Trials of a Planeswalker Ch. 01: Rising

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CHAPTER 13 - IDENA

The lotuses were in bloom.

In the garden of Idena on the Plane of Quilija, Nishok Majaha meditated quietly before a large pond of Lotus blossoms. His heart was calm and his mind as still as the water before him. He wore only soft blue robes and he cupped a rare black lotus in his hands. Each day he spent three quiet and pristine hours in meditation.

Nishok was a young man with tan skin and a bare head. He had lived in the garden of Idena his entire life, brought there as a baby from lands far away. The other monks that lived there brought him up as their own and he grew, learning their serene and calm lifestyle. His days were spent meditating, gardening, practicing the martial arts and enjoying his soothing life in the sacred garden.

"Ohhhh fuuuuuuuck~!!" Someone above screamed in fear.

That person who had screamed came racing out of the sky and crashed down in the pool before him. A huge splash erupted from the pond and it showed down over Nishok. The lotuses whipped about as the waves rippled around the pond. Nishok shook his head and wiped the water from his face before standing up.

"Hello?" Nishok asked the pond.

Blayne lunged up and gasped loudly, breathing deep the sweet air around him. He pushed his wet hair out of his face and flicked the water off his hands.

"H... hello there." Blayne said, dredging his feet up to try and get out of the mud in the bottom of the pond.

"Here, let me help." Nishok said, holding a hand out to him.

"Thanks. Sorry about this. I was kinda tossed around and my magic wouldn't work." Blayne said as he took Nishok's hand and got out of the pond.

His clothes were sopping wet and he was muddy up to the knees.

"Magic? What do you mean?" Nishok asked.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing. I was lucky I hit this pond. Not very big is it? Kind of a small target." Blayne sighed, "Where am I?"

"The sacred garden of Idena." Nishok said, "What is your name friend?"

"Sorry, I'm Blayne. I had a companion, but I think we might've gotten separated somewhere. We were in a fight... in... well it doesn't matter. I just need to get out of here." Blayne said.

"Do you not have time for a cup of tea while your clothes dry?" Nishok asked, "My name is Nishok."

"I'd rather not. I need to find my friend and go." Blayne said, looking around.

"Alright friend, then let me show you to the gate." Nishok bowed his head.

"Thanks." Blayne nodded and Nishok started across the well-kept grass.

The garden around them seemed to emanate serenity. There was a vegetable garden a distance away and Blayne could see a large sand garden near them. Up the hill behind them was a simple and humble stone building. A monk standing near the front door lifted a wooden staff and struck a large bronze gong. It rang out clear and true around them.

"What's that?" Blayne asked.

"The signal for dinner. I will go when I have seen you away." Nishok said, "Idena is very large and there is only one gate in it's wall. I would not like you to get lost friend."

"Thanks again." Blayne nodded.

"So friend, what were you doing that you ended up in that Lotus pond?" Nishok asked.

"Well... I..." Blayne scratched his head.

"Flight is a difficult thing to achieve friend and if you do not have careful control over your energy, you will fall." Nishok said.

"Wait, what?" Blayne asked him.

"Your energy, if you do not have careful control of it, it shall fail you and you will fall." Nishok said, "You must focus your Chakras carefully if you wish to do such things."

"What do you mean Chakras?" Blayne asked.

"The seven Chakra of your body and soul. With careful meditation and skill one can do amazing things through the use of these Chakras." Nishok explained.

"You mean like this?" Blayne said, holding out his hand.

Nothing happened. He shook his hand and glared at it. Nishok was puzzled as to what he was trying to do.

"My... my mana... it's not answering me. It won't listen... In fact... I can barely feel it." Blayne said, touching his chest, "How am I going to find Varia if I can't go anywhere? I won't be able to Planeswalk like this. Damn that bastard. He did something to me."

"Friend, you are troubled. please, dry your clothes and bathe yourself. Stay for a cup of tea and gather yourself." Nishok said, putting a hand on Blayne's arm.

"Maybe... maybe I should. The last time I had a problem like this I had to blow up a mountain to get over it." Blayne groaned, rubbing his face, "God only knows where she is in this world. Hopefully if I stay put, she'll find me like she did last time."

"A mountain? My friend, I think you are not feeling well at all. Come and we will have tea." Nishok said, gesturing towards the building atop the hill.

