ModernMagi: TheHolyOrderoftheDivineSpirit

Introduction
Findtherealmagickusers.,shesays.You'llremember,intime.,shesays.Thisissome BULLshit!!

I'vebeenwritingaboutthiscrapforyears.Magick,Witches,Satanists,theOccult,the Paranormal.I'veseenacoupleofthingsthatmightnothavebeen....engineered.Thevast majority,ontheotherhand,triggersmybullshitmeter.Thepastfewdayshaveproventhe existenceofMagicktome.Sadly,theydidnotpreparemeforthelastfewseconds. Haveyoueverlickeda9voltbattery?Youknowthelittletingleyougetattheendofyour tongue?Well,multiplythatbyaboutabillionandyouhaveavagueideaofwhatafullforce PlasmaBlastfeelslike.Nevermindthejarringsensationofbeingslammedintoamarblepillar andbouncingoffapewontothefloor. Andchurchissupposedtobegoodforyou?Well,Isupposechurchesnotrunbypsychotic Magimaybegoodforyou.TheHolyOrderoftheDivineSpiritwasnotoneofthem.The Order,asitiscommonlycalled,isaSpiritualChurch.ItseekstoblendtheSharedTruthsof variousFaiths/Paths/ReligionsintooneuniversalSpiritualsomethingorother.That'swhatthe pamphletssayanyway.UnderneaththeChurchliestheTrueOrder.ThisiswhereIfoundthe RealMagickusers.

Chapter1
SevendaysagoIwasaSpirituallyoriented,quasinormalbeingbythenameof Ki'Dasa.I'mawriter,soIcan'tbemorethanquasinormal,it'sagainstregulation.Iama5'8, verycurvy,dreadheaded,blackwoman.Ilooksignificantlyyoungerthanmy30+years.More detailthanthatisgonnacostyou.SixdaysagoIalmosthadmyheadrippedoffbysome THINGfromOutside.Luckyforme,IsomehowmanagedtododgeintotheSpiritRealm? EthericRealm?NotreallysurewhereIwasbutitwasawayfromthekilleythingy.Whilst whereverIwas,Imetmyself.Well,IshouldsayImetmyTrueSelf.Shewasanexact replicaofme,onlyglowingsapphirebluewithredeyes. It'snoteverydayyounearlygetkilled,meetyourSelf,notrecognizeit,andgetberatedfor screwingupbeforeyouwereborn.Ithoughtspendingtherestofthenightinabarand staggeringhomedrunkat5amwasagreatwaytohandleit!Ofcoursethat'snothowitwent, butitwasagreatidea. Whathappenedwas,IwentbacktomylittleSuper8knockoffhotelroomtorealizeIwasina Drycounty.Forthoseincivilizedsociety,thatmeansnoalcohol,unlessitisservedina restaurant.Restaurantsinthesepartsrollupwiththestreetsaround9pm.Veryinconvenient, tosaytheleast.AsIwascontemplatingaroadtripmycellrang.Ididn'trecognizethenumber butsomethingtoldmetoansweritanyway. OHMYGOD!!AREYOUOK??!!Camescreechingthroughmyphone,drillingintomybrain. Canyoutakeitdownanotch?I'mfine,justsober,whoareyouand..w? Youneedtogetoutofthere!!They'recomingforyou! Who'scoming!?Whatthehell.. ThePOUNDPOUNDPOUNDofahamfistedcoplandingonthedoorcutmeoff.Apeekout thewindowshowedapairofblack,unmarked,manyantennaed,vehicles.Thephonewas stillinmyhand,Iaskedtheobnoxiousvoiceontheotherend,Whyaretherefedsoutsidemy hotelroom? Ohfuckfuckfucketyfuck!!GotothebathroZORCH!!Mycellhadshockedthecrapoutme anddied. Ihesitated,justlongenoughforthepoundingtoresumewithextremeforce.Ididn'tthinkit wasOfficerFriendlyontheothersideofthedoor,soIranforthebathroom.Islammedand lockedthedoorjustasapairofSuitswithShadesrushedintotheroom.Iturnedtofacean outstretchedhandhanginginmidair.ItwasatotallynormallookingrighthandwithaPentacle ringonthemiddlefinger. Comeon!!saidadisembodiedmalevoice. Itookhishand.Howmuchweirdercanmydayget,really?

Chapter2
Prettyfreakin'weird,letmetellya!!Theboringoffwhiteofthebathroomwallsbecame kaleidoscopic.StrangehuesappearedanddisappearedthatIdon'tthinkevenKeithRichards hasseen.Ifeltstretchedliketaffy,almosttothebreakingpoint.ThenIwasn't.Theoffwhite bathroomwallsandbizarrepsychedelicshadbeenreplacedbyadirtfloor.Islowlyrealized thatIwasonallfoursinthemiddleofaCircle. Sorryaboutthebumpyride,that'salittlefartherthanI'vetriedtopullfrombefore.YouOK? Ilookeduptoseeanagingsurferdude.Hisblondhair,ataboutshoulderlength,was grayingslightly.HeworealoudHawaiianshirtandapairofwornjeans. Yeah,IthinkI'mOK.Justmakingsuremystomachwasn'tplanningaRevolt.Ilooked aroundandsawfourotherpeople. Hieveryone.Sillyquestion,wherearewe? Themiddleofnowhere.saysaslightlyolderversionWednesdayAddams. NotnowDee.Says,thesurferdude.We'reinLafayette,Indiana.I'mMike.Theunrulyone onyourrightisDenise.Marcusisbehindher.Hesays,pointingtoanearly20something, cleancut,slightlygeeky,possibleengineeringstudent. OnyourleftisBrandiandbehindherisSteve. Brandilookedlikesheshouldbeinacheerleadersuniform.Blondhair,blueeyes,makeup perfectandaslightlyvapidlook. You'retheonewhocalled,aren'tyou?Iasked,pointingatBrandi. Ohmygod!!Yeah!How'dyouknow?Yes,ohmyGod,wasoneword;onehighpitched word. Luckyguess. Stevewasanotherlonghair,butheseemedtobethequiet,broodingtype.Darkhair,dark eyes,blackonblackonblackoutfit.Weshallsee,maybehe'sjustshyaroundnewpeople. Nicetobealivetomeeteveryone.I'mKi'Dasa.Ihaveabout80thousandquestionsandno cluewheretostart. Isaywestartwithamorecomfortableenvironmentthathasfoodandbeverages.spouts Marcus. Seconded!saysSteve. Mikesmiledandhelpedmetomyfeet.Soundslikeaplantome.HeledmetoalargeOak doubledoor.Heopenedtherightside. WelcometoTheOrderKi'Dasa.

Chapter3
back. Behindthedoorwasawhiteglowing....portal?IlookedatMikeandhejustsmiled

It'sOK.Noweirdness...wellnootherweirdnessthanwalkingthroughaGate.Hesaidwitha wink. IsteppedthroughtheGateandentered,whatlookedtobeastudiospace.Ithadgleaming hardwoodfloors.Therewasaginormousmirrorliningtheoppositewall.Thereweremats stackedupagainstthewalltomyleft.Thekindofmatsyouseeinhighschoolgymclassesor martialartstournaments.Therewasasmallfountainsittingonanendtablenexttothe doorwayout.ItwasadarkgreenboxwithanimageofanEasternDragonengravedinit. Balancedontopofthewaterflowwasasmallemeraldsphere. Istoppedafootortwofromthedoor.IheardMikechucklingfromtheothersideoftheroom andarchedaneyebrowathim. NomoreGates,Ipromise.Steve,canyoushowKi'Dasatothelounge?I'mgonnalockup. Noproblem,Mike.Thiswayplease.hesaidasheopenedthedoor. LeadonMcDuff. Thehallwaywascarpetedinadeepmarooncolorwithgoldscrollydesigns.Thewallswerea toneddownyellowwithgoldtrimonthemoldings.Theloungewasacrossthehallonthe right.Iwasballsyenoughtoopenthedoorthistime.Theloungewasfullofthemostcomfy lookingoverstuffedfurnitureontheplanet.Therewasasofaborderedbyapairofloveseats. ThepiecesformedaUaroundalow,cherrywoodcoffeetable.Saidtablewasloadedwith fruit,cheese,crackers,meat,veggiesanddips. Makeyourselfathome.saidSteve,ashewalkedtowardtheentertainmentcenter.Wanta drink? Sure.Whatchagot? Water,juice,carbonated,alcoholic,carbonatedalcoholicandtasteskindofalcoholic. GotaMcEwinsinthere? Hegrabbedtwo,poppedthecapsandhandedmeabottle. Cheers!Isaid,takingaseatinthemiddleofthesofa. Cheersindeed!MikehadfinishedlockingupandwalkedinwithBrandiandDenise. Where'smine?heasked,lookinglonginglyatmycool,frostyale.Ipointedtowardsthe fridgewithasweetsmile,Rightoverthere. She'llfitinwellhere.ChimedDeniseasshereachedfromsomethingtosnackonbefore takingaspotonmyleft.Marcustookthespottomyright.HehadalaptoporiPadorsome suchcontraptiononhislapandasmallplateofgrapesonthearmofthesofa.

