Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (13 page)

“Interesting reading Hiy-u,” says Anna. “I
agree Anna but how much of these can be real?” questions Jack. “I
have reason to believe it is all real,” states Hiy-u.

Hiy-u continues with his narrative, “The
fountain which held the Dream Stone, now in Jack’s possession, was
rumored to have been given to one of the Polo brothers. I wonder
how the stone came to be in the Captain’s possession. It must be a
very interesting story. All this information has taken me many
years to gather and catalog.”

Anna, watching Hiy-u, had noticed he appeared
to become very sad with their reading of the fight with Juneau, the
Stone’s legend and she starts to wonder. ‘Nah, impossible.’ Then;
with a loud gasp she snaps her head around and looks at a small
alcove.

***

Pic here of the alcove and glowing crystal
and its small rainbows

***

“Ah Yes Anna, that glowing object in the dim
alcove you are now looking toward is the one mentioned in the
journal. It actually seems to prefer being out of bright light and
I think is slowly getting brighter and has started producing
rainbows as Mana increases. But I do not believe it is a diamond.
On the wall to the side are the tablets. I have no actual reason
why, but I have come to believe they may be from the fabled city of
Atlantis as in Plato’s texts. The smaller tablet has a depiction of
a ring of islands somewhat like what Plato described in his
writings.

***

Pic here of the tablet

***

“Have you been able to decipher any of them?”
asks Anna. Hiy-u replies, “Not so far, but in this new digital
information age; the Mana returning plus the IMS agency building
nicely; I think it is time to reveal the tablets existence. In
fact, we recently completed vetting a young lady with an astounding
linguistic talent. Hopefully Kerrie will be a good addition to the
IMS. For now however; I prefer only you two to know of the crystal.
With the advances in science I recently had the illustration tablet
carbon dated. They thought it must have been somehow contaminated
as it dated to 11,450 BC and plus / minus 1,000 years.”

“So, what say we have a bite of lunch and
once you two have looked over the tablets, it is school time. In
preparation and hope I have prepared some ‘primers’ for potential
students. I warn; this will be very fatiguing both mentally and
physically, even painful at first. Still game, as they say?” Not
realizing just how grueling this will be they both chime in with a
resounding, “Yes!”

Requirements to safely utilize the energy and
some limitations / explanations:

Will power and a well trained memory

Ability to compartmentalize the mind to
enable holding separate thoughts, images.

Ability to visualize the end product.

Cannot, to date, make complex minerals,
elements.

Using Mana is both mentally and physically
exhausting.

The mental and physical strain lessens as the
Mage grows in mental strength and ability but never completely goes
away.

1. First step is training the mind’s memory
by using only the mind to visualize building something simple, over
n over, step by step – like stacking blocks or a small house of
cards. First with eyes closed then open. Open eyes helps with
learning of how not be distracted. Do not expect this process to be
quickly achieved but once accomplished you will find it gets
easier.

2. visualize building the object while saying
a short series of simple words over n over while mentally building
the object. Possibly only a single word.

3. once this is firmly in mind and word(s)
associated with the act; visualize it as actually being in reality,
you may feel a slight pain spike when the item comes into
being.

4. once you have mastered this simple process
move on to more intricate things.

5. nonliving complex items can be built using
this method tho it may take many years of experience. Stone walls
are an example and are the best to be among the first things
built.

6. Illusions require much practice as often
something is left out which enables the viewer to recognize it as
an illusion. This ‘disbelief’ does not make the illusion go away;
that is only in the game.

Much practice is required to enable the Mage
to visualize detailed actions or processes as needed.

It is advisable for the Mage to build a
‘repertoire’ of ‘spells’ for many different occasions. Building a
‘book’ of your spells will also aid immensely.

It is highly recommended that the Mage use an
obscure language not normally heard in the US as there is less
likelihood of someone recognizing the spell being performed which
helps prevent counter spells. In this case it is recommended they
use Chinese. Especially as Hiy-u’s spells are in Mandarin Chinese
and you will have access to his book for copying spells. Hiy-u and
others will demonstrate each spell’s effect’s as you are able to
progress enough to work each different spell without harm.

