Chapter 21: Shifting Tides and Hidden Consequences

The world was still in shock. PT Universe had arrived in a way that no one could have predicted, with every screen on the planet displaying Eclipse Veil's trailer and the stunning reveal of the AR consoles. But while millions of people marveled at the groundbreaking technology, there were those in power who were not so impressed, and they were growing increasingly nervous.

In a top-secret government facility deep underground in Washington D.C., the situation was anything but calm. The room was filled with some of the brightest cyber specialists in the country, and yet they had all been completely blindsided. The screens that surrounded the control center, normally filled with classified data, had been hijacked just like everyone else's.

"How the hell did they manage to get through our firewalls?" a senior analyst demanded, pacing in front of the screens. "These systems are supposed to be impenetrable! Classified military-grade encryption, and we couldn't stop a commercial ad from streaming through?"

His team scrambled to answer, frantically typing away at their terminals, scanning the logs for any hint of how PT Universe had infiltrated their network. But there was nothing. No trace of the intrusion, no signatures or footprints left behind.

One of the analysts shook his head, eyes wide with disbelief. "It's as if they were never here. We can't even track the source of the hack."

The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation settling over them. If PT Universe could break into their secure networks with such ease, what else could they do? The potential threat was undeniable.

"This isn't just a game company," the analyst finally said, voice low. "They have access to technology that surpasses anything we've ever seen."

And it wasn't just the United States that was on edge.

....

In Moscow, a similar scene played out in a high-security government complex. Military generals stood over a table displaying a live feed of PT Universe's launch, their expressions grim.

One general slammed his fist on the table. "They hacked everything. Our military-grade systems, intelligence networks, even our satellite feeds. How is this possible?"

"We have no leads, sir," an aide responded, sweat beading on his forehead. "No trace of their infiltration. Our best cybersecurity teams are working on it, but we have nothing so far."

Another general, older and more composed, spoke up. "This isn't a threat we can handle conventionally. We need to understand how they did it and how we can defend against it. This PT Universe could become a major security risk."

All across the globe, in Beijing, Berlin, London, and beyond, government officials and cybersecurity experts were scrambling. The sheer audacity of PT Universe to hack into global networks had left a mark. Their technology was far more advanced than anyone had imagined, and it was unsettling how easily they had bypassed even the most secure systems.

No one could deny the brilliance of PT Universe's technology, but the fact that they could hijack everything at once terrified the world's leaders. Questions about Adrian, the man behind the curtain, began to surface, though no one knew his true identity yet. But it wouldn't be long before they started digging.

....

While governments were reeling, life went on in the everyday world. In a small village in rural Kenya, a group of children were gathered around a smartphone, watching the trailer for Eclipse Veil in awe. The grand reveal of PT Universe had reached even the most remote places, and word was spreading fast about the AR consoles and the futuristic products now available.

In a nearby field, a goat had just given birth to a small kid. The mother nuzzled her newborn affectionately, guiding it to its feet. The villagers were busy attending to their daily tasks, unaware of the subtle changes happening right under their noses. But if one looked closely enough, they'd see something unusual about the newborn kid.

Its eyes shimmered faintly, a barely perceptible glow that flickered with the same blue hue as the pillars of light that had erupted across the globe. The energy of Azura, though invisible to the naked eye, had left its mark. And it was starting to spread.

The animals around the village, the plants, even the air itself seemed to hum with a new energy. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but the Azura was there, changing things in ways that no one could see. The consequences of Adrian's actions were beginning to ripple outwards, beyond the reach of his control, though he had no idea yet.

....

Back in the pocket universe, Adrian was unaware of the growing global tension. He was monitoring the production sites, ensuring that the deliveries were smooth and efficient. He couldn't see what was happening in the broader world, how governments were starting to view him not just as a tech innovator but as a potential threat.

"Argos," Adrian called, his attention focused on the screens, "how's everything holding up?"

[All systems are functioning within normal parameters, Adrian. The launch has exceeded projections, and the global interest in PT Universe continues to grow.]

Adrian nodded, pleased. "Good. Let's keep pushing. There's more coming, and I want everything to be perfect for the next phase."

But as he sat back, content with the success of the launch, the subtle changes brought about by the use of Azura were growing. The blue energy, so adaptable and persistent, was seeping into the world in ways Adrian hadn't foreseen. The pillars of light had triggered something, a transformation that was just beginning to unfold.

And soon, it would become impossible to ignore.

....

Adrian sat in his lab, screens surrounding him filled with data feeds from the drones he had sent out across the pocket universe. Each screen displayed the readings of Azura energy levels, movement patterns, and behavioral analysis of the creatures that inhabited the untamed wilderness.

His focus was intense as he sifted through the information, mentally piecing together a new system to classify the beasts that had surpassed the 10th level.

"Argos, bring up the footage from the drones in the western plains," Adrian instructed, his voice calm yet commanding. The drone footage appeared immediately, showing several large, imposing creatures moving through the dense forests. Their bodies pulsed with energy, far beyond what he had previously encountered with the lower-level creatures.

[Adrian, the energy signatures of these creatures are significantly higher than Level 10. Based on our earlier encounters, it's a good moment for a new rank system to account for their power.]

"Exactly what I was thinking," Adrian murmured, typing quickly as he began constructing the framework for the new ranking system. "Let's start with F rank. Any creature surpassing Level 10 but not more than 10 times stronger will be classified as F rank. The next level of power, exponentially higher, will be E rank."

He paused, considering the beasts on the screen, massive lizard-like creatures with shimmering scales that absorbed and radiated Azura. "These look at least 100 times stronger than Level 10, so I'm putting them in E rank."

[Understood, Adrian. I will catalog these readings accordingly and monitor for further patterns.]

Satisfied with the initial framework, Adrian leaned back and watched as his drones continued to fly over the regions, capturing data on more creatures. The rankings would allow him to track and understand the growing power within the pocket universe, and, more importantly, prepare for the day he would face these beasts himself.