The Silent Monastery

Somewhere in the far far west, in the middle of a gigantic swamp, there is a mountain climbing to the heavens. It's called the Lonely Shadow. Why? Because it's rumoured that the mountain is haunted by the spirits of those who once lived in the swamps, the swamp people. They were uncivilized, beast-like and evil and that's why it's belived that their ghosts are even worse. It's told, that the ghosts start appearing once you reach the Lonely Road. That is the only way towards the center of the mountain. The Lonely Road is long and creepy. The athmosphere is scaring, mist is everywhere and the smell of swamp makes things even worse. But once one dares to adventure long enough on the road, he might make it to a cave. The cave reminds some kind of a labyrinth, filled with psychological horrors. Only a few have ever made it through the labyrinth and those have been blessed by the goddess of knowledge itself. The end of the so called cave is very bright. When one finally makes it there, he finds a beautiful area in front of him. Trees as high as 100 meters, plants thought to be extinct for thousand of years and weird animals eveywhere. Although there is no sun, it's still lightened. By the selected few, it's known that it's an old magic used by the first blessed ones.
When one adventures through the ancient forest, he might find a lonely monastery as beautiful as you could imagine. That is The Silent Monastery, one of the few homes of Nox Cursori.

OOC: Is this fine? =D Thought we should have an ingame home as well.

'' At last!'' Ryoko muttered. He had finally made it through the labyrinth.

'' Flash!'' He said to himself and disappeared. The next moment, he was in front of the monastery. It was as beautiful as always. Slowly, he walked towards a bench and took a seat. It was really relaxing to watch the prehistoric nature.

Rieka was in the library surrounded by books and maps. She was sitting by the window pouring over her spell book. She could hear birds singing outside of the window. She glanced out and saw Ryoko sitting on a bench. She tapped on the window and waved at him smiling.

Ryoko smiled back to Rieka and stood up. After a silent whisper, he appeared inside the library, right next to the women.

'' Long time no see, my friend.'' He said with gentle, noble voice. For a moment, he gave a glance to the spellbook and then continued.

'' Is there any news? Or maybe a task?'' Slowly, he walked towards a chair and took a seat.

Rieka sat across from him and smiled, "Not much in the news unless you care about the harvest, which honestly even I can barely stand to listen to. As for tasks, the town of Dagai on the edge of the swamp has requested our assistance, apparently they've been over ran by a Dragon of all things. I've filed a full report in the Trappers Room. It would be quite a relief if you were to handle it. But what of you?" She said leaning towards him. "What has Ryoko been doing these past weeks? Learn anything interesting on your travels?" She asked looking at him her eyes hungry for knowledge.

'' Hmm, Town of Dagai eh ... this brings back memories ...'' Ryoko said quietely while thinking of the old times. Town of Dagai was the place where he first heard about Nox Cursori.

'' What about me eh? Well you know me and my work .. appearently I was ordered to far far north to deal with a former criminal. Seemed easy at first, but the very moment I found the man, things went ugly.'' Ryoko took a long and deep breath and continued.

'' The criminal had fused with a demon who possessed far greater powers than me. Fortunately, both the former man and the demon lacked any kind of cleverness. Still, they were able to harm me a lot, so I had to rest for a while before I was capable to return here.'' He told and took a piece of paper out from his pocket. He put it on the desk.

'' There is some information about the demon and the criminal. I think that figuring out why and how the fused will be interesting for you. Anyway, I head out to Dagoi.'' His voice was as clear and loud as always. A smile formed on his face and he stood up. Before he left the library, he waves friendlily to Rieka.

Rieka waved at him as he left, when he was out of site she dived towards the note and grabbed it. She read over it as she waled over to a table. She grabbed some paper and began scribbling down notes. "I've heard of this before," she mumbled leaving the table and walking down one of the aisles.

Rieka looked up from her notes as a messenger ran in. "Nox Cursori had been summoned to a battle against the Angels of Vengeance." He said handing her a note. Rieka read over it and looked up, "Thank you young man you may go," She said as she closed the book she was looking through. She walked towards the trappers room and left a notice on the board. 'ALL MEMBERS REPORT TO A CHALLENGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE-RIEKA' She then walked out the door and teleported away.

Eternal rest, that was what should have awaited Ryoko. Yet there was nothing but pain. Pain that was growing with every passing minute. And then, his eyes opened.

" Bloody hell ... " Muttered the old ninja, slowly moving his hand.The result was even greater pain.

" I survived eh ... why can't an old man like me just die?" Ryoko asked and pushed himself up, ignoring the waves of pain moving through his body. Slowly, he walked towards his clothes, put them on and left towards the library, to see the wisest of them all.

" RIEKA! DADDY's HOME!" A loud voice filled the library. It was a recent joke of Ryoko's, as he was aging and most definately looked the oldest out of all the members of the guild.

"Psh don't you think I know that, It about wiped me out healing you old man. Very nice job in Dagai by the way, have a seat and enjoy a drink, you've earned it. Just try not to break a hip." She said laughing pouring him a glass of red wine.

" It's no big surprise that I was in that kind of condition. After all, I have never seen a dragon that powerful before ... and to think that the witch managed to tame that dragon ... " Ryoko told slowly while reaching for the glass of wine. The very moment his skin touched the glass, a pain wave shot through his body, making him smash the glass. The wine was wasted and his hand was bleeding.

" Dammit ... They should make glasses for strong warriors like me and you!" Muttered Ryoko with a soft note of irony while grabbing a piece of cloth to wipe the wine off the table.

" Any news?" Asked the old ninja while finishing cleaning the table and sitting down.

"I've not broken a glass in ages, you just need to learn some self control." Rieka stood up and went over to a shelf, grabbed down a ceramic mug and put it in front of him. "Try not to break that one, it's my favorite mug, my dad said he got it from the Giant kind, either way it should be strong enough for you. But don't try and disguise that twinge, I saw the grimace of pain before you even cut your hand."

" Pain doesn't exist for me. It was just a muscle cramp ... It won't happen again." Said Ryoko with a strong, clear voice. Not every man is capable of pulling himself together like that while the pain was literally killing him from the inside.

" What's the next mission? " Asked the very same man without any particular emotion. He took the mug and finished the wine within a second.

" Good wine"

Rieka shook her head, "Fine Old Man, keep your secrets. Just know this, I can't help you if you lie to me. I'm expecting an envoy from the West tomorrow if they arrive on time. I will let you know of the news he brings, until then rest, It will do you well in the end." She stood up and began shelving some of the books, "I count you among my friends Kuroshiro," she said her back turned to him, "It would greatly sadden me if you did not take care of yourself."

" Heh ... well, a good long sleep it is then." Ryoko stood up and walked towards the doorway while giving a glance backwards.

" Good night my friend!" In the next few minutes, Ryoko had reached his bedroom. Slowly, he placed his sword under the bed, put a small dagger under the pillow and jumped under the sheets.

" Caution will never hurt." Murmurred the old man and fell asleep.