Cleansing the soul and the trial of one's self

Skyler's hand rubbed Cleo's left ear gently while looking over to the final book, Meditation, Achieving Inner Peace. He knew what it had to teach him would certainly be helpful. However, he began to wonder why he would need such obviously powerful abilities in the future. Sure, Gaia likely had something in mind for him, but he couldn't imagine any god, goddess, or the like to pick him for such a thing. Maybe this was simply a twisted game to kick him further down just as things were starting to get better for him. Hmm, was life truly planning to kick his ass that much more in the near future?

Skyler shook his head and thought. 'No, this was likely something chosen randomly for whoever may have gotten these abilities. I'm not interesting or important enough to be truly chosen on purpose. This was more likely to have been a mistake that they figured. Fuck it, let's see where this goes.' While his mind ran over things, Cleo stretched for a few seconds before nuzzling closer to him. He ran his hand along Cleo's back before reaching out his other hand toward that book. "Well, here goes nothing." When his hand touched that book, the following notification appeared.

Meditation, Achieving Inner Peace: When learned will teach the following skills.

Meditation lvl 1 - Channeled - (Linked with Inner Focus)

Upon achieving a clear mind, your Hp and Mp will regenerate more quickly.

Increases Hp and Mp regen by 300% while channeling.

While channeling, there is a 5% chance, every minute, to gain a new random skill.

Inner Focus rank 1 - (Linked with Meditation)

Grants immunity to all versions of poison and disease.

Increases health regeneration by .1% of maximum Hp per minute.

Accept or Decline?

Skyler mentally hit, 'Accept.' and the world once again shattered into a million pieces. However, when it reassembled itself. He was truly surprised by where he was. He was in a lush forest area surrounded by trees and many other plants, but before he could look around the following notification appeared.

You have entered an illusion barrier: Tranquil Forest of Meditation

You may not leave this illusion barrier until all lessons have been learned.

Time outside this illusion barrier has been frozen.

Shortly after, Skyler's attention was drawn to the sound of a river nearby that fed into a lake. However, what truly caught his attention was the man sitting by this lake. This man had milk chocolate brown skin, a round face, shoulder length wavy black hair, and brown eyes. Upon further inspection, he could see this man was wearing a simple reddish brown robe yet wore nothing upon his feet. He decided to cast Observe as the man started to speak. Sadly, he received the following notification instead.

Target is too high of a level.

"Hello, Skyler Peterson. I'm Paramahansa Yogananda. I have heard that you desire to learn my technique for meditation and inner focus. Is that correct?" Skyler nodded slightly. "That's correct. It's a pleasure to meet you, Param..hansa. Paramahasa..Paramahana." He whispered the name several times as he felt his brain twisting while trying to get his tongue to keep it together while pronouncing that name. However, he failed to get it truly right. He grumbled before closing his eyes tightly and said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Paramahansa."

Paramahansa chuckled while shaking his head slightly. "It's quite all right, Skyler. Names are simply labels to identify one from another. Please, have a seat beside me." Skyler nodded before moving to sit beside him. Paramahansa looked to him before looking out upon the lake. "Take in the surroundings and relax. Close your eyes and focus only on your breathing. Let your mind wander and become clear. Only then will you find what you are seeking through meditation." Skyler blinked several times, trying to think about what that truly meant, but did as he was instructed.

Skyler looked out upon the lake then took in his surroundings. He tried to relax as he closed his eyes, focusing as best he could on only his breathing. Although this sounded like a simple task, for Skyler this was truly difficult. His mind was always running around, thinking about the next possible thing. This permeated so much of his life that even as he fell asleep at night his mind continued to focus on one thing or another. As he tried to quiet his mind, a thought occurred to him. 'Am I supposed to find the darkness behind my eyelids to be comforting? Or perhaps it is within a moment like this that I am supposed to realize that no matter how much or little someone has done, that in the end we will always end up alone?'

Skyler let out a soft breath as the presence of depression started to take hold of him. However, this didn't keep him from continuing his task. Coming to yet another conclusion that life was dreadful and certainly unpleasant wasn't going to keep him from continuing on his path. Sure, it would slow him down, making progress that much harder. In the end however, the worse thing that could happen would be that he would get to continue to live. Best case scenario he would be released from his mortal coil, bringing his pain and suffering to an end.

