The Honurai Knights

By Timothy

Two Years Later.

Construction was under way for the building of the Honurai Temple. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Joseph finished placing a load bearing beam in place. Working with him was his fellow Honurai in training and friend Fusta. Many other of the little people were there helping. One little person asked Fusta, "Could you explain something to me?"

"Sure dude lay it on me>"

"What?" questioned the man.

Fusta chuckled. "Sorry, that’s my enlarge human pal‘s jargon. What’s on your mind."

"This temple could be up within hours with our equipment. Why go the primitive way?"

"Both Joseph and myself felt only right this temple should be created with sweat and toil. It makes our words to our souls clearer."

"Huh?"

Fusta smiled, "By putting ourselves into it and making our bodies ach, it tells us are we willing to go the full yard."

"Full Yard?"

"Another enlarged human terminology. It means, are we really committed. And will not give up. If we continue, even under stain of our bodies and still believe in our work. This then is a good test of the spirit."

Picking up a nail, Joseph noticed a tiny boy looking up. "Hey, better move away. Its dangerous around here." The boy nodded to Joseph’s muted thundering voice. After a few minutes, Joseph felt a presence. Looking down, he saw the same boy still standing in the same place. "I told you this is a dangerous place. Why are you still hear?"

The boy shouted up, "I never saw an enlarge idiot before."

"What did you say?" Joseph squinted his eyes and saw the tiny child had a smirk on his face. Joseph just stared at the boy.

"Aren’t you going to chase me or talk to me?"

Joseph sensed this child was lonely. "Get permission of your parents and have them bring you to my camp at cycles four and we can talk. If you think you are brave enough."
"I am," shouted the tiny boy. The boy ran off. A weary smile appeared on his face. Turning back to his work, Joseph let out a startled cry when he saw his pal’s Orkun’s spirit hovering before him. "Dude stop appearing like that. It freaks me out.’ Orkun laughed.

"That child Joseph."

"Yeah."

"As an Honurai Knight, you and Fusta become fathers to all.. And I have a message from someone who will be visiting you."

"Yeah."

Orkun crossed his arms. "Can’t you enlarge humans ever reply with another word other than yeah?"

Joseph grinned, "Yeah."

"My buddy Joseph. Anyway, he wants me to ask you, ‘Are you up for the challenge?’

Joseph’s face became serious, "Who asked this?"

"I don’t know." Orkun moved to Joseph’s forehead and placed a hand on it. "So proud of you man." Orkun then vanished. Joseph returned to his work.

Going up a path leading to the temple, Clypatheia gazed up at the giant handsome figure of Joseph. She sighed.

Fusta flew over on his wings of light to Joseph. "Its coming along nicely. Considering a couple of fools like us are working on it. Its really happening. Moving in closer to Joseph’s giant face. Do you get scared sometimes about?"

"Oh yeah ma… I mean yes. All the time. Oh, I had a visitation from Orkun just a few minutes ago."

"What did he say?"

"Somebody wants to meet me."

Fusta asked further, "Who?"

"He didn’t know."

Fusta seeing Clypatheia way down below walking up to the side of Joseph’s gigantic sandal flew down to her.

Extending her arms, "Fusta." Clypatheia gave him a kiss on the side of the cheek.
Fusta flew back up to Joseph, "You have a visitor."

"Oh yeah."

"Its Clypatheia," said Fusta who flew off.

Clypatheia tried to keep herself steady as she was pushed on by the enormous pressure of Joseph’s great descending bulk. Joseph placed a hand behind her when he saw she was falling. He scooped her up into his hand. "I can’t think of a better reason to stop work or anything. He pressed Clypatheia up against his cheek. Clypatheia cooed.

"How revolting," said a tiny voice rather mockingly.

Joseph and Clypatheia turned to the voice. "Master Joseph."

"Yeah Windle."

"I thought we had goals to meet. If your going to act like a dumb struck lover then nothing is going to be accomplished. Its so revolting. No discipline."

As Windle was about to fly away, Joseph reached out and grabbed him with his colossal hand. With Windle in his clenched fist, Joseph said, "Where were we?" Joseph placed Clypatheia against his cheek again. Windle buzzed furiously from inside of Joseph’s fist.

