A Trial of Gods

A group of three stood before the gate of the Feinn family house. The house itself was many acres in size and around it there stood other buildings like battle arenas and dorm housing. The guards, who were standing soppily in the security gate control room, quickly assumed a stiff posture.

"No need to be so stiff. You know I don't care about that." Sera said, a gentle look projected on her face. She was the woman that had found Apollo in the woods. In the time that it took to travel to Fei city Apollo got to know Sera and her "protector". Sera was the only daughter of the Feinn clan: the strongest family in Fei city. Her protector was Viem Feinn; an old elder of the family that stood at the peak of level 4. However with the help of Ghost's incredible senses, he figured out Sera was actually a level 6. Meaning her protector was merely playing his part in an act.

"You still haven't told me why you helped me." Apollo said, giving a slight side eye to her.

"You will address her as My Lady or Miss." Viem interrupted. However Apollo ignored him.

"He can call me whatever he wants." Sera waved viem's actions. "I helped you because I was curious."

"What about?" he asked with curiosity.

"We will speak of this when we meet my father." She said with a grin.

The almost 30 foot tall gate opened slowly, displaying the grandeur of the Feinn family house. White pillars held up a giant roof almost a mile long and wide that provided shade to the patio underneath. On either side the actual house began. Either side had a hall that held thousands of guests and members of the Feinn family. These were to the two main dormitories.

Anywhere Sera walked the crowd would part. They walked right through the roofed patio to the inner courtyard of the house. A small pathway cut through the dense nature. Trees provided natural light while the surrounding flowers provided a floral, fragrant smell that could relax even the most tense feelings.

Apollo reeled at his surroundings. It almost hurt him to compare this single house to his farm house. The psychological blow only grew worse as the building at the end of the path was revealed.

"This is the main house of the Feinn family. Where the patriarch and his family live." Sera explained. Viem followed closely behind the two, giving dirty looks to Apollo. 

Just a kid that doesn't understand circumstances. To have the daughter of the strongest family in the Fei area as a tour guide. He sneered inwardly. He knew others would see the two together and they would not take it lightly.

The main house was made from old redwood and bamboo. There were 5 stories each having a curved roof dividing them. The walls are made of thin bamboo paper, revealing silhouettes of the people behind them. The mere fragility of the house only made it seem even stronger. 

This is the house of the strongest people in the city. They have no need for a castle or hard walls when one is as strong as a fortress themselves. Apollo thought.

They made their way through the small, weaving hallways of the bottom floor until coming to an elevator. There, a large man stood. Keenly eyeing everyone passing as if he were trying to see them from a distance. 

Ghost, what is the strength of the people in this house like? Apollo asked, curious about the true strength of a rank 1 family.

"This man, like almost all the others in the house, is at peak level 4. However none of the rank 4's we've seen so far have been normal. I believe that for any of them, fighting a level 5 would not be futile. As for the man before you… he has an odd eye ability. I recommend not pushing yourself as far as using the Torii from before." Ghost explained.

You mean to say he can see through me? 

"Yes and with incredible ease. Merely a glance for him is enough." 

What is the difference? The Torii allows me to use energy a level ahead of my own. If they can fight someone a level above me, what is the difference?

"They can skip a level of battle power because of their skill in using techniques and their ability to use Myth Energy more efficiently." Ghost explained.

Reaching the top of the elevator, Apollo started to feel a pressure akin to what he felt in the fight against his father. A small bright luster of purple appeared on Apollo's gate, but with the help of Ghost, Apollo's soul was stimulated and he no longer felt any pressure. 

***

Seeing a flat faced youth walk unperturbed in front of him, the Feinn Family head became slightly irked. Apollo's face was overly comfortable as the stimulation to his soul by Ghost was overboard. After the awakening of the gate in his core, Apollo's energy had the same formidableness and power of any other level 4. He was only missing the same understanding and efficiency in the use of his Myth Energy. If he had been a gatecrasher for longer than just a couple weeks he might be able to stand toe to toe with the man in front of him.

"Don't think about it." Ghost splashed cold water on his face. "Like I told you before, everyone here is a rank 4 stronger than you think. Your father would not stand a chance against this man. Even though there is a level difference." Ghost explained.

Why is everyone here so strong?

"Young man, you are very resilient I see. My pressure is not something normal rank 4's would be able to handle." The man said with a chuckle. The memory of youth in his mind.

"Well, if you knew the effort I've had to put in to keep my knees straight you would disagree with yourself." Apollo responded, appearing humble.

"No title? Don't play with me. I could tell from the second you walked in that you don't care about who I am and are not threatened by my presence."

"I'm not really one for titles." He said.

"Good. I hate all that unrealistic shit everyone tends to flatter me with. Since we both don't like titles, you may call me Ishi." 

"Apollo"

"I've heard from my daughter that you possess great talent." Ishi told Apollo expectedly.

Apollo gave a weird look to Sera. "There is a tournament held by the Mystic Academy of Virtue called the District Convention. This year's youths are quite lacking and we need more participants. Would you be willing to represent our family in that convention?" Ishi got straight to the point. The Feinn family has been on a harsh decline for many years. If he could rope someone that his daughter deems to be talented, it would be a great help.

"You don't even know how strong I really am, why would you invite me?" Apollo asked.

He continued. "I know the Mystic Academy of Virtue. Their youths are peak level 6 and early level 7. The competition will at least be at level 5. How do you think I would compete as a level 2? Not to mention the fact that there is only one person in the entire clan above level 4. Who would be on my team?" Apollo said. However questioning he was, he was actually incredibly willing to participate. There he would have a chance to meet the person that gave him the token.

