Galen Vesa

Sailors are a crafty bunch. Living on an open sea indeed requires a dose of ingenuity but I would not expect those men with morbid faces to come up with such a solution. When my head bobbed up above the waves, holding a shiny coin in my hand, they fished me out within few moments. I even got a blanket when they pulled me onboard but the coin I brought back, hijacked all their attention. The gold was theirs, I explained.

Although, to spare my time, I told them to get the gold before the next sunset or else there'll be consequences. What consequences, they asked. To that I shrug my arms. I for sure will not stay to learn that. I said and that got them moving.

I haven’t the foggiest what they cannibalized to get it done but by the dusk, a crane occupied half the deck and a sort of net dangled from it. Reinforced with some tarp, the contraption was supposed to scoop the gold off the sea bottom. It even had tiny holes stabbed with a fork all over the tarp to let the water pass. Brilliant. If it works.

“Be mindful of the grave. We do not want to disturb the captain's sleep.”

I pointed at the coffin shining in the morning light when the ship began its maneuvers. Even though it sat at no less than three hundred feet deep, we could still see the spot in the crystal water.

“Ya heard the Lassie! Give the place a wide berth!”

They put the ship at an angle to the gold and tossed the scoop into the water. The weighted edge pulled it to the bottom while the line groaned as it stretched. And they missed. Released too late, the net sailed over the gold then the drag snapped the line. Once more their eyes feel on me, expecting a miracle. Just one more day dolt. One more day. I told myself and jumped back into the waves. I tied the fallen line to the anchor they dropped after me and got back onto the ship.

Thank the heavens and seas, as they would say, that was my last intervention. The new and improved scoop, they made a bigger hole in it, worked wonders. Pass after pass, the crew raked gold from the bottom. Cries of celebration shoot up at sky every time new portion of gold rung against the deck.

Again, and again until the sunset crept upon us, the sailors toiled then hugged themselves among tears of joy when their captain announced the end. I walked away sun’s last lazy rays with my glowing eyes.

How odd. I felt Empty. Perhaps I should say lonely? No. I don’t think so. There were people on deck whose presence I perceived but… no. The emptiness did not rose from there. A need burned within me. Burned with the fire sang to life by that dragon. Ever since, my blood boiled, and my body itched. I scratched and tugged at the collar. How annoying. Who could have put that on me? Why? Why was I condemned to eternal sleep with the fishes? And why, why on Earth does this thing itch so much!

I think that might been the moment my head hit the deck. Probably. I awoke to the sound of boiling water and sizzling meat. And a pair of brown eyes staring at me. Above the eyes, sister moon shined amid flickering stars, their shape distorted by water. My body rested submerged in a pit dug in the shallows. Wave after wave fresh and icy water came pouring down the hole, they dug for me but that hardly replenished what my body boiled off. I burned. I burned with the ancient flame seeping out of my every pore. I burned with need.

Freedom. I want my freedom. A tiny voice cried within me but soon it’s cry changed into an unyielding roar. And I burned. Burned with a flame the freezing water could not stop.

Just like my arm burned when I took the knife.

Enough. No more. No more pain. I will not stand any more pain.

The collar is the pain.

Another voice whispered. Not one of mine.

I sat up, surrounded by flames and steam. Among screams of terrified people, my fingers slid under the offending metal ring.

Do you not like the pain?

The odd one sat on a rock, overlooking my torment. Laughing.

“Take this thing off me!”

Take it off yourself. If you do not like pain, mister whabbit, then take it off.

Charred skin flaked off my neck and wrist as wide blackened patches appeared underneath my restraints.

What are you waiting for whabbit? Take those off or you'll burn to a crisp.

Did I scream? Or was it the fire roaring in my blood? I don’t know. All I saw were my puny arms wrestling with cold, unmoving iron. Weak. So weak. Pathetic almost.

Better to die than live a slave! The flames roared within my blood. No. I do not want to die. I haven’t yet fulfilled my promise. Not like this. Not without purpose.

