!!! - THIS IS A REWRITTEN VERSION OF THE CHAPTER - 12/30/24
Disclaimer: I don't own Honkai Star Rail and any of their characters. All belonged to their rightful owners - Hoyoverse.
++++=====++++
"Warning, Red Level Alert! I repeat, a Red Level alert! Antimatter Legion forces detected. All personnel, please proceed to the evacuation zones."
"Warning, Red Level Alert! I repeat, a Red Level alert! Antimatter Legion forces detected. All personnel, please proceed to the evacuation zones."
"Arlan…ha…Wait up" Damn it, I can't run anymore.
Thankfully, Arlan slowed down. "The station has been breached. If we don't–"
"I know, the evacuation center.." I was still gasping for air. If I remember correctly, the Master control zone was the safest sector of the entire Space Station and would be adequate for an evacuation zone.
Arlan shook his head as he handed Peppy in my arms.
"Huh-?"
"You have to go there and keep Peppy safe with you, please."
"What about you?"
"I'll have to deal with them myself."
"I–" Well I can't argue with that. That was his job after all. "Alright, be safe."
He gave a nod and we continued moving onward and just as we were near the intersection to headed our separate ways. Flashes, like reality, were warping right before my eyes and appeared above the air ahead of us. Arlan abruptly stopped, aware of what was happening, and pulled out his weapon from thin air.
I saw the entire thing with a shocked expression. Where did that come from? It was the first time I've seen such a thing.
"It's them!" One of the researchers shouted who was near to it. The space warp immediately took the form of multiple minions of the Antimatter Legion. Their appearance could be only described with one word. Terrifying. Clad in some kind of metallic armor, they adorned a blade in each arm. They seemed like knights but not those in fairy tales.
Right as everybody could break out from their state of stillness, they attack.
"HELP!"
"RUN!"
"Arlan.." I step back in fear, eyes fixated up ahead. Afraid that If I kept my eyes off them, they would come to me.
"Go, Ethan! You must leave. Head the other way." Arlan shouted, breaking my thoughts along with it. I watched as he dashed forth towards the legion. Not an ounce of fear was on the face, rather, determination.
Looking back at him and the Antimatter legion forces, I didn't need to weigh my options and headed back in the opposite direction. Arlan was capable of defending himself while I on the other hand, couldn't, and also the fate of the puppy in my hands was literally the second most important thing other than my life.
"Woof!"
"I know. He'll be fine. We have to worry about ourselves first, okay buddy?"
"Woof!"
"Good boy" I patted the puppy on the head.
++++=====++++
"Lady Asta! Multiple sectors have been breached."
"Lady Asta, we've lost contact with Sector Z6!"
"Lady Asta! The evacuation is still at 48% and still ongoing!"
Asta felt like everything around her was a blur. People around her swarmed her like she was the queen of a bee nest. It made her uncomfortable adding to the pressure of the current situation they were in.
The invasion.
Asta took a deep breath, clearing her thoughts. "Alright everyone, I need you all to calm down"
At the rise of her voice, the shouts yells, and murmurs all dialed down.
"I know we're in a tough situation right about now," Asta said, bringing all their attention to her. Her voice filled with confidence, hiding the mask of nervousness from the inside. "I appreciate those who updated me about the situation, however, let's take this one at the time shall we?"
Everyone nodded at her words.
Asta hummed in contentment and turned her sharp gaze toward the person in a blue uniform. "Kyle," she called out, glancing at the name tag to verify the person's name. Each uniform of the Space Station was different according to which sectors they were assigned. This greatly helped in specifying which a researcher belongs to at first glance.
"Yes, Lady Asta!" Kyle responded with a salute.
"Are all the security personnel deployed?"
"Y-Yes Lady Asta, however we are spread too thin. The number of sectors exceeds our number of personnel. I'm afraid we can't be all at once."
"Focus on the hallways that lead to the evacuation zone. They must be safely secured to make sure all the researchers can safely exit the premises" Asta ordered firmly. "Remember, the lives of everybody on board would remain our top priority. Anything else would be a second"
"Y-Yes, Lady Asta!"
