Crossing the vast expanse of stars has long been humanity's enduring dream. Through technological advancements, modern people have achieved this feat.
However, it required confinement within layers of sealed steel machinery—at the very least, donning thick and enclosed protective armor—just to endure brief moments amidst the pitch-black cosmos.
Now, aboard a sleek silver shuttle, two figures sat facing each other. One clad in silvery-white, the other in light gray; their hair gently floated due to inertia. Unobstructed by any barriers around them, the backdrop revealed a colossal blue planet against the boundless darkness beyond.
This was outer space, a monumental achievement defying conventional notions of life itself.
Fu Hua's delicate brows furrowed slightly, her complexion somewhat pale.
"Feeling uncomfortable?" Zeke asked indifferently as he made his move, placing a jet-black metallic piece on the magnetic chessboard between them.
Playing chess amid the stars might be either incredibly impressive or utterly absurd—but when journeying with Fu Hua, Zeke deemed such a spectacle fitting.
It is widely known that sound cannot travel through vacuum.
Sound inherently relies on vibrations, requiring a medium to transmit these waves to the eardrum for humans to perceive.
In a vacuum, there's no medium for sound transmission, but Honkai Energy can carry vibrational energy.
Thus, Zeke could speak. If asked how such an astonishing feat was possible—well, it's all thanks to superior intellect and unparalleled skills!
"Hmm, slightly uncomfortable," Fu Hua replied, her voice directly resonating in Zeke's mind. While she couldn't match Zeke's intricate technique, telepathic communication posed no challenge to the wielder of Fenghuang Down.
She then placed a white piece on the board.
Zeke glanced at the chessboard, envisioning countless possibilities within his mind, before making his next move. He said, "Don't resist the changes your body is undergoing; you can adapt to this environment. Perhaps during the fierce civilizational struggles of the previous era, you've already experienced similar conditions, only that you've forgotten them."
"I will adapt. Indeed, future wars may extend beyond our planet, so failing to acclimate would leave us vulnerable," Fu Hua responded. Through their mental connection, Zeke distinctly felt the undertones of resignation yet unwavering determination in her words.
Zeke nodded and continued, "Don't be confined by this so-called human form. Whether you're human or not is determined by your heart and attitude, not physical capabilities. We must acknowledge that from the moment we became MANTIS, we ceased to be ordinary. Immortal and ageless, unbound by needs like drinking, eating, or breathing—most vulnerabilities considered fatal to others now mean little more to us than a cut on the back of our hand."
As Zeke placed another piece, Fu Hua's frown deepened.
Why did it feel like no matter how she changed her strategy, Zeke always managed to corner her within just a few moves? Was the disparity in their chess skills truly that vast?
Then, Zeke continued, "You have a heartbeat, breathe, maintain body temperature, and bleed red when injured, but those are merely superficial similarities. In reality, your genetic composition and structure, as well as the mechanisms and strength of each cell, are fundamentally different from those of an average person."
Fu Hua looked up at Zeke's expression, devoid of any fluctuation, realizing he seemed to be conducting a lesson.
"From the moment you ventured into deep space, a new mechanism began operating within your veins. No longer is it oxygen or your heart that propels your blood flow; instead, it's Honkai Energy. Your internal environment automatically adjusts to adapt to the vacuum outside. Your skin cells become highly active, rejoicing as they finally find purpose beyond being confined within a planet. They fortify themselves, ensuring that despite retaining its smooth, porcelain-like appearance, your skin now perfectly shields against the cold depths of space and lethal radiation. It even absorbs trace elements from the cosmos, sustaining your bodily functions."
As Zeke spoke, he gently took Fu Hua's hand and lightly traced her delicate, jade-like arm, creating a subtle tingling sensation.
This was purely educational, devoid of any romantic undertones, yet Fu Hua still blushed slightly.
In her fragmented memories, she had never experienced such intimate contact with the opposite sex. Even intuitively, during those long-lost years, she felt certain there would be no instances like this.
Quickly regaining her composure, Fu Hua calmly observed Zeke while absorbing his explanations. Unlike impulsive young girls who might either bristle with anger or swoon over Zeke's flawless beauty, she remained steady.
Zeke then released her hand and gently lifted a strand of her soft, light gray hair, continuing:
"Your body is adapting to this environment, from your vital organs and limbs down to every blood cell, even each strand of hair. It's automatically adjusting itself to sustain you in deep space. Don't resist these changes... Hmm? Why is your face so red? Are you feeling any other discomfort?"
"...No, please continue."
Fu Hua's voice echoed in Zeke's mind.
However, telepathic communication conveyed emotions strongly, making him sense something unusual—a peculiar feeling, almost like... panic?
"Is it because we've left the planet? Don't worry; I have all the navigation paths memorized. Even if the ship malfunctions, I can use the propulsion of the Cleaver of Shamash to bring us back."
"Mm-hmm..."
