Lightning Is the Only Way

"We'll assault the land," Gravis said to Shira. "Do you already have a plan in mind?"

Gravis wasn't sure, but he thought that he saw Shira smirk.

"This is not the first time I've been part of something like this," she said. "I know how these raids go, and generally, they go horribly."

"How come?" Gravis asked. He already had some answers in mind, but he wanted to be sure. Shira had first-hand experience in these things.

"Adaptation and strategy," Shira answered. "We are not adapted to fight on land. Additionally, the common strategy is a war of attrition. We just send beasts into the enemy until either they die, or we die."

Gravis nodded. "That's indeed a stupid strategy. What's your idea of a better one?"

"Using the Water Makers," Shira answered. "Water Makers are beasts with an affinity with earth. They are very rare, but their skills are invaluable. After the war ends, they can lower the ground and distribute it over a wider area. Because of that, the lowered ground gets flooded with water."

Shira knew that Gravis wasn't from here. So, she had explained the concept of a Water Maker to him. Gravis was a bit surprised about the Water Makers' affinity. By the name, he had expected that they had an affinity with water, not earth. Yet, the explanation of Shira made sense.

"But that isn't so simple, right?" Gravis asked.

"Yes. Water Makers are rare and, therefore, valuable. Sending them in while we're still fighting is putting them at risk. That's why they generally only come after the fighting is finished."

Gravis nodded. "And I guess the beasts on land have beasts that can do the same, correct?"

"Of course," Shira answered. "Additionally, beasts with an affinity for earth are more numerous on land. They create high walls and mountains to make it harder for us to fight. In general, the land dwellers don't do invasions but counterattacks."

the sea exhausts itself, they can take another territory by attacking. Yet, this forces them

our level among the land dwellers. This means that

his brows. "But isn't the continent in the center of the world and also bigger? Why do they have

of the world. The fact that Gravis knew about this, but not about the concept

Essence while the continent is smaller with more Natural Essence. This means that we have more beasts on our level and about the same number of Lords.

more powerful Lords and Kings aren't interested

answered. "They see these invasions as an opportunity to increase the power of their followers. After all, when we lose, we leave behind a lot of

stretch of ocean that even touched the center of the world. When Gravis had seen that, he hadn't known about the

they didn't. This could only mean one thing. There was at least one very powerful beast able to resist the land invasions

you plan to use

them. The Water Makers will lower the land on these

is a better strategy, yes, but

like it when someone questioned her craftiness. "Which is?" she asked with a hint

Instead of attacking the stretch of water, they might go to the shore and attack the territory behind us. At that point, we would be stuck in that thin

She wanted to refute Gravis' claim since she believed that her plan was perfect. Yet, she wasn't sure what she could do against such a counterattack. Sadly, her pride

sighed. "Shira, if you want to become powerful, you need to remember that you

"Explain," she said icily.

Would you say that the you from ten years ago is as smart as the

course not," Shira answered

in the future will also think

glaring and

have room to grow. You pride yourself in your intellect, but there are beasts just as intelligent as you that have the advantage of experience, and sometimes, even stupid beasts can find a better way. Always reevaluate if there isn't a better

that felt like lowering herself to the level of common, stupid beasts. How could their plan