Doomsday Pillars

After the meeting was over, they came out with 2 main objectives. First, they will start evacuating local residents to immediately take shelter at the nearest Doomsday Pillar or Doomsday Pillar which can open access to the 40th floor.

The second objective is to prepare and form a special joint force to attack the abyss gate before the first tribulation begins.

Currently, Alex has only received confirmation from President McCord's camp as well as from Elder Zhao. Meanwhile, others could not confirm their participation, especially since this mission will be carried out in 8 months. They still have time to think more deeply because many things can happen during that time.

Apart from that, Alex also promised to help Miciela and her team of fighters who located on the African continent by providing resources. While others at the meeting were interested in collaborating on the development of magic raisin and Tier 2 hardened weapons, which he gladly accepted.

Alex left the details of collaboration to his wife Devita, who will take care of the little details. 

Alex only give her an outline of his requirements, in which he is willing to give the recipes and secrets on how to manufacture these two products, provided that the party has the ability to produce and is also willing to provide certain amount of products to him..

Even though Alex wanted to make a fortune, he definitely wouldn't let the world fall any further due to hunger.

China, United States and Spain are the three countries that are very interested in this cooperation. Devita will coordinate with them one by one at a later date.

The meeting ended with two main objectives and Devita's new work. 

People started leaving the hall one by one after the meeting ended. Meanwhile, Alex, after saying goodbye to Presidents McCord and James, realized that representatives from China were still in the hall, waiting for him.

Alex approaches the group with Aria and Theo accompanying him.

"Elder Zhao." Alex called out to her while giving a salute using both hands.

"What a great man you are Alex. You need to know that the warning you gave before the apocalypse started really helped us get through the disasters more easily." the elder praised

"I'm glad to hear that, Elder."

"But I'm anything but great, elder. The only thing I have that makes you call me great is my future knowledge."

"I know, my child." She replied

"But that's not what makes you great."

"What makes you great is your willingness to share that knowledge with others, which not everyone can do." she said with a smile

Alex who heard that was stunned for a moment.

The elder then glanced at Theo and said.

"Your trick won't work with me, young man."

After she said that, Theo felt a little dizzy.

"Sorry elder, he didn't mean any harm. It's just his habit." Alex hurriedly explained.

Theo is used to following Alex when Alex talks with people. He then listens and finds out what is in the other person's mind to provide input to Alex. Unexpectedly, just as Theo tried to get close to the elder's mind, Theo received a counterattack which made his head dizzy. Even though Theo was a great psychic spirit enhancer, he couldn't match the elder at all. Alex then said.

"Theo, you can go back first. Don't worry."

Theo nodded his head, turned and left the hall.

"Alex, I am waiting here to invite you to come to China."

"Thank you for your invitation, elder. I will eventually come to China in the future."

"You misunderstood my words. What I mean is to ask you to move to China."

"..."

She then continued.

"Wouldn't it better if we are all together? I think it will be the best for all of us."

Hearing that, Alex was silent.

"Thank you Elder. But I think it's too late for that."

"Oh? Why is that?" she said, confused

"I have people that I need to take care of. I can't just leave them alone, can I?" Alex said with a smile.

Hearing that, she said. "Well.. think about it."

After saying that, Elder Zhao walked over to Alex and carefully observed him.

"This is really fascinating. Before the doomsday happened, people called me the seer and asked for my guidance. But the truth is I was never really sure about my talent, not until the doomsday came."

She chuckled and continued her words.

"But with you Alex. It seems that my talent is back to how it was before the doomsday begins. I can't read you at all Alex."

Alex was silent. Elder Zhao was someone he admired the most in the previous life. He believed she wouldn't joke about this.

"What are your thoughts, Elder?" Alex asked.

The elder turned around, walked a few steps and said 

"I can only assume two things. First, I am too scared to see the future in you. Or.. Second, you are a person who can break your own destiny. Either way I hope the best for you… for humanity's sake."

After saying that, she continued her steps and disappeared from the hall.

Alex pondered what the elder said when he realized there was still one more person in front of him.

The beautiful woman approached him.

"Alex… I'm glad to see you again."

"Hey Christina, I'm also glad that you are alright."

Christina fidgeted, she seemed like she has a lot to say but didn't know where to start.

Seeing that, Alex spoke first.

"It surprised me that you are with Elder Zhao."

"Yeah.. Me too." she said with a smile

"How did it happen?"

"She.. she came looking for me.."

"It's actually a great news. She can really help you."

"Yes, she did… It was great."

"So… how are you?"

This time Christina became more and more silent, she seemed to be full of thoughts. 

Alex who saw that felt quite confused. It seemed that from the beginning, she had been holding back from speaking. 

He then suddenly realized the reason. Not far behind from Alex there was someone waiting and listening carefully. Aria.

In his head, Alex scolded her, he thought why this woman could not read the situation around her. Couldn't she see that the current situation was getting strange with her presence?

Alex was just about to turn around and ask Aria to leave them for a moment when he suddenly saw Christina's body was shaking.

"Christina? What's wrong?" Alex asked worriedly.

Christina looked away, not wanting to be seen, but Alex knew that his friend was crying. It seems that a lot of things has happened to this good friend of his after they separated. 

Alex walked over to Christina but she turned around. "I'm sorry. Can we can talk later?" she said as she walked away. Alex immediately grabbed Christina's hand.

"Wait! T-Tina... I-I-I.." But there was no word he could say to her, nothing could come out from his mouth.

Christina turned back and immediately put her forehead against Alex's chest, she said

"Silly me.. I'm sorry Alex. I haven't seen friendly faces for a long time now, especially you Alex. Can you just bare with me for a moment?" she said while holding Alex's body tightly.

Alex was silent and let her put her head on his chest.

A sudden emotional situation made Alex forget about Aria's existence who was still standing behind. He didn't know that, Aria was embarrassed to see this scene, she felt like she shouldn't be here.

Currently, Alex can only guess what happened to his friend. Yet he knew that there was not a single person in the world who faced the apocalypse with ease.

"I-I lost so much Alex. M-My family is breaking apart… I-I.. I pretend to be strong everyday because many people depend on me but it's too much for me. It's getting harder and harder for me to endure." she sobbed

Hearing what she said, Alex wanted to hug her tightly, letting her know that there is still warmth in this world. But this is only a holographic place, although it looks like they can touch each other but they can't feel anything. Alex can only stay silent …

"How did it become like this? What kind of future do we have? Tell me Alex." she said hoarsely.

Hope is a luxury that is difficult to maintain on the apocalypse days. Something that everyone yearns but cannot have forever. Alex knows very well the terror that awaits them and what they must pay to face it. But he must not lose hope. So he said.

"Everything will be alright, I promise. I promise to try my best, for me and for us."

Hearing Alex's words, Christina raises her head, looked at his face for a moment and then turns around and starts to walk away.

"Alex, can you do me a favor?" she said as she walked away.

"Anything.."

"Singapore is very close to your location. Can you check if my son is okay?"

"Sure. What is his name?"

"His name is Caleb. I didn't mean to ask you to go on your own in person. But I heard that your men often trade with Singapore."

"Okay, I will check the whereabouts and condition of your son."

"Thank you Alex. And I hope you can keep your promise." She then left.

When Alex turned around he saw Aria who was still standing there, her face looked annoyed.

"Huh! Pretentious man!!" 

"What? Who?" Alex was stunned, he was very surprised by her reaction.

"You! You shouldn't promise things like that. You are not God!"

Hearing that, Alex thought if God really existed, why would he let the apocalypse happen?