The inside of the elevator was completely quiet. There was no hum that indicates we were going up nor was there the usual whooshing sound when we passed floors. Which, when considering the speed we're going and how high the difference between each floor is was really something.
It's one of those mundane things that people take for granted, but nonetheless an undeniable proof of how technologically advanced this space station is (or more like befitting of one, really) and by extension, the world of Honkai Star Rail.
As for why I'm pointing this out, well, I tend to focus on minute unimportant details of my surroundings when I don't want to deal with what's in front of me.
"You like classical music, Erlangg? And by the way, your name is written with two g's right?"
I gritted my teeth, HARD. Her question smashing my effort to distract myself.
Kafka, that was her name. Was it a fake name? Who is she even? Why is she here? She's with Sunny, that SON OF A NICE LADY IS HERE!? WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE!? ISANYONELESEHERE!?I'MGONNAKILLTHEM!THEYTOOKVERYTHINGAWAYFROMME!?
"Oh~ that's a scary look you got there."
She said from the chamber's center, glancing back at me who stood a few steps behind her and pushing myself to the wall.
I fumed at the running commentary, only for her to meet my glare with utter impassiveness. She didn't care, and for her, it's probably as if I wasn't even there with her.
Damn it! I Already knew it but it's still a hard pill to swallow.
I was no threat to her, cheat-esque power or not. Even if I were to go all out, right this moment, and explode into a mass of wood, that won't be enough to take her down….
….or more accurately, she'll kill me before I even get the chance to go that far.
But in the same vein the fact that she hasn't done it means she needs me for something, or wants me to do something for her. And from how he brought up Sunny earlier….
"Well since you're certainly not one for a chat then don't mind me setting up some musical accompaniment."
She said, gesturing at her phone. And with a couple of taps classical music began playing, just like she promised.
It filled the entire elevator, easily ending the silence just like she could kill me at any time. Then she started moving, swaying alongside the melody with her left finger nimbly danced in sync with the slicing motion of her right.
Oh, she was playing the violin. Or at least she was playing it as one would an air guitar.
Nonetheless, her movements were… perfect.
It was mesmerizing… entrancing even….It sucks you into the performance once it starts…
I was unaware of how my earlier feelings of hostility and suspicion were diminishing at an alarming rate, but even if I did, I wouldn't have cared.
This performance…the piece she's playing…it's….[suckingmein]wonderful…I can just…listen to it for hours to no end [Icandissappearintoit]...as if resonating with me[whisperingintomyspirit]...
And then everything turned red, and I found myself gasping for air.
Emergency klaxons replaced the music as I gasped, sucking in air as if I've never breathed before.
No it was the opposite, I wasn't breathing? I was holding in my breath!? When did I start doing that!? Was she-that was her doing!? She stopped me from breathing through gestures alone!?
Fear and dread bubbled from my stomach, overflowing to the point where grasses and small sprouts started blooming around my feet.
I was scared, rightly so. This woman can kill me without much of a thought, hell she didn't even need to think, considering how she accidentally stopped me from breathing just by enjoying herself with some music.
I gritted my teeth, hating every moment of the familiar powerlessness that I thought I had escaped. My fate and my life were in the palm of her hands… just like it had been on the H.R.O.B. back in Sylvanus-II.
The opposite of her who had clearly forgotten that I was even there.
One beep, two, three, and she finally speaks with a sardonic chuckle.
"Seems I came at a bad time."
The first to respond was the elevator's third occupant. Appearing in front of her as a holo-screen emblazoned with a wolf symbol.
"No. no - I think you couldn't have timed it better, Kafka. And you even get the poor sap to cooperate too."
My heart nearly stopped right there and then. So this whole thing! The alarm and whatever's causing it is their doing!?
What about the others!? The Express, are they safe!? I know better than anyone that everyone can handle themselves in a fight, but that only against enemies that I recognize.
But right now? I haven't the clueless knowledge of what's going on or even what we're up against!?
"Well, considering how the script branched out and me not getting too much to read for once, getting him to work with us is the most convenient option of the bunch."
The lady, Kafka, replied to the screen before glancing towards me.
"And the fact that I get to keep things all-natural shows that this sapling in particular has a good head on his shoulder."
I outright froze at the attention given to me. It was a quick look, and nothing more, but with the sheer difference between us, with my strength being dwarfed by her and then some, that was more than enough to put me in my place.
Cooperation they might call it, but I was being coerced and was left with no choice but to play nice.
She turned away from me and back to her screen of a comrade.
"Hm~ well a debuffer will always come in handy in a fight, against bosses or regular mobs, I would know, being one and all." The still unnamed girl continued, spewing a very familiar game terminology that I barely registered.
"Anyway, it's now 23:48:07 system time, you two are being very punctual."
"Is that even a surprise? Elio always tells the exact future. But what's with the explosion just now? Was that also part of his script?"
"Uh-huh. 23:44:59 system time: the pulses from the explosion cause a massive breakdown from the master control system."
