*The private pne flew into DLA and headed toward a private hangar. As they deboarded, all their luggage was loaded on to a private executive transport. Eric and the 4 others along with Ahmadou and Francis loaded into the vehicle. Leaving the rest of the crew behind. “They will make their way back,” Ahmadou announced as they headed off. They were then taken to the directly to a VIP lounge. Where Ahmadou stopped and was given a package, which looked to have some documents and a key to a vehicle. He tossed the key to Francis. *

  Ahmadou: You drive, there is something important I must review. The vehicle is parked in slot 4F16, you know where it is, lead the way.

  *As Francis lead the way, Ahmadou was looking through the documents. Likely intel he received. They arrived quickly to a rge bck Yukon Denali, with what looked like custom wheels for off roading. They began loading up the little luggage they had, wearing the clothes they were given. The group stood out like a sore thumb, all wearing bck suits, and sungsses. *

  Steve: I feel ridiculous, look at me.

  Jack: What do you mean man, we look like the men in bck. We’re here to stop an alien invasion! People of Cameroon do not fear, Jack, the man in bck, is here!

  *Jack and Steve ughed hard, staring at each other. Eric could tell they were forming a very strong bond of friendship, much like Jean and his. He hoped he could form strong bonds with all of them soon. *

  Ahmadou: We’ll take the back routes; seems people are already aware Eric is coming and crowds are forming. The back way is less known.

  Francis: Alright, let’s go everyone in.

  *With everyone in the car they took off. Driving on the roads, they could all tell this was very different than America. Crowded streets, filled with motorcycles and people walking about. *

  Francis: Most of these people don’t even have driver’s licenses, the roads can be very dangerous if you do not know what you’re doing. Once we’re out of the city it won’t matter, the roads are mostly dirt and not as much traffic. It’ll take a few hours to get to where we’re going.

  *As they made their way out of the airport, and through the city, they could see crowds of people holding signs with statements about the return of a king. People wearing crowns, and celebrating. *

  Ahmadou: Your return has caused some commotion in the city it seems. I’m unsure if these people really believe in you, or just looking for a reason to have a good time. Still, it definitely brings unwanted attention to you. The quicker we get you to the sanctum the better. I have received intel that Dr. Farrington arrived shortly before we did.

  Eric: Dr. Farrington? What would he be doing here?

  Ahmadou: I’ll get to that. He headed to a hotel called K Dou Hotel, it’s a newer establishment, a 4-star hotel with some luxurious amenities. A man name Rex has been involved with them, a man we do not involve ourselves with. We believe he may have sent Dr. Farrington. He is also with a young woman, only description I was given was that she is very attractive… typical write up from this informant. We have a bit of a history with Rex, even some before you were born Eric. He has been banned from the sanctum. For some shit he tried to pull with Mother Agbor, from what I know he’s madly in love with her or something, and went way too far, pretty much his MO. He is not the worst of course, there are those who will do much worse than him, from what I understand at least. He has just stirred the pot one too many times, I guess. Every time I’ve been involved with him, he was always acting like a complete jackass, and he always pushes it way too far, embarrassing really. Thing is, he’s probably caused us even more problems since he’s been banned, he sure holds a grudge, it’s been 15 years since he was banned. Mother Agbor seems to think he might resort to something far worse if something isn’t done. She seems afraid of him; she speaks of a dark past. I guess before she met him, he was a blood thirsty demon.

  Eric: A demon? Like for real, a demon?

  Ahmadou: Well, it’s all very complex. Rex is known as a wandering demon, birthed from conflict of two powerful Egyptian Gods. You’ve heard the stories of Osiris I’m sure, and Set. How Osiris had a son, Horus, and when Set killed Osiris it started a long series of events of Horus seeking revenge for his father. As you may know, Horus beat Set in a match to be King of Egypt and Set was banished to the desert for eternity. Not much is known about everything Set did, he was a very dark and mysterious being. Rex cims that he is just one of many wandering demons left walking the physical realms. He boasts he is one of the more powerful ones keeping the others in check. Well, much of this is just ancient stories, written long ago. Much has happened since, and well, Rex is just one of the many, who exist now. Many of the old gods reside in the realm of the dead now, most of them asleep, not wishing to be reborn as a lesser entity, they wait there, for what I do not know. They are not Gods though, at least in terms of what most now consider to be a god. They were just powerful beings, much like yourselves, with unknown powers. They, being able to do great things that most were not, were regarded as being gods at the time.

