Takeshi spent the day resting within one of the temple buildings.
He slept through most of it, and when he was awake, he ate, drank, and made small talk with the refugees taking shelter in the temple.
When night fell, he suppressed his power. After confirming that he didn't end up in the Shadow Realm, he went on a walk through the temple grounds, unable to sleep.
In the quiet night, the temple seemed tranquil and peaceful.
As Takeshi wandered through the main courtyard, he noticed someone standing in the darkness—within one of the small, open structures that appeared to be a place for prayer.
Intrigued by who might be up so late, Takeshi cautiously approached the figure.
As he got closer, he realized it was a monk.
So there are monks in this temple, Takeshi thought to himself. I guess I just didn't notice them before, with so many lost souls settled here.
When he reached the monk, Takeshi quietly said, "Hello," trying not to wake anyone nearby.
The monk turned around and responded warmly, "May the God bless you."
Unsure how to reply to such a greeting, Takeshi instead asked the question that had been plaguing his mind: "What are you doing up so late?"
The monk fully turned to face him, smiling. "I could ask you the same question," he said.
After a short pause, he added, "I have a habit of praying to the Lord every night."
Curious, Takeshi asked, "I'm not very familiar with the deity you believe in. Could you tell me more about him?"
The monk nodded. "With pleasure. It seems you're not from the Western Lands, since you don't know of our Lord."
He pointed to a small well in one of the courtyard's corners. "Let's sit there, and I'll explain some things to you."
After they both took a seat on the well's edge, the monk began to speak.
"Our Lord is the mighty God of Wind and Storms. He is one of the most revered gods in this world. Faith in Him spreads across all lands, and the number of His believers is rivaled only by those who follow the God of Light and Flame, and the God of Fate and Fortune."
God of Light and Flame? That's new. Takeshi thought. Now I know the names of three deities in this world. I wonder how many more there are?
The monk continued, "Long ago, all of the Western Lands were ruled by an Elder Dragon. He was a tyrant who demanded that the people sacrifice everything to him. The inhabitants of these lands fell into despair."
His expression grew reverent.
"That was when our mighty Lord descended from the Heavens and faced the fearsome dragon. Their battle lasted three years and reshaped the entire landscape of the Western Lands. These mountains you see? They were formed during that divine conflict."
"At the end of the battle, our Lord emerged victorious. He enslaved the Elder Dragon and made it His servant. From that day forward, the people of these lands accepted Him as their savior. That's how belief in Him was solidified, and how His religion spread."
Takeshi listened to the entire story with great attention.
Even long after the monk had finished speaking, Takeshi remained deep in thought, trying to fathom the existence of the being he had just learned about.
After finishing his conversation with the monk, Takeshi realized that several hours had passed.
He returned to bed and slept soundly through the rest of the night.
The next morning, he joined the other refugees for breakfast. They welcomed him warmly and offered him a portion of food as if he had been part of their community for a long time.
After finishing his meal, Takeshi stepped out into the courtyard, where he encountered the short, elderly man who supported himself with a wooden staff.
As Takeshi approached, the old man said, "Follow me. I've already informed the Sage that you wish to speak with him. He said he's willing to hear you out."
Without another word, they walked into the central building of the temple and passed through the main prayer hall.
At the back of the structure stood a stone wall adorned with a mural.
The mural depicted a cliff edge covered in short pampas grass, with a dark sky in the background streaked by lightning.
The old man gestured toward the mural and said, "Go ahead. He's waiting for you."
Takeshi stood still for a moment, stunned and unsure of what to do.
Sensing his confusion, the old man added, "Touch the mural to access its secrets."
Following the instructions, Takeshi stepped in front of the mural and calmly placed his right hand on its surface.
In an instant, his entire body twisted and folded in on itself, as though being sucked into the mural like a vacuum.
And just like that—he was gone.
When Takeshi opened his eyes again, he found himself standing on a cliff edge covered in short pampas grass, under a dark and gloomy sky that lit up with lightning every ten seconds or so.
Looking around in disbelief, Takeshi asked himself, Am I really inside the mural?
Before he could think much more about his situation, he noticed a figure standing at the edge of the cliff in the distance.
It was a tall, elderly man with a gray goatee and mustache, and long hair that reached just past his shoulders.
He wore blue warrior robes and had a katana at his waist.
Takeshi slowly approached the man.
As he drew near, the figure spoke without turning: "Why do you wish to speak to me?"
Without much hesitation, Takeshi spoke.
"I am Ren Takeshi, a traveler and warrior. I'm also contracted to a demon. A talking snake in the Forest of Fortune told me to seek you out—to ask for your help in becoming stronger."
Upon hearing Takeshi's words, the Wind Sage slowly unsheathed his katana and turned toward him.
Without a word, he began circling Takeshi, who instinctively mirrored his movements out of fear.
The sage finally spoke, as if voicing his thoughts aloud.
"No ordinary mythical beast would know of my existence, much less where I reside. The 'snake' you spoke to is likely someone from the Heavens."
He paused, narrowing his eyes.
"But why send you to me? Just what are they scheming?"
After another moment of silence, the sage asked, "Which demon are you contracted to?"
Takeshi answered hesitantly, "I'm not sure what his name is… but I know the domain of his power is theft."
The sage's eyes widened in shock.
In the form of a flash of lightning, he closed the distance between them in less than a quarter of a second and slammed Takeshi to the ground.
"I understand a bit more now," he muttered.
Takeshi, trembling with fear, didn't dare say a word.
The sage then sheathed his sword and stepped back.
"Leave at once. You are not welcome at this temple—nor on this mountain."
As the old man turned and walked back toward his original spot at the cliff's edge, Takeshi slowly stood up and stammered, "B-but why?"
The sage responded sharply, "If you value your life, I suggest you leave immediately."
Still shaken and deeply confused by the sage's sudden change in demeanor, Takeshi pleaded, "I will leave if that is what you wish—but please, tell me why I'm no longer welcome."
After a long pause, the sage sighed.
"Fifteen thousand years ago, my master had a disciple who trained under him. Like you, he was a thief. My master not only trained him—he also considered him a friend."
He paused before continuing.
"Little did he know that this man's actions would cost him his life… and that the one he trusted would become the most troublesome figure in the next five thousand years."
The sage's voice turned colder.
"Your presence here only signals misfortune. I will not let history repeat itself."
Takeshi stood stunned, the sage's words echoing in his mind.
Another person with the domain of theft? Could he be the other Blessed the demon mentioned in the temple of the Kageyama Clan? He became the most problematic figure in the then next five thousand years? What did he do?
His thoughts raced. More and more questions filled his mind.
He wanted to ask every one of them—to demand answers from the sage standing silently at the cliff's edge, his blue robes billowing in the wind.