Part 2
Angela Jacobs,
listening closely to the words of her friend and mentor Ace Cooper, was
astounded by the secret he was revealing to her…the secret of his mysterious
past.
"So," she
started, "the trip on that barge was only the beginning for you in learning
of your own power?"
"Yes, it
was. Believe me, this wasn't going to happen overnight. It
was going to take a lot of time…and a lot of help. After landing
in Bombay, India, I still wasn't comfortable with myself. All that
was going through my mind was just to get away from what I thought was
a curse."
"Just like
me, when I thought my own power was a curse. Of course, that was
after my parents died in that accident."
Ace knew
that subject was never comfortable for Angie to talk about. He patted
her shoulder. "It's okay, Angie. It's always hard."
"But…it
was even harder for you with no parents, no one to really talk to.
You were basically all alone."
Ace nodded
because he understood the feeling of loneliness Angie had while growing
up herself. "That's right. My life still wasn't together, and
I wondered if I would ever find my purpose…"
**18 Years Earlier**
Wandering
the streets of Bombay, young Ace Cooper had just survived a six-week trip
on a car-shipping barge. He endured the terrifying hazing session
with most of the crew, but he did manage to gain two friends on the journey,
including the captain, whose life Ace had saved with his hidden powers.
Ace, though,
was still frightened of these strange powers, so he left the barge and
started walking around the city in the hope of finding himself somehow.
God, even after landing here…I still can't get away from this.
I really am cursed.
He did
earn a good amount of money on the voyage, which allowed him to honestly
spend money on food and some supplies. Least I don't have to rob
in order to get what I need. I'm glad I'm not with Jack Malone anymore.
That man is a pure monster.
But…I've
also lost Mona. I could never regain her trust or her love again,
not after what I did to her father. She had every right to make me
go away. Although he did lose his sweetheart, he could never
truly get her out of his mind…or his heart. I still…have feelings
for her, though. What can I do? There's no chance for me.
What's the use? I have nothing left now.
Ace also
felt
somewhat out of place in the Bombay area. "I need to find some place
that's more out of the way. Somewhere I can find peace in
myself."
Just then,
he noticed a train station about a mile away. He walked in a quicker
pace to see just where some of the trains were going. Looking at
the sign, he could see English and the native Indian language used.
"Let's see, um, Katmandu, Lhasa, Tsetang, hmm."
He then
went up to one of the security guards. "Excuse me, sir, um, where
are Lhasa and Tsetang?"
"They are
in Tibet," answered the guard. "The train will be the last one for
the day. Do you wish to take it?"
"Yes, sir.
Where do I find the ticket window?"
"Go down
this corridor and then take a left. You cannot miss it."
"Thank
you, very much."
Ace paced
his way towards the window when three young men bumped into him fairly
hard, forcing him to fall backwards. "Hey!"
"Oh," said
one of the boys. "We're sorry. We didn't see where we were
going."
However,
the first one had Ace distracted just long enough for the second one to
grab his hard-earned money from his supply bag.
After a
quick nod, the first one said, "Here, let me help you up."
"Thank
you."
"No…thank
you.
Take care of yourself." He and the two others walked away, their
robbery successful.
Ace then
grabbed his bag and went to the ticket window. "Excuse me, I need
a ticket on the Katmandu train."
"To Katmandu,
Lhasa, and Tsetang?" said the ticket operator. "Okay, that will be
$245."
The young
man went into his supply bag to get the money, only to discover the money
was gone! Damn! Those three guys took my money! He
became so embittered his eyes started glowing in violet again. I
earned that money! How dare they take it away!
The ticket
operator became slightly nervous. "Are…you all right?"
"No, I'm
not," he reacted angrily. "I had the money, and those three creeps
stole it!"
I want
my money back…now!
Ace wished
for it so hard that all the money suddenly appeared in his hands.
"Wha…I don't believe it. It's all here again." He then calmed
himself down as his eyes lost their violet spark. "Whew, um, how
much was it again?"
"It's…$245,"
said the highly anxious ticket operator.
Getting
the right amount, Ace gave him the money and quickly received the ticket.
As he walked
to the train, the people who were behind him in line were also very nervous
about what they just saw.
The ticket
operator simply said, "Let's forget what we just saw before we think we've
gone crazy."
Everyone
agreed to the idea and went about their business as usual.
Ace then
boarded the train and took his seat by the window. It looks nice
through here. Maybe a trip in the mountains is just what I need to
get away from this thing I've got stuck inside of me.
