The head monk would wait for them to all take a seat close to him. Once he was done with that he would nod at them as they would be able to begin. Renji was looking at the man and wondering if this was another trap, but he doubted that would be the case. Yuurei was just focused and intrigued to see what the monk had to tell them.

Migi was there and he would also join in on the conversation as he was hoping that he would be told a good story. He was not from this world, so that was the issue here.

“Long, long ago in the distant past, Joya was a dangerous place to live. The country was isolated from the world, so that way the creature of the dark wouldn’t be able to escape in masses to the rest of the world. This meant that we Joyan people were left to fend for ourselves. Blockades, curfews, and such were placed within our country. If you disappeared at night, the people blamed the ones missing for not following the law.” He paused for a second as monks approached the group with tea.

Yuurei would take his own and Renji would do the same. When they got it they would drink some of it and they would taste how warm and good it was. The head monk would have his own and he would take some.

“Onis, what we called them wreaked havoc throughout Joya. Most of them would only appear at night as it would seem like it was when they were able to go forth with their plan without anybody getting in their way. There were hunters or warriors that would train to fight against these Onis, but even with the right training, it wasn’t enough to handle a lot of these Onis without proper weapons.” He paused again as he looked at the group.

He would take in the air before continuing to talk to the group.

“That was when the Starlight clan made their appearance and they somehow had the powers to infuse their weapons with the power to annihilate the Onis that were struck by these weapons. The people of Joya didn’t understand the reasoning behind this, but we figured that the blood of a Starlight was infused with some otherworldly creature and that was how it was possible. Still, even though Joyans felt that the Starlight clan wasn’t normal we were happy to have them on our side as they shifted the tides against the Onis.” He paused for a second.

Yuurei, Renji, and Migi would continue to look at this guy as it would seem like they were getting a history lesson, which to be honest wasn’t bad at all. He hoped the others were taking in the story as it was probably all they would be doing.

“As years would go by, more warriors would appear and be granted armament created by the Starlights to fight against the Onis, but nothing was stronger than a warrior Starlight using their own weapon. They were monstrous in their own right and the Onis were afraid of them and would do their best to flee if given the opportunity.” He said to them as he would move on to the later years soon.

551

Kaito listened to the mans tale and the other things that this story seemed to cover but it almost felt like some details were wrong slightly or redacted from the story Kaito has no idea why that he feels this but something in him feels like that was the feeling he was getting but there was nothing that Kaito could so about it as he doesn't know how to correct it or add to it. Kaito kept his seatt and he puts his tea to his lips knowing even if it was poisoned he doesn't get effected by it but he knows that there is something else here if you can read between the lines of the story and they way it is being told but he can't see what it was, like how the starlight get their blood mixed with something else as far as he had known they were a group of humans. If it was something fixed into their blood it would have diluted over time but Yuurei was strong but Yuurei also had been a half elf to start with.

Kaito is now wondering if the elf blood Yuurei had, had made his gift reawaken and then when he went nephilim into a seraphim might have helped to lock it in as Yuurei as long as Kaito has known him has been fighting dark race people like vampires and now oni. Kaito wondered if he had seemed to have stumbled into an idea of what was mixed with them, and why this mountain bugged him, Kaito wondered if dark elves had lived in this mountain and had given divine blood to the starlight as their own numbers dwindled willingly or not in this country and this place had been emptied and if a ley line was here a focal point of the planets mana it would explain why these monks are still alive as their food and them selves would be enriched in the mana as well as the seals that hold the rooms and the rooms holding different wall strengths as well as the non-escape area they had been in.

Kaito watched as the man seemed to be about to speak about something else and he wondered when the shogun gets into this story and which shogun would be spoken about first but Kaito knows that he needs to wait and hear and see if he was right or not but he needs to know what else might be in this place to bring back the knowledge of it and the things that happen here and if the oni that have been trapped for so long might be freeded into the world if they fail or if this place might not all just be someone else's sick twisted game of do as I say and take on this threat or if this idea was not a bit off and was more on the monks were going to go on for awhile before the three of them go off to what could be their deaths.
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Brone Heavyaxe plopped onto the matted floor along with the others. Though he did prefer to get information for any quest he was on, he didn't enjoy sitting for an extended period of time for simply listening to a longwinded story. The lead monk began his tale and it wasn't long before the dwarf began to lose interest. His eyes drifted off to looking around the room. It was Gnicholas the gnome who brought him back to focusing on the tale by tapping him on the side of his head.

