Andrew awoke on the moss-covered bed and found himself inwardly marveling at how amazingly comfortable it was. Every day he woke up in it, he felt like one of those “well rested” people in the mattress ads back home. As he got to his feet, he turned around to see an imprint of himself in the moss. The imprint brought a chuckle with it as it looked more like a moss impression of a snow angel than that of someone sleeping soundly.

It was then he remembered what had transpired the night before or was it just a dream? It felt so real, yet he was in the same room, and it looked no worse for wear, his damage indicator showed all green, and he was still wearing the same “I’m with stupid” shirt. Yet the experience seemed so real. He could still feel the crunch the knife had made as it buried itself in the god’s spine and the look of abject horror on the god’s face. However, as he ran over the memory in his mind, some things were a bit off. There were odd anachronisms in his memory of the event. Anachronisms such as, he seemed a bit older in some sections of his memory and his proper age in others. The Getl had revealed things about elven society that Andrew didn’t know and if they were proved to be accurate, what would that mean? Had he actually killed the god and if so, why was he still alive and in a healthy state? “I hope it was real. Even if he lived, it would be nice to know I wiped some of that smugness off his face and maybe taught this whole society that consent really matters,” Andrew said to the air as if hoping he was being listened to.

When nobody appeared and with nothing else to do, he started his morning routine. He began every day with a mental exercise of trying to figure out the earth’s date and time. While Ziggy could do it instantly he liked to do it himself. This was because it helped to break the monotony of this place and he hoped it also helped keep his mind sharp. From the skylight and Ziggy’s help, he had noted that the days here were 27.5 hours long. He'd had been on this planet for weeks at this point, but the math exercise still kept his interest as it was difficult to do without paper, and it gave him something other than stare at and ponder on the usage of the Plasira tube thing. The only item he could play with and that he wasn’t sure of its function.

Next, he would eat breakfast, often trying to see if he could get the Cubes to taste like things, he had never tried himself. To his astonishment, they could. Such as, today’s breakfast which was enqulal tibs, an Ethiopian breakfast he had always wanted to try. To his surprise it tasted mostly as he expected, but with slightly more depth and an earthiness he didn’t expect. Leaving him to wonder which was correct? The magic’s interpretation of the dish or his own? It wasn’t perfect though, which Andrew discovered after he got a flavorless cube a few times when he asked for more exotic totally made-up mixtures. This led him to wonder if it only knew of things that previously studied subjects had known.

It was normally right after breakfast that Cebisi had come by to start their daily “experiments”. While the elf was insistent that it was a collaboration. Andrew thought otherwise as only one of them had a choice and was driven to discover the limits of Andrews abilities; and the other was the one getting hurt nonstop for 12hrs a day in a bid to discover his limits. Annoyingly, after weeks of what Andrew considered monotonous torture, Cebisi came to the same conclusion that Andrew already knew. That basically he could interrupt any magic that had solidified and therefore had the ability to last past a few seconds. He knew this instinctually but had confirmed it with Ziggy who in turn confirmed it with the control worm. Who Andrew had started to call Bob.

Unfortunately, Cebisi wasn’t satisfied with a mere realization and would not stop until he had exhausted his entire list of powers. A list of powers which to Andrew’s horror seemed to have no end. As the days, turned into weeks, he marveled at how crazy his life had become was that someone using magic on him was getting monotonous, old, and annoying. “I hope today is the last day of this crap.”“Sadly for you Mr. Lather it is not. Though think about your contribution to the larger body of magical knowledge!” came the voice of Cebisi who had somehow appeared in the interrogator’s chair.

