The Heroes of The Elemental Academies Book 3 The Tides of War

Chapter 20: Reason's Why

Seth

     He led them into the forest away from the encampment. Sure, he should've probably asked Rylee for the permission but he wasn't thinking about that at the time. All he knew, is that no one should have to handle these feelings alone at their age. He lead them towards the small green river that ran next to where they were building the base. The green water flowed fervently down and away to the east after flowing past the base. But he lead them upstream towards the back side of the cliff that overlooked the base. The river wasn't very wide. At most you could fit one or two small cars side by side in it. But from what he could see it was much deeper than it was wide, which was encouraging. It meant that anyone or anything trying to cross would have a tough time of it.
    They reached the back side of the cliff and climbed up the short jump to reach the cliff itself. To their credit the kids didn't ask where they were going, nor did they complain about the hike. He did hear some heavy breathing behind him. Entering the sparse little forest that was scattered at the top of the cliff they continued until they stood at the same spot overlooking the entire base that He ,Rylee and Charles had stood earlier.
   "I'm always up for a hike don't get me wrong. But, why are we here?" Leon asked. He looked to be more tired than the others as his shoulders were slumped and his breathing was heavy. The armor he wore was obviously heavy on his shoulders; it sat on him awkwardly. In addition his armor was still covered in little dings and scratches here and there. A big cut now adorned the right side of his face, going from his cheekbone to the bottom of his jaw in a straight line.
Seth pointed to the cut, " How'd you get that? Weren't you wearing your helm?" Leon grunted
" It was knocked off earlier in the battle." Seth said nothing as he turned to the group.
" I brought you up here for one reason... to talk."
   "To talk?!" Aisha mouthed as
She planted herself Indian style on the ground. It was still covered in fresh yellow green pine needles that had fallen earlier in the year.

   "Yes," Seth reiterated. "To talk. You five went through a lot earlier today and it doesn't do anyone any good if we don't hash this out. So... who wants to go first?" It was a simple question but as he expected no one was forth coming. They all shifted uncomfortably and threw glances in each others direction. He didn't know if he could answer the questions they would ask, if in fact they ask any questions. However, he knew that he would try.

   After an uncomfortable amount of silence Carla stepped forward. She, like the others were still wearing her armor. Seth didn't know what to think of the girl, she seemed in a word... Fragile. During the fight she had been anything but. She had been as fierce as the rest from what He could glimpse while dodging  Orion's blows. Her short black hair had been swept to the side but even in the fast fading light he could see the turmoil in her eyes.

   "Why?" At first the question came out in more of a croak but that quickly went away as she began talking fast. It was almost like she was afraid someone would stop her.

   "I mean I know we fight to protect ourselves and others... an.. and I knew there was a possibility we could die." She stopped for a moment tears now forming at the corner of her eyes. Seth had to resist the urge to wrap her in a hug. He didn't know her that well, nor did he think she would appreciate that.

   "I... I knew them," She said quietly. "I had trained with them not only a day before. Roger was a kind boy he used to help me with extra assignment that instructor Mike would assign. It happened so fast. I.. I just..." Her voice broke and tears began to flow down her pale cheeks. A quiet sobbing filled the air as first Aisha and them Leon wrapped their arms around her a began to consul her.
" I admit I do have a question," Justin began, the emotion in his voice causing it to shake, his left hand was still rubbing Carla's back.
" If God is God why doesn't he just destroy all the demons himself."
Silence fell over the whole group, as shock quickly overtook them. Aisha was the first to respond,
"Justin!! How dare!!" Seth cut her off by holding up his hand.
" I'm sorry I don't have an answer to that,"
he admitted. But before anyone else could says anything another voice from the forest spoke.
" I however might be able to answer that," the voice stated. Seth had already sensed that someone was listening in on their conversation but he had assumed it was someone from the scout party Rylee had positioned up here to keep watch, but still he was more than a bit surprised when Strat stepped out of the shadows. He was wearing a long grey hooded cloak with his hood down. He wasn't wearing armor. Instead he was sporting a pair of black pants with gold trim etched around the leg cuffs. A stark white button up shirt with frills around the cuffs and neck could be seen under a blue vest. Gold buttons gleamed in the light of the moon that was rising fast in the sky. His hair was nearly trimmed the hair combed to show the natural lines where his curly hair met. His ebony skin seemed to glisten as if he had just put lotion on. He looked in a word, like a noble.
    "Lord Bannot," Aisha said with a hint of awe entering her voice. The rest bowed their heads as was a sign of respect more than a deferment of the gap in station.
   "Strat!? What are you doing here?" Seth asked. He didn't know who he had been expecting but it wasn't Strat. He could feel Stratos's eyes on him as he scanned their group.

"The answer to your question is a difficult one for sure. But to be short and sweet, we are the answer. God sent us to protect the people. We are the answers to the demon's atrocities." A swift quiet overtook the group. It was some time before Justin stepped forward a troubled look darkening his feature.
  "But.. that's not..."
     "Fair?" Stratos supplied. "It's the hand we've been dealt. And it's what you signed up for... Look," Strat's voice softened.
"We are the arms and legs of God our job is to protect the body also known as the people of God." Seth felt Stratos's eyes bore into him as he continued. "And the arms and legs must learn to listen to what the brain tells them to do." He quickly found himself averting his eyes down and away from Strat. He didn't know where he stood on the whole obedience thing yet or what it truly meant for him. A loud clap cut through the silence.
   "Anyway questions of existence will have to wait, I came here for a specific purpose." A cold sweat seemed to leak down Seth's face.
   "Seth can I borrow you for a moment?"