As Becky had promised, the practice day was brutal for the Fantasmal Fighters. Members of the group who had not fine tuned their various skills spent hours at a time with Derrick and Jandor, the fighting instructors, Allen, the only one who could teach the inner workings of mandamus, or Daniel, the head mentant.
In one corner of the oversized practice room, Daniel worked first with Sam and Stephanie, the major mentus users of the group.
"I don't understand." Stephanie tied the belt around the middle of her new green robe. "How is summoning animals a mentus skill?"
"It's simple once you think about it," Daniel started to explain. "When you talk to the animals that you summon, you're using mentus. You're actually speaking to them in the mentant realm. You just don't know it."
"Oh." Stephanie nodded blankly.
"Once you learn more about mentus," Daniel continued, "you'll be able to use your summoning skills more effectively and you'll be able to communicate with animals without having to speak to them."
"What about me? Will learning more mentus help my mind control power?" Sam was sitting on the floor beside his two friends.
"Absolutely," Daniel assured him. "Right now, I can only imagine how difficult it is trying to filter through all of the mentant thoughts in a person's head to gain control over their mind. Once you understand mentus better, it'll be easy."
"So what's the first step?" Stephanie asked.
"First, both of you need to become familiar with the mentant realm."
"Mentant realm?" Stephanie repeated.
"Yeah; that's where mentus really works; 'the realm of the heavens' as the spiritual scholars say. It's like a TV frequency that only mentants can pick up. Once you become familiar with the realm you'll be able to see all the mentus commands going on around you. Now just close your eyes."
Allen's job was considerably easier. Less than half of the group would learn mandamus and many of them already knew the basics. He did an overview, to make sure they were all proficient in mandamus technique, and assigned them various commands to practice. Becky successfully mastered three new commands. Allen could tell her skillmaster abilities were already being put to work.
Jandor and Derrick both handled the combat lessons. Derrick taught hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. As various members of the group came to him for instruction, he guided them in mastering proper fighting techniques as he had learned from his mentor on Mendala, the legendary Ho Shaw Zen.
"Dump all the crap you learned about martial arts," he said to the group in front of him. "The Zormon fighting style is not about loud noises or overt actions. It's about being so aware of what's around you that you can sense your opponent's movement before they even do it."
Jandor had the equally daunting task of teaching proper weapon techniques. He made sure each person was fitted with a weapon that suited their particular fighting style and skill. Fortunately, most of the members had spent a good deal of time on Mendala and had already learned some technique. In addition, Lawrence had a variety of weapons for those who did not own one or wanted another.
"Becky, I actually think I have the perfect thing for you," Lawrence said as he entered the room with an armful of weapons.
Becky stepped away from the group Jandor was teaching. "What?"
Lawrence handed her a slender cream colored staff which had three small, sharp, wing-shaped blades at the end. "This is a bacilla. It's a very rare elfish weapon. I thought it would fit you well."
Becky examined the bacilla. It looked more like a scepter than anything else and seemed too small to be of much use in a battle. "I don't understand, Lawrence. I mean, if you're giving me this 'cause you don't think I can handle a sword, I."
"No, no, no." Lawrence laughed. "You misunderstand. I'm giving you this because you're a skillmaster and probably the only one that can use it to its full potential. The bacilla is a special weapon that requires great mental and mentant discipline. Only a few have ever been made. It's almost like a quickener's staff. It bonds with its owner and can anticipate your moves the more your use it. The staff can extend to almost twice its normal length; it has embedded mentus in it which you can use to trigger all sorts of special techniques. Honestly, even I don't know the full extent of its uses, but I think a skillmaster like you can take advantage of the bacilla."
Becky stared at the weapon with new respect. "Wow. thanks Lawrence. I'll. I'll give it a try." She took a few test swings with the light weapon before returning to where Jandor was still teaching.
The day's schedule allowed for everyone to spend a few hours with each of the trainers and gave them time to practice alone. They stopped for an early dinner and continued practicing well into the night.
***
Ace was the only one, other than Henry, who was excused from practice. He assured Jandor that because of his lengthy stay on Mendala, he was well prepared for any situation. The extent of the powers that he accumulated while on Mendala was a mystery to the others in the group. They just trusted that Ace knew what he was doing.
