Chapter 11
Unveiling Shadows
Inside the plane, John is relaxing on his couch, closing his eyes a flashback comes back to his mind. It was the flashback of what is the mission assigned to him.
"John, your first mission: infiltrate Harken's operational base. Extract the complete formula to earn their trust. And above all, make every effort to connect with the elusive Purple Thorn Plant, the matriarch of those mysterious blooms."
"Should you succeed in making contact, employ the token I've bestowed upon you. Grasp it with resolve, and unleash its might. By doing so, you will obliterate the plant, leaving them incapable of unlocking the final barrier guarding the treasure."
Aetherius's words echo in John's mind, a subtle cadence of purpose.
Eyes reopening, his vision bores through the plane's ceiling. "Shattering that plant..." John's thoughts remain veiled, his eyes gleaming with determination.
The journey aboard the plane is serene, spanning a mere few hours to their destination. Upon arrival, the Harken staff awaits, leaving no room for delay. As they touch down, they embark on a vehicle bound for their destination.
John embraced the sweltering wave of heat enveloping him. The Egyptian landscape, arid and scorching, offered a welcome change from the biting cold of the Himalayas.
In the canvas of his vision, all was bathed in a golden hue, complemented by the azure sky and the melodic whispers of the wind. It was as though John had stepped into the tapestry of ancient times, where every sight and sound echoed with history.
Their sojourn in Egypt unfolded. After traversing the land for a few hours, John and his team found themselves at the destination. The site lay in proximity to the Great Pyramid, its depth marked by a vast excavation requiring a light every ten meters.
Peering into the abyss, John sensed an irresistible pull beneath. Harken, noting John's reaction, chuckled. "Doctor, fear not. There's no danger. Our welcoming committee awaits below." Harken gave John a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Observing this interaction, the bandaged man's eyes glinted with sinister intent. "It appears this old man has piqued Harken's interest," he muttered.
Approaching the seemingly daunting entrance, the logistics were surprisingly well-organized. An elevator awaited, and within moments, they descended into a colossal cavern.
As John ventured deeper into the cavern, he found the walls transitioning from ancient Egyptian depictions to a metallic surface. Illuminated by floating lights, the path led them to a colossal golden dome, akin to a celestial sun.
John, the only one visibly taken aback, scanned his surroundings. The bandaged man, reminiscent of a mummy, watched him closely. Unfazed, John recorded the peculiar scene in his AI gear and initiated a thorough scan.
The AI gear delivered, pinpointing the portal as described by Aetherius. Assurance settled within him.
"Let's commence the process," Harken declared.
A congregation of robed figures, each clutching a red pill, stood in disciplined rows. Led by the Monk, a broad grin stretched across his face as he bellowed, "Begin the incantation!"
A strange chant filled the air, a mystic resonance accompanying each uttered word. Gradually, an azure glow enveloped the assembly. Ethereal particles materialized, prompting Harken to strip bare, revealing a body pulsating with purple veins.
The bandaged man, with a sigh, remarked, "Harken's borrowed vessel is nearing its limit."
John, stunned, processed this revelation. "So Harken is merely inhabiting a body!" he realized. The bandaged man, locking eyes with John, added, "Fortunately, your arrival averted the demise of that vessel. Otherwise, everything would have been postponed."
Disregarding the bandaged man, John readied himself. He contemplated striking when the others least expected it. "My theory stands confirmed. These individuals are borrowing bodies, even Aetherius, my master, might be doing the same."
More lights danced in the air, their ethereal glow slowly drawn into Harken's form.
The bandaged man spoke again, "If Aetherius had turned his back on us, we wouldn't be in this ordeal. But thanks to his master's greed, that old man, everything lies in ruins, our organization in disarray!" The mention of the mysterious organization from their world sparked thoughts of wielding magic in the bandaged man's mind. John, however, pushed these distracting thoughts aside, focusing on the unfolding spectacle.
Harken's body swelled, transforming into a giant with two gold horns. His face, once recognizable, was now obscured in a purple, devilish visage.
"Roar!" Harken unleashed a beastly roar, disappearing in an instant, followed by a resounding bang.
A whirling wind, a cannon-like sound, and John's gaze fixed on the source of the noise—Harken's purple form several meters away, relentlessly smashing the golden dome.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Each strike reverberated through the area, making John feel queasy.
Harken persisted in shattering the golden dome concealing the treasure. Strangely, it resisted giving way. What caught John's attention was the continual growth of Harken's body. The blue light in the air thickened, almost shifting to red.
"It seems you are quite surprised, Doctor. Well, we are from the devil clan. The other 13 are also part of it, tasked with capturing that treasure."
In John’s mind, “Was it too late for that introduction?”
The bandaged man bellowed, “Prepare the plant, move it here!”
Swiftly responding, the staff, still concealed in the black mirror, delivered the plant. John, at the back, felt his forehead burning again.
Upon hearing John's report, Aetherius's gaze pierced through the golden dome. With a wave of his hand, a mysterious opening appeared—the portal leading to the treasure room.
They awaited John's completion of the mission, anticipating his teleportation. Once done, the three would enter. Simultaneously, they braced for any news, prepared to implement a second plan: seizing the treasure forcefully if the worst scenario unfolded without John.
Aetherius had detailed this contingency plan to Rudi, explaining the special item within John that would momentarily take control, ensuring the destruction of the plant. Though Rudi felt a pang of guilt, Aetherius assured him that John's safety remained a priority, and they would reunite once the treasure was secured.
"I trust Xavier has smoothly assumed control of John's body. Once that wretched plant is destroyed, we can secure the treasure without risking our lives," Aetherius expressed with hope.
"Master, besides the flower, it seems the main plant is the most perilous," Rudi inquired.
Aetherius sighed, "I've concealed much information, being cautious. But since we're here, yes. Indeed! Based on my research, that plant might be the key to unlocking the last barrier—the legendary purple thorn plant."
"Our organization invested heavily in unraveling the mysteries of this godly treasure. Even my ancestor left no clues on unlocking the final barrier. According to the organization, the purple thorn plant might hold the key. Why, we don't know. My master didn't specify either."
Countless resources were devoted to obtaining this treasure, a game-changer in the power structure of their world. However, the organization teetered on collapse even before their departure, rendering their ambitious plans futile.