Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

[Rufeite: Everything has spiraled beyond my expectations. I don't know Anshuo's plan, nor can I predict what Anno intends to do, but somehow, Anno seems to know, instinctively, more than any of us.]

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Anno, lacking the deep control over his consciousness that Anshuo had, was no match for him. In a matter of moments, Anshuo easily took Kai away. Before leaving, Kai's voice echoed through the room, filled with defiance: "Anno, I will never give up! I am merely a consciousness! The past, present, and future-they're all the same to me! I won't give up!"

After they were gone, Anno sat alone, motionless in front of the console, staring blankly ahead. His connection with Rufeite had been severed, leaving only the heavy weight of silence. He sighed and struggled to his feet. Exhaustion was pulling him under. He longed for sleep, a reprieve from the endless turmoil, but his mind wouldn't quiet. The self-destruction sequences of the first five particles were already in motion, and the last one was waiting to be activated.

Take a break, he told himself.

He walked to the corner of the cockpit, snapping his fingers. "Napoleon, give me a bed."

The air shimmered with soft, white light, and a single bed materialized. Anno thanked him. "Wake me in six hours."

But before he could rest, Napoleon's voice filled his mind: "Rufeite of the Celestial Church requests permission to land."

Anno, already lying on the bed with his eyes closed, barely reacted. After a long pause, he said softly, "Let him in." Whatever Rufeite said or did at this point, it wouldn't change anything.

Moments later, Rufeite stepped into the cabin, clad in white boots and red robes-no longer a mere child. What he found was a scene far removed from the proud, powerful Pope Anno of old. Instead, Anno lay curled on a white bed, his knees drawn to his chest, looking impossibly fragile. The cockpit was dark except for the soft blue glow of the console's indicator lights, casting faint shadows that made Anno's form seem as though it could dissolve into the darkness at any moment.

Rufeite approached, silent and careful. Anno didn't move. He wasn't asleep-Rufeite could tell by the shallow rise and fall of his breath-but neither of them spoke.

Without a word, Rufeite lay down beside him, wrapping his arms around Anno from behind, holding him tightly. Anno remained still, his silence saying more than words could convey. No one knew what Anshuo planned or how he intended to carry it out, but Rufeite knew one thing with certainty: whatever Anno had set his mind to, nothing and no one could stop him.

Everything was already set in motion, and it was far too late to turn back now. Rufeite knew Anno better than most. He was the same Pope who, three thousand years ago, had been willing to trigger a particle explosion for the sake of his faith. Anno never cared about his own life. His eternal devotion was something he gave without hesitation. That was Anno.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Anno spoke, his voice quiet, almost a whisper. "Rufeite, it's almost over."

Rufeite hummed softly in response, his grip tightening around Anno as if he feared he might vanish at any moment.

Anno continued, "Rufeite, I lied to you. I like you-more than I let on. I like your innocence. I like the way you look at me, chin raised like you own the world. I like everything about you."

Rufeite let out a small sound from his nose, shifting closer, his legs pressing tightly against Anno's. "Anno," he murmured, "I want to be with you."

Anno's reply was calm, steady. "Then stay with me. Wherever I go, you'll go too."