World Between: Chapter 1 part 3

“Well, you picked your elements right, at least.” Sofia giggled as Aaron’s current spell collapsed for about the 5th time.

“You said this was easy!” Aaron shouted frustrated, and mistakenly swung a razor sharp wind towards Sofia cutting a couple strands of hair as she dodged.

“You were saying?” Sofia sighed checking to make sure her hair still looked reasonable before stabilizing Aaron. “I said casting was easy, but that doesn’t mean you have the power for it on hand.” She took a couple steps back, and took a deep breath. For a moment she stood completely still as several tattoos began to draw themselves into her skin, and a purple outline pulsed for her body. “You have to connect yourselves. Really FEEL the elements when you call back to them.”

“But they’re calling first… right?” Aaron stated. Sofia said nothing else, and just waited as the pulse and tattoos faded. He started by steadying himself as he closed his eyes, and heard Sofia’s hair blowing as the wind picked up. Talmo’s eagle also seemed to be sending magic to him. Both the essences of Soul magic keeping the bird alive, and a feeling of strength from the earth that he was made from. But something seemed... off, so he took a deep breath and tried to dig deeper. He felt the wind circle around the golem bird, and then come back to him. The body of the bird held no magic on its own, but then how did ordinary stone call out to him? The wind picked up wildly in response, and then it occurred to him.

“The same way the ordinary wind has been reacting to you all this time.” Sofia stated almost like she was translating. “So since Wind is pretty much second natural to you already...” There was silence for a few moments until Aaron felt the wind getting cut through by a goat leg. Which would’ve hit anyone else in the face, but instead hit open air as Aaron was against an outside wall in milliseconds. “Good.” Sofia stated. “Now let’s see you form an Earth connection.”

Aaron struggled for a bit longer, but Jen had gained a connection to Water and Light magic some hours ago. Now attempting to fight her sister, Jill, who was proving to be much faster than she could read.

“See?” Jill questioned landing on the ground as Jen finally stopped to catch her breath. “This place doesn’t care where you’re from. You just have to be willing to… stay…” Jen looked up to see Jill looking behind her. It took her a bit longer, but she began to feel it too. Jill took off towards her camp and Jen ran as fast as she could after.

“Jill, wait!” Another harpy was tackling Jill as Jen ran up to both of them. “They… stopped… we” The harpy grunted trying to hold Jill back. “Are supposed to stay clear”

“While who is helping then?” Jen stated as she landed next to her. The other harpy glared at her as she came in.

“Obviously not you.” The harpy responded. “You’ve done plenty for idiot friends.” Jill looked at her sister a little shocked at first.

“Wha?... I…” Jen shook her head in disbelief while collecting herself. “No one I know would have done this even if…” Meisa walked up with her enlarged stuffed panda walking behind her. Cindy trapped in the bear’s hug.

“No go on please.” Meisa stated as curt and formally as she could manage. “Don’t interrupt your statement on my account.”

“Cindy…” Jen stared at her speechless. “Why… How did…” A flaming sword swung through the space between the sisters and Meisa, who was next to the other harpy.

“Miss Prior.” A girl who looked very similar to Meisa stated as she caught her sword. “You’re certain that you came through a package? Just the six of you?”

“It was only us 6 when Jared opened some kind of portal. And I would never have agreed to doing this, so please if I can do something to help?” Jen was struggling between balancing her emotions, and looking to the scene of the rock slide as she spoke.

“There are some major injuries, but fortunately nothing very serious. My order sister, Lydria was… checking up on a friend at the time. I got here about when you did, and found your friend already-” Meisa

“She is not my friend.” Jen stated. “I thought we had similar goals, so I worked with her for the time.”

“And now?” Lydria questioned. Jill side-hugged her sister.

“Now she’s been talking about staying together.” Jill stated as Jen paused before nodding.
“I briefly mentioned it.” Jen responded. “I wanted to learn how this place worked before I decided, but… well I think you two already understand.”

“Don’t worry.” Lydria stated bring her own sister into a semi-hugged. “My younger sister taught me too.”

A purple-skinned harpy grunted trying to steady herself on one of the rocks that had fallen. The purple harpy’s eyes went wide before cringing into pain briefly and Meisa grabbed Jen’s arm.
“Healing…” Meisa attempted to find the words, but seemed to give up before kneeling down. “I’m kind of new to... 

“Explaining a dark-attuned creature? While her name is Melody for starters.” Melody weakly chuckled as Meisa looked ashamed of herself. “Light magic requires ‘pure’ intentions, which isn’t exactly Dark magic concern. Isn’t a little like how fire and water don’t get along. They aren’t “opposite” in the way Meisa used to think of them.” Melody explained slowly feeling better. “But using one on the other usually doesn’t work too well, where Soul magic doesn’t really care so long as there is life.” Jen got lost in thought as Melody finished, and just silently watched Meisa help in a way she apparently couldn’t.

“Was Odina hurt?” Lydria stated walking over with Meisa’s Soul-infused bear following her.

“She didn’t tell you?” Melody questioned. “She went straight back to…” She paused looking at Jen for a moment.

Odina stood close to the large blue gem shaped like the one in Jared’s vision. Waiting and wondering if she had made the right call. She breathed a sigh of relief when Lydria came back and explained what had happened. Everyone was safe for now, which made it all the more important to do what she had been assigned… She just hoped she could...