3/28 The Pyrelight Citadel

Dun would awaken with a snort of consciousness as he glanced back and forth, his hollow eyesockets holding upon Deltharion for a time as the old man would nod lightly with acceptance. It was a nice place to nap, but these things were settled for the time being.

"Yes, I suppose with these matters handled, it is more or less about time to have a proper discussion at the temple. The state of affairs needs to be set moving forward, get things settled in and organized."

The former warlord would pause as he sensed Lynette's approach, tilting his head lightly to the lazing lady of war before snorting in amusement. She reminded him of himself in his prime, the clown prince who did whatever he pleased.

Oh so long ago.

"Yes, best we chat first, I've plenty of meetings on my plate. Let us return to the temple to chat."
(Dun Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deltharion returned to the Fireblood Temple- perhaps a more grandious name is to be added? Regardless, he returned with the wizened man, making sure not to quickern his pace too much so that the old man could actualyl follow him. But in the end, he was probably faster if he actually wanted to be, wouldn't he? Nevertheless.

They found themselves another place to sit and and after making sure that the old priest was as comforatble as he could be, he turned towards him.

"It's good to see you again, teacher. The years have not been kind to you, but I'm sure you have plenty more fight in you, no?" If he knew Dun, then he absolutely did.

Even if he was pushing over ninety.
(Deltharion Sindros)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dun was already on the same page, trying to think of a creative, enticing name for what would be the center of worship and progressive ambition of the fireblooded priests within Theria. The old man might be nearly a hundred years old, but perhaps because he was an energy magi, or merely a stubborn fool, his ambitions had not been dulled in the slightest.

Raising his remaining right arm, baring the sanguinary caestus to Deltharion with an ambient flicker of ethereal mana, the blind sage would nod firmly to his student with an idle click of his teeth.

"Ohohohohoh, young Deltharion, that is my secret. I've always been ugly, so it didn't matter when I got older and uglier. Most of my body inside is metal at this point, so that at least isn't withering with time."

The blind pugilist would nod lightly, clicking his teeth together once more as he cross his right, serpentine scarred, heavy gauntlet adorned arm over his worn, crimson cloaked robe, blind eyes covered by scratched sunglasses as he stared blankly forth at Deltharion.
(Dun Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deltharion gave a slow nod, taking a moment to admire the mans 'weapons' before he focused on the more important things now. "As you say, sir." Even metal could rust, and he was sure that the human body wasn't supposed to be made out of metal mostly but he wasn't a master of biology in that sense, at the very least.

He was a Priest of Fireblood. And the world was created with a spark. "As for your physical appearance, sir. I'm not so sure. Some woman like old men so you may still have some more chances." A joke- a jest at his expense but also a hint of truth in it.

"Regardless, sir. Do you need anything?" He probably didn't, but Deltharion was not one to not ask. "I wanted to discuss some things with you, when you had the time."
(Deltharion Sindros)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Stepping into the sanctuary for the Fireblooded, Kelstov began to look about nervously. The boy had, just earlier today, been musing as to the merits of fire, and if there was truth to the idea of the visions that some saw in the flames.

And now here he was, his prospective future hanging upon the opinions of those who followed the ways of fire.

"Er... Excuse me... I hope we're not interrupting?"
(Kelstov)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xie jin would look about curiously. A place of worship? At seeing the nearby Sindros, the Shengese boy would place a fist upon his palm and bow. Offering a formal shengese greeting.

"Wènhòu"

He'd glance at Kelstov.

"What he said."
(Xie Jin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Task would nod lightly as he tapped his chin with a thoughtful hum, the old, blind priest waving with a shake of his head and a smile to the approach of the youth's as he turned to them without fret.

"Not particularly. Just conversation young men. Speak freely, do you require aid?"

The large, bearded priest would nod, his one arm crossing over his chest with a yawn as the blind energy magi glanced about seemingly aimlessly throughout the room.

