CHAPTER 77: End of the Party
When it was just after 1pm, and Adam had finished eating another meal, he saw Detective Ron Baker heading his way with a woman. The woman looked a little older than Ron, with heavy makeup and lots of hair styling. She was trim and had fashionable clothes with a large fancy purse.
Ron, who normally wore low quality suits, now had a suit with superior material. Adam wondered if it had been made from materials within the Rift, as it gave off a pleasant shimmer. The suit was a light gray with a white shirt and blue and gray diagonally striped tie. He also wore a Sentinel’s chest protector, which looked a bit funny with the tie, but not too bad. There was no sword or knife at his belt.
The woman was very handsy with Ron, and before he came up on stage, she stopped him. First, she straightened his tie, jacket, and chest protector. Then she looked at his face while thinking, went into her purse, and pulled out some wipes and a bottle of some liquid. She wiped parts of his face and applied the liquid. Then she kissed him on the cheek and slapped him on the butt to get him moving.
Ron frowned petulantly, like an embarrassed kid being sent to play with friends by his mom.
“Girlfriend?” asked Adam with a smirk.
Ron stopped dead and stared at Adam, looking for some answer in his face. After a long silence he got a bit closer.
“You don’t know who that woman is?” Ron asked with disbelief.
“No. Should I?”
Ron let out a big sigh. “Seriously, Adam. That’s Alissa’s mom.”
“Wow, she’s young looking. Seems a bit older than you though.”
“Don’t talk about a woman’s age ever, Adam. You haven’t met one of your girlfriends’ mother?”
Adam thought for a minute. He had talked with Brittney’s parent and met her brothers, who he could see boisterously waiting their turn for a nearby fighting ring. Andrea’s family had been a rough time. Abbey only had her dad, and he hadn’t seen the man. Guess he had forgotten about Alissa’s mother since she didn’t live at home.
“Guess not. Things have been chaotic. I thought they were on the outs. Why was she with you?”
Ron shook his head. “It turns out Alissa ended her mom’s relationship with her previous boyfriend. Alissa didn’t kill him. She just crippled his manhood. Then Alissa set her up with a condo across from mine. Thanks for the place, by the way.”
“You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do for all your hard work,” Adam said honestly.
“Well, it’s still more than other people would have done. Anyway, the woman walked into my place and just started talking to me. She even rearranged it. She keeps inviting herself over for dinner. I caught her and Alissa in my bedroom replacing the clothes in my closet.”
“Your suit looks nicer,” complimented Adam.
“It absolutely is nicer. I don’t know what alien material this is made from, but it’s wonderful. That’s not the point though. I’ve seen this before. She’s inserting herself into my life. Can you please talk to Alissa to stop it?” Ron begged.
Now Adam sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.” Ron nodded.
“It’s time for the show. You ready?” asked Ron.
“Yeah, let’s get it done.”
Ron left the stage. Men came and took the tables and chairs away. The rest of his group joined him on stage. Police Chief Orleo, Police Captain Sanchez, and Mayor Jadega also joined him and stood near Colonel Davian. A mic was given to Tom and one to Andrea. The video display switched to a camera pointing at them.
“Can you start this off, boss?” Tom asked with a smile. This was being broadcast to news stations, video displays in the other parks, and livestreamed on various websites.
Adam roared. He did it loudly. His power carried far. People froze. No matter the level they had reached, terror gripped them.
When people could move again, all eyes turned to the stage. The power wasn’t broadcast through the video, but the effects caused even the men on the stage, other than the Sentinels, to freeze with terrified expressions.
Adam stood there casually with the head of his hammer on the stage, hands gipping the top of the handle. He looked imperious in his armor, with his friends standing around him. His presence could be felt by all and even those watching flinched when they saw the intensity in his eyes, what Andea called his Angry Face.
When the terror began to fade from the people, Andrea raised her arms to the sky and said, “[Lightning Spread]!”
A red flash was all the warning before lightning shot from her fingertips 15 yards into the sky, ending up wider than the stage.
“Good afternoon, Jackson! Good afternoon, world!” greeted Tom. “We are being watching from people all over the planet, by friends and enemies alike. Yes, we are aware that all the invaders are currently tuning in to this broadcast.
