Fourteen Nexians were summoned a few hours before lunch and told to gather at the training grounds. Every one of the visiting Nexians was in attendance, minus their lieutenants, who were due at a meeting with Michael and Reeves. The only exception to this rule was Charlisa Ambrose, lieutenant of the Thunder Nexus and teacher of the first class.
“I’m glad to see you all here,” she said, pacing back and forth. Curiously, Kenta stood behind her, regarding the gathered trainees with an impassive gaze. “I hope you all slept well because I will be working you hard today.”
No verbal reply came, but there were several nods. Charlisa smiled slightly at someone down the line to Eric’s left. “Something you want to say to that, Ed?”
Eric glanced sideways, but couldn’t see her son as he replied. “Sorry, mom. I’m just wondering how intense the training could be compared to what we go through every day.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good question. You’ll help me demonstrate.”
She flicked her fingers in a beckoning gesture, and he stepped forward. Charlisa surveyed the lines for a moment, then pointed at one. “Your name is Megan, correct? Rachel tells me you’re quite skilled for your experience level. Come here, please.”
“Yes, Mrs. Ambrose.” Megan moved forward and stood to Charlisa’s left, while her son took a position at her right. The Lieutenant turned her attention first to Megan.
“I assume you are aware of your weakness,” She said. When Megan nodded in the affirmative, she said, “Each Nexus has one, as we all know. With this weakness comes a condition for strengthening your powers. What is the Condition of the Water Nexus?”
Megan looked doubtful for a moment, perhaps nervous about revealing such crucial information in front of strangers. But Charlisa consoled her with one hand on the shoulder. “Do not worry, dear. We are all aware of the Conditions of each Nexus. For Fire and Water, it is temperature. If it grows too cold, your power decreases, yes?”
Megan nodded uncertainly, clearly wondering where this was going. Eric thought he had a clue to the point, but he kept quiet just to be sure. Charlisa continued. “For the Thunder Nexus, this weakness is less well-known. As far as we can tell, our own element also harms us. Ed, dear, please shoot a bolt into the sky.”
He did it at once, producing a wide and bright shot of electricity that arced harmlessly into the sky and out of sight. At once, Charlisa put a hand on his shoulder and shocked him. Eric cringed, expecting the attack to do some damage. But it didn’t.
“When I say our own element, of course, I do not mean the lightning that we produce. Rather, other forms of electricity harm us.”
She pulled an object out of her pocket and, as Ed held out an arm, placed it against his skin. Eric recognized the taser a split-second before she pressed the button, delivering a jolt of electricity into his body. He cried out in pain at once and recoiled but didn’t drop. She nodded her satisfaction. “Another lightning bolt, please.”
He lifted an arm and fired off another attack. Immediately, they could all tell that, compared to the first attack, it was visibly weaker. “That’s the difference. The negative side of your Condition weakens you. But I wonder, do any of you know what else the Condition does for you? Specifically, what happens if you encounter the opposite of your weakness?”
To Eric’s surprise, he heard Grimr’s voice reply. “We get stronger. But that only works for the Fire, Water, and Thunder Nexians. The Conditions for Air and Earth doesn’t have a positive side.”
“Sure it does,” Nick interrupted. “At least, we do.”
“As does Earth,” Charlisa put in. “Mind telling the class what Air Nexus’ Condition entails?”
“Sure. As long as our feet aren’t touching the ground, we’re much stronger. Well, not just touching the ground, but also moving. If we aren’t trapped, we’re powerful.”
“Correct,” Charlisa said, smiling approval. “That means that, with your feet on the ground, you are quite vulnerable. It is the opposite for Earth. With solid contact with the ground, you are powerful. But Lai Yang will demonstrate how Earth Nexians can draw more power in.”
One of the twins that Eric had noticed previously stepped out of the line. All eyes turned to her, and she crouched down to put on hand on the ground. There was a faint vibration, then a lump of some kind of raw metal appeared. She picked it up. “Metal.”
“Purer forms of earth empower you,” Charlisa explained further. “Technically, Earth Nexians are the easiest to maintain their Condition. I believe your robes are imbued with metal for this specific purpose, are they not?”
