Chapter 7 - The End Begins
"Dam it!" A tall blond cursed under her breath, pounding the table in her frustration causing the objects upon it to rattle in response. Her hair, usually well maintained despite her rock appearance, had quickly become a horrible mess despite how early in the day it still was.
From her waking moments, her heart had received no breaks from the alarming, drastic development in the previously unchanging Eternal Freeze to the ceaseless waves of Geomarrow heaters that all of Belobog had to offer pouring into her store.
The bell at her door wouldn't stop going off for the whole morning. Heater after heater kept piling into the room, and no one was willing to listen to her explanations. Each ring of the bell drove her further and further into exasperation, and she steadily began to dread its sound.
"There's no denying it… and there's still no improving it either!" She continued to speak through gritted teeth, her face scrunched and scowling as desperation and dread lingered over her like a vengeful spectre. "Why did this have to happen at the same time as the Eternal Freeze?! If everything continues like this then-" She continued, her voice picking up in volume before the chime of the bell once more filled her ears.
Just as the chime of the bell went off once more to her ire, gritting her teeth slightly her face scrunched up once more as she tried to bottle her overflowing emotions. "Sorry, but I'm currently already overloaded." She spoke, struggling to keep herself from sounding angry yet failing with an aggressive sigh before noticing the person at the door.
"Lynx!" She exclaimed, her previous mood instantly washing away with relief at the sight of her precious kid sister. "You're ok! I was so worried!" She said, her voice full of excitement and relief as she instantly ran around the counter with her arms open for a hug.
"Wait, Serval! Don't hug me, you're a mess right now!" Lynx cried out in horror as the door closed behind her, desperately holding out her hands in an attempt to defend some degree of separation between them.
"Ah, right, sorry!" Serval said, remembering her current state as she looked at her dirtied arms with an awkward smile. "Even since I heard the news, I've just been so worried! It's not like I could come and visit you so easily either…"
"I understand Serval, and I… appreciate the concern. But I'm fine now! I just needed to be warmed up a little!" Lynx replied, exuberantly stressing her words as Serval warmly nodded along.
"I'm glad to hear that, just so long as you really aren't pushing yourself," Serval said, her words soft and filled with affection as she walked back over to a sink in the corner of the room.
"I'm not! I know the importance of health and how to take care of it; I wouldn't be here if I was struggling." An annoyed Lynx instantly answered. As the sound of running water from the tap quietly filled the room, Lynx just sighed in irritation before scanning over her sister's workshop. "But… are you? Your place is way worse than normal…"
The Neverwinter Workshop was by no means a building, even having a second floor as a balcony that could be seen from below. Yet despite it, it was hard to find space to move within it as piles of machines filled it up.
There was nowhere spared from the mess, as even Serval's large counter and desk were riddled with various tools that she had used and pieces removed from machinery. By some change, it was still possible to see the windows and onpour of snow outside.
"Ah, I'm fine… it's just that a complication has come up. Most of them all came in today." Serval said without looking back, her voice almost hesitant as she continued working the grease out of her hands.
"All of this came in today?!" Lynx repeated, looking back at the sea of heaters in sheer disbelief.
"Yeah, and they all have the same issue. People are complaining that they aren't producing much heat anymore. Or rather, it's better to say that their efficiency has gone down." Serval said, now drying her hands before reapproaching with a sorrowful smile as she joined them in looking at the mess.
"Isn't it a bit much of a coincidence that this all happened at once?" Lynx wondered.
"You're right. At first, I didn't think much of it, especially those which had some additional little issues to aspects such as ageing, but this much means that there's something in common going wrong with them." Serval said as she crossed her arms, heaving a heavy sigh as her brows creased. "I thought they were complaints caused by the Eternal Freeze getting worse, but after testing them, they are all right - they're producing less heat than they should."
"That much can't be a coincidence…" Nova commented in a hushed voice, almost making Lynx jolt at the sudden commentary from within her pocket.
"Um, do you mean that they're connected? Is this because of that Stellaron thing then?" Lynx asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Every heater gets worse the day the Freeze gets stronger? I'm willing to make the bet, not that I understand how the Stellaron could possibly impact the heaters…" Nova whispered back
"Lynxy?" Serval asked, tilting her head in confusion as the little sister realised she had been spotted. "Were you talking just then? You need to speak up a little."
"Oh, no, it was nothing! I was just thinking to myself." Lynx replied, forcing a smile in the face of her sister's clear suspicions. "I was just thinking about what could cause all the heaters to get worse all at once."
"Well, I've already found that out," Serval replied, attempting to maintain a triumphant voice, but her bravado broke down within moments, crumbling into a sombre grimace.
"Serval? Is something wrong? Isn't it good that you found the answer?"
"It's that the answer is another problem and a rather significant one that potentially spells a lot of disaster for Belobog at this rate…"
"You're beginning to worry me Serval… is it not fixable?" Lynx asked as Serval gently shook her head before turning around and returning to her workspace.
Heading straight to the back counter, she picked up an orange crystal ore before quickly returning, holding out the piece to Lynx, who could only blankly stare back at it in confusion. "Go ahead, touch it," Serval said, as Lynx slowly nodded in response.
"It's just Geomarrow, isn't it?" Lynx said, reaching out. The moment she touched it, she immediately recoiled her hand in shock. "Cold!" she exclaimed before slowly reaching back and running her hand over its smooth, ice-cold surface for a few moments.
"Did you put that in a freezer or something Serval? What's the point of that?" Lynx asked in confusion, but Serval firmly shook her head as she put the Geomarrow down on the nearest open spot.
"No, all the Geomarrow is like that now. Geomarrow has always felt cold to the touch, but with the Eternal Freeze getting worse, so too has all the Geomarrow I've touched become like that… I've always known from the reports I've made that Geomarrow wasn't the best fuel, but I have no idea how it's come to this…"
"Wait, what was that?" Nova hastily asked in confusion, his bewilderment allowing his voice to escape.
"Hm? Did you just say something?" Serval quickly asked, turning to a flustered Lynx.
"Uh, I was just surprised, that's all! I mean… what you said sounds impossible - every piece of just… changing overnight." Lynx replied, her voice dropping like her worried gaze as it fell upon the orange ore. "Serval… what does this mean for Belobog exactly? Is this part of why the Eternal Freeze is encroaching on Belobog?"
