Earth(106)

"Utah is protected?"

Shawn shrugged. "Mountain ranges on both sides to shield an explosion. I have more in each of the Arctics. I'd use a Gaia to power them."

"Just one Gaia?"

Shawn paused at the edge of the platform, looking down at the steps carved out of stone. "Well, okay. Maybe I would've taken her and the baby. And found ways to strengthen my own Akasha. But they would've been separated; safe. They would've been kept in check."

"When has Kaitlyn ever been kept in check? Besides, what do you know about babies?"

Shawn bowed his head. "I would've made a good father. I still might. Maybe just as good as you, maybe not."

"Somehow, I don't think we'll ever get to find out." He grimaced. The pain was being replaced by numb. That wasn't good.

Laughter echoed through the amphitheater once again.

"Stop laughing," Micah said through his teeth.

"That wasn't me." Shawn's eyes were wide, staring down the rocky steps toward the stage.

Micah followed his gaze. A lone figure stood in the middle.





Chapter 67





Elementals of all Four Persuasion





My landing on the stage was soft. I looked around; awed by the scene before me. I was at the bottom of a bowl, looking up at hundreds of rows carved out the rock. At the rim of the bowl, two cliffs towered even higher to my left and my right.

The Amphitheatre hummed with energy, and so did my veins – but I had never felt as small as I did right then.

It's not about me; it never has been. I laughed.

I focused on the people surrounding me. Elementals of all four persuasions. I honed in on their signals and they glowed blue, gold, red, and brown – though they didn't know it. They lit up the otherwise dark amphitheater, splashing color against the reddish rock.

Then they began to call their elements, one by one. Magic swirled in the bowl, heightening my senses. There were Airs on top of the cliffs with their hang gliders. Fires stood at the rim of the bowl, ready behind large barrels tipped on their sides. Earths and Waters dotted the rows all the way up.

I know this, I thought. Oh yeah - Donkey Kong.

I was going to expend the rest of my energy just trying to get to Shawn, and I'd still have the big-ass gorilla to fight in the end. I eyed the dozens of Elementals. They eyed me right back. I shook my head. Nope – I'm done running the gauntlet.

I sent energy up into the sky, past the thick clouds above us. Infusing cold moisture into the atmosphere, ice crystals formed. As the crystals fell, they punched a donut-shaped hole in the cloud cover. Moonlight shot through the temporary hole. There was a collective gasp around the amphitheater as all heads turned skyward.

"It's a UFO!" someone shouted. He, along with several others near him, went for the nearest exit.

That was easy.

"No, wait! It's just a crazy weather thing – skypunch!" It was an Air spouting off, chasing down those trying to leave. I hit him with a blast of his own element. He went sprawling into one of many trees that lined the bottoms of the cliffs.

Movement above caught my eye. Hang gliders were taking flight. None of the Airs seemed fooled by my display.

Maybe something a little flashier for them, I thought. The skypunch hole closed, blocking out the moonlight once again. Clouds rolled at the disturbance. I infused more moisture into the atmosphere and charged the clouds with electrical energy. Next, I used opposite-charged energy to create a conductive path. Bolts of electricity shot down, aiming for the hang gliders and those left on top of the cliffs.

As lightning plagued the Amphitheatre, I ascended the stairs. I used air when I could, giving me an extra push. I used earth for small ramps and springs, sending me up and over Elementals. I zigzagged, my silhouette giving my location away only occasionally with each flash of lightning.

I remembered Vayu, using a combination of wind, energy, and his own breath to create a spell. I copied it, speaking low, "Run…Akasha is coming." Air carried my words away, and they echoed throughout the Amphitheatre.

More than halfway up, I paused behind one of the trees, surveying my progress. Red Rocks was in chaos. Lightning and snow rained down. Some Elementals held their ears, blocking out thunder and the sound of falling rock. Either that or the sound of my voice; I was not sure which they found to be worse. An unfortunate few didn't avoid the crumbling cliffs. Several more decided to leave. I followed the path of their retreat up the stairs and focused on the Elementals still standing at the top. Mostly Fires. Hot heads with something to prove. Dragon came to mind. In the end, it hadn't taken much to finish him off. Of course, I was fresh out of filing cabinets.

I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. Sending out energy, I lit the barrels on fire. The Elementals behind them stumbled back in surprise. Someone went down the line, cursing and kicking the barrels down the stairs, adding to the chaos. Those still left in the concert venue got out of the way, fast. They continued to go, fleeing the area. For them, friendly fire was the last straw. I just hoped they would find cover fast enough, and far enough away.