The soft orange light of the burning torch flickered and danced upon the stone walls of the castle. A man stood in a shrouded dark blue robe, his face completely hidden from view except for the glowing golden eyes piercing through the shroud. He moved the torch along the text carved into the stone. Indeed, he had begun to notice the change in weather, the increase of natural disasters. The world could well be heading towards darkness. But could this prophecy be true?

With torch in hand, Gorzai walked through the empty lavish halls decorated with mountains of gil and jewels. Above him, a large extravagant candelabra hung motionless on the high ceiling. He walked across a soft brown rug that stretched along the entirety of the hallway to the throne in the centre made of gold and adorned with glistening rubies.

Recently, he became aware of just how much all of his riches meant to him. That is to say, not at all. Much of which he had come to possess was taken from many victims, laying waste to towns and villages, leaving them in a pile of burning rubble.

He opened an ornate door to the right side of the throne, revealing a spiral staircase and began his ascent. He didn't understand why it was now that his conscience began to weigh on him. For all the innocents he killed and lives he ruined, why now and not sooner? I guess it doesn't matter, he thought, as he strolled through the corridor with walls adorned with priceless portraits. What he did know was he was so very weary of the life he lived.

He stopped at a door and ducked into a treasure room with gems, gil, and jewellery piled high up to the ceiling. But that's not what he was searching for. In the middle of the room was a pedestal. On that pedestal was a small blue crystal that seemed to glow ever so slightly. Gorzai strolled over and took it in his hands. He lifted it level with his eyes.

If this prophecy was true, he thought, could this be one such crystal?

...

At the very top of a large mountain stood a building on the peak. People milled about in simple sky-blue gi's tied around them with cloth belts and matching loose fitting trousers. Some meditated in uniformed squares on large mats shaded by a canopy, others sparred with one another, testing various strikes and blocks. In one room, a monk sat tranquil on a triangular mat in the center surrounded by candles and incense, his mind in deep meditation. He felt a presence move towards him and smiled.

"Pelli." He said, his eyes still remained shut. "I was just about to finish."

A woman lent on the doorway of the circular room. "Apologies, Baru, but grandmaster Uland sent me to collect you."

Baru rose to his feet and walked towards her, his face quizzical. "What's this about? Why does he want to see me?"

She shook her head. "He didn't say. Only that it was urgent, and that we have a guest."

Baru's best friend Pelli wore the same clothing as he and the other monks. She was bald, with weathered, sunkissed skin and many scars from arduous training. He always worried that she pushed herself too hard.

He followed her outside and through the grounds. The icy mountain breeze weaved through Baru's upswept hair. He couldn't imagine how uncomfortable the wind felt on Pelli's smooth head.

"You heard about the disasters?" she asked as they walked the paved stone path past the obstacle course.

"It's getting worse by the day, so I've heard."

"People are talking. They believe it might be the end of the world."

They stopped at the steps of the large temple. Baru frowned. "It's... troubling, but I wouldn't go that far."

Pelli shrugged. "Oh well, what can we do?" She lingered a little longer and chuckled.

"What is it?" Baru asked curiously.

"You know why you're here, right? Why you were called here?"

She chuckled again, a little louder, at his gormless expression. "Come on. Everyone knows you're the favorite."

Baru's eyes widened as it dawned on him what she meant, and looked back at the towering doors. "Surely... surely not."

Pelli waved her hand dismissively. "Well, you never know. Want to spar later? Got a few new techniques I want to try out."

Baru gave a smirk. "It's a date."

"Baru!"

He laughed. "I jest, Pelli. Of course I will. I've got this block that I just can't figure out. I'll find you later."

Pelli shook her head. "What would your wife think?" she muttered, then turned and walked away.

Alone once again, Baru faced the building and took a deep breath and a moment to numb his emotions, then climbed the steps to the huge wooden doors.