I immediately started flying around to find them. The first one I spotted was Druoag. Probably because he was the biggest and also tried to already move toward me. He was smeared in blood and had a bunch of wounds. Some were quite deep, but they were healing on him so fast that you could actually catch the process with your eyes.

- Did you take the fruit?! - he yelled to me before we met properly.

- No! Not yet! - I responded.

- Then do it! I'll look for others! - he informed me.

I was slightly annoyed by his words because I would rather first check on the well-being of the people I cared for, but I knew he won't stop insisting, so I changed my direction, and headed straight toward the device.

This tree was even bigger. The veins on it looked like they were about to transform into the creepers and make the whole thing look like a miniature of the world tree.

"It has to be this way", I thought to myself. "That's why they have so many cities planted. They have somewhere their own version of a world tree. Maybe not as big, but it definitely exists."

I was quite certain this idea was true.

Then I placed my hand on the whole thing, and pushed it through the jelly-like substance, reaching toward the fruit.

Physically it was not possible, because of the size of this device, while the fruit, maybe was slightly bigger than normal, but still nowhere near as big as it should be for me to touch it even if I were to stretch my whole hand in. I would have to go inside the damn thing, and yet I could feel it with the tops of my fingers.

The process started as soon later, and I could feel the energy surging inside me. An incredible power was making me even stronger. So strong that I had no doubts that I should be able to face an overlord, maybe even two. Four were still a certain death. The general supreme, as far as the thoughts I received were indicating, was simply untouchable.

To tell you the truth, I was very surprised I was able to take him that easily. I thought the fight would end with me barely holding to my life if I would survive at all. I was a bloody pulp, but nowhere near the brink of death.

Fortunately, each passing second worked for my benefit, as my flesh was putting itself in order. The self-healing powers were so great, that I didn't even need to waste life energy to heal myself. It was a great outcome because I knew I would need them later on.

When I finished, I went to join the rest of the group. It took me a few more minutes to find them. Druoag and Will were gathered next to the kneeling body of Nobuo. The samurai was dead. Next to him was the burnt corpse of the fast alien I saw him fight with.

Will too didn't look great. He was covered in blood, holding his wounded side, clearly unable to heal himself anymore. The tears were pouring down his cheeks as he looked at our fallen comrade.

"I could have saved him", was my first thought.historical

- I'm going alone from now on - I told the two.

- No - Druoag argued. - I'm going with you.

Will didn't dare to say anything. He didn't even have to. He was in no condition to continue. I was actually glad, that he would stay behind.

I glanced at the dead body of Nobuo and my heart briefly stopped as my stomach twisted itself. I knew this was going to happen if they were to follow me.

He died as he probably wished to, in battle. Like a true warrior. He sacrificed himself for everybody else to have a chance to see a better world. We were on a brink of achieving paradise. Unlimited resources, and unlimited potential.

We were also on the brink of achieving hell. If we were to lose, or if we were to allow the wrong people to become too powerful all the good could easily turn into something terrible.

I didn't want to deal with those thoughts at the moment. I also didn't want to look at Nobuo once again.

- Let's go. We have other places to be - I said, then created a bubble around myself and Druoag, to leave the planet.

We had our own demise to chase. At least that's what I felt.

At that point, though I was feeling a lot. My body was changing its biology because of the genomes I stole, and on top of that, there was a cocktail of emotions. It was a weird feeling that could actually go as anything, but I chose to associate it with a grim fate ahead of us.

I took us beyond the dome, then followed the 3D arrow on my wrist, heading to the proper portal, leading to the last stop before the center of the whole fifth region. I knew that I was supposed to feel nervous, but my skills were making me ridiculously calm, which, on its own, made me think that something was off.

Nevertheless, I kept it to myself, and after some time pierced the black veil of the portal, emerging on the other side.

The planet, much bigger than the previous one, was already awaiting us, surrounded by a single dome enveloping the whole of the astral body.

- No matter what, take the fruit - said Druoag. - Do not even look my way. I can take care of myself.

I didn't answer his words. It had to awfully look like I was ignoring him. He was a good friend who helped me a lot. He was a great person, and I felt like I was gonna lose him soon, but there was nothing I could do about it. This made me choose silence.

Instead of using words, I focused solely on accelerating the bubble, so we could reach the planet as soon as possible, and be over with it. Win or lose, It didn't really matter.