"Yes… While no doubt some of it is simply due to the Eternal Freeze worsening, nearly all of our defences rely on Geomarrow to function and combat it. Not to mention how spare, stored Geomarrow is also robbing us of our precious heat…" Serval said, dropping the Geomarrow on the counter as she sat back down at her workspace, immediately falling into her hands that she firmly grasped herself with.
Seeing the state of her sister, Lynx was unable to hold back a worried frown as her hands balled into fists before turning her attention towards an all-important pocket.
"Hey, Nova?" She whispered under her breath, turning back to the piles of machines to help hide her words from Serval. "Is this all because of the Stellaron?"
"Most likely, although I have nothing to confirm it…" Nova whispered back, his words slow and thoughtful. "I don't know all the details of this ver-, I mean, Stellaron. They all do things differently, but I'm willing to make a bet that the Geomarrow might just be made by the Stellaron to help enact the Eternal Freeze."
"What were you about to say before that? You cut yourself off." Lynx pointed out.
"Just a mistake, don't worry about it." Nova quickly dismissed the thought. "Anyways, the condition of Belobog is worse than I thought unless we can work out temporary fixes… why is time such a scarce commodity here?"
"Hey, Serval, is there anything we can do about this? Maybe we can find another fuel source somewhere?" Lynx asked with a determined look as she turned to face her sister, only for it to be swiftly replied with confusion. She noticed her sister already looking back with a stern look. "Serval, is something wrong?"
"Lynxy… you are talking to yourself, right?" Serval asked, lifting a brow as she stood back up to her full height.
"Uh, yes… did you hear much?" Lynx hesitantly asked as she felt herself tensing up, hoping that colour wasn't in the middle of draining from her face.
"Not much. You were mumbling a bit there," Serval admitted. But I don't remember you talking to yourself quite that much, Lynxy."
"Haha… well, since I've been alone so much since starting work in the Snow Plains expeditions, I guess it's something that I've started to do more often. It helps keep your thoughts orderly and reduces the likelihood of missing out on something!" The younger sibling lied through her teeth, forcing an awkward smile.
'You guys really do pay too much attention to me!' Lynx shouted in her mind in frustration. 'And why is it now that you need to start looking into even the smallest changes?! Unless she's…'
"That might be the case Lynxy, but… not if the other voice sounds different…" Serval spoke in a heavy voice, face full of concern and dread. "At first, I thought I just heard something, but now I'm certain of it. I didn't want to think that we were hiding it and hoped you would just say something but… Lynxy, please, what is it?"
'Already exposed?' Nova thought to himself in frustration. Had he currently had a physical form he would have winced under the weight of his screw-up. 'Well… It's not too much of a blunder; it's just Serval. She should be easy enough to win over…'
"Already busted… I really should have just kept quiet, huh?" Nova spoke out, no longer trying to hide his voice. The moment he spoke, Lynx jolted in shock at his unexpected action whilst Serval recoiled, caught off-guard despite her initial push.
"H-hey! I thought-" Lynx began to say, frantically looking down where her pocket was in open, frantic shock.
"Who or what was that?!" Serval cut her off, scorn filling her features as she snatched up a nearby guitar, preparing to strum it as it sprung to life, sparking with electricity. "Reveal yourself! And you better not try anything with my sister! I'll make sure you regret it!"
"Wait! No! Serval! It's not like that! Please listen to us first!" Lynx pleaded, rapidly putting her hands in a vain attempt to coax her sister.
"Lynxy, you can't trust whatever it is!" Serval shouted back, not showing any signs of calming down. "You don't know anything about it! It's too dangerous and needs to be handed over to the Silvermane Guards - wherever it is!"
"But I do know things about him! You're the one that doesn't know anything!" Lynx shouted back with emphasis, now with a glare of her own at her sister's accusations. "They just have bad timing! I know where they came from; I saw them arrive. They saved me multiple times! They're just catching blame for something that's troubling them as well - they even told me about the cause of the Eternal Freeze!"
"Lynxy, please listen to yourself! How could demons who came from potentially nowhere conveniently know everything about the Eternal Freeze, and what does it say about the fact that they haven't done anything about it before? In all the 700 years we've been suffering because of it!" Serval cried out, desperation clear in her voice.
"Because they weren't on the planet until recently! I saw them arrive! They came from the sky as a brilliant light!" Lynx continued to shout back! "You just keep on being overprotective, you never listen to me! Does the whole family just think I can't do anything?!"
"Lynxy, that's not what this is about-"
"Then why won't you listen?! We can explain everything! Please!" Lynx pleaded, her frantic words being the last before the room suddenly plunged into silence, only the faint sound of Lynx's pants for breath after pouring her heart out was to be heard. "Please… just let us explain. The whole story, and judge afterwards?"
As Lynx, now with a flushed red face, continued her silent pleas to her sister, Serval could only stare back, hesitant, conflicted and torn. Yet she still didn't lower her guard, still remaining poised to strum her guitar despite her uncertainty about the location of her would-be target.
"So… if I can say something." Nova chimed in, accepting the prolonged silence as his chance. "As Lynx said, I'll explain as much as I can - I can even offer some proof if you want! Well… depending on what you ask for… I'll try to supply something that can be taken as proof. I'll initially state that I'm not here to harm anyone. I don't want to bring harm to you guys…"
"Then… where are you?" Serval asked, recomposing herself.
"Only if you lower your hold on your guitar. I don't want you attacking him immediately!" Lynx replied with a determined glare.
For a few moments, there was silence again as the sisters continued their staredown before finally, one relented. Slowly, Serval allowed her arms to slack. Lowering them so that she was no longer ready to strum her weapon, she didn't fully relinquish her hold on it either before nodding at Lynx.
Accepting the change, Lynx slowly began to reach into her inner pockets, shifting through them for a couple of moments before finally grasping her intended goal. With slow, cautious and deliberate movement, she pulled out Nova's Core as if not to startle her sister, who simply watched wide-eyed - blatantly not having expected him to come from her pocket.
"Is that… supposed to be it?" Serval asked, dumbfounded at the sight of the presented crystal, closely inspecting the shimmering gem and the star-like lights within it.
