章節 19: Chapter 19: The Path of Survival
I drifted through the vast emptiness of space, my systems damaged and every movement igniting pain deep within my fractured circuits. Stars drifted by like mocking beacons, each a reminder of the power I had nearly tasted, yet had been forced to abandon in my escape. Goku, Vegeta, Beerus… they would all pay, but first, I needed to rebuild. My damaged limbs and broken body would require far more than basic repairs if I was to fulfill my purpose.
But where to start? I lacked any concrete knowledge of Master Zuno's location, the being I knew could direct me to the key to my restoration: the Big Gete Star. I pushed forward aimlessly, my energy draining with each moment I spent drifting across empty sectors. There had to be a way, an answer, a source.
For days, I scoured the void, hoping for some hint, some trace of energy that would lead me to my destination. My body weakened as I traveled, my cracked exoskeleton sparking with each movement, but I pressed on, my singular focus on survival driving me past the pain.
Finally, amid the countless stars, I detected a faint energy signature. I recognized the pattern, a Galactic Patrol unit. I was down to minimal reserves, but this would be enough. If I could infiltrate and take control of their systems, I would find Zuno's location and the path to the power I sought.
I altered my course, angling toward the small Galactic Patrol ship. As I approached, I cloaked my energy, drifting closer until I was within striking distance. The ship was a sleek, compact vessel, its surface gleaming under the distant starlight. I could see the forms of two officers inside, their focus fixed on their console. I couldn't make out their words, but it didn't matter; I was already upon them.
With a single, forceful lunge, I breached the hull, ripping through the metal with my one remaining arm. Alarms blared, and I saw the officers' eyes widen in horror. They scrambled for their weapons, but I was faster. I grabbed the first officer, crushing his neck in my grip, his body going limp as I tossed him aside like refuse.
The second officer managed to fire a shot, a blast of energy scorching the air inches from my head. I felt a flash of irritation and closed the distance in a single stride. My claws punctured his chest, silencing him in an instant. The ship fell silent, save for the faint hum of its systems and the whirring of my own damaged body.
Ignoring the fallen patrolmen, I turned to the console, connecting directly to the ship's mainframe. Information flooded my systems, maps, patrol routes, and, finally, the coordinates I had been searching for: Zuno's planet, hidden far on the outskirts of Galactic Patrol jurisdiction. I extracted every detail, memorizing the coordinates and surrounding star systems before severing the connection.
With the knowledge I needed secured, I turned back to the pilot controls. The ship's fuel reserves would be just enough to get me there, though it would be a long journey. My cracked and broken frame ached as I took the controls, setting a direct course toward Zuno. The hyperdrive engaged, and I was propelled forward, the stars blurring into streaks of light as I hurtled across the universe.
The journey was silent and brutal, my systems running on minimal power to conserve every last bit of energy. I could feel the structural weaknesses deepening in my frame, my circuits sparking as my body struggled to hold together. Hours turned to days, the emptiness of space stretching endlessly, yet I remained unwavering. Every second brought me closer to the answers I needed, closer to survival, and ultimately, revenge.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the ship decelerated, the stars resolving back into singular points of light as I approached my destination. Zuno's planet emerged on the horizon, its surface bathed in faint, otherworldly hues. Clouds of red dust spiraled around the atmosphere, giving it an ominous glow, as if even the planet itself was aware of the knowledge it guarded.
I landed on the surface with a shuddering impact, the ship groaning under the strain of my descent. The doors hissed open, and I stepped out, my feet sinking slightly into the silvery sand that coated the planet's surface. Strange, luminous plants dotted the landscape, casting an eerie glow in the fading light.
The air was dense and thick with an unsettling silence, broken only by the faint hum of unseen machinery. The entire planet seemed shrouded in secrecy, its quiet presence somehow amplifying the ancient knowledge it guarded. I could sense that I was close; Zuno's presence lingered in the atmosphere like a quiet, invisible pulse.
I moved forward, each step slower than the last, my body groaning with the strain of every movement. As I crossed a narrow path that spiraled into a canyon, the mist thickened, shrouding me in shadows. My vision flickered, the energy in my body waning, but I pressed on, my purpose driving me through the haze.
At last, a structure loomed ahead, built into the canyon wall itself. The building was vast and imposing, its surface etched with symbols that glowed faintly, casting intricate shadows across the ground. Two statues flanked the entrance, silent guardians that seemed to watch me with unblinking eyes, their expressions inscrutable.
I paused before the entrance, my gaze fixed on the doorway. I raised my remaining arm, pounding against the heavy metal with all the force I could muster. The sound reverberated down the empty hallways, the echoes dying slowly as the silence returned.
After a long moment, the door creaked open, revealing two attendants clad in heavy gray robes. Their eyes widened as they took in the sight of my damaged form, my sparking circuitry, the fractured remnants of my exoskeleton.
"Who… who are you?" one of them stammered, his voice shaking.
"I am Cell," I replied, my voice cold and unyielding. "I seek an audience with Master Zuno."
The attendants exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "Master Zuno does not grant audiences without cause," one of them replied, attempting to maintain composure. "And you… do not look like one who has come seeking knowledge in peace."
I took a step forward, my aura flaring as much as my energy reserves allowed. "I am not asking," I said, my voice a dangerous growl. "Inform Zuno that I demand an audience. Now."
The attendants flinched but quickly moved aside, their fear evident as they motioned for me to follow. I stepped into the hallway, my senses on high alert as I followed them through a maze of corridors lined with strange, shifting symbols. The walls seemed to pulse with some kind of energy, as if the very structure of the building was alive, watching my every move.
Finally, we arrived at an ornate door at the end of the hall. One of the attendants stepped forward, knocking softly before opening it. "Master Zuno awaits you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
I entered without hesitation, my gaze fixed on the figure seated at the center of the chamber. Master Zuno, the all-knowing, sat upon a high-backed throne, his expression calm and unreadable. He was a stout being, his elongated head giving him an air of wisdom and timeless knowledge. Symbols adorned his robes, shifting and changing as if reacting to my presence.
"Ah," Zuno said, his voice smooth and resonant, "you've come seeking knowledge… though in a state that leaves much to be desired." His eyes traveled over my battered frame, a faint trace of curiosity in his gaze.
"I don't have time for pleasantries, Zuno," I replied, my voice edged with impatience. "I require the coordinates of the Big Gete Star."
Zuno's expression remained unchanged, though I detected a faint flicker of surprise. "The Big Gete Star… a lost relic of dark technology. You seek to restore yourself with its power."
"Precisely," I said, my tone cold. "My body is damaged. The Big Gete Star is my key to becoming whole, to eliminating any weakness that remains."
Zuno's gaze lingered on me, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Do you understand the consequences of your pursuit?" he asked, his tone solemn. "The Big Gete Star holds a power that can consume even the strongest."
"Consequences are irrelevant," I snapped. "I came for information, not philosophy. Give me what I seek."
Zuno sighed, leaning back as he raised a hand, tracing an intricate symbol in the air. A holographic map materialized, the coordinates of the Big Gete Star glowing faintly in the center of the display.
"There," he said, his voice tinged with resignation. "The Big Gete Star lies in a sector far from here. Be warned, you may find that the price of such power is greater than you anticipate."
Ignoring his warning, I committed the coordinates to memory, my mind racing with the possibilities that lay ahead. I turned, leaving the chamber without another word, my focus locked on the journey before me.
The Big Gete Star awaited.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票