From Nothing... (closed)

[Deleted]

Into the Arms of Sorrow

Title Song: Killswitch Engage - Arms of Sorrow

Just another night like any other with the long journey home that always awaited the young seventeen year old man after he finished work. Saint made sure everything was in order amongst the various seating sections of the restaurant, pausing a moment to bade a goodbye to a waitress as she exited on her own way home. Tonight he had been the host and it had been a relatively calm one, no big groupings or parties, no unruly people, calm. With the last of the checking done, he headed into the kitchen where the owner/head chef/manager was doing the same. He was a middle-aged rotund man of about forty-seven that had come from New Orleans named Pierre.

“Pierre, I finished up everything out there. Anything else you need from me?”

“No, my boy. You can head off home and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Ok then… tomorrow. Farewell.”

With that Saint grab his stuff and started that long journey home, however it would be longer this night as he had missed the first bus on it and would have to wait another fifteen minutes. Normally he would wait but this night he felt like a walk would be fine. With every step he walked through what felt more and more like an alien city. The few people he’d known in this city had left along with much of the student populous and he did not get around much as his time was often spent of studies or work. He didn’t have much, or much money, not even enough for a car that being the reason he took the buses everywhere in the city. Though moving wouldn’t mean leaving much, it wasn’t a financial possibility. Looming college would be hard enough to pay for depending on scholarships, grants, and dreaded loans.

Time passed at leisure while Saint strode along city streets in thought, unaware of the fact that it was nearly midnight. A sound of screeching tires would cut off his train of thoughts and cause the student to spin around to see what exactly was coming. An old car pulled up and a young man jumped from the passenger’s side with a gun draw and pointed right at young Saint.

“Whadda you got, man? Give it up!”

“Nothing that you want, trust me.”

“Trust you? Man, fuck you! Show me.”

Saint slowly opened his bag and showed that it was only a change of clothes and some books from school. Nothing that would really be of too much value. Seeing this the robber grabbed the bag and dumped its contents about while searching for anything that was worth taking. Finding nothing but disappointment he turned back to his captive with another demand.

“Wallet, motherfucker. Now!”

“Very well, but this isn’t something you should be doing.”

He handed over his wallet, which the robber rifled through and pocketed the money without blinking before turning back as though to find something else to take. The driver was apparently not enjoying the wait and shouted from the car.

“Troy, let’s go man!”

“Dude, shut the fuck up!”

There was panic in the guy’s eyes when he turned back to his victim, clearly visible through the ski mask.

“I won’t say a thing, but I urge you to change your life. This is only going to lead you to a terrible end.”

“Shut up. Shut the fuck up! Give the necklace!”

“I can help you, just let me. I can get you a steady job. Please.”

Saint spoke calmly as he obeyed and handed over the necklace that he wore. He hoped his words would have some effect but it didn’t appear that was so. In a few tense moments Troy looked for more valuables but the driver couldn’t wait and jumped up out the car shouting over. He was without a mask and, as Saint soon recognized, was a classmate of his.

“Let’s go, man!”

“Larry, shut up and stay in the car! Dude what the fuck!?”

Larry did so amidst gestures of protest as Troy again turned to Saint. The implications of his movements, the overall frightened and nervousness he purveyed gave Saint a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He shook his head trying to give every calming sense to his robber but there was no indication of it working at all. Backing away, there seemed hope…

BANG!

Troy turned and sprinted into the car, shouting and gesturing for his accomplice to go as fast as he could. The car roared to life and wheels screeched against asphalt as it sped away. Saint felt a ripping sensation through his chest, pain of unheard of proportions cut throughout his body. Breathing was excruciating, his knees weakened, vision started to blur… his eyes looked to see the river of red pouring from the middle of his chest and onto the ground. Slowly he felt his body collapse under its own weight and he began to fall forward.

So this is how it ends?

No it can not! We still have so much work to do. This world must be purified! We-

… don’t exist. I… am done.

Saint hit the ground with a smile that portrayed a strange sense of peace.

