Chapter 56: We Meet Again

Ellen's consciousness stirred, pulling her from the deep abyss of sleep. The first thing she registered was the feeling of weightlessness, not quite floating, but not entirely grounded either. The last thing she remembered was defeating the Empress and launching herself in a random direction, hoping to land on a planet with civilization. The vastness of space had stretched before her, and golden strings of light had danced through the void, humming a harmonic melody that lulled her into slumber.

Now, she was waking up in a bedroom that wasn't hers.

Her sharp senses kicked in as she sat up, noting how the bed beneath her was softer than anything she was used to. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows against metallic walls lined with faintly glowing panels. She lifted a hand to rub her face and paused—there was something over her eyes. Not a blindfold, not a helmet—just... something. Yet, she could still see as if nothing obstructed her vision. The anomaly should have been disconcerting, but Ellen had learned long ago not to sweat the inexplicable.

First things first: figure out where she was.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she stood, steadying herself before making her way to the door. The quiet hum of machinery filled the air as she stepped into a hallway. It was sleek, futuristic, yet carried a strange sense of solitude. Moving forward, she eventually reached a window—and what she saw made her pause.

Space.

Not just an empty void, but a breathtaking expanse of solar systems and stars stretching endlessly before her. Swirling nebulas pulsed in the distance, cosmic dust shimmered like scattered diamonds. It was beautiful in a way that reminded her just how small she was compared to the grand design of the universe.

A presence behind her.

Ellen turned, instinctively tensing for a fight, but what she saw made her stop in place.

A woman stood there, poised yet unshaken, her violet eyes sharp and calculating. Her outfit was a striking blend of modern and traditional—

A high-necked black crop top, its intricate cutouts forming an inverted V-shape on the chest, attached seamlessly to a choker. Over it, she wore a white and purple jacket with long furisode-style sleeves reminiscent of a kimono, adorned with intricate black and violet patterns that pulsed faintly with unknown energy. Form-fitting black and purple high-waisted shorts complemented the jacket, finishing the ensemble with sleek black boots that gave her a grounded yet ethereal presence.

Acheron.

Ellen had never met her in person, but she knew the name. A wandering force of destruction. A lone drifter who walked among the stars, feared and revered in equal measure.

And right now, she was standing before Ellen, gaze unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Acheron broke the silence. "You're awake."

Ellen rolled her shoulders, testing her body. "Seems like it."

"I found you drifting through space. Brought you aboard." Acheron's voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "We need to talk. But first, you're probably hungry. And you might need time to gather yourself."

Ellen couldn't argue with that. Even though she felt fine physically, she was still piecing things together mentally. The Empress, the fight, and how to get back home.

"Kitchen?" Ellen asked.

Acheron nodded and gestured down the corridor. "Second door on the left. I need to check our course."

With that, she turned and disappeared down another hallway, leaving Ellen to navigate the ship alone.

Ellen took her time walking, taking in her surroundings. Acheron's ship was neither extravagant nor bare-bones—it was sleek, efficient, and quietly elegant. The walls were a deep black, adorned with subtle silver etchings that resembled constellations. The lighting was dim, but not in a way that felt unwelcoming; rather, it seemed deliberate, casting an almost ethereal glow over the interior. The floors were smooth metal, absorbing the faint hum of the ship's movement through space.

There was no unnecessary clutter, yet it wasn't devoid of personality. A few books were stacked on a small shelf embedded into the wall, a lone sword rested on a stand near the entrance to another room, and in the distance, Ellen swore she caught the faint scent of something sweet—almost floral. It was Acheron's space, unmistakably hers.

She found the kitchen easily. It was compact but well-equipped, with dark countertops and cabinets, a sleek cooking unit built into the wall, and a small refrigeration system. Everything was organized, each item in its place. Ellen appreciated that.

Rolling up her sleeves, she set to work, making use of all four of her arms as she prepared food. She opted for something simple but satisfying—pan-seared meat, a light broth, and rice. She worked with practiced efficiency, her hands moving seamlessly as she chopped, stirred, and plated. Her lower hands handled the smaller tasks—stirring and slicing—while her upper ones managed the heat and the cookware.

As she opened one of the cabinets, she noticed a small supply of peaches tucked neatly into a corner. A small smile tugged at her lips. Acheron had a preference, it seemed. Without hesitation, she incorporated them into the dish, slicing them thinly and caramelizing them lightly to add to Acheron's portion.

It was the least she could do. After all, she was in someone else's space, using their supplies. It only felt right to make something for both of them. Besides, she was curious to see if Acheron would comment on it.

With the food ready, Ellen set the plates on the small dining table and leaned against the counter, waiting for Acheron to return. She didn't know what their conversation would entail, but for now, she focused on the quiet rhythm of the ship, the lingering scent of peaches, and the fact that, despite everything, she was still here.

Ellen watched as Acheron entered the kitchen, her gaze briefly sweeping over the plates on the table before settling on Ellen. Without much preamble, Ellen gestured toward the food she had prepared.

"I made you something, too. Thought it'd be rude not to," she said casually, taking her own plate and beginning to eat.

Acheron regarded the food for a moment before nodding slightly. "Thank you." She took the plate, her movements fluid, and sat across from Ellen. The two ate in silence for a while, the occasional clink of utensils against dishes filling the space between them.

