By the time Claymore's research party reached Manaus, any evidence of Shadow Fang ever being in the city was gone. Only a day had passed since Silver delivered the dryad Jurya into the custody of the White Castle. Shadow Fang could have had powerful Earth mages on his side, but to do something like this meant that the vampire had more than just a militia working for him.
The research party's leader was Elen Nizzola, a siren of siren descent. She had heard of Shadow Fang's influence even before he reached the 100-year mark of his vampiric existence. However, his raw charisma never had a chance to manifest anything substantial before his first disappearance. After encountering the human girl in one of the werewolves' territories, his reputation plummeted to unredeemable lows. Now the question was, what did Shadow Fang have that an army of people would follow him?
The Amazons of the region were closely associated with Shadow Fang, according to Silver's report. They were just as unwilling to cooperate as the account suggested, which forced the research party to subjugate the Amazons. Elen would have to use her singing to pry information out of the women warriors, but she didn't want to use her manipulation powers. Before the attempt was made, thankfully, the research party received an anonymous info leak that gave them access to the Amazon's computers, evidence of them working with Shadow Fang and everything else they needed from the Amazons. Such detailed information had to come from one of the Amazons, and the only ones that weren't accounted for were Bethânia and Josefa. A mystery for another day.
With the Amazons in custody under the authority of King Claymore, they had no choice but to help the research group get through the forest and to the pyramid that Shadow Fang was at. The problem was with Quetzalcoatl. The vampire somehow managed to make a deal with the forest dragon to loot a ruin within her territory undisturbed. Elen was struggling to think of a way to get the same treatment.
A few days passed, and the research team was struggling to progress. The siren was on top of a building overlooking the rainforest. Two orcs stood behind Elen as her bodyguards. They were nice to have around, but she couldn't take her face mask off, making it harder to smell the high-altitude air. The view would have to be enough for her to consider the next steps.
Unfortunately, her train of thought was disrupted when her two bodyguards noticed something climbing on the side of the building. They pulled out their weapons -- modern pistols and large knives -- as a suit of armor appeared. Elen didn't move as she wasn't sure how to react to what she saw and heard.
Each clack of the armor's feet on the ceiling rattled its insides. The sound was hollow. Was this thing a construct? It couldn't be since her feathers began to bristle, a sign of some other living existence in that armor.
"Stop moving, or we'll strike!" commanded one of the orcs.
"But what if you accidentally hit this," the figure said as they pulled stacks of parchment inside the armor. The voice was metallic and cocky. What's more, Elen noticed the armor wasn't holding a physical body inside, but she was sure it was filled with something barely visible. "I can't read the language, so I don't know the exact one you need."
"What are you talking about?" asked Elen. This person couldn't be suggesting that he somehow knew what the research party was looking for and managed to get it quickly.
"You tell me. All I know is that you needed documents from the pyramid to help Silver."
Elen wasn't sure what to think about this person. She was scared of what he could do, but he was trying to help the party help Silver. The orcs raised their weapons, but they were also growing nervous.
"Who are you, and why are you helping Silver?" asked Elen.
"I'm not ready to reveal exactly who I am just yet. Silver's not ready for the shock, and neither am I. For now, you can call me Shade."
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I started to think about my brother and how he never feared heights. He would make fun of my lack of excitement to look over the edge of a tall building to see the unique view it offered. Like most people, it was the potential of falling that scared me. The higher you were, the greater the difficulty of safely landing on the ground. When I asked why he was undisturbed by being high up, he explained that if you are willing to put yourself in such a position, you've accepted the consequences. I couldn't make sense of it at the time.
As the air rushed in my ears as I got closer to the sand beneath me, my brother's words still didn't make sense. Thankfully, I had the power to save everyone.
The wind created by the elementals was too strong for BD to maneuver in. Raya was constantly getting tossed around when she tried to catch Mindplay. The elementals were tactfully keeping everyone separate. I tried to fall toward Raya to test if the elementals could push me with the wind. I was proven correct, to my dismay, as the wind separated us further away.
I had to disperse the elementals somehow.