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A Journey Begins

Title Song:Trivium - Into the Mouth of Hell We March

… beep… … beep… … beep…

The sounds of papers being shuffled about, familiar machines beeping and buzzing, shoes clapping against the tile floor. The smell of antiseptic and disinfectant. The blurs of moving figures and bright lights through squinted eyes. All the sensory information that was coming in was left unprocessed by a mind dazed by trauma, blood loss, and painkillers. The breathing apparatus stifled any ability to make an audible noise, though the medical staff was well aware the merger conscious state of their patient. The door opened and another blur entered. A conversation started between two men.

“How is the patient doctor?”
“Stable.”
“Good. How long until he makes a full recovery?”
“I can’t say right now. A gun shot wound to the chest, and one so close to the heart, is not subject to a routine recovery time.”
“Make an estimate.”
“Could be anywhere from a week to three months right now. He has been receptive to treatment and the surgery went well, so we just have wait and see.”
“I see. Well I suppose for now no news is good news.”
“… sir, could I ask you a question?”
“I believe you just did, however you really wish to know why I am interested helping in this boy and aiding his recuperation… correct?”
“Yes.”
“Because I can… but I suppose you need more than yet. If you see something of value what do you do? You take hold of it.”
“What value does this boy have to you?”
“I’m not sure at the moment.”
“Excuse me?”
“When the first raw diamond was found… do you think the person who found it really saw it as what would become one of the most valuable materials on earth? I don’t know what value this boy will have but the possibilities make worth while to go through all this and pay his bills to find out.”
“… but what would his use be?”
“Anything… everything… we shall see.”
“I see… makes sense but what makes you think that?”
“Not have much to lose but a lot to live for.”
“What would you know of loss?”
“… more than you would believe. Anyway I have a meeting to attend so I will be on my way, please make sure to keep me informed of any changes to his status.”

With that the other man departed and slowly Zachariah Rose drifted back to sleep…

}-{Three Weeks Later}-{

A dreary cloudy day, rain drops gathering on the small hospital room window as it drizzled outside. Inside the room Zachariah was finally starting to really recover from his wound, at least in a physical sense. Mentally he still wasn’t sure what to make of it, was he freed from his own delusions? Had this event broken their hold on him? Could he afford to even hope for it? For those wondering, the visitor had not returned and Zachariah had no conscious recollection of the conversation he had briefly over heard. Either way he would have a long recovery ahead of him.

“Good to see you’re up and alert today.”
“Thanks… how long am I going to be here?”
“I can’t say right now, this kind of wound can be tricky. You need to just rest and focus on getting better.”

Zachariah let out an audible sigh as the doctor went about checking the readouts on the machines and comparing them to those on file from the previous weeks. The student had grown tired of these situations, parts of him wished that he hadn’t been found… hadn’t been saved. It would have been easier to just quit and let the darkness take him, now he was back and forced to face everything that he wanted to leave behind. Noticing the despondent body language projected by this line of thought, the doctor tried to reassure the boy.

“You know you’re lucky to be alive. Most people don’t survive this kind of attack.”
“… I know.”
“Well… think of it as a new chance on life. A chance to do all the things you were too scared to do, make peace.”
“… yeah, I guess that makes sense.”“Just keep your spirits up. There are people who care.”

The apathetic responses weren’t what the doctor was looking for but he would have to make do as they would be all he was given. Soon the doctor moved on to other patients and Zachariah was left to his mind’s devices. A grim fate… too scared to will himself to death… too downtrodden to will himself back to life… a perpetual state of limbo.

}-{Two Months Later}-{

“Well I bet your excited to finally be getting out of here, huh?”
“A little bit… maybe…”
“Hah. It has been a pleasure but I hope I never have to treat you again, so take care of yourself.”
“Alright. Thank you, doctor.”

With that Zachariah started to make his way toward the front desk to make his official exit from the hospital. Getting ever closer to the exit he noticed a man in a suit and sunglasses waiting for him. He wasn’t physically imposing by means of stature but there was something about him that told others that he should not be messed with. Zachariah veered slightly to avoid him when the man stepped to cut him off.

“Zachariah Rose.”
“Yes?”
“Here. A message from your benefactor.”

The man handed Zachariah note…

Mr. Zachariah Rose,

Over the past several months I have become very familiar unique situation. I wish to assist you in making peace of your life. You will be provided with a company card to pay your expenses along your journey and a calling card to contact who you wish with a number to contact myself. Mr. Morrison will escort you to your apartment to pack for the journey, I suggest you pack lightly.

