Feazanthia
31-12-2004, 17:40
128th St., Feazanthia City, Feazanthia
"C'mon, man. Take the plant. It'll open your miiiiiiind," one of the veiled priests said, thrusting the mushroom-like herb into the hands of a young man. "Your time is near, man. Ya gotta take the plant or else the Spirits will not listen or speak to ya."
Derick Moynahan took the plant, inhaling deeply before ingesting. It was sweet, almost like overripened apples, and had a pungent odor. Immediately, the room began to change and shift. The first priest, who had spoke so casually to Derick, vanished. In his place came Brother Mountain, the leader of the church.
"You are ready, young one?" asked Mountain, his voice
Derick struggled to bring himself to answer. "Y-yes, Brother. This insignificant one is ready to hear the Calls."
"Stand in the circle, young one, and hear them. They are waiting..."
Brother Mountain vanished, leaving Derick alone in the dark stone circle. He just stood there, waiting for something to happen. He seemed to wait for hours, growing more and more impatient. Just as he was about to give up, he heard the voice.
Patience is the first test, Derick.
The room seemed to shake, and Derick had to stumble to achieve balance.
I am the Spirit of Earth. I am the soil that yields the fruit, the grasses that feed the beasts. I am the rock, the bones of the world. I am all that grows and lives in my womb, be it worm or tree or flower. I shall aid you, Derick of the clan Moynahan.
Just as Derick began to recover from the power of Earth, another voice entered his head. The sensation made him feel light, free. He couldn't help but laugh as it bubbled from his soul.
I am the Spirit of Air, Derick of the clan Moynahan. I am the winds that warm and cool the earth, that which fills your lungs and keeps you alive. I carry the birds and insects and all things that dare soar to my challenging heights. I shall aid you.
Power again filled Derick, but this time it was almost painful. Heat churned in his belly, and sweat popped on his skin. Fire spoke as Earth and Wind had done, and then receded. It was followed by Water, which cooled the sensation that Fire had left. Water made the same promise as its brothers, and receded. Just as Derick was about to rest, one more voice hit him.
We are the Spirit of Life, the essence and souls of all things living. We are the most powerful of all, surpassing the quakes of Earth, the winds of Air, the flames of Fire, and the floods of Water. We shall aid you.
Derick was overwhelmed by the power churning within and without him. His drugged eyes saw pale shapes swirling around. One was a wolf, the other a goat, another a man, and then a proud stag. All things had spirits, he realized, and the thought moved him.
With Life leaving him, he slumped to his knees. Two Brothers took his arms, taking him to his bedchambers.
Through a one-way mirror, Brother Mountain spoke in hushed tones to Brother Flame.
"He shall make a grand Brother, the Moynahan boy."
"Indeed. However, there is still one test."
"Yes, Brother. When he learns that he can never see his family again, we shall see how committed he is. If he fails, then he must pass from this realm. Such is the way of the Shaman."
"Such is the way of the Shaman," echoed Brother Flame.
"C'mon, man. Take the plant. It'll open your miiiiiiind," one of the veiled priests said, thrusting the mushroom-like herb into the hands of a young man. "Your time is near, man. Ya gotta take the plant or else the Spirits will not listen or speak to ya."
Derick Moynahan took the plant, inhaling deeply before ingesting. It was sweet, almost like overripened apples, and had a pungent odor. Immediately, the room began to change and shift. The first priest, who had spoke so casually to Derick, vanished. In his place came Brother Mountain, the leader of the church.
"You are ready, young one?" asked Mountain, his voice
Derick struggled to bring himself to answer. "Y-yes, Brother. This insignificant one is ready to hear the Calls."
"Stand in the circle, young one, and hear them. They are waiting..."
Brother Mountain vanished, leaving Derick alone in the dark stone circle. He just stood there, waiting for something to happen. He seemed to wait for hours, growing more and more impatient. Just as he was about to give up, he heard the voice.
Patience is the first test, Derick.
The room seemed to shake, and Derick had to stumble to achieve balance.
I am the Spirit of Earth. I am the soil that yields the fruit, the grasses that feed the beasts. I am the rock, the bones of the world. I am all that grows and lives in my womb, be it worm or tree or flower. I shall aid you, Derick of the clan Moynahan.
Just as Derick began to recover from the power of Earth, another voice entered his head. The sensation made him feel light, free. He couldn't help but laugh as it bubbled from his soul.
I am the Spirit of Air, Derick of the clan Moynahan. I am the winds that warm and cool the earth, that which fills your lungs and keeps you alive. I carry the birds and insects and all things that dare soar to my challenging heights. I shall aid you.
Power again filled Derick, but this time it was almost painful. Heat churned in his belly, and sweat popped on his skin. Fire spoke as Earth and Wind had done, and then receded. It was followed by Water, which cooled the sensation that Fire had left. Water made the same promise as its brothers, and receded. Just as Derick was about to rest, one more voice hit him.
We are the Spirit of Life, the essence and souls of all things living. We are the most powerful of all, surpassing the quakes of Earth, the winds of Air, the flames of Fire, and the floods of Water. We shall aid you.
Derick was overwhelmed by the power churning within and without him. His drugged eyes saw pale shapes swirling around. One was a wolf, the other a goat, another a man, and then a proud stag. All things had spirits, he realized, and the thought moved him.
With Life leaving him, he slumped to his knees. Two Brothers took his arms, taking him to his bedchambers.
Through a one-way mirror, Brother Mountain spoke in hushed tones to Brother Flame.
"He shall make a grand Brother, the Moynahan boy."
"Indeed. However, there is still one test."
"Yes, Brother. When he learns that he can never see his family again, we shall see how committed he is. If he fails, then he must pass from this realm. Such is the way of the Shaman."
"Such is the way of the Shaman," echoed Brother Flame.