"Elsie"
"Yes, Lady Asta!" A girl from the medical department stepped forward.
"Are the medical supplies we currently have sufficient to treat those wounded?"
"For now Lady Asta, however, if more were to come with serious injuries. I'm afraid our supplies will run out." Elsi admitted with a nervous expression.
"Have you checked our emergency stock in the backroom?"
"N-Not yet."
"Do it now. Take a couple of guards with you for safety."
"Yes, Lady Asta!"
"Jen" Asta turned to the girl in a ponytail, working on the computer.
"Yes, Lady Asta?"
"Give me a status report on the shields."
"The shields are working at optimal condition, Lady Asta," Jen replied without looking away from her screen.
"How did… No, something must be wrong," Asta said, her brow furrowing. Doubt settled in her mind. "Double-check and inspect the outer rims for any breaches."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Asta proceeded to the central control. The area there was chaotic, even more so, with people darting between computers. Distressed and myriad of emotions were displayed on their faces. It was not a pretty sight, not for her nor anyone for that matter.
She wished this was all a dream rather than a nightmare that she would wake up soon...
Arriving there, she asked one of them, calmly. "Are the signals still intercepted?" She looked towards the Holographic display of the Space Station. Her fingers quickly typed on the keyboard below her.
"Yes, Lady Asta. We tried to fix the issue but, despite our hard work, our team still couldn't find the source." A man replied beside her.
Asta drew a breath "Alright." She wondered how Arlan and Ethan were doing. The thought of something bad happening to them brought a frown to her face.
"However, we deduced that the source is inside the Space Station." The man added.
This brought a pause to her. "Someone is here?"
"It seems to be the case, Lady Asta."
"...." Asta fell into silence. That would explain why the Space Station was easily breached." Then they must be still here. Have you checked the security surveillance?"
"We did, however, some of the cameras are not working in normal condition. Be assured, Lady Asta we are working everything we can to resolve the issue"
" I see, thank you for all your hard work"
"Miss Asta" A new voice called her out. This time, she found it familiar.
"Miss Himeko?" She turned around and saw the Navigator of the Express with folded arms.
"How's the situation?"
"It's turning worse, it seems," Asta replied and Himeko frowned at that comment. "Miss Himeko, Is it alright to ask you a question?"
"Please go on."
"Do you think this is a planned attack?
Himeko blinked in surprise then an understanding expression followed suit. "It would seem so. However, it is likely to be from a third party rather than our main threat at the moment."
Asta nodded at her words, agreeing with her "Do you think there's a possible…"
"An Emanator in play? I doubt it to be the case." Himelo shook her head. "No Emanator would dare to attack the Space Station unless they want to indulge the wrath of Madam Herta. It's too much trouble just to attack a Station."
"That is true." Asta couldn't help but agree. "However, I can't shake off the feeling, we're dancing in the palm of their hands."
"Whatever they are planning, I don't think their main goal is to destroy the station." Himeko said calmly "Think about it, if it were to be the case then the invasion would go way much worse."
"Yet, here we are having difficulties in dealing with such." Asta sighed. "In terms of combat and military might, we are truly lacking. I should have bought that fleet when I had the chance."
"No time for regrets, Asta. Focus on what is now, everyone depends on a strong and willed leader."
Upon hearing her words, Asta couldn't help but doubt herself "Do you think I'm that competent?"
"You've already proven that earlier," Himeko gestured with a smile.
"A-Ah I see. Thank you, Miss Himeko"
"Don't worry, I'll be here to help…No, rather, the Astral Express is here to help." Himeo assured her. Just as Asta began to say something. A person behind her called out.
"Lady Asta! We need assistance here!"
Asta turned toward the person and looked back at Himeko again. "I think, I should go."
Himeko gestured with a nod of understanding. No words were needed as Asta quickly left.
Himeko gazed at the stars, her expression thoughtful and distant."Well it's been a long time since I had a battle"
+++====+++++
"Great no signal," I muttered, glancing at my phone. One bad news to the other. I set aside my phone and tried to focus on the task at hand.
My survival...
And this Puppy in arms. "Woof!"
