440 - 446
Chapter 440 - Attack By Robots
Inside the holes, yellow mist-like energy appeared like a ball. The same happened in every hole and bar surrounding Kiba and others.
By the time they saw the mist-like energy, it rushed out like currents to smash on them.
"Back off," Kiba snorted coldly and waved a hand to the side.
Dozens of mist currents rushing at him stopped in the path and then, simultaneous to his hand movement, they smashed on the floor.
BANG
The durable metallic tiles crumbled into pieces and splinters rose up in the air. The fact that the mist currents could smash the alien matter tiles denoted just how powerful they were.
More mist currents dazzled out from the bars encircling him, and this time, realizing his strength, the mist currents fused together to turn into a net.
The mist-like net shot at Kiba, flying at supersonic speed, screeching through the air.
Kiba outstretched a hand and streams of golden light flashed out.
BOOM
An ear-piercing explosion ringed out, making the floor tremble.
At the same time, some distance away.
Ruby's eyes widened as she saw the mist currents charging at her, ignoring the nail shield she created. Just as she thought she was dead; she felt a feminine hand on her breasts and a pretty face close to her left ear.
"Slave, you can't die yet," Madison said after which she took Ruby's ears between her lips.
Ruby froze in disbelief. She was having a hard time believing that Madison has time to molest her in middle of a crisis.
As she thought of the danger, she looked in front and felt bright crimson glow straining her eyes. In front of her, there were ten crimson rings, forming a barrier upon which mist currents bombarded.
Destructive ripples swept out and sparks flew, but the crimson barrier stood intact without any cracks.
"Ah!"
Ruby cried as Madison brought both her hands on her breasts, over her clothes, and then pinched on her nipples.
"They feel wonderful," Madison praised while snuggling over Ruby's neck. "Daddy loves to suck on them, right?"
"…yes," Ruby answered helplessly.
"Then service him well," Madison rubbed Ruby's breasts with each other.
Meanwhile, Katrina, Cindy, and Ria were protected by Lillian. The latter repelled the mist currents, which then bounced back on the white bars.
With a bang sound, the bars disintegrated into pieces.
Before Katrina and others could sigh in relief, Lillian planted her face between Katrina's massive tits.
As she felt her soft but firm breasts pressing on either side of her beautiful face, Lillian couldn't help but mutter, "No wonder daddy kept you as his slave!"
"..."
Kiba looked at the twins and smiled. The way they acted was just like him.
"They have nice personalities," Kiba was proud of them.
~buzz~
The explosion of his earlier attack faded and the bars collapsed.
Kiba's eyebrows knitted and he lifted his head. The ceiling opened up and like flickering shadows, five silhouettes rushed out and landed on the floor.
They were humongous battle robots.
The moment they landed, they charged at Kiba and the twins, ignoring the others.
Two robots arrived in front and back of Kiba, surrounding him. Without any sound, they swung their mechanical arms to smash him to a bloody pulp.
Kiba tapped a foot on the floor and jumped up just as their arms reached him. Perhaps expecting his movement, from their mouths, bright beams boomed out.
Kiba's expression flickered in surprise and he forcefully stopped in mid-air, He landed back on the floor.
Simultaneously, the bright beams bent down and rushed at his head.
Alongside, the robotic arms closed in to his chest and back. He twisted his body and began to spin around like a vortex, avoiding the impact of arms.
The beams were sucked into the spinning vortex, and broke into dazzling sparks.
~whirl~
The fists of the robots opened up to reveal a cannon-like device. Kiba, who was spinning, sensed energy charging in the cannon-like device, and he stopped.
As the cannon-like device began to fire, he rushed through the slight gap between the robots. The robots aimed the cannon-like devices on him and fired bright cannons.
Kiba twisted his direction but the cannons continued to follow him, increasing their speed.
"Well, let's see how powerful they are."
As he was speeding forward, with the cannons behind him, he spun around. And then, like a bolt of lightning, he sped past the cannons and flew towards the two robots.
The cannons made a curve in the air and followed him.
The robots sensed what he planned to do and they quickly formed a shield just as he appeared between them.
Without saying anything, he grabbed the arms of the robots. He was a little over 6 feet and they were 12 feet. He looked like a child in front of the giants, but he has more than enough strength to bring the robots together.
By then, the cannons arrived and smashed on the shields guarding the robots.
KA BANG
Cracks appeared on the shields and they began to crumble into chunks. Violent shockwaves erupted that made the titles and walls collapse.
Even the thick door at the end of this area has fissures.
"Rather powerful," Kiba remarked at the power of the cannons.
At the same time, the robotic droids began to emit vibrant currents from their arms.
Kiba felt his hands turning numb and he freed the robots.
Just as he freed them, metallic spikes protruded from both robots to stab into him.
"Sighs~ It sucks to not use my offensive abilities," Kiba formed a transparent, golden barrier around his skin just as the spikes were about to pierce him.
He didn't want to use Alpha-rank techniques like Gravity Cage, Purgatory – Eclipse and other destructive abilities because of his location.
He was in the entrance of a spaceship, and using truly destructive abilities would ruin a large portion of the area he was in.
That would result in more trouble and hindrance than it was worth it. He has learned that from his experience in BSE79.
So, he has to limit his fighting methods.
CRACK
The metallic spikes began to crack apart as they crashed on the barrier.
Just as the spikes disintegrated into fragments, and before the fragments could land on the ground, one of the robots bent its neck and smashed its head on Kiba's with a powerful force.
The robot expected his head to explode like a watermelon, but much to its amazement, as its head smashed on to his, terrifying force waves – visible to the naked eye - cascaded out.
The force waves wreaked havoc in all directions. The entire area rumbled as if an earth-shaking earthquake was passing through it.
The robot looked at the human in shock.
There was not a single scratch on his head, but on its own head, a huge dent has appeared!
Kiba might not be using Alpha-rank abilities, but he was still an Alpha!
Most times, he has his powers and aura suppressed, so it was possible to land injuries on him. But now, he wasn't suppressing his physical strength any longer.
"Metallic piece of junk, get lost!"
Kiba arched his head back and then rapidly lowered it to smash on the chest of the robot. The moment his head banged against the robot, a golden energy ripple swept out from the point of contact.
BANG
The robot stumbled backward by almost a hundred steps. With each step, a violent buzzing sound emitted from its chest, and internal circuits imploded…
Chapter 441 - Empty Section?
By the time the robot took the last step, its entire chest was hollow and smoke trailed out of it. Like a broken doll, it sumped down on the broken floor.
Kiba didn't get time to see what happened after he hit his head on the robot's chest. Because the movement his head arched to its normal position, the other robot brought its metallic elbow to smash into the side of his skull.
Its elbow glinted with metallic lust as it arrived at Kiba's skull. Just as it was about to smash into him, Kiba yanked his head back, and at the same time, slapped a hand down on the moving elbow.
