Pariah

Chapter 4 Strength of the Earth

The strength of the earth. Few take the time to take in all the life around them, and even fewer stick around when it shows its wrath. But this is not true for the shaman of the earth, the one they call Lidune of the Darkspear Tribe. Not many know of his origins, but all those who are aware of his power refer to him as the new Earthwarder, the title once given to Deathwing before his fall from grace. Making the Barrens his home since becoming a shaman, Lidune has since fought back the Earthmother's many enemies. From the malign centaur to the ravenous quilboar he has fought all who would dare harm his home. In a way, he has fought his own secret war, defending the weak and cowing the strong.

"Here be where we start, mon."

It was a bright morning in the Barrens as Maev and Lidune walked along the golden road. It was the day after Lidune had saved Maev from the combined efforts of the bronze dragon and the Grimtotem bounty hunters, a day that Maev, for once in his fifty years of solitude, felt safe from his surroundings. This was the first time he had to use the road, since he preferred to stay away from any other sentient life for fear of their existence being in danger. Knowing that at any moment the bronze or red dragons may come after him was unsettling to him, but that did not stop him from following his new teacher down that brightened road.

"Ok... First, I be showing ya the simplest of de totems... Strength of de Earth!"

From the ground between them a totem arose. That was when Maev could see a change in Lidune's figure. His body grew more tense and appeared to be more muscular. With his right fist alone he slammed the ground and shook the ground beneath them, as if an earthquake had struck the land. Birds flew from their perches to the skies while critters of every size ran for cover. Then with a thought Lidune dismissed the totem, and his body returned to its natural self. This display of power startled Maev and made him realize how powerful Lidune could really be.

"Amazing..." muttered Maev. "And you say I too can master the method of earth totems as you do?"

"Exactly, mon. But ya got te learn how te control de earth beneath your feet. It be de essences of de world we live in. De strength of de earth... It be de peace of our minds and de power of our bodies. Without de two essences in balance, everyting be outa wack, mon!"

"What must I do to earn this strength?"

"First, I want ya te go to de east, where ya find the nesting grounds of de raptors of de Barrens. Find der eggs and crush dem wit your fists alone. Ya den must take de egg juices from de place and pour it in your satchel. Return to me when ya be done. For dis task, I will take your totem away..."

Maev grasped his totem tightly and slightly turned from Lidune. He could still feel the static elements in his totem from that faithful night, pulsing out and into his fingertips. The night elf had not parted with his beloved Ravenstorm for fifty long years, and he was not about ready to let it go just yet.

"Listen..." said Lidune in a calm manner. "I understand how ya be feeling right now. But ya will not be away from it for long. Trust me, mon. I will keep it safe."

Reluctantly, Maev handed Ravenstorm to Lidune. The troll looked into the carvings of the totem and was struck with awe. He could not believe the power that coursed through it, the hidden potential that lied beneath its surface. Maev could see the sparkle in Lidune's eyes, and he understood.

"It was made by my father. Ever since that night, I could feel the warmth, the strength of what I had unleashed." Maev could not help but wipe a tear away from the memory of Fascus. "Sometimes, I think it is really my father's embrace, watching me from wherever he may be now. It is almost like its not the elemental energies at all."

Lidune looked up and looked Maev dead in the eyes. His gaze was frighteningly serious,
and when the troll spoke, what he said was harsh but true.

"This be not your father, mon... It be a terror dat none in dis world or any other could fathom. It be power like no other... a single word forgotten unless brought back by true bloodlust. Your father have notting te do wit dis √ so push back all dos silly thoughts! Dis is reality, mon! I want ya te think upon the real tings in life and contemplate dem. Now go! Dos raptors will be back from de hunt soon, and I don't think ya want te have te deal wit the entire family of them..."

And with that said, Maev left Lidune and his own totem behind with the realization that his father's memory may die out one day. And as he passed over the hills and beyond the trees he swore that he would make his father proud of him, whether or not he ever sees him again.

"I shall not let his memory be in vain..." he said to himself.

It was noon by the time he reached the nesting grounds of the raptors. Eggs lay everywhere, trinkets and coins scattered about with the occasional carcass that they fed on. There was an unsettling calm about the place, as if something watched quietly from a distance as he walked through the putrid lair. It was then that he noticed at the corner of his eye that he was not alone here. Clenching his fists, Maev darted to the shadows and hid in them using his shadowmelding powers. There he waited, and there he stayed until he saw his pursuers approach. They were raptors alright, twelve as a matter of fact, but they were just the first of the hunting party. Among them there was an unusually large one. Unlike the others with their violet skin, this one was black and was covered in cuts and scars. It must of seen many battles, Maev thought, and it will not go down as easily as the others might. But he had little time to think on this, for one of the raptors approached him. It sniffed the air around him, and then let out a loud high-pitched screech before Maev decided to punch it square in the nose.

The curious raptor fell back in pain, holding its nose with its talons. It cried out even louder, and all saw Maev standing there, ready to fight. The black raptor looked to Maev with a white hot intensity, and he did the same to it. He knew that before this day was over, either he or it will die. One after the other the raptors came at Maev with vicious teeth and talons barred. With a few punches and air kicks to the head, each raptor fell before his primal fury. Every so often a talon or tooth could cut him, but he could stand the pain. To him, regaining the favor of the Earthmother and returning to his father was all that fueled his wrath toward the beasts. It was not long before the twelve were all down and dead, leaving only him and the black raptor alone for the final showdown. This battle would mean the difference between certain death and regaining the power of the elements. If he loses this fight, he may never even see his father again...