03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  “So it was you?” Magnus’ deep bass voice came next.

  “Aye. This potion of hers is the greatest weapon I’ve ever heard of. Likely the greatest in existence. No matter how set in their ways Spirit World now seems to you all now, it’s good still exceeds the bad. It is still greatly needed. It’s the only safe place for defenseless souls from demons. War is dangling by a frayed thread. A war none of us have never seen before. If more got hold of Kira’s potion, The Spirit King could raise his numbers, so can the Fire King. Since we spiritual mortals choose what side we wish to fight on, think what would happen. In little time at all a celestial army could be raised and war will destroy quite literally everything.

  “You might not have realized it, but I did. Panther was worried and is why he was hard on Kira. He doesn’t want war and will make sure she isn’t the cause. He’s seen it before… long ago. Collu and Mia let your team go to make sure Ethan was safe and Kira’s potion was too. She can’t stay here. Many of those High Witches want to dig around in her head after seeing the test firsthand. As much as Ethan needs you, she needs it much more. This is the only reason your team gained approval. Had Kira not been such a potions genius, you would all stay and move on.”

  “Now it’s up to Ethan’s stubbornness.” Reevy said.

  “Be thankful he’s not of my kind.” Magnus slipped in.

  Dawn arrived as Ethan, Panther and Kanade sat on the beach, talking throughout the night. His temper had settled after thirty minutes from leaving the group, but on and on they discussed. Never had Panther spoken so much before and when he did, Ethan and Kanade listened. It was Ethan’s decision, but Kanade said more than once “We know our friends too well. They will come whether or not you say no.” and it was like she hammered in a nail. Each strike driving it deeper and deeper till nothing could extract it.

  All night he listened, looked out into the stars and watched the cosmos dance. Stars burned in arrays of color no human eye could discern. Distant galaxies of different shapes and laws of physics seemed alien, but beautiful. Ethan became fond of nebulas. Bright, majestic and full of promise. Though he didn’t have the power to send his mind so far out anymore, it was clear one of Order’s beings were busy creating a whole new solar system. Gathering dust and gas to get started. But it was inspiring to watch comets hurtling through space. Many carrying the seeds of life in the form of bacteria and single celled organisms. Ethan knew it was so as before forcing his power out, his mind saw it clearly when wandering just to see what was out there. And still he’d just barely scratched the surface.

  A soft thumb rubbed the top of his hand as his fingers threaded perfectly to hers. “Darlin’, you’re awfully quiet. Have you decided what you’ll do? I’m always at your side and will support you. You know that right?”

  He kissed her temple and she slightly blushed, letting the barely rising sun play off her glittery skin. “Always. Nineteen percent is still a huge risk.” He sighed, smoke billowing from his nose. “But I did once tell them I listen to my team. I don’t rule or own them. They want to come because of friendship, not because I’m ordering them. Panther, are you sure my blood is key… like she said?”

  “Do not doubt, Ethan. Just as it can protect anyone from fire and heat, so too can it empower others if brewed properly. But fresh ingredients always holds the greatest benefit.”

  Kanade nodded. “Old makes potions stale and less potent. Magical ingredients are always stronger and more effective when natural decay is not an issue. Like fresh fish. Catch, clean and eat. If you catch, clean and wait weeks it’ll spoil. If Kira got a scab from you weeks ago and managed to still put it in a preservative solution…”

  “Fresh good. Old bad. Me no stuuupid.” He teased and she bumped his shoulder.

  They all stood, brushed sand off and headed back.

  Not long afterwards they spotted Kyoko in a beige thong biking laying on a towel, at her side talking with Dallare also in a green bikini, but without butt-floss. The team along with Odin sat around a small fire talking a little ways away. Only Vitalli and Ellen weren’t around. The rest were.

  Kanade grumbled as her eyes lingered on Kyoko’s thong “I can’t believe another woman can turn me on.”

  “You love her and thongs. Put them together and you’re done for.”

  “Pot called the kettle what?” She teased and he chuckled. “You’re just a typical male who likes sweet ass.”

  “Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Besides I like to think you’ll never be alone.” He said as Dallare pointed and Kyoko rolled onto her back and got up.”

