Chapter 787

Chapter 787: A Simple Agreement

“It wasn’t that; I tried Flame Shock again,” Jesse said.

“How…?” Rueg asked, sparks still clinging to his metal golem. “The elements didn’t reject you? You angered them, yet they still answered?!”

Jesse replied, “I tried summoning flame the same way I did yesterday. This time, the elemental power felt weaker.”

Rueg seemed relieved. “If the element weakened, it means they truly hold resentment toward you. Yet they still aid you… I underestimated the flames’ tolerance of you.”

Jesse asked, “That ritual you mentioned to earn the elements’ forgiveness—how does it work?”

Rueg explained, “Any method serves to show remorse. Make the flames understand you never meant to enslave or command them—that the offense was unintentional. See if they’ll accept you and respond fully again. The simplest way? Speak without demanding anything. Listen, Seso. Hear their voices. Feel their emotions.”

Jesse only half-understood. In the days that followed, he kept studying Dwarven and the elemental language. When weary, he’d rest in the Dark Iron golem’s chamber, closing his eyes to meditate and sense the elements.

But after a week of hearing Ironforge’s clamor and Dun Morogh’s mountain echoes, he still couldn’t detect the “voice of fire” Rueg described.

He wondered if his earlier Flame Shock had angered the elements into silence.

That day, hearing Rueg pass outside, he called, “Rueg! I can’t feel the fire element. It’s been over a week since I ‘angered’ them. Isn’t that unusual?”

Rueg answered from the corridor, “Some Pyromancers or element-linked sages find flames never answer again after causing offense. That they still favor you is rare. Temperamental fire seldom indulges ordinary mortals.”

Peering into the room, he added, “But you’re no ordinary mortal.”

“How do I reconnect with the flames?” Jesse asked.

“Sitting here these days—did you hear nothing from the elements?”

“Nothing,” Jesse admitted. “I can’t distinguish their voices from the noise…”

“Elemental voices aren’t heard with ears alone, Seso,” Rueg said. “You must feel them with your spirit. You’re a mage—a warlock. Surely you grasp sensing the intangible better than magic-untouched folk. Have you spoken to spirits? Conversed with Twisting Nether demons? Metaphorically speaking. If stuck, call the elements directly. Ask them to speak plainly—just don’t make it another demand!”

“I’ll try,” Jesse said.

After Rueg left, Jesse shut his eyes and whispered in fragmented Kalimdor: “Hear me… fire…”

Instantly, gurgling lava seemed to echo. Jesse cracked his eyes open, spotting a faint glow beyond the narrow window.

*Was the fire element speaking?*

The sounds held rhythm—recognizable yet unintelligible. His elemental vocabulary remained too sparse for comprehension.

He fumbled to transcribe the noises phonetically, then cross-referenced each fragment in his elemental lexicon. After hours, he deciphered the message—repeated slowly for his benefit:

*Darkness wielded. Trust withheld.*

The meaning struck him: flames distrusted him as a shadow-wielding warlock.

Impatience flared. Why master the whole language when elements already engaged him?

He painstakingly assembled a reply using both Dwarven and elemental dictionaries, finally declaring: “I command the shadows—they don’t command me. Let me earn your trust!”

Long silence followed. Just as doubt crept in, the lava’s murmur resurged.

Though faint, Jesse now recognized intentional speech. He transcribed it again, but one word defied translation.

Repeating it aloud, he jolted in realization—it was Queen Alexstrasza’s name. Inserting "Queen Alexstrasza," the message formed:

"Those who carry the blood of Alexstrasza have a chance." Was the fire element offering him an opportunity?

Jesse repeated the phrase. Before long, the element began softly chanting another sentence. After another laborious translation attempt, Jesse grasped its meaning:

"Those enslaved by darkness will be forsaken."

Though difficult to translate, the element’s intent was clear.

The fire element felt drawn by the Red Dragon’s blood yet wary of the dark energy.

Having received Jesse’s response and understood his stance, they decided to grant him this chance. Should he fall under shadow’s control, they would depart.

