America, Here I Come

In the grand chambers of various nations' assemblies, representatives from across the globe were fixated on the live video feed.

 A heavy silence permeated the room.

 "Can we still attempt dialogue?" the British delegate dared to ask, shattering the silence.

 Dialogue?

 How could they converse under such circumstances?

 Unease painted the faces of representatives from every corner of the world.

 The display of power by the colossal entity was nothing short of catastrophic.

 What kind of environment could breed such a terrifying giant?

 Did they have their own civilization?

 If so, where did it originate, and why was only one giant sent?

 If direct observation of the other party was once impossible in the depths of outer space, it was now feasible.

 The topic hung in the air, unspoken.

 Surveying the room, the American representative, as the envoy of the "foremost nation in the world," felt compelled to speak.

 "This Extraterrestrial Being is a formidable force. It can withstand bullets and missiles, possesses boundless strength, and can tear the very earth asunder."

 "We witnessed vulnerabilities during the skirmish. It lacks long-range attacks and can only withstand hits from a distance!"

 "We may have overestimated the Extraterrestrial Being's strength."

 "If we surpass a certain threshold of attacks, we can inflict harm upon it!"

 Previously, the American representative had harbored the most fear towards the Extraterrestrial Being. Yet now, strangely, he seemed the least perturbed.

 Ignorance of the Extraterrestrial Being's capabilities had fueled his apprehension.

 Undoubtedly formidable, yet the Extraterrestrial Being seemed less threatening than assumed!

 The absence of long-range attacks was a significant vulnerability. After all, it remained a living entity!

 "The unknown is what truly frightens you!"

 "A nuclear bomb could obliterate it. It seems to lack long-range attacks. It cannot deploy nuclear weapons in populated areas."

 The American representative clasped his hands, his voice solemn, "If it comes to the United States, we will use our national might to eliminate it."

 "If conventional arms fail, we will resort to nuclear arms!"

 ...

 Meanwhile, Lithos descended gracefully from the heavens onto the mirror-like surface of the ocean, surrounded by bowing marine denizens.

 Countless marine denizens emerged, bowing low in reverence, as if acknowledging a deity.

In certain respects, these primitive creatures, existing in a realm of survival of the fittest, understood reverence better than humans.

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, countless civilizations flourished.

Humanity appeared insignificantly minute.

Lithos sensed the presence of the sapling within him. Consuming it entirely would require some time for the energy core to assimilate.

"Hmm?"

"Could there be something else within this sapling?"

Unnoticed before, upon closer inspection, Lithos discovered treasures nestled within the sapling! It seemed to be some form of enigmatic blood, exuding an ancient and weathered aura, as if it had traversed the eons.

What could this be? Wasn't it a treasure born from Earth itself? Could it be nurtured by the blood of an even more ancient being, fostering the energy core?

...

As dawn broke the next day, countless media outlets and networks worldwide erupted into frenzy!

On the internet, chaos ensued!

Countless individuals, newly awakened, found themselves unable to remain composed as they beheld the prominently displayed crimson alerts on their phone screens!

"Major event, major event!"

"At dawn, Japan time, the Extraterrestrial Being descended upon Mount Fuji, unearthing a substantial Japanese research facility from the earth!"

"Is that the meteorite that landed in the Himalayas?"

"Yes, indeed! It's not a meteorite; it appears to be an Extraterrestrial Being. Shall we venture forth together to witness it?"

"A behemoth, laying waste to half of Mount Fuji!"

"Ha, truly exhilarating... Oh, no! This is too tragic. How could this be? We're supposed to be allies with Japan!" exclaimed some netizens, righteous in their indignation.

Many others were seized by panic and disbelief, trembling as they sensed an impending cataclysm.

"That meteorite turned out to be an extraterrestrial. My word! Does it come in peace?"

"Could it be... an invasion by the Extraterrestrial Being?"

"No one knows for sure, but what we do know is that the Extraterrestrial Being is incredibly powerful!"

Soon, the forums were ablaze with diverse voices.

The phrase "Extraterrestrial Being" surged to the top of global trending lists at an unprecedented pace.

Normally, the excavation of a research facility from beneath the earth would be a momentous event, yet now, no one paid it any heed!

All were captivated by the Extraterrestrial Being, by Lithos!

To some, it brought elation; to others, confusion; to still others, indifference.

But most were consumed by fear.

Fear of the Extraterrestrial Being, fear of the unknown!

Especially after witnessing the footage, this fear multiplied a thousandfold, leaving them deeply shaken!

"Whence does this extraterrestrial life originate? It is truly terrifying!

...

Meanwhile, Lithos had returned to the Himalayas, unnoticed by all.

With a radiant aura, Lithos prostrated himself atop the snow-capped peak, inhaling deeply before slowly opening his eyes.

