Chapter 5: Progress.
I come to slowly. My head pounding something fierce. It took a while for my vision to clear. It was still dark, but I'm sure dawn wasn't far off. Slowly I climb to my knees, it was easier than expected. My movements felt more fluid and graceful.
There was no pain, I felt refreshed.
My senses felt clearer, sharper. I take a breath, the air is crisp. My olfactory senses picking up new smells, some more fragrant than others. My hearing, I think also got some improvements, but not by much I think. It has always been above the average.
I could feel the Vita; the building blocks on which the world stand on. It is all encompassing, saturating everything. I take a moment to bask in the feeling. It felt like I was connected to the world, I could feel even the slightest thrum in the flow of energy.
Then I remembered. My core, or rather cores.
I was about to evaluate myself and try to figure out where the second one came from, though I already had my suspicions. And yes, it has to do with a certain snake.
"What are you doing up so early?" Annabelle asks from the open kitchen door. "It's not even dawn yet."
"And why are you naked? Getting all hot and sticky with the old oak?" She giggles at her own joke.
I look down at myself, I was indeed naked. Turns out the Vita disintegrated my clothes to dust.
"You really should look away when a man is naked, learn some decency." I retort. She just laughs harder, still not looking away. I don't feel any shame. I don't even know what that feels like.
"Oh please, I've seen bigger peckers than what you're sporting."
"I'm still a nine year old, I'll grow." Now I was smiling. "You make an habit of going around and staring at men's privates? Or..."
"Just the really good looking one's." She yawns, obviously still sleepy. "Gonna stay for breakfast?"
"I don't think so, I figure I'll start my day early."
"Go take a bath, I'll have something ready for you. Skipping breakfast is a cardinal offense."
I laugh. "I'm pretty sure it's not." Heading for the bathhouse.
After taking a bath I dress in loose clothes, the material light. The shirt was a dull brown, while the pants were black. I look at myself in the mirror.
My usual mouse brown hair and eyes have gotten darker, almost black. My face looks thinner too. I'm beginning to lose the baby. I rush to the kitchen, and true to her word, Annabelle has cobbled together a quick meal for me. It was from last nights leftovers of venison roast and potatoes.
I wolf it down on my feet, then take a long drink of water.
With that done I set out to meet Quan. Eager to start today's training.
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I find Quan by the mountain ash I cut down the day before. He was bare chested, sitting on the stump of the tree. His eyes closed in concentration.
I don't disturb him, rather I sit on the lawn and decide to meditate. I still have to find out how I got a second core. Closing my eyes, I sink into a meditative state, trying to examine my cores.
"No! You're not ready yet." The voice wasn't accompanied by a manifestation, but I'd recognize that voice anywhere. Ashur's booming voice jarred me, reeling I lose focus.
Just as I suspected, the serpent has something to do with it.
"You broke through to iron stage of ascension." He sounds stunned. "How?" He's staring at me like I suddenly grew an extra head.
"I did?"
"Tell me, what did you do?" His arms crosses the broad expanse of his barrel chest. Now that he's up close, I can see the scars that riddled his body.
A long gash traces a crescent from his abdomen to the curve of his left shoulder, another ugly scar tissue was on his chest; right above his heart. They were others, but none as brutal as these two.
He stares down at me with intensity in his eyes. I can almost see the cogs in his mind turning.
"I had a talk with Ashur..." I described my encounter with the dreadgod, leaving nothing out. When I got to the part about the energy world I was immersed in, Quan was sitting on the floor, his eyes almost as huge as saucers. "... And that was it, I think I almost died though." I finished.
"Two cores?"
I nod.
He looks thoughtful for a moment, then continues. "I have read about practitioners having obtained two cores. I thought it was just a myth, until now."
"May I?" He stretches out his hand, palm flat.
I place my hand in his, bracing myself. I expected this to hurt. It doesn't. He explains as he examines me.
"The core is more than just a battery, that stores and dispenses Vita throughout the channels of ones body. It is also a purifier, the higher the stage of ascension the stronger the body, the denser the quality of Vita one can cultivate.
