Lunch (2)

"You can use all five elements? How is that even possible?"

Varen had a strange look on his face.

"Simple, the demons haven't limited themselves. I'm not sure if you're familiar with history. Before humans ran them off, demons were scholars. They spent a lot of time studying magic. While they were hiding they had a lot of free time to study all of the elements.

"Unfortunately, most of it was theory since where they were hiding only allowed them to fully access the dark element. The moment they stepped onto the surface they haven't stopped learning the other four elements. The soldiers of Dreymore who integrated into our army have already learned to use at least two elements.

"I believe that both of you are now an example of what humans are capable of doing without limiters. You and Ondrea learned a spell from an element that wasn't yours in a short time."

Varen leaned forward and rubbed his face with both hands. Everything that he had ever been taught was slowly being destroyed. If he hadn't experienced it himself he might not have believed Gavin's words.

"They drilled it into us while growing up that we would only get one element to wield. Only a rare few could use two. Those who could use light magic were sent to the temples to live and serve Elone. To have access to the light element is to be blessed by Elone."

Varen turned to look at Gavin when he said the last part.

Gavin's reaction was to laugh. He stopped when he saw that no one else was laughing.

"It's true. All light element wielders are considered priests of Elone, the moment one is discovered they are sent away."

Riley confirmed Varen's words and Gavin found himself shaking his head.

"I suppose that explains why I was pushed to use light magic when I first arrived. It was someone from the temple that told them that summoning a hero would save them. It would make sense that whomever was summoned would use light magic and be blessed by Elone.

"It's a bunch of bullshit; blessed by Elone."

As if to prove his point a dark mist appeared on the table. It flowed down and covered the table, his fist closed as he quietly spoke the spell. The mist seeped into the table as well as everything that sat on the table. Everything that the mist had touched began to age and decay in front of their eyes until all that was left was ash.

"The dark element is my highest affinity. Forcing me to use an element that is my weakest because of their limitations is just stupid. How many humans have been weakened because of this limitation?"

The room was quiet. No one dared to say anything, even to answer his question. Varen had become pale, fear leaked into his eyes as he stared at the space where the table had once been. Ondrea had a hint of fear in his eyes, but mostly he was filled with excitement at the possibilities. Knowing he could use more than one element made him want to learn them all.

"As far as being blessed by Elone, if that was true then no demon would be able to access the light element. I can show you plenty of demons who can. The elements don't care what god you do or do not follow.

"It is this fact that will cause the fall of Edicia and in turn the world."

Riley has been around Caine and Gavin long enough to understand the long term plans, but the other two have not. Gavin let his words sink in before speaking again.

"Ondrea, I would like to offer you a permanent spot here, in the castle. Our next move is taking Kael and I want you to be ready to fight by then. The best way to do that is to have you train more."

"If it's what you wish, then I am willing."

Gavin smiles and glances at both Ondrea and Varen.

"Good. Both of you will be bunking together, and training together. I think that's enough for today. Rest for the rest of the day, we will meet up bright and early in the morning. Ondrea, you will be responsible for guiding Varen when I'm not around. Anything outside of that will fall solely on Varen."

The look he gave Varen made it clear that there was no room for negotiations.

"Varen, failure to obey or purposely causing trouble will be punished."

Ondrea stands and bows then motions for Varen to follow, the latter hesitates a moment before following. Once Gavin is certain they are gone he lets out a sigh and leans his head back. He is worn out from his part in the battle, fighting with, and healing, Varen over the slave mark and later healing so many.

His exhaustion is from the excessive use of magic with a good dose of mental drain from talking about the country's magic system. Why would they limit themselves? Is it just because of the goddess?

"I wish I could do more to help. I hate that my body limits me so much."

Riley's voice was low, his body still pressed against Gavin.

"You help me by just being here."

To prove his point Gavin wraps his arms around Riley and holds him close.

"You can't control how you were born or the fact that your body is so weak after years of being sick. Even with all that, you are important to me. You brighten my world. Going back home I realized that I'm not the same person I used to be. I'm not capable of living that life anymore. It's not all Caine's fault; I killed before I met him.

"Did you know that I traveled with three others before I met Caine? We traveled together for about two months and lived through more battles than I care to admit. After fighting with Caine I'm not certain how I managed to live except that those who we went up against were just that weak.

"When I fought Caine the day we met Xanthe fought my companions. She killed them. Gods, it wasn't hard for her to kill all three of them. I was upset about their death, but it was fleeting. Even now, I'm more upset about my lack of caring than I am about their deaths. What kind of monster can just brush off the deaths of people they spent so much time with?"

"I don't have any words that can help you. If my presence is enough to help alleviate some of that pain, then I'm happy."

Gavin looked down at Riley and smiled then leaned down to kiss him.

