Galen Vesa
Wind came and twirled around me poking this and that all over my body. I had to shoo her away before fire got involved. Earth looked at me shyly, a little nervous of what her fist did to me.
I grabbed the edge of my ruined dress and tugged. What left of it wouldn’t go beyond my navel.
Logic had enough of this ethereal company and I shared her sentiment. The sooner I get over whatever they wanted the better. I had enough trouble of keeping myself alive with just one dragon in my head. I don’t want any more uncontrollable entities in there.
“Well? Who’s next?”
Wind took her corporal form and kowtowed before me.
“My love I swear to you, my blessings and my power. Call upon me.”
As if I would. Spirits. More trouble than they’re worth.
My guts still churned at the sight of her face. The memories of her burned in my mind. Perhaps repenting that, she did not move any further.
Fighting with disgust I stretched my arm and whispered her name out of necessity. It came as a piece of smoldering coal off my mouth. She rose with teary eyes and pressed my palm against her cheek. Her tongue stretched as if to lick my fingers but somehow she stopped. I felt her lips gently caress my palm and her power briefly soared through me.
Fighting with herself she released my hand and vanished.
A second more and I would balk at her.
“I am sorry.”
The earth spoke humbly, surveying my midsection. I had to crane my head up to look her in the eyes.
“I have no recollection of whatever happened and since I am back in one piece, let us not dwell on the past.”
I have enough of weird memories to last me several lifetimes. No point of adding more.
“Daughter,”
She put her arms around me and pulled me in, pressing my face between her mountains.
“You have my blessings and my protection.”
Then in a lower voice, as if to prevent others from overhearing.
“Be gentle to your brother. He is a shy one.”
Say, what? Brother?
Fire rolled her eyes and shoved in between us.
“My turn!”
She came ablaze when her burning palms cupped my face.
“I grant you my blessings and my strength. No harm shall come to you through fire!”
She hanged on my neck while her lips burned against mine. No way to escape her kiss.
“Say it!”
She purred in my ear and I whispered her name.
Her thighs wrapped themselves around my hips. Her claws raked my back.
She howled in ecstasy sucking out her share of mana.
With burning blood dripping down my nose I swayed on my legs and I would perhaps collapsed had the earth not separate us.
“Enough,”
She held the fire's neck in her fist.
“You have taken your share.”
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The fire roared and left after one more mad look at me. Note to self. Never, ever call her.
“The night is young. Perhaps you wish to stay and rest?”
Water implied with a shine in her eyes.
“No. You will take me to Erta's daughter.”
I held my nose in a faint attempt at damping my nosebleed.
“That we cannot do.”
They answered in unison. Wind still lingering about me. At the same time, deep from within a wave of sadness and regret passed through my mind.
Giving up already you darn lizard? You wanna tell me I got bisected for nothing?
*Galen, I…*
“We wasted enough time already. Take me to Fenira, to the best seer there is. We'll find your daughter even if I'm gonna have to call that damn fire.”
“We know,”
The spirits again sang in unison.
“She awaits.”
A Storm of leaves danced before me letting walls of stone and warm lanterns replace the spirit castle. That’s possibly a good thing is it?
“Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not. Many great people came through this hall. Some of them found sorrow and blood. Others found their purpose.”
Out of the shadow a voice came. Odd, slightly nasal and flirtatious tone, carried on by the echo. Partly hidden behind a column shading her from the moonlight, a woman stood lounging against the stone.
“But, where are my manners.”
She pushed away and walked to me. Only that… she did not walk. Her body slithered gracefully through the hall, supported by a serpent’s tail.
“A snake lady.”
*Galen! You are disrespectful, She is an ancient one, do not anger her!*
The ancient one in question made a hissing noise and rattled with a maraca. All with a smile of a six years old, playing a prank on their parents.
“I’ve been called by many names, although that one I do find endearing. I am Nahira, the seer of this temple.”
She made a polite bow towards us. An astonishing feat given the leather blindfold strapped to her head. Although something at the back of my mind whispered, she may actually see more than I did.
“It is an honor to be of service to… ah. Forgive me. You do not wish to be called that.”
An actual seer. I dated one back in the office. Nothing much came out of it. Apparently my job and my “gifts” made me harder to scam.
“Odd…”
The woman tilted her head whispering to herself. Perhaps surprised, perhaps pondering.
“Empress of the dragon blood, if I may use that name, I know you come to me with great sorrow however I cannot fulfill your request.”
“Your child is safe and well, living a life she chose for herself. She did not erase you from her heart but the pain that bars her from meeting you still runs fresh in her veins.”
“Do not seek her.”
“I understand my words burn like fire but her love is deep and everlasting. Come winter then spring and your paths shall entwine once again. Until that time, please. Do not seek her or you shall find nothing but sorrow.”