The observation platform of the Moon base was cold and silent, with only the frigid light of stars filtering through the massive transparent dome, casting long shadows of Mark and the three Titan Avatars.
The glow of the Titan Avatars was dimmer than it had been in Universe 1, even appearing to flicker unsteadily like a candle in the wind.
The leading Avatar leaned forward, and a faint stream of light detached from its core, slowly drifting towards Mark.
It was a peculiar creation, no larger than a fingernail, a perfect icosahedron.
Its material was neither metal nor stone, its surface flowed with a luminescence deeper than darkness, and within it seemed to hold countless stars being born and dying, yet upon closer inspection, it was empty, merely causing a slight dizziness in the consciousness of the beholder.
"Mark Grayson."
The Titan's thought waves carried a deliberate weakness.
"We have expended too much energy and urgently need to enter a long slumber to restore our essence. During this period, the critical task of guarding the Multiverse passage and warning against Great Old Ones' incursions will likely fall heavily upon you."
The miniature icosahedron floated in Mark's palm, icy cold, even subtly drawing the faint warmth radiating from his skin.
"This is one of our Clan's most exquisite creations currently," the Titan continued to explain, his tone as if introducing an ordinary tool, yet unable to conceal an unusual solemnity beneath.
"It can sense and locate abnormal fluctuations crossing cosmic barriers, especially those energies belonging to the Great Old Ones and their derivatives. At the same time, it also has a built-in short-range, multi-fold space-folding engine..."
Mark closed his hand, clasping the Robot in his palm.
He raised his eyes, his molten-gold pupils calmly sweeping over the three seemingly weak Titan Avatars, a faint, almost imperceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Expended too much energy?"
His voice, transmitted by energy vibrations in the vacuum, was flat and unruffled.
"Calling yourselves the New God Race, you fought an Avatar of a Great Old One, blew up a planet in passing, and now you're overdrawn?"
"Even the Robot responsible for cleaning my base wouldn't believe such a story."
The glow of the Titan Avatars solidified for an instant, and the surrounding space rippled almost imperceptibly.
But they did not refute, nor did they offer further explanation, merely maintaining their weak posture.
"Such is the fact."
The leading Avatar finally repeated coldly.
"Vigilance is essential, Mark Grayson. Their cunning far exceeds your imagination."
Mark said no more, casually tucking the Robot into a built-in hidden pocket of his battlesuit. He turned, facing the direction of the Alliance, his leg muscles tensing slightly.
"Then I wish you all... a good rest."
A sonic boom silently erupted in the vacuum.
Mark's figure had already transformed into a streak of light tearing through space, shooting towards the Alliance's planet, instantly vanishing into the sky.
Not until his figure had completely disappeared from their sensory range did the three weak Titan Avatars on the Moon base platform slowly straighten up.
The dim glow on them almost instantly became stable and restrained. Although they had not returned to their full peak state before this journey, it was certainly not a case of having expended too much energy.
"He doesn't trust us."
One Avatar emitted a cold fluctuation.
"We don't need his trust, only for him to use the Robot. As long as he uses it, we can pinpoint more cosmic coordinates tainted by the Great Old Ones' aura."
The leading Avatar responded.
"This place is not suitable for long stays. Universe 1 and Universe 9 have been marked by Hastur. We need to find new hiding places and continue our observation and... harvesting."
The three Avatars' thoughts communicated silently, their glows beginning to flicker in sync, seemingly scanning the vast sea of cosmic coordinates.
"What about that fringe universe, number 73? Its physical rules are loose, easy to hide in, and its core energy reactions are active enough to replenish our current losses."
An Avatar suggested.
"Agreed. Initiate migration protocols immediately."
Without earth-shattering light or the deafening roar of space tearing, the figures of the three Titan Avatars, like pencil marks erased by an eraser, silently faded and vanished from the Moon's surface, leaving no trace.
Their conversation, their departure, was destined to remain unknown.
...
Alliance Headquarters.
The highest level of alert had been maintained for a full month. The conference room was filled with smoke, the atmosphere as oppressive as the deep sea before a storm, and everyone's face bore an undisguised weariness and anxiety.
"Still no signal?"
A hoarse voice asked. It was the technical officer in charge of communications monitoring, his eyes sunken, clearly having had no rest for a long time.
"No, Mark Grayson's life signal last disappeared near the Large Magellanic Cloud, and after that..."
Another female member shook her head, her voice choked.
Rui Jia clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms. She forced herself to remain calm, but the panic and worry deep in her eyes could not be completely hidden.
Every day, every hour, she endured the torment in her heart, fearing bad news, yet also fearing this endless silence.
Just as the atmosphere of despair in the conference room was about to reach its peak.
Woo—!!!!
A piercing, highest-level identification alarm suddenly blared throughout the entire headquarters, followed by the mechanical whirring of external defense arrays unlocking, and the familiar, tear-inducing roar of a sonic boom from the sky.
"It's him! It's Lord Mark!"
