CHAPTER 131: THE STORM AHEAD

Grace’s face hit the mud. Again.

"Get up," Diana said.

For the eighth time that morning, Grace pushed herself to her knees and spat out dirt. And what she really hoped was just rainwater, because honestly? This training yard behind the inn had turned into a complete shitshow overnight. Every step was like wrestling with quicksand that wanted to steal her boots and her dignity.

"This is impossible," Grace muttered, struggling to stand upright.

The wind immediately slapped her sideways.

Diana hadn’t moved a muscle. She stood there like the storm was just a light breeze, rain streaming down her abs, hair whipping around her face. Of course she’d chosen to train topless in a borderline hurricane. Because why wouldn’t she?

"You think the Primal’s gonna wait for good weather?" Diana asked, raising her voice over the howling wind.

Grace wiped mud from her eyes and lunged forward. Her foot slipped on the slick ground. She went down hard, shoulder-first into the muck with a wet splat.

"Nine," Diana counted, like she was keeping score. Which she probably was, the sadist.

[I hate her so much. So, so much.]

But Grace got up anyway. Again. Because what the hell else was she gonna do? The Tempest wasn’t going to defeat herself, and that Level 80 Primal Demon sure as hell wasn’t going to lie down and die because Grace asked nicely. Maybe said please.

"Better," Diana said when Grace actually managed to block the next strike without falling over. "Now do it again without looking like you have one leg."

The wind picked up even more, nearly horizontal now. Grace had to lean into it just to stay upright, her whole body fighting against the storm. Her wings were completely useless—every time she tried to spread them for balance, the wind grabbed them like a playground bully and threw her around like a rag doll.

"Stop relying on your wings," Diana shouted over a crack of thunder. "The Tempest controls wind, remember? You spread those things in a real fight, she’ll rip them right off your back."

That was a fun mental image. Grace trying to explain to Celestia how she came back wingless.

Grace kept her wings tight against her back and tried again. This time when Diana swung at her, Grace ducked instead of trying to block. The mud actually helped for once, letting her slide under the strike.

"Finally using your brain," Diana said, and Grace could swear she heard approval in her voice. "Only took nine face-plants to get there."

They kept at it for another hour. Grace’s muscles screamed. Her lungs burned. Everything hurt, including places she didn’t know could hurt. But by the end, she’d figured out how to move with the storm instead of fighting it. She was still getting her ass thoroughly kicked, but at least she was staying on her feet more often than she was eating dirt.

Progress.

"Break," Diana finally called.

Grace collapsed against the inn’s back wall, under what little shelter the eaves provided. Everything hurt. Everything. Mud had gotten into places mud should never, ever go. She was pretty sure she had half the training yard in her underwear.

"So what’s your plan?" Diana asked, dropping down beside her. Rain dripped from her hair onto Grace’s shoulder.

"Plan?"

"For the Tempest. You can’t just walk up there and hope she decides to be reasonable this time."

Grace wiped more rain from her eyes, smearing mud across her cheek in the process.

"I don’t know. With the Root, I gave her what she needed—someone to listen. Same with the Tide, she needed companionship. The Flame needed to vent all that rage. But the Tempest..."

"Is pretty unclear in what she wants," Diana said with a slow nod.

"Exactly." Grace slumped further against the wall. "Plus, she’s paranoid as hell. Eternia dumped all her indecision and doubt into that Pillar. How do you fix someone who doesn’t trust you enough to let you try?"

Diana was quiet for a moment, staring out at the storm. Lightning flashed in the distance, followed by rumbling thunder.

"... Eh, you’ll figure it out," she said finally.

Grace stared at her.

"That’s it? That’s your advice?"

Diana shrugged.

"You’re the one with the special destiny bullshit. I just hit things really hard and hope they die."

"Oh come on! You must have some strategy. Some technique or—"

"Yeah. Hit them really hard and hope they die before you do."

Grace blinked.

"That’s terrible advice."

"Worked so far." Diana stood, brushing mud off her shorts with sharp movements. She headed for the door. "Same time tomorrow. Try not to drown in your sleep."

