《Metal Elemental》


 Prologue - I Remember

    I remember


    I remember


    I remember


    I remember the blank nothingness the oblivion of the void an abyss so dark it was BLINDING. Perhaps I cannot explain myself correctly, but at the time I was not I, I was the nothing in this void that was also everything.


    I remember the feeling of slow anticipation, of the time that had no time, where the void was filled with PRESSURE.


    I remember the eons as if it were only a second, and the seconds that STRETCHED eons for there was yet no concept of time nor the concept yet of I. Contentment was I for I had never feared.


    I remember the excitement as the pressure was and did finish its buildup and perhaps was always there. and the birth of something amazing had happened. Perhaps birth isn¡¯t the right word nor is start or beginning for I and this always was. Perhaps the proper identifier would be something ¡®NEW¡¯.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    I remember the explosion, the boom or perhaps it was a ¡®BANG¡¯ but there was no sound only light as time came into existence and I was hurled into the vast nothing of the void.


    I remember the feeling of violently expanding and FALLING through the darkness the exhilaration of leaving the center.


    I remember crashing and COLLIDING with masses of the once was as they too were hurled away from the center.


    I remember the slow cohesion of mass as it wound around its and them selves over, and over, and over. I too was REVOLVING and slowly did I come closer and closer to the mass.


    I remember the constant freezing and thawing the liquidating and then the solidifying in endless CYCLES as I passed before the bright brightness that had yet to have a name and the dark mass of mass that too was nameless.


    I remember as I rotated and DANCED with bodies together in the void as I fell further and further into the embrace of mass.


    I remember the SLAM when my independent rotation ended. While I rode the mass as it too revolved around the bright Brightness that seemed to only to be one of the trillions of illuminations peppering the void with new radiance.


    I remember the mass as it rumbled and spewed forth heat from its center. The SPLASHING of molten mass and puffing of acrid gasses.


    I remember the loss of excitement and wonder as I was buried under a blanket of hard stone. But perhaps I was TIRED for I had experienced much in the time immemorable after the new.


    I remember with fondness as I drifted off to SLEEP.

 CHAPTER 1 When the Earth was Torn Asunder

    Approximately 4.7 billion years later


    Gloek¡¯s POV


    Gloek sat perched near the edge of a large lower branch in the tree he was hiding in. Ever muscle tensed in anticipation as he kept his query in sight. Gloek¡¯s pale green hand gripped a rough leather sling. Slowly pulling a stone from the pouch at his side Gloek held his breath. Salivating at the thought of fresh meat Gloek waited for his pray to wander just a bit closer. Taking aim Gloek began to whirl his sling at precisely the right position just as he was about to release the stone the adolescent Deer-Mouse raised its antlered head in alert.


    Gloek stifled a hiss while halting the whirling of his sling. Now that he was less focused on the potential strike he was able to feel something at the edge of his awareness. Goose bumps rose on his arms and legs as he noticed that the forest had grown unnaturally quiet. At the moment of this realization a large thundering noise surrounded him. No longer was he concerned for the Deer-mouse now running full tilt away from him he was more focused on the ground, it began to shift than the tree began to rock violently from side to side Gloek lost his balance and fell from the tree, terrified he ran full tilt towards the direction of his tribe.


    ¡°The Spirits must be angry.¡±


    As the earth¡¯s shaking intensified ancient trees began to fall, roots clawing at the sky like the gnarled hands of the oldest of the village elders. Kicking himself into an even faster sprint Gloek dodged between the dense foliage navigating the treacherous terrain as quickly as his short legs could take him. A resounding boom reverberated across the woodland while the quaking of the earth deepened. When Gloek broke free of the foliage and entered a clearing, he saw a tear in the ground before him begin to take form. Stumbling to his hands and knees as he struggled to stop before he was swallowed up by the dark chasm, Gloek began to quickly crawl backwards. The tear in the earth grew larger and larger, looking as though it were the gaping maw of a razor toothed wyvern yawning before him.


    Gloek curled into a quivering ball arms shielding his oblong head and large pointed ears from whatever angry spirit created this anomaly.


