At age sixteen, Mink Jollè still hasn’t discovered his Elemental affinity, which is an identity crisis unheard of on the planet Georra. He has endured constant bullying while being held back in school, and his parents have come to employ drastic measures to help him mature. Their current ruse is a camping trip on Rift Ridge, where they test Mink to the breaking point, to no avail.
Meanwhile, Mink and his parents run across a Machinist scout searching out a mother lode of ore, who finds more than he bargains for. An immense geode buried deep in the ground is fabled to be the Tear of God, and the first nation to claim it will hold power and protection unrivaled on Georra.
The race is on as Mink’s parents stand guard at the Tear of God, sending Mink back to his homeland for help. Defying the odds and surprising himself, Mink succeeds in delivering the news to his people, and is chosen to assist a Team in returning to the site to relieve his parents and acquire the Tear of God for Octernal. Along the way, Mink is forced to rely on his strengths without an Element in order to win respect and ultimately discover his true identity.
Raymond has enjoyed writing from an early age. He lives in Coastal North Carolina with his wife and two daughters. His character driven stories reflect the diversity of the places he has lived and the jobs he has had, focusing on animals and film.
This is the part where Nyam gives Mink the vision enhancement called, Tunnel Vision. For what Mink is about to do, it's a necessary encumbrance. As disorienting as seeing this way is at first, Mink finds a way to cope fairly quickly.
This shows another layer of life as an Elementalist. Certain effects require the use of other effects to make them more effective. We can appreciate how the lack of immediacy for their powers to work creates as much strain as benefit at times.
Book Excerpt
Tear of God – Elements
Mink squinted, anticipating a poke in the eyes. Instead, Nyam slapped the back of his head. To Mink’s relief, it didn’t hurt. She peered closely into his eyes. He backed up as she leaned in, but quickly realized that his mom hadn’t moved at all. It was his vision that had changed. Wagging his head, he became nauseous. He felt like he was looking through a telescope while maintaining normal peripheral vision.
“This is horrible, Mom. Is this how you see?”
“Not since before you were born. I have a more advanced vision enhancement. You move around and get used to it while I regain my strength for making Quick Legs a target effect.”
Mink looked around for his dad. Juré motioned for Mink to come over to where he was. Mink noticed that his father appeared to slide closer and closer the faster he walked. Whatever he focused on looked like it was within arm’s reach. Using his peripheral vision for balance, he was able to jog comfortably once he was halfway to Juré. It wasn’t bad if he kept his head steady.
He felt quite proud of himself for stopping a casual distance from his dad. Juré’s head looked comically large and Mink focused on the horizon instead to avoid laughing. Juré placed the crystal with the recorded message into a small leather pouch and tied it securely.
“I need you to take this first thing to your Uncle Durren. He’ll know what to do with it.” Juré handed the pouch to Mink, who tucked it safely inside his travel bag. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine, I guess,” Mink said, staring off down the river at a fish. “It’s all kinda hard to get used to, but I’ll deal.”
Juré clapped Mink’s back. “You’re all right. I want you to know I’m very proud of you for doing this.”
Mink shrugged. “I have to, right? It’s cool though. I get to do something huge for our country and I don’t even have an Element.”
“Yet,” Juré corrected. “You don’t know your Element, yet.”
Mink smiled but he didn’t mean it. “I’m going to jog around and try to get a better handle on this vision.”
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