Can we burn them?
What would be burning? The air? The magic?
Magic. I cut the force field back at the pyramid, which was made of magic. The problem was I couldn't remember how I did that. What good would it do me if I couldn't see my targets?
Suddenly, my consciousness began to slip into another memory I recognized from my past lives. I remembered the feeling from the rainforest when Jurya put me to sleep and experienced nightmares. If I allowed myself to fall into the memory, whatever took over my body could defeat the elementals. However, doing so meant I would have to experience the pain and heartache that my past life experienced.
The ground was getting closer.
I was out of options and time. I had to trust myself no matter how painful it would feel.
As I allowed other memories to flood my mind, I didn't go unconscious like I did before. I saw myself summon ten spectral blades that glowed gold and seemed to rip into the magic in the air. In a blink, I was standing in an inn with its walls painted with the blood of dead bodies around me. I blinked again, standing next to someone who reminded me of my brother, but the area wasn't a place that I, as Joe, had ever been to. Were my memories mixing together?
Each time I blinked, my vision swapped between memories and present-day events. BD was able to catch Raya and Mindplay. Distorted howls reverberated in the air. I was standing on the ground.
"Silver!" said a voice I recognized. Whose voice was it?
My consciousness was back in the present with Mindplay's hand on my chest. It was like someone had removed the covers from my head. I fell backward but was caught by BD, still in her giant form.
"Are you still with us, Silver?" Mindplay asked with a concerned look. Was he the one who was calling my name before?
Looking around, I sighed with relief, noting that everyone seemed okay.
"Good to see everyone landed safely, " I said.
"By the way, thanks for that. It was challenging for you to do that. BD, can we get back in the air?"
"I can still fly," explained BD, "but the skies may still be unsafe. Those were infant elementals, yet they attacked purposefully."
"What does that mean?" asked Mindplay.
"Some monsters have transitional forms," I explained, using my freshly upturned memories. "The 'younger' they are, the less sentient they act. If these infant elementals could attack us using tactics, someone's controlling them."
"Shouldn't someone deal with them?" asked Raya. She was keeping watch in case more elementals tried to attack us.
"The Elementalist," answered BD. "Two were talking to Claymore last night. We should talk to them about what's going on."
"If they don't know, we could hire one to accompany us to the mountains. They are more proficient in fighting…" My mind started to slip. Joe's memories were getting drowned by generations of other lives.
Once Mindplay put his hand on my shoulder, I stabilized myself. I looked at him but didn't say anything, even when a word popped into my head.
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Later.
It was in Mindplay's voice. However, I had to wait to ask questions because we needed to focus on getting out of the open sand. According to BD, there was an elementalist city nearby. Getting there would guarantee our safety if more elementals started to attack us. BD transformed into a form without wings and legs that was best for moving through the sands. Once everyone mounted the wyvern, she ran straight for the nearest city.
On our way, we passed a group of creatures eating avian animals that fell from the sky because of the elemental attacks. These creatures had long, smooth carapaces and crab claws that they could fold in front of them like shields. They had short legs and big clawed feet for digging. Standing not too far from the creature was a person dressed like the Elementalist. I steered BD in their direction, hoping they might have some information for us. At the very least, it seemed best to ask if they were okay.
The stranger turned towards us and pulled down his face mask as we approached. He was a young man and showed signs that he was an Elementalist. The vessel at his side had fire swirling around inside. His hair grew to his shoulders and was unnaturally red. Once I got off of BD, the Elementalist greeted me.
"Looks like you got through that safely," said the Elementalist as if he was waiting for us to arrive.
"You saw what happened?" I asked.
"I saw you crashing. I would have helped you if you weren't so far away."
"Nice to know you were willing to help," said Mindplay sarcastically.
"I wasn't worried. The black-and-white dragon meant Silver was around. Speaking of which, what knocked you out of the sky?"
"Air elementals," I explained. "I'm under the impression that elementals have recently become more of a problem. What do you know about that?"
"Nothing. I just got to the area."
"You're not from around here?"
