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The Temple of Knowledge Seekers, or Mindah Tarvitaan to those who study there. It sits high in the Gaia mountains on the far side of Gaia. Its beautiful mountainscape and vibrant valleys are the usual visuals seen to the monks who live there amongst the flowing rivers, majestic waterfalls and its variety of dragons that seem to dance through the sky. It is said that the meaning of life can be answered at either sunrise or sunset from outside this temple with such a view. However, rare is it for visitors to make such a trek to Mindah Tarvitaan as it is still a treacherous and dangerous journey unless guided by the dragonriders of Gaia. Sometimes during the season of changing colors, some of the initiates will travel down the mountainside into the villages below to help the people of said villages. Planting gardens, cooking for the less fortunate or even just making their days brighter with demonstrations of what they have learned so far. It is only at the Trail of Sight do monks leave the temple, venture out into the world to discover its mysteries, as well as its atrocities. Sometimes they are gone for days, weeks, months or even years before returning to give their answers to Sophia or Master Qobo.
Qobo Milah, Sage of Mindah Tarvitaan and grand master of Qobo Milah, the art of the swift palm. Qobo has seen many come and go in his lifetime and many who left great legacies behind. Simsae Tovu, a fotian who introduced the temple to Fos Tul Lah, art of the fire dance, Dromo Subak, taught the ways of the Paku Savat, Steel Fortress, the art of solid defense. There were many others who left fond memories behind for the temple. There  were some who left negative impressions but were banished, wiped clean of their memories from their stay at the temple and sent down the mountain, never to be seen again.
But Qobo never dwelled in those memories, for he prefered to live in the present with sight on the future of the temple and its inhabitants. Currently it was nightfall in the high temple. The wind blew gently as the moon lit up its structures with a pleasnt lunar color. The occasional chirp or screech from a dragon passing could be heard from time to time over the trickling waterfall whose creek ran through the meditation area of the temple. Surrounding the creek was a beautifully sculpted zen garden, embellished with simplicity yet elegance. A monk tended to the finely grounded stones with a wooden rake that shaped the sand into waves around the scattered potted plants and spiraled out from perfectly placed boulders and stones. On one end was a small pond filled with a few of the scaled fish of the valley below, it to accompanied by a small trickling waterfall and water wheel. Qobo sat on one of the boulders in the center of the garden, the wind and brisk chill of the air pushed his long facial hair back ever so slightly but just enough to be felt.  He sat cross legged, his walking cane resting on his lap as the of the monk redesigning the garden filled his ears. He had caught wind of battles happening around the lands and had felt the emotions that came with it. Fear, confusion, sadness, anger…
Anger. This one became very prominent recently. He could not pinpoint how or who, but it was strong enough for him to feel it from the mountain temple. With it was grief, confusion and fear. His heart ached as he gripped onto it. Yet something else became present. A soul of some kind that was familiar and yet forgotten. He couldn’t place his finger on the soul in question but knew that it was close to the other soul who let waves of rage flow off of them. But this one soul...this one soul he felt he knew came with another feeling that sent a shiver down his spine…
Death…
[color=gold][i]’I must talk to Sophia as soon as possible.’[/i][/color] He thought.
His meditation was soon interrupted however as one of the other elder monks quickly shuffled over the walkway and stopped beside Qobo.
“Master Qobo…” The monk, exhausted from his hurry managed to say between breaths. Without looking, Qobo knew who it was with an idea of why he was there. He took in a deep breath and held it for a moment.
“Master Qobo…”
[color=gold]”Master Phu…”[/color] He greeted as he exhaled. He knew what was to come. It happened at least twice if not three times a week.
“The young ones are out of their rooms-”
[color=gold]”Out of their rooms again...I know.”[/color] He sighed before turning his head slightly to Phu.
[color=gold]”Go check the Library. I will be there shortly. Sophia and I must talk.”[/color] Phu bowed before scurrying off. Shaking his head he slowly stood up, holding his cane in his right hand as a portal quietly opened up behind him, one that would take him into the Great Library. He looked into the portal and observed. This portal opened to the back corner of the library’s hall where Sophia tended to stay. He watched as the children entered, played for a bit before being hidden under the dragon’s wing. He let out a quiet chuckle as Phu was fooled by Sophia on the young ones’ locations. It reminded him when the library had reopened and they were allowed inside. The nights he was supposed to be in bed, he would sneak out and enter the library and would sit with Sophia and study before she would send him back to the room. Unfortunately, he did not have the luxury of arriving before the elders did. This got him into trouble many times before he figured out how to portal jump. Ever since he did, he would use it to escape to the library and return to his room before the monks could catch him.
