The Crystal Odyssey

Chapter Thirty-Five: Catch Up!

Chapter Thirty-Five: Catch Up!

I started off first. I told Niamh about Elphis and the reason why we had all been teleported to the training dimension; to my surprise she already knew everything, well almost everything. She said that when she arrived, she was in a big citadel with thousands of other children. “We were greeted by two Gods. Métis, goddess of cunning and council and Xenia, god of hospitality,” Niamh explained, “Everyone was told that they were god candidates and their purpose in the dimension but we were never told about the history behind it all. I have never heard of Orion till now.” I looked at her puzzled, why would they not tell you about Orion? I took a sip of my drink and then asked,” You said Citadel. Does that mean this dimension isn’t just trees and forest?” Niamh gulped down a mouthful and then replied, “You haven’t seen anything yet. This dimension is vast, way bigger than earth. I have travelled all over the place from deserts to polar ice caps. There is a city quit far away from here, the place where everyone, except you, was first teleported to. There are shops to buy food, clothing anything you will need. The merchants are set up by Gods.” I tried to picture everything she was telling me. It sounded incredible. She described the ancient building that filled the city and the large glass dome that covered it, protecting it from any beast that dared aggravate it.

The city sounded magical. “So does everyone fight then?” I asked slightly worried. Niamh smiled at me and replied, “No not everyone. Some people are not built for combat, or just don’t like to fight or train. About a third of the population has decided not to fight and instead just wonder about searching and exploring or working. No one knows what happens if you do not fight though. Xenia and Métis only give advice on abilities and how to develop them. For example, when I first arrived I was really shy. Everyone seemed so much bigger than me. For the first week, I was an outcast. I didn’t know how to use my abilities properly so I went to see Métis. She assisted me and helped me improve, that’s how I discovered that I had an incredible reaction time and Xenia helped me used my small structure as an advantage, since I could sneak about much stealthier and quicker than most people. Most people do not actually go to see those two, surprisingly. Everyone thinks they are the best and no one trusts one another anymore.” I looked at Niamh and frowned. “I know it sucks but that’s what happens when you tell thousands of people that they will fight to become a God,” she took another sip of her drink and carried on. “Don’t worry; everyone is careful but still friendly. Only a few people go as far as to harm other God Candidates.” I clenched my fist, “That can’t happen. Isn’t there some kind of rule that forbids violence against one another?” I asked nervously. Niamh glared as me, her blue eyes shining with intent, “That is the point of all of this; it is a fight to the end. Some people find it easier to eliminate the weak before they become strong.”

She took another sip and continued,” There is no rule that stops people fighting. Almost three years ago, I made it my goal to find our friends, like you right now. I managed to find a few of them but the only one who actually wanted to travel with me was Megan. It was before I got my blades and we were targeted by a gang of God Candidates. I managed to get away but it cost Megan her life!” There was a long silence. “Megan is dead?” I murmured under my breath. I was too late. If only I had gotten here at the right time, I could have helped. “There is no point in stressing about it now, she is gone! In this world those who don’t move on will be removed!” As she said those words, her eyes flickered with determination. I could see all the pain she had suffered in her eyes.