MM - Chapter 210 - RIGHT TO THE POINT

Perched atop a slightly damaged hovoursine, high above the glittering streets of Carter, Raine casually withdrew a nutrient bar from his tuxedo pocket. Pounding beneath his feet loudly announced the occupants of his current mount weren’t exactly thrilled. Ignoring them, his teeth sank into the soft bar, and delicious flavor danced across his tongue.

Pamalaiha’s expression dissolved into confusion at his post-battle snack, pulling her from darker thoughts about how quickly he’d reacted to the ambush, and how inadequate it made her feel that she hadn’t been first. Unaware, Raine put the warrior goddess from his mind as well, peering over the edge of the vehicle, surveying the chaos below.

The bodies of the fallen assassins had created a gruesome scene on the street, and though he couldn't hear the screams from this height, he knew they were there. Mouth full, Raine activated his watch's interface, thinking his commands. “Morty, get the corpus to Romaxillions as soon as possible. Assassins dropped on us from above. Looks like there’s some collateral damage.” While speaking, Raine was already pushing the rapidly digesting vital nutrients through his bloodstream, concentrating them in his throbbing arm and leg.

“You’re too late, Master.” Morty's synthesized voice was devoid of emotion. “An anonymous source reported the attack not ten seconds after it began. It’s all over the Infostream It appears whoever orchestrated this wanted the first official statement. They are labeling you as the perpetrator.”

Raine let out a short, humorless laugh. “Classic Vaneese. It doesn't matter how easy it is to disprove; the first story is what sticks.”

“I have already released an official statement on your behalf, complete with a full VRvod. It will be difficult for them to maintain their narrative. However, I believe smearing your name is not their only objective, Master. Watch your back when you get inside.”

A frantic shout from further down the queue of flying cars drew Raine and Pamalaiha’s attention. Celeste’s torso was hanging out of the sunroof of another hovoursine. She waved her hands wildly over her head, words lost to the wind and the obnoxious blare of alarms.

His own ride was tilting to the side and losing altitude, it was safe to say the autopilot would soon be grounding the vehicle. Her timing was perfect. At the moment, his only route into Romaxillions was jumping from car to car all the way to the entrance dock. Considering that was around the corner of the building, and how many people he would piss off doing it, he motioned Celeste closer.

Raine jumped back to his car, extending a hand inside to pull Mel out. She only hesitated a moment before taking it. As the Luu Rahn vehicle pulled alongside, he prompted Mel to go first. She bravely hopped the dizzying gap between the two hovoursines. Celeste frantically guided her through the sunroof. After the brief exposure to the night, Mel’s fear vanished, replaced by giddy, adrenaline-fueled excitement.

Her laughter disappeared inside, and Raine insisted that Pamalaiha go next. She nodded, following with ease, and dropping through the opening without assistance. He was right behind her. As the sunroof closed behind him, warmth and silence replaced raucous commotion. It didn’t last long.

Celeste immediately launched into a tirade, voice laced with panic, “What were you thinking?! You could have died! Why didn’t you fly away?!” Tears of frustration and relief threatened to spill at any moment, and her face was etched with worry. Her emotional outburst in no way detracted from her beauty. She was a vision, wearing a sleek black dress made entirely from miniature scales that refracted every trace of light sent her way.

Raine didn’t answer as the car reversed, maneuvering back into line. His eyes weren’t even on her. It wasn't only the three women inside with him. A man sat in stony silence, his robust frame exuding an aura of quiet menace. Scars marred his knuckles and face, giving him the look of a prosperous gangster who earned his fortune through violence. He was in excellent shape, with a bulky physique that hinted at a past built on throwing his weight around. He sipped a martini, the crystal glass tiny in his oversized hand.

Constantine Luu Rahn’s gaze roamed over Raine, sizing him up just as thoroughly.

With a single breath, Raine flushed the excited chemicals from his system. Straight-backed, he settled into the plush, high-class seat, doing his best to exude a calming presence. “Mr. Luu Rahn. I'm glad we finally have the chance to meet.” 

Celeste’s father took another slow sip, his attention now shifting between the two women flanking Raine. Both positioned closer with a subtle possessiveness that drew up the corner of Constantine's lips. “I’ve been meaning to meet you as well. It turns out you’re even more greedy than I surmised, Mr. KongRu. To have such beauties on either arm, and go after my precious little girl… You must fancy yourself the next grandmaster.”

The overbearing man paused long enough to take another sip. He’d taken complete control of the pace, and not one person in the vehicle was in a hurry to interrupt. “That day may come,” he continued, “but it isn’t today. There is a way these things are done within the societies, and snatching a girl from her father without so much as a hello… isn’t it.” He punctuated the last words with teeth bared.

For a brief moment, Raine considered telling the man that there was nothing going on between him and Celeste, yet, and hence, no need for worry. Celeste was sitting next to her father, eyes pinned to Raine and so wide he could see the whites all around. There was no way to know what had set her off so thoroughly, but it didn’t matter. He’d already decided what he wanted. 

