> "The journey of understanding is gradual, each experience adding depth and character. It’s only in the twilight years that the full grandeur of the tree is visible, with every scar and branch telling a story. In the same way, the path to enlightenment unfolds like a scroll, revealing its secrets as one crosses various thresholds. It is through sustained curiosity and the overcoming of each new boundary that the final revelations appear, bringing coherence to the intricate narrative."
>
> Elena Valerius - "Chronicles of Enlightenment" Year 447 of Burning
As twilight crept through the forest, Salaar's actions grew more intentional and thoughtful. He approached the humble encampment nestled in the firelight's glow, his broad shoulders rounded as he reached for provisions. The stillness of the night was broken only by an owl's hoot and the gentle rustling of the leaves.
With practiced ease, Salaar began to prepare their meal. He tended the fire with care, adding herbs for savory depth, and sliced meat with the precision of an artisan. The scent of roasting meats and steaming vegetables mingled with the earthy aroma of the jungle and the wood smoke, filling the air with a tantalizing symphony of flavors.
As Akim observed Salaar's deft hands at work, tranquility washed over him, banishing the day's tensions. He savored this simple act of kindness in the wilderness, his appreciation for the man and his bond with the land deepening.
Soon, Salaar presented a platter to Akim, the mouthwatering aroma beckoning him. The fire flickered softly behind them, casting dancing shadows on their faces. Akim's rumbling stomach greeted the first bite gratefully, savoring each tender morsel.
The night air thrummed with the rhythmic chorus of crickets, punctuated by an owl's hoot or the distant roar of a jaguar. The scent of damp earth and smoldering wood hung heavy in the air as Akim closed his eyes, immersing himself in the experience.
A shadowy figure emerged from the undergrowth beyond the firelight, startling Akim. Eclipse, the regal black panther, approached them with a grace that belied her wild nature. Her golden eyes met Salaar's as he offered her a piece of meat. She took it delicately in her jaws and savored it before retreating to a spot on the other side of the fire.
Akim watched Eclipse with fascination, his curiosity piqued. "What's her story?" Akim asked, unable to hide his fascination.
The panther paused mid-chew before looking up at Salaar expectantly.
Salaar's eyes held a hint of mystery as he took another bite of his food. "She has walked with me for countless moons," he shared cryptically. "In time, you shall learn the significance when you become more attuned."
Akim furrowed his brow, trying to discern the meaning behind Salaar's words. "more attuned to what exactly?" he asked, hoping for some clarity.
Salaar hesitated before answering. "Perhaps it is best if you tell me your story first," he suggested. "Then I may be able to provide some insight."
Akim's brow arched inquisitively at the enigmatic reply, but before he could delve deeper, Salaar retrieved a pipe from his satchel, along with a pouch of dried tobacco. With deliberate care, he filled the pipe, tamping down the contents before striking a match to ignite it. A wisp of smoke curled into the air as he extended the pipe towards Akim. "Would you care for a puff?" Salaar offered, the glow of the fire reflecting in his eyes.
Akim shook his head, declining the offer. "No thank you, I prefer to keep a clear mind."
With a nod of understanding, Salaar continued, "Alright then, continue with your tale, Akim Saj'an. I'm intrigued to hear more about your journey and the reasons that led you here."
Akim nodded, taking another bite of his meal as the fire continued to dance and crackle around them, the night air growing cooler with each passing moment. Eclipse watched them intently from her spot near the fire, her golden eyes reflecting the dancing flames.
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In the embrace of the wilderness, where the fire's glow danced with the shadows, Akim's voice carried a quiet intensity as he wove the threads of his tale. "My friends and I," he began, "were driven by desperation to find another way. None of us wanted to walk the path of blind revenge so we turned instead to try to comprehend the mysteries and seek our answers elsewhere. We scoured ancient texts and delved into forgotten lore, seeking the elusive truth."
His voice, imbued with the weight of their journey, resonated with the night's symphony. The jungle around them seemed to lean in closer, its leaves rustling with whispered secrets.
