Chapter 6:Alpa.

A sudden jolt and blinding light greeted the passengers on the T.S.C. As their eyes adjusted to the light, they saw the most magnificent place they had ever seen. For those who have been there before, it was no new thing. The floating sign which read, "ALPA" high up in the sky, the tall buildings and the crossing road. The large sign that read The King's Domain just below the Alpa sign, the sci-fi looking vehicles which were more advanced than the T.S.C, infact, everything was just amazing. The T.S.C didn't stop until it reached the T.S.C station.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've arrived at our destination. Please parents send your wards to the counter for the completion of the final processes. Tutors, head to the staff room for a short meeting. Thank you." a sweet girly voice sounded over the speakers. Davies motioned for the children to follow him. They got out and followed a slightly long queue to the right towards a magnificent glass door. After some few minutes of waiting, they finally got to the counter.

"Please we're here to complete the 'final processes'" Davies said, mimicking the announcer.

" Okay sir. Please sign here" a man about the same age as Davies,40, handed him a long sheet.

"When you're done, let your wards also sign under the students' concern and take them to the backroom to take their uniforms. They will also take some pictures, Student Identity."

" Oh.Okay. It looks like things have changed very much.

'I wonder what that has been up to' Davies thought to himself. He handed the sheet to Vorden, then Lith and led them towards a door further right with Gamora right behind. They entered and were greeted with an amazing view. There were rows of desks aligned in a Parliament-like way, the long queues,the large screens showing the famous gudas, tournaments and advertisements on armors,art equipments, weapo ns,artflow accumulation pills,demos on the various god arts,it all felt like a dream to the first years. The polished ceiling and shiny floors, the huge glass windows showing the outside world basking in sunlight, the gudas on patrol, some with summoned beasts and others with tamed beasts. Wind,Space,Smoke gudas and fairies moved in and out of the large hall. The rich guys in fine suits, classics. Looking high up at the center of the hall,was a huge orb which produced light in the hall. It looked like the mini version of the sun, producing golden light except for the heat. Lith was utterly dumbfounded. Did they really come to school or sightseeing. The got closer to the area of the desks and were met by a beautiful lady in a blue suit holding a kind of device like a thermometer gun.

"Pls show your cards" she said in a sweet voice. Vorden and Lith both took out their crests which was obviously the thing she was asking for but they were shocked to see the cards they were holding. When did they get cards? They were sure they had bulgy crests instead of flat cards even though the designs were the same as the crests. Before they could ask any questions,runes started appearing on the gun as she held it close to Vorden's card."Pro guda? Please head to the desk on the left side with the red uniformed official" She repeated the same thing and told Lith to head to the right where the desks were many. Gamora took Vorden and split up with Davies and Lith.

Vorden and his mother reached the desk only to meet a bored,old woman.

"Hand over ya' card and si' der'" she said in a lazy accent. Vorden did as she said and sat on the chair which was in front of the desk. The moment he sat on the chair,a flashing light hit him squarely in the face, temporarily blinding him for a few seconds. As his eyes readjusted,the old woman handed him a small black box with silvery patterns and a gold button on the top. She then asked for his name and gave him a set of instructions."You will have a test to determine your school and division,thus, Knights,Wrafs,Mages,Monks and Blacksmiths. The difficulty of the test will determine your division and everything stands on you. A word of advice,never slack. Train diligently even if you are criticized" the old woman tild Vorden. Vorden was surprised for a while but he gathered himself and thanked the woman in Gassendian and went away with his mother.

---

"I wonder. There's something different about him. I hope he heeds my advice. And those eyes,they look just like Leopold's"

---

Lith and Davies finished theirs rather quickly and met Gamora and Vorden at the exit of the backroom located at the northern section of the large hall. Another amazing sight greeted them at the other side. Vorden gasped in amazement."It's unlike anything I've ever seen before." Vorden said as he gazed upon the city. This place was built on the foundation of science and technology. The tall buildings,the teleportation rings located at every corner of the city. The green parks and tall trees,the serene environment with no sign of pollution.

"Magnificent!" Vorden exclaimed.

"Fuck me! This is the Dreamland!" Lith yelled as the street they were walking on started to move of its own accord. Some streets were moving up and down,some sideways,some crisscrossing.

