Within the fortress of planet Forlis, Anthea sat sipping tea amidst the vast green meadows inside a white marble pavilion set at the heart of a blooming garden. She resembled a noble lady taking her leisure in a gazebo surrounded by the grand fortress walls.
Mas approached, stopping before her, his gaze steady as he spoke with a serious tone.
"Why did you send Kai and Rese off alone? They're still new, inexperienced. And the ship's destination is Terra. What exactly are you planning, Anthea?"
Anthea answered in a calm, composed voice, her expression serene.
"I see something within Kai. You saw it yourself, didn't you?"
Mas frowned. "See what? What exactly did you see?"
Anthea gently set down her teacup, turned her eyes toward Kai's direction, and spoke with a faint, composed smile.
"When you were teaching him to pilot a spacecraft, he handled it himself without your guidance, didn't he? The moment his hands touched the controls, he simply knew how to fly—as though it came naturally. Isn't that right, Mas?"
Mas replied, "Yes, that's true. But why? What did you see when you entered that boy's mind?"
Anthea's tone remained calm, though tinged with quiet gravity.
"Something neither humans nor even I fully understand. But what I do know is this—something always protects him. There's no chance he'll fall into danger too great for him to overcome. Even my Heavenly Sight cannot pierce into his soul."
She lifted the cup once more, taking a light sip of tea.
Mas, though still troubled, let out a soft breath, the edge of suspicion easing. He turned to leave the garden of Anthea's fortress, murmuring to himself,
"As long as that boy stays safe, that's enough for me."
On Siw Venus, Eugene piloted the spacecraft down across a vast desert.
Shooom… Boom!
The ship landed near the outskirts of a domed metropolis. Around the docking grounds, other vessels were clustered together, their hulls glinting beneath the desert sun.
An old, short, rotund man shuffled toward them. He wore desert robes, a broad hat, and wind goggles, with heavy boots that crunched into the sand. His face bore an exaggerated grin, eyes narrowing as he clasped his hands together in a mock-polite gesture.
"Welcome, travelers. There's a docking fee here—ten units. We'll take good care of your ship while you're away."
Eugene sneered, seizing the man by the collar with one hand. Flames flickered to life in his palm, heat shimmering in the air.
"You'd better. If anything happens to our ship, I'll burn you where you stand. Understand?"
Kai quickly raised his hands to intervene.
"Calm down, Eugene! He's just making a living—charging for docking space and keeping watch. Nothing more."
The old man nodded furiously, his expression fearful. Eugene finally released him, letting the flames fade before crossing his arms with a weary sigh.
"…Tch. Maybe I overreacted."
Rese, watching with sharp eyes, muttered,
"See, Boss? She's showing her true colors. That girl's got a nasty temper."
Eugene's brow furrowed, irritation flashing as she flared fire in her hand again.
"You trying to mess with me, four-eyes?"
Rese lifted her hands in mock surrender, grinning.
"Oh nooo, I'm so scared… The redhead's gonna burn me up! Hah!"
Kai let out a long sigh.
"Enough, both of you. We came here to resupply, remember?"
Eugene turned back to him with a huff.
"Fine. I'll take care of the provisions."
Rese chimed in, clasping her hands behind her back and nudging the sand at her feet playfully.
"And I'll pick up anything else that might be useful, Boss."
She handed Kai a pouch heavy with coins.
Kai nodded, his tone softening. "Alright then. Thanks, Rese."
With that, the three split off in different directions—Eugene heading toward the city's great dome, Rese browsing among the small shops scattered around the outskirts, and Kai strolling along the busy street.
As he walked, he came across a small food stall set up by the roadside just before the city entrance. Sitting down, he picked up a menu, staring at it in confusion.
"Huh? What's this? I can't read a single word…"
The stall owner—a tall, wiry man with gray skin, a thick beard, and a white chef's hat and apron over brown clothing—spoke up with a friendly smile.
"What will it be, young traveler?"