THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY
John slowly roused from unconsciousness, gasping for breath, his chest heaving with effort. "Huff, huff..." Each breath was a struggle, the lingering impact of what had transpired weighing heavily on him. His hand instinctively reached up to touch his forehead, where the memory of the stone's sharp impact remained vivid.
In the recesses of his mind, the encounter with death replayed like a haunting specter, refusing to be forgotten. And there, amidst the shadows of that memory, the monk's enigmatic presence danced, elusive yet ever-present. The pain in his forehead seemed to mirror the ache within his soul, a poignant reminder of the tumultuous journey he had undertaken.
As if a sudden rush of icy water engulfed him, John's senses jolted awake, and his eyes darted around the scene. A mix of fear and anger surged within him, and he couldn't contain the force of his emotions any longer. "Where are you taking me, you deceitful snake!" he exclaimed, his voice charged with betrayal. "I trusted you, Rudi!"
In a surge of desperation, John clutched at Rudi's shoulder while he was driving, causing the seasoned guide to momentarily lose control of the steering wheel. Through sheer reflex and decades of experience, Rudi managed to regain control and execute an emergency stop, the screech of tires echoing through the tense air.
"Doctor John, for heaven's sake, what on earth are you doing?" Rudi's voice crackled with concern and frustration. "Are you out of your mind? You're going to get us both killed!"
With a resolute determination, Rudi endeavors to quell the escalating tension, drawing upon the reservoirs of patience honed through years of training and experience. He takes a deliberate inhale, then exhales slowly, steadying himself for the task at hand.
Gently, yet firmly, Rudi removes John's hand from his shoulder and locks eyes with him, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Doctor, what's happening?" he inquires, striving to comprehend the sudden outburst from a once-trusted companion. "Why did you attack me all of a sudden?"
Fear courses through John's veins, his heart pounding like a drumbeat of survival. In a desperate bid to protect himself, he activates all of his AI devices, going all-out in a moment of panic. With a commanding gesture, he orders his AI to overload all systems within a 100-meter radius.
As he executes this risky maneuver, a tingling sensation creeps across his ears, eyes, and wrist, evidence of the immense power surging through the interconnected devices. John is acutely aware that his command could unleash a cascade of explosions within the radius—an unparalleled display of system hacking expertise.
With a firm voice laced with anger, he issues a warning, "Don't underestimate this old man! Though I may appear frail, the weight of my accumulated experiences spans countless years and should never be taken lightly." The gravity of his words hangs in the air, a testament to the formidable soul that lies within the aging facade.
"Doctor John, I- I..." Rudi's words stumble, and he realizes that his usual approach of reasoning may not suffice in this tense moment.
He lets out a deep sigh, attempting to convey a sense of calm amidst the escalating situation. "Doctor John, we've only just left the hotel, and we're just a few minutes away from the..." Rudi pauses, knowing that providing explanations might not be effective. He raises his hands in a gesture of non-aggression and continues, "Just check your device map and time."
John is thoroughly perplexed, feeling a mix of misery and regret for ever venturing into this foreign land. If only he could turn back time, he would undoubtedly steer clear of the entangled web involving the enigmatic purple thorn flower.
As John checked the time, he was taken aback to find that it was indeed just a few minutes since they had left the hotel; the time matched exactly what he had in mind.
Rubbing his forehead in bewilderment, he turned to Rudi and asked, "What the hell is happening, Rudi? Are we really on our way to meet your teacher?"
Rudi's expression furrowed slightly, sensing the urgency to explain the situation. "Yes, Doctor, we are on our way to meet my teacher," he replied promptly. "You were resting earlier, and I understand that this whole experience has been overwhelming for you. But trust me, my teacher means no harm, and in fact, he may offer you some help."
John was still struggling to grasp the reality of everything that had unfolded in that temple—the encounter with the enigmatic Monk Aetherius, the captivating gem, the surreal and blinding light—none of it felt like a mere dream. The brush with death felt all too real, leaving him grappling with a newfound sense of existence and the mysteries it entailed.
