A Hexagonal System
Al and the team boarded the advanced jet provided by the I.P.S(Institute for Practical Science) with Loh' trailing closely behind. As they settled into their seats, Cesar addressed the group, emphasizing the importance of their upcoming task.
"Once we arrive, our first priority is to locate the entrance described in our intel," Cesar explained. "Despite the enemy's inactive portals and the absence of significant movements, we should expect anything."
Cesar's words prompted a nod of agreement from the team. After Cesar said down Loh' addressed the team passionately. "While the war may have momentarily ceased, now is the prime opportunity to unite the forces of the world," Loh' proclaimed.
"With the God Leaves understanding, we can then seek contact with the Dark and Light Acolytes. Once we bring them into our alliance, the Church powers will undoubtedly follow suit. This Earth will have its best chance at survival, considering the first move by the Rakh-ahtan nearly wiped us all out."
Al listened attentively, quietly contemplating the feasibility of an alliance with the Dark and Light Acolytes. Memories of Roman and Raul, both captains of a Mortal Ring, as well as Godfrey, an Immortal, treating those creatures as mindless disasters lingered in his mind. Were they truly capable of intelligent cooperation?
Asoto', gave a short groan and separated himself from the group, clearly affected by some underlying tension.
Agnethe seized the moment to voice her thoughts, her tone firm. "After the last mission, I believe I have proven my worth to the group," she asserted. "Therefore, I propose that Asoto' learns English. His constant groaning and leering needs to stop."
The sudden statement caught everyone off guard, and all eyes turned to Asoto'. He halted in his tracks, pivoting to fix his gaze upon Agnethe, slowly uttering "No" in a deep voice. He stunned not only Agnethe but also everyone else present.
Breaking through the thick clouds, the landscape beneath them gradually came into view. It was a desolate wasteland as far as the eye could see. The land seemed to have crumpled inwards, with one piece of earth overlapping another. Debris-strewn areas were charred, evidence of a sweeping flame that had ravaged the land.
But soon, the scenery transformed. The land turned lush and verdant, painting a picture of fertility and life. However, in the distance, a dry riverbed stood as a reminder of the land's harsh reality.
As the jet descended, it dropped off the seven individuals near a lengthy crevice in the ground, a natural incision that, if water flowed, would create a breathtaking waterfall.
Loh' began explaining the information they received from the I.P.S. "According to the report, there should be an entrance at the bottom of the dried-up crevice," he said. However, before Loh' could finish, Asoto' brushed past him, paying no attention to the rest of the conversation. The rest of the group followed suit, leaving Loh' behind.
"Don't worry, the dumber, the more emotional," Al reassured Loh', but his words were ignored as Loh' joined the others. After a long walk that carried them into the nearing sunset, they finally reached the bottom of the crevice. The once-flowing water had evaporated, still there was no visible entrance in sight.
Al scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of an opening when a familiar voice echoed in his ring, catching his attention. "To your right," the voice directed. Al wasted no time and shouted to the others, "Look to our right!" Although nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first, a falling rock caught their attention. To their surprise, the rock began to expand and undergo a mesmerizing transformation, gradually shaping itself into a Satyr—an imposing figure nearly as tall as Cesar.
"Greetings, gentlemen. My name is Saladin Nennius, I decide who enters the Lightning-stone's 3rd Immortal Ring," the half-man, half-ram creature said in soothing voice.
"I sense faint traces of Will within you five, i'm guessing your unrecognized disciples. However, who are you two?" he inquired, pointing at Asoto' and Loh'.
Cesar stepped forward, preparing to respond, but Loh' interjected. "Senior, my name is Loh' Pohlieus I represent the Institute for Practical Science—a collective of the world's most brilliant minds," Loh' declared. "I would like to speak to your Captain, as well as anyone else in authority."
Asoto' interrupted, struggling to pronounce the words, "To... Tonovia... we are Tonovians." Saladin's gaze shifted towards the two towering, muscular blue men.