A few minutes later, Joseph placed Clypatheia on the ground. Joseph opened his hand up. Windle was about to fly off, when Joseph pinned him down gently with the index finger from his other hand. "Windle," said Joseph sternly and respectfully. "You need to govern your words better. Clypatheia is both my friend and inner soul mate. I expect respect for her too. I admire your eagerness for work. But dude your wasting your life and you find yourself alone most times. Because you get upset over everything." Joseph moved his huge, sky filling face in closer. "Chill, I know you are afraid of getting close to another. Now go off and think about what I have said." Joseph released Windle who feeling embarrassed; flew off."

"I’ll be getting back I’ll see you at dinner time," said Clypatheia giving Joseph the lambs eyes.

Two Years Later.

Construction was under way for the building of the Honurai Temple. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Joseph finished placing a load bearing beam in place. Working with him was his fellow Honurai in training and friend Fusta. Many other of the little people were there helping. One little person asked Fusta, "Could you explain something to me?"

"Sure dude lay it on me>"

"What?" questioned the man.

Fusta chuckled. "Sorry, that’s my enlarge human pal‘s jargon. What’s on your mind."

"This temple could be up within hours with our equipment. Why go the primitive way?"

"Both Joseph and myself felt only right this temple should be created with sweat and toil. It makes our words to our souls clearer."

"Huh?"

Fusta smiled, "By putting ourselves into it and making our bodies ach, it tells us are we willing to go the full yard."

"Full Yard?"

"Another enlarged human terminology. It means, are we really committed. And will not give up. If we continue, even under stain of our bodies and still believe in our work. This then is a good test of the spirit."

Picking up a nail, Joseph noticed a tiny boy looking up. "Hey, better move away. Its dangerous around here." The boy nodded to Joseph’s muted thundering voice. After a few minutes, Joseph felt a presence. Looking down, he saw the same boy still standing in the same place. "I told you this is a dangerous place. Why are you still hear?"

The boy shouted up, "I never saw an enlarge idiot before."

"What did you say?" Joseph squinted his eyes and saw the tiny child had a smirk on his face. Joseph just stared at the boy.

"Aren’t you going to chase me or talk to me?"

Joseph sensed this child was lonely. "Get permission of your parents and have them bring you to my camp at cycles four and we can talk. If you think you are brave enough."
"I am," shouted the tiny boy. The boy ran off. A weary smile appeared on his face. Turning back to his work, Joseph let out a startled cry when he saw his pal’s Orkun’s spirit hovering before him. "Dude stop appearing like that. It freaks me out.’ Orkun laughed.

"That child Joseph."

"Yeah."

"As an Honurai Knight, you and Fusta become fathers to all.. And I have a message from someone who will be visiting you."

"Yeah."

Orkun crossed his arms. "Can’t you enlarge humans ever reply with another word other than yeah?"

Joseph grinned, "Yeah."

"My buddy Joseph. Anyway, he wants me to ask you, ‘Are you up for the challenge?’

Joseph’s face became serious, "Who asked this?"

"I don’t know." Orkun moved to Joseph’s forehead and placed a hand on it. "So proud of you man." Orkun then vanished. Joseph returned to his work.

Going up a path leading to the temple, Clypatheia gazed up at the giant handsome figure of Joseph. She sighed.

Fusta flew over on his wings of light to Joseph. "Its coming along nicely. Considering a couple of fools like us are working on it. Its really happening. Moving in closer to Joseph’s giant face. Do you get scared sometimes about?"

"Oh yeah ma… I mean yes. All the time. Oh, I had a visitation from Orkun just a few minutes ago."

"What did he say?"

"Somebody wants to meet me."

Fusta asked further, "Who?"

"He didn’t know."

Fusta seeing Clypatheia way down below walking up to the side of Joseph’s gigantic sandal flew down to her.

Extending her arms, "Fusta." Clypatheia gave him a kiss on the side of the cheek.
Fusta flew back up to Joseph, "You have a visitor."

"Oh yeah."

"Its Clypatheia," said Fusta who flew off.

Clypatheia tried to keep herself steady as she was pushed on by the enormous pressure of Joseph’s great descending bulk. Joseph placed a hand behind her when he saw she was falling. He scooped her up into his hand. "I can’t think of a better reason to stop work or anything. He pressed Clypatheia up against his cheek. Clypatheia cooed.