"He just started the story and you're already acting up" the gnome whispered as he sat on the dwarf's shoulder.

"Meh, just summarize it for me" Brone whispered back, sucking his teeth, already annoyed with the gnome getting on his case as he usually did.

Gnicholas rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself down. He wouldn't do as he asked, but he knew well that Brone doesn't do this intentionally, but simply had a problem keeping focus and had trouble focusing unless he had something to do with his hands. "Joya had the oni trapped within it, but it was a problem for the citizens, so the Starlight clan led the fight to the oni to rid of them" Gnicholas hated shortening explanations, but it was better than having the dwarf continue on the quest without any clue of whats going on. Besides, he himself was retaining the information entirely, so if any of the others forgot something or needed a bit of information that was relevant to the situation then at least he would be able to help then.

"So... what's this power source we need?' Brone asked the gnome, missing where they fit into all of this.

"From what I understand, it seems the Starlight clan were able to create powerful weapons and gear to help defeat the oni, so I could only assume that we're searching for some form of a item created by the Starlights" The gnome assumed it could be some form of a generator that moved or transferred magical energy.

As for Brone, he assumed it would probably be a large sword of some type, enchanted with a powerful magic or spell that could destroy a hundred onis in a single swing of the blade, which was probably how he the war was won.

Brone's thoughts:

Benimaru though, still hiding beneath Brone's white cloak, didn't recall any powerful magic during the war, even though he had witnessed his fare share of powerful Starlight-made weapons. If it was destructive, then he was fortunate that he wasn't killed, but simply sealed within the shield and sword.

443

He would look at them and it would seem like one of the people there had their mind elsewhere. He wasn’t sure why, but he would continue with what he was telling them.

“Later throughout the years, the fight between the people who lived in Joya, the Starlight that lived in Joya, and the Onis would continue on. It was a war that seemed to never end, and there was something that needed to be done. There was a Starlight amongst the clan that was talented in his ability in combat but was also gifted in the ability to create items that only the Starlight clan could wield. His name was Akari Starlight and he was the reason why the Onis were cleared out of Joya. He noticed the war would never end, and when their numbers got lower, they somehow summoned more of them. He devised a plan, which he could only do. Still, he needed a group of individuals that would also go with this plan as well.” He paused for a second.

“His plan was simple, infuse himself with the strongest Oni within Joya, use that power to bring forth all the other Onis into one place, and then use a forbidden magic he devised to seal himself, the group of individuals, and the Onis within the mountain for eternity. This magic made sure that nobody would be able to age, and it stopped the Onis from being able to escape the caverns that they were placed in. The only way for them to escape is to break the seal or become one with another person or thing. So, I’m glad you guys are not possessed.” He said to them as the tale wasn’t done.

“Akari was successful and we the group of individuals that volunteered were here to make sure that the seal could never be broken. We don’t age, or die, and we grow our own stuff through special means. We heard that once the seal was made, and the Onis disappeared from Joya, the Shogun had ordered the Starlights to be eradicated so that they couldn’t usurp the through. It wasn’t like we wanted that. We just wanted to help the people and the country we lived in.” He said to them and that was, if they paid attention revealed that everybody in here was a Starlight.

The monk was done with the story and he would look at Yuurei as he figured he was the reason why they were here.

“So, tell me why you’re here, and hopefully listening to my story will change your mind and get you to leave.” He said to Yuurei.

“Well, like I told the other monks. I’m here because of a power hidden away in this Mountain. I’m assuming that it's Akari Starlight’s power that I’m looking for. I want it, and if he’s possessed by an Oni, it means he’s no longer of this world. I can kill the Oni, with my friends, put Akari to rest, and obtain the power I’m seeking. I think we can handle that, and your story won’t change why we’re here. We came all the way here for something, and I’m not leaving empty-handed.” He said to the monk.

