Fine Thread

*Yeyo, back with another chapter for the day. Yeah, the Xianzhou is pretty boring as an arc, and I just realised this. Too much dialogue, even if it builds the story nicely. I'll do my best to skip the dialogues, hoping that you know what they blabbered about in the game (or don't care enough about that influx of details, since a lot of times it's just extra stuff that I summarize in a few quick words, mentioning the essence of things)

I'll come back with more when I'm done with the next chapter. Until then, peace out and Deus vult.*

In just a few minutes, they were already heading in the Palace of Astrum, led by no one since Tingyun ditched them at the door. Mark's eyes darted left and right, scanning the entire area like he was ready for war, expecting the Cloud Knights to simply gather round and try to arrest them. 

Once inside, one Foxian lady greeted them. It was none other than Yukong, her dark teal hair ruffling softly with each move she made. Mark couldn't help but stare at her ears for a second longer than needed, thinking about ruffling them. 

It all started nicely with a quick greeting, only to do a 180 and end with her refusing the assistance of the Astral Express. Again, Mark wasn't paying too much attention to the details, since they came to him as the conversation went on. 

It went just as he remembered, with the conversation being hard set on them not accepting the help of the Astral Express, ending with a quick pointed jab at the Silver Wolf having hacked the system and allowing them inside. In that moment, Mark finally gave up on his little silent moment, yawning loudly on purpose. 

"Don't go bullshitting us now, Madam Yukong. Listen here, I'm very much aware of what happened. The thing that matters isn't how we know about the disaster, but rather how we can solve the issue faster. You boast about your abilities as the Xianzhou Luofu to fix the issue, and yet here we are, with the Cloud Knights slowly declining in number." 

Mark's words carried a hint of accusation in them, sounding sharper than expected. The thing is, he didn't like watching others die for no reason. If they could help, the problem would be solved way easier. Yukong tried to refute his claim, but the one who came to his aid was none other than the General, even if just as a hologram. 

"Don't be too harsh, Yukong. If this gets out, the whole alliance will think the Alliance has forgotten how to treat our guests." 

Mark nodded, silently thanking the general for his intervention. Still, the conversation went on with boring introductions, more pleasantries, and the type of things that Mark had grown tired of. Yet, again, as expected, the general himself denied their help, stating that it's a Xianzhou matter that doesn't involve them. 

Mark nearly began chattering, but he knew better, so he stopped. Instead, the General brought up a 'favor' that he needed their help with. Yukong simply looked down to the side, glaring subtly at Mark, who bore a smug smirk. 

"Hehe, the General himself came to our aid," muttered Mark to the others, his proud smirk not leaving. 

Indeed, the hologram came to their side, arms crossed. He stood tall, even in that form, his presence fit for a general, a bit taller than Mark with an even more imposing physique. 

The matter was simple: catch Kafka, who was hidden abroad on the ship. Hearing that, Mark's mind went in two directions. One: get some alone time with her to talk away about something he wanted to know. Two: try to not let her tie you up and end up used as bait. 

"Easier said than done. I have a feeling I'll get screwed, but I need to talk with just her, between four eyes. I'll tell the others when the time is right, and only if needed." 

The General finished with the request, waiting for an answer. Mark smirked, shrugging. 

"Sure, we'll help. Nice way to check if we're really not in cahoots with them, and even if that were the case, to keep appearances, we'd have to give Kafka in, thus allowing you to reap the benefits either way." 

Mark nodded, his gaze pretty stern. 

"Sharp one, General, sharp... I feel a bit betrayed by the lack of trust, but I understand where it's coming from. No worries, we'll make sure to bring her in, and then you can lure Blade back as well, since I'm pretty sure he escaped or something." 

The hologram betrayed no emotion, same as how conversing with Kafka had gone. Still, the General willingly smiled, giving Mark a hint of something. 

"I see. Not bad. No wonder the Astral Express is so well known. Peculiar people tend to gather there." 

Welt gave Mark a side glance, somewhat stupefied by his blatant comment, but nonetheless, stopping someone like him was impossible most of the time. 

"I'm just some guy, General. Welp, we'll be off to look for her, just tell everyone to not interfere or try to stop us randomly." 

With that, Mark motioned for everyone to head off outside. Still, he glanced over his shoulder. 

"Oh, and General? Sorry for the rough start, but you know how it is. You gotta show that you got some bite in you, even if we're friends." 

With that, the group found their way outside. March looked at Mark, a bit confused. 

