The boy showed the old man his shed, and told him everything he learned from his grandfather as they shared a joint, observing the plant he was growing as it swayed against the mechanical fan.

“Did he teach you martial arts as well?”The old man asked the boy between puffs.

“No, not really, but he told me my dad used to be a big time martial artist in the area back in the day, and that he ran a school called the Red Dragons or something.”

The old man smiled. 

“I ran the Red Dragons. But your dad was one of the original instructors. Our family has a long history of warriors who learned how to unify with God through means of physical prayer.”

“Physical prayer?” The boy asked. “You mean like when I meditate?”

“Yes, and no. It’s yoga, but with punches and kicks instead of prayer hands. This is the best way I can explain it. It’s channeling your spiritual energy into a physical force. That is the warriors way, that is martial arts. You cannot strengthen only your spirit, lest you become a fat and happy Buddha. Nor can you neglect your spirit for perfection of your body, or you will become an iron suit with no soul. As a true healer does not only deal with one thing but the whole, so must the martial artist. It is a strengthening of the mind, body, and spirit. Although...”

The old man paused as he passed the joint to the boy. 

“...control of your emotions is something I only learned through love and compassion, not passion and aggression. If you are still, calm, you are always in control.”

“Will you teach me?” The boy asked in excitement.

“I already am.” Answered the old man as he tapped the side of his temple. 

“Martial arts begins here. If you are to be a messenger of the people, you must be strong not only in spirit, but of body and character as well. The Dalai Lama, bless his soul, is a vessel of light and love. But he is not a warrior. In Hinduism, there are what we call avatars. These avatars are incarnations of God in the physical form here on earth. They say there are supposed to be 10 avatars before the coming of the new age. The 10th avatar is said to bring an end to all of the strife and discord in the world, and usher in the golden age where people are finally reunified with God and obey his cosmic laws.”

The boy’s eyes began to widen, he felt as if he wanted to cry, but remembered what the old man said about being strong. The old man looked at him very seriously.

“The last avatar is like the second coming of Christ in Christianity. He will arrive on a white horse with a fiery sword in hand, ready to vanquish the corrupters of the land.”

The boy suddenly felt an old and immense fear, a cascading feeling of sorrow and dread that seemed as if it was beating him like a whip from some unknown source. His chest was tight, as his mind began to whir. 

That couldn’t be him, was it? Is it? I don’t even own a horse, he thought. He felt a sudden pain on his fingertips and realized he was still holding the joint.

“Shit!” He exclaimed as he flung the doobie to the floor and stomped it out.

“True acceptance will come in time, with much training.” Said the old man.

He was not ready to fully accept it yet. He was still afraid.

“Do not let these things trouble you so much.” Said the old man.

The boy looked to him, a look of sympathy was noticeable across the old man’s face, deep sorrow but a warm understanding. 

“You are still young, very young, you’re only 16. Even Jesus, in the scriptures, did not truly start his work until he was 30. You have a ways to go, but you are on the right path. And I will be there with you every step of the way.” Said the old man.

The boy felt a swell of warmth for the old man.

“Thank you.” Said the boy softly.

The old man stood him up, and looked him in his eyes.

“Thank YOU.” He said.

They both embraced each other, a long hug that was far overdue.

“I love you grandpa.”

“I love you too, son.”

Next Chapter: God