Not a day has passed since the war in Egypt, and the newly established Desert Empire waged war and attacked several nearby towns of Egypt. With the bulk of Egypt's forces focused on the northern region, the southern outposts were easily destroyed. The Locust Swarm Tech was still moving down, but the Desert Empire was already prepared and launched strange plants that had the ability to distort the senses of these locusts. In addition, towering plants that stood over thirty meters had appeared all over the captured Egyptian outpost making reconquering them difficult.
Worst still was that a powerful group of soldiers attacked some towns and cities. Video evidence suggested that it was a zombie apocalypse. But upon closer inspection, they found that the creatures that attacked and killed an entire town were vampires.
But this news was buried among so many strange news. Vampire and Werewolves sightings were the least important news in a world where a Titan and a Wind God had just fought. Terrorist attacks and how countries shifted leadership was only mentioned as footnotes when a massive alien craft fought against a moon and a Pyramid of Egypt.
Egypt faced so many problems on every side. Even the Caliphates were found to be preparing an attack to claim the fallen pieces of Shakstress's ship.
Because of the swift movement, the Pioneers were all asking for support and permission to go to war. But Andronze was busy with other important issues.
Deep in the buried lands of Egypt...
Andronze was horrified at the conclusion that Hermes gave.
"You were betrayed?!"
"Yes. That woman who had the power to draw out her blood was my ally. But by the looks of it, she betrayed me. I don't know why she would attack those bases of yours. But it seems that she is looking for something. Or someone. You sure you don't know anyone who goes by those titles?" Hermes frowned.
"Yes! No Rumpelstiltskin, Cracky Batcheeks, Patricia, or whoever. None of those are among the names of all Planteds in all of Egypt! And I have issued decrees to search for them!" Andronze was now angry and shouted.
Several bases of hers were attacked. Video footage of some strange vampire horde could be seen. Some of the fringe cities of Egypts were also attacked, and a great massacre occurred.
"I have lost so much! And all you can do, is send the dead Pioneers that I have thoughts and prayers?" She demanded.
"Oh, calm down. You've seen the powers of my prayers, but it seems. My life is sure to die at her betrayal. The Principal I serve has practically lost because of her betrayal. The question is, which Principal does she serve? Or perhaps it's a Prime. Now Shakstress's legacy is lost and is given to the enemy."
"Shackstress? She fled from the battle through a desperate method! You gained something, but I gained nothing."
"My gains are now losses because of my ally's betrayal. And do you really think that Shakstress is alive? I have a feeling that she's dead! If my ally betrayed me, then it means that my lord's enemies have also reached this timeline. That last message you heard must be my former colleagues attacking her and using her voice to send that link." Hermes guessed.
"I have lost so much of my Universe Energy!"
"Oh, please. I know the true size of your fortress is bigger than Shakstress's ship. If your techs weren't in opposition to my Principals, I would have targeted you instead. I may not be capable of killing you, but I assure you, fighting me will force you to surface that ship of yours!" Hermes glared.
Andronze was stunned.
"In any case, I can tell that you don't trust me anymore. But I don't really hold it against you. It does seem very questionable why those who were associated with me have attacked your base. I'll tell you why. It's all about compatibility. Shrunken techs work well with the power of my Principal. Dug Down Deep don't. So I'm guessing that those who came with me have double agents. And your tech is more attractive."
"What did you say?! Then I will have to fight your allies?! Who are they?!"
"I don't know. I thought I knew them. They were like me, half-Presiders with Principal techs and powers. You'll have to deal with them yourselves. As for what they are after, I don't know. What are you hiding underneath that massive fortress you have? What are you hiding from the rest?" Hermes asked again.
Andronze didn't say anything. But she kept glaring at Hermes.
"If what you are saying is true... then I don't have any time for you." Andronze turned around.
"Feel free to move around in this base. But I have duties to attend to."
"Go ahead. I just hope that you won't meet the same, forgettable, unimportant future. The battle here on Earth is full of schemes. And it even got more complicated with us distorting the timeline. I'm sure that a Prime will soon send those Time Restorers to fix this timeline. And here I thought I'd be able to fight them..." Hermes laughed. His four winds began to move, and the five of them flew according to the wind.
Andronze watched as they left. Great fear covered her heart. She fell to the floor as all her strength left her. The fears and worry that a being like Hermes was after she made her feel such great fear.
As Hermes was flying, he caught wind of a certain voice.
"How was it?"
"She's nervous. She's clearly not a Conqueror. that Shakstress had great bravery. This one folds easily. I was slowly decreasing the amount of air she could take in to make her believe that she had some panic attack. But you'll do as promised?"
"Relax. It's all part of the plan. This will be our cover on how we will wage war in the future. We make at least one Presider take part in this battle. Andronze will be your ally by the time you attack and challenge the Tyrant Empress."
"Where is Akasha?"
"In a city up north of here. She's taken control of one city. At least now, she can control her urges."
"The Progenitor left her some great legacy. I wonder if there are some things left for me?" Hermes wondered.
"If there are, then we should look for things similar to that Philosopher Stone. Any object of myth or mystery could be real. Seeker confirmed that he saw something similar in Pridgeon's ship. However, Shakstress didn't have any. Or maybe, she didn't need to as a Top-Tier. All the Unlocked have already been informed and are searching for these things. The Hope Diamond is being searched for. Now that we have completed another batch of Unlocked Spies, we may just be able to deploy these thieves to steal. The Thief in the Night has already acquired several rare resources and metals. I'll keep you posted if we find anything."
"I can only hope that she is strong enough for the coming fight."
"I don't think you'll be able to kill her current form. But don't underestimate the Tyrant Empress. You'll need to be at least this much to fight her. Have you seen those plants that Eden made? And with the Zulus aiding her, you guys are facing some major disadvantages as Zone will be against you. Expect that you will be fighting against a Top Tier."
"She's that strong? I've seen the matter-bending powers of a Top Tier. The Tyrant Empress is not at that level."
"Of course not. But she can use her powers to beguile one. That's why I'm moving as fast as I can. The more time we delay, the more possible that scenario happens."
"What's the progress in your place? Are you any close to finding it?"
"No. The underground fortress of Andronze is even bigger than we thought. I was right in making you exaggerate the size of Andronze underground fortress. What we explored was just one of many. We found three large fortresses. And going by its form, they should be capable of merging into one massive base. With Dug Down tech, she is able to acquire minerals deep down, reaching the very core of the Earth. This was why she sealed the nation and created an underground society. The underground tunnels and fortress acted as a means for her to hide her true plans by creating a facade on the outside."
"In short, you haven't found her yet? Arthur's sister?"
"No. That's why I need you to help us. You've already distracted her long enough. Now it's time to explore and search for other bases. I've sent enough information for Lennox to have the ability to recreate Dug Down tech. But he said that your power can act as a replacement to the needed devices to do it."
"Are we going to discover if the Hollow Earth Theory is true?" Hermes laughed.
"Who knows? Andronze was very smart in choosing Egypt. We have a lot to confirm. From the records, there appears to be a well-preserved body that Andronze was studying. I'm not sure if our Progenitor, the Lost Primordial, found this body or if it was Andronze. But this could be a major clue as to how to create an Overcomers body! Seeker and Lynd have already found the path to Dimensional Upholding. But the two claimed that it was missing.. And here it is! We have the Way, the Truth. What we need is the Life!"