Without missing a beat, Raine dove straight into a conversation that suddenly seemed more important than anything else in the world. “You’re absolutely correct, Mr. Luu Rahn.” He shifted, drawing up to his full height and looking the older man dead in the eyes. “I wish to enter into courtship with your daughter, Celeste Luu Rahn.”

A strangled noise escaped her throat, jaw dropping wide open. Mel and Pamalaiha perked up, but only Mel squirmed in her seat with poorly contained excitement. Pamalaiha became the stillest person in the cab, her unblinking focus fixed on the unfolding drama.

Like a professional gambler, Constantine didn’t give away the slightest hint of his thoughts. His voice was so steady it could weather an ocean storm. “Before we discuss that, I must thank you for everything you’ve done for my little girl: Genesis, her rapid advancement, employment that she’s taking far more seriously than she ever did for me. I know you’re to blame, so don’t try to deny it. Also, for cleaning up that mess with Juan Pauel. I warned him time and again that his… aggressive business practices would catch up to him.”

Raine refused to let him change the subject. He’d cleared the adrenaline from his system but it kept coming right back every time he met Celeste’s panicked gaze; seeing her squirm was far too exhilarating. “You’re welcome. She’s important to me, of course I’m going to do everything in my power to see her succeed. You mentioned me being a greedy man, Mr. Luu Rahn. It’s true. But I’m also overprotective, loyal, and highly determined. Carter City is changing, and I plan to be at the forefront of that change. Being near me is dangerous, but as you’ve seen, it will bring her more opportunities than you can imagine.”

Constantine narrowed his eyes, unimpressed. “Oh, and what opportunities would those be? To be more precise, what future do you envision for my daughter if she joins,” he paused, swiping thick fingers in the direction of Mel and Pamalaiha, “whatever this is?”

Celeste’s head whipped back and forth between them, unable to respond as what could only be a nightmare played out in real time. Raine’s next statement entirely short-circuited her ability to think. “If it were anyone besides her, I wouldn’t have a great answer for you. But Celeste is special. She has what it takes to go all the way to grandmaster… at the least.”

Constantine let out a deep, rumbling laugh. “You say that with such ease. Youth. You have no idea what you’re talking about, but I can’t say I disapprove of your gumption. You know, Juan Pauel was also a greedy man, and more than a little determined. What he lacked was the desire to put his family first. So, Mr. KongRu, the only question that matters is this: would you die to ensure my daughter has a future?”

Mel blurted out before Raine could respond. “He risked his life for me when we hardly knew each other! He’s always putting himself between us and danger.”

Raine raised his brows at her but turned his attention back to Celeste’s father. “If it came to it, I would. Yes. A thousand times over, yes.”

Celeste sputtered as a wave of disbelief washed over her. The raw honesty in his thoughts was too much. In that moment, she felt Raine’s complete conviction to put her life before his own.

Constantine gave a single, decisive nod. “Then there’s nothing else to discuss. I approve.”

“No-no-no,” Celeste finally managed to choke out, her panic reaching a fever pitch.

Constantine shot her a stern look. “Don’t be daft! You won’t find a better match. Look how far you’ve already come with him. Just… do me a favor, daughter; turn out better than your mother.”

[Better than Mom?! You bastard, I’m a million times better than her! And you, too! Handing me over so damn easy, what the hell’s gotten into you? You’ve never even let boys look at me before. Why are you betraying me right now, of all times?! And why does my heart hurt again? It's so hot in here, turn the fucking A/C on already! Get a grip, Celeste; this is no different than any negotiation. I have all the power. I can still salvage this. All I have to do is remind him that I’m off limits!]

“Remember when you said—”

“Enough,” Constantine cut her off with a stern grumble. “I’ll hear no more of your complaints about what is obvious to everyone. You’re completely smitten, and he has what it takes to protect you after I’m gone. If you’re going to be stubborn, remember that it's not too late to write you out of my will.”

[Smitten?! Me?! How fucking drunk are you, old man?!]

Raine held up a hand. “Please, sir. Don't go that far. If she truly isn’t interested, then it's best she goes her own way.”

Hearing those words come out of his mouth caused Celeste’s heart to stop beating entirely. Her palms grew wet, and her vision shook. Constantine smirked at her, though spoke to Raine with a cynical expression that was right at home on his scarred face. “You’ve still got a lot to learn about women if you’re spouting that kind of nonsense. Take it from a man who watched his woman walk away without a fight and has lived with fifteen years of regret; you’ll never hold onto what you have without a firm hand. Understood?”

Raine met the older man's intense gaze. “I… Yes, sir. I understand.”

[Raine being agreeable? What kind of sick fever-dream is this?]