Instead of practicing, he studied various maps of the Zandamion Swamps that were to the south and east of Leviton. He had been to them several hundred times, especial when he helped build the Fantasmal Fortress. The problem was that the terrain within the swamplands never stayed the same. A safe path one year could be riddled with pitfalls the next. His goal was to determine the safest route through the swamps. Finally, he came upon a very unique map.
He held it up in the afternoon light to ensure that he was reading the ancient language correctly. When he confirmed the text, a wide grin crossed his face. "Well I guess there are still a few things I don't know." He rolled the map up and stuffed it into the inside pocket of his robe.
***
Dagian, the small white dove, swooped into Ester's room with Ashley close behind. The bird landed on Ester's shoulder.
"Sorry Ester, I don't know what's wrong with him today."
Dagian gave a small chirp in Ester's ear and she smiled. "Ah, he's ready to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"Back to where we both came from." She took the bird from her shoulder and held it in her palm. "Dagian only stays with new Daughters of the Sun for a short period of time. He feels you no longer need him. I suppose he's right. I shall let him rest until he's needed again," she smiled at Ashley, "perhaps by one of your descendents."
Before Ashley could comprehend what Ester was telling her, a white light surrounded Dagian and in a flash, the small bird had disappeared.
"Bye Dagian," Ashley said in a somber tone. "I sort of thought he'd be around forever." She shrugged. "He was a good friend, but maybe he's right. Now that I'm not lost anymore, I guess Dagian doesn't need to watch over me anymore." She smiled at this. "Well, at least I still have you."
Ester gave her a sideways hug. "Of course."
***
Lawrence Stokenshire had spent much of the afternoon helping the Fantasmal Fighters obtain their weaponry and armor through his connections in Leviton. He now planned on spending a relaxing evening in his study reading. However, when he walked in the room, he found Mrs. Guardman sitting in one of the chairs, her eyes closed.
Lawrence proceeded cautiously. "Madam Guardman, are you okay?"
Her eyes opened and she chuckled a little despite herself. Ever since she came to Mendala, everyone, even people significantly older, either called her "Madam Guardman" or "Mrs. Guardman." The only exceptions were Fantasma and Ester. It seemed this deferential treatment had to do with the rank of Fantasmal Advisor that Fantasma had given her when he made her white robe.
"Sorry, Lawrence; I was just thinking."
"What about, if I may ask?"
"Mostly about my kids; I worry about them so much, even though I know they can take care of themselves."
"Understandable; they are all still very young and it must be hard to watch them themselves in dangerous situations every day."
"It is, but before we came to Mendala, I received something like a vision. A messenger told me that God will protect them and I believe it."
"God?" Lawrence repeated.
Mrs. Guardman smiled. "Elohim." She had momentarily forgotten that this was the Mendalian word for God.
"Ah, I understand. Well after what I saw this morning, I'm inclined to believe the same. They're so young, yet their already mastering mandamus easily. That is truly a blessing of Elohim."
"I don't understand."
Lawrence smiled. "In our world, it is believed that mentus and mandamus were gifts granted a long time ago by Elohim himself. Of course, very few people still believe this, but I think the fact that the Fantasmal Fighters master mentus and mandamus so quickly is a sign."
He went to one of the high bookcases that stood against the walls of the room and examined a shelf for a moment before pulling out the book he was looking for. Then he sat down beside Mrs. Guardman and flipped through its pages. "Mentus has been around for much longer than mandamus. The ancient epouranal mages."
"Epouranal mages?" It was Mrs. Guardman's turn to repeat an unfamiliar term.
"Yes, they are the highest spiritual leaders of the land. They reveal prophecies, as well as spiritual laws and edicts. They also have extraordinary powers marked by beasts of the heavens that we call epourtherions."
"Oh, so they're like prophets?"
"Exactly and it was they who first taught the power of mentus. It says here that 'Elohim was pleased with the constant faith of the Mendalians and granted them a gift. It would be known as mentus, which in the ancient language means ask. The high mages taught the early Mendalians that whatever they asked of from the heavens would be granted in the physical world. That is why mentants can see into that second realm. Most believe it is a form of spiritual realm, but the knowledge of what it truly is was lost long ago. That is how mentus was born."
