Divine Apostasy Book 12 - Chapter 10

[Author’s Note – Once again I am posting chapters without rereading them. So there are likely mistakes.]

Chapter 10

Normally Ruwen would find something to work on, but the reunion with his parents had provided a brief respite from the exhausting grind his life had become, and instead he purposefully did nothing.

Ruwen’s parents had left at some point, probably to guard Pine and the farm. They hadn’t returned yet when he left. He felt refreshed and took his time walking to Pine’s house. The man was already up, explaining how the older he got the less sleep he needed.

Now they sat cross-legged with only a couple of feet separating them. They’d been meditating like this for thirty minutes.

“It’s refreshing,” Pine said, pulling Ruwen out of his mediation, “to not constantly be nagging about focus. Ash continues to resist stilling his mind, and it makes meditating with him a nightmare.”

“I’m lucky I guess,” Ruwen responded, “or maybe its just my personality, but I enjoy the solitude and peace meditation provides.”

Now that the sun had broken the horizon, light creeped into the small clearing. Avocado trees surrounded Ruwen, casting shadows that shifted slowly across the packed earth. The cool night air had already surrendered to the morning’s warmth and dew coated the leaves. The scent of soil mingled with the faint aroma of ripening avocados.

Pine had served Ruwen avocados the night before, both sliced and mashed with spices. He couldn’t help recalling the spell Blapy had given him in the form of a drawing made with crayons. It had literally smothered Rami in a protective shield of guacamole. Now he know how delicious that shield had been. A soft breeze rustled the trees’ broad, dark green leaves, creating a whispery sound that blended with the trills of countless birds waking up.

Pine had considered Ruwen’s words and now responded. “Luck is interesting but is usually found with its friends’ discipline and effort. Those I know you possess, Grandmaster.”

“No Grandmaster here, remember. I’m just Ruwen and a thankful student of your wisdom.”

 Pine gave a small bow. “As you wish. Thankfully the hard work of advancing your Bamboo Viper Steps will smooth the learning path. One of the hardest parts related to chakras is the time required to master your body and mind. Both are critical for balanced growth. I can’t speak for your mind, but the Bamboo Viper Steps are perfectly suited to understanding one’s body.”

Ruwen hoped his vast mental abilities helped him here and didn’t create some type of obstacle. Rami had told him he’d likely already Activated his Dormant Mind chakra during his time fighting the Realm Zipper that threatened to unmake the entire Universe.

That reminded Ruwen he needed to understand the Realm Zipper better. He’d stopped it from affecting the part of the Universe he cared about, but what would happen if everything else around that collapsed.

Waving a weathered hand, Pine gestured slowly as he spoke. “Chakras are points of energy that flow like a river up your spine and beyond, each one tied to a piece of who you are.”

Pine tapped the base of his own spine, where his faded shirt met the ground. “First is the Root—it grounds you, keeps you alive with instincts sharper than a blade. When trouble finds you, it heals your wounds quickly and provide extra strength.” His other hand touched the area between his hips and groin. “The Sacral generates creativity and passion. It can convert emotions into fuel for other chakras, amplify those chakras, or enhance oneself. For instance, even a weak Sacral can drastically reduce the need for sleep.”

Ruwen had read the basics about chakras in Pen’s journals, but those lacked the impact of hearing the real world experience that filled Pine’s words.

Pine placed both hands over his stomach. “The Solar Plexus sits here, your will and courage—it can shield your mind from doubt and if developed enough provide a literal shield for your body. It can control others or block all sensations of pain.”

For the first time, hesitation crept into Pine’s movements. Almost reluctantly, he pressed a hand over his heart. “The Heart chakra’s love and balance, strong enough to calm a storm or mend another’s spirit.” He swallowed hard. “I lost my heart chakra the day my daughter died.”

Ruwen put as much empathy as he could into his question. “Literally lost it or lost contact with it?”

Pen shrugged. “The result is the same.”

Ruwen nodded and locked all his questions away for another time. This was obviously a very painful topic for Pine.

The old man’s gnarled fingers brushed his throat. “The Throat chakra contains a mixture of communication and truth—speak with enough power and your words can bind. Lies, half-truths, and even lies of omission are revealed, and rendered powerless.”

Pine touched the middle of his forehead. “Third Eye reveals the hidden. It glimpses the future and guides one to the optimal path. Intuition, perception, and insight become weapons.” He patted the top of his head. “The Crown never forgets. It discovers hidden connections invisible to others and provides control over time itself. A powerful Crown can pluck knowledge from the air itself, claiming the world’s wisdom as if harvesting a tree.”