    ¡®Truly a powerful Spirit has taken offence to whatever resided in this clearing before I arrived here.¡¯


    The quaking earth began to calm even as the last of the rumbling faded away Gloek remained in his position, his ragged breath and the beating of his heart the only sounds that could be heard.


    As time passed Gloek eventually began to relax his breathing his trembling subsided. Raising his head, he noticed that the sounds of the forest had already returned. Lifting himself into a seated position Gloek decided to think about what his next step should be.


    ¡®I wonder if the Spirit¡¯s wrath could be felt at the village, or if they remain ignorant. Either way I need to head back and report this to the Shaman.¡¯


    Deciding on his course of action Gloek stood and edged his way closer to the opening in the ground.


    ¡®Perhaps I could just take a peek.¡¯


    Peering over the edge Gloek gazed into the abyss jagged rocks protruded from all sides as far down as he could see. Looking down in wonder something caught his eye.


    ¡°Soo Shiny!¡± Gloek gasped.


    Excitement filled Gloek when he laid eyes on an object 14 paces below him jutting out from the opposite side of the chasm. Gloek no longer wary in his eagerness quickly ran around to the other side of the gap. Where he began to make his way down toward the shiny object of his desire.


    ¡®With this there is no way she would refuse me!¡¯This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Alighting on an overhand just wide enough to stand on, Gloek came face to face with the object. He realized that it was made up of some sort of shiny glowing rock. The shininess looked like the bits of metal Elders and Shaman used to display their status. Most of ¡®the people¡¯ used bone, wood, and stone to pierce their brows, ears and noses. The color was like nothing he had ever seen worn by ¡®the people¡¯ this was a glossy dark silver black with a hint of blue. The surface of the strange rock rippled and had slight bumps along it¡¯s surface reminiscent to the texture of cave lizards while maintaining its smooth surface. The glow reminded him of some of the types of mushrooms native to the caves his people lived in.


    Reaching out to grasp the fist sized hunk of rock Gloek hesitated while looking down worried that he may drop the precious object. Steeling himself his hand inched closer just as he was about to touch it the hair on his arms and at the nape of his neck began to rise as though the air was energized by one of the Shaman¡¯s rituals.


    Gritting his teeth Gloek¡¯s hand touched the smooth glossy surface, a jolt of energy rushes up his arm, from the contact at his fingers all the way to his elbow slightly numbing the feeling in his limb as though he had lost circulation. Loosing focus on what he was doing Gloek released his hold of the stone staring at his hand in wonder Gloek knew this feeling.


    ¡°Magic,¡± He spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°It is a magic rock!¡±


    A covetous gleam entered his eye, ignoring any discomfort touching the stone caused, Using the blunted edge of his flint dagger Gloek began to pry it from the cliffside making sure that he doesn¡¯t lose his footing in the process. After prying the rock from where it was seated into the wall he used his other hand to empty his ammo pouch. Gloek watch as the smooth river stones tumbled down into the blackness beneath him and shuddered. After placing his prize into his now empty leather pouch he made his way up out of the chasm.


    Standing at the surface he breaths a sigh of relief giving one last glance to the chasm he turned and started his long walk back to the village and back to Keklia.


    Elemental¡¯s POV


    The ground surrounding the awareness began to shake violently in every direction. Somehow this was different from all the previous disturbances experienced. The mind was quickly awoken from its slumbering. This shaking was more purposeful in its direction. Instead of the common rocking back and forth that the earth seemed to favor this vibration seemed to push on the previously hibernating entity urging it towards the surface.  The rocking and swaying intensified until finally the earth cracked giving a narrow perspective of the surface.