The head monk would hear this and he would shake his head at Yuurei. This man was stubborn, but he had to do more to convince him to allow him to see Akari.

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Kaito listening to this story is kind of feeling like there are some pieces missing like there should be more and not just some grouping here of them, if they are and it is as they say it sounds a bit too farfetched as it would just keep causing more trouble and wouldn't explain to why and how there would be a way to enter as it would be counter productive to risk it all and leave such an easy way for someone to mess it up but accidently by absent mindedly opening the first gate and being taken apart by those sealed here, there are far too many loose ends if the shogun hadn't killed off there blood out side of this caved area. All it would take is one kid with something they wanted to prove to send this whole show right into the pits of hell had this "Akari Starlight" put the hit on the others of the starlight clan to make sure that some bone head couldn't just cause this accident to come to pass? Kaito is wondering how someone that was sealed here would even know of the mass murdering of the Starlight clan this monks story was smelling fishier and fishier by the second.

Kaito felt like he was going to have to find his weapon soon as this has a feeling of it is gonna get ugly as this story and the way this man acted this felt more like they were going to be dealing with something bigger and with far more teeth. The nagging voice in the back of Kaito's head was telling him to keep paying attention to what is being said but why was making Kaito wonder if there would really be a point in him listening and he then is feeling like he is getting it, a oni combined with someone and he now wonders if his curse isn't a curse. "I think that story more just makes it a bigger point that we should be going there not us walking away from it. If that man had this kind of power it would probably be better to learn from him or at least pick at his brain and take what we can from him to better fight for our selves." Kaito wonders how Yuurei and Brone will react to him saying that they should go instead of just backing off as this was probably a rarity to them to hear Kaito of all people saying that they should keep going forward into the unknown as usually he was the one telling them that he was unsure of this stuff.

Kaito looked the monk dead in his eyes and a smile cracked across his face. He was excited to find out what this things was and why it happened but the ends still don't really add up and he needs to see the end of this and take on what ever might come his way as there was much that was still shrouded in the darkness that was needed to be handled and Kaito was feeling like he could really be one of them one of the few that will help finish this once and for all as he felt a grand surge of magic in himself and that was part of what scared him and that was something he had to over come to gain the power this voice kept telling him that he deserved and that he was going to make sure that happened, he was going to grasp power in his hand as nothing can stop him here as they all needed to play a part and Kaito seemed to just keep being a stepping stool but today that was not going to be his thing not today, today Kaito was going to be a monster and show that his power can over whelm all no matter who they are or who they think that they are he will burn them to the ground and gain his rightful place as one of the strongest of the country. Kaito has an aura flickering around him as there was much that would be needed to be done and try to find what that key to his true potential would be as there was still much that he needed to prove to all of them and show that he can bring the power and not hold bnack the team.

He was not scared to face an oni dark lord if it was to prove that he belonged and that all of his hard work wasn't just a stupid kids dream to get to the top of this mountain to have earned a spot among the greats and that he wasn't just a fluke of the times and he was some snot nosed fool thinking that he was strong.
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The tale was interesting indeed, though Gnicholas had to summarize some parts of it as well as word it in a way the dwarf would understand and keep his attention. But ultimately, Brone was able to understand the monk in the end. Benimaru recalled that moment, though he was sealed into the shield and sword about a month before the war ended. He had heard they were all sealed away by the Starlight clan, though he wasn't entirely sure as to how. Now it made sense as to how he wasn't able to find another oni in so long. There were moments he was able to meet another oni who was sealed, or who managed to escape imprisonment from an object such as a lamp, but event those onis weren't aware of where the majority of the oni army were sealed.

Brone and Gnicholas wondered how Benimaru felt about hearing of the fate of his kin, but truthfully, Beni didn't care, for the oni had little empathy for their own kind; some may have kinship, but the exception isn't the rule. He simply worried about his own safety and freedom. Gnicholas wondered whether or not it was worth moving forward to obtaining the power Yuurei sought, however his curiosity was peaking. Such a great power could be possibly studied; though this Akari Starlight was able to obtain the power by combining with an oni, so the question would be: would Yuurei allow an oni to combine with him in order to take possession of the Starlight power?

