03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  After the display and leaving the debris behind, they seriously heeded his need for space for their own protection, but not so much as to appear rude. After a few easy minutes of conversation Kira snapped her fingers saying “Oh! Nearly forgot.” and went to Baldr to lift his shield and there came the sound of a zipper being drawn. The Ogre held still as she rummaged through a hidden pocket and pulled out a book. She zipped it back up and speed walked through the sand saying “Boyo, hold still. I need to give this to you!”

  He did and the thick book found its way into his hand. “What is it?” it was smaller than a notepad in his large hand.

  The Witch smiled in a sultry way, placing a hand on a hip. “When you have quiet time, turn to the bookmarked section. Cyllia, head of the Forty Third House and Wind Elemental, commissioned the scholars of the Second House to add you to our histories and add you to the mandatory curriculum of children in school.” Ethan remembered meeting the Wind Elemental only once, at Floa’s wedding. Cyllia was a woman of Indian stock. He still remembered her creating lightning in her hand. “This isn’t the finished work and won’t be ready for a few weeks, but it’s got spells that add more as the scholars write and refine their work. So each day there will be more about you. And since Floa hijacked the telly’s yesterday, I’ve gotten thousands of e-mails for interviews with scholars to get every scrap of information on what the bloody hell happened.”

  “Really?” He asked in surprise. “Well I guess it makes sense, but why add me to the histories when I’ve been ostracized by Order?”

  “Next to my old man, no one has made such a splash in so short a time.” Baldr threw an arm over Kira’s shoulders as she backed away. “A man who dies, got revived, became the first Fire Elemental to join the houses since King Solomon, apprenticed to the infamous Celestia, kicked demon ass after a House barrier fell, roasted the entire hive of Sheedan’s minions, and became some kind of hybrid. I’m surprised the scholars aren’t having orgasms with all the new information to write down about you. Besides, Kira isn’t making light of the interview requests. The Scholars want all from this team like a Cheetah staring down a gazelle running to the music of an ice cream truck. I’ve had to change my e-mail accounts to shut them up.”

  “I’m surprised Fate and the others aren’t interfering.”

  “I kind of made it blow up in their face.” Floa gladly announced. “Nobody fucks with my friends and gets away with it. Aside from killing this world just to take you down, those bastards have to sit on their hands and let us mortals toil away. Besides, I hate cover-ups. And they royally fucked up this time by not finishing the job. Telling the un-tampered truth of history is what the Second House prides itself on. And after all the shit you and my girlfriend have been put through, you deserve to be remembered long into the future. You might have only been with us a short time, but none can deny how bright you burned.”

  Unstoppable tears silently fell from his eyes and in a choke he said “Thanks guys. You don’t know how good this makes me feel. I’m touched.”

  Nothing else was said on the matter as the book slid into a pocket for later. So on they walked around Blue Angel Isle reuniting like old times. Vitalli was the most quiet, but that was his personality unless drunk or challenged.

  Soon enough they spotted the huge, magically expanded table just as someone swooped down with a huge tray carefully balancing food and drink atop. Floa shrunk and flew on ahead with a cheerful, tinkling laugh. Nell was the first to comment as they approached “She’s stunning!”

  “Tis hard to deny.” Ellen voiced, though not in the sexual way the Nymph was hinting at.

  “Mornin’ ya’ll!” Kanade waved with Floa back to full size looking very much like a toddler riding on her mother’s shoulders. “Hope ya’ll are hungry.” She gestured to the platter of breakfast delights on the table.

  “Famished!” Reevy let known. “You look radiant in that dress.”

  “Thank you, Reevy. I hope you brought more than the clothes on your back?” She told the rest as she took in their armored appearance and was worried.

  Nell grabbed for a few fresh fruits artfully diced with skill and said “Dress can send us a change if we need.”

  “And I’ve got plenty of supplies on my boat. Not to fret, Big Mama. We’ve got the next month covered. Kira and her father redecorated the Scottish Witch last night and made her a perfect luxury liner. We’ll all be staying in her when not traveling.” Baldr said as he took his shield and blade from his back and laid down in the cool sand with a sigh.

