A day had passed since the mysterious green gate appeared in the middle of Tokyo. Doctors and scientists struggled to understand why it materialized there or what purpose it served.
Two government agents walk into the secure hospital room of Endo Toyotomi, a patient at Tokyo Central Hospital. The room was empty except for the hospital bed and a heartbeat monitor. No windows, only the blinding white lights and the persistent smell of a sanitised room.
On the bed, Endo Toyotomi lay. Seemingly at peace despite yesterday's unworldly experience. The hospital gown pales his skin as he lies motionless on the bed. The two agents stared down at him with an emotionless expression, waiting for him to respond.
The first agent spoke, "I am Agent Mori, and this is my partner, Agent Ota. We have some questions for you." Agent Mori; a tall, lean man in his mid-thirties with an angular face and thin lips that almost blend with his pale skin. More like a librarian with thin glasses than an agent.
His partner, on the other hand, is the complete opposite in comparison. Agent Ota, a tall and lean man, is a walking stereotype of an agent; he has dark sunglasses that cover his eyes, wears a long black trench coat, and sports a military buzz cut.
Endo stared blankly and nodded ever so slightly. Agent Mori pulled out a notepad and a pencil, taking a seat next to the bed. Agent Ota stood and observed from the foot of the bed.
"So, your name is Endo Toyotomi? Can you recount what happened?" Endo continues staring blankly at the agents. His silence unnerved them.
Agent Mori cleared his throat and continued, "Endo, please answer our questions. It is important for us to understand what happened."
Once more, Endo remained silent. Agent Mori sighed before his partner steps forward, "Do you know why you're here?" Endo turned towards Agent Ota and slowly nodded again.
"Endo, can you speak to us, or is there a reason you are remaining silent?"
"...I can speak; you are simply asking the wrong questions, gentlemen," Endo spoke in a calm, gentle voice. The agents look at each other, "What do you mean?" Agent Ota asked, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone.
"The information you seek is not the same as the answers you need." Agent Mori sighed once more, taking off his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to stave off the incoming headache. "Please, enlighten us with what we need to know."
"If you insist," Endo said with a smile. "...The gate was opened, and I received a gift from them; I was given the gift of knowledge and great responsibility." He calmly responded. The agents shared another glance, this time confused.
"Who is them?" Agent Mori asked, regaining his composure. "I cannot say, they are of no concern to you." Endo said dismissively. "What is the gift then?" Ota asked impatiently.
Endo's smile grew wider, finally they were getting somewhere.
"The gates. They are the gifts, hundreds if not thousands of them, scattered across the world, all containing different wonders, gifts, and secrets. Each gate holds a different purpose; some contain civilizations of unimaginable power, others vast wealth and riches. And so much more." Endo finished with a knowing grin.
Agent Mori, in disbelief, took a moment before responding, "How can you be so sure of this? What do you know about these gates? Are they a threat to us?"
Endo paused for a moment before speaking, "They are our salvation. These gates hold incredible potential for humanity, and I have been blessed with the knowledge to understand their power."
Endo paused again, seemingly lost in thought. The agents remain silent, waiting for him to continue.
"Oh, and why should you be the 'chosen one'?" Ota's voice filled with enmity. He didn't like Endo's vague answers or the way he seemed to know more than them. He also had the most annoying habit of smiling as if he knew something they didn't.
Endo sighed and shook his head, "Wrong question, Agent Ota; when given such a gift, we do not question it; we accept it graciously." Ota's eyes narrow as Endo continues. "And I can assure you, I am not the chosen one. My role is to guide and provide knowledge."
Agent Mori raised an eyebrow, "What kind of knowledge?"
Endo's smile at its peak now, "All the knowledge. I understand how the gates work, what each colour means, and what power they hold."
"So, they're a threat," Ota said with a grimace. "No, Agent Ota; they are a blessing."
Ota huffs, turning away from Endo. Endo watched him for a moment before turning back to Agent Mori.
"In the coming days portals will slowly appear across the globe, leading to unimaginable treasures and dangers. These portals represent the next step in human development."
Agent Mori, leaning forward, "Endo, are the portals safe? How do we know what's inside isn't dangerous?"
Endo kept his grin, but there is no warmth in his eyes, "It depends on the colour of the gate; each colour represents a different danger level.