I found myself breathless at their exchange. They were the one behind this!? I don't know about a script, but I can infer that whatever they were doing, it was planned and timed.
That leaves two questions each worth a million credit apiece. What were they doing exactly and WHERETHEHELLISSUNNYTHATFUDGERWHENIGETMYHANDSONHIM!
"You did that?" Kafka asked her co-conspirator, the one who's not my target.
"No, the Antimatter legion did it."
With one word, the situation went from bad to worse.
Besides the Aeons serving as the cornerstone of this world's lore and power system, I focused my reading on those treading close behind them, or at least made it their life mission to do their best to walk on the path they set.
Their followers, and faction of each path.
The record shows many of them, ranging from small groups to organizations dominating the cosmos. There are so many out there, listing each and every one of them is the same as naming all the stars adoring the endless astral sea.
But when it comes to the path of Destruction following Nanook, well, there's naturally nothing but blood and death for the fanatics who threw themselves who claimed to walk that particular road.
And for the Antimatter Legion, forget about walking the walk, the army practically paved the path behind their Aeon with the bodies of anyone and anything that crossed their path, on top of their own that lost their lives in their crusade against all civilization and life.
Although considering how fanatic and inhuman they are, the term giving up their lives for the cause was questionable at best.
"They completely surrounded the Space Station two system hours ago, and I kickstarted their invasion by shutting down this place's primary security."
What the screen said confirmed my biggest fear. Forget the crew, this entire place is in danger!
All The While my captor only whistled in awe. "Alright, so you cracked Herta's digital security? That's impressive even by our standard, Silver Wolf. Do we need to fight the legion?"
"In order, no, Herta didn't even bother doing anything digital, so it was child's play to shut down the station's proximity alert to let the Legion swarm the place. I only take credit where it's due, Kafka."
Silver Wolf and Kafka. The latter I heard already, but only now I was focused enough to note the attackers' name. But I didn't seem to recognize them. Where are they from!?
No wait, if I'm with the Express because they're important to the plot, then are they the same because they're connected to Sunny!? Are they an important faction to the story!? What do they want with me? What are they going to do to me!?
"Second, about killing the mooks on the other side of that door, I dunno. Elio didn't say anything about it, so it doesn't matter."
"Got it. So from now on, I'll be in charge of this operation."
"Copy. Can you let me have some fun this time? Our last few operations turned out to be pretty dull."
The sheer blase coming from them both threaten to choke me. Did I hear that right!? There are likely Antimatter Legion soldiers on the outside the elevator and they're treating this like…. a game!? Ironic coming from me and how I got here, but still!
No wait, considering how strong this Kafka is, or at least how strong I think she is, I might be at the safest place this whole Space station. Or maybe I'm too afraid of what's in front of me rather than what's outside.
But wait, then why would the other one shut down the security in the first place? Aren't they allied with the Legion? That's why they gave them the opening to get into the place?
"...Sorry. I'm afraid there's not much I can do for you - our task this time is just to 'place' the target properly."
My focus sharpened, I didn't care if they thought I'm insignificant or just didn't care. This was my first lead and possibly the only thread on figuring out what the heck is going on and making it out of here alive!
"But then again, our friend with the green thumb here means we're already halfway there. So if you wanna look for some fun yourself, I won't stop you. So now the question is…"
To my horror, she turned halfway around to look at me.
"Are you going to get in on it as well? That'll make it easier for us, and you definitely look like you can blow off some steam or more accurately, blow some leaves for that matter?"
I gargled at her attempt at humour only for her to chuckle. Only I get to make lame plant-related puns! They're my powers!
I struggled to respond to her question, which was only made worse as the second ticked and she showed no sign of continuing before I answered.
With a sigh I answered her question with another question, one that's relevant and important mind you!
"What are we up against? What's on the other side of that door?"
Her smirk turned into a smile. "You heard him, Silver Wolf. Survey the floor if you'd please."
"Way~ ahead of you. Scan shows that it's only three Reavers with a Distorter in the lead from the Voidranger series, a Baryon and two Antibaryons, this section is pretty~ far from their point of entry after all."
I made a note of the enemies' names, only to realize that they didn't ring any bells. What's clear is that there's seven of them. Definitely too much for me, but obviously not for them.
"You can handle them in your sleep, Kafka," Silver Wolf surmised. "And if what Sunny says about the sap's is true, then you're practically cheating through this stage."
The promise of a fight and his name being brought up in succession grated against me, triggering even more blooming on my feet before I realized it.
It also earned me a smile and a laugh from Kafka, who then saunters into the elevator door.
"And that answers that, looks like I wouldn't kick things up alone for once, then again…."
With that the outcome was sealed, we're heading to a fight whether I like it or not.
I inwardly cursed my outburst while manifesting my short spear, knowing that there's nothing else I can do and swearing that I'm going to train my emotional control further if I made it out of this alive.
