Elementals

Chapter 25 - Is that a volcano? Where does Aidan live?!

Birds chirped in the air as they flew down, landing softly onto DDio's shoulders. He paid them no mind as he and Dominick walked down the sidewalk next to a rather lonely road. Tall trees flanked the road around them, quiet, distant chirps buzzing in the air. Dominick looked over himself, Aidan's large, black jacket overpowering his small, slim frame.

"Are you sure it's really fine for me to wear this?" Dominick asked DDio.

"I don't mind. It's better than you wearing a bathrobe in public."

"Yeah, but that's not what I mean. I'm still wearing my dirty pants under this..."

"Are you that worried? That jacket is a piece of Elemental armor, a little dirt isn't going to hurt it."

"Alright." Dominick looked at the sleeves of the coat. "Is he gonna be mad that we took this?"

"He most likely will be, but that's the plan."

"Huh?"

"You see, we Elementals have a... connection to our equipment. They link to us, allowing no others to use their real forms. This also allows us to sense where our equipment is."

"Really? So no one else can use my gun?"

"Correct."

"That's good." Dominick put his arms behind his head. "Phew."

He walked silently before a moment of realization came to his mind.

"Wait, Aidan knows where I am, doesn't he?" Dominick looked up towards DDio.

"As long as you're wearing that coat."

"Oh no."

"That's why I wanted you to wear it, after all."

"You wanted me to borrow his coat without his permission, and wear it so he knows where I am?! Are you trying to get me killed?!"

"Don't worry, in his current state, he's far weaker than you. And even if he wasn't burnt out, he would still be weaker than you."

"Yeah, like a strength difference matters to the guy who fought the Pale Lady one-on-one."

"But you two fighting is not the reason I had you take his coat."

"What was the reason, then?"

"Do you have a phone?" DDio pointed at Dominick's pocket.

"...No, I don't."

"And I do not know Aidan's contact information."

"Doesn't Nicole know it? Why didn't you ask her?"

"Because Nicole is very busy right now. The Pale Lady descended upon the two of you, and now she has to figure out why."

"It's because of me. She wanted to 'Orb' me, or whatever Aidan called it."

"No, we know that, but Drew had a bigger plan there than just getting you under his control. He obviously wants strong pawns, as a single fully trained Crown Elemental would be enough to spike the power balance of this war in his favor."

"Really?! Just one?"

"This thousand year battle has been carefully balanced between the Pale Lady and the Tall Woman, if either side got a fighter on the same level as those two, then it would mean the end of it all."

"The Tall Woman? You mean Nicole, right?"

"Correct." DDio answered. "Nicole is the oldest Elemental currently alive, and one of the strongest. Even if she isn't a Crown like the Pale Lady or you, she's still strong enough to oppose Drew."