When I read the message I got up and turned on the phone in my hand. It said it is 20:00, below the time I could see how Basma had called me a couple of times and a missed call from another number. Igor? Without having much of a clue I put the phone aside and took a shower. I could deal with the calls later.
As the water ran down my face I realized I was sad.
I got dressed and went to the floor ahead of time. I didn't want to meet anyone in the elevator. In fact, I didn't even want to go to the meeting, but that it said 'mandatory attendance' caught my attention and I didn't want any trouble.
When I got to the top floor I noticed that it had no ceiling, you could see as if it was a dark sky and stars above.
—I really wondered how the Goddess will do this.
When I checked I realized that I was not the first one, there were already some people scattered all over the open space. I took the opportunity and approached an empty area from which I wanted to peek out and see the building from above, or at least see what's around, but you could only see how the darkness and stars surrounded us.
I leaned against the wall and decided to look out into the darkness. I was reminded of a quote from Nietzsche: 'If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you'. And a person approached me.
—What are you looking at?
—Nothingness.
Silence formed between Igor and me.
—Did you ever feel bad when you killed someone?
—Since I was a child I was taught to kill, but we were not taught what to feel when we kill. But I guess the answer to your question would be yes.
I sighed as I looked up.
—Where did you leave Basma?
—I met Mason and left her with her. You weren't taking our calls so I decided to come find you.
—Hah. I look like a little kid.
Igor shook his head.
—I think that's the normal reaction. But why don't you tell me what happened?
As he asked me, I told him what happened, how I experienced it, I told him what I saw in the video. It helped me to unburden myself, to let out everything I had to say. I was angry, sad, upset, in a moment I went through a lot of feelings. I talked until I said everything I wanted to say.
I didn't just talk about the test, I talked about how I've been feeling for the last month, how I felt about this whole situation, how I felt when I finished talking to the Goddess and the rest. I was angry.
I don't know how long I had been talking, but when I finished I breathed as if I hadn't done it for a long time.
When I realized the speech I had just made I hid my head in my arms.
What would Igor think of me? It had been a long time since I had been so sincere, I think so long I don't even remember. But when I finished I finally felt that I was truly calm.
Then a deep silence surrounded us. Igor rested his hand on my back and came closer to me.
—No one, in his life, had ever been so sincere with someone with me. Thank you. Thank you for trusting me. And, I don't know if it will do any good, but you can count on me.
At that moment Igor's hand was warm and reassuring. I don't know why, but trusting Igor comes naturally to me.
—Hah, now I don't know what else to say.
—If you had anything else to say, I'd be worried.
Igor laughed and I smiled.
—Can I ask you one thing Cam.
—Tell me.
—Please don't run away. If you ever feel the same way you can trust me.
Igor's words were sincere.
—Thank you, and I say the same to you.
We both looked at the emptiness.
Personally, I didn't think I would ever feel that way again. I decided that I was going to take this opportunity to become stronger and not depend on anyone. Not because I don't believe in Igor, but because I don't know what the future holds and I can't depend on him. It is a new beginning.
Behind us a crowd was beginning to gather. It was time for the manager's meeting to start.
We took a seat next to Basma who was accompanied by Mason and we were talking until several lights appeared bringing in the missing people.
—So that's what they meant by mandatory attendance —I laughed.
On the stage there appeared the 4 we already knew, but in the middle, instead of the hostess, there was the girl who healed me. Who was she?
—Well, future apostles. I am the manager of this hotel and together with these 4 people we will be running the hotel.
She paused while pointing to the 4 people behind her.
—I am going to explain the rules, everything that is done to do physical or mental harm among you is forbidden, I myself will intercede. The rooms are for you to use things carefully, if you start to break things you will not be able to use them again. During these three weeks there will be hand to hand combat, killing is not allowed and this is the only time where we will allow violence between you. Any questions?
—What happened to the hostess?
A girl said from the audience.
—She's busy with things on the surface. But don't worry, you are in good hands and she will be ready when the next test begins. Anything else?
Then the one who was the Water God or William came up to the manager and said something in her ear.
—A couple of other things I forgot, my name is Lidia and as in the previous level the store is free. We incorporated the currency we call pieces. Currently everyone has 500 pieces and you can make bets in battles or transfer them. Quite easy really. You can see that two applications have been added to your phones 'Wallet' and 'Betting'. I don't think I need to explain what each one is for. Any more questions?
—Where will these battles take place?
—On the floor where it says 'Ring'.
Everyone seemed more or less excited by what they had just heard.
—How many people are left alive?
A deep voice rose from the crowd. That question is really a way to make one's life bitter.
—There are 413 of the 447 you were before the agility test. And with that we say goodbye for now, we'll see you around.
And the 5 disappeared out of nowhere.
I sighed and turned to the rest.
—So I know where I'm going now.
—Where to?
—To the ring. —I answered Basma. — I have to make some money betting.
I winked at her.
—Why do you want to make money? It's not for buying, is it?
Does Basma only have in mind to buy? I laughed.
—That hostess doesn't just do things for the sake of it, and I think all of us know that, and something like that I think is going to do some good in the future.
Mason and Igor nodded in agreement.
—Then let's go.
—You don't mind if I come along.
—Of course I don't mind, come on Mason. It's time to get serious about being apostles.
Goddess, I don't know what you are doing now, but I am getting serious about being an apostle, just as you wanted. I don't know what the next test is or what it will be like, but I will surprise you for good.
Unbeknownst to me on the surface a girl was in a meeting with two other people.
*Cough
—Are you all right Goddess?
—Yes, yes, someone would be talking about me. Where were we going?
—The 1000 people we made disappear from Earth are not the only people who have disappeared on a large scale and at the same time.
Hearing that, she turned to Hermes.
—What do you mean?
—I have detected that another 500 people have disappeared. Maybe the work of God?
—God? Has he already started attacking humans? But there was still time.
—One second, Hermes and Belona.
The Goddess stood for a while thinking.
—Goddess?
—I don't think He found us, did He?
—Found us? -Who?
—The third one. The third God. He's the fairest of the three and it seems he's decided to join the dispute for the survival of humans.
—There were three of you? So many years together, I thought there were no more secrets.
—I'm sorry, but I didn't think he would come back.
—Will he be on our side?
—I don't know. But it seems, after trillions of years, The 3 Gods will meet again.