The Emerging Part I: Dream
CHAPTER IX

“Boys,” Vaiqon begins, “we leave at once. Please, follow me.”

Vaiqon leads the boys back through the outer parts of the city towards the city wall. Just as the southern gate can be seen, he pause gesturing for the boys to group themselves together and grab onto each other’s shoulders.

Vaiqon grabs onto Hawk’s shoulder, and then attempts to flash them all to the next city on his tour. When he feels a spark and a sputter, he opens his eyes to replace himself and the boys still standing in the exact same spot in Dzrt.

He balks releasing Hawk instantly.

Hawk receives a vague, unknown feeling creeping into his mind. He turns to Vaiqon and bluntly states, “You cannot flash us all?”

Vaiqon stares at Hawk and wonders inwardly at the perception of the young boy. Vaiqon shakes himself, “It appears that even my prowess of a Daijok can succumb to exhaustion. I have had quite the week, boys,” Vaiqon says, waving off Hawk’s blunt statement of truth.

Hawk shrugs then states, “There are horses we can buy by the gate.”

Vaiqon stares at Hawk yet again of the boy’s perception. ‘He felt the horses before even I.’

Vaiqon shakes his head again, “Very well, if that is true, I should hope you all have learned to ride at some point in your young lives.”

When he is answered by a collective nod, Vaiqon then leads the boys towards the southern gate yet again. After they have arrived at the gate and purchased five horses, they set off on a quick pace through the desert.

They ride until the sun that has already begun to creep down, just touching the horizon, the horses glistening with sweat, the boys rubbing their eyes to stay awake, and Vaiqon even longing to crack his weary bones.

They travel off the road a few hundred yards where they make camp with the provisions that came with the horses. They place logs around a central fire that Hawk makes, and place their two person tents in a line just outside the logs. They eat a meager meal of dried meats, fruits, and flat bread, the only form of sustenance that can survive in the desert.

Vaiqon, attempting to lighten the mood, “We made great progress today, boys. Tomorrow, we should arrive in Southern Citis. A beautiful city. There, we will stay another night to refresh, then stage the obstacle course yet again, and then be on our way to the Injhihato where you will begin your training to become Rniti.”

The boys smile widely at the mentioning of the great prize they have earned. They glance at each other, even Hawk and Desert share a look of mild indifference with one another before turning back to hear Vaiqon speak.

“As a matter of fact, when you all become Rniti,” Vaiqon says, “you will have power and skills that surpass even your wildest hopes and dreams. With that being said, raise your hand if you have ever desired to become a Rniti.”

All of the boys raise their hands with ecstasy, even Desert with his eyes skulking behind his scarf. Vaiqon frowns at the memory that is fresh on the boy’s aura. To assuage Desert’s stormy mind, Vaiqon asks, “Now, to play a game of sorts, what do you believe is most important for a Rniti, power? Or skill?”

The boys’ hands slowly come back down from the air as their faces contort into disgruntled messes of thought. After a few minutes have passed, Pork’s face becomes passive yet again.

Vaiqon notices Pork’s neutral face and asks, “Boar, you have a thought to share?”

Pork blanches at first, but then softly states, “Yes, I believe skills are most important to a Rniti.”

Vaiqon smiles widely, “Ah, and why do you believe that, Boar?”

Pork shrugs, “I’m not sure. Just, you obviously have skills to be a Daijok. Isn’t that what everyone wants to be?”

Vaiqon’s smile drops instantly, but he nods warmly regardless, “Yes, Boar, a Daijok is the last tier of being a Rniti. You will learn all of this at the Injhihato.”

Vaiqon then sees Fox’s face register normality and asks, “Fox? Would you have a thought to share perhaps?”

Fox nods eagerly, “Yes, I believe skills are most important too, but because skills allow a person to overcome anything. You can always acquire new skills. Power is harder to obtain.”

Vaiqon smiles widely again, “It seems we have quite the philosopher in our little group.”

Fox beams, “I have just heard numerous stories relating power and skills while living on the streets in Coas.”

Vaiqon’s smile drops somewhat, “Oh? Such as?”

Fox inhales deeply before setting off on his tale, “Well, I remember I was in a tavern once and heard a drunk guy going on and on about how a person can chuck a rock as hard as he can and break a window, but if he doesn’t have the skill to aim, he is wasting his time.

“Another time, I heard two merchants in the market talking about how some of the merchants don’t have a lick of sense in their heads and they almost bully their way into sales, and later, poverty and rags.”

