Post by Alain Merrick on Feb 6, 2017 14:35:14 GMT -5
After an intense day of physical training, it was time to unwind with some meditation. Alain departed the academy dormitories in search of a secluded area. Due to the early evening hour, most students had already made their way indoors. This kept any potential disturbance or distraction to a minimum. He soon found a comfortable spot beneath one of the courtyard trees. Resting with his back against the trunk, he unsheathed his zanpakuto and draped the naked blade across his lap. As his blue eyes fell closed, his mind began to race. He pondered the zanjutsu lesson from earlier in the day. He recalled the book which he had read during lunch. He even contemplated his possible future following graduation. Merrick often found himself consumed by his thoughts. It wasn’t always convenient, but he was forever the thinker.
Minutes passed, perhaps hours, as he sat in silence beneath the old maple. Much of that time was spent trying to calm an active mind. Relaxing the body was simple, but the mind was never so easily pacified. Still, he eventually achieved some semblance of balance. While not a true void, extraneous thought was minimal and no longer hindered his task. He placed the index and middle finger of his right hand on the blade’s side and slowly let them glide across it’s length. Then he opened his eyes to see if success had been attained.
He had returned to the reddish-brown desert where he had found himself moments prior to fighting bandits in the Rukongai. On that occasion, the journey had been precipitated by the life or death situation. Now he made the trip on his terms. As he stood in the middle of a seemingly empty desert, he considered the next move. To the eye, the barren land appeared to stretch endlessly in every direction. If that weren’t bad enough, the landscape lacked any signposts or environmental markers. Though it didn’t really matter because he was without a final destination. Typically, there was a guiding principle or method which framed his decisions, but the vast unknown offered nothing. Without options, he chose a direction at random and began walking.
His arrival in the world had been met with the fading sun and onset of night. Now he had wandered into the black. While he held no fear of the dark, the potential problem rested in the unknown. Alain was unsure what dangers might lie ahead. In addition, the decreased visibility made it difficult to see detail in the realm. If only he had more information about his surroundings, then he could enact a best course of action. In their absence, he simply kept walking. He was uncertain how long he had walked or how much ground had been covered, but enough time had elapsed for a full moon to hang in the sky. The temperature was also beginning to dip. Surprisingly, the chill didn’t seem to reach his skin. He also notice the lack of fatigue despite the journey. What he did find disconcerting was the lack of sound. Occasional winds and the subsequent shifting of sand were the only breaks in silence. Likewise, the presence of animals also conspicuous by their absence. Though Merrick had one constant companion in the desert wasteland and it had been by his side for the last twenty five years. Loneliness.
Alain had been staring at the moon when he first heard it. The direction from which it was coming was impossible to ascertain, but the resonant howl was unquestionably racing closer. His mind was a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was relieved by the prospect of anything which deviated from the monotony of the past few hours. On the other hand, there was a fear of the unknown. Specifically, he was facing the unknown in a place which appeared less than hospitable. Merrick found himself rooted to the ground for the next few moments as he attempted to analyze the situation in his head. After overcoming his hesitation, he scanned the surroundings and located a formation of rocks. He scrambled to the top and let his eyes search in every direction. He caught a glimpse of an indistinct shape on the horizon. From a distance and in the darkness, his first thought was an approaching sandstorm. However, the pitch-black cloud was much too small. Yet the manner in which it disturbed the top layer of sand was somehow intimidating as it continued gaining speed. He hurried to find an object to use in defense of the oncoming storm. He rummaged around the outcrop and scoured the nearby terrain. Nothing could be found to render aid. Merrick was on the verge of giving up when a dab of color caught his eye. A blue and white cloth-wrapped hilt appeared to be affixed to side of the rock upon which he stood. He kneeled at the boulder’s edge to discover a katana held firm within the stone. As he struggled to pull the weapon free, the rumbling grew to it deepest pitch. Peering over his shoulder, he saw the amorphous sand cloud dive into the ground at the base of the rock.
