Chapter 28 : Eyes of a Stallion

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the TNA or WWE wrestlers.

Salina ' s House - Downstairs Armory

When Raven , Storm , Harris , and Roode made it downstairs to the armory they had to stop and gasp at what they saw . It was a full training area , Salina even had mats down there to grapple on .

" This will work for basic weapon training and hand - to - hand combat . But , when we are practicing our powers I think it would be safer if we do them outside , unless they are like Wildcat ' s teleporting powers . So , Storm , no rain and lightning in the house babe . " Raven said .

" Fair enough and no fire for you . " Storm said .

" Agreed . " Raven said .

" I guess that means no freezing ? " Roode asked .

" Your powers are not always detrimental to a house . But , becareful with what you do . I guess we might as well say no powers in the house , just to be safe . So , no teleporting Chris . " Raven turned to Harris .

" No problem , Angel . " Harris agreed .

" Good , then you won ' t be freaking me out . " Storm said .

" Right , anything for you my friend . " Harris said .

" Got to take care of the Cowboy , huh ? " Roode asked .

" Damn straight . " Raven answered .

" So , lets practice . " Storm said .

" Amy ! " Raven called .

" What ? " Amy asked as the others came down the stairs . They also liked what they saw .

" I need a grappling partner , what do you say my best friend ? " Raven smiled .

" That I get to kick your ass again . " Amy said .

" Hmm , you might just be a tad bit rusty , sweetheart . " Raven said .

" Ohh , " Jericho and Reso said .

" Shut it . " Amy looked at the two Canadians .

" Come on , Ames . " Raven said .

" Lets go . " Amy said .

" This will be interesting , Teacher vs . Student . " Adam said .

" My womans going to win . " Storm said .

" You have high confidence in her , Cowboy . " Jericho said .

" Keeps me warm at night . " Storm said .

Soon Amy and Raven were grappling on the mat practicing holds and counters for getting out of moves .

" Damn , they are both good . " Glen said .

" Tell me about it . Some of the guys back in WWE haven ' t got that much talent . " Jericho said .

" At least the modern ones don ' t . " Mark added .

" Thats what I ment Taker . Obviously all of the legends and previous wrestlers of WWE had quite a lot of talent , because they are still remembered . " Jericho agreed .

After awhile Amy and Raven were both done .

" Why did you stop ? " Reso asked .

" Because this wasn ' t a match , Jay ? This is practicing for the fights ahead of us while dealing with the Twelve Gates and demons . " Raven said .

" You haven ' t missed a beat though Raven . " Amy said .

" You either . " Raven smiled .

" So , now what ? " Matt asked .

" Roode , bring out Icebreaker . Lets see what type of powers it has . If you need it in your task , then you need to become more familiar with it and what gifts it has . " Raven said .

" Right . " Roode did as she asked .

" Icebreaker is a broadsword , it has a double - edged blade . But , unlike Raven ' s claymore , Crusader ' s sword , or Guardian Saber , its blade is thick and broader . Which is how it became known as the broadsword . Vikings were a big fan of these type of swords because of the heavy blow . If the blow didn ' t cut off the arm of an adversary , then it would most likely shatter the arm . The point is pretty lethal too , for impaling the victum . " Aaron said .

" Like a demon . " Roode said .

" Exactly . " Storm agreed .

" Lets see if you know how to use it though . " Harris said calling his armor to him and drawing one of his katanas .

" Why you ? " Jeff asked .

" Because if he slips , he won ' t kill me . " Harris said .

" Fair enough . " Roode said calling his armor to him .

They both stood there for a few minutes daring the other to move first . Roode was the first to strike and the two were practicing blows and slashes .

" Move your feet Roode or you will get them cut off . " Raven said watching .

" Thank you for that tip . " Roode said appreciating the help .

" He is becoming more skilled I see . " Zacharai said . He and Salina was back .

" Yes sir , we are trying to figure out Icebreakers powers . " Aaron said .

