Rebirth

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Yahn the Healer asked.

"Why are you doubting me so much? Have I ever promised something and not made it happened?" Xan asked.

"You're right, I'm sorry for doubting you, but what you told me about this thing is beyond belief! It's so hard for me to believe it could be possible. What is this called again?" Yahn the Healer asked.

"It's called the Level Up Cabinet. It allows a person to reattain their lost youth and potential, keep their current cultivation level, level up to the next cultivation level, and increase their overall potential, and remodeling their body. It means it can even fix your noggin' which is going bad," Xan replied.

"Amazing, Elam, simply amazing!" he said once more.

Poole observed the pair as he listened to the discussion. He could hardly believe what young master Elam was saying.

Yahn finally climbed into the Level Up Cabinet and Xan closed the door. He adjusted some of the knobs on the cabinet and looked at rocks with blinking lights.

He pushed buttons, pulled levers, and moved crystal shards around. The machine hummed to life and Poole watched in anticipation.

If all the things Master Elam claimed were true, he would stand witness to a miracle. As Master Elam called it, "A Technological Miracle."

It took most of the day for the mysterious process to finish. When the door opened the first thing to greet them was steam.

Once the steam cleared, Yahn the Healer stepped out; only it wasn't Yahn the Healer. It was a handsome young man in his mid-twenties wearing Yahn the Healer's clothes.

The young man stepped out of the cabinet weakly and grabbed onto Xan and Poole's arms for support. They sat him down on the bed and Xan handed him a mirror. "How do you feel?" He asked.

"I feel young and powerful, filled with excitement and hope. I have dreams of the future, what gift have you given me dear Elam?" he asked.

"Look in the mirror," Xan said.

The young man's shaking hand slowly brought the mirror to his face and he stared hard at the image it reflected.

"Isn't that me when I was a boy? I don't believe it, you did it, you really did it! I have a second chance at life. Elam my dear friend you've given me more than I can ever repay, what shall I do?" he asked.

"Just be my truest friend," Xan said with a smile.

The young man stopped looking at himself and put the mirror down, "A friend and not a servant, a friend and not a contracted man, a friend who is free to speak his mind and risk hurting you for your own good?" he asked.

"Isn't that a true friend? I don't know I've never had a true friend but your words mostly describe my thoughts of what would make a true friend," Xan said.

"I shall be the truest friend even if my words and actions cause you to pick up a stick to drive me away I will never abandon you! Wherever we are in the world, we shall always be friends!" the young man said.

"Well, okay but don't get too sappy," Xan laughed. Then the young man and Poole laughed as well. It was an important moment, for the group men.

"Now that you look so different, no one will believe you are Yahn the healer, therefore I have a suggestion for what we will call you now," Xan began.

"Okay, but forgive me if I don't agree with your suggestion," he said.

"I would like to call you Dr. What. "What" is your father's name and will be your new last name. It makes sense and gives you an air of authority with the Dr. title," Xan said.

"What is a Dr.," he asked.

"A, Dr., is a man who has a mastery of a field or several fields of study. The materials I have had you studying are meant to branch you into many fields related to healing but taken together they make you more than just a healer. This knowledge makes you a Dr.," Xan explained.

"Very well, from now on, I shall be known as Dr. What," he said proudly.

"No, that doesn't really work for me," Xan said.

The Dr. was a little confused, "What do you mean, wasn't this your idea?"

"Of course, but I can already see this is all wrong, the name isn't complete. Let me think, your name is Yahn son of What, so we'll take a common custom from where I'm from and place the son at the end of What. This way you will always remember whose son you are," Xan said.

"Oh, very good Elam, what a splendid idea! Good, I shall be Dr. Yahn Whatson!" he said.

"No, still not good!" Xan interrupted him again.

"What's wrong now?" Dr. Whatson asked. Poole was also curious about this naming business, would he be renamed too?

"It's your Yahn name, it's too soft. Dr. Whatson is a very strong and powerful name, but it's like the exterior strength, like armor! Dr. Whatson must also be strong on the inside, so we must strengthen the inner name. Instead of Yahn, we'll call you John. Yes, Dr. John Whatson! I like it, such a powerful name. Poole it's a good name don't you think?" Poole was taken by surprise by the question and didn't know what to say.

"You see, Poole likes it too!" Xan said.

"But, he didn't say anything," Dr. Whatson said.

"Exactly, haven't you heard the old saying "He who does not object gives his consent?" clearly Poole feels the name is very fitting for the new strong you. Dr. John Whatson, and excellent name!" Xan said as he slapped Dr. Whatson on his shoulder.

Before Dr. Whatson could object, Xan turned his attention to Poole who was quietly observing.

"Now, it's your turn, come over here I have a very different cabinet for you," Xan said.

"Different? You mean you won't be remaking my body and increasing my level?" He asked sounding disappointed.

"Dr. Whatson's path is not your path. Dr. Whatson is my closest friend and you will be my most trusted servant if you are fine with this arrangement," Xan said.

"Sir, it is my honor and privilege to serve a far-sighted and ingenious man such as yourself. I will count this as blessings reaped from twenty generations of virtue and good works amassed by my ancestors," Poole said.

"Good, you're usually less wordy, but I like your sentiments. If you are going to be my most trusted servant you must have the ability to hold that position, don't you think?" he asked.

"Yes, sir, of course. A man such as you must surround himself with only the best as his servants," Poole said.

"Good, very good, I like the fact you used the word servants, with an s, that is going to be very fitting in a moment. I would like you to get into this cabinet, it is called "The Imbuer," Xan said.

"What does it do, if I may ask?" Poole asked.

"It will imprint on your body a roadmap to power. Now get in, the day is quickly fading away and I must still have my own session!" he said.

Poole climbed into the machine and Xan closed the door to the Imbuer. Once again, he fiddled with buttons, switches, levers, knobs, and moved about some crystal shards. The machine hummed to life and bright light erupted from the machine. A scream of mourning and death was released. It was so loud the customers on the first and second floors were startled. One woman was so shocked, she went into labor.

After several hours, the light fade, the screaming had long since been quieted and the cabinet door opened. Dr. Whatson observed as a hand came out of the Imbuer and grabbed its outer edge for support, and then another hand, another hand, another hand, and finally one more hand!"

"My Lord man!" Dr. Whatson cried out.