Noah was exhausted from the heat and the long journey. His shirt was sticking to his back and his legs were tired from the endless walking through the hot Lisbon streets. Every minute under the blazing sun felt like an hour. His lips were parched and his throat was as dry as a desert. He was thirsty. Very thirsty.
Looking at the old man who was standing on the street corner selling bottles of water, Noah was about to go up and ask someone with local currency to buy a drink from the old man for him, when his gaze accidentally fell on the figure near the fountain. He narrowed his eyes and stopped in his tracks, amazed.
It was the same man who had called him in New York the day before, where Noah was still sitting in his apartment trying to understand why his life had suddenly taken a completely different turn. The same man whose name remained a mystery, but whose words about the death of the American ambassador in Lisbon had led Noah on this crazy path that had led him and Delia Asia Vieira to Portugal.
Noah felt his heart quicken. It was hardly a coincidence. The man was here again, and now everything was becoming clearer. He had to explain something.
"Listen," Noah said quietly, taking her by the elbow, "come on, we need to talk to this man."
Delia Asia Vieira, still calm and collected, asked no questions. She walked silently next to him, her steps light and quick, like those of a person who does not feel tired. At some point, Noah even envied her iron self-control.
As they approached the fountain, the stranger standing nearby noticed them and looked at Noah with the same quiet interest that Noah remembered from that call. There was a slight, almost imperceptible smile on his face, and a deep, meaningful look in his eyes.
"I thought we met earlier," he said, his voice even and confident, as if nothing had happened, as if everything was going according to a pre-planned plan.
Noah looked at him, trying to hide his excitement.
"You... you're the man who called me in New York, right? You told me about the ambassador's death. You knew that's what brought me here."
The man nodded, showing no sign of embarrassment. It was as if he had been prepared for this moment.
"Yes," he replied. "I knew you couldn't ignore it. But as you understand, everything is much more complicated than it seems at first glance. I'm glad you came."
And with these words, the man turned and confidently led them through the tangled streets of old Lisbon, which seemed like a labyrinth, densely built up with rows of colorful houses and balconies covered with greenery. Here, far from the tourist streets, reigned the special atmosphere of a city that kept centuries-old secrets in its alleys. Narrow passages were dotted with tiny shops overflowing with all sorts of trinkets - from faded postcards to amulets carved from wood and covered with strange symbols.
Noah looked around, becoming more and more fascinated by this world. On one of the counters, his gaze was drawn to glass balls, shimmering under the dim light of old lanterns.
"Wait, I'll just be a minute," he said to Delia Asia Vieira and their mysterious guide, quickly approaching the bench.
The gray-haired man behind the counter nodded as Noah pointed to a set of three marbles that caught his eye, each glowing a different shade from deep blue to emerald green. Noah couldn't explain what it was that drew him to them, but he felt like they seemed to radiate a faint, almost elusive energy. Perhaps it was due to his psychic abilities, or perhaps the marbles simply felt familiar.
"What is this?" Delia Asia Vieira asked, watching him carefully transfer the marbles into his pocket.
"I don't know, but I liked them," Noah replied with a smile. "Sometimes things just pull you in, don't they?"
The man leading them waited patiently a few paces away, as if he knew that time was not their enemy. When Noah joined them, they moved forward again. Now they were walking along the side of a huge building of gray stone, covered in ivy. Lights flashed and shadows flickered in its high windows, as if something important and mysterious were happening there. Noah felt a strange uneasiness, as if the building itself were a living being, watching them.
"What is this place?" Delia Asia Vieira asked quietly.
The man looked over his shoulder and smiled slightly, but did not answer, only quickened his pace.
Finally, they came to a high cast-iron gate decorated with intricate ligature. Behind them, a park was visible, seeming like an oasis of silence and greenery in the midst of a noisy city. Tall trees spread out in its depths: lindens and maples intertwined with silver birches, and above them towered centuries-old oaks, whose massive crowns were tightly intertwined, forming an almost continuous green ceiling.
But the gate was locked with a heavy padlock.
"We have to wait," the man said, stopping at the locked gate. "I've already made arrangements with the guards. As soon as they see the sign, they'll open."
Delia Asia Vieira and Noah exchanged glances, but did not ask questions. Silence spread around, and only a breeze rustled the leaves beyond the gate. Suddenly, muffled cries were heard from behind the iron fence, and a moment later, lanterns began to flicker in the depths of the park.
