Chapter Twenty-Nine - Tutor

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Tutor

300 Cycles A.E.

         Three hundred cycles? That couldn't be. It felt like he disappeared, maybe, fifteen cycles ago. He again thought of the wave that hit him. Did it push him three hundred cycles into the future? Did this "Time Anomaly" affect anyone else? Were the ones who disappeared also sent through time? He would need to research further.

         How are you doing Old One, began Dewiss, I have been waiting for a while and became worried about you? Do you need more time?

          No, I am just finishing up. I have been in the plains for a long time and needed to replenish my essence.

         I am glad you came upon us then. If you are ready, I would like to walk with you to a destination and discuss my offer.

         The Old One was still reeling from finding out how long he was gone. He had, already, decided to take the offer of becoming a replacement for Old One. He knew where this journey would end and was looking forward to it.

         As they walked, Dewiss began his offer, I would like to offer you the position of a replacement Old One. The previous Old One became One with the Planet. This left us saddened because she was thought of highly among us. This also saddened us because we have so few Old Ones. We are wondering if you would want to become one of our Old Ones.

         The Old One waited a few minutes to speak. He wanted Dewiss to think he was weighing the offer. It will be nice to call someplace home.

         I accept your offer, on the condition I tutor with the knowledge I have and will not be questioned, he stated.

         That is the way we want our Old Ones to do. Who are we to judge the Old Ones' experiences? It is an honor to have such a tutor.

         Good, I am glad, he began, what was the destination we were going to? I am eager to see it.

         We have arrived. This is your new home. We make sure our Old Ones are comfortable and taken care of. You have your pool of liquid eterinite refreshed by a stream, you also have a spot, if you want to use it, for your Out of Phase.

         This is very much satisfying. Where do I go to obtain sitting rocks for my pupil and me?

         I will arrange for someone to bring some to you to decide which ones you want. Is there anything else you need or want?

         You have been a Blessing. I appreciate all you have done. I do not need anything else. I can begin anytime.

         You will start when we can bring you, pupils, from the other Old Ones.

         Life began again. The Supreme High One began tutoring Young Ones regarding their history, culture, planet's history, and time anomalies.

         It had been 100 complete cycles since he began tutoring. He was largely left alone when not tutoring. He was assigned two pupils for one cycle. He was to guide them, inform them, and encourage them to strive for one with the Collective. During their time with him, he kept a close watch on their thoughts. He wanted to make sure a student like Eternity didn't slip by. If he would have seen one, he would block those thoughts from progressing.

         He used many stories from when he was the Supreme High One. The stories would engage the attention of his pupils and begin their journey to complete adulthood. He used the tale of Eternity to provide the lesson of being one with the Collective and being true to yourself.

         Most of his pupils were scared and unsure of what they wanted or expected. In cases where the pupil found it hard to progress, even as the cycle was close to ending, the Supreme High One would probe their minds silently and calm them. During their time away from him, he would instill many of the concepts they lacked or did not understand. He masked it as they finally understood what they have been taught.

         During one of his tutoring sessions, a pupil did not understand why only the rarest of colors, the Highest Peak of the Mountain, became the Supreme High One.

         It is because the one who has that color is also gifted with superior essence and can channel it in a much more complex way. For example, when a Supreme High One is a Young One, they can already read thoughts and emotions. They can break defensive barriers with ease and attune themselves to be one with the Collective. It is this way, they learn and adapt much faster than those of other colors. As they reach their maturity date, they are ready to become the Supreme High One."

         While he was teaching her this lesson, he probed for questions or uncertainties and mentally answered those concerns. The Young One did not even realize that was happening because he focused on the unconsciousness of the pupil so it would form and become a conscious thought.

         When he was done with his lecture, he asked her any questions she might have.

         Yes, I do, she began then hesitated. Wait, I guess I don't. I didn't understand what you were saying at first, but then it suddenly was clear. The rare color signifies who it is, but it is the gifts that make them the Supreme High One.

         That is good. You are thinking and remembering the lecture and applying it to your understanding. You are making great strides recently. Excellent.

         When the pupil has been influenced by the mind probe a few times, the mind becomes quicker at gathering and dissimulating information and ideas.

