It was uncommon for us to get visitors. Most are there to climb the mountain, not to see a monastery.

But the current leader of the Air Tribe saw it fit to visit, to both charge his crystal, and I believe sway the opinion of the Head Abbot.

That was Cryostoria.

None of us really cared much for him, but the leader of the tribe cannot be turned away, since they have the need of the Nexus.

The abbot insisted the Nexus remain neutral for whatever conflict Cryostoria had in mind further, given they already opposed to the enslavement of the Fire Tribe.

Cryostoria left, but the abbot was rightfully concerned with whatever plans Cryostoria had in store.

A number of monks volunteered to leave the mountain, go to Felishon, and oppose any kind of evil acts Cryostoria had in mind.

I was among them.

In Felishon, as monks, we were immune to any kind of prosecution, as per tribal law.

Not that Cryostoria had respect for tribal law, mind you - but for whatever reason, perhaps knowing he would need to be able to freely return to the peak if he drained his crystal, he tolerated us.

We were thorns in his side for years.

We protested his tyrannical acts. We made public demonstrations. We even tried to solicit support from other leaders of Alastere to stand against him.

To little effect. Few seemed willing to take a stand against the one who had cast his shadow over our country.

Until one day, Cryostoria made a public announcement.

The head abbot had officially removed our standing.

And with it our protections.

Even knowing this, we all still stood firm, and went to protest at the temple itself.

Cryostoria had us all arrested on the spot, charged with sedition and treason.

I, and I assume my fellow monks, were imprisoned in our own lightless tombs.

Time had little meaning in there. I did not expect to see the light of day again.

It wasn't until you all slaying him that all of the political prisoners there were freed, myself among them.

I discovered when I escaped my coffin that I was the last of our group. The only one to survive.