"Meh, we're still gonna mop the floor with the oni and take that power, we already came this far" Brone crossed his arms, siding with Yuurei and Kaito on the decision. The monk tried to explain the peril that is waiting for them, but the monster trio had faced off against dangerous foes of all types, even deities to a degree, "Just point us in that direction, and we'll handle it".

"Not only that, but Yuurei here is a Starlight, so I can only assume that he should possibly have the right to inherit the power" Gnicholas asked. Brone nodded his head, though he wasn't aware of the idea, but it did make sense, for dwarven clans do follow traditions in which powers and weaponry are passed down to descendants of the clan, "If anyone is right to inherit the power of the Starlight, it would be Yuurei".

"Aye, Yuurei is the most powerful of the Starlight" Brone said with confidence, though Gnicholas didn't know if it was true. Indeed he has seen Yuurei take on great challenges and heard of the monsters he has faced, but logically speaking, there was no indication of how strong Akari Starlight is. So it would possibly be a gamble. From the gnome's research, there are very few people in Fiore who are even close to Yuurei in power, but the last of the Starlight clan have been entrapped within this mountain, separated from the world, so there was no assurance of how strong any of the Starlights are within the mountain.

520 | 963

The Monk would hear the group speak. They all had something to say, and it would seem like they weren’t backing out of this. He would look at Kaito who seemed to feel like they would get stronger if they faced the Starlight. The dwarf seemed like he was confident in the Starlight’s ability to take on anything that came their way. It would seem like the Starlight in front of him had endured a long journey to get here and had the confidence within him to think he could take this on.

The head Monk wondered how strong Yuurei actually was. This man had gathered these people around him and it would seem like they were either blindly following him or understood the power behind this man. Still, he couldn’t just allow them to see Akari. That would be stupid and dangerous; he couldn’t blindly accept that they would be able to handle this mess. If Akari and that Oni was released it would be over for Joya. Still, it looked like they weren’t going to leave, and he didn’t want to fight them.

If there was a chance that this Starlight was powerful, then they would only meet their doom, and the place would be left unprotected. He was quiet for a second as he was gathering his thoughts and trying to see what to do. Yuurei would look at his friends and he would smile at them. It would seem like they had his back and he would appreciate that. He was one of the strongest mages in Fiore, but he wasn’t sure if he was the strongest. It would be nice to prove that against the other mages in this world.

“So what’s it going to be? Do we get to see and put Akari to peace, or are we going to argue about whether or not we get to move forward?” He said to the Monk.

He would look at Yuurei and he would sigh with disappointment. Still, if they truly wanted to take Akari, then they would have to pass the test that he would give them.

“That isn’t what I was hoping for. I expected you guys to listen to me, and leave the mountains.” He paused for a second as he looked at them.

“Fine, if you want to face off Akari Starlight, then you must do something first. There is a test I want you three to take. This would allow me to see if you have what it takes to face the starlight-infused Oni, or if you will be a lost soul for all eternity in this mountain. This test will push you to face your fears, and your strength, if you can take that on without a problem I will take you to your final destination. Also, you will be separated for this test, as it would be different for each of you guys.” He said to the group.

They would have to face things that they were running away from. It didn’t matter how small it was, if it was something personal and deep, they would have to face this test. It would be real, but it needed to be something for them to overcome if they were going to face Akari.

Yuurei would look at him and he would scratch his head. It would seem like they were going to have to take on a test. He would scratch the side of his head as he looked at the monk.

“I mean I’m fine with taking the test. If I have to prove I have what it takes to fight this Oni, then point me in the right direction.” He said as he hoped that Kaito and Brone would be fine with this as well.

628|1741

Kaito had heard as the man spoke and seemed like he was trying to make this far more scary and threatening sounding but that this point Kaito and the group were far to deep into this to just walk away and look like cowards and fake heroes to these people. "You speak as if we have really no chance to make it and complete what we are setting out to do. Each of us is on a level that could over throw a country nearly single handedly. I will for sure be taking on this task rather it is a fools errand or not has never shaken my pride and choices even when the out come looked bleak we have gassed on and powered through. Even being the only team to really have defeated a dark raider in combat."

