TBC: Chapter Eleven

"Sir Malik's lost it," Jarek said as the masters returned to the domusé for the midday meal.

"I'm sure he had a good reason for what he did," Hoshi replied. "Who would kill any of their own family, otherwise?"

"A crazy wizard," mumbled Jarek.

"I agree with Hoshi," said Gyan. "I don't believe Sir Malik is capable of such a thing unless there was no other way."

"None of you remember the name Nemerus?" Valora asked.

The warriors shook their heads.

"I was always fascinated by the Mysteis race when I was younger, so I spent hours in the temple library searching for information about them but couldn't find much. The only information I found was in books that told of legends across the planet or in children's stories. In our studies on the history of the planet, Nemerus's name is only mentioned once. He was one of the commanders of the Mysteis during the war."

"Sir Malik said that he led a resistance against many people of his own race," Lorcan said. "Nemerus must have been on the other side."

"It would be horrible fighting against your own family," Hoshi stated.

The warriors became silent again as they piled into the domusé and graciously attacked the warm food that awaited them on the dining table.

"It's nice to know more about the charisma of the elder masters," Danika said between bites.

"Did you hear Sir Malik when he called Elder Master Nyhra a Seyn?" Valora asked.

"Isn't that one who can foretell another's future?" asked Gyan.

Valora and Brogan nodded.

"Like Jarek," Lorcan said.

"No. This is different," Valora stated. "A Seyn can look at a person and read their future or see their life path. Jarek receives visions of events, but his charisma may develop to where he can see information about others. I don't know."

Jarek grinned. "No one knows the feats I'm capable of."

"Yes, we do," Lorcan said. "We hear the range of noises you make while you sleep at night."

The entire room burst out laughing as Jarek pushed Lorcan and kneed him in the thigh.

"I wonder why the elder masters are all worried about another world war," Lorcan said as he pushed Jarek back.

"Because Akila is from Malik's line—the most powerful of the star wizards and all that," Brogan said.

"Told you wizards were trouble," Jarek responded.

"The war began in Eltia, but all the planets in the Vejar star system had to get involved before it ended," said Gyan. "That's another reason the elder masters are worried. The star wizards weren't the only race that suffered."

"The wars resulted in the leaders of the planets forming the Alliance of Fabor," added Valora. "So, I think the Order is more prepared now than they were before."

"What's the Alliance of Fabor?" Jarek asked.

Valora cast Jarek a reprimanding look. "Jarek, how are you still a part of the Order with knowing so little about it after all this time?"

Jarek grinned. "Because I'm an asset that focuses on other important stuff."

Valora rolled her eyes. "The Alliance of Fabor was formed from the respected leaders of the planets within the Vejar star system—Tridaun, Suál, and Elsaria. The leaders swore an oath that any action taken that could influence the stability of any other planet would be met with approval by all within the alliance. They also swore allegiance of aid to each other in case one of the planets was ever threatened to be destroyed."

Brogan put a large hand on Jarek's head. "You should read more, Jarek."

"I hate reading," he grumbled.

"And I hate dancing," Lorcan added. "So, hopefully in our next phase of training with Master Jabari, there will be none at all."

A short time later, the new masters stood once more on the field next to the temple in their new black uniforms. The uniforms were given to replace their old training gear. Master Jabari had informed the warriors that they were to be prepared to go on assignment at a moment's notice due to the latest events, so the uniforms they had received as sans were stored away.

"It is highly important from now on that you remain focused on your purpose as a warrior so that the bond of your team is not disrupted," Jabari said as he paced in front of the new masters. "You are very strong as a team, but due to recent events, you have not been granted the time to develop your gifts fully as other warrior teams in the past. However, because of current circumstances, your training will be compacted in the next several months. How fast you acclimate to this accelerated training is still dependent upon how quickly you internalize and practice the knowledge I share with you. What is in our favor is that awareness occurs on many levels, so you may not be aware that you are already aware and that will help you rise to the occasion."

Jarek cast a confused look at Lorcan, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

Gyan smiled at Jabari's attempt to spark their thoughts. His teaching style satisfied Gyan's nostalgia for the familiarity of their old training routines.

"As you have already learned theoretically and practically, believing that you can see more before you can see it is what allows you access to information on many levels of awareness," Jabari continued. He walked over to the bags that held the warriors' training gear and pulled out a blindfold. "Master Jarek, join me please."

Jarek took his place beside Jabari, and Jabari tied the blindfold around Jarek's eyes. "We are consciously aware of what we observe because of our sight. However, if sight is removed you will still be alert to many things in your environment because awareness is also occurring through other sensory means, both physically and beyond. You have practiced meditation, opening your senses, and the Damsé; so, this concept is familiar to you." He turned to Jarek. "Okay, Master Jarek, attack me by feeling for me physically, but do not open your senses yet."

Jabari quickly dodged when Jarek lunged for him. Jarek slowed his movements and continued to launch more strikes in Jabari's direction, but failed to reach him.