Sophia giggled as she saw the young initiates running to their rooms.
Differently from the rest of the descended, the monks, both elders and initiates there at that temple were pure, honest, and incorruptible. The Great Library was always removed from the rest of the world, high up in the mountains, away from the ignorance, greed and cruelty that covered the rest of the world. A place where one wouldn't be judged by their race, physical appearance, skills or even their past. No politics, no violence, no greed. A beacon of knowledge and hope, to all those who had pure minds and hearts, who wished to learn and share their knowledge. That's why Sophia loved that place and the monks who lived with her. That paradise, that small piece of heaven that Sophia built with so much effort and time... It wouldn't be tainted with the corruption that ravaged the rest of the world, Sophia would do anything to prevent it.
When the young initiates left, Qobo had stepped through, just in time to hear Sophia call a close one. He waited another moment before speaking up.
[color=gold]”An initiate is is still a bulb in a garden and must be cared for and maintained at all times before it can blossom into a beautiful flower. They must study, train and learn to love what life has given them and most importantly...They must not be out of bed past the time they are told else be punished for such behavior. Is this not the rule of the temple, hm?”[/color] Qobo stepped forward as his cane clacked against the floors of the library, echoing around the open space. His presence made known, a small chirp and slight screech was heard on the far end as a small golden dragon quickly flew up high, swooped down and almost sent Qobo to the ground with force. With an “oof”, the small dragon climbed up onto Qobo’s shoulders and let out another happy little chirp, causing the grand master to chuckle.
[color=gold]”And hello to you to Druulo.”[/color] He managed to let a small smile make itself known as he scratched Druulo under the chin, causing the golden drake to nip his finger playfully. He turned his attention back to Sophia. Despite his eyes remaining somewhat closed, he looked at her with slight irritation at her actions before stepping to stand beside her.
[color=7E3517]"Don't be like that, Qobo. They were just giving me a goodnight kiss."[/color] she said with a smile.
[color=gold]”That is what i would say if i was a bit younger and more naive. However, I am too old for such frivolous inquiries. I will not punish the children for they are just that, children.”[/color] He stayed silent for a moment before chuckling.
[color=gold]”It also doesn’t help that I was as rambunctious as them, just a bit older however. But if possible, please sensei, do keep these little pleasantries to a minimum. They are young but not without discipline and i don’t want them getting the idea that this is normal. With that being said…”[/color] He looked off to one of the corner columns of the library that were shadowed by the light. He stared hard into the dark space and shook his head.
Sophia giggled after hearing him.
To her, they were her children. They came here willingly, searching for her knowledge, protection and love. Though only kids, their heart were pure and their minds, thirsty for knowledge
[color=7E3517]"It’s amusing isn't it? Even though they are only children, they choose the path of knowledge with such enthusiasm. I can’t feel doubt or regret on their hearts." [/color] Sophia said to him.
[color=7E3517]"Sometimes i wonder if the day where I will be able to freely share my knowledge without fear will really arrive..."[/color] she said, with sad eyes.
[color=gold]”Kaylia, step into the light please young one.”[/color] With slight surprise, a young Nayu’s golden eyes pierced through the darkness before disappearing as she stepped out from behind the column. Her hair veiled her eyes and expression as her head was lowered in shame.
“Yes, Master Qobo.” She sounded a bit defeated if her posture was anything else to go on.
[color=7E3517]“I’m just a little bit airheaded today, sorry for not having noticed you, Kaylia.”[/color]  she said looking to Qobo and Kaylia.
[color=gold]”Why did you stay behind as the other kids went to bed?”[/color] He opened his eyes ever so slightly, causing Kaylia to flinch.
“I don’t want to go back right now. They were making fun of me.” This peaked Qobo’s interest.
[color=gold]”Oh? How so?”[/color]
“They say I’m a monster and bloodsucker because that’s what the Nayu are. They feast on blood. They call me beast. Am I? Am I a monster?” Qobo cleared his throat. If Sophia knew him well, she would know that this angered him.
Sophia watched quietly as Qobo and Kaylia talked. For her surprise, the little Nayu didn't want to go back because she was being called a monster due to the fact that she was a Nayu.
She knew that things like that angered Qobo.  
[color=gold]”Do [i]you[/i] think you’re a monster?”[/color] A tear ran down her cheek and onto the floor. Qobo sighed as he shook his head before stepping forward, carefully kneeling down to her level.
