Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 8: A Dragon God?

Walking through the halls Hiryu follows Kazuma as he silently leads him to a cave with the moonlit sky in sight. Looking around the cave the only thing that's inside is a ruined shrine with a six swords mantled before them. "This, my student is all there to hide." Kazuma beholds. Walking toward the shrine Hiryu sees a set of writing on the base of the shrine; it reads 'In tribute to the Dragon of War, may his reign rule with the might of Imperium absolute!' "Dragon of War, isn't this supposed to be dedicated to a divine?" Hiryu asks Kazuma. "You see the writing too? Interesting... but to answer your question, yes this shrine is dedicated to a dragon of all things instead of a divine." Kazuma answers. "Why is that?" Hiryu asks. "That my student is a long and forgotten story... but I can recount to you what little I know." Hiryu prepared to take notes is beckoned by Kazuma "No, what you are to hear must not leave this room. For in truth the other monasteries that are our allies know of this... and that this tale tells a great catastrophe that will be wrought upon as all." Hiryu nods intently and prepares to listen intently. "Now listen closely, and etch what this tale entails into your heart, mind, and soul." Kazuma begins. 'Our story begins with a dragon born into the world of the celestials, which we know now as the divines we worship. This dragon born without mother or father was taken in by the powers that brought about world as we know it, and was raised alongside the first divine celestials. Being the first among the divines he alongside his siblings bore the burden of guiding the world into enlightenment and prosperity; however the dragon felt through lecture and speeches that all kin would fail to grow. Thus in both good intent and hubris he brought about conflict across the world, having his subjects learn what it means to face adversity both physical and mental was his gift. However a consequence either intentional or not was that a dark power would take hold of the hearts of kin and corrupt them, twist them beyond recognition. This dark power's name much like the dragons is lost to time, but what can be told was that a great war between this dark power and the divines ensued as it had all life on both Terran and beyond to combat them. But... the conflict was a stalemate, one that could not be easily broken... not without a great price. You see the dragon whom brought conflict as a means to improve all kin had regretted drawing this dark power to his subjects and his penance he casted off divinity to face this dark power himself. With the sacrifice paid and the dragon fighting alongside his subjects, he had leaded them to glory and victory... at the cost of his own life.' Kazuma breathes deeply to still himself as he finishes "You see my student, this shrine is an anomaly above all. A dragon, who once was a god, had died as a "mortal" above all is somebody worthy of worship. If not that then at least a sign of tribute or recognition for what he had done for us all here." Hiryu looks at Kazuma intently, sitting in silence as the he looks up to the moonlit sky trying to digest what he had heard. This shrine is not dedicated to a divinity... but rather a dragon that once upon a time was a divine but became mortal to right a mistake he had brought. Though ludicrous to hear, the way Kazuma had told it was as though... a truth rang out within Hiryu himself. The writings at base of the shrine were ancient, and the blades before them too were ancient in design. "So... why do you pay tribute to the dragon?" Hiryu quietly asks. "I do so as to honor the ideal that is a testament was his conviction. Do not mistake it for worship, as the two often are confused." Hiryu looking at the shrine feels a numbness begin creeping over him as he unconsciously reaches for one of the six swords mantled before the shrine. Kazuma immediately grabs his arm bringing Hiryu's focus back to the present. "Do not touch these swords my student. For even I would not hazard to disturb a shrine as ancient as this, leaving offerings is one thing but to take is an ill omen I dare not tempt." Kazuma warns. Hiryu looking at Kazuma merely nods his head as Kazuma releases his arm. Looking back at the sword Hiryu feels an unearthly draw towards them, but to adhere to Kazuma's words would resist against this temptation. "I suppose I should return to the dorms, I shall take my leave grandmaster. Thank you for this insightful experience." Hiryu says as he bows his head and turns to leave. "Hiryu, wait! Allow me to accompany you my student, that way it would much easier of a journey." Kazuma beckons. Looking back at Kazuma, Hiryu bows once more in gratitude and begin to walk up the stairs to the hall. Kazuma looking at the shrine one last time would look warily at it, almost as though he suspects something but would turn to follow Hiryu.