Free Spirit

THE BIRTH

I

It happened unnoticed. At first, I lifted by little but then all of I sudden I flew up. I flew like my dreams I felt freedom. I saw an endless world, which I couldn’t see from land. I felt the heat of the sun and raped myself in clouds. I saw the blue sky which was around me and wanted me to stay in it at last I looked down and saw a gray cloud which lied on the city.

I flew all day and didn’t realize how it got dark. I landed. I lied on green grass, looked up and saw thousands of stars and a big moon which was sitting like a pretty stone on the sky. I fell asleep fast green grass was keeping me warm and only by the sunrise I woke up. I flew up and went to the city. I will never forget that day it was the day I last stepped on earth.

When I returned to the city, people were looking at me excitedly. Soon I got famous. I was surrounded by people all the time. In that crowd there were those who wore white clothes, those who wore multicolor clothes, but I was surprised by the vast amount of people who wore gray clothes they didn’t react to anything and I couldn’t tell the difference between them. Lots of people wanted to be like me. I explained to them but they couldn’t understand I couldn’t see any sense in their senseless eyes. They couldn’t understand me, so people forgot about me as we drifted apart.

They came unnoticed. First, they were one or two, then they grew and they flooded people. I hated them; they were dressed in black. They had no facial or body features. I didn’t see the danger in them, but they knew everything about me.

One night they got me. They were seven; they took me into a black cloud. I couldn’t see the sky and I couldn’t feel the land so I flew up fast, but the cloud flew with me I couldn’t escape. Suddenly I felt I was getting tired and heavy I landed slowly and felt chest pain so hard that I passed out. When I woke up, I saw them clearly dancing by the black fire and then I looked in myself and there was nothing darkness sealed my free spirit and took its place instead. I stood up and ran I couldn’t understand that I couldn’t fly but saw perfectly in dark until I fell down and passed out because of tiredness. I woke up in the morning and I walked and I knew I would walk until my free spirit would be free again.

THE BEGINNING OF NEW ERA

II

As the time passed, humanity got more and more advanced. But throughout the process, they got separated and closed from each other. They developed services which helped them to contact each other in every part of the world, but most of the humans stayed unsocial.

In a search of energy, soon humanity noticed that on earth there were places with lots of amounts of spiritual energy and started thinking how to transform it in his will. Thus, hunted for spiritual energy. Lots of people died throughout that hunt and many centuries later human achieved his goal.

All these years I was roaming around helping injured. I achieved this gift when they sealed my free spirit. It was that time when the great explosion happened humanity went into bunkers to survive but most of earth population died that cursed day. It was unusual that only humans died in that explosion. I was protected by darkness inside me. It was an explosion on soul mine nobody knew what happened.

Years passed humanity stayed in bunkers. For not to relive those tragic days again they lived with the nature. They destroyed all technology and repopulated the earth, never mentioning about past. But as they went outside the bunkers, they were welcomed by many magical creatures which leaved on earth.

I was approached by a little girl and asked to follow to help his mother. As I walked with her, she told me we opened ancient tomb which led to another dimension were all magic and magical creations were evacuated and now everything pored back. I helped them and continued my quest, but this time I knew I could free my spirit for sure.

MEETING THE DEATH

III

I heard in a village that a priest in a distant North church was curing all kinds of diseases, so my quest continued. As I pass the rocky mountain, I was approached by a young man it was dusk and I knew that on this road there were many thieves so I put and, on my sword, as he came closer stranger noticed that and put his hands in the air and screamed:

-Don’t worry, I am a harmless traveler.

I took my hand off from the sword but still I was perusal.

-My name is Death and I am traveling to a church in the distant North to see my friend-he said as he came closer. -who are you and where do you go?

-I am David Berg and I am heading to that church too I heard that there is a priest who cures all diseases I want to test him.