Fox chuckles at this point, “As if living in rags is such a bad thing,” he says pointing at his own rags of clothing held together by scraps and stringy threads. “Oh, and another time, I was walking behind a rich couple about to take their purses when I heard them talking about how dreadful it was that some do not have the skill to make their way into upper society, but those that have, are nothing more than, what was the word the woman used, oh yeah, egotistical bastards with nothing but rocks and pebbles for brains.

“So, all in all, skill is most important to Rniti as power, though craved, is not often looked upon with favor,” Fox concludes.

The boys chuckle at the fact that Fox cursed straightforwardly, Vaiqon appears deep in thought.

“Excellent argument, Fox,” Vaiqon says, forcing the boy to beam again. “It appears my previous statement of you having a philosophical mind was quite right.”

Fox only smiles widely gazing at the fire in the center of them all.

Vaiqon sees Hawk’s face has now become neutral after a bout of intense pondering. “Hawk, would I be right to assume you have a thought to share?”

Hawk nods, “I think skill are most important to a Rniti, but power can come into play too.”

Vaiqon’s smirk drops to a deep frown, but Hawk continues, “If a Rniti has extraordinary skill, but ordinary power, would the two not equal one another and the Rniti have a neutral cause?”

“If a Rniti has more of a propensity for skill rather than power, would she not become a scholar and wielder of all arts for her mental gain? And if a Rniti had more of a proclivity for power, would he not become a brute and seek any manner available to him to obtain more?” Hawk ends, his argument shocking the boys into gaping stares and Vaiqon into an impressed state.

“Hawk,” Vaiqon starts, “I believe you will just have to wait and see your answers to be revealed to you. I cannot state my personal feelings on the matter for as a Daijok, I must remain neutral in many circumstances. Now, how would you answer your own questions, Hawk?”

Hawk takes a minute to think over his questions before answering, “I believe the mental gain far exceeds the desire to seek ever more and more power. I believe the latter is the definition of madness and the former the definition of progress.”

The boys again stare at Hawk with gaping mouths, but Vaiqon smiles widely, his eyes twinkling, “Ah, Hawk, I believe you have answered with much correct thought.”

Hawk shrugs, “We’ll see, like you said.”

Vaiqon starts at the sudden difference in Hawk. He thinks to himself, ‘It is as if Hawk had channeled a force far greater than himself in his discussion and now he is himself. Quite interesting.’

Vaiqon then feels a dark force emanating to his left. He glances to Desert to see the eyes behind the scarf twitching with thought.

Vaiqon extends his hand, “Desert, would you desire to enlighten us all of your thoughts?”

Desert smiles widely from underneath his scarf though none of the others can register the expression.

“Yes,” Desert starts. “You all are imbeciles. Power is the most important aspect a Rniti can have. Power can influence as no other. Power allows a Rniti to assert his authority of those weaker than him. Power is what all crave, Rniti or not.

“Power is what makes this world run. Power is the sole force we were able to overcome the obstacle course. All of us, in our own way, even you, Hawk,” Desert says, spitting the name out, “with your magical transportation over the Evko Jump, required some form of power.

“And, lastly, power has the threat to cause the most harm to all. This threat of harm is what forces people to succumb unconsciously and without fight to the will of him that wields the greatest power. For instance, would any of you,” Desert points at Hawk, Fox, and Pork, “dare fight against Vaiqon right here, right now?”

When neither Hawk, Fox, nor Pork answer, but only have their eyes widen in concern and shock, Desert chuckles, “Of course not, because you know as well as I the power Vaiqon wields. The old man would crush us as easily as we could crush a bug. So, power, proven tonight, is the most important aspect for a Rniti to have.” Desert concludes.

Vaiqon frowns inwardly, but remains neutral on the surface as he feels Desert’s memories falling in droves inside the boy’s mind.

Vaiqon then says, “Desert, Your argument is spoken well and offers a new perspective that even I have thought of only on the most rarest of occasions. However, Power can fade which leads to one always wanting to replace more. Skills though, can always be acquired, even at my age.”

“Will that happen?” Desert inquires.

Vaiqon blanches, he raises an eyebrow in confusion and question.

Desert rolls his eyes, “I know we all have budding potential and I wish to see it completely fulfilled. But, will our power fade?”

Vaiqon appears uneasy for a moment before saying, “Oh, that I cannot say with certainty, Desert. Power may fade, but as a fire, such as this one, it may be reignited again. And, if you can discover a way to maintain your burning flame, the flame that resides in each and every one of us, you will become the most powerful Rniti of all time.”