The door completely opened, and my breath hitched as three jet-black armor-like creatures turned their attention towards us.
"...Elio didn't put it in the script."
One that Kafka practically basks on as she continues to saunter forward without a trace of fear, instead, she masterfully reached for her twin submachine guns on her hips, finally making her way out of the elevator.
The white-gold legionnaire levitating off the ground behind the vanguard let out a shriek and pointed a finger at her, the command answered by three orb-like things who flew in different directions, but all charging with energy in the most obvious display of firing preparation.
Then the three Reavers rushed at her, brandishing six Imaginary blades in total, one on each arm all glistening under the Station's light.
"Why would it matter!"
With the declaration, she beat the charging Reavers to the draw, hitting all three of them Center Mass with a Spray of bullets and staggering all of them backwards.
Instinct took over right there and then, I screamed and rushed out of the elevator, half desperate, half raging, I passed Kafka and swung my spear, firing a wave of green leaves that followed-up on Kafka's opening counter.
It hit the already staggered reavers, sending both of them stumbling and pushing back the third. All of them are now glowing bright neon green.
Kafka quickly followed in for another strike and clearly knowing how my ability works, her submachine guns replaced with a blood-colored white hilted Katana, while I jumped to the side, barely dodging the lasers that the Antibaryons fired and hitting the ground with a roll.
In response, the Distorter shrieked again, this time pointing its finger at me, turning the Baryon and one of the Reavers' directions towards me.
I screamed again and rushed to meet the enemy, barely dodging the Baryon's laser and meeting the charging soldier's blade with a thrust of my spear. The second strike triggered my ability, shattering the Imaginary blade and throwing the Reaver off-balance.
With another scream, I quickly followed with a diagonal upward swing, slicing my enemy dead on the chest. Their form broke apart only for their remains to be sucked into a miniature black-hole, one of their own making.
Proving that they exist for Destruction, that even in defeat their last act would be that of self-destruction.
Another reaver screamed at their ally's demise, marking that the conflict had only just started, and so my first battle rages on….
XxxxX
ErlanggSI+OC Presents
Spacebound Sapling
A Honkai Star Rail Self Insert
Chapter 4: Branching Out
XxxxX
"Check out this awesome move!" March 7th roared as she let her arrow loose.
The projectile zoomed through the air and illuminated the space station hallway like a pink and blue aurora, before exploding into a hail of ice Pom-poms. The blocks of shaped ice exploding upon contact and encasing some of their intended targets in ice.
It was adding insult to injury, knocking someone off their feet with hailstone and practically flash-freezing them, but March felt zero remorse for what she had done.
Okay, that's not true she felt a bit bad for the space station worker who'll have to scrape the ice off the hallway they're in, but that's a problem for future March 7th.
Her current problem was the slew of Antimatter-legions who are, unfairly, not frozen. The ones armed with a yellow-ish blade on each arm two of which are rushing towards her!?
"Uhhhhh, Dan Heng! Help me out here!"
March fired a pair of arrows, each hitting the two reavers and exploding into ice flowers, one detonating on the legs and halting its run, and the other blooming on the shoulder and getting them falling from the sudden weight.
And just in time, Dan Heng leaped over March, his trusty cloud-piercer reared backwards ready to strike.
"Hmph! Hah!"
From the onlookers point of view, it was as if his thrust splitted the spear into three, but that was just how fast Dan Heng's strikes are, and all of them met the mark as the jade-green blade pierced through the staggered legionnaires.
The two reavers break apart before unceremoniously getting swallowed by the black hole of their own making as their last act of self-destruction.
That was two down, and a lot more to go for the two Nameless of the Astral Express.
"Gah, there's so many of them! How long do we have to do this!"
March screamed in-between unleashing arrows of ice to freeze the legion's advance, all hitting their marks despite her protest.
"We have to cover for the scientist's evacuation! It shouldn't be much longer now!"
For once March didn't feel mad that Dan Heng had the answer for her question, primarily because if he was right (and he usually is fortunately unfortunately) the light at the end of the tunnel should be visible anytime now.
It would be really nice if it would too, because right now, the 'tunnel' she's in was one of the many Herta Space Station corridors, one where they're currently battling the many arrays of the Antimatter Legion soldiers.
It was only because of her and Dan Heng that the place wasn't overrun with them. But even with their best effort, the two Nameless can only alleviate the situation from the 'worst' possible to 'looking pretty bad'.
And don't even get her started on how long they can keep this up, and whether or not this kind of attacks are occurring all over the rest of the Space Station, because she's convinced that not even Dan Heng knows the answer to that question.
"Okay, that's enough glum thoughts!" March chidded under her breath, firing another set of arrows that freezes and shatters the white orb things that was shooting lasers at her, only for a black one to withstood her arrow and began charging up-uh oh!?
"Kyah!"
"March!?"
Truth to be told she has nothing to be afraid of on account that the ray that should have hit her simply fizzled out of existence after crashing against her signature Ice shield in an aurora-like flare of pink and blue.