The dragon heart throbbed within my chest like a bird trashing within a cage. All this power, wasted.

Come now whabbit. Do not dally…

Time crawled to a stop as I watched her. Her lips forming words I could no longer hear. Suddenly her eyes grew larger. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Fear. In between my heartbeats I saw fear in her eyes.

Pull.

The order came out of nowhere. Cold. Merciless.

Pull.

Something moved within me. As if the weight of entire universe shifted its place.

Pull.

Frost crept over my arms while frozen chains rung behind my back. And I pulled. The iron shrieked and groaned as my arms stretched it. Mana wailed, escaping my collar until the runes placed on it dispersed in a puff of smoke and the collar broke.

The odd one vanished before my eyes when the flames no longer bound, shoot out of my body and high into the sky, melting away what left of my restraints. Even the lantern locked around my wrist light up.

And I felt them.

All of them rushing towards me in a rolling thunder.

“No!”

I ordered while I still could.

“Not now! I shall call your names and then you will come but not now!”

A wave of their anger washed over me but almost instantly it gave way to the deluge of voices coming from within. All of them screaming.

Silence!

Logic ordered and at once my mind cleared. But I could not hear one single voice I wished to hear. I sank within.

*Took your sweet time, have you? Dolt. *

Engulfed in flames, Erta stood in her final form. Her horns glowing like suns, her eyes full of tears. How similar they looked.

“This fire, I take you had your horns in it?”

As if not hearing it, she ignored my question.

*Your memory, can I see it? *

“Do so if you can.”

She lowered herself to her knee and touched our foreheads together. I felt her mind and did my best not to resist. Erta skimmed through all the time we were separated and returned to the point where that dragon sang the flame into me.

*Mother… So, it was your flame. *

Tears streaked down her face in an endless stream. I put my arms around her in a clumsy hug. The best our size difference allowed.

*Cursed human go deal with the sailors. I must calm myself. *

She pushed me out and the time returned to its rightful flow. Free of the restraints that bound me, I sat in water, raising clouds of steam. The brown eyed boy wailed in pain few steps beside me. My flames Scorched him when I broke the seal. Much further away on the shore, terrified people gathered. None dared to move and help the boy.

I whispered the name of Water.

“I need you. Come alone, unseen.”

Excited, the spirit queen danced around me, among the waves. I pointed at the crying boy.

Heal him.

At once, a globe of water engulfed him and washed away his wounds. A heartbeat later, he stood as if fire had never touched his skin. I rose as well, feeling the strength returning to my limbs. At the same time, captain Ilo arrived on the beach with the rest of his men. Armed.

“Captain,”

I started since no one else spoke.

“It appears you have taken me beyond the range of the spell that bound me. I am free of the curse at last. For that you have my gratitude. As for our earlier arrangement, I believe we can call it fulfilled. What is your word captain?”

“Ay. I have no claim against you creature. You have kept your word so far.”

Cold. His eyes had no more trust for me.

Tell me when, love.

The spirit read my mind and confirmed it could do what I contrived in the spur of moment.

“Then I shall take my leave. Stay well my dear honorable hume.”

I gave them an over exaggerated bow, jiggling my pillows. My cloths burned away so, whatever. Seems I’m destined to flash my butt at random strangers.

“Now.”

I whispered to the queen and a pillar of water surrounded my body. My legs suddenly felt wobbly as if someone removed all bones from them and my skin tightened like I’ve put on a tight-fitting suit. When the water curtain fell away, a surprise awaited all the onlookers. Myself included.

“All lords sleeping in the see! Look! Look at her! A mermaid!”

“What have I told you!? The real deal!”

“Look! Look at that tail!”

With one more smile aimed at the stunned crowd, I tossed myself into the waves. I have no experience swimming with monofin but somehow my body knew what I wanted, and the tail propelled me out into the open sea.

*A mermaid. Really?*

Why not? It’s temporary anyway. Something to wow the crowd and give them closure.

