“Every Hero needs Combat experience to assimilate all his or her experiences.”

 

“Yet, no matter if it is Real or Virtual, every Hero needs a decent Rest.”

 

“How you Rest, depends on a lot of things. But, I will write down my favorite type.”

 

“In the North Eastern parts of the Central Continent, there exists a Community of Badg’Er who professes the Spirituality of lots of things. But in my personal experience, their Spiritual Hot Spring Baths are one of the best inventions that will ever exist.”

 

“Soaking your fur in the mineral-rich warm waters of those mountains, not only does wonder for your health, but it also makes you feel as if Heaven touched your very Soul.”

 

“Hmph. That, and it makes your fur shine to the female folk. Thus, making it a highly recommended location to visit.”

#15 Quote - Book of Life and Death - Chapter - Heroes and Villains.

 

*

 

Joint Dream - Alexander

 

“Hmm…Mmmm….Aaaa… Ohhhhh.” 

 

Reached Alexander’s ears as his Friend stood before him.

 

His Friends eyes were closed as he murmured things, while his right paw was on his left shoulder. 

 

It was faint, but Alexander felt his Friend examine his insides, somehow. Specifically, he examined the new layer of something placed upon his Skin, Muscles, and Bones.

 

“Hmhmh… yes, yes. Good. Good. It deployed magnificently. You've noticed the improvements, right?”

 

Hearing his friend inquire about it, Alexander replied. “Yes”

 

“Can you tell me how much?” Once more, Alexander replied. Only this time he shook his head. “Guessed as much. Either way, I am glad everything developed as designed. Would have been a big bummer if it did not, and something unforeseen happened.”

 

A bit stupified by what he heard, Alexander nodded. “Yes”

 

“Anyway, I think it's time I tell you a bit about the Chakral Ascension.” Alexander heard his Friend say as he retreated his right hand back, and went back to his seat right before him. 

 

“By now, I am sure you've noticed that you're on a different path than your Parents, right?”

 

Nodding, Alexander stated the number one difference. “Me, Not, Make, White Flame.”

 

“There is more to this than just the White Flame.” Alexander’s Friend added. “Your Parents manifested a Special Ability, and that ability is the White Flame. You on the other hand manifested a Special Ability called Chakral Roots. However, your Chakral Roots are integral to the Chakral Ascension Path. They do now show in your Status Window because of their Passive nature.”

 

“Passive?” Alexander inquired with a tilt of his head.

 

“Passive means it's always there in the background. It does something, but you can not actively influence it.” Alexander’s Dream Friend explained. “At least you can't right now. It will be in the future. Even then it will mostly stay in the background doing things for you. That way, you can actively pay attention to other things.”

 

Alexander saw and heard his Friend stop for a moment. 

 

This was not the first time his Friend stopped speaking like this. It happened a lot when he was being taught something. He knew this was for his own benefit, as only when he nodded he understood things, would his Friend continue. 

 

Once Alexander nodded, his Friend continued. “Now that the benefits of the First Star manifested, I am sure you've realized how Capacity works and what it is, right?” Alexander nodded. “Even without your active intervention, this new type of energy is created. I call it Chakra. It is completely passive in its current state so names don't matter. The only thing that matters is your Capacity for its storage. Capacity determines how things occur from this point on.”

 

“I am sure you understand it deep down, but let me reiterate it for you.” His Friend said. “Capacity will fill on its own. If all four of your pads touch the ground, the speed will increase, but you have no control over it at all. There are reasons why I made it that way. It suffices to say, you need a lot of Spiritual Training to achieve control over the automatic process.” 

 

“The one thing you… Badg’Er, currently do not have, is a dedicated methodology to approach that subject. Therefore, I made the First Star work on its own. Even in the later stages, it will remain that way. However, by that point, you will require active Meditation to progress. Otherwise, progress will be too slow.”

 

“Meditation?” Alexander inquired. 

 

The way his Friend spoke, he always gained a rough understanding of the words. Meditation contained Calm, Steady, Mind, and a few other things that went over Alexander’s current knowledge.

 

“I know how Meditation works in general. However, because it's of no use to me, I've not tried it before. Still, I know you will need it. So don't worry, I will teach you what I know about it.”

 

“Ok” Alexander snorted in acknowledgment with an expression he saw his Friend once do. From that same moment, he loved it and kept it.

 

“Good, listen to this.” Alexander nodded and agreed. “The next time Capacity is full, you will have to make a choice. A choice between two things. One is to continue filling the Earth Attunement or progress to the next Star. It does not matter which Star you decide to go with, but if you do choose to go for the next Star, let me warn you about something.”

 

Immediately, Alexander heard a grim voice reaching his ears. It was serious. So Alexander paid great attention regarding it.

 

“Normally, which Star you choose will be easy, as there is an Emotional Affinity to each Star. Meaning each Star represents one Emotional aspect that you possess.” Not quite understanding what his Friend meant, Alexander tilted his head. “However, you Alexander will need to reject that Emotional Affinity, and it is for a simple reason. Do you remember the last few years as a Honey Badger, before those two Humanoid Lions came to kill you?”

