TBC: Chapter Fourteen

Gyan woke with a start. He looked around wildly, unsure of where he was.

Affera had revisited his dreams once more. Rather than pushing him deeper into Gawl Forest and telling him he must go where others do not, like his last dream, she was standing in the Xita-8 with him. She handed him a large glowing shield of light, told him not to forget who he was and his purpose, and then pushed him out of the ship in mid-flight.

He grabbed the front of his sweat-soaked uniform that he still wore from last night and sighed in frustration, trying to shake the image of Affera's intense gold eyes out of his head. How can I have these dreams about an elder woman I met once? Since he had not seen Nyhra since master ceremony, Gyan made it a point to ask Malik about Affera after training later today.

He quickly changed out of his gear and hurried to the shower. He wanted to catch Aderes on the way to training because he was curious to know what Elder Master Zareb had told him about joining the spies to rescue Lesiana. But, as usual, by the time Gyan came down the stairs to eat, Aderes had already left the domusé.

As Gyan walked with the others back to the forest that morning, he pondered Jabari's assignment. He thought he understood the commonality between the processes they had learned but wanted to check his thoughts with the others.

"Valora, did you think about what Jabari assigned?"

She nodded. "Yes, I think so. The answer seems simple enough."

"That's what I thought."

"What's the answer?" Jarek asked, suppressing a yawn.

"You know," Valora said.

Jarek shook his head. "I can't think."

"It'll just bypass your mind and pop out of your mouth at the right time like usual then," Brogan said.

Jarek smiled. "I like that…less work for me."

The group soon reached the clearing of the trees where Jabari and Malik stood waiting, and the two parties exchanged bows.

"I see you've all recovered," Jabari stated. "Hopefully, enough to discuss your assignment."

"Jarek's ready," Brogan chimed.

The warriors laughed. Jarek reached around Lorcan to grab at Brogan.

"Good," replied Jabari. "Then Master Jarek may relax while the rest of us discuss it."

Jarek grinned while Brogan rolled his eyes.

"Take a seat on the ground," Malik stated. "It is wise to store energy because you will practice Lumanthrú again at the end of our session."

"So, we will begin with analyzing our philosophy," Jabari stated. "As above, so below…as within, so without…as the universe, so the soul…What does it mean?"

"That the same that is above also resides below and what is internal reflects externally," Danika said.

"And?"

"That what is of the universe also makes up the soul," Valora finished.

"How does this relate to Lumanthrú?" Jabari asked.

"Because when using Lumanthrú, you can witness how the internal manifests as the external," Gyan said. "What you imagine internally appears externally."

Jabari nodded. "Good."

"Although it is more apparent in the process of Lumanthrú because you see the evidence of the internal desire instantaneously, it is really the basis of all creation," Malik added. "Everything in your control that is created is directed from thought."

"And the commonality between the Damsé Esprimiente, Relasu, Chiséi, and Lumanthrú?" Jabari asked.

"All have to do with releasing responses to external limitations," Valora stated. "You must yield something for each of them to be effective."

"What is the purpose of doing that?" Jabari asked.

"So that you can manipulate the surrounding energy to work for or transform to your favor," Brogan finished.

"Excellent," Jabari replied. "In each case, you are looking beyond what your physical eyes are interpreting. Throughout the Damsé, you release your perception of what you see physically when facing an opponent or partner and refine your other senses to detect the moves of that opponent. In Relasu, you are looking beyond what you see physically to focus more on the energy that runs through and around the object that you are observing. In Chiséi, you are yielding—releasing—the counter to your opponent's physical moves so that your opponent's energy is used against them. In Lumanthrú, you are releasing the limiting perceptual binds of the current reality so that you may create what you are visualizing. All of this works together to maximize action as you learn that the paradoxical power of gaining is in the act of yielding. So, the next question, perhaps the most important one of all, is—does it all make sense?"

The warriors nodded.

"Good," stated Malik. "Now tell me why all this knowledge is not presented to you at once, say, for instance, in the first year of becoming a warrior?"

"It would be overwhelming," said Aderes.