Not to mention I brought that on myself by yapping my tongue without putting any thought into what repercussions it may have.

Love, why not stay as you are if it suits your taste?

Water cooed in my ear.

*No.*

No.

We answered in unison. The queen did not protest but I could sense her disappointment. To make up for it, she ordered her personal guard to protect me. At once, more than a hundred nereids appeared and swam in formation around me. All high ranking spirits. Her generals? Ignoring it I swam towards the open sea and moved to more pressing matters. I lost six months’ worth of memories. Best to learn whatever happened during that time.

Are you alright? Can you tell me what happened after they knocked me out?

*No, to answer both your questions. Soon after you lost consciousness, someone put a barrier on your body sealing us inside. Had you not received the dragon song I would go mad listening to all that nagging with nowhere to run. How do they not affect you human?!*

Ask logic. They fear her. Most do. Those that don’t, tend to disappear quite fast. No idea why or how.

I went too close to the surface and my momentum ejected me out of the water. All the nereids followed my example and we sailed at least fifty feet through the air before splashing back into the water. Interesting. Just how fast was I going?

So, we know nothing of what happened. Not good.

*Worse than that. During that time, you had lost a significant amount of mana without any apparent reason. About one fourth of your total capacity. If it is even possible to estimate your total mana pool. It had since recovered and as we speak, your body is gathering more and more energy. *

So, it’s bad. Is it, “I don’t like broccoli, but I have to eat it” bad or is it more like “a bee just stung me and I’m allergic” bad?

*Dolt… why do I even… pray dolt that your own enchants burned that mana.*

You know I’m not the most religious person out there.

*Well, you better become one because it is that kind of bad. *

Oh.

We have felt it taken. Someone stole it. Ask the troublemakers.

Logic joined in.

Asking spirits. Talking to spirits. Things I’d rather avoid besides, I doubt they took it. Someone else was involved. The kidnappers? Would explain the collar.

*If it is so, then we are to find trouble sooner or later. We should prepare. *

Wise words but… Lizard, you suck at hiding your emotions.

I had to stop swimming and let my body float. There was no point to it anyway. The land disappeared from my view long ago. When I sank back in, I found her sulking on the bed, under the tree.

“Hey, I know I suck at life, but I have ears. Talk to me. Please?”

She buried her face in one of the pillows. I sat on the ground and waited, my back resting against the bed. Behind me, Erta’s emotions waged a war against her.

*I have hatched a weak and miserable creature. Soft scales. Weak bones. Wings that would rip at the gentlest breeze. *

*An insult to my blood. *

*I was too sick to remember most of my early years. Always at the gates of death. *

I had to look back over my shoulder to make sure I was hearing the same person. That lizard born as wimp. Yeah, and I have a clean bill of mental health.

*By the age of four I had broken all the bones in my body at least once. But mother never gave up. I was her child. The only one that hatched. Her pride. For someone as powerful as her, to have a child. A true miracle. She considered herself barren. *

*One night, a malady took me. Deadliest one so far. I would not make it till sunrise. That faithful night, she must have offered herself to that wretched serpent. My life in exchange for her service. I have often asked what happened. She never answered. One night I bid my life farewell but come morning and… *

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

She screamed. Screamed and cried her throat raw.

*Forgive me. I cannot stand your presence. Dragon flame is but her soul. I can feel her within the flame that burns inside you. Call me in a time of need, I shall come. Now, I wish to be alone. *

Still in her human form, she rose from the bed while wings stretched from her back. With a slight push of her knees, she was up and away. A tiny dot against the black sky of this endless place, her mind closed to mine.

“And let the world be damned.”

Been there, done that. Pills did not help either. If one can manage, time usually blunts the pain. But what can I know about it? What do I know about dragons? Apparently not enough.

Logic still stood where she appeared. Observing the tree of life with her cold, calculating eyes. She let this little drama unfold without any intervention. As if something more important occupied her mind.

“Well, what is it?”

