The stone made golem was greyish-brown. Leo almost looked made of iron ore and granite. Leo's new body was merely made with several single boulders moving as one to replicate the movements of the human body.
Channeling mana, Leo realized that his new body was even at Mana Fighter level. Its core wasn't fully formed yet. This made inhabiting this body very easy for Leo.
Looking around the ancient city, Leo saw stone buildings and castle walls. Even inch of the Inca Kingdom was covered in stone and metal. The only green in sight was gardens and moss growing on the rock. Large trees were sprung up in random spots all over, and it looked like the city was built around them.
Leo looked like a lost kid in a store. A golem was walking by and saw the new golem standing in the middle of the street just gazing at everything. His rock jaw was wide open, and he was mesmerized.
A golem, with a deer antlers and golden chains, walked over and said, "are you new here?" The voice was harsh, but Leo got the gist of it.
"Yes, I transferred today." Leo looked at the golem closer to see
"You were approved by an Apu. You must be a very promising warrior."
Leo didn't want to give away too much information. Especially since he forced his way here, he wondered if there was a way for them to find out.
"I was tested by the Apu, yes. After passing his test, I was sent here."
"Inti will be happy to hear a new god has joined our ranks."
A new god? Leo was starting to think he was way in over his head.
"By the way my name is Urcaguary. I have cultivated earth and metal. I have crafted most of the jewelry here in Inca."
"Nice, I also train with earth and metal."
"Ah well then, I could use some help. If you want to stay with me until you find a place you are more than welcome."
Leo was surprised by how welcoming this golem was to foreigners. Leo said," thank you." Then he followed the golem to the main temple in the city.
Walking through the city, Leo saw many golems. They were all going about their jobs, farming, weaving, herding llamas, woodcutting, and much more. Why were these golems acting like humans?
"What is this place, Urcaguary?" Leo asked. Why were there rock-people all over?
"This is what's left of the Inca Kingdom, also known as the inner world. The official name of this realm is called Ukhu Pacha." Urcaguary paused and then said, "this used to be the place we sent our people when they didn't move on to Hanan Pacha."
"So, you used to be human?"
"Yes, we are originally from Kay Pacha, Earth."
It started to make sense to Leo. This was a place to go to and not return. No wonder the Apu warned him.
"How do I leave this place, Urcaguary?"
"You don't. Guards."
Three golems at the Avatar level apprehended Leo. Two sizeable blue sapphire golems arm locked Leo on each side, and the emerald golem stood behind him.
"Urcaguary? What is the meaning of this?"
"Take him to his Excellency."
Leo struggled to break free, but he was lifted and carried to the temple. All the golems around him were of a higher level. No matter how he struggled, he wasn't getting away. Leo tried to manipulate Earth mana here, but it was slightly different, and he didn't have time to adjust before leaving with Urcaguary.
A shadow of a small mammal saw the golems leave and followed them.
Arriving at the temple, only five golems were waiting for them. The golem the furthest away was a golden amber color and wore gold metal sun mask.
The two golems to Leo's right were wearing headdress covering their faces. The one closest to Leo was wearing a shiny silver robe with a club in one hand and a sling in the other. The one further back wore a greenish robe with a serpent on it. She also had moss patches growing on different parts of her.
The two golems on Leo right were both in bluish robes. The closest one had a bluish-green stone fish helmet. The golem further back had a round silver mask depicting the moon.
The masked sun golem stepped forward and said, "Urcaguary, is this the new golem?"
"Yes, my Excellency."
"What is your name Mana Fighter?" Judging by the golem's core the Sun-masked golem knew this person was a Mana Fighter before arriving.
Leo shrugged off the guards and stood upright. This was not the first time he stared a Construct Evolution warrior in the face.
"I'm called Leo." He said proudly.
The sun-masked golem was impressed with the ability to calm down so quickly. "I'm called Inti. You may refer to me as your Excellency." Inti paused for a minute and then asked, "We have not had anyone new enter Ukhu Pacha in many years. How have you come here?"
"An artifact spirit sent me here."
All the golems looked at the newcomer surprisingly. The moon-masked golem asked, "Then you were alive when you were sent her." She thought for a second and then asked, "Did our people survive?"
"Quilla! Stop talking." Inti reprimanded. "Newcomer, did mana return to our world?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
Leo ground his stony teeth and stared at the golems before him. "Yes, your Excellency."
The sun-masked golem nodded with satisfaction. This meant they could return to Kay Pacha. The question is how they could do it.
"Guards take this golem away. We will question him in a few hours." The three golems grabbed hold of the Leo again and carried him away.
A shadow of a mouse in the corner of the room scurried away. Inti turned to see movement out of the corner of his eye. Frustration and anger welled up in him. He looked over to the Silver robed golem and said, "Catequil, Supay spies have told him by now of the newcomer's presence. Protect our ticket home at all cost."