Chereads / StarDuster / Chapter 11 - Transportation Hall

Chapter 11 - Transportation Hall

The bustling of the Transportation Hall was, as I expected, quite energetic. 

The stirring of electronic devices hovering in the air, floating and delivering packages across a large station full of Automata and large machines that resembled mechs. 

Open before me, was a giant opening into the endless void of space… or, well, it was pointed directly towards earth. As it should be. But it was notably intimidating at first to say the least, my instant gut reaction was to cast some magic to allow me to breathe but it seemed that something… prevented air from leaking out or… something.

I wasn't quite aware of the mechanics. 

Anyways, as I stepped into the room my presence was detected by the large swath of Automata. Their gazes left an awkward sweat on my brow, as I stepped out towards the large gate at the end of the room. They continued to stare, mostly while continuing to work on whatever busy tasks they had, and some even did approach me… looking me over very closely, almost like a person watching a dog enter their workplace. 

When I started thinking about it like that, I felt a little more confident. A smile returned to my lips as I passed by the large mech suits and held my hand out towards the opening in space. It wasn't a barrier, wall, or anything else… right after touching my hand outwards, I felt the cold of space. It was as if a wall were both there, and not. 

"Avery!" I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

I turned and faced the direction I heard the voice come from, and standing right before me was Scarab. 

"What the heck are you doing here?! You should be resting in bed!" Scarab yelled at me while angrily poking my arm.

I lightley responded by saying "I figured I'd check out the surface." 

I did want to see the surface, after all, I wanted to see how much this world has changed since… Well, I don't know exactly how long I've been gone since it seems everyone wants to keep that secret from me. Either way, I was curious about everything that happened.

"Right… I haven't exactly told you the situation." She mumbled.

"What was that?" I replied, squatting down to reach her height.

"Angels have sort of… built cities and other things on the surface, Demons as well though not to the same degree." She replied.

Hm… well, they have built strongholds in the past… but usually atop the remains of destroyed castles and such built from human civilizations they've conquered.

Whole cities.

Huh.

"That'll be interesting." I said aloud. 

Scarab shook her head; "No, it will be a war crime. We aren't allowed to attack their civilian territory." 

"And?" I replied with an evil smirk.

"You want to stoop to their level?" Scarab replied seriously. 

I stood and considered that for a moment. 

Was I really thinking of that? Taking the lives of their innocent?

But… is it really so different? They killed so many of our people, over and over again… and they can't even feel, so why should we be nice to them… 

What is this… 

"C'mon, Avery." Scarab said while grabbing my arm.

I nodded my head. "Y-yeah… you are right."

I agreed with her in my speech, but in my mind I was still torn. 

Monsters aren't even here anymore, why do I fight? 

What's the point in fighting, I have nothing to gain… I am the crowned King of Nothing…

Haa… If only… 

"Scarab… can I ask you something?" I quietly said while being pulled along by her gentle grasp. 

She turned slightly. "Yes..?"

"Why… why do we all have to fight…" I whispered.

She solemnly looked at me, staring deep into my eyes. "I don't really know, we've always been fighting… haven't we?"

"...Scarab… I've decided. We'll try and make peace with them."

"A-Avery…" 

"I know." I muttered. "I just… I can't stand it anymore. So much blood… so much pain… I… I can't let them do this anymore. The leaders of these factions are sending so many of their people to die pointlessly… I atleast want some form of answer as to why they are doing this."

She whispered with a dead tone. "You suppose you'll do this… how exactly?"

I gripped my palm, clutching my hand into a fist.

"I see…" Scarab said, grabbing my palm.

"I'll support you, Avery… just… don't do anything TOO rash, heheh…" She laughed, I could sense the troubled feeling in her voice though.

"That's all I do." I joked back, loosening my grip…"I'll be back in a small while. Until then… have the automata bunker down for a while, only defensive missions." 

I… know I shouldn't do this. This is risky, risky as all hell. But, somehow, I feel as if this decision could ultimately save ALL of us from this war… victory is victory, no matter how it's achieved. 

Victory is victory… 

Scarab let go of my sleeve. "Understood… I… I hope it turns out alright…"

"Thank you…" I replied to Scarab

It's been a while since I've used a shortcut… let's try it out.

'Endless Void, delete the distance between me and my target, and bring me to where I desire…' I mentally commanded the Void Energy within me… darkness swallowed me as a portal opened and brought me to my destination.

Gleaming halls of white and gold blasted natural light onto my eyes, crystal clear windows decorated the lamented hall filled only with platinum plant-like structures made out of metal. Statues of Christianic stood before me, lining the entrance of a grand door made out of steel.

This place was the throne room of the Hyper Angel, or rather, the entryway into the throne room. I sensed… nothing beyond these doors. 

I see the Angels copied my preference in architecture. Grand Arches and hallways… and well, that's about it. Surprisingly, there isn't much life here. I'd assume that you'd find the odd guard here or there… maybe it's been so long since they've faced a threat at their capital they laxed security. 

Well. That's perfect.

I pushed open the door slowly…