"Though not the primary focus here, it's crucial to acknowledge our trials," he continued, his blindfolded eyes gazing inward as if reliving each perilous step. "Our path was littered with false leads that provided no answers until we chanced upon a rumor—an artifact, a tome that promised the answers we sought."
Akim's narrative grew more urgent as he recounted their harrowing discoveries. "On the night when our efforts would have given us what we sought, we were instead met with a disaster. Though we had been sure that our plans were not known to those in power, we were ambushed just as the tome was in our grasp, and my companions... they fell like extinguished embers. Amidst the chaos, I stood alone with an otherwordly pulsating vortex pulsating behind me. It shimmered like a mirage, a tear in the very fabric of reality"
He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing, "It was instinct more than any rational thought that made me jump into that dark omen."
He paused, his hand instinctively reaching down to confirm the presence of the tome fragment he had secured before leaping into the unknown. Internally, he sighed with relief, yet chose to keep this detail to himself, wary of unknown depths of Salaar's motives and intentions.
He looked up at Salaar to find his gaze unfocused as if in deep contemplation, the pipe in his hand momentarily forgotten.
"And this ethereal vortex," Salaar inquired, "is how you arrived here?"
"Of that I am unsure". Akim replied. " My recollection of events after I jumped is all jumbled up."
He paused to gather his thoughts, on how to explain what had happened. 'I am absolutely Not mentioning the visions I had .....and dark... those would sound crazy to anyone.' he thought.
"Forgive me, but I must confess, my memory of the events afterward is rather... hazy." He continued aloud, "When I finally collected my thoughts, I found myself in this jungle."
"Ah, and the blindfold?" prompted Salaar, he was now leaning towards Akim with an intense look on his face.
Instead of answering directly, Akim retrieved his makeshift pack and rummaged into it to take out a fruit that he had eaten that night. He held it out to Salaar and said "I ate a few of these fruits before sleeping, and when I woke up.... even when the sun was not yet out... the world was ablaze with light, an intensity that seared through my very soul. I believe it was the fruit that caused such a reaction.”
A knowing chuckle escaped Salaar’s lips, a sound that hinted at hidden depths. “No, young one. The fruit is but an apple, a simple fruit. The light you speak of does not come from such mundane items. Tell me, is the light the only thing you perceive that has enhanced?”
Akim had not heard of such fruit before; come to think of it, he had never seen any tree bearing fruits. Fruits did not grow bigger than small pebbles and were only found in bushes. That was the reason why he had associated his condition with this fruit.
Akim furrowed his brow, deep in thought as he pondered Salaar’s words. “Perhaps there is more to this than I realize,” he admitted. “every sense I possess has undergone a transformation—taste, touch, hearing, feeling—they all have been modified, like better versions of themselves, much better. However, the most drastic change is to my vision. It’s not just a brighter light; it’s as if the world around me has been illuminated in ways I never imagined.”
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“Indeed,” Salaar replied, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Anything else you care to share regarding your story? Do not feel bad about omitting some details, and no, I won’t inquire about what you keep in your pocket either. A healthy paranoia would keep you alive longer.” His voice carried a playful note, rich with hidden laughter.
For his part, Akim resembled a fish out of water, gaping in disbelief. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally managed to utter, “What?”
“I said, do not worry about them,” Salaar reassured him. “While I may not know what you’ve omitted regarding your travel through the vortex or your journey afterward, I do sense that not all was told. And you might want to practice more discretion before attempting to check your possessions discreetly —you need a great deal more stealth to accomplish that unnoticed, especially here with me.”
“Stealth?” Akim’s mind seized on the word. He was unaccustomed to thinking of stealth as an attribute one could possess. A person could be stealthy, but to have stealth? and to have more of it? how does that even work?
"Tell me Akim Saj'an, what do you know of the Burning?" Inquired Salaar ignoring Akim's confusion.
