The Elements Book One: Gilly

Chapter 5: Battle

I found Dave sparring with Patrik in a more open area behind the structure we were generously calling a cabin. Not wanting to disturb them, I stayed standing on the periphery so that I wouldn't get in their way.

Dave noticed me first, something that nearly earned him a fist to the stomach before he refocused and countered Patrik's attack. He then twisted around so that he was behind Patrik before backing off a few paces.

I frowned. While it was true that Dave fought most effectively by darting in and out to keep his opponent unsteady, he should know by now that doing that wasn't really the best way to deal with Patrik.

Sure enough, Patrik and I both saw Dave gearing up for an assault, which Patrik derailed by starting to circle slowly around Dave. Not deterred, Dave rushed in anyways, only to swing wide when Patrik increased his speed to move out of the way. Patrik then promptly grabbed Dave's extended arm to twist it, causing Dave to crumple to the ground trapped in a pin.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise when Dave submitted with no attempt to free himself. "What, do you only resist when you're fighting me?" I ribbed him.

Dave shrugged as best he could in the pin. "Nah, I just don't when I fight him. I know better than to try and fight against that strength."

Patrik released Dave with a smug expression on his face. "Not my fault I'm that much stronger."

Dave rolled his shoulders, giving Patrik a side glance. "Besides the fact that you spend ridiculous amounts of time on physical conditioning."

Patrik shrugged. "Again, it's all I got. Not really something I chose."

"Meaning what?" Abraham asked, coming up to us with Evret trailing.

Feeling everyone's gaze turn to me, I shrugged and sighed. "As I said, most of what we accept about ourselves is speculation. But from everything we can see, each Element has certain characteristics that are present in the host. For instance, I can use magic. Likely Electricity will as well. I think it just has something to do with the volatility of the spirit, it requires something extra to sync to besides the soul. Metal has no magic at all, but is a fairly strong telepathic communicator and has extraordinary strength even for our standards. Likely Earth would have great physical strength as well but Andy tends to forgo melee. Stuff like that."

Abraham nodded slowly. "Okay...so what I'm getting out of that is that while we all have base strengths, each Element gives more nuanced abilities on top of that."

I shrugged. "In layman's terms, yeah. Like for you, I'd say it wouldn't be a great stretch to say that even without boosting your ability with your Element you'll be a bit faster than the rest of us, even me."

Abraham frowned. "I thought you-"

"I have magic, yes, but I also have base physical abilities beyond the rest of them as well. So on average, I'm stronger and faster. The payoff is that I have a high metabolism, less endurance, and can't take as many hits as them." I explained. "Think of me like an actual fire. Very powerful, but I 'burn out' quickly. And I'll emphasize that they're 'base' abilities. Most of the others have specialized traits that are beyond what I'm capable of."

Abraham nodded. "So I'd be faster and have more endurance."

"Most likely." I agreed. "Though honestly we can't be sure until we get you a bit stronger. For starters, we need to get you to the point where you can at the very least control your own Element."

"Meaning I'll be able to wave my hands around and actually control light?" He asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "In theory, yes, though perhaps without the hand waving."