A fair arrangement.

Though countless elements remained enslaved to the Old Gods, many still willingly aided mortals. These elements naturally feared being controlled by the Old Gods and shadows again.

"I accept," Jesse spoke in the elemental language.

Amidst bubbling lava, Jesse heard the flames echoing his words. No further translation was needed.

Had an agreement been forged with the elements…?

Jesse stood and faced the Dark Iron puppet, commanding in familiar elemental speech: "Destroy this puppet."

Without honorifics, mere command sufficed. Fire exploded at the puppet’s core, swiftly engulfing it. Blinding light and searing heat flooded the chamber, nearly overwhelming Jesse.

The flames howled with unprecedented fury, wilder than when first summoned respectfully. Witnessing this, Jesse couldn’t deny his exhilaration.

Beyond the destructive power, he sensed Ironforge’s swirling fires opening to him. He could converse with these flames – an experience inexplicable to those who’d never spoken with elements.

No wonder Shamans dwelled where elements communed easily, learning and living without leaving.

Now he attempted another technique:

The "shockwave" Rueg had unleashed against the succubus Geya’tan.

True, shockwave was mage fire magic in games, but Shamans could conjure similar spells through totems – like "Flame Nova."

Uncertain how Rueg cast Flame Nova, Jesse recalled his advice: Don’t treat element-calling as chanting. Make flames enact your will.

He opened the language of elements book, found needed words.

After assembling the phrase, he left the book outside. Shutting himself in the room, he closed his eyes and sought the fire element. "Flames… cleanse all around me."

As he spoke, unstable fire elements swirled around him!

No control or release was needed – the elements exploded outward. Scorching wind whistled against the walls!

Incredibly satisfying!

This addictive thrill made Jesse envision scenarios: Gnolls approaching? Just ask the elements… instantly repel and ignite them. No tedious Fear spells or picking them off one-by-one.

But element-communication wasn’t passive listening; it drained energy severely. After prolonged talks and two summonings, exhaustion set in.

Mastery required patience. Jesse needed continued Dwarven studies alongside elemental fluency. Spending half an hour per exchange was inefficient and taxing.

Now he understood Malin’s advice to seek a Shaman. Summoning flames through unfamiliar Arcane channels was indeed cumbersome.

Night had fallen. Returning to his quarters, he found Rueg waiting by the door.

"Since afternoon, I’ve felt unusual elemental agitation – peaking moments ago. Didn’t I tell you to seek their forgiveness? Yet you forced elemental power again."

"I believe I’ve reached an agreement with the fire element," Jesse said.

"An… agreement?!" Rueg stared bewildered. "Seems your communication succeeded."

"Essentially," Jesse replied. "I’ve overstayed my welcome, Rueg. Tomorrow I return to Stormwind. I’ll study the elemental language diligently, returning this book once mastered."

"Very well. Don’t damage it," Rueg cautioned.

"I’ll protect it," Jesse assured.

Next morning at Ironforge’s fifth-tier artisan district metro entrance, Rueg stood watch as passing Bronzebeard Dwarves stole glances.

Jesse checked his luggage, accessories, and books. Rueg observed his packing: "You’re decent, Mr. Seso. Unlike any warlock I know – though perhaps I’ve met few."

"Others say the same," Jesse said, gathering his things. "Remember: Keep Geya’tan invisible. Set strict rules, or she’ll cause trouble. You command her – not vice versa!"

"I know! I’ve summoned beings before! Not some greenhorn!" Rueg snapped impatiently.

Jesse warned, "Landing yourself in jail is one thing. Implicating me? Unforgivable."

"Understood," Rueg grunted.

"Still… enjoyed our days together. Whatever comes next, good fortune, Mr. Seso."

"And to you," Jesse replied. "You’re unlike Dark Iron Dwarves described to me. Prejudices die hard."

"Because prejudice isn’t always wrong," Rueg remarked.

Jesse met his gaze, nodded, and entered the metro doors.