After a few bites, Ellen glanced at Acheron and asked, "So? Do you like it?"

Acheron didn't pause but gave a short nod in response, continuing to eat. That was enough for Ellen—she wasn't expecting much more than that. They finished their meal in relative quiet, neither feeling the need to fill the space with unnecessary words.

Once Acheron was done, she set her plate aside and met Ellen's gaze. "Thank you for the meal. We should talk now."

Ellen leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Alright. What's this about?"

Acheron rested her elbows on the table, fingers lightly interlocked. "Do you know what a Self-Annihilator is?"

Ellen's brow furrowed slightly. "Never heard of it."

Acheron exhaled, her expression unreadable. "A Self-Annihilator is someone who accidentally steps into IX's shadow—the shadow of Nihility. From that moment, they lose their reason for existence. They wander the universe in solitude, lost, despairing. Most of them meet meaningless ends."

Ellen remained quiet, absorbing the weight of those words.

"You've experienced this," Acheron continued, her voice even. "When you first stepped into Nihility, you were close to becoming just another lost soul. Another being consumed by the abyss. But Nihility pulled you back. It wouldn't let you fall. The Acheron you saw there—that was only a reflection of what I once was. A lingering echo." She hesitated, her eyes briefly clouded. "My own memories are hazy. They slip through my fingers like mist. I remember small things, but trying to grasp them is like looking through fog."

Ellen tapped her fingers against the table. "So Nihility—what, favors me? That why I didn't completely lose myself?"

Acheron nodded. "It appears so. The Shapeless—the true Nihility—shows an unusual attachment to you. Just when you seem on the verge of falling completely, it keeps your head above water. That makes you a true Emanator of Nihility."

Ellen let that sink in. "And you? What does that make you?"

Acheron's gaze sharpened. "I am someone who survived its shadow and became an Emanator. But unlike you, I had to claw my way back with nothing guiding me. IX—the Nihility—doesn't create Emanators deliberately. It doesn't act. It doesn't care. Its presence envelopes everything equally, and some who pass under its shadow become tainted. Self-Annihilators. Emanators. Two sides of the same coin."

Ellen frowned. "So you're saying I've already gone farther down this path than anyone else. That Nihility itself keeps me from falling because... why? It just decided to?"

Acheron studied her for a moment before speaking again. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you were always meant to confront the all-consuming from the very beginning of your journey. The elusive Nihility beckons you further into itself, you subtly hold its reins."

Ellen smirked slightly. "So, I'm special."

Acheron tilted her head slightly. "Perhaps. But that also means you are walking a road no one else has. Be mindful of that, Ellen."

Ellen huffed and leaned forward. "Trust me, I've been mindful of a lot of things lately." She met Acheron's gaze, something unspoken passing between them. "So... what now?"

Acheron closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if considering the weight of the conversation. When she opened them again, there was a quiet certainty in them. "Now, we see where this path leads."

Ellen leaned back slightly, folding two of her arms while resting the other two on the table. "So, can you tell me more about Aeons?"

Acheron glanced at her before setting down her empty plate. "You already know that every Aeon follows a Path—Erudition, Equilibrium, Preservation, Harmony, and the others. But that doesn't mean they are devoid of emotions or incapable of personal desires. They still feel, they can hold grudges, and some even seek revenge."

Ellen raised an eyebrow. "Like?"

Acheron tilted her head slightly. "Lan, the Reignbow Arbiter. The Aeon of the Hunt. Lan hunts endlessly for the Aeon of Abundance, Yaoshi, and its followers."

Ellen narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Acheron's gaze darkened. "Yaoshi sought immortality at all costs, but in doing so, they caused widespread chaos and suffering. On Lan's homeworld, Yaoshi's pursuit led to the rise of undead beings and the complete annihilation of their home. Since then, Lan and its followers have pursued Yaoshi and its believers relentlessly. For Lan, revenge is a never-ending hunt—either Yaoshi dies, or they do."

Before Ellen could comment, a voice rang out through the ship's intercom. "Arriving at destination."

Acheron pushed herself off the table and gestured for Ellen to follow. "Come on. We've got business."

Ellen walked beside her as they exited the kitchen. "What kind of business?"

Acheron shot her a glance. "I'm a Galaxy Ranger. I track down criminals and bring them to justice."

Ellen gave her an unimpressed look. "That's real vague."

Acheron smirked slightly before handing her a digital poster. "We're on a planet owned by the IPC—the Interastral Peace Corporation. They run the economy across the universe. And this," she tapped the wanted poster, "is our target."

Ellen scanned the holographic image. A man's face glared back at her, his expression twisted with arrogance. The bounty below his image read: 500 million credits. Dead or alive.

Acheron continued, "He's responsible for planetary-scale genocide and slavery across multiple systems. We're bringing him in to face IPC justice."

Ellen stared at the bounty, then back at Acheron. "And you're just letting me tag along?"

Acheron's expression was unreadable. "You can come, but mask your presence. You don't want to attract attention."

Ellen scoffed. "I'm not an amateur."

Acheron didn't reply—she just turned and walked toward the ship's exit. Ellen followed, rolling her shoulders.

"Time to see what this planet has in store."