Star Hedonist-Chapter 4: Dead End

"WHAAAAAAAAH!!!"

A scream.

A scream of pure agony and terror. Echoing through the dust-choked chamber.

A final scream.

And then— Silence.

The pirate leader. The few men he has left.

And Clara.

All of them turn toward the sound.

Something emerges from the swirling haze of dust.

"WATCH OUT!!!"

The pirate leader shouts.

His men snap their rifles up.

They aim.

They prepare.

But what rolls out of the darkness—

...

Is something small. Oval. Wet.

*THUD*

It hits the ground.

Rolling toward the pirate leader's feet.

Leaving a warm, crimson trail.

Blood.

A severed head.

One of his men.

"..."

The eyes—

Still wide with terror.

Frozen in absolute horror.

"This..."

The remaining pirates freeze.

Staring at the head.

Staring at the expression of fear still carved into its face.

Then—

One of them whispers.

"Monster."

Another joins him—

His voice shaking.

"It's..."

"A FUCKING—"

"MONSTER!!"

The pirates break.

Panic explodes.

Their fingers slam onto their triggers.

They fire wildly into the shadows.

Bullets flood the chamber.

A storm of gunfire.

A rain of lead.

They focus everything on the mysterious man in the dark.

But—

They've forgotten something.

They've forgotten Clara.

And she's not wasting the opportunity.

"You're DONE!"

Her captors release her.

They're too distracted.

Too afraid of the real predator.

And that's all she needs.

*Shoosh*

*BAM*

With lightning speed, she spins on her heel.

A high kick slams into the chest of a pirate firing his assault rifle.

His body flies forward.

Crashes into the ground.

And—

He lands face-to-face with two pale feet.

"N-NO...!"

RIP.

His head rolls away before he can even see his executioner.

Meanwhile—

Clara tumbles forward.

Rolling across the stone floor.

Her hands find the fallen rifle.

She grabs it.

Flips onto her feet.

And fires immediately.

*RATATATATA!!!*

The assault rifle kicks hard.

Heavy. Brutal.

7.62×51mm armor-piercing rounds.

Each one tipped with reinforced steel.

Designed to kill.

The weapon is massive in Clara's hands.

Almost too big.

But she holds steady.

Even as the recoil slams into her.

Even as her entire body trembles from the power.

She doesn't need perfect accuracy.

She just needs to aim in their direction.

And they fall.

One by one.

Within seconds.

The devastating force of the rifle shreds them apart.

Ripping.

Piercing.

Breaking bone.

Turning flesh into pulp.

The pirates collapse.

Their bodies in pieces.

Blood coating the walls.

The gunfire is deafening.

The chamber shakes with every shot.

Clara feels the weapon vibrate in her grip.

Empty shells rain onto the floor.

Clinking like a metal storm.

The pirate leader turns.

His focus had been on the monster in the dark.

But now—

Now he knows.

He has to deal with Clara first.

His face twists in fury.

"YOU BITCH!"

...

*CLICK*

The pirate leader cocks his shotgun.

Aimed directly at Clara.

Only a few meters separate them.

At this distance—

The titanium shrapnel blast will rip her apart.

Thousands of tiny, burning fragments will turn her into dust and meat.

Clara doesn't see him.

She is too focused.

Too caught up in the kill.

Eliminating the last pirates shooting at her protector.

Everything happens too fast.

Just as the final pirate falls—

She catches the metallic glint of the shotgun.

...

Too late.

Clara is tired.

Her arms ache.

The rifle in her hands burns hot. Heavy.

She knows she can't react in time.

She's done.

The pirate leader, enraged and desperate—

Pulls the trigger.

*BANG!*

The bright titanium storm explodes.

Tearing through everything in its path.

Clara's eyes instinctively shut against the blinding flash of light.

She waits for pain.

For her body to be torn apart.

For her bones to shatter.

But—

*SMASH*

The sound that follows—

Is not the sound of her flesh being destroyed.

But the sound of something solid being hit.

A wall.

"How?!"

Clara's eyes snap open.

And she sees—

The pirate leader.

