The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet

Chapter 185: Espr & Ceella

“I win.”

(“ … ”)

The planet itself seemed to freeze, and a pulse of confused light cycled through the core of the planet.

(“ I lost? ”)

I had Espr’s main core within my grasp. While in a normal situation this wouldn’t have meant much, I was the exception to the rule. My fundamental connection with Espr meant I could do damage to the core. Perhaps truly destroying it would be impossible, but if I went all out with my remaining power, then I could do some serious damage to Espr.

Even if Espr wanted to act, I was too close, and my connection to the core was too deep for it to easily break apart with a push.

Espr knew my next action could harm it.

But I don’t want that.

(“ … ”)

(“ .I. ”)

(“ … ”)

(“ You win ”)

Espr's voice sounded completely deflated. It still mimicked my own voice, stunned to the point it had forgotten to shift back to its ever-changing tone.

I felt the intensity in the planet’s mana lessen as everything calmed down. The threat of the walls coming to stab me was no longer there, and I could finally relax.

(“ … ”)

(“ I will help you home ”)

“You think that is it?” I asked, a little annoyed and only exacerbated by this rock’s lacklustre reply.

(“ … ”)

“Don’t think you can get away with giving me the silent treatment.”

(“ What do you mean? ”)

Crap. I might’ve broken Espr; they seem genuinely confused.

Espr seemed confuddled on why I would even try to extend this conversation. Which was honestly making me more mad than the whole nearly killing part of this whole endeavour.

“By the stars, Espr, are you serious? For the same reason I ain’t punching your core like a potato meeting a hydraulic press.” I rolled my one remaining eye.

(“ … ”)

“Bloody dammit, give me some energy before I do actually punch this thing.” My complaints did the trick, and I felt a wave of energy smoothly enter me. Positive aspects of our past relationship.

“That’s better.” I began reconstructing my form while Espr provided some assistance to stop the damage from continuing. “You really did a number on me.”

(“ It was the only way to stop you ”)

“Regret starting off a little easy?” I joked.

(“ … ”)

(“ You would’ve been fine anyway ”)

"Sulking now? You know what? Progress."

(“ … ”)

Espr stayed silent for a moment.

“There are two things you need to do first. Asking me what I am thinking is probably the first step.”

(“ I already know— ”)

“No, you don’t. If you did–actually, you would have still done what you did, but you wouldn’t be this embarrassed with yourself."

(“ What are you thinking? ”)

“That you have been a pain. Because ouch. My body hurts a lot.” I clicked my fully reformed tongue. “That you were also and are kind of stupid. This whole plan was dumb. How long have you been thinking about something like this?”

(“ Since when you began breaking ”)

“Fair enough.” I felt a poorly hidden concern in Espr’s words that, with their current state, they were completely unable to hide. “Still a pain though. And doesn’t change the fact that you are still being stupid.”

(“ … ”)

“Are these repeated long pauses fun for you? You are the one in trouble today.” I paused myself and let out a long sigh. “What is annoying me the most is what you are thinking currently.”

I said firmly. “Why do you think this is the last time we will speak to each other?”

(“ Because I failed ”)

Espr lamented how everything had fallen apart, and now, that I was going to be gone forever.

“I am angry at you, but I don’t hate you.” I continued, “There have been many things I have hated in the universe. You are still not one of them.”

(“ … ”)

“Do I have to be more on the nose? You are still going to be my friend.”

(“ Friend? ”)

Espr was a metric universe ton of confusion.

“Huh, I guess we never did say it aloud. Usually, people don’t, but let me say it now. I consider you a friend. We have been through a lot together. You have been a pain and a thorn in my side for parts of it. But you have also helped and looked out for me and others.”

“Currently, I am in a very good place, and so I want you to keep being my friend. We are going to have a very long life knowing each other after all. Or are you going to vanish on me?”

(“ No… I won’t be ”)

“Good. Now second thing–”

(“ I am sorry, Ceella ”)

“...Correct.” Espr finally understood what I wanted. “Thank you.”

Having properly apologised, the tension finally fully calmed down.

We both just stayed together in silence for a while, during which I completely healed my body, but my energy was still extremely low. It wasn’t in a state where I could directly consume large amounts of energy quickly, so it would take a little bit to recover.

Through the silence, an understanding was reached. No more words needed. A companion whom I was willing to forgive for this stupid act, and Espr finally letting go of needing to be in control of me.

Seeing eye to eye properly, perhaps for the first time, truly. I let go of Espr’s core, and nothing changed. No conflicts continued, and I didn’t need to add a trigger switch to make them comply.

