The End Of the Beginning

The station interior was exactly what Crystal expected—and somehow worse.

The moment they stepped off the Ravenblade, the air changed. The artificial atmosphere was thick with recycled air, tinged with the scent of oil, metal, and something vaguely chemical. The floor beneath their boots was a patchwork of old plating, some sections smooth and reinforced, others rusted and stained from who-knows-what. The lights overhead flickered inconsistently, casting long, eerie shadows along the winding corridors.

They moved in silence, passing a chaotic blend of traders, mercenaries, and people who clearly didn't want to be noticed. Muted conversations in a dozen different languages filled the air, some hurried and clipped, others slow and calculating. Vendors called out from makeshift stalls, some selling weapons and supplies, others dealing in things Crystal didn't want to ask about.

She kept her head down, her hand instinctively resting near her holster as her eyes darted around. The deeper they walked into the station, the more she felt the sheer weight of the place pressing in. It wasn't just the rundown environment or the strange mix of people—it was the feeling of being watched.

Slowly, without realizing it at first, she drifted closer to Asus.

He never acknowledged it—not with a glance, not with a shift in posture—but she could tell he noticed. The way his stride never faltered, the way his shoulders stayed squared, the way his presence alone felt like a shield she could stand behind.

His head never turned, but beneath the visor, she knew his eyes were constantly scanning.

Flicking from one shadowed corner to another.

Tracking movement.

Checking for threats.

Looking for something—or someone.

Crystal swallowed, forcing herself to focus. "Okay, so… where exactly are we going?"

"Somewhere useful," Asus responded, his voice calm but precise.

She sighed. "That's not an answer."

"Neither was your last question."

She shot him a glare, but he just kept walking.

Crystal's eyes flicked toward a group of heavily armed men standing near a shop entrance, their armor a mix of salvaged plating and expensive personal shields. They were talking, but she could tell they were watching—not them specifically, but everything.

Everyone here had that same look.

Not paranoia.

Awareness.

No one in this place let their guard down, not for a second.

Crystal exhaled, keeping her pace even with Asus's. "Seriously, though. Do you even know where you're going, or are you just hoping to run into someone sketchy enough to be useful?"

Asus's head remained straight, but she felt the flicker of amusement in his voice. "I am someone sketchy enough to be useful."

Crystal huffed. "Fine. But I better not have to shoot anyone within the first ten minutes."

Asus didn't respond right away. When he finally spoke, it was softer, but still carrying that ever-present certainty.

"If things go well, you won't have to shoot anyone at all."

Crystal frowned, glancing at him again. "And if things don't go well?"

Asus finally turned his head slightly, his visor barely angling toward her. "Then you'll be glad I gave you that gun."

Her stomach twisted. She didn't like that answer.

She didn't like any of this.

But there was no turning back now.

With another quiet breath, she pressed forward, following him deeper into the Fringe's underbelly.

Crystal kept her steps even, but it was getting harder to ignore the weight of her surroundings. Everywhere she looked, she saw people armed to the teeth—rifles slung over backs, pistols strapped to thighs, knives glinting from holsters. No one walked around unarmed here.

Her grip on her holster tightened.

Meanwhile, Asus walked with the same unshaken ease he always did, his massive weapon slung across his back like it was nothing more than a casual accessory. He didn't seem remotely concerned that at any given moment, someone could decide to draw a weapon and start shooting.

She swallowed hard, her nerves still firing warnings in her brain before she finally whispered, "How can you be so calm right now?"

Asus didn't stop walking, didn't even look at her, but his voice was as steady as ever. "Because being nervous won't do us any good."

Crystal's eyes flicked toward a group of mercenaries gathered near a weapons stall. They were covered in scars, their armor reinforced with old plating, each of them carrying rifles that looked way too modified to be standard issue. If something went wrong, would she even be fast enough to react?

"But there are so many armed people here," she hissed, her voice low but urgent. "And your gun is on your back. How the hell do you plan on fighting if something happens?"

Asus let out a quiet chuckle, finally glancing at her from the corner of his visor. "That's exactly why I don't have my weapon drawn."

Crystal blinked. "What?"

"You think anyone here doesn't notice you gripping your holster like you're expecting a fight?" he asked, voice carrying that dry amusement again. "Look around. Everyone here has a weapon. Some of them have several. But do you see anyone reaching for theirs?"

She hesitated, glancing around.

To her surprise… he was right.

People carried weapons openly, sure, but no one had them drawn. Some had rifles strapped across their backs, others had pistols on their hips, but none of them were holding them at the ready. There was an understood rule here—one she hadn't realized until just now.

"Having a weapon is expected in a place like this," Asus continued, his tone calm but instructive. "Not having one means you're either stupid or a target. But drawing a weapon before it's needed? That makes you a threat."

