Tripping the Rift

[Muad Dib]

Travelling from the temple and heading for the cliffs Muad lowered his head and raised the scarlet hood from his leather jacket over it. From the shadows two blue orbs glowed revealing his eyes. With a trot he moved next to the togorian as they headed for the cliff. As they neared the edge they heard savage sounds of battle from below. Glancing over Muad was amused at the ferocious battle taking place. Then Berserker leapt from the cliff after making his statement.

“Sentimental fool. This one is all yours.”

Leaning against the massive, gnarled, solitary tree overlooking the beach Muad watched as his former apprentice went to battle over animals. He shook his head lightly while chuckling. Then Berserker went down and a savage rip tore off his arm. Frowning Muad sighed and gripped the sword before filling himself with the force and spinning. The force imbued blade sliced through the base of the trunk and with an audible creak it fell from the cliff and hit the slope to begin rolling down the hill.

Leaping after the trunk the sith knight leapt from small rock and stone to rock and stone, kicking every other one he came to with force powered strikes. The tree hit the beach and careened onward crushing many beasts while the dozen kicked stones unerringly flew at individual horranth crushing skulls, horns, and ribcages.

Hitting the beach at a run Muad swung the sword slicing through beast after beast as he ran through the mayhem caused. Quickly he made it to Berserker’s side and fought off several of the beasts who were renewing their attack. One of the beasts latched onto Muad’s leg while he was busy decapitating several in the front. Turning to dispatch the one on his leg he watched as the beast was tackled from the side by the young tuk’ata pup who stood no tall than half a meter. But the little sith hound tenaciously held to the side of the throat until the force of the horranth’s tossing head sent the pup flying … with a portion of the horranth’s throat.

Chuckling Muad watched as the remnants of the herd fled from the beach. Squatting by Berserker’s side Muad moved his hood and laid the sword to the side as he looked at the open wound where his right arm had once been. Rubbing his hands together they began to shimmer as heat built while taking on a bluish tint.

“Prepare yourself. This will hurt and I don’t want you swinging on me with your remaining arm and forcing me to cut it off too.”

Having said that he clapped his cupped hands against the open wound for several seconds, searing until the wound was closed and no longer bleeding. Rising he looked over at the face of the cliff and headed for a deep hollow. At the entrance he peered in and saw it was not a hollow but instead a deep cave. Walking in he crouched at a pile of stones and sent flames from his hands, being fueled by the force, into the stones heating them until they were bright red. Walking out the cave he headed for where Berserker was.

“Head into the cave and get some shelter. You can also cook up some of that meat on the rocks in there. Now be a good kitty cat and get out of the rain. And try to get some rest, I’ll be standing guard and making us a dugout for tomorrow.”

With a chuckle he walked to where the tree had landed. Glancing to his side as he walked the young tuk’ata pup strolled along as if wondering what was next. A grin crossed the sith knights face as they reached the tree. Removing his jacket he also slipped off the armor pieces from his upper torso and arms before sliding the tunic off as well. Then with the sword swinging in his right hand slicing large chunks from the top, as well as shaving off the limbs, his left hand burned with fire as it seared into the wood until with flame and sword Muad shaped the massive tree into a large dugout capable of being taken out onto the water.

Collecting his clothing Muad made his way to the mouth of the cave, gently prodding the sleeping pup to join him. At the cave Muad laid out his clothing before standing with sword in hand to look out on the storm still raging around them. Glancing at his left leg he saw the rent in his pant leg and where the horns had scoured his boot but no wound was there. A small grin flicked across his face as he thought of some beast dragging Berserker’s arm away and gnawing on it. Then he lightly shook his head and stood there feeling the flow and ebb of the force around him until the sky began to lighten with the first signs of morning. With the morning came small winged rodents who began to feast on the carcasses despite the rain.

 

[beserker odinson]

Beserker saw what Muad had done and before long the battle was over Muad had said “ brace your self” so Beserker did knowing what had to be done once he saw what Muads hands were doing bracing himself Beserker felt pain seer in his shoulder once Muad was done Muad told him what he was doing so using his left arm he gently picked up the older Tu’kata and set it down gently near the fire. Beserker then used the force to drag in one of the dead animals once it was cut he put a few pieces of meat on the fire to cook while the meat was cooking Beserker bandaged his wounds then proceeded to start patching the Tu’kata once finished Beserker tried to get some sleep he fell asleep quickly he was exhausted. When Beserker woke up he saw that Muad was ready to head out so Beserker used the force to carefully set the big Tu’kata in the boat it was still asleep he wondered what would happen once the mother Tu’kata would do since it was on the boat right below Beserkers feet he would cross that bridge when it woke up. Beserker once everyone was loaded in the boat Beserker used the force to start pushing the boat to the next location.

