Hollowed sounds of panic erupted behind Arthur as leftover occultists began retreating from the camp. There didn't seem anything apparent at the wreckage, so he dashed to where Chiriku was.
The monk was relieved to see him. "Brother Ryugetsu, I dare say that we did it. We really did it!"
"Not quite… There are still some scrambling on their toes."
"Right! Excuse me for my enthusiasm. Your work here was just incredible."
"Our work," Arthur corrected.
"Agreed!"
As the two scanned the area, they verified that the camp was now disheveled. The odds had definitely been in the favour of the monks. But they still needed to strike while the enemy was weak and retreating.
'Crimson gaze…'
"They're headed in that direction," Arthur pointed.
"Let's go then!" Chiriku said, racing without having seen his partner's eyes glowing.
By the time the monk was cornering them, Arthur stayed back a little to confront only one occult member.
"What are you?!" the member begged to Arthur.
"Just a monk," Arthur coolly responded.
"W-wait! You don't understand; I have friends! We can come to an agreement!"
The uncertainty in the occultist's expression almost made Arthur chuckle. But he remained stoic as he slowly walked forward.
"Tell me, why attack the temple?" he asked.
"You don't understand! We have nothing while your temple hoards all the valuable resources!"
"So what?" Arthur probed, lifting the member by the shirt. "What right does that give you to attack?" Surely you knew this would happen…"
"P-please, just let me go, and we promise to back down!"
Arthur eyed the member for a moment. Then he shifted his eyes to where Chiriku was. The monk was still fighting, paying no mind to Arthur's involvement here.
As such, Arthur surprisingly let this occult member go. He watched as the member turned to flee from the scene.
But why would Arthur do such a thing? It was because he had placed a Flying raijin mark on the man's garments. Those marks were beacons, and what he understood was that this group was only a portion of an even larger group.
Plus, the technology here at this camp was destroyed. Arthur could salvage some parts, but it might take too much time (or be too trivial) to piece them all back.
Better to track down one of them to an even bigger camp so that one day Arthur could capture an even better prize.
With that confrontation concluded, he swiftly turned his focus back to Chiriku, who was still engaged in battle with a small group of remaining occultists. The monk was displaying remarkable skill by diverting their attacks with quick reflexes.
Not once had he even used the Raigo technique.
Arthur soon joined the fray as the two found themselves fighting side-by-side.
He disoriented a couple adversaries without showing off his smoke techniques, and his movements in front of Chiriku were also slowed down so as to not arouse suspicion.
It was almost as if they had been teammates before. But that was because Arthur knew how Chiriku fought alongside characters like Asuma.
With their opponents crumbling under their combined force, not a single one of the occult members were left standing.
Silence fell over the clearing as Chiriku panted. "We made quick work of them, brother!"
"Indeed, brother. They were clearly not expecting this ambush."
"I owe you a lot for your help today," Chiriku gratefully added. "We all do."
"Just doing what needed to be done as a fellow monk," Arthur nonchalantly said, faking the enjoyment of their high mood. "I believe one of them might have escaped."
"Not to worry! This was their closest base to our temple. And now that we have an idea of how their weapons work, we can dismantle any more that try to attack us."
With the threat neutralized, the two eventually made their way back toward the Fire Temple.
The atmosphere there was one of celebration once Chiriku explained the event. That caused the monks to circle around Arthur and him with ecstatic voices rising at the news of their success.
Cheers and claps on the shoulders filled Arthur's senses.
To be fair, no one save Chiriku (and Sora) knew of Arthur's existence in this temple. Now the weight of this achievement settled on him like he was some type of hero.
Chiriku eventually found his footing amidst the crowd, declaring, "Brothers! The occultists are retreating, and their power has been done away with! They shall not be able to threaten our temple any longer!"
Cheers erupted once more with some of the monks clasping Arthur in a tight embrace.
"Come," one of the elders announced, "we must celebrate both of your heroism!"
While a select few monks watched outside, a banquet of gratitude and honour was quickly prepared.
Never before had Arthur experienced something like this. So he kept a steady composure by accepting their customs as the night wore on with him partaking in the festivities.
