Book 5 - Chapter 34 - Psychic Pearls (1/2)

Cloudhawk hung around the school for a little while. He stepped in to teach Blue and her classmates some martial arts and combat techniques. Although he’d never undergone the sort of training they were doing, he at least had three years of experience in Hell’s Valley and a lifetime of fighting to draw from.

Near the end of the session Barb came running his way.

“Excellency, Hellflower has something urgent she wants to speak with you about.”

Most of Greenland’s leadership came from the Polaris family, with Hellflower being the biggest and most notable exception. She served as Cloudhawk’s secretary and personal assistant in addition to her research duties. She played a role that no one else in Greenland City could. Lately she’d busied herself with plans to continue Greenland’s development, which right now meant establishing a wireless communication system over the entire area. It was a phenomenal task that had implications for communication, safety and industry as a whole. There was the potential it could improve every aspect of life for the citizens of the city.

Busy was an understatement when it came to Hellflower. So what was she doing calling Cloudhawk over?

“Is she in her labs?” He asked.

“No she’s at the God Tree.”

Hellflower had something urgent at the God Tree? That was Autumn’s territory, and she was too aloof and proud to share it with anyone. That was to say nothing of her less than friendly temperament. What she hated most of all was being bothered by the lowly humans she was forced to domicile with. Even Cloudhawk didn’t dare trouble her unless it was very important.

***

Cloudhawk hurried to the God Tree. When he arrived he found Autumn seated on the back of her crystal dragon, which itself was perched on the tree’s lofty branches. With a condescending gaze she watched the mortal come, but said nothing.

At the foot of the tree a shrine had been erected.

It was about five meters tall and at first glance looked like a stump wrapped in various roots. Upon closer inspection, however, its primitive facade belied something far more intricate. The strange sensation of fluctuating energies within it caused Cloudhawk to pay close attention.

Hellflower was standing in front of the shrine. In a rare change of pace, she was not dressed in her typical scientific outfit. Instead she was clad in something more sporty and breathable. The tight-fitting clothing outlined her athletic body and didn’t help allay the criminal thoughts lurking in the back of men’s minds. Her silvery hair had been pulled back into a ponytail that extended to her mid back. Hellflower, at least for today, had forsaken her mature and erudite look for something a lot more valiant and heroic.

Cloudhawk was struck by the strange change in attire. “What’s our greatest scientist doing dressed like a sexy soldier?”

Hellflower’s eyes flicked toward Barb who was standing nearby. “I have something secret to discuss with the Governor. If you wouldn’t mind giving us some privacy?”

“What secret am I not supposed to know?” Barb was displeased with being kept out of the loop. “I’m one of His Excellency’s most trusted people!”

Barb was a curious person by nature, so she found Hellflower’s denial especially rankling. However Cloudhawk didn’t intervene on her behalf. Hellflower was strange, but her decisions always had a logical basis. She must have had a reason for asking Barb to give them space.

Cloudhawk nodded at her to comply. With no other options, she chose to sulk a short distance away.

He watched her go then returned his attention to Hellflower. “What’s up, why all the mystery? If you’re planning on bothering Her Majesty the goddess, then you can count me the fuck out.”

Autumn’s lips curled in a disdainful smirk. This foolish mortal didn’t think his false respects hid what he really thought. Humans are such hypocrites.

Hellflower leaped at him with a weapon in hand. “First, let’s see you eat my rod!”

Eh? That wasn’t an ordinary cudgel, it was an exorcist rod. He recognized it right away as one of the dragon-iron rods they produced here. He was so focused on the weapon that when it started to spin, for a moment he didn’t understand the implications. With a fierce scream Hellflower swung it right at Cloudhawk’s face.

What the fuck? Since when could Hellflower use an exorcist staff? She isn’t a demonhunter, nor has she ever shown psychic talent.

He deflected it with his gauntlet and felt the considerable flows of power the strike delivered. Using the relic’s power he deflected the energy away from himself and Hellflower so as not to harm her. The blast of energy tore into the earth nearby, kicking up the rich soil beneath.

Hellflower still got some of the blow-back and staggered backward a few steps. It took her a moment, but she regained her footing.

“I use my rod pretty well, huh?”

She flung the exorcist rod from one hand to the other in a showy display.