With the fight with the Doomsday Beast over and with the Antimatter Legion forces finally retreated from the Space station. Comfort, peace, and prosperity finally returned to the space station. However that was only by looking from the outside perspective of things, there was more going on inside that was yet to emerge.
"Do you think everything's going to be alright? They're really gone, right?"
"It seems so. Lady Asta did announce that they've retreated."
"Do you honestly believe that? Maybe it's just a trick to reassure us. I've heard leaders do that sometimes to minimize panic."
"Even if they're gone, it doesn't mean they won't come back. I'm sure of it."
I stood in silence, leaning against the wall, listening to the conversation behind me.
'A trick?' I thought, shaking my head as I let out a sigh. I began walking slowly through the master control zone, deliberately taking my time to gather much information about the researchers' mental state after the invasion. The atmosphere was thick….tense, with doubt and fear everywhere I went which I'd encountered many times in my travels. This was no different, yet it was somehow less concerning.
I stopped in front of a transparent glass wall that showed a rather beautiful view of the vastness of space. It was calming as my eyes were glued to it. I crossed my arms and stood there in silence, watching as small rocks and debris drifted by. Alone in my thoughts, I heard footsteps creeping behind me. It was Himeko, the one who approached and stood near to my right.
I glanced at her, half-expecting her to say something, but as the seconds passed, she remained silent. I turned my attention back to the glass frame. "If you've got something to ask, then please do," I said, breaking the silence.
Himeko giggled beside me. "Are you alright, Dan Heng?" she asked, her tone soft and low. I raised an eyebrow. 'Is that all?'
"I'm fine, Himeko. Thanks for asking," I replied after a moment.
"You don't look fine. What's on your mind? It's rare to see you like this." She smiled faintly, and I turned my head to meet her gaze.
"There's nothing," I said.
"Do you honestly think I can't see through that?" She raised an eyebrow at me, her lips curving into a playful smile. I fell silent, unable to respond immediately. I lowered my head slightly, gathering my thoughts, before lifting it again.
"It's about Ethan…" I began slowly. "I saw everything that happened. His watch… there's nothing like it. It's—"
"Concerning?"
"Dangerous," I stated firmly, locking eyes with her. "If it can contain that much imaginary energy, similar to a Stellaron, don't you think it could pose a danger to this station and to himself? Ms. Himeko, with your experience with Stellarons, you surely know this, right?"
Himeko fell silent, her lips pursed, before a chuckle escaped her. "I expected you to say that." Her gaze shifted back to the starry expanse outside. "It's impressive, honestly… for such a little device that can absorb imaginary energy that much. It's almost… cute."
"You knew it needed energy to function?" I asked, curiously.
"I had a guess, but this pretty much confirms it now." Himeko nodded slowly, turning to face me. "But don't worry, Dan Heng. Like you said, Ethan is a kind boy. He won't harm us with his… gift if we can call it that."
"It's not him I'm worried about, it's his watch. What if—"
"So far, his watch appears stable," Himeko interrupted, her expression turning stern. "No signs of it going berserk. For now, let's just say he's okay."
I gave her a skeptical look. "That doesn't seem safe."
"You're being cautious now?" she mused.
"After seeing what it can do, yes."
"What about Stelle?"
"She's…" I hesitated, searching for the right words. Like Ethan, she was also a potentially dangerous anomaly.
"She has a Stellaron in her body, which you've noticed by now, correct?"
I slowly nodded.
Himeko hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against her arms. "Both are mysteries we've yet to uncover. Stelle with her lost memories and Ethan with his mysterious watch. But they both have good hearts, that's for sure." She smiled warmly at the thought. "Remember how we found March? And even you and Welt have a certain mysterious aura around you both." She smiled.
I stayed silent.
"You're going to agree?"
"Partially," I admitted. "Mr. Yang does seem like he has secrets."
"Everyone has secrets, Dan Heng. Whether they're for the greater good, or not, we can't force anyone to share what they don't want to disclose."
I sighed. Well, she was right about that. With my past I've kept hidden, I can't say I disagree. "Where do you think he got it from?"
Himeko turned her attention back to the glass frame. "I've seen many technological inventions that manipulate imaginary energy in various ways and forms, but this… it's peculiar, don't you think? How Ethan got it is a mystery. Like I said, we could ask him, but I doubt he'd answer."
"Very well," I said, accepting her response. An awkward silence enveloped us for a moment before I spoke again. "Is he alright? And Stelle?"
"They're both fine. They're at the Medical Department as we speak. Though Stelle has shown signs of waking up, Ethan seems to be in a comatose state. It's nothing fatal, and this space station has medical technologies that other planets could only dream of. He'll pretty much be alright from the look of things"
I frowned at the information, especially at the mention of his condition "But he didn't seem hurt," I recalled. He hadn't appeared to have any physical injuries, unlike Stelle, who had sustained injuries from the blast she took on herself. It was surprising how durable she was. Perhaps the Stellaron in her body was the reason.
"Physically, maybe not, but I'm not sure that can be said for what's going on inside," Himeko pointed out.
I looked up at her, showing a rare moment of confusion. Himeko chuckled. "Let's just say he's very tired."
"I see," I nodded. "And Mr. Yang, where is he?"
"He's at the Security Department right now, talking to Arlan and the other security heads."
I nodded as another silence settled between us. This time, it wasn't as awkward.