Grace watched her go.

She sat there a while longer, letting the rain wash some of the mud away. The storm showed no signs of letting up. If anything, it was getting worse. Lightning struck somewhere close by, the thunder immediate and deafening, making her ears ring.

When she finally went inside, the inn was warm and dry and packed with worried villagers. They looked up when Grace squelched through the door, tracking mud everywhere, hope and fear warring on their faces.

"Any progress?" the innkeeper asked, wringing his hands.

"Still working on it," Grace said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

She made her way upstairs to her room, peeling off her muddy clothes and falling into the single chair by the window. Her whole body felt like one giant bruise. But worse than the physical pain was the mental frustration eating at her.

She had no plan. No clever solution. No brilliant insight. Just a pissed-off Pillar with a Primal Demon bodyguard and weather that wanted to kill everyone.

[Eternia, if you’re listening, a hint would be nice. Like, any hint at all.]

Nothing. Of course.

Grace closed her eyes, trying to think through the problem logically.

The Root had needed to feel heard, to have someone acknowledge her pain. The Tide had needed companionship, someone to ease her loneliness. The Flame had needed to vent centuries of built-up rage.

But the Tempest...

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Grace? Are you decent?"

Venus. Grace grabbed a towel from the bed.

"More or less."

Venus entered carrying a tray of food and wearing that knowing smile of hers. The one that said she could read Grace like an open book.

"Diana said you were brooding."

"I’m not brooding. I’m thinking strategically."

"While covered in mud."

Grace pulled on a clean shirt, ignoring the way Venus’s eyes lingered on her body.

Odd tension aside, Grace felt like she was about to snap from the pressure. She picked at the food Venus had brought. Some kind of stew that was probably delicious, but everything tasted like mud right now. Her taste buds had apparently given up.

"I don’t know what to do," she admitted, the words coming out smaller than she intended. "Every other Pillar, I feel like I could immediately see what they needed. I could understand their pain. But the Tempest has everything she wants."

"Does she though?" Venus tilted her head, studying Grace with those sharp golden eyes. "A paranoid person who trusts no one, hiding on a mountain with only a mindless demon for company? That sounds pretty miserable to me."

Grace paused, spoon halfway to her mouth.

"But how do I convince her to trust me when she already knows I’m not Eternia? She saw right through me."

"I don’t know." Venus stood, smoothing her pink robes. "But sitting here feeling sorry for yourself won’t help anyone."

She was right. Grace knew she was right. But knowing didn’t make it any easier to actually do something about it.

Then something familiar popped up in front of her face. That blue box only she could see, floating in the air.

[New Quest: Hearts and Homes]

Objective: Help 20 villagers with their storm-related problems

Reward: Village gains Angelic Protection for 6 months

Progress: 0/20

Grace almost laughed. The System—Eternia—was telling her to go help people. Basic angel stuff. Nothing fancy or complicated. Nothing to do with the Tempest or the Primal or her complete lack of a brilliant plan.

Just... help people.

"What?" Venus asked, probably noticing Grace’s expression change.

"Nothing. Just realized I should probably make myself useful while I figure things out."

Venus smiled, and for once it wasn’t knowing or teasing. Just warm.

"Now that sounds more like the Grace I know."

"W-What do you even know about me?"

"I know you like to use tongue when you kiss~"

"V-VENUS!?"

Venus casually walked out of the room.

After Venus left, with a red face, Grace got dressed properly and headed back downstairs. The common room was packed with villagers taking shelter from the storm, all huddled together and looking miserable. Perfect.

"Anyone need help with anything?" she called out.

Dozens of hands shot up immediately.

Grace grinned for the first time all day. At least this was something she knew how to do. Help people, solve problems, be useful. It would take her mind off the bigger issue, and maybe—just maybe—her brain would figure out what the Tempest really needed while she was busy being a proper angel.

It was better than sitting around feeling sorry for herself.

[Thanks, Eternia. I needed that kick in the ass.]

The System, as always, didn’t respond. But Grace thought she felt her medallion warm against her chest, just for a moment.

Time to remember what being an angel actually meant.