Falling into the Abyss

Chapter 68: Atonement: Pales (XVII)

Thank you VBaby and Kofi-Supporter for your kofis-Bonus Chapter (1/5)

Ethan sat at the end of a large aircraft brimming with soldiers from the Earth Unions army. He looked out of the window at the dark purple sky contaminated by the colors of the rising sun and at the forests and cities constantly flying by on the ground. The planet had not been destroyed by heavy industries. Although it lacked sunshine and was very cold, it still held a mysterious beauty. Ethan looked at the light and contemplated whether Eves purple sky was the same deep purple like this. However, when he thought of Tanisiels hair that seemed to have been kissed by the sun, he thought the skies of that planet must not have been as dark as this planet.

The soldiers in front of him said some dirty words. They laughed with each other, talking about how difficult and troublesome it was dating an Omega at home. It wasnt known when they shifted the topic to the nonhuman. Still, it was likely because the Tonga City they were going to was the city where the nonhumans were now.

Hey! Nonhuman! a bald Alpha soldier suddenly yelled at him, Its said that there are no Omegas in your Forbidden City, and there are few women, so some thirsty same-sex Alphas will also get together. Is it true? He spoke with a malicious and mocking expression, as though he was talking about something disgusting and bizarre. Ethan looked at him coldly, then suddenly grinned and said, Yes, since youre relatively better looking, youd better not commit any atrocities, or you will be used like an Omega when you enter.

What the hell are you talking about? The soldier was about to stand up due to anger. When an Alpha was about to enter a combat state, the smell of their hormones would usually make Betas like Ethan instinctively feel fear. However, Ethan was surprised to find that he didnt feel much now. He even felt some contempt for the Alpha.

Was it because he had seen real terror and even found himself to be part of it?

Ethan looked fearlessly at the Alpha rushing at him before giving a cold look to another Alpha who stopped the impulsive soldier. Another soldier, who seemed to be a sergeant, gave him a look of warning and shouted for the soldier to retreat.

Ethan sneered and never acknowledged them again.

It was nearly evening when he got off the aircraft, and Gray Fur was waiting outside the cabin. The gloomy guard originally intended to properly ridicule the Beta, who had successfully escaped the Forbidden City but foolishly sent himself back to their door. However, he was a little surprised when he saw Ethan.

Ethans handcuffed and emaciated look was not much different from that of the others. However, something has changed in the always submissive Beta. He didnt know what had changed, but for a moment, he felt threatened.

How strange. What was there to be afraid of in a nerd that had been stripped of his original social status?

He soon gave up on that fleeting thought and revealed his white teeth, grinning coldly as he said, It seems that you really cant bear to leave.

Ethan stood in front of him with an empty look, obediently letting him buckle the collar around his neck. Gray Fur noticed that Ethan had many scars on the back of his neck. He remembered that there was something wrong with the expressions of Samuel and the others when they were rescued, especially when he mentioned Ethan, who had died. It seemed that they were hiding something.

However, this was not what he was most interested in at present, as he had more important tasks to complete. Still, the return of the Beta could be regarded as adding a bit of relief back to his depressing life. What was more, maybe he could use the former secretary of the Energy Bureau sometime.

Ethan was escorted to a camp that especially catered to the nonhumans. He received a lot of surprised looks along the way. However, the one who was the most shocked was Cavin, who dropped the long sword he was wiping to the ground. The always arrogant Alphas mouth opened into an O shape, and a trace of fear leaked out from his widened eyes. Not far from him, Derek, who was practicing pull-ups, turned and ran.

Oh, what a big welcome ceremony. It seems that you are quite popular? Gray Fur stood beside him, teasing, I couldnt help but be suspicious that they not only knew you didnt die but purposely helped you escape?

I did die, Ethan said faintly, But I resurrected.

Gray Fur pulled Ethan in front of him, and as he untied his handcuffs, he whispered in his ear, I know youre hiding something. Ill keep an eye on you.

Ethans expression was indifferent, like a doll.

Gray Fur pushed him away before straightening his hat and turning away.

Ethan slowly turned and faced his partner. Samuel had always been his most trusted friend. Ethan didnt have any brothers or sisters since he was a child, but Samuel felt like a big brother to him.

However, he still remembered how in his most painful time, Samuel left him alone in the dark and left with the other three people.

He didnt even care much about Typhoeus, Cavin, or Derek. It was only the view of Samuels back that he had difficulty letting go.

The two people stood far away from each other, and neither spoke for a moment. Then, Ethan lowered his gaze and gave him a somewhat tired smile. Im back.

Samuel suddenly rushed over. When Ethan finally reacted, he found that he had been hugged by a broad and firm chest. The arm around his body was too tight for him to breathe. He felt Samuel bury his face in his neck and let out a long sigh.

Then, Samuel pulled away from him a little bit, staring at him with his dark brown eyes, as if trying to drill a hole in him. Why are you back? Didnt Tanisiel take you away?

Ethan wore an indifferent smile and said, Its a long story.

Samuel reached out and carefully touched the scars on the back of his neck as if he was afraid of being scalded. Hereally cured you

Ethan nodded in silence.

Typhoeus and the other two people who had seen his true face did not come forward and kept a distance from him. As he leaned on Samuels shoulder, his eyes met Typheouss. There was something different about him. Ethan still remembered that when he had first rescued Typhoeus from Gray Furs hands, the others eyes showed complete trust and attachment. Although some of those feelings later shifted to Samuel, Typhoeuss gaze facing him was always less indifferent and more enthusiastic, like it was towards his friends.

