We enter the grand temple of the holy wind emperor. It is full of what I presume to be worshipers. They are in white robes and give bows to us as we pass through. They all also have black headbands around their heads. They appear to all be humanoids. Likely drones made for this purpose.
We walk down a quite long hallway until we come before a grand golden doorway. The doors open with a great sound of rushing air. Almost as though there is a great difference in pressure between the two spaces. But we don't feel any movement of air itself.
We enter the throne room. It is similar to a large cathedral. At the head of the room is a large altar. Behind it stands a very wispy looking man. Though I can feel an immense force radiating off of him. He has long golden hair which is blowing in a strange wind around him.
The man speaks, in a very calm voice that seems to gently fill the entire room. “Welcome, travellers, I am glad that you have deigned to visit my very own domain. The land of the holy wind. I am the.. Ruler of sorts of this domain.”
Ray and I give a slight bow and I then address the man. “It is a pleasure to visit you, your holiness. We were merely passing through and thought we should pay heed to the ruler of these lands. We can offer assistance with various things if there is anything you should need.” I nail the introduction, I hope I anticipated the nature of this place well enough.
*Emperor laughs lightly* “My, my, what polite travelers you are! As you can tell, we don't get many passersby through this domain. We are planning a grand funerary ceremony for those of our brethren recently lost. We would be thankful if you helped us to prepare and attend in recognition of our brethren.”
Ray:”We would be glad to assist with such a noble event. Please, make full use of our abilities. We are skilled in many different things and possess varied knowledge.”
“Well in that case, I shall have my brethren find some tasks for you. The ceremony will be held in about thirteen hours, so please, make yourselves at home.”
We are guided out of the altar room and into a changing room of sorts. The acolyte guiding us motions for us to change into clothing more appropriate. Which we quickly do. Ray is now looking quite stylish in a pretty loose white robe. It compliments her hair quite nicely.
“Ko, you look absolutely ridiculous. That white robe, with the white/black markings and your purple hair just looks crazy. You look like you're straight outa a manga.”
“Well, I was thinking of a compliment, but now I'm going to replace that with an insult about how your mouth really clashes with the folds of the robe.”
“What the klack does that even mean?”
“Not sure myself. It's impossible to insult you. You're like, perfect no matter what.”
“Geez, what happened to not complimenting me.”
“Its just too hard, you just radiate perfection and beauty.”
“Okay. Okay, enough. Let's get to work before Initae teleports down here and gives us a scolding about talking for too long.”
I hear a childlike god’s laughter in the distance. Even though I know it's physically impossible. After all, she is all the way in orbit. I don't think there is a way she could project her laughter this far, right?
We are led out of the changing room and into a very ornate looking room. Probably used specifically for ceremonies such as sendoffs to the dead. Along the walls are lined several sarcophagi that are being moved around into positions. There are several circles around the sides that seem to be indicators of where to place them.
We are asked to help move them into place. It appears that the other acolytes are kinda struggling to move them. This whole place seems to be very low tech. It's a nice refreshing experience compared to the rest of the places we have visited. Which are absolutely dripping with insane technology.
“Leave this to me, I'll have it done in no time flat. Just tell me where exactly to place them.”
I sit down on the floor and cross my legs. I am going to need to focus very intently if I am going to attempt this. I start by forming a bubble of raw inae around myself. Then I extrude several tentacles out to each of the twelve sarcophagi that need to be moved. I gently encapsulate them in a layer of inae.
A collective gasp goes through all those present as they start to float in the air. To anyone without high potential with gesir wielding, they can't see the raw inae. Ray just stands next to me, nodding as if saying that this is completely normal and expected behaviour.
I gently move the sarcophagi to where they need to be and set them down. Very careful not to damage them whatsoever. I then retract all my inae and stand up once again. I give a slight bow, for the bonus style points.
The acolytes stare at me in shock for a few seconds. But then they give a little round of applause and get back to other tasks.