Desert smiles beneath his scarf yet again though no one can see it.

“Flame burning inside of us?” Fox asks suddenly.

Vaiqon smiles, thankful that the subject has changed from, “Yes, Fox, there is a fire that burns inside each and every one of us. This fire is what allows us to breathe, to fight, to love, and to cherish. Without this flame, none of us would be able to survive, let alone progress.

“In fact, we must always discover ways to keep our flame burning, otherwise we should fall into great despair. This fire has three components, the logs, the fire itself, and the radiance of the flame. The logs are the base which describe our bodies and minds which must be fed and nourished. The flame itself is our actions and thoughts which dances and changes constantly for we must always be flexible and open to learning. And the radiance of the flame is our legacy, how others see us. The radiance is fed by the base and the fire combined, so others then see the who we are by how we build ourselves and how we portray ourselves to others.”

Fox waves Vaiqon away, “Right, right, but why did you describe our lives as a flame burning? I’ve heard other stories that describe our lives.”

Vaiqon senses Fox’s desire to illustrate more tales and smiles, “Oh? Is that so? Would I be wrong to assume that you wish to relate some of the others?”

Fox beams, “No, you’d not be wrong. Fox turns to face Hawk, Desert, and Pork as he launches into more of his tales, “Okay, our lives are like the turtle. The body is our base, the retraction of the turtle’s head, our instinct, and the shell our legacy. We are only able to move because of our body and mind. The retraction triggers our instinct to save ourselves, and the shell is what we need to be seen as, as protectors. I think I heard that one from a Rniti actually. I don’t know.

“Oh, and another one, about a hunter. The hunter’s stealth is our base, the weapon our action, the eyesight, our instinct, and the kill, our legacy. We must be light on our toes in life or else we will never be able to reach our goals. We must hone our natural talents to become anything in this world. And we must always be ready to unleash our skills to be able to achieve our goals.”

When Fox is preparing to set about another tale, Vaiqon interrupts, “Fox, though your metaphorical tales of life are accurate to an extent, it is not the most accurate tale of life for the turtle only retracts in fear and the hunter only attacks when the moment is opportune. The flame is most accurate as it comprises all of human characteristics.”

“I don’t think burning is a good characteristic,” Pork debates.

Vaiqon steels himself as he says, “On the surface, burning is portrayed as bad, but burning leads to healing which leads to preventative measures to prevent being burned in the future. If you were burned, Pork, you would then seek out ways to prevent from being burned again. The flame is light, warmth, and life, all attributes humans must have to replenish, renew, and regrow.”

“Vaiqon,” Hawk starts, “I’ve never heard of these tales before, what’s the difference between the three besides your personal aversion to the others that’s not the flame?”

Vaiqon blanches at the boldness of the accusation, but answers Hawk’s question nonetheless, “Hawk, the difference in the tales is primarily that they represent different forces of nature. The flame, fire, the turtle, water, and the hunter, earth.”

Hawk tilts his head to the side, “But couldn’t the turtle be earth too? Turtles can live on land. And the hunter could be fire. Hunters use all sorts of projectiles.”

Vaiqon blinks multiple times before stating, “I actually have never thought of-”

“And,” Hawk interrupts, “they could all be air as fire can’t exist without air, the turtle and hunter can’t live without breathing, and the hunter can’t shoot an arrow through a tree and hit his mark.”

Vaiqon nods in agreement, “Hawk I understand, but you are glimpsing too far into the metaphor. These metaphors are nothing more than children’s tales anyway. But, the flame is something that the Rniti have come to hold as sacred, and you will learn as to the why you are all thinking when we arrive at the Injhihato. For now though, we must be off to bed for tomorrow we have a busy day.”

The boys shrug and grunt their way to their tents. Hawk and Fox share a tent while Desert and Pork share the other. Vaiqon slowly rises from his log and extinguishes the fire by controlling air currents to blow the fire out.

He slowly walks into his tent where he makes an air mattress and falls into a restless sleep, his thoughts swimming of the fact that one of his victors has a philosophical mind greater than that of a scholar at such a young age, one of his victors has hidden desire and ulterior motive inside his head, but always speaks what he believes to be heard, one of his victors has a mind and potential he has never seen, already looking at both sides of skill and power, and the last victor having a strong propensity for power the likes of which frightens him greatly.