Master Of None



"The water has gone deep." Current seemed less glad to be here now that he could physically touch the dried river bed. 

"Can you feel if it would start a flash flood and give us any warnings?" Walker was more focused on the safety side of things. Their group could move easily through this space, the river had not been small and the cave system it had carved was equally so. But the idea of being washed away and pushed in to stone walls was not pleasant. 

"Yes, to some degree. But the issue with that will be moving faster than water." Current seemed to be using a lot of his mana and senses to find the depths of the water that had not been forced away by the cursed sands. 

'There are a lot of places where the stone has isolated the water beneath this thick silt and clay layer. The sandstone has also dried out and become weaker. Do not use any skills that cause a lot of sound or rumbling earth." This was also a very good warning. 

'I know sandstone is weaker and we could more easily break it. But if it is weaker because water hasn't been here for years.." Walker knew he would be banned from using earth elemental skill. Midnight would also be slightly limited since she could not use the earth affinity breath attack that was easier to use in the underground. 

"That also means that we will not be taking full dragon forms or using a roar." Mordant made this clear after hearing what Current had to say. He trusted Currebnt's evaluation of the water and the safety around them. It came from many years of experience. Ignoring it would be the same as asking to get hurt. 

"So, I don't like that at all since I won't be able to use much for arrows. And I am already limited by the side of the caves." Gil seemed the most hurt by knowing these dangers. He had to rely on the high elven dagger technique much more than before. He could use the individual elven dagger skills since they would not take a higher toll on him. 

However, now that Gil had united these skills and found the right path to train and develop his style, he couldn't ignore it. The high elven dagger style was one with him at this point. It seemed to be the only way to properly use any elven dagger techniques. That Was just the nature of the high elven dagger techniques. It was the origin and just made sense. 

"You can stay in a good position with Remey and I. You won't be a long ranged fighter down here but a close combat with a shield waiting to protect you." Su made it clear that she was comfortable protecting both Remey and Gil without any worries. 

As if to prove this, Walker saw that Su was adjusting her position as they began walking down the river bed. She was focusing on the two sides where Remey and Gil walked, always taking the central position. Even though there was not a threat currently, if she was close enough to both of them, she could adjust and defend without taking a breath. 

Whether this was just a natural act because of how Su desired to protect her family or not, it was very informative. Walker also adjusted himself to play a role in the party. Usually magical because he was able to use the most magic. But for this moment, he had become the back row fighter. He would be the only one able to do so since Gil was too limited now. 

"We should focus on my darkness affinity." Mordant made it clear that he and Walker would need to work together. Onyx also paid close attention since he knew that he would also be acting with this plan in mind if they faced dangers. 

"I thought you would say that. I saw how you make tendrils of shadow to trap and attack. I want to heighten my understanding and do the same. My shadow manipulation is not that adept just yet." Walker knew he could replicate what Mordant did, but not on the same scale. That Was what came with higher forms of training compared to what he had done. 

"You can mix elemental manas much better than using an individual. I noticed it a long time ago.' Mordant didn't sweeten his words. He spoke a blunt truth. 

"With that said, Mordant is right but why don't you mix more manas with water? You make more ice than anything." Current had also noticed this bringing this to the focus of the conversation. The others walked quietly listening. They were also interested in how Walker had made his decisions when learning to manipulate water. They saw the frost whip often enough or the frost ring skill. Even the ice dragons' domain was impressive but a single elemental skill. 

"I find it easier to mix them. I just find that there are situations where it makes more sense in the flow of elemental mana. Since I can sense it all, I just seem to lean that way. But whenever I use water, I find that I need it in both solid and fluid forms. Therefore, Ice." Walker kind of thought this was an odd question, yet he also understood why it was asked. 

There had been plenty of times where he could say he looked back and would have used a better skill. It was why he was thinking about trying to learn some skill or process to condense skills better. Or to just begin finding ways to better simplify how he used skills. Especially when it came to combat based skills that used different weapons. They were getting too many to speak of or keep track of without stressing his mental skills. 

"I could probably learn a lot from you about using water. You are able to do much more with it than I can. I bet that you could pull water from the air much faster too since you have a longer time focusing on the water around you." Walker knew that praising Current a little would be helpful. 

Where Mordant was more of a cautious dragon which let him explore ideas and be more open, Current was give and take. He was within reason and would flow with what was going on. But he would not completely give without something being offered. It was a two way road in a better sense of words. 

"I can easily take water from my surroundings. I am already gathering mana from deeper below ground but limiting the speed. If I were to take water too quickly, then the space around us would crack and collapse." Current knew the effects that water had around them too. But Walker had not noticed the slow speed of water elemental mana gathering because it was too slight. 

"Water is in everything for the most part. Fire causes water to leave logs when they burn. You even breathe out water every time you exhale. Is it a lot? No, but it can be used if needed. Using water from within a living being's body is a taboo though. No water affinity monster, race, or anything I know of would do it. An unspoken rule." 

While most would not consider using the water in someone's body to manipulate, it was possible. With enough mana to override the mana within someone's body, it could be done. But something deep inside Walker told him that it would be a horrendous use of power. Something that would be unacceptable no matter what. 

"I agree, that would be something no one should do. Even thinking about using the water that makes up my body naturally makes my skin prickle."

"Exactly. Water in fluid form is more adaptable. Using it as ice is a limit. But using it as water is better. You can encapsulate an enemy, create shapes that your opponent can not break because they reform around them, or even flood an entire area to better change the terrain to what you need." Current spoke about how he fought but also how he knew others battled. 

"It's easy to think that all of this can be done, but I never tried. The only reason I managed the ice dragon domain skills was because I managed to use the first ring skill that snow elves apparently use. If I can think of the domain skills properly, I might be able to create a natural mana domain and work closer with natural mana to create attack and defending skills." 

This was somewhat of a small enlightenment. Walker hadn't thought that creating a natural dragon domain skill would be on his to do list. But it seemed like a good way to pursue a better handle on natural mana overall. Not to mention all elemental manas. 

….

If you are not reading this at Fire.net, then sorry the content you're reading is stolen!

Please say no to piracy! Don't take part in crime! Don't patronize thieves! 

Repent now and go here, http://wbnv.in/a/ccfhAus

Drop those golden tickets!