Chapter 2: The Theory Vs. The Theorists

**Day 22 since the start of the black fog's invasion** 

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Ellington sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "We've always prided ourselves on scientific rigor and technological superiority. Now we're considering this damn sorcery?" murmured to herself. 

It seems she can't speak out of the line anymore as this can lead to her dismissal as a representative of England. After the dissolution of the United Kingdom, Wales, Norther Ireland, and Scotland was absorb by England. She must show excellence in this council so that her country can be place with utmost importance. 

Dr. Wilson, who was sincerely scared out of his wits, spoke up. "Everyone, these aren't just tales of epics and conquest of wizards and spells, I am currently near the border of the black fog here in the Atlantic Ocean to test the powers of this rune and the chanting scroll, and to prove everyone that this isn't just a mere gimmick, but a real power we need to consider beckoning with." 

"Be careful Dr. Wil" Elder Xing commented. 

"Thank you Elder, as you can see in the border there are 5 altars station in 5 directions. The West, East, North, South, and the Central. The runes are place atop the surface of it and will light up if the ritual is successful, the runes of the ancient times use nature's energy to work so we don't have to worry about that. Usually this is done by 25 people, but only 10 people volunteer so this may take some time, so please bear with us, since we will now start the demonstration... 

"Algiz, Sowilo, Eihwaz tryggva oss frá þoka."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, veita okkr vörð."

"Algiz, Sowilo, Eihwaz ljós oss leiða."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, bjarga okkr í nátt."

"Lög runa, vernda okkr."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, friðr okkr gefa."

"Runar forn, styrk gefa."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, einingu okkr veita."

"Ljóss ok styrkr, hreinn ok sterk."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, vörn okkr sé."

"Með runar krafti, standa vit."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, land þetta varða."

"Runar máttur, gef oss skjöld."

"ᛉᛋᛇ, vernda okkr, veita frið."

Suddenly, the runes they had inscribed began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. It started as a faint glimmer, gradually intensifying until each rune was shining brightly, casting a protective glow around the altars. 

At the same time, the black fog, which had been inching ever closer, appeared to hesitate. As the radiant energy expanded outward from the runes, the fog's advance slowed, its inky tendrils recoiling from the light. The malevolent force seemed to waver, as if uncertain of how to penetrate this newfound barrier.

"Look!" Dr. Wilson exclaimed, his eyes wide with a mixture of relief and amazement. "It's working!"

"The runes... they're holding it back."

"It's incredible."

The people in the meeting room became excited with the new discovery, while some find it fascinating and captivating to look at. 

Dr. Wilson, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and relief, turned to his team. "We did it. The ritual was a success."

"Congratulations, and job well done Dr. Wilson, expect your salary raise within this month after you return safely." Commander John spoke. 

"If we can harness this power, we might be able to protect more areas from the black fog."

"I never thought I'd see something like this. The ancient civilizations really knew what they were doing."

"This might be just the symbol of a beginning. We have the means to fight back now!!!" 

As sound of cheers and triumphant of a little success over it, a Japanese representative suddenly ask Commander John a question. 

"Commander, how come we just know this right now? If it's part of our history in ancient civilizations..., why didn't we discover it earlier than before? We could have —

"Because no one, no one ever bothered learning it properly, Mitsunaga-san. Even some of the most excellent Archaeologists out there is blinded by money, tsk. And some of the knowledge were buried in history or was sealed by outer forces." Commander John replied. 

**Day 23 since the start of the black fog's invasion** 

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The United World Council decided to take this new profound discovery to an international scale. They want to hold a press conference with all the leading media around the word. Letting all of the more than 7 billion people in Earth know what's happening. 

Location: United World Council Headquarters, New York City

Date: June 26, 2024 

Event: International Press Conference on the Discovery of Runic Protection Against the Black Fog

PARTICIPANTS:

Commander John: Head of the United World Council

Dr. Wilson: Lead Scientist on the Runic Discovery

Elder Xing: Representative of Eastern Nations

Ambassador Rodriguez: Representative of Latin American Nations

Professor Adebayo: African Union Representative

Minister Patel: Representative of South Asian Nations

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES:

Rachel Anderson: BBC

Kenji Nakamura: NHK

Maria Lopez: CNN

Amina El-Sayed: Al Jazeera

Francois Dupont: Le Monde

Wang Li: Xinhua News

Commander John: [Steps up to the podium, adjusting his microphone] "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us on such short notice. Today, we gather to discuss a groundbreaking discovery that has the potential to change the course of our battle against the black fog that has been threatening our world."

Dr. Wilson: [Nods and steps forward] "Indeed. My team and I have recently returned from Antarctica, where we conducted experiments with ancient runic symbols. To our astonishment, these runes have demonstrated the ability to repel the black fog."

Rachel Anderson (BBC): "Dr. Wilson, can you explain how these runes work and what their origins are?"

Dr. Wilson: "Certainly. The runes we tested are derived from a combination of ancient Aztec and Mayan symbols. Through extensive research and decoding of historical texts, we discovered that these symbols can channel ambient energy into a protective barrier."