Shaking. Convulsing.

His shotgun still in his hands—

But now pointed toward the ceiling.

Because—

A pale arm has burst through his chest.

Tearing through flesh and ribs like an overripe fruit.

Like peeling an orange inside out.

And in that pale hand—

Still beating.

Still pulsing.

His heart.

The same hand that had touched Clara so gently before.

Now—

Dripping with blood.

"A-a-arrrg-ghh..."

The pirate leader trembles.

His body enhanced by cybernetic modifications.

His muscles reinforced with cutting-edge tech.

That's the only reason he's still alive.

Holding onto the last thread of life.

But this isn't a blessing.

It's a nightmare.

Blood and foam spill from his lips.

His nervous system spasms.

The pain is indescribable.

He can't breathe.

He can't move.

He can only watch.

As his own heart twitches in that pale, merciless grip.

"Not so fast!"

Clara throws the rifle aside.

She drops low.

Rolls.

And snatches up her pistol in one fluid motion.

By the time she rises to her feet—

She's already pressing the barrel against his mouth.

"I told you I'd kill you, didn't I?"

Her lips curl into a victorious smile.

Her eyes burn with vengeance.

The pirate leader—

He just wants it to be over.

But—

The mysterious man behind him

TWISTS HIS ARM.

Fresh waves of agony tear through his body.

"ARRRHHH!!!"

He screams.

He never knew pain could be like this.

But it gets worse.

Clara presses the gun harder against his teeth.

His body shudders.

Something warm runs down his legs.

And then—

Something worse behind.

Clara leans in.

Her voice drops.

Cold. Cruel.

Mocking.

"Now tell me..."

She tilts her head.

Smirking.

Her words shatter what little pride he had left.

"Are you already shitting yourself?"

'YOU BIT—'

*BAMG*

He doesn't even finish.

She pulls the trigger.

...

That last bullet.

It could only be for him.

The pirate leader's head explodes.

*CRASH*

Blood and brain matter splatter against the cold, ancient stone.

His decapitated body slumps forward—

Sliding off the pale arm that had impaled him.

And revealing—

The mysterious man behind him.

Standing there.

His skin is white as moonlight.

Now painted in crimson.

His expression?

Calm.

Confident.

Unbothered.

But—

When his ghostly white eyes meet Clara's crystal blue ones...

He smiles.

Not a cocky smirk.

Not a sinister grin.

A gentle, warm smile.

And Clara—

Without realizing it—

She is smiling back.

Her eyes sparkle.

Like two luminous pearls.

She tries to think of something to say.

Thank you?

I'm so glad you're not dead?

LET'S FUCKING GO?!

In the end—

She follows her heart.

*Shoosh*

She jumps into his arms.

And he catches her.

She clings to him.

With all the strength she has left.

Her face buries into his bare, blood-soaked chest.

She shudders.

Softly.

A small sob escapes.

A few tears of relief.

Of pure, raw joy.

Clara is a strong woman.

But she just survived hell.

A brush with death.

That does things to people.

So—

For just a few seconds—

She allows herself to be a girl.

To be human.

And her silent protector—

He remains.

A mountain.

Solid.

Unyielding.

Unshakable.

Gentle.

A bastion of warmth.

"Just let me..."

She whispers, her eyes closing.

She inhales deeply.

And—

Even covered in blood and death—

He still smells incredible.

"...Hold you like this."

The mysterious man watches her.

His soft smile grows.

Pleased. Content.

His large hands drift slowly down her back.

Resting just above her hips.

Everything fits perfectly.

The moment is perfect.

If not for—

The entire chamber trembling.

Chunks of the ceiling collapse.

Dust rises again.

...

*Shhhshhh*

A crackle of static fills her earpiece.

Then—

A young, excited voice.

"D-Doctor Dravenmoor?!"

"Are you there?"

"C-Clara??"

The signal cuts in and out.

Interference.

Clara's eyes widen.

She quickly presses her earpiece.

"Jex?!"

"Can you hear me?"

"Clara?!"

"Yeah, I'm here!"

The girl on the other end exhales.