  “How so?”

  “With Kyoko, even if I’m busy she’ll be there all the time. You can’t help falling for someone who’s number one priority is to love you. It’s why we both love her. If it means making you happy I’ll have a harem.”

  “Which brain said that, Ethan-sama?” Kyoko giggled as Kanade stuck out her tongue at him.

  “This one.” He tapped his temple then casually waved a hand around his groin. “But this one isn’t disagreeing one bit.”

  “Glad to hear it. Good morning my loves.” She greeted. She bit back a squeak as Kyoko scooped her into her arms and gave her a gentle kiss in front of everyone. It was nothing new. For over a week Kanade felt comfortable displaying her affection and Kyoko’s temperature dropped slightly in arousal. “I missed you last night, Kanade-chan. Now put me down. It isn’t proper as mistress.”

  “Same here, but neither of us got laid so don’t feel left out.”

  “The day is still young.” Promised the smaller woman who winked at Ethan while being put down.

  Blake and the others didn’t move from the fire as everyone else gathered, but he first asked “How have you decided?”

  Catlike ruby eyes remained full of struggle and regret, but he took each one going to ask “Where’s Vitalli and Ellen?”

  It was clearly a weak stalling tactic.

  Answered it was nevertheless. “Sleeping in on my boat.” Baldr said with a blade of dry grass in his mouth. “Stop beating around the bush.”

  More smoke came with a sigh. Even his wings sagged. “Since it is impossible to change the mind of all of you stubborn asses… you can come.”

  “And blood?” Kira prompted.

  Muscles jumped in his jaw. “Yes. On the condition I can watch.”

  “And risk you breaking the backups like the one you did last night? No dice.” Baldr shook his head with a smile.

  Kira likewise refused. “Sorry, Boyo. Only I can be involved. No one watches. Big brothers need to let their little sisters breathe and play with their toys alone. You’ve got your dollies and I got mine.”

  It was a united front Ethan knew he couldn’t change their mind without hurting and that he would never do to those he cares for. “Fine. You win. How much blood do you need from me?”

  Kira dug in a pouch contained in her armor and withdrew an empty test tube plugged with a glass stopper. She also withdrew a black marker and circled the glass just below the halfway point and handed it over to Odin who handed it to Panther. “To that line.” She prompted.

  The tube was too small to hold in his large hand and they all knew it. Using the needle sharp tip of his right wing claw, Ethan’s expression pinched with pain as he stabbed the palm of his hand to the bone and opened the wound three inches wide before allowing it to pool. All watched on curiously as boiling blood bubbled and filled the recess. Panther placed the opened vial in a wrinkle in his master’s hand and let it fill. In no time it was capped, wiped in sand to remove the crimson stains and passed back.

  It would take a few minutes for the blood to clot, but Kyoko said “May I, Ethan-sama?”

  “Go to town, Sweetheart.” His large hand dropped to her chest and a few grimaced as she carefully drank his blood and licked the wound. He held absolutely still so as to not hurt her. It was a rather intimate act, but his blood was so valuable it would not be wasted, especially not by her. When eyes went to Kanade s
he merely shrugged with indifference. She said “He belongs to us just as we are his. His blood too.”

  Kira pulled out a tube insulator and sealed the material while standing up. “Floa, you know where to send me.” And with a clap the Witch vanished to go get started before the blood stopped bubbling. Kira reappeared at an ancient Witch’s hidden house. A house belonging to her eldest ancestor who hid her vials. She collected them, hugged the ancestor and went somewhere alone where none could watch her work on perfecting her greatest achievement.

  “Lad, before I too go, can you do something for me?” Odin said as soon as he noticed the blood stop flowing and watched Kyoko head to the ocean to swim and wash the blood from around her mouth.

  “Sure. What is it?”

  “Since after today there will be no more coming and going here on this island till you all head out, spar with me. I’ve wanted to properly battle an Elemental rather than kill like the last one. And my luck shone the day I learned you were changing. I want a fight to remember you by. One I’ll regret if we’ll never see each other again.”

