AN: Sorry for the late update! Got distracted pkaying Sparking Zero.

The next few days passed in a blur for Ruby. She found herself slipping out early each morning, making her way back to the clearing where the stranger worked with his usual intense focus. She watched him piece together the device, her mind racing with ideas and sketches. Each day, she'd return home with new adjustments and plans for Crescent Rose, fueled by the strange man's advice and the way he worked with machines unlike anyone she'd ever seen.

She barely noticed how much time she was spending in her room, lost in her sketches and tinkering with her weapon. One evening, as she tightened a spring in Crescent Rose's scythe mechanism, Yang appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a frown.

"You've been obsessed with that thing lately," Yang remarked, nodding toward Crescent Rose. "You don't even want to play games anymore. I tried asking you last night, and you brushed me off."

Ruby barely looked up, too focused on the adjustment she was making. "Sorry, Yang. I just... I've had a lot of ideas lately, and I want to get them right. Besides, you've always been better at the games anyway."

Yang crossed her arms, clearly unsatisfied with the response. "You know, you've been spending more time out in the woods and with your weapon than you have with anyone else. I'm starting to think you're hiding something." Her tone was light, but there was an edge to it that Ruby couldn't ignore.

Ruby finally glanced up, meeting her sister's gaze. "I'm not hiding anything, Yang. I'm just trying to make Crescent Rose better. Isn't that what you always say? To be the best Huntress I can be?"

Yang sighed, softening slightly, but her frustration lingered. "I get that, Rubes. I just miss hanging out with you, that's all. You've been... different lately."

Ruby gave her a small smile. "I'm still me, I promise. I just have some stuff I need to figure out first."

Yang didn't look entirely convinced, but she pushed off from the doorframe, offering a reluctant smile. "Alright. But don't forget that I'm here too, okay?"

As Yang walked away, Ruby felt a pang of guilt but shook it off, turning back to her work. Her sister didn't understand—she couldn't understand. This was important, even if she couldn't explain why.

The next day, as she watched the stranger adjust a delicate component within his device, she finally gathered the nerve to ask the question that had been nagging at her since she'd met him. She set down her notebook, leaning forward slightly. "You know," she began, "I've been coming here for a while now, but I still don't know your name."

The stranger paused, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. For a moment, he seemed almost hesitant, as if weighing whether or not to answer. But then, with a cool, measured tone, he spoke. "You may call me Vader."

"Vader," Ruby repeated, rolling the name over in her mind. It was unusual, like something out of a story, and it suited him somehow. She nodded, committing it to memory. "Well, it's nice to officially meet you, Vader. I'm Ruby."

He offered no response, already returning to his work, but Ruby didn't mind. She had a name now, a piece of the puzzle. And as she watched him work, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. She might not know everything about him, but each day brought her a little closer to understanding the mystery that was Vader. And with that, her determination only grew stronger.

Ruby settled back on the rock, her notebook open and pencil moving quickly across the page. She'd been watching Vader closely over the past few days, taking notes on each new component he added, each connection he tested. As he worked, she focused on the structure he was assembling, trying to decipher how it all fit together. She'd filled pages with sketches and guesses, but the device's purpose still felt just out of reach.

Today, however, she was determined to piece it together. She'd been studying his latest adjustments, noticing the intricate framework he had added to stabilize the structure. It seemed designed to channel something—maybe energy, like he'd said. But if that was the case, it would need a fuel source to function, and she hadn't seen anything that looked like one.

She bit her lip, watching as Vader shifted another component into place, his expression growing tenser as he worked. He seemed almost frustrated, which was unusual for him. His movements were sharp, almost angry, and she could sense his irritation growing as he examined the device.

Just then, Vader's hand clenched around a piece of metal, his fingers pressing into it with enough force that Ruby thought it might snap. He muttered something under his breath, a harsh sound she didn't quite catch, but the frustration in his voice was clear. He was as annoyed by the missing component as she was.

Gathering her courage, she spoke up. "It's missing a fuel source, isn't it?"

He paused, his head turning sharply in her direction, his gaze intense. For a moment, Ruby thought he might brush her off, but he only narrowed his eyes, studying her. She took his silence as permission to continue.

"I mean, if it's supposed to be an energy converter or... or something, then it's not going to work without fuel," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "It's got the structure and the channels to handle energy, but there's nothing to actually generate that energy. So you're stuck until you can find a source, right?"

