The Elementalist

15. Elementalism 101

Elementalism 101Doctor Moore was not of the opinion that Voi’s arm wound required stitches, much to her relief. A day later, it had already begun to heal admirably beneath the bandage Mr. Callahan had applied to it. “The unique phenomenon of the emelesiac physiology,” Dr. Moore remarked thoughtfully as he finished re-bandaging the freshly treated wound. “I’d say give it a week.”

Minor cuts and bruises had always healed quickly for Voi, though she hadn’t expected a knife wound to do the same. Satisfied with the doctor’s news, she hopped off his examination table and was prepared to return home when he stopped her.

“Voi?”

Tentatively, she paused and turned around. “Yes?”

“How are you taking to… the Change?”

She thought about this momentarily then shrugged. “The Initiation was the worst of it. Otherwise, I haven’t endured any other harrowing experiences.” At his raised eyebrow, she added, “Well,” she looked at her arm, “excluding yesterday, I suppose.”

“Doesn’t the fact that I’ve known the truth about your condition all these years and never told you upset you?”

Voi looked down; she hadn’t really considered his role in the deception.

“You know, Voi, I’ve never liked keeping secrets from my patients. I’ve always taken a policy of complete transparency when it comes to—”

“I’m not upset with you, Harold. You weren’t in control of these things, after all.” She felt the need to sit down again.

“Yes,” he said, “but that doesn’t make it right.”

Gradually, she made eye contact with him.

He rested a gentle hand on her good arm. “Please, don’t hesitate to come talk to me, Voi, if you have questions about what you’re going through. Many emelesiacs at this stage begin experiencing new, sudden urges they aren’t sure how to deal with—namely increased libido and, well, a fixation on their element. At times, you may feel more like an animal than a human being, for lack of better comparison.”

Voi’s eyes widened.

“Are you still drinking the tea?”

“Yes—but, to be honest, I don’t think it actually works.” She cringed.

Dr. Moore gave an admonishing smile. “You could have mentioned this before, Voi.”

She tossed her head from side to side frivolously.

“Have you experienced any of these… urges I mentioned yet? Anything you’re not used to feeling that seems extreme?”

“No.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Well, when you do, just remember to close your eyes and take deep, steady breaths then go out for a while. Take a jog or do some other athletic activity that reduces adrenaline levels to help keep your mind off things. It will calm you. The worst of it will be over before you know it.”

She blinked. “That’s it?”

Dr. Moore just shrugged. “You know what they say: mind over matter.” He moved to open the door for Voi.

She hopped off the bed. “Is there nothing else you can prescribe me, just in case?”

“That would only interfere with your training and acclimation process, I’m afraid.”

“I see.” She sighed. “Alright.”

He gave her a small smile.

Voi stepped into the hallway.

“And Voi?”

She paused, looking over her shoulder.

“Don’t let Milia get to you. Granted, she took things too far, but that’s just her way of feeling you out. Seeing what you’re made of.”

The corner of Voi’s mouth curled up. With renewed vigor, she spun on her heels then strutted through the waiting room, her head held high. Outside, she paused, surprised to find white flakes falling from the sky.

“First snow,” she said, holding out her hand to catch a few crystals before they melted in her palm. Winter was near, but so was the new year. Didn’t leave much time for training. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her wool coat then made for the nearest trolley stop.

Milia was right: Darmoil’s induction into the League was just around the corner.

* * *

Later that day, having communicated that she was ready to resume her training, Voi met Troy at a prearranged location—not far from her townhome but distant enough to avoid drawing attention from neighbors. Troy tried to make small talk with Voi as he’d done before, though her thoughts were elsewhere.

Noticing Voi’s distracted state, Troy drove silently for the remainder of the trip.

Milia failed to offer a greeting when Voi entered the barn, though Mr. Callahan jumped off the table. She met him halfway. “Hey,” he said, “you’re back.” He didn’t sound surprised but rather pleased.

Voi managed to smile.

He continued staring at her for a moment then cleared his throat. “Milia and I wanted to talk to you about what happened.”

“Oh?”

Mr. Callahan looked back in Milia’s direction. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to say?”

Milia, who was leaning against the table, gave Voi a condescending look. “I apologize for my behavior. Perhaps it was a bit… harsh.”

“Perhaps?” Voi echoed incredulously.

