Climb Korin Tower (Complete)

[Nam]

Legends of a great tower was a tale that spread far and wide amongst those whose culture still remembered the ancient wisdom of their ancestors. It was a testament to a fallen hero, so the tribes which dwell at the base had informed Nam, though it was most widely known as a test of great resolve – a dangerous one, considering the scope of such a tall structure. Nam was many times thankful for the wisdom imparted onto him even now as he stood, the moon hanging overhead, bright and luminous as if offering him light in which to undertake his path.

“It is so...so tall, I can barely make out the top!” He'd gulp, but he knew he could achieve it for he was no stranger to heights, he quickly gathered his strength, taking pause to allow a peaceful flow to run over his head, offering his thanks to the Moon, the sun, and prayed for a safe voyage. Calloused fingers and palms promptly moved to grasp, to grope the ridged and ornately carved sides of the tower. Perhaps his training had been paying off, his body pulled itself up, foot by foot, but even as the ground became more and more distant – he still had great lengths to travel.

I will pass this test, even If I must climb all the way to the moon! he told himself, giving up was simply not an option. He could fly, he could even jump very high, but the stories he heard made it very clear against attempting such – as valuable training in patience and perseverance would be lost. If anyone was so accustomed with enduring the impossible, it was he, Nam, who knew better than most. Refusing to look back on he pressed on, feeling like an inchworm climbing a great oak tree, he knew if he tried to hurry, he might exhaust himself, but if he was too slow, he may run out of the meager food and water which he carried with himself on the trip.

What was started late at night, soon the moon vanished and the sun began peaking over the mountains, though the bright day was coming, he found himself climbing through clouds! It was astonishing, but his arms began to feel a slight ache born of hours of repetition, grinning, he felt himself being challenged. Deciding to take a rest – he would brace himself against the wall as he would drink from a canteen. The metal cask would be lifted from his hand, up where his lips could trap the neck so he could take a sip of the precious water.

“Ah...” He sighed, pleased by the crisp flavor of the life giving water. As he moved to place the cap back on he would find it promptly snatched from his hands by a large bird. “Aaah! H-Hey, give that back you over-sized pidgeon!” Nam would uncharacteristically throw a fit followed by a shaking of his fist as his water as carried off into the distance. With a heavy sigh, he would stare up “That does it...I'll have to do this in two more days, otherwise I might dry up like a sponge...” He'd murmur to himself.

With vigor and energy running through his body, Nam quickly kicked it up a notch, he had started fairly slow, but now he would have to make up for lost time. The Sun beat over his body, but surely he climbed up and up and up. The Sun soon went down, and he would like to sleep, to drink, to eat, but he pushed on until the next sun came up again but it seemed he was only just past the half way point. He managed to continue by suppressing the pang of exhaustion and ache as he pushed forth, further and further.

However he managed to make it in the set amount of time he had planned, though he as he was stopped by the bottom of an upside dome-like structure, he felt he was at the end. “Ha...hahaha, I made it!” He would triumphantly proclaim with both his hands in the air, but nearly managed to fall backwards, but managed to swing his arms about and bought himself some time. But where is it that I must...Aha! A hole! I'll just jump and catch it! he then pushed himself up and caught the ridge of a hole, his strong arms tensed, curves of defined muscle tightening even as they each shook with fatigue poisons, but he managed to pull himself up, crawling up and on his chest.

“Hah...hah...hah...made it...” Nam panted out, as he rolled over onto his back, he would only rest his eyes for a mere moment, that was all.

Just a moment...

Fade to Black

[Raditz]

Epic post, captured Nam very well I think.

[Nam]

Time became immaterial, a great unknown where the wanderer's inner most consciousness had forgotten about and for a time, didn't care for. His head throbbed painfully whenever he felt close to stirring from his well earned rest, but he could not sleep forever, and it appeared that whoever lived so high in the clouds couldn't help but concur whilst a sturdy wooden staff was used to conk him on the noggin. “Hey there, wakey wakey, hey get up will ya? It's hard to rest knowing theres a strange man laying n the middle of your bedroom.” A strang, gruff, voice managed to penetrate the consciousness of the waking man. Soon, with eyes aflutter, the bright world returned, his vision lurred as he fought to keep his eyes open – with a strange, hairy looking person above him.

However, his sight decieved him, as he let forth a groan while he began to sit up, rubbing his eyes and letting out a loud yawn. “So who are you? The locals, they said nothing about...” However, now that he got a better look, it became a bit more clear that this person who woke him was no man at all. “A C-c-c-” But before he could get the proper word out, Korin introduced himself “Korin's the name, and right now you've been blocking my way to my cooking pot.” Korin reminded Nam, who promptly stood up, so this was the mythical Korin? The Tales he heard never portrayed him right it would seem, considering no one ever made it this far from the village.