The technical officer leaped up, rushing to the monitor screen, watching the figure, like a meteor, crashing onto the headquarters' landing pad, his voice distorted with excitement.
The oppression in the conference room was instantly shattered by wild joy!
Everyone rushed towards the exit almost simultaneously!
On the landing pad, the dust slowly cleared.
Mark's figure emerged from it, his battlesuit somewhat damaged, stained with some unknown grime, but his body was tall and straight, his eyes still sharp as blades.
He had barely stood firm when a figure, bringing with it a fragrant breeze, suddenly threw herself into his arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist, with such force that even his body, capable of withstanding a nuclear blast, swayed slightly.
Rui Jia buried her head deep in his solid chest, her shoulders trembling slightly, unable to utter a single word. Only the fear and worry suppressed for a month now became a silent release.
Mark's body stiffened for a moment; he wasn't very good at handling such direct emotional expressions.
He hesitated, then finally raised his hand and awkwardly patted her back gently.
"I'm back."
He said in a low voice, with a hint of imperceptible apology.
"It happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to notify you."
Rui Jia suddenly lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed, but she quickly regained control of her emotions. She released her hold, stepped back, and resumed her usual capable demeanor, though her slightly hoarse voice betrayed her.
"It's good that you're back. Everyone... was very worried about you."
Around them, the core members of the Alliance, including the warlike White Lion, several top scientists, and elites from other fields, had already gathered, their faces beaming with genuine joy and relief.
That evening, a grand welcome banquet was held in the headquarters' restaurant.
Food and wine temporarily dispelled the tense atmosphere.
After a few rounds of drinks, at everyone's eager insistence, Mark began to recount his bizarre experiences of the past month.
He started from being suddenly taken away by the Titan Clan, spoke of the distorted Universe 1, the other him who was imprisoned and bled, the terrifying confrontation with the Avatar of Hastur, Lord of the Yellow Robe, the tragic and helpless destruction of the planet, and the miracle of the universe's reboot...
His narrative was as concise as possible, avoiding excessive emotional embellishment, but the amount of information it contained was like a bombshell, repeatedly pushing the cognitive limits of everyone present.
"Another universe?! Another you?!"
The White Lion suddenly stood up, his mane bristling with excitement. He pounded his muscular chest, making thumping sounds.
"Awesome! Now that's what I call a fight! A cosmic-level opponent! Mark, next time you go, you absolutely must take me with you!"
Meanwhile, several top scientists almost pressed their faces against the Robot Mark had brought back, their eyes shining, muttering incessantly.
"Inter-universal perception... directional space folding... the principle of this technology... completely violates existing physical laws. A miracle, this is a true miracle! If we can thoroughly study it..."
The others listened with their hearts pounding, their faces pale.
Planet destruction? Universe reboot?
Just listening to it, they felt a fear of being as tiny as dust.
They clearly realized the ancient horror, lurking beyond the dimensions of the Multiverse, unspeakable, capable of destroying worlds at will!
After the excitement and fear, an extremely realistic and weighty question lay before everyone.
What now?
"There's only a thousand days to be a thief, but no thousand days to guard against one!"
A veteran general responsible for strategy said in a deep voice, his brows furrowed.
"The enemy is in the dark, we are in the light. We don't even know where they will come from, when they will come, or how they will come. Are we to use all our resources to build planetary defense rings? Those can't defend against monsters that can twist rules!"
"Perhaps we can take the initiative?"
A young officer suggested.
"Use the device Mr. Mark brought back to find their lair!"
"Nonsense! Even beings like the Titan Clan need to act cautiously. Are we to offer ourselves up with our meager strength?"
Someone immediately retorted.
"Then are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"
"Perhaps... we can try to communicate? With those... Great Old Ones?"
A scholar of mythology said cautiously.
"A joke! How do you communicate with a chaotic mass or a giant eyeball? With love?"
The discussion quickly grew heated, the restaurant seeming to turn into a noisy marketplace.
All sorts of wild ideas, radical and conservative views clashed. Because of ideological differences, the White Lion and the old general almost rolled up their sleeves to spar on the spot over the issue of proactive attack versus full defense, and several wine glasses were shattered.
"Enough!"
Mark's low shout, not loud, but like a cold blade, instantly cut off all arguments.
An invisible pressure silenced everyone, making them look at him.
"Infighting is the last thing we need."
Mark's gaze swept over the crowd, carrying undeniable authority.
"Every bit of strength now is extremely precious and cannot be wasted on meaningless arguments."
Everyone quieted down, but the anxiety and confusion on their faces did not dissipate.
Mark watched this scene, and a deeper worry involuntarily arose in his heart.
The members of the Alliance were elites, but they faced enemies completely beyond their comprehension, lacking a unified direction and viable strategy. Courage and determination alone were far from enough.
At this moment, he actually felt a little nostalgic for the cold, calculating, but at least immensely knowledgeable and experienced Titan Clan.
If he had such a strategist by his side, perhaps it would save many pointless arguments and confusion, and directly point out a path that might be difficult but clear.
However, he knew that the Titan Clan were by no means benevolent.
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