Chapter 58: Good Night’s Rest

After passing down many halls and closed doors, Trint and Pneuma were led to an open door. Walking in they saw a sprawling apartment. No window but many rooms connected to the main open room with seating and places for at least 50 people to lounge and relax.

“Please make yourselves comfortable,” Ele’Azar offered. “This will be your home for the journey. We will arrive tomorrow.” Stalling Trint with a raised hand. “I know that you expected a trip of great duration. The distance is vast, but our method of travel is not bound by your laws of physics. Although we will arrive tomorrow and travel a great distance, you will need to wait on our transport till you are granted access to your cohort. There are many eager to meet you. Although there are possibly more that wish to dispose of you. You represent an unknown quantity. Some are set in their ways and do not seek to uncover new knowledge. But you will need to avoid their gaze and look to that of the curious. Those humble enough to admit they have something to learn.”

“So, I have new enemies intermixed with some allies,” Trint pondered, “I guess nothing changed there.”

“Yes, you will figure that out. I have brought you at the request of the council and the Leader Cohort will be led by a friend of mine. I am here at her request. Our delay is due to the Trustee Faction that usually oversees the Cease School. They have power over all but the Leadership Cohorts. That is enough of the school’s political explanation. You don’t need to worry about the inner workings. They impact you but you have no say in them. I will take the next day to bring you up to speed on the important matters to assist in your transition. Should you fail to test well and fail to progress in the training, you will have wasted the time and effort of many. Don’t fail. For your own sake but also for a great many others who expect great things from you.”

“I understand, Mentor,” Trint bowed in thanks.

“Yes, I think you might grasp the idea, but you do not understand. But that is my job as your Mentor. Quite right. I will give you an hour to get familiar with this space and freshen up. I advise you to clothe yourself in the white robes provided on your bed to the left. Pneuma, you also should do the same. I will also be your mentor as we expect the same of you as we do Trint during your stay in our Kingdoms.”

“You both might have noticed your spatial storage is also locked. Apologies but that will remain locked until access and trust are earned. Which will take some time. Remember, the keys to your Spirit and storage and your overall freedom are not held by just me. They must be clawed back by you. The only way to prove worthy will be to master your Soul. I expect greatness as my disciple. Not mere satisfaction or passing the minimum. But excellence and mastery. Don’t fail me. See you in an hour.”

Spinning gracefully Ele’Azar turned and exited the space. The doors closed behind his exit. Trint and Pneuma took in their home for the short trip.

“Looks nice enough,” Pneuma smiled reassuringly. “It could be worse. I have attempted everything I can to access your storage or your stats or system. Everything is locked out. I hardly think assigning your stats or any other precautions could have helped us against them.”

“I agree,” Trint nodded, “Any advice?”

“Follow our Mentor’s advice. Be aware of enemies and find a way to pass their training. This could be a great opportunity. We were expanding in the Subsystem and gaining EXP, but we still didn’t have a plan to get back to the iterations. Let alone how to avoid our enemies. This may be how we get back.”

“Great point,” Trint agreed as he lowered his head and sank into a chair. Lost in thought for a few minutes, they both sat and considered this turn of events. Afterward, they separately explored and got dressed. Pneuma’s form had remained static since Trint’s Spirit locked. He was about seven feet tall, and the robes and clothes provided fit him perfectly.

Trint chose to use the bathroom to clean up. The shower had a button that after entering paused the water and his body was blasted with lathered soap. That hit him from all sides, nearly instantly dried and then the water resumed. He very nearly inhaled the foam. The hardened foam ended up being water soluble and washed down the drain. He was left with a fresh clean body. Despite having vastly more durable skin than when he arrived in the system, the show and foam managed to remove a layer or two of skin cells. It felt marvelous to Trint.

“Did you try the shower?” Trint walked out to find Pneuma laying down on a cough with his forearm over his eyes resting.

“No, but I heard you scream and saw you scrubbing off some pink substance. You seemed fine so I didn’t tell you I was there.”

“Well, not that there is anyone to share that story with, but I’d appreciate that stay between us, and even better, why don’t you forget that happened?”

“Silly human. Do you continue to experience embarrassment even with me? We are one. Although right now I feel less connected than we should without our Spirit freely accessible and all the other restrictions.” Pneuma let his thoughts and speech trail off.

“Yeah, I still feel our connection, but I can’t pull on it or talk to you like before. I wonder if they will relax that and allow us Spirit access or what the plan for our training will be.”

“Great questions,” Ele’Azar interjected as he walked in. The doors had opened without a sound he had been standing there listening. He stood in a bright purple robe with gold accents running down the hem and the cuffs of his sleeves that ended at his elbows. He walked barefoot. His robe ending just below the knee, Trint notices more sharp talons extending from his otherwise nearly human feet.

“How long have you been there?” Pneuma asked. “I can’t sense my surroundings like I normally could. It is quite frustrating not knowing you walked in.”

“Yes, I imagine it feels a bit like groping in the dark after seeing so clearly before. Apologies but you will have to suffer in silence for a while,” Eli’Azar said.

“In silence?” Trint asked.

