● Graviton
Exact Location: The Star Lord's Villa
Jasper lay motionless on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His eyes were open but his mind was lost in the rhythmic sound of his breathing. He could barely feel any part of his body and his clothes were wet from the excessive sweat that exuded from his body. The Star Lord who used to be huge and full of energy was now weak and the bones in his face and neck were becoming visible.
The door to his chamber slid open, causing the Star-Lord to snap out of his trance and move his eyes to the door.
He tried but failed to put a smile on his face as he noticed his consort, Aurora entering the room.
"Au… r-- ra."
She approached the bed and sat on a seat next to the bed the Star Lord was lying on. She then took Jasper's hand and buried it between hers while slowly caressing it.
"My hundred Grey days are over," she began. "I have sought forgiveness from the Greyes and I came here to seek yours."
The Star Lord could only stare speechlessly at the dark-eyed lady. "I have committed a lot of sins that I wish I never did."
She looked up from Jasper's palm and continued. "You should know that it was I who ended the life of your wife, Dysidla out of spite for what she had over me... I used to wear a big smile on my face but I was corrupted by evil."
Aurora still wore her outfit that covered every part of her body. "I also ended the life of General Luke because he caught wind of all the evil I had done."
She paused for a moment and took a deep breath before speaking again. "Worst of all, are the immoral acts I committed with your son, Zephyr."
"I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me."
The door to the chamber opened and Aeson entered with a small box in his hand. "Mother, it is ready."
The dark-eyed woman collected the box from her son and took out a syringe that contained an orange liquid in it. "This will cure the illness from the drug Zephyr has been feeding you, but it will put you away for a very long time." She added before slowly injecting the content into his system.
"I don't want you dead, but this is the only way."
"Till we meet again, Jasper." Aurora stood up and started towards the exit. "Have the guests arrived?"
"Only a few."
The Star Lord managed to smile as he watched his consort and son made their way out through his blurry vision.
Meanwhile, Atlas Finn stood by the gate of the villa, welcoming the guests one by one as they arrived. Among the guests were some rich and influential Grey Landers and a few believing humans. Despite their protest against the Star Lord's decision, the Primes, priests, and other religious leaders couldn't stop themselves from attending the auspicious occasion.
Atlas caught sight of the band that was to play the religious music approaching with their instrument and quickly ordered some guards to help them with the equipment. One of the band members glanced at him before entering the mansion. Atlas grinned and slipped his hand into his pocket.
The dark-haired man's smile immediately faded as he caught sight of a familiar figure among the band members.
"Selene?" He muttered under his breath.
.
.
.
● Satellite
Exact Location: Clinical Section of the Sweepers Organization.
Zara slowly opened her eyes to the ceiling of the room she was in. She blinked in an attempt to clear her vision. Her eyes scanned the room until she stopped at a familiar figure who was seated next to her with a plate of noodles in his hand. He had pale skin, blue eyes, and vanilla hair.
"Mac?" She said softly.
The said name quickly dropped the plate on a nearby table and turned to the arctic blue-haired lady while wiping his mouth.
"Zara, you're away…ke," he said with his mouth full. "I rushed over the moment I heard what happened at the forbidden zone."
Zara furrowed at the absurdity of the words that flew out of her fiance's mouth.
"How are you feeling?"
"Did something happen?" The arctic blue-haired lady questioned.
Mac held her hand in his and sighed. "I've always loved you Zara," he started. "Even when I yell and act insane, I swear it was all out of the love I have for you."
"Mac?"
"That night that I got all mad and… I'm sorry Zara, I really am."
"What happened, Mac?" She asked, getting impatient.
The vanilla-haired man stayed quiet for a second before speaking. "Your mother passed away last night," he revealed.
Zara stared at her fiance, utterly shocked and at a loss for words. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't make out any words as a cold chill went up her spine. She attempted to pull her hand away from Mac's but he tightened his grip around her palm. "No, Zara," he started. "You don't have to do this alone. I want to be there for you… I want to be by your side, especially now."
The arctic blue-haired female Grey Lander shut her eyes to let the information sink in.
****
Exact Location: Zone Protection Wall.
"Hey look who finally came to check on me," Thomas said while approaching the teal green-eyed man.
Liam smiled softly as he approached his friend. They met in the middle and greeted each other with a handshake they'd been using since the first few years they met.
"You were suspected to be an infected, you're lucky I even came here now." Tom laughed and punched his friend in the shoulder.
Owen joined the two and aggressively placed his hands on Tom's shoulder. "Oof, that hurts."
He glared into Liam's eyes before extending his hand for a handshake. "T-Thanks for the support back at the Inner Core," he said to the shock of everyone around.
The light brown-haired man was utterly confused after hearing the words that came out of Owen's mouth. He glanced at Tom who shrugged then back at Owen before taking his hand. "Don't get me wrong, I would have easily defeated it alone but having a little team support wasn't bad at all."
Liam nodded, still shocked at the sudden change of character from his supposed rival. "Later Grayson boy," he added before walking away.
The teal green-eyed man turned to Thomas. "Did something happen?"
"Looks like I was right all along-- the forbidden zone does fucks up Sweeper's head." They both laughed and started towards the exit.
"What about Zara?"
Liam slipped his hand into his pocket. "The last time I visited her room she was still unconscious, so I was hoping we could go together."
"Yeah, why not."
....