Zol and Charlotte did not know what to make of what just happened. While they were pondering the reason behind such an action, Mason arrived. He noticed the woman encased in a huge block of ice and the aura it was giving off, ensuring no one could get close to it.
"What happened?" Mason asked, looking at his comrades for answers. "We're not sure ourselves. She suddenly released her aura and a moment later encased herself in that block of ice." Charlotte explained.
Mason, however, tilted his head in confusion. "I thought her ability was teleporting." Once the others heard this, they remembered how she earlier teleported to catch the void creature off guard.
"Now is not the time to be wondering about that," Zol said and disengaged his headpiece. His guard was still up of course, in case it was only a trick to throw them off, but he doubted that was the case, still, caution was best.
"With that aura around her, we can't get too close. And that seems to be no ordinary ice block." Zol continued, his attention turning back to the now-formed core. It was a scarlet red and the size of a football. It glimmered even in the void and the energy it gave off was unheard of. He pointed his right hand and applied his ability to draw it to him.
His companions observed his actions. They had never seen a core as huge as this one. "Wow, the core of a Class S void creature is massive. Its energy is even more insane." Mason commented and they had to agree. They were still under the impression that what they killed was a Class S void creature.
Once Zol secured the core, he turned to the frozen woman. "What do we do about her?"
"What else? Take her in and report to the council. They will take it from there." Charlotte said and they both nodded. But Mason added another comment that changed their thought process.
"You know, she kinda reminds me of our little miracle boy. The way she came out of that veil tear and still breathing. Not to mention, giving off the same aura."
"…"
Zol and Charlotte were silent for some time and looked back to the block of ice. Indeed, even encased in that, they could tell the woman was still alive. But that comment got them thinking about Alex.
"Maybe… But we should focus on this first." Zol replied, neither denying nor accepting the words of Mason. Whatever that woman was, only time would tell. Right now, they needed to get out of this region.
Now the problem was they couldn't take it with them. Sure, Zol could use his telekinetic powers to move the block of ice, but they couldn't take it on their ship.
The aura was suffocating to them as it was, their crew would just die from being exposed to it. "We should get a different vessel to carry her in. A secure location away from civilians is best." Zol began to think about various plans on how best to deal with the stranger.
"Woah, woah, slow down," Mason said, pointing at the missing part of Zol's body. "You need to think about yourself, man."
Zol looked below, not showing any expression that would otherwise suggest he was in pain or anything like that. "I'm fine." He said and looked back at Mason and Charlotte, "Reach out to the council. We need to leave. There're too many eyes here already." Zol said and looked around.
Even with the destroyed ships, there were still a few of them left and he knew some of them were the eyes and ears of other parties. Mason and Charlotte understood his words and nodded.
Charlotte moved away to contact the council, leaving Zol and Mason.
"How is she?"
Mason sighed and replied, "Not so good. I've already sent her away." He said and briefly described the state of Evelyn to Zol.
"I see… Thankfully, with the recovery tonic, she'd regrow her limbs in no time." He commented once he got the gist of her situation.
"Yeah…You also need to take one." Mason added, still concerned about the missing half of his friend. Zol remained silent as he already mentioned being fine. Of course, he was going to restore his missing half, but this had to be taken care of first.
In his head though, the comment Mason made earlier still rang. His thoughts moved with what that could mean if what Mason said was true.
'If what he said is true, then Alex might be in trouble.' He understood the implications of what this meant. There were many witnesses here and they all saw and felt how powerful the woman was. Anyone desiring such power and strength would go the extra mile to get it. And if they can't get the woman, an easier target was available.
His thoughts were cut short when Charlotte returned and informed them the council had already sent a vessel and should be here in a few hours. Zol and Mason nodded in acknowledgement. With his legs missing, Zol could not really sit and had to remain floating. Obviously, he could return to his ship but that would mean leaving the block of ice here.
Zol looked at his arm, bringing up his display to check the calendar, 'Looks like there's still time to catch the kid's competition.' He was now interested in how much Alex had grown. The comment Mason made had renewed his interest in Alex.
Four hours later, the vessel arrived and Zol carried the block onboard. Once everything was settled, the remaining trio looked back at the Fornax Dwarf galaxy before leaving the area, and returning to their domains. Each of them would have to prepare a report of what happened to the council, and they would take it from there.
...
The week was close to its end. Alex and his friends had had enough rest and were ready to tackle the competition. The incident with The Order seemed to end there as there were no other problems during that time, allowing Alex to concentrate on training.
"Time to show the world what I can do," Alex muttered to himself with a clenched fist and a determined look.