[HOST STATUS]

Name: Tatehan

Level: 9

Species: Human (Enhanced)

Knowledge: 143/200 [+3]

Repair Points: 57/100

[ABILITIES]

• Gravity Manipulation - Level 10

• Regeneration (Partial) - Level 7

• Enhanced Durability - Level 2

• Heightened Perception - Level 4

[INVENTORY:]

[Shadow Goblin Cores: 54 total]

[Tri-Edge Shadow Chakram]

[Serrated Heavy Chakram] [NEW!]

[Backpack]

[Armor]

[Novels]

[Shadow-Forged Blade]

[Kinetic Absorption Armor]

[Devastator Hand Cannon]

[Core from the Destroyed Fortress]

Tatehan stared at his stats, his eyes going through the familiar lines.

Nothing particularly interesting had changed, except for the addition of three knowledge points. He wasn't even sure where those had come from, maybe from the conversation with Lyra? From acquiring the new chakram? The system was vague about how knowledge points were earned.

But learning about new things was knowledge, knowing the color of something was knowledge.

One can be knowledgeable even with the smallest of information.

He dismissed the screen with a thought and stood, stretching his arms above his head.

Lyra had headed back to her quarters after they'd left the weapons room, and Tatehan had decided to do the same. He wanted to change into something better, something more presentable, before heading out to find Riven. He hadn't heard from her since she'd left the base early that morning, and he wanted to make sure she was okay.

He pulled open his closet, such as it was, and rifled through the limited selection of clothes he had. Most of it was combat gear, functional for battles and durable, but not exactly stylish. He finally settled on a dark shirt and a jacket that looked clean, paired with pants that weren't covered in dust or blood.

Good enough.

He was just finishing buttoning the jacket when there was a knock at his door.

Tatehan frowned, glancing toward the sound.

'Who the hell is…'

He walked over and opened the door.

And froze.

It was Lyra.

But not the Lyra he'd seen an hour ago in the weapons room. That Lyra had been in her standard combat gear; military kinda stuff.

This Lyra was... stunning.

She'd changed into civilian clothes, a fitted top that accentuated her figure, paired with dark pants that somehow managed to be both casual and elegant. Her hair, usually pulled back into a tight bun, was down now, falling in loose waves around her shoulders. And she'd done something to her face—subtle makeup, maybe? Just enough to highlight her sharp features without being obvious.

Tatehan's brain stuttered for a moment, trying to process what he was seeing.

"Wanna take me out to the city?" Lyra asked, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm off to buy groceries."

Tatehan blinked.

"Groceries?" he repeated dumbly.

Lyra nodded.

"Before I got really sick, to the point of almost dying, I used to go out all the time. But after everything... I haven't really left the base much. And now that things have calmed down a bit, I figured it was time."

She paused, her smile widening slightly.

"So. You coming?"

Tatehan stood there for a moment, still processing.

Then he realized he was already dressed for going out.

"Sure," he said finally. "Sure. I can do that."

Lyra's eyes flicked down to his outfit, then back up to his face.

"Why are you already dressed?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Were you going somewhere?"

Tatehan shrugged, playing it off.

"Maybe we just think alike," he said.

Lyra's smile softened, and she laughed quietly.

"Maybe," she said.

———

They took a car.

Not just any car, it was a sleek, futuristic vehicle that looked like one you'd see in Sci Fi movies. The exterior was smooth and aerodynamic, with no visible wheels. Instead, it hovered a few inches off the ground, supported by some kind of anti-gravity tech that hummed softly as it moved.

The interior was just as impressive: minimalist, with holographic displays projected across the windshield and a control interface that responded to touch and voice commands.

Lyra slid into the driver's seat, and Tatehan climbed in beside her.

"You know how to drive this thing?" he asked, eyeing the controls warily.

Lyra shot him a look.

"Most people can."

Tatehan grinned.

"I see."

The car lifted smoothly into the air and accelerated, merging into the flow of traffic above the streets. Waython Hollow looked different from up here: cleaner and more organized, the buildings stretching upward like gleaming towers of glass and steel.

It was beautiful.

They drove in silence for a while, Tatehan still surprised with the idea of flying becoming this normal.