I asked, bringing myself to bear her full gaze.

“We have caught an outsider.”

Great, another one.

“As if I don’t have enough trouble with those already present. What of it? Can’t you just dump them in the mist as always?”

She slightly nudged her head to the side and squinted at me like a cat annoyed by a child.

“She may have value. We do not see the entire picture, but she may have value. “

Logic turned on her heels and walked back into the mist. Soo not unlike her.

“Use her as you see fit.”

She left while where she stood a body bound by a chain appeared. Perhaps taking off that collar wasn’t such a good idea.

“You?! What in the world are you?!”

And here I hoped she would stay dormant in her core until I find a way to take it out. There was a saying about wishful thinking…

“if you ever find out, please do tell me. I'd like to know as well. Lately, I’ve been everything apart from what I thought I should be.”

Pellicora opened her mouth, paused, closed it then opened it again to once more stop herself. Frustration and anger marred her face.

“Yeah. I do that to people. Sorry. Is your core safe?”

She stared at me. A hint of surprise passed through her eyes.

“Yes.”

She spoke after a while then making an even longer pause, added.

“Are you a god?”

“Me? A god? No. Far from it. I'm just your ordinary human being. With issues. Lots’ of issues. Freeloaders being one of them.”

Her face did not show any understanding, her eyes still locked on the mana orb. She didn’t believe me, did she?

“Think what you want. Not that I care. That sparkly thing above our heads is mostly for show. Unless it's trying to kill me or teach me a lesson. Then it's a whole other story.”

A typhoon the size of moon passed over the surface of the mana orb. Miniscule in size compared to whole that energy. Just a grain of sand in the desert. As if it wanted to say, I’m raising an eyebrow at you so watch your tongue.

“With your restraints removed, you have enough power. Will you kill me now?”

New hope shined in her eye. What’s with this killing nonsense?

“No.”

“Why? For I am a monster. Are not all monsters worth killing? I have killed men and I tried to kill you. Release me and I shall slay more!”

Splendid logic. Just who did I enrage to deserve this? First a dragon with family issues now a suicidal… what is she exactly? Do I even care?

“And now you have a chain round your neck.”

I begin to understand why Logic dumped her on me. Do I really look like a landlord for lost cases? And then there are the queens to deal with…

“While I don’t want to have your blood on my hands, I cannot let you go on a killing spree. Your name, give it to me. Swear an oath upon your name or… well, I do nothing. You can sit here all the time you want just don’t expect a stellar company. I’m sure your thoughts will entertain you.”

I left her there and let my consciousness resurface.

Erta’s pain still throbbed within me. Pain I could no longer understand. She mourned. Not the turn of events I anticipated. Her help right now could mean a difference between peaceful future and ups I did it again. No such luck. Anyhow, Dolt’s gotta do what dolt gotta do.

Neraids were circling around my floating body. Neutral buoyancy is a fantastic thing. And, those streamlined pillows are nice as well. Not a jingle. As if I’m wearing a corset. I had no time to take a better look, but my skin resembled that of a sea horse. Though some parts were inspired by dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures. Like my hair. I had a long mane made out of sea anemones.

And I had an issue to deal with. Once more, I called upon her name. Here in her kingdom it came out of my lips like love song of the waves. At once, all the spirits stopped in their tracks and paid their tribute to their master. Their reverence absolute and unfailing.

She appeared beside me, in form similar to her children and yet much grander at the same time.

Calling my name again and aging. Hume, continue to do so and I may begin to believe you favor me overt the others?

I have a wish of you Queen of the seas. But first, take us somewhere we can talk undisturbed…

And poof. Before I could finish my thought, I found myself in the spirit realm on the familiar bed. This time, with the queen of water atop me and our lips joined in a kiss.

“Please stop doing that. I have enough trouble as is. I do not want to deal with jealousy. The others will demand similar treatment. And this form, you may reverse it now. It has fulfilled its purpose.”

