.^^ Elder Storm Elemental ^^

— Cassidy —

The Contract that I read aloud quietly was relatively simple: the creature was granted effective immortality so long as one of the members of the family was alive, and the creature granted its protections and power to all the members who were capable of hosting its power; that usually meant anyone whose body has reached puberty, the mid-point of their growth.

I hummed as the same glowing lightning scars sprouted on my skin, moving around the Runes to fit accordingly. My skin paled slowly, from rose-gold to an alabaster not unlike Sandy's, and the blue lightning crackled and pulsed under my skin like my nerves had individually been replaced with a live wire. It wasn't unpleasant or painful, and in fact I became slowly more ecstatic at the replacement of Heat in my body with Lightning.

The Giant's eyes opened suddenly, and he sat up, taking a huge gulp of air. He glanced to the side, seeing the Eye of the Storm that was surrounding us.

After we'd been told what it was, it was easier to classify the infinitely tall column of harsh air as a Hurricane, but it was still impressive.

"The First Eye... the Tempest's Cradle... So this is where Storm Giants go when we die... glorious." He breathed deeply, and then paused, sniffing, and turned towards us. "Ahh... or perhaps not. You have summoned me for the purpose of being your Spirit Guardian? I suppose becoming the Storm Queen, you would want guidance. I accept. Your family is as my own, now, Wife of Mine." He grinned easily.

Dad choked, coughing violently as Ma pounded his back.

Sandy growled, and her form suddenly shifted, and she stood nearly as tall as him, as a towering Avatar of Storm. "YOU, GIANT, WILL STOP PROPOSING TO MY WOMAN, OR I WILL BURY YOU IN THE DEEPEST OF CAVES, NEVER TO SEE THE SKY AGAIN!!!" She roared, standing Eye to Eye with an Elder Storm Giant.

I raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of proposals..."

She flinched, and adorably began to tap her arching lightning fingers together. "Well, I mean, you- I meant,- just that-... Uhm..."

"Enough Lollygagging! Go forth now, and Take your prize!!!" The giant laughed heartily, and clapped her on the back so hard that she was instantly turned back to her own form, launching towards me.

I caught her smoothly, and chuckled when she ended up on her knees in front of me. "Well... What was that again?" I smiled.

She blushed adorably, and Sariel laughed, until Tommy covered his mouth. "I- well, I didn't mean to Presume, I just-... wasn't this your job?" She protested, covering her face.

"Benefit of being a HoneyLove, my dear, either of us can do this part... and all the others." I smirked lewdly as she covered her face again, refusing to answer.

She took a breath, and leaned her forehead against my stomach. "You're so mean... but... but... Uhm!!!" She went to speak, hesitating, and then passed out.

I smiled and kissed her forehead, picking her up as easily as a feather. "So cute." I chuckled.

Her mother laughed loudly, clapping, then cleared her throat. "Oops, Sorry, continue." She smiled guiltily.

"GOOD! Happiness should be SIEZED!!! Now I will stay, and Grant my protection to all those of your Blood!" The Giant laughed, and then stomped over to Adila, kneeling and gazing at the small man. "You are a Dwarf, but you are Kin. Good, Dwarves and Giants have always been good friends. We occupy different planes, you and I, but that is alright. Your Blood is now as Mine." He poked Adila in the chest, (which was adorable, as his finger was nearly bigger,) and the lightning/Rune patterns appeared on his skin, just before Adila grew slowly, gaining almost a foot and a half of height. He was now about 5'6", which was very tall for a Dwarf, though he retained his stocky figure.

As he did so, I gasped, feeling my connection to Tommy expand, encompassing my family, and then Adila, and finally even Adila's Family, an awe-inspiring experience, as I saw just how massive his family really was.

"Good. Now! Who are you?" Fell stared at the new girl.

"Me? I am Amaris BlackHelm, Heir to-"

The giant cut her off with a disgusted snort and a wave of his hand. "None of that nonsense, WHO are YOU?!?" He demanded, poking the girl's chest, and knocking her onto her butt.

