“Thank you all for coming today. My name is Baochai Fang, although I can tell from a glance at the expressions in the crowd that you likely already know who I am.”

Baochai’s press conference was live streamed on all seven continents to billions of people, and translated into a hundred languages. Mere minutes after her familiar visage elegantly approached the podium to take the place of the previous speaker, news of her appearence spread like wildfire across the globe.

The select group of reporters present in the amphitheater were in complete disbelief to recognize the iconic woman, who scanned over them with a familiar set of vainglorious golden eyes. Thousands, if not millions of pictures were taken almost immediately amidst a sea of confusion. Baochai had died decades ago. Her death had been covered extensively, and thought of as a terrible tragedy after a lifetime of remarkable accomplishments.

To see her now just as radiant and godlike at one hundred thirty years of age was baffling to say the least. Rightfully so many tuning in for the first time immediately assumed this to be some kind of bizarre, distasteful gimmick by the flailing Amrita Corporation to use a body double and take advantage of her near deified legacy.

It was the calm, smoky voice the world recognized that proved her identity however. Along with her beautiful golden eyes like a pair of twin suns shimmering against an ocean of cameras. News channels scurried to pick up the story, as the resurrected woman carried on with her speech to the world.

“When I took ownership of my beloved husband’s company, it was with the knowledge that I shouldered an impossible burden. The Amrita Corporation began as a promise between two sisters to leave the world a better place than the one we were born into. We wanted to make a world where parents would have ample food for their children in every nation no matter how destitute, doctors would have medicine to treat their patients regardless of the illness, and no child would die of a preventable disease because of politicking or corporate greed.” Baochai remarked, and spoke in a gentle tone reminiscent of her historic speeches almost a century prior. “It was through the support of this proud country that we could accomplish our vision; and it has always been a regret of mine that my beautiful sister passed away before she could see the last cancer cell eradicated from an afflicted patient.” 

“For me, Daiyu’s passing cut deeper than any blade, as together we desired to continue our work and make a world where our children could live prosperously. A world unfettered by the degradation of our ecosystems, oceans, and cities to the tendrils of pollution and overpopulation. The same pollution that burned my sister's lungs to a crisp while she was still within our mother’s womb, and cursed her from before she could take her first breaths.” Baochai revealed, unintentionally confirming the theory that Daiyu had died due to toxic air her mother had breathed while pregnant. 

Baochai paused to collect herself, and wiped away a bothersome tear that had rolled down her cheek. It was a well-known fact how close she was to her older sister, and she had never appeared in public again after her death due to grief. 

Until now, that was. Over seventy years later. “Now I stand before the eyes of the world amidst a sea of controversy. Although I deeply regret my own failure to save my sister's life, it was my failure as a mother to see what my grief had turned my own children into, which has become my truest regret.” Baochai professed. “In the last week many revelations about the inner workings of the Amrita Corporation have been revealed to the public, and rightfully so countless investigations have been launched into these matters. My company has been accused of horrific crimes, some of which seem so outlandishly despicable they can hardly be believed by even our most spiteful competitors.”

“I am here to say with the utmost sincerity, that these rumors are unequivocally true in every regard.” Baochai revealed, as the reporters were thrown into a frenzy. “The accusations that we influence democratic elections and intimidate the free press into silence at the highest level are both true, among other misdeeds such as participating in state-approved murder and assassination plots. Although nothing can possibly compare to the sins committed by my own family.” Baochai said, and watched the expressions of the reporters carefully as she had the world entire had rapt attention.

She took a deep breath, and recognized that there was no going back after the next words left her mouth. “It was not the work of the divine that reduced half the population just over a century ago.” Baochai revealed to the world. “It was us behind The Diminution, and shrank half of humanity.”

Perhaps I’m already dead, and this isn’t actually real. Maybe it’s just an endless nightmare that gets worse over time.

Yulan tossed the tablet aside and hung her head low, unable to watch the live broadcast any longer. Before now the chances the administration could save face in the eyes of the citizens had been slim, but the embers of their last hope still lingered. Now in the span of a few minutes they had been utterly extinguished. 

“…through a coordinated effort with the governments of twenty-one different nations, the Amrita Corporation released a series of chemicals in the year 2005.” The imposter revealed. A half-truth; in reality it had been Daiyu Fang’s ‘magic’ that shrank half the population. 