"Yes, tea, let's have tea. You seem to have a hard on for tea." Blayne grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I do not understand your colloquialism, but yes I do enjoy tea." Nishok said, leading him up the hill.

They entered the monastery and Nishok took Blayne into a small, sparse bedroom that only had a cot and a small table. He left and quickly returned with a bundle of blue robes in his hands.

"Here, change yourself into dry clothes. It will not help if you catch a cold." Nishok said, stepping out the door.

Nishok stood out in the hall and waited a few minutes. Blayne came back out wearing the blue monk robes. They were well fitting and comfortable, rustling about his shins as he walked. Nishok led him through the stone halls and into a small sitting room.

They sat down on small cushions on the stone floor and Nishok closed his eyes. He focused for a minute and lit a small fire in the center of the room with a bit of fire from his hand. He lifted a clay pot and put it over the fire.

"So you know magic too." Blayne said.

"I control my Chakras in a way that my energy may extend from my body and create fire." Nishok said.

"I should be able to do that, but my mana isn't working." Blayne sighed, staring at his palm again, "I don't know. Something must've happened in this last fight."

"Tell me about yourself friend. Our meeting was not by coincidence. You are here for some cause or reason." Nishok said.

"I'm just a kid from New York. I grew up in the city. My childhood was pretty normal until... until... My mom was... she was murdered..." Blayne's throat choked up as he spoke.

"You needn't tell me what you don't want to." Nishok said.

A monk walked in the doorway behind Blayne.

"Nishok, will you be joining us for our evening repast? Your guest is welcome too." The monk spoke.

"No, I believe it would be best for us to remain alone for now." Nishok said.

The monk bowed and left without another word.

"It doesn't matter. I was just off on another... in another place with a friend. A good friend. But we got in a fight and we fell... well... I ended up here and I'm worried about her. I don't know where she is and it's important that I find her, but until my mana returns to me, it's impossible for me to do much." Blayne sighed, "Damn it all! Aggh... fuck I hurt."

"Nothing is impossible, only more difficult. But you sound like you care much for your friend, you will succeed in your endeavors." Nishok said, "Here, drink and rest."

He poured steaming tea into two small cups and handed one to Blayne.

"Thank you." Blayne nodded his head and took a small drink.

"You are welcome to stay here friend. We are humble monks and we do not have much, but what we have is yours if it will help you reunite with your friend." Nishok said before taking a drink, "And I best take a look at those injuries. You look like you've been shackled or dragged by your wrists."

"Why?" Blayne asked, "I'm a random stranger who fell from the sky."

"You are desperate to find your friend. I see no greater purpose than to help those in need." Nishok said.

"Well thank you. Do you have any idea why my power is failing me?" Blayne asked.

"No, I don't. But if you would let me examine you, I may be able to uncover the reason." Nishok said.

"Whatever you must do." Blayne submitted, "You trusted me and gave me dry clothes. It wouldn't be nice if I didn't trust you."

"Sit in the floor and lie back. Hold your legs flat and together with your hands at your sides." Nishok instructed.

"Okay." Blayne said, putting his half-empty teacup aside.

He laid back on the floor and Nishok moved to kneel over him.

"Remain still and breath slowly or this may hurt." Nishok said, putting his hands on Blayne's solar plexus.

Blayne nodded and breathed carefully. Nishok ran his hands up his chest slowly, reaching out with his energy. He felt the flows of energy within Nishok and pressed a hand gently to his throat. Blayne's eyes were wide and he looked worried.

"Do not worry. I am simply examining your Chakras. Calm yourself." Nishok said quietly.

He moved a hand to Blayne's forehead and closed his eyes. Using his power, Blayne's body lit up like fire in his mind's eye. He could see the channels of energy within Blayne and they looked incredibly tied up. They were mixed and out of place. He could easily see why Blayne was having trouble controlling his energy through his Chakras. He lifted his hands and sat back.

"I see your problem. Your incredibly mixed up inside. You must realign your energy and focus your Chakras or you will never be able to use your energy." Nishok said, "Come, sit up."

"What do you mean realign my energy?" Blayne asked as he sat back up.

"The channels of energy in your body. They flow through you and give you strength. Your Chakras, the centers of these powers, must be focused to control the energy. But if your flow of energy is knotted as yours is, you will never be able to use any of it." Nishok explained.

