Chapter 25: PARADOX
<hr>
Time Remaining Until Execution: [10 Days]
I was unceremoniously transported to Thunder Temple, ironically, a Ninja faction hideout. But despite calling it home for weeks, I’d never seen the upper levels. We stayed underground, using the network of tunnels to move around Raishoto.
Shackled, my Samurai escorts surrounded me with Cragmarr in the back. We traveled in silence with only the distant rumble of thunder.
As we crested the final hill, Thunder Temple came into view. It was enormous, an ancient structure carved into the mountainside overlooking Raishoto. Stone walls were etched with mystic symbols while lightning rods crowned the pagodas, still crackling with residual energy. The entire building pulsed with life.
We passed through a towering gate flanked by two colossal statues of Samurai warriors. Beyond them, a sprawling complex of courtyards, gardens, and towering halls, all interconnected by a maze of covered walkways and bridges.
A group of Monks received me at the entrance. My Samurai escorts bowed respectfully before retreating. An elderly man in simple green robes greeted me.
“Welcome to Thunder Temple. I am Master Fengbao, the head Monk of this monastery. You are now in our care.”
Master Fengbao was short and stocky. His face bore the lines of age and wisdom, framed by a long, flowing white beard down to his waist. His green eyes contrasted vividly against his weathered skin, giving him a look of quiet intensity. Cragmarr nodded as he gestured for me to follow him.
“I will see you in ten days, Ember,” Cragmarr called.
LEVEL UPDATE
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 9
Woah. I tripped over my feet, startled by the notification.
“A nexus,” I said under my breath.
“You know of such things?” Fengbao asked, having heard me.
I thought silence would be my best answer.
“I see. You are a Jingozi apprentice,” he said.
“Guilty as charged.”
“We have not had an apprentice within these walls since I can remember.”
“Why not?” I almost snickered.
“A Jingozi would never find themselves trapped in a place like this. We are not permitted to leave, which makes things rather… restrictive.”
“Wait, you’re stuck here?”
“The brothers and sisters within these walls have chosen a life of isolated discipline and contemplation. We all took a vow of Zii.”
“Well, I think that sucks.”
“Not at all,” he said with a serene smile.
“What about the rest of your faction?”
“We are temple Monks. The rest of our faction resides on the border between the north and south. You can find those who follow the Jingozi way there. Although they are all most likely participating in the current exhibition.”
“Yeah, I saw that. Your team was cleaning house until–”
“The Emperor,” Fengbao said with a knowing nod. “Although we are relegated to live within these walls, it does not mean we are unaware of what happens outside them.” He leaned in with a wink. “Including deep below. Taikumi sends his warmest greetings and says to stay out of trouble.”
I smiled with newfound respect. There was clearly more to the Monk faction than I gave them credit for.
As we entered and walked through the temple grounds, I marveled at the diversity of the Monks who tended to the monastery. There were humans, elves, and even a few demi-golems, all dressed in the same simple green robes, their heads shaved in the traditional Monk style. Despite their different races and backgrounds, their movements were all the same—with purpose.
We passed through a courtyard where Monks practiced martial arts. Most sparred with bamboo staffs or swords, but some used more exotic weapons like the three-section staff. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing wood, the swish of robes, and the occasional grunt of exertion.
“This is our training ground,” Fengbao explained. “Here, we hone our bodies and minds to achieve the true peace that comes from balance.”
We continued through more interconnected courtyards, each more impressive than the last. In one, a group of Monks tended to a garden filled with rare and exotic plants that smelled like the essential oils my massage therapist loved—the sound of trickling water from a nearby fountain added to the peaceful vibe. Monks gathered around a massive gong in another courtyard, striking it in rhythm.
Fengbao led me to the heart of the temple, an enormous hall with towering columns and a high ceiling painted with murals. The walls were lined with statues of past Monks, their stone eyes gazing down at us. A gigantic statue of a Samurai warrior stood at the center of the hall, holding a lightning bolt.
“Lord Raiden Takamori, I presume?” I said.
“You know the story?”
“Let’s just say Taikumi loves it—enough to tell me six times.”
“Ah yes, it’s an entertaining legend. Master Raiden was not a Samurai but a Monk trying to unite the factions. But the Samurai have a way of changing stories for political purposes.”