"Him, but yes. I am the crystal that Lynx presents before you. You can call me Nova." Nova corrected, pulsing faintly as he spoke, restoring the conflicted glare on Serval's expression. As her hands slightly tightened on her guitar, so too did Lynx begin to grasp and hold Nova closer to her again protectively.
"Serval…" Lynx quietly yet challengingly spoke.
"R-right… but I don't see how that could have saved you." She calmly replied, her eyes not leaving Lynx's hands where she knew the gem to be.
"For the record - I'm the only one of my friends like this. As to say, the rest of my friends are perfectly human." Nova spoke up, despite his voice being muffled by Lynx's hands. "As for how I could save her…" he trailed off.
Then, with a small blip of light escaping Lynx's hands, another larger, brighter flash occurred beside her, revealing a confident-looking Nova as azure flames covered him. It was a sudden enough action that had Serval once more preparing to strum her guitar until she realised what she was looking at, stunning her back into silence once more.
"And this is what I look like when I decide to construct a physical form to interact with the world." Nova calmly stated, steadily holding his arms out in the hope of calming her. "There is… little point in attacking this body. It's just an energy construct using my reserves. But by doing this, I could help save your sister. It's how I do pretty much everything…"
"So, do you really think that came from our planet at all, Serval?" Lynx questioned, stepping forward as Serval continued to hesitate.
"It's true that I didn't think it was possible… but what about being from the Underworld? It's not like I take those tales at face value, but I'm not discounting them." Serval countered.
"The Underworld was sealed off 100 years ago, right?" Nova asked, earning a nod from Serval. "Before that point, Underworlders could just walk among the Overworld, right? Surely you would have documentation that would prove that I'm nothing like what can be found on this planet?"
"To be honest, nearly all documentation of the Underworld was scrapped, or at least it isn't public knowledge anymore," Serval said with a sigh, lowering her gaze slightly. "I know how strange that was, but when they were sealed off, the Supreme Guardian at the time made sure to cut all ties completely."
"That's… strange. You would think they would at least maintain some important information of what's down there for later generations to understand…" Nova commented as Serval couldn't help but find herself nodding in agreement.
"But even if that's the case, surely 100 years isn't enough to completely lose the truth. Surely they can't be like Nova otherwise; it would be mentioned in the stories, no?" Lynx replied before lowering her head in speculation herself. "As far as I remember, the Underworlders are people who abandoned the Preservation, tried to destroy Belobog and betrayed us all as the Underworld had them steadily turn into monsters like the Fragmentum… But Nova's clearly doesn't fit that description either!"
"That's true… then where did you come from? And why did you arrive here?" Serval asked, looking back at Nova, who refused to break eye contact with him.
"Lynx can attest that we came from beyond the sky. As Belobog follows the Path of Preservation and the Aeon Qilpoth, my friends and I follow the Path of Trailblaze and the Aeon Akavili." Nova explained as Lynx nodded alongside him.
"It's true Serval, even before we met properly for the first time whilst I was out in the Snow Plains hoping for an aurora, I saw them descending instead." She added.
"You see, as Trailblazers, we naturally travel from world to world, gradually exploring the whole universe. Each star you see in your night sky - we travel between them all. It's just that as we came to Belobog following the trail our Aeon, Akavili, left behind, we ended up being trapped here by the disaster that befell your planet."
"Before you continue, do you have anything else to prove that? I want to believe my sister, but just in case you've managed to influence her somehow… Surely you would have belongings from beyond the sky with you?" Serval challenged as Nova contently nodded in response.
"Say, Lynx, do you have my Dimensional Pocket? I think that should serve to act as proof." He asked, turning to the short blond, who instantly began digging through her pockets again to pull out the thin, card-shaped device and handing it over.
"A Dimensional Pocket?" Serval repeated, lowering her guard as she curiously inspected the unusual device. Even at a glance, its otherworldly nature was apparent, yet its ability to be of any use not so much.
"It's what it sounds like. It's a device that uses dimensions themselves to create some extra storage space." Nova simply explained before tapping on the device, causing it's outlining to light up with a white light before clothing suddenly manifested onto Nova, finally donning his proper clothes as the flames covering him were absorbed back into his Core instead.
"It made clothes from nowhere!" Serval explained, completely transfixed by it much like her sister, despite already having seen it.
"It didn't make them, Sis; it stores them." Lynx reminded her, "Although, I don't really understand how it does it still… you rushed over the explanation last time."
"Honestly, even I can't tell you much about the tech that went into it… a member of what the universe calls the Genius Society made this. They're all super brainiacs that make the average person look as dumb as a brick…" Nova replied as he rotated the device in his grip before looking back up. "But I'm confident that Belobog has nothing even remotely close to it - acceptable evidence or no?"
"It's a lot to take in and believe all at once, you know, and I want to try taking it apart a little to understand it but… I guess I can call that enough for now." Serval said with a sigh before coughing into her hand. "But it doesn't properly explain your motives. We haven't heard of the Trailblaze before, and it still doesn't explain how you apparently know everything that's affecting Belobog."
"Right - to be honest, it's somewhat hard to prove other Paths right now without walking them or having another Aeon reveal itself - which won't happen," Nova admitted as he scratched the back of his head in thought.
"Fine, then explain how you know about the things affecting the planet," Serval replied.
"Cool. Then I'll say that everything affecting your planet is being caused by what's known as a Stellaron." Nova started, his mood shifting as he crossed his arms whilst a hard, serious look settled onto his face.
"A Stellaron?" Serval repeated, almost confused by the word.
"Have you heard of it before, sis?" Lynx asked curiously, shocking both her and Nova when Serval actually nodded in response.
"It was more in passing, back when I was still an Architect for the Supreme Guardian…" Serval answered almost bitterly as she cast her gaze down at the floor. "I was doing research into the Eternal Freeze, trying to figure out a way to stop it, and I came across the mentioning of something called a Stellaron, but after hearing it, Cocolia demanded that I look into something else and promptly destroyed the report…"
"That's…" Lynx hesitantly said before turning to Nova, her troubled look clearly communicating her loss of what to say.
"Well… sorry about that, but as you least you know I'm not pulling it out of nowhere and that it does have some relation…" Nova quietly said, his voice no less awkward and forced than Lynx's as the two exchanged another look, hoping that it was enough.