Before Alain could wrest the katana free from its stone prison, he was knocked to the auburn sand by a powerful force or gust of wind. As he stumbled to his feet, he found himself face to face with a cloud of reddish-brown sand, but with a pair of glowing, white eye sockets. As he stood staring at those openings of light, what was originally a shapeless mass of darkness and sand, slowly shrank into a vaguely humanoid form. After moments of struggling to break free of the entity’s gaze, he noticed that the force which knocked him to the ground also split the rock formation in half. Resting on the sand between the two pieces of stone lay the katana. As he took a closer look, he realized that it was his zanpakuto. He snatched it up and returned his attention to the creature. Then it spoke for the first time though he saw no mouth.
"Alain Merrick, does this form frighten you? During our first encounter, you saw something quite different."
The sight was more than a little unnerving, but the lack of immediate attack did quiet such feelings. He remained cautious, but intrigued.
“I am accustomed to things which I understand or at least imagine. This is not one of those things. So I suspect that most would be unsettled by such a sight."
My response elicited a hearty laugh from the seemingly formless being.
"Perhaps this will be more . . . conventional."
The sand began to dissolve leaving behind what appeared to be a mass of energy comprised of a kaleidoscope of color. Gradually, the energy molded itself into a distinctly human shape. Then in a flash of blue and white light, a woman stood before him. She appeared to be roughly the same age as Merrick and tall, probably a inch or two shy of six foot. Her hair was a golden brown and extended a few inches beyond her shoulders. The woman’s attire was elegant. It included a loose, ankle-length white dress with blue wrap draped around her waist and shoulder. She was the picture of angelic beauty, a point driven home by the pair of pristine white wings upon her back.
"Are you my zanpakuto spirit?"
The young woman's upper lip curled in disdain at my question.
"You should be ashamed of yourself Alain Merrick. You already know who I am. Surely you did not forget that day on the farm."
Then her look turned thoughtful as she rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
"Maybe a little discomfort will jog your memory."
She held up her right arm and though not yet tangible, the outlines of a sword began forming within her hand. He wasn’t interested in a physical altercation and attempted to diffuse the situation.
"I would prefer to avoid physically injury if at all possible. So rest assured that you have my complete attention."
"I see, but it is important to drive one’s point home. Pain can be a good motivator and often stimulates quick action, something which you lack."
As soon as the blade solidified within her hand, she began a series of slashes in the air. She finished her movements with the blade’s tip pointed in the direction of Merrick’s chest.
"Are you truly unable to hear it?"
"The wind?"
"A shame."
Then she was gone and Alain found himself beneath the leaves of the old maple once more. He stared up at the moon and wondered.
1434/1434
Minutes passed, perhaps hours, as he sat in silence beneath the old maple. Much of that time was spent trying to calm an active mind. Relaxing the body was simple, but the mind was never so easily pacified. Still, he eventually achieved some semblance of balance. While not a true void, extraneous thought was minimal and no longer hindered his task. He placed the index and middle finger of his right hand on the blade’s side and slowly let them glide across it’s length. Then he opened his eyes to see if success had been attained.
He had returned to the reddish-brown desert where he had found himself moments prior to fighting bandits in the Rukongai. On that occasion, the journey had been precipitated by the life or death situation. Now he made the trip on his terms. As he stood in the middle of a seemingly empty desert, he considered the next move. To the eye, the barren land appeared to stretch endlessly in every direction. If that weren’t bad enough, the landscape lacked any signposts or environmental markers. Though it didn’t really matter because he was without a final destination. Typically, there was a guiding principle or method which framed his decisions, but the vast unknown offered nothing. Without options, he chose a direction at random and began walking.
His arrival in the world had been met with the fading sun and onset of night. Now he had wandered into the black. While he held no fear of the dark, the potential problem rested in the unknown. Alain was unsure what dangers might lie ahead. In addition, the decreased visibility made it difficult to see detail in the realm. If only he had more information about his surroundings, then he could enact a best course of action. In their absence, he simply kept walking. He was uncertain how long he had walked or how much ground had been covered, but enough time had elapsed for a full moon to hang in the sky. The temperature was also beginning to dip. Surprisingly, the chill didn’t seem to reach his skin. He also notice the lack of fatigue despite the journey. What he did find disconcerting was the lack of sound. Occasional winds and the subsequent shifting of sand were the only breaks in silence. Likewise, the presence of animals also conspicuous by their absence. Though Merrick had one constant companion in the desert wasteland and it had been by his side for the last twenty five years. Loneliness.
