“Zoey?”
A white light pierced the darkness, instantly calming everything. Coda's clear mind was back and his heart felt light. Who turned on the light?
It was Zoey.
She hovered above him. Her feathers glowed white light, penetrating the darkness, erasing any negative feelings coming from the black mass. Around them, the swirl of the Fog slowed as Zoey flapped her wings, spreading the light even more.
Suddenly, someone pushed Coda from behind. Looking back, Coda saw Nova nudging him with her shoulder. He started to walk, heading toward what he hoped was the other side of the Fog. Up ahead, Zoey hovered at what seemed to be the edge of it, making sure the darkness didn't return.
Yes! There, just past Zoey, Coda could see it. The end of the Fog. His heart beat with delight and he gave an audible yes! He walked under Zoey's hovering body, breaking through the Fog.
“Well done,” said Chev, who stood at what looked to be the beginning of a passage at the bottom of a narrow canyon. It was nearly dark, but the outline of high canyon walls were still visible. Coda guessed that the Circle of Elders was deep within this canyon, surrounded by these large walls. He knew he was correct when some of the elders started walking that way.
Coda turned around, seeing Zoey come through the Fog. There was a tinge of white light around her. Her eyes, though, looked tired. She glided to the ground, falling over in front of Coda and Chev. Coda ran to her side. “What's wrong?”
“She used too much of her own energy,” responded Nova, as she padded next to him. “She'll have to learn how to control that.”
Nova approached Zoey’s exhausted little body, placing her paws on her wing. Nova took in a deep breath, and pumped Prana into Zoey. Coda could see Zoey's eyes come to life with each passing second. Then she shook her head, plumped her feathers, and jumped up. “Much better!” She looked at Nova, mouthing thank you. Then she hopped onto Coda's back, ready to move on.
“How did you do that?”
“Do what?” replied Zoey.
“How did you glow like that?”
“I don't know. I went into my heart. I just couldn't take it anymore.” There was still some tiredness remaining in her eyes, but Coda knew she'd be fine. His sister was changing with each day. She amazed him more than he ever imagined possible.
∞
As they pressed on to their destination, Coda caught up with Nova at the front of the pack. He still had a question burning in his mind.
“Um, Nova? What was that inside the Large Boulder?”
Keeping a steady gaze on her surroundings, Nova replied, “The Large Boulder is also known as the Boulder of Records. As you saw, it has thousands of tablets lined with our prophecies, as well as the history of each tribe in Ohm Totem. It used to be the home of the PureLight Order, as well, until it disappeared.” She deftly stepped over a large rock. “Tomorrow I'll go through the Large Boulder with you and Zoey.”
Coda was excited at the prospect of doing that, and also asked, “What about the Zolts below? How did they get there?”
“I'm not sure. It's something I mean to discover. They were there when we arrived in Ohm Totem. We call the tunnels 'The Gateway'. It's our fastest route to other territories and tribes. We don't use it anymore though. The tunnels aren't safe for most PureLights.”
Coda could feel Zoey tightly clutching his fur. Her weight on his back was getting heavier; he could tell that she was tiring the longer they walked. Coda felt sorry for her, wondering why she had to go through this ordeal, just to go to the Circle of Elders.
“Why did we have to come to the Circle of Elders with you all?” Coda asked.
Nova stopped, and kindly gazed into his eyes. “I understand your frustration. It's part of our custom. We bring every new student here, because the Circle of Elders will advance you by planting seeds into your mind. These seeds will grow, expanding your horizons, your heart, and your mind, even if you don't immediately feel these effects.” She shook her head. “We're not here in Ohm Totem to be safe and secure. That's impossible. We're here to learn and spread love, any way we can. This isn't a place for the weak of heart. This Fog, that fear, this struggle, will strengthen you and Zoey.” She sniffed the air carefully, and added, “Be strong.”
Nova resumed walking again and Coda followed. “If we're to be so strong, then why don’t we attack the Dims, so you can get every tribe's land back?”