" Then both of you yield . " Zacharai said to Roode and Harris . They did as they were told .

" Sir ? " Harris asked .

" Alright , Fallen Warrior take this . " He had the Wildcat a different blade .

" What is the difference in this and my katanas , Zacharai ? " Harris asked sheathing his katana and looking at the longsword in his hand .

" We don ' t need any weapons of value getting damaged , like your katanas . So , we will use a more common blade . " Zacharai said .

" Sure . " Harris said .

" Now , Ice Warrior ? " Zacharai called .

" Yes sir . " Roode answered .

" I want you to concentrate on the blade and the ice within you . Focus on it , imagine it forming around Icebreaker , and feel it deep with in your being . " Zacharai said .

" Okay , " Roode began focusing on the blade and and the ice of his shaman powers . Soon there was a sheat of ice over the blade forming an even sharper and thicker blade .

" Now , Fallen Warrior . I would ready yourself . " Zacharai warned .

" Right . " Harris said holding the sword that the Ice Elder had given him ready for Roode ' s strike .

" Now , Ice Warrior , unleash the might of Icebreaker by stiking the blade that the Fallen has . " Zacharai coached him .

" Ready Cat ? " Roode asked .

" Yeah , come at me Enforcer . " Harris answered .

Roode swung the sword to strike . As the blade that Harris had met Icebreaker , it shattered the longsword into two parts .

" Whoa . " Storm said as Harris and Roode both stopped .

Harris looked down at the broken hilt in his hand and the blade on the floor . Roode was also looking at the broken sword .

" How did that happen ? " Both Harris and Roode asked . The others were staring in amazement .

" That is how Icebreaker got its name . When the ice from the Warrior of the Northern Lights forms around the blade of Icebreaker it becomes harder than diamonds and able to shatter anything it comes in contact with . Another weapon would break to peaces no matter how hard and a victums body part would be incapacitated . Most victums would die from the mortal wound it would leave either because of the shock of the pain or instant blood loss . " Salina said .

" You indeed have a powerful sword Bobby , but make sure you use it wisely . " Raven said .

" Of course , Raven . " Roode said looking at Icebreaker .

" Thank God I am dead , because I can imagine what it would do to one ' s arm even when wielding a weapon . " Harris said .

" Very powerful . Well I suggest the rest of you get back to training . " Zacharai said as he and Salina left the armory .

" Dude , you are intense It Factor . " Storm said .

" Tell me about it and I thought it was just my wrestling skills that was unbelievable . But , the Shaman Gifts are incredible , too . " Roode agreed .

" Shocking isn ' t it . " Storm said .

" Did you just come up with a new slogan ? " Jay asked .

" Yep , oh and uhm , Harris with your broken blade and all . Sorry about your damn luck . " Storm added .

" Ohh , " Roode said .

" You two think you are real smooth don ' t you ? " Harris asked .

" Of course . " Storm and Roode said at the same time .

" Beer Money . " Raven chuckled .

" Yeah , you got to love when a tag team gangs up on you . " Jeff said .

" I don ' t know , never been a tag team before . " Raven said .

" Nope never . " Amy said .

" Hey , I offered my first day in Impact . You know you really should come to Impact , then we could be a tag team . " Raven said to Amy .

" Raven , I told you at the arena . Don ' t push it . " Amy said .

Soon , the others were training and working out either with grappling or weapons according to who had their Shaman gifts .

" I wonder if that shooting range has a place for gun practice ? I would love to see what these six shooters have in them . " Storm said looking at his pistols .

" I wouldn ' t mind practicing with my bow either . " Raven said .

" Maybe tomorrow . Its getting kind of late , and Roode , you have a task you need to complete . " Aaron said .

" So , we are staying more than one day , Aaron ? " Harris asked .

" Just until I can get in contact with the other Elders and tell them what is happening with the Twelve Gates and to be prepared for danger . " Aaron answered .

" Right , " Harris said .

So , they all went upstairs and got cleaned up with the baths Salina had ready .

