Adam checked the news sites around the world. Within minutes stories started flooding everywhere as news of food rations and bottled water appearing out of thin air started flooding the internet. Thor noticed that the various governments tried to curtail the use of the word “miracle”, the common term the people were using. Now that they had plenty to eat and drink, the masses were a lot happier and a lot less prone to governmental control. Back-channel traffic Thor was monitoring showed that the various government agencies were sending query after query across the globe simply asking, “Was that you?”
The Chinese, with their leaders missing, said nothing. That should help a lot. Adam had monitors appear and extended the atmosphere so the sound from the news channels could be heard. He also created computer tablets that appeared on the desk in front of each of the leaders. This would allow each of them to call up a specific news channel they wanted to view more closely. Additionally, he also made sure that the main screen showed China’s current response. Adam wanted them to know what was going on when he ported in.
As he adjusted his soul space and watched them from his Base of Operation a Red Prompt flashed in his vision. Mentally accepting the prompt, he noticed it was from his Cosmic Interface,
WARNING: The current ambient magic saturation level has been artificially increased by more than 1,000%.
Adam closed the prompt as he thought, Well crap. Using 90% of a huge mana pool to conjure would have released a shit ton of mana into the surroundings. As he hit pretty much the whole world with that expenditure, the whole world was at well over 1,000% saturation. He should have seen that coming. Adam guessed that it was true that no good deed ever went unpunished.
Adam took over what Thor was doing personally, accelerated his perception machine speed, and then took over every satellite on the planet. He reprogrammed the satellites to scan the planet for anomalies and to send that information to him. He also locked out all military codes and communication lines to prevent any unwanted accidents. Adam couldn’t destroy all the nukes at once like he’d once done but he could make them unavailable for use. He’d take care of them eventually but for now, he needed people not to go crazy as they lost control of their systems. Adam also set off every single air raid siren on the planet. At best, people would think it was a drill. At worst, well he’d deal with it if he had too.
As he made all of these adjustments he teleported back in front of the seven Chinese leaders.
“That’s a neat trick,” Pan Ruoxi said.
“Not a trick, but thank you for the compliment.”
“I take it you are responsible for the sudden influx of food and water?” Li Muchen asked.
“I am. I am also going to have to modify my plans. Please no questions, just listen and understand that whatever I wanted to happen here, is no longer possible. Even I must make concessions if we are going to save lives,” he said gravely as he waited for a response. When none came he continued. “I have viewed each of you and know that all of you are aware of magic and have been trained by someone. That is not an issue. The issue is that Earth, your Earth, had a very low ambient magic level and that level had just reached the point where prompts and messages were working again. The food you just saw delivered across the world was done by me. I conjured it all into existence and placed it all over the planet at the same time.”
Qian Haoran scoffed but did not say anything, nor did the other six, though they all looked at him doubtfully.
“It matters not whether you believe me, the truth will become clear soon enough. What matters is that you understand I forgot or chose not to remember, a rule when using magic. When you use magic the energy must go somewhere. Normally it is reabsorbed and even distributed. Eventually, it will be. The problem today is that I have rapidly accelerated a process that should have taken a long time and would have given the people of Earth plenty of time to adapt to the changes having magic present makes.”
Shen Xinyi lifted a finger and then asked, “Why would more magic be a bad thing?”
“I understand that you have received reports on locations, usually caves, that seem to have mythical creatures and monsters living in them that the monsters don’t normally delve out of. The reason they do not delve out is that they are creatures of magic and must be near a source of magic to survive. Before today, if they were to leave their dungeons, they would have withered and died rapidly. Now that the world has been saturated with magic, the creatures can leave their dungeons, live, and thrive as they explore and kill. The creatures and monsters can venture anywhere so long as the magic is plentiful. Additionally, high levels of magic can also spawn random magical creatures and monsters anywhere the saturation is high. Anywhere.”
“So, you are saying that monsters can spawn anywhere on the planet?” Tang Muyang asked.
“Yes, this is where I let you all know what I need you to do. Not what I want you to do, what I need you to do. First, China will officially be responsible for the food and water that appeared out of nowhere. Explain it away as a newly developed technology that allows you to transport items like in the show Star Trek. I will provide the technology to anyone that wishes it in the coming days, but China will have first access if you comply with my instructions.
“You will….” Sun Mingze started to say, as Adam froze all seven of them with a thought to prevent any further interruptions.
