aiga placed one hand on my side and the other on my throat. “I’m
going to stop the bleeding first. Grit your teeth since I don’t have the time
to knock you out.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Help
your brother. I’m fine.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aiga
started then glanced over to where Helius was probably standing. She shook her
head. “Igu will be fine for now, you’re the one dying.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
gritted my teeth and closed my eyes. I was a target of the Regime either way.
At least if I died here— </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Raw,
unfiltered agony stabbed at every inch of my body like hundreds of thousands of
little needles. My bones popped. My teeth ground. And I howled. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-9.html">Chapter 9</a><br />
<br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-8885673411266436432016-01-08T02:21:00.003-08:002016-01-10T20:21:45.045-08:00By your powers combined chapter 7It's been a rather productive day. About half way done with chapter 8, and the opening arc is almost at a close. What would one give to heal a friend? What cost would one pay? How does one deal with paying such a high cost? This is what the opening arc is. Then, I think it will go into more of a horror mode for a while as they try to figure things out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RwdONNkAbkY/Vo-NZraznwI/AAAAAAAABVY/bN6QG5dTepg/s1600/IMG_3736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RwdONNkAbkY/Vo-NZraznwI/AAAAAAAABVY/bN6QG5dTepg/s320/IMG_3736.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous chapter: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-6.html">Chapter 6</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 7 (Help) </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
awoke on a small, backbreaking bed in the corner of a room. No, a cave. This
was happening way too much, being taken out and waking up in strange places. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
had happened? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
were several lights around this section of the cave, and a stone desk protruded
from the wall across from me. The stink of mildew and sulfur hung heavy on the
air and went well with the constant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">drip,
drip, drip</i> somewhere in the distance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
pushed myself up, focusing on the small things around me to help orient myself.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
clothes, a river patterned shirt and shorts with trees I had never seen before,
were too tight. In fact, they weren’t my clothes at all, but they smelled
fresh. My backpack was gone as was my ring. Barges sat beside the bed, head
down, handle up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
guessed that my uncles’ ploy with the ring worked. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where are we?</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was no answer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Barges?</i> I wrapped my hands around his
handle and gritted my teeth as I picked him up. So heavy. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This isn’t funny. Take some of the weight off or I won’t be able to
fight efficiently with you.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still
no answer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
recover quickly,” a gruff voice said from the left. The yellow man in an unbuttoned
shirt and shorts, both with patterns that matched the clothes I now wore,
strode over to the bed. “You’ve only been out for a few hours.” He knelt down
to a level with me. “Now, tell me what Aiga knows.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Only
if your water healer helps my friend.” My heart beat against my chest, and my
breathing hurried. “Igu. She doesn’t have much time. She’ll die—” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
information, kid.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
an adult.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
powerful alright. Even Purshis couldn’t manage a psychic push like that. But
you’re still an untrained kid. Now give me the information.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s
important information. She said Kude would want it.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
yellow man grinned. “I am Kude.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
your part of the Fevered Five?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
shook his head. “No, but they work for me. Now tell me what information you
have, or I’ll gut you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
hands gripped Barges’s handle tight. “You’ll try.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Without
your ring, you wouldn’t stand a chance against my earth powers.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
ring was a decoy.” I took Barges in both hands, forcing the strain from my
arms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
nodded. “I see. So, you want one of my Fevered Five to sneak into the village
with you and heal your friend. Then sneak out. And you think we’ll trust you to
give us the information after?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
word is better than yours.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Says
you. I don’t even know you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
I’ve never heard of you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
blinked then shook his head. “Never heard of me? The great Kude Menuk?” He thumped
himself on the chest. “Let’s just say the Regime would love to get their
greedy, environment destroying hands on me.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then
what can we do?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
could torture you until you tell me.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Jokes
on you. Only Aiga has that information.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
scoffed before a small grin tugged at the edges of his stony looking lips. “Good
kid. So, let’s trade.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s
what I’ve been saying. What the offer was.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But
we need something to make sure you hold up your end of the bargain.” Kude
snapped his fingers, and the other five who had been with him, the Fevered Five,
came into the light. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each
wore a plain, colored mask with thin slits for the eyes and no other features.