"Right, sorry about that… please continue," Serval said as she looked back at them.
"Well, there are many Stellarons across the universe, and they're even nicknamed "The Cancer of All Worlds" if that doesn't hint at something about them…" Nova continued, his voice steadily regaining its confidence. "They never act in quite the same way, but they all lead whatever unfortunate world they activate on to the same sorry outcome. They ruin and destroy the planet."
"And you believe that we have a Stellaron simply because of the Eternal Freeze and that it isn't another factor?" Serval guessed as Nova firmly shook his head in denial.
"We have more reasons, reasons that are actually shared across all Stellarons." Nova immediately replied. "The Fragmentum is a major sign. All Stellarons produce them - you've even named them the same way as the rest of the universe. That being because Belobog used to be in communications with the rest of the universe before the Freeze and is now presumed dead…"
"Are Stellarons that bad? Everyone just thought we died and left us?" Lynx asked in horror, her brows creasing in dead.
"Well, reportedly, you had another debateably bigger issue at the time. Belobog was under attack from the Antimatter Legion. Led by the Aeon of Destruction Nanook to, well… kill and destroy everything. Most planets under their siege are doomed, but instead, you fell to the effects of a Stellaron and remarkably survived this long. I imagine that it could have been used as a last resort by your leader at the time to save yourselves, but the consequences have been going on to this day." Nova calmly explained.
"Stellarons even warp and distort the fabric of space itself, messing up travel to and from the planet. Only the Astral Express from the Trailblaze had a chance of reaching your planet after all the time that's elapsed - and that's another factor making it obvious you're suffering from a Stellaron." He continued as both sisters lowered their heads in thought and contemplation.
"Any more questions?" Nova eventually asked, breaking the silence in the room.
"So, your motive for helping us is simply to regain your freedom, to be able to leave the planet and continue your sightseeing around the universe?" Serval eventually asked.
"It's not just that. The Nameless of the Astral Express wouldn't just leave a world to suffer like this. But I won't deny, it's still a crucial aspect of why we help…"
"And what would be the plan to end the Eternal Freeze?"
"It's just a matter of locating it, and then me and my friends can seal it. After that, you'll get all the proof you want about what I'm telling you - although I suppose that's rather after the fact…" Nova answered, unable to help mumbling the last parts to himself.
"One last question then," Serval said, making Nova and Lynx perk up as she leaned forward, staring daggers into Nova with a piercing glare. "If you know about what the Eternal Freeze is, why has it suddenly gotten worse?"
"I… genuinely don't know…" Nova hesitantly answered, all the life immediately getting sucked out of him as he lowered his head in shame. "If every aspect of the Freeze has gotten worse, then it's clear that somehow the Stellaron has gained strength, but I could only speculate how… They are assumed to come from Nanook, who I mentioned before… perhaps with THEIR gaze, this Stellaron gained strength? Perhaps it's been tampered with somehow? Its energy reserves have increased somehow…"
Serval could only huff at the response, the insufficiency of it clearly showing as she crossed her arms in displeasure, frowning at the disappointing answer.
"But… it doesn't matter why it's gotten stronger! The process of sealing it should still be all the same! All we need to do is find it, and it'll all be over! Well… the natural healing processes of the planet will take some time, but it's not like you'll be putting up with this anymore!" Nova frantically pleaded to the mechanic, who didn't show any response to his words.
"Serval… please believe us… I would be dead already if it wasn't for them, Nova in particular!" Lynx pleaded once more to her silent sister as she continued to stew over the fact by herself.
"I still have some questions but… fine. I'll trust you for now." Serval finally conceded with a massive sigh, much to Lynx's excitement.
"Thank you, Serval!" Lynx immediately said with a beaming smile.
"Don't think that I'm fully trusting, however! Belobog just desperately needs something to give it hope right now. And you're the only potential answer that my sister is already vouching for…" She explained.
"Honestly, the fact that you're willing to give me a chance is more than enough! Thank you very much!" Nova replied, unable to keep his excitement out of his voice as relief surged through his very being, relieving tension he didn't even realise he had accrued.
"So, what have the two of you been planning already then? Why did you come to me?" Serval asked, finally setting her guitar on the floor before resting on the counter, finally allowing both Lynx and Nova to cheerily approach her.
"Well, like I said, it's just a matter of locating the Stellaron, which shouldn't be too hard of a process. I just need to get my friends back to help me with the process, and likely need to lay low a little after breaking them out…" Nova explained.
"But couldn't we just explain things to the Supreme Guardian?" Lynx suggested, but Serval instantly shook her head in denial.
"No, after what Cocolia's become over the years, you don't stand a chance of convincing her. We'll all be in a ton of trouble if she learns about us knowing Nova - and the same goes for Gepard." Serval cut in with a hard expression that she fought back against to prevent it from developing into a glare. "Unfortunately, Geppie's a bit too loyal to Cocolia - it'll be too risky to even get him involved despite how much he cares for us."
"So a breakout is still necessary then." Nova summarised, receiving a curt nod from Serval.
"That's bad… didn't Gepard say that the Supreme Guardian might have then executed soon?" Lynx pointed out, earning yet another frustrated sigh out of Serval.
"And that's something he's right about. Cocolia wouldn't hesitate once she's got what she wanted out of them as prisoners - and that's likely information about you." Serval spoke up, turning her attention directly to Nova as he nodded slowly in response.
'It's not like the story hints as to what would have happened if the Express Crew allowed themselves to get captured, but… she wouldn't have been this cutthroat about it, would she?' Nova thought to himself, looking directly down at the counter to mask his grim expression.
Not that it mattered much; the Crew shouldn't be in jail much longer regardless, and it wasn't a risk that he could take if his existence was the sole reason they weren't already gone.
"Then we have to hurry… but is it possible to break into the Fortress of Preservation that easily?" Lynx questioned.
"Normally I wouldn't say so, but there are two factors on our side," Serval replied, getting the two to look up at her. "One, we're only expecting relatively human things here - I doubt they'll be accounting for whatever tricks Nova has. Secondly, I've come to learn that some of the Fortress's Guards are being reallocated to the front lines recently - no doubt it's another bad development for Belobog…"
"And would you agree that the Underworld would be a good place to initially lose the Silvermane Guards?" Nova asked.
