Chapter 64: Resonance

Phinry stopped. “No, I won’t tell you what connections I see. If I tell you, I might ruin that potential. And I could be wrong and steer you away rather than toward that opportunity. Yes, I would rather see you flounder in the darkness to find the light on your own than miss the chance I could be right about this. For anyone to realize their true potential they cannot be told or shown the way. The way must be found and once found, then explored, then fully known then hopefully mastered. Sounds simple but most take shortcuts. Like having someone explain their path and then letting their children walk old paths passed down. I wish I could help but I would only guide to help avoid unnecessary detours and dangers. At least, promise not to settle and not to give up.”

Trint’s excitement was now turning to frustration and disappointment. Here he thought he’d get to see more and learn more of the secrets of Soul than anyone outside could imagine. “Is there nothing else you can teach me or help me with first?” Trint asked, holding on to a shred of hope.

“I’ve already given you what you need to begin your exploration of the Soul. But” Phinry looked away seemingly lost in thought. “I have exhausted my knowledge from this testing matrix,” now with a look of intense interest he asked, “will you allow me to join you on your next journey forward?”

“I would love your help but what exactly does that mean? I already have a dark passenger, whom I can hardly keep up with. Do you want to be a bond?” Trint was now hesitant about this request.

“I can assist you greatly and by the time I help you to achieve a worthy anchor I will no longer be needed, and you may pass me on.”

“So, you wouldn’t be a bond? What sort of connection would we have?” Trint still was reluctant.

“I would ask that you let me form as a dream stone, synced to your subconscious. I promise to have no malicious intent but covenant to only observe and instruct. I wish to learn about your connections and how they impact your Soul. But I need you to hurry. I estimate we have just a few minutes before I must terminate the test running on you. Either way, you must decide quickly, so I can begin the sequence.”

“If you can promise to not interfere with my current bond and if you only wish to observe and assist, then…I agree,” Trint knew he could use the help. Getting his Soul power and getting away from the Cease was only the next step in getting to Cara and the kids.

“It has been a pleasure,” Phinry looked lovingly at his lab. “I would be parsing out your partial results and readings for so long, but I should follow the source and abandon this post. Thank you, and goodbye,” Phin turned to the holographic machine and lift a monitor screen to reveal more buttons. He punched a big black button after uncovering another glass safety plate and flipping a couple of switches.

“Ok, take my hand,” Phinry instructed while reaching out to Trint. Trint already having made up his mind, took Phinry’s right hand with his. Then Phinry’s body began to dissolve in violet light from toes to head and then siphoned into a violet rock the size of a perfectly smooth marble.

The moment the marble finished forming, the next thing Trint saw was the floor of the black platform with white circles through it. But the white circles were now dim, and the dome was still closed around him, but he pushed away from the pillar that was touching his chest. After a couple of inches of separation, gravity returned to pull him down. Trint’s agility and strength allowed him to easily land on his feet while pushing off the pillar. The dome went dark and retracted as soon as Trint disconnected his chest.

Those standing around watching the results saw pressurized vapor shoot out of the opening dome as the walls descended into the floor. Unlike the other times, the dome didn’t descend in a controlled slow motion but in a sudden pressure and gravity-compelled slam. The solid rock crashed hard into its recessed housing, and they heard a breaking stone. Trint was left standing on the now dim stone platform. None of the circles contained the previous luster or light but many contained fissures through their previously immaculate form. Trint turned to Pneuma with a smile.

“I know Kung Fu,” Trint laughed, remembering a movie he liked.

The rest of the crowd was glaring between Trint and the results screen. But nothing was showing. A couple of people were visibly upset. While a few of those running the test were first shocked. Now a couple of them were fuming mad.

“What is going on here?” One Mentor asked. “Is this intentional? Who is hiding the results?”

“Calm down everyone,” Chief Mentor reassured. “We will figure this out and share the results. “Pneuma, we need to examine what just happened. We can wait to test you later.”

“Yes, that would appear wise,” Pneuma acknowledged and bowed his head slightly.

“What happened?” Pneuma closed the distance to meet the approaching Trint and asked. “Why are you talking about Earth martial arts?”

“I think I was just given a gift or a guide,” Trint explained with a laugh. Not now, I’ll tell you later. I need some time to digest what I just learned,” Trint shared his thoughts with Pneuma. It is in my head, Trint thought to himself. But not all of it makes sense beyond the general ideas. Besides, I don’t know what these people know and how it’s different than what I just learned. Oh, and there is this,” Trint having walked over next to Pneuma, opened his fist to show a glimpse of a violet gem.

“Well, you had my attention after that test,” Pneuma said but now you got even me a little excited. Did you have to break their machine?”

“If you would follow me,” Ele’Azar asked them politely. “We still have a full day scheduled.”

