Episode 19: Release

  Mount Kailash: The Viking House Living Room (Simulated Ecosystem)

  Inside the spacious living room of the ancient log-style Viking house, the atmosphere buzzed with an unprecedented energy. Lord Ren had signaled for everyone to gather for a special midday feast at Cris’s family home.

  Astrid, Cris’s mother, took command as the head chef, directing the kitchen with seasoned expertise. She was assisted by a hardworking crew consisting of Yuri and several intelligent service robots. Despite the massive scale of the feast, the cutting-edge Tefa kitchen technology made the process incredibly swift. In no time, a wide array of exquisite dishes was paraded out, filling the long table to capacity.

  The room echoed with lively conversation and bursts of laughter. Everyone sat in a circle, enjoying the meal while exchanging stories ranging from profound academic theories to lighthearted nonsense. Victor played the role of the "joker," firing off quips—some hits, some misses—but keeping a smile on everyone's face throughout the meal.

  This joy wasn't confined to the indoors. Even the Twin Albino Oxen and the Great Serpent had slithered and lumbered over to the front of the house, waiting patiently for a share of the kindness. Since their gargantuan size made it impossible to enter, they settled for lounging outside, blinking happily as they waited for scraps of meat and treats.

  At one corner of the table, Master Tenzin and Ren dined in tranquility. Though they maintained the quiet dignity of ascetics, their eyes radiated a profound kindness, blending seamlessly and comfortably into the festive atmosphere.

  As the meal concluded, everyone was filled to the brim, barely able to move. Some even leaned back, patting their stomachs in pure contentment, soaking in the gentle breeze of the warm simulated ecosystem. At least, for now.

  Confronting the Truth

  “Listen, everyone... both inside and outside this house.”

  Ren’s voice rang out, resonant and commanding, instantly silencing the lingering laughter and chatter. “I have a matter of utmost importance to share regarding why we have gathered here—whether by coincidence or the turning gears of fate. The undeniable truth is... out in the world, there is currently a frantic, relentless hunt for Cris.”

  Every pair of eyes in the room snapped toward Cris, whose face grew pale under the collective gaze.

  “There are both official military forces and mysterious, clandestine groups involved,” Ren continued, his eyes deep and unreadable. “Some of you may have suspected this, while others are still unaware of the full picture. Therefore, today I want the one at the center of it all—Cris—to recount the events himself, so that everyone may understand the gravity of our situation together.”

  Cris, who was already sitting with his head bowed in guilt, felt as if a mountain had been placed upon his shoulders. Waves of anxiety surged through him, nearly shattering his composure. He had never been a brave man who thrived in the spotlight.

  “Bjorn, Liv... go play upstairs for a bit, sweetie,” Astrid whispered hurriedly to her children, wanting to shield them from the terrifying reality.

  “It is fine... let them stay and listen,” Ren interjected softly. “They are part of this family, and they must understand the truth so they can adapt to what is to come.”

  As Cris continued to tremble, unable to find the words to begin, Lars and Astrid moved in close, each embracing their son from either side. That warm, familiar touch served as an anchor, pulling Cris back from the brink of his anxiety.

  “Speak, my son... your father and mother are here to listen,” Lars said with steady conviction. “We believe that you always have a reason for what you do. Tell us everything... and we will find a way to fix it together.”

  Strengthened by his parents’ embrace, Cris took a long, deep breath and wiped away his lingering tears. He summoned his courage and began to recount every detail of the story—from the very first second the chaos erupted to the secret he had hidden within that spirit sphere.

  “This... is the soul of that black man, everyone.”

  Cris slowly unfurled his hand, revealing the spirit within his palm—its glow appeared dull and melancholic. Every eye in the room was fixed upon the object, a collective feeling of profound complexity washing over them.

  “What should I do now... with what I’ve done?” Cris asked, his voice laden with a heavy sense of responsibility. “Even though I managed to covertly transport the actual bodies of our family here while we were still in India, for this man... how can I possibly restore his life? I have absolutely no data regarding who he is.”