 

[Muad Dib]

Watching Berserker begin to load the full grown, wounded tuk’ata as well as himself Muad spent some time collecting a few things. In the cave he retrieved several of the large flat stones and placed them in the front of the dugout. Going back to the cave he searched along the east wall and found several of the salt deposits he had seen the evening before. Placing this too in the front of the dugout he then retrieved his clothing and armor setting the plates and jacket in the boat while pulling on the tunic.

Moving to several of the carcasses that had been beheaded while laying at an incline Muad pulled out his skinning knife and got to work. Propping the beast up he slit the underbelly allowing the stomach, bladder, intestines, and other undesirables fall out. Then he hacked off the limbs at their shoulders before peeling back the hide from the underbelly. The horns and bony protrusions on it’s back were part of it’s skeletal system so the sith knight just carved off meat from the underside and sides.

Seeing the other knight in the dugout Muad collected the growing pile of meat he was quickly carving and moved to the dugout, setting his burden in the front. Walking to the surf he rinsed his hands and arms before hopping into the front of the small boat. The tuk’ata pup had been feasting from the plentiful meat that Muad had left on each of the beasts but now it was outside the dugout looking at the sith knight patiently.

“Come on then.”

He reached over and collected the pup setting him behind and felt the boat get shoved into the waves and out to sea. Berserker was using telekinesis to steer and push the boat out ever in the direction of the third temple. Leaning back Muad stacked the flat stones and heated the top one with the ones below insulating the heat from the bottom of the dugout. Then he began to cut strips and steaks and cook the meat with one hand touching the stone and keeping the heat stable.

Even with the extra weight Muad had placed up front the togorian weighed down the rear which kept the bow of the little boat higher than the rear. Hours passed as they knifed through the waters with Muad reaching out to use the force to refresh his former apprentice who was constantly pushing and steering the boat.

Finally as evening came on the bottom of the boat scraped and then they stopped. Slowly Muad climbed out and stepped down to see a stone surface resided a mere inch below the surface of the empty ocean. Walking around he finally came to a spot that protruded half a foot from the water with a seal over it. Looking back to the boat Muad shrugged and returned. Strapping on his armor he placed the cooked steaks and dried out jerky into his jacket and closed it up, tying the arms, before retrieving his sword and the tuk’ata pup and waiting for the togorian.

“Come on furball.”

 

[beserker odinson]

Beserker felt the boat scrap the bottom of the surface knowing they had finally made it to the destination. Even though Muad had been using the force to rejuvenate him Beserker was still exhausted because of the injures he had sustained the day before he could tell that the larger Tu’kata was awake but in a lot of pain. Beserker saw some drift wood on the beach and using some string he tied the pieces of wood together as to make a platform as to be able to hold the larger Tu’kata Beserker used telekinesis to slowly lift and place the beast on the wood Beserker then proceeded to tie a piece of string around him so when he walked he could just let the wood with the Tu’kata follow. When they reached this temple there were many people standing outside. As they saw Beserker they rushed to him taking him and the Tu’kata inside saying “we need to take you inside the injuries u have sustained and the injuries of your animal are severe we need to start healing and patching you up as soon as we can please follow us.” Beserker followed a couple of these people inside while some of the others approach Muad. They took Beserker into a room and they told him to relax that they were going to have to put him to sleep to readjust some of his bones and heal some of the larger cuts. They told him when he awoke he would feel better and that the animal would be healed much faster than him but not to worry when they finished with the dog that they would take care of it until he woke up. Before Beserker could say that it was not his pet he was asleep. Beserker had a lot of dreams of the battle and in his mind he saw a shadowed figure waving to him telling him not to worry ally’s will help you when the time comes and that she would be there to.

 

[Muad Dib]

As Muad began to back up from the opening and robed individuals came out he raised the sword slightly as he gathered the force to himself. Resisting the urge to strike down the first truly sentient life on the planet they had encountered he reached out and touched them with the force. Some were low level users but one of them turned her wizened head and stared at Muad while the others bustled around the wounded togorian.