They walked outside across the bridge and down a road. They took a fork in the road crossing over a bridge and then towards some rising hills. They stopped outside what Trint thought was another fortification on the side of what was a bluff. The sheer face of the stone rose a hundred feet up and a few switchbacks of the road led them from the ground level to the entrance of the fortification on the side of the natural wall. They were let in through a guarded gate and immediately saw that the fortification was covering the mouth of a natural cave.

Inside the cave was lit by stones that glowed. There were different shades and colors, but the colors predominately were red and a few oranges. There were a few buildings on each side of the path into the cave. The group of disciples and mentors stopped just beyond those buildings.

“The previous test showed us where your past has brought you and how great your strength has become,” a new woman stepped out from one of the cave buildings. She wore a deep blue dress that cut off at the middle of her shins. Her skin was a light shade of blue and her eyes were a bright shining blue. Everything about her seemed to follow that theme from the color of her fingernails and daggers sheathed crosswise at the small of her back. “I am Ay’Lin, I am the master of this place. I have seen generations before you pass down these caverns. You are meant to be the best of your generation. The honor of our people is to be masters of the soul. This cave is our legacy and your next step in finding your place among your ancestors. Will you reach your potential? Will you fail to walk the path? Will you let a measure of your potential limit you from exceeding it?” She stopped to let her questions sink in.

“As guests in this domain, there are a few rules,” She continued with a demanding emphasis. “First, you will obey my commands and your Mentors’. Second, take nothing physical from this place. Third, if you are granted an audience, you will be humble and respect who or what speaks. Finally, a suggestion. Remember…Remember to not forget who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Getting lost here can mean more than taking a wrong turn down the cave. Respect does not mean you must accept a gift. So do not be tempted to accept the first anchor you find. Even if your family has commanded you to follow their path. You must decide.”

“Enough!” Ay’lin sharply stopped her lecture. “I am prone to wonder myself. Mentors, please instruct them on what comes next. Please send the reds last.”

Ele’Azar had been beside Trint and Pneuma the whole time and now turned around to face them, “This is one of the unique opportunities not given to many even among our people. I hope your frustration so far in our time together will prove its worth here and, in the weeks, to come. Trint, your test did not yield a result we could read, you will both go last. I will follow as you both walk into the cavern along the path. You are encouraged to stay on the path but follow any tunnel or branching path that calls to you. Don’t just sense with your body or mind. Use this time to seek with new senses. I have been allowed to give you access to Spirit later. But today I think you will benefit from the lack of that sense. Use your Body to walk and see. Use your Mind to consider, use your Spirit to feel, and your will to seek deeply for your Soul.”

“You just said we need to use our Spirit to feel but you won’t give us access yet?” Trint frustrated by the contradiction asked.

“Yes, you have been without much of your power and Spirit access, but you still have it and if you try you will see you can still feel ever so faintly with your Spirit. It was never entirely sealed. Now step over here and meditate till it is our turn.”

They went off to one side and sat on small platforms that were cut into the rock. After a brief time, meditating, they were pulled from mediation.

“It is time,” Ele’Azar touched their shoulders, “Follow me. Please during your time along the path don’t speak to others. Other than to a Mentor. This is a holy place for our people, and it is rude to interrupt others while they walk this path. You may go as far as you are able. Trint, you go first. Pneuma, you may go in five minutes. Save your conversations with each other for tonight.”

Trint began walking down the path. The red light of the crystals lit the cave and the path. The path was made of wooden planks spaced a foot apart. Between each board, short crystals were lighting each step with their glow. Trint would have assumed this was a large quartz cave with artificial lighting if he was on earth but this, was a unique cave. He looked around as he walked slowly and reverently. He came across a couple of people meditating down branching paths. Many spots on earth would be slightly off the path and contain a bench, but here they had a raised place for mediation. There were many along the path and each was surrounded by a concentration of crystals that were deeper in color. One such outcropping with a young lady meditating in front of it was pulsing like a beating heart. Her mentor was off to the side observing.

Trint continued following the main path. The crystals followed the spectrum, and he felt no resonance or pull from any of the paths. Knowing what Phinry told him he wondered if the cave would even have something for him. If it did Trint wondered how far he would have to travel into the subterranean depths to find it. Do I have such great potential? If that’s true, then is it me or just my benefactor? Trint pondered and continued. After an hour of walking, Trint passed through the section of green crystals and received a few glares from other mentors. Trint wondered if it was that he was going deeper than their disciples before meditating. They must think I’m arrogant to pass them.

Trint kept going and eventually he had passed even the girl who’d taken offense at not seeing him tested. She was deep in meditation in the light blue section of crystals. She was taking deep and slightly labored breaths. Trint reverently yet quickly passed by her. He didn’t notice her mentor who was tucked back in a corner out of sight.

Trint eventually got to where the blue turned to violet. There was a rope crossing the main path supported by two pillars. He still hadn’t felt anything.

“So, you surprise us again,” Ay’Lin said, stepping out from a seat hidden behind some crystals.