“Let me take a moment to introduce ourselves. I’m called the Illusionary Loyalist, here with the Lightning Queen. On stage with me are Nick the Unseen Death, Carlos the Intrigue Muster, our Huntsman Lamar, Brittney the Shield Maiden, Joseph the Executioner, Randall the Blitz Spear, Lucas our Battlemaster, Elias the Earth Warden, Alissa the Avenging Angel, Brandon the Augment Fulcrum, Abbey the Healing Angel, and Edward the Archivist! Give them all a round of applause.”
Tom paused, followed by cheers and clapping, before he looked back at Adam right as he got a message.
Enough of your population have recognized the appointments you made to your Sovereign Retinue. The Loyalty tab in your status shows those with Appointment Titles. Both the Sovereign and his Retinue have the ability to know the direction and distance of the other.
Adam dismissed it and looked at Tom who winked at him. “Tell me their Loyalty stats later, boss,” he whispered away from the mic. Then he continued as if it had been a planned pause.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“The videos that we’ve posted about our adventures and struggles weren’t made for fun. They were meant to be warnings to the world. Encouragement for the authorities to get out there and hunt down the invaders before they have more power, like we did. We released and spread most of the information we had and invited the army in to learn, grow stronger, and to study the base we captured. Yes, for those who don’t know, we have been living and working out of an extra-dimensional reality bubble we captured called the Rift. And yes, it is as awesome as it sounds!
“While all our efforts have been to protect our friends, neighbors, and the Earth, not everyone has agreed with it. Unfortunately, we have not seen evidence of any other authority on Earth building defenses or going on the offensive like we have here. In fact, just today our group was forced to subdue black ops teams sent by Senator Colver to capture our leader and steal our base. General Carmichael, the base is in no better hands than our own General’s. Secretary of Defense Mayhew, you are a bit late to request a meeting.”
Colonel Davian’s face grew stonier with each name mentioned.
Tom turned to look at him and then continued.
“If you were wondering, no, the patriotic Colonel Davian didn’t share his obstructionist orders with us. This is just how much more powerful the invader tech and [System] skills are. Just look at his face, he’s furious at me right now just for knowing,” Tom joked. “Now, while many have plotted again Earth’s hero, Adam the General, and tried to steal from us without properly defending their own people, plenty have come to our aid. We consider all who are standing with us, even if they aren’t fighters, to be members of our Sentinel Army, the protectors of Earth. Let’s hear from the Lightning Queen about them.”
“Thanks, Tom,” said Andrea with a game show host smile on. “First, I’d like to thank General Gervin for doing what he could to disseminate our information to the world and for sending soldiers to help protect our people of Jackson. We’ll be sure to protect your wife as best we can. Next, to Mayor Jadega and Police Captain Sanchez, thank you for your faith in us and your dedication to the people. These men, and the people under them, have spent the last two weeks ensuring that Jackson will be as safe and prepared as possible come tomorrow. Police Chief Orleo has helped us train and level up his officers so that they will not be left weak when the invaders hit.
“Next, I would like to mention all the businesses that have put the people before greed by donating money and supplies. These companies are…” Andrea pulled out a sheet of paper and read through the companies. Then she read through key volunteers.
Once she was done, Tom picked things back up again.
“Now that you’ve heard about those doing their best to support our community, I’ll be introducing you to the reason we’re here. He gathered us. Protected and taught us. No one is more determined than he that we survive what’s coming. Here’s a little video I personally put together so you can see his greatness!”
The video displays all switched to images of Adam standing heroically. He swung his sledgehammer. He stood between enemies and his group. He stood over defeated bosses. Adam carried wounded soldiers, while covered in his own blood. There was even one picture of him completely naked while holding one of the Testudinate eggs. That caused some to cat call, while others gasped at his missing arm.
“That last one was for you ladies,” said Tom with a wink. “Now, let me present to you, Adam Clemens, The General!”
There was applause, cheers, and whistles. Those who had worked with him in the base were the loudest. The soldiers that had fought with him were next. Plenty were more polite than enthusiastic, but the noise levels were high.
Adam stepped forward on the stage. He didn’t take a mic, instead letting Tom point his at Adam.
“Welcome, everyone,” Adam said gently with a smile. “Thank you to those who have supported us. I wanted this celebration for you. To let you know that we appreciate you and to let the world know what you have been doing. Everyone wearing the symbol of the Sentinel Army and keeping the Earth over your heart is a hero to me. Hopefully, in the future even more will join us to wear those symbols.”
