Doomsday Pillars

The moment this group of black robed people entered the breakfast hall, the entire atmosphere of the hall immediately plummeted below zero degrees. Although the atmosphere of the hall before these people entered could not be said to be the best, at most ordinary, where one could see harmony in one corner and tension in another. However, thanks to the appearance of these uninvited guests, the hall suddenly became eerily silent, where even the smallest sounds of breath could be heard.

These people were the organization that in the past year managed to gather the survivors from the states in the Middle East. In the beginning, this organization was spearheaded by several radical groups, who then worked together to achieve their goals.

However, just like any organization, where power was everything to survive, internal conflicts began to spark between these groups until it finally erupted into a war. The war continued between these groups, where murder, treason and assassination were frequently seen, until finally, leaving only one group to dominate the organization, the Heaven Gate group.

During these past 9 months, they have always refused to attend meetings in the pillar network even though they were always invited to come. Although this organization always refused to attend the meetings, countries around the world, especially the powerful ones, still had information about them. The most recent known information was that this Heaven Gate group already had nearly 20 million survivors under their protection, which was truly a large number. If this information was correct, then they currently host nearly 20 percent of the world's survivors.

Alex certainly knew very well about their existence because of one of their leaders. Hafiz, managed to escape twice from his grasp. This time, their presence without prior notification disturbed quite a few parties in the hall. It could be seen when the expressions of some people turned into the worst kind.

Based on the information he had read, this organization has a bad relationship and has always been in conflict with the Israeli and Egyptian parties over the past year, who were both near the Middle Eastern area.

But strangely enough, Alex realized that the one most disturbed by their presence was President Rico. He was puzzled for a moment before he finally remembered the reason. This group was responsible for the death of his troops on the Java Island, and also the wretched fate that befell his son, Adam.

The sight of 30 people wearing black robes covering their faces and just standing there, coupled with the glare from several groups in the hall which didn't make the situation any better, made the atmosphere in the hall turn even worse.

This atmosphere immediately broke out when someone among this group of cloaked people stepped forward and took off the hood covering his head. The man's skin color was very pale like a sick person and he didn't have any hair on his head.

"Greetings, everyone. My name is Anas, we have come from the Heaven Gate." said the man loudly. "Our god had told us to come here and participate in the journey. Thus, here we are."

One of the Egyptian fighters sneered loudly at the man's words, almost like a shout.

"You are not welcome! Get away from here!"

Hearing the loud shout full of hostility, Anas just smiled as he looked towards the one who shouted.

"This is a matter of world survival. Hence, I am sure we are invited." Anas said calmly. His eyes then looked around the people in the hall. "Which one of you is called Alex?"

Alex calmly got up from his seat and slowly stepped closer to the man. "Yes, you are all welcome here. However, you have to follow our rule and do not make a scene as long as you are here."

Upon hearing Alex's words, the pale looking man smiled even wider. He then gratefully said. "Of course, Mr Alex. After all, We are all here for the good of the world."

Alex looked at the expression of this man named Anas carefully, trying to see any abnormalities in him. But the man just kept smiling and stared back at him. Sighing silently in his mind, Alex ordered the waiters to prepare more tables for this group.

More tables were quickly brought in and arranged by the waiters in the hall. When the table was prepared, 30 people were quickly seated. When he saw these seated people, Alex knew that Heaven Gate would only be a problem later. If he could, he would not have let them live and would immediately annihilate them all here right now.

However, Alex's priority right now was the succession of cooperation between the countries. If they couldn't unite in the face of the tribulation, then the same thing as in Alex's previous life will happen and they will not survive.

Devita prepared a dance performance to entertain the representatives after the breakfast session. There were also private rooms right beside the hall available for representatives if needed.

At the moment, Alex was still waiting for the presence of representatives from China and Russia. Seeing that they weren't here yet, Alex decided to check on President Rico and his entourage, who suddenly got up and went to one of the private rooms right after the Heaven Gate entered the hall.

As he entered the room where President Rico's entourage was, Alex noticed that the situation in the room was tense. He could see two people standing transfixed in front of President Rico. Daisy and Tommy.

"M-Mr President… W-What do you mean..?" asked Daisy, stammering.

"We are truly sorry, Daisy. The fact that we have been keeping this from you." replied a young woman who was part of the entourage that had come with the president.

That young woman was Melissa, Daisy's schoolmate and the last person to see Adam.

Melissa then told Daisy about Adam, who asked her not to tell Daisy about his situation. The president who knew about Adam's health condition and did not want to accept the death of his son also covered this news from everyone, especially Daisy.

Hearing this, tears immediately poured from her eyes. She couldn't accept the fact that Adam was dead. The two of them had promised to meet again after one year. In fact, Daisy had planned to come back to New Java along with the president after this expedition was over. However, suddenly finding out that Adam was not in the city and she could not meet him ever again shocked her to her core being.

While trying to hold back her tears, Daisy said. "I'm sorry…" She then ran out of the room followed by Michele and Tommy.

President Rico who saw Alex by the door immediately said. "I can't stand the sight of those 'Heavenly Gate' people, Alex. If they ever get close to me, I guarantee you I can't stay still."

Upon hearing that, Alex fell silent. There was not much he could say to the man. In fact, he also hated those lunatic to the bone and wanted to eradicate them. But, when he remembered the 20 million people, who were under their protection, Alex hesitated.

Taking in and sighing deeply, Alex slowly opened his mouth.

"I promise you that I will see those people pay for what they have done."

When the sun was already right above his head, Alex finally got the news that representatives from China and Russia had arrived. He then immediately ordered the waiters to inform all of the representatives to gather as the briefing session about the preparations for the expedition, which started tomorrow, would begin.

From a distance, among China's representative entourage, Alex could see very familiar figures, Christina and the firebirds.

As Alex passed the entourage, his eyes met hers. However, to his surprise, Alex saw an extremely cold expression on her face, accompanied by an even colder gaze. Not even a speck of smile and greeting could be seen when Christina walked past Alex along with the entourage from China.

Still shocked by what had happened, Alex swiftly turned his head around with a strange expression on his face.

"What happened to her?"

While walking to the briefing room, Alex thought about all the things that had happened during this morning until now.

The internal conflict of the US government, the Cold War between the western European and central European camps, the turmoil over the appearance of the Heaven Gate group, and the strange behavior of China's representative.

Realizing how many problems came up before the expedition gave Alex a lot of headache. Sighing even harder while rubbing his frowning forehead, Alex could only give his best on the matter later. Because if he didn't do this right, he was afraid that these people would kill each other before the tribulation came.

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Written and Directed by Avans, Published by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l, 

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