MM - Chapter 160 - THE MONSTER WITHIN

Celeste Luu Rahn

- A long time ago -

Celeste was back in the place she dreaded most. Here was where it all began: her misery, her hate, and the need to show them all that she was more than they knew. She was four or five, demurely waiting in the yard of an expansive martial temple. She’d come with her mother, exhaustively climbing hundreds of wide steps to reach the structure that looked impossibly ancient to her little self. Its statues, tall walls, and wooden gate held a sacred quality that let her know playing here would result in a harsh spanking.

So she stood at her mother’s back, waiting impatiently as children do. The martials finally arrived after three whole eternities; she'd counted each one on her tiny fingers. The imposing men wore orange and yellow robes tied around the waist by brightly colored belts. Without a word, Celeste was separated from her mother and taken to a dark room. They forced her to sit alone in gloomy, eerie silence for another eternity. Nobody came to talk to her, and in her heart, she felt a horrid stirring; was she even worth talking to?

Again, the martials were silent as they returned Celeste to her mother. That was when everything went terribly wrong. Instead of joyously hugging her, a shake of the martial's head was all it took for familial ties to be severed forevermore. The love and care always reflected in her mother’s eyes vanished in a beat, replaced by scorn, disgust, and annoyance. Celeste could still see the transformation in her nightmares, nightmares just like this one.

Watching it all unfold from the side, the real Celeste screamed, banging fists against invisible walls, demanding to be let out. Usually, that was enough to break free from the vision. Not this time. A weight pressed down, bringing her to both knees. She was forced to watch through invisible prison walls as her younger self faced the trio of martials. They spoke to her. They'd never done that before, at least not in the vague memories Celeste held of this fateful day.

“You possess our blood but not our spirit. You are unworthy. Begone from this place, never to return.”

Tears sprang from Celeste’s eyes as she and her younger self watched their mother walk away. Her retreating back was the last they would ever see of her. A deep ache burned its way through Celeste's chest, infecting her limbs with a weight impossible to resist. It wasn't losing a woman she barely remembered that caused the ache; it was the martial's insistence that something was wrong with her. What within an innocent child could be so vile that the clan she was supposed to grow up in would deny her? How could it be bad enough to turn their compassionate smiles into such fierce scowls?

It took years for Celeste to figure out the truth. Her mother, the martials, they were all fake. But not just them; everyone was fake. The moment someone didn’t get just what they wanted from her, they turned vicious and ugly. Celeste was forced to watch as the scene shifted again and again, revealing the 'turn' in hundreds of people she’d encountered throughout her life. She hated them all. She screamed at each and every one, telling them exactly where they could shove their demands and desires. She was not their plaything, their tool. 

She was so much more.

The weight on her limbs trembled. Or perhaps it was her trembling, striving to break free from the pressure. How dare they only come to take and never give in return. How dare they look at her like she was flawed. She was neither broken, nor weak! She would become a goddess, and they would learn the meaning of regret.

A flashfire blazed through Celeste, burning away the ache once and for all. She swore to herself long ago that any who dared approach with a fake smile on their face would be scorched. That conviction crystallized, turning solid and burrowing deep to her core, yet it was imperfect. Something important, vital, was missing, and Celeste knew precisely what it was.

Until recently, it had been all smiles that she spurned, as her experiences proved that not one person was truly genuine. However, the world wasn’t kind enough to be so black and white. Celeste met what could only be called real companionship in Mel. The older woman desired nothing from Celeste other than a daily challenge on the arena’s sands, and an ear to fill with gossip. 

Then there was Raine. He didn't leer at her chest or ass. No, all he wanted from her was excellence, and that, she desired more than anything in this world. His smiles were the most sincere; she could hear the thoughts behind each one. Best of all, the way he taught her clicked instantly; there was no rigidity, no forms or katas; it was all flow, fluidity, and aggression. Every hour Celeste spent under his harsh lessons brought her one step closer to the perfection she craved.

Both of them had become treasures that sparkled like diamonds in a dragon’s hoard. Directing fury toward either of them was just as vile as the fake smiles and insinuations of unworthiness. 

The missing piece to the puzzle in Celeste's heart clicked into place. Her back arched as she floated off the ground. The crystalized mass of emotions bubbled forth to explode outward in a scream that shattered the invisible walls. The air rippled as pure mental energy washed away the false inadequacies, turning the old nightmare into dust that could never hurt her again.

Celeste felt reborn, and this was only the start. Raine would continue to push her, more than she ever could herself. She would become more deadly with every day. Whatever flaw those martials thought existed was meaningless before what she was becoming. Soon, the world would see what she was truly capable of. And if they tried to push her down again, they would feel her scream.

***

Celeste woke softly, swaddled in comfort and warmth. She luxuriated in the smooth fabric against her skin and the intense, pleasurable heat enveloping her side. Instinctively, she turned toward that heat, wanting to feel that everywhere as she drifted back to sleep. The heat was coming from a large, hard lump taking up at least half of her bed. A hard lump that very much should not be in her bed.