John felt as though the tapestry of fate had already been woven, and he had no choice but to press on with this extraordinary journey. Letting out a deep sigh, he turned to Rudi and said, "I apologize, Rudi. I might have been overwhelmed earlier. Let's continue; I truly wish to leave this country as soon as possible."
Rudi nodded understandingly, and they resumed their journey, following the same familiar route that led them to the temple. Despite the apprehension in his heart, John recounted every step of their previous encounter. As they arrived once more at the temple's entrance, the fear within him intensified. Although he regretted getting involved with the purple thorn flower, an insatiable curiosity tugged at his core, compelling him to proceed.
Deep down, he yearned to walk this enigmatic path, embracing the allure of an adventure filled with life and death, mysteries, and perilous challenges. This journey held a magnetic pull that he couldn't resist.
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Regrettably, with old age weighing heavily upon him, John couldn't help but acknowledge that this might well be his final adventure. As he let out a deep sigh, the mixture of fear and anticipation continued to churn within his heart.
Rudi, keenly observant of John's emotions, turned to him and offered a reassuring smile. Guiding John all the way to his teacher's room, Rudi allowed him the space he needed to confront what lay ahead.
Stepping inside, John's pupils constricted as he beheld a figure that wasn't at all what he had expected. His disappointment was evident, but he mustered the courage to approach the monk, who greeted him with a casual remark, "It appears you were expecting someone else?"
With a hint of bitterness, John replied, "What do you think? Is this all an act, including those who tried to capture me?" The enigma surrounding this entire affair only seemed to deepen with every passing moment.
The monk stood up and walked to the nearest window, brushing aside the dust that had settled on the side panel. With a calm demeanor, he began, "Firstly, the one who orchestrated the extraction is my boss, your 'mysterious backer.' Secondly, you could say it was an act, but the actors were unaware that it was staged."
"We executed the plan flawlessly, ensuring not even your family could trace you," he added, his tone carrying a subtle undertone of threat.
John remained composed, his curiosity driving him to inquire further, "And what about my team? Are they safe?"
"Your team members are skilled doctors, and they are well aware that you are in a secure situation," assured the monk.
John nodded in relief, his worries momentarily eased. "Those young individuals have promising futures ahead, and being entangled in this mess would undoubtedly harm them. It's best if I divert all attention to myself," he pondered.
John maintained his silence, his mind delving deeper as he brushed aside the monk's seemingly pointless and non-meaningful remarks. "The intentions of this mysterious backer remain unclear, but their operations appear to be within legal bounds. It seems they wish to keep this research hidden from the public," he contemplated, following the trail of thoughts.
"Based on their actions and my own experiences, they require my expertise in researching the plant. Though some of my colleagues possess impressive capabilities in utilizing AI gear, my unique approach makes me a more intriguing candidate," John acknowledged, recognizing his value in this enigmatic pursuit.
Growing increasingly irritated with the monk's incessant ramblings, he decided to confront the situation head-on. "Why are you telling me all of this? I am not a fool, so spare me the nonsense. While I may not personally know your boss, I am well aware that he lacks the courage to show himself in public. All this drama only confirms that this so-called 'powerful man' likely has this temple surrounded as we speak," John retorted, refusing to be deceived.
The monk smiled, acknowledging John's unconventional nature. "I truly admire you, Dr. John. The rumors are indeed true—you are an eccentric old man, unyielding in your principles. However, let's see just how far you can go," the monk said, a hint of challenge in his voice.
Intent on taking control of the situation, the monk began to explain the plan. But before he could proceed, John firmly interrupted, "No need to explain that damn thing to me. Just hearing about it makes me sick."
The monk couldn't help but feel a tinge of irritation, thinking to himself, "Once we finish the antidote for the side effects, this old soul would be my dinner!"
Unbeknownst to the monk, John was far from oblivious. "I know everything regarding that plant, even its most arcane properties," John mused silently.
