Ch. 7 

It was the following day, 11am. After everyone had their sleep they all walked downstairs to see if there was any food in the kitchen to eat but to their surprise breakfast was already made. There was chocolate pancakes and banana nut waffles with syrup and fruit on top. There was bacon, eggs, grits and sausages. There were also choices of juice, orange juice, apple juice, and fruit punch. It was a complete feast and there was enough for everyone to eat. They were all amazed and super hungry but they wondered who made breakfast. It was amarion, he made the food so everyone could have full stomachs for the day they have ahead of them. Everyone already groaned, hinting that they just wanted to relax but they couldn't refuse. 

They had finished eating their food and listened to what amarion had to say about the plans for today. Amarion wanted to discuss the research and expedition. He sat down on a brown couch in the living room. “It’ll be a test to see how well each of us would be if we were on a real mission. There will be two tests, the first is research. Some of us would need to go and venture to locations that have direct ties to religions and pantheons, there u must investigate but not engage with anything that is potentially harmful.” said amarion. Collin asked what these locations would look like. Amarion responded saying, “well for example the first pantheon to be investigated will be Norse right? So using that as an example, what we would need to investigate is trees specifically relating to Yggdrasil, the tree that connects 9 realms. Now the reason we’re investigating it into the future is because there has been sightings of people walking into woods and praying to a certain tree named “Yggdrasil” so to be clear the research team will have to find information by three conventional means, investigating the area of interest, collecting evidence of divinity, and lastly questioning the general public that is closest to the area.” Collin like everyone else was surprised by how well he had thoroughly thought abt this. “It is strictly important that the research team does not engage in combat while conducting research.” Said Amarion. “You're speaking really professionally, Amarion.” Said Kamya. Amarion responded with “I have to because this is important and I need to get my point across.” Kamya then said “oh yeah I understand.” Amarion continued “Now for using Norse as an example for expeditions. What that would like is combat investigations. What I mean is investigations that you would have to go on with the expectations that there will be a threat and there will be confrontation. For example, if you run into an Apostle you will have to fight it.” He said with a stern look. Keyshawn asked “what is an apostle?”. Amarion responded “An apostle is a human being  that is the counterpart to a divine being. They can be given powers, carry out orders, and even be possessed so that they may walk among us.” Everyone was shocked but not surprised, it almost seemed familiar. So they asked, “Amarion, are you an apostle?” “Yes.” Amarion said. They didn’t know what to do with that information so they listened to the rest of what he had to say. Amarion continued “An apostle only has to the power of their divine counterpart so there is a chance we could run into any god or goddess from the Norse pantheon. So an expedition team will be carrying out investigations by using three means, protecting the civilians of the area of interest, interrogations on followers of the pantheons, and the killing and/or capturing of an Apostle.” 

 Amarion finished his piece on research/investigations and prepared to tell everyone else something new. “We are in a convenience store; we live under a convenience store. People will try to come buy stuff so we need to conduct this place as a store, using it as a front and also to have funds for shit like clothes, food, or anything else we need.” Everyone wholeheartedly agreed but didn't know how to go about it. Grant spoke, for the first time he shared his opinion, “I think we’ll be fine realistically since the store upstairs is practically still full. What we need to worry about is when all that shit runs out due to customers buying too much shit. Also what if someone tries to do a health check on us?” Jaiden then said “not only is that a good idea but a good question too but I think I might be able to use some magic to stop that from happening.” Grant replied, "really? Well alright then”. "Yeah and we can restock all the missing food and drinks with some of the cash we get back and then use the rest for home and personal needs.” Collin said. They all agreed with him and discussed how they would go about it. After finishing up Amarion looked at his phone to see the time, it was 5pm, he stood up and went to the front door to grab his coat.  Everybody else wondered where he was going, he then said “come on we need to get out. We haven't been in the outside world for a while.” They all grabbed their coats and jackets then rushed to get outside.  