Red, brown, blue, green and yellow. Each color representing an element and
probably denoting what skill the person had. The fire wielder in the red mask
looked to be far taller than me, with shoulders half as wide under his
ill-fitting tunic. The water wielder in the green mask was clearly a woman with
her long hair hanging over her shoulders. The wind wielder in yellow and the
earth wielder in brown looked to be mirrors of one another. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
psychic wielder, Purshis, was the only one with skin showing and that was only
to show his scarred, metallic tattoos. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
back pressed against the wall. “Hunter.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
smiled. “He was.” Holding out his hand, Kude gestured towards the hammer. “Purshis
and Helius will go with you to the village. When you come back with them after
they healed your friend and give us the information, we will return your
things.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swallowed. These terrorists were not trustworthy, but this was all I could do
for her, so I nodded and offered Kude Barges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
grunted as he took it. “What is this monstrosity?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
soul container.” I stood. “Can we hurry? Igu doesn’t have much time.” My
stomach roared. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
handed the hammer to the fire wielder who held it with ease, drawing on the
strength fire gave him. Then the earth wielder touched the floor, and the
entire cave began to shake. The ceiling opened into a meadow and stairs came
down to create an exit. This … was new information. This was how the Fevered
Five stayed hidden all this time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Groaning,
Kude pointed back at the earth wielder. “Did you have to do that in front of
the kid?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sorry.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kude
proceeded up the stairs and glanced back at me. “Don’t bother trying to tell
anyone about this. It’s just a waste of time trying to find our earthen
barracks.” He didn’t sound very confident. “But if this trade really is
valuable to me, it won’t really matter even if they did find it.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swallowed as I stepped out into the moonlight. That didn’t sound very good. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next chapter: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-8.html">Chapter 8</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-82842204358949343702016-01-08T02:15:00.000-08:002016-01-08T02:23:37.744-08:00By your powers combined chapter 6The first real fight, so this is a pretty long one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MI1cl4XN-AI/Vo-Ig0G6xGI/AAAAAAAABVI/002-rFHyuYU/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MI1cl4XN-AI/Vo-Ig0G6xGI/AAAAAAAABVI/002-rFHyuYU/s320/IMG_3692.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous chapter: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-5.html">Chapter 5</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 6 (Traitor)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
eased Guudra onto the nature trail at a slow trot, belly bursting full of food.
My new hammer, heavier than a boulder until Barges woke up, was hooked to the
new belt my uncles had given me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Through
the towering pines, evening sunlight glinted off the ring my uncles had given
me. It was crafted to look like it held a soul crystal, a decoy. Ten protein
bars had been stuffed into my saddle bags along with a bedroll and some
waterskins. I might have gotten more if my mother’s angry voice ringing through
the shop hadn’t sent me into a rush to leave. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
trotted deeper into the underbrush and took in a deep breath of fresh, forest
air: the dried from smaller trees and bushes, the pine needles and a sweet,
untainted air that just wasn’t present in the village. Adjusting the straps of
my backpack full of scrap metal, I patted Barges on his head—on the head of the
hammer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While we have time, let’s see how
many objects you can lift at once.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
snorted. Mentally, at least. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Of all my
great powers, that is the first one you want to use?”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second, technically.</i> I patted Guudra on
the neck. “Isn’t that right, girl?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
scoffed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know I can communicate with her like this,
but animals like to hear your voice.</i> I slowed Guudra as the woods became
thicker. Even with the link between us, she would have a hard time if the
underbrush got any thicker or the sky got any darker. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s soothing.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You have been communicating with animals
all of an hour, and suddenly you are an expert?”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shut up. Just try to draw as much of the
metal plates out of my backpack as you can.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
groaned. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For the last time, it is not
what I can do. There is no stress on me. It is what you can do. You— No, you
know what. Just do what I say. Focus on the metal. Think of it like reaching
out with your hand to pick up a piece or two. Moving things with your mind is
easy enough, but—”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shut out Barges’s chatter as I reached out to the metal shards in my bag, all
of them, and I lofted them from the bag.<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One big ball of metal. Not
fire, but this was still pretty awesome. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
my command, the metal spread out in a large line like a shield on both sides of
me. There was enough metal scraps to cover both me and Guudra, yet it was still
light enough in the bag, and doing this much didn’t seem to be a strain on my
mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
chirped something, but his voice was still on mute. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shaped the metal shards into a giant sword and slashed through the thick brush
ahead, expanding the path. Two more swings, and my stomach roared. The scrap
metal slipped from my grasp and splashed to the ground in a spray. I jerked on
Guudra’s reins and pulled her to a stop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
