The Flow of Power

In the meditative state currently facing her like a dead man’s face, there were hardships. A daunting test, one to see if she had enough mettle, to see if she was ready for the responsibility. If she was ready to finally be a Master.

Even the cold and gray Solitary Room around her could not dim her almost frantic anticipation. She had been training hard for years, since the very first day that she had been admitted to the school just eight years ago. For eight years she had been honing the skills of her mind. Clairvoyance. Telekinesis. Mind speak. The ability to see a place in her Mind’s eye that was father away that a telescope could spy. In eight years, a relatively short period of time, she had become the academy’s top student.

Her teachers had always marveled over how many Mind Skills she had possessed, over her talent to master and control them. Her peers had always been envious, and rightly so. The usual number of Talents was one, maybe two, and she had twice that. But soon, she would enter a different world that utilized her skills, a world that was just now becoming familiar to her, but was soon to become her haven. Euphor, the world of the mind. A place where physical bodies had no substance the mind is all.

The signal came from a younger delegate who stood nervously on the threshold and was soon to go through his own meditative test. And so she began.

First there was a lighting of a candle, an orange one as the storeroom was low and they couldn’t sacrifice a white one. This helped to focus her mind. Breathing deeply and evenly, she closed her eyes one at a time and visualized the flame beneath her eyelids.

Then there was slow counting down. A mental warning signal to her brain before it was pushed beyond the constraints of the usual. The flame became a glowing and vibrant in her eyes.

Her shoulders became tense but she forced them to relax. Early tensing of the body was a signal of intentional impediment by someone else. But that was no surprise. It was test after all.

Nine.

Her task was to enter Euphor and face one of her teachers. A challenge would be already set up for her and to exit the meditative state she would have to defeat the challenge.

Eight.

The sudden pounding of her unruly heart nearly threw her completely off course. The pounding of her heat meant interference from more than one person. How odd.

Seven.

Her mind was suddenly taken over and was no longer under her steadfast control. The numbers were suddenly going much faster, forcing her mind through the preparation when it was clearly unready. Sweat dribbled between her breasts as she fought off the attackers. Her skin became oddly sensitive, and pinpricks of pain littered her back.

Six.

The stages slowed down to a more leisurely and sedate pace, but still not as before. The bite of the sharp gray stones in the floor continued to distract her. She was tiring.

Five.

The blackness of meditation was beginning to fade away to reveal Euphor.

Four. Three. Two. One.

The numbers sped up again, but she let them catapult her forward anyway. There was no point in fighting the push when she was so close to the end anyway.

Euphor was different for each person, and was suited for each unique personality. For one it might be a lone island, deserted but for the sea. For another a desert, or perhaps a humid rainforest. And for her, it was shadowy and mysterious, with hidden gems of rare and fleeting beauty.

Her professor of Sight, appeared in a sensuous curl of smoke seconds later. Her vivid personage clashed violently with the orange clouding her own mind. Behind her a glimpse of the professor’s world appeared. It was a luxurious world full of desire. A palace of silks and scents, designed for court intrigue and decadent lovers. She quickly eyed the scarlet pillows, steaming incense, and ivory inlaid floors. A sheik’s palace.

The professor of Meditation appeared unexpectedly, garbed in his usual dark green. His appearance was accompanied by the tantalizing glimpse of a lacquered wood floor and a multitude of healthy, green plants. And this was soon followed by the professor of Deception in indigo, who brought a delightful vision of a deep, secluded mine filled with sparkling and iridescent gems.

All previous intentions fled her mind at these happening. Never had more than one Master appeared in a Final Test before. It went against all the ancient and traditional rules. Several other stern faced professors became visible as she marveled, all in various shades of unassuming green or blue. But then, when the last human appeared, she nearly dropped from the realm in shock.

The school dean, direct descendant of Merlin and the most powerful Mind Talent she had ever seen, stood before her. His expression thunderous.

The glimpse he provided revealed a new side to his nearly unbeatable personality. Corruption. A golden throne set with winking jewels. Greed. There was too much in each space, an overcrowding of ideals, plots, and lies. Around the throne sat many advisors who were all cross-legged on the floor, eyes turned respectfully toward the garish seat. Innovation used to create evil.

She could feel her concentration and therefore her position in Euphor, slipping away like oil. Something was terribly wrong. The dean hardly ever came out of his palatial suite of rooms, but for him to travel to Euphor, it had to be an incredible emergency.

The one is charge came toward her stealthily, but did not venture the whole way. He held out one accusing hand. “You are a threat to the Great Roman Institute of Mental Energies. You must be eliminated.”

The Sight professor came forward now, apologetic but determined in essence. Her energy crept toward her pupil silkily, and was soon joined by that of the other teachers. Her mind began to ache fiercely from the relentless pressure of ten strong minds.

Back in the Meditation Room, her hair fell limply from it’s severe coiffure, and stuck to the back of her damp neck. The shock of cool hair on her hot body made her waver, so the her opponents could take sufficient advantage of her.

The dean’s eyes glinted as he joined the others’ feverous efforts. The ache became a pounding and she knew that if this continued for much longer her mind would be shattered into a million pearly pieces. Still, it went on. Pressing down till she wanted to scream out with pain, weariness, and desperation.

She reached desperately for any last reserves of power that might be hidden deep within her soul. Her mental fingers became fragile and sharp she reached, pushing past mental curtains and snagging painfully on the material. Both her body and mind became swamped with the double effort as pain and pressure overwhelmed her. It would end soon.

But then she found it. Pure, unadulterated, free power. Golden and blazing orange as the very candle she had started with. Like the sun it roared through her body and soul, ripping through her essence, and shaking her control till it crumbled from the extreme force of her the fragmented minds. And then her adversaries were destroyed.

All around her was radiant orange as she returned to the Mediation Room. And all about was frenzied chaos. Students and staff alike rushed about a normally secluded room. And though she was the cause of such strong panic, no one noticed when she rose smoothly and brushed out her burnished orange muslin robes.

Her hair folded itself up into a proper bun as she left.

After all, she was stronger than then all.

Author’s Note – Another Strong Woman story. This one orange. Originally, the teachers all had names, but I decided that since the names were all really dorky, and names weren’t really in keeping with the Strong Woman series, I took them out. The part where each professor reveals part of their Euphor was my friend’s idea, and I think it really benefited the story. Each person’s world is a reflection of their personality, so tell me what you think each professor is like.

Also, did you notice that 'Great Roman Institute of Mental Energies' G.R.I.M.E. I couldn't help myself! That just cracks me up!

Hope you enjoyed it and review!

Late March