Andre immediately went to the door and used his ability. When he opened the door, the other side of it has Commander Calliroth, seated on a chair, looking very different from before.
His eyes were deep as he held his hands together. He looked straight at nothingness with an absentminded gaze.
Andre crossed the doorway and closed the door behind him. Calliroth shook and turned to the door. His shock became visible as he looked at Andre with gladness.
"President, we have failed you." He said with melancholy. "How?" Andre asked.
Calliroth then began to explain the events after he entered the realm to read.
Two days after he left, Xia announced the existence of magic to the people and annexed China to become the new Greater Xia. With Xia's announcement, the governments of the world cannot do anything but release the truth. After that, mass recruitment came as the government and companionship recruited men to cultivate into their own soldiers.
But then, the European Union fell just two weeks later, making the United Powers the de facto ruler by owning half of the world.
Because of that, the East united into an Alliance to defend their land against the Uniters. It was also the first time that the East became united with one reason.
With Soviet Russia by their side, the East became unstoppable and even reconquered some of the European lands. But everything changed when the Lichfiend appeared.
The Lichfiend, a single person, practiced necromancy and raised an undead army to lay waste upon the Soviet lands. With his army, he became unstoppable.
Losing the support of the Soviets, The east barely held onto their territories with their intelligent strategists and supply.
"Then, what happened with Azazel in Egypt?" Andre asked with worry. Calliroth shook his head and answered, "Regarding that.."
He then continued to explain. With the Hidden World Organizations, a little more than a month after his disappearance, Kaiden Meier, the President of the Kepler Society, managed to enter into the Foundation's ranks and persuade the personnels to join the Society. After that, slowly, the Foundation fell and merged with the Society, becoming a powerful entity. The Continental Directors, Calliroth, and several other individuals that are loyal to him remained. They then hid and lived quietly behind the shadows.
Fortunately for Chairperson Mimicry who was posing as the current king, the only problems he's facing were assassination attempts from the leaders of the United Powers and the war.
The Hidden World Organizations also changed greatly. The Pendragon Circle fell because of the resistance of the United Powers, without the Foundation, Kepler rose through the ranks, and the Darkhold became the second most powerful organization.
Another organization named A.E.G.I.S Institution also appeared out of nowhere as it helped Kepler Society to capture anomalies. Led by a mysterious man that was only known by the name of Jeremy, the Institution rose and became an equally powerful organization that rivals that of the Society, although they still haven't shown any moves that shows their hostility towards each other.
Andre had his mouth gaped open as he blurted out, "All that happened in just three months?"
"Although unbelievable, yes, unfortunately. It did." Calliroth replied.
"Can you tell me about the Gaius Group?" Andre suddenly inquired.
"Gaius Group stayed the same," Calliroth replied, while Andre sighed with relief, "but the Administrator has changed." He added.
"Who?" Andre raised his eyebrow and asked solemnly. "A man named Marcelino Gonzalez. The former Administrator was assassinated."
Hearing the news, Andre sighed audibly. Although they weren't really that close, Romualdez was still a person that he himself appointed. The only thing he could do now is to wish him a good reincarnation.
"Do you have any information about this Marcelino Gonzalez?" Andre inquired. Calliroth shook his head in return, "We didn't really looked into them deeply as we already have problems ourselves."
"It's okay." Andre waved his hand. "Then, I want you to gather everyone and wait for my call. The world has become too messy and we need to restore order." He then stood up and turned around to leave.
Behind him, Calliroth bowed towards him until he had fully left.
Back in his house, Andre slumped down his seat and sighed wearily. He didn't think that in just three months of him being away that the world would change in such a manner. Although he still hadn't had a look outside, he is 90% sure that it's already highly different from how he used to know it.
After some time, Solomon appeared and looked at him. "So, how much did it change?" He asked.
"Very." Andre sighed, "I don't know if this world is still the world that I know."
He straightened up on his seat and uttered, "Without the Ouroboros Foundation, all the research that we have conducted is now in the hands of my rival."
"I wish I could just own The Illuminati and place all of them under my control." He whispered with a hint of longing.
"But, you own The Illuminati." Solomon suddenly stated. Hearing that, Andre just laughed, "No, I don't. They're a very mysterious organization that just appeared some time ago."
"No. You do own the Illuminati." Solomon blurted once more. "Have you encountered even just one of them?" He suddenly asked.
Intrigued, Andre looked at him and replied, "Yes. She was a very powerful person that had control over nature. I don't know how she is now but I still remember her. Her name is Empress E–"
"Empress Everfree." Solomon finished what Andre wanted to say, to which the latter's reaction was that of shock. "She was a creation. A summon of mine." Solomon added.
"You–" Andre looked at him incredulously as he continued, "I am the founder of The Illuminati. I wanted to show the world what it truly is but you all killed me too early to realize my goal."
"My codex is one of their symbols of power. I believe they are still looking for it." He quoted while his back faced Andre while reminiscing of his past, "Whoever holds the codex in possession and controls it guarantees the person at least the position of Second-In-Command of the Illuminati."
He then turned around and continued, "If nothing changed and the place where I established the gathering nexus is still the headquarters, then you would certainly meet them there."
"Where?" He asked expectantly. "Atlantis."
Western Africa, The Sahara..
After Africa was claimed by the United Powers/Union, the Sahara has been sealed because of unknown circumstances. It was said that an unknown power resided there and that the superhumans of the Union couldn't defeat them.
Outside the Eye of The Sahara, Cris and Gobb gazed at the barren land with apprehension. They were wearing sandy cloaks and hoods to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
"Are you sure we're in the right place, Grand Director?" Gobb asked with nervousness.
"I told you to stop calling me 'Grand Director'. The Foundation has been dissolved, so we basically have no positions that are separating us." Cris reprimanded and looked at the distant geographical location that is shaped like an eye. "Ever since André and I investigated the Illuminati, we have both concluded that this place must be a point of gathering of their members. It is also logical, since this place was once the place where Atlantis stood."
Gobb nodded, but he was still nervous. Cris turned to him and tilted his head to the side, "Let's go."
Slowly, they walked towards the eye and when they reached close enough, Cris raised his hand to stop Gobb from walking any further. He then extended his hand forward, and lo and behold, a barrier was put in place to prevent anyone from moving further.
Seeing that, Gobb looked at Cris to see his reaction. Cris looked at the barrier with a sneer, "You plan on stopping me with this level of seal? If I wasn't presented with the seal that André made before this, I wouldn't have enough knowledge to open this, but I was presented with that seal, so, sucks to be you."
Although he had an evil expression on his face, he quickly erased that expression and calmed himself down, "Cris, your goal here is to join the Illuminati, not create an enmity with them. You only need to open a small pathway." He muttered to himself before casting his magic, slowly opening the barrier.
An hour passed, and finally, a small pathway that was enough for them to enter was created. Breathing in, Cris turned around and nodded at Gobb before walking inside. Gobb followed him closely behind.
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