"All good questions." Ishi Admitted. "I guess you have already seen through my daughter. It would be you, her and 4 other level 4's. They won't be of any significance except to fill roster positions."

"As for your strength– if my daughter thinks you are able to compete then I will back her decision."

"Haha a level 2 competing against level 5's and above, this is gonna be interesting." Apollo walked back to the elevator laughing. Sera quickly joined him. 

"When did you find out my real level?" She asked out of curiosity

"A voice in my head told me." Apollo said with a smile. Sera looked at him blankly as if she did not believe him. 

"When is the tournament?" Apollo asked, realizing he had left before gaining any information about it.

"It's in 2 weeks. There are 5 participating powers so there are a total of 30 people. It is a free-for-all style arena fight."

"Wow you guys really are screwed. I doubt there will be many level 4's there and most of them will be the 4 in our group." Apollo teased. "You've overestimated me. The last time I fought I was horribly defeated by a normal level 5."

"Maybe. But let me ask this: how long have you been a gatecrasher?" Sera asked rhetorically. 

Apollo replied with a knowing look, "A week."

Sera was slightly concussed. A week? I thought it would have been at least a year but a goddamn week? She collected herself before speaking "Exactly. How far do you think someone who can fight a level 5 in one week of being a gatecrasher could go within 2 weeks?" 

"Nothing if I don't have any resources."

"That will obviously be sorted out by the Feinn family." Sera smiled and said. "You have a room for you on the third story." 

***

Apollo entered his room. There was a large duffle bag full of crystals lying on his bed. These were all power crystals. Each one of them was so expensive that even one of them could be traded for Apollo's house back on the farm. Apollo touched his GNA and searched for a general book on gatecrashing. Usually one would learn from their parents or teachers about how to actually be one. Apollo however, lacked that luxury at this second. 

"They were resources used by gatecrashers to supplement the Myth energy that could be absorbed from the atmosphere. Usually when one wanted to increase their level they would absorb more energy than their core could hold and depending if they have "worked out" their core enough they would level up." Apollo read.

"Ghost, what does it mean by "working out" the core?"

"Think of it like this: when someone breaks through to the next level their core is rigid. If crushed it will shatter to pieces. But as the core gets used more and more it becomes malleable. If crushed, its form will change and absorb the attack. What do you think the difference is between a used core and a new one? The one that has been used more has the ability to hold energy stronger than its level meaning once the core is solidified once again, you will be at the next level." Ghost tried his best to make it simple.

"So I have to use my core in order to break through?"

"Yes you must fight in order to break through." Ghost confirmed.

I guess I'll have to pay a visit to the arenas later. For now though, I have never contemplated my lightning abilities.

It was called the Heavens Decent Realm for a reason; until now Apollo had never tapped into his connection with Heavenly Lightning. Apollo sent his perception as far into the sky as he could, awaiting the connection with Heavenly Lightning. Quickly sweat started to bead on his forehead. The strain of maintaining a connection with the Heavens was not easily withstood. After waiting for over thirty minutes, what he was looking for never came. He persisted for hours longer, yet achieved no progress.

"Just stop." Ghost said.

"I don't understand." Apollo had an odd feeling of betrayal. "How can I possibly make any progress without having anything to refer to?" A tinge of sorrow in his voice. Tapping into your connection with a Heavenly Element was the only way a Gatecrasher could further develop on the path of their element.

"No that's not it.. It can't be." Ghost told himself.

"What? What can't be?" Apollo pleadingly asked.

"The only reason I can think of has nothing to do with what you're doing. The connection goes two ways. You have to reach out and the Heavens must reach back. The Heavens don't recognize you and will not form a connection with you." Ghost said.

"Fuck. You." Apollo said, putting a pause between each word. Slowly, his hand raised to the sky, his middle finger obstructing the bright moon outside of his window as he cursed the heavens. Tears almost mix with the sweat as Apollo tried to hold it back. His mind raked through every possible way to stay on the path of a Gatecrasher.

"There is more than one way to gain the understanding of elements. Ghost what if I fight a lightning user at a level higher than my own? Wouldn't I be able to steal their connection with the elements?" Apollo asked.

"Technically yes but you would need… holy shit that's it. Apollo I don't know how someone like you has ever come to be but you may be the only person that doesn't need the help of the Heavens to get stronger."

"So I'm right?" Hope appeared in his eyes. The tears quickly withdrew.

"Usually, the time in which foreign energy is in your body during a battle would not be enough for someone to gain any understanding but it's not for you. The core of all understanding is your soul. Since your soul is abnormally strong, that short duration might be enough to gain the understanding needed. You would be the most adaptable Gatecrasher there has ever been." Ghost said excitement filling his voice. His knowledge of the Realms and gatecrashing was immense but not one person like Apollo had ever been recorded in his memory.

***

Downtown, Fei city was booming. Stores bustled as people walked in and out, examining the stalk. The city was neither rich nor poor, being made up of mostly middle class people. However one man stood out. Like the parting of grass, people moved out of the way of the young man in a blue robe. His dark black hair and black eyes gave everyone around him the feeling of inferiority. His strong level 4 presence pushed the aura of the crowd away as if it were beneath him to touch it.

He stopped at a weapons shop. It had hundreds of weapons hung up on the walls. Some were Myth weapons and some were normal. Myth weapons were used by most Gatecrashers to increase their power while normal weapons were mostly ignored as one would have to constantly refine it to gain any power from it. The young man ignored all the normal weapons and went straight to the Myth Weapons section. There hung a large blue axe exuding a heavy flowing aura. He straightforwardly took the axe and headed to exit. The old shopkeeper wanted to say something but the presence of the young man caused him to freeze up.

"I'm not from around here but I believe the common etiquette is to pay for the items you want." Another youth looking at the wall of regular weapons said.

