Aryu listened intensely, lost in the story and the victims it produced. A part of him was revolted to be surrounded by these people, despite his inability to see or hear them. “I think I need to ask a question I don't want the answer to, Nixon. But if I’m to understand all that has happened, and may happen again, I need to know.” Nixon nodded, unsure of the conversation’s direction. “What exactly is the Power? I know it's born inside us, and can manifest itself in ways once thought to be magic, mind-reading, astonishing strength and whatnot, but what is the Power?”
Nixon smirked. “Aryu, if ye 'ad any idea tha vastness of tha Power and the things it could do, I doubt ya would be able to answer tha’ question if asked. Basically, the Power begins with eliminatin' the restrictions of yer mind. For years people believed the mind was more powerful than we were shown t’ believe but didn't know how t’ progress towards finding its true depths.
“The ones who tapped it first were deeply religious people. People who dedicated their lives to explorin’ themselves and the abilities tha’ lay dormant. Soon they realized tha’ life and death, power and weakness, all basic living standards were not fixed in stone but were arbitrary. Death is only inevitable if ya believe it t’ be; 'owever, since everyone seemed to die, it seemed as unstoppable as the wind. Jus’ because one couldn't conjure fire from 'is 'ands, or make it rain with a thought didnn'a mean it couldn't be done. Soon, these honorable figures around tha world found new, astonishin’ and sometimes terrible ways t’ use their mind’s 'idden secrets. The practice was widely 'idden until shortly before tha Second Fall of Man, when those with an ear t’ the spiritual winds caught the image of wha' was about t’ befall mankind.
“Crystal’s father is a prime example of it, though as I said, he was much more skilled at its mastery than many others. His teacher, an old man named Owata-san, who is let's jus' say an old acquaintance o' mine, was determined t’ pass on the teachings and saw in 'er father the person to do so. Owata-san chose, some say foolishly, not to limit wha’ her father could do or teach t’ others. Owata allowed him t’ enter the world with a mind full of Power and possibilities, hoping tha’ 'is lack of restraint would cause a ripple effect, givin' all men the tools required t’ thrive in this new land the closed-minded 'ad created.
“W'ether tha’ decision ultimately led to the rise of the Power and tha Third Fall of Man is a debate left t’ 'istorians, should there be any left.”
Aryu, lost in the story, was still confused.
“Think of it this way, Aryu,” Nixon continued, racking his brain for an explanation Aryu could understand. The story of Crystal’s father, a story she had told him during their first meeting, came to mind. Nixon used his powers to create a small flame no bigger than a candle, at the tip of his finger. “Ya see this fire?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Can ya put it out?”
“Sure.”
“From across a room? With no aid from water or anythin' else? Jus’ by thinkin’ about it?”
“No. That can't happen.”
“Why?”
“Because I'd need to use some kind of tool.”
“There ya go. Think of it this way. It exists. You exist. Ya have tha’ in common. Yer both real. The Power is a means of tappin’ tha’ common bond, connectin’ the two of ya and allowin’ ya t’ do as ya wish without liftin’ a finger.”
“So you're saying that just because it and I are real, I can put it out? Just by thinking it?”
“Put it out! Make it bigger! Turn it into a flamin’ pony! The possibilities are limitless, if ye release the limits of yer mind and allow yerself t’ be lost in the unimaginable sea of everythin’.”
“And the objects you say are used to focus, like the sword?”
“Ah, well, most people in history enjoy takin’ the easy way to anywhere. Ryu originally needed the Shi Kaze to focus 'is powers. 'Is use left its mark on tha blade, as did each subsequent use fer the same purpose. In the end, it became as it is now.”
“And why the need to focus with an object?”
“The same reason the Power became so widely used after Crystal’s father began teachin’! Because people need to see it to believe it! Let me jus’ say this. Do ya’ believe tha’ ya could make tha’ flame dance and grow? Honestly?”
“Well it seems unbelievable that it's that easy. Just believing we both exist doesn't seem like enough.”
“But ya believe tha Power is out there?”
“Ryu didn’t leave much doubt.”
“Right. So yer belief isn’t an outright no?”
“Not a total no.”
Nixon smiled. “Why is tha’?” The truth began to dawn on Aryu’s face.
“It’s because the history of the world proved that people with these amazing abilities exist.”
“And if there 'adn't been, 'ow easy would it be t’ believe?”
Aryu finally saw where Nixon was going, though it still seemed far-fetched. “It would have been impossible.”
Nixon clapped his big hands, a deafening sound in the quiet air, his sorrow at the plight of the voices momentarily lost. “Exactly! Ya know it can be done, history teaches ya tha’. People are a fantastically skeptical species. ‘Seein’ is believin’’ may as well have been yer motto from the dawn of Genesis!”
Now Nixon started to calm himself, having found himself so wrapped up in the story, while Aryu's green eyes had grown wide. Nixon started again, looking to help the young man's dawning epiphany properly. “So, finally, we come to the objects of Power. Simple as this: people knew the Power was possible. They knew wha' it could do to objects, givin’ ‘em great strength and
