22 Chapter 15: The Principle of Flowing Energy - Part V Gathering Energy (1/2)

Arising from my slumber Yami and I was asunder.

Not in the room early in the morning, heavier I collected my breathing. Not thinking about her residing in my shadow, I took off for training and taking in the faint morning glow.

There in the woods I sat on a stone, collecting my thoughts being all alone, meditation was to find a way, not just for me to stay... yet what I was shown should have made me grown.

Instead of terrified beyond belief, slowly seeping into my core. unaware of what I might achieve. Rhyming all I could, wondering if I should. What was that deep down inside,

that darkness of mine?

Talking to me in tongue, talking to me as if I was the one... what did they want? What could I do? Answers as they taunted, never giving a clue.

Freaking me out, losing myself in doubt,

the frustration made me shout.

As no one was there, I went back without a care.

Once in the hall, Chiara was the one I saw.

Joining up with her alone, she led the way towards a different room, now larger than before there was enough room for all. Groups trained together, showing intense duels as we entered.

”You might be wondering, why such a large room?”

Chiara asked as we entered, today we are here for something special, something other than meditation.

Let us go through the steps that we have learned, once more the basics have to be adjourned.”

Without interruption, she went to the teachers at the center looking at the stand. Students all were waiting until the instructions were given... giving them a small break, the teacher took a breather. Discussing what needed to be done, talking about more ways than one.

Chiara quickly joined us walking to the center, sitting down with us together. Holding my hands as she sat down she looked straight into my eyes, eyes so intense I dared not speak, as she whispered a single sentence; ”Energy is in all, believe in its existence as we follow my instructions. As it flows through one's life essence.”

Chiara breathed in calming herself down, loosening the grip on my hands. As she again looked me straight in the eyes.

”Covering the basics is important and it pains me to say, that I have to leave, but before I do... tell me what we have been through.”

I looked at her sitting straight and proudly as she uttered the three elements we had been tackling so far.

”The first things we learned were how important it was to focus on the target ahead, reading one's actions and anticipating their next moves.

Using jabs, kicks and a clear mind to achieve one's goal without fail. Shaking off distractions as we find ourselves through meditation.”

Surprised Chiara looked up.

”That is correct Michael, with the addition of today's lesson; the gathering of energy I will explain why the usage of this principle is all so powerful.

But, before I do... I have to go take care of some things. Try to visualize what Alex demonstrated yesterday, as you go through the exploration of yourself. Don't be afraid and let it flow...

This will enable you to let everything go.”

After her instructions Chiara stood up and left us behind, I started collecting my thoughts and clearing my mind. Trying not to think about the things to come, it was my fear who had to be overcome.

Closing my eyes and calming my breath, no one was around to disturb my focus, I ventured within... again with the emptiness of space. Searching for the container known as my soul. I searched far and wide until eventually in the distance I spotted something glowing... oddly enough there was no light... only the dim glow of darkness enveloping me whole.

I found myself at an alter different from before... pillars with coils on top, gave off a dim glow. Lighting ablaze the altar in front. As now there were signs on the floor. Signs pointing to the flame in the center, telling me my name.

”Chiron”

I said out load.

How could I read them, these symbols of old?

This old language, familiar as it seemed could be read with all means. As I read then I spoke a loud;

”I am here all alone, only accompanied by the warmth if flames, looking at them gave off the feeling something new, giving birth into my soul. The flame is my own as its warmth is calling me home.”

Feeling the words call to me. I approached the flame, feeling its warm embrace on my skin, gently sitting down as I let it in. Its warmth wrapping around me like a second skin, as the light grew ever dim.

Underneath the flame, I saw a shade, similar, yet weaker than before. Weakend in this state I felt it go away, It jerked around the flame as it seemed cautious of the light, jumping out in spite.

The last effort to survive as it slowly closed in towards me, unable to react it crept ever closer, closer and closer.

Terrified and frozen by fear, I fell to the ground. A familiar yet unsettling feeling welled up from inside, telling me that this was not right... To get out... because death was closing in.

Laying there motionless locked in sight.

Still moving ever so slowly the shade picked up my scent, being drawn in by the oozing smell of fear.

Like coyotes smelling meat, certain of its prey the shade jumped striking towards me, Suddenly I rolled to the side, dodging his approach missing the strike it tried again, this time with its entire being.

Latching onto my leg I squealed... trying to move with all my might, getting away was on my mind.

But no movement, petrified there was no escape as the slime like substance enveloped my wake.

Creeping closer, reaching all over...

It crept in on my face when it paused for a second. The expressionless entity took it's time, steadily entering my mind.

Shaking and twitching on top, its shape became twisting, turning as it was yearning. Legs and arms reached out of the oozing substance when lastly it formed a head.

Suddenly turning towards me was no slime or shade, but a body which it had just made. It stumbled all over me, turning its head, nothing could be seen, nothing... until it unveiled something horrifying...

from right to left, cheek to cheek an evil unnatural grin... wider than I had ever seen, filled up the brim with sharp and pointy teeth as this filled me with dread, disgust and disbelieve.