"If you seek to establish any kind of alliance with the Lightning-Stone Leaf, your request is not entirely farfetched. Our god has a wide circle of friends and possesses an open mind. You claim to be part of the world's smartest minds, but we do not hold much regard for the world or intellect. If you can answer my questions correctly, I will take you to meet my captain. However, if you fail, I expect all the merits from the phantom seed you have enlisted." Saladin remarked.
The atmosphere grew tense as the weight of Saladin's challenge settled upon the group.
Al and Cesar looked at each other and then at Jin and Ellie and finally Agnethe. "Well we have been staying with the I.P.S. for a while now. Despite almost losing our lives it has been a comfortable stay." said Ellie the rest slowly agreed with Agnethe being the last to agree.
Saladin's smile widened, satisfied with their collective decision. He then posed his question, probing their understanding. "What is the difference between day and night?" Loh' entered a state of deep contemplation, but Cesar leaned in and whispered, "One is characterized by light, while the other is enveloped in darkness."
However, Jin promptly interjected, delving into the esoteric aspects of the question. "No, this inquiry alludes to the profound mysteries of existence. The Day signifies all-being, while the Night represents non-being."
Ellie, eager to contribute her perspective, spoke up, drawing from her mother's wisdom. "Actually, my mother taught me that the Day embodies masculinity, while the night embodies femininity. It symbolizes the harmonious integration of the celestial and earthly realms."
Al and Agnethe remained silent, they agreed with all three interpretations put forth by Jin, Ellie, and Cesar. Meanwhile, Loh' continued to contemplate, searching for the correct answer.
"I do not rely on dreamy ideals or interpretations; I am a man of logic, and my strength lies in observation," Loh' thought as he formulated his response. Finally, he replied, "The day is ruled by the One, while the night is ruled by the many." Saladin's gaze remained fixed on Loh' as he posed another question, "Is it the One that follows the many, or the many that follow the One?"
This time, no one offered suggestions to Loh'. Each member of the team pondered the question, including Loh' himself, who recalled the teachings of his brilliant teacher she was the greatest mind known to Tonovia.
After a moment of contemplation, a thought flashed through his mind, and Loh' responded with conviction, "What is spoken between both is what both follow that is the word made flesh. Both the Many and the One follow the way of life."
Saladin's eyes sparkled with approval. "You may Will, but indeed, you are a knowledgeable individual, Loh' Pohlieus. I will talk to my captain on your behalf." Saladin said.
With that, Saladin led them back to the bottom of the crevice, and this time, he revealed his brown-colored C-stone, which caused an opening to appear, leading into a tunnel. They ventured further into the depths of the unknown.
As they ventured deeper into the 3rd Immortal Ring of the Lightning-Stone Leaf, the team couldn't help but be captivated by the presence of numerous cultivators who possessed humanoid animal forms.
In a similar manner, Loh' and Asoto' drew the attention of those they encountered, their unique blue skin and bulking size made them stand out amidst the diverse crowd. Saladin guided them towards the central hub of the ring, the Task Center, located at the heart of the Immortal Ring.
Soon, they stood before a reptilian figure, towering in size comparable to Loh' and Asoto'. Clad in a regal brown and blue robe adorned with a distinctive emblem, this formidable being wielded an imposing axe. Saladin had engaged in a private conversation with him before summoning Loh' and the rest to join them. The reptilian entity introduced himself as Kuotsou Choutsei, the Captain of the Immortal Ring they had entered.
"I understand your desire to assist, but the God Leaves have devised their own plan to address the Rakh-ahtan predicament," Captain Kuotsou Choutsei stated firmly.
In response, Loh' remained composed and replied, "We do not ask for your strength. The collaboration proposed by the I.P.S. involves the exchange and sharing of knowledge and information that is all."
Loh's words conveyed their genuine intentions and a desire for mutual benefit rather than imposing an agenda. The team patiently awaited Captain Kuotsou Choutsei's response, hopeful that their proposition would be met with understanding and openness.
