A New Authority

Agmito tells me to follow him towards the Hall of Deep Focus. The winding pathways of the Rushing Water Temple are aplenty, splitting up in various directions like veins under the skin, and I strive to keep my mind in the present as I follow him.

The Thrinskar at my back is trotting amiably, his head nudging ever so softly into my shoulder. He's a giant creature that can gallop at impressive speeds in the wild, so I imagine that his gaping strides are contained for my benefit. A tiny part of me wants to ride on his back to experience the thrill of being on a four-legged beast, but I restrain myself from clambering onto his rump.

'Master, a verbal request is not necessary. I can feel your wish, and so it shall be.'

'No thank you, Thrinskar.'

'You must name me, master. At the very least, give me a name if you are not going to give me any commands.'

We've been walking in external silence behind Totoya and Agmito for a while. Something tells me that they already know how preoccupied I am, both with my jarring discoveries about myself and with the sudden acceptance of a divine companion in my life.

The conversation within our minds is turbulent, and it's like having three voices in my head now. The original owner of this body is seemingly gone, but her memories are still linked in, the phantom voices stirring my sympathy in a way that I can't describe.

And when I find myself unguarded or not occupied with a conversation with Advisca, random flashes of her voice will manage to bring out muscle memory as we walk. I'll find myself stopping midstride to catch a baby bird as it falls out of a tree, as though my body's reflexes and athleticism are triggered out of nowhere. All I can do is carry on walking, guilt nibbling at my insides before I shove it back down.

Advisca and I continue talking about random things and it's probably because he wants to try and distract me from my pile of dilemmas. Inconsequential topics, of course... but as always, circling back to the naming process.

I sigh audibly to myself, and then give this infernal creature a look of lukewarm annoyance, 'Hear me, divine companion of mine. I have no name. You are also nameless. Together we shall exist as nameless individuals until I decide otherwise. Got it?'

The green cord appears between our eyes once more, just faintly, and a trickle of his feelings begin to pour through me. Amusement over my resolve flutters down the bond, along with a vision of me being embarrassed at our lack of names in the future. I flap my hand over the cord until it disappears once more.

Did he show me the physical manifestation of our bond on purpose? I growl. With my hands on my hips, I stop walking and poke his head softly.

"Okay, that's it. I'm naming you. Agmito!" I call out.

The High Priest looks over his shoulder at me. He's not too far away, but a curious expression falls like a curtain over his features. Brown eyes sweep over me and the Thrinskar as he comes over, hands placed at his back.

Placidly, he says, "How may I help you, child?"

"Is there a word in the Forgotten Tongue for... persistent or annoying?"

His chest rumbles with laughter. "I suppose so. A person who was described as an 'advisca' was said to be overly insistent. Why do you ask?"

I fold my arms, satisfaction and a sense of righteous knowing suffusing my body in this instant. Advisca. It suits him perfectly. He did, after all, knock me down earlier because I was 'taking too long' in deciding to bond with him.

Persistent? Absolutely.

"Alright. From this moment on, my Thrinskar shall be called Advisca."

The purring near me intensifies, rivalling thunder. Agmito and the beaming redhead at his side, Totoya, can't restrain their grins at my announcement.

She claps, and points ahead of us. "Advisca is a wonderful name. It suits him. Let us be off, then. I bet you and Advisca would love to have a meal in the Hall of Deep Focus."

My rumbling stomach hasn't seen proper sustenance in so long. Maybe it's the fact that I've decided to stay in this body for a while, but now my hunger for food has strengthened greatly, demanding to be assuaged with a vengeance.

I mean, this is only a temporary decision... right? Because I'm not supposed to be here. My being here is just a result of Divine Punishment.

I'm not meant to be enjoying this life, surely.

Advisca and I walk side by side, taking in the sun-dappled scenery around us. Small avian creatures caw nearby, swooping down from trees that blossom with shimmering, jade coloured leafage. It's as we walk, unsuspecting and collectively focused on our journey that a wintery wind sneaks past, tossing up a shower of leaves upon us.

The High Priest and groundskeeper are quick to cover their heads, already accustomed to such chaotic weather, whereas I can only stand there, open-mouthed as a green electric shield blazes in a bubble over my head.

Snuffling like a mole, a crisp smell beseeches my nose in haste when I see that the leaves that rained down had become sizzled once they came in contact with the electric shield.

'Master is safe.' Advisca prances on the spot.

I whirl toward him. 'Oh, yeah? Master is annoyed at you. I know that you're aware of the functionality of... whatever this magic shield is. And trust me, using it whenever leaves fall on my head is not what it is meant for.'

'So master is displeased.'

'Your master is going to disown you. You are entirely too frivolous to be by my side.'

Agmito clears his throat. "Child, I have never seen a stronger bond than yours with this Thrinskar. Truly rare. Your presence here can only be a blessing upon the temple, indeed."

Like a splash of cold water falling upon me, his words begin to chill me to the bone. Spoken with the warmest of intentions and meant to be uplifting, but the reminder of how I came to be in this land causes the opposite effect.

