text: A Calling in Th'Abyss I Who are you... Where are we.... Do I belong here.... A voice scatters across the dark of Th'Abyss- a location unfamiliar to many who find themselves lost. Wandering souls often are caught up in their own misery. More times than naught, such souls fall into the darkest night. I cannot help but to wonder: Who are you? The soul crying cannot see me for my body camouflages in the darkness. Similarly, the beast behind the lost lamb cannot be seen. Yet, I know it is there- prowling. I shuffle my foot in the black mud. With my arm I draw a blade from my left hip. Don't move... I demand the lost soul. Confusion and fear permeate through the thick air: What do you mean? What's there? From behind the wandering soul, the beast begins to strike. We hear the strong limbs pounding against the ground. Despite the darkness, I can see the creature's eyes- red embers glow dimly as they target their prey. I raise my sword high. Swiftly, I maneuver around the lost lamb. The beast looks at me with rage. Regardless, it shall not be allowed to kill. Tonight the beast is vanquished with one fell swoop of my blade. The black steel is sharp and slices the fiendish head off of its shoulders. The head rolls into the mud. Alarmed by the shrieking beast, the wandering soul screams. Sharply so the soul releases fear and anguish: What's happening? Where are you- are you going to kill me? I place my sword back into the scabbard. With a gentle approach, I place my hand on the soul: I am not here to hurt you. If you are lost, then I can lend some advice. The soul readies their breathe. Calming one's mind helps alleviate confusion through creating room for clarity. After all, thoughts are as muddied as Th'Abyssian floor when rattled. A sigh of disbelief echoes from the soul. There is a sense of longing and closure. I reassure that I can help. Well, at least I know who can be of aid. How long have I been here, the lost soul begins to ask- Do you have the time? I laugh at their question: Forgive me, but time does not exist here in the same as it does on your earth. Th'Abyss is a location of enternal night. Although we may age, we grow at an extremely slow pace. The soul shakes their head. My response is not to their grasp. One cannot blame another for believing the words of a person they have just met. Especially, when the conversation circles around a place only mentioned in tales. How do I leave? The soul's voice sounds exasperated. Perhaps this place is draining to their spirit- that is a certain possibility. Not many human souls travel to Th'Abyss and leave unscathed. I place a hand on my jaw- looking into the darkness for an answer. Who can help this lost being? Then, an image forms in my mind of a possible solution. Yet, contacting them will prove difficult. At least, I have no means of getting their attention. The wandering soul, on the contrary, should be able to pique another's interest. You must connect with The Monkey, I begin to say while my solution is interrupted. The monkey? What the hell is a monkey going to do? Frustration rings louder than sorrow. The soul needs to commit to trust despite the circumstances. Please let me speak, I halt any further interjections- The Monkey is a powerful being. He is aligned with The Conquerer who steeped foot here long ago. Should you travel further into Th'Abyss, you will reach a pivotal point in which communication with Outerreagions is possible. You will know when you land there, your feet will step on stone. Once you reach this location, call out to The Monkey by his name. You may have to speak his name more than once. Yet, I assure you he will be able to free you from this void. My voice is ascertain and honest. Surely, the wandering soul puts faith in me despite previous disbelief. After all, when there is no one else lending advice, people tend to give another a chance. There is no doubt in my mind that The Monkey is able to provide assistance. Very well, the wandering soul sighs- I will do as you say. I just hope you're right. I smile and shake the lost lamb's hand- Everything will be alright. With that reassurance, I can feel a sense of relief. Further, I bid the soul bön nicht. As they walk in the distance, I cry out the name needed for release. Despite the darkness, I know that the soul nods in affirmation- repeating the true name of The Monkey. II Beneath a clear sky rests a vast valley. Vibrant fields of green contrast against the black mountains beyond. A river of azure glints in the sun- dazzling like jewels on the surface. Here resides a kingdom, a home to those who once were