Now that things had finally settled and Kai felt a semblance of comfort, it was time for answers. Torin had promised her clarity, and now he intended to make good on that promise. His plan, intentions, everything he had in store for Kai—it was time to lay it all out.
Torin began, "I'll give you a quick rundown on the basics before sharing my theory. As you know, different mythologies are mentioned in school. For example, in Norse mythology, Asgard is the majestic Realm of Odin, Thor, and Loki. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is home to the Olympian gods like Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon.
They can't force it to be taught as a subject because people in this Realm have many different beliefs. Instead, it's just introduced, and if you're interested, you can research it on your own, which I did. I studied hieroglyphs, ancient drawings, relics, and everything else I could find.
And that's where my theory comes in: What if all these Gods are real? What if, instead of existing together in one Realm, each has its own Realm with its own Domain? I mean, think about it—who created the Gods and Titans we know? Do you really believe that whatever force or power created this world, this universe, and us… wasn't strong enough to make more than one God?" Torin's voice rose excitedly as if he'd just had a breakthrough.
Kai's eyes shifted to the side as she started to believe Torin was crazy and following him was the wrong choice. "You continue to say that so casually, this... Realm or Domain," she said, trying to cover her awkwardness.
"Yes, sorry, there is so much, and I don't have time to start at the basic of basics. A Realm can be like Earth, so Realms, let's say we have ten different Earths made, so each one belongs to a different god. A Domain is like a secret home on Earth for the gods; no mortal can find or reach it. Like Mount Olympus, the highest mountain is said to be unreachable, and Asgard is only accessible by the Bifrost, or 'the rainbow bridge.'
I learned that the Egyptian Gods rule this Realm we live in, okay? Ra is the king of the Egyptian Gods; the Domain somewhere in this Realm belongs to him, except I don't know what it is, nor the name for that matter."
"Okay, I get that, but what does any of that have to do with anything? As far as I know, I have never seen a God, and they haven't helped me in any way, especially after what I have been through. No offense, but you said you save people, but out of the people you saved, no one wanted to join your cause? Even if everything you say is right, now what, do we go to a place inaccessible to mortals, which we are, and ask a god for help?"
Torin stared at Kai momentarily, "Yeah, here we go again," he said, growing frustrated. "After getting this far with everyone, I encounter the same thing. It's always. What does this have to do with life, or this won't help me get a job or money. People act like their lives are so busy that a little bit of knowledge is meaningless. Somehow, I thought you would be different; why? I don't know, maybe because you have cured most problems doctors can't even grasp the concept of, and you haven't even graduated from high school. It's like you have God-like powers but don't believe in Gods. How? Can you just listen and keep an open mind? Please."
"First of all, brilliant observation. I wanted to be a doctor after high school, which makes this a sick joke. Not only is it ironic, but it's tragic and a contradiction to my whole traditional ideal of helping people because I can already cure things Doctors can't in ways that inflict self-harm?!" Kai said, her voice dripping sarcasm as she leaned forward.
"See, now you're about to make me mad! Being a doctor was my dream goal before going missing. How long has it been since then? A month and some days. My GPA was a four-point zero, and I never missed a day of school. Now, attendance is just trash. I might as well have served time for truancy while I was locked away. Which your Egyptian Gods let happen. So, excuse me if I don't kiss their feet or even wish to acknowledge their existence at all. Secondly, if I could hand you this power, I would. Spoiler alert: it's not a gift. It's cure and the things you must do to heal people," she scoffed, shaking her head. "Not worth it."
Torin's disappointment boiled into anger, and his mouth began to get ahead of him. "How do you know what's worth it? You can't even control the power gifted to you. Yet, it's so easy for you to blame someone else. In fact, since you know everything, Ms. Four Point Zero answers this. How did they find out you can heal in the first place, huh? You act shocked to have powers, so it's not like you were out, so they can help you control it. Nah, you were already giving it up. You let some teenage boy, who had school tomorrow, sweet talk you into fu-"
"Bit-"Kai froze with her fist held in the air and the other hand gripping Torin's shirt. His words fueled her, but luckily, she stopped herself. Usually, she would go on the defensive before resulting in aggression, but she was still fighting the dark spot introduced to her. Kai then let Torin go and stepped back.
