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Monastery - Blog Posts
Sample
Still not sure if I'm going to make this a series but this kind of a sample of what it would be about.
The old Blackwood Monastery loomed ahead of them, a shell of its former glory with crumbling stone walls, rotting wood, and vines climbing along the sides.
"Why the heck have we never seen this place?!" Jay demanded, as Sensei Garmadon pushed through the rotting, rusty black wood and iron doors that led into the main courtyard. The man sighed at the moss that had overtaken the stones and the miature lake forming off to the side where the dirt had sunk over the 50 years since it had been abandoned.
"We abandoned it after the Emporers Army attacked us to get our main forces away from the Monastery so they could . . . So they could steal the children. Unfortantely they managed to succeed and took one of my closest friends son. Her and her husband died trying to rescue him," Garmadon admitted, closing his eyes as the image of Eteri and Aryan flashed in his vision.
"The Emporers Army?" Kai asked, wrinkling his nose. Sensei Garmadpn tool the distraction, turning to them.
"Wu has not–" He interrupted himself at the deadpan look he recieved. "25 Years or so before the Serpentine Wars the Emporer made a decree that all Elemental Masters were enemies of Ninjago and were to be imprisoned or killed."
"What?!"
"How was that allowed?!"
"They were killed!!"
Lloyd raised his voice above them all to be heard, "What happened?"
Garmadon sighed, leading them into the Monasteries halls as he spoke, "We believe a rogue Elemental Master attacked the capitol, killing the Emporer's wife though it was told to the masses that it was an accident. Seeking vengeance, he wanted every Elemental Master dead so there would no longer be those with the power we hold."
"But an Elemental Power passes on after death. Does it not?"
"It does, Zane. But he refused our talks of peace, even when Wu stubbornly clung to it and continued to try to find peace when war was inevitable." Sensei Garmadon could not help the old anger that seeped into his voice.
"Why did Sensei want peace so badly?" Cole asked.
"Our father taught us to keep the balance, and Wu took that to mean we had to keep the peace. Using our fathers old Monastery, he sheltered Elemental Masters who refused to fight or were simply to old or young too. Blackwood Monastery became a symbol of war. I took those who were angry, who had lost family to the massacre and began forming a group of my own."
Garmadon gestured to the wall of the library he'd led them too. Taking up an entire wall, surprisingly undamaged, was a painted picture of 9 people all holding weapons and posed with their weapons.
"Whoa," was the agreed upon sentiment. The picture itself was surprisingly detailed and they all gathered closely to get a better look.
"Who-whose that?" Nya asked, reaching out to lightly touch the figure of a woman holding a spear and very obviously controlling water.
"Jiang Daiyu, the Master of Water and known as the Tide-Bringer," Garmadon stated, a fond smile ticking up the corner of his lips.
"Jiang?" Kai asked. "Like Jiang Mei Lien?"
"Mei Lien was her daughter, and her children would be Daiyu's grandchildren."
Nya turned back to the picture in awe, "That . . . That's my-our grandmother?"
"Yes."
"You've known this entire time who our grandmother is! How could you not tell us?! You're just as bad as Wu!" Kai snarled, the air warming in his anger.
"I did not tell you because I had wrongfully assumed you would be aware. And by the time I realized I was wrong, you did not need to know about the previous holders," Garmadon stated, shaking his head.
"We want to know," Zane said. "So tell us everything."
They all nodded, so Garmadon did.
The picture of a man in armor holding a knocked bow with flames curling around his feet, "Keahi Kalama, the Master of Fire. Known as the Wildfire Archer, and was Ray Kalama's father."
The picture of a man in little armor with a war-hammer balanced on his shoulder with what looked like cracks beneath his feet, "Gerald D'Angelo, the Master of Earth. Known as the Unbreakable Shield, and was Lily D'Angelo's father."
The picture of a man in little armor and a kimono holding two long blades with spikes of ice by his feet, "Aspen, the Master of Ice. Known as the Bringer of Ice, and was the last known Master of Ice until Wu found you, Zane."
The picture of a young man in a kimono top, holding no weapons as lightning curled along his exposed hands, "Petir, the Master of Lightning. Known as the Blue Serpent, and was Libby's father, likely your grandfather Jay."
The next picture was a man in samurai armor with a rice hat covering most of his face, as smoke curled around the twin katana's in his hands, "Aryan, the Master of Smoke. Known as the Ghost of the Samurai, ironic considering his son."
All of the ninja frowned, trying to figure out what that meant as Garmadon tapped the last picture.
It was a woman, levitating in the air with a ninja GI on, long sleeves exposing the Tessens in her hands as her hair flew around her face, a vivid green streak the center piece, "Eteri, the Master of Wind. Known as Tempest, and was Aryan's wife. She and Aryan had a son that was taken from them. They named him Morro, after the way the wind curls around a mountain."
Morro had gone completely still, staring at the two pictures. The only movement any of them could see was the tremble in his fingers. "You- You knew my parents?"