After Baths - Upstairs In The House of Salina Fireheart

" That feels better . " Adam said .

" Feel even better if I had some beer . " Storm said .

" At your request my handsome Cowboy . " Raven said bringing him a bottle .

" Is this beer ? " Storm asked .

" I don ' t know if it is the beer you are use to , but Aaron said it was beer . So , I figured what the hell . We are not exactly in the states or outside world are we , so , we might need to get use to what this world have in store for us , honey . " Raven said

" Right , " Storm said . He open the beer and took a sip finding it to be the same taste , but smoother and better .

" How is it ? " Raven asked .

" Thats amazing . It tastes better than the beer I am use to here try it . " Storm hand it to her and Raven took a sip .

" That would produce a redneck to tears . " Raven agreed .

" Ain ' t that the truth . " James asked .

" You two need a moment alone ? " Adam asked .

" No , your fine my Canadian brother . " Raven said .

" I think I am going to find Reso . " Adam said .

" You don ' t have to leave on our account . " Storm called .

" Come on , Mr . Tennessee , I want to go and checkout Salina ' s library . " Raven said .

" Okay , " Storm said .

Salina ' s House - Library

Raven and James walked into the library . Salina was sitting behind the desk going over some papers and tombs for ideas and ways to help the coming darkness and evil .

" This ain ' t a small library . " Storm said looking around at all of the books .

" No it isn ' t . " Salina said from the desk .

" Why so many books ? " Raven asked .

" Because they are history of the Shaman Warriors and the Old Ways . There are also fantastic stories that where told in those days , too . I used them to track the Shaman spirits just as Aaron did which led him to you and your companions . " Salina answered .

" Will any of them help us with the Twelve Gates ? " Storm asked .

" I hope so . Zacharai , Aaron , and myself are all looking for an answer to the problem and how to better defend ourselves and the world . But , so far we have hit a dead end , the only thing we can come up with is locking the Gates back . But , then we don ' t know the other locations of the other Eleven Gates , the Fallen Warrior knows where the first is located , but it want do any good if we don ' t close them the right way . " Salina answered .

" So , what else can we do , besides find the rest of Shamans spirits , locate the other Gates , and close them all before darkness falls upon everything good on Earth and in Heaven ? " Raven asked .

" We are coming up with another plan . We have come up with two ideas that may help us and both are very dangerous . It isn ' t exactly a solution , but we don ' t have any other idea . Either way closing the gates completely is the main idea . " Salina informed them .

" What is the two plans ? " Raven asked . Storm also looked curious .

" One plan is that we find a temporary hold or lock on the Gates , just to give you guys enough time to complete your mission and lock the Gates . That way they don ' t open all of the way and let Lucifer out of his cage . But , the problem is that we have no clue where the other Gates are and demons are making camp around the Gates , so , we would have to fight an army of blood thirsty monsters and fallen angels to get to the Gates themselves and place seals on them with out hurting ourselves in the process . " Salina said .

" Okay , what is the second plan ? " Storm asked .

" The second plan is one that might help us locate the other Gates . But , there are very high risks involved and no one would volunteer to do it knowing the dangers . We are asking one who is willing to enter into hell itself through the Gate we already know the location to and search for the other Gates , this would mean that someone would have to walk through hell literally and through all of the layers including the devil ' s to all of the Gates locations . Then they would have to venture back out , not an easy task or one with to many volunteers . Of course we did not expect many , nor are we going to force anyone to go through with this , because the whole mission is a death wish . " Salina said .

" No kidding . I wouldn ' t expect anyone dead or alive that would want to do that . Of course you probably would have to be dead to actually go through with the plan or either really , really brave or just really , really stupid . " Raven said .

" Or forced to go . " Storm said .

" Have to be dead or alive to do what ? " Harris asked he had just walked into the library .

" To do this insane plan that Salina , Aaron , and Zacharai came up with . " Storm answered .

" What plan ? " Harris asked curiously while looking at the books in the room .