“These are my chambers hume. No one would know but as you wish,”

With a flick of her fingers, my pillows returned to their natural wobbliness and my tail separated into two human legs. I jiggled my toes just to be sure. At the same time, several odd, shining squiggles lifted off her palm and sank into my chest.

“I have added this form to the spell already inscribed onto your bones. Imagine your legs joining to form a tail and it shall be so.”

“I did not ask for that.”

“A gift then. I do not need a payment for such trivial matters. Tell me hume, what did you came to wish from your queen?”

Her hips moved in an inviting manner. I ignored the invitation earning another smile. It appears that even in denial, I did what she wanted. Eh.

“Recent events made me realize how much I lack. There may come again a time when I would need to heal myself or others without relying on your power. If I am unable to call your name, I am left like a child, alone against a horde of wolfs. I cannot have that. I wish for you to teach me how to use recovery magic.”

Her face saddened.

“Are you perhaps scheming for a way to rid yourself of me? If I grant you that wish, you will have no use of me. What a naughty master.”

Among other things… Am I that transparent? And why would she smile?

“No, I will not teach you. Our ways are useless to a mortal. Instead,”

Light of mana appeared in her palm and condensed into a bluish ring.

“Take this ring. While not as powerful as my magic,”

She took my hand and put it on my finger, kissing my palm. A fuzzy feeling spread through my body as mana rushed out of me and into her. She inhaled it and seemed quite satisfied.

“I made this ring out of my essence. It a part of me that shall always be with you. As you wear it, it will continue to heal and purify your body. This effect will pass on to others as long as they would touch your skin and you would be wiling to spare some of your mana. ”

“The ring will draw upon your power. The graver the injuries, the more mana it shall consume.”

Her body accumulated a curious glow while I became lightheaded. Again, our lips met and… I grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. As pleasing as the sensation was, I just don’t want other spirits demanding the same treatment.

I gazed into her inhuman eyes and seeing nothing I could recognize, I asked.

“Why all this?”

I still held her wrist.

“I am but a human. Aside from mana you can freely take, I see no reason why you would want it.”

The room vanished and I found myself suspended inside her true form. Surrounded by darkness wherever I looked, my soul shivered.

Hume, I ask this of you, how do you like your meals? Warm, sweet, full of aroma? Or perhaps you enjoy eating a rotting carcass covered with maggots and filled with taste of death?

Again, the scene changed, and I found myself back on that comfortable bed with the most beautiful woman I ever saw, straddling me, her hips moving with passion.

Where’s a banana when you need one… Reading my thoughts, she stopped and smiled again.

“To answer you my hume, we have no want for the flesh. We share no desires of the flesh. Flash taints what we eat with acrimony. We found it is easier to sate the flesh first. It improves the taste.”

She closed her lips over mine, her palms cupping my face. Once more mana rushed out of me and streaked until the queen broke her kiss.

“I have taken my rightful share for the wish you made. I must go now for other may accuse me of spoiling their harvest. ”

One more kiss.

“You have satisfied my hunger o tasty hume. For today I shall grant you the use of my chambers. Go, call the rest. They are waiting.”

With that said, she vanished from my eyes, leaving behind one more piece of non-removable jewelry on my body. Well, could’ve been worse. I’m sure I’ll hear about it from the dragon but at least that one is taken care of.

I took a deep breath and braced myself. Calling the name of flame, live burning fire came off my tongue.

„How dare you!”

I got slapped many times in my life but, boy oh boy, Fire's right hook took me by surprise.

“Calling me second! Mine should be the first name to leave your lips! Always!”

My cracked face kept silent while it tried to reassemble itself after her punch put me on my butt.

“Not only that but you had called her twice!”

With her arms crossed, she stood next to me, not even wanting to look at my face. Eh, knowing what they really are, I would do without all this let’s pretend. My freshly regrown jaw Popped back into its place. Now I just need to do something very stupid.

