Chapter 6
Zuhair and Arsun were sitting in a meditation position, looking at each other on a high pedestal. They were sitting in a raging vortex of ether and an energy field created and maintained by two priests from the Betaros clan. They sat, gradually releasing their aura, which merged with the flow, slowly entering the cycle and synchronizing to contact someone else's energy. It was like being in a huge cocoon, which consisted of sparkling streams of incredible power. From the side, the observer could see the outlines of two barely visible silhouettes sitting there, which gradually rose from the fortress and smoothly began to circle inside the energy shell. Zuhair was in an unusual state of incomprehensible euphoria mixed with a half-asleep state. If the Guardian hadn't been monitoring his condition, slowly and imperceptibly feeding his meridians with his energy, it's unclear how this could have ended for Zuhair. The Guardian couldn't interfere with the process of merging two minds at the moment without revealing his presence, especially when there were such strong experts nearby. A process that consisted of the assimilation of two consciousnesses, which required an incredible concentration of strength and precision of execution. Arsun was more excited than anyone else present, and he was genuinely worried about the outcome of this event, given Zuhair's weak level of strength so far. Nevertheless, he was amazed by the guy's steadfastness of character and his determination, which gave him the strength to withstand the powerful vibes emanating from Arsun's mind. Zuhair began to fall into oblivion and the initial events that eventually led him to this ceremony began to flash before his eyes, and understanding reality helped him not to lose control of himself. He began to recall all the events that had preceded up to this point.
After greeting and unexpectedly recognizing the head of one of the strongest Lanurian clans, venerable Arsun, Zuhair was taken aback and did not know how to react to what was said. He just said that he knows where Misaka's father is. No one knew and everyone was at a loss, even Kumus didn't know, or did he know anyway? Zuhair's thoughts began to flow rapidly. It seemed like there was some kind of game going on around him, and he was like a stupid kid in the middle of it. They looked at each other in silence and appraisingly. This was not the weak and sickly youth that Arsun had last seen a long time ago, when he visited the Manshur clan and the venerable Kumus. The Misak standing in front of him was different, not the one he had looked at back then, looking for familiar features of his friend. This Misaka had a lot of will and toughness. And at the same time, there was a firm and clear look. The look of a man who will respond with determination to determination. Suddenly, Zuhair felt an incredible silence and the cessation of the streams of ether in the air. The seething stopped abruptly, taking on a blurred outline. Everything froze. He looked around and realized that time had stopped. It was an incredible feeling. It was a moment, a freeze frame, only in three dimensions. People froze in their instantaneous actions and poses, only Arsun calmly looked at the guy and his gaze was alive. Sensing the young man's aloofness, he mentally, by an impulse of thought, began to speak without opening his mouth. The calm timbre of a voice could be heard in Zuhair's head:
----"Calm down, Misak, I'm the one who stopped time. And this stop is very difficult for me. I won't be able to hold back such a flow of time for long, but I think I'll have enough time to explain my actions to you. Know that I am not your enemy. After listening to me, you will understand a lot, although I assume your distrust and skepticism. You know that our thoughts and actions are controlled by the creator, our father, the deity Lanu. Disobedience and disobedience are severely punished by him, despite our origin and position. You can't imagine how strong his perception is and how much I'm risking right now by telling you this. His sensitive aura can spread in the universe indefinitely. I carried this secret for a long time, hiding it in the depths of my consciousness, and it cost me great efforts to hide this short thread of memory. But you don't have this control over you until you've gone through a special ritual of your clan.
Zuhair heard Arsun's voice in his mind, but he couldn't respond in the same way. The transmission of mental thoughts was only available after reaching the fourth level of the earthly adam, and he was only on the second. He was weak, and the realization of this impotence convinced him even more that strength was everything. And now he saw this power in action. The mighty power of time control. You need to become stronger and understand your purpose. Meanwhile, Arsun continued:
------ I know where your father is, or rather I guess about it. For a long time I lived between two fires, between conscience and duty. That's why I won't be able to tell you my secret. My secret. He'll feel it right away.
Zuhair looked at Arsun with a steely gaze, but Arsun calmly met his gaze and finished his sentence.:
------"But I can show you all this by relaying that brief moment of my memory. You have to see it for yourself. Maybe then you'll understand everything. But memory transfer requires a special environment and place. This is a special ritual and very complicated. I want to spend it on my ship. I have to do this, and I'm asking you to agree to it. It is very important to secure this process. And I wouldn't want anyone else to find out about it. I thought for a long time before taking this step. And your miraculous recovery has given me the courage and confidence to do it. I think it's a sign from above. A sign that I'm on the right track. And if you give me this opportunity, I would take off this burden that has been weighing on my soul for several thousand years.
And so, suddenly, something happened in space, everything suddenly resumed and again bubbled, creaked and swirled. The familiar noise surrounded the guy. Arsun started the time in the previous flow. No one else noticed this short pause. Zuhair was shocked by what had happened, but he pulled himself together in time and waited for further action. Arsun continued in a normal voice, as if the greeting had not stopped.:
-----"How are you, kid?" We haven't seen each other for a long time. You probably know that your father, Cedar, was my friend and like-minded person. And I feel guilty for not being able to protect you and protect you from illness and adversity. And I thank heaven that you overcame your illness and got back on your feet. You were not informed that I visited your abode when your mind left your body. And just like Cumus, you were overwhelmed with grief when there was no way to awaken your mind and body. But you're healthy, and that's fine. And I rushed in the same hour as I learned this good news. I've come to officially invite you to stay with me. I, Arsun, the head of the Betaros clan, invite Misaka, the son of Cedar, to visit my ship. And I hope with generosity that you will accept my invitation.