“Yeah, what I’ve always wanted in life is to be a magical guinea pig for touchy elves. I have to ask; how did you get here? Normally there’s a flash announcing someone coming or going.”“Well I wouldn’t want to continue to bore you, so it will be my little secret. Though rest assured that I did not teleport and that your powers did not miss it. That said you’re also in luck today Mr. Lather as I have been instructed by my Geald to give you a basic rundown of magic and if time permits elven society. Sound good?”“Does this run down include you blowing my leg off for science?”“Mr. Lather, please refrain from saying that heretical word in presents and I blew your leg off one time. One time and you go on and on about it like it was an everyday thing.”“Well, a high-pressure beam of fluoroantimonic acid does tend to leave an impression and a mark. What about the times you incinerated my torso or made my skull fracture by superheating my brain? Wait what word ‘Science’?”“Yes, that one. It is the religion of the blasphemous dwarves, and it has no place here. To answer your previous question, no our lessons should not involve hurting you in any way. “

“What about boredom? Boredom can hurt.”“Fine it might make you bored and if you’re a child that might hurt you in some emotional way. Can we proceed now?”

“Please do, I’m honestly wanting to put some order in my mind to things you’ve been doing to me for weeks now” Andrew said with a smile. Cebisi closed his eyes and took in two deep breaths before continuing.“First, thank you for not sucker punching me while I composed myself’“No problem. I have had a hands-on demonstration which has lasted for weeks that has keenly demonstrated to me how bad of an idea a third time might be.”“Glad to see I have helped you mature Mr. Lather. Even if only the littlest bit. We will start with the Ikolis.”“Wait your schools of Magic are called Ikolis?” Andrew said surprise registering across his face.“Yes Mr. Lather, though if that surprises you, I cannot wait until we get to the larger subjects.”

“I meant to bring this up earlier, but you distracted me with showing up unannounced. Is your Geald in good health?”“I’d guess him to be in perfect health, Mr. Lather. Why do you ask?”

“He doesn’t have a Berdian blade sticking out of his throat, does he?”With the mention of Berdian blade Cebisi’s eyes narrowed and shoulders went up. “How do you know of the existence of Berdian, Mr. Lather, “Cebisi said, ice creeping into his voice.

“Wait so they’re real? Do they really negate all magical energies?”Cebisi’s eyes narrowed almost inperceptually further and in an almost robotic voice, he said, “I will not answer that. How do you know of its existence, Mr. Lather? I will not ask a third time.”“Honestly, like many things, I don’t know. I had what I’m guessing was a dream where I used one to kill your god.”“It must have been a dream, Mr. Lather. As I assure you, he was quite alive when he instructed me to educate you on our magic. I’m unsure whether I should believe you, Mr. Lather, as only a few dozen people in the entire universe know of its existence.”With this a purple line shot out of Cebisi and attempted to connect with Andrew. Andrew in turn mentally batted it away with a minimal burst of willpower.“Seriously man? You haven’t been able to do that for weeks, your boss could barely ever make the connection and never could make it stick and you think that weak attempt was going to be the final straw? Look I really don’t know about Berdian other than it’s a milky green obsidian-looking glass substance and your god told me it negates all cosmic energies.”“No, I most certainly did not. Mr. Lather. “Cebisi immediately knelt as the other worldly voice of Biaobel emanated from behind Andrew. Another blindingly bright purple line snaked out of Biaobel and again failed to attach to Andrew. Andrew chuckled before saying.

“Well as you don’t seem to have a blade of (Berdian or Beardia?) lodged in your throat I’m going to guess it was just a dream. Is Cinetica your Ikolis for the use of pure forces too?”The eyes of both elves narrowed. Though only Biaobel spoke.“Berdian and yes, we have an Ikolis by that name. Mr. Lather, you really are a box of mysteries, aren’t you? If I had not been watching from the moment of your arrival and subsequent capture, I would believe someone had told you these things. Though the only two elves you’ve been in contact with who are trusted with the knowledge of berdian are Mr. Atari and myself.