-How naïve. You humans all your lives try to find a cure for diseases and you haven’t noticed that the true disease is humanity itself. Nothing is constant, everything dies in the end. Everybody and everything follow that rule. They know they must be born, live and die that they have no other purpose but you humans rivaled that rule you wanted all you live good lives and you want more you don’t know when to stop until it is too late and look what you did you nearly destroyed everything. You made me a foe of yours. Pictured me as a grim reaper, as a cruel being who does not know happiness or joy, a being who brings fear. You made me hide and nobody cared about me, only a few who knew me. Who had seen me many times knew what I was? They did not fear me because they knew I was the part of the existence.

-I lived in the previous era and I know everything about your suffering. But why now? You could reveal yourself back then.

-I see you look like a young boy but you are much older inside let me explain. The era that you lived is called second era. Death can live only in one era. Death knows when their times is near so they can have apprentices. Deaths make their soul strong so they can serve good. Apprentices can be as many as death wants. We live together and we are left in the chamber until one consumes others and becomes so powerful that are equal to death. Then former death passes his and his ancestors’ knowledge to him and joins them in nothingness resting his soul.

-Wait, is not former deaths send to heaven or something?

-No, they are not good nor bad; they are neutral so they can’t go not in heaven nor in hell and their sole is too powerful to remain on earth. So, there is a special place where they can stay called Nothingness and they can make their perfect world there and enjoy eternity. As I am the recent death and the seal is broken, I will not hide and nor will be others.

-seal?

-Yes, it was cast by the great one who sealed eternal darkness inside his body and ordered us to guard the seal and hide till it is broken. It happened at the beginning of the second era. Until that earth was ruled by darkness. He also left the prophecy that he would return to my third life and meet me as a diseased man that’s why I want to pay a visit to my old friend in the north.

As he said that he told me to stay on guard and went to sleep living me with my mouth open we traveled many days and finally came to the church.

MEETING THE VIRTUES (I)

IV

As we reached the church, we were welcomed by a priest who greeted me as we knew each other for a long time and led us into the church. I was surprised that there were no crowd of people. The church itself was seem odd it was dusty and seemed that only few corners of it were clean the priest explained it to me saying “only few people come here to pray others just seek cure “he also asked me the reason I was there and told me to stay out of his room until he talked to death. Soon the priest came out and took me to hospital next to the church. As we were walking, I asked:

-how come you know death so close none of your patients died?

-well, we grew up together. I knew him before he was granted the name “Death”

-what do you mean by that?

-Ha, Ha, Ha! He didn’t say that right. I know he would not even thou he could tell you that. He isn’t the actual death. He was his apprentice, and he swooped his name with actual death comfortably, isn’t it?

-He did? Is it even possible? Why did death change his name?

-Ha, Ha, Ha! You seem rather shocked. Yes, it is possible. The death just wanted to live like a normal person so he changed his signature and now he can live in a new world, But, till our death dies. It is not much but if you got a lifetime holiday once era wouldn’t you be glad to, have it?! Now our death handles his job and I think he does it pretty good.

-well, is not it dangerous to put so enormous power and responsibilities in just a random person's hand?

-no, it is not. It is based on a basic life rule of equivalent exchange so if he stops to do his job for about a second, he will pay for it with his soul which will be held in darkness for thousands of years after his soul will be torn in as many parts as many souls he did not collect.

-how does he fulfill his duty?

-why not you ask him yourself?

As he said that, he led me into a ward. In the ward there was a bed, a chair and a table on the chair was sitting a man. As we walked in the priest said:

-here is death.

Death looked towards me and exclaimed:

-I was to write he is sealed.

-sealed you say? -asked the priest-can’t you break it?

-unfortunately, not it is not a powerful seal but I fear not to hurt him we can’t afford to with more.

-so, everything is as he said.

-yes.

I stood there and listened. I understood nothing but suddenly they looked at me, Priest smiled and said:

-sorry we totally forgot about you, but you understand this situation is worse than we thought. You are a carrier of the being called the free spirit. How can I put this ... mmm ...?

-you are like a god to this world-said death.

-why should I trust you? You lied to me since we first met, -I exclaimed.

-he is not clever I know why he did not tell us about this seal-said death and the pries agreed by nodding his head.

-will somebody explain me something?

-no! -they both said.

