Chapitre 63: The Completed Course
The time slowly passed. After completing the first section, we moved on to the second, then third and forth. The whole course took us a bit over two months, mostly due to the modifications and additions we came up with. The only thing remaining was to test the whole course, instead of individual sections. Once everything was checked and working properly, we could do a live test.
"This is a great moment guys. We worked on this course for about two months. Now, it's time to finally witness the fruits of our labour. Sam, grab Woody and place it on the starting slide", I said. The puppet received that name, because it was essential to our work and acted a bit like a member of our team. Since the puppet was created from log, I came up with the name Woody. Without that puppet, we wouldn't be able to make that course, or at least make it safe for others to use. Hence, Woody deserved that name.
Sam placed Woody at the top of the slide, then Ilina activated the Formations. Woody made down the slide and into the first wind stream. The stream blasted it to the second then third stream, before Wood could make it over the obstacle wall. That part of the first section was tested many times, hence we knew it worked flawlessly. The next part wasn't a surprise either.
Wood zigzagged past the pillars without touching any of them. The pit had a wind cushion Formation just in case, but we didn't need it really. The first section got a name too. Once we were done with it, we decided to name each section after its completion. The first section got the name Wall Jump Section, since that was pretty much what happened. The people would be flung over the wall or between them. A perfect name for a fun first section.
The second section received the name Wind Rider Section. The first part of that section contained four twister Formations. These twisters alternated between rising up, and calming back down. The twisters were active at all times, they simply worked a bit differently than usual twisters. We made sure they were safe, but also propelled the people or Woody forwards.
Moreover, we decided to place some horizontal obstacles this time. Instead of using walls everywhere, we opted for earth arches. Ama gave us that idea, since well constructed arches were really strong. Additionally, more pits were created, but this time with earth spikes in them. Of course those were only for show, since we didn't want anyone to get hurt. Above the spikes, a cushion of wind was ever present to prevent injuries. With that, we had our first part of the second section.
Wood easily made it past the twisters, since we spent a lot of time adjusting and correcting everything. The second part of the section was probably the most difficult part of the whole course. Mainly because it was a long and winding earth tube, supported above the ground no less. Creating an earth tube was a difficult process in itself. Creating one in the air seemed impossible. Though, we achieved the impossible. Thanks to Ama's knowledge and our hard work, we were able to make sufficient supports and large enough tube.
Even Formation placement was tricky inside the tube. We had to make sure that the stream of wind could push the people all the way through. Woody entered the tube without any issues, but we had no way of knowing how well it behaved inside. Though we checked for any damages before the full course test, we still didn't know for sure.
Once Woody emerged at the other end, the puppet got shot into the air not towards the ground. That was on purpose, since the third section had little to do with ground. Liby and Ilina came up with the name Air Hike Section, and we all liked it.
The section was indeed special, and probably second hardest to build. All the Formations were in the air really. Or rather on the wall supported in air. Moreover, we had to use the same techniques we learned from tube making. The pillars had to be very tall, and support walls with Formations. To make them stronger, Ama supplied us with rocks. Muddy earth mixed with rocks and baked. The final result allowed us to create such tall pillars, supports and walls. There were eight Formations in the air. Each Formation shot Woody from left to right, but also higher and higher.
The Air Section wasn't that long, but very thrilling nonetheless. The eight Formation blasted Woody towards the fourth and last section. Of course, the last section was on the ground, or rather underground. We made a few deep tunnels in the ground, a bit like the tube in the second section, but three of them separate. The difficulty wasn't as high as with the Air Hike or Wind Rider Sections. The tunnels didn't require any supports, since they were under the ground. We only did the pottery treatment as usual, hence making that section relatively easy to complete.
The best part of that section weren't the tunnels themselves. The best were the jumps between those tunnels. Due to their arch like design, both ends were at the surface, but the middle was deep under the ground. That allowed us to have three separate tunnels, and make people jump from one to the other with nothing but wind.
Woody flew straight into the first tunnel at incredible speed, then was shot out at the other end. This repeated two more times, until Woody made it to the finish line or rather a wind cushion. That was the whole course, we did it, we actually made a complete and in working order course. Something that others will be able to enjoy for years to come.