  “Good. I didn’t consider housin’ till Ethan told me ya’ll arrived a little while ago. Sorry.”

  “You had plenty of things on your mind I’m sure.” Nell patted the giantess’ thigh. “I hear you chose Love as your canopy name. Good choice. You embody it for sure.”

  Kanade blushed as their friends gathered at the table to eat, drink and joke for over an hour. Ethan watched his beloved change slowly. Tension in her shoulders and wings eased. She truly relaxed and laughed without forcing it. The other women in particular were priceless friends, focusing on her without trying. Being secluded had been banished and true recovery from recent events was happening before his eyes. The haunted sadness in those golden orbs sparkled with life once again. Strong and vibrant. The mask slowly melting away. Talks ranged and one part was about Blossom who missed her Aunt Kanna and wanted to come, but wasn’t allowed since the danger remained too great around the adults. Vina stayed with her aunt for as long as needed.

  When the meal was long gone Kira stood up, stretched and said “I don’t know about you lads, but the water looks inviting.” And unzipped her top. Ethan sighed as her bountiful breasts didn’t leap for freedom for she seemed prepared as beneath her armor was an emerald bikini. She then shimmed out of skintight pants, folded everything and made way for the water to dive right in. “Good idea!” Nell cheered following, removing the wooden top, letting perky nipples fly free before covering them with one arm.

  It seemed all of them were equally prepared with bathing suits beneath. Men wore trunks, all but Baldr who of all people chose a lime green speedo. The banana hammock made Ethan gag and earned a laugh from the girls. It was one option that should never have been invented. Going nude would have been a better choice. It made Ethan wonder if Baldr and Loki were two sides of the same coin. Baldr with words and the Wizard Loki with physical tricks.

  Still, everyone frolicked in the water and Ethan and Kanade wouldn’t be left behind. Even Panther swam with long fluid strokes no one could copy. Couples paired off to explore the vibrant reef and see the colorful fish and marine life.

  By midmorning though Ethan sensed a call he’d given to Kyoko to alert him to when she was arriving and it made him stop enjoying the comfort of floating and bob vertically in the deep surf. His deep voice carried. “She’s coming. Five minutes everyone!”

  “Awe! I just found an octopus to chase. Can’t I make it ink?”

  “Nay, Baldr.” His woman said softly. “We can find another when we return. We can do that night swim you wanted.”

  “Spoilsports. The lot of ya.” He still smiled and followed everyone to shore.

  As soon as everyone made it Ethan sent his power forth to dry them all in a flash. “Oh, I missed that!” Nell said as her hair was now dry then narrowed those brown eyes. “Why didn’t you do that after we went for the first dip.”

  An embarrassed flush crept in Ethan’s cheeks. “I forgot.”

  “Forgot? You forgot?” Nell asked in disbelief. “Great Canopy save me if his memory becomes as reliable as his assumptions.”

  “Hey! I resent that!”

  “Don’t look at me, Darlin’. She said it. I merely agreed.” Kanade found it impossible not to smirk.

  “Great. Everything is same as always. Pick on little ol Ethan.”

  “Tis nothing little about thou anymore.”

  “Not you too Vitalli?!”

  “Tis too easy.” The Centaur stallion held his hands
out in a plea before chuckling.

  The ground shook as Ethan stomped his hooves over to put on his vest and outer shorts before flying away to the meeting place, being followed by the groups laughter. They didn’t see it, but he smiled as well. A bit of normal was needed.

  Out at sea upon a large block of ice floated Kyoko, Dallare and a five tail Kitsune. The rest of her Honor Guard wasn’t along for the ride. In rolling suitcases, the two women and man held them ready. A great shadow descended and the flat iceberg shook as a great weight gently landed. Kyoko’s snowflake eyes sparkled with pleasure as she smiled and bowed in another beautiful kimono. “Forgive my tardiness, Ethan-sama. It was not as easy as I judged to take a leave of absence.”

  “You’re fine. I see you are all packed for the vacation, but I thought it was only you and Dallare staying.”

