User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 29

Chapter Overview

29 Wisdom



We were on our way inland and stopped in a city. It was slightly cloudy and pleasantly warm. "Mareus, why cannot you pronounce the words correctly?" "Because I can not knot my tongue." "It's not that hard. Here, I'll show you." Kai kept trying to teach me Zipangi, but I was a horrible student.



"Was that better?" "No. Here, I'll show you again." He was really trying. Then suddenly a man stood in front of us. He bowed before us in greeting. "Excuse me, gentlemen. Could I talk to you for a moment?" Kai and I looked at each other in question. We both did not know him. "Yes of course. What is it about?" "My name is Riku. I was instructed to give this envelope to 2 strangers who should come to this city today. " He handed us the envelope with both hands. At the same time he lowered his head.



I took him it. Now Kai and I were really confused. I looked at the envelope more closely. Inside was a card. I pulled it out but could not read it. "Where exactly …" The man was gone. We had not paid attention to him for just a moment and he had already disappeared into the crowd. "Where did he go?" I looked inquiringly at Kai. "He just disappeared. But where?" "The people here all look the same. I do not think we will find him. Let's just read the card. Kai, what is written there?" I gave Kai the card.



"It's an invitation." "An invitation?" "Yes. The 2 travelers from the west are invited to the temple of the dormant forest." "Isn't this the temple of this city?" "I think so." "I wanted to go there anyway." "Don't you think that's strange?" "You mean the card? Of course I find that strange. How would anyone know that we are here today? And invite us to a temple?" "Are we going nevertheless?" There was not much to think about. "I do not think it's a trap. It is Zipangu. Besides, I want to know who wrote us this card." "I want that too. Shall we go right away or eat something first?" "Let's have something to eat. Who knows how long that will take."



After a small meal we went to the temple. Before, we had asked the people about the temple. There lived a wise man with several monks. Did he write us the card? We would certainly find out soon. A path through the forest led to the temple. That explained the name. The path was adorned with many statues of many animals. The temple was apparently protected by many guardian spirits. Of course that was superstition, but it was decorative.



We reached the entrance of the temple. There an old acquaintance was waiting for us. "Hello gentlemen. What can I do for you?" I wagged with the invitation. "You know that very well. You gave us this invitation earlier." "An invitation. May I see it please?" I did not know if he was serious or played with us. I stayed polite. Maybe he had a twin brother. "Here please."



He read the invitation. "Then I welcome you to the Temple of the dormant forest. If you would come with me, please. Master Satoru is already waiting for you." I almost asked him how he knows that and what's going on here. I could brake only at the last moment. Kai had the same questions written on his face. We wanted answers. We went past several meditating monks to the master. He also meditated inside the temple. He had long white hair and wore a dark red robe. Riku bowed and then closed the door behind us. We just stood there, not knowing what to do.



<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Sit down. Make yourself comfortable." On the floor lay 2 mats. We sat down to the master. It was not really comfortable. "You must have many questions. Do not be shy and ask me and I will try to answer them." "What's going on here?" I wanted answers. "A simple question, but not an easy answer." I knew this master now for 1 minute and he already drove me crazy.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai noticed that and took over the conversation. "How did you know we were coming?" "The forest has told me in a dream." "The forest?" "Yes. He spoke to me during my meditation." "Then you wrote the card?" "I did." "Does the forest talk to you often?" "The forest speaks to me when he feels like it." "And what does he tell you?" "Many things. Secrets and known. The forest has been watching you and finally told me about you." That was definitely creepy.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I had breathed deeply several times and calmed down. We had to be satisfied with "the forest told me". I asked him another question. Hopefully with more success. "What's so special about Zipangu?" "Zipangu has many special features, just like any other country." My mistake. I tried again. "What is so special about Zipangu that, despite the many Mamono, the country has not turned into a demon realm?" "You're talking about the Yokai and Oni who inhabit this land. This mystery has brought you here. But will the answer to the question also bring you to your goal?"

<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He started again, arggg. "I know that as soon as I know the answer." "Impatience. Normal for a man of your age. Patience, however, only a few posses. The Mamono, as you call them, have lived in this land since time immemorial. They were the first who inhabit the sky, the land and the rivers. The humans came only afterwards. In their blindness, the humans seized the land, but the Yokai resisted. A terrible war broke out, which claimed many victims. After centuries of battle, both sides were tired of dying. The survivors made a pact. Mankind were allowed to stay and live in their villages and towns. In return, they should protect the land as the Yokai had done before them. For their part, the Yokai would protect the humans as long as they held the pact in honor."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai leaned forward. "I have heard a different story." "There are many stories as old as the land itself. Today, these are only legends, but back then it was the life of humans and Yokai itself. Every story is true, yet there is no one to confirm it. All that remains is the word itself." "The problem with legends is that over time people have changed history over and over again. 10 warriors became 100. 100 a whole army. The only thing believable is the core itself."

