Were it not for the relatively transitory nature of these trials, I would have long since given up. Admittedly, time did seem to stretch while in pain, but the close by and reliable support of others who cared for me, gave me a sense of peace and confidence amidst that hellish suffering. When one suffers alone, it is so much harder to suppress the silent screams.
If only I had such support in real life.
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The last of the elemental trials Victoria was allowing me to take today, was that of water. Water as a concept is such an interesting ideal. It flows along the path of least resistance bound by gravity, fitting to the situation as necessary to reach its destination. Yet, if given enough time and pressure, it can wear away at the sturdiest of rocks and foundations. The most intuitive and peaceful of zodiac signs are attributed to that of water, accompanied shortly after by earth and air.
Fire is left alone as the primary bringer of chaos and change. Quite often, as time flows and people become complacent, fire is necessary to inspire revolution. Alone it is destructive and wasteful. However, under the guidance, support, and sometimes even suppression of its surrounding elements, it can be tempered, guided, and enhanced to bring about beautiful revitalization and rebirth.
I was feeling more and more like something was being born within me as fire had now been introduced to the mix of elements in my core. It was both invigorating as I felt these changes, and yet disappointing as they appeared in such a small space, unable to move about as much as I was able to experience at home.
Soon enough, I was given a potion created from two water stones. One was formed from the magical essence concentrated along a clear and fresh water stream. The other, originated from the salty shores of the sea.
Knowing that this was to be the last for the day per my compromise with Victoria, I was determined to make the most of this assimilation. It was too bad that I couldn’t sit or lay in my master’s artificial elixir stream as I felt I would risk contaminating it too much with the salt water aspect. I suspected that if I were to ask, she would still allow it, but it just felt wrong to ask to be such an inconvenience, for the sake of being selfish.
Haha! For future water assimilations, I’d have to keep an eye out for estuaries where fresh met salt water. I believed it could also work with the melt from an iceberg into the ocean. The thoughts of my mind then turned to the likely many dangerous creatures present within those deep waters. With my fear of deep open water, I decided to shelve that idea for another time.
Closing my eyes and taking a swallow of the somewhat brackish tasting potion, I awaited whatever was to come. Out of all the options, I believe I felt the most anticipation for this element, as it was the one that I personally felt closest to. Due to the sensations of my unique ability being mostly reminiscent of cold water and my love for swimming, I’d have to say that water truly was my element.
As I had these thoughts, I felt the effects of the water settle within me as the trial began.
My mind was swept away into two separate visions. In one, I felt like I was laying on the shore of a beach, being tumbled forward and back with the waves crashing upon the sand and scattered shells. The lighter yet turbulent buoyancy of salt water coated my skin leaving trails of salty droplets behind in their wake. In the other vision, I was swiftly rushing along a verdant and rock-strewn watery path leading to a destination unknown. The sheer clarity and beauty of the surroundings made my heart reach out with a desire to go explore this place in person. This cleansing water had the effect of nearly washing away the prior salty residue.
Vertigo and disorientation however swept through me as both visions left their impression. The rushing of the freshwater stream as well as the tumbling waves of the beach left me without a steady foundation. I coughed as the water traversing my body’s surface seeped into my mouth and into my stomach. My eyes widened in fear as I firmly closed my lips and gritted my teeth. However, the flow of water continued to find entry as it denied gravity its due and swept up my nose. Brackish water forced its way inside of me as I desperately sought to keep my lungs clear.
My limbs thrashed about as if outside of my control and denying me the ability to pinch my nose closed.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Forced to rely on swallowing as much as I could to alleviate the pressure on my lungs, my stomach rebelled at the greatly increased salinity. Opening my mouth in reflex to breathe deeply before dry heaving, left me further beleaguered by the dual streams of water taking over. My lungs filled with water, and I began to drown while sitting on dry land.
Death by drowning has been compared closely to the pain level that is caused by that of fire. Both mercifully tend to drag the individual into unconsciousness before the full extent of pain possible can be felt. Unfortunately, the level of agony reached prior to loss of consciousness is still a terrible burden to bear. The irony, which was lost to me in the moment, is that drowning feels like your lungs are on fire and you are burning from the inside out. I can attest to this as I just finished being burned from the outside in.
Finally, as my vision began to fade from lack of oxygen, I felt something hard and somewhat heavy press upon my back. A new energy flowed into me and as if abiding a command, the water in both my stomach and lungs reversed their flow and poured out of me. Simultaneously as that was happening, I felt a gust of air force itself in the opposite direction reinflating my drenched lungs.
Falling into a heap on the ground, my chest hurt with a vengeance as I was hit with wracking coughs. No further water came out, but my body was acting on reflex at this point.
