The Temple by the Water

Before the beginning the was Panmundus.  Panmundus was the first planet in the first universe long before the the cataclysm the shaped the triverse we know today. It was a massive sphere covered in a thick black substance called Shadow Water. But the surface of Panmundus was not meant to be inhabitable. Instead just below the Shadow Water and the rock was a beautiful land of mountains and grass. Gravity was inverted here. People walked along the inner shell of Panmundus without ever being able to see across to the other side. At the center of the mighty planet was a star. Not just any star, but the first star. It radiated light, warmth, and life to the inhabitants around it. Night was marked by a giant moon that orbited the massive star. It created days that were as long as three of ours, and a night that lasted only half.

In this world lived a boy named Shen. Shen lived a simple life in his tiny village. But he dreamed of greater things. Not far from the village was the Great Shrine, a massive temple sitting on the bank of a large ocean. Shen would often go sit on the steps with his feet in the water. The Shadow water would float around taking the shape of fish. Sometimes tickling Shen's feet. The Temple Monks were a very cheerful people. They would bring food down to the water's edge to pray.  Shen was always invited to their feasts.

This was Shen's dream, to become a Monk here. They were very peaceful, but they were the protectors of the Temple. History told of the first two people ever. They crawled out of the Ocean here. The two brothers were responsible for all the tings that populated Panmundus. But when it came to creating people they had disagreements. One brother sought to rule as a king. While the other looked to create equals like them. The two brothers diverged creating the 2 continents of Panmundus.

Shen could see the Dark Continent across the ocean. It was little more than a distant narrow line in the distance. Stories say that during the Great War the brothers met on the battlefield. The tyrannical brother defeated but not killed. Instead he was confined to a tower for eternity. That was long before Shen existed. A story that was only a legend now, marked on the walls of the Great Temple.

But if that forgotten king were to ever get free these Monks would be called upon to defend their home land. This is what Shen wanted. To be a member of this mighty yet peaceful force. He would have his chance soon. The Monks allowed all interested to undergo the Exam, a series of tests to prove your ability to fight.

Today was Shen's fourteenth birthday. He was finally old enough to take the Exam. Many people tried, they came from far away places, but very few passed. Shen was among the youngest to take try. Living so close to the temple made his pilgrimage much easier than most.

He was very nervous and found himself sitting on the steps like always with his feet in the water. The Monks had known of his intentions since he was a boy. None were surprised by his goal, nor his apprehension. One of the Monks walked down to the water to greet him. With a comforting hand The Monk lead him toward the temple. Today he would prove he was a man.