  Cris poured his heart out, holding nothing back. In that moment, everyone in the room sensed his pure intentions; not a single soul thought to blame him. Lord Ren remained silent for a beat, his gaze suggesting he harbored knowledge of a hidden truth, yet he chose to remain silent for the time being.

  “If this place has a network connection, I can track him down in the blink of an eye,” Victor blurted out, breaking the silence. “I just need to find clips from witnesses at the scene or dig up old news reports. Once I get a clear look at his face, I guarantee I can rip his entire history out of the shadows.”

  “How can you achieve such a seemingly impossible feat?” Ren asked with genuine interest.

  “With my 'Eyes of God', Lord Ren,” Victor replied with absolute confidence. “I’ve created a specialized backdoor that grants me access to every database on Earth at any time, and the authorities will never be able to trace my footsteps.”

  The children, Bjorn and Liv, moved in closer, their eyes wide with awe as they listened to their brother’s display of prowess.

  Once the plan to gather information was settled, Lord Ren began to recount a brief history of his origins. He spoke of the mysteries surrounding the existence of the Tefa and the other Prom units scattered across various points globally, ensuring everyone understood the weight of the war and the responsibilities that loomed ahead.

  The conversation, a continuous exchange of origins and journeys, flowed steadily until it reached Master Tenzin. He fell silent for a moment, before speaking in a voice that trembled ever so slightly.

  “I truly never imagined...” He swept his gaze across the room, taking in everyone present. “...that this serene Mount Kailash would ever host such a vast gathering of visitors. Within my heart, I am still bound—deeply rooted in the ancient beliefs I have held for countless generations. Perhaps I have grown too ‘old’ for an era that changes with such alarming speed.”

  “You do not need to rush your adaptation, Tenzin,” Ren interjected, his voice as soft and soothing as cool water upon the soul. “Simply keep your heart open... and the understanding of all things will gradually permeate your spirit, little by little.”

  Master Tenzin let out a heavy sigh, as if exhaling his lingering anxieties. He looked down at his hands, folded in his lap, before beginning to recount his story from the very beginning—from the first day he stepped into his role as the guardian of this sacred mountain, and the secrets he had carried in solitude for so very long.

  “I am a lama who has lived a considerably long life... entering my 153rd year this very year,” Master Tenzin began, his eyes reflecting a gaze cast deep into the distant past. “With this new vessel, I will likely endure for much longer. But truth be told, had I not received this body... or had I failed the ritual to forge a new form—as generations of my masters have attempted for over two thousand years—I would have been forced to find a disciple to inherit the guardianship of this place in my stead.”

  Everyone in the room listened in rapt silence. He let out a long sigh before continuing. “For two millennia, my predecessors exerted every ounce of their strength to preserve this sacred sanctuary. Yet, Lord Brahma and this entire realm continued to decay, just as Lord Ren described. I myself knew only the chants and incantations, never grasping their true essence. My masters passed down the legend that two thousand five hundred years ago, the Sage Bringi, who lived for over two millennia, finally ascended. From that moment on, generation after generation of disciples took up the mantle to protect Mount Kailash.”

  “But not a single one could successfully forge a perfect new body since then...” Tenzin spoke with a melancholic undertone. “My predecessors tried to create new vessels just as I have done, but in the end, they all met with failure; not one was ever complete. Until it came to my time, at the age of 153, when I had to start searching for a new successor...”

  Master Tenzin paused, his gaze drifting across the table until it came to rest upon the young man sitting opposite him. “And that person... was you, Cris.”

  Every pair of eyes in the room pivoted toward Cris once more. The silence grew so heavy that even the sound of breathing seemed magnified.

  “Me...? Replace you?” Cris asked, his voice faint and trembling, as if he couldn't grasp the reality of what he had just heard.

