A god's descent always caused ripples.
All eyes were drawn to the moment.
When black stone and white light faded, those freed from control saw both the miracle and its aftermath.
Before Lungmen stood an Ursus army—one famed across Terra.
Now they were statues, frozen forever.
The gods had left—
And when the gods returned to Rhodes Island, they were greeted by—
"I thought we were irreplaceable partners," Ember clutched his chest in theatrical sorrow.
"I thought we were fate-bonded war buddies," Xing lifted a hand in anguish.
"You flew alone to keep the sun from falling, like Icarus stealing light and plunging to drown," Kevin intoned gravely.
Doctor: "…"
"But we're friends!" ×3
"How can we bear to watch you fall from the sky!" ×3
"Come back, Doctor, our pride!" ×3
The Doctor stared at their outstretched hands, then at his own.
He made a difficult choice.
He raised both middle fingers.
"Get lost."
"No jokes? Go chew a lighter."
Ember sighed. "Your mouth is so hot, yet your words so cold. Maybe godhood is overriding humanity."
Xing mourned. "Our comrade died the moment he became a god. What date is it? I'll remember this day forever."
The Doctor glared. "You two idiots—"
"Messing with a fool," they said together.
The Doctor snapped.
"Blasphemy! You've angered the God of Terra! Priestess—buff my body a hundredfold so I can show these two what research power looks like!"
Priestess watched him charge, get flattened into begging, and only laughed.
Minutes later, the Doctor clutched his backside, pouting at Priestess.
The look said, Why didn't you save me?
"Enough clowning," Ember patted his shoulder, pointing at Rhodes Island.
"They mostly understand what happened, but your 'god performance' was so brutal, and your 'civilization crisis' speech scared them. They're lost."
The Doctor looked over and saw their slumped morale.
He understood.
For Rhodes Island, this was divine misfortune. Their hard-earned credibility as a pharma company was ashes.
Worse, the Infected might be blamed for it. Rhodes would be disliked by everyone.
The Doctor felt stuck.
But he wasn't alone.
"Let's go see Lungmen. That's the biggest mess," Xing suggested.
Kevin nodded.
The Doctor agreed—then looked at Rhodes.
"Do you want to send some people with us to check Lungmen?"
Amiya nodded and sent a few low-profile operators.
She herself didn't go. As Rhodes' leader, she couldn't show her face in a city harmed because of them.
Some things couldn't be explained in a few words.
The Doctor turned to Priestess.
"Are you coming?"
She shook her head.
"It wouldn't help—and it would make things harder for you. Better I stay here and wait. Besides…"
She glanced at Amiya.
"Someone probably wants to speak to me directly."
The Doctor leaned in to whisper.
"Don't fight her, okay? If you do, don't hurt that kid."
"…And you aren't worried she'll hurt me?" Priestess asked softly.
The Doctor gave her a look that said, Really?
Priestess laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"I hope so."
The Doctor left with his teammates and Rhodes operators.
Priestess watched him go, then turned to the girl who had been staring at her.
Amiya walked up, meeting her gaze.
"If you can… tell me what disaster we face. And… what you and the Doctor really are."
Priestess' spirits were higher than ever.
She patted the seat beside her, inviting Amiya to sit.
Then she told her everything:
A distant age.
People who tried all kinds of ways to save their civilization.
Some fought the disaster head-on.
Some preserved the spark.
Many attempts—until an accident birthed today's Terra.
Amiya listened intently, deeply absorbed… right up until Priestess began describing her relationship with the Doctor.
At that point, Amiya wasn't sure she believed every word.
—
Back in Lungmen, the group saw no joy of victory.
They saw confusion, fear, despair.
Normal, really.
For those controlled, it was like waking from sleep—only to find themselves infected with incurable Oripathy.
No one could accept that easily.
The Doctor's mood sank.
A hand hooked his shoulder.
Ember's voice was gentle.
"Hey… this happened beyond our control. We did what we could. We don't owe anyone more."
"Instead of hurting yourself, think about what comes next," Xing added.
Kevin: "You don't need to carry everything."
The Doctor exhaled, the weight easing.
"I didn't even say anything."
