Tainted Destiny

Lost in the frigid emptiness of space, Neo Wilder a young man that the send shivers and respect to all that heard his name and feats found himself pondering the trajectory of his life. He was once a seemingly ordinary person, born and raised in England by his kind, albeit somewhat strict parents. Neo dedicated himself to his studies and eventually gained admission to a prestigious university in Germany, far away from his family.

It wasn't until Neo found himself alone that he realized how mundane studying had become. Up to that point, he had been following his parents' wishes without any clear vision of his own career aspirations or life goals. It was then that he remembered his high school dream of becoming a boxer, a passion that he had once dedicated countless hours of training to. He had always a passion for the strong and wanted to become a strong person himself.

As his obsession with boxing grew, his academic performance began to decline, causing his parents to intervene and force him to abandon the sport.

Since then, Neo found everything to be monotonous, lacking the passion and excitement that once fueled his desire to become a boxer. Despite having fun with his friends, he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness inside.

During his time at university, he discovered a new goal for himself - to explore the world. Upon graduation, he immediately began working to save money for his travels. When he turned 25, he quit his job and set out on my adventure. As Neo traveled through France, he felt a sense of freedom and excitement that he had never experienced before. He met new people, tried new foods, and saw breathtaking sights. He spent most of his time exploring the French countryside, taking long walks through vineyards and rolling hills.

One day, as he was walking through a small village, he stumbled upon a quaint bakery. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted through the air, and he couldn't resist going in. The bakery was run by a kind elderly couple, who welcomed Neo with open arms. He tried their famous croissants and fell in love with the delicious French delicacy.

After France, Neo traveled to Spain, where he explored the historic cities of Madrid and Barcelona. He was fascinated by the stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and friendly locals. He visited famous landmarks like Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia, and tried traditional Spanish dishes like paella and tapas.

Neo's travels took him across Europe, and he visited countries like Italy, Greece, and Switzerland. Everywhere he went, he met new people and had unique experiences. He realized that there was so much more to life than just studying and working, and he felt grateful for the opportunity to explore the world and discover new passions.

As Neo's wanderlust continued to grow, he found himself in India, completely captivated by the country's rich cultural and religious heritage. He visited many temples during his travels, but one in particular left a profound impact on him. A wise man in his forties suggested that Neo should visit a temple called the Eagle Temple in China. Intrigued by the man's recommendation, Neo added the temple to his list of future travel destinations and continued his journey.

As months passed, Neo continued to explore various cultures, meet new people, and have countless adventures. Finally, he arrived at his last destination, the Eagle Temple in China. He expected it to be a popular tourist destination due to the wise man's suggestion, but he was surprised to find that it was not. Located at the top of a mountain and far from the nearest airport, it seemed to be a hidden gem that only a few people knew about. Neo was intrigued by its mystical aura.

Upon arrival at the temple, Neo noticed that it was somewhat deserted. He encountered only a few monks on his way to the main building, which was an impressive structure with a gold and wooden pattern adorning the outer layer of the main door. The door was heavy and required significant effort to open, revealing an elderly man inside who was deep in meditation. Neo was surprised to see a monk meditating in person, as it was something he had only seen in movies and read about in novels. Although he tried to initiate a conversation with him, the old man ignored him. Eventually, Neo grew bored and decided to sit across from him, attempting to copy his meditative pose.

Upon the opening of the old monk's eyes, Neo was met with a piercing stare. The monk began laughing and informed Neo that he had been toying with him the entire time and had heard him when he first arrived. Neo was a bit annoyed but found the situation to be somewhat humorous. What really intrigued Neo, however, was that this monk was unlike many others in Asia in that he could fluently speak English.

In response, the old monk served Neo some cold tea and began to share his life story. He told Neo about his studies in England when he was young and his time in the temple, which he described as simple and uneventful. The monk also recommended that Neo seek out an American monk named Connor who could help him acclimate to the new environment.

In Neo's new life at the temple, he found himself following a routine. Every morning, the monks would gather for group activities that included exercises and stretching. Afterward, he had plenty of free time until just before dinner, when the masters would give lessons on various topics. The lessons were fascinating, and Neo found himself learning new things about religion, philosophy, and life in general. He also enjoyed spending time with the other monks, practicing meditation, and doing chores around the temple. As time passed, he began to feel more at home in the temple, and his sense of wanderlust began to wane.

In his eighth month at the temple, the protagonist had learned to speak and understand a little Chinese, and had made some friends among the other monks. One night, the grandmaster announced to everyone that there would be a midnight lesson, which surprised everyone as the grandmaster rarely gave any teachings. They gathered in the training area and waited for the old man, who eventually arrived and climbed onto a small stage used by the instructors.

"The night sky is a canvas of mystery and wonder, painted by the divine artist. You stand here now, bathed in its splendor, but have you ever truly looked up and wondered what lies beyond? Tonight, I will share with you some of the secrets I've learned in my lifetime," said the Grandmaster, his voice low and mesmerizing.

The monks listened in rapt attention as he continued, "Ten years ago, I experienced my first enlightenment. It showed me the vastness of the universe and how insignificant we are in comparison. But then, I saw a planet that dwarfed our own sun, surrounded by moons beyond count. In my second enlightenment, I witnessed its inhabitants and their struggles a great war was going on that was deciding the fate of the universe. And just yesterday, I saw a young man at the heart of a terrible war that threatened the very existence of our universe."

The monks gasped, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "This young man is from our own kin, and he has a great destiny. He will either find the kindness in his heart and save us all or become the destroyer of everything we hold dear," the Grandmaster concluded, his gaze lingering on Neo particularly.

The venerable master imparted, "For this person, I can offer only one piece of advice from the great Buddha, a truth that we should all deeply contemplate and engrave in our hearts: 'In the end, the most essential matters are these: How deeply did you love? How fully did you live? And how gracefully did you let go?'"

The grandmaster concluded his lesson, leaving everyone to ponder his words. The students retreated to their rooms, and Neo laid in his bed, unable to shake off the unease that had settled in him. The last glance the Grandmaster cast in his direction added to the enigmatic air surrounding him. As Neo closed his eyes, sleep eluded him, and he felt as though he were drifting away into a mysterious realm, detached from reality.