Nick slowly opened his eyes and he felt groggy and drained of all energy. Upon opening his eyes he started looking around trying to remember what happened to him. At first he couldn't see very well as his vision was blurry. After a couple of seconds it cleared up and he could see the situation around himself. Looking around he realized that he was laying on a small cot. The small cot was on a metal platform with people going around working and moving supplies. Nearby a chubby man with a long beard watched him with interest. Looking at the chubby man Nick tried to stand and walk towards him. However when he tried to stand he stumbled to the ground next to the cot. The chubby man looking at Nick fall stood up from the stool he sat on and walked over. Helping Nick back on the cot the man told him “You really shouldn't be walking just yet. Your body was severely drained of energy when we came across you.” The man then took out a bottle and handed it to Nick. Nick looked at the bottle in his hands then looked back up to the man. The man with a small wave of his hand said “Drink it, it will help restore the energy you lack. Nick looked back at the bottle and with a little effort managed to get the cap off. Taking a sniff of it and shrugging he downed it in one go. The man then said “You know potions are not cheap right you're gonna have to work that off.
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Nick stood at the front of a giant beast looking into the distance he could see a white light that gradually got brighter as time passed. Nick has learned a lot over the past five years working for the void merchant company he woke up on. It turns out that while passing through the void the merchants were attracted to a light in the darkness of the void. When a few people flew over to check what had happened they found him floating in the void. Bringing Nick back with them they entered a force field on the back of a giant manta ray that held a metal platform.
The chubby man who he later found out was named Midas was the leader of this merchant group. After Midas tricked him into drinking that expensive potion he had to sign a five year contract to work for him paying off the debt he owed. Fortunately he was given food and housing during this time otherwise he would not have known how to he would survive during this time. Even though Nick was tricked into signing the contract he never regretted it especially when he found out the alternative. As a void merchant group they sell anything that their customers need from rare resources to slaves and ferocious beasts. If he wasn't tricked into that contract by Midas he would have been turned into a slave and sold off.
During this time period Midas took care of him and taught him the general knowledge of this place. Even though Midas taught him the names and places he was near. He had know idea where his home was even Midas had never heard of such a place. It was also during this time that Nick learned about the extraordinary people that ruled these bright lights in the void that slowly got bigger as they came closer. This bright light is just a beacon allowing people to find the void gate easier. In fact these void gates lead to small worlds or even many worlds that have been built in a subspace not usually connect to the void at all. The only times void gates are fixed into the void is when it leads to a truly powerfully being. You can travel through the void for years at a time and never come across a void gate unless you know the exact coordinates in the void. Even then void merchants have to travel for a year or two to reach there destination. During the five years Nick has traveled with Midas and his merchant group he has only been to three void gates. Though the void gates are connected to independent spaces he has never actually been through the gate most merchants never enter. The citizens of the gate have set up small towns outside of the gates allowing trade without interfering with the natives inside.
When Nick finally saw the small town more clearly instead of just a bright light he turned and headed back towards the center of the platform. Walking through the platform he saw many houses scattered around. Since most of the employees that worked on this giant beast where mortals traveling around for years at a time. There families travel along with them living in the houses built here. Some houses also have travelers that have paid a fee to hitch a ride with them as well. While teleportation between the realms is possible most cannot pay the expensive price. So most prefer the time consuming travel through merchant groups that traverse the void. Nick passing after passing by a few houses he walks by a warehouse with workings working inside. As he was looking inside the warehouse Nick could see the men moving boxes full of materials and goods that have traded from there last stop. While these materials and goods bring a decent amount of money when trading from one realm to another the true source of there income would be from the large amount of slaves they buy and sell. Passing by the first warehouse Nick could see into the warehouse next to it. Looking in Nick could see foggy boxes with figures of all shapes and sizes inside. He could even see huge containers towards the back with tall bulky figures inside. From what he heard from the other workers those where the best gain from the last stop. Someone had sold a large batch of giants that they have been breading in recent years for a little less then market price allowing Midas to make large gain with this trip. Selling all of these giants at the void gate will make a big profit after all these giants are stronger then most races. To avoid accidents and death from age slaves that have been bought or sold are always stuffed into containers for transport and safety. After all if a giant got free a single one could cause a lot of damage without a someone powerful to stop it.
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Nick quickly walking past the second warehouse he jogged over to the only two story building here. Stepping into the building Nick crossed the hallway and went up the stairs directly across from the front doors. Reaching the top Nick looked down the empty hallways on both sides before looking at a tall double door in front of him. Knocking on the door he could hear from inside "Come on in". Entering the through the doors he could see Midas behind a huge wooden desk with various papers scattered around. Midas looking up from the report he was reading saw Nick. "Aw I see its Nick I have been waiting for you" Midas said. After all once they arrive at the gate this time his contract would come to an end. Without waiting for a reply Midas quickly took a few pieces of paper from the drawer next to him glancing at them he laid them out in front of Nick. "Here is your contract they have already been filled out they just need you signature to be complete." Nick scanning the papers picked up a pen from the side and signed both sheets. Gathering up the papers and putting them back into his desk Midas looked at Nick. "So have you thought about what you will do from here yet?"
"I'm not sure completely sure yet after all I have seen very little of the realms." Nick said. Looking at Nick he thought for a second and handed a envelope from his desk to Nick. "This is a recommendation letter, If you choose to you can enter the Sky Institute here in the Delian Realm." Quickly looking at the envelope then at Midas, Nick said with surprise "How am I supposed to enter the Institute? I don't even know if I have such a talent." Midas has told him before the only way to grow more powerfully here and be able to survive in this harsh void was to have talent. Without any talent you are stuck as a mortal your life in the hands of those at the top of the realm you live in. Should they fall from other realms attacks there only fate is to be turned into slaves and the realm looted of materials before being completely destroyed. "I know you have talent Nick being able to survive in the harsh void outside without any protection. As well as how we found you after we saw the light of teleportation in the void. I am sure you have some talent. Regular people without the help of barriers or other protection items will die after touching the chaotic energy of the void." Nick thinking about it nodded his head "I am going to try after all if I do have any talents it would be the best path going forward." While Nick did not know completely how he got here he has figured out over the years the reason he could survive in the void should be his power of adaptability. Allowing him to adapt and not be affected by the voids energy. Hearing a loud bell sound at this time Nick came out of his thought and looked at Midas. "It seams we have arrived at the Delian Realm. You should go Nick head to the gate and hand them my letter they will take you to the Sky Institute." Nick nodded and turned around heading out of the doors to Midas's office he crossed the hall. Walking down the stairs and out of the front door of the building Nick looked out into the void and locked his eyes on the biggest structure in the area. The void gate sat in the middle of the town shining brightly calling to him.