"Yes, I highly doubt you would be followed there - not that I could call the Underworld safe either," Serval replied.
"Doesn't matter about it being safe - if the Stellaron happens to be down there, then we'll need to go there regardless." Nova countered, getting Serval to nod in agreement.
"Ok, but I should ask - how long will this take?" Serval asked, her voice concerned as her eyes narrowed. "Finding and sealing the Stellaron, I mean."
"Mm… shouldn't take longer than a week?" Nova quickly replied after a moment of thought, "Is that a problem? Or quicker than you thought?"
"A problem," Serval said with a bitter scowl. "Don't tell me you're oblivious to the current state of Belobog? If the Freeze continues to worsen as it did within the last 24 hours, Belobog will be done for by tomorrow…"
"But if it says the same?" Lynx hopefully asked.
"I don't have the numbers, but things still aren't looking good even within the city... If you overheard the Geomarrow talk, then you should know that our defences have worsened because of the change in them… lasting for even a week would be rough for us."
"About that..." Nova started, quickly earning two dreading looks from both girls. "First of all, it's rather unlikely that the Eternal Freeze will continue to worsen even further so we should have a week if Seral's estimate is right. Not that I plan on being leisurely and not trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible..."
"Ah~..." Lynx immediately sighed in relief, putting a hand to her chest whilst Serval merely gave a firm nod of acknowledgement, her expression not softening in the slightest despite the good news.
"Secondly, after hearing about the Geomarrow, I think it's highly likely that it's produced by the Stellaron. There's a chance that they are the cause of the Eternal Freeze..."
"You mean, the initial heat-absorbant properties of it?" Serval questioned, perking up at the news.
"Yeah, consider how it dropped in quality at the same time the Freeze got worse? If they came from the Stellaron and caused the Freeze, then things would line there, no?" Nova suggested, "Honestly, if so, it could help locate the Stellaron."
"Mm… would you expect larger clusters of Geomarrow to be near the Stellaron then?" Lynx guessed, causing Nova to confidently nod in response.
"More Geomarrow, perhaps its properties become more extreme, the Fragmentum gets stronger and more plentiful with monsters… anything like that would happen that source of the cause," Nova explained as the girls nodded in agreement with that theory.
"Then it should be easy enough for us to help out. It'll be easy to ask Gepard and some of the other Silvermane Guards that we personally know to find out information like that!" Lynx cheerily replied until she felt her sister's hand resting on her shoulder.
"There's no need to risk getting even more involved now Lynxy. I can easily handle getting that information with less risk." Serval said, instantly killing Lynx's mood as she pulled away from her.
"Why do you have to say that?! I'll be fine asking around for information like that, and you're just at risk Serval!" Lynx sharply replied.
"But I've already earned the scorn of people around here. I have less to lose, and no one wants to see you go through anything like that… please just leave that to me Lynxy…" Serval tried, softening her voice for her kid sister, yet it only went to further irritate her.
"Serval, I'll be fine! Just asking about the state of the frontlines is hardly something risky to do - especially if it's Gepard or just acting worried about what's going on!" Lynx snapped back.
"But Lynxy- " Serval started to talk before the doorbell chimed once more, instantly capturing the attention of the room.
"Serval? Lynx?" A familiar voice called out with the sound of hard boots against the floor - Gepard.
Before either sister could act or say a word, Nova was already on the move. With a brief shimmer of light, he had completely vanished as another shimmer occurred behind the large cylindrical wall that held most of Serval's tools.
Instantly understanding the situation and accepting it, both sisters simply turned their attention towards the door with smiles to greet their bother.
"Ah, so you are both here. I'm glad to see you made it, Lynx." Gepard said with a warm yet strained smile, possessing a slight quiver as it beamed down on Lynx but it only served to make her smile quickly turn into a frown.
"Of course, I made it Gepard… I know what it's like outdoors in Belobo,g but it's still not as bad as dealing with the Snow Planes before it worsened…" Lynx replied as her brother simply nodded in affirmation.
"I'm still glad to be able to confirm it, however," Gepard said, his smile only now slowly fading into a harder, concerned look. "But is everything alright? I thought I managed to hear you two fighting from outside?"
"It's nothing, just Serval being overprotective again…" Lynx sighed, refusing to meet her sister's eyes.
"I'm just looking out for you Lynxy." Serval replied with a frown.
"Yes, please understand that it's all coming from a place of care for you Lynx," Gepard added on, firmly nodding to his sister's words much to Lynx's exasperation - forcing her to hold back a heavy sigh. But as she did so, she couldn't help but notice the troubled look that Gepard continued to give her.
"Is something wrong, Gepard?" Lynx eventually asked, lifting a brow at her brother's unusual behaviour.
"No… it's nothing…" Gepard replied, but no confidence or energy backed his voice.
"Gepard, spill it. You're not hiding anything from us like that - you're only further worrying us." Serval cut in, her expression hardening with her demands.
"Right… I'm sorry." Gepard said, collecting himself once more before facing Lynx head-on, much to her shock and surprise. "The Supreme Guardian has called you in for questioning as soon as you can arrive. The matter pertains to the missing demon that has evaded our search despite capturing its friends - the same demon that apparently brought you to us."
The news was enough to instantly make both sisters recoil from shock, both their eyes going wide at the unexpected news whilst Serval instantly stood upright.
"Wait, she's being brought before Cocolia?!" Serval instantly exclaimed as Gepard flinched in shame. "Tell me she doesn't want to accuse Lynxy of anything! Or that you'll be there with her! Gepard!"
"The Supreme Guardian simply wishes to gain more intel on the missing demon - she is already interrogating the captured ones already. As to what in particular she wishes to ask, I do not know…" Gepard said, lowering his head slightly before picking it back up with a determined look. "I also won't be able to attend either as I'm needed in the frontlines to hold back the Fragmentum's recent advances. However, I trust that the Supreme Guardian merely wishes to gain whatever precious information we have on these unknown monsters to combat them - she wouldn't pointlessly go after one of her own."
"Really? Can you really say that to me, Gepard?" Serval scowled, crossing her arms. "So can I take this as the answer to that question I've kept asking you that Father answered so readily?"