Mr. Lather, if I didn’t have grander plans for you, I’d have killed you already and studied your corpse. Please know anyone you tell of Berdian will at best have their memories of it erased and at worst will mysteriously die. You will find this to be true here and in Volundr. The pitiful dwarven galaxy. You will find that while my power is weaker there it is still effectively limitless. So, if you don’t want to watch your loved ones die, that information should follow you to your grave. “

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

This time it was Andrew’s turn to glare. “You really can’t help it with all these threats and bullying tactics, can you? One day you will regret the way you treated me and my people.”“Doubtful, but either way it will not be today will it, Mr. Lather? Let us move past your bluster and tell me of this dream.” Biaobel said a slight entreaty to his voice. “No.”“You know I could force it from you if I wanted to.”“Could you now?”Andrew saw what he thought were a handful of purple pulses entering the god’s head but the divine crown of thousands or millions of purple lines emanating from the god’s head made it difficult to know if he was correct or if it was just a number of them syncing together.“Mr. Lather, I am needed elsewhere. This is not the end of this discussion.” With that, the god disappeared with the faintest magenta flash. “Well, that was convenient. Probably better for you, the last time I showed him up he killed the person in the room out of embarrassment.”“Mr. Lather, you really should treat him with much more respect. The fact that you’re still alive astounds me. As a person who was converted by him, I can tell you from experience that things will go much easier when you stop fighting him. He is quite generous you know.” Cebisi said in a tired and caring voice.“I’m sure he is when he can completely control you.”“Do I look controlled, Mr. Lather?” Cebisi looked around as he said it as if to emphasize that nobody was controlling him.“Yeah, that purple line going into your he….. you know what I’m tired of this debate. Sure, you’re free as a bird.” Andrew said with a smile. “Yes, well back to what matters. As you have previously stated, Cinetica is the study of pure force without any elemental or physical nature attached to it. It was started and is still taught by Isitha Ophakeme, the second strongest of the Getl……”Over the next hour Cebisi covered the Ikolis, their areas of focus, their Getl, and even some of each of their history. Andrew though was too distracted thinking about his dream and what some of it meant to pay close attention. While he heard most of it, he hadn’t really processed most nor retained even half of what he did hear. Only realizing it was over when Cebisi asked if he was ready to start with today’s tests. Luckily Ziggy didn’t share his weak attention span and so he made a quick check to ensure he was right in his trust of Ziggy. Ziggy will you please display a chart of what Cebisi just discussed, minus the history?[No problem here is a quick summary of the Elven Ikolis

Ikolis

Area of Focus

Getl

Cinetica

Pure Force

Isitha Ophakeme

Dulcum

Elemental Earth

Alferi Medhja

Okusiga

Mind Control

Lyderis Omuwambi

Moti

Death/Soul Magics

Enver Biaobel

Rasavida

Alchemy/Poisons

Genovia Kapatee

Laigua

Elemental water

Seela Lahusage

Isati

Elemental fire

Kang Cho

Hiweti

Life/Healing

N'wana Ximun

Gyio

Elemental Air

Nafasi Vejes

Bariik

Animation/Construction

Vint Piron

Molokian

Space

Whaetu Tumanī

Did this give you what you were looking for?]

Yes, thank you, Ziggy.

The rest of the day was a monotonous blur as Cebisi yet again methodically hurt him in new and unexciting ways. While they were resting and allowing Andrew to heal between Cebisi's 10th and 11th test that day, Andrew was absent-mindedly doing that thing we all secretly do, trying to move things with The Force. He of course had no expectations it would work but nevertheless, he was staring at the Plasira trying to get it to move while Cebisi talked about whatever torture was up next, when suddenly a bolt of tan energy shot over to the device and made it twitch. When Cebisi turned around once again, Andrew immediately applied what he had learned with his antimagic power and really put his will into his ideas. He was immediately rewarded as a much larger bolt of tan energy flew from his hand, causing the device to jump a few inches off the ground. Luckily, its landing made almost no noise and Cebisi had been muttering to himself as he normally did while pretty the next test.

Eat that, Luke. It might not be a lightsaber on Hoth moment, but it’s better than nothing.

Cebisi, noticing Andrew's lack of attention and manic grin, followed his gaze to the Plasira. "Mr. Lather, this is serious work. We cannot have you distracted by your most based nature. Do you need a minute to use that and then you can come back at this with more composure?”

