Spiritual Palace

yawned after waking from a nap he had taken after the great battle today. He found himself at the front gate of the Atl tribe his home. After having defeated the Valmasians today he wondered if they would be expanding their territory soon.

Ajax noticed a figure come into view as he stood at the front gates guarding. It was Atla.

"Hey there Atla! Sorry we didn't get to do what we were going to do, duty called and war came. However I am sure we can get back to focusing on what we originally were talking about.

Mm also how do preparations go for our journey. I believe we are almost prepared. We have been training non stop and hopefully we shall be prepared for any dangers. Plus we will have Afro by our side."
(Ajax)

He just could not stay home any longer, he had already gotten all he could from the meditations alone, Atle then decided to look for Ajax again to try to continue the subject by helping each other.

After leaving the beach he went towards Atl and then found Ajax in front of the main gate.

"Oh, hi Jax!"

With his arms crossed he had a better posture, it seems that his magic circuit was almost normalized, he could already feel better despite not being at his maximum potential yet.

"Yes, do not worry, war is certainly a priority, and thanks to the frontline warriors how you got the win!

About the expedition everything is almost ready, I feel better, my injury is almost healed, I believe we will leave early next year, there I will be fully recovered and the preparations will be ready, you can already talk to those who will come , ask them to make the final preparations. "

This expedition will surely be a very important point in their trajectory, great things await you on this day.

"Well, I came here more specifically to talk about the subject we were in, from what I knew Paladin is in Valmasia and will not come back or something, so we'll need to find another healer, and this may take a while, you help me first, about that soul palace thing. "
(Atla-Cuauhtli)

Ajax sighed at the hearing that Paladin would not be returning from Valmasia. He didn't know what that meant but it just meant they would have to find another healer and that would take more time. He hoped they could do so by early next year, but if not it would have to wait. He decided to focus on the discussion of the Soul Palace for now, but he knew Afro would be able to do a better job of it since he spent more time there. So he called upon Afro.

"Afro I need your help."

With that Afro was summoned. Their connection had grown stronger after participating in all the battles recently. So Afro already knew what he wanted to talk about. Afro waved at Atla and begun to telepathically speak in his mind, and Ajax's.

"Hello my name is Afro! But Ajax should have probably already told you that. Anyways lets speak of a few things first! I guess you could think of me as Ajax's spirit guide and I guess I could try being yours or help direct you to finding yours. The reason why I was attached to Ajax happens to do with the energy contained inside of him. I can feel the similar energy in you, but you have a greater amount. I can tell its that thing on your shoulder. It's truly interesting, but there is still a way to gain more. I don't know how you two are able to access this amount of spiritual energy but it is amazing. I've been trying to study Ajax's soul palace to learn more, but there is a Door to the center of it that we are not able to unlock. If we were to do so the sudden rush of energy might destroy Ajax's body. Hence why I think that rune on your arm might be the key to unlocking the door. If he has something that is strong enough to contain the mana and energy that comes from it he may be okay. Now the palace is a place where all your dormant energy lies. I am not quite sure what lies beyond the door, and your's might be different. But finding a way to unlocking the energy and having something to contain it will give you access to newfound power. That is the conclusion I have come to. Powers beyond our understanding I believe."

With that Ajax leaned against the front gate walls of the Atl.

"So if we manage to get you to your soul or spirit palace whatever it is we are calling it, you might be able to figure out the answers we can't since my door is locked. Yours might not be."


(Ajax)

Atla sat quietly listening to all the explanation, her eyes glittering as she listened to all that of Afro, just because he was speaking directly to a spirit was already something incredible, his brain bubbled with information and new theories, there was so much going through his mind.

After he had finished listening, it was possible to even see a drool dripping from Atla's mouth, he just could not believe it.

"This is amazing!!" Atla's excitement had reached its peak.

"I see, so I'd like to try this now, please come to my house, I have a meditation focused place there, it's probably the best place to do that."
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Ajax exclaims, "Ah then Afro and I shall follow!"
Afro stepped away from the wall and dusted his hands prepared to follow Atla to his home with Afro.
(Ajax)
Atla then showed the way and they left Atl, heading towards the beach that is near Ezmara, upon arriving at Atla's house they went straight to Atla's meditation hall.

