Jerk with a heart of gold @sarkyfancypants - Tumblr Blog

Jul 23

Reap what you sow - Chapter 4

Conquest x OC

CW: 16+ / Invincible spoilers / graphic violence / very slow burn / worldbuilding / character exploration

SUMMARY: Peace is shattered shortly after Hyde and Conquest's arrival, resulting in a chaotic victory that leaves Hyde gravely injured. Conquest, whose performance falters, is left to reflect alongside the town's elder, who confronts his reputation and challenges him to learn from the current situation to embrace humility and hopefully move on.

[<< / >>]

Panic wasn’t immediate. It brewed up like a boiling kettle, starting with a murmur from the curious civilians gawking from their seats, balconies, and shops at the strange ships materializing out of thin air. Rushed footsteps moved left and right as Vanaari guards, directed by Elder Zhol’vahk, quickly recognized the present danger and began distributing their defenses and relocating people to safer areas.

The ground shook with the invader’s war horns blaring across the land. Hyde and Conquest were the first to feel it; they fell to their knees, clutching their heads and screaming in pain as the world spun violently, making it nearly impossible to process what was happening. Vanaari tumbled and ducked in fear; some began to scramble, breaking out from the coordinated groups, their robes tangling on their feet, food and drinks spilling over the tables.

The horns fell silent, and the world exploded as hellfire rained down on the coast with beams of scorching light, leaving destruction in its wake. Burning projectiles landed all around the oceanfront plaza—one fell on a conglomerate of shops surrounding a tower, hurting dozens of victims under the ruins. Another fell right on the beach where children had been playing mere minutes before the attack began.

As chaos erupted, the Viltrumites reincorporated themselves, reasonably puzzled, blinded by the bright, red-hot beams burning down buildings and vaporizing innocent civilians.

“Well?" Conquest rasped, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. "You gonna join the fun?"

Hyde didn't look at him directly—his attention was elsewhere, watching as a beam of stone had collapsed over one alley, cornering those that were trying to escape, while blood and soot tainted the once colorful lamps and banners, only worsening the nauseating anguish growing in his gut.

Not too far away, a Vanaari mother pleaded to anyone in earshot to help her rescue her child, who was trapped under a shattered stall. Elders fumbled with their canes as they failed to catch up with the crowds seeking shelter inside one of their temples. Many others dragged their loved ones, already injured or dying from falling debris.

All the while, Vanaari troops had sprung into action, deploying weapons from arm cannons to luminous energy spears, clashing with misshapen jetpack-wearing brutes who had descended from their vessels, armed with jagged blades, soon overwhelming their defensive lines. They came in all sizes, with speckled sallow skin covered in boils that shifted underneath ill-fitting, tattered uniforms, moving faster than the troops could barricade the area.

"I-I can't fight," Hyde said hastily. "I must get these people out of here."

"Coward."

"You must—"

A violent gust of wind hit Hyde's face before he could even speak, as Conquest launched himself into the sky. Invaders burst into red mist upon contact with the speeding titan, their flesh and ruined armor piling onto the sands.

"Yeah… do that," Hyde glared before hurriedly flying to aid the frightened crowd.

Conquest zoomed effortlessly through the air with his single arm out, plowing into numerous invaders. Some barely had the chance to lay their hands on their targets before exploding into shapeless masses of gore that stuck to the titan's new robes.

His face was split into a manic grin.

Helmets caved in his grip—claws and teeth broke uselessly against his fist. Bones snapped like twigs as he dragged the monsters by their limbs and flung them against the fractured buildings.

"Yes!" he roared. "That's more like it!"

The invaders’ onslaught on the innocent people of Tazchaii was the least of his concerns. He needed the workout to regain his strength if he eventually wanted to leave the planet, and the opportunity was presented to him on a silver platter. It felt good to let loose again, and he would only stop when he decided he was finished.

The leash had been cut, and no one, not even Hyde, was going to hold him back. Though given how effective his assault was, he inwardly already lamented the fact that his moment of leisure wasn’t going to last long enough for him to savor it.

That was until the war horns blared again, brazenly disrupting his confidence. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by the offenders as they witnessed the large Viltrumite plummet to the ground, like a stunned fly.

Elsewhere, Hyde nearly dropped a child.

The horn blast hit him mid-flight, and for a split second, everything vanished. His grip loosened just enough for the small Vanaari boy in his arms to slip, a terrified cry barely escaping before Hyde snapped back, clutching him tighter against his chest.