"Here's the signal," the man said, and his voice sounded with some mysterious satisfaction.
Just a few minutes later, the massive gates clanged open, as if an invisible force had pushed them from within. Two uniformed guards stood before them. One of them bowed to their guide and motioned for them to enter. And as the gates clanged shut behind them, a slight coolness enveloped the park and the sun hid behind low-hanging clouds. It was a pleasant relief from the sweltering heat, and all three of them - Delia Asia Vieira, Noah, and their mysterious companion - relaxed a little, allowing themselves to catch their breath.
They walked slowly along the winding path, strewn with fallen leaves. The leaves rustled around them, and somewhere high in the branches they heard a lonely bird cry. The air was filled with the smell of damp earth and pine needles. Noah tried to distract himself from his disturbing thoughts and started a conversation, but the topic of their conversation seemed strange, as if they were simply trying to fill an empty space.
"Have you heard of the Shogun Code?" he said, speaking in a low voice to break the silence. "They say it was a set of laws regulating the lives of samurai and their honesty to their lords. One of my friends claimed it was fiction, but..."
"Yes, yes, of course," the man said. His voice was not exactly disinterested, but rather overly attentive. He looked at Delia Asia Vieira, and she held his gaze for a moment before returning to contemplating the path beneath her feet.
"What about that Japanese movie?" Noah continued, hoping to lighten the mood. "The one about the samurai Manabu who was forced to become a killer to save his village? Have you seen it?"
"It's quite an old movie, isn't it?" Delia Asia Vieira replied, but her tone sounded strained. She exchanged glances with the man, and Noah felt something invisible and tense pass between them.
The conversation suddenly stopped, and a strange silence replaced the words. The words about the code and the samurai were just empty shells - each of them understood this perfectly well. In fact, their thoughts were far from the topic of cinema and history. It was more of a code, an attempt to hide their true intentions from casual listeners. Everything around seemed too fragile and fleeting - as if any careless word could provoke danger.
Their companion glanced quickly at Noah again, as if to confirm something. He responded with silence and a slight nod. A subtle signal of agreement passed between them, as if they had exchanged silent vows at that moment. Delia Asia Vieira seemed to understand more than she let on. Her eyes glittered in the dim light, and there was a hidden determination in them.
As they walked through the trees, Noah noticed the light growing ahead. The trees parted at once, revealing a small clearing, filled with soft, diffused light. In the middle of it were scattered stone slabs of various shapes and sizes, like ancient tombstones or unknown altar stones. They rose among the grass, covered with green moss, giving the place an atmosphere of ancient silence and oblivion.
Delia Asia Vieira and Noah looked at each other, looking around in confusion. How could something so mysterious and alien be hiding here, in the heart of Lisbon? But their guide - a tall, thin man with steel-grey eyes - merely nodded to them, letting them know that this place was perfectly safe.
"Here we can speak without fear of being overheard," he said quietly. "The area is protected by ancient spells that suppress any attempts at espionage."
Noah felt a slight chill down his spine and couldn't help but glance around, as if someone was watching them. Delia Asia Vieira, on the other hand, seemed completely calm, her metallic eyes scanning the surrounding space, taking in every detail.
But further ahead, something even more astonishing unfolded. Beyond the clearing, a castle towered, its features incongruous with European architecture. It was Shinoda Okamura's castle, built in austere Japanese style. Its high roofs with curved ends recalled distant Japan, and its walls, covered in dark wood and decorated with delicate carvings, seemed out of place in the southern light of Lisbon.
"Sensei's castle? Here in Portugal?" Noah muttered in surprise, looking at this alien picture.
"Yes, and he has reasons for being here," their guide replied. "But please don't ask unnecessary questions. Everything will become clear later."
They approached the massive gates of the castle, which suddenly opened silently. Seven samurai emerged from the shadows of the corridor to meet them. Each was clad in shining armor, skillfully forged from black steel. Their faces were hidden behind masks decorated with menacing, demonic patterns. Noah and Delia Asia Vieira froze, astonished by this sudden appearance. But the samurai, bowing their heads, greeted them with a humble bow.
"Welcome, guests from afar," said one of them, the oldest, his voice muffled from under his mask. "Sensei is waiting for you."
