Gravity Fluctuation (4)
Somewhere in the central sector of the Heaven Mining Base.
"... What happened here?"
Cystus uttered in a low voice as he gazed at the tragedy before his eyes. All was unnervingly silent. Yet, within that stillness stirred a volcano-like fury on the verge of eruption.
As he clenched his fist, the pureblood supremacists who had followed him shook all over in heightened anxiety. Eyes trembling, they swept their surroundings in horror.
Corpses were strewn everywhere. Brothers who had sacrificed themselves for the cause had been mercilessly slaughtered.
Even the power loaders, brought from multiple military bases, had not escaped this fate. They were torn apart, disabled beyond repair.
Within this space overflowing solely with death, the pureblood supremacists were left speechless. Some began doubting if what they saw was real.
And with good cause—this was the very place guarded by those yet to finish the transformation of the first bud.
If the pureblood supremacists mobilized to attack the small colony had been the main assault force, this place was their stronghold. And that stronghold had been utterly wiped out by unknown assailants, without even managing to send out a signal.
The first bud held deep significance for them. It emanated a power far surpassing other buds, seen as an entity even closer to pure essence—this outcome was not meant to be possible.
But what they saw was undeniable reality. The first bud, on the verge of blossoming, had been stolen and vanished; many brothers had perished. Though the supplies remained largely untouched, they had become meaningless—for there was no one left to use them.
Ordinarily, with an incident like this, the omnipresent communications the pureblood supremacists kept online would have raised instant alarms. But whether due to lack of time or because the system had been completely shut down, not even an emergency signal was sent from the base.
At that moment, when no one dared to speak, a pureblood supremacist who had gone to scout the area hurried back, urgency clear in his demeanor. He relayed his report, breathless.
"... Lord Cystus, the brothers who headed toward the laboratory have vanished without a trace."
"You mean the ones who went toward Malkuth?"
"... Yes."
"So, after barely charting a route there and finally getting a chance to recover fragments of the Holy Tree, everyone I sent was killed?"
As it was, repeated interference from the traitor had caused extended delays. And now the search team was lost in its entirety.
"... Yes. All the underground passages leading to the laboratory have been flooded and frozen solid. Seeing the reverse icicling, it seems the shutdown procedures were activated. This is all the remaining data."
Viewing the data handed over by the pureblood supremacist, Cystus bit his teeth in frustration. Because, within what little data they managed to recover, a woman's voice echoed—the voice of the traitor, Lobelia.
—Ksssh... "Only those received into the embrace of the Mother of All can overcome the end."
Lobelia recited the content inscribed on the stone tablet originally discovered by the exploration team, the predecessor of the pureblood supremacist group. Whatever her reason for saying it, she was repeatedly throwing their plans into disarray.
'Are we being told we are unworthy?'
How arrogant. Unbearably arrogant. For a traitor to pass judgment on her own. We are pureblood supremacists—especially those among us who have received the blessing of the tree within our bodies. We alone are fated to be true members of the age of purity.
"Lobelia...!"
As he uttered the traitor's name in a murderous tone, an ominous aura began to waft up—black smoke that decomposed all it touched. With each spark that snapped off, things on the ground started to disintegrate.
The ripple extended to the nearby pureblood supremacists as well, but they dared not move, fully aware that interrupting Cystus's focus now would mean death.
Only a fool would choose death over a mere injury.
But Cystus was not so lost to his emotions completely. Soon, the black smoke withdrew. The devouring power faded, and only then did the pureblood supremacists dare breathe again.
Cystus reflected on the current state. They had shattered the small colony and retrieved the power of the first root as intended.
Though the resistance of the "impurities" there had been fierce, costing them dearly, he considered it acceptable; in the end, the main force was stationed elsewhere.
Or so he believed—until he saw the scene before his eyes.
'The losses at the main base are too severe.'
This was not the entirety of their force on Titan; this was only the base with the weakest element. Even so, if this many died, their future plans would be thrown into chaos.
Though they could supplement their numbers by controlling those brothers who had achieved a lesser form of purity, an ideal substitution was impossible—the needed rare metals for controllers were in short supply.
