Chapter 28 Memories

"Have a sit Iris" Salamis said to Iris. He took a barrel from the corner and was about to sit, "not there," Salamis interrupted, Iris was visibly confused. "What should I sit on?" Iris asked, Salamis pointed at the blob that she sat on. Iris chuckled and placed both hands on his sword, "I can't do that" he responded "I can only control the water around me, I can't ...form it."

"And who told you that?," Salamis questioned, Iris frowned "but I've only ever controlled water, I've nev.." But Salamis interrupted him "have you tried?" Iris froze, he certainly has never tried it. She gestured for him to come forward. He stood in front of her, "turn around and sit down" she said, but Iris hesitated, she shook her head seeing his reluctance. She spoke calmly trying to reassure him, "Iris, I will not harm you."

Iris turned around and sat down cross legged, his back now facing her. She got off her seat and the water dissipated. She went on error knees behind him and placed her hand on his back. "Iris, you are going to feel some thing, don't be afraid."

Iris closed his eyes and prepared himself. After a few seconds he felt a familiar calm and warm energy flow through his body.

"I've felt this before.." He exclaimed, "when ever I control the element this energy flows through me."

"Now Iris, this energy you feel is called mana, it is not magic as your people have described it. It is the energy that allows us use and control the elements and do all other wonderful thins."

"I-i feel something," Iris spoke "it feels like the energy is trying to come out, should I let it?"

Salamis smiled, "Iris listen to every word I speak and follow my instructions carefully." Iris nodded.

"I want you to keep your eyes closed, now I want you to try and make the energy flow through your body to your palm." Iris tried and failed. "Okay let me help you" she took control of the energy in Iris body, "Don't fight it" she said to him as she felt a little resistance. With a few more minutes of trial and error Iris could now control the energy on his own.

Salamis still patiently sat behind him with her hand on his back helping him get a hang on the control of the energy.

"Now I want you to picture yourself forming a blob of water from the energy, the chakra you feel in your body."

Iris held his hand forward, he tried to picture the blob of water forming, he moved his fingers but still failed. He sighed "Why can't I do it ?" He asked clearly frustrated.

"Iris, water is formless, shapeless, it does not like to be restrained, what you are trying to do is gain control of the water. But you are trying to force it. Don't force it, instead let it flow out of you, then give it shape and form. The element of water is the most difficult to master and often underestimated, but it is extremely dangerous and if you are able to understand and gain control of this element you will be formidable."

Iris listened attentively. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He relaxed and allowed the energy flow through his body he slowly guided his mana towards his hand and blue particles seem to come out of his body and merge with other blue particles outside his body, after a few seconds after small fist sized blob of water formed in the air in front of him.

"Look I did it " he exclaimed. He was overjoyed, he moved his hand around controlling the water. He released his control and the water dropped on the ground splashed dirt on his body. Salamis moved her hand slightly and the water absorbed by his closed floated up and dissipated making his clothes dryer again.

Iris was amazed by her control over the element of water "teach me to do that" he asked.

"Oh, you have to have a strong control over water to do that. You need to use your chakra to separate water into smaller droplets then releasing control forming a small dew." She responded. Salamis stood up and walked in front of Iris, looking around Iris realised it was almost nighttime.

"With this power you can control water, wether it's from a river, or the dew or moisture in the air, or the clouds in the sky or the rain, or the water in human bodies. You can be powerful beyond what you could imagine."

Iris looked up to her, he got down on his knees and bowed, "Thank you goddess Salamis thank you. You have given me strength just when I thought I was running out, thank you."

Salamis smiled, "I can't help you too much it's against the rules. I have shown you enough to help you survive a little while longer. You have a dangerous journey ahead of you Iris. You need to grow stronger. There are many others like you within and beyond the seven kingdoms, those who can control other elementsmy beware of themmay not everyone is a friend."

"Sorry, I couldn't help but ask," Iris said as he stood up "are there any other water element users in the seven kingdoms? "

Salamis paused for a second, "Yes Iris .."

"How many?" Iris asked.

Salamis put her hand on her chin and answered, "well it doesn't matter, I need to leave Now Iris, growth stronger, reach your goal but do not lose your self along the way." The air around her shimmered and she dissappeared. Iris stood outside for a long time taking in what just happened, he just met the same goddess that blessed him as a child, this brought back memories, old memories that he had buried deep within his heart. Memories of the time he spent with his mother when growing up, memories of training to join the army of Dawnville, memories of working hard and climbing up the ranks to become the captain of his own division. Memories of the blood death and destruction brought upon the city of Dawnville by the spears of Kingsland. Memories of his mother dieing in his arms. Memories..... so much has happened....