Hello friend. If you can read this, you are indeed a friend. You’re probably asking yourself the reason I wrote in a language they cannot understand in this world. The answer is simple. I’m not writing to them. Anyway, if you’re reading this, you are a Traveler. As a fellow Traveler, I hope you could find something useful in this unusual manuscript of mine. Gather all the pages, it will be worth it.

Hopefully, you can achieve Focused Intention. You’ll need it to unlock the real message on each one of the pages. The method is simple. I used a Forbidden Relic to encrypt what I really wanted to say on each page. The beautiful thing about this relic is that it doesn’t matter whether you have the original page or a copy of it. It’ll work as long as every word is copied perfectly.

Here is the method, enter the Focused Intention state and read every word on the page. A surprise awaits you.

If this is the first page you’re reading, I’m letting you know that each page of the manuscript starts the same way. What differs is what comes next. I needed to put something to fool others who may try to decrypt this.

Ansel did as instructed and took the time to enter the Focused Intention state. He read the page again from the beginning. After he finished reading the introduction part, he started on the part that was different on each page.

One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp noise…

Ansel accidentally let his focus slip away.

Damn you, Wilem. That surprises me. I wasn’t expecting you to put an Aesop Fable in here.

Ansel re-entered the meditative state and read the page from the beginning. The fable was the Fox and the Crow. It was one he was familiar with from his childhood. At the end of the fable, there was another sentence.

The flatterer lives at the expense of those who will listen to him.

As soon as he finished reading the last word, he felt a soothing feeling in his mind. He closed his eyes while instinctively focusing on the sensation. The image of a man appeared in his mind. He had gray hair and a gray beard. He was sitting on a gold and red chair. Even from his sitting position, Ansel could tell the man was tall.

“Hello, friend. Something interesting happened to me. I was on one of my numerous travels. I encountered an island, a small island where the rain never ceases to fall. I obviously decided to explore it. Then I found her. She was so miserable, trapped at the boundaries between two places. If it wasn’t for me, I believe her solitude would have gone on for many more years. I asked myself whether I should help her.”

The image became fuzzy for a few seconds before clearing up again.

“I fell in love again. What can I say? I am a hopeless romantic and a true gentleman. It also doesn’t help that I am acquainted with breathtaking women. Hopefully, they won’t take mine away permanently. Friend, that’s all for now. Hope, you find another page.”

Ansel put the page down and grabbed another on the table. In his Focused Intention state, he read the never-changing introduction part and also read the fable. This time the fable was the Ant and the Dove.

Kindness is never wasted. Ansel read the last line, and Wilem’s image appeared in his mind.

“Managing a country is so hard. Sometimes I ask myself the reason I decided to become a ruler. Was I too ambitious back then? Anyway, I’m very bad at delegating tasks. However, I cannot run a country alone. It also doesn’t help that the people around me are all lacking. How hard is it to follow instructions? That’s all for this one, friend. I’m not in a talkative mood today. Hope you find another page.”

Ansel put the page down and took another randomly. He repeated the same process. The fable on the page was the Man and the Satyr.

The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either. He read the last line before seeing Wilem’s now-familiar figure.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“I’m having one of those days I question everything. Did I choose correctly? Sometimes, I believe I did. But other times, like today, I don’t think so. I’m talking about Genomes, of course. Perhaps, I should have started with the Codon 1: Mentalist or the Codon 1: Abecedarian. Either way, it’s too late now. I can only live with my regret. Friend, your genome choice is important. I cannot stress this enough. You can’t go backward. If you haven’t decided yet, choose carefully.”

The image fuzzed up before clearing up again.

“My disciples will be the death of me. They just don’t learn. I am a decent teacher though. I lost count of how many had asked for my guidance. I rejected them. I choose who I guide not the other way around. Anyway, I hope you’re a better learner than them, friend. I will only say this once to you. Codon mixtures aren’t just liquid you put in you to change your DNA. Integration is paramount! You must fully integrate it into your own DNA. Remember this, Integration! Don’t just go adding more codons before fully integrating the last one. That’s all for now. Hope you find another page, friend.”

Ansel picked another page and went through the motion again. The fable on it was the Hare and his Ears.

Do not give your enemies the slightest reason to attack your reputation. Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you. He read before seeing Wilem’s figure.

“Friend, I have way too many enemies. A word of advice, keep your enemies as few as possible. There are numerous people and organizations desiring to get rid of me. What can I say? I am the brightest star of this era. There will always be haters. However, they seem to forget in their quest to destroy me who they’re up against. Perhaps, I’ve been a pacifist for too long. Shall I show them the might of Wilem Von Shroeder once again? I wish I could hear your thoughts on this. However, this is merely a recording, a one-way communication…”

The image broke before reappearing again.

“Have you heard of Zerzura, the Lost City of the Giants? Many believe it is a myth. They’re ignorant fools. I’ve been searching for it for many years now. And I’m getting close. I think I know where the city should be. That’s all, friend. Hope you find another page.”

Ansel put the page down and searched for another one in vain.

“You looked very focused. Have you found something?” The old man inquired.

“Not much. I noticed that the first part on each page is similar.”

“You’re a keen observant. I am truly impressed. It took me days to find that peculiarity, and you did it in a matter of minutes.”

“I don’t know if that gets us closer to deciphering the pages though. Do you have other pages in your possession?”

The old man shook his head.

“These are all we currently have.”

Ansel was disappointed. He had hoped he could get his hands on more pages.

I need to find more pages! Ansel thought.

“Old man, are you a Genomer?”

“Me? Oh no.” He replied, shaking his head.

“Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you want to become one?”

Ansel nodded. The old man remained silent for a few seconds.

“Have you thought it through?”

“I have.”

“In that case, I can only wish you luck.”

“Thank you. I was told the guild has all the codons for a particular Genome. Do you happen to know which one?”

“This is no secret among the people in our line of work. The first codon of that Genome is called Codon 1: Insomniac. Then, there is Codon 2: Orator Del Sueno. After that, we have Codon 3: Disruptive Intruder.”

“What’s next?”

“That’s the extent of my knowledge. You should ask the leader or Boone.”

“Thank you. What other codon names do you know?”

“Hmm, I’ve heard names here and there from working for so many years. I do not know more about it.”

“What have you heard?”

“Codon 2: Crusader of Hysteria and Codon 3: Anti BS Master. These are the only other codon names I’ve heard. They are not from the same Genome though. I don’t know any more than this.”

Ansel nodded and thanked the man again.

“I will get back to work.”

“I’ll leave you to it then. I’m going back to the front desk. Put the manuscripts back in the drawer when you want to leave.

Ansel stayed for a couple more hours, going over some other texts before deciding to call it a day. He said goodbye to the old man and walked home.