"YEA. WE DID IT. WE ACTUALLY DID IT", Sam screamed like mad. "Hehe, this was hard… Really hard. I'm glad we were able to take part in this project though. Just imagine the amount of people who will use our course! We will be famous!", Felix exclaimed as well. "Calm down you guys. Yea, it's great, but we need a few more tests. Then we need someone to test it for real. It's not over yet", Hilan tried to calm them down, though his voice was excited too. "You guys deserve to celebrate. We did it after all, we made a complete course and tested it to be working. This is exciting, but let's not get carried away. Hilan is right, we have to test it a few more times", I added.
No matter what though, we accomplished something meaningful. That was something to be proud about. We tested the course ten more times. Woody made it to the end on each and every try. After each try, the course and puppet were checked for any damage just to make sure. "Well, ten tests should be sufficient. We found nothing wrong. Everything works perfectly well, therefore it's time for a live test. I'll be going then", I announced.
"Whoa, wait a minute. One of us should go. If something goes wrong…", Sam tried to object, but I stopped him. "Don't worry so much. I'm the one who kind of invented this idea. Or rather, I'm the one responsible for this project. That means, the live test is my responsibility. I'll be fine, we tested it many times and made sure everything works".
They were reluctant to let me do it, but I sat on the slide anyway and told them to activate the Formation. "Watch carefully, you guys are next. Do it Liby!", I exclaimed before Liby activated the course. "Swoosh!", the wind pushed my body down the slide then into the air. "WAAA...HAAA...HAA", an excited laugh escaped my mouth, as the wind Formations battered my body left and right. The wind wasn't painful, though people would feel the pressure of wind pushing them.
"WOAH… WHOAH…", the twisters of the second section, were also fun to ride. Though the main event was coming up quick, the earth tube. The last Formation of the twister part pushed me inside the tube, where wind currents did their jobs. "AA...HH...AAA...HAAA", my voice reverberated inside the tube, as my body spun around in the current.
"Swoosh!", the ride inside the tube was over, it was time for the Air Hike Section. I got shot into the air, higher and higher. That was until I made it to the last Formation in that section. "Swoosh… WAAAA", my body got shot downward, towards the first tunnel in the fourth section. "Vooom!", the sound of my body entering the tunnel was really something else. The tunnel itself was dark, and you couldn't see anything. Only the feeling of flying inside it remained. "Vooom!" my body shot out of the tunnel and straight into the second one. After the third tunnel, the wind cushion caught me. Allowing my body to descend slowly, until my body floated a bit over the ground.
"THIS IS THE BEST", I exclaimed. Others quickly made their way towards me, to shower me with questions. "Guys, guys! Slow down. Try it out for yourselves, it's really great. You don't have to do anything at all. Although a bit scary, just go with the flow. Don't try to resist it", I replied to all their questions. Experience was better than words, hence there was no point in answering their questions.
They glanced at each other for a while, then rushed towards the slide. "I'm first!", "Shut up, I'm going first!", "No, you guys are too slow. I will be first!", they shouted at each other while racing towards the slide. 'Hehe, we did it. We did something really great!', I thought.
After everyone had a try, Sam left to fetch Ama. We had to tell her our work was done, and the course could be finally opened. "We finished our course, but take a look at the Sedon's Grand Stage", I said while taking a look myself. The walls were already finished, and they even added four towers at each corner, just like Sedon's walls. They finished the roof as well, all they had to do was the interior. The Grand Stage looked really big, and similar in design to Sedon… At least from outside. 'It's like they created a small city next to a big one… Either way, the performances here will be something else. Ama really is a master craftsman', I thought.
Sam and Ama joined us shortly. Everyone was excited about the course, and showered Ama with all sorts of details. "Damn guys, you did an excellent job. To think you are barely adults… We old people should probably hide under a rock or something. Since you already tested it yourselves, this course can open, right?", she praised before asking. "Yes, but before that... Why don't you give it a try?", I replied. "Oh… I'm a bit too old for such things, Anna. Perhaps another tim… Hey, hey!", I grabbed her before she could finish. "That won't do. You helped me make the plan, so you have to give it a try. No ifs or buts".
