He wielded the power of Akasha; the power of a Gaia. Weak as it was, it was there. I knew only too well what more practice could bring.
Using the falling snow, I weaved together moisture in the form of an arrow, using air to shoot it straight at Akasha. The balance of elements thrown off, Akasha shattered around us and fizzled away into the night.
Shawn shook out his arm, then rewrapped his hand. He looked at me.
"What?" I asked.
He smiled. "You're nervous."
I tried to maintain a calm face, but my chin lifted slightly and the effort gave me away. His smile grew wider.
Chapter 70
A Toy
"Now you've done it." Micah said from his tabletop. His head lolled to the side to watch Kaitlyn seethe. Her fists were clenched, teeth gritted.
"Done what?" Shawn asked. His eyes darted between Micah and Kaitlyn.
Pause for dramatic effect, thought Micah. 1…2…3… "You've pissed her off."
Shawn turned his head fully to Micah now, eyes wide. It gave Kaitlyn the chance she needed, and she took it. Air shot into Shawn's chest. He flew back, cracking his head and back against a small, square, stone hut. Temporarily dazed, Shawn sunk to the ground. A sign on the door, 'Family Restroom,' fell on Shawn.
He craned his neck up, fearing more falling rock. Instead he found Kaitlyn, squatting on top of the hut. She lobbed two fireballs in the air. They arched up, almost as high as the cliffs. Then she pushed Shawn with air again, out onto the open plaza. Making adjustments for his location, the fireballs began their descent.
Micah craned his neck to watch. It made his head swim, but this wasn't something he was willing to miss. The balls whistled and crackled as they came down. Shawn looked up with enough time to duck, covering his head. They hit his back. Gaseous flames splayed across his body then rolled to the concrete.
Kaitlyn was on the plaza, walking toward Shawn. She stopped, giving him a chance to put out the flames on his jacket.
"Now if you were a true Gaia," she said, pulling snowflakes together with energy. "You could do this." The moisture transformed into a sloshing sphere of water.
Shawn spared a hopeful glance.
"But, you're not. So…" Kaitlyn let the element fall. It splashed across the ground at her feet.
Shawn gave up at batting at the flames. He took off his jacket and tossed it aside.
"And since I am a Gaia…I'll just keep doing this." Kaitlyn threw out each hand, pitching more fireballs at Shawn.
They brushed his loose shirt. He whipped it off, over his head, attempting to throw it at Kaitlyn – and missed. Another well-aimed fireball licked at his bare bicep. The skin turned bright red.
"Aww." Kaitlyn pursed her lips. "Want me to get some mud for it?"
Shawn heard the hills rumble behind him. "No…don't!"
Kaitlyn concentrated on pulling loose dirt toward her and Shawn.
Micah's eyes widened. "Watch out!"
Before the dirt reached the dueling couple, Shawn tackled Kaitlyn. They rolled across the concrete and stone. Dirt sprayed across them.
Shawn ended up on top. He smiled. "I've been here before."
Micah's veins coursed with adrenaline. He pushed himself up; pain squeezed in on his head. He threw his legs over the side of the table and slid off.
Kaitlyn wriggled one knee in between her and Shawn. She bucked and kicked out. Shawn flew off, heals over head. He rolled.
They both got to their feet at the same time, while Micah fell to his knees.
Kaitlyn glanced at Micah. The distraction cost her. Shawn weaved energy, trying for Akasha, but not getting it together. The result was a wobbly, uncontrolled mass of various elements. He pushed it out, sending it toward Kaitlyn.
It hit her in the chest, throwing her back. When she stood, she was laughing. "You're losing, Shawn."
"You’re the one that just got off the ground."
"No – I mean you’re losing Akasha." Kaitlyn charged.
Shawn desperately attempted to call the elements again. They came in short bursts, mostly dissipating before he could weave them together.
Kaitlyn reached him, shouldering him in the midsection. They both rolled. Now Kaitlyn was on top. She wailed on his face. Punch after punch, his blood sprayed across her knuckles. She kept his arms pinned with her knees. When he no longer tried to dodge her strikes, she got up.
Shawn pushed himself off the ground, spitting blood. He glanced at the fire tornados, which were closer now, and then at the mountains, continuing to crumble under avalanche after avalanche. "Not all the Elementals have run off screaming."
Kaitlyn cocked her head. "No. I didn't have time to meet everyone in person."
Shawn stood up all the way, taking a deep breath. He tried Akasha once again. It never came.