Act 7: The Thing with Jansen Volcanic
5386 Words
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Friday, November 19, 2021
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“Good day to you sir, I am called Mr. Salvador. We are here on behalf of the Church of Libra. You know about our religion, right Mr. Jansen Volcanic?” a man from the Librium religion visits the ‘New Face of a Healthy Future’ Jansen Volcanic. “We are deeply concerned of what you have done recently… and by that I mean what you did in the National Television about your cure to the world and how you cured a man from his very dangerous disease.”
“Oh yes of course,” Jansen acknowledges his breakthrough, “aren’t you impressed?”
“Of course it is impressive, but impressive as it may seem… you may have plunged this world into a great deal of imbalance.”
“Ah right, you are from the Church of Libra, so it means that my work is something that you guys are threatened by it.” Jansen sits down in his chair. “Where are my manners? Please, have a seat Mr. Salvador. You have quite the complicated alias, don’t you know?”
Mr. Salvador takes a sit whilst telling the other men decide to head out and guard the door outside.
“As I was saying…” Mr. Salvador continues to explain to Jansen. “You do know that this is the center of all the other universes existing in the multiverse out there, don’t you? As a fellow human being at the center of the main universe, we must be inclined to be in perfect harmony.”
“Not to disrespect your religion or whatever, but I think you are missing the point here, you are not even living within the conditions of how we live here.” Jansen disagrees with his views. “I believe that I am giving this world its own balance by making it perfect. Other universes are meant to be imbalanced but we cannot let the center of the universe, our universe fall into what you call imbalanced. A balanced world is a world of perfection. I know that you have a problem with what is the truth, that is why you force your ideal world by maintaining balance and interfering with the changes that needed to happen.”
“That is not exactly what I mean, Mr. Jansen.”
“Nah-nah it’s fine, I am uh explaining my part before you tell me more of your religious views.” Jansen continues with disregard for his safety. “Those men with you, probably they have weapons… and you probably have as well… or you might be the weapon. You know Mr. S, I am not dumb… I am educated and by that I mean to say that isn’t it that you are not supposed to be interacting with us or explaining your point… I was even thinking that the Church would’ve asked for someone from the Emissaries of Balance like Ms. V for example to introduce a disease, right? I am aware that you are that kind of mortal, Mr. S or rather… Mr. Anti-god. What makes you think that I am a god?”
“So my secret is out, I should’ve known that you are much more inclined than what we’ve expected and you even know about our presence to balance the universes.” Mr. S drops his religious act, “You pretty much know that we suspect you as a god. You do know that gods should never directly interfere with the mortals or have you ever forgotten about that? That virus is inexistent within any universe… that could only mean that you are what we think you are.”
“Genius,” Jansen laughs. “Have you ever thought that this could be an existing virus that I had just synthesize for the good of our dying population? Look, there are illnesses that even the magicians from Veraidealis, who are also hiding among us as we are to them, cannot cure. This is my masterpiece and as a human, I demand my right to do what is right. You may be an Emissary of Balance, an immortal human, but you have forgotten how to live like one! I’m not afraid to die… but you should be…”
“I can kill you right here where you stand,” Mr. S stands up, “but since you are not a god… my job here would be done.”
“You’ll hear from my lawyers,” Jansen grins. “The Church of Libra are against my cure… how should I ever respond to that?”
“Yeah, tell them that a mythical Emissary has appeared before you and told you about us with s**t and stuff,” Mr. S smirks. “Check those cameras and you’ll find nothing to pin against us. All of your machines won’t work because I am not the only Emissary here right now.”
“It is still my win,” Jansen applauds himself. “Try your best and challenge my cure which is being distributed all over the world as we speak. Balanced or not, you have lost the war.”
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FACTS:
The Church of Libra (Libria in other countries) is what they call those who worship the Librium religion. They believe that balance is needed in the world. If there is a poor person, there must be in turn a rich person. If there is a healthy person, there must be a very sick person. If there is birth, then there is death. They believe that the Supreme Being that they worship is in the center of it all, keeping the other Supreme Beings in check so that there is balance. Actually, that is kind of true of sorts… but in the grander scheme of things… the scales are actually imbalanced.