“—I’ve got you,” Hyde forced out a shaky breath. “I’ve got you, darling.”

He landed behind a fractured structure, collapsing to his knees where a handful of civilians huddled. The child ran into his father's arms as the matriarch shielded her family with her body, dust powdering them from the tremors of another distant strike.

Scanning the horizon for survivors, Hyde forced himself back to his feet, one hand pressed against a crumbling wall behind him. His ears were ringing, and his vision was significantly blurrier, but he still managed to see the hulking form of Conquest rising clumsily from the crater formed by his fall, turning toward Hyde. Even from a distance, their gaze met with quiet understanding.

It became evident that the horns were not used as a warning call but as a brutal weapon for crowd control. The Vanaari, although frightened and effectively dispersed, were not all that afflicted by its potent bursts. However, Hyde and Conquest were significantly more vulnerable to its destructive frequency.

Hyde’s eyes narrowed. The dreadful entity deep within his mind stirred, like thousands of needles piercing through his skull, heightening his senses beyond his Viltrumite capabilities.

Studying the vessels, he managed to pinpoint the source of the destructive sound cannons and exactly where they were mounted. The cooldown for each cannon lasted three minutes, creating a brief opportunity for action.

“Conquest!” Hyde dashed forward, skidding to a stop at the titan’s position.

“Finally came to your senses?” the large Viltrumite laughed gruffly. “You’re missing out—”

“The vessels at the front row,” Hyde pointed upward. “You’ve got to stop their horns.”

“Fine…” Conquest droned deeply. Then, his expression darkened. “Your…eyes are bleeding.”

Hyde’s eyebrows shot up in shock, wiping fresh dark ichor from his tear duct and smearing it between his fingers.

“I-It’s nothing. Go, NOW!”

Conquest scrutinized Hyde, turned away, and took off, disappearing through the smoke.

Within moments, a deafening groan and a thunderous explosion shattered the cacophony of battle below. The sky lit up with a growing ball of fire, followed by another. The Vanaari troops erupted in cheers and shouts of triumph, while the invading marauders roared in anger as Conquest tore through their ships, flinging the wreckage out into space with gleeful determination.

However, everything fell apart as Conquest neared the bigger, final vessel. Like the guttural, vibrating roar of a large beast, its horn blared once more, this time much closer to the towering Viltrumite. The impact alone sent him hurling backward and down into the ocean, nearly rendering him unconscious.

Something moved within the vessel. The invader's strongest champion, a monster twice his size, emerged from the ship and descended upon him. Its grotesque fingers gripped his robes and hair, pulling him towards its putrid mouth, digging its sharp teeth into his flesh as both went under.

"NO!" Hyde cried out, levitating a few feet off the ground before being tackled and pinned down by marauders emerging from the thick smoke. The taste of hot, metallic blood filled his mouth, bubbling up with each attempt to inhale as he realized a blade had pierced his side too deeply. Under any other circumstances, the blade would have bent or shattered against his skin, but this one sank through effortlessly.

Despite the shock, Hyde summoned the courage to fend off the creatures swarming around him.

His fists collided with slick, rubbery flesh, shattering bodies as bones crumpled like rotten fruit. He grabbed one creature by the skull, fingers digging in until orange bulbs spurted from its eye sockets. Another creature attempted to kick him from above, but Hyde caught it by the ankle mid-lunge and swung it around, tearing through three more with the sheer force of impact.

Yet, it was not enough. His chest heaved, and the gaping wound in his ribs only hastened his deteriorating condition.

A blunt club drove into Hyde's core, causing him to fold around it with a strangled gasp. A thick glob of dark blood spilled from his mouth as the marauders laughed and crowded around him now that he had finally buckled. Fists and rusted jabs rained down mercilessly on him.

The attacks suddenly stopped, and confusion turned to fear on the marauders' faces as they froze in place, as if something had coiled tightly around their nerves, immobilizing them completely.

Hyde crumpled to his knees like a broken doll at their feet, his head jerking upwards painfully as the entity had taken control of his body.

Only a faint squeak escaped through his mouth when unnatural distortion rippled under Hyde's skin and burst free like a warped projection of himself.

The weakened Viltrumite slumped forward as the entity connected with the nearest marauder. Its body convulsed, tearing itself from the inside out, as the wrathful wraith quickly hopped onto another and another, like wild electricity coursing through them, leaving a dark trail of gore sprayed over the cobblestones leading to the battlefield.

