BDS: Chapter Fifteen

Gyan and the other masters returned to their chambers to change into their formal robes. Upon Tarak's insistence, Gyan decided to abandon the room he once shared with Aderes and moved in with Tarak. Tarak talked even less than Aderes had before the end of his life, but Gyan found Tarak's energy extremely stable, which provided a comforting atmosphere.

The group joined the elder masters in the Thesarei and engaged in small talk until Malik entered the room followed by a thin, blue-haired man with yellow eyes. Gyan stared at the man in curiosity noting how the man carried himself with a formal air, but seemed more relaxed rather than intimidated by Malik. This surprised Gyan as there were not many outside the Order who were comfortable in Malik's presence.

The group gathered around the council table and recited the light warrior philosophy.

"As above, so below…as within, so without…as the universe, so the soul."

"I wish to introduce Sir Kesól," Malik stated after the group had seated.

Kesól bowed formally to the group before sitting next to Malik. "He is a warlock of the Krystalian tribe from the Glowing Isles of Tridaun. But, more importantly, he is a dear friend that I lost long ago and have happily reunited with once more."

Kesól put a hand on Malik's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. "As I am, old friend," he answered in a smooth accented voice.

The elder masters looked impressed. "The Krystalians are legendary, known for their peaceful hearts and amplified power," stated Syam. "Based on the records revealing your tribe's disappearance, you must be the only of your kind left, Sir Kesól."

Kesól nodded. "As far as I know, Elder Master. I am here now to be of service to the Order in any way I can. I am indebted to Sir Malik for the kindness he has shown me on more than one occasion." As he finished his statement, he met Gyan's eye.

A warm feeling spread through Gyan, which made him even more curious about the warlock and Malik's relationship. He forced his attention back to Malik, who had just confirmed that the Order had both the support of the Alpherians and the Mandopa.

"There is still no activity from Mordán," said Zareb, "which means he likely is involved in affairs he should not be."

"Marcile, who I assigned to assist our spies in keeping a close watch on Mordán's country home in Sulta, has not seen Mordán or his advisors for some time," Malik said. "While at our meeting in Tridaun, Lord Aeolus's security encountered a Sentian ship entering Suál's atmosphere. This ship was suspicious in that it held no cargo. Lord Aeolus scouted the ship's path into Rastar but recently reported that he found nothing. However, it is possible that Mordán was on another ship traveling to Suál to employ the Avehkal."

"It is unlikely that the Avehkal would assist Mordán in betraying the Alliance," stated Syam, "at least, not with the lingering threat of Lord Aeolus's punishment."

"He may seek to assist him, given his potential reward," Malik said softly. He sighed. "Long ago, the elders of the Mysteis established a defense system if ever any of the races on Elsaria became obsessed with their desire to control or dominate others. So, they secretly researched and discovered methods that would neutralize the powers of any race advanced in energy manipulation. This knowledge was recorded in a book entitled, The Fallen. The elders believed it was best for the book to be hidden away from Elsaria in case members of our own race turned corrupt and learned of its existence. They employed me to travel to Tridaun in search of the Krystalians. It was then that I found Kesól. The elders agreed that he was to be the one to entrust the book to."

"While on Tridaun, many Mysteis sought me out as a teacher," Kesól said. "After the wars, I saw no additional Mysteis until one arrived alongside my other students. After speaking with Sir Malik, I know now that it was Akila. Not knowing who she was, I shared the same teachings I do with all Mysteis. Soon after our brief time together, I lost possession of the book due to circumstances beyond my control."

"The book could have only been discovered by a Mysteis," Malik finished.

"How is The Fallen of any benefit to the Avehkal?" Cahira asked.

"In the binds of the book, there is a map to the Hidden Realms, which is where the Avehkal once resided before they were banished from their home. Currently, the Avehkal are only allowed to roam inside of Rastar—a dark and desolate area on Suál. There is nothing the leader of the Avehkal, Ralian, wants more than to return to his home. If Akila discovered the map, she would use it to tempt the Avehkal to assist him with his desire to control Elsaria."

"This is grave news, indeed," Syam said. "The Avehkal are very cunning."

Malik nodded. "Priestess Ayuvana needs to be informed immediately so that the Inala can prepare."

