Chapter 114: The Loud One
The warmth that had settled over Sway Remedial Labs lasted only a few fleeting moments.
Without warning—
BEEP!
One of the medical monitors emitted a sharp warning tone. Then another.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Within seconds, every machine connected to Nyx erupted into a chorus of alarms.
Bright crimson warning lights flashed across the laboratory, painting the room in alternating shades of red and white as streams of unstable readings raced across the holographic displays.
Leiken's expression changed instantly. Every trace of humour disappeared.
"Faki."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Stabilisers."
"Now."
Faki didn't hesitate.
"On it!"
He spun towards the storage cabinets, unlocking them with practiced speed as reinforced drawers slid open one after another.
CLACK!
HISS!
Glass containers rattled together while glowing medicines were rapidly gathered into a floating medical tray.
At the same time, Gift hurried across the laboratory carrying two crystal vials filled with an azure liquid that shimmered from within, as though fragments of the night sky had somehow been trapped inside glass.
"Level Three solution prepared!"
she announced.
The young mechanic almost tripped over his own feet as he rushed forward, carrying a polished silver basin.
"Move! Move! Move!"
Before anyone could react—
"GHK...!"
Nyx suddenly doubled over.
Her body trembled violently.
Then—
COUGH!!
A spray of dark blood splashed into the basin.
"...!"
Avenor instinctively stepped forward.
"What the hell...?"
Even Aerin's normally composed expression faltered.
The blood wasn't merely black, there were tiny silver particles drifting through it like dying stars, glowing faintly before dissolving into nothingness.
It was beautiful and horrifying.
Leiken caught Nyx before she could fall from the chair. His voice remained steady.
"Breathe."
Nyx clenched her jaw as another wave of pain surged through her body.
"You always..."
She coughed again.
COUGH!
"...say that."
"Because you always forget."
Leiken answered.
Gift was already preparing another injector while Faki recalibrated the medical equipment with incredible precision.
The young mechanic stared anxiously at one of the displays.
"Her Astral pressure is climbing again!"
"Energy circulation has exceeded the safe threshold!"
Without wasting another second, Leiken drove the injector into Nyx's arm.
TSSSS!
The glowing medicine disappeared beneath her skin.
Almost immediately, the violent silver light racing through her veins began to slow.
The erratic readings stabilised and the warning alarms gradually fell silent.
...BEEP...
...BEEP...
...BEEP...
Nyx released a long, exhausted breath before leaning back against the chair.
Sweat clung to her forehead.
Her breathing remained uneven, but the pain had finally subsided. Several long minutes passed before Leiken stepped away from the monitors.
The danger had passed for now. Nyx lazily wiped the remaining blood from the corner of her mouth before forcing a tired smile.
"...See?"
She shrugged weakly.
"...Still alive."
Leiken stared at her without amusement.
"You're impossible."
A faint smile tugged at Nyx's lips.
"You say that every single visit."
"Because every single visit feels like a rehearsal for your funeral."
Gift let out an involuntary snort while trying and failing to remain serious. Even Avenor couldn't stop himself from laughing quietly.
Leiken folded his arms. His eyes swept over Nyx from head to toe before he shook his head in disbelief.
"I know you're one of the biggest celebrities in the country."
"You model."
"You sing."
"You perform."
"I've honestly lost track of whatever ridiculous titles they're giving you these days."
He pointed accusingly at her.
"But what I genuinely cannot understand..."
"...is why you insist on starving yourself."
Nyx groaned dramatically.
"Tell my manager that."
"Oh, I intend to."
Leiken's glare sharpened.
"Right after I tell them they're trying to kill you."
He pointed towards the monitor, displaying Nyx's physical condition.
"Your Savage Power consumes body mass every time you fight."
"The weaker your body becomes..."
"...the faster Astral Starlight Syndrome destroys you."
The room fell silent.
Aerin slowly turned towards the monitor.
For the first time, she truly understood what Nyx had been carrying all this time. Every battle, every concert, every mission. Every time she pushed herself... She was shortening her own life.
The young mechanic folded his arms.
"She eats like a bird."
"I eat."
Nyx protested weakly.
"A cracker every six hours doesn't count."
Gift replied immediately.
Avenor laughed.
"I think even birds eat more than that."
Nyx glared at all three of them.
"I suddenly remember why I stopped visiting."
Leiken walked over to one of the reinforced cabinets before unlocking a compact silver case. Inside rested several specialised injectors alongside neatly organised capsules.
He placed the case into Nyx's hands.
"Your medicine."
She accepted it without a word.
Gift frowned.
"You're leaving already?"
Nyx nodded.
"We've got work to do."
Leiken looked at her quietly.
The stern doctor who had spent the last hour scolding her slowly disappeared. In his place remained only someone worried about family.
"...Take care of yourself."
Nyx lowered her eyes.
"I will."
"You always say that."
"I know."
Leiken sighed.
"If your father could see you now..."
His voice softened.
"...he'd probably climb out of his grave just to lecture you."
For the first time since arriving... Nyx didn't answer, as her smile disappeared.
Leiken stepped forward before wrapping her in a brief embrace. It lasted only a few seconds, but it spoke louder than any words.
"You're stubborn."
Nyx smiled against his shoulder.
"I learned from the best."
When they separated, Leiken turned towards Aerin and Avenor.
The warmth vanished from his face. His expression became deadly serious.
"Protect her."
There was no humour left in his voice.
"No matter what happens."
"I know exactly how reckless Nyx can be."
He looked directly at Aerin.
"And don't let her skip meals."
"If her body continues losing mass..."
"...Astral Starlight Syndrome will eventually reach the point where even I won't be able to stop it."
Aerin met his gaze without hesitation.
"You have my word."
Avenor smiled confidently.
"She's one of us now."
Gift folded her powerful arms.
"Good."
She looked between all three of them.
"Because if anything happens to her..."
"... we're blaming every single one of you."
The young mechanic dramatically pointed at Avenor.
"Especially the pretty one."
Avenor smiled proudly.
"I knew I stood out."
The boy shook his head.
"No."
He grinned.
"The loud one."
The laboratory erupted into laughter one last time, even Nyx laughed. For a brief moment...the weight of the world seemed a little lighter.
Eventually, the farewell came to an end. The reinforced doors slid open with a low mechanical hum.
HISSSS...
Cool night air drifted into the laboratory as Aerin, Nyx, and Avenor stepped back onto the quiet streets of Playmore.
The city glittered before them like an ocean of stars. Far above the towering skyline, overlooking every district beneath it, stood the Royal Palace.
Magnificent and untouchable.
From this distance, it resembled a divine temple watching over its kingdom. Yet after everything they had learned inside, Sway Remedial Labs... It no longer looked beautiful. It looked ominous like a predator patiently watching its prey.
Nyx slipped the silver medical case inside her coat before adjusting the hood over her head once more. She stared towards the palace for several quiet moments.
Then, she exhaled slowly.
"...Well."
A faint, weary smile crossed her face, she looked at Aerin and Avenor.
"Ready..."
Her eyes returned to the towering palace in the distance.
"...to walk into the political side of hell?"
Without another word, the three figures disappeared into the dazzling streets of Playmore, leaving the warmth of Sway Remedial Labs behind as they stepped ever closer to the secrets hidden within the heart of the kingdom.
Far above them...the palace watched in silence.
And somewhere beyond those gleaming walls... Someone was already waiting.
To be continued.....