Putting on a show of surprise, the monk continued, "What we need from you is to help us perfect the antidote for the plant's side effects. Specifically, we must find a way to suppress the seizures or at least shorten their duration."
As Aetherius had mentioned, they had encountered a major obstacle in crafting an effective antidote for the plant's effects.
The monk gracefully slid a paper across the table to John, saying, "This is the current progress of our research. Feel free to review it at your leisure."
The monk's voice carried a tone of understanding as he continued, "Doctor John, among all people, you should grasp your current situation well. Your wisdom precedes you, and I truly don't wish to impose hardships upon you. I also have no expectations of encountering any form of resistance from you."
Exiting the room, the monk descended the stairs while casually instructing one of his subordinates, "That old man may be stubborn, but his track record in the field of medicine and artificial intelligence is remarkable."
“This is the perks of mastering your craft, even with those experts monitoring me, can’t do anything or relate to what I am really doing.”
Sighing in frustration he said to himself “Within those days I really can’t figure out how to counter this plant” John also encounter a hurdle at first he was able to dissect its properties, but as he goes along it seems everything this plan is so mystical, and the properties he saw is out of this world.
"Keep a close eye on him, and ensure that his requests are met without difficulty. Report to me regularly on his progress," he added before walking away.
The two subordinates nodded and left.
Two days later...
During these past days, John maintained the pretense of focusing solely on formulating the antidote for the purple thorn plant. Little did they know that John was secretly working on countering its effects.
Within the words of Aetherius lay a peculiar notion—imbuing the body with another spirit—a notion that, at first, appeared eccentric. Yet, the research shared by the monk hinted at its plausibility. While not overtly documented, John pieced together the evidence, which compellingly supported the authenticity of the claim. The plant's origin remained veiled in secrecy, leaving behind an enigma yet to be unraveled.
[----]
In the serene valley of Kullu, a modest dwelling stood atop the gentle slopes. Inside, a soft yellow light cast a warm glow, illuminating the simple furnishings—just a table, two chairs, and two prayer mats, one placed at the front and another at the rear.
Seated behind a man in a prayerful posture, Rudi spoke in hushed tones, "Teacher, John is currently immersed in his research on the antidote for the purple thorn flower."
Undeterred by the interruption, the man, known as Aetherius, continued his reverent prayer.
"O Giver of sunlight to both the wicked and the just, O Sender of rain upon the virtuous and the sinner, The Creator of all, The Almighty, This humble servant of yours grows weaker with each fleeting moment.
"Your wisdom knows no bounds, spanning the vast cosmos, and I, in turn, shall heed your divine design."
After completing his prayers, Aetherius rose to his feet, adjusted his robes, and settled into a chair, pouring himself a cup of tea. "For thousands of years since our Master's departure, the conflict with these malevolent entities has shifted from bloodshed to battles of cunning and deception."
"This world serves as a sanctuary for humanity, immune to otherworldly powers. Yet, the devil folks persist in their attempts to corrupt this land, seeking to infiltrate their armies here, but all in vain."
"Now, with the advent of the purple thorn plant, their creation poses a game-changing threat. I fear this move may pave the way for the devil folks to advance their sinister plan."
Curious, Rudi inquired, "Teacher, what is the devil folks' ultimate goal on Earth? Their relentless determination surpasses imagination, leading me to believe there must be something they desire here."
"A discerning mind you possess, Rudi," Aetherius praised with a smile. Setting down his cup, he withdrew an exceptionally large scroll from his sleeves, a feat that never ceased to amaze Rudi, no matter how many times he witnessed it. Indeed, Aetherius' sleeves seemed to harbor a boundless space within.
Aetherius tossed the ancient-looking scroll to Rudi and said, “What’s written there is the thousand years of history and battle between me, the guardian of this world, and the demon folks.”
“You will also come to comprehend why they persist in corrupting this land and what is so remarkable here that they never give up,” Aetherius added.
Without hesitating, Rudi immediately immersed himself in knowledge. After a few minutes of reading the scroll, different emotions played across his face, and his eyes glowed with fervor.