***

It had been a month and the transformation had run its course. I was kept in that cell until they were sure I could control my body. Apparently my transformation took exceptionally long; they don't want to take any chances. I was learning gradually how to control my body. You cannot just sit around for a month without control and not try. The man in the white coat came in to check on me twice a day since the ceremony began. I don't know what the actual process has done to me, but over time I could feel my body change shape. It ages you. I understand now why they do the procedure at such a young age. As the hunters do not age, once in your final form you remain like that until death. You had more of a chance of looking young if you are changed early.

The door to the room was such that I could see my own reflection. My skin was a deep white, my fingernails red and my hair jet black with the ends tipped silver. The transformation changed my body. It changed my muscles, my bones. I was taller, stronger and older. I look 35 at this point and my mind had most likely advanced farther. My cloths are but rags at this point. As the body changes the bones shift. They tear at your shirt. My bones are like steel now. I have lost all texture in my skin. I have no fingerprint left. My shoulder blades have grown longer and now protrude from my skin. The wedjat on my chest still burned with a fiery glow. My eyes were the eyes of a hunter, a deep red, etched with black radiating out from the pupil.

It was a week after my transformation had been completed that he came to see me. He called himself my teacher and said there was no other name was necessary. He unchained me and took me outside. My first time outside that room was a shock. Everything was clear. It was as if someone had taken a picture of the world and sharpened it to the point of perceiving individual molecules.

He brought me to the armory first. It was there that I was given the garb of the hunter class. I was rapped with bandages up to my neck. A plain black shirt was pulled over my head and I donned the like pair of pants he handed me. The black leather jacket he put on me strapped thrice over my breast with a silver buckle for each. The boots were simple leather buckled in a like style. The straps from the belt at my waist entwined themselves around my leg till they met the ground.

He showed me to my quarters and told me that I must appear at the training grounds at sunrise.

I entered my small room with only a bed in it and I fell asleep.

Chapter 5: Heka

Shadow gathered more tightly than usual around the citadel of the hunters.

The hunters traditionally worked as assassins, their superior speed, strength and sight allowing them an edge over most other races. They were descended from the Egyptian Goddess Satis, Goddess of the hunt and were thus gifted with near demigod abilities.

There were two ways to become a hunter. If you were a direct descendant of the hunter class you needed only to awaken those abilities. If you, however, were not related to Satis by blood, after training you could have the Ha, or human body, of a fallen hunter fused with you own. The result either way was a period of intense pain as the hunter form took over for the human form. Afterwards, assuming you survived the process, was a period of intense training to master such new abilities.

Khnum Heka had begun to study combat as a normal hunter child would at the age of four. Like his classmates who had also lost their parents, by the age of twelve he had mastered all forms of human combat and weapon usage. It was at this point that he could decide to join the ranks of the hunters.

His mind made up he approached the clan leader. After consideration of the high members Heka was allowed to begin the process. Though his ancestry was withheld from him he learned he was a direct descendant of the clan.

He was brought to a white room and chained to the wall. The survival rate, though higher for descendants, was still well below ten percent. As the body changed, the mind was no longer in control. You were chained to a wall not only for others protection, but for your own as well.

It was then that a master in a white coat came in. He took up a basalt dagger and approached Heka. The master raised the knife and carved the symbol of the wedjat into the boy's chest. As the blood began to run the symbol glowed a fierce red and the boy's blood turned a dark blue. Heka fell to the floor as his body began to change.

Chapter 4: Joe

I was siting at Michael's council seat on Mount Olympus.

I sighed. Mike once again had decided to shirk his duties. He must know that as a Controller he actually has to go to these things. I sighed again, of course it fell to me once again as Mike's second in command to go. I was Joe, the magic administrator of Mike's domain. It's not like the Gods were particularly interesting. In fact, they were rather tiring. You would have assumed that after millions of years they would have exhausted political intrigue between them... but, you would be wrong. The worlds basically govern themselves without the God's particular guidance. All they do is sit around and bicker as to who should be in charge of Mount Olympus.