The Vanaari guards watched in horror as their opponents were liquefied spontaneously right in front of them. Cowering and fearing for their lives, they realized they were not being targeted, but something about the wraith wearing Hyde’s face didn’t make the situation too comforting for them.

The entity then made its way to the coast.

Conquest was still locked in a brutal struggle with the beast beneath the surface. Claws and teeth scraped his skin, drawing blood as the creature dragged him into the darkness. It seemed as though the titans might vanish entirely into the muddy depths.

The rushing current muted the world, filling Conquest's ears. Meaty paws found his throat, squeezing painfully. His lungs burned from inhaling hot saltwater. With his right stump, he hit the beast's face repeatedly without any reaction, while desperately jabbing its ribs with the other hand.

“Not like this!” his mind repeated amidst a rush of disjointed thoughts.

The familiar pain in his neck spurred his body into action. With a final feral roar, he managed to dig his fingers into the beast's gut, but nothing more. Strength failed him as his hand barely penetrated its thick blubber before his vision began to fade.

“Not…like this…”

Suddenly, the pressure shifted, and the beast was forcefully pulled out of the sludge, its fingers still gripping Conquest's limbs as they were flung upwards. Conquest slipped from its grasp, letting out a surprised scream before plunging back into the murky water.

Kicking hard, he reached the surface, feeling his shoulders tear against the resistance, bringing him to the edge of panic. Sputtering and wheezing, Conquest finally made it onto the shore, one knee sinking into the ground and his hand instinctively reaching up to touch his neck, where the skin was still bruised and tender.

A shrill cry above him caught his attention.

Time seemed to freeze as all eyes turned to the sky, where the deformed behemoth hovered over the ocean, trapped within the grasp of a dark figure. Despite its spectral form, the entity still bore a ghoulish resemblance to the man it intended to imitate, with wild, long hair and piercing red eyes that burned like lanterns in the hollow sockets of a monstrous skull.

The wraith melted into dark tendrils that spread around the creature's body, forcibly slithering into every orifice and seeping up through its skin. The creature thrashed and shrieked in a thin, horrible sound that seemed to split the air around it. The body contorted violently, twisting bones at impossible angles as if something were pulling it from within.

The surrounding invaders took a collective step back, watching in horror as their champion's scream grew higher and higher, its skin bulging and splitting, folding and curling wrong side out, spilling pus and blood in clumps.

With one final yelp, the beast burst apart into an amalgam of meaty chunks and dark ooze, raining pieces down over the shallow water in a wet, appalling shower.

The spectral presence descended, and Conquest slowly turned his head to see it trailing back to Hyde's actual body like a shadow, slipping under his skin. Hyde lay slumped in an awkward kneeling position over the carnage he had left behind, dark blood staining his face, dripping upward like thin strings that vanished into the air.

The unnatural silence that followed the gruesome display was broken by the vibrating hum of the engines from the remaining vessels coming to life. Their movements were slow, yet a certain urgency came in the clumsy way some of them turned away.

Having watched their champion perish in such a distressing manner, the invaders had lost all confidence in their assault, realizing whatever they were after was not worth getting mangled so unceremoniously. Weapons clattered against the stones as the remaining marauders howled in protest, devastated that their comrades had abandoned them. Some knelt before the Vanaari Sentinels, their hands raised in surrender.

There was no cheering. Just the hushed cooing of civilians slowly emerging from their hideouts and the snappy barks of the Vanaari troops as they apprehended the marauders and rushed to help anyone still alive.

With weary steps, Conquest dragged his feet on the ground, ignoring two civilians who reached out to him with the intent to aid him. He stopped by a crowd that had gathered around Hyde, carefully laying the unconscious man down on a hastily-made fabric stretcher.

Something didn’t sit right with Conquest as he looked closely at Hyde’s face, with blood-streaked features bright over his ashy skin and jaw that hung open, akin to a dead fish. The haunting image was seared into his mind, reminiscent of the hundreds of diseased Viltrumites that perished during one of the darkest eras of his life.

A dull ache spread in his right arm merely from recounting that memory.

<“There’s a pulse, but it’s weak,"> One tall woman pressed her broad nose on Hyde's wrists.

<“Hurry, take him to the infirmary!"> A Vanaari Guard gestured, his voice already hoarse from coordinating their forces.