Within
the hour, the train started and was soon on its way to the three designated
locations on its route.
The trip
was relatively peaceful, but ever so often Ace would have to fight whatever
power he had from coming out. "C'mon, stop it," he whispered.
"I don't want this. Just leave me alone."
Why…are…you…running…away…
a voice said literally out of nowhere.
"Who said
that?" the young man asked while looking around him fearfully. "Who's
there?"
You
can't keep running from your path…your destiny.
"Knock
it off! Leave me alone!"
As other
passengers looked at him with suspicion, he decided to just run to his
room in the passenger car to keep away from everyone else. "Man,
today just isn't my day. What else could happen?"
You
wouldn't have to go through with this nightmare if you just accepted your
path.
"For the
last time will you please leave me alone!?"
The young
man decided to stare out the window and see the mountains and temples to
get his mind away from his troubles. I need peace…serenity…hope.
I just want this thing to go away and let me live a normal life.
Throughout
the night, as Ace slept in his bunk, he started hearing the strange voice
again.
Your
only chance for inner peace is to acknowledge your fate.
"No…I don't
believe you. My fate is…to be alone. That's all I want right
now."
Somewhere
in his mind, Ace found himself in an unusual landscape—more of a dreamscape.
He was
surrounded by a large number of doors, yet he could see the sky above him.
"What is this place?"
Ace
then started walking around looking through each door. Opening one
door, he saw himself sitting under a tree with Mona. Another door
showed him saving Vega's life in the history museum. Still another
showed him losing his friend Gus Moreland to a high-tech company's security
measures. One last one he opened was one he did not want to see again…the
moment Jack Malone fell into the flames. "What's going on here?
Why do I have to see all this again? Haven't I been through enough
as it is?"
No, responded
the mystery voice. To prepare for the future, you must learn
from the past.
"Don't
you get it? My future is to lead a normal life!"
Your life
will change…your path will change…your true destiny is at hand.
"Look,
just stop it! I am going to live a normal life, and I'll do whatever
it takes to get that normal life!"
The train
soon made the three stops, first Katmandu, then Lhasa about an hour later,
and finally Tsetang after another 20 minutes.
Ace awakened
when he finally heard the announcement that he was at the final stop on
the train. "Well, this is where I get off. I am going to leave
that past behind me and live as normally as possible."
He grabbed
his supply bag and exited off the train as quickly as he could. He
was soon in the small city of Tsetang and started exploring the city.
"It's so beautiful up here…so peaceful. Perhaps at long last I can
find the peace I have sought for a long time now."
The only
setback was the slight lack of air because of the very high altitude.
"Oooh, I'm not used to this. I wish I'd have gone to Denver first
or something."
He wandered
through the small streets and around the marketplace when he suddenly heard
someone screaming.
"Help!"
yelled the voice of what sounded like an elderly gentleman.
With no
hesitation Ace ran towards the situation to help the gentleman.
Soon he
came into a dark alley and noticed a group of at least seven boys trying
to rob the man, who had a bald head and wore an orange robe.
He's
a local monk here…why would they attack him for? "Hey!
Leave him alone!"
One of
the boys said, "Well, well, someone heard this old man."
"Yeah,"
said another one. "Look, pal. This has nothing to do with you.
Go away now, and we'll spare you from his fate."
As they
laughed it off as some sort of joke, Ace's anger started to show with his
eyes glowing again. "Are you deaf…I said leave him alone, now!"
The boys
could see his anger and were soon scared off. They dropped everything
as they ran away in fear of what the young man could have done to them.
Calming
himself once more, his eyes were back to normal again. He then leaned
down to help the elderly man. "Are you all right, sir?"
"Y-yes,
I am all right," the man responded with a kind smile. "You saved
my life, young man."
"No, I
just…couldn't stand the fact you were surrounded by that whole group of
thieves."
"Around
here, that is a normal occurrence."
"Still…here,
let me help you stand up."
The elderly
man was able to get to his feet again. "I appreciate your help."
Ace sighed
and said, "Aw, it was nothing. I've been through too many bad times
in my life already, so I guess I needed something good to do for a change."
The elderly
man stared deep into the young man's eyes. "You look as though you
have traveled for quite some time. Do you have a place to stay?"
Ace's face
suddenly turned pale. "A place…to stay? Um, no. I've
traveled alone."
"You look
like you have not had too much to eat, either," the elderly man said calmly.
