It took a little while for the children to calm down enough that they could be sent to bed. It was lucky that there were sitting rooms just outside every five bedrooms. Dave and Sue were able to get Sara and Carla in one room and Jack in another. Alice went into a room with the baby Ezekial to breastfeed him, again. Dave, Sue, Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, Roger, Amelia, and Anton all sat in the sitting area with the doors to the children's and Alice’s rooms cracked. Now that Paeral had left the others were looking at Anton with almost accusatory stares.
After a little while, Anton couldn’t take it anymore and finally asked, “Why is everyone looking at me like I did something?”
All the adults looked at one another and after a moment Dave Ellis, his stepdad, asked, “When The SYSTEM started up, one of the messages said, ‘Pillar 10 Entity Anthony Nicholas Thomson Stopped the process.”
“Oh, that! That wasn’t me!”
“But it said…”
“Seriously, it wasn’t me…” Anton said and then started to relay the story about how he’d been with a group of soldiers that went to the Pillar and how there’d been an evil elf there that killed all of the soldiers that were there. He left out small parts and made it sound like a happy accident that everything had worked out. He didn’t know if the elves were scrying what was being said in the tree, he just felt it was better safe, than sorry, to let them all think it put his name in the log because he was the last one standing.
Of course, Roger would bring up the Tactical Nuke, “But the Interruption Investigation Notes stated that a Tactical Nuke had been detonated, how did you survive that, if you were right there?
“With a little luck,” Anton said honestly.
“I don’t understand,” Anton’s stepmom said. I don’t understand what is going on. I don’t understand where we are, and I don’t understand how everyone here can just go along with the fact that we stepped through something to someplace else and then from there ended up here. Wherever here is, I just don’t understand. I was holding it together pretty well until now, but I’m done, really done. If what that elf said is true, all of our family and friends back home are dying, “Sue said with anguish in her voice as she looked at everyone, hoping that someone could answer her next question which she whispered, “Why do we get to live?” before she burst into tears and leaned into Dave who hugged her.
Anton, at a loss for words, looked at his stepmom, saw tears glistening in Amelia’s eyes, and tried to lighten the mood, “Hey Sis, I’m going to go sleep with Jack. Why don’t you go sleep with Sara and Carla and we’ll all meet up in the morning. This first night in a new place we can all stay in these rooms that are relatively close to each other. Tomorrow we can spread out a bit if you’d all like to do that?” Anton suggested.
“Sounds good, I think we may all need to rest for a bit, Dave Ellis said as he helped his wife to her feet and went to one of the empty rooms which they left door cracked to. Everyone watched them go and waited. When gentle sobbing could be heard coming from the bedroom Mr. and Mrs. Kendal stood and made their way to the last empty room while Rodger went to the room Alice had gone into with Ezekial.
“Nice job bro,” Amelia whispered as they made their way to their respective rooms.
“I think everyone is tired. There isn’t much more we can do tonight except get some rest and wake up in the morning as we all try to get our bearings.”
“See you in the morning, Anton,”
“See you in the morning Sis,”
Anton made his way into the room with Jack who was fast asleep. He laid down on the other bed, worried that he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep but before he knew it he was being shaken awake, “Anton, Anton, time to wake up!”
Anton opened his eyes and saw Jack standing beside his bed, reached out, and ruffled Jack's hair, let me guess you're hungry?”
“I am, can we go eat?”
“Sure,” Anton said as he sat up and then stood. Anton checked the common area, Nope, no one out there yet. There was a little light coming in through the window, so it was morning, maybe the servants had made breakfast?
Anton looked at Jack and then asked, “Do you have to use the bathroom before we eat?”
Jack nodded so Anton led him down the hall to the bathroom and waited for him in the hallway while he did his business. When he heard the toilet flush, they had normal toilets here, weird. Anyway, when he heard the toilet flush he called out, “Make sure to wash your hands.”
There was a little exasperated sigh from within the bathroom before he heard Jack call, “I am!”
When Jack was done, they both made their way downstairs to the second level where a maid was setting out places for breakfast. There was juice and water on the table with a small bowl of sliced fruits. Jack and Anton sat down, and both started snacking on the fruit and drinking juice while they waited for the rest of the family to wake up.
They didn’t have to wait long. Once everyone was downstairs the maids came out and took their orders. They had eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and even bacon. They also had coffee and tea, though their coffee tasted a little funny to Anton while everyone else seemed to love it. Anton even noticed that they all looked more energized even if it didn’t do the same for him. When breakfast was done Paeral appeared in the doorway.
“I trust everyone slept okay?” Paeral said in greeting.
“We did, thank you, Dave Ellis said as he looked around the group, who all nodded before he asked, “Are you here to teach us Elvish?”
Paeral shook his head, “No, while you all get the easy task of learning Elvish quickly, Anton and I get to start his learning of Elvish and many other things in a more slow and teacher-teaching-student fashion.”
“Why is that?” Amelia asked.