"Indeed," replied Malik. "Too many points of focus can often lead to no point of focus. An overwhelmed mind can lead to stagnation. Once the basis of specific knowledge is practiced and automated, more of your cognitive capacity can be used to integrate the new with the old. For example, you often must understand the philosophy of the Damsé and experience the success of it, before your mind is accepting of Relasu. This is why we teach you information that we have discovered in pieces from simple to more complex processes."

Malik looked pointedly at Aderes. "Master Aderes, if you remember the results of a past conversation, tell me what you are to do with all the knowledge that the masters and an old star wizard have granted you."

Aderes smirked.

Gyan smiled at the memory of Aderes expressing his feelings of frustration about the purposeful vague teaching tactics the masters often utilized.

"Take the knowledge beyond what it has been before," Aderes answered.

Malik nodded. "What you have learned from us up until now is what we have discovered, so as the next generation, you are to use this knowledge, put aside any limitations that you may have felt or witnessed, and discover the unknown. Then, when it is your turn to teach, what your students discover will expand beyond that which you have discovered for yourselves."

"Are there any more processes for us to learn as masters?" asked Hoshi.

"Always," replied Malik. "But for now, you have all you need to take the next step in your training."

"And what is that, sir?" asked Brogan.

Malik smiled. "Practice."

"Yes," added Jabari. "Practice until you no longer doubt your ability. Practice until you feel it automate and solidify within you. Then you will be walking as the warriors you were meant to be. Through this, you will discover the height of what your individual unique power can evolve into."

"Are you ready to begin?" Malik asked.

The warriors nodded and stood.

"Very well. We begin today with simply using Relasu to observe." Malik stood alongside them and faced a large tree before him. "Spread out and find a tree. This is your partner for now. Put your mind at ease and focus on the energy flow within the tree, as you would in partner meditation."

The warriors mimicked his actions.

Jarek shook a low branch on a tree and whispered, "Hey partner."

Gyan shook his head and smiled. He turned to face his tree and took several deep breaths. As his breath steadied, his eyes lit up briefly, and his concentration narrowed to the energy within the tree. He immediately saw pulses of light running throughout the entire length of the tree.

"Now, invoke Relasu by releasing your perception of what you know to be true of trees—any facts…any experiences—and watch what happens to the energy that you focus upon."

Gyan allowed his mind to release the image of the tree before him and his knowledge of what he knew a tree to be. As his focus deepened, the bounds of the tree faded from his mind. He witnessed the veins within the tree and the detailed active life within it. He allowed his vision to deepen even more, gasping lightly as he saw the energetic meridian flow up and out from the tree.

White and silver light expanded beyond the structure of the tree. Flickering gold light appeared to move in and out of different points on the tree. As Gyan stared longer, he saw small diamond-shaped silver specks of flashing light alongside the gold. He could not find an end to the energy.

Refocus once more on the tree as it appears to your physical eyes, Malik stated.

Gyan blinked several times to release his energetic vision, and the large, brown trunk before him filled his mind.

"Tell me what you saw," Malik said.

"The meridian flow of the tree expanded outward and blended into a bright light once I invoked Relasu," Hoshi stated.

The other warriors murmured their agreements.

"What else?"

"There were golden and silver specks of light that danced in and out of the white and silver," Gyan added.

"Did anyone else see this?"

"Yes," stated Brogan.

"Some," said Lorcan. "I saw some green."

"My colors looked more like green and lilac," added Jarek.

"Which color did you see the most of, Master Gyan?"

"I noticed the gold first, but once silver came into focus, there was much more silver," answered Gyan.

"The types of energy you are witnessing are very important to note, especially when you are combining Relasu with the Damsé," Jabari stated.

"The white light is the essence of an object. All matter contains white light, which is the combination of all colors. The silver that many of you saw is a feminine energy. Most of the elements and things that grow naturally throughout the land will be dominant in this energy, so you will see more of this color when you observe nature through Relasu."

"Then the gold we saw is masculine energy?" Brogan asked.

"Yes."

Gyan glanced at Valora, who smiled. As they suspected, the mystery as to how Jabari knew what type of energy dominated a warrior's light was finally solved. Based on the color of dominant energy, one could tell the balance of masculine to feminine energy within each warrior.