I called her name again and again. Like a child she pretended to ignore me, all the while biting at her lower lip. I could see her flame flicker every time I called her. So, I did the next most illogical thing that came to my mind. I grabbed her chin, pulled her face towards me and French-kissed her until my tongue felt like burned coal.

“Did I allow you to stop mortal? Continue!”

“Ah, but I cannot my love. If the others learn I favor you, I will hear no end of it. We must obey the agreement.”

Her body lit up for an instant.

“That…”

Did a fire just blushed? Where are my meds when I need them? I really must visit an apothecary. Or an alchemist…

“Your wish mortal. Be quick about it. I do not have time to waste.”

“I have found myself lacking. My body is weak. My love, would you grant me your strength?”

Did I just feel a wave of distress? As if the queen became gravely ill.

“I… I cannot grant you that wish. Make another one!”

“Why? That is what I desire?”

It looked as if she would hit me again but, in the end, she restrained herself.

“It is not mine to give what you already possess.”

Did I oversleep something during those six months? My puny arms were as puny as ever. I couldn’t feel any power.

“I don’t understand. Have I asked this of you before?”

“No, but another had shared her gift with you. Dragon song is but my song sang into flesh. You would hear the eternal flame singing within you, were you not bound by that flimsy flesh.”

She brought her face so close to mine that my cheeks begin to sizzle.

“I wonder. You are not of the dragon kin, yet you live, and the flame accepted you. Is it because of my name burned into your soul? I wonder. “

The queen of flames placed her palm upon my chest.

“Perhaps I may be able to fulfill your wish mortal. Perhaps your spirit can withstand the eternal flame.”

I hope she didn’t say that just to convince herself.

“Perhaps...”

Sing.

She whispered in a language I should not understand.

She whispered to the flame resting within my second heart.

And it sang.

For a fraction of time so small that one could not divide it any further, I saw her for what she truly was. I witnessed the eternal flame, a part of which she was. In that single moment I understood why Erta was so mortified when she saw her.

And then I died. I think. It felt familiar to the time I raised the knife at my own arm.

Sound of thunders raging down from the mana orb awoke to the feeling of mana being drained out of me at an alarming rate as the water ring tried to rebuild my cremated body.

One note. All it took to nearly erase my existence. One note of the fire song.

„I have shown you the true nature of the flame sleeping within you. While sang in flesh, the dragon song might seem but a flickering shadow, they are one and the same. Call upon their strength when you need it. Your wish I consider fulfilled.”

She vanished without another word.

One note. I don’t think I want to know what the entire song would do to me.

My arm crumbled to dust exposing white bone. My skin begun to crack and flake away. Once more I called upon the Water. At once she engulfed me and I felt her power joining the efforts of the ring.

Rest. I shall handle it.

I drifted away without noticing, most of my body turned to ash.

And I slept quite well. I slept until sun warmed my eyes.

“Hush child, sleep. You must rest.”

Earth’s words made my eyelids heavier. Oh, another spirit.

“I have a wish…”

“I know, child. I know. Sleep now. It can wait.”

She gently brushed my hair, her melodic voice humming a lullaby of a drowsy forest littered down with leaves. Of lazy primulas dozing off in the morning sunlight. Of grass swaying in the wind.

Such a soft tune. It made me sleep while her magic hardened my body.

“Have you slept well my child?”

My head rested on a pillow of moss and a blanket of leaves covered my body. I stretched my limbs, but I couldn’t find any kinks in my muscles. My body felt surprisingly light. Aside from that everything seemed normal. Or maybe not. My head just couldn’t find that sweet spot and bobbed back and forth. As if some additional weight pulled it this or that way… hold on a second. I had seen my shadow before. That didn’t look like my shadow at all.

My hands shoot up to reconfirm my findings. I turned to the queen.

“Is this some sort of hallucination?”

“No, my child, you are not dreaming.”

One more point for the amazing Dolt. He goes, he does, he scores! Now I have horns. Erta is so going to kill me. I grabbed my horns. Hot. They were hot. As if I just put my palms into fire. And they were stuck there. No matter how hard I pulled, these weren’t coming off my scull.