"I-... I'm a student, and a fool?" She answered slowly.

He snorted again, this time in amusement. "Good, to know one is a fool is a good start to becoming wise. I was a Fool, in my previous life. I took what I wanted because none could stand before me... but then someone did. Good. Welcome to the Clan, little Elf-Fool. You must become a Man, before you may receive my Blessing. You are still but a Boy... and who is this? A little Demon-Born?" He noticed Sariel.

"I am Sariel Rashan, Creator of Things!" Sariel fearlessly held a hand out to shake.

The giant nodded, seemingly impressed, and let Sariel grip his finger, shaking gently. "Good! I am Fell, Destroyer of Things! Greetings, Little Creator! You have your own Patron, it seems, and so I will not interfere... but should you ever wish my blessings, I am here." He winked conspiratorially, and then sat in front of us. "This is an interesting collection of creatures... even a GiantKin! Good, good." He looked at Mama, and nodded seriously.

I glanced at the lines on my skin. "So, question... I'm still a Light-Genaasi, yes?"

"What kind of question is that? You are of my Kin, a StormBorn! Light is still your element, yes, but what is light but diluted lightning? HAHA!!!" He laughed loudly.

I chuckled. "Alright, that makes sense... and the Runes?"

He hummed. "Ah Yes, Giant Runes. I was impressed by your mastery of them, and so I included them in the Blessing. They are powerful, and I like giving Power to my Kin. Speaking of Kin, are my Kin still amongst the living?" He asked.

"Oh, yes. The humans and elves are all dead, though. The Giants I can forgive, but the Human and Elven Pirates were either killed or sent to the Mine. Ah! And that was something I was going to say to you, Sariel! I have a rather impressive amount of ships now, and the beginnings of an Armada, so I wondered if your father could lend me some naval officers for them? I'll get the sailors, but I need Officers." I nodded.

He hummed and wrote a note on a piece of paper, then crushed it and set it on fire in his hand. "I'll have a response in a few-" the Ashe collected again. "Oh, now. Good timing." He handed me the message.

'Son, Why do you ask? Does not your master's Clock Warden's Helm their own ships? Where did you acquire these Ships?'

I wrote a reply on the back. 'Sender C.S.; Sariel&co. subjugated Pirate Fleet, gained ownership 70+~Seaworthy Ships as Spoils. Need Experienced Officers, Come Through Door.'

Sariel sent it back, and wanted for a moment. A new sheet appeared in his hand, and I read that one. 'Wonderful, My Boy! I am very Proud!!! Tomorrow will send Reply and Officers. Under Authority of Queen Kalen'i, Respond if Unfavorable?'

'Reply is Very Favorable. Prefer Male Captains, Giant Crew of Man'o'war's, 3. Choose Well. Pirate Subjugation Main Duty Of Roving Armada.' I replied, after showing Sariel the Praise he'd been given, making him blush happily.

'Pirate Subjugation, Understood... Giant Crew? Referring to Size or Race? And 3 Man'O'War? Details required tomorrow, Ship Trade Perhaps Negotiated???'

I laughed, and replied with one word. 'Perhaps.'

Fell leaned over my shoulder, humming. "Curious messaging system... and this man has Ships?"

"He is the Admiral of an Armada to the south of here. An Ally of ours, and Sariel's Father." I explained.

"Interesting... I wish you good fortune and great enemies to triumph over." He grinned at us.

I chuckled, then laughed loudly, Shaking my head. "That is an interesting blessing, but I like it. Thank you."

"Well, my work here is done, until the next Ceremony for Ascension to Adulthood. That includes your Kin, who are now mine, Dwarf-Kin." The giant nodded at Adila, then turned and stomped away, to the edge of the room. After a moment, he nodded, touching the crystal. Before I could ask what he was doing, the crystal melted, an archway forming, and then the melted crystal extended, forming a long walkway that actually touched the Storm Wall.