Looking upon the ancient woman they stared at one another, she open and allowing him to gauge their true intentions, while he searched for a malevolence that would justify him killing them all. She smiled a leathery, knowing smile. But despite his best attempts to find a hidden agenda within the minds of the group of healers he found nothing but an honest desire to give aid.

The old woman tapped her slick walking stick lightly on the stone. “Come boy. You are too skinny. You need a good, hot meal and a bed to get rest in. Come come, you’re not a tree, you didn’t sprout roots. Come.” She turned and followed the other healers, for that’s what Muad had learned, and walked down a spiral staircase that the hatch had revealed.

Tapping the sword lightly against his thigh he cleared his throat and the little tuk’ata leapt from the dugout with a growl. Muad chuckled low as he went down the stairs, the pup at his side.

“Not yet hound. Soon perhaps.”

The tuk’ata grumbled and Muad nodded absently in agreement. Downward they walked following the wizened woman until almost an hour had passed. Then they reached the bottom of the stairs and the woman turned to look at Muad. “Three doors down on the left is where you can find nourishment for your body, then two doors past is a room for you to sleep. When you rise and eat once again join me at the end of the hall the final passageway.” Then she walked away without waiting for a reply.

“She’s mental, aye she is hound.”

He looked down at the hound then he shrugged and they past the mess hall and went to the room where he barred the door then sat on the floor where he removed some of the steak for the two to eat. The tuk’ata curled up against Muad’s side and slept. Closing his eyes he summoned the force and stretched out with his senses.

He found both the giant sith hound and the feline knight receiving treatment. Brows furrowed as he renewed the connection between them, the ancient connection between master and apprentice, so that he could monitor his former apprentice incase the hospitable healers changed their minds.

Slipping into a light trance he rested.

Waking slowly Muad chose to touch the togorian and insure he was still doing being treated for his injuries. Seeing he was the sith knight shard a small breakfast of steak with the hound before placing the surplus meat on the bunk and shaking out his jacket before slipping it on over his armor plates. Leaving the guest quarters he led the pup down the winding hall until they came to the last door. Entering it he found himself in a massive library. The center of the room had been cleared and the old woman sat on a mat with eyes closed.

Muad’s right hand twitched remembering the sword left on the bunk. The old woman opened her eyes and smiled a toothless smile. “Do you so fear an old woman you wish for your sword? There is no harm here for you boy. Come sit and I will study you just as closely as you have studied me.” Her old eyes watched him closely. Shaking his head Muad dropped into a seat in front of her and the two stared and read the surface thoughts and emotions of one another.

Several hours later she sighed. “Much darkness I sense in you boy, but within, deep within I sense a light. A path, a choice, is coming soon for you. You will either become a warrior of light or be lost to the darkness forever. But so clouded and fractured is your future that I cannot ascertain what you will be. Blood covers you. One you are covered in the blood of jedi and in the other you are covered in the blood of sith. You, my boy, are an enigma.”

Muad laughed.

“Listen you ole hag, I am a sith knight. And I make my own path.”

The old woman laughed, a wheeze that sounded more like she was drowning then expressing mirth. ”You are a warrior. I see the scars and wounds of past years crisscrossing your body. I fear you may not live to fulfill your destiny. So I will teach you boy. Yes, I shall teach you.” Muad leaned back eyes narrowing as he contemplated the woman’s offer.

“Just what do you have in mind?”

The old woman reached a hand out and touched Muad’s forehead. A memory of a fight with a jedi master that had split open his face flashed in his mind’s eye. The old woman nodded and lowered her hand. “You know not the ability to heal in the force. This I shall teach you for you have had need of it in the past and will need it for the future.” Muad frowned again as he thought about it then shrugged.

“Then let us begin”

 

[beserker odinson]