 

Every word was inlaid with seriousness and every word echoed in Alexander’s mind. 

 

Therefore, he tried his best to remember. Instantly he recalled the things he did. The hunts he had been on. The Revenge that he'd begun and the VENGEANCE that he'd unleashed upon the Lions and their cubs.

 

The moment Alexander remembered those days, VENGEANCE unfolded like a flower in his mind. It permeated his everything before a SLAP upon his left shoulder brought him out of whatever was about to happen.

 

“What?” Alexander shouted as pain throbbed inside him, despite being in a Dream right now.

 

“Calm down!” His friend said, and once more a calm emanated from his friend. 

 

In the same instant, Alexander realized and remembered the dichotomy of VENGEANCE and Calmness constantly warring with each other in his past life.

 

“Your Dreaming right now? Therefore, it's easier for the Negative Emotions to manifest.” Alexander heard and understood, slightly. “It won't be like that out there in Reality because your current body isn't steeped with the Emotional triggers as your previous one was.” 

 

“However, it will still affect you, if you don't pay attention when the time comes for the next Star to be chosen. If it happens there is a high chance of Vengeance taking root in you once again. I don't want that to happen.”

 

“I am not 100% sure which Star it will be, but my guess is the Centar Star.”

 

“Centar Star?” Alexander inquired before pointing at his chest instinctively as if he was very sure it was there.

 

“Technically speaking, it's the Heart and Lungs Star. However, the name did not fit the theme, so I named it the Centar Star, but you're right.” Alexander saw his friend nod. “Its position will be located in your chest cavity.” 

 

Hearing the explanation, Alexander wondered what Theme and Name had in common, but it got sidelined immediately when his Friend spoke again.

 

“It has a lot of functions, and I will tell you about them. In fact, you will learn the general approximation of all the Stars, but I am warning you to not be pulled into its embrace once the time comes.” 

 

Reminded and cautioned again, Alexander nodded once in confirmation. 

 

Then listened with unprecedented attention. “Because I care about you, I don't want you to fall into any kind of Demonic State. That is why, I streamlined the Chakra Ascension system for those that want and need the slow and steady path, in addition to the Emotional Affinity Path.”

 

“With that said, I will start explaining now what each star does roughly. Then I will tell you the path you should take for steady growth.” 

 

“Hngh.”

 

*

 

Central Continent - Southern Forest - Survival Tribe - Alexander

Half a month flew by extremely fast for Alexander.

 

It flew even harder when he got used to his Morning Routine and daily Meditation sessions, or at least attempted Meditation sessions.

 

Alexander had been right the first time he'd heard the word Meditation from his Friend. It did contain Calm, Steady, and Mind in its understanding. But what it did not contain was the Boredom that was experienced as he practiced his approach towards Meditation.

 

Even the pose where he had to sit down on his bum and cross his feet, with the flexibility he did not know he could accomplish, and then maintain a straight spine, told him of the long-term uncomfortably before Boredom kicked in.

 

Yet, his friend did mention that uncomfortable was key in Meditation. After all, only those that overcome it, could actually find the focus to Calm their Mind of random thoughts and enter Meditation.

 

Still, there was one caveat in Alexander's attempts.

 

Due to the experiences had been through, it was much easier for him to chase the required feelings. At the same time, there was a teeny tiny trickle of warmth that entered his body through the skin on his bum and legs that helped to center on what to focus.

 

Only after all those factors came together did Alexander manage to establish something even close to Meditation. 

 

Even then, it paled in comparison to the awareness that he gained once Capacity reached full capacity. However, at least, he'd managed to integrate Meditation into his Morning Routine.

 

After a few recommendations from his Friend, Alexander realized that despite being tired physically, after the stressful exercises, the physical tiredness provided an excellent form of training for the Mind.

 

In the beginning, even though he'd tried his best, he'd actually fallen asleep despite the uncomfortable position Meditation required of him. Only after he repeated the action for about a week did the first actual signs emerge. And when they did, Alexander understood what it truly meant to be focused on your Mind, on your Body, and the warmth that trickled into his body.

 

Still, while the achievement of Meditation was a good thing, a few other things brought more joy to Alexander. 

 

One of those, he'd gained a few days ago and it occurred just as he finished his Morning Routine for that day.

 

Alexander still remembered what it said.

---

System Alert!

 

Stat Improvement

 

Body [+1]

---

Although Alexander did not feel the progress, unlike how it happened with Insight, it was a welcome surprise that he did not expect. 

 

Yet, that was not all. A few days after that, when he accomplished the first successful meditation attempt, more Improvements appeared.

---

System Alert!

 

Stat Improvement

 

Mind [+1]

---

With glee, he'd reported the improvements to his Friend and his Parents.