“What do you mean, my most based nature? Is this where I was supposed to go number one? I have been using the toilet for that, I hope I didn’t poison your tree or whatever.”

“I most definitely don’t mean your urine Mr.Lather. Don’t play coy with me Mr. Lather. We’ve seen you playing with the device for weeks now. I’m sure you’ve figured out its purpose by now.”

“I actually haven’t, but maybe we can start with; why is that in my cell?”

“You are a male, correct?”

“Yes, last time I checked. You know because of the cleansing field I haven’t been naked for weeks as I don’t have to take a shower, but pretty sure all the bits are still there,” Andrew said with a cheeky smile.

Cebisi paused for a quarter second while his mind processed a few pulses of the purple control line, before he responded.

“How wonderful Mr. Lather. Tonight, you should utilize the plasira so that you rid yourself of that toxic waste that might be distracting you and tomorrow we can hopefully focus.”

“Other than what goes into the toilet I’m not sure what else I produce that would be considered toxic. I mean if you asked my exes, they’d probably have some choice answers to that, but they’re not here. So, care to fill me in on what do you mean by toxic waste and who told you to say that?

“I can only take so much of your word games each day, and as it seems we will not get any more useful information out of you, I will take my leave.”

“Ok, do you have a TV or something? This cell gets pretty boring.”

“Let me connect your Apanean into the collective and I’ll happily ensure you get access to the elven entertainment network, no trick. All of our entertainment comes via our Apanean companions. Most humans find it quite astounding the first time they experience it. Think of any of your movies and think of experiencing it as if it was happening to you. All the feelings, any view angle, and you can even decide to experience it from any other character too. Even bystanders. “

“You have to know that was one of the worst sales pitches I’ve ever heard. You too can experience a movie like never before. Feel the bullets and the rain, feel the excitement and fear and you can do it from the vantage point of any character in the movie. All for the low low price of letting me rummage around in your brain and turning you into my puppet. Seriously, you can’t expect me to bite on that can you?”

“No Mr. Lather I did not, but you can’t blame us for trying. Though I was being honest it is the only way we have to give you any entertainment. It’s been 10s of millennia since we’ve had any other system of entertainment. I will work tonight to get some books created which might help you understand our culture, so you might learn we are not the evil foes you believe us to be. Instead, you might come to view us, as most of your race has, to be the benevolent teachers we are. That our sole purpose is to bring enlightenment and true freedom to the two galaxies.”

“I’ll be interested in the books, but if I were you, I wouldn’t get my hopes up on all that other stuff. I’ve seen enough already to know yall aren’t some benevolent force looking to calm the universe and make it safe for puppies.”

“Well, I guess in that case, the connection to a magical collective would likely not be worth mentioning either. Who would want access to 10s of millennia of knowledge at the cost of a thought? I will see you in the morning Mr. Lather” Cebisi said with a fatherly smile.

Before Andrew could say a word Cebisi blinked out.

“Funny if it wasn’t for the whole mind slavery thing, that last one would interest me. If only so I can figure a way out of this place.” Andrew said to the empty space that Cebisis recently occupied.

Finding himself alone once again, Andrew eagerly tried to focus his mind on the plasira, willing it to come to him. He jokingly held out his hand as if he were Luke trying to move the rocks on Dagoba. He almost pissed himself when a pale tan energy rope shot from his hand and wrapped itself around the device and immediately launched the small object back to his hand.

Raising the plasira to the sky in triumph.

“HA!! I can’t wait to show Gavin that he was wrong……….I……actually….could…become a jedi,” A sullen tone replaced his triumphant one when he realized that he might never see Gavin again. Nor anyone he cared for on Yuta or even here. Even if he managed to escape and managed to get a human ship to work, he might return to Yuta only to find a few hundred years had passed.

Overwhelmed by the day, he laid down on the bed and curled up in a semi-fetal position, plasira still clutched in his hand as he drifted off to sleep thinking about how he might never see anyone he cared about again and instead be stuck here being a guinea pig for a creepy race of elves.