The words were unintelligible to Conquest. He scanned the hare-faced people's expressions with his one good eye, looking for anything he could make sense of.

Elder Zhol'vahk waddled slowly through the crowd. His robes were singed, his jewelry was obscured by a thin layer of dust, and a crack, like roots, had spread across the glass of his circular spectacles. He was muttering something under his breath while inspecting the damaged structures in the plaza when he noticed the stumped titan gravitating over the group that started carrying Hyde away.

The sullen elder took a brief glance at the unconscious Viltrumite on the stretcher, shaking his head slightly, before turning to Conquest, nose twitching from the exertion.

“It looks bad, but I trust your friend will be alright,” he coughed lightly. “How are you holding up?”

Conquest’s temple throbbed, as if trying to ask, wordlessly, "What?" through the mere clenching of his jaw and the crease forming between his eyebrows, not realizing he hadn’t changed his dumbfounded expression since he crawled out of the water moments earlier.

Zhol tilted his head.

“You’re drenched. You sure look like you could use a little breather.”

“You speak my language?”

“That surprises you?” the elder let out an amused wheeze. He shuffled a little closer, extending a webbed hand in invitation. “Come with me. Let’s get you some dry clothes and something to eat. Besides, I’d like to get to know you better.”

Conquest gave the small creature of a man an incredulous look, unable to hold back a sneer, as if the request itself were an insult. Something about Zhol’s amicable warmth, with his droopy tendrils curling slightly over his lips and his four eyes squinting as he smiled, made a knot form in his stomach.

Without a word or any objection, Conquest let out a grunt through his nose and followed as Zhol began to move.

xXxXx

“You know, when Hyde said he was off to pick a memento, I didn't expect him to bring a whole person with him,” Zhol laughed. “You’re quite the wrecking ball, my friend.”

Conquest said nothing. Only observing the tiny man swaying from side to side ahead of him with every short step he took.

It hadn't been that long since the invaders disrupted the festival, yet the elder looked all too relaxed. He inclined his head at the agitated troops, who were cleaning up the wrecked plaza with coordinated speed, and they stopped in their tracks to return the greeting before resuming their duties.

“You have no idea…” the titan muttered.

Zhol glanced back with the eye farthest to the side of his head, and he let out a contemplative hum. “No. I imagine I’ve got no clue."

The elder's upbeat demeanor quickly gave way to a more somber one. A more appropriate attitude provided Conquest with some relief, which then gave way to mild unease as the Vanaari's calls faded into a distant echo, accompanied only by the resonance of wind chimes and the grinding of sand beneath their rhythmic gait. A scene that, in only a few hours, had changed from a cheerful celebration to the solemnity of a funeral for those caught in the crossfire.

“I thank you for your aid against the invaders,” Zhol said finally. “Your involvement was… dramatic.”

Conquest gave a low, grudging snort, though there was no real amusement in it.

“I’ve got to say,” Zhol continued, “despite the fright, I say it was all kept under control.”

“You call that under control?”

"Why, of course. By Vanaari standards, at least. You spared us weeks, maybe months, of tension at most. Nothing we wouldn’t recover from, though.” Zhol stopped in his tracks. “It is…our losses that take a little longer for us to heal from, however”

He faced the titan; the loose, elastic skin beneath his jaw bobbed, his lips pursing with emotion.

“You see…our planet isn’t the most stable given its nature. We’re bound to changes and events as unpredictable as this one. So we prepare our entire lives for the worst, ready to rebuild and recover. But the loss of life is devastating still. Each individual carries unique marvels that you cannot easily replace.”

The Viltrumite’s brow arched, and the corner of his lip raised slightly with a low growl.

Zhol's nose twitched, and all four of his eyes narrowed before he abruptly turned and started walking up the empty path again.

“Right. Let me make something clear to you. We Vanaari are no strangers to your kind and your reputation,” he emphasized each of his words sternly. “See, when we took Hyde to our planet, he was barely holding onto life, the way his body was failing… It was unlike anything we had seen. Yet treating him wasn't the biggest challenge..."

“You really took him in just like that,” Conquest scoffed.

"If it’s within our power, we’ll always lend a hand.”

“Even to Viltrumites?”

Zhol shrugged. “Frankly, we didn’t know what a Viltrumite was! At the time, Hyde was just somebody in need of help. Another life worth saving.”