“Attack them? Only fools rush in. You must have faith in the flow of life—the way of The Great Spirit.” Nova's frown almost consumed her nose. “What have I been teaching you, Coda? That goes against our ways, against the PureLight Order.”
“I know, but why?” asked Coda.
“Because going against the flow by attacking someone is an extension of fear.”
“I still don’t understand. What do you mean?” Coda asked, looking up to her for answers. He saw that the stars were full, and the moon was bright, helping to light their way.
“Even the thought of attacking someone is against our custom. The thought is violent in and of itself, bringing the emotional body and mind out of balance. Sometimes it’s hard for others, even VioletLights, not to succumb to those dark thoughts and feelings.”
She took a deep breath and patiently explained, “It’s important to realize, however, that those thoughts and feelings not only hurt others, they also hurt yourself. And those thoughts have the ability to create violent situations in real life. So, be careful what you focus on.”
They both gracefully leaped over a rock, then Nova continued, “When attacking another living Being, you’re doing so out of anger, malice, power, dominance; all of which arise out of fear. That fear reverberates to everything around you, sending ripple affects across the consciousness of every Being, creating more and more violence with each ripple. The opposite, that of the thoughts and actions of peace, send ripples of love, healing, and understanding to everyone. Choosing one over the other not only affects your life, but everyone else's around you.”
“But attacking them and defeating them would finally stop them from taking over. You’ll have peace again. You wouldn’t have to worry about the Dims anymore,” Coda said, quite sensibly.
“How could I rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of others? There’s no victory in that. You talk of peace, but peace doesn’t come through violence. It never has. It has always led to eventual bloodshed.” She laughed. “VioletLights are a different breed than what you’re used to. You'll never see a VioletLight attack another living being out of spite or anger. I, in truth, could kill twenty Dims with a single swipe of the tail, even if they're a hundred leopard lengths away. If I did, however, then it would be a massacre. It'd be out of power, ego, and fear. It'd be heartless and if that were to occur, then I wouldn't be able to counsel the Sihu Tribe wisely. That's why I prefer to stun my opponents, rather than to kill them. I do so in the hopes that one day that opponent would eventually see the light and change from a Dim to a PureLight.”
She smiled after she saw the confused look in Coda's eyes. “We VioletLights are different than the rest of you PureLights. However, I do not judge those who must injure or kill another in defense of their own life.
“But, VioletLights have the ability to avoid harm, even though it may appear that we are hurt. You may see this as magical, but we have mastered our own auras to the point that when a body part is injured or dismembered, we rejuvenate it at any moment we choose. We know that the aura or energy around that injured or missing body part never disappears. Because of this, I'm able to rebuild that area in an instant. It may not make sense now, but it will later.
“This doesn't mean that I can't be killed. That's far from the truth. However, when a Being gets to a complete state of love, all things fall into place, and that Being becomes increasingly difficult to kill. That's the state that VioletLights are in. And, it's because of this state of love that spirit animals look up to VioletLights, heeding our advice, not because we govern them, but becaus
e they trust us. Not because we lead through violence, but because we lead through love. The eventual goal of this all is to help everyone, even you Coda, attain a VioletLight state of life where nothing can harm you, not even Crepus. That's one reason Crepus is doing his best to find a way to change or to kill us all, including the VioletLights. He's convinced he's going to find a way to end us. And, if anyone could do it, it would be him.”
Coda nodded. He still wasn’t convinced, but knew he couldn't change her mind, and why should he? She was wise and knew what she was doing. Then Skint popped into his mind. There was something wrong about letting him into the PureLight's training. “What about Skint? He came over here and spied on us. Shouldn't we stop that?”
"There have been many of Crepus' operatives that have come to spy on us, but instead were turned into full fledged PureLights—living a life of love, rather than fear. Honani was one of them. He changed for the better and we're that much better off with him around.”
“What!?” Coda stopped dead in his tracks. “Really?”
“Yes,” replied Nova, not stopping, indicating that the conversation was over for now.
Coda’s thoughts turned to Zoey again. He was worried about her. She hadn't said much of anything after coming through the Fog.