OK,isitcalmenoughformetofreakoutyet?WhyweretheFedschasingme?Howdidyou knowtocallme?Howandwhydidyoufindmetocallme?I'mnotevenreadytogetintowhy I'mintheBlackHolethatisLafayettewhenmygearisinKentucky.Stupidcurse. Wellyoucanforgetaboutyourgear.Marcussaidashefiddledwithhiscomputer.I'mpretty surethe'RealityPolice'havealreadyconfiscatedallofit. Thewhat.Ilookedaroundtheroomtoseeifthatwasjokeornot.Iguessedbythe expressionsIwasseeingthe'RealityPolice'arenotajoke. You'reserious? Deadlyserious.Takealookatthis,hesaid,pointingtowardsthe52flatscreenmonitoron thewall.Thisiswhatthesatellitepickedupatprecisely12amthismorning,atLatitude37.13 NandLongitude84.07W. WeallhadabirdseyeviewoftheritualIwasspyingon.Visualsofsillychanting,silly chanting,stillcouldn'tunderstandwhattheleadcultistwassaying.Amassiveblackhole openedupfromthecenterofthecircle,boltsofdarkredenergyattachedthemselvestothe4 dumbassesthatjustwantedtobecool.Astheholegrewlargertheirformsrottedandfell away.Thisthingwasdrawingit'spowertoenterthisworldfromtheirLifeForces.Thevile THINGappearedinmysightforthesecondtimetonight.Itdidn'tgetanyeasiertodealwith.I couldstillfeelit'svoiceinmyhead.Theonscreenmetookoffrunningasthethingleaped. Shedisappearedinaflashofsapphirebluealmosttoolatetoescapeunscathed. Marcus,pauserightthereplease.Ki'Dasa,whatwasthat?Alleyeswereonme,thoughit wasMikethataskedthequestion. I'mnottotallysureofthatmyself,actually.IknowwhereIwasdidn'tlookthatdifferent.The colorswerejustwrong. Hmmm.Betshesidestepped.said,Denisewithagrin. Ilookedatherblankly.Shesighed,rolledhereyesandsaid,Sidesteppingiswhenyou physicallystepintotheSpiritRealm. Wow!!DidyoumeetyourTrueSelf??!SqueakedBrandi,fromtheleftarmofthesofaThat's socool!Ihaven'tlearnedhowtosidestepyet!! YesIdid,thatwasaninterestingexperience.Ihavenocluehowthatsidestepthing happenedthough. SometimesourTalentsmanifestthemselveswhenwe'reindireneed.saidMike.Wecan continueMarcus.Marcusclickedtheplaybuttonandtheactionresumed. Thecultistspreadhisarmswide,asifinoffering.TheThingchangedtothickblacksmoke andenteredhisbody.HewalkedovertowhereIwasoriginally,pickedupmyrecorder,lefthis messageandfadedfromsight.Acoupleofminuteslateranotherblueflashandmy unconsciousformreappeared.Theonscreenmelookedaround,pickeduptherecorder, listened,turnedwhiteasasheet,andtookoffrunning.

Pause,fromMike.Whatdidyouhear? Hecongratulatedmeonmyescapeandsaiditwouldn'thappenagain. Right.Continue. Lessthanfiveminuteshadpassedwhen4unmarked,black,Fedlookingcarspulleduptothe ritualsite.8guysinmatchingblacksuitsandsunglassesgotoutofthecarsandcordonedoff thearea.Theycanvassedthesitewithlittleelectronicdevicesandtooksamplesfromthe stainsonthegroundaswellasthegrounditself.Oneofthemgrabbed,bagged,andtagged myrecorder.10minutesaftertheyweredonetheregularcopswerecalledintohandlethe mess. So,howdidtheyfindme?Iaskedlookingaroundthegroupforananswer.Marcus answered,TheRealityPolice?YourenergyburstwhenyousidesteppedleftaSignature,the energyequivalentofafingerprint.I'mfairlycertainthatanyAwakenedpersonwithina4state radiusfelttheOutsiderbeingsummoned.That'snotalowpoweredfeat.Mostlikelythey cametocheckoutwhatwasSummonedandpickedupyourSignatureduringtheprocess. WhatthehellisanOutsider? Denisedecidedtofieldthatone,AnOutsiderisanentityfromarealmthatabhorsthe Light. OooooKay,soDemons? That'scloseenough. Sowhatwastheguythatsummonedit? OneoftheLost.saidSteve. WhataretheLost? That'swhenMikerejoinedtheconversation,Stop,wait,don'tanswerthatjustyet.hewas pointingatSteve.WeneedtogethercaughtuponActuality.

Chapter4
Hangonasecond,youthrowintherealityofmagickandnowthere'sadistinctionbetween 'real'and'actual'?Isawnodsfromeveryoneintheroom. Howthehelldoesthatwork??AlleyesturntoMike. LookslikeI'vebeennominatedforthatanswer.Realityiseasiestdefinedas:whatis commonlyaccepted.ActualityisTruth.TruthiswhatisrevealedwhenoneobservesReality withoutprejudicesorthroughthelensofpastexperiences.Here'sanexample:It'scommonly acceptedthatteleportation,physicallydisappearingfromonelocationandreappearingin another,isimpossible.It'saknownandacceptedfactofreality.Clearlyrealityiswrong,in thiscase,oryouwouldn'tbehererightnow. Goodpoint,Ican'treallyarguethat.OKcarryon. Thereare4typesofhumansclassifiedaccordingtotheirunderstandingofthatdistinction. SleepersorthelessfriendlySheeple,theAwakenedorMagi,theLost,andtheBroken.The Sleepersarebyfarthemajority.Theydon'tbelieveinmagick,alternaterealms,demons, supernaturalcreaturesanyofit.So,theydon'texperienceanyofit.I'mfairlycertainthattheir 'unbelief'actsasashieldtoprotecttheirmindsfromtheunexplainable. TheMagiarethoseofusthathaverealizedourpotential.Wecanmanipulatetheveryfabric ofRealityinanumberofways.Forexamplesomeofuscanbendspace,manipulatetime, heal,harm,shapeshift,transmutateobjects,controltheelements,andtraveltoparallel worldsmentallyand/orphysicallyjusttonameafewTalents. TheLostarethosethatrealizedtheirTalents,butbelievedtheseabilitiestocomefrom Outsidesources.They'vemadePactswithDemonsforphenomenalcosmicpowersnot realizingtheittybittylivingspacethatgoeswithit. Likethatcultistdudethatgavehisbodytothedemon.Dumbass.IlookedatSteveforfurther clarification. I'vehadsomeexperiencewiththeLost.Didwhathewassayingsoundevenremotely English? Nope,notabit.Itdidn'tremindmeofanylanguagenowthatIthinkaboutit. That'swhatIthought.Hemustbeoneofthosefreaksthatlearnedtheirlanguage. Whatlanguage?OrdoIwanttoknow? Thelanguageofthe'unformed'.No,Idon'tknowit.No,youdon'twanttoknowit. Right!Lost=BAD,gotit.ThelastgroupistheBroken,right? Mikepickedupwhereheleftoff.Correct.Thisoneneedsalittlebackgroundinfo.Thebody picksupinformationconstantlyandifnoexternalstimulationisavailabletheMindmakesstuff up.Allhumansaretaughtwhattopayattentiontoandwhattofilterout,dependingontheir culture.WhenahumanAwakensmostofthosefiltersarestrippedaway.WeseeActuality fromthatpointon,nottheprescribedreality.JustasaSleeperthatcan'tfilterout unnecessaryinformationisconsideredtobementallyunbalanced,sotooaretheAwakened thatcan'thandlethelackofthesefilters.Theywreakhavocwhereevertheyturnup.Reality bendstotheirwill,orthemostidlethought,I'mnotreallysureonthatone.Idon'treallycare togetcloseenoughtofindouteither.