The sudden change in topic caused Akim to lose his trail of thought. His brow furrowed in concentration, the term 'the Burning' sparked a flicker of recognition, yet the full understanding eluded him. All he had was hearsay and old legends. "The Burning...," he echoed, his voice trailing off as he searched his memories. "according to legends, humanity was almost extinguished by that event some more than half a millennia ago. A phenomenon or event, perhaps, but its true nature is not something I'm familiar with. I do know that we changed as a result and are struggling to survive ever since."
"An apt description but without any real substance as it is," Salaar confirmed. " What of its results? What of the impact of that event?"
Akim shifted uncomfortably, aware of the weight of Salaar's gaze upon him. "The Burning... it's said to have changed the very fabric of humanity. It's not just about the land that was scorched; it's about what it did to the people. It grants some to sense anomalies in their surroundings."
Akim's thoughts drifted to a familiar presence, one whose abilities had always seemed almost otherworldly to him. "I've seen it myself," he mused, the memory clear in his mind of Sab'a expending her life essence in front of the ruins. "There are those among us who can feel the pulse of the world in ways we never could before. They can detect the slightest shift in their surroundings, and sense things that should be beyond human perception. It's as if the Burning peeled back a layer of reality, revealing a new depth to our senses."
Salaar scoffed lightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "Trinkets, Akim Saja'n, mere trinkets. The abilities you speak of are but the surface of a deep well. The Burning's true impact is far more vast, more profound than mere trap detections. It was a catalyst, an awakening of potential that humanity has yet to fully grasp. What you see as gifts are only the first whispers of what is possible, the initial stirrings of a power that could redefine existence itself."
“Let me be forthright, Akim Saja’n,” Salaar’s tone shifted a grave timbre that set Akim’s nerves on edge. “I erred in calling you a pup, for which I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies. You are no pup, Akim Saja’n.”
Pride swelled in Akim’s chest, a smile tugging at his lips as he straightened his posture. Salaar’s next words fell like a guillotine on the tender shoots of his self-confidence.
“You are worse.”
Salaar leaned back, the firelight casting a warm glow on his thoughtful face. "You see, Akim Saja'n, you are like an infant—unaware and unprepared. You think you know wisdom, but it's just familiarity, a comfort that keeps you from seeing how much you don't know."
Salaar's voice was a whisper, blending with the rustling leaves around them. "Indeed, you have set forth on this path, but it is one of complexity and challenge. The journey stretches far beyond the horizon, through trials and tribulations that will test the very fabric of your being. Your understanding, as it stands, is fragile—a delicate thread woven from the tapestry of your past. Yet, it is not the fabric itself but merely the pattern from which you must learn to see the broader design. The world is an intricate mosaic, and your current comprehension is but a single piece of the vast panorama that awaits your discovery."
For a fleeting moment, a spark of offense flared within Akim as Salaar's words pierced the air. Akim's gaze became a cold, calculating slit, a reflexive defense against the unexpected sting. Yet, as quickly as it came, the feeling dissolved, overtaken by the gravity of Salaar's observations. He was drawn into the depths of the critique, his mind turning over each word, each implication. The initial shock gave way to introspection, and he found himself adrift in thought, awakened to a slumber of the mind he had not realized he was in.
Akim took a moment, then met Salaar's gaze with a newfound resolve. "Alright, I get it. I lack understanding of many things," he said bluntly. "So, what's next? How do I get past just scratching the surface?"
Salaar's expression softened with a hint of understanding. "I can offer you clarity on certain matters," he said, "the kind of knowledge that even children from my homeland are aware of. But understand this, Akim: the path is one's own to walk. The lessons of life cannot be handed to you; they must be lived and learned. Each step, each stumble, is a part of the learning. You must find your way, for hand-holding will only take you so far."
Salaar’s tone was measured, his voice carrying the weight of unseen knowledge. “Indeed, the Burning has bestowed upon some the ability to perceive beyond the ordinary, a gift that has proven both a blessing and a burden. But let us not mistake these abilities for the full extent of the Burning’s influence. It has altered more than just senses—it has reshaped destinies, forged new paths, and, perhaps most importantly, it has sown the seeds for what humanity is yet to become.”