However, that kind of familiar enthusiasm was now gone. Not only did the look in his eyes grow distant, but it contained an instinctive fear one would have in the face of unknown creatures. He seemed to be trying to suppress his instincts, but Ethan could still feel the fear in him.

It was really strange. When had his nose become strong enough to smell peoples emotions?

Dont worry, none of us told anyone about you, Samuel squeezed his shoulder and whispered comfortingly. Then, he naturally put his arm around Ethans shoulder as they passed through the curious looks from other nonhumans. Ethan let the others lead him into the barracks. The nonhumans were crowded in several barracks nearby, with long rows of upper and lower bunks and square quilts on the beds. As soon as Ethan entered, he saw Chen Zeng sitting at a bunk relatively further inside. He was surrounded by a circle of nonhumans who were listening to what he was saying. Chen Zeng looked up to see Ethan come in and nodded and smiled at him.

The moment Ethan saw him, he finally felt nervous.

Once Chen Zengs devout believers knew that the genes of the Great Evil God they talked about may exist in his body, would they treat him as Satan, rip him apart, and swallow him down their stomachs while he was still alive?

The feeling of being isolated by others in the second universe was still vivid in his mind. He knew that he must hide the thingin his body at all costs.

Ethan learned that the nonhumans had been used as bait to search for the horned people rebels. They were put into forests, foothills, or gullies unfamiliar to the Earth Unions army. After the patrolling horned people rebels were led out, the regular troops from the Earth Unions army would track the coordinates of the nonhumans and encircle and suppress the rebels. In this way, they successfully captured two rebel tribe leaders who had launched terrorist attacks against the Earthlings for many years. However, the nonhumans were also seriously injured. Initially, there were more than 300 people, but now there are only about 170.

The only thing the Earth Unions army couldnt figure out was regarding the 3000 horned people killed by Ethan. Samuel and the others insisted that the huge underground worms ate them, but the Earth Unions army had never found the underground worms from Samuels story, so the death of the 3000 people had become a mystery. Samuel said that Ethan would be asked about that day, so he had to be careful not to let it slip.

During his first night back in prison, Ethan did not feel the slightest urge to sleep. Most of the nonhumans had fallen asleep, snoring one after another, with some sleep talking occasionally mixed in. Ethan sat in front of his bed and stared at the big and small moons hanging in the sky. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket. It looked ordinary and was even wrinkled. He rubbed the cloth with his thumb, and the look in his eyes turned gentle and sad.

He held the handkerchief up to his nose and could smell a hint of Tanisiel. It was as though he had seized a life-saving elixir or holy spring water to quench his thirst, as he buried his face in the handkerchief to sniff the scent. It was the only thing left on him that belonged to Tanisiel. He had never missed him this much before, where his longing was as dense as blood.

Suddenly, an extra hand rested on his shoulder, so Ethan turned around.

Samuel looked down at him, worried.

You cant sleep either? the Omega asked.

Ethan quietly placed the handkerchief back into his pocket and looked at the silver stream of light on the windowsill.

Youwhy didnt you go with him? Samuel leaned against the windowsill and looked at him with a complicated expression. It was as though he didnt know whether he should ask that question. Ethan wanted to laugh. When had Samuel become so cautious around him? If it was in the past, Samuel would have slapped him and asked him if he was stupid.

I was discovered by the Earth Unions army, Ethan said simply.

Samuel frowned slightly, feeling that Ethan was hiding something. Buthe originally thought that he and Ethan would never meet again in this life. To have the opportunity to see him again, he was still happy in his heart.

But what happened to Ethan? Why did he turn into that previously?

At this moment, the Beta was immersed in the moonlight. His hair and the side of his face were covered with a layer of hesitant blue light, which made him look so harmless. In comparison, the memory of when they were on the altar felt as unreal as a dream.

Ethan, on the altarwhat happened to you? What did they do to you when you were on Mars?

I was infected by the God of Disorder and was later affected in the second universe, Ethan said in an almost indifferent tone, as though the matter was unrelated to himself. Tanisiel has been suppressing it with the God of Orders eggs, so that I can be like a normal person.

Infected Samuels expression seemed to fall into the black whirlpool of memories, and a hint of fear and disgust flashed by. But you are different from those people on Red Earth You didnt become thatinsect.

I am also unaware of why that happened, Ethan said faintly and suddenly chuckled. Are you worried about living in the same room with me in the future when its unknown whether I will turn into that disgusting appearance again?

His prickly tone annoyed Samuel slightly since that was what was on his mind. Hey, I havent said anything yet. What are you talking about now?

Dont worry. Ethan stood up and gave him a distant glance. I wont hurt you.

Samuel watched in a daze as Ethan went back to his bunk, before pulling open his quilt and going under it. He never looked at him again.

Samuel vaguely realized that Ethans trust in him might have begun to waver.

The author has something to say:

At the end of the last chapter, I typed Ethans surname incorrectlyEthan has a long way to go before he gets married, so he didnt change his surname_(:)_

T/N: Thank you Papercrane and Kofi-Supporter for your kofis! We have four more bonus chapter coming up after this. Itd take our team some time to work on posting the bonus chapters, so I hope everyone understands. :]