BDS: Chapter Eight

A ring of Zita-8s sat with their noses facing each other.

Gyan smiled as he sat behind the controls of one of the ships. He looked at the surrounding land that stretched as far as his eyes could see, hardly believing that the colors and details in the trees and plants weren't real. He made eye contact with Brogan, who lifted his hand in a small wave from the cockpit window of the ship next to Gyan's.

Brogan's voice entered the warriors' minds. Finally…we fly.

You mean we pretend to, said Lorcan from where he sat behind the controls of his ship.

It's the same, Lorcan, Hoshi stated. You know that our brains learn in the same manner whether it is a simulation or reality. Besides we get to take the real ships out soon.

Yeah, yeah…

Gyan brought his focus back to Fane's instruction, which carried through the communication system within each ship.

"Thanks to Gyasi Tomé's ideas, my engineering ability, and the knowledge of Order members, you will be able to use this training room for more than just flight simulation. There will be extensions added as we move forward. However, within this space alone, you will be able to simulate different battle locations and conditions. You will also practice against the fighting styles and behaviors of different species. So, use your time well. This room will save me a lot of unnecessary damage to my ships during training, so I am fond of it already. Now, we get started by getting familiar with the controls, and then we will get you in the air…"

"Gyasi has really upgraded his training design," Hoshi remarked later as the group entered the dining hall for a break. "The simulation room is amazingly detailed."

"I like how we will be able to alter scenarios and adjust to unexpected outcomes within the simulation too," added Valora.

"I'm just satisfied that I finally get to fly," said Brogan.

"What class do we have after we eat?" Jarek asked.

Hoshi rolled her eyes. "Honestly Jarek, I'll be surprised if you remember your assignment orders if you have to go alone somewhere."

"Of course I will." Jarek grinned as he gave Hoshi a light shove. "Until then, I have more important things to think about than schedules."

"We see Elder Master Nyhra, Master Asia, and Master Jabari in the simulation room for more training," answered Tarak.

"We only have a few more minutes, so we should hurry," Danika said as the group grabbed from the variety of bread, vegetables, and fruit before them on a long table. "Sir Malik wasn't kidding when he said, 'continued compact training.'"

"All of this training we have been exposed to the last several months is normally taught over an extended period," said Gyan. "I know we are skipping more information on other civilizations and such, but I think we are the first to have learned all of this in such a short amount of time."

"It's destiny," Jarek stated.

"I agree," replied Valora as they sat to eat. "It's no coincidence that Tarak was found at a specific time or that we are the group to incarnate during all of this. When I meditate or open my senses before training, I feel a denser, more powerful energy flowing than I had before…"

"…before Aderes's death," Gyan finished for her. "Me too."

The other warriors nodded in agreement.

"I think this is a critical turning point for events to come. Our core power must be expanding as a result."

Minutes later, Jabari retrieved the group from their meal, and the group returned to the training room. Gyan marveled at the size of the room in its original form as the group entered for the second time that day. The entire room was white, its enormous walls stretching high above them. A large glass window framed an elevated control station above them on the west wall.

The group exchanged bows with Nyhra and Asia as the two joined the team. Jabari signaled to the control room that they were ready. A deep hum reverberated around the room. A grid of red lights spread diagonally across the walls to form an open field of exotic flowers. A grove of trees aligned one side and mountains loomed in the distance. The melody of birds mixed with the soft chimes of the flowers as a warm breeze ruffled the warrior's hair and billowed through their cloaks.

"You can escape anything here," Hoshi whispered.

"Except outside danger," Brogan replied.

"And certain aspects of your training," added Jabari. "It would be unwise to use the simulations for all learning because you risk creating doubt in your ability. For example, if you were to learn Lumanthrú here, you may doubt that you could do it in the external world when needed because of your understanding that a simulation is just an illusion. That would be problematic considering the key to creating what you wish is…?"

"—belief," the team responded in unison.

"Good." Jabari smiled. "Now back to matters at hand. Elder Master Nyhra and I are going to guide you in opening your Reserve. Master Asia has volunteered to remain near to be available for assistance should you find the power of your Reserve overtaking you. After our session, you may return to your chambers to rest until the evening meal."

"We will need that long to recover, Master?" Danika asked.

"Only for the first couple of times," Jabari replied. "As with any new skill, once you get used to the flux of new energy within your body, you will be able to manage the heightened energy of your Reserve easier."

Nyhra stepped forward. "As Master Jabari briefly instructed you in Aikon, you all know that your Reserve is only to be opened from a balanced state of mind. This means that you must be authentically self-aware and reflective at all times. If you are not in a balanced state, do not attempt to convince yourself that you are and try to open your Reserve. Even in dire situations, you still must calm your emotions before you attempt to wield your core power."

"Elder Master Nyhra has just given you the most important step," added Jabari. "When your Reserve is first opened, it is easier to close off the influx of power if you realize you are too unbalanced or unfocused. However, once the power has gained momentum and is directed through your desire, it takes an enormous amount of control to shut it down, especially if you are unstable. If this occurs, then it is likely that you will need assistance as you witnessed in Aikon with Master Aderes."

The warriors nodded in understanding.

"Unsheathe your gladaés and we will begin," Nyhra instructed.

Gyan and the rest of the team pulled their swords from their sheaths and held their gladaés before them. At the touch of the hilt, the swords lit with the glow of its core.

"As you open your Reserve, your gladaé extends the power you unleash. Although you may open your Reserve without your gladaé available, your sword is useful as a guide for directing the energy you call forth."

Nyhra scanned the group. "When you are ready, take several moments to empty your mind until stillness settles within you and a balance of energy is achieved. The time it takes to do this will shorten the more you practice. Master Jabari will demonstrate as I guide you, so open your minds for internal communication."

