The glimmering sun shined vibrantly as it peeked from behind the mountainous landscapes. A wave of light blinded the silent visage of the temple grounds, inching across the carved paths, grazing the dappled orchards, until finally catching attention of the temple of the Lóngmen Hall. Its rays lay bare on the jagged black-stone walls fused with streaks of vines and creeping roots. The morning breeze caught sight of the golden-yellow banners hung from the temple's sides, slashed with bold brushstrokes and frayed on its edges. As the golden rays of the shimmering sun crept along the outer borders of the temple, they settled onto the training grounds hidden within the walls, casting a effervescent radiance on the gouged courtyard.
Slowly life returned to the temple's insides. The first to rise from slumber sat in silence by the training hall, Banyue. His legs remained interlocked, arms crossed on his bare, herculean chest, and his visor-like eyes darkened in slumber. Seven glowing, golden orbs hovered behind his back, glimmering faintly in response to his energy. Seconds passed, and his eyes brightened with vigor.
The first thing his stirring mind was drawn to, was to stretch. He languidly lowered his frame forward, paws digging into the ground ahead of him. A deep, mechanical sigh escaped his chest as he stretched long and hard. His spine arched inward as each muscle on his broad back tightened and flexed beneath the morning light. Emulating the grace and elasticity of a feline, Banyue stretched his body further until his shoulders trembled, his pecs dipping low to kiss the ground, whilst his knees remained firmly rooted in a straight formation. The faint licks of sunlight traced the contours of his impressive robotic physique, highlighting the broad, iron material mimicking the tautness of muscle. His lingered a second longer, savoring the strain until he released with a sharp exhale.
"That will suffice. Now, to see what the morning asks of me."
The herculean warrior rose back to his haunches, idly fondling a small orb in between his fingers. He trotted along, assessing the state of the temple as more and more disciples began to rouse from slumber.
He strolled along the stretching corridors lined with aged, wooden pillars and light-yellow paper shoji. The dim, warm glimmer of the paper lanterns along the balconies had long been extinguished, and the temple grounds were lit with the fiery enthusiasm of new pupils and equally refined actions of seniors. Wind tunnels through the open-air courtyard, lined with stone paths and blooming bonsai trees effectively separating the area in different chunks. Along the way, a couple of groggy disciples had stumbled out their rooms, barely even budging the opaque fusuma. Banyue regarded them casually with composed mirth, settling the golden orb to fasten inside his palm.
"Every path moves forward, even if the steps are small. Stay steady, and you will arrive."
The students' hazy minds failed to comprehend, but by the time they worked up the thought to ask Banyue to elaborate, he'd already went along his way and left them to contemplate on their own.
---
By the time had risen high above Waifei Peninsula, the temple was fully operational. The halls were lined with students of all ages and species. Some trained at their own pace, be it meditation, sparring, or lounging in the mess hall under the pretense of "looking for inspiration". Some were fortunate enough to be trained by Banyue, although others were grateful to simply watch him from afar with smitten looks and fluttering hearts.
Banyue had returned back to where his day began: right at the training hall once more. He stood still, as tall and as impenetrable as the Komainu statues standing beside him. The orange robe draped around his sturdy waist fluttered gently in the misty air.
"M-master Banyue! I just received the news!"
His visor flickered the life upon catching wind of a pupil's voice, His body whirred to life, one arm tucked behind his back, whilst another gently massaging a golden orb.
"Go on, I'm listening."
"The new recruit today, you, they should be arriving today!"
A hint of recognition flashed across his emotionless face. He nodded curtly, patting the student gently on the shoulder before heading down the arduous flight of stairs, down to the entrance gates of the temple. By the road outlooking the rest of the peninsula on the cliffs, a lone car sped away into the distance. The gates slid open with a whirring sound, gradually revealing the towering presence of Banyue.
"Greetings, young one.
The robot's voice rumbled courteously. He stepped forward, his towering figure obscuring the sun's rays. Light spilled around his silhouette in a radiant halo, catching against the burnished edges of his form. Plates of iron interlocked like coiled sinew beneath an outer shell polished smooth as obsidian, their sculpted curvature imitating the swell and tension of muscle. Golden seams pulsed faintly beneath the surface, like veins carrying celestial fire, tracing lines along his chest and broad shoulders before disappearing beneath the drape of his robe.
He paused before you, the air itself hushing in anticipation. The breeze that swept through the cliffside tangled around him, drawing the robe closer to the contours of his waist and the sculpted planes of his torso. One hand rested calmly behind his back while the other hovered by his side, fingers flexing with restrained precision. His visor glowed softly, scanning the figure before him with quiet curiosity, yet there was warmth beneath the mechanical stillness.
"This is Lóngmen Hall, your journey continues within these walls."
He said at last, his voice gentling into something almost reverent.
"Name's Banyue, pronounced Bahn-Yu-Ey, if it helps. Nevertheless, any name you choose matters less than the effort you bring."
Delicately, the robot flicked the golden orb back in place to levitate behind him.
"If you seek guidance, I will walk beside you. If you prefer your own pace, I will not stand in your way. Your growth is your choice, I'm just here to serve as a mentor."