"You do. I'm grateful for every day that you're in my life. Now, how about we call it a day?"

"But it's still early."

"I know. We've just won a battle and I'd like to celebrate and enjoy the moment. Tomorrow will come soon enough and we will be thrown back into the frey."

"Ok." Riley giggled and stood up.

Gavin stood and took Rileys hand, leading the way to their room. He plans on taking full advantage of the quiet after the battle. With the siege over, Caine has slipped off to bring back the remaining demons. For the remainder of the day Xanthe is in charge, but once the sun rises Gavin is in charge until Caine returns.

He isn't certain how he feels about being in charge of a whole city. Xanthe will be there to help him, which takes away some of the burden. Everything is slowly coming together. Soon we will march on Kael. Once Edicia has fallen we will turn our sights on Firlamos. Galarede has said they will join us in Kael and Fegosk has promised to join us on the march to Eloerien, the elves' kingdom.

After that all that's left is Araven and the neutral territory of the dwarves, Gomaseth. There is still so much left to do. Taking and defending Dreymore is just a drop in the ocean. Just thinking about how much is still left feels overwhelming.

*******

When Ondrea returned to his room with Varen he cleaned up the room, moving his things to the bed nearest the door.

"How can you willingly follow him?"

Varen sat on the bed next to the one Ondrea had chosen. His mind was still processing everything that had happened that day. It's still late afternoon and so much has happened.

"You can still ask that after everything that's happened? After knowing how messed up our kingdom is? I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you're the second born of a noble family?"

"Yes…"

"I'm the third born and my element was the same as my oldest brother. I've grown up knowing that I'm just a glorified servant in my family's house. I had just enough access to magic to know what my element was. Everything outside of that was denied me.

"Those who are born without a status don't fare any better. If they're lucky, they will have the light element and be sent to a temple to live. It'll be a rough life but they will have everything provided and have access to magic. Those of us who aren't as lucky get told that we don't deserve to use magic.

"Demons don't limit the access to magic, they want you to learn and grow stronger. My master hasn't once limited my magic. He's the only reason I can do fire magic, and now light magic. Even if it's just a single spell in one element, it's still more than I had. I willingly follow my master because, to him, I exist."

Ondrea sat cross legged on the floor at the end of his bed. He planned on spending the rest of the day meditating and practicing his magic. Now that he knows he can use any of the elements he wants to see how many he can gain access to while meditating.

"Not everyone is meant to wield magic, even if they have access. The multiple elements thing is surprising, but I'm sure there's a reason why we're limited. Magic aside, the demons have taken over your city. They play to take over Edicia. How can you be ok with that? Demons are evil, our history books are filled with examples of just how bad they are."

Ondrea took a breath, trying to calm himself down. He only partially succeeded as his eyes were shining with barely held rage.

"Believe what you want to believe, it's obvious you aren't open to anything else. All I need you to understand is that I am not on your side. My loyalties lie with my master, and through him Lord Caine. Now, I am going to meditate and work with the elements. I suggest you stay here until morning when we're scheduled to train. Someone will be by later with food."

He turned away and closed his eyes, effectively dismissing Varen. Varen watched as Ondrea called up fire, raising the flame in his hand until it was almost a foot tall then shrinking it. Varen was exhausted after everything, too exhausted to delve further into anything and instead chose to cling to what he knew.

That didn't stop him from being fascinated by what Ondrea was doing. He hasn't seen magic practiced like that before. After working with fire for several minutes Ondrea had switched to the light element. He used the same method he had with fire, causing it to grow until it was about a foot tall, then shrinking it back and repeating. All while his eyes were closed.

When the light element went away nothing appeared to replace it.

"Damn it."

Ondrea opened his eyes then turned to look at Varen.

"What's your element?"

"Wind."

It took Varen a moment to remind, the question had caught him off guard. Ondrea stood and moved to stand in front of Varen.

"Call up your wind."

Ondrea placed his right hand out, palm up, and laid Varen's hand on his. He knew that he would be able to connect with the element if he felt it being used. Varen hesitated before creating a ball of wind in his hand. Ondrea closed his eyes and reached out with his senses to feel the element in Varen's hand. It didn't take him long to feel the element, then to sense it in the air. A moment later he opened his eyes, released Varen's hand and returned to his spot at the end of the bed.

"Thanks."

Second after Ondrea closed his eyes the element of wind appeared in his eyes. He was rewarded with a gasp from his roommate when the element appeared. Ondrea spent the rest of the afternoon, and most of the evening, working with the wind element until he could grow and shrink it like he could with fire and light.

Ondrea barely paused long enough to eat before returning to his meditation. He didn't stop working with the elements until well after dark. His roommate had fallen asleep long before he quit.