Sowheredothe'RealityPolice'fitin,aretheyMagitoo? Generally,yes,theyare.TherehavealwaysbeenMagithatwantedtocontrolrealityby keepingtheSleepersasleep,insteadofcompellingthemtoAwakentotheirfullPotentials.It's kindofhardtocontrolasocietyofindependentthinkersthatcanbendRealitytotheirWill. Controllingthemassesismucheasierwhenthey'reignorantofreality'smalleabilityandtheir TrueSelves.TheRealityPolicearenotcompletelyunknowninSleepersociety.I'msure you'veseenconspiracytheorists'rantingsorevenmoviesabouttheThoughtPolice,orthe NewWorldOrder,ortheIlluminati.TheRParewhothey'rereferringto,withoutdisturbing Society'sacceptedsenseofreality.TheRealityPolicecontrolsocietybytellingpeoplewhatto think,whattowear,whattobelieve,whattosay,howtosayit,andwhat's'important'inlife. Theymaintainthestatusquobycoveringupsupernaturalevents.That'snotsohardwhen youcancallforacompletemediablackoutorevenquarantineatownordertocontrola blatantsupernaturalevent. TheRParen'talwaysMagithough,theydohaveSleepersintheirranksandI'veheard rumorsofVampiresandWerewolvesintheirspiffyblacksuitstoo. Wait,didyoujustsayVampiresandWerewolvesarerealtoo?IthinkIneedanotherbeer. Mikelaughed,Ithinkyoumayneedsomesleep,insteadofbeer. AwwwcomeonDad,justonemorestory.Pleeeeeeze.Theroomeruptedinlaughter. Yeah,shefitsinreallywell.Denisesaid,giggling. SowhatisthisOrder?Iask,aftertakingaswigofafreshbeer. Mikecontinued'storytime',IguessyoucouldcallitaTrainingGroundforMagiandthose thatwishtoknowtheirTrueSelves.Thebasement,wherewepulledyouhereto,isonlyfor Magi.NonethatarenotAwakenedandaffiliatedwiththeOrderknowsofit'sexistenceand we'dliketokeepitthatway.Wink,wink.Nudge,nudge.Saynomore.Savvy? Knowsofwhat? Exactly.ThisfloorisforOrdained,andCirclemembers,oftheHolyOrderoftheDivineSpirit. TheDivineSpiritistheSpiritualchurchthattakesupthemainfloorofthisbuilding.Wehave SleepersaswellasMagiinourcongregation. Iheldupmybeer,Timeout!Isn'tthatalittleinconvenient?YoujustsaidSleepersdon't believeinandthuscan'texperiencemagickandstuff. Isaidnosuchthing,saidMike,inthemostoffendedvoiceI'deverheard.Isaidtheydon't experienceit,notcan't.IfaSleeperiswillingtosuspendtheir'unbelief',anddoesso successfully,thentheycanexperienceanythingtheywish.Ihavenoticedquiteanadvantage tohavingSleepersaroundthatwillsuspendtheir'unbelief'foryou.You'rerideherewouldn't havebeensobumpyifI'dhadoneortwoofthemaroundtohelp. Wow. Wowisright.HumanshavequitealotofpowerbutasuncleBensaid'Withgreatpower, comesgreatresponsibility.'Mostpeopledon'twanttotakeresponsibilityforthemselves,so theyremainSleepers.Thosethatcan'thandletheresponsibilityBreakandthosethatwant thepowerwithoutresponsibilitylosetheirsouls.We'rewhat'sleftover. Mikestoodupandstretched.AndIthinkthat'senoughforonenight.I'mnottryingtomake yourheadexplode.Besides,itiswellbeyond,thisoldman'sbedtime.

Youcansleepintheguestroomtonight.We'llmakebetteraccommodationsinthemorning andgetyouatourofthegrounds.Brandi,willyoushowKi'Dasatoherroom? SurethingMike!sheansweredperkily.Irolledmyeyesatherchipperattitudeaftersucha royallyfuckedupdayandgotasnickeroutofDenise.Imouthedalwaysatherandshe nodded.Great,sheisoneoftheperpetuallyperky. Breakfastisat8ameveryone.Who'scookingtomorrow,isn'tityouSteve? Butnobody'sgonnabeherebutustilThursday.Can'twejustdotheeverymanforhimself thingagain? Wecouldbutwewon't.MightaswellgetbackintotheroutinebeforePurduestartsandwe getnewbatchofconfusedmembers.Threeextradaysofworkwon'tkillyou.DeeandMarcus makesureyouguyscleanupdownherebeforeyougotobed,wedon'twantants. Inmopey,childlike,unison,Yessir.Theyimmediatelysettoworkwrappingupleftoversand tossingtrash. Ki'Dasa,lovelytomeetyou.Restwell,andIshalltakeyouonthegrandtourtomorrow morning.Goodnightall.Mikewavedoverhisshoulderashelefttheroom.The5ofus answeredinalmostperfectunisonGoodnightMike. Ithinkmyheadisgoingtoexplode. Deniseglaredatmeforhalfasecond,Doitoutside.I'mSOnotcleaningthatup. Fairenough.Brandi,ifyou'dbesokind... Huh,ohright!Surething.Followme.Nighteverybody! Goodnighteverybody. Welefttheroomonawaveof,Night.

Chapter5
Thewalktotheguestroomwasashortone.Itwasrightaroundthecorner. Hereweare!chirpedmylittlecheerleadertourguide.Everythingyouneedshouldbe inside,letmeknowifyouneedanythingelse.I'llbeintheloungehelpingtocleanup.Good night,sleepwell. Thanks,youtoo.I'llseeyouinthemorning. AsBrandibouncedherwaybacktotheloungeIletmyselfintomyroomforthenight.WhenI clickedtheswitchtheroyalblueroomwithgoldaccentingdroveawaythethoughtsofsleep. Theroomwasgorgeous.ItlookedlikesomethingoutofaParisianpalace.Acanopiedqueen sizedbed,anantiquelookingvanitycompletewithmirror,arockingchairnexttothewindow andawoodenchestatthefootofthebed.Ishutthedoorandleanedagainstit,takinginthe classicbeautyofthedcor. So,whatdoyouthink?Saidavoicerightnexttomyear. OHSHIT!!ItwasmyTrueSelf,inallhersapphire,glowybrilliance.WillyouSTOPthat! What!? Poppingupunannounced! WhatamIsupposedtodocallyou?It'snotmyfaultyou'renotpayingattention. Irolledmyeyes. Well,whatdoyouthink?Haveyourememberedanythingyet? UhhhhhsinceIdon'tknowwhatI'msupposedtoberemembering,no. Well,Ithoughttheyexplainedeverythingfairlywell,foranintroductionanyway. Ihaven'thadeternitytostockpileallofthisinformation. Bullshit!Itoldyounottodrinkthewater! HowthehellamIsupposedtorememberthat? She'facepalms'andglaresatmewithoneemberofaneyethroughherfingers. Whaaaat?! Don'tstart. Igetthesensethatwe'vehadthisconversationbefore. Webothstartlaughing,Yeah,onceortwice.sheconfirms. Onaseriousnote,beverycarefulaboutthatLostone.Hedidallowhimselftoberiddenby thatmonster.WhoknowswhatTalentshehasnow,andtheRPwon'tdistracthimforever. They'reprobablyonhighalertforyoutoo.IfMarcushackedthatinfofromasatellite,theRP couldhavetoo. Getsomesleep,andremembertopayattention. Whensheleft,theroomseemeddullincomparisontoherLight.Ilaidonthecomfybedand immediatelydriftedintoarealmofancientbattlesfoughtinfarawayplaces.Placesthat lookedlikeIimaginedthemtolook;India,China,Japan,andoldercultures.Alwaysthesame battle,neverthesameforms.Ineversawtheendofanyofthoseconflicts,onejustfadedinto thenext.