Victoria with concern in her eyes was kneeling beside me, once again holding up a small vial of deep red liquid. Looking at it through my bleary-eyed vision, obscured by pain induced tears, my very stomach rebelled again at the thought of taking in any further liquid. “Andrew.” She said gently placing a hand on my quaking shoulders. “I know you must feel absolutely terrible at this moment, but you must drink this. It will help you greatly.”
Nodding my head in understanding, I shakily took the open vial from her hand, hoping that nothing would spill of this precious and costly potion. Pouring it into my mouth, I simply held it in there struggling to keep my mouth closed as my body was wracked with another series of attempted coughs. A fair amount of the precious liquid flew out of my nose despite my efforts. I tried to catch it with my hands, but my efforts were lackluster and slow.
With great effort, I forced myself to swallow the remainder into my stomach.
“Phew!” The relief that came with that action, just like the others was a calming and soothing balm to my affliction. The searing pain and pressure upon my lungs eased away into mere discomfort and the nausea settled to a bearable level. My shuddering slowed to a calm yet exhausted sort of peace.
Words finally came out of me as I tried to speak. “I’m sorry master.” * Shudder* “I tried to keep it in but. . .”
“Shhhhh…” She placed a pale and cold finger against my lips to stave off my apologies. “There is nothing to be sorry about. Your experiences and tolerance shown today, have given me much food for thought. You have acquitted yourself incredibly well and I am very proud to have you as my apprentice.”
Tears which I had just barely recalled after the fading pain were brought forth with a vengeance at her claim.
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Pain need not always be ugly and agonal. Sometimes it is the release from pain or fear which can usher in a rain of tears, crystalline drops of emotion which can be so heart wrenchingly potent. It was in that moment that such tears tore forth from me.
Soon I felt the weighty pressure of Gertrude’s clawed hand on my right shoulder and Victoria’s lighter and more dainty hand on my left. I struggled to regain control over my emotions as I hated for others to see me in such a state.
Men are too often told not to show too much emotion, or else they risk being ridiculed and thought lesser of or weak. There are certainly women who are empathetic enough to understand and appreciate a tactfully emotional man. But far more often than should occur, are man’s rare moments of emotional turbulence turned into a weapon, which is then wielded against them by those who should have been a stabilizing companion and friend.
After a short while, I was able to get myself under control and with the aid of both ladies, I was drawn to my feet. Fearful of judgement, I cast a glance at each of them. However, in each of their eyes I saw no condemnation or disappointment. Only pride, pride at my accomplishment shone in both of their eyes. Well, maybe Gertrude had a hint of maniacal planning going on for my next session of elemental assimilation, but I’ll take what I can get.
That night, after a rejuvenating and filling dinner, I fell deep asleep. Vague recollected dreams of tumultuous elemental upheavals plagued me throughout the dark of night until I was startled awake. My hand reflexively swung to the side, smacking the bedside implement containing the shuttered light-stone. That unintentional action shifted enough of the moving parts to free a sliver of light into the pitch-black room.
I found myself amidst a ragged pile of sweat soaked sheets and bedding which smelled terrible. Forcing myself up, I stumbling about in a foggy haze. Only after dragging myself out of bed to pull the soaked bedding from the mattress, did I make my way to the bathroom to take a cleansing shower. Spending well over half an hour sitting on the floor of the shower, with the rhythmic staccato of water drops stimulating my beleaguered body and mind, did I finally regain the strength and clarity to scrub off the remaining odor causing sweat and return myself to bed. Staring at the pile of soaked bedding off to the side, I turned away, pointedly ignoring it before digging around in my backpack. Pulling out my rarely used sleeping bag, I snuggled up within its warm fuzzy interior and lay on the otherwise bare mattress.
It wasn’t long before I fell into a far more blissful and dreamless sleep.
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Not until the sun was at least a hands length above the horizon in the east did I wake the following morning.
Awakening to the gentle twittering of birds outside my window and strangely silent house, I breathed in a refreshing breath of air which stimulated my well rested body. Honestly, lying there with my arms outspread with the remainder of my form cocooned within the sleeping bag, I felt that this was the most refreshing morning I had ever experienced in my life.
Every movement felt effortless and lighter.
In fact, my movements actually felt too light. My eyes narrowed in consternation at this new development and discovery. There appeared to be a notable disconnect with what I subconsciously asked of my limbs to do when compared to what they actually did. It was as if they over reacted in relation to my intended movement.
A simple flex of muscle intending to slowly move my arm to the edge of the bed led to it nearly flinging out in a rush. My eyes widened at this lack of control.
In curiosity and concern, I began making the smallest of twitches and movements to gauge the extent of my control.
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The results were abysmal.