  “That is precisely why I permitted you to transport the physical bodies of your family here for safekeeping,” Tenzin replied with unwavering conviction. “Because should any unforeseen tragedy or accident occur in the future... you would have the chance to restore their lives using the power you are destined to inherit.”

  Following Master Tenzin’s words, a weighted silence reclaimed the Viking living room. Everyone was submerged in their own thoughts regarding the monumental burden Cris was expected to carry alone.

  “You have been far too selfish, Tenzin...” a voice interjected, challenging the stillness. “While you weren't even certain if your own new vessel would be a success, you chose to entangle this young man in such a crushing responsibility.”

  Master Tenzin lowered his head slightly before looking up, his gaze accepting the fault. “I must apologize... I never anticipated that matters would escalate to this degree. But the one thing I was—and am—most certain of is this: Cris possesses a soul of extraordinary purity.”

  He paused, looking at his beloved disciple with profound mercy. “From a young boy to a grown man, he has maintained a heart of pristine innocence with astonishing grace. It is a miracle unlike any I have ever encountered. Thus, I believed that a man like him is the only one who can change this place for the better. I once mistakenly thought Lord Shiva would grant him power because of that purity. As for me? Even after a lifetime of asceticism, I know I cannot approach even a fraction of the purity this boy holds.”

  Tenzin offered a smile of immense pride in his student. “And in the end, he truly succeeded... regardless of the means. He brought you here, Lord Ren—exactly as I once saw in my visions during deep meditation. I saw Lord Shiva bestowing great power upon him... but now I understand. The figure I saw in that vision was not who I thought it was.”

  “It was you... Lord Ren.”

  “And what of you... have you ever witnessed Lord Shiva in the flesh?” Ren asked, his voice steady yet radiating an immense power.

  “I have seen only his form, resting in absolute stillness within the Millennium Capsule, My Lord...” Master Tenzinreplied with stark honesty. “Even through the countless generations of my predecessors, none have ever beheld him in his awakened state. We knew only that one day he would return, according to the prophetic visions passed down to us. But I never imagined it would be you, Lord Ren—for your appearance and divine aura bear a striking resemblance to the Lord Shiva I have guarded for so long.”

  The living room fell into a profound silence. Everyone was captivated by the legend that was rapidly manifesting into reality. Even the young ones, Bjorn and Liv, sat still with wide, clear eyes, trying to etch every detail of this wondrous tale into their memories.

  “If that is the case... then ‘Bringi’ is not your actual name, is it?” Ren observed, his gaze piercing into the old lama’s eyes. “Your name is indeed Tenzin—so why is the name ‘Bringi’ inscribed upon that sacred capsule?”

  “That is because... ‘Bringi’ has not been a personal name for a very long time, My Lord,” Tenzin let out a faint sigh before unraveling the mystery. “Instead, it has become a ‘Title’—a designation for those who have dedicated themselves as servants and guardians of the secrets of Mount Kailash, passed down through the millennia.”

  “Four thousand years ago...” Tenzin’s voice grew deep, imbued with an ancient resonance. “There was a young sage named Paringki. He traveled far and wide in search of wisdom and the path to enlightenment. Then, one day, within the absolute stillness of a deep forest, he encountered a man of exquisite beauty—who was, in truth, an avatar of Lord Shiva.”

  Tenzin paused, his eyes drifting as if the scene were unfolding right before him. “At that time, Paringki was practicing rigorous ascetic meditation in seclusion. When the Avatar witnessed his determination, he intended to guide the young sage toward the light. However, Paringki was skeptical... he felt the handsome young man before him appeared too clean, too pristine to be a powerful practitioner of the mystical arts.”

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  “Paringki was arrogant in his own spiritual might. Despite his youth, he had let his hair grow wild and matted, his beard long and unkempt, his body covered in the grime of the ascetic path he so stubbornly believed in. He decided to ‘test’ the handsome stranger, intending to flaunt his own supernatural powers.”