Li Yang nodded, then returned to the line. Charlisa regarded the group as a whole now. “To review. Fire Nexians are weaker in heat and stronger in cold. Water is weaker in cold and stronger in heat. Air is weaker when constrained, and stronger when they can move freely. And, as Li Yang demonstrated, Earth is weaker when unable to touch the earth, and stronger when they are in very close proximity to metal.”
Eric lifted a hand. “What about Thunder Nexus? We know what makes us weak. What makes us strong?”
“Our powers,” Charlisa answered. Then, seeing that he didn’t understand, beckoned her son closer again. “Observe. Ed, channel across your entire body, please.”
He did so, creating lightning along his entire body. Charlisa put one hand on his chest and activated her own power. At once, the electricity dancing along his body became more dense and significantly brighter. Eric could tell at once that with his Lieutenant’s aid, his output had nearly doubled. Was that a bond of blood, or her rank? Charlisa noticed the lingering confusion and clarified it for him.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“It is because I have become more experienced at this transfer of power,” she said. “It is the next step of your training as well. Mastering your Condition will only make you a more fierce opponent.”
“And so,” she said, dismissing Megan and Ed back to the line, “That is the goal of this week’s lessons. We’ll get you familiar with the concept, and it will be added to your usual training regiment from now on.”
She took a step back, and Kenta moved forward. “For the most effective training, you will be working against your opposites. This means that Fire and Water will work in pairs. Earth and Air as well. For the Thunder Nexians, you will be working with each other. I will be patrolling the practicing pairs, and I have a jolt baton.”
He produced the weapon now, and Eric grimaced, sure that his day would end with several shock marks on his body. Ed came up to him then, grinning widely. “Wanna work together?”
Eric shrugged, resolving to just get on with it. “Might as well.”
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Grimr paced under the thick canopy of trees, keenly aware of the cold snow soaking through the thick material of his boots and seeping against his legs. Despite the thick clothing he’d been provided upon his arrival to this strangely cold place, he was still frigid, and it was a struggle not to shiver. Only one place in Ahya was this cold, and Grimr had made it a habit to avoid the location whenever possible.
“Any luck yet?”
He paused mid-stride, shaking his head and smirking. “You must be enjoying this. Were we back home, I would have sensed your arrival at once.”
“I have to admit, I do enjoy the ability to sneak up on you from time to time. It’s not a feat that many can claim to have accomplished.”
Grimr turned to behold the tall man a few yards away and stepped closer. He was so pale that he would have easily blended in with the backdrop of white snow if it weren’t for the dark blue robe he wore. Well, that, and the jarring black hair that was visible. The man shivered slightly and glanced around.
“Strange meeting place you’ve picked,” Samuel commented. “Can’t say I’ve been this cold before, save for the Albarisk Mountains.”
“It can’t be helped,” Grimr retorted sourly. “It’s this cold across the entire damn state, as far as I can tell.”
“Yes, I did hear that Alaska was a very cold place,” Samuel agreed. “I assumed it was an exaggeration, but the stories seem to ring true. Have you been able to confirm the existence of this place known as the Permafrost?”
“I’ve been a little preoccupied, as you can imagine. But no, I have yet to discern its location, if only to satisfy your curiosity. Each of these people I ask simply points at the ground.”
“Shame,” Samuel said, looking disappointed. “Alright, moving on. What have you learned?”
Grimr paused a moment before launching into his explanation. It had been nearly four Earth months since the last time he’d spoken to Samuel, as he hadn’t gleaned much information. He would have preferred to work alone, of course, but he’d never encountered a mind as strong and organized as Samuel’s. He could help draw connections that Grimr himself might miss.
“I have learned the full secret behind the Conditions,” Grimr said. “Apparently, they will be the key to everything. That’s the full name for the thing that makes a Nexian weak.”
Samuel nodded his understanding, scribbling several new lines down in his notebook. “As an Earth Nexian, you grow weaker if you lose contact with the earth itself.”
“Yes. Apparently, as I have now learned, the same Condition can also give us more power.”
Samuel paused in his writing, frowning thoughtfully. “Is there a limit to this growth?”
Grimr shook his head, that smirk appearing again. “It seems only to be limited by practice and time, both of which I will have in great supply before we act.”
“Very good,” his fellow Ancient said, making another note. “Will it be enough to attack the Paragons?”