"Should you wish my Blessing, you must enter the Storm, and Find Me. Those sticks of yours might help. Make them from this crystal." He waved a hand, and the sides of the cavern suddenly sprouted truly massive spires of the same material as his spear; the same as our wands, I realized. It touched the roof, and stopped, then spread again, this time as Stalactites. Before long, the entire room except for the landing strip from the door directly to this new archway was covered in the crystal.

"You stole mine, and my crown, but I suppose it was Spoils to be taken, after I died..." He snapped a big piece off, forming it into a spear again, and then dove into the Storm, Roaring Joyfully.

I laughed and left them the way we'd came, taking my lover up to our private room so she could recover away from the noise.

—

As I woke up, I was surprised by the deep connection in my mind, connected to Sandy, who was waking up as well. It was a lesser version of my original connection with Tommy, an emotional connection, not true telepathy, and sensations didn't transmit, it seemed.

She smiled a little. "Ahh... so that's what it feels like. I always wondered." She murmured.

I smiled and pulled her closer, hugging her and enjoying the sweet joy that reverberated in both of our minds from just that tender touch. "I love it... but we do have responsibilities." I sighed.

She sighed, and disappointment became evident in the bond. She didn't want to get out of bed, to lose the warmth of my body and the touch of my hands and lips.

"Mm... you keep thinking that way, I might have to keep you here forever..." I smiled, snuggling her closer and kissing her.

She giggled softly. "Well, we'll never have an argument that can't be solved, that's good... if I can feel your emotions... and I agree, we do have responsibilities." She hissed the word like a curse, and sat up, pulling me with her.

I smiled and took my time dressing her, caressing her body gently, teasing her a little bit also enjoying the suppleness of her skin, and the feeling of the muscles underneath.

"You keep thinking like that, we're never getting out of this bed." She warned me, smiling.

I smiled and then paused, looking at her breasts, which were noticeably bigger. "Huh... I didn't notice that..." I fit her corset to her, and the magical armor hugged her skin, making her bust seem even bigger. "Oh lord..." I breathed.

She slapped my skull gently. "No, none of that!"

Immediately, I calmed myself. That magic word, No, had been pulled out, and as such I knew she really did want to leave the bed. "Alright, but that is odd... what did you do, a shape-shifting spell?" I asked, wrapping her armored robes around her, covering most of her beautiful skin.

She shook her head. "No... I'll ask my mother if being the Partner of someone who received the Blessing would affect my physical body. And-hey!" She frowned, as my hands gripped her butt gently, feeling.

"Huh... this is bigger too... and your hips are a bit wider... oh! I remember! Kaza said the Blessing was introduced at puberty, and had a passive effect, that increases the women's ability to have children! You never did the full ceremony, because you got your power elsewhere!" I grinned.

She blinked. "Oh... I suppose that makes sense. Alright... well, anyway, hands?" She raised an eyebrow. I grinned guiltily and released her ass, standing up and pulling my underclothes on, then my armor. She watched, and enjoyed her view, then hummed. "You too, seems it did the same to you, though not as radical a change."

I hummed as my armor stretched a bit to fit my hips properly, though the chest plate didn't change at all, because it covered my breasts entirely. It wasn't video-game female armor, with a metal bikini, after all, but Dragon-Scale full Plate Armor.

Sandy smiled and kissed my cheek, then pulled me out of the room, into the Elevator.

As it went down, I hugged her gently, leaning my head against her shoulder. "We both agree that it's too soon to be thinking of marriage, yes?" She froze, and panic pulsed through her mind. "Calm down, we're alone, I just wanted to clear that up."

She sighed, the panic retreating. "Yes... even if I love you, to tie our souls together after only 8 months together... that seems irresponsible. The bond cannot be broken, after all, except by death."

"Good, I just wanted you to know I didn't want to pressure you. Even if your mother seems to think it's a final deal already." I added dryly.

"Yeah, she's wanted me to have babies for a long time. Crazy woman." She shook her head.