Arriving there he began to prepare his usual runic circle, focusing mana on his finger. He was able to draw a circle with several runic symbols on the ground, that circle was of extreme help when there was a huge load of mana in the meditations since the circle dispersed the extra mana into the air.

After that he sat in the middle of the circle.

"Please give me instructions on what to do exactly to reach the spirit palace."
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
Ajax stood at the edge of the room while he waited for Afro to explain how to get there. Afro stood in the center standing right before Atla with his arms crossed.

"Mm the energy here is good. Well then get into your meditation position and begin to let your mind wander. Let it wander out of your body and into the darkness, into the void of nothingness. Once you are there you must begin to draw yourself together. Gather your energy and keep it concentrated. Then you will form your astral or spiritual body. From there its going to be mostly on you. You will have to search for the energy in the nothingness, you spoke of it as seeing people in the distance. Draw them towards you with all your energy. Truly focus on them. Whichever one has the energy that resonates the most with yours. Once done I believe you will find your spirit guide and he or she will take you to your true palace. Once there you should be able to find your greater energy. Just remember to keep your energy and mana circulating." Afro had finished his speech, and now it was all up to Atla, but Afro then looked at Ajax.

"You might want to be heading to your own and see what you can do about that damn door."
(Ajax)
Atla listened attentively to the instructions, certainly a method different from what he usually did, and this excited him, everything new, and a new wisdom, atlauged Atla to the extreme.

Before entering meditative state he looked at Ajax.

"If you're going to try to open the door, maybe it's interesting that you stay on this rune circle, and maybe we can connect our magic circuits for a while, so even if there's a great energy coming in it will be distributed between us and the circle."

After this he concentrated and closed his eyes, the decision to connect the magical circuits he would leave to Ajax, he could do this even though Atla was already meditating.


He followed all of Afro's instructions, letting his mind empty until nothing remained, in the full darkness he began to gather his energy, he condensed it into a shape he could use as a spiritual body.

After that he searched the emptiness, trying to find something, and just as Afro spoke he was able to see people in the distance, there were several, about 8 people, Atla then focused, and tried to align his energy, with much effort he went able to approach, and when approaching only one of these souls resonated with him...
(Atla-Cuauhtli)
"Well I suppose that is a good idea. Doesn't hurt to try!" Ajax would say as he made his way to the magic circle and sat down in it. He had never try to share the energy between three being before but maybe this would be the solution. Ajax began to lose himself until he was surrounded by darkness as well. Fortunately Ajax had been practicing recently and he was able to find his way to his soul palace rather quickly. He did not know if it was a good to try anything right now considering he had connected his mana circuits to Atla's at this point by being in the circle with him.

Although Afro was not with Ajax, due to him watching over the ritual they were performing, he still called out hoping he could hear.

"I am at the door Afro! Tell me how it's going out there? Does it seem like he has found his way yet!" A few moments passed in silence but finally Afro replied to him with telepathy.

"Mm I believe he is almost there. He has managed to form his astral body, but I don't believe he has made it to the soul palace yet. Stand by, do not open that door now. It could ruin the whole process. Wait till he is at his soul palace. If you open those doors and he isn't within his soul palace, the sudden rush of energy hitting him could disrupt your guys' connection."

"Alright I will wait then. Just tell me when it seems like he is ready!" With that Ajax continued to admire the spirit palace. It was truly an interesting place and Ajax wondered how it even existed. Perhaps it was just a portrayal of what his mind thought the spirit palace should look like.
(Ajax)
Atla then leaned into the spirit with her spiritual body, some kind of link had formed. The spirit was a woman, and without speaking she simply took Atla's hand, before he could realize he was already in front of the spiritual palace.

"Wow! This place... so it's here?" He was perplexed by the place, it was possible to see a waterfall and a path of blue cherry trees, something he had never imagined, blue petals fell from the cherry trees on the way, and that path led to the palace entrance, something huge that he could not describe .

