In the Huang Empire's imperial palace, the once majestic hall adorned with golden dragons coiled around pillars and intricate carvings now lay covered in black flooring. Thousands of glowing threads, varying in color, illuminated every corner within sight. The ground and air were filled with diverse mechanical devices exuding a futuristic aura.
Dressed in monochrome attire, Senti stood before a floating transparent crystal ball. With both hands gently resting on its surface, she continuously infused it with ki—the stable form of unique Honkai Energy.
"Whizz!"
A sudden shrill whistle pierced the air as a burst of white light, carrying enough force to shatter steel, shot towards Senti, striking her head.
"Boom!"
The energy blast hit Senti directly on the side of her head, disintegrating into countless specks of light that vanished instantly.
Her head tilted slightly, frowning, as she glared unhappily at Zeke.
"What was that for?"
"Your amplitude oscillations show erratic power fluctuations. Focus more," Zeke instructed without looking up from his position on the central platform within the Great Hall. With both hands, he held a pulsating white light sphere whose edges fluctuated unpredictably. This orb was connected by countless glowing threads that seemed to reach nearly every corner of the hall.
Senti puffed out her cheeks, her smooth and round face resembling a freshly peeled hard-boiled egg, as she grumbled indignantly:
"Dang it! I just realized—you conned me! Those images and videos were part of your scheme all along, weren't they?!"
"How can you still focus on such trivial matters at this critical juncture? Our work concerns the very survival of this world bubble; concentrate properly."
Zeke glanced up, disapprovingly frowning while delivering his firm rebuke.
Fuming, Senti held her breath for a few seconds before gritting her teeth and retorting:
"You better remember this! An immortal's revenge may be delayed, but never denied!"
"Don't you understand? Saving the world isn't a time for jokes."
"I... fine! I'll focus, alright?! Just worry about yourself!"
"May an immortal's control and endurance prove as reliable as their words," Zeke taunted nonchalantly.
Clearly affected by this provocation, Senti huffed once, then placed both hands directly onto the crystal ball. Her inputted ki stabilized remarkably, achieving near-perfect consistency.
"So that's why you're upset?"
Nighttime, at the outdoor hot spring, Fu Hua wrapped herself in a pure-white towel. With a warm smile and gentle gaze, she tenderly massaged Senti's long gray hair.
Sitting cross-legged in the water, Senti pouted and grumbled indignantly, "That old fossil doesn't understand how infuriating he can be! Teasing people is one thing, but after I spent all day channeling ki for him today, he just told me to get lost? Is that how you thank someone? If only I could beat him right now... if only I were strong enough yet... hmph!"
Half of Senti's face submerged underwater, releasing a stream of bubbles as her discontent practically formed dark clouds above, ready to unleash rain.
Fu Hua couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She then moved behind Senti, gently wrapping her arms around her like embracing a child.
Senti instantly straightened up, feeling somewhat flustered.
"O-Old Antique, what are you doing?!"
"Hmm, comforting you. Don't you like it?"
"I-it's not that I don't like it..." Senti weakly responded, subtly leaning back against Fu Hua, sensing her warmth.
Soulium was a unique material; it could be incredibly hard, surpassing even diamonds, or remarkably soft, akin to cotton. A body made of Soulium, unless intentionally fortified for combat, would feel as supple and warm as a real human form, even emitting similar scents to a natural body.
Leaning against Fu Hua's embrace, though not their first time, still felt exceptionally comforting to Senti. She couldn't help but let out a dreamy giggle, her cheeks blushing slightly.
With a gentle smile and a voice as soothing as flowing water, Fu Hua wrapped her arms around Senti, saying:
"You know Zeke's ways; he's always been like this. When faced with crucial tasks, he becomes utterly focused, disregarding all manners and pleasantries. The closer someone is to him, the more forceful and impolite he gets, almost like a stubborn child... In truth, he indeed is just a kid at heart. So don't take it too personally. By kicking you out, he was actually trying to ensure you get some rest. And while you're resting, I bet he'll be working tirelessly, forgetting even meals."
"Hmph... You always find excuses for him..."
"It can't be helped. Zeke possesses unparalleled abilities, which means he bears unmatched responsibilities. As for me, aside from these small matters, I'm unsure how else I could alleviate his burdens. Senti, I don't particularly agree with Dr. Mei's methods, nor those of Dr. Mobius, but for the sake of saving the world, I would willingly risk my life on their word anytime. Now, Zeke is our new leader... I want to assist him, and this time, it's truly wholehearted because he deserves it."
Senti nestled close to Fu Hua's chest, feeling the brief change in her heartbeat beneath the comforting softness.
Without dwelling on the reason for this shift, Senti merely pursed their lips and irritably splashed the water with their hand.
"Alright, alright! I get it! It's not like I don't understand what's important! I'm just venting, okay? Of course I'll help Zeke!"
"Hmm, I trust you, Senti. You're such a good kid."
"Don't call me 'kid'! And..."
"Yes?"