"How revolting," said a tiny voice rather mockingly.

Joseph and Clypatheia turned to the voice. "Master Joseph."

"Yeah Windle."

"I thought we had goals to meet. If your going to act like a dumb struck lover then nothing is going to be accomplished. Its so revolting. No discipline."

As Windle was about to fly away, Joseph reached out and grabbed him with his colossal hand. With Windle in his clenched fist, Joseph said, "Where were we?" Joseph placed Clypatheia against his cheek again. Windle buzzed furiously from inside of Joseph’s fist.

A few minutes later, Joseph placed Clypatheia on the ground. Joseph opened his hand up. Windle was about to fly off, when Joseph pinned him down gently with the index finger from his other hand. "Windle," said Joseph sternly and respectfully. "You need to govern your words better. Clypatheia is both my friend and inner soul mate. I expect respect for her too. I admire your eagerness for work. But dude your wasting your life and you find yourself alone most times. Because you get upset over everything." Joseph moved his huge, sky filling face in closer. "Chill, I know you are afraid of getting close to another. Now go off and think about what I have said." Joseph released Windle who feeling embarrassed; flew off."

"I’ll be getting back I’ll see you at dinner time," said Clypatheia giving Joseph the lambs eyes.

Joseph and Fusta returned to their work at hand.

A little person walking across a beam dropped his tool chest. It opened and spilled out the contents. The worker tired from his day’s exertions was bending over to pick up a hammer that was on the edge of the beam when he started feeling dizzy. As he reached over to pick up the hammer, he lost his footing and fell off. He screamed. Fusta who was on a beam above, heard the man’s soulful cry. He immediately flew down to rescue him. Fusta grabbed the man by placing his arms around his waist and lifted him up.

Hearing the high pitch screaming, Joseph went to see what happened. Flying up to Joseph, Fusta said, "He’s ok but he‘s really scared."

"Lower him down into my hand," responded Joseph who opened his hand. The worker, whose face went white was wildly shaking. Joseph sent his other hand over the worker and began to make slow circles. "You’re ok now. No harm has happened. You live. And your family awaits your return. Think of your family you love. And the love they have for you. Have that peace found in theirs and yours." For several minutes Joseph made slow circles over the tiny man. A relaxed expression came over the man who reclined against a muscle pad.

Joseph lowered his hand down. The man’s friends climbed onto Joseph’s hand and carried off their friend who now was all smiles.

"On that note I think we should end our work," commented Fusta.

Joseph nodded his head.

After cleaning up, Joseph went for a walk through a little people’s field. Stepping over a grove of sapling pine trees, Joseph saw a man dressed in a similar Honurai outfit as his. And to Joseph’s greater astonishment, he was an enlarged human. "Are you up for the challenge?"

Walking up to the man with white hair and beard, "I guess, I think so. Who are you?"

"I’m Fath."

"I-I take it you’re a spirit?"

"Yes."

"How can I be a truly honorable Honurai. And why do I feel this calling Fath?"

"The fact you asked for wisdom, shows me you truly heard my call."

Your call?" asked Joseph.

"When I died, I choose not to move on. I stayed to pass on the wisdom of the Honurai that they may once walk the land of my people and yours."

"Your not an enlarge human?"

"No. I just appear like this for your connivance."

"You didn’t have to do that Master. I would have still listened.."

"I know you would have Joseph. In the short time you and your Honurai brother Fusta have learned much. You listen to the heart expansive."

"The heart expansive?"

"That is the pure guiding power given to you by the creator when you were created. It is a most healing power."

"Can it get corrupted?"

"Of course. Many have fallen into darkness and suffering thinking they were following the heart expansive. Instead, they followed their own base desires. This is all I have to say to you now my son Joseph." The image of Fath faded.

Upon returning to camp, Joseph thought about what had transpired. Sitting down, he prepared to eat with his friends and Clypatheia.

After their meal and at the fourth cycle, the little boy showed up. "Looks like we have ourselves a young visitor," said Fusta.

