Chapter 15

(POV The elemental consumed by his manipulation that he thinks he's cheating)

"My Lady, I would like to suggest with whom we might begin the first alliance. If I may offer my opinion."

"Forge Earth, stop acting and talk, I'm listening."

It got me.

"First I would like to know what you would like me to call you. It's important to me.

"I like what you've been calling me, Earth Forge....".

Therazane paused and looked at everyone in the great stone and diamond chamber.

"From now on my title will be "The Stony Mother." Let all my children know it".

What the...

All the high-ranked elementalists present nodded and accepted their Elemental Mistress's order.

"You may call me as you have been doing, for both then and now, you are my son, Earth Forge. You may continue.

Nodding and not wanting to wonder if what I think just happened, I said.

"Stony Mother, I think we should start the dialogue with "Neptulon, Water Elemental Lord".

"Why do you think that, Forge Earth?"

"From what I have seen, "Neptulon the Tidehunter" is the most... distrustful of all the Elemental Lords. If we seek to ally ourselves with "Al'Akir, The Elemental Lord of Air" first, he will surely distrust our intentions and will likely never listen to what we say. But we must make our intentions clear, for the Lord of the Air is likely to listen to us as we speak."

Therazane looked me in the eye for a while. I guess thinking if the plan is viable or wondering if I'm trustworthy. I totally understand that he doubted me, he barely knows me and I didn't exactly make a good first impression with all the backstory I have. Not a bad one either though, I'm sure he knows all the help I've given his "children".

I waited quietly for Therazane to finish his thoughts. Then he answered.

"I understand your plan, Earthforge. But how will you get Neptulon to listen to what you have to say? He hates fire deeply."

"That's why we'll talk together, Mother Pétrea. With you by my side there is a chance that he will take me seriously. I am sure that the Lord of Water will understand what is most important after listening to me.

"Very well, Earthforge. I'll trust you again, but you should know that Neptulon harbors a lot of hatred for your kind. I'll help you to be heard, but if he insists otherwise, what shall we do?".

A test. Then I will answer as I should.

"If so, I will put my life on the line. I am sure that then, the Water Lord will be convinced of my sincerity."

Again she looked at me deeply, submerged in thought. I only waited, for I know that the Mother Stone is the most patient of all the Elemental Lords.

"Very well, Earthforge. We'll try your plan, but don't die."

He said those words to me with a menacing look, and I know he means it. I don't know what he'll do if I die, but I don't want to know either. With his almost god-like power, he might do something I didn't know he could do...

"I can only try. If not, I will accept your punishment, Mother Pétrea. But know that I will rise up, I will make sure that even death cannot stop me.

Looking into my eyes for a while, she said.

"I hope so, Earthforge. Then let us march immediately to Neptulon's territory. Let's not waste any time."

And with that said all the lower-ranked Elementals left. I guess they will gather their army.

"Understood, Mother Stony."

...

A long time later

We were close to the territory of "Neptulon, the Lord of Water". His domain was the immensity of the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. In short, his power commanded over water and everything that had to do with it. This guy is very cautious, at least that's what the WikiFandom said. But he also despised the other Elemental Lords. I know Therazane isn't nearly his favorite or least hated, still, I'm sure he has respect for her, as her power is only comparable to his.... Though I believe it would be greater... The water will be above the land, but without land, how would the world exist.

Logic and facts speak for themselves, but whatever. I also know he hates fire elementals, or should I say, fire in general. Although I'm pretty sure he hates Ragnaros most of all, I mean, doesn't he dislike him. He keeps threatening and beating up anyone who doesn't serve him... If there is an epitome of arrogance and it's not Ragnaros, he's lying for sure. Maybe it's like the Chinese cultivators say, if Ragnaros claimed to be the second most arrogant, no one could claim the top spot... That's how arrogant he is.

But I won't give my life for nothing, I'm sure Neptulon will ally himself. What worries me is if he's not willing to give me his blessing... I need it to integrate all the elements, if not, I'll have to kill many water elementals and absorb their essences. Evolution by power...

As close as we were to the land borders of, "The Water Elemental Lord", the marshlands that formed his territory were visible. Water elementals were scattered about from time to time, but those were his scouts, as well as some elementals that had just been born.

Water elementals lived together, compared to earth elementals. I don't know if it's because of the nature of water, coming together, finding a balance or something.

With our arrival, many other water elementals approached. As soon as a large group formed, preparing to attack us, Therazane spoke.

"CALL NEPTULON. I WANT TO TALK TO HIM."

A water elemental that seemed to be the highest ranking one nodded and sent one of the elementals with the message.

Elementals have different languages depending on the type of elemental. Each elemental language is unique and can only be known by that group of elementals. I'm not sure how it works, but I think it's something like a verbal but coded chat where only elementals of the same type or elementals like me who are made up of different types of elements understand. There are 5 languages that elementals speak. Terran, Ignan, Aquan and Auran, respectively for earth, fire, water and air elementals. The final language is Kalimag which is spoken by all elementals. It is a common language from which all other specific dialects are derived, or so I understand.

What I don't understand is how we elementals speak. I know I am one, but I still don't fully understand it... That's why I have my theory that part of the language is telepathic. I don't know, but for now I won't rule anything out. Also, I speak both Terran and ignan, as I am an elemental composed of two elements, earth and fire.