"Serval… no, it isn't like that! I'm sure that the Supreme Guardian must have had her reasons but…"
"But that's enough, Gepard." Serval cut him off, turning away from him as he could only wallow in shame as Lynx could only wordlessly flicker her attention between her two siblings.
"Very well, sister… I'll be making my way to the frontline then…" Gepard quietly uttered as he turned around, reaching for the door handle before he was stopped once more.
"One more thing." Serval's voice cut through the air, swiftly capturing his attention to see his sister still refusing to look at him. "What's happening with the Fragment at the frontline? I know things have been getting worse, but how much worse is everything?"
"..."
For a few moments, silence descended over the room. The moment the question was uttered, Gepard had stiffened the next moment, a sharp intake of breath clear to hear without the competition of other noise. His expression scrunched up as he gritted his teeth much like his fists whilst his gaze dropped to his boots in contemplation.
He had sworn to himself, yet the pressure from both his sisters and the pain in his heart still won out…
"Very well… but this news cannot spread to anyone." He eventually spoke up, his voice low and faint - carried by his breath. "The Fragmentum monsters… they've seemingly gotten more intelligent as well as stronger. They're attacking in coordinated waves of attacks - but the Silvermane Guards shall be sure to thwart their every assault. Please rest assured."
"Another lie…" Serval muttered to herself, but her words never reached her brother.
"If that is all, then stay safe and well, Lynx, Serval. I'll be off now." Gepard said in a monotone voice, forcing down his emotions. Finally pulling open the door and set off the bell once more before walking out into the tumultuous snowstorm.
The first noise to follow that of the closing door was an aggravated pound by Serval as she hit the counter, fully venting her frustration into it as she cursed under her breath whilst Lynx could only flinch, looking at her sister in troubled silence.
"So… if we didn't have enough bad news, Belobog is also under siege…" Nova said, daring to break the silence as he emerged from behind the tool wall.
"Nova, is the Fragmentum-"
"Yes, all Fragmentums and their monsters are direct results of Stellarons - and what's stopping us from travelling anywhere else in the universe?" Nova immediately answered Lynx's question before she had the chance to vanish.
"Then we need it gone more than ever. Honestly, I don't trust you fully, but if nothing's done, Belobog will be finished at this rate - you've basically won already if you're against us." Serval commented, her breaths quick and sharp despite the defeat in her voice as she swivelled around once more giving Nova a serious yet silent glare. "We're doomed unless its really as easy as your confidence makes it seem…"
"Comradery born from necessity, glorious. But it works for what we both need." Nova commented, strolling back over to the girls with unfitting nonchalance. "Talking of working… I think thanks to that news we have a faster way of-"
"Don't you dare suggest it!" Serval shouted back at him, fully displaying an elder sister's scorn, instantly causing him to shrink back in terror. "I understand the importance to you, but don't use my sister like that! She's already in a bad enough position as it is; if she gets caught with you, she'll be done for!"
"Serval! That's not for you to decide!" Lynx shout back furiously.
"Lynx, this is far bigger than anything we've mentioned currently! If you're found with him, then you will immediately be branded a traitor - we won't be able to save you at all! I'm not risking your entire life on this - we will use another way." Serval spun around, frantically crying out to her sister, but Lynx didn't so much as flinch in the face of her fury.
'I'm assuming we're on the same page…' Nova thought to himself, yet the words remained stuck in his throat, an impossible weight attached in the face of the furiously fighting siblings that filled with him the desperate feeling of slinking away - forcing him to fight off the feeling of a quiver as a response.
"Serval, I can help him and, by extension, all of Belobog! The world is in danger! The least I can do is help him infiltrate the Fortress - we need to do whatever we can to speed up saving the planet after all!" Lynx continued to plead before huffily rushing over to Nova and holding out her hand to his shock. "Come on, Nova. If I keep you in my pocket, they'll never know, right? It'll be easy for you to get to your friends then!"
"Don't do it!" Serval shouted, hastily moving to stand between the two. "I'm not going to risk putting my little sister through that!"
"For the last time, Serval! I'm the one to decide this! And you're panicking way too much! I know what the consequences could be - but I also know that the odds of getting caught are super low!" Lynx pointed out, glaring up at her sister whilst stressing her every word. "We witnessed it moments ago! Nova can teleport! If he teleports out of my pocket, how will anyone ever know I brought him in - they'll think it's impossible! Not to mention Mom or someone in the house already discovered Nova but simply discounted him being a gem and left him at my bedside!"
The moment the words left Lynx's mouth, Serval couldn't help but glare at Nova, much to his evident, fearful confusion at her impossibly increased scorn. Yet as he shrunk back, Lynx pushed back to stand between him and Nova to his defence.
"You're not swaying my mind on this Serval, If I'm going in for a questioning regardless, then I'm helping Nova in as well!" Lynx declared once more as Serval couldn't help but step back before looking at Nova again before releasing a frustrated sigh, finally reluctantly accepting the circumstances.
"Nova," Serval said, her voice almost frighteningly calm.
"Yes?" Nova replied, managing to keep his voice natural as he kept eye contact.
"If anything happens, then make sure you protect and take care of her yourself. I won't ever forgive you otherwise. You'll immediately lose all my trust if you let something happen."
"Serval!" Lynx shouted, full of scorn once more.
"Serval." Nova interrupted, his voice far calmer that it managed to make Lynx turn around in confusion only to find an incredibly grave, unyielding resolved expression as Nova stood devoid of hesitation or fear. "I assure you, I make a vow to you. I will not let her come to harm."
"It was never my intention for any harm or wrong to come to Lynx, to come to you, or any of Belobog - I'm only accepting of this in confidence it will work out. I will not let things go wrong any more than they already have. And if they do, I will do everything in my power to protect her and aid her, I will fix everything that has or will happen back to how it should be. Even if it means playing the role of villain and holding back the Silvermane Guards whilst confronting the Fragmentum and Stellaron on my own… then so be it. I will do it. I will make sure that nothing more goes any further wrong, and fix everything that has been happening. Whilst my core is still whole and functional, even if it means turning this world upside down - I will not relent!"
His words left the sisters in stunned silence, words completely escaping them as their previous tempers were completely washed away by the resolute declaration.
