From what Alex could see, only a minuscule number of hands were raised, ten to be exact. The room's volume was immense so she may not have seen all. However, she was not among those who raised their hands.
" Alright then, " the deity spoke, " I'll call based on who rose their hands first. Avery Ming, you may speak."
An Asian, most likely Korean, female with black wavy hair that cascaded down her back, was levitated above the humans below. She was a great distance away, yet Alex heard her.
" How can we return to our origin planet, wise one?" Her voice quivered as she spoke, but she managed to cement her confidence and stand firm while awaiting her answer.
Alex inwardly applauded the girl for her well-crafted question. If she had asked whether they could go home, she would only be entitled to a yes or no. Now, the being would also reveal the sure method to return home if there was any.
" Earth, as you call it, or planet 6579Stemma, has already been destroyed. Therefore, you can not return there."
Her unconcerned tone remained, even with this devastating news. Shockingly, no one screamed. Consequently, the atmosphere seemed to be laden with unspoken despair.
Alexandra was fairly sure that Earth belonged to Stemma and she had destroyed it. A pity, for all her employees that had certainly died, but it is likely they would not have survived here either.
Avery, who had asked the question was returned to ground level. She was too far for the curious Alex to discern her expression.
" Imani Oreto, you may speak."
The next person to be raised out of the crowd was much closer to Alex, allowing her to properly memorize his features. He was 6'3 in height, with defined muscles and an athletic build. He had chocolate brown skin with grey shoulder-length dreads. He had an easy grin as he spoke and Alex immediately had a bad premonition about his question.
" The majestic Stemma, what advice would you give me to emerge above everyone else, and of the five stages which of them make teamwork mandatory?" As they heard his questions many of the adolescents found themselves perplexed, until the diety began to speak.
"The answer to Banji Akim's first question has been mentally transmitted to the sole recipient concerned as for his second question none of the stages make teamwork mandatory. However, stages one, four, and five advise teamwork."
The expressions of many contorted into shock, confusion, and grim disbelief. They seemed to realize that not only had he asked two questions one of them would only benefit him and the other one did not seem to be particularly beneficial. As he was lowered to the ground, many were eager to lash out at him or insult him but the previous instruction to be silent loomed above their heads like a guillotine's blade.
The most they could do was look at him with scorn-filled faces. Alex was glad to hear that teamwork was not essential as she would now have more leeway in her actions.
Stemma spoke again, her voice sounded feminine and excited now.
"Would you like to begin the first stage?" No one said a word, unsure if this was a rouse to end their lives, the headless corpses of those they had once spoken to, still littered the blood-stained floor.
" I see, you're learning, truly amazing. It would do you well to remember your performance is everything. Let us begin." Her harmonious voice revealed the hint of a teasing smile.
Alex found this whole situation infuriating as her inability to do anything meaningful was candidly apparent. A painful reminder that she had failed to protect the one person she ever cared to. Her brother was somewhere out there and she was dancing to the tune of the likely kidnapper.
Her determination to grow stronger burned within her and soon the world went dark. All the living humans simultaneously burst into shimmering particles of pure white.
The deity appeared on the ground, her figure now visible for all to see. She appeared like a human though far more beautiful and ethereal in appearance with a pure aura about her. Her magenta irises paused at a particular spot in the room before the corners of her lips titled up.
The smile was fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it came. Flicking her left wrist dismissively, the headless corpses vanished along with their crimson remains. Stemma disappeared soon after, leaving a world of unblemished white behind her.
°°°
Funnily, although she had not arrived suspended in the air, she was greeted by a much more magical sight. Five towering mountains with an endless stream of rushing water, spilling down and parting nine feet above the water body beneath, created an entrance of sorts. Alex stood on soft flowing grass on a circular platform surrounded by water. The water, winds, and grass seemed to breathe energy into Alex and she wondered what made this place so magical.
She counted exactly 99 people other than her on the giant circular platform. Almost everyone seemed amazed at the mystical sight before them and found themselves hesitant to speak. Suddenly, a stone pathway materialized and led to one of the mountain's waterfall entrances.
Before anyone could react, a furry creature of glistening lavender appeared at the end of the path. The creature resembled a bear and stood at three inches with two arms and two feet donning a grey tuxedo. It had bear-like ears and a black button nose with mystical lapis eyes. However, it lacked an opening for speech.
Even without an opening, the creature managed to send a powerful message to each of the humans. The gruff voice announced,