The woman worked her jaw.

Mr. Callahan shook his head. “Not exactly what I had in mind, but… it’s a start.”

Voi folded her arms, unsatisfied.

“Anyway,” he went on, “Milia told me about your archery practice, Voi. Somehow, it seems you’ve improved overnight.” He paused. “What changed?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Do you think your abilities played a role?”

Her gaze darted between him and Milia as she grew less sure of herself. “Well, this might sound strange, but… when I let go of my arrows, it felt as though a small stream of air had also left my fingertips. I felt something similar before while shooting your revolver, Mr. Callahan.”

“You don’t have to keep calling me by my surname.” He tilted his head. “Call me Ron, or Ronny; it’s shorter.”

“Oh.” Voi blinked. “Alright… Ronny.” She wasn’t sure she was ready to be so personal with him.

“Say, Milia,” he went on, “I’ve been doing some thinking about your elemental traits in comparison to Voi’s.”

“Have you now?” The diplomat raised an eyebrow.

He nodded. “I’ve studied your reports. You can be swift, ruthless, and precise, leaving little room for error. Your focus tends to be… narrow.”

Milia grew stiff and folded her arms. “Go on.”

“I’ve got to be honest: after your stunt the other day, you might want to reconsider your strategy when it comes to teaching Voi elementalism. Being an air personality, I think she’ll respond better to more leeway than you’re used to giving.” He looked at Voi.

She bit her lip, unsure whether to be flattered or offended by the fact that he was defending her.

Milia unfolded her arms, maintaining a neutral expression. “I see.” She began to pace back and forth in a line. After a while, she sat on one of the bales then crossed her legs, gazing across the barn. “For a non-elementalist, Callahan, you seem to have a fairly intimate grasp of the nuances and mechanisms of our craft. Given your history with elementalists of the female variety,” she c****d her head and regarded him curiously, a hint of wryness to her tone, “I suppose I can see why the League would choose you, above all adepts, to become Voi’s handler.”

A weighty atmosphere permeated the air, tugging on Voi’s emotions and silencing even the faintest traces of wind which whistled through the barn.

Ronny planted his hands on his hips, his expression now serious. Still, he chose not to offer a rebuttal—or an explanation.

Milia passed Voi a cursory glance. “Nevertheless, crafting an elementalist is no small matter. Voi is like a child, you see, and you and I are much like her parents. Our rearing could mean the difference between our mission’s success and its complete and utter failure.”

It was Voi’s turn to fold her arms. She didn’t like being compared to a child, though she decided to keep quiet. For now.

“Which is exactly why we should be discussing this before taking action,” Ronny said firmly.

“Naturally.” Milia brought a hand to her chin, looking pensive. “Resolve and consistency will be of the utmost importance to Voi’s success. Our ‘child’ has a tendency to take refuge in moments where failure and complacency are rewarded with leniency and forgiveness.” She dropped her hand. “I don’t intend to nurture this flaw any further.”

“I am here,” said Voi, tapping her foot.

“Some situations,” said Ronny, “call for tough love, but others require a more nuanced approach.” He gestured loosely to his neck. “That charm you wear doesn’t just represent perfection but also balance between a person’s character and their actions. As a Follower of Orden, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Of course I agree.” Milia stood and sauntered towards him. “Why else do you think I asked you to come here today, Callahan?”

“Ah.” He raised his chin. “Balancing act, got it. Just making sure we’re on the same page this time. Wouldn’t want another episode to report, now would we?”

Milia narrowed her eyes.

The clairvoyant’s retort brought a languorous smile to Voi’s face. It was nice having someone on her side. “So… what happens now?”

“I suggest we approach Voi’s training defensively and develop her elementalism using long-range tactics,” said Ronny. “Area attacks to level the playing field, that sort of thing.” He considered Voi and addressed her directly. “Your longbow training already gives you the mindset of someone who closes on her targets from a distance.” He shrugged, looking at Milia. “I say we use that to our advantage.”

Voi tilted her head and gazed at him, finding herself oddly pleased that his attention had been on her long enough to warrant such an analysis. Only a few weeks before, she’d found it disturbing that he’d been monitoring her private life for months on end…

He went on. “Air, or gases in general, can be found just about anywhere above land and water—giving Voi a broad advantage over her opponents. I say we build on this, play to Voi’s strengths. Couldn’t hurt, considering she’s weak in self-defense at close range.”