Chapter6
Iwokeupatthebuttcrackofdawnandsatboltuprightinbed.Idrewacompleteblank onwhereIwasforaboutaminuteorso.Thenitallcamefloodingback.Almostkilledbya DemonthatpossessedsomejerkwadandgottheFeds.....No,nottheFeds.TheReality Policeinterestedinme.IwasrescuedfromwhateveritisTHEY,I'mpositivetheRPcountsas THEY,dotoMagibybeingteleportedtoLafayette,Indiana.Great.Well,atleastthiswas closertohomethanKentucky.Indianapolisisonly45minutesaway.Shit! Allmystuffwasstillinthehotelroom.Recorderisgone,cellisdeadandmostlikelygone.At leastIleftthelaptopathome,toobadmykeysandcarwerestillatthehotel.ThankGodI don'thaveanormaljob,I'dbecompletelyscrewed.IwonderediftheGatetothehotelwas stillopen,anddecidedthatitwouldn'thurttogocheck. Iopenedupthedoorandheadedleft,backtowardsthelounge.ThestudiowasjustpastitifI rememberedcorrectly.Imeanderedbackdownthehallandfoundthecorrectdoor.Iopened itandwalkedinside. Itwasjustaswe'dleftitlastnight.Fountainrunning,matsstackedupagainstthewalland gleaminghardwoodfloors.Iwalkedtotheonlyotherdoorintheroom.AsIreachedforthe handleIfeltacoldchillrunupmyspine.WhenItouchedthehandleIfeltacoldbreezeonthe backofmyneck.IturnedandwasfacetofacewithanEasternDragon.Myheartfrozeinmy chestandIcouldn'tletoutanysoundaboveasqueak. Youhavenotbeengrantedaccesstothisspace.Leavenoworfaceme.Thewordsechoed inmyhead.Iwasn'tsureifIwashearingthisthingwithmyearsormyMind. Isqueakedanaffirmativeandtookofflikeabatouttahell,slammingthedoorbehindme.At allthenoise,Marcuscamerunningoutofthelounge. Whothehellisslamming...atseeingmeatmymostfreakedout,pressedagainstthewall likeIcouldsinkintoit,hislectureonearlya.m.doorslammingdiedinhisthroat.Areyou OK?DoIneedtogetsomehelp? There.There'sadragoninthere.Isaidpointingatthedoor. Yeah,he'saGuardian. YouhaveaDRAGONinthestudio. Yeaaaah,he'ssupposedtobehere.HisnameisMidori.I'msureMike'llgointomoredetails aboutthequirkynessofthisplaceonyourtourtoday. Aretheremoredragons?! Iwon'truinthesurpriseforya,hesaidwithanevilgrin.Breakfastwon'tbereadyforat leastanotherhour.Whatareyoudoingupsoearly? Wecontinuedourconversationonthewaybacktothelounge. Iwokeupdisoriented,andthenannoyed,andthensawalightattheendofthetunnel.Sadly thatlightwasatrain. Heburstoutlaughing.What!?

Iwokeup,rememberedthatallofmynecessitiesareeitheratmyplaceinIndianapolisorina hotelroominKentucky. AahhhhIsee.Youwerehopingtograbyourstufffromthehotelright? Exactly. I'mprettysurearrangementscanbemadetogetyourstufffromthehotel.Youprobablywant toholdoffontherandomwanderinguntilyou'vebeenintroducedtothesecuritythough. Yathink?!Isaid,rollingmyeyes.ADragon!!Really?! You'veseenwhatthingslurkinthedark.Whatcouldbebetter?Ordoyouthinkwe'rebeing paranoid? ParanoiaisRealityonafinerscale. ThanksSteve,wellput!Marcusrepliedasweenteredthelounge. Whyareweparanoid? Ki'DasametMidoriaminuteago.SheseemstothinkitoddtohavehimasaGuardian. StevelookedfromMarcustomeandasked,Whywouldn'twehavehim?He'sawesome! Thatwasmypoint! Ifloppedontothenearestloveseat,defeatedbysomeoddformoflogic. WhatdidyoudotogetMidori'sattentionanyway? IwaswantingtoseeifIcouldgetmystufffromthehotel. OH.Yeah,probablynotthebestofideastotryonyourown. Apparently. Stevechuckledasheduckedbehindatapestry.I'llberightback,gottacheckonbreakfast. Heopenedadoorthatpresumablyledtoakitchen.Breakfastsmellswaftedintothelounge, bacon,friedpotatoes,andeggs.Mystomachgrowledlikesomepissedoffwolverine. Alittlehungryareya?askedMarcuswithagrin. IansweredinmymostEeyeorelikevoice,Ohhhatad. Smellslikefood'salmostready.Everyoneelseshouldbeupandaboutsoon. Rightoncue,MizChipperbouncedintotheroom.Shewastheepitomeofbrighteyedand bushytailed.Goodmorningeveryone!! It'llbeagoodmorningafterI'veeaten. Someone'shavingagrumpystarttotheirday. Fortunatelyforher,StevechosethatmomenttowalkinwithatoastedBLTsandwichanda cupofcoffee.Hehandedmetheplateandsetthecuponthetable.Firstbatchisup,round twoisalreadystarted.AreyouacoffeeNaziKi'Dasa? Iburstoutlaughing.Ihaven'theardthatinyears!No,Idon'tdocream.Idolikemysugarto becoffeeflavoredthough. MoresugarthanGod,check!Hedartedbacktothekitchenforthesugar.Brandiand Marcusfollowedhim. Morning!SmellsgreatSteve!Mikewalkedinfromthekitchenwithafullplateandaglassof orangejuice.Hetooktheseatclosesttome,onthecouch.

Iheardyouhadanexcitingmorning. Istartedathimwideeyed.Atleastmymouthwasn'tfullandhangingopen.Youcouldsay that.Whodidyouhearfrom? Midori. Ofcourse. Helaughed.It'snoproblem.I'llintroduceyouformallyafterweeat. Stevecamebackwithhisownplateandanalmostoverflowingsugarbowl.Isthisenough? Thatmightbeenoughforacup,ortwo.Smartass. It'salwaysbettertobeasmartassthanadumbass.hesaidwithasmile. Truenuff. BrandiandMarcuscamebackwiththeirownplatesandtastybeverages. Aren'twemissingsomeone?Iaskedlookingaroundtheroom. Steveanswered,aroundamouthfulloffood,Ifsomeone'snotdying,Deniseisn'tonetobe upmuchbeforenoon. That'sfair.I'mnotdiurnalbychoiceeither.Sowhat'stheplanfortoday? I'mgoingtotakeyouonthe.50tour,saidMike,introduceyoutoour....securityteamthen seewhatwecandoaboutgettingyourstufffromyourhotelroom. Soundslikeaplantome.

Chapter7
Thefirststoponourlittletourwasthekitchen.Itwasbig,verybig.Likebigenoughto bearestaurantkitchen,almost.Halfoftheroomwascookingspaceandtheotherhalfdining space.Icouldn'thelpmyself,Letmeguess,thisiswherethefoodlives. Yes,exactly!SaidMikewithagrin,Wepreferthatitnottravelpastthelounge.It'snever goodtofindsomethinginadarkcorner,orunderabed,6monthslater. Thatsoundslikepersonalexperiencetalking.Ashudderwasmyimmediateresponse. EEEwwwww,right!Movingon. Indeed.Movingon.Thereare4roomsaboutthesizeofthestudiothatyou'vealreadyseen. Eachroomisdedicatedtoandplacedinthatdirection.Eachdirectioncorrespondstooneof theWesternElements.MidoriistheGuardianoftheNorth,theelementheworkswithis Earth.ShioriistheGuardianoftheEast,sheworkswithAir.HikaruistheGuardianofthe South,theElementofFire.KohakuistheGuardianoftheWest,ElementofWater. DuringMike'sspiel,wehadreturnedtothedomainofMidiori.Question.Isn'tEarthusually consideredtobeafeminineelement,shouldn'tit'sGuardianbefeminine? Goodquestion!TheGuardiansrepresenttheConsciousnessbehindeachelement.To maintainBalancebetweenthePhysicalandSpiritualrealmstheLightbearer,thatconceived theOrder,thoughtitappropriatetohaveSpiritGuardiansthatresonatedtheoppositegender thantheelementnaturallyemanated.Forexample,inaCirclewhenwe'recallingthecorners thereisoftenarepresentationoftheelementpresent.Let'ssaywe'recallingFire.Fireisoften associatedwithMasculineenergies.TheGuardian,theConsciousnessbehindtheelementof Fire,isfemale.ThisaspectallowsustoreceivethesubtleraspectsoftheElement.The reverseisalsotrue.MidoriistheConsciousmasculineaspectoftheEarthElement.His presencebalancesoutEarth'snaturalfemininequalitiesbydisplayingphysicalforce. Huh.Interesting. Hereweare,atdoornumber1.Mikesaid,asheopenedthedoorandsteppedinside.He wentbehindthedoorandhelditopenforme. Standrightoverthere,please.he,wasgesturingtothecenteroftheroom. Itookadeepbreathandwalkedinside.Mikeshutthedoorandbrushedhishandacrossthe emeraldsphereonthefountain.Therewasafaintgreenfadingtowhitelightemittedfromthe fountainandIfeltachillasthetemperaturedropped.Thelightbecamemoderatelyopaque formingMidori'scoiledserpentinebodysurroundingme.IcouldseeMikeoutsidetheCircleof Midori'sbody,butjustbarely. Whatareyoulookingathimfor?ThisisOURtime,hesaid/thought,loweringhismassive headtolookmeintheeye.Fuckmerunningwithachainsaw,wasallIhadtimetothink beforemymindwasthrownintotheElementalPlaneofEarth. TheEarthismorethanjustthegroundunderyourfeet,thegrowingthings,andthe mountains.Yourverybodywascreatedfromtheearth,howelsewouldyoubeabletosense it?Theotherelementsplayapartaswellofcourse,forweareallconnected.ThePhysical

