Gunner's tear ducts had all but dried up. Why was he being tortured with the prospect of survival? Why not just kill him? He had seen the bloody remains of his crew members the moment he exited the spaceship's interior. Wasn't that his inevitable fate?
Now, soaring high above the planet's surface, he lost himself in thought, trying to make sense of what had happened inside the ship.
After leading Tatsumaki, whose name he had learned, to Lord Boros' throne room, they found it empty, save for the signs of devastation scattered throughout the vast chamber. Massive pillars that once lined the room lay shattered, blown clean in half. Where the Power Sphere once rested, a gargantuan hole now gaped, torn through the ship and opening to the outside world. Gunner couldn't begin to fathom the strength required to achieve such a feat. The throne itself was gone, replaced by a massive crater.
Gunner firmly believed these two attacks were responsible for the massive forces that had rattled the ship. The first and largest strike had destroyed the spaceship's ability to hover above the planet's surface, while the second, smaller strike seemed intent on accelerating its descent.
What had happened to Lord Boros? Could he have fled? Impossible! He had never fled a battle, conquering every planet with sheer, dominating force. Gunner couldn't believe for a second that Lord Boros would run from any fight, even if he faced a foe far stronger than himself.
After Tatsumaki dragged him through the entire room in a fruitless search, they traveled through the gargantuan hole and scoured the upper portion of the ship's exterior at an incredible speed. When that yielded nothing, she pushed her speed even further. Terrified by the velocity at which he was being dragged, Gunner was hauled back into the ship as she flew through its endless pathways, refusing to give up her search. Until eventually, they winded their way down to the part of the ship they exited the ship from.
"What are your intentions with my master?"
Gunner was pulled from his thoughts when the cyborg, Genos, who was being pulled through the sky beside him, asked a peculiar question.
Ever since this cyborg had appeared, it seemed like every word out of his mouth was crafted to infuriate the terrifying woman. Gunner wished he would stop. Even if she spared the cyborg, wouldn't she take her anger out on him instead? His streak of good luck was bound to run out soon.
Tatsumaki didn't react to the question, her attention fixed firmly on the horizon ahead.
To Gunner's dismay, Genos spoke again.
"If I don't ensure you're worthy of being my master's woman, who will?"
Please stop!
"I'll turn you to scrap!" Tatsumaki let out an enraged cry, her emerald-green aura flaring as the three of them surged forward, leaving sonic booms in their wake.
¤ ¤ ¤
Sweet Mask had trailed Tatsumaki for quite some time before she escalated her speed manifold. Had she detected him? He couldn't believe it. He had concealed his presence, and she was flying so high up.
Thankfully, based on the direction Tatsumaki had been heading before he lost sight of her, she must be going to Caspian's registered residence.
Did you really not show up in A-City? It's unfortunate. I didn't get a chance to confirm if he was there. She left in such a hurry, and I couldn't question the heroes further.
Sweet Mask usually traveled in the comfort of a vehicle, but now he was pushing his speed to a limit he hadn't reached in quite some time. He had no choice. He needed to uncover Caspian's secrets.
After carefully reviewing Caspian's record and all the rumors surrounding him, Sweet Mask was left with more questions than answers. The reason Caspian lied about the other heroes weakening Lord Great White was obvious. But when Sweet Mask watched the finishing blow and witnessed the overwhelming force behind such a casual strike, a thought struck him: 'Could Caspian be the hero who represents a great hope that everyone can see and latch onto?'
But this could prove troublesome. Sweet Mask couldn't quite grasp the reason for Caspian's secrecy as a hero. There had to be a reason he was spotted in multiple cities, leaving faster than he arrived after swiftly dealing with whatever monster plagued the area. Was he searching for something, or someone? It didn't matter. If Caspian was to be the 'great hope,' he couldn't continue to hide from the public.
Caspian had likely been the one who attacked Heavy Kong in W-City. Reports stated that a man matching his description had been seen walking around the city with a woman dressed as a monster. Apparently, he had even changed into a costume himself. But that wasn't the important part. Who was she? Was there something special about W-City? Sweet Mask decided to schedule a publicity tour there after today to put this nagging suspicion to rest.
Sweet Mask's heightened speed allowed him to reach the east side of Z-City quickly. He maintained this pace to avoid being spotted by anyone on the street. If seen, it would spread like wildfire across every tabloid and news outlet, directly counter to his intentions of secrecy.
Living in Z-City Ghost Town… Could the rumors be about him? It's too soon to say, as I still don't know his true limits.
Sweet Mask finally slowed as he reached the abandoned streets. Signs of fighting were scattered everywhere. He darted through several alleyways, flickering across streets in a blur. As he rounded the corner of a tall building, its windows shattered, he paused.
What on earth happened here?
A massive section of the neighborhood lay in ruins, much like A-City.
He quickly dismissed the ridiculous notion that the ship's artillery had struck this neighborhood first. No, upon closer inspection of the rubble, he noticed key differences. It looked as though everything had been lifted into the air and then dropped. Given the current circumstances, his mind immediately went to Tatsumaki. But why would she…
Sweet Mask's curiosity and desire to uncover these oddities consumed him as he navigated several more blocks. Finally, he spotted Caspian's apartment building. Without hesitation, he darted through the open door of a nearby building, raced up its stairs, and quietly stepped onto its roof. Crouching low, he positioned himself behind the walled ledge that bordered the roof's edge, staying out of sight.
Where are y—
As his eyes landed on the third-floor balcony of Caspian's apartment building, his thoughts came to an abrupt halt. His senses and instincts screamed danger when he spotted a tall, cyclops-like alien figure standing there, leaning casually on the balcony railing.
Dark, jagged patterns that radiated from his large blue eye marked his light-blue skin. Spiky, light-pink hair fell over his face, partially obscuring his sharp, alien features. He wore golden armor adorned with spike designs on the shoulders and forearms, a crimson eye embedded in the chest plate, and a flowing cape that billowed faintly in the breeze. Matching curved boots completed the imposing ensemble, every detail of his appearance exuding an aura of raw, dominating power.
Sweet Mask's heart and mind raced. This presence… it's unreasonable, unearthly.
Time seemed to crawl as the cyclops-like alien turned his gaze straight toward him, piercing through his concealment as though Sweet Mask had been shouting from the rooftop.