Chapter 8: The Inner Self
Training was long and hard, but after all…that's what makes it training. It took Magnus a very short amount of time to completely master the power of the Invisible Fist, able to send a series of lightning fast surges of telekinetic force rushing towards a target easily five hundred spans away with crushing power. Being a primary Psychokinetic, Magnus gained a much firmer grasp of the mechanics of it, and had far more experience in channeling destructive force through his mind.
Kual, having always used a lighter touch with him telepathy over the years, had to struggle greatly to work up the power to make his attacks forceful. The same way Magnus had to push hard to learn the less violent avenues of the mind.
In order to throw the psionic punches and kicks correctly, Kual also taught him some basic fighting moves, as the man literally was versed in a dozen different martial art forms and styles, being a living whirlwind of unarmed fury. Magnus found the concept of fist fighting to be somewhat alluring too, that little twitch once more emerging, urging his actions towards gaining power.
Very curious on what it could have possibly meant, Magnus in the midst of all his training, asked Kual about learning the arts of Clairsentience, the power over a person's perception, both in the mind and in the world. He had been getting back to sharpening his Telepathic skills, and for two and a half weeks, he had made astounding progress. And throughout the entire instruction, despite his otherwise unflinching exterior, he was beset by madness, wracking his brain day after day as to what this all could mean.
He had no idea, and couldn't even fathom at its meaning. And this irritated him greatly. Magnus was used to knowing the solutions to things, but when a problem that just didn't have an answer was put before him, it only served to drive him. Kual told him that in order to understand ones course, one must first become deeply acquainted with the person within.
"Person within?" Magnus asked with curiosity.
"Yes...A separate yet similar consciousness to your own. Many have speculated that this entity, which resides deep within your own consciousness, is a manifestation of your inner desires. Other believe that it is another being altogether, merely sharing your mind as a vessel. Not even the wisest can truly explain it."
"Why doesn't one simply ask these...entities who or what they are?"
"Hmm, that would make things simple yes, but if things were that effortless, we all would have many more answers about ourselves than we actually have. But what it is isn't the point. It is what it can tell you."
Magnus pondered this. "You mean to say that this inner person knows more about this feeling I'm having than I myself do?"
"It is very likely. They seem to know much about whom they speak with and the world around. They have been called spirit guides, as while they are usually cryptic about the information they offer, they more often than not point you in the right direction, giving clues and riddles that leads one to their destiny or some other greater purpose. True, they are difficult to understand, but one must have the intelligence to even have an audience with them."
"It certainly sounds worth a try. How do I go about meeting with this internal person?" Kual didn't have the face of optimism.
"With much difficulty I'm afraid…To speak with this entity; one must have a firm grasp of the inner workings of the mind. Even the most skilled psionicist has difficulties with opening a line of communication with them. Even myself. The first step is to learn the arts of Telepathy, to perceive all the variances of your mind, to know its functions and construction, right down to the slightest of details. Following this, you apply this same training towards your mind, turning it inwards. Telepathy is usually used to pry into others thoughts, and it is not often that you must probe your own introspection. The goal is for you to locate what is known as you cordillum-tensi. Also called your Divided World. It is in this place that you may meet your inner self."
"Divine World…Sounds mystical. What is it?" The two of them had been outside practicing during the whole conversation, but now seeing as how they were both becoming more and more distracted by this talk, they ceased their activities and began making their way back into the monastery.
Several of the other monks passed them, bowing low. In the few weeks that Magnus had been studying under Master Kual, the monks had gained immense respect for him. For they knew that their master, despite being their wise all-knowing teacher, saw him as an equal or perhaps even greater, meaning that his powers were considerable indeed. They now returned to Kual's room, and continued their discussion.
"To put it simply," Kual went on to say, finally answering the question, "It is a place in your mind, a haven that is crafted and molded by ones own consciousness. A sanctum that is created and exists in every single person, an inner chamber of your own mind, a place of refuge. To reach this place, this hidden sanctuary that is concealed to even you...It also requires great concentration and dedication. Sifting throughout your own mind, searching for where you had buried it, to keep your psyche safe."
"What's in this place? What's its purpose for existing?"
"It acts as a buffer between you and the outside world. A shield against unwanted contact. A psionicist can breach this sanctum, and raid their own inner most thoughts, but it is exceedingly difficult. It is not the same as reading ones mind, or controlling their will with your own. It requires crashing down gates and smashing through walls of mental barriers, to access this place. It is almost a gateway into a realm that goes beyond mortal understanding."
"But you didn't answer my question," Magnus pressed gently, "You haven't said what's in these places."
