Chapter 93 - Chapter 95

One year had now passed for Dragon. He was currently sitting on top of his mountain with three elders sitting behind him.

"When did he enter?" Elder Pasang asked while studying Dragon's condition.

"It has been sixty-two hours since he entered Deep Sleep meditation," Gyatso answered with a hopeful expression on his face.

"This state is as dangerous as it is wonderful. Dragon is currently facing himself in his purest form. And some people can lose themselves in this state. I have read about people going insane by the things they experience." Said elder Tashi.

"We can not interfere so we can only wait and hope he is strong enough to face it alone." Elder Pasang said and closed his eyes.

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Two days later, Dragon opened his eyes to the world ones again. He had a newfound aura of determination around him. And inside his eyes burned a fiery flame that didn't exist there before. It was like his spirit had gone through a complete change during this meditation.

"Good morning, Dragon." Gyatso said with the two other elders sitting beside him.

"Deep sleep meditation is a lot different than what you made it out to be." Dragon looked at Gyatso.

"It is different for all of us, so I could never have given you a description of what it would be like. Now do you wanna share what you experienced?" Gyatso looked at him with interest and curiosity.

"I was trapped in a maze, and at every wrong turn, my sons or my wife would experience a tortures death in front of my eyes." Dragon's body shivered slightly at the mention of the trial he went through.

"You had some powerful demons rooted inside you. How did you solve it?" Pasang asked with a worry-filled expression. Not everyone who makes it out of deep sleep meditation retains their sanity like before they entered.

"I listened to the winds and allowed them to guide me on the path I needed to take to reach the end. It took me a few years to even notice that the winds were present inside the maze. I just wondered around, lost for years before I managed to pull myself together."

"Deep sleep meditation is dangerous for a reason, and you just experienced that. But try and sense the element around you. Feel how it has changed with you." Gyatso spoke now.

Dragon moved his hand and felt how the winds were present on his body, but he couldn't even feel them. It was almost like he had become wind itself. It felt like a perfect partnership. He moved right, and the wind also moved right."

"Congratulation on passing your personal trial. Now, you have a choice to make. Keep living as a stranger to the temple, or accept the position as an elder and become a true member of this family."

"I appreciate the offer. But I will have to decline. An elder will be expected to stay within the confines of the temple grounds. But I can not make such a vow. After I am done training the Avatar I will leave for a journey of my own." Dragon bowed and hoped they would forgive his rudeness.

The three elders looked at each other and shared a nod. And after that, they started to giggle like children while looking at the confused look on Dragon's face.

"We expected as much. So we have another offer ready." Gyatso said and took out a pendant from his robes.

"This here is a special status that we created just for you." He handed Dragon the pendant.

"That is what we like to call the guardian medallion. It represents someone's status as a temple guardian. We would like you to take it." Gyatso said.

"I can't take this. I won't be here to guard the temple at all times." Dragon wanted to hand it back, but the elders wouldn't have it.

"The title is just so it sounds more official. Just think of that pendant as something of a reminder that you always have a home and family inside this temple." Gyatso smiled with his famous smile.

"I see. Well, thank you very much. I will accept it gladly." Dragon hung it around his neck. And he did look more official with that pendant around his neck.

"Now comes the important news we originally came here to deliver. The avatar has reached age three. And we would like you to begin his training as soon as possible, Temple Guardian." Pasang also smiled like a child when he said Dragon's title out loud.

"hm, I see. Bring the boy here in two days, and I will begin his training." Dragon said without addressing how uncomfortable it was to have these old men smile at him like that.

"Good. We will leave you alone to familiarize yourself to your new connection with the elements." Gyatso said and rose from the spot together with the other two.

"Temple Guardian Portgas D Dragon, I never did welcome you to our temple one year ago. So, welcome." Elder Tashi said and bowed with his hands cupped.

"Thank you, I appreciate you all for allowing me to take up a spot on this mountain." Dragon did a bow in return.

"Goodbye for now, and I will see you when I come here with the Avatar," Gyatso said and together with Pasang bowed towards Dragon.

"I look forward to it." Dragon said and bowed while smiling.

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End