His small fingers dug into the elbow like a claw tearing through the metallic sheet. Sparks flew out from the torn part and, as his fingers moved downward, he felt electrical wires.
His fingers didn't stop, and they sliced through the wires.
The robot refused to just stand still and take damage. It rotated its head and fired a laser beam at his hand.
Following this, its knee rose up to sink into his kidney.
Kiba locked his eyes on the incoming laser beam. His pupils flashed with a cold glow and the laser beam froze in mid-air.
Alongside, he moved his free hand down and smashed against the giant knee. The knee quivered and it backed away in its original position.
The robot sensed the crisis and it began retreating. It tried to retrace its elbow but without any success.
A snapping sound reverberated out as its arm was broken into two. The portion below the elbow fell on the floor.
The robot backed away by ten or so steps and it looked at its ripped arm. Buzzing sound and current streamed down from the elbow portion; revealing the internal wiring and tubes.
The robot has no emotions like anger or fear, and it only did what it was commanded to do. It raised its other arm towards Kiba, and from its palm, a rope-like wire shot out. The start of the rope was attached with a sharp, triangular arc-like metal, glowing with murderous power.
The rope moved at a fast speed, and in a moment, the sharp metal surface reached the space between Kiba's feet.
Just as it was about to pierce into, Kiba caught the rope and yanked it backward.
ZZZ
A million volts cascaded out of the rope and attacked Kiba. His hand turned numb and senseless, and once again, the sharp metal part of the rope shot forward to stab into him.
"Annoying junk!"
Kiba moved his head sideward, and avoided the sharp metal by a hairbreadth. At the same time, he enveloped his hand with a glove made of golden light, and caught back the rope.
Current streamed out, but it didn't make a difference to him thanks to the glove.
Kiba grabbed the rope tightly and pulled it with a terrifying force.
The robot was shocked as its body shot towards Kiba due to the rope. By the time it severed its connection with the rope, the robot was in front of Kiba.
Quickly, the robot summoned an energy shield as it noticed him throwing out a force, backed by tremendous strength.
The air whistled as his fist moved forward. And then like a giant hammer, the fist smashed into the shield.
BANG!
On the transparent energy shield, ripples swept out like a tornado, and it began to rip apart like a broken mirror.
From the fissures, dazzling energy beams boomed out like shockwaves, forcing Kiba and the robot to jump back.
~whizz~
The robot sensed its internal wirings roiling and a crack growing on its chest. It brought its intact hand to stop the crack from spreading, but just then, Kiba appeared like a phantom.
"Join your companion."
He flickered a finger on the crack in its chest. The moment his finger touched the rack, a golden spark seeped out of his fingertip and entered the crack.
BOOM
The spark was like oil to the fire; creating short circuits and imploding the internal wiring. The robot exploded into a radiant explosion cloud...
Kiba shot backward and struck a fist on a robot fighting Lillian and Madison. It was already damaged and on brink of falling, and the addition of his punch, made it collapse.
"Daddy!"
Madison and Lillian jumped on him for a warm embrace.
"We knew you will protect us!"
Lillian kissed him on his cheek.
Kiba smiled...
Hundreds of meters away, the slaves looked at everything with shock. They have grown used to Kiba's strength, but they were dumbstruck by what the twins did.
The two defeated two robots on their own, and even the third was their own kill despite some minor help from Kiba.
"This entire family is too overpowering!"
Katrina took a deep breath and her massive breasts shook.
"Hm?" Madison felt the gazes of her slave and she turned towards them.
"Daddy is tired!" Madison said with a warm smile. "As his loyal slaves, you should make sure his environment is relaxed."
Relaxed?
How were they supposed to make the environment relaxed?!
They were in a danger zone! Not some entertainment park!!
Ruby and others were thinking when Madison disappeared in a crimson glow and appeared in front of Katrina.
Without saying anything, she splashed out Katrina's big breasts from her blouse. Katrina flinched and she hurriedly closed her arms around her breasts.
"Don't hide them!" Madison stopped her with a cute smile. "You four showing your lovely tits would brighten daddy's mood!"
In the asylum Madison and her sister were, the doctors said the secret to good health was seeing pleasant things.
"..........."
Ruby, Cindy, Ria, and Katrina had no choice but to oblige. Madison hasn't used any threatening tone but they didn't dare deny her suggestion.
Kiba was left speechless when he saw them turning topless. But Madison was right. Four pairs of breasts definitely brightened his mood.
"Daddy! Are your eyes feeling good?" Lillian asked.
"...yeah," Kiba answered.
"The doctors were right!" Lillian observed with her eyes closed.
***
A few minutes later, Kiba arrived in front of the damaged door leading to another area. The virtual console was still intact and he moved his fingers on it.
With a rumbling sound, the door started opening up, and white gases came out through the gap.
"It doesn't seem anyone has entered here for a long time... at least for a century."
Kiba thought as he looked at the white gas.
From experience, he knew the gas wasn't harmful. It was just a residual of the maintenance particles used in the spaceship for the proper functioning of air ducts and oxygen pipes connected to every area.
A minute later, the gas disappeared and the door completly opened up.
"You four will be in the lead," Lillian pushed the slaves ahead. "Daddy needs to see more of pleasant stuff inside."
"....."
Kiba wryly smiled as he saw Ruby and others stepping inside with their breasts and back exposed. He followed them with the twins.
"No wonder we were welcomed by robots," Kiba mused as he observed the inside of the new section they were in.
It was a hibernation chamber.
"Castor Damon would be so happy if he saw this."
Kiba smiled as he thought of the time Zed and Castor Damon stumbled into a hall filled with hypersleep units. It was there he 'betrayed' Castor Damon by using an underhanded means.
Kiba cleared his thoughts and examined the hibernation chamber. Soon, his pupils dilated in shock.
The hibernation chamber was empty! There were no alien organisms inside it!
"Where did they go? And if no one was here, why did the robots attack?"
Kiba contemplated when he noticed a data matrix in the middle of the chamber.
***
At the same time, just a level below Kiba's current location.
Ashlyn appeared in front of a grand door.
She tapped a finger on the back of her left hand, and a digital map appeared. She observed it for a few seconds and sighed...
Chapter 442 - Chryslia
The matrix was a ring-like box; placed in the center of the hibernation chamber. Kiba made a grasping motion and the matrix flew to him.
He grabbed the matrix and examined it with his senses.
"Haah~ Only someone like Enchantia could analyze it."
Kiba wasn't able to examine the matrix with his powers. So, for the time being, he transferred it to his storage dimension.
He wasn't interested in seeking any treasure or knowledge, but if he found something, he didn't mind taking it.
One could never know when it might come in handy...
"Perhaps Claudia could examine it."
Kiba decided to give it to her after returning.
He then studied the empty hibernation pots and wondered if the beings inside them have left the spaceship.