It's a good thing that the shivers eclipsing my skin begin to bleed away under the lashing tongue of the sun. In silence, I continue walking with Advisca towards our destination, perpetually morose as the towering pillars of the Hall of Deep Focus reveal themselves to us.

A few colourfully robes priests greet us by the entrance, their heads bowed in awe at the sight of the Thrinskar poised dutifully behind us.

One of them whispers, "Praise Demalrak! A Thrinskar has graced our temple."

The sign for deep admiration or faith in a certain god is to put two fingers on the temple, and then to dab it on the back of the other hand, turning it over as one says, "Abejia."

Agmito told me on my first day that it's the equivalent of a short prayer and it's called a 'samilka'.

I'm not surprised when a chorus of "Abejias" go around.

We head inside the hall, bypassing a throng of worshippers who bow to the ground at the sight of the High Priest and the beautiful Thrinskar. Through my connection with Advisca, his general contentment at being my side radiates through me and I smile at him.

'Why have you picked me, Advisca?' I ask him.

'Because master is master.' He says, not bothering to elaborate.

The Hall of Deep Focus is by far a grand space, omitting walls on most sides; as far as I can see, the structure is supported by thick beams of jade that reach up through the building sporadically. Gilded tables of an ornate stone are perched in no particular order throughout the hall, while emerald stalactites drip down from the curved ceiling. Splashes of green and grey objects battle for paramountcy around the room, and try as I might, my eyes land on nothing in particular, choosing to hold steady on the entryway that is a fluttering curtain of tassels.

"Forgive me, High Priest Agmito, but are you sure this is the Hall of Deep Focus? I am finding myself... intensely distracted by the on-goings of the color palette."

His knowing smile is enough to persuade me into reconsidering my perspective of the room. "Precisely. Being within this hall requires deep focus. We must assert ourselves and know when to seal the mind. Eating here is therefore an exercise of sorts. Come. This might be an experience you'll enjoy."

We weave through the middle of the room, mindful of everyone else who are either watching us or doing something else. Totoya points out how some of the tables around the room are occupied by temple-goers who eat in marked silence, and in contrast many other tables seem lively - almost explosive with barely restrained activity.

I can't make out her intentions for highlighting these things, but I observe with critical eyes, each step of mine resounding almost too loudly in this open hall.

Agmito leads us to an area that is dug into the floor, and the lone table within it is breathtakingly vast, a poignant projection of glazed, earthly material. We step down into the amphitheater and take seats at the table, Agmito at the head and Totoya and I on either side of him.

Advisca prowls behind my high-backed chair, snorting at my ear.

'Quiet, you. This place requires enough of my attention without you demanding a piece of it.' My voice drums into his head with the authority of a stern teacher.

A woman with an apron comes over and deposits a platter of food in front of us. Fresh bread, some cheeses and garnished soups served in ceramic bowls. It is slightly different to the array that I had been offered in the First Chamber of Worship. I nod my thanks before picking up my spoon and looking towards the High Priest.

I'm not quite sure whether to pray first, or to eat. I am not a devotee, but should I follow the way of the Demalrak worshippers while I am here?

As the seed of shame grows in my heart, I place my fork back onto the table and do the prayer motion with my hands, muttering, "Umm... Abejia?"

"You don't have to do the samilka, child." Agmito tells me kindly. "Our faith is not your own."

Discomfort still rocks me in waves and I don't know what to do. Another woman shows up, platter in hand, more food to bestow and I can only bite my tongue as awareness of my odd situation grows in intensity. Fruits now tempt me from various plates, each dish more bountiful than the next.

I feel the rumblings of my stomach again and clutch my waist. Advisca purrs.

Reaching for an apple, I toss it over my shoulder, confident that he will find it with his mouth. The chewing right next to my ear reassures me that nothing has hit the floor, so I slump in my seat.

Agmito, however, has not touched his food yet. Totoya merely watches me with a surreptitious intention that I find disruptive, but I don't call her out on it. Something is going on, but I choose instead to try and focus on my meal.

Wait a minute. The Hall of Deep Focus... Agmito cautioned me that this place would require one to seal the mind. Is that why they're watching me so closely?

I swallow, unused to the abrupt attention of these two elders.

'Master, I sense a fluctuation in your spiritual energy field.' Advisca's placidity sours with a curtness that makes me turn around and face him.

'I feel fine.' I say.

'Forgive me, master. As your divine companion, I am attuned to your spiritual energy, the same way that you are attuned to mine. Demi-Urgaens are half-souls, and thus bonded Thrinskars are seen as their counterparts. What I am able to detect on a metaphysical level is only possible because of our collective spiritual power. And something here... is attempting to cast illusionary magic on us.'

'But I don't feel anything? Am I... Is there something wrong with me?'

Advisca's strong belief that I am perfect resounds through the bond. 'You have not been trained to pick up on such things. Please be careful master. There is more to this hall than meets the eye.'

I turn back around and lean forward, going to reach for the food again when I am interrupted by a whispering voice.

"Did you say something?" I ask Agmito, but he shakes his head and so does Totoya.