Celeste’s eyes shot open, and she sat up in a rush to find Raine blinking over at her. He yawned, hair a mess, which somehow only added to his overly man-pretty features. He made no other move to get the fuck out of her bed. Except, it wasn't Celeste's bed at all. Raine’s eyes drifted down for the briefest moment before he turned away with pursed lips and an appreciative whistle.

Celeste never moved so fast in her life, clutching loose sheets to her chest to cover her nudity. The calmness in her voice surprised both of them, “Why am I in your bed… naked?”

Raine didn’t answer immediately, as though waiting for the explosion they both knew should be coming. When Celeste didn’t turn furious, his brows hiked to his hairline, “Do you remember escaping the master?”

Memories came flooding back, pain, desperation, fear, and suffusing it all, frustration at her weakness. Celeste nodded, nostrils flaring. Raine cleared the sleep from his throat, “That’s the state I found you in.” He nodded toward one of the walls. On it was the image of her broken, bruised body. Confused, Celeste lifted a forearm that should have still been healing after being snapped in half.

Raine answered her unasked question, “It’s called ReGen—the drug Dr. Shroufand is developing for me. It healed your injuries and purged a ton of toxins from your body. Your clothes were soaked with… well, puss mostly. I cleaned you off. Your clothes are in the quickwash over there.” Again, Raine gestured with his chin. Otherwise, his body remained unmoving.

There were too many oddities with Raine’s half-explanation for Celeste to make heads or tails of most of it. Meanwhile, the oddity of the usually expressive Raine not moving stuck out to her awakening brain. That was when she realized two of his limbs were bandaged in thick casts. Celeste’s question was out before she thought it through, the first signs of genuine emotion in her tone, “You’re hurt?”

Raine snorted, “And you’re not freaking out.” As usual, his thoughts tumbled into her head.

[Good thing I didn’t actually make that bet. She’s keeping it together like a champ. Genesis must’ve been good for her. It does have a way of changing people. Shedding light on your innermost feelings does that to a person.]

Celeste smiled softly, shaking her head. Without time to process, she couldn’t say for certain if he was right or if her typical anger was merely taking a break. “I’m saving it for later. So, what happened?”

Raine would have shrugged if it were worth it. “I fought the master you escaped from. He’s dead.”

Celeste’s eyes flew wide, a hand coming to her lips as a gentle gasp filled her lungs. She tried to think of something to say, but the revelation that Raine fought the monster who nearly killed her was repeatedly thundering around inside her skull. Uncomfortable heat swarmed up her neck, further polluting Celeste’s headspace. With desperation, she clung to his previous statements, hoping to deflect, “W-what do you mean some drug healed me? How long was I out? What toxins?”

Shit shit shit! What is wrong with me? Stupid heart, calm the fuck down and stop trying to beat your way out of my chest before he notices!

Raine narrowed an eye, giving Celeste a suspicious look that finally made her heart stop thundering; not that freezing entirely was any better. Thankfully, Raine didn't push her and answered, “I’m sure you noticed the sudden increase in Mel’s capabilities?” When Celeste nodded, he continued, “She took ReGen as well. The two of you should be on equal footing again. The toxins part is normal, and so is the healing. I was a bit surprised when you went right into Genesis without waking up first; it should have taken a while after and a few assaults from mental abilities to push you over the edge. I guess after the raid and Jedidiah, you were primed. Anyway, you’ve been out almost a day.”

Celeste shook her head, hair tickling her cheeks, “Wait, are you saying this… ReGen forced me into Genesis?! There aren’t any drugs that can do that. If there were…”

“That’s exactly why the first thing you’re doing is signing a contract to keep your mouth shut. You and Mel are the only two who know what ReGen is capable of. Not even Dr. Shroufand realizes it yet. If we want to maintain that advantage and use it to turn Astra Infernum into an unstoppable juggernaut, then we have to keep it a secret for as long as possible. Until it's too late to slow us down.”

Celeste’s skin prickled, shivers racing out of control all across her body at the prospect. Her once simple dreams of dominating Carter City were nothing compared to how far they could go with a drug that forced Genesis, and a guild of martials trained by Raine using it. If they were ever in a tight spot, then each dose would sell for billions, and the demand would never dry up. They could churn out masters faster than any clan or ruling family in the world; there would be no limit to what they could achieve. 

Celeste swallowed twice before finding her voice, “The martial families would kill everyone in Carter to keep that kind of thing a secret. I don’t have a death wish. I’ll sign.”

“Good. I’m glad you understand,” Raine nodded. An awkward silence stretched between them. “I took VRvods of everything that happened while you were out. Watch them in the living room while practicing your killing intent. Morty will be ecstatic to have a guinea pig for his experiments.”

