Chapter 60: Tossing and Turning

As Trint and Pneuma took a couple of steps they both considered why there was such concern about them making a 100-mile run. Even at level 10 he had stats nearly double that of Earth’s most fit. His stamina would be at 1000 and his regeneration of stamina would be about 30% of that. This was not going to be a challenge.

“What are we missing about this run?” Trint looked to Pneuma as they took their first strides, suddenly they felt like the gravity increased many times and their strength was not up for the sudden change, and both stumbled to the ground.

“Oh, that will be the adjustment to your stats and the impact of our planet’s increased gravity suppression being removed. Good luck.

Pneuma was the first to get back to his feet. Extending a hand, he grabbed Trint by the arm as he pushed off from having his face on the ground. They both brushed off the now dirt-covered robes and adjusted to the burden of additional gravity and suppressed stats. The challenge was equivalent to wearing a weighted vest and backpack and attempting to jog for a hundred miles if the distance they were told was even accurate.

During the first hour, Pneuma and Trint shared their frustrated thoughts. After venting they resolved to get through the challenges, they undoubtedly would face but keep their composure. With that promise made they tried to remain silent and consider the concepts their mentor suggested.

Soul. Not what I grew up on earth thinking soul was. This is Soul. Capital S. What did they say, was a source of power? But also, a concept? Not sure where to begin. I wonder if this will be a Bootcamp. To break us down to then build us back up?

Jarring them from their thoughts after a couple of hours of running they saw what looked like groundskeepers. The first was a cart parked along the edge of the trail they were running but they were dragging a dead animal’s body towards their cart.

“What was that about?” Trint asked.

“If I had to guess that was pest control for this area. They probably don’t want animals or beasts getting near the city or area we stayed in last night.” Pneuma guessed, not knowing for sure.

They passed a handful more carts and saw some people patrolling the woods, especially when the trail would take them closer to the lake. Most of the time they were pushed further away from the water.

“I didn’t realize you were so weak when you just got the iterations,” Pneuma was short of breath.

“Yeah, I guess you’ve never been this weak before, huh?”

“No, and I don’t like it,” Pneuma said between deep breaths.

Despite their weakened state and increased gravity, their stamina kept them going without the need for breaks. But halfway through the day, they came to a wall stretching to each side of the path with a gate that would allow for a two-lane highway to pass through. The gate was closed but the towers to each side were manned with guards. Two of the guards stepped out of the tower at ground level.

“What are you doing so close to the wall?” The guard seemed surprised to see them. “Children aren’t allowed out here?”

“Do we look like children?” Trint managed between deep breaths.

“No, no you don’t. So, what are you doing wearing the robes of children then?” The second guard asked.

Trint and Pneuma looked at each other knowingly.

“It seems we were not aware of the status of our attire. We are new here. But we were also told to follow the trail to where the river leaves the lake. I assume that is past this gate?” Trint spoke for the pair. Pneuma’s void-colored features left the guards a bit on edge whenever they glanced at him, their hands went to their swords.

“Yes, that is where the others who passed by were headed. We didn’t know any others, wearing children’s clothes were coming by. Are you capable of handling level 20 to level 40 beasts?”

Again, the pair looked at each other but with more concern. “We were told to go this way, please let us through.

One guard nodded to the other and they looked up at the guard at the top of the tower. “Yep, I confirmed they are cleared,” the guard at the top hollered down. The two at the bottom opened a normal-sized door in the wall and allowed them to pass through without needing to open the massive doors.

“Good luck, the others passed here hours ago,” one guard called to them as they began their trek.

It was just after sunset when Trint and Pneuma came to a large walled-in compound. More of a castle in its grandeur as the river split to flow around each side of the structure. It was complete with a drawbridge over the fast-moving current. They had spent the rest of the day after the gates vigilantly avoiding beasts. They frequently had to hide as their power was limited and were without weapons. The frustration and helplessness had grown.

“Do we yell to let the bridge down?” Trint asked.

“No, they know we are here. Look at that guard watching from the side of the bridge.” Pneuma observed. Stepping from the shadow was a man in deep blue, nearly black robes.

“You two are late. Some assumed you didn’t make it,” the guard stated without emotion.

The bridge slowly lowered, and they were allowed in. Inside they were greeted by Zola and their Mentor.