“Is there any way to hide those?”

I pointed at… eh… at “my” horns.

“You may if you wish, my child. Most creatures do if they mingle with humans.”

If I just knew how. I aimed my best pleading look at her. Smiling, the queen of forests and meadows placed her palm upon my head and stroke it. At once my horns vanished, sucked back into my scalp.

“Thank you.”

She gave me a nod and kept on stroking my head.

“Have you decided my child?”

Huh? Decide on what? Her touch felt so calming. Why would I ever want to do something else than be caressed by her? The queen withdrawn her arm.

“Your wish child, have you decided upon it?”

My wish… Without anything to do, my arms folded beneath my pillows. Something my body learned on its own to do. It made walking easier. I’d really could use a bra and some pants. What a shame I lost my last pair so long ago. I should probably stock up some comfortable lingerie. Some shoes would be nice too. And some capes. Not that I ever get cold but getting wet all the time is no fun at all. If I ever get back to Fenira and by some miracle get paid for all the work I did, I could buy some of those things. There’s also the matter of money. I can’t walk around tooting all my gold with me. Guild bonds would be easier to carry but they are worth something for as long as the guild exist and only if someone would accept them. Perhaps if I could store all my belongings somewhere I could take with me? A magical, bottomless bag? No. As nice as that sounds, I would still have to carry that enchanted item and given my ability to lose whatever I have with me… not to mention if someone would make me hand over everything? No. That is not the way. Oh, there is a simpler idea.

“If it is possible, I would like to rent a storage space. A safe place where I could put all my belongings. A place only I could access. “

She drummed her fingers against her knee. Such a human gesture. If I had not known better, I would not recognize her among a crowd of people.

“It is an interesting wish my child. And a humble one. Most people I served demanded power and riches of this world. You have asked for neither which pleases me. I shall prepare you this space, but I will need some time to do so. Before that, I must warn you. Be wary of your strength. I have put limits upon your body so you would not kill anyone by accident but those will not seal your power. If you so desire, you may ignore those limits. Control yourself my child.”

Well, if I could I would make a skeptical smirk. Instead, I just stared at her. Puny arms were just that, puny.

“Disbelief is a natural reaction my child, but ignorance is a sin. Please listen to me. Fire should have not done that. What she awoke…”

Her lips were suddenly sealed as if someone crushed her throat. Like a poker master, she masked her distress. I'm not even sure if what I saw could be called distress.

“I must go now. Promise me you'll be mindful and behave.”

She waited until I nudge my head in agreement then vanished within a slither of leaves.

“Well,”

I poke my puny arm. Slender and weak as usual. Skin and bones. Skin, bones and just the right amount of fat to please the onlookers.

“can’t see how am I supposed to hurt anyone? Trip while holding something sharp?”

I spoke to no one in particular. One more wish remained. One I kind of needed but at the same time…

“Show yourself. I know you're there.”

Silent, the Wind appeared and knelt before me. Her face low, almost pressed into the ground.

And I shivered. My body gagged, I had to look away.

“End this farce. We both know you regret nothing you’ve done to me. Get up.”

The wind did not move.

“You are mistaken, my love. I suffer an endless pain. A result of my poor judgement. Had I restrained myself I would now feast with others by your side. Instead, like a dog cast away by its master, I am to ever lick the scraps you toss away.”

I can’t say I would call it remorse but, at least she regretted something. For a spirit, that is unusual.

“I have a wish. Grant me your blessing. One I won’t need to renew. Make my body light and swift.”

“It shall be so my love.”

Just by being so close to her, tremors shook my body.

“One more thing. Never, ever again show your cursed self to me. Never again speak to me. Don’t you ever dare to touch me. I don’t want to ever feel your presence in the same place that I am.”

With that she vanished while I sat hugging my knees, rocking back and forth. My mind could not find rest and my eyes leaked. How peculiar. Why is it so that the bad things are those that burn themselves so deep in our memories?

