Tommy continued:
"In case you are wondering why, due to the lack of protection and favour from the gods, beings of the lower worlds evolved to be reliant on themselves. We are more evolved than the First World; the Third World is more evolved than we are; Fourth World beings are untouchable to those of the Third World, and the concept continues all the way to the Seventh World. Surprisingly, we recently discovered that an average Seventh World entity is powerful enough to defy a Heavenly Venerable. Many beings from these worlds awakened their celestial force without the involvement of any Heavenly Venerable. I even read that all beings from the Fifth World are naturally born with the force."
"Due to the Heavenly Venerables' insistence on fairness, they appealed to the gods on our behalf, and the gods permitted a system that allows us a chance at attaining godhood. Every 50 years, all worlds have been permitted to send seven of the most talented, efficient, and strongest beings in their worlds to the world below them. These beings are what we call envoys. The duty of the seven chosen envoys is to obtain, conquer, or overpower an important region, state, or even a country in the world they descend to. If successful, these envoys are rewarded with a negligible portion of the world's core. The celestial force obtained from this core propels the envoys to the peak strength of the world they descended to. This boost from the world's core also makes envoys eligible to descend further."
Tommy scratched his cheek, a self-mocking smile plastered on his face.
"You see, we have a long way to go. If we manage to overcome the Third World, we'll have to repeat the same feat in the Fourth World and continue all the way to the Seventh World."
Doctor Noah, who had been quietly listening all this while, chose that moment to interject.
"I've told you numerous times! Focus on going as far as the Fifth or Sixth World. You can't become gods—it's impossible! As long as we have beings possessing Sixth-Dimensional strength, our world will be spared during the war. If we have Fifth-Dimensional beings, we can plead to be spared and become subservient to the worlds below us. Being too ambitious and unreasonable won't get you anywhere. Start by being honest with yourself, you damned fool!"
"Doctor Noah, I sincerely appreciate your unwelcome concern. When we become Third-Dimensional beings, we will talk more about what the future holds for us. For now, in the grand scheme of things, we're nothing."
"You called yourself a potential envoy. What does that mean? Why were the best humans brought together in one place? Logan mentioned First World threats—what are they? Where are you all leaving to in five years? You called me a kid, but you don't look much older than I am. Why? And who was the person of importance that prevented me from dying?"
"Aaron, I believe I've already answered a few of your questions to the best of my abilities. First World threats are attempts from the First World to conquer ours. Their efforts have been relentless and actually commendable in recent years, but I don't think they've ever been successful."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"I'm certain you now know we are challenging the Third World in five years, just as the First World will be challenging ours. You asked about being called a kid—well… I called you a kid because I'm much older than you are."
"Older? You don't loo—"
"Yes, yes, I don't look much older." Tommy let out a long, tired sigh, took a brief glance at the doctor, and continued.
"I was 21 when the world scouts discovered my talents, and 28 when I was brought here and given the celestial force. According to Azrael, envoys should be brought here to be trained and properly oriented 25 years before descent."
Tommy took his left hand off his kneecap while maintaining his meditative sitting position and flipped two fingers in my face—a gesture meant to clearly convey his explanation to my limited understanding.
"We are leaving in five years. So logically, I was brought here 20 years ago when I was 28. If we count the years spent here, I'm currently 48—and I'm the third youngest potential envoy."
With a smirk, Tommy folded his fingers into a grip and placed them back on his knees.
"You're 24. Not much younger than I am, but still a kid in my books. In case you're wondering why we're not aging—we are in a Tower. A very huge tower with countless unexplored rooms. It's an invisible structure that almost reaches the clouds, yet remains inaccessible and unseen by normal humans. It's located in one of the most secluded places in the world and is a gift from Azrael."
"Only world leaders, influential rulers, and prominent, world-leading billionaires have access to this place because Azrael deemed it necessary. However, more than 99 percent of the world's population knows nothing about it."
Logan, who was once again resting against the wall, added unexpectedly:
"You're forgetting the most important quality of this place."
Tommy stared at him in confusion for a brief moment before realizing what he meant.
"Yeah! Aaron, lest I forget—this Tower prevents its dwellers from aging."