THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

(PART 12) THE REQUEST FOR HELP

It's Sunday morning, and after breakfast, Alexei finds himself on the balcony, seeking solace from the chilly wind while enjoying his coffee. His tranquility is interrupted by the sound of a ringing bell, signaling a call from Konstantin. Kostya informs Lekha that he is already getting dressed and urges him to do the same and hurry up.

Meeting at the elevator, Konstantin apologizes to Lekha, mentioning that he will have to go to the spiritual assistance center alone and meet Navi and Christian by himself. Citing an urgent matter, Konstantin swiftly heads down the fire escape, calling out that he had already informed everyone of his arrival.

Lekha shrugs, silently accepting the change in plans, and retrieves the keys to his apartment from his jacket pocket, only to find a folded invitation tucked away alongside them.

Upon reaching the designated address, Alexei, like Konstantin, approaches the pavilion but finds no visible entrance. As he contemplates knocking on the window, he notices the door on the right side swing open. Before him, a magnificent white marble staircase materializes, seemingly leading up to the sky.

Compelled by an unseen force, Lekha takes the first step, unable to resist the momentum propelling him forward. Each subsequent step brings him closer to the radiant light emanating from the heavens. It feels as though he is gliding or moving along a seamless, stepless path.

Eventually, the stairs lead him to a breathtaking garden bathed in luminosity. Alexei stands in awe, surrounded by towering hedges, their vibrant greenery contrasting with the brilliance of the scene. At the heart of the garden, he spots grand malachite gates reflecting his image. Passing through them, he enters a reading room where two pristine white leather armchairs stand. Curiosity leads him to browse the shelves and select a book, but before he can delve into its contents, a tap on his shoulder startles him. Turning around, he is astonished and bewildered by what he sees.

Standing before him is a man in his fifties with piercing blue eyes and long, unnaturally white hair tied in a ponytail. Clad in a perfectly tailored light-dark suit, white shirt, and tie, he exudes an air of confidence and authority. Impeccably polished oxfords adorn his feet.

"Good Sunday morning, Alexei," Navi greets him in a calm, assured voice, extending his hand in a gesture of acquaintance. "My name is Navi."

"Nice to meet you," Alexei responds, still slightly wary. He can't shake off the nagging uncertainty of how he ended up here, unsure if Konstantin's referral was genuine or a prank. After all, their city is home to many self-proclaimed prophets and individuals claiming divine missions.

Sensing Alexei's apprehension, Navi places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Take a moment to calm down and breathe," he advises. "Konstantin managed to provide me with some insights into your situation and the madness unfolding at your workplace."

Alexei is taken aback. "When did he manage to tell you all of that?"

"I have my ways, Alexei," Navi replies with a chuckle, implying his knowledge extends beyond conventional means. "Don't worry, I'm well-versed in using a cell phone."

Apologizing for his oversight, Alexei regains some composure, albeit with a slight tremor in his voice. "I never imagined something like this could exist in my life if it weren't for the current state of our world and the chaos at my workplace. I had nowhere else to turn. I need someone to talk to and help me make sense.