Chapter 56

"Hello world, this is lao hao chi from CNA stories. And once again, we will be interviewing johnny storm, the hero from 27 years ago. Who has set on a journey in space, where no man has ever gone before, just to save the universe from the evil arach empire. Glad to have you here and welcome home sir johnny storm. Though are you sure its alright to use the garden in your own mansion?" Hao said

"Yes. In fact, this is basically my home now, where I eat and sleep. So why should I be ashamed of my own home?" John said

"You have a point there. Anyways, lets get on with the interview. Can you tell us the whole story of what happened during your journey to space?" Hao said

"Sure!" John said before he told his story on how he defeated the arach empire and the octoguy tyrant in the planet urd, all except what really happened in planet swol

"Wow! That must have been a real adventure for you and the citizens of nirvana!" Hao said

"The ship is named after hercules though." John said

"Well, the rumor here on earth over 20 plus years ago that there is a new country in space, and its called nirvana. As all the citizens in that ship already knows and experienced what the unknown might be like." Hao said

"I see. It might be true, since the people in that ship has been living with aliens for a while now and has experienced space like never before." John said

"And there is another rumor though, coming from across the cosmos and into the ears of humans. It starts off as a childrens tale, which tells of a hero who vanguished the evil arachs. The hero was given a power by the gods, where he would use it to save the universe, and he did! By destroying the arachs home world and restoring it into another planet! Which now has no arachs at all, and the universe lives happily ever after. Does that ring a bell?" Hao said

"Whoa.. word does reach here quickly. But what if I say nothing about it?" John said

"I wont push for anything though, but if you could really confirm the childrens story, it would be really nice. So that you can be the new light to shine on earth, and to maybe guide others as well." Hao said

"Sure im the wise sage of the octoguys, but I would never be a mortal god. Im just a regular mutant who just wants to protect his family while bringing balance to the universe as my mission, ever since I got a second chance in life that is." John said

"But if you have the power of the gods, why dont you just be one? Right?" Hao said

"Peace is always better than war, which is why I choose to live my life the humble way." John said

"Even with all that power in your hands?" Hao said

"Look. Being a god isnt easy, as being a president or a king is as hard as hell. With all that power they have, they would rather choose to live a simple life rather than to boast their powers. Which is why the answers to life is always simple, as its only us humans who complicate things most of the time." John said

"Ok, I get it. I wont press you with that topic again. Though which leads me to this question: what do you think about the gods? Do you believe in god? If so, which one? And why?" Hao said

"Let me ask you this instead. What is your proof that gods are real? Even though higher dimensional beings exist, such as the spirits all around us or what they call themselves as energy beings, what humans call god doesnt exist. Myths and legends only form through ones beliefs and imagination, even though some would know how to phrase it well, that others may believe what you believe may be the truth. Thus, all scriptures doesnt quite tell exactly what really happened in the past, as most in scriptures are riddles for us to really think what may be the meaning of it. Also, from ancient times, winners in wars have always written history and scripture to their liking, acting as if they may be gods themselves in their own land. I have already flipped through all the history of aliens, and some are like what humans would do. Some would believe in a god at one point, until they find that there is no god to actually help them physically, which is why the aliens mostly doesnt believe in gods. Though one has to question: who or what created us? The answer is really simple! The universe made us! And does the universe ask anything of us? None! Just to live our lives freely, as the universe would have simply wanted it." John said

"Whoa.. thats quite the long explanation sir. Though yeah, I can somewhat agree on the question on how one can prove god exists. But arent you also a man of faith john?" Hao said

"Yes, I am. And all humans are, as we are weak by nature. We arent as strong as the octoguys, or hard like the crabmen, and many more, which is why we have our 3 powers: love, faith, and courage. In which all 3 powers are necessary for us to live and survive. Though its also not as if I dont have faith, my faith is just different from everyone else. So whats wrong with that? The universe doesnt even punish any sentient life for believing something, yet alone if a sentient life makes a mess out of things, as all life are free by default. So anyone else claiming that one should have their faith, are the ones pushing themselves to be complicated, when everything in life is just simple." John said

"Wow. Big talk there,as expected maybe of the hero of earth. Though in all my days of hearing stories, I dont hear people saying things like that." Hao said

"Its because people like me tend to just be quiet, instead of getting through messy waters." John said

"Ok then. So on to the meeting with the world leaders, why did you suggest for them to have the terrorists be hunted down?" Hao said

"Let me ask you then: there were 2 mothers with 1 child each, one was a free family where they gave so much love and freedom to the child, while the other was given both discipline and all the love they could ever give. Now when they both grew up, the child of mother 1 was now a delinquent, while the child of mother 2 is struggling through life but is somewhat satisfied with his family. What went wrong?" John said

"What went wrong was that the child of mother 1 went to become a delinquent, even after been given all the love and freedom. But why did the child go to the wrong path? When he was raised normally like all others?" Hao said

"Correct. Its because of all the factors that made him who he is, which can be summarized into 3 categories: environment, the parent, and the teacher. The environment has many factors, including family, the childs surroundings, and many more. Well, the other 2 are quite easy to explain, so I will leave it at that. But nurturing the child to become close to the ideal child, would require not only perfection of the 3 categories, but also discipline. Basically, you dont need the perfect everything for your children, what you need is a bit of discipline aside from the freedom that you will give to the child." John said

"What are you getting at here?" Hao said

"What I mean to say is, that the people would sometimes need a bit of discipline, just like how a mother would discipline their child. But if the child has already gone towards the path of no return, then there is no other choice but to destroy the virus at its source. Meaning, to kill the cirus immediately." John said

"But wont killing humans, much less terrorists, be inhumane?" Hao said

"Which is the more inhumane? Terrorists killing more people that you could ever count, just for their silly cause? Or to just cut the virus down from its source and saving more lives than you could ever hope for?" John said

"That question, even I dont want to answer." Hao said

"Anyways, the world right now is given too much freedom. Which is why the leaders must decide whether to choose between killing the virus and disciplining people, or dont do anything and be a coward. Anything else aside from these options are just excuses." John said

"How cold for you to let them decide something like that." Hao said

"I agree. But the decision must be made. Since if you put it like this: they now have weapons of mass destruction on the tip of their fingers, and they will use it without even knowing the consequences. And even if they knew, they would threaten the world to god knows what they might do. Being caring is good, but if your too kind to the enemy in battle, the enemy will kill you. Like sun tzus words. Know the enemy, and know yourself. And in a thousand battles, you will never be in peril." John said

"Hahh.. fine. Last question: are you a jerk or a hero?" Hao said

"I dont know, you choose. Though if I were to say something, I am neither of the two choices. For I am neutral, I am a good person, im a disciplined person, and I have all the wisdom I need to get through lifes challenges the simplest way possible. Just dont hate me for it, just like I said, since only humans would complicate things in the end." John said

"You got a point there. But if you arent a hero, nor a god, then what are you?" Hao said

"Just a regular mutant with a bit of a special circumstance. Though I dont plan to stay long at the high pedestal, as I plan only to run my company with my wives in the future and take care of my children. Anything else is just there for temptations." John said

"Alright then. As expected of a wise sage, its wise indeed. Anyways, thats maybe all for this interview. Thanks very much sir johnny storm!" Hao said as she reached out for a handshake

"Its my pleasure as well." John said as he shook hands