A Journey of Reiki
Chapter Seven

-Sybis-

“You’re insane,” Rynvus said from his place beside the stands. We were in Cinth’s shop again, this time I was looking for a travelling cloak, one that would keep the harsh weather away from me. The ring may keep me warm, but it doesn’t keep the rain from making me wet or the snow from giving me cold, so I had to prepare. “Certifiably insane.” I nodded.

“I wish I could disagree with that statement.” He stepped from around the stand to look at me. I was currently gazing at some heavy black cloaks, some dark blue mixed in, but I was leaning towards more of a green.

“You understand the consequences right? She’ll probably disown you as an apprentice, and in the end, you might not even live. In fact, there’s a very good chance you won’t live to hear her tell you herself!” He was very passionate about his warning, but I had already made up my mind. I had stolen the letter the night before, and tonight I would depart for Hyren, to ride as Belrae’s Champion. I had hidden all of Bel’s belongings that she had put together to stall her, hopefully giving me a long enough lead to get far away, or at least far enough to make it there first. I took the map that rested on her table as well, I needed one.

“I’m very well aware of this fact, Ryn.” He seemed beyond frustrated with my stubbornness, but I spoke the truth. I had long before accepted these possibilities. I grabbed a nice looking forest-green cloak and brought it to Cinth, who waited by the counter.

“Greetings, Sy.” She said quietly.

“Hello Cinth, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” I set the cloak on the counter and waited patiently for Rynvus to catch up and begin lecturing me once more. I heard his footsteps behind me.

“Cinth will you please talk some sense into--” I slapped my hand over his mouth and gave him a very dark look. Though he didn’t look pleased about it, he shut his mouth. Once I let go, he quietly muttered. “Nevermind.”

“This will be all, Cinth.” She waited, looking back and forth between me and Rynvus before shrugging.

“Two-hundred gold please.” I nodded, counting out the coin she requested and handing it to her, giving Rynvus one last dirty look as I took the cloak and covered my shoulders with it. It fit, but it was a little short, but that was fine, I didn’t need the length anyhow. I thanked Cinth and walked out, Rynvus hot on my heels.

“How are you going to get there, Sy?” He queried. I stopped and looked at him, determined to finish these questions.

“I plan on paying for a horse from the stables you work at.”

“But you can’t ride!”

“I can learn.”

“But in time for the fight? You may not need one for the Trials, but Belrae will come after you, and she does know how to ride a horse.” I sighed. I didn’t have a defense on this particular question.

“I’ll hope that luck is with me, and pray that Hitatsu guides me but other than this Ryn I am going.”

“Why?” The question caught me off-guard.

“What?”

“Why? Why are you going for her, Sybis?” I knew the answer without hesitation.

“Because she has taught me more than any other person has tried to in a short time. She accepted me and allowed me into her home when my own family walked out on me.” I felt an anger bubble to the surface of my throat, every word filled with venom. “They left me to fend for myself and die. My own mother, my own father. But she, a stranger, let me in. Fed me, clothed me, and taught me. That is why. That is enough for me.” He shook his head, stepping in front of me, stopping me from advancing. I felt a small twinge of anger reside but didn’t fight.

“What’s the other reason? Nobody would risk this much without something to gain for themselves, Sybis.” He forced my hand.

“I need power.” He waved it away.

“Yes, I know that, but why.”

“None of your business, Ryn.” I tried stepping forward again, but he stood firm. I didn’t push him, but I let him continue, hoping he was through asking questions about my judgment.

“I told you something that was none of yours, now it is fair. We will call this as close to even as we may ever be.” I felt that residual anger begin to build again, but I pushed it down, rolling my eyes instead.

“You won’t leave me until I tell you, will you?” He shook his head.

“Not a chance in the world.” I rubbed my head.

“I’m looking for someone close to me. I need strength so I can replace them. This was what was told to me by a witch doctor in my village. She told me I needed power to meet him.” He soaked it in, nodding.

“Who are you looking for?”

“My father.” He nodded again, looking down.

“And you think this will help you, honestly? You told me yourself he left you. Why search for him now?” I nodded.

“Because I must show him he was wrong.”

“About what?”

“Me. And the things he said.”

“What did he say that would make you commit suicide like this? Because this is what you’re doing.”

“He told me before he left,” I said, gathering my things and making sure everything was strapped tight to my body, “that I would never be able to be like him. Never be able to prove myself worthy of his love. I don’t want his God-be-damned love, but I do want to see the look on his face when I prove to him he was wrong.” Rynvus let out a long breath, we looked each other in the eyes. He threw his hands up.

“Then I won’t stop you, Sy.” He let his arms drop, defeated. “I can only wish you the best of luck.” I gripped his shoulder, confidence feuling my words.

“You’ll see me again. Let’s go, I need that horse.”

Within a few moments, I finally got the rein of my horse down, managing to stay on through her wild movements. I got her into a light jog, Rynvus by my side with the stud from the stables. I had brought with me all the supplies I wanted, food and water mainly among them. My sword strapped to my side hidden by my cloak brought me comfort, and my armor was freshly polished and clean. Rynvus walked me to the town limits, and no further.

“Goodbye, my friend.” I turned to him, keeping my balance as best I could. He seemed sad, but he hid it fairly well. He bowed his head, touching his ears. I did the same.

“Until we meet again, Sybis.”

“Until we meet again, Rynvus.” He didn’t say another word, only allowing the silence to persist as he turned his horse, and walked back into town, leaving me and my horse alone in the world, but I knew the next task at hand and what needed to happen. I turned my horse to Eliseia’s house, hard to miss in the distance, and rode.

