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Greetings, viewers.
How is your day today? Wonderful, I hope.
It's been a while, hasn't it? Since it was just us, it really does take me back. Can you believe that it's been 4 months already?
Oh, how time flies.
I still remember how this AU (Alternate Universe) was in its infancy. I worked hard to create it to perfection. All for his sake.
And from the looks of things, he finally found himself again. Wonderful, really. I love seeing (and narrating) his journey.
Do you share the same feeling as well?
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Probably not.
But I'm getting sidetracked here. You all must be wonderful. Why am I interrupting this story once again?
No, I'm not going to hand Xeno a new ability like last time. He'll be getting one soon enough.
...Oops... Oh, well, you know, it's not too big of a spoiler.
Regardless, I'm here because I've seen some of you wanted Xeno to stay. One was particularly passionate about it, that's for sure.
I figured, why not put the main timeline on pause just for a few minutes and view an alternate timeline, where Xeno did accept to stay with Crusch?
The... I'll be honest, I don't have a name for it. I was originally going to call it the "Crusch IF," but there's already a timeline called that, so... for now, I'll be calling it the... "Mirrored Hope" timeline.
It's a placeholder, but it's creative, in my opinion.
So then shall we? Let's see how MH Xeno's live is going.
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Deep within the town of Hanumas, a business deal was taking place inside the basement of a well-built house.
The interior was high maintenance. Not a speck of dust littered the floor, the furniture was pristine, and onto the comfy couch were two men.
The dealer was a man in his late 40s, his aging magenta hair carefully combed. In front of him sat a shady figure, trying to conceal their appearance.
"Luke... Is the item ready?" the shady man asked with caution.
Luke: "Yes, Aaron, I have gotten you the thing you wanted." He whispered, assuring him.
A highly illegal deal was underway, one that would likely spell disaster for someone. Whether that was the hooded man's target or themselves, who knows.
This uncertainty was powerful enough that, despite Luke's repeated reassurance, Aaron couldn't help but be nervous.
Aaron: "Alright, this... Are you sure it'll work?" He asked, picking up the item and inspecting it.
Luke: "Of course it will. I risked too much for it to be faulty or a fake, so don't worry about it." He waved off his skepticism.
Aaron: "Alright, looks good to me. So, Luke, how much for it?" He placed the item back down and turned to look the man in the eyes.
Luke: "The same price, but with a 30% bonus." He laid out his price.
Aaron: "What! We agreed on the price yesterday. Why did you change it? Are you trying to scam me, you bastard!?" He whispered aggressively, slamming his hand on the table lightly.
Luke expected as much, and just like Aaron, this brought much frustration inside him as well. He, with gritted teeth, expressed his emotions.
"I'm not trying to do anything, Aaron. Do you have any idea how difficult smuggling this in was?"
His face turned ugly with rage.
Luke: "Ever since that bastard Ainavol showed up in town, the black market has taken a huge hit. My years of business are declining because of that self-righteous brat. People like us are shaking in their boots because of those damn Eyes of Judgement he possesses. That's not even mentioning how, ever since he improved the security of this town, smuggling stuff in or taking it out has become extremely difficult. Your lucky I even managed this."
Aaron: "..."
The hooded figure went silent, hearing the sheer rage and hatred in his old acquaintance's voice. Falling into thought, he realized he was lucky this item even got here, so he didn't complain too much.
Aaron: "Alright, fine. I'll pay extra, but this better work—" He relented. He only had a short time frame for what he wanted to do.
"But if this fails, I'm going to drag you down with me."
Luke: "It'll work, I guarantee it." He spoke confidently.
"As long as you don't mess up, Ainavol won't—"
"Notice a thing, right?" A mysterious third voice came from beside them.
The men's eyes snapped open, looking towards the side couch. The sight made them tremble in fear.
Luke: "A-A-Ainavol!!!?" He barely managed to yell it out.
Indeed, Ainavol was sitting with one leg over the other, amusement written all over his face.
