After the first mission, days passed as they used to in the past — waking up in the morning, getting ready to train, practicing martial arts, and learning to control dp.
After some weeks, I learned to use dp as well. It wasn't as hard as I had imagined; I just needed to focus on breathing and creating those channels. Absorbing dp, however, was a different thing. First, I learned to use my hands to draw dp from the atmosphere, and slowly, I managed to absorb dp through my entire body.
During this time, something quite intrigued me — most of the martial arts taught here were similar to the ones back on Earth. When I asked Miss Khushi about it, she explained that what I was being taught and what Eternians were taught were different because of our distinct body structures, and the martial arts taught to me resembled Earth's because they had been brought here by humans themselves.
This made me question: what is the connection between Earth and Eternis? Why were humans brought here? And many more questions followed. So, I went to the library of the Elites Headquarters. After explaining what I wanted to read, the librarian suggested a book — "The Abnormal Connection" by Simon Khabki.
The part I've read so far talked about the first human who came to this world. In Satra 2100, an abnormal child was born — he had only two hands and two eyes. Unlike us humans, who are brought here from Earth, he was born here but as a human. For some reason, however, his name wasn't mentioned in the book.
After my usual routine of washing myself, I went to the combat department room, as I had been requested to be there by Miss Khushi.
The room carried a metallic smell due to all the weapons. On both sides, rows of swords of varying lengths, widths, weights, and designs were neatly arranged. Above them, a row of bows hung, and on one side, shields and spears were kept.
But the room wasn't entirely metal; in the middle stood a circular table piled with papers. Miss Khushi was seated there, searching for something among the stacks. Knock, knock. I tapped on the door. "Come in," she said, still rifling through the papers.
I sat down, and after a while, she picked up one paper and said, "So today, you will choose the gods you want to pray to and use their power."
"Gods?" I asked, remembering that a single person could only pray to one god.
"Yes, gods. I'm sure you've heard enough about why humans are superior to Eternians in battle. This is the reason — humans can pray to two gods. Of course, they can only choose from specific possible combinations."
"So, I can pray to two gods? But doesn't that break the basic principles of Diviners?" I asked, recalling one of the core principles of Diviners: 'Once you choose a God, stay devoted to them for the rest of your life.'
"The basic principles were made for Eternians, but for you humans, those principles don't apply," she replied, handing me a paper.
The paper was torn at the edges and had turned yellow — it seemed quite old. On it were six symbols, each representing a different god. The first was the symbol of the God of Water — a spiral wave forming an eye. Below it, in Prelexi, the following words were written:
"Phase 7 – Stream Caller: Sense/control small water, purify streams."
"Phase 6 – Wave Dancer: Walk on water, summon small waves."
"Phase 5 – Abyss Whisperer: Breathe underwater, endless water loop creation, ability to control over Grade-5 threat creatures."
Grade-5 threats... I'd once read about them in a book. They were hostile creatures ranked based on the danger they posed to humans and Eternians — the weakest being Grade-5, and the strongest, Grade-1.
Next was the symbol of the God of Fire — a burning phoenix feather enclosed within a triangle.
"Phase 7 – Sparkbearer: Ignite sparks, resist burns."
"Phase 6 – Embercaller: Shape flames, increase heat in the nearby environment."
"Phase 5 – Ashmancer: Command ash, endless fire creation, control over Grade-5 threats."
Then came the symbol of the God of Wind — a spiral of three curved lines forming a vortex with a feather at its center.
"Phase 7 – Breeze Caller: Control breezes, light leaps, faster movements."
"Phase 6 – Wind Strider: Body becomes lighter, movements smoother, run weightlessly, long jumps, attacks of wind."
"Phase 5 – Whisperer: Carry voices, hear secrets on wind, control over Grade-5 threats."
The symbol of the God of Land was a mountain split by a vertical line, with a blue gem embedded at its core.
"Phase 7 – Stone Keeper: Move rocks, strengthen bones, powerful blows."
"Phase 6 – Stone Binder: Skin hardens like rock, enhanced defense."
"Phase 5 – Earthshaper: Mold terrain, summon walls, minor quakes, control over Grade-5 threats."
The symbol of the God of Space — a crescent enclosing a black star suspended within an incomplete circle.
"Phase 7 – Fluid Dancer: Faster movements, more control of body."
"Phase 6 – Riftwalker: Blink short distances, fold space."
"Phase 5 – Astral Dreamer: Project soul outward, glimpse stars, control over Grade-5 threats."
The symbol of the God of Nature — a palm with an eye in the center, two black irises, surrounded by branches in a crossing pattern.
"Phase 7 – Rooter: Control small branches, communicate with insects."
"Phase 6 – Talker: Communicate with animals and birds, heal own small to medium injuries."
"Phase 5 – Infinite: Regeneration, semi-body transfiguration, control over Grade-5 threats."
I read the paper with all my focus and attention, and after several minutes of studying and understanding, I handed it back to Miss Khushi.
"You cannot choose both the God of Water and the God of Fire because they are of different natures. Aside from that, you may choose any combination of gods to pray to for power," she said, taking the paper back.
"Okay," I replied, my mind still lingering on the paper and its contents.
"Why were only Phases 7 to 5 listed, and not those above them?" I asked, curious why only three levels of power were given when there were seven in total.
"Because humans are not allowed to go above Phase 5."
"Huh?" I was even more confused now.
"Use your brain a little — humans are stronger and more efficient with dp. Them being at Phase 5 means their strength is similar to Phase 4," she explained.
"Okay," I replied.
"So, have you decided what you'll choose?" she asked.
I thought for a while. "Yes, I have."