“Please, forgive me, but I have traveled very far, and I have worked very hard, so that I may ask you for something...[/color]” Nam bowed courteously, and Korin eyed him down sharply, though he likely already knew what kinda person Nam was by now. “Really now? What might it be that you need from me, huh?” He'd ask, as he patiently, yet, curiously waited Nam's answer. He would wait a short time, before an answer was provided “I have come, seeking the Sacred Water, please. I have left my village so that I may get stronger, and there is no tale more widely known than the Sacred Water of Korin's Tower. Please, I beg you!” He'd offer. Unlike others who had come, it appeared Korin could see how much this responsibility of his was, and he could feel his passion to help.

“Hrm...very well...under one condition though. No one gets to that water unless the pass a test, can't say how long it'll take you, one guy took 3 days, and another...took three years.” Korin explained, as he stroked his whiskers a bit as he watched Nam's jaw drop at such a statement “Th-three years?” He'd ask, a bit disheartened, but then he would regain his composure “Whatever it takes, I will pass this challenge, no matter how long it takes!” He'd proclaim staunchly.

Korin's features remained unflinching “Good, good, now you must catch me and Ill tell ya right now, I won't make it easy on ya.” Though no sooner did he explain than did Nam quickly attempt to tag Korin only to miss and get tapped on the back “Nice try, like I said, I won't make it easy.” There was little more talk, Nam was not a man to strike so suddenly, however if this was the Korin he heard of, then he would be a difficult challenge, if he hoped to succeed he would have to pour every iota of effort into catching him.

But as it was abundantly clear, no matter how quick Nam was, or how much stamina had, at the end of the day he would end up failing. Day after day, for four days, he came closer and closer, but on the fifth day, Nam felt confident he might be able to catch the immortal. Instead of relying on merely his sight, he relied on his other enhanced senses, reacting to the soft vibrations he felt through the ground, the sounds he heard of Korin's movements, but at long last he managed to grab Korin. “Hah! Got you!” Nam would proclaim, grabbing Korin by his ear. “Owowow! He buddy, lay off would ya?! Ya gt me, okay?!” Korin would scream out in pain with having his ear grabbed and held roughly.

Releasing his grip, with a red tinge of embarassment, Nam would grin “So I... have earned the Sacred Water then?” he would ask, while Korin gave a nod “Follow me, though I should warn you, it ain't exactly all it's cracked up to be...”

[Nam]

Korin has vanished for some time, thus while he waited, Nam had sat out in the fresh air on the floor of the tower, deep in thought while he waited for his reward. Briefly he thought back on his experience regarding the World Martial Arts Tournament, remembering the 21st of such fondly, as well as his old friend Goku who he hadn't seen for sometime. Part of him wondered where that boy which was no doubt a man by now would be, what he might look like, and such like that.

Without warning, his thoughts were broken as a slight tap was offered suddenly “You still awake? Wouldn't blame ya if you wanted a nap.” the feline immortal would offer as Nam opened his eyes and right in front of him was a ornate looking flask, what appeared to be exquisitely crystal clear glass, cradled by precious metals such as silver with gemstones inlaid. “Is that...?” however his implied question was met only with a nod.

Eagerly, Nam would put his hands out to receive it, and water was poured into the cup his palms created. For a brief moment he wondered how it would taste, suspecting it to taste sweet like nectar or something, but as he poured what little he had into his mouth, his eyes reviously shut so he could avor it, it was when it was trapped in his mouth that it became evident that it tasted horrible! He almost spit it out on reflex but managed to swallow it down “Yeah, no one ever thinks that 'Sacred Water' tastes nasty, huh? Yeah, good luck keeping it down too – it can be a duzy.” Korin would tease, but Nam was in no position to reply.

His throat and stomach felt like it was on fire, he felt his gut turn in all sorts of ways. He gagged and coughed, but he had come too far to release the potent liquid, it was awful but maybe it was because of the power in the liquid that caused it to taste as such, which caused his body to react the way it didn't. He was made of tough stuff, however, he kept himself from vomiting, his body lurching forward, and his arms trembling as his fingers and palms pressed to the ground.

It was almost terrifying, he breathed quick and heavy breaths as he kept his eyes focused on the ground the many lines of the tile began to become blurred, his yes fixating on the ground as pain raced through his body. Was he dying? No, he couldn't die, and this Korin would not dare trick him would he? No, of course not, and even if he had, Nam was no stranger to it. Instead of collapsing further, Nam instead sought to defy the liquid, he began to stand, to ignore the pain, and triumphantly he made it to one foot, then the other.

“Good job there, at first I was getting worried you'd lose your lunch all over my clean floor. So there you have it, the Sacred Water, just as I said, eh?” The cunning creature offered, “Also could ya do me a favor, try not to spread it around, I'm old and I don't get to have nearly as much fun anymore, okay?”

Nam managed to nod, swallowing down any bad taste as he still felt queezy, but the water had been defeated, and despite the feeling of illness could feel it's effects working. “Th-thank you Korin, I owe you so much...” He'd cough, “Don't set it, Namu, take the Dark Nimbus down, wouldn't use that power very well as a pancake...”

Nam did take him up on that offer, not in the mood to talk, but as he began to travel down the tower, it then just hit him: He never gave Korin his name! But it was too late to head back now, after the experience with the water, it would be some time since he returned.

[End]