> The Scarlet God Cult is a cult once vehemently opposed to the radical ideals of Liberation Law. However, they arrived jointly in the Utter Islands, and quickly mixed, through violent theological and critical scholarship. Both yet were valid ways of justifying Kinghood. The Priestess Queens of Old Selorong eventually wove them together, to prevent catastrophic infighting between powerful faiths, creating a new canon through the help of the Wizard Mystic Sakanra Siloma: the ascension of the Primeval Scarlet God to becoming the Primeval, Uncreated, Unborn Awoken who preceded all things, from whom the Law emanates so that liberation from the Spiral and Wheel is possible.

>

> Scripture of the Great Mantra Vehicle

"Ooh," Myu Fan bit her writing stele. "Big words."

"Perhaps they were even close to the first stage of Extinction as the Abbot spoke about," continued Yiwaritala, still managing to avoid Myu Fan's eyes. "But it is an important feat all the same. Our Adamantine, Thunderbolt Path, after all, stresses the lightning realization of Liberation."

"Right," said Ampun Sagara. "Perhaps they were missing a few rituals... or ink."

"They have some interest in getting more talisman tattoos I'm sure," said Yiwaritala. "But let us wait for them to wake before we paint their skin any more." Ampun Sagara only nodded.

"So you're teaching them?" Myu Fan asked Yiwaritala, pointing her stele.

Yiwaritala only nodded. "The Abbot expressed interest in wanting to teach Raxri Uttara personally, so I might only have to step in during the times where the Abbot is not free and preoccupied with his other duties here in the monastery. But yes."

"Fascinating. Training straight from the abbot huh?" Myu Fan leaned forward to the unconscious Raxri. "You must be a bigger deal than I thought."

"Yeah I don't get it," said Pilinitala. "If they're some prodigious accumulator, so what? There's plenty of those in the Utter Islands right? And they always end up dead anyway. What makes Raxri so special in that regard?"

Ampun Sagara smiled. A shock of realization, as if they finally understood what the Abbot was trying to do. Shrugging he said, "Nothing. Nothing makes Raxri special in that regard. And perhaps... that is exactly it. They're a non-special that has a lot of potential! Perhaps that is the thinking of the abbot!"

Yiwaritala only smiled. He knew the real reason, but it was a reason that still felt flimsy to him until now, looking upon Raxri battered and bruised. The most damaged among all of them, save for the few that had been killed in action.

When Raxri next woke, no one was there. On the table was a small jade bottle with a note beside it written in a jade strip that said,

"Drink upon waking! Please! - MF your Doctor <3"

"MF?" Raxri looked up to think but immediately realized anyway. "Ahh... Myu Fan. Hah." They sat up, realizing now that they could rise on their own and their muscles did not protest at their every move. They took the bottle, pulled off its phoenix head, and drank the contents. It was a sharp, almost alcohol-like mixture, but the taste of medicine was sharp still. They swallowed it in its entirety. Wincing, they put the bottle down, and then watched the morning light from their window.

The brimstone smell that the demons had brought with them had almost entirely been replaced by the smell of incense now. It felt good to inhale. This entire time, Raxri realized just how much the fumes of demonic brimstone was interfering with the clean flow of their Inner Winds.

No time to waste. Let's try this again.

They sat, foot over foot in that lotus position. They hearkened back to what Akazha had taught them about meditation and concentration. They closed their eyes and concentrated on their breathing, on the ticks of their muscles. They focused on their act of meditation, and in so doing became full ymindful and aware of everything that happened about them. The soft cotton of the mattress, the slow breeze that wafted in from outside, half cold, half humid. The rustling of the leaves. The sharp tangy taste that the medicine left in their mouth. The sound of bells being rung from outside. The sound of monks and nuns conversing. It was all back to business for them, as if such a harrowing attack hadn't just struck them.

Or perhaps these monks were so well versed to such adversity that they never wallowed in it.

But what virtue is in that? thought Raxri. In not being allowed to grieve? Oh, but then they realized that perhaps they did grieve, and they never clung to their grief. They only allowed it to live and linger, but there was no attachment to the grief. They did not allow it to define them, for no one thing truly defined a single perosn. This... this was a teaching. This is a teaching no doubt.

A voice cut through them. "Good. You're up. And you seem to be back in shape."

Raxri exhaled and opened their eyes slowly. Myu Fan was kneeling before them, hand reaching out. Out of instinct, Raxri flinched and tried to move out of the way.

