Chapter 1606 On The Search Author's Note: Unedited Chapter --------------------- In the heart of a chaotic and gravity-warped region of space, Gustav hovered just above the rocky surface of a barren world. It bore no inhabitants. He had finally reached his destination, and beneath him, buried deep within the fractured ground, lay the second vestige of his original power. He could feel it humming like a heartbeat, resonating with the fragments he had already absorbed. This energy was familiar yet ancient, a part of himself he had long forgotten. Taking a deep breath, Gustav reached out and placed his hand against the surface. As soon as his skin made contact, the vestige reacted, sending a surge of power through him. The ground trembled beneath him, cracks snaking across the terrain as the energy rose up like a pulse, fusing into his very being. He closed his eyes, feeling the humanoid shaped energy wrap around him, absorbing into his core. Every cell in his body seemed to awaken, and the sensation was almost overwhelming. His muscles tensed as a newfound strength coursed through him. It was only a mere extra 1% of his original strength—a fraction of his former glory—but even that small amount felt monumental. The Outworldly, in his full power, was beyond what any ordinary being could comprehend, and now, he could feel a sliver of that unimaginable force returning to him. Opening his eyes, Gustav felt the familiar rush of knowledge as another ability from his Outworldly repertoire unlocked. He flexed his fingers, the power settling into his veins like a second skin. "Let's see what you've given me this time,**" he murmured to himself as he took a few steps back from the now-dormant vestige. With a single thought, he extended his arm, and the air around him seemed to ripple. A faint, almost invisible sphere of energy enveloped him, flickering with a gentle, silver glow. Gustav clenched his fist, and the sphere expanded, stretching out over the entire landscape. Trees, rocks, and even the distant peaks began to bend under the force of his energy. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled it all back, compressing the sphere around him in a rush that sent a shockwave outward, creating a crater beneath him. "Not bad," he voiced with a satisfied tone. After a few more tests, Gustav leaped into the air, flying back toward his waiting spacecraft. The gravitational density continued to press against him but it was barely noticeable. He reached the spacecraft and climbed aboard, setting his sights on the next vestige. "One more step closer," he murmured as he fired up the engines. --- Meanwhile, somewhere else in the universe, a small but robust spacecraft cut through the vast emptiness of space. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎 Inside, Endric, Ria, and Sersi were discussing the next steps in their journey. Sersi had insisted on joining them, and after much debate, Endric had finally agreed, unable to resist her determined gaze. "Alright, team, here's where we're at," Endric said, leaning over the ship's navigation console. "The database came through and cross-referenced the two distinct features that Gustav glimpsed— a hazy teal planet and an unnatural void-like light. Unfortunately, it returned not one, but four locations." Ria, seated across from him with a frown, crossed his arms. "Four locations? That means three of them are not correct?" "Yes," Endric confirmed. "Great. We're going to need to hop across the galaxies to check each one," "Bingo," Endric replied, bringing up a holographic map. "But that's our best shot. We'll need to visit each location and confirm which one actually holds the sword." Sersi leaned in with a determined expression determined. "Then let's not waste time. We go in, check, and if it's not the one, we move on. Simple." Endric glanced at her. "You make it sound easy, Sersi. You realize these locations aren't exactly next door to each other, right?" Sersi shrugged while displaying a smile. "Doesn't matter. We're doing this for father. I'd fly to the edge of the universe if that's what it takes." Ria chuckled, nodding approvingly. "You're relentless. I can see why you insisted on coming. But let's just hope these locations aren't crawling with the Alliance's goons, or worse." Endric pulled up the first destination, pointing to a distant star system marked on the map. "The first one's here, on the outskirts of the Ilvorn Galaxy. We'll check it out and go from there. Everyone ready?" "Ready," Sersi and Ria replied in unison. The ship buzzed as Endric punched in the coordinates, and in an instant, they leaped into hyperspace. The stars outside immediately blurred into streaks of light. After what felt like numerous hours, the ship slowed, emerging from hyperspace on the edge of a star system where the first of the four potential locations awaited. Outside the ship, a massive teal-hued planet loomed before them, surrounded by swirling clouds and faint, greenish light that gave the atmosphere an ethereal quality. "Well, that's… something," Ria murmured, staring at the planet. "Almost looks like we're in a dream." Sersi eyes narrowed as she peered out the window. "I don't like it. Something feels… off." Endric nodded in agreement, adjusting the ship's scanners. "Let's keep our guard up. This might be the place, but it could also be a trap. Stay sharp, both of you." They descended through the atmosphere, landing in a remote area of the planet's surface where massive, sharp rocks jutted out of the ground like teeth. The surroundings were eerily quiet, with a pale mist clinging to the ground, casting strange shadows across the barren landscape. "I'll check the scanners for any signs of Outworldly energy," Endric said, adjusting the controls. As he worked, Sersi and Ria stepped out of the ship, keeping a close eye on the surrounding terrain. They moved cautiously, their senses on high alert as they scanned the area for any threats. "It's dead silent," Sersi whispered, prepared to activate her bloodline at anytime. "Too quiet." Ria nodded. "Yeah, I don't like it either. Shouldn't we have bumped into extraterrestrials by now? Endric, anything on the scanners?" Endric's voice crackled over their communicators. "No Outworldly energy detected yet, but there's a faint residual energy—something that could be connected. It's faint, though. If the sword was here, it's either well-hidden or long gone. Let's sweep the area." They spread out, moving through the mist as they searched for any signs of the sword or clues pointing to its whereabouts. Nearly an hour went by with no luck. Endric could scour the entirety of the planet within seconds but the mist really made it difficult to cast one senses like a net across this mysterious world. After some time, Endric called them back to the ship. "Nothing here. Just a residual energy field—might be a remnant of some old relic, but not the sword. We're moving to the next location." "Well, at least we're one down," Ria muttered while climbing back aboard. "Three more to go." Sersi sighed, settling into her seat. "Uncle needs to be better with his choices." "Don't call me that..." Endric snapped back. "Sorry uncle..." "You're older than me." "I don't think so, uncle..." "Shut up!" "Sorry uncle..." "You little...." It almost seemed like Sersi was trying to get Endric mad on purpose and yet her eyes remained clueless. "You know what... forget it. Maybe we could crash into a sun and die so I can finally be rid of that godforsaken title," Endric grumbled as he programmed the coordinates for the next location. "You know... you two really suit each other," Ria chipped in from behind. "Go fuck yourself, Ria," Endric yelled from the pilot seat. "No really, think about it." "Shut up!" "I could become a godfather." "No!" "Gustav could become an uncle." "You're insane!" Ria kept jabbering away nonstop and Endric felt like death would be a very good relief at this moment. "Why did I pick these two?" He questioned his choices while shaking his head. "I hope we don't have to visit all four." They jumped to hyperspace once more, speeding toward the next destination. As the stars streaked by outside the window, Endric couldn't help but think about their mission. He knew that finding the sword was crucial, not just for Gustav, but for the fate of the universe itself. The second location took them to a desolate system on the edge of a black hole. The gravitational pull was intense, warping space around them as they approached. "Whoever thought hiding a sword next to a black hole was a good idea deserves a punch," Ria grumbled. Endric carefully navigated the ship around the black hole's edge. "Stay focused. We've dealt with blackholes before and this won't be any different. Sersi, keep an eye on the scanners. If there's anything here, we'll need to be quick." They circled the black hole, scanning the surrounding debris fields for any signs of the sword. The environment was dangerous, with massive chunks of rock and ice orbiting perilously close to the event horizon. But despite their careful search, they found nothing. "Another dead end," Endric voiced with a frustrated sigh.