-you must leave now. The death will lead you to your room and tomorrow you will know everything.

We left. That night I got no sleep. I didn’t trust them. I calmly waited till tomorrow.

MEETING THE VIRTUES(II)

V

On the second day, I was led to the dining room by death. I asked:

-why did you agree to become death?

-So, you know... damn priest always telling thing that mustn’t be told but well you are the one you must know our past. I agreed to that position to give my life a meaning. I was just a blind middle-class student ...

-You are blind? But you see perfectly.

-Yes, I am and listen calmly don’t interrupt me in the middle of the sentence! I was a blind student. I was born like that but nature gave me unique abilities I could manipulate my and others’ energy. The actual death saw me and suggested becoming his student and as you can see, I agreed. He taught me everything I had to know about my “gift” and I agreed to be his substitute for my entire life it is my payment for my knowledge. Now about my sight I can “see” well because I see energy and energy is everywhere and in everything even in rocks, trees and water but except that living things energy has colors which depend on their emotions. You must have noticed that when you are angry, you make others angry, and when you are happy, you make others happy too. Have not you wondered why is that?

-No, I have not.

-Because humans and animals have so powerful energy around them, they sometimes interact and even influence on one another. It is called aura. That is my secret.

-You mentioned I am the one, the owner of a free spirit. What does that mean?

-Patience my friend, you will know everything shortly.

As he said that, he approached me into a gigantic room. There was a round table with eight chairs and on every chair, there was sitting a person except for two where we sat. As soon as we did, that death began:

-The time has come. As the previous owner said, the free spirit returned to us, but he remembers nothing he is sealed, which is bad we can’t help him he must help himself.

-And what is your plan-asked woman in a police officer in uniform?

-First, introduce yourselves. He must know about his allies all important things. He already knows me.

-I am a priest. I am the newest member of The Virtues. I come from reach family and unfortunately middle child of greed.

-I am a warrior, -Said scar faced man -I have been fighting evil entities for my entire life. I am wielder of a will fire.

-I am a traveler. I travel a lot and that’s all-said tall skinny man.

-I am a wizard, Master of magic.

-I am called Marie. I can help you reach and exceed your power limits. -said a girl in a colored dress who was measuring me with her eyes all the time.

-I am a justice. -said a woman in police uniform.

-So, as you know all, you must listen well and remember everything. Before your era was time where darkness ruled the world, it was cruel times. Everybody was slaves of that entity called madness but one sole stood up to him and gained freedom it was the first free spirit. Then he freed others and thus madness lost power but free couldn’t kill madness because he would be reborn. So free sealed all the magic and children of magic inside him so this kind of thing won’t happen again. He knew that unfortunately magic would be free again, so he told us what to do when this would happen and sealed everything only; I was left to help him with the seal. You have seen the outburst of magic which killed many humans, right? Well, I am afraid to say that it was not magic at all; it was madness refilling his strength after everything was released from previous free body by the miner. We knew that, so we put up the shield to protect those who were left alive that’s why you were not welcomed by all our crew. Spiking of which you might be thought that it was unusual for us to call ourselves virtues. That is because madness has assembled a group called seven deadly sins which contains genuine sins which madness found and confessed to join him.

-And what about me? Why am I the chosen one?

-It is random selection you have no special skills or something.

-So, my body is a property of a spirit which will take over my mind and erase my personality?

-You don’t seem to understand a concept of a free spirit, do you? Free spirit is not a literal spirit like ghost or something it is called so because it gives you power beyond imagination. You can use it as you want if you will understand this.

-What will happen if I fail?

-You will lose it and in addition, we all will become slaves hoping someone will. So, to get you to understand it fast, we will fight you one by one tomorrow. Now you all are free. Rest and prepare yourselves for tomorrow.

LONG FORGOTTEN FELLING

VI

As the briefing was over, I went out of the room and started wondering around the church. There were many questions in my head and I was trying to find answers. I didn’t notice as I wondered in a beautiful field with a bunch of flowers and a small river on it. As I sat there thinking, I was approached by marriage. She said:

-Isn’t it beautiful? I used to live by the place like this. Oh, it was favorable time.

