NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 196: Hemorrhage
In the lounge of the hovering warship, Durandal sat by the window, two untouched cups of tea on the table before her. She gazed out at the ruined cityscape below, lost in thought.
A star bracelet dangled from her fingers, catching the sunlight streaming through the porthole, its silver surface shimmering.
Perhaps it was the absence of her usual novel, but Durandal, normally so efficient with her time, seemed restless. She idly toyed with the bracelet, her gaze repeatedly drifting towards the meeting room door.
Otto and Ren had been discussing the matter of the Herrscher of the Void for a considerable amount of time, and it seemed they had yet to reach an agreement.
Personally, Durandal disapproved of Otto's methods. Deception solved nothing. She preferred a more direct approach.
The hiss of the pneumatic door broke the silence. Durandal turned, her eyes meeting Ren's.
"Well?"
Ren's face was pale, but he offered her a weak smile, nodding slightly. "The agreement has been amended. I'll assist you with the experiment. In exchange, Schicksal guarantees her safety."
"Understood." Durandal didn't press for details. Instead, her brow furrowed as she noticed the markings on his neck.
After absorbing the excess Honkai energy from Kiana, the Gem of Haste's corrosion had intensified. The Honkai markings on Ren's neck were now clearly visible. His body, having barely recovered from the previous experiment, was teetering on the brink of collapse once more.
"Are you alright?"
Ren shook his head silently, taking the seat opposite Durandal. He gazed out at Nagazora, his eyes distant, as if searching for someone. Unfortunately, the warship was docked in the western sector, out of sight of where Kiana rested.
Bianka remained silent, observing him. She knew he was still resentful of their confrontation with Kiana, but Ren was crucial to the experiment. She couldn't allow Kiana to take him away.
She took a sip of the cold tea, sighing. It was a poor substitute for Rita's brewing.
She pushed the star bracelet across the table towards Ren.
"You should keep this. It means nothing to me." Before Ren could respond, she stood. "I'm not a star. I don't shine. I'm a warrior. My purpose is to grow stronger, to protect others."
"But you're different. You're Herrschers. Without the light of the stars, you'll be lost in the darkness. This bracelet… it belongs with you."
Ren looked up, surprised by her earnest tone. It was strange hearing such philosophical words from the usually straightforward Bianka.
"I'll be overseeing the survivor rescue operation. Schicksal won't restrict your movements, but I expect you to understand your priorities."
With that, Bianka left without hesitation, leaving Ren alone in the lounge.
He picked up the bracelet, his fingers tracing the star-shaped clasp where its counterpart should have been.
He suddenly began coughing violently, blood trickling down his chin. He tried to cover his mouth, but the crimson flow was unstoppable, staining the tea and the table a dark red.
The last time he had coughed up blood like this was in ARC City, when his lifespan had dwindled to a mere two months, his body on the verge of collapse. The recurrence of this symptom meant his time was running out.
"Not much time left," he murmured, finally managing to stem the bleeding.
Meanwhile, a camera in the corner of the room relayed everything to Otto.
He watched Ren's weakened state impassively. He wasn't surprised. As a fellow traveler on this path, he understood. If he were in Ren's position, he would have made the same choices.
But Otto's goal was far more elusive. Kallen was gone, lost to him five hundred years ago. Even sacrificing himself wouldn't bring her back.
"Emotions… they are the sharpest weapon against a Herrscher." Otto clung to this belief. And now, he would witness it firsthand.
Having confirmed that Ren no longer posed a threat, Otto lifted the surveillance, focusing his attention on the Thousand Worlds Gate experiment. He still hadn't identified the correct coordinates. There was much work to be done.
Ren glanced towards the camera, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his bloodstained lips.
He held the star bracelet, its silver surface now stained crimson, shimmering strangely in the light.
…
Kiana, leaning against the railing, stared at the bracelet in her hand.
The wind tugged at her white hair, unable to dispel the lingering sense of regret.
She could have brought him back.
A small, IV-drip-equipped robot floated towards her.
Kiana blinked, recognizing little Sora, her arm bandaged, a small IV bag attached.
"Kiana, are you thinking about your friend?" Sora asked, concern in her voice.
Kiana slipped the bracelet into her pocket, forcing a smile. "Yes. I had a friend. He helped me through the darkest time in my life. But…"
"He stayed behind to fight the enemy, to protect me. And we were separated."
"So, you came here to bring him back? You can tell us what he looks like. Maybe we can help you find him." Over the past few days, Kiana had proven herself helpful to the residents of the Nest, earning their trust.
Seeing her constant sadness, they had decided to send Sora to check on her.
Kiana shook her head, gently ruffling Sora's hair. "Thank you, Sora. Don't worry. I found him. I just… can't bring him back yet."
"Oh. Okay. Our teacher will be back soon. She's really strong! When she comes, we can ask her to help you find your friend."