The Emerging Part I: Dream
CHAPTER XXXVI

Shark is concentrating at the edge of the massive Lake in the Injhihato. He fluidly moves his hands and body into twisting forms and complex movements. A stream of water mirrors his movements, moving this way and that. Shark suddenly changes from fluid and calm to stiff and rough, causing the water to transform into ice. Shark relaxes all of his muscles and the water falls swimmingly into the lake.

Shark feels multiple presences behind him. He turns to see the Pentad appearing eager for the training he has prepared for them. Shark smiles at the Pentad, gesturing for them to have a seat at a nearby bench.

After the Pentad has sat down, Shark approaches the children.

“I trust you have all had a decent night’s sleep,” Shark begins. The Pentad nods hesitantly, the memory of the previous duel fresh on their minds. Shark can almost feel the Pentad’s memories filtering through his own aura.

Shark shrugs and continues, “I also trust that you have all enjoyed your training with Vulcan of the rudiments of the sword and shield,” Shark pauses as he watches the Pentad nods excitedly, the memories of the sparring sessions causing their fingers to twitch with anticipation.

Shark chuckles to himself, “Now, however, I begin your training in zoltind, the aspect of being a Rniti that sets us a part from every other person in the land. Er, what do you all know of zoltind?”

“I know that Rniti have mastered the mysterious connections,” Pork states. “And that they often teach others. My father once had the opportunity, but he was too old.”

Shark glances at Pork with confusion, but states, “Well, it is far easier to connect to your zoltind as a youngling. This is why we search for children in their twelfth year. We have found zoltind quickly reveals itself at this age.”

Pork nods in understanding.

“I once saw zoltind being performed in Coas,” Fox starts, “a most powerful Rniti was moving water about in a way that amazed the entire city. That same Rniti described how he wasn’t even that great at it. So, I guess zoltind has varying levels of expertise?”

Shark nods, “There are nearly unlimited possibilities with your respective zoltind connections. In fact, you will develop such a bond with your zoltind connection, you will discover your connection teaching you more than any of us Daijoks could.”

Fox’s eyes widen at the encouragement of experimenting with zoltind.

“Zoltind is a mystery that is often abused by those that wield it,” Desert spits.

Shark glances at Desert warily, “I am afraid there are those that possess zoltind connections but darkness in their hearts. We cannot always control the guards and soldiers that we teach in the zoltind connections.”

Desert’s anger wafts through his untrained aura, burning into the others of the Pentad, and scorching the edges of Shark’s strong, fuhok aura. Shark winces as if in pain then gladly turns to Hawk who has raised his hand.

When Shark nods to him in acknowledgement, Hawk speaks, “Zoltind is a connection that the Rniti train specifically, as they have the most knowledge of the abilities, but we Rniti are not the only ones that can develop this connection. Why do more people not have a zoltind connection?”

Shark appears wary before answering, “Hawk, more people do not have a zoltind connection because they do not know they can even have a zoltind connection. Most people live out their lives under the Rniti’s protection completely oblivious to the connection we Rniti all share. Over the centuries, we Rniti have come to hold the knowledge of zoltind in the utmost highest regards. Meaning, that a common person should not develop a connection or risk destroying an entire city with the unexpected power of the connection.”

Hawk appears to glare at Shark, as if replaceing the answer unsatisfactory.

Shark shakes himself before continuing, “Indeed, what all you have said is correct, that zoltind is a connection that all Rniti share. But, you have not said exactly what zoltind is.

“Zoltind has four connections, one for earth, one for air, one for water, and one for fire. Earth is okit, air is ire, water is fuhok, and fire is sigo. But, zoltind is more than even a connection. Zoltind allows you great feats of manipulation of earth, air, water, or fire. The manipulation zoltind allows can be used in battle, as many, many Rniti utilize, or can even be used for mundane purposes such as lighting a candle, building a stone house, swimming quickly, or even create a cool breeze on a sweltering day.

