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AN: Because this story has gotten over 100 reviews, I've decided to add this bonus chapter of sorts just for fun.
Stone Prison
By: Demonabyss
Bonus Chapter: Elementals
A Brief Guide to Elementals
Introduction
Elementals in general are the embodiment of certain common aspects of the universe. These embodiments can come from any aspect of the universe, which include but are not limited to Time, Space, Energy (Electricity), Air, Fire, Water, Ice, Earth, etc. These embodiments take the general appearance of whatever creature is the most powerful or numerous in the area they are formed in, depending on what type of elemental they are. It is also important to note that elementals can change their shape should they feel a deep need to. When encountering an elemental, extreme caution is recommended.
Creation of Elementals
Elementals are formed a number of different ways. Natural elementals are formed when an immense concentration of a single aspect of the universe is compacted into a very small area through supernatural or unnatural means. The most common formation of elementals occurs at leylines, specifically at cross sections or where a leyline has been disrupted. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, leylines are pathways of supernatural and natural energy that flow through the planet like blood through the human body. Elementals can also be formed by powerful magic users who seek to use them as servants. However, no one has ever been able to fully subdue an elementals instincts and it is unlikely even possible. There is also the rare possibility of an elemental giving birth to another elemental. However this is only speculation and has not been proven. Last, but not least, is the possibility of a mortal entity becoming an elemental. This is only a rumor and is generally regarded as a hoax by experts. The seven most common elemental types are Light, Darkness, Electricity, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth.
Elemental Types and Characteristics
General Characteristics: All elementals are composed of a singular aspect of universe. This compressed aspect is what makes up their bodies. As a result of this, most elementals' bodies are insubstantial, meaning they can be dispersed in order to destroy them. However, this also means that they can absorb anything nearby with similar qualities to increase their own strength as well as reform/heal themselves if the dispersing is not absolute. Another important fact about elementals is that they are mostly controlled by their instincts. Since elementals are embodiments of aspects in the universe, they have no soul, but they do however contain intelligence. Their intelligence varies from elemental to elemental, ranging from the equivalent of a 3 year old human to a 10 year old human. They can learn, speak, as most intelligent creatures can, but it is ungodly rare to find an elemental who can. Another way to destroy an elemental is to destroy its mind, however this is extremely dangerous as their minds are chaotic and primal, thus making any mental attack as dangerous to the attacker as it is to the elemental. Another odd quirk about elementals that results from them being embodiments is that they have no gender or sex. Since they can change their bodies to whatever shape they wish, they can appear to be male or female or whatever they wish at the time. It should be noted that most elementals change form based on their mood and preference if they have any. It varies greatly from type to type.
Light: Light elementals can be identified by the following things; body constantly gives off light of some type, avoids shadows/night time, is usually colored white, and by nature is very gentle, especially to general people. They are usually content to simply sit in one place or area and give off light as long as they aren't disturbed. Though they are mostly passive, they have only moderate tolerance of other beings. When angered a Light elemental will focus its natural abilities into a piercing beam for an attack, increase the heat in the area, and or blind the target. Extreme caution is recommended as these beams can cut through nearly anything with the exception of extremely reflective surfaces. These beams also go as far as the Light elemental wishes, making it nearly impossible to get out of range of them. Since any excess light empowers them, fighting them in the day time is the epitome of stupidity. Light elementals, while not strong physically, are the fastest of the elementals. However, they tend to move in straight, line-of-sight, patterns. The best way to destroy a Light elemental is to cut it off from ALL forms of light. A Light elemental will survive if there is so much as a single star twinkling in the distance. Recommendation: Stay in the darkest area you can find as Light elementals will avoid such areas.
Darkness: Darkness elementals can be identified by the following things; body is blurry and has a slightly distorted shape, has very little if any tolerance for light, is color pitch black, and by nature is reclusive and solitary, preferring to avoid people all together. These elementals are more passive then Light elementals but can be far more dangerous when angered. They are nearly impossible to detect if they don't want to be. When attacking, a Darkness elemental will crush, suffocate, cut, or smash with physical shadows. With enough shadows, Darkness elementals have been known to swallow whole circular areas in a 1 mile radius and violently destroy whatever is trapped inside. Fighting them at night is near guaranteed suicide. Though slower then Light or Electricity, the fact that Darkness can go nearly 2-dimentional can make them very hard to fight. The best way to destroy a Darkness elemental is to flood the area with light with as little shadow as possible. Even one shadow can allow them to survive. Recommendation: Stay in the brightest lit place you can, again because Darkness elementals will avoid said areas.
