“Breathe, you two.” Valande smacked both upside the head. It was enough to do it and pull them from shock. “No more fainting. Thank Fate for saving you both.”
“No need. We’re even now after this.” Fate said. “I need them alive for as long as I’m able. Ever since Ethan saved a House, even with Sheedan’s dabbling, millions of souls have been saved all around the word. Demons were reminded of the Accords and the strength of Order. And not just human, animals too. Ethan’s life is worth more to me than he knows. And since Kanade is his life, I am keeping her alive as well.”
“But why did you destroy the paper? How many more screw up will I make, Fate?”
“And that is precisely the problem you have.” Fate grew back into the handsome man and stared Ethan eye to eye. “Your instincts are what make you so well liked and trusted. When you do not think, you succeed. Thinking is your downfall. Just like flying, you simply did. You are not good at following guidelines when your gut is telling you what is right and wrong. When you do think, you screw everything up. Your freedom is what gets things done better than I can calculate. Like I heard you tell Lillianna Calliema on how to become a leader, be yourself. Demons especially do not like strict rules. And since you are the only being of an Order Warrior no longer under my influence, they will recognize a bit of Chaos in you to listen. It is why I’ve listened to how well Kyoko spoke of you. She is an influential denizen of Chaos who recognizes a fellow untamed being. Following Morom’s list won’t get you what is needed. Be yourself, not what they try making you do. I haven’t a clue how much longer I can see probabilities of future events with these changes you are undergoing, but I will do as I can.
“Now if you will excuse me I have to speak with the council on another matter concerning the finishing touches on the near destroyed House you saved.” With that, Ethan blinked and not only was Fate gone, so too was his great power.
Kanade turned and buried her head in his chest for a much needed hug. His wings wrapped around her for comfort, but sharing her fear that he likely could have gotten her killed in body and soul.
After another minute he tipped her chin up. “Listen, it didn’t happen. But even if I don’t like the jackass, I’ll do as he said and keep a close eye on Gaia. I’d still like you to be at my side, but after hearing that prediction I’ll understand if you don’t.”
Gold eyes locked and solidified. “I’m goin’. And that’s final. It hasn’t happened yet and I’m grateful Fate helped us. We ought not worry so much. But he is right, when you just do rather than think, you can accomplish anythin’.”
“You want me to be an airhead you mean?”
The pensiveness in his wrinkled brow had her laughing softly as she hugged him tightly. “No. Be who I love always. Mother, are you well?”
“Hardly. Hearing Lord Fate tell how you could have had a true death is unsettling. Do not leave your angel’s side until I return from Spirit World. I need to be comforted by Mikhale.” And with that stoically said she flew away and was soon far for even his new eyes to see.
“Run or fly? Lunch is about to start.” Kanade prompted.
“Since flying is so easy, I need to get used to my legs a bit more.”
Soon enough they were racing over the ground faster than anyone else till they caught up with their friends near the castle, eagerly awaiting news on what Fate had to say. Their eagerness was sobered up real quick at what had been told, especially since most loved Kanade. After that settled in, for lunch all they could talk about was his flying skills. And Blake said he and Reevy were going to spar against him tomorrow if Vlande didn’t return. They had plans to visit Atlas.
After lunch Merlin resumed training Ethan in magic with Kanade off to the side working on rings she ordered for all of them going. Like with Ethan’s new form, so had his power in casting. He jumped from level Seven all the way to Nineteen A in the three days he was out. A remarkable and unheard of advancement. Plus as he writes he can leave energy in the air to do more complex spells he was getting the hang of. As a result he was given nearly every rune to memorize.
Later they flew home to give Kanade her surprise for helping all morning. And now that he had more control and knew how to move, she was living in bliss all over the room.
Right before dinner they were cuddled up watching one of her favorite classic shows Little House on the Prairie when he checked his computer after getting alerted by a gentle chime. He picked it up and opened the message. “YES!”