Ruwen thought some of that sounded similar to Last Breath and his Cleverness attribute. He wondered if they were related to chakras and he’d been tapping a power he knew nothing about.

Pine circled the area over his head. “Finally, the Divine chakra. It links to the gods and provides a path to transcendence. Its an open hand, reaching toward heaven and enlightenment.”

Ruwen bowed to Pine. “Thank you for this explanation. It sounds like deep reservoir of power.”

“And you wish to swim,” Pine said with a smile.

Ruwen returned the smile, allowing his cheeks to flush.

“Your chakras will start in a state of rest. They’ll be virtually impossible to find. Dark and quiet in a state I’ll call Dormant. In a moment I’ll teach you some methods that may help in finding them. Once found a chakra must be nurtured into the state I’ll call Activation. Dormant chakras will sometimes provide erratic and weak benefits. Activated chakras will be far more consistent. The next stage is Awakened, and it’s here the chakras reveal their true power. Awakened chakras have multiple levels that will advance as you increase your understanding and edge toward enlightenment.”

“How difficult is all that?” Ruwen asked. “I know it depends on the person, but I mean in general. Throughout the history of your tribe, what is typical.”

Pine’s shoulders slumped a fraction, but still visible to Ruwen’s Perception.

“Even in the ancient records no one Awakened their Divine chakra. A few did Awaken the other seven, including my daughter, but that is, unfortunately, very rare. I would say in general that thousands of years ago Awakening four or five was common. Now, two or three are celebrated and four is considered a genius. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand what we lost through the centuries. Especially since Isabella Awakened seven. Although the last two chakras might be related to him.”

Isabella was obviously Pine’s daughter and Ash’s mom. Ruwen detected the disguised anger in Pine’s voice when he said the word “him,” and it surprised Ruwen so much he blurted out a question.

“Who is ‘him?’”

Pine had gotten lost in his thoughts and seemed surprised by the question. He hesitated and Ruwen immediately started to wave off any kind of answer.

“No,” Pine said, “you detected hidden truth and should be rewarded for it. I’m only sorry and embarrassed that it reveals my greatest weakness. Perhaps that’s fitting, the Universe’s way of reminding me humbleness is critical to reach enlightenment.”

“Seriously, I regret prying. My curiosity has a life of its own sometimes. It’s none of my business.”

“Peace, Ruwen. The Universe reveals we are all connected. All one family. The Steps make us brothers, and as a guide to this internal discovery, it’s my duty to use every opportunity to help us both see the truth. Only with such naked honesty can we reach enlightenment. I’m ashamed that I failed Ash in this, and now he’s gone. I won’t make the same mistake with you.”

Ruwen didn’t know how to respond to that, so he remained silent.

“Perhaps if I’d Awakened my Crown chakra I could remember and explain why my thoughts and feelings surrounding Isabella’s husband are so fragmented and cloudy. Perhaps it’s as simple as bitterness that he took her away from the farm.”

Pine took three cleansing breaths. He smiled at Ruwen. “I met aliens during my Master’s Step trial. You’d think that would’ve opened my mind enough to recognize the obvious. Isabella’s husband, Kane, wasn’t normal. I don’t mean abnormal like chakra magic, but something more intrinsic.”

Alarm bells went off in Ruwen’s head. Was Pine’s son-in-law the Zealot? Ruwen didn’t bother asking about a physical description because that was trivial to change.

“What was his magic like?” Ruwen asked. “Did he produce vast amounts of white energy?”

Pine shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I never witnessed him produce anything.”

Ruwen relaxed a little. That didn’t sound like the Zealot. How many times had Ruwen’s fate twisted events to reveal critical information. One of the more recent mysteries came from the riddle the Elder Dagger Io had given Ruwen. He scanned it again to refresh his memory.

On a distant world two pillars rise,
guarding a vessel from prying eyes.

Angelic wings bearing heavens wrath,
scorching paradise to Shag’la Rath.

Three fragments remain their message concealed,
Red, black, and silver a secret revealed.

Librarians wielding unknown powers,

 A treasure map to your hidden towers.

Ruwen trusted Pine’s instincts, and on the off chance this Kane might relate to the search for the Mind and Body Towers Ruwen forced himself to ask a question.

“Did Kane ever speak of two towers or mention a place called Shag’la Rath?”

Pine considered the question for ten seconds. “No, not that I can recall.”

“Tell me why you thought him odd.”

“That’s easy. He came here to die.”