“This is not a negotiation. You have little power and none in comparison to me. Please remain silent until I’m done,” he said as he felt Sun Mingze seethe. He would probably be a problem later, but Adam didn’t have time for this right now. He paused for a moment to let what he’d said sink in and checked the globe to see if anything had happened yet. So far nothing, maybe he was worrying for nothing? Adam brought his attention back to the table and released them from their paralysis.
The seven looked back and forth for a moment then turned back to him as they remained silent. Powerful people don’t become powerful by not knowing how to wait for an opportunity. If looks could kill, he’d have been dead seven times over though. Of course, without a majority of their help, a lot more people would probably die.
“Where was I? Oh, yes, I want China to take credit for the appearance of the food around the world. When asked, have your people inform the media that your scientist finally made a breakthrough that you will be sharing with the world shortly. Yes, I have the knowledge of this technology and yes I will share it with your country first if you do as I ask,” he said. As he finished he noticed that the looks of rage were being slowly replaced by looks of hunger.
“Also, I want you to tell everyone to stand down on their efforts to take the internet back from the virus that’s taking it over. Some of your technicians are quite brilliant and detected the virus. That virus isn’t a virus, it’s me. They can’t succeed so tell them to stop wasting their time. Don’t worry about those that don’t take your instructions or that you secretly tell to continue. When I detect them, and I will, they’ll be on that blue ball over there,” Adam said as he pointed to the Earth in the sky above them, “and no, I won’t be replacing them with duplicates. One day they’ll just disappear,” Adam said flatly.
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“Why do you need the internet?” Tan Muyang asked.
“I need it to continue to watch over the planet as well as have the ability to warn everyone in an emergency. Let me finish by saying that the more truthful and accommodating the Chinese are with the rest of the world going forward, the better off China and you seven specifically will be,” he said checking a monitor in his Base of Operation that had just flagged him, “Our time is up, The Chinese military is starting to get nervous with no responses from the seven of you. We may see each other again after this is over but for now, know that I am watching everyone everywhere and there is nothing you can do to stop me. Thank you for your time,” Adam said with a slight bow as all seven were teleported back to where he’d abducted them from.
Next, he repaired his moon and the Earth as he teleported back to his Base of Operation. Adam focused his intent and will to see if he could teleport the entire planet into his soul space. When he didn’t receive an error message he knew that he could do that if he needed to. He let go of the intent. He did not know everything that was going on this Earth and placing an interdimensional dungeon with links to the Labyrinth inside his soul space sounded like a bad idea.
Regardless, things were only going to get more fast-paced. He needed to be able to focus on handling problems. With that realization, he opened a portal to his mom and dad’s hospital room and stepped through to the shock of an orderly who had been preparing their breakfast. He walked between both beds and held out his hands, which his mom and dad reached out and took. Adam winked at the orderly and teleported all three of them into his Place of Power in the dining room as he left the orderly looking at an empty room. Adam took the liberty of changing their clothes and setting a breakfast he knew they’d like on the table in front of them, “Plan change, Earth is no longer safe, your both here for the duration,” he said as he left them to their breakfast and teleported back to the Base of Operation.
From his Base of Operation, he transferred back into his body in California and reabsorbed the mentality of the Johnathan Prime he’d created. He watched as the Chairman of the Central Committee for China made a public announcement claiming that China was responsible for the free food and water around the world and would be making an extensive announcement later, for now, everyone should rejoice in the gifts provided to those most in need around the world.
As he monitored the surface of Earth for any anomalies he was caught by surprise when a female voice was heard by everyone and everything on the planet Earth as if she was right next to them speaking normally.
“Adamantadine, I have come to Arbitrate.”
Arbitrate, Arbitrate with whom or what? As those thoughts went through his mind he searched the surface of the planet utilizing the technology he had available. He found nothing. Whoever this was somewhere there were no cameras. That left places that were hard to reach. If the creature didn’t just teleport in, maybe it came through a Dungeon entrance? Adam opened portals very quickly above each location that he knew had a dungeon entrance and found a woman floating above the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle. As he noticed her he saw her look up to the portal but make no further movements.
From his office in California, his co-workers were a little surprised when he stepped away from his chair and dropped through a hole in the floor into the air above the visitor. The portal closed as Adam modified his clothing and appearance to reflect his days on Primore, he just liked wearing the black leathers, though they were just cosmetic at this point. Adam floated down until he was facing the woman. She had pale skin, Chestnut brown hair, and looked identical to the body Abi now resided in. Adam came to hover 10 feet in front of her and said, “I am Adamantadine, by chance would your name be Abagail?”
She smiled and then said, “My master was correct, you are most insightful. My name was Abagail before I was absorbed into my master when that vessel died. Currently, I am but a construct of my master’s will. I have been sent to convey a message and an invitation.”
