Mutagen

Day 152 - 4:21 AM - Sanctuary, Catanduanes Mountains, Municipality of Bagamanoc, Catanduanes

Hours passed by since the meeting started. The talk was long. Unfortunately, aside from the plans that the Eyes had, no other plans were made. It was something that could not be helped. Dealing with gigantic extraterrestrial debris was not something within the scope of what Mark's group could do.

The only thing everyone could focus on was the countermeasures in the aftermath of this disaster. Even if the lost gods managed to destroy the debris into smaller pieces and avoid a greater catastrophe, there was one thing that would happen for sure.

It was the Mechid Pathogen invading Earth.

Furthermore, the pieces of the planetary debris would definitely cause destruction in every part of Earth. These pieces were not just some space rocks, after all. They were metallic pieces that could withstand the heat in the atmosphere and fall onto the land. The already declining population of humans would decrease further.

There was no need to mention that the Fusion of Dimensions would also happen. Earthquakes would shake the entire planet as the dimensions fused. Human cities would collapse, creating ruins filled with trees and plants.

The human-created settlements would get destroyed along with this event. Humans would lose their last safe havens in facing the Mutated Infected and the incoming Bio-Mechanical Infected.

In addition to the Bio-Mechanical Infected, the Magical Infected would also start roaming the Mortal World. With both kinds of infected appearing alongside the Mutated Infected, Earth would be thrown into further chaos, with most humans having nowhere to run to.

The Eyes would want to help humans with this. However, the rules the world had would not let them. The most they could do was warn the selected individuals about the incoming disaster.

Unfortunately, everything would start in a week from yesterday. There was no time to idle.

The most unfortunate part was that Mark's group did not manage to conclude plants. It was aside from strengthening the defenses of their base. It could not be helped as even the aliens with higher technological advancements did not manage to defeat the infected without causing the artificial planet to blow up.

Furthermore, aside from thinking of plans and countermeasures, the rest of the meeting was spent trying to decipher the documents that Nineteenth showed them. Aside from the general information about the Mechid Pathogen, there were actually documents of concrete studies about the pathogen. However, the documents were on the more scientific and extraterrestrial side. None of the people here could understand the translated scientific terminologies, and there were even a lot of untranslated symbols that filled the whole document.

In the end, everyone could only give up on the specifics of the documents, although Nineteenth promised to study the language as much as she could. It was the first time that an Eye would learn a language that did not come from Earth. However, it was not out of curiosity but necessity. Even if Nineteenth was the Apostle of Interest, she was never interested in things that did not come from Earth.

However, looking at more documents that Professor Alston had, they found something horrifying.

Aside from the Mechid Pathogen, he had documents about two hundred more planets with different kinds of unique, infectious pathogens.

About a hundred and fifty of such planets were already declared destroyed. It was clearly a horrifying fact.

However, Mark's eyes were actually focused on a specific name of a planet.

Experimental Planet, Eriellis.

Without a doubt, it was the planet that Freed and his group came from.

Mark wanted to read about it. However, they had more urgent things to focus on. If Mark was to take even a glimpse of those document, he would not be able to concentrate more on the incoming events.

Thus, Mark decided to calm the urge to know and decided to leave it for later.

"Looks like it's already morning." Nineteenth said, noticing the time. "We had to go."

"So, the meeting ends here."

Mark replied, making Nineteenth nod.

"Because of you, we had more information about the incoming disaster. You have our gratitude."

Nineteenth slightly bowed to Mark.

"Are you two going to tell the other representatives about this?"

Mark asked. Unexpectedly, both Nineteenth and Fourth shook their heads to everyone's surprise.

"We already told everyone else about the incoming disaster about the heavens." Nineteenth spoke. "That would be enough. Even if we told things in detail, most of them would not understand it and forget."

This made Mark confused. It was when Nineteenth asked Mark a strange question.

"So far, how do you think we are telling the other representatives about the incoming disasters? Do you think that we are telling them in person?"

"Wait... You don't?"

p Mark was surprised about this. After all, Mark was personally told about this by the Eyes.

"Usually, we enter their dreams and warn them." Nineteenth explained. "We use oracles as forms of warnings. You should know that most creatures on Earth could not withstand our presence even if we tried to hide it for the most part."

Mark fell silent. It was a good reason. If they just appeared and talked to anyone about things, the person would probably fall unconscious before they could say anything.

However...

"Then what about me?" Mark asked. "So far, you guys personally brought the information to me. Not only you two, but even Ninth also did the same."

Mark remembered his first encounter with Ninth. The boy told him about things personally and explained.

"It's true that he told you about the fusion of dimensions." Nineteenth nodded. "But remember, he only told you about vague things and never the specifics. In the first place, it is you who found him and made him show up. He did not intend to show up at all and would probably contact you in your dreams if you did not find him at all."

Mark fell silent. Then, his eyes fell of Fourth. This girl just appeared during their meeting, after all.

"Don't look at me!" Fourth harrumphed. "I didn't try to appear before you at first. I did try to enter your dreams the night before. But who would have thought that you're someone who had detached destiny? There is no way for me to enter your dreams at all. I had no other choice but to show up and bring the news personally."