Navigating around the space station when genocidal maniacs were going around the station killing people left and right was not an ideal way to end the day.
It was nerve-wracking even when you didn't know when and how they would appear before you. Would you have the chance to run? Or would take you by surprise and slash your neck off before you could even have the chance to scream.
There were a total of four elevators from the station which left me a lot of options to choose from. Since my main way was blocked, I had to discard it and find the other elevator closest to me. Thankfully, during the months staying here, I had a good grasp on my surroundings which meant the probability of me getting lost was low.
Dread slowly gripped my heart as I found I was the only one walking across this hallway. I haven't come across another researcher. Despite it, I mustered enough courage to stand on my two feet and not freeze in fear in hopes of getting safe. It was a slow process filled with anxiety in every step I took. I occasionally peeked at every corner to see if it was safe. When it was clear to go, I went in as fast as I could.
"Ok, If I'm right about this. I should be able to get there in about five minutes. Just hang tight there, buddy. We'll be there soon."
It was then I stepped onto the wet that halted my movement abruptly. I gulped.
Water? Why would there be water here?
"Woof?" Peppy sounded…scared.
That was not a good sign.
Looking down, I saw not water, but a pool of blood.
My eyes constricted at the sight of it. The urge to vomit almost came to be if it weren't for me holding it in.
'Calm down, Ethan. Calm down. It's just blood….Blood.' I forced myself to calm down and have a clear mind. Panicking in this type of life-and-death situation was akin to suicide. However when I turned to the side, there I saw a lifeless person against the wall, on his chest a large open wound appeared to be cut clean.
I closed my eyes, trying to forget about what I saw. Yet, I couldn't. Now when you already have tons worth of it at the back of your head. It wasn't the first time I saw a person die and it wasn't the first either for this guy.
What followed next didn't sit well in my stomach. When I continued walking, I began to see more dead bodies. Some were dismembered beyond belief, and body parts were spread across the hall, arms, legs, and severe heads and you know it, scattered on the floor like they were legos. It stretched across the dim hallway I was currently in and who knows how long it was.
Just what the hell happened here?
I had no choice but to press on, seeing that this hallway was the only one going to the elevator, nearest to my location.
"Peppy, close your eyes," I whispered down and tried to stop the rushing anger inside me from rising through my chest. Flashes of memories flow through my brain, it wasn't mine but rather the guy's memories. It was painfully gripping as I curled my hand, keeping a hold of myself.
"Anyone…Please…"
A pained voice broke through my thoughts. 'A person!'
Someone was alive!
My eyes scanned the area, frantically. It didn't take me too long to find a person lying on the side, almost completely hidden if it weren't for the fact he was covered by another person's body.
"Help me get him off, please," The person said, his voice weak.
"Wait, give me a sec" I placed down Peppy on the floor. "Stay," I told him before going to the person to help. I pull the dead body from him, slowly apologizing on behalf of the dead person.
"Thanks.."
I turned to see his name card and saw his name to be France and he was from the Security department. "You.."
"They ambushed us…" He said, eyes on me. I could see a large cut from his cheek and almost his entire face was covered in blood. Was it his? Or.. "We were left unprepared and outmatched." He coughed up what appeared to be blood down to my robe. "...We failed…Everyone..died."
Knowing he was gravely injured, I still tried my best to stay optimistic. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. Help will be on the way." Being negative in the situation won't do any good in the situation we were in. I wasn't a medic or trained enough on how to treat wounds, let alone treat a severely injured soldier.
I was left with no clue what to do.
"...You're right…sorry about the robe." He chuckled. I saw him reach down from the side, looking at his hands. I was pleasantly surprised at what it was. "Take this. You need it more than me now. It should have enough juice to keep you alive long enough for safety."
He showed a weapon, a pistol to be precise. It had a sleek design, and it wasn't the pistol that you would normally find on Earth. Rather it was akin to a plasma rifle that shoots energy like bullets. "Take it, please."
"What? No, I…I'm gonna help you. You and I are going to survive this."
"No...It's impossible for me…" Looking down, his body was covered in blood, not just his face. His body exhibits all kinds of cuts that make it hard for me to keep track of. However, when I glanced further down, I was left dumbfounded. His left leg has been completely torn off.