However, she displayed a look that made Torin realize how far his words had taken the situation.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. Look, I'm not a teacher, and I'm doing my best to put everything together. After reading and doing all the research, I realized that some humans could be descendants of the Gods. Then I met you, someone with actual abilities, which is beyond exciting. You transformed every fantasy into reality. So, I'm hoping that if I tell you my theories, maybe, just maybe, you can remember what happened to you or give me anything. I just need you to listen, please! It will all make sense at the end."
Kai flopped down on the couch and folded her arms. Torin then pulled a bean bag closer to sit as he continued to explain. Before anything existed, there was Chaos, a being that gave birth to the primordial deities: Earth, Night, Day, and Air, to name a few. These deities were all about creation. That was their sole purpose; from it, they produced offspring—the Titans. While the Titans inherited abilities from their parents, many of them had a troubling desire for more power. Instead of creating just as their parents did, they began to destroy what their parents had made. At the time, this was an unknown natural order, for before, all the Primordial beings knew was creation.
Unlike the Primordial Deities, who were bound by duty and had no need for conflict—after all, Night is Night, Day is Day, and Earth is Earth—the Titans lacked specific roles. This led to the formation of clans, each led by those deemed strongest, resulting in constant warfare. The primordial deities grew weary of this power and destruction and chose to divide a part of themselves. Unlike what Chaos did by branching himself and creating beings with their own powers and consciousness. The primordial made exact copies, mere extensions of the same being controlled by the same consciousness.
With enough divisions, each clan of Titans gained their own version of Earth, with Night and Day to rule over. For example, the Mythology of Greece started as a clan led by Zeus's father, the Titan Cronus. In Norse mythology, the clan was led by Ymir, Odin's grandfather. They each have their own story, but it's like tree branches broken off the same tree.
This idea of all Gods being real and related isn't far-fetched. It makes it hard to see when they all try to make up their own languages and change the story of how things happened. But humans do that all the time, so that is not surprising either.
Let's go back to the Primordial's dividing themselves. Knowing the different realms are just extensions of Mother Earth suggests that traversing realms is indeed possible, which is where the rules come in. Rule Number One: No outside god may enter another's Realm or Domain without permission. Two: If entry to the Realm is necessary without prior approval, one must suppress their power as a sign of respect. Entering a Realm, or a Domain with full power, is seen as a challenge. Again, the original separation of the deities was a precaution against the destruction caused by their conflicts.
Kai leaned back on the couch, her hand placed over her head, "God's fighting; this reminds me of something," she thought.
Torin's rambling continued; he knew Kai wasn't a god because she lacked the primary power source for the Gods. The primordial beings and Titans draw their power from the very fabric of the cosmos. For the Primordial's, this connection grants them an endless well of energy, making their power, well, limitless. While immensely powerful, the Titans don't exactly have a direct link to the cosmos, like their parents. So, the power they receive from the cosmos takes a while, resulting in them growing more potent over time. Not to mention, their more contained forms also limit the extent of their power, preventing them from reaching the boundless strength of their predecessors.
Leading down to the Gods, their power source comes from Prayer and worship. With the right amount, it can be extremely powerful as well. Other than Kai's mom and dad, she doesn't have followers, so if she were a god, she wouldn't be able to perform the miracles she has done. Lower than the gods are mystical creatures who get their power source from feeding off life. That could be taking life from others or something as small as a plant. Witches and Vampires would be a good example of that. With the power system said, Torin hadn't seen Kai feed off anyone. However, her power did cause harm to herself; maybe she's a witch?
"To wrap this up, as I said, Earth is controlled by the Egyptian Gods. Which I believe is our ancestors, now you might be wondering. Why don't we see then? In books, the Greeks always see the Olympian gods and even witness their battles. Even in Norse mythology, they see giants and gods all the time. Even the world serpent has been spotted there.
I believe the Egyptian gods created other rules only for their Realm. A rule to never walk among mortals. That is why they haven't been able to save us. Some people, like me, believe a group of beings tricked us and killed the elders. With so many generations lost, we have just forgotten our abilities; hand me that paper, for example."
Kai passes the paper over to Torin, and he balls it up. Concentrating his hardest, he extends his arm slowly, and the paper ball moves across the table. "You see, we have it within us. We just have to remember and unlock it."
