The Alien Agenda 2

[Chapter 43: Ambushed]

Recap
The Higher Ones have devised a plan to create a wormhole that would send Laila back to the future. Laila has completed her training and is preparing to leave along with Axel.
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I looked around my bedroom, hoping I would be returning to it soon, once in the future. I slung the pouch filled with all necessary items, some from the future, notes and blueprints. Firmly tying the pouch, I prayed it would stay intact throughout the journey.

It was early in the morning and I was already nauseous. We were scheduled to carry out the whole procedure at late noon. I was of course nervous, but more terrified yet again of the future that lay before me. I could somehow only think of horrible possibilities.

I knew full well my desire to go home was very important in stabilising and bringing us home through the portal. However, doubts crept into my mind. At some point, I even considered staying.

Fear held me back. It kept doing so, despite all the advice, it was never easy to embrace it. I walked along the corridor aimlessly till I found myself standing before the doors to the audience hall. I pushed the doors open, hoping to get a quick glimpse of home through the crystal dome.

I immediately noticed another figure in the room. The Embodiment stood by its seat, its head tilted towards the crystal dome as well. It turned towards me. We silently stood staring at each other. I was reminded of Thoth's suggestion. He said if I ever needed good advice, The Embodiment was a good person to seek.

I was yearning for reassurance. I did not want to think of what would happen if I travelled through the wormhole with doubts. I steeled my nerves and strode over to the hooded figure. I noticed how it seemed much taller the day before. Today its height was similar to mine. Was I imagining things?

Yet as I stood before the mysterious cloaked individual, I was at a loss of words. I could not put together a coherent sentence, much less ask for advice. I dropped my gaze to my feet.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was surprisingly feminine, and petite. And all too familiar. I looked up.

The Embodiment brought its hand to the edge of its hood and pushed it down, revealing a face I never thought I would have seen.

Standing before me, was a fair-skinned, slanted-eyed girl, her eyes sparkling with mischief I missed so much.

"Lin...?" I muttered, my eyes wide with disbelief, my mind unable to comprehend.

She smiled,"Laila," she said before pulling me into a hug. I stood there dumbfounded for a moment, before slowly wrapping my arms around her as well.

"I missed you so much, Laila!" she said, as she squeezed me tightly.

"H-how?" I managed to say.

Still enveloped in her embrace she spoke, "I'm not really here, but just hear me out, okay?" I nodded.

"We're all waiting for you back at home. Remember you're gonna have to make it out of this, graduate, keep our promise to get married on the same day and live right next to each other!" she said, as she moved away slightly to face me.

"Lin..." I could not help but tear up despite the smile on my face.

"We are all there for you. Every step of the way," she said, and I believed every word of it.

"Maybe not physically but we'll be in your heart during your worst times," she said smiling wryly.

"Whenever you feel like you're about to lose your sanity. Remember, we are your strength. You will fight till the end for us," her words held such emotion and meaning, I felt the confidence I yearned for so desperately, suddenly burst into view.

"Thank you Lin... Thank you," I said, unable to fully express how much her words meant to me.

She pulled me in for another hug,"I love you," she whispered in my ear. I returned her embrace tightly.

"Love you too," I whispered back.

"Now, do me a favour and come back home," she said, wiping my tears as she pulled away.

With one last smile, Lin placed her hood back on. The Embodiment stood before me once again. As frazzled as I was I managed a weak thank you. It nodded in response.

I turned around, about to head out, but before I did, as if a message was relayed to me directly into my mind, I heard it say,

"I will be waiting."

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The sun was high in the sky when all the Higher Ones including Inya, Axel, Werdi and I, were gathered at the hall. It was time for the ritual, and a whole lot of goodbyes.

"Good luck, Laila, Axel, for the battles you are to face once you return. I believe in you. If anyone could succeed in would most definitely be you," Za said patting me on the shoulder. The others gave me words of wisdom and encouragement as well, excluding The Embodiment.

Finally, I turned to Inya and Werdi. Inya threw her arms around me. "Good luck, Inya. And thank you, for everything. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if you had not come along," she said, squeezing me with all her might.

"Me too. You have been more than a great help, Inya. You've been like a sister to me," I replied, hugging her with equal ferocity.

"I'm gonna miss you," I said.

"Me too. I only wish I could give you more than a good luck," she said.

"That's all I need, Inya," I replied.

After all the heartfelt goodbyes, Axel and I stood at the centre of the dome. The Higher Ones took their positions. Moments later, I felt the energy electrifying the air. My Akashic was activated and crystal dome was illuminated in bright blue light. I could see the Akashic strings from all the Higher Ones direct themselves into the dome. With our conciousness united, the warp began forming.

Just as the energies reached their crescendo, all of sudden, an ear-splittibg boom resounded in the hall. My head shot up to the crystal dome, and I gasped.

The entire dome had turned pitch black. I noticed the Akashic lines trailing from the Higher Ones were black as well.

"What's going on?!" I exclaimed. The Higher Ones were not responding. It was as if they were frozen in place.

In that moment of confusion the thunderous sound of the marching of hundreds of men was heard from outside, followed by the amplified voice of a single person.

"The Higher Ones have been immobilised. The temple is surrounded. Surrender, or face the consequences," it boomed.

The four of us rushed to the windows, only to see an entire army led by one man.

"We meet again, mechil."