"I will report to her," Asia stated as she stood. She nodded to Cahira who stood and disappeared with her into a side room.

Jabari's eyes narrowed. "What does The Fallencontain on the light warriors, Sir Malik?"

Malik dropped his gaze. "It contains the blueprint for a weapon meant to neutralize the power of a warrior. It can stop the Lumfáinne from forming if ignited just as light energy is emitted around the circle and may even kill a warrior if caught for very long in the frequency stream."

The warriors exchanged alarmed looks.

"The complexity of the weapon also gives me more reason to believe that Mordán would seek out the help of the Avehkal. Akila is intelligent, but she is not an engineer. They would need someone capable of building such a weapon and the formula would be too complex for most. Ralian, the leader of the Avehkal, is the only one other than an Inala I believe to be capable of building it."

"Why have you not told us of the weapon before?" Jabari asked.

The soft glow of Malik's skin dimmed. "Because I gave the Mysteis researchers the final components to the formula," he said quietly, "and until now, I thought the book lost along with Kesól."

No one spoke for several moments. When Malik continued his voice sounded haunted.

"The formula for the weapon was discovered long before I allied with the Order. Before any of you question my alliance, know that I have never given you reason to doubt my loyalty. Do not forget that it was I who shared knowledge of the Mysteis with the light warriors long before your time." He dropped his gaze. "However, I wish now that I had destroyed the book long ago. I never thought it would fall into the hands of someone who may possess the ability to decipher the runes of Alendrial."

"Sir Malik we do not doubt you," Syam said. "The Mysteis, just as any race, have every right to seek means to protect their own people. We simply must trust that there is a way to surpass this weapon…" he looked at the new masters, "…which means that you all must become very comfortable with opening your Reserve. It may be the only way to block the effects of such a weapon."

Shamira shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she caught Jalena's eye.

"Which reminds me that I have some teaching to catch up on," Malik said as his skin returned to its normal brightness. He looked at Gyan and the others. "So, if you will follow me, Masters, there is more we must discuss before you are thrown unwillingly into another battle."

The team stood and bowed to the others. They followed Malik and Kesól out of the council room and into the glass elevator.

"Are we going to the simulation room, Sir Malik?" Jarek asked.

"No, we are going to my classroom," Malik replied as the elevator carried the group lower into the mountain, past the kitchen floor.

The masters smiled as the elevator door opened. A set of stone steps led downward directly to a wooden door.

"Despite the comforts of modern technology, I had grown rather fond of my old classroom at the Celestine Temple, so I had it rebuilt here."

"This looks exactly the same!" Hoshi said.

Gyan hurriedly rushed down the steps in front of the others. He gave the wooden door to the classroom a hard shove and smiled when it did not budge. "It still sticks," he said. He jammed his shoulder into the door, and it flew open.

The group murmured excitedly as they entered the room and saw that the inside also replicated Malik's old classroom, complete with the Mensa Elab Libran resting in its place on a long table near the back of the room.

"Is this an illusion, Sir Malik?" Gyan asked. "All of this couldn't have survived the fire. I was in your classroom as it burned, remember?"

"All my possessions carry within them a charm of survival," Malik replied. "The charm ignites around the object when one attempts to destroy it. Other than the destruction of most of the furniture, what you witnessed in my classroom was only the fire surrounding the objects, Master Gyan."

Gyan made his way to the back of the room where the series of paintings depicting the Damsé Esprimiente hung on the wall. He was drawn to the paintings when he first saw them in Malik's old classroom and just as before, he was drawn to them now.

He touched the edge of one painting. The first portrait was an abstract image of a single person surrounded by light. In the next, two figures appeared to be dancing in colorful light. The next image depicted the two dancers closer together with the light expanding even further around them. The final painting displayed one figure again with the surrounding light expanded to the edges of the painting.

Gyan studied the painting for several more minutes while his classmates chattered around him. His eyes widened as a thought came to him. When he turned, he found Kesól watching him closely.

He gave Kesól a small smile before addressing Malik. "Sir Malik, are the Damsé and merging connected somehow? Is that what this series of portraits reveal?"

Malik chuckled. "Very good, Master Gyan. I expected you to eventually make the connection."

"What's merging?" asked Brogan as the room quietened.