"I've only
had some fruits and vegetables, and the train trip here had food that was
just too expensive for me to eat."
"Perhaps
a stay at the temple can be of benefit to you not only physically but spiritually.
I am a Buddhist monk."
"A…what?"
"I can
help you enlighten yourself. Help you understand the world a little
better."
"But…I
just came from a fancy place in the West. It's the only place I've
known. I feel a little out of place here."
"Do not
worry, young one," said the elderly man. "If you are willing to open
your mind and soul, I can show you how you can make yourself a better person."
"Really?
You'd do that…for me?"
"And why
not? You did save my life, and I feel I owe you something in return."
"Well,"
said a slightly hesitant Ace, "I guess if it can help me deal with some…issues,
maybe a stay would do me some good."
"Very well,
young man." Bowing in respect, the elderly man said, "I am Master
Xing Kao."
Bowing
back, the young man stated, "I am Ace Cooper."
Master
Kao smiled at the young man. "I am always in need of an apprentice,
but I should warn you, I can be a hard taskmaster. Can you handle
quick directions?"
"Yes, sir,
I can. Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it, no question."
"Come,
Ace. We must reach the ferry boat within the hour, or we will miss
our only ride to the temple."
Ace grabbed
his supply bag and followed his new "teacher" to the docking area and made
it to the boat less than a minute before it left the river port.
"Whew,
we made it," said a relieved Ace. "I didn't think we would."
"I did
not doubt our journey," Master Kao noted. "After all, I have gone
this way for more than 35 years and have never missed the ferry as of yet."
"Um, Master
Kao, where is your temple?"
"Very high
in the mountains. Are you able to handle the thinner air?"
"Not yet.
I'll need about a day or two."
"I understand,
young one. It is recommended to take about two days to acclimate
yourself to the higher altitude."
"Thank
you, Master. As soon as I am ready, you can put me to work, doing
whatever you need me to do."
Master
Kao smiled at his new student. "Ace, you are very eager to get to
work. I like that in a person of youth."
Believe
me, thought Ace seriously, it's the only way I can get this thing
out of my mind…keep busy. "I…enjoy working hard." Yeah,
when I used to be a criminal for Jack Malone.
"Ah, if
only there were more in the world like you, someone in adolescence who
cares about hard work."
"I appreciate
you allowing me to stay with you, Master Kao," said a grateful Ace.
"I've never seen a temple up close and personal before."
Master
Kao smiled at his new student. "Ah, then you truly have not seen
much of the world yet."
"I…I know."
How could I? I'm a juvenile delinquent.
"Do not
worry, young one. I will make sure your stay is a pleasant one.
We hide no criminals or the sort."
Ace suddenly
gasped.
"Are you
all right, Ace?" asked the priest in slight concern.
"Um, yes,
I'm fine." Whew, I'd better be careful. If he learns I really
am a juvenile delinquent, he'll probably contact the authorities on me.
"It seems
I have made you nervous about something."
"Me, nervous?
Um, no, I'm okay, Master, really."
"There
is something you need to know about life…In order to get what you really
want, sometimes you must learn to let go."
"Let…go?
What do you mean?"
"It is
a lesson we all must learn at some point in our lives. Ah, here we
are."
Ace and
Master Kao walked off the ferry boat and came to a beat-up but very useable
wagon.
"Um, we're
taking this, right?" Ace asked curiously.
"Yes, we
are. It will take two more days to get to the top. We will
camp for the night when the sun sets."
Ace put
his supply bag on board the wagon and jumped on top of the hay bale.
He also lent a hand to Master Kao to get him on board. "There you
go."
"Thank
you, Ace. This yak will take us to where we need to go."
Ace looked
at the large animal. "The closest thing I've seen to a yak is in
my geography book whenever I did study at the orphanage."
"Ah, first
time to see a wild animal this close?"
"Yes, sir,
it is."
Master
Kao then turned to the yak. "Let us go, my friend."
The yak
started taking them higher up into the mountain.
On the
first night of camping out, Ace's strange dream started becoming more vivid
than ever before.
In his
odd dreamscape, he noticed the doors trying to open and close on their
own. "Wha…what do you want from me? What is this!?"
"I want
you to stop running from your fate," said the voice once more. "I
will make you let go of your fears, and make you face your true path."
"Never…do
you hear me? NEVER!!"
Ace suddenly
jolted out of his sleeping bag, his eyes glowing again. "Master,
help me, please!"
Master
Kao came up to him. "Ace, are you all right? What is wrong?"