"Elementalists are everywhere in Skyland. I was heading to Riyou when I stumbled onto this scene." The Elementalist pointed to the feasting crab creatures.
"We were on our way to the mountain," I explained, "Now, we were hoping to find an Elementalist that could help us deal with the elementals and give insight on what's going on."
"It would be an honor to assist you if you're willing," the Elementalist said excitedly. "You'll still need to go to Riyou for your answer."
The Elementalist introduced himself as Harqu. While his addition would be instrumental in progressing to the mountain, I had a dreadful sense of déjà vu. I couldn't assume Harqu's intentions were only self-interested because Beth did the same. Even still, I had to be careful.
BD continued to run on the sand to reach Riyou. Even though we had an Elementalist, reserving the person's energy would've been better. Only the air elementals were the most active, while other threats on the ground could be outrun by BD.
Eventually, we stood before the Elementalist city's gates. The city's buildings were made of sand held up by the magic of the spell casters. It was surrounded by rock walls with jagged points on the top. Many buildings were as tall as skyscrapers, while some were broken in half. On top of the destroyed structures, other Elementalists worked to fix the buildings. Four guards stood alert, holding up their vessels like watchmen lighting a dark path.
They let us through the gate without question, and one said they would take us to see their leader. The sudden nature of the request surprised us, but it would be the leader if anyone could explain the elemental situation. We got off of BD once we were inside, and she shrunk and perched on my shoulder. The streets felt hollow, with only a handful of Elementalists, like the guards at the gate, diligently patrolling the streets. Occasionally, normal humans and other monsters opened their doors and windows to curiously watch me and my friends pass their homes.
After uncomfortably walking through the city, we were led inside an oasis with dense trees and cool air. The path was cramped, barely having enough space for my arms as they rubbed against the trees. I started smelling tea before we reached the first clearing. It was accompanied by a wispy male voice that came from all directions.
"At long last, you arrived," said the voice.
Rounding a corner revealed the center of the oasis. The pool of water reflected light that pierced through the canopy like polished crystal. Flowers on lily pads floated atop the water, undisturbed by the fish that swam beneath. Birds and lizards went through the trees, stopping by the stone oven with a kettle hanging over the fire. Furniture was scattered all over the place, but each piece was unique and didn't have a unifying design.
Out of all the eye-catchers, the lanky man with hair like grass was the strangest thing. He was twice my height but half as wide. His skin glowed, signifying he was in good health, but his bones pushed against his skin.
The man was pouring tea using a different kettle into five cups.
"Before we move on, what did my informants tell you about the situation?" asked the lanky man.
"Informants?" I asked in return.
"The two Elementalists I sent to the castle. That's why you're here, correct?"
He must be talking about the ones that were talking to Claymore yesterday.
"We were going to the mountain before air elementals attacked us. I might know about your informants, but I wasn't ordered to come here," I explained.
The lanky man took a moment to process what I said, his face downcast. "So, Claymore isn't taking me seriously."
"Claymore understands the severity of the situation," said BD, "and we have experienced the kind of trouble the elementals are causing."
I follow through with BD's words. "Tell us what is going on, Mr…."
"Perrin, Voice of the Song Birds, and Baron of the Lower Deserts. I am the leader of the Lower Deserts' Elementalist tribes. Elementals have been running wild with a boldness I've never seen before. This could only happen if someone controls them, but I can't figure out who."
"Who has the power to control elementals?" asked Raya.
"The most likely suspect is another Elementalist."
"But that's not the only suspect," Mindplay inquired.
Perrin grew silent at the PI's intuitive claim. After I gave him a glare, he began to explain.
"There is only one other possibility, but it is impossible," Perrin said confidently.
Harqu spoke up. "If that other possibility is what I think it is, it's the only one that makes sense."
Everyone looked towards the baron, and I asked, "What is he talking about?"
"No," said Perrin, "it's not worth discussing because I wouldn't have allowed it to exist."
"It's a jinn," said Raya with a hint of horror.
"Mind your words, woman!" exclaimed Perrin.
