The sun was beginning its descent into the land for the night when Zelgadis finally crested the last lip of the mountain. Panting and covered with sweat, the young man had never been so glad to see a journey's end. The top of the mountain was as flat as the savannah he had left behind half a day ago, and after a long climb that was consistently nearly forty five degrees, level ground was a beautiful sight.. Directly in front of him was the object of his quest, the temple that his great-grandfather, Rezzo the Red Priest, had studied at for several years. The knowledge of the transformation spell that Rezzo used might be contained within. Though thoroughly exhausted, Zelgadis was quite eager to see if his journey had not been in vain. Drawing his breath, he wiped some of the sweat off his face with the corner of his cloak before pulling up the cowl that hid the lower half of his face. Raising his hood, which ensured that nothing other than his eyes were visible to others, Zelgadis stretched his aching leg muscles in the direction of the temple.
 
 
 

Kuso! I never thought a fifty yard journey would ever feel so incredibly long. I am going to need a long soak in a tub tonight, otherwise I am going to be very sore tomorrow. I wish I could have just flown up here, but the sage I consulted said that would definitely be breaking the `No Magic' rule of the mountain. The journey is a test, no cheating or they will send you back. Somehow they always know if you use magic to climb... Now how do I get in?
 
 
 

Zelgadis stood in front of the temples seventy foot doors, but neither of the two had any apparent knob nor knocker. The dusty marble reflected the color of the setting sun, its etchings and carvings were worn and cracked. It showed signs of aging and weathering, but appeared to be in good shape nonetheless. Zelgadis' eyes swept over the massive expanse before him, filled with awe, wonder, and anticipation. He could hear no sounds of life from within, nor did he see any evidence of human influence on the mountain top other than the temple itself. He had expected a few gardens after all, to feed those that dwelt within. The monks and scholars had to eat something.
 
 
 

The wind tore across the top of the mountain, driving the chill directly into Zeldagis' bones. Shivering slightly, Zelgadis looked mournfully up at the top of the temple, wishing that he knew the way in. While no answer came to him, he did notice in the fading light, that the temple had been carved directly from the mountain. It was not a separate structure after all, but a part of the mountain, crafted by people over hundreds, if not thousands of years. Overcome with a silent respect of the place, Zelgadis nearly jumped when the doors began to softly slide open before him. Blinking at the bright lights that engulfed his still form, Zelgadis waited to see if he would be permitted entrance, or sent away empty handed. He hoped that it would not be the former.
 
 
 

A small form shuffled out of the light towards him. The silhouetted figure was hunched over with age, but exuded a sense of power and authority. The figure was male, Zelgadis could tell that much, and he appeared to be taking Zelgadis measure. Nervous but unafraid, the chimera stood his ground and waited for the old man to make the first move. Shuffling forward so that he was scant inches from the chimera, the old man looked up into Zelgadis' face. Zelgadis could see clearly now that the old man bore ritual tatoos and mystic insignia on his face. The man had been ,and probably still was, and incredibly powerful mage. Zelgadis felt uncomfortable at their proximity. He didn't like people being close to him at all. That was one of the reasons Amelia annoyed him so much. And now this elderly mage was in his face, attempting to discern Kami knows what secrets of his being from his eyes.
 
 
 

"Remove your hood and cowl." the elderly mage stated. Zelgadis blinked and stared at the old man. He hesitated to reveal his face to strangers, even if they held the possibility of his cure. "There are no secrets here. Please. Remove your hood and cowl. Scars are not a source of shame here." His voice was soft, yet authoritative, the voice of a man confident that his requests would be obeyed. Still unsure, Zelgadis spoke.
 
 
 

"Scars are not the reason that I hid my face sir. I hide my face for the reason which I have sought you and this temple out. I believe that a cure for my.... condition, may be held within." The old man looked Zelgadis up and down, as if unsure.
 
 
 

"Oh." He said. "And whatever would give you the idea that we could heal you from your ailment or affliction?"
 
 
 

"Because my great-grandfather once studied here. It is here that I believe he found the beginnings of the spell he used on me. I believe that hints and clues, if not the spell itself may lie within your temple. I have come to look for the spell, through the books he may have used. Anything! Onegai, I... I believe the answer may lie within. Will you let me look? Onegai?.." And with that, Zelgadis pulled back his hood, revealing his wiry lavender hair. The old man stiffened and frowned, his face unreadable. Sighing, Zelgadis pulled his cowl down as well, revealing his face to the man who already, he believed, feared him. Exposed, Zelgadis stared at the ground, shame overwhelming him. The elderly mage simply continued to stare. Moments passed and Zelgadis wished he could just turn invisible, be swallowed up by the mountain, anything to avoid the penetrating gaze of the man in front of him.
 
 
 

"Your great-grandfather you say?" The mage asked. "Who was he? And why would he do this to you?" Zelgadis continued to stare at the ground, though there was a little hope in his heart now.
 
 
 

"My great-grandfather was known to the world as Rezzo the Red Priest. He cast a spell on me when I was young, turning me into the monster you see before you, 1/3 Daemon, 1/3 Mazoku, 1/3 human. He cast the spell because I was a sickly child that wanted to be stronger. But I did not ask for this." Zelgadis' voice became thick with unshed tears of pain and shame. He held out his hands on either side of the Mage, imploring the old man for something. Even Zelgadis no longer knew what he was asking for. Silently, tears fell to the ground. The mage's face was unreadable.
 
 
 

"Rezzo you say. I was a young man when he came here. Come inside young one. We have food and a warm bed for you. And in the morning, you may have access to our library so that you may look for your clues to your cure." The elderly man placed a wrinkled hand on Zelgadis left shoulder and turned the young chimera towards the entrance of the temple. "Welcome to the Temple of Sintosuru. I am ShiShi, the Elder Mage here. This temple shall be open for your research in the morning. But for now, let me show you to a room. You look as if you could use a rest. And you smell," he playfully waved a hand under his nose, "As if you could definitely use a bath." The elderly man chuckled and Zelgadis face cracked a grin. Chuckling could still be heard as the two figures headed into the temple and the two massive marble doors slid shut soundlessly behind them.
 
 
 

TBC...