Kareivis: Warrior

CHAPTER 3: PRINCE ASMENU

Muhali was standing alone surrounded by nothing but darkness. In the midst of the darkness she started to hear the sound of running feet. In the direction of where the sound was coming from she saw a light. She walked toward the light until she ended up in a large hall way. When she looked around she saw guards standing in multiple entrances. To her right there were large windows that almost went up all the way to the ceiling. Huge chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling. It wasn’t long before her exploration was interrupted by three figures that ran right past her. They ran like something was chasing them. As they passed it was as if one of them caught a glimpse of her. His break in concentration distracted one of his companions, making him tumble into one of the guards. But this did not slow them down as the young man quickly got up. As he continued running he shouted back to the guard “…my apologies sir, the prince is late again.” The prince looked back and glared at his companion. ‘Tendai will not be amused…’ the prince thought to himself. Muhali subtly smiled briefly at the nervous expressions on their faces. “…It is inconceivable just how many times three individuals can be late for the same lesson.” One of the guards snickered. Muhali could not help but follow them to where they were going. It was like the mind of the prince and hers were connected and somehow she arrived at their destination before they did. She had arrived at a place that looked like a large hall. It had no doors or windows, but the entrance was covered with layers and layers of fabrics that were dusty pink and they seemed to dance to the rhythm of the wind that was blowing. The room resembled a much richer version of the Nedrag in Citadel. It was full of flowers and branches lying against the walls. The warm rays of the two suns could be felt if one were to stand on the balcony of the room. And as she explored the room she made her way to the balcony where she discovered that it was built on a mountain side and she saw acres and acres of forest as far as the eye could see. The entire place was covered with trees, waterfalls, mountains, flowers, bright blue skies, a heavenly fresh breeze and vines that wrapped themselves around everything. As Muhali turned around she noticed that there was a tall elder looking man, with silver grey hair who was wearing a long bulky beige robe in the middle of the room following her every movement. She moved closer to him and realised that he was looking straight into her eyes. “Can you see me?” “…of course, I can young warrior. My name is Tendai keeper of knowledge…” replied the old man. Before any other word could be uttered the boys stormed into the room as Tendai moved toward the wall. He touched a panel and immediately the room detached itself from the mountain and descended a little bit above the forest of Haile. Tendai enjoyed the peacefulness and tranquillity of the forest of Haile because it embodied his very nature. Before starting with his lesson for the day Tendai said in a gentle voice without even turning back, “You are late, again Asmenu…”

Asmenu was a beautiful young man. He was soft spoken a gentle yet strong voice. He had kind looking grey eyes that changed to silver when he was angry. He was polite and respectful, obedient to a fault sometimes. He often felt as though his obedient nature was a burden to him. He had short strawberry hair that was always properly tucked in behind his ears. He wore an earring on his left ear which was a gift from his mother. The young prince approached the keeper and knelt on one knee, put his hand across his chest, bowed his head and then he went on to say, “My apologies teacher, I was with my mother and I did not studiously take care of the hour.” Tendai looked at the young prince with a sad face and he replied, “…very well then, let us begin.” Tendai glanced over to Muhali as if he was giving her permission to join their class. As soon as the lecture hall was close enough to the ground a hatch opened up on the floor next to Tendai. A flight of stairs appeared and made its way to the ground. They all followed Tendai down the stairs.

“I hope all of you have studied the revised lessons I sent you previously.” said a mysterious growly voice.

When they had all reached the ground, she noticed there was a large training arena that looked to be made of stone. At each of its corners it had a single tall marble pillar. There was also two more students along with and elder looking man. Unlike Master Tendai this man was short in stature. He was bald and angry looking and seemed quite irritable.

“You all are tardy, again! And unlike our Master Tendai I will not be so forgiving.” the man yelled.

