Mt. Ohm - God Slayer - K. van Marshall (books recommended by bts txt) 📗

surface, Knoah came skidding through the river. Planting his legs straight, he uses the water to slow his approach - his speed forcing the cool emerald water to spray upwards as he cuts a path through the Wei. Casually releasing his grip on the yellow vine, he lands amongst a group of twenty.

 

Stood on the bank of the Wei, they were all dressed head to toe in silk. The pledges stood out from far. Judor, Els, Gulla and the rest were stood near the Highbury’s edge, talking to Desp.

 

Knoah heads directly to Desp, ignoring the sympathetic looks and attempts to grab his attention.

 

Look at them, are they trying to get on my nerves. They're a mess. If I stop now... I might not keep walking. Ginan, they don’t get it, but I do… I think I always have. Even when dad died, while Sabo was depressed it was me who dragged him out of his shell, but now he’s... not now. Knoah clenched his jaw and shook his mind straight.

 

Instead of stopping and breaking down or lashing out, Knoah continued through the group. Focused on getting on with the pledge, he didn’t even notice Saeko - striding pass him as if he was invisible.

 

Desp is getting an earful from Els, she always had something to say, thought Knoah. That’s why us future gene’s are trouble, khaa. Desp is too laid back to tell her to shut up. Knoah couldn't help but laugh a little, on the inside. Els doesn’t change, even after almost dying and coming back to absolute destruction.

 

For Knoah, it was oddly refreshing seeing Els unchanged. Unlucky for Desp, he was one of the elders charged with accompanying Knoah, Els and the rest of their brigade on their Urha. Knoah always felt it was a bitter sweet assignment for Desp. On one hand, he had been given the responsibility of protecting several of Venzeca's most promising youths, which shows the amount of trust the Chieftain has in him, but on the other their was Els. The fact that they are related did not help.

 

Dressed in formal warrior attire. Desp was clad in a black combat suit with a black sword at his hip. Both are made from the fireproof wood of the boalifera tree - the former weaved from the steel like fibre threads; a result of shaving down boalifera logs to create sturdy weapons. The light weight armour is the pinnacle of Venzecan craftsmanship. Utilizing the augmented hardness of the wood the Frankz builders create many different weapons of power. However producing anything out of boalifera is a team effort. It takes a huge amount of time and effort for the Uzzolan to cultivate the boalifera trees; feeding them iron rich nutrients, before eventually chopping them for processing by Frankz.

 

“Oi, Els... Shut up”, said Knoah, trying to provoke, and announcing his presence.

 

Els turned swiftly, her face twisted into a weird expression Knoah had never seen before. He prepared himself for a tongue lashing, and worse. She stormed towards him. Quickly, he searched his brain for a reason for the aggressive approach. He knew he was late, but Els reaction seemed over the top, even for her. As she got closer, he prepared himself by stepping back and raising his arms; her temper is not something to be messed with.

 

Unexpectedly, she threw her arms open wide, then wrapped them around him, hugging him tightly. The warmth of her body, and surprising actions froze Knoah into inaction. He stood arms at his side, receiving the dumbfounding gesture, her bronze locks caressing his cheeks.

 

“I heard about Sabo, I’m so sorry”, whispered Els softly.

 

She smells of cocopine butter. “It’s fine”, replied Knoah, confused, he had never seen Els this compassionate, not for him anyway. She always seemed to care for people, but he always viewed it as a façade; to him the caring nurse routine seemed a hollow act. But here, at this point she was definitely being genuine and not just for the benefit of her future path.

 

Hurriedly he pushed her off. Knoah hates pity; the flag-bearer of weakness. He turned and looked at Judor, and let slip a quick wink. No matter what his mood, he could not help trying to annoy Judor. Turning he greets Desp in the traditional Lonston way, they bump fists twice before placing their closed fists over their hearts; a sign of mutual respect.

 

Desp turns away from Knoah, to peer into the eyes of everyone. Most stood with their shoulders slumped; dejected young Venzecans.

 

“Now everyone is gathered here, you all who have had to wait for the last ritual of Urha”. Desp looked at Knoah, even his usual bright confidence had been replaced with a solemn glare. “I know it is not ideal, but now, it's finally your time. Get into the boat the Chieftain is waiting”, announced Desp, pointing to the raft behind them. The young adults pile onto the raft with little hesitation.

 

Pushing off from the bank, Desp guides the boat down the river. As the wooden raft bobbled down the river slowly, like many others Knoah stood wondering where they were headed. Not much was in front of them, only a dead end, the great Dunn's waterfall.

 

Eventually the boat stopped dead. Leaving them floating in the middle of the Wei, a few metre before the mile high falls. The boat sat, waiting.

 

A loud crack broke the tension. It was followed by the teeth numbing grinding of rocks. The abrupt noise jarred through the raft. Next the water around the boat started to bubble and gurgle, as if food had just been placed in reach of starving man. A large mouth shaped shadow appeared beneath the boat, without delay the boat started to descend. Steadily the boat became surrounded by rising walls of water as the green river gushed over the sides of the ascending surface. The boat had been swallowed and now confined to a ride on a watery platform. The passengers penned into the boat, looked around frantically at the cascading waterfalls around them.

