Northern Disturbance

Another few weeks later, we managed to finish all the collecting Formations. In the process, I learned more about the Elements, their combinations and Formations. That was just the beginning though. With the 'basic' Formations completed, it was time for the two main Formations. Aunt Alicia designated two teams, each tackling one Formation each.

These Formations were not normal. I had no clue what was happening in those diagrams at all, even though I knew loads of the Runes used. Rowan kind of explained it to me during his break. "The two Formations are the same, and opposite of each other at the same time. In order to move someone or something a long distance, we require balance and a specific balance at that. You can treat it like a mirror's reflection. The space between those two Formations connects with other such Formation, of course located someplace else… It's like passing through a mirror, but the reflection is of a different location".

"We already knew about such… Well, much less complicated Formations in the past. This is an improved and modified one, with Elements added to the mix. The basic one we used was able to move someone a few metres. This one? I'd say we could even reach the Endrosian Empire, if the barrier wasn't around of course", he added.

"I understand that you are compressing Elements for a reason. My question is, how do Elements help you reach longer distances?", I asked. "That's simple, and you should already know the answer from my notes… Do read them more carefully. Anyway, combining all four Elements has a specific effect. To be precise, we can use that combination to travel through any terrain without obstruction. Now, 'How do we exactly travel?', is your next question, right?", he said. That was correct, I was about to ask him that.

"That is thanks to these Runes", he added while drawing a few of them for me. "But these are…", "Yes, they are used for spatial storage Formations. Actually, these Runes are one of the oldest we know. Moreover, they have no affinity to any Element. But! Once you combine four Elements together, an interesting event takes place", he explained.

"This sort of combination allows you to actually travel such long distances?", I asked, shocked. "Yes, although I simplified it a lot for you. There are a few other things here and there, but that's the gist of it", he replied. "How did you even figure this out?", "Hehe, years of practice, experimentation and commitment. We went through thousands, if not more possibilities. Each one studied thoroughly, with or without results. This Formation is the fruit of many people working towards improvement", he said proudly.

"... Can this be further improved?", I asked. "I don't think so, but what do you have in mind?", "Well, you know that there are three more Elements, right? My father can command one of them. Then there's that Element of Nature, as well as the Light Element. Moreover, my father asked aunt Alicia to add something into this project. Something she had to be taught by my father", I said.

"Hmm, we are using the four basic Elements only. Who knows what would happen if we added another one to the mix. Though you are also mistaken about something. The Void Element isn't for the Formation itself, it will work as an energy source. That's what your father requested, since he has access to that Element. We don't know any Formations regarding that Element, and the knowledge is guarded by Hatmandor. Your father giving Alicia such opportunity, really makes us jealous", he replied.

"So he simply wants to use that Void Element as a source of energy? I thought you guys came up with something else", I asked. "Hehe, no. Though it is a big deal, since everyone else had to find a way to collect energy. For instance, Sedon has six huge collecting Formations outside its walls. That's why it took so many people and time to finish that project. Boltier on the other hand, was much easier. We only had to make sure their Collecting Crystal is hooked up to the Formations, and the job was done. They collect so much energy, their usual usage is about fifty percent of the crystal's capacity. These bastards could power two such Formations, not just one", he replied.

When he mentioned that, I suddenly got an idea. "Since this Formation can transport people as well as things, does that mean energy could be transported too?", I asked. "Heh, not bad at all. In theory, yes. In practice, we don't know how to achieve that yet. Moreover, the energy we'd transport needs to be stored somewhere. We even thought about using the crystal's energy in order to borrow the power for other Formations. That was met with a few obstacles though", he replied.

"What obstacles?", I asked curiously. "Voltars are one of them of course. They were always full of themselves. Letting others use their crystal's energy pool is out of the question. Another reason is overloading the crystal. If we allowed a few Formations to draw the energy from that crystal, it could simply exhaust its energy pool. Worst case would be breaking the crystal, which was another reason they'd never agree", he explained.