"Shhh, Brogan," Hoshi said.

Malik approached Gyan, a curious expression in his gaze. "So, Master Gyan, you have discovered what merging is by studying the story of the twin sisters from a distant land or have you learned about it in some other way?"

Gyan shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how much he wanted to reveal about his experience when jumping the falls with Jalena.

"There is nothing unusual about the ability to or the desire to merge," Malik continued as he stopped before Gyan and peered at him closely. "In fact, it shows enormous advancement… Mmm…" he scratched his bearded chin, "…especially in your case."

"Master Jalena," Gyan cleared his throat, "might have mentioned that I opened myself up to merge or something like that."

"Good," Malik whispered. He turned sharply and strode back to the front of the room. "Everyone grab a seat!"

The warriors scrambled to a chair. Jarek pushed Hoshi out of the way to sit next to Lorcan. "Jarek!" He doubled over as Hoshi turned and kneed him in the thigh. He grabbed his leg and groaned before falling into a chair between Lorcan and Brogan. Hoshi flipped her hair over her shoulder and plopped in the chair next to Gyan.

Good one, Gyan told her.

She grinned.

"I like that you are keeping this room the same, Sir Malik," Danika said as the warriors settled. "It's like we have a part of the temple with us."

Several warriors murmured their agreements.

"A little familiarity can be comforting in times of great change," Malik stated.

Gyan noted a flash of sadness in Malik's gaze. He wasn't the only one who caught it. With a quick glance, he saw Kesól's eyes narrow as he studied Malik from the corner of the room.

"Gyan opened our discussion with the reason we are here," Malik continued, "which is to learn about merging."

"What is it, exactly?" Brogan asked again.

"It is the process of opening one's soul and joining with another to gain the maximum amount of power one could obtain in a single form."

"Thank goodness," Brogan said. "I was beginning to wonder if it was some type of secret lover magic that I would never experience."

"And why would that prevent you from experiencing it?" asked Valora, one eyebrow raised.

"Because I'm never falling in love."

Valora laughed. "Yeah, right."

"You don't want to fall in love, Brogan?" Hoshi asked.

"Nah… I just can't. Too tough, I guess." He glanced at Gyan. "No offense to any of you that can."

"You're full of it," Jarek said as he shoved Brogan in the shoulder.

Brogan grinned. "Has never happened and never will."

Malik cleared his throat. "Although you do not have to be in love to merge, you must completely open yourself to the concept of love."

"Aw, well, there goes that," Brogan said as he hit his knees with his palms.

"Not romantic love, Master Brogan," Malik corrected. "But, a love that surpasses romance and yet encompasses all things. This type of love involves the elements and creatures of nature, your family, friends, lovers, and yourself. If you have felt a fraction of any type of the love I just mentioned, then you have only experienced a small dose of the love that occurs when you open your soul to merge."

Brogan turned to look at Gyan. "And you have done this?"

Gyan reddened.

"It's like Priestess Ayuvana said about your superpower being love," Jarek said.

Gyan scowled. "Shut it."

"But really, we all know it is because Master Jalena makes him forget his edge…like Aderes said," Jarek continued.

Several of the warriors chuckled but immediately became somber as thoughts of Aderes swirled through the minds of those in the room.

From the back of the room, Kesól's eyes lit with a yellow glow. He spread his fingers wide, his palms up before him. Golden light formed in the middle of both hands and spread through each finger. The light continued to extend above the warriors. Glittering, gold sparkles showered over the team. Hoshi began to giggle. Soon after, the other girls joined her. Brogan suddenly burst out laughing, causing the entire group to double over in laughter.

Malik smiled. He raised his eyebrows at Kesól after several moments. "Shall we continue?"

Kesól smiled in response and stopped the magic. The group looked around in wonder as the urge to laugh subsided.

"The lighthearted feeling you just experienced is a compliment from our friend, Sir Kesól," Malik explained.

"I was simply attempting to lighten the mood," said Kesól innocently.

"Or perhaps gain favor," Malik added.

"I know not what you mean," replied Kesól.

"That was great," said Hoshi with a lingering smile. "What magic was that?"

"Another time perhaps, Master Hoshi," Kesól replied with a gleam in his eye. "I wish to hear Sir Malik's secrets about how I can obtain maximum power by merging through love."

