First touch, then smell, sounds, and finally sight returned to me. As the darkness receded, it was unfortunate and disheartening that I lost sight of that tiny world. The world which had only been revealed within the deepest and darkest recesses of my being in that abyss.
I had a fervent hope and belief that it was a very real manifestation of my core energy and gift, energized by the trials I had undergone and succeeded in as well shaped by my life’s experiences.
As my eyes adjusted to my surroundings, I only saw Gertrude by my side. She was playing with a assortment of amulets and gadgets currently suspended in the air around her.
Needless to say, she appeared well and truly shocked. Beyond the obvious expression of surprise on her face, it additionally caused some of the suspended trinkets to almost fall out of the air.
Basking in the after effects of the assimilation, I felt a kind of cooling shade and calming sleepy presence dwell within me as it settled among the other resonating elements.
“Well now!” Gertrude exclaimed. “That is quite unexpected that you survived.”
Tapping a claw on her lower jaw, she peered at me as if I were some bizarre gem or new trinket with mystifying properties. “Maybe it is the effects of your affinity to the mental arts?” She muttered under her breath. “Shadow does have some minor correlation to them. I do wonder . . .” Her voice dropped off as she stared into space for a moment making various indecipherable noises included with some head nodding and shaking.
Her face then firmed up before she stated matter-of-factly as if to herself, “We shall just have to wait and see.”
Turning to face me more fully, she paused to pull out her white communication stone. Showing it to me she said. “Victoria couldn’t bear to watch you after your first several screams and so she left me to wait until you passed away. I will admit that neither of us expected this outcome. . . I’ll go ahead and call her out.”
Well, that was certainly disheartening to hear that she did not remain to witness my full trial. A master and apprentice or teacher and student relationship is supposed to be symbiotic in nature. One provides general teaching and support while the other strives to learn and expound upon what they have learned. This creates a kind of immortality to the teachings as they are allowed to be passed on and improved upon by subsequent inheritors of their predecessor’s will. A strong sense of honor and responsibility should be engendered between both sides as they each seek to fulfill their duties.
Outside of the virtual reality, in our current day and age, such work had become far too transactional. There were still some outliers who performed incredibly well despite the position they were placed in to fulfill.
One such example of an outlier and someone whom I respected deeply had been my AP high school history teacher. He made great strides to teach the subject in an unbiased and fully revealing manner so that we as his students could make up our own minds regarding various political, ethical, and morals stances without undue pressure.
He organized open debates which pitted conflicting ideals against each other, frequently being assigned to and argued by students who held an opposing view point to that which they had to support. This, among other techniques of his, strengthened the knowledge and integrity of the students he taught. From his teachings, we were able to build strong foundations for our personal beliefs, while additionally we were instilled with a sense of respect for those with opposing viewpoints. It was a truly admirable standard he set as a teacher.
Victoria had certainly proven herself as a remarkable teacher and master in her own way, and yet, it still hurt to see her absent when she had been there for all the prior assimilations, save for earth. Lingering fears from the trial and realm of shadows rose up to whisper doubts to me, telling me that being alone might really end up as my reality. Did she really care for me and did I mean anything to her? In my currently fragile state, I couldn’t gather my logical thoughts anymore and only had my hurt feelings to go by.
*Wham!* My spiraling thoughts and depressive mood was interrupted by the full body impact of my teary eyed master. “You survived!!” The incredulous tone of her voice combined with her tight hug left me speechless and emotional as well.
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I swallowed a knot in my throat as I experienced a brief flashback of the terror I just survived. Maybe I wasn’t as stalwart as I had believed myself to be. Certainly, that revelation-like world I saw in the abyss was like a deep and fulfilling hope which I clung to with great severity. However, even my logic infused mind could distract myself only so much and for so long from the horror that I had just survived.
In the strong, comforting, and very real feeling arms of my teacher, I couldn’t help but break down into shuddering sobs and heart wrenching cries. My frame shook uncontrollably as unwanted flashes of that terrifying and lonely black abyss replayed itself through my mind.
Never in any of my many moments of seeking of overcome my fear of the dark, had I come close to the effects of that trial. It was the single most terrifying experience I have had in my life. Forced to face the up-close and very real idea of your mortality and solitude, and it being spelled out in such a dooming way will leave deep scars. These were invisible scars, yet felt upon the psyche and forevermore affecting your sense of self.
My mind did not dwell on the supposed falseness of this place as I felt deep comfort within the calming and wholesome embrace of my master and teacher. She was a true safe place where I could let go of the pent-up feelings of despair.