stomach grumbled again. A wave of dizziness slapped me across the face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
tumbled to the side and landed flat on my back, breath fleeing my lungs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guudra
snorted then leaned over to lick the entire left half of my face. And again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
had a good coat of slobber on my face before my arms answered the call and
reached up to stop another one of Guudra’s sloppy kisses. “Thank you, girl. I’m
fine.” My stomach roared more, and I released Barges’s tongue. His mental
tongue, at least. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What happened?</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What I warned you would happen.”</i> Barges’s
voice was smug, and if he weren’t a solid piece of steel, I’d slap him upside
his crystal head. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are starving. You
burned every last bit of food in your stomach because you have not practiced
moving anything with your mind before. I told you to only lift only a piece or
two. But no, you had to rush it. Using a ton of power because you haven’t
practiced that skill any.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shut up.</i> I didn’t need to hear this from
a hammer. Forcing myself to stand, I stumbled over to the saddlebag and pulled
out a protein bar. It felt like I hadn’t eaten in weeks. Two bars later and a
third in my mouth, I floated all the metal scraps back into my backpack and
climbed back into the saddle. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need to
start sending out signals to the Fevered Five, so how do I do it?</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Eat more before you try it.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes, Mom.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It is just like the way you pushed your
feelings and thoughts into the horse, but this time, you are leaving out your
natural ability to soothe and just focusing on the words. Do not think of a
target; instead, focus on the area. Start small at first, expanding your quarry
inch by inch as we ride deeper. You do not want to starve yourself again.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
really wanted to smack Barges’s smart ass upside his crystal head. Instead, I
stuffed another two protein bars in my mouth and choked them down with some
water. Once back in the saddle and moving forward, I threw my thoughts out. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aiga wants to trade money and information
that a Mr. Kude would want. All she wants is to save this young woman’s life.
She assures me that Mr. Kude will want this information. That he has been
searching for it.</i> I gritted my teeth and extended the area to ten feet
around me, pushing on the same message. And Farther. And farther. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Step
by step, Guudra had to slow. Thicker patches of underbrush and a higher
congestion of towering pines made going in a straight line impossible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Soon,
night overtook the forest, and I had to climb down to lead Guudra despite all
four moons being out. Which was rare, mind you. Only happened twice a year, and
bad things always happened on the nights they did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.
That was a child’s superstition. I was an adult now. Adults didn’t believe in
some superstitious horse poop. I mean shit. Horse shit. Yeah. I was an adult,
using adult language. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Snap!</i> A branch broke somewhere in the
distance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
muffled a squeal. I wasn’t scared. No matter how much my hands were trembling.
Nope. Note one mine scared. I picked that emotion from my thoughts long— </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Steel
rasped across leather. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
screamed. “No, no, no! The reaper isn’t real! No, please no, don’t eat my guts.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Traitor!”
a sharp voice said from the left just as fire rushed towards me from the same
direction. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
created a wall of scrap metal to intercept the fire then stopped broadcasting
my message and instructed Guudra to run ahead and wait for me, but to be
careful. As she started to move off, I snatched the remaining protein bars and
stuffed them into my mouth. So full I wanted to puke, but I held it in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Deep
breaths. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Against fire?</i> I asked as I returned the
smoldering scraps of metal to my backpack and drew Barges from my belt. Held in
one hand, the two-foot-long handle of the half-a-foot, square hammerhead seemed
monstrous, but it was lighter than a pickaxe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Draw him close. Keep the link to the metal
in your backpack to block incoming missiles and either crush his skull with me
or fill him full of scrap metal, but you have to be close or his fire melt the
scraps before the reach him.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nodding,
I started forward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
ground beneath my feet rumbled, pitching me to the side. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
smacked head first into a barkless pine, and the woods around me spun. This
wasn’t good. There was someone wielding earth here, too. While fire was better
at a distance in most cases, earth was up close and personal. I dropped flat
onto my back, the metal scraps digging into my back as a bolt of fire ripped overhead.
Sweat beaded on my face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crunching
footsteps approached. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two
trained specialists. I was dead. They were going to kill me before I even had a
chance to save Igu. To even break the law. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Take their minds.”</i> Barges’s words
reverberated in my thoughts and drew me back to the situation at hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No. I won’t do that. I’d kill them in fair
combat before I sunk so low as to take their free will.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Suit yourself. If that’s how you feel,
focus on one at a time,”</i> Barges said. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Deal
with fire first.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
kicked my feet up under me and charged the direction the fire had come from.
The same direction as the approaching footsteps. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
skinny man, less than half my size, stepped in front of me both palms outstretched.