"The Vita purifies the body and spirit, which in turn brings you to a closer and more intimate state of being with the world. I haven't told you much, but I think now that you have already taken the first step in your path to ascension, we can progress more swiftly..."
Just then a shadow falls on me. I turn to find Kassia standing there. She didn't make a sound. My eyes fall down to her ankle where I saw a bell during our first meeting. It was still there. How do they move so quietly?
"Hello Kassia, where have you been?" I ask.
She points behind her, I follow with my eyes. There's a dead creature out on the clearing, it looked like a bear, but had bony protrusions running down it's spine. It's fur was pit black, the thing was missing it's head.
I look at her in awe. "You killed that thing?" She gives me a smile and pat my cheek, then saunters away.
"In theory you can hunt beasts like that too, you're of the appropriate rank. But you're inexperienced. I think we should start proper training now. Come." He opens the door to the hut and strides in. I follow.
This was the first time I have set foot in the hut. It was small, sporting only two cots. One big enough to contain Quan's bulk. They're two wooden chests next to each cot, I assume for clothing. As far as decorations, they were none. The room is bare. Save for the weapons hanging off the walls.
There's so many of them in various varieties. I spot swords, clubs, maces, bows and arrows, shields, spears and other things I cannot name. Yet.
He looks at me and picks up a short spear, a sword not much bigger than a dagger and finally a bow and quiver full of arrows.
"We're going to start at with the basics. We'll try out each weapon type till we find something that suits you. Then we'll work on strengthening your control over vita.
"You're far behind the curve, usually children already have a good grasp of these things before they get to your age. But something tells me you'll catch up in a short span of time. We'll make a monster of you yet." He smiles, I think I see pride in his eyes when he looks at me.
"While we're at it, can you teach me how to use the skill I got from Ash?" I ask.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot about that. We'll work on that immediately. Making bets with a dreadgod at your age..." I follow him out as he begins muttering to himself as we make our way to the clearing. "You said it gave you three days to learn the skill, yes?"
"Correct."
"What kind of skill is it?"
"Uh, I don't know...?"
He stops. "You don't know what type of skill Ashur gave you..." He clarifiers. "You're quite stupid for a smart kid." He chuckles.
"Now that you mention it... It was kinda stupid huh."
"Apt. I'll talk you through the process." He motions for me to sit on the stump of the mountain ash. "It shouldn't be that difficult, considering you already accomplished the first stage of ascension, all without supervision and foreknowledge."
I do as he says. Sitting cross legged.
"Close your eyes, and release your mind. Let it sink into your being. Yes, just like I taught you."
I obey. Finding my center comes easier this time, like it was waiting for me to just reach out and take hold.
"Now, focus on the feeling you got when you received the technique. Every technique has a feel to it, an attitude if you will. Some burn with the desire for destruction, others the calm passion to heal, save a life..."
He spoke slowly, his voice calm. The timbre luring me into a relaxed state. I dredge up the memory --- it was ingrained in my soul. The pain hits me so hard It shattered my concentration.
It took a few seconds to get my bearings. I found myself on the dirt, back resting against the huge stump I was sitting on, sweat beading my brows. Kassia and Quan were peering down at me. One concerned the other amused.
Doesn't take a genius to know who was amused.
"What was that?" Quan inquired. "You were screaming like someone gut you and set your insides on fire." I get the feeling he wants to laugh.
"I don't know. It hurt like hell when I got the skill too. I felt it, brushed against it and the pain overwhelmed me..."
Seeing I'm okay, and not in any immediate danger, Quan bursts into an uproarious laugh. Earning a kick and the fish eye from his daughter.
"Do you feel up for another round of practice?" He eventually asked after the mirth dies down. I didn't mind, it made me happy actually. I don't think he has much to laugh about. If he finds my pain funny, then he's welcome to it.
"I'm willing to give it another go..." I say, not really looking forward to the pain but knowing there's no other way out than through.
And I really don't want the snake god to eat to my brain, parts or no. I must win this bet. Not bothering to get up, I reach for the tranquil state, allowing myself to let go and find my center again.
Again and again, the pain jolts me. I cry out and spams for a few seconds each time, then get back into it right after. It was torture, but I was determined.