Kaito was not going to back down as no matter the challenge he believed in the team that had taken him in even though he didn't share a guild with them they still came to him and asked his help to protect and change the world to how they needed it to look and feel. Kaito and Revy have faced many things and they were not going to back down now. Revy looked at the monk and went to Kaito's side and pointed her finger at the man showing her resolve as well to not fail this test if she is also not allowed to go with Kaito but as she was his exceed she figured that she was going to be allowed to go with him as a animal companion. Kaito moved his hand and his sword and shield returned to his hands, he could see that the monks looked a bit scared that the man had just summoned his weapon and items back to himself but he wasn't going to waste the time it would take to deal with it as they needed to set moving forward and to take on what ever test that might come his way and if he can pass it that he will be stronger for it probably. The voice inside of Kaito seemed to be a bit more warning and uneasy of this idea but Kaito was not going to allow himself to be disheartened by this.

Revy was a bit nervous but she was not going to be the one to show weakness and backdown as she needed to show that she could hold her own and maybe Renji might think a bit better of her as a woman and a fighter to see her bravery in going into this next chapter of the adventure her on the mountain that seemed to ooze in danger and maybe more chances at death that could be coming their way as they draw their next breath and that was something that needed to be taken care of and to be taken care of swiftly or else death may come knocking looking for his due as her and the pseudo lich were about to fight and maybe be killed here.
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As interesting as the story was to the group, it didn't deter either of them from their quest and the monk didn't seem to happy about that fact. Brone waved off the monk's worry "No need te fret, we can handle whatever trouble that Akatsuki-"

"Akari" Gnicholas corrected the dwarf.

"Atari-"

"Akari"

"Kairi"

"Akari"

"Greg"

"That isn't even close"

"Bottom line is, we'll kick his butt" Brone flexed his arms and cracked his knuckles to showboat, though none of the other monks seem to be impressed, even though the dwarf thought otherwise. Hearing Kaito mention the Dark Raiders brought him back to the war and how the Other-World Brone was able to level towns with each sweep of his version of the Dhuraindarin axe. Facing off against the Dark Dwarf told Brone just how devastating his weapons as well as his own strength truly can be, which was why it was a task in itself to hold back at times to prevent unneeded casualties or collateral damage.

When the discussion of a test came up, Brone scoffed, "Simple, we'll demolish the test without breaking a sweat and ye will be awed by our might" his chest swelled with confidence and pride. Gnicholas, however, sighed, knowing full well that if Brone probably assumed that the test would require just his physical prowess, but the moment that he discovers it may end up being a puzzle, or even a written test, he would struggle before even getting to the second question.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Brone" Gnicholas warned him.

"I don't have any chickens or eggs, Gnich, so I'm not sure why you're bringing that up" Brone seemed confused by the sudden statement.

"It's a human saying, meaning 'Don't get over zealous without knowing the contents of the predicament you find yourself in" He tried to explain, but when he noticed the dwarf was even struggling to understand what the explanation meant, his palm covered face, "Don't bite off more than you can chew" Gnicholas decided to try another human saying, hoping the dwarf would understand it then.

"Not possible, my stomach is an iron furnace and I can chew more than I can bite" The dwarf laughed.

]"I mean to look before you leap" Gnicholas was starting to get frustrated trying to simplify his wording but the dwarf was oblivious and idiotic.

"I don't leap, I run, after all, we dwarves are master sprinters".

And with that, Gnicholas shrugged, deciding to give up on the dwarf. He then was about to ask Benimaru if he wanted to help him explain, but remembered the oni had fallen silent ever since they reached this monastery. He dared not bring up the fact that a oni had managed to be brought in before the monks, for he didn't know how sensitive they were to the spirits, or if they would even reconsider for them, which was most likely why Benimaru had kept himself quiet the entire time.

"Bring on the test!" Brone bellowed as he stood up before grabbing another banana and began chewing it. Gnicholas, embarrassed gestured for the monk to lead the way.

