In a futuristic, technologically advanced vault—one brimming with artificial and extra-dimensional sciences and humming with machines that glowed with forbidden genius—lay the hidden core of De Great Labs. This vault was buried deep, protected by walls of impossible alloys, sealed away as the most secret and most secured chamber in existence.
It was here that Lucian Stark, a speedster driven by an unwavering ambition and an unrelenting goal, made his entrance. He had just acquired a new toy, a prize that made his lips curl into a dangerous smile. For the first time in solitude, he allowed his true colors to slip free.
The echoes of his voice resounded against the steel walls as he began his villainous monologue:
"Yes… I am not too many steps away from achieving my ultimate goals. Hahaha! Hahahahahahaha! Nothing shall stop me—not even her! I shall obtain the Time Bond and become unstoppable!!"
His maniacal laughter rattled the vault, a sound both triumphant and sinister. At that moment, another one of his clones stepped into the chamber, its presence silent but commanding.
"You seem to be in a good mood. Did we get control of Angela in this timeline? What method did you use?" the clone asked, his tone interrogative, as he calmly combed his hair before the polished mirror.
Lucian smirked, brushing the question aside as though it were trivial.
"Nothing much. I simply told her that her boyfriend killed Harrison and that she should get her revenge. From there, the pieces fell into place."
With that, he turned back to his drafting board, his mind sketching out a darker plan. His eyes gleamed with determination as he muttered, half to himself:
"It's time. It's time we move on the offensive. I've no time to waste before that man comes back for the Bond—and before I kill the boy."
A dark vault opened before him, revealing a suit—sleek, terrifying, multicolored in its shifting darkness. Lucian stared at it with reverence, for it was both armor and weapon, destiny and curse.
"I don't think you should trouble Johnson physically right now," another clone interjected, patting Lucian on the shoulder with eerie familiarity. "Angela is enough to break him completely… to drive him insane."
Lucian's eyes narrowed at the one clone he trusted most, the version of himself that had proven invaluable. His voice was low, probing:
"You're from the future, aren't you? Tell me—what happens to me there? Did our plans fail?"
The clone's gaze flickered. He looked away, then turned back with eyes brimming with confidence. His lie was smooth, almost flawless.
"Our plans go smoothly. But you must put more pressure on Johnson… and do not neglect his friends. If you do, our plan might unravel. Remember… saving Marthaline is our ultimate goal."
Lucian sighed, the sound filled with doubt. He knew himself too well to believe such easy assurances. Yet he chose to care little. Whether his plans succeeded or failed, tormenting his adversary gave him enough satisfaction.
He turned toward a glowing screen. There, frozen in pixels, was the image of Marthaline. His beloved. His everything. He stared at her intently, his heart bleeding with grief and rage. His resolve hardened. The man who had taken her away would pay.
But before his thoughts could deepen, reality itself screamed. Behind him, an unusual portal ripped open—not merely space, but existence itself was torn apart. From within the rift, a woman stepped forward.
Lucian turned in both awe and fear.
"You seem to be in a good mood. You have the Time Bond ready, I presume?"
The voice belonged to Nyxeria—and the sight of her made Lucian's breath falter.
She was no ordinary being. She was the most beautiful primordial demoness, though to call her a demon was an insult. She was closer to a cosmic deity. Tall, commanding, her skin smooth as starlight, her violet eyes tranquil yet terrifying. A queen and a maiden, ruthless and radiant, her very presence warped the vault. Her aura was unlimited, crushing, divine.
Lucian's heart thudded. He would not lie to her face. He dared not. Instead, he pulled on his dark multicolored suit in preparation—because if things went wrong, survival was uncertain.
"Well," he said, his voice calm but cautious, "I'm not going to lie. I am still working on it, my lady. I promise… I'll be fast about it."
Nyxeria's eyes flared with anger.
"Fast about what? Stalling? That's what you've been doing for years!"
Lucian chuckled nervously, reaching for a distraction.
"Don't you care for some wine? This universe has the sweetest flavor…"
Without hesitation, Nyxeria lifted the bottle and drank it down. She sighed, her voice low and sharp.
"This flavor is nice… but you haven't answered my question."
Lucian smirked, attempting composure.
"Well, I'm still working on it. I've yet to find the wielder of the Time Bond. And if it had come to Earth, as you described, I would have been the first to know. Still… I must say, I'm surprised you found this place."
