Where No Monk Ever Ventures

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Any right-minded Hoshidan citizen considers that going into Nohrian territory unarmed is a bad idea. No, more than a bad idea, a downright death sentence. One would have to be absolutely mental to even consider walking across the border.

Alas, none of these things were even in his mind when he was dropped off. He had taken an offering to go find a place to peacefully meditate by some shady fellow with a face like a fox. A place, the man promised, would allow him to have the highest form of enlightenment possible, a place where he would finally be able to put his worries aside.

“Just let me take care of the driving, good sir! You go ahead and meditate as much as you need to. I’ll let you know when we get there! Feel free to make use of any of the incense I have to offer!”

The interior of the carriage was furnished like a temple, thus the trusting Hoshidan monk was none the wiser. The ride was surprisingly smooth, and with most accommodations taken care of, this was probably a really great deal.

A moving temple... that’s really a convenient idea... the monk thought serenely.

That is, until it felt as if the bottom of the carriage plopped out. The monk tumbled across the ground before planting his face in the dirt, and it was not like the warm earth of Hoshido. It was cold, damp, and incredibly perturbing. The monk slowly pulled himself up, wiping soil off of his face until he could make out his surroundings.

The sight demoralized his heart. Tall, crooked, leafless trees, white blanketing fog that concealed the ground like snow, and the crags and cliffs that broke an even landscape. The sky, yes, even the sky was a gloomy shroud that gave him no comfort. It was as if he had come across the land of the dead.

Am I dreaming? he thought, I must be dreaming.

He reached up and began slapping himself in his cheeks. A few strong pinches on his arms, too, but nothing would rouse him from this illusion, if it were one at all.

Suddenly, there was a groan. Not near, but afar. There was the sound of shuffling footsteps, then a dark figure appeared in the fog before the monk. He tried his best not to quiver, to not give into panic and fear, but it is hard to do when one is alone. No training in the monastery would grant him any peace at this moment.

“Who... who g-goes th-there?” he stammered, his legs began to shiver as the anxiety began to settle in. “Sh... show yourself!”

The silhouette drew near, its grunts becoming stronger and louder, perhaps angrier and much more hostile. Eventually, in the dim light, the Hoshidan realized what approached him, and for the second time in his life...

”AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGH!!” His scream was upon the higher registers, to the point where any person with decent hearing would assume it was a woman’s. Straightaway the monk’s legs began to scramble with no proper form, and his arms flailed over his head. He barely made it ten feet before numbness of fear began to arrest his body.

“AGAPKTBTH!” was the sound that escaped his mouth as he hit muddy ground. The horrendous shock locked his knees, and he could do nothing but turn and inch himself away with his arms. “No! NOOO! AAAAAAAGH!!!”