Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 3 : Training Begins

There are five stages of enlightenment. The first, labelled the "Awakening Stage" was reached once a person learned to channel Chi and could also gather chi in one of the various ways. 

The second, labelled the "Empowerment Stage" was reached once a person learned to empower themselves with Chi energy. Second stage users also learned the Three Combat Kata, being Ferocious style, hardening style, and intercepting style. Ferocious style enabled faster and more dynamic movements through the application of Chi. Hardening style was centered around enhancing one own's body with chi, to be able to cause more damage and to be able to take in more damage. Intercepting style, was the first indications that one could reach the fourth stage. Much like the fourth stage, labelled the "Third Eye Stage", intercepting style revolves around one attaining a better sense of chi. It allowed more chi to be detected amongst other chi users, and from plant-life when gathering. 

Those in the third stage, labeled the "Mending Stage" learned to send their chi through other items, which could he used to control inanimate objects or empower them. 

The "Third Eye Stage", or the fourth stage, which Intercepting style users display a glimpse of, is reached when one awakens a better sense and detection of chi. Contrary to intercepting stye users, those who have reached the fourth stage have gained a new sense called Intuition. Intuition allows one to foresee events in the form of brief visions. This stage also enables one's chi to gain healing properties. Those who have reached the fourth stage are known to be able to heal the sick and injured with their chi.  

The Fifth and Final Stage, the "Nirvana Stage" is reached once one has learned to passively absorb chi. All capabilities supplied by the first four stages are amplified. The need to eat or drink is erased, as Chi can be used as fuel. Reaching the fifth stage also means overcoming death itself. Nirvana is accompanied with the transition to a greater world, where the cycle of death and birth are void. Throughout history only a select few were able to reach Nirvana, but none were able to achieve Nirvana without the Nirvana Plants. The Nirvana Plants were a variety of fruit and herbs that had a surplus amount of chi within them. The White Lotus, Black Dahlia, and Golden Apple were the three known types of Nirvana Plants. Only one type of Nirvana Fruit could exist at a time, and they switched once every hundred years. At this point, the Black Dahlia was the single Nirvana Plant, and Yasuke was the one who was destined to wield it's power. 

Once Eradius reached Neserus with Yasuke to show, he was quickly accepted and became the main farmer. King Musa, the ruler of Neserus, took a likely to Yasuke. King Musa and his kingdom were the only people in Aros with the same, dark brown skin pigment. After hearing Yasuke's backstory, King Musa made sure that Yasuke was raised as a farmer with Eradius and given the privilege of receiving enlightenment training, under one condition. 

"There's only one thing I ask for in return" King Musa stated. 

"And that is?" Eradius cautiously replied. 

"Yasuke will become a part of The Order as he trains and achieves the different stages of enlightenment. And once Yasuke learns to utilize the Black Dahlia to its fullest extent, he will use it to make Neserus the one and only remaining kingdom." 

"Making such a promise would be dictating Yasuke's life" Eradius explained. "Yasuke will be one a part of The Order until he's old enough to make his own decisions. And then, he himself will choose."

"I suppose that is the only correct answer" King Musa replied. "Very well" 

Eradius left to room and took Yasuke from one of the royal caretakers hand. 

"I won't let anyone dictate your life buddy." Eradius stated as he held Yasuke close. "You'll make your own decisions when the time is right" 

"I am King Musa" Musa thought as he watched Eradius leave. "Who would dare turn down becoming a part of my kingdom? Does Eradius really think I'll allow the Black Dahlia to slip through my fingers tips so easily? If there's a chance Yasuke might defy my orders when he matures, I'll just have to destroy the other kingdoms while he's a child and still under my control. If we begin his training once he is four, by the time he is ten, he'll be strong enough to do everything I need him to. So that's the plan then, once he's ten, I'll began my assault with the power of the Black Dahlia."

The King took a golden staff that was leaning against his throne and tapped on the ground three times. Instantly, a wave a chi could be felt in the room as a woman wearing plenty of gold jewelry appeared in the corner of the room. She slowly walked up to King Musa and bowed before his feet. 

"You summoned me, my king."

"Yes, as always I have a special mission for you." 

"It's about that young boy, Yasuke, isn't it?" 

"Indeed. If what they say is true, we must act quickly. I need you to watch over him. Make sure nothing bad happens. He will not be put in any serious danger at any given moment. Can you fulfill that promise?" 

"I will" 

"Yes, I know it." 

The King tapped the ground with his staff once more, as Mona disappeared completely. 

"With the Black Dahlia under my command, I will become the one ruler over all kingdoms!" The King declared within his mind as he sat in his throne, mind racing about the forthcoming future.  

                        *FOUR YEARS LATER* 

                            

Eradius was gifted with a farm that his previous one dwarfed in comparison to. Despite this, the work there was significantly less than when he was in Namunda. King Musa gave Eradius full control over what he grew and how much he grew, but required that he kept a small area on the farm for Yasuke's development. Musa allowed Eradius to be his first instructor, and when he turned four, his enlightenment began. Eradius and Yasuke were sitting in the middle of the field, the area designated for Yasuke's training. 

"Every living thing that surrounds you is flowing with the energy current called Chi. Each insect that flies by when we plow our fields, each blade of grass that makes up the green on this farm, each tree standing tall above us supplying the oxygen we use to breathe."

"It's all comes from chi?"

"Yes, everything is connected through chi. That means I also have this energy current flowing within me. And guess who else does?" 

"I do?" 

"Yes, you do too." 

Yasuke's body began to flow with chi. 

"Wha-what the hell?" Eradius thought. "How does this kid already know how to channel his chi?" 

"I can feel the...energy currend" Yasuke expressed. "It just feels...a little hot." 

"It's current, Yasuke. And a little hot means warm." 

"Warm...the energy current is warm." 

The brown "mark" on Yasuke's arm began to spread. It extended from the tip of his fingers to his entire left arm and the left peck of his chest. Seeing this flummoxed Eradius. 

"Yasuke, how do you feel right now?" 

"I feel...warm. Most my arm now" Yasuke replied raising his left arm up. 

"Your left arm feels warm?" Eradius thought. "It must mean alot of his chi flows to the place where the mark expands. So is it his chi that's causing the change in skin color?" 

"Well Yasuke, you should be very happy. I'm one hundred percent certain that I won't have to explain the basics of chi to you. You've already reached the first stage of enlightenment. The next time we train, we'll move on to learning the second stage." Eradius concluded. 

From a distance, the girl with gold jewelry watched. 

"On his first day of training, he's reached enlightenment stage one. The King will be pleased to hear this."