Falling for them (love and deepspace X OC )

Unexpected

After leaving the area that's under lockdown, I call Zayne. "Zayne!

"Don't rush. Speak slowly. Did you find kevi"
When his voice comes through the phone, it's almost as if a warm hand is soothing my troubled mind.

"Yes, he has a Spatium Core Fragment. He's been using its power to hide himself."

"He's also infected with something that involves those black crystals. But his condition seems slightly better than what we saw in the patient at Chansia Hospital"In Chansia Hospital, Zayne and I arrived at a preliminary conclusion.The Aether Core's power doesn't cause transformations like this. Someone is responsible for creating this crystal-related disease. "And assuming that's the case, they're deliberately turning people into"monsters."

After I reveal this conclusion we never really discussed before, the other end of the line is silent for a few minutes.

A few years ago, I witnessed something similar. That person was my "friend."

Recalling my conversation with Zayne in the Arctic, a guess forms in my mind. "Was it the one who died in Mt. Eternal? It couldn't be because..."

"Yes.After that incident, we learned that under extremely special circumstances-When Wanderers strike, their attacks cause energy crystals to grow in the afflicted area. They corrode the human body and grow a sort of "shell" over it.Once that happens, the victims can lose their sanity within seconds and uncontrollably lash out at anyone around them."

Some of the vague relationships between a few things become clearer: Zayne's secret research, the small animals at Dr. Noah's home...

"Your research with Dr. Noah in the Arctic involves this, right?"

"It does.Based on your description, Kevi's transformation hasn't truly started. But it's hard to say if we should delay our attempts to treat it."

"I have a feeling that if he stays in Skyhaven, something unpredictable and grave will happen.."

"I'll find a way to transfer him to Akso Hospital and ask Dr. Noah to come back."

"I was just about to ask about that. When can you pick up Kevi?"

"The hospital can't reach his guardians, which could be a problem. I'll have everything arranged by tomorrow night at the latest."

"Then I'll bring Kevi to you at that time."

"There's one more thing. A necessary reminder, so to speak."He pauses before lowering his voice. "Since Kevi has an Aether Core fragment, it's possible Ever will keep looking for him.When caring for others, you must be mindful of your own safety."

"Sure...Before coming here, I thought I had grown stronger. I thought I'd be capable enough to handle the challenges that awaited me. But I didn't expect them to become even more difficult... Fortunately, l've never had to face them alone."

"Perhaps I'm also doing this for myself."

After the call ends, my beating heart finally begins to calm down.
I look up at the moonlight hidden behind the dark clouds. The night is still, with no wind or rain, and the stars shine brightly.I suddenly wonder, is Zayne also looking at the same night sky right now?
The lieutenant's appearance at the medical center today means the Fleet is keeping Mia under close surveillance.I need to avoid them if I want to bring Kevi there...

During my trip back to the station on the floating island, the previously peaceful sky suddenly becomes dark and gloomy. Thunder roars in the distance.It might start raining again...
My phone has several unread texts from Caleb.
As I scroll through them, the fact that Caleb is truly back sinks in.
I send over my location's coordinates, and then it starts to drizzle.

I join the crowd under the overpass. The atmosphere grows heavy with an eerie chill.

A figure clad in black, half their face concealed by a high collar, appears. Their greenish-gray hair is loosely tied."Excussse me."
But they don't move. Something's off, so I move to the side.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, you can."All of a sudden, there's a small explosion nearby.
The scorching heat throws me back a few meters.I steady myself, covering my nose and mouth with one hand and waving away the smoke with the other.The stranger is still there. He pulls down his collar to reveal his face.With a forked tongue and white slit pupils, he grins mysteriously as if knowing this would happen. "Hasss anyone warned you that a unique hunter like yourssself could get into sssome real trouble around thessse partsss?"He moves like a grayish-green serpent. His fingers change into blades as they swipe past my cheek.I barely manage to sidestep him. He attacks again, aiming for my throat this time.

He's tough and quick..!I instinctively lean back and narrowly avoid the silver blades. I pistol whip him, the gun landing a decisive blow on his head.Hearing that satisfying sound, I know I did a good job. I turn around.
From the broken remains, wires and metal bits burst out along with a bunch of tiny bolts.

"You're annoying. I can't hear anything now."The man touches the broken part of his ear before tossing the short-circuiting implant into the drain.

"If I take the Aether Core from you, I can trade it in for an ear with sssome nice basss. But..."The scattered electrical equipment is sucked into a Metaflux surge as it spawns several, strange-looking Wanderers."Oh well. Let "them" have sssome fun"

Is this some kind of transformation?!My hand moves behind my waist. Amidst the dirt and rain, a bright red flash materializes.
A Wanderer that has lunged forward is sent flying back several meters. What attacked itwas...An apple?
Having found its mark, the apple continues on its gravity-defying trajectory. I turn my head—Cradling his phone between his ear and shoulder, Caleb grabs an apple from the paper bag he's holding. He throws it up and catches it in his right hand.

"The supermarket wasn't havin' a sale on produce today, and my bullets aren't exactly cheap."

"Caleb!" I raise my gun and swiftly position myself beside him. I keep an eye on the Wanderers approaching us.

"This isn't a game. I won't let you charge in alone." He said

"Don't underestimate me. I can pull my weight in a battle just like you now."