With the Earth in chaos over the Esper's impending deadline, the mass hysteria that was caused during the migration of millions was disrupted by a Nuclear blast. The entire north-western portion of Brazil was teeming with radiation and the dead. It was a no-go zone.
The blast seemed to have originated south of Picos. There was almost nothing that remained at its epicenter. A burnscar over 100 miles marked the flash point. A dingy green vine began rapidly converting the energy in the area, slowly at first and then at a very visible rate it started to grow. There were barbs as big as vans that tore through the landscape and upheaval came from beneath buildings. It was somewhat showy, the scene unfolding on the camera from a distance looked more like a plant monster going wild.
"There. I've planted my last four seeds. We must find those responsible." Ho flew up to the camera and started speaking. "This attack will not go unanswered. Mourn for the people who lost their lives here, If you have information we ask that you come forward. Millions are dead. We cannot, and will not let this go." Zao Ho turned to the vines that twisted and turned whenever they consumed another object. "These vines will slowly remove all the radiation from the area, as said, but nothing can replace the dead. To those responsible, I say this once. You forfeit your lives."
Ho seethed with anger and teleported away. There were many more still suffering and he could help transport them in groups. 'You will pay for what you've done' The Prince suffered inside, he had called those people to come out, come forward and join him. Their deaths brought great pain to his cause.
-"We have confirmation that the Zao Priesthood is out in the area clearing the damage and wreckage. Relief groups are already stretched thin with the migration of people flooding into the area, this attack complicated everything and killed so many. Its hard to imagine who will take responsibility.
-"Yes, we've been searching for answers ever since the detonation. The carnage and unparalleled destruction will forever change our planet. The entire south American continent will be reshaped by the blast.
-"I think its in retaliation, there were a lot of people still upset over the deaths of so many thousands of soldiers in the South Pacific. The number of dead surely doesn't change things, in my opinion it was a form of retaliation."
-"Retaliation? You've gotta be kidding me, this was absolutely made to affect the people coming into the area looking to join the Zao Priesthood and await the return of the Esper Emperor. I can't stress this any further, the attack was on Earth, targeting humans from Earth. There were no outposts, no priesthood sanctuaries among the destruction. To say its retaliation would be a lie, Its clearly a pre-emptive attack on new recruits or an attack on the movement."
-"You speak about it so passionately, one can only assume you're interested in going yourself. Well, Are you?"
-"Of course, but.. How? The place is now radioactive, the Vines that we all just saw footage of won't be done doing their work for a long time and the vines attack nearby objects, including people. Did you see how Zao Ho had to dodge one of the vines as it unfurled on ground zero? Definitely a sentient plant."
-"Sentient plants? Haha.. you must be joking. I've heard a lot of things said about the Espers, but Plants .. I can admit, they seem to be more interested in radiation and energy than anything else. Perhaps they are just drawn to energy inside the body. Zao Ho's body does seem to have a lot of electrical energy, maybe he is just attractive to the plant. You say its sentient, maybe there is a relationship."
-"What is it with you and sex jokes?"
-"Get over it, you know i'm right. Anyways. We have news that Jan Trensta is about to make another announcement."
-"Yes, and Thank you Sarah. You are epitome of candid acts." The announcers were finished with their discussion and switched footage over to the Press release.
A series of logos and then the Banner of the Zao Clan scrambled across the video and centered themselves for consumption. Then, a background noise, an unfamiliar one to the ears of the world came onto the audio. It was the sound of flushing noise, the black dot, a precurser to an arriving Elemental by teleportation had appeared on the screen.
-"Good evening. I am Jan Trensta. sitting across from me is none other than Zao Ho, he'll be taking over after this announcement for a moment. Please, listen carefully." Jan pointed over to Ho and let him speak.
-"As you all may know, we were victims of a terrible crime today. The Brazilian Government has given us autonomy on this matter. We respectfully ask the World Community for any information on the bombing. If you know of the people responsible, I will personally reward you any way that 'you see fit.'" Taking a deep breath, he kept his momentum.
-"There is no, was none, never had been any reason to slaughter those innocent people making a journey. It was senseless. I pledge our full vested interest in finding the perpetrators, the murderers of so many people. These were people from every nation, there was no guarantee they would join us.. but still they are dead."
-"Jan, is there anything you want to ask. This is probably the tenth meeting we've had but you're constantly cut off and left to answer things you didn't get to ask about. Perhaps I can answer something, helping to ease our audience's minds." Prince Ho was a little nervous, he never expected someone to use a nuclear bomb on the population, and so viciously.
-"I've always been a speculative person, romantically speaking of course. There are a lot of swooning teenagers and young adults that have been asking my forums. What's the deal with you and Qingchi? Are you two dating? Its rare that you two are apart when outside of the City, at least during interviews. The audience noticed as well. Would you care to elaborate?" Jan's question was to the point.
-"I do not believe it is appropriate for me to speak openly about such things, but.. its a confusing matter, its complicated. I bare no blood relation to her, no cell in my body shares a genetic trait with hers. Yet, she is someone related to our family.. through bloodlines past. Our physical differences make up the bulk of the awkwardness. I never intended to be stuck living as a child, It was by sheer accident that I came to this world so many centuries ago. Mischief brought my Brother here, it brought me here as well but tossed me down the rabbit hole. I am over 4000 years old, Qingchi is but a teen in her years. Its also physically impossible for me to sire children in this body."
-"Wait, so you mean you can't have children?" Jan had more questions.
-"I never said that I couldn't have children, I said this body cannot sire them. The simple solution is to change bodies. I will also regain my mortality, as humans perceive it, aging. We could, at some point change the physical impracticalities that complicate our relationship but It will take time."
-"How romantic! Truly. Love from beyond the stars. I'm amazed. Are you amazed. Audience, let us know. First to tell us your thoughts wins a pickup! You heard me, we'll come and pick you up personally!" Jan winked at Ho.
He laughed.
-"Okay. I agree to this one time, the first call will receive a personal pick up from myself, along with miss Jan's excitement." Ho showed a lighter side, but he was still on edge from the attack.
It might have been a little off tempo but he tried none-the-less.
-"The phone's ringing! I wonder who it could be!" Jan's voice boomed over the microphone and patched the call through to the show.
-"You're live." Jan gave the caller time to give their name. "Hello?"
-"You've seen what we can do. Stop brainwashing our people, you will never take us alive" a modulated voice came over the airwaves.
-"What is this?" Jan was looking at her tech team in confusion when the caller continued.
-"E=Mc*2, You might be able to wipe us from orbit but any power great enough to take a world by force could do the same. Your days are numbered. The Zao will fall."
"give me their address!" Jan muted the microphone and asked for the caller's information.
-"There is no use trying to contact me again, this number cannot be traced. You think yourselves Gods? I intend to kill you to prove you're not." The caller's voice modulator crackled a bit at the end.
-"Get me that information." Ho pushed the chair out from the table and stood up.
-"I told you, you cannot trace this. So save your energy, I don't want excuses when you see those around you dropping like flies onto the shit you created yourself. You will regret ever coming to this world." The Caller laughed. "I await your stupidity. Fall. Fall from grace you monsters."
The call ended.
-"Ladies and gentlemen, The attackers just called us. That's right. We have them on audio confessing to the crime, gloating. If you or anyone you know has information, please get it to us any way you can. Thank you."
-"Yes, Thank you all." Ho bowed to the camera, stood up and walked out.
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