After several minutes, Paramahansa looked to Skyler. "I sense much tension within you. Please, open your eyes and do as I do." When Skyler opened his eyes, he saw Paramahansa perform a pose. He started by slowly, sitting on his knees, stretching his ankles outwards while bringing his thighs and calves together. He followed this by bringing his palms to rest upon his knees, breathing in and out deeply for forty-five seconds before discontinuing this pose. "This pose is called Vajrasana. Once this is complete. I want you to do as I do next. I will show you the pose for Padmasana."

Skyler watched closely as Paramahansa sat cross legged at first. Several seconds later, he gently lifted his right ankle above his left thigh. "This can be done with either ankle first." As he spoke, he did the same with his left ankle, lifting it above his right thigh. He brought his palms to his knees while keeping his back straight and simply breathed in and out evenly over the next thirty seconds. He bowed his head slightly to Skyler and smiled. "This will help greatly with your ability to meditate, I promise."

Over the next several days, Skyler attempted to perform these poses as he had been shown by Paramahansa. Although subtly difficult, they became easier and easier with each passing day. By the fifth day Skyler had a new red exclamation flash that he allowed to pop up.

Achievement Unlocked!

Flexible and Zen!

Reach the beginnings of enlightenment

Reward: 50 xp, 2 Agility, and 2 Wisdom

P.S. Hey, hey. Listen! Watch out! :P

Agility has increased from 16 to 18.

Wisdom has increased from 28 to 30.

As Skyler read that he could hear some giggling within his mind, likely from Gaia. It was at this point that Paramahansa felt Skyler was ready to try meditating once more. After several minutes of preparation, Skyler closed his eyes after successfully performing the pose, Padmasana. Although strange to him, he found it far more tranquil and peaceful than the first time he had tried to do as Paramahansa had instructed. It was within that moment, Skyler felt something click within him.

This was followed by a strange warmth enveloping Skyler's body, welling up from the very core of his being. Albeit unexpected, it felt like a heavy weight was lifted from both his shoulders and heart. To his surprise, when he opened his eyes, he was back in his bedroom. His hand was still running along Cleo's back. It was a rather strange feeling, his mind felt truly clear. Alas, he knew this tranquil feeling would not last. His mind was flooded with thoughts once again when his attention was drawn to the two flashing red exclamations awaiting him. With a little smile, he allowed them to pop up.

New skill gained!

Meditation lvl 1 - Channeled - (Linked with Inner Focus)

Upon achieving a clear mind, your Hp and Mp will regenerate more quickly.

Increases Hp and Mp regen by 300% while channeling.

While channeling, there is a 5% chance, every minute, to gain a new random skill.

New skill gained!

Inner Focus rank 1 - (Linked with Meditation)

Grants immunity to all versions of poison and disease.

Increases health regeneration by .1% of maximum Hp per minute.

Skyler's eyes closed as the weight of this moment came crashing down upon him. He felt both better and worse. The depth of his training had become far more taxing than he had anticipated, but as he started to pass out. He began to wonder what he would do next after his nap. Should he try out an illusion barrier? Or should he try something simple and go for a walk?

Name: Skyler Peterson

Title: The Gamer

Lvl: 5 XP 501/1,000

Hp: 119/119

Hp regen: .309 per min

Mp: 150/150

Mp regen: .6 per min

Money: $2,255.41

Build: Overweight

Weight: 215 lbs

Height: 5' 10 ¾"

Dick size: 6 inches

Inventory slots 5/25 (Black Pearl Ring of Enthrallment, Small Living Core, Vial of Slime x 2, Damaged Grey Sleeveless T-shirt, and Damaged Shoes (Damaged Socks))

Unspent skill points: 0

Str: 20 + (0) + (0) End: 19 + (0) + (0)

Int: 18 + (0) + (0) Wis: 30 + (0) + (0)

Agi: 18 + (0) + (0) Cha: 11 + (0) + (0)

Lib: 15 + (0) + (0)