"That's amazing," Mrs. Guardman said peering over at the book.
Lawrence flipped to another section. "Mandamus came much later, about 50,000 years ago, but it is far more powerful. You see, there was not always a Fantasma, but there came a time when the people demanded a global leader. The epouranal mages were not there to lead but only to provide insight and guidance. Someone was needed to deal with political matters between the various principalities. So after much council among themselves, the epouranal mages chose the first leader of the planet. To everyone's amazement, he was a lowly servant of a rich landowner. His name was Marius Fantas. His family had been in servitude for so long that they had the surname Fantas, which means 'servant.' However, before Marius was made the leader of the world, he had to pass a test. The twelve epouranal mages took him to a mountain on the northern continent and told him that he must move the mountain to the small isthmus between the southern and northern continents. It would serve as his new home.
"Well, being a servant, Marius didn't know mentus, but even if he had, mentus has its limits. It can't move a mountain, especially one with so much quartz in it, so he called out to Elohim for help. It is written that Elohim answered him and said, 'Marius, if you have faith even as small as a grain of sand, you can speak to this mountain and command it in my name to move, and it will do so. That is the power that you, and anyone you teach, can have. But you shall be the greatest of them all.' And so Marius, believing what he heard, spoke the words Mittius Mandamus Mocomon Levrious Tacktorinate. In the old language that means 'In the name of Elohim, I command this mountain to move.' And it was so. The mountain moved instantly to the isthmus and became what is now known as Fantasmal Mountain. It is said that Elohim gave Marius a new name that day, Fantasma, which means Greatest Servant. The power, 'mandamus' was his to teach. It was, and is, very powerful; masters of mandamus are guardians, sworn to serve the Fantasma, uphold the law, and preserve peace and faith throughout the world. That is why every mandamus command begins with the word 'Mittius' which means "in the name of Elohim.' Without it, the command is useless.
"Of course, as I said before, people think the ancient scrolls are just folklore and myths now. Science uses things like adimus and our active learning memory to explain the powers of mentus and mandamus, and people will sooner believe science than some dusty old scrolls. Anyone can use the powers of mentus and mandamus and they don't have to believe in anything, except that they can use it. Many people didn't believe in the Book of War until Davron unleashed its power again."
"Well, it is an amazing story, but I think I believe what you've told me." Mrs. Guardman stood and stretched. "I think our planet's histories are similar in many ways. The truth sometimes seems to be lost as time goes on, no matter how real it was when it was happening. I guess that's why there's such a thing as faith. I'm glad I talked to you Lawrence. I know now I don't have to worry about my son or the others, now that I know the truth behind their powers."
"You have a truly remarkable group, ma'am," Lawrence mused.
"Yes, I do." Mrs. Guardman smiled.
***
"You called for me, sir?" Allen stepped timidly into Fantasma's room.
"Yes Allen, please come in." Fantasma motioned for him to close the door.
Allen complied and stepped forward. "Is something wrong?"
"No nothing at all. Sit down." He waited for Allen to do this before continuing. "Do you know what a guardian is?"
Allen nodded slowly. "Well, sorta. I'm a mandant because I only chose to learn mandamus. A guardian is the next step; it's a person that has learned all standard mandamus and is given the ability by the Fantasma to create other special mandamus commands. Guardians enforce the laws and keep the peace. They're servants of the Fantasma."
Fantasma chuckled. "I see you're as bright as your leader boasts."
"Well Lawrence has a huge library. I read a lot about guardians last night. I want to be a guardian, just like my ancestor."
"I know you do. That's why I'm going to make you one right now." Fantasma produced a silver belt. The belt combined with Allen's purple robe would denote his rank as guardian.
"But sir," Allen protested, "I haven't even mastered first level mandamus yet. I can't accept this."
Fantasma smiled again. "Yes, it's true that we wait for a mandant to meet certain requirements before giving them the rank of guardian but this is so that not just anyone can become one. You're no less a guardian than any of the hundreds I've appointed over the years. The true test of a guardian is their heart. A guardian must be pure of heart and have unswerving faith and I see that in you. Do you understand the role of guardians?"
