Page 94 of Transfiguration

“And we keep beating them,” Con reminded him. “This is attempt number what? Hundred and one? The Kresnik failed this round. They also failed when they attacked you with fire. And when Kelly became the Pillar of Water, and when Sam became Fire, and me Wind. They keep trying. But the demon got away. Maybe it has plans we don’t know yet? I assume nothing more than that there will be another attempt, attack, or whatever.”

“So, life as usual?” Seiran said in a half joke. “That thing you became…”

A manifestation of the god of wind. “Yeah.”

“Earth wants that a lot.”

“Makes sense. Our mortal shells weaken the elements.”

“But if they destroy us… Then they fall to another mortal scion?”

“I think the goal is to put them all back together so they don’t need a mortal shell,” Con pointed out. “That’s why they wanted Luca to be a vessel. As a vampire, his physical body would have been more durable, and as a revenant he’d have been super powerful.”

“And that’s why they need the demon? To unite them?”

“I’ll need to do more research but sounds like it.” The last of the bodies vanished. Con used the wind to gather up any last traces above ground and set them to the earth where Seiran buried them. The sky was brightening. Morning coming, and the dark lifting. It had been an unnatural fog of darkness, blotting out the stars. It was an amazing power. “Gabe is taking to this added power thing like a duck to water.”

“Sam too,” Seiran agreed. “But we can’t take anything for granted. We’ll have to work on everyone’s training and control. Being a Pillar isn’t like riding a bike. The element is loud, demanding, and never lets up. Having more power isn’t easy.”

“Not everything is your battle alone,” Con said. “We are all here, a rising group of Pillars with power unseen in centuries, for a reason. How about we figure it out together rather than you taking it all with an expectation that you will solve it or die? The demon comes at us. We’ll face it as a group. The elements were meant to work in tandem, not be fighting with each other.”

“Those are old philosophies,” Seiran said. “Funny how there are so many Pillars that are male now, and close to me.”

“I suspect that is of some greater design, too. Maybe a way for the elements to resettle their balance after so many years of being suppressed?” Con shrugged. “I’m trying to think positive. I have Sam’s fire power rolling through me, and he can feel my wind. It would be easy to fan flames and burn the world down. How often do you and Kelly work together? Maybe magic is trying to fix itself.”

“Or destroy us all.”

“Wow, pessimistic much?” Con gripped.

“Experience is a bitch,” Seiran said.

“Yeah.”

“You manifested a god of wind and still find something good? He tried to tear you apart.” Seiran said.

“Which would have meant His own destruction. I realize that now. It’s why Gaea won’t let you die. It’s not that She will rage free and take over the world if you do, it’s that without you, She is powerless. Shattered and voiceless without the physical manifestation, all She can do is natural disasters, but as large as the planet is, without you, it’s scattered. We give them focus and power. Fall to another scion? Maybe. How many have been near powerless in the past? Without a scion, or all the elements together, or a vessel as they wanted to use Luca for, what power do they have?”

“You’re saying it’s my lack of control that gives her more power?” Seiran asked.

“I think part of it is what you gave to Kaine. But know that you can choose how much She can control, even when She’s trying to tear you apart. Think of it as setting boundaries with a narcissist.”

“Studied a lot of mental disorders?”

“Yes,” Con said. “My family is filled with narcissists.”

“Doesn’t standing up to them make them more volatile?”

“Yes, but also less likely to keep pushing you. They find another victim to manipulate. The elements don’t have that luxury. Which means they will have to accept the boundaries or find themselves silenced.”

“Do you think you can silence the wind?”

“I’ve gotten good at shutting it out over the years. It’s much louder now, and will take some practice, but sure.”

Seiran let out a long breath. “Maybe you should train all of us?”

“I think we have enough to learn all around to share and build knowledge. An exchange if you prefer. No obligation. We are not fae, bound by vows and promises. I need to know more about dark and light energies and have had no formal training. I can share a lot about runes and regular spell casting. It’s not as individual as most think. We all have a lot to learn.”

“It’s hard to trust anyone,” Seiran said. “They manipulated Kaine, and he’s just a kid.”