Electricity: Electric elementals can be identified by the following things; body is near constantly arching electricity, cannot stay still ever, is attracted to large sources of energy, and by nature is extremely energetic and mobile, constantly on the move being the fastest elemental under Light types. They are very curious and have really short attention spans, thus making them easy to anger when something gets in their path. When angered they will attack with various energy blasts in rapid succession, usually from long range. They have also been known to use any metal objects in the area as shields, weapons, and conductors, thus making them extremely dangerous in a city. The fact that cities also produce electricity, make it even more dangerous to fight them there. They have been known to magnetize entire areas, thus making many types of technology useless. A single Electric elemental would theoretically have enough energy to screw up every electrical system in a city equal in size to that of New York if around enough sources of electricity. It also doesn't help that electricity is what attracts them in the first place. Their fast and unpredictable movement makes them hard to hit. The best way to destroy an Electricity elemental is have it dispersed into a larger non sentient source of energy or conductor, such as the earth itself. Recommendation: Head to any large wide open area with as little metal as possible such as a field or natural forest as those are the safest places to be.
Fire: Fire elementals can be identified by the following things: extreme body heat, usually giving off flames, usually red color, energetic though not to the extent of Electricity elementals, and by nature wishes to set everything and anything on fire and consume it, thus making them one of the more destructive elementals. They tend to dwell in extremely hot and or naturally burning places, such as volcanoes, deserts, etc. These elementals are by far the easiest to anger and will attack relentlessly with fire blasts. They will also attempt to get close to their target in order to burn and consume them with their own bodies. Like all elementals, they can empower themselves from any source of fire or heat, including the sun. Because of this, their temperatures can rise to a point where they can easily turn any metal or rock into molten slag. The best way to destroy a Fire elemental is to douse it with extremely large amounts of water and cold, such as a lake, waterfall, or high amounts of snow. However, getting them close to such sources is next to impossible as they tend to only frequent hot dry places like a desert. Recommendation: Retreat immediately to a wet and or cold area as it will be highly unlikely for them to come after you there.
Air: Air elementals can be identified by the following things: near constant movement, intangible/ faded bodies, energetic though less then fire, and are by nature curious and playful, wanting to move anything and everything. They tend to dwell in wide open places where they can move freely. These elementals are the least dangerous but should be approached with caution. They are curious and playful but when angered will use hurricane force wind blast to knock objects or the one offending them all around the area to do damage. Because their element is all around, they can become really powerful really fast and produce winds strong enough to pick up an SUV and hurl it like a missile. They are the most dangerous in wide open areas with little to block wind with a number of objects for them to pick up and use as weapons, regardless of size. Even something as small a bead can be hurled fast enough to pierce even the thickest of armor. They are the second hardest to destroy next to Earth type elementals. The best way to destroy an Air elemental is to disperse its body over an extremely large area. This is easier to do to them then other elementals due to the fact that their bodies are more insubstantial then other types. However, the real problem is keeping them from reforming quickly after dispersion. If not done properly then all you've accomplished is pissing them off. Recommendation: Avoidance if possible, if encountered head to a confined underground area.
Water: Water elementals can be identified by the following things: flowing movement, liquid, translucent bodies, can be passive or active, and their behavior varies from place to place. They tend to simply go with what happens around them, however if they are too constrained and or absorb too much toxicants from the area, they can become exceedingly dangerous. They will use powerful blasts of water to drown or crush their opponents ranging in power from a fire hose to tsunami power blasts. Another way they can attack is by concentrating water into multiple thin, highly pressurized streams which can be used to cut through just about any type of material. The best way to destroy a water type elemental is to remove all moisture in the area. Simply freezing a water elemental will not work. Doing so will only delay them for a short time, tick them off, and allow them to use ice as a weapon. Removing all moisture can be difficult as it will take a good amount of time to do so and they will absorb water from any source to survive the attempt, including the one attempting to destroy them since humans are 70 water. Recommendation: Avoidance if possible, if not head to hottest and driest area as they will be least likely to follow you there.
Earth: Earth elementals can be identified by the following things: generally slow calm, precise movement, bodies made of earthen materials, usually local rock, and is the most passive of elementals. Earth elementals either stay in one area or travel long distances. They are the hardest to anger, in fact the rarely if ever get angry on their own; however they will react drastically to anything they perceive as a possible threat despite the fact that there are very few things that can threaten them. Earth type elementals are by far the hardest to destroy. They will use any and all earthen matter in the area in various forms of attack. Attacks include hurling rocks, using matter to create powerful tornado like strikes, fissures, earthen eruptions, rock spires, and attacks using mud if available. Earth elementals are the hardest to destroy because unlike other elementals, their bodies are far more substantial making them harder to disperse. The fact that it's almost impossible to separate them from ALL earthen materials makes it even harder. If you can crush them small enough, then you have a much higher chance of dispersing them. It should also be noted that earth elementals have a much harder time manipulating refined metals despite them being earthen materials. Why this is so is unknown. Recommendation: Total avoidance at all costs. If not, find a way to fly as it'll be harder for earth elementals to attack.