Bab 152: Gaia, Alaya, Eli
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Worried about his son's safety, Ivan couldn't stay calm. He quickly ordered, "Immediately locate Chris."
A 3D image materialized in seconds, showing a high-speed plane en route to Cairo. The Red Queen's advanced technology unveiled the plane's interior, revealing mutants like Beast Hank, Blue Devil, Phoenix Girl, Cyclops, Darwin, and Moira. Ivan's influence brought Darwin back to life, adding a twist to the original storyline.
The focus wasn't the mutants on the plane but an inconspicuous half-meter-long invisible plane trailing behind. Despite its toy-like appearance, its speed surpassed the lead plane.
The Red Queen effortlessly cracked the stealth tech using light energy technology, revealing the small aircraft's interior on the screen.
Ivan's expression twitched. Chris, Kyle, and Clark were on board, with Doraemon, the robotic cat, piloting. Baymax, the balloon-like medical robot Ghost, was also present. The latter hid in Kyle's sleeve, capable of shifting between real and unreal forms.
"Those three idiots. Are they asking for trouble? These conditions aren't a joke; they might face difficulties. I should call them back... Wait." Ivan hesitated. Recalling them might dampen their enthusiasm. "No, I'll watch over them quietly. As long as I'm here, they're safe."
Ivan intended to let them face some hardship, hoping they'd be less impulsive afterward. However, his plan was soon thwarted by an unexpected turn of events.
At this critical moment, the Red Queen urgently said, "Dr. Ivan, it's bad! The experimental subject in the castle's underground facility has undergone a mutation. There are intense mental fluctuations, and it seems like she's about to wake up."
Ivan was taken aback, feeling overwhelmed by the convergence of unexpected events. "What's happening? Why now? Investigate immediately."
Despite the Red Queen's swift response, it took three minutes to gather results. Two images appeared, one showing a girl in a nutrient tank within an underground cave. She had been peacefully sleeping but now seemed uneasy, occasionally frowning.
The other image captured Magneto in Cairo, spreading his hands to generate a powerful magnetic field. Countless metals converged around him, intensifying the magnetic force and affecting Earth.
Ivan, upon seeing Magneto, surmised the connection to the subject. Magneto's manipulation of Earth's magnetic field caused a ripple effect, impacting it and potentially leading to catastrophic consequences, given her mysterious link to the planet.
"Red, command the spacecraft to hover above Cairo, aiming the electromagnetic cannon at maximum power. If Apocalypse dares to harm Chris and the others, eliminate him. Remember, prioritize their safety; everything else comes second. I'll head to the castle to deal with her first. Once that's done, I'll join you."
Without waiting for the Red Queen's reply, Ivan swiftly departed, leaving behind the young girl who pouted but obediently followed Ivan's instructions.
Upon reaching the ancient castle's underground melting cave, Ivan felt the rising temperature and the sound of rushing magma. He observed a cultivation tank suspended in mid-air, containing a seven to eight-year-old girl. She displayed signs of distress, occasionally furrowing her brow or moving her fingers as if trapped in a nightmare.
Contemplating the merged genes of thousands of mutants, Ivan hesitated before making a resolute decision. He approached the table beside the cultivation tank, stood there, closed his eyes, and let his spiritual power connect with her mental fluctuations.
As their spirits intertwined, Ivan felt a momentary shift in perspective, finding himself in a meadow with a gentle breeze, white clouds, and a warm atmosphere—a conscious space. He surveyed the surroundings and noticed three light clusters on the grass—two large and one small. Sensing Ivan's presence, the two larger lights transformed. The one on the left morphed into a woman in pale yellow attire, an indescribable beauty radiating nobility and inclusiveness. The other light constantly shifted between male, female, old, and young faces, lacking a fixed form.
The small light group remained unchanged, hinting at a unique form. Addressing the woman in yellow, Ivan inquired, "May I ask what is happening here? Who are you?"
The woman smiled, "Millions of years since my consciousness emerged, and this is one of the few times someone has talked to me."
Ivan, startled, corrected himself, "I apologize. May I inquire about your identity, big sister?"
"You should have guessed."
"Earth Goddess Gaia!" Ivan exclaimed, then realized, "Or rather, you're the Earth's consciousness. I didn't expect the original speculation to be true. But if you're Gaia, who caused this transformation? And what about this little one?"
Confused, Ivan didn't anticipate the presence of three consciousnesses within one body. Was this leading to a mental struggle?
Gaia glanced at the ever-changing form and explained, "It's a collective consciousness formed by the thoughts and sustenance of humanity. Call it Alaya. As for the little one, she's the result of a compromise between me and Alaya during our conflict."
With Gaia's words, the small light group transformed into the appearance of a cute baby girl sporting a pink face.
"The result of your conflict with Alaya! So, you're Gaia, representing the Earth, and Alaya represents humanity—the outcome of humanity's struggle with the Earth. It's a bit perplexing."
"This question indeed confuses many. In most people's eyes, humans are Earth's masters, and the two are interdependent. Humans advocate protecting the earth, but is that the reality?"
"Then what else could it be?" Ivan was halted mid-sentence, struck by a sudden realization.
Observing Ivan's expression, Gaia continued, "It seems you comprehend. The truth is not as idyllic as one might imagine. Long ago, humans and the earth were indeed interdependent. However, everything has changed. Human overexploitation of the earth's energy has inflicted irreparable damage. With the escalating human population, the earth is strained. Sometimes, I trigger natural disasters—earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, tsunamis—to reduce human numbers. Thus, conflicts with Alaya are inevitable."
Ivan fell silent. As Gaia pointed out, despite humans proclaiming themselves Earth's stewards and protectors, intentional or not, they top the list when it comes to causing harm to the planet.
"Alright, I understand the situation. So, under what circumstances did you agree to the emergence of this little one? Her presence seems to divide your powers. I don't think you have a self-sacrificing nature."
Unperturbed by Ivan's irony, Gaia gently stroked the small figure, wearing a benevolent expression. "Despite the conflicts between the earth and humans, when facing extraterrestrial invasions, our goals align. To prevent our disputes from interfering with Earth's forces and thwart the invading aliens, I proposed that we share a portion of our strength, merging them into a unique consciousness. She serves as a mediator when our conflict spirals out of control. Though her strength doesn't match ours, she can pose a significant threat as a third-party force, ensuring our quarrels remain somewhat in check."
"What? You let a child handle such responsibilities. What if she accidentally gets harmed by your power? Considering her appearance, she seems to have limited exposure to the outside world, and her emotions are undeveloped. You're keeping her as a baby to suit your preferences. How could you be okay with that?"
"We don't have much choice. But with you around, things are much better. You'll be responsible for teaching her, helping her develop emotions, and understanding the world. She'll be your daughter in the future."
"Daughter! Come on, don't make decisions without my consent, okay? I have no idea how to raise a child. Besides, didn't Alaya object when you proposed creating this little one? It's weird to have two similar babies."
"It didn't object. As long as it benefits humanity, it won't refuse. Alaya lacks emotions altogether. As I mentioned, it's an amalgamation of human collective consciousness, representing the entire human race's mind. It possesses immense power but can't generate its thoughts and feelings due to the overwhelming consciousness. It acts on instinct, agreeing to what benefits humans and rejecting what harms them."
Gaia explained, holding the baby girl and passing her into Ivan's arms. Ivan received her, cradling her gently while patting and comforting her.
"Fine. From today onward, you're my daughter—Elizabeth Shaw!" Ivan declared, lifting the little girl with solemnity.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Mad_verse
Mad_verse Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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