During the following two weeks, Niam closely monitored my training progress, and I felt a surge of excitement when I successfully conjured my initial sequence of wind. The elation I experienced was abruptly curtailed when I came to the realization that while I had the ability to summon the wind, I lacked the capacity to effectively manage and restrain it. The wind I conjured intensified, swirling with the force of a violent tornado. The object distanced itself from me while I observed, perplexed by the unexpected event. As the wind's strength increased, I clung to a column to avoid being caught in its whirling vortex, comparable to a wild stallion pursuing its freedom.
"Control the wind or dismiss its power," Niam scolded from a safe distance.
I rolled my eyes, chasing after the wild wind. "Wait! You stupid thing. You are making me look bad," I yelled at the cyclone, catching my breath.
"I don't want to intrude or anything, but it seems like you need help taming the magic you unleashed," Zane appeared behind me with a smirk. My failures visibly amused him.
"Let her be," Niam ordered his fellow deity. "She needs to control her own powers."
"How is she supposed to do that if nobody shows her?" Zane replied, striking a pose. "Come. I'll help you catch and dismiss the powers you unleashed. You're lucky that I am bored. Make this fun."
Zane swiftly grasped me around the waist and summoned his fiery powers. I stifled an exclamation of astonishment upon witnessing our exhilarating ride on the blazing flames, like to a surfer skillfully ascending a towering wave. I observed Zane's expression. He was focused on the wind blowing in front of him. A tiny smile graced the corner of his mouth.
"What's the plan?" I asked as we approached the swirling monstrosity.
"Your powers are too immature to reason with them. We'll force it to dissipate," Zane replied, carefully avoiding the debris violently thrown in every direction.
"You know the wind can suffocate your flames, right?" I asked, unsure about the words I spoke. I sought verification of the information I encountered in an alchemy book during my childhood.
"Do you think your little mishap is stronger than mt thousands of years of practice?" Zane asked, not taking my comment as an offense. "I trained to defeat the other elements. Living with them for centuries helped sharpened my skills. Wanna see?"
Zane promptly conjured scorching flames that enveloped the cyclone without waiting for a response. With a sudden motion, his fiery tendrils ensnared the tornado, like a lasso seizing a bull by its horns, compelling it to cease its tumultuous oscillations. The corner of Zane's mouth twitched. "Go." The fire god commanded me without any other guidance.
I leaped onto the grass and endeavored to exude an air of authority. My family previously engaged in dog breeding, and as a result, I acquired knowledge on effective techniques for training unruly dogs. However, elemental abilities differed slightly from those of living creatures. The physical object exerted an irresistible force, drawing me towards it. My feet involuntarily glided towards the formidable gust of wind. In an instant, I was swallowed by my own power.
I perceived the voices of both divine beings calling out my name, but, I was already gone. Traversing the biting atmosphere, I discovered myself standing at the epicenter of the tempest. The gusts of wind surrounding me evoked a complex mix of emotions, simultaneously providing a sense of security and exposing my vulnerability.
I crouched, threw myself to the ground, and folded my legs. "Okay. Let's begin," I reminded myself. The wind's commotion masked the disruptive sounds emanating from the forest. I found it more convenient to concentrate on the perpetual rotation rather than allowing my thoughts to stray. I recalled Niam's instructions. Inhale, unwind, experience. I reached out my hand, sensing the force enveloping me. Realizing what had happened, I opened the eyes. My abilities reflected the emotions I suppressed in the depths of my mind. Fear and fury. Recalling the instance when I conjured the gust of air, I raised my hand to my mouth. The string became disordered due to my conduct. Upon summoning the wind, I experienced distress over my own shortcomings and harbored anxiety that the deity would abandon me due to my ineptitude. My power intended to prove me wrong, but it got away.
As I approached the whirling fence, I placed a hand in the wind without fear of being injured.
"Stupid me. My apologies. Your intended demonstration is now clear to me. You did quite well. Get some sleep. I will remember and exercise caution. Just as you comprehended me, I am able to comprehend you."
The breeze acquiesced, permitting my hand to absorb its essence. As the wind entered my body gradually, I saw Zane descending from the peak of the tornado to join me. I found myself yearning to effortlessly channel the power of magic the way he did.
"What took you so long?" Zane asked, throwing gazes between me and the power I was absorbing.
"I am a fool," I replied, fascinated by the supernatural occurrence unfolding in front of my eyes.
"Aren't we all?" Zane asked without expecting an answer. He crossed his arms on his chest and looked up. "I've been thinking," the fire deity began. "Niam isn't here and we're all alone. Do you think I could get another feel at our powers connecting? I bet it won't be the same when you are conscious. More powerful, perhaps?" I shifted my focus towards the divine entity associated with fire. Zane's cheeks reddened as he continued to stare at the peak of the disappearing cyclone. "Besides, I am the next deity who'll help you unlock your powers. We'd only be speeding up the process of getting you acquainted with fire," Zane justified, still avoiding my gaze. While considering the suggestion, I became distracted and the wind stopped.
Niam, who had been standing on the opposite side of the swirling incident, faced us. He noticed my embarrassment. "Did I miss something?"