Which Element Should I choose...

As if that wasn't a big spoiler, this is an entry by the Volkenheim Master Elemental. I just wanted to say, in this entry, I made mention that he has use of energy, as an element. What I mean by that is like lightning, or the ability to harness the energy that exists within their world and compress it into something more deadly for attack or defense. However, Dartanian never really took to that element. Though he did master it, he doesn't really use it, as is apparent in my first two novels. But, as it is mentioned in his entry I thought I'd let y'all know what was going on. There may or may not be use of this "element" in future novels. Just throwing that out there.

Cheers!

Fire is MY element.

Quick to light, slow to burn. Least I like it that way. Even though I knew fire was mine, there was a hint of…duplicity. Yikes, that’s a big word. Haha. And yes, I know what it means, thank you. So, let me explain why I had this sense of duplicity.

While I was quick to anger, I was also quick to get myself into a state of calm. It all depended on the circumstances. Much as my emotions tended to rule me, I did have control…some. Haha.

Well, that was my first sign that my ability to use elements was not limited and that I would likely be able to wield them all. Just to be clear, each element by itself is not a rarity. Being able to wield all the elements- master them- that is where the rarity of the art comes in. such was my fate.

`So you know, there are actually five elements that are practiced: fire, air, earth, water, and energy. Think lightning or…ugh!!! I don’t feel like explaining this. You aren’t going to become a Master Elemental so tough shit! If you get it, great! If you don’t, sucks for you. Moving on!

Ah! I know someone out there will be like ‘oh, what about metal. That’s an element.’ Fool! Metals are wrought from the earth, therefore, they are a part of mastering the element earth. Duh!

By the way, how I wrote out my list of elements, is how I learned them. Ironically, energy was the hardest for me to learn and I don’t use it very much. All elements have energy to them, but just pulling on energy itself…don’t get me started. I usually stick with fire or water anyway. Mostly, I’m pretty balanced, but I’d say to just ignore energy completely, but I wasn’t the current Master Elemental at the time. Whatever.

Years of mastery. Depends on the person, but at least 20 and that’s being lenient. It sounds so easy, right? Not! Whoever is trying to master an element is given 25 years max. If they haven’t gotten it by then, mastery is out of the question. And that is taking into account the five years the current masters slave you on basic elemental fundamentals. Damn if that wasn’t a mouthful. Haha. But, as it implies, you spend the first five years learning the basic stances/movements, strengthening, and understanding the practice/mindset of that element. Each is different, in case that wasn’t obvious. You can’t be all aggressive and jagged with harsh movements if you are trying to wield air or water. Earth maybe, but it depends on the type. Oh my god, I sound like my instructor. I’m moving on now.

Having mastery over these elements gives me the ability to create and destroy, and also maintain. Think on that, I shouldn’t have to explain it. Self-explanatory. Haha. Big words. I like them!

MMMMMMMMM. Ah! Not to divulge to many secrets because, who’d want to learn anyway, but there is a lot of understanding that has to be had for anatomy. Think on that too!

Don’t be fooled either. I said five years of fundamental training but that never lets up once those five years are done. Those are your building blocks and if you don’t practice daily, you will have nothing to build upon.

Oh, while elemental bending is powerful, the amount of power is largely impacted by emotions. Go figure. So, the understanding of emotions or, Psychology, as bookish people have come to call it, is a part of training as well. However, emotions are tricky, and even when we think we have a handle of them, they can spiral out of control and BAM! You break.