Relieved.

But Clara—

Clara is concerned.

"Jex?! Are you guys okay?!"

Clara's voice is sharp. Urgent.

"I heard you're having trouble with a Vhorr'Ka."

"Huh?! My giant nightmare?!"

"Yeah, that one."

"It's wrapping around the Safira!!"

"And it's pulling us into a sand vortex...!"

Jex's voice crackles through static.

"The damn thing is wrecking all external sectors—"

"Comms antennas are down, main weapons—damaged!"

Clara's concern deepens.

It's written all over her face.

Her sharp blue eyes tighten with worry.

Seeing that expression—

The mysterious man shifts.

Uneasy. Confused. Concerned.

"Where's Nyx?!"

Clara fires the next question.

"She hasn't returned from the Thek'Shar camp yet!"

"And the captain? The others??"

Jex doesn't answer immediately.

Instead—

Clara hears a loud, metallic groan.

The sound of crushing steel.

Her heart clenches.

"Jex?!?!"

"Here! Still here!"

"The creature—it's tearing the Safira apart!!"

A fierce, frustrated growl follows.

"How the hell is this worm so damn strong?!?"

Clara grits her teeth.

"The others, Jex! Where are they??"

"Ah! The captain and the rest are still holding off the Crimson Nebula—"

"Trying to buy you time to find the relic!"

Clara shakes her head.

"They're doing a shit job of it—"

"Because I'm covered in pirate blood!!"

Jex's worry deepens.

"But—are YOU okay?!?!"

Clara's eyes flick to the mysterious man.

His gaze is locked onto her.

Watching.

Attentive.

Gentle.

Her expression softens.

"Don't worry."

She exhales.

Her lips curve slightly.

"A friend helped me out..."

"Oh?"

Jex sounds relieved again.

"Thank the good Lord!"

Then—

Her voice tenses again.

"Now hurry back."

"Please, Clara—we need you!"

Clara nods firmly.

"I'm on my way!"

She cuts the comm.

And turns to the mysterious man.

Really looks at him.

His perfect features.

Somehow—

Even more handsome.

His presence.

Somehow—

More familiar.

More comfortable.

She easily loses herself in his serene, confident white eyes.

But then—

She cups his face gently.

"We need to go."

Her voice is firm.

"My friends are in trouble."

"Our ride off this hellhole is under attack."

"And the fucking ceiling is collapsing over our heads!"

The mysterious man tilts his head slightly.

A small, confused smile appearing.

As if her urgency amuses him.

Then—

He reaches out.

His fingers brushing over her cheek.

Gentle.

Not caring at all about the falling debris.

Or the crumbling ruins around them.

Clara laughs softly.

But her expression is slightly desperate.

"You don't understand a single word I'm saying, do you?"

The mysterious man smiles.

Clara shakes her head.

Still holding his face.

"I don't blame you."

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She exhales.

Then—

"How long were you even trapped in that box?"

Her voice lowers.

Softens.

"Probably too long to count, huh?"

"Anyway, let's get the hell out of here!"

She grabs his hand and starts pulling him toward the metallic box at the center of the chamber.

But then—

She stops.

And really looks at him.

Top to bottom.

Her cheeks heat up when her eyes land on a certain... feature.

"You need clothes."

She almost regrets saying it.

"..."

He still stares at her.

Confused. Amused. Curious.

She pinches the collar of her coat between her fingers.

Then slides them down to her waist.

"Clothes."

"This."

His eyes flicker.

He reaches out and touches her coat.

She laughs.

"Not mine!"

She points.

At the body of a pirate lying nearby.

A clean kill.

Shot straight through the head.

His clothes still intact.

"That guy's outfit isn't covered in shit."

"It'll have to do for now."

The mysterious man tilts his head.

Still confused.

Clara shakes her head.

Then—

She points again.

At her own clothes.

At the pirate's clothes.

Then—

At his bare body.

"Clothes."

His eyes brighten.

Like a lightbulb just switched on.

He opens his mouth.

Clara waits.

Expecting him to try saying the word.

But—

No sound comes out.

