Planar Chaos
Chapter Seven: Challenge Accepted
Marthel could always find Brock, of that he was certain. He didn't know why he hadn't gone and found his best friend in the Multiverse sooner. He at least tended to stay in one place working on his meditation. Its importance had been instilled in the walker from a young age during his upbringing with the Soratami of Kamigawa and he'd continued it during his time with the Ojutai of Tarkir after his spark ignited.
Brock had created his own meditation realm. It was nowhere near as sophisticated as that of Nicol Bolas and mostly made up of empty space, but there were some creature comforts if they could be termed such. Brock sat in the lotus position on a small rock at the center of a constantly rippling pond. The water dripped over the edges and curved back into the surface. His yellow and blue robes billowed in a gentle breeze from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Marthel said, breaking Brock's concentration. The breeze stopped and the water ceased to ripple. In its stillness Marthel could see some fish swimming serenely in the globe of water. "You should have seen what Kyari did to me when I found her. She sent that damned hydra of hers after me. With wings!"
"You never did know how to knock, Marthel," Brock said. He stood to make room for his friend on the floating rock. Marthel's magic and nature made him impossible to predict, which gave him a pass through the shield of the meditation plane. "Not everybody appreciates that about you."
"Well Ashleigh also tried to burn me to death."
Brock scowled at the mention of the Voidcaller. "What were you doing with her?"
"Inviting her to a party, the same one I'm inviting you to right now."
Brock sighed. "The Voidcaller is bad news wherever she goes. She's impulsive, has no respect for life, and I worry about her influence over Odom. Kyari tells me his expeditions are becoming more questionable. Apparently he set fire to a sliver hive on Shandalar in the hopes that they would survive and adapt."
"Eh. I think we'll be fine. Besides, whatever he is up to has captured her interest enough to keep her from destroying a plane to 'bask in the glory of emptiness' or something."
"She could just create her own and bask in that."
"I think she has a problem with the whole creation process." Marthel shrugged. "Are you coming or not? I'm hosting it on Ravnica. If you're so concerned about them you can check up on them while we're there. Also I'm inviting some walkers you haven't met yet. Plenty of new people for you to test yourself against."
Brock's attention was now fully captured. "What kinds of walkers?"
"I met a new one just a few weeks ago. She calls herself the Envoy of Dragonfire and is a cousin of mine."
"That's highly unlikely," Brock said. "Having a spark is rare. Having it ignite is even rarer."
"She's a daughter of Dromoka," Marthel explained. "I'm sure you've met my own mother, Atarka."
"I know of both your mothers, if you could really call Atarka such a thing, and honestly prefer the company of my Master. He at least would not interrupt a monk's meditation hour."
"I suppose not," Marthel said. "However, you haven't answered my question. Will you come?"
"It seems like fun. I have yet to test the power of this Envoy of Dragonfire. Are there others?"
"Yes. Rinok, War's Herald and Sverre, Grave Birther."
"I think I've heard of Rinok," Brock said. "Kyari met him once. She distinctly recalled not liking him. Something about eternal war or some such nonsense. I'll have to see if he's as much of a threat as she thinks he is."
"Don't give me that," Marthel said playfully. "You just like testing yourself against people who use black mana."
"If I'm to keep improving, I must hone my skills against all that is dark. Know thy enemy, Marthel. Wasn't it you who taught me that?"
"I did, but what I meant was try to understand the world from a different perspective. Try to think like your enemy. For instance, if you are going to do combat with Ashleigh, what would you do?"
"She's almost my polar opposite, but we share the same weakness to dealing with summoned creatures. I would use that to my advantage."
"Or you could just show her something shiny and watch her run after it like a hungry Skrill. Never fight in the first place. Use that instability and capriciousness to your advantage."
"I suppose I see your point. Alright then, my friend, how would you deal with Kyari in a fight? Or prevent one in the first place?"
"I would likely get along well with Kyari if she gave me a chance. I too am fascinated by the multiverse and long to know about the walkers of old. We would likely find a way to visit Dominaria together and I could see Urza's workshop with all his notes and she could research the various creatures that live there. The Song of Dominia is the center of the world, but it is off limits to us." Marthel hung his head. The mood passed quickly. "Oh well. I'm happy you'll be joining us, Brock."
"You and Kyari would never need to fight, Marthel, because she isn't an omnicidal maniac."
"I can tell you won't like Rinok or Sverre much either." Marthel shrugged. "I suppose that'll just have to be how it goes. You know, I'm surprised that even after being raised by the Soratami and finishing your studies with the Ojutai you're still actively seeking out threats."
"It's an immutable part of my human nature, something that I always felt lesser for as a child. But now I see that nature for what it is, my greatest strength."
"So… You'll accept my challenge of just having fun for once?"
"Yes, old friend, I do accept this challenge."