 

His parents only nodded as if it was expected of him, but his Friend was extremely happy. As a celebration, his Friend manifested some great snacks for him. 

 

However, it was the cold sweet water that took his fancy the most. At least, Alexander thought it was sweet. It had a bit of a sting as well. 

 

For some reason, after drinking the sweet stuff, his vision began to sway a lot in the Dream.

 

The weirdest thing was that even after waking up, he felt like the world swayed a bit. It took a few exercises for everything to return to normal. Aside from the urge to drink more water from the stream not far from the Tribal Clearing. 

 

It truly was weird, as his Friend told him, that the Dream should not affect him out here in Reality.

 

Whatever the cause was, it had been forgotten for the most part. 

Today was another one of those celebratory days, as he'd once more achieved something.

---

Personal Dream Successfully Achieved

 

Description;

 

The Second Step of the Many Steps to Come

 

With your Friend's advice, you have trained and improved yourself. 

 

However, self-improvement has no end.

 

Milestone;

 

Morning Routine

 

Period - Month [✅]

 

Cardio - 15km [✅]

 

Push-Up - 150 - [✅]

 

Pull-Up - 150 - [✅]

 

Sit-Up - 150 - [✅]

 

Squat - 150 - [✅]

 

Plank - 90 sec - [✅]

 

Reward;

 

Award - Better Physical Statistical Improvement - Achieved

 

Perk - Better Six-Pack [The Ladies will Love it] - Achieved

 

Accolade - Discipline [Morning Routine] - Achieved

[Body +1, Instinct +1, Mind +1]

 

Failure;

 

Friends Disappointment

 

Mothers Punishment

---

---

Personal Dream Continuation Prompt

 

Description;

 

Congratulations Alexander for sticking to the program. 

It's time for you to decide again.

 

Dream Divergence; 

 

Would you like to forestall your Accolade, in favor of increased rewards further down the Path of your Dream?

 

Yes [✅] or No [❌]

---

This time, Alexander was smarter. 

 

He learned from his past experience. 

 

He knew what would happen the moment he nudged the Yes option. 

 

More of his reward would be forestalled for later all while the requirements would increase for the completion. Still, his Friend's explanations played a part in his decision and he mentally nudged the Yes option.

 

When he did, everything vanished before another shifting feeling emerged. It still came not from within him or from the outside, but it was there. 

 

Only this time it was clearer and stronger than the first time it occurred.

 

When it vanished a familiar thing appeared, or at least it looked to be that way at the first glance.

---

Personal Dream Continuation Established

 

Description;

 

The Third Step of the Many Steps to Come

 

With your Friend's advice, you have trained and improved yourself greatly. 

 

However, self-improvement has no end.

 

Milestone;

 

Daily Routine

 

Period - Six Months []

 

Cardio - 30km []

 

Push-Up - 300 - []

 

Pull-Up - 300 - []

 

Sit-Up - 300 - []

 

Squat - 300 - []

 

Plank - 180 sec - []

 

Meditation - 3 Hours  - []

 

Reward;

 

Award - Greater Physical Statistical Improvement

 

Perk - Toned Body [The Ladies will be stunned at First Sight]

 

Accolade - Discipline [Body and Mind] - 

Forestalled Accolade [Body +1, Instinct +1, Mind + 1, Insight +1]

 

Failure;

 

Friends Disappointment

 

Mothers Punishment

---

It took Alexander a few moments to truly figure out the differences, especially as he had to count the numbers of everything. When he did, Alexander realized he was in deep trouble. 

 

There was no way he could accomplish all that in just one morning. 

 

If he did he would not have the energy for the rest of the day. Especially, for searching and gathering insects to fuel all the exercises he'd be doing. 

 

Even now, he'd felt the limits of what he was doing. There were days when had eaten less than he'd liked, and whenever he did, he would have trouble completing the Morning Routine for the next day.

 

Shaking his head at the realization, Alexander examined the Personal Dream in his mind. His Friend said that each subsequent Dream would be harder, but Alexander doubted he had reached that point yet.

 

Going line over line, he found the resulting confusion. In the Milestone part of the Personal Dream, the Morning Routine changed to Daily Routine.

 

“Daily, Routine?” Thinking over it, Alexander flexed his new improved mental capability and came to a simple conclusion. “Oh, Can, Do, Half, In, The, Morning… Half Later… After Eating?”

 

“Mmm, At, Night?” Alexander asked himself before shaking his head instantly and deciding on a  different time. “Before, Night.”

 

Yet, just because Alexander figured out the timings of his Daily Exercise, did not mean that there were no other troubles in front of him. 

 

The next problem had an obvious solution but it would require the Tribal Chieftains' permission.

 

That being the case, Alexander made his way back to the Tribal Clearing. Once there he searched for his Father, only he did not find him.

 

Snorting once, Alexander delayed the problem for a moment and went back home. After all, the Tribal Chieftain, and his Father, were the same person. 

 

There was no way he would not return home for the night.