Chapter 5

"Zhin?! What is that? I'm asked, I have never heard of that before. 'Do you understand the full concept of ziy?' I looked back at Asrotth, full concept of ziy. It's not really something a child of the 7th compartment is taught. In fact, a ziy user is something that is very rare down at the 7th compartment since most residents of the 7th compartment are either uninfected and cannot harness ziy or their body is too fragile to handle it, leaving them weak and needing assistance or worse, bedridden. But every once in a while, there's one child who is born with no defects or setbacks. Those kids grow up hoping to pass the "test," make a living outside the 7th compartment, and help out their parents back home. The test is basically a test of transfer or relocation where you have to show what exactly you have to offer to the assemblage, be it your strength or your knowledge in science and interstellar technology. Since no one down at the 7th compartment has any formal education, the latter is never an option. Those who were somewhat good at controlling their ziy always undergo the test of strength, but no one has ever passed. It is said that no one has ever passed the first stage of the test. So, understanding what ziy is was something Xavier had never thought of before.

Asrotth, looking at Xavier's facial expression, immediately knew that he did not know anything about ziy even though he had it, very little and it won't be noticed by ordinary people, but he had it. 'You seem Xavier, ziy or xiy is something no mortal can comprehend its full meaning or understanding. Even if we sat here for centuries, you won't be able to understand what it is, where it's from, and how long it has been in existence, but I'll make a simple explanation.' With a flash, a mini tree-like object appeared beside Xavier, floating in the air. 'You see this tree?' 'Yh?' 'Each leaf on this tree represents a living being, be it human, beast, or other life forms. Let's take one leaf out.' With that statement, a leaf instantly fell off from the tree into his palms. ''This leaf represents humanity back when humanity had no connection to ziy. You see, this leaf looks good now, but as time goes by, it loses its green color and eventually shrivels up and dies.' And with those last words, the leaf in his hands immediately shriveled up, started breaking down until it eventually turned to a dust-like substance, then flew off with the wind. But there was no wind in here, not even air. Come to think of it, I have not needed to breathe in ever since I came here. How am I just realizing that I've been here for almost 2 days now?'

'Hmmmmmm, you finally realized. There's no oxygen in here since the soul has no need of it. And that's one of the many reasons why no mortal has ever been able to step foot into my domain. Well, let's get back to my explanation.' I nodded my head in agreement.

'You see, ziy is life itself. Where there's life, there's ziy, and when ziy is absent, it's hard for life to exist for long. Ziy is a law by which all life must obey. Ziy grants its users what their heart desires. You want power, it gives you what you need to get powerful. You want wealth, it gives you the skills you need to get wealth. The only thing ziy cannot do is grant its users immortality.'

'And what about zhin?' I asked. 'Zhin? What's the need of explaining to you something that you will never attain, not even in a million years?' I'm not sure if he was joking, but one thing was sure: he was never planning on telling me what zhin was in the first place. I decided to let it go.

'Oh right, how do I get out of here?' 'You finally started asking the most important question. For a second there, I thought you had forgotten. Let's get into that.' I nodded in agreement with what he said. If I had any chance of seeing my parents and sisters, I am ready to take it, clenching my fist."