One such thing was learning that the boiling point of water changed with pressure. This property could be exploited allowing the bender to reduce or increase the pressure of his water. Effects like freezing the water became possible simply through altering the pressure and allowing some of the water to vaporize. The remaining water would freeze as the heat was extracted by the vaporizing water.
The art of cooling water could be further exploited by reducing the water to temperatures below its freezing point. This super cooled water would freeze the instant it was disturbed. This technique was most valuable if you managed to make your duel opponent step in a puddle of this instant ice. They would become frozen in place giving you an advantage.
Kiyan was able to alter the heat energy stored in matter directly with his fire bending. This gave him an advantage in thawing any ice that trapped him. Jeremy and Deep Current had found that this required an alteration in any fighting style whenever they faced him. The same was true for any water bender dueling a fire bender. A fire bender was stronger for this skill yet if they faced a waterbender of sufficient skill they were at a different disadvantage. If the water bender was able to bend water vapor they could shield themselves. Fire was efficiently snuffed out by the inflammable gas.
An air bender could achieve a similar effect by simply redirecting the air that carried the flames. Against a vapor bending water bender an air bender was at a disadvantage because they could not control the water vapor as well as the conventional gases.
Earth benders were fairly capable of defense against both fire and water but found themselves as a loss against airbenders. Fire was deflectable like a straight on fire or air attack but a skilled airbender could compress air to such a degree that it could deflect earth projectiles. This compression when released in a directional manner could shatter stone with ease. Die to this ability to alter the density of air the battle field was no longer constrained by gravity.
Corban taught Kiyan several techniques for using fields of compressed air around him as shields against strikes from other elements. Only ice benders and earth benders had better armor. Fire benders made up for this lack by exploiting a firebending attribute. They were usually capable of faster movement than benders of the other elements. They could dodge attacks that most others had to absorb. Fire benders were also able to nullify the effect of air benders compressing air by taking advantage of the heat generated by the compression.
These training filled days stretched on until a couple months had passed.
Chapter Six: Anomaly
Carlisle sensed the new day dawning along with the minds of the village awakening from sleep. He reviewed the last couple months. He smiled to himself as he remembered how fast Kiyan was learning to control his powers. Kiyan was learning almost like he was remembering some latent memory and already had the muscle memory, just needed to activate it. Kiyan was manipulating earth and air with some skill but he excelled with fire and water. Fred’s training with Draxos was coming along nicely. He was already able to manipulate the earth like it was an extension of himself. Jeremy and Deep Current was having the time of their lives. Jeremy was just getting the hang of changing the states of water. He had already become quite skilled with the physical manipulation of water.
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Corban was up already preparing for the day’s lessons. Having Deep Current and Draxos to help made teaching earth and water much easier. Few of the villagers even knew about the complex behind the waterfall and as far as Corban was concerned the fewer the better. Fewer still were the people that had come to visit the hanging village as it was called.
“Forgive me for the interruption,” DC as Deep Current was called asked. “Do you plan to continue instructing Jeremy in ice bending today?”
“That is what I planned unless you would rather instruct on something else instead,” Corban replied.
“I observed him yesterday and I think he is soon to have learned sufficiently the ice forming arts. Perhaps he can move on to vapor bending in a couple days.” DC was extremely observant and if he said so then Corban was sure Jeremy was ready. Officially Corban was in charge of the training but in truth they all shared the decisions equally.
Draxos joined them by bending a tunnel from the cliff side near them. “What of Fred?” Addy has linked with her sister Dryad and has been transferring knowledge and skills as fast as Fred can learn them. I merely offer guidance and direction for him to practice.” Corban reflected on the fact that the thoran was far too modest.
Corban thought for a moment. “Perhaps today we can practice life bending for a change. Both Kiyan and Fred have shown talent in that field and a bit more practice would be good for them now.”
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Kiyan opened his eyes to greet the day, it was going to be a good day and he could already feel the warmth of the sun on the earth. He jumped out of bed and slipped into his new fireproof clothes. They were of some sort of durable leather like material, soft and supple yet waterproof and fireproof. Corban’s tailor had outdone himself this time. It fit to perfection and was comfortable. Kiyan could sense James and Marisa waking up as well. Breakfast would be ready in a bit. Time for the morning swim.
Kiyan met Ray, Addy, Fred and Jeremy at the lake. Jeremy had already made the surface of the lake as smooth as a mirror. The five were soon swimming and playing in the water enjoying themselves. Kiyan tried a new technique of manipulating the water that both Jeremy and Kiyan had learned a day or so ago. It involved repelling the water in the lake from the water in their bodies. The desired result was that they could levitate over water and bend from the air above it. Kiyan had already figured out how to bend a shell of water around him and repel the lake water from that. The result was not levitation but the ability to slide across the lake at remarkable speeds. It was like when a drop of water sets on the surface without being absorbed. The boys found with a little tweaking and shaping they were able to increase their speed even more. The natural result were water races that sped around the lake. Kiyan was accused of cheating when he did a little firebending and created a layer of super-heated steam between his bubble and the surface of the lake. Friction was nearly eliminated and Jeremy was soon left behind.