"I've told you already, stop talking about dying so casually! As long as I'm here, you won't die. I'll protect you, Old Antique!"
Lifting their head slightly, Senti gently nudged Fu Hua's chin.
Fu Hua paused momentarily, then, like a lotus blossoming under moonlight, she revealed a pure and gentle smile.
"Okay, Senti will protect me, and I will protect Senti. Let's support each other together."
"Promise? Pinky swear!" Senti tilted their head, eyes sparkling brightly, and extended a delicate pinkie finger.
With a soft laugh, gentle as a feather tickling one's heart, Fu Hua hooked her own pinkie around Senti's.
"Pinky swear!"
As Fu Hua had predicted, once Zeke started working on the World Anchor, he toiled tirelessly day and night.
Especially since this involved constructing a crucial Anchor Point, despite not expressing its complexity verbally, it was still a cutting-edge technology that their world itself was only beginning to explore. The task demanded exceptionally high levels of intricacy and difficulty.
With each problem solved, new challenges emerged. As the sole individual responsible, no matter how intellectually advanced Zeke might be, the time and effort required were unavoidable costs.
After nine consecutive sleepless days and nights, Senti, having continuously supplied ki, finally couldn't bear it anymore. Approaching Zeke, who seemed never to move from his spot, she reached out and gently poked him on the shoulder.
"What is it?" Zeke didn't look up, maintaining focus on the fluctuating sphere of light as he continually adjusted its intricate internal structure.
Senti poked Zeke's shoulder more insistently. "You've done enough already; pushing further like this, are you trying to work yourself to death?"
"My physical strength and intellect limit your understanding of my resilience."
"Seriously?! Can't you speak plainly for once? I'm just concerned about you!"
"Thank you. You can leave now."
Zeke's response remained consistently cold throughout, his gaze fixed on the glowing sphere as if unwilling to spare even a glance for Senti.
In that instant, Senti felt a surge of blood rushing to her head.
"Hiss - Are you gonna rest on your own, or shall this immortal knock you out first?!"
A heavy sword named "Sheath's Hidden Blade" materialized in Senti's hand. She raised it high and swung once, resembling someone about to take a mighty baseball swing.
The fluctuations within the light sphere abruptly ceased.
Zeke slowly turned his head, his eyes devoid of any emotion, landing expressionlessly on Senti's face.
Undeterred, Senti defiantly arched an eyebrow, showing no fear.
Then, Zeke lifted one hand, placing it before Senti's forehead, fingers poised.
"Boom!!"
Senti's slender figure instantly flew out of the hall, crashing through dozens of thick stone walls across several kilometers until finally striking the streets outside the imperial palace.
Zeke lowered his gaze, pondered briefly, and gradually dissipated the light sphere before him. Straightening his collar, he then turned and walked towards the exit of the hall.
As Zeke stepped out of the palace, a figure shot towards him like a meteor, fists whistling with wind and thunder, precisely aimed at his face.
Zeke turned, calmly watching as the fist rapidly grew larger before his eyes.
"Crack!"
In a flurry of movements akin to flashing lights, their punches met briefly. Zeke's fist paused just short of Senti's nose.
"Huff!"
The gust of wind brushed past her ears, causing Senti's eyelids to flutter rapidly, caught between fear and defiance, opening and closing hesitantly.
After a moment, realizing no pain had come as expected, Senti slightly tilted her head and scrutinized Zeke's cold expression, puzzled.
"What's your deal? Are you fighting or not?"
Zeke retracted his fist, gently wiped away a speck of dirt from Senti's face with his thumb, then softly patted her head.
"You're learning, good," he remarked, stepping forward and passing by Senti without stopping.
Senti blinked, taken aback, glancing at her own clenched fists.
Was that meant to be a compliment?
To continue fighting seemed pointless now, as her fury had dissipated amidst confusion. Yet ending it here felt unsatisfactory, almost anticlimactic.
After a brief hesitation, Senti jogged to catch up with Zeke.
"Hey! What do you mean by that? Explain yourself!"
"Take a break," Zeke replied succinctly, cracking his neck with audible pops.
Indeed, there was plenty of time left in this world bubble. A day or two wouldn't make much difference. There was no need to push oneself relentlessly; appropriate relaxation could actually help clarify thoughts and improve future productivity.
Senti's mind tangled between achieving her initial goal, the anger akin to being unappreciated despite good deeds, and the inexplicable delight from Zeke's praise, gradually losing clarity about their current situation. Frustrated, she scratched her hair wildly.
"Huh? No, I...you...ugh! You're confusing me!"
"Read more, think deeply, maintain regular sleep patterns, and stick to timely meals. Consistency over some time will greatly alleviate these symptoms."
"I'm not sick!"
"I know; it doesn't fall under medical issues either."
"Agh! This makes no sense whatsoever!"
After hopping around Zeke for a while, Senti reluctantly gave up on probing further, following him discontentedly yet helplessly.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, beneath the warm orange twilight, the tall figure striding straight ahead, accompanied by the slender silhouette occasionally kicking at roadside pebbles, formed a picturesque scene.