Divine Apostasy Book 7 - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The sun had almost touched the horizon when Ruwen gathered with the rest of the Adepts on the beach. He kneeled next to Sift, digging his toes into the warm sand.

“I think this should count as a vacation,” Ruwen whispered. “It’s a proper beach.”

“You wish,” Sift replied. “This is work, not play. And it doesn’t count if Lylan isn’t with me.”

“What? That’s never been part of the deal.”

Sift grabbed a fistful of sand and let it slowly fall from his hand. “Sure it has. You never asked for the details.”

“Why do I feel like every time I take you to a beach, you’re going to come up with a reason it doesn’t count.”

Sift glanced at Ruwen and flashed a grin. “I have a list.”

“Of course, you do.”

“Adepts!” Thorn called as the Founders approached the beach.

All the Adepts stood and bowed. The Addas emerged from the village as well, and Padda carried blue belts over one arm and brown belts over the other, while Madda carried an armful of red belts.

“At the end of every day,” Mist said, “we will assemble here and offer each of you the chance to advance your belt.”

Thorn continued. “The process is simple. We meet here as the sun reaches the horizon, and while it sets, you contemplate the knowledge gained that day. When the sun disappears, those wishing to advance their belt remain kneeling, and the others are free to leave.”

“If you remain,” Dusk said, “we will speak with you and discuss what insights the day has brought. Discovering a hidden pattern is enough to advance your belt and gain a relic token. We do not expect mastery. Sometimes the questions are more important than the answers.”

The Founders sat and closed their eyes while the Addas remained standing. Ruwen closed his eyes as well, enjoying the weak heat of the sun on his neck. The rush, crash, and retreat of the waves felt hypnotic, and he let himself relax.

A minute later, Sift entered his ninth level meditation and snored softly. Ruwen kept his mind empty, avoiding the uncertainty and doubt his actions with the Adepts caused. He guessed his behavior violated centuries of tradition.

Ruwen opened his eyes as the last sliver of the sun disappeared, taking its warmth with it.

All the Adepts remained.

The Founders and Addas, with complete control of their bodies, hid their surprise, but Ruwen knew they felt it. The Founders stood, and everyone followed their lead. Ruwen tapped Sift on the shoulder to bring him out of his deep meditation. He wondered if this would be the point where the Founders confronted him about his disregard for so many traditions.

Thorn nodded at Echo, and she moved to stand in front of the three Founders. Ruwen focused his hearing on the surf, not wanting to overhear these private conversations.

After a brief exchange, the Founders bowed to Echo, and she returned it. Thorn stepped over to Padda and removed a blue belt. She presented the new belt to Echo, and they exchanged bows again.

Echo returned to her spot on the beach and stood patiently while the member of Rung One next to her approached the Founders. She had far less control over her body, and Ruwen sensed her happiness.

The second Adept received their blue belt, and the process continued. Ruwen closed his eyes, forcing his anxiety into the third meditation. He stayed there, blissfully numb.

A tap on the shoulder forced Ruwen from his peacefulness. Sift stood with a blue belt over his shoulder and he gave a quick nod toward the Founders.

Thanks, Ruwen signaled in Shade Speak as he stood and strode forward. The Adepts all wore blue belts, and most couldn’t contain their smiles.

Ruwen stopped in front of the Founders and bowed, placing his right palm over his left fist.

The three Founders returned Ruwen’s bow but remained silent.

Ruwen swallowed hard and began. “The three most evident patterns are balanced by three hidden ones. One of these is breathing. The number, duration, depth, and pace are balanced between the Viper and Bamboo forms. Starting with the sharp inhalation of the first Viper Step, feeding muscles for violence, to the gentle exhalation of the final Bamboo Step, releasing the last traces of built-up Energy.”

Ruwen drew a circle through the air with his finger. “Breathing, the first hidden pattern, like the three before it, teaches balance.”

“It doesn’t seem very hidden tonight,” Thorn said.

Dusk frowned at Thorn, but Thorn seemed unaffected by the facial scolding. She continued. “Do you think you’re helping them?”

Ruwen considered the question before answering. “I’m not sure, because I’m not positive what the goals are for these trials.”

“Then what rationale do you have for your actions?” Thorn asked.

“Protection,” Ruwen answered immediately.

“You can’t protect them forever,” Mist said.

Ruwen nodded. “I know, but I can protect them long enough to return them safely home. Their conflicts are urgent, and this is one of the few ways I can help.”

“Such responsibilities generate a heavy burden,” Mist said.

“Burdens that crush you,” Thorn whispered. “You are profoundly out of balance, Adept.”

“Enough,” Dusk said forcefully to Thorn. “We agreed to a process. Do not shift your balance now.”

Thorn turned to her sister. “That was before he dragged the entire class into his orbit. We are responsible for them.”

“No,” Dusk replied. “They are responsible for themselves. Are you offering to protect them as well?”

After a moment, Thorn turned from Dusk and locked eyes with Ruwen. Her pupils vibrated, and he immediately mirrored the movements, defending himself from any hypnotic effects.

“It is a pity you’ll never reach our judgement,” Thorn said.

Dusk slid in front of Thorn. “Now who stands out of balance, Sister.”

Thorn took a large step backward. She met Dusk’s gaze and gave a small nod. Then she turned and strode toward the village.

After a moment, Dusk nodded to Padda, and he moved forward, giving Dusk the last blue belt.

Dusk faced Ruwen. “You spent the night with our underwater friends. Did you learn anything?”

“I learned mastery is an illusion.”

“An important lesson,” Dusk replied. She paused and then continued. “My sister judges you harshly, maybe rightfully so, but she ignores your insight. Perhaps she has forgotten the power of illusion.”

Ruwen bowed and kept his thoughts to himself. The Founders’ judgement of him was itself a mirage, an illusion of opinion, belief, and tradition. It remained a powerful obstacle, however, and he hoped to reach it.

Dusk handed Ruwen his blue belt and a relic token. They bowed once again, and Ruwen strode back toward Sift.

Mist spoke to the Adepts. “Since relic tokens were earned tonight, the Quartermaster will make himself available in the hour before sunset here on the beach. Well done, Adepts.”

Dusk and Mist left to join their sister, and the Addas followed. The Adepts relaxed and celebrated. Ruwen returned their smiles as he thought about Thorn’s last words to him. What did she mean he would never face their judgement. If they were waiting until the end to put him on trial, then it meant she didn’t believe he’d successfully finish the seventh trial.

Worry knotted Ruwen’s stomach. Thorn had called him profoundly out of balance, but he couldn’t see how. Now he feared the seventh trial would show him, and he would be unprepared to handle it.

It would be ironic if, after all his preparations, he didn’t even pass the trials.