  “But of course, Ethan-sama. This is Zuichi-san.” She gestured to the rust colored Kitsune who bowed deeply in the introduction. “He shall merely stay long enough to grow a residence beside your own for Dallare and myself. Afterwards he will be returned to aid Shigure-chan in managing my affairs and other matters.” The Yuki-onna responded.

  “Alright. Well, all aboard.” He knelt and made absolutely sure to go slow and use minimal pressure to take the three suitcases in one hand. The other went horizontal and Kyoko sat down as if it were normal and was transferred to his right shoulder. Dallare instantly appeared on the other. The fox man though looked more a child carried in the curve of his right arm. “Ladies, best you hold onto my horns so you don’t fall off.” Both women took hold of the polished ivory and clenched as he stood two stories tall, bent his springy knees and spread the wings. In as gentle of a take off as possible, he leapt. He gained altitude and heard Dallare say “Kyoko-hime, he’s smoother than Dragons.” Kyoko merely laughed softly.

  “Hey, Kyoko, can you do something about the iceberg? It’ll capsize a boat easily and the waters are traveled quite bit.”

  “I make ice, not melt it.” Came the simple statement. “Won’t it melt in these temperatures rather quickly?”

  “Not as fast as you’d think. Better I do it just in case.” Lips pursed a moment before cheeks bulged and a hot stream of quicksilver fire landed on the ice and clung. “Holy crap! What is that stuff?” he asked as the flames ate the ice away all on its own.

  “Liquid Fire, Ethan-sama.” Was spoken into his ear. “The third most destructive weapon you can produce. The most potent is the vortex, the Drone as I learn you call and lastly that.” A demure gesture aimed at the melting ice. “Liquid Fire comes from within and is expelled from the mouth. It is a flame that clings like napalm and eats the victim till nothing remains to burn.”

  “But it didn’t do that to an Enforcer I burned in half. That one was more like a jet’s afterburners or a big ass flamethrower. I’ve never done this Liquid Fire thing.”

  “It was the direction in which you wanted to burn.” She explained. “Liquid Fire is slow, but unstoppable unless cut out. If you wanted to burn this world, it would consume it within a few centuries unless scooped out. It may be strong, but that is Liquid Fire’s weakness. It is slow. But if you wish to torture, it will work.”

  Worriedly he asked “Will it burn the ocean and the world?”

  “Did you merely target the ice?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then all is well.”

  “I better just make absolutely sure.” Connecting to the Liquid Fire was simple and a mere thought made it vanish with a ‘whoosh’ of air. “It’s melted enough I think… hang on again, we’re heading in.”

  They did so and a few gentle minutes of gliding later they landed. Kanade came right up and held her hands out to gently lift both women off her angel’s shoulders and set them down. The fox merely dropped lightly.

  Before any words were given in greeting Ethan said “Panther, please escort Zuichi up to the cabin so he may get started.”

  “Follow.” Panther said and led the shortest way to the cabin. Words followed their wake.

  “Long time, Kyoko.” Baldr strained a smile.

  The Yuki-onna smirked. “So it has.”

  “Is there a problem I need to be aware of?” Ethan asked as he dropped the luggage on the table.

  “About two decades ago my team was captured in Japan and I had the chilly honor of being her boy-toy. She froze my dick off twice before we were released three months after till Thor released a prisoner. We were exchanged.” Kira’s hackles went up, but she held still under Ellen’s hands on her shoulders.

  “Is the past buried or do you two need to get it out of your systems so we can move on?”

  “Situations have changed, Ethan-sama. So long as he shows respect he will not endure further frostbite.”

  Ethan watched redness vein through Baldr’s whites of his eyes and knew the signs of a Berserker. He had gone berserk before, but nothing like the Ogre. Ethan intervened with a stomp which made a small shockwave that had others stumble. “Baldr, get a hold of yourself.” The Ogre regained balance and glared up. Ethan’s serious expression was much more frighteningly calm and wouldn’t back down. “You knew she was coming and didn’t think it was a concern. Either play nice or cool off elsewhere. You don’t want her to cool you off.”

  Kira patted Ellen’s hands and was released. She grabbed Baldr’s hand to say “Come on. He’s right. No need to reopen old wounds.” The Witch half dragged her soul mate away out of hearing range, but not out of sight.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me he held a grudge?” Demanded Ethan as he crossed thick arms.