“Simply put, magic doesn’t work with Anton.
“Oh, Really?” Amelia asked.
“Really,” Anton affirmed. “I’ll fill you all in later. Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone.”
“Elvish programming, channels with programming we couldn’t have ever seen before. New elvish foods to try out and other people to practice the elvish we’re going to learn today while you get to sit in a classroom and learn stuff the old-fashioned way…I think we’ll manage,” Amelia said sarcastically.
“You know it took me traveling to the bottom of the world to realize why I moved away from North Dakota, it was you, I’m sure of it.”
“It wasn’t the she bi…”
“Language!” Both Dave and Sue Ellis called out together as they pointedly looked at Sara, Jack, and Carla.
“Yes Mom and Dad,” Amelia and Anton chorused and then laughed.
Paeral looked on with amusement before he asked, “If you’re ready Anton?”
“Yep, let’s go,” Anton agreed.
Anton waved and followed Paeral out of the treehouse. He was led halfway down the street to another tree that had an elevator that lifted into the sky at least 20 stories before it came to a stop. When the doors opened, he stepped out onto a landing pad. Paeral led him over to a small shuttle that looked something like the shuttles from that show, Stargate Atlantis. Entry was from a ramp on the back even. Unlike those shuttles which were sealed in the back, there were windows along both sides and six comfortable chairs behind the pilot and copilot station and a lavatory.
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“How long is our flight?” Anton asked.
“We are currently on one of 9 continents. We need to travel to an island near one of the smaller continents about 4,000 miles away. I didn’t bring It up before, but you’ll be learning from one of our Masters. If we are correct, you’ll be learning Elvish as quickly as your family but that’s not the real reason you’re being sent there.”
“Really. Why are you taking me to this specific master then?”
“This master followed the teachings of the mind. Mental and Psychic powers, not necessarily magic. With your immunity to Magic, we are hoping that the mental arts can bypass and even help make you a better instrument against our, and your enemies,” Paeral said.
“I don’t have any enemies,” Anton said.
“You will,” Paeral said. “Be that as it may it’s going to take us most of the day to get there.”
“You couldn’t just teleport us over?” Anton asked.
“The master in question is quite eccentric. There are a few elders among us that could teleport to his island if they still had the ability to,”
“Wait, how were you getting to and from Earth after the reset then?”
“After the reset an item I have allows me to pick one location to teleport to. The Node in the Pillar 10 complex was quite strong, so I set it as the location I teleported to. The Archway has been used for all other travel if you remember. The individuals that could have teleported to the island do not have the levels or mana to be able to do so now.”
“Oh,” Anton said.
“Yeah, so while I’ can get back to the node, not many others could,” Paeral said.
“If I might ask, how did you get to the Pillar 10 Node Command Complex the first time?”
Paeral looked thoughtful for a moment. Anton was pretty sure he was considering whether he could tell him or not but finally, he said, “Before the Universes Combined there was a Pillar on Earth. It was in the Pillar 6 Command Complex. When the beacon from Pillar 10 arrived it activated a previously closed circuit that allowed the team I was with at the time a chance to teleport over. As I had both the ability to teleport and travel between dimensions, before I lost my levels, I went along. Some of us were In the sublevels of the complex when the nuclear device went off. It’s why I allowed the Dravis, the rogue who backstabbed you. It’s why I allowed Dravis to attack you. I thought you were an enemy,” Paeral explained.
“It’s a good thing I come back isn’t it?” Anton said Sardonically.
“It is,” Paeral nodded.
“What is Dravis doing now?” Anton asked.
“Dravis, like many others, is exploring the low-level dungeons and trying to level as quickly as possible,” Paeral said.
“And you?” Anton asked.
“After I get you settled, I will be heading off to level as well. We have some dungeons here and areas of wilderness that are good for leveling,” Paeral explained.
“Will you be heading off to Earth at some point?”
“Once the problem areas here are handled, maybe. Right now, it is far too volatile for anyone to head there and try to level. Even with my ability to get to the Archway and bring people there and then forward them to other locations it could be problematic. Besides we don’t want to let too many people know about the complex or how to get there. At this moment the only person that knows exactly where that complex is on planet Earth is you?” Paeral said.
“Why haven’t you asked where it is then?”
“Easy enough, If I don’t know the answer, I can’t tell anyone. Also, with your ability to regenerate, the information shouldn’t be lost permanently. Additionally, You can’t get there unless I go first and open a portal back to you, so we both kind of need each other. The arrangement protects you, and it protects me,” Paeral explained with a smile.
“Not very trusting are you?” Anton quipped back.
“Not really, no,” Paeral said honestly.
After a prolonged silence, while both thought about what they’d just talked about, Anton asked, “So this Elder, does he have a name?
“He is simply, The Elder,” Paeral said.