Malik smiled at the group. "Why is it that we teach you the Damsé Esprimiente?"

"To increase energetic flexibility in adapting to our partner's energy or rather, in the case of battle, our opponent's," Gyan said.

"Good. Why else?"

"To practice using senses other than sight to tell what a partner or opponent is doing," Valora said.

"Exactly. How does balancing the feminine and masculine energy inside of you influence your success at the Damsé?"

"The more balanced you are, the more adaptable you become when facing an opponent's energy," Jarek stated.

"Very good, Master Jarek."

"Closet nerd," Brogan whispered in his ear. He chuckled as Jarek elbowed him in the ribs.

"It is the same when you're attempting to merge," stated Malik. "The more balanced you are internally, the easier it is to open yourself up to achieving your greatest power, which carries love at its core. Therefore, Master Brogan, to open yourself to love is reflective of more power, not less. It is indeed the bravest thing one can do."

Brogan scowled as Gyan smacked his shoulder. "How's that for edge?"

The team laughed.

"So, Sir Malik, you're saying that because Gyan's masculine and feminine energy is balanced within him, it is easier for him to merge with another?" Valora asked.

"It is only from a state of balance or alignment between the energies that you can merge at all," Malik replied with a nod. "If your internal energy or that of your partner is imbalanced, you will not be able to join as one."

Gyan immediately thought of Jalena. "So, what if both partners are balanced energetically, but one is unwilling? Won't that halt the process?"

"Of course," Malik said. "Not only must both be internally balanced, the desire to merge and the belief that you can do so must be equal between the two. It is an act of absolute vulnerability to share the entirety of who you are to chance greater gain." He gazed at the team with a glint. "What have we learned about the key to gaining power?"

"That it lies in the act of yielding," Tarak said.

"Indeed, Master Tarak. You have learned that yielding is the key to all mastery. You must yield the bounds of reality to see more information with Relasu and create what you wish with Lumanthrú. You must yield your defense to your opponent's attacks in Chiséi and then redirect their energy against them. You must yield what is seen with your eyes to tune in energetically to the moves of your partner in the Damsé.

"In order to maximize power, we yield to what appears before us so that we can grasp what is beyond perceived reality. It is the same for merging. To merge with another, you must yield to the idea that you are not separate from your partner or from the love that surrounds you. When you yield your belief of separation and your partner joins this perception, you can merge if all necessary components align."

Gyan wondered how Jalena felt as she saw him open his energy fully. "What do you appear like to others when you reach a state of merging?"

"As you yield to the concept that you are one with all, you begin to open a portal of transformation at your core. A white aura expands around you and begins to pull you and your partner together. Then, a rainbow of light appears at your navel and spirals outward, spreading color into your aura. This same light swirls in your sight as it draws your partner to you. As your partner's portal of transformation opens, all physical and energetic components that you hold within your being combine into one body. In a sense, Lumanthrú or the alchemy of a powerful warrior manifests."

"This is the coolest thing I've ever learned," said Jarek.

"And the body, Sir Malik?" asked Valora. "What does it change to?"

"That depends on the unique characteristics of the two merging. There is not a specific physical form that appears, other than the colorful halo of light that settles in the eyes. Height generally increases and the physical power of a merged warrior multiplies, but the physical features of merged partners can vary depending on the situation. The power that each warrior possesses exists at its highest level within one form."

Jarek grabbed Hoshi's hand. "Let's merge, Hoshi."

She jerked her hand back and pushed him away. "No way. Merge with Lorcan."

"I don't want to merge," Lorcan replied quickly. He grabbed his chest. "It sounds...like you're coming undone—like it's opening up your body for everything to fall out."

"Well, you're both missing out," replied Jarek. "With me, we would be the ultimate weapon."

"I can assure you that all body parts remain intact, Master Lorcan," Malik said with an amused look. "Merging is a transformation that occurs through will and power beyond the limitations of the physical. Therefore, the physical is certain to cooperate when all components are aligned, or the transformation would not take place at all."

Lorcan rubbed his chest, still looking unconvinced.

"Sir Malik, what warriors have merged before?" asked Danika.

