Nephilim Soul

The Pure Void

A young teenager is sleeping on a futon within a room in which the walls were painted with numerous designs and accented with golden. The boy's hair was black and was medium length. He appeared to be of Asian descent and was wearing a white monks robe. A man with black hair pulled into a ponytail walks into the room dressed in a white kimono with black accented designs. "Master Sora, it is time for you to awake. The high priest requests your presence." He said. The boy opened his eyes revealing a a vivid shade a green in his iris. The boy then sits up and rubs his eyes. "Did he say what he wanted, caretaker? You speak as if it is urgent." Sora said. "Not at all young master, it pertains to your studies and the visitors expected today." The caretaker said. "Visitors? Wait, I forgot, that means she is here." Sora said jumping out of the bed. He then slips on his shoes and headed out of the room to the bathroom area. He grabbed his towel on his way to the shower area. He proceeded to take a shower and change into his ceremonial robes. They were of Shinto design and were white with black accents. He then leaves and makes his way to his caretaker. "Ok, I am ready. Walk me to the courtyard please." Sora said.

The caretaker walks him to the courtyard in which Sora noticed that the visitors have already arrived, and walking behind the a man in a black ceremonial robe of a Shinto priest with red designs. He also wore a black hat as well. Left behind were other teens speaking to each other in the courtyard. He noticed one of them wearing an all white kimono with red accents. Her hair was coloured red and was short. He walks out into the courtyard leaving the caretaker behind. He walks toward the girl. "It's been a long time, Jun." Sora said. "Well if it isn't the great acolyte, Sora. How have you been?" Jun said. "I have been well. You look a lot different from when I last saw you." Sora said. "As do you, but I think you are still the same slacker that I remember you to be." Jun said. Sora laughs. "Yeah, I kinda am. Do you happen to know why this meeting is happening with the council of priests?" He asked. "It is apparently about who the next priest is going to be out of the 2 of us. I honestly wouldn't want to be bothered so I would rather you have it. I enjoy living out in the world freely. To be cooped in this temple is not really something I would want to spend the rest of my days doing." Jun admitted. "I completely understand, but I really would not mind. I am a Kobayashi after all, this temple has been in our family for generations. I am sure this would not be any different. I actually want this life. To protect those in the world who are unable to protect themselves, just imagine." Sora said. "Wow, I would have never thought the slacker to really want to start taking things like this seriously." Jun said. "It is as master said. We have to grow up sometime." Sora said with a faint smile. "I still remember our first lesson with the High Priest: "Where ever the light shines, a shadow is casted." It didn't make much sense to me back then, but it does now." Jun said. "It resembles the natural balance within the world. Without balance nothing would exist. That's how something that is good can become evil, and something that may be evil can still become good. But we as acolytes to the High Priest must work to ensure that the balance is never disrupted. So we too must exist just as balanced as the world does." Sora said. "Look at you, spouting his teachings, you really have grown over the years. I guess I never noticed." Jun said mockingly. "Well he can only say it so much before it finally sticks, but luckily with the next High Priest, this feud between our families will finally end. I look forward to being your husband, Jun." Sora said with a large grin. "Amazing how we would grow from best friends to something more." Jun said with a smile. "I wonder what they could be talking about in there." Sora said.

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"What exactly do you mean, council?" The High Priest said sitting within his quarters. It is nothing negative in regards to your teachings, so take no disrespect High Priest. We simply believe he is not balanced enough to take the mantle from you. He hasn't enough experience with actual cleansing rituals and practices. As this may be due to there not being many situations within this area. It just would not be plausible to select your son to be your successor over Jun. I'm sure your brother agrees." A woman wearing a white kimono with red accents said. "What exactly do you believe the problem to be? If it were laziness I would say that is no longer a problem." The High Priest asked. "The imbalance simply comes from his arrogance, we're not saying he's not good, we're saying he lacks humility which gives room to corruption if he cannot handle a task." A man wearing a black kimono with blue accents said. "He has also had quite the competitive temperament when he loses." The woman said. "As do most men his age, I am sure there's another reason as to why you feel as though he is not capable." The High Priest said. "We are sorry, as we know this is your son we are speaking of and the temple has been within our family since its origin, but perhaps we should look at a change. The Kobayashi and The Ishikawa have come this close to peace. This should be strengthened utilizing this as a united front that the two families of Shinto mediumship are without conflict." The man said. "If this is what the council believes, then I have no choice but to comply." The High Priest said. "There was one thing they offered as an option to showcase his ability and resolve." The woman said. "...and what exactly is that?" The High Priest asked.