"Language young man!" Davies quickly shut Lith up by rapping him on the head.

" Daadd? I was just expressing my joy and my point of view." Lith retorted, covering his head in case his father attacked again.

The heads which were turned towards the family of four turned back to their original places expressing disdain at the uncivilised family. The moving street they were on stopped in front of a large building, actually an arena. There were six Warrior Knights stationed in front of the arena with one Mage guda on a Sanik Class Bat-Winged Griffin. A huge Griffin with black scales and bat wings.

The Mage guda wore white robes with gold kite patterns around the cuffs. He also wore a white headband with a gold coloured sun imprinted on it. He had a kind of dignified aura around him,like that of a strong and experienced Mage. Vorden and Lith were both overwhelmed with fear and excitement. Fear that the man can kill them without even using a spell. The man was obviously a head stronger than their father, Davies and excitement for seeing a Peak Sanik Class beast and not just any beast,a Griffin,the beast said to possess spatial and dimensional abilities and known to be very rare that in the entire Marcea,back home,only one guda had one and even that was a cub,Rika Class.

They got off the moving street and headed towards the gigantic, double, polished and intricately designed wooden doors. As they got closer,they heard a booming voice say,"Students should continue straight towards the doors and parents, move to the left of the arena to be teleported back to the station. Sorry but the journey ends here. You can say your farewells but the test begins 30 minutes from now. Thank You!"

Vorden and Lith halted in their tracks. Vorden with a surprised face and the first time in the history of Brimestones,Lith had an extremely sad face. He couldn't even say a word.

"I guess this is where we leave you. Work together and be each other's keeper. We will try to get in touch with you if necessary. This is for your own good. For you to become strong. You both know our story. You have to be strong, have fun and for once,try to make friends.If possible from the other races to know more."Davies told the kids.

"We will always love you. Listen to everything you are being told and try not to get into trouble'Lith'.Oh...and try to get me an inlaw or two from the other races,haha."Gamora added sticking her tongue out at Lith who had a poker face.

" So I guess it's a goodbye then?" Vorden said, scratching his head. There was silence as Vorden asked the question. Davies broke the silence by pulling his kids into a tight bear hug as it was getting awkward.

"We will miss you Mom and Dad" Lith said on the verge of years.

"We too. Vorden take care of him and yourself as well." Gamora said to Vorden who was lost for words. He had just realized what his mom meant by getting in-laws from the other races.

After another round of bear hugs and kisses which left Vorden and Lith with faces full of lipstick,the family finally broke ties; Vorden dragging the reluctant Lith towards the doors and Davies supporting the crying Gamora on his shoulder towards the teleportation ring located there.

---

Vorden and reluctant Lith entered through the doors and appeared in the arena. There was a kiosk right before them with a sign that read"REGISTER HERE." Vorden once again dragged Lith towards the kiosk. They greeted the half man in the kiosk politely and registered by writing their names and god-arts. The guda handed them tags with the number 100 on them and told to look for their group members using the tag. The tag had a circular symbol on it which glows the moment they are near a group member. They found their members rather quickly as they were just leaving the area of the kiosk. They approached them and showed their tags.

"Oh! You're here. Welcome, we were just about heading to the main grounds. Let's go together."a guy with short, shiny black hair, wearing expensive clothes and acting all nobly said. His face showed disdain as he looked at the dishevel haired dirty blonde boy and a slightly sweating winter-grey haired boy in cheap clothes.

"I think there's still one left. Let's wait for him or her."a fair skinned, golden haired girl said to the noble guy, slightly winking at Lith who still had a poker face. In fact,Lith looked cute with that face. Before the guy could retort, a boy about 5.3 feet,the same as Lith's approached them holding a tag which was blinking. He had dark green,short spiky hair. He had a shy face and was slightly clumsy. One thing that was off about him was the set of metallic black horns. He had slightly pointed ears,a bit pale and bowlegged depicting that he was a dwarf. But,one thing that was strange was that, dwarves were known to have either red horns or golden brown horns,not black. Even though he was shy and clumsy,you couldn't obviously ignore the fact that, the guy was good looking coupled with his purple eyes.

"Let The Test Begin!" they heard a a loud voice announce as people rushed into the main arena. The test had begun.