"That's because I don't know. It is difficult almost beyond describing to reach ones own Divided World…to reach another person's is next to impossible. And the task to remain in your own is demanding and taxing. This place is so deep within your psyche, that to stay mired in it for too long means lapsing into a state of living death, forever asleep but alive. For in order to reach this place, you must enter a state of living death, nearly choking your own life from you in order to see this hidden world. It is a trip and a ritual that most never have the nerve to attempt, for failure, which is very possible, means death. But before this may be attempted, it will require much study and patience on the finer points of Telepathy. As if you are not skilled with the lighter finesse of psionics to an almost perfect degree, it will be impossible for you to tap into this place, and you shall perish in the endeavor. But I needn't go further. I know already that you wish to try…"
"Indeed. You've certainly learned how I think very well over the weeks. I suppose I had best begin training to do this. What's first?" Kual held up a hand.
"Slowly, one element at a time. When you complete the finer aspects of Telepathy, and are able to manipulate anyone's mind, and know the inner workings of your's and anyone else's consciousness, then you must begin to train yourself to see beyond your five senses. So, let us get back to it…"
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After long training…
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It was long training, long and painful. Magnus had to reach a state of calm in order to manipulate the minds of others with his thoughts, to probe gently, or to viciously stab. It was not something mastered in a few days. Nor a few weeks for that matter. It took four months of solid practice for him to learn every aspect of Telepathy, and to control it with careful precision. It was grueling, day after day of pushing his psionics gifts to the limits, each session ending with a savage headache. But pain was meaningless to him; he was not one to shy away from a challenge just because it hurt.
In the end however, the rewards were well worth it. He could now contact a whole host of minds, peering inward into their most secret of secrets, hearing all their thoughts as one, in a mingle of blended voices. It became possible for him to bend individuals; both psionics and unpsionic to his will, making them do tasks for him, to idolize him or to see him as terrifying as death itself.
The limits of this power was only confined by the restrictions of his own creative ingenuity. It was now within his ability to seek the greatest fear of someone, then to make that fear a reality within their own mind, nearly driving them mad. Such power over people is great; to hold another man's mind in your very hand is a terrifying thought. There were so many ways that these psionics strengths could be used to bring about malevolent ends.
After all…power corrupts, especially power of this magnitude. But Magnus was a sight to behold. In terms of influence, he trumped nearly all. Yet he did not seek things out for his own end. He could have and take all that a man of the mortal world might desire; status, women, riches, magical items, anything and everything. But he wasn't the least bit interested in such petty things. His only purpose was to be a protector of the elemental balance, meaning he was a guardian of the world itself, inside and out. A rare thing. He had the power, but chose not to abuse it. A great many other men would not be the same.
With telepathy finished, Kual once more explained what the next level of training would entail, the finer points. Without any hesitation, Magnus informed him of his readiness. Thus, Kual brought Magnus to a hidden chamber, deep below the monastery. There was a stone door of considerable size blocking the entrance. Kual paused, turned and bowed low to Magnus.
"You have done well my disciple. Now comes the harder aspects of the training. You have learned to use your mind to influence and probe the minds of others. Now, in order to gain the sight of Clairsentience, and have the troubling questions that haunt you answered, you must turn this newly acquired power on yourself, to deeply probe your own thoughts and your own psyche, in order to discover the truth you seek. That is why we are here…" Using his own powers, Kual moved the giant stone aside, revealing the inside of the room. It looked like a perfectly square cave, with no furnishings of any sort, not even a rug.
"This is a room of my own craft. I hollowed it out over the years, and have infused the walls and this stone with psionic gifts. It acts as a shield. Nothing, not light nor air will enter this room once the stone is replaced. Psionic waves will also not pass through this barrier. You must enter, and be sealed within. To reach your Divided World, you must search within yourself, probe down to the very core of your being, and seek your answers." Magnus stared within the darkened room. After a moment of scrutiny, he started forward.
"I will warn you now;" Kual said as he past, "That there is great risk to your mental health should you pursue this avenue. It is very deep within your subconscious, and if you are too forceful in trying to contact it, you will merely damage your own mind, which might result in disastrous afflictions. Not to mention the more important physical threats…if you do not succeed, then you will not leave the chamber alive. Heed my words carefully…"
"And if I do succeed?" Magnus inquired, almost disregarding the possible danger to his life, "What then?"
"You will discover the whereabouts of your Divided World, and will be able to access it. If you are able, it is there that you will speak to the inner person, if they feel they need to speak. And in so doing, you will quite possibly gain an understanding of Clairsentience and how it works…"
"Very well." Magnus entered, and sat in the middle of the room, resting comfortably. Kual stared in. Though he hadn't said anything and wouldn't say anything more, he was still apprehensive. He had lost several apprentices in that room, claimed by their desire to enlighten themselves. Magnus was stronger than any other he had met, but strength meant very little in that room. Kual himself had gone close to madness within. Who's to say what it might do to someone else? Without a word, he sealed the room shut, and left.