Akim listened intently, the gravity of Salaar’s words not lost on him. He nodded slowly, a sense of awe mingling with his burgeoning understanding.
"The Burning was not an end, but a beginning. A crucible from which humanity emerged changed, stronger, and with potential untapped. The abilities you speak of are but the first stirrings of that potential, the early dawn before the rise of a new day." He paused, allowing for his words to sink deeper and then continued "Take your blindfold, for example, you have embarked on the path of perception unbeknownst to you."
Salaar’s words resonated with a truth that Akim could feel in his bones. “The path of perception,” he repeated softly, a realization dawning upon him. “It’s more than just a heightened sense, isn’t it?”
"Yes," Salaar agreed, his gaze steady amidst the dance of the flames. "The Burning, though a disaster, gave birth to a new epoch for humankind. There are myriad paths to tread in this altered world, and the path of perception is merely one among them. These paths are not meant to be walked in isolation; indeed, one can advance along several simultaneously. Stealth, for instance, harmoniously intertwines with perception, while Strength draws upon it, amplifying both to forge a force greater than their individual parts."
Akim sat back, the weight of Salaar’s words pressing upon him like the humid air of the jungle. He could feel the truth in them, a resonance that vibrated through his core, unsettling yet oddly comforting. The fire crackled; a counterpoint to the silence that had fallen between them.
Salaar, content in the silence, drew on his pipe, the ember at its end a beacon in the encroaching night. Each inhale was a deliberate pause, each exhale a contribution to the night’s chorus. He sat, a solitary figure against the flames, lost in thought yet fully present, allowing Akim the space to digest the revelations unfurling before him.
Eclipse lay sprawled near the fire’s edge, her form a sleek silhouette against the light. Her tail gave an occasional twitch, betraying her alertness amidst the apparent serenity. She was a silent testament to the untamed world they inhabited, a world that was as wild as it was wise.
Akim’s gaze wandered from Salaar to Eclipse, then to the jungle’s depths. The darkness was no longer a shroud but a canvas, rich with secrets and whispers of ancient paths. He contemplated the path of perception Salaar had revealed, pondering the existence of other, hidden paths that beckoned the brave.
Inhaling deeply, Akim was anchored by the earthy scent of the damp soil mingling with the remnants of their meal. The jungle’s constant hum was a reminder of life’s persistence in all its forms, a life that was both seen and unseen.
With resolve crystallizing within him, Akim faced Salaar once more. “I understand that I have much to learn,” he stated, his voice a steady current in the night’s ebb. “What other paths are there that I can learn?”
Salaar’s smile was a small flicker of warmth in the cool night as he passed the pipe to his other hand. “One must first learn to walk before they sprint, Akim Saj’an,” he intoned, his words a gentle chiding.
Akim’s thoughts raced, envisioning the paths of strength, stealth, and perception—each a strand in the intricate tapestry of his journey. He wondered at their convergence, how each step on one path might fortify his stance on another.
The scent of damp earth and smoky tobacco tethered him to the moment. He observed Salaar’s slow, purposeful puffs, the embers flaring and dimming in a rhythm that mirrored the heartbeat of the earth.
“You must first master control over your senses. The blindfold is but a crutch, a sign of inefficiency,” Salaar instructed, his voice a low rumble. "The path of perception transcends mere sight—it is about understanding the unseen, syncing with the earth’s pulse, and heeding the silent celestial hymns. It is a path of unity with the cosmos and oneself at its peak.”
Suddenly, Salaar snuffed out his pipe, scattering the remaining tobacco among the ashes. His hands sifted through the remnants as he spoke, his actions mirroring the gravity of his words. “There is much to discuss, such as the nature of your arrival here. Awakening to one’s path is no triviality; it has been the pursuit of lifetimes for many. But such conversations must wait, for we need rest if we are to greet the dawn with clear eyes.”