Cautions & Recommendations:

Again : Doing spells is Very fatiguing, both
mentally and physically painful, especially in the beginning.

It is easier to disrupt the spell caster if
he is attempting a spell containing many words or gestures,
especially in these modern times. This is the primary reason to
keep them as short as possible. In ancient time many gestures and
words, tho not necessary, were used which added much ‘Mystic’ and
mystery to the mages reputation.

“There must be over 200 pages in this thing
Hiy-u. How long have you been at this?” asks Jack. “O, for a while
now Jack.” says Hiy-u with a smile. “Might you have an electronic
copy?” “Yes I do Jack, but I think it looks much nicer on
parchment,” answers Hiy-u sporting a big grin.

Hiy-u suggests they develop, as soon as
possible, a ‘shield’ spell and shows them which one it is. A
sufficiently strong Mage can stop penetration of most spells and it
becomes more visible the stronger it is. Legend has it that some
Magi were able to produce one strong enough to appear solid and
actually stop arrows but, if true, I doubt he or she would have
been able to see out of it. It’s also quite handy against thrown
knives and such. The stronger the shield the more fatiguing it
becomes and harder to maintain so it is best to use only what is
needed plus a little for the ‘just in case’ clause. Maintaining the
shield and other semi-permanent shells requires the Mage to
maintain a ‘separate’ image in his or her mind so the magi must
also learn to partition his mind.

Hiy-u recommends, whenever possible, the
shield be made a simple curved shape and size like he has seen used
by riot police, possibly with a small weaker view port. He is not
sure one can be built that actually stops bullets, but has built a
shield spell that may deflect bullets tho it is extremely tiring to
maintain but has not actually been tested. When they got to that
section of the Primer they asked, “You have such a shield Hiy-u?”
“Yes, but then…. I am a bit old to be playing with bullets,” Hiy-u
says with a sigh. I suggest caution should you decide to test it,”
says Hiy-u with a grin. “You better believe with caution,” states
Anna.

Jack asks, “How about controlling someone
using the energy?” Hiy-u cautions Anna and Jack, “Yes, legends and
myths shows that is very possible, but is extremely dangerous to
the sanity of even a stable mind. Controlling someone, especially
one with a strong healthy mind, requires intense concentration and
will power. Doing this also opens the caster’s mind to becoming
‘lost’ and soon insane.”

“O my,” says Anna, “How, how… creepy!” “Yes,”
replies Hiy-u, “Creepy indeed and I will also teach IMS agents a
method to prevent someone gaining control of you. I warn that it is
a painful, even creepy as they say, rather unpleasant lesson but a
very important one. Once learnt, it is a simple exercise to
strengthen your resistance while still being able to perform
spells.” “However; Oh I do love that English word! However, on the
plus side, with sufficient practice, it is fairly simple to control
small animals for short periods. But again, even doing that it is
dangerous to continue maintaining control for a sustained period of
time. How long? I do not know and I certainly never intend to find
out. I have used the ability a few times, and then only briefly, to
deter animal attacks.

Enraged animals are the most difficult and
dangerous to control. Why that is true I have no idea and prefer
not to experiment. Once was more than enough. But, if more than
one, it is easier to turn them against each other. So, if you can
remain calm, it is very handy for that. For the smaller things,
bugs and such, I prefer a simple shield like spell. O, another very
important thing, you will find it possible to combine abilities
with other Mages in order to dispel a stronger Wizard’s spell’s
effects but is particularly fatiguing.”

“Wow, how long does it take to learn to deter
animals like that?” Anna asks. “Not long, primarily it simply
requires practice and the Will power. It’s in the Primer. You both
have sufficient Will so I can quickly instruct you both in the
proper technique. Then it’s practice, practice, practice. Just
remember, only short durations of control, the shorter the better.
It works on the smallest insects even better when used in
conjunction within a shield spell. I never have to spray Off on!”
Hiy-u says with a chuckle.

