TBC: Chapter Eighteen

Gyan's heart skipped several beats as Jalena approached the chinálei alongside Shamira the next morning, and his thoughts returned to the conversation with his mother. Shamira and Jalena bowed to the new masters, and the group returned their greeting. Gyan pushed thoughts of his future from his mind as the team started their training session.

"Sir Malik has joined Master Jabari in South Kraundor, so Master Shamira and I will be guiding your remaining lessons in Relasu and Chiséi," Jalena said. "But first, we are to meet Fane at the bunkers so that we can get familiar with riding the lumrays."

Jalena smiled as a loud cheer burst from the group. "After several hours we will return here, and Shamira and I will demonstrate the basic forms of the Chiséi."

As Jalena finished her statement, a Xita-8 glided down into the area and the warriors filed in eagerly to return to the ship bunkers and grab the lumrays.

Gyan couldn't help feeling blissful as he rode along the forest trails with the other warriors. The smells of the forest and the cool breeze made the ride exhilarating. The bike easily responded to his command, as if it already knew what he wanted to do.

Such a great feeling, Valora said.

Gyan nodded. He stared at Jalena as she rode ahead of him. One of them anyway, he added to himself.

The warriors slowed their return trip to the bunkers to extend their time in the forest.

"Well?" Fane asked them as the group coasted the bikes into a lowering doorway beneath the forest floor. "From your bright eyes and windblown hair, I assume you are pleased."

"It's a masterpiece," said Brogan.

"You're a genius, Fane," added Hoshi.

"Perfect," said Gyan.

Valora nodded. "Very smooth."

"Just what I thought," Fane replied. "Take care of them and no reckless behavior! If something gets destroyed, there better be a good reason."

"He means that," Jalena told the group as they made their way back to the Xita-8. "You don't want to see how angry he gets when some of his best designs are damaged—he gets…attached."

"Don't let him intimidate you though," said Shamira. "His desire to create surpasses any anger at having to build more. Most of his irritation is temporary because his mind quickly jumps to how to make the next design even better as if he is determined to find the formula for making them indestructible. He also knows the stakes when dealing with someone like Mordán."

"I'm sure he has at least ten or more Xitas stored deeper into the Ira Aug bunkers, but he'll never let on that he does," Jalena added.

Shamira smiled and nodded.

The group took a short break after they returned to the chinálei and then rejoined to practice Chiséi.

"You have already learned many of the components weaved into the Chiséi because they are a part of other styles we practice as Master Jabari stated," Jalena said to the team as they stood before her. "So, although Chiséi is an advanced art, it will not take long to master the moves. The masters that created Chiséi simply took the softer components derived from the feminine energy found within the advancing or masculine-based forms. From this, they created a new fluid style designed almost entirely to preserve energy. After we have practiced the form, we will take a break and then combine the movements with Relasu."

Jalena nodded to Shamira, and the two began demonstrating the slow and winding movements of Chiséi. After practicing the form the rest of the morning, the group of masters noted that they were renewed with energy rather than exhausted. The meditative effect of Chiséi surprised Gyan as if the form was not designed to be used in battle at all.

"Now, all of you invoke Relasu, and Shamira and I will demonstrate the form again," Jalena stated after the warriors returned from break. Look beyond the perception of your physical eyes and focus on our energy."

Gyan took several deep breaths and released the bounds of his sight. Immediately, he saw the glow of light energy flow through the masters' meridians and extend outward around them. As his focus deepened, his eyes observed the gold and silver energy that intertwined with the white light in both warriors. The energy of both warriors held blue and green, but the enormity of the extension in Jalena's energy took Gyan by surprise. Not only did the expansion of her energy field shock him, but the amount of violet light surging around her was something Gyan had not seen when observing the trees.

As the two sparred using the form, Gyan noted that the energy around the warriors moved before the action occurred, as if the energy was matching the intent of the individual rather than the action. If Jalena or Shamira stepped forward, the energy moved the same before a step was taken.

Gyan had never witnessed Shamira in combat because she had been with Malik in Gawl Forest at the time the Celestine Temple was attacked. He was impressed with the fluidity of her movements. Her gray, red-haloed eyes carried the same spirit Gyan had seen in Jalena's expression. Her face was bright with excitement as if she loved doing what she was doing in the moment, making the burn scars across the left side of her face and neck less visible.

Watching the two work together, it was easy to see how their surviving spirit bonded them. They were the only members left in their incarnated team. A pang of sorrow flickered through Gyan's chest as he pondered being only one of two members left on his team. He looked around at his teammates with a new level of appreciation.

"What did you observe?" Jalena asked after she and Shamira finished.

"The energy moves right before you do," answered Valora.

Jalena nodded. "As Sir Malik has most likely told you, the color or shape of the energy you observe is dependent upon how you interpret concepts within your environment so it will vary between you. Some of you may be able to see images or messages within one's energy, which will assist you in gathering information about an individual. However, for our purposes now, the colors you interpret within the energy are not as important as observing what the energy is doing.

Energy moves in response to the will of the individual, so it moves before the physical. The ability to release your hold on what you observe through your eyes will gain you an advantage over your opponent. This action will reveal what moves your opponent is about to make before the move is made, which then allows you to adjust or counter accordingly."

"This is how you were able to counter our movements so quickly the other day?" Aderes asked.

"Yes."

"It is a different approach to combat and will take some adjustment," Shamira added. "However, you will find that reading energy and reacting to it will come naturally with only a little practice."

"Which is what we will do now," said Jalena. "Master Tarak, I will need you first."

