Falling into the Abyss

Chapter 20: Return to Earth (I)

Chapter 20: Return to Earth (I)

Thank you so much Kofi-Supporter, VBaby and Kofi-Supporter for your support Bonus Chapter (1/2)

Ethan dreamt that he had returned home. The artificial sunlight of the Fifth Space Station reflected numerous shadows onto the white cubes making up the villas walls. In the garden, daylilies lined both sides of the short path, the yellow flowers in full bloom. He could see his mother playing the cello through the window on the second floor. She had a ruddy face and didnt look like she had cancer at all. When she saw him coming back, she smiled at him, and he could see the shadow of her gorgeous appearance from when she was younger.

Experiencing such warmth, Ethan felt a tinge of sadness spread through his heart. His eyes were smiling, but he inexplicably wanted to cry. He opened the door and saw his father, Adrian Eldridge, coming out of the bright kitchen with a coffee cup. He was still tall and handsome in his fifties, with a strong Alpha aura and unsmiling appearance. Ethan still felt a bit afraid when his sharp gaze swept towards him.

DadIm back.

Surprisingly, Adrian did not look as disgusted or angry as Ethan thought he would. He simply nodded to him like he did when he was a child and said, Your mother just baked a blueberry pie. Its in the kitchen. Remember to wash your hands. His tone was flat but calm, the same as what he used to use when Ethan was a child and had just come back from playing with the neighbors children.

However, it was this plain tone that caused Ethan to lose control, and tears spilled from his eyes.

And then he woke up. Feeling someone wiping the corners of his eyes, he opened his eyes with a dull frown, as though still confused. A sharp headache swept through his consciousness, and he groaned uncomfortably.

When his memories returned, he suddenly opened his eyes, unable to believe he was still alive.

The scent of a familiar Alpha wafted around Ethans nose, and he realized that someone was nearby. Before he could turn his head, a face that was as delicate as a doll appeared in his somewhat blurred vision. Their curly golden hair was illuminated by white light, causing their reflection to shine on the ceiling, forming a silvery halo.

How do you feel? Tanisiel asked softly.

Ethan reached up to touch his forehead and felt a thick bandage wrapped around it. Headache

His voice was so dry and hoarse that he could hardly recognize it himself. Tanisiel walked away but didnt stray too far from him, and after his footsteps stopped, Ethan heard the sound of water being poured. He sat up, his body feeling a bit heavy, and found himself lying on a clean treatment capsule surrounded by many medical machines. The medical robots arms hung down from the ceiling and rested quietly to the side, reflected onto the iron-gray walls. It was apparent from the light shining from the ceiling that he was no longer in Base No.18.

Where are we? Ethan asked before taking the glass from Tanisiel and gulping its contents down.

Tanisiel replied, Were on the Mothership.

Ethans mind was blank. He should have felt happy. After all, he survived. However, he found that he couldnt laugh and even felt an inexplicable trace of disappointment.

He looked around but didnt see soldiers carrying guns or the chief security officer, and asked, Why am I here? The implication was, why didnt they put him and the other nonhumans below in the cargo hold, just like how they were before. Andhe had even troubled the priest to pour water for him. It seemed that Tanisiel had been by his side for some time.

Suddenly, Tanisiel turned around, sat down on his bed, and looked at him. Something happened while you were in a coma. We left Red Earth using the spaceship we had arrived on and returned to the Mothership, but the people on the mothership had disappeared. Its likely that Shub-niggu devoured them. Your companions have locked up the Earth Unions chief security officer, and they plan to flee.

Flee? They want to escape from the Earth Union?

Ethan was shocked speechless by the news. Tanisiels words were too heavy. He didnt need to return to the Forbidden City? He was free? However, he could never return home again?

Tanisiel was unaware of the thousands of emotions that Ethan was experiencing and continued, There are still three Eves, including me. Were not going to fight the nonhumans, and were not going to use your collars electrocution function to control all of you. However, there are currently a few problems that have not been solved. Within 50 lightyears of Red Earth, there are only barren and dead planets, but we only have enough fuel to reach the Earth Union. If we try to head to other planets rashly, we will run out of fuel and become eternally stranded in the universe.

Whats more, both our collars and the ship itself have tracking systems implanted Ethan whispered, Do they have a way to remove the collars?

Tanisiel shook his head and casually replied, There are less than ten nonhumans who survived. Otto, who was the best at dealing with such technology, is dead. Derek has only hacked into the Motherships mainframe to modify some of its most basic programs. However, the core programs are very complexly encrypted, and he hasnt made any progress with them yet.

What are their plans? Ethan was so nervous that he didnt realize he was grasping tightly to the priests arm, to the point that the veins on his hand were popping out. Tanisiel replied, Theyre going to take the risk and sail in the opposite direction towards the Third Empires planetary territories. For the time being, we Eves will be accompanying all of you as hostages.

Ethan was momentarily stunned before he pulled up his knees and buried his head into his arms, trying to calm his mind. When he looked up, his green eyes were dull. I feel like we wont be able to run away successfully.

Tanisiel looked at him and suddenly asked, What did you dream of?

Ethan was stunned, unable to react immediately to the sudden change in topic.