Vader's eyes flicked over her, his expression unreadable, though she could feel his irritation like a palpable force. She braced herself, half-expecting him to dismiss her or scold her for prying. But instead, he simply let out a controlled exhale, acknowledging her assessment with a slight nod.

"You are correct," he said, his tone clipped. "Without a suitable generator of the initial power, this device will remain incomplete. The components here are insufficient." His gaze grew colder, the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "It seems I will need to find something more compatible."

Ruby relaxed slightly, glad he hadn't dismissed her. She knew she was onto something, and even if Vader was frustrated, at least they were on the same page. She could see how much this project mattered to him, and his determination to make it work fueled her own curiosity.

She leaned forward, tapping her pencil against her notebook. "So... what kind of fuel are you looking for? Maybe I can help figure out where to find it."

Vader's gaze shifted toward the incomplete device, his frustration barely concealed. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice cold and measured. "The fuel I need must be able to generate a substantial amount of energy upon ignition. Once powered, the device will be capable of sustaining itself. However, the initial energy input must be significant enough to activate the core processes."

Ruby scribbled down notes as he explained, her mind already racing with possibilities. Power it up once, and then it could run on its own. What kind of fuel could provide a powerful, single burst of energy? She chewed on her pencil, thinking.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. Lightning Dust. It was volatile, packed with energy, and capable of a massive power boost. Huntsmen used it occasionally for tools or weapons that needed an intense but short-lived burst of energy. The catch was that Dust was single-use—once ignited, it burned away completely. But for a device that only needed an initial spark, it might be just what Vader required.

"I think I've got something that could work," she said, glancing up at him. "Lightning Dust. It's really powerful but burns away after you use it, so it's kind of a one-time thing. We sometimes use it in weapons and stuff that need a big energy boost right away."

Vader's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. He seemed to be considering the potential of this "Dust" she mentioned. "If it can generate sufficient energy for the initial activation, it will suffice."

Ruby nodded quickly, her mind already planning how she'd get her hands on some. What she didn't mention was that her dad kept his supply of Lightning Dust locked away at home, and she'd need to borrow it without his knowledge. It's not really stealing, she told herself. It's just... borrowing. Dad always says any of his things are our things. I'll explain later if I have to.

"Alright, I'll bring some tomorrow," she said, feeling a surge of excitement. "But... you're still not going to tell me what this thing does, are you?"

Vader regarded her with a cold stare, his expression as impassive as ever. "No," he replied, his voice low and unyielding. "I told you, that's for you to figure out. I will not be offering any answers. If you want to understand this device, you'll have to reach that understanding on your own."

Ruby felt a flicker of frustration but nodded, trying to keep her eagerness in check. "Fine. I will figure it out, then," she said, more to herself than to him. She tightened her grip on her notebook, determined to make sense of the machine as it came together piece by piece.

He offered no further explanation, already turning back to the device as if she weren't there. The message was clear: if she wanted to know more, she'd have to work for it. But that only made her more determined. She'd bring the Dust tomorrow, power up the machine, and piece together its purpose herself. She'd prove that she could keep up with him.

Later that evening, Ruby crept down the hallway toward Taiyang's room, the wooden floorboards creaking softly under her weight. Her dad had turned in early, and Yang was downstairs, probably watching something loud enough to cover any noise she might make. She edged the door open, slipping inside as quietly as she could. Her dad's room was familiar, but being here with a purpose made it feel different, almost like she was trespassing.

She moved over to the small chest on the side of the room where she knew he kept a few Dust canisters for emergencies. After a moment of searching, she found a single vial of Lightning Dust tucked toward the back. She took it, cradling it in her hand with a sense of triumph.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard footsteps coming down the hall, steady and getting closer. Dad! Her heart hammered in her chest as she looked around, spotting the closet just in time. She darted inside, pulling the door shut and holding her breath as Taiyang entered the room.

There was a pause, and through the small gap in the door, she could see him glancing around. She pressed herself back into the closet, willing herself to stay completely still. Taiyang lingered for a moment, muttering something to himself before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Ruby let out a shaky breath, the vial still clutched tightly in her hand. She waited a few seconds to be sure he was gone before slipping back out of the closet and making her way to the door. She opened it cautiously and peeked into the hallway. It was clear. She moved swiftly, slipping down the hall and heading back toward her room, ready to stash the Dust until morning.

