《The Eraquest》Crossing The Bridge of Time
Advertisement
Inside the Scientific research department in the center of Babel.
Another meeting Is being held, to discuss the progress made in the last period concerning creating a new protective sphere.
Dr. Graham leads the conference. "I'd like to hear about what were you able to accomplish in the last two weeks!
We'll start first by you Doctor Brogdon."
"Yes sir, I have taken the responsibility of experimenting on the Felidae Genus Panthera that you've broughtfrom the doom world. The results were fascinating.
By analyzing and examining the nature of this animal's blood and skin cells, I have decoded the composure that made his body accept the hybrid gene.
As you can see in the screen, this animal's brain activity and capability has been upgraded to a high level, which explains his intelligence and ability to understand signals… But this little area right here, at the very end of his brain shows more activity compared to the others!.
This part is responsible for restoring memories and releasing certain chemicals that control the inner state of a being! To make sure that this isn't a particular case of this animal, I injected a very small portion of the hybrid gene+, it immediately reacted to it. The animal acted a bit differently since that moment, his aggressiveness lowered and the signals he made registered on the low level.
It is very early to assume, but I'd like to think that this may lead us to why the hybrid gene was accepted."
The other scientists took a second to think deeply, Miss Isla had the first interjection.
"Very interesting, we were not able to come up with this information by examining on humans! But if this part was responsible somehow for the successful combination of the hybrid gene and the body, why is it that only 0.01% of humans affected by it had a successfully mergence?
Our initial thought of the cause makes a better explanation, which is that only those with the "Survival" gene can be hybrid+. That is why the percentages are rising!"
Brogdon. "…Indeed, but we only assumed that the survival gene preceded that of the hybrid gene, we have never thought that it is the latter who created the first!
It is impossible, even on an evolutionary scale, that humans could develop a gene like that within a very thin time frame in order to adapt.
I can be wrong of course, but I ll continue studying this case based on the point I have made today, certainly if The great minister saw it's best to do so."
Robert answers immediately. "I do! I approve of your conclusion, we were not able to get any valuable information on the survival gene since we discovered it, and hearing your thesis leads me now to think that we cannot understand something without knowing it's origin. Maybe this part of the brain is that origin.
Advertisement
Now, moving to others!"
Zephyr gets on stage, a different kind of stage.
"Yes sir, my team started a mass production of all what's necessary to create the "Sissosphere"!
However, we're still working on forming a first model , due to not knowing the right chemical formula to combine the hybrid molecule with the ozone. Through my observation I suggested that we use a third component that will link the two together, making it even stronger than it once was!
Information from my colleagues' research are necessary to use in our department. In the meantime, we're doing our best to understand the structure and behavior of this molecule."
Robert. "Good! I am certain that creating a whole sphere around the globe will cost tremendous resources, I will allow you to co-operate with the nuclear development department."
Only when Zephyr told his part, that Levon realized he has not come up with anything significant when it comes to his scientific research.
When asked by Robert, his reply was…
"I am currently working on understanding how the natural revolution caused the hybrid gene to appear."
This answer had few odd faces reacting to it.
'Hmm! Why would he search about that…' Brogdon curiously asked in his mind.
Zephyr raised an eyebrow unconsciously. 'What?
What is he talking about…?
Such a futile subject to search in, we have all these recent discoveries and he's going way far back! For what?'
Robert did not show a reaction. But his eyes were pointed directly his disciple for a moment, which nonetheless indicates his surprise as well!
"…And how far did you get into that?" He asked.
Levon. "Not enough to be talked about in our meeting."
This was another shock, Levon not contributing anything!! It left a weird taste in everyone's mouth.
With that, Robert ends the meeting.
Zephyr felt an urge to talk with Levon, but his mind reminded him about why they stopped talking since that day. He wouldn't let himself ever be that interested, at least not publicly.
As the top scientists started getting out of the room, Robert calls on Levon and orders him to stay!
Zephyr looks back for once, wondering what their discussion would be about. But ended up leaving as well
Levon avoids direct eye conttact, only waiting for what Robert will say. He already knows what it was going to be about, either his under-performance or his absence from the household.
But Robert surprises him!
"Something has changed in you!
Have you found something you're interested in?" Asks the father.
