Chapter 8
Zuhair was surprised by what Arsun said. Sitting on the pedestal, he could only watch without revealing his plans. He knew that the Falla were of an inferior race, and that their race, the Elachim, were also called the earth gods. Based on Misaka's memory, he had known Falla since childhood. They had grown up together, and she had always been his rock. The Guardian foresaw this, but now his aura has disappeared, and he does not want to show himself, fearing Arsun. The amulet on his chest began to vibrate slightly. Immediately, two men in blue robes materialized in the hall. Zuhair felt a powerful energy coming from them. Both had no hair on their heads, but their scalp was covered with tattoos consisting of ancient runes unfamiliar to Zuhair. Right now, these runes were pulsing with light. They were priests, and they occupied a high level in the Betaros clan. Approaching the seated Arsun and Zuhair, they also sat down next to them, creating an equal quadrangle. Arsun, along with the priests, began to make passes with his hands and create signs. The space around them slowly began to distort and disappear. A moment later, they found themselves in an endless world where emptiness reigned. There was something like the sky above, and it gave off a soft light. All around, wherever the gaze was directed, there was emptiness to the horizon. Only the four of them were sitting on the pedestal, and Falla was standing in a stupor at the bottom. The silence was broken by Arsun's voice:
------ This is a created space, where we needed to get to. These are the main priests of my clan and this is their skill. ---- Pointing at the two men in blue robes , he continued:
------ This space is protected from external interference. And most importantly, Lana's gaze will not penetrate here. And here we will hold our ceremony.
------- Venerable Arsun, you mentioned Falla, so I don't understand how she can help us. ---- Zuhair asked.
Arsun got up from his seat and began to walk around the pedestal and said:
------- Well, I've come to the main explanation. What level are you at, son? Yes, that's right, on the second frame. For the ritual of transferring a piece of soul and memory, your soul and mind may not be able to withstand the pressure. And for everything to go well, you have to get up to at least the third frame. And that's why we need your friend.
Zuhair also got up from his seat and began to explore the space curiously, looking around and stopping, looked at Falla, and then said:
------ I still don't understand.
-----"Misak, my friend. I'm going to give you some of my powers to raise your level, but I can't just give you my powers, as you know. It's not an item that you can take and give to anyone. Falla, as you know, is from the family of the Elohim and they are the best guides. If you don't know, she was the one who kept you strong throughout the entire cycle of your illness, and thanks in large part to her, you are here now. I won't say that the doctors and doctors haven't done anything for you. No, of course, the healers did everything they could, but it was Falla who distributed their strength and energy in you as needed, and it was she who stretched your weak strength until the day of your miraculous recovery.
Having said that, Arsun looked at Falla. She bowed down and placed her palms on her chest in a low voice, but firmly said:
------ For the sake of the young master, I am ready to give my life. And at this moment, the master can rely on me, I'm ready.
Zuhair was touched and looked at Falla with completely different eyes. Of course, he knew about the girl's devotion and loyalty and had felt her care for so many years, but now she appeared in a different light for him. They were almost the same age, but Falla was always below him in status and his needs were always a priority. In case of setbacks and illnesses or in need, she was always there. Instead of a mother and father, Falla was always there. Zuhair decided that when the time came, he would repay her for all the kindness and love she had given him throughout her life. But until now, he hadn't noticed her beauty and hadn't seen her as a woman. Falla was worthy of the best, and he suddenly felt uneasy, because only now he realized how dear she was to him. It was a new feeling that had been born in him now, and it was thanks to the head of the Betaros clan who had started this whole adventure. Arsun's voice pulled him out of his mental streams:
----- I think it's time for us to start. Misak, take a seat here, across from me. And you, Falla, should stand behind Misaka, Concentrate and direct all the energy flow you receive into Misaka.
And then, turning to the priests, Arsun gave a sign. And suddenly it all started. Everything was buzzing with ether. The swirls of golden energy emanating from the priests with a crackle of sparks headed towards Arsun, and he absorbed and processed the stream, which turned from golden to bronze and became more condensed, heading towards Falla. And she, having received a powerful pillar of energy, suddenly raised her arms, pointing them at Zuhair. A wave of recycled energy gushed out of the girl's palms, heading towards Zuhair's head and body. A bright column of light gushed out of Falla's eyes, mouth, and ears, illuminating and blinding the surroundings. The air was saturated with ether cycles, which created wind and swirling particles of residual energy in the form of sparkling dust. Zuhair, having received the blow and felt the penetration of such a large amount of energy into his body, instantly suffocated. Before he could absorb the current, he felt intense pain. Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, he tried to crumple this energy and tamper it as much as possible. His sea of mind was storming and chaotically trying to convert this influx. And then he felt a gradual relief and the intervention of another aura. It was the Guardian who intervened. His energy power began to help in absorbing the offensive power. Zuhair felt that his meridians were being rebuilt, and the renewal of this system gave strength to the whole body. His bones began to crackle, becoming covered with a new incomprehensible coating, strengthening and becoming more protected. His sea of mind calmed down and began to expand, changing its color from cloudy to a richer gold. Zuhair felt incredible strength in himself and new senses of smell, touch, hearing and something new began to open up in him. He opened his eyes for a moment and looked around him. Now, looking into space, he saw not only the circulation of ether, but also another flow of energy. Clumps of cosmic power that could be pulled into the palm of one's hand and squeezed to absorb it. Everything is different now. His speed increased significantly, he could slow down the flow of time for himself. He saw an emaciated Falla floating in the air. She was in a transparent cocoon that was wrapped in a force field. I saw imperturbable priests, whose fatigue was manifested in the tension of their palms.