"Where are your parents?’ asked Joseph.. The boy began to fidget. "Did you run away?" The boy twisting his right foot nodded. "Well, first have something to eat. I sense you are hungry." The boy walked up before the enormous form of Joseph. Fusta flew down off of Joseph’s shoulder to serve the boy food.

As he began to eat, the boy noticed orbs of light floating around Joseph’s head. "What are those?" he asked.

"Souls who have not found the strength to go on. Later, Joseph and I will help them," replied Fusta. One of the floating orbs spun around the boy’s head.

"And after that, we have much to talk about," added Joseph to the boy.

As the boy ate, the two orbs circled around. A few times landing on his head. Go away," he said waving his hands.

"They won’t hurt you. These two have taken a real shine to you. And, what is your name?’ asked Fusta.

"I’m called Talos."

Extending his hand, "I’m Fusta. And I think you know my enlarge human friend Joseph."

Eating with Joseph and Fusta was their friends, in particular Clypatheia and Uxia. Clypatheia commented, "Your eyes have turned orange again. Joseph. Maybe you can shrink down to our size again for a while."

"Yeah, l would like that," replied Joseph giving her the eyes.

"Big or small just being with you is heaven," said Clypatheia who rested her head on Joseph’s huge thumb. Talos, sat and leaned up against one of Joseph’s toes. Uxia with her tray of food moved closer to Fusta.

After dinner, Joseph and Fusta spoke with the souls in helping them to go on. Joseph created a sphere for them to contemplate pains in their lives that prevent them from going on. This spiritual assemble took several hours.

Going over to Talos Joseph and Fusta notice those two orbs of light remained with the boy. "Joseph are you sensing and thinking what I am."

"I’m afraid so."

Very gently, Joseph woke the boy up and took him in his hand, since Talos seemed very trusting of him. "Talos why did you leaver your home?"

For a moment the boy was silent. "I couldn’t wake them up."

"Couldn’t wake them?" asked Fusta who flew up to the hand.

"Yes."

"Talos can you tell us how to get to your house from here?" asked Joseph. The boy nodded his head. "I want you to stay here."

"I want to come. Please, please," pleaded Talos.

Fusta consoled the child, "You are perfectly safe here."

Going up and grabbing hold to one of Joseph’s fingers, "I feel safe with you."

"Talos, you will be safe here. I promise." The boy reluctantly agreed.

Talso showed Fusta on a map where he lived. Shouting up to Joseph, Fusta told him, "It’s a rural area.

Joseph stood up and Fusta flew up onto his friend’s shoulder. And they walked off. "Hey Fusta I haven’t mentioned it but you really have mastered the art of flying well."

Talos watched Joseph recede into the darkness, as the two orbs of light continued to stay close to him.

Joseph, to make the trip go faster concentrated, and was able to elevate himself above the tiny trees. "Lets see how long I can keep this up," remarked Joseph.

"How did you learn this technique?" asked Fusta.

"In my sleep I had a dream. Oh, that reminds me. I wanted to tell you I met that person Orkun told me about."

"Who was he?"

His name is Fath and he is a spirit. A great Honurai Knight. Funny he didn’t say much. Just mentioned about the heart expans…"

"Expansive." interrupted Fusta finishing Joseph’s sentence.

"You know."

"A little bit."

OK, I’m losing height Fusta. Hold on." Joseph came down with a heavy thud crushing several tress with his sandals.

"We should almost be their Joseph."

Approaching the darkened home, Fust taking a a glow stick out of his tunic pocket, flew down to the farm house. "Be careful my friend. I sense darkness." Fusta entered the house and used the light to guide him. Nothing appeared out of place as if violence had taken placed. It was as you would expect to find the inside of a house. He passed a room with toys in it. "Must be Talos room. Fusta moved on. There was another room with its door closed. He entered it.

A few minutes later Fusta came out. Joseph could pick up right away Fusta’s intense feelings. "What is it?"

"The parents. They were murdered."

"Oh man. Poor Talos."

Joseph spoke, "I sense something else. What is it?’ Fusta looked up at Joseph and just shook his head.

Joseph and Fusta called for the authorities.

Fusta said suddenly to Joseph, "You fell it?"

"Yeah, whatever it is, its becoming stronger." Fusta told the peace keepers after they arrived, the situation. He also told them to throw light on the immediate area.