"Becalm yourself. I must check your temperature." Raxri sheepishly allowed Myu Fan to lay the back of their hand upon their forehead. Raxri could feel the bumps of their tattooed hand against theirs. "Temperatures are down, that's for sure. A good sign. Though I will advise against hard physical training right now, but you should be clear for any mental trainings."

"Thank you, doctor." Raxri noticed the dark circles around her topaz-colored eyes. She looked emaciated. Her intricate pagoda-like hair had been torn loose and tied into a messy ponytail instead high above her head, so as to not get in the way of her hands. Her slightly corpulent form seemed to deflate. "You must be tired."

"Oh, that is not even the start of it," said the Doctor, falling onto the cushion in front of the wooden desk where Raxri first saw them. "The majority of the monks that survived are on sure paths to recovery. In no small part because of the Abbot's healing chants, of course."

"They're doing healing chants?"

The doctor nodded. "What did you think the bell sounds are for? They are invoking the Medicine Awoken to heal those that have been struck."

Raxri sighed. "The demon hordes are truly a blight upon this world."

Myu Fan smiled. She removed her spectacles and wiped them with her sash. "That they are."

Raxri pushed themself off of their mattress--wincing all the while--and said, "Here, doctor. Please."

"Yes, good. Get some fresh air. Walk around outside. That should--" she yawned. "--get you some good circulation going. Would be good for your Inner Winds." She fell asleep before she could get onto the mattress.

Sighing, Raxri pushed the doctor onto the mattress they had just vacated, pushing her here and there so that she lay in a most comfortable position. When that was done, Raxri turned and left.

They took their time, walking out into the courtyard. The majority of the monks and nuns that they walked past greeted them good mornings, even mentioning their name. That made Raxri's eyebrow rise, but they shrugged it off anyway.

Sweeping the courtyard was Pilinitala. When she noticed Raxri, she waved and bounced over to them. "Hey Raxri. Looks like you're finally up. I have--"

"How long was I gone?"

"Give or take three days?" said Pilinitala. "I lost count, unfortunately, during the entire time. Having to heal a surplus of injured monks would do that to you." Raxri could do nothing but take Pilinitala at her word at that moment. "Anyway, I have someone you might want to meet!" She pulled Raxri over to one of the inner courtyard's ponds, where the small monk that had been fighting with a monk's spade was removing bits and pieces of fallen leaf and other detritus with a makeshift net. "Otaketala!"

Otaketala looked up. The little boy's eyes gleamed when they saw Raxri was okay. Though, Raxri was still mostly covered up in gauzes to keep the poultices in place and pushing into the wounds. It was true that they looked better than they did when they were walking around with a spear jutting out of their chest.

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They realized then that their breathing did take a hit. They were breathing just a bit faster now, despite only walking around. Each breath felt like trying to pull it from shrunken lungs.

Otaketala ran in and hugged Raxri. "Raxri Uttara! I'm so glad you're awake and not dead!"

Raxri Uttara chuckled and hugged Otaketala back with a single hand. "Ah, it will take more than some spears and some bullet holes to stop this one."

"You wereso hurt. I'm sorry I was not stronger!"

"Worry not about it," said Raxri, suddenly serious. "You are a child. Your responsibility is to follow what your heart says, not to accrue power. You are in our care."

"I know, but still..." tears welled up in Otaketala's eyes. Raxri shook their head and pat them.

"It's okay, it's okay. Thank you. You were brave, Otaketala. Do not worry about it overmuch. You will become stronger."

"I want to be strong like you, Raxri! I want to protect my brothers and sisters like you did!"

Raxri smiled. But I didn't protect them, though. Others died. I almost died doing so. If I were to protect you I have to be stronger than those dog demons. Raxri realized their somber face, and shook it off. They smiled and said: "That's a promise, okay? If you're going to get stronger, then so will I. Let's both be the strongest in the world, okay?"

Otaketala grinned so wide. Bless his soul. Snot dripped from his sniffling nose. "Okay! I promise!"

At Sun's Zenith, everyone gathered to eat. Here, in this monastery, they ate a mix of meat and vegetables. Somehow, Raxri thought it weird. They always thought monks could only eat vegetables, out of some principle of not killing others.

"Huh," said Raxri as they sat beside Pilinitala and Yiwaritala. Ampun Sagara was with them too: they sat on an octagonal table. Myu Fan was nowhere to be found however, and the Abbot was similarly absent. "Are monks not vegetarian? Abstaining from the eating of meat?"

