[ WP ] `` Give up your cause , hero . Join me on ﻿the side of evil , and we can rule together . '' `` Okay . ''

Dust motes drifted lazily by, and the croak of crickets droned deeply. Farmers and their families worked in the sprawling field below. This was the best spot in town. It was quiet, the view was the best for miles, and the sun was blocked from view the entire day. The Great Sealing Tree at my back blocked the sun in the morning, The Hondin of The Hero's roof gave shade when the sun was high, and the Obelisk of Eternal Rests handled the evening glow. The best part was, I was one of the only three people allowed to use this spot. The children who taunted me when I walked through the city were n't allowed past the gate. The men of the city could n't pester me with requests for purging lesser spirits. Hell, even the monks were n't allowed to speak to me when I was `` meditating'' under the ancient willow on the temple grounds. 
 
 Just before the sun set I opened my journal `` Another day of peace.'' I wrote under today's date. Flipping back I counted the days. Fifty-six. Not even a minor disturbance in nearly two moons. With a sigh I packed my meditation kit away and strolled back to my room in the Hall of Purity. 
 
 `` Ah, how good it is to live in a time of peace.'' My partner said, mimicking the head priest. 
 
 `` May you drop dead and rot, dearest Kia,'' I said, bowing deeply without breaking eye contact, `` And may rats feast on your shiny empty head.'' She grinned as broadly as possible. `` Stop it, that's gross.'' I chastised. 
 
 `` Will you never get used to my teeth?'' She scowled. 
 
 `` Not when they're in a human mouth.'' I flopped onto my mat. With a sound like a snapping carrot she alted out. 
 
 She grinned again, `` Better?'' She asked, her silver eyes narrowing gleefully. 
 
 `` Much.'' I patted the mat, and as she trotted across the floor to curl up where I could pet her I asked, `` Do you actually like the peace times?'' 
 
 She did n't hesitate, `` I like being with you, that's all that matters.'' Her tail flicked as I scratched under her chin with a finger. 
 
 `` You did n't sweep today. You shed too much, so you have to sweep, those are the rules.'' I flicked an emerald hair off my robes. She gave me a pitiful look. `` Do it tomorrow before I get back.'' She closed her eyes and purred. 
 
 Mindlessly petting Kia I counted the knots in the walls beams. Then the books in the room. Then the bottles on the shelf. Then I woke up to the sun streaming through the window, not sure how or when I fell asleep. Kia had already swept and gone off to get a meal. I did n't want to get up. Today would be the same as the last. Breakfast, `` meditate'', lunch, visit a few townsfolk who thought they might have evil spirits bothering them, spend some time with Kia, dinner, `` meditate'', sleep. The thought was nauseating. 
 
 `` Good morning, Great Purger,'' a painfully cheery voice hummed, `` How good it is to live in a time of peace.'' 
 
 `` And good morning to you, Head Priest,'' I dutifully replied, `` What a blessing indeed.'' I struggled to choke back the sarcasm and nearly gagged on it. 
 
 `` There are several villagers who are afraid the well has been cursed. Shall we cleanse it together after breakfast?'' His eyes did n't open, and his sincere smile stayed plastered to his stupid old face. 
 
 `` It is my duty.'' Wait, he said *cleanse*. `` Does that mean you're going to meditate this morning?'' I held my breath. 
 
 `` But of course! If we are to cleanse the well we must be as prepared as possible. I shall see you at breakfast, my friend.'' 
 
 Monkey balls. What a shitty day. `` KIA!'' I shouted once he had time to leave. 
 
 `` Myaaa?'' She appeared in the window. Her rose and gold trim robes fluttered gently as she seemed to drop out of nowhere. 
 
 `` You have to come meditate with me today. Smiley wants my help cleansing the well again.'' 
 
 `` Can I sit in your lap?'' She asked, squatting in the window frame. 
 
 `` Yes, as long as you can recite your mantra as a lynx we should be fine.'' She alted in the window, the robes now draping around her smaller frame. 
 
 `` Under the sh-sh-sun'sh light I...'' She struggled. 
 
 I huffed at her. `` I guess you'll have to stick with being a pointy eared, sharp toothed, whisker-girl for the morning.'' I teased. 
 
 `` Aaahhhh,'' she alted back, the robes now dishelvled, `` I hate sitting with my legs crossed. It's not comfy. Ca n't I skip the meditation?'' 
 
 `` As much as we'd both like that, we have to put on a good show. Smiley is the only reason people are comfortable with us.'' I stretched and my leg touched a ray of the rising sun. A hiss of inky smoke rose from my skin, and I retreated from the glare. `` Ah! Shit! Let's go get some breakfast. Would n't want to keep smiley waiting.'' I massaged the burn and the pain receded. 
 
 I pulled on my hunter's mask, the oversize hat I wore, and a full length robe that matched Kia's. She readjusted her clothing to look more proper `` Ready!'' She called, her shoulder length hair pinned back to look like a waterfall. I nodded and we walked to the meal hall. Monks stopped their conversations and gripped prayer beads tighter as we passed, some mumbling audible prayers. We ate quickly and headed to The Great Sealing Tree. The grounds were empty on our second pass. Kia pranced around me, and sang an impromptu song as we walked, playfully batting at me from time to time. 
 
 `` Cowardly monks all hide away, 
 Just like you in the light of day. 
 
 Their eyes can not see what I hold dear 
 clouded by all the things they fear! 
 
 Empty garden, empty garden 
 up to the tree we go go go! 
 
 *softly* 
 quiet garden, quiet garden 
 doo doo, dum dum-dee-dum, doo dee. 
 
 I spaced her out as another voice tickled my ears, *'' Brother...'' * Not my ears... It was in my head. *'' It's.... so long.... seen you... *'' I looked to Kia, she was still prancing and tugging at my robes occasionally. She clearly did n't hear it... feel it? *''... feel So stiff, its... when you sleep so...'' * And the voice drifted away. 
 
 We sat beneath the tree. The Head Priest was already there, chanting away. As we droned out our meditation prayers Kia wiggled and occasionally let out a deep sigh. *''... So close brother...'' * the world suddenly seemed far away, *''... into the ends of time.... here beside me. `` * 
 
 *'' I do n't recognize you'' * I thought as deliberately as I could while still keeping my chanting on auto-pilot, *'' What do you want with me? `` * 
 
 *'' Does this world.... my brother?....yearn for so much more? `` * Bits felt missing, the message was broken. 
 
 *'' I ca n't understand all you say. Can you be more clear? `` * 
 
 *'' You've grown strong..... Flourish in the darkness. Come, join.... Give up your cause, hero.... Fight not for the faltering light.... there is nothing.... Join me in the darkness.... Rule the world together...'' * 
 
 I'd been praying for this moment. A wide grin twisted across my face, *'' I'd be happy to. Can you do something about his priest? `` * 
 
 ( I'm off to do a few things. If there's much interest I'll continue later. ) 
 ( Edit for clarity ) Aug. 30, 9:15am
