7

A few minutes later they arrived in front of the open black gate. The door is too small compared to the wall, but also larger than the gate in general. In front of the door stood a short guy with a face like a baby.

“Hey, where is the Portal Keeper who is supposed to drop you off?” Lan asked worriedly.

The boy slipped his hand in his pants pocket.

“His friend who was guarding the portal was rather difficult, so he told me to wait here and join other guards if anyone passed,” the boy explained with reddish ears.

“Basic irresponsible people,” snorted Meres annoyed. “How can he play for safekeeping?”

Lan struck Meres's arm slowly.

“Sometimes we also do the same thing, right?” she said laughing. “For example, when I have to go to the toilet because it's really urgent?”

Lan winked at Meres. It was the turn of the fierce man whose reddened ears.

“Where you from?” Meres asked the child, distracting.

“Uhm, Trisia,” the boy answered.

“I see.”

Meres continued his steps without saying anything else. Obviously he was just making a small talk. Lan gestured for them to follow.

Venus glances at the guy next to her. Trisia which province from which country? Trisia isn't it too ridiculous to be a city name? After all, is this baby boy the same age as Venus? Venus imagined him still crying and being so spoiled. Venus snorted to herself, amused at having thought evil. The boy next to him looked at Venus strangely. The girl just grinned.

Then, Venus gawked. Again.

They enter a new, more spacious area. The starry sky above seems like the real sky. Then, before them, stood a truly modern building ... means very ... no, it is more accurate to say that it is really, extremely big. Venus doesn't care if the words violate the rules of language correctly. That is, that big is really bigger!

On the terrace of the building stood dozens of massive white and marvelous pillars, until Venus thought it was a crime to be called a terrace. On the roof of the building's triangle, there is a blue decoration in the form of a round carved star. Venus also noticed, in the middle of a tiled courtyard, stood a statue of a strange-crowned old man. The crown seems to be made of a tangle of various objects or things, and among them are also animals. The figure's face seemed authoritative, but his gaze was so cruel and wild at the same time. The statue stands with arms outstretched, as if to greet and tell the world that it is someone. His back wore a kind of long robe, complementing his clothes that were like a leader. When they passed it, Venus read the name engraving on the stone that became the footing of the statue. It says Giris Druiksa (read: Ghee-rees Droo-eik-sah). Sounds like Javanese.

“Who is Giris Druiksa?” Venus muttered to no one. She didn't expect the answer to come from the baby boy.

“You didn't know?!” The baby boy said in disbelief.

“Sorry!” Venus said curtly. “I come from the place you call the First Earth! What do I know about the Second Earth?!”

“Oh,” the baby boy muttered embarrassed. He explained without being asked again. “Giris Druiksa is a human being as well as the first volt on the Second Earth. It is said that he also made the designation of volts for humans who could control Talent, even though the grouping of Talents was discovered long after he died.”

“You mean, this Druiksa is some kind of fallen angel or what?” This time Venus asked in a curious tone.

The baby boy shrugged his shoulders.

“There are three versions, and one of them is that,” he said. “Another version says that he is actually the most powerful spirit of the Fourth Earth—the world of spirits—which then permeated the body of a dying human when he entered the First Earth. The spirit then decided to form civilizations on the Second Earth without humans. Meanwhile, the latest version says, Giris are humans from the First Earth who are able to visit two worlds, and have the ability to control things. It seems like people tend to believe in the spirit version, because it makes more sense.”

Venus nodded in understanding. If Lan and Meres also listened to the explanation of this baby boy, they wouldn't show it. Maybe they are indeed reluctant to bother explaining things that are clear to them, even to outsiders Second Earth like Venus.

They climbed five steps before stepping on the silver tiled floor on the terrace. Venus saw that the pillars supporting the roof were also silver—to be honest, everything seems silver in here—and it seems like it was deliberately coated in silver. The pillars are carved with dark images. Make Venus pretty shudder.

In the center of the building were two double doors that were about three or forty meters away. Apart from the two doors, there were only rectangular windows that lined from end to end. Venus didn't know to be amazed or intimidated. This is a building, or an extensive replica of a city that is trying to become a museum?

They continued to walk, this time to the double doors on the right. Venus looked at the dark windows that they passed curiously. If only she could see the appearance of what was behind the fragile objects. Dragon skull, maybe? Or useless debris?

A few moments later they arrived at the destination door. The door towered quite large and was emphasized with intricate patterns and carvings. Venus is grateful that the carving isn't as scary as the one in the pillar. And then, Meres opened the door. Just like that.

Venus thought someone would open it or something. It turns out that reality doesn't match expectations. Even in a strange place like this.

Sucks.

“What exactly is this place?” said Venus.

“A place for you to study,” Meres barked. “What else?!”

Lan sighed. She smiled at Venus.

“This is Volta Juana,” she said more friendly. “Welcome!”

What else is that? A kind of Marijuana? Venus quietly groaned. If it is a drugs or controlling marijuana, how stupid! Already feels idiot like this, why just not continue?

Welcome to Volta Marij—uh, Juana!