“Now then, shall we begin?” the man continued. Master Tendai nodded in agreement and all five students stepped on the arena and lined up to make a horizontal line. Right in-front of them two opponents walked onto the arena. Muhali recognised them. She had only ever seen them once as a child. Before the war with the Channidae, she had received such a being as a gift from the Channidae. They were supposed to be sparring opponents that could mimic any ability in existence.

“Begin!” the man shouted. The students immediately took on their fighting stances. And their opponents did so as well. The students attacked; fire, water, wind and earth. But their attacks were futile and ineffective against their opponents. Muhali circled the entire arena studying their movements. Trying to understand the opponents and devise a means to defeat them. And as she circled so did Master Tendai. But he was studying her. He seemed fascinated with her thirst for knowledge. And ultimately, she and Master Tendai intersected somewhere. She had not even noticed that as she studied the battle, Tendai was studying her. She looked at him expecting him to say something, but he did not. He merely nodded at the arena as if he needed her to learn something. She, however did not know what it was that Tendai wanted her to learn. But she did know one thing, the students though very powerful did not seem to understand how to utilize the full extent of their abilities. They were getting defeated in quite a diminishing fashion.

“Is this the preparation that you all have made? Why does the Master even bother to prepare the holo-lessons if you choose not to study them? Why are we here? Huh?” all the yelling interrupted Muhali’s line of thought. For a small person the strange man had a really loud voice, Muhali thought to herself. The man climbed into the arena and their opponents instantly stopped attacking. It was if someone had pressed a pause button.

“Do you not realise who you are? Why must you think of your abilities as mere tools? They are extensions of who you are. Understand that nothing can withstand you. Nothing can escape your reach. They breathe your air, one word from you and the air they breathe can be snuffed out. Such impudence, how dare they walk on your earth without consent? They enjoy the warmth of the rays of your sun and they still have the audacity to stand against you?”

Muhali was shocked, if they were to fully master their gifts, they would not need an army. With just the five of them, Inthia and Channidae would fall. And even worse, if they were to join the Channidae against Inthia, she would not stand a chance against them. But again, her thoughts were interrupted by Tendai’s stern nod toward the arena. It seemed he really needed her to pay attention to what was happening.

“Do not diminish these teachings by belittling and dismissing the full extent of your gifts. This is your world they are on, show them what you can do.” 

The opponent that was to Muhali’s right started to emit an electric current that moved from his body to the ground. Not long after that the current had engulfed the entire arena. All the students fell to the ground as soon as the current touched them. But Asmenu quickly got up. As a royal Prince, Asmenu had all four abilities plus an extra just for good measure. He had the ability to heal. While he was laying on the ground Asmenu radiated his healing all over his body so that it became a shield against the current of the opponent. Using his air ability, he sent the opponents flying out of the arena. The disoriented opponents gave the students a brief reprieve. Taking their cue from Asmenu the students used their respective abilities as shields. Just as they were about to continue with the training, two soldiers appeared on the grounds. They bowed to Master Tendai and then one of them proceeded to whisper into his ear. Tendai’s face looked curious as he turned his back and walked toward the flight of stairs. As he got further and further away, the opponents also retired. “…Asmenu, The King requests your presence immediately in the hall of the elders.” said the man that had been yelling at them throughout their training session. Shaylaian was a planet that had three sides to its governance. The first side was Tendai the keeper of knowledge. No one really knew where Tendai came from or how he got his position. But they knew that he had earned the respect he was accorded. The second side was the elders who were the law makers and law enforcers, and the third side was the King who was the ruler of Shaylaian. Asmenu was uneasy, his spirit was bothered and his mind worried as he stepped off the arena and he followed the soldiers. As they made their way to the hall of elders he became more so uneasy as he wondered what could be happening. Whatever it was it had to be important because Tendai’s lesson would never be interrupted in such a manner. Tendai was greatly respected in the land for his abilities, his wisdom and his kindness. Muhali followed suit as well, she felt tied to Asmenu and his predicament. Just as before she arrived just outside the hall of elders before Asmenu and the guards, but she could not enter. She felt the great power of the elders as well as great hostility, so she resolved to remain at the entrance. As Asmenu entered the room he could sense the presence of the elders, he put his left hand across his chest, and he bowed his head.