  Ethan gave the old Viking a long, hard look before deciding “I don’t see why not since you can’t die, but only on the condition that we do it the old fashioned way. Your steel against my fists. No spells.”

  “I knew I liked you for a reason, Lad!” Odin laughed and got right up. Off came the wolf pelt. Mountain and valleys of ripped muscle bulged. Gungnir moved to his right hand while drawing a hand and a half Bastard Sword, but in his large hand it fit more like a single hand weapon.

  Ethan got up, still in his armor from yesterday, pulled black gauntlets from his belt and slid them on efficiently before pulling hidden strings in the forearm to tighten it snugly. At his lower back he drew the ruby Dragon’s scale and slid the straps into place on his left forearm. The short sword remained sheathed on his lower back because in all the martial arts Blake beat Ethan with, he only showed promise in hand to hand.

  Kanade and the others stood together as the sparring pair moved out into the sand away from the fire and all obstructions. Odin rolled his wrist to make the sword go round and round so fast it made a slight whistle. The off golden shine reflected the sun from both metals forged by the master blacksmith and Forgemaster Celestia.

  The two warriors sized each other up and despite the size difference and Odin’s true immortality, Ethan knew Odin deserved what history warped into myth for good reason. The one eyed Viking very much resembled a war god, bushy beard and all. It was clear the rules of battle.

  First to surrender will lose.

  Odin dropped into a lethal fighting stance, but was overshadowed by Ethan’s.

  Wings half spread for balance as his tail whipped and swayed like a snake about to strike anything behind. Fists came up, shoulders leaned forward and legs spread. That all paled in comparison to what went on inside his mind. All extra thoughts dropped and only Odin was targeted. Each breath, muscle twitch and anything else the lone opponent had. Everything else vanished.

  Cold rage took its place.

  Due to Ethan’s temper, Blake taught him how to properly channel it and use it where it didn’t use him. The rage was like a Berserker. It gave great strength, but left one vulnerable. Singular focus is all that separated him from a Berserker. Like Baldr. Great rage combined with natural focus eventually resulted in cold rage.

  The air rumbled from a growl resonating in his chest, but it made Odin grin like a madman as another fight pumped adrenaline through his veins.

  Under cold rage’s influence Ethan didn’t hear Baldr shout “Begin!” the focus was so great nothing filtered in except from the target. It was Odin’s movements that truly started the session.

  The Viking was more than an immortal man. He was four times faster, speeding from nothing to eighty three miles per hour in three bounds. Sand gouged lines behind. Odin also had the strength of ten Vikings which allowed him to fight on par with some of the greatest adversaries ever to be known. Add to that of two thousand years of experience and weapon mastery, Odin was nigh unbeatable.

  But Ethan had advantages too. Skin harder than stone, mountainous strength, the top edges of his wings were also sharp as swords and a spear-like tail, stood twenty and a half feet and focus so great it was unrivaled.

  Odin’s burst of speed enhanced a spear thrust. Ethan knocked it away on his shield and returned a right uppercut. Odin leaned barely out of range before getting launched headless like a rock thrown by catapult. He brought his sword to stab an eye, but a wing wrapped like a shield. Even though it was hard skin, the sword was magically sharpened and the thin membrane parted. But only by a few inches before being withdrawn. Odin went to attack, but a hoof connected during the interval of pulling Gungnir back for another thrust. Odin was kicked literally through a thick palm tree. A moment later he got out and charged while bones, organs and skin repaired in moments. Odin made a feint Ethan fell to and earned a deep gash above his right eye. Ethan roared defiantly and speared Odin though the heart with his stiffened tail. It went through like a spoon through jell-o. Odin coughed blood as he and everyone noticed his heart speared on the spade. But the fight was far from over. Gungnir and the sword swooped down and made a cross scissor motion to cut off the tail.

  Pain barely registered the loss as Odin fell and a leg sweep knocked him down before a sharp wing cut Odin in half at the hip. As soon as the bloodied wing slid out and Ethan stood, he watched as the nearness shot blood to lower like spider webbing and pulled both halves back together.