Two beams akin to lightning shot forth from his eyes, cleaving the soil as they struck the earth.

"This truly is a potent energy core left behind by an ancient and illustrious civilization," Lithos mused.

The verdant sapling had been entirely consumed. Lithos had regained his peak strength in full!

Within the tree lay ancient blood imbued with power, which Lithos opted not to utilize.

Direct consumption would be too wasteful. Lithos intended to combine it with other artifacts to create something even more formidable.

He remembered one of his few good friends --- Aurelius, an ancient god skilled in alchemy.

"This game grows ever more perilous, yet ever more enthralling!"

...

Just two days after the events at Mount Fuji, another wave of turmoil swept across the globe.

"Major event, major event! The Extraterrestrial Being has appeared in the Alps today!"

"Switzerland, Italy, France—three nations attempted to communicate with it, but to no avail. They dispatched their armies in an attempt to subdue it!"

"Yet, there were heavy casualties, and the Extraterrestrial Being departed unperturbed!"

"The Extraterrestrial Being has departed from the Alps and... made its way to the Dead Sea!"

"Some nations attempted negotiations, to no avail!"

"All military endeavors failed, with all attacks proving futile!"

"My word! Who can contend with this Extraterrestrial Being? Must we truly resort to nuclear weapons?"

"And now, it has gone to Siberia in Russia!"

...

In just a few days, Lithos had traversed the entire globe.

He had ignited a firestorm in the global media!

And every nation had gone berserk!

Global panic!

If, previously, at Mount Fuji, some had remained unaffected, even feeling a twinge of schadenfreude...

Now, they were utterly panicked!

With flames and light emanating from his form, Lithos appeared like a creature from myth, instilling fear in all who beheld him!

Without a direct confrontation, one could never truly comprehend that fear. Now, nearly everyone on the planet speculated, entirely unaware of Lithos's intentions, his purpose!

...

Upon the vast ocean, myriad marine creatures bowed in homage.

Lithos strode across the surface, having encircled the globe, now making his way toward the Rocky Mountains in the United States.

Time was running short, and Lithos keenly sensed the energy fluctuations ahead, far greater than those at Mount Fuji!

"Let's take a stroll around the Rockies first. Once I'm out, the game will likely begin."

"All the pieces are in position."

Lithos gazed skyward, his vision seemingly piercing through the clouds, reaching deep into the cosmos.

"We need only await their arrival."

...

Meanwhile.

Unaware of Lithos's approach to the Rockies, the President of the United States prepared for a press conference with the Secretary of Defense.

Countless people awaited this conference with bated breath.

The reason was simple.

In just a few days, Lithos had traveled the globe, causing panic in numerous countries, yet he had not set foot in the United States!

Many speculated that perhaps the Extraterrestrial Being had sensed something, exhibiting caution towards the United States!

Many experts believed that the reason extraterrestrial life had not entered the United States was due to fear—fear of America's power!

But in reality, Lithos simply intended to leave the Rockies for last...

The Americans were unaware of this, believing instead that Lithos possessed some sort of precognition, foreseeing a potential threat to America.

The press conference commenced amidst great anticipation.

The President of the United States took the stage solemnly, his expression grave.

"The arrival of the Extraterrestrial Being has plunged the world into peril. The entire globe is gripped by fear. It's wreathed in flames, colossal in size, and impervious to conventional weapons... But let us not forget, the Extraterrestrial Being is also a life form, just like us!"

"As long as we stand united globally, no matter how formidable it may be, it cannot withstand our collective might!"

The President spoke with resolve, his tone unwavering, akin to a warrior poised for battle. The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn, and all eyes were fixed on him, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"Therefore, the United States has decided to temporarily lift the ban on nuclear weapons. This is humanity's sharpest weapon, long shrouded but now unsheathed!"

"Whatever the consequences, the United States will bear the responsibility!"

"The Extraterrestrial Being will ultimately be... vanquished by humanity's hands alone!"

As the President's words reverberated, a gasp swept through the crowd.

Undeterred, the President adjusted his collar, maintaining his composure, exuding an aura of reliability.

"After analysis by American experts, the Extraterrestrial Being is expected to appear on the West Coast of the United States the day after tomorrow, attempting to breach our borders."

"We've already laid a trap."

"All American aircraft carriers, all nuclear weapons... are aimed and ready."

"Countless elite American soldiers stand prepared, the bravest warriors. We are fully equipped."

"We await only... the moment the Extraterrestrial Being appears!"

"Victory belongs to humanity."

...

Simultaneously.

In the depths of the Pacific Ocean off the West Coast of the United States, countless marine creatures suddenly stirred, turning their bodies in one direction.

On the distant horizon, a golden giant, emanating flames and light.

Slowly, it emerged!

Lithos raised his head, gazing into the distance at the distant continent, exhaling softly.

"America, here I come."