The smiling just continued in what felt like an eternity, breaking the moment, twisting and turning... it was not done... it had only just begun... with its smile it started moving, cheek to cheek so unnatural, this time closer to my mouth. Thinking it wanted to enter I shut it tight, keeping it shut with all my might.

The grin now turned up sight down, into a from. With the last of my courage I looked as I knew, there was nothing I could do.

The entity just lay there on top of me, waiting for its opportunity to strike... when the unimaginable happened. I heard a voice... was it going to speak?

The mouth slowly openend up, leaving a familiar and heavy voice;

”Foolish, boy... in due time, you will be mine...

You are the perfect vessel, to bring me inside the castle... Those royals will pay, as they didn't let me stay!”

The creature smiled once more, having to breath I opened my mouth, the creature seized the opportunity launching itself towards the opening. Trying to force it's the way in, it blocked off all the air from my nose and mouth...

Making me unable to breathe, the struggle became unbearable as I tried gasping for air, but failed. Allowing the creature to strike. Forcing itself inside it slowly slid down my thought... the thick mucus flowed down into my being, never-ending as the pain grew stranger. Unable to hold on still grasping for air, the pain became unbearable as it forced itself further in... tears fell down my face as now I knew there was no turning it down.

Penetrating my very being, filling my veins, becoming one with my energy, with my cell... with ever viber of my being... we eventually became one, screaming out our name...

”Chiron!!”

Losing myself in this final bout, my final thought was;

”Get out!!”

I awoke with a lingering voice;

”This time it's you whom I will enjoy...”

Awakening drenched in sweat, I looked inside the mirror as my eyes looked irritated and red... shocked by this realization it ebbed away, flicking off the tears that went astray.

Was this real or just a dream? Yet I could not fathom what had happened to me.

Deciding to clear my mind I left for the morning grind.

Running around the building nothing much was there to behold, nothing but the morning breeze cold.

Did I see that right? Did that happen?

Asking this myself returning to the quarters,

Chiara stoot in the entrance talking to others.

The man from the days before joined with a few more... closing in I got curious, greeting them along the way. The man glared in unease, as he had been caught redhanded like a thief a few times before...

Stopping his mischievous desires is what I had required.

Passing through as I was not wanted. I picked up some sentences about what was coming.

A woman in the group was talking sharing the plans of an expedition soon to come. As it dawned on me what I heard I hid around the corner,

trying to listen in on them... the woman continued in a cautious tone.

”Soon we will depart with signed adventures, to unexplored territories, unknown of what we might encounter I ask for skilled scouts. Young Ones with much Vigor, they can lead us to what we might find there.”

The woman turned to someone that I knew as the was he was talking to was Chiara.

”Chiara I heard much about your pupils...

tell me, do they show promise? The Male has signed his name on the bulletin board as I take it he wants to join?”

Worried Chiara looked around, sighing without a sound. Looking at Brendan she calmly addressed the matter.

”If they can join is too early to say, but showing promise they may... they are quick learners those two, which make my hopes higher as we go. Seeing a lot of experienced adventurers joining in, these ruins must prove to be important then?

They have a few more days to go, but I believe they will master the way of the energy flow. Clearing Meditation the other day only gathering and projection awaits. As the final challenge approaches I need to ask a favor of you, as I will give them an exam to show me their progress... should they fail they cannot go, yet might they clear the objectives, receiving my approval to go once more.”

A lady shrouded in darkness, mask and leather bowed down leaving but just a feather.

Agitated by my accomplishments Brendan struggled against the plan.

”I don't get it Chi... what makes him so great? Getting this kind of treatment from others... fletchling or not... I hope he rots...”

Jealousy dripped from his face, as he didn't know his place. Not giving Brendan any attention, Chiara ignored him walking towards the entrance.

Agitated Brendan turned around, fowing to take me down. In a late ditch effort, Brendan issued a challenge.

”Know that at the end of the week, my pupils will slay the weak. Hereby I Brendan Shield challenge the students under Chiara her guidance to a duel as my student will battle one on one for the final exam against young Shadowfang.

I will prove to you once and for all that he does not belong with us all.”

Chiara stopped, turning around... As her pride wouldn't allow.. the belittlement of her students.

Knowing there were just a few more days she accepted the challenge between their pupils.

”The winner gets the approval for the exam, together with the acceptance of the training at The Rogues Association, the loser, on the other hand, has to stay here at The Martial Novices, as his/her training will get stricter than ever before learning the ways of the fighter. Brawler and Ashura evermore.”

As Brendan drowned in his arrogance he accepted the terms setting the date for when the exam took place in just a few days. Blood made the pact official as they both left their separate ways.

Chiara entered the Guildhall walking straight to the worker's desk. Setting everything in motion for the day after tomorrow.

Word quickly spread as everyone looked at me like I was dead... The stakes were high,

yet barely confusing as the lessons would be even more intense from now...

I went on my way to the training hall, starting my meditation, not to venture within myself but rather to clear my mind. Moments later Chiara entered.