'He makes it all sound so… personal. Even if it's nothing to do with him…' Lynx couldn't help but think as she continued to admire him. Despite the sense of awe that had begun to swell in her, it didn't do anything to cover the strange wrongness of his particular response. 'But what did he mean by 'how it should be'?' she wondered, the sole statement lingering and repeating in her mind.
"Very well then…" Serval said, barely managing to find the words. "I'll be holding you to that…"
"Good." Nova's reply came instantly and firmly, renewing Serval's shock. "Lynx, are you ready to go? There's a small stop-off we should make…"
"R-right…" Lynx shuddered before closing her eyes tight shut and lightly slapping her cheeks with both hands. "Alright, let's go!" She said, holding her hand out to him once more, allowing him to vanish in a flash of light, leaving his core and Dimensional Pocket sitting in the palm of her hand.
Wordlessly, she immediately walked past her sister, heading straight for the door, only to stop at it with a huff with a single word.
"Lynxy." Serval spoke up, her voice somehow now deafening in the silent room.
"Yes?" Lynx said, trying to keep her returning frustration out of her voice.
"Please, be careful and stay safe…" Serval quietly spoke, despite Lynx refusing to face her.
"Yes." Lynx emotionlessly repeated, now pulling open the door and leaving without hesitation, leaving Serval alone with her broken machines once more…
Relentlessly, Lynx continued to trudge her way through the thick snow, wordlessly huffing her way through the weather without care for the otherwise desolate condition of the streets, unable to spot another soul anywhere - something that she couldn't help but greatly appreciate with her stewing emotions.
Except that she had nearly forgotten that she wasn't alone.
"Are you alright, Lynx?" Nova worriedly asked from within her pocket, his voice barely managing to beat out the weather to reach her ears.
"Ah, I'm fine. There's no need to worry about me, the weather isn't that bad yet." Lynx quickly replied, putting on a weak smile as if she were talking with someone who could currently see it.
"Well, that's good to hear… but it's not what I was talking about." Nova nonchalantly replied before his voice softened. "I'm talking about what happened with your sister and your bother somewhat as well… is everything ok with them?"
"I'm sorry that you had to see all that…" Lynx apologised, hanging her head slowly yet heaving a heavy sigh.
"Please don't worry about it, I'm just concerned about you. Seeing you all fighting like that… bothered me. I should be sorry about sticking my nose in right now." He quickly replied.
"I think most people wouldn't talk about it if they knew they were sticking their nose into places, though?" Lynx pointed out with an awkward chuckle at Nova's admission.
"Perhaps, luckily, I don't actually have a real nose, so I can't get burned. Actually, putting me in a fire would be fairly rejuvenating…"
"I don't think you should sound so proud about that either…"
"Maybe… but the concern still lingers. Are you alright? It's not like you're estranged or anything like that?" Nova asked again, carefully uttering his every word, and he picked up his hearing for whatever clues Lynx's voice could offer.
"No… I do love my siblings, and they're both good people. In fact, my sister has suffered a bit in the past, and I think you got a hint about that when we were talking. Compared to that, I shouldn't have any troubles but…"
"But?" Nova pressed the moment that Lynx's troubled voice began to die out, remaining unaware of the conflicted expression that had found its way to her face.
"You already experienced it. Everyone in my family treats me like I'm a precious doll; they constantly look out for me and are overprotective about me as if I can't take care of myself. They don't accept that I've grown up, and it infuriates me… I've become an adult now, and it's been some time since I began working - why can't they see that?" She spoke, gradually looking up to the sky as her words gradually lost any intended audience, instead sounding as if she were questioning the world itself.
"Well… It's likely because of just how much they love you. They find it hard to let go, or at least loosen their hold slightly, which I guess I can see is a problem with how much it's suffocating you…" Nova thoughtfully replied as Lynx looked down at his hiding location with interest.
"Nova, do you have any siblings? Or what about your family in general? Since you are out travelling the universe, how do they feel about that?" Lynx asked, only to tilt her in worry and confusion and the prologued silence from the alien.
"My family…" Nova eventually said after a large pause. "They used to have high expectations for me. Some loved me… some just saw me as a tool, I think… but they all want me dead now."
"Huh?!" Lynx exclaimed, immediately stopping in her tracks as her eyes widened in horror. "I- Um… S-sorry? I didn't think…"
"It's fine, this happened years ago," Nova interjected, yet his voice was notably heavier. "I… aimed for a silly dream, but it was a mistake. I made everything worse, and now… it's just what I deserve…"
"I doomed whatever little happiness there was there… and then fled like a coward, even then I put so much in jeopardy and risk with my own selfish desires to travel instead of trying to repair the situation."
"Sorry - it's not a warm topic if you can't tell, and it'll only get worse. But… a point is that from my perspective, your situation is actually a little enviable, a family that loves you so much no matter what." Nova said, finishing his piece and cutting Lynx off from saying anything more as she could only hang her head with shame, biting her lip as his words once more lingered in her mind.
"I know that we haven't known one another long but… I don't think you would intentionally bring harm… I think… you tried your best, and you shouldn't blame yourself for that…" Lynx carefully spoke, looking at her pocket all the while as if there would be any clue of Nova's feelings from it, yet he kept his silence. "But… I never thought of people viewing my relationship like that…"
"Please don't let it pressure you into accepting it. You should be comfortable with one another's love. They can overdo it." Nova replied, devoid of emotion as if he spoke nothing but fact. "You should likely just have one big talk. Just… never stop valuing that; don't stop loving them."
As Nova's voice slowly trailed off into silence, Lynx could only stand still in the snow, looking down in solemn contemplation. Only after a few moments could she give a low hum of acknowledgement before slowly trudging forward once more towards the Fortress they aimed to infiltrate…
"So… this is one of the demons we have running about." Cocolia loudly spoke, her voice cold yet taunting as she looked down at her prey who remained still, even as two Guards had forced him to his knees, their glaves poised at his neck. "I would have expected more, not that I plan to underestimate you. Perhaps this is just a guise of yours?"
Dan Heng didn't respond, however, merely silently staring back with his usual unflinching stoicism despite his tightening bonds. "We're not here to harm Belobog. We have reasons that the Eternal Freeze poses just as much a problem for us as it does you."
