11. The Calm Before the Politics

Jake enters the central temple expecting treasure but finds an Ancient Celerita Musa—a time-affinity banana “tree” that warps local time. Identify reveals its fruits return to the rivers of time unless anchored. When four bananas ripen, Jake anchors them by eating, gaining +12 Agility and reflecting on system caps for consumable-derived stats.

Wanting the rare herb long-term, Jake decides to relocate the entire tree. He uses his neglected Omnitool as a shovel and spends hours digging outside the time barrier’s radius, accepting the risk it might die away from the temple. He banks on his valley’s high mana via the Pylon to sustain it.

Interludes show Earth’s factions preparing for the World Congress: Miyamoto readies his clan’s twelve delegates; Jacob coordinates Holy Church Pylon links; Caleb and Maja anticipate reunions and outcomes; Priscilla briefs her Risen, while Casper wrestles with attending; Carmen and City Lord Pam ready their city’s presence despite Carmen’s reluctance. Everywhere, leaders recognize the Congress’s long-term stakes.

Jake’s return flight, burdened by the ancient-rarity herb, attracts attention and delays him. He arrives at Haven carrying a chunk of earth with the Musa, startling Miranda. At Jake’s prompt, Neil teleports out soil to make a pit, and Jake plants the tree hurriedly with only nine minutes remaining before the Congress.

Filthy from the effort, Jake speed-washes in the pond and purifies himself. Lillian suggests formal attire, but Jake quips about his dungeon-boss leathers. A system warning signals one minute left. With Miranda, Neil, and Lillian, Jake readies for the opening of the first World Congress.