Beserker began to stir in the bed he had no pain at all in his body he reached to pull himself up with his right hand. Beserker had forgotten he had lost this hand do to battle so Beserker sat up using his left hand his feet touched upon something at the foot of his bed it was very dark in his room but it only took a second for his eyes to adjust to the darkness he saw a large animal at the foot of his bed it raised its head Beserker saw that it was the Tu’kata it barked at the door. And a women came rushing in “good good your awake you slept longer than we expected it has been seven days’’ Beserker jumped out of the bed and nearly fell on his face his feet were very uneasy but before Beserker had a chance to fall he felt something grab the back of his shirt and made him sit down. He looked behind him it was the dog that had saved him from falling flat on his face. “that dog of yours is something we tried to give it it’s on place to stay and sleep but it refused to move from your side while you were asleep you two must share a very incredible bond.” Beserker thought of how bad he wanted some water but before he could ask the Tu’kata had a glass in its mouth trying to give it to Beserker. “How can this be I was just thinking of needing water and this dog got it for me.” “Like I said you to share a special bond even if you don’t know it you two were meant to cross paths it’s all part of your destiny.” Beserker thought of this but how this dog could be able to sense what he wanted and what was this woman talking about my destiny he didn’t know it himself yet but Beserker let it go. Beserker tried standing up again the Tu’kata was right behind him just in case he needed it but Beserker was able to keep balance the dog gave a satisfied bark as it bounded off the bed. Standing right next to Beserker he would have to name her it didn’t look like it was going to be running off anywhere. Beserker said “how about I name you Innin.” “that’s a beautiful name.” the women said and Innin barked happily. “Well Innin it is.” The women said “well go eat then seek me out in the yard when you’re done my elder told me to teach you to be able to heal yourself others and yes your pet.” Beserker and Innin bounded to the kitchen and found a few things to eat Beserker said to Innin “thank you for staying with me.” Innin barked again. Once they were finished Beserker went to find the women once Beserker saw her he told Innin to go get some exercise but not to go to far. The women looked at Beserker and said “ok I sense you know how to heal a little I am going to teach you how to heal more serious wounds even lethal ones first I am going to show you and then I am going to want you to try.” Before Beserker had time to react she had sliced a deep cut in his leg. Then she said “watch and concentrate on my force energy.” Beserker did so he played close attention as not to miss a thing and in a few seconds it was as if it never happened “amazing.” She cut him again “now you try” Beserker tried and tried but all he could do was ease the pain from where it was and stop the bleeding. But that didn’t stop him before long it was dark “that’s it for today meet me same place first daylight don’t be late.” Beserker noticd as he walked in they were in a dome that let in the darkness and daylight. “Innin lets go eat and get some sleep.” Beserker was tired with all the energy he was using. They ate and went to sleep. Before the first rays of light came out he went ate and saw that the women was already waiting on him. “Ready” she asked “yes lets go” they did the same thing for five days but on the fifth day Beserker was healing just as the women could. “Well there is no further I can teach you, you have learned all I can teach. Healing major wounds should come second hand to you now.” The women left but Beserker just wanted to be even better. So all day and all night and all day again he studied and practiced but he did get better he could wave his hand over a small wound and it was healed he spent half the time as usual on the bigger cuts he knew the next day they would be leaving so Beserker and Innin went to eat and lie down. Beserker had no idea when he would be able to sleep again so might as well get it now. Beserker drifted into a deep sleep happy with what he had learned here ready for any challenge that may come ahead he was ready.

 

[Muad Dib]

Muad awoke from his light sleep and followed his routine of splitting a piece of meat from their rapidly dwindling supply. The tuk’ata had grown some in the week that they had been there. Leaving the guest quarters again he made his way to the library where the ancient woman sat waiting again. Dropping into a seated position in front of her Muad sighed. Seven days, and in seven days he had not been able to heal any wound, not even was he able to make the blood from a minor scratch to clot faster. It seemed that healing, like any form of telekinesis, was beyond his personal ability set.

The old woman sat meditating for an hour until she opened her eyes and looked upon the sith knight. “If you do not learn this ability before you leave this ancient temple you will never be able to fulfill your destiny. In fact you will never leave this planet alive.” The old woman almost sounded overwhelming sorrowful. Muad almost felt bad for the woman’s obvious pain. But then he sensed a shift in her as she resolved herself to some decision. Raising her eyes to his face she nodded slowly. “I will teach you a form of healing that is rare and dangerous. Yes, we shall begin.”

Standing she raised her cane and swung t swiftly catching Muad completely off guard. With a crack the cane connected with the bridge of his nose breaking it and spurting blood. Leaping to his feet with a snarl he glowered at the woman even as the tuk’ata howled and bared his teeth. “Stop boy and listen. Feel the rage and anger within you. Except do not focus on the emotions but rather the passion, the passion that is igniting the force within you. Now examine your body. See the way it glows, the way you can follow the bones, nerves, arteries, veins. See the skin and how it is ruptured. Now focus and see the patterns. Now focus the force into the abnormality you have found. Feel it knit and heal.”

Muad was following her instructions and doing it well but just as he was about to disperse the force he lost the sight.

“Frak!”

