Chapter 219: Churn The Storm Within, Alive And Well?

There was something about the two powers rolling around inside of me that didn't feel complete. I was also acutely aware of a lack of pain and forgot about the numbing sensation in my mind entirely.

Additionally, there was something about this feeling that felt right.

Fire, water, as one, one more time.

[Don't do it!]

I ignored Wataluga as I gathered the swirling Fire and Water, mentally gathering them into balls of frenetic energy. Both elementals screamed at me, but something about this felt right.

[You know, he is right, and I don't even know if you can do something like that! I think you should…]

It was too late for Fireden's words, and I crushed both forces together into my body. They didn't want to go, but I was tired of things not working, and this thing was going to work!

Then the lights went out, and everything disappeared from me, leaving me without even a body. Darkness covered me, but two things pulsed behind it.

Despite the fact that I could perceive Fire and Water, I felt like I was separated by a blanket. The darkness, whatever it was, was blocking the pulses from coming through to me.

Although my hand attempted to reach into the darkness, trying to feel for the powers that were just out of reach, something seemed to be missing. Yes, that was my hand to reach with; ugh, this place was starting to get frustrating!

[Fancy seeing you here.]

When I heard Hero's voice, I was surprised and tried to turn around to find him, but of course, there was no one there. Although it had only been two days since I heard him, it seemed like ages had passed since then.

'Where did you go?!'

[I was left behind when you crossed over, but I was stuck in this place of darkness. Though I haven't been here for more than thirty minutes.]

'Do you know what this place is? I can feel the energy that I am trying to get, but at the same time, I feel like it is just out of my reach.'

[The elements are on the other side of the black wall, but the wall isn't actually there. I can see the shade of it, but it has no natural substance. This is a block of some sort, but it was put there by you, or I wouldn't be able to see though.]

'I created this? Why would I block myself?'

[No clue, but you are the type that almost requires some kind of challenge, or it doesn't interest you. Maybe you knew this and knew that you would need some kind of challenge to push yourself? Also, what happened to you? Did someone give you some kind of special powers?]

'Hmmm? No, a lot happened inside the Challenger Gem and is still happening! I was attacked by three dragons, and now one of them ate the others and is some big Dread Dragon thing!'

[Hmm, that sounds like you had better hurry up and figure this out.]

'Yes, thank you for the reminder, Captain Obvious!'

Despite my best efforts, the lack of substance or form made it impossible for me to reach ahead. Even though I tried closing my eyes in frustration, it didn't do anything.

'I am nothing right now! How am I supposed to break through this wall that doesn't exist with a body that doesn't exist?'

[What do you mean? You have a body; I can see it right there! You are on the other side of the shadow wall.]

'So, you can see me, but I can't see me, or even feel me….'

I let my thoughts trail off as I thought about it and relaxed, feeling the stress starting to melt off me. I was getting too worked up over things, not thinking, and not using the only thing that I seemed to have left at this point.

The wall wasn't there, but I was, yet I could see the wall, but not my body. That would make this some kind of illusion or something that, but was I the one creating it?

I concentrated on my body and its form. I envisioned the lines that traced the outside of my body and reached forward.

This time, my own hand pushed into the shadow, and I raised the other one. With both hands, I clasped the power, and they crept up my arms, filling each half of me with elemental power.

[Try not to die, I can't follow you to that place, so make sure you come back. There are a lot of people waiting for you.]

Hero's words faded, and both Pact Aspects activated, and the darkness was blasted away.

[Pact Aspect: Ignite The Fire Inside!] Activated!

[Pact Aspect: Churn The Storm Within!] Activated!

I was back, and the Carnica were still attacking the Fire-Dread Dragons, but it was not paying any attention to them.

The dragon was focused on me and only me.

A larger Carnica tried to attack me from behind as the dragon, and I stared at each other. Whips of Fire and Water cut the creature out of the air without so much as a thought from me.

[You are alive and well?]

'Is that even a question? You can feel, can't you?'

Wataluga didn't answer, but Fireden did.

[While this is something that I had never heard of before unless it was a high-level user, but even then, I don't know if this is enough. That thing down there is almost the same as an A Ranked Demon.]

'I don't plan on killing it or even fighting it. We just need to get it to Emfirza, right? So, I just need to survive until then. How much farther do they have to go till they are there?'

[They have barely made any headway, but they stole a wagon now from some very angry Kualu. Or at least that is what I would assume since a group of them is chasing the wagon, they are riding in.]

'Alright, are you ready to get the hell off this tiny ass world?'

[Don't count your chickens before they hatch!]

'Watty, you need to stop being a Debbie Downer! I got this!'

I mean, I was pretty sure that I had this.