"Oh well, no use in staying here any longer," Kiba told the twins who were checking the chamber with child-like curiosity.
"Ok, daddy!" Madison and Lillian nodded. They then directed the 'family slaves' to take the lead.
"Yes, my ladies," Katrina agreed nervously.
Soon she and other slaves moved forward; with their tits and back exposed for brightening the mood of daddy and his lil' girls.
Half an hour later, as they continued treading the path ahead, Kiba sensed a familiar presence. Someone he has met only once in Desolate Blood Forest.
Fiona.
The one who tried to capture Red Tiger through her underlings. The one with whom he made a deal.
She has held her part of the deal by making more mutants visit the core region. In earlier times, the number of people who visited the core region was not even 500, but this time, it was in thousands.
He obviously knew it was thanks to her. If he has to guess, she achieved it by spreading rumors and sharing fake maps of treasures, legacies, knowledge, etc. It was a very old method but reliable.
"Well, I do owe her for thousands of mutants here."
Kiba's body turned transparent and he shot forward, leaving behind a gust of fierce wind. The intensity of the winds made Madison's and Lillian's hair flutter while the other women stumbled back.
...
Fiona was cautiously walking ahead with a digital compass in her hand. Suddenly, the compass started beeping and the readings on the screen began changing rapidly.
She gasped and even before she could fully exclaim, the air in front of her turned blurry as the man she was trying to find arrived.
"Kiba!"
Fiona took a step back from the shock of his sudden appearance.
"Fiona."
Kiba nodded and swept a glance at the compass in her hand that was continuously beeping.
He now knew why in their last meeting she didn't ask for a meeting point in the core region. She obviously had her means to find him.
"You can turn it off," Kiba said even as she tried to get over her initial shock.
"Ah... yes," Fiona quickly turned off the compass. She calmed herself and said, "The last time, we met---"
Before she could complete, Kiba broke her statement and said, "I know. So, let's go to retrieve whatever you want."
It was obvious the task she wanted his help would be in getting an item or treasure. After all, they were in the core region, and that was the only type of help she could want.
Fiona was surprised but she quickly nodded.
Just then, the twins caught up and arrived behind Kiba.
"Daddy! Don't leave us like that!" Madison hugged him from behind.
"...Sorry," Kiba smiled wryly.
"It is fine!" Madison replied on her sister's behalf.
To make him realize he was forgiven, she kissed him on lips.
Some five meters ahead, Fiona's jaw dropped to the ground.
"They are... the crazy twins!"
Unlike Kiba and most people, she knew about the twins. She wasn't acquainted with them, but she has read about them.
Her back turned cold as she recalled the crimes they have committed.
At times like this, she thought ignorance was truly bliss. Otherwise, no one in their right mind would want to be in the presence of these criminally insane sisters.
"Why is he with these psychos?!" Fiona thought in her heart.
She was trying to contemplate when Ruby, Cindy, Ria, and Katrina also arrived, their faces drenched with sweat.
Fiona was again stunned by Ruby and other new arrivals. She didn't know anyone of them, so the reason for her shock was not their background.
Compared to the twins, her reason for shock was rather simple.
Ruby and others were topless. Their naked breasts were fully displayed in all their glory.
"Are they also insane?" Fiona wondered.
She then saw them being submissive towards Kiba and the twins. She realized why they were topless when she saw the dread in their eyes as they looked at the twins.
"This is not important!"
Fiona cleared her thoughts and the thought of the important matter.
Kiba had too many companions! She didn't care about Ruby and others, but the twins were altogether a different matter.
She was wary of them!
"They are unpredictable and crazy! Who knows what they might do?!"
Fiona thought of their profiles. Quickly, she turned towards Kiba.
"The place I need your help is very near and it wouldn't take more than 7-8 hours... could you ask your companions to wait here?" Fiona politely asked.
Kiba observed her for a few moments before nodding in agreement.
"I will return shortly," He told the twins and others.
He wanted to be done with whatever task she wanted as soon as possible.
"Sure, daddy!" Madison kissed him on both his cheeks. "We will wait here!"
"...Yeah."
Kiba turned into a stream of golden light and rushed ahead. Fiona turned into a beam of white light and shot forward.
"Is daddy women magnet?" Lillian wondered aloud as she saw him disappearing with Fiona in the turn ahead.
"Seems so," Madison tapped a finger on her chin.
She recalled the only acquaintances she ever seen him with were all females.
"Daddy is really an inspiring figure in this age of selfishness!" Lillian clapped her hands and blushed with pride. "He loves female gender so much; always helping them!"
Ruby and the other slaves: "...."
Love?! Always help?!
Yeah, right!
Cindy could still pain from her tight asshole.
...
An hour later.
Kiba and Fiona arrived on a lower floor. So far, they didn't meet any obstacle or danger.
After walking for a bit, they stepped in front of a grand, metallic door, engraved with strange signs.
"Danger?"
Kiba knew the signs were a warning for danger. It was similar to how skull was used to imply danger on Earth.
"Yes, what I want to seek can be considered dangerous," Fiona replied, her eyes locked on the door.
"And what is it you want?" Kiba asked.
"An alien, genetic matter!" Fiona answered, her eyes glinting. "People from that world called it Chryslia."
...
At the same time, just half a mile ahead, there was a similar door - fortified by an orange barrier. Two blue discs slammed on the barrier and dazzling energy ripples flashed out.
Ashlyn raised a hand to face the ripples sweeping at her. Alongside, she continued to observe the back of her other hand where a map was displayed.
A red dot was marked on the map, and above the red dot, there was a word - Chryslia.
...
In between the two doors, there were multiple traps and dangers. And in the center space, there was a raised platform upon which a crystal container was placed. The container was sealed from all sides, and from time to time, it glowed - just like fireflies, but with a menacing brightness.
And the material inside it was sought by two women...
Chapter 443 - Meeting Again (I)
Fiona has obviously made enough preparations before coming to this part of the spaceship. Kiba concluded this when he saw her trying to open the grand door through advanced gadgets.
"Being from an aristocrat family is sure amazing," Kiba commented.
"...We have our own struggles," Fiona replied as her gadgets worked through the door sensors.
"Of course," Kiba agreed with her.
He didn't know much about the State of Avalon or Nine Great Aristocrat Families, but he knew the competition there was very high.
This was to be expected as Nine Sovereigns have great number of descendants. Whenever there are too many people, the fight for survival and resources is very difficult.
This was something that has been true from time immemorial. Even the slums which were the worst place on Earth weren't an exception to this rule.
Of course, the members of the nine families didn't have to worry about food, residence, or employment.
But the struggles of the nine families were difficult and sometimes life-threatening.
Everyone schemes against each other for power and the best resources. It was similar to being born in a royal family.
For Fiona to rise and reach her current standing, it obviously showed her talent and efforts.
~creak~
With a creaking sound, the door opened to reveal what seemed like a boundless hall.
