The aircar swept over the Eastern edge of Hagoa and lifted itself effortlessly high above the buildings. They were unlike the clay houses from Saiyi's village. These were bright white and square buildings. Some of them were far taller than even the watch towers from her town were. Vehicles, like the one she was in, could be seen here and there in the sky and on the ground, then for the first time in her life, Saiyi saw plants. Real plants. Bright green everywhere she looked. She knew this colour. It was the colour of life.
"Thazir," Kez said to the pilot, then continued in a language Saiyi did not understand. Then to her: "We'll take a bit of a tour from there."
The pilot nodded wordlessly and took a turn. They flew over stretches of water Saiyi could not believe and the plants had no end. Even from this height far above the island's surface, she could not see the other end. She wondered how big they actually were and what other wonders she would see on them. Roads crisscrossed the island facilitating the busy world below. She tried guessing how many people she could see, but from this height they were just hundreds of tiny specs. Saiyi guessed, incorrectly, that there must be thousands of people on the island. In fact, the island housed nearly five million inhabitants. She could also see the central tower on the island. The tower stood singular among the buildings on the island, dwarfing any other structures. That, she knew, was where the Gods lived. In spires right in the center of the island. Saiyi saw water flowing from the tower which spread over the island in curving lines. She recognized these as rivers but had never actually seen one.
Some minutes later they started descending into a large empty area of the island. The car landed allowing Kez and Saiyi to disembark before taking off again to destinations unknown. Kez started walking and Saiyi had to halt her wonder to catch up. Beneath her feet were small green plants that were soft to walk on. She felt bad for stomping on them, but everyone seemed to be going about as if it was the norm. She reminded herself that although she had lived under an island like this her whole life, this was effectively a different world. Kez Visat walked silently, content to take in the sights and let Saiyi take them in also. Occasionally they would be stopped by a citizen that bowed and spoke to Kez. Generally, he seemed like less of a deity and more of a mayoral figure. He briefly reminded her of her father. She could see why they got along. Kez Visat, King of the Gods was famous and respected, but apparently not worshiped. From her father's stories, she guessed everyone would be kneeling and praising this great power beside her. Clearly, they were used to him and his kind. Saiyi got a few bows and what she thought were greetings in the language of the island when people noticed her amulet. She had really made it. This was heaven to her people and it was said the purest would be allowed to serve here. Now she finds herself among the elite. And it was very clear that this was no heaven. Beautiful and serene, but a place on Cyla nevertheless. The air and sun were shared by all. But clearly, her people were not as well taken care of. This angered her for a moment, but as with the aircar, she supposed the reasons for everything would be forthcoming eventually. For now, she allowed herself to take in all the new sights and sounds around her. As Kez Visat said, she would be spending some time here. There would be time for questions yet.
Saiyi and Kez made their way along roads that seemed to be made of smoothed stone. Each lined with plants both large and small. Everywhere Saiyi looked she understood that the top of the islands were as close to a different world as she could have imagined. The large buildings casting shadows here and there. Most apparent was the wamth. The sun had risen above the island's edge now and was shining down in a way she had never experienced. Though she had been in the wasteland sun, this was a friendlier and all together pleasant light. She stopped and closed her eyes breathing in the air. It was sweet and pleasant. She could almost believe that this was the reward for the faithful her father had taught her about. Saiyi touched the amulet around her neck again for what must have been the hundereth time that day. That something so small could have such a dramatic effect on her life was amazing. She wished she could bring her people to the island and have them live without fear and without shortage.
"Something bothering you?" Kez Visat was staring at her intently. She shook herself from her day dream.
"It's just… A lot I think." Saiyi gestured at the island in general.
"Is it. I guess I never thought about it much. It's different to the life below, but every benefit comes with it's own drawbacks. Island life isn't all sunshine and rainbows."
"Rainbows?"
"Well, what I mean is the islanders all have their own responsibilities and struggles."
"I couldn't imagine someone living here could be anything but happy."
"The benefits come with expectations. Don't be too quick to judge until you have lived up here for a while Saiyi, you may still long for the life in the shadows again."
Saiyi thought of how content she was with life below. She saw the wisdom in Kez Visat's words. Nodding once in agreement.
"Nothing is perfect" She said to Kez.
"Just so. Now let's continue on. I'm sure Shiwa is going to be thrilled to meet you." The God continued with his warm smile and hands in his pcokets. She followed close by. The central tower dominated the skyline ahead.
A while after they entered the bottom of the tower. The inside of the tower's ground floor could have held Saiyi's entire village a few times over. Her mind reeled to imagine how something like this must stay up.
"Welcome to Hagoa Tower." Kez said spreading his arms wide. "Here is where the magic happens." The big man laughed to himself. The tower's ground floor was full off water features, more plants, and smooth beige walls. The ceiling was ornate and stretch high above Saiyi. In the center of the massive room they came to a tube running up to the ceiling. A door opened and Kez stepped in. Saiyi followed with some trepidation. The door closed again and she felt herself get heavy letting out a small gasp.
"Whoops" Kez caught her arm steadying her. "First time on an elevator. Noted."
In front of her she could see the floor receiding as they sped up to the ceiling. She closed her eyes. The lift continued up its path to the top floor of the tower some 800 metres up. When she did dare to open her eyes again, the elevator window had opened up to the outside of the tower. Far below them the island lay. It was receding slowly as they climbed into the sky.
"Wow."
"I guess so. I'm glad you like it. It took Shiwa quite the effort to rebuild when she came into power here."
Saiyi having forgotten that the Gods raised these islands with sheer will. Each of the towers was built by the island's master. The young woman pressed her hands agains the glass staring down to the ground below they had left shortly before. While she had grown up with tales of the Gods and their achievments, she had gained a new respect for them. If she had been a non believer, the elevator ride would have converted her.
"It's amazing and beautifull and grand and…."
"It is pretty fancy isn't it. We don't do things by half."
"Will I have to build by own island when I am a God?"
"You won't have to do anything you don't want to young lady. And you already are a God as you understand them. Although we prefer being called Chosen. You'll see, in time all will become clear. You have nothing but time."
Shaiyi thought that even if she lived a full long life she would never understand it all. Then a thought struck her. She was nineteen, and as a God she would live for thousands of years.
"Sir, if you don't mind." Saiyi looked at her feet. "How old are you."
The elevator stopped with a bit of a jerk. The doors opened.
"By my count I am five thousand and sixty five… seven? Five thousand sixty seven this year" The King of the Gods strolled out of the elevator casually. Saiyi followed slack jawed.