It took a moment to get my horse to actually get going, but once I had she didn’t give me an issue. I tied her reigns to a tree and walked around the house expecting to replace Eliseia by the lake and sure enough, I did.

She sat as she normally did, her legs under her as she gazed out towards the lake. She noticed my entrance through the gates, and her smile lit up the area around her as I came to sit beside her. I guess my face didn’t carry the same energy, because her face slowly drifted into a frown and she grabbed my hand, her airy voice filling my head carefully, warily.

“What’s wrong Sir Sybis? You seem to have something on your mind.” I nodded. “I do.” I rubbed my face with snow, preparing myself for the long-term. I took in a deep breath, looking down at my polished armor, the new cloak around my shoulders, my new sword at my hip. All-new and a brand-new journey awaited me as well. But I knew I would need more than just these things. “Eliseia, I’m about to do something… very dangerous. And I’m not sure if I’m going to be here again.” I let it out and quieted, looking away.

When I looked up, I read the look she had waiting for me, and I was confused to see her smiling.

“I believe in you”

Four simple words. Four simple words were enough to draw me through the void of fear, and a smile to break out on my face, though it was only a small smile.

“Thank you, Eliseia.” She waved it away. “I do have a favor to ask of you, however.” She cocked her head and gave me a look, questioning and curious. “I’m in need of a messenger if you are willing.” She nods, wanting me to continue. “I’m entering into the Balance Trials.” Her eyes grew very wide, alarmed and immediately filled with worry. She grabbed at my face, but I gently set my hand on hers, not letting her continue. Her skin felt soft under my hand, and she still smelled of vanilla, a beautiful scent for a beautiful woman. “There is a reason, believe me, there is a reason. I need you to tell Belrae this, ‘I’m sorry, forgive me one day.’ That is all.” I looked at her deeply in the eyes, and I had a choice to make right then, and I took my chance.

I leaned forward, and kissed her on the cheek softly, before standing up, and walking out of the fenced area, not waiting for anything or anyone to stop me. If they had, I might never begin this journey again but instead stay in Eliseia’s arms forever, where I wanted to be. If anything in this world would bring me back to T’uuk, it would be her.

I hopped back onto my horse, and rounded her about carefully, pushing her to a slow trot and walking out of town, not looking back for any reason at all, keeping my vision forward.

***

The first few days went smoothly, and the next did as well, with only six days left before the trials began, and only a few days left of travel, the urgency of my self-training became far more present. I had ridden out of the snow lands four days ago and rounded the deserts of Taralen a day previous, now with only three days of travel left I would arrive in Hyren, ready for anything that could happen.

I had made camp, tying my mare to a tree and starting a small fire, my belongings in a pile by me as I went through the sword motions I was taught at a young age, reminding me of my fights with Jillian.

The memories brought a small pang, but I didn’t mind it. It was okay to think about those things, it was who I was, and a part of it allowed my magic to roam. Magic was harder to learn, and while my Reiki had increased quite a bit since I began the meditations and exercises, my use of Reiki was still lacking. I had managed to increase the power of my gust, enough to strip trees of their leaves and push the sands, but nothing spectacular. I felt I was using it wrong, and in that session, I realized what I needed to do.

I was thinking too broad. The wind was wind, but if I compacted it… I had to try it.

I took in a deep breath and pushed my hand forward, pointed towards a nearby tree. I thought about what I wanted and released it.

My Reiki barely moved, my theory was right, I was moving too broad, using too much wind when I could use only a little, and still walk it off. I re-established the thought in my head and lifted my hand once again. My hand sparked white, and the idea formed into reality, helped by the very essence of my being. The thin strip of wind sailed forth, and cut into the tree, leaving a four-inch cut within the trunk.

I jumped out, shouting, fist-pumping, and all-around hollering. It worked! If I compacted wind enough, it became sharp, and with the sharpness, I could cut into my opponents or nearby objects. The more Reiki I put in, the deeper it went. I had to test it, just to make sure. I doubled the Reiki and repeated. This time, another foot cut into the oak tree, and it began to wobble.

I put all of my ichor into another blast and forced the tree to fall in a large gust of wind. The tree split, groaning as it fell and splintered on the ground. I felt very tired after the final push but satisfied with what I had learned. It may be life-saving in the Trials.

In the time I had been travelling, I had much to think about. The Trials were just a fragment of all that was on my mind, but it had taken up a good bit of it. I could very well die in this, never breathe again, never replace my father and make him understand what he did to me. I would never be able to truly kiss Eliseia. I would never be able to live, as I want to so very badly.

But I had to. Belrae had done more for me when she simply didn’t need to. She was loving but straight-forward, she kept me safe and warm and fed but I had to work my ass off to keep it. She provided honest work, helpful lessons, and all-in-all she had become more than just my master, she had become my friend and ally. She was more to me than just someone to learn magic from. Her sister had begun to grow on me as well, and I knew she would never forgive me if I had the chance to save Bel, and didn’t take it. I was unsure if she would care that I was putting my own life at stake while I did it.

One life for another’s, it was a fair deal.

But maybe I would win. It was a slim chance, sure, but I was willing to take it if it meant I had the chance to continue my training. And of course, I was willing to bet I had plenty to learn from the people I would be facing as well.

So much had happened in the last few days that I was more than happy for sleep to envelop me. That was what I wanted at the moment. And dammit, I was going to get it!