"It only really depends on what we've begged for that day," replied Pilinitala. "Often we get rice with pork or fish, along with vegetables. It's fine as long as we don't kill the animals! That is the nature of the Wheel anyway."

"Such distinctions are illusion at the end of it all," said Yiwaritala, as they sat, cross-legged, upon a flower brocade cushion. The eating hall was tall, and had two levels to it. Giant windows allowed wind gods to dance and provide balmy breezes to the feasting monks.

Their lunch for that day seemed to be a mix of a river spinach, white rice, and sardines. "These are the foods you've gained from begging today?" asked Raxri, wondering why they didn't go begging.

Pilinatala shook her head. Joyfully, she tore off a piece of the fish with her spoon, scooped it along with some rice, and shoved it into her mouth. "Mmh!" she said, clearly delighted. "These were brought in by some Nunuk villages after finding out what happened. You see, Giant Stone Monastery is also a common bulwark against such attacks. There are multiple monasteries placed around the mountains that create the vale that end up as fortressess and keeps that protect the Nunuk villages upon the vale. When they learned of our plight, they immediately gave us food to help in our recuperatory efforts."

"I see." Raxri looked down at the food, which was arranged in beautiful earthenware bowls. They scooped some food and rice, and the flavors exploded in Raxri's mouth. They noticed that in the middle of the table were platelets that had soy sauce seasoned with peppers. It emanated a certain smell that only made Raxri hungrier. They noticed that both Yiwaritala and Ampun Sagara were dipping their rice and fish on the soy sauce before spooning it into their mouths.

Raxri did the same. Oh, what deliciousness! The flavors danced on their tongue and then shot arrows of savory taste down their throat, as if wielding pepper-shaped longbows! Bliss overcame them then, and they couldn't help but thank all the gods and all the Awoken for being alive just for this moment.

Yiwaritala smiled and let out an airy laugh. "You seem to be enjoying yourself, Raxri Uttara."

"I suppose I haven't been able to eat much ever since I arrived in the Monastery," replied Raxri, continuing to eat their food. "What a delight of a meal."

Yiwaritala's sharp features softened then. A sense of calm, almost tenderness, washed over him. How odd, he no doubt thinks. To have such a warrior clad now in blood and scar... be so endearing and eager. Yiwaritala ate their food now with renewed vigor. The food seemed tastier now, though they had slowly weaned themselves off of depending on the pleasures things in the phenomenal world brought.

Ampun Sagara was enjoying his food as well, eating with his fingers and spoon. As he ate, he beckoned to Raxri, "Noble warrior, if you will."

"Hm?" Raxri's mouth was still filled with food.

"Know you that that talismanic tattoo you have upon your forearm is a shielding tattoo?"

Raxri, mouth still filled with food, shook their head.

Ampun Sagara nodded, understanding. "So you truly have no knowledge of ever having taken that tattoo? How unfortunate. If I were only here earlier, I would have been able to give you that tattoo. It's unfortunate as well that none of the other monks nor nuns remember you!"

"Even if they did," interjected Yiwaritala. "They would no doubt know no more than the Abbot. And the Abbot only intreracted with them slightly. Though... hm..." Yiwaritala stared at Raxri's tattoo. "I'm sure that the Abbot would know the previous tattooist that would've applied that shielding tattoo upon you."

Ampun Sagara nodded. "Exactly. But ah, the Abbot must meditate. How about it, Raxri Uttara. You've clearly proven yourself. What about I add to your collection?"

Raxri, still with food in their mouth, lifted their forearm and pointed at it, "Mm?"

Ampun Sagara nodded. "A single shielding tattoo might do you good, but multiple will create a latticework of defense and fortune that will render you a bulwark against both physical and magical assaults. No doubt an important quality for you, as someone who... um... suffice it to say, someone who loves using one's body as a shield."

Raxri swallowed and laughed. "I will get stronger yet so that I will not be a casualty in the future! Ouch." A sting ran up one of their wounds and they caressed it slowly.

"Worry not, worry not," said Ampun Sagara. "You have parts of you that are not yet wounded. Those I will tattoo--"

"--Let them heal first, Ampun!" yelled Pilinitala, who was likewise preoccupied with shoving her face full. "Tattooing can hurt you know. Just because you're used to the pain doesn't mean Raxri can take it in their current state."