"In particular though young Deltharion? Not at the moment, I have largely what I require. In time, I will likely need a supply of raw materials, I intend to begin producing arms to supply those that might stand as monastic warriors of the temple. And of course make funds to support grander ambitions of communion with the spirit realm, the demesne of noble Ryujin."

The old priest would nod thoughtfully with a missing toothed smile.

"A great portal to the realms beyond the veil.....what a worthy sight it would be."
(Dun Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deltharion turned towards the two boys that approached them, offering a simple nod of his head as a greeting. "Welcome to the Temple of the Fireblooded, younglings. You are not interrupting anything, no. Jist idle conversation for now. What is it that you require from the ones that walk the path of the Flame?"

While the thought about it, he turned back to his teacher and slowly nodded. "Indeed, sir. I have coin that can aid you in purchasing the raw materials if you wish. All for the glory of our Lord and his great son." And for the future of their kingdom, especially.

Blessed as they were by Ryujin and the Great Red one.

His eyes cloud over slightly as he imagines it- that great portal. And the flames dancing around him seem to grow in intensity before they settle down as he snaps back to reality.

"...A wonderous sight to behold for sure, sir."
(Deltharion Sindros)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stepping closer to the two, Kelstov dropped down to one knee, bowing his head. His body was trembling slightly, nerves growing as he felt suddenly small. All his hopes were riding on this, after all.

"I... I have heard that you will be organizing a pilgrimage up the mountain, in time. I humbly ask that I... I prove myself worthy of coming along on this great pilgrimage. I will dedicate myself to the Flame if necessary, and train as well to strengthen my body and magic so that I can survive the trek. Just tell me what I must do."
(Kelstov)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The young shengese boy would still be bowing in that same position.

"My name is Jin from the Shengese House of Xie. I wish to follow the path of the Dragon."

He'd state that respectfully.

"Láojià , I had heard of the Great one that lives here and seek to join your pilgrimage."
(Xie Jin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Xie would offer kelstov a supportive smile
(Xie Jin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Task would glance over the pair of young acolytes thoughtfully, tapping his chin with his caestused hand as he offered the pair a missing toothed smile and a genial nod. They were young and full of life, that much was certain.

Fine crop for the fireblooded if proven well.

"A pilgrimage of such a sort is a dangerous endeavor, but guidance to such growth as will be necessary to manage such a journey and all that lies beyond sits within our ashen temple. If you seek to be as a dragon Xie of House Xie, I welcome you to the fold as an entry acolyte that you might prove yourself upon the path of noble draconic emulation."

The old priest would nod, turning his blind gaze to the other youth.

"The same of you young man. Anyone can become strong with enough resolve and determination, it merely takes the will to seize that strength for yourself."
(Dun Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Deltaharion hummed. A promising batch of acoyltes? Perhaps. Their worth will be measured sooner or later, that was for sure. Ones that wanted to undergo the pilgrimage? Ambitious, good. But such ambition needed to be tempered with true dedication to the cause of their Lord. And to the Flames themselves.

"Indeed. To undertake it would be a very difficult task. One that may end with you not returning back." And that very well could happen. Afterall, sacrifices to the great Red dragon needed to be made. Whether they were willing ones, or unwilling ones.

Whomever the Dragon wanted, he could have.

He nodded at Dun. Effort was required- lots of it. And a passion much like the flames they worshipped.
(Deltharion Sindros)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nodding, Kelstov stood up once more. "I understand." He said, his gaze firm. "All my life I have admired dragonkind. I've wanted to become strong so that I could protect them, and this Kingdom, as best as I can. And it's my dream that, one day, I might meet the Great Dragon and be blessed, myself."

There was a pause as he bowed his head then. "I know that it could lead to my death. But if my death can please the Dragon, then that will also be worth it. Fear is not something I can allow myself to have in pursuit of my dream."