“E-experiments? What does that mean?!”

Raine groaned to hold in a chuckle, “We’re trying to grow vital nutrients. You’ll see. Just do what he tells you.”

Celeste nodded slowly, still not understanding, “Oh, okay?” Their gazes locked for several long seconds before she spoke again, trepidation coloring her tone, ”Can you… close your eyes or something so I can get dressed?”

Raine’s lips pursed in thought, and Celeste’s jaw unhinged, falling slightly, trapped in appreciation of his perfectly chiseled features. She much preferred his ugly face in ZionLine; it was significantly easier to look at without getting lost. His words, despite their joking deliver, didn’t at all help the ball of confusion rattling around in her skull and chest. “I saved your life, avenged you by fighting a master in the top thousand rankings, and I don't even get a little show? Fine, fine. I see how it is.”

That’s it?! Why are your thoughts so damn quiet at the most important moments?

Celeste tried to fall back on the venomous disgust that was her go-to response for men. She reached for the emotion and couldn’t find it. Betrayal at how excited the situation was making her colored her cheeks. Not knowing what to say or where to look, she snatched the sheet close, wielding it as a shield to protect herself from the storm within and the eyes without. Celeste didn’t know if he watched her cross the room and get dressed, but the thought of it sent fresh shivers up her spine. By the time she was done and looked back, he appeared to be sleeping.

Disgusted by her disappointment, she stormed from the room, an ember of the usual fire simmering in her chest.

***

Raine slept like the dead right up until Pamalaiha called. Realizing who it was, he inhaled sharply. The burst of air combined in his lungs with the forceful beats of his heart, flooding his brain with oxygen-soaked blood. Fully conscious, Raine answered the voice-only call, “Doctor. Everything okay?”

“No,” came the curt response. Pamalaiha sneered, voice choked with derision, “I failed. That woman is treacherous to her bones. No clan would abide someone so willing to sacrifice their own people to save themselves. At least, not among those of lowly rank.”

Who cares about Vaneese?!

“I wasn't talking about her.” Raine blurted, then forced himself to calm down, “I’ll be more specific; are you hurt?”

The call was silent for several seconds before she answered by swapping to a video feed. Raine sighed upon seeing her hale and healthy if clearly exhausted. She was dressed in casual wear, relaxing on a stiff couch in an apartment-style living room. Something about the setting triggered Raine’s subconscious. He latched onto the little inconsistencies, quickly realizing what was bothering him: the art on the walls were typical frames with stock images, the couch she was sitting on was freshly vacuumed, and every little piece of furniture was perfectly angled to align with those around them.

Wherever Pamalaiha was, it was no home. She may as well have snuck into a complex’s showcase unit. Considering her skills, that may be just what she’d done. Raine let it go. Her personal life was none of his business. “Thanks. And thank you for helping Mel. I should have considered they would use a rooftop as an exit strategy. I almost got her killed.”

Pamalaiha waved off his gratitude. “There is nothing unusual about rescuing my assistant. Please relay to her that I expect her in the lab at 6 AM. Now, what emergency prompted you to message me…” Pamalaiha paused to check her watch, “seventeen times?”

“I’ll let Mel know. I want to take another dose of ReGen. Were there any results from my blood that make another dose so soon a bad idea?”

“The earliest I’ll know is the morning. I would advise caution. The changes wrought by the formula are multifaceted and beyond expectation. The potential for overdose is high.”

Raine nodded, “That’s exactly why I haven’t taken more yet.”

Raine briefly considered asking her directly for the details of quenching and tempering but thought better of it for the same reasons as last time; if Pamalaiha discovered that he didn't know the most basic principles of advancing as a master, she might vanish, taking her expertise of ReGen with her. From any sane perspective, Raine’s chances of enacting vengeance upon the vaunted Noroji Clan were abysmally low. Anything furthering that misconception had to be avoided.

When the conversation failed to proceed, Pamalaiha was quick to disable the video feed, “If there’s nothing else, I require sleep.”

“Understood. I’m glad you’re safe. I don’t want to see you taking risks like that again. You’re an integral part of my plans, Doctor.”

There was another long pause. When Pamalaiha spoke, her voice was soft, “Likewise… I would prefer if the next master you faced was done so in the dark and not on a stage where all I can do is watch.” She hung up before he could respond.

In the dark? Was that a ninja's way of saying she cares? Nah. They're just crazy like that.

Raine immediately messaged Mel about her early morning task, to which she was un-shockingly exuberant. Raine sighed, blinking at the ceiling. While he could force sleep by restricting the flow of blood to his brain, the thought was sickening. He’d slept long enough. It was time to move, and he knew just what task required his personal input the most. Well, technically, Morty had already seen to everything that was needed; Astra Infernum’s Carter City Headquarters inside Belehorn Tower should be fully prepared for its morning flood of new employees, but double-checking never hurt anyone.