Once the FBI were called in about the ‘husk’
death in Texas word quickly leaks out about the bizarre mummy like
corpse and begins spreading like a wildfire on the internet. As
word spreads, the number of husk death bodies located grows. Mexico
leads the way first by reporting at least five over the last ten
years and no clue as to the cause. Brazil reports eight over a ten
year period but their last was found ten years ago. None have been
found since.

Other countries, especially Africa, chime in
with legends of husk deaths going further and further back in time.
Then an old WWII atrocities researcher remembered some old Gestapo
files about strange deaths. Supposedly authorized by Hitler and at
least two very high ranking Gestapo Generals that were finally
caught and hung. A lengthy search of WWII files finally located
several files that indeed had testimony by the Generals about one
of Hitler’s occult advisors tho that name was not recorded.

Only four records were found mentioned him,
but all described an old fat Asian magician who kept certain
prisoners healthy for his use. Even Hitler was reported to be
nervous around him. One of the Generals was recorded as crying when
he described watching one session where the magician sucked the
life from the victim using an eight sided stone. Visibly shaking,
he said he will never forget the long agonizing scream. More and
more countries report similar deaths, mostly as fables, all the way
back to China where the numbers and distance back in time really
increased.

Jack has been watching this inexplicable
recorded series of the strange deaths happening worldwide over such
a long period of time. He thought the stories describing an eight
sides stone sounded like the one he read about in the journal Hiy-u
had. His analytical mind would not let him rest; he had to figure
this out. But he is beginning to think that over the ages the time
between the deaths gotten steadily shorter and shorter so there
must be a reason. Jack emailed Hiy-u his suspicions and he agreed
with him; advising extreme caution if Jack felt he was close to
finding the Artifact and its wielder.

The most recent husk site was in very remote
location in Washington State. This body had also been burned almost
to cremation making identification difficult if not impossible. All
identifying items are also missing and no DNA was recovered.
However the killer had left tire tracks this time. The FBI searched
the tire patterns but the tires were widely sold tho they did
indicate a small vehicle. Jack realizes it appears the time between
has been shortening to five or six months over the years recorded
and, with the chance not all the bodies have been sound, might be
even shorter. So far all victims found and identified are men and
women varying in age from 26 to the oldest known of 36. All
appeared to have been in very good health.

Whoever has been doing these relatively new
deaths certainly know that forensics is now very good at
identifying victims and killers so has begun taking extreme
precautions. Jack hears much speculation that an as yet unknown
cult is the culprit. He is not sure why but he is starting to think
it is possible only one or two people may be responsible, crazy as
that seems.

As newly vetted agents completed training and
came into IMS worldwide; the agency has been arranging for
volunteers of them to touch the two symbols on the Stone. Worldwide
only seven have developed the ‘spirit’ dream ability after touching
the tiny Death symbol then the Dream symbol on the Stone.

Four of these new agent’s that gained the
ability appear to be stronger in it than that possessed by Jack.
The reason why may have to do with their personalities. Remains
found by them average about 65% of bodies being found because of
the dreams.

However the percentage may actually be higher
as the agents; named ‘Finders’ by the various media; found several
locations to have been recently dug up before the agents arrival.
Some killers, apparently paying heed to newspaper and the internet
reports, are moving the bodies as word gets out about the
‘Finders’.

Several requests for Finders have come from a
few countries with histories of mass killings have been received as
word spreads worldwide of their finds. While other countries
vehemently refuse to allow entrance to Finders or any IMS agents.
Notably among those is France where Islamic radicals , especially
one new Islam Cleric claiming to be the voice of Allah. He has
gathered a very large following and is advocating strict Muslim law
for all of France or at least a large portion. There have been
numerous ongoing disruptions and on several occasions automatic
weapons were used.