"No!". Levon quickly shuts off the doors that may lead to opening up.
Robert. "…What are you now, Levon?
25years of age…"
'…Why is he bringing that up all of a sudden?' Levon has no idea about the direction Robert is taking with his words.
Advertisement
He continues. "You said you're working on how the natural revolution caused the hybrid gene to appear! Isn't that obvious?
The whole sphere was destroyed due to many natural and human factors. The sphere was, not the molecules themselves!
There is nothing new that you can come up with searching about that."
Levon feels that he's being challenged! By the man who assisted him into being the genius that he is today. His scientific pride pushed him to reply this time.
"…That is only the why but not the how! In order to understand the structure of the sphere we're aiming to create, knowing how It was destroyed is also important! The elements that caused that will give us a clear idea on how to re-construct it once again, to make it even more sustainable."
Robert. "Good argumentation, but do you really think it is possible to do that? We've lost 98% of data about the ancient world after the disaster. Unfortunately, the 2 men that had most of it stored in their brain, died right after being infected by the hybrid gene itself.
Let's be honest, Levon Graham!
Your very true interest, is to know about the buried past we've left behind!"
"Wh..What do you mean?!". Levon hesitantly, but repulsively asks back!
Robert keeps his serious sharp look. "I know you enough, you would never choose such direction to your research unless you had another motive. I had some of your team members come to me, complaining about this sudden shift. There is not even enough data to support your research. As we all saw, you haven't contributed anything to the conference for the first time, ever!
I do not condemn you for that, just be clear moving forwards.
You're my successor, you have the responsibility of carrying a field that can save the entire humanity."
Levon feels a great weight being put once again on his shoulders, he always hated to hear that…
"You're my successor". Especially this sentence. Suddenly, he grins! Then looks straight at Robert's eyes!!
"Did you ever ask me, if I wanted to be your successor?". He shrugs his shoulders, and with the same creepy smile he continues.
"I don't! I really don't want to be your successor.
I never had interest in all of what I learnt from you, I only excelled in it because that's what I was being put into. By you! I was only your prisoner; you took me away from a place I did not want to leave. You have taught me nothing but what went along with your benefit, I am just an asset and you know that very well.
It is too late for you to teach me about being clear or being honest, I don't even know what such thing exactly means…".
While Levon was carelessly and weirdly expressing himself, almost like he was having a schizophrenic episode. Robert was dumbfounded! The look on his face clearly showed that.
And this time, it's him who does not find words quickly to answer…Anger found its way faster.
"SILENCE!!!!!" He yells!
"What are you babbling about all of a sudden??!
Now you consider me an enemy as well?! The man who took care of you when no one else would, you would have been left for the dead if not for me!!! You never wondered why you were the only one that survived from that orphanage?!"
"DON'T YOU DARE BRING THEM UP AGAIN!!!". For the first time ever, Levon shows anger in both his face and tone!! His bi-colored eyes lit up once again, like they did before with Valvesteen!
Robert notices that, realizing that he lost control for a moment, he turns his back quickly and gets a hold of himself.
"…You truly grew up, but it is a question if not for the better or for the worst."
Levon, did not hear what his old man said…He was still in shock of his own reaction, that was 100% authentic. He is amazed that he expressed such thing the way he did, and in some way…It is a good shock for him!
But it wasn't for too long til he snapped away from this amazement…Realizing that it's ROBERT GRAHAM here that he is talking with, one of the 7 heroes and the president of the scientific research institution. Considered as the 2nd in command after the King himself!!
He found it within himself, to express his regret using a calm voice.
"…I didn't mean what I said.
I'll make sure to perform on a higher rate. My apologies!" Then quickly heads towards the door.
"Levon!!". Robert calls him one last time!
"…If you're truly interested about what happened back then, come to the house tonight."
2 seconds later, Robert was left standing alone in this white empty room.
He takes out a thin cigarette from his pocket, that lit itself up automatically the moment he put it between his lips!
A big sigh followed, letting the poisonous smoke come out of his lungs.
Then he says to himself. "…At the end of the day, I'll be the one to give his apologies.
But until then, I hope you'll understand...when you get to that place."