There was the door in front of him, but what was he supposed to do now? All he continued to do was feel the energy of the place as he kept his own mana circling as Afro had said.

Atla turned to the woman and she formed a telepathic link between Atla and Ajax, it was strange, it was as if she knew what Atla wanted anyway without him needing to say, that was what it meant to have a connection with a spiritor that was in something particular?

"I'm in front of the gate, I imagine you too, should we try to open them together?" The rune in my arm will be able to withstand a large amount of the energy that comes, if there is too much energy the runic circle will gather that energy and disperse it in the air."
(Atla-Cuauhtli)

Ajax almost putting his hand to the door retracted it when he heard the voice of Atla. It surprised him at first and he looked behind him down the long corridor to see if he was there. Afro could feel Ajax's worry due to their connection and told him not to worry. Atla and his spirit guide could hear everything due to the connection they had set up as well.

"Do not worry Ajax. It's just Atla talking to us telepathically! I figure he found someone who could lead him to his palace. Good! Now we can begin the next phase. Ah yes you are right Atla you should open the doors at the same time. There is going to be an amazing amount of energy and mana being unleashed right now, and you two are going to have to contain it! So I hope you are prepared. Atla you seem to already have a pretty good idea on what to do on your side. Ajax as for you things are going to be slightly different. I won't be able to join you at the doors.

Since my energy has combined with yours I am going to be remaining out here so that I can do my best to limit the amount of my energy that mixes in with yours. Unless you are able to control your own latent energy I don't think you will be able to contain all of mine as well. So be ready! And tell me if you think you can handle it all, if not we may have to try again another time for you. Hopefully with Atla's rune and the runic circle it will be possible to contain it all. Atla you must be prepared to. You will be receiving just as much energy as Ajax will. Now! if you two are ready open the doors!"

With Afro's words spoken Ajax placed his hands to the doors, and the chains that originally covered them disappeared. It seemed as if they would be opened with a simple push at this point. Ajax shouted out to Atla.

"Alright Atla on the count of three! One. Two Three!"
(Ajax)

Atla listened again to Afro, he was ready for it, it seems that his effort and work would be tested now. He approached the gate and touched it, water started down the sides of the gate but he still had not opened it.

He waited for the Ajax sign and told him.

"One, Two, Three!"

He pushed the gate using his own energy and quickly it was opened, but that was not what Atla expected, instead of coming a huge torrent of energy all he could see were little blue balls floating, they were coming slowly towards the Atla, and he did not understand much, but curious decided to touch the ball that was closer.

"But what is this..."

As soon as he touched her it turned into massive energy and entered his body, he for a moment became destabilized because he did not expect something so great of something so small.

"So that's it, how intriguing, the energy is ultra condensed to the point of becoming little blue balls."

The balls then began to speed up toward Atla, he braced himself for the impact and then as they leaned into his body their energy was absorbed by Atla, it was an incredible amount, something he could never have imagined, it was something more crude and uncontrolled than he had ever seen in the spiritual world.

The rune on the back of his right shoulder began to glow, it had activated itself, the massive condensed energy was beginning to be absorbed by the rune, little by little a wing of energy was being created from the point where the rune was, that it was all the energy being condensed and stocked, the battery was starting to charge, all that remained was to know if it would be enough to take it all.
(Atla-Cuauhtli)

Ajax opened the door on the count of three. Inside he saw a two blue energies. One was a dark blue enery and the other a light blue energy. They instantly began to swirl together and come towards him in a mass of tendrils. Threatening to consume his body if he was not able to contain all the energy. He could feel the energy that was Afro's and the energy that was his trying his best to contain all of his well keeping Afro's swirling around him in a constant state until he was able to take it all in.

Afro shouted to the two well the process was nearing its final stages.

"It is working you two! We are containing the most of the energy we can do this!"

With that Ajax gained a greater sense of calm as the energies began to swirl inside and around him. He was beginning to gain control of his own latent energy. His body stabilizing as he felt it merging with his current energy. He yelled out to Afro while he could.

