Feudal Pacific

17

In the late summer, the sun cast long shadows as Patrick stood motionless in the garden amidst the rustling leaves. His eyes were closed and his breathing steady as he focused his mind. With a deep breath, Patrick activated his power. The world around him froze—birds hung suspended in the sky, the breeze ceased, and even the dancing foliage came to a standstill. The air felt thick and heavy.

Patrick took a tentative step forward, feeling the resistance as if wading through deep water. Each movement required immense effort and concentration. After a few labored steps, he released his hold and the world sprang back to life. He doubled over, hands on knees, gasping for breath though no breath was truly needed.

"It's so difficult," Patrick panted, "to move through the stillness."

Takeko placed a reassuring hand on his back. "You did well," she said. "It is a great challenge to navigate the paused world. The universe resists the intrusion. But with practice, you will master it."

As the days shortened and autumn neared, Patrick trained relentlessly. He pushed himself to hold the pauses for longer durations and move more freely within them. Takeko taught him to channel his emotions as a source of power rather than distraction.

One crisp morning, straining to lift a heavy stone in the frozen world, Patrick lost control. Time abruptly resumed and the stone crashed down, nearly crushing his foot. Tears of frustration stung his eyes.

"I can't do this," he said in despair. "It's impossible."

Takeko regarded him with patience. "Mastery takes time. Every failure holds a lesson. What did you learn here?"

Patrick considered. "To be more careful, I suppose."

"Yes, and to respect your limits. Overexertion can be as detrimental as complacency."

As the leaves turned and fell, Patrick's abilities grew. He could sustain the time stasis for minutes and traverse the motionless landscape with greater ease. But new challenges arose. During one session, he became so immersed in the altered state that returning to the normal flow of time seemed a daunting task.

Remember your training, he told himself. Feel the tether to the present. Ground yourself.

With effort, Patrick released his power. The world reanimated and he gulped the cool autumn air.

"I felt trapped," he admitted to Takeko afterward, "lost between moments."

She nodded sagely. "It's a reminder to remain ever-mindful, never losing yourself completely."

Patrick's determination only grew, fortified by the obstacles. Each new trial brought insight and incremental progress.

In the evenings, he and Takeko would often sit in the garden, the scent of dying leaves and damp earth around them, and talk of many things.

"Why do you help me?" Patrick asked her one night. "Why do you care so much?"

Takeko was quiet for a moment before answering. "I once had a mentor who saw potential in me and nurtured it. It changed my life. I can never repay that debt, but I can pass on the wisdom."

"Like you did with Yasuo?"

A shadow of pain crossed her weathered face. "I believed so, yes."

As the bond between student and teacher deepened, Patrick shared his own burdens—the hole left by his unknown parents, his yearning for connection and identity.

"The past molds us," Takeko told him, "but it need not define us. You have people who love you. Your destiny is yours to shape."

Patrick nodded, but the old ache remained. "I know. Daddy's a good man, just...soft. And I love my grandparents. But a part of me will always wonder where I come from."

Takeko smiled enigmatically. "In time, young Patrick, the answers will come. The story is not yet finished."