But as soon as she turned the corner, she nearly ran smack into Yang, who stood there with her arms crossed, eyebrows raised. "And just what do you think you're doing?" Yang asked, her voice low but unmistakably amused.

Ruby stammered, trying to hide the vial behind her back, but Yang's eyes narrowed. "Ruby," she said, drawing out her name with a knowing tone. "Were you... snooping in Dad's room?"

"N-no," Ruby stuttered, taking a step back. "I was just... I mean..."

Yang raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Uh-huh. And you just happened to be carrying around some Lightning Dust for fun?"

Ruby sighed, defeated. She held out the vial, giving Yang a pleading look. "It's for a project, okay? I really need it."

Yang's expression softened slightly, though the curiosity in her eyes remained. "A project, huh? And it's important enough to sneak into Dad's room to get it?" She crossed her arms, studying Ruby closely. "Does he know about this little 'project' of yours?"

Ruby bit her lip, shaking her head. "No, and I'd rather keep it that way. Please, Yang. Just... don't say anything?"

Yang's smirk faded as she looked Ruby over, her expression turning more serious. "Ruby, sneaking around and stealing from Dad? That's not like you." She crossed her arms, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "You know he'd be pretty upset if he found out. So why are you doing this? What's so important that you can't just ask?"

Ruby's shoulders slumped, and she looked away, avoiding Yang's gaze. "It's... it's hard to explain. I just really need this, okay? It's for something that could be important, and I didn't think he'd let me have it if I asked."

Yang studied her for a long moment, clearly debating with herself. Finally, she let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair. "Alright, fine. I won't tell Dad." Ruby's face lit up, but Yang held up a hand, stopping her. "But on one condition: you have to show me what this is for. Not later, not when it's all done, but now. Or tomorrow, at the latest. I want to know what's got you sneaking around like this."

Ruby hesitated, clutching the vial of Dust a little tighter. "Yang, I can't. I don't have it. Someone else does, and I'm just helping with... well, something. I can't just show you."

Yang's frown deepened, and she shook her head. "No, that's not good enough. If you're taking Dad's Lightning Dust for whatever this is, then I need to know more than that. You don't get to just run off with this stuff and give me some vague explanation." She crossed her arms again, looking at Ruby with a steady, unyielding gaze. "Show me, Ruby. I'm not letting you off the hook unless you promise."

Ruby bit her lip, feeling a knot of anxiety twist in her stomach. She hadn't planned on anyone else knowing about Vader, especially not Yang. But her sister's expression left no room for argument. With a heavy sigh, Ruby nodded. "Fine. Tomorrow. I'll take you there when I bring him the Dust."

Yang's expression softened, but her concern was still evident. "Good. Because I don't want you getting into something you can't handle alone, okay?"

Ruby managed a small smile, nodding. "Okay. Thanks, Yang."

Yang pulled her into a quick hug, patting her back. "Alright, squirt. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, you're showing me what this is all about." With that, she released Ruby and walked down the hallway, leaving Ruby standing there, clutching the Dust and wondering how she was going to explain everything tomorrow.

With a sigh, Ruby headed to her room, her mind racing. She had one night to figure out what to say, and she wasn't sure how Vader was going to react to Yang showing up uninvited. But at least she had the Dust, and with that, she'd be able to power up the machine and see what Vader's secret was all about.

The next morning, Ruby woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through her window. She dressed quickly, hoping to slip out unnoticed and meet Vader with the Lightning Dust before Yang caught on. But as she tiptoed into the living room, she found Yang already there, waiting for her with arms crossed and a knowing look on her face.

"Morning, sis," Yang greeted, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You're usually not up and out this early. You've been sneaking off a lot lately, though, so I figured whatever you've been doing probably has something to do with why you needed the Dust."

Ruby froze, caught off guard. She'd hoped to avoid this part, to give herself a little more time to prepare. But Yang had been paying closer attention than she'd realized. There was no getting out of it now.

"Yeah, I've been... meeting someone," Ruby admitted, clutching the Dust vial in her pocket. "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

Yang raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the couch. "So I gathered. And this someone is the reason you need Dad's Dust? Must be a pretty interesting person to get you up at dawn every day."