We are then led to help with several other tasks. Including weaving some interesting floral wreaths made out of a strange flower. It is mostly white but at its very center it has a brilliant green color. One of the acolytes explains that it represents the purity of the self around the evil of the heart or something. I've never been much for flower language.
Ray ends up taking a leftover flower and threading it through her hair. It looks quite cute and fits her very well.
We also end up helping to clean the place. Unfortunately, I don't trust my inae control enough yet to use it for this application. I bet Initae could simultaneously use like a billion brooms at once and make it go super fast though. Or maybe she would just pick up each mote of filth individually.
Throughout our time, we end up chatting and exchanging many tales with the acolytes. Who are apparently real people, but they have been digitized and sent here for various reasons, like a sanatorium of sorts. They regale us with tales of great conquests, both of people and of entire star systems. They tell us of their homeworlds, and how their families made a living.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Each person has a tale from often completely different planets. All with their own cultures and traditions. It really feels nice, almost as if the universe is alive and not just an endless expanse of cold void.
Of course, we also exchange tales of our own. We amaze them with tales of high school and the horrors we have inflicted upon others with our words. We even tell them of our adventures on the other altar planets. Many seem quite intrigued at our heroic tales of dragon slaying. We may have exaggerated a bit, Ray has a tendency to go full storyteller mode.
We spend about eight hours just helping out with various tasks and chatting with the residents of the temple. We are then given a break and shown to the best place in the temple (according to Ray) – the bar.
Thankfully, I convince Ray to not get blind drunk in the middle of a trial that is testing our merit as future leaders. I think they might doc a few things if that were to happen. Or who knows, there are probably some Arkan on the council, we may earn a few bonus points.
We spend about two hours drinking and socializing. Then everyone is called back into the ceremony hall for the start of the ceremony.
We enter the chamber and take our assigned seats near the front. At the front of the room stands the Emperor, looking very regal in some fancy looking robes. The emperor motions for the room to go silent, even though it was already quite quiet.
“Welcome brethren. We gather here today to honor those of us who have passed on, beyond this place of respite. May they find glory, wherever they should end up in the coming time…” [Yada, yadda, big speech, they were honorable, they did great, etc.] “With this, I pronounce this ceremony of passing has come to a close.”
The moment he says this last sentence, a large wind whips through the room. The markings under the sarcophagi start to glow. They are then encompassed within a bubble of energy and disappear momentarily. Either teleported or disintegrated, I've got no clue.
Those gathered start to cheer and clap, we join in out of respect. The atmosphere in the room is very happy. It seems that rather than mourning, this is a ceremony designed to celebrate those that have passed on. Which makes sense, it's not like they are dead. They have basically just graduated out of this place, whatever reason they were sent here for was fixed.
Everyone heads outside to a field that is filled with tables loaded with food and drink. There is also a cool band using some strange instruments, aulos I think.
“Ko! I wonder if they will let me play. I've actually learned how to properly use one.”
“Why the klack, do you know how to use an ancient instrument?”
“Well I had to take a class for credits and I chose an ancient music class. So we got to see and learn how to use a bunch of old instruments from ancient times.”
“You never fail to surprise me with your random knowledge.”
“You know a bunch of random things too! Like that stuff about the things and stuff.”
“Very specific, Ms. Genius Prodigy Superstar.”
“Why thank you, Mr. Worthless NEET.”
We joined in the festivities for quite a while. There is even a dance floor.
Naturally, Ray and I absolutely annihilate the floor. We are doing a bunch of moves that these people haven't even seen before. Thanks to our patented cheating with my inae control, we can do stuff that others can't even dream of.
Later on, I give a couple demonstrations of my abilities. I even end up levitating a group a bit off the ground.
Everyone has a great time. The field is full of laughter, smiles and a general feeling of happiness. Also, the food and drink is quite good too. Considering we are on a floating island in the middle of a planet-wide hypercane.
The Emperor even joins us, and just has fun just like everyone else. Though, he seems to be distinctly different from the acolytes. I have also started to notice that he kinda feels old. Not quite like Initae, but definitely a vibe not dissimilar to hers.