Crystal exhaled sharply. "So what, if I did draw mine—"

"You wouldn't make it ten steps," he cut in smoothly.

Her stomach twisted at that.

Asus gave a slight nod toward the groups of mercenaries watching from the edges of the corridor. "They're not looking at us because we're new. They're looking at us because you look twitchy. And twitchy people make bad decisions."

Crystal inhaled slowly, forcing herself to let go of the holster. "Great. So I'm the problem now?"

"Not a problem," Asus corrected, keeping his pace steady. "Just a liability if you don't adjust."

Crystal rolled her shoulders, exhaling through her nose. She could try to relax—at least, she could pretend to.

She forced herself to ease her stance, unclenching her fingers, straightening her posture just enough to make it seem like she belonged here.

It wasn't perfect—she still felt the gnawing tension in her gut—but at least now, she wasn't gripping her weapon like she was two seconds from drawing it.

Asus gave a small nod, seemingly satisfied.

"Better," he said. "Now you don't look like you're going to shoot the first person that sneezes."

Crystal muttered under her breath, "I was considering it."

Asus chuckled again, shaking his head. "Let's just get where we're going before you scare off our contact."

Crystal sighed but kept moving, still feeling the lingering eyes on her.

Yeah. This was going to be a long day.

Crystal had just managed to steady her nerves, keeping her hands away from her holster and walking in a way that didn't scream 'I am very close to panicking', when a deep, booming voice cut through the background noise like a seismic event.

"Oi, you there! Try this!"

She almost jumped out of her damn skin.

Her head snapped to the side so fast she half-expected to hear something crack, only to find herself looking up—way up—at one of the most intimidating figures she had ever laid eyes on.

The man standing before her was an absolute giant, easily over seven feet tall, his body a wall of thick muscle wrapped in a tattered but reinforced apron, its leather cracked and stained from what she hoped was just cooking ingredients. His skin was a deep, grayish-bronze, marred with old scars, some jagged, others smooth, as if he'd survived things that should have killed him. His face was as weathered as the station itself, his jawline heavy with a scruffy, dark beard streaked with silver. Two tusk-like teeth jutted up from his lower jaw, adding to his menacing appearance, and his left eye was covered by a mechanical plate, glowing faintly with a crimson hue.

Most notable of all, however, was the massive cleaver strapped to his side—one that looked way too big to be just for cooking.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

In his massive, calloused hands, he held out two skewers, each bearing chunks of some mystery meat that glistened under the dim station lights, juices dripping onto the metal floor.

What in the actual hell—?

She barely managed to form words. "Uh—what—?"

The giant grinned, revealing an unsettling number of very sharp teeth. "Free sample," he rumbled, his voice like shifting stone. "You looked like you were about to pass out, so eat. It'll help."

Crystal was frozen, staring at the mystery meat on a stick like it was about to grow legs and attack her.

And then, before she could even think of a response, Asus—Asus—nonchalantly reached forward, plucked one of the skewers from the giant's grasp, and gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Appreciated," he said evenly before taking a bite.

Crystal gawked at him.

Are you kidding me?

She turned back to the giant, who was still holding out the second skewer, waiting expectantly. His one good eye twinkled with amusement, though his expression remained firm.

Crystal swallowed hard. Her body screamed at her to decline, to not take food from an unknown hulking monster of a butcher-man.

But then, Asus gave her a sidelong glance.

"Go on," he said. "It's fine."

Crystal hesitated a moment longer before reluctantly reaching out and taking the stick, her fingers barely brushing against the thick, calloused hand of the vendor before she pulled it back like it was a live grenade.

The giant beamed, his wide grin somehow even more terrifying, then gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Now enjoy." With that, he turned and wandered back to his stall, where a massive slab of meat—the source of the skewers—was sizzling over an open flame.

Crystal slowly turned to Asus, eyes still wide. "What the hell was that about?"

Asus, still chewing, glanced at her. "I told you before—not everyone here is a criminal."

Crystal stared at him, then at the mystery meat skewer in her hand.

"…I feel like that guy has definitely killed someone before."

Asus smirked. "Probably."

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "And you just ate it? What if it's poisoned?"

He gave her a look. "If he wanted to kill us, he wouldn't use poison."

Crystal groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You are so bad at making things sound reassuring."

Still, she glanced at the skewer again, her stomach reminding her that she hadn't eaten much since leaving the ship. Hesitantly, she took a small bite.

The second the flavor hit her tongue, she paused.

It was good.

No—really good.

A rich, smoky taste filled her mouth, the juices seeping into the meat in a way that made it almost melt against her teeth. There was a subtle spice to it, a blend of seasonings she couldn't identify but immediately appreciated. It was savory, tender, perfectly cooked.