"Some of you are seeing different variations of color," Malik continued. "This is normal because you all have interpretations of energy that are unique to you. For example, Master Jarek, the green that you see is most likely masculine energy whereas the lilac is feminine. The color you see most in your tree is the color that feminine energy will appear to you as you observe it in other things." The star wizard looked around at each in the group with a curious gaze. "So, how does knowing what an opponent's dominant energy is help you in battle?"

"It influences the way one fights?" Lorcan questioned.

"Indeed, it can, Master Lorcan, especially if the imbalance of energy between the two is dramatic enough," Malik responded. "If one is dominant in feminine energy their moves are more likely to be subtle and clever, whereas if one is dominant in masculine energy their moves are generally powerful and direct."

"That's useful," Danika stated.

Malik nodded. "If you narrowed your focus on the energy of the tree, you found even more. What else did you see?"

"The silver I saw was diamond-shaped," Gyan said.

"Seeing shapes within energy is natural as well," Malik replied. "What the shapes mean will be unique to you, so you will have to look for similarities in items that display the same shapes. There is still more, though." His eyes came to rest on Valora. "Master Valora?"

Valora glanced at Malik and dropped her gaze. She cleared her throat. "I heard the sound of the energy."

"Meaning?" Malik asked.

Valora sighed. "I heard them…humming. The energy was singing to me."

"What?" Brogan said. "No way."

"It did," Valora said, her voice rising slightly as she pushed her brother.

"How come I didn't hear it then?" he said as he pushed her back.

"Because you're not listening," she said and pushed him again.

Malik raised his voice to speak over the two. "I assure you, Master Brogan, she is telling the truth. Her unique connection to the land allows her to interpret the voice of nature more clearly than others."

"Unique connection to the land? What do you mean?" Brogan glanced from Valora to Malik and back to his sister again. "Have you been hiding something, Val?"

"Master Valora, I believe it is time to share, don't you?" Jabari said.

Valora sighed again. "I can speak with animals."

"And," Malik prompted.

"I understand the…" Valora's cheeks flushed, "…the vibrational communication between plants and other things in nature."

"How?" asked Danika.

Valora shrugged. "I don't know. I just can."

"Amazing," Hoshi said, smiling.

"No way," Jarek said.

"It's true," Gyan added. "I've seen her do it."

"It is a part of Master Valora's charisma," Jabari said. "She would be labeled as a Sensan. A Sensan possesses astute senses that go beyond the sensory ability of others—even other warriors. They generally have a sharper ability in hearing or sight. Some Sensans also can communicate vibrationally with other living things different from our species. As you have witnessed at master ceremony, Elder Master Zenobia also carries this ability."

"Okay, so Sensans like me can use their senses in sharper ways and Felsans like Elder Master Zareb can read the energy patterns of others, right?" asked Valora.

"Correct," replied Jabari. "Elder Master Nyhra is a Seyn, which enables her to tell the future, but she also possesses some Felsan ability similar to Elder Master Zareb."

"What are the rest of us categorized as, Master?" Gyan asked.

"As ridiculous," Brogan said.

Brogan's smile turned into a laugh as he was pushed by warriors from both sides at the same time. "Easy now, small people."

Jabari ignored the scuffle. "Anyone with the ability to manipulate anything to do with the body or mind is called a Malan. This would include Master Aderes, Master Danika, Master Lorcan, Master Jalena, Master Shamira, Master Asia, and Elder Master Syam. I believe that Master Brogan, you and Master Valora would also fall under this category since your unique abilities to use light are enhanced by your connection and similarities in your internal structures. In a sense, you are manipulating internal energy structures to project light outward in a powerful way."

"What is Master Asia's charisma, Master Jabari?" asked Danika. "We've never witnessed it."

"She possesses the ability to put someone to sleep or in a deep meditative state."

"So, Master Valora is part Sensan and Malan?" Hoshi asked.

Jabari nodded. "It is possible to have more than one charisma type. For example, Master Cahira is a Malan due to her ability to see detailed descriptions of the internal structures of the body and mind. However, she is also a Lingsanbecause she possesses the ability to understand any language even if she has never heard it before. This is why she handles most delegations with other species within the Vejar star system." Jabari looked around at the others. "Master Gyan…you, Master Tarak, and Master Hoshi would all be categorized as Exlan. This is anyone who manipulates something in the external environment—outside of one's body."

