Blog

The Calm After the Storm

This piece came, once more, from Marsel-Defender in July of 2021. I think of Edmund almost like a combination of a mage and a monk in terms of fantasy class archetypes, and this YCH was a great opportunity to showcase some of the “monk” aspects of his character while delving into his head space.

---

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Edmund sat in the vacant field, exactly as his mentor instructed. Focusing on naught but the steady rhythm of his breathing, the rising and falling of the chest, feeling the flow of the air as it entered his lungs before exiting through the nose. These past few days had been tough for the young tigerkin, memories he had thought buried resurfaced. Knowing that he would never permit himself a moment’s rest, Enigma ordered him to undergo meditation, in the hopes it would help clear his mind.

Inhale.

Focus on the expansion of the chest and lungs, as they fill up with oxygen. Ignore those intrusive thoughts. No longer was he the frail young man who spent most of his day in bed, watching as the other kids played without him through the window.

Exhale.

Focus on the release of air. Feel your lungs contract as they expel the waste product. No longer was he the kid everyone mocked for being out of breath after a short walk.

Inhale.

Focus on the expansion of the chest and lungs. His thoughts briefly wandered to the days his father would sit with him, ensuring they squeezed every bit of medical care possible from each doctor visit. They quickly subsided before returning once more to the breathing.

Exhale.

Focus on the release of air. Not long after his father left, he knew he had to try and take care of himself. That had to be why he finally found the strength to leave his bedside and start training.

Inhale.

He grew strong, stronger than all of the other neighborhood kids. That’s why the other kids who ignored him before started looking up to him. That’s why he felt like it was his duty to make sure nobody ever screwed with them.

Exhale.

Or maybe it was to fill the hole in his heart left by his father’s disappearance. Clouds began to form in the sky, as the wind grew fierce. His mind began to waver.

Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.

Before long, the wind once more grew calm. The clouds dissipated. And where turmoil once held firm in his heart, Edmund achieved peace, if only for a time.