This is the story of a man who wished for nothing more than to be ordinary—a man like any other, with nothing to distinguish him from the crowd.
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But the truth, as it often is, is far more complicated. For this man was no ordinary soul; he was a thief. Not just any thief, but one who stole whatever caught his eye, no matter the risk. His reputation grew, and soon he was known as the greatest, the most feared of all.
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But is that the truth? Or is it just another layer of the mystery that surrounds him?
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I'll leave that for you to decide, you who have come to listen to my tale.
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The tale of the man who's never been touched.
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We start our tale in sector G12570 Alpharix, a small area of the galaxy known as the Dark Zone, a lawless frontier where whispers of crime echo through the void and bounty hunters gather like vultures, waiting to swoop on their prey. Here, among the stars, floated the crimson planet of Takaar—a world steeped in shadows, where the streets were as dangerous as they were dark, and where business boomed on the backs of illicit dealings.
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In the Shadow District of Thron, amidst the towering, decrepit structures, there stood a small, unassuming bar. It was a place where Exoterrans of all species came together, not just to drink, but to gamble with their lives. Here, among the ruffians, lawbreakers, gangsters, and mobsters, the only rule that mattered was simple: the strong ruled the weak.
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The bar was a cacophony of sound—Exoterrans banged their cups together, cheered in drunken merriment, and danced to raucous, vulgar tunes that rattled the walls. Yet, amidst this chaos, there was one figure who remained still, a silent island in the sea of noise.
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He was a young man with short white hair, his eyes a striking combination of grey and yellow. He wore a black sleeveless vest, revealing arms covered in a tapestry of scars, each one a story of its own. Around his neck was a white scarf that draped down to his feet, an odd contrast to his otherwise dark attire. Despite his youthful appearance, the man's calm eyes and weathered skin hinted at a life lived on the edge, far beyond his years.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRd4R2E6N9
He seemed indifferent to the conversations swirling around him, many of which were spoken in tongues foreign to human ears. But as he lifted his drink for another sip, one word, one name, pierced through the noise like a blade.
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"Nexus... you mean the greatest thief?"
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"Is there any other?"
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The man's attention was captured. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he turned his head to glance behind him, where two Exoterrans sat deep in conversation.
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One was a Zytarian, a creature of ethereal beauty, their iridescent skin shifting colors in mesmerizing patterns. Their slender form and large, multifaceted violet eyes gave them an almost otherworldly appearance. The other was a Lumari, an amphibious being from the water-world of Xelara. The Lumari's smooth, bioluminescent skin and large, luminous eyes made them a striking sight, even in the dim light of the bar.
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Their voices intertwined in a harmonious rhythm, a melody of words that was as captivating as it was curious.
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The Zytarian's iridescent skin shimmered with various shades of vibrant colors as she spoke to her friend. "Can you believe it, Kaeli? The Celestial Gems—those legendary jewels that were said to cost a fortune—stolen! And from none other than Maximus Grendor's impregnable vault!"
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"I heard the same whispers, Lysara. They say the vault was guarded by advanced technology and a dozen skilled guards. It was supposed to be impossible to breach. Yet, someone managed to outwit them all." Kaeli, the Lumari, furrowed their smooth, bioluminescent brow, their aquatic features reflecting their concern. "And you think it was Nexus?"
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"Of course I do," Lysara replied, her voice low and excited. "After all, the man has been spotted on this planet, and you know who owns that vault, right? Maximus Grendor, one of the wealthiest business magnates in the galaxy! His company, SynerGex Corporation, is renowned for its revolutionary high-tech advancements."
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Kaeli began to think hard on the subject, her large eyes narrowing. "SynerGex Corporation... Their breakthroughs in quantum computing and cybernetic enhancements have revolutionized entire sectors of industry. It's no wonder their security was thought to be foolproof."
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"And yet, last night, the whole system failed, and the vault was broken into," Lysara said with a smirk. "Who else but Nexus could do such a thing?"
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"Those eyewitness accounts can't be taken seriously, Lysara. No one has ever really seen Nexus. There have been many reports, but none are consistent. Who knows what the truth is?" Kaeli replied, trying to bring a sense of calm to her friend's enthusiasm.
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Lysara's iridescent skin shimmered with a touch of apprehension as she leaned closer. "Kaeli, think about it. The only one who could have orchestrated such an impossible heist is none other than Nexus the Voidshifter!"
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Kaeli shook her head in disapproval. "Nexus the Voidshifter... the most wanted man in the entire galaxy. Nexus, the one said to possess an uncanny knack for evading capture, escaping any trap set in his path, and eluding even the most formidable attacks? The man who's never been touched?"
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Lysara laughed, a melodic sound that danced through the air. "If anyone could infiltrate SynerGex Corporation and steal the Celestial Gems, it would be him."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4DnNDk8OO
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The man smirked as the conversation between the two Exoterrans continued, but he paid it no further mind, taking another sip of his drink. But then, a thunderous boom shattered the already fraying calm of the bar.
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The steel doors, which had been securely shut, exploded inward, ripped from their hinges, and hurled through the air with terrifying force. Tables were overturned, and patrons were thrown to the ground, their drinks spilling as chaos erupted in every corner of the establishment.
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Every eye turned toward the entrance, a collective gasp seizing the room as they took in the sight before them.
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Hovering just above the ground was a woman. Her skin was pure white, like porcelain, and her long blond hair cascaded around her shoulders in waves that seemed almost unnatural in their perfection. Her piercing blue eyes burned with a cold determination, and the thin black armor she wore clung to her frame, emphasizing both her elegance and the raw power she exuded.
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She didn't waver as her gaze locked onto a single figure in the bar. Her eyes were ablaze with anger and hatred as she floated forward, each step—or rather, each glide—imbued with lethal intent.
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"You!" Her voice cut through the stunned silence like a blade, sharp and unforgiving. She pointed an accusatory finger at the man whose back was still turned to her. "I've found you, Nexus."
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The room seemed to shrink as the tension escalated, all eyes now flicking between the two figures: the woman brimming with rage and the man who had, until now, been merely an observer in the chaos.
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The man's smirk faded slightly as he slowly turned his head to look over his shoulder at her, his eyes locking with hers. For a moment, there was nothing but silence, as if the entire bar held its breath, waiting for what would happen next.
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"Oh, shit,"
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
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