"I-" Again, seeing such a disturbing scene almost made me gag. I held down the urge and that's when he spoke again.
"Not used to seeing blood ha kid?..." He laughed weakly.
"I…I just can't you. Not when you're like this." I don't have the heart to leave another person to die. It was stupid, morally stupid, it was risking my own life to save another but deep down, I knew I wouldn't forgive myself. "Didn't you ask for my help?"
"Being a hero right now kid? You're young, you have a lot of future ahead of you. I had to grab attention earlier knowing that at least I would die saving a person one last time. Don't risk your life for a little old me. I'm just a stranger." He coughed roughly " Now take it before they *cough* come again."
Once again, I hesitated. This was wrong. Of course, the logical thing to do was to leave him but still….a large part of me hesitated. What if I could save him? There has to be a way, right?
Just before I could muster a response, a booming roar cut me off. I turned around and saw a lone Antimatter minion, a void ranger judging from its appearance alone, standing there. The most disturbing thing, it was covered in blood. I could pretty much see, that it caught its attention. Oh great. Fucking great.
"WOOF!" Peppy bark could be heard from behind.
"Kid, take it now!"
Just like that, all the hesitation I had went down the drain when I saw the void ranger begin its move. I grabbed the small pistol and aimed it directly at it.
DO IT! A rage-filled voice jolted through my thoughts. Flashes of memories passed through my head. It was the time my homeworld was invaded, the time when I held a gun.
No, it wasn't precisely me from Earth but rather the one body I inhabit. It was his memory and his voice screaming at me. It felt like time stopped for a brief moment until I pulled the trigger.
It shot. Precise and accurate.
The void ranger screamed in pain. It was music to my ears.
I shot again…again…and again.
Again
And Again.
I didn't stop, not until it was dead. Gritting my teeth altogether to withstand the strong recoil of the gun. For such a small one, it packed a considerably strong recoil. When it went down, I held it down still at gunpoint, in case it wasn't dead completely.
I held that position, steadying my breath till.
"You got 'em, kid…" It was broken by the same man who just basically saved my life. If it weren't for the gun, I don't know what would happen to me. "Nice shot, *cough* Now, go. Leave."
I turned to look at the guy one more time to see his eyes now closed. With that much blood loss, I doubt he would survive any much longer. Just to be sure, I checked his pulse and confirmed he was truly dead.
I sent him a pity yet grateful look.
"Thank you, kind sir" I meant that from the bottom of my heart. Looking at his name card, Gale, was his name "I will remember you, Gale. Thank you"
I took a moment to sort out my feelings.
"Woof!"
"Come boy, it's not safe here. We've gotta move" Reassuring the anxious dog, I grabbed hold of him with my free hand while the other grabbed a hold of the weapon. I made my way over from corpses while keeping my gaze even leveled.
Such a sight was altogether a part of trauma and a new experience. I don't know which side was worse.
++++====++++
I let out a tired breath, leaning against the wall.
"Woof?"
"I know, let me rest for a moment," I said "You think, we're close buddy?"
"Woof!"
"I think so too. Come on."
It was a grueling five minutes but finally, my work and struggle bore fruit. Hope was within my reach when I saw it. The elevator.
"Yes!" I was overjoyed. I made it. I MADE IT!
I made my way over to the control panel, hoping to start the elevator as fast as possible. Yet.
"No, no…NO! Why won't you work!"
Despite my attempts, the elevator was locked shut.
"It needs administrator permission, seriously?!" I yelled, the pent-up rage I had a moment ago, let go "Fuck!" If I could I would smash the control panel right about now but I don't want to risk a broken hand.
"I was so close.." Now it was no more than a whisper.
"Woof?"
"I'm sorry Peppy, I…failed us." I took a deep breath, calming down my nerves. It took me a moment to just stand there, silently weighing my options.
"Woof! Woof!"
"Right, there must be another way. There has to be." I was not good at techs and stuff, and this guy's memories were so limited regarding that area of expertise so fixing the control panel in my favor was out of the question.
Turning my head to the side, I saw Peppy looking at something.
