Chapter 531 - Day MMCXXIII, Part I

The day started slow. With the tournament put on hold, we didn't have much to do, so people spent some time eating, chatting, drinking, and even there started to appear ideas of exploring the city of Cairo.

For me, the view from the terrace of my hotel room was enough, I didn't need to see more. Especially with the constant reporters on our asses, trying to score a photo or an interview. Maybe the local government was doing a better job of keeping them at bay, but this would really be put to test in the middle of the city.

It was around midday when Vikram came pounding on my door. I was surprised and kinda annoyed.

- Who's there?! - I yelled.

- It's me, open, and turn on the TV, quickly!

I dropped the pan, shadow walked to open it for him, and then again, to grab the remote-controlled and see what he was so concerned about. Since I always watched the tournament coverage on some English-speaking channel, it was the one that appeared after turning the device on.

A woman in elegant clothing appeared behind a large desk, with some papers in hand. There was a picture of something strange and hudge above the water in the corner of the screen.

- Governments of major superpowers denied their connections to the sudden appearance of the giant structure above the Atlantic ocean. As for now, we have been unable to identify what it might actually be. The expert from the Royal Air Force believes it might be some kind of an aircraft, propelled by unknown to us systems. The different theories are being created as we speak. Several countries decided to deploy their plains to identify the structure. The theory of alien arrival is spreading throughout social media.

For a moment she disappeared, and we got a bigger version of the picture displayed. It was gray and partially obscured by clouds. The smooth, aerodynamical edges brought the images of some sportscars to my mind, but it had to be humongous in size.

She kept covering the news, but I focused on something else, ignoring the monologue.

- What the hell is that? - asked Vikram.

- I have no fucking idea... - I replied.

It was a lie, as the idea was already in my mind, but I couldn't confirm it. After all, there was an army of mindless aliens conquering the multiverse somewhere out there, and that could be them. I tried to call The Great One in my mind, but there was no response, which could actually be connected somehow.

Even in my wildest nightmares I never imagined the conflict would erupt this soon.

- Are you sure, Peter? Couldn't those be the Bahumdabars or Xuvi? Maybe some of them survived?

- No... I doubt that. Did anybody try to make a contact with that?

- Not yet. It just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Some container ship crew spotted it, and they made contact with the United Kingdom. That started the whole ruckus. It's not attacking, but that's all I know.

Just as he said that another person pounded on my door.

- Peter?! Are you there?! - yelled William. - Emergency!

- Just get in! We are already watching the news! - I shouted.

He rushed inside and joined us starring at the TV screen.

- Do you have any idea... - he started.

- No, I don't - I interrupted him.

Will immediately looked at Vikram. He clearly wanted to mention The Great One, but since my assistant was there, he didn't know if he should. Then he looked at me, with the silent question reflected in his eyes.

- You know something, don't you? - asked my assistant, as he noticed that something was going on between us.

Will opened his mouth to say something, but I was faster.

- Yes, we do, but if you think that we know what that thing there is, what is its purpose, or to whom it belongs to then you are wrong. We have no idea and are puzzled just like you and the rest of the world.

- What do you know? - he asked. - This is important Peter. The world might be at stake.

I sighed.

- I can tell you, but you have to promise me one thing. To keep it for yourself, and only for yourself. You have to swear on your family, on your wife, and on your country, then I will tell you.

He at first looked at William, then back at me.

- Ok - he said with a serious expression.

- There is another city in the wastelands. It's surrounded by monsters that almost killed me, and connected to other cities. I managed to get there, and I traveled to the reminiscent of Bahumdabarian empire. Will wanted to ask if I saw something similar there, but I didn't. What was left of their technology out there was different. I once saw a giant creature made of metal, flying through the sky, but it didn't look like this at all, besides those places are completely deserted if not count the monsters roaming around.

Will just nodded, probably because he was scared that he might again somehow indicate to Vikram that I'm lying. 

- Are you sure? - the assistant kept asking.

- Yes I am. I don't know what that thing above Atlantic is, but probably some aliens. Foil heads are probably having a party right now.

The Indian sighed and wiped his face with his hands. He was obviously stressed, and I had a big part in it with what I did yesterday.

- I need to make some calls - he finally spoke. - Please stay here, Peter. I might have some more questions later.

With those words, he left, closing the door behind him. Will gave me a look but didn't say a thing, and then he just sat on my bed. I watched him for a moment, as he stared at the TV, and then went outside, to the terrace, to have a look at the city.

In my head, I was trying to contact The Great One to find what the hell was going on.