"Alright Afro lets finish!" With the signal given Afro allowed the rest of his energy to merge with Ajax's until the swirling energies mixed together to become a new energy . This one was greater than what Ajax was expecting. He began to burn from the amount of energy he was receiving. Until finally he began to feel the work of Atla's rune and the runic cirle. It seemed Atla was helping in contain Ajax's new energy by receiving some of it.

Ajax's body stopped burning as he once again gained control of the new energy he felt entering his body. The process was nearing its end and Ajax was returned to his physical body. When he reopened his eyes he could feel a new energy inside of him. A combined energy of Afro's and his own. A new power that would need to be tested.

Ajax dared not move from his position. Although his own part in the process had been finished. Atla's had not, and it would require both Afro and Ajax's help. They continued to help the stability of the runic circle, and it required Ajax to keep his mana circuits connected to Atla's. He hoped Atla' could contain all the energy he was being fed right now. Ajax knew it was partially due to Atla taking on some of his own energy that he was able to complete the process. So he decided he would do his best to help him finish. Putting his full concentration into the stability of the runic circle now.

"Cmon Atla almost there friend!"
(Ajax)

The massive amount of energy he received was unimaginable, his wing of energy was getting large, and growing, even more so because he was also absorbing some of the energy that came from Ajax, he felt his body start to set and the shake.

He realized that it would be more energy than he could stock at the time, he at least needed more time to assimilate his own energy to this new one, he then had a quick idea, he reached out and created a bow of energy, he then glanced at the temple waterfalls and began firing condensed arrows of energy, trying to spend the extra part of energy while his spirit assimilated it all.

After some time shooting arrows without stopping the energy balls seemed to have stopped coming, he was already panting, but it seems that he had managed to receive all the energy, he undid the bow of energy and then looked back to thank the spirit that the he helped, but the woman was no longer there.

"But... where did you go? I wanted to thankyou."

Without Atla realizing he had also received the energy of this woman, which he still did not know the name, but she would now be watching him and following him, she was just too quiet.

No more to do there Atla then returned to his physical body, the first image he saw was the face of Ajax who was helping him. Atla's body was much more breathless than his spirit, when he noticed his right shoulder was able to see a fully formed energy wing, it floated a few inches from the rune on the back of Atla's back.

That impressed him, he now had an extreme amount of energy, but he would still have to learn to control it completely. He then looked back at Ajax with a face of relief.

"Haha, we did it."
(Atla-Cuauhtli)

They had both managed to succeed in obtaining the energy that laid dormant inside of them. Ajax was amazed to see the blue wing of energy that floated behind him. Although Ajax had gained a new energy, Ajax's energy was not quite at that level yet. It seemed he would need to look into gaining a rune for his body after this.

Ajax laughed to the best of his ability but his body had been drained of its energy once the ritual was finished. He could barely keep himself sitting up. He gave Atla a thumbs up before falling backwards. Still laughing while on the ground.

"Haha indeed we did." Ajax then noticed that Afro was not around and wondered if he had disappeared due to the process, but he spoke in his mind soon enough.

"Do not worry I am here. You just don't have enough energy to keep me summoned right now. Hmm your energy has 'evolved' lets say, but its not at Atla's level yet. You both did good though. Tell him congragulations! Then both of you should get some rest!"

"Afro says congrats. He says we did great, but we should get some rest.."
(Ajax)

After the success both were really tired, all Atla wanted now was to lie on the floor and sleep, but he could not do that with that wing, he then deactivated the rune, the energy would be kept inside him and when it was necessary to use him could reactivate the rune so the wing could return.

Now he could finally lie down on the floor.

"Congratulations to you and Afro as well, and thank you very much for helping me, after resting I will look for a healer so I can help you too, so you can keep the same amount of energy as I do."

He stared at the ceiling as he tried to stay awake.

"And also..."

He eventually fell asleep.

Atla had not realized yet but he now possessed a new spirit within himself, but she would not show herself until it was necessary. The day was tiring, and there was still a lot to be done.
(Atla-Cuauhtli)