"What's wrong Peppy?"
"Woof! Woof!"
I followed his gaze and saw what appeared to be corpses of Antimatter legion forces, down to the ground. Traces of smoke, ashes? Rising from their body as if it was slowly decomposing.
It seemed that it was leading somewhere.
"Huh?" I was puzzled for a moment. Did the security Department make its way over here? If all the corpses pile up like that then they must be winning.
Still how they would be here if back there was a slaughter? I wondered to myself. Wouldn't that make sense?
It would be weird if somehow the Antimatter legion forces would suicide themselves, that would be way far too stupid. There had to be an external force to exterminate them. That could only mean, they were friendly and the only combatant unit in the station was the Security department hence this was them. It has to be them.
Still, that wouldn't explain my previous question.
On one hand, if this was the security department's doing then that would be a good thing for me.
"You think we should be there, buddy?"
"Woof!" He seemed to agree….or is he?
"Yeah, I think so too" In the end curiosity won the game. It was risky but if all plays right. I would still see the end of my life in my way, not in the painful and kinda messed up way. With my trusty handy gun in my hand, I took careful and slow steps forward.
"Please don't wake up"
"Please don't wake up"
"Please stay dead"
"Stay dead" I muttered a whole lot of words to assure myself. It was my habit, even back on earth, to ease myself from being scared. I was a coward, that I won't deny but when it comes to saving my life, I would be stupidly brave sometimes. It was a trait that I take no pleasure in having. It might get me killed someday rather than saving my life.
"Wait, I have never been to this place" I took a note of the surrounding area.
"Woof!"
"I think, you may need to tone it down on the barking buddy"
When I was about to turn into a corner, I took a single sneaky peak to what was ahead and saw a broken door, to be precise, it was split in half, with the other half on the ground.
Okay, I don't think that's the job of the Security department.
++++======++++
A few minutes earlier.
"A locked door," Kafka announced, crossing her arms.
"Hmm again?" Silverwolf yawned, eyeing the door with a bored look. How many locked doors did they get through? Suffice it to say, she didn't remember.
"You know what to do Wolfie." With a whistle, Kafkla glanced at her.
"Me? Why is it always me?" Silverwolf eyed Kafka a look.
"Who else would it be?" Kafka met her gaze head-on.
Silverwolf clicked her tongue, tearing her gaze away and onto the door. "Fine but I'm doing this differently."
Kafka tilted her head as she watched Silverwolf pulling out something from her small pocket "That?"
"Just watch" Silverwolf flipped the small, rectangular device and pointed it towards the door, and in a split second, a red firing beam erupted from it and headed towards the door. She then lowered down the beam until it reached the bottom part. The door, now, split in half, fell to the ground.
"A laser? Where did you get that?" Kafka asked, intrigued
"I bought it," Silverwolf shrugged and threw the device away. "And It's empty. It was a one-time use so it's pretty much useless other than this."
Kafka let out a sly smile. "Why do I feel like you've spent a lot on it?"
"I'm not you, Kafka," Silverwolf retorted back with a smile of her own. "I know a thing or two about budgeting my allowance."
"Oh? Now you're saying I'm a big spender" Kafka mocked in an offended tone.
"Who knows?" Silverwolf, with her hands placed at the back of her head, unknowingly shrugged.
"Hmm," Kafka hummed as she took the lead forward.
Once inside, they took a quick look around the area and found the place to be empty.
"Not a single soul here. Impressive evacuation work. Did Herta organize it herself?" Kafka sounded impressed, as her eyes surveyed her surroundings
"According to the access history, she hasn't logged in here for over six months. The evacuation was directed by the acting lead researcher—a girl named Asta."
"Doesn't ring a bell. Oh, right, Elio said we wouldn't run into Herta. It seems she really isn't here" Kafka said, looking around. "Now, where's the Stellaron?"
"Elio's script doesn't include the info about the location of the Stellaron, which means in the future he foresees…"
"..We would find the Stellaron in a non-physical way." Kafka continued, crossing her arms.
"This space station is packed with extraordinary objects. I wouldn't be surprised if there's one that can make it happen."