Realmitself,however,fallsunderthedomainofEarth.Everysensationthatyouexperienceis causedbyaphysicalforce.Sound,flavor,light,scentandsensation(temperature/texture)are allexperiencedthroughthephysicalform. Witheachexamplethecorrespondingsensoryorganwasassaulted.Soundwastherumbling oftheearthduringanearthquakethatbecamequieterandquieteruntilallthatcouldbeheard wasmyownheartbeat.Flavorsvariedfromfreshsweetfruittobitterhopstosalttosour. Physicalsensationschangedfromtheuntouchableheatofmagmatothecoolsmoothnessof jade.IhavenoideahowlongIwasthere.TimeworksalittledifferentlyintheNow. WhenIcamebacktomysensesIfeltveryhere,verystableandveryawareofmybody.Allof thelittleaches,painsandimbalancesthatIcanusuallyignoreweresuddenlyintheforefront ofmymind. You'restillupright!?That'sprettyimpressive!!saidMike,Usuallypeoplefalloverabouthalf waythroughhistour.Somethingaboutsensoryoverload. AndIthoughtIwastheonlyonetogettheTiltaWhirlsensoryexperience. Mike'seyesgothugeashelookedfrommetoMidori.Ifagreenethericdragoncouldbesaid toblush,Midoriwouldhavebeen.Iwaswonderingifhewasgoingtostartwhistling nonchalantly. OH,sothatwasharsherthanusual! You'retheonewhocameinhereuninvited.,camecrashingthroughmyskull.Notso muchinvolumebutmoreofpureforce. Playnicechildren.Camefromthepeanutgallery,distractingusbothlongenoughtoglareat Mike.Heheldhishandsupinagestureofpeace. I'mjustsaying,noroughhousinguntilshe'strained.Mikesaid,lookingatMidori.Tome, Reflectonthisexperience.Itwillbeimportantlater.Shallwecontinue? AmIgettingmoretours? Onlyifyou'reupforit. Alllllrighty. Midori,weshallspeaklater.Mike'stonesuggestedmoreofalecturethanaconversation. Midoribowedhisheadand,asgreenvapor,fadedintothefountain.

Chapter8
WelefttheNorthcornerandheadedtowardtheEast.Wewalkedinsilenceuntilwe reachedtheturninthecorridor. AreyoureallyOK?I'vetakenhistourbeforeandwhileitwasn'tnecessarilythemost pleasantofexperiencesIwouldn'thaveclassifieditasaTiltAWhirl.Thatsoundsrather jarring. Jarringisanappropriateword.Atfirstitwas,intense,butthesensoryinputflowedfrommild toextreme.Afewtactilesensations,thenscents,thenlight,etcetera.Thenhestartedto switchitup,rough,gentle,bitter,loud,sour.Mike'sexpressionshowedmethathegotmy meaning.Yeah,itwasabitjarring.Whatwasthatlookfor? Whatlook? Thatwideeyedshockedlook.Hechuckledabit. I'venotheardofhimbeingthatintensewithanyone.Iwasn'tkiddingwhenIsaidpeopleare usuallyonthefloorhalfwaythroughhistour. What'shalfway? Welltheynormallylastabout8to10minutes,sohalfwayisabout4minutes.Youweregone forthefull10minutesandheapparentlyshookyoulikeaterrierwitharat. It'llbeinterestingtoseewhatyoubecomeinfullbloom. Westoppedwalking.Hesmiled,afatherlytypeofsmileandplacedhishandonadoor handle.Takeadeepbreath.Relax.GroundandCenter. Iclosedmyeyesandadjustedmyposture.IexhaledallofmymixedemotionsaboutwhatI hadjustexperienced.ThenIinhaledfresh,calming,cleansing,pureair.Mikenoticedtheshift inmyenergytoacalmstateandopenedthedoor. Itwasalibrary.Tallbookshelveslinedthewalls,withtheexceptionofthewallIwason. Totheleftofthedoorwasafountain.Thisonewasanotquiteopaquewhite.Itlookedlike swirlsofclearandwhitemadeupthespherethatwasthebaseofthefountain.Balancedon topofashort,transparent,cylinderwasaflatwhitesquareplate.Inthecenteroftheplate, stemmingtheflowofwater,wasaflawlesssphereofquartz.Totherightofthedoorwasa smallmeditationbench.Thefloorlookedlikesmoothmarble.Twolongoaktablesstood, surroundedby6chairseachstoodontheleftsideoftheroom.8freestandingbookshelves stoodbacktobackintworowswereontherightsideoftheroom. I'msurprisedtherearen'tanycomputersinhere.EastisAir.Airisknowledgeaswellas communicationright? Quiteright.But,unlessyouhaveaknackforit,technologycanbetrickytoworkwithwhen yourpersonalKiflaresupandcausesashortinthesystem. Itwasmyturntolookedshocked.Holyshit!That'sinconvenient!Isaid,laughing. Tosaytheleast. ThisroomhasatotallydifferentfeelfromMidori's. WellIshouldhopeso.ThisisacompletelydifferentElement.Saidafemininevoice.Iturned

fromMiketoseeaverystatuesque,solidwhite,ephemeralwoman.Theonlycolor,orlackof white,werehereyes.Herpupilswerelikemirrors.Shewasdressedasamonk;fullhooded robetiedatthewaist,herhoodwasdown.TheforceofAiris,byfar,subtlerthanEarth.But nolesspowerful.YoucouldsaythatAiristhepushthatmakesEarthmove. What?Ithoughtitwastherotationoftheearththatcausedthewinds. Certainly,butIamreferringtoAir.SpecificallythesubtleaspectsofAir.Shestopped,smiling slightly. Please,forgivemymanners.IamShiori,theEasternGuardian. PleasuretomeetyouShiori,I'mKi'Dasa. SheglancedatMikeandnoddedslightly.AsIwassaying,thesubtleaspectsofAirarethe pushthatmakesconsciousbeingsactonthephysicalrealm.Forexample,whenyouwere Groundingoutsidethedoor.YouusedAirtocalmyourthoughtsandrelaxyourbody.Why? Oxygenrelaxesmuscles,relievingphysicaltension.AcalmbodyleadstoacalmMind.Airis associatedwithMind,atleastinmyworldview,soIGroundedandCenteredtoAir. Verylogical.WhydoyouthinkAirisassociatedwithMind? Becausethere'saconnectionthatI'mnotseeingbetweenAirandMind? Goodanswer.There'snothingwrongwithan'Idon'tknow'. Theenergiesthatcomprisethoughtsandtheenergiesthatcomprisethephysicalelementair moveinthesamefashion.Theybothcircle,andspiral,andragewithobscenelevelsofpower orcaresswiththemostephemeraloftouches. Asshespoke,thewordssuitedtheiractionsalongwiththeveryAirintheroom.'Circle'called tobeingasilverlinedCircle.Ofcourse,Iwasconvenientlyinthecenter.Theword'Spiral' formedacyclonearoundme,startingattheceiling.Theaddedphrase,Youweren'tpaying attention,kindoflikenow.wasspinningtowardsthefloor.OHSHITIthough.Ihadnoticed, toolate,theenergybuildup.Ishutmyeyesastheenergyslammedthroughme.Awhirlwind ofthoughtscombinedwithaliteralbuffetingofAiratfullforce. I'mawriter,athinker,ananalyzer.IUnderstandAir.Irelaxedandwatchedthewindspass.My awarenessofthethoughtsthemselveswasliketryingtolistentoasongonsupersonichigh speed.Therewasstillthecadenceofspeech,itwasjusttoofasttomakeitout.Thenitall faded,toalmostnothing.Theslightestwhisper.Thegentlesttouchofabreeze.Iopenedmy eyestoseeasapphirebluelightbeginningtofadefromtheroom. TheenergiesdieddownandCircledisappeared.ForsomereasonIgetthefeelingthatthisis goingtobeayearofDejavu,forme. Ifyoupayenoughattention,youmaywellseethePatternofCauseandEffect. Thankyou,Shiori.Thatwasamosthelpfulexperience. Mypleasure.Youarewelcomehere.ShebowedslightlytoMikeandbegantodissipate.We leftthelibraryasthemistcleared. Scoreoneforthenewbie.Shehadyouflyingforasec,thenyousettleddownandstabilized. SaidMikeaswewalkeddownthecorridortowardstheSouth.

