"They are here," Kaelen says quietly to Rai while they are both still under the sound barrier. Rai deactivates it.
"What kept—" she begins, but her words are cut short at the sight of Myles, passed out, being bridal-carried by Terrene. It turns out Terrene can control the Criole around Myles if she has enough time to study his Criole wave. Lia immediately rushes over to take him from her, but Terrene refuses. This shocks all three girls — Terrene has never taken an interest in anything or anyone before. Lia clenches her fist, steps back in defeat, and watches as Myles is carried into the egg vehicle.
"This isn't fair. He was nothing but a 'pet'. What changed in your eyes?" Lia's voice trembles as she looks down, her eyes seemingly devoid of life. She trails behind her sisters into the vehicle. "Please, not him," she whispers, her voice pained as a tear trickles down her face. The egg closes behind her.
Inside, they are greeted by a marvellous spectacle of flying metal drones of different shapes and sizes, all working on their individual tasks. The egg-vehicle seems to have a pocket dimension within it, because the interior appears far larger than the exterior — at least the size of a campus. The floors, paved rather than metallic, glow faintly with blue light seeping through thin slots, giving the place a sleek, futuristic look. On either side stand tall mechs holding weapons as if guarding the entrance. Parked neatly are vehicles seemingly built for different terrains and conditions.
The girls' expressions remain mostly neutral. Rai finally speaks."We have to go back. Daddy will be missing us."
All the girls smile except Terrene, which is expected, and Lia, who stares blankly at Myles, lost in thought.
Terrene looks at her younger sister. "We should share him. I respect that he was yours. Then again, he was a shell of what he is now, so you'll have to win him over again. But I'll do the same. You won't be greedy, will you?" she says in her usual flat tone.
Lia's eyes suddenly regain their spark, filled with determination. She looks up at her older sister."I'd share him — but he'd love me more."
Terrene smiles faintly and turns away, Lia following."We'll see," Terrene replies.
Rai and Kaelen exchange knowing looks and giggle."I never would have imagined that it would be a boy who could pique the interest of the awkward purple robot," Rai teases.Kaelen snorts. "He is quite the interesting character, though. Who knows, you might fall next~"
Rai doesn't laugh. Instead, her face flushes red. Kaelen blinks, stunned. Rai — composed even around those she admires — blushing over a mortal? Impossible. Myles must have some kind of charm on him.
"Devinr," Rai suddenly calls to the ship's AI. "Set a course for home." She disappears as soon as she gives the command. Kaelen chuckles and steps into a pressurised tube that takes her directly to her room.
Her chamber is dark and dimly lit, stone-walled and vast, with an eerie atmosphere resembling a dungeon. Her hair turns completely red, freckles bloom across her cheeks, her eyes narrow sharply, and her smiling face hardens."Tell me, Kaelen — did you also notice what the boy is?" her transformed self asks. A voice within her answers, "I thought I was imagining things… but if you saw it too, then—"Kaelen's second form smiles.
"This is really starting to get old."
Myles stands in front of a mirror, dressed in a black samue kimono. Some strands of his black hair are now red, and his body feels lighter than usual. He feels awkward and slightly clumsy — taller, leaner, yet more defined.
He stares at his reflection, astonished. Even with all the changes, he can hardly believe it's him. His jaw is sharper, his hair sleek and straight, his muscles toned — and he has fangs. Myles always thought people who naturally had fangs were cool, so he grins, admiring them, until he notices the bed reflected behind him.
It's enormous — no wonder he hadn't noticed it before. Terrene and Lia lie peacefully on either side of it, wearing similar clothing to his own: Lia in white, Terrene in purple.
His gaze shifts to the corner, caught by a massive gundam-like mech. The room around him blends Japanese and sci-fi aesthetics — wooden floors, sliding paper-like walls traced with blue light, and a low table surrounded by soft hovering cushions. The only thing that stands out is the enormous floating circular bed — at least three times larger than a super king size.