"Hiding something extraordinary with something extraordinary. This is pretty Herta. I assume you know what to do? I mean, you've read the catalog for quite a while" Kafka inquired, glancing at Silverwolf.
"I've got all the clues we need. The only piece missing is a simple trick. Help me investigate the terminal in this room, our item might be inside."
Kafka gestured with her hands, "Well, the stage is yours."
In the next few minutes, they took their time, finding the off piece of the room. A blind spot.
"Hmm, I found something. What's this?" Kafka eyed the computer screen with interest.
"Item number 211. A simple light deflecting field, It allows an object in its field to pass unnoticed but if a different item ceases to be obvious, the object gets revealed" Silverwolf answered, looking at Kafka, she added " I think, you've already found our bingo"
"Never thought Herta would use something as simple as this " Kafka smiled to herself. Such an act saved them valuable time. Typing on the screen, the next moment, the room began to dramatically change. As if everything was a fake, created by a holographic field. The surrounding area was now covered by an outline of blue and the screen that was before began to static. However, one noticeable part was the open entrance.
Kafka whistled as she eyed the fractured rift of reality in front of her "Strange this number two.."
"The data suggests it's just an ordinary hologram. But it has an added layer.." Silverwolf explained, standing beside her.
"Let's take a look," Kafka suggested which earned a look beside her. " Don't worry, this place won't be our grave.."
Silverwolf hummed, taking a peek behind her "Something is following us, precisely watching us this very moment."
"I've noticed,"
"Are you not gonna do something about it? If not, I will take over."
"Elio never mentioned this in the script," Kafka said, humming a tune.
"Indeed. Could it be that this person is an anomaly?" Silverwood voiced her guess. So far, they have never had an anomaly before. This was new to them.
Kafka seemed to be deep in thought, seemingly considering options before pulling out her gun and shooting one bullet down toward where she suspected the person could be.
"Ah!" There was a scream, not manly, but the source was obviously a boy.
"One thing for sure, he's not a threat" Kafka blows the air of smoke rising at the muzzle of her gun.
Silverwolf sighed.
+++++=====+++++
Oh shit, I almost died.
Shivering, I glanced at the bullet hole plastered on the wall with a horrified expression. I think my life just flashed right before my eyes. If I had just moved an inch, I think that bullet might hit my eye.
"Hey, you!"
A voice shook me in surprise. "Ahh!"
"Can you just stop screaming for one second?"
"You–" I pointed at the newly arrived person. It was a short girl wearing something that made it seem like she was a punk. Like seriously, that was my impression of her. With clothes like that, I doubt she was a researcher.
"I–okay. "
The girl eyed me like she was considering what to do with me.
"Woof!" Peppy barked at the girl. I tried to calm him down which eventually worked as he succumbed to my pat.
"So..you're the guy that has been watching us." A sultry voice reached my ears. I looked to the side and saw a young woman, very beautiful and charming at first glance, and had darker red hair than Himeko's that was tied in a ponytail. She had a black jacket over her white clothes, sunglasses on top and damn those legs…
I realized those impure thoughts taking over my head and shook them away. No, bad Ethan. Bad Ethan.
"Now, kindly tell us, who are you?" Her eyes peered at mine. Somehow her voice was different. Suddenly, I felt the need to answer.
"Ethan Almiyers, Personnel Number 541. Born in Kentar" I blinked. Wait, What the fuck just happened? It felt like I was doing it subconsciously.
"Hmm? It doesn't ring any bells."
"He's just a stranger, Kafka,"
"And this stranger somehow passes through Elio's script."
"..."
I don't know nor care what the fuck they are talking about but judging from their tone, I just hope whatever they do to me, it won't result in them killing me. I'm not stupid enough to try to escape from these two. That would be suicide.
"Uh, so who are you people?"
The girl with silver hair blinked in surprise. "Oh would you look at that Kafka, this guy doesn't know who we are. Now, that's rare."
"Indeed."
Should I know them? Did I fumble the bag? I was sweating bullets not knowing whether or not I'd doomed myself.
