The Invitation

The route was set, our packing was done, the pilot was ready. now all we had to do was take-off. "I'm scared, what if something like that happens again, Robby I kind of don't want to leave this place..."

I comforted Delilah and reassured her that this time they had a seasoned pilot who knows what he's doing, and I reminded her also that it was a constant threat living here, it wasn't long before the news of a rare aircraft only owned by a few people in this world had crashed on a desolate island spreads, and it would eventually reach your father while he is definitely trying to search for his daughter, we need to keep moving and moving, or either settle in a place where Delilah's father couldn't track us down, and the Guru over at Oceanica was our best choice at the moment.

"What do you think happened with Jay, he could have escaped the tribesmen, and already told father...."

I consoled her again, "That is what I'm saying, we need to get out of here quick!"

Delilah obeyed willingly and we took seats at the rear of the aircraft.

"Alright both of you! Sit tight, and fasten those belts of yours, we're ready for take-off!"

**************************

Wake up! Wake up Delilah we are here!

Eventually, snoring stopped and she arose to find a blushful expession on her face, it was different from what she was used to seeing, from an empty and bleak environment with mostly uncivilized people to an extravagant and breathtaking view of a true developed country with an inundating population and buildings that conversed with the clouds. Every nook and cranny of the place had something to look at...to observe....to investigate. Of course, this was a sight to behold not just for Delilah but myself as well, I might have experienced the wonders of See Green City but this contry had even elevated those exotic and captivating featres of See Green and did it to an inordinate scale.

"What to do now? Where do I begin? THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO!", said Delilah with uncontrollable excitement but unfortunately I had to remind her of our purpose here and cease her joy, although, there was one thing I reassured for her,

"After we get done with this and have some time to ourselves, I promise we will both stroll the streets of Oceanica together and explore whatever we can."

This ignited a spark in her heart and removed her expression of gloom. I was a father of two myself, taking care of Delilah was no bother for me, however it wasn't the best for her, for Delilah's future, she's brave and surely will grow up to be stoic and courageous, I'm not one who should be involved in her upbringing, I'm busy with my own purpose, she has her own ideals, I'll have to consult her soon about this, and let her go, so she can achieve her dreams that she wants through someone who's definitely more capable and who will devote their life to her future like a true parent would.

********************

"Alright...this should be the place....I don't seem to see any sign of the Guru's bureau though. According to the business card, this should be the exact coordinates and the exact stop where I can find him, though.....all I can see is a shop for selling 'wigs'.....

*Tring*

Should I solicit my way to him through the store clerks? Wouldn't it be embarrassing and awkward if they have no idea of whom am I trying to find, and why would he be in a 'wigs' shop? I didn't want to awaken my social anxiety by letting that happen so I decided to quietly exit the shop, however, a certain gremlin snatched the business card from me and decided to take the initiative on her own volition by heading towards the counter and slamming it in front of the shopkeeper, who was startled and confused at first but then his words after checking the card surprised me.

"Follow here."

Delilah's approach worked.....I was convinced that this shopkeeper was taking us straight to the Guru's bureau; of course it was hidden, this Guru is a mysterious messiah in the shadows, only.few specific individuals knew of him and his work, this excited me, the help I could be able to attain from this man's Intel and sources for my purpose could be tremendous, I had a long road ahead of me.

The shopkeeper made us follow him to the back of the shop, followed by a odd door made on the ground, which opened showed a staircase that led to an even more odd settlement: a narrow platform followed by another door, protected by a lock this time.

He took out his large set of keys and knew exactly which one to use, this time when opened, the door revealed something more peculiar, 'nothing'.....well.....nothing that could be perceived, as it was all dark and silent; we lost sight of the shopkeeper and before we knew it, the whole room was illuminated flashing our eyes, and there stood, the shopkeeper, right in the middle, glaring at us silently.

"Well, say something, aren't you here to see me."

Delilah's flabbergasted expression said it all, it was not the shopkeeper that was standing before us, it was the Guru.....

"We have much to talk about....Robert Oppenheimer."

*******************

"Why do you work in a wig shop, your supposed to be a hero who has this super big operation, and here you are acting as a shopkeeper selling wigs."

Delilah was quite rude and straightforward with her question, I grunted at her implying to her to behave appropriately against such a personality, but the Guru was surprisingly calm and gave her a satisfactory response.

"I'm not just a hero who serves the world, I'm too, a human, who has his life. And this business is what I chose to do for my ordinary life."

Delilah had nothing to say now, thus began the Guru with his questioning...

"So, would you care to begin?"

I was baffled, I didn't know what he was talking about, so I asked.

"With due respect sir, I can't quite grasp the meaning of what you're trying to ask me, could you elaborate.'

"You know exactly what I'm referring to, perhaps this will enkindle a realization in your mind...'We have something in common.'"

So that was his motive, now that I knew, I began without hesitation.

"About a month ago, the city of See Green was faced with a catastrophic disaster. Plunder and despair succumbed the city, lives were ruined and lost. And there was I, trying to make good out of all the tyranny that enveloped this place, I tried to be the hero-..."

*********************

I dictated my story to the Guru, from me miraculously disappearing from the Radiant facility, to me meeting Audellia and the others, finding out that I have a terminal illness, and then finding out I have an ability caused by radiation myself, then when See Green went through a tough time, I saved my friends from death and was able to achieve success.

The Guru was keen through the whole story, but now it was his turn to speak.

"Hmmmmm, an ability that seems to manipulate time but differently everytime you trigger it; your strong sense of responsibility and strategic genius; kid...you're perfect. Meet me here."

The Guru hands me a similar business card, and all of a sudden all the lights go out startling me and Delilah, they instantaneously turn back on and then the Guru was nowhere to be seen...

"Uhm.....Robert? How are we supposed to get out."

*******************

{The Next Day}

"So you have arrived I see, Robert Oppenheimer....Without further ado, let's begin your training."

In front of me were hundreds of men and women wearing traditional Chinese martial arts attire and Gis, bowing down behind the Guru, who himself was standing before me and Delilah with his hanging white moustache that reached to his neck, while wearing a dashing traditional Chinese red 'Qipao' , with his unusual orange hairstyle that did not suit him, commanding me to 'train'.