Chapter 705 Precursor Artefact (1)
"It's been a while," Astaroth mused, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Since I've felt the heat from a star on my skin or the gentle touch of the wind on a planet. I used to take those sensations for granted, you know."
Ashton, standing beside Astaroth on the balcony of the Eastern Palace's new mansion. The sun bathed them in a warm, golden glow, and the wind carried the faint scent of exotic flora with it, unlike the stench of the undead from before.
The place also held significance for the two because it was inside the Eastern Palace that Ashton was made aware of Astaroth's existence. It was also where Astaroth saved Ashton when one of his eyes blew up... even though his intention wasn't all that pure.
Other than that, Astaroth's words resonated with Ashton, reminding him of the stark contrast between his existence as a human and his newfound Precursor experience.
In the short span of a few years, he had witnessed the vastness of space, harnessed incredible power, and confronted formidable foes. Still, there was a simplicity to the sensations of being human that he had come to appreciate after facing countless problems.
"You're right, Astaroth. Sometimes, the littlest things mean the most," Ashton smiled, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Feeling the warmth of a sun or the wind, they remind us of the beauty of existence... Look what you did! Turned me all sentimental."
"After living inside your head for all this time, I think I deserve some payback," Astaroth turned his eyes to Ashton, a hint of gratitude in his expression. "Even then... I'm glad to be alive. There's much we can learn from these moments of peace, especially amid chaos like now."
The two stood there, bathed in the sun's warmth, appreciating the simple yet profound pleasures because they knew they were headed towards a storm that would break everyone in one way or another.
But they weren't there to relax as their eyes turned towards the courtyard, which now doubled as a hangar.
The metallic clang of tools and the hum of energy reverberated through the large bay of the Xyran mothership, where Tarik and Ibis toiled tirelessly, along with a plethora of engineers that Ashton had lent from his allies.
Their faces were smudged with grease and sweat, and their clothing was stained from the long hours spent repairing the Xyran ships that would soon carry Ashton and Astaroth to the Xyran homeworld.
While the Orions wanted to accompany Ashton and Astaroth along with Ibis's ships, they politely declined the offer.
The relationships between the empires were strained, and Ashton didn't want to take any chances and hamper their little chance of gaining Xyran's support.
Besides, Ashton and Astaroth were enough to wreak havoc on the Xyran should a need arise. However, Ashton did ask a favour from the Orions, and that was to protect the Earth in his absence, and the Empire readily agreed.
"I hope it won't take long," Ashton mumbled as he noticed Tarik hard at work.
Below them, Tarik expertly welded a fractured hull, and Ibis meticulously calibrated the ship's energy systems. It was a painstaking process, but they knew the importance of their task. The Xyran ships needed to be in optimal condition for the impending negotiations.
"Why do you think that?" Astaroth said, observing their efforts, leaning against a nearby console.
"Kro'Han... oddly, he kept quiet all this time," Ashton replied. "When the Xyran ships appeared, I thought it was Kro'Han, but he's been eerily quiet till now."
"Well, I might have an explanation for it," Astaroth replied, his golden-skinned clone form exuding an air of casual confidence. "What if he didn't attack us yet, just because he couldn't?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if he is trapped on Euphoria and can't leave the planet?" Astaroth suggested. "Then it would make sense why he hasn't attacked us yet."
Ashton got quiet once he heard Astaroth's explanation. While that could be true, it also made Ashton realise something... could it be his masters' sacrifice was for no reason?
If Kro'Han couldn't leave Euphoria, then why did Vulcan and Flintmace sacrifice themselves?
Just the thought filled him with regret and anger that he had been trying to suppress every second since returning to Earth.
"I know what you're thinking," Astaroth mumbled. "And you have gotten it all wrong. Whether you believe it or not, had the Dwarf and Flintface not stayed behind, Kro'Han would have turned your ship into ash before you even got inside it."
He continued, "Had it not been for their sacrifice, both of us would be dead or worse, turned into mindless creatures obeying that fucker's commands."
Ashton sighed and nodded. He knew remembering his masters' sacrifice as a foolish move was an insult to their legacy, and that was the last thing Ashton wanted to do. Thankfully, Astaroth was there to guide him and focus on the positives instead.
However, Astaroth was having doubts of his own. Not related to Kro'Han but to the Xyrans.
"Ibis," he began, his tone laced with scepticism, "Are you certain you wanna trust the Xyrans? Their history is one of selfishness and secrecy. Forming an alliance with them might not be the wisest move."
"I understand your reservations about them. Had I been in your place, I would think the same," Ashton replied, his voice steady. "But we don't have many options. Kro'Han poses a grave threat to everyone.
If we stand divided, he will exploit our weaknesses. Besides, with both of us in individual bodies, the Xyrans wouldn't dare test us."
Astaroth considered his words, his gaze shifting to Ibis, who was assisting another Xyran crewmember with ship repairs nearby.
Suddenly, Ibis's laughter rang out as someone shared a joke, and Astaroth couldn't help but smile at the infectious joy.
He had been at war with himself for centuries, always brooding and stern. So much so that he forgot everything he started fighting for... including Ibis's smile.
"You may have a point," he admitted, "I don't think holding on to past grudges would help anyone."
Just then, Ibis radioed back to them with good news.
"We're almost done here," she said. "Once these ships are ready, we can leave for the Xyran homeworld and start the negotiations with them."
"Yup," Tarik said, wiping his hands on a rag. "The mothership is as good as new. They should carry you safely to the Xyran homeworld or hell, even out of the galaxy."
"Perfect timing," Ashton replied with a grin. "I can't wait to meet the Xyrans."
"Indeed, they won't know what hit them." Astaroth chuckled and patted Ashton's shoulder.
"...why would you hit them?" Ibis inquired, to which Astaroth shrugged his shoulder.
"You know, just in case!"
However, unbeknownst to the group, their enemies were already in motion. In the depths of the cosmos, Kro'Han was plotting moves of his own, using the Cult as his pawns.
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