Ruby sighed, knowing she couldn't dodge the questions any longer. "Alright, you win. I'll show you. But you have to promise not to freak out."

Yang's smirk grew as they walked, her tone taking on a teasing edge. "Don't worry, Rubes. I won't 'freak out,'" she said, making air quotes around the words. "I'm sure whoever it is, they must be... interesting if you're sneaking out to meet them every day. And taking Dad's Dust to help them, too. Sounds serious."

Ruby glanced over, raising an eyebrow at Yang's expression. There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that Ruby didn't quite understand. "Uh, yeah. He's... definitely interesting," Ruby replied, trying to keep her focus on the path.

Yang let out a low whistle, nudging Ruby's arm. "I've gotta say, I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd be the type to keep secrets like this." Her smile was playful, almost proud. "You've really been taking this seriously, huh? Sneaking around, meeting him before the sun's even up... Who knew you had it in you?"

Ruby frowned, a bit puzzled by the direction Yang was taking. "Um, yeah? I mean, I don't know why that's surprising. He knows a lot about building stuff, and I've been learning a lot from him."

"Oh, I'm sure you have," Yang replied, her tone laced with amusement. She leaned in closer, giving Ruby a conspiratorial look. "So, does he treat you well? I mean, you seem pretty invested, getting up at the crack of dawn and all."

Ruby blinked, thoroughly confused. "Treat me well? He barely talks to me half the time. I'm just trying to understand what he's building. And he never tells me anything directly—I have to figure it out myself."

Yang's smile faded a bit as they continued along the path, her expression becoming more serious. Ruby could sense a shift in her sister's mood, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why. Yang had gone from playful teasing to a kind of quiet tension, her jaw set and her eyes narrowed.

Ruby glanced over, a bit worried. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, trying to gauge Yang's reaction.

Yang gave a quick nod, but Ruby could see the way her fists clenched slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though her tone was a little too tight. "Just thinking that maybe this guy should be a bit more considerate. If he's got you running all over town and sneaking around just to help him, he could at least make an effort to, you know, treat you a little better."

Ruby's brow furrowed, confused. "What do you mean? He's... I mean, he's definitely not friendly, but he's not treating me badly."

Yang let out a huff, glancing at her with a determined look. "Well, he should be grateful, that's all I'm saying. Especially if he's getting you involved in whatever this is. Doesn't sound like he appreciates what you're doing for him."

Ruby opened her mouth to respond, but something in Yang's expression made her hesitate. Yang looked almost... protective, and Ruby couldn't quite understand why. It's just Vader, she thought, bewildered. What is she getting so worked up about?

As they neared the clearing, Ruby felt a growing sense of unease. She was starting to worry about how Yang would react when they actually met Vader. Her sister seemed ready to confront him, and Ruby wasn't sure she could explain quickly enough to stop her from jumping to conclusions.

They were close now, and Ruby's mind raced as she tried to think of the right words. She didn't know how Yang would take it, but she knew she'd have to do some damage control once they were there.

As they reached the edge of the clearing, Ruby caught sight of Vader hunched over the device, tinkering with a component. He didn't look up at first, too focused on his work to notice their approach. But when she stepped into the clearing with Yang close behind, his head snapped up, his yellow-eyed gaze locking onto them with a sudden intensity.

His expression shifted from surprise to irritation as he took in Yang's presence. "You brought someone else?" he said, his tone cold and sharp. "This was not part of our arrangement."

Ruby swallowed, glancing nervously at Yang, who was staring at Vader with a mix of shock and confusion. Yang took a step back, her eyes wide as she looked from Vader to Ruby and back again. "Ruby... this is him?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Uh, yeah," Ruby replied, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "This is Vader. He's the one who needs the Dust."

Yang's expression hardened, a fierce anger flashing across her face. She turned back to Vader, eyes blazing. "So let me get this straight," she said, her voice thick with barely-contained rage. "You're the one she's been sneaking off to see? You... you're like, what, forty? And you're out here... with my little sister?"

Ruby blinked, taken aback by Yang's reaction. "Wait, Yang, it's not—"

"Oh, I get it," Yang interrupted, advancing on Vader with fists clenched. "What kind of creep are you, dating a fourteen-year-old girl? You should be ashamed of yourself! What do you think you're doing, dragging her out here for this?"