----"You're surprising me again, kid. You've managed to get up to the fourth frame. Congratulations. I was not mistaken about you.
It was Arsun's mental voice, looking at Zuhair and smiling. His lily tattoo on his forehead was burning brightly. His fatigue was also visible.
-----Only thanks to your efforts, venerable Arsun. ---- Zuhair said respectfully, placing his palms on his chest.
------ Come on, boy. And you obviously didn't notice that you were talking with your mouth closed. ---- Arsun said with a laugh.
Zuhair was amazed when he realized Arsun was right. Now he could communicate mentally. Conveying your thoughts not only out loud, but also mentally. This skill was also an advantage of the fourth cadam.
------ Is everything okay with Falla? --- Zuhair asked, looking at the cocooned girl floating in the air.
------ Don't worry, your friend did a great job. She lost consciousness, but I put her in an energy chamber, she will wake up soon. The camera will restore her strength. We'd better get ready for the final stage. Now, given your increased level, there shouldn't be any difficulties. But you should know that memory transfer is like looking into someone else's soul, into someone else's soul with other people's emotions, bitterness, joys and hidden desires. Are you asking yourself why the level affects this process and why I insisted on raising your cadre? If you had stayed at the same level when minds merged, you would have just gone crazy at best. There were mostly deaths. So listen carefully to what I have to say. Once in contact, your mind and your soul can find themselves outside your body and visit other worlds, and even parallel universes. The energy we use is not subject to any boundaries between worlds. Energy is energy. And this force can pull you anywhere. Your increased level will help you control this energy. You have to stick to common sense and try not to lose control. Come in and see what's meant for you. You can ask me why, being in a closed and protected space, I just won't tell you about what happened to your father, rather than risk our lives by arranging such a complex and dangerous ceremony?
------ There was such a thought, venerable Arsun. ----- Zuhair said frankly.
Arsun continued:
-----"The thing is, I still can't understand what your father did. I've been thinking about it for years, thinking about it, and looking for excuses for what Cedar did. I want you to see it. He felt my incomprehension and despair with his own eyes. Maybe you'll have some answers.
Getting up from his seat and making it clear that he had nothing more to add, Arsun created a sign and directed it towards the cocoon, where Falla was already recovering. She slowly lowered herself to the side, away from the pedestal, and sat cross-legged. Taking a meditation pose, Falla only smiled faintly at Zuhair and closed her eyes, beginning to absorb the ether. Arsun nodded to the priests, went to the pedestal and, sitting down in his place, briefly said to everyone:
------ It's time to start!
Immediately, his body was engulfed in green flames. He wasn't burning, but there was a fierce fire around him. It was the epitome of supreme craftsmanship. Incessant coils and threads of bright white color began to separate from Arsun, it seemed as if burning wires were connected to Zuhair. The threads penetrated the guy's head. The priests, having settled into their seats, began to slowly release their auras and join in the action. When the process reached its climax, when Arsun and Zuhair were in the cycle of energy chaos, which was supported by the priests, strong fluctuations in space were felt. The two slowly circling bodies gradually lifted off the surface. Zuhair was sinking into prostration. His mind was breaking away from his body, plunging into other worlds. He became a little boy, flying in the starry space and drowning in wild delight, diving into the depths of the sea, scaring away a flock of fish. Unprecedented worlds swam before his eyes, and he looked hopefully for something else new. Zuhair felt strong arms that carried him with cries of joy to his father, who was a young and healthy young man. He felt his mother's gentle touch, and saw her smile and eyes full of love. He didn't understand where he was, but he didn't care, because he was filled with bliss and joy from life itself. And suddenly he opened his eyes and saw himself lying or floating above the ground. There was a dense and green forest around him. He was raging through the foliage, and the gentle wind carried the scents of forest flowers to him. He felt pain all over his body and a strange heaviness. He looked around. Trying to get up from his seat, he couldn't move. A beautiful girlish face with golden curls bent over him. Her face was bright and sensual. The girl was incredibly beautiful, hiding something unearthly in herself. She was dressed in sea-green robes. Her huge blue eyes looked at him with tenderness and surprise. She stroked his face. And suddenly she said to him softly, almost in a whisper:
------ Zuhair, you can hear me. I'm Shisu, come back to me..