Tanisiel leaned over with a deep, enchanting gaze, his fingers gently reaching out to the corners of Ethans eyes. Ive felt your dreams. Whether it was this time, or the last time on Red Earth when the goddess of fertilitys consciousness controlled you, your emotions were so rich thatthey were very delicious.

His voice brimmed with allure, while his breath brushed his ears, causing Ethan to feel numb. He was at a loss and felt incredibly awkward in his heart. He didnt know what the Eves could perceive and whether they could see everything in his dreams?

The idea of his private matters being exposed made him very uncomfortable, as though he had been stripped naked. Ethan leaned back slightly and countered in a serious, cold tone, Do you Eves always like to spy on people using this method?

We arent prying. Rather, its you Earthlings whose emotions are too obvious. Youre like an open book. Its more difficult not to read it. Tanisiels lips curved up into a teasing smile as he added, But, I wont deny that I like your emotions very much. Especiallyafter peeling off numerous layers of emotions.

There was an inexplicable perversion in his words, causing Ethan to feel afraid.

What could it beunder all those layers?

Im looking forward to your performance in the Forbidden City. Tanisiel straightened up before placing something on his quilt and walking away.

On the quilt were Ethans glasses. They had obviously been broken before when Ethan was sent flying but were repaired using the Motherships nanomaterial repair machine. He picked up his glasses with somewhat trembling hands and put them on, and the world suddenly became much clearer.

Looking forward to his performance in the Forbidden City

That was to say that the priest had never believed that they would be able to flee successfully.

Ethan was still a little dizzy, so he held onto the wall as he slowly made his way out of the Motherships medical lounge. Their spaceship, The Magic Flute, was meant for long-distance travel and was as big as an island. However, it was now deserted, and not a single human figure could be seen walking around the corridors. Ethan saw some yellow and white mucus in a particular corner and suddenly felt nauseous. Forcing down his vomit, he hurried away.

Most of the nonhumans had gathered in the entertainment lounges and restaurants. Some were playing with cards, while others were playing games or smoking in a daze. When Ethan appeared, he was first noticed by Samuel.

The Omega immediately got up from his seat, striding in front of him and pulling him into a tight hug. It was not a warm embrace, but an action brimming with possessiveness.

Ethan felt a bit confused and immediately thought that Samuel was still acting. After all, he was Samuels pet.

Ethan could sense numerous pairs of eyes focused on them and felt uneasy. However, he forced himself to relax and allow Samuel to hold him.

Finally, the other man separated from him and lifted Ethans face with both of his hands, asking, How do you feel? Tanisiel didnt allow me to go in and see you. He said that you experienced radiation from the God of Orders egg, and he didnt know if you would experience a mutation.

A mutation? Ethan instinctively thought of the strange bug, and all of his hairs stood up.

The God of Order At least he wouldnt be as ugly as the God of Disorders descendants On the contrary, he hoped that he could become like Superman or Spiderman, heroes depicted in one of the ancient Earths legends.

I dont feel any different, Ethan replied dryly.

Its good to hear that youre fine. Samuels eyes drifted to the side, glancing in Cavins direction. He suddenly grasped both sides of Ethans face and kissed him.

Ethan pushed against the other partys firm chest, instinctively trying to push him away. However, Samuel had trained in boxing since he was young and was far stronger than Ethan. Samuel bit his lips roughly and pried open his teeth. When Ethan heard several nonhumans around them whistling, he realized that Samuel was probably doing it to show off to someone.

Had someone suspected Samuel while he was in a coma?

Ethan had no choice but to reciprocate. He closed his eyes and moved his arms to hug Samuels broad back. He felt the Omega jolt slightly, probably surprised that he would cooperate. Ethan inexplicably wanted to laugh, but his mouth was sealed tightly, and the smile turned into a sob. At this moment, he seemed to be enjoying their kiss.

Suddenly, he noticed that Tanisiel had entered the entertainment lounge. The priest was looking in their direction, his gray eyes slightly narrowed, and there was an unfathomable coldness in his eyes.

At that moment, he became extremely flustered and felt an inexplicable sense of shame. He quickly pushed Samuel away, and the other party, noticing his urgent resistance, had to let go of him. Anyway, their play was almost over. Samuel threw a challenging look towards Cavin and casually placed an arm around Ethans shoulder as they walked to the sofa he had just been sitting on. Ethan glanced at the priest out of the corner of his eyes and saw him walking through the entertainment lounge expressionlessly. He didnt know why, but he felt like he was like a student who had just done something wrong and had been caught by his teacher.

It was really puzzling. Wasnt this just a pretend kiss? Why the heck was he so nervous? And it had nothing to do with the priest, right?

It was probably because.the priest had kissed him before, and thus Ethan inexplicably felt like he had betrayed that kiss?

ButTanisiel had just wanted to help him break away from his self-destructive thoughts. Why would a person like him want to kiss a dull Beta like him? Why did he think he was Tanisiels favorite? Ethan listened to Samuel and another nonhumans various shouts as they played cards, and descended into a spiral of self-hate.

kat: tanisiel has been treating ethan so well but samuel needs to step up his game ahhh

Fleur: Ive been reluctant to post the title because it might count as a spoiler but I think everyone knows that theywould return to earth.