֍ 17th July 2008 ֍
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Before the sun rose over Sydney, Australia, the reporters for Liber Tellus Global News were racing around through the New Media building owned by their corporation.
After receiving new information gained from a hack conducted on the Pentagon, documents revealed tens of thousands of Afghanistan civilians dying purposely under fire from American troops.
Plenty of video footage showed the actions of various pilots and soldiers recklessly killing civilians for fun, while given clearance from officers above.
All the reporters who were reading through the large amount of data had restless eyes from crying earlier after witnessing the cruelty of the military but also by the immense number of criminal acts.
One of the Chief Reporters, who oversaw the team compiling the article on the data, was worried of repercussions, but management of Liber Tellus Global News said it was fine, as they were prepared for the outcry from the United States Government.
Carter actually conducted the intrusion and stole the data, such as the 2007 Apache helicopter attack on an Afghanistan village.
He knew about the video's release because of WikiLeaks but instead of waiting another two years for its release, Carter wanted to use it as evidence to push out American troops from the Middle East.
The new Afghanistan government, stabilised by the influence of the Space Ark, was already aware of the video and currently in talks with military officials for answers.
So far, the US Military weren't overly concerned with the Afghanistan government but that would change with the release of the video and article.
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"*Sigh* Do you think this is right, Brendan?
I mean, we're likely to cause the next election to possibly swing in a direction it shouldn't tilt."
"You're only complaining about such matters because you're an American and a Republican at that.
Come on Dave, it's fairly obvious to everyone that the military fucked up and now, they'll pay for their actions." The Chief Reporter Brendan said to his second in command, Dave, who oversaw censorship of certain materials if they were deemed inappropriate for publishing.
Dave questioned the integrity of the story, as it would lead to massive ramifications across the globe, with nations condemning America.
The main reason Dave worried was due to his own connection with the American Military, having fought in the Gulf War and against the Soviet Union when they invaded Afghanistan.
"Dave, as much as I can understand you reason to stop this article from publishing, do you think others won't take advantage of this news and release it?
Brendan is right to say the military is fucked and honestly… they will treat this like a matter of national security, rather than focusing on the bigger picture.
I'm already aware of a meeting between the Afghani government and US Military, that's going to blindside the Generals when they try to fight against the new leadership." Ian Qenx, one of the Executives of the News Media Corporation, and a Thakzukraan in disguise.
An enchanted ring made by Dwarves and Elves of the Space Ark helped hide Ian's true identity from the humans around him.
As one of the first chosen to explore the world beyond the Imperium, Ian quickly fell into a position of power within the corporate management structure of Liber Tellus Global News Media.
His arrival in the corporate office surprised not only Dave and Brendan but the other reporters and journalists working overnight to ensure the article was published by the time the sun rose, which would also be the first of many unique mornings to come.
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*Ding*
[Host has taken over Ancient Egypt, renamed Divine Atlaestreous Lands of Egypt!]
[As the sole wielder of a Divine Throne connected to the Divine Nation, Host has unlocked the first Gate of Sol'arr]
[Star of the Solar System will improve its nature and essence to positively affect the Earth and other Planetary Bodies across the System]
[The full extent of the Gates of Sol'arr strength can be accessed through the Divine Throne, the Divine Guardian Spirit, or through the Spatial Ark Star World]
[System has issued several rewards to Host!]
[Rewards have been distributed to System Inventory]
[Please make sure to access each reward as soon as possible!]
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"Ugh… why won't these damn notifications stop already!"
"You should be interested in the last notification, Esy.
The Gates of Sol'arr are far more than what they seem.
In fact,… the Sun has been 'activated' and not like the influence of precise control through the Space Ark's recognition.
Amun-Ra, as the chief of the Egyptian Pantheon, was connected deeply with the Sun, but it was an entity of its own, and the God was its Herald.
But now, with the Herald gone, access to the powers of Sol'arr are now yours to access.
Funnily enough, you've already influenced the Sun, changing part of the celestial body to discharge solar winds that can positively react with the planets, improving the soil, quality of air, vegetation, and much more."
Carter said, withholding the main effect of the Gates of Sol'arr which attuned the Sun to cleanse the Solar Energy produced naturally by his body after ingesting the Golden Sentry Serum.
Technically the Serum's effects were largely taken up to repair Esmond's soul, but the power of at least tens of thousands of suns was always coursing through him.