Instead—

He smiles at her.

Then turns toward the dead pirate.

Clara watches him go.

She crosses her arms.

Her head tilting.

"You're the quiet type."

She nods to herself.

"Got it."

She doesn't realize—

She's smiling.

Watching his broad back.

The way he moves.

The way he carries himself.

"I like your vibe."

She turns.

Heads toward the metallic box at the chamber's center.

"I'm not leaving without you."

She grabs her bag from the ground.

Rummages inside.

Pulls out several thin, flexible metal strips.

Skilled hands.

She places the strips around the box—

A precise, perfect circuit.

The moment she lays the final piece—

The strips glow.

A soft gray light.

Clara presses one.

A strong burst of air blasts downward.

*TREMBLE*

The box lifts.

Suspended in mid-air.

Freed from the stone altar.

"Time to go!"

She turns back.

And sees—

The mysterious man struggling to pull on the pirate's pants.

Clara bursts out laughing.

"Hey, Mr. Clumsy!"

She rushes over.

"Let me help you."

He glances at her.

Still confused.

She grabs the pants.

Holds them open.

He steps into them.

Familiar. Comfortable.

As if they've known each other forever.

Clara pulls the pants up.

But—

She steals one last glance.

At that.

Her face flushes.

Again.

"Let's keep that tucked away, okay?"

A teasing smirk curves her lips.

"Until you know what to do with it."

"Hehe~"

He may not understand her words.

But he gets the feeling.

His hand lifts.

Fingers brushing against her cheek.

His body leans in.

But Clara catches his hand.

"Not the time for that, big one."

She pouts playfully and points up.

"The fucking ceiling collapsing on us, remember?"

He exhales.

Not annoyed—

Just... accepting.

Clara smirks.

Then—

She leans in.

Presses a quick kiss to his lips.

Just a fleeting moment.

Just a fraction of that mystical, powerful energy radiating from his body.

He smiles back.

Soft.

Warm.

"Now it's time to go."

"Say goodbye to your prison."

He doesn't even look back.

His focus—

Is entirely on her.

"Alright..."

Clara grabs his hand and pulls him toward the floating metal box.

But—

As they approach it—

His expression shifts.

Hesitation.

A flicker of unease.

He stares at the box.

Like an old nightmare resurfacing.

Like a wound not yet healed.

Clara's chest tightens.

She gives him a sorry look.

"I know..."

Her voice is gentler now.

"If I had been trapped inside that thing alone—"

"I wouldn't wanna see it again either."

She reaches into her bag.

Pulls out a large cloth.

And throws it over the box.

Covering it.

Then—

She climbs onto it.

And extends her hand.

The mysterious man watches her.

Still uncertain.

She puts on her most honest expression.

"I know you don't understand me."

Her voice is steady. Strong.

"But I need you to trust me."

"You saved my life."

"I won't hand you over."

Her eyes burn. Fierce. Unbreakable.

"Fuck the Ebon Dominion."

She tilts her chin up proudly.

"You're with me now."

"Part of the family."

"And I protect my own."

She thumps her chest.

A bold, proud gesture.

But—

He still seems confused.

Clara pauses.

Then—

She takes his hand.

And places it over her chest.

Right over her heart.

Her blue eyes lock onto his.

"Trust."

She nods.

He feels it. Her heartbeat.

Strong. Steady. Unwavering.

He smiles.

And—

He nods too.

Then—

He steps onto the floating box. Joining her.

Clara grins.

And pulls out a small, cone-shaped device.

She sets it against the edge of the box.

"You better hold on."

She flashes a wild smile.

Then—

Activates the thruster.

A fierce red flame erupts beneath them.

The box rockets forward—

With incredible speed.

"LET'S FUCKING GO!!"

Clara steers them through the collapsing ruins.

Using the thruster's direction to guide them.

They shoot through the passage in the wall.

Down the endless corridors of the pyramid.

The mysterious man glances back.

One last look.

His white eyes hold many emotions.

Hidden memories. A whisper of old pain.

But also— Excitement.

Curiosity.

And—

A thrill for the unknown.