I'm sure it came from in front of me. But then again, it seems to echo from everywhere as well. The musical trills grow the more I ignore it, each word vibrating with skewered emotion that I now recognize as jealousy and anger.

It's trying to lure me into doing something.

I'm shuddering over the violence in these words, appalled at how they twist images into my brain. Advisca rears up behind me, his body drawn into sudden motion because of the way I start to breathe fast and erratically.

"What's going on with me, High Priest?!" I beseech him, my eyes seeking his from across the table.

His serene face is the picture of studious tranquility. He knows what's happening, of course he does. In a conciliating tone, Agmito offers this piece of advice, "Seal your mind. Whatever you're hearing, it isn't real. You can become a shelter amidst any storm, but only if you will yourself to be."

It's an explanation of sorts, but not really. I look within myself, not really knowing what's required. A shelter within any storm? I suppose he wants me to be focused amidst this intrusive noise.

As much as I try to be, that grating voice is like a hammer that keeps chiselling away at my focus. Advisca nudges me with his head, and tells me to do the samilka with my eyes closed.

It can't hurt to try. I begin doing the prayer, adding Abejia on the end each time. Over and over again, I do this until my throat is dry. My Thrinskar is silently supportive, his belief in my abilities drifting through the bond. I don't even think I can hear the rest of the hall's chatter anymore...

And that's when I start to notice the disembodied voice getting fainter and fainter. I'm not sure why. I open my eyes, surprised to find Totoya's pleased eyes twinkling back at me. She even appears to be mildly impressed at what she sees.

The High Priest at the head of the table is grinning, his entire face lit up. "You are an extraordinary one, I see. It makes sense, given your collective spiritual power with your Thrinskar. Forgive me for not explaining, but I was curious."

"About what, Agmito?"

Totoya waves her hand around us, explaining merrily, "Everything in this room serves a great purpose. The servants bring you food that is meant to lull you into a relaxed state, and when that happens, a person's spiritual energy levels, or their security of it tends to drop significantly. This table and the rest of the ones in the Hall of Deep Focus are all carved from malachite. By itself, malachite is relatively harmless, but the positioning of emerald stones in close proximity can produce several types of illusions. Sometimes visual, sometimes auditory."

Now it makes sense why some of the worshippers in the hall appeared to be untoward and overexcited, and in contrast there are only a select few who linger in composed rows of quiet-talkers.

"But not everyone seems to be affected by the malachite?" I surmise.

"Like I said, it is an exercise of sorts. When doing a regimen daily, it is possible for some to see fruitful results. A strengthened mind, not an immune one is what us communicants of Demalrak strive to attain. If we can maintain focus and learn to seal our mind from the influence of external forces, we are one step closer to enlightenment." Agmito intones, finally reaching for a piece of bread.

Totoya does too, and I take it as a sign to start eating heartily. I toss more fruit to my Thrinskar and readily reach for a bowl of soup.

The redhead across from me beams, delighted by my enthusiasm for the food. I might have deprived myself needlessly of sustenance for way too long. My insides bulge and strain to consume everything I swallow, as if in protest of my actions.

"Does the malachite's illusionary properties activate every single time you visit the Hall of Deep Focus?" I ask.

Agmito's voice is a soothing caress to my ears, "Yes. It was built for this purpose, you see. The emerald that is woven into all the fixtures and directly hanging from above are meant to amplify its potential."

Our early morning meal is ripe with easy-going smiles and light conversation. We sip on water that is brought by more servants, and they all bow before Agmito with reverence before disappearing in a conscientious flurry of movement.

"Totoya is the groundskeeper here at Rushing Water Temple, but many know that she is the heart of our community. Not only that, but she is my cousin." Agmito reveals after a while.

I dab at my lips with the edge of my wide sleeve, drying water droplets that have somehow escaped the corners of my instinctual pout. "I couldn't tell of your relation."

"Not many can. I just thought you should know. I may be the High Priest here, but she is a well versed person when it comes to spiritual ascension. She's been known to cultivate great minds in the past."

Advisca's interest in the conversation hits me immediately. He's been resting by my feet, full from the breads and the fruits that I've given him and now I can sense his keenness to participate in whatever upcoming activity that is 'spiritual ascension'. It must be a big deal for him to react this way, I surmise to myself.

The friendly whine of my Thrinskar intrudes my thoughts a second later. 'Master, pay attention to whatever they're offering. Demi-Urgaens are half-souls, which means they have to function at half the spiritual capacity than most people. As one yourself, you must consider this, even if your own spiritual level is unusually high for a Demi-Urgaen.'

'And what will cultivating do for me?' I retort.

'You will gain longevity, master. Enlightenment. Sometimes with spiritual ascension, people can even gain mastery of magic that is worthy of challenging the gods.'

I kick my chair back and stand up, overwhelmed with a maddening desire. Agmito and Totoya startle at my passion, but there's nothing about me that can be suppressed. Advisca's words have lit a fire under me.

I can only see one path now. It's the path to spiritual ascension.

"I wish to learn everything about spiritual ascension, please." I tell Totoya.

And one day, I may even challenge the gods.