" To venture down into the Pit through every Layer of Hell , including Lucifer ' s to find the locations of the other Gates and then venture back out and still be alive and not infested with one of the angry demons down there . " Raven said to Harris .

" Suicidal job don ' t you think ? " Harris asked Salina .

" Yes , it is , that is the reason we are asking for a volunteer and not forcing anyone to do the job . " Salina said .

" Good luck with that , because I have seen the Pit with my own eyes and let me tell you it is no picnic and it is even worse when you are being tortured by some of them or being worn like a Halloween costume . " Harris said .

" Fair enough . But , your friends were asking about the plans we were coming up with to combat the Gates and Hell . " Salina informed him .

" Since the Gates of Hell are opening why haven ' t we seen any dead wicked people walking around ? I mean we know there have been some evil fiends and minds in the world that are in the Pit and none of them have come back to the surface to plague us along with the demons and Princes of Hell ? " Raven asked .

" Because either the demons don ' t want the walking abroad or the ones you would suspect to come out can ' t reappear unless the Gate to layer they are in is opened fully . " Salina said .

" Both makes since and lets hope for oursake and not theirs that the demons don ' t want them here on Earth . Because that is all we need is for Hitler along with Lucifer walking on Earth alive again , but at least that way I would be able to give him a good kick in the face , too . " Storm said .

" Becareful what you wish for Storm or it may backfire on you . " Harris said .

Raven was looking at the books now . She saw one titled " Mountain of Smoke and Mist " in the Shaman Ancient Text , so , she pulled it down .

" Raven what are you looking at ? " Salina asked making the boys turn to her .

" This book , " Raven answered showing them the title , " is this on the mountains Zacharai was talking about ? "

" Yes it is , you have good eyes . " Salina answered .

" What does it say ? I can ' t read the title yet , Raven . " Storm said and Harris looked to Raven for the answer as well .

" Wait , Raven , don ' t give him the answer yet . I want to teach him something first . " Salina said

" What ? " Raven , Storm , and Harris asked .

" Come sit at the big table and I will show you . " Salina said and moved to the table in the center of the room . They sat there with her .

" What do you want to show me ? " Storm asked curiously .

" I want to teach you how to see with your shaman eyes and not with your normal human way of sight . I want you to be able to see the way you were intended to see when God first created the world . " Salina informed him .

" Okay , what do I need do ? " Storm asked .

" Close your eyes and keep them shut until I tell you to open them . " Salina said .

" Okay , " Storm said closing his eyes .

" Now , I want you to imagine what you see as a human or the way you normally see things . Now what do you see ? " Salina asked .

" I see the inside of my cabin on a warm summer day with a cold beer in my hand . I also see my friends and I after a victory in the wrestling ring celebating . I can see my home in Leipers Fork , Tennessee on a wide open farm with my little girl by my side and she is talking to me . Last , but certainly not least I see myself happy after all of these years searching for the right one I hold dear to me and to be my bride beyond death . Why is it important ? " Storm asked .

Harris and Raven both smiled at the things he saw and knew they made up the parts of him that was near and dear to his heart .

" This is what you hold dear to you as a human . Your family , friends , love , dreams , and home . Now , tell me what your animal spirit is ? " Salina asked him .

" A stallion , Thunderbolt . " Storm answered .

" Think about the things you know about your spirit the stallion . What is his home ? " Salina asked .

" Wide open country . " Storm answered .

" His family and friends ? " Salina asked .

" His herd that he roams with . " Storm said .

" Love ? " Salina questioned again .

" His mare . " The Cowboy answered yet again .

" And last his dream ? " Salina asked a fifth time .

" To run wild and free , to be a forever untamed spirt . To be able to feel the wind in his mane and the sun at his back as he rides off leading his heard towards it setting on a unbroken land as wide as the eyes can see and beyond that if he can . " James smiled at that last part .

" This is how you see through the eyes of your animal spirit and see nature itself . This is one way to tell that you truely are that spirit within your being . Now , I want you to concentrate your human sight and animal sight then blend them into one . I want you to see with both eyes and sight at the same time . Do you see it ? The two worlds blending and benefiting each other ? " Salina questioned .

