Regarding the sequel, I think I may have a break in my urgent work in September so I can start revising Aladdin's amazing followup to WW, unless something unexpected intrudes. In it, Mantra enters into a world of power and metaphysical concepts like she's never encountered before. Yes, "Twilight of the Gods" is epic, but a little foretaste of epic action will be coming along in this story, too.

As for the telepathy element in this story, I haven't directly talked about it with Aladdin. But I've worked intensively on the whole book and I think I remember it explained somewhere that Eden can still contract Lauren (and others) because she had been in mental contact with them earlier, (in Mantra Infinity, for example), even after Lauren had gained her powers. (I believe the talent is limited to ultras with psychic and magical mental abilities of their own). The way I see it, she has already formed a lasting link with Lauren and also with certain other ultras. Because of that, even without powers of her own, she can benefit from Lauren's immense power to form a psychic link. I mean, Lauren is ready to receive calls from her psychic book of "friends," should one call her. But Eden would not be able to contact someone whom she had had no telepathic contact with previously. Or, I assume, if the person contacted were not strongly psychic himself. Like, she could contact the psychic Warstrike, but could not contact the non-pyschic Wrath. I did not notice this idea presented in the comics (no doubt because Mantra was not without her powers for such a long time as this), but I think that Aladdin established the option because it makes plotting so much easier than if Eden had to physically contact people. It wouldn't be so bad in Lauren's case, because she in fact had her number located in her local cell phone, but for many she has no physical phone number. Like, she could not phone the billionaire friend of hers, Brandon Tark, that same way because she was too "clever" to let his number be recorded on her phone, lest people checking her phone learn that she is somehow tied up with that powerful man. I'd say her sinister employers, Aladdin, would get suspicious of an unexpected connection with a powerful figure that they'd know nothing about. Pretty clearly, the Edens of both worlds were discrete with certain phone numbers. (Remember, all phone numbers are different between the worlds, even her own mother's phone.)

But thanks for the tip. I could do a revision of the upload to let the mechanics of Eden's telepathy be better explained. But I want to contact Aladdin to discuss the issue before I interpolate anything new.

[NOTE interpolated: July 24, 2021] Terry, I consulted with Aladdin and got the idea of what exactly he intends. He referred me to Chapter 4 to explain how Mantra is able to speak telepathically with Pinnacle (the super psionic). This concept should be extrapolated to other psychic characters, too. I went back to Chapter 4 and I revised the story to develop the idea a little more clearly. I hope the new material clears up some the the vagaries about Eden's telepathic communications.]

And regarding the upcoming chapter, remember that an outfit like Aladdin won't take long to find out who this dead body belonged to. When Lauren Sherwood is identified as a "new Mantra," that leaves the question of why did Aladdin employee Eden Blake secretly have an ultra for a babysitter. It is not healthy to have Aladdin's suspicions turned upon a person.

I'm already looking forward to editing chapter 14. I'm not sure why, but a lot of these low-key chapters are as much fun to work on as are the ones with super-powered action. Maybe it is because I really like good character work, and character often comes out strongest when the hero is allowed to talk and think, not just blast and punch.

Best,
Christopher