The woman tapped her cane on the ground. “Focus boy! You do not have a healers touch, I should have done this differently from the beginning. You see child you work not from a calm place but one of passion, of action. And you see things not as injuries and disease but instead you see the weakness and broken through the force. Now this time do what I have said but don’t try to heal but rather fix what is keeping you from being an efficient warrior.”

“And what would that be you ole ha—Owww!”

The woman pulled her cane back and cracked Muad in the knee cap with a sharp crack. Dropping to one knee the sith snarled and his eyes blazed blue as he snarled. The old woman backed up. “Listen and focus, use the emotions and passion and follow the patterns. Pour the force into the fault lines that are keeping you from being at peak fighting ability.

Muad snarled as he followed his body and saw what she had once seen, the marks of war and battle etched upon his body, mind, and spirit. But there were two nexuses that broke the patterns of health and conformity and it was here that he poured the force. A snap in his knee as it healed and a minor pop as his nose set itself. Rising he looked at the old woman with the force humming within. He saw the patterns in her revealing the fact that her body was failing. He stretched out his hand and let the force feed into her. He watched as the broken lines of her lungs straightened and she gasped.

“I see it now. I see it.”

She nodded as she took a breath, a full breath, not one she had been able to take in three decades. Looking at the knight she nodded. “You will need to practice this until it becomes second nature. Your ally stirs and within a week you must leave to continue your journey.” And so the following days was filled as Muad sought to become proficient in the new ability.

[member="beserker odinson"]

 

[Muad Dib]

At the end of the week Muad was ready to leave. Too much water, too much enclosure, too much of their helpful hospitality. Standing on the roof, and wadding around in the water, he waited for Berserker to appear. Their dugout was still atop the temple having been tethered when they had arrived. The sith hound wandered about sniffing everything having already begun to grow quickly.

Turning at the sound of water flowing Muad watched as a section of the temple rose above the water, the sound of grinding stone heralding the platform's ascent. Curiosity peaked and the Mad Knight headed over to where several figures were busy circling a large item. Two large wings on either side of a hull that actually resembled the dugout made Muad wonder to the purpose of the device. The back had a type of repulsor and several small thrusters.

The old woman came up the stairwell that the sith had came up moments before. "You will need to fly to the next temple. This isn't much, but it will get you there in time. Remember child, you are not inherently evil. You have the potential for good. Accept this to be true. Farewell." The old woman gave a slight bow.

Muad chuckled as he leaped into the flier and reviewed the controls. During this time Traycn hopped in and their companions came from beneath and joined them in the flier. Activating the repulsor the ship raised above the platform. He looked behind to where his former apprentice sat with the large tuk'ata and made sure they were ready. Then a final look to where the old woman stood with her peers.

"Thanks you ole hag. See you on the other side."

Then they were off. Hours blended into days as the journeyed to the next temple. The terrain passed by as they
flew onward, always stopping at night to rest, eat, and relieve themselves before sleeping in watches. But always they were back in the flier the next morning. As the landscape changed from forests to mountains they knew they were closing on the temple from the resonance in the force.

[member="beserker odinson"]

 

[beserker odinson]

Beserker was tired from the long days at the temple but he had learned an incredible amount from his time their. Beserker got aboard the flyer as Innin got on and we pushed off on our way to the next temple. Days seemed to pass slowly but Beserker did not mind he was busy training himself more upon what he learned. every break Beserker took he spent just talking to innin about what happened during his life so that innin might have a better understanding of Beserker and that the two of them could grow a strong bond. Beserker didnt know what day it was all he knew was it was getting really cold. Beserker never got cold his fur kept him from getting cold in the distance Beserker saw cavern in the distance as they approach an outcropping. they land the flyer and Beserker and innin hop out and land on the ground. " were do we go from here muad." Beserker didnt like all this traveling he didnt like all the new surroundings. Beserker had a lightsaber so he should be good.


[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

The chasm in the snowy mountain was a gaping maw of darkness that swallowed the ship. Settling down on the smooth, stone floor of the cavern Muad shut the ship's thrusters and repuslors off and climbed out. As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark interior he slowly began to make out clefts in the walls. Heading in the direction of the first he began to examine them.

The cavern tapered at one end into a triangular point and it was then that the mad knight was sure they were in the right place. Stav Kesh, temple of martial arts. Passing by each figure he moved by nearly a hundred on the right side. A tour on the left showed just as many. After reaching the triangular head of the temple and the open passage way leading even deeper Muad stopped and looked at his furry companions.