Tarak joined Jalena and Shamira in front of the others. "I wish you to spar with Master Shamira using the combined effect of Relasu and Chiséi as much as possible," Jalena stated. "I also want you to use your charisma at two different times so that the others can observe the change in energy. Master Shamira will not resist the first time you use it but will attempt to dodge the effects the second time."

Tarak nodded, and Jalena joined the other masters at the side of the chinálei. Tarak and Shamira bowed to each other and began to spar. Gyan noted that Tarak's energy was dominantly gold in color, but like the other warriors, was laced with traces of green and blue. When Tarak blocked a strike from Shamira or delivered one, the color of energy darkened and sometimes thinned. His moves were just as fast as Shamira's, making it challenging for her to outmaneuver him.

Some warriors gasped in surprise when Tarak used his charisma against her. His energy gathered and swirled in the center of his body just moments before it turned a bright blue-white. It altered to bright green and launched forward, intertwining itself with the silver energy surrounding Shamira. The energy forcefully moved back to Tarak as he pulled Shamira to him. He gently caught her and released his energetic hold. She stepped back and the two continued sparring for several more moments before Tarak used his charisma again. Just before he thrust out his hands and released the built-up energy, Shamira spun closer to him so that she was at his side—her silver energy suddenly overshadowing the green of his charisma. The rest of Tarak's charisma energy dimmed as it missed Shamira.

At the same moment, Shamira delivered a back sweep to Tarak's stance, causing him to fall backward. She grabbed Tarak's extended arm, and with surprising strength, stopped his large frame from landing on his back. Tarak gave her an impressed smile as she pulled him back up to his feet. The two bowed once more.

"You relax your stance when you are using your charisma, Master Tarak," Shamira stated. "Do not forget to maintain a solid form even when your focus is on directing your charisma."

Tarak gave her a nod and joined the others.

The group went on to discuss the changes in energy when a strike was delivered or blocked, and the transformation that occurred when one's charisma was activated.

"The energy color of your charisma will match the same in your eyes," Jalena said. "Although traces of this color are in your energy at all times, the color of your charisma will dominate when your charisma is in use. This makes it much more difficult to surprise other light warriors with a sneak attack when they are using Relasu because it allows them to see the shift in color."

"Does the energy during combat react or shift in the same way for everyone?" Gyan asked.

"No," Jalena answered. "As we continue to take turns sparring, you will see that some energy thins and scatters depending on the strength of the blow. The strength and momentum of one's energy make a difference in how effective an attack can be. For example, if one is grounded in their true spirit and is solid in what they believe, you will observe their energy stream as thick and rapid. This makes them a more challenging opponent. However, if one carries doubt about who they are and is not in alignment with the power of their inner core, then the energy you observe will appear thinner and slower. Therefore, the same strike delivered from one versus the other will differ in its resulting damage. This remains true for light warriors and Elsarians both. Alignment and strength of heart will honor an individual in challenging or difficult times even more than skill whereas scattered or unfocused energy will delay solutions."

The remainder of the day was spent with the warriors taking turns using Relasu while practicing the Chiséi.

"Tomorrow we will begin with the same. We will pair off and practice and then we will practice three on one so that you will learn how to maneuver with different energies all at once. Chiséi will assist in enhancing your ability to move in a fluid fashion among changing energies, much like water that flows around obstacles."

After Jalena dismissed the group, Gyan reached out to her telepathically. Jalena…

I can't tonight, Gyan, she responded before he could ask. I'm sorry. I have to meet with my father.

When?

Tomorrow.

Gyan breathed a sigh of relief. Even one day without sharing time with her ignited a strong desire within him that was getting more difficult for him to manage patiently. The gap between each moment they could be together seemed to be getting wider. Gyan spoke his goodbyes softly and jogged to catch up to Valora and Brogan as they walked back to the domusé.

***

Tarak remained behind at the chinálei to speak with Shamira upon her request. Although Tarak had not been back to the Divakae Village in Feyla Forest since he was kidnapped by the Vaznaun, Shamira often visited the village on and off assignment.

"I have a message from the village for you," she told Tarak. "They wish to send you their love, and that they miss you."

Tarak swallowed hard and looked away.

Shamira studied his face closely. "I tell them you have not returned because of your intense training, but you and I both know that this is only partially true. Are you sure you don't want me to arrange a trip?"

Tarak shook his head and stared at the ground. "I am not ready—not yet."

"I understand, but you must believe that there is nothing to be ashamed of, Master Tarak. You did not know of your power when the attack on the village occurred. Even still, a warrior that is aware of and utilizing their full power cannot save everyone."

Tarak nodded. "How—how is Nikan?"

"He is well. He said for you to come soon or that he will lead a party to kidnap you and return you to the village himself."

Tarak smiled. "He would."

"Yes."

"And Sufina?"

"She will not speak of your absence."

Tarak's brow furrowed.

"She has changed, Tarak," she continued softly.

"I knew she would grow quickly."

"She has grown taller than her peers and is stronger in stature. She looks like a young warrior. But, she has not just changed physically."

"What do you mean?"

"The elders call her Soma now. It is—"

"One of the names given to a spiritual huntress said to be at one with the land," Tarak finished as if he was not surprised.

Shamira placed a hand on Tarak's arm. "She misses you. She pretends to be hard about your departure, but it is your bow that she still hunts with. The elders told her that she must carve her own so that her spirit will flow into the bow, but she told them she is not ready yet."

Tarak lowered his gaze. "If you return soon, please tell them—especially my mother and Sufina—that it won't be much longer."

"I will do so but send for me as soon as you are ready."

Tarak nodded his gratitude and took the long route home along the shoreline beside the soothing waves of the Green Sea.

***