Chapter Six — The Weight of Power

Carlton met her gaze, his expression sincere.「Don’t worry. The armor will handle it.」Phipher’s eyes narrowed instantly.「If that’s the case, why don’t you try it?」
Carlton calmly pointed toward the Glare-fangs—each one carefully keeping its distance.
「They don’t attack me. It’s like I don’t exist to them.」【Either that… or it’s that aura of his. Don’t tell me that’s why he can’t test his own creations—he’s unaware of his own hidden power.】Phipher sighed heavily.「…Fine. But you’ll owe me a huge favor.」Carlton chuckled.「How about a hover bike better than the one I currently own?」「Say less.」Her antennae flashed a bright, excited yellow.Carlton smiled to himself.【So she’s happy.】
Phipher stepped forward, just as instructed.A Glare-fang lunged—its paw striking her square in the chest.The force sent her flying.Carlton reacted instantly, catching her midair before she could hit the ground.
「Are you okay?!」 he asked, concern slipping through his voice.Phipher laughed lightly, unfazed.「Of course. Besides… now you have to give me a really good Dustreaver.」「Yeah, yeah,」 Carlton replied with a chuckle.
As she steadied herself, Phipher noticed a glowing gauge along her right arm—completely full.
「Ooooh… what does this do?」Her voice brimmed with childlike curiosity.Carlton smirked.「Punch the ground and find out.」「Okay!」
She struck the ground with all her strength.The armor released its stored energy in a violent surge.A visible wave of kinetic force exploded outward—blasting every remaining Glare-fang away in an instant.Carlton stared, impressed.
「Hmm… the blast wave performed better than expected.」He immediately returned to writing notes.Phipher stood frozen in awe.「…Sun flare.」「Did you say something?」 Carlton asked, still focused on his notebook.She straightened proudly.「That move. We’re calling it the Sol Flare.」Carlton laughed.「Well, I haven’t named any of the equipment yet, so sure—why not?」He glanced up. 「You’re not hurt, are you?」「Not at all. This armor is incredibly sturdy,」 she said with pride.「Yeah. You’re right.」He looked toward the sky.「That’s enough testing for today. Let’s head back.」Phipher nodded.「Agreed. And your Dustreaver really is fast. We finished everything in just a few hours.」Carlton mounted the bike.「I like being home before dark. That’s why I built it that way.」
◽Later — Carlton’s Cabin◽
【So… the princess of the Dun’khal Nomads can cook too.】Carlton sat at the counter, watching quietly.Alice chimed in immediately.【Enjoying the view?】【W–What?! I-I wasn’t being a creep, I swear!】【Tch. Yeah right. Totally believable.】【I promise I’m not.】His face flushed.Alice observed his heart rate.【There’s no way… do you have a crush on her?】【Y–Yeah. So what if I do?!】Alice laughed.【Nothing. I’d be surprised if you didn’t. By human standards, she’s a bombshell.】【…You’re right.】Phipher continued cooking, her cheeks just as warm.【I can’t read his mind… but this feeling coming from him—it’s warm.】Her antennae shifted to a soft, vulnerable pink.Carlton cleared his throat.「So… what are you making?」「A dish from my childhood,」 she replied softly.「From times when we were lucky enough to eat well.」Carlton chose his words carefully.「I take it… that wasn’t common.」「Not at all. For Lou’cals, even eating four-striped Terravores is rare. Two-striped ones are unheard of.」Carlton scribbled notes.「So the lower the number, the stronger the animal… interesting.」「Animal?」 Phipher asked, confused.He closed the notebook.「That’s what we call all living creatures back on my world. Even humans—we evolved from apes.」「Doesn’t that get confusing sometimes?」He scratched his head.「Not really. It’s like calling all land creatures Terravores—it’s just a general term.」She giggled.「Your world… it sounds nice.」Carlton thought for a moment.「It is. Seventy percent water. Cities everywhere. Tons of cultures. Honestly, it’s amazing humans survived.」「Why would you say that?」He shrugged lightly.「Because almost everything on Earth can kill you if you’re unlucky enough.」「Really?!」He nodded.「Alice, increase gravity to Earth standard.」
The moment it happened, Phipher collapsed to her knees.
【This is insane… the air is this heavy on his world?!】Carlton rushed to her side and lifted her effortlessly.「Alice, turn it back!」
Gravity normalized instantly.
「I’m sorry,」 Carlton said sincerely.「I didn’t realize it would affect you like that.」「It’s okay… I should’ve explained Calzor biology better.」Her antennae flickered with mixed colors.【A death-worlder… I’m in the arms of a death-worlder.】Carlton noticed.【Fear… confusion… awe—wait. She’s also vulnerable… and aroused?】【That explains it. His body density is far higher than Lou’cal… maybe even Mid’cal.】Her cheeks burned.Carlton looked at her closely.【She doesn’t look human… but she’s beautiful. Her body’s cold… But I could warm it.】
They locked eyes.Slowly, they leaned closer.Then—⟦🎶 Baby lock the door and turn the lights down low… Put some music on that's soft and slow.🎶⟧
They snapped apart instantly.Carlton released her and turned away.Phipher returned to cooking, both of them flustered.
Carlton sighed.「Alice…」⟦🎶 I’ve been thinking ’bout this all night long— never felt a feeling quite this strong.🎶⟧「Alice!」
The music cut.
⟦🎶 I can’t believe how much she turns you on— 🎶⟧Alice changed the lyrics and laughed. ⟦What? Did I do something wrong?⟧Carlton groaned.「Yes. That was incredibly inappropriate.」⟦It looked very appropriate to me… but fine. Cross my heart.⟧「You don’t even have one.」⟦I know. See ya!⟧Alice went offline.Carlton cleared his throat nervously.「Um… P-Phipher, please understand—I didn’t plan that. Alice just… does her own thing.」「There’s no need to explain,」 Phipher said softly, still blushing.【Though… I wouldn’t mind being claimed by him—ah! Why am I thinking like this?!】