The samurai turned and led them into the cool, semi-dark interior of the castle. The walls of the corridors were decorated with calligraphy scrolls, and the scent of sandalwood hung in the air. Noah and Delia Asia Vieira expected to see the traditional, majestic figure of the sensei, dressed in an exquisite kimono, surrounded by his retinue and ceremonial paraphernalia. Instead, they were met with something completely unexpected.
Shinoda Okamura sat on the dais, casually lounging on a massive wooden throne. But his appearance was completely at odds with the ancient setting of the ancient castle. He was wearing a bright acid-green tracksuit, flip-flops with the logo of a famous brand on his feet, and he held a can of energy drink in his hands. A backwards cap with a fashionable logo completed the look.
Delia Asia Vieira and Noah froze in confusion, looking at each other. Their faces showed genuine surprise, but the sensei, noticing this, only laughed loudly, loudly slapping his palm on the armrest of the throne.
"Oh, why are you looking at me like that?" Shinoda Okamura said, laughing. "I decided that it was time to update myself a little and follow fashion! You see," he raised his finger meaningfully, as if about to impart ancient wisdom, "every person should keep up with the times. So I try to keep up with the youth!"
Noah, still in slight shock, forced a polite smile and bowed his head in respect.
"Of course, your Excellency," he answered cautiously. "Times are changing, and we all have to adapt."
Robotess, without losing her iron composure, also allowed herself a slight smile and nodded. Her gaze pierced this strange sensei like an X-ray, trying to understand what was hidden behind this unexpected disguise. But Okamura seemed completely at ease, even slightly mocking.
"Well," the sensei continued, taking a sip from his energy drink and smacking his lips loudly, "I'm glad you arrived without incident. I imagine it wasn't easy for you to get here."
"It was... an exciting journey," Noah said evasively, recalling the train's flight over the sea and meeting with the samurai.
Under the flickering light of the paper lanterns, the sensei casually crossed his legs and, continuing to sip an energy drink from a brightly coloured jar, spoke with unexpected frankness.
"Ah, Portugal!" the sensei began enthusiastically, waving the can in the air. "It's just paradise! People here live slowly, enjoy life, wine, the sun... I don't understand how I could have vegetated for so long in Japan among these boring, prim hypocrites! They will never understand my taste for life," he rolled his eyes expressively, as if he had just eaten something bitter.
Delia Asia Vieira and Noah listened attentively. Noah, slightly frowning, clearly did not expect such a stormy revelation from a high-ranking sensei. Robotess, as always, remained unperturbed, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"You see, my compatriots in Japan are stuck somewhere in the last century," Shinoda continued. "All these endless ceremonies, bows and honors! And here..." he made a wide gesture, as if trying to embrace all of Portugal at once. "Here, life is in full swing, but in such a way that you simply never tire of enjoying every day!"
Noah seized the moment and decided to tease the sensei a little.
"You know, if I had the same taste for life as you, Your Excellency," he said quietly, smiling slightly, "I would have fled my native America long ago... maybe to Russia or Poland. People there live more simply, but better than in the West, especially if you don't look for comfort, but strive for something real."
Sensei seemed delighted by this phrase. He laughed loudly, so that his laughter echoed throughout the hall.
"Bravo, Noah! You know exactly what I mean!" He slapped Noah on the shoulder so hard that he barely managed to stay on his feet. "I appreciate people who understand my attitude to life."
With these words, Shinoda fished another can of energy drink out from under the throne and handed it to Noah.
"Drink with me to our new alliance!"
But Noah, being a staunch supporter of a healthy lifestyle, gently declined the offer:
"Thank you, your Excellency, but I try to avoid all this... chemical stuff. I prefer fresh water."
Sensei just smiled, apparently not offended by the refusal.
"Ah, Noah, you are a true ascetic!" he muttered, finishing his energy drink. "Perhaps that is your strength. But remember, sometimes life is worth living to the fullest, if only to find out where exactly your border lies."
At that moment, Delia Asia Vieira rose from the soft cushion she was sitting on and took a step forward, her cold and direct gaze directed at the Japanese ruler.
"Excuse me, Shinoda-san," she began with a slight bow, observing the rules of politeness, "but I think we should get to the point. We didn't come all this way here just to exchange pleasantries. We're only interested in one thing: how do we stop the Antichrist called Delia York before her stepfather Gene York becomes President of the United States?"
Shinoda Okamura stared at her, his gaze darkening. He was silent for a moment, considering her words, then sighed loudly and, throwing the now empty energy drink can aside, ran a hand through his short-cropped hair.
