The Elementals: Return Of Creation

Chapter 2: Growth

 The sun had been merciless to the end of the month, shinning hot rays of early autumn light. Anyone luckless enough to be out without covers wouldn't suffer much more than those who melted even in the comfort of their homes. One could only hope to see a dark cloud in the sky or feel a flurry of wind on their face; Jack Lockestone was certainly desperate for both. For inside the lush Xylosmida forest was no exception to the sultry weather.

 It was the very same forest a younger Jack ran miles through to tell his master of his newfound ability all those years ago. Although this time, The Boy was high up in the rich foliage, bouncing from branch to branch with an old felling axe in hand.

 Jack swung his axe low, chopping nearly all the way through the branch where he stood. Feeling it was about to snap, he quickly hopped to another higher on his left, pushing the other to fall half a hundred feet to the ground. The higher branch just managed to catch him as he flung his arms around the massive trunk and held tight, his heart pounding behind his huffing chest. All the times he had done this before still couldn't numb the overwhelming rush that always followed.

 Dark dust puffed out from the bottom of the stack he had been building for the last half hour, accompanying the loud thunk of the branch's impact. Jack wiped the dripping sweat off his forehead, the shoulder of his axe brushing near his nose. He was quite proud of how much he collected.

 Usually he would gather quite a lot anyway, ascribed to the trees' very convenient growth cycle- (throughout its life it would spread dozens of branches ranging in size and length, but only those highest at the top would grow robust with leaves, the rest below left clean and bald) -often collecting up to near his own weight. But that day, he seemed to have outdone himself. While he hadn't tire out as quick, now exhaustion was rear and near.

 Below the tree to his left was Povious, a rather bulky elf who stood a head taller than himself, busy tying another pile together. Thick stubble lapped into a layer of hair over his cheeks and mouth, making for what wasn't over his scalp- which set his eccentric ears on display.

 "I think we've got enough!" Jack said aloud.

 Povious eyed up, showing his odder features; a skull so big and full that barely any room for flesh was left, a large rather pointy nose, and perhaps most notable, a mottled patch on his left cheek.

 The thin vest sitting on his brawny torso did little to conceal how fit he was, which often stirred a hint of jealousy in Jack. But no one could blame him; Jack was already wishing he hadn't worn such stuffy rags into the scorching heat.

  He glanced to the new pile. "Aye! Prolly for a good two days I reckon',"

 "All right then!"

 Jack scanned down the dark violet tree and identified a path. Six jumps later his feet hit the dry earth with a loud thump, also followed by a cloud of black-brownish dust.

 The light breeze from his drop felt awfully refreshing while it lasted, but then soon taken over by feverish warmth and the moist of his drenched clothes. He swabbed his burning face again with his sleeve, leaning against the tree as his huffs slowly lightened.

 Fatigue reached into every part of his body. his legs were wobbly and his back was weak. He slid down to the ground and straightened his legs, letting his burning arms limp.

 Despite all that, he was still awfully glad the fireplace and kitchen furnaces had run out of firewood. He had begged to get more earlier that morning, though it seemed Povious planned to ask him anyway.

 One of the things Jack absolutely despised was the exact atmosphere that had been terrorizing him for near of a week- it somehow suffocated both his body and his mind, making numerous daily activities much too uncomfortable to focus on. He couldn't read any of his books, draw anything in his small sketchbook, or even fly his kites. It was annoying to say the least.