  “None of us knew.” Blake said truthfully. “Had I known I would have benched him and Kira as this hostility could compromise the unity and efforts we’ll undertake.”

  “Alright. Nell, go see if Baldr won’t snap on us. He was about to reach for his blade before I jumped in. As our resident field therapist, let me know if I can trust him to overcome this or if I need to bench him.”

  “On it.” The Nymph seriously said and walked away to the couple.

  “What a way to spoil such a good morning.”

  “I apologize. Had I known Baldr…”

  “No, Kyoko. Don’t apologize. This is his issue to deal with. Ogres are stubborn and find it difficult to let things drop. I trust Nell to help him or to let me know if it’s too much for him to handle. She helped me overcome my fear of drowning.”

  “Mine too.” Magnus said, cinching a strap beneath his breastplate. “But to break his dick more than once… well I would not have been half as patient as he was, Demon Lord or not.” He openly admitted to the Yuki-onna.

  “We’re dropping this specific conversation right now.”

  Kanade, seeing how angry he was getting, wisely asked “Kyoko, who’s runnin’ the show in your stead?”

  “For the moment, Shigure-chan. Least till I get your answer and need to speak with my elder sister.”

  “For what?” Floa asked, appearing even tinier on Kanade’s shoulder.

  “That business is private.” The Demon Lord said as she noticed the embarrassing flush creep up Love’s alabaster cheeks. Kanade didn’t want anyone to know what was going on in that subject.

  Up on the small mountain Panther led the Kitsune to the cabin and said “My mistress said this area will work for you to grow the den. But before that, I need you to do something for me.” The Balam fished a large acorn from his pants pocket and held it out. “This is my final sealing seed. I need a new one by tomorrow. Since I have you here, fill this purse.” He also held out a leather pouch with a drawstring. “Trick me and you won’t live to take another breath.”

  “It would be my pleasure.” The fox-man planted the seed, sat down and held a hand over it. A shell crack was muted under the soil, but moments later sprouted a black plant from Demon World. It grew ten feet tall then blossomed like a Bird of Paradise. Panther opened the flower and inside the pod were about two dozen new seeds inside the pods. The Kitsune filled the pouch from another onyx pod and pull
ed the strings tight. Panther plucked one at random, sniffed it to find the flavor exactly as it should and swallowed it whole. His aura was again under control. “Here you go, General.”

  “Well done. You may keep the remaining pods to sell or hoard.”

  “Many thanks.” The smaller creature ripped the pods off the tree and stuffed them in an enchanted pouch on his hip before pulling out a Semekel sprout which was placed beside the cabin. The Semekel plant in Demon World is what makes homes in the Forest of the Fox. He planted it with great care since even for Kitsune with five tails, it takes a great quantity of Demon Energy and weeks of dedication to make it sprout. Afterwards, out of its shell, it can grow with much more ease and be manipulated.

  In less than thirty minutes an azure hut had grown near identical to the cabin in terms of size, had running water and a fireplace and smelled much like honeysuckle would. The two soon reappeared with news of completion.

  “Thank you for your assistance, Zuichi-san. You may return to your den.”

  “My pleasure, Mistress.” He said and a look from Dallare made him disappear from the island.

  The little Elf said “Mistress, permit me to bring your luggage inside.” Kyoko nodded and off she and the three cases went.

  About that time, Nell came back, but the two she had been talking to remained put. She sat down with an exaggerated sigh. “Well?” Magnus asked in the resulting quiet of her arrival.

  “Serious scars that one has against her. I never knew just how hard he had it. If not for an immortal’s regenerative factor, he would not have not only died, but been driven insane… almost like those who’s souls are mystically fractured. Not only did she” Aiming the words at the Demon Lord sitting again in a frozen throne. “break his penis off by frostbite twice, he told me other endured horrors not associated with his time as her captive. He fears the cold, partly why he asked to be transferred to our team. What better way to stave off the chill than with a living hearth. But when he was in Kyoko’s care he endured mainly breaking of the skin and pouring purified salt in the wound.” That was like acid for Ogres. Pure salt eats their flesh.