“You made it. But you probably realize you didn’t make it in time. We will have your mentor show you to your platforms,” Zola seemed to enjoy that last part far too much.

“Welcome, please follow me,” Ele’Azar requested. Walking through the passage they worked their way through the large compound and finally to a stone door. Before opening it their mentor finally spoke.

“Well done. I honestly think a good many thought you would die after the gate. Your bodies truly are weakened to the point of taking damage from a beast could have been fatal. Thank you for proving them wrong. Now tonight might seem like a punishment and it is meant to be. But sometimes challenges and fasting, even forced fasting can help with prayers and meditation. Use this time to your advantage and don’t fall in. The current is swift. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Trint and Pneuma shuffled through the door. Looking at the room, there were three walls and a roof. But the far wall was open to the woods and darkened landscape beyond. Trint walked to the edge, following the already audible sound of the river below. So, what do you think the challenge is? I’ve slept on the ground and even stone before?” The temperature had been warm during the day, and it was cooling off since the setting of the sun, but Trint wasn’t worried about that keeping him from sleeping. He was too exhausted from the challenge of the day.

Pneuma pointed to the seam in the stone floor running straight from the door out towards the edge of the darkness beyond. “I have a bad feeling about that crack.”

Just as he said that the door closed making Trint jump. “Whoa!” I am still jumpy from our time sneaking and running to get here.”

They were left to themselves, and they both began to grow tired. Yes, they had agreed Ele’Azar said to meditate but they felt sleep was more important at this point. Pneuma wasn’t quite as tired and agreed to watch for another hour while Trint got a little sleep. 15 minutes later Pneuma shook Trint awake.

“Get up!” Pneuma urgently hissed, shoving Trint to the side. The floor was sliding out from under Trint. The left half of the room was retracting towards the left side. Trint and Pneuma ended up on the right side. They both watched as the floor eventually completely disappeared into the wall. Nothing below but the river. After a moment the missing floor began slowly returning into place. As soon as the floor reached the middle the nightside began to retract. Towards the right wall.

“There goes any chance of sleep,” Trint stated the obvious. “Maybe it would be better to take our chances with a swim and sleep in the woods?”

“No, we must rise to the challenge. You should attempt to meditate for the several minutes it takes for each side to retract and return. Then we switch sides and one watch, and one meditate.” Pneuma tried to suggest the best option for their torturous night.

Hundred nearly 150 rotations of jumping from platform to platform later the sun rose and the door to their prison opened just as they were about to jump to the other side.

“Morning,” Ele’Azar greeted them. “I would say good morning, but I am sympathetic to your eventful night. Here are some clothes. You can dress in there or out here in the hallway.” Both took the opportunity to leave their torture device and changed right in the hall, too tired to be ashamed of their nakedness. Trint was tired but was also surprised to see Pneuma without clothes. He knew that this form was not his real form but a large humanoid one. Still, he wondered how his bond was coping with this limitation.

You can come this way and get something to eat before the others wake.” They followed him to a dining hall that opened onto the inner courtyard. They were served food and greedily ate. Just as their appetites were partially sated and the weight of their exhaustion was rearing its head Ele’Azar directed them to leave their food and tables. He led them to the top of the wall facing the lake. The sun was rising towards them over the water.

Please sit and meditate. I will guide your thoughts. I want to give you a little more to consider before the rest of the cohort wakes up and you meet them.

The group your met at the edge of the forest was part of the group and their mentors that were opposed to your involvement with our training. There are another two groups of the cohort that were not present. Some are sympathetic and another group that is from a more religious group. They won’t be an issue but also won’t help you unless you convert to their beliefs.”

“What do they believe?” Trint inquired.

“In short, to know their soul they have to let go of it and unite with the Universe and become one,” Ele’Azar said indifferently. “It’s not that I don’t think there is merit there. I am here and supporting you two because I believe there is more to learn. I believe that with fewer preconceptions about your Soul you will be able to harness a power greater than a connection to the System or the Universe. The System was never meant to be a power-granting machine. It was meant to be a measurement tool and guide. We have elevated it to believe it is guiding us towards ascension with a grand design.” Ele’Azar had gone from looking at the sunrise to gazing deeply into Trint and Pneuma’s eyes. He turned back to the lake. “I may have said too much of my opinion there. Just know that what I believe is not important when it comes to what you believe about your Soul.”