“We’ve been in on the road for almost an entire day and you’ve done nothing but stare out the window, Temin. I know you’re excited to finally use your powers to protect others, but you need to take this seriously. The Nightlands are full of many demons: some big, some small, and some monstrous beyond imagining. Many are consumed by rage and a thirst for blood, and violence. Others are cold and viciously cunning. If you do not diligently work to hone your skills at every opportunity, you will not survive.”
“You keep telling me that, but there’s not really anywhere to practice. This carriage is barely big enough for the two of us and our packs. Where exactly do you think I’m going to go to hone my skills?”
“Your mind is as vast as you choose it to be, and it is there that you must work to improve yourself. If you truly wish to learn to master your powers, then you need to begin from within.”
What the heck does that even mean? I have no idea what he’s talking about. I’m just an ordinary eleven year old that can manifest weapons of light; that doesn’t make me somehow smarter or able to understand... whatever he just said.
“I know your frustrated, Temin, so I’ll walk you through it step by step.”
“Alright, if it’ll make me stronger,” Temin replied with a sigh.
“First of all, let’s begin with a review of lightwielder abilities. Can you tell me the types of abilities that a lightwielder can master through training, Temin?”
Temin softly groaned in annoyance. Over the past several years that he had been studying with Orlon Rin he'd been taught numerous things, some of which were difficult to understand. The levels of lightwielder abilities, however, were the simplest of all to remember.
We must have gone over this a hundred times now. Does he think I’m stupid or something?
“The techniques that lightwielders can use are separated into three distinct levels,” Temin stated in a bored, monotone voice.
“That’s right; now describe each of the different levels.”
“Aw, come on, Master Rin,” he complained. “I know them already.”
“Prove it,” Orlon replied with a sly, knowing smile.
“Fine,” Temin said in annoyance. “The most basic form of lightwielder abilities involves boosting one’s body by manipulating the light within. Strength, speed, stamina, vision, and pretty much anything else that the body is normally capable of can be enhanced.”
“Very good description, before much longer you’ll be able to use techniques like that yourself. What’s next?”
“The second level of lightwielder abilities is made up of the advanced techniques that involve manifesting light into a visible form outside of the lightwielder's body. The light can be shaped into a variety of weapons or tools according to the will of the one manifesting it. I don’t understand why they’re called advanced techniques; they seem easy enough to me.”
“That’s generally not the case, Temin, as you’ve been told before. Those easy techniques, as you call them, can take years to fully master for the average lightwielder. Now continue; what’s the last level?”
Temin stared at Master Rin for several seconds before continuing. The last level was always difficult for him to put into words and being aggravated wasn’t making it any easier.
“The final level contains the most advanced techniques that a lightwielder can attain. Those who can reach this skill level develop a unique form of control over their inner light and acquire their own distinct abilities. I don’t have any examples to give because I don’t know of any lightwielder that has reached this level.”
“Come now, Temin, surely you don’t doubt your own Master’s ability, do you? You may not know this, but for a lightwielder to achieve the title of Master they must have developed their abilities to the highest level. And before you ask, no, Master Lulod doesn’t have an amazing, unique power. He is a master disciple not a lightwielder. Though the title is the same, it doesn’t hold the same meaning for them as it does for us.”
How does he do that? I'd only just started to wonder what abilities Master Lulod could have.
“I wasn’t going to ask about Lulod,” he lied.
“Master Lulod,” corrected Orlon.
“Fine, I wasn’t going to ask about Master Lulod. I was going to ask about,” Temin quickly tried to think of something and a thought occurred to him. “I wanted to know about your power. If you’re a master lightwielder, then that means you must have a unique power too right?”
Orlon Rin’s playful smile disappeared instantly. The scowl that replaced it was fearsome and Temin regretted asking immediately. Even with his upper face covered by his thick, black blindfold, Master Rin’s scowl was always stern and intimidating. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Orlon to his surprise, decided to answer the question.
“My power,” he said in a humorless voice. “It’s difficult to put into words, and is nearly impossible to demonstrate. It is far too dangerous to use around anyone that I do not consider an enemy. My power, unlike normal light manifestations, can’t be focused completely. It doesn’t recognize the difference between friend and foe nor am I myself immune from it. No living person, except for me, has ever seen my power's full potential, and I do not intend to ever use it again.”
“Oh,” Temin said quietly.
Master Rin sounds kind of sad. He said that it could hurt him too; I wonder if that’s what happened to his eyes? What kind of ability would turn back on the one using it?
“Well, anyways,” Orlon said with a feeble smile. “I suppose you did answer all three correctly, so I’ll let you think about them for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, we will start training for real; make sure you’re ready.”
“Of course, Master Rin, I’ll do my best.”
Master Rin only nodded in response and then he became silent. Temin turned to stare out the window. As farmland rolled by, dotted by the occasional cluster of trees, he felt scared for the first time since his decision to accompany Orlon Rin to The Nightlands.
Even someone as powerful as Master Rin couldn't make it back from The Nightlands unscathed; what chance do I have? I can’t do basic lightwielder abilities nor do I have any of the expert level techniques. All I can do is manifest light into weapons! Is that going to be enough?
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