The Hellboy Chronicles: The Elemental Equation

Chapter 4: Knowledge is Power

Chapter 4

Knowledge is Power

Location: BPRD Library

"I believe it is time for you to learn more about what you may be able to do and what sort of magic you may come across out there." Professor Bruttenholm says to Roxy as he walks with vigor to a section of books in the massive library. He scans the titles with certainty and pulls out an old black hardback book.

"Out there?" Roxy muses.

"Well, yes. I'm hoping in a couple of years you could be a great asset to the team. It makes our missions a little easier when we have the help of highly skilled individuals such as yourself."

"You must be mistaken, Professor. I am not highly skilled." Roxy scoffs.

In the giant tank, Abe Sapien slams his hand against the glass. "Yes, you are, Roxy."

"Indeed, Abe. You, Roxy, just need to build your confidence and spend some time studying." The Professor hands Roxy the oversized black tome. It looks to be from another century. The hardback cover is worn but in strong condition. The pages are deckled and beginning to yellow. There is a faint odor emitting from it. Roxy brings the book to her nose. Oh, nothing can describe the smell of books. It brings backs memories of happier times and it just fills her with peacefulness. She brings the book back down and stares at the cover. Elemental Magic the title states in gold block lettering. There is no authors name that she can find but there are 4 distinct symbols below the title. Roxy guesses they are meant to be the symbols for fire, water, air, and earth.

"Elements..." Roxy says softly beneath her breath as she flips through the book. It is filled not just with words but with pictures and diagrams. Apparently someone wrote this book as if magic could be learnt like a science. Or perhaps it was written as a journal of sorts, written as a guide for any future readers. The book doesn't look as if it's something that could be bought at any commercial store.

"Now, mind you, Roxy. You can't learn what is encompassed in that book unless you already have the seeds of it already within you." The Professor regards her. "No ordinary human could make sense of what's written in there."

Roxy clutches the book close to her. "I guess I'll go study now." The Professor nods at her and goes back to his corner of the library to muse within his own books.

Roxy walks over to a sitting area and opens the book. The first page is an image of what appears to be a magician of some sort. "This seems silly. But, what else am I going to do with my time?"

She spends the next few hours studying the book. Surprisingly a lot of the language and the images makes sense to her. Her confidence grows with each turn of the page. Perhaps the Professor is on to something.

Location: Hellboy's room

"So, what do you know about her, father?" Hellboy asks as he turns on a grinder and brings it to the stubs of his horns.

"I believe she has internal elemental powers. Not just fire, but all of the elements. There were things I noticed in our brief meetings in the past. I could be wrong, but I went with my hunch. It's up to her though to learn and willingly posses whatever abilities she may have." The Professor states matter of factly.

"Elemental? Like a wizard?" Hellboy turns off the grinder.

"As funny as that may sound, yes."

"Well, damn." Hellboy muses.

"Now, don't get intimidated. She has much to learn." The Professor looks around the room. He wonders if his son well ever find the urge to clean. One of the cats snakes around his leg, mewing.