         Due to his help, the Supreme High One had the reputation of being an outstanding tutor. All of his pupils make the transition from Young Ones to adults and from there, pick a profession best suits their skills and mental capabilities. Most of them eventually become Elders and kept in contact with their Old One.

         During his tutoring lessons, he discusses time anomalies and his theory of how and why it happens.

         I have a theory that throughout our history, the planet and its inhabitants would experience the pull from the place of the color One with the Planet. With the pull of both our suns and the effects of the place the color One with the Planet, time anomalies frequently occur. Time could jump forward, backward, or completely vanish. It would be as if our original history never happened.

         Has it happened already? asked the Young One.

         I believe so, I am pretty certain it has happened. But as I stated, no one can remember it happening. So how does one prove this?

         She thought hard about the answer. I guess if, say, I remember it happening, I could share my thoughts and memories with everyone else. They would see the truth and remember it is a possibility of happening again.

         Very good thought process. You are doing well, he began. After sharing your thoughts, what if someone thinks you are an inflicted one with such strange ideas? We previously discussed the plight of all afflicted ones, ending with them being One with the Planet.

         Then I would not share. I would place it in a guarded area, she slowly began to answer, I would hide it from the Collective because of the ramifications.

         Good, you are thinking of what should be concealed and what shouldn't be. Always be diligent with your thoughts.

         I have a question, she began, why did you teach me this if I can not discuss it with anyone?

         An open mind requires information and truth, even those thoughts others would question. I believe someday this information will become common knowledge. It is best to know than it is to be ignorant. This goes for information that you disagree with, too. You can disagree, but have an open mind to accept everyone's ideas, thoughts, and beliefs.

         So, I can disagree with someone, but I keep an open mind of acceptance.

         You have learned much today. The session is over until our next visit. Think about what we've talked about. If you disagree, I will not be upset. It is your personal opinion, and I accept that.

         The Supreme High One was glad his students are open to new ideas. He has worked with them to accept new ideas, even if they did not believe them. However, he felt the information about the time anomalies had been accepted. This meant others will begin to believe as he does. This information will soon become thoughts in the Collective.

         Curious about what some of his older pupils, who have moved on, have done with the time anomalies information. He went into the Collective and searched for them. It was easy because he knew the touch of their minds and soon found them.

         He probed their minds and experiences. He soon discovered all of them kept the information guarded. They also have let select others gain this knowledge. Wonderful! The information is being assimilated slowly, just as he hoped.

         When it was time for the next tutoring session, the Supreme High One shared a story with his Young One:

         There was a man who felt he was open to all information, no matter the source. He would let others see his thoughts and thought process so they knew what he believed and why. The Hydranousians who experienced his thoughts believed he was odd, but not inflicted. About every ten cycles, he would move to another settlement and share his thoughts. By the third and fourth movements, he was known in the Collective as the Odd One.

         The Odd One came to a small town to live. He had heard this town welcomed people with open minds, as long as they did not go against the Supreme High One or the Elders. He knew his information did not represent a threat to the High Ones or Elders.

         When the Odd One came across a small village, he was greeted by such a person.

         'Well met, stranger, I am known as Repard,' she sent telepathically, 'I have not met you as yet.'

         'Well met, Repard. I do not believe we have ever met in person, though I recognize your Collective signature.' He felt Repard searching his thoughts. 'I assure you, there are no decisive thoughts within me. But, by all means, keep searching.'

         This startled Repard. She did not know she was being that clumsy during her search. She withdrew her thoughts.

         By the time she withdrew, the Odd One had already searched her thoughts. He discovered who she was and her motives for exposure. He also discovered she has reported many others for her benefit by spreading false rumors and beliefs. The information she shared was what she thought she believed. In truth, she wanted to be elevated to an Elder, even though she lacked the capacity for real power.

         When the Odd One saw this, he knew this was a dangerous and unstable person. While he had dealt with others like her, no two were the same. He would have to use caution when allowing her access to information. He also knew he needed to remove this threat from innocent people.

         His plan was simple. Allow her to probe him while he implanted thoughts in her. She will not notice because her attention will be elsewhere.