"I'm confused," Kai expressed. Wondering if Torin's so-called power was balling a piece of paper.
"What do you mean? I moved that paper without touching it. What is there to be confused about, Kai?"
"The fan is on, Torin. I can't say you move the paper for sure."
"You can't be serious, he said, leaning over to the fan. "One second," Torin turns off the fan and finds something heavier, a slightly empty bottle, in his trash. With deep concentration, he quickly extends his arm with force, sending the bottle sliding not even an inch on the table. "How was that?"
"This isn't me going against what you're showing me. It's just an example to show that my confusion is honest. My dad showed me this move where he swung so hard, and precisely, he blew out five candles with a swing. The point is that making a bottle move proves nothing; otherwise, we must recruit my dad because he might have fire or wind powers. If you think about it, that kills two birds with one stone.
Another thing, there is no way you would have saved me with that. I hope that's not what you were betting on. It can't be that; you don't have a gun, bat, or knife. I thought about it when I saw you, but didn't pay attention. You were coming to save me when you were out there, right?"
"Yes!" Torin responded.
"Okay, and what weapon did you have?"
"I didn't have one. I planned to use my psychic ability to get into his head or try witchcraft. If that didn't work, my ancestors would have ensured my safety as I improvised. Either way, I came to save you, didn't I?"
"Right," Kai said, not believing a word. "I'm sure it's a psychiatric hospital somewhere nearby," She thought. "You might as well conjure a witch; everything you named had the potential to put you in harm's way before you could save me. If that was your plan, lucky I stayed there. You might as well say I saved you, which speaks volumes. Torin, your cooked buddy! This is disappointing. How have you survived this long? Seriously, Torin, I really hope you have a way to help me. Tell me something now before I walk out of this RV."
"Right, so what are you? We know you are a healer. I know some people who can help with your powers, and a scientist who can use some blood to study it and hopefully find a blood match leading to your biological parents. We can go back to where you were found; there may be clues to how you got here. I'm hoping to find your purpose if you have one. I know that's not much information for you, but you must trust me. I can and will help."
"Sounds like a start, but here is another question about this mystical creature god mission. True, I can heal, but the human species has had miraculous people before, people so tall they could be giants; it doesn't make them one. I once read about a woman whose cancerous cells are immortal. Let's pause for a minute from someone who wants to be in the medical field. That's scary all by itself because, theoretically, her cells can be used as a bioweapon under the right circumstances, like a syringe or aerosol.
Anyway, the point is, whether their uniqueness is big or small, do you suppose those people were mythical creatures, and what do you think happened to them? We are both worried and excited to move forward, but if there is a possibility of being in more trouble, I would at least like to know and prepare for it, you know."
Torin was barely listening; he was too busy thinking about when Kai said she had evaporated. "Maybe she was like a water phoenix... no, that's stupid," he thought. He wished he had more to go on, but starting the process from scratch didn't hurt. At least there were things he could scratch off the list, like mermaids. Kai didn't transform in the shower, and mermaids haven't been said to evaporate either.
"So, what additional rules does Ra have?" Kai asked, still trying to grasp the memory that Torin's words had almost brought forward, drawing it closer and closer.
Torin responded, "That was it that I know of, and to be honest, the rule of them not coming down to mortals is a contradiction. Regarding the whole power thing, if no one ever sees them, I'm not sure how they get their power; nobody would praise them. On top of that, this Realm is so separated that everyone has different beliefs. Perhaps the rule was made as a test or observation of humanity. However, the duration of this observation remained a mystery, for no one had ever witnessed the Gods' presence in my lifetime, nor my great-greats in that matter. So, what's the point of just watching us?"
Kai's curiosity bubbled as she fired a series of questions at Torin, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Okay, let's say Ra is lurking somewhere out there. The little bit of power I've shown so far doesn't seem to bother him. But what if there's more—what if training brings it all to the surface? And if it happens too fast and I lose control, will he come after us? You know, seen as a challenge?"
Torin found himself uncertain, grappling with how to respond to Kai's probing questions. Before he could answer, she started again, "Another thing that bothers me is, once we cross this door, what will be waiting on the other side? In Egyptian myth, what mystical creatures do they have? If I'm using my power, other creatures might also be using their power enough to stay off Ra's radar. We don't have enough power to fight monstrous crocodiles or giant cobras."