What,likeliterallyflying?Feetnottouchingthefloor? Yup.IsupposetheaveragereactiontoAirisbetossedaroundalittlebit,orsometimesquite abit.YouwentallImmovableMountainonher.Veryniceeffectbytheway,youmaywantto becarefulofhowbrightyoudothatshouldtheneedcomeupinpublic. Thatlightwasreal? MikelookedatmelikeIwasoncrackandstartedlaughing.Duh.Yeah. ThatwasthefirsttimeIdidsomethingonpurpose.WhenAirisn'tworkingtocalmmyMindI justwatchitanditslowsdownonit'sown.Ididthesamethingandittoneddowntheintensity oftheAir. Verygood.You'restartingtopayattention.AreyoureadytogoplaywithFire? IlikeFire!

Chapter9
TheSouthwasdedicatedtoFire.IhavealwaysassociateFirewithPassionand CreativeForce.MikeopenedthedooronaCraftRoom.I'mnottalkingknittingorcrochetor evenneedlepoint.I'mtalkingglassblowing,metalworking,andactualmagickalCraftsjudging bysomeofthescorchmarksontheceiling.Thewallsandceilingwereallstone.Alarge fireplacedominatedthebackwall.Stationsweresetupclosesttothefireforglassblowing, blacksmithing/metalworking.Thereweretroughsfilledwithwateroneachsideoftheroom nexttothemetalworkingstations.ACirclewasinscribedontothefloor,mysticsymbolswere etchedinanunbrokenlineallthewayaround.Someofthescorchmarksontheceilinglined upwiththeCircle. Iturnedtoseeifanythingelsewasbehindme.Iwasmetwitha6ftmirrorthathadbeen mountedontothewall.Atthecenterofthemirrorwasa2ftroundedblackbowl.Inside,afire wasblazing.Infrontoftheflames,etchedintoafrosted,circular,mirrorwerethewords: BetheyFlamesofthePhysical OrFlamesofConsciousness UntendedtheywillBurnout OrOutofControl Thecontrastoftheetching,totherestoftheglass,calledattentiontothewaterthatwas flowingdownthemirrorinevensheets. WOW!!TwothumbswayWAYup!Awesomespace! IthinkourMusehadalottodowithit.SaidMikegesturingtowardstheCircle.Abeingof Firewasstandinginthecenter.Iturnedtogetadirectvisual.Itwasahumanoid,female,form composedentirelyofflames.Exceptfortheeyes.Hereyeswerelikedeeppoolsofcrystal clearwater. Ki'DasameetHikaru.TheGuardianoftheSouth,elementofFire.Shenoddedherhead towardsme. HailandwelcomeKi'Dasa.EntertheCirclewhenyouareready. Ilookedupatthescorchmarksontheceiling.Fire.UntentedFlamesBurnoutofcontrol.Pay attention.Focus.Watch.Remember.Eachthoughtcameandwentwithacleansingbreath.I realizedmyhandswereinaanoddposition.Thesecondknucklesofeachfingerwere touchingaswerejustthetipsofmythumbs.Thepalmsofmyhandsgrewwarm.Thatwarmth spreadthroughoutmybodyandIsteppedintotheCircle. WhenIreachedthecenterofthecircleflamesimmediatelysurroundedme.Fireisnotonly flames,lightandheat.Fire,init'ssubtleformsmanifestsasRawPower.Sometimesit'sthe CreativeForcebehindgreatworksofartorgenius.Sometimesit'stheDestructiveForceof completeandutterinsanity.NeverforgetthatFireisafickleandchaoticForce.Youmust alwaysTendtotheFire.

Herwordsechoedinmymindandmyenergyflaredupwitheachexample.Powerpushedthe flamessurroundingmeuptotheceilingandchangedtheirnormalfireycolorstowhite. Geniuscausedtheappearanceoffivesymbols,overlaidonanimageofthehumanform. Insanitywasachaoticjumbleofdarkimages.Blood,fearandparanoiaspiraleddownwardin mymind.Theflamessurroundingmeturnedfromblindingwhitetoshadesofblacksandreds. Theenergybegantogetheavier,denser. ThiswasmyfirstRealtest,Irealized.CanIcontrolmyownPower?Iwatchedtheflamesas theyspiraledupwardsinfrontofmeandmentallygrabbedthem.Ifocusedonthespiraling movementoftheenergyandConsciouslybeganmovingmyenergyalongit'spath.The ceilinghighcolumnofflameschangedfromblacktomysapphireblue.WhenIhadfullcontrol ofthecolumn,IdroppeditontotheCircleandGroundedittotheEarth.Thelastofmyblue lightfadedtoapplausefromMikeandHikaru. WellIthinkwe'vefiguredoutwhatherforteis.It'sbeenquitesometimesinceIhadcontrolof thecolumncompletelyremovedfromme.Veryimpressive. Idroppedtomyknees,stillinthemiddleoftheCircle.IsthatwhyI'msodrainednow?Holy shit!! DidyouremembertoCenterordidyoujustGround?AskedMike. Shit.Right,forgottoCenter.Iclosedmyeyestofocusandoneofthosesymbolspoppedto mind.Ifeltwarmthspreadfrommysolarplexus,outward. IopenedmyeyestoanoddlookfromHikaru.Istoodup,feelingrefreshed,andlefttheCircle. Interesting,washeronlycomment.Shesmiledandwinkedoutasifastrongbreezehad blown. Ontothelast?Iasked,lookingatMike. Indeed.