The council room was shaped like a pyramid. The three major religions', Greek, Egyptian and Norse delegates lined each side. The walls were made of three single sheets of glass. Every few million years or so the religions rotate in dominance. This time it was the Egyptian Gods that were in charge. I had my own seat in the corner to the left of them. The master Amun-Ra and his pesedjet were seated to my right looking out over the plains. It was considered an honor. The other three sides looked off into the void or at Mount Olympus itself. Though there were many dieties in each religion, they were only allowed nine members to sit in the council at a time. The Egyptian pesedjet consisted therefore of Amun-Ra, Atum, Geb, Isis, Nut, Nephthys, Set, Shu, and Tefnut. Osiris long ago gave up his seat to be guardian of entrance and of the dead.

When we went our separate ways after Ra dismissed us I decided it was time to tell go yell at Mike for the millionth time. I arrived at his Arch-Temple just as the sky began to change to the traditional artificial night of the Mountain. His temple was set at the back of the mountain in the pass between a set of higher cliffs which, together with the cliffs, serve as a boundary between the Gods on the mountain and the void behind. Behind the cliffs was a desert which flowed off into the horizon to meet the blackness of the void. Mike seemed determined to guard both sides of the temple, the void side and the God side. He said that you never knew where your enemies would come from. Even with that said, we haven't had war since he gained Controller status. The temple itself is a spell-bound, tan stone fortress. It has never been entered by force before.

It's also worth mentioning that we have a number of others who worked with us and quite a few guards. Every time Mike went out into the world and found someone he liked he'd mark them to come work for us later.

I entered Mike's chambers expecting to have an argument. I knew he'd be unhappy about it, but seriously I don't want to have to go to these meetings for him. He wasn't there.

I went downstairs. He wasn't there.

This was just great. I couldn't find him to go to the council meeting and now he just isn't here.

I tried the dining hall. He was nowhere to be found. I did however find the chef.

"Hey, you know where Mike went?"

"Hey Joe,... Mike? Hmmn he came down this morning looking rather distracted. We talked for a bit."

"Did he tell you where he was going? When he'd be back?"

"If I remember correctly he said he had business to attend to across the void."


Now that was perhaps the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time. Across the void? There is nothing across the void. Why would Mike enter the void? He does realize we're bound to him. If anything happens to him... that would be bad.



Wait.

Does this mean that he left me to do all of his work back here? Really?

And seriously, where did he go?

***

Jack was a cool kid. The more I got to know him, the more impressed I became. We liked the same music and had the same ability to learn things quickly. I guess that's why we were chosen for this program. If there was anything you need as a prerequisite to do this it was the ability to learn, fast.

That first day Ms. Sullivan had taken us first to the school gym, which had been decked out for the summer with all sorts of training equipment. Apparently we were joining a government training program. The idea is that through a complete knowledge of our world from a young age we would become the people to move humanity beyond our current state of development. If I just told you this you'd think that we'd a) be spending most of our time in a classroom and b) Jack would be much more equipped to do this. Well you'd be right, almost. Jack was certainly better, but I wasn't half bad myself and we did spend quite a bit of time in a classroom.

It turns out that the different countries in the world are in competition. Each has its own program similar to the one we were in and all of them secret from the general populace. We were to become not only the mentally advanced of our civilization but physically adept as well. We couldn't have guessed, but we were to become the equivalent of modern day spies or ninja or what have you.

We spent the first few weeks of summer building up our stamina, both mentally and physically. We spent hours on end being instructed in physics, chemistry and the other sciences in addition to the history of our world. Our evenings were spent mostly running and weight training.

It was then that we moved to more intensive physical training in the gym. The idea was after building up our physical stamina and understanding science on a macro level we would be equipped to learn martial arts. From that day forward we only ever trained... or walked around for that matter... with training weights on. We would practice with Ms. Sullivan as our teacher and each other as sparring partners.

