The Esper Emperor had made a promise. The Suns had set, their final meal, broadcast to the world. Sharing stories, a camera drone went from one person to another throughout the great hall. Food stores were no longer an issue, several million tons of fish and the food storage of the Chinese government had been used as a means to feed everyone during the day. This meal, was to show them the things to come.
Specially prepared by Harris, it was enough to feed an army. Most of his food stores were used in this singular meal to feed the City. In the Western Mountain, the Citizens were responsible for their own food; but they had not left just yet. Pickled Reginsa, Lotus spreads, strange cheeses and a large snake blistered to perfection sat as the center piece of the meal. Its fangs were the size of men, standing tall, trophies on the table.
"This is the last meal on Earth. I thought it should be something to remember, and hopefully unforgettable." Harris raised his glass.
Jan Trensta had been quiet, her microphone didn't matter any longer. This was the beginning of the countdown to their departure, she would be broadcasting until they left, uninterrupted. Saving herself from boredom in the future wouldn't be so easy. "To the Worlds we make with our own hands and to the future."
The Cheng Twins studied everyone in the room and main hall while they walked closer to the throne. Wu Hai saw them enter, striding with pride. "Emperor, there are people at the gates."
Prince Ho stood up, channeled quickly in his palm and disappeared from sight. Some of the drinks on the tables swayed but it was minimal.
"Emperor, there are soldiers standing outside of the City, with lots of small black boxes." The Twins each carried one of the boxes. "They don't smell like food," Yu said. "Or booze" Mu kicked the top off the box in front of the Emperor.
Inside of the Box, were hard drives.
"What is this?" Kim Li walked up and grabbed the box's invoice from the shipping label.
"Prodigious Tech LLC., they sent a letter along with these boxes. It says. 'Dear Emperor, you've given me everything I've ever wanted. So I have spent everything I ever earned to make sure that your life's work be given back to you. Inside is all the data, a copy of everything you've ever worked on. It is not much, but I could not let such a tragedy happen. I will make my way to Jungle City, with the rest of my company that decided to come along. May we one day meet in the next work." Kim Li finished reading the letter and passed it directly over to the Emperor. "Its signed Rawley Munju III."
"Billionaires.. that will be interesting." Wu Hai called the Stealth Corp Commander over. "Guzhe, have the guards collect anything outside of the gates throughout the night. Secure them in the Pagoda. And Invite Mr. Munju to come dine with us in person."
The Meal was quiet after the arrival of the Hard Drives, but it didn't last. Soon, more gifts kept arriving. Many of the arrivals had sent for their things, Drone deliveries and helicopters had been arriving every few minutes. After an Hour, the constant stream of gifts had really become a disruption. "Friends, Family. I have business to attend to, Tomorrow.. We sleep under the Stars of Shiyan." Channeling, Wu Hai searched for Ho.
Appearing beside him, Ho was caught off guard but didn't flinch. He had been the only Teleporter for a long time, "I've forgotten what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a teleportation technique. Its good to be going back, I know you never intended to bring back so many.. but I just couldn't." Ho hung his head.
"Don't beat yourself up, children always seem to try to be optimists. We will settle all of this when we get back, but you have a job to do before we go.. I strongly advise taking Qingchi as your bride too, you have a couple of years to decide, but she seems like the waiting type.. so you're in luck." Wu Hai patted Ho on the shoulder. "I keep wanting to treat you like the Child we left with, but I know you've been stuck in that body for a few thousand years. When you're ready to age again, let me know."
Wu Hai channeled a teleportation ring, reaching into this storage he pulled out 20 Pink soul crystals and tossed them over. "Go find Qingchi, have her give these crystals out to the pure hearted." Touching the silver hand to the ring, he was gone. A large swirl of dust sprang up and spiraled in his wake.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
In the Jungle, trekking toward Sao Paulo and further south, a group of armed men dressed in green stood among the thicket.
They had been outcast, choosing to protect the jungle from environmentalists and poachers. Freedom fighters with guns followed behind them, guarding them from ambush.
Sparks were seen in the distance, a blue and violet tumble of violent electricity struck the wet Jungle Floor. A black dot was gathering momentum and growing in size.
The Esper Emperor had arrived.
"Its him." The Guerillas had been fleeing the area ever since Mike had found them near the Jungle City and the edge of the Blast zone. They all dropped their weapons and knelt in reverence.
"We dared not think you would accept us, we've been leaving.. please, spare us." The Leader, a man that went by name, 'Truck' had been talking. None of the other men had different ideas, they surrendered without a fight.
Wu Hai cringed just a little bit, then saw the tattoos that had just been done on their arms. "the Dragon King is my close friend, you honor him?" He pointed at the exposed tattoos.
"He saved many of us. We are at your mercy." Truck replied but refused to look up.
Wu Hai had been through the scene enough, he grabbed the man's shoulder and got him to stand up straight. "I didn't come to screw with you. I came to offer you all a Job."
His hand opened, exposing a small pile of crystals. All of them were different colors. "These are very special, take one and swallow it. When we leave in the morning, I will leave a City in the Jungle. You will be its protectors, your children will inherit your abilities. I leave the City to the Nation of Brazil, but I leave you in charge of it. Go to Picos." Wu Hai made sure that there was enough for each of the forty men.
"Why?" Truck was quick to understand that he had been given something precious, but no one gave away such things.
"Because you are unattached, and seeking purpose. Mike is a good judge of character and my best friend. If the Dragon King likes you, So do I. Protect this world, don't enslave it." Wu Hai flew up and toward the Picos.
The Debris field was covered in wandering vines, Wu Hai had left them alone, a deadly moat for stray humans and violence. 'here looks good'
Wu Hai sat down on a rock and looked out at the night sky. The light pollution was much less over the area, he could see the stars. 'So many.' Drinking wine from its bottle, a habit born from Jin's friendly nature, Wu Hai started making walls. A singular slab, two hundred meter tall and seven meter thick wall rose from the ground, sealing the hilltop and remaining jungle canopy within.
'Buildings.' Wu Hai started, and didn't stop until he was done recreating the Jungle City. Made from common materials, it was of no material value to foreign governments. The Zao Clan wouldn't have to worry about leaving technology or bait for battles.
"I better get some sleep." Wu Hai cast his teleportation technique and went back to his bedroom in the Pagoda of Tower City.
"Hey sweetheart, how was your trip?" Kuzunoha was waiting by the bedside. Her attitude said everything.
'Forget sleeping.' Wu Hai tossed off his robe and moved closer as he unfastened.
"Its our last night on Earth.." Kuzunoha smiled and licked at his nose.