“Yes, please don’t whine and complain,” Eli’Azar pleaded. “They are both fruitless and annoying.” Clapping his hands, he turned and walked to a table that would seat six comfortably. “Please come sit with me here.”

“I would offer to answer some more questions, but I think you will benefit more if I give you some basic knowledge first. I am cautious in what I share because I don’t want to drastically flavor your understanding of Soul. You might have some knowledge of how Soul is used in the Iterations. The Cease, my people, do not view Soul how those in the Iterations typically do. The very name of our people should indicate that we cease, no longer hold to that way of thinking, living, or ascending. As far as we know, there is no other source of power in the Iterations or Subsystem, that supersedes the Soul. In short, we believe it is the highest and most important step in achievement. The ramification of Soul will ripple through you once you touch up on it and will impact how you Ascend every step afterward.”

“You may wonder, how you understand something you have never experienced. You can be told or shown or figure it out yourself. All three are common. But I would recommend you strive to find your Soul’s calling in the least intrusive way.” He paused to let that sink in.

“What way is that?” Trint asked.

“That would be to have minimal outside influence from preconceived ideas and people. Your Soul is unique to you, but it also will be unique after you access a Lineage.”

“I believe I have a lineage already,” Trint interrupted. “Will that help in accessing my Soul?”

“Ha ha ha,” Ele’Azar gave a short laugh, “The lineage you refer to is not what we need to figure out. Your adoption is evident, and we are not concerned with your ties to the upper iterations. What I meant by lineage is far more important. The Soul must be hitched to something greater than itself. A concept, a Deity a power, an understanding. Only when you align and submit your Soul will you harness and access your Soul’s Seat and then your True Name.”

“Those in the iterations tend to make many assumptions about those three. We have found those assumptions to be lacking. You will learn more during your training. As your mentor, I will advocate for your use of Spirit while training. Due to the various paths to Soul mastery, there will be many ways to approach your time with your Cohort. They are the future of our people. It is a great honor to join them. There will be heavy scrutiny on you both and your activity.”

But there are many ways to learn. The Body, Mind, and Spirit all pale in comparison to the Soul but they also are intricately tied to it. You will be forced to utilize them all. Your stats are impressive, and I recommend you assign your free stat points. I have never seen stats like yours. It is the reason I am most intrigued by your prospects. That said, your stats and Sovereign powers will be closely monitored and limited. There is no room for killing, or even angering the future leaders of our people. Their parents are the current powers you risk offending and who could end your time with us and therefore your life. There is no telling where you would Restart in the Iterations or the Subsystem. You are a mystery.”

“There will be challenges ahead but I will be there to answer the questions I deem relevant. Physically and mentally your stats won’t help you. Spiritually your stats and abilities so far will not help you. They will be limited and throttled by your instructors and me. That is to push you and keep you from relying on them. We have refined our methods and you will be given access to none, but our elite get. So as your sponsor and Mentor, I ask that you both put forth all your efforts.”

“I apologize but I have more communications and meetings to attend. Food will be brought shortly, and I suggest sleep. Should you need anything, knock on the entryway door. Someone will attend to you shortly after.” Ele’Azar bowed with a smile and left Trint and Pneuma’s apartment.

As the door settled closed Trint let out a long sigh. “Just another step in getting to my family,” He reminded himself. “We can do this. I’m going to get some sleep. I’m not hungry.” Trint slowly got up from his chair and stretched.

“I’ll try the food before I rest and let you know if anything comes up, sweet dreams.”

Trint lay down to sleep. It took a bit for his mind to settle. He was tired but his anxiety from the drastic changes had his mind racing when he thought about where he was and where he had been the last weeks prior.

Trint opened his eyes. Looking around his vision was blurry. He sat up from bed, but it was dark in the room. He walked to the table and found some food left out. He sat, planning to eat he kept rubbing his eyes to clear his vision. He grabbed a small piece of wet sliced fruit. Smelling the sweetness of it he popped it in his mouth. Looking up across the room, Trint realized his vision was only clear for about 10 feet around him and everything else was shrouded in darkness.

As if seeing a light shining in a fog of darkness Trint could barely make out a hazy glow in the center of the otherwise dark room. The haze decreased as the figure came close to Trint sitting at the table. As the figure crossed into Trint’s bubble of clear vision, he finally saw who it was.

“Faith…” Trint choked on the fruit in his excitement. “Father! How are you here?” Trint was equal parts excited and surprised. “Can you get us out of here?”

“Oh Trint, you must have greater faith.” The voice boomed. “I am not with you in the Subsystem, and you are not eating fruit. You are dreaming. When you wake you won’t know if this was your subconscious or truly me. And we don’t have time for me to sit here proving my presence. Just trust and believe. I am here to reassure you. I have not truly left or forgotten you. I am proud of your progress. Both the power you’ve achieved and the path you’ve chosen. Know that you haven’t arrived here by accident, and I want you to take this next step with all seriousness. Your Soul is special. You are Special. I won’t give you the answers but know I am waiting for you. Keep your faith and hope in greater things than even the System can offer. I would wish you good luck, but I never believed in it.”