Meeting

The extraordinary events that had unfolded across the globe did not escape the notice of society's most powerful figures. From influential politicians and revered religious leaders to the heads of massive conglomerates, all were acutely aware that the world was undergoing a profound transformation.

It was unsure of how much they knew, but from the very nature of the power they held, it was assured that they noticed the subtle changes. They were faster to act.

In a secluded, dimly lit room, far from the prying eyes of the public, three of the world's most formidable individuals had convened. The room, fortified against any form of surveillance, exuded an air of secrecy and gravitas. Yet, this was but one of many such clandestine gatherings occurring simultaneously in various hidden locations around the globe. The powerful were mobilizing, each with their own agendas and fears.

Three men were seated facing each other, or better, they were looking at each other's holograms. Right, the cutting-edge technology had already developed to that degree, but it was only accessible to the wealthy few.

On top of the table, pictures of strange books could be seen.

"Let's not waste any more time and start the first topic of our discussion," stated a bearded, skinny man with dark brown eyes and a high nose. His accent and appearance suggested he was from somewhere in Europe. "As you all may already know, after the strange weather phenomena, these mysterious books appeared everywhere. You've verified this information, right?"

"Yes, Ethan," replied another man with an oriental appearance and short black hair. His already small eyes seemed even smaller through the hologram, accentuated by his glasses. "Some of my employees even thought the books were a gift from me. Unfortunately, I can't take them back now."

The man sighed and continued, "I don't want to be redundant by stating that these books are mystical. Apparently, the rumors that they grant people some kind of power are true, but I haven't tried it myself." He adjusted his glasses with his fingertips. "However, it looks like someone here was faster than everyone else, right? James?"

"Ha! It seems that your Robotics Alliance doesn't like to be left behind, right Kenji?" The third man clapped his hands and laughed out loud. He had short brown hair and a strong chin. Like the others, he was past forty, but he wore a white shirt that highlighted his defined body, making him look younger. His accent revealed he was American.

Before the oriental man could retort, James raised his arms. "Peace, peace!" Yet, the mocking smile never left his face. "Actually, you should congratulate my son for that. He was lucky enough to get one of the books, and you know he's a genius, right? When he was only one year old..."

"Focus on the subject, James!" Ethan interrupted him before he started to brag about his son, as he always did.

"Oh, okay." James scratched his head and adjusted his posture. "After the boy explained the book to me, I decided to buy as many as I could. I managed to get about fifty before the government started to act crazily. Then I just had to bribe the right people, and they stopped bothering me."

"Have you tried any?" asked Ethan bluntly while caressing his beard.

Tense seconds passed as James remained eerily silent.

"Yes! And holy shit, it's marvelous!" James exclaimed, breaking the suspense with a burst of excitement. "It's not instant power; it's not like magic in video games. The book outlines something called Cultivation, a process of absorbing energy from the world to become stronger. At first, I thought it was a prank my son was playing on me, but it's real. The method is precise and systematic.

"There are nine levels of strength within what it calls the Body Tempering Stage. These levels represent stages of physical enhancement that go beyond what we could ever achieve through conventional means. I'm not even at the first level yet, but I've already seen incredible results. My strength has nearly doubled after just a short period of cultivation. And it's not just about physical strength. I feel more aware, more attuned to my surroundings. It's as if my entire body is being refined and optimized."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with a mix of wonder and ambition. "The book describes how each level of Body Tempering strengthens the muscles, bones, and internal organs, making the body tougher and more resilient. The techniques involve precise breathing exercises, meditation, and specific physical movements that channel and refine the energy, or Qi, within us."

James leaned forward, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "And there's more. The book hints at further stages beyond Body Tempering. Stages that promise abilities far beyond our current comprehension. Enhanced senses, incredible speed, even longevity. This isn't just a path to becoming stronger; it's a path to transcending our human limitations."

He glanced around the room, or rather, to the holograms and noted the captivated expressions of his peers. "Imagine the possibilities. If we can master this, if we can control it, we could revolutionize human potential. We could create a new era of superhumans, beings capable of feats that are currently relegated to the realm of science fiction! But it won't be cheap, there is a new wave coming, and it's bound to drown those who aren't fast enough. That I'm sure."

Ethan, who had been listening intently, sighed deeply and finally spoke. "This is extraordinary, James. We need to approach this with both caution and urgency. If what you say is true, the implications are vast. This isn't just about personal power; this could reshape societies, economies, entire nations. I'm going to assign some of my researchers to investigate whether there are any biological reasons behind it."