He smiles, and looks between both figures. "I'm Kelstov, and if you'd have me, I would follow the path of the Dragon as well."
(Kelstov)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 At the old man's words, the Shengese boy would deepen his hes head downward in gratitude. His hands still held out toward him in respect.

"Xièxiè, I will be sure to prove my worth to the Great one. And if I die trying, then I will yet honor at least shenlong and Ryujin with my Mettle."

His head comes up, resting brown hues up toward the priest.

"What would you have us do to prepare Lǎoshī?"


(Xie Jin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task would glance over the pair of acolytes with his blind eyes, smiling genially once more as he clasped his great caestus open and closed. They were ballsy at least; that was half the fight truth be told. The rest would come, as long as they were willing to risk it all.

"Admirable, to admire a dragon is to understand that which makes Theria great. It is fierce, independent, powerful, and above all free. Such nobility is earned through strength and meritocratic fervor, to seize such power as with the talons of a dragon."

The old man would nod steadily, addressing Kelstov first before turning to the Sheng with an idle hum. Despite the clear extreme age of the elder priest, he was questionably large, as if he'd been fighting with just his fists for a hundred years.

"And to not fear death is the first and most important step, young Sheng. That is the path to true strength, to throw away any worry of risk and seize your potential no matter how much it takes. To forge your resolve in iron and never back down."

The one armed priest would raise his great caestus, nodding steadily to the pair.

"I am Dun Task, a former warlord from fifty years back, and one of the first of the Fireblooded here in Theria. I welcome you upon the path of the dragon, it will be a noble and worthy mantle to bare no matter how difficult it becomes."

The priest would tap his chin for a time, thinking upon early needs the church would require for operations.

"For now, a lesson in humility, as is important before one can truly master draconic pride. The temple always requires more coin to put into arming its acolytes. Begin acquiring lumber in your free time, it will be used to acquire the materials to arm you when I personally forge your adornments as acolytes. In time, when you grow stronger through meditation and training, I will test you further with more dangerous tasks."
(Dun Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lumber... Well, he couldn't object to such a thing. It made sense. If they were to serve the Flame, and be trained by it, then it made sense they'd need to provide as well. With a nod, Kelstov turned.

"Of course, sir. I'll be more than happy to bring you the coins for the future." He said, hope welling within his breast. They hadn't turned him away. He would get a chance to prove himself. That lone was worth whatever tasks they set before them.
(Kelstov)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sheng boy would nod fervently at his new teacher's words.

"It will be done Task Shīfù."

He'd bring his hands back to his sides. No questions, no complaints. It was evident now that this boy was raised for the sole purpose of serving the divine dragons in one way or the other.

Though, there would be a rather wide smile on the lad's face. This would be where Jin of the House of Xie would show his quality!
(Xie Jin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dun Task says, "A fine attitude. Then, I bid you good tidings upon your tasks. I must depart to handle some business, I leave you to your duties in the meantime. You may bring the lumber to my person, I'm usually found either here or about Theria. "
Dun Task says, "For now, live frenetically! And godspeed."
 Kelstov says, "Most certainly will do so, sir."

Dun would idly pace out with a nod of his bald head.
(Dun Task)

The elder would pace into the night of Theria with a smile spread ear to ear, a sense of contentment in knowing he'd aided those young men in the pursuit of their own resolves. He'd possessed that boundless will at his peak, after all, his mastery of Id's martial arts discipline had been second to none. Had she known the things he would do with her style of peace, the violence his hands had ridden...

The old priest would chuckle as he took a long, thoughtful drag from his pipe. She'd have killed him long, long ago. Yet, that was before he'd lost his left arm, hadn't it? It had been his dominant, and his style was sloppy even shortly after the accident. With rust, time, and no attempt to truly master his remaining limb, his way of will  had faded to a shadow of its former brilliance. His knuckles could not blacken with the same sheen he'd once managed.

He had grown old, hadn't he?