"Okay, pause for now." Jabari turned back to the group. "The more data you receive from all levels, as you have learned, the clearer you are about what is occurring before you and the better your ability to decide what to do in response. That is why we practice the art of using other senses beyond sight. Otherwise, we become too reliant upon it and can be easily fooled. In combat, you may falsely assume one is about to strike you with a specific maneuver if you are relying on data solely received through your vision. However, if all senses are awakened, you understand that what you are observing through sight is only one form of data and may be deceiving."

He faced Jarek again. "Now, exhale and open your other senses, Master Jarek. Then, attack me again."

Jarek obeyed Jabari's request and succeeded in keeping up with the master as he maneuvered around the chinálei.

"Okay, very good," Jabari said. "You can rejoin your team."

Jarek removed the blindfold and bowed before he took his place beside the others.

"As you have just witnessed, the difference between using all senses to interpret your environment and only your sight is enormous. Therefore, you must release your observations to see something more. Now, we will take this concept further as we discuss yielding.

"The idea of yielding is rooted in all that we teach regarding the training of unity of thought and sensory perception. Just as you must yield the judgment of what you observe to open to other available information that would otherwise go unnoted, you must also learn to yield to energy."

Jabari paused and gave Jalena a small nod as she joined the group.

"You must learn to yield to energy so that you achieve the balance and leverage that you desire in both life and on the field. There is a stream of energy in all things and yielding to it gains you more fluidity and synchronicity than not.

"As I have demonstrated before, pushing against an opposing force, although instinctive in some cases, will always cause you to receive the exact measure of resistance that you exert. This way of combat is effective only if you can overpower or outmaneuver your opponent. Regardless, you utilize a great amount of your own energy in the process and exhaust stored resources. In all cases, the path of least resistance, which moves with the flow of energy, is what you should seek to align with to gain the advantage. Yielding should be your dominant intent so that there is little interference in reaching your goal. To demonstrate the power and leverage that you can gain from yielding, today you will all spar Master Jalena."

The expression on the masters' faces quickly changed from interest to concern. Some of the warriors shifted uncomfortably.

"I thought we were supposed to do the Damsé, Master?" Lorcan said with a trace of disappointment, clearly in favor of practicing the dance over having to spar Jalena.

Jabari smiled. "Not to worry, Master Lorcan. This is all connected to the Damsé."

Jalena took her place before the warriors beside Jabari.

"Master Jalena is the best in the Order in the art that is most dominant in yielding. It is one reason she is our most skilled in hand-to-hand combat. The form she is going to demonstrate for you is one reserved for your master training. It is called Chiséi. While you are sparring, you may use whatever techniques or maneuvers you have learned up until this moment. Master Jalena is only to use Chiséi."

"Are we allowed to use weapons, Master?" Hoshi asked.

"Yes."

"And she isn't?"

"She will not."

Hoshi smiled. Jarek nudged Lorcan, who still looked unconvinced.

Although the other light warriors looked more confident, Gyan thought Lorcan was right to remain skeptical of the idea that using weapons would be an advantage when sparring Jalena. He watched Jalena's expression for any sign of apprehension in taking them all on one at a time. Her face remained unreadable. Even so, if Jalena could effectively utilize one form against all others, including weapons without having one herself, then Gyan thought it best to reserve his confidence until he had seen more of the art form she would be using.

"Are we allowed to use our charismas, Master?" Lorcan asked.

"Anything…So, who's first?"

No one spoke for several moments.

"I'll go," Tarak said.

Jabari gave Tarak a nod, and Tarak took his place, facing Jalena.

"There are many elements of Chiséi in other styles you have practiced over time, so some of the movements Master Jalena demonstrates will seem familiar to you. Knowing the principle behind any art is the key to maximizing its effect. Yielding, as I just mentioned, is the most important principle of Chiséi. The other is flow. You are to go with the flow of energy and redirect it rather than oppose it outright.

"Although these two concepts are based on ease and gentleness, the power of their utilization is revealed in the results they produce. They also can be applied to every one of your abilities as warriors. For example, going with the flow of the Lumfáinne makes the energy easier to guide."

Jabari moved back to give Tarak and Jalena room. The two bowed to each other and took their desired stances.

Out of all on their team, Tarak was the warrior who had worked with Jalena the most. She had given him private lessons after the warriors discovered his existence in Feyla Forest to help him advance more quickly in his training.

As the two sparred, Gyan noted that Jalena's actions were subtle. Her sight was narrow and sharp as if she was studying every one of Tarak's moves. She only moved when it was necessary to avoid his blows. Her steps were circular and fluid, moving into the energy rather than away from it.

It was not long before Tarak began to tire. In not being able to land a strike on Jalena, he resorted to using his charisma, which was the ability to move objects by redirecting the energy around them. As if she knew what he was going to do, Jalena quickly lessened the gap between her and Tarak as he extended his arms to direct his charisma. Her move made it more difficult for him to grasp her surrounding energy and forced him into a defensive mode.

Jalena's advantage resulted in easily delivering several blows that threw Tarak off balance and caused him to fall backward to the ground. Taking advantage of the newly gained distance, Tarak reached out his left hand to telekinetically pull Jalena to him. Jalena spun to avoid his hold, but Tarak succeeded in quickly yanking her closer.

