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'Twas another whirlwind of a day, but for the first time, I write that in a positive manner. It was rather bitter sweet. I had gone off to breakfast after writing this morning, it having been roughly 7am. Everyone, but Kimaris, was there. It was then made clear that all of us would be receiving training. I won’t lie that I groaned within myself, not knowing quite how they would train me. But it proved to be rather pleasant- excluding the cries I heard from Kimaris.
The monk I had, Ahmiaus, was kind and firm. He took me to a part of the monastery where various classrooms were, along the way passing the many monks practicing their own martial arts. In a small room that could easily have been used for a study hall, Ahmiaus had me sit down and proceeded to ask me about what skills I had. Like a nervous girl, I smoothed my skirt as my mind quickly sifted through what possible attributes would be noteworthy. I ended up listing everyone that came to mind: I can sing, play music, read, write, dance, know my manners, but when I mentioned I could cook, he stopped me.
“Might you be able to cook up rice porridge?” The monk asked.
“Indeed,” I replied, though I wasn’t familiar with their kitchen and wares. Nevertheless, I was taken there and asked to make the breakfast item. It was in the midst of this, as I was stirring the rice, waiting for the water to boil, that I heard a shrill cry. It was Kimaris’s sobs, more intense than anything I’ve heard from him. Bordel’s voice, Daevri’s too, began to mingle in, which sent my hands to my ears and my knees to my chest. I demanded to know what was happening, in which my companions replied that we were now linked in thought. A mix of annoyance and fear swept through me. Would they be able to hear my thoughts?
Ahmiaus placed a hand on my shoulder. "It would seem the link has activated," he said with a smile before instructing me on how I could turn it off. It took a bit, but eventually I was able to turn off the link and clear my mind of Kimaris’s agony. Before I could question the monk about what was happening to my friend, the sound of boiling water reminded me that I needed to focus on my cooking.
I as finished making the porridge (which was no easy feat with the added feathers along my arm and Bubbles offering his advice all along the way), I interrogated Ahmiaus about what has happening to Kimaris. In short, the monks have a code of conduct they were to uphold and the boy messed up real bad when he and I fought in Bahamut’s home. There wasn’t an option for me to share the burden since I wasn’t bound to such an honor system. The information did little to ease the knot in my stomach.
Then came the questions about how it was my mind was linked to my fellow companions. Obviously, it is another feature of being a primordial, and luckily the link only picks up what is spoken. That was a big relief. I will likely turn the link back on now that Kimaris’s punishment is through.
Ahmiaus approved of the porridge and then took me to a training room that was vacated. It had a nice view of the mountains (which are easy to become mesmerized with). There he handed me a wooden sword. My shoulders drooped, the faerie dragon flying off to perch on a shelf. The monk told me to go strike the wooden dummy that was centered in the room. It had various pegs sticking out of it, as though one might try to climb it.
I positioned myself and held the sword toward the post. Then with a swing of my hand I struck the highest peg. Unexpectedly the wooden stub twisted away from the blow, the bottom peg hitting the back of my foot and knocking me off balance. My butt wasn’t the only thing bruised as I quickly stood up. Avoiding my teacher’s stares, I attempted another strike and got a peg to my side. With my free hand I pushed the wooden stub away and got knocked in the back of the head.
At this point I looked back at the chuckling monk and demanded to know how to properly spar with the dummy. Ahmiaus came to my aid and took great care, showing me various techniques and ways to defend while attacking. I became so engaged that I had forgotten the whole point of the training. They're conditioning me to fight better. Though the monk said I was a natural, I can only hope that a portion of what I learn will be of use the next time a serious fight arises.
Oh! And Ahmiaus said that I’ll be taught in the ways of a Paladin! Part of me feels honored that I would be considered for such a rank. It's prestigious and I can only hope I can rise to the call.
At noon there was a quick break for lunch. I was given a uniform to wear the next time I came, as well as a copper token of sorts that I’m to keep on me. I went back to my room first to dress. As I came down the hall I could see Daevri looking into Kimaris’s room and as I passed, I noticed a dark figure. I paused mid step, backed up and peered in more closely.
“Who’s that?” I asked the Human.