"Fath you fool," sounded a strange unnatural voice. Joseph began to wonder what they had walked into!

"There is no place for you Honurai Knights," said the voice with disdain.

Joseph shouted into the darkness, "Show yourself. Unless your afraid?"

"You think we can handle this? Asked Fusta with a rage that was swelling up inside of him.

"We can only do our best."

A heavy pounding almost thumping sound commenced. Whatever it was, it sounded huge. Joseph looking down at the peace keeping force, "You better stay back."

In the flood lights, was the outline of another enlarge human. At least in outline. Joseph had in a pocket a small flare. Taking it out of his pocket, he activated it and threw it near the shadowlike figure. What the light revealed, was a creature dressed in a dark burgundy colored Honurai tunic. Across his chest was a thick belt made up of sharp pyramid shaped metal objects. The face was bone white. And the eyes blazed a red hue.

"I was a fool," said Joseph out loud. "Not to think, as we began our honorable work, any evil would feel threatened by us."

"We are not threatened."

"Yeah, you are if you had to kill innocent people."

Fusta, burning with anger toward this monster of hate, flew up and hurled an emotion globe at it. "No Fusta! Its too soon!" shouted Joseph.

The creature brushed off the globe and threw a bolt of fire at Fusta. Joseph jumped, twirled around, and grabbing Fusta in his fist; twisted away from the fire bolt that exploded in a field. Joseph returned to the ground with an earthquake type force which knocked the peace keepers to the ground.

Joseph set Fusta back down.

Looking back up, Joseph saw the abomination of nature rushing toward him. Joseph grabbed the monster by the arm and swung him away from Fusta and the peace keepers. The creature landed in another field.

As the creature was returning to his feet, Joseph asked, "What are you? Were you an enlarged human once?" The creature just charged at Joseph knocking him to the ground. "I will make you pay for killing Talos’s parents. The two giants rolled over the ground crushing part of a forest. Thinking about that innocent boy and what he must have seen made Joseph enraged.. He began pounding at the ungodly looking face. The creature only laughed.

Grabbing Joseph’s right fist; flung him over his shoulder causing Joseph to roll into an abandoned farm house.

Standing up, Joseph felt his blood boiling. He looked into the red eyes that burnt with hate. Joseph could almost understand how the creature felt. It then developed in Joseph’s heart, what was happening.

Joseph tried to calm his mind. He remembered what his brother Billy had told him after Orkun’s death. "Your friendship can get you through rough times. As it has for me on the battle field." Joseph began to think of the fun times he had with Orkun. How they first met. And his friendship with Fusta and his love for Clypatheia. Peace began to enter Joseph’s heart.

Slowly, Joseph moved his hands, making a sphere of contemplation that he placed around the creature. The creature began to roar in rage. Putting his misshapen hands to his head, the creature screamed and vaporized. Joseph bent over and placed his hands on his legs as he gathered his strength back.

Going over to the peace keepers and Fusta, Joseph knelt down, "You alright?"

Fusta flew up before the enormous, sweating face of Joseph, "I let you down."

"Nah, no you didn’t." Fusta saw blood coming from different parts of Joseph‘s body. Telling him to sit down, he began to place hands on him and dissolved the wounds.

Joseph returned to his camp, with Fusta asleep in his pocket who after his healing session left him weak. The most hardest part was going to be telling Talos about his parents. "I will do what I can to bring happiness to that boy."

Talos ran up to the front of Joseph’s sandal when he arrived. Joseph sat down and picked up Talos. "My parents? Are they all right?"

"Talos these orbs of light that keep staying with you."

"Yes."

Joseph tried to think of the gentlest way to tell the boy. "Talos, those are your parents.."

"No!! My parents are asleep."

"Yes, they were asleep. There bodies as you knew them are. They had to leave But Talos they still love you that is what I think they are trying to tell you. And I will look after you. You aren’t alone."

Fusta, slowly flew out of Joseph’s pocket. He landed in front of the boy. In a gentle, yet, firm voice told Talos, "Its time for you to go home."

Joseph looked down at Fusta. "What are you talking about?"

Fusta still looking at Talos, "Its ok, they are happy as you will be. You’re going to a really great place. No one can ever hurt you or your parents again. Just let go."