I now had a thought and a problem that needed answers.

I asked just out of curiosity, “What about those who, whatever their names were, helped with this trap? Who and what happened?”

(“ Yes… I was given assistance in teleporting you here. As other Spiritual Beings thought that would be interesting. However, I did not allow them to see any of the conflict that happened below my surface. As well, the one who assisted Dominous Hood, who was also the one who suggested this, is being punished ”)

“So, no punching the main ones who help you with this?”

(“ No… not currently. The main one involved, who also assisted Dominous Hood from their own amusement, is being punished. Not to the level you would’ve liked, but it is what Spiritual Beings as a whole agree as acceptable ”)

“You know what? I can’t be bothered. If they are being punished, sure, and if they decide to mess with me again, then I will deal with them then.”

Now for the problem I was currently facing. “So are you able to teleport me back?” I didn’t plan to help clean up the remaining enemies on Dominous Hood’s planets, but I did need to get back before people worried about where in the universe I had wandered off to this time. No plans of spending months stuck in space… again.

(“ … ”)

“Espr?”

(“ … ”)

I began to worry about this planet’s silence. “Please don’t tell me…”

(“ I… I am unable to teleport you back… It was a one-way trip ”)

I was unable to hold back a mighty groan as soon as the two of us had to plan my trip all the way back home.

---

Nina was confused, frustrated, worried and everything in between.

“Are you sure you are okay?” Nina asked the girl across the screen.

Lila’s wry smile reflected on the screen. “I am. Back home. Not much to worry about anymore. I’m free, and I don’t have to fear retaliation or losing what I care about.”

“...” Nina could only hope that everything would go smoothly, but all the work since the conflict had already been messy. So many organisations working together, so many people needing help from the rescued to those casualties of the conflict, and a whole base of dangerous weapons, traps, artefacts and information.

Thankfully, they hadn’t just destroyed the head but the whole primary body of Dominous Hood. However, their actions had created many pockets of illegal activity that wouldn’t just disappear since the devil on the shoulder vanished. But the removal of the source that provided many of these groups with weapons, information, and opportunities meant that at least things were heading in the right direction.

“Have you heard anything from Ceella yet?”

Lila shook her head, but her expression didn’t falter.

“She will return,” Lila said confidently, but Nina worried about what was inside her heart. Ceella had been gone since the conflict, and every means they had of contacting her failed. Even Craftalot, who was curious, wasn’t able to pinpoint her location with his tech, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He basically demanded that when she showed up again, she would show off some of her skills in weapon creation, because he had enough standards not to bother Lila while Ceella was missing, immediately anyway.

Ceella’s performance was truly spectacular. Which raised so many questions that Nina refused to answer. The only thing they were able to glean was that Nina truly didn’t know where the ‘bright woman’ was or what her living status was. This led to the conclusion from many people that it was one final desperate trap put in place if their trump card were defeated.

This made a lot of sense to many people. The number of plans, hidden cards, and secrets that Dominous Hood possessed was ridiculous after all. Some people were happy with Ceella’s disappearance. An unknown, terrifying individual appearing, only to disappear with a likely dead tag, was a great outcome.

Nina could only bite her tongue as she waited for something to come.

Two weeks had passed, and there was still no clue to Ceella’s whereabouts. It had been enough time that Lila finally had permission to leave the cleanup operations and ‘detention’ to return home. Lila’s criminal status had been fully cleared with this mission. That was part of the deal after all. Nina ensured it was very much in the girl’s favour so she could return to a proper civilian life. Though even without Nina’s lunch sessions with Tella, she felt she would see the girl again eventually, as Lila had already enquired about working for Nina more in her humanitarian activities.

Nina could guess the reasons why but made sure Lila had a nice, long rest before anything like that would happen.

“I will take your word for it.” Nina hoped that whatever the connection Lila had with Ceella due to the artefact was one that would show obvious signs if the latter truly died.

After a few more pleasantries, Nina ended the call with Lila and sighed. She just wanted everything to end without further burdens on anyone, especially those children. So much pain had been inflicted on too many people, and she just wanted some people not to suffer through more.

She heard a knock from outside her ship.

What…

Nina opened the external cameras and saw a familiar face waving at her.

---

“Ergh… finally," with a quick flight on Nina’s vessels—and a fast, long flight through space—I was finally back home on Metous.

It may have taken me storing a bunch of batteries and being catapulted off Espr, but I made it back at a reasonable time.

“Do you need me to get anything for you?” Nina asked as she stood besides me as the door opened to the landing station.

