Inside a secured conference room, the atmosphere was tense. Three men sat at a long table, the soft hum of air conditioning the only sound as a team of scientists in lab coats presented a holographic projection. Floating in the air was a crystalline structure—glowing, pulsating with barely contained energy.

  “…In theory, if we successfully stabilize Void Serum into a crystallized form, it could serve as a core for energy-based weaponry. This would revolutionize combat against high-tier void creatures.” The lead scientist gestured toward the image. “We are still in the early phases of combining an energy ore with the serum, but the potential is there.”

  “I see.” Mr. Diwe leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked. “That’s all well and good, but why exactly are you two here?” His sharp gaze moved between Henry Dawston, the American delegation, and Chen Luo, China’s top diplomat in AUN affairs.

  Henry, ever the straightforward one, responded first. “To check up on your nation, of course. During this time of crises, we need to make sure we look out for each other.”

  Diwe’s lips curved slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “I believe we already made an agreement months ago.”

  Chen Luo, ever composed, smiled. “We aren’t doing anything, Mr. Diwe. Just ensuring you comply with the agreement.”

  Henry’s gaze hardened. “Now that the void breaks have already been contained in all countries we need to move to more important matters, I am sure you understand that don't you”

  A flicker of something passed through Diwe’s eyes. He tapped his fingers against the table before exhaling. “I understand what we agreed upon… seven months ago.”

  Seven months ago…

  The scene blurred as the past came rushing back.

  ---AUN-Nigeria Negotiation Table

  The room was filled with an air of calculated tension. Representatives from the world's top powers sat across from Nigeria’s delegation, the weight of global politics pressing down on them.

  At the center of it all was Mr. Diwe, Nigeria’s lead negotiator, a man known for his sharp mind and unshakable demeanor. Across from him sat Zhang wei, representing China, his expression unreadable but his presence heavy. To his right was Robert langston, the U.S. representative, his piercing gaze studying every movement like a predator waiting for a misstep.

  Behind them, AUN scientists shuffled through documents and holographic displays, analyzing the inexplicable surge of energy that had made Nigeria the most potent Awakener hub on the planet.

  "The numbers don’t lie," one scientist muttered. "Nigeria’s energy density is over twice the global average. Awakenings happen at an unprecedented rate. Even second-cup formations are statistically higher here. But we still don’t know why."

  The words lingered in the air.

  Mr. Diwe tapped a pen against the table, his voice calm yet firm. "And for this, the world’s greatest nations want a stake in our land?"

  Langston leaned forward slightly. "It’s not about staking a claim. It’s about stability. Countries across the world are worried about how this… advantage might shift the balance of power."

  Zhang wei, who had been silent, finally spoke. "There are those who would rather suppress than negotiate. We chose diplomacy."

  Diwe’s lips curled into the smallest of smirks. "A kind way of saying that other nations wanted to put their boots on our necks, but the AUN convinced them to sit at the table instead."

  No one denied it.

  A brief silence. Then, langston exhaled and spoke the real reason they were here. "We want an agreement—one that ensures Nigeria’s rise doesn’t become a threat to global security."

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  Mr. Diwe folded his hands. "And how do you intend to do that?"

  Zhang wei tapped the table. "We offer our top scientists and technology to help you understand and harness your energy influx. In exchange, you will agree to an annual Awakener recruitment program—one where your strongest talents are not absorbed into your national military, but instead serve under the AUN’s global force. That way, no single nation benefits too much."

  Diwe was silent. The proposition was clear. Nigeria would gain knowledge, but lose exclusive control over its Awakeners.

  A deal that ensured they wouldn’t be attacked… but also ensured they wouldn’t become too powerful.

  He finally leaned back, measuring their words.

  "And if we refuse?"

  langston met his gaze with quiet intensity. "Then the world will have to reconsider how it handles an unpredictable power shift."

  It was A veiled threat.

  Zhang wei, ever the diplomat, added smoothly, "But we don’t want that. We believe cooperation is the wiser path."