Adam looked around as more applause rose. His group on the stage clapped with big smiles as the people watching them. Many hands patted those wearing the chest protectors in the crowds.
“However, now I need to talk about what’s coming. I haven’t done all this for fame or fortune. We also aren’t doing this for truth, justice, and the American way. The reason my friends and I have been fighting is for survival. We might be grandstanding right now, trying to inspire those watching, however there is a ruthless reality here.”
The video suddenly switched from Adam on the stage to Adam kneeling with a knife through his foot, two of his fingers ripped off, and bleeding from a half dozen severe wounds while a shadow goblin’s arm reached towards him. The crowd gasped. Then it switched to a poor quality still of Adam, from behind, having his neck torn open by a bullet. Now people started retching.
“It hasn’t been only victories and strength. We’ve had to fight and suffer just to survive the invaders we found.”
Next was an image of Brandon being cut open and everyone screaming. That was followed by slow motion video of the group getting overrun by goblins, falling one by one to cuts, bashes, and broken bones.
“There have already been sacrifices. Two policemen died and one was crippled trying to protect and serve against the Testudinates.”
Images were shown of the Testudinate charging and knocking them off the cliff and one of the Testudinate that crushed Brett’s legs. Then it showed Adam missing most of his skin and hair, missing his right arm with his left-hand fingers flapping.
“We need to be an army because we’re at war. You can’t rely on others to fight this battle for you. My group might have started a bit early, but we can’t do this alone. We all need to take part.”
Next, they saw the soldiers bleeding from just the screams of the Feral Behemoths, and the bodies of the two soldiers who died. The display then switched back to Adam on stage, not smiling gently, but looking hard at everyone, his eyes practically on fire.
“This is the ruthless reality. There will be violence and suffering. There will be sacrifices. We don’t fight for glory or for ourselves but for our family, friends, and neighbors. That is why my friends and I are here. I was an unmotivated teenager last month. Now I’m charging into the danger to keep my mother, father, and sister safe.
“Tomorrow at 7:30 the invasions open up and we don’t know what’s coming, but based on what my group has experienced already, it’s going to be brutal for those prepared, and deadly to those who aren’t. Thanks to the mayor, police chief, and colonel, Jackson has evacuation and defense plans. Talk to any police officer you see to find out more. My group, as well as those soldiers and volunteers with adequate levels and gear, will be prepared to head out at any report of an invasion in this city.
“The known enemies can manipulate thoughts. Should we need to mobilize, we won’t have time to deal with people in our way. Keep the roads clear. Be where you need to be before 7:30. Anyone who obstructs us will be swiftly dealt with. Mercy and patience aren’t our calling cards. Action and decisiveness are. Either you are part of the Sentinel Army, fighting to protect the Earth, or you’re an invader sympathizer. And I am here with one goal, to kill the invaders.”
The air around Adam rippled and warped from the heat he was giving off. The stage started bowing and the men without high levels backed away from him. Tom had to move the mic away to keep it from crackling and breaking.
Adam lifting his war hammer onto his shoulder then put on a cruel smile. The smile of a tyrant and devil.
“For now, eat, drink, and be merry. Tomorrow comes war.”
Turning from the stunned crowds, Adam walked off the stage, followed by every one of his friends. Tom, with his mischievous smile, tossed the mic to a cameraman who failed to catch it, resulted in a bang through the speakers as it hit the ground.
When the group had gotten into vehicles and left the area, chaos erupted. People shouted. Answers were demanded. Crying and whimpering could be heard.
In rooms across the world, governments had watched. Army leaders and strategists had been in teleconferences. Scholars and experts reviewed what they thought they knew. Everyone had wanted to see what the debated kids responsible for the videos had to say. Orders were drawn up, phones were dialed, arguments broke out.
However, a moment later silence once more filled the world as every person in it received the same message, as if the [System] was working together with Adam.
The [System] has provided you with time to prepare and is no longer able to hold the invasions back. Soon the Dimensional Convergence Rifts will merge with your world and their armies will pour out. The [System] encourages you and desires your people’s survival.
Time until invasion: 14:58:24
Throughout the world, the only sound any person made was Tom laughing.