"Hmm." The red-haired woman, I assume to be Kafka, which the girl mentioned, gazed at me, it was sharp and seemed to be directed at something she found particular.
I don't think it was my face.
"What a strange watch you got there."
I gave her a strange look ."....Ah, yeah, I just uhm, got it and.."
"Could we take a look at it?"
"Uhm.." Should I deny that request?
"Silverwolf"
"On it."
She didn't even give me the option to deny. I gave no resistance as the silver-haired girl, named Silverwolf, an odd name for a little girl, grabbed my wrist and began to do something with my watch. Wait, is that a holographic screen?
However the next movement, the girl's eyes widened and a pained expression took over her face within a second. "AH!" She screamed much to our surprise.
"Silverwolf?"
"Ah, it hurts!" Silverwolf hissed in pain as she held her head, and then she glared at me. "You–" Her tone was dangerous, sharp, and seemingly wanted to end me right there and then but luckily..
"Silverwolf, not now." Her stern tone calmed the girl down as her glare somewhat softened on me.
"That's not a watch." She spoke, her voice shaking while eyeing me suspiciously "Who are you?"
I took a moment to answer. Wait, why is she suspicious of me now? Did the watch do something to her that bad?
"Didn't I tell you guys my name earlier?" That was something I regret saying.
"You think I'm a fool?" I was pretty sure she was pissed.
"Silverwolf, not now"
"But Kafka.." The girl tried to say something but the woman took a single step toward me which I responded by nervously taking a step back.
"Woof!" Peppy also barked defensively at the woman but I held him tighter to prevent him from making this situation worse than it already is.
"I think you're tired, aren't you?"
"Huh?" I looked at her, puzzled.
Her lips curved into an unknown smile "Sleep."
What is she–? Wait, Why am I sleepy?
Right at that moment, I felt everything in my body urging me to sleep. My eyelids suddenly felt heavy to the point, I had no choice but to close them. While I was aware of what was happening I tried to fight back that urge but it was too strong, to the point, that darkness overtook me in an instant.
+++=====++++
"He's asleep right?"
"Yes"
"Kafka.."
"Yes?"
"How did you notice something strange in the watch?"
Kafka hummed "There was a flicker of light…faint, almost resembling a Stellaron. However, I didn't believe it to be such a case until.." Seeing Silverwolf staying silent, looking at the boy with an unreadable expression. Kafka decided to ask "Silverwolf, you're not normally the person to be scared. What happened?"
"Who says I'm scared?" The girl snapped at her. Kafka shook her head.
"Not the time, wolfie."
Silverwolf let out a cute "hmph", diverting her eyes elsewhere. No matter how she says she was an adult, Kafka always believed that wasn't the case.
"Silverwolf, tell me. What did you see?"
"If I tell you, you won't believe me."
"Trust me, nothing can surprise me." With a warm, Kafka placed a hand below her chin.
Silverwolf stared back at Kafka, opening her mouth, she uttered the two words. "My death"
As she expected, Kafka's eyes widened to a small degree. It was a mixture of surprise and… curiosity.
"It wasn't working and everything I did failed to start it up. So I placed a projection of my consciousness to the watch as a last resort and that's when it warned me." Silverwolf explained that the moment felt surreal for her. As if the watch was entirely sentient. What makes it surprising is that the watch itself was embedded in a normal and mortal person such as that guy…what was his name again?
"It spoke to you?"
"No," Silverwolf shook her head. "But my gut instinct was telling me if I stayed much longer, I would surely die."
"...What was inside the watch?"
"Nothing. Absolute darkness." Silverwolf replied without missing a beat. "If you think it is a Stellaron, I doubt it. For a small device, even if it was made from the most advanced technology, I doubt it can hold a massive line of energy such as a Stellaron."
"..." Kafka's lips pressed onto a thin line, "I think Elio would be interested in this one."
"Oh I'm sure he will," Silverwolf agreed, rolling her eyes "So what should we do to him? Kill him?"
"That would be taking it too far, isn't it?"
"Well, I got no ideas." Silverwolf crossed her arms. "Unless you have some other plans. Go for it."
Kafka's eyes wandered before smiling "Hmm yes, I do think I have an idea."