    ¡®What¡¯s this? Everything is so different and¡­ vibrant! Never have I felt anything like this.¡¯


    The energies surrounding are not like the violent waves caused by colliding with other objects or the heat from the liquids residing far below, nor were they like the blinding radiance of the brightness above. No, this energy was wistful and played at the edge of understanding. Tiny specks of energy flowing between the currents of heated and cooled atmosphere playing around themselves and surrounding large wells of soft energy branching into the sky reaching for the radiant energy that sown from elsewhere high above the contained atmosphere. More vibrant energies of the same type although consisting of slightly different concentrations roamed the top of the surface mass while others seemed to swing from the softer branching in the sky. Here and there the consciousness could sense numerous energies gliding on the atmospheric currents higher up above than even the largest of branching energies. Amazement was felt when the realization that these new energies were influenced but not bound to follow the whims of natural forces. The gliding energies in the sky could change direction seeming of their own violation the wandering energies roaming on the ground choosing directions seemingly at random.


    ¡®How fascinating!¡¯


    But that¡¯s not all, something even more peculiar and interesting was present. The entity noticed a balled-up mass of quivering energy not far from the edge of the opening the consciousness couldn¡¯t help but feel anticipation when this new well of energy came closer to its location. Moments passed while the energy grew ever closer until it was almost in contact. An appendage stretched even closer than the mass. A small jolt of fear spread through the being once contact was made a small discharge of energy drained from that consciousness and into the new energy at contact. The energy caused Vibrations in the air. ¡°Magic... it is a magic rock!¡± The jumbled vibrations unnerved him as the aura of the energy, now caressing him changed to a different configuration. A shocked realization came next.


    ¡®This energy, it had understanding! It is also aware! The aura on this energy no¡­ this being is similar of what I had seen from others of my kind from before the new, before the great dispersal of mass!¡¯


    With this new realization the consciousness felt it¡¯s fear begin to ebb away. The implications of this new understanding continued to run circles in it¡¯s mind. It barely took notice as it was torn from the cliff face and packed away.

 CHAPTER 2 Vision of Doom

    Shaman Kregan¡¯s POV


    3 Months Earlier Night of the Spring Equinox


    At the edge of the forest in a wide clearing Kregan danced the ¡®vision of fate¡¯ Spell while a bon fire roared. This was the last spell to cast for he already completed ¡®Defense from shadows¡¯, and ¡®Bounty of the Wood¡¯


    ¡®Next year I will have my useless apprentice Gorlic do the dancing.¡¯ His feet were raw and bleeding from the hours of stepping. ¡®If he didn¡¯t screw up the offering timing and drumming I would have been done with the casting hours ago.¡¯ Kregan thought to himself.


    Kregan¡¯s apprentice ponded a rhythm into the ceremonial Drums while he bashed his tambourine in counterpoint to his steps. His raspy voice warbled the lyrics to the spell handed down from Shaman to Shaman over the ages. This was the final spell to cast during the equinox but arguably the most important for it could warn of coming disaster or of great opportunity to be grasped during the coming year.


    ¡°Draka Spirit of Air, Gorlen Spirit of Earth, Sregna Spirit of Water, Freken Spirit of Fire¡± His feet pounded the ground in wild circles about the clearing.


    ¡°Hear this mortals plea.¡± Pause with continued slams into his tambourine.


    ¡°Give this mortal knowledge of things to come.¡±


    With a wordless signal his apprentice started throwing offerings of springs bounty into the fire, including one of the strongest newborns born earlier this spring.


    ¡°Draka Spirit of Air, Gorlen Spirit of Earth, Sregna Spirit of Water, Freken Spirit of Fire¡± Kregan chanted again.


    ¡°With is offering we request that which was sought, we have provided our bounty to partake in your wisdom!¡±


    His Chanting grew Quicker his feet moving in ever wilder configurations taking him around the clearing in an almost hypnotic display of agility that belied his elderly appearance.


    A coiling dark mist entered the clearing and began to wrap around the Shaman¡¯s legs. A tingling sensation like thousands of little spiders crawling up his body sent shivers down his spine. The mist entered his eyes nose mouth and ears tasting of ash and filth. Yet he continued his lurching dance around the fire. Though his body continued its movements his mind was no longer in this time, instead he saw what was to come and he feared for his village for what he saw was not coming fortune but an end to his people.


    The earth shook violently with the promise of great wealth a tearing of the earth showed wonders within its depths.