"I already did pay for it." The man in blue said. Continuing to leave the store. 

"Ghost I can use it right?" He said, still examining the normal weapons.

"Yes I don't think anyone will be able to understand it so you are fine for now." 

"Great," He said with a smile. With the crack of lightning a purple bolt carved a path through the man in blue's presence, freezing him in place just as he did to the old man. With the help of his powerful soul and the Torii gate Apollo could easily suppress a low end level 4. The purple in his eyes terrified the man in blue beyond belief. However, to supplement his fear, confusion also spread. 

He is only level 2 and his energy is also level 2 so why is it so strong?

"I'd like to buy this one." Apollo said, presenting a staff made from wood. It was made from Therus Tree. 

"Very well." the old man said, recovering from the earlier events. "That will be 2000 Hier."

"It says 4000 on the wall." Apollo said.

"For your help earlier you get half off." The old man smiled.

"Thank you." Apollo said, leaving 4 Myth Crystals. 

"You will be coming with me." Apollo smiled and grabbed the shoulder of the man in blue. 

"Wait sir you…" the old man tried to get out, but Apollo had already left. Each Myth Crystal was worth about 1000 Hier.

The two walked through the streets back towards the Feinn Family house. One the way Apollo examined his new staff. Therus Wood was a mutated type of tree that could withstand Myth Energy circulating through it. Usually one would buy Therus Wood to imbue it with some elemental power, and then sell it for profit. That was not Apollo's intention, however. He would be the one to refine this staff into a weapon that perfectly fit him.

The man in blue was quiet the entire walk back. He felt that same odd energy every time Apollo tested how the staff would react to his energy. Why is it like that? So heavy and strong! But he's clearly level 2. He is the kid Sera admitted. I'll make sure to have Gaia show him his place in the team.

"You are Paitras right?" Apollo asked, breaking the long silence. The slight smile on his face made droplets of sweat form on Paitras's head. 

"That's me." 

"You and your brother Gaia are on the team for the tournament right?" Apollo asked. He didn't care much about anyone else in the Feinn family other than his teammates. "At what time are we going to be training? I haven't been told any times." He asked.

Paitras relaxed as Apollo appeared to be easy-going. "Practice?" he asked, laughing. "Hell I haven't trained anything but leveling up in years. No matter what we do, nothing can substitute for a lack of level. Against the level 5's and 6's of the other Academies and clans we are helpless." He explained. 

Apollo winced. He didn't like people that thought like this. How could you possibly think you can get better without fighting? 

"Can you call a meeting with the group? I have a proposition." Apollo asked.

"You have a GNA too. Why haven't you joined the group chat yet?"

"I don't like technology too much. I don't think it likes me back either." Apollo said. Apollo didn't care much to pay attention to social media or even GHA's in general. His main focus was his path.

"Let's head to the main house." Paitras lead the way. 

The familiar nature scenery was painted in pictures as they walked through the garden. 

***

"Why did Paitras call us here? Just a waste of time. I could be busy breaking through right now." Gaia said. Judging by the natural radiation of energy off of him, one could see that he was nearing level 5. He stood at quite literally the peak of the fourth level. That was supplemented by his tall physique and sharp face; he was one of the center pieces of the Feinn Family.

"Who knows. That guy always loves attention." A beautiful woman with blue hair said. Her figure: slim yet strong. She was also radiating a strong level 4 energy. Her energy however was extremely cold while Gaia's was flowing like the wind. However the cold energy avoided the small girl on her lap. 

"Tia, how long are you going to cling to Irene?" Sera asked. Tia was 17 years old but her size was that of a toddler, perfectly fitting in Irene's bosom. 

Each member of the group were the best youth of each sub-family of the Feinn family. 

"Sorry for being last even though we called the meeting." Apollo said, entering the room.

"I'll get straight to the point."

"Wait." Gaia interrupted. "Sera seriously? Why would you recommend him? If we were going to be scorned before for having low levels then what does having him bring?" Gaia questioned.

"I welcome you to challenge me anytime." Apollo said, smiling. "That's actually the reason I'm here. Anyone could look at me and see that I'm weak. But I have a question: who here has been in a battle to the death? I don't mean just an all out fight. I mean if you lose, you die."

None raised their hands. 

"Great. We are polar opposites. I am desperately in need of help in leveling up while you all could do with some combat training. So, why don't we help each other?" he proposed.

"How could you teach us anything about combat?" Gaia asked. "Look in a mirr…" he continued but stopped after seeing Paitras performing a throat cutting gesture, signaling him to stop.

"You are a perfect example. You look at people as if you can see through them. This is fine as long as you know for sure you are the strongest in the room." Apollo said, turning towards the girls, "Nice to meet you, by the way. I'm Apollo."

"Mm" Irene simply replied. She was actually more interested in Apollo's strength ranking than who he was.

At this point Gaia was completely red with anger. A tendril of wind suddenly shot at Apollo's head. To everyone's surprise, Apollo blocked the attack with ease. However even more surprising was the color change of his normal black eyes to deep purple. Everyone at the table wanted to avoid eye contact.

"He is right." Sera backed Apollo. "For our whole lives we have lived under the Feinn family's protection. If we want to have any chance we need to make up for our level with skill." 

"I guess it wouldn't hurt." Irene said, agreeing. Tia on her lap, shyly nodded her head. 

Gaia, seeing that everybody agreed, decided he would just defeat Apollo during training. 

"Great, we start right now." Apollo said. He started towards the arena grounds.

While walking to the arena, everybody except Sera kept a small distance from Apollo. The two conversed while they walked.

"I've been meaning to ask this but how is it that no one except for you, was able to break through the fourth level?" he asked.

