Beyond the Mark of Mastery -Part I-

Details

Published on March 3, 2012 @ 02:37 pm

Written by Cecily

Written by Cecily Lam Saturday, 03 March 2012

Everyone has experienced a great desire to achieve something, whether it be in academics, sports, work, or just life itself. The Mark of Mastery is no different. When an apprentice is granted the title of true Keyblade Master, they receive not only precious information kept secret, but also a choice; a choice to go off into the ocean of worlds and forge their own path in life, or to stay behind to succeed their own Master and train apprentices of their own, taking up the mantle that which has laid on their shoulders for years long past. I imagine most would opt for the path of freedom, venturing out into the vast deep corners of the universe to gain new knowledge and seek new experiences. Sounds glamorous, no? Perhaps. Join me now in this two-part editorial as we look past the mere technicalities of the role and discover what lurks behind the door to truth. What lies beyond the Mark of Mastery? I must have these answers.

What would have happened if you were to choose to stay behind to keep the tradition alive? Becoming mentor for the new generation to uphold balance in the worlds, following an age-old cycle where you are expected to pass down all that you know to the students who traveled far and wide and left behind everything they had in order to learn the arts of Keyblade wielding. which ends when you step down and accept your successor takes their place in the cycle, thereby starting it over from the beginning. Then this new Master will take over the responsibility to ensure that no matter what, there will always be a Keyblade wielder out there somewhere to save the worlds in their time of need, or perhaps, bring them crumbling down to their metaphorical knees. Well, if you've got nowhere to go but forward, so despite being afraid of the consequences, simply have faith that things will always make a turn for the better, maybe not now, not then, but later.

Surely there is much satisfaction found amidst such a heavy burden. The pride the swells in your chest as you watch your young disciple perfect a new attack or discipline. The satisfaction of watching as the majestic flow of fire that stems out from the tip of the blade and grows into a blazing inferno, a magnificent orb of pure heat and strength, dissipating into sparks that shine like stars. The joy that brightens your face as you gaze upon the face of your apprentice, grinning larger than life and awaiting your approval and recognition. The sad and lonely sensation that creeps out of your chest, laced together with threads of delight upon granting your former student the title they've dedicated their entire life towards earning, almost dreading the moment should they announce their decision to depart from this world for a brand new journey.

However, what should happen after that? If a Master has but a single apprentice, and the aforementioned apprentice decides to travel and see more worlds, seeking out their true purpose, what would the Master do?

He could take on new apprentices, train them and perhaps one of them may like to take on the responsibility of training the new generation. He could continue to uphold and maintain order in the world or community over which he resides, and then pass the responsibilities of it to a colleague before opting to retire. Or he might even choose not to pass it to another and continue protecting it until the end of his time, leaving it up to chance that another individual may happen upon it and sustain the world in his place, wielder or not.

We all aspire to make a difference in life, good or bad if only just to be able to make a difference in someone or something larger than yourself. If you reach down and grace the surface of a lake with a gentle touch of your finger, the ripples that form flow directly from the disturbance you've made, spreading out further and further before the water returns to its original calm and tranquil state. Each ripple represents a Keyblade Master and their apprentice, but instead, there must never be an end. Not just for the sake of every individual who partakes in the cycle and keeps it alive, but for the sake of all the worlds.

Whether or not taking on that burden was the right choice is unknown. For the heart seeking safety and reassurance, will this path really provide such a sanctuary? A simple world that changes constantly, but remains the same with familiarity and in the memories developed after spending long hours training away under the blazing sun and cool nights gazing at the stars. Would one not eventually wish to be cleansed of the proverbial cycle? Join us next week as we examine the other side of the coin: the opportunities the vast ocean of worlds offers in the palm of its hands.