I will win!
I think Quan approves. His tone has grown softer after each failure, offering me guidance. Kassia doesn't leave my side, wiping away sweat and dirt from my face and neck. Her touch was light and soft.
It felt nice. Forgive me, I digress.
I lost count of how many times I tried, and failed. It must've been about five hours of nonstop practice before I made progress.
Not because I suddenly got an inspiration or that the process got easier. It was pretty basic, actually. I just had to connect my core to the skill already residing in my soul then link it through the channels connecting to my core.
The problem? The pain was immense.
But I made progress, by getting used to the pain.
I began to endure it longer each time. Then I noticed my channels were getting wider and denser. Acclimating to the constant pressure I've been applying.
Quan was about to call for a break when I got the breakthrough I've been seeking. It was so sudden it startled me.
One moment I was pushing through the pain, it got weaker or I just got used to it --- I couldn't tell. The next moment the pain was gone. Before me floated a tiny black ball of pulsing Vita.
It was no bigger than an egg. I touched it with my consciousness, it flowed into me; spiraling down and finding a place in my one of my core. Of which one was a simmering bluish white, while the other was pitch black. Both orbiting each other.
The technique settled into the black core, it fit snugly. Like a piece of a puzzle snapping into place. I felt a draw in my spirit, and then an overly polite voice speaks.
"Oh dear, it seems I've lost our bet. Whatever will I do now?" It was snake that calls my soul home. It sounded anything but upset at losing the bet.
It dawns on me then; it played me, like this was the outcome it wanted. Even I can tell, our connection just got stronger, deeper. Because now I can talk telepathically freely with the dreadgod.
"Well done little one. You have proven yourself to the Ashur, I hereby grant the the freedom to call me Ash." Ash chuckles... "What progress you've made."
"What was that skill? And why was it so painful?" Replying telepathically was easier than thinking. I can keep a conversation going with multiple people, while talking to the annoying serpent simultaneously. It was pretty cool.
"Oh, that wasn't a skill. It was pure essence. My essence. With you consuming it we're more than just bonded now. We're a team, yay!"
I feel exasperated. "Are you always this annoying?" I reply.
"You okay, Heron? You look like you just bit into something sour." Quan says, looking at me cooling. "You're not screaming in pain, nor are you thrashing about like flaying drunk. I take it you succeeded..." It wasn't a question.
"I sure did. It wasn't even a skill, apparently." I say.
"What was it then?" He inquires.
"Ash called it his essence." I gauge Quan's reaction. He looked severe, I take it this was a big deal. "What does it mean, do you know?"
"My dear boy, an essence is essentially a free meal ticket! It gives you some abilities, perks or insight into the path of the creature you consumed it from."
I stare at him. Uncomprehending.
He explains further. "An essence is the records of a sacred beast, it holds power one can use to further their own path, consume for the pure Vita to boost an aspect of themselves; In mind, body or spirit. Essences are gotten from beings at the diamond stage of ascension and above. Anything lower only gives scattered fragments."
"Diamond stage?"
"Yes. Diamond stage! I should have told you about this sooner, okay so at the beginning you have the iron stage, then next comes the bronze stage, silver stage, gold, diamond. And that's where things get interesting. Past the diamond stage is the domain of gods."
"You mean like Ash?"
"Ashur Is something different entirely, but you could say that, considering your lack of understanding the world mechanics." He tosses me a bow and quiver. "Weapons training, we'll start with the bow."
I still had questions, a lot of them. But I knew I'd get no answers. Not right now. So I took the bow and practiced. For hours. Until my fingers bled.
By noon, I had come to a simple conclusion. I was a terrible shot!
Still I practiced. Frankly, I fell in love with the bow a few minutes after pulling the string. It was a short bow, made from a simple wood. I'm sure it was made with me in mind. It wasn't too difficult for me to practice with.
Quan suggested trying out other weapons, but I asked him to let me practice with this today. I kept at it. By late noon, there was marked improvements to my aim. I hit the target three out of ten times.
I was winding down for the day when it happened.
A huge explosion rocked the land. Pillars of fire stretching their smoky trails to the sky. It came from the direction of the village!