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From the moment of my birth, it was whispered that I was a child of destiny. The spark of promise glowed deep within my eyes, the elders proclaimed sagely, nodding to one another. I consoled myself with this when I beheld myself in the still waters of a pond and saw only the ordinary eyes of an ordinary boy gazing back at me. The years that preceded my rite of passage into adulthood were uncomfortable ones, with the shadow of my own impending greatness looming over me. I grew to be strong and swift and deft with a blade, but what were these things when I no doubt should be capable of so much MORE? Finally though, the day came when my youth name was discarded, and the elders bestowed upon me the name that I would now bear as a man. Understand, now, that most of our youths are given adult names that celebrate a previous achievement or a finely honed skill. Not so with me. My name reflected the glory that I was fated to achieve, the greatness that shone in my eyes and my soul, but had yet to be visited upon the earth. I had never felt so ashamed. Thereafter I winced inwardly each time I was hailed by name, and it was not long before I decided to leave my tribe, so that I might never hear it shaped by lips and tongue until I was worthy. I set off for the land of Kugnae to seek an answer to the question that had beset me for years. Which path would lead to the glory I was destined for? Should I tread in the honorable footsteps of the Chongonate, lending my strength to shelter and protect the weak from harm? Was mine the path of the Do, seeking to hone my mind and body like the finest blade and attain utter mastery of self? Or was mine the heart of a Barbarian, wild and free, with a fierce pride and a devotion to my family that was as unshakable as the mountains? Fortunately, even though my own mind was clouded, I knew where to turn for guidance. If any could part the veils of confusion that beset me, it would be a Diviner. Such oracles were spoken of in hushed tones among my people. They were the wisest of all beings, or so my people said. And so it was to their sanctuary that I ventured. Upon entering the Tao Te Ching, I gazed about and saw that I was alone, save for one woman who sat in the corner, upon a pile of silken cushions. She lifted her head at my footfall, but her eyes remained closed. "Yes?" She asked, "What is it you seek?" Discomfited that she still would not look at me, I stammered, "I seek to know which path will lead me to greatness. I must know how to be worthy of the expectations that everyone sees when they look at me!" The Seer tilted her face up towards mine and a single tear escaped her still closed eyelids. "Poor dear." She murmured. "I'm afraid you will never know your own greatness. You will strive, but no path, be it Chongun, Do, or Barbarian will give you the peace of mind you crave. Regardless of which you choose, you will feel insignificant and dwarfed by those of true greatness who surround you. I am sorry." And with that she bowed her head. I cannot explain the emotions that coursed through me at her words. Anger? Yes. Despair and disappointment? Most certainly. But a strange sense of resolution as well. Who was this woman to tell me that I would never achieve true greatness? Wisest of the wise she might be, but I refused to believe that all was futile, merely because she had pronounced it so. And thus it was that I bowed courteously to the Diviner, knowing full well that she would not see the gesture with her closed eyes. "Madam," I told her, "I thank you for your council. However, I believe that I will now seek out the temple of Chung Ryong, and make my OWN fate." Her downturned face was curtained by her long, dark hair, but I was sure that as I turned to leave, I saw her smile. -Penned by the hand of Darksbane | |