The Secret - Salat Kata

The Secret, also known as Salat Kata, is a latent mental power featured in the Chronicles of Metorm book series. This ability can be learned through a symbolic codex and unlocks various mental capabilities, including limited telepathy and the ability to manipulate others' will at close range. When individuals make physical contact, such as pressing their foreheads together, they can share thoughts as visions. The Secret can compel people to act immediately under intense fear, but it can also enable insidious long-term manipulation without their awareness.

Serving as the central plot device in the Chronicles of Metorm series, the Secret is highly coveted, much like the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings. Anyone can learn it through the Salat Kata code, and those who possess this knowledge are called Secret-Keepers.

A distinctive feature of the Secret is that anyone can unlock the skill by learning the prime code, and once initiated, it cannot be unlearned. This permanence means that the skill remains with the bearer forever. Consequently, controlling the proliferation of this code is a major plot element in the stories. The code, however, written in Harachim Script is remarkably difficult to interpret due to its philosophical and arcane nature. Having an already initiated Secret-Keeper present to aid significantly speeds up the process.

When the Secret is used to influence another's will, it often manifests as faint whispers heard by those nearby. During thunderstorms, the power can harness telekinetic energies, often accompanied by a cyan glow. Gem-like powerstones can absorb this energy and are designed to be embedded in swords, wands, or other instruments, enabling the wielder to perform telekinesis, shoot bolts and spheres of lightning, or accumulate energy in a sword's blade, allowing it to cut through almost anything. More powerful tools, such as star orbs, can grant access to even greater abilities. The weapons that can wield this power are referred as thunderblades in case of swords, or sparkblades in terms of daggers and stilettos.

In combat, the Secret can be used to stun an uninitiated opponent, allowing both initiated and uninitiated individuals to perceive movements and counter strikes fluently. An unskilled opponent with knowledge of the Secret can mirror the movements of the most skilled warrior.

There may be exceptions regarding access to or the ability to forget the skill, which are explored in the story. The ability to resist the Secret's influence is an important factor. While some individuals are highly vulnerable to its effects, others show remarkable resistance.

Contrary to Sagiron's initial belief, one cannot read minds with the Secret unless in direct physical contact. What he perceived were echoes of whispers related to actions, similar to those heard during combat, which help counter movements. While the meaning of these echoes can be interpreted, the exact thoughts remain unintelligible. The deep mind cannot be accessed through visions, although a person can be compelled or lured into revealing their internal thoughts.

This phenomenon also allows for transliteration of interlingual communication, as we perceive things in similar ways. A Secret-Keeper can interpret messages in a foreign language, but cannot speak it. Using visionary communication, one can also teach or transmit experiences to a limited extent.

In terms of worldbuilding, the Secret can be considered both a hard and soft magic system. While it has strict limitations, its exact boundaries are left undefined. Factors such as the wielder's mental state, ability to focus, experience, environmental effects (like the presence of lightning or the time of day, presence of moon, etc.), and the accessories used will all influence the outcome.