Chapter 47
The moment they announced Maya's prophethood, The Searchers had a little discussion with The Host on how they should approach this new challenge. They discuss various topics but all of it gavitates to one theme.
How does a team train a prophet?
The three finished their discussion and Maya's training immediately began. Days were not counted like before by Searcher Red. Maya could feel that everything changed, the wind around the place was not like before. The day's training started with a light jog around The Fields but the jog seemed to never stop. The pace was quicker, the days were longer and the pressure was noticeable as Searcher Kharkov looked at her with judging eyes. At the edge of her eyes, Maya could see Host Akari in plain sight with Searcher Red beside her.
"Davai davai!" Kharkov said loudly. "Come on Maya, push push!"
Maya focused her sights to the front and controlled her breathing. She used her powers to lighten herself so that she could extend her time to be active. Her Channels started to glow lightly, maintaining her powers at the most efficient levels. Searcher Kharkov suddenly stopped and he raised his palm to make her stop.
"Maya, it's time for you to meditate." He said.
"You mean tomorrow, right?" Maya was confused.
"No." Host Akari entered the conversation, Maya did not realize she was already near. "Right now."
The Blue Siren was not able to think clearly, her heart still beating fast and she was mentally prepared to jog for a whole day at a more vigorous pace. Host Akari quickly sat down on the ground and she waited for Maya to sit on the opposite side. Maya said nothing and wiped her sweaty forehead. She breathed deep to calm down her heart rate. Sat down in front of The Host and began to meditate like they often do. Controlling the breathing patterns and saying meditative Siren chants. Searcher Kharkov moved away and joined Searcher Red on observing from afar.
Maya focused on her Nonua as per usual, trying her best to match the same wavelength as the matriarch in front of her. But unlike before, it seemed it was even harder to grasp on her consciousness. Every time she wanted to get into deeper focus, she opened her eyes disturbed. She glanced at her surroundings to see what was wrong or what was wrong with her. She glanced at the two Searchers, perhaps their glance was disturbing her focus.
"Little One, remain still." Host Akari said. "Focus."
Maya said nothing and nodded. She was not used to meditating outside of the temple but she continued to persist without questioning. She closed her eyes and focused deep into her consciousness. It took longer than usual and more effort than usual. Her determination to succeed outweighed her doubts.
The two Siren meditated for hours on end. Day turned night but there were no orders to stop. It was unpredictable. It was random. When Maya opened her eyes again, Host Akari was still meditating with her eyes closed. Her stomach churned for food, so she glanced to the side and there was Searcher Red. He was there with a plate and a glass of water. She looked at the plate and there was nothing but one baked potato that was already cool enough to eat. Searcher Kharkov was no longer there. Searcher Red gave the food to her and left without a word. Maya wanted to speak to him but Host Akari grabbed her attention.
"Do not forget to eat Maya." She opened her eyes. "You would need it in the coming days."
Maya looked at her with a thousand questions in her mind but said nothing. She looked down at the meal and ate it as proper and quick as she could. After finishing eating the potato and drinking the glass of water, Akari permitted the plate to be placed elsewhere. Maya sat again in front of mentor and closed her eyes. She had no doubts like before and meditated as deeply as Host Akari.
They proceeded to meditate for another day and half until finally Host Akari permitted her to stop, eat and sleep.
Hair tied; Maya was running around the Fields over and over again without any specific orders. Her training was difficult but Maya said nothing and endured. It was random to plainly explain. Sometimes she would train under Searcher Red then to Host Akari and ended the day with light sparring with Searcher Kharkov. And some days, nothing happened and Maya sat at her bed anxiously waiting for the next part of training. No matter how much effort she puts in, she will never be prepared for the next training.
Academics was changed to complex mathematical questions that Maya had to answer in a short duration of time to sharpen her mind. Meditation became longer and the diet was basic to increase her patience. Sparring was rigorous and long to see push the boundaries of her endurance. Currently, she was running around the perimeter of The Fields in the middle of the evening. She began her run before sunrise.
Host Akari, Searcher Kharkov and Searcher Red observed quietly at the center of The Fields. The three teachers had differing opinions on how to train Maya. Preparing a Siren to become the Nia Hewina was well documented with traditions and procedure. But to train a Siren to become a prophet? That was debatable at the very least and controversial at the very most. Perhaps they did not put enough time to discuss but the fact was they struggled to find a common ground on how to train Maya.
Searcher Kharkov believed that Maya should be pushed cautiously. Like metal, it should take its time to be heated, cooled and hammered so that it would be the best form that it could potentially be. Before, Kharkov was wary about Maya's condition and trained her accordingly. Now, she pushed her to the limit and stopped her at the very edge of failing. He was confident of Maya's abilities.
