21. Cinis

The portal's bright pathways are blindingly shimmering as I travel through them, thinking of the events that have led me down this path.

I've lived a countless age of existence before I ran into Serena. Life was nothing more than survival, fleeting moments with nothing for me to grasp onto.

Now I find myself back on the path toward her. The truth is that she's changed everything for me. One can't taste life with her and reject it to go back to nothingness.

Without her, there is no future for me. I must have her. I've already forgotten what it's like to exist without her company. I crave a lifetime with her, but I must focus and get her back if that is to happen.

"I'm coming for you, Serena."

I step through the shimmering threshold, finding myself deep underground. The sounds of monsters cry out in dark tunnels, taunting me.

But they are no match for my power. And they're certainly not wearing power-nullifying armor.

I pry myself free from the earth's depths, crossing tunnels and subterranean bridges - passing strange fungi and creatures that float along the cavern ceiling.

When at last I find myself on the surface, I realize immediately that I'm not alone.

Hissing voices of a grating, nasally tone ring out from somewhere in the distance. Dark elves.

The camp is no more than a few tents, but I wonder why they've settled here of all places? A look around reveals nothing of interest to the immediate eye. Just mountains and jagged cliffs as far as my eyes can see.

It's possible though that they're hidden on purpose. From what I've heard thus far, these elves are expert conquerors, I'm sure they're intelligent to have terrorized so many lands.

Perhaps listening to them will reveal something. I spot a group of them huddled around a shoddy fire. Chucked to the ground behind them is the corpse of an animal. How undignified.

"I'm freezing my ass off," one of the dark elves says. "What can a guy do to get a little warmth around here?"

"If you're that cold, just use your magic," another replies.

"You know that's not a long-term solution!"

One of the dark elves massages his forehead.

"Just think of the bigger picture, Grale. Soon, we'll be living in luxury in heated cabins, with those humans attending to our every need."

He smiles wickedly.

"And I do mean every need."

Unsatisfied with the answer, the first dark elf holds up his arm, and a small flame forms just above his palm.

"Just seems like we're stalling for time," Grale says. "I say we take the human camps now. We've got more than enough power at our disposal."

"You know Aldris has a plan," another replies. "Ultimately before we act, we wait for Aldris. That's how it's always been, and that's how it will continue to be."

"But it's right there," the first snaps back. "How much surveillance do we really need to do? They're not going to –"

A similar magical energy to the one that muffled Serena appears over Grale's mouth. But rather than fight it, he just scowls back.

"Now how many others have a problem with Aldris's directive?" the dark elf asks. "Anybody else want to challenge me?"

"No, Commander Lisst," the three dark elves reply.

Dejectedly, Grale walks to the middle of the group and brings the fire on his palm down into an assembled pile of wood. It flickers lightly, partly stifled by the snow.

I can light a fire for you if you want,I think, before remembering that their armor shields them from my attacks.

It would be so perfect to incinerate them where they stand. But for now, I have to play nice.

I just wish they'd say something more direct, something I can actually use. I bring my head closer, attempting to hear every detail of their conversation.

If only I could get them talking about something helpful.

She struggled so much. Would have been so much easier if the boss just let us use a portal like we planned.

I blink wildly, suddenly confused.

Wait, what?I think. Who's talking?

"Sorry," one of dark elves says, looking at Commander Lisst. "Did you say something?"

"What are you on about, Learil?" Lisst asks. "You need to get your ears checked."

Learil just shakes his head in frustration.

I signed up for Aldris, not for this asshole. He can't even lead.

My jaw drops.

Am I hearing their thoughts somehow? This isn't something I can normally do with strangers.

I focus my attention on another of the dark elves, who seems to be massaging his foot.

My damned feet hurt. Why'd they have to put the headquarters all the way at the base of a mountain, inaccessible without a massive climb?

I return to focusing on Learil, hoping that by prying into their minds individually, I might be able to glean enough.

Still, she was fine, Learil thinks. I'd love to have my way with her, if the boss lets me. Love a girl with some fight in her.

I cannot help but find it ironic that I'm the one considered a monster in this world. The elements rage inside of me, begging to be let loose upon these wastes of air.

Not yet, that time will come, I think.

They've moved on to another topic of discussion. The more I focus on their thoughts, the more disgusted I become with these creatures.

They certainly don't deserve my mercy. Not that I have any way of dispatching them myself.

She should be my reward for staying in this damned camp. What I'd do to her if she was here right now…

"Come on, give me something!" I'm half tempted to head down there and interrogate them. Then, something in their mental energy seems to dissipate, a dampening of their spirits perhaps?

But she is so far away from here, probably in a cell far warmer than this fucking icicle wasteland. Why is there no direct path to the compound from here? Why do I have to hike all the way up the biggest mountain just to reach her?

And I swear, if Vern complains about his fucking feet one more time, I'll muzzle him too.

I look up around me, trying to survey the mountains.

To get to her, I need to climb the tallest mountain. Then I need to find a place, probably walled off by a valley or an ocean, where I can't reach without climbing.

Damned Aldris is probably taking her right now while we eat this swill.

"Fuck, if that dark elf has even so much as touched her, I'll…"

Tension riddles my form. I should save it for the confrontation with Aldris and any other foul beings that dare to stand in my way. But a glance at the dark elves challenges that notion.

"It won't hurt to fuel myself for the journey ahead."

I decide on my first target, the one who'd been thinking the worst thoughts about my woman. It's time for some mind games.

I project my mind into his.

The girl is mine, not yours.

The elf's eyes widen in surprise and he stands to his feet.

"Which one of you said that?"

"Huh?"

"I'm not kidding around!"

"What's gotten into you?"

I look to the elf slowly approaching his comrade with raised hands, telling him I'm coming for him. He spins around, darting wild eyes at the others.

"Calm down!" the others shout when he pulls out his sword.

"Don't you hear something?" he blurts. "Or are you all in some type of twisted joke?"

I can barely wait anymore, so I slowly descend a side of the slope they cannot see and creep around behind them. As I inch closer, I can feel the fire elements within me pulsing with exhilaration. I throw them all one last play.

You deserve that foot, ingrate, I think. That's what you get for slacking off.

Aldric doesn't want you. He wants me. That's why I'm commander and you're carrying the bags.

Each of them spins around in fear, brandishing their swords. I let them catch a glimpse of me for a split second before I distinguish the campfire, shrouding the hilltop in pitch-black darkness.

Their screams and shouts ring out through the misty air, some of them swinging wildly and hitting each other. One shouts to stop but of course, none heeds the command. Who listens when they're cloaked in the fear of the unknown?

Still, I have to do something. I can't simply leave these men alive.

I can't target them directly with my flames. But suppose I help the little fire they're nurturing? Would that do anything?

I bring my energy toward the open flame, guiding it with my power.

Grow, little one, I think. Ravage. Claim the land. It's yours to do with as you wish.

Before my eyes, even against the dampness of the snow, the fire extends, claiming the log benches on which the men were sitting. It becomes a fiery beacon in the midst of their darkness.

But he's supposed to be in the fire plane.

One of them catches a glimpse of me as the fire engulfs him. My own flames might not be able to affect them, but clearly, their armor only deflects my direct attacks.

One of the men escapes the flames while the rest are consumed.

My stomach gurgles.

I need to eat something.

And, the armor around them is now charred and darkened, its magic dormant, I pry it off of their burnt husks.

Then I claim my prize, opening them up to find the tainted lights within their beings. It's been so long since I've had a good meal.

Energized and with knowledge of where to go, I begin to hover over the mountainside, lifting myself up through the air.

They tried to hide their base. Clearly, they didn't have me in mind.