Moonlight reflected off the metallic tattoos that wound up his arms. The
tattoos that marked him as one of the Regime’s hunters. His stance and glowing
brown eyes said he was the earth wielder. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Without
much thought, I hurled Barges at the man’s head and leaped from the ground. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
hole opened where I had been standing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crack!</i> Barges hit the man square on and
dropped him to the ground. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
held my hand out as I passed, and Barges returned to my grip. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s one down.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fool,”</i> Barges said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He wields earth. There is no way he will go
down in a single shot. You need to finish him with the scrap—”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
ground reached up and grabbed my leg, jerking me from my feet. Not five feet
ahead of me, a red-haired woman with glowing eyes to match pointed a finger at
me. Fire rolled in on itself until it turned white hot. Red bared his teeth
then said, “Die, traitor.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
mentally pushed against the shirt of Red and against the earth holding my foot,
shoving with everything I had. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Red
stumbled backwards, and his beam of white fire slashed through the woods,
felling several trees. The man behind grunted, but another hand reached up to
bind my other leg, and both slowly snaked up my body to hold me in place. Red
regained her footing, a snarl marring her supple face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
reached into my backpack and drew out every piece of metal in there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For your current level, you are still too
far away from both of them.”</i> Barges made a gulping sound. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Unless you ingest our link. You will not be
able to call on my powers for at least a day if you do.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the hammer will go back to its original
weight.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It is your only shot.”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
if it were someone else’s body, the distant calls of hunger whispered through
my stomach. I drew on more and more power from Barges, and based on his
urgings, I ingested the link between us, taking his essence into my body. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barges
screamed as I consumed his thoughts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
glow of my eyes intensified. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
these bastards needed to die! Every one of them. For the sake of the planet, I
would kill the humans destroying it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shoved the scrap metal in both directions with everything I had, at least ten
times the force I was able to manage earlier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
barrage of soft rips preceded screams and the sound of liquid battering to the
dry leaves. As the metallic smell of a forge replaced the fresh, unpolluted air
of the forest, silence fell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything
felt heavy. My head. My eyelids. My thoughts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Six
people approached me, the lead wearing shorts with a bright yellow skin. He
didn’t look like any of the Regime’s hunters I had ever seen, but I’d only been
out of Sanctek twice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
this was it. I was dead. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Darkness
started to close in around me. How pathetic. I couldn’t even stay up for my own
execution. I— </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,”
the yellow man said, “Aiga has a message for me, huh?” </div>
<br />
<br />
Next chapter: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-7.html">Chapter 7</a><br />
<br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-21429879525594485042016-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:002016-01-08T02:16:08.094-08:00By your powers combined Chapter 5Almost done with chapter 6, but it's a bit long, and my brain isn't really working right now. It was a long night. And this chapter is a bit short since it's more of a reflection/decision making chapter. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V93a0h7nr7Y/Vo8ysbSxLeI/AAAAAAAABU4/CGqg7uCBfZo/s1600/IMG_3844%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V93a0h7nr7Y/Vo8ysbSxLeI/AAAAAAAABU4/CGqg7uCBfZo/s320/IMG_3844%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter</a><br />
<br />
Previous chapter: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-4.html">Chapter 4</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 5 (Alone)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
bit into my lower lip as I stared up at the mayor. “There has to be something.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
mayor’s expression turned dark. “Don’t push me, son. According to regulations,
I should have you arrested for even suggesting we work with terrorists. But I know
Igu is your friend.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
mayor’s office closed in around me, and despite my heaving chest, I found
breath hard to come by. “Please.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clapping
his hands, the mayor turned back to his desk. “Escort Tima out of here before I
have to give orders for his arrest.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
bowed then grabbed onto my arm and dragged me from the mayor’s residence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the street, I stumbled forward, lost in a part of town I should know like the
mining tunnels I helped craft. But all I saw were faceless buildings. A road that
crisscrossed with other roads and stretched for miles. Mocking clouds in the
sky. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where
should I go? What should I do? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Igu
… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clacking
sounds came from the left. Someone shouted, words just beyond recognition. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
trudged forward, falling deeper into my haze of loss. Igu was going to die. No
one was able to help her. No one was going to help her. The Regime and all
their stupid rules and laws could rot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
horse screamed. Something hot smashed into my stomach and hurled me backwards
to crash I to the mayor’s now closed front gate. Words came down from the top
of the gate. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
could barely suck in a breath. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
nothing mattered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
was I going to do without Igu? She was always there for me. Looking out for me.