"Phew~" Fiona inhaled a deep breath in relief as she looked ahead.
The hall was part of the spaceship with floors and ceiling, but it was vast, truly vast. It at least occupied 1 sq. mile with most of the region covered with an ethereal fog.
"Let's step in," Fiona glanced at Kiba before taking a step into the hall.
"Sure," Kiba followed her.
"We must be cautious as there are bounds to be traps and hidden dangers," Fiona warned as they walked ahead.
Just then, an ethereal barrier popped some ten meters ahead.
"Or maybe not so hidden danger," Kiba remarked as he landed his eyes on the barrier.
It crackled with turbulent and violent energy strands that let out an eerie presence. There was little doubt the barrier existed to destroy than protect. If one touched it, he would disintegrate into ashes.
Without any warning, the barrier charged at them with explosive force. The air whistled as the barrier appeared in front of Fiona.
Her pupils flashed and she dispersed into light dots; narrowly avoiding the barrier just as it was about to slam into her. The light dots fleed backward to escape the barrier's range.
This took a while to describe, but so far, the barrier didn't stop in the slightest even after Fiona's successful escape. It continued to move ahead and rush at Kiba.
Kiba's expression didn't change in the slightest. He raised a hand and stretched his index out just as the barrier was about to slam into him.
An ear-piercing blast reverberated as the barrier and Kiba's finger made contact. Violent, destructive ripples cascaded out, making Kiba's golden hair dance in the air as he stood in the same place, without making any movement.
Fiona has reverted back to her physical form and she looked at the scene with astonishment. She knew he was strong, and was confident that the barrier wouldn't be able to harm him, but what she saw was not something she ever expected.
The barrier has been stopped by just a finger! No, not even a finger, but a fingertip! It didn't seem the barrier was made of powerful energy fragments, but rather paper.
This could only explain why fissures were forming on the point of contact. Like a spiderweb, the fissures spread throughout the barrier, and then with a rumbling sound, the barrier exploded into a fierce, energy storm.
Kiba continued to stand without moving in the slightest. His hair whipped as the turbulent energy fragments flew around him, whirling together.
He just moved his stretched finger into an arc motion, and simultaneously, the energy storm sliced apart, as if cleaved by a giant sword.
"There is no doubt... He is Alpha!"
Fiona concluded with mouth agape. She has a feeling that might be the case but she wasn't sure until now. Since she somewhat expected it, her shock was still limited.
"Till when do you plan to stand there?" Kiba asked without turning towards her.
"Ah! Sorry," Fiona quickly got over her astonishment and lead the path.
Kiba followed in silence. If it was earlier, he would have been hesitant to use his powers, but not here. This section was isolated so he could freely use his strength as Alpha without worry of repercussions.
A few minutes later, after they covered some distance on the metallic floor, multiple shadows conjured in thin air.
These shadows transformed into battle droids and robots. Blasters and plasm weapons were embedded throughout the bodies and locked on the intruders; rapidly charging up.
Fiona's pupils constricted. She knew there were multiple dangers here, but the sight of so many, and that too, this soon stunned her.
Time was of essence and she summoned her entire strength in less than a second. Her body dazzled with light particles and energy concentrated in her limbs.
The droids and robots shot out energy beams and blasts while Fiona twisted her body to retaliate.
Bright flashes of epic proportions filled the hall; promising terrifying destruction.
But nothing happened! No attack slammed against each other nor there was any explosion!
Time has come to stand still and everything froze.
"What's going on?!"
Fiona's face turned pale as she felt time almost pausing. Her body was in mid-air with streams of light energy flooding out of her limbs, but just like her body, the light energy streams were struck.
The same was for the robots that were lunging at her. Their flashy but horrifying attacks were similarly frozen.
She didn't know how many seconds or minutes or hours actually passed before she heard two words.
"Gravity Cage."
The incorporeal concept of gravity warped and a strong gravitational pull appeared from all directions.
Fiona's pupils dilated to the size of a needle. She felt as if she was locked in some intangible cage where the laws of existence were contrary to what she known.
She was still stuck in mid-air, and despite the dread washing over her skin like a bucket of ice, she was the same. But the scene around her couldn't be any more different; more horrifying.
The terrifying flashes of attacks rapidly compressed to the size of nothingness before fading away. The powerful robots and droids, who were as vast as multi-storied buildings, slammed downwards, and even before they crashed on the floor, their bodies ripped apart and disintegrated into pieces that were even smaller than dust.
"Impossible!"
Fiona's heart thumped slowly and her breathing turned heavy as she witnessed a sight she would never forget in her entire life.
Time runs slower wherever gravity is strongest. This was fundamental knowledge she was naturally aware of, but experiencing it was an entirely different matter.
The brief experience of robots disintegrating and attacks fading seemed to last forever; leaving her breathless and terrified.
By the time, the robots actually slammed on the floor, they were just atoms... Completly wiped out of existence.
The moment this happened, the incorporeal cage disappeared, and Fiona collapsed on the floor. No, it wasn't the smooth surface of the floor, but a crater on the indestructible floor.
A few steps away, Kiba lowered a hand.
For Fiona - thanks to being inside Gravity Cage but not targetted by its powers- the experience lasted for forever. For Kiba, it barely lasted a second.
"Do you need support?" Kiba stepped in front of her and asked.
Fiona's heart thumped crazily. Her throat was completely dry and her stomach was filled with knots as she lay on the floor. But she still summoned some strength and answered, "N-no sir."
She stood up on her own, trembling. The experience of witnessing Gravity Cage has left her terrified beyond words.
Kiba looked in front. His eyes flooded with a golden glow and two beams of light streaked out. The beams passed through the hall at an incredible speed, and as they did, he saw everything within their path.
They easily passed through the fog and various traps laid within. Almost a mile away, they passed by a raised platform where a container was placed, surrounded by force field.
"It must contain Chryslia, whatever that is," Kiba thought.
The light beams continued to whistle forward. He realized the setting on the other side of the platform was similar to this side.
"There are two entrances?"
Suddenly, he flinched as he observed a woman facing multiple robots. On the back of her left hand, two colorful seals have broken apart...
Chapter 444 - Meeting Again (Part II)
Ashlyn's eyes flashed with dazzling blue radiance as two of the seven seals shattered. The moment her seals broke, two droids charged at her from behind.
Their enormous fists began slamming downwards towards her head, and the resulting momentum created strong winds, making Ashlyn's hair adrift.
Tringggg~!
Sparks flew out and two enormous arms blasted upwards. Alongside, blue discs whistled through the air and arrived in Ashlyn's hands.
The droids were dumbstruck as they found their arms sliced.
Hundreds of meters away, humongous robots were similarly startled. The two discs were attacking them, but in just a moment, when Ashlyn was about to be attacked by the droids, they whistled backward like bolts of lightning; ripping through the droids' arms before their fists could touch her body.
