Menders of Mind - The Tranquil: Part 2

Menders of Mind
The Tranquil: Part 2

“Eli?”

“Yes?”

“What was the thing you said earlier about nobody being here?”

“Before there was nobody, now there is somebody.”

“Oh, good, I thought I was seeing things.”

“You are very welcome.”

   The casual conversation between Vericia and Eli made Vaz turn one ear towards them while thinking what kind of nut jobs he ended up with in here. Still, his main focus together with the rest of them was on the Haedian standing in the tunnel. It was simply observing them as the Puller trio with Vaz possibly had ended up in some other clan’s territory. Not wanting to risk provoking the strange creature, they all had nothing better to do but wait for it to make the first move.

   The Haedian seemed to be calm, or at least nothing about its body language suggested it had hostile intentions. The Hae’s eyes had stopped on Amos, as the seraph Puller extended a mental link towards the creature. Sensing no ill intentions, the Hae accepted it, connecting her active thoughts with Amos. This method was extremely efficient to exchange vast amounts of information within seconds, while also being able to sense if the other was hiding something or trying to deceive.

“She is Pyrri, leader of the Tranquil clan. Her people mean no harm.”

   Amos softly informed the others, which made the siblings and Vaz mildly perplexed before they realized Amos was using a psychic connection to talk to Pyrri.

“Oooookay… ahem, nice to meet you, Pyrri. We are guests from the topside world. I am Vericia, this buttface is my brother Eli and this fella is Vazghar.”

“She already knows everything. She’d like us to follow her to the clan.”

   Pyrri gave Vericia a polite small smile before she turned around to lead the way. Eli and Vericia exchanged glances, both shrugging to indicate they probably had no other choice anyway. As they went after Amos, a soft distancing paw patter got Vericia’s attention, so she looked behind to see Vazghar had decided to make a run for it instead of joining them. Oh well, hopefully he doesn’t get beaten up by the barbarians back there again.

   Pyrri was in no rush as she led the trio towards the heart of her clan. Amos was still actively exchanging thoughts with her while Vericia and Eli marveled at the beautiful glowing crystals lighting up their way. The oppressive atmosphere from previous Haedians was replaced with something… nice. They could feel safe here, not just take Pyrri’s words through Amos’ mouth for it. They could take a peek through various passages into the spacious caverns around them, which showed off with even more underworld trees, various colossal crystal formations infused with magic and most importantly, a nice fresh breeze of air that didn’t stink of a damp cave. Perhaps the first impression of the Beneath didn’t do it justice at all.

   Pyrri exited the main tunnel and headed on straight towards the main area under the large circle of trees up ahead. Numerous more Haedians appeared, who greeted their leader and the visitors with silent bows and welcoming smiles. Vericia found it a tad eerie how everyone here was mute, while Eli didn’t mind the pleasant silence around him. They headed towards one of the funky mana-imbued crystalline formation, where Pyrri gestured the guests to sit down near it, which they did. There was also a circle with clear flowing water carved around the area to aid the energies flow more freely. Vericia and Eli looked at Amos with anticipation of getting some explanations. Having given a nod to Pyrri, Amos turned to his companions.

“Pyrri would be honored if we joined the Tranquil in meditation. She said that this would allow her to take a peek into your minds to get a glimpse of who you are.”

“Hmm, as long as she respects my privacy and the boundaries, I do not mind having a little chat with her.”

   Eli seemed intrigued by the offer, while an uncertain grimace rolled over Vericia’s face but despite that, she nodded along to her brother’s requirements.

“Understood. She promises to be careful.”

   Amos adjusted his body and wings in a comfortable sitting position and closed his eyes. The Tranquil who had joined the session, sitting around the crystal in circles, did the same. The siblings gave each other an encouraging nod before they followed everyone else’s example. So, simple meditation, can’t be that hard, right?

   Minutes passed but Vericia wasn’t sure what she was doing or what she should do. She opened one eye to see how everyone around her sat motionless, only breathing quietly. Eli reacted to her impatient scoff, tilting his head as if saying ‘seriously?’ before he gestured at the crystal before them. He patted his chest a couple times, after which he resumed the previous meditative position. Vericia stared at him with an exaggerated unamused look, before she sighed and closed her eyes to try again.

   She focused on the crystal, trying to sense it the way Amos did when he led them here. There was… something. Something reaching out to her from the crystal. With hesitation, she mentally reached towards it and when it touched her mind, Vericia’s consciousness was swiftly pulled into the crystal. Her essence had transformed into magical energy, and she could sense everyone else in there around her, including Eli and Amos. She realized it was Pyrri who had reached out to her and aided her in achieving the meditative state. She could also sense right away that the same happened to Eli, while Amos found his way in on his own. The pink Puller sure knew how to show off with his enhanced mental abilities…

   Pyrri’s motherly essence focused on Eli and Vericia, communicating with them through this bizarre arcane energy. She gently and curiously reached towards them, projecting questions or her interests in the siblings’ minds while the rest of the Tranquil essences floated around them, connected to the guests through Pyrri. Vericia’s insecurities were wiped as she felt the peace surrounding her. Together with Eli, they showed glimpses of their lives to Pyrri, responded to the shifts in her energy as she carried the topics while Amos was also experiencing what Pyrri experienced, together with the rest of the minds meditating through the crystal. Having satisfied her curiosity and finding no threats from the newcomers, Pyrri gently guided Eli’s mind back to his body, doing the same with Vericia right after.

   Both gasped as they opened their eyes. Being back in physical bodies felt strange and lonely, but more secure than floating around in the magical sea with the others. Amos had already stood up and shook himself, some strands of fur and a couple feathers leaving his coat as he lodged his essence back into his physical body for good. The rest of the Tranquil awakened from the trance, Pyrri being the last as she took care of everyone returning to their rightful bodies. All of the Tranquil looked at Vericia, Eli and Amos, a warm welcoming glimmer in their eyes.

“Wooaaahhh…”

   Vericia broke the silence as her head was spinning, prompting her to lie down for a moment. Same ailment seemed to gnaw at Eli, so he also plopped down on the ground to recover from the experience.

“Pyrri says this is normal, you should be perfectly fine soon enough.”

   Amos forwarded the clan leader’s message to the dizzy siblings as he felt perfectly fine by now. He adjusted his folded wings, then looked at Pyrri to extend his heartfelt thanks for allowing them to participate in this intimate ritual. Pyrri thanked him in return, seemingly glad that the topsiders had peaceful and curious intentions towards her kind, despite their first contact with the Beneath leaving small cold marks in their minds.