"Alright, alright. How do I fix it?" Blayne groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"Fix it? Carefully and slowly. You must first meditate and find your center. Once you achieve that, then you must work both your body and mind to realign your energy channels." Nishok said, "You must control your Chakras."

"How do I do all of that?" Blayne asked.

"What do you know of the seven Chakras?" Nishok asked him.

"Nothing. I don't even know what you're talking about." Blayne said.

"Would you mind learning?" Nishok asked, "Without such knowledge, you may find it difficult to fix your energy."

"Sure, whatever." Blayne sighed.

"No, friend, you must devote your mind and soul to learning this. Chakras are the controlling force of the life energy in your body." Nishok said a little louder, "Put your everything into this and forget everything else."

"Jesus, you're serious about this, aren't you?" Blayne asked, adjusting his robes.

"Nothing on this plane of existence matters more than achieving understanding and enlightenment." Nishok said.

"You sound like a Buddhist." Blayne said.

"A what?" Nishok asked, cocking his head.

"Nothing, go ahead. I'm paying attention." Blayne said.

"Okay. The seven Chakras. They are the nexuses of life energy in your body. They control and regulate the energy in your body. Control of these Chakras means control over your physical and ethereal existence." Nishok said, putting his hands in his lap, "Your Root Chakra, the first and densest Chakra in your body. It resides at the base of your spine and it is the first through which your life energy passes as it enters your body."

"These Chakras, how do you know where they are? Do they actually exist in your body?" Blayne asked skeptically.

"Think of the Seven Chakras as you would think of your soul. They exist inside you and yet they are not in the physical." Nishok explained patiently, "This first Chakra, your Root Chakra. It is grounded and it is stability. Controlling this Chakra and achieving balance within this Chakra gives your body stability and health. Power of this Chakra controls life."

Nishok raised his hands to below his navel.

"The second Chakra, the Sacral Chakra. This is the Chakra of desire and pleasure. Controlling this Chakra gives physical balance and fertility. It is the Chakra of future life. Balance means control over desires. The power of this Chakra is heat and passion." Nishok told Blayne, "It is emotion and relations."

"Interesting." Blayne nodded.

Nishok pressed his hands to his solar plexus.

"Your third Chakra, the Naval or solar Chakra. Self control and will power are born of this Chakra. It provides energy and strength to your body. Balance of this Chakra is personal growth and self-worth. Next is your heart, the fourth Chakra. This is the Chakra of care and compassion. It gives love and forgiveness. Balance of your heart Chakra gives you care and respect for yourself and others." Nishok explained before he lifted his hand to his throat, "The fifth Chakra, the Chakra of your throat. This is communication and bodily healing. This is the Chakra of true balance, of Yin and Yang. It achieves creativity and openness."

"A lot of this is sounding like the five colors of mana that I know of." Blayne said idly.

"It's possible. Everyone sees the energy of life differently. Your sixth Chakra is the third eye, the mind's eye. It is of intuition and understanding. It gives clairvoyance and knowledge. With it you see beyond the five bodily senses and you see with your minds eye. It sees only truth and purity." Nishok said with his hand on his forehead, "Lastly you have the Seventh Chakra, the crown Chakra. This is the Chakra of true enlightenment and transcendence. It gives spiritual understanding and cosmic awareness. This seventh Chakra is the most ethereal and it is the goal of all. Balance of this Chakra is wisdom absolute."

"So the seven Chakra. Root, Sacral, Navel, Heart, Throat, Mind and Crown." Blayne confirmed, "What does this have to do with my mana."

"These Chakra control the flow of energy in your body and they give your power." Nishok said calmly, "They provide the essence of life."

"So how do I fix them?" Blayne asked.

"Fix them? Blayne they are not broken. You have simply lost your focus and control of them. Come Blayne, we have things to do." Nishok said, rising to his feet.

"What?" Blayne asked.

"Let us go meditate." Nishok said, "It will help. You must focus yourself and forget your problems."

"But how can I?" Blayne exclaimed as he got up, "I just have to fix whatever is wrong with me so that I can leave here."

"You will not do so by rushing recklessly forward. Slow your pace. Remember the parable of the turtle and the hare." Nishok said simply.