Torin chose his words carefully, trying to ease her worries without showing that some of his answers were random. He began by mentioning that while massive crocodiles and cobras might exist near Ra's Domain, creatures like that wouldn't go unnoticed elsewhere. He then reassured her that he had no intention of going anywhere near Ra's home—at least, not anytime soon—though he admitted it would be fascinating to meet him.
As for Ra's reaction to her power, if the time ever came, he could only hope they'd have enough time to explain themselves and prove they meant no harm. After briefly pausing, he asked Kai: Could she be a demigod? Their power system, in a way, reminded him of a lesser version of the Titans. A demigod could siphon a limited amount of power from their divine parent. However, since they were still part human, their bodies were smaller and weaker by comparison, like the Titans compared to the Primordials. If their godly parent lost power, the demigod would weaken as well. That, he reasoned, could explain why Kai could still use her abilities without followers.
Kai instantly knew Torin was only trying to mask his answer to her question. Why would he ask her a question and then basically answer his own question? Even so, she was tired of the back and forth and looking forward to a good night's sleep.
As moonlight spilled through the rooftop window, it unveiled yet another marvel of the RV. The silver beams reached Kai, and the moment they touched her skin, something extraordinary began to unfold. Tonight was a full moon night, which affected her skin even more. Kai's honey-brown complexion absorbs the radiant energy from the moon, causing her skin to glow intensely with a soft, silvery-blue radiance.
Torin froze, mesmerized. It was like watching a goddess reveal her true form—quiet, otherworldly, beautiful beyond comprehension. Noticing his gaze, Kai's cheeks flushed with sudden awareness. She quickly folded her legs beneath her, tugging the long t-shirt down to cover herself, her arms slipping into the sleeves as she wrapped herself up.
"My skin has only done this one other time that I know of; it was a full moon then, too, now that I think about it," she explained with a hint of discomfort. "Normally, I'm asleep or in bed early for school before nightfall. But one night, when I was younger, we came home late. My mom was really adamant about me taking a bath and then going straight to bed.
Getting out of the shower, I noticed I forgot to grab some clothes when rushing, so I wrapped myself in a towel and ran to my room. As I dressed, I saw the moon through the window's blinds.
It was a supermoon.
So big, bright, and beautiful. I quickly put on my clothes and walked closer to the window, lifting the blinds when the moonlight hit my skin, and then this glow happened. It freaked me out.
I should've known something was off then, but I was naïve and believed whatever explanation my parents gave me. They used to say anything weird was because of my healthy lifestyle and skincare routine, but this time, my crystal bracelets were the explanation. I wore those things day and night, in the shower, swimming, playing, you name it. Anyway, they claimed the supermoon supercharged my bracelets and was charging me, too," she giggled.
"Since then, they have been twice as cautious, and I stopped wearing the bracelets as much. Luckily, I didn't wear them that night because they would have stolen my bracelets when they thought I was dead."
"What, wait... You died?"
"No, calm down. I think I just fainted. Wait, you don't know how I was taken, huh? Maybe another time." Kai leaned back, resting her head and staring at the moon through the roof. "Speaking of that, I should tell you how I escaped. That will be the last story before bed.
Kai explained that there were a few people after Torin left, but the following day, there was a massive rush from sunup to sundown. To sum up, it was enough to make her sick again by the end of the day. Livid with herself as Torin's words rambled through her mind, Kai didn't manage to sleep that night. She gazed down at her hands and legs, thinking that as much as she wanted everything to return to normal, this was far from it.
This morning, Taylor came and changed the sheets, cleaned the room, gave Kai some medicine, and put a towel on her head. Not too long after Taylor headed to school, it happened. Steam flowed from her body, and Kai was awake to see it. Before she knew it, she was floating in the air, and though she felt whole, she couldn't see her hands or feet.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for people to start noticing who or what I am without some excuse to give. Is it selfish to say I don't want that attention? Being a doctor is one thing, but someone who can heal anything, and I might be wrong, but it feels like I'm the only one. And even if this power is a blessing, I feel like that's something the world would try to control more than cherish, you know. I don't see a way of winning."