“Hm…”

Conquest mellowed briefly. A life worth saving was a repugnant idea; he could feel his body reject it instinctively. But something stung deep within a dark, forgotten corner of his mind. A sensation he had repressed for so long that it made his head ache.

“I presume he educated you on the matter then.”

"Hrm, no, not really. He hid it from us for a while." Zhol scratched his chin. “We were contacted. Tazchaii happened to leap within the same system as a planet named Talescria. Its inhabitants thought us to be a spy vessel,” he snickered as if he were telling a joke.

Conquest held his breath.

“Agents from a resistance group informed us about their mission to save the universe from the Viltrum Empire. Your Empire.” The elder’s nose twitched faster. “Hyde remained out of sight. After a long discussion and a series of warnings, they extended an invitation for us to join. And we declined it.”

The Viltrumite jerked his head back with a short huff. “Really?”

“My friend, you saw what happened back there at the plaza. We can maintain and defend ourselves just fine, but we are not really made for battle. I’m sure if we could punch as hard as you, things would have gone by like a sneeze,” the elder giggled.

His eyes flicked back to Conquest.

“But of course they insisted. We had to state firmly that if we were to aid their campaign, it would be only by lending them resources. To them, that was enough.”

“You still allowed a Viltrumite to stay in your world despite the warnings.”

“That became our challenge. It was a risk we were willing to take,” Zhol nodded. ”Your friend, Hyde…he seemed lost. Troubled, I might say. A significant contrast to what the Coalition had presented to us about your people.”

The elder scanned the titan up and down with a soft gaze.

“Come to think of it, you too carry that same sad look on your face that tells me your years of conquest have finally worn you to the bone.”

Conquest had turned a shade paler, and ice stirred within his entrails. The suggestion beneath Zhol’s words gnawed at him. Past his time of usefulness? It was absurd. No. He wasn’t done yet. He couldn’t be. There was still—

The thought faltered. His own mind got caught in a standstill before it could take shape when an uncomfortable realization took its place.

None of the inhabitants showed signs of hypervigilance or disdain despite having every reason to. Having assumed them to be blissfully ignorant in their sheltered, pacifist world, the fact that this whole time they knew what he was made this experience feel somewhat humiliating.

It was even worse when he admitted how easily he was overpowered by the invader champion, who would have killed him if Hyde hadn't gone on a rampage.

Perhaps he had truly lost his shine.

His mind trailed back to the Vanaari maiden at the bathhouse. She wore an anxious demeanor in his presence, but it somehow felt different. The twinkle in her eyes suggested more admiration or awe than fear. He couldn’t remember the last time somebody looked at him the same way, if ever.

Cold fingers gently pressed on Conquest’s hand, bringing him back to reality. Elder Zhol raised his head and gestured forward.

“After you.”

Urgent chatter filled the silence again.

The titan just noticed they had emerged from an alley into an open area where a majestic domed temple stood before them, shrouded in aged vegetation and hanging fabrics. Across from them, the rest of the Vanaari strode in and out of the wooden gates, transporting injured victims on hovering carts and carrying baskets full of medical supplies.

Inside, the space opened upward in a two-story structure supported by clay pillars with wooden beams bent into arches. They guided the eye toward a skylight breaking the enclosure. Dust motes drifted slowly as sunlight poured into a shallow, circular pool that sat at the heart of the room. Its blue, crystalline water rippled with the faint movement, creating a mystical atmosphere that was consoling in its very purpose.

Encircling it, large potted plants rose with their broad, vibrant leaves, some trailing low, softening the geometry of the space and turning the interior into something halfway between sanctuary and greenhouse. The earthy freshness strained against the lingering stench of blood and death threading through the air.

Dozens of patients lay on beds arranged within the room's circumference, each one separated by simple dividers—woven panels, bead curtains, or carved partitions that offered privacy without fully isolating anyone. Medical equipment seemed surprisingly advanced, organically integrated into the space rather than imposed on it. Even the instruments didn’t stand out in their appearance, effective and practical despite their very nondescript designs.

Conquest’s attention was drawn by Zhol’s disheartened sigh.

“I must check on my people,” he said. “There is still much to catch up on. But for now, you ought to take a moment to gather yourself. Maybe check on Hyde. He should be somewhere around here.”

With that, Zhol gave Conquest’s hand a light pat and waddled away, disappearing up the stairs to the floor above.

Conquest moved deeper into the infirmary, where a Vanaari nurse guided him to a bed of his own. Beside it lay Hyde, still unconscious. The nurse noticed Conquest’s glance and seemed to understand at once that he was somewhat concerned.