“Nah, thanks for coming and giving the updates.”

Nina sighed but smiled. “I should be thanking you. You did a lot to help in the conflict, and likely we wouldn’t even have won without your aid.” Nina’s mind cycled back to the monstrous form of Dominous Hood’s boss at the end. “More importantly, you came back home.”

“More important than saving the day? Sounds about right.” I joked as we walked out the door. The day was bright, and the stars were welcoming our arrival.

“It is what makes people happy in the end,” Nina replied.

“Still, I think you all would’ve won,” I said. Maybe I was wrong, but I was feeling a bit hopeful.

“Even if we did, I am happy you were here to create a better ending.” Neither of us needed to say that such a scenario would have been far more bloody.

We went through the proper channels and left the spaceport. “You plan on coming with me?”

“No, just tell them I said hi." Nina smiled.

“Sure.” I walked forward and gave her a hug. “Thanks for all the help as well.”

“Anytime.” She returned the hug.

We said our goodbyes, and I made my way home.

“Looks like everything has cleaned up nicely.”

I had to change my method of speaking with Espr slightly. There was no aspect of Espr within my domain anymore, so I had to use a little more effort to speak with them, but it wasn’t anything particularly difficult.

(“ That Nina lady wished to have everything ready for your return ”)

“And she even agreed to keep my return under the rug. It helps that most people didn’t even know who I was when the fighting started.”

The person known as Ceella had never even been recorded as part of the mission. So I got to avoid so much trouble with having my identity revealed. Of course, there were ways around that, and if people were really determined to figure out who I was, getting past Nina’s security, well, their funeral, I guess.

I used my light to play a trick and turn myself invisible. It was a little annoying to maintain, but perfect for a simple flight home.

Landing in the front yard, my vision already took a full scan of the inside.

Looks like everyone is inside.

A soft smile crept onto my face. Without any gestures, I used my Starlight to open the door and walked in.

“Looks like everyone is home.”

“Aunty!?” Lila jumped out of her seat. A wave of relief washed over her. I knew she always believed I was fine thanks to my connection with her, but seeing was believing, and the worries that were trying to form over her heart washed away.

“Sis! You are finally back!” Mella celebrated, and the small dragon on her lap perked its little head up. My sister took notice and picked her up. “Lu has grown so much.”

“Haha, I can see.” It was only a few centimetres, but it was nice seeing Mella so cheerful about it. Lu, looking healthy and happy, also warmed my heart.

“You took long enough.” Said Tyell, sitting on the couch with the rest of the family.

“She probably just had some business to take care of.” Mum let out a soft complaint under her breath, but she quickly got up and gave me a hug. “It’s good to see you home so soon.” We embraced for a few seconds before she stood back. “Did everything go well?”

“Yep, handled everything I needed to and met up with a few friends.”

“My turn!” Mella leapt over the couch and tried to tackle me into a hug. “You could have messaged me. We could’ve set up another celebration home party.”

“Haha, sorry, I was just a little busy with all the cleaning up.”

I walked over to Tyell and ruffled his hair and gave a small hug, which he gratefully accepted.

My family never had the spectre of worry haunt them this time. To them, it was as if I had gone on a small trip and then returned. Which was the outcome I much preferred. Rather than dealing with worry again, it was a nice, unspecial welcome home.

I finished up the hug spreading by walking over to Lila. “You are looking better.” Physically, it truly appeared as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.

As Lila leant into a hug. I said to her soul, “You are looking better. You did great out there.”

“Thanks, Ceella.”

I was ready to sit down and watch some shows with everyone. However, in the end, we did end up preparing the kitchen. Making a few extra special meals for dinner, which we began eating outside underneath the stars.

Everyone was enjoying themselves around the small barbeque, while we chatted about anything.

(“ Everything well? ”)

Sitting under the stars with my family. No more worries or needs for revenge. Just plenty of time to enjoy everything that I loved.

“Yes, Espr, everything is well.”

Thank you as well. For keeping me alive and everything.

With everything going well, a thought came to my mind.

“Espr, will I be able to make some… let’s say, permanent features in this universe?”

(“ Possibly in the future. Why do you ask? ”)

I saw through the stretches of light towards a certain planet.

“I would like to brighten up your segment of the universe with a few more stars. There are only a few there after all, and a few ones of my own creation would really spice up the area.”

Espr’s response was neither quick nor slow, but—

(“ Sure, if you wish to, you have my permission ”)

—They agreed.

“Great. Sounds like a fun project for the future.”

I can assuredly say, I am very happy with my life.