" Yes , I do . " Storm said seeing both worlds together .

" Now open you eyes with that combined sight and look again at the title of the book before you . " Salina said .

Storm opened his and gasped surprised that he could read the text that he couldn ' t previously see .

" I can read the text , how is this possible ? " Storm asked looking at Salina . Raven and Harris was also looking at Salina .

" It is possible because this is how the ones who wrote the text intended for it to be read . Only with the eyes of the shaman will you be able to read the books made by the shamans . Roode has the Eyes of the Wolverine . Raven has the Sight of the Raven , the All Seeing Tiger is in Jeff , and Aaron his Gaze of the Wolf . You my friend have the Fiery Eyes of an Untaimed Spirit , the Eyes of the Stallion within you . Everyone has a way that they see things , but it is up to them how they use it . Your powers alone come from deep within , but you have a unique gift that most people don ' t have . If you ever want to change the weather around you , just change the mood you are in and your eyes will reflect that mood and also the atmosphere . When you are cloudy , your eyes are cloudy , when you are happy , the sun shines , anger brings lightning storms , sadness brings the rain , weariness fog , and rage , the swirling and untamed tempest with enormous amounts of strength . Becareful with your emotions and learn to control them . Once you have mastered them , you will be a force not to many would want to tangle with . Oh , and just as a hint , snakes don ' t really like lightning all that much . Now , you can study the books and text on your own . Fallen Warrior , you should be able to master the same technique also . " Salina said leaving the room to her private study room with the tomes and work she was doing .

" Makes a lot of sense . " Raven said .

" What does ? " Storm asked curiously .

" The way your eyes and mood changes the weather . Remember the rainstorm that you caused and killing that shade back at the arena before we left , your eyes were dark , grey and misty like the clouds and rain . They also grew darker as the rain got harder . You eyes probably shine when you use lightning , because the ruins lit up when you struck down the goblin witch . And of course when you are happy your eyes are a bright blue , concern they are steal blue , and when you speak softly to me or talk about your daughter they are this soft , calming blue and that is how the atmosphere around you is bright when you are bright , steal when you are steady , and soft , calm and kind when you are soft and kind . " Raven informed him .

" You are very observant . " Harris said .

" Yes , and more so in the last months . " Raven said .

" I guess I need to learn how to control my moods in order to control my Shaman gifts then . " Storm guessed .

" Probably . " Harris said .

" So , what about the book ? " Storm asked .

" I figured since it had Mountain of Smoke and Mist as its title , it might have clues to the whereabouts of Thunder Mountain . It also could tell us what the mountain range is . But , for some reason I think I already know which mountain range . " Raven said .

" You do ? " Harris asked .

" Would you please tell the rest of us ? " Storm asked .

" Think about it Storm . What mountain range do we all know that has been known for its smokey , misty , hazy features ? You live not to far from them babe . " Raven hinted .

" Florida does not have mountains . " Storm said .

" Not Florida , Cowboy . You are from what state ? " Raven asked .

" Tennessee . " Storm said .

" Okay so you live not to far from what mountain range . Think Eastern Tennessee and Appalachian Mountains . " Raven hinted again .

" Whoa , Thunder Mountain is in the Great Smoky Mountains . " Harris said .

" You kids are right . " Zacharai said walking in with Aaron .

" I see Raven is getting good at her ability to gather knowledge and capabilities as a leader . " Aaron said .

" Yeah , thanks a lot mate . " Raven said .

" That book you guys found should help you learn those mountains well . " Zacharai said .

" Aaron , Storm can now read the writing . Salina taught him how to read as with his Shaman sight . " Harris said .

" Good that means you have awakened another gift that you will need , and if there is Shaman Text in your test to unlock the way to Thunder Mountain which I believe to be possible you will be able to read what is in front of you . " Aaron said .

" Storm , can read the Shaman writing ? " Roode asked coming into the library .