In the Great Book of Equilibrium, Lord Exal the Supreme Being of Balance once created gods of his own. However, his creations betrayed him because they use their powers to cause further imbalance. He had no choice but to put them down. Traumatized by the actions of his children, he decided to create emotionless technological gods to continue with his work in balancing the universes within the confines of reality. He encountered a problem though… his creations were machines and devoid of emotions. That’s where he found the Emissaries of Balance.
The Emissaries of Balance are human beings from different universes. There are twenty-six of them from letters A-Z and they are all human beings just gifted with immortality and a special blessing that they can use as a form of power. Mr. S’ blessing is to be able to go toe-to-toe against gods while the other member mentioned by Mr. S is Mr. C who has the blessing that can jam and disrupt anything from working. There are others out there also like Ms. V which was mentioned by Jansen Volcanic. Ms. V has the blessing to introduce a new strain of illness to control the population… if the cause of imbalance is overpopulation, of course.
Dr. Cristina Nasci Bios is one of the famous medical professionals in the world of the Main Verse. She is regarded as one of the best in her profession because of her outstanding research on the so-called Elixir of Life. She is from the Western Continent with her religion being Incarnum. Secretly, she is a Ghost Hunter and her Soul Extension is called Radiation, meaning that she is considered to be a Class-S Ghost Hunter. Her hair color is cyan and her eye color is yellow. Her skin tone is fairly pale and her personality is… … very secretive.
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This one time, after the medical student named Jansen Volcanic presented his world-saving virus called the X-genes Life and Death, she gets the feeling that the world is about to take a drastic change. Critical in her understanding of the world-changing situation, she decides to investigate.
“Mr. Jansen Volcanic, the miracle child,” she shakes hands with him. “Great presentation yesterday!”
“Dr. Cristina Bios, I didn’t expect that you’d come to visit me here in my humble office,” Jansen feels suspicious. “What brings a famous doctor here?”
“I’m here for an interview, of course,” she takes out her tablet and opens the NOTE application. “I’m intrigued about your discovery of the so-called WORLD-SAVING virus, XLD.”
“Oh yes, of course, it might help you with your research about the Elixir of Life, I presume.”
“Of course,” she grins. “So, shall we start with how you came up with the virus itself… how did you create such an extensive virus?”
“The virus came into my mind from a dream. Knowing my cultural and religious beliefs, I am a solid Veraidealist and I believe that the God of Sleep showed me this virus in the form of a dream and to serve as my inspiration and legacy for the years to come.”
“Interesting,” Dr. Cristina takes notes. “Why is it called X-genes Life and Death if it is inspired from your religion of Truth and Ideals?”
“I uh… the dream… the name appeared in my dream and I can’t be so rude to change its name. The Supreme Being of Dreams and Ideals named it like that and so I will not disrespect its name.”
“So you’ve got a good background, academics and awards,” she tries to probe further, “do you think that you are some type of a herald or perhaps a chosen one?”
“I would prefer to be just a normal human being, doctor…”
“Perhaps a god in disguise,” she puts her tablet back in her bag. “Just before I got here, there were Librium worshippers. What could they be asking of you? My guess is that they are concerned of your creation to the world’s equilibrium.”
“You guessed right,” Jansen sighs. “Those fools do not understand my vision to save millions of lives…”
“But you know, I kind of do,” Dr. Cristina gives him her call card. “The Church of Libra did the same to me when a few years ago, I unveiled my research in prolonging the lifespan of mortals… I mean humans.”
“Oh now I get it,” Jansen accepts the card and places it on his desk. “They really are paranoid. As for your invitation…”
“I am doing this for the side of good,” Dr. Cristina tries to assure him. “I mean… you are on the side of good, right? We could use our projects in a joint research for the greater good.”