"It's punishment." Sera said. 

"For what exactly?"

"Do you know how strong a rank 3 clan is?" Sera inquired.

"No idea." Apollo continued to be blissfully unaware.

"The Feinn family is probably the weakest rank 1 family in the entire continent. However it was not always like that. There was a time around 150 years ago where our grandparents stood at the peak of the entire continent. At the time the Feinn family was a rank 3 power. That means the most common members of the clan were at least at the 9th level of the Heavens Decent Realm. In some cases there were youths with strength at the peak of the realm after Heaven's Descent: the Nature Realm. Not to mention the grand protector of the family was one of 3 people in the entire continent to break through the Nature Realm." Sera explained.

Apollo staggered slightly. The information he just received broadened his mind by so many levels that he almost failed to stay concentrated.

"So how did it decline that much?" he asked.

"Being the strongest power in the continent, the Feinn family felt the Vex Clan no longer deserved the title of Ruler. They waged war against them. They were on the path to winning when the sky broke and a man descended. He was unfathomable, immediately suppressing everyone on the battlefield including the grand elders of both powers. Like God the man simply told the Feinn family that they would never rise to power again. From that day forward, no one in the family was able to break through to the next level. And when the new generation was born, all of them failed to break past level 4." 

"So that man was connected to the Vex?" Apollo asked.

"It appears so."

"Well what is so special about you that you could break through?"

"My bloodline is thick with Feinn Family traits. Basically, because of the century and a half between now and when we were suppressed, the strength of my bloodline allowed me to break through the suppression." Sera explained. 

"We're here" Gaia said, pulling Apollo out of his thoughts.

The Arena was bustling with people. Everywhere Apollo looked there were people. 

Sera saw the surprise on Apollo's face. "This is the most popular area of the Feinn family. Thousands of people flock here to witness and participate in fights." 

Seeing the crowd of people Apollo thought: The only problem now would be to not get recognized. The figures on the tournament team are widespread except for me of course. We need to find a way to make the fights authentic.

Irene started to cut through the crowd. "Come on. We have to find a way through this to the private arenas" 

"We are not going to the private arenas," Apollo continued. "Today we conceal our identities and fight as regular people. You all will have to suppress your levels to beginning stage level 4." 

"Who let you be the one to decide how we train?" Gaia's opinion of Apollo grew worse.

"Considering even a level 2 is a better fighter, I would obviously know how to train better than you."

"We can go at it right now!" Gaia yelled.

With a sigh Sera intervened. "Listen to him Gaia." Hearing herself Sera was slightly confused. Why do I put so much trust into someone I barely know? Hell, I don't even know his strength!

Sera pulled out 6 face disruptors. These were popular among people who wanted to hide their identities. They scrambled the light reflecting off the wearer's face making it look jumbled and incorrect. Apollo spectated the level 2 arena for a while before finally joining. There were rules at this arena that allowed the strongest level 2 and the weakest level 3 to contest if they chose. 

I can just slowly defeat everyone until I make it to the level 4 arena. Then I'll challenge the team members one by one. He decided. Ghost, can you seal my Myth Energy?

Apollo suddenly felt like sleeping as if he was devoid of any energy. "Done." Ghost remarked. His body has always been strong. Now that his body has been refined a little by his Myth Energy, he should be able to compete with an average level 3.

It quickly became Apollo's turn to start fighting. His opponent was the weakest of the level 2s. 

"Would you like my help for combat analysis?" Ghost asked.

What do you mean?

Ghost realized he had never really explained any of his mechanics to Apollo. "I will help you focus your soul giving you enhanced senses and reaction time."

Couldn't hurt to try it.

Suddenly it was as if the floodgates on a dam were released. Apollo's head was suddenly bombarded with sensory overload. He couldn't tell if what he was looking at was right in front of him or 20 miles away. He could taste the particles in the air and smell the different types of dirt in the soil beneath his feet. Maybe worst of all however was the breathing. It was deafening. 

"I will not undo it. You must get used to this as it will be a very good tool in the future." Ghost told him.

I agree. Although Apollo wanted to get used to this state, he wasn't even sure if he could fight a level 2 in this state. The sound of water flowing passed quickly as Apollo's first opponent appeared. He was short and unmatured. 

"16 and still only level 2? How sad." Apollo's childish opponent mocked. He looked to be about 13 or 14. He was still considered as mildly talented. In the Feinn family, around 13 would be when one would break through to the third level. Such an untalented person! I'm more talented than somebody! He was incredibly happy as it was hard to find someone less talented than himself. 

"You don't belong here!" he yelled, sending a large wave at Apollo with a punch of his fist. Apollo was quickly swept away and battered by the attack. Waves would flow away and back into him as he was thrown around the arena.

"This sucks." Apollo yelled. "Ghost, how about we do one sense at a time?" he pleaded. However this time he talked to Ghost out loud.

Ghost nodded. "Great. Let's focus on my sight first." Apollo suggested. Apollo's raging headache calmed. At least now he could hear the attack coming. However his sight was still odd. It was as if he had hundreds of eyes scattered throughout the surrounding 20 miles, allowing him to not only see everything, but see everything from different angles. 

"You are experiencing what higher levels call Sense. A Sense is formed when someone's soul power reaches a certain level. Of course they don't know that it really is soul power that is the base of this Sense. Everything within the range of your Sense can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and even tasted. The only downside to it is getting used to it." Ghost explained. 

Apollo didn't have much time to listen to Ghost. Wave after Wave, the youth fired attacks at Apollo. 

"Hmph!" Apollo snorted. Instead of running away Apollo went on the offensive. He charged at the youth, running through wave after wave, relying on his physical strength to not be washed away.