Green gates are relatively safe and will lead to valuable resources such as food, water, and even other civilizations may reside within.
Blue gates are the most common gates with some danger and many resources.
Amber gates are more dangerous, but they offer greater rewards for those who complete them.
Red gates are the most dangerous and contain extreme dangers, requiring more manpower to complete. However, the rewards are equally as great for those braves enough to explore them."
Agent Ota returned his gaze to Endo, "That's something straight out of a video game or manga!" He scoffed. Endo remained silent for a moment before replying, "Yes, simple to understand and easily applied. Everyone can understand it, even those who are slower." Endo glanced at Agent Ota.
"What's that supposed to mean? Thank God we're in a hospital cause I'm about too-" "Agent Ota, please calm down. We need to focus on the matter at hand," Agent Mori interrupted, giving him a stern look.
Agent Ota scowled and looked away, "Yes, sir."
"I failed to mention, there are two more gates; these gates represent something greater than the others."
Endo continued. "White gates contain higher beings or gods who can bestow blessings and abilities that can change your very humanity. These gates are exceedingly rare and are too be treated with the utmost respect."
Agent Mori leaned forward in anticipation, "What about the last gate?"
"Black gates, an omen of destruction If one were to appear for a prolonged period, it would signal end times. These gates are a sign that humanity is doomed." Endo responded grimly.
The agents fell silent, processing the information.
After a moment, Endo continued, "However, one could argue it's the most common portal as it appears ever so briefly once you die." Endo smiled again breaking the tension in the room. "But let us pray we never have to deal with such an apocalyptic scenario."
Agent Mori nodded, "So what do we do?" Endo sat up in bed, his eyes blazing with passion, "We embrace this new world, we explore, we guide and teach others. We become the leader's humanity needs us to be."
"We?" Ota asked sceptically.
Endo nodded, "Yes, we. You, me, Agent Mori, everyone. This is a monumental event, and a prophet will lead his faithful." Endo outstretched both his hands towards the men.
"What are you doing!" Agent Ota demanded, reaching for his gun. Endo's smile grew wider, "Give me your hands, my disciples. I will show you the way."
Endo's hand glowed brightly, the light swirling around his fingers like liquid silver.
"Grab my hands." He insisted, his voice both commanding and soothing. Ota's heart pounded as he took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun. "No way! Stay away from me!" Agent Ota yelled.
Agent Mori sat up, "I will do it." Endo smiled, "Good," Agent Mori grabbed hold.
A white glow enveloped Mori. His body convulses violently as the light travels throughout his body. He grunted in pain as it reaches his head, causing his eyes to roll back into his skull before passing out.
Endo relaxed as the body fell. "You see now?" motioning towards Ota. Ota glowered at his partner, shaking with fear.
"What did you do to him, Endo?" Endo laughed, "I granted him sight, the understanding, the future, our future." Agent Ota pulls out his gun, "FUCK YOU ENDO!" Agent Ota cried, ready to pull the trigger.
Agent Mori rose from the floor; eyes turned a pure white. Agent Ota turned towards Agent Mori, "Mori? what the fuck, what happened to your eyes?"
Agent Mori raised his hand, "It's okay, Ota, he speaks the truth. Grab his hand, brother; the prophet will show you the future," Agent Mori said in a calm, monotone voice.
Ota looked at Agent Mori, then back at Endo, gun still aimed at him. "What the fuck are you talking about, Mori!" Agent Mori smiled with a vacant expression, "Trust me, brother, It's all so clear now." Agent Ota hesitated for a moment, looking at Agent Mori before lowering his gun.
"Ok," Agent Ota sighed, taking a tentative step forward.
Agent Ota reached for Endo's hand. His fingers brushed Endo's palm. A white glow envelopes Ota. His body convulses violently as the light travels throughout his body. He grunted in pain as it reached his head, causing his eyes to roll back into his skull before passing out.
Mori bowed before Endo "Thank you for the vision, prophet." Endo smiled, "Let us begin our mission to lead mankind. We have a lot of work to do."
Agent Mori nodded as Agent Ota lifted himself. His eyes now pure white orbs, like Mori. "I see it, the future. It's all so clear now." He speaks with awe.
"Let's begin."