"Your mouth didn't, but your face did," Ember scoffed.
"…Talk like you can see my face."
"Is the top half not a face?" Ember covered his own lower face.
"Eyes are the window to the soul. Got it?"
"Nope." The Doctor shook his head.
"Let's find Talulah."
—
With the communicator and the group map, they quickly reached Talulah—and Wei Yenwu, Lungmen's ruler.
Wei Yenwu already knew they were coming.
"So those are the ones who stopped this?" he murmured.
Ember waved. "Yo, Talulah. Nice work."
Talulah, who'd been scowling near Wei Yenwu, instantly cracked.
"It was obvious, I'm Reunion's head—ow! Ow! What was that?!"
FrostNova withdrew her hand.
"Don't make big moves when you're still hurt. Consider it a reminder."
"You couldn't just tell me? Why poke me? It hurts!"
"Because you never learn unless it hurts. Besides, Alina taught me that. If you're mad, complain to her."
At that name, Talulah deflated instantly.
"Pfft…"
"Are you hurt badly?" Ember craned his neck.
"Just a scratch. Little Chen kicked me once," Talulah tried to sound casual—then saw FrostNova's hand twitch and hurriedly added, "Hey! Enough! I'll tell your dad if you keep it up!"
Talulah's intimidation was super effective.
FrostNova retreated.
Seeing Talulah still lively, Ember relaxed.
Meanwhile, the Doctor walked to Wei Yenwu.
"Let's talk. Governor of Lungmen."
"…Come with me. This isn't the place."
They entered a room.
After everyone sat, Wei Yenwu spoke with apologetic formality.
"Lungmen can't properly host you right now, for which I apologize. And thank you for what you've done…"
"Skip the pleasantries." The Doctor raised a hand to stop him.
"Governor Wei, we're here for one thing: what are you going to do now?"
"…I don't understand."
The Doctor folded his hands under his hood, eyes pinned on Wei Yenwu.
"Let me be blunt."
"From now on—what are your plans for Reunion? For the Infected? For… Rhodes Island?"
Wei Yenwu stared hard at the Doctor's hidden eyes, as if trying to read something.
After a long silence—
"Before I answer, may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"What identity are you using to ask me this?"
"…I'm the Doctor. Reunion's Doctor. I've been told I used to be Rhodes Island's Doctor too." He pointed outside.
"You saw the army trying to start a war, right?"
His finger moved to himself.
"I did that."
The room fell dead silent.
Wei Yenwu nearly jumped to his feet.
He had seen the gods descend. Seen Ursus frozen to stone.
Was this a threat?
If so…
Yes. He was terrified.
Before he could speak—
"I admit I'm pressuring you." The Doctor's voice was calm. "But do you want to make a deal?"
"What… deal?"
"A deal that lets Lungmen develop rapidly after this crisis."
Wei Yenwu stared at the eyes beneath the hood.
They were quiet.
Bottomless.
Like a whirlpool dragging him in.
He swallowed, and the scales in his heart tipped fast. Like a gambler pushing every chip to the center.
"What do I need to do? What will I pay?"
"Good."
"A simple thing."
"Blame every part of this incident on Ursus."
"…I understand."
Lungmen. Rhodes Island. Reunion. Ursus.
Few knew the true story.
No one would believe a machine could control an entire city.
And in the aftermath, it was easier to accept a different narrative.
—
In Lungmen's grand plaza, Wei Yenwu stood atop a platform, arm raised, voice blazing.
"Citizens! Lungmen is a city protected by the gods!"
"The Ursus army that tried to stir war is the proof!"
"My people—this won't end here!"
"I'll report this to Yan. Ursus must pay dearly!"
The crowd roared.
But many stayed silent.
Those were the newly infected.
Then Wei Yenwu's next words lit hope in their eyes.
"For those who were infected with Oripathy because of this event, I am deeply sorry. My incompetence led you here, but do not fear!"
"Our partner Rhodes Island has made a breakthrough toward curing Oripathy!"
"From this day on, Oripathy will no longer be a problem!"
"And anyone who suffered property loss can receive compensation from our other partner…"
In that instant, Lungmen erupted in cheers.
....
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