Asoto' seemed bothered by Loh's response but remained quiet. "Even animals pick up shiny object's, despite your lack of understanding you might have something of value your kind has picked up through the ages." The Immortal lizard said.
He then added "I will give you some discernment so you might know what to bring us. There are six God leaves and 30 Immortals per God Leaf under 1 of 6 Gods making a total of 180 Immortals across the world they make up the 30 Immortal seeds who are in charge of the 30 Immortal rings. Under them are 120 Mortal Seeds made from Registered Disciples per God Leaf between the 6 God leaves they make 720 total Registered Disciples they are in charge of the 120 Mortal Rings. 1,006 positions make up the total of the God Leafs; this is who you are collaborating with."
Al and the rest were left speechless "There's something more to this I just can't see it." Al thought but Loh' spoke up "That's a Hexagonal system, you're mimicking nature, like beehives, turtle shells and the molecular structure of carbon."
The captain Kuotsou Choutsei began laughing and shut Loh' down "It seems you do know something. But what you know you do not understand. We are not mimicking nature; nature is a result of the same law our organizarion is based on. If there isn't a mind sharper than yours among your, we might not be useful to each other after all."
Loh' was not insulted; he felt he had just been given a key for the problem him and Robert had been working on.
Before departing the Immortal captain Kuotsou Choutsei made a revealing statement, his words echoing through the air. "I am aware of your kind as well. Our God's contemporary has encountered a multitude of your young ones, led by a man named Goeh' Tahloew."
Asoto' abruptly rose from his seat, his voice filled with anger as he shouted at Loh', in their Tonovian language. Loh' remained composed and resolute.
"So, Tonovia has fallen after all. Our mission, give to us by our Father of fathers, was in vain," he exclaimed. "You no longer need to accompany me for my protection. You are free to pursue your own path. But I will return with Robert and ensure the complete annihilation of the Rakh-ahtan."
Asoto' locked eyes with Loh', their connection forged in the midst of adversity. "I will go back to my people. Someone must protect what you cannot," he stated in broken English, reaffirming his choice.
Asoto's declaration hung in the air, leaving Al and the team bewildered, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. Loh', unperturbed by the chaos, calmly walked away.
In the midst of their confusion, Loh' addressed the remaining five, his voice clear and composed. "Will the five of you also choose to stay?" he asked. Without hesitation, Al and the rest decided to follow Loh's lead, placing their trust in him, despite the uncertainty that lay ahead.
As they flew back to the I.P.S., Al couldn't shake off his curiosity and sought an explanation from Loh' about the concept of the One and the Many following the Living Word. However, Loh' delved into an extensive discourse, intertwining molecular and biological processes that are triggered by the day and night.
Hours passed, and they arrived at the I.P.S., but Loh' had yet to conclude his explanation. Al and the rest felt overwhelmed by the influx of information, their minds fried hours ago.
Disembarking from the aircraft, they reunited with Robert, providing him with a detailed account of their mission's partial success. Recognizing their efforts, Robert granted them a few days of much-needed rest. However, their respite was short-lived when Cesar summoned the team for an urgent meeting, with Loh' and Robert in attendance.
"We are facing an escalating assault on our Antarctic base, with a growing number of infected creatures, including a Rakh-ahtan warrior," Cesar informed them. "Your team will be deployed to defend the base for 30 days while we initiate extraction protocols to safeguard our valuable data and personnel. As Asoto' played a crucial role in the team's strength, we will be providing you with inhalers to last the entire duration to make up for his loss."
Robert then revealed, "I will be sending reinforcements, familiar faces. We have enhanced our super skins to better support our super soldiers." The team absorbed the briefing, their minds shifting to preparation mode for the imminent mission.
As they left the room and made their way to ready themselves, Robert expressed his confidence in their abilities to Loh'. "Thanks to your change of heart, Loh', the experimentation phase has finally been concluded, and the tests have yielded positive results," he remarked.
Loh' maintained a stoic expression, unwavering in his resolve. "I have no concerns whatsoever," he responded. "Too many lives have been lost in this war. We cannot allow the death of a few to deter us now."