Chapter 8 - 8

"Your lightning could be used defensively to" Dragonaut told Michael while they waited on the Tidas Clan. "You can create barriers and cause positive and negative attractions to either pull the enemy to your or repel them from you. For example." Creating a screen of light, he said "This is a flash barrier or hypros. It's normally used as a shield." Creating a dome around himself Dragonaut said. "This is an electrode barrier made to attract or repel your enemies. You want to give it try."

"Fucking right." Mike shouted eager to do something new.

"Alright remember Hypros is made from neutral energy basically your energy in itself while the electrode is made of positive or negative charges depending on what you want it to do."

"Bet" Michael said trying to create a Hypros barrier but instead he sent out a wave of thunder.

"Of course, you would jump right into the next step." Dragonaut remarked. "Thunder is another form of defense. It is used to repel up close attacks or knock someone off balance to create an opening. Thank you can do it again."

"What ya meannn. Ya talking to ya boy you know I can." Mike replied confidently. Reliving the moment in his head he released a second wave of thunder.

"Well alright then want to spar?" Dragonaut asked already knowing the answer.

Tossing his arms up Michael shouted. "Wassuhhhp."

Tidas

"Everybody ready" Master Elrond yelled as he stood in front of his clan.

In unison the entire village replied. "Tidas uz Creo" which meant "Lets flow like the water." Clutching together everyone made sure that they were in the hexagram. Filling the hexagram with wind water and his energy Master Elrond yelled, "Tidas uz creo." Picturing Ashros in his mind a gust of wind swept the hexagram as water rose around its perimeter. Being pressurized like the feeling when you are sleep and it feel like something is holding you down or the gravity was turned up, they disappeared.

Ashros

Tossing both arms forward Michael used a wave of thunder to block Dragonaut blast. Pouncing on his disciple as he fell backwards from the force of his attack Dragonaut back handed the blast Michael reflected towards him.

Throwing up his arms and creating a flash barrier to slow down his sensei, Mike rolled over as Dragonaut fist broke the barrier. "Meteor Shower" he yelled releasing multiple energy bursts of fire at his instructor.

Crossing his arms and taking on the attack Dragonaut thrust himself through the dust and debris that settled in the air. "Nice try." He said kicking Michael.

The Medial

"Where are we?" John questioned as he pushed through tall grass gazing at the mountains in the horizon.

"As of now we are in the medial." Master Elrond answered. "This is in the middle of Mythellonia. Each of the four mountains surrounding us contains a special gem along with engravings that stretches all the way to this field creating one giant Instagram. Activating all four mountains will open a portal to Earth but using each mountain separately will take you to a destination of its own. The Northern Mountain is wind, Eastern Fire, Southern lightning, Western water and this plateau here symbolizes earth."

"Where else do the mountains go?" John asked.

"That is something you will have to find out on your own." Master Elrond replied. "Our focus for today is to make sure that the children arrive safely while the rest of the clan head towards Ashros with the food and equipment."

"Question, why don't we just place them in the middle of the clan. Wouldn't it be easier to protect them that way?" John asked.

"That will also make my clan an easier target and slow us down" Elrond replied.

"Oh" John whispered wishing that he never offered the idea.

Making sure all the children were accounted for Master Elrond signaled for rest of the clan to leave. Handing wooden satchels to all the little ones Elrond took delight out of watching them take hold to the bags with excitement. Wondering what was inside like some of the young, John didn't get an answer for they couldn't open them. "Watch out for predators lurking in the grass." Elrond shouted taking the lead. Dancing and playing merrily the kids drew closer to their protectors. Hearing these words John tuned into the frequency of the wind and released his circagen stretching it as far as it would reach, while paying close attention to the kids in front of him.

Walking for a little over a mile Master Elrond picked up on a pack of Grengatts stalking them.

"Master…"

"Yea I know, they have been following us for about a mile." Master Elrond said cutting off John.

"Wait! For Real?" John questioned, just now picking up on their presence. "What should we do."

"Nothing we will let them make the first move that way we will have the advantage. As of now they believe we are unaware and is waiting for the right moment to strike."

"Aite cool" John replied nodding his head.

Continuing their hike for another twenty-eight minutes one of the kids tripped over something hidden in the grass. Turning to check on the little one Elrond never let his guard down.

Seeing this as a moment of weakness the Grengatts attacked. First two on all fours bolted in followed by two on their hind legs while the rest surrounded them in wait.

Water burst from the children backpack encasing them in a bubble at the sign of the threat. Growling the Grengatts held their position paying close attention to the kids who were now being shielded.

Doing the same Master Elrond and John didn't move either it was a stalemate. No one didn't want to make the wrong move. Having this stand-off for almost an hour the middle Grengatt charged in. Following their companion, the rest of the pack went into attack mode snarling and howling as they dashed in.

