Chapter Chapter Nine

I’m beyond angry at this point. They’re afraid of Gstalt after all these years. They want him destroyed. Yet they’re too afraid to fight him. They can’t even stand up for themselves when Gstalt is making it pretty clear he wants to be his stronger self. If Gstalt returns to his original strength, then it’s all over for them. It was hard enough to fight him back then. He’s weaker now, which is why they should strike.

Maybe I can plan a different form of attack, but I really don’t have many options for spells that work with dark magic. Much like the color black, dark magic can absorb all color. The trick to fighting it is to not attack it directly. With the elements gathered, I can use their energy to absorb a certain kind of magic from a particular target and store it in a direct source. I’m not directly attacking it, which is key. Most absorption spells attack the power to dwindle it to allow it to be absorbed. This is usually because the source is not strong enough to store the necessary amount of power. It’s also extremely draining for the user and can cost them their life.

In order for me to find something to trap Gstalt’s magic in it, it has to be strong. Gstalt’s magic is extremely unstable, and it must be tamed. I used the elemental stones for that while I drained him. His magic is linked into a stone that I have placed within me. Since my power is so strong, I’m unaffected by having his magic inside me. However, if I were to start turning evil his magic would start to affect me, and my own power. This is one of the many reasons I cannot let myself even give into the bad side a little. It was a trade I am willing to make; but it made purgatory a lot harder than it needed to be. Only the damned survive there.

I find Liza in the stable. She’s been groomed and she’s resting. I feel bad taking her, but I really must be going. “Where are you going?” A voice asks behind me.

I turn my head as I jump. “Garth, you startled me.” I whisper. “It’s time to leave. I won’t find what I need here.”

“What do you need?” He sighs as he comes to stand next to me. “You’re keeping an awful lot to yourself.”

“Well I did just come back to life so I’m not really wanting to share right now.” I sigh sarcastically. “Let’s go then. Find the boys.”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

I groan as I turn around. “Why not?”

“Who are you?” Garth demands as Jon steps into view. He has two guards on either side, Mary behind them.

Jon ignores him. “We need to talk Callia.”

“She’s not going anywhere without an explanation.” Garth snaps as he steps between us.

I sigh as I put my hand on Garth’s shoulder. “Garth, this is Jon. He is the Elder and strongest of the Wind Gods. It would be wise to address him accordingly.” I drop my hand, “you’ve said all you need to say Jon. You will not fight. There is no need to remain in your city when you’re a bunch of cowards.”

“We’re not cowards Callia.” Jon nearly growls. “We’re cautious. Are you even aware of what has happened in this world since you departed from it?”

“I was a little busy residing in hell.” I snap.

“And whose fault was that?”

“Yours!” I very nearly yell, finally letting loose a century of anger. “Your predecessor refused the stone to me as well, at the last second. The Elemental Elders all agreed to give me theirs in order to defeat Gstalt. I passed your tests with flying colors, and you still backed out. I took Gstalt on with three of the four stones because your predecessor, Mako, backed out. It was too late for me to stop the spell when he decided no. Lee had to go in completely unprepared while I had to use way more time and energy than previously planned because of Mako’s cowardness.”

Jon looks shocked. “What do you mean he said no? Why didn’t you stop?”

I glare at him. “The spell had already begun. The Elders were placing their stones in the circle. Mako had placed his stone in the circle but hadn’t released it. He said sorry, he cannot do this, took the stone and ran. The other Elders chased after him, but I couldn’t stop. I would have died if I had. Lee had to go as our back up plan and it cost me my life; and resulted in failure. Mako’s cowardness is what caused our plan to fail.”

“What are you talking about?” Mary demands as she steps forward. “Mako never returned from that trip. We thought him dead, a result of your failure.”

“What!” I shout as Jon looks staggered. “Are you telling me, there is an unaccounted Wind Stone out there?”

“Jon!” Mary nearly yells at him. “Are you sure Mako was dead?” She looks to Garth to explain. “The new Elder is chosen in the Wind God Clan when they see a vision of their deceased predecessor.” It’s that way for all the Gods but it doesn’t serve her point to say that at the moment.

“Yes.” Jon answers, going completely white. “There was a hole where his heart should have been.”

Realization slams hard into my, knocking the breath out of me. “No!” I gasp grabbing Garth’s arm to steady myself. They all look to me for an explanation. I straighten, forcing myself into a calm state, before explaining. “The heart and blood of an Element Elder, accompanied with their guardian stone, can bring back to life anyone who so uses the ingredients at their time of death. It’s strictly forbidden since the cost of this spell wipes out that race for all of existence once used! Meaning, if that spell were used, it would wipe out the Wind God race!” I yell.

Mary’s eyes widen as Jon looks like he’s about to faint. I grab Liza’s reins. “We need to leave. Now.” I need to find that stone, or at least know what happened to Mako.

Mary grabs my arm. “It’s dark Callia, you won’t be able to survive that wind, at least your companions won’t. Stay the night and we’ll figure out what to do in the morning.”

I weigh my options. Either manage to get Garth killed, where the tracking spell will be placed back on me; or I escape and use most of my energy to survive their protection storm. “Fine. I’ll stay the night. Find my traveling companions and find them a place to stay.”