My teeth sharpened, and my claws grew out. A low growl slipped through my lips, making Perrin back down.
"I'm sorry," he said to me and then to Raya. He sat down at the table with the cups of tea and took one for a drink. After a long sip, he placed the cup down and explained. "Truthfully, a jinn is the only other option, but for that to be true, it would mean that an elemental could grow to the highest level of maturity under my watch and my protection. Do you know what that would mean for my reputation?"
Mindplay chimed in. "Who's to say it came from here? It could have been someone else who messed up and landed here."
"That is very likely and might be what happened if this is a jinn. However, just as one cannot predict the wind, no one can know where a jinn comes from--only where they nest. Unless proven otherwise, I will be seen as responsible for not dealing with the jinn until now."
"Speak clearly, baron Perrin," said Raya, "is this or is this not a jinn we are dealing with?"
"I tell you honestly, I don't know. I know Vig Faldir, at the highest mountain peak, has been dealing with an increasingly worsening snowstorm. A few Elementalists stationed there tried to investigate and didn't return. I sent some more to figure out what was going on. Some went to investigate while the remainder were in the town updating me. Once again, the investigators didn't return. I sent word to Claymore, hoping he would send help."
"Help is here," I said, trying to give hope to the Barron, "and we will deal with whatever is causing this chaos."
"You can't promise that," Raya objected. "We are at a disadvantage in terms of information. I've never fought a jinn, let alone know how to kill one."
"If anyone can do it, it's you three," Minplay said, referring to Raya, BD, and me. "If we can take on a whole camp of monsters, what's one wish-granting blue man going to do?"
"There are so many things wrong with that last half."
"I think that's all the information we can get here," I said. "Hopefully, we can learn more at the mountain's peak before fighting whatever awaits us."
"I'll let the blizzard team know you are making your way to them," said the Barron. "Before you go, would you like some tea?"
Harqu, Mindplay, Raya, and I drank the tea on the table to avoid being rude. The tea was lukewarm, bitter, and hard to swallow, with small leaf clippings sliding down my throat. Raya was the only one who could drink the tea without her face twisting in disgust. Regardless, we all took in the last drop in our cups and felt warmth. We could now stave off the cold thanks to the Barron's brew.
Before we left, Raya wanted to check a library or someplace with a cataloged collection about jinns and how to deal with them. With the help of Mindplay, she spent hours researching every document that wasn't considered classified. Once she was done, she explained to the whole group that most of the jinn were dealt with in Skyland by sealing them in vessels rather than destruction like their lesser counterparts. While nothing outright said jinns couldn't be defeated outside of sealing, there had been no recorded attempts to figure out such an alternative.
I looked down at my hands, wondering if I had the power to destroy a jinn.
My claws were able to cut through a force field I found in the pyramids. When I used Silver's Cry, I could disperse the elementals. Which mean-
Yes. You can do the same with the jinn since it, too, is made of magic. Be careful, though. That part of your ability should be seen as something other than an instant win tool.
I refrained from voicing the idea since it wasn't much of a solution. While applicable, it wouldn't change my combat role.
With Harqu, we confidently took to the skies towards the snow-covered peaks. I didn't recognize it before, but one of the mountaintops had a cloud circling it. I thought it was an aesthetic choice similar to the moon in the White Castle region. As we got closer, the howling winds grew louder and more vicious, forcing Harqu to use his magic to deflect any elementals that tried to knock us down. Because he was essentially fighting the wind, it was hard to know if he was doing anything other than waving his hands around.
The air grew colder. The inanimate wind threw frost into our faces. My hood transformed into a thick jacket, and I covered my head with my hood. I felt bad for the others, but there was little I could do.
Finally, BD landed on the icy stone and quickly curled up in my jacket even before anyone got off her back. Harqu and I were the only ones who weren't shivering, so we guided Raya and Mindplay into a warm building. We rushed under a sign that held firm against the wind, but its backside was disgustingly scared from what might have been hail pellets. In a language I couldn't read, it had written the name of the town we were now tasked to save.
BD translated: Vig Faldir, the City of the Giant Slayers.