[color=gold]”Kaylia...I remember when you first came to this temple. One of our older initiates, Khor Sei...Do you remember him? I do...He said that during his Trial of Sight he came across a group of children who were being forced into training. Training to be assassins for Aion. He saved you from that place and what did you say?”[/color]
“I don’t want to kill...I didn’t want to be a monster. But why me, Master Qobo? Why do they make fun of me?”
Sophia's chest tightened after hearing those words. She was sure that the other kids didn't meant any harm. They were pure and innocent, Sophia knew that, but they were still kids, prone to make mistakes and sometimes, say things without thinking. Sophia could see that that child was suffering silently, insecure about her own nature.
[color=gold]”You didn’t want to be a monster...That’s right. Do you know what I see.”[/color] Her hair waved side to side in an answer of no. Qobo smiled.
[color=gold]”I see Kaylia of Basille, a young bright student of Mindah Tarvitaan, a prodigy of the arts and one of a mature mind. You see, it’s our differences that define us as individuals as we were made in the image of the gods. Sophia was made to be the dragon of wisdom, Suleykaar was to be made the dragon of peace and unity, I was to be made as a child in an old man’s body.”[/color] He heard a slight chuckle in her voice. Tapping her on the chest, he gently raised her head so he could look into her eyes.
[color=gold]”And you were to be made as a prodigy of this temple. One that has exceeded many of the young and bright enough to teach the old something new. Kaylia, you are not a monster nor are you a beast. As for “why you”, I think it’s because they are jealous of what they see or don't yet fully understand and yet they are too young to understand that it is a positive thing. Who knows, one day you may lead this temple yourself and stand where I stand, beside Sophia. Grand Master Kaylia.”[/color] She seemed to smile a bit before Druulo leapt off of Qobo and onto the young girl, causing her to giggle. Qobo chuckled.
[i][color=7E3517]"Even after so much time, your heart still remains pure and kind, Qobo."[/color][/i] Sophia thought to herself with a smile on her face.
Many of the monks who went through the trail of sight often came back changed after seeing so much cruelty and ignorance, taking even years to get back to normal, but Qobo was different. He still had the same kind and pure heart he always had.
[color=gold]”It would seem as though Druulo has taken a fondness to you, Kaylia. He doesn’t do that to most of the monks here, new or old. Think of this as sign of good fortune. Now run along, Druulo if he so chooses may go with you as well.”[/color] She lit up as she looked to the dragon who licked her on the nose. Quickly she bowed to both Sophia and Qobo before running off, Druulo in tow. Silently Qobo nodded with approval before turning his attention back to Sophia.
[color=7E3517]"Come closer, my child"[/color] Sophia called her before she got out of the library.
As the girl came near her, she stood up, walking towards her as she slowly shapeshifted to her "human" form, hugging her tightly.
[color=7E3517]"My dear child..."[/color] she said, holding her shoulders and looking to her eyes.
[color=7E3517]"You shouldn't be ashamed of your nature. The fact that you drink blood doesn't mean that you are a monster. You don't kill, harm or torture others to drink it, do you? The animals on the forest who kill others to survive aren’t bad, are they? "[/color] she asked.
[color=7E3517]"Drinking someone's blood if they gave you their permission is not 'evil' or 'bad'. Making someone deny their true nature, labeling it as ‘wrong’ or ‘savage’.. This is the bad thing."[/color] she said.
[color=7E3517]"Look at my body."[/color] she said, giving a step back. Her skin was as white as the moon, and at the same time, as black as the night sky. Her long white hair and horns were unlike any other.
[color=7E3517]"Am I a monster?"[/color] she asked.
[color=7E3517]"Even as a dragon, I'm completely different from other dragons. My shapeshifted form is a hybrid between descended and dragon. Due to the magic power inside me, I'm unable to shapeshift as other dragons do."
[/color]
[color=7E3517]"It isn't your appearance, race or even your past, who defines who you really are. What defines yourself, are your actions right now. It's never late to change."[/color] she said to her.
[color=7E3517]"You are intelligent, talented, pure and extremely kind Kaylia. Don't be so insecure about yourself. You know who you are, don't you? I'm sure that they meant no harm. It is probably only a joke, they're only having fun. "[/color] she said, hugging her just like a mother would hug her child.
[color=7E3517]"If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to come here. I always have time to help one of my children."[/color] she said giving her a small kiss on her forehead.
[color=7E3517]"So, don't be angry with them, ok? Try to talk with them, say to them what you really feel. I'm sure that they will apologize."[/color] she said, smiling to her as the girl hugged her back before being interrupted by Druulo pulling her by her clothes and running away.
[color=gold]”As for the other ones-”[/color] His voice grew slightly colder as he thought of punishments before remembering why he came to her.