"Fusta? I don’t understand.?"

"Joseph, it wasn’t just the parents I found. It was Talos’s also."

Joseph could feel tears building up in his eyes. Talos looked up at Joseph, "I’m afraid."

"Don’t be."

"I want my mom!! Mom, mom!! " shouted Talos in tears. The orbs of light grew closer to Talos.

"Talos," said Fusta. "Was there a song your mother use to sing to you at night?"

"Yes," replied Talos wiping his eyes.

Joseph created a field around the two orbs of light so their thoughts could be heard. Coming from one of the orbs a gentle woman’s voice began singing. "Mommy!" said Talos.

Talos curled up next to one of Joseph’s fingers. Joseph stroked the boy’s head gently as the boy fell asleep. His body began to change into an orb. As if began to float upward, the two other orbs came and joined him

The light of a new day began to appear over the horizon. Joseph and Fusta watched the orbs as they vanished upward into the sky.

Over the next several months saw the arrival of two new learners to the Honurai Temple. Young Master Joseph through dreams and physical manifestations of Honurai Master Fath delved deeply into the ways of the Honurai Knights.

Running into Yui’s room, Kul pushed on his sleeping friend and learner, "Master Joseph and Fusta are returning!"

Slowly opening his eyes, "What’s the matter?"

Masters Joseph and Fusta are returning!"

"Oh? OH!" Yui threw off his blankets and climbed into his burgundy colored tunic.

Fusta sitting on Joseph’s shoulder, entered the temple. "Hmm, I’m picking up the energy of enthusiasm from our two new brothers. They must be awake commented Joseph.

Yui and Kul running up to the front of Joseph’s gigantic sandal stopped and bowed. Shouting up, "Welcome back masters."

Their tunics rustled in the current of air created by Joseph’s descending mass. "Sorry to have woken you two. Everything been ok since we have been away?"

"Yes," Master replied the two learners.

Flying off of Joseph’s shoulder on his wings of light, Fusta floated down to them. "Since you both are up we can share pieces of kela cake before returning to bed." Placing a hand on both shoulders, Fusta led them to the leisure room.

Coming out of another little people’s doorway was Clypatheia. Joseph lowered his hand. Clypatheia climbed up over his fingers onto his hand. Lifting his hand up to his face, "You bring such joy to these tired eyes." Moving his hand closer, Joseph gave her a gentle kiss.

"Welcome home my heart. How did it go?"

"We help solve a dispute between two rival farming villages. We ousted the management of an electronic firm. And sent two spirits on their way home. I’m pooped."

"Can share a little Kela cake with your learners who missed both of you. Then you can come to bed."

"How were Kul and Yui these past two weeks?"

Clypatheia replied, "Very good. They do like to compete with each other. Sometimes not for the best reasons."

"Hmm."

In the leisure room, sitting on his pad the new learners came up and leaned up against Joseph’s giant toes. "Tell us Masters what happened on your trip?" asked Yui.

"Fusta," said Joseph. Tell them about the two agricultural villages."

Fusta explained a little. These two villages we first went to, process and grow large quantities of the produce for our city. While both fulfilled an important service, they both began competing for the larger part of the market. The result, they began to lower their standards and cheated on their quality regulations. Not only was the quality of the produce suffering but the well being of the two villages that for many cycles had always worked together in harmony to create a pleasant and attractive agricultural community. Many people from the city like to retire there. Anyway, as with their produce so it was with the people. They became spoiled. They lost touch in what they were there for. What can start out as a beautiful venture can regress into something ugly till it becomes rank with decay like an untended garden."

"Are they going to return to their original ways?" asked Kui.

"It seems they are aware of the consequences if they don’t," responded Fusta.

"Well, lets have some Kela cake," said Joseph.

When they were done, Joseph prayed over his two learners. Placing their heads on Joseph’s big toe, "Master I--I mean both of us hate it when you and Fusta have to leave us," said Yui.

"I’m sorry my brothers. Hopefully we can spend more time now with you both," replied Joseph looking fondly down at the two learners. Instead, of going to their individual rooms, they all slept in the leisure room.

As they slept, many troubled souls in the form of glowing orbs, floated around till resting on the sleeping Honurai Knights and learners. A couple hid in their pockets.