A second later, the robots and droids rushed at her again. She tossed the discs and they propelled through the air with blinding blue radiance.
One disc charged at the droids while the other swept at the incoming robots.
Meanwhile, Ashlyn's cold, poker face flickered and she leaped high in the air. The moment she did, the floor opened up and a metallic whip lunged at the position she was earlier standing.
Thousands of meters away, a new robot has appeared with its hand on the floor. Seeing its whip attack failed, the robot retraced its whip.
At the same time, as Ashlyn arrived high in the air, she lifted her right leg and kicked out.
"Ahh!"
A humane sound came out and a man appeared in the air. He has laser guns in his hands, aimed at Ashlyn, but when the kick landed on his stomach, the guns were send spinning out.
The man was shocked. He has also entered this area but used a device to hide his presence and turned invisible. So far, he has avoided the traps, and when he noticed Ashlyn fighting droids with such power, he was worried that she might hinder him in the future. He was sure her aim was the same as him - the alien, genetic matter.
This was why he has locked his guns on her, but he never got the chance. As he began falling down, Ashlyn rolled through the air and placed her feet on his chest.
A cracking sound ringed out as his bones fractured and he coughed up blood. His agony has started as then he crashed on the floor with a banging sound. His vision turned blurry for a moment and he opened his mouth to curse.
"You bitch---"
He never got to complete whatever he wanted to say. Because the next moment, a kick swept out and landed right on his crotch.
Every word died right in his thought as a terrifying, volcanic sensation washed over his body, making him shudder. His face turned deathly pale, eyes popped out, and foam sipped out of his mouth.
My balls!
He couldn't feel them at all.
Ashlyn swept her leg back and eyed the man who has killing intent towards her.
"I apologize," Ashlyn made a slight bow.
The man was wriggling in pain but when he heard her apology, he was stunned. He couldn't think and when he opened his lips to speak, she completed her words.
"For missing the first time," Ashlyn completed her sentence.
Her voice was cold but there was genuine sincerity in her voice.
What the fuck?!
The man was dumbstruck.
You are apologizing because you missed the first time?! Does that mean the first kick high in the air was aimed at my poor crotch?!
Wait!
I was already defeated by the first kick. Why kick again?!
Don't tell me just because she missed it the first time, she felt it was some duty of her attack to kick till she succeeded?!
He couldn't think much through the pain tormenting his body. But he has a strange feeling he was right...
He indeed was right.
Ashlyn was the type of person who took her training seriously. Seeing her first Nutcracking Kick failing, her innocent but determined personality required to correct her mistake. Only then could she evolve and develop her Nutcracking Art further...
Ashlyn sincerely apologized and then retreated back as the robot with metallic whip connected to its hand lunged at her.
The whip buzzed with electricity and as it missed her again, it lashed on the man lying on the floor. His vision completly darkened as the whip ripped through his neck, tossing his head away.
At the same time, the other hand of the robot opened up and shoot out a wisp of green gas. The gas seemed to have its will, and quickly, like a bullet, it rushed at Ashlyn.
She twisted her body and jumped to the side like an expert gymnast. Alongside, her left hand made a grasping motion.
With a screeching sound, one of the discs spun through the air at incredible speed and arrived in front of her.
Just as the gas was reaching her, she swept the disc, and blue ripples cascaded out. The ripples rotated like the scythe of a grim ripper and completly dissipated the gas particles.
Meanwhile, the whip charged at her neck like a viper. From the other side, a robot fired plasma beams on her.
Ashlyn's face remained the same. She arched her neck and narrowly avoided the whip. Alongside, she tapped her feet on the floor and backed away.
The disc flew out at the robot firing at her with lasers. Bright destructive waves flashed out through the area as lasers clashed on the disc; making the air vibrate with dazzling colors.
The disc spun faster and its sharp edges sliced at the chest of the robot...
Ashlyn, in the meantime, appeared in front of the robot with the whip.
Her full-body black suit crackled with blue energy streams, and she slammed an elbow at the part of robot's hand where the whip extended out.
The metallic hand ruptured but the robot didn't stop for a moment. As its hand was destroyed, it threw a punch with the other hand.
Ashlyn spun her body like a twisted gale at an insane angle, and avoided the punch. She retaliated by bombarding with her fists.
Some distance away, the discs ripped through many robots and droids, sending them crashing on the ground.
As the discs completed their task, they made a curve in the air and flew back.
Just then, Ashlyn sensed something and she jumped back. The robot she has just destroyed self-exploded into metallic splinters.
She crossed her arms to protect from the destructive splinters and shockwaves sweeping at her.
At the same time, from the ceiling high above, seven robots jumped out.
Ashlyn sensed their presence and she lifted her head up even as she stepped back. She then swept a glance in another direction and saw more droids rushing at her.
Every one of them were as strong as a level V mutant.
She felt something amiss by so many dangers for her alone. After thinking for a bit and seeing the number of robots she fought, she felt it was due to presence of others. This would explain why she fought so many robots and droids due to the man who was beheaded.
Perhaps, there were more people who were invisible and in this area. The sensors must have sensed their presence, and since it couldn't find them, she became the target.
"Haah~"
Ashlyn let out a soft sigh. On the back of her left hand, seven runic seals flashed. Presently, two of them were broken, and she closed her eyes to open another seal.
She needed a bit more strength to face so many.
Breaking every seal was like stabbing every fiber of her body to extract more power. It was painful beyond words, but the pain was something she has grown used to.
It was the only sensation that has accompanied her throughout her life.
But breaking seal did more than that. It exploited her cursed genes and used her lifeforce... reducing her already short lifespan.
Life.
As Ashlyn closed her eyes, the memories of her adopted parents flashed in her mind. She owed them everything, including her life. Her decision was made. She has to do everything to help them...
BOOM
The sound of an ear-ringing explosion reverberated through the air. Ashlyn was just about to open the seal when she heard the sound.
She opened her eyes and noticed the robots and droids exploding one after another.
Alongside the shocking explosive ripples, she felt a strong presence in the air. The presence was terrifying, but as she sensed it, a faint smile appeared on her poker face.
The smile was radiating, beautiful, and spellbinding.
"You kept your words."
Chapter 445 - Conflict!
"You kept your words."
Robots and droids continued to explode with ear-piercing sound, but Ashlyn's voice wasn't suppressed.
At least, not for Kiba who was floating thousands of meters away.
Her voice was cold and desolate but it contained traces of warmth that resonated with his heart. This combined with her faint smile formed an effect that put him into a trance.
No matter how many times he looked at her, he couldn't get used to her beauty. She was the most beautiful woman he has ever known and seen.
But, unlike the previous times, he wasn't dazed due to her divine beauty. It was due to the warmth that originated from the relationship between them.
The relationship that was neither romantic or familial.
It was something that could only exist between people participating in an adventure together; forming a bond of trust and reliance.