As I stepped forward, the nexus overwhelmed me with its sheer presence—even more potent than the one in Yukiko’s village.
“This is… crazy,” I whispered.
“You are more Zii-sensitive than any guest in recent memory, Ember. I now know what they all see in you. Come, let me show you to your quarters.”If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
We arrived at a modest room tucked away in a quiet corner of the temple. Fengbao pushed open the wooden door, revealing a small space with a standard cot, a low table, and other necessities. Although sparsely furnished, everything within the room was meticulously crafted, from the smooth wooden floor to the woven mat covering it.
“This will be yours for the duration of your stay. It is simple, but it has everything you will need.”
I stepped inside, taking in the room’s austerity. The cot was neatly made, with a folded blanket and a small pillow. A bowl of fresh water and a simple meal of steamed rice and vegetables sat on the table.
“For the next ten days, be free to do as you wish. You may explore the temple, learn our martial arts, or meditate in the gardens. The choice is yours. This time allows you to reflect, grow, and understand dimensional balance.”
“What about my last rites? Crag… my ward mentioned them.”
“I have been given no such instructions. However, there are rules you must follow. Thunder Temple is neutral ground. No faction business can be conducted here, and no one can enter or leave the monastery during your stay. You will not contact your ward, Cragmarr, or other allies. This is a place of peace, and we do not allow the conflicts of the outside world to taint it. Even the Jingozi cannot interfere.”
Fengbao paused at the door.
“Use this time wisely, Ember. The path to true strength is not always through battle but through knowing oneself. I trust the nexus will show you.”
I sat down on the cot, feeling its firmness beneath me. There was no luxury here, no distractions—just me, the walls, and…
My Jingozi abilities weren’t working.
I tried to load a hand, but nothing worked. Accessing my inventory or notifications didn’t work either, and I couldn’t produce a Zii coin.
I blinked into the Jingozi arena.
“What’s going on?” I said. “Why does my ability still work here when everything else is broken?”
“The Monks may be able to suppress Jingozi technology, but not your gift.”
“I thought you said they got the technology from you. Isn’t this all the same thing?”
“Kind of, sort of, but not really. Yes, I gave the Jingozi their technology, but they only understand half of it. The Monks as well.”
“Man, someday we’re gonna talk about all this.”
“Looking forward to it. In the meantime, why don’t you take advantage of this opportunity, like a retreat? It’s not like you have anywhere else to be.”
“You know what? That actually sounds like a good idea.”
* * *
Life at Thunder Temple took on an unexpected rhythm for the next ten days.
The Monks rose early for a morning meditation. I joined them, initially feeling out of place, but gradually, I sank into the silence.
Despite my status as an outsider and Jingozi apprentice condemned to death, they treated me as one of their own. There were no whispers behind my back, no sidelong glances of suspicion. They could care less. I was simply another soul seeking balance.
After meditation, we trained. The Monks practiced their martial arts with a discipline bordering on reverence. Their bodies bent and twisted with techniques that defied the limitations of flesh and bone. They taught me as much as I could absorb, taking my skills to a whole new level, which still meant they whooped my ass every time.
The Monks had a variation of Zii-Kata, known as Zii-Chi. It was at the heart of their practice, a fusion of martial arts and meditation designed to draw power from the spirits. While the basics mirrored Zii-Kata, it had a deeper, almost spiritual resonance. The Monks taught me how to channel energy from the nexus, aligning my movements with its flow. With each session, the connection grew—the nexus becoming more than just a source of pure Zii, but something alive, something I could truly feel.
One demonstration of Zii-Chi left me speechless. Monks stayed in stance as thick trunks of bamboo and heavy stones shattered against their bodies. Even sharp objects—blades designed to slice and pierce—were driven against their skin without leaving a mark. The secret, they explained, lay in maintaining a deep, meditative state, almost like a trance. Zii-Chi made their bodies impenetrable, a seamless blend of spirit, mind, and body.
Afternoons were spent in quiet contemplation or working alongside each other. I helped in the gardens, tending to the exotic plants thriving in the temple’s rich soil. I swept the endless corridors, learning the names of the Monks who passed by with nods of acknowledgment. I even assisted in the kitchens, preparing simple, nourishing, shared meals in silence. The Monks’ lifestyle was one of humility and service, and each task was performed with mindfulness—both foreign and refreshing.
