"Oi...! OI!!! WAKE UP, SANSOL!!" A Shout was heard as the man woke up. The man jolted as he'd regain his consciousness, being met with the dry grass under his hands and the warm breeze besides his body. Looking down, he noticed his clothes were different, now an assortment of brown robes and white cloth that wraps around his arms and shoulders. A staff with five rings was on his side, perched up next to a small palm tree, a birch color with three rings around its shaft, and two that hang on a hand that acts as its tip, one on its thumb, another on its pinky. From the soft waves made by the small pool of water, as well as seeing some people in the distance, he started to regain his memories a bit. The voice perched up again. "Geez, Master Sansol! You really shouldn't be sleeping on us while we're walking! Especially now of all times! You've been out for HOURS, Sir!" The man looked down to see who was speaking, being met with a child no less than 13, donning the same brown robes and having a ring around his neck. His pout and finger tapping as he crossed his arms would have the man chuckle a bit, before being tugged back to the people. "Well, C'mon! We ain't keeping up our Pilgrimage without you! Show us the way again, Master Sansol!"
As he took his steps, looking around the area and seeing beasts of many sizes, he would remember what his role was. He can recall these lands easily, as a fainter memory lets him see it again. A Man older than himself, his father, walking and guiding his boy into small parts of dense forests, isolated ruins, and serene plains. He recalled his mission as well when he arrived at one of such sanctuaries, a castle lost to time, vines and moss growing on its stonework. Their prayers and chants were made in front of a monument, a sutra, in the hopes to achieve one goal, and one goal alone.
Nirvana.
As he walked and led his people, protecting them from harm, he would recall more and more as to who he was before. He remembered when he met such people, as they were once those with no home, no food or water. Those that wish to survive without such needs, where he and his path was capable of providing such a solution. He can recall why some of them would begin to leave the group, thanking him, hearing that such a path allowed them closure and an awakening that guaranteed them to reach such Nirvana without his assistance anymore. Despite being like family, Sansol cannot help but smile as he recognized they have taken his teachings to heart. He can recall why he wanted to do this path in the first place, as he valued human life above all else. One by one, as his group departed, he would eventually be left alone into the streets of Khepros, resting himself near a small street, watching the people pass by. To see if he can captivate others and try to let them reach the same inner peace, he'd acquire an instrument: A Guitar. He'd start his strums and played his tune, as he'd sing softly a song from memory. A Song from his heart.
"Dusty skies..."
"Swelling Sands..."
"Don't you worry...♪"
"A~bout me....♪"
"Flowing so High..."
"Within our Lands..."
"Don't you worry..."
"A~bout me...♪"
"For you, And I, will live, forever...♪"
"Hope... is not... ove~r ♪!"
"For you, My Friends, My Joys that I heard."
"We will sleep...once more..."
Each day, he'd sing his piece, keeping his voice cordial in efforts to preserve its chords. As time passed, he would at one point capture such ears of someone. A Man with a black face mask and a brown vest. "Well then, I didn' expect a small performance out here. Why are you hunched down like that?" The man asked.
Sansol gave a small laugh before he answered. "Well, it's better for me when I play my songs. Can't really do it well if you're stressed about it all, can yah?"
"Supposedly not. That's supposed to be a lullaby for someone?"
"It could be. I see it as more an invitation." Sansol would put down his instrument and pat down besides him, letting the man take a seat as he'd showcase his staff. "You ever heard about 'Nirvana', my friend? A place that aligns everything, that gives peace, that gives wisdom, all to those that need it most?"
"Somewhat, I s'pose. This your personal mission or something?"
Sansol nodded as he'd gaze at the rings, seeing his hazel eyes reflected on them. "My father told me that to be plagued with such negative emotions and thoughts clouds one's soul. Those thoughts cling to me every chance it gets: When I sleep, when I walk, even when I talk with others. He told me if I were to take this path, I could be at ease again. I wasn't really comfortable much before, having to be alone in a world as big as this. It was a new feeling, having to walk without anyone at first. This path, however, feels.....complete for me in some way." His words left his mouth like a river, small mumbles and hums coming out as he'd recall what he was before, wondering what has changed in the times he took from his first pilgrimage to now. The man simply pat him on his shoulders as he'd answer.
"I can understand that emotion. Had the same thing when I was forced to fight my father's enemies at one point. Tooth and nail, it was, until I finally placed the last bullet in 'em. That was when the euphoria happened. That was when I understood the World of Man."
"World of...I'm not quite familiar with that term." Sansol's eyes blinked rapidly as he'd look towards the Cowboy, perplexed by it all. The man merely laughed as he saw his lost expression.
"Don't worry about it. You'll understand what it means when it comes. Had to be taught that the hard way myself, but I'm sure you'll get there without much issues." The man exclaimed, before getting up, already on his way out. He'd turn his head to the musician and tipped his hat for him. "If you ever meet any folks in Salvandi, let 'em know Ennio Morrwood sends his regards. I'll see you around, friend." He'd state, before departing. Despite such a brief encounter, the Monk looked down at his guitar in confusion. In curiosity. The term 'World of Man' echoed across his mind, eating away any other thought in his head. It made him try to do some research, and as he did, every time he tried to learn, he would play his song. As he plays such a song, he could see more and more people being interested, both in his voice and in his cause. Every time, he explains to them about his mission, and his desire to bring others to his path, to see if they can also find such peace. Even though they refused, something specific about these encounters tickled his mind a bit. It made him feel more at home than anywhere else. It made his mind more clear at what his purpose was, what his Father would've wanted from him, what he truly desired. As he played on and on over the next few years, his mind drifted from trying to guide others, to instead wind down and retire his body, letting it reach its own Nirvana, believing it was its proper path all along. As he practice his strums, however, another man approached him.
Another Man, lean and cloaked in garbs, hiding his face in such a shroud of black. A Contract before his eyes. A Vision of Heaven. A Desire to see such a beautiful sight he once tasted. A temptation he would take with open arms.