Shadows of Fire
If you haven’t been following Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron’s spiritual version of Star Wars, join us this week for another gripping episode of “Warriors of Transcendence”…
Warriors of Transcendence, Part 20
Six white-clad beings appeared from behind the trees and neared Ulu. Their faces and eyes were sharp and their movements measured and consistent. The Shadows of Fire retreated and withdrew to observe from afar. Ulu knew that these were the Extrappers. A quick glance at their emblem revealed the mark of white flames.
“The Stellar Level…” his lips formed the words involuntarily, as if they were familiar to him. He began to dance, intending to impersonate a storm dancer from the Northern Forests. The six warriors halted their approach but they remained nearby, watching Ulu’s rhythmic movements with frozen faces. A white vapor arose from his dance and surrounded him. A similar vapor surrounded the Transparent Master as well. At once, Ulu noticed, through the corner of his eye, that the Transparent Master was performing a storm dance, as well.
The Extrappers moved forward. They released thin, golden threads from their hands, and threw them, like a net, upon Ulu. His dance came to a halt. The white vapor momentarily delayed the net’s action, but dissipated soon after, allowing it to affix itself upon Ulu as a cocoon. Its heat was greater than his own.
The Shadows of Fire were getting closer and closer. Behind them stood the Stellar Warriors, awaiting the exciting sound of the explosion of thousands of thin glass shards.
Suddenly, a fierce voice bellowed forth, “In the name of the Stellar Emperor!”
The voice was heard over the shrill cries of the Extrappers, “Run for your lives!” The warriors turned around seeking the source of the concealed bellowing voice.
From the distant shore, a great howl echoed, as if immense waves were rising, crashing and rolling onto the island. Petrified warriors ran helter skelter in fear until one amongst them regained his composure and shouted, while pointing towards the Transparent Master- “It’s his voice!”
Those who accepted this information quickly removed their small bows and began shooting threadlike arrows towards the Transparent Master; however he had just completed etching a circle around himself. A halo of light arose from the earth, sheltering and protecting him. The arrows struck the light, melting and disappearing.
The eerie howling of the waves intensified. The Transparent Master neared the Warrior of Transcendence, still trapped in the net of golden threads. The net generated sparks, as if the Transparent Master’s presence caused it to increase its efforts. He removed a thin blade from the folds of his cape, and used it to cut and loosen one thread. The thread spun around, gaining heat as it rose up, and bounced back to one of the Extrappers whose hands were still extended. The face of the Extrapper immediately became smooth, and was drained of color. His facial features began to vanish, as if a melting agent had been poured on him, distorting his form. His body transformed into a gray glass-like powder. The net of threads surrounded the powder, burning up and becoming colorless, until it became black ash. The net trapping Ulu paled and weakened, allowing the air to return to his lungs.
And then rain began to fall. At first, tiny drops of water, almost imperceptible and finally, a sweeping, murky shower of black rain. The Shadows vanished and the noise stopped. Ulu opened his eyes. It seemed to him that he had been dreaming, and in his dream he had been pinned down by a net of fire that increasingly tightened, making it difficult for him to see and breath. Now all that remained from the dream was the fog in his mind, and Ulu remained prone on the ground surrounded by white clouds. He gathered his strength and searched for his Memory Shield, but it refused to appear. The memories of the Transparent Master had been wiped out, and he did not know where he was. Just then the fog lifted, and Ulu observed the transformation of the rain into silver swords. The swords struck the shadows and the Warriors of the Stellar Level who were roundly defeated. His eyes scanned his surroundings until he noticed the Transparent Master smiling at him.
“Where did the voices and the noise come from?” Ulu asked eagerly.
“It’s simple. Voice- casting.”
“You did all that?” asked Ulu in astonishment.
“Yes”, answered the Transparent Master, “It is possible to create inner voices and cast them outwards in any direction you desire.”
There is yet more to learn, thought Ulu to himself, regarding the Transparent Master in a new light. Until then the Transparent Ones had looked somewhat fragile to him. He had witnessed them in combat, but not at such close range…
Contemplating Ulu’s astonishment, the Transparent Master became serious and he stated, “We must not forget that everything is dependent upon Unification.”
“Unification?” wondered Ulu, “You mean speaking with the Transcendor?”
The Transparent Master nodded. “All the voices of the spirit derive from it.”
“We learned about this in our first initiation training session,” said Ulu, “But how is it connected to casting voices?”
“It is connected to everything,” answered the Transparent Master.
Time did not permit a full explanation of the matter. The island was creeping with Shadows- the Shadows of Fire that had attempted to harm Ulu were but a few of the many forces present on the island. Their friends, the Shadows of Illusion, had already captured Tzalaii and led him swiftly to the Warriors of the Lead Level, as a gift to their masters, the Emperors.
Realizing that Tzalaii had disappeared in the battle, Ulu and the Transparent Master marched quickly and silently along the beach, attempting to find the dock and rescue Tzalaii.
As the sun rose in the sky, Ulu and the Transparent Master sited the soldiers of the Tower preparing to set sail in three large boats. They hurried towards the dock, exposed to the soldiers. The soldiers in the boats, already afloat, were humiliated; their swords were of no use to them, and they had no arrows.
“Where, in the name of the holy fire, did the Shadows go?” the soldier in command roared.
“Hurry! Row!” he shouted at his soldiers.
They seized the oars and the heavy boats began to move away from the shore, carrying their precious loot: Tzalaii, Sihara and the stone from the wall. Ulu glanced at the Transparent Master, expecting the powers he witnessed during their encounter with the Extrappers to re-activate. But The Transparent Master entered within himself and closed his eyes silently as the boats continued to move farther away.