“He is stable,” she said with a kind smile. “He only needs rest.”

The reassurance did little to settle him. If anything, it worsened the strange discomfort twisting in his chest. Hyde had done something mortifying, something that should have inspired fear or disgust, and yet the Vanaari treated him with such ordinary concern that Conquest could not understand it.

Reluctantly, he allowed the nurses to remove his damp robes, much like they had at the bathhouse, before dressing him in a long tunic. One of the nurses pressed a small device against the side of his head, while others monitored his pulse, breathing, and the dark bruising around his throat. After a thorough inspection, he was placed on the semi-upright bed.

Almost immediately, Conquest felt something strange.

A deep pressure hidden behind his eyes and throughout his skull, so constant that he had long since stopped noticing it. As the device hummed softly against his head, the sensation gradually eased, and with it came an unfamiliar clarity. For the first time in years, he realized just how unwell he had truly been.

The nurses exchanged uneasy glances as their holographic tablets displayed the device's analysis: persistent vascular damage. Intracranial inflammation. Severe neurological stress left untreated for far too long. His mind had been running under constant strain, sustained more by sheer willpower and raw spite than by proper recovery.

They could scarcely understand how he had remained functional for so long.

A sturdy machine was rolled in next to his bed, and a set of devices unfolded above him, emitting a glowing halo. These were then connected to the device attached to his head, which continued to pulsate. His eyes widened as the intravenous gadgets pierced his skin effortlessly, delivering a mild sedative that relaxed his body while keeping him partially aware. Warmth quickly spread through his limbs, and his surroundings began to blur.

Conquest hated it.

He hated the tenderness with which the Vanaari handled him. Hated the careful adjustments of blankets, the soft voices, the gentle hands that treated him and touched him in ways too unfamiliar to his nature.

And worse still, some treacherous part of him began to yearn for more as soon as the indistinguishable forms of the nurses moved away from him.

Time transpired strangely after that, with him slipping in and out of consciousness with nothing to accompany him but the silvery ringing of the medical machines singing like chimes.

By the time Zhol returned, the bright daylight spilling through the skylight had softened into the warm gold of late afternoon.

Conquest had not realized so many hours had passed. Several nurses had already left, and many of the patients now slept quietly in their beds, while others rested awake with meals laid across their laps.

An attendant approached the titan with a cart bearing a plate of brightly colored fruits and assorted nuts, all beautifully arranged. Conquest stared at the plate, noticing some of the nuts were squirming, only to realize they were fat brown pupae of some unidentified insect, likely served as part of the other food offerings. He grunted in open disgust as the pungent, tart scents, paired with hints of sea salt and iodine, hit the titan’s nostrils, sending a tidal wave of nausea to the pit of his stomach that brought him out of his stupor.

Zhol noticed immediately. “Please,” he urged. “You must eat something.”

“Do you have anything that isn’t forage?” Conquest replied.

“Uh… what would be more to your tastes?”

Conquest thought for a moment, the sedatives leaving his mind slow and heavy. His eyes drifted back toward the plate as though he were genuinely trying to imagine eating it, but the sight alone made his gorge rise.

What did he crave?

His brow furrowed faintly as he searched for the answer through the haze clouding his mind. Then, almost drowsily, he looked back at Zhol.

"Do you have any hearts? Meat?”

Zhol’s brow tendrils stood high on alert, blinking a few times. Slowly, he turned toward the nurse and spoke a few quick words in their native tongue. The nurse gave a small nod before hurrying out of the infirmary.

Then Zhol looked back at Conquest with an easy smile.

“Not a problem.”

xXxXx

Some time later, following deeper through the city, Zhol accompanied Conquest with unhurried steps, delving into regular neighborhoods, alongside narrow canals of slow-moving water and flowering bushes, their leaves catching the amber spill of lanterns that had begun to glow as the sky darkened. Families could be heard resuming their normal lives from within dwellings that stood shoulder to shoulder along the street, sharing foundations until it was difficult to tell where one ended and the next began.

Some individuals glanced out of their windows and from their stoops with curiosity as both men passed by.

“You’re looking better.” Zhol glanced at the titan with delight. “Color has returned to your face. Still a bit thin, though.”

“I’m feeling better, yeah.”

“I hope the hearts were to your liking. Quite an odd choice for a post-discharge meal, but who am I to judge?”