“Dunno. Just observing what she’s up to.”
I went in and asked if the girl needed help. She turned around and smiled at me. As soon as she did, I remembered her. She was the first Primordial of Space. It was confusing why she was there and so I asked where Kimaris was.
“He’s with father,” came the girl’s reply.
“When will he be back?”
“I don’t know. But I was told to come help in the meantime.”
I gave a shallow nod and backed out of the room, not sure what to think. Kimaris had offended me on more than one occasion, yet part of me felt abandoned that he left without saying good bye. Had the punishment the monks gave him been too much?
Once dressed in my uniform, I went to get lunch before returning for more training. The outfit is much different than what I’m use to wearing. It’s like being in a richly made pair of pajamas. The vest was loose and the arm holes big enough to put my arms through without catching any feathers. The pants billow out too, similar to what I’ve seen folk wear in the desert like climates.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of building strength and stamina. I ran, boxed, did push ups, planks, anything Ahmiaus could think of for roughly two hours. I happily flopped onto the mat when he said we were finished for the day. My muscles burned and my brow was dripping with sweat. I don’t think I’ve perspired, or put in such exertion, since the the time I had to help push a wagon that got stuck in a mire. The Monk sat me up and proceeded to massage my arms, legs, back, and neck. It was rather unnerving how touchy he was, but I trusted Ahmiaus as he channeled healing magics into my aching muscles, maneuvering my limbs in bizarre fashion that felt rather pleasant.
My teacher then gave me a hand up and instructed me to go to the Hall of Judgement. The Founder of the monastery wanted to meet with us in a few minutes, and so with haste Bubbles and I scurried through the hallways and up some stairs until we met up with the others in the court outside the Hall.
Soon we are ushered in through the great doors. As we collected in front of the throne, a dozen other monks standing about, a low gonging sound rung. All the monks, and the little girl, dropped to their knees and bowed their faces to the floor. Daevri then mentioned under his breathe that the Founder is a Lich.
A chill ran up my spine as a pit formed in my stomach. I watched as a skeletal personage approached the throne. It certainly was humanoid and to be fair, looked more alive than the pictures I’ve seen of such fearsome undead.
My eyes averted as the Lich sat down and made himself comfortable. They looked about at the many monks all bowed. A calm contended with my uncertainty. Surely monks couldn’t be tricked into following a Lich, I thought.
The Lich barely was able to welcome us back, when Bordel drew a sword on him. The Cleric attempted to silence the Founder, but he simply smiled and informed him that he wasn’t our enemy. In fact the monastery was made so us primordials had a place to train. But it mattered not how accommodating the Lich was, Bordel looked set on destroying him.
Cautiously I got the Cleric’s attention. “Do you think it wise to cause a fight, especially among them?” I dissuaded, pointing at the bowed monks. Bordel’s face looked conflicted as he took in the others.
“But I’ve sworn my life to always try,” he whispered back. I said nothing more and observed as the Cleric took a knee. It took every ounce of control he had and part of me felt bad that I defended against his convictions.
With Bordel’s fight pacified, the Lich then finished welcoming us, reminding us that we would be trained to better access our primordial abilities. He briefly mentioned the copper tokens we each were given, saying we’d know when we’ve tapped into our abilities as a primordial once the copper token has taken shape upon our body. And with that, it now depends on us as to how long our training will take (I imagine most of the wait being on when our copper attunes to us). I predict we’ll be here a month.
When we were dismisses, I watch Bordel storm off in a huff. Part of me was certain he wasn’t mad at me, but the other part figured I’d best go check on the Cleric to make sure all was well. I knocked on his door, but no answer came. So boldly, I turned the doorknob and announced myself.
Bordel gathered up some papers and quickly I stumbled over my words of apology. He brushed it aside, but tagged on that the situation at present with the Lich was conflicting. I agreed that it was certainly less than ideal. Daevri then entered and upon seeing me mentioned that he’d go fetch Zaren because he had something to discuss with us. I looked to Bordel, the two of us shrugging.
Once the four of us were in the Cleric’s room, the door being closed, the Human got down to business. He’s concerned that something bad is going to happen to us. One, Kimaris no long was here and had been replaced by the little girl. Who’s to say we all weren’t going to be replaced? Two, the monks all follow after a Lich. That certainly is a red flag and ought to be dealt with. That got Bordel’s support; killing the Lich.