'A half-baked victory, then.'
Cystus barely suppressed his murderous intent toward Lobelia. Whatever her aim, he could not go along with the traitor's wishes. He resolved to attack soon—either to drive her away or kill her.
The power of the first root would suffice. It was more than just an enhancement of psychic powers—it was the power of possibility itself.
'I'll kill them all. Traitors and impurities alike. For purity's sake.'
Cystus realized that the resurrection of the Holy Tree dormant on Titan was nigh. The day would soon come when, having received the tree's blessing, he would become a true being of purity.
He turned to the pureblood supremacist awaiting his orders and spoke.
"Contact the brothers remaining at the colony. Destroy the facilities there so thoroughly that the impurities can never use them again."
To leave nowhere to return. If the colony was left alone, impurities might gather again and cause more trouble, so eradicating its root entirely was correct.
In any case, soon only a handful would be left at Heaven, while the rest moved to the coordinates suspected to hold the Archive. It was best not to leave risks unattended.
"There's likely more than one way into the laboratory. Sweep the outer perimeter of Heaven for any direct routes and search again."
"Understood."
"The impurities will head for the Archive. Before that, they might attempt to pass through the military base, so reinforce its defenses."
"Yes, sir!"
The pureblood supremacists, acting upon Cystus's orders, dispersed rapidly.
Military Base Keter. Cystus knew that the fourth bud there had fully blossomed.
The name granted by the Holy Tree was 'Maker'.
With a massive body and power to match, it could sweep away everything around, an existence that had surpassed the Blue Eye in approaching pure essence.
Thus, it was difficult to station many pureblood supremacists there, but this was not a problem—the newly blossomed bud alone could cover a wide area. Should the impurities target that base, only death would await them.
The death-shaped insects would devour the impurities whole. The only concern in his mind was that impurity he had seen at the refinery—Lee Hyun-woo. He could not place the sense of disharmony he had felt from him, but decided caution was essential.
'The heavy exposure to blue crystal has caused a singularity.'
Unlikely, but if he were to activate a core and awaken psychic powers, it would pose a serious nuisance.
He detected the scent of their kind from him. One way or another, the boy was connected to them. Lobelia's plaything, probably an experimental subject from a research lab affiliated with the pureblood supremacists.
'Who would have thought things would turn out this way...'
Because he'd learned where the first root's power resided, he'd let things be for a while—so as not to be interrupted. But Lobelia's refusal to stay hidden was giving him a headache. Cystus swore to kill her the next time they met.
"I'm forming a pursuit squad to track Lobelia's signs. Follow me."
With that, Cystus gestured to the remaining members. As they moved for the traitor's punishment and reclaiming the first bud, the hollow base was left in utter silence.
In an empty place made of darkness and nothing else. And from those featureless shadows, figures gradually emerged—Whiteout, Blackout, and Lobelia.
"Did you hear that, guys? They're determined to kill me. You saw the way he was muttering, so murderously... isn't that just...?"
Lobelia hugged her shoulders, trembling as if in fear. Suddenly, she jerked her head up.
"So exciting! Don't you think so? Huh? Aren't you looking forward to it?"
「......」
Whiteout remained silent, exuding strong disgust—it was clear this was not the first time Lobelia had reacted oddly.
"How do they think they can kill me? They don't even know we're here."
「Even so, revealing ourselves now would be unwise. The power Cystus wields is no illusion. Having recovered the power of the first root, he's no longer an even match.」
"You worry too much, Blackout. I know that much. No need to think about it. We can vanish in a blink and nobody's capable of following us. Whiteout's recovered too."
Blackout tried to speak further, but Lobelia, continuing at her own pace, denied it the chance.
"It's time for a new stage. Perhaps our last on Titan. The finale has to be grand. I want to claim the brightest thing there is."
「And what of the Mother? Not even you can be fully free of those shackles.」
"The tree will be awakened by the pureblood supremacists, I'm sure. I've done enough. Isn't it time I had some fun? I want to see the Fairy again. That was a rare treat even before."
「... As you wish.」
Blackout closed his eyes, as if to say no more. The darkness enveloped them, leaving only the writhing creep remaining in the space, feeding on any available organic matter.
