Chapter 21
Day 5
Maya entered the church like library and was awed with the aged architecture that took inspiration of Siren culture. Just looking at the books, she could not imagine the amount of time that she would commit on gaining knowledge. Getting books about Siren was rare and seeing the books in bulk was a dream come true for the Blue Siren.
"Uh hmm!" Someone coughed.
Maya stopped moving and look at the end of The Academia. Red stood stiff with his hand folded. Red gestured her to come to him quicker. She received the message clearly and sped up her walking pace.
"You already passed out a lot of days Blue, come sit at any table that you feel comfortable and start our session." Red moved towards the blackboard and picked one white chalk. "Today's going to be an easy day as we gonna start with an introduction towards Siren Academics and Subjects."
Maya saw the table nearest to the blackboard and sat in the middle of it. She bought a bag with her, Red has informed what she should prior days before. She took out all the contents of the small bag and put her book on top of the table. Since Red was very serious comparative to Kharkov's relaxed attitude, Maya made sure the books was well arranged. After her study place was well put, she stood straight up and had a stoic expression.
Red started to write on the blackboard and his writing was clear and beautiful. Maya had not seen a person still use chalk and blackboard in the modern age, so seeing it made Maya idolize Red intellect side. Red stopped and put the chalk on the blackboard, he turned towards Maya with his hand on his back.
"You know who I am but since I do this for the majority of my life, I'm going to introduce myself." Red said.
Red moved to his desk and took a fountain pen and ink, put it at Maya's table. She finally realized that she had no pen or pencil to write on the new books she got. Red looked at her judgingly and Maya felt intimidated by it, she swallowed the saliva at her throat.
"The name's Red or Searcher Red, the official name of things. I will lecture about the many things that include The Siren Race." Red put his hands on his pockets. "Whenever you are in my class, we will focus on Nomine', or mind in the Siren Language of Old. Other than your typical history and heritage, we will also talk about Siren philosophy, notables, language and such and such."
Maya nodded.
"Whenever I lecture, don't take notes and give full focus on towards the subject. Don't ask question until I finish a certain topic or subtopic. Questions can be asked after the finish of a topic or subtopic. At the time of questioning, do take and make notes from the blackboard and my verbal remarks. There are no such things as a stupid question, just repetitive ones and I don't like it." Red said quickly and clearly. "Do stop me if you feel left behind and do not understand a certain section of a topic or subtopic. Do tell me that you need some rest, if you feel sleepy, I can give fifteen minutes rests. Do eat some snacks during the lecture; I got a big jar of Grass Biscuits at the back and hot tea at my room, so just take some. We will learn the basic about Siren Language so we will use them at certain occasion to make you more familiar with your race. Some days, I will teach you while other days I will give you a list of books for you to read and make an essay. Other than that, that is all from me. Any questions?"
Maya's face shows confusion, she was still digesting the information given. Red gestured her to take her time and it lessened the pressure for Maya. After a moment of silence, Maya looked at Red and nodded.
"Any questions Blue?" Red asked.
"Are you okay Red, I mean about last spar and I heard from Kharkov-"
"I'm fine Blue. Apparently I'm not the one that passed out for three days straight, didn't I?" Red moved away towards the blackboard. "I think we can start the session."
"I'm sorry Red." She said it loudly, wanting Red to know that she didn't mean it. "The Host told me to do it and I was stupid enough to do it without limiting myself."
Red glanced at Maya. "I know, The Host told me about it. Just a few bruised organs, nothing long term. So stop blaming me yourself for once in a while and actually be in the moment to learn. Can you do that?"
"I…. I'm sorry but it happens a lot…." Maya muttered. "I just sometimes can't control it…"
"That's where the Nomine' come to play." Red moved closer to Maya and pushed the chalk on her chest. "Too much feelings lead to failure, there's no question about it. So start focus on the topic and we can solve that, okay Blue?"
Maya felt the chalk push on her chest and then look at Red, she nodded slowly. Red was strict but fair and forgiving, she knows that he will be a good teacher.
Red moved away the chalk from her chest and moved towards the blackboard. "Alright then, let's get into topic. Before we get into Sirens, I want to go on the surface of Eridians."
Day 6
"Opa!" Kharkov shouted. "What a great day to begin our training!"
Early morning and the sun didn't even rise yet. Kharkov had told Red to cook breakfast early so that they would train early in the morning. Red quickly returned back to bed as soon as he served the food to Kharkov and Maya, showing how early it was. Maya yawned heavily; she did get enough sleep as she slept earlier than usual but it was too early for her body clock. Still, she was the same high spirited Maya and eager to learn from Searcher Kharkov. They were at The Fields where Red and Maya last sparred, this time Kharkov and Maya was alone.
"Alright Maya, as The Host informed you on the first day, I will teach about Naraane or the body." Kharkov put his hands on his waist. "As you know that each Siren has the three elements to balance, I specialize in the physical things. Physical things such performance improvements, unlocking new Siren abilities and optimizing fighting abilities. The more we train the deeper we will delve into your powers. Any questions?"
"Do I need to take notes or something?" Maya asked.
"Nope, once you apply it, you become what I teach. Naraane is more about feeling and discovering the body rather than following a certain way of using powers. To put it simply, play and practical. Once you know about it, try it, fail a few times and succeed, you will feel it and know it."
"Ahhh…" She pondered about it for a moment. "So I can really use my powers and don't have to think much?"
"Yes, we will get sweaty and tired most of the time." Kharkov cracked his fingers. "The only guarantee I give that you will get injured. In my sessions, I will push to your limits and break those limits."
"Hell yeah, that's what I like to hear." Maya smiled and ready her powers.
"Nyet, not yet." Kharkov urged Maya to stop.
"What?" The glow on her hand disappeared.