"I did. I considered Eteri a sister, and had she lived it is likely she would have been Lloyd's Godmother as she was also close to Misako. Unfortunately I was not close to Aryan, but I believe the only one of us close to him was Eteri," Garmadon explained, smiling slightly at the pictures. "Aryan was a Samurai, one of the last, and he preffered to be alone but Eteri . . . She was stubborn. Eventually she managed to convince him to come to the Monastery and he became a part of our group, of . . . of the family we'd created."
The smile fell away as Garmadon remembered the tragedy that had befallen them. "Morro, your parents did not abandon you. You were kidnapped from the Monastery and they did everything they could to find you but it wasn't enough. They died, Morro, fighting to get to you and they were not the only ones. Keahi and Petir died trying to find you, leaving behind their own children because of their loyalty to Eteri." Reaching out, Garmadon set a hand on Morro's shoulder as the teen stared at him with trembling green eyes. "Your mother, and your father loved you with everything they had. Never doubt that."
Morro pulled away, stomping deeper into the Monastery as they all watched.
"So, my grandfather seriously died trying to save him?" Kai asked, jerking a thumb in Morro's direction.
"Keahi considered Eteri to be his younger sister, and was named Morro's Godfather. All things considered, had things gone differently, Morro likely would have been your uncle, and even your godfather because of their close relationship," Garmadon stated, amused by the way both Kai and Nya recoiled in shock.
"What?!"
"No way!!"
Jay cackled, loudly, so Garmadon turned his gaze on him, "Your mother likely would have named him as your Godfather as well, especially if Morro had been raised by Aryan and Eteri." That shut the ninja up real quick.
"Is the same true for Cole?" Zane asked, tilting his head.
"It is likely yes."
"Wait, my mother seriously would have . . ."
"Lily's parents were close to Eteri as well. We all were. As I said earlier, we became a family becaise of the war, a bond we forged in blood, death, and sacrifice."
The Monastery of the Lost
There is a Legend that circles throughout many old villages, those that have yet to make the leap into the New Age, especially those around the base of the Howling Mountains. Elders speak of a hanging Monastery that is protected by creatures of old, creatures that were slowly killed of by people in their fear.
Eyre, Guardian of the East Gate positioned directly behind a cascading waterfall that has led many to their deaths. A Kelpie made of green tinted serpentine rock, teeth bared threateningly as a mane of seaweed falls across its back, and eyes made of rubies gleam whenever the sun hits them.
Cephas, Guardian of the North Gate positioned on the path that leads into the inside of the mountains caves, where bats chase intruders out and stalagmites fall. A Drake made of gneiss with massive claws and teeth bared in threat while its delicately carved tail wraps around the pedastool. It is said that Cephas is more a protector, prefferring to simply stop intruders rather than kill.
Yukio, Guardian of the West Gate positioned towards the snow covered paths that threaten avalanches, and ice covered rocks that are only too easy to slip on. A Kamaitachi made of granite with claws made of blue kyanite, teeth bared in a menacing expression as it prepares to leap into the air and attack.
Notus, Guardian of the South Gate positioned in the open air and only able to be entered by Elemental Masters. The South Gate is the hardest to approach because of the powerful, howling winds that whip by constantly and the dark clouds that gather when intruders approach. A Xexeu made completely of basalt with beak opened wide in a scream of thunder as black wings spread as if too take flight, and eyes made of cracked jade.
The Monastery itself is said to have dragons made of broken jade and pieced back together with silver sat atop its high walls made of polished marble, roofs of gold shingles, and pathways made of granite within the massive courtyard. Towards the North Gate stands a massive garden of all kinds of trees and flowers, several of them edible.
From the East Gate flows a river of crystal clear, drinkable water that provides the water for the entire Monastery. Because of its old age the Monastery had none of the newer technology such as lights, electricity or fridges, but it had bathrooms, running water, and an old fashioned stove.
It was enough for Morro who had, in the short time he'd been brought back to life, yet to truly become comfortable with any of those advancements. When he'd heard the Legend while staying in a nearby village, he'd dismissed it but after hearing it in the next two villages he'd passed through he'd decided to check it out.
Using his wind, he'd approached the Southern Gate and was unsurprised when the Guardian stayed stone and passed by it unencumbered. He did not notice its eyes following his every move as he made his way towards the Monastery's golden doors.
It took him several months to truly outfit the Monastery as he wanted it, though he didn't change much, but one day while he was within one of the nearby villages he heard something that had his blood boiling. Morro found a man beating a young toddler, a kid of maybe four years old, cursing about stolen money as the kid sobbed. Hidden far back in an alley, they were mostly hidden and the kids cries were far quieter than they should have been.
With a snarl, Morro sent the man flying into the wall and threatened to kill him unless he left. At firat the man tried to resist, claiming the kid was his son and he could punish him how he saw fit but Morro was not a forgiving or patient man. His second blow, this time with his fist, had the mans nose breaking beneath his knuckles in a satisfying crunch.
Cussing and crying the man fled as Morro watched with a prideful smirk. A tiny sniffle had him remembering the kid, so he turned to find said kid trying to stand even after being beaten like that.