"Yes, they're the spiritual leaders and enforce the law. The Fantasma assigns them to protect and serve people or places."
"Exactly, and right now I need a guardian to protect one specific person, the Daughter of the Sun."
"Ash? All of us are protecting her."
"Yes, I know the other members of the group will do everything to help her, but you must protect her. It is your duty as a guardian."
Allen nodded again. "I understand, sir."
"Now, you must recite the code of the guardians."
Before Fantasma could tell him what to say, Allen stood and began reciting the code from what he had read the previous night. He cleared his throat. "As a guardian, I vow to protect and serve the people of Mendala. I will obey the laws of Elohim and the orders of the Fantasma. I will help anyone who is in need and I will always put the well being of others before myself."
"Very good. Take those words seriously my young friend. For any guardian who purposefully dishonors his vows will surely be cursed. Now listen to me. It is your duty to be the guardian of the Fantasmal Fighters and to do whatever your leader orders but above all, you must protect the Daughter of the Sun. Do you understand?"
"I do, sir." Allen nodded.
"Now kneel," Fantasma instructed.
Allen did and Fantasma put a hand on the top of his head. "Mittius Qusario Itian Guardian."
Allen almost collapsed as a surge of energy pulsed through his entire body. He grabbed his hat and let out a howl of pain as the powerful force electrified his skin. After a few seconds that seemed like hours to Allen, he was able to compose himself and stand again.
To his surprise, Fantasma was smiling. "See, I knew you had it in you. Not just anyone can harness within them the power that is granted a guardian."
Allen was still shaking. "I don't understand," he panted.
"You will, in time," Fantasma assured him. "The power I've given you will enable you to explore the very limits of mandamus. Even though you're still learning standard commands, you'll soon find that you are more powerful than regular mandants. Continue to practice and hone your skills, and you will discover your true potential."
Allen nodded.
Fantasma tied the silver belt around his waist. "Go now, you have a long day ahead of you."
Allen silently left the room to think about his new rank and responsibility.
Only a few minutes later, Sharanel and Honsmordin entered Fantasma's quarters. Sharanel allowed herself to collapse into a nearby chair. She was obviously exhausted. "When will we be leaving, sir?"
"In the morning; we should definitely have a good night's rest before starting out. Have you finished preparing Henry?"
"Yes, we spent the day with Dr. Landerpool and he explained a lot of things to us. Henry is a really fast learner. He seems pretty good at quickening. I mean. for someone so young and all."
"Look who's talking," Honsmordin said. "You two are the same age and probably the two best quickeners on the planet."
"Well we both had the same great teacher. Did you know that he and Dr. Landerpool traveled back in time and by the time Henry to quickened his way back to the present, he had mastered his staff,' she said in mingled awe and admiration.
"It seems our two young quickeners have a lot in common, Fantasma." Honsmordin let out a hearty chuckle.
"Ah stop reading into things, ya old fuss bag." Sharanel blushed.
"These young people never cease to amaze me. I'm sure they'll be successful in retrieving the five jewels. I just wish I didn't have to leave them so soon." Fantasma sighed.
"Ester and Mrs. Guardman will be with them," Honsmordin reminded him.
"Speaking of such." Sharanel beamed as none other than Ester and Mrs. Guardman appeared at the threshold.
"I assume you'll be leaving soon?" Ester asked as the two ladies entered the room. "Have a safe journey."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Mrs. Guardman asked.
Fantasma shook his head. "Just keep and eye on these young warriors and help them along their way. I'll have one of the Waiting Room walls track our progress in case you need to contact me for any reason."
"Or in case you get bored Mrs. Guardman and want to join us on our merry little adventure," Sharanel said smiling.
"I think I've had more than enough adventure for one week, thanks Sharanel." Mrs. Guardman returned the grin.
"We'll leave early tomorrow morning," Fantasma said. "So say good-bye to the others for us."
"We will. Just be careful," Mrs. Guardman cautioned. "I know you're strong, but that Davron's crafty and I know he'd like to get rid of you. He's already tried a few times."
"Don't worry, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," Fantasma said standing. "Now I think we should all get to bed.