After Nebeus had agreed to take me under his wing, he directed me to a secluded room within the castle, urging me to rest. Inside, I found a comfortable bed and a soft, ethereal light hovering in the air, emitting a gentle hum and casting a peculiar glow.
The wounds inflicted upon me by Mrizem had taken a heavy toll, but as I awoke within the confines of Limbo’s Edge, I noticed a significant improvement in their condition. Nebeus proceeded to provide an explanation for this unexpected recovery.
The rupture in the fabric of space and time, triggered by the collapse of Avaldur, through which I had traversed, had caused a distortion in the passage of time.
While it felt as though merely a minute had passed since I opened my eyes in this place, a whole month had elapsed in the outside world. In that brief span of time, my body had aged and healed as if a month’s time had passed, expediting the recovery process of my wounds.
Seated on the bed, I took a moment to absorb the weight of recent events, allowing the gravity of the situation to settle within me. I meticulously contemplated the sequence of events and carefully devised my forthcoming course of action.
**
"Do you have any insights on when the next attack from the Void Order might occur?" I inquired of Nebeus.
After a few hours of rest, I sought out Nebeus and found him engrossed in deep concentration, his eyes closed. Moments later, he emerged from his introspection and informed me that he had been observing Limbo, diligently searching for any signs of disturbance.
"I have been closely observing Limbo, and there have been no notable disturbances since Mrizem’s appearance a month ago. The truth is, the Void Order cannot simply manifest itself anywhere at any time. They are intruders, and Limbo rejects their entry attempts. Forcing their way in requires a significant amount of resources and energy," he explained.
Before I could interject with further questions, he continued, providing additional insight.
"Considering the recent appearances of Indikar and Cyanthos in Niafell and Peachith and Mrizem in Avaldur, it is likely that the Void Order has depleted a substantial amount of their energy."
"Furthermore, they must also maintain surveillance on the other compounds. I estimate that it will be at least a year before they plan their next attack. Rest assured," he reassured me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"I see," I relaxed my eyes in relief; a weight lifted from my shoulders.
"Even if they were to strike earlier than anticipated, I would be the first to sense it. So do not worry." Nebeus advised, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom.
"Ah, I almost forgot to mention one crucial detail. Time flows differently here at Limbo’s Edge. It moves at a pace twice as slow compared to that of Limbo or Earth. So, for every two years spent here, only one year passes in the outside world."
As I felt more relieved, I let out a soft sigh. This meant I had more time to become powerful.
"Furthermore, I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but the sol permeating the atmosphere here is in its purest form. It has remained untapped, allowing it to retain its primal essence," Nebeus explained, his voice filled with wisdom and understanding.
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His words resonated deeply within me, as I had indeed sensed a heightened sense of vitality and a lightness of being in this extraordinary place, unlike anywhere else I had experienced.
"Will this purer form of sol benefit my training?" I inquired, eager to understand the significance of this unique environment.
"Absolutely. Training in this environment will undoubtedly accelerate your progress and grant you greater power. The first step for you is to evolve your enhanced state," Nebeus guided, his words carrying the weight of knowledge and experience.
Curious to know more, I posed a question to Nebeus.
"What do you mean by evolving my enhanced state?"
Nebeus inquired about the duration I could currently maintain the state, to which I replied, "At most, three hours."
"That is the challenge," he responded. "Three hours is not sufficient. You must transcend it. Your goal should be to embody the Zen state permanently, as if it were an inherent part of your being. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred and sixty-five days a year. You must train your body to sustain this state subconsciously, even while you sleep."
His words widened my eyes, as his concept had never crossed my mind before. If achieving the Zen state was akin to taking deliberate deep breaths, then its evolution would be training my body to breathe deeply in place of regular breaths, even involuntarily.
It meant that my being would permanently exist in a state of Zen, eliminating the need to activate or deactivate it.
"Powerful paladins and harpers have achieved this state. It will be your initial step towards becoming stronger. I have witnessed many individuals successfully attain this level of mastery, and meditation proves to be the most efficient pathway," Nebeus concluded his explanation.
Realising that I had found an extraordinary teacher in Nebeus, someone with comprehensive knowledge of Limbo and a profound recollection of its history, I refrained from further questioning and positioned myself on the nearby black glass surface.
With closed eyes, I entered a meditative state, focusing on the surrounding space and channelling its energy to immerse myself in the Zen state.
As the three hours of my Zen state neared their end, I felt the sol slipping from my grasp, gradually weakening the connection that sustained my heightened state of being. Yet I refused to succumb to the encroaching dissolution.
With unyielding determination and an unwavering spirit, I intensified my focus, as if my entire existence hinged on maintaining this connection. Every fibre of my being was aflame with the desire for growth and power.
"I can’t back off now!" As I prepared to face the days of intense training, I proclaimed
***
Days turned into nights, and nights turned into days as I delved deeper into my training. Each day, I honed my ability to attune myself to the flow of sol, drawing upon its energy and weaving it into the fabric of my being.
I immersed myself in the rhythmic flow of the cosmos, synchronising my breath with the universal harmony. The whispers of the chilling wind became a comforting melody, and the echoes of the black dragons served as a constant reminder of the challenges I would face on my journey.
With time, my mastery over the Zen state began to evolve. The fleeting three-hour limit gradually extended, allowing me to remain in a state of heightened awareness and power for a longer duration.
Four hours turned into six, and six turned into eight. The sol coursed through my veins, infusing every cell with its radiant essence, and my connection with the world around me grew stronger.
The boundaries between waking and sleeping, between meditation and action, blurred into a seamless continuum. The Zen state became my natural state of being, seamlessly integrated into every aspect of my existence. Even in the midst of mundane tasks or moments of rest, the sol pulsed through me, propelling me forward on my path of transformation.
In what felt like an instant, 45 days had flown by, marking a significant milestone in my journey.
Nebeus, filled with admiration, spoke with a hint of astonishment: "You have accomplished what took Baek Hyun three years to achieve, and yet, you have reached this state in just a month and a half. This remarkable progress can be attributed to the pure essence of sol that permeates this place." As he applauded my achievement, he extended his hand towards me.
Returning his smile with a sense of pride, I boldly declared, "I shall name this elevated state ‘Eternal Zen’."