It was still too close however, thus the scream, but Dan Heng was there to return the favor ten-fold after finishing the last of the Reavers, rushing to the offending Baryon and delivering a swift and deadly slice that rend the shooter into two.
"Are you alright!?" He asked, clear worry lacing his voice. But Dan Heng couldn't spare his friend even a glance, not when there are still several legionnaires in the hallway and him being the only one standing between them and March.
"I will be as soon as we get rid of all of those annoying Antimatter schmucks, come on!"
He could only grin at March's promise for vindication, one that she promptly worked to accomplish by unleashing a volley of ice arrows that flew past him and hitting all of their target dead-center.
Dan Heng's grin only grew wider as a similar light engulfed him, knowing that he's now protected by March 7th's signature six-phased ice of a shield.
Even though referring to it as only a shield was an understatement, especially when her skill provided a weightless but sturdy ball, covering them from all angles without obscuring their vision or breathing in the slightest and automatically kicks in when they're attacked.
More importantly right now, between the shield and her volley, Dan Heng have enough protection and opportunity to press on the attack.
His opponents were multiple orb-like Baryons, one black and two white ones, all capable of firing lasers but are highly vulnerable before and after shooting them. There are also a pair of Reavers, and arguably the toughest of the bunch, that he knows from their many exchanges with the same type of enemies.
Lastly, they were the source of all of their problems. A white void ranger, floating above the floor and exuding the Legion's signature purple antimatter flame.
Unlike the grunts who seem to be lashing out against everything and anything on instinct, the figure serves as more of a conductor, funneling the destructive force that is their kind to a focused point and increasing their effectiveness.
Its command was what gave the two Nameless a hard time. Prior to its appearance, the Legion's soldiers merely attack whatever and whoever they're closests to, allowing him and March 7th to divide and conquer the otherwise mindless pawns of Destruction.
But now, with the command the Distorter issued, they have become a loosely organized strike force, leveraging their superior number to sacrifice one of their own to keep Dan Heng busy and swarming his compatriot.
A simple tactic it might be, but it makes a world of difference when there's only the two of them to fight. But he was smart enough to notice that they weren't strategizing in the slightest, no, they simply pour all of their forces against the one target that their leader points at.
So the question is, would their rank and file fall into the pitfall of senseless destruction should it be removed from the picture? The only issue is, proving his hypothesis would require him to charge the commander, whose location is far away at the back.
Dan Heng is more than capable of pushing his way through the rest of the rabble, but that would pose the risk of him leaving March 7th defenseless against the rest of the mooks should their focus remain.
'No, there's not enough time to ponder on it too much, we must act now!'
Determined to end it as quickly as possible, Dan Heng sprinted right into the center of the Antimatter Legion's formation, targeting the foremost reaper. The cloudlancer put his entire weight behind his opening thrust, mustering enough force to shatter the Raever's energy blades and knocking it down on its back.
As expected the rest of the Legion opted to ignore him, the baryons firing only on March 7th, and equally unsurprising was how both lasers harmlessly dissipated after hitting her barrier, giving her enough window to fire back at the white Baryon that instantly froze and shattered into diamond dust.
But when the other Reaver rushes past him, zeroing in on March, Dan Heng knew that it was time to go for broke, and on that second the path between him and the Legion leader was empty.
"The truth of life and death, revealed in an instant."
He prayed under his breath as the world around him dissolved, replaced with a boundless pool of clear water and autumn trees of red and orange leaves.
The Distorter realized the danger in front of him, mustering his strength to a projectile to intercept and destroy the spear pointed at him.
But it was already too late.
"This sanctuary is but a vision! Break"
A singular thrust but one even more powerful than even his heaviest lunge. His [Ultimate: Ethereal Dream] the culmination of his current strength crystalized into a swift and deadly wind to hunt and strike down his enemies.
As he promised as one of Lan's arrows-one that his compatriot will always be proud of-Dan Heng snapped himself out of the trance before it was too late. Waking up just in time to double back and intercept the remaining legion soldiers.
To his relief, his hypothesis proved itself to be true as the remaining Reavers and last Baryon began to lash out, clearly unable to prioritize the correct target, looking confused between him and March as they once again break into indiscernible shriek and lashing out against their surroundings.
Their tantrum provided March with enough time to jump backwards, away from the Reavers who had previously sliced up her shield and quickly restored her defense, before shooting at her attacker with a couple of Ice Arrows for good measure.
Before they can further get their bearings, Dan Heng finishes off the other Reaver he had already wounded with a well placed stab, and swiftly after pulling out, he unleashes his [Cloudlancer Art: Torrent] against the last Baryon.
It miffed him how the orb-like object survived the strike, but one last slash proves that it was never much of a threat as it finally shattered. It was even easier to strike down the last Reaver, unable to even move and was covered in ice and snow by the time he turned his spear against it, courtesy of March 7th support-brand of vengeance.
