Hardcore: Qi Worlds Chapter 4: Mother

"Sit child," Mother requested. "Over by the pool and meditate. But before you begin, take a sip from its waters."

Benzhi thought to question Mother, why, what will it do to me? But, he knew he was going to do it, and for no good reason other than by gut feel he trusted Mother. Come on, she was like Mother nature, how could she be bad or cause him harm? She was probably just the willow tree given sentience by the simulation. Benzhi scooped some water from the pool with his hand and bent down to sip. It was cool and tasted like expensive bottled water, not from plastic but from glass. He was sure that tasted better than tap water, at five dollars a bottle it had to right?

As Benzhi sat, relaxing ready to begin Mother spoke slowly, giving him instructions.

"Focus on the waters of the pool child," Mother instructed and after some time. "Focus on the core within the pool. The turquoise, as you would call it. That's right." After an indeterminate amount of time passed Mother spoke again. This time directly to Ben's conscious.

"You nearly exhausted your Qi dear. But now you are refreshed we can discuss our future."

Benzhi didn't quite know what to make of that. In order to contemplate his future and discuss with Mother, he left the state of balance. He stood and stretched, it was like waking from the most restful sleep he could recall. Mother was right, he was refreshed, he felt full of energy. Benzhi noticed the sun had risen, had he meditated for over eight hours? He also noticed he was alone in the glade, Mother and his nemesis were nowhere to be seen. Benzhi walked across to the Willow. It was difficult to converse with Mother while meditating, he would normally just listen. Too much thinking interrupted his balance and by definition, he could hardly hold a conversation without thinking about what to say. Last time Mother appeared below the Willow tree after he touched the trunk. He would try that again.

It was like magic, Mother appeared as soon as he made contact. 

"You are an intelligent child, this will make things easier," Mother greeted Benzhi with a smile.

Benzhi nodded and asked, "Mother, I am here for training in the ways of Qi, that is all I want. Is it you who will train me?"

Mother laughed. "There are many paths and you just happen to run straight to me and ask to be my disciple? Do you not need to think and experience more before making such decisions?"

It was Benzhi's turn to smile. "Mother, when I arrived in this world I saw what was probably the easy road. But I chose to follow my instincts which lead me here," Benzhi would normally say gut, but conversing with Mother he thought it was best to be somewhat more formal in his choice of words.

Mother laughed again it was a melodic laugh, "You are not only intelligent but wise my child. I am indeed fortunate. However, before I can become your teacher you must become a guardian of the forest with all that entails. I will not teach anyone except one of my guardians."

Benzhi nodded, "What are the vows that are required?" Benzhi had always been a boots-and-all guy. Mother could probably request him to sacrifice a litre of blood daily and he would agree at this point. He had already decided to stay in the forest and train under Mother. He still needed to explore the forest and after that the surrounding areas. But there was little point in doing that with no energy. It was obvious to Benzhi that the sip of the pool and the consequent meditation filled all his needs for sustenance. What would he do without them? He had no way to make weapons, clothing, armour, he needed the assistance Mother and her followers could provide. She had at least Nemesis, if not more. She did say only the ferals did not listen to her, which probably meant that everything else did.

Mother took on a more formal tone, "You need to protect the forest with your life." And with a less formal tone, "which means, you do what I ask of you, at least until you are capable of making your own judgements and I will tell you when that is." Mother explained further, "I am one of the fae, a spirit being which is something you may understand. A complex vow will not do. One from the heart, that is black and white in nature, is required."

Benzhi spoke seriously, "I will protect the forest with my life," and meant it. Benzhi knew he could die in this game and his only concern is the vow had no use by date on it. Well, a couple of years from now was future Benzhi problem. Mother approached Benzhi and held took his hand in hers. She looked into his eyes for a moment then released his hand.

She beamed, "Benzhi, oh dear Benzhi. You do not think things through and act on instinct. Which is wonderful, so young yet so wise. Although," Mother tilted her head in contemplation, "I hope it is instinct and not impulse dear child."

Mother took on a serious look, "Now the easy part is over. We have an accord. The forest has your unconditional protection and we will train you in our ways, to the best of our ability. When you gain some competency we will discuss your responsibilities further. For now, you will follow my simple instructions. Each morning you will learn and practice forms in the glade. Each day, you will accompany Gisael. And each evening you will meditate. These three things will provide the core of your training."

Benzhi gaped at Mother. Gisael had to be nemesis, probably. His mind began to wander, would nemesis, erm Gisael make him climb trees and swing around like Tarzan? Would she provide him with some clothes and weapons? Were there not other trainers available with a better attitude?

Mother clapped her hands. once. The sound was sharp and drew his attention immediately like she slapped him in the face, hard. 

"Now watch and follow," Mother began to dance under the limbs of the Willow.

Benzhi had a vague understanding what forms were, well back in the real world. Tai Chi was sort of slow forms, wasn't it? What Mother was doing now, was something he would imagine a prima ballerina who was also master martial artist conducting. Her hands were moving in circular patterns, with her arms, shoulders and chest following. Her hips twisted as if on a pivot and her foot work was sublime and scary at the same time. How could he possibly follow her?

Benzhi did his best. He focused on her movements and put his all into re-enacting what Mother was doing. He was atrocious. If Mother was a swan, Benzhi was a dead toad rolling down a hill after being kicked by a boy. Was this meant to be easy? Was Benzhi meant to be better? Was he supposed to have some natural ability in this body? The answer was a resounding no to all of the above. Couldn't Mother just do a small section and have Benzhi copy that?