And here I was thinking he was complimenting me. Voi huffed then ran her fingers through her hair to distract herself, loosening her wavy tangles.

“Fair enough,” said Milia. “However, I’m not sure how many weeks of training it will take before the force behind Voi’s attacks will become strong enough or effective enough to be useful in the field. The League wants this mission completed before Darmoil is signed into our alliance—which leaves us with six weeks, give or take, before we switch her focus to test flying.”

“That’s fine, Milia. I’m sure you’re more than qualified to get Voi where she needs to be.”

Voi rolled her eyes. Just like Memé and Pepé fussing about how to best keep me out of trouble. She plopped herself on a bale of hay as her mentors continued their discussion. A bushel of dandelion seeds passed by, capturing her attention. She blew at it softly, watching with a sense of juvenile wonder as the seeds drifted towards the roof…

Sensing she was being watched, her gaze carried slowly towards Milia—her lips still poised in a wistful pucker.

“Focus,” said Milia, “may also prove to be an issue.”

Ronny, who stood with his hands on his hips, shook his head.

“You,” said Milia.

Voi’s eyebrows were still raised from her previous state of fascination. “Me?”

“Yes, you. Get up.”

She rose uneasily.

“Come over here. Please.”

Voi walked slowly towards the woman, kneading her hands together.

Milia grabbed the charm on her necklace, holding it for Voi to see. “Since you’re so educated, remind me what this stands for.”

“It’s a trine; it represents the Trinity of Existence.”

“Which comprises?”

“The body, mind, and spirit.”

“Indeed,” said Milia. “Now, in the context of elementalism, it specifically represents the physical, mental, and spiritual realms.” She let go of the charm. “Elementalism simultaneously takes place on each of these three levels—the physical being the most natural to grasp and the spiritual being the most complex. It’s easier to manipulate your element when you have a physical hold on it, as this allows for a more immediate exchange of energy between you and the aetheric field which surrounds and permeates us, telling the elements how to behave.”

“But you can’t really ‘grasp’ at air, now can you?” said Ronny.

“Which brings me to the next level: mental.”

“I assumed that would have been Mr. Calla—” Voi eyed him briefly, “Ronny’s realm, due to his supposed psychic abilities.”

He sniffed at this.

“In some ways,” said Milia, “though you must understand, Voi, elementalism is simply another psychic ability; psychokinesis is the technical term for it.”

“I see.” Voi gave Ronny a distrustful look, though he didn’t react to this.

Milia went on. “Callahan does have a point: one can’t ‘grasp’ the air in the same sense as you can with a solid object or material. Therefore, you’ll have to rely more on the mental plane when it comes to manipulating your element. That’s not to say you won’t be operating on the physical level at all, just less so than some elementalists do. It’s why air types tend to be more cerebral. But technically speaking, your hands are almost always in contact with air molecules.” She passed Ronny a haughty look as if settling a score.

He shrugged.

“Some elementalists?” It was easy for Voi to forget there were others like them. “Like who?”

“Earth or wood adepts, perhaps. Water and fire are more akin to air in their fluidity, but that’s not important right now. What’s important, Voi, is that you learn to maintain absolute control over your emotions and mental faculties while attempting to perform elementalism. Prolonged focus will be required. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” said Voi, thoroughly annoyed. “Sometimes I get distracted. It’s something I’ll just have work on.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, let’s begin with some simple exercises, shall we?” Milia moved to the center of the barn. “While manipulation is largely achieved on the mental level, you’ll find it helpful to use your hands in order to guide the flow of energy in the direction and patterns you desire. Observe.”

After watching Milia make a complete fool of herself—using wooden hand gestures like a doll impersonating an imperial court dancer—Voi asked impatiently, “Yes, but what about the spiritual plane? You haven’t spoken about that yet.” Besides, it sounded more interesting.

Unexpectedly, Milia stomped her foot, sending up a cloud of dust. “Are you even paying attention to me, Voi? I specifically asked you to focus!”

Voi bit her tongue.

Eyes bulging, Milia took a calm breath. “Now, repeat after me.”

At this point, Ronny leaned back, easing himself onto a bale of hay with a not-so-concealed smirk on his face.

This is absurd. Voi lifted her hands anyway, just as Milia did, then began waving them back and forth. Like grass in the wind.

