Finding Your Balance

It wasn't long before the sounds of paws crunching through thin snow alerted him to the presence of others, and upon spotting Sirius being escorted by his mother towards him, Artorias instinctively rose to his paws in respect for both adults in his life. He tipped his head in a greeting to the Warlord, then returned to his seated posture when Seer did the same. This was an exciting moment for the young Carpathius lad; his first actual lesson from the infamous Sirius Fatalis. And while many would think the Warlord would be used for his combat prowess, today Art would be learning something much more valuable. He would be learning control, balance, zen.

The first instruction was easy to obey. The boy relaxed back onto his haunches, finding it easy to settle into his sitting position. The second instruction was equally simple. Amber eyes disappeared behind black eyelids, and darkness obscured Artorias' vision. With his eyesight gone, it was as if he could hear everything that much more clearly. The waves in the distance, the gentle whisper of the breeze like the breath of the earth itself, the deep rumble of Sirius' bass heavy voice guiding him through the dark. Art followed the directions Seer gave to him, drawing in a long, slow breath until his lungs had filled to capacity with the cold air. He felt the way his muscles moved, how his body responded to an act as simple as breathing. He held his breath, chest puffed out slightly, eyes closed, a neutral, almost serene expression on his face. The waves continued to fill his ears with their rhythmic lullabies. The breeze continued its gentle embrace of his body.

Sirius spoke, and again Artorias followed the directions. His lips parted only a fraction of an inch while he slowly, slowly released the breath trapped in his lungs. His body relaxed as his chest deflated, warm breath turning to a faint cloud of translucent fog in front of his muzzle. He was just as focused on the way his muscles released and relaxed on the exhale as he had been on the inhale. It was an interesting sensation, and not one the boy had ever thought to pause and take notice of before now. So far, he was intrigued. He was eager to see what path Seer would direct him down next.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"