Of course we moved from there to learning weaponry. I can't tell you how many times I came home that summer trying to explain to my parents why I had say a giant gash on my arm etc.

Ms. Sullivan, for all of her overbearing nature was actually a good teacher and we progressed quickly. It's also kind of nice to know as you walk down the streets of New York that if someone tries to start a fight with you, you could put them out blindfolded.

It's already winter of our senior year in school. The program told our parents that we were guaranteed college and then a job which seemed to satiate their desire for full educational opportunities. I'm not sure what we're supposed to do after high school. I expect we'll continue training. It takes a while to learn all of the knowledge humanity has amassed over a few millennia. Jack's parents wanted him to go to MIT... I'm not sure what their doing about that but I'm sure everything will work out.

We stopped going to regular classes a long time ago. We now train in the park since the school gym is in use. It was nice until it got cold. It's really cold. Ms. Sullivan doesn't seem to care, but it's damn cold in the park with nothing but training weights and pants on in the winter. What's nice though is that it's easier to learn about the natural sciences while being around nature. It's not an experience you get easily in the city.

That was where we were at the time of the first thunder storm of the season.

Chapter 3: Max

The energy in the room was contagious. It was the start of summer and the sunlight beamed through the formally dark and gloomy classroom. I sighed.

"Hey Max, what's wrong?"

That was my friend. His name doesn't matter, you wouldn't know him anyway.

I raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not done remember?"
"Oh wow... sorry 'bout that..."

Yep, the sky is blue, the air fresh, the sun bright and I am stuck here waiting for everyone to leave and enjoy their summer vacation so that I, I could start the second half of my school year. Well, it could be worse. At least it wasn't summer school. I didn't fail any of my classes... they're calling this 'enrichment.' Either way, I have classes in the summer, we'll see...

The bell rang. There was a large clatter as people moved boisterously towards the door. The room emptied faster than a beer bottle at a frat party… but what would I know about that.

That was the first time I met her. She identified herself as Ms. Sullivan... Amanda I believe was her first name but I'm pretty sure she didn't want me to call her that. She was remarkably fit for a person of her... girth? She was a rather large person, but looked more the type to shove you down a flight of stairs than take you to the principle. She was taller than I was, and I was something like 5ft 8. Her hair was gray and pulled back. The black shirt she had on looked like it could just barely contain her chest and the gray sweatpants she had on just added to the aura that she could kick my ass. Her voice was like iron. This was going to be fun.

“You’re in luck kid.”

“Huh?”

“There’s another kid who’s going to join you this summer.”

I must have looked shocked beyond words; I certainly felt it.

“Jack, come in wont you.”

Now I was really confused. Before me stood Jack Griffen the 6ft 1 genius of our school. He was literally the kid that got straight ‘A’s. You went to him if you didn’t get something. What was I doing in summer enrichment with the smartest kid in school?

***

We reached the gate by the time the sun began to peak through the maple leaves of the glade surrounding us. I looked back. The last time we had been beyond the gate was as ambassadors to the present empire when they first arrived. If the Capital is our destination it must be in that occupation we go again. Unfortunately, this time we did not move with an honor guard. There was no ship waiting at the gate to take us away.

In each of their 400 years on this planet Jailen and Neilara had gone beyond the gate but once before. There was no need. Their civilization was small, but old. The Valorth was an ancient race that had existed long before the other species on this planet. It had been the elders who had raised the great trees of the center-city. They were perfectly comfortable being self-contained. In the center of the capital the great library stood as their prize gem. Hours upon hours each was spent studying. Even in a Valorth lifetime, it was a great feat to read the entire library. Jailen was one of the few in the race that could say he accomplished such. He was the youngest in their race; he lay down the scroll of the forbidden before his 378th birthday. Neilara was much more one for nature. She spent her hours training among the trees.

