Chapter 3: Prologue (3)

Suddenly, the most bizarre thing happened when he was about to exit the building. A military light utility vehicle rammed straight through the entrance. Jeremy managed to dodge in time, but pieces of shards from the broken glass flew towards his face.

His right cheek was grazed while there were several marks on his left arm. His whole body was shaking from shock due to the unexpected action from the vehicle.

A few seconds later, he slowly gets back up to see the reckless driver’s corpse on the ground. Judging by the vehicle, he doesn’t seem to be a soldier but that didn’t matter right now.

“Why the hell did he do that…?”

He then heard a second voice coming from the vehicle. It sounds like a child. He was about to investigate until several cars pulled over in front of the building. Several masked men then exited from the vehicles with guns aiming at him.

He raised his hand, recognizing the insignia on their uniforms. A skull surrounded with a graphic symbol of swastika. It was the insignia of the infamous group of terrorists called “Fatherland”.

They were considered as the new Nazis by the media. They have been causing mayhem in several countries to make society crumble to ashes as everyone becomes dependent on technology. That’s their ideal, yet they were hypocrites as they’re using technology to achieve that ideal.

The leader confronted him while several of his men were pointing their guns at his head.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the famous Jeremy Scott. The one who made Sword Art Online came true as well as a cure for dementia. You’re a very important person.” The leader greeted the doctor. “You know who I am, yes?”

“Alam Etana. Of course I know who you are!” Jeremy was then hit by one of the men for raising his tone. He spat blood on the floor. “You’re infamous for the Massacre of Seoul three years ago. 1,000 people died that day. You’re a monster!”

Alam laughed, “It’s their fault for being heavily reliant on technology. They forgot the way of life where we didn’t have to rely on these stupid tools.”

Jeremy scoffed, “We all know that you’re just a hypocrite. Why were you hunting that man!?”

Alam stared at the corpse of the victim. He was frustrated that the man died before he could interrogate him, but it doesn’t matter anyway. Their plans are still set in motion.

“He was a prisoner of ours, managing to escape from our labor camps. Too bad his luck ran out.” Alam walked towards his corpse before shooting a bullet at the head to ensure he’s truly dead. “He should’ve done as he was told. He might’ve lived. Anyway, doctor. I’m afraid that we’ll have to kill you. You have seen our faces after all. It’s too soon to be pursued by the law after all.”

“How are you gonna explain the mess you made?” Jeremy pointed at the camera that was looking directly at the vehicles and broken entrance door.

“I have my ways. You do not have to worry abo…”

“Sir, there’s something you want to see.” His assistant, who appears to be a hacker, said.

“What is it, Kiara?” He asked.

Kiara smirked, “It looks like Archon Corporation stored something valuable at the Testing Chamber. It seems to be… magical.”

Alam grabbed the tablet away from her to see the live footage, “My, my. It seems you have the God Crystal, doctor. The legend about Theos Krustallos wasn’t a myth after all. It really does exist. The power of the gods.”

Jeremy was baffled that he knew about the God Crystal as well, “You believe that belony?”

“There’s some things that science can’t explain after all, doctor.” Alam said before continuing to stare at the crystal with a maniacal expression. “My long line of ancestors have been looking for this crystal for their entire lives, only to end in failure. I didn’t bother to look for it because I found the myth to be ridiculous… until you prove me wrong. It seems that… fate has brought me here on purpose.”

“I don’t know about fate, but there is no way you’re getting the crystal! It’s too dangerous!” Jeremy warned them, even though he won’t listen, which is something he’s counting on.

Alam then pointed his pistol at Jeremy’s head, “Enough talk. Show me the way to the Testing Chamber, then maybe I’ll reconsider letting you live. How’s that sound?”

Jeremy sighed, “You leave me no choice then.”

“Good boy. Walk slowly and no funny b-“

Unexpectedly, a little kid ran towards the elevator and rapidly pressed the button. It seems that he exited the vehicle the moment Alam was distracted.

“Who the hell was that!?” Alam demanded an answer from Jeremy while pushing the gun harder on the forehead.

“I-I don’t know! He was… a passenger in the vehicle… that you crashed… I assume!” Jeremy stuttered, seeing how Alam’s finger was close to the trigger. He could die at any moment and his wife would be left alone.

Alam scoffed, “He must be the kid that escaped from my labor camp. To think he allied himself with this idiot. Anyway, lead the way. I’ll get that brat later.”

All of them walked towards the elevator. When the elevator was available to use, Jeremy pressed the Sublevel 1 button. As they descended underground, his entire body was shivering in fear and covered in sweat but he remained calm-minded. Alam, on the other hand, was humming a tune while his men remained expression… probably… he couldn’t tell because of their mask.

When they arrived at the Testing Chamber, the head terrorist’s eyes were filled with awe after witnessing the Theos Krustallos. If his family’s story is true about it storing the gods’ powers, he could become an unstoppable force of nature. His ideals will be implemented across the world. People will worship him as a god and he could create his own laws, starting with banning technology. This is a perfect tool for his mission.

“I must say, doctor. The crystal is beautiful.” Alam said before pushing the doctor on the ground. “Now tell me, how do I possess the power of the gods?”

Jeremy groaned, “How the hell should I know!? We are just beginning to study it! And there is no possible way you could have the ‘power of the gods’ from this! You’re just hearing stories from someone!”

“Am I? Or is it because you’re refusing to acknowledge the existence of the impossibility, doctor? Acknowledging the existence of legends and myths is difficult for you. I should know, I also was until I witnessed this beauty.” Alam said before walking towards the crystal until he stopped behind the line, much to Jeremy’s disappointment. “A new beginning is coming doctor. A new beginning of gods!”

A new beginning of gods is coming

Jeremy suddenly remembered the words that Pythia sent earlier. He was shocked that Alam said a similar word to the so-called “prophecy”. He is beginning to have a bad feeling about this. He doesn’t want Alam to take the crystal to his base, but he can’t oppose him right now as he’ll be executed without any hesitation.

Suddenly, the same kid who ran towards the elevator came out from hiding behind the computer desk and pushed Alam away from the crystal in anger. The armed men began to point their guns at the child with a ragged appearance.

“What the-!?” Alam then looked behind him with a laugh. “I almost forgot you can pick a punch, kid.”

“You’ll pay for killing my friend!” The kid yelled while putting up his fists.

Alam laughed, “Nice bluff, kid. Now out of my way and I might reconsider letting you live.”

“Like you reconsider letting Olivia live by putting a bullet on her forehead!?” The kid knew that his promise was an empty one.

Alam sighed in annoyance while rubbing his head with the pistol, “You are annoying one. You should’ve stayed hidden, but then Kiara will find you anyway. I’ll put a bullet on your forehead now. You have annoyed me.”

“He’s just a child!” Jeremy couldn’t bear to watch someone so young die by the hands of a terrorist.

Alam glared at him, “Be quiet, or I might put one in your head as well.”

“Grr. Coward.” The kid insulted the terrorist for playing dirty while his entire body was shaking in fear.

“Any last words, kid?” Alam asked while preparing to pull the trigger.