Finally the two of them are able to catch their breath after the longest stretch of battle they had partaken in.
"Okay… that was like… the last of them right?" March asked, her finger still tight on her bowstring while her eyes scanned around for anything that moves.
"Yes." Dan Heng answered, catching his breath and dissipating Cloud-piercer in a display of confidence. "Otherwise, we would still be fighting."
Because Destruction and Silence does not go hand-in-hand, and the latter would only come when there's no followers of the former left in the battlefield.
"Ugh, why do you have to put it like that?" The Archer whined, dematerializing her weapon in a clear show of trust to her friend's judgement.
But her expression shifted from that of tiredness to worry.
"Hey Dan Heng, how are the others? Have you heard from Mr. Yang or Himeko? And what about Wanima?"
At this point, even she knows how useless it is to ask and panic about what's going on. The Antimatter Legion was here, and questioning how and why they're here is redundant at best, not when their sole goal is to wreak havoc for their namesake.
That's just how it is when it comes to the terrible band of pathstriders, a force that cannot be reasoned with at any level. You can only meet them halfway in their terms, either getting destroyed by them or destroying them.
And March 7th would much rather opt for the latter, thank you very much. A sentiment which was currently shared with Dan Heng.
"No. I cannot contact anyone, and that itself is worrying. It looks like whoever is behind this is also preventing any and all communication effort."
"Well duh! We have to fight the friggin Antimatter Legion! Of course getting ourselves cut-off from others is bad news!"
"Therein lies the problem, shutting down communication means that the attacking party is employing a modicum of tactics… something that the regular Antimatter Troops will never bother with… which leaves us with two possibilities."
"...I just know that I'm not going to like what you're about to say, Dan Heng."
"Neither do I March, because this means we're dealing with someone capable of interfering with the Space Station's informational security… either a third party with enough strength to steer the legion… or a Lord Ravager specializing in dismantling their opponent."
Before she could explain (through shouting) how now was the worst timing to bring up his deduction, flashes of black and white erupted around them. Distorting the nearby space before abruptly turning into a Voidranger.
Was this method of the Legion's transportation, or was it how they were made. Neither of the Nameless knows, all that matters is that it happened right in front of them, once, twice, thrice, and showing no sign of stopping.
"Run now, and existential dread later?" March whined, manifesting her bow.
"Indeed." Dan Heng growled, Cloud-Piercer in hand once more as the two dashed forward, running past the second wave that's already threatening to overwhelm them.
As the newly emerging swarm of Reavers went after them, the pathstriders of the Trailblaze, March 7th and Dan Heng, unknowingly headed to the starting line of their most important journey as the Nameless.
Thus one half of the Awakening of the Trailblazer was set in motion, trailing close behind its other half scripted by Destiny's Slave.
XxXxX
"Stand still~."
I leaped away from my foe as soon as the command entered my ear, just in time as a hail of bullets riddled the ravager I had locked blade with full of holes.
And some of them probably would have hit me based on the spray, because of course that batch is insane enough to use a pair of uzis like a handgun in a firefight that involves a friendly.
Then I'd realized that I'd never be friendly with her, not in a million years, and even thinking that she'd treat me as anything other than a hostage if not a plaything was as dumb as I can get.
Despite my thoughts and personal feelings that involve a lot of cursing against her, Kafka sure as heck made for an effective ally. In less than ten minutes the legionnaires that outnumbered us seven to two had nearly been wiped out, and they were done-in so fast my ability barely made a difference.
By the way I'm trying really hard not to think what would happen if she decided to turn on me. Because the last fifteen minutes all but confirmed that I wouldn't last longer than five minutes against her, and yes, that does take into account that she'd play with her food, i.e. me.
Will I be able to hurt her though? I can if I resort to that… and if I double down with the notion that I'm dying anyway… I might be able to get a limb, at least.
I shouldn't be too eager to opt for that option though, it was definitely a last resort for a 'if you're going to kill me, then I'll be sure to take one of your arms with me' kind of situation.
And we're not there, yet. So the most important question is how long before we do get to that point… and whether or not I can take down THATMUDDLEFDUGERSUNNYWHENITSFINALLYTIME!?
"Caught in the net~" Her voice was followed by the swish of her katana.
For a moment I thought that she'd kill me, but luckily, her victim was instead the last of the void rangers, a reaver that was cut in half that disappeared in a miniature black hole like the rest of its brethren.
I finally allowed myself to heave a sigh of relief, despite not feeling too tired, the mental burden from the battle was finally catching up, enough that I dissipated my spear and got me to lurch forward into a bowing position with my hands on my knees.
But it's over, at least for now.
"The human body is beautiful in its fragility, don't you think Erlangg?"
My breath hitched as she finally addressed me, and once again I was but an insect caught in a Spider's nest.
Nonetheless, and powered by spite, I forced myself to stand straight and met her gaze with a glare. It wasn't enough to elicit anything however, and she only continued to stare at me with the epitome of apathy.