  “He began by conjuring leaves to drift and dance in mid-air. He made massive boulders vanish in the blink of an eye, only to manifest them again moments later—hoping to strike fear and awe into the young man before him.”

  Tenzin offered a faint smile. “But the Avatar of Shiva merely met his display with a smile... Suddenly, His form began to levitate, rising slowly from the earth until Paringki stood paralyzed in shock. Yet, that was only the beginning. With a mere flick of His hand, the winds turned into a raging gale, colossal orbs of fire erupted in brilliant flashes, and torrents of water poured forth from the absolute void! The Avatar gazed down at the young sage and asked a single, simple question: ‘This... can you do this?’”

  The living room remained deathly still. Everyone sat listening, nearly forgetting to breathe. The image of the prideful sage and the omnipotent deity seemed to manifest vividly from Tenzin’s retelling.

  Tenzin continued, his voice trembling with a deep reverence for the legend. “In ? moment, Paringki threw himself at the Avatar’s feet, crying out in profound repentance, ‘I cannot... I am but a fool. Please, show mercy and accept this ignorant man as your disciple, My Lord!’”

  “The Avatar of Shiva looked down upon him and spoke: ‘From the very first glance, you judged me solely by my outward appearance. If you truly wish to be my student, you must sever all prejudice and ego from your heart. Sit here, and hold me—Shiva—unwaveringly in your mind. Remember my name, worship me, until I am satisfied. Only then shall you achieve the enlightenment you desire. You shall possess a semi-divine, immortal body, and you must assist me in guarding this world for ages to come.’”

  “With those final words, the Avatar vanished into the clouds, leaving Paringki alone in the absolute void.”

  As the story reached this point, Ren, who had been listening in silence, allowed a subtle, enigmatic smile to play across his lips.

  “Days turned into years, and years into decades... Paringki refused to budge. He sat in absolute stillness until his body withered, becoming nothing more than skin draped over bone. Even when travelers happened upon him and bowed in worship, he remained motionless. He never spoke, never even opened his eyes. His spirit was fixed solely on his tireless prayer to the Avatar of Shiva.”

  “Whoa... I could never do something like that, Master,” Cris blurted out, a mix of awe and dread washing over him as he imagined himself starving until he was just a skeleton like that.

  Tenzin continued, his voice overflowing with faith. “Until finally, the day of the ultimate trial arrived... On that day, a violent storm raged as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth was tearing asunder. Great trees were uprooted by the gale, and thunderclaps struck incessantly. Yet, Paringki remained motionless, his spirit fixed in meditation amidst the cataclysm.”

  “Suddenly, the exquisite Avatar of Shiva manifested within the heart of the storm. He sent a gentle telepathic resonance directly into Paringki’s soul: ‘It is enough... I accept you as my disciple from this moment forth.’”

  “Paringki recognized that voice instantly; it was etched into his soul, resonating from within. He slowly opened his eyes, attempting to gather his strength to kneel before the Master he had awaited for so long. However, his body, which had sat still for countless years, refused to obey. His muscles had completely atrophied; his physical form at that moment resembled a withered corpse more than a living being.”

  “Seeing this, the Avatar of Shiva radiated His divine mercy, bestowing a surge of sacred energy. The moment the divine aura touched him, Paringki’s skeletal, desiccated body began to flush with life. His dull, darkened skin was restored, becoming radiant and vibrant in the blink of an eye!”

  “Paringki prostrated himself at the Avatar’s feet with boundless joy. He made a solemn vow with an unwavering voice: ‘I swear to remain a devoted servant at the feet of Lord Shiva, and Him alone, for the remainder of my life.’ With that, the Avatar of Shiva guided Paringki toward the summit of Mount Kailash to begin his monumental mission…”

  Everyone in the room remained deathly still, as if under the spell of Tenzin’s narration. He then began to recount the next chapter of the legend.

  “Paringki devoted himself to his studies with unparalleled resolve. Once the Avatar of Shiva saw that his heart was truly faithful and trustworthy, He revealed His true form and graciously guided Paringki to witness various sacred realms. His intent was to mold Paringki into the first human whose spiritual might and capabilities rivaled those of the gods.”

