Silence. The once lively bar, filled with the laughter and noise of Exoterrans indulging in their desires, had gone completely still. No one dared to speak as all eyes locked onto the floating woman and the white-haired man. Unlike the rest, he wasn't afraid—just smirking, casually leaning against the bar with a drink in hand.
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"The door... she broke the door," one Exoterran muttered in disbelief.
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"Wasn't that made of Xenium Alloy?" another whispered.
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"Yeah... that's one of the toughest metals around," came another hushed voice.
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In the corner, a blue-eyed Exoterran, like the others, watched silently, his gaze fixed on the woman. A single thought crossed his mind: *Could she be...*
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Kaeli, however, wasn't staring at the woman. Her wide eyes were glued to the white-haired man. "She called him Nexus," she said, catching Lysara's attention. "But he's no older than a Quart!"
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(A Quart being equivalent to 20 years of age.)
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The white-haired man, hearing their disbelief, turned to the two Exoterrans with a playful smile. His expression was calm, yet brimming with confidence.
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Standing from his seat, he spread his arms wide. "Allow me to introduce myself," he announced loudly, his gaze shifting back to the blonde woman floating before him. "Devilishly charming and irresistibly handsome—Nexus, at your service." He followed his words with a dramatic bow, leaving the entire bar speechless.
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"Enough of your boasts," the woman coldly interrupted, gliding closer to him. Nexus's smirk didn't waver, his eyes still playful and unbothered by her approach.
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"I don't see the point in asking you to come with me quietly," she continued, reaching out and grabbing his white scarf. Her eyes began to glow, shifting to a bright, burning red as they radiated intense heat. "But make no mistake," she said, her voice dripping with authority. "You will be coming with me."
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Nexus, like a lifeless doll, was pulled closer to the woman's face, her grip tight and unyielding around his scarf.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y1KG009Rk
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"I'm coming with you, huh?" Nexus chuckled, his eyes half-lidded. "You say that buuuut..."
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He closed his eyes, the smirk never leaving his lips, waiting for the right moment. Then, in an instant, his left eye shot open, unleashing a blinding flash of light that flooded the entire bar. Exoterrans shielded their eyes, and the woman, too, was forced to release her grip, throwing her hands over her face.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9qytWSrwl
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"Damn you!" she snarled, her voice echoing in fury as she blinked against the light.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkopCNUu9Tw
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When the brilliance faded and her vision cleared, she found nothing but an empty stool and the faint scent of smoke in the air.
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"I still don't think you have what it takes to catch me, K," came a voice from just behind her. Her eyes snapped in the direction of the sound, her heart racing. There he was, standing smugly by the bar's entrance, arms crossed and grinning like he had just won a game.
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K's fists clenched, her glowing eyes burning hotter than before. She could feel the frustration boiling up inside her. "Nexus!" she screamed, her voice filled with rage.
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Nexus just laughed, tapping the side of his temple. "Oh, did you forget about my cybernetic eye? It's got plenty of tricks up its sleeve," he said with a teasing wink. "Better luck next time."
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With a mocking salute, he turned and bolted out of the bar, leaving the patrons stunned and K seething with anger.
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"You're not getting away!" K roared, her voice booming as she shot toward the exit. In a blur of motion, she exploded through the doorway, leaving nothing but destruction in her wake. The sheer force of her speed obliterated what remained of the entrance, and countless patrons were tossed aside like ragdolls, crashing into walls and furniture.
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The once rowdy bar had been reduced to a mess of overturned tables, splintered chairs, and groaning patrons sprawled across the floor. Pained murmurs filled the air as Exoterrans slowly picked themselves up from the debris.
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"That woman... she was floating," an Anced, with green skin and long, slender arms, muttered as he inspected a few scratches from the chaos.
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"Her name was K, if I remember right," a Rultod grunted, leaning heavily against the wall, its massive crimson shell covered in dust. "She must've been Soufre K."
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(Soufre meaning Bounty Hunter.)
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The realization sparked an uproar. The bar, now in shambles, erupted in heated conversations as patrons began to piece together what had just happened.
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"A Vulcanari," someone shouted from the back.
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"The last Vulcanari, you mean," another voice corrected, awe creeping into their tone.
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"You'd think they were legends," someone else chimed in. "To see one in action... that speed, that strength..."
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Amongst the chatter, one Exoterran remained silent, watching the chaos with sharp, yellow eyes. It observed the other patrons, the corner of its wide jaw curling into a sinister smirk as a low, eerie laugh escaped its throat.
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"A Vulcanari," it mused softly, its voice barely audible amidst the noise. "A species that can absorb energy from their surroundings... gaining godlike strength. Nexus," it chuckled darkly, "you've met your match this time."
***
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Nexus, his grin widening, darted across the metal rooftops of the dark zone, his movements fluid and confident. The cityscape beneath him blurred as he leapt from one rooftop to the next, every surface slick with the residue of industrial fumes. The wind whistled past his ears, but he barely noticed. His focus was on the horizon, the towering structures, and the path ahead.
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He took a brief moment to glance up, catching sight of the darkened sky above. Distant transport vehicles zipped between the high-rises, their lights blinking like distant stars, while the occasional stellar bridge arced beyond the planet's atmosphere. Among the chaos of the night, the massive moon shone bright and full, casting a pale glow across the city.
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"The moon looks beautiful tonight," Nexus mused, his eyes lingering on it for a heartbeat. He felt a sense of calm wash over him—brief, fleeting, and gone in an instant.
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A thunderous boom ripped through the air behind him, the force of the sound rattling the very rooftops beneath his feet. Nexus instinctively turned his head, his silver hair catching the wind as it picked up in intensity.
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"Oh?" His eyes gleamed with excitement as he felt the surge of power approaching. A smile tugged at his lips, wide and eager. "She's coming."106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2OzF2pRin
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With a quick inhale, Nexus bolted forward once more, his pace increasing, leaping across the ever-shifting metal rooftops. The chase had begun, and the game was on.
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
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