Zuhair bowed and said:
------ Thank you for the offer, and I am ready to accept it if the head of the Manshur clan, the venerable Kumus, approves my visit to you.
Upon hearing this, Arsun turned to Bilosh:
------- Bilosh Sahib, could you please deliver this message to the venerable head of Kumus? And the head of the Betaros clan continued:
------- For now, we are together with the young master, we will wait for the approval of the head here.
Bilosh bowed and immediately disappeared from sight. As soon as Bilosh disappeared, Arsun turned to Zuhair.:
------- Let's not waste time, and I don't think we need any extra witnesses. I have warned the venerable Cumus of my intention. So you don't have to wait for anyone.
At that moment, Falla came up to the men. Bowing, she said:
------"Young head, allow me to accompany you.
Zuhair didn't want any escort, he didn't care about anything right now, except for the upcoming event, from which he didn't know what to expect. And putting someone in danger or burdening them with secrecy was not part of his plans. But suddenly the Guardian spoke up:
------- Take her with you. Her presence will surely help you. Do not doubt my wisdom.
Zuhair looked at Arsun, but he calmly replied with a mental message:
------- You decide for yourself, I've known Falla for a long time. She's known you since you were a child. In any case, there is no need to initiate her into the rite.
Everyone came out of the mansion, above which hung in the orange sky a huge, majestic ship, which Zuhair had observed earlier. He wanted to get there as soon as possible. He tried to believe this man. His words sounded sincere. And this news itself and Arsun's appearance were unusually natural, as if he had foreseen this on a subconscious level. The mystery that concerned Misaka seemed to excite him as well. But why does he care so much? Zuhair couldn't explain it. Maybe a part of Misaka's soul was activated by feeling the energy of upcoming events related to his father? Bilosh could return at any moment, and Zuhair, by some inner instinct, did not want to tell him about all this. Two of Arsun's associates, who had been behaving almost imperceptibly all this time, moved to the center of the site and, sending energy waves towards the ship, began to summon an airlift. The two of them were wearing black robes with their hoods tightly covered. An incomprehensible cold aura emanated from them. They were not tall, thin, but their muscular mass stood out like the taut roots of a withered tree. A moment later, a pneumatic lift arrived, which was a circular platform around which bundles of ether were circling around the perimeter with a bang. All those present, led by Arsun, ascended to the platform, which immediately vibrated and began to rise with speed. Standing on the landing, Zuhair tried to ignore the increasing pressure and looked into the distance, where the black disk of one of the four moons of Neberum could be seen against the background of the sky filled with bright threads of the shield. Looking from a height, he observed beautiful and colorful trees and vegetation to the horizon, broken in places only by tall and bizarre buildings, most of which were pyramid-shaped. In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, he saw a group of tall buildings, and the light that sparkled on the surface of the glass domes. The platform reached the ship, the surface and the entire shell of which resembled a huge turtle shell, covered with symbols and runes of colossal size. In addition to these inscriptions, the hull itself was covered with stripes and furrows, giving it a heroic appearance. It was obvious that this ship had been in the unprecedented vastness of space and had seen a lot. The pad at the end of its route slowed down and smoothly entered the belly of the giant ship. The ship was elongated and spheroidal in shape, like a stretched large egg with a bronze sheen. There wasn't a single opening or opening in sight, except for the entrance lock. The platform did not stop after entering the opening, but began to rise even further, ignoring several levels that flashed before the eyes of the company of people on the pneumatic lift. Finally, the landing stopped at the topmost level, judging by the transparent edge of the ceiling, the starry sky was visible, although there was no hint of transparency on the outer surface. Apparently this was one of the wonders of this ship. The upper level was a huge hall, resembling the courtyard hall of Kumus. Judging by the situation, this room had diverse applications. It was the private quarters of the master of the ship. After leaving the site, Arsun gave instructions with a mental order to leave the space of the planet. Although there was no one else in the room but themselves, the order was heard and immediately executed. The ship began to move silently. Only a slight vibration indicated that the aircraft was in motion. The laws of space did not apply in this room. Completely ignoring the law of gravity, gravity was no different from planetary gravity. The ship glided gently through the starry space, gradually accelerating and moving away from Neberum. Two of Arsun's assistants also disappeared, apparently they also had their own tasks. The three of us stayed together. Arsun invited Zuhair to a pedestal in the center of the hall. Arsun invited Zuhair to sit down, sat down opposite him and began to communicate mentally.:
------"If you don't mind, I'd like to scan your body." To transfer a piece of mind and memory, you must have a certain level, for your own safety.
Suddenly Arsun smiled slightly, raised one eyebrow, looked at Zuhair with a sly expression and continued:
------- I admire your foresight. And yes, we'll need Falla's help soon.