"Just sit here, and do nothing. The Formations will do everything for you, alright?", I added. "I'm not sure about tha… Swoosh! AAAA….HHHH", I activated the Formation before she could finish. "Have fun!", I added with a shout. Ama got battered through the course, her screams never ceased either. Even after landing on the wind cushion, her screams didn't cease. "It's over! You can stop screaming", I tried to wake her up. "...Ha… Haa... I… I tried, so no more…", she replied. We all chuckled, then helped out.
"It's safe, all of us tested it. Besides, there are some safety Formations in certain areas. Just in case", I said. Ama had to catch her breath before replying, "That's great to hear. Well, you guys made one hell of a course. We can get loads of profits from this". "..You want to sell the rides?", I asked, confused. "Of course, we need to make money. That is why we provided you with a team, and whatever else you needed", she replied. "That wasn't my intention though. I wanted to build this for Drak and other kids. I don't want to charge them for a bit of fun", I replied. "We have to charge, since we spent money on this. That's just how it works", she replied.
I was having none of that. This course was mine, not Sedon's. I built it for the kids, not for the city to make money off of people. "I will not agree to that. I don't want your money either. This attraction will stay free. The money you spent to hire them, I will pay them back myself. No one will charge for this attraction, or I will make sure there is no attraction", my voice sounded full of anger towards the end. "Calm down... alright? There's no need to be this angry. We can talk", Ama said while taking a step back.
I tried to calm myself down, but the thought of my work being used like that didn't make it better. That's when I recalled Serelis still in my bag. Mother made me carry a bottle or two just in case. "Haah…", a sigh escaped my mouth after drinking it. "...I have things to take care of, if you'd excuse me", I added. 'My emotions tried to take over me once more… I need to watch out for that'. What Ama said really angered me. What gave them the right to charge for something we did. The attraction would make the Grand Stage even more unique, and they worried about a bit of money? I was really disappointed they thought that way.
"Hey, Anna. You're early today, have you finished your course already?", aunt Lira asked. "Yes, the course is completed and tested", I replied. Drak came running from his room, "I heard it's done! Can we go then? I want to have a go!". "That's why we created it, right? Aunt, are you going with us?", I asked. "Alright, I'll go with you. Drak, go dress yourself", she replied. "Mom, I'm already dressed", he said, confused. "Just go change your clothes for a while, alright?", she asked him again. "Alright, mom", Drak agreed.
"What's wrong?", aunt asked. "Nothing's wrong, what do you mean?", I tried feigning ignorance. "Something's wrong. What is bothering you so much?", she asked again. I sighed, then described the situation to her. "Hahaha, Ama is probably sh… oops language. She's probably scared right now. You are a princess of the North, in a way your words have loads of power. Don't worry child, you will not pay for anything. You will also get your money, as will the Lizards who helped you. Ama has little say in this, though she always thinks about profits. This was just a misunderstanding, don't hate Ama for that. She probably didn't know you wanted to build that course for kids. I'm sure you also thought of some silly amount as a reward, right?", aunt explained.
"Well, how much could I get anyway. A few Black Hals perhaps? Anyway, I now realise she probably didn't know my intentions… I never actually told her that...Besides, I got angry and that's not a good thing", I replied. "Yes, that father of yours should be taking care of that already, but alas. Anyway, the few Black Hals you mentioned are completely off. You will get a few hundred of them", aunt said. "A few hundred?...", I asked, shocked. "Yes, did you think such work was cheap? That's still considered little, but anyway", she replied. "I don't want that much. Just give me a few Black Hals, and let kids play on it for free. I didn't do it for money. I just told Dawn about a compensation, since she kind of gave me no choice but to do it", I replied.
"Haha, no wonder she was shocked, when we told her about the scale of your project… She was probably thinking that it would be up to her, to cover the costs… Hmm, no wonder she suddenly started working so much. Still, you are so unlike your mother, when it comes to money. Actually, you are more like your father when it comes to that. Alright, we will pay the Grey Lizards a bit more, and the rest will be used for some other causes. Are you okay with that?", she asked. "Yes, that would be the best. I should probably apologise to Ama, I kind of scared her too", I said. "Yea, clear it up with her. She might really try to escape the city in fear", aunt replied with a chuckle. A while later, Drak returned with a change of clothes. "Can we go now!?", he asked a bit annoyed. "Yes, let's go", aunt replied.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
DarkRay
DarkRay Wow, 2800 words. I think this one is the longest chapter so far.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
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Power Stone 
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