Vader's eyes narrowed, his irritation morphing into something colder, more dangerous. He stood up, towering over both of them as he glared at Yang. "I assure you," he said icily, "whatever it is you're assuming, you are mistaken. I have no interest in your sister beyond her potential usefulness."

Yang crossed her arms, her anger undiminished. "Useful? Yeah, I bet. I know exactly the kind of predator you are," she shot back. "I don't care what excuses you've got; this is sick, and you're not getting away with it." She looked back at Ruby, eyes blazing. "How did you even get involved with this guy?"

Vader's gaze grew colder, his eyes narrowing to slits as he took a step closer to Yang, his presence radiating an almost tangible force. Ruby felt it immediately—a wave of dark power and barely contained fury that seemed to press down on her, heavy and suffocating. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt, and judging by Yang's sudden stiffening, she felt it too.

"You would do well to choose your words carefully," Vader said, his voice low and laced with a deadly calm. "If I were in a less charitable mood, I would kill you for what you've insinuated."

Yang opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. Ruby could see the momentary flash of fear in her sister's eyes as Vader's presence grew even more oppressive, the anger rolling off him in waves that seemed to make the very air vibrate. He stood there, a towering figure of menace, and for a brief, terrifying moment, Ruby wondered if he might actually make good on his threat.

He tilted his head, his gaze fixed on Yang with icy contempt. "The only reason you still live is because I have completed everything necessary for my work. I am simply waiting on the Lightning Dust."

Yang seemed to gather herself, her expression hardening as she prepared to speak up again. "Listen, I don't care who you think you are—"

But Vader cut her off, his expression unflinching. "You are mistaken on all counts," he said, his voice dripping with cold contempt. "I have absolutely no interest in your sister in any romantic or physical sense. Such concerns are beneath me. I have no time or patience for such distractions, and it would be wise for you to stop making assumptions about matters you clearly do not understand."

Yang's mouth snapped shut, and she took another step back, struggling to regain her composure. Ruby could see the mixture of confusion and lingering anger on her sister's face, but she also knew that Vader's words had left no room for argument. The look in his eyes was one of pure disdain, as though he considered this entire conversation an insult to his time.

As the cold energy surrounding him began to dissipate, Vader's posture relaxed, the dark pressure lifting like a passing storm. He glanced between the two sisters, clearly dissatisfied with the interruption but no longer radiating the same lethal intensity.

"If you are done with these pointless accusations," he said, his tone dismissive, "then I require the Lightning Dust. I have no further patience for delays."

Ruby quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial of Dust, holding it out to him with both hands. She kept her gaze lowered, feeling the lingering tension between Yang and Vader, but she could sense that Vader was no longer as on edge as before.

Vader took the vial from her, examining it with a critical eye. He said nothing, his attention entirely focused on the Dust, as though the encounter with Yang was already forgotten. Ruby let out a quiet breath of relief, grateful that the situation hadn't escalated further.

Yang, still visibly bristling, didn't take her eyes off Vader. She hovered close to Ruby, almost protectively, but Ruby could tell that her sister was still trying to process everything. Despite Yang's lingering wariness, she said nothing more, watching as Vader turned his attention to the device he'd been working on.

Satisfied with the vial, Vader moved back to the machine and began preparing to insert the Dust, his movements precise and deliberate. For a moment, Ruby considered saying something to try to ease the tension, but she decided against it. Now that the Dust was in his hands, there was no telling what would happen next, and she didn't want to draw any more of his ire.

Vader paused just before inserting the vial of Lightning Dust into the machine, his cold gaze flicking back to Ruby. "Remember," he said, his voice low and cutting through the air like a blade, "you have until I activate the device to earn your reward. If you think you've figured out its function, now is the time to speak."

Ruby blinked, caught off guard by his sudden reminder. Her mind raced, quickly running through everything she'd observed over the past few days. She'd watched him assemble parts, analyze components, and test connections, but the exact purpose of the device had always eluded her. Now, though, with the Dust in his hand and the machine seemingly ready, she had a clearer picture of how it all fit together.

Her eyes flicked to the framework of the device. It was designed to harness and convert energy, that much she had figured out. But it wasn't just about storing energy—it was about converting it into something else. She thought about his careful attention to each part, the way he talked about how it would sustain itself after the initial power-up. It was almost like...