-What happened to you?

-Well, I used to be a mistress of a castle. My family was spread: some were fighting evil, some were merchants, bakers and so on. Although we were noble blood family, I never disagreed with my family opinion. I knew they would come back, and they did some returned and stayed and some just returned to heal their wounds and then went back into the battle of life. But one by one they failed and died two years ago I had no living relatives. I was alone in the castle and soon lost hope but then when I wanted to kill myself the death came and told me about my powers and asked me to join him and he said exact date and peace where should I join him since then I renewed my castle and started teaching my powers to people. Then when the date came, I left it to my greatest apprentice and left.

-Why did you do so?

-Well, I won’t return there, I know.

-Why do you think so?

-Why should I? I am the last representative of my dynasty. I am past. My ideas are old and in the learning process old ideas are not good sometimes you have to stand back and let the new generation do their job. I am too old for taking risks and I will just be useless.

-Old but you seem fairly fifteen! -I exclaimed.

-Oh, am I? Now I understand death. My first advice to you will be never trust your eyes.

-Newer, trust my eyes? What should I trust then?

-Trust your power, it will show.

-My powers are sealed! I am useless. I’ll probably die tomorrow!

-No, you won’t. If your powers were sealed, you wouldn’t have any powers. If you catch a bird, will it be free?

-No.

-Same goes with your powers if your power were sealed would it still be a free spirit or just a spirit? It’s not your powers are sealed, but your knowledge about this power.

-How should I break this seal?

-I do not know it is your mind, but I know how your powers work. It is simple you have free spirit which is free from everything you basically can turn rock into 30 year’s old wine. You just have to free your mind from the knowledge that it is a rock and see it as a wine, that’s all. It is no quince dance that you have seven sparring tomorrow; practice today. Think about it.

-It is easy to say so, but I’ll try.

-Ok, see you tomorrow.

I stayed there thinking about it. I even tried so hard that my head hurt it was nighttime and I saw Fool's moon and it came to me the knowledge of all, the unlimited power. I have reached the point where a rock could be a wine, a banana could taste like apple, and I floated again in the air. I have accessed the knowledge of past and future. I could see all. As I reached it, I glowed. I was me again. I saw everything as it was and it was beautiful.

MISTAKES OF THE PAST

VII

That night in my dream, one man came up to me. He introduced himself as a first owner free spirit. He said that I could ask him anything, so I did.

-If you were free spirit, how come you died?

-Well, it is no elementary thing to explain. As I sealed all magic with madness, I had seen the future that madness will be born and it will join the old madness and then no one will stop him so I ordered myself to a hitman who is now called priest and made death to seal my body. But It was too foolish for me to do so I did not want to kill so many humans it was the future that I have not foreseen, but sometimes you have to sacrifice ordinary people for saving the chosen one.

-Oh, I see now. You were getting weak. Marry told me your narrow vision had made you vulnerable. You made yourself weak, and that’s why you made this huge mistake.

-If you are so good try to be better but remember you can’t kill evil. You must learn from my mistakes and find your way to defeat one. Do you understand?

-Yes, I do.

-Free! Free! Wake up

I opened my eyes and saw frightened death.

-What happened? -I asked.

-We found you dead on the field. We were worried. What happened?

-I broke the seal and met the first free spirit.

-You did?!That is great. It will help you in tournament tomorrow.

-Yes indeed. Now leave me I want to rest, please.

They left.

-He knows right. He has seen him. -said the priest.

-Of course, he knows. Yes, he has seen him. -answered death.

-What should we do?

-We will figure everything out in the tournament.

THE SEVEN FIGHTS

VIII

Today was the fight. Magician put us into special place so we could not destroy half of the living world. But first I had to say some things. So, I began:

-I unlocked my powers yesterday. You found me dead yesterday because I was talking to previous free. Which you have known. You must have one question. How could he die? The answer is priest killed him and death sealed his corpse not to rot.

-what? -said justice -I knew we should not take him in.