Kiyan saw Theo waiting on the beach when he returned back to where Fred and Addy were waiting. He had gotten used to being the only one that could see Theo most of the time. There were times when Theo had shown himself to Corban to offer assistance on occasion or when he was talking to Kendra. For the most part Kiyan’s father liked to remain invisible.
Theo waited for Kiyan to come to a stop at the shore before congratulating Kiyan on his discovery. “You might even be able to water form soon at this rate. It took me years to figure out how to bend multiple elements at the same time.”
Kiyan could tell something was bothering Theo. “You seem worried about something, what is it?”
“The war might be coming sooner than we had anticipated.” Theo responded. “We have never been able to trace our own paths in time because we don’t exist in the same time flow as everything else. We are able to see the probable futures and some of the things that happen around us. Something is different now, the futures are changing and we can't see why.”
After Theo disappeared Kiyan thought about the warning he had delivered. The ascendants were worried. That was new, they seemed to be prepared for most everything before it happened. Whatever it was Kiyan was sure they would figure it out.
After breakfast Kiyan prepared for the days lessons. Meeting Ray at the shore of the lake Kiyan saw he was already getting late. Ray shifted into his flying form and they were soon winging their way toward the falls. The water almost turned aside without Kiyan having to make a move and they were soon landed on the training platform.
“Draxos and DC have some things they needed to take care of so Fred and Kiyan are going to work on life bending today and Jeremy will finish up his training of ice bending before the end of the day in all likelihood.” The gro
up was soon at the top of the cliffs with the use of the gravity tubes and setting about their tasks.
Kiyan had gotten used to life bending and didn't even have to concentrate any more in order to see the life energy flowing around him. Making plants change into what he wanted them to be was difficult. It took him most of the morning to grow plants from the seeds that he had been given and change them into the assigned shapes. He let the energy from the surrounding area flow into a seed, then he watched as it sprouted and grew into a blade of grass. Kiyan fed energy into the blade until it began to swell and grow, soon it was a small tree. Other times he was supposed to take what would become a tree and make it into a flower.
“That's pretty good Kiyan.” Theo interrupted, “Watch this.” Theo began showing Kiyan a memory. Kiyan watched as Theo connected with a seed and began to feed energy into it. I grew much like Kiyan's but faster, what had taken Kiyan an hour took Theo mere seconds. In another few seconds the tree swelled into a forest giant, crackling and groaning as it grew. After reaching a lofty stature, Theo began to make changes at a level that Kiyan couldn't see but could feel with Theo's help. The tree shifted until it began to glow visibly, a few more moments and it was a majestic glow wood. Theo suddenly stopped playing the memory and Kiyan felt a note of alarm from him.
Kiyan refocused on the present. Casting his senses around he felt Kendra and Carlisle who seemed disturbed as well. Looking up into the sky he felt the same thing he had before but this time it was much stronger, strong enough he was able to define it. The feeling of intense hatred, an emotion that though alien to him was familiar somehow. Something he had sensed before but long ago. The name Dark One was associated with the strong emotion that Kiyan could feel getting stronger.
Looking into the sky Kiyan saw tiny specks of light growing brighter. Soon hundreds of them filled the sky, He recognized them from the dream. The realization of what would happen next hit Kiyan before he saw the smaller lights detach from the large lights. He watched in horror as one of the smaller lights remained in its place and grew larger. Realizing that it was headed at his location shocked Kiyan into action.
He summoned all his strength and grasped the earth around him, hurling it with all his strength at the light advanced at him. The boulders collided and the light flashed as bright as the sun then went out. Kiyan sank to the ground weakened from the exertion. The earth around him was shredded. Another light began streaking toward them. Theo appeared a moment before impact and constructed a barrier of energy before it struck.
A moment later a wave of energy launched from Samtan moving faster than any of them could see. It destroyed all the smaller lights as it struck. Some of the larger lights appeared to disintegrate as they were struck. Kiyan felt Kendra shift into energy and race into the sky, he watched as she touched some of the lights with her energy. Flashes of light marked her touch. He could feel her rage as the sky was lit with her wrath. Kiyan surges in the energy around him as Prometheus erupted into energy and joined Kendra in the sky.
Kiyan felt regenerating energy surging through him from Kendra and Prometheus. There was a wave of heat from Corban as he shifted into a fire elemental. Kiyan saw the creatures then. Lizard like beings with yellow razors like teeth and claws. They reeked of hatred and disgust. Corban struck first. There was a flash as Corban erupted into an inferno and engulfed dozens of the creatures. Jeremy and Fred began to move bending earth and water at the creatures as fast as they could. Addy grew thorns and plates in a flash and began shooting spikes at any creature that dared approach the group. Ray grabbed one of the drakken when it got too close tossing it at another drakken. Kiyan blasted another one with a flame. Adrenaline combined with the flow of energy from his parents overtook Kiyan. Left and right he struck at the invaders. Soon the landscape surrounding them was littered with the dead and dying drakken.