“Hmm, there is this Veraidealis quote that I have been following through…” Jansen humbly rejects her offer, “…that there is no such thing as good and evil, you know. It may seem similar with the views of the Church of Libra… that there is only balance… but I believe that I personally need to reject this good offering. We have our own agenda as to why we are doing these things. My agenda… as a human…”
Dr. Cristina notices that single phrase and makes her suspicious of what he is talking about…
“…is to clear this world of diseases,” Jansen smiles giving her the false sense of relief. “You have your own motif as a human, am I wrong?”
She shakes it off as a part of his explanation and nothing about learning something hidden behind those alluding words. “Of course, I have my own motif. But, this is the once in a lifetime offer and you missed that chance.”
“I will never regret it,” Jansen shakes hands with her as she leaves.
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“Cherylyne, I want you to tighten up the security here in the labs. I’ve gotten two suspicious individuals come here lately…” Jansen orders his most trusted secretary.
“Yes master,” Cherylyne immediately mobilizes the security team. “Have you received any death threats?”
“Not that it matters to me, but yes, I had received at least one… The Church of Libra. Bunch of cunts…”
“Do we need to add more security when we go out in public?”
“No… we do not need any of those human securities…” Jansen grins for an ominous reason.
“I highly agree, master,” Cherylyne habitually fixes her eyeglasses.
“It came into my attention,” Jansen heads with his secretary to the surveillance room, “that our surveillance cameras where disabled. I would like to check them out for myself.”
“There were suspicious men out on your door, but that was about it master.” Cherylyne shows him the recordings from her glasses. “I secretly recorded their movements but it was jammed the moment I started the recorded. They might special persons just like us.”
“They are indeed,” Jansen sighs. “Luckily, I was able to reason out with the Emissary.”
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Meanwhile, Dr. Cristina drives back to her laboratory thinking about the possibility that Jansen knows about her true identity and vice versa. While driving however, she notices that there are people following him… probably from the Church of Libra.
“This is rather very concerning,” she whispers to herself. “Of course I would totally expect that they are following me and if I ever do something weird it would make them more suspicious of me. Then my plan will be… I’ll drive to the nearest police station.”
“She’s not heading back to her lab, Mr. S.” Mr. C follows closely behind Dr. Cristina’s vehicle, “Permission to disable her car.”
“Negative, we can’t do it in a public area,” Mr. S opposes the plan. “We cannot soil the name of Alpha Boss’ religion.”
“If we do not stop her, she will likely drive to the police station,” Mr. C checks the GPS. “She has been in our surveillance for a while now and she just left the lab where we came from. They are probably talking about something suspicious that we weren’t able to confirm.”
“We’ll have to back down,” Mr. S halts the chase. “This is not our mission… we will return when we get more in depth details and proof.”
“There they go… slowing down and stopping.” Dr. Cristina sighs, “that was a close call. I should probably make some more detours just in case. It is really hard being mortal…”
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Friday, November 26, 2021
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At the opposite side of the planet, in the capital state of the western superpower continent of Liberty-courage called Capital-ascent, the infamous 21 year-old medical student Jansen Volcanic visits the highly guarded Museum of Global Artifacts. Apparently he is interested in seeing the three ancient treasures that Vol-jan once sought to regain his former power. The three ancient treasures are the Phantom Seeker Ruby Key, the Soul Chaser Sapphire Key, and the Ghost Hunter Emerald Key. Along with him are two guards he apparently hired to protect him from terrorists, gangs, or anyone who would like to exploit his talents and discoveries.
“This is the power that Vol-jan has sought for his entire life,” Jansen tells his guards. “I wonder if the reincarnation of Vol-jan still seeks this… although I can say for myself and I am certain that these aren’t the treasures,” he murmurs.
The guards just nod at him and proceeded to look around and observe the people around them. After looking at few more artifacts, Jansen decides to leave the museum. Outside, there are lots of reporters and behind is a crowd wanting to take a photo of him. He hurries to his pickup vehicle to leave.