<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Impatient and yet wise. Wisdom alone will not bring you to your destination. That can only enlightenment." "And how do I obtain it?" "Many try to gain it through meditation. But in the end, everyone has to find their own way. I do not know why this country still maintains its balance today. But I feel that enlightenment will tell you the answer." "When will it happen?" "Impatient to the end. Enlightenment is not something you just get that way. Most never get it."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai was now sitting cross-legged and listened to the master interested. "Have you attained enlightenment?" "Yes and no. Enlightenment is a process that is never completed. Anyone can find it, if only for a short moment." As unbelievable as that sounds, but his words suddenly made sense to me. "And what enlightenment gives me the answer?" "That's the right question. You are looking for an answer that can change the world. But what if you do not like the answer?" "Then I will continue. There is always a way." "Determined to the end. But determination is a double-edged sword. Those who are determined can achieve their goal or they break. Are you ready to take that risk?" "I went too far to turn back." "Your eyes show me your determination. I am sure you will go your way. I will pray that it will lead you into the light and not the darkness."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"We thank you for that." Kai looked at me worried. "Can you tell us more?" "I could tell you a lot of stories, but now is not the time. However, the sky gave me a vision. A quick look into the future." "The future?" I was skeptical. Future visions were rarely accurate. "Yes. Whatever it was, it was the future." "Please tell us what you saw."

<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"As you wish. I saw how light became darkness. And out of the darkness a light was born. Light and darkness began to circle. They formed the unity of Yin and Yang. But then they parted. A third light was added. At first there was chaos, but then order returned." "And what should that tell us?" "You have to find out. It was your future Mareus." Stop, how did he know my name? Probably the forest had told him. The question was therefore unnecessary. "And you Kai. Your future is closely interwoven with your friend's. I saw that you will accompany him, even if your ways should part."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Even though it was very vague, I believed him. The question now was what it all meant. I could not shake off the feeling that I would not know until the answer was right in front of me. And then it was usually too late. Why did visions of the future never have dates? Kai and I asked a few more general questions afterwards. We had to take advantage of the opportunity to speak with a master. Most of the answers were even understandable.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I looked at Kai. "I can not think of anything more. What about you?" "I have no questions too." "Well, what do you think about go on ahead? I'll follow right away." "Alright. I'll wait for you then." Kai went out.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Now that your friend is gone, would you like to ask me your question?" "Is that so obvious?" "Your friend will also have noticed. He knows more than you may think." "He knows enough." "I can feel the pain in you. You want to protect him, but maybe he should better protect you." "He's already doing enough for me. That's nothing for him." "As you say. That's your decision. So, what question should your friend not hear?" "It was almost 3 years ago when I was attacked by a succubus. At first I could not remember what had happened that night, but my memories came back over time. But it does not feel like me. It's as if I was a different person. And that scares me. I felt the same thing again some time ago." I took a break. "Do you know what's wrong with me?"

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He came to me and touched my face with his fingers. "Mareus. You carry a secret in you and maybe someday you will be able to solve it. I can not give you the answer, but something else. I sense that there is a fight inside you. You are torn between Yin and Yang. You are filled with love and joy, but also with pain and doubt. This fight leads to an imbalance of your energy. Chaos is the result." "Lara." I was half in a trance. "Yes. Your wife. Her light fills you and gives you peace. A resting place in the middle of the storm." He took his hand away.

<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"I've never seen anyone whose heart is so torn between order and chaos. Your natural power even increases this effect. You wonder why Zipangu does not fall into corruption. I wonder why you did not do it. Demonic energy affects not only the body and the mind, but also the heart. A normal heart gives in to corruption or manages to resist it. But there is chaos in your heart. Could it be that both happened? At the same time surrender and fight? Maybe your inner turmoil has protected you, albeit at a price." "Do you really believe that?" "As long as you do not know something with certainty everything is possible. It could also be related to the mystery of your powers." I looked at him questioningly and he smiled back. "Yes, you are special, but I can not say what it is. You're different. Your magic is different. It is interwoven with your body like I've never seen it before. It is not your tool but part of you. But you already knew that." I nodded slightly to my head. "Yes." "I am sure. When you unlock your secret, you will attain enlightenment. I wish you good luck." "Thank you."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"I just have one more question." "Then ask me." I took out one of my white crystals. "Could I collect some of your energy with this crystal?" "If it helps you attain enlightenment. Go ahead." I held the crystal near him. Inside, a small white light formed. It was not more than that of a light mage, but it was brighter. And it had an exceptionally soothing aura.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I said goodbye and then went out to Kai. This master deserved his title, but why did he have to phrase every sentence so complicated? Yin, Yang, Chaos, Order, 3 Lights, I had no idea what this exactly meant, but I would probably find out. And hopefully not too late.