refugees. In this land, there are no humans. On the contrary, beings noted as Mystiques find their sanctuary from the devils of their past. The Mystiques compromise of humanoid people with extraordinary power. Not everyone holds supernatural abilities. Yet, everyone shares a common love of nature and freedom. In this world, discrimination no longer exists because the beings here had to flee from oppression and segregation. Freedom is not always free- as the saying goes. The people who congregate to the valley could not earn their salvation alone. In truth, a savior came to their calling. At first, they saw fear in the exploits of a single warrior. In time, they came to trust the great fighter as their Savior. As the clock ticks, and battles were won- the Savior collected four strong generals to help maintain order. In guard of the kingdom laying in the valley is the whimsical Monkey. He has earned much respect despite his carefree nature. The children of the kingdom especially regard him in earnest. After all, the Monkey is not too proud to play- unlike other generals. Peace and safety are the two main goals of the Savior's empire. Some may believe that living without conflict may be boring. On the contrary, the people of this kingdom enjoy their carefree lifestyle. They have the liberty to live the life given to them. Ultimately, after seeing their plight, the kingdom's Savior thought it best to provide everyone with the opportunity of peace. Sanctuary is a reward for those who have long suffered from hardships- oppression cannot be allowed to stay forever. Yet, what of one's sense of adventure? The Monkey can assure one that there comes a time when the need to move and act is hard to satiate. True, many can be happy with their daily routines- living amongst nature is enough to bring elation. The Monkey would never judge the people he is deemed to protect. Besides, everyone deserves the time to create, play, laugh, and grow with the land around them. Honestly, the Mystiques do not have the same occupational mentality as those of modern earth. There are neither large corporations to work aimlessly for, nor arbitrary tasks to tend. What is necessary to do is what will be done. Survival is not about excess, but appreciating the simplicity of life. Simplicity, the word crosses Monkey's mind. In the court yard, a great blossom tree provides him with a place to sit. The tree may not be his typical place for meditation. However, Monkey cannot help but to follow the flow of thought. His eyes are transfixed on the drifting clouds ahead while the mind wanders into deep contemplation. A booming voice interrupts all concentration: "Here you are Monkey, I've been looking all over the castle for you." The sound is deep and startles Monkey's balance. He fumbles from his branch. Fortunately, Monkey has a tail. With a quick SWISH, Monkey prevents his fall. "Watch yourself Dragon!" the embarrassed Monkey shouts- "You could've made me bust my head!" The Dragon cannot help but to laugh- "You're a monkey, you're not supposed to fall out of trees!" Monkey's face turns red. He swings from the branch and lands on his feet. With his hands on his hips, Monkey raises head high. The pouting Monkey is much smaller than the tall Dragon being. Even in his Mystique form, the Dragon measures seven feet. "So," the Monkey places his arms behind his head- "What brings you here from the black mountains?" Typically, the generals would plan in advance should they decide to visit another castle. After all, they must assign a top soldier to tend to their kingdom in their stead. Dragon is more anal than the other generals- perhaps that is because he is the eldest. A surprise visit is nothing within his personality. Nonetheless, something or someone may have urged the occasion. The thought passes through Monkey's mind. "Un piqua göttís told me that you needed counsel," the Dragon replies with an atypical blend of stern and playful. "Therefore, I flew by to see how you fare." The statement presents Monkey with confusion. Clearly, the Dragon forgot which tongue to use. The Mystique language has many dialects with various shifts in words. Seeing Monkey's head tilt, the old Mystique clarifies his meaning. "Oh! I see now," the Monkey laughs- "You should've said so from the beginning. Well, I'll let you in on a secret." Monkey motions for his tall friend to drop down a notch. With a hand covering his mouth from view, Monkey whispers: "I'm bored!" The Dragon gives a hardy laugh. His friend looks insulted. However, the Dragon raises a hand: "I'm not mocking you." The Monkey's eyes roll in an