  From what Mother Agbor has told me, there is only one God. Funny thing too, most religions now worship that very same God. Humans are stubborn though, as if they feel the need for what they believe in to be the absolute truth. Going as far to say things like their God is the one true god. The other aspect of humanity is, they’ll believe in whatever makes them feel most comfortable. As well as some who will preach unholy things, and others who will follow. No religion is perfect, but believe me there is a God.

  Jack: Is there a Heaven then? A Hell?

  Ahmadou: In a sense, yes, I would say there is. It’s a lot harder to get there than most would think though. We’re nowhere near getting to either Heaven or Hell.

  Jack: What do you mean?

  Ahmadou: Not everything you’ve learned is true, that’s easy enough to understand right? People lie, make things up. Well, imagine for just a moment, that everything was true, in a sense, maybe not completely true, but beneath it all some truth to it. What if I told you, that the truth is actually closer to everything being real, than none of it being real. All the stories are real, in a sense. Sure, stories are often written how the person perceives something at the time, or maybe some strange “fairy tale” that pops into someone’s mind, and they’re just writing it out. Why do you think people believe the universe is ever expanding? Because it is. Ideas breed new life, maybe not on this realm, or this pnet, or this time, but somewhere at some time it will come about, in some way. Maybe not exactly how it was perceived, but a form of it will come to pass. All beings created by God share a power to create. Humans think of it as just art, but if you look back at old art, you’ll see pictures of things that exist now. Airpnes and helicopters were ideas in someone’s mind long before they came to be. You think shit just works because we discovered some science? Science was an idea; therefore, it was manifested into existence. The world ever changing, the only truth that has and will remain true forever. Is that there is a God and he reigns supreme. Through God new life, new worlds are born, infinitely. The path to Heaven, or what we believe to be the Realm of God, is not known, by anyone. This is merely a step in the path to Heaven or Hell.

  Jack: And how do you know this?

  Ahmadou: Well, I believe there is someone here who can prove it, if he wishes.

  *Ahmadou looked at Jean*

  Jean: Who? Me? Preposterous!

  Ahmadou: Can you not understand things you can’t expin Jean. We all saw you with the Tome.

  Jack: The Tome?

  Jean: It’s a Magical Book, Jack. Yes, I can understand them. Books reveal meaning to me, I could read them a thousand times and not understand what I am able to decipher by using this strange gift. Visions pyed before my eyes, passages expined in full detail, well not necessarily expined, I just understand it.

  Jack: Whoa! Seriously?

  Ahmadou: Here, I have a book. I have been eager to show you since the awakening of your power. We have not seen a true Prophet in a very long time. We know some of what this book says, it speaks of the beginning of creation. However, it is in an unknown nguage, very complex and with no other examples on this Earth, it is difficult to decipher. Only a true prophet could understand this completely. That’s where you come in Jean.

  Jean: A prophet? I am no prophet!

  Ahmadou: What do you think a prophet is Jean? They knew things that nobody else knew, believed to be spoken to by God or Gods themselves. Truth is, it was a power much like yours. You know how many people have handled that Tome? 100s if not 1000s. We knew the book had power in it, we have those who can sense it, but you, you consumed it.

  Jean: So, you’re not angry about that?

  Ahmadou: I was shocked, I’m sorry if we came off as angry. You owe us nothing, I’m sorry I called you a thief. After speaking with Mother Agbor, she encouraged me to make it right with you. I want you to show them your power. This book is very old, bound by a human’s flesh, the pages dried skin, the ink from their ashes, held together by forgotten magic. Who the person or people were, you may know by touching it. Go on, take it.

  Jean: I don’t know man, that seems kind of weird.

  Ahmadou: I understand your hesitation, but this is the only way I can prove to them, what I speak is true, and for you yourself to know it is true.

  Jean: That Tome really fucked me up, I mean sure I gained knowledge and power, but it didn’t exactly feel good. I shudder to think what that might do.

  Ahmadou: Are you afraid of becoming something greater than what you are now. Do you fear it more than being what you were before.

