Dual Cultivation

"Please, Master Vedana!" In the existence of the old man clad in the deepest shade of black, the young child with a mane of ebony hair spontaneously prostrated. His eyes, marked by the weight of years, stared upon Alorian. "Guide me in the purification of my Prana," the words fell like a solemn chant.

Master Vedana, a figure of wisdom and quiet rumination, remained wordless as if weaving the intricacies of Alorian's revelations into the tapestry of his thoughts.

Unforeseen was the labyrinthine complexity that shrouded the palace, a burden now borne by a mere thirteen-year-old. This, especially when bound by the dictates of the Obsidian Sage Order, the boy was compelled to embark upon a sacred rite.

"Within you, your mother harbors a formidable power," Master Vedana's voice, laden with years of experience, resonated. "You may yet be unaware, but the bonds between you two runs deep."

"The vision you noticed is no ordinary occurrence; it entailed the fusion of Prana," the elder paused momentarily, a sigh escaping his lips. "For your father's Prana, residing within you, was once more intertwined with your mother's."

"Yet, as this Prana resides within a vessel possessing its own life force, it birthed a unique remembrance," the Master's words wove a further riddle around Alorian, prompting him to rise and then settle. "An evolution in the very essence of memory—a Prana awakened, transcending the boundaries of time and space."

Amidst a room bathed in the radiant sunlight that pierced through wooden walls, the faint echoes of distant student voices lent an eerie silence to the scene, further emphasizing the earnestness of the moment.

"But such circumstances are rare, and the Obsidian, it appears, was privy to this knowledge before all," he poured the steaming contents of the kettle into Alorian's cup. "It is these forbidden matters that have tainted your Prana, for they have ventured into the realm of the Dark Arts."

"Listening to your conditions, it is evident that you were unable to restrain what should have been controlled," Master Vedana took a measured sip of his tea, wisps of steam curling upward. "Have you forgotten that mastery of the basics desire resistance is the linchpin of your trials?"

Alorian's fists clenched upon his knees, a tumult of emotions beyond his control, his rationality swept away by the relentless surges of feeling. He acknowledged his transgressions, damning himself not only for imposing burdens upon Amarta but also for subjecting his mother to further suffering, a pawn in the Obsidian Sage Order's machinations.

"But, in the face of such dire circumstances," the old scholar placed the tea vessel back upon the woven mat. "It becomes an essential. Your choices, it seems, are few, and they hold the key to Caeloria's safeness."

"Your child will possess abilities beyond imagination," Master Vedana added. "The vision you witnessed is just a glimpse of what your child will see."

"That's why the Obsidian covets it so greatly," his black eyes pierced into Alorian's emerald irises. "For ages, they've sought to create the perfect being to lead the empire without flaws."

"And they began to notice this tremendous potential within the lineage of your father, who excelled in the trials," the old man divulged information that was perhaps meant to be kept secret without hesitation. "Of course, they wouldn't want to lose the Prana that has conquered the trials for centuries."

"Despite all of this, it can only happen if both sides share a strong connection," Master Vedana closed his eyes, breathing steadily. "We call it dual cultivation."

"D-dual cultivation?" Alorian stammered, clearly puzzled by the term.

Master Vedana nodded and continued, "Yes, when two Prana cultivators come together and unite based on an immense bond, everything between them is shared. A symbiosis of mutual dependence, rapidly strengthening their Prana."

Master Vedana opened his eyes again, instantly turning serious. "If you wish to cleanse your Prana once more, you must do so with utmost seriousness and dedication, child."

Alorian solidified his resolve, his face, once filled with regret, now transformed into one of determination. He nodded at that moment and said, "Very well, Master! I will give everything I have!"

Knock knock.

The sound of a knock on the wooden sliding door interrupted their conversation, causing both of them to shift their attention instantly. When Master Vedana granted authorization for the visitor to enter, a woman dressed entirely in white with matching tied-back hair bowed deeply.

"Apologies, Master, but Alorian has a visitor," the old woman said with a raspy voice.

Alorian, upon hearing this, widened his eyes and momentarily struck silent before quickly seeking approval from Master Vedana. The boy followed the woman to a different location, passing by various students practicing martial arts on the grassy field.