When the
young man turned to face him, Master Kao noticed the glow in his eyes.
"My word…your eyes."
"Please,
help me. I'm scared to death!"
"Ace, it
is all right," Master Kao said calmly. "Take some deep breaths and
relax."
The young
man took heaving breaths and closed his eyes to get himself back under
control. It took about 20 seconds… a scary 20 seconds. He was
able to calm himself down and when he was able to open his eyes again,
he asked, "Are they violet or blue?"
"As blue
as the azure sky," answered Master Kao.
"Whew,
thank goodness. That's the last thing I needed right now."
Ace held his head while panting in breath.
"Young
one, it seems you are more of a mystery than you are telling me."
"I'm sorry,
I just can't…seem to control myself."
"I will
not dwell into this now. We will do so when we reach the temple."
Ace gulped
in fear. "When we…reach the temple? Oh, no."
"Do not
be afraid of me, Ace. I am a friend, not an enemy. Now, let
us return to sleep and start our journey once more when the sun rises."
"Okay,
Master…and thank you." Ace soon was able to sleep peacefully in the
middle of the night, and the dream did not haunt him for a little while…
A day later,
the
two arrived at the monastery, a beautiful temple with golden-shingled roofs,
as most Tibetan monasteries were like.
"Master
Kao," said an awe-inspired Ace, "it's gorgeous. I've never seen anything
like it."
"Very few
outsiders have seen this place. Now, let us come in."
The pair
entered the monastery where about 20 other monks were working.
"I will
be your primary teacher," said Master Kao, "but there will be times when
one of the others can be helpful to you. I will show you to your
quarters."
Ace, though,
was slightly short of breath. "Sorry, Master…I still need to get
acclimated to the high altitude."
"I understand.
Rest in your quarters for a couple of days, and you will soon be adjusted
to the mountain air."
The room
Ace was to take was fairly large in size, but the bed was very comfortable.
"Ah, bed."
"The wagon
ride was not very comfortable for you, was it?"
"I'm afraid
not, Master. I'm sorry if that's any trouble."
"No trouble
at all, young Ace. The trip here can be very uncomfortable for someone
who has not traveled the path before. Now, rest for about two days,
since you are still not adjusted to the thinner mountain air as of yet."
"Thank
you." After Master Kao left the room, Ace walked around it, looking
at all the beautiful architecture. "I've never seen anything so magnificent
this close up to me. I hope I can stay here for a long, long time."
And who knows, I can finally be rid of the curse.
After about
three days of adjustment to the mountain air, Ace was finally ready to
start working and training under Master Kao.
"Now, I
will let you start your labors today. I want you to keep the floors
of the western wing clean."
"Okay,
Master. I'll do that." Ace then got up from the floor and went
to find the cleaning supplies. "Um, where are they?"
"They are
in that closet. However, I should tell you there is no mop.
We only use scrub brushes."
Ace was
not really surprised by that. "I'm used to scrubbing with brushes.
It doesn't bother me that much, really."
"Very well.
Tomorrow will be your first day of meditation lessons." Master Kao
then stood up and walked out of the room.
Ace then
went to the closet to get the wooden bucket and scrub brush. "Well,
I've got work to do. Time to get to it."
He immediately
went to the west wing and noticed how big it was. "Hmm, a big job.
No problem. I can handle this."
Putting
himself to work on the floor, Ace scrubbed as hard as he could, making
sure the floor would shine with his reflection. "There we go, off
to a good start."
After a
couple of hours, he grew hungry. "Oooh, my stomach's on the growl.
I'd better eat some lunch before I pass out from starvation."
He put
the brush on the floor and left to get something to eat.
The brush,
though, suddenly came back to life and started splashing itself into the
bucket of water! Then, it started scrubbing the floor under its own
power, making the floor sparkling clean.
When Ace
returned an hour later to finish the task, he suddenly found himself surprised.
"What the…how did the rest of the floor get so clean so fast? Did
someone notice I was too hungry and finished the task for me? Hmm,
maybe I need to ask the master about this."
Master
Kao then entered. "I cannot believe it. This floor looks the
best it has been in years. Nicely done, Ace."
"But Master,
I had to stop and eat lunch. I was too hungry."
"You had
to eat lunch? Then, who finished the floor?"
"That's
what I'd like to know." I wonder if…oh, no, not the curse again!
Master
Kao saw the nervous look on Ace's face again. "You are looking troubled
again. Are you sure you are all right?"
