Shelter from the Storm

Boy?

Zandrophin hadn't seen many children when they came in. They must be near the back of the room, sheltered by their parents. As such, Zandrophin and Mentus scanned the crowd...looking for any injured people. No luck for a few minutes, then Mentus found something.

Master Prasha...there is one body within this room that carries no sign of life. The body suffered massive trauma...heavy blood loss. Even if they'd tried to stop the bleeding...no doctor could've saved him.

Zandrophin bowed his head slightly before looking Prasha in the face.

"I'm sorry, old boy," he said, "but if Mentus is correct, the boy is dead. I can only assume the reason you asked is because you did something crazy like risking your life to save him. Your efforts, though gallant, were unfortunately futile."

"Mentus! Calm him!"

As Prasha raged, a light purple aura surrounded him as Mentus used Calm Mind to relax him before he did any serious damage. Prasha begged Zandrophin to help him...he obliged, saying,

"If we are to wipe portions of your memory...you must understand the dangers. I can guarantee that you will forget about this boy...but I cannot guarantee what other memories you'll lose. Mentus will have a better idea of that. What do you think, old friend...will it be worth it?"

Mentus hovered for a bit....studying the scenario. Finally, he spoke,

Sir...I could easilly wipe this memory...but he will lose his ability to achieve spiritual awareness through meditation...a skill that you tried so hard to impress upon him. He will still be able to calm his mind through his physical disciplines...but not to the degree he could before.

"What of his speed and agility? Will those be affected?"

It is possible, Sir...the mind is a complex web of connections. By severing this one, there is the possibility for some backlash elsewhere. Those may be affected slightly, but not to the same degree as the mental control. Still a risk, to be sure...

Zandrophin turned to Prasha and asked,

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Zandrophin watched Prasha with a cold and unfeeling gaze. He had warned him about this when he tried to master his form of meditation without the years of preparation for it. Prasha may have reached an impressive level of control, but trying to learn something quickly, one will cut corners. He may have learned how to let the good energies in....but, judging by this scene, he never learned how to keep the evil out. Both forces had access to him, and the evil fed off of his troubled past, overpowering and consuming him.

Rose moved to use GrassWhistle to put Prasha to sleep, but Zandrophin stopped her.

"This has to be a job for Mentus, alone. Do not worry, he will feel nothing. Mentus, stasis....and get to work."

Mentus moved towards Prasha until he was only a few inches away from his face. He lifted one hand slightly, and a purple aura surrounded Prasha. The man stopped moving and Mentus got to work.

Two hours passed. Prasha's mental and spiritual pathways were a mess. Mentus did the best he could.

As predicted, he lost his ability to enter the spiritual realm through meditation. His speed and strength remained; though still impressive, they were not at the near god-like levels they were before.

Zandrophin knew Prasha would still be unconcious for a while. He sat by Prasha and meditated. He needed to focus for what was up ahead. His aura glowed brighter as he began to levitate, ever so slightly. He did not often achieve such a level of oneness...but this time he needed to.

As soon as he awakes....we must fill him in.

"Ah...good. You're awake. Welcome back to the land of the living, old boy."

He looked at Prasha, who was distressed over his twisted ankles and his inability to meditate.

"Don't act surprised...we told you this would happen. As for your ankles...Rose can numb the pain...get one of your boys to put the bones back in place. Nachos will most likely help you with that."

He paused again before continuing, handing Prasha his cut of payment for capturing Absol.

"There is more work to be done. Lady Akane told me to expect a summons of some sort from her shortly. No telling when we'll get ours...but I need to get back to CTC...check up on things. Will you be good to stay here? Watch out for these people...and I'll have Mentus let you know when it's time to move out."

A few hours after leaving, Zandrophin returned to the entrance of the Underground of Pyron City. If Prasha had not heard his first message...he definitely would now.

It's time....head to this location. It's called Hurricane Isle. Lady Akane wants us there for...something...the letter was not very descriptive. Mentus will send you a map image. See you there, old boy.

Zandrophin headed towards the pier. The boat he'd chartered was there...and he headed off, towards an island he'd never heard of. He didn't know what to expect...but he was ready for just about anything.