"What the hell is that?" the youth questioned loudly. How did he go from being swept away to running through my attacks? He obviously didn't know that before Apollo's state was equivalent to being concussed. 

Apollo easily ran through tens of waves in the matter of seconds. So this is what sense is like! He thought. Right now there were still almost 20 waves between him and the youth, but Apollo could see him clearly. Not only could he see him; he could see the way he used Water Energy. The youth's understanding of water wasn't great. It was barely stronger than if someone could manipulate regular water.

"Use this opportunity to comprehend water energy a little. Maybe someday in the future you will be able to use it." Ghost suggested. 

Apollo was relishing in this moment. I'll just learn how to use it now! 

Ghost let out a sigh. Apollo's behavior was slightly selfish and ignorant. "Don't. As of right now your core is very strong, but the amount of energy you can store does not allow you to use two elements. Not to mention, if you wait and fight a level 4 or above with water energy, it will start at a higher level." 

Apollo's facial expression drooped. He was so excited to finally fight and get stronger but the second he did, he was told to slow down. He continued to run through waves until he finally broke through the last one. The small youth looked up at Apollo realizing the difference in height and strength. It took a single strike for the youth to be knocked out.

The judge, observing the strength in Apollo's body, stopped the next contender. Expecting a level 2 to appear on the stage, Apollo was surprised when a mid tier level 4 appeared in front of him. He had pupils with a golden cross in the middle. It was like these eyes could see through him.

The adjudicator inspected Apollo even deeper. "The strength in your body is equivalent to mid level 3 meaning you are of higher level but are suppressing your level in order to fight down." he gave Apollo a somewhat scornful gaze, "I will have you put into the level 3 pool, but if you unseal your energy you will be kicked out immediately. Only in the level 4 pool can you use Myth energy." He said, gesturing for Apollo to follow.

Ghost, I thought it was undetectable?

Ghost snorted. "I sealed your energy perfectly. You are just a horrible actor. The look on your face that screamed "I got caught" made it a very easy guess that you were stronger than what you showed." Ghost mocked.

But you only sealed my energy so it's not usable. Not so that my true level couldn't be seen.

"That's true but he doesn't know that. Your energy is only level 2 but that gate makes it dense enough to be compared to late level 4 energy. You have so much raw myth energy power but not the understanding to match it. He could only see your level of your strength, not the understanding behind it.."

Apollo appeared to have gone into thought before his face paled. Can I even fight a level 3 while my senses are messed up?

"I guess we'll find out won't we." Ghost said. If Ghost had a physical form, there would be a cheeky smile on their face. "Think of the beating you're about to get as a way of training your body."

In the level 3 pool Apollo stood almost zero chance against any of his opponents. His sight was still slightly foreign to him and every once in a while Ghost would deem him too able-bodied and concuss him with another overload of senses. The severe bruising and bleeding on Apollo's body made it hard for him to even move. After losing 10 straight fights, the rules of the arena said he could no longer fight for the day. With a very visible limp, he hobbled back to his room. 

***

The hot steam fogged up the entire room. A water temperature that would burn any normal person comforted Apollo's wounds. The slices and bruises seemed to be mended in real time as scar tissue replaced them. Although he was healed, Apollo still found it hard to stand stable in the shower as Ghost insisted he kept the sight sense active.

Ghost, how long do you think it will take for me to get used to all of this?

"For now, you just need to keep experiencing it. Later on it will only improve through tempering your soul, whether it's through battle or just studying it."

For tonight I will just focus on the feeling of true sight. 

"You don't seem very focused to me." Ghost said. "If you were, you would have noticed that Feinn girl approaching your room."

Apollo heard the door open. They met eyes but quickly Sera shifted downwards to see his body only half covered by a towel. With a yelp, she turned around. A deep blush spread on her face.

"Sorry! It was after closing hours and I didn't want to get caught and I figured you would not be just now finishing getting cleaned up after today and I wanted to…"

Apollo didn't care too much. She didn't see much after all. But he figured this would be a great chance to get to know Sera more.

"Didn't want to get caught? You are the strongest in the clan, what would they do anyway!"

"Well just cuz I'm strong doesn't mean I don't answer to my father! Plus it would look scandalous with me coming to your room at night and all."

"That is a good point. Though, why are you here? Maybe…are you scandalous? Did you come here for me?" Apollo said, almost not being able to contain his laughter.

"No, no, no, definitely not. It's because I wanted to spar." She said, almost breaking down. She suddenly heard a guttural laugh from behind her. She saw the now fully clothed Apollo nearly dying laughing.

"Not funny you really…" She cut herself off. Her face scrunched. "Come on. We are fighting now." She grabbed Apollo and dragged him in the direction of the arena.

"Earlier today I watched a couple of your fights. You were sloppy and didn't use any Myth Energy; why?"

"I meant to fight in the level 3 pool without using any energy but my senses have been changing recently and I haven't grasped it yet." He explained, though he left out some key details.

"I see, we don't have to fight today if you don't want to." Sera empathized.

"No, it will be good for me to experience it while at full output."

They approached the arena and Sera quietly waved away the guard. With a seemingly eager energy, he let them in. It was already past closing hours so there was no one to disturb them. They found the highest quality arena and quickly entered. They both still weren't sure it could handle the fight about to commence, but it's not like they had any other choice.

***

A quiet yet echoing yell rang through the main family. No distress could be seen in any of the members even considering the tone was urgent. When the main family members found the culprit, they were furious. A mere level 3 guard had been brash enough to empower his voice.

"Little shit! Get out of here now! So rude and brash. On second thought you should be executed." A tall man berated. 

"I must speak with the clan leader!" The small guard persisted.

"I will do what I must then!" the Man said, approaching with obvious ill intent.