You are probably wondering; what journey? Well, I have also provided a ticket to Jamaica, I figured it would be good for you to start in a familiar place where you have friends. As I said I have become familiar with your situation, your past and how it has torn at your psyche for years. I am providing you with the means to fix this fractured psyche and bring a wholeness and serenity to your life. Seek out wise man, absorb the knowledge and wisdom of different cultures and philosophy some thousands years old. Children are often told that the world is their oyster but they are truly chained by their means and geography but you will truly have the world as your oyster. Travel anywhere, seek out anyone… you are bound by nothing now Zachariah.

Feel free to contact me at anytime and any day if you need anything. Also, above all… even above finding your peace… enjoy yourself, my child. You are too young to take life so seriously. Godspeed.

… Zachariah looked up with a slightly puzzled look to which the man simply nodded.

“Car’s waiting. You have an airplane to catch.”

For a moment Zachariah thought about everything, it was a lot to digest. It seemed too good to be true but did he really have anything to lose? With a sigh Zachariah followed the man to the car, soon he would be home, packed, and on his way to another country.

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A Chance...

“Hello.”
“Hello, it’s Zachariah.”
“Yes, I am well aware my boy. How is your journey going? Where are you?”
“It’s going well. I’ve been staying in a Tibetan Buddhist temple for the last two weeks… it was quite a trip to find a phone to use. It’s been very helpful to speak with so many interesting people… monks, witch doctors, shamans, priests, wise men… very informative, I guess would be the best way to put it.”
“Hah… indeed. How is the recovery going?”
“… I’m not sure. I feel better about my life than I ever have before but… I don’t think I have really solved my problem.”
“I see.”
“But perhaps some more time with the monks will-”
“No, I want to meet me at the airport in Delhi, understood? I will take you to meet a man who will truly help you.”
“Alright.”
“Good. Very well, I shall see you soon, fare well.”
“Bye.”

With that decided, Zachariah returned to the temple only to say his farewells to the monks that had been so helpful and kind to him. He packed his things and made way for the nearest airport to catch the next flight to India. The journey to the airport was a journey of itself but the quickest path since going over the Himalayas was well… harder. After a travel time that was about seven hours, he was in Delhi, which meant he still had another eighteen or so before his benefactor would show up. Given that he checked into a hotel room and got himself some very much needed rest because it was almost a certainty that tomorrow would be an interesting day as his benefactor had never personally directed or guided him, just merely taken interest.

The next day the benefactor arrived with his two bodyguards in tow and the four of them soon traveled several miles away from the city toward the jungles only to get a small boat to take them further up a small river to the point that Zachariah really had no sense of where they were or where they were going. The jungles gave way ever so often to small fishing villages that really didn’t seem to have any real connection to the outside world, which brought the question of where they could possibly be going that this man knew about. But sure enough after another hour of boating they pulled over at a small village…

“Where are we?”
“Heh… the home of the wisest man in the world.”

Zachariah looked at his benefactor with a puzzled and amazed look but the man kept walking while nodding to an occasional villager who would nod back politely. Apparently the man had been here before… odd. Moving past the village they traveled along a dirt path that lead into a thinner part of the jungle, which was just another long walk though shorter than the other, but when they reached the clearing Zachariah almost fell over. Standing there was a partially damaged temple but it seemed as though it had been maintain, as though the damage was purposely left there. The two bodyguards headed off with the bags they had been carrying while the benefactor turned back to smile amusedly at the student.

“Come on, he is waiting inside.”

Obediently Zachariah follow as they entered the large temple to find an elderly man sitting in meditation before a large statue of Shiva that had seen better days but still kept much of its majesty. Unsure of how to approach Zachariah stood still planning to wait but they wouldn’t have to…

“You are late, my son.”
“Perhaps… but in the time of eternity it is an insignificant delay.”
“Hohoho, yes. However to the insignificant creature that delay becomes monumental. This is the boy who must reconcile his past and heal his mind and soul… correct?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Interesting, you can set your possessions down here. They will be of little help but you do need a place to stay. After that you two will take and walk to discuss the world… next try to inform me of your stopping by my friend. I will have some tea made. Good day.”

The two did as told and then depart to take a walk after changing into robes that were more comfortable and suiting in a cheesy way. As they walked Zachariah could not help but become curious over something that had been said and so he asked.