"Hmmm, I have one more question then. What exactly is that Collecting Crystal? How come Voltars have it, but there are no other crystals around?", I asked. "That is the question indeed. We don't really know, and Voltars keep those records buried well… If they even have such records… Hmm, maybe your father knows more, or Hatmandor", he said.

Since he didn't know, there wasn't much I could do about that. My father might've known the answer, but getting such stuff from him wasn't easy. 'I'll just leave it alone for now. Maybe he'll be in the mood to tell me one day'. Shortly after that, our break was over and it was time to resume work. At least, the Grey Lizards did. I simply followed master Rowan around, and tried to learn stuff from him.

The next few weeks passed really quickly, but the Formations we were working on, were nowhere near the completion. Complexity alone was staggering, while the amount of Runes was overwhelming even to the masters of Formations. I managed to learn a few new Formations myself, and further my knowledge of Elements. Dawn was always keen to check out the new effects my Formations could create, since she was waiting patiently for those arrows.

Tara came by with her boyfriend too. They stayed over for a few days, and even helped out a bit. When Tara heard I'd make some Formations for Dawn, she immediately demanded some for herself. I didn't mind helping out a friend, but her way of 'asking' was annoying. "Seriously, I wonder what Teri sees in you. You are so rude sometimes. If you want something from me, how about asking nicely like Dawn, instead of demanding, eh?", I berated her.

I knew that Tara was always excited about free things, especially if those things were really good. Though it wouldn't hurt her to ask nicely once in a while. Funny enough, Tara's attitude changed a hundred and eighty degrees the following day. She acted all ladylike, apologised, thanked and never said a bad word.

'I'm not gonna lie, this is actually more annoying', "Alright, alright. I get it already. Just stop acting like that, you are more annoying than before. I'll make some of those spears for you too, just wait like Dawn", I gave in, just to have her off my head.

Other than the constant work or practice, we finally arrived at the stage where the three wolves would be giving birth soon. I never saw another creature give birth. That thought alone scared me a bit. Making me unsure whether to witness that, or just stay out of it and let my father handle everything.

"Are you shy, Anna? Hehe, did you know I was the one to help your mother deliver Dante? I'm a doctor after all, so don't make such a face. I should probably check up on you too. Did you have any problems recently? Any discomforts?", he asked me. I could feel my face turning red. 'That father of mine, what the hell is he thinking!?', "Shut up, go away you idiot. I'm not talking to you anymore!". I knew he did that on purpose, and that only made me want to hide myself even faster.

Either way, we'd soon have wolf puppies. Dawn seemed excited about getting one for herself. She even chose the pair, from which the baby would come from. Tara was about to visit us again, which meant another puppy would be given away. Aunt Alicia agreed to take one for Leran, although a bit reluctantly. The other puppies were a different story, but my father promised some help.

Then one morning, just as I was about to join others to continue the work on the Formation, the whole area shook like crazy. "What the hell?", I asked myself before running outside. Everyone outside also seemed surprised, and even confused. Such trembles were not part of North's history.

"GRAAAW!", an ear piercing roar came from somewhere distant. I couldn't see anything approaching, but something felt off to me. My senses were warning me to hide, escape as far as possible. Something was coming, something really bad.

"Mom! What's going on!?", I shouted. "...How could that thing escape?", she looked into the distance while mumbling to herself shocked. "Mom! What's going on!?", I repeated myself. She didn't reply, but aunt Alicia said something really frightful. "It's Hydra! That damned creature escaped somehow!".

Hydra, the being belonging to the Distortion Realm escaped its prison. I looked around but my father wasn't there. Moreover, Frosty was missing too. 'Did he go to deal with that Hydra?', "Aunt, how could that Hydra escape? I thought it was sealed?", I asked. "... I don't know, child. Your father and Hatmandor are our only hope… Here they come, they must've heard the roar as well", she replied while looking up.

I shifted my gaze upwards as well, and noticed some figures flying through the sky. They didn't have wings, so how could they actually fly? "The… They are Hatmandor?", I asked, shocked. "Yes, they are going to help your father deal with Hydra. Hopefully, they manage to seal it again", aunt replied. 'The Hydra was sealed for so many years, how could it simply escape now?', I asked myself while looking into the distance.