The Elementals: Return Of Creation

Chapter 3: Lost In Thought, Part 1

 ***

 Another rainy night. Wind howling through the dark, droplets landing on the cold portico few and far between, growls from the sky all around.

 Truly weather young Jack enjoyed. He sat on the stairs, lit only by the yellow glow of the two oil lamps hung by the doors, gazing up to the starless heavens.

 It was late, at least an hour passed his bedtime, which only left another hour of his hundreth birthday. Somehow he felt both exhausted and wide awake, adding to his already heaping discomfort.

 He heard quiet creaking from behind, then the light taps he learned was Nym's footsteps. She  sighed and said, "Thank goodness you're all right,"

 "Yeah I am,"

 "I nearly jumped from my skin when I didn't find you in bed- what has you up so late?" Nym sat down beside him, resting her arms over her stomach.

 "I'm waiting for Master Trode," said Jack somberly. He could tell Nym flinched, and went on, "He always comes on my birthdays....always..."

" J-jack-," Nym pulled her lips, a gesture Jack came to understand meant she was uncomfortable deep down, mostly due to fear. "He's- He has a very important job. It would only make sense if something is keeping him,"

 "I don't get it," Jack sighed, turning to her and pouting. "What does he do? He's never been late before. So why is it different today?"

 "Well- if he hasn't told you, then I'm afraid I'm not supposed to mention it,"

 "Why?" whined Jack. It was obvious to him that he was behaving a little rude, but the long wait had allowed his impatience to win over.

 "Well- He is your master, ergo what he says is what goes. Th-that's all I can really say..."

 Jack groaned quietly. He knew Nym was right, but he still didn't like it.

 Seconds after, his dismay faded. A bright flash of bluish light crawled overhead, lighting up the clouds it passed.

 He sprung up; it was headed to Onbekend.

 "He's here!" Jack exclaimed as he started running after the flash. "He's here! He's here!"

 "What-"

 "Master Trode! He's here!"

 Jack ran as fast as he could, still careful to avoid the trees. It was nearly impossible to see, but the beaming light above guided him well. Nym's voice begging him to come back and explain shrunk with every second.

 Over and over in his head he told himself, hurry, hurry, hurry...

 The wind breezing on his face and limbs grew frostier, its whistles amplified in his ears. His bare feet met the cold ground more and more.

 An odd sensation burst from his chest. It slithered all the way down to his legs and was very warm, ridding him of exhaustion. His calves and thighs suddenly felt stronger and full of power, thrusting him even further with every step.

 He was doing it again. Speeding, as he called it. Trode said that it didn't have its own name, so he settled with calling it that. He thought it fit perfectly.

 Despite him doing so, the flash was still yards ahead, and only gained more. Luckily for Jack, he was already nearing the foot of the mountain when it was on the verge of being too far to spot.