Chapter 18
It was finally time.
The snow has melted, spring as arrived. Which mean, it was time for his elemental lessons!
Not that the winter didn't provide good insight or anything. The child was a remarkable learner. He did eventually win against Sukuna. When he learned that ice was far more affective than snow. Sukuna was rather proud of the boy as he learned to freeze him in place. From his lower arms down, he was frozen before the match even started. Then, the ice golems and monsters he created were far more difficult to deal with then the ones made of snow.
The boy is starting to think like him.
But now, it was his turn.
They sat before one another. The child then asked him. "Did you learn anything during the winter in the garden?"
He sighed and shook his head. "No, but I have a good understanding of earth, thanks to my conversation with Yua Tooru." He told the boy how earth isn't just for attacking, he understand and respects that it's a nurturing element just as water is. Without water, nothing would live. The same goes with earth. If can be grant you the perfect soil to grow your food, or it will give you clay and sand in which nothing will grow. "It gives despite what we do to it, carve into the earth you carve into its flesh."
The child was surprised but nodded to him. "You also need to remember, that earth isn't something you can negotiate with either right? Landslides for example. Also you have heard of humans putting buildings on land that eventually swallows and knocks them over. It really is your element!"
He forced a grin.
"So, how do I obtain it?"
"You have already started!" the child said and smiled. "You have acknowledged the earth, you see where you and the element are similar to each other, but now, you have to feel its power. It's always radiating, especially now since it just woke up."
"So, do you sense this power as well?" Sukuna asked.
Kiyoshi nodded. "I cannot control the element itself, however, I can sense those who have the ability to harness the power of it. It's just like when you sense another sorcerer. Very similar aspect."
"So…"
"You have to feel its power."
Sukuna sat there, a little bewildered. "I've tried that…"
"In winter, this is spring. If anything put your hands into the ground and go from there."
'I have a feeling this child is trying to trick me…' Sukuna thought.
There was a serious look on the boy's face. With a sigh he did what was suggested to him. He plunged his lower hands into the ground, then he stared at the boy. "Why are you focused on me?" he asked. "I'm not earth"
He peered down and sighed. Sukuna then put his thoughts into the ground.
'What the hell am I doing? Why would the earth give me anything? Why do I even…' he paused, as he felt something.
It tingled the tips of his fingers, going up his talons and into his hands.
"What… what is this?"
He pulled his hands from the ground but kept peering at the two holes he made. "That… didn't feel right." He said nervously.
"I had the same reaction." Kiyoshi said gently. "Trying having that sensation start at the bottom of your feet then spread up!"
A pause came from Sukuna. "You really are trying to help me…"
Kiyoshi nodded. "Grandma asked me to. She said she understands that I am still upset with what you tried to do to me, at the same time…" he trailed off.
Sukuna didn't push him on the matter, for the time being he was getting what he wanted.
"So… how is it working with elemental energy?"
The boy was very detailed in what to expect. "It's a energy that resists you in a sense, it's harder to manipulate to your will for you are not the one who created it." He explained. "The snow was hard to do at first, but the more I did manipulate it, the easier it became."
"Practice then…" Sukuna muttered. "What would you suggest I do first?"
The boy didn't pull any punches. He was blunt and stated. "You only had a taste of what the earth offers, right now you felt it in your lower hands. You don't use your hands when it comes to manipulating earth! The body part that touch it the most is the soles of your feet."
"Ah, that's right, water is fluid so it can be controlled by the hand and its motions, earth… is a solid matter as well it does not suspend above you nor can you move it as easily…"
"You really are thinking this through, aren't you?"
"One must in order to achieve perfection." Sukuna is more than aware that this is not going to be mastered in a short time. As well, the though process is completely different than curse energy. So his first action should be to attempt to conduct and circulate the elemental energy within his body to better harmonize it.
"I have enough to get started, you have my gratitude child,"
Kiyoshi merely nodded. But, the boy looked rather startled. "What else did you wish to speak of with me?"
"My dream hasn't changed." He whispered. "In fact, I feel it is getting worst. I think Raynn possessed me in the dream when I went to confront you… he looked about and said. 'Not bad, but I could do better than this!' and… he still leveled half of Japan on a whim… but… I couldn't take control again."
This is serious.
Sukuna may not care for dreams but he knows when one consistently reoccurs, it's never a good thing. It's a warning to the dreamer, the dragon is going to do something drastic to his boy.