“Lastly, you all will learn of your natural zoltind in the coming days. You will know what zoltind connection you encompass when we throw the simplest attack at you. You will either deflect the attack, or be hit by it, but you will discover what zoltind connection you embody,” Shark concludes as he motions for Firose, Oukton, Jtoon, and another, older Rniti to accompany him and the Pentad by the lake.

Shark speaks, “I am sure you all know Firose, Oukton, and Jtoon, but allow me to introduce a Rniti with an ire connection, Raptor,” Shark motions towards the older Rniti.

Raptor raises his hand, “Hello, Pentad,” he says with just a hint of sadness upon his tongue. “I am honored to aid a new class into discovering their often life-preserving connection of zoltind.”

Shark nods to his friend, feeling Raptor’s sadness for his murdered beloved filtering away as Raptor gazes upon the Pentad with hope.

“Now, Pentad, to discover your zoltind connection, you must have the simplest attack thrown at you,” Shark describes. “To accomplish this, we have a cross-section established just on the hill behind you. In that cross-section, we will then throw our respective attacks at you and wait for the time you deflect one of the attacks. Boar, if you would follow me?” Shark requests.

“The rest of you, return to your bed chambers, we will discover your zoltind connections in the coming days,” Raptor says for Shark as he leads Pork away.

The Pentad nods at Raptor’s back as they make their way back to the Central Complex.

Pork stands before the four Rniti with Shark behind him. He hears Shark’s voice, “Now, do not think, just allow your instincts to overwhelm you. You will know how to deflect the attack.”

Pork merely nods as Oukton readies a simple pebble to throw at Pork. When Pork sees the pebble zooming towards him, he believes the rock is flying rather slowly. He can see every turn of the stone. He raises his arm to deflect the pebble when, instead, he throws the pebble back at Oukton with even more speed, forcing the more experienced Rniti to conjure an earthen wall for protection.

“Excellent!” Shark exclaims. “You are an okit, Boar, please, rejoin your Pentad, wherever they may be.”

Pork nods, pride filling his heart as he runs back to the Cental Complex. He imagines the happiness his Pentad will feel for him after informing them how he threw the pebble directly back at Oukton’s head. Pork smiles widely.

Desert glares at the incoming pebble Oukton launched at him in the hopes of striking Desert directly I the forehead. To Oukton’s dismay, Desert catches the pebble then launches the rock as far as he can in the direction of Oukton. Oukton watches as the pebble flies high over his head, past the Lake, and into the small forest. Desert smirks behind his scarf, thrilled of his okit connection.

“Looks like I’m gonna give you a run for your penoc, Pork. I annihilated that rock,” a cocky Desert determines.

“Oh no, you’re gonna have a lot more competition than you think, Desert,” Hawk pokes.

“Psh, no doubt. Pork is such a great zoltok and all,” Desert speaks sarcastically.

“Hey, just for that I am gonna knock you out of the running as top okit zoltok among us,” Pork defends.

“Pork, don’t go getting yourself over your head,” Desert insults.

Pork’s voice rises and yells at Desert, “You think you are better than me just because you ‘instinctively’ threw that rock farther than I did?! We do not even have any training!”

Desert retaliates even louder than Pork, “If I can beat you instinctively, then there is no doubt I will beat you when we are trained!”

Hawk pipes in louder than Desert, to defend Pork, “Pork has something you do not, Desert, and that is self-will! All you do is rely on brute force to have your bidding done! You are still that bully from so long ago!”

Desert, louder still, “That bully had a gang of his own! But now, I am by myself showing everyone I am able to handle anyone by myself!

Hawk, loudest of all, “You cannot possibly take on anyone yourself without your gang. I saw to that when I beat you in our little duel that one night next to Sapphire Lake!”

Desert, feeling vulnerable, somehow manages to be louder than Hawk, “That was complete nonsense, I bet once we do learn some skills, I will put you out, flat out. You will not be getting up when I get done!”

“Quiet,” a velvety air streams through the boys’ thick heads, then silence. The velvet air comes again, “Where is Fox?”