 

“Don’t worry, this is just a little ride”, said Desp.

 

Knoah looked up at the circular opening, as it slowly drifted upwards, concentrating on the brilliant clear white sky. This is insane. What did you think, eh Sabo, he wondered.

 

“This is the aquavator. Some of you may already know…”.

 

“Yes, it was built back in the day, it leads to the home of our true history and legacy... And the last stop before adulthood”, explained Els, interrupting Desp mid-sentence.

 

The two look at each other, as if sizing an opponent up, and a jolt of tension stiffened the other passengers.

 

Desp clearly not in the mood to give up, turns his focus to the rest of the group and continues. “This place is our treasure, as Venzecans we value knowledge and our history. Here we gather further knowledge and honour our ancestors. To know yourselves truly, is to know your history. Where we are going, you can learn in true depth”, said Desp profoundly.

 

“Qi Eckar”, said Saeko. Els nods as if to say she knew that already. Knoah's head spun, eyebrows raised, just noticing Saeko he gives him a nod - Saeko beams a smile response.

 

“Once you are recognised adults you will be permitted to enter the Glyphtomes and study to your heart's content, all path towers have access points to the tombs, and yes Saeko like Qi Eckar we aim to evolve our beings, but we must first know ourselves… Some of you may have already visited, but please don't spoil it for the rest”, explained Desp, cutting a sharp eye at Els.

 

On cue, as soon as Desp finished speaking, the boat stopped. Knoah looked up once more and this time he could barely see the top. The Wei's surface and the opening from which they were lowered was now a pin hole from their current depth. With a jolt the boat set off again, manoeuvring straight forwards.

 

“Is this is okay? We are heading straight for a wall of water”, asked Judor.

 

“Trust”, said Desp knowingly.

 

The boat slipped through the water, soaking the everyone aboard. The waterfall hid a canal that stretched, down a dark narrow tunnel. The boat was just thin enough to not scrape the edges of the wall as it bobbled along. Soon the travellers were blanketed in darkness. Desp, a good helmsman, only bumped the raft a few times as the boat crept towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

As light eventually gifted the passengers vision, Knoah was surprised to see a monstrously huge cavern waiting. For Knoah, who thought he had explored all of Venzeca, especially Lonston, this place was a complete surprise.

 

At the center of the water filled cavern stood a round cactus like island. The dome surface is populated by hundreds of crystal shards - each of varying sizes, they stick out haphazardly. The shards illuminate a blue light, giving the cavern a warm welcoming glow.

 

“Those are lith crystals. Still don't know why they're so big”, remarked Saeko.

 

Knoah did not respond, partially as he did not know what Saeko was on about, but mainly because the sheer beauty of their surroundings had stolen his attention. The energy drew him in with its peaceful yet rousing embrace.

 

He was not alone, apart from Desp, Saeko and Els - the energy exuded by the crystals had rested the remaining aboard into a trance. As the boat docked and the initiates stepped onto the island, and a chill ran up their spines. Something awe inspiring touched each and everyone of them. A wave of pure love, hope and protection; they were truly in the presence of loved ones.

 

“Welcome to the Glyphtomes! King Urha, your children have returned to claim their rights as adults”, said Chieftain Asra, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “Be warned young ones... This place is the resting place of our Gods, our ancestors. You can find the righteous, powerful and wisest of our ancestors dwelling here, and also the vengeful!”, boomed Chieftain Asra, stood atop a small hill she greeted the young adults with open arms. Draped in a long silver dress, a diamond tiara lined with green and blue roses decorate her dread beehive hairstyle.

 

Most of the group gathered, standing at the foot of the large mound, ready and waiting for their next set of instructions; the elders had been very secretive of the pledge proceedings. Els however, was more fascinated with the scribing on the crystals, drawn to them like a zoote fly to a flame, her mind was totally absorbed by the unique writings. Knoah stood with the others before their Chieftain. With the waves of peace and serenity continuing to wash over him, he lost all anxiety and worries.

 

“Now each of you might have a path in mind, but the Glyphs will show your true desires and path. What you will be shown, I can not say. Some will see two paths, and you can choose one and stick with it or you can switch, you can even be greedy and pick two, but if you do not witness your truth with an open heart you will be running down the wrong path forever. Now come”, demanded the Chieftain, walking down the mound away from the group.

 

She lead the group through the mineral rich black earth of the Glyphtomes, taking them deeper into the tiny island, towards the center. As they went, she instructed them to meditate near a shard that resonated with their spirit. After what the Chieftain described as 'spiritual journey', everyone was to meet her at the center point, the Spire of Urha. There they will pledge to their chosen paths, and finally become adults.

 

Leaving the rest, Knoah walked for a while, only slowing once he had found an isolated area. Els would probably be able to read this, thought Knoah, as he tried to make some sense of crystal's markings, before eventually giving