Her lips curled into something between amusement and disdain.
"I cannot come here. None of our level can—not without disrupting Order and causing chaos. But…" Her words trailed off, and her eyes hardened. "You already know that. So I'll not ask again: where is the Time Bond? And why is that man's son still breathing? Why haven't you erased him yet?"
Lucian's composure cracked. His voice rose, charged with anger and defiance.
"I don't know! Maybe if you gave me a better description of the person you want me to kill, I'd be glad to oblige! And if you're so powerful, why not erase him yourself, bitch?"
His energy surged violently. He shouted, his rage spilling over:
"Oh, wait—I forgot! You can't kill the kid, nor erase this universe… because your son is here, isn't he?"
Nyxeria's patience snapped.
With a wave of her hand, she seized Lucian by the throat. He struggled, but her grip was absolute.
"You've a sharp tongue, Lucian. Are you forgetting who ensures you even exist here?"
Her eyes glowed. On her palm, a miniature galaxy spun into existence, its stars shimmering with destructive potential.
"You dare say I should erase that boy? Then perhaps I should start with you." She pointed the cluster of stars toward his chest, aiming directly at his heart.
Fear jolted through him. His arrogance melted.
"I'm sorry! I went too far with my words—please, forgive me!"
Nyxeria's voice dropped, venomous.
"Do not ever speak of my son again. Do not plan against him. Or I will make sure Marthaline suffers twenty times worse than Kaous did in his three hundred and forty-sixth loop. Do you understand?"
"Understood! I understand—I'm sorry!" Lucian stammered. Then, voice trembling, he dared to ask:
"When… when will I see my beloved?"
Nyxeria's grip loosened, her tone turning cold.
"She is with me. Be grateful I saved her before she was erased by your mentor. Now tell me—why do you seek to recreate the Cosmic Bond through scientific means?"
Lucian cursed under his breath. Fuck, she found me out!
Still, he forced calm into his tone. "I don't want the one I will… you know…" He quickly turned to the screen, projecting a holographic model of the Bond.
"The Time Bond is essentially a device of cosmic energy, forged with the Creator's blessing. With the Time and Space Emeralds… what if I recreated it as a watch? A tool that anyone could use including you, my dear?"
Nyxeria's eyes narrowed, but amusement flickered in her tone.
"You know only cosmic beings permitted by Kairos and his son can use the Time Bond. And the Time and Space Emeralds cannot be found anywhere."
Lucian cut her off, his voice alight with dangerous joy.
"Oh, but they can. If I travel back to the dawn of the multiverse—before time itself existed—I can steal those stones from the scribe who held them. With them, I'll complete my work. As for the Creator's energy? I've already found a way to obtain it. All I need is permission, which can only be given through Kairos's son's blood. And that, I believe, can only be shared with those he loves and trusts. And I… have arranged for that."
Lucian sighed, his voice dark with satisfaction, and took a sip of water.
Nyxeria stared at him, stunned by his audacity. For the first time, she allowed herself to commend him.
"Impressive. I never knew you were this intelligent. But if you take the two emeralds, the collapse will follow."
Her fingers traced her chin, her tone thoughtful.
Lucian leaned forward, his eyes glinting.
"Isn't that great? Isn't collapse exactly what your husband wants? If the multiverse falls, he becomes its new king under Void Reign. Isn't that a win-win?"
Nyxeria frowned, the galaxy still swirling in her palm.
"Fair point… but trillions would die. Entire worlds erased. I am not so merciless as to destroy life mindlessly."
Lucian's voice grew harder, conviction blazing.
"Well, that's you, love. As for me… not even God can stop me from achieving my goals."
Nyxeria's eyes narrowed to slits. She grabbed his throat once more, her voice low and threatening.
"I'll be going. I cannot remain here longer. But hear me, Lucian—do not touch Rose or Kaous, and you will live. Do you understand?"
"Yes. I understand. And I will make sure Quicklightning suffers for what he did to us," Lucian vowed, his eyes wild with hate.
Nyxeria vanished into the portal, leaving silence in her wake.
Lucian staggered, breathing heavily.
"Yikes. That was close. Hmmm… I'll need to speed up my plans from now."
The lights of the vault flickered as he turned back to his schematics, plotting in shadows as the scene faded into darkness.