Stanley's eyes finally fluttered close,and he was enveloped in a strange dream. Visions of lifes,battles and forgotten lores swirled through his mind. The images disjointed and unclear. A voice whispered in his ear,the words distinguishable but the tone a little urgent.
•••
The music and laughter receded into the background as Stanley was settled onto a nearby bench.
"Is he okay?" Jacqueline asked,her face clouded in concern.
Nicholas shook his head."I don't know. He just collapsed." His mind was racing with concern and uncertainty. Trevor examined Stanley's face,searching for any signs of distress.
•••
Stanley stood up at the call of someone. The man was standing before him—handsome,tall and radiating an aura of wisdom. The man's face,though aged,appeared remarkably youthful,with hardly any wrinkles. Stanley recognized the man. He has been seeing this enigmatic figure in his dreams since he was four and in his waking life,since he was nine. He has always considered the figure an imaginary friend— a thought born out of the loneliness he felt whenever Trevor and Nick were at RCA. Their connection felt primal,as if their bond exceeded space and time.
Stanley stood before the figure,sensing the weight of his gaze. The eyes,like warm ember,held a deep understanding,as if the whispers of ancient wisdom lingered within them. The air was thick with anticipation,yet the man's demeanor remained serene.
Stanley's curiosity grew so much all of a sudden so he asked pleasantly,"Who are you?" No disdain could be detected in the lad's voice.
"Is that it?" The man said. He continued after a moment."I mean,is that all you want to ask?"
"No,no...not at all. I have a lot of questions but I just feel like I should...you know...ask one question at a time." Stanley replied nervously. He has never been nervous around the man. And neither has he ever cared about who he was. In fact,he didn't believe he was real until now. Everything just feels too vivid not be real.
The man smiled warmly and said."I am Justice Lee." The answer was too straight forward and he knew it.
"Okay...Justice,are you real?" The question was way too stupid but Stanley asked anyway.
"As real as your existence. As real as your friends." Justice Lee said.
At that moment,Stanley finally noticed what Great Lee as wanted him to notice...his current state.
Stanley's eyes grew really wide as he asked."Why has everyone and... everything paused? Why aren't my friends moving?" Stanley asked. He's getting confused and nervous. Then he noticed his own body lying motionlessly and all his emotions paved way for fear to take over."Wait...what? Why is my...am I dead? Are you the...the...Grim Reaper?"
Great Lee bursted into a hysterical laughter that Stanley didn't understand. He then said "So,you've finally noticed. Well,I am not a Grim Reaper,boy. And you're also not dead. You're in an Eylon phase."
"Eylon? Well,I must tell you...I know nothing. I am not interested in books nor poetry so I know nothing." Stanley said quickly so that Great Lee could help him out of confusion.
"I thought as much...since you still haven't figured out who I am." Great Lee said to himself. Then explained to Stanley."Well boy,Eylon is the human spirit. I called upon your spirit so I can talk to you. This phase...you know...when a person's inner spirit is summoned,their life force disconnects temporarily from the physical realm." Stanley's eyes widened,so he continued so as to reduce his tension."This creates an effect...causing time to slow down or pause in the physical realm—although it won't have any adverse effect when the spirit is back to it's body and everything is back to normal. This Eylon phase,operates on a faster timeline,allowing summoned spirit to move freely while the physical world is suspended."
"So?" Stanley asked raising an eyebrow.
"How come he is this...?" Great Lee said to himself,a little disappointed in the fact that Stanley still hasn't understood anything from his explanation. He said simply."So...you're not dead and your friends are in a pretty slow timeline so that's why it seems like they aren't moving."
"Ohhh! I get it now." Stanley said,finally getting a glimpse of the situation.
"Stanley,I am Master Justice Lee." Great Lee introduced himself at once. He couldn't wait for Stanley to figure that out...because it might get take too long.
Stanley fell on his kneel. His mind traveled back to the man's name...Justice Lee. He believed the man immediately...no question asked. He kneeled properly and bowed,touching his forehead on the ground.
Great Lee thought,Finally...the respect I deserve.
Great Lee started walking away from Stanley. Stanley bounced off the the ground and followed the legend. Thoughts ran through his mind,questions lingering like the soul of a dying lamb. He looked up and took a deep breath.
"Great one...why do you summon me? Why have I been seeing you,Great Lee?" Stanley asked out of curiosity. Stanley's query hung the air like a delicate petal. According to him,he was the last person the Great Lee would want to see.
Great Lee's countenance rediated wisdom."Our resonance,Stanley. Our life forces harmonize like the subtle vibrations of the Luminari Strings,weaving cosmos into symphony. And I sensed you needed help."
"I needed help? No,I don't." Stanley felt the wave of shared heritage though. He remembered...the vision he saw early has Great Lee as it's protagonist. "Explain,Great Lee." Stanley urged,his voice, barely above a whisper. "What role do I play in this grand tapestry?" Stanley asked,his heart heavy with anticipation.
Great Lee's expression turned grave. "You,Stanley,are the keeper of heritage— your family heritage. You asked why I summoned you? Well,be ready for your destiny. Be ready to forge your own path! Now or later...you'll need my help!"
"Sir,I've always been fascinated by the Seven Red Stars...what's their true significance?" Stanley decided make the atmosphere less tense by asking something less serious. He actually didn't believe anything the man said but how could he say he didn't believe.
Great Lee expression turned contemplative but he smiled at how simple minded his descendant was,"The Seven Red Stars...Seven Red Stars...well boy,that's a story for another day. I am not to tell you anything about it yet. All I can tell you is that,it is a technique. A very unique one."
Stanley raised an eyebrow,he wasn't expecting suspense. Great Lee's words wasn't anything near what he wanted to hear. He said after a moment or two,"Nick said it's the spirit of those that fought alongside you when you wanted to save the Kingdom."
"Fabricated,Stanley,every single word. People often confuse myth with reality." Great Lee said. He moved forward and said,"Alright boy,it's time to go. Stay safe and protect whoever you can."
"Wait,what? You're going already? Come on...I have a lot to ask you." Stanley was disappointed at the quick end in discussion.
"Be good,young man. Protect who you can." Great Lee said and wondered at how naive and innocent Stanley was. He didn't even care confirming if he was real...he just asked questions that weren't totally important. He saddens him that that innocent boy would soon be dragged to face his irreversible destiny. The master stretched a finger towards Stanley's chest and at once Stanley felt everything go blank.
•••
As they waited for Stanley to regain consciousness,the night sky transformed above them. The Seven Red Stars shone brightly,their light pulsating in rhythm with the celebration. It was as if the stars themselves were watching over Stanley or something similar to that.
Stanley's eyes flutters open,his gaze unfocused,"What...what happened?" He stammered.
"You fainted." Jacqueline said softly,her hand still cradling his head.
Stanley's memories of the meet with Great Lee felt like a dream but he knew it wasn't. "I saw something...someone." Stanley said,his voice barely above a whisper. "A battle...then a voice. I saw him..."
Nicholas and Trevor exchanged worried glance. "What kind of battles?" Nick asked.
"I don't know. It was old...from long ago." Stanley said. The vision's fragment continue to elude him.
As they helped Stanley to his feet,they proceeded to the square,celebration around them swirled back to life. Music and laughter filled the air once more,but for Stanley,the night has taken a different tone.
The group decided to head back home after some time,the evening joy tempered by Stanley's mysterious collapse. As they parted ways,Nicholas's words lingered in Stanley's mind:"We'll figure out what's going on,Stan. Together."