Conquest huffed. “Usually, I prefer them raw. But the seared bits were still good enough.”

“Hm, noted!” Zhol nodded. “I mean, you still scarfed them down like a mad dog!”

Conquest gave the elder a scowl, which went unnoticed.

"Where are you taking me?” he asked.

“You need a place of your own during your stay.”

"Really, I don't need—”

“Nonsense. You have to stay somewhere. It may not be as luxurious as what I imagine your people had. But it’s our most sincere gift.”

Luxurious. As Conquest remembered, the Empire's quarters were anything but. Regardless of how comfortable it was, as long as one had shelter, let alone a bed, it was enough. And yet, very few like him had to conform to nothing but the hard floor in a vapid cell. It was never a priority or a necessity to find comfort in your living space. Comfort leads to slacking, and slacking leads to death. Nobody could ever afford to put their lives in danger for even a fleeting moment of relief.

Whatever awaited him, it certainly wouldn’t be the worst he had ever seen.

“My, Veela is running late," Zhol murmured. "Oh well, here we are. Just beyond this gate you will—”

The hurried patter of leather sandals approached the two men from behind, and then a woman called out to them.

“Ah, perfect timing!” Zhol beamed.

<“I am very sorry. I got caught up with the healers.”A lady Vanaari, about a head taller than Zhol, moved quickly, clutching her chest, her nose twitching as she tried to catch her breath.

The tendrils above her eyebrows pressed tightly against her head, her eyes shifting, catching only glimpses of the large man as she maintained a subtle yet flustered smile. The skin atop her breast swelled slightly, taking on a deep magenta hue. Conquest narrowed his good eye, his crooked teeth flashing between his lips in recognition.

"A-A pleasure to properly make your acquaintance…uhm…" The woman glanced at Zhol.

“Ah,” Zhol said, gently tapping his head with his fist, “A thousand apologies. I have been speaking to you this whole time, and I do not think I caught your name.”

The titan puffed out his chest as if he were preparing for that very moment. “It’s Conquest.”

Zhol looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression, then turned to Veela, who shared the sentiment. “Conquest... hmm. Quite ominous," he thought. However, outwardly, he simply nodded politely. "Alright, Conquest. I'll get out of your hair now. Velaa will be your guide, and if you need anything, just call her, alright?" He straightened slightly, clasping his hands behind his back. “I would gladly remain longer, but there are… duties requiring my attention tonight.” His voice softened almost imperceptibly. “Funerary rites, you see.”

Veela lowered her gaze respectfully.

<“Take good care of him,”> Zhol said to Veela, placing his hand on her shoulder, offering them both one last look before departing.

Veela stood there for a moment too long, then jolted upright, painfully aware of the giant right beside her.

“Oh—right.” She cleared her throat, then glanced at Conquest and beckoned him with a more formal bow. “Please, follow me. If you have any inquiries, you may ask along the way.”

Past the gate, they were greeted by a small courtyard with a large tree at its center. Its wide canopies offered ample shade to the stony steps leading up to various individual homes. Somewhere in the far distance, the sound of the sea crashing against rocks echoed in tandem with that of a colossal water wheel, barely visible through the dense foliage—its wooden framework groaning heavily as it turned slowly.

“Did I scare you too much when we first met?" Conquest said with evident amusement. "The words barely made it out of your mouth."

Veela tensed as the gular sac beneath her jaw slightly expanded, releasing a muted chirp. "I-I was just nervous."

"Aw. Left that much of an impression on ya?"

"You're big," Veela replied. "Never met a man so big."

"Is that so?"

"It's not unusual for us to encounter visitors with fascinating features, but none as awesome as yours."

A genuine belly laugh erupted from Conquest, accompanied by Veela's bashful giggling.

They finally reached a single home that stood atop a flight of mosaic stairs, where one could see the streets below easily over the stone rail. Veela held Conquest's hand, parting the beaded curtain as she guided him inside.

Ducking beneath the frame, he found himself in a very rustic space, with minimal furniture and modest technology. Most surfaces were seamlessly integrated with the walls. Counters, shelves, and even the seats, padded with flat cushions, all seemed to be part of the architecture itself. The windows were covered by latticed panels, through which the cool wind entered, their ornamental patterns framing it. Additionally, bioluminescent lanterns along the walls and holographic screens illuminated the rooms.