At least until she chuckled. "Alright-alright, no more teasing. We should really get going now, don't wanna be late for the script and all that."
"...Don't call me that!…I've already lost that…! That's not what I go by!"
I didn't even know exactly what I was feeling, let alone exactly what I said and their meaning.
But more importantly, my outburst didn't earn me a bullet to the head or a katana to the face. Instead, her face shows a flash of recognition, as if this wasn't the first time she had to deal with this kind of identity crisis.
"That so? My bad then, I shouldn't have pushed you too hard since you're new here.
It was the first time she sounded genuine, or least tried to sound like it, and yet, her words grated all the same because of what I lost.
"But~ whatever grudges you have, they're not to be shared with me now, aren't they? As a matter of fact, I'm the best person for you to follow if you do want to get your score settled~."
Sunny… the name immediately comes to mind….
The one who dragged me here… the one who got me into this whole mess…. The one who is to blame….
If he's really working with her, then she's telling the truth. If anyone knows where to find him, it's her. Getting Kafka to lead me where he is is making the mother of all lemonade from the biggest lemon fate had thrown at me.
But in the same vein….
"How do I know that you're not setting me up, huh!? That you're not luring me into a trap!?"
After all they are working together, co conspirators in every sense of the word, so who's to say that she wasn't stringing me along into a pitfall?
So I asked my question aloud, even foolishly pointing my spear at her in a burst of anger and confusion.
Only to get my answer right after, and as it always has been with her, it started with a chuckle. Except this time, it sounded genuine, as if I had just said the funniest thing she had ever heard.
"Oh, little sapling, you really should know better than biting at a helping hand, after all…."
Right there and then her reply caused me to freeze on the spot, and I noticed too late that there were purple glowing strings constricting me. When did she set this up!?
"No, I didn't set this up beforehand, something this easy only takes a flick of the wrist for me."
And that checks out didn't it? Damn it! I let my anger get the better of me! I should have known better! I knew better! I don't stand a chance against her.
"See now that looks I'm much more familiar with, which brings me back to what I was saying…."
Leisurely, she stride to where I stand, where she had me tied up unable to budge even an inch.
I was back in the elevator…no… it's more like… I've never left it… I couldn't escape it.
Since she set her sight on me, I've been at the palm of her hand, always a bug caught in the spider's web.
"If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have made it this far. In fact, you never would have seen it coming."
With a snap of her finger, the thread disappeared. And losing my suspension, I stumbled forward, and fell to the ground.
"So you asked if I'm leading you to a trap? Oh I absolutely am, just not the kind you're expecting, and it doesn't matter even if you know it. Because the only steps you'll be taking are the ones I allow you to take."
I barely managed to crawl up, and she crouched down in front of me.
Perhaps the most surprising thing was despite everything, I was still able to muster a glare at her. Despite knowing that it only invites danger through her ire.
And once again, despite my best effort, though maybe it's exactly because it doesn't make a difference, she only chuckled.
"Then again when I put it like that, all of us are equally trapped by Destiny's thread, no? At least I know that Ellio and those who follow them are."
Laughing at her own joke she stood up and turned towards the only door in the room.
"Now up and at them, and this is me asking nicely this time. Though maybe it's better if I tell you that Sunny's just up ahead?"
Confused and afraid as I am, that still got me forcing myself up and following her obediently, Trailing closely behind the woman as she approached the controller and fiddled with her wrist device.
With a couple of taps, the door opened to reveal a long winding futuristic hallway.
Had the situation been different, I would have spent hours marveling at the sight. The very definition of a corridor in a sci-fi setting, made out of the same mysterious black steel and surrounded by a glass-like construct covering it like a tube.
Then there's the outside. Just like the bridges that lead to the railway platform, it was suspended in mid air, looking down on the vast emptiness that was the endless space. And then I looked up, and I got to see it.
Herta Space Station is a research facility dedicated to the most sophisticated of research, so it was only natural that there'd be sections where I'd get to see it as the pinnacle of technological advancement.
And this was one of such places that put scientific advancement, the one that you could only imagine in science fiction works in full display.
It was a conical device that let off a soft yellow hue, under an antenna-like structure with yellow lines and two arrays of panels shaped like a flower or perhaps a snowflake.
This… this was the base zone! I recognize it from one of the pictures that they have for the space station! Looking at either side, there are smaller hangers that's likely also used for docking, probably? Whatever, it was another jaw dropping sight that I'd take a picture of.
One that I didn't get to savor as Kafka strides almost robotically across the bridge, forcing me to bite my lip as I silently and obediently keep with her rather quick pace.
"When did the Antimatter Legion become so weak?" She suddenly started, almost stopping me dead on my track at how she suddenly initiated a conversation.
Equally surprising was how irritated she sounded, which was the first time that there's a trace of sincerity and not just playfulness at other's disorientation, confusion, and fear.