Nova halted just outside a large circular opening in the canyon. It was surrounded with high rock walls and trees growing on top and near the edges of the cliffs above. “Let Zoey off of your back, Coda. She needs more Prana.”
He crouched down and Zoey hopped off. Her legs were weak, and as she landed, her small legs buckled beneath her and she fell on her side. Nova put her paws on her, peering into Coda's eyes as she did so. “Remember, The Great Spirit stands at peace, not taking a ‘good side’ or a ‘bad side’. It gives blood, air, and water to both the light and the dark, the negative and the positive, the evil and the good. Just like the Great Spirit, I don’t draw a line. I accept both sides in my enlightened wish that both can find balance within.
“Don't get me wrong, I defend this sacred ground as much as I defend the tribe's life. But we refuse to attack because it's against the PureLight Order to invade another being's space.” She glanced to her left. “The tide is changing though. The light of Ohm Totem is becoming brighter as the darkness recedes. There are always ebbs and flows, but when the light takes one step back, it rebounds with two steps forward.”
She took her paws from Zoey, who glowed with light again. Zoey thanked her, then eyed the circled canyon before her. “Is this where the Circle of Elders takes place?”
Nova bowed her head. “It is. Welcome.”
Chapter 26
The waning moon was set at its highest arc, way above the growing fire illuminating the nine elders around the circle. The elders sat quietly, staring into the depths of the orange, yellow, and light bluish flames that rose from the large pit. Chev, Zoey, and Coda sat closely behind them.
“Let's close our eyes, clear our thoughts, and open our hearts,” began Isi. She curled up, lying slightly on her right side, exposing the left side of her body to the warm fire.
Zoey didn't know if she should close her eyes like they did. She didn't want to disrespect their custom or worse, ruin their fire ritual. Or, maybe, she thought, she wasn't supposed to close her eyes at all. The journey to The Circle of Elders had been tough and draining, and she was tired. In fact, she really just wanted to curl up into a ball and fall fast asleep.
Coda sat on Zoey's right. She noticed that he was off in his own world, staring at the fire. She followed his gaze, then San came to mind. She felt a pang of sadness, then exhaled it out. She should probably be as positive as she can. She took a deep breath and looked at Chev on her left, who was breathing deeply. His eyes were wide open, and knowing the respect Chev held for others, and probably for The Circle of Elders, Zoey felt better that her eyes were open.
The elders remained silent, taking deep, rhythmic breaths that seemed to match each other’s. As they did this, the fire seemed to breathe in and out in sync with the elders. This went on for a long time before Isi spoke.
“Please speak freely amongst The Circle of Elders and under the moon of The Great Spirit. Allow each individual to speak without interruption.” As she spoke, she looked at each and every elder around the fire. Her voice was very sweet and soothing, making Zoey want to hear more. She finished with a bow of her head. “Proceed with your heart.”
The zebra, Ke, stepped forward, bowing his head to each elder. His voice was determined, booming loudly around the circle.
“I want to revisit holding rooms for stunned Dims. I know the idea is foreign, and long lost in the memory banks of everyone, but it's essential, nonetheless.”
He took a deep breath, standing even taller. “I've come to the conclusion that this is the best idea. Instead of continuing to allow the stunned Dims to simply go back home after each attack, we keep them, and put them in holding rooms, or prisons, then the Dims numbers are depleted. Their strength would stop growing.”
He paused, waiting for a reply.
Nova stood up, also stepping forward. “Yes, you spoke of this at the last circle and my position remains the same. I see only one outcome. Government. Governing our tribe, or in this case, governing the Dims within our own tribe, is the beginning of the Sihu Tribe's ultimate end.”
Ke shook his head at Nova's reply, and after a few moments of silence within the circle, he spoke, “I understand your good intentions. But the time of change is now. We lose more family and friends with each and every attack. We gain nothing in return. If we capture and confine the stunned Dims, their numbers start to fall, making each attack thereafter weaker.”
Nova nodded, “And in the meantime, what shall we do with the prisoners?”
“Good question,” said Ke. “I thought it would be wise to slowly teach them our ways.”