Torin sank into his beanbag, feeling a sudden rush of mental exhaustion. "Man, this evaporating thing is hard to picture, but okay, you evaporated and got loose from your restraints. That doesn't say how you escaped. Did you find a way to move and slip through the walls in that form?" he inquired, attempting to piece together the sequence of events.
Kai responded with a puzzled expression, recollecting that Torin needed an elaborate plan to rescue her, and she managed to escape on her own during the second time. "Are you serious? It's an old wooden cabin; a house made of wood. If you want to get out, you will get out. Push comes to shove. I would have started a forest fire. Does that answer your question?"
Once again, Torin couldn't help but be captivated by Kai's beauty as the moonlight accentuated her features. Kai stood up to Stretch before heading to bed when she saw Torin's stunned expression. "What's wrong with your face?" she inquired.
"Oh, nothing," Torin quickly replied, trying to regain composure. Shifting the focus, he remarked, "I was thinking about how my clothes look on you.
"Clothes?" Kai questioned, puzzled. "Right, I forgot; believe it or not, I kind of sleep like this at home. I buy extra-long T-shirts; yours is shorter than I would like, but it will do. By the way, I would appreciate it if you covered yourself up. I have seen enough excitement for a lifetime," she said, heading for a glass of water.
Torin quickly apologized and covered himself up. Kai walked off toward the bed. Telling him goodnight and stating that she sleeps in his bed while he stays there. As Kai left, an idea sparked in Torin's mind. Maybe he was overthinking; Kai may simply be a human experiment lost in Alaska, which was a stretch. If she were lab-grown, the government would have been looking for her. "A part of the thought process," he said.
The next day, before embarking on their journey, they decided to get Kai a fresh set of clothes. Stopping at a store in Sacramento, California, Torin carefully selected a long, dark grey hooded cardigan sweater, a white t-shirt, and black joggers. For footwear, he opted for dark grey running shoes. Accentuating his ensemble, he adorned his usual trio of necklaces, while on his wrists, clear quartz crystals replaced his customary gold bracelets. Torin explained to Kai that this combination held significant meaning for him, aiding in meditation, enhancing psychic abilities, and maintaining balance across the physical, mental, and emotional planes. He then told Kai that it didn't matter what she got, but to remember that they were not trying to draw attention.
Kai found new clothing before he knew it; she was drawn to a Drop shoulder drawstring super crop hoodie and top ensemble. Despite Torin's expectation for a more extended decision-making process, Kai's mind was instantly made up when she saw the charcoal grey outfit. She did what Torin asked about, not picking something flashy, not that it mattered. She had unmistakable hair, and unless they were going to make a schedule to dye it continuously, there was no need to start.
To complement her vibrant choice, she picked sneakers with a cool color palette, colored by various shades of gray. The upper part of the shoes resembled a cool mist, while the midsole and outsole featured slightly darker tones, giving them an urban and modern edge. Accents of white on the laces and midsole provided a crisp contrast, contributing to the sleek and stylish appearance.
As they approached the register, Kai couldn't ignore the luxury of Torin's RV, which was filled with expensive tech and gems that caught her eye. Intrigued, she couldn't resist asking, "So, what's your source of income?"
Torin chuckled, "Source of income? Who asks what a person does for a living in that way? Source of income? To answer your question, I don't work. I believe we shouldn't be paying for things that grow naturally; now, the labor of making things is debatable. There should be a trading system that doesn't work people to death for uncertain gains."
Kai raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his lofty ideals. "None of that makes sense. It sounds like you just stole everything you have and plan on us stealing this, too."
In a swift move, Torin covered Kai's mouth, whispering urgently, "Are you crazy? No, you do not say that out loud. Fine, I believe in an ability we all possess—manifestation. I think it, speak it into existence; one day, you can have whatever you've manifested. Like waking up to a hundred thousand in my bank account."
Kai shook her head, unconvinced. "That made no sense at all. If you didn't want me to know, say that. Pay for my stuff so that I can leave. Mr. Hundred Thousand in my bank account. And so that you know, boys who show off don't impress me."
As Kai and Torin engaged in their heated exchange, little did they know that an unknown organization was making developments and was rapidly closing in on them.