"What?" a calm voice echoed throughout the heads of everyone in the lobby.

The guard fell to his knees. "I'm sorry for the disruption. Milady Sera is sparring with that boy in the arena." He explained.

Swiftly a figure appeared. "Let's watch." the clan leader said with a smile. Many of the people in the lobby followed as the clan leader left for the arena.

***

"At what level should I be?" Sera asked. She was clearly trying to gauge Apollo's strength.

"Level 3 will work for now." Apollo decided to start slow. With his energy unsealed it shouldn't be too difficult for him to keep up with a level 4, even if his senses are jumbled.

"Relish in this opportunity. Against someone with superior control your senses will be tested. Not to mention it is a higher level of energy." Ghost noted.

A flame burst out of Sera. It was simple and of no shape but strong nonetheless.

Apollo however simply let it hit his body. "I'm sure you know this already but you have to want to attack me. Your energy is determined a lot by physical power but if there is not the will behind it even the strongest attack can be blocked. Your power is ultimately under your control. An experienced fighter can tell the intent of an attack. If you are going to fight to win you must intend to hurt me." Apollo blankly said.

"Hmph" with a snort another attack was sent towards him. This time, a gaping dragon maw lunged at him. The flames folded from in themselves, steadily increasing the size of the attack as it moved. 

With a flash of purple Apollo appeared 30 feet to the left; purple lightning arcing all over his body. 

I won't be able to take that attack with only my body. 

"So lightning is your element." Sera confirmed her suspicions. The feeling he gave her matched well with lightning users. Surprised with Apollo's abilities, she decided to take him more seriously. 5 more of the same attack pressed towards Apollo at a much higher speed. 

Shit!

"This is what I meant. She may be suppressed to level 3 but she still has the reserves of a level 6. She can sustain sending hundreds of these attacks at a time." Ghost explained.

I need to find a way out. Apollo thought, inspecting every inch of each attack to find a point of escape. Like a slideshow, a picture of an area tens of miles away and from in front him flashed. For a fraction of a second everything connected. It was as if the borders of each picture that appeared in his melted into each other. Each picture supplemented another connecting them into one grand view. He saw a point in the frontal attack where the fire energy was the weakest and attacked that point. Like glass the entire attack fell apart allowing Apollo to escape the other 4.

"Yes! This is what I'm looking for." He anxiously said. That feeling of everything connecting was addicting. He needed further stimulation to grasp that feeling. He used his superior speed to close the distance. Purple lightning covered his fist as he swung it at Sera's side.

Suddenly Sera was engulfed in a sphere of fire. Not only did it block the attack but then expanded rapidly, throwing Apollo into the air. A pulse in his eyes activated his true sight. He could see behind him fire energy was coalescing. It soon formed into a flaming spear heading for his back. Reaching to the sky, a pillar of lightning crushed down on him. After making contact with the ground, the spear was easily dodged. Apollo was about to go on the attack but out of the corner of his eye, he found something he didn't expect.

***

Above the Arena, a group of people stood in the sky on an Elemental Vehicle. Next to Ishi stood Viem and the large man with crossed pupils and behind all of them was the small guard. The three in front keenly assessed the fight. However the other two depended heavily on the man with the crossed pupils.

"Kern, you have the eyes of Feinn, what do you see?" Viem asked.

"From what I see, he is mostly using his body and level 2 lightning energy. His body is special. Not even my eyes can discern it, but it looks like his body is capable of fighting a level above the energy in his body. However he is not going all out. Right now it's as if he's exploring his own power." Kern explained.

"This kid is capable of fighting at level 4. I could tell from the first second I saw him. I even felt like he wanted to fight me." Ishi said, trying to contribute to Kern's assessment.

Kern suddenly jumped. "Impossible." is all he managed to mutter.

Ishi seeing his frightened face, he was dying to know what he saw. "What is it?" he asked.

"That kid can see us." Kern said with a solemn face.

The other two also went quiet.

"We are currently behind a light bending shield and I have employed my eye abilities to create a barrier disallowing senses to penetrate. Yet he just met my eyes. Even to me this kid is nearly unreadable." Kern said, defeated. 

"How is this possible?" Ishi asked, appearing quite confused. 

"The feeling I got when his sight pierced my barrier was one of hopelessness. It's as if resisting his will to see what he wants is against worldly order." Kern said grimly. 

***

Apollo only half occupied himself with the fight after seeing the group of three. He felt his sight break past the barrier but the effects of his sight soon vanished. However before then he made eye contact with the large man.

Ghost what is up with that man's eyes?

"He has the eyes of Feinn. There's not much information about them but some simple facts that would be easily found if you look at your GNA for once. But here it is: "One born with the Eyes of Feinn gains two abilities: use of illusion energy and unrivaled sight." He has those eyes. However the information is not as accurate from my assessment. The eyes do give the user the ability to use Myth Energy in a non elemental way, and they give what you have called True Sight. However the strength of both of those traits is based on the strength of the soul. Therefore you were able to see through them easily." Ghost said.

I must gain full control over True Sight. With a new understanding of True Sight, Apollo was even more excited to use it at max capacity. 

The fight continued with Apollo focusing on evading in order to make use of True Sight more. With every activation the duration of True Sight lengthened. Until it finally clicked. 

"So this is what it feels like." Apollo reeled at the omniscient feeling. Everything for tens of miles was clear as day. A broad smile was pasted across his face. 

Seeing him pause, Sera stopped her onslaught. 

"Thank you for taking it slow. I was having trouble with my senses that have now been solved."

"I knew there was something weird about the way you were evading. It was as if you could see what I was doing before I even attacked." Sera said, pouting slightly. She felt helpless. She had not hit Apollo once in the level 3 fight. 