Kanade looked up as he had completely pushed her from his mind. “Why did you toss me out? And what is with that cheeky grin?”
“Your surprise is done.”
“What surprise?” She sat up, half lying though she had a good idea what it was yet he didn’t know she knew.
“The one I’ve had made with a good chunk of what I got from the war. It was done faster than anticipated…” He smiled slowly as he watched her head tilt questioningly. “After the meeting in two days I’ll reveal it. I hope you like being swept off your feet.”
“You know I do. Can you tell me what it is?”
He only shook his head and got up to slide into his black leather armor and gauntlets which were a bit snug, but as soon as they were on the silver growing sequence started illuminating and fed of him to ever so slowly fit ideally.
Dinner went by in a blur. Inside their room they separated as he put on a new pair of safety glasses custom made along with new earplugs. Kanade went back to watching her movies while Ethan went down to the forge. With a sigh of relief he was glad all buildings were so spacious and tall. In a normal house he wouldn’t be able to stand. The ceiling would scrape against his wings sticking up.
As soon as he opened the metal door Celestia stopped welding links on chainmail from the workbench, green eyes flying wide before narrowing. “Dress’ description didn’t do you justice. Bloody hell, you are bigger than me.” Her English accent was impressed. “I saw your first flight with Kanade. After some work, do you wish to fly with me for once?”
“I would be honored, Celestia.” Ethan bowed graciously. “How have things been going without me here to help?”
“About the same as usual. I eat, sleep and work down here while it is dark. Have been since four this afternoon.” She rose from the bench and fluffed her ever flaming wings. “As for other issues. I’ve had you recognized as a Forgemaster like me and informed all my clients, thanks to Dress, about our partnership here. Also I spoke with Tattoo and created a joint account we two alone can access to buy purified materials, but I also added that each finished creation we make, whatever cost is left over will be directly transferred to our private accounts at the time of delivery.”
“Good to know. Celestia, since you work longer hours these days, let me focus on basic creations like swords, shields and lances. I’ll also make rods so you can focus on more intricate designs like chainmail and gauntlets. I need to learn how to control my new strength and need to go back to basics.”
“A wise decision I was going to bring up actually. I’ve already compiled a client list from weapons I hadn’t had time to finish on the racks outside. Get started on those blanks and work at your own pace and find the rhythm again.”
“On it.” He heated the plate tablet of Phoenix writing and soon the scratches changed to understandable letters as he walked outside to grab a longsword and realized with his new size, it was barely a standard hand and a half rather than a two. Back inside he grabbed a much larger hammer than usual since the others weren’t as comfortable anymore. Then he began working, easily finding the perfect rhythm his body agreed with.
Celestia though stopped what she was doing for nearly fifteen minutes to gawk, not only from the weight of each blow, but the speed in which they dropped. It was more of a continuous note that didn’t fade, but ever since he began using magic he used an effective quenching method she could not use as he heated and cooled while folding and hammering simultaneously. His mind able to multitask like that of a Spirit Gu
ide allowed balls of water to follow his strikes while his natural fire tendencies stretched, folded and stretched metal again all without compromising the integrity of the weapon.
In one hour he did all two hundred folds and hammered it out with a softer mallet to no longer see any tool marks. He didn’t realize it but she said it. “Really? Just an hour rather than all night?”
“Did I stutter?” She huffed. “Let me have the sword.” He passed it carefully over though it had yet to be sharpened. She looked closely and used weak streams of fire to detect any internal flaws and the pecked the center to hear it give a crisp, clean song. “Astounding. You made a perfect blade in one hour that would have taken me all night. Let it gradually cool outside for an hour before sharpening the edges. I’m jealous, but like all hens, it is good to see our chick’s surpass us. Just as you’ve done.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’d still be slower if I as human. Only my body has surpassed your speed.”
“So it is. Now get back to work.”
Ethan grinned and she made her version of a smile.