"So, although my power comes from within, I am using my power to manipulate or protect something outside of me and that makes me an Exlan?" asked Gyan.

Jabari nodded. "It can be argued that the boundary between an Exlan and Malan is unclear, for internal and external manipulation are not entirely separate from each other."

"Another charisma type is the Elan. This is anyone with the ability to understand and sometimes manipulate elemental properties. Elder Master Faelán is an Elan since he is able to see the properties of metals and understand their use. He is the one who discovered the uses of alneil when visiting Suál."

"Is he the only one?" asked Hoshi.

"My dán," Jarek interjected. "Not Elder Master Faelán, but my birth dán who died before I was born. Elder Master Faelán said that he used water in some way."

Malik stepped forward. "It is true, Master Jarek. Your father was an Elan that used water as a protective shield as well as in other ways."

"Nice," Lorcan said.

The others raised their eyebrows, looking impressed.

"And you, Master Jabari?" asked Aderes. "What are you classified as?"

"I would be a Malan," Jabari answered. "My charisma allows me to shape-shift."

Jabari winked and smiled right before he closed his eyes. Several moments later what stood before the group was an old black man with wild, wiry hair and light blue eyes.

The warriors gasped.

"Hey! I saw you—at the Ceremony of Pyhron!" Jarek exclaimed.

"Yes."

"Wow!" Hoshi exclaimed.

"Why were you in disguise at the ceremony, Master?" Aderes questioned.

"I was keeping my eye on Mordán," Jabari replied.

"Mordán was at the san ceremony?" Gyan asked.

"Yes—in disguise as well."

Aderes met Gyan's eye but quickly dropped his gaze.

Brogan cleared his throat. "What about my ability, Master? Am I a Sensan too, like Valora, since our charismas are intertwined?"

"I cannot tell you the answer to that, Master Brogan. You will have to find that out for yourself," Jabari answered.

"There are too many charisma labels to remember," Jarek complained.

"It is not necessary that you remember the title, Master Jarek. Only that you understand what those around you can do," Jabari responded.

Jarek sighed and looked around. "Does anyone else besides Valora have some other secret superpower I should know about? I want to know, so I can remember to use your power to my advantage if I need to."

The group laughed.

"While Master Jarek jests, he also brings up a good point," Jabari said. "Keeping your truth from those on your team is not the best way to remain united. Maximizing your unique power only strengthens the power of unity among you. You each represent separate components of a larger unit and each component is necessary to make the unit solid. Hiding any part of your abilities from those who support you most is a disadvantage to you and your team."

"Yeah, Valora," Brogan said in a low voice. "Especially with your brother."

Valora gave Brogan a small smile as he grabbed her shoulder and squeezed.

The group spent the remainder of class practicing individual Alchemy.

"Practice creating a simple object, until your energy becomes more familiar with Lumanthrú," Malik instructed as he walked among them. "Although the process is the same, larger objects can drain your energy much faster and require more detailed focus. Also, attempt to create things of nature, such as a flower, and compare it to other items, such as a weapon, so that you feel the difference in the energy that is being manipulated. The difference is slight, but it always helps to familiarize yourself with the subtlety."

Gyan moved away from the others to a remote spot in the clearing so he could concentrate better.

"I want you to practice Lumanthrú without my Relansé spell so that you get used to visualizing the energy particles without being able to see them," Malik said.

Some of the warriors groaned.

"Aw," Brogan said as he frowned.

"Sir Malik, it's fun to watch the energy dance," Hoshi replied.

Malik smiled. "Indeed, Master Hoshi. However, it is necessary for you to remember that the energy is still there. I assure you it is dancing and eagerly waiting for you to direct it."

Hoshi gave Malik a small nod and sighed.

As Gyan began to ponder what he would try to create, he saw Malik speaking quietly with Jabari out of the corner of his eye. Jabari nodded and Malik disappeared again, leaving traces of his star portal lingering next to Jabari.

Gyan sighed in disappointment. His questions about Affera would be delayed again. He shook the thought from his head and caught sight of a green tree leaf tinted with bright red around its edge lying on the ground. He focused on the object for several minutes and closed his eyes to let the image fill his mind. His eyes lit up brightly as he opened them and got back to work.