"We will step it up from here." Sera said, her level skyrocketing from mid level 3 to peak level 4. The flames around her instantly became a deeper shade of red. Apollo got a different feeling from those flames than before. Not only could they burn with much more power, but they felt calm and serene as if they were being blown in the wind. 

Apollo made his own preparations. The strength of his energy also exploded as the Torii was now being used at half capacity. Purple pulsed in his eyes. The combination of True Sight, the Torii, and his strong body made him feel like nothing could stand before him. He took a slow breath, using the time to relax and focus. With his full focus on Sera something odd happened with his sight. It was as if her skin became translucent. He could see each of her Relic Veins and the powerful Myth Energy flowing. Before she even seemed to start her attack Apollo could see a gate in the shape of a flame on her core light up. However what caught his eye even more was the second gate set right next to it. 

She has a second gate? What element does an eye represent?

"It's not an elemental gate." Ghost said, almost fed up with Apollo's inability to see even with True Sight.

Looking a little closer, Apollo found that the eye's pupil was a cross. 

So she also has the Eyes of Feinn? Ghost, is that what you meant by a non elemental use of Myth Energy?

"Yes. I'm proud and relieved that I don't need to explain everything."

Based on what Ghost said, that gate should be the gate of illusion. With the level of my soul I should be fine but I'll keep an eye on that gate to clue me into when she decides to use an illusion.

Sera felt a stiffening feeling after being assessed by Apollo. She felt as if nothing was secret before his eyes. Under the color changing contacts, her eyes were burning. Usually she could see through anyone in front of her, but looking at Apollo, she felt she had looked at a brick wall. Being one of the few people that are aware of their own soul, Sera could tell Apollo's soul was too strong for her eye abilities to be useful. 

"If you can try to get her to use her illusion abilities." Ghost said. Ghost continued, "Any none elemental understanding of Myth Energy requires a Will Seed. If you can observe it enough you might be able to start to form your own Will Seed of Illusion."

Will do.

With a step Apollo disappeared. Purple lightning chained across his skin, burning his clothes slightly. His fist blasted towards Sera's stomach. A glint passed in his purple eyes. Looking deeper he found that some of the parts of her body were off. Some Relic Veins didn't completely line up and the power that appeared to be forming in her abdomen was obviously not Fire energy. 

Looking around Apollo's True Sight caught an area thirty feet to his right with an odd appearance. When using True Sight he could see every pebble and grain of sand within 10 miles. The small rocks in that area seemed slightly off. They were not completely lined up with the surrounding environment. 

The lightning chained towards his hands this time as he sent a large current towards the odd area. 

"Boom" the sound of lightning striking sounded out and dust was stirred up. There was no movement from the dust. 

"Did I hit her?" he asked himself.

A small sound of glass breaking played out behind Apollo as Sera appeared. She quickly fired a focused tendril of fire at his back. The flames hit Apollo's back breaking straight through the protective barrier of lightning on his skin. The scorching fire spread like a spider web to each part of his body. His Relic Veins were drowned in flames, being continually scorched. Slowly an imprint of fire was carved into the shell of his core. 

"Focus on this feeling. Experience the scorching of the flames and use it to gain your own understanding of fire." Ghost directed. 

Apollo slowed his breathing. He turned his True Sight inwards and observed the fire. He was incredibly excited by Ghost remarks on how he could progress. However, he forgot to take into account that stealing the understanding from other gatecrashers requires him to allow their energy to attack and destroy his body. If this was a fight to the death it would be extremely hard to understand in the little time he had to act in order to not die. 

In the arena Sera watched Apollo slightly pause. It was only for 2 seconds but that was enough for her to launch a killing blow if she really wanted. He looked to be struggling to rid himself of the flames. 

"Thank you, Sera." Apollo said suddenly. He had used those two seconds to gain a fairly deep understanding of Fire Energy. Sera was surprised as she thought she had hurt him. "This is actually my first time truly fighting. I'm still trying to figure out the feeling of lightning. But I don't think either of us want to be fighting at this level."

"What are you saying?" Sera asked, slightly confused by his words.

"We both go all out."

"Are you sure? You know it's not hard for me to compete against a level 7 when I go all out. Not to brag but just to inform you." Sera warned.

"I have never really used my full power so I don't know. All I can tell you is that the fight just now was half."

"What?" Sera was silently shocked. The strength Apollo just used put him above the entire tournament team. If that was half maybe Apollo really could make a big change in the tournament. Sera shook off her surprise. "Fine but you can't blame me if I hurt you."

"Mn" Apollo nodded. The purple haze on the Torii grew thicker. As soon as it reached max capacity, the shadow of a second appeared behind the first. He felt no power increase from the second Torii, but just seeing a second one excited him beyond belief.

Does this mean this power can get stronger? He wondered. If he developed 2 Torii's would his power double? He wanted to investigate more but the level 6 gatecrasher rushing at him drew his immediate attention. Sera suddenly divided into three all looking similar throwing the same attacks. True Sight showed Apollo the outlier. 

The left one! He seemed to figure out which was the real Sera but a much more grim expression soon appeared on his face. As if he were contemplating. He threw his full force at the Sera on the right. The sound of glass breaking rang out. Shards of Illusion energy entered his body as Apollo purposefully attacked the wrong Sera. 

Seeing the opening Sera blasted her attack into Apollo's back, scorching his clothes further until he no longer had a shirt. Her face turned slightly red but quickly changed to concern as she thought she had hurt him. A deep expression of pain spread on Apollo's face. He had let the Illusion Energy enter him in order to comprehend it but, coupled with the Fire Energy, It was too much for him to handle. The pain from the two attacks was beyond his limit and brought his comprehension to a stop. The shards of Illusion Energy rampaged through his body, slicing everything they came in contact with like broken glass to skin. The fire energy spread from his back burning everything it came into contact with. 