Nova smiled, “And, our ways would be what? They wouldn't be the ways we share now. They'd learn the ways of a tribe that has introduced prisons into their culture.”
“You see, Nova, nothing would change but prisons,” insisted Ke.
Nova took her eyes from Ke, turning them toward the fire. She stared for a few moments into the hot flames. “I'd rather us change by expanding our hearts, instead of closing them. Remember, our way of life comes from the heart, and gives us freedom in all ways. The only government we have is the government of thine own self be true. I govern myself and you govern yourself. It's not up to us, no matter how cruel and destructive the Dims are, to capture and govern them. We don't force anything on anyone.”
Ke shook his head vehemently as Nova continued.
"Where there's force, there's a counterforce, Ke. What we force upon others grows in all directions, and turns its ugly head toward us. I know you're well-intentioned, and care very much for everyone in the Sihu Tribe. However, introducing a prison will eventually imprison us all.”
“Words. These are merely words,” Ke disagreed. “Actions are what we need, not words. I'm tired of losing friends and family. If we create holding rooms or prisons, then the Dims will have something to think about, and perhaps stop attacking us. We can stop our loved ones from dying. I vote for prisons, and will do so at each and every circle. Some day you'll all come to your senses. We need some sort of law that says that each Dim we find on this land after each attack shall go to prison. Period.”
Ke took a step back and sat down. His face was as stern as a stone. Nothing was going to change his mind.
Nova understood his argument, and took his counterpoints with compassion and calmness. “Thank you for allowing me my say, Ke.”
He gave a nod, but continued to stare unflinchingly at the fire.
Zoey had watched this exchange with utmost interest. She'd never thought of prisons in this way before, nor had she ever had a need to do so. She lived in a cozy house where life was rather simple. You make a mess, you clean it up. You hug your mom, she'll hug you in return. You sneak a cookie without asking, you get in trou
ble because you didn't ask. Simple.
Isi stood up, taking a pace toward the fire. Her head was held high as she looked at each individual, even Coda and Zoey.
“I agree with Nova,” she said. "It's true that force always has a counterforce. I see the wisdom in that. A holding room will only bring the energy of imprisonment to the Sihu Tribe and..."
Ke furrowed his brow, breaking The Circle of Elders sacred agreement by interrupting. "Are your eyes closed? Haven't you seen that the Dims already take some of us as prisoners each time they attack us? I'd say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the energy of imprisonment is already here!"
Isi, taking exception to the interruption, shot back with an irritated look. Zoey could tell this wasn't the first time Ke had gotten under her skin.
"Of course, I see this, Tasunke. I'm not blind to the fact that they capture tribe-mates and put them into slavery, imprison them, or brainwash them to attack us. Your ideas of a prison brings a bigger picture to my heart, though, and the picture I see is nothing but failure.”
“Failure?” retorted Ke. “How can something we've never tried be a failure? We must try it first.” He paced around the circle, between the elders and the fire. His hooves hit the dirt with each step, making soft clopping sounds. Finally, his pent up anger erupted. “We are cowards! We shrink back in fear when any new idea is presented to the circle!”
He stopped in stride when he came to Nova. “And you,” he pointed, “you're the worst of them all! You call yourself a PureLight, or worse yet, you call yourself a VioletLight?”
Nova smiled. “Yes, that I am.”
Zoey thought this was probably how Crepus had turned from a VioletLight to being a Dim. Was he once voicing his opinions like Ke in the Circle of Elders by going against the PureLight Order?
Ke rolled his eyes as he walked back to his spot in the circle directly across from Nova. He sat down with a curt snort.
Lootah, a black bear, stepped forward with his ears held high. “I'm not a historian of any means. But, what I've seen throughout the moons of visiting the archive tablets in the Large Boulder is a pattern that emerges among societies. Although we've never had a prison in Sihu Tribe, history shows us that if we set one up, then it's not only the Dims that become imprisoned, but it would eventually be us, too. I found this to be a literal lesson. It would be a form of prison for us to have to guard prisoners, and eventually, we would throw our own Sihu brothers and sisters into the prisons, as well.”
The PureLights of Ohm Totem Page 27