-Wait. It was because he has gotten weak. He had very weak because of his vision of the world. He ordered himself to the house of greed. He could not defeat madness, so he left it to me.

-To that mercenary? -exclaimed warrior.

-Yes, to them. So, I am planning to lead you another way. I will fight alone.

-No. It is our fight too. We must fight as well. -Said magician.

-But first we must deal with them. Those must leave our fight because they worship free who had a wrong view on world. -said justice -They will miss everything up.

-No, they were obedient to their masters. I will not let them go.

-Then it is settled we must begin. First goes death. -said marry.

-Oh, and I won’t use my power of future vision.

-Ready? Begin.

-Let’s check your powers. -by saying this he summoned two golems and harpies. So, they could attack me on the land and in air. I picked up a rock and threw it in them and when they reached golems; I expanded and crushed them. Then I ordered harpies to attack death, thus making him to seal them.

-Well, you seem to be serious well let’s see how can you handle this. -He summoned mirrors around me.

I laughed and tried to break the mirror but as my fist touched the mirror. I was taken in and placed in the center of the sphere. I moved and saw a rocky figure of myself. I moved and so did he. I tried to break it but I couldn’t we had equal strength and I realized it was a soul trap, the same that darkness used on me. I threw a knife in the mirror; it went in and went out of the rock me and threw on me. I stopped it and made as many knives as it was needed. I threw each at each mirror and when they touched; I blew them up. The fight was over I beat death’s best attack. He surrendered. Next was the warrior. He started fearlessly it was physical exercise. He was fast, His attacks were fearsome and his fire was burning my sole but I stopped defending and offended him I used five weapons but his defending skills were as good as attacking. All lead to one thing: he was a master, but I was a god so I just got whole air out but he continued coming at me for sometimes but who can live without air. The second match was over too. Third fight was with justice, but she surrendered. Mary was forth. But she demanded to fight with a partner and she chose wizard. It was a challenging fight. Fighting a man with fairly the same powers as mine and now he has support. I could lose. But he had weakness he was talking, so I changed removed his tongue and mouth. But it was not over because he was buffed by Mary. She made him so strong and so fast that if he punched me, I would die. I put up the shield to buy some time to think. I got it I stopped time and made super rope to tie them up. It was my fourth and fifth victory. Traveler surrendered, saying that he won’t win, and it was only priest left. He moved his finger around, and then everything stopped. I had a weird feeling and then he came with a knife and pierced it in my hand, the second knife was pierced in my liver. There was blood everywhere, I was scared but then I realized it was all not real and when I looked in his eyes and saw my real self and now; I was a man with a knife. When he came back, I was calibrating my victories. But It was too early.

UNNOUTICED VICTORY

IX

Since I returned my powers, the only thing left was destroying madness, but it was not an easy quest. We could not kill him but also could not seal him. It was an unbeatable opponent. I saw that madness would visit me. I was sure that he wouldn’t hurt me because, but still it was an uneasy quest to speak to a person who wants you dead and vice versa.

It happened as I saw he came. He came in a front door as we were not a threat to him, he knew; he knew he was invincible. He wanted us to speak alone. As his request was fulfilled, he started:

-I know you can’t kill me and also can’t seal me, so what you say we team up? Rule the world like brothers.

-No.

-No? You seem not to understand, boy! I am not offering. Don’t make me end you for good.

-No is my conclusive answer. As I can’t kill you, so you can’t kill me.

-And what makes you think that?

-If you wanted, you would kill me when I first discovered my powers. I know it would cost you a lot of effort to find me again.

-True, true indeed. But I can kill your allies who are waiting next door. No, even worse, I can infect them with a little of madness and make them kill you.

-My allies will die for me. So, make them crazy. That only will make my rage more powerful.

-And what will it change you can’t kill me, anyway.

-Oh yes, I can’t but I can make you feel the same I do. Feel the flame burning inside you, Feel the heat on your skin, Feel the light coming from you! Change the form and become the sun and light in my room till the end of the time.

And the light passed out of madness and he was no threat anymore. He couldn’t leave the room, and his flames were infinite.