"Um, yeah,
I'm all right, Master. Just feeling a little warm in here, that's
all."
"Hmm, perhaps
a trip to the garden in the cooler breeze may be of help."
"Thank
you, sir. I could use some fresh fruits and vegetables."
The teacher
and student went to the garden area to pick some fresh vegetables.
"So, Ace,"
Master Kao started, "are you used to fresh food?"
"Yes, Master.
We had our own garden in the orphanage."
"Ah, that
is good. I guess some things we have done here are being put to good
use in the Western World."
Ace smiled.
"Believe me, Master Kao, we still have lessons from the East in the 21st
Century."
As he picked
out some of the turnips and peas in front of him, the potato crops behind
him started lifting out of the ground by themselves.
Neither
person noticed, though, as they were preoccupied with picking the vegetables
in front of them. The potatoes and their roots zoomed past both of
them and then exploded after hitting the wall.
Ace looked
at the mess on the wall. "Um, what happened?"
"I do not
know, Ace. I have never seen something like this happen."
"Maybe
I'm working too hard or something." Or…no, the curse. This
blasted curse!
Master
Kao looked at him and said, "Perhaps you have been working too hard.
It is almost evening anyhow. Go on and get some sleep. Tomorrow,
I will start teaching you some basic meditation techniques."
"Thank
you, Master. A good night's sleep is just what I need."
As he slept,
though, the weird dream became more of a nightmare.
Within
his mind, though, the dreamscape was becoming more unstable. The
doors opened and then slammed shut on him. "Let me out of here, please!"
"When
you understand your real fate," said the mysterious voice, this time coming
from the top of a hill, "I'll let you out of there. Until you do,
you will remain there."
"No,
I can't stay here! I have a life to live…a normal life!" Ace
then fell to his knees and clutched his head in fear. "Please, I
beg you, let me out!"
"Let…let
me out…let me out of here," he muttered in his sleep. "Let me…out!"
He suddenly jerked up out of bed. "What?" he said in confusion.
"Oh, it was just a dream. But this one's scaring me to death.
I can't tell anyone about this curse, not even Master Kao. Now…back
to sleep."
Again,
the strange dream did not bother him as badly for the remainder of the
night.
The next
morning, Ace and Master Kao were in a completely isolated room, no windows,
no furniture, only a Buddhist statue and a few plants. This was to
be the first lesson of Ace's meditation.
"All right,
Ace. Are you ready to learn the proper meditation techniques?"
"Yes, sir,
I am. Maybe it can help me stop being so tense all the time."
And
maybe get rid of this pest inside of me forever. I want to live a
normal life.
"I have
noticed how tense you have been since we have met. Meditation will
help you relax, feel better about yourself, and become one with the universe."
"I didn't
know meditation can do all that," said Ace in surprise.
"It can
be, but you must have time and patience. Meditation cannot be mastered
within a day."
"I understand,
Master. So, um, how do I start this?"
"The first
thing you need to do is sit on the floor in a comfortable position."
Ace did
what his teacher told and sat down in a yoga-like position. "How's
this?"
"Be in
a position that makes you the most comfortable. If that is your desired
position, so be it."
The young
man was already feeling relaxed. "Okay, what's next?"
"Close
your eyes and take deep breaths. See yourself inside yourself.
If you are unable to do so right away, do not worry, for this is only your
first session. How long it takes for you to be able to see inside
yourself depends on how…receptive you are to your inner self."
"So…everything
about meditation has to basically come from within myself?"
"Yes, Ace.
Understanding everything else begins with understanding yourself."
Ace followed
the priest's calm commands and soon felt more relaxed than before.
"I feel so…calm already."
"That is
a good start. The first step is to relax. If you meditate when
highly anxious, it will do no good to you."
"I understand."
"Now, take
some deep breaths. Try to picture yourself somewhere else.
Remember, be calm and do not force it. Let the calm come to you."
In his
mind, Ace was soon able to see himself, but the area around him was blank
right away. "It's so…plain. There's nothing."
"As I said,
this is only your first lesson. You need to learn to be more receptive
to your inner self."
My…inner
self? Ace thought with some fear. That's what I've been afraid of
for some time now. I can't face it. Besides, if I'm forced
into this, my dangerous secret will be out for sure.
What neither
Ace nor Master Kao noticed was that something was happening to the small
group of plants in the room. The plants themselves shook violently
and soon the clay pots broke.
The priest
turned to see the dirt and roots of the plants spread around that particular
area of the floor. "My peas, my grains…what happened to them?"