         As he felt her light touch, he reached into her thoughts and began. He knew what information to plant and how. For him, it was a very simple process. However, he still used caution and diligence to insert the delayed information. When he was done, he saw she was still trying to get past one of his barriers. The barrier was a planted decoy to hold her attention. He then allowed opening his essence with the delayed information. He felt her eagerness to find something that would validate her story. Her essence began probing the false memory. She found one that piqued her interest.

         After she found the information, her probing stopped. He soon felt her withdraw her essence from him. He immediately placed the impenetrable barrier back up. Now he would wait.

         Repard began contacting her Collective informant, 'Temuus, are you free?' She sent.

         Temuus answered quickly,' Give me a moment.' He advised. A short time later, he contacted her, 'I am free now. What have you discovered?'

         'I have probed the Odd One's memories and discovered what I thought. He is a traitor who is planning to overthrow the Elders.

         'Are you sure? That is a very bold statement, one that can get you into trouble if false.'

         'It's true, I found it behind a difficult barrier. I am certain of this. I am contacting an Elder to show the probe. Wish me luck.'

         'I do, though you are stepping on shaky ground'.

         The Odd One heard the whole conversation. He knew what was going to happen when she went to the Elder to share her condemning information.

         'Elder, may I speak with you? Repard sent.'

         'I am free at the moment. What is it you need?'

         'I have news of a traitor. He is known as the Odd One. I probed his thoughts without his knowledge. What I found is incredible. He is planning to overthrow you and the rest of the Elders. Probe me and see what I saw.'

         The Elder found she was happy to give him this information and smug because she was wanting to be an Elder at any cost. The Elder noted that. He became suspicious about her motive and built a barrier if any attack were to happen.

         The Elder began his probe into Repard's mind. He easily cut through the useless information. He found the memory of the incident and opened it slowly. When he had opened it all the way, he easily looked into a bare area. There were no memories, thoughts, or probes.

         'You have wasted my time with false accusations. You have dared to lie to an Elder, knowing well I would discover your deeds, yet you made a mockery of my time and powers. I contacted the other Elders and they have witnessed your deceit.'

         'It is known you find secrets of unwilling Hydranousians after you have either altered or misled the Hydranousian into having thoughts of overthrowing us. You are guilty of conspiring to make false witnesses and showing altered thoughts. The sentence for these crimes is to first, send out a warning to all the Collective of your deceit and fabrication, Secondly, we are blocking your probing actions. This means you will not be able to make contact with anyone. You will be Silenced for one cycle. If someone wishes to contact you, they will find it blocked.'

         Repard felt a strong probe and then a feeling of nothing. She could not send thoughts to anyone. She began to know silence. She felt panic. How will she survive? What if everyone shuns her? Will she become an inflicted one waiting to become One with the Planet? She should have listened to Temuus! Will he contact her or shun her too?"

         The Odd One heard everything. He knew she would go to an Elder with the news. He also knew his trap would work. Planting a false memory was easy, but making it vanish was the tricky part. He needed to make sure if she opened it once, the trap was sprung and when she closed it, the memory would fade.

         She would be shunned because she was attempting to deceive an Elder. She tried to find the Collective within her thoughts. She discovered there was still a link. She attempted to contact Temuus

         'Temuus, are you there? Can you hear me? Please answer. I need to hear your voice...Temuus? Temuus? Temuus!'

         She suddenly felt alone. There was no one. She could not live like this. She needs to know everything would be alright. She knew she only had to suffer for one cycle. Right now, it was an eternity.

         The Odd One cut the probe. He knew she received the proper judgment. He also knew he was the one responsible for her silence. Even when he was the Supreme High One, he detested giving punishments. He knew they were warranted, but he still had sympathy for the defiler.

         The Young One did not know how to respond and left without saying a word. The Old One chose this story because he had seen a deceptive trait within his pupil. It would be best to stop the pattern from fully developing.

         The Old One prepared for his next pupil. He knew they would be leaving to study abroad. He hoped they would retain and use the information he gave them. He encouraged their curiosity and willingness to keep learning. That would be their completion reward.

         He knew he would eventually have to leave. The thought caused doubt because he enjoyed tutoring and enjoyed the life he had. He would need to rethink his decision to leave within the next 50 cycles or so.

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