Before the great space dragon war, a country had already started doing flying cars but it was really few (just test products) and could only get a few feet off the ground.

Now, in the future, it was way high up.

The city passed by in a blur of lights and movement.

Then Lyra spoke.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Tatehan glanced at her.

"For what?"

"For earlier," Lyra said, her eyes still on the road. "For... being there. When I was upset."

Tatehan shrugged.

"It's nothing," he said. "You lost your father. You're allowed to be upset, that's…sad."

Lyra's grip on the controls tightened slightly.

"I know," she said. "But still. Thank you."

Tatehan didn't know what to say to that, so he just nodded.

They fell back into silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt... kinda weird.

Soon they arrived at the shopping mall.

It was massive, multiple levels stacked on top of each other, connected by escalators and elevators and moving walkways that seemed to defy physics. Holographic advertisements floated in the air, promoting everything from clothing to food to tech upgrades.

The place was packed with people: families, couples, groups of teenagers laughing and shoving each other as they browsed.

Lyra led the way, moving through the crowds. Tatehan followed, trying not to look too much like a tourist as he took in the sights.

They stopped at a grocery section on the third level, a sprawling area filled with stalls and vendors selling fresh produce, meats, packaged goods, and things Tatehan didn't even recognize.

Lyra moved from stall to stall, examining fruits and vegetables with a critical eye, occasionally asking the vendors questions.

He trailed behind her, carrying the bags as they filled up.

At one point, Lyra picked up something that looked like a cross between an apple and a watermelon, holding it up for Tatehan to see.

"You ever had one of these?" she asked.

Tatehan shook his head.

"I don't even know what that is," he admitted.

Lyra grinned.

"It's a Vross fruit," she said. "Native to Mars. Sweet, but with a bit of a kick. You'll like it."

She tossed it into one of the bags, and they moved on.

'Vross fruit?'

Crazy stuff!

As they shopped, they talked. About nothing too important, really. Small things. Lyra told him about growing up on Mars, about her training with the Red Crest Clan, about the missions she'd been on before she'd gotten injured.

Tatehan told her, carefully, about his time in the wastelands and about fighting monsters.

He left out the Spaceship though, and about him being from a different time entirely.

But even with the omissions, it felt... easy and natural. Not for once was it awkward.

They laughed. They smiled. And for a few hours, the sorrow that came with everything— the deaths of Lyra's father, the deaths of their fighters on the fortress and the looming threat of the Obscuron, faded into the background.

After they finished shopping, Lyra suggested they grab something to eat.

They found a restaurant on the top level of the mall, a quiet place with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. The view was breathtaking, the city lights twinkling like stars against the Martian dusk.

They ordered food. Tatehan had no idea what half of it was, so he just let Lyra pick, and sat by the window, talking and eating as the sun set in the distance.

At some point, Lyra reached across the table and touched his hand, just briefly, and Tatehan felt his heart skip a beat.

But it wasn't to look his eyes or anything, it was just to draw his attention to see something (like how some vehicles looked and stuff).

This was... something.

He wasn't sure what, exactly. But it was something.

And he didn't hate it.

By the time they left the restaurant, it was fully dark outside. The city had come alive with lights, neon signs flickering in every direction, the hum of traffic filling the air.

It was crazy they spent almost the whole day together though.

They loaded the bags into the car and headed back toward the Red Crest Clan base, the conversation quieter now and more subdued.

When they arrived, Lyra parked the car and turned to Tatehan, a soft smile on her face.

"I had a good time," she said.

"Yeah," Tatehan said, smiling back. "Me too."

Lyra leaned over and hugged him, her arms wrapping around him tightly.

Tatehan froze for a moment, surprised, then returned the hug, holding her gently.

She smelled like something floral, probably from whatever soap or perfume she'd used, and her body was warm against his.

They stayed like that for a moment, neither of them moving.

Then Lyra pulled back, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Goodnight, Tatehan," she said softly.

"Goodnight, Lyra," Tatehan replied.

She grabbed the bags and headed toward the base, glancing back once to give him a small wave.

Tatehan stood there for a moment, watching her go.

Then he turned and headed toward his own quarters, a stupid grin on his face.

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