"Where did you even know about those things, Mark?" 

He shrugged, playing it off. 

"You know me. I come in with random knowledge at times. Just say thanks and let's get this over with. The entire situation is pretty boring, with waaay too much chatter left and right. I need some action, to move a little." 

Stelle chuckled along with March, both of them thinking that he's a bit childish, but that's what made him who he is. The mix between dumb and sometimes genius was perfectly balanced within him. 

"It was interesting, Mark, however, I advise you to take better care next time you try doing such a thing. Revealing all your information so carelessly could be detrimental to the entire mission." 

Welt's remark held value, the advice being perfect given, but he didn't know that Mark had just a tiny bit more insight than the average person. 

"Sorry, Mister Welt, but I had to do what I had to do. Sure, Madam Yukong must hate me now, and the General is surely thinking that I should be placed under supervision, but it's worth it in the end. After all, what can I say? We need a wildcard in this game of power." 

His last words were a bit odd, even for his usual behavior, leaving Stelle and March confused. Welt, however, made quick work of them, understanding that the wildcard Mark was referring to was someone who could keep them guessing and always on the lookout for the unexpected. 

In the meantime, the entire discussion that Jing Yuan had with Fu Xuan came to his mind, the information flowing in effortlessly. He still wondered what sort of seal was placed on his mind and how far it could be pushed before it cracks, but the idea of balance that the voice spoke up made sure to keep him from doing something rash. The last thing he wanted was to cause too much trouble and end up with the world itself trying to take him out. 

"Mhhh, let's just let Tingyun talk away with them. Meanwhile, I should take a stroll around. My memories of the location where Kafka is are slowly coming to light, the burden from forcing them out becoming lighter and lighter the closer the moment gets. This should be a good way to at least keep track of some things without having access to my memories." 

As Tingyun invited the others to stay at a fancy place with all the expenses covered, Mark put a hand on his chin, tapping his index finger lightly against it as he thought. Without waiting more, he pried the memory out from the clutches of forgetfulness, ushering it into his mind. In one swift motion, he wiped the blood away, forcing his body to stand upright despite the vertigo. 

"Time I meddle in with this whole business of theirs." 

Just as the group was about to depart, Mark tapped Welt on the shoulder. 

"Mister Welt, I'll be going ahead. Meanwhile, please keep an eye on Tingyun here. I have a bad feeling about her." 

He nodded, allowing Mark to head off on his own. With the pipe moving subtly as he went, Tingyun failed to notice his departure, and so did Stelle and March. Mark had free reign, even if he was sure that the Cloud Knights would keep watch over him. Still, he didn't allow it to bother him, focusing solely on his own mission: intercepting Kafka earlier and talking about the things he wanted to know. 

His walk to the Stargazer Navalia was uneventful, his presence going undetected for most of the time. Still, even when the Cloud Knights would try to question him, he'd simply answer with 'I'm sure the General told you about me,' walking along his way like nothing bothered him. 

"Ok, this should be the place. Yes, eerily silent, with monsters crawling around, a lot of mara-struck soldiers, some other mara creatures, probably from the Abundance or whatever sort of thing the Stellaron worked with in this case. Yeah, should be a pretty nice adventure." 

He didn't bother touching the clues, since they weren't his to meddle with. Plus, he lacked a need for them since his aim was close. The monsters tried flocking him, but Mark chose to use his brains. He'd climb up the fences, holding himself steadily before smacking down with the end of the pipe he had done in that one mara-struck soldier at first. 

Clanks filled the air along with slushing noises as Mark kept hitting on and on, using the height to his advantage. 

"I have the high ground... didn't I do this before on Belobog or something? Doesn't matter. Take this, mindless zombies!" 

He kept striking down, hitting over and over until the weird fish-like creatures came to him, spitting fire. In that moment, he found himself in the position of a piece of meat ready to be fried. 

"O hell no!" 

He simply leaped over the fence, leaving the creatures stuck behind, betting that finding the stairs or a way around would take them more time than it'd take him to simply walk away. Satisfied, his steps carried him around, walking in the open to pretty much attract Kafka from whatever corner she may be lurking in. 

"Now, where the hell is this woman?" he muttered, looking around. Slowly, he felt something itch around his neck, but by that moment it was too late. 

"Looking for me?" 

It was Kafka, who had made sure to nicely set the scene before he could get there. The strings that she used were pretty solid, and flexing his neck would most likely end up with some not so nice cuts in his flesh. 

"Shit," he sputtered.