To the warriors' surprise, Jalena did not fight Tarak's hold but yielded to it. This created an unexpected rush of energy at Tarak, which threw him off balance. He struggled to keep his energetic hold on her as she flew toward him. At the same moment, he attempted to throw a strike to her right shoulder. Taking advantage of the shift in his focus, she easily dodged his strike and spun into him, catching the left side of his jaw with her elbow.

Tarak stumbled off the chinálei.

Not appearing fatigued in the slightest, Jalena stood calm and ready in case Tarak advanced again. Breathing heavily, he bowed to her. She relaxed her stance and returned his bow.

"Good, Master Tarak," Jalena said. "Remember, to utilize the full power of your charisma or another move, you cannot split your focus. When you shifted your focus from your charisma to the last strike, the energy you were using to hold me weakened. Split energy gives your opponent the advantage if they are astute. You must choose between one or the other as to where you want most of your energy to go. Then direct your energy upon your main choice as much as possible, while remaining aware of your opponent's moves. With practice, switching focus will become easier when the use of your charisma is more automated within you."

Tarak nodded in understanding.

Jabari looked at the group. "Excellent, Master Tarak…Who's next?"

One after the other, the rest of the new masters faced Jalena. Each one ended their turn on their back or with their hands on their knees, breathing heavily. Everyone displayed the most surprise when Danika's charisma of turning invisible slowed Jalena's reactions but did not interfere with Jalena's effective response in countering Danika's moves.

When Gyan's turn came to face Jalena, his heart was already racing. The idea that he had to oppose her seemed unnatural somehow when all he desired to do was protect her.

She looked at him knowingly. Do not hold back, she said.

Gyan nodded. He steadied his breath and heightened his senses. During his turn, he was able to sense her movements, but she still moved more quickly than he could keep up with. He succeeded in blocking some of Jalena's quick strikes by concentrating his shield charisma on the parts of his body she attempted to strike, rather than trying to shield his whole body. Although it helped reserve his energy enough to last longer than the others, the extended use of his charisma still drained him. Gyan was unable to recover in time to gain the upper hand. Despite being worn out and very sore, he was happy to still be standing by the end of their session.

"Good." Jalena nodded her approval. "You are mirroring some of the Chiséi movements already."

Aderes was Jalena's last opponent and became noticeably frustrated as Jalena dodged every strike he offered.

"Are you draining my energy by using your charisma?" he asked after their time ended and he bowed to Jalena.

She shook her head. "Although my charisma is the ability to redirect another's internal energy, you would be able to tell by the feeling inside of you if I activated it. It will feel as if I am pulling you from the inside. Part of what I am doing during our session, Master Aderes, involves reading you. You have become too relaxed in your skill, so you are predictable in your patterns of movement. For example, you pull back your left foot and drop your right shoulder every time you are about to strike from your right as if you are hesitating just before you act."

Aderes raised his eyebrows, surprised Jalena knew so much about his style.

Jabari joined Jalena's side before the warriors once more. "The methods of Chiséi should not be confusing for you because of their connection to the other arts. From now on, we will begin to practice the form intensely. However, even though you should recognize some of her moves, Master Jalena is not just mimicking moves of a form she has memorized to preserve her energy. What else is she doing?"

"Besides studying our habits?" Brogan asked.

"Yes."

"She's using more of our energy than her own," Gyan said.

Jabari nodded. "Good. How does she do it if she is not using her charisma?"

No one spoke.

"Okay, then let's start in another place," Jabari said. "What does meditation do for us again?" he repeated the question he had asked the warriors when they first learned the Damsé. "Master Lorcan, I believe you answered this very question when we all began our san training together. Do you remember what the answer is?"

"Practicing meditation helps to reduce our sensory thresholds," Lorcan replied.

"Good. And do you also remember how this relates to facing an opponent?"

"If we reduce our sensory thresholds, we increase sensitivity to an enemy's movement and our awareness, reflexes, and attack ability improves."

Jabari nodded. "Now what did practicing group meditation do for you when you took Master Asia's course at the Celestine Temple?" he probed.

"It helped us to see past the physical and into the flow of energy that resides in the meridians of a person," Lorcan answered.

"That is an element of the skill that Master Jalena is exercising," Jabari stated. "She is utilizing her sensitivity to your physical movements as she has been trained, but she is tuning more into your energy flow. She is then merging her movements to correspond to the flow of your energy, so she does not drain her own."

"But, doesn't reading one's energy take concentration and therefore the use of your own energy?" Valora asked.

"Indeed," said Jabari. "However, it takes less to tune into the energy of your opponent and then guide or redirect it than it does to dominantly observe their physical action and use your energy to counter. When we redirect another's energy rather than oppose it directly, we preserve our own. It is the ultimate defense against physical exhaustion on a battlefield."

"So, Master Jalena is seeing our meridian flow?" Tarak asked.

"Some, but she is not looking at only your meridian flow. She is seeing your energy field through the art of Relasu, which we will explain further after a short break. I wish for you all to meet at the Tran Ceiabré clearing for our evening training."

Jabari bowed to the team in dismissal, and the warriors returned together to the domusé.