Afterwards they went outside to fly around and enjoyed the freedom of the sky.
Chapter 9
“Take care, Lad.” Odin clapped his shoulder as he walked away.
Ethan walked off the balcony ledge that led straight from the council room where he had one last briefing to know exactly where Kyoko sent the information on where the meeting will take place. His wings spread in the sunlight at around ten in the morning to lazily glide to the main entrance of the castle. His most recent height was nine and a half feet tall and Kanade’s had become eight foot seven, also declining the potion. It seemed with his growth not controlled by the lavender colored potion in his blood, her own height had started increasing due to daily romps of lovemaking. But now she had to spell her own necklace because her own aura became deadly, breaking beyond the original limitations placed upon her inside the egg she hatched from. Now her necklace burned like he mother’s helmet, only with exchangeable discs to not burn her necklace out, but could be hidden in a shirt down her cleavage. The small discs were held on a clasp on the backside.
Valande came back the next morning after leaving, but not alone. Mikhale came as well, being relieved by Fate who took it upon himself to personally look into Ethan’s ancestry, which would be faster. How much so, Ethan couldn’t fathom. But with the return of the in-laws came the realization that Mikhale eagerly fought Ethan with the bars Valande had made. Long story short, Ethan got his ass kicked by daddy dearest for several hours. Brutal to say the least. Ethan learned how to use his hard and supple wings both offensively and defensively along with his tail to merely survive. Nevertheless, Mikhale didn’t get so much as a gentle touch when Ethan went on the attack. He was so outclassed it wasn’t funny, nor was all the blood splattered from the punishing blows that would kill less resilient creatures. Even skin tough as stone broke with enough force.
Force Mikhale had in great excess.
But the teachings were productive and rapid healing had never before been such a benefit or a blessing.
The waiting group was all too easy to see with two helmet blazing Enforcers wearing very little while it was snowing. Those gathered were all looking at their rings Kanade was passing out and explaining their capabilities, unaware for several minutes of his casual approach till he flapped his wings and easily landed. While folding them he asked “Everyone set and ready for this?”
“Strolling up to a group of Demon Lords has been a long time dream.” The Wizard’s twin brother cheerfully commented.
“Where are we going?” Blake asked as he adjusted his headset.
Floa landed on Ethan’s shoulder, wearing a simple silver ring around her hips like a belt. “Jakarta, Indonesia.”
“Seriously?” Kira asked. “One of the most populated cities in the world? I would have at least expected one of the poles or some faraway place.”
“Well Sheedan has almost no influence there. Methrom the red Dragon is allowing his territory to be used since he commands the most Dragons and Shamans of the five. We will arrive just outside West Cikarang in a rural area for pickup in a large semi owned and protected by Order. Kanade and I will keep aerial surveillance and take care of any idiots who might try stopping us. Be aware, six and a half thousand Dragons will be flying perimeter so do not attack unless done so first. They know we are coming so don’t be afraid when you see two large black ones running escort when we hit the city. From there we go to a stadium sealed off from all humans and exterior Translocation until we go inside. We had a well done drill yesterday. Hopefully I’ll not screw it up.” He looked meaningfully at Kanade who simply softened her already gentle smile. “Anything else?”
“Why a populated area?” Kira asked again.
“Don’t know. Probably a large food source for the five I’d wager. Big populations eaten from slowly hold less impact if the only Spirit Energy they can eat are ours in a lifeless place.”
“Good point, Boyo. Hadn’t considered that.”
“Everyone set?” Nods came all around as Kanade hugged her parents, kissed their cheeks goodbye and hurried to her man’s side to weave her fingers in his. “Floa, look at my screen and do it.”
Leader Ethan was in command, not Normal Awkward Ethan. Floa smiled and looked at the coordinates displayed of the lens to then clap her hands.