  Tenzin paused briefly before mentioning the turning point. “Lord Shiva introduced him to many other deities, including members of the divine family. However, Paringki displayed a peculiar stubbornness. He refused to bow in respect to anyone—not even Goddess Parvati (Uma), the consort of Lord Shiva. The other gods chose not to take offense, dismissing him as merely an arrogant mortal who had been granted too much favor by the Great God.”

  “Eventually, once Paringki’s mastery of the mystical arts reached its peak and his power was deemed satisfactory, Lord Shiva bestowed upon him a monumental mission. He was tasked with using the Lord’s own avatar to go forth and aid humanity, guiding people toward the path of Dharma instead of the worship of ghosts and demons...”

  “Before his departure, Paringki wished to pay his final respects to his Master according to the highest traditions of a sage. He requested to perform the 'Pradakshina' (Pratakzin)—a most sacred ritual—by circumambulating Lord Shiva’s divine form three times to demonstrate his ultimate loyalty…”

  However, that pride ultimately led to catastrophe. When Goddess Parvati (Uma) witnessed the blatant bias in Paringki’s heart, she grew deeply incensed. It infuriated her that despite mastering the mystical arts under Lord Shiva, he remained tethered to divisive ascetic rituals and dared to ignore her—the very half of the Great God Himself.

  As Paringki began his circumambulation, the Goddess playfully yet sternly shifted her position, pressing close to Lord Shiva until they were nearly one, closing every gap to prevent Paringki from circling only her husband as he desired.

  Instead of reflecting on the message the Goddess intended to convey, Paringki used his cunning to misapply the arts he had learned. He sat in meditation and projected his spirit as a tiny orb of light, darting through the air in an attempt to squeeze through the infinitesimal gap just to circle Lord Shiva!

  That act drove Goddess Parvati to the peak of her fury!

  “Arrogant mortal! Since you desire so much to tear us apart, you shall bear the consequences!”

  The Goddess manifested her divine might, wrenching Paringki’s spirit back into his body instantly. Simultaneously, she stripped away the life force and the elements of perfection that Lord Shiva had once bestowed upon him. Paringki’s body collapsed and withered into a desiccated husk of skin and bone in a mere heartbeat—returning to the same pitiful state he was in when Lord Shiva first found him weathered by the elements.

  Paringki attempted to chant mantras to restore his form, but the Goddess’s power was absolute. His skeletal frame refused to respond to any sorcery. He became a living corpse, immobile and imprisoned within the very frailty his own actions had wrought.

  Lord Shiva gazed down at the trembling form of His beloved disciple with profound compassion before delivering one final, definitive lesson.

  “Paringki... this is the most vital lesson of all,” His voice resonated with a deep, tranquil power. “I am not the sole supreme entity within this universe. I have allies, I have subordinates, I have children, and I have a consort. Every existence surrounding me is a force that nurtures and unifies to drive the progression of the world. Think of me as the 'Body' and Goddess Parvati as the 'Soul.' Should either be absent, existence itself cannot be sustained.”

  Lord Shiva pointed out the painful reality: “Just as you are now... your spirit remains potent, yet your physical form is decayed and incomplete. How, then, can you wield power? No matter if your knowledge reaches the heavens or your mystical arts are unparalleled, they are of no use within a broken vessel such as this.”

  “Readjust your perspective. If you respect me, you must respect everything I am and everyone who stands beside me. Sever the arrogance that leads you to believe you are superior to others, for even I am not alone in this universe. I admire your perseverance, Paringki, but your heart is not yet pure enough. You must refine your spirit until it is pristine; only then will you be worthy of being my disciple once more.”

  As His teaching concluded, Lord Shiva manifested a simple wooden staff and handed it to the young sage, who remained but skin and bone.