Ace opened
his eyes and looked at the busted plants. "What the heck? I
haven't been near those plants." This is nuts! I'm just
starting to meditate, and already this curse is trying to get at me here!
Can't I find peace anywhere and leave this thing behind forever?
"Hmm,"
said Master Kao. "Apparently, obtaining peace within yourself will
be more difficult than I expected. This could take some time."
"Oh…I see."
That's just great, he thought sarcastically. I'll never
find peace as long as this curse is stuck in me.
As Ace
shook his head, Master Kao comforted him. "You are more tense than
you are really showing. Do you have any…demons inside yourself, something
you cannot face?"
"Oh, um,
no, sir, I…don't," answered he very quickly. "I just have a lot of…tension,
that's all."
Master
Kao then said, "I wonder if you have more to hide than you want to tell
me." After he saw Ace gulp in fear, he added, "I will not pry into
it now. I want to give you a chance to tell me on your own terms.
That will be all for lessons today. We will continue with more lessons
tomorrow. Now, we need to work in the garden."
"Yes, Master
Kao." Now I'm worried. He may find out the truth, even if
I don't want to tell him.
Ace stood
up, but he could not help feeling nervous because the meditation was a
double-edge sword: It would help him ease his tension, but it would
also force him to confront his inner self, the self that held the mysterious
power he had kept secret.
In the first
month of meditation, Ace had already mastered the basics of relaxing, yet
he was still frightened to dwell too far into his soul, fearing the secret
would come out.
Master
Kao noticed very easily. "Ace, you seem to be holding back.
You are not venturing as far as you really want to. Why?"
"I, um,
don't have anything."
"Yes, you
do. I think you are afraid of something…something you yourself have.
What are you afraid of?"
"Nothing,
sir…nothing."
The priest
noticed Ace trembling slightly. "I do not believe you, Ace.
I should not force you to tell me the truth, but I think you need to talk
to someone. The more you fight what you fear, the stronger that something
comes back against you."
"It's okay,
Master. I have it…under control, really."
"Do you
really? Just think about my words, Ace. I will not be forceful
on you about yourself. Please, when you finally feel ready, tell
me more about you."
Ace put
his face down in shame. "I'm sorry, Master. It's just so hard
right now."
"Perhaps
the meditative techniques will help you be at peace with yourself, but
you must be able to face your demons. You cannot run away forever.
No one can." He then stood up and walked out of the room, leaving
Ace alone.
After a
heavy sigh, Ace softly said, "Maybe…no. I'm going to keep fighting
this demon inside me. I will live a normal life."
That
night, though, his dreamscape was growing stranger yet again. Still
in the strange hallway of his own past, Ace started hearing the whispered
voice again.
So, you
will finally figure out about your true destiny, said Ace's inner voice.
"Stop,"
he said calmly. "I will take control of myself. I will not
let you take control of me."
I'm not
trying to take control of you. I just want you to understand your
real destiny, the one you keep running from.
"You…don't
want to control me?"
I don't
want to control you. The one who needs help in control is you.
You're so troubled by your past, and afraid to confront your destiny.
"I've
already caused so much pain, though. I've hurt so many people already."
You've
also been able to help people, too, save at least two lives. Doesn't
that mean anything?
"I…don't
know. I'm so…frightened."
I know
you're frightened, said the inner voice. That's the reason you left
Electro City. You're afraid you'll keep hurting people. You
can turn your darkness to your advantage.
"Darkness…an
advantage? How? I don't understand."
You understand
the darkness better than most people. You know the deception found
in some and the truth in others. Take Jack Malone and his daughter
Mona. He has taken deceiving others to a new level while she knows
the truth, even though she wishes not to speak to you for now.
"I hurt
her father, though."
True, but
you did so in trying to expose the truth about him, how deceptive and fiendish
he really is. Mona won't be able to understand for now, but give
her time. As for you, you're so scared to face destiny you want to
run forever. You can't. You will have to face your true path
soon.
"I don't
know if…I can," said Ace in near tears.
You will
know when the time is right…
Ace awakened
in reality to a jolt again. "I want to live normally, not like this,
with some kind of curse. What am I going to do? And how much
longer can I keep this secret from Master Kao? He's getting more
suspicious about me by the day, especially with all the strange happenings
lately."
Contemplating
leaving in the middle of the night, Ace decided not to go. He did
feel some kind of peace in the monastery, but he wondered if he would ever
find the peace…within himself.