"It's... an energy converter, right?" she ventured, her voice hesitant but determined. "Something that can take in energy and then use it to make more, or maybe even change materials into different forms of energy? I'm not entirely sure, but... something like that?"

Vader regarded her with an expression that could almost be mistaken for approval, though his gaze remained as cold as ever. "You are on the right track," he replied, a slight nod acknowledging her efforts. "The machine will take in energy initially to sustain itself, yes. But its true purpose is to convert materials at the molecular level, using that energy to produce new components."

As the machine began to hum and glow, Ruby's eyes widened, her astonishment growing with each passing second. She'd seen Dust-powered devices before, but nothing like this—nothing that seemed to channel energy in such a controlled, deliberate way. "Wait… is this kind of like a 3D printer?" she asked, the words slipping out as she tried to process what she was seeing.

Vader turned to her, his expression one of mild confusion. "I don't know what that is," he replied, his tone dismissive. "But this machine can indeed manufacture components, building them from raw material on a molecular level. It is capable of creating nearly any material, provided it has a sufficient supply of source material to work with."

Ruby's jaw dropped slightly as she tried to wrap her head around the concept. "So... you're saying it can, like, print anything? Not just plastic or metal but... any material?"

He nodded, though his gaze shifted back to the machine, almost as if he were talking more to himself. "In theory, yes. By manipulating the molecular structure precisely, it can construct materials with exacting detail. However," he added, a note of disdain creeping into his voice, "given that this particular machine was built from scrap, its capabilities will be severely limited. I would consider it a miracle if it managed to produce anything beyond the most basic of materials."

Ruby's excitement faltered slightly, but her awe remained. "So it can't make... super complicated stuff? But it can still make things, right?"

Vader nodded again, though he looked less than pleased. "It should be able to create simple materials—basic metals or composites. But anything beyond that, anything requiring the intricate details I am accustomed to, will be beyond this machine's abilities. Its precision is a pale shadow of what it should be."

Ruby took a step closer, her mind racing with possibilities. Even if it was limited, the fact that he'd built something capable of creating raw materials from scratch was incredible. She'd only ever heard of things like this in theory, and even then, only as far as Dust-enhanced technology went. But this... this was on another level entirely.

"So you just feed it raw stuff, and it can make... like, metal? Or something I could use in my weapon?" she asked, a hint of wonder in her voice.

Vader gave her a sharp glance, his tone as cool as ever. "In theory, yes. This crude version may be able to produce low-grade metal suitable for reinforcing your weapon, at best. Do not expect more than that."

Ruby nodded, her excitement bubbling back up. Even if it wasn't perfect, it was still beyond anything she could have imagined. She watched as the machine continued to hum, her mind already racing with ideas for what she might be able to do with even the most basic materials it could create.

Vader picked up a small piece of scrap metal, turning it over in his hand as he approached the machine. "Observe," he said, his tone instructive as he fed the metal into a compartment on the side of the device. As he secured the panel, the machine emitted a faint hum, growing slightly louder as it began to process the material.

"This machine does not merely convert raw material into a finished product," he explained. "It breaks down the material at a molecular level, and only a portion of it is transformed. The rest is used as fuel. The snapping of molecular bonds releases energy, which the machine absorbs to sustain itself."

Ruby's eyes followed the process intently, her curiosity piqued as the machine's humming continued to grow. She could see a faint glow emanating from inside, almost as if the metal were dissolving into nothingness.

"Essentially," Vader continued, "as long as this machine is fed with any raw material, it will remain operational. It doesn't discriminate; it will draw energy from anything you give it. But if it's actively creating something, it requires a much larger supply of materials. Creating something will cause it to consume whatever it is fed with at an accelerated rate."

He gestured toward the machine. "For example, if I were to attempt to create something complex, it would guzzle materials. This primitive version will need constant feeding while it works, devouring matter to maintain the energy needed to construct even basic components."

Ruby nodded, her mind racing as she processed the information. "But if you're not making anything, you don't need that much?" she ventured.

"Correct," Vader replied, giving her an approving look. "When it's idle, a piece of scrap about the size of a hammer could keep the machine running for months. It will consume just enough to sustain itself. But the moment I command it to create, it will need much more material to maintain the energy levels required for production."

