Chapter Seven

Joki and Dawn re-enter the cabin, a fresh breeze hits their face as they close the cabin door behind them.

As Joki and Dawn begin walking, Dawn puts his hand on Joki's shoulder and stops him.

"Hey, Joki, can I ask you a question?"

Joki stops, and looks over at Dawn. A curious expression written on his face.

"Ever since I have been here, the only times you've let me leave the cabin have been to hit that same tree. Why is that? Don't you think restricting me from the outside limits my growth.

Joki looks over at Dawn, he lacked surprise on his face knowing that this question awaited.

"Well it's like I said, no child has the right to wander the streets unattended. You are no exception."

Joki begins to walk off, and Dawn balls his fist building the courage to speak.

"Even for a short while, you have to admit that I have learned a lot. My growth has been noticable. I know I am ready."

Joki stops once again, but this time he turns back around with an assertive look on his face.

"Do you honestly believe you've changed, Dawn? If I released you back into the world right now, you'd fall right back into your old ways. You're still human—still bound to those primal, animal instincts. The moment you're threatened by a man or even a woman, you'd tear them apart without hesitation—"

"But isn't that what I have to do!"

Dawn cuts Joki off, and his words make Joki's face freeze. Dawn's expression had been one that Joki had seen before, a cold blank stare.

"I get it...human life matters, but if my life is threatened. If someone is showing hostile nature, my first instinct should be to take their life. That's the only way they'll learn."

Joki looks to Double with an almost frightened expression, even though his previous words indicated that Dawn hadn't changed enough. That stare that he saw from Dawn still shook his soul.

Still, Joki approaches Dawn, and puts his hand on his head.

"They can't learn in death Dawn, and even still, your first instinct should be to reason with them before resorting to murder. Try to communicate whilst keeping your guard up. Life is delicate, and the person you'd least expect may be fighting for a heartfelt reason."

Joki's words make Dawn snap back into reality, still, Dawn's mind had been all over the place.

His mind had begun racing, but he in frustration he begins storming back to his room.

"Hey, did you forget? We still need to test your abilities."

Dawn stops, he face palms remembering his training isn't over. 

"Don't you think I've had it for the day, besides, I fail to see what more testing you could do."

Double reaches for the doorknob, dissapointment written on his face as he begins to question his own resolve.

"I was a bit dishonest about the test, this final lesson is teaching you acceptance."

Dawn's eyes widen, and he turns around to stare at Joki who had a smile on his face.

"Acceptance? What do you mean?"

"Going to the outside world, letting you roam and be free is a big thing Dawn. That look in your eyes, that thought that you need to kill comes from your past. You don't wanna kill, but something inside of you keeps telling you that you have too. Once you accept your past, once you accept yourself, then you may have the answer to everything you need."

Dawn's expression turns to one filled with hope, believing that there had still been a chance for him to be able to explore the world.

"Then! What do I have to do first."

Joki begins bringing both of his palms together at the heart center, fingers pointing upward.

"Mimic what i'm doing, it should be fairly simple."

Dawn listens, and brings both of his palms together as well.

"I read about this in one of the books I saw. Is this called meditation."

"Well look at that! You actually learned something from one of the books and didn't lie to me about your progress. But no, this isn't meditation"

Dawn frowns, on multiple occassions. Dawn had came to Joki and lied about books he read in order to get him to spar.

Joki had seen through each and every one of Dawn's lies though.

"Then...what is this."

"It's called the Vaelis, the vaelis allows you to enter a world filled with your deepest regrets, inner questions, and some of your most frustrating thoughts. Dawn, let me ask you something."

Dawn raises his head, and gives Joki his full attention.

"Whenever you walked the streets before we met, or even when we trained, did your thoughts ever run wild? Did you ever sometimes think about things you didn't want too, but you couldn't control it."

Joki's words alone made Dawn recall uncomforting memories. His words hit close to home for him.

"Yeah...a lot actually, but overtime you just get used to it. You begin to understand that's just life."

Dawn's expression had turned into a sad one, but Joki begins smiling.

"I would beg to differ, that's a sign that you haven't fully accepted yourself Dawn. Those thoughts, those memories that flood and make you shake. They all affect you because you haven't truly come to terms with them yet. When you enter this world, you will be met with all of it at once, I see your dedication, you truly mean what you say, that you want to see the outside world, that you want to control your strength. This is the only way, but it comes at a risk."

With every word Joki spoke, Dawn's mind filled with hope, until the final words Joki spoke.

"...Risk?"

Joki's expression went from a smile, to a serious expression.

"Yeah, a big one, if you fail to accept yourself, and conquer your past in this short instance when it's all coming at you at once, your emotional quota will hit zero percent. If that happens, I will be forced to put you down."

Dawn paused for a moment, contemplating his decision, understanding the risks at play.

"I understand...and I wish to begin the process immediately."

Dawn's answer Shocked Joki. Dawn had more confidence now then Joki has ever seen.

"Then, if you truly mean what you say Dawn. Close your eyes, and focus, try to think of things that have held you back. Negative thoughts, while at the same time breathing in through your nose, and out through your mouth."

Dawn listens to Joki's words, and he begins thinking back to his brother, memories begin to flood. He begins breathing in through his nose, and he releases his breath through his mouth.

DRIP.

DRIP.

Dawn gasps and opens his eyes, and is greeted to a disturbing looking version of Joki's cabin.

Dawn stands up, and his skin begins to crawl as he notices all the mold and the stench in the cabin.

"...Joki?"