SABIS the SURVIVOR

Chapter 2: Sabis Skips A Stone

Chapter 2: Sabis Skips A Stone

"Free-falling is an interesting sensation. I quite like it," the man in his dream spoke to him. Then he woke up.

Sabis inhaled the air, dense and rich with the aroma of earth and insects and salt.

"Hmm. This smell reminds me of my home cave."

He stood up and scanned the perimeter of this new uncharted underground cavern that reminded him of his home. Only a few steps in front of him lay an emerald mineral pool tranquil and serene as a newborn baby lying on its Mother's bosom. A trickle of ice melt runoff caused a drip, drip noise that also relaxed his bones and muscles. He felt at peace for the first time on his long journey.

Sabis sat down in front of the emerald pool. He picked up a blueish flat stone and twirled it in his fingers. While he examined the stone for its smoothness and striations, he began to reexamine his traditional beliefs. What was at his core? Were his beliefs real? Did he need to make a new plan for finding a cure for his tribe or should he broker a deal with SkyGod? As he felt the stone, he realized that there were two distinct sides to it: a smooth one that had been exposed to the water and a textured one that had absorbed skeletal remains of shelled creatures. He also realized that he too had two different sides to him: a soft and caring one that allowed him to be a good brother, son, and loyal tribe member, and a more independent side that pushed him to excel, explore, and challenge his tribal ritual upbringing and Elder instructors.

He smiled widely when he thought of how his Father would have been impressed with his development into a dedicated warrior and a Mother Earthly citizen.

"I love you Daddya!" he told the cave. As the muted echo of his voice bounced back into his ears, it was as if this subterranean cavern had received his message of love and given the rest of it back for him to keep. Then he whispered:

"I will continue on my quest regardless of the obstacles and I will keep your memory in my bones."

Sabis formed an affirmation in his mind to fan the flame of his desire to find the cure that will restore the health of his people. Speaking to the object of his quest─the cure for the warrior affliction, he closed his eyes, put his hands together, and tried to convince himself of success:

"Whatever consternation and shame, I will triumph in this dangerous game. Though my journey is long, I will stay strong. Regardless of any loss, I know that our paths will cross. Though our pasts differ, we are connected by a veneer of sandstone and a core of natural fire, the situation is dire but I will not tire. You were betrothed to me so I will wait and survive until I have you in my ritual-of-fire pot."

Sabis let out his breath slowly and refocused on the small stone's striations. He followed the grooves showing how its life had been etched by the forces around it─water, heat, pressure and other stones. This reminded him of the forces that were "etching" his exterior up until now: the bitter cold, the pressure to succeed on his quest; (had this stress aged his youthful appearance?) and the lack of a penetrating humidity and warmth that caused his bones to rattle and his skin to dry.

He felt an eruption of emotion surge within him. He stood tall, took two steps forward, cocked his right elbow and shoulder back and away from his body, then snapped his wrist and elbow hard while moving his shoulder across his torso to where it almost touched his left bicep muscle.

The small stone spun violently, hit the water's face, breaking its calm tranquility. It skipped across and broke the surface three times more before it finally sank below Sabis' line of sight and into the mineral-rich pool.

Hearing the ricochets of the stone off of the pool water was like music to Sabis' ears. He started to sing out loud and his voice echoed off of the cavern's walls. The echos from his voice grew louder and more fervent until they blended into one powerful wail.

Dig deep for the master, dig deep. Dig so that you can find the cure. Dig deep and dig faster, dig deep. From now on, you can rest assured. That round the next corner there is nirvana, hilltops, and grey-blue skies. Only Mother Earth knows how much you can shoulder, she knows how much you cry.

Dig deep boy soldier, dig deep. Dig all the way to the core. Dig deep, move every boulder, dig deep and you will score.

There's so much more, for you to uncover.

Then all was still.