“Now, where am I going to look for them?” Jansen looks around, “My precious powers.” He looks at his godly reflection.
Beside the driver is his trusted secretary, Cherylyne Vanilla. She is a soul chaser and although she knows that Jansen is indeed the god of altering realities, her loyalty never ceases. If love is the reason, then her love for him is greater than anything else in this world even if he does not love her at all and also sees her as a trustworthy secretary.
“Sir Jansen, subject number 437-2 has shown signs of progress with the zombie virus XLD5.” She reports to him, “the latent stages of his zombification show awareness of the fact that he is still dead.”
“Indeed, it only chooses a potential host.” Jansen glances at his three guards revealing that these three are in fact zombies. “273-1, 273-7, and 437-1 here are well aware of their situation as well. You know I would like one of you to talk to me about your current state of mind.”
273-7 chooses to speak, “I died of lung cancer just before you were able to create the XLD6 that can cure it. However, I choose to be part of the XLD5 experiment regardless of the consequences. My soul may have left my body, but my body does not need any of it. Command me and I will do everything you ask for.”
“Their minds are still the same, but now they carry the virus that could potentially turn everyone into zombies.” Jansen laughs devilishly. “Hurry up driver 437-1 so that I can greet the newest member of the zombie apocalypse.”
XLD5 is the zombie virus accidentally ‘created’ by Jansen Volcanic in the pursuit of creating the XLD6, the wellness virus. After showcasing the XLD6 virus to the world in fact just recently, he has finally created XLD7, the superior wellness virus. XLD9, something greater, will not be available to the public of course. With the XLD5 still in safekeeping, Jansen decides to create a new race of human beings, the deceased. If he can’t find the keys to transform himself back into Vol-jan, he can use his knowledge to at least turn himself into a demigod. Upon arrival, Jansen decides to prepare inside his office first. His plan is to rule the world easily using the zombie virus, XLD5.
“Sir,” Cherylyne delivers intriguing news, “while researching on people, I came across this person. His name is Nicolas Dampierre.”
“What’s so special about that person?”
“This is a picture of him recently,” she shows him a photo taken last October, “and this is a photo taken one hundred years ago. In addition, I found another one two hundred years back then in an archive.”
Jansen examines the photos, “it seems like it isn’t tampered with. I don’t recall any power related to immortality from the moment I lived even a millennia ago. Research more about this Nicolas person.” He stands up, “If you excuse me, I will greet the newest addition to my zombie collection.”
“As you wish,” Cherylyne bows down, “my god.”
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At Jansen’s office, Cherylyne sets up a presentation about various conspiracy theories regarding the events that occurred two centuries ago.
“One theory that I highly believed to be related with Hexagon and his immortality comes with this story,” Cherylyne continues her discussion. “This man claimed to be the grandson of one of Hexagon’s servants when he was called Nicolas Dampierre. I reckon that we should start asking this guy.”
“We are currently here in the West,” Jansen stands up. “Are you implying that we should visit the East?”
“There is a high possibility that all of the keys are found there,” Cherylyne smiles. “These conspirators are somewhat helpful that the only ones pulling them down are skeptics.”
“Skeptics who mostly do not believe in anything are the real dimwits,” Jansen laughs. “Please, continue.”
“About the keys, the story begins when Nicolas and his friend searched for four other strong individuals to make a ritual about creating a gate to the roots of the Verse.” Cherylyne shows some illustrated images in the screen. “According to the accounts, the profane ritual failed and all of the six involved got cursed. Nicolas seemed to have been cursed with immortality but recent accounts also disproved the person. Guess who disproved…”
“Hexagon,” Jansen raises his eyebrows. “Who else could shut the person from spouting nonsense but the culprit himself? I like your research so far and I want to see them for myself, but if you would excuse me again, I need to look at the new hospital the world government is building for me and my future researches. Book a flight to Funland for us then…”
“As you wish my lord,” Cherylyne heads out of the room.
