Battle Of Planets

Chapter 76: Patch up?
Nancy lifted the photo from her desk, her fingers shaking as they glided along its edges.This was their first photo together, captured on the day of their unofficial date. Tyson had taken on the role of her tour guide, strolling through the streets of Elria with his charming boyish grin, revealing every secret nook of the city as if it were his personal playground.

The day she kissed him for the first time.

A tired smile lingered on her lips, but her red-rimmed eyes revealed a different story. The room around her felt almost empty, stripped of any warmth, with only the large suitcase sprawled open on her bed as a sign of life.

She was in the midst of packing. She was preparing to leave.

A new wave of tears threatened to spill, but she held them back. Just minutes ago, she had argued with her mother, pleading with her to stay behind in Elria and not follow her to Babylon. But her mother was too stubborn—just like Tyson.

Just like her, Nancy clenched the photo to her chest. She had to leave before that duffer found out. If he did, she knew exactly what would happen.

He would have to choose between her and his responsibilities—a decision she never wanted him to confront.

She was the daughter of a late general, so she understood what duty meant.

And if Tyson chose her, if she became the reason he turned his back on everything he had fought for, she would never forgive herself.

She could never live with that sin.

Her breath hitched as she clutched the photo tightly, her shoulders trembling. ”I’m sorry...” she whispered, her voice wavering. ”I have to do this.”

A sob slipped out before she could stop it.

For a moment, she permitted herself to experience it—to let the pain sink deep within her chest, to let the memories wash over her like waves she couldn’t escape.

Then, she slowly lifted the photo to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss against it before carefully placing it inside the suitcase.

She wiped her tears as she finished packing.

She hadn’t told Emily, knowing she would immediately rush to Tyson. With everything Seraphina was dealing with, she understood it would take time before they could reveal the truth to him.

Therefore, she needed to leave. Before he discovered her plan. Before he attempted to prevent her. Before she lost the will to escape.

The door swung open, and Nancy turned around, anticipating her mother—prepared for yet another argument, ready to hear her insist on staying or demand to accompany her.

”No, Mom, I told-”

Tyson pulled her into a kiss, his wet clothes pressing against her warmth. She gasped, taken by surprise, her body tensing in response.

Why was he here? Why was he like this? Did they tell him everything?

She tried to push him away. ”What are you—”

He silenced her with another, deeper, more desperate kiss.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she felt herself shatter, melting into his strong embrace, the warmth of his lips, and the silent plea in his searching eyes.

He returned for her.

He remained silent—simply held her, kissed her—until she lost the will to fight.

He pulled her into a warm, tight embrace without saying anything else.

Miss Winters watched them for a moment, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips before she quietly closed the door behind them. Her fingers tightened around the diary, gripping it as though she were holding her late husband’s hand.

Nancy’s voice shook. ”Why are you doing this, Tyson?” she implored. ”Don’t make this harder for me.”

”Don’t say a word,” he murmured, pulling her closer. ”Or I’ll kiss you once more.”

She softly gasped as he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

”I understand your reasons for what you did,” he whispered. ”But now... let me take care of things.”

Nancy hesitated, drawing back just enough to search his eyes—eyes filled with both hope and fear.

”D-Don’t do this,” she pleaded.

Tyson’s voice was low and steady. ”You have no right to tell me what to do.” He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin. ”Not after what you did.”

”Just stay here with me,” he said. ”You are mine.”

A soft sigh slipped from her lips as she held onto him, enveloping herself in his arms.

She released her fear, freeing herself from the burden of her choices.

For now, she would remain because right here, in his arms, was the only place she truly wanted to be.

Tyson rubbed his hair with a towel, his body still soaked as he stood half-naked in Nancy’s room. He was soaked, which is why he took off his clothes, and Nancy offered him a towel.

She made an effort to avoid staring at his abs—she really did—but occasionally, her eyes slipped, capturing fleeting glances now and then there. Her cheeks couldn’t help but turn pink whenever she stole a glance.

She took slow breaths, watching him pace around the room, smiling to himself, lost in thought and his own world.

