Sunlight streamed from the east, painting golden corridors between the many white and wooden panelled buildings of the monastery. Lying prostrate at the bottom of some steps, a black cat waved its tail, lazily drawing circles in the air. In the plaza nearby, ranks of young men dressed in burgundy robes could be seen moving back and forth, practicing martial arts movements. Above them, the gentle s...

The vibrant feeling of the summer sun hits my skin like a wave as I enter upon the sacred grounds. A beautiful garden surrounding a monastery containing beings of different stories who had all come with one goal; to find peace. But unfortunately, that’s not what I was here for, I was here to train and collect knowledge. Nothing more and nothing less. My heart did not long for retirement, because b...

Meow

Meow

Meow

HeEeEeEe

*scratches*

hEeEeEeE

Meow

Meow

Meow...

I watched from the window, next to my best friend. In front of me was the first official student to get a Honors Medal. Muscles rippled under clear skin. He was proud to be the first.

But I know better.

Girls weren’t allowed to train. But my teacher knew better. Every night I trained in the shadows. Because I was a girl, he knew I would train harder than any boy. I have scars to prove it.

I also ...

Chore duty always seems to fall to me. I shouldn’t criticize Elder Punto, but his ‘magic stick’ choosing system mysteriously only ends up picking me to sweep the cobbled steps. I can just see his long white beard, the one that hides most of the bottom half of his face turning up into a smile as he cracks open his eyes to see that his staff, guided by the ‘spirits of wind’, has chosen me once again...

God humans are stupid.

I mean it with all due respect… however little that my be.

I mean, SERIOUSLY! Here I am watching one of the bigger ones about to leave on some stupid dangerous mission! And even then, the other humans are training to go on one as well. To make matters even more confusing, they are EXCITED for it?

Yeah, there is a reason that I have to stay and protect these idiot human...

“Do you like tea?”

“…I-I don’t understand-“

“Tea. You use leaves, hot water and precious porcelain. Then you drink it. Do you like it?”

The student, while resolute in the belief of their master’s wisdom, struggles to follow this line of questioning.

“Y-yes. Tea is good.”

The weathered fighter turns around, observing the courtyard. Sounds of tenancious strikes ring around the area as weapons t...

(This is about the one kid talking to the other kid who is in the window)

There goes Shan again. He’s headed off for another mission to defeat the Emperor and his people, while I’m stuck here in this stupid monastery, carring reeds. What the heck?

I’ve been here just as long as him and I’ve mastered every move in the Ancient Books. Master Frido doesn’t even remember my name anymore. Most kids s...

Isamu clasps his hands together in a final gesture of greeting.

I copy him bowing my head.

His figure is tall and looming, powerful from years of training.

From now on he will join the king’s ranks in his army, I can only hope my training has prepared him enough for what is to come.

“Goodbye, Master Riku, I shall carry your wisdom the rest of my days.”

The young warrior proclaims

“I have no doubt...

For this incarnation, he was known as the Warming Sun. They called him that in his clan because he always had a smile on his face and his positivity influenced others. Atop the mountain shrine, the little white house was cozy and he appreciated going there, praying to the deities and being able to eat some good, fresh food. The monks, always robed in orange, knew to expect him on sunny days, when ...