Nothing else was left.
***
In a temporary outpost 80 km from the town. There, people were packing tents and preparing for departure. They understood that prolonging their stay would only tighten the noose, so they sought hope elsewhere.
The noise of people checking supplies and discussing group divisions filled the area. Nearly everyone moved with busy purpose.
Eric, now fully recovered from his injuries, was no exception. As he sorted and loaded supplies, Celestia called for him, and he paused his work.
"Eric."
"Yes, lady Celestia? Is something wrong?"
"I hadn't intended to say this, but I think it's better I do."
Celestia approached, careful to avoid others' notice, then gestured for Eric to follow. Bemused but obedient, he did so. They moved to the outskirts to avoid interfering with ongoing work.
Only when sure there were no eavesdroppers, Celestia spoke in a calm voice.
"Eric, my search for my brother is over."
"What?"
Eric's eyes widened in disbelief. He asked her to repeat herself, certain he had misheard. Celestia reaffirmed her words.
"You don't need to look for my brother anymore."
"You don't mean...?"
He ventured the question, troubled by a dark suspicion. Celestia had come all the way to Titan to find her brother. For her to say this, after all she'd risked, could only mean something terrible.
Unfortunately, his fears proved accurate.
"I found his traces in the underground laboratory. He was discarded three years ago. Far, far too late. So there's no longer any need to risk ourselves searching dangerous places for data."
"... My condolences. Truly."
Eric could not begin to fathom the depth of Celestia's disappointment. Everything she had done, as far as he'd seen, was for this one purpose—only to encounter an ending best never faced.
As his heart cooled with grief, Eric sensed something amiss—Celestia's expression was not as severe as he'd anticipated. While not free from darkness, she did not seem as devastated as expected.
Perhaps the shock was simply too intense for her to process at once. As that thought crossed his mind, Celestia continued in a composed manner.
"I'd like to ask you for something else instead, if you're able."
"Of course. Tell me plainly."
"Help Hyun-woo."
"... Mr. Hyun-woo?"
"Yes, that's it. At least for now."
"Understood."
Unexpected as it was, the request was not difficult. Eric was already cooperating with Lee Hyun-woo. He interpreted Celestia's words as a wish for deeper cooperation.
"Thank you. You're always a great help."
Celestia smiled faintly. Eric noticed her expression shifted, ever so slightly, at the mention of Lee Hyun-woo.
'... Could there be some connection?'
He wondered, but did not pry. It was not his place. If Celestia asked, Eric would comply—nothing else mattered.
"Anything else you wish to say?"
"No, that's all for now."
"Then please board the shuttle. We'll be departing soon."
"All right. So, it's time... to Military Base Keter. I'll go ahead. Don't overexert yourself, Eric, just join us inside."
"Yes, ma'am."
He raised his voice to Celestia in well-timed support as she moved toward the military ship Griffin. He was not one to interrogate, but as her loyal follower, he could at least do this.
"Mr. Hyun-woo is to board the Griffin, as I understand. Roxy's shuttle appears to be kept empty for contingencies."
"...."
Celestia paused briefly, then wordlessly turned. At the end of her path were Nadia, Carry, and Lee Hyun-woo at work, exchanging jokes.
She approached naturally, joining their conversation, and caught herself smiling without realizing it.
"Hyun-woo, the spots are gone, right?"
"Oh, that? Yes. After a good day's sleep, they disappeared. I guess, just as you said, Celestia—it was my body's balance or something. I must have thrown it off."
"... I thought it would last longer."
"Pardon?"
"Just don't push yourself too hard next time. I'm glad your fatigue faded quickly. Now I know how much is too much."
「(｡・ω・｡)?」
Carry pestered Celestia, wanting to know what she meant and asking for details, but Celestia just smiled quietly at Lee Hyun-woo.
"Stop messing around and get aboard!"
Carry's curiosity remained unsatisfied, as the finishing-up Licorice had Alpha wrap up the remaining tasks and summoned everyone in.
Soon, both shuttles lifted off, bound for Military Base Keter.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
It's time for more action.
【(⌐■_■)-︻╦╤─】