813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DFlEPILbf
So this813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO2fBAYLSx
is finally it.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh4qS9cuzT
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hc2fp6kI1
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtwqrabo8b
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTmxJzzs49
A man in rags stood in front of the gate. The gate to where it all began and813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qdb9HlIIA
where it would all end. A thousand steps it took him but he was reluctant to813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mQbg2NnRQ
take the last step. After all who'd be willing to walk to their deaths.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKHsGFMFDT
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCvUxBULMk
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVCtIllESX
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAXKJXe0ot
Yet his mind was ready. His body steeled. The man took the hood off his head to813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ18SxOXAON
reveal an aged face. With many wrinkles and more scars. He took a deep breath.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYhaylbNa
Breathing in the fresh mountain air and the bloomed sakura trees. This beauty,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1OIrHZH94
he wondered if he'd be able to appreciate this picturesque view after...813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWudwaOGlN
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQDR9U052u
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1X85lU3eB
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHAvViIijQ
"I have finally come my brothers." Finally he took that last813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLmGXimDwn
step and knocked, three times. First time, for the beginning, second time, for813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SqmJN43Z6
the journey, third time, for the end. One second, two seconds, three...The gate813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbj9OX55Ya
opened, with a creak echoing through all the mountains.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDy8MsyTca
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3vZOcqoW1
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqZloF9s5c
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBEdwl4HBv
"Who goes there?" A voice boomed.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd7WNnLafn
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fFrbpLJbt
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMEWxUpUcc
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHq4CKUAAL
"I have come for my rest, as my master before me and his master before813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXkL778Utn
him."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoR0k9nKHr
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xWXDSwvEO
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDbk6GKc6i
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZXS51cIpg
"What're you called?" The voice asked once again.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg5TvFxkmP
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRyaYfQeU6
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsqpncsKTh
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1gr0NiZzh
"I am Serene Dancer. 10th Master of the Golden Columns."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzW0cX8hlc
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmd25Kwv8D
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ75Mj2kmvQ
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20WnGLMzKw
"You may pass."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlxtuLB1Gy
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlENCWD2n0Y
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB0wivbuqS
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmSN8jWx9
Serene813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcUElrutOG
Dancer passed the threshold. He knew he could've done so before hand but813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gqs4tV45S
traditions were important. Especially in this sacred place. Tradition...how big813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghqjMgUC0u
part of his life has that been ever since he joined the Golden Columns. 813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKPVhA8H7P
How it moulded him, made him the man he was today. Should he be proud, or813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijesDiMYCn
should he be ashamed? He could not truly answer that.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsWc1qHXID
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx342EdrJu5
But the813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hvqzmSFnP
being atop the stairs would. The stairs that begun from the gates all the way813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI13gjjz05n
up to the Kami Temple. It was truly majestic, Serene Dancer could not help but813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7u7vS4fFT
take a few moments to appreciate it. But he knew he could not wait any813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0T7X9dMuF
longer. He had to keep going.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0exlxsDSRv
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVVJ0eHVOa
First813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw2huRWLJu
step, ten steps...twenty...Serene Dancer counted each and every last step.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwRIIetF2d
Taking in every last blade of grass and pebble, until he reached the main813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFduRnimgt
temple with their grand doors open.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4TeGMX0T0
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdxKh3XScM
The first813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbRURiQaDg
step tentative, each one helped Serene Dancer gather more courage, until he813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2B6LaP0M3
entered the temple itself. Inside the temple was darkness, with a path of813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaje3yGO5aK
light leading further in. 813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjpTh52ZeG
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK9VtGF7O9
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTS1z85RfL
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvxqiLOTh2
Serene Dancer was surprised, he was expecting splendour. Beauty to match the813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2wNA5uZBy
outside, but the darkness felt as if it would swallow you whole. It felt as if813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpubh5g47o
Serene Dancer would lose his mind inside this darkness and would be forever813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbJWmk2GIc
trapped.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLylvgk00Kb
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYjewIbfT
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyTfz6YkeB
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrTY977iHW
"Calm813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz4nYIgLCA
mind, calm spirit. The great one shall guide you." His mantra. He kept813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiGDaQjzQK
repeating those words until he had renewed courage to challenge the darkness.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafTCtLhkFi
The courage did not come But he knew he could not turn back, thus muttering the813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lua0t6SUt
words under his breath he followed the path of light.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmvjBMzhBN
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRkJK6y8Vt
He walked813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5crzvq46a
and walked, ten minutes, twenty an hour. "Calm mind, calm spirit..."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpBDkpQxkf
The only words echoing in the darkness. As it kept encroaching the path of813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUBbwBi7rB
light, dwindling it down. 813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPfrVSrlcA
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPuu1DkNhA
"Enough."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiz1ld6Jcj
A voice joined Serene Dancer's prayers as the darkness retreated from the path813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBNVCnbKJq
and revealed a figure sitting upon a throne, shining so brightly that it overtook813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2fdwBhKgw
the darkness and there was only light.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKCn4HSwO8
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIbvhAvOp1
"You813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPydwLQwtVK
have come far, Bongzhon."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhRf7MLATM
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG3dHrDNxy
Serene813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoaAic6oz6
Dancer wept, for he was so overwhelmed by the sheer presence.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxFJY7DgXe
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79kMsxKRhx
"Come,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3RCtYb862
let us talk." Serene Dancer felt his legs move on their own as he walked813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuCwo6GpAx
closer to God. Upon reaching the light he bent his knees, laying his, bald,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAdBRa9mvz
