Total pages in book: 214
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
The possibilities feel endless.
"Limitless except for keeping your quarters in reasonable order," Typhon grumbles through our bond. "With the meager possessions they allow you students, your ability to create absolute chaos is truly remarkable. Undergarments were hanging from above your window this morning. How does something such as this happen?"
"I don't recall asking for commentary from grumpy dragon grandpa," I shoot back silently.
"There are humans who would prostrate themselves before me. Who would sacrifice limbs for the chance to tether me. And you call me a 'grumpy dragon grandpa?' Insufferable, ungrateful..."
Despite his complaints, a current of warmth flows through our tether. Typhon may grumble, but he can't hide the emotions that pass between the tether. It makes his constant complaints and chiding feel amusing rather than obnoxious.
Thank the gods for that.
"Your control is improving," Typhon concedes. "For a fragile, insignificant human, at least."
Voss scribbles furiously on his parchment, leaving me in one of those painfully long silences that Typhon typically fills with unsolicited wisdom.
"The fact that you're too foolish to solicit my guidance doesn't diminish its value, angry human."
My lips twitch into a smile. I've grown accustomed to having him respond to every stray thought that crosses my mind. "My control may be improving like you say, but I'm still miles behind everyone else at Confluence."
"The power of an unbound is different."
"Different,” I repeat. “So far, the difference seems to be that I have far less capacity to channel than my peers, but I can touch every element. Maybe it would feel useful if I could openly show my powers instead of searching for subtle uses that won’t be noticed.”
“In time, you will reveal yourself.”
“And then be hunted.” I know from reading the book that unbound weren’t just hunted for the potential to manifest unique and deadly powers. There was something else. Something else I have tried desperately not to think too much about because…
“Because it makes you feel like a monster,” Typhon says softly in my mind, finishing the thought.
I tense, eyes falling to the floor while Voss still scratches down notes on his parchment. "It's just a book, Typhon. I can't believe everything it says. Maybe I can’t really… do that."
"Then allow me to confirm the contents, because I witnessed unbound myself. As the book says, unbound have the ability to tether not just elementals, but humans as well. Just as it was with me, you can require your oaths to be sworn by a human and accept their tether. This joining will also increase your power and grant them a shadow of your own. This was the secret Lorkan Grace and Milena Grace discovered. It was the secret that ignited everything and led to the destruction of your kind."
"I'm not going to tether people," I bite back. From the moment I read it in the book, I tried to forget I'd seen it. The idea felt... wrong. Twisted. Dark.
"Whether you use your full potential or not is of no consequence. They will call you dangerous because they will fear what you could become, should you choose. With the desire, you could reshape this world of yours as you see fit."
"I don't want to reshape the world, Typhon. I just want to fix my own little corner of it. I want my mom and sister to forgive me. I want to survive this place."
There's a heavy shock of protective instinct through the tether. I feel it flood into me so strongly that it takes my breath away. "And you shall survive, because I will protect you. No matter the cost."
I spare a small smile for Typhon who lays in the corner, his serpentine body coiled around as his head rests on his scaled torso. His deep blue eyes gleam, somehow seeming as bottomless as oceans.
I glance at Voss’ paper and see he has drawn four sectors—one for each element. He's taking notes in each, as if keeping separate track of my progression with each discipline.
"In any case, even if you refuse to use your full potential by tethering others,” Typhon continues. “You demonstrated a unique gift when you stripped away my madness. If you could restore me to my senses, then you could free the other ancients as well. You could also free the elder elementals who have lost themselves. This alone would send shockwaves through both your world and mine. If those elementals chose to tether to your people, it would dramatically increase the power at your kind's disposal. If not... it would make my kind far more powerful in our own right."
"Do you really think I should do that? Try to free more elementals from madness?" The weight of the possibility settles heavy on my shoulders.
"The answer isn't simple. The other ancients... they are not perfect."
"Unlike you?" I tease.
"Precisely," he replies, completely missing my sarcasm. "We must consider carefully before deciding if healing them is wise. And we need you significantly stronger first. I could have easily destroyed you in the lake or on the elemental plane. We can't risk exposing you again until you're properly prepared."