The Life of Livana Garmadon

August 24th, 2023

I never thought that meditating could take this long. And if anyone tells you that all your troubles will go away if you meditate, they are so wrong. My thoughts were buzzing inside my head like radio static, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on peace of mind.

"We're coming". My eyes flared open and I closed them when Uncle Wu shot me a look. I couldn't focus. Not with the spooky encounter that had just happened yesterday. I felt my fingers tremble and I ignored them, even though I desperately wanted to open my eyes and run away.

"Calm the mind, Livvy." Uncle Wu murmured, "I understand that your anxiety is getting worse and I know it's hard to calm down. But breathe. Imagine a smooth surface. No ripples. Just a smooth surface."

I took a deep breath and then closed my eyes, trying to imagine that smooth surface. I couldn't imagine a surface, but I imagined a cold, dark, and empty room. There was no one in that room except for me and myself. You are the only one in that room. You are the only one breathing, the only one sitting here, and the only one thinking. There is no one here except you. No anxiety. No thoughts. Just you and your heartbeat.

I opened my eyes and then found myself floating in the air, a soft purple aura surrounding my body like a hum. I put my hands down slowly onto my crossed legs and I whispered, "Um... Uncle Wu? Could you open your eyes for a second?"

Uncle Wu sighed irritably, his eyes opening. "My niece. All you need to do is-" When he saw me floating, his eyes widened. "Oh my."

"Is this supposed to happen to me?" I asked, my long hair floating off my shoulders. "You're the expert around here, so..."

"It seems that you have finally let go of something." Uncle Wu stood up and walked over to me. "How do you feel, Livana?"

"T-the same?" I said, "A bit more relaxed than usual, perhaps?"

"It could be because you sort of... let go of your worries and anxiety for a while. You've drowned out those thoughts." The corners of Uncle Wu's mouth quirked up in a smile, "That is impressive."

"Thank you. But um," I bit the corner of my lip, "how do I get down, exactly?"

Uncle Wu was about to respond when suddenly, the door opened and Mom poked her head in, shouting, "Liv! Wu! We need you two instantly!"

"Gah!" I yelped before I fell, landing hard on my butt on the ground. I groaned and rubbed my back, muttering, "Well, that's certainly one way to do it."

"Misako. What is it?" Uncle Wu asked, grabbing his bamboo staff as he straightened his hat, looking my mother straight in the eye. My mother looked over at me and then offered a hand down to me, helping me up.

"Sorry about that." Mom looked over at my uncle and I, "There's a little girl at the door. She has something to say to you, Livvy."

"Me?" I frowned, "What does she look like?"

"She's small, about 9 years old, perhaps?" Mom said, "She says her name is Mia and that she wants to see the darkness ninja."

"Right. Which is me." I got up, "I'll go and meet her. Is she in the monastery?"

"We told her to go to the living room. She's sitting in there with Cole and Kai right now." Mom frowned, "Are you sure you don't know this girl? Because she seems very persistent that she knows you."

"She probably knows me because I'm a NInja." I pointed out.

"That is a fair point." Mom agreed.

Uncle Wu opened the door and I peeked in. Sitting in the middle of the couch, with Kai and Cole flanking her, was a small girl with straight brown hair, plain brown eyes, and wearing an enormously oversized hoodie. She had her knees to her chest and she was hugging herself. I saw Cole and Kai try to make conversation with the child, but she said nothing until she looked up and saw me. Something that looked like relief flowed through her eyes, and she leapt up from the couch, sprinted across the room, and hugged me tightly.