Mistress of the Elements: Storm/Ororo fanfic

Chapter 14- my word

"What are you if not my vision?" Ororo looked on in confusion.
"This is strange for me as well... I see you clearly in my mind and in the physical world.... do we share a mental link? Seems impossible..." Jongikhaya spoke to himself now, "psychic ki is very noticeable- I would have known." He crossed his arms over his broad chest as he looked at her with unfocused eyes.
Ororo took a step back. She had no powers in her physical body but did that mean she had none in a vision? She had never called her children in her dreams but she could feel them swirling around the both of them- just pulling at the edges of her body. They swayed in between the two white haired beings erratically.

"Ororo Munroe- where are you right now?" An elder voice asked curiously, pulling her into the present. The one called Umelai gently cupped her face while the two women sat behind him.
"It can't be-" one of them said.
"Wait wait now- let's not jump to conclusions."
"A moment ago you were not even sure she was Yaxola, ... and now?"
"But who is the other?" Umelai murmured. "Ng'tharabu, knows it could be anyone."
Ororo opened her eyes and the vision of Jongikhaya disappeared from behind her lids.
The last elder, a woman who had not yet spoken- stood up and gathered her robes. She walked slowly over to the door and opened it beckoning someone forward.
In moments the physical Jongikhaya stood before them.
Ororo's pulse quickened.
He made quick eye contact with the Goddess before kneeling at the platform where the elders sat.
The quiet woman sat back down and spoke to him softly.
"Jongikhaya of the Rabu Guard, I saw you moments ago in the foyer using your gifts- did I not?"
"Yes elder." He replied.
"And during that conversation you-" she swallowed hard and carried on after a short hesitation, "you were... meeting with someone-" the Warrior looked up quickly in surprise- first to the elder, then Ororo, then back to the woman. "Were you not?" The elder's voice began to break.
"I- i- i-"
Umelai pressed, "were you with her?" He pointed to Ororo.
Jongikhaya was silent but made the same audible swallow the elder woman made moments before.
"Ng'tharabu be praised" the woman named Mare'ng whispered.
Kesiokel held her hand in front of her mouth and began to drift backwards. Jongikhaya rushed toward her and barely caught her before she fell. "Mother!" He exclaimed as his arms reached around her.
In the same moment, the Goddess could feel her powers rushing back and called the elements to free her of her restraints.
The elders and warrior looked up at her as she gathered herself to return their hospitality. Her eyes began to glow blindingly white as she rose into the air-
"Ororo, wait!" Jongikhaya stepped front of the elders and called to her.
The goddess looked at the warrior but his mouth didn't move. His voice began to echo inside her mind , "Ororo....please... there is much we have to talk about."
"You do not know me, Warrior of the Sea," she warned calmly as she narrowed her eyes at him. Her words were low and slow. Deliberately so fierce that the air crackled as she finished the next part,"so let me assure you that I have killed for much less than what was done today."
The elders began to regroup and the 2 remaining standing members moved toward her, but the warrior held them steady.
"I am asking you to yield." Jongikhaya remained steady and strong but his body had changed. It dropped the call of the elements. The buzzing of mutant abilities that always found its way to Ororo's ears was eerily missing. It was quiet.
Umelai and Mare'ng looked at one another and then back to the Warrior, their faces and bodies revealing nothing.
Ororo began to lower herself to the floor as she faced the warrior nose to nose, both with eyes like full moons.
He, a stranger, stood before her with no powers, and what's more, he somehow blocked the powers of the surrounding mutants- all but the Goddess herself. But why? Why would an antelope expose its own neck to a lion? Why was he showing her such reverence when his body showed no signs of fear?
The winds shifted around them. And the goddess, now able to freely call upon her powers, chose to stand down.
Perhaps it was because she wanted to know more, or perhaps it was the complicated fates that seemed to connect her to the Warrior- either way, Ororo would not forgive such a flagrant attempt to cage her body and powers.
Knowing only that the elders relied on Jongikhaya for protection, the Goddess gleaned that he was their strongest warrior... and she would have fought him freely in their presence. The tension in the air between their hopes and fears ran thick, but If the old ones would not respect her, now, they would fear her.
She turned on them again with an angry look before she rose above the ground.
"I am leaving, Warrior, and if you attempt to follow or thwart my efforts in any way, I will relieve you of your life- with no hesitation to do the same for those you now protect!"
Jongikhaya continued to look at her defiantly but outwardly stayed his truth. "You have my word."
A moment. I am requesting only a moment... alone.
"You will lead me away from the central buildings and back to the tunnel. I will go alone from there."
"But the visions-!" Umelai began
"You can't-" Mare'ng started- Both were cut off by Jongikhaya's booming voice.
"You have my word as the head of the Rabu Guard. On my honor and Ngtharabu, you will be granted your leave."
Ororo dropped to her feet once again, satisfied with his compliance and a bit disappointed she didn't get an opportunity to forcefully adjust his will.
Her insides began a quiet aching.
The warrior nodded and went back to check on his mother as Ororo stood at the door.
"She cannot go," his mother choked softly as he held her hand and cradled her head.
He tried to shush her, knowing the witch could hear every heartbeat. "I gave my word." He said simply.
"No you don't understand," Mare'ng whispered urgently, "shared visions? Speaking words only the other can hear? Ngtharabu only reserves this for predestined."
The warrior's eyes registered comprehension as he fought the urge to fall backwards himself.
"Think about it," Umelai continued, "you, the strongest warrior in generations, have never been suited, and a long last woman of the tribe suddenly appears?"
"And YOU found her" said Mare'ng
"No one but Ngtharabu could have known," Umelai held up his 3 fingers and slid them quickly from left to right shoulder, "she cannot leave Jongikhaya."
"... and if she does," his mother added slowly, "all opportunity for you to continue your tribe's family line- ends with you."
The warrior looked at them solemnly before finally speaking.
"I gave my word."
And with that he stood and walked to the door, hearing his mother's gentle tears behind him.