The Journey, Warrior

Chapter 16, Thunder

Convel howled, his pack moved into formation. He bowed his head slightly, looking at Nekonata and Vivi. "Till next time!" He turned and set off back home with rest.

"It be time for us to go to." Althor beat his fist to his chest. "There be lots of mining to catch up on."

Nekonata shook the Dwarf King's hand. "Thank you, for coming to our aid. I'll be sure to visit your mountains soon."

"Be that you do! You'd be mine guest of honour." He replied laughing. A horn rang out and Althor raised his fist in the air, and he to set off with his clan for their long march home.

"Saluton." Gabija slowly and gracefully walked up to Nekonata and Vivi, her black armour shining brightly. On the breastplate of her armour was a panther etched into it and coloured green. Slung over her shoulder was a green bow, with a satchel of green fletched arrows hanging on her back. Her green bladed sword hung at her waist. "I sent mine army home this morning. We need to discuss what our next moves will be. Nekonata you are not ready to face Tormas yet."

"I need my memory back, without it I feel useless. It pains me when people look at me like I should remember who they are."

Vivi put a hand on Nekonata shoulder. "It will come back to you, you just need to be patient."

"Fajro!" A fireball appeared on Nekonata's hand, he threw it at a tree stump making it explode. "My patience is starting to wear away." Nekonata walked away heading back towards Edena. Santaya and Kristolia as usual were right by his side.

"Doing daily things will help your memory to come back, child. You are strong, it will come back to you soon."

Nekonata breathed in deeply still playing with fireballs in his hands. He looked at Vivi and walked away.

Meera appeared resting on Vivi's shoulder. "It is done, the Dragon Lady is awake." Meera ruffled her feathers and tucked her head underneath her wings, falling asleep.

"Malhela!" Vivi called out and his horse trotted to his side, he mounted patting his horse on its neck. "To Edena." He said quietly.

Nekonata walked into the forest, climbing the tallest tree he could find, sitting on a branch. He sighed out loud.

Day slowly turned into night, and the clouds were getting heavy. "My favourite elements have always been fire and thunder." He muttered to himself. "The ancient word for thunder..."

"Tondro" Came a voice from below.

Nekonata pushed some branches aside and looked down. He saw Gabija crouched on the floor fussing the wolves.

Nekonata looked at the palm of his hand, "Tondro" He muttered, and small ball of thunder flickered in his hand and disappeared.

"Tondro!" He said this time with more confidence, the ball of thunder appeared stronger in his palm this time. Lasting longer before flickering out.

Nekonata dropped from branch to branch before landing softly on the ground. "Thank you!" He said touching his fist to his chest.

Gabija smiled, "That is the dwarves sign of respect. Us elves touch our chins just below the lips with the index finger and middle finger, and bring it down in a small arch."

Nekonata followed the instructions, and Gabija smiled with a small bow.

Kristolia and Santaya bounced up and down on their front paws, tails wagging staring at Nekonata.

"Go, go hunt!" Nekonata laughed. Kristolia cocked her to the side. "Go, I'll be fine, we are going to walk back to Edena." Nekonata said looking at Gabija, the Elf nodded in agreement.

"It may be wise if you do not tell Vivi I told you of thunder's true name, he would not be happy with me for interfering."

Nekonata looked at Gabija, "Why won't he help me remember?"

"He is worried if he tells you anything that your memories will come rushing back and overload on you. If that happens it could be very damaging to you."

Nekonata looked at the ground, kicking a few loose stones.

Gabija stopped, putting her hands on Nekonata' shoulders. "You are like the son that he never had. He loves you and wants the best for you like a father would his own, do you understand that?"

Nekonata looked into her eyes and nodded. "I think I do."

"You want to learn how to manipulate your elements like you used to? Just think, when you say the elements true name for you it always comes up like a ball... therefore you are already manipulating it! You just didn't realise."

Nekonata looked up and smiled. "I hadn't thought of it like that!"

"Small manipulations first... then bigger. Do not rush it! Take your time." Gabija warned.

Gabija pulled out a small carved horse from her robes and handed it to Nekonata. "Inside, embedded into the carving is a small lock of Kimbo's mane. I make this for you so he will always be with you. When you need help in your most desperate time of need have faith and be there he will."

Nekonata smiled again, "Thank you." He looked over the carving, examining every contour and curve. It was beautiful, it looked so real and lifelike, it was unreal. Just as he went to put the carving into his pocket, he noticed small wisps of smoke coming from its nostrils as if it were snorting.

Gabija looked away hiding a smile.

Nekonata heard the rustling of grass, turning he could see his girls coming back from there hunt. Santaya was dragging her half eaten fox carcass behind her. He stopped to let them catch up, patting them both on their heads.

"Gabija," Nekonata turned to look at her but she was gone. He looked in every direction, but the elf Queen was nowhere to be seen.

They continued on with there walk back to Edena. Celebrations were raging in the village. As Nekonata walked through the village, many of the villagers stopped to shake his hand and pat him on the back. Music was playing loudly, people dancing and drinking. Nekonata walked up to a table, picking up a jug smelling it, grabbing a cup he poured some and then grabbed a loaf of bread.

He saw Vivi, and just simply nodded, then turned away and walked towards the tree near the church. Sitting down on the floor resting his back against the trunk he ate and drank. The girls curled up by his feet, and Santaya finished her fox.