Even at the time that he met the other two eyes, it was him who found them first and made them come out of hiding.

So, in the end, it was Mark's fault.

In the first place, the Eyes were existences not known to humans. They would try not to show themselves to unaffiliated people. In the first place, if they did show themselves to humans, the religious beliefs of humans would take a drastic turn as humans might likely mistake them as gods instead of protectors.

It was something that the Eyes never wanted to happen.

At this point, Nineteenth smiled and added.

"Do not think about it too much. Just treat yourself as someone special."

Mark did not mind what Nineteenth said. However, to everyone else present, it was a declaration.

The Eyes. The beings who were higher than the gods in myths and legends.

They were giving Mark a special privilege.

It was not a wrong thought. After all, Nineteenth just told Mark that to others, they were giving oracle-like messages. These kinds of messages were vague, and it was kind of hard to accurately determine their meanings. It would be up to the recipient and the people to give their own meanings to these oracles.

However, Fourth and Nineteenth gave them accurate information. Even Fourth told Mark the exact day that the planetary debris would hit Earth which was a week later.

Aside from Mei, Amihan, and Bathala, the others were questioning in their minds as to why Mark seemed to be highly valued by the Eyes.

"What are you going to do next?"

Mark asked Fourth and Nineteenth.

"Search if there are still other foreign gods in hiding." Fourth replied. "So far, we haven't had enough strength to completely obliterate that space debris. That is the most ideal outcome we intended to happen."

"Of course, it would not stop the Mechid Pathogen from entering Earth." Nineteenth added. "In the least, destroying that debris as much as possible will lessen the possible damage it could bring to Earth. If we could, we wanted to stop South America from sinking due to the absence of one of us. The only way to do that, however, was to completely destroy that debris."

And to say, the Eyes were completely lacking in that part. After all, the gods of the past were severely weakened in the present times.

"Should I come too?"

Bathala at the side asked the two Eyes.

"Not really." Fourth nonchalantly replied. "I intend to bring you to where we are gathering the other foreign gods."

"Then, can I just request to stay here for the time being?"

Bathala asked.

"Hmm?"

Fourth tilted her head before turning to Nineteenth. Thankfully, Nineteenth nodded.

"Bathala is known for his compassion for his people and creations. Now that the world is in danger and his help is needed, he will not try to flee."

Nineteenth explained. Those words made the old man smile.

"Then, I'll let you stay here." Fourth finally agreed. "I'll pick you up when it's time."

"Good."

Bathala nodded.

Then, the two Eyes turned to Mark.

"Then, we'll see you later."

Fourth and Nineteenth then entered the door that popped out of nowhere before vanishing from their sight.

As the two Eyes disappeared, the scary pressure inside the Sanctuary vanished. It made the Spirits and Elementals feel relieved. It was also the same for Berrak and the other humans in Mark's group.

Mark sat on his chair with a sigh. He was patting Abbygale's head as she was sitting on his thighs all this time. The little girl had long fallen asleep though. Miracle was still awake. She was not human and did not really need sleep at all. Iola, on the other hand, was also awake but would not hold out for too long. Her eyes were already droopy. Children were not suitable for staying up for the whole night, after all.

Aside from the little girls, Amihan was already asleep on top of Mark's head.

"Do you have someplace where they can sleep?"

Mark asked Diwata Iraya.

The Diwata looked at Amihan, Abbygale, and Iola. She then nodded and turned to Aliya.

"I'll guide you."

Aliya said to her grandchild with a smile.

And there, Mark's group left the table, led by Aliya. The other members of Mark's group also followed to finally take a good rest for today.

At this point, it was only Diwata Iraya, Morlkil, and Bathala. They were all silent.

"This is surprising."

Diwata Iraya broke the silence with an exasperated sigh.

"What is surprising?"

Bathala looked at the Diwata with a kind smile.

"Everything."

Diwata Iraya's shoulders drooped.

It was not unexpected that things were hard to take in for Diwata Iraya. Everything that happened after the battle would be shocking to anyone.

Even now, it was hard to believe that Bathala was sitting before her at the same table.

"You don't have to be that surprised, my child." Bathala stared at Diwata Iraya with amicable Eyes. "This happens for a reason. Just always keep an open mind."

"Bathala..." Diwata Iraya turned to the old man. "Can I ask something?"

"Just ask. You don't have to hesitate."

"Then, please pardon me." Diwata Iraya straightened her shoulders. "Bathala seemed to know Mark before. Just who is he?"

At this, Bathala smiled even more, seemingly expecting this question to come out of the Diwata's mouth.

"He is someone that could overturn anyone's destiny."

"Overturning one's destiny..."

Diwata Iraya mulled.

"That is impossible, isn't it?" Bathala suddenly said, knowing what was in the Diwata's mind. "A person can only change his own destiny and affect others slightly. To overturn another's destiny... There's only one kind of people that could do it."

And here, Diwata Iraya came to a realization.

"Is he..."

"No," Bathala shook his head. "Not yet. But in the future, he could be."

"No, he will be. The next god born of this planet."