Focusing on the water underneath the ground Master Elrond caused several springs of water to gush out of the ground trapping four of the beasts in ice while the rest maneuvered pass.

"Crescent wind" John yelled releasing four blades of wind gashing two more of the creatures and cutting the leg off the third. Taking a quick glimpse toward the children water covered his forearms and hands creating crab claws "Vice Grips" he thought waiting on the next move.

Ashros

Bobbing left then weaving right Dragonaut dodged two of his disciple punches while throwing a punch himself.

Stepping on the outside of his sensei Mike pushed Dragonaut arm to the side and swung an uppercut.

Blocking the uppercut with his elbow Dragonaut threw a kick then charged in.

Flipping over his teacher Mike released two fire balls followed by a beam of lightning once he landed.

Taking two steps back as the fire blasts detonated on the ground Dragonaut did a somersault allowing the beam of lightning to sail pass him.

Finding himself surrounding by four geysers of fire, Mike created a flash barrier to block his instructor kick as he came flying in from the side.

Stepping in as the barrier shattered Dragonaut hit his student with a jab then tossed him onto the ground. Cocking his arm back ready to swing water spewed out of the ground a couple feet away.

Taking his instructor hand Mike turned his attention toward the water. "Right when things start getting real." He said.

"You were just complaining they were taking too long not that long ago." Dragonaut remarked bursting into laughter.

"Well, shit they were."

Shaking his head Dragonaut walked up to the Tidas Clan bowing. "Un Daareo Kunta Ashros ju Tidas clan" he said.

"Kunta ju dejra" They replied returning his bow.

"Could you understand?" Dragonaut asked Michael, turning towards him.

"Hell yea, you were like welcome to Ashros and they were like it's a welcome to be here." Michael replied following the clan.

"Where are you going." Dragonaut asked.

Tilting his head and looking at his sensei stupid Mike replied. "To hell if I don't pray."

"Your, technically living here already considering the devil rules the world." Dragonaut said.

"Bo…" shaking his head Mike put his hand over his face. "Neva mind nigga, neva mind."

"Okay" Dragonaut said shrugging his shoulders. "You do know it's not time to go."

Stopping in his tracks Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "What ya mean? Errybody just left." He said pointing towards the way the Tidas Clan went. "Know what I'm leaving F what you going through. You can stay by yo selve." Turning around and chunking up the deuces Mike couldn't find a trace of the Tidas Clan and he didn't know his way back to the village. "Know what I'm gonna stay here knowamsayin considering the fact it's all peaceful and shit knowam talmbout."

"Oh, yea let that be the reason." Dragonaut retorted shaking his head and softly laughing.

In the Medial

Feeling the ground trembling underneath, them John glanced at Master Elrond then the kids as they laughed and fell to the ground shouting. "Earthquake!"

Feeling multiple trembles Elrond knew the reason for them. Leaping into the air he created two giant balls of compressed wind and energy. "Vento Vu" he shouted releasing the two blast at the ground.

Staring at the two craters that were at least five feet deep and four feet wide John didn't expect nine tapeworm looking creatures to burst out of the ground. Frozen for a second he could only gawk at the hundred-foot tall worms as they wriggled like a snake when charmed. Snapping out of it he covered him and the children in a barrier of wind.

Feeling the vibrations coming from his barrier the worms rained down on them.

"Tidas ex Fre" Master Elrond shouted coming to the rescue he sprayed a mist of ice out of his palms turning the worms into statues. "finish it."

Nodding his head John pointed both his index and middle finger at them. "Chrystal Beam" he shouted releasing a beam of ice.

Transporting next to John and the kids Elrond created a barrier of ice to protect them from the fallen shards. "Put down your dome of wind they can pinpoint the vibrations coming from it."

Doing as he was told John watched as the barrier of ice surrounding them turned into a giant kraken matching the size of the worms. "Wrath of the Kraken." Master Elrond said as more of the worms burst out of the ground. Ripping two of the worms out of the ground the Kraken devoured them. Duh! Duh! Duh! Duh! The water-based creature then thrust four of its tentacles into the ground wrapping them around four more of the creatures from underneath. Freezing from the bottom up the worm statues shattered within its mighty grip. Spreading out six more of its tentacles and transforming them into blades of ice it begun to spin like a top chopping down thirteen more of the creatures like trees.

Back in Ashros

"Bout time" Mike yelled as a geyser burst out of the ground. Picking himself up he walked over to Dragonaut waiting on the water to die down.

Locking eyes on each other as the water subsided. Michael and John immediately begun to throw blows at one another without saying a word. Embarrassed Dragonaut was unable to hide his smile as he yanked his disciple backwards allowing John to get the last hit.

Coming out of his shirt Mike charged back towards John but Dragonaut stepped in the way. "You must respect our guests." He said.

"Mayne fuck him" Michael said trying to get pass his instructor.

"I take it you know each other already" Elrond questioned.

Nodding his head John fist remained clenched. "You can say that."