"I could only attract this much," a robotic voice replied. Silver Wolf, her partner hacker, I realized. And a mixed feeling or relief and disappointment welled in me that Kafka wasn't addressing me.
"Did you really want the whole legion to come here?" She finished her retort, at which Kafka clicked her tongue.
"This lot won't be able to slow down the Astral Express crew."
That was the first time this killer and I were at an agreement, this much doesn't pose a threat to us. Though she probably came to the conclusion based on their careful research on Mr. Welt, Himeko, Dan Heng, and maybe March if we're talking about how much damage she blocks.
And I'd like to think that I'd be of help once I rendezvous with the crew, or at least, I'd like to think so.
"And that's before our script is affected by Sunny and this Sap behind us, with him around, they'd have an even easier time."
Did it feel good to hear that kind of validation, even when it comes from the mastermind who is probably responsible for hundreds if not thousands of deaths today? Get your head out of your rear, of course it does.
"Relax, A doomsday beast is also here."
At this point, I'm so overwhelmed by everything that I couldn't properly discern how much of a bad news the spoiler I just heard.
Like, I don't know exactly what it is, but it's called a Doomsday Beast. That's as much of a boss name one can get. Wait, fudge! Is that the final boss we'll have to fight at the end of this 'Space station stage!?'. We'll have to fight something called a friggin Doomsday Beast right of the bat!?
The worst part was that the new piece of information seems to placate Kafka's earlier displeasure, translating her goal and how it seems to target the Astral Express, this all but narratively confirms that we'll have to fight the Doomsday Beast.
I did my best to not hyperventilate, focusing on the moment and putting the information I just got at the back of my hand in a box labeled 'later', though 'soon' would be the more accurate and unfortunate way to put it. And this leaves me with two questions.
One, how long is it before the Nameless crew and I have to fight the Doomsday Beats. It should be fine if we can get Himeko and Mr. Welt into the fray, or at least I hope so. With that worry relatively answered, this brings up the second question.
Would Kafka and Silver Wolf even let me go? I'm at their mercy whether I like it or not, so without their say there's no way I can rejoin the crew.
Thinking about it, that was my more immediate concern, but arraying them like this is my usual method of trying not to think too much of my immediate problems. It's a negative behavior for sure, but at the moment, it keeps me calm enough to make rational thoughts and assessments.
Which is how I reached the conclusion that I'd need a distraction to get away, and it can't come from me, because there's no way I can hope to attack and disengage from her at the same time.
I need to utterly and completely focus on doing one thing and one thing only to even hope of getting the better of her, and that's only for the briefest window of time too.
"Hm… should have led with that, Silver Wolf. But alright, I guess this means that everything will proceed as scripted, If Sunny can take care of that other aberrant that is."
"Well that part we're about to find out, speaking of which, stop right there. I'm dropping in."
Heeding her companion 's Kafka halted in the middle of the room and brought her arm to the side, summarily obstructing me and forcing me to stop, right next to a portrait of a Dark Haired man with a prominent tech-like implant on the side of his hand.
I would have cursed, but my attention was quickly grabbed by a sudden bright light that suddenly appeared right in the center of the bridge.
The sheer brightness in contrast with the section's dim lighting forces me to cover my eyes, but I swear that I saw what appears to be colorful pixels straight out of 8-bit games from the brief glimpse I was able to capture.
Then the light abruptly died down to reveal a petite young woman wearing a short black coat along with a crop-top which covers the upper part of her body, and black unbuttoned shorts with a decorative piece of black and purple fabric that hangs off the back, along with a white belt that has a game console attached at the hip.
She must be Silver Wolf, the logical part of my brain deduced, which my emotional side of my mind second-guessed instantly because really? This young girl? She's the one who shut-down the Space Station's security and manipulated the Antimatter Legion?
Then my survival instinct worked overtime as it reminded me that we're in an Anime/Video Game world, and here age is just a number, which makes the improbable truth much more digestible.
"Your technique's fancy as usual, Silver Wolf." Kafka called, confirming that the girl is indeed her hacker compatriot.
Silver Wolf only rolled her eyes, "Just a little trick of tampering with the data of reality, I wouldn't call it fancy."
Her utter dismissiveness at the praise made it clear that this girl was business, and that whatever hope I had of escaping had summarily all but died.
"All the same, but it's poetic that you decided to drop here of all places. Right in front of Screwlum, your good old opponent."
Kafka pointed out with amusement, gesturing at the image next to the girl. She turned only to frown at the visage of a golden android.
"I told you already, I didn't know it was him…" The now named Silver Wolf retorted, glaring at Kafka with great annoyance, who weathered it all too easily and resumed striding forward.
"Oh but that battle was how Elio got his eyes on you. Imagine, someone actually able to crack Screwlum's code!"
Despite her annoyance, the girl nonetheless followed her older partner in crime's lead, forcing me to trail behind also without nary a word.
"First Screwlum, then Herta… There's probably no one else in the universe who offends two genii in such quick succession. It must be destiny."