Kenji Nakamura (NHK): "How did you come to find these runes, and what was the initial reaction of your team when they worked?"

Dr. Wilson: "The discovery was part of an ongoing archaeological project. When we first saw the runes light up and repel the fog, the team was ecstatic. It was like witnessing a miracle from ancient times come to life."

Maria Lopez (CNN): "Commander John, could you give us more information about the black fog itself? Where did it come from, and what do we know about it?"

Commander John: "The black fog first appeared a few years ago and has since been spreading across various parts of the world. It is a malevolent force that affects both the environment and human beings, causing madness, terror, and irreversible changes. Our scientists are still studying its origins, but it seems to have a supernatural component that defies conventional understanding."

Amina El-Sayed (Al Jazeera): "How has the black fog affected global populations, and what measures have been taken to mitigate its impact before this discovery?"

Elder Xing: [Bows slightly before speaking] "The black fog has caused widespread fear and displacement. Entire regions have been evacuated, and many have fallen victim to its effects. Governments have been working together to provide aid and establish safe zones, but the fog's relentless advance has made these efforts challenging."

Francois Dupont (Le Monde): "Ambassador Rodriguez, how are Latin American countries responding to this discovery?"

Ambassador Rodriguez: "The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are mobilizing our best scientists and resources to assist in the global effort. This discovery gives us hope and a tangible means to protect our people."

Wang Li (Xinhua News): "Professor Adebayo, can you speak to the significance of this discovery for Africa?"

Professor Adebayo: "In Africa, we have a deep respect for ancient knowledge. This discovery validates the wisdom of our ancestors. We are eager to collaborate and implement these runic protections in our regions."

Rachel Anderson (BBC): "Commander John, what steps are being taken to disseminate this knowledge and implement it on a global scale?"

Commander John: "We have already begun coordinating with international scientific communities and governments. Training programs and resource allocations are being fast-tracked. We aim to establish protected zones using the runes in the most affected areas first."

Kenji Nakamura (NHK): "Dr. Wilson, can you share an example of a runic chant and how it was used in your experiments?"

Dr. Wilson: "Certainly. Here is an example of a chant we used:"

Dr. Wilson recites the chant in runic language, his voice steady and rhythmic. The audience listens intently, captivated by the ancient words.

"During our ritual, this chant activated the runes, creating a protective barrier that the black fog could not penetrate."

Amina El-Sayed (Al Jazeera): "Ambassador Rodriguez, how are Latin American countries responding to this discovery?"

Ambassador Rodriguez: "The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are mobilizing our best scientists and resources to assist in the global effort. This discovery gives us hope and a tangible means to protect our people."

Francois Dupont (Le Monde): "Professor Adebayo, can you speak to the significance of this discovery for Africa?"

Professor Adebayo: "In Africa, we have a deep respect for ancient knowledge. This discovery validates the wisdom of our ancestors. We are eager to collaborate and implement these runic protections in our regions."

Wang Li (Xinhua News): "Minister Patel, what are the plans for South Asia?"

Minister Patel: "South Asia is fully committed to this initiative. We are leveraging our scientific expertise and cultural heritage to contribute to the global effort. Our focus is on rapid implementation and sharing our findings with the world."

Kenji Nakamura (NHK): "Dr. Wilson, can you share an example of a runic chant and how it was used in your experiments?"

Dr. Wilson: "Certainly. Here is an example of a chant we used:"

Dr. Wilson recites the chant in runic language, his voice steady and rhythmic. The audience listens intently, captivated by the ancient words.

"During our ritual, this chant activated the runes, creating a protective barrier that the black fog could not penetrate."

Rachel Anderson (BBC): "What are the next steps for your team, Dr. Wilson?"

Dr. Wilson: "We are continuing our research to refine the runic applications and expand our understanding. Collaboration with global experts will be key to our success."

Commander John: "I want to emphasize that this is a united effort. We must all work together to harness this ancient knowledge and protect our world. Thank you for your attention. We will now take a few more questions."

Maria Lopez (CNN): "How soon can we expect to see these protections implemented on a large scale?"

Commander John: "Our goal is to have initial protections in place within the next few months, focusing on the most vulnerable areas first."

Amina El-Sayed (Al Jazeera): "What measures are being taken to ensure the equitable distribution of this knowledge and technology?"

Commander John: "We are working with the United Nations and various international organizations to ensure that all countries, regardless of their economic status, have access to this life-saving knowledge."

Francois Dupont (Le Monde): "Are there any potential risks or side effects associated with the use of these runes?"

Dr. Wilson: "So far, our experiments have not indicated any adverse effects. However, continuous monitoring and research will be essential to ensure safety."

Wang Li (Xinhua News): "Will there be training programs for local scientists and researchers to understand and implement these runes?"

Elder Xing: "Yes, training programs are already being developed. We will be hosting international workshops and providing resources to educate scientists and researchers globally."

Commander John: "Thank you all for your questions and your participation in this historic moment. Together, we will overcome this challenge and protect our future."

The press conference concludes, leaving the world with a renewed sense of hope and determination.

Next Chapter: The Orphanage Chronicles