While he had a feeling who she was talking about he still had to ask, “Who is your master and why should I visit her?”
“My master is the entity known as the Labyrinth. As for why you should visit, My master offers safe passage to and from her presence as well as a guarantee that if you accept this invitation she will continue to oppose and prevent those creatures from the Labyrinth that have detected a ripe new feeding ground outside the Labyrinth through those dungeons connected to this planet.”
What exactly do we have to discuss?” he asked.
“I was not told exactly, except to say that if asked he was informed to say ‘the ring.’”
“Understood, give me a moment and I’ll be ready to follow you,” he said. While he continued to float in front of her he manifested a copy of myself into his Place of Power and asked Desirae for the ring.
“What do you need it for?” she asked.
“I’m pretty sure that I’m going to have to give it up.”
“Are you getting more out of giving it up than keeping it?” Desirae asked.
“Actually, yes. Currently, the world has been flooded with magic, my fault. We have a visitor from elsewhere and it seems that the Labyrinth has already taken steps to keep the Earth from getting flooded with monsters from Dungeons and the Labyrinth..”
“That sounds like a definite benefit to us. Maybe you should go with her.” Desirae said.
“I was planning to,” he said with a smile. “The ring please?”
Desirae handed him the ring. Adam transferred it to his soul storage for safekeeping. He also transferred the giant ring with the 1,000 rings attached to it into his soul storage as well. Adam nodded to Desirae then teleported, or translocated, to his Base of Operations. He was getting pretty good at moving his awareness between locations and the bodies he’d created from the ambient chaos in his soul space.
Next, he needed to set up a place where Thor would have all the processing power he needed and could continue as well as start replacing infrastructure with nanites, so he’d have easier control. He was going to go into a Dungeon to meet Abigail’s master whom he knew was some version of the Labyrinth. That he, she, or it knew him was a good sign but there was no telling how long he’d be gone so he needed to make sure Thor was going to have the ability to survive on his own while he was gone.
Since he could control everything from his soul space and his Earth was an exact copy of this Earth he opened a small portal near a communications cable that ran from California to Hawaii at a depth of 1,000 feet between those two locations on both planets. As both pressures were equal there was no sudden flooding in either direction. he let his chaos spread out to its 8-foot limit and created a seven-foot by seven-foot box that would be able to house Thor’s mind and also act as his brain once Adam was out of range.
Adam made the structure transparent to sonar so ships checking the seafloor and cable for tampering wouldn’t detect it and connected Thor’s brain to that cable from below. That way Thor could pull materials from the local surroundings to create the nanites he’d need to replace the cables and eventually the systems they connected to. The nanites he created to begin this process were the smallest version of nanite that he’d ever created. Microscopic, but not so microscopic that they couldn’t be detected.
Adam told Thor to drill down another 1,000 feet below the sea floor before creating a facility that could house a small number of people and also work to get power production and portals set up. The nanites he created from removing that material were to be used to replace the cables and infrastructure in both California and Hawaii. The material from the replaced cables and machines was to be used to spread again. The nanites would become the infrastructure that kept the internet and communications going. Once the portal was up and running and he’d have access to space command to monitor satellite traffic. Infiltration of satellites in orbit would be next. If Adam was gone for a long time Thor might finish. If not they’d finish up together in short order when he returned.
Ten seconds later the portal in the Pacific Ocean closed, Thor was up and running, and he was ready to go. Turning to Abigail he said, “Everything is ready here. I’m ready to go when you are.”
“Very good, please follow me into the depths,” Abigail said as she dropped below the waves and descended toward the sea floor in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. Adam followed her as she went deeper and deeper until she brought them to a small hill on the sea floor with a side that was almost vertical and ended up being the entrance to a cave. As she swam towards it he watched her swing her legs under her and drop gently into a small bubble of air where she landed lightly on the dry seafloor. he followed her example and felt himself pass through a bubble of energy and found himself standing in a small air bubble looking into a man-sized cave entrance.
“Through here is a very old Dungeon,” Abigail explained, As I made my way through the Dungeon we spoke at length about his history. Until five years ago your time the doorway had been closed as there was not enough mana for him to open the entrance to the depths.” Abigail said.
“If I’m not mistaken this dungeon isn’t our final destination?” Adam asked.
“It is not. Also, once you step through that portal, communication with this Realm will be limited. Once we exit the Dungeon through the other side, communication with this realm will be impossible without powerful magic.”
“Not to worry, I have that covered. Let’s go meet your master,” he said.