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."

chin in thought. "When the invasion from the sea exhausts itself, they can take another territory by

defending still isn't easy," Shira said. "There are fewer beasts on our level among the land dwellers. This means that we have a

the center of the world and also bigger? Why do they have less

fact that Gravis knew about this, but

We have a far bigger territory with less Natural Essence while the continent is smaller with more Natural Essence. This means that we have more beasts on our level

nodded. "That makes sense. I also assume that the more powerful Lords and Kings aren't interested in territories this far

their followers.

map that his father had shown him of the world. There was a stretch of ocean that even touched the center of the world. When Gravis had seen that,

part of the ocean. Yet, they didn't. This could only mean one thing. There was at least one very powerful beast able to resist the

plan to use

conquering very small territories and defending them. The Water Makers will lower the land on these territories, giving us a stretch of water that

better strategy, yes, but there is a giant

when someone questioned

that they can attack our rear. Instead of attacking the stretch of water, they

her plan was perfect. Yet, she wasn't sure what she could do against such a counterattack. Sadly, her pride was in the way and disallowed her

to become powerful, you need

"Explain," she said icily.

your life up to now. Would you say that the you from ten years ago is as smart as the you today?"

Shira answered as

from ten years in the future will also think that you

glaring and

current you means that you still 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

course, Shira wasn't immediately convinced. Doing that felt like lowering herself to the level of common, stupid beasts.