Advertisement
- In Serial215 Chapters
Jackal Among Snakes: GameLit Fantasy Progression
The royal bastard of House Vasquer, Argrave, has changed after his stay studying magic at the Tower of the Gray Owl. The sickly man's awkward posture and cruel behavior have been replaced with a neat dignity and acerbic wit. His listless life has found a path of undeniable purpose. Most come away thinking he seems to know too many details about too much. Few can claim to know his motives or his goals. Behind the scenes, though, the primary contributor for an open-world RPG's wiki battles existential dread and things far beyond his ken as he struggles to adapt to a grim, gothic fantasy world that he had the misfortune to claim as his favorite game. This is his tale. #####What to expect from this story##### This piece is a high-fantasy style story, featuring many of the species and surroundings one might expect to find in such a world. The cultures are original and well-developed, with the primary setting being a European-style feudal society. Warfare, fell beasts, and natural disasters are commonplace in Berendar, and take the center of many plots. The protagonist is a smooth-talker, but the world does not exist for him; he must struggle to gain power. Expect daily releases until we catch up to my backlog.
8 773 - In Serial7 Chapters
A Hero Past the 25th
Ever since she was a child, Itaka Izumi dreamed of being transported into a world of medieval fantasy, where to live her life as a brave hero by the sword. One day, by a miracle, Izumi actually gets her way. Only—she's a child no more. Knight princess Yuliana escapes the Kingdom of Langoria, defying the king and the law, in an effort to save her world from a prophecy of doom. Caught in a bind, she is saved by a champion, one summoned from another world. But definitely not the kind of a champion she wanted. By forces of circumstances, the two women end up journeying together through the deceitful world of Ortho, where the greatest threat is not always a wild beast, or a monster, but might as well be fellow man. This is part 1 of A Hero Past the 25th Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4-7 Now available in paperback and hardcover at Amazon!
8 219 - In Serial81 Chapters
Metagame
Some people get a second chance, late in life, and jump on it. Other people are on their third before they turn twenty. One was given everything they wanted, and threw it away on principle. One earned their place, but could never afford to pay the price. One never failed, right up until it mattered. One encountered nothing but failure, instead helping others achieve success. One never believed themselves worthy. One is crushed by the past, afraid of what might repeat itself. And the last never had a goal to begin with. But while nobody cared and no one was watching, they each decided to carry on in their own ways, even when that made things worse- and they did, usually, get worse. Arrows Through Reality, often called Arrows or ATR, is the world's first full-immersion Virtual Reality game, a MOBA by Granduon incorporated that didn't blow its competition out of the water, but did provide a new entry point that had millions trying their new game. Two years later, the player base has only grown, and everybody knows the most effective tactics... but while a cutting-edge AI supposedly runs the game's balance, it hasn't patched anything a single time. Well, the most effective way to do anything is subjective, right?
8 202 - In Serial6 Chapters
Northwoods Trapper
In the wild places of our planet, dark vestiges of our paranormal past yet cling to twisted life. In the past, the hunters and trappers of the world were tasked with removing such blights from society's fringes - legal assassins, enlisted to enforce the will of civilization against those unnatural, otherworldly hosts. Nowadays, we're not so lucky. With the idea of proper monster-hunting fading from public perception, the once-prestigious mantle is donned by amateurs, hobbyists, and self-taught warriors. It pays poorly, it's dangerous, and people would rather do something that gets them rich or famous or drowning in attention. Most often, new-age monster hunters are born from tragedy. They lack the tact, training, and funding of hunters passed. Instead, they have only their wits and brawn to carry them through. So it is with our hero. In the woods of the American Midwest, foul creatures lurk. Tabitha Varna, a young college drop-out scarred by her past, is determined to uproot them or die trying. Sometimes she hopes for both.[Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 199 - In Serial68 Chapters
The Unknown Returnee
Warning: Slowly Developing Story For 60 years, Aldryn, the Oracle of Light has been searching for the people who murdered his family. Just when he was about to give up, he encountered a mythical creature who arrived from another world. Apparently the creature could also see the world in a game-like interface. It appears that Aldryn's life is about to become more interesting.
8 149 - In Serial9 Chapters
Tales of The Boundless
This is a growing collection of slice-of-life short stories from the world of The Boundless, born from my Blood of The Boundless novel series. Updates are planned weekly but the exigencies of raising kids will sometimes prevent that.
8 137