Mary smiles, “Good, because you stink.” She links her arm with mine as she leads me out of the stables, leaving Jon staring at an empty wall, opened mouthed. Mary leans in closer. “It’ll take a while for him to recover from that shock. I’ll fill you in on what happened since your death.”

“That would be nice. Shouldn’t I be talking to Jon though?” I say as I look over my shoulder. All of the men look like they’re going to vomit from the shock.

“We will later. Jon will not be very reasonable once he snaps out of it.” She leads me on while I just stare at them.

Mary leads me to their bathhouse. A few women greet us as they bow. They’re wearing white gowns that tie at the shoulders. Their hair is tied up in a tight bun. Mary holds her hands up. “We can handle ourselves ladies. Take a break.”

They look at me. “We’re not supposed to leave visitors unsupervised.”

Mary snorts. “Trust me, I can handle her. Now leave.”

They bow as they leave. Mary pulls me inside to see a giant pool of blue, turquoise water. “I’ve still got some of your old clothes.” Mary beams at me. “I’ll be right back. Get undressed and start without me.”

I shrug as she leaves, though I’m excited at the thought to be in my own clothes. I slowly strip as I get in the warm water. I moan as it starts to warm me. It’s scented with citrus and lavender, which smells heavenly. I slump into the water, allowing it to come up to my chin as I clothes my eyes. I’m so tired I could fall asleep right here.

I gasp as I wake up, getting pulled from the water. “What are you doing?” Mary demands as she holds my head.

I look around, seeing only Mary and nothing else. “I must have fell asleep. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have drowned.”

“Yeah I know. Child of a Water Demigod perk I guess. It’s still frightening to walk into. Are you okay? You were screaming.” Her green eyes are searching mine for any cracks in them.

I nod. “Fine Mary, just extremely tired. It’s been so long since I’ve even eaten a hot meal, let alone sleep longer than three hours.”

She leans back in the water, pouring some purple liquid from a clear vase. Bubbles begin to form on the surface. “So I noticed. Have you been having nightmares?”

I nod, examining the bubbles forming on the surface. I’ve never seen anything like this before. “Sometimes. Most of the dreams are from my time in purgatory. Since it’s hard to dredge something up darker than hell.”

Mary nods, “I can believe that. You said Gstalt has been following you, correct?”

I nod. “He has. He’s been tracking the boys, who have been tracking me, through his magic.”

She cocks her head, “Why not track you himself?”

I shrug. “I’m assuming with his magic inside of me, it interferes with the spell. Besides, Gstalt needs a person’s blood to track them.”

“Which he should have since you’re here.” Mary pointed out.

“Then I have no idea why.” I sigh, not really wanting to start a debate. I’m fairly sure of the reason why. Since Gstalt is still slightly linked to me, his life link actually interferes with his magic. Meaning he can sense me all he wants, but his magic will never be able to physically track me until he severs the link. I’m positive there is no way he’d be willing to do that.

“What I would like to know is, why did Gstalt revive you?” Mary huffs.

I toss my hair over my shoulder as I think, looking at her as I try to form the words that won’t reveal too much. “There have been a few theories thrown out there. Some are true and some are lies. I have a feeling, with our discovery of the missing Wind Stone, that it’s partially connected to that. If Gstalt has the stone, he likely revived me to get his power back to use the stone. Why would he want to though?” I muse as I start combing my hair with my fingers.

My mind sets on only one conclusion. “During my reanimation recreation he mentioned that he wants to destroy the God race. It makes sense I guess.”

“He has to kill himself in order to accomplish that spell right?” She asks hesitantly.

I nod. “Yes, and he’s not strong enough to do it. That spell is pure. He cannot use back up sources, or lent power, to accomplish that spell. If he has his original power he can. That is likely why he summoned me.”

“So he’ll kill himself to wipe out one race?” Mary demands, thinking I’m mental.

I think about it. “The only other living being who can perform that spell is me. I would not be willing to do it, so he’d have to be the one. The only other person who is living that can perform a reanimation spell is me. Maybe he’ll use my magic to bring him back each time to kill the rest of the Gods?” It’s not a very well thought out plan.

“That or steal your strength so someone else can do it. Arwen can lend magic, maybe he can steal it too?” Mary suggests.

I shrug, “Maybe, but that’s almost unheard of.”

“Almost.” Mary points out.

“True.” I sigh. “I know nothing of this man. Who is he? Garth said that a man stabbed Lee, pulling his focus from Gstalt at the last second, which is what killed me. The way Lee described the man to Garth reminds me of the man you told me about and the one I saw. Arwen has been with Gstalt for a while if that is true. This means that Arwen is likely a crucial part to his plan.”

Mary nods, “He must be. Gstalt can’t be that weak if he were to revive you though.”

I grin as I shake my head. “The demon had to use both of my parents’ blood, the blood of a Water Demigod for the sacrifice, my birth location, and a full moon in order to harness the necessary power boost to revive me Mary. I’ve been in reaching distance of Gstalt since my revival. I can sense his power levels. He is weak.”

“Well that’s good because we need every ounce of help we can get.” She huffs as she slouches. She turns towards me. “So do you want to know what has happened since you passed?”

I grimace a little. “It’d likely be best.”