Forgotten Realms:

Angels and Demons

Part XXXVII

Later that day, Raven stood amongst large, ornate buildings that was the Sun's Edge Monastery. In the largest building, where the grandmasters lived on the upper floors, and students trained on the lower two floors, she glided. The expansive training area was decorated banners and written training instructions in one of the languages of Kara-Tur.

Students cleaned the training room, while others trained outside in the courtyard. Masters watched over them, correcting when needed. Those not in training or cleaning were preparing for the evening's meal, which was being made in the huge kitchen building behind the training building. Still others were taking some well-deserved relaxation in the outlying student barracks.

The monastery was set up in a circular pattern, with the ornate central training building encircled by the training barracks. Broken up between the buildings were gardens and fountains, forming peaceful little pockets. Used as a contrast to the more energetic and lively training areas, residents would come for meditation and reflection.

She felt herself being drawn to one of the reflection pools. The Tiefling bard could sense a magic unlike any she had felt, besides when Kirann fought. Here it seemed seeped into the ground, saturated the air and seemed to vibrate all around. She also felt like the whole area was wrapped in a warm blanket, and she found herself letting her guard down.

"It is a wonder that Kirann ever left," Raven said more to herself than anyone else. "This place feels like a paradise on Faerun."

"The call to explore, my old student has," a voice caught Raven off, and she nearly jumped three feet into the air. The older woman smiled gently, "Startled you, I did not mean to."

"It's okay, I was just taken by the beauty of this place," Raven said. "You said your old student?"

"One as curious as him, my old student has found," the older woman laughed. "In my travels, come across his family, I did. In him, I saw much potential." Then the old woman took Raven by the arm. "Missing my manners, I am. Master Fa, they call me. Welcome to call me, Ming-Wa, you are."

"I am, Raven," the bard introduced herself.

Ming-Wa nodded, "The way he speaks of you, figured as much, I did. All good are his words, when of you he speaks."

Raven tried to hide her blush, but she had more experience hiding her hurt than positive emotions. Which said more about her upbringing than she wanted to admit, and how much she had to rely on herself in the past. However, just like Kirann, this woman seemed to look upon her as a person.

Ming-Wa pointed to the pool, she had brought them, "Into the pool you look, what stares back?"

Confused Raven answered, "I see the sky, the birds and us. The pool is so still it is like a mirror."

"Not wrong, you are," Ming-Wa laughed. "Shows what is there, the pool does. More interesting though, what you see when you look."

Raven's smile turned into a frown, "Someone stuck. Cursed by my blood to be an outcast."

"Not uncommon that feeling is," the older woman gently said. "Instincts passed down, a struggle to deal with. Stories I've heard, say mastered you have these urges."

"Maybe," Raven said sadly. Then thinking of her friends, her new family. "I'm not alone anymore."

Ming-Wa nodded, "No, you are not. Lightly my student does not choose his friends. Come, find him we will."

The older woman led Raven back towards the main building. For a brief moment, the Tiefling held back, looking at her reflection one more time. She had seen something else, something unexpected. Her horns looked less sinister, less monstrous. Maybe it was just how long she had stayed in her glamour, or maybe she was just accepting herself more.

They found Kirann sitting in front of the grandmaster of the Sun's Edge Monastery. The wizened old man was chuckling at something the younger monk had said. The older man noticed the two women and called them over. In from another entrance came the rest of the Challengers, with Walton's armor looking remarkably cleaned up.

"Greetings, friends of Kirann," the wizend old man said. "I hope you are enjoying our hospitality." To Kirann, "Months ago you left us on a journey of self-discovery. Since then you have grown in skill and power. In your eyes I see many successes and setbacks, but always a will to continue on.

Word of your exploits has even reached our simple monastery, and you have brought great honor to us. A kingdom saved, evil brought forth to be judged and uplifting the downtrodden. A legend has grown around you and your band.

It is with great pleasure that I raise you in rank to Sun Warrior Kirann Lichtus. A warrior that exemplifies the qualities of Sunsoul Order, and an example to the world of the best of us. Honored guests, this is a rare event, with few Sun Warriors appearing in a generation. A living embodiment, an ambassador of us out in the world."

"I'm deeply honored, Grand Master," Kirann said.

The Grand Master laughed, "Your teacher said you were one of few words. What are your plans now?"

"A kingdom rebuilding has given us a mission, I'll finish it," Kirann said matter of factly.

The Grand Master shrugged, "Then at least rest here for a few days. That will give our artisans time to create your new uniform."

"On behalf of my group, we accept," Kirann said as he rose.

Raven came up to him, her smile big and warm. She embraced him in a hearty hug and he returned it. Off to the side, his teacher cleared her throat, which brought the bard back to where she was. She sheepishly tried to find a hole to hide in, but Kirann just pulled her in close to him. He also gave his teacher a look that made her burst into laughter.

She led them to the dining hall, which was just in the front of the kitchen building. There they all ate with the other students of the monastery. There were other guests there too, none aware of the ceremony that had just happened. It was easy to tell, as they stood out, as did most of the Challengers.

Of the guests, one was notably a cleric. His holy symbol wasn't able to be seen, and his robes were similar to other clerics in the area. There was also a fighter, still clad in highly dented and used armor. Kirann spied a mage, nose stuck in a book, even as he ate. One of Lorinda's druid circle was here as well, not an uncommon sight. The oddest was a halfling spinning a beautiful jewel on a pendant.

Each of the Challengers quickly adopted training routines with the people of the monastery. Walton a visiting Kensei to practice with, while Val studied with Kunoichi that was traveling with the Kensei. Leilani and Raven found themselves in the library, pouring over tomes and knowledge. Kirann spent his time assisting the other students, showing them ways to better their techniques. All learned from his time on the road, and many of a student challenged him to test their skill.

It was on the third day that Ming-Wa Ha came for him. She led him away from the others and to a small clearing at the outskirts of the monastery. There she stopped and beckoned for him to the outside area. He understood, even as she began to speak.

"My student, you've grown strong," she said. "A little test to see how strong. There is a technique, Searing Sunburst. Master it you must, training you already have on it."

Kirann remembered her showing him the technique, explaining it. He just lacked the focus and ability to do it. She had always told him, that such an advanced technique would take time to master. He was to practice it when he practiced his other skill, and one day he'd achieve this skill. He had, throughout all his travels done this. Not once had he succeeded in pulling the energy to him.

That had changed recently, he felt the power within grow and he'd become more confident in his abilities. Something outside of him, maybe even guiding him told it was the time. Not, Al, the Celestial had been quiet of late. This was something else, almost like an echo of what could be. He listened.

Pulling his Ki in around him, he focused it all. First into a ball sized object of blazing light. The orb blazed in his hand, so hot to burn anyone else besides him. Feeling the power in his hand, he wound up and threw the orb to the center of the clearing. Made exactly for this type of test, the ground shook, dirt flew far into the air and blinding light even eclipsed the daylight. A huge crater was all that was left when everything returned to normal, and Kirann had a huge grin plastered on his face. He turned to his teacher, and she looked very proud of her student.

"Learned all I have to teach, you have," she said. "Most of what you have left to learn, the world will provide."

Kirann said, "I will do you proud, Teacher."

"You already have," she smiled at him. "Now, back to your friends. I have taken enough of your time."

As they headed back, the rest of the Challengers met them, fully armored and armed. Kirann had to put them all at ease, explaining what had happened. While he did this, his old teacher went to talk with the grand master. She would see her student again, but her time with him was nearly over now. He was getting powerful enough to pass on his knowledge, a student he should take soon.