“One more thing, tell the one outside to get in,” he stares at his secretary. “That would be all.”
Outside, Cherylyne nods at the woman waiting in front of the office. “Is there anything you need, miss?”
“I would like to talk to the doctor about my concerns.” The stranger lowers her head.
“You may go inside, miss.” The secretary then moves on after inspecting the stranger for weapons.
“Ah welcome-welcome,” Jansen stands up and greets the lady. “You must be Mrs. Brie Rays. Have a seat.”
“Yes, thank you.” She sits down, “I have questions about the XLD6 virus.”
“Okay, what are your questions?”
“Is this virus really viable for one year only?” she asks.
“Well it is, but there are good side effects also which includes curing you of any of your illnesses and being immune to contagious and severe diseases like AIDS for example. After a year, the virus dies and you would be vulnerable once again. The first year of receiving the virus goes for free. However, you will need to pay five-thousand bucks for the next treatment.”
“I see,” she brings out a check. “I would be availing a five-year supply of XLD6 from you then.”
“I heard you were divorced because you found out that your husband has been cheating on you,” Jansen puts on some latex gloves, “is that right? That must be stressing on your part. I would like to discuss with you something interesting. Something out of the ordinary…”
“Yes it is indeed depressing, do explain,” she smiles with great interest at him.
“Have you ever had a thought that you would get old and wrinkly?” he grins. “Well I have and I am continuing on the search to provide solutions from aging.”
“Yes,” she nods, “I am using everything in my power to get young and I use a lot of medical products… surgeries if I have to. I am also using Dr. Cristina’s Elixir of Life but it doesn’t stop me from getting wrinkles.”
“I found the answer, but it comes with a sacrifice.” Jansen heads to open a secret door, “You will become like this,” he shows subject 437-2, “his heart has stopped beating at the cost of living forever without aging. Why don’t you say hello to her, my dear sir?”
“Hello madam,” 437-2 speaks normally with Mrs. Brie. “Would you like to live forever?”
“Outstandding,” amazed, she examines the zombie without knowing that 437-2 is indeed a zombie. “I want to live like this. Tell me, how am I supposed to live like he is?”
“Drink this potion called XLD5 and you will be living forever,” Jansen circles her. “There is one consequence though…”
“What would that be, Mr. Jansen?”
“That is you have to eat raw animal meat afterwards to continue living like he is. Of course, even if you eat raw food, it will not damage your body system and it will even change the way you see raw meat. Listen, have you tried eating steak tartare… or perhaps beef carpaccio or what about basashi? Those are delicious raw meals.”
“I have of course,” the woman proudly states her status as a high class citizen. “That is indeed tempting…”
“I will give you some time to think about it and keep it as a secret. We are only selling these to high class citizens of our choice after all~” He grins…
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Back in Sir Viz’s Café, two strangers are happily discussing outside the porch while drinking their iced tea. They aren’t special customers but they did make a bit of a scene when one of them has a similar, but not identical, appearance to Sir Viz’s Café’s owner Vortex Vizard, minus the facial scar, the serious look, the goatee, and the spiky brown hair. Vortex almost doubted his parents when he saw the other guy who looks like a cooler and a calmer version of himself.
“XLD6… huh…” the man who looks similar to Vortex grins at his other male companion, “it sounds like the virus that I am more aware of back in the day~”
“What virus would that be?” the other guy with a purple hair who looks bored asks him. “Oh… please refrain from saying back in the day… it will make you look very old.”
“I am still 25 and that age will never change, my friend.”
“So what’s the virus??”
“It was a zombie virus that wiped off an island back in my world,” the man flashes his blood red irises, “XLD5…”
“So what’s your plan now, Mr. Fallasleep?”
“That remains to be seen… the hell is your name again?” he whispers to the purple guy.
“Damn it… I told you I am Vajer, the all-consuming fire of truth.”
