23 I’m Just a Weak Little Rock

As the occasional light hit Tsunis new form, rainbows were cast on the ground. The shimmering lights contained all the colors of magic in an ever-shifting dance of beauty. The wings that carried Tsunis didn't even flap when the elemental moved. It seemed that the water simply carried the entire body with glee. It gave Tsunis an even more ethereal feel, simply gliding with little movement from place to place. Yet the personality of Tsunis shattered whatever trance an onlooker would have towards the beautiful sight.

"How? How am I back? I remember all the knowledge of the elements flooding into my head. Water, earth, wind, fire, even elements that I hadn't even heard of or fathomed were crammed into my head. It felt like I had touched the basis of everything. Then the pain struck me out of nowhere. Before I could appreciate the power, everything stopped. Now, I look like this? Blake, what's going on? How come I can…" Tsunis voice trailed off. Shock was the only thing on the Sea Angel's face.

"Wow. You're strong, Blake."

The silence after Tsunis absentminded comment made Blake give a mental cough. Even the millennia old stone wasn't sure what had happened aside from what the Handbook had told them. Relaying everything that had been told, Blake added more details.

"While you should have gotten everything from me, I do wonder if you have the same system as me. Can you try saying "Status"? Something like a screen should pop up."

A screen certainly did pop up, but not for Tsunis. Instead, Blake's Status screen appeared when the keyword was spoken. Frustrated, the display was almost shoved aside when Blake noticed something. Everything was the same as before as far as perks, stats, and skills. But just above the HP line was a new set of information.

"Lv. 1 (0/100)"

"What…What the heck!? After all this time, why does it appear now?" Blake's outburst startled Tsunis. The large water elemental pulled back in shock from the typically calm rock in the short time that they had known each other. Before any other discourse could occur, the Handbook interjected with the answer.

"As the skill says, experience is shared between those who are bonded. As such, Participant is now able to gain levels. However, due to the limitation of the Participant's species, only 10% of experience gained will be retained after bond is broken due to backlash. This can be remedied by changing species."

"Of course. There's always a catch. But with my plan to transform using mana geysers, this should be remedied eventually. But now I actually have a level. And what better way to grind then to take out a spaceship full of aliens!" Spinning in the water, Blake was ecstatic of the changes that the skill had brought. Only Tsunis probing brought them back to reality.

"Uh, Blake? What are you talking about?" Genuine concern filled the elemental's voice. A brief pause grew between the two.

"Uh, it would take too long to explain. Something good happened, and that's it. So, Tsunis. How do you feel with all the changes? Do you need a detailed description of everything that you've gotten?" Completely ignoring the problem would make more sense than explaining everything.

"Ah, well, maybe? I can feel a connection to so many more elements than I'm used to as well as a few new attacks. Is there more than that?" Taking the hint, Tsunis played along. To the newly resurrected Sea Angel, Blake was strange by any definition. So, the occasional outburst would just be par for the course in their eyes.

As Blake gave a detailed description of all of the perks and skills in the Status to Tsunis, it seemed that the Level wasn't the only thing that Blake gained. Some of the water-based attack skills were also shared with Blake. The changes that Tsunis experienced were far greater though. As Blake showed just what could be done with the elemental manipulation, the ship went on alert. Lights of red and purple flashed accompanied by a low humming sound. The bridge that the two were in had the most activity as hundreds of octopus-like creatures came out of cracks and hole all around them. With all these new beings in eyesight, Blake instantly connected to several of them via Soul Speak. As the notification rang out for the skills level ups, multiple conversations could be heard.

"Sensors indicate foreign entities in the bridge!"

"The captain has put all available units into combat mode! Follow flanking protocol!"

"Entities spotted! The corner over there! By the currents, what is that thing?! And who left a native stone in the hanger?"

"All units prepare mid-range magic and weaponry!"

The various orders gave Blake a rather good idea of what was going on. Not that Soul Speak was needed to get the gist of the aliens' actions. To Blake, these Harvesters knew that they had come in from the drones at least.

"Looks like stealth isn't an option anymore. Well, how about diplomacy? Excuse me! Who around here is in charge?" Blake sent out a message to the several creatures that Soul Speak was connected to. From various areas of the hanger, some of the octopi seemed to yelp in surprise when a voice appeared in their head.

Out of all of them, only one was brave enough to reply. Quickly, the answer came forth under the gaze of its peers.

"Ah, uh, its her. She's the lieutenant of those of us here."

Quickly connecting to who the shivering mess of tentacles and suction cups pointed out, Blake put on their best diplomatic tone.

"Hello lieutenant. I'm Blake, the stone on the floor nest to the large water elemental. Yes, I'm a rock. No, I'm not an earth elemental. No, I don't really want to explain it given the limited time we have. Am I correct in assuming you and your group are the ones called Harvesters? You certainly are doing a good job reaping the world of all its power." Blake was certainly glad for Soul Speak, as the reaction from the lieutenant gave away that she understood Blake. Burbling sounds came forth alongside of the reply.

"Yes. I am Lieutenant Megna. We, the Squitopus race, have come to this planet to take what is ours for glory and substance of our people. Under our laws, all native entities are to relinquish their materials and submit to the highest commanding officer. Resist, and be purged."

"Wow, did you rehearse that yourself? You are not really leaving me any room for negotiation. Alright, I submit. Take me to your leader then."

The water was still between the two groups as the conversation was only through the souls of Blake and Megna. Of course, the channel was open for all to hear, so both Tsunis and the few grunts heard the entire exchange. The pregnant pause from the lieutenant made Blake question if the skill was working right.

"Really? Just like that? Well, we can't just take you to our commander. Your companion is too high a risk. They will need to be under armed surveillance."

"Ah, yes. My bodyguard here holds all the power. Tsunis, be a dear and stand down. Let Megna take over your sacred duties of carrying my form for the time being. I'll be in contact with you once this is all over."

"Blake, you can't be serious! I won't-"

"I understand your concerns, Tsunis. Normally your station would be a lifelong appointment as a testament of your station. But this is an extreme circumstance."

As Tsunis and Blake conversed for all those with Soul Speak on to hear, Blake quickly shut off all the other connections to send Tsunis a private message.

"Play along. I'm a harmless talking rock and you are my mighty bodyguard. Just say "okay" in 3 seconds."

Barely 5 seconds had passed before Tsunis gave a depressed "yes" for all those connected to hear. The water elemental even gave what could only be seen as a bow towards Blake's tiny form. Suppressing a laugh, Blake addressed the lieutenant again.

"You may approach me Megna. As you can see, aside from my ability to speak, I am the same as an ordinary stone. Do not touch me physically if you need to move me. Only Tsunis has been given that privilege. Being an elemental, they are pure enough to be granted this. Magic, and beings of magic, are the best methods for transporting me."

"Er, alright. You two, come along with me."

As Megna and a few subordinates floated down to the corner that the pair was in, more burbles could be heard about the hanger. Those that were connected to Soul Speak relayed the speech that Blake had given to those around them, alongside of some of their own anecdotes. Tsunis was also restrained with some sort of wiring held by a dozen Squitopus soldiers. A low moan came out of the water elemental, but with Blake's defensive perks, it was obvious that this was a ruse. As long as the invaders thought that everything was under control, it was easier to surprise them when the time came. A Razor Cage formed around Blake with a wave of the lieutenant's tentacles. The sharp spikes stopped at Blake's form, unable to penetrate the rocky surface. With a grunt, the soldiers lifted the cage, careful not to cut themselves on the bars of the icy prison.

As the soldiers followed the lieutenant, Blake mentally grinned. Sometimes, it paid to look like a weak little rock.