However many countries had of course known about it, and granted their express approval. “It was an act borne out of a misplaced desire to solve the dilemma of overpopulation and strain on our beautiful planet’s resources. However it is erroneous to say this was the sole reason behind my descendants actions. Under the guidance of Chairwoman Min and the politicians who supported her after I stepped down, the goal became exploitation.”

“What my daughters have done has ruined the legacy me and my sister dreamt of. As we speak there are populations of specks that face lethal discrimination and prejudice from society at large; an idea proposed by Chairwoman Min to gradually reduce their population overtime with the endgame of triggering a Second Diminution… That is a future I refuse to accept.”

The imposter, whom Yulan surmised was Jisoo’s biological younger sister, was a remarkably convincing clone of Baochai Fang. Her words were charismatic, and her eyes glowed with vibrant hope and her lies were particularly effective because they were mingled with some truths as well, which made them impossible to distinguish for an observer. 

Then again, history was written by the victor. “After my sister passed away… I was lost. I secluded myself from the world in utter grief, and turned a blind eye to what my family had become. Without Daiyu, I feared I would never be the same and ordered my own ‘death’ in the eyes of the world.” Baochai continued as tears streamed down her face. “However I can no longer hide in the shadows in despair over my own losses when the grief my family has inflicted upon the world has become so terrible. It is for that reason that I have decided to trust the world with the truth, and it is now time for me to formally dissolve the Amrita Corporation.”

Outside of her office door, Yulan could hear the angry knocking of her supervisor. Likely he had just tuned into the broadcast as well. No doubt he wanted to know exactly what was going on, but the answer was very clear. 

Scorched earth. If the Amrita Corporation is going down, they’ll drag the rest of us down with them. How remarkably petty of them… Yulan thought bitterly, and reached into her desk to find a piece of paper to draft a resignation letter. 

The reporters were understandably eager to ask questions to the resurrected woman, and had to be forcibly kept away from the stage by the security present in the amphitheater. 

Suji felt surprisingly comfortable in the public-eye. She had never given a speech before, nor had she actually bothered to prepare any notes or draft a script before she stepped behind the podium. Evidently some skills transcended lifetimes, since Baochai was a famously talented orator. 

Funny how just a bit of eyeliner and foundation can completely change the perception of a person. Suji thought to herself as she stepped away from the stage, and the broadcast ended. 

Although she was an identical copy of her past self, few actually recognized Suji since she never wore make-up and kept her hair cut short just past her chin. Before she took on the persona of her past self, a very talented team of personal stylists had meticulously dolled her up for the cameras and fashioned hair extensions to give her dark locks the volume they once had. 

Undoubtedly the world was very curious to know just how Baochai still appeared so young despite her age; although it was not unheard of for someone to live to be as old as her in modern times, certainly they would not look so youthful. Admittedly it did not even matter if the public believed it was really her or not though, what mattered was they believed her claims. 

Fortunately there were terabytes of incriminating data she had leaked to the world wide web which covered in great detail the misdeeds of the Amrita Corporation. Transaction records, phone logs, emails and text messages, photographic evidence, among an endless list of other things she had collected over the years. And of course, everything else the Amrita Corporation themselves had gathered.

That would placate the population’s curiosity, at least for the time being. Given so much information at once it would be very difficult to sift through it all. “Provide all of the reporters present with the files I requested. See to it that a sufficient number of copies are printed, just in case they need extra.” Suji commanded one of the reluctant attachés present with her. “Then see to it that the other matter I discussed with the former Chairwoman is taken care of.”

“…Yes ma’am.” The middle-aged woman said softly, and bowed before she departed the stage. Whether they liked it or not, Suji was the legitimate heir to the company. As loyal, almost fanatical cultists that formed the upper-echelon of the corporate management, their devotion persisted even if it meant a self-inflicted downfall.

*thud*

Suji smiled softly as she felt the first tremors rattle the wooden planks beneath her feet. It had taken a bit longer than she anticipated for her sister to triangulate their location; all of the fake studio locations and decoys had paid off.

The earth quaked beneath Jisoo’s feet as her gigantic form marched purposefully across the city, her shoulders level with most of the taller residential buildings. Her eyes, a pair of glowing golden orbs scanned the horizon until she located the amphitheater in the near distance. With a thought she grew another several stories and her pace quickened, all the while the people of the world once again found themselves oblivious to her presence.

