Trinity leads the trio through Zen's quiet outskirts. The warm air carries distant temple bells and scattered petals from the morning's ceremonial sweep, creating a gentle symphony of peace.
Trinity: "When I first met your father, Sheu, he was heading to Nirvana. He didn't say much—just that he couldn't stay long. But he returned later and stayed a while. He spent his time meditating… and from it, unlocked an ability I'll never forget."
Moto and Sheu lean in, captivated. Even Najo listens, his usual skepticism momentarily subdued, more intently than expected.
Trinity: "He learned to sense his surroundings—like every subtle shift in air nudged his skin. Sudden movement became obvious. It was like he'd turned his body into a radar."
Moto: "Could you teach us how to do that too?" Moto beams, a spark of pure excitement in his eyes.
Trinity: "Well… sort of. Meditation helps you better understand your own gift. What you unlock depends on what that gift is."
Moto beams at the idea of discovering a new, latent ability within himself.
Sheu: "What's your gift?"
Trinity: "I can transfer someone's ability to another person."
Moto: "Wait… that's amazing!"
Trinity: "You'd think. But I can only use it once every three months."
Najo: "What's the point if you can't use it in battle?" he asks, his skepticism resurfacing.
Trinity: "Oh, we don't fight like that. Here each tribe chooses one person to carry the burden of violence. For my tribe, my father chose that path. Luckily, it hasn't been needed yet."
Trinity, chuckling softly: "Patience, Moto. Look—we're already near the square." They enter Bishop City, Zen's capital, its vibrant colors and serene energy a stark contrast to the world they know.
As they round the entrance, a boy about their age bolts past them—three monks in pursuit, their robes flapping wildly. Trinity instinctively leaps into his path. The boy, quick and agile, grabs her shoulder, swings around, and delivers a precise kick behind her knee before sprinting off again.
Moto reacts instantly, muscles tensing, preparing to chase.
Trinity, wincing slightly: "No, Moto—don't. You can't be seen chasing people here. Let the guardians handle it."
The monks run past chasing the boy. As he approaches the crowd, another being splits from his body and runs to the left as he turns right, splitting the monks up, as they continue their pursuit.
Moto: "Who was that?"
Trinity, with a sad tone: "His name is Aemon. Don't worry, the guardians will deal with him."
As she finishes her sentence, a new sound begins to echo from the other side of the city. It's a rhythmic, joyful parade. A steady drumbeat and the bright, melodic sounds of pipes fill the air, getting louder as they approach. The people in the square break from their quiet tasks, their faces lighting up with happiness. They rush to the sides of the street, waving brightly colored cloths and cheering excitedly. This is the sound of celebration, of a community united in joy.
Trinity smiles at the commotion. "Ah, it seems King's brother Andzani has returned from Nirvana. The king will likely want to spend time with him, so let's see him tomorrow. You can stay at my place tonight."
Sheu, who had been listening quietly, hesitates. She looks at Moto, her brow furrowed. "Are you not in a hurry to proceed with the mission to Sango?"
Moto's expression softens as he looks at her. "Your mission is our mission, Sheu. The King knew your father, so we won't leave without seeing him. Besides," he adds, turning to Najo, "I have a question to ask him too."
He thinks to himself: Alicia told me peace was impossible, that gods and mortals couldn't live together. She had an answer to her own problem, so what if this king has a different one. This place looks so peaceful, could this place be an answer to her analogy regarding gods?
Trinity smiles faintly, sensing their shared purpose. "I understand. If you want to know more about your gifts, I can show you where your father used to practice the meditation ritual. That spot is believed to be the closest to the ore. He spent hours there after coming back from his missions."
She retrieves a special metallic container with small vents. She places the six-leaf herb inside and ignites it with a spark from her hand. A shimmering vapor begins to pour from the vents, carrying a sharp, earthy scent that slowly envelops the group. This ritual allows them to enter their minds and see the true nature of their gifts.
In meditation, each sees something profoundly different.
Sheu's Vision:
The world around her becomes ghostlike. Trees, stones, animals—all intangible vapor. But when she pushes wind from her palms, the forms respond. They pulse. She feels their structure, as though her power lets her commune with the very fabric of the environment. As her reach expands, she feels a poke in her back. She immediately opens her eyes, but no one is touching her. She looks around, and sees a tree 2 meters behind her, its low branch matching the sensation she felt. But her attention is caught by the faint glow of Moto's yellow necklace.
Moto's Vision:
As he sinks into his psyche, he is surrounded by smoke. It gets darker and thicker as he descends. His feet land on a solid surface. It's hot. He looks down and sees fire. He runs into the smoke, trying to find a part of the ground that doesn't burn his feet. As he runs, he bumps into a huge crystal wall, its color the same as his necklace. The glass beneath him is slickly cooler there. He peers, trying to see through the crystal to what's on the other side. Right before he can catch a glimpse—Najo screams. Moto's vision shatters. He's pulled back to reality, the sound of his friend's terror ringing in his ears.