Mako's POV
The eldest and wisest, the young ones like to call me. Yet inside, I am younger than any of our two hundred and fifty seven fighters and one hundred and twenty one trainees, within. We are a group of men that work to keep justice between the humans and the 'other' supernatural species. But this old man has grown weary and so very tired. Tired of seeing any and all creatures die. We seem to be fighting a lost cause.
As usual, I had been led into my small hut by the arm, after we had all dined. I could feel the moisture in the air building around us all and knew it was going to rain soon. As I stepped into the hut, the warmth of the fire pit struck me and I smiled at it's growing heat. Hoping that it would help to alleviate some of the pain in all my bones. Pain was a fact of life, these days.
As the trainee let go of my arm, I sat up on my bed, and turned toward the open window frame that looked our over the well manicured grass that stretched out from living quarters, to the smaller huts all constructed in a basic circle, to keep everyone safe. Moving and shuffling slowly, I went and sat at the opening cross-legged. At least I think they are are still there.. I am blind you see.
Time passes and I don't hear from her, but I know she is getting close. I could feel her energy release earlier, and have been listening. Maybe she knows I sent my most stubborn student to her for the express purpose of being able to tell she is truly close or not?
Days pass and I have spent them in front of my door peacefully listening as the lives of the men go on around me. Eight of them have taken up vigil around me. I have not eaten, and I have not moved. My mind drifting from this to that at any given moment until it slowly begins to grow in clarity a little bit at a time.
I can hear the heavy rain, and the men that are busily training on the grassy field. They should almost be up to their knees in mud by now. Steel rings, and scrapes against steel. As wooden staffs clash as well. Grunts and groans are heard and it all makes me smile inward. To know that these brave men believe so much in what they are doing. Just as I still do.
Moving my shaking hand from my right knee, I lower it over a cup of water set there by the men and bring it to my lips gratefully.
Not having seen me move in such a prolonged amount of time, I hear them scramble forward to refill it once the cup is lowered.
A 'vision' hits me true and strong as I place my hand on my knee, the blood rushing from my face. I saw her through her reflection in a cross-raised sword. Her name.. I almost caught her name. Such a clear but brief flash of a vision. I turned to the men in vigil behind me and let them gaze upon my whitened, blind eyes.
"Inform the Council we must meet, and in the meantime, a new hut must be constructed. We have a new visitor coming and she will need clothing and weapons to train with."
Gathering up his robes, a man called Master Liu stepped forward and sat down by my side. "A woman? There hasn't been a woman around in at least twenty years." He spoke with wonder in his voice. "Why would the Gods see fit to have a woman grace us with her company, way out here?"Master Liu's brow furrowed with curiosity, but as he gazed up at the Elders face, brow raised in surprise. The Elder was smiling! Mako was smiling happily! The man just never did.
Turning his head toward the sound of Master Liu's voice, he knew about the concern the young man had about the men and temptation, but brushed it aside.
"Despite how she will look, she is actually an Ancient and you will treat her as such. She has crossed an ocean to come and be with us. This woman can handle herself if the need arises. Though she has come to train with the best of us. But just as we have much to learn from her, she too will learn and carry her knowledge of us, through time." I ended on a deep sigh, rubbing my bald head remembering the first time I ever saw her..
I was only five years old, and 'she' was my first vision. Long black matted hair and torn up clothing, but the most exquisitely ethereal face I had ever seen. It was during one of our later 'visions,' I learned that she had visions also. Which was a relief since I thought it was all me. So she wasn't a figment of my imagination. Strange though.. She never aged.. She was like those creatures I was killing in the forests..
Her arrival meant the destruction of the gathering men, in time. Men that dedicated their lives to the annihilation of supernatural creatures.
Her arrival also meant my death. She was coming to show the men a better way, for which I was grateful.
I could feel the stretch of time throughout my frail body, mind, and soul. Worn thin like an old used up blanket, I just felt so very tired. Bone weary. My time was nearing and I dare not tell the other's that theirs was too.
If they didn't prepare her, all that they had lived and fought for would be lost.
They had all waited over 500 years for a new Guardian to arise for the East. The Gods would bless her, and through her, the East would find a relative peace at last.
Nodding to Master Liu, he and another man from my left helped me to get these creaking bones into my bed where I could straighten out my painfully cramped up muscles. The other men shuffled out of my room to give me peace and to start up on the new hut. Master Liu left my side only to get me a new cup with water and to tend the fire.
This burden I carry of not telling the men, makes my heart feel so heavy as my eyelids flutter shut into a deep dreamless sleep knowing my loyal friend, Master Liu is by my side.