Chapter 7

Daniel wandered down the halls of Avonlee and breathed in the pure energy that flowed throughout the castle. He couldn't imagine a more beautiful place in the world than this. From the large, green courtyards and gardens, to the massive library and the marble towers. There were so many kind people there as well.

In the course of one evening he had already made three very good friends; Adam, Charlie, and Robert. Adam had been an Everseer ever since he was sixteen. He said that when both his parents died, he ran away from the orphanage and sought out something more to life. The Everseers found him and took him in and trained him in the ways of spiritual and mental well-being.

Charlie was a Custodian. He was searching for a way to help society and fix its broken ways when he stumbled upon Avonlee. Although he did not posses the mental strength to help the way he wanted to, he decided to give his life serving others who could.

Robert said that he didn't remember much about his past, but he did know that he was approached by the Everseerers and asked to join their ranks. He had agreed, and brought his family with him to Avonlee. His wife now helped cook meals as a Custodian while his two sons were training to become Everseers as well.

The four of them could frequently be found together at mealtimes, morning ti chi, and the cleansing hall. Daniel was glad that he was fitting in so well. However, as each day passed, he found it harder and harder to spend time with them as his instructors continued to extend his time in the learning hall.

The learning hall was the gathering place of all the Everseers. There they would practise their powers, learn new skills, and refine old ones. Daniel had begun with simple things; reading someone's aura, telekinesis, and he had done beautifully at both. But now he was learning how to alter someone's emotions, how to suggest actions, and how to read minds. He was catching on quick, but the harder he tried to learn, the more work the instructors gave him. It seemed as though they had found a new person of interest.

After a few weeks, perhaps a month, Daniel was in the middle of class learning about mind merging when he was asked by Instructor Isabell to come to the front of the class and practise with another talented student; Jacob, who was a few years older than him. Daniel felt a little unsure in himself as he stepped forward, but he had confidence that he would do well.

"Now, if the two of you would just stand right here, right in front of each other... good," said Isabell. "Now, I want you to close your eyes and reach out with your mind. Feel your energy moving toward one another."

Daniel closed his eyes. In the darkness he could see himself moving forward. He willed his mind to take him there, toward the unknown. He could feel himself moving; first his arms, then his torso, then—

SHOOM!

There had been a flash of golden light and a sickening sensation that rattled through his chest and stomach. He opened his eyes frantically and found himself standing back to back with Jacob on the opposite side of the room.

"What just happened?" Daniel asked.

Instructor Isabell was looking on, dumbfounded. Jacob was looking like he was about to vomit, and the whole class was standing and starring.

"Daniel," said Isabell as she stepped forward. "Do you remember what Psionic transportation is?"

"Yes. But that's one of the rarest gifts of the mind," Daniel said, attempting to understand. "Are you saying that—"

"Yes!" exclaimed Isabell. "Child, you are very special indeed!" She walked over to him and placed her leather-like hands on his shoulders. "You have discovered your true inner spirit and in doing so unlocked the powers of Psionic transportation!" She turned him toward the other Everseers and raised his left arm. "We have in our midst, a Transcendent!"

Immediately, the whole class erupted into applause. There were people coming down and congratulating him, hugging him, shaking his hand, and telling him how honoured they were to live alongside such a rare Everseer.

Daniel was speechless the entire time. The last Transcendent in Avonlee's recorded history lived about a decade ago. This was truly a joyous moment.

After class, Daniel thought that would skip lunch and get some peace and quiet in the cleansing hall after all the ruckus in the learning hall. He had never gotten so much attention before, and it was a little nerve wracking.

As he turned a corner, he looked down at his feet and then suddenly he had walked into someone.

"I am sorry, I am so sorry!" said Daniel in a hurry.

"Shawn?" Daniel looked up inquisitively. The person he had bumped into was a man about his own age with brown skin and next to no hair on his head. Judging by the feather duster in his hand, he was a Custodian. "Oh, I can't believe it's you! I haven't seen you for weeks!"

"What?" Daniel asked.

"Shawn, it's me, Gus!" he exclaimed.

"I think you might be confusing me for someone else," Daniel replied.

"It's me! Gus! We've known each other since we were kids!" Gus continued. His eyes were excited and his aura spoke of urgency.

"I'm afraid I don't know you. But it was nice to meet you, Gus," said Daniel as he turned to leave. "I hope you find your friend."

"So they really did it," Gus said to himself as he watched his friend walk down the hall. "He doesn't remember anything."

Daniel was a little unsettled as he made his way to the cleansing hall. He was certain he had never once met the man before, and yet there was something vaguely familiar about Gus. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't that important, and the thought slowly drifted away as Daniel relaxed in one of the hot springs that evening. There was nothing to fear here; nothing to worry about. There is only tranquility in Avonlee.