“Father, you sent for me.” “Yes, my son I did indeed. There is a matter we have to discuss…” The King replied. The King was a regal man who looked much like a young man. He had strong facial features with piercing silver eyes that commanded respect. “…the elders and I feel that after the celebration of your coming of age, Tendai will no longer be your teacher. A new teacher will be appointed by the elders to teach you what you ought to know to be a great king…” as he was speaking he paused as if he was saying things he did not believe in. Asmenu this about his father and thus took the opportunity to let his feelings be known. “I beg your pardon my elders and your majesty. I mean no disrespect but Tendai is not the keeper of knowledge by default. He has always possessed great wisdom and great power for as long as we know. That is why our people gave him this position and as such we must tread with caution.”

As he was speaking he could feel the anger of the elders rising against him. One of their striking and fearful abilities was that they always spoke in unison. One could never tell which elder was speaking and which was not.

“Do you propose to tell us what to do young sapling?” the elders responded. “Not at all my elders. I am merely saying that Tendai is someone we ought to value. I do not mean to be disobedient…” before Asmenu could finish speaking the king interrupted, “…then don’t! We have said what we called you here for. There is no need for you to go back to your lessons. Tendai has already been informed of the new arrangements. You may leave us.” Asmenu reluctantly bowed his head, turned around and left. He could only think of one person to go to, as he arrived at the entrance to his mother’s quarters he met his sister exiting. She was the most beautiful creature to ever grace the land of Shaylaian. Her beauty could not be compared to any rare precious stone or any natural land mark. Her eyes were more captivating than the most beautiful sun set of Shaylaian. Her supple lips drew attention to her perfect smile. Her hair was as lengthy and dark as the cover of the Shaylaian evening but silky as the glow of the stars. Her skin fairer than the sparkle of all the waterfalls of the forest of Haile combined. A tall embodiment of grace and beauty she was.

“Father has told me about the developments regarding the old fossil. And judging by that look on your face I assume he has told you as well. I strongly advise that you do not go to mother in such a mood. You do not want to cause her any more distress than she is already feeling.” She moved closer to him to comfort him and to touch his face. He intercepted both her hands before they could touch him, “Do not forget that I know you Kara. So, stop the drama. You have no heart to speak of, and apparently shame is also something you do not possess either. Do not pretend that you care for Tendai or his plight. Leave me be…” She did not respond. She just smiled and walked away. Asmenu could not bring himself to go into his mother’s presence with his heart so heavily burdened. He touched an intercom panel on the wall and he asked one of his attendants to take out his hover bike. He walked to the south wing of the palace below Tendai’s learning centre where he intended to ride into the forest of Haile. Muhali could not bear to see his sadness, so she tilted her wrist in the hope that her battle suit bracelet would project her hover board and indeed it did. She followed him into the forest. After a long ride Asmenu stopped at a waterfall. He let out a thunderous screaming roar that lit the forest ablaze. He kept screaming and screaming and screaming. The more he screamed the more the flames rose.  Muhali stepped off her hover board and walked toward him; she climbed on the back of his hover bike and held him tightly. She could feel his entire body trembling with pain. When she touched him, he felt her hands and her affection. The flames of his rage died down. And in the place of ash and burn, green started to grow. Flowers started to grow, and a fresh breeze began to blow. The flowers started to dance to the rhythm of the wind. Muhali then whispered gently to him, “It’ alright, you are not alone. I know your heart and I see you for who you really are. Do not despair for I am always with you…” Just as he was about to turn around to see her face she gasped for air as if she was drowning and she woke up in the Sibadel(the clinic) of Thyatira.