ROTU: Chapter Fifty-Two

Kaelon's world seemed to slow as his surroundings blurred. His body temperature spiked along with his heart rate. Blinking slowly, he shook his head as multiple visions danced before him.

His eyes widened as his full focus sharpened on a dusty classroom. An elderly man who looked like a wizard stood before him in a tattered navy cloak, gazing at him with intense silver-blue chrome eyes.

"Remember, just because something remains unseen or unknown does not mean that it does not exist," the man said. "An ability does not always reveal itself until the time is right… Sometimes, in the moment of battle, unexpected circumstances arise, causing a warrior to extend personal skill beyond understanding..."

The memory faded as another appeared…

Kaelon was in the same classroom, but it was a different day. His eyes widened as he recognized the light warriors that Jalena had introduced him to in Asteria.

"But if I mentally cannot perceive the ability, where does the awareness of the ability come from?" the wizard asked.

"I imagine from the unconscious, or…from someplace that holds understandings not thought about but that we still have access to," Kaelon heard himself say.

Kaelon knew the wizard's name. He spoke aloud. "Malik."

"A life-threatening situation, or an intense desire, can often spark the initial use of one's charisma or incredible use of power. These abilities form within a zone of energy that allows pure acknowledgment of power without the disruption of insecurity or doubt, or any other interference of the mind, for that matter. In a situation where your desire is stronger than your doubt, as what happens often in an emergency, warriors, and even those who are not light warriors, become capable of great feats.

"Because of this, as warriors, you must trust in your abilities; you must become familiar with knowing your power rather than believing that its existence is only a possibility. When there is no doubt, there is no interference, and then, light sans, your solution or needed ability will arrive the moment you desire it."

"Pure acknowledgment of power without doubt," Kaelon mumbled. "Solution arrives at the moment...."

The figure before him transformed into a younger man in a blood-red robe with short white hair and a matching beard. He had the same red ring around his eyes as Jalena and the other warriors. He paced in front of the warriors as he spoke.

"When there is lack of knowledge but belief in ability or an unknown solution, you will find that the knowledge needed to resolve a situation often arrives in a synchronized moment... Releasing any mental interference that often arises from trying to analyze or control a situation is vital to achieving your goal."

"Elder Master Syam," Kaelon remembered.

Kaelon saw himself before a man with yellow eyes and long blue hair.

"Sir Kesól," Kaelon said aloud.

"So, I can teleport anytime I wish if I believe I could?" Kaelon mouthed the words in his memory.

"…The key to utilizing your warrior power is belief," Kesól replied. "…The same idea holds for anything you wish to create. All evolution occurs by rejecting a part of what already is and making a different choice. To move beyond the limitation you have experienced so far with teleporting, you must alter your mentality around it."

The scene faded…

Kaelon's breath caught as Jalena appeared next to him in what he knew to be his bedroom.

"I love you, Gyan," she whispered.

His gaze locked with hers. "With all that I am."

Kaelon's heart seemed to grow in size as every moment that Jalena and he had spoken the same words flashed in his mind like a sequence in a film, including right before he ignited his Reserve.

He grinned widely as the events of his Reserve in Alsar played out in his mind. Gyan. I am the one who left—who died.

"She knew!" Kaelon laughed aloud as his present circumstances came back into his awareness. "That's my truth… She already knew my truth!" He groaned as his entire body pulsed with pain.

"Kaelon? Kaelon! What is wrong with you?" Sean's voice grew louder as Kaelon became aware of his surroundings again. "You are talking to yourself. This is not the time to be mumbling about a girl or calling out strange names!"

Kaelon laughed through his pain as his face reddened. He yelled out as something within him broke free. The pain within his body and mind reduced as the knowledge of his life on Elsaria filled him, and Gyan's energy surfaced.

"Why are you so red and sweating? We're doomed!" Sean continued without pause. The volume of his voice increased with each statement. "The whole world is ending! Why is the ground shaking so hard? I'm gonna die with aliens. I just gave my number to Kasandra! Kaelon! They're coming back, Kaelon!"

"It's okay, Sean. I got you," Gyan whispered as he closed his eyes and felt his light rise to a level he had not experienced before. He sighed in relieving gratitude, as he would have upon meeting an old friend after a long time. The heaviness of his body lifted away as his DNA multiplied and rapidly transformed him back to his original form.

"You got me?" Sean said in irritation. "How you got me? It looks like they got us!"

Sean glanced at Kaelon when he didn't respond. His eyes widened as he saw the change in his height and stature. "Kaelon?" he said quietly.

Gyan turned and smiled. "Yes, but no. It's Gyan, actually, but you can still call me Kaelon if you want. Same thing."

"Same thing!" Sean shouted, giving Gyan an incredulous look. "Same thing—my ass! What the—? How did you get those muscles…and those eyes and ears?"

Gyan laughed. "I'll tell you everything later."

"Oh great! Make sure you bring milk and cookies for story time! You better tell me something good because I-Am-Losing-It! Oh God, I am hallucinating now too! A science nerd with muscles—just what this world needs! You and all your quantum field theories—love can change everything! Well, it changed you into an alien! Love's gone too far!"

Gyan laughed harder. "Now I know why I like you, Sean."

"This isn't funny!"

Gyan ripped away his own chains with ease.

"Holy shit," Sean said a little more calmly as he watched Gyan wide-eyed. "Maybe the world does need a geek with muscles."

"Right now, it does." He reached to unbind Sean but stopped as his senses heightened.

His eyes lit up brightly, and he teleported out of sight.

Sean looked around frantically. "Wait! You forgot to bust me out! Kaelon! Where did you go, Kaelon?" he shouted. "You done turned alien. I'm traumatized because of aliens! Now I have PTSD! Don't leave me…or eat me—Kaelon!" he shouted louder.

Thron and two more Avehkal rounded the corner.

"How did he get out?" Thron asked as he saw the swinging chains beside Sean.

"Who?" Sean said, his face taking on an innocent expression. He squinted. "You sure you're okay?" He gestured with his head to Lyons. "No one but me and this guy have been here."

"Okay, okay!" Sean said as the Avehkal lifted his fist. "I dunno where he went. I tried to tell you," he mumbled as he raised his eyebrows. "It's why I shouted—trying to get your attention."

"Find him," Thron told one of the Avehkal. He gestured to Sean, "And kill him."

Sean opened his eyes wide at the blue light that appeared between him and the Avehkal just in time to block the large dagger that was thrust his way. He flinched as a blade of blue light pierced through Thron's chest and the other Avehkal from the back at the same time. Both dropped to the ground.

Sean stared at Gyan in disbelief as Gyan broke his chains with his light. "Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?" He reached his hand up and poked Gyan's face. "Are you in there, Kaelon?"

Gyan lightly slapped Sean's hand away. "It's okay, Sean. I told you I will explain everything after." He unlocked Lyons's binds and lifted his unconscious form with ease over his shoulder.

"After what?"

"After I get you out of here and go help my girl."

***