"Are you genuinely feeling unwell? Could it be due to your menstrual cycle? Hmm? I haven't actually researched this aspect for female Fusion fighters; would it be convenient for me...?"
"I'm fine now. Let's continue our game," Fu Hua firmly responded in Zeke's mind.
Zeke paused momentarily and nodded with slight disappointment.
His disappointment was genuine. Having never explored this research topic before, his curiosity piqued only to remain unsatisfied—an absolute torment for a science fanatic like him.
As a result, on the Go board, Zeke effortlessly trounced Fu Hua.
After three minutes, Fu Hua held a white stone, staring at the hopeless state of the gameboard. Her eye twitched slightly as she crushed the metal piece in her hand.
"Wanna keep playing?"
"No, my skills clearly fall short. I concede."
"It wasn't exactly fair competition. You were using strategies, patterns, and overall board dynamics, while I relied solely on calculations. In terms of computational chess abilities, probably only Otto and Dr. Ein could match wits with me worldwide. As for Dr. Tesla... I can't even imagine her calmly playing a game."
"I sense that you have quite a high opinion of Otto."
Fu Hua sat cross-legged, hands resting on her knees, and tilted her head slightly, curiosity gleaming in her clear, bright eyes.
Zeke smiled faintly.
"He's a madman, but you can't deny he's both a genius and a titan."
"I've never questioned his abilities or contributions; otherwise, during those days when my powers were waning, I wouldn't have sought his protection for Shenzhou. However, dealing with a ferocious beast rarely ends well. Otto is far more than just a vicious predator; you must be cautious."
"I hold onto his deepest vulnerability, yet even then, I've never underestimated his terror. Rest assured, compared to you, I am indeed safer. On the contrary, I'm curious—what emboldens you to approach Otto so willingly? Honestly speaking, given your straightforward and trusting nature, Fuxi might have sold you out multiple times already, while you'd still help her count the money."
"Fuxi... who knows, during those years I cannot remember, she may have truly betrayed me several times?" Fu Hua's lips curved upwards gently.
After the Book of Fuxi was reborn, Fu Hua often displayed this change. No longer resembling a lifeless, exquisite doll, she had reawakened from deep within her soul, becoming closer to a cool yet gentle young girl.
Zeke raised an eyebrow. "And it doesn't bother you to be sold out like that?"
"Why should I be upset? As someone who occasionally forgets everyone around me, if selling me brings joy to Fuxi, it's perfectly fine for her to do so every now and then. As long as... she doesn't mind having me around."
"That's excessively self-deprecating."
Zeke shook his head and continued, "Fuxi herself has said that your existence is her purpose. Don't be too humble or overly cautious; it might only make her worry more."
Fu Hua fell silent for a moment, not audibly sighing but visibly appearing to do so. She then said, "Perhaps you're right, but there's little I can do about it. When Fuxi first awakened, I had absolutely no memories of her. However, while memories may fade, some things remain unchanged. The feeling of regaining something lost, especially for someone like me who often loses touch with the past, is truly hard to express. In any case, by bringing back treasures even I had forgotten, your kindness is immeasurable. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. It was merely a tactic to gain your favor, and it worked better than I anticipated."
"...You're quite blunt, aren't you?"
"Unless necessary, I always prefer honesty. Randomly lying wastes time and mental energy. Speaking of which, there is actually something I need your assistance with."
"Let's get straight to the point."
"Can I study your psychological condition?"
"Huh?" Fu Hua blinked, looking utterly bewildered and adorable.
Zeke stroked his chin, his expression grave as he said,
"As a MANTIS now, despite the flawless experimental design that allowed me to reach this level, I'm nearing my limits. Just like you, from here on, I'll have a long lifespan and perpetual youth—lasting one or two centuries should be no issue. For thousands or even millions of years, assuming my body remains intact, mental stability will inevitably become a concern. Of course, I doubt your experiences would offer much insight; with frequent memory loss, you still maintain a straightforward demeanor akin to a student... However, Otto's psychology might prove more valuable."
Zeke spoke earnestly, but Fu Hua shook her head, caught between laughter and tears.
"You certainly think far ahead and comprehensively. Alright, feel free to approach me whenever needed. As for Otto, just be cautious. Wishing you fruitful findings."
"Thank you. We have thirteen hours left until reaching the moon, while Kiana and the others will take another two days. Would you like some movies or games? Don't worry, the equipment I've provided is robust enough for space conditions. Alternatively, you could catch up on sleep?"
"No need. I'll just gaze at the stars for a bit longer—they're quite beautiful," Fu Hua replied leisurely.
Zeke nodded in agreement.
Indeed, the starry sky was breathtaking. It would have been even more so if not for Kiana's predicament.
As Zeke looked up at the rapidly growing image of the moon, he sighed inwardly—once this issue is resolved, he decided, she'd better start with 120 sets of worksheets first. Keeping her mind occupied might prevent such wild speculations from arising again.