I laughed. "Well, don't worry, if you didn't want to. But for now, we should worry about getting my Fleet up and Running... maybe I'll put some flight crystals in them, huh? Make them all fly. Would really screw with the Pirates we hunt, huh?"

She grinned. "Now that sounds Rude... but pirates don't deserve my pity, so go wild. I'll happily hunt pirates with you, though how the Giants will work, I don't know... they're not known for their obedience."

"I commanded some of the best Sailors in the entire Golden Coast! This will take work, but that's the point, isn't it? Besides, they'll learn." I grinned wolfishly.

The elevator reached the Druidling's house, and I stepped in, holding the gate open for Sandy. "Girls, Sariel, up and at'em!" I whistled.

Iris looked up from her book, blinking. "Don't yell at me when you find him." She said simply.

"Find Sariel?" I frowned, confused.

"No, Amaris. He's a little bit of a dick. Kiri got ahold of him." She chuckled.

I raised an eyebrow slowly. "I thought Amaris was a Girl? And what did she do to him?"

She pointed up, grinning.

I looked up, and sighed. "Kiri... get the Elf off the ceiling."

The druidling frowned from her place hanging from the rafters, crossing her arms. "Only if he apologizes!"

"I have done nothing wrong!" The elf gasped, the blood having rushed to his head and he was clearly almost unconscious. He was wrapped in a mass of rope, swinging slowly.

"This is not a democracy. Drop him!" I glared up at her.

She grinned, and I regretted my word choice instantly, moving under him. She cut the ropes with a hunting knife, and the elf yelped as he fell towards me.

I caught him, and then dropped him on the couch, not bothering to untie him. "Now! We've got work to do, try to get along-... Wait, what did he do to get you to tie him up?"

"He snapped at Sariel, called him a Demon." Kiri shrugged, landing next to us nimbly.

I raised an eyebrow, and grabbed the cocooned elf, tossing him out the window. His Wilhelm scream amused me, as he landed in the invisible net, about 200 feet down. I leaned over the edge, and looked down at him. "You alive?"

He grumbled, struggling with his ropes, then sighed. "I am unharmed." He frowned up at me.

"Good. Let this be a lesson to you, dear. Don't badmouth people, it's rude. Get yourself free and meet us at the bottom, we've work to do." I called down, and then pet Kiri's hair. "Good girl. But don't make me whup you, this isn't a democracy." I warned her, and once we had gathered, set off through the Doors into my new Fort, with its melted top.

The elf stumbled through, kicking the last of the rope off, then froze, glancing at the cave, then the sky, and back again. "What... how are we-... where are we?" He stuttered.

"Fort Belmont. Sariel, where's your Finch?" I asked, changing the subject.

He whistled shrilly, and the massive metallic bird landed, tilting its head at him. "I tried to gave it a Spirit, so I didn't have to have a Pilot, but then I realized that might not end well, so I just connected it to my mind, within a five-mine radius, plus teaching it how to move like a bird, and this is the result." He grinned.

I chuckled. "Impressive, my dear, most impressive. Now, I need the Finch to uproot all of those Chains, and pull this island out over the Bay, instead of here by the beach. The chains will attach to the anchors, eventually, so I need them in one piece. Can you manage that?" I asked.

He nodded, and whistled again, causing the Finch to flit into the air, growing to its full size and landing near the first chain, clawing up the ground.

Gall, the elder who'd spoken to me yesterday, came over. "Lady Skøll, Good to see you... one question, these Tieflings came, and said you sent them? They tried to steal the Ships."

I looked past him, and sighed at the view of Admiral Rashan, tied up on the ground in front of a likewise tied group of male tieflings. "Hello, Admiral, Sorry, I'll clear this up."

"Yes hello, Please do straighten this situation out. Hello, son, I just wanted to say that I do see what you've accomplished, and I'm very proud. But do take your time, we are currently unharmed, only uncomfortable." He waved a little, his arms being tied to his body restricting his movement a little.