"Sit back down, brat," Morro snapped, as the kids eyes snapped up to him, wide and fearful. Sighing, he ran a hand through his choppy hair before slowly crouching down. He vaguely remembered Lloyd having several memories of comforting kids, but he hoped it would be enough. "Are . . . Are you okay? He was hittin' you pretty hard."
The kid stared, hands wrapping protectively over his ribs, where several kicks had been delivered. When the silence had stretched on too long, Morro tried again.
"Look, I'm not . . . I'm not gonna be like him and hit you if you respond okay? I don't like men who beat on kids," Morro stated, frowning when the kid continued to stare at him, uncomprehending. "Can . . . Can you hear me?"
This time the kid nodded, slowly, eyes never leaving Morro. "You just don't wanna talk?"
Another nod.
"Fine. Yes or no. Are you hurt?"
The nod was slower as if he wasn't sure.
"Okay. Can I help you?"
The kid stared at him blankly before his lip began quivering, making Morro curse in his head. What had he done to upset the kid? He'd only asked to help . . .
"Please." The kids voice was so small and weak as if he never used it. Morro was viscerally reminded of himself when he was on the streets, chased off and beaten whenever he chose the wrong trashcan to raid.
"I'll help you. And I won't make you go back to that asshole either. But you have to come with me for that to happen."
Blinking wide, dark green eyes met pale jade as Morro held out his hand. It took a few minutes but eventually the kid made a decision and reached out for his hand.
Smirking, Morro led the kid from the alley and back to the shop he'd just left. He'd need some first aid supplies for this.
While he was inside picking up bandages, he felt the kid gently tug at the base of his GI. "What?"
"Nico."
Morro's brow furrowed and he looked down at the kid, who still looked guarded but far more relaxed than he had been in the alley. "Nico? Is that your name kid?"
Nodding, Morro huffed and hesitantly ruffled his hair. "Guess I didn't introduce myself, huh? Morro, kid."
And so began Morro's journey. Not as the Green Ninja. Not as the Forgotten Ninja or Vengeful Ghost. But his journey as a Sensei and a Parent for Nico was not the only child he rescued.
Maya, an 11 year old girl on the streets struggling not to become a prostitute.
Wren, an 8 year old living in an abandoned house on the forests edge.
Cassey, an 17 year old forced into prostitution to protect her younger brother, Liam, a 7 year old.
Lady, a 6 year old on the streets.
Casper, a 9 year old caught stealing from houses.
Sammy, a 15 year old who tried pickpocketing Morro and had successfully been pickpocketing others.
All eight kids lived in the Monastery alongside Morro, who they saw as their brother and Sensei since he was so insistent they learn to protect themselves.
Cassey and Sammy were incredibly helpful for a young man who had barely taken care of himself while out in the world, but he learned.
--------------------2 Years Later------------------------
Four kids snuck through the halls, using the stealth skills Morro had recuntly begun implementing in their training. Quietly, Casper pushed open the door, grinning when it didn't creak upon opening.
Slowly they crept towards the occupied bed, before climbing onto the foot of the bed pausing anytime the person stirred.
Unknown to the four, their target was wide awake and simply waiting for his moment to strike.
"Ready?" Wren asked, eager as ever.
"Ready."
"Ready."
Nico giggled to himself, and nodded.
"3 . . . 2 . .-"
Casper yelped as his legs were swiped out from underneath him and he landed on the bed with an oomph. Lady and Wren quickly followed, landing on top of the poor boy as Nico was swept into Morro's arms with a laugh of delight.
"And just what were you four doing?" Morro asked. To most he would sound furious and angry but that was simply his voice for them.
"Cassey sent us to wake you up," Lady pouted, sitting up. Morro raised am eyebrow at the three before glancing down to Nico, the weaklink of their little group.
"Nico?"
"You needed a wakeup call she said," Nico admitted, voice as quiet as ever. Morro sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Disrespectful. All of you."
All four giggled as he swung himself out of bed. "All right, beat it. Go eat. I'll be there in a minute."
"Okay!"
Lady, Wren, and Casper left but Nico simply sat on the bed, attached to Morro's hip as always. Ruffling hia hair as he passed by to get his closet, Morro reached for his Sensei robes. For know he wore only the under layers and pants leaving the top for when training actually began, after breakfast.
"Alright kid, let's go see what Cassey cooked up."
Nico giggled, reaching out for Morro who gave a put upon sigh. "I hope you know how spoiled you are," Morro stated fondly as Nico smiled wider. Since Nico had been in his life, Morro had let go of many of the angers he'd held to focus on bringing him up the way he wished he would've been.
And with Lloyd's own experiences still in his memory, he had a pretty good idea of what he shouldn't do.
Nico seemed to think he was doing pretty good based on his massive grin whenever he was with Morro. After being so painfully shy and terrified those first few months, Morro was relieved and proud of the smiles and infectious happiness the 6 year old radiated.
"What do you wanna watch today, kid?"
Nico thought for a moment, sticking the chew necklace he wore in his mouth. "Bluey," He mumbled.
"Alright, Bluey it is."
A temple in the mountains
Part 4/4