“I know that name, but I want to know what you call yourself here in this world, nitwit…”
“Lady Waxe had the exact description of you, you know?” Vajer angrily scorns at him, “She told me you were a scumbag.”
“I am… sometimes… ha-ha-ha…” he admittedly laughs at it. “So… that Vol-jan god, are you sure that he is strong?”
“Well I guess… but remember this, G, I will be the one to beat him. Do not interfere…”
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FACTS!!!
Cherylyne Vanilla
Age: 21; Hair color: Blue-violet; Eye color: Black; Skin tone: Fairly lighter; Personality: Devoted
Soul Extension: Surprise Stingers
The SE is a rapier-like stinger that grow out from her lower palms and heels of her feet that seem to originate from her forearms and forelegs respectively.
Soul Awakening: k******e Sting
In exchange of one of her stingers, she can instantly kill anyone she stabs with it, just like how a honeybee dies after it stings.
Dr. Cristina Nasci Bios
Age: 24; Hair color: Red-violet; Eye color: Red; Skin tone: Pale; Personality: Captivating
Soul Extension: Radiance
A powerful light energy radiates throughout her body burning away the flesh of its enemies.
Soul Awakening: Resurrection
Do you need any other explanations?
Dr. Cristina is the so-called creator of her formula of the Elixir of Life. Her medicine can extend the lifespan of an individual.
She might be hiding something else…
Jansen Volcanic
Age: 21; Hair color: Black; Eye color: White: Skin tone: Fairly lighter; Personality: Compelling
He is the discoverer and ‘creator’ of XLD Virus (X genes Life and Death Virus). This viral drug can cure all illnesses… reversible to irreversible, simple to complex, and curable to incurable.
He is Vol-jan, the evil god, reincarnated once in one thousand years to try and take his sealed powers back.
As Vol-jan, he can alter the topography of the land and the seas, he can distort space and time, and most dangerous of all is that he can break the concepts of reality.
As a Veraidealis worshipper, he has his own special powers.
Affinity: Mind – he has telekinetic powers
Specialty: Oppression – he can dominate weaker beings into submission
SPECIAL FACTS: POWER SOURCES
Powers obtainable from the Supreme Being of LIFE
1. Life Burst – this power source is only exclusive to the gods of Life. This power source superiorly enhances the weakest stat of the god to even out its stats.
2. Soul Extension – this power source is an extension of the soul and it can be obtained by mortals through inheritance by bloodline or by will. Life gods can also use this power.
3. Soul Awakening – this power source can only be used once in a lifetime. It is 10x stronger and more dangerous than Soul Extension. This power, together with SE, is exclusive to those who believe in the religion of Incarnum and mortals living in the left side of the multiverse.
4. Spirit Dungeon – this power source is exclusive to the dead followers of the Namity religion and those living in the right side of the multiverse. The requirements for having this kind of power source is that the soul of the dead must be greatly attached to a specific place (preferably a place where the mortal died or killed). Once attached to a specific place, a house for example, the power called Soul Dungeon is activated turning the house into a haunted house.
5. Crime – this power source is exclusive to the deemed evil dead followers of Incarnum religion and those living in the left side of the multiverse. Those who are deemed evil are marked as criminals, taken and locked away by the grim reapers in the Death Verse to either repent for their sins or be imprisoned there for eternity. The power source is activated by the crime committed itself. For example: A criminal was a serial killer who butcher his victims in his previous life, his criminal powers could be related to butcher knives.
Vajer, All-consuming Fire God of Reality
He is, like Vol-jan, one of the strongest gods created by the Supreme Being of Reality.
One could say that he is Vol-jan’s younger sibling if the gods and goddesses of reality are siblings. However, they were created by, not born from, Lady Waxe of Reality.
Affinity: Fire
Specialty: Fiery/All-consuming – he can assimilate fire into his body. He can also assimilate other affinities thereby resisting them.
G Fallasleep
He is a human not from this world, but he plans to take Vol-jan away from this universe.
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- Writer
