The next morning I open my eyes to see light seep into the room. It's morning. I wipe my eyes and lazily get up. I walk to the bathroom and wash my face. I feel sluggish and sore. Why am I sorr. Ughh!!!
Walking into the hall I smell….BREAKFAST! Yes! I creep into the kitchen and see my brother sitting at the table in front of coffee and toast. Another place across from him is covered with steaming pancakes, eggs, hash, and…BACON! As I'm about to devour the plate while my brother slaps my hand.
"Prayer first"
I nod and bow my head. My brother begins the prayer. Our uncle always taught us to be thankful to God for all things. The good, the bad, everything in between. And my brother carried on that teaching.
After the prayer as I'm about to dig in..
"Remember to chew" my brother warns as he looks through his phone. I nod.
"Thanks bro!" I eat mindfully. The morning are always this way. We eat together. He leaves for work and I leave for school. I come home from school and he's there the next morning. I prepare my own dinners and I try making him some too. But he's normally too exhausted and falls asleep after securing the house. I'm already asleep by then though. I use to wait up for him. I never knew if he'd ever come home. Davyjones is pretty dangerous. And with him starting as a detective is scary. All sorts of crazy things happen at night here. And recently it's starting to get scarier. There's been missing persons, strange murders, kidnappings, rumors of…monsters, and last night at the school…
I stop eating.
My brother looks up at me. "Wanna take a personal day from school?" I begin to hesitate but I finally answer.
I simply nod.
After Sean leaves I have the house to myself. He told me I should do some light training to get my mind in order. Honestly it sounds like a great idea. My brother taught me a kata to help ease my mind. I decide to do just that. I first wash up, brush my teeth and then redress. I stand in the yard and breath. I take controlled deep breaths and begin the kata. Soft and yet strong moments. As I begin the kata I can't help but feel tense. The kata ends up ruined. I'm tired and sweating. The kata isn't supposed to tire you out but I can't help but think of last night. I lean over and grasp my bent knees.
"Your too turbulent. Follow me." I hear a voice speak from beyond our yard. I look up and see a man with silver hair walk away. I just stare.
He stops and turn slight in my direction.
"Want to know how to steady yourself right? Cmon! I'll show you how to be strong" he continues walking. Something tells me he's not trying to trick me. I dont feel any ill intent so I follow. I grab my keys and lock the door.
I follow the man back to what seemed like an unknown dojo. Stupid? Maybe. I've always wanted to learn new things and this guy just came out of nowhere seeing me struggle and offered to teach me like an old Chinese martial arts flick. Only difference is…he's definitely not Chinese. He looks Greek. I think. I dont really know. But he seems strong. So why not.
I see him lie on a mat at the center of the dojo. Hand keep his head propped up. I am Archon. From this day forth I have decided to become your teacher. You will address me as master Archon. Is that understood?"
"Nah" I laugh. "That's not happening"
He stares at me almost amused. "Why follow me? If you don't intend to listen?"
"If you want to train me give me a reason why I should listen. I only listen to my brother because he can beat my ass. Can you beat my ass Archon?"
"I don't need to. The real question is when will you stop holding yourself back."
His words hit me hard. Like a buck shot to the chest. My brother would always say the same thing. I would always ask myself this as well. Why can't I ever be true?
"Let's begin with a new Kata. It will help you maintbalance within yourself. Right now the kata you use is meant for adaptation. But you cannot adapt if you do not have balance." He stands and demonstrates the kata. I watch and absorb the dance until it is finished.
"It seems you've seen the kata. Now use the kata." He lies back down.
He has me use the kata but to his disappointment I fail to use it as he wishes.
"Before one can find balance that individual must know and understand the seven ideals of balance.
Struggle
Our emotions can be negative and positive. But without balance we are bound to fall to darkness. The struggles you face in your life are simply the beginning of what's to come. But do not fret for the beginning must have an ending.
Turbulence
With negative and positive emotions one can suffer confusion. A battle of will causing turbulence within oneself. But fret not. This only means you are human and alive. And humans must figure out what they are searching for within themselves before they reach a solution.
Acceptance
Once youhave accepted what you cannot change you will find what you are able to change and control. All things occur and the more natural an occurrence, the assurance that these things are true to your path to power.
Silence
You must silence your heart and your voice in order to hear what you are seeking. Your soul play a tune and to listen there must be silence after turbulence.
Discipline
You must learn to turn away from temptation and deny yourself pleasures that only lead to destruction. You are created perfect with the utmost care and therefore perfection lies in knowing what you should and should not indulge in. That way once the dust of addiction settles within, you will be able to calmly mold yourself into a perfect blade and shield
Inner Peace
To find inner peace you must see that you have been lying in destruction all along and move away from it. To allow yourself to create a world of tranquility within your heart and bring about a world of happiness through the sanctuary of your soul.
Passion
Now that you have created yourself an inner sanctuary allow your emotions to flourish into a blossoming creation of your own. Be free to express yourself and continue always to new horizons. Let nothing stop your journey for many trials will come at you from a crossroads of worlds.
Balance
To hold yourself in yourself and be at peace with your inner and outer world. You have found your purpose and have escaped the captivity of depravity. You can now choose your path without looking back and remember if this is your destiny then every step forward is a step closer to peace. Wherever it may be no matter how far, you will find your sanctuary. It is only then you shall find balance.
I meditate on his words. It sounds strange but I kind of get where he's going with it. When I open my eyes It's night. He lay in the same spot.
"Done? Well…" he stands "it's about time you should be going home. Go on. And be safe." I look up and it's almost as if I'm in a daze. Crimson light from the setting sun seeps into the dojo bringing in the feel of melancholy into the room. I stand up and almost stumble but I manage to catch myself.
"Be careful young man. You have been meditating for hours. Honestly I'm surprised you took to the method so well." He smiles almost menacingly. "I look forward to seeing you again."
When I find my stability I now and exit the dojo.
To be honest I'm Surprised he didn't ask for any money. From what my brother tells me martial arts classes normally cost. Then again I don't think I learned martial arts as much as I learned that there is something's I don't know? The kata is new. And while I do t know it well enough yet I can still practice it. Hopefully I'll be able to do what I can so I can utilize it properly for "balance" my brother taught me balance is important. But that it is different for everyone.
Balance…what does it really mean? I mean I kind of get the idea. But how is it judged? Balance….is it assurance m? Is it power? Is it some realization? Enlightenment….i don't know. I make it home before dark. Turns out the dojo isn't too far away. I lock up and lie in my bed face down.
Archon…Archon is his name huh…. That's a weird name…he said…that I took to the kata well. But it felt like I was living in hell. Almost as if I had been trying to keep myself from doing something I always wanted to do. Imagine trying not to go to heaven. It makes no sense and yet that was the feeling. And my body barely worked. Like powerful resistance. I didn't even make it through the whole kata. The meditation technique he taught me was bizarre. I barely remember what went through my head. Or was it my body. I'm still confused as to how time flew by. But something tells me it was something I may need. Is this balance? The real question is how did that help me?
I never told my brother but…I still hear the voices. The ones that called out from the darkness. Like echoes. Almost as if I was back in that corridor. Nameless voices. They were echoed from a time unknown. And I have a feeling I'll hear them again…In the void beyond.