"Since this is the first day, we'll go the basic and slowly climb up. Like a baby, slowly crawling, then walk, then run." Kharkov took off his jacket, revealing a well build body built like a fighter. "Are you comfortable with that attire?"
Maya looked down and look at Kharkov. "Yeah, I think I'm good."
"We're going to do a few stretching and then jog around Tretho." Kharkov clapped his hands enthusiastically and started to warm up his body. "Follow my lead."
"Alright." Maya nodded.
Kharkov made a few basic stretching that focused on the neck, arms, waist, legs and feet. Maya followed each movement that Kharkov made and she was starting to feel blood pumping to her veins. Kharkov was enjoying every moment of it; his fighter built body was surely earned. Maya, on the other hand, was getting a bit sweaty. It seemed that she underestimated the program yet again.
"Enough stretching Maya, time to jog till sunset." Kharkov smiled.
"Sunset?!?" The sun was barely up at Tretho.
Kharkov laughed loudly and started to jog at a certain direction. "Davai! Davai!"
Maya shook her head but jogged no matter what, she knew what she signed up for.
At The Courtyard, Red was preparing lunch for Kharkov and Maya. Rather than Grass Biscuit and water, Red felt that Maya needed more than that for today. The first day was always the hardest on, so Red must give her the best meal for today's teaching. He stood in front of the pot and stirred all the ingredient that was already being put. He prepared some fruit juice for Maya so that she could continue her training for the remaining of the days. The portion was already set and he made sure the food and juice were enough to feed all of them and also for dinner.
Suddenly she heard the loud pants, Red glance at his back. Kharkov carried Maya at his arms, The Blue Siren already passed out. Red glanced at Maya then at Kharkov, expecting an answer.
"I may or may not push her too much." Kharkov smiled innocently.
Red shook his head slowly. "Put her there and I'll get a bucket of water."
"She's alright Red, just another day working the body." Kharkov moved to a place where he could let Maya rest. "It's part of the process comrade."
"Part of the process my ass." Red picked up a bucket and went to the nearest water fountain. "Chances are she can't even feel her legs right now."
"No pain, no gain." Kharkov shrugged and put Maya down. "No better way but old school."
Day 7
She sat on the floor at the centre of the temple with Akari. She bought nothing during her time with Akari, she stood straight and waited for The Host to speak.
"Today, you will begin your training with me." Akari smiled at Maya.
"Yes Host Akari." Maya said eagerly.
"Being a Siren just like you, I will mentor you about Nonua or the heart. As of now, there's nobody more qualified to teach you such subject other than me, seeing that The Searchers are not Sirens." The Host said. "When it comes to learning about Nonua, there are many books that you can read about it. I urge you to do your own research about it during your free time. If you need some time to read, please inform me as I have no problem giving you time to research about it."
"I will and eager to learn from you Host Akari." Maya said.
"Good, today we will meditate." Akari closed her eyes. "There are no chants to speak, just close your eyes and focus."
"Focus on what Host?" Maya asked.
"On your powers." Akari took a deep breath and her Siren mark started to glow. "Address its existence but do not use it."
Such concept was never heard before by Maya. Usually if she was to focus on her powers, she would ultimately use it. She tried to make sense out of it and eventually understand certain aspects of it. Maya closed her eyes and emptied her thoughts. Her situation reminded her of The Abbey, less chants and less praise than before. A welcome addition.
Taking a deep breath, she diminished any kind of thought that surfaced on her mind. The first thirty minutes was easy, the enthusiasm was really helpful. But came the thirty-first minute, it was a whole different situation. All manners of things started to emerge, doubt, distraction and questions. All came at once. Maya tried to counter with deep breaths but it seemed to be ineffective. Her face started to turn bitter, struggling to close her eyes and stay still.
"Maya?" Akari called.
Maya opened her eyes and quickly spoke. "Yes is there something I need to do?"
"You are not at peace little one." The Host stated. "We have all the time of the day. Let's try this again."
Maya sighed slowly and heavily. She closed her eyes again and restarted her meditation.
As the day ended, Maya returned back to her room exhausted emotionally and spiritual. All of her energy has been drained and her posture was the indicator. Neck and shoulders slumped down like the hunchback of Notre Dame. Walking at a pace of a soulless zombie; taking all her time putting on foot in front of the other. She twisted the knob of the door and entered her room. Closing the door and instantly locked it. Nobody would visit her during the night but she felt safe whenever the lock was initiated.
She put her forehead on the wooden door and sighed again. She was all alone in her dark room.
The Blue Siren turned her body to her back and went to her beloved bed. She collapsed to the single bed and sink into the mattress. The clean sheets and the soft pillow were a good friend at her depressed state. She turned her body around and looked at the ceiling. Maya realized that ever since she arrived at Tretho, she constantly mused at the ceiling and thought of many things. She had no music or entertainment so that she could distract herself from the problems. She loved reading but sometimes reading is stressful, it requires focus.
After a while, she realized that she missed home. She missed the beers that were sold cheap at the local bar. Also the gambling slots, the craziness of Pandora, the odd freedom and also danger that associated with it. She missed her friends such as Lilith, Mordecai, Bricks, Zero, Salvador, Krieg, and her one and only roommate Gaige. She wondered what the young inventor has been up to lately. With The Resistance triumphed again, she wondered how Axton was doing. Did he return back to home after all Hyperion business was done? Axton may be high spirited but the man was the most secretive of all her friends.
Whenever Maya thought about her family back at Overlook, the new base of The Resistance, she started to have regrets on why she chooses to follow The Searchers. Sure she came to Pandora to fight but after seeing all the challenges that she was currently facing, was it worth it? Maya shook her head and closed her eyes, she had given up the day and wanted to sleep.
"What did you put yourself into this time Maya…." She muttered to herself.