“They’re called Alphas here,” Grimr reminded him. “And I’m not sure. I’m inclined to believe so, but they’re powered by their own Condition. It seems that their version makes them invulnerable.”
“That is concerning,” Samuel said. Then he shrugged. But if you can invoke their Condition, I imagine they will merely be stronger versions of their followers.”
“That’s my thinking as well, and history seems to agree with me. Two previous Alphas have been killed by this method of attack.”
There was a distinct pause between them, then Grimr asked, “Have you had any success in finding Naturas?”
Samuel let out a long sigh. “I have not. I found three potential humans that could have been him, but they’re simply other Nexians. Still, one of them may well prove to be the solution to my second problem.”
“Learning how to use your trait against the Nexians?” Grimr asked critically, shifting his feet to see Samuel’s face better in the dim lighting. Not for the first time, he was annoyed by how little the sun seemed to rise in this part of the world.
Samuel nodded. “Indeed. It seems that my Dominion works regardless of the energy type. I can reflect or control it if I possess the same energy within myself.”
Now it was Grimr’s turn to give a long sigh. “Which, of course, means that you will have to acquire Nexian powers as well.”
“That won’t be difficult,” Samuel replied. “I have already managed to do exactly that. One of the three individuals I met agreed to share his power with me once I explained who and what I was. Don’t worry, he doesn’t suspect our mission.”
He added the last bit in reply to the look of consternation that flashed across his friend’s face. “His name is Henry Nelson. As far as I can tell, he doesn’t belong to any of the Nexuses you’ve told me about, but he is powerful in his own right. It seems he can copy the powers of the other Nexuses.”
“Hmm. That sounds very similar to a former Nexus I once heard of. The Spirit Nexus, was it? I’m not sure. But the word is that they were all wiped out.”
Samuel shrugged again. “I’d have to dig into it further. In the meantime, I am available if you require additional force.”
Grimr shook his head slowly. “Not right now. In time, yes. You’ll be a valuable addition, but spend more time practicing.”
“Very well.”
Another long silence stretched between them before Grimr asked the question that had been burning in his mind. “How is Sefina?”
“She’s perfectly well,” Samuel replied at once with a grin. He’d wondered how long it would take Grimr to broach the subject of his daughter. “She’s keeping herself busy by working with Elena on a few missions.”
“Good, good,” Grimr replied. “I suppose it’s only right that I ask after the others as well, isn’t it?”
Samuel’s grin widened. “It would only be fair for you to show concern, yes. Please tell Eric that Emily and Emma are in exquisite health. Their guard is keeping them safe. Michael is still working his hardest as a member of the College but doesn’t spend much time there. Last I heard, he was doing side work with Issho-Ni.”
“I see,” was Grimr’s only response. It made young Eric a more enthusiastic ally to receive constant updates about his family. “Thank you for the information. I’ll make sure to pass it on to them.”
“Strange that the Mother took such a keen interest in them,” Samuel said, putting his notebook away. “I wonder what her reasoning for that was.”
“Only the Mother can understand her motives,” Grimr said mysteriously. “We can only obey her will and help her however we can.”
“Indeed. But it will be interesting, having two new Ancients in the world. I suppose you’ll want to take a hand in training them.”
Grimr let out a snort of laughter. “Hardly. I’ll leave that to you. It will be a drain upon my patience, but I sense that you’ll love it.”
“True enough. Until next time, then. Do be careful, Grimr. As you’re aware, you are very vulnerable in this world.”
“As are you,” Grimr replied. “I know what I have to do to survive.”
He turned away then, making his way back to the large hill that housed the Thunder Nexus, only vaguely aware of the flash of energy that Samuel used as he vanished, returning to their world to continue his own work. He experienced a flash of irritation and impatience as he thought of how long they had left to wait before acting. Calm yourself, he said firmly. Patience is your greatest weapon at this time. He needed to be stronger before he took on a war against every Nexian in this world.
**Samuel, the character shown toward the end of this chapter, is another Ancient from the world of Ahya. He is the main character in the Tomes of Ahya trilogy (Tome of the Body, Tome of the Mind, and Tome of the Soul), and features heavily in many of my other stories. He is a strong ally in Grimr’s mission, though his work is largely behind the scenes.