The Gates would help increase those numbers as more and more energy would be drawn into his body while cleansing the Solar Energy already moving throughout his anatomy.
But while the build-up of his Solar Energy was occurring slowly, the CounterWorld Sun started to shine clearer over Atlaestreous Egypt, helping the soil, plants, creatures, and naturals resources to strengthen.
Lands beyond Egypt were also affected by the change in the Sun's radiation, but not to the same extent.
Carter knew of this and wanted to start extending Esmond's influence as much as possible in other Divine Kingdoms before Gods awoke again and regained their previously lost strength.
To hasten their expansion across the CounterWorld, Carter and Esmond decided to utilise the tamed beasts of the Space Ark to not only map out the unknown world, but to also act as the frontlines into foreign territory.
Specifically, Esmond also called on Jones, the humanoid Kraken, also known as Krakeman, Spina, BoneLight Dragon, and Frigus, The Ice Dragon.
They came over from the Spatial Ark Star World, through several Gates open by Carter.
Spina and Frigus landed in front of Esmond, with Jones standing ahead of them with his arms crossed.
After watching Dragon Ball Z, Jones started to dress in a modernised casual attire based off Vegeta's original armoured spacesuit.
He even took to posing like Jones, with his arms crossed, but he behaved like a child before Ruby, since she was a motherly figure to him.
Ruby and Daniel understood he was a Kraken that evolved through the functions and effects of the Spatial Ark Star World, but they both still saw him as another member of their family.
Jones even took on the Manston name, which led to both Dragons and Direwolves also joining in and adding themselves to the ever-growing Manston Clan.
They were highly intelligent beings that understood all that happened around them, so their attention was highly peaked when the group of three appeared near Esmond on Egyptian soil within the CounterWorld.
The connection to the First Gate of Sol'arr had improved nature and the Spiritual Energy Source of the Space Ark, which in turn affected the two Dragons and a Kraken, but the effects were far greater in the CounterWorld.
"… Why does everything feel… stronger and powerful?" Jones said, while sensing the monsters wreaking havoc in the deep sea.
Similarly, the Dragons also sensed them monsters across the globe, where Spina sensed more creatures of the supernatural, and Frigus was more attuned to creatures close with Ice.
"This is the CounterWorld, and it's been affected by the rays of the sun after I accessed the First Gate of Sol'arr.
Old creatures and monsters are awakening, while unbridled carnage continued to run wild across the lands not under my vision.
That's where I want you three to go and play.
Learn about the land but also leave behind a mark for others to remember us…" Esmond coldly said, since he sensed a greater number of creatures building up across the borders of Egypt.
The Direwolves Kings and their packs would be sent to help manage the African continent borders, while the three others would rain havoc on a broader scale.
"Jones you will enter the Mediterranean Sea and control the rampant waters for our Empire.
At the same time, gain information on neighbouring islands, landmarks, or anything you may find interesting or of concern." Jones nodded after hearing his assignment, while still maintaining his Vegeta like body pose and stern expression.
Next up was Spina, who Esmond had high hopes for, believing her capable of dealing with the supernatural creatures scattered across the CounterWorld.
"From this point on, Spina I want you to search after the supernatural elements scattered across the massive CounterWorld but focus on the borders of Egypt outside of the African Continent.
You'll be on your own, so if you find a creature worthy to travel and fight beside you, then make sure to injury it enough for us to drag it over into the Space Ark for taming and enhancing."
Spina only roared in excitement and happily agreed with her orders, though her attention closely kept an eye out to hear about Frigus.
The two Dragons frequently held various challenges against one another to see who was stronger, though it would always end in a tie.
Spina hoped Frigus received a mission, much like its own, as a stronger Frigus meant more losses for her when they'd battle against one another in the Space Ark and outside of it.
Believe everything would be equal between the two of them, Spina listened closely as Esmond laid out the plans for the Ice Dragon to follow during exploration.
"Frigus, go and find creatures and beasts associated with an Ice Affinity, and like Spina, capture anything you find interesting, but make sure not to stay away from anything beyond your strength, even if it piques your interest while sparking danger in your mind."
Roaring in acceptance, Frigus started to lift himself off the ground so he could start exploring the vast CounterWorld.
Spina was just as eager and joined Frigus, leaving Jones behind to dive into sea water nearby of the Mediterranean.
Only Carter and Esmond stood side by side, watching the three Space Ark great figures of raw power, wondering if it was time to release the Black Dragon captured from the Retail Market.