Everyone walked together to head upstairs. Amarion went out head first, with his hand on the doorknob he walked out. He suddenly felt a cold shiver but brushed it off. Everyone then asked Amarion where they were going. He replied “Out to eat.” they asked where? He says,"Buffalo Wild wings”. Collin said,"oh shi really? I ain't got much money though.” amarion then says,"it's alr I'm paying for everyone.” Everyone ran up to him and asked if he was serious, he told them yeah. They were all happy, not just to get out but to also get some good ass food. 

They arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings. They asked for a table of 6 and just added another chair to it so everyone could sit together. Amarion ordered a 60 piece boneless wings for the table and for himself chicken tenders and fries with a buffalo ranch chicken sandwich. Everyone else ordered a smoked brisket burger, cheese curd bacon burger, honey barbecue wings, and barbeque wings. The rest was appetizers and they were there for hours just eating and talking until they were full then they left. Amarion headed out of the restaurant first, once again leading them through the way. Amarion was tired and wanted to go back, he asked if they were ready to head home. They said no, they wanted to stay out more so Amarion obliged. They went around town. Amarion went to the grocery store to get groceries so he could cook something for dinner. Kamya,Keyshawn,Will, Jaiden, Collin and Grant went to the mall; it was fairlane mall. 

Amarion was in the grocery store, staring at the meat wondering if he should make his moms chili & rice with cornbread or chicken and vegetable egg rolls. He called Collin to check in to see what they would rather have, but he didn't pick up. He tried Keyshawn and no answer so he called Grant. Grant answered and asked what he needed, “Could you ask everyone if they wanted chili & rice with cornbread or chicken & vegetable egg rolls?” He said. Only Keyshawn responded to what Amarion asked and said he wanted egg rolls. Amarion decided on making that instead and picked up the ingredients while he was there. As he walked towards the self checkout lane, Amarion saw a familiar face. It was his past acquaintance Micheal. Micheal looked dead, he was hunched over, bags under his eyes, his skin was dry, like the life was sucked out of him. Amarion was about to approach him to see if he was okay but hesitated. He had heard Lucy tell him to stop. Amarion asked him “why?” Lucy said “Look closely at him. See anything irregular?”. Amarion focused his eyes and looked closely. He saw a few barely visible roots sticking out of his body. Amarion asked if it was related to the cult of the tree. Lucy said “ It most likely is. It isn’t normal for humans to become partial plants, are they?”. Amarion hurried and bought his groceries then left. He called Collin again to see if he’d pick up. He did, Amarion told him to tell everyone they needed to meet him at home. “Collin asked what’s wrong?” Amarion told him he would tell him in private back at home.  

Everyone arrived home, since Amarion was close by he got there three hours before the rest of them. Which gave him enough time to cook dinner, he made both egg rolls and chili cause he was hungry as shit. They all saw the food and immediately started eating. Mostly because they were tired from being outside and at the mall. Amarion took Collin aside and started questioning him about Micheal. 

Amarions point of view  

“Guess who the fuck I saw at the grocery store?!” I said. “Who?" said Collin, “Fuckn. Micheal.” I responded, Collin was shocked as fuck. I asked him when was the last time he saw Micheal. He said that the last time he talked to Micheal was last year and that apparently for some reason last year Micheal cut everyone off from communicating with him,  his parents, our friend Tryce, and anyone else that was close to him. I then told Collin what I saw. We immediately assumed it was connected to his weird behavior a year ago and that it might also be connected to the latest investigation. I don't know how to go about it though.  What if he’s an apostle? I told the rest of the group about what I saw afterwards. 

We discussed possible methods for what we’re gonna do. It took time but we decided on splitting up into research and investigation teams. Collin, Keyshawn and Grant are on research. They'll gather possible information and find a connection between the cult of the tree and Micheal. Will, Kamya, Jaiden and I are on investigations. We’ll be going into a forest to search for a certain tree. Both teams will set out in 2 days.