Null and Theef

After a brief introduction between the two, Null and the newly acquainted Theef were enjoying some cheap nutrient bars and vitamin water— curtesy of the latter.

"So where were you, y'know on the other side of that huge space crack." The conversation naturally veered towards backgrounds.

"Somewhere forbidden. Somewhere with an item so rare that it was guarded by a Celestial's Prisoner."

Theef was from a race that risked everything for rare and valuable treasures.

They stole, fought, killed, waged wars and even betrayed one another for the sake of any object of their desire.

But Theef was less inclined to resort to violence; his expertise lay in tracking, surveillance, and stealth. 

"I knew the weaknesses and loopholes in the restrictions placed on the prisoner after spending months observing him. I knew his schedule, his thought process, his mannerisms, his interests, almost everything was planned exactly as I wanted it to be," his raspy voice went silent. 

Frustration surfaced on the face of the stranded bandit.

"The Tear of Azalea, named after the fallen Shaman of the Ice Troll tribe after being betrayed by her lover for her insanely crazy ass rejuvenating blood that could equate to the most powerful healing elixir."

"Before using a sacrificial spell, she shed this tear, infused with all of her sadness, and froze her lover's body down to the last quark as he fell apart into a sheet of ice. But get this, the tear was considered to be a legendary revival artifact that could bring back the dead!"

Null enjoyed the enthusiasm of Theef's retelling of the story. But noticed a frown on the side face of the pink-skinned bandit.

"Anyways, that monster back then, the prisoner you were speaking about called you a thief didn't he? So does that mean...," Null's speech halted in speculation.

"Hehehe. What do you think has been cooling our drinks!" He showcased a makeshift refrigerator with the tear slotted inside, cooling the space inside greatly. 

"What kind of idiot steals a divine item just to function as a mini fridge. Haha!" Null and Theef were in tears at the absurdity.

"I'd say it's in better care with me and my other goodies. Wanna see the rest of my stash?" Theef offered in the most enticing manner.

"BUST IT OUT!" Null was excited to experience the new world outside his previous isolated life. 

Theef brought out a small chest the size of his palm to the puzzled Null. 

'Don't tell me that's it?' Null figured it had to be special somehow if it was part of a stash.

But he soon understood just how wrong he was as the chest grew big enough to fit the both of them!

Null stood speechless, jaw on the floor.

Meanwhile, Theef took out a plethora of unique items— some glowing, some sparking, some... alive?

"Feast your eyes on my beauties! Haha!" Theef was yet to elucidate the functions and uses of each as he was enjoying Null's baffled expression.

"These are supposed to be one of a kind, legendary treasures, right? Why the fuck are there so many," Null was disgusted at the wealth of the fake hobo, now considering him some wealthy lord's son.

"Haha. Don't underestimate those with a will as strong as mine. I've dedicated my life to obtaining these treasures not to keep them locked in a box to waste away, but to help me grow stronger."

Null recalled the terrifying pressure he felt from even hearing the voice of the Celestial Prisoner. His expression turned sour as he felt weak in comparison.

"Stop making that face," Theef spat at the sight of Null's current expression.

"The look you had when we first met was stronger. Whatever you were feeling at the time made you stronger and showed your purpose in life. You've got to remember those emotions to overcome anything that comes your way when achieving said purpose."

Theef gave a riveting speech that touched somewhere deep inside of Null.

He sat cross-legged on the floor and calmed his mind while feeling that same emptiness from before. It was like an endless vortex swirling around inside of him that craved something to feed on.

Null relaxed and took a deep breath in a new feeling spread within the emptiness as a dim wisp of spiritual energy emerged inside. 

Null had found his way on the path he would take from this point forward.

Meanwhile, Theef was dumbstruck at the sight of Null immersed in a milky white layer of cosmic aura while absorbing the energy.

'This guy was a cultivator this whole time?' 

Seeing as Null was stuck in a state of epiphany, Theef figured he'd tend to his things as the ship was in need of repair.

.....

Hours went by as the once empty vortex was now teeming with a swirling surplus of spiritual energy that was just waiting to be released inside of him. 

However, Null had a feeling that with his special constitution, he could bear an unimaginable amount of energy as he was as boundless as the reaches of the cosmos itself.

And so, he continued to gather as much as he could at a time.

Since it was nighttime by now, Theef made himself comfy while sipping on a cold alcohol that must have been made from a wheat-like grain due to the fermented smell of it.

"Gulp! Ahhh," he sighed in pure bliss, "Guess this place ain't so bad given the quiet."

Every once in a while, Null got up to eat a small portion of the rations left and drink the water supplied by the divine tear— another bonus was its secretion of refreshing fresh water.

And with that, Null continued his process for three whole months.