“You didn’t tell him we were coming?”
“Of course not… how could I? I mean have you even seen any sort of phone since we have arrived in the village?”
“But then how did he?”
“Even I don’t know… only he does.”

There was a pause… the wisest man in the world… perhaps he was but in this isolated place but anyone’s reach Zachariah had his best shot at make peace with himself and his past. He would not waste this chance, he would succeed.

“So what are we supposed to talk about?”
“… what’s important.”
“Important? Like the state of the world and how to bring peace?”
“If that is what’s important.”
“What do you mean?”
“What is important? What has value? By what scale do we judge and who decides it?”
“… our morals.”
“Perhaps… but to any other company executive what value would a trouble teenager from a violent high school have?”
“I suppose they would see it as none, but that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“Oh really? Why not? What makes them wrong to think that such a person is worthless? After all when poised a choice between saving one life at the cost of the other where one is a stranger and the other is a loved one, who survives? Does not every human choose their loved one?”
“Well yes but-..”
“All things being equal it should be around a fifty-fifty split but we both know it isn’t… because we put value on that relationship thus making that life more valuable to us.”
“… eye of the beholder.”
“Exactly, value is subjective… much of life is subjective even when we try to make objective. Is murder to save life still murder? Can the world be painted with a black and white stroke or is it merely a massive grayscale, each shade it’s own interpretation to other eyes?”

They continued on for a long while in silence, passive over a nearby stream that had a small cliff with a waterfall. Zachariah didn’t really like the argument proposed as he had trouble refuting the way it was put and seemingly gave the villains of the world an excuse, though at the same time, in a way, it made each man entirely responsible their own reactions. Not an easy concept for someone who was called ‘Saint’ to come to grips with. On they continued while Zachariah wondered about a few things, none to do specifically with what they had been talking about but obvious to most.

“I came here three years ago after starting my own journey. I had asked around the temples of India and soon heard of him… it was very enlightening.”
“Did you gain enlightenment?”
“Heavens no… along the path you must relinquish your anger and hatred. This I could not do as there are people in this world that I can not, nor do I think they should be, forgiven.”
“Who?”
“Immaterial… what matters now is that you look inside yourself. You will be forced to face your fears, your past, and the uncertainty of your future. Face the greater issues of your soul. Beyond this point… you must trust in yourself.”

He stopped and ahead the elder was sitting on a large platform at the back of the temple complex. They had apparently walked a circular path around the temple whilst in their conversation. Zachariah’s eyes shifted between the two and it was clear that his benefactor had brought him here to learn while also prepping him for the hopeful final leg of his journey, now he would be handed off to this wise man. He gave a short bow to his benefactor before walking up the platform to where the elder was sitting in a meditative position, which Zachariah joined him in. Meanwhile the benefactor turned and left for home, knowing that good would come of this. For an hour the elder remained in meditation, which Zachariah joined him in clearing his mind to bring serenity for the path ahead. Without opening his eyes the elder spoke.

“Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha , Ajna, and Sahasrara… the seven Chakras. A path you know of and one I have traveled, though not the only path it is the one you shall take. So we shall start at the base, Muladhara… related to instinct, security, and survival. It is key to stability and where your biggest block is located. Think back to where you have lost stability in your life, think back on those times…”

Amidst his meditation Zachariah thought back on his life…

…the image of his mother came to mind… bright and smiling- safety, only to fade into the darkness… she was gone and he’d never get her back… alone…

“We must all eventually leave the security of the nest of our homes, soon unfortunately sooner than others, but despair not as she is still beside in the love she gave and lessons she taught you.”

… a tear… her words… it was ok, it was ok… deeper down into his problems… his father, the nights, the suffering… no! Run away!…

“You must face this trauma, you must overcome it. It is the past, it can no longer hurt you. Come to grips with what happen and move on.”

… I can’t… the laughing… make it go away… make it go AWAY!!! PLEASE!!!

“Face the truth… it will not go away no matter how you wish it.”