*******

Nishok awoke early when the sun had barely broken the horizon. He and his guest Blayne had spent the evening before meditating beside the pond. Except Nishok had been meditating, Blayne had simply been fidgeting and grumbling. He seemed unhappy with Nishok's attempts to help him. However, it was understandable because he was worried about his friend. Nishok was happy to see how much Blayne cared for this friend and he wished he could help him faster.

Sitting up, he glanced across the room. Blayne was lying on the other cot that had been dragged into Nishok's room. He was splayed out across it with his robes pushed down around his waist, his blanket bundled on the floor.

"Blayne, it's morning. We have training." Nishok said.

He didn't move. Nishok got up and stepped over to his bed. He shook his shoulder and called again.

"Leave me alone Lizzex. Not this morning." Blayne mumbled, brushing his hand off.

"Wake up, the sun has risen on a new day!" Nishok said a little louder.

"Huh... what?" Blayne grumbled, opening his eyes.

"It's a new day Blayne, we have training to do." Nishok said.

"What about breakfast?" Blayne grumbled as he sat up.

"Our morning repast will come later. For now we have training. Until you learn our basic exercises and such, it will be only you and I." Nishok said, standing back as Blayne got up.

"What're we doing? Jogging or something?" Blayne asked, pulling his robes up to his shoulders.

"You will be learning forms. Practicing Karate and exercising forms will help align your body and focus your mind." Nishok told him.

They left the small room and left the monastery. The sun shone brightly over the hills in the distance. Rolling green hills extended in all directions, trees sparsely growing across them. The monastery was built on the tallest one with a wall around it's grounds. Down on a flat piece of grass, twenty monks were all gathering to exercise together. Nishok took Blayne over to another spot on the other side of the grounds.

"First, stand like this." Nishok said, standing with his fists at his sides and his legs wide.

They started in with a basic stance and spent the entire day learning more.

Nishok was impressed with Blayne's work the first day. He learned everything Nishok could teach him. He seemed reluctant at first, but as they started to work with forms and Karate, he warmed up quickly. He had learned most basic forms and a few simple blocks by the end of the first day. They had done a lot and even Nishok felt a little sore. He couldn't imagine how Blayne must feel, although it was obvious because of how quickly he fell asleep that night.

The next few days were much of the same. After the third day, Blayne and Nishok joined the entire group of monks for their morning training. Most of their training was moving through stances and forms to stretch and work their bodies. They move their bodies with purpose and strength. Blayne was slowly getting less sore as the days passed. He never stopped worrying about Varia, but every single time he tried to use his magic, it always failed. He could never work any sort of spell.

The evenings of every day were two or three hours of meditation. It took Blayne time to get used to it. It was difficult for him to sit near Nishok for three hours without speaking or moving. But as he did it more, he mentioned to Nishok how clam he always felt afterward. He was really starting to get into it.

At the end of the first week, around midday, Nishok took Blayne to the sand garden and stood a few feet from him.

"Defend yourself Blayne." Nishok said, raising his hands.

"What?" Blayne asked in disbelief.

Nishok didn't answer. Instead he lunged forward, moving for a palm strike against his sternum. Blayne managed to get his hand up and deflect the strike. That didn't slow Nishok at all. He pushed his other hand forward and slammed an open palm against Blayne's gut. He grunted loudly and fell back into the well-groomed sand.

"You are slow, but you did stop one blow. That is good." Nishok said, holding out a hand and helping him back to his feet, "Again."

Blayne readied himself better this time as Nishok took his place across from him. The monk's speed and movement were very impressive. If Blayne had his magic, he would've easily been able to deflect and strike back, but instead he barely managed to block. He pushed Nishok's hand down and was met by his leg swinging up at him. He swung his head back in an attempt to block. Nishok surprised him by bringing the foot down, twisting and sweeping his legs out from under him with his other foot.

He pounced on him, putting the side of his hand to Blayne's throat.

"Better. But remember that you cannot wait to anticipate your opponents attacks. Dodge, counter and push. If you are on the offensive, your opponent cannot be." Nishok advised, helping him up again.

"I thought you monks were all supposed to be against violence." Blayne groaned, putting an arm across his midsection.

"I abhor violence, but one cannot be a bystander all the time. When you participate in violence, the best situation is to make it as small as possible. If you can incapacitate your opponent before they can cause harm, then you have shortened the possible violence." Nishok said, adjusting his robes.