  “This staff shall support your frail body, allowing you enough strength to walk. Go now, find a place of peace, and reflect upon your transgressions.”

  Master Tenzin’s narration came to an end…

  “Is it here...? Is this where the sage sat to reflect on his mistakes?” little Liv asked with innocent curiosity.

  “No, my dear child...” Tenzin shook his head slowly. “In the ages past, the gods resided upon the very summit of Mount Kailash above us. While the surrounding peaks were shrouded in pristine white snow and biting cold, this sacred summit remained warm, vibrant, and teeming with diverse flora and fauna—a true heaven on earth. However, for reasons unknown—as my masters never explicitly recorded them—the gods eventually had to descend and establish a secret kingdom, hidden away within these deep caverns instead.”

  Tenzin continued, recounting the fate of the young sage. “As for Paringki, as he sat in ascetic meditation to repent for his errors, his once-turbulent mind began to find stillness. He gradually mastered the mystical arts until his powers returned to him naturally, without needing Lord Shiva to intervene. He abandoned his old ascetic rituals entirely. Yet... deep down, he still harbored a fragment of his former pride. He instructed his disciples through the generations to grant their primary devotion to 'Lord Shiva' above all, while considering other deities of secondary importance. That is why our path as lamas has always seemed somewhat distinct and separate.”

  “Until one day, an event no one could have anticipated occurred...” Tenzin’s voice grew faint. “Suddenly, Lord Shiva announced that the gods had a mission of cosmic importance to attend to. He entrusted Paringki with the sole guardianship of this subterranean kingdom and made a solemn promise... that once that monumental mission was complete, He and the other gods would return to this place once more.”

  “Centuries ebbed and flowed... until Paringki’s physical form began to wither under the relentless march of time,” Master Tenzin continued, his eyes reflecting the ultimate truth of existence. “He used his mystical arts to restore his body countless times, but eventually, the laws of nature began to overrule his sorcery. His frame could no longer withstand the sheer magnitude of the power it held.”

  “In that hour, Paringki recalled the secret teachings the gods had left behind—the method of forging a new vessel through the Prom system, much like the gods themselves had done when they left their original bodies within those sacred capsules. Paringki decided to follow those final instructions. In his second form, everything seemed to proceed perfectly. However, when that lifespan reached its end and it was time to transition into the third vessel... the physical form began to manifest strange, inexplicable imperfections.”

  Tenzin let out a heavy sigh. “He did not know where the error lay. But remembering the teaching: ‘If the body is incomplete, then knowledge and enlightenment can never reach completion,’ he chose to cease creating new vessels for himself. Instead, he began a quest to find a worthy disciple to inherit this monumental mission. Once he found the right successor... he finally allowed his physical existence to fade, passing away in peace.”

  As Master Tenzin’s story concluded, a brief silence hung in the air before everyone in the room nodded, letting out a synchronized “Ah...” as if a long-standing mystery had finally been solved.

  Only Ren remained silent, a faint, knowing smile still playing at the corners of his lips. He appeared to harbor a secret far deeper than the legends told, yet he chose to remain tight-lipped. Soon after, the living room buzzed with energy once more, as everyone began relentlessly questioning the young-looking elder lama about other hidden histories and ancient mysteries.

  ————————————————————————————————————————

  Drapa, who had been soaring at Mach 5, suddenly screeched to a halt in mid-air, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.

  “Ugh... I can’t take it anymore! I can’t breathe, and I’m starving... Where the hell am I anyway?” He grumbled to himself, scanning the expanse below. But at this altitude, coupled with the dense wall of clouds, the terrain was completely obscured.

  He decided to whip out his phone to check his coordinates on the map once more. “Let’s see... WHAT?!”

  Drapa’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the green dot on the screen. “How the hell did I end up in Colombia?! I’m heading in the completely wrong direction! Dammit!” He gnashed his teeth in fury, cursing his own arrogance for flying so aimlessly that he’d ended up crossing continents. “I need to drop altitude and find my bearings!”

