After Kairen's victory at the waterfall, Vanamali took him from the deafening thunder to another area of the Sanctum. T
hey followed a serpentine trail, further into the valley, until they arrived at an open space where the mists were light, and a completely still, mirror-like lake glimmered in the distance.
The water was so limpid that it picked up the glowing moss of the cliff faces, creating the illusion that a second, inverted valley existed below the surface.
"You have learned to be still in the midst of outer turmoil," Vanamali spoke, his voice the only noise, hardly breaking the deep silence.
He motioned for Kairen to sit on the shore, where weathered, moss-coated rocks created a natural meditation mat.
"Now, you must learn to sense the currents beneath that stillness. The waterfall was a loud, conspicuous power. The Essence is quieter, more subtle, and infinitely greater."