We waited for a while and Neptulon showed up. His face showed a face of doubt. I guess he can't understand the current situation. Knowing that he enjoys annoying Therazane by invading his beaches and using his waves against his mountains I totally understand his confusion. That suddenly one day Therazane wants to talk to him... it's strange. Therazane is very quiet and reserved, but more than talking, his actions show it all, for his anger is the anger of the land itself....

This guy is as big as all elemental lords are. Its body is blue with scales. It has a head with tentacles instead of hair, its eyes are red and it has a nose and mouth. Strangely, he seems the most human after Therazane. His shoulders look like natural armor and have holes through which his power flows. But he doesn't have the necklace, belt or armor he should have. He's like Ragnaros, he doesn't have his equipment or Sulfuras.

I'm not sure why the elemental lords don't have the corresponding equipment, but I can assume that neither will Al'Akir. Therazane on the other hand doesn't need one, as she must be the toughest and toughest of all the elemental lords.

The first to speak was Neptulon, with a look of suspicion, confusion and curiosity.

"WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR, THERAZANE. DID YOU COME BY TO TEST THE WATER? "

Said, Neptulon with a defiant smile. He really doesn't know how to joke.

"NEPTULON, I HAVE COME TODAY FOR YOU TO HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING TERRIBLE THAT WILL SOON HAPPEN, AND TO PROPOSE AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN ALL OF US TO FACE IT TOGETHER."

Listening to her, Neptulon's face stopped smiling and his face was now serious. I guess it was a shock that Therazane told him this.

(POV Neptulon "The Tide Hunter", Water Elemental Lord)

I was resting in the depths today, thinking about all the time I've been provoking Therazane to show up.

It's hard to get her out of her mountains, but I know that given enough time she'll give in and come. For now I suppose she'll be engaged in a fight against Ragnaros... Maybe I can lure them both out and cause them to fight each other, close to my territory.

While I was planning my strategy, one of the elementalists serving me showed up with a message. Apparently Therazane was on the border of my territory and wanted to talk to me. I'd like to think that I finally got his anger to explode, enough to get him to come out, but I also know it would take longer to do so. The fact that he wants to talk to me... It's very strange.

...

When I met her I decided to provoke him a little.

"WHAT DO YOU WISH, THERAZANE. DID YOU COME BY TO TEST THE WATER?"

I was hoping to annoy her, but what she said next didn't amuse me.

"NEPTULON, I HAVE COME TODAY FOR YOU TO HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING TERRIBLE THAT WILL SOON HAPPEN, AND TO PROPOSE AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN ALL OF US TO FACE IT TOGETHER."

I knew she wasn't lying and I also know that Therazane wouldn't play with this kind of thing.

"I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE REASON FOR YOUR CONCERN FIRST."

Now I was curious, what could make Therazane care enough to make her come out of her mountains and propose an alliance with all of us? It couldn't be just anything.

"MY SON HAS TOLD ME WHAT HE HAS SEEN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN. HEAR IT FROM HIM YOURSELF. GO AHEAD AND TELL HIM EVERYTHING, FORGE EARTH".

"Yes, Mother Stone."

When I saw who Therazane was referring to I was puzzled, what's a fire elemental doing following Therazane, isn't his kind supposed to follow Ragnaros, this is getting stranger and stranger. Although I detest his kind I will listen to what he has to say. If Therazane herself has believed him and has come this far because of what she has seen, then surely it is not just anything.

"Greetings, Neptulon "The Tide Hunter", Elemental Lord of Water and ruler of the deep oceans."

The Tide Hunter... I like the sound of that title. This guy knows how to talk, reminds me of Al'Akir's intrigues, but he's sincere in his praise, so I won't say anything.

"GO AHEAD AND TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE SEEN, YOU... BURNING STONE."

"So be it, Lord of the water."

I like his respect, he's not like Ragnaros' flaming minions. But I still don't like him at all.

"From above, far beyond the air and the heavens, far beyond the light, a great darkness will fall upon us. Its vast power will seek to corrupt the world and enslave us all to its will. Even you, the Elemental Lords, will bend. From your huge bodies will be born armies and in turn from these many more. They will cover the skies above the great houses they will build around the gigantic bodies of their dark masters. All that they touch will be corrupted and fall into the dark disgrace of eternal servitude.

Everything he said was true, he had felt it. He didn't mean Al'Akir either. I understand Therazane's concern now, for if this is true we will have to unite and prepare for what is to come.

"WHEN WILL BE THE DAY WHEN WHAT YOU'VE SEEN WILL HAPPEN?"

If we have time to convince the other two and prepare for their arrival, then we can eradicate the darkness you have seen before it spreads.

"I don't know the day it will happen, Water Lord. It could be today or many years from now, but it will happen, I know. For its purpose is to corrupt everything."

It never hurts to prepare for the future. We must act fast.

"VERY WELL, I WILL TRUST YOU, THERAZANE, AND FOR NOW YOU TOO, BURNING STONE.

"I understand. But I have a deal you might like to hear that could help you increase your power, Water Lord."

He's sincere, but there's something else going on here...

"YOU NOW HAVE MY ATTENTION. I WILL LISTEN TO YOU, BURNING STONE."

Author's Note: What do you think of this chapter? It was originally supposed to come out yesterday, but I couldn't finish it. Sleep is a powerful opponent and I didn't manage to win the battle. But I plan to update another chapter later.

I invite you to comment, because each comment is a motivation to continue writing. Give your impressions, your advice, your CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. We can all destroy, but only the wise can guide. I wish you a great day or a good night. Wait patiently and impatiently for the next chapter. ^^