There, he briefly locked eyes with his sibling, Isvhara, and realized that Alorian was signaling to meet someone. Isvhara was initially puzzled but eventually understood Alorian's intent, offering a subtle nod and a smile in return.

Led to a room with a sign above it that read "waiting room", the elderly woman knocked and then opened the door. Inside, Alorian nearly leaped when he recognized a familiar face seated casually, looking in his direction.

"Mr. Brendant!" Alorian quickly hugged the man he considered a brother.

"Look at you; you've evolved!" Brendant patted Alorian's back, providing comfort.

Alorian released the embrace, and his smile widened when he saw other Royal Guardians present. "Miss Lithia and Mr. Hansen, you both came here?"

Lithia, the short-haired blonde woman, beamed. "Yes, it's been a while, little one."

"How have you been, Young Master?" Hansen chimed in, radiating youthful energy with his disheveled brown hair.

"I've been doing well," Alorian replied, glancing at each of them in turn. "In fact, I'm becoming quite exceptional here."

"That's wonderful, kid," he then turned to the elderly woman. "You can leave us now. Thank you," Brendant said with a bow, reciprocated by the woman before she closed the door.

"We don't have much time," Brendant knelt before Alorian. "We've come here to deliver some news."

Alorian noticed the abrupt change in the man's expression. The atmosphere around him suddenly grew tense. "What news is this?"

Brendant reached into his combat-clad pocket, adorned with gleaming steel protectors, and handed over a book with a red cover. "Your mother instructed us to give you this."

Alorian's attention was now fixed on the book in front of him, bearing the words "Amarta Journal" on its cover. The distinct scent emanating from the object was indeed from Amarta, a scent recognized by Alorian.

"How is my mother?" he exclaimed as he received the note. "Is she all right?"

Brendant briefly glanced at Lithia and Hansen, their faces suddenly somber as they shook their heads slowly. He then forced a reluctant smile and responded, "Yes, she's fine."

Alorian sensed something peculiar in Brendant's demeanor as if something was being concealed. Allowing the kid to ask further, "Did she say something?"

Brendant looked down for a moment and spoke, "She said you must stay at this school until your trials are complete."

"What?" Alorian was taken aback by this, almost taking a few steps back. "No, I will return to the palace once my first trial is done!"

"You can't," Brendant answered still did not look before Alorian.

"Why not? I want to check on my mother!" Alorian replied, his voice growing louder.

"It's not safe for you to be there!" Brendant raised his tone now, momentarily silencing Alorian. "The situation at the palace is chaotic. Your mother has instructed you to stay here until everything returns to normal."

"But why? What's happening at the palace?" Alorian, driven by an insatiable curiosity, continued to press for answers.

Brendant, taking note of Alorian's restless and concerned emerald eyes, closed his own. The boy would have a harder time passing the trials if he couldn't focus, but on the other hand, Alorian needed to know what was happening in his kingdom.

"Your mother has explained everything in the book," he stood up, readjusting his black coat.

"Where are you going?" Brendant opened the sliding door and stepped outside, followed by Lithia and Hensen.

"Unitedland, we've been assigned there by the queen," he paused, then turned around. "We hope you will listen this time, young one."

But Alorian furrowed his brow and replied, "You know you can't stop me from returning."

"I know," he approached Alorian and then bent down, observing the black-haired boy who was now staring at him with determination. "But are you willing to disappoint your mother? Do you want to hurt your own mother through your selfishness?"

A rush of memories flooded Alorian's mind swiftly. He remembered moments when he had let his desires take control of him, actions that had caused his mother, Amarta, to bear a heavy burden. Selfishness had led to those consequences, and he couldn't bear to repeat such mistakes.

He needed to heed his mother's wishes and show her the respect she deserved. If this was what Amarta wanted, Alorian would accept it wholeheartedly.

Alorian took a deep breath and summoned a smile. "Very well, I will stay here as my mother has instructed."

Brendant beamed, tousling Alorian's black hair before leaving. "That's my boy. And one more thing, she said that she loves you."

"Take care of yourself here; we must be on our way!"

"Until we meet again, kid!" Lithia shouted as she waved.

"Farewell, Young Master!" Hansen called out, following their exit from the school.

Alorian stood there, watching their departure with a dazed expression, then shifted his attention to the small book in his hand. His mother's note was the only source of information he had about what was happening at his home. "I love you too, Mother."