Elijah stared out of the plane's small window as the sun rose over the horizon.
It had been a chaotic 5 hours since his meeting with President Tronald Drump, and now he was on his way to India for his next crucial encounter.
The stakes felt even higher this time.
Not only was he meeting one of the most influential leaders in the world, Prime Minister Nadrendra M., but he'd also have to contend with his National Security Advisor, Ajvet D., a man known for his sharp intellect and no-nonsense demeanor.
Elijah pulled his notebook from the seat pocket and flipped it open.
The pages were filled with hastily scribbled notes, diagrams, and phrases he'd rehearsed dozens of times.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, tapping the pen against the page. "If it worked with Drump, it can work with Nadrendra. Just keep it simple, stay calm, and don't get thrown off by the tough questions."
He jotted down a few key points:
Start with respect. Acknowledge the PM's leadership and achievements to build rapport.
Explain the merge. Keep it clear and concise no need to overwhelm them with details.
Prove the powers. A controlled demonstration would go a long way.
Address concerns. Be ready for skepticism and counter it with logic and evidence.
Elijah leaned back, staring at the list. "Sounds good on paper," he muttered. "But these guys aren't pushovers. They're going to grill me."
He tapped the notebook again, trying to imagine how the conversation might go.
PM Nadrendra M.: "Mr. Kane, why should we believe you? What proof do you have that this merge is real?"
Elijah: "With respect, sir, the signs are already here. Strange weather patterns, energy anomalies your own scientists must have noticed them."
NSA Ajvet D.: "Even if that's true, why should we trust you? What's your agenda?"
Elijah: "I have no agenda other than ensuring Earth's survival. I'm here because I've been given knowledge and abilities to prepare us for what's coming."
Elijah sighed, closing the notebook. "And if they still don't believe me? I guess I'll have to improvise."
The plane landed smoothly at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the bustling heart of New Delhi.
As Elijah stepped off the jet, the first thing he noticed was the heat, a sharp contrast to the cool air-conditioned cabin.
A small convoy of black SUVs was waiting for him on the tarmac.
Two men in suits approached him, their faces stoic but polite.
"Mr. Kane?" one of them asked.
"That's me," Elijah replied, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.
"Welcome to India," the man said with a slight bow. "We'll escort you to your accommodations before your meeting with the Prime Minister."
Elijah nodded, following them to the waiting vehicle.
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The drive through the city was a blur of sights and sounds.
Delhi's streets were full with activity of cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, and pedestrians weaving through the chaos with practiced ease.
The convoy finally arrived at a government guesthouse, where Elijah was given a few hours to rest and prepare.
But he took only thirty minutes rest and of which he spent most of the time pacing the room, going over his notes and rehearsing his pitch.
Later that afternoon, Elijah was driven to the Prime Minister's residence, a sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens and guarded by heavily armed security personnel.
The sight of it was both intimidating and awe-inspiring.
After clearing multiple security checks, he was led into a conference room where Prime Minister Nadrendra M. and National Security Advisor Ajvet D. were waiting.
The Prime Minister rose to greet him, his warm smile and firm handshake immediately putting Elijah at ease. "Mr. Kane," he said, his voice calm and measured. "Welcome to India. I trust your journey was comfortable?"
"It was, sir," Elijah replied, returning the handshake. "Thank you for meeting with me."
Ajvet D., who remained seated, offered a curt nod. "Let's get to it. You've made some extraordinary claims to warrant this meeting. We're here to hear you out, but you'll need to convince us."
Elijah took a seat, placing his notebook on the table. "Thank you, sir. I'll get straight to the point."
He launched into his explanation, starting with the basics of the Endless World and the upcoming merge.
He kept his tone calm and respectful, carefully watching their reactions.
Prime Minister Nadrendra listened intently, his hands folded on the table.
Ajvet D., on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Elijah's every word.
When Elijah paused, the PM spoke. "You're asking us to believe something that challenges everything we know about the world. What proof do you have?"
Elijah nodded, expecting the question. "With respect, sir, the signs are already here. Your scientists must have noticed unusual weather patterns, energy anomalies things that can't be easily explained."
Ajvet leaned forward. "Even if that's true, it doesn't prove your claims about a merge. It could be anything climate change, natural disasters. Why should we trust your interpretation?"
Elijah took a deep breath. "Because I've been given abilities to prepare us for this. Let me show you."
He raised his hand, letting the golden energy swirl around his fingers.
With a flick of his wrist, a glass of water floated into the air, spinning gently before settling back onto the table.
The PM's eyes widened slightly, though his calm demeanor remained intact.
Ajvet, however, frowned. "Parlor tricks," he muttered. "Nothing more."
Elijah turned to him, his voice steady. "If you think that's all this is, then test me. Ask me to do something that can't be faked."
Ajvet considered this for a moment, then gestured to a paperweight on the far side of the room. "Move that. Without touching it."
Elijah nodded.
He extended his hand, focusing on the object.
The golden energy flowed outward, wrapping around the paperweight and lifting it into the air.
Slowly, it floated across the room and landed gently on the table in front of Ajvet.
The advisor's expression didn't change, but he leaned back slightly, clearly unsettled.
The PM broke the silence. "This is impressive, Mr. Kane. But power alone isn't enough. What do you want from us?"
"I need your support," Elijah said. "Resources, influence, access to other leaders. If we don't start preparing now, Earth won't survive the merge."
Ajvet folded his arms. "And what's in it for India? Why should we divert resources to this when we have our own challenges to deal with?"
"Because the merge doesn't care about borders," Elijah said. "When it happens, it'll affect everyone no matter where they are. This isn't about one country. It's about humanity."
The PM nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "You make a compelling case, Mr. Kane. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. What happens if we agree to help you, and nothing happens? We'll have wasted valuable time and resources."
Elijah met his gaze. "Then I'll take full responsibility. But I'm not asking you to commit everything right now. Just keep an open mind. Give me a few days. If nothing happens, you can walk away. But if I'm right, we'll have a head start on saving billions of lives."
The room fell silent as the PM and Ajvet exchanged a look.
Finally, the PM turned back to Elijah. "You're asking a lot, Mr. Kane. But you're right there's no harm in waiting a few days to see if your predictions come true."
He extended a hand. "You have my tentative support. But understand this: I won't tolerate dishonesty or wasted time. Prove yourself, and we'll talk about next steps."
Elijah shook his hand, relief flooding through him. "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."
As Elijah left the meeting, escorted once again by officials, he felt a mix of relief and exhaustion.
He had secured the Prime Minister's tentative agreement, but the real work was only beginning.
The system screen appeared in front of him, displaying an updated notification:
[Quest Update: Found Your Pillars]
Recruits Found: 3/10
Remaining Time: 4 days
Elijah smiled to himself. "Three down," he whispered. "Seven to go."