The greatest of the Priden Guardians passed way into Yao Realm through transcending the flesh. They are the Golases- ones who have mastered the balance at the ultimate level. They are one in their branches with their Kinsmen, and they pass down the wisdom of the generations from Priden ancestors with guidance from the Primals. The primals are guardians of the balance. Walkers of the earth once, like the Pridens, but in transcending the flesh through mastering their place in the balance, they have become enlightened. They guide the Golases as they form an important bridge between the spirit world and the world of earth walkers, to govern all the tribes of Howlem.

III HERMITAGE

"Ok… eysh! two more... no.. four.. and we are- here! Ah-hyaaaa! Look, Jih!"

Nibiru stood proudly at the top of the mountain, howling for a short moment, now at the courtyard entrance to Hermitage.

She then gave a loud cough and flopped onto her back, flinging her backpack almost over the edge of the steep staircase.

The white mouse peeked out of the bag and then scurried over to her face to tickle her nose as she lay there with her eyes half closed, sweating and panting.

"Noo, I am not food! stop." She said, chuckling drowsily.

"Wow! we meet again, kylys! it must be fate."

She quickly opened her eyes to see a matted and warm friendly face looming over her, with thick dreads and big brown eyes.

"Grrrr!"

"Oh come on- don't be like that… what was it you called yourself.. Great Mage?"

"Shut up, hyt. I thought you had your initiation to prepare for anyway."

She sat up, and shakily dusted her clothes off and straightened out her glasses.

"Hm, You still look scruffy to me, ha. I doubt they will let you into Hermitage looking like a bear's back end."

She surveyed her own claws, slightly uneven but still sharp and presentable. The paws of a killer.

"Well you aren't exactly dressed in Great Mage's attire either, softy-paw. I mean if you are that great, make this mountain move to the west! split the ground open! put the world back together again."

He laughed at her as she was about to protest, and leaped around the fountain with the deep pool that ran into a waterfall over the edge of the temple grounds, only stopping on the bridge to shoot two arrows into the mists far below.

"Hey- vandals! that's enough!"

A finely dressed quartermaster yelled from the entrance as he emerged into the courtyard.

"Oh, it's you, Ry. And who might this young ruffian be."

Nibiru's pupils constricted with rage.

"I.. I'm no ruffian! I am Nibiru, a mage from the tribes to the east. I've come to Hermitage for my blessing."

The quartermaster looked her up and down as she swished her tail anxiously and glared at him.

"Hmmm. Alright. Enter and meet your commander."

She turned to the Priden boy and growled fiercely at him as she was led into the dark entrance.

"Eysh! why is it so dark here!"

"Be quiet and have respect, zoor! this is consecrated ground."

She tightened her lips and followed meekly behind the quartermaster until she was led through an archway into a bright hall with a shimmering pool of the purest water. Tall statues of the primals faced her from both sides of the pool. on pedestals with blue flames on either side of them, illuminating their stern expressions. Beautiful bright crystals of cerulean and aqua hung down from the untouched natural cave ceiling, decorated with colours reflected tranquil iridescence in the water below. Elite Guardians and trainers stood beside all the statues, clad in heavy ceremonial armour, and dutiful looks on all of their faces. It was so otherworldly to Nibiru, who could do nothing but gulp awkwardly.

"Tyym-Khos the black, is up ahead, lost tya. He is your chief commander."

He said, as she shakily stepped forward.

"Follow all his orders if you're serious about this and want things to go right. The spirit world does not tolerate fear and weakness, cub. Straighten up."

He said, abruptly pushing her forward with his staff. She lost her balance and slipped on one of the steps, falling face first into the shallow pool with a huge splash.

"Ah-Hya, enlightened one." He said mockingly, laughing as he walked away.

Nibiru stood up, shaking, dripping from head to toe and staring at the ground, unable to move forward. She trembled uncontrollably with embarrassment. Silence echoed all through the temple, and the guardians remained still, waiting for her to come forward.

Tyym-Khos was the first to speak. He had stood perfectly still this whole time, in deep concentration and in tune with the ether, tapping into the spirit world. He gently awoke;

"Come forward, kylys. That way, I can see you better from under all this heavy armour."

Vocally he was challenging. When he spoke it silenced all other echoes and chatter from the winds. His voice could be felt in every rock and crevice.

The young priden shakily paced forward and fell at his feet, unable to contain herself, trembling.

Another moment of silence passed.

"Do you hear that, Youngling?"

She gasped. She had been awaiting a swift kick or insult for showing vulnerability. But now all she wanted was to impress him and show her worth. So she stopped, ears pricked up, and she concentrated hard.

"I… I don't hear anything, Chief."

He finally shifted his weight a little and exhaled heavily, feeling her shiver at the ground.

"You are frightened, zoor? trembling like tea leaves..."

She continued to look at the ground, ears flattened against the side of her face in shame.

"What happened to Jahn-Nibiru, fearless Great Mage from the Eastern tribes?"

She froze for a moment, perplexed, and hot in the face, then desperately looked up, not quite knowing what to say.

"But... I..."

"The Ancestors lead you here with a vision, kylys. The Golases know your path lies beyond the tribes and the council. Now you are of age, it is finally time to begin your journey"

He dipped his paw in the pool and said a prayer to the ancestors as the ripples reached all the way back to the entrance. The Golases appeared one by one in ghostly form, deep in a meditative state.

"Join them and listen to the spirits, Child."

Nibiru shakily stepped forward to the altar and assumed position. Her heart raced as the words of the quartermaster echoed in her head.

"But I am weak! what If I don't come back! what if this is not my destiny!"

a sudden beam of light shot down on her from the crystal formations above and the calls of a thousand voices could be heard. Nibiru closed her eyes from the brightness, heart pounding as She believed she had met her end.

"I cannot do this! I want to see my Da again! I am afraid!"

The light began to fill the whole temple, engulfing every person and object. Nibiru kept herself still and shut her eyes tight as she felt her spirit move.

"Young Tya… your fear is simply an illusion appearing real. The balance cannot be kept between worlds if you are always running…Step into yao realm and seek your destiny..."

To Be Continued