"The stone figures are a lesson in the martial art. Each stone work shows a move in their form with inscriptions on the foundation of each explaining the motions, movements, and the state of mind one must be in to correctly complete the martial arts move. We can explore within maybe find some quarters. I plan on studying and learning these while I'm here."

So Muad went into the temple to find quarters while the tuk'ata followed at his heels.

[member="beserker odinson"]

 

[beserker odinson]

Beserker could see in the darkness as he walked following muad. Innin was right beside Beserker he bent down and pat innin. Beserker heard Muad say that he was going to look for a place to stay. Beserker called to muad " while you set up for the night im going to look at these statues". Beserker looked around at the statues he saw something glimmer down a barely noticeable hallway. Beserker walked down the hallway it broke into a wide room and in the middle there was a button for a hologram Beserker went forward and hit the button a jedi master appeared from the hologram. The hologram explained that it is a very advanced training for speed and strength. Beserker paused the hologram and went to look for Muad once he found him Beserker set himself for the night Beserker knew it would be much harder on him then normal seeing as he only had one arm Beserker fell into a deep sleep when Beserker woke up Muad had already gone probably to start his learning. Beserker fed Innin and himself and went back to go train Beserker followed his footsteps back to his place of training Beserker hit the hologram again and started training the first couple of days were torture for both Beserker and Innin seeing as Innin was trying its best to follow the instructions as well but as the days grew beserker could feel himself getting faster and stronger. Beserker now could fight just as well with one hand as most people could do with two he was now just as fast and efficient with his one hand as he was with two with the force strengthening his speed and strength now he had no need to use the force to strengthen his body unless really needed to then he would be force to reckon with. Beserker was done training he had no idea how long it had been but Muad hadn't reached him yet so he must not have been done. Beserker headed to the camp they had made to wait for Muad. Beserker noticed that Innin looked like she had also strengthened he was happy th dog could comprehend such hard tasks now it was time to wait Beserker fell asleep next to Innin.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

Quarters were not difficult to find. Sandstone beds were in each room down the second corridor and Muad and Traycyn found one to their liking half way down. Entering he lightly brushed a layer of dust off and climbed into the stone quickly drifting to sleep. Several hours later he awoke refreshed and energized. And hungry. Wandering the halls he found a mess hall and began to search the pantries. Finding nothing but expired and inedible foods he left and continued exploring. Several halls and rooms later he found a med center and pillaged through the shelves finding many medicines. Included in them were a couple of vitamin supplements and meal replacement pills in a deep freezer set in the wall. Grimacing at the nigh inedible supplements he shrugged.

"This will keep the edge off, and when combined with our supplies from the last temple .. it will do."

The sith hound, Traycn, cocked his head at the Mad Knight's words. Shrugging they made their way back to the open cavern and madwe their way to the first niche. At the fresh bite of the cold Muad pulled lightly on the force and felt the heat flush into his body combating the chill from the snowy slopes. A slight grin as he knelt down on both knees and copied the figure. As he read the inscription glowing blue eyes narrowed. It said 'Be still, still of Body, still of Mind, still of Spirit. Know thyself, know the Force.'

He rose and walked away shaking his head. Hippy jedi crap. But even as the sith thought this he felt a yearning to return. A seeking of knowledge. It was a character flaw of his, a curiosity that often got him in trouble. He laughed as he acknowledged he often enjoyed it. The bark of laughter startled the sith hound which cause Muad to laugh again. Then he went back to the recess where the first statue sat.

Focusing on the words he stilled his mind and his body feeling an emptiness come over him. Even as he sat he lost track of time his body relaxing and his mind flitting around with no target and no purpose. Then he noticed that even though he hadn't consciously continued to heat himself he had responded instinctually, the force and his body responding together.

Rising Muad went to the next which had him arched up on the balls of his feet while focusing on his thumb. He frowned as several jokes popped into his mind. But again he followed the instructions focusing his body, mind, and spirit on the nothingness, the stillness. He still felt the rage, the anger, the fear, but the other side touched him, the friendship, the love, the amusement. Emotions that most didn't expect him to have were still ones he had. But as the warring emotions battled with one another he found a balance.

As he moved from statue to statue and learned techniques he was exhausted by the time he went to sleep. After several days he had learned the basics and memorized the form called Alchaka for future perfection. After nigh a week he had prepared the ship to leave and waited in the cavern waiting for Berserker and his own hound.

[member="beserker odinson"]