It was more than friendship...
"I did promise we will meet again," Kiba replied as he flew towards her. "There is no way I will renege on that."
As he flew further, a robot enveloped in explosion lunged at him, shooting laser beams. The robot had no sense of pain and it only did what it was programmed to do: kill intruders.
The laser beams swept forward with a whistling sound and surging heatwaves that threatened to destroy everything in their path.
Kiba didn't make any movement, but the laser beams bounced back on the robot and it exploded into pieces.
With a tapping sound, he landed in front of Ashlyn. Her emerald eyes sparkled...
Around them, blinding explosions continued to swirl through the air with destructive might. The raging might did little as the two looked at each other; ignoring everything else.
A few seconds later, as the explosions died, the two broke eye contact.
Ashlyn's expression reverted to its original state - cold and poker. Kiba has grown used to her personality, and understood a part of her mentality. So, he still smiled and walked alongside her as they stepped through splinters and fragments of robots.
Some distance away, Fiona rushed towards them in the form of a dazzling light beam. She stopped in front of them, astonished.
Multiple thoughts ran through her mind as she observed Ashlyn. She thought only she and Kiba were here, but now, seeing another person, and that too, someone acquainted with him shocked her.
For a moment, she felt he has schemed against her, but then thinking of everything so far, she knew she couldn't be more wrong.
For someone like him, he didn't need to plot against her in such a manner.
Ashlyn looked at Fiona without any emotions. After a moment, she stepped forward and continued forward.
"What's going on here?"
Fiona could only grip her forehead. She knew this woman was a competitor but she didn't dare attack her. She could only follow along...
As Ashlyn tread through the hall, she noticed almost all traps were destroyed. She didn't need to think to know who was responsible.
Twenty minutes later, they stepped in front of a raised platform; surrounded by a force field. The force field was a transparent energy wall; surging with lethal ripples on its surface.
There was no doubt that the force field was countless times dangerous than the combined might of all traps... it was almost indestructible.
Kiba checked the container placed on the platform and then glanced at Ashlyn. He has no idea what type of genetic matter was placed, but he knew it was the reason for her arrival in the core region.
He then glanced at Fiona. Both of them were here for same thing...
"Such a dilemma," Kiba sighed.
As he was lost in thoughts, the women began retrieving gadgets and objects from their storage devices.
Ashlyn has taken out a crystalline pyramid, the size of a baby's palm. It was embedded with runes that resembled circuits.
Fiona has taken out a transparent ball. Inside it, there was a glowing gas swirling.
"You must have made a lot of preparations," Kiba remarked while examining their items. "Sadly, neither of them is enough."
Ashlyn's eyes flickered and she looked at him. She then thought of what her parents said and realized what her parents were relying on. They must have wanted her to break her seals and use the pyramid to unlock the force field.
Fiona was startled. She was thinking of relying on the ball to destroy the force field
"Could the family have underestimated force field?"
She thought of her aristocrat family who has grand plans on this alien matter.
Before she could contemplate further, Kiba stepped in front of the force field. His eyes flashed with vibrant glow and he examined the entire area.
After a few seconds later, he crouched down.
Near the edge of the force field, he tapped a finger on a tile. The tile sank in, and then a virtual screen popped up.
On the screen, alien text floated like a puzzle. His gaze narrowed as he read the text and contemplated its meaning.
"That matter must be truly dangerous."
Kiba lifted his head to eye the container. The text didn't say much but only implied grave danger.
He didn't think further and began working. His fingers moved in a blur motion on the screen and new texts flashed.
One after another, hundreds of lines ran on the screen. He observed them in equally fast speed and selected options accordingly.
Five minutes later, there was a buzzing sound and the radiance from the force field dimmed. Under the shocked gaze of Fiona, the lethal ripples faded and the force field flickered. In just a few seconds, the force field completly vanished, as if it didn't exist, to begin with.
"No way...!"
Fiona looked at the platform, completly dumbstruck, and almost stumbled.
What should have cost a lot of trouble and resulted in great efforts just simply vanished?!
Her body trembled as her eyesight moved from the platform to Kiba. If he had used his amazing powers, she could have accepted this result, but he didn't spend any energy at all.
Fiona obviously realized he understood alien languages and alien machines. That itself, given the negligible time he took, was enough to make her believe he was an alien in human skin.
Ashlyn looked at Kiba without any shock or surprise. She already knew how versed he was in alien technology just like his younger brother.
At the same time, Kiba began standing up. As he did, his lips spread into a grin.
"Why are you guys lashing on the container as if your life depends on it?"
Fiona was stunned. Neither she nor Ashlyn were lashing towards the container. They were standing in their initial position, so what was he even talking about?
Ashlyn realized what he meant. And by the time, her discs began rotating and swept out, painful screams ringed in the air.
In front of her, Kiba has both his hands raised in opposite sides as if he was grabbing something. If not for the screams, Fiona would have thought he was grabbing air.
Quickly, the air warped and two men appeared in thin air; their necks clutched by Kiba. Their bodies were on the border of reality and illusion.
Ashlyn wasn't surprised. Before, she has met a man who has been invisible and tried to attack her. If not for his killing intent and her unsealed state, she wouldn't have noticed him back then.
Fiona, on the other hand, was startled. Despite her powers and being on guard, she didn't feel their presence at all, till now.
The two men whimpered, their eyes bulging out in both pain and disbelief. They belonged to an organization affiliated to an aristocrat family. And they have been in this section for almost four days.
After concluding they couldn't break the force field, they decided to wait till someone could. That's what they did. And when the force field disappeared, they leaped towards the container to grab it before anyone else could.
Just as they were leaping through the air, Kiba's hands locked on their necks, much to their horror.
The two men groaned and opened their lips to beg. But before they could, he snapped their necks and tossed them away. They fell some distance away with a loud thud.
"Most likely, when the core region opened the previous time, people have tried to retrieve this container without any success... This time, those factions trying to get the container are doing the same."
Kiba thought as he lowered his hands. He guessed that information about this alien matter was confined to a handful of organizations. Otherwise, this section would be bombarded with more mutants.
"What is it though?" Kiba was curious about what could pique the interest of an aristocrat family and others to such a strong extent.
He didn't make a move to grab the container though. Doing that would mean going against his words.
Fiona and Ashlyn realized that from his inaction. Fiona saw Ashlyn's discs rotating like a spinning wheel, and she then looked at Kiba.
"We had a deal... you would help me..."
She was saying when Kiba coldly cut her in between.
"And that's why you are alive so far," Kiba said icily.
Fiona flinched and thought of all the dangers so far. They have been far worse than what her family told her. If not for his help, it would have been impossible to avoid them. Even if she has surived, she would have been forced to retreat...
She has a feeling that some elder in the family was targetting her by sharing wrong information that could result in death.
She gripped her fists and nodded.