Ainavol: "Heya." He greeted casually.
The two immediately stumbled out of their seats and attempted to make a run for it. Ainavol didn't try to stop them.
Ainavol: "Heh."
Aaron, being closer to the door, smacked the door open, only to freeze in place. Moments later, Luke did as well.
Waiting for them in the hallway were numerous knights, all of their expressions stone-cold.
Ainavol: "You didn't think I came alone, did you?"
Luke: "H-How is this even possible?" He lost strength in his legs and fell down.
Ainavol: "Your sins were hard to miss." He answered, creaking a smile.
"But that is the last of your worries right now. You two are going away for a long time. Take them away."
He ordered, and the knights wordlessly complied, taking the two of them into custody.
It was over. It was completely over for them.
...
With that fiasco over with, Xeno returned to his current residence in Hanumas, a beautiful and fancy two-story house, it being primarily yellow, red, and white, with blue mixed in.
A place just for him, and it was on the best the town had to offer. Banners of his alliance logo were placed in moderation, as a symbol of power. Showing who owned the place.
Originally, it wasn't as well decorated or screaming that it belonged to Ainavol. But it was modified extensively to show his status.
He wasn't much for luxury-type things, but eh, his assistant insisted on it. Moving on, Xeno entered through the door.
Hanging his cloak on a stand. The place was usually maintained by several maids, but today it was completely vacant under Xeno's command, as he gave everyone a day off.
Isn't he a great boss?
Moving inside the quiet walls, he made his way to the kitchen, intending to drink some juice. Pouring himself some mango juice, he made his way upstairs to his living quarters.
Standing at the door, he took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally. After all, someone very important to him was inside. And considering the stunt he pulled off just now...
He didn't want to imagine what her mood was right now.
Xeno: 'Sigh, no point stalling.' He resigned himself and opened the door, stepping inside.
His room was moderately decorated; he didn't really want fancy stuff. So the only things out of the norm were the bookshelf and large bed.
There, sitting on his bed, reading a book was her, Crusch Karsten. She looked stunning in the nightgown Xeno provided her, her commanding yet immensely soft and tender eye following every word of the book she read.
Crusch's posture was entirely relaxed. At this moment, she didn't appear as a strong-willed military commander, but rather a young woman that gave the impression of a loving...
Xeno: 'Let's not get ahead of myself.' He shook the thought.
Though seeing her did send him down memory lane.
It had been what? A month since that fateful day. Since then, he and Crusch had been living a relatively peaceful life, in each other's presence.
He felt, in what like weeks, at peace with himself. He could truly live the way he wanted: a lazy bum that wanted a ton of affection and doting. The best part? Crusch didn't mind it at all.
She would, whenever she found time, always indulge him. He couldn't ask for a better partner. Not only that, she had begun fully starting to take care of herself, to stop being Crusch Karsten when with him.
In fact, the reason they're even here is because, again, he was called here for a meeting. This time, instead of going alone, Crusch wanted to come along, to spend some alone time with him.
Which brings us here. Xeno had basically spent the entire day outside, not with her.
...
Crusch, upon hearing the door open, looks up, seeing Xeno standing there with a glass of mango juice in his hands.
Xeno: "Uhh... Heya, Crusch." He let out an embarrassed smile, scratching his chin.
Crusch: "Xeno... You're late." She said, her eye growing a bit happier upon seeing him.
Xeno: "Hehe... What can I say... Today was a busy day... Hehe." He felt incredibly awkward facing her.
Crusch didn't respond. Instead, she put her book down and got off the bed, walking towards him.
Crusch: "You had promised you would spend plenty of time with me while we were staying here. Yet the entire day, you barely spared a few moments, Xeno." Her eye sharpened, looking at him intently.
Xeno: "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."
Crusch: "You left me here. I was so lonely inside."
Xeno: "Oh, I, ummm... Sorry, Crusch. I didn't mean for this to happen." He turned his gaze towards the ground in apology.