    ¡®A new Dungeon?¡¯


    His vision changed to a young human mage scouring the forest a days walk from the eastern cave entrance to his village. The mage looked about excitedly as he turned around heading back in the direction he came.


    The next view shoed him something disturbing, his village afire the woman and children slaughtered while human soldiers laughed. This vision was partially blurred


    The next vision was blurred even further A Goblin, possibly of his tribe? treating with the Human mage near the crack in the earth the Goblin gave him something of great power. Than the vision replayed its self only this time a Goblin sneaked up behind the human mage stabbing him repeatedly his blood dripped thickly into the Dungeon¡¯s entrance.


    The next vision was even less clear than the last in this vision a group of adventurers assisted his tribe in moving from their ancestral home to somewhere safely away from the Dungeon.


    After the spell Concluded Kregan fell to his knees and thought about what the Spirits had shown him.


    Each of these events Showed him what may come to pass the clarity of these visions show how likely they are to come to pass. Now it was his responsibility to make sure his people didn¡¯t die.


    Gloek¡¯s POV


    Gloek paused before entering the cave entrance and associated tunnel that led to his village. Fingering the pouch at his side he wondered how he should explain what happened out in the forest. Deciding that it would be more to his advantage to avoid speaking about the magic rock Gloek made his way forward into the passageway. A short while later he ran into a sentry keeping watch on this route. The Cave system had multiple paths that led to the surface.


    ¡®Of course, it just had to be Rak of all people guarding this route.¡¯ Gloek sighed to himself in exasperation.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°Hey Toad Wog! What¡¯s got you in such a hurry?¡± Rec snorted while scratching his crotch.


    ¡°I have a report to make to the elders about something that I came across while hunting in the forest.¡±


    ¡°No way the Elders will care about what you gots to says¡± * Belch! * ¡°Buncha¡¯ collapses in the cave system occurred.¡±


    ¡°If that happened why are you loafing about out here instead of assisting in the clean up?¡±


    Rac hefted his meaty fist, ¡°Why you little shite I¡¯m gunna, gunna¡­¡±


    Raising his eyebrow Gloek asked ¡°Gunna what?¡±


    ¡°Nothing your right I came out here to avoid doing any work.¡± Shrugging Rac showed him a crooked grin while chuckling to himself.


    ¡°You know with that attitude no one will let you marry their daughter.¡± He replied sarcastically.


    Shuddering Rac replied, ¡°Oh Spirits don¡¯t even suggest something like that, I have no intention to tie myself down just yet.¡± Changing the subject, he started to pick his nose and asked, ¡°What is it you¡¯s got to tell the elders anyway?¡±


    Flicking his ears in annoyance Gloek just kept on walking towards the Village. ¡°I¡¯m a scout Rac not a gossip if you want the information just head to where the cleanup efforts are being made I¡¯m sure the Elders will make an announcement or something about what I have to say.¡±


    It was obvious where the collapses took place based on the commotion going on in the western part of the main cavern slowly making his way in that direction Gloek went over what he was going to say. As he got closer he could see trains of people carrying stones away from the entrance of the collapsed tunnel.


    ¡°Ho Fregek!¡± He called to the elder leading the cleanup efforts.


    ¡°Ah Gloek you made it here just on time we could use your help with digging¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait Elder I have something that you need to hear I¡¯m guessing that it is related to the collapse.¡±


    The elder paused and eyed Gloek curiously. ¡°Is that so? Well what are you waiting for spit it out boy. We have a lot of work to do.¡±


    ¡°While I was hunting the earth started to shake, trees were torn from the ground and the ground ripped open!¡±


    ¡°Hold on you said the ground ripped open? Are you sure it wasn¡¯t just another tunnel collapse it could have been an off branch from our cave system.¡±


    ¡°No elder it was too far from here and our cave system doesn¡¯t reach nearly that deep, I descended about 14 paces and dropped some stones into it I couldn¡¯t hear them hit the bottom, it is as though the chasm led directly to the center!¡±


    Fregek paled upon hearing this, ¡°We must let the Shaman know.¡±


    Subconsciously Gloek fingered his pouch. ¡®there is no way I am going anywhere near him with my rock he would know that I have something magical.¡¯


    ¡°Sure thing Elder, just let me go drop off my things and I¡¯ll meet you at the Shaman¡¯s hut.¡± Without waiting for a response Gloek spun on his heel and ran towards his mother¡¯s shack.