  *Ahmadou gazed at Jean. Encouraging him with his eyes. Jean felt a surge of excitement. He wanted to know; he really did. This all sounded like complete bullshit to him, but he knew his power was growing. What Ahmadou was saying made him feel special. *

  Eric: Go ahead Jean, we’re all here for you. You can do it.

  *With Eric’s words of encouragement. Jean reached for the book. As soon as he grabbed it everything went bnk. He felt as though he was floating in nothingness, everything bck as far as the eye could see. Unable to move, speak or even think… he was frozen. Only able to observe what was taking pce. Within the nothingness, a very faint glow began to rise. Slowly it began to take shape, glowing as bright as a star, a figure began to take shape. The figure, stood tall, shining so bright Jean was unable to make out any distinct features. The figure then appeared to be charging up. Eric could make out a single thought, the meaning forming in his mind

  “From nothing, to everything, I spread myself, observing creation. I am everything, and everything is me. Upon reaching the pinnacle, a path to Heaven shall be opened. A paradise born from what is learned. A Hell will rise for those who cannot be saved, as creation inevitably enters its darkest days.”

  With the end of the thought came a massive explosion of light. Millions of particles flying in every direction, then again exploding sending more particles farther and farther away. As if being sped up, everything began to take form. Pnets, stars, moons, gaxies, and more. Jean was rushed through space, visiting pnets created, watching life begin. He reached a pnet, much like Earth. He watched as the pnet formed, and creatures began to flourish. Human like life began, instinctively they knew they were from God. That his power resided within them.

  Strange thoughts rushed through his mind “I want to feel something.” “I would like someone else with me.” “I want to feel alive.” “What does this all mean if it goes on and on?” “What’s my purpose?” With every new thought, a new creation came about, as if each thought bred more and more, so did the thoughts create. As if the very shape of existence was being established with each new idea. Time sped up; a vast civilization built before his very eyes. The thought “I wish to travel to other worlds” rang in his mind. A gate appeared, swirling with a glowing light, people walking in and out of it. The vision began following the first man Jean had seen, now much older, the man close to his death can be seen speaking with people Jean could understand as being important.

  “Make my skin and ash into something, so that all that come after us will know the beginning of creation.” The man passed, and his flesh and ash made into a book. A thought “An eversting book, to st forever.” As the thought ended, so did the vision and Jean came to. As he opened his eyes, everyone was staring at him intently. *

  Eric: You alright Jean? You were out for a little bit.

  Jean: Yeah, I think so.

  Eric: What did it show you?

  Jean: That God resides within all of us. That we were nothing until the beginning of creation. Each new thought slowly changing the trajectory of creation. Something about reaching a pinnacle and creation entering dark days. A path to Heaven, which is a paradise born from what’s learned about creation. A Hell rising when creation enters its dark days. I’m summarizing of course, I don’t have the words right now to describe everything I saw. I think it’s real though, from what my power is telling me that is the first book ever created. I don’t think it’s from Earth either. It seemed to be from the first civilization, from the birth of creation. They, being so closely linked to God, their thoughts giving birth to our very existence.

  Steve: You’re saying I could think of a Unicorn and it would just exist.

  Jean: I’m saying they could, had they had that thought sure. As more was created though, it seems the power must have spread thin. It would take millions of people or more sharing the same thoughts collectively for something like that, if it were even possible. I don’t know though; the book didn’t say anything about that since it’s only accounting for the time it was created. Look, take something like a toy, now give it the power to think and create ideas within its mind, with those ideas slowly over time becoming reality, and leave it be, to do whatever. What do you think will happen? That’s the best way I can expin what I just saw, through that book.

  *Jean looked at Ahmadou*

  Jean: How did you get that book anyway?

  Ahmadou: Mother Agbor had it with her when she came into the guardians. She gave it to me when I left for America 5 years ago, saying she thought I might need it. That I would know the right time to use it. I honestly don’t know how she had it or why she felt comfortable giving it to me. The book is, well, indestructible. From what I know it has been through fires, floods, buried underground, dug up, you name it.

  Jean: So, is there a path to Heaven then? That you know about?

  Ahmadou: There are plenty that cim there is, but based off what you just learned do any of them seem like they would be the actual path, Jean? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

  Jean: No, it all seems like dogma. If what I saw is true, God is within us. We should instinctively know the path to Heaven. Whether we chose to believe it, that’s another story.

