Chapter 119
The moment those words left her mouth, Gray screamed at the top of his lungs, "Damn you, whoever thought of this before me!" Rachel burst into laughter as she walked past him into the ship. "Come, let's see what the TARDIS is capable of," she said with a smile. Gray got up, grumbling, "I better not see whoever made this before; otherwise, I will kill him." Rachel replied nonchalantly, "Them. The Doctor has many faces, young and old, men and women. Good luck killing them; they are quite intelligent." She spoke while looking around inside the ship.
The interior of the ship was a blend of futuristic elegance and Gray's personal touch, of course they were expanded on the inside. The walls were constructed from polished magical wood, glowing faintly with runic patterns carved into them, meaning that only he and rachel can access it, giving the space an ethereal, timeless feel. The captain's quarters were located near the helm, adorned with intricate carvings and a massive desk covered in blueprints and journals. The bed was large and covered in soft furs, with shelves lining the walls filled with books, potions, and tools. A small enchanted window provided a view of the stars, regardless of where the ship was docked.
The living room was a spacious area filled with comfortable seating made from enchanted leather that adjusted itself for comfort. A large magical fireplace sat at the center, with flames that changed colors depending on the mood of those nearby. The shelves were lined with trinkets and trophies from Gray's adventures, and a table in the center of the room held a chessboard with glowing, animated pieces. The bathroom was lavish, with a large, claw-footed tub that could fill with water of any temperature at the touch of a rune. The sink and mirror were enchanted to always provide the perfect lighting.
The engine room was the heart of the ship, housing a massive, glowing engine that pulsed with blue energy. The room was filled with complex machinery, pipes, and gears, all interconnected to create a harmonious hum. The Rift Engine Elixir was stored in a specialized containment chamber at the center of the room, surrounded by runes to stabilize its volatile power. The engine emitted a faint glow, illuminating the space with a surreal blue light. Gray had also included a workstation here, complete with tools, potion-making equipment, and a small storage area for spare parts and magical fuels.
After getting a tour of the ship, Rachel sat down at the ship's helm alongside Gray and said, "You really like decorating houses, don't you?" To which Gray replied, "Of course. Who is going to decide our house after we get married and have kids?" At this, Rachel was tired of trying to correct him, so she just let him say what he wanted as she looked ahead. "So, where are we headed?" she asked, making Gray look at her with a grin as he said, "Since you are finally back, it's time we went on our annual dimension travel." He started the ship, and immediately it began to glow and hum as it came to life, shining with a bright blue color. A rift opened in front of the ship as Gray moved forward, yelling, "Geronimo!" The ship surged through the rift at a blinding speed, taking Rachel aback, not by the speed of the ship but what he said
As they passed through the rift, Gray and Rachel looked out the window to see the universe stretching before them. They appeared in the vast expanse of deep space, surrounded by breathtaking sights of swirling galaxies, shimmering nebulae, and a sea of stars that seemed infinite. Rachel stared out, mesmerized, and said softly, "Beautiful." Gray, equally entranced, nodded in agreement, "Yeah, beautiful it is." The ship, the TARDIS, sailed gracefully through the expanse, its glow a beacon in the infinite dark. Gray and Rachel watched with intent gazes, unconsciously moving closer to each other. "Rachel," Gray called out softly.
"Yeah?" she replied. Gray sighed deeply and said, "Let's watch the infinite expanse of space for all eternity." Rachel chuckled, "You want to live that long?" Gray smiled, replying, "It's infinity with you; of course, I want to live that long." His words took Rachel aback as she glanced at him, but he didn't return her gaze. He was lost in the vast expanse of space, his deep, lifefilled gray eyes reflecting the stars, making them seem as infinite as the universe itself. To Rachel, those eyes were just as beautiful. "That is… beautiful," she whispered, and Gray smiled. "Yeah, space is beautiful," he agreed, though Rachel meant something else entirely.
Their sightseeing came to an abrupt end as the ship emerged from the other side of the rift. They noticed something different about their surroundings. "How far back in the past did we arrive?" Rachel asked. The area looked medieval, resembling 1700s. The ship landed in the heart of the city, its grand yet antiquated structures and dimly lit streets confirming the era. Gray exited the ship and, with a wave of his hand, transformed it into a toy—a unique feature of the TARDIS. "Okay, it's definitely earlier than the 1900s," he remarked. Rachel gave him a funny look. "It looks like it's 200 years earlier than that, and we're in France," she replied, pointing to a sign on one of the nearby buildings. Gray suddenly had an idea. "Why don't we just have a look around, eh? It's France, the city of amour," he said with a playful grin. "When did you learn French?" Rachel asked. Gray chuckled, "You've been an egg for far too long, Rachel. You've missed a lot of fun stuff."
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Like what exactly?" she asked as Gray paused to think. "Well, now that I think about it, all I did was travel back then go to the Witcher world, where I spent most of the time waiting for the dew to mature," he admitted with a sigh. "Nothing. Guess you are the fun in my world, Rachel." Rachel smiled warmly. "Of course. Without me, you would have just been stuck in that suitcase of yours, making potions without sleeping a single bit." Gray laughed. "Come on, let's try some French délicatesse," he suggested, making Rachel smile again. However, their smiles quickly faded as they straightened themselves. "Ugh, seriously? The atmosphere was just getting good. Why are you cockblocking?" Gray muttered unhappily as he looked above them. Several figures, dressed as French noblemen from 1792, loomed over them. They had sun-like tattoos on their foreheads and smiled sinisterly, revealing large, sharp canines.
The figures jumped down as Rachel asked, "What do you mean the atmosphere was getting good? What were you planning?" She was more concerned about what Gray was planning than the vampires. Gray looked at her and replied, "What makes you think I was planning anything? Girl, your mind is dirty." He dismissed her and turned his head away. "Oh, I'm the one with the dirty mind now?" she retorted, approaching him. Meanwhile, the nine vampires, attracted by the high-quality blood, exchanged glances as one of them said, "Are we somehow invincible?"