My mind reeled at the declaration that Zotherg was the whole mountain. How powerful would he have to be to have such a size? I thought to myself. Then glee overcame me as I thought about how I had such a powerful ally right under me.

Zotherg once again predicted my thoughts and said, "Unfortunately my lord I am unable to interact in the world or sign a contract with you to lend my power."

"Why!", I asked frustrated.

"You see my lord there are laws that bind us. Once an elemental reaches the borderline of the demi-god realm, we are no longer allowed to take action in the world without signing a contract. A mortal of too low a level cannot sign a contract with a god. It would break the law of objectivity." Zotherg stated.

"You're a DEMI-GOD?!!!", I asked.

"Not quite I am Almost a demi-god. I am only a few levels away but without a contractor powerful enough I cannot level up further. Once again it's all because of laws. We elementals are born immortal and nearly impossible to kill. So the universe dictated that leveling must be harder for us and have strict requirements. That's why some of us chose to create the elves, fairies, and pixies in an attempt to cross the barrier." Zotherg replied.

I put on a pouting face that to others would have looked like I was about to have a crying fit and asked, "can you at least teach me magic?".

I felt a pitying emotion before zotherg said, " unfortunately I do not know the spells that mortals use. We elementals control magic with our souls. We bind our souls to our element when we're born. Supplying mana to our bodies allows us to use it as a medium to control our element. Then using our souls, we can shape our magic with our minds. We call this process weaving, and only elementals can do it."

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

I sighed as I looked at nobody, "Well at least I'm not in immediate danger."

I felt a sudden tension from Zotherg and silence. The chatty elemental wasn't telling me something. I felt the emotional equivalent of not looking me in the eye.

"what?", I asked.

Zotherg hesitated a moment, contemplating what or how he should tell me something. Then he spoke, "The birth of an elf attracts the attention of wild demonic beasts. Normally your parents would have struggled, especially with you but I intervened. Although I'm not allowed to move, I sent out my aura and intent to keep them away. It has worked so far, but the more intelligent beasts will eventually figure out my bluff".

"WHAT THE HELL MAN!!! You're the only reason I'm still alive, and you are telling me now that I'm in imminent danger," I rebuked.

"At least at the moment, you are safe. Your father is a strong warrior that served the previous elf king. There is, however, an even bigger issue you are unaware of." Zotherg said Flustered as he sent me a mental image.

It was of a baby with pointy ears laying on a makeshift crib. The room was very familiar, and the baby appeared to be looking at the ceiling with his bright gold colored eyes. I studied it for a second and said," that's me isn't it?".

"Yes," Zotherg flatly replied.

I felt a cold sweat pour down my spine," How bad is having gold eyes?"

Zotherg's voice turned a deep grating whisper, " It's extremely rare, and every human noble and ruler would pay a wagon of gold for your head on a platter. they would pay a castle's worth for you in shackles."

I finally understood why my mother was so worried.  The reason she had been overprotective of me. I had a massive target on me. My parents were all that stood between the world and me. They were my guardians and loved me. I could trust they would do everything they could to protect me, but that's what worried me the most.

I didn't care about dying. I did not fear death as I had died once already, but I was becoming attached to my new family. I already knew that if someone cut them down to get to me, I would never forgive myself.