Snow, cold and ice was left behind to see the land relatively warm and lush with vegetation since it was much closer to the equator than Gairlochy. New smells filled Ethan’s sensitive nose along with strong tingling energy to the east. The wind carried the smell of humans, animals and the stronger odors of Demons, mainly the strongest scents being many Dragons. Several hundred yards ahead waited a brand new black semi mobile command trailer with a Gargoyle driver waving at passing cars honking as he lounged on the hood. To humans the naked Gargoyle appeared as a truck driver taking a break on the side of the road, enjoying the open afternoon sun beating down from above. The group also enjoyed the change of temperature.
“Isn’t this nice?” Nell stretched her arms with her strung horn bow clutched tight. “All the carbon in the air is so gooood!”
“Yes, Love. Sunlight also brings the best out of you too.” Magnus smiled behind his faceplate.
The only Gargoyle on the team flew ahead and greeted the driver while all others walked normally across the field not afraid of the humans driving up and down the road. Though it seemed casual, eyes darted everywhere, waiting to be attacked at any moment. The only fun loving ones were the twin Wizards leading the pack. The back door lowered out to make a ramp, showing the trailer was a newly built mobile command center. All along it were protective runes over a forest green paint job. Nearly everyone climbed inside the air conditioned interior and rechecked their weapons and supplies for the umpteenth time. The team’s female Gargoyle landed on top of the truck’s cabin and held onto a ring to stand sentinel.
Blake hit the close button saying to the tall pair “Be careful up there and roast a few more fire breathers. I wouldn’t mind a few more supplies to add to my collection.”
“Will do!” Ethan raised his hand as the hatch shut tight. “Ready to go, Beautiful?” He asked as the new truck roared to life, but gave off no emissions to add to the polluted air annoying his nose.
Kanade answered as she leapt up and flew. He was right beside her and they leveled off about a mile up.
From the advantage of altitude, Ethan saw many flying reptiles circling the city and they were spotted as well when four beasts hovered at the edge of the Shaman erected barrier, waiting. Ethan gave the signal, sending jets of flame up above his head. Five quick bursts and two half minute long ones was the signal. One of the four turned around and flew into the city to send word while the three held position.
A half hour later they reached the city limits. Two huge black dragons dropped down from the sky to land on either side of the semi and ran fluidly despite their size, like loping jungle ca
ts. To those veiled, it looked like three average semis driving down the road. The third dragon was a sleek brown one. Clearly female by her less than bulky frame and sleek form. Her large maw opened to ask “You the Elemental?”
“Care to find out?” Ethan threw back.
Dragon’s had no facial muscles and when her lips drew back it was fearsome and could be construed as a threat or a smile. Her words though gravelly were lighthearted. “One day maybe, but not today. Master waits with other masters. Follow.” Her neck nearly folded in on itself as she spun around and led the way.
In Ethan’s ear he heard Ellen say “Tis not natural to tempt a Dragon… Ethan, look down so I may establish routes if we must flee. Tis best to cover our rumps. Fear not the skies. Blake and Magnus are watching the two of you and Kira is making sure no invisible enemies come our way.” He looked down, knowing she was fanatical about routes since it was her specialty and he had the best vantage.
Below, Ethan spotted Harpies, Goblins and Ghouls acting as sentinels on top of every major building, not daring to take the sky with so many giant reptiles filling it. Elves popped in from time to time, checking the convoy’s progress and remarkably the streets were being cleared. Lights from police diverted traffic, most being Demons in uniform. Still, it was the oddest escort Ethan had ever seen and Kanade mentally explained it was extremely rare. Most times it was a trap. Due to the seriousness of world events, no chances were taken.
Soon they angled toward a closed sports stadium with huge demonic runes carved into the roof to ward off prying eyes and teleportation. Much of the area was open and not a single human walked the streets around it. Hundreds of Shamans, mostly short, yellow skinned Elves, but there were a few other kinds. One of the biggest Dragons, a nearly sterling silver one, laid on the roof. One large black claw lit up bright red with demonic energies.
02 Wrath of Flames Page 33