There was a certain emphasis as she uttered those words. Destiny.
It was really funny to even think about it, especially for someone like me who's not even supposed to be here….or is it actually the opposite? Whatever existential and dimensional rumination I had, it was swiftly killed by
Because whether or not they actually cared, the two Stellaron Hunters had no problem in revealing the location of their third. Who is much closer than I think.
"Ugh… Seems like I'm the real Destiny's slave here. Well no, I guess Sunny's putting in the work as much as I am."
"He's right ahead then?"
"Yup, just behind this door, the script says he's just about to finish dealing with little Miss Psychic."
My breath hitched at what Silver Wolf just said, my brain connecting the dots between her words and the information I already have, but could it really be? What are the odds that she'd also be here…. THATOTHERFUDGERHERE'STOO!?
But then again, destiny… could it actually be that H.R.O.B. is actually not just playing me…?
"Is she even a threat to us? The files said that Herta was interested in her, sure, but that hardly translates to her combat prowess. Why bother sending Sunny when he could be more useful giving us support?'
"You talk as if we even need one, Kafka. Didn't Elio tell you, they're wildcards that's not even supposed to be here. Useful sure, but they could wreck the script as much as they help ensure it. So it's better that we kept tabs on them at all times."
It was the first time Silver Wolf acknowledged my presence by throwing a glance my way, though just like Kafka, her stare
"Sounds like more chore to me," The older Stellaron hunter hummed before shrugging her shoulders. "Well, Sunny's been a great help with Bladie so I guess I don't mind."
With that all three of us arrived at the end of the long corridor. Just like last time, a couple of taps with her wrist device got the door unlocked.
But I was wholly unprepared for what happened next, or rather, what had been going on before I got here.
Because they are right in front of me, the two people that granted me the life I desired the most and took everything that's ever been precious to me.
I watched as a very familiar pink short-haired young woman fired her two laser guns, dressed in the familiar standard scientist garb of Herta Space Station modified to sport the same shade of pink as her hair and eye.
Her target was a young man with flowing long light blonde hair, dressed in a regular business suit with a bright yellow tie as its most striking feature. A pair of very familiar spiky yellow and orange gauntlets wrapping his arms, which he put to work by punching the pink laser beams that he failed.
….They're here… that was them…. There's no mistaking it…
"Hey that's a pretty neat trick, is that a Matrix reference?"
The girl gritted her teeth as none of her shots landed, and Sunny's voice made me realize that she was indeed flying through the air with an unnatural airtime and straightness that one could only find in an action movie.
Like a suspended puppet whose string had been cut, the girls dropped to the ground with a sudden burst of gravity. Taking a three point stance to fire again at the well-dressed boxer, who's only befuddled as he continues dodging and occasionally punching the neon pink rays.
"Why'd you go back to just regular shooting, you know I got you beat in the physical department right? At least if you pull another one of your gags you should have a better chance."
"Well it's hard thinking of something funny when someone's trying to concuss you with steel gauntlets now isn't it, Gashole!?" She indignantly roared and doubled the amount of lasers she's unleashing.
Even a blind man could tell that they're familiar with one another, confirming my biggest fear and dispelling the remnants of my doubt.
This was really them, Always+Sunny and Psychic=Kuriko. The two other people who got sent here with me…. The two people who blindly agreed to the H.R.O.B.'s request…. And forcefully dragged me against my will….
"Ok, she's either quite good or Sunny is taking his time playing catch-up, either way we got a schedule to keep." Kafka surmised, sounding slightly annoyed "Silver Wolf?"
"Way ahead of you, I'll just throw the girl to a secluded zone in the Space Station, that should get her off the board long enough for the rest of the script to play-"
She didn't finish her words on account of me suddenly bolting forward and passing her and Kafka.
It was funny in a sense, they forgot that I was even there because of how docile I've been and more relevantly because of how weak I am, and I seized the opportunity to bypass their guard and expectations.
By going forward instead of away….
The both of them noticed me immediately, turning their heads and gaze away from each other and onto me. Sunny had a resigned grin on his face, while Kuriko's expression was that of pure shock. Guess at least one of them knew I was coming.
As for me, what I felt at that moment was hard to describe, but I can tell that it was the outcome from mounting disorientation, mixed with resentment, and topped off by my fear and hopelessness that I've had to endure since getting here.
My powers work in a give and take basis, the more I pour the more I can get. So right there and then, I give it my all and spared nothing, and for a moment, the green was mine to command.
And with a roar that came from the deepest pit of my soul, it bursts forward
XxXxX
A.N, hey sorry for the long update, I posted this, like, a week earlier in Spacebattles, so... please check the page out for faster updates I guess. I'll do my best to finish 4.2 by the end of April, but other than that, I'm just sitting on waiting for Vivian's banner and is doing more ZZZ related stuff.
Sorry if this note come of as me rambling more than anything, but good news is, after Vivian, I should be back to full HSR mood, till then though, thanks for reading.