I was less than sure of our ability to take on the Lich, let alone we can’t be sure if he really is bad. None of the monks seemed troubled by him. Daevri mentioned how the monk who’s training him seemed fearful, quoting, “‘I would rather deal with your banter than fail and deal with the Lich.’ Do you think that sounds like a good guy? Ijoeni, clearly is afraid of him. It doesn’t sound like he’s all that good if the monks are afraid of his wrath if they fail.”
“True. But then again, my mother is God fearing. She’s afraid of failing Heironious and receiving His disapproval. So perhaps that is what your teacher meant,” I countered. Daevri thought about it a moment before shrugging and continuing on about how we ought to get going. Our main purpose is to find the cups, so why stick around? Once more I piped in, mentioning how I was learning to fight and that I was going to learn the ways of the Paladin.
“Certainly that is beneficial to all of us if I can become better with the sword,” I added. It stung a little as all the men agreed together, but they seemed convinced to stay for my sake. With that, assignments were given: while I focused on training, Bordel was to get close to the Lich (become friends sort of), Zaren was to learn all he can about the establishment of the monastery, and Daevri would look into finding the phylactery that harnessed the life force the Lich fed off of.
The final matter that Daevri wanted to address was the girl. He wanted to see if she was really on our side or not. And so we all walked a few doors down and peeked into Kimaris’s room. Whoever she was, she had taken it upon herself to paint murals all over the walls. I made our presence known to which the little human spun around and flung her arms up to create a black fire. The magic crept up the walls and she demanded to know what it was we wanted. Daevri went right on in asking her what her intentions were; whether she was with us or against us. Her dark frame leered at him as she spat out an oh too familiar stance about her hate for the Gods and the cycle of things. But she added, “I just want to go home.”
“And where is home?” I asked. A calm overcame the girl and a hint of a smile played across her lips.
“I’ll show you,” she said engulfing us in the black flames. Reflexively I protected my face with my arms and when I dared to peek, I found myself, with the others, standing in the universe. The girl looked about with such wonder and joy that it made me envious. When would I find a home like hers, where I could feel at peace?
Then I heard something. A sound so sweet and familiar. I don’t know why it was, but it registered so warmly like a long lost friend or family who’s returned that I looked about for it. Where was it coming from?
No one seemed to notice and I asked them if they could hear it. There was a moment that their looks had me wondering if I was crazy, but the little Human perked up and said, “That’s your home!” My eyebrows furrowed as I wondered if she had heard my thoughts. The girl came and took my hand, saying, “This way!” We flew through the stars, I feeling much like a giant as the various specks of light fluttered by.
The music swelled the closure we got and soon I was face to face with a glowing sphere. The light from it pulsed to the rhythm of the song. An excitement, a yearning, and a joy, greater than anything I have ever felt, radiated through me. It was as though my primordial spirit communed with the place that it knew all too well. I wasn’t sure if my body would withstand the moment in its mortal frame. Still, I reached my hands beneath the orb and scooped my home to my chest. I wanted to keep it with me. I feared I would soon forget once we returned to the mortal realm we came from.
The little girl gently pulled my hands down and scooped my home into her tiny arms. She then closed her white eyes and focused. I watched as she maneuvered her fingers across the surface and soon the star shrank. I’m surprised I wasn’t more concerned, but it’s like I knew she was preparing it for me. Soon a glass casing covered my home and a silver chain was attached.
The little Human handed it back to me. As she placed it into my proffered hand, she said, “This is from Kimaris.”
Miss. That is what I feel. I really miss Kimaris. And though I would have rather hugged him, I embraced the girl in his stead. Finally I asked her, “What is your name?” She looked puzzled for a moment before saying, “Destiny.”
With Destiny at my side, she lead me back to the others. She took the others to various places they desired and in the end, each of us knew that Destiny is very much on our side. Until Kimaris can return, she will remain.
I like her and part of me knows I’ll miss her too when my friend returns. Until then, I have my home strung around my neck and couldn’t be more happier.
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