Helping me up whenever I fell. She’d been there for me for as long as I could
remember, and now that she’s in trouble, I was helpless. Hopeless. Worthless. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
groaned as a strong hand jerked me to my feet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Damn,
boy,” Uncle Weron said from somewhere in the distance, his voice just above a
whisper. “What happened to you?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
had happened to me? I. I had given up. On my best friend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shook my head. No. I wasn’t going to give up. Not now. Not while there was
still a chance. Even if it cost me everything. Even if I never got the chance
to show Aiga how great I was by winning in the arena. As long as Igu lived, it
was fine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Nephew?”
Weron asked. Everything snapped back into sharp focus. Uncle Weron stood in
front of me, the blacksmiths’ shop behind him. A cart driver, hauling food or
something, glared at me from the center of the road, his horse dancing back and
forth with about as little skill as I had. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Uncle,”
I said, feeling at my shirt which ended in burned cloth around my chest. “Do
you have a bunch of small chunks of metal? Preferably, no bigger than one inch
by one inch.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron
nodded in apology to the driver as he herded me across the street and into the
shop. “We have a whole mess of that kind of scrap metal, but why do you need
it?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
want to try something out. I’ll pay for them as soon as next month’s salary
comes in.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No
need. We just throw that kind of scrap away.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
nodded then took a breath. “And can I borrow a horse. Preferably Guudra?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
still haven’t told me why you need this stuff.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
other two uncles sat by the forge, one banging away while the other used his
power to cool the metal with water. Luckily, my mother was nowhere to be seen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
another deep breath to still my trembling hands, I nodded towards my other two
uncles. “Is it ready?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron’s
brow furrowed. “Yes. Stop evading the question.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
new shirt and some protein bars?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tima
… you’re getting dangerously close to pushing my patience.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
looked up at my uncle and shook my head. “I can’t tell you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron
grunted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
I’m going to do is already stupid enough. I don’t want to risk anyone else.”
And that was true enough. If Uncle Weron, or anyone for that matter, knew I was
going out to meet the Fevered Five alone, I’ll be locked up with everyone else
who had lost their wits. But I had no other choice, so I said, “I won’t give up
on Igu without a fight. So please, don’t tell Mother.” </div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.com/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-6.html">Chapter 6</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864326295419703422.post-40420209719324183472016-01-07T00:03:00.002-08:002016-01-07T20:14:52.285-08:00By your powers combined Chapter 4Sorry it took so long. So much has come up since I finished the last chapter. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter done by tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrhE6Fw0Cno/Vo4bYiE-7CI/AAAAAAAABUU/JNDxxq6hwhA/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrhE6Fw0Cno/Vo4bYiE-7CI/AAAAAAAABUU/JNDxxq6hwhA/s320/IMG_3832.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2015/12/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-1.html">First chapter </a><br />
<br />
Previous chapter:<a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-3.html"> Chapter 3</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 4 (Begging and threatening)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
the mayor’s mansion across the street, I took a deep breath and backed into the
blacksmiths’ shop behind me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chimes
on the door rang, announcing my presence. The smell of wood smoke, metal
shavings and steak hung heavy in the air. Ah, the refreshing scent of a forge
reinvigorated my courage, but it didn’t wash the sour taste of bile from my
mouth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just
making this request to the mayor could get me arrested. And if I was reported
to the Regime, I’d surely be executed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was worth it, though. I’d put my life on the line for Igu four days out of
five. Just like she’d do for me. I’d probably even do it all five days despite
the commandments to rest on your soul’s day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pictures
of weapons, jewelry and other works of art hung around the room, all
masterpieces created by the Yaye Brothers. The small counter in front of the
door, which led to the workshop, held a cash register, just for show, and a
stack of books, each with countless designs that I’d combed through for ages. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
cupped my hands over my mouth. “Uncles!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Someone
grunted in the back before the creaking sound of old hinges announced the
eldest, and smallest, of my three uncles. Like me but half the scale, Uncle
Weron Yaye had a broad chest and more muscles than hair. Well, our hair was
dispersed differently. I had hair on my head. My eldest uncle didn’t wear a
shirt despite working at the forge. He was fire forger after all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
bowed before setting the case with my soul crystal in it on the counter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Nephew?”
