Endless Shadow [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 6: Golden Morning

The Lin Kuei Monestary

Soran growled in frustration as he pulled himself off the hard cobbled floor of the Lin Kuei training grounds. The mid-day sun peered gently through the soft clouded sky above, causing the slight fog that constantly covered the forest, to almost shine with iridescence, allowing even the old cracked training yard to shine almost golden, as if protected by some great deity.

The staggering beauty of the mere air in the forest would certainly be worth remembering, however, it did little to lessen the sore aching of being planted firmly on his ass for, what he believed to be the seventh time. Kuai Liang chuckled as soft as his gruff voice would allow at Soran.

Kuai Liang: "And here I was, believing seven was everyone's lucky number"

Soran scoffed as he finally rose to his feet, Rolling his right shoulder to sooth the aching pain as a result of having it nearly twisted out of its socket.

Soran: "And here I was thinking I was actually pretty good a knocking people around..."

Kuai hummed slightly to himself as he watched Soran recuperate. The young man found new ways to fascinate him nearly every hour. He was quite certain he had dislocated that arm, yet Soran was back on his feet with nothing more than an ache. And he had to admit, he believed Soran was selling himself a bit short.

Kuai Liang: "You hold yourself to a standard you've yet to achieve. I'll admit you're naturally gifted, but I've decades of experience and practice. Ive found my own method in a fighting style, and since then found ways to improve upon it, master it. Nobody can teach you these things, it comes with time, and hard work."

Soran: "Yeah...yeah I know..."

...

"I really don't think time is on our side though."

Kuai Liang: "You're right, but that doesn't mean we can't make the most of whatever time we have. Let's stop here, I believe you're just as hungry as I am. Someone will be here soon that I very much wish for you to meet."

Retiring from practice for the day, the venture deeper into the monestary, passing by several Lin Kuei moving about their day, several offering their greetings to Soran and their grandmaster as they pass.

Soran: "Good friend of yours?"

Kuai Liang: "You could say that. She is more of a traveling mercenary these days, but the Lin Kuei owe her a great debt. It was her that led us to this sanctuary that we have now made our home. Without her, I fear we may have died long ago. She is quite the warrior..."

Soran took quite easy notice of the rather uneasy tone Kuai's voice took.

Soran: "Worried about her?"

The old master hummed to himself slightly.

Kuai Liang: "She has a habit of finding trouble wherever she goes. Often times during her travels she can be found picking fights with the local gangs, or buying entire taverns out of drink...Every time I ask her why, she's usually so drunk she can hardly form a sentence, although she consistently manages to blurt out a random curse to someone she refers to as, 'The Red Prince.'"

Soran quietly marveled at this mystery woman's shocking similarity to Qrow, to Soran it sounded exactly like him. The halls of the monestary mess hall were alive with the buzz and idle drone of soft chatter, more populated than Soran had ever seen it as many of the Lin Kuei had shown up for an early meal to start the day.

The monestary was quite talented in tricking the mind to believe that only a handful of Lin Kuei lived in the forest sanctuary, however it easily housed several hundred. Soran would be quick to believe he had only explored a quarter of the grounds. He was quick to join the grandmaster in the line for food along with several other Lin Kuei, suddenly believing he could eat the whole temple...