The Fall of Benma

Ann spoke up first ”You don know? Is it because youve never tried, or you just never found out? Wait you do have some kind of tarmata training, right? ” Deyan threw up her hands in defense ”I just never found out; Ive been thoroughly trained in tarmata usage. Im quite proficient in enhancement and infusion techniques. ” A sigh of relief came over the group ”Ok for a second there I thought you were completely talentless. ” said Iris with a slightly giggle.

Iris leaned back ”Shetani is a master of Wood affinity Tarmata. His defensive and passive abilities are probably the best in the city. You won be able to defeat him with basic enhancement and infusion alone. Youll have to figure out your affinity. ” Deyan shook her head ”Ive trained for years and never figured out my affinity. How is anything you guys do any different? ”

Ann chuckled ”Well Iris here is a little bit of a genius when it comes to figuring it out. ” Iris smirked ”Kye could you get me a bowl? ”

Kye got up and exited the room as Deyan asked, ”Whats the method? ”

Kye reentered handing Iris the empty wooden bowl. She placed it in front of her ”Simply you need to fill the bowl. ” Iris placed her hand over bowl as it slowly began to fill with snow. ”Have you ever heard of nature versus nurture? ” Iris asked Deyan.

Deyan nodded her head ”Yes, are we born with the personality we have, or do we gain it from teachings? ” She answered as her eyes stayed glued to the snow in the bowl. ”Your affinity works the same way. The element is nature, because from birth one has their elemental affinity. While ones use of techniques and styles are nurture. ”

Iris pasted her hand over the ice turning into water. ”Each element has a distinctive color associated with it. Water or paper are the best ways to tell the color. By infusing your tarmata youll be able to find out your affinity. ”

Deyan was surprised ”How come Ive never heard of this method before? ” Kye snickered ”Because its a secret that the citizens of Benma hold close. Why would we allow rival nations and states the ability increasing their own personal military strength? ”

”It was actually developed recently by my brother. ” Ann said as she got somber. ”Yes, my late husband was a genius and was fascinated with how tarmata works. ” Iris took a moment to compose herself before continuing ” He discovered this method while trying to test the limits of an infusion technique. You see his elemental affinity was Steam and he was trying to see if he could remove the heat to make a pseudo ice form, being mist. ” She sighed recollecting her husband and began to cry ”An accidental discovery led to him uncovering this method. He could have learned so much more… ” Ann walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder while escorting her out the room ”Kye show her how it works, so we can figure out her affinity. ”

Kye sighed and grabbed the bowl carefully, trying not to spill the water. ”Look the principal is simple. ” holding the bowl in both hands he focused and channeled his energy. The water began to turn orange. Deyan eyed it carefully ”What does orange mean? ” she asked him. Kyes eyes glowed, Deyan wasn sure whether it was with hatred or just curiosity. ”What don want to tell the spy? ” Kye looked away ”It means fire, orange is for fire. Every element has a color associated with it. All you have to is infuse your Tarmata into the water. ”

Kye slide the bowl towards Deyan. ”Lets see what color you produce. ” Deyan place her hands on the side of the bowl and closed her eyes.

The water in the bowl began to turn rainbow colors. Kye looked in amazement ”I.. Im not sure what that means. ” Deyan shrugged ”Does it mean I have all elements? ” Kye burst out laughing ”I don think it works that way Deyan. ” Deyan started to feel embarrassed ”Look Im not familiar with all the elemental affinity stuff. ” Kye was still laughing ”Look Im sorry, I just thought it was funny. ” He reached for the bowl while chuckling ”This does mean something, though Im not sure what exactly, but it does mean something. ” Deyan frowned up her face ”Wait, Iris turned that snow to water. I know that ice and water are to different affinities. How can she use two elements? ” Kye was looking at the dark rainbow colored sludge water. ”Iris uses Ice affinity so she has the ability to use water and ice, its called a Di-combin. ”

Deyan walked over and stared at the water with Kye ”So do you think I have one of these Di-combins. Thats why its multi-colored? ” Kye scratched his head ”Well there are only eleven elements that are known of. Maybe it something never before seen? ” Kye shrugged his shoulders. ”Do you think Iris or your mom knows? ” Kye shrugged his shoulders again.

Deyan gave him a look of disappointment then stared at the water again. ”I wonder what it means? ”