  Mr. Diwe exhaled slowly. Then, after a long pause, he nodded. “I understand”.

  "One year .We will honor this agreement. But do not mistake diplomacy for submission. Nigeria will not be used—we will simply walk the path that benefits us the most."

  The deal was struck. But in the hearts of all present, one unspoken truth remained:

  This was not the end. It was a game of nations using diplomacy to counter nations from growing.

  [Scene Transition: Back to the Present]

  The weight of the past lingered in the air as the flashback faded from Mr. Diwe’s mind. He exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the polished surface of the conference table. The glow of the holo-screens reflected off his composed yet calculating expression. Across from him, Henry Dawston and zhang wei sat in silent observation, waiting for his response.

  “I understand what we agreed upon seven months ago,” Mr. Diwe finally said, his voice calm but firm.

  Henry leaned forward slightly, his sharp blue eyes studying him. “Then you also understand that the one-year timeline is almost up.”

  A slow nod. “Of course.”

  Chen luo's gaze flickered toward the scientists, who were still deep in discussion about the crystallization of Void Serum. His lips curled into a small smirk. “Nigeria has made significant progress, it seems. The energy influx has benefited you greatly.”

  Mr. Diwe turned his eyes toward the glowing projections of crystallized Void Serum. The research had advanced further than the AUN likely expected. That alone gave Nigeria an edge—one he intended to use wisely.

  “We are simply maximizing the opportunities given to us,” he replied smoothly. “Surely, you would do the same.”

  Henry’s expression remained unreadable, but the way he folded his hands suggested careful calculation. “You’re not preparing to go against the agreement, are you?”

  A short, amused chuckle escaped Mr. Diwe’s lips. “Gentlemen, I assure you, Nigeria has no intention of breaking the agreement. But tell me…” He met Henry’s gaze directly, his tone taking on a sharper edge. “Are you here because you expect us to falter? Or are you here because the world is watching closely, waiting for an excuse to intervene?”

  Chen luo let out a quiet hum, neither confirming nor denying the implication. Instead, he glanced toward the lead scientist in the room. “You were about to report something, weren’t you?”

  The scientist hesitated before stepping forward. “Yes, sir. We’ve observed… irregularities in the energy influx. It’s no longer just leaking in—there are fluctuations that suggest something else is influencing it.”

  A beat of silence followed, the tension in the room shifting subtly. Mr. Diwe’s gaze darkened as he processed the information. If the energy was behaving differently, that meant something— was tampering with the balance AUN had carefully built.

  Henry and Chen Luo exchanged glances. They had come to ensure compliance, but now, there was a new variable in play.

  Mr. Diwe straightened in his seat, his voice steady. “Then I suppose we have more to discuss than just our agreement.”

  Location: AUN Research Facility, Built near one of the highest energy concentration points.

  The research facility hummed with activity. Monitors flickered, showing complex energy waveforms as the world’s top scientists worked tirelessly to decipher The energy anomaly. Dr. Wei long, a leading expert from China, leaned forward, adjusting his glasses as the readings on his screen began to spike.

  “Something’s changing,” he muttered. The room tensed.

  The energy flow, usually stable, suddenly pulsed, forming erratic, unpredictable patterns. The wave signatures looked almost... intentional. Like something was trying to send a message—then, in an instant, the monitors blacked out, overloaded by an energy surge unlike anything they had seen before.

  Outside, the sky dimmed unnaturally. For just a few fleeting seconds, a massive crimson sun flickered high above the research site—except it wasn’t whole. It was fractured, its light bleeding like an open wound.

  Then—gone.

  Just as quickly as it appeared, the anomaly vanished, leaving only a lingering, unsettling warmth in the air. The ground beneath them vibrated faintly, as if something deep below had… shifted.

  “What the hell was that?” one of the younger researchers whispered, stepping back from his console.

  Dr. Long exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around the edge of the desk. “A broken sun,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “But how can energy mimic a celestial phenomenon?”

  No one had an answer. And that was the problem.

  All that could be understood from that phenomenon was something that would change the world understanding and concept of what a void break actually meant.