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Yuurei would hear his friends stand up to the task in front of them. This was good and he was hoping that the man would understand that they weren’t gaslighting their own power. They had done a lot to get where they were and they would continue to thrive. It would seem like they were ready for the monk to take them to do what he wanted each of them to do. The head monk would hear their resolve, and he would chuckle a bit.

“Alright, if you think you could handle the test, then so be it. I gave you fair warning. You guys can be strong, but this test isn’t about just strength. It is about conquering your weakness. Whatever that weakness is, you will find out when you’re taking the trials. Whether or not you pass or not will either break you or make you a better person. Your companions will also be affected by these trials as they will join you on the task.” He said that he needed them all to be able to overcome it or else.

He would start walking, and when Yuurei heard that Renji would have to join, he was worried. It wasn’t just that he was worried about Renji, but it would seem like this trial was not just to show their strength but to conquer their fears and thrive through it. Renji thought he wasn’t going to be doing this trial, but it would seem like he was stuck doing something he didn’t want to do.

“I guess if I'm going to take on this thing, then I better hype myself about it.” He said out loud as he slapped his face and followed behind everyone.

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[Exit]

Kaito was wondering what that man means it will test their weaknesses and he wonders what weakness will be showing up for him as there was a lot of things that could show up. He kind of wondered if that would mean he would have to fight the other him that was blessed that wished to kill him and all other hims but that was something that he would have to worry about later as he needed to focus and he was a bit unsure if Brone was going to be okay after his long battle with the name of the person that was to be the seemly big boss of the area and he stretched his arms and he wondered if there was a way to fight with the Oni man that was going to be fighting them after they pass this test but he knows that he can't get ahead of himself as there was still a test in front of himself and them and he would move forward the way that he had been told to go and he was readying himself for what might happen and what fate might hold in store for them.
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It was determined, the heroes had decided to move forward with their initial plan, for they had lacked had credit to their names through experience. But what threw the dwarf off was the context the monk gave, "Weakness?" He wasn't sure what that would mean.

"So it might be magical in nature, where the test may create a scenario or summon a being who can utilize the opponent's weakness in battle" Gnicholas explained his theorizing based on what the monk had provided in information, or lacked it.

Brone scratched his beard, wondering. He wasn't sure what they meant by 'weakness', so he began thinking about anything that would cause him to feel at a disadvantage, "I'm afraid of heights" Brone began to imagine being teleported into a sky battle which caused a shiver to run up his spine.

"He might be referring to magical type weakness" The gnome explained.

Brone scratched his beard again. He looked about to his allies, remembering the magical elements they are in control of: Yuurei's main element is light, Kaito's possibly arcane, and both Benimaru and Gnicholas are darkness. When it comes to the exceeds, the dwarf wasn't aware of their own elements. The gnome had explained type advantage to the dwarf, though he couldn't remember the chart he was shown. "But... I don't use spells, so what's the weakness to brawn?"

"Brain" Benimaru whispered.

"You may not have any innate magic, but you do use weapons and armor that have enchanted spells within them, and from my calculations, most of your spells are ice based, so fire would be the natural weakness of them" Gnicholas explained.

Brone nodded in acknowledgment. He then remembered back when he was fighting Kaito, there was a sword he had used that was able to change its element type. The dwarf wasn't aware how the blade worked until Huginn and Muginn had informed him. Whatever element, whether weapon, armor or spell directly that the sword faces, the sword would then change its own element in order to become an element to become a type advantage to defeat the opposing element. That sword managed to destroy both of Brone's weapons and his armor easily, confusing him until the ravens revealed to him the truth of that blade. That was when Gnicholas taught him about magical type advantage.

"So I may fight against some kind of giant fire demon or something" Brone made an assumption now that he was sure that if type advantage would be used, then fire would be the element he would be facing against.

"Possibly, but it's very likely" The gnome couldn't be sure entirely, for the monk was too vague to explain the details. This had the gnome worried, but the dwarf wasn't; he had faced against different elements, including fire, and every time he had escaped the situation alive, though sometimes he had barely made said escapes alive. Whatever the trial was, they were ready.

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