Chapter 203: The Lower Realm Evaluation 2!
The three higher gods hailed from a universe birthed by one the three known Time gods, a realm steeped in the enigmatic ebb and flow of temporal energy.
These deities were among the first creations of that universe, inhabiting a primeval planet where time itself seemed to thrum beneath their feet. Despite their ancient appearance—marked by a timeless grace and cosmic power—they were still considered young by the standards of higher gods.
Solaris, for instance, had lived for merely 60 millennia, as had his celestial counterpart, Lunara.
The names of the three higher gods are: Nilma, the stoic and wise elder, he is the first of the three higher gods and usually the most outspoken; the second is Enka, the analytical and pragmatic strategist, he is the bravest of the three and the most daring; and Tam, the impulsive, fear-ridden harbinger of truth.
Unlike the others, Tam often let his apprehensions cloud his decisions, a trait that made him unpredictable. It was Tam who initially wanted to reveal their secrets to Elial, the sinister Xanthex god, and he was also the one that was first to cave in to Hovi as regards to Tessa, a move that drew both ire and anger from his peers.
The three gods were seated beside Hovi, observing the creature they had deceptively charged Elial to watch over, in a bid to not anger both Hovi and Elial.
The being in question, is a formidable bull-like alien, whose appearance stood out even in this gathering of aliens for the cosmic evaluations. His name, as they later discovered, was Gastro—a name that seemed almost too simple for a being of his stature and primal power. Gastro exuded raw, untamed energy, his mere presence a reminder of the complex creations that filled the vast universe.
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Meanwhile, back in the Lower Realm Evaluation Grounds, Tessa stood at a crossroads. A glimmering map had materialized beside the Progress Orb, illuminating her path forward. It detailed her current location and marked the destination she needed to reach.
Without hesitation, she began her journey, her mind sharp and focused. A faint smile played on her lips as she realized something extraordinary—her retentive memory, an innate ability of the Kaelrians, was still intact. Like an unerring camera, it captured every detail around her, every shift in the terrain, every competitor she bypassed. The ability to recall and analyze with precision was her hidden edge, a constant reminder of her heritage.
As she sprinted forward, Tessa took note of her physical prowess. Though stripped of the divine enhancements she once wielded, her natural speed remained formidable. Running had always been her forte, a gift she honed to perfection. Now, even without the celestial aid of her solar and lunar abilities, her feet moved like a whisper of the wind, swift and relentless.
Her flexibility, too, was remarkable. She darted through narrow pathways, twisting and turning with a grace that seemed almost inhuman. Obstacles that would have slowed others became mere shadows to her, bypassed with an elegance that bordered on the supernatural. Her body moved as though it lacked a backbone, her fluidity a marvel of her alien physiology.
Amidst the rush, a thought crossed her mind, bringing a mischievous glint to her eyes. "Isn't this a little overpowered?" she mused, recalling the gatekeeper's cryptic words when she first entered this realm. The idea that she might have an undue advantage amused her, but she quickly shook it off. This was a test, and no test came without its challenges.
As she advanced, bypassing competitor after competitor, she couldn't help but feel a spark of satisfaction. The landscape ahead was vast and treacherous, but Tessa's confidence burned brighter with every stride. She was more than ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As Tessa sprinted ahead, she abruptly stopped and glanced at her progress orb. Her heart sank as she saw the evaluation—2%. She nearly stumbled. Wait, you mean all that running has only brought me to 2%? She clenched her fists, steeled her resolve, and pushed herself to run even faster.
As she dashed forward, she noticed that most of her competitors were strolling leisurely, giving her perplexed looks as if she were an insane person. Their glances seemed to ask, Why is she running so hard?
Out of the blue, Gastro appeared some distance behind her, struggling to keep pace. His breaths came in ragged gasps. "Hey! Can you please slow down... I just... I just have a couple of questions," he wheezed, his voice strained.
Tessa glanced again at her progress orb—5%. Her confusion deepened. I've been running nonstop and following the clues on the map, yet it's only at 5%? Am I approaching this all wrong? She slowed her pace slightly, pulling out the map for another careful look, momentarily ignoring Gastro's presence.
Mistaking her pause as a signal to stop, Gastro staggered up to her, panting heavily. Although he had the strength of a bull, running clearly wasn't his strength—it drained him quickly.
"Why are you running?" Gastro asked between gasps. "Did you figure out something about the evaluations?"
Tessa ignored him for a moment, her eyes darting between the progress orb and the map. Her brow furrowed. "Let me see your progress orb," she said suddenly.
Gastro flinched and took a cautious step back, clutching his orb defensively. "You're not trying to snatch it, are you? Isn't it too early for that?" His stance shifted, his legs pounding the ground like a bull ready to charge.
Tessa sighed. "Relax. I just want to compare progress. I've been running nonstop, following the clues on the map, yet I'm only at 5%. I'm trying to understand what's going on."
Gastro's suspicion eased at her explanation. He reached into the energy pouch at his side and pulled out his orb. "Fine," he muttered, still slightly wary. "Mine says 8%," he added, his own shock evident. He hadn't checked it until now, focused entirely on following the map.
Tessa nodded thoughtfully, piecing together her observations. "So it's not about speed or distance. It's about how we approach the evaluations..." She turned to Gastro. "Thanks. I'm heading out now."
"Wait!" Gastro called after her. "Can we team up?" He wanted a partner, but most competitors had found themselves in various groups, and he had lost hope until he saw Tessa acting alone and he felt he had a chance.
Tessa paused, raising an eyebrow. "What's your name?"
Gastro hesitated, his expression clouding with embarrassment. His name had always been a source of mockery since he appeared in the power realm, and he rarely volunteered it. But this was different—he needed an ally. He sighed, bracing himself. "Promise you won't laugh," he said, his voice low.
Tessa tilted her head, genuinely confused. "Why would I laugh?" she asked.
He hesitated for a beat before replying, "My name is Gastro."
At first, Tessa didn't react, but as the name registered, her lips twitched. She fought hard to suppress a snort that tugged at her trembling lips, her face reddening with the effort. "Oh," she managed, quickly turning away to hide her grin. "I see."
"I knew you'd laugh!" Gastro snapped, his tone a mix of irritation and resignation.
"I wasn't laughing," Tessa said, doing her best to sound sincere. "My name is Tessa. And sure, we can work together." She offered a small smile before they began walking side by side, following the path Tessa had planned to follow.