That smile... she thought to herself. I wish to keep it. I want him to remain this happy and carefree. But if I say anything now, he’ll lose that smile, and I can’t bear that...

”Ryuk, huh?” He smirked suddenly, shaking his head. ”I bet he doesn’t even exist.”

Nancy stayed quiet.

Tyson paused, glancing at her before he tossed the towel to her. ”Why so serious, my love?”

She grasped it, her fingers tightening on the fabric as she absentmindedly folded it, trying to find the right words. What could she even say?

She was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, he appeared as if he had just discovered the greatest treasure on Earth.

He gradually sat beside her, leaning in so she could feel his presence warm and comforting. ”I hate seeing you like this.”

She turned to him, her lips quivering, yet she still said nothing.

”I found a method,” he said suddenly. Then he shouted, ”Mom!”

Nancy jumped at his sudden shout, her heart racing.

Miss Winters stood in the doorway, surprised yet calm. ”What is it, dear?”

”You don’t mind if I call you ’Mom,’ do you, Miss Winters?” Tyson grinned.

Miss Winters blinked and shook her head. ”No, I don’t mind.”

Nancy stared at both of them, utterly confused. What was happening with these two? Here she was, trying to distance herself from him, while he acted like they were already married.

The idea of becoming his wife sent a flurry of butterflies through her stomach, but reality came crashing down just as fast.

She couldn’t afford to think that way. Not in this situation. Not when everything was on the line and ready to fall apart.

Tyson took the dairy from her mother’s hand and presented the method, saying, ”This is a ticking time bomb.”

Nancy and her mother stood frozen.

”As soon as we reveal this method, it’s not just Babylon—Utopia will seek us out,” He said,

The thought of a world war sent shivers down their spines. If the method he was talking about was so powerful, then why was he smiling?

Nancy and Miss Winters quickly skimmed through the pages. As they read, their faces grew even paler. It was true; this really looked troubling, especially now that the clouds of war were looming over them.

But it wasn’t just dangerous; it was revolutionary.

”D-Don’t tell me you’re considering using this method to power up and battle Babylon,” Nancy whispered, her voice tinged with concern. ”Tyson...”

Her voice pleaded his name in a way that almost caused his heart to stutter.

He gave a sly grin. ”I’m not as reckless, my dear.”

”So, what do you propose?” Miss Winters inquired warily. ”There has to be a reason Victor concealed this.”

”Yes, but it can’t remain hidden forever,” Tyson said slowly, his voice firm with conviction. ”Today or tomorrow, we will need this power.”

His fingers tightened around the diary, his eyes flickering with determination. ”Sir Victor’s method could save us all, but for that to happen... it needs to be out there.”

Nancy’s breath caught. ”If we take that step, it will feel like we’re putting a target on ourselves,” she countered. ”We can’t afford that risk. Not at this moment.”

Tyson held her gaze firm. ”Now is the perfect moment.”

He stood up, leaning down to place a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead. ”We need to turn this crisis into our chance.”

Miss Winters frowned, her arms crossed. ”And how do you intend to do that?”

”Are you going to sell it to them?” Nancy asked hesitantly.

Tyson smirked. ”Nope.”

He straightened, stretching his shoulders as though he was already bracing for the weight of what was ahead. ”I’m planning to empower humans—and make Elria wealthy in the process.”

Nancy blinked. ”What?”

”There’s no need to worry,” Tyson comforted her, his tone now more relaxed, but his eyes still conveyed unwavering resolve. ”Just unpack your bags; nobody can separate us.”

Nancy looked at him, her heart racing. ”Tyson... what are you really planning?”

He turned to her, his expression softening for a brief moment. ”I know what I need to do.” Then, more firmly—”Do you trust me?”

Nancy hesitated before she nodded. ”Can we really pull this off?”

Tyson smiled, a small yet confident grin. ”We will.” He stepped toward the door, pausing for a moment. ”And I won’t rest until I see to it.”

Nancy watched him leave, her heart pounding—not in fear, but in something else. A small smile appeared on her lips. For the first time in days, she felt something she had desperately needed.

a Hope.