Master Jabari nodded in confirmation and unsheathed his gladaé. He closed his eyes and began to breathe steadily. The warriors mimicked his actions.

Gyan willed his mind to go blank as his breath deepened. Images of Jalena flashed through his thoughts, but he reaffirmed his intent to center his energy until his thoughts went blank, and his energy settled.

Now, feel the awareness of the immense and abundant power you have within, then see that core light expand outward from you, Nyhra instructed.

Gyan reached for the power within him. White light sparked and spread through his mind.

Let the light fill you slowly, then open your eyes and allow it to flow through you, Nyhra continued. It is similar to what you experience before you release the Lumfáinne. However, the rush of light will expand more slowly than when building up power to form the Lumfáinne. Although the power is from the same source, you will feel the difference in magnitude.

A surge of heat began to swirl in Gyan's abdomen. A sensation of great power and knowledge filled him and extended to his sword. The golden glow of his sword spread dramatically. He allowed the power to expand fully within him and then opened his eyes. Blue-white light filled his vision. The brown of his irises shone and swirled as it blended with the light.

Details of the room sharpened before him. He could see beyond the matter within the room, as his core power automatically invoked Relasu. A warm sensation slid across his skin as gold light outlined a diamond-shaped marking and spiral on his forehead. The light crossed between his eyes and extended to his jawline, continued down both arms, over the top of Gyan's skull, and down his back. Another marking from the lower point of the diamond moved down the bridge of his nose, across his lips, and front of his chin then continued down his chest to his stomach.

As his markings formed, Gyan felt his core power course through him in waves. The pressure of power and light intensified until it threatened to swallow him. An enormous sense of relief and freedom filled Gyan as he pondered stepping fully into the light. He struggled with balancing the desire to release himself into the light when Nyhra's voice entered his mind again.

Control the power with your breath and hold yourself within the sensation of stability. Your only goal in this moment is to experience the power and balance it within you.She watched the group intently as they worked to balance the energy. Good, she stated in approval.

The warriors' expressions were focused and determined; their glowing markings reflected the same color of their gladaés.

Gyan breathed deeply and instinctively grounded his energy, willing the enormous power within him to remain at bay. As he steadied the power, he felt it soften in intensity and stream through him in gentle pulses as if waiting to be directed, much like the energy the warriors controlled while practicing Lumanthrú.

You must release her, a voice in his mind said. Only then will you find her fully.

An image of Jalena holding Gyan's gladaé appeared in his mind. Gyan immediately shook the thought away.

Begin to close your Reserve by pulling away from the light, said Nyhra. Do it slowly and steadily.

The warriors obeyed Nyhra's direction.

As the last of his markings disappeared and the light faded back to a spark in Gyan's mind, dizziness overtook him. He closed his eyes.

"Breathe deeply to steady your balance," Jabari instructed.

Brogan and Lorcan dropped to one knee as the fatigue set in. Gyan rested his hands on both knees and took deep breaths until his mind cleared.

"Now, what you experienced was just the beginning and middle stages of opening your Reserve," Jabari explained.

"There is more?" asked Lorcan.

Jabari nodded. "When you open your Reserve fully, circles of light will appear at convergent points along your body to connect the power lines. They will center on your head, stomach, back, hands, and feet. When the circles appear, it means that your core power has surfaced fully and has sealed with your intent."

"Sealed?" Jarek asked.

"Yes. Just before the seal occurs, you will observe multiple paths that lead you to acquire a solution for what lies within your heart. Then, after a decision for one path is made—meaning you make a choice—the seals set, and events move in the direction of your desire."

"With that being said, the thoughts and images that are revealed to you when you open your Reserve are for you alone," Jabari continued. "If relevant, your Reserve will grant you guidance at the time it is meant to. If you did not hear any voice, then that means there is no essential guidance needed at that time.

"Guidance from your Reserve provides answers to your desires even if it does not make sense or appears paradoxical in nature. What is heard is the path most relevant from the position you stand in now. If a solution or warning appears within the voice of your Reserve and it is ignored, you risk creating a series of unwanted events. However, as you choose, another solution will always form with each new decision that you make. Your Reserve carries all of these answers as you continually move along your path."

"If the seal sets, does that mean you have chosen a path that returns you to your core—your death?" asked Danika.

"Only if that is required for the path you have chosen," Nyhra answered.

Gyan slowly straightened and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Do you believe that Aderes betrayed the vision of his Reserve, Master Jabari?"

Jabari's gaze softened as he met Gyan's stare. "Yes, Master Gyan. At least, in part. I feel the steps he took to free Lesiana were true to what his Reserve voiced. However, your Reserve will not reveal a path that leads to the end of your life unless it means merging back into your core, because it always seeks all other alternative solutions first. Master Aderes did not do this, because we would have experienced a shared vision of him returning to his core upon his departure. Therefore, I believe his death was a result of imbalanced emotion that rose from his situation and not that of internal wisdom."

Gyan nodded thoughtfully, trying to maintain the uneasiness he felt about the instruction of his core. He wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable more because of the resonation of truth he felt when hearing the information about Jalena, or if it was because of the type of advice given. To let Jalena go was too unbearable to even consider. Even more so, he didn't know how he was supposed to let her go now that he knew he was her Shanlo, though he had no clue what that meant exactly.

"You may return to your chambers to rest now," Jabari said. "Join me here again after your evening meal to practice sparring."

Nyhra, Jabari, and Asia bowed to the group. The warriors returned the bow as quickly as their fatigue would allow and exited the simulation room in silence, each pondering the mysterious guidance of their Reserve.