Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 124: Raphael’s Story

Chapter 124: Raphael’s Story

Raphael was a regular of Snakehead; he often swung by Voidstar No.2 to grab supplies.

The first time he saw Lyra, he said something odd: "You’re the dream and light I’ve been chasing."

Even though they’d only met three times, Raphael had this strange, almost magnetic pull towards her.

When Lyra asked how he found them on the planet, Raphael didn’t hold back. "We were all set to leave, but fate had other plans. The radar caught an unshielded signal," he explained.

That signal led them to search the nearby star system, and soon enough, they discovered the planet Wyrmtrace.

"As we got closer, another set of coordinates popped up. Following them brought us to you."

Just as he was talking about how funny fate could be, a sly grin crept across his thin lips. "Tell me, darling, did you tick someone off? I can help you get back at them if you want. Just say the word."

But before he could get too close, Lyra raised a finger, stopping him in his tracks. She smiled a little. "Maybe make sure you survive first, before offering help."

Raphael, ever the charmer, brushed a strand of her hair, inhaling its scent. "Don’t worry," he whispered, "I’ll be around long enough to marry you. Our child will be adorable, no doubt."

Minutes later, the pilot turned around to give a status update. "Boss, we’ve located the military base, but they’ve got the Aegis Shield up."

Raphael’s twisted smile widened. He snapped his fingers. "Well, as polite visitors, we should at least say hello."

Without warning, the ship charged its laser and fired. Instantly, a massive purple energy shield formed—blocking the attack.

"That’s an advanced Aegis Shield!"

Instead of getting mad, Raphael laughed. "Wow, this planet must have a lot to offer to earn this level of protection." He held Lyra tighter, then sighed after a brief pause. "But we should leave soon. Reinforcements will show up any minute."

Lyra’s eyes flashed. Typical Raphael—always so cautious. "Already?"

He smirked. "Relax. I’m taking you with me. We’ll never be apart again! Isn’t that amazing?"

Lyra didn’t say a word, her mind already spinning with plans to turn the Seething Fires and the military against each other.

And she hadn’t waited long. Two mechas suddenly charged in, followed by level-seven fighters in Levs. In a blink, the pirates outside were wiped out.

Raphael’s mood soured. "How rude. We were just about to leave."

The screen showed two high-end military mechas approaching.

Raphael gave Lyra a gentle pat on the head. "Stay put, darling. I need to step out for a bit."

Two fighters, both level-sevens, stepped forward from the corner.

"Boss, there are too many of them. We should go with you."

"You’ve earned your break. After this, you’ll have the best seats at my wedding."

Before leaving, Raphael scooped Lyra up and carried her to another room, setting her on a bed draped with lace.

"I made sure your room is right next to mine. No cameras here—I won’t let anyone else admire you. Do you like it?"

The room was packed with elegant dresses and gleaming gemstones scattered around, all set up like a display meant just for her.

Above the bed, two large oil paintings caught Lyra’s eyes.

In the first, a breathtaking opera singer was performing on stage, her grace and beauty captivating.

The second painting was far more disturbing—the same singer lay lifeless on the stage, her body wrapped in venomous snakes.

Raphael’s voice softened as he gently touched the canvas. "That’s my mother," he said, a strange tenderness in his tone.

But Lyra barely registered his words. Her focus was elsewhere, studying the metal walls, which were built to block even superpower particles. This wasn’t just any room; it was a cage.

Raphael, noticing her distraction, lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Well? Do you like it here?"

Lyra let a slight smile curl at the edge of her lips. "I like this cage very much," she said smoothly, her voice carrying just a hint of irony, "because it’s right next to your room."

Her words seemed to please him. His eyes narrowed with satisfaction, and he placed a hand on his chest as if deeply touched. "Once I deal with these pests, I’ll give you the perfect evening."

Draping a red cloak over his shoulders like some kind of knight off to war, Raphael headed for the door. He paused only to tap the chest of the guard stationed outside. "Watch my bride."

With a heavy thud, the door shut behind him.

For a moment, Lyra stayed still, her smile fading into her usual cold expression. Rising from the bed, she moved toward the dressing table and gently tapped the wall next to it.

She tried to activate her psychokinesis, but her powers were completely blocked, as if they had disappeared.

That didn’t stop her.

With a flick of her wrist, her Schedar transformed into four massive, razor-sharp gears. At her command, they crashed into the wall, sending sparks flying and filling the room with a piercing screech.

Lyra’s face paled slightly. Whatever material Raphael had used to build this prison was stronger than she’d anticipated.

Outside, one of the guards perked up. "Did you hear that?"

The other waved him off. "Even if something’s going on in there, we can’t get in. And Sis Marv isn’t getting out. That cage is made from high-grade metal from the Empire. Mr. R had it built just for her."

Inside, Lyra’s gears finally tore through the wall. She reached out and touched the small hole, about a foot wide, and with a bit of force, she pushed the metal aside.

Slipping through, she dropped into the next room.

The moment she landed, a pungent mix of blood and roses hit her senses, making her cough.

Suddenly, something stirred in the corner of the room, covered by a black cloth.

Lyra’s body tensed as she shifted Schedar into a blade, ready for anything. Given Raphael’s twisted nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was some kind of creature locked under there.

But when she ripped the cloth away, what she found shocked her.

Curled up in there was a small child. His hair was jet-black, and his wide, frightened eyes matched. He let out a small cry, shrinking into himself even more, trembling in fear.

Lyra’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and confusion. The Seething Fires weren’t known for human trafficking, so why was there a child locked up like a precious artifact?

Still, she couldn’t dwell on it.

She searched the room, and soon, her efforts paid off. She found a superpower-enhancing gun. It wasn’t as advanced as the one she had borrowed from Snakehead, but it could still boost power by two levels.

Without a second thought, she tucked the gun into her Space Button.

But no matter where she looked, the key to the ship remained elusive. Clearly, Raphael kept something that important on him.

She’d have to get it from him directly. There was no other way out.

Lyra was just about to make her escape when a small voice called out behind her, trembling with desperation. "Mi... miss, please help me!"

The boy was gripping the metal bars of his cage tightly, his wide black eyes a mix of fear and fragile hope. He looked at her as if she were his only shot at freedom.

By all logic, Lyra should’ve ignored him. He was a liability. But something about his hair and those deep, dark eyes caught her attention, sparking a brief moment of hesitation.

In a flash of silver, she sliced the top of the cage clean off.

The boy’s face lit up, eyes filled with joy, and he started to climb out, but Lyra cut him off with a sharp warning. "Don’t follow me."

His excitement quickly crumbled. His lip trembled, and he pulled his leg back inside the cage, curling up into a small ball. "Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible, full of defeat.

Lyra didn’t waste another glance. She turned her focus back to the task at hand.

Carefully, she cracked open the door, just enough to peek into the hallway.

It was quiet, and the guards were unaware of what was coming.

In a blink, she moved. Her shots were swift and precise, and the guards dropped to the floor, lifeless before they could react.

With the grace of a leopard, Lyra darted into the control room. Without hesitation, she yanked down a lever, sealing the doors throughout the ship.

The next phase of her escape had just begun.