Nirvana Effect

12



Mahanta found Edward pacing near his throne. The guards told him that Edward was still up and hadn’t yet left the temple.

The priest was following the walls, absent-mindedly trailing his fingers along the bamboo reeds and straw.

Mahanta watched him for a while before finally joining him.

“I take it you haven’t decided,” said Mahanta.

Edward looked up at him, then returned his attention to the walls. He did not stop his pacing. “I have.”

Mahanta did not prompt but rather just kept walking alongside him. “Your mind is heavy.”

Edward did not acknowledge him.

Mahanta tried again. “It would be a difficult thing for a priest to do, what I ask. But you are not a priest, I think.”

“You read my journals, didn’t you?” asked Edward. It wasn’t really a question.

Mahanta was caught off-guard. In some ways Edward had a mind much more agile than his own. He would have to be careful with him. “Yes,” Mahanta fumbled, flat-footed. “A reasonable precaution, you understand.”

Mahanta studied Edward’s face. Edward’s nostrils flared slightly, and his cheeks reddened. He did not, however, stop his pacing. “A reasonable precaution,” echoed Edward stoically.

“You know, a priest would not join me, but a scientist, a scientist could,” said Mahanta.

“Or a traitor. Or a liar,” said Edward.

“My friend,” said Mahanta. “You are both a traitor and a liar already.” Edward did not respond, so Mahanta continued. “You are a traitor to yourself - a priest who gave up all his own desires and aptitudes to become one. You robbed yourself of your own life. You are already the greatest of traitors.”

“And a liar?” asked Edward, slightly amused.

“A liar because you keep the girl in your heart, though you’ve sworn celibacy. You are a most admirable liar and traitor.”

Edward pursed his lips to say something, but then held back.

“Yes?” asked Mahanta.

Edward changed the subject. “You trust me, Mahanta?”

“No.”

“What happens if I don’t like where this is going?”

“You’ll need to trust your own abilities,” said Mahanta

“You’ll try to kill me if I quit, if I disagree with you,” said Edward. Mahanta was again startled at both his foresight and his frankness.

“A matter of circumstances,” said Mahanta. “Certainly, though, if it seems you plan to leak knowledge of this substance, or imperil my own survival, well, you will be threatened. And I would only expect the same from you.”

Edward nodded. “I don’t trust you either,” said Edward.

“A solid foundation for friendship,” said Mahanta. He laughed. Edward didn’t. “Let’s put it this way. Are you really willing to just walk away now?”

Edward stopped his pacing. He locked eyes with Mahanta.

“I’m in, if you promise to tell me everything. No secrets,” said Edward.

“Naïve, Edward,” said Mahanta. “An empty promise from an Onge.” He sighed. “I promise to tell you what I tell you. I’m sure you’ll find out everything there is to know whether I tell you or not.”

Mahanta extended his hand to Edward. Edward accepted it. They shook.

“My god!”

The pair turned to face the source of the exclamation. It was Tomy, bursting through the entrance of the temple.