*welp, not a lot of action, but maybe trying to fix some stuff together and hint at possibe future events. Stay tuned. Enjoy :)
Peace out and Deus vult.*
Their return was mostly silent. Dan Heng was deep in thought, while Mark simply played around with what he had seen, the images vivid in his mind. Their mastery over the sword, their powers unleashed through them. He had to try and reach a similar level.
The Express was closer with each passing moment. It was just the two of them, and Mark heard the same stern voice he'd gotten used to speaking up.
"How did you know? What else do you know?"
Dan Heng pointed his spear at Mark, the weapon sharper than ever in that moment. His eyes were cold, waiting for an answer that would actually get to the point.
"What are you doing, Dan Heng?" asked Mark, his voice composed, despite it being but an attempt at mimicking Kafka, who lacked fear itself. Mark would have to push towards craziness if he wanted to reach such a level.
"You can see what I'm doing. All this time, you've been dodging questions, but this time, it's related to my past. What else do you know, and how do you even know it? Elio, the leader of the Stellaron Hunters, can see the future. The Matrix of Prescience can look both into the past and the future. Countless ways exist for one to witness such things, so tell me..."
The cold metal of the spear pressed right against his neck; the tension felt in his skin as it was on the brink of breaking. He took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension. Somehow, his body didn't react as badly as he had expected, but his hands were shaking from the adrenaline.
"You know damn well I avoid talking about that subject for a specific reason. I can't see the future, but I do know things. I can't see the past, but then again, I do know things. An outsider, an observer—that's what I was until a certain point. I'm human in nature, no damn being with innate abilities or other cool skills. You all have something while I had a damned Stellaron planted inside my body without me even knowing."
Mark's voice was slowly growing harsher, none of them yielding. It was a crucial moment for the man who didn't know his past and the one who knew way too much. His arm gripped the tip of the spear, pressing it against his own neck harder, to Dan Heng's surprise. The blood that dripped wasn't from his nose, as usual, but from his throat.
"I hold three of them, but I can't use them. They wreck my body, even if they're useful in times of need. What little power I could use was not enough, nowhere near the level of what foes we'll have to face. You could easily take me out in two moves, even if I used the energy that I have at my disposal. I went berserk twice, one time losing sight of myself for a few minutes, while the other one I became a monster that didn't care about anything other than destruction."
The spear shook as Mark's arms tensed, his muscles strained by the past wounds. Dan Heng searched Mark for something, checking in every detail, from the wavers in his voice to the determined look in his eyes that hid many things beneath.
"Do you think I like it? I'm glad I could save someone, that's what I'm grateful for, but being on the brink of death every time I do so... that's something I'd avoid, and yet I can't!"
Mark took another breath, stilling himself. His arm limply fell from the spear, sliding off as he spoke once more, calmer, his mind aligned in ideas and speech.
"Your past... I don't know a lot about it... you already know enough of it, especially the parts that I know too... I told you... I was nothing but an observer... that's all I can say. Still, I'm human, alright? I'm just a normal human, simply existing, trying to fight against something vast, massive, way more than what a piece of dirt could handle... I'm selfish, alright?"
The last few words rolled out with a tiny smile, a simple acceptance of what his resolution in this world was. Mark made up his mind ever since the beginning, yet he didn't realize the selfish nature of his path. In search of a perfect ending, he'd have to meddle in many things, twist fate, and create way more issues along the way.
His steps kept him going towards the express, no trace of anything on his face, a blank canvas that only reflected Dan Heng's frustration.
"Stop asking me questions, alright? There's no answer to be had, at least not for now..."
The rest of the way, short as it was, nearly choked Mark out through sheer heavy silence. Stepping inside the Express freed his soul from shackles that weren't seen but felt. Inside, there was a bit of a ruckus.
"What's happening?"
Himeko spoke from her usual spot on the couch, her cup of coffee present, the bitter aroma tempting Mark's senses.
"Oh, apparently, they have received a message from Bronya. She's inviting them to a festivity in Belobog."
Mark nodded, aware of that part of the quest line.
"So, we're heading back there?"
She gave a swift nod, sipping on her coffee. Mark found his gaze lingering a touch more than needed, nothing new.
"Indeed, we're heading back to drop them off. The festivities on Penacony are still far, so we might as well spend our free time visiting old friends."
Mark nodded, his mind made up.
"Could you perhaps drop me off at Herta's Space Station?"
Her ears perked up, a flicker of something in her eyes as she met his gaze.
"Why that specific place? Do you perhaps know someone there?"
He shook his head, chuckling a little.
"You're all used to me already, being the guy I am, just spouting random things. I only need to talk with Herta about some matters, and then we'll see how it goes. I know about her Simulated Universe, and let's just say I have some crazy ideas."
The smirk on his face was clear indication that he was up to no good, simply following whatever plan his mind had made up. She sighed, bringing a hand to the side of her head.