Chapter10
MikeresumedhisroleastourguideaswewalkedtowardstheWestwing.Kohakuis thenameoftheWesternGuardian.HeisthemasculineconsciousaspectofWater.Youdo knowhowtoswim,right? Please,tellmeyou'rekidding. Mostly,hesaidasheopenedthedoor. Kohaku'sdomainappearedtobeanartroom.TherewasaGrandPianointherightcornerof theroom.Anassortmentofinstrumentslinedthetwowallsthatformedthecornerbehindit. Drums,rattles,andcasesthatIassumedheldmoredelicateinstruments.Theleftsideofthe roomwassetupformoreclassicalstylesofart.Aneasel,stoodwithit'sbacktotheroomina thecorner.Alongtablecoveredwithanassortmentofpaints,charcoals,pencils,watercolors andsketchpadsofvarioussizesofferedtoolswithineasyreach. There'samoatinthemiddleoftheroom.Thatissoawesome!! Youthat'scool?Checkthisout. Kohaku,youhaveavisitor! Inthecenteroftheroom,an8ftsquareinscribedwithgoldsymbolssurroundedthe2ftwide Circleofamoat.AtMike'srequestspoutsatthefourcornersofthesquarebegantoshoot smallburstsofwater.Theyeachgot2burstsoutthatformedasinglepillarofwaterinthe centeroftheCircle.Amasculinefigureformeditselffromthewater.Hisskinwaspale,but hadaslightblueishhue.Heworelinenpantsofanoceanblueandmatchingshirt.Hishair waspurewhite,bonestraight,andhungtohiswaist.Hiseyeswerejetblack. Kohakulookedatme.No,scratchthat.Helookedthroughme.Ifelthisgazeinthebackofmy mind.Heheldoutahand,beckoningmetojoinhimintheCircle.Icouldn'thavestopped myselfifIhadwantedto.There'snorealwaytoprepareyourselftodealwithyourown emotions.Itookhishand,anduponenteringtheCircleabarrierofwatersurroundedus. ItiswellknownthatwaterrulesLife,forwithoutwater,therewouldbenolifeonthisplanet. Wateralsorulestheemotions.Thehappyones,thesadones,andtheangryones. SometimestheybubbleacrossthesurfaceofourAwareness.Othertimestheyaredeeper thanthedeepestpartsoftheoceans.WaterservesasaconduitbetweentheSpiritand PhysicalRealms,thisiswhyitisassociatedwithpsychicabilitiesorTalents. ItfeltasthoughIhadbeenimmersedinahottub.Ifloatedonwarm,relaxingwaters.While floatingmymoodchangedrapidly.Atfirsttheywereonlysurfacechanges,humor,mild annoyancesorpleasures.Thentheywentdeeper,realaffection,angerandhatred.Fear grippedmethen.AllatonceIwasn'tfloatinganymore.I'dbeendraggedundertowardscolder waters.Icouldstillbreathebuttheworldlookedwrong.Thecolorswerealloff.Icouldhear otherworldlymutteringslikethatLovecraftianThingthattriedtokillmeyesterday.Italmost... Maybeawordortwoalmostsoundedlike...THUD!!

Iwassuddenlyrippedfromthatlineofthoughtbybeingdroppedontothetilefloor,choking. Mikerantomyside,Kohakupulledmeontohislapandliterallypulledanyremainingwater frommylungs. WhenIhadfinallyconvincedmylungstostayinmychestIaskedKohakuWhattheshit happened?Icantellbythelooksonyourfacesthatthisisn'tnormal.Whatwentwrong? Theylookedateachother,concernblatantontheirfeatures.Kohakutookthelead,Before wecananswerthat,Ineedtoknowwhatscaredyou. IopenedmymouthtosayIdidn'tknowwhathewastalkingabout.ThenIrealizedtheliein thatstatementandshutmymouth. Kohakuforcedmetolookintohiseyes.TheywerelikeasaneversionoftheAbyssIwasjust in.Ipulledawayfromhisgazeandshutmyeyes,tosubduethecreepyvibesthatthought pulledup. AsaGuardianIneedtoknowwhatI'mdealingwith. ItwasthatThing.TheOutsider.IfeltachillintheWater.IguessitrecognizedmebeforeI couldrecognizeit.IblinkedandIwasintheSpiritrealm.IcouldhearITspeaking.Icould almostmakeoutafewwordsofwhatitwassaying.Itsoundedlike... Ahandappearedovermymouth,silencingthatlineofconversation.Kohakuhadafirmgrip onmyjaw.Helookedmeintheeyesandsaid,I'msorry,thismaybeabitunpleasant. He,effectively,doveintomyMind.Heransackedmymemories,ofthepastfewminutes anyway.ItfeltREALLYweird,butnotnecessarilyunpleasantuntilIfeltasearingpaininmy head.Itwasradiatingoutfrombehindmyleftearandspreadingthroughoutmybrain.Kohaku hadmeshriekingbeforehewasdone. TherewasonlyonewordIneededtogetout,Why?! Youdidsidestep.SaidKohaku,YouweregoneanhourbeforeIcouldfindyouandbring youbackheremutteringsomeprettyfoulstuff. Anhour??IjerkedmyheadtowardsMikeforconfirmationandpromptlywisheditwouldjust falloff. OHHHHMYGOD!!Pleasetakemyheadoff. Kohakucontinued,Thepainyoufeelisthetendernessfromremovingtags,trackers, markers,andwhatlittlebitsyoupickedupofthelanguageoftheunformed. Mikelookedup,alarmed.Kohakushookhishead,slightly,andplacedhishandonmybrow. Sleep. Awarmwaveofwaterwashedawaymyconsciousness.

Chapter11
Iwokeuponthecouchinthelounge.IcouldheartheTVbuthadn'topenedmyeyes yetforfearofextremepain.Itsoundedlikeareporterwastalkingbutthenewsdidn'tmake anysense.ItsoundedlikethereportersaidIwasdeadinsomefire.Iopenedmyeyesand sawthesmolderingashesofthehotelIwasstayingat,inHighDefinitionnoless. DidtheTVjustsayIwasdead?CauseIfeeldead.Howdidtheyknow?God!!Isoundedlike Iwasonmorphine. Steveburstoutlaughing.ApparentlyIsoundedlikeIwasonmorphinetootherpeopletoo. TherewereahandfulofgigglesaroundtheroombutnoneofthemwerefromtheGuardians orMike.ThenInoticedthey,theGuardians,lookedlikehumans.Albeitwithoddhairoreye coloring,buthuman. ItriedtorecallwhereIwasbeforeIgottothecouch.PAINlikeglassstreakedthroughmy skull. All4Guardianseyesturnedtome.Kohakuplacedahandonthecrownofmyhead.Thepain wentaway.Heleaneddownandwhispered,Notyet.Savethosethoughtsforthemoment. Badthoughtequalspain. Exactly. Whatdidyoudo? Nothingyouneedtoworryaboutatthemoment.Iwilltellyou,justnotnow. Areyoutalkingtoyourselfoverhere?ItwasDenise,withaglassofwater.Hetooktheglass, chuckling,No,itappearsourKi'Dasaisatelepath. Seriously?! Seriously?! Yes,seriouslytobothofyou. Iseverybodyhere? Yes. AndtheTVstillsaysI'mdead? Yes. Wasthereabody? Hehesitated,abit.Yes. Doweknowwhoputitthere? TheWaterGuardianaddressedeveryoneintheroom,Andshe'smanagedtocatchup.The currenttheoriesareeitheryourOtherworldlystalkerortheRealityPolice. Marcuscontinued,TheRealityPolicehavetheabilitytoconfirmyouridentity.Iftheyknowit's notyou,andthey'retellingthemediaitis,youaremostlikelyaTarget.Ifitwasyourstalkerhe couldbetryingtothrowtheRPoffhistail,sohecancomeandgetyou.Eitherway,thereis Vilenessonit'swayhere.Beingdeadistheleastofyourworries.

Nauseawashedoverme.Isatupwithmybackagainstthearmrest,hopingmyheadwouldn't decidetochoosethatmomenttoexplode.Theacidschurninginmystomachdecidednotto tryandescape.Atleastsomethingwasgoingwell. Marcus,howgoodareyourhackingskills?ThatwasfromSteve.IfwecantracktheRP,we canseeifthey'relookingforherorherstalker.Atleastthenwe'llknowwhat'scomingfirst. ThecreepiestgrinIhadeverseenspreadacrossMarcus'faceashepickeduphiscomputer bag. Goodidea!Thisletsmetestoutmynewchip! Iheldupmyhand,likeakidinaclassroom. Ibelieveyouhaveaquestion,teach.Denisesaid,pointingatme. Marcuslookedup,briefly.Yourquestionis...WhatthehellamIdoing? Itouchedafingertomynoseandpointedathim.Therewasaclickandheopeneduphis laptop.Thescreenwasfilledwithcode.Ilookedathimblankly.Hegrinnedhisevilgrinagain andthelaptopstartedtoglow,verysubtlyatfirstbutgettingstronger.Whenitwasasolid, vibrantyellowMarcusputon,whatlookedlike,sunglasses. I'mgoingonline.Bebackinafew. Hisbodywentslack,butonlytoapoint.It'slikeitwasstillfocusedonthecomputer,but Marcuswasn'thomeanymore.Heremindedmeofwhatatrancemediumlookslikebetween spirits. MyconfusionmusthavebeenveryplainbecauseDenisestartedlaughing.Isthisyourfirst timeseeingsomeonedothat? Inodded,dumbly. TheInterwebzarejustlikeanyotherrealmofexistence.Youcansidesteptothespirit,he cantoo.Justadifferentareawithdifferentrules. Inodded,alittlelessdumbly. Marcussuddenlysprangbacktolife.Hewaspositivelybeaming.YouarenotRPtarget number1!Yourstalkeris!!Congratulationsyou'vebeenrelegatedtothebackburnerand quitepossiblyalreadydead. MychipisAWESOME!!Inandoutlikethefreakinwind! HeHighfive'dStevewhiletherestofuslookedatthemblankly. Sorry.Hesaid,laughing.ImadethischipsoIcouldhackintoRPcomputersystemsand keeptabsonthemwithoutgettingmyselfcaughtandmysystemfried.Thiswasit'sfirstreal assignmentanditworkedperfectly!

