The Temple of Lang Dui was just over thirty kilometres from the closest village. The village itself was started by the Shen clan who settled there to become caretakers of the temples and its grounds after the monks helped heal their young daughter from a mysterious ailment. Out of respect for the temple grounds, no vehicles were allowed passed the village and anyone who wished to visit would have to travel on foot through the dense forest. “They weren’t kidding when they said it’s amidst the shadows of nature.” I joked, pushing a tall fern out of my path. “Right? What kind of Temple of Wolves exists in a place where you can’t even see the moon?” Jasper frowned up at the canopy of trees so dense we could hardly make out the thousands of stars in the sky let alone see the moonlight. “I don’t know, I have a good feeling about this place,” I remarked, the land we were on was devoid of any civilisation, but that’s what made it all the better, I could practically feel the energy coursing

The sun was setting beyond the horizon when we caught sight of the Abbey sitting cross-legged in the middle of the grand hall with a scroll laid open in front of him, but what was more intriguing than the sight of him, was the single ray of sun that shone on the scroll from the decorated skylight.  “The light of the seeker,” I mumbled and walked into the hall with Jasper hot on my heels. “Come, sit with me.” The Abbey motioned to us without looking our way and we quickly took a seat on either side of him.  “The lotus flower symbolises purity and rebirth.” He pointed to the illuminated flower which was engraved on the wooden scroll and Jasper and I shared a look.  &l

Jasper and I left the eatery in a hurry, leaving our food half-eaten and our waiter shocked by the sudden turn of events. Jasper was keeping a ridiculous distance between us and I was yet to understand what was going on.  The sudden change in his demeanour was both shocking and hurtful, but I pushed my feelings away as I studied the look of pure terror and panic on his face.  “Jas, stop.” I called when we were a good few metres beyond the treeline, but he continued marching on, “Jasper!” I roared and as if I pushed a button his footsteps halted.  I was about to grab his arm when his body swung around, stopping my movements, “What are you doing, I said don’t touch me!”  

I lifted my forehead from the ground where I kneeled before the Goddess, seeking her eternal blessings for the battle that lay before me when my eye caught a picture laying on the ground.  The postcard was somewhat obscured by the shadow cast by the statue, but as I reached forward I knew it wasn’t there by accident.  “What is it?” Jasper asked when he saw me looking at the card.  “It’s a postcard,” I answered distractedly.  The picture was of yet another temple, the inscription at the bottom read “Wolves Nest Monastery, Indonesia.”  “Turn it over, what does it say?” I flip

The Wolves Nest Monastery was by far the most extravagant of the temples we’ve visited in the past weeks. The royal, yet modern architecture surrounded by neatly trimmed gardens gave it an extravagant outlook which I couldn’t help but admire.  The golden pillars made my hands itch to touch them, but I was too afraid of besmirching the perfectly shiny surface.  “This place is extraordinary,” Jasper commented, looking around in just as much awe as I did.  “The Abbey will see you now.” The woman who escorted us in, motioned to the open door and bowed as we entered.  “Hello?” I called wearily when I didn’t see anyone.