Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 26 : Ascended to Nirvana

Perseus's body was brought back to the Kingdom of Spartania, where it was kept and cared for directly under Hercules. Once Leonidas returned from his journey of taking Yasuke to the Kingdom of Objibwe, Hercules was enabled to relinquish this position to his king. After a few days, Perseus began to show signs of consciousness. Leonidas was doubtful at first. But, he quickly realized that this was a part of Perseus's ascension. Everyone, including the Spartans, agreed with the notion that you can not escape death. When one's life has expired, there's nothing they can do to prolong it. However, those who were chosen became able to overcome the very concept of death. He who rises above the inevitable force known as death reaches Nirvana, the highest level of enlightenment. Once King Leonidas realized the change Perseus was going through, it became hard to say the same composed leader he usually was. For the first time in a long time, the Great King Leonidas smiled. The young Spartans present in the moment didn't understand at first but ultimately fell victim to the contagiousness of positive energy. Since their King was happy, they were too.

"Perseus... he's going to return to us." Leonidas declared.

"King Leonidas...are you saying that he?" Logias replied. "Spartan Captain Perseus....has ascended to the nirvana stage of enlightment?"

"His life expired in his fight against King Nebuchadnezzar." Leondias explained. "But he's been showing signs of life even in his unconscious state. Soon, he will become conscious again."

"King Leondias, I must ask. How will this affect our standings with King Musa?"

"There's a few different endings to this situation." Leondias answered. "It's our job to strive for the most optimal, and that will be dependent on a variety of factors. There's no way we can determine how things will play out exactly, but we must do our best to prepare for every scenario we know."

"So, our goal is to get Perseus fully acclimated to his ascension? And then...?"

"I'm sure that will be too much to look past." Leondias explained. "That'll keep our workload plenty busy."

"I understand, My King."

Leondias continued to look over Perseus as Logias left the area.

"I'm conflicted with myself." Leondias uttered. "If Perseus is the only Spartan that has reached Nirvana, is that enough to make him King? Should I resign and allow the greatest warrior of this time to rise? Would Perseus even allow me to if I tried?"

Leondias was greeted with another person's presence. His visitor appeared in the doorway and slowly approached him from behind.

"You know everyone believes you have all the answers." Leonidas heard from behind. "From the urgent issues to the slightest hindrances, they all count on you for guidance. Yet, here you are, being stuck with a multitude of unanswered questions with no sense of direction."

Another voice came behind the first and said, "Don't be unsure, for every hard problem resides an easy solution. You just have to make a habit of soaking in the information provided."

"Every time I'm perplexed, I gain enough shrewdness for whatever situation I'm facing. I believe it's because of you two." Leondias stated as he welcomed his visitors.

It was none other than his wife and son, Alane and Aristodemus.

"Father, I have been very patient." Aristodemus stated. "But I think it's time I join the rest of my peers and become a Spartan."

Leondias took a second to glance at his wife, who responded with a look that told him, "These are his words, not mine."

"So, you're finally saying it's time." Leondias stated. "You want to serve this Kingdom like everyone else and become a high-class warrior."

"I want to, and therefore I will father."

"Well, you know the process, my son." Leondias concluded as he led his son in the direction of the exit. "You can not simply just become a Spartan through words."

"Tommorow morning then." Aristodemus concluded. "In the hour before sunrise, I will meet everyone there."

Aristodemus turned around and walked out of the room with his chest to the sky. After watching him walk away, Leondias gave the same look to his wife as he did before.

"It's all he's been talking about." She said. "I think he's finally ready."

"We'll find out tomorrow." Leonidas replied. "The Amelioration Conquest isn't the easiest training regiment. But, if he wants to be a Spartan. He must complete it."

The Amelioration Conquest was a series of training methods invented by the first King of Spartania to eliminate all humane weaknesses he knew. It was broken into five different increments;bodily mastery, arms training, chi manipulation, enlightenment, and psychological defense. Although every person who lives in Spartania has received training, only those who complete the Amelioration Conquest would go on to become a Spartan. In Aristodemus' case, his mother kept him away from becoming a Spartan due to her knowledge of the harsh training required. But, she also knew that one day, becoming a Spartan is all that would matter to her son.

"I guess it's going to be another Purge Year, isn't it?" Alane asked.

"The Purge Year is an abandoned practice. It hasn't been done since I first became a Spartan." Leonidas answered.

"Maybe it's too much for Aristodemus. But, what about the Black Dahlia?" She inquired. "After being with King Agasga, he should be more than ready to endure it. And if he can, all of our Spartans should be able to as well."

"You're suggesting that we put everyone through the Amelioration Conquest and a Purge Year in the span of a week or two?" Leonidas stated with a smile. "It seems you have more of my father in you than I do."

"He was a great man and an even greater King." Alane proclaimed. "His methods worked for all of the Spartan that came before you. They can work now, too."

"Your Women of Sparta will be overworked with helping boost the recoveries of our soldiers. But, I know you're already prepared for that. Just make sure the rest of them are as well. Everyone in Spartnia will be pressured. "

"Prepare to give our son hell. Dont forget that you should make him want to quit, but never allow him to. This is our way to victory." Alane concluded. "Tommorow will show us who he's going to be."