"I'll be the judge of that. I will get answers from you," Cocolia warned, her voice stern yet not displeased. "We can start with where you came from. How did you escape the Underworld, Demon?"
"We didn't, we aren't from there." Dan Heng curtly answered, neither his voice nor body language giving any hints to the Supreme Guardian.
"Oh? Where else could you have come from then?" Cocolia replied, her interest peaked. 'I only asked that because of the Guards, but I didn't think he would refuse a given out from truth…'
"Beyond the sky. We have proof."
Upon hearing his answer, the Guards could only stifle a snort at the farce they were hearing, but the sight of the serious, contemplative Cocolia had them quickly regaining their silent composure as they awaited whatever her response would be.
"Mmm… a large tale, and yet it might surprise you that I know of such things. From Belobog's old documentation from before the Eternal Freeze, they spoke of visitors from beyond the sky like that..."
"Then surely-" Dan Heng tried to talk, only for Cocolia to mercilessly cut him off.
"But I also know from such documentation that it's also a nonsensical claim. There are many questions that I could ask pertaining to that and how an Underworld demon might have learned of such old knowledge, but I currently don't have the time for an off-course investigation."
"But I should mention that as I know enough to see through the blatant lies, I also know that it was you and your accomplices who worsened the Eternal Freeze - potentially driving the people of Belobog to their doom. Did you have any other motives aside from the utter destruction of our people? How did you do it?"
"As I said before, we aren't responsible for the state of the Eternal Freeze. Instead, we wish-"
"That's enough." Cocolia's voice boomed. "I assume that you have no plans to tell the truth then? Not even if it's your life on the line?"
Dan Heng didn't respond to this, even as the Guards pressed their weapons to his neck to be on the verge of drawing blood - and yet he didn't flinch. 'People like her… she doesn't have any intention at all of sparing us. And her refusal to accept any of my words to mention of proof makes me wonder what her real intentions are…' Dan Heng thought to himself bitterly as he emotionlessly looked back at the cruel woman.
There was nothing that he could do, however. Nothing but hold his silence, hoping that maintaining potential value to the woman would be enough to buy him more time.
"Final question," Cocolia spoke after a brief pause, her voice cool, calm and measured as she fully focused on Dan Heng's features. "Are there any more of you, and where are they?"
'She already knows about Nova, though… a test on our communication, perhaps?' Dan Heng thought.
"No. It's just us," He spoke.
"Truly? Even if I told you that I have already received reports of there being more of you out there? You weren't even the first to come in contact with us - but I doubt I need to tell you that." Cocolia said, the sound of her heels echoing through the room as she stepped down to stand before Dan Heng, looking into his eyes.
"I meant what I said… I was unaware that there were others."
"You're expecting me to believe that after 700 years of Belobog being trapped in the Eternal Freeze alone, two separate groups came to us on the same day?" Cocolia said incredulously. "I hope that you don't blame me for finding that very hard to believe. I suggest that you get better material to lie with; each and every one has been horribly flawed…"
"I know that you have another friend out there, and I already have a lead on them, of which I'll be learning more about shortly - not to mention an investigation on your belongings. As the more slippery of you, he just might be killed on sight unless you tell me something…"
Still, Dan Heng didn't say anything under her scrutiny until she finally turned around, putting her back to him as she returned to her desk.
"That one knows how to hold his tongue, but for now, he'll be returned to his cell. Make sure to inform me of anything learned from the confiscated items." Cocolia proclaimed, not even looking back as she returned to thought, staring out of one of the two large windows installed in the back wall.
"Yes, Lady Guardian!" The Guards saluted in unison before abruptly grasping hold of their prisoner, hauling him to his feet with a tight, vice grip.
Dan Heng was once more powerless to do anything but accept his rough treatment, being shovelled around and towards the door where more guards were already waiting to escort him back.
Even as the huge, heavy doors finally closed with a resounding clunk, Cocolia found herself finally able to release a frustrated sigh, scowling before looking at the sky above. "Was that the one? Is it nearby at least?" She spoke, seemingly to herself.
"No… the bearer of my other is near… they are all very near…" a twisted amalgamation of countless whispering voices spoke clearly into her mind.
"They are… all very near?" Cocolia repeated in shock, turning around to glance towards the closed doorway. "So they have entered Belobog… or perhaps, even the Fortress? Either way, this can work rather favourably for me, especially if the timing of the Landau girl coming here at the same time isn't just a coincidence…"
"Get back in there!" A guard shouted as they and their partner threw Dan Heng back into his cell, slamming shut the door behind it and clocking it with a resounding click.
"Hey! Can you treat anyone with basic decency?!" March shouted out in outrage, rattling her cell door, yet the Guards paid her no heed. Instead, they ignored her very existence as they simply walked past and out of the room, slamming shut the heavy steel door behind them once more.
"Are you ok, Dan Heng?! They didn't do anything else horrible to you, right?" March frantically asked in a panic, only to slowly turn to Caelus in exasperation as he began to weep.
"Oh, Dan Heng! I can't believe you were put through so much, and belong long they'll be putting us in the chair and-"
"OK! That's enough! I don't even want to hear the end of that one!" March cried out in horror as Dan Heng finally finished picking himself off the ground, dusting himself off.
"I'm fine, March. They were just a little rough." Dan Heng calmly answered her concerns as he turned back around to face them, gently leaning against the bars of his cell before releasing a sigh. "But judging by her behaviour, I fear that we're already running out of time…"
"So~, how about my offer then?" Sampo chimed in with a smug, sly grin that instantly filled Caelus with the brimming urge to punch it as his fist tightened automatically.
"Waiting on our friend… would be risky…" Dan Heng admitted, instantly recapturing March's and Caelus's attention.
"Are we really going to follow him?" Caelus asked in a rare moment of seriousness as Dan Heng nodded in response.
"Unless he gets here soon, I fear that we won't have a choice…" Dan Heng replied. the three Crew members, slowly turning to their suspicious jailmate whose sly grin produced an impossibly grating feeling amongst the silent room…
Welp... sorry for the late chapter but hope you all enjoy the next installment. This one actually got changed to be broken into two and then after being Beta read, got a bit of a redo. Hopefully next one won't take so long.