Crystal blinked in surprise. "Holy—this is actually amazing."

Asus made a quiet, knowing noise as he took another bite.

She chewed thoughtfully, savoring the flavor before glancing at him. "Okay, so what is this?"

Asus swallowed before replying, "It's edible."

Crystal gave him a flat look. "That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer you need."

She scowled, looking at the skewer again. "You mean to tell me I'm eating something—I don't even know what—and you're not going to tell me?"

Asus took another bite, entirely unbothered.

Crystal let out a sigh, conflicted between horrified curiosity and the fact that this was some of the best food she'd ever had.

"…I hate that this is so good."

Despite everything—despite the strange, intimidating butcher, despite the chaotic surroundings, despite the still-lingering fear gnawing at the back of her mind—she found herself continuing to eat.

Whatever it was, it was damn delicious.

Asus's visor hissed softly as it slid back into place, sealing with a faint metallic click. The HUD reactivated, casting data and outlines across his field of vision, though his attention remained on Crystal. He stood still for a moment, watching her as she shifted awkwardly on her feet, the skewer still clutched in her hand.

She looked torn, caught between two instincts. Her brow was furrowed in deep thought, her lips tightening in concentration as she chewed another bite, as if she were trying to decide whether to devour the entire thing or retch it all back up.

Her expression shifted with each bite—doubt, surprise, cautious approval, and then frustration that it tasted so good. She clearly didn't want to admit it, but the skewer had won. Asus didn't say anything, but his lips twitched faintly behind the visor. The conflict on her face was almost comical—half "this is amazing," half "I hate everything about this situation."

He crossed his arms and waited.

Finally, after a long pause, she exhaled and glanced around. The tension in her shoulders, once stiff and coiled like a spring, began to ease.

"You're still alive," he commented dryly.

Crystal shot him a glare, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Yeah, well... barely."

But there was no real heat in her voice this time. She took another bite—this one more deliberate—and didn't flinch as much. Asus shifted slightly, his gaze flicking back toward the bustling corridor ahead.

The station pulsed with life, people moving in chaotic but oddly efficient rhythms. Armed mercenaries, traders, tech specialists, and scavengers brushed past each other without so much as a second glance. This was a place where weakness could be smelled from a mile away, and in those first few moments, Crystal's nerves had been practically radiating vulnerability.

But now? She was calmer. Her shoulders weren't as rigid, and the tension in her jaw had eased. She wasn't gripping her holster like it was the only thing keeping her alive. The skewer in her hand, strangely enough, had done more to settle her than anything he could have said.

"Ready to keep moving?" he asked, his tone low but steady.

Crystal looked down at the skewer, now half-eaten, and let out a quiet sigh. "Yeah, I guess." and fell into step beside him, noticeably calmer than when they had first entered the station. Her gaze still darted to the groups of mercenaries, scavengers, and armed travelers around them, but now it wasn't frantic—just cautious.

They started walking again, slipping back into the steady flow of the station's traffic. The hum of distant engines, the clatter of machinery, and the muted conversations of passing traders surrounded them, but Crystal was noticeably more composed.

He kept his head forward, his gaze scanning ahead while his peripheral vision monitored the HUD for signs of anything unusual. People were still watching them, of course—that much wouldn't change. Out here, newcomers were always under scrutiny. But with Crystal walking more confidently at his side, no longer gripping her holster like she was expecting a firefight, the stares felt less sharp.

"You know," she murmured as they walked, still nibbling on the skewer, "I can't decide if I'm more pissed that this food is actually amazing or that the hulking butcher guy just... handed it to me out of nowhere."

"Both," Asus said without breaking stride.

She huffed. "Yeah, that tracks."

They passed another row of stalls, this one lined with vendors selling everything from heavily modified weapons to questionable-looking medical supplies. The low hum of conversation surrounded them, but Crystal didn't flinch this time. She even took another bite, savoring the flavor in spite of herself.

After a moment, she sighed again, her voice softer. "Okay... maybe I overreacted."

"Maybe?" he echoed with a faint hint of amusement.

"Shut up," she muttered, finally finishing the skewer and tossing the stick into a nearby disposal unit. "Let's just find this contact of yours and get out of here."

"Now you're thinking clearly," he said, his pace steady as they continued deeper into the station.

For the first time since arriving, Crystal didn't feel like she was moments away from jumping out of her skin. The fear wasn't gone—it wouldn't be, not here—but it was manageable now. Asus kept his gaze forward, scanning the crowd through his visor, always watching, always aware. But beneath the helmet, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Sometimes, survival wasn't about lectures or pep talks.

Sometimes, it was as simple as a skewer of mystery meat.