"Come on Maya, two hours more." Searcher Kharkov said loudly.
"You can do it Little One, keep it consistent." Host Akari gave words of encouragement.
Maya could only nod as a way of acknowledgement.
Host Akari spoke little but that could also show how confident she was towards Maya. She believed that Maya will ultimately become what she's meant to be. How, Host Akari seemed to care less about it. Like a butterfly, it will escape its cocoon eventually and forcing it to come out was nothing but a waste of time. As long as Maya was alive, she would eventually fulfill her destiny to lead her race. Like Searcher Kharkov, Host Akari believed it with all her being. As a notion of confidence, Host Akari was no longer at her temple meditating. Now she was outside and was attentive to Maya's training. Motivating her if need be.
Searcher Red was the most verbal on how they should train Maya. It was apparent that he does not believe Maya was able to carry out her duties. Regardless, he never compromised his effort on tutoring Maya. He believed that Maya must not fail in the tests that were given because in reality it was all just a test. If she were to fail then she would ultimately fail on becoming a prophet. Searcher Red expected Maya to fail so that she would not hurt herself more than she should. Regardless, if he was proven wrong and Maya was capable like Kharkov and Akari said, Red would be the first to congratulate her and no doubt happy for her.
Searcher Red wrote down each information worth noting in his small notebook. From every step she took to the way she moves her body, Red was keen. He would compare the data with the previous candidates then make a conclusion afterward.
"She's going to pass out in the next two rounds." Searcher Red stated. "You see that big rock? In the second round, she would fall down exactly there."
Searcher Red pointed at the rock situatefbeside a tree. Maya would eventually pass the rock during her run around The Fields.
"She's still in good shape, a bit shaky but she can go still." Searcher Kharkov argued.
"Have faith in Maya, Red." Host Akari glanced at him. "She can go longer than that, a few rounds more."
Red said nothing and keenly observed Maya.
Maya ran another round. The three teachers waited. All eyes on her as she slowly approached the rock that she would pass by.
The Blue Siren started to wobble left and right. Her breathing was out of pace and panic, breathing heavily through her mouth and not her nostril. Maya closed her eyes and they could see she was in pain and her thighs could not push any more. Kharkov worried and moved to help her but Host Akari prevented him as she put her palm on his chest.
Maya eventually trembled down to her fours. Knees and hands down to the ground, she was no longer moving. She breathed loudly but it was impossible to move. Shivering in pain with reddened skin. She was wet in her sweat as if heavy rain she met.
Dead silence. Maya passed the rock and a meter more.
Akari and Kharkov looked at Red.
The younger man straightened his posture and nodded slightly. "Impressive."
Host Akari and Searcher Kharkov went to see Maya. Her eyes dead set forward; refusing to pass out and wanting to continue.
"Damn it." Maya said while panting. "I can still move."
"Shh…" Akari crouched down and put her hand on Maya's head. "It's alright Little One. You did great."
Maya shook her head and did not accept such a statement. "I can still move Host, please let me."
"There's no need to, I'm proud of you already." Host Akari went closer and hugged her. "We're calling it a day Little One." She kissed Maya's head and said to her ears. "Tali Senumfae. (Rest easy.)"
Maya nodded and Akari patted her back, calming her down. Caringly, she stood up and assisted Maya standing up. Kharkov was by her side and she passed Maya to him. Kharkov held Maya with one hand around his neck.
"Please take care of her, make sure she recovers fully, Searcher Kharkov." Host Akari looked at Maya and rubbed the dust off her cheeks. "Onwards to the next one. I will visit you tonight, try to see what I can do."
"Yes Host Akari, I will." He smiled seeing Maya pushing more than expected. He patted her stomach. "You doing great, Siren, keep it up."
Kharkov departed with Maya and will oversee her recovery at her room. Host Akari went to Searcher Red and talked for a moment.
"Anything else to say, Searcher Red?" Akari asked.
He finished writing down his notebook and closed it. "I already did. I'm impressed that she's improved considerably."
"Looks like you're not convinced that she is a prophet."
"Host, like I said, I don't compromise my effort, don't worry." He was proven wrong and accepted it honourably. "Maya has surprised all of us, including you too."
"By that you mean?"
"You said that Maya could last a few rounds more, it is very clear that she stopped." Red was not absolutely wrong. "I have the right to form my own opinion."
"Indeed." Akari nodded. "Don't forget to provide good food for Maya. She deserved it."
"I'm on it." Red nodded and moved away. He went to Courtyard to prepare the meal and reviewed his notes on the way.