In the evenings, the temple came alive with chants, the deep, resonant voices of the Monks filling the air as they gathered in the Hall of Thunder.
As the days passed, I lost track of time, the outside world slipping away as I became more immersed in temple life. There were no judgments about my past, questions about my future, or allegiances. I embraced being “Sister Ember.”
I found myself looking forward to the small rituals of daily life. There were quiet moments in the garden where I basked in the scent of blooming flowers. Other times, I engaged in the camaraderie of the Monks, who, despite their stoic exteriors, were well-versed in small talk. The sisters were exceptionally supportive, and there were no roles based on gender. I appreciated that.
On the ninth day, as the sun began to set and the sky turned a deep shade of purple, I stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the Monks practice their Zii-Chi. I’d almost forgotten the purpose of my stay. The thought of leaving the temple tomorrow filled me with some sadness. But as the head Monk, Master Fengbao, approached, I knew my time here was ending.
“Master, may I ask a question?” I asked.
“Of course, Ember. I always love a good question.”
“Why did you come here?”
“Ah, yes,” he nodded with his eyes closed. “It was a lifetime ago. Has anybody here mentioned the Monk champion Zhong during your stay with us?”
“His name’s come up. That’s all.”
“Zhong was once a Samurai, the captain of the Shogun’s guard,” he began. “A half-elf renowned for his brilliance as a military tactician. But he grew disillusioned with the Shogunate and sought peace among the Monks. That peace was shattered when his monastery was caught in the crossfire between the Emperor and Amazon’s bitter war against the Samurai and Golems. Refusing to take sides, his entire family was tortured and killed.”
A tapestry of visions flooded my mind. It had been happening all week, and I assumed they were because of the nexus. A naked Monk was bowing before three Jingozi.
“Seeking vengeance, Zhong pledged his soul to the Jingozi for power,” Fengbao continued. “He rapidly achieved the highest ranks and became a Jingozi master. But the price was his sanity and a mission to assassinate a key leader from each faction, including the Shogun and Zhong''s new family, the Monks.”
“Wow. Did he succeed?”
“He did indeed, and his actions birthed a dark legacy amongst our faction. Each leader died in such sinister ways the Jingozi became even more feared. And now, many Monks who follow the Jingozi way have chosen him as their champion.”
I came face to face with a vision of Zhong. He wasn''t just a Monk—he was a force of nature. His skin was taut, veins pulsing with dark energy crackling beneath the surface like lightning ready to strike. His bald head caught the light, highlighting the deep lines etched into his face, and those eyes—those glowing green eyes—burned with malice. The air around him practically sizzled, faint lightning sparks dancing across his skin, illuminating the veins snaking across his head. His expression was pure, unbridled rage.
“Where is he now?” I asked.
“They say he exiled himself into the mountains as penance for his transgressions. Many Monks pilgrimage to his temple where he teaches them in visions and dreams.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here,” I changed the subject.
“I, too, lost my family to this futile war,” he said, putting his hands in mine to steady me. “With nothing else to live for, I joined the temple Monks here to teach our faction a better way—the way of balance and peace.”
A man in search of purpose after losing his family. I could certainly understand that.
“Thank you for sharing your story, Master Fengbao.”
“You have learned much while here, Ember, but I sense your inner conflict. If you continue to pursue the Jingozi way, the true path is not found in isolation. It is found in the balance between peace and conflict, between the self and the world. Seek the divine path of the paradox within.”
* * *
There was no fanfare when I left the temple that night. I met my Samurai escort in the courtyard, turning Fengbao’s final words over in my mind. As the guards arrived, my notifications pinged.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A POWER CARD
Warp II
<ul>
<li>
PVP: Pay your defend/reward. Instantly discard an opponent''s card before its effect.
</li>
<li>
PVE [Passive]: Instantly avoid an opponent''s attack if this card is in your hand.
</li>
</ul>
Even without access to Jingozi technology in the temple, my game progression continued. But the last notification…
NEW MISSION: THE EXECUTION
Thwart the Shogun’s plans for your execution.
Bonus Objective: Thwart the Emperor’s plans.
Time Remaining Until Execution: [1 Day]