Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: The gods’ plane.

"Yes what that idiot has said is true. The last person to face the trial did so 400 years ago. This has brought about shame to this society and believers for failing to live up to their god's expectation. It is also thought that some of the customs and practices have been lost over the years and nobody really remembers the routine carried out to appease the god of war. This also adds to the difficulty in the acceptance of warriors by the god of war. There is always a line at the temple full of people at the temple daily if you want to try your luck." The master said. "Did that person complete the trial?" I asked. "Records say that he was a genius swordsman with no peer. But as soon as he went to the god's plane, he was utterly thrashed. There is no death in that plane and so he tried the trial over and over again for hundreds of times but was unsuccessful not even passing the first test." The master said. The first test is dealing with only one replica but he could not pass it? This was despite being a genius swordsman? "It is said that the skilled you are the more difficult the tests." Orton said. I see it now. In my case I will be dealing with an improved version of myself. I have already reached the maximum amount of strength possible for an elemental dragon so it is likely that the replicas will be more or less similar to me in that aspect. I am not really worried and I am confident enough that I will at least pass the first test in my first few tries. "Orton would you mind…" I said as I was interrupted. "Don't worry about it, once we eat the meal prepared for us, I will take you to the temple." Orton said. We talked farther as we waited for the food. I came to understand a few more details like the time between entering the god's plane and leaving is always one hour. This was regardless of the time spent inside the plane. The genius swordsman once lamented that he had conducted over a thousand bouts with his replica continuously while there and was back in time for dinner the same day on the mortal plane. The three of us ate a meal and relaxed for a little bit before we left. The master was also interested in seeing if I was going to be lucky. We talked about various subjects related to the trial and I was confident that I now had a better understanding of what was expected. We arrived at the entrance of the temple and true to the master's prediction, a very long line was present. It was around midday and with the sun overhead it was not a very pleasant environment. "Make way you scum. The prince is passing through." A voice was heard behind me. I turned around to look but the space felt a little empty. This feeling of uneasiness crept and took hold of me. Did I grow taller? No everyone around me is kneeling? What about Norton and the master? They are kneeling as well. "You scum. Come here!" another soldier bellowed. Is scum the only thing they know? What do I do? "You are a very audacious person. You don't even bow before me." A man with tacky clothes addressed me. I say tacky but it was more of a colorful clothing. White coat with golden colors… "You. Did you not hear me? I said come here!" the guard bellowed. I am standing here frozen wondering what to do and then the master speaks out. "Forgive this old man for interrupting you your highness." The master said. The prince looked at the master and ordered him, "Aah the master of the Martial Arts Clan. You may speak!" The master bowed down and addressed the prince. "My prince, this person is a foreigner and my disciple. He is not aware of our customs I beg you to have mercy on him." The master said. I don't really need the mercy of anyone here…maybe the god's but that's it. I don't think they can offer me much. "You took on a disciple? I only know that the other disciple you took up is Father am I wrong?" the prince asked. "Yes your majesty. I have only taken two disciples in my life. The great King and this individual here." the master said. "Interesting. Very interesting. All of you follow me." The prince said. The three of us followed the prince to the front of the line where the temple gates opened ushering us in.As soon as people inside the gate saw the prince, they all fell to their knees. This I felt was a bit too much. I mean he was just lucky to be born a prince and did not work for anything. But I digress. "Welcome young Prince. I am the head priest of this temple." A man wearing a very flashy robe said. "it is my first time here. is it always this crowded." The prince asked as he climbed down from his horse. "Yes your highness. It is the same story every day." The priest said as he bowed and used his hand to usher the prince in the direction of the castle. "It has been over thirty years since you took up an apprentice. I assume he must be very special indeed." The prince said as he shifted the focus to the master. "I believe my apprentice has the potential to eclipse me your highness." The master replied. "Oh is that so? Let us see if the gods will agree with your assessment. Clear out all the people inside, I am tired of dealing with all these people." The prince said. "At once you highness." The head priest said as he motioned the temple guards. The interior of the temple was very peculiar. Statues of cats, eagles and other animals were present. "What is the story with this animals?" the prince asked. "Record of them have been lost your highness but it is thought that they were the pets of the god of war." The head priestess said. Considering that this temple was built over six millennia ago, this was to be expected to some degree. The prince seemed satisfied with the answer and did not probe any farther. There were at least twelve statues along our path. Their sizes varied greatly according to the species that were carved there. The Cat statue was normal sized and the eagle statue was a little larger than the eagles today. The other species were also carved to their approximate sizes. "We have arrived your highness." The priestess said. Arrived where? All I see is a raised platform. "What is the procedure?" the prince asked. "The raised platform is where the ritual occurs. An individual has to kneel and bow before the god and recite the holy prayer your highness." The head priestess said. The prince took of his large coat and gave it to one of his soldiers. He walked to the platform, knelt, bowed his head and began reciting a prayer. I began to tense because I realized that I did not know this prayer. I was not a resident of this country and hence have no education on anything about it from politics to religion. In a few seconds, likely between 20 to 30 seconds the prince was done. The stones around the raised platform glowed lightly. "It seems I have not reached my full potential yet." The prince said unaffected by the outcome. I think deep down in his heart this was the result he was expecting all along. "Your apprentice is up next." The prince said as his guard helped him put on his court. It is my time now, I am going to mumble some words once I prostrate myself. Yes that should be enough. I walked towards the platform with all eyes on me. The pressure was unbearable. As soon as I took my first step on the stairs, the stones glowed brightly. Do I continue moving or? Well whatever I'll continue. I walked up the stairs and as soon as I landed on the platform, a rift of space opened. "Do I enter?" I asked as I looked back. The crowd was silent and shocked. Orto held his head, the head priestess his mouth, the master's eyes were wide open and the prince was smiling. Yes smiling, this delinquent was smiling. It looked like I was not going to get an answer from them so I stepped forward into the rift. Why is it so cold here? This was a similar feeling to when I met the goddess of harvest. I was surrounded by a void of darkness while floating effortlessly. I need some light or maybe fire. I held out my hand to create fire and observe the surrounding but that was not what happened. The light from the flame was constrained to an area less than half a meter around me. I could not see anything. "Mortal, welcome to my realm." I heard a loud voice.