" Yes , I can . " Storm said .

" Good job man , I knew you could do it . " Bobby said to his friend .

" Thanks , Bobby . " Storm smiled .

" We also found out that Thunder Mountain is located in the Great Smokies . " Raven informed the It Factor .

" Thats helpful , too . " Roode said .

" Yep , that means we can go there when we get though here . " Harris said .

" Which means another long trip , but one that has to be taken in order to complete our goals . " Raven said .

" It also means we are going to Tennessee when we get through here . " Storm smiled brighter .

" Yeah , more rednecks . " Roode said .

" Whats wrong with being a redneck ? " Raven asked .

" Yeah , Roode ? " Storm added .

" Nothing , I love you guys . But , not all rednecks are hospitable like you two are . Am I wrong ? " Roode asked .

" Nope , " Storm chuckled .

" Then lets becareful of wild mountain men . " Harris suggested .

" Agreed , there is only one redneck good enough for me and his name is the Tennessee Cowboy , James Storm . " Raven said .

" Yep , that is me alright . At least the last time I checked . I still drink beer , I still like to get a little rowdy at the bar , I still like to kick ass in the ring . I still like the rugged outdoors . I am still a good ol ' cowboy from Leipers Fork , Tennessee . Yep , I am still the Tennessee Cowboy , James Storm . " Storm said .

" Of course you are . " Roode said .

" So , lets see what the book beholds . " Raven said opening it and flipping throught the pages until she came to the doorway into Thunder Mountain . She put the book down in front of the Cowboy .

" What ? " He asked .

" Look at the page . " Raven said .

" Doorway Into Thunder Mountain . This is how we enter into the Land of the Horse Lord and the Legendary Rider of the South . Land of the Horse Lord and Legendary Rider of the South ? Who are they Aaron ? " Storm looked up at the Wolf Warrior .

" I told you when you first received Thunderbolt as your animal partner that he was the lord of all horses , so , the Horse Lord would be Thunderbolt . The Legendary Rider of the South is you , the one who is blessed with the Shaman Powers of Thunder , Master of the Untamed Spirit , Heart of the South . You have so many names known to both friends and enemies . Just like Roode , you too have a past with great ancestors that are guarded with protection by natural wonders and barriers that not many know how to get too . The First Rider was named because he often would ride the Land of South watching after the land he swore to protect . He knew when evil touched the land because he was in touch with the creatures of the south , the horse herds because his stead was the current Horse Lord . There have been five Horse Lords in the south , Thunderbolt is only rivaled by Windchaser , the First of the Horse Lords . His riders name is unknown , but he was said to be a great man and some of the people in those lands say his spirit still walks among them continuing to watch after the South until the Legendary Rider returns and equals his strength and heart . " Aaron said by this time the others in the house had come into the library .

" So , if I am the Warrior of the Northern Lights , Guardian of Northern Canada , Warrior of Ice , and Wolverine Shaman . That makes you , my Beer Money brother , the Master of the Untames Spirit , Legendary Rider of the South , Warrior of Thunder , and Stallion Shaman . Looks like we both are more than what we thought we were . " Roode said putting an arm around Storm .

" Yeah , yesterday we were two TNA Impact Pro - Wrestler and now we are Warriors who protect the world from evil . Who knew ? " The Cowboy asked .

" We always knew you were something James . We just didn ' t know what . " Harris smiled .

" Yeah , right . " Storm said .

" You were already great to me , you just became greater though . " Raven said .

" Thanks darlin . " James smiled at her .

" Why don ' t you hold onto that book for a while Storm ? It may help you later , plus there should be more to who you are and where you are from in that book . " Salina suggested .

" Thank you , I will . " Storm said .

" Well guys and gals , its getting late how about some sleep ? " Matt asked .

" Sounds good to me . We all need to be well rested , especially Roode . " Aaron said .

" Of course , I do have a task to complete tomorrow . " Roode agreed .

They all left the Salina ' s library and went to their rooms for the night .