Apollo knelt on the ground grunting in pain. After 30 seconds, he finally passed out. Laying there his face went back to normal as unconsciousness freed him from the pain. 

***

In his body the Torii shone brightly. A slight golden highlight appeared, covering the Torii giving a golden-purple luster. The rampant energy continued to ravish Apollo's body as the Light continued to shine. In a time that seemed painfully long, a golden human form started to take shape in the Torii. As its form became more and more complete, it emitted waves of golden energy that seemed to examine the other rampaging energies. After an unknown amount of time, the golden figure had emitted hundreds of waves of energy. Suddenly a purple shine evacuated the energies out of Apollo's body. Apollo's blood became more active and started to release energy into each of the affected parts of his body. The energy from the blood increased the healing process by hundreds of times. The damage was being healed at a visible rate. Eventually it became as if nothing had happened at all

***

A couple seconds after had passed out, Apollo jumped to his feat. Sera who was rushing to check on him got a freight seeing him awake. 

She arrived and quickly checked on him. "Are you okay? I thought I hurt you badly back there." She seemed quite emotional. 

"Well It did hurt a lot but…" He said but had his attention drawn somewhere else. His core had changed. Not only was it much, much stronger, A small flame and an eye symbol were embedded on it. Not only that but behind the first Torii A second one shone with the same purple. 

"You are a horrifying being." Ghost abruptly said. "In a single step you went from level 2 to level 4. Not to mention, if that was truly a fight to the death, you grasped the others' understanding of energy in a mere 2 seconds and leveled up twice because of it."

Well I did have to pass out from pain in order to comprehend.

"Yes but your pain tolerance will increase and if you can stay awake during that process you could still fight as you comprehend their energy and level up. Absolutely heaven defying. Not to mention your energy is volatile enough to not lose out completely against opponents 4 levels above you. I suspect no one even in the seventh level is your opponent now."

"What the fuck." Sera said as she saw the changes in Apollo. 

Surprised by the sudden profanity, Apollo giggled and embraced her. "Thank you. You may not know why but it is because of you that I could level up."

Sera's red face and motionless arms displayed her shock. Not only had no one dared to hug her before, she hadn't even been touched by any man other than her father. She didn't not like it however. As the hug lasted she finally released the tension and hugged back. 

A sudden booming maniacal laughter came from the distance. Along with it an attack that could make any level 5 cower boomed towards Apollo's head. The attack landed and shattered the image of Him and Sera. Appearing 15 feet away from their original position, Apollo let out a heavy aura after activating the Torii. Ishi, Kern, and Viem were all stuck hard by the aura but quickly recovered as Apollo quickly withdrew. Sera, sensing the arrival of the three, quickly let go and faced her father.

"Dad, stop!" She yelled.

"This little shit touched you and used you to benefit himself!" Ishi argued.

"It's okay, I am not against it. He may have hugged me but I hugged him back. And the sparring was for mutual benefit." she said becoming more intimidating. 

"Move out of the way and give me a good shot. I'll make him bleed." Ishi said, his expression getting more serious.

"Dad, I'm protecting you from him. In any case this is a good thing. He can help a lot in the tournament. You must treat him well!" She demanded. 

Ishi's face went slightly red. 

"Sera and I were just looking to use each other to improve. After this session I can guarantee the Fein Family at least won't be last in the Regional Tournament." He said with a smile.

"Hmph. Brat doesn't know what he's up against. But, you won't touch her again." Ishi said, turning to Sera and guiding her out of the arena. Kern had an odd expression looking at Apollo. Their first interaction, Kern had looked down at him. At the time he was just a level 2 that could be of no help. Watching him spar with Sera had changed his mind. Now he could only barely decipher what level Apollo was.

Apollo frowned a little, feeling the prying gaze of Kern. He no longer felt the inferiority he had first felt when he met Kern. Little by little he stopped confining True Sight. The originally invasive sense had been reduced to nothing. Meeting Kern's eyes, Apollo earned back his confidence. "If you want to know something, you usually ask." He said before leaving back to his room. 

***

In a tower that reached the sky a group of unfathomable beings sat in a circle around a display. The small flat area in the center of the beings seemed to withhold everything in existence. Each of the beings seemed to be a constellation. Only one at the same level as them could see their true form. Behind the 8 main beings, layers of smaller yet almost equally powerful constellations listened into the conversation. 

"There is a disturbance in the Universal plane. Although we are cut off from the rest I can feel it. Something is defying the Creators." A senile voice echoed from one of the ten great constellations.

"We have no actions. If this phenomena truly does defy the Creators they will act." another constellation shined.

"I don't believe you understand the Old Man's point." a childish voice rang. "The Old Man is saying that if there is something defying the Creators that hasn't already been vanquished then it must be another Creator or something of equal power."

"After the Soul Sphere of Perpetuation was detonated and its owners killed, it's as if the Creators have abandoned us." 

"They would not abandon what they have made. It must be something else." The aged voice said. He continued, "If there is something competing against the creators we must do our best to help. The two Co-Creator level treasures must have something to do with this crisis. We must use our full power to reach the next Worldly Plain and search for them." 

"As of right now we are still a couple years away from the next plain. Even moving at our max speed it will still take time. We shouldn't worry much, however. We have won and are now considered the Supreme Worldly Plain. Our reach knows no bounds but the Creators. We will serve our Creators well and smother this small fire." The most broad constellation said. When he spoke everyone made sure to listen thoughtfully. The rest nodded. In hierarchical order, one by one, they disappeared.

***