Weron asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Remember
the design I gave you before?” I nudged the soul crystal forward. “With all my
savings?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weron
sighed. “You know your mother doesn’t want us making a weapon for you. Like
some type of gladiator.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tell
her it’s for working in the mine.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“At
the proportions you gave us?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
could wield it without a soul crystal forged into it, and I’m twice as big as
you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
despite my age, I could still bend you over my knee and make you squeal.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swallowed. Uncle was right. I may be strong, but working the forge was far
different than working in the mine. Especially since he had full control over
his soul crystal. “Sorry. I just mean that I’m an adult now. I should be able
to make my own decisions.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
mother will always be your mother. Be happy she’s still around.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
guess. It’s just, well, I need this hammer within the next few hours.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Arching
and eyebrow, Weron stepped around the corner and placed a hand on my shoulder. “What
happened?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Igu—”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
girlfriend.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.
My friend, but nonetheless, she is dying. And I. I. I don’t know if anyone will
do anything to save her.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
you plan to save her yourself?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
shook my head. “That would be impossible, but I won’t let any group leave
without me.” I swallowed, starting to feel sick to my stomach. Uncle Weron had
always helped me out. He had always helped me. And of everyone, he was the only
one, besides Mother, who I never wished to disappoint. “Please.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Duty,
huh?” Weron nodded. “Go do whatever you’re antsy to do, and when you come back,
your hammer will be done..” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Antsy?
I looked down and just then noticed my foot was tapping. I forced it to stop
before lunging forward and wrapping my uncle in a hug. “You won’t regret this.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’d
better not. Especially since the utility of a ring is better, even for
fighters.” He was right about the ring, but gladiators needed the extra power
of a weapon. Not the utility. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So,
without responding, I turned and bolted from the blacksmiths’ shop and across
the street, slipping past the Mayor’s guards before they realized I had even
approached. Raised voices shouted for me to stop, but I just ignored them and
continued into the mayor’s mansion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Up
two flights of stairs. Potted plant knocked over in my haste to slow whoever
was chasing me. Through a pair of double doors. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
slammed the doors behind me, panting. Drool dribbled onto my chin, but my arms
wouldn’t move; they just stayed planted to my knees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Across
the office, the mayor put his pen down and stood up behind his desk. All and
all, he was only a mining pick shorter than me, but he was the skinny type.
None of that really mattered as long as he wore the bracelet with his wind soul
crystal in it. The extra speed it granted him on top of his specialties with
binding would be all he needed to defend himself. Especially since his guards
were incompetent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mayor.
Mayor.” I took a deep breath and held it to steady myself then stood up
straight. “Please. I need—” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
door slammed open behind me with the force granted by fire and threw me to my
face onto the carpeted floor halfway across the office. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crack</i> of impact only then registered in
my senses, and a burning pain rolled down my spine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gritting
my teeth, I held in the howl of agony. Rage powered my muscles, and I shot back
to my feet. That bastard would pay. I clenched my fist and froze in place as a white
hot short sword seared into the flesh of my neck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Move,”
the mayor’s chief guard, Yalrein, said with his hoarse voice, “and I’ll take
your head clean from your shoulders, boy.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
burning heat of his sword against my flesh made the room blur. The stench of
roasting rat hit my nose and reminded me that I hadn’t taken a bath in a few
days. Maybe more since my cooking flesh carried that odor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Put
your weapon down, Yalrein.” The mayor’s melodious voice relaxed the tension in
my body. He didn’t have the natural speaking abilities of a psychic, but he
came close. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But,
sir—” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Put
it down.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yalrein
gulped before the searing pressure lessened on my neck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
stumbled to the side and placed my hand over the hot pain in my neck. I wanted
to turn around and punch Yalrein in the face. To knock him onto his smug butt—ass.
I was an adult now. I could use swear words. Though, I shouldn’t say them
aloud. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Within
the blink of an eye, the mayor stood in front of me, not two feet away. “What
do you need? Mati was it?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tima,
sir. And my friend is dying.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
mayor groaned. “Not this again.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
blinked and cocked my head to the side. “Huh?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aiga
asks something of me that isn’t possible. Any men sent after the Fevered Five
would be marked as terrorists themselves, and the city guard would deal with
them and the Fevered Five accordingly. And even if they didn’t, the Regime’s agents
would report that we’re harboring terrorists, and we would pay the price.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But.”
I shook my head. My throat felt dry, and not because of the heat of Yalrein’s
blade. “Please. Sir. Igu. She’ll die if a water healer can’t come.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sorry,
boy.” The mayor shook his head, and his words sounded pained. “I can’t risk the
lives of everyone for that of one girl.” </div>
<br />
<br />
Next: <a href="http://tokyosurrenderstoahamster.blogspot.jp/2016/01/by-your-powers-combined-chapter-5.html">Chapter 5</a><br />
<br />pranabowjakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866690465936920688noreply@blogger.com0