Matatabi Shrine [POI]

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Matatabi Shrine
[Point-of-Interest]

The Matatabi Shrine was founded at the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War in the Land of Lightning. It was built so that people could pay their respects to the two-tailed, demon cat named Matatabi. The shrine looks like a small hut, or gazebo, made of white marble, and placed at the top of one of the tallest mountain peaks in the area. A series of magnificent, scarlet archways leads one up the mountain path. Few people travel up this high, but those who do find themselves at the secluded shrine -- overgrown with moss and lichen. A lone candle sits on an altar in the middle of the temple, remaining lit no matter how strong the breeze or what anybody does to it. Thick fog lingers in the air, and in the valleys below a person can see large, thunder clouds ravaging the foothills. Sparks of lightning cause the entire mountain range to light up in flashes throughout most of the night. Many religious devotees travel to Matatabi Shrine to take in the natural beauty and pray to their gods among the powerful storms.

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[enter.]

Ryoshi was dressed in his usual, white robe as he made his way into a new mountain pass from the Land of Lightning. His white hair seemed to stand out in other nations, but here he almost seemed to blend in with the fog and clouds. He scanned the horizon with his blue eyes, noticing the shrine at the top of the mountain, and then started his ascent. As he approached the peak, Ryoshi could see a lone candle burning on the altar -- fluttering against the wind. He kept his eyes peeled on the landscape. Although there was nobody around, he almost felt as if someone were watching him...

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Ryoshi continued to linger at the temple, keeping company to the lonely candle that lit up the isolated, marble temple. He almost felt like he could feel somebody else's presence as he looked over the vast mountain ranges. Fog clung to the cliff sides and spilled over like waterfalls. Ryoshi took in a deep breath -- and then thought that he heard a sound from behind him. He whipped around to see who could be there... 

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Ryoshi found that he had quite enjoyed his time at the shrine. He spent his days with the wildlife and made prayers to the solo candle. Every day brought the same wonderment, and it took his breath away again and again. Yet he felt like there was something secret in this place that he did not quite understand...

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Ryoshi looked around the shrine and at the beautiful, natural setting. Still he hadn't seen any people here -- which made him sad. He tried to reflect on the candle and forget about his troubled mind.

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Ryoshi decided that he had spent more than enough time admiring the Matatabi Shrine. Although he had enjoyed the quiet serene that came with this isolated mountain top, he had other business to attend... namely finding powerful people who could train him in the ninjutsu arts. Grabbing his things, Ryoshi headed out and said one, last goodbye to the candle flame...

[exit.]