The gate, mostly hidden by the trees, which over the years had grown around it, was a spectacular work of craftsmanship. The base was a white granite which seemed to rise effortlessly out of the ground. The remainder of the gate was constructed of white crystal that grew as the branches of the trees around us did out of the base to create a sparkling crown above that caught the light as you passed. At the crest there was an emerald, the stone of stones. This was the source of the gate's ability to guard against harm. The glyphs encompassing were for protection and regeneration. If the gate was ever damaged, that emerald held the power to re-grow the gate. To all but the invited the gate was impenetrable.

"Sigh."

"Are you ready?" She asked looking me up and down.

Neilara had kept the cloths she had on before but added a few accessories. Of all the things the Valorth knew how to do, the ability to materialize energy still eluded them, and it took too long to take primary defensive weapons out of storage in battle. I grinned. She had strapped a pair of blades to the sides of her thighs. If I was right she also had one or two daggers in her shoes. She wore a light traveling cloak the same black as the rest of her outfit but this one was clasped with a bright ruby. It seemed she expected conflict; too bad, I was hoping this was a peaceful visit to the Capital.

I wore a similar outfit, my cloak being a paler blue than the rest. In lieu of the rather numerous smaller blades my companion carried, I preferred to carry a single sword across my back. My blade, Gelantair, looked a little like the gate we passed. The hilt was white marble and the blade a clear crystal. I found a few years ago that steel can be sharper than stone, so I outfitted the edge of the sword with steel that was as clear as the crystal of the blade. If you didn't know it was there you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The hilt was fitted with a single diamond lending its strength and sharpness to the blade. I had woven the blade with a spell for lightness since I found it rather hard to use in battle being made of stone. It was now easier to swing and carry than in all likelihood Neilara's blades were.

"Let's go."

We walked through the gate and instantly it seemed the world became a darker place. I sighed. Leaving the gate behind was not my idea of a fun time. Well, here we go.

Chapter 2: Jailin

She jumped to the highest branch on the center tree in the garden. As she stood perfectly balanced, her dark hair shimmering in the light of the half moon I noticed her figure for the first time.

She was slim, medium build and had a nice face. Her hair would look better curled, but what can you do. Her eyes were dark; the starlight causing them to shimmer like dark pools of water. She was wearing a simple black button down shirt. The shirt was just long enough to cover the belt holding up her black-leather pants. She wore a jacket, also of black leather, which kept her secrets hidden from detection. At her belt she carried something that looked and felt like a taser. I should know ‘cuz the first time I met her she used it on me. Long story, another time.

Now, perhaps a bit about me. I'm 6 foot 7 inches with long wavy hair and a smile to die for. Yup, that's me. Or... not. I'm about 5ft 7, straight short black hair and my eyes have nothing to commend them. My favorite color is blue. Which, now that I think of it is probably why I am wearing the same thing she is... but in blue.

Neilara jumped off of the tree. "Oy, Jailin You having delusions of grandeur again?"

"Ha ha, But of course my dear, is that not how you know me?"

She glared at me. Though we grew up together I don't think she likes me that much; ah well. She walked over to the pool and knelt down.

"We should leave."

"What? Why?"

"Don't question me, just go get ready."

"Wait, Nei, where are we going?"

"It'll be a long journey."

"Darling... where are we going?"

"I told you not to call me that."

"Hello? You there?"

"The Capital ok?"

"Do you mean our capital or the Capital?"

"The Capital."

"What?!? You do know how long it will take us to get there. It will take weeks on foot just to get to the nearest way station not to mention trying to find a ship that will take us there!"

"Yes."

"This is a crazy plan. Have you talked to the elders about this?"

"Yes."

"And they agreed?!?"

"Yes."

"This must be a joke... this is ridiculous."

"Make your preparations. Mine are done."

"This is insane."

"You going to tell me why?"

She looked at me sternly. She had her mind set. Ok then, off to the Capital for some reason.