"Madam," he finally answered, struggling to find the words, "you are too naive to think it is that simple. The Antichrist you seek is a myth, invented by your own fears and superstitions. We have no evidence that this woman you call Delia York exists. And we certainly have no evidence that her stepfather, Gene York, is preparing to take over the world by becoming president.
Noah, standing next to the robotess, frowned and clenched his fists tighter.
"But these are not mere rumors!" he exclaimed. "We have received reports from reliable sources that Gene York has connections to secret organizations and plans to use his power to advance his stepdaughter to a position of influence - perhaps even Arbiter of Fates.
Sensei shook his head and, crossing his arms over his chest, turned again to Delia Asia Vieira.
"Look," his voice was firm but not malicious, "even if your information is correct, there is no legal way for an American president to grant his stepdaughter the powers you speak of. The U.S. Constitution is designed to make such a thing impossible. These are just fantasies and assumptions used to scare people. Even if Gene York became president, he would be limited by laws and a system of checks and balances.
Delia Asia Vieira narrowed her eyes, watching her sensei's reaction carefully. Her analytical mind was quickly processing the information she had received. She understood that here in Lisbon, far from the intrigues and political machinations of America, Shinoda Okamura might not realize the gravity of the situation. But at the same time, she knew that his words were not without logic.
"Perhaps," robotess replied coldly, "but you underestimate the cunning of Gene York and his stepdaughter. They have already built a network of allies and plan to operate not through formal laws, but through manipulation and pressure on key individuals. We have seen this before: how laws bend under the weight of force and fear.
Sensei raised his hand, interrupting her.
"Even if that's true," he said quietly, with a hint of sadness in his voice, "we don't have the resources or time to fight something we can't even prove. My samurai are warriors, but they're not politicians, and they're certainly not ghost hunters. If you want to destroy the Antichrist, you'll have to find other allies. Perhaps someone who understands the Western world and its dark side better."
Noah and Delia Asia Vieira exchanged glances again. Shinoda Okamura obviously wasn't going to risk his men for a phantom threat. But at the same time, there was a hidden hint in his words - maybe he knew more than he was saying. And so, Delia Asia Vieira looked straight into Shinoda Okamura's eyes and asked him the question that was tormenting her:
"But why then, Shinoda-san," she asked calmly, "is everyone so certain that the Antichrist will really come? Why do prophecies of his coming continue to be heard throughout the world?"
Shinoda Okamura thought for a moment, as if considering his answer, and then nodded slowly, as if agreeing with himself. His eyes looked into the distance, as if he was mentally transported to a place far away from this room, to another time and place.
"You want to know why?" he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper, but with a deep heaviness to it. "It's all about human nature. Humans are amazing creatures, gifted with incredible abilities. But, alas, these same creatures are prone to self-destruction. They seek signs of the end of the world not because the Antichrist is truly coming, but because they are creating the conditions for their own end."
He stood up, walked to the window and looked out at the park beyond the castle. The evening sun's rays glided softly over the foliage, and it seemed as if the whole world had frozen in this calm golden light.
"Look at Earth," Shinoda continued, without turning to face his guests. "Humans are destroying it at such a rate that soon there will not be a single green bush left on the planet. We ourselves, as a species, are getting closer to the brink of self-destruction every day. We pollute the oceans, we cut down forests, we exhaust resources... And in this context, it is not surprising that more and more predictions about the End of the World appear. People see the approach of destruction because they themselves are creating it.
Robotess listened to him attentively, her face remained inscrutable, but in the depths of her eyes there was some concern.
"And you think that the Antichrist is just a symbol?" she asked, trying to figure out if she had fully understood his thought.
Shinoda turned around, a bitter smile crossing his face.
"Yes, the Antichrist is not a creature of flesh and bones. He is the personification of Humanity itself. He is the embodiment of our greed, our pride, our inability to stop and think about the consequences of our actions. People are looking for the Antichrist because they are afraid to admit that the real enemy is already here. He is in each of us."
Noah, standing next to Delia Asia Vieira, had a hard time suppressing a skeptical grin. He was silent for a long time, lost in thought. Finally, he sighed quietly and decided that arguing with a Japanese man living in Portugal and discussing global problems of the world was simply pointless.