"I guess we could drop you off there, but don't go causing trouble, alright? Herta is..."
Mark nodded, needing no explanations.
"Childish, a genius without understanding of specific social norms. I'm aware of how she is deep down. No worries, I'm sure she'll love what I have in mind. After all, what genius worth their salt would let a man with three Stellarons inside of him walk away without studying him?"
She shook her head, smiling softly.
"You're more intriguing the more days go by. You're willing to be a test subject just to get something in return?"
He nodded, sitting by her side.
"You bet I am. Sometimes, the only thing a man can do is bet on themselves. So, remember; when in doubt, always bet on Mark."
The sound of her laughter was music to his ears, no matter how short lived it was. That's why he loved spending time with her, despite worrying deep down that he was making a fool of himself.
"You always say something unexpected. Well then, I'll make sure we reach the Space Station as well, just don't go causing problems."
Mark nodded, and with that, he stood up.
"Got it, and thanks. I'll be off to the training room then."
His steps were quick and excited. Himeko didn't even have time to tell him to not do anything since he could strain his body even more. It wasn't like he would listen. As long as he could walk, he'd keep pushing himself.
Inside the training room, he simply sat down on the floor, his sword on his back, the metal pipe dropped off in his room. His hand rested on the handle, keeping it steady, pointed upwards. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, focusing his all on the energy inside. There was a flow, even if it moved like honey, slow and steady.
"I need to focus on it. There has to be a way to push more of it. I felt that during the battle, even if the pain numbed most of my senses and I wasn't fully into it. I could sense it."
His mind was fully invested in the feeling of the rubber that covered the handle and his skin. It was oddly precise, each part of his skin that came into contact highlighted by his own imagination.
"Now, to focus on the energy a little more..."
It slowly moved through his body, the flow engulfing his muscles, slowly seeping into his being.
He dropped the sword and clenched his teeth, close to shouting. The pain of his unhealed body still held him back.
"Ah, damn it... I guess I'll have to fully wait until the Space Station to try and train. Let's just hope that the Simulated Universe can do the things I have in mind. If not, let's just say that I'm screwed."
His mumbles fell on deaf ears, and soon he heard a warning sound. Looking to the source, he saw the screen display a message that simply said 'Warp incoming' and a countdown. He just lied fully on the floor, feeling as the speed increased as the countdown reached 0.
"Ok, this should be Belobog. So soon,huh? They'll disembark, then it's my turn to get off."
Rather than just wasting his time with a broken body that couldn't train at the moment, he walked back to the parlor, which was almost bare safe for Himeko.
"Oh, back so soon? I think you realized it yourself, right? You're not in shape for training. For now, you should simply rest."
He shook his head, sitting next to her once more. She lifted a cup of coffee, a silent question if he wanted some. Tempting, so he simply nodded.
"Same as yours, alright? Darker than the universe, with more taste to it than anything else."
The cup was steaming, served to him in a pristine white cup, resting on a tiny plate he could engulf in his palm.
"Thank you."
He took a sip, letting the hot liquid burn the tip of his tongue, enjoying the extreme bitterness. It made him snap out of his own mind and focus on what's before his very eyes.
"Finish that, then we'll warp once more. I don't want you spilling my precious brew, alright?"
He chuckled, downing the entire thing in a few gulps.
"Ok, we can warp."
She scoffed, staring at him, slightly impressed.
"You sure are eager to make it to the Space Station, aren't you?"
"You bet I am. I need to figure out some things here and there. I might need you to put in a few good words for me with the staff, tho. I don't think I can randomly wander around the place."
She nodded, looking out the Express window, staring at the countless stars that surrounded them.
"Especially after the Antimatter Legion's attack. We made it there in time, and that's how we've also met Stelle."
He nodded, even more aware of the story than Himeko herself might have been.
"The Antimatter Legion... I feel like I'll meet with those guys in the future, maybe even more than I'd like to. If that happens... let's hope we'll make it out nicely, alright? I heard that they have quite the powerhouses in there, with weapons powerful enough to straight up destroy planets."
Her gaze was grim for a moment at the sudden mention of their power. A war with Destruction itself would come at some point. Mark stood up, gently patting her on the shoulder, staring out the window by her side. His hand stood there, their contact close.
"I'll make sure to get strong enough to take on all of them, alright?"
He said it so seriously, with so much determination, his face straight. Himeko couldn't hold it in and playfully nudged his side.
"Quite the big dreams, you know? If you do manage to reach that point, then maybe I'll sleep better at night."
Mark nudged her back, softer in touch than her.
"You'd sleep better if you had less coffee, you know? You drink enough to kill a planet."
She looked at him, feigning offense.
"That's it, young man; no more coffee for you."
They laughed together, enjoying the blissful silence that followed, their gazes wandering out among the stars.