"To my knowledge, merging has occurred at two different times in history," Malik responded. "One was when Kya of the high priestesses merged with a light warrior named Aku to save the people of Alsar from being overrun by the Vaznaun. At that time, the Vaznaun had grown rapidly in population and sought to steal territory in Alsar. This story is very well known. You would have learned of it had you read the story of the twin high priestesses and their association with Yevani," he finished, giving Gyan a pointed look.

"A warrior merged with a high priestess?" Valora asked.

"It was before Kya became a high priestess," Malik explained. "Kya and Nysa, the twin sisters, traveled from a distant land to Yevani. After falling in love with Aku, Kya wished to remain on Elsaria, so the two settled in Alsar. When they merged to save the citizens from the Dark Sector Vaznaun, fear lessened in the hearts of people, and peace spread throughout Alsar. The Order then strengthened more in power when I arrived to share the knowledge of the Mysteis. Upon their death, Kya and Nysa became the high priestesses who served to watch over the Vejar star system. Affera joined the other two after her lifetime on Elsaria."

"So, you do not have to be a light warrior to merge?" Hoshi asked.

"Correct, Master Hoshi. The power of two who merge will differ in degree depending on individual power, but there is no restriction when it comes to who it is with. Only the will and balance of energy between the two will matter."

"And the other pair that merged?" Gyan asked.

"Master Leyse and Elder Master Syam. The elder master carried the title of master at the time. When they were younger, the two merged to save an entire village from being slaughtered by members of the Dark Sector Vaznaun…before Kar's time. Only a handful of Vaznaun escaped and not without injury. The Dark Sector has remained dormant since that time."

"How do we practice merging?" Jarek asked.

"Through preparation. Balancing energy and mastering the process of yielding while practicing your other forms is how you prepare yourself, should the will to do so ever arise. However, you must remember that the act of merging seals an energetic bond between the partners at the soul level, which amplifies any bond already in existence. It is not a process you exchange nonchalantly or without careful consideration of what it means for the bonded union will remain for a lifetime."

Thinking of Elder Master Syam and Jalena's mother, Gyan looked at Malik curiously. "If a merging partner has died, Sir Malik, is their absence harder on the partner—I mean more difficult for a partner to heal from since the bond is amplified?"

"Regretfully, yes, Master Gyan. That is why many do not seek to merge at all."

Gyan now understood more why Jalena hesitated in forming intimate bonds. Seeing her father go through the agony of living life without his merging partner must have been difficult. Despite this, another part of him felt heightened in hearing the knowledge Malik shared. Knowing that he already carried the proper balance of masculine and feminine energy and that he possessed the ability to release any thought of separation made him feel better about his abilities as a warrior.

As his mind slipped once more to thoughts of merging with Jalena, panic gripped his chest. Gyan's eyes widened as a violet flash filled his gaze. The wave of sudden desire to go to Jalena surfaced stronger than what he had experienced before.

He bent over in his chair and tried to steady his breath as sweat broke out on his forehead. It took every ounce of control he had not to bolt from the classroom. He was generally alone when the urge consumed him because the pattern up until now had been consistent, but this attack seemed to come out of nowhere. Pain burst through his head as he attempted to suppress the urge to go find Jalena. No, not now…

He glanced up and saw Valora watching him closely with a concerned expression. He closed his eyes as the pulsing pain in his mind increased and the room blurred. A clear, accented voice suddenly pushed into his thoughts.

Focus, Master Gyan, by imagining the pain traveling in a spiral away from you. If you try to halt it entirely, it will push back in equivalent strength. Yield to the pressure and control the wave of it. It will decrease in small amounts as it moves away from you…and breathe through it.

Gyan did as the voice commanded. His heart rate decreased, and the room came back into focus. He sat up straight and gave Valora a reassuring nod, then glanced back at Kesól, realizing that it was his voice he had just heard. How did you know?

I, too, am a Shanlo, Kesól replied. Part of the reason I am here is to help you master the burden. What took me years to learn will only take you a short amount of time, however. While the others spend this afternoon in the simulation room, meet me at the grove of trees near the cliffs, and we will begin a new training of our own.

A small smile of relief unrelated to anything the other warriors were discussing appeared on Gyan's face. Thank you.

Kesól stood and placed a hand on Gyan's shoulder. He gave the others a small wave and exited the classroom.