The mecha towered twenty three meters, shimmering a brilliant sapphire blue. From shoulder to shoulder it stretched eight meters, with a tall and slender figure. Itās shoulder plates were three affixed layers; the topmost was the largest with spikes which rose skyward, the middle layer was smooth and slightly smaller than the first, and the third layer retracted into the joint.
Itās texture was markedly different from average mechas. It was as though it was carved from a single piece of true sapphire, a work of art. As the armor tapered towards itās edges the color became a metallic purple. As lightning flashed in the sky above, the light from the blasts reflected magnificently off of the armor. In the instant itās chest plate closed, it emitted a burst of intense violet light. It grew until it was as a ball of violet lightning rising in to the sky, vanishing in to the forest of arcing bolts above.
āThatā¦ that wasā¦ā
The golden mecha had already steadied itself where it had been left in the air. The blond-haired, green-eyed woman in the cockpit filled with a shock that was difficult to describe.
āThor. That was Thor. I actually met Thor. Thorā¦ Zeus? Was that Zeus? I actuallyā¦ actually told Zeus that the stronger his discipline, the more heād bow to my mecha? The Zeus who, by virtue of his Discipline alone, bested thirteen top-grade customized mechas!ā
The stars shimmered in her eyes, as though sheād already forgotten all about the abduction.
She hovered stupefied for a long while, then again began to mutter to herself. āWhy didnāt he take me away?ā
Ī¶
Thor had risen with stunning speed, the upper atmosphere rolling past it like water off a duckās back. In minutes it was floating in the vast, quiet expanse of space.
No radar in operation was capable of locating Thor. The special composition of itās armor was legendary in the world of Mecha-Pilots.
The cabin within Thor was somewhat larger than average, but was a little cramped accommodating two people.
Zeus withdrew the mask, revealing his long and handsome face. Only in this moment, he found it impossible to retain his traditional calm.
In this moment he wasnāt Zeus. He was Lan Jue.
He hugged his arms tightly around the woman in his embrace, as though afraid she would vanish.
āJin Yu, weāre finally together again. Whyā¦ why didnāt you come looking for me? Youāre my Hera!ā
āIām so hot.ā Locked in his tight embrace, abducted, this was the first thing Zhou Qianlin thought to say.
āHuh?ā Lan Jue paused, lifting a hand to press against her forehead.
Zhou Qianlinās forehead was burning up, and her eyes had shut. Her brows were furrowed, and her body trembled slightly.
She had a fever?
Lan Jueās face grew somber, noticing the red flesh of her neck. She was sick, and those people wanted her to suffer through a marriage?
Lifting his head, Lan Jue muttered, āThor, take us home.ā
āAffirmative, returning home.ā The gentle, dignified voice reverberated through the cockpit. Thor began to transform, to wings extending from itās back. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it shot in to the darkness of the universe.
Ī¶
Zeusā Jewelry Store.
Keāer was bored to tears, listlessly laying atop the bar.
Xiuxiu sat to the side, idly sipping the cup of warm water in her hands.
The jewelry shop rarely had visitors, a common reality on Skyfire Avenue. But even if there were only one or two customers, it was usually sufficient to keep the shop running.
āHey Xiuxiu, whereād the boss go? Didnāt see him yesterday, still not here today.ā Keāer cantered her head towards Xiuxiu and whined.
Xiuxiu laughed. āThe boss is a very important man. You think heād just vanish? Donāt be such a nosy little thing!ā
Keāer giggled. āMe? Donāt tell me you arenāt curious what heās doing. You came so early this morning, without waiting for me to come help. You even cleaned his house!ā
Xiuxiuās face grew red, as though sheād smeared it with rouge, adding even more charm to her classical beauty.
Just then, the earth shook beneath Zeusā Jewelry Store.
The girls exchanged glances. āSpeak of the devil,ā Keāer exclaimed. āThe boss must be back, Iāll go check.ā
As she said this, she skipped towards the VIP lounge.
As she pushed to open the door, however, she was surprised to find it wouldnāt budge.
āXiuxiu, Keāer, Iām a little tired. Iām going to rest for a while,ā Lan Jueās voice crackled through the speaker by the door.
āEh?ā Keāer stood confused by the door, while Xiuxiu also drew near.
Keāer turned to look at Xiuxiu. āThe boss doesnāt sound quite right. Maybe he snuck a woman in, and is afraid weād find outā¦ā
Xiuxiu lifted her hand and rapped against Keāerās head in agitation. āWhat are you saying. In three years, have you even onceā¦ā She trailed off, a dismal look in her eyes. āI-If he really did bring a woman back, then Iām happy for him.ā
Keāer closed her mouth, and said nothing more.
Ī¶
Lan Jue carefully laid Zhou Qianlin atop his bed. Even in her state, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.
His brows furrowed in thought. Not half an hour since he discovered her illness and her temperature had already risen sharply. Heād used Thorās onboard diagnostics to run a scan, but discovered no sickness or poison. It was a drug, one that could trigger desire in the victim.
Why? Why today, as a bride, would she need this sort of drug? Judging by the progress of her reaction, it was meant to last until the wedding had concluded.
Those wretches! Was this wedding forced by the Austins? They DARE to force this drug on my Hera.
A thin hand softly rested atop his own, itās heat and soft touch drawing him from his rage.
Zhou Qianlinās body had grown red, and her body began to writhe.
It was a fierce, powerful drug.
Leaning down, he gently took her up in his arms. He felt the heat radiating from her, could smell the familiar scent of her body.
Softly he whispered in her ear. āMy Hera. In this life, you are destined to be my bride, and mine alone. Let me be your antidote.ā