Raxri's gaze turned from Pilinitala to Ampun. Ampun sighed and rubbed their head. "I suppose you're right," he said. "A moon's worth of waiting will do you good. Before you head on out, remind me that you have a session with me."

Raxri nodded, eager. "What tattoos will I be getting, Ampun?"

"Seeing as you have the basic Defense Tattoo," he said, pointing at Raxri's left forearm. "It only makes sense to complete it on the other side, so that you may find yourself protected on both arms. Then, perhaps... a latticework Diamond Shield Tattoo upon your back to protect you from malaise and curse. Then perhaps a Tiger Tattoo upon your sword hand shoulder to strengthen your blows? In truth, I believe it will be up to the Abbot."

"The Tiger Tattoo improves my strength?"

Ampun smiled. "One could say that," he said. "Though the strength improved is still drawn from your own Will. Should you not have the Will reserves required for such a powerful augmentation, then the tattoos will do nothing."

Raxri chewed again on a sardine. "I see. I will do well to refine my Will, then."

Yiwaritala nodded. "You will be doing just that, after you've healed a bit more."

For the rest of the day, Raxri did nothing much but relax, allowing their body time to heal. At around the latter half of the day, the doctor Myu Fan had walked out. Her eyes were hollow and seemed even smaller without her spectacles. She had a short food break in the eating hall, before returning to check up on her patients.

The first one she checked up on was Raxri, who was watching Yiwaritala drill a whole squadron of young monks in martial drills. They were a mesmerizing watch, to be sure: rows upon rows of saffron robed monks, moving and fighting with the ferocity of a tiger, striking with nothing but their fists and clawed hands, their bare feet. Raxri remembered Yiwaritala's fighting form then, during the assault. The way he summoned the visage of a water buffalo and barreled through the unsuspecting demon warriors... Yiwaritala held untold martial proficiency, Raxri knew.

"How fare you?"

Raxri looked up to see Myu Fan, eating a rice ball peppered with seaweed and peppers.

"Um," Raxri looked at the martial drill, and then up at Myu Fan again. Their entire body was still essentially covered in gauzes, so they couldn't participate in the martial drills no matter how much they wanted to. "Just fine, I suppose."

"No more pain?"

Raxri shook their head. "Still a good amount of pain, unfortunately."

"It should take you a few more days before you're fully healed," said Myu Fan. "But after that, you should be ready to go. I can see you're raring to get back into your training, like the reckless fool that you are."

Raxri felt like they should be offended, but try as they might they couldn't. They only laughed. "If being a fool means helping those that I had the capacity to help, then I am a fool!"

"Ugh," Myu Fan pinched the top of her nose again. "You're insufferable. I need coffee."

"Coffee?"

Myu Fan made a face, as if they were really, really fed up with Raxri. But they did this in the most affectionate way possible. "Keep healing. Don't move too much." And then they walked away, seemingly back into the eating hall."

Raxri watched the young monks and nuns perform their martial drills. Now they were wielding wooden staffs, slamming and striking with both hands. Performing acrobatic feats such as flipping in mid-air, balancing upon the staff, or leaping and then using the staff as a pole to boost their forward movement. Raxri's jealousy was past the Firmament, and they could only slightly mimic the movements while they sat upon the wooden bench.

Days flashed by, without Raxri even realizing. Their wounds healed in short order, though now they were covered in scars. After the sixth day of healing, when the bullet wound on their back felt no longer like a bullet wound and more like a phantom scar, Raxri was called by the Abbot.

As they walked toward the meditation house, Raxri realized just how quickly their wounds had healed. Perhaps this was due to the relentless work of Myu Fan, they conjectured. Twice a day they drank a medicinal pill, and once a day Myu Fan fumigated Raxri in healing smokes. In the middle of their healing period, at the fourth day, Myu Fan even massaged them completely, head to toe, limbering their muscles. After all that, they awoke on the sixth day as if all they've contracted was the common cold.

They met him again in the meditation house. It was just the two of them, then. No Yiwaritala, no Pilinitala, no Ampun Sagara, no doctor Myu Fan. Simply the Abbot Wairojashra.

"Have you healed?" asked the Abbot, sitting in a lotus position underneath the great Termagant Buddha.

Swallowing, Raxri nodded. "I suppose. My wounds seemed to have abated in their pain for now."

"Good," said the Abbot. "Starting today and for a moon henceforth, I will be focusing on training you in the Adamantine Sword. Follow me."