Michael

Things move quickly after Estergon returns with a seemingly drunk Rumeria in tow. They both seem bone weary and heavy-lidded but they almost immediately start packing and tell me to grab all my possessions as well. I'm not sure what's going on but I do as I'm told, its not like I have much in possessions anyways. I grab my wallet, my shades which have been useless to me since I've been here, my watch and my glock.

"Where is Mirabilis?" I ask while debating whether or not to put anything over my now bald head.

"Mirabilis is busy consolidating some things, she should join you in a few days but it would be stupid of you all to begin your journey in the state you're in. Sleep a few hours travel later."

And we sleep something like 16 hours, I didn't even know I was that tired but it seems my body is still going through some shit I can't yet understand. We begin our journey down the mountain slowly and carefully taking the long but safer route.

"Why the sudden departure?" I ask 2 hours into the descent citing through the tense silence with my voice.

"Jonah kicked us out," Rumeria says nonchalantly as we hike and climb down.

I nod at that, who else would have the authority to kick us off the mountain? I'm curious at to why though.

"Why?"

"Because he was pissed that you three almost got yourselves lost in that strange pool of water, no one who disappears there returns," Rumeria says and its silence for a straight 16 hours of hiking and climbing down before we take our first break.

I realise I'm tired but not as tired as I should be, and definitely not as tired as I would have been only yesterday if it was yesterday that I went into that pool. After two hours in which I eat, though not really hungry and drink some water though not really thirsty we continue down.

It's another 16 hours before Estergon speaks for the first time today.

"Aren't you tired?" He asks casualty. Looking at my watch I know 32 hours local time have passed but I could still go on for hours more.

"I could use a rest," I say just to be on the safe side and as some, as we find a nice spot to camp out I'm out like a light.

*

It's like that for 20 days by my count as we descent Mount Sinai. I sleep twice a day for 4 hours and the rest of the time we are climbing and hiking down. We meet some predictors but they keep away mostly, some coming close to stare at us curiously. Strange mountain lion looking felines with big dish like ears that revolve around almost 180 degrees on their axis, bees the size of wasps that camouflage on the rocks, birds with two heads and four wings, birds with tails that bite like snakes, eagles the size of cow calfs, roots that seem to be coming out up from deep within the mountain to catch light and many other strange sights.

Everything around me emphasizing the fact that I'm on another world. It even rained once as we reached the bottom and we watched as strange worms from a particularly dark brown patch of soil writhed and wiggles as worms so thickly packed on one another that one is imperceptible from the next came awake from the rain. Worms that devoured anything unfortunate enough to fall within their writhing mass of fingers, very disturbing to look at.

We eventually reach the forest floor and took a nice leisurely walk on an established path for another 30 hours or so. Then I got my first look of this Compound they have been referring to.

The place is actually in a sort of ditch lower down than what I actually thought was ground level. It's well hidden from the mountain or even from the sky I imagine unless you're flying directly above it. The word 'compound' mislead my imagination into seeing just a compound within my mind but its so much more than that.

There are four stadium like huge domes interconnected by walkways on multiple levels. The tops of two or the domes initially look like they are open to the elements but the slight reflective shine I catch implies there is a transparent barrier up there. We are met by guards even before we begin the descent and my guardians are greeted pleasantly and I introduce myself. It all seems so amicable, no one here carries a machine gun or a pistol on their hips but they all have well-made uniforms that blend well to the terrain. They carry spears and short swords and bows and arrows, it all looks so medieval but the air of seriousness of the men, the way they move or always seem alert, the way their eyes evaluate us innocently yet I get the feeling that they are ready to attack us at a moments notice. Soldiers to be taken seriously regardless of their equipment, I still have a hard time believing that a bullet to the chest would only do minor damage here as Mirabilis said.

We descent and it's not long before I'm walking into what has the feel of a futuristic underground complex busy with people as though its a mall. But not so crowded that people bump into each other. The floor is a black reflective tile that seems to be made of a single piece instead of blocks of tiles. There is a sort lf huge receiving area big enough to park tankers and more armed guards lounging around, we go through there without much difficulty, me introducing myself again as though they will remember me. In the complex proper there is a sort of park areas filled with green manicured grass and tall pruned trees willed with birds butterflies, bees and many other strange incests I can't identify. It takes 20 minutes to walk through the park full of playing children and some people meditating or doing movements reminiscent of kung fu movies or the chakra release techniques Mira has been teaching me. Past the parks are some ponds and swimming pools currently well utilized, apparently there are also animal shelter on the far left of the compound that we won't get to see because of the route we took.