head down until his forehead touched the path of light.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntntzDL8y6
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0rfmL9Pdg
"You,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfXJ7HPHFw
as many before you, have come to be judged. Do you swear to accept my813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LCZbEYomz
judgement, whatever it may be"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9dxNmMZSY
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjMAKIQRUd
"I813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8DXe0vIiA
do so swear." Serene Dancer's voice sounded so tiny, so miniscule in his813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQVWUz5jui
ears. Especially compared to the voice of god.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cAqWSqQcf
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqLsT3fD5w
"Very,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA1nD4zpN6
well. Raise your head." As he did so, God's shape began to change,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVb36ZCPJA
morphing into something else, something smaller. Until the light stopped fluctuating813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeIRJqcdWK
and a small boy appeared out of the light.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJujZVNnlE4
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpWtwY7ObJ
"This813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT2YZGV2Qy
is the past you." Voice still unchanged. "Tell me why did you decide813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rtIwLZBVh
to join your order at such a young age?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGZMtDdZNg
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHNFpqaskY
Serene813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sBhVvTCFk
Dancer sat in silence for a while, gathering his thoughts. "I wanted more813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMSJ9n9KcD
out of my life. My parents were honest people, but poor. They were not able to813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H1zoGPQME
provide for me and my siblings..."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0TMLhwjL8
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGb0wly82O
"Is813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X5zuurE1w
that why you abandoned them without saying a word?" Gods words cut through813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuIWLtKzM
Serene Dancer's as if knife cutting butter. "Do you know that they have813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP8nbn3XKU
spent years searching for you? That they blamed themselves for your disappearance?813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidwMkwFpLj
They died, 10 years after you joined the order. Thinking they have failed you,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o7QGFipFj
leaving your siblings on their own. They are all dead now aswell."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDxjqUSzSw
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylNUrmOfgv
Serene813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmZw7NGnbJ
Dancer sat in contemplation. It was his family, but it has been so long ago813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4biYGnPDip
since he stopped being Bongzhon that it mattered little to him. The loss of813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsttcvoVJho
life was horrible, but it was all in the past.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9MX1ihzY8
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CFjo2zGrh
"Do813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtfqur6hrc
you still believe you have made the correct choice? Of abandoning your family813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aTS2ngwaY
leading them to ruin?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy3ZGfTn3u
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVztH2fKpjV
"Yes."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzosBOkyXg
Was the only word Serene Dancer said, for that life would lead to ruin whether813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBBclRShYu
he would've stayed or not.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEw095Uggo
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iVs0o0xa5
"Very813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wSng94oSw
well." The light changed form again. This time to a grown man. With well813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSPAJLxuRk
developed muscles and a shaved head. "This is you when you have taken the813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4k2yC0OT4
mantle of master. Tell me, do you believe you were worthy?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqptjFVlyl
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGmFFPFP2I
"I813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYHAMUA5IW
do." For believing otherwise would be dishonouring the choice made by813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAO5KopBzL
everyone who chose him. The mantle of master is passed on through vote. With813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgA9OWgbDr
everyone in the order eligible to vote, from the youngest acolyte to the813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfsfVLGdfD
hardened elder. Serene Dancer would respect their choice.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Ur7mHQrr
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgINR9xl5a6
"And813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEiHHGJIs9
what of your choices? Would you do anything else or do you believe you were813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII9jNb1Ff2
perfect in your role?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSg0fRAjlZ
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc30cdLXbE
"I813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB8AZZzBPo
was not the perfect master, but I would not change any of the choices I813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnQkslG5ey
made." Before, the answer would've been yes. But not anymore. Did all his813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvHqB0UPv
choices lead to a good conclusion? No. But they were his choices and he would813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlbs4LTioS
stand by them.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLH4JKzxqj
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSGbjLHZ3e
"Good."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeE4YIgUn
A shift again, and this time Serene Dancer saw an older man. A man with a bent813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorsHNXKPdu
down posture and beard that only ended at the waist. A man who had both813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32YL6CFwkw
wrinkles and scars on his face. A man that was him.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7SnTEA4v0
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTBbnYOQr9
"This813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSa5xOVGzK
is you now, with all of your experience and wisdom you have gained. Tell me,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfng1Mo6TIf
why did you decide to rest now?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2R9QU67mA
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Mp5UOOmc
"Because813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzm4rbnPXA
I am tired." Tired of seeing his friends die, tired of seeing people in a813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavfu9ZhZJi
cycle of poverty and violence, tired of seeing the young ones deny tradition813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Ma6jYK0c
and stray further away from the righteous path. His time has come to an end.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc242ReobIi
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAjGlcQclv
"Any813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1fEcLbt7h
last words before I begin my judgement?"813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnLuFzHXcS
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQRtYxglvN
"No."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvB2mn5onJ
Serene Dancer cleared his mind, it was time to let go. 813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03uLW5eD64
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvuHQCviZ2
"Bongzhon,813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbmdj9Xugj
Serene Dancer, I have judged you worthy of the land of light. Go and find your813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLUFKn0d5A
rest."813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt0YQoAD0S
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIohLLwEpp
The light813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECpMHn4ewT
enveloped Serene Dancer, as he felt it's light touch and warmth. He felt813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRcOS0hUwz
his body slowly disappearing as it joined the light and he felt, for the first813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljNsh5sD2F
time in decades, happy and in peace.813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOWEj8vYiT
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaslmd4p3tR
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1NkSgVKBm
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2cyLVwMAj
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvuORD9RE1
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8hC2vITRA
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh90ZiVj0g
813Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiQxGK5IMv