“May I join you?”

Queen of water appeared by my side although I had no desire for company. How odd. It never bothered me before.

“If you must.”

She sat beside me, mimicking my pose.

“Does this really make you feel better? It does not seem that comfortable.”

My body did not complain, but what can I know? Water's eyes looked almost as if she cared.

“I really should go, should I?”

“Mmm, should you?”

Her full, wet lips glittered at me.

“You can stay as long as you wish. You are always welcomed within my domain. You may stay here until the end of times if that shall bring you comfort.”

“What a convenient snack I would be.”

“Ah, that too.”

She smiled. Almost like a person. Ever since I saw her true form, her godly beauty appeared fake to my eyes.

“You doubt me. There is no need for that. I am not a being of flesh and mind. My word is but one. I shall never harm you. I shall always help you. I do not take back my word. I cannot.”

I let my body lean against her. My head resting on her shoulder.

“I think I would like you if I wasn’t so broken. As it is, I just don’t know.”

“But you hate the Wind?”

“I do not hate her. Perhaps I should but I feel nothing towards her. It is that… whenever she is close, my body rebels. I cannot control it.”

Like a severe allergic reaction. It just happens.

“You are an interesting one. You know, I have lost a bet because of you. We all did. You proved us all wrong.”

Gambling spirits. My world just got this much weirder.

“What did you bet about?”

“Who would be first to steal your heart.”

“Which one?”

“Ah, a joke?”

“Perhaps. I don’t know. I've been told my sense of humor is lacking.”

“I bet that by the fortnight I shall have you in my bed ravaging my body. You have proven me wrong.”

“Earth bet you would demand gold, precious stones or an army of golems to wage your wars. You have not.”

“Fire bet you would call her name twice as often so she would blast away your enemies. Well, she has not acknowledged her defeat yet but so far I am leading the name count.”

“Wind…”

Water paused, unsure.

“Do tell me, what did that pervert bet for?”

“She bet that you would kill her. You had not.”

“Is that even possible? I don’t have that kind of power.”

“You have our names. That is all the power you need.”

“Power. Why does everything need to turn around power. I never wanted any power. I never wanted many things that I went through in my life. I just wanted a simple and satisfying life. I wanted to be happy. Now, I just don’t know anymore.”

“Then perhaps you should go and see this journey to the end? Maybe somewhere along the line you will find what you need to become complete.”

“Will I?”

“Mmm, who knows? Travels are a mysterious breed of people. They bring the unexpected.”

I closed my eyes. Both, her and Earth's company calmed my body. As if it enjoyed itself in a long and hot bath.

“I Wonder what the wolf does. Think she would want me back?”

“Should I ask her for you, my love?”

I imagined Altina going “kyaaaah!” then getting a heart attack if a spirit queen would show up in her office.

“Oh, that does indeed sometimes happen.”

Water read my mind.

“Then better not.”

Perhaps I should deal with her myself. What else could I do? Stay here? Eh. I chugged so many meds in my life and none could cure me out of procrastinating.

“These wounds,”

I rubbed my wrist. Bands of charred skin remained around my wrists and a similar one marred my neck.

“I take it there’s something more to them?”

The queen confirmed with a nod, her face carrying real sadness.

“Forgive me. I cannot mend those. That fire burned more than your skin. It will take time to heal and only if you master the flame roaring in your heart.”

My wrists were hot and if I peeled off some charred skin, thick, boiling blood oozed out of the glowing cracks.

“Stop doing that, you will reopen your wounds.”

Water pulled my hand away from my wrist.

“I should probably go.”

“If you must.”

Rain. It suddenly hit me.

“You smell nice.”

Her body had the scent of fresh air straight after a storm. I always enjoyed that.

“Oh, are you trying to seduce me?”

“It depends. What would I get if you win that bet?”

The Spirit queen looked at me, puzzled. She considered something then smiled.

“That my love, shall depend upon your performance.”