 The regimen was Benzhi had to try and follow Mother's movements for about twenty minutes, then sit, close his eyes and visualise the movements. Rinse and repeat. This went on for a few hours, by the end Benzhi was tired in muscles which did not to exist in reality, he was sure, and he hoped he had improved. At least some of movements were committed to memory if not completed with competency. Benzhi realised s couple of facts from completing this one form with Mother this morning. This was the best core training ever invented and this was one of many many forms he had to learn. Whilst completing the last attempt, alone this time, Benzhi imagined he was much improved. However, loud raucous laughter broke out from the edge of the glade as he finished. Bent over, recovering some breath Benzhi lifted his head to peer over to where the laughter was emanating. No surprises, there was nemesis now known to be Gisael. Oh come on, the thigh slapping was too much.

Gisael approached Benzhi. She gave him her best glare. It was beneath her to train this, hmm, whatever this thing was. However, Mother had asked and until the thing proved to be a danger to the forest Gisael had no choice but to obey. There was only one thing she could do, train it so hard it quits, at least its failures would be a source of mirth.

Gisael enquired, "are you done? I don't have all day."

Benzhi puzzled, "erm, I am with you all day."

Gisael's best glare improved by a level. Her glare endurance was also legendary, she was able to hold her glare for two minutes. Although after this time the silence even made her uncomfortable. He just stared at her with the stupidest look. Didn't Mother say he was intelligent?

 Gisael broke the silence, "you will need a weapon and some coverings. You are too ugly, some coverings may improve your appearance to a level which I may be able to abide for short periods. What do you have with you?"

Benzhi stared at Gisael incredulously, "Um, you followed me yesterday through more than half the forest did you see me carrying anything? Where do you think I stowed some gear, up my butt crack?"

Gisael merely frowned, "Very well, we will make do with what Mother can provide." Gisael went quiet with a vacant look on her face for a moment. "Follow me." She then tore off to the edge of the glade and ran straight up a large red cedar.

Benzhi just stared at her departing form up the tree. She didn't even climb, she just ran vertically. How was that possible, and how the hell was he supposed to follow? Are these people, well, forest people, insane? At least Mother's forms were possible, but Gisael. What was she, spider woman?

After what was only a few minutes but seemed like an eternity of uncertainty. Gisael arrived back and gave Benzhi a disparaging look.

"I said follow me, you need to follow orders or I cannot train you." Gisael imperiously informed Benzhi.

"You need to give orders that I can accomplish and perhaps show me how to do the things you are asking of me," Benzhi implored. This ....."What are you anyway?" Benzhi asked.

Gisael looked outraged. In the first hour of having to train the thing, she had run the gamut of stares, glares and looks of disgust. It now had the audacity to ask her what she was. What the blight was he?

"You first," Gisael responded.

"Um," Benzhi had no answer. He didn't know what he was. Human? Well, not exactly. He was a human like meat sack, with no hair or genitalia, that didn't seem to need to eat, sleep, piss or shit. His only need so far seemed to be the water from the mystical pool and a helping of meditation. 

Gisael harrumphed, "take these over and beg Mother to assist you," she said as handing over some leafy vines and a long stick.

Benzhi could have been quizzical, could have been confused, however, decided to just go with it. He took the amazing gifts graciously and bowed to Gisael. If she kept this up, he would go back to thinking of her as his nemesis. Smiling at her confused look at his bow, hah, she didn't get sarcastic bows, too easy, he then proceeded to the Willow near the centre of the glade. Touching it gently while calling Mother in his mind, she appeared.

"Now, now what have we here," Mother perused the plant material that Benzhi held with outstretched arms. She took the offered material and circled Benzhi. She then proceeded to place a vine here, a leaf there on his body, pressed her hand against his chest and bowed her head in concentration. A tingling sensation ran through Benzhi and the vines embedded themselves in parts of his body. His shoulder, lower back, abdomen. They fused with his skin. The tingling sensation must be some sort of magic that bound the leaves and vines and stopped him feeling any pain from the binding. Benzhi twisted and perused her handy work. He now had a leaf covering nothing over his groin, another on his rear and vines which formed what could be could belt, brace and diagonal sash.

Mother then held the stick in one hand and stroked it with the other. She began to hum or was it the wood which was humming? Its shape was changing, although it was a piece of wood, Benzhi would swear it was taking the shape of a sword. When Mother finally finished after several minutes of shaping It had taken on the form of a long flat blade, with an edge albeit not sharp, a pommel and wooden handle. The pommel even had an intricate wood carving. She handed it back to Benzhi and looked proud.

"Benzhi, I must rest now." Mother informed him.

"Thank you Mother," Benzhi replied and bowed as she dissipated.

Benzhi was now equipped with a sword and armour. He was sceptical the armour would achieve anything, except for the fact he could sheath his wooden sword in a loop the vine formed on his upper back. Benzhi was less doubtful the wooden sword was anything other than a training tool or club. He would not look a gift horse in the mouth. And you never know with these Fae, it could be more than it seemed. Especially since Mother said she had to rest. She performed forms for three hours this morning without a sign of tiredness. Yet the shaping of the sword sapped her strength enough for her to inform him she needed rest. He would not do her the disservice of judging the sword before testing its capabilities. 

Benzhi proudly marched back to the waiting Gisael, ready to take on a few ferals!

Chapter end