To Conquest, it wasn't exactly impressive, yet it instilled a sense of comfort unlike any other. It wasn't designed like a resort or anything overly formal. Something about it made it feel lived-in.

"I-If you want," Veela approached him. "I can show you how to use the cooking station or the communication systems so we remain in contact."

"Nah, I'm good," Conquest said curtly.

"Oh…"

For a moment, Conquest sensed disappointment in the vanaari's tone. He glanced at her sideways before exhaling roughly through his nose.

"Ah, I'm just…tired. Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck, rolling his eyes. "Perhaps once I'm refreshed, we could go through all the technicalities."

Veela's tendrils slowly rose over her head with hopeful interest. "I understand." She smiled, twirling one of her whiskers between her fingers. "In that case, I'll… I'll let you settle. But do reach out, yes?"

It was strange, but the vanaari's persistent efforts to engage with him would've been a mild annoyance to Conquest. He ought to have told her to leave him alone. Instead, he found himself waiting to see what she'd say next. Every time she stumbled over her words before asking another question, he couldn't decide whether she was exceptionally brave or amusingly foolish. His throat felt parched, and with a chuckle escaping through twitching lips trying to conceal a smirk, he nodded.

"Sure thing."

"Wonderful!"

Veela took a step forward with her arm out, then paused.

"Uh...Allow me to—"

Without waiting long enough to realize how unusual the request might have sounded, she gently rested her hand flat against the middle of his chest.

Conquest raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"

"I-It's a greeting." Veela smiled sheepishly. "It means...that you're among friends, and you have your home here. That you belong."

"Am I supposed to do something or…?"

"Just place your hand on m-my chest."

The titan's eyes shifted around. He remembered seeing Hyde do something similar when he greeted the Elder and snorted, then shrugged, lifting his massive hand and awkwardly pressing it on Veela's collarbone in a near-comical attempt to mimic her movements. "Mmmright. Like this?"

The frills along the vanaari's neck flared, failing to contain a shy squeak that made the skin under her jaw fill with air, straining her voice a bit. "Close enough, but yes." She then quickly withdrew her hand, trying to hide the blush on her chest that had grown more prominent. "I'll…be seeing you tomorrow, then."

She took a small nod before turning away, stopping halfway through just to face him again. "W-welcome home." And with that, she was out the door.

"Huh…" Conquest tilted his head with a half smile. "Strange lady."

Not thinking anything more about the interaction, he resumed his exploration, heading toward a chamber with a large round bed inside an alcove. It resembled more a nest of fabrics and piled cushions of different colors and sizes, layered so thick it was absurd. Curiosity took hold of him, and he pressed on its surface, watching with surprise as his fingers sank into the smooth material. Immediately charmed by its texture, Conquest sat on the edge of the bed, letting the rest of his body follow suit with a heavy thud and a loud, relieved groan. It was like lying on a grassy patch, hugging in the right places, allowing his weary old bones to find true comfort after eons.

"Oh yeah…" he thought. "I guess I could get used to this."

Staring idly at the thatched ceiling, he let his mind wander for a bit, contemplating the strangeness of the past few days since he crawled out of the dirt on that one barren planet. A nagging urgency to return to the Empire, despite knowing its current fate, kept crawling back into his thoughts, followed by the question, "Do I really care?"

More than caring, it was the anxiety of not fulfilling his duty, being found slacking again, and hearing the same old degrading remarks that had been seared into his person over centuries. Enough time had passed, though; maybe everyone thought he was already dead.

Everyone was better off if he were dead…

…

His brow furrowed.

The thought startled him as if someone had spoken it aloud. His head turned slightly, eyes narrowing at nothing in particular, as though he expected an accusation to come from the walls themselves. Conquest quickly pushed the thought aside before delving into it any deeper.

Stupid.

Conquest shifted onto his side, facing inward into the alcove, curling up with a small cushion pressed against his cheek. Perhaps he was better off without his pathetic companions, as they only needed him when they failed. The image of Thragg, tail between his legs, dragging himself toward Earth for refuge, gave him a fleeting sense of joy, even as he ignored the irony of his own situation.

His thoughts went back to Hyde. The abominable being who pretended to be a Viltrumite. A fiery curiosity overtook his initial suspicions of him. "I can't fight," yeah, right. With power like his, a rematch was in order.

All he had to do was patiently wait for him to recover. Then the fun would begin.

His eyes grew heavier by the minute as he imagined the possibilities, until sleep finally took over.

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