[color=gold]”Sophia, there is a matter at hand we need to discuss and it deals with what i felt happening down in the lands below....”[/color] His voice hardened a bit as he started walking forward.
[color=7E3517]"Despair, agony, blood and death... I can feel it too."[/color] she said with a sad voice, turning back to her dragon form and laying down again.
[color=7E3517]"I’m afraid this might not be just an ordinary conflict between two nations, Qobo… We might have to interfere this time..."
[/color]
Qobo lowered his head and sighed.
[color=gold]”I must meditate on this first.”[/color] He said as he turned away from her, the sound of his cane announcing his departure was heard.
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[center][h2][u]Location: Unknown[/u][/h2][/center]
[color=slategray]I didn’t know that he had seen how i was using those runes on the stones and he and picked one up in his mouth and held it there. I charged forward and leapt up, hoping for him to reveal his softer scales underneath his neck so i could teleport underneath and slice his throat open. But when I teleported, I was surrounded by fangs and was tossed about on his tongue. Learned then that he was also a bit of a ventriloquist since he seemed to talk just fine with me in the predicament I was in. Never thought a dragon was that smart. In fact, most dragons I came across were feral. Suleykaar was a sentient dragon and soon learned an annoying one at that.”[/color] She laughed as she held him by his arm as they walked.
“He sounds wonderful. I would love to meet him.” He deadpanned.
[color=slategray]”I’d rather you didn’t…”[/color] Ariel gave him a light punch on the arm.
“Oh stop I’m sure he is a wonderful individual.” Soron shook his head and sighed but smirked. He stopped walking and looked up to the sky.
[color=slategray]”I missed you so much Ariel.”[/color] She leaned away for a moment and looked deep into his eyes before leaning in with a gentle kiss on the lips. But soon their peaceful moment was Shattered as the winds changed and the light around them started to fade. His instincts kicked in and he looked up to see the head of a dragon in the sky with piercing eyes. Quickly he moved Ariel behind him and his gaze narrowed as he went for his sword. He heard the words spoken but it did not come from the dragon but from something else, something that sent a shiver down his spine.

Though the land Soron walked in was peaceful and reminiscent of paradise it began to change as a uncharacteristically strong wind began to bellow from the infinite landscape with a hint of a cold chill within it. Soon the clear skies began to swarm with grey clouds. Clouds that formed from such a distance it made the skies above feel more vast. The clouds began to form into the head of a massive dragon, eyes glowing with flames. The winds grew exponentially as this happened. Then a shadowy figure appeared on the horizon, standing calmly in the storm.[/i]

The dark figure began to gently move in closer but at a distorted pace. Moving slowly as if far away at the horizon line to appearing much larger by the second. Stepping with a slow walking pace was a giant figure of a man with long flowing hair. He however was purely darkness and it escaped his body like a clouds of black ash. His eyes glowed with the intensity of the sun. His form was slender with a strong upper body and was not wearing any clothes. It stood at 16 feet tall and looked at Soron from about 400 meters away. The sky began to roar as thunder rolled and lightning sparked from the sky dragon’s jaws and hit the ground next to the giant obscure shadow. The ground ripped open around it and the grassy field was turned up in a line where the lightning struck across. The shadow raised a hand and a giant and long chain that glowed with a transparent fiery hue appeared in his palm and was connected to the dragon head made of clouds in the sky. This shadow man pulled the chains and with that the dragon above was shaken and calmed some, lightning no longer charging in its jaws. “His soul is mine.” Rumbled the shadow with a coarse and withered voice that carried like an echo in the storm.
Soron had heard the tall figure speak its demand to which he lowered his head, eyes narrowing even further.
[color=slategray]”My soul is mine and mine alone…”[/color] Exclaiming to the figure with defiance and determination.
“Yours..?” It asked with legitimate confusion. It's head cocking to the left as he struggled with the chains containing the Dragon's movements. “We will see…” The massive fists of this ominous shadow dug deep into the earth and fastened the chains into the ground like anchors. The massive head of the dragon lost and retained form all at once as it's body was clouds and storm. Despite this it roared in pain from the chains that seemed to wrap around it's cloudy surface. The shadow rose now to face Soron and stepped forward. After doing so, and lifting it's foot to continue its slow pace walk to Soron, darkness rose from the grassy plains beneath its foot print. Rising from the darkness was dark skeletal dragons the size of dogs. They ran out with swift speed past the shadow and ran to Soron. Small yet sharp bone teeth ready to bite into him. Their eyes radiated a blue light.