The weaponry was similar to the arena - cylindrical in shape, and spiraling upwards majestically. Only that it was larger, taller, and more beautiful. Once again, it was constructed from silver and glass (possibly the Misterian's favorite materials), but this time, also adorned with Earthly jewels. It seemed that the Misterians certainly had a thing with Human Jewelry. Wow!
Well, but either way, there was no door. Only opened paned windows thousands of feet off the 'ground'.
"How'd we... going to get up there?" James asked curiously.
Shadow stared at him as though James had gone nuts. "Have you forgotten your heritage, young Misterian?" he accused.
"No," James mumbled, feeling sheepish. "Geez, I was only asking a question."
So they flew in. And the moment they landed into its interior, James gasped in shock. For lining the entire level, was just... weapons. Rows and rows of them; shelves after shelves filled with them. Amazing! He had never seen so many weapons in his life!
"This is only one level," Shadow explained arrogantly. "Skyaira is famous for its Weaponry, just as Pandora is known for its Arena."
And then a winged woman appeared. She was middle-aged, with strangely... wise and ancient green eyes. Creepy.
"Ah, my apprentice," She greeted Shadow, before turning to James. "Now... Oh! Isn't this the New Earth-Born who performed a ninety-degree plunge in mid-flight?"
"Yes," Shadow forced out reluctantly. "Nothing great really."
"Nonsense Shadow!" The woman chided him. "He made history!" Then she smiled towards James and James decided that he rather liked her. "What is your name, Great One?"
"James Walker," He replied, before asking. "How did you know that I did the plunge...?"
"Now, now, James," the woman said seriously. "I, Pandora, know many things-"
"Rubbish," Shadow cut in dryly. "I am guessing some nosy parker flew in here to tell you."
With all the activities going on, and when Shadow and Pandora arguing merrily with each other, James found it rather difficult to digest all they said. So, the woman's name was Pandora, named after one of the Misterian cities? And Shadow was her apprentice?
Okay, cool.
"You're Pandora?" James couldn't help but blurt. "Named after one of the Mysterian cities?"
Both Shadow and Pandora looked to each other and laughed. It was the first time James had seen Shadow laugh like this.
"One of the Misterian cities was named after me," Pandora corrected.
"What? Why?"
"She is an old hag for a Misterian," Shadow pointed out critically. Then he turned to Pandora. "I'm guessing next week you're hitting 2900 years?"
"WHAT?" James gasped.
"Manners, my apprentice," Pandora chided. "Well yes, I am that old. And in my lifetime, I dare say I have completed many things."
"She was from Pandora," Shadow added unhelpfully.
"Previously," Pandora agreed. "I was the greatest Quester of all time. Understand why my city - whom prides itself in fighting- was renamed in my honor?"
James felt himself filling up with respect for her upon hearing this. "Wow," he whistled in awe. "You-"
"Back on track!" Shadow scowled. "My apprentice here-" he gestured to James. "Needs a weapon for The Tests. We better hurry up with it."
The woman nodded with agreement before leading them down the aisles and aisles of weapons.
"What sort do you fancy?" She asked James.
"What?"
"You weapon of choice," The woman explained. "Swords?"
"Nah," James decided against it.
"Spears?" she suggested.
James pictured his wimpy self lugging a spear behind him, before shaking it off. "I'll pass, Madam."
Shadow grew impatient. "Tell me," he demanded. "What do you consider yourself skilled at?"
James tried to think of something. He was an awesome computer gamer... An awfully sociable person.... Oh yes! And he was great in the air!
"Like, for example, are you... hard to catch? Hard to find? Slippery? Or strong?" Shadow explained exasperatedly. "Or are you completely useless?"
Pandora kneed her apprentice in the stomach, scowling. "You better leave the talking to me, Shadow."
Throwing a tantrum, Shadow stalked off from his mentor and his apprentice, in search of something better to do. James stared distastefully after him. So that guy had a temper too? He was so unlikable to begin with!
As though reading his thoughts, Pandora patted his shoulder gently. "You are truly lucky, James, to have him as your mentor."
"That's a bad joke," James snapped back.
"No, young one, I am serious." Pandora laughed and continued to lead James down the aisles. "Your mentor is young, yes, but very capable. In fact, I believe you stand a chance of winning the Tests."
"You... Really?" That was a great compliment!
"Just listen to him," Pandora advised. "Block out all the insults, and you will not go wrong."
James didn't know what to say. He didn't agree with her one bit though. "Well.. oh, thank you."
Suddenly, Pandora broke into a grin. After all that serious advice, that was unusual. "Has he shaken your hand yet?"
"Me? He offered..." James grinned back. "But I didn't take it."
"No way!" Pandora burst out laughing. "Even as his mentor, it took me one century to get that handshake! And you rejected it! Oh, oh my!"
James shrugged modestly. "He said I'd only won a tiny portion of his respect. Well, not like I care or anything."
Pandora laughed it off. "Winning his entire respect took me another four centuries! You have a lot of time to impress him, young one!"
James was about to reply when Pandora stopped walking abruptly and entered another small aisle. She reached its end, before pulling out something that resembled two tiny daggers. One black, one white. Something about it was... unsettling. And within the dark aisle, the white one seemed to glow - not a very bright glow, but one of great potential...
"Twin blades," Pandora smiled. "I heard of your dive. True, I have yet to see you fly, but I am guessing it is much beyond average. I think this belongs to you."
"Me...?" James asked in disbelief.
Pandora nodded. "In my early age, I used to adore it. Every time it came to equipping for a Quest, I always used these two."
"They must be ancient!"
"Certainly," Pandora agreed solemnly. "Most Misterians prefer spears and bows and arrows. But spears are conspicuous. You are deft in the air. Remain unseen, and strike from the back with these. That, should be your tactic."
Pandora seemed to be skilled with tactics. But then and again, she had a city renamed after her. She must be amazing!
"Why'd you stop Questing?" James was inclined to know.
Pandora smiled, before gesturing around her. "See this Weaponry?"
"Yep. Why?" Pandora hadn't answered his question yet.
"It's huge isn't it?" James merely nodded, befuddled. "I have lived a long time," Pandora finally explained. "I am one of the few Misterians who know this place inside out. Therefore, is it not befitting for me to be the guide here?"
James blinked. It did make some sense.
"Now, you are done with the equipping procedure," Pandora handed the blades gingerly to James. She then turned before calling out, "Shadow! We are finished!" Before returning her attention to James. "Do me proud, Young One, Apprentice of my Apprentice."
She made it sound like she was his grandmother or something, but James didn't mind.
He wondered what his Mentor had in mind for him next...
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