The cleansing and purifyingcontinued until he felt there was nothing left of him. He faced thecreature without fear and it began to change. Its huge fangs shrankinto human teeth, talons turned into fingernails, and body shed blackhair as its face reformed into a reflection of Michio’s face. Thenit faded away.
Everything shifted and Michio wasonce again in his physical body, sitting near a small, comfortingfire. He felt drained, stiff and sore and was surprised to see hedidn’t have any scratches or bites on his body. The experience feltreal, but had taken place in a dark area of the Inner Realms.
He reflected on what happened andrealized the monster wasthe dark part of himself as it claimed to be. He realized as he grewin power he’d have to be constantly vigilant to stay in balancespiritually and to never unleash that destructive force, never fightwith anger.
The test was not what heexpected. He knew he’d passed; if he hadn’t he probably wouldhave died in his physical body as some of initiates had in the past.
He felt different. New strengthpulsed through him and he felt lighter and freer, no longer held downby his own illusions and heavy karmic load. He rejoiced in his newstate of expanded awareness. It felt as if he could soar free to anyplace in the universe. The music of God sung loudly in his inner earand everything around him glowed with radiant light.
He started to leave the cave whenhe remembered the stone he’d held when the fire turned into amonster. Scanning the ground around him, he spotted it.
When he picked it up, bright bluelight radiated from the stone. He wondered if there was a connectionbetween the stone and his inner experience. It clearly wasn’t anordinary stone.
Suddenly he felt Toemeka’senergy and heard her calling his name. He focused on his spiritualeye, chanted Shonu,then shifted his consciousness to the Sun and Moon worlds.
Toemeka appeared in her LightBody. “Michio,my love,Erlingand I need your help,”she communicated telepathically.
His happiness at seeing her fadedwith her words.“Where are you?”
“I’lltake you there.”They clasped hands and instantly transported to a jungle. Toemeka’sLight Body merged back into her physical body. She sat beside Erlingwho was unconscious and looked as if he’d been beaten. Fivesnarling, barking moncrons circled around Toemeka and Erling.Michio could see that though Toemeka had created a protective bubbleof energy to keep the moncrons from attacking, she was drained andnearly out of energy. He strengthened the bubble to keep it intact.
A soldier joined the moncrons andraised his thermal rife, pointing it directly at Toemeka. Michio’schest tightened in horror. He didn’t think the soldier could seeToemeka and Erling through the wall of the protective bubble, yet hefeared the moncrons’ behavior would give them away. The soldiercocked his rifle and looked through the thermal scope.
Michiosent the soldier a strong, compelling thought. Lower your rifle andcall off the moncrons. They are barking at nothing.
The soldier frowned, lookingpuzzled, then lowered his rifle. “Come here,” he said in acommanding voice to the moncrons. The creatures whined like dogs.“Come, now.” The long-legged beasts finally obeyed and trottedover to the soldier. The soldier led them deeper into the woods.
Toemeka’s shoulders sagged andshe let out a ragged breath. “Michio, please help Erling.”
Seeing how weak Erling’s lifeforce was, Michio addressed him inwardly. Erling,can you hear me?
Michio?Yes, I hear you. Can you help me?
Michio lifted Erling out of hisbody and transported him to a healing room at the Temple of Kai-Loo.Erling lay down on a bed situated in the center of the domed-ceilingroom. Radiant Light began pouring into him. Hours passed as hecontinued to receive healing Light and energy.
When the healing was complete,Michio guided Erling back to his physical body. Toemeka still sat incontemplation, keeping the energy bubble intact. Behind her, areddish light rose over the horizon with the coming of dawn.
Michio shifted his consciousnessback to the cave, though part of his awareness remained with Toemekaand Erling. He rose and stretched his stiff back. Outside the sun washigh in the sky as he began his journey down the mountain.
He met Mazarka upon entering themonastery courtyard. The eight-foot-tall man’s round eyes widened.“You’ve passed the last test! An aura of bright Light shinesaround you.” He touched his spiritual eye and bowed to Michio.
Michio bowed back. “I’m gladthe tests are over. I must leave now and save my wife.”
“If there’s anything I cando, I would be honored to fight at your side.”
“Thank you, but the mostimportant thing you can do is complete your training. Our destinieslie in different directions.”
“Come inside the monastery.Master Jadock knew you were coming and sent me to bring you to him.But first you must bathe so you can go to him in purity.” Mazarkaled Michio to his room where a wooden tub of steaming water waited.
“Once you’ve bathed, put onthis robe.” He gestured to a white robe with gold trim lying on thebed. “I’ll wait outside.” Mazarka left the room in such asolemn way that Michio realized this was leading to some type ofceremony.
Michio sank gratefully into thehot water, feeling his muscles relax. He scrubbed off the dark grimefrom his journey, then dried himself with a towel and pulled on therobe. The silky fabric felt soft on his skin compared to his usualrough garments. Before leaving the room, he slid the eagle coin andstone into his robe pocket.
Mazarka led him to MasterJadock’s chamber, then left. Michio touched his spiritual eye andbowed to the master who sat on a small rug.
Master Jadock stood, his face litwith joy. “Michio, I’m pleased you passed the last test.” Hispenetrating eyes studied Michio thoughtfully. “You had to knowabout the dark side of yourself. The more you grow, the more powerfulyou become. You’ve now achieved liberation from this world. TheLight and Sound of God flows through you. Remember love is all. Loveis the Light and Sound. Love is God. Live to serve the universal lifeforce and the Highest Master, Master Bakka.