"The first to take the container would be the winner," Kiba added.
"...Ok," Fiona summoned her strength. Currents of light whipped on her body and she charged straight at the container.
Ashlyn did the same, without saying anything.
The speed of the two was such that sonic booms resounded in the area. In just a blink of an eye, they both arrived next to the container and swept their hands out.
Fiona channeled her light energy and surged it out through her left hand, aiming straight at Ashlyn. The latter swiftly moved her neck to the side, and at the same time, her discs spun forward.
Destructive blue ripples cascaded out and the air distorted. Feeling a grave sense of crisis, Fiona jumped backward.
Just as she jumped back, Ashlyn grabbed the container. Her eyes flashed with emotions for the first time. She has succeeded in taking what her adopted parents wanted... This would help in fulfilling her parents' wishes.
Fiona has ducked the discs and rumbled straight at Ashlyn to take the container away from her. Just then, a hand arrived in front of her and she stopped.
"Ashlyn took it and you lost the chance," Kiba stepped in front of her. "So just back away."
He wouldn't have interfered even if Ashlyn lost. Fiona was adamant and her expression turned ugly, but there was little she could do.
Kiba eyed her without saying anything further. Behind, Ashlyn tightly held the container, with her eyes closed.
Suddenly, Kiba's right hand quivered.
The black band Enchantia gave Zed vibrated and the blue jewel embedded in it glowed.
"Enchantia?" Kiba looked at the band in surprise.
[[Ever since we first met, you have never trusted me and always looked at me with cynicism.]]
Enchantia's telepathic voice ringed through his mind.
[[It is true that I want you to acquire Legacy Orbs, but I have no ill will for you. Sadly, you always misunderstood me.]]
"Why are you saying this all of a sudden?" Kiba was in the middle of a possible confrontation and this wasn't the right time for her to speak.
[[For your sake... to prove that I care about you.]] Enchantia answered in a warning tone. [[Don't let that girl take away the container. Otherwise, you will definitely regret this.]]
Alongside her warning, an image of Ashlyn flashed in his mind.
"What do you mean?"
Kiba has a bad feeling. He didn't know everything unlike her. For her to warn him in such a manner, there has to be some serious reason.
[[That container is storing what you humans generally call a virus.]] Enchantia said, her voice tranquil.
Kiba's pupils constricted in shock. He now realized why the alien matter inside was so desired.
While shocked, he was equally puzzled by her statement.
He was sure she knew his personality. He wouldn't care if there was some global infection or crisis unless it concerned those whom he loved; which were only a handful.
He was not selfless. Nor he was some hero who cared about the entire world...
[[I know what you are thinking.]] Enchantia said in a matter-of-factly tone. [[But that virus concerns you personally.]]
"?!"
[[You like that girl, right?]] Enchantia asked out of blue.
"..." Kiba didn't reply.
[[Not only you like her, but you even care for her.]] Enchantia continued as if she already knew the answer. [[And she does the same.]]
"....."
Enchantia could feel everything in a World Fragment; including emotions and intent. This was how she was confident in her words.
[[You might be aware she is what you humans call Cursed Ones.]]
Enchantia said, her voice filled with ridicule and disdain for humanity.
[[That virus would be the true Curse for someone like her.]]
Kiba's pupils dilated.
[[I only wish the best for you...]]
Enchantia didn't say anything further and broke the mental connection. Even though the conversations took a while to describe, they happened in a few seconds as they were done mentally.
Kiba turned towards Ashlyn. She felt his vision and opened her eyes.
"Ashlyn," Kiba said heavily. "You couldn't have that container."
Chapter 446 - I Want To Live!
"You couldn't have that container," Kiba said with his eyes focused on the container. It continued to glow every few seconds with an ominous radiance.
Ashlyn was surprised by his words. She observed his face, and seeing his serious expression, she knew he wasn't kidding.
A second later, she shook her head to imply her disagreement.
"Please, the virus is harmful for you," Kiba took a step ahead.
Ashlyn didn't say anything but as he took a step ahead, she instantly transferred the container inside her spatial storage device.
Kiba looked at her and stepped further. He stretched a hand towards her left arm where her storage device was fused.
At the same time, the discs clad on her wrists rotated and flew out. They floated in front of her, emitting piercing ripples.
Kiba stopped as he realized what she meant. If he tried to continue, a fight would break out.
"Believe me, the virus is like a dangerous weapon," Kiba locked his eyes into her.
Ashlyn shook her head again. Having a virus didn't mean it would be used. Sometimes, not using a threatening weapon was its biggest use.
"It is fatal for you," Kiba continued with a sad smile. "For a Cursed One."
Her eyes flickered by his words, but she then thought of her adopted parents. She recalled everything they have done for her.
They gave her a home when everyone has discarded her... even her own birth parents. They hugged her when everyone found her untouchable. They took care of her when everyone found her very presence eerie.
They were her everything for as long as she could recall... There was no way they would allow the virus to harm her even if it was dangerous.
Kiba pressed his hand further after getting no response. Seeing his hand approaching, the discs whistled and shot forward.
Kiba leaped back to avoid them and they swirled in front of him.
"Kiba," Ashlyn said, her voice as cold as always. "This container is something I need. Please don't make things difficult."
His eyes narrowed and he observed her. She was adamant in her refusal.
"Why?" Kiba asked.
Ashlyn didn't answer.
He didn't ask further and he charged at her like a bolt of lightning. The discs chased after him, leaving behind two dazzling blue streaks.
As he arrived, she instantly shattered one of her seals and a violent aura burst out of her. Her black hair whipped under the raging aura and her emerald eyes flashed with energy currents.
Before Kiba could grab her arm, she jumped high in the air and made a grasping motion. The discs - which were rushing at Kiaba- changed their direction and dashed into her hands.
She grabbed them, and at the same time, Kiba shot up. Just then, she tossed the discs at him. As they swirled downward, they began expanding, and the ripples emerging out of them turned stronger.
Kiba pushed a hand above and streams of energy boomed out of his palm.
BANG
As the discs collided with streams of energy, an ear-piercing bang sound ringed out. Alongside, fierce shockwaves swept in all directions.
Kiba was visibly surprised as he saw the discs slicing through the energy streams and rushing at him.
"She sure isn't going easy," Kiba thought.
By now, Ashlyn has landed on the floor. Her feet erupted with energy currents and she began to speed out of the section.
"Nice distraction," Kiba wryly realized she has no intention of facing him or harming him. She only wanted to leave without any serious confrontation.
Just as the discs were about to collide against him, his body flickered and the space blurred.
Meanwhile, the air in front of Ashlyn whistled as Kiba appeared. She didn't say anything and lashed out with a fist.
Simultaneously, she passed a mental command to the discs to return to her. With screeching sound, they flew towards her.
Kiba sidestepped to avoid her punch, but just then, her aura blasted outwards. She has broken another seal.