The Emperor walks over and initiates conversation with the two of us. He seems to be quite nervous, almost as if he is about to suggest something absurd.
“Oh dear travellers. You two are truly some of quite esteem. I am aware of your situation. I would definitely say that you have passed this altar with flying colors.
Rather than simply offer you my crown in acknowledgement. I have a proposal.”
Ko: “What type of proposal did you have in mind?”
“Why, very simply, I wish to join you on your journey. I have been watching over this place for quite a while. But I think I would like to explore the universe once again. It'll be interesting to see what all has changed.”
Ray: ”We would be glad to welcome you along with us! We are always looking for new friends.”
“Agreed, we would be glad for you to travel with us, Emperor.”
“What excellent news indeed. By the way, please call me Emil. My full name is Emil ao Aethos. I shall look forward to traveling with you. Once the festivities are over, come find me and we shall leave this place together!”
We have just secured ourselves another core ally! Emil also seems to possess a great deal of power. I guess we just have a knack for forming alliances with gods. We enjoy the festivities for a bit longer, but eventually we say our goodbyes.
We meet up with Emil in front of the temple entrance, where our board is waiting.
“Hmm, if you two don't mind, I can get us to the launch point much faster and easier than with that board device.”
Ray:”Sounds cool! Show us what you can do!”
Emil then proceeds to concentrate for several seconds. Almost as if he is imagining something he hasn't in quite a while. Slowly, strands of glowing energy start to emerge out of his back. They form into a pair of beautiful white wings.
“Woah! It's like you're an angel or something.”
“While I am unfamiliar with this angel term. I am indeed not human. I am from a long dead species that was known as the Aetherians. We once built great cloud cities spanning across our solar system. Unfortunately, we ended up causing our own extinction due to greed.
Anyways, enough with the sad stuff. Let's get going, hold on tight.”
Ko:”What do you mean hold…”
Before I can finish my sentence, Emil grabs us each in his arms and takes off. We are jolted directly into the air and far away from the island in an instant. The storm rages and pulses as we travel through it.
My kit registers us at moving nearly four thousand kilometers per hour. Which is quite ludicrous if you ask me. I look over at Ray and she has a big smile on her face, she has always loved going fast. I do enjoy it quite a bit as well.
We approach a landmass that has an IEC-looking facility on it. Outside stands our Velz guide, waiting to receive us.
“Welcome back contestants, and greetings, Lord Emil. I take this to mean that you passed this altar. Please take this space accelerator back into orbit. Further instructions will be provided as to the end of the trial.”
Ray, Emil and I board some very scary looking cannons. Ray and I are forced to cram into one pod, since there are only two. It's a bit of a tight fit, but we have been in much tighter spots.
We are then launched into orbit, which is kinda scary to be honest. We safely manage to arrive back in the hangar bay of the Sycos. Initae and several crew are waiting to greet us.
“Ko! Ray! Welcome back. It sure seems like you had a lot of fun. You even made time to totally-not-flirt above the clouds!”
Ko:”Glad to be back, we have also brought back a new ally!”
At this, Emil steps out of his pod. Emil and Initae’s faces light up in complete shock at seeing each other.
Initae:”Why, it can't be.. Is that Emil ao Aethos!?”
“Archgodess!?”
This sure is an interesting development. Whatever shall come next, Ray and I shall persevere through it, together. So, bring it on.
End of Chapter 41
A/N: Welcome back dear reader. Author here. You must really like this story if you've made it 41 chapters in! Thank you greatly for continuing to read. I hope that I can continue to live up to your expectations. With this chapter, the last altar of the first trial is now complete. Ray and Ko have even managed to secure another ally. Who seems to have a history with Initae. Be sure to stay tuned to find out what happens next!
As always, if you are enjoying it, be sure to follow/favourite/comment/share with a friend, it is always appreciated! Until the next one, dear reader.
- Cathrix