GoodjobMarcus.Mikegavehimapatontheback.Youmadethat?Huh.Leansomething neweveryday. Lookslikewehaveanewresident.Let'sgetyoutoyournewroom,wecancontinueour discussioninpeace.

Chapter12
MikehaddecidedtoputmeintheSouthWestbedroom,betweenKohakuandHikaru. MymindfeltsofuzzyIdidn'tevennoticetheroom.Imanagedadrunkenstaggertothebed andproppedmyselfupagainsttheheadboard. JesusfuckinchristwhatthehelldidyoudotomeKohaku!?Eveninmymostdubaucherous moments,IhaveNEVERfeltthisfuckedup. Ididadeepcleansing. Withwhat?Abrillopad?! Kindof. Pleasetellmeyou'repickingnowtostartjoking. Whoa,whoa,slowdown.Mikesaid,Therestofusneedtocatchup.Kohaku,whydidyou needtousebrillopadforceforyourcleansing? Areyousureyouwanttohavethisconversationnow?Itwasageneralquestiontotheroom, theother3GuardiansandMike,butKohakuwaslookingatmewhenheaskedit. No,butwe'regoingtohavetohaveitsometime.Bettersoonerthanlater,getsalltheshock outatonce. Hesmiled,gentlyandplacedhishandonmyhead.Thefogginessinmybrainwentaway. Yay,Icanthinkagain!Thankyou. Don'tthankmeyet.Westillhavetofindyourtriggers. Triggers?Whatdoyoumean? Therearecertainpartsofyourmemorythatareofflimits.Whenyourthoughtstouchon theseareasyouwillexperiencepain.Themorerestrictedtheareathemoreintensethepain. Sothiswholeconversationiseffectivelygoingtobeamentalminefieldforyou. Andyoucouldn'thavethoughtofabetterwarningsystemthanthat? Notoneyouwouldn'tignore. Inarrowedmyeyesathim,Iusedtolikeyou. Hegrinned,Areyousureyouwanttodothisnow?You'reclearheadedandknowwhat's abouttohappen. No.NowIREALLYdon'twantto,butmywantsdon'tmatter.Idon'twanttobe'dead',and thatdoesn'tmattereither.Myvoicebrokeonthelastsyllableandhehuggedme.Myheart calmedandasingletearfell. Thiswon'tholdallnight.hewhispered.Inoddedandtookadeepbreath. TheWaterGuardianaddressedtheroom,WhydidIuseextremecleansingmethods? Becauseyouwereoutofmyrangeforanhour.TherearepreciousfewplacesthatIcannot go.Youcamebackmutteringthelanguageofoneofthem.So,yes,Itookapowerwasherto yourMind.Therewere3obviousTagsandonefairlysubtletransmitter.Iscouredformore, butdidn'tfindanythingelseasidefromatinylittlepocketof...language.Hesaid'language' likeitwassomethingfoulanddistasteful.

Youkeepusingtechnicalterms.Didyoufindhardwareinmyheadorwhat? Helaughedabit,Ikeepforgettingyou'renew.No,notquitehardware.They'respells,I supposetechnicallythey'reConstructs.Anactiveconsciousspellthathasaspecificdutyand aWilltocarryoutthatduty. Youfound4oftheseConstructsandtheyleftscarringwhenyouremovedthem.AmI understandingthatcorrectly? Perfectly.Helookedintentlyatme,AreyouOK? IsupposeI'mrelievedthatthey'regone... But,Hikaruprompted. Butthere'ssomethingunderneaththat.Some.....little......shadoooOOHHHHHHGOD! Abright,shiny,icepickofpainlodgeditselfintothecenterofmyMind.Kohakudeftlyremoved it. Holy.Fucking.Shit.Youwerenotfuckingaround,wereyou. Noope. NOTHINGelse??Really?! Hesighed,deeplyandreachedaglowingfingertowardsmythirdeye. Areyouphoninghome?Isaid,archinganeyebrow. No,justyou. Itwastheoddestfeeling.Headjustedwhatfeltlikebandages,buttheyweremental.REALLY weird. Newrule,atadmoreflexibleforthenosyonehere.Youknowthaticepickthatwasjustin yourhead? Ishuddered,Yes. That'swhatyougetwhenyou'reFocusedonwhatyoushouldn'tbe.Iseveredthe connection,butitcanbereestablishedthroughyourownwill.Providedyoudon'tpassout fromexcruciatingpainfirst.Generalconversationshouldn'tdomorethancauseamildtwinge though. Hikarudecidedtotossinaquestionoutofleftfield,Areyoufamiliarwiththeconceptof Hellfire? Ilookedatherblankly,ShouldIbe? Youdemonstrateditbeautifullytoday.Theblackcolumnofflameswasyourdoing,wasit not? Notreally,Ilostcontrolforabit.That'swhenitallturnedblack.Ifollowedthespiralbackup totakecontrolagain. Mikeinterjectedatthispoint,Hangonasecond.Youlostcontrolandinherentlycalled Hellfire? Apparently.

WOW. Doyouwanttotranslatethatforme? ItisanexpressionofAweatyourinnatepower. ThankyouKohaku,canyoubemorespecific? No.Histonesuggestedthattherewouldbenoargumentsaboutit. Mikestoodupabruptly.Ineedtodosomeresearch.Kohaku? Yes,Iwill. Thanks.Midori,Shiori,Hikaruwillyoupleasesetupalittleextraprotection. IwatchedeveryonefileoutandlookedupatKohaku. Sowhatwasthatallabout? What? Mikerushingeveryoneoutofhere? Hewasbeingcourteous. huh.NowI'mconfused. Howdoyoufeel? Everytimeyouaskmethatsomethingfuckeduphappens. Maybeifyoupaidmoreattentiontoyouremotionslessfuckedupshitwouldhappen. Isighed.Iknow.Ididaquickietarotreadingacoupleofdaysago.AshouldIgoonthis trip?kindofquestion.IpulledtheTower. Ha.That'sappropriate.Hebeganstrokingmyhair. Tellmeaboutit.Myoldlifeandanychanceofgoingbacktoitwasdestroyedontelevision. Hisspellbroke.ThenIbroke.Icried,Iranted,Iraved,andIscreamed.EverythingthatI identifiedwithasmehadbeenkilled.Igrievedformyself.Kohakustayedwithmetheentire time.Onoccasion,Icouldfeelhisinfluenceashedrewoutsomepotentiallytoxicthoughtor emotion.ThoughtsthatcalledmyattentiontotheThingsthatLurkintheDark,forexample, werewashedawayassoonastheypoppedup.IlettheWaterwashitallaway. Sometimelater,IbecameAwareofalightsourcebeforeIrealizedIwasn'tasleep anymore.Itwasabrilliantsapphireblue.Iwastooemotionallydrainedtodoanythingbut watchthelightasmyTrueSelfmaterializedfromit.Shekneltbesidemeandplacedher handsonmyhead.PresumablyshewaslookingatKohaku'shandiwork. That'saneattrick,we'llhavetopickitup. Whydidn'tyouwarnme? Idid.Isaid'findtherealmagickusers.' YouknowwhatImeant. What,warnyouthatyou'reclosertoyourenemythanyouthink?Warnyouoftheirmethods andtactics?Whatwouldhavebeenthepoint?Youcannotdivideyourattentionbetweentwo worldsatalltimes.TheworldoftheActualandtheworldofRealityaretwoverydifferent thingswiththeirownsetsoflawsgoverningthem.Eventuallyachoicewouldhavehadtobe made.Karmajustchosetomakeours.WearedeadtotheRealbutborntotheActual.