"You may be right, Shinoda-san," Noah said, breaking the silence. "But things aren't that simple here in America. We don't have time to ponder philosophical questions when political intrigue and conspiracies become reality. If the Antichrist is truly coming, he will do so not as an abstraction, but as a real force that will seize power and bring humanity to its knees.
Shinoda sighed heavily and shook his head, as if he regretted Noah's stubbornness.
"You may be right," he said at last. "But until people understand that the Antichrist is themselves, none of your efforts will stop him. Because the fight against him begins not with the destruction of enemies, but with changing yourself."
Delia Asia Vieira was silent, but a light of understanding flashed in her eyes. Sensei Shinoda Okamura rose heavily from his seat and, trying not to show his weakness, offered:
"Let's take a little walk in the garden. Fresh air will help us all."
Delia Asia Vieira and Noah stood up, following the old man. They came out into the softly lit alley, and the coolness of the garden was pleasantly refreshing after the heated conversation. The air was filled with the scent of cypress and damp leaves. It was much cooler here, in the shade, and they all felt some relief.
Robotess sat down on an old wooden bench under the spreading crown of a sakakibara tree, a sacred cypress that symbolizes life and eternal rebirth. Sensei sat down opposite her, leaning back wearily against the back of the bench. Noah settled down next to robotess, leaning slightly forward, as if ready to intervene in the conversation at any moment.
As they were settling in, a young Japanese woman passed by, slender and graceful, holding two cans of energy drink. Her face was completely impassive, as if she were just a shadow living in this ancient garden. But Shinoda Okamura motioned for her to stay and not come any closer.
"Later," he said, wincing slightly. "Leave us alone."
Delia Asia Vieira noticed how white his lips were when he spoke again. It was obvious that talking about the Antichrist and the impending end of the world was causing him almost physical pain. And yet he was willing to talk about it, as if something inside him was forcing him to reveal the truth.
"Madam," he finally broke the silence, addressing her with unexpected tenderness in his voice, "you are trying to find a real incarnation of the Antichrist. But what if I told you that he does not exist? That it is only the fear of people projecting their sins and vices onto someone else in order to avoid responsibility?"
Robotess looked at the sensei carefully, trying to understand what he was trying to convey to her. Next to her, Noah tensed, as if anticipating an unexpected turn.
"Are you saying that the Antichrist is not a real threat?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the side.
Sensei smiled sadly and closed his eyes, as if from fatigue.
"People have always needed symbols," he said finally, looking out into the garden where the wind was rattling the leaves. "They need someone to blame for everything bad that happens around them. It's convenient to create an image of evil and then blame it for your actions and mistakes. But the real threat never comes from outside. It's inside us."
Delia Asia Vieira felt her heart slow down. Her mechanical intelligence quickly analyzed the sensei's words, but she also understood them on an intuitive level.
"So you think this is all an illusion?" she said thoughtfully. "That people are using the myth of the Antichrist to hide their own sins?"
Shinoda nodded again and leaned against the bench, as if he had suddenly lost all his strength.
"Yes. The Antichrist is ourselves. We are destroying our planet, burning its resources, poisoning the air and water. We have created a world in which there is no longer room for beauty and harmony. And instead of admitting our guilt, we are looking for an external source of evil."
Noah, who had been silent until this point, suddenly leaned forward, his face grim.
"But what if it's not just a symbol?" he countered. "What if the Antichrist really does exist, and his appearance is not just the result of our collective guilt, but someone's well-planned game?"
Shinoda looked at him with a slight smile.
"People always look for conspiracies when they can't find answers to their questions," he answered quietly. "But perhaps your truth is also true. Perhaps there is someone who wants to take advantage of people's weaknesses to subjugate them."
Delia Asia Vieira, realizing that they had exhausted this conversation, stood up and bowed low, as Japanese tradition required.
"Thank you for your frank words, Shinoda-san," she said. "We will remember them when the time comes to make a decision."
Noah also stood up and nodded, saying goodbye to Sensei, who remained sitting on the bench, like an old tree that had taken root in this garden for centuries. They walked along the winding paths that led from the garden to the exit, drowning in greenery and surrounded by the singing of birds. The evening sun filtered through the leaves, casting golden reflections on their faces. Delia Asia Vieira looked thoughtful, her smooth, almost doll-like face was devoid of its usual cheerfulness. Noah was silent, only occasionally casting short glances at her, full of anxiety and uncertainty.