'She must have missed me a lot.' He thought in sadness, but what is done is done.
"Teehee."
Xeno: "Huh?"
He was confused by her giggle, only to be surprised when Crusch hugged him, burying her head in his chest.
Crusch: "Welcome home, Xeno. I missed you." She said with tenderness, a smile on her face.
Xeno's eyes vanished, realizing he had just been had. Annoyance and embarrassment flared in him.
Xeno: "S-Since when did you have a sense of humour?" He said in mock indignation.
Crusch: "Since a special man showed up in my life." She said, resting her body against him, running circles on his chest with her finger.
Xeno: "Uugh." He didn't have a retort to that. She was actually flirting with him now.
Crusch giggled at his reaction. Seeing that, Xeno, still not liking being played, let out a warm smile.
Xeno: "Well, Crusch... I missed you as well." He patted her hair.
Crusch: "I'm happy to hear that." She said, leaning into his touch, her cheeks turning red.
Xeno: "Still, you're right, Crusch. I did keep you waiting for an entire day." He admitted, a plan already forming in his mind.
"In that case, let's spend the remaining time on a date." He sincerely offered, deciding to man up and take the initiative.
Crusch: "W-What!?" She turned to him in shock.
Xeno: "You heard me. We're going on a date. Sure, it's really late at night and I'm tired, but I have the perfect plan. Just trust me."
Crusch stared at him in surprise for a moment, but then nodded. She trusted him, and besides, she always wanted to do something romantic with him.
...
On the rooftop of his house, Xeno and Crusch had set up a table and chairs, with a variety of food they had both prepared together. Alongside drinks.
To finish it off, Xeno put a candle in the middle of the table. Crusch sat down in her chair when Xeno offered.
Xeno himself didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he walked towards the edge of the roof. Crusch turned to him as he looked into the sky, arms in his pockets.
Crusch: "Is something the matter, Xeno?"
Xeno: "Tell me, Crusch, what do you think of the night sky right now?"
Crusch raised a brow at the sudden question. Still, she looked into the night sky. It was clear, with the full moon hanging up high.
Crusch: "I believe it to be a wonderful sight."
Xeno: "Yeah... Crusch, can I be honest for a moment?"
Crusch: "Of course, what's on your mind?"
Xeno: "Nothing much, I just wanted to give you a present."
Crusch: "A present?"
Xeno: "Yep, here, let me show you something amazing." He said, his pupils turning bright purple, smoke of the same colour leaking from the corners of his eyes.
His hands glowed with purple energy as he spread his arms wide, and before her eyes, something incredible happened.
All over Hanumas, the people watched and pointed towards the rapidly changing night sky, filled with wonder and amazement.
The night sky turned purple. Countless stars scattered across the darkness, some faint and distant, others burning like tiny diamonds against the deep red.
Beneath them, an enormous river of violet and indigo clouds swept across the sky. Near the horizon, the colors grew softer, blending into luminous shades of scarlet and violet.
Here and there, brighter clusters of stars pierced through the cosmic haze, resembling distant lanterns scattered across an endless ocean.
It was...
Crusch: "Beautiful."
Xeno: "It truly is, Crusch... I never had a girlfriend in my life. I'm clueless when it comes to romance. I'm not sure what I'm even supposed to do on a date. What should I say? What should I do? I don't know. What I do know is that I want our first date to be special. I want both of us to look back at this moment. So here's my present to you, Crusch... I hope you like it."
He admitted nervously.
Crusch: "Xeno... I love it." She said, holding a hand on her heart. She felt blessed to know such a beautiful sight was just for her.
Xeno: "Hehe... thanks." He scratched his hair before staring into the sky, reaching a hand out high. Reminiscent.
'Emilia, Rem, everyone... I wonder if you see this. Then...'
Crusch: "Xeno, come, the food is getting cold." She called out.
Xeno: "Right... I'm coming." He pulled his hand back, turning to walk back.
'Then, I wonder if you're happy for me.'