“Yes, yes, good,” said Milia. “We want to get the air moving a little if we wish to see any real results. Now, try this.” She started making lateral circular motions with her hands, her palms spaced far enough to fit a large melon between them.

Grudgingly, Voi mimicked this.

“Yes, keep going, keep going… Oh, for heaven’s sake, Voi. Put your damn brain into it! This isn’t some mindless exercise, despite what you may think.”

“I am!”

“You are not; I can tell. I’d be able to sense the difference if you were. My senses are much more attuned to the aether than yours, so do not for one moment take me for a fool.”

“Fine.” Voi made a conscious effort to focus on the imaginary vortex between her hands. She pictured herself stirring a thick, delicious veal stew, round and round in a cyclical manner. She licked her lips, salivating at the thought, and before long, she felt a cool breeze between her hands.

“Whoa,” said Voi, leaning back.

Ronny sat up halfway to watch, arching his eyebrows at the two women.

“Yes, that’s it,” said Milia. “Keep going, Voi. Let’s see how much energy you can pull into your orb.”

Voi stared intently at her hands, focusing on steadily coaxing energy from the aether—an effort which soon manifested into a whirling, spherical vortex of blurred air. Realizing she was entirely in control of this phenomenon, she smiled. Finally, I’m getting somewhere with this preposterous training.

Her eyes widened with possibility.

A great ambition seized Voi as her desire to see the evolution of her creation increased. And the more she desired, the more it seemed to do just that: increase. The vortex continued to demand more space, and she spread her hands farther apart to accommodate this until the breadth became as wide as her shoulders. Even then, the vortex continued to grow.

Ronny sat upright on his bale now, resting his hands on his thighs as he watched with piqued curiosity.

“Good, good,” said Milia, pacing the barn. “Don’t let it get too large. Remember, you want to remain in control.”

But the vortex seemed to take on a will of its own, becoming much too powerful for Voi to contain. Her arms couldn’t stretch as wide as it wanted to grow, and it threatened to liberate itself entirely.

“Steady, Voi… You control what happens here.”

“Iiiiiii’m not so sure about that.” Voi attempted to shrink the orb by pulling in her arms, though her motions grew awkward. The vortex soon escaped her, stirring up a storm of dirt and hay around her. She tripped and fell backward, landing on her rear with a jarring jolt.

“Oof!”

“And that is the power of nature!” Milia declared, thrusting her fist into the air. “A tiny fraction of it, at least.”

Bits and pieces of hay floated down, settling onto Voi’s disheveled hair. She plucked at them in frustration, puffing a loose strand out of her face.

Ronny—curse his impropriety—laughed. Quite loudly, too.

“You would find that funny, wouldn’t you?” she asked, struggling to get on her feet. Exhausted, she gave up with a huff then went back to patting herself free of hay. “I’d like to see you try.”

“That’s cute, Voi,” he said, still laughing. He lay back down with his hands folded behind his head and closed his eyes.

Voi halted her vigorous hay-plucking involuntarily as she stared at him, alarmed by the amount of playfulness in his tone.

“Well,” said Milia—for once sounding satisfied, “I think we’re off to a good start, Callahan. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Oh yeah. She’s a real elemental force, that one.”

Voi frowned.

Undaunted, Milia declared, “Don’t mind him. He’ll be experiencing your ‘force’ first-hand soon enough.” She gestured casually to Voi. “Come on, let’s give it another whirl, shall we?”

“Again?”

“Yes again, Voi. Do get up. You look pathetic slouching there like a sackful of potatoes.”

Voi pouted then watched as Ronny got off of his bale.

“Sorry, ladies,” he announced as he stretched his arms, “but I think this is my cue to leave.”

“And just where do you think you’re going?” asked Milia.

Ronny froze, cringing with his arms still extended in midair.

“If you want to take any credit for this elementalist when she does become ‘a force to be reckoned with’—and I can assure you, Callahan, she most certainly will—then you ought to be around for her rearing. Don’t you think?” Milia flashed him a terse smile.

Ronny lowered his arms, looked to the heavens, then resigned himself and sat back down.

“That’s what I thought.” Milia faced Voi, all traces of amusement instantly draining from her expression. “Again!”

With an exaggerated huff, Voi pulled herself back to her feet.

It was going to be a long day.