  The sword swept and hacked while the lance jabbed and pierced. It was faster than most mortals could follow. Things moved so fast, time seemed to slow. It was clear no human would stand a chance against the old warrior, even without his regenerative powers. The experience and skill would be overwhelming without serious natural advantages.

  Twice was Odin kicked away so Ethan could catch a lungful of air. Each injury disappeared on one, but added to another. Since only Ethan’s face was exposed and his black hooves harder than diamond, it was made the main target. His wings served only to aid blocking.

  Odin was right back to his feet and renewed the assault. Sword and spear were captured by giant bare hands as a hoof struck between the legs and Odin only managed to not go flying because of a grip on the combination weapons. Only, like Ethan, getting kicked in the balls only managed to enrage the indestructible All Father. He turned his arms in such a way that Ethan lost grip and felt the edge of Gungnir and the sword placed perfectly over each heart and stopped on an invisible barrier though it wouldn’t have pierced the leather.

  As soon as Odin stopped so did Ethan’s wings coming in horizontally to decapitate. The sharp wing edges halted on the neck, but indents showed pressure was made.

  Cold rage dissipated along with Odin’s slow withdraw. The locked focus loosened its grip and Kanade mentally sighed as she reconnected. Odin wiped his soaked, hairy chest to say “Not bad, Lad. You were all I expected and more. No regrets?”

  Ethan fell to his knees from the strenuous battle, gasping, but managed to say “None.”

  Kanade, Panther and Kyoko hurried over. Panther’s hands painfully compressed the still gushing end of his tail. Kyoko treated his wings with small patches of ice like surgical glue. It was the first Ethan ever saw her so worried. Kanade put pressure on the gash over his right eye and slice on his neck. He still remained spent, sweaty and exhausted from lack of oxygen.

  Odin put a hand on Ethan’s shoulders to speak in obvious pride. “Lad, this is farewell. I was glad to meet you and see you mature. Just know you will always be part of my family. Always, Lad. Always.”

  Ethan hugged Odin close, hearing him grunt as ribs loudly cracked. “Thank you for everything.”

  Not long after his blood stopped flowing did Odin and Floa leave, unable to return as Ethan locked Floa out of the barrier protecting the island.

  By morning though, all wounds had vanished the spade tip grew back.

  Chapter 9

&n
bsp; “About freakin’ time!” Kanade huffed as the Scottish Witch came roaring back to the island on the boat.

  The Yacht dropped anchor, both Kira and Baldr dove into the water as soon as it stopped and swam quickly. Everyone else waited on the shore with three in particular clutching their chests as if having a heart attack. It was Kyoko, Kanade and Ethan feeling the pressure of the Accords squeezing their weakened lives to the point it hurt. All three were currently weaker than the others, had been since morning when it was difficult to climb out of the hammock. It required complete dependence on Dallare to send them down to the beach.

  Kyoko panted with a hand bunching the fabric of her Kimono at the breast “It will be over… soon. A few… more minutes.”

  Hand over hand Kira and Baldr swam for three minutes till feet reached bottom and they hurried. She noticed everyone armored and armed except for Kanade and Kyoko in a large red dress and a conservative cherry blossom kimono. Her Scottish brogue rang out over the crashing waves in the overcast afternoon. “Sorry. Sorry. I know I’m late.”

  Panther angrily demanded. “Explain why you make my masters’ suffer!”

  “Took longer to distill the potion than I anticipated and a half day to cool. I couldn’t jostle it without ruining it. I’m sorry… truly.” She admitted while wringing out her auburn hair and was yet again surprised her full body leathers repelled the seawater. Her shoes, hands and head was wet though.

  “Enough.” Growled Ethan and Panther stepped away to help him stand. Vitalli and Ellen aided Kanade in standing and Nell assisted Kyoko. “Dallare. Do it now.”

  “Yes, Master.” She bowed in her full Shaman robe as they lined up.

  The yellow Elf raised her index finger and glowed with an angry red hue. Sharp angles and lines floated in the air around her with each pass of her finger. For nearly a minute the expert Shaman wrote till she snapped her fingers and the twelve intricate portal runes came together with a ‘BANG’ as if a cannon just fired.