Before he could say anything, the discs spun towards him, the ripples slicing through the air. The fierce power rippling through them made the air explode and the floor vibrate.
Since the protective measures were switched off, the area lost its protection. The walls and ceiling began to crumble. The destructive devices imploded and joined the might of explosion.
Some distance away, Fiona looked at everything with a shocked expression. She was bewildered by Kiba's actions but she didn't do anything except for protecting herself.
RIPPPP~
Kiba's sleeve ripped apart and pieces of white clothing swept in the air. The discs didn't stop and rumbled forward, trying to pierce through his skin.
Suddenly, Kiba's expression turned unsightly. Not because of the discs, but because of Ashlyn who was a few steps away.
Her aura was stronger, but now that he was near her, he could feel her lifeforce burning.
"You are combusting your lifeforce?!"
He finally realized how her seals could power her so much. Lifeforce was like a fuel...powering body. Combusting it for power would reduce it.
Since she was a Cursed One...she didn't have much time to live anyways. Barely 9-10 years, and with the breaking of seals, her life was far lesser than that.
"Why is that virus so important for you to do such a thing?" Kiba asked, and then he realized without her answering.
He remembered her acquaintances - Shawn and Amy. They were hostile at her when they met in The Fair. In anger, Shawn has something about Ashlyn being here to prove her filial love... to prove her devotion.
"For your adopted parents..."
Kiba jumped to the side and completely extinguished his powers. Ashlyn was startled and she quickly stopped the discs from attacking him.
They both looked at each other... even as explosions continued to wreak havoc in the area.
Ashlyn lowered her head and locked her seals again. Her eyes shined, but it was the shining one has when tears are building up.
"Thanks."
Ashlyn muttered under her breath. She remembered every moment they have shared together. They were fond memories, something she truly cherished in her bleak life.
As those memories flashed before her teary eyes, she remembered what Denisa told her.
Love, grow, explore, make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun.
Ever since she heard those words, she has been thinking about them. So far, her life has been devoid of what Denisa said but for a few exceptions.
And those exceptions were with Kiba. She knew what he has done for her... he has tried to make her enjoy life, even if it was only for a short time.
"Haah~"
She quickly got over her emotions and charged straight, like a bullet. Her speed was such that it made the explosion cloud part into two.
Kiba didn't do anything. He just looked at her racing figure.
She felt his eyes but didn't stop. She was afraid if she stopped now, she wouldn't be able to leave.
And as she left the area, she didn't look back to say farewell. She didn't want to have a goodbye because she wanted to meet him again.
Meet when she wasn't under any responsibility...
She didn't voice it aloud, but she promised to meet again soon... and she swore, in the next meeting, they wouldn't part...
With him, she wanted to experience everything Denisa has told her about...
"I want to live!"
Slowly but surely, she was going against what she was taught.
***
In the middle of raging explosions, Enchantia's incorporeal presence appeared. Her very presence made the explosions fade and brought stability to the destroyed section.
Fiona's face cramped from shock. Not by what the strange presence did, but by the mere existence of this presence. She instantly identified this presence belonging to the top of the food chain; someone whom the echelons of the nine families both feared and revered.
[[Why did you let her go?]] Enchantia floated in front of Kiba.
"Trying to stop her would only lead to resentment," Kiba answered with a barely audible sigh. "She wouldn't believe me... at least not now."
He didn't know much about Ashlyn. As for her adopted parents, he knew nothing.
Yet, based on what he has observed, he was sure she was most likely brainwashed by her parents from a young age.
He mainly formed this opinion on how Ashlyn never enjoyed her life... she simply existed without tasting the pleasures of life. He has tried to change that during the time they have been together, but it was impossible to change her personality in a month.
The same went for trying to convince her about the virus or her adopted parents' possible nefarious intent...
When someone challenges your core beliefs, you become enraged, angry and defensive. You abuse the person who jolts your fixed perception.
It was this principle that formed one of the foundation blocks of conditioning. Something that has been exploited by vested interests from thousands of years; even before the era of evolution.
Religious leaders, kings, nobles, etc... everyone have relied on this principle to subtly shape the worldview. They formed religious views, political leanings and other thoughts to their liking.
After all, a person with fixed perception would make others, especially their offspring have a similar perception. And this process would continue for years, forming an army of people with similar core beliefs.
That was how the echelons of society controlled the world...
In Ashlyn's case, this principle would ensure she would stay loyal to what she was taught from almost when she was a little kid. Any knowledge that went contrary to her teachings would be automatically considered as heretical.
If there has to be any change, it has to be natural... not forced.
"Even if I overpowered her, it wouldn't make a difference," Kiba closed his eyes, his expression sad. "If anything, her brainwashing would turn her against me, and make the connection between her and her parents stronger."
He understood psychology far better than others. So, he has an idea of what could happen. That was why he let her go, despite the risks.
Enchantia understood his reasons. Based on her knowledge of humans, she was sure he made the correct decision, but it would lead to greater troubles.
Being correct is not always right...
"Enchantia."
Kiba opened his eyes and a sharp glint flashed through them.
[[Yes?]]
"Help me with a minor task," Kiba said with a heavy expression. "And I will choose a Legacy Orb."
Enchantia's incorporeal face flickered in astonishment. She has been trying to entice him with Legacy Orbs from the time when he was nothing but just a slum dweller... without any success.
Now, he was saying he would choose a Legacy Orb. For her, it was so shocking that waves erupted in Hall of Legacies.
[[What is it you want me to do?]] Enchantia asked.
She has decided she will try to fulfill his request as long as it was within her scope. And things she couldn't do could be counted on a hand...
"Nothing much. Just seal the container in her possession," Kiba stated his demand. "Seal it to such an extent that it couldn't be opened within a year."
Enchantia looked at him and then smiled. She knew why he didn't ask her to make the container disappear or seal forever.
[[As you wish.]]
***
Above the spaceship ruins, Ashlyn was continuously leaping, enveloped by blue currents. Each leap made her cross almost half a kilometer.
Unknown to her, as she leaped, invisible sparks entered on the black suit. Her spatial storage device was fused with the suit, and the sparks penetrated the storage space that was as vast as a room.
There were many items and treasures inside it, and the sparks passed by them. In a corner, the crystalline container was placed, glowing from time to time.
The sparks glued on the container surface. Without emitting any sound, the container walls strengthened and a tight seal appeared within. The seal wouldn't stop advanced sensors from examining the virus, but it would be impossible to retrieve them for the near future...
***
At the same time, in the destroyed section.
[[Done.]] Enchantia told him his request was fulfilled.
"Thanks," Kiba gave her a slight nod and then turned around.
[[I'm opening Hall of Legacies]] Enchantia said. She knew his objective so she wanted him to choose a Legacy Orb first.
"Why the hurry?" Kiba asked with a suppressed smile.
Enchantia realized something and violent waves churned in the dimension.