  Ahmadou: There are those who rebuke God. Even if they knew he was real, they would still choose Hell. Those that believe paradise is impossible. Too much of a good thing, is a bad thing. Hard thing to comprehend what a paradise would look like from the perspective of a God.

  Jean: True, I doubt human life is the final step to reaching proverbial paradise. Without companionship, even paradise would be boring. I get the feeling God was lonely, that’s why he created us. He wants all of us to go to Heaven, with him. He would not want pieces of him to be left to rot in Hell. Maybe the true path to Heaven lies within us all, and maybe we can’t go there, unless we can all go.

  Ahmadou: Wise words Jean. I think you will make a great prophet. Be warned though, it is a path filled with thorns.

  *By this time, the vehicle had made its way deep into the Southeastern rainforests of Cameroon. The path they followed almost seemed to disappear behind them. No one questioned it. All deep in thought of what had just transpired. *

  Ahmadou: We’re close now, you will all meet Mother Agbor soon. She anxiously awaits our arrival. When we arrive, we will change into proper attire. In the sanctum we wear robes, and sandals. We all eat together, the same meals. There is etiquette you will learn, rules you must follow while you’re in the sanctum. We do have other pces we work from, where these rules don’t have to be followed, but in the sanctum, the rules are strict, and if you wish to stay there, you will abide by these rules. If you do not, it is considered a great sign of disrespect to the people who reside there. Jack, I know you have uncontrolble urges. I beg you please refrain from them. I promise we will find a way to satisfy your needs. We have some pieces of technology not known to the modern world I could gain access to, if, and only if, you’re on your best behavior while we are here. I will not have you disgracing our mother. Fair?

  Jack: Um, yeah that sounds nice and all, but I’m not sure if I can help it.

  Ahmadou: At an offsite location, we’ve discovered an ancient piece of technology. It has symbols on it. Simir to some of the tattoos you have, and that neckce you’re always wearing. I think you may have some connection to it. I will let you see it, what do you think of that?

  *Something in Jack stirred. He knew nothing about where he came from. Orphaned as a young child, traumatic experiences pgued his mind, he had forced so many memories out, he could not remember anything of use. A possible connection to something intrigued him greatly. As if repcing his urge to do unspeakable things to any machine he set his eyes on, he stared at Ahmadou. *

  Jack: You swear it?

  Ahmadou: I swear it.

  Jack: Okay… I will be a good little boy. Be warned, if you’re lying to me, it will not be good. I can feel it in my bones. I will spread chaos amongst your kind.

  Eric: Jack, chill!

  *Jack, as if controlled by a spell, bowed his head at Ahmadou and became silent. “That was odd.” Thought Ahmadou. It was not as if he had not seen his fair share of odd things in his lifetime. Just these 5 men were by far the oddest. One at a time he’d have no trouble wrapping his mind around it, but all 5 of them together a complete enigma. *

  *From the distance, a rge temple like building began to take shape, almost as if it appeared out of thin air. The entire building covered in vines and various jungle pnts. *

  Ahmadou: We’re through the barrier, from here we will begin to head underground. Do not be armed, it is the entrance into the Sanctum. One way in, and one way out, well one safe way that is. When we arrive, we will be directed into the changing rooms as I discussed, then we will head to Mother Agbor’s chambers. She will guide us. Afterwards I have been told there will be a great feast, and a celebration of your safe arrival. Please enjoy the festivities, but be mindful of your behavior. Afterwards I will show each of you to your rooms, I have had them ready 5 rooms all together, so you can all feel comfortable. There is a shared bath, near your rooms, I implore you to use them, I know your Americanized cultures may make it somewhat uncomfortable, but the waters are very healing.

  *With Ahmadou’s final words, they made their way to the entrance. They changed out of their suits and into the robes they were given. The robes were made of fine quality cloths and were actually quite comfortable. The sandals made from leather with comfortable insoles. As they gathered before the entrance, they all joked with each other. Laughing at their appearances. *

  Steve: Quite a change going from the men in bck, to disciples.

  *Ahmadou approached a keypad pced against a stone wall, he entered a 10 digit code and pressed enter. The stone wall next to the key pad began to descend into the ground, leaving a lit path for them to follow. The men all quiet now followed Ahmadou and Francis into the Sanctum. *