From there we get to a more residential sort of area made of beautiful bleached and whitewashed stone like the stones of Lincoln Memorial back home in DC. In fact, the entire area has that whole ancient Roman pillars and balconies type of look to it. Very beautifully done and unreasonably clean for a place people live. There are windows, doors and balconies going on and on along the wall and up towards the domed ceiling in what I assume are apartments.

The stone here is cobbled and arranged in a way that I bet makes a picture when you look at it from one of those top balconies. We head towards a larger square building passed the stone fountain and up there stairs and through the huge double doors. There I meet the leader of this compound, a Master Yoshinda who to pile on surprise onto surprise is an actual gnome.

*

"So, how did you enjoy your time at the mountain Michael?" The short man with the long white beard almost exactly like the stereotype asks.

"I enjoyed my time there, it was refreshing but I am eager to talk to my fellow earthly humans and gather news from home," I respond trying not to stare to much.

"Well I understand how you may wish to return to Earth but unfortunately it has yet proven impossible, but there are a few people from your generation that have made it through the Sinai well besides you. How many was it Rumeria?"

"16 within two decades of his time on Earth, 3 of whom are his countrymen," Rumeria says as he already told me months ago.

Master Yoshi nods. "Acclimatizing usually takes several months or even years but it seems you are well on your way to being fully saturated in ether if toy aren't there already." He says inquisitively.

I see no reason to lie to the man and test whether or not my tongue has now been loosened. "The second dip into the blue water seems to have helped with that."

"Ahh..., that would explain it then. And I see you two partook as well, which Guardian did you stay with?"

"Jonah," Rumeria says and the gnome shakes his head.

"Most Welcomers avoiding going down his side of the mountain because he is such a disagreeable old man, and its the first I've heard of him allowing the newly ascended to risk themselves in the pools a second time."

"It wasn't exactly planned the way it happened," I say slightly protective of the old man, don't want him to get in trouble.

"I see... In any case, you have already been assigned rooms for your comfort and privacy, Decos outside the door will be your guide. If you want to be with other people there are communal sleeping areas that are very comfortable and safe but may result in a lot of body contact.

"There are recreational areas and places of crafting and training, you will not be barred from participating in anything but the trainers or crafter's may limit your access for your own safety. If you require something just ask, you are not expected to pay for any necessity for the first year you spend with us.

"Decos will also lead you to where some of your other Earthly counterparts are likely to be at this time and of course my door is always opened. Do you have any questions?"

I look at the man sitting across from me on his special made counch as we sit on another couch with a small table with refreshments between us. I'm glad we didn't have this discussion at his work desk, I think that would have felt more like talking to a senior officer than it currently does.

"No questions," I say then take the first sip of the drink in front of me. Fuck, it's like liquid honey on steroids. It's really good.

"Good, please leave me to talk to your Welcomers in private, I'm sure you will get a chance to see them again before they are reassigned. And in case they didn't say so, welcome to Gaia Mr O'Hare."

"Right, thanks." And with those words, I leave the room to be met by a very beautiful man/woman with silver and black hair, silver iris', beautiful puckered lips and long sharp ears that are hard not to stare at. Elf.

"Please follow me, Michael." He/she says out loud in the most beautiful sing-song voice I have ever heard.

"Shit!" I say on reflex exclaiming the beautiful singing I've just heard.

"I'm sorry but I, unfortunately, do not understand your language, have they not taught you Linguae?" She asks, its definitely a she. I don't care how androgynous she may look but no man can sound so beautiful.

"I understand Linguae but struggle to speak it." I spatter and starter trying to speak the words as they are meant to sound but failing miserably. She smiles at me regardless, a most radiant smile that district's me and causes some blood to go to my loins.

"Your accent is atrocious but many humans initially struggle to pronounce our words, they should have thought you Common first. It is the most prolific of the human languages, but enough of that, come."

And I follow as she walks, giving her entire posterior my most avid attention as she leads.