All except Suji, of course. She was intentionally left out of that little spell, as her sister narrowed her eyes and effortlessly swung one leg over the exterior wall of the stadium and stepped right behind an army of ignorant reporters. With one more step Jisoo was fully inside, and lorded over her little sister like an angry goddess.

Suji stared directly up her gargantuan older sister's toned legs, past the elegant silks of her qipao and directly into her fiery expression. Jisoo crossed her arms. “Were you really so angry after our argument that you would pull a stunt like this?” She asked directly. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“Stopping you from making an irreversible mistake.” Suji replied simply. “You didn’t exactly leave me with much of a choice.”

“So you went behind my back? When we spoke before I asked you for an alternative solution and you gave me nothing.”

“Which is something that I do regret. I’m sorry, I should not have yelled at you or treated your proposition in bad faith. Although I do still stand by my original criticism of your plan. In your haste to save the world, you would have destroyed it.” Suji proclaimed.

The giantess shook her head from side to side. “So rather than even try to make my plan work you worked with the Amrita Corporation? Was I that unapproachable that you felt the need to do this?” Jisoo asked.

She sounded genuinely hurt by that, but Suji refused to let her sisterly affection cloud her judgment. When so many lives were at stake she had to objective, and make decisions based on rationality rather than optimism. “Not much has really changed between you in this lifetime, or the one before. Just like Daiyu, when you set your sights on something you make it happen and there isn’t really anything that can be done to change your mind.” Suji said in a gentle tone. “It’s one of your strongest qualities, but also your greatest flaw.”

“Just get to the point.”

“Regardless of what either myself or Maddie thought about your proposition, it wouldn’t have really mattered. Clearly, it was what you intended to do and all arguments to the contrary were meant with cognitive dissonance.” Suji told her. “Ultimately the deciding factor would have been Eren. His opinion would have been the only one that could have changed your mind.”

“I still haven’t told him about it.” Jisoo revealed. “And it’s not like I would have made my decision based purely on his opinion.”

“There’s no reason to lie about it. You’re a really understanding wife, you would never do something that your husband vehemently disagreed with. But if he gave you his express approval then with the snap of your fingers the entire population would become specks.” Suji said knowingly. “I was not willing to take that gamble and see what Eren had to say, but I figured that as a speck with the kind of life he’s had he would not be opposed to some karma faced by the rest of humanity.”

“So you acted before you could find out what his opinion would be.” Jisoo realized. She exhaled deeply. “I understand your logic, but this was all a completely pointless gesture. With a thought I can just make the world forget this ever happened.”

“Hmm? But I thought you were against using your powers to manipulate people’s minds?” Suji replied cheekily.

Jisoo rolled her eyes. “Unless absolutely necessary. And in this very specific scenario that you’ve created, I’m willing to make an exception.”

“Tell me, what’s so wrong about the world finding out the truth? Doesn’t humanity deserve to know what really happened? Would it not be to the benefit of specks if the world learned that their suffering was intentionally encouraged by forces beyond their ken?” Suji pressed. “Doesn’t the world deserve to know the truth of their own history? Will it not be to the benefit of specks that society learn their discrimination had been intentionally encouraged?”

“As if that will end the mass killings of their people.”

“The last act of the Amrita Corporation before I dissolved it was to create a global fund for specks with all the wealth the company has accrued over the years. It’s a sum of several trillion dollars.” Suji professed. “With my influence as Baochai, I intend to use all the wealth and prestige that comes with the title to enact civil rights reform for specks.”

“How very kind of you. I’m sure whatever you spend all that money on will save little kids from being bludgeoned to death by hammers.” Jisoo replied darkly. She got on her haunches above her sister. “I sincerely wish you luck on those very optimistic aspirations, although I hope you realize that it will be generations before specks are ever seen as anything less than vermin.”

“Jisoo… You won’t know until we at least try. If this doesn’t work out then we can always shrink the rest of the world later. But if we enact a Second Diminution it can never be undone. The world will never be the same.” Suji said, almost pleading. “I’ll prove it to you.”

“Prove it to me?”

“Let this happen. If time passes and nothing has changed for the better then I won’t stop you from shrinking the rest of humanity. I’ll happily support your decision and admit that I’m wrong. Please…”

“Alright, fine! If you are that confident then I will leave it to you and observe what happens for a period of one year.” Jisoo promised. “However, if by this day a year from now there has been no substantial improvement in the livelihood of specks then I will reduce the rest of humanity.”