  The figure in the black lama robes plummeted toward the earth, piercing through a dark, ominous layer of rain clouds. Unfortunately, the point where he chose to descend was in the grip of a violent monsoon. Wild, chaotic gusts of wind slammed into him, nearly knocking him off balance, while deafening roars of thunder threatened to incinerate anything in their path.

  Drapa had to frantically intensify his bubble barrier to its absolute limit. He knew his own boundaries all too well... no matter how potent his mystical arts were, in this exhausted state, if he were to be struck head-on by a stray lightning bolt, he’d surely end up as a well-done charbroiled lama!

  Despite the critical situation, Drapa’s superior flight skills remained intact. He combined his speed with mystical energy to generate a series of Sonic Booms, radiating outward in all directions to blast through the dense monsoon clouds. The sheer atmospheric pressure was powerful enough to deflect the electrical charges within the storm, sending lightning bolts crashing into the ground kilometers away from his position.

  However, at the very second he was about to break through the storm, the unthinkable occurred!

  A small 20-seater passenger plane emerged from the deadly clouds, flying directly on the same trajectory as him! Instinct took over, and Drapa detonated a burst of Super Sonic energy to dodge the collision in a split second. But... the shockwave generated by accelerating past the speed of sound at such close proximity was as devastating as a massive explosion.

  “BOOM!”

  A thunderous roar, louder than any lightning strike, slammed directly into the aircraft. The atmospheric pressure ripped through the engines, killing them instantly and stripping the plane of all stability. Out of control, the aircraft spiraled downward, plummeting to the earth before erupting into a ball of fire upon impact—tragically claiming the lives of every passenger and crew member on board.

  Drapa remained completely oblivious to the tragedy he had caused. In the adrenaline-fueled panic of his near-miss, he had propelled himself kilometers away within mere heartbeats. He simply continued to glide, carefully navigating through the remaining rain clouds until he finally crossed the storm’s boundary, entering a clear forest zone where the sky opened up, free of rain and shadow.

  Drapa throttled down his speed, drifting softly onto the highest branch of a towering tree. Clad in his black robes, he leaned against the branch, greedily gulping fresh air into his lungs before whipping out his cursed phone to check the map once more, his heart racing with anticipation.

  “Where now... Vereda?” He knit his brows, struggling to pronounce the name of the Colombian rural district appearing on the screen. “Fine... there must be some houses around here. If I keep flying with my stomach this empty, I’ll definitely drop dead and become fertilizer for these trees. Let’s go! Food first, then I’ll figure out the rest!”

  Drapa shoved the phone back into his pocket and straightened his lama attire. He then ignited a burst of energy, surging forward once again. This time, he capped his speed at a steady Mach 1, keeping the sonic booms subtle enough to avoid drawing too much attention. He headed straight toward the faint coordinates of a village flickering on the digital map, hoping to find a quick bite and a temporary shelter before plotting his course back to where he actually belonged.

  ————————————————————————————————————————

  Area 51 Command Center

  “We’ve picked up his signal again, sir! He’s online in Colombia... however, he appears to have touched down in a rural district. It’s unclear what his objective is there,” the technical officer reported the latest target status to General Miller.

  General Miller arched an eyebrow in surprise, before inwardly sneering with satisfaction. ‘That idiot must have gotten lost again... Has the power to hit Mach 5 but can’t navigate worth a damn. What a moron!’

  But his smug satisfaction lasted only a fleeting moment.

  “Sir! We have an urgent flash report coming in!” another officer blurted out, his voice laced with panic. “A passenger aircraft has crashed in Colombia! The crash site is exactly within the coordinates where Lord Drapa was spotted... Reports state that the pilots and all passengers have perished. And most importantly...”

  The officer swallowed hard before continuing. “Many of the passengers on that flight... were high-ranking Colombian politicians, sir!”

  Miller stood frozen, the color draining from his face as the gravity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks.

  —————————————————————————————— Ruth VT-Hin ————