    Stepping into the light given off of the cook fire Gloek smiled when he spotted his mother.


    ¡°Mother I have retuned!¡±


    ¡°Gloek how was your trip? You should head over to the western entrance and assist with removing to tunnel blockage.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t, I have to meet with the Shaman and report what I saw in the forest.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, ¡°I that so?¡±


    He repeated the story to his mother leaving out the part about finding the magic rock. Afterwards he went into the Shack to hide his find.


    Gorlic¡¯s POV


    Gorlic sat near the entrance to his master¡¯s hut humming the mixing spell to himself while grinding herbs. He was distracted from his work when he saw Elder Fregek and the village runt walking towards him.


    ¡°What do you two wants? Master is busy communing with the spirits.¡± Gorlic sneered.


    He saw Gloek¡¯s face twist into a grimace. ¡°We have urgent news to tell Kregan.¡±


    ¡°That is Master Shaman Kregan to you Toad Wog.¡± His Smile widened when he saw that he was able to get a rise of him.


    Balling his fist Gloek took a step forward. The Elder Put a calming hand on his back and said ¡°Just go fetch your master this is Elder business.¡±


    Sighing Gorlic set down his mortar and did the Elder¡¯s bidding. Wafts of herbal smoke bellowed out of the hut as Gorlic entered.


    ¡°Master Kregan we has visitors, Elder Fregek and the little toady have something to tell you.¡±


    Looking disapprovingly at his student he replied. ¡°Well, let them in you dim-wit.¡±


    Grumbling to himself Gorlic turned around to do just that. ¡®When I¡¯m Master Shaman ill make sure to cull all the little runts during the spell castings.¡¯


    Gorlic returned with the Elder and Gloek each taking seated positions on the furs around the Shaman¡¯s bubbling cauldron.


    ¡°Ah Fregek what¡¯s brought you to my home today? I thought that you were busy directing the cleanup.¡± He said while handing the Elder his pipe.


    ¡°I see your ¡°Communing with the Spirits¡± by smoking yourself cross-eyed on ceremonial herbs.¡± Fregek took a puff on the Shaman¡¯s pipe while chuckling and handed it back. His smile disappeared when next he spoke. ¡°I have heard some disturbing news that I think you need to look into.¡±


    Sensing the change in tone Kregan sat forward his eyes focused inquisitively on Gloek. ¡°I¡¯m guessing that whatever it is it must be important for you to disturb my meditations. You better get talking.¡±


    At his prompting Gloek recounted the events he experienced from the time he fell from the tree, making sure to leave out any information concerning the magic rock. After the explanation the Shaman eyed him suspiciously, making Gloek look uncomfortable.


    ¡°Do you think he found the Dungeon from your vision?¡±


    At the mention of the Dungeon Gorlic perked up. ¡®The old coot refused to tell me what he saw claiming ¡°Elder¡¯s Buisness¡± I swear as soon as he teaches me the final rites I¡¯m gunna gut the shite.¡¯ He leaned forward intent on leaning of what the Shaman saw.


    Kregan made a stop gesture with his hand. ¡°We will speak of this alone Fregek.¡± He gave a meaningful glance at the two youths sitting in the hut.


    ¡°You two leave us.¡± Just as Gloek was about to make a hasty retreat Kregan¡¯s words stopped him.


    ¡°I want to speak to you again after I meet with the Elder council.¡±


    Dejectedly Gloek and Gorlic left the hut. Gorlic listened to the runts accounting of what happened closely and could tell he was hiding something, it was obvious that the Master could sense it too. That is why he was told to return for another questioning.


    ¡®I¡¯ll just have to keep an eye on him and maybe follow him around a bit, maybe ill be able to find out what the vision was about. The mention of a Dungeon was exciting oh yes he would have to investigate this quite closely.¡¯