… my past… it’s the past, I must move… they can not hurt me anymore… unless I let them… I will not… no more… no more… no more…

For hours Zachariah wrestled with this past and how he was changed by it, let himself be changed by it. As the sun began to fell, he passed out from the mental exhaustion. He was carried into the main temple chamber to rest the night. The elder was proud of the child that had fought so hard to overcome what seemed as though it would be his biggest hurdle. In the morning Zachariah awoke and made his way outside to find the elder sitting, waiting for him. He felt different this morning.

“You have made greater strides, however to not think that you have achieve stability. You must continue along this path for sometime and reinforce what you discovered last night to ensure that you can maintain this state of peace.”
“Will I be achieving Sahasrara?”
“No, my child. I will guide you to achieve a basic understanding of each level up to Vishuddha, however beyond that and to solidify your own understanding will be a task given to you and only for you. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good, let us meditate and reinforce our roots before we undertake Swadhisthana."

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The Final Stages

The next month would be a blur of mediation, relaxation, pleasant but simple foods, the majesty of nature and training for both body and mind. Time outside of normal Lotus position mediation would be spent practice his Tai Chi while in a meditative mental state. Much of the first week was more reinforcing his control, for lack of a better term, over his Muladhara chakra without progress on Svadhisthana until the end of the week…

Svadhisthana

The cliché of meditation under a waterfall for the chakra with the element of water aside that was where Zachariah would hope to unblock this chakra and move closer to solidifying a hold on his mental status. For two hours he sat under the waterfall clearing his mind and entering a good meditative state. The elder guided him, explaining that Svadhisthana governed basic emotions, relationships, addictions, and violence.
In his mind Zachariah soared through the relationships he’d had… or lack there of, the violence he’d committed against others. He had to come to grips with all of it. A trial through the sorrow he felt over his actions. But in the end he forgave himself, hoping others would as well.

Manipura

Another few days of reinforcing and Zachariah was moved onto Manipura. The chakra of fire, power and fear. He was instructed to partake in the meditation of this chakra through his Tai Chi, embrace his personal power and abolish his fears. Fear of returning to the tormented child he was, of hurting others again, of being alone… of intimacy. He must not let his fears rule him, they had to be struck from his psyche and he must overcome them. For days he struggled with his fears as they had slowly consumed the depths of his psyche and personality, from the shadows they governed his actions. He’d protected himself through psychosis but now he could protect himself through his own strength. Eventually he overcame his fears and unblocked Manipura.

Anahata

The same routine was followed until it was time to undertake Anahata, the chakra of compassion, love, rejection and well being. The elder knew that this would be the easiest chakra for Zachariah to unlock as much of his person was filled with these very virtues. In the main chamber of the temple he meditated, focusing on his compassion for all things, coping with the idea of rejection, and soon the subject of love. Not only for himself but for others to be taken in and embraced to the fullest extent. Of course his mother came to mind first to be stored away in his heart forever as she had been already, but something unexpected soon followed… another face, which started to break his concentration. A face that when he thought about it made some sense but still surprised him. The elder told him to embrace it and he did unlocking the fourth chakra.

Ascendant Vision

Before it seemed like it a month had passed and Zachariah was preparing to mediate on the fifth chakra when the elder told him to enter a chamber that would be closed off behind him. He would stay in the chamber for 48 hours in continuous meditation. During this time a vision of the world but it was different, strings of something resembling electricity followed between people glowing brighter between those with great affection between each other. A glow to all living things was present. It was as though he could see the energy of the world. The time passed and Zachariah was released to be refreshed before speaking again with the elder.

“Why was that?”
“You saw the energy of the world, did you not? What binds us all? It is a power inside you to use to see the truth where others are clouded by a faulty perception of reality.”
“… I see. Do we now move on to Vishuddha?”
“No, my child. You’re training here is quite complete as long as you maintain your meditation. You can stay if you choose to and continue your path toward enlightenment but we both know there is somewhere else you should be.”
“I suppose so.”

Zachariah packed his belongings and began a long journey home to Long Beach, California. His benefactor had already set him up an apartment, job, and a car to make his readjustment from traveling student to American teen much easier. The growth that Zachariah had undergone was immense mentally. He was sure of who he was and no longer suffered under his delusions or psychopathic tendencies. He was now free to live a more normal life without the worries that had plagued him so long. His physical changes were less prominent, eyes had slightly changed their hue and his hair shifted to show his newfound wisdom.

But in just under a day he would be home…

{OoC: Wanted to finish this >_>}