Celeste stiffened, turning to stare hard out the window as if nothing else in the universe existed. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and her fists were so tight her arms trembled. If she had anything to say, she didn’t manage it before the hovoursine reached the docking platform.

They piled out to the distant wail of sirens growing louder. Staff from Romaxillions rushed onto the open-air platform to greet them, bowing deeply. The manager was present, his angle deepest of all. “Mr. KongRu, please accept our most humble apologies for the breach in security. It would be our honor and duty to escort you directly to your booth to avoid any further incidents.”

He waved away the offer. Morty had basically implied that a particular old roach was in attendance, and Raine very much wished to have a chat with the man. “Unnecessary. Now that we’re inside, who would dare threaten trouble?” A dozen ears perked at his brazen words; after all, it was Raine himself who caused a scene inside at the previous auction. “Besides, how am I supposed to mingle if I’m surrounded by security?”

The manager held in a groan, smiling politely. “As you wish, Mr. KongRu. Mr. Luu Rahn, and your lovely guests, it is our sincere desire that you enjoy the festivit—” Raine was already past, striding forward with only a slight limp. It was a shame he’d lost the medical chair, not that the guise would work after his display.

A nervous, delicate call from behind gave him pause. “Raine, wait.” He turned back to find Mel nervously holding Pamalaiha’s arm. It only took a glance to realize what the problem was; the doctor had lost her heels in the attack. Before he could offer a solution, Mel improvised. She slipped out of her own heels, setting them aside so that both women were barefoot. She pinned the manager with a look that dared him to protest.

Raine didn’t give him the chance. He slid between the two girls, looping arms, and promptly led the march deeper into Romaxillions with a triumphant smile.

Mel, you’re a genius.

Constantine, martini still in hand, snatched Celeste’s elbow and followed. She simmered in silent fury. Her tears had dried, but her posture was rigid. She notably did not remove her delicate slippers. Like Raine, Pamalaiha scanned the surroundings, senses on full alert. Whispers and outright gossip followed as they progressed down the long hallway leading to the escalators.

As they boarded, it became apparent that the aquatic depths teeming with abyssal creatures had been entirely dismantled and reimagined. As if the rising stairs were a portal to a distant world, the group lifted through a short void to emerge on the surface of a terraformed exoplanet orbiting a trinary star system. Holographic emitters created an illusion so immersive it bordered on ZionLine’s reality augmentation, complete with subtle gravity fluctuations that made the ride feel like they were actually treading alien soil.

Mel’s eyes widened in childlike awe. Her bare toes flexed against the textured steps as she leaned beyond the escalator walls, clutching Raine’s arm for balance. “It’s beautiful. Is this a real world, you think? Somewhere out there?”

Raine chuckled, holding her tight. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Romaxillions isn’t known for half measures.”

Excited whispers from another escalator drifted through simulated winds. “Look at the vod if you don’t believe me! See, from car to car, just like I said!”

“That jump was insane!” Another gasped. “And he killed the guy mid-air! I take it back. I don’t want to be a martial anymore.”

“Luu Rahn is actually following him around. Did Astra and Ronexzera join forces against CronGate?”

“I hope so. Those bastards deserve whatever’s coming after their little Baptism.”

“Wouldn’t that mean the death toll is only getting started?”

After passing through the alien sky, the banquet floor appeared. It was also completely reinvented. The Victorian decorations were gone. The new style evoked a galactic emperor’s throne room aboard an interstellar warship. Fully interactive projections of ship systems cluttered each table, and the meals were artfully designed to be equally alien.

The crowd was denser than their last appearance, and Raine’s group attracted a rippling wave of stares. The previous whispers were nothing compared to the buzz that met them. Constantine discarded his drink on a passing platter and clapped Raine on the shoulder, soaking up the attention, and, before every witness, tying himself to Astra Infernum. “Lead on, boy. Who’s your target this time? Wait, don’t tell me. Would ruin the bet.”

Raine wasn’t shy, leading the way through the crowd. “You don’t want to know. Though, I’d be interested in placing a wager.”

“Not a chance!” Constantine laughed too loud, even for the noisy hall. “Maybe if you weren’t the damned troublemaker in question!”

In passing, Mel plucked a berry from a hovering tray, crunching it with a delighted shiver. Pamalaiha detached from Raine and positioned herself protectively near her. Meanwhile, Celeste's posture softened fractionally in the glow of so much attention, though her glare still lingered on Raine’s back.

It didn’t take long to find his target. Master Torune watched Raine’s every move with naked threat. He was winged by Vaneese, and a thickly-muscled man Raine could only assume was Marco Salvatore. He certainly carried the same conniving, restrained violence that Torune personified.

A deep loathing stirred in Raine’s gut. Vaneese and Torune were almost exclusively responsible for the immense suffering of his past. They were enemies now, as they always should have been. Seeing them together after so long, it struck home that it was the purest poetic justice that the very skills they taught him would bring about their ruin.