There was just too many of them. More of them were appearing out of thin air. Kiyan and Jeremy ice bent in unison and a row of drakken left this life leaving icy statues in their wake. Assailed with the emotions of the drakken Kiyan had an idea. He twisted his thoughts with theirs and sent them at the drakken. He felt their crude minds melt under the torrent of emotion. Unable to stand the alien thoughts several dozen drakken dropped. Even more were crazed in terror and turned on their allies in an attempt to escape.
Kiyan began to think the battle was futile. “Young avatar, allow me to help.” Kiyan felt the Keeper take control of his body, the energy flooding his being. The skills of years flowed through him. With a flick of his wrist he sent a dozen drakken flying. With another flick another dozen burst into flames, a twist and a bolt of lightning scorched a few more. The group began pushing the drakken back with their combined attacks. Dozens fell to the earth as Fred manipulated the ground to his will, explosions from Corban thinned their numbers and several drakken were frozen in various shapes of attack by Jeremy. Addy was a whirlwind of destruction as she danced and sliced, dodged and shot spikes at her opponents. Ray swung his trunks and trampled any foolish drakken that drew near him. There were signs of the strife present on all. Jeremy was limping and Fred had a nasty gash on a cheek. Ray looked the worst. His hide had been scored deeply and blood flowed freely.
They advanced toward the village until the drakken took a different tactic. Ray was the first to fall when he shielded Kiyan from the first barrage of plasma blasts. Corban blasted back and tried to form a shield around them. The next assault claimed Addy as she tried to protect Fred. Corban absorbed most of the next blast but one shot was all it took to make Jeremy falter and fall. His life blood pouring through a seared wound in his chest.
Rage coursed through Kiyan and a hundred drakken turned to ash. There was still more and another barrage from the drakken claimed Fred. Pain was a distant sensation as Kiyan surged onward. The mental cries as the villagers being slaughtered seared his mind. A blue dragon swept over them and attempted to grab Kiyan but was driven off by fire from hundreds of weapons. Before being driven back into the sky the dragon breathed cold fire into the ranks of drakken. The dragon was not alone in the skies above Loomis. There were several wreaking havoc on the drakken. The drakken that were struck were turned into ice sculptures. There was an explosion as Corban dissipated and scorched a hundred drakken. Prometheus appeared and tried to defend Kiyan. Theo blasted holes in the lines of drakken then turned to Kiyan and tried to heal him. The healing energy seemed to have no effect on Kiyan's injuries. Too much energy was flowing through Kiyan.
“There is only one thing that can be done Kiyan and you know what it is. Before you go one gift for you. Ray will be much more capable of protect you. Tell us and repair the future.” The familiar sensation of time beginning to break down engulfed Kiyan. He was able to dodge the blasts of plasma as they slowed down. The flaming orbs of plasma slowed and finally stopped. The burning was growing so Kiyan reached out and touched the drakken on Thane. There was barely a change in the flow as Kiyan channeled energy into the drakken, he felt thousands of drakken turn to ash at his touch.
Finding no more drakken on Thane he reached out to Samtan, after their initial attack they had been overwhelmed with drakken. The wasted lives of countless humans numbed Kiyan's mind, the drakken must be gone. Horrific slaughter met Kiyan’s senses no matter where he turned. Here and there benders were holding out. On Samtan a small fleet of fighters were trying to hold back the constant flood of oncoming drakken. These fighters were supported by dozens of dragons. The fighters were having as much effect holding back the drakken as a sieve has of holding back water. Kiyan reached out with fire and touched the multitude of drakken. They hardly abated the growing energy as they were vaporized. Feeling like he was burning up he reached out and touched the fleet of ships in orbit, tearing them apart. There was more of them, Kiyan could feel their minds. He followed the emotions of hatred and found thousands more ships approaching. A sizzle and they were no more. Millions of drakken fell victim to Kiyan’s rage.
Reaching out farther than
he had ever before Kiyan followed the polluted trail to a hole ripped in the fabric of space. A place where the flow of time and space was damaged, a void of all energy. Burning white hot now he channeled the energy into the hole watching it shrink as it absorbed the energy. The hole soon was gone and the anomaly faded from space and time. The portal used to invade this universe was no more. As the overwhelming sensations faded Kiyan felt the horror of the situation for the first time, he had killed hundreds of thousands of drakken over hundreds of light years with a thought.
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Theo watched as Kiyan practiced his firebending. He was getting quite good at it. Uncovering some memories helped but Kiyan was naturally talented. He was able to pick up concepts and put them into practice faster than even Theo could remember himself being able to. Kendra joined Theo as Kiyan blasted a pillar of rock that Fred had bent up.
“Kendra is it just me or is Kiyan's bursts getting hotter?” Theo was noticing a disparity in what Kiyan should be able to do and what was happening. Kendra was about to respond when the pillar melted into a puddle of lava. Kiyan looked confused and surprised for a moment at the sudden increase in power he exhibited. The look of confusion gave way to a look of grim determination. Kendra and Theo were forced back for a moment by the waves of heat that began to emanate from Kiyan. Both of the ascended shielded the others present from the inferno that bloomed around Kiyan.