For the rest of the trip, Anton looked out of rolling hills, oceans, seas, and mountains. He also managed to take a nap because unlike planes back on Earth, this shuttle didn’t have any turbulence. None. Paeral explained that there was a rune in place that kept the cabin stable as long as the ship stuck to a specific flight profile. He promised that if the shuttle started yanking and banking like a fighter aircraft, there would be turbulence, so it was a good idea to stay seated and strapped in, even when using the bathroom between the cabin and the cockpit area. While Anton never needed to use it, The other three, The pilot, copilot, and Paeral used the facilities a couple of times.
Eventually, the Pilot called back in elvish. Paeral pointed out the window to a small island that was coming into view. In the middle of the island, there was a dormant volcano. Anton watched as they flew around the island to a facility that sat on a high cliff that overlooked the sea below. It was quite extensive and looked a lot like pictures of sky resorts he’d seen in the Alps or Colorado. A male elf dressed in a turquoise silk robe embroidered with many symbols in gold and silver stood beside the only obvious landing pad waiting as they came in for a landing.
The landing was uneventful. The ramp at the back was lowered and Paeral led Anton out and around the craft to The Elder.
Paeral stepped forward and bowed, “Greetings Elder, I am Paeral, I have brought Anton for training and guidance as requested by The Council.”
“Greetings Paeral. No titles?” The Elder questioned.
“When the SYSTEM resets us one cannot claim that which they must reacquire. To do so would be dishonest.”
“Always a stickler for the rules Paeral. Very well. Greetings to you and Anton. Be welcome at home,” The Elder said.
“I fear I cannot. I must return. Anton, however, is yours to train and prepare as best you are able.
Anton looked from one to the other and then said, “Excuse me, how long will I be here?”
The Elder looked amused by the question before he said, “You will be here as long as it takes for you to learn the lessons I have to teach or until I am dissatisfied enough to send you away.”
“I see,” Anton said and then paused before he looked directly at Paeral and asked, “And during this time my family will be looked after?”
“Of course, they may even receive training and go hunting. We want to make sure that they can survive on their own before we contact the other settlement which will not happen until you return,” Paeral said.
“Very well and thank you again Paeral.” Anton turned to The Elder before he responded. “I would also like to thank you for taking the time to train me. I know I have a lot to learn and the fact that Paeral flew me halfway around the world to you speaks a lot to the lengths they are going to,” Anton said sincerely.
The Elder looked at Anton for a moment then nodded before he addressed Paeral, “Better be on your way. I will escort my new apprentice inside and get him settled. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
Paeral nodded, turned, and headed back into the shuttle. Anton turned to watch the shuttle lift and was surprised when whatever was moving the ship didn’t make a sound or disturb the air at all. The look of interest and shock on Anton’s face must have registered with The Elder because he turned and said, “The shuttle utilizes some sound suppression ruins and simple flight runes for movement near the surface. Once it gets up to about 1,000 feet it’ll turn on its engines and travel much faster than the aircraft of Earth can.”
Anton looked up at the receding dot that was the shuttle with a new sense of wonder as The Elder turned and walked toward the entrance to his home. Not wanting to make a bad impression, Anton turned and followed. As they entered The Elders home, Anton noticed multiple staff members. All continued with their duties as The Elder led Anton through the entryway and down a short hallway to a room that didn’t look that dissimilar to a Japanese dojo, complete with matt and a place for shoes. Anton followed The Elder’s lead and removed his shoes before he stepped onto the floor mats.
The Elder gestured for Anton to sit across from him and take up a position on the floor. Once they are both seated and comfortable The Elder closed his eyes and Concentrated. A notification blinked in Anton's vision.
Warning! Mental Attack Resisted.
The Elder opened his eyes and stared at Anton before he asked, “Anton are you purposely shielding your mind?
Anton thought about it for a moment and then said, “No, I wouldn’t know where to start to do something like that.”
“And you’re still level zero?”
“I’m still level zero, though My willpower is over 200, will that make a difference?” Anton asked.
The look of shock on The Elder’s face both surprised and elated Anton. He was so happy that he couldn’t help but smile a little.
“What do you find so funny?” The Elder asked.
“Not funny, I’m just happy that I was able to surprise someone. The last few days have been nothing but surprises for me. It is nice to see someone else receiving a surprise for a change,” Anton explained.
The Elder looked at Anton like he wasn’t buying what Anton was trying to sell him but let the statement go before he said, “Your high willpower is both a good and bad thing. It is good because you will be resistant to most mental attacks. Also, your willpower is the fundamental source of all mental abilities so you will have the ability to go far with them if that is what you desire. The bad thing is that we will need to teach you basic exercises so that you can control your defenses consciously before I try to impart a language skill directly into your mind.
“Why is that necessary?”
“If you don’t have conscious control of your mind and its defenses anything you try to learn could be resisted without your conscious control. In other words, the attempts would fail. The other good news though is that with your willpower being that high we should be able to breeze through basic lessons in relatively short order.”
Anton nodded and said, “That makes perfect sense, how do we start?”
“We start by teaching you how to meditate,” The Elder began, “I want you to breathe….”