When questions were asked of him, such as where he came from and how long he had been in the temple, his answers were methodical.
"I had been here all along. Mainly to meditate, brothers. Needless to say, hardly any of you took notice of me because you were all doing the same."
The response earned him laughter.
Knowing their tradition, he indulged in a little wine with them while also laughing at their camaraderie.
Once Chiriku shared the story of how they had defeated the occultists again, the monks listening began to sing.
"In shadows deep stood brave Chiriku, a monk who believed. With insight of ages and spirit so bright, he faced the dark cultists, prepared for the fight. Beside him, a warrior, swift as the night, Ryugetsu, the brother, his heart full of light. Chiriku struck with skills refined, a monk that's so balanced, the cosmos aligned. He chanted old verses that always would flow; the fight was outlived with power to bestow. Ryugetsu was silent, and his authority was unbound; he was a mysterious monk who made his foes hit the ground. Side by side, they fought—two forces intertwined! No one can stop them when their powers combine. The cultists fell, and their dark magic was defeated by Ryugetsu's wisdom and Chiriku's heart; it could be repeated! Though songs are sung and the tales may persist, the two just chuckled, 'This tune we can't resist!'"
As the evening drew to a close, Arthur excused himself to seek solitude.
Fighting occult members was not what he initially came here for. And while he had indeed found technology worthwhile, the occult member was still traveling on foot. It'd probably be days or even weeks until that member returned to his main base.
And who's to say he would even return? Either way, Arthur would keep his sense on alert.
Now alone at a pond, silver light reflected off the tranquil ripples across the water's surface. The atmosphere was also perfect for him. So he set himself down at the edge and closed his eyes to meditate.
As minutes went by as a few monks passed. Yet no one disturbed him. Whether it was out of respect or it was their sacred vow never to disturb someone in a meditated state, it worked in his favour.
It was only after several hours of silence that a strange sensation finally made its way to the forefront of his consciousness.
'It's getting stronger,' he thought to himself.
Slowly, he began to forge a connection with the temple's chakra.
The sensation pressed upon him before settling into alignment. This next part was crucial: concentration.
As he focused the flow, he interlaced the threads and amalgamated them into one cohesive fabric. Much like the stages of Sage Chakra, this new chakra felt expansive, almost liberating.
All he had to do now was apply it within himself. And when he had done that, it coursed through his body with clarity before forming a translucent glow within his mind.
It didn't quite feel like regular chakra or Sage chakra. No, this was new; this was different; this was the Gift of the Hermit Chakra he sought.
Like how every combative feat had a "style" to it in this world, this new form of energy could be utilized in all of Arthur's moves. That meant that if he used that chakra, he could amplify his techniques.
By the time he was finished, he rose to his feet. Every fiber of his being felt a tad invigorated.
Of course, he'd still have to train before trying to combine anything with this enriched vigour.
"Brother!" Arthur heard from behind. It was Chiriku. "I was wondering where you had run off to."
"Meditation, brother."
"Indeed… May I speak my thoughts, brother?"
"You may…"
"While I had not seen you fight during my distraction, it was clear that your prowess far exceeds mine own. May you please help me train the younger monks so that we can strengthen our forces against unforeseeable threats?"
"Brother, I am pleased you would ask. But surely you know, my reason for coming here was mainly to meditate before setting off again."
"I see… My apologies if my request sounded selfish, brother."
"No apologies needed, brother. Your talents alone are actually greater than mine."
"Do you really think so?"
"But of course!"
Chiriku couldn't help but admire Arthur's humbleness. So he asked, "When will you be departing, brother? The others wish to speak with you further."
"I was just heading out, brother. If they wish enlightenment, they can rest assured that I shall return when able."
Chiriku pondered this for a moment. It wasn't always that monks within the temple came and went as they pleased. Their rule was actually that they required permission to do so.
But after everything him and "Ryugetsu" had gone through, it was quite apparent that this monk meant no harm.
"Truly a mystery, you are." Chiriku smiled. "I wish you well then, brother, till we cross paths again."
"Indeed… brother."