"Don't be short-sighted, Ethan," James retorted, a fierce determination blazing in his eyes. "This is going to reshape the world! Anyway, I can give them a blood sample if it helps to convince you."

"That's a good start." Ethan conceded, though his expression remained skeptical.

"I've been told that the governments are taking action too." the man from the Robotics Alliance interjected, steering the conversation. "What do you think, James?"

"They certainly are," James replied, his expression darkening. "Governments around the world have already initiated numerous covert operations. They're confiscating any books they can find, silencing those who speak about them, and even setting up quarantine zones around the areas where these books have appeared."

Kenji nodded, adjusting his glasses. "I've obtained some reports of military units being deployed to secure these zones. They're treating this like a national security threat. But the sheer number of these books, coupled with the rapid spread of information, makes it nearly impossible to control."

James continued, his brows furrowed in concern. "They're going to conduct their own experiments. I have it on good authority that some of their top scientists and intelligence agencies are working around the clock to understand the nature of these books. They're scared, and rightly so. This kind of power, in the wrong hands, could destabilize entire nations."

Ethan, listening intently, nodded slowly. "So, the governments are reacting with force and secrecy. But the scale of these events isn't something they can manage in secrecy for much longer. Too many people have already seen the changes, and rumors are spreading like wildfire. The public is curious, and curiosity can quickly turn to panic if not handled properly."

James leaned forward, a serious expression on his face. "We need to be ahead of the curve. If we can secure enough of these books and understand their power, we can not only protect our interests but also guide the public response. We need to control the narrative before it spirals out of control."

Kenji, the man from the Robotics Alliance, nodded in agreement. "We'll need to coordinate our efforts carefully. We should pool our resources, share information, and ensure that we're all on the same page. This isn't just about competition anymore; it's about survival and shaping the future."

Ethan agreed. "We need to keep our actions discreet. We can't afford to attract too much attention. The last thing we need is to become targets ourselves."

Kenji nodded, glancing at the holographic display before them. "Speaking of attention, there's another pressing matter we need to discuss." He said, changing the topic seamlessly. "The immense forest."

With a few swift gestures, Kenji adjusted the hologram. The image shifted to reveal a sprawling jungle, its dense canopy brimming with unfamiliar, colossal trees. The forest stretched across nearly a third of the African continent, its vastness and unusual flora clearly visible even from space.

"Take a look at this," Kenji continued, zooming in on the hologram to highlight the details. The trees, with trunks as thick as city buildings, towered into the sky, their leaves a vibrant mix of greens and blues, shimmering under the sunlight. The sheer scale of the forest was breathtaking, an otherworldly sight that seemed almost surreal.

"In addition to its size," Kenji added, "there have been reports of massive animal migrations into this area. Predators and prey are moving together, seemingly drawn to this forest. This phenomenon is unlike anything we've ever seen."

"Animals migrating in such numbers?" Ethan asked, eyebrows raised. "That sounds even more concerning than the appearance of the books. Governments won't ignore this for long. Heavy actions are inevitable."

"Do you think these events are related?" James inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Possibly, it would be too much of a coincidence if not." Kenji replied. "Yesterday, I deployed some high-end drones to investigate, but the results were disappointing."

The others leaned in, clearly interested. Robotics Alliance was a huge technology industry, always at the forefront of innovation. Ethan and James could only imagine what these "high-end" drones were. They remained silent, waiting for Kenji to continue.

"They were part of a personal project, but..." Kenji sighed in frustration. "We lost connection as soon as they entered the jungle. It's as if they disappeared into thin air. No signal, no data. Just gone."

"How is that possible?" Ethan asked, perplexed.

"I'm not entirely sure," Kenji admitted. "My best guess is that the forest has some sort of super isolation that interferes with electronic frequencies. If that's not the case, then the implications are far more troubling. It might suggest that the forest exists in a different kind of space, connected to our world but not entirely part of it."

Silence filled the room as they absorbed this information. Theories and speculations swirled, but without more data, it was impossible to draw concrete conclusions.

"I think we shouldn't be involved in the forest issue for now," Ethan finally said, voicing the consensus.

"Agreed," Kenji replied. "But they will likely request my technology to investigate further."

"For now, let's focus on acquiring as many of these books as possible," Ethan decided. "Kenji, you'll be responsible for gathering information. Use this opportunity to 'help' them while keeping our interests in mind."

Kenji nodded, understanding the delicate balance they needed to maintain.

The three men exchanged determined glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Their holograms flickered briefly, a reminder of the advanced technology that connected them, yet also underscored the fragility of their current reality.

"The later we act, the more it will cost us," James added with a grin. "And you know I like it cheap."