We just huddled there together for an unknown length of time. . .
It was unfortunate, but all good things frequently come to an end. If this had been before I got to know both of my masters better, along with their obvious attraction for the each other, and were it not for my respect to both Monroe and Victoria then I might have had a casual thought to enjoy the embrace with a different intent. However, the thought or consideration to do so, never even crossed my mind. As soon as I felt that I had regained enough control over myself, I began disengaging from my apothecary teachers embrace.
It was actually Gertrude who made a *harumph* like noise, caught my eyes and gave a little shake of her head, making me pause my actions. It appeared that it wasn’t just me who needed the comforting hug, as Victoria was not yet ready to let go.
I gave a quiet sigh and leaned back into her embrace, allowing her the time she needed to feel better. It was in incredibly rare moments like this that I so desperately wished that I could reach out and share the all-encompassing warmth and chills of my gift in real life. A part of me believed and hoped that those who truly needed and could use the comfort it gave to me, would be able to feel the same or similar sensations coming off of me and permeating into them.
My fervent wish to be capable of giving the same solace that I was gifted to others in need stirred something deep within me. My core pulsed gently as if to say *Someday it will be possible. *
Finally, Victoria pulled herself back from the embrace. “It is good that you survived.” She said while drying her reddened eyes.
A light but heartfelt smile found itself on my face as I held her eyes with mine. “Thank you.” I said with sincerity. More words could be said, but I doubted that I would be able to put them in the right order to better convey my gratitude and limited understanding of how she felt.
Instead. . . like a normal guy, I changed the subject.
“So, are you ready for the help me with the nature stone?” I asked slyly.
Shock colored her as she took in my serious and ready expression.
“Hahahaha!” Gertrude went off howling in laughter before commenting to her dazed friend. “That boy is certainly going places.”
Victoria could only dumbly nod her head at that. What can I say? When hope and my future were on the line, I could bounce back from tragedy very quickly. Why should I needlessly delay doing something that promised immediate returns and to be good for me?
It was hard enough for me to muster up the necessary will power to go to the gym on the days I just didn’t feel like it. That was grounded in the fact that I couldn’t easily quantify or measure the benefits to be earned. But when instant, positively influenced gratification was available, I was like a horse to oats or a turtle to a shoe.
After some minor encouragement on both Gertrude’s and my end, Victoria was convinced to allow me to continue to assimilate the nature stone in preparation for further aiding her in her profession.
“Okay, if you are absolutely certain you want to do this, I will allow it.” With her lecturing tone returned, I felt that she was on her way to emotional recovery regarding the shade stone fallout.
Then she added, “I wanted to combine 2 nature stones, as I believe their duality would greatly aid you in future studies and overall aspects of being an apothecary.” She held up 2 stones of differing colors. One was mostly a deep green with trace blue streaks, while the other had more of a purple tone overlaying its own green.
Speaking on, she explained while emphasizing the near solid green stone. “I have a basic nature stone which was specially cultivated by me in my garden amidst the healing herbs.” Then emphasizing the purple toned one, she said. “I also have this basic stone which was personally cultivated by me among my more poisonous plants.”
Then looking intently at me, she asked. “Do you believe you are up to the task of taking both at once after your latest experience?”
I felt a pressing attraction in the direction of her hands as my body and core appeared to hungrily yearn for those stones. It was as if they were tasty morsels to compliment the prior elements and assimilations I’d had.
Withdrawing her hands momentarily, Victoria emphasized, “Before we do this, I want you to know that many consumers of the poison nature stone experience several symptoms of poisoning and allergic reactions. On the other hand, the healing stone is known as one of the tamest of assimilations. I’m hoping that by combining them, you may have greater benefits and a reduction in the effects of poison stone.”
“I’m ready whenever.” I exclaimed in anticipation.
Victoria then nodded in agreement and went inside to brew the potion.
While she was gone this time, Gertrude spoke up. “Andrew, sometime in the next few days, when you have time, I would like for you to come by my shop. I have some things that I’d like to go over with you which I believe will be beneficial for your development.” Then her expression adorably turned a little shy and awkward which she tried to pass off as aloof before she added. “I would also appreciate another application of the shell cream.”
“Of course!” I readily agreed. Before any more conversation could be had, Victoria emerged with the finished product.
A tube full of swirling purple and vivid green shone with a haunting glow. Despite the aura it gave off, it felt far more welcoming than the prior shade stone potion. And so, with no delay and with both ladies watching on, I drank it.