As the airship slowly descended, Isaac and I were on the bridge, waiting for it to touch the ground and open the gates to the outside. Thankfully, since the ship had a stealth system that distorted all radars to avoid being located and that silenced it completely, Isaac managed to find a secluded place to land safely and unnoticed. Although this stealth mode consumed a considerable amount of energy, we wouldn't need it for too long as apparently, Isaac's Boss had a way to transport the ship inside the hidden base. I didn't know how exactly, but that would soon change as he was coming here personally to take us to the headquarters too! Which was the reason for my current excitement. How could I not be when I knew I was about to meet the most incredible guy in the world! (According to Isaac...)
Finally, the ship came to a stop as it reached the ground, prompting me to approach the door that would soon slid open as I watched with an expectant gaze. The feeling of joy rising up from my chest overwhelmed me entirely as I couldn't think of anything else but the mysterious 'Boss' that I would finally see for the first time in flesh, Lothair Cartheyia. The exhilaration building up inside me grew stronger by the second, and soon, the door emitted its signature 'shhhk—' sound, letting the blinding light of the outside permeate the sterile and dark insides, immediately brightening them. As the bridge settled down, the sound stopped and the outside world could clearly be seen.
...
The extravagant scenery of a colorful plain with its lush green grass and rainbow flowers loitering the ground met the eyes of the enthralled and mesmerized woman. But in the center of it was an incongruity, a black stain that seemed out of place in the lively and enchanting nature. There stood a single man, skin white as snow and clad all in black. With his hands clasped behind his back and a stern demeanor, his whole presence radiated nobility. A handsome face that gleamed with deep black eyes reminding of the abyss, short black hair that seemed to suck all light into them, a strong build that oozed infinite confidence, and a gaze that put an overwhelming pressure on the one being looked at. That man could only be described as the epitome of beauty, shrouded in mystery.
Eliza was speechless, thoughts frozen as she laid her sight on the approaching dark person. Then his resonating deep voice reached her ears, waking her up from her dazed state. "Greetings, Eliza. It is a real pleasure to finally meet you face to face. I am sincerely looking forward to our prolonged collaboration from now on." He pronounced in deliberate slowness, his crisp and melodious voice pleasing the ears of the listeners.
...
It took me a moment to compose myself, and I casually greeted him back, "Me too, hello..." nevertheless, the nervousness had never faded and was reflected in my shaky words.
Beside me, Isaac knelt on one knee, head hung low, like a loyal soldier paying respects to their king. Then with graceful movements, Lothair, that had already made his way a few meters from the ship, raised his left hand in an inviting manner. "There is no need for such formalities, Isaac. Both of you come down here then let us depart."
The scientist stood up and did as told, and I followed after him, though trailing behind. His consecutive actions kind of caught me off guard as he usually acted as a know-it-all who couldn't bother humbling himself. Though I noticed Isaac acted more normally in the presence of that 'Boss', not letting his zombie appearance be reflected or his crazy mad scientist attitude to take over. Though the latter could only be witnessed when he thought he was alone.
As soon as we descended from the ship, the bridge slowly closed up. By the time it was done, the man shrouded in black now stood right in front of us, darkened even more by the large shadow cast by the humongous airship. I didn't even notice his approach until he was already there! I suddenly got shivers as I thought of an insect unnoticeably sliding inside my clothes... Fortunately, his next actions redirected my attention to him. He held in his right hand a transparent cube the size of a basketball, and suddenly, space seemed to be distorted all around it, bending and stretching in unnatural impossible ways as it appeared to be sucking something. Right after that, the imposing pure white vessel trembled as it gradually shrunk before being pulled toward the cube held in the mysterious man's hand. Before I could even let out a gasp, the previously grand ship was now converted into a miniature version of itself that was kept inside the space-bending object.
"H-How did you do this..?" I stuttered, failing to comprehend such surreal power.
But his answer was too simple to explicate the grand prowess he just displayed. "Spatial abilities."
Then he snapped his fingers, and I lost all sensations over my body before all the light disappeared, as if it had dispersed and couldn't reach my eyes. However, this situation didn't last as only after a few seconds had passed, I felt a current of warmth coursing through my body as I regained my sight and touch, emerging in an incessant hubbub. And thereafter, I thought I was dreaming. My surroundings had completely changed. I no longer stood amidst a sea of green, among bright colorful flowers; but in the middle of an expanse of luxury. There were expensive-looking furnitures such as tables with intricate golden designs, many artworks like sculptures and paintings decorating the walls, and a beautiful carpet which portrayed multiple characters, each of many different species, with some I couldn't recognize, standing alongside each other. The place was bustling with life, many people walking around and tending to their business, sometimes conversing with each other or simply drinking on the bar. I was bamboozled. How could I suddenly find myself in a completely different place in just a second! Was it Lothair's spacial ability? Did he teleport us here..? ...Abruptly waking me up from my thoughts, was a timely gratifying voice.
"Welcome to Arcane, Eliza. The last place on Nebula where humanity fights hand in hand against the whole world." As he spoke, all the surrounding sound subsided, letting his deep voice echo across the expansive room. And by the time the last reverberation faded, every single person who was previously minding their own business had now noticed our presence, and they all bowed towards the dark man in absolute reverence.
"Welcome back, Leader!"
I couldn't help but glance at the tall handsome figure beside me, which prompted me to remember the inconspicuous Isaac who was standing at the man's right. 'By the way, he was the only one who called Lothair "Boss"...' This only thought emerged as my eyes met his.
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