Nothing happened. The earth did not roar, the thundering hooves of animals were not heard, giant waves did not rise up and rain did not fall. An irritating silence hovered, as Ulu and the Transparent Master stood helplessly on the beach watching their friends depart in captivity.
“Why didn’t you cast voices at them?” Ulu asked urgently.
“I tried to,” the Transparent Master explained, “But this time the Transcendor did not grant me the power to do so.”
“Why?” inquired Ulu.
The eyes of the Transparent Master studied the Man of Borders deeply, wondering about his question. He gently stroked Ulu’s hand and said: “He always listens. He knows everything, but He does not always respond the way we expect Him to. His Will is not in our hands. We are in His hands.”
He was silent for a moment, and then added: “If this were not so, our spirits would incorrectly conclude that we are the creators, and that the power resides in our hands.”
As they spoke, they noticed that the boats had slowed down, and it seemed as though something was happening. One of the boats caught fire, its sails seized by flames. The warriors tried to battle the fire and extinguish it, but their attempts were in vain. Taking advantage of the confusion, Tzalaii dove into the sea. The waters were turbulent and swimming through them was no easy task, but Tzalaii’s aquatic abilities came to his rescue. He mustered all of his strength and swam towards the boat where Sihara was shackled. The soldiers, occupied with the sails, did not notice Tzalaii’s stealthy arrival, as he climbed into the boat… He pulled a knife out from his clothing and released his sister from her chains. But the soldiers on the distant boat noticed and sailed rapidly towards them. Ulu and the Transparent Master stood on the beach nervously watching the tense scene.
Sihara’s captors aimed their swords at him. Just at that moment, the second boat reached them and its warriors seized Sihara. What happened next was completely unexpected. The Transparent Master opened his eyes and let out a great howl, reaching the ears of the Lead Level Warriors, despite the crashing waves. From a distance, from deep within the sea, the sounds of stampeding beasts and their riders were heard, accompanied by the steady beat of drums. Rain, again, began to fall. At first, tiny droplets of water, almost imperceptible, and finally, a sweeping, murky shower of black rain. In the boats, the warriors were fear-stricken. The strong wind and mighty waves created by the Transparent Master continued thrusting the tossing boats towards the shallow water. An inner voice momentarily guided Tzalaii’s actions, and he was unable to focus properly on his goals. He handed his sister the concentrating mirror, mustered his voice from amongst the immense noise and instructed her to jump into the water. Sihara placed the object given to her into her clothing, used all her strength to ignore her fear and jumped into the roaring waves.
The noise ceased when the Transparent Master noticed Sihara struggling with the waves, and he directed all of his strength towards rescuing her.
“The Light of the Transcendor shall protect you!” he called to her, and she felt the water fall away from her as she was carried gently to the beach.
The warriors, frightened by the voices, yearned to escape. Tzalaii, ready to dive into the sea, was captured and chained to the mast as the boat began to sail out into the stormy waters, heading towards the Southern Boulders and beyond, to the Towered City.
Ulu, the Transparent Master and Sihara remained on the beach for some time, regaining their strength while staring helplessly at the sea. The storm raged, casting heavy rain upon them. Sihara crouched in the sand, in despair, throwing wet sand into the sea. Covering her face with her hands, she wept. Ulu, hands clasped behind his back, paced to and fro on the beach. The Transparent One sat on the beach, his hands atop his bent head cradled by his knees, like one who has witnessed an unavoidable tragedy. When he regained his composure, he turned to Sihara and said: “At least we were able to rescue you. Now you mustn’t remain on this island. Many secrets have been revealed to you, and you are still at risk. Tzalaii is not lost”.
When he saw her tears of despair, he added: “But only you can save him. That is why you must make your way to the Chamber of Changing Colors.”
Suddenly Sihara remembered the object Tzalaii had given her. She took it out quickly and gazed contemplatively at the blue colored Magnathought Crystal in her hands. What was she to do with it? The Transparent One concentrated on it and his eyes grew increasingly wider.
“Look, my child”, he called softly.
Sihara looked at the shiny object closely. Ulu, too, examined it, yearning to understand the old man’s excitement.
“The tree!” they both exclaimed in surprise.
Inside the blue Crystal, fine lines were revealed, creating a picture of a great tree with many roots. Sihara looked up at the Transparent Master with wondering eyes.
“All living things, apart from Khivia and his servants, exist in this tree”, explained the Transparent Master, “The root of the tree is the Transcendor. It is from Him that everyone receives life.”
The roots of the etched tree gleamed in a purple light, and Sihara’s eyes widened.
“The servants of the Transcendor are the branches- they receive life from Him and pass their strength on to their charges, the Storm Dancers and the villagers”.
The thin branches were now a gleaming, illuminated purple.
“Even the Descendants of the Emperors, unless utterly devoted to serving evil, receive life from the tree, the way weeds take pleasure in the shade of a tree, even if they are not a part of it.”
For a moment, the entire Magnathought Crystal turned purple, afterwards resuming its original blue color.
Many questions arose in Sihara’s heart, but time was of the essence. She hid the Magnathought Crystal among her things, full of respect for it.
“The tree shall clarify all mazes,” the Transparent Master said, concluding his bewildering words. Ulu got up.
“The Transcendor never forgets. Is that not true?” he said quietly.
It was unclear whether he was muttering to himself or talking to the Transparent Master.
“He has His own ways of touching your heart and granting you strength…the tree, who would have imagined that I would suddenly encounter it?”
He shook his head in awe, and turned to the others: “May the Light of the Transcendor protect you. I, too, shall continue on my journey now.”
To be continued.
***
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