effort to suggest that he believes otherwise. After a moment of silence, even the Monkey cannot resist a bout of laughter. "It's insane!" The Monkey jeers- "I just feel useless right now. I know my place and role in maintaining this kingdom. However, I cannot help but to crave an adventure. Perhaps, there is someone that I don't know who needs me." With a wounded look in his eye, the Monkey looks to the ground below. Everyone wants to be able to help another. Yet, where to begin when one's duties seem full? Dragon places a hand on Monkey's shoulder- "I understand how you feel. That is why I was told to visit. There is a chance that somebody could use your skill." Monkey looks up into Dragon's eyes. He thinks to himself- does Dragon know something that I don't? The old Mystique can notice the change in Monkey's gaze. Clearly, he is suspicious about the other in the moment. "Be honest," Monkey demands- "What did the little goat tell you?" "Meditate," the Dragon begins to replay with an emphasis on the world- "Meditate and you will hear someone calling your name." Surely, the answer seems peculiar. Should another being tell Monkey to give into a transient state, he would not listen. After all, the notion implied is an adventure through projection. The Monkey looks perplexed and shakes his head: "What is your meaning now Dragon?" A quest found is more appealing than a quest given. Such an expression crosses Monkey's nature- he does not always enjoy being handed down tasks. "Take this mission as your own," continues the Dragon- "Go to your tree and listen for a voice. You will understand once you find the connection." "Is someone imprisoned?" Monkey raises the question with discomfort. How can he be expected to single handedly rescue a person from a castle? "I can say no more," the Dragon shakes his head- "It is an opportunity to alleviate your boredom at the benefit of helping another soul." The Monkey shrugs his shoulders- "Fine, I'll take the task. Thank you for letting me know. Tell the little goat that I will not fail." A beam strikes the Dragon's face- "I will. Take care Monkey." The two friends shake hands in departure. Jumping into the sky, Dragon transforms into his fierce form. A great black beast with powerful wings soars towards the direction of home. Monkey admires his friend's might and bids him well. The time is nigh for adventure to begin. Monkey proceeds to back flip excited by the task at hand. He looks to the sun, noticing the orb's descent behind the horizon. No need to fear, for Monkey, meditation works just as well in the night as in the day. With urgency, the Monkey makes haste to the beautiful fruit tree that lays past the kingdom. I do not know you, but I will come to your aid- the thought rings with confidence. III Breathe in and breathe out... Slow inhale, but with a deep exhale. Finding one's center is all about creating a sense of balance. Ying and yang are basic principles that have been taught in Eastern human religions. A thought that has elements of truth. There is light and darkness within the world. Yet, the idea of gender differences in their teachings is faulted. We are all living beings. We behave the way we are because of our own identity- rather than what society seeks to control between the male and female forms. I for one, respect my own society- equality and equity for all. These thoughts enter my mind as I sit beneath the golden peach tree. The wind blows calmly through the leaves. Gentle, the wind touches my face. Breathe in and breathe out... Slow inhale, but with a deep exhale.... What was the mission again? Answer the call. Who will speak my name? Where am I needed? There are too many questions and I will be rendered useless should I fail to find a moment of peace. I can feel the sun leave my face as he drops down behind the horizon. Matrá Lunestrá will truly prove to be an asset in this journey. In leaving one space to go into the darkness requires the light of her eyes. She is able to guide one in their dreams- therefore, she will be able to help me reach the lost soul. As long as Lunestrá is willing, I am grateful to her magika. Please help me, Mother Moon- I pray with my my heart. Suddenly, I can hear my name. The sound echoes through the air like windchimes. The time to act is coming. Since I'm still unsure as of where I will tarry- I achieve my highest form. Full concentration and spiritual power are key to success. Then my name strikes as hard as a gong: Doooon!!! The sound nearly shatters my wits. The urgency is nigh. Now I understand my mission. It is time to answer a calling in Th'Abyss.