“Sadly, there are still people who think the only way to power is through greed, oppression, trickery.” Ori continued Jessica’s immersion, “That couldn’t be further from the truth. Knowledge has always been and will always be the secret to empowerment. The more you know, truly know, about who you are, what you are, and how the world around you works, the more powerful you will be.”
“Before we withdrew,” Vau said, “mankind was at its pinnacle of innovation. They were able to create the most extraordinary things—the machinery, the artwork.”
“The world moved on from that time,” Evelyn said. “The age of Leo.”
“The age of the lion, king of beasts,” Vau said.
“What’s the age of Leo?” Jessica asked.
“We all answer to someone, right?” Ori said. “It was decided that the people had learned enough to make the world the way they saw fit, so we would now be taking a more measured approach. We would teach those chosen by the people to be leaders. Ideally, the people would have been able to choose honorable, noble leaders of good character. From there, they would be our connection point, and they would disperse the knowledge.”
“This was the beginning of the great shift,” said Vau.
“A people who question things are people who cannot be controlled.” Ori paused. “You began to see a concerted effort to obliterate anything that would cause people to question authority.”
Evelyn spoke, “Ancient secrets, information that was in what you now know as Central America, were destroyed like it was nothing. Libraries of the greatest information known to man were burned without a second thought. Erased.”
“We did see this coming,” Ori said. “So we had great structures built, things that proved a highly civilized people once lived there. This is why the pyramids and other great ruins dot the Earth.”
“I thought the pyramids were ancient burial sites or tombs or something,” Jessica said.
“But what’s inside is the least impressive part,” Vau replied.
“The point with these great structures was to make them so intricate and complex that it would force future generations to question how they could ever have been built by a less advanced people,” Ori said.
“The Pyramids of Giza, weren’t those built by slaves?” Jessica asked.
“C’mon,” Jordan said. “Common sense would tell you how unlikely that is, from the sheer size and weight of every stone to the precision of every angle. If simple unskilled labor could do it, then why hasn’t anyone ever built anything even close to it?”
“So then what happened when the great shift started?” Jessica asked. “That’s when you guys withdrew?”
Everyone was silent, and they looked at Evelyn. “That came in time.”
“It was then that I saw the consciousness of man’s chosen leaders,” Ori said. “I saw corruption. Not only were they stifling knowledge among their people, but the thirst for power was growing. I decided that we should no longer trust the nature of man. My colleagues couldn’t yet see what I saw, but I decided I had to leave. If my colleagues wanted to continue to give man knowledge, then that was their decision.” Ori cast his gaze downward with what seemed like regret. “Things became worse than I ever imagined.”
“So this team stayed to continue your work?” Jessica asked.
“That’s right,” said Ori.
Jessica looked at Evelyn. “But aren’t you guys married, if that’s even the word you use?”
Evelyn smiled. “Yes, our souls are bound to one another. But, you see, time works differently for us. And we each had what we thought was a separate responsibility for the time being.”
“And so Ori left, and things got worse?” Jessica asked.
Evelyn said, “He warned us all of what he saw. Nothing was definite until mankind acted on it.”
“We don’t like to relive the past,” Jordan said.
“No, it’s okay,” Ori said, looking at Jordan. “She needs to know. When I left, my team lost access to the consciousness of man. I see what mankind is thinking, consciously, or subconsciously. It was my job to advise my team. When I left, Evelyn could no longer understand what they were thinking or planning. She could only use their past and current behaviors to assess what they may do in the future. With the absence of their thoughts, this team was less able to carry out missions successfully and manage the course of events. Our kind was blindsided when men took some knowledge and committed grotesque crimes against their fellow man.”
“And that’s when it was decided that another change was needed for all of us,” Vau said. “It was time to pull back from man.”
“Our roles have evolved and adapted, but all are now more covert,” Ori said. “You met Gabriel. He oversees the humanity side of the equation. Aja’s oversight is Earth itself. And Professor Raziel and others share knowledge here at the Point, with those who are worthy.”
“Where does this team fall?” Jessica asked.
“We don’t fall in one particular place,” Evelyn said. “Whenever a critical mission is needed for the greater balance, we answer the call.”
“And you’re back now, clearly,” Jessica said, addressing this comment to Ori.
“Indeed.”
“What is it that you are back to do?” Jessica asked.
“When you arrived, the professor talked to you about the concept of systems, correct?”
Jessica nodded.
Ori continued, “Man and the Earth are supposed to work together, in harmony. There’s sadly a massive disconnect that has reached a tipping point. If you can’t overcome that, then there could be mutual destruction.”
“What gives you faith that the greater balance can still be achieved?” Jessica asked.
“While my abilities allow me to see a lot of bad,” Ori replied thoughtfully, “I see hope in the consciousness and dreams of the young. If I can see that, we have to try.”
Evelyn then cleared her throat and said, “And this is where we need you. This may seem cryptic for now, as you’re trying to regain your memories, but your role as the scribe is an important part of our mission.”
“I don’t see how my articles can make much of an impact in this way,” replied Jessica.
“But you’re more than your articles,” Evelyn said. “You’ve developed a strong reputation for speaking the truth. And you are helping to plant seeds. The right people will believe you.”
“How are you so sure?” Jessica asked.
Ori picked up a biscuit. “Because people are pretty consistent. An honest person will always be honest.”
As he took a bite, Evelyn stood up. “Speaking of being consistent,” Evelyn said, “you’ve been consistently skipping the council meetings. There’s one today, and you need to attend. We need to get started.”
Everyone stood up from the table.
“Fine,” Ori said with a sly smile. “I’ll be there.”
“It’s also your turn to do the dishes,” Jordan said, grabbing the biscuit out of his hand and walking off the porch down a path that led to the forest.
“Don’t be too long,” Evelyn said as she, Vau, and Tony followed Jordan.
“I’ll stay back and help,” Jessica said.