Ruby's mind raced with possibilities as she watched the machine. Even if it was limited, the idea of a device that could run indefinitely on raw materials was astonishing. She could see now why he had been so focused on completing it.

She leaned closer, her eyes bright with excitement. "So... what are you going to make first?"

Vader's eyes remained fixed on the machine as he fed in another piece of scrap metal. "A test of its capabilities," he said, his tone measured, "and your reward."

Ruby blinked, her curiosity piqued as she watched him enter a command on the machine. The hum grew louder, and she could see the inner workings starting to move, components shifting and rearranging with a precision that made her heart race. After a few minutes, the machine spat out a small, cylindrical container. Vader picked it up, examining it with a critical eye before holding it out for Ruby to see.

She took it from him, turning it over in her hands. It was a plain metal canister, surprisingly light for its size, and she noticed a faint, cool weight within it. "What is it?" she asked, frowning as she tried to guess its purpose.

"A gas container," he replied, his tone indifferent.

Gas? Ruby's eyes widened as she remembered their conversation about energy weapons. "Wait... energy weapons need gas, right? To ionize or something?" She looked up at him, excitement sparking in her eyes. "Is this... the gas that powers them?"

Vader gave a curt nod. "It's of the most basic variety. Not pressurized, and there is very little in that container—enough for perhaps twenty shots at most. It is a crude product, but it demonstrates the machine's capabilities."

"So this... this is part of what powers an energy weapon!" Ruby grinned, her excitement bubbling over as she turned the canister over in her hands.

Vader looked at her, his expression unreadable. "They're called blasters," he corrected, his tone almost dismissive. "Energy weapons in my world are commonly referred to as blasters. They use gas like this, ionized by a power source, to create a concentrated energy bolt and fire it."

Ruby nodded, filing away the new terminology. "Blasters," she repeated, testing the word. "That sounds way cooler." She grinned, her mind already spinning with ideas on how she could incorporate something like that into Crescent Rose. She didn't have the right parts yet, but now that she knew it was possible, there was nothing stopping her from figuring it out.

Yang, who had been watching the exchange in silence, finally stepped forward, her annoyance clear on her face. "Hold on a second," she said, her voice edged with frustration. "You're giving her this... this dangerous gift? Are you serious? She's only fifteen, and you're handing her a canister of who-knows-what that powers an energy weapon?"

Ruby turned to her sister, holding the canister close. "Yang, it's fine. It's just gas—it's not going to hurt me."

Yang folded her arms, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, well, it's not exactly safe either, is it? You've been sneaking off, taking Dad's Dust, and now you're getting gifts from this guy? I don't like it, Ruby."

Vader's gaze flicked over to Yang, his eyes narrowing. "It is a small gift," he replied coolly. "Hardly dangerous in its current state. I fail to see why this concerns you."

Yang shot him a glare, her stance tense. "It concerns me because you're giving my little sister something dangerous, and I don't even know who you are or what you're trying to pull."

Ruby glanced between them, feeling the tension rise again. "Yang, I promise it's okay. He's just helping me understand how his technology works. I'm not going to use it right away—it's more like research, you know?"

Yang huffed, looking from Ruby to Vader with a mixture of distrust and protectiveness. "Fine," she muttered, stepping back slightly but keeping her gaze fixed on Vader. "But I'm keeping an eye on you. I don't trust this, and I don't trust you."

Vader met her glare with cold indifference, his attention already shifting back to his machine. Ruby could sense that he had no intention of defending himself or explaining further. And she knew that trying to convince Yang of his intentions would be an uphill battle. For now, at least, she'd have to hope her sister would let it go.

Vader gave them both a hard, dismissive look. "You've both overstayed your welcome. Leave. Now."

Ruby opened her mouth to respond, but the look in his eyes made it clear he wasn't interested in further discussion. She nodded, giving Yang a gentle nudge to start moving back down the path. As they walked away, she stole a glance over her shoulder and saw him picking up more scraps of metal and feeding them into the machine with precise, deliberate motions.

The faint hum of the device grew as he continued to feed it, and Ruby could see the eerie glow intensify, flickering with a strange energy. She wanted to stay and watch, to see what else he might create, but she knew better than to push him now. She hurried to catch up with Yang, who was still casting wary glances back in Vader's direction.

Together, they walked away from the clearing, leaving Vader and his mysterious machine behind.

AN: No review responses this time, as my phone is on 1%