I-8. A Form of Power

Eshonai returns from obtaining stormform, a powerful new transformation that grants her control over storms and red lightning, drawing thousands of listeners to witness her demonstration. She leaps the chasm to prove her newfound abilities and declares that with enough listeners in stormform, they can wield the storms as weapons against their enemies, rallying her people with promises of independence and victory.

Eshonai arrives at Narak where thousands of listeners gather, eager to witness her new form. She has transformed into stormform, marked by red lightning that flares from her hands, marbled black skin with red streaks, durable internal ridges, and red eyes. She feels a clarity and focus she has not experienced before, convinced that her people's time of loss is ending. Upon reaching Venli at the chasm's edge, Eshonai demonstrates the form's power by leaping across without a running start, the wind writhing around her as red lightning absorbs her impact. Thude questions her glowing red eyes, which Eshonai claims represent her transformation. When Venli asks if the form allows safe movement through storms, Eshonai reveals far more: she can command the winds themselves. Beyond the rhythms, she senses a powerful highstorm building and believes that with enough listeners in stormform, they could bend storms to their will and use them as weapons. She addresses the crowd, referencing the Storm Rider's betrayal and Venli's discovery, declaring that this form offers salvation and independence from their enemies. The listeners respond with humming to the Rhythm of Awe and singing to the Rhythm of Joy. Eshonai revels in the moment, though she internally acknowledges a screaming voice of horror that she deliberately ignores.