Alain had been staring at the moon when he first heard it. The direction from which it was coming was impossible to ascertain, but the resonant howl was unquestionably racing closer. His mind was a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was relieved by the prospect of anything which deviated from the monotony of the past few hours. On the other hand, there was a fear of the unknown. Specifically, he was facing the unknown in a place which appeared less than hospitable. Merrick found himself rooted to the ground for the next few moments as he attempted to analyze the situation in his head. After overcoming his hesitation, he scanned the surroundings and located a formation of rocks. He scrambled to the top and let his eyes search in every direction. He caught a glimpse of an indistinct shape on the horizon. From a distance and in the darkness, his first thought was an approaching sandstorm. However, the pitch-black cloud was much too small. Yet the manner in which it disturbed the top layer of sand was somehow intimidating as it continued gaining speed. He hurried to find an object to use in defense of the oncoming storm. He rummaged around the outcrop and scoured the nearby terrain. Nothing could be found to render aid. Merrick was on the verge of giving up when a dab of color caught his eye. A blue and white cloth-wrapped hilt appeared to be affixed to side of the rock upon which he stood. He kneeled at the boulder’s edge to discover a katana held firm within the stone. As he struggled to pull the weapon free, the rumbling grew to it deepest pitch. Peering over his shoulder, he saw the amorphous sand cloud dive into the ground at the base of the rock.
Before Alain could wrest the katana free from its stone prison, he was knocked to the auburn sand by a powerful force or gust of wind. As he stumbled to his feet, he found himself face to face with a cloud of reddish-brown sand, but with a pair of glowing, white eye sockets. As he stood staring at those openings of light, what was originally a shapeless mass of darkness and sand, slowly shrank into a vaguely humanoid form. After moments of struggling to break free of the entity’s gaze, he noticed that the force which knocked him to the ground also split the rock formation in half. Resting on the sand between the two pieces of stone lay the katana. As he took a closer look, he realized that it was his zanpakuto. He snatched it up and returned his attention to the creature. Then it spoke for the first time though he saw no mouth.
"Alain Merrick, does this form frighten you? During our first encounter, you saw something quite different."
The sight was more than a little unnerving, but the lack of immediate attack did quiet such feelings. He remained cautious, but intrigued.
“I am accustomed to things which I understand or at least imagine. This is not one of those things. So I suspect that most would be unsettled by such a sight."
My response elicited a hearty laugh from the seemingly formless being.
"Perhaps this will be more . . . conventional."
The sand began to dissolve leaving behind what appeared to be a mass of energy comprised of a kaleidoscope of color. Gradually, the energy molded itself into a distinctly human shape. Then in a flash of blue and white light, a woman stood before him. She appeared to be roughly the same age as Merrick and tall, probably a inch or two shy of six foot. Her hair was a golden brown and extended a few inches beyond her shoulders. The woman’s attire was elegant. It included a loose, ankle-length white dress with blue wrap draped around her waist and shoulder. She was the picture of angelic beauty, a point driven home by the pair of pristine white wings upon her back.
"Are you my zanpakuto spirit?"
The young woman's upper lip curled in disdain at my question.
"You should be ashamed of yourself Alain Merrick. You already know who I am. Surely you did not forget that day on the farm."
Then her look turned thoughtful as she rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
"Maybe a little discomfort will jog your memory."
She held up her right arm and though not yet tangible, the outlines of a sword began forming within her hand. He wasn’t interested in a physical altercation and attempted to diffuse the situation.
"I would prefer to avoid physically injury if at all possible. So rest assured that you have my complete attention."
"I see, but it is important to drive one’s point home. Pain can be a good motivator and often stimulates quick action, something which you lack."
As soon as the blade solidified within her hand, she began a series of slashes in the air. She finished her movements with the blade’s tip pointed in the direction of Merrick’s chest.
"Are you truly unable to hear it?"
"The wind?"
"A shame."
Then she was gone and Alain found himself beneath the leaves of the old maple once more. He stared up at the moon and wondered.
1434/1434