Myles smiles softly. The bed makes Lia look so small and cute.
He turns back to the mech, intrigued. The magnificent machine bears a sheathed katana at its hip, a laser gun across its back, knuckle spikes, and a striking colour scheme of jet black with red highlights. It looks human-operable."I'm geeking out right now. I don't care where I am — I'm never leaving," he thinks to himself seriously.
ATTENTION: ARRIVAL AT 'HOME' IN TWO MINUTES, a robotic voice announces, waking the two girls.
Lia yawns. "Myles, come see our home with me," she says sleepily."Yeah, umm… sure thing," he replies, turning around.
Terrene floats up to him and kisses his cheek. "She can have you for now," she says blankly, heading to the bathroom.
Both Myles and Lia freeze in shock. Myles looks down at the ring on his hand, frowning. Lia notices."You know, we aren't engaged or anything," she says softly. "That was just a promise I made to you — if you ever got your mind back. I'll keep that promise because… because believe it or not, I fell for you."
They stare at each other, faces flushed."Let's go now, okay?" Lia says suddenly.
Lia leads Myles to the cockpit to see her home planet. They meet Kaelen and Rai there, and soon after, Terrene joins them. Outside, magnificent creatures pull the ship through space, the stars streaking by in trails of light. Ahead, a green planet dotted with blue patches grows larger.
"Welcome to my home," Lia says gently, taking Myles' hand and looking down at him.
Myles is mesmerised — by her beauty, her sincerity, her eyes. He clears his throat awkwardly and looks away."Th–thank you," he stammers, making her giggle.
"Let's get ready. We're going to see my father — it's been so long." She pulls him along, and he smiles softly.
"I'll go in first. You can come too, Myles. I don't mind," Terrene says flatly as she walks into the bathroom."Don't you have your own room?" Lia yells after her."I could say the same for you, dumbass," Terrene replies with her head poking out the door.
Lia blushes. She lifts Myles, and before he can react, they are in her room — decorated with white roses, much like his but larger. The space is tiled and furnished with oak, with a Western aesthetic. A chandelier of glowing white roses and dark oak vines hangs above, the same vines suspending her bed. A pool at the far end shimmers with floating petals, and small attendant robots tend to the flowers.
"White rose fan, are we?" Myles teases with a chuckle.Lia blushes and looks away. "Yeah," she says shyly, pulling him toward the bathroom.
Later, they all gather at the egg vehicle's exit. Myles, hand in hand with Lia, is red as a cherry, while Lia is cheerful but composed. She wears a tracksuit identical to his, but completely white.
Rai chuckles. "That's cute, but we're going to see Daddy. We need to dress properly, you know this." She spins, showing off her outfit — a blue top with black detachable sleeves, matching trousers, a black linen wrap belt, and black heels. Kaelen wears a green ruffled wrap dress, jade bracelets, and platform lace-up sandals. Terrene wears a black choker, a purple velvet bell-sleeved top, a black arm cuff, a thigh strap, and platform boots.
Lia lets go of Myles' hand. Her clothes glow, transforming into a light grey sleeveless coat over a white turtleneck, high-waisted suit trousers, and silver heels, complemented by a silver rose belt and necklace.
Myles wonders if he can do the same. Suddenly, he's enveloped in black fog. When it clears, he wears a jet-black loose hooded overcoat, turtleneck, loose trousers, and platform boots.
After landing, they find themselves in what looks to Myles like an enormous mansion. They are greeted by maids, butlers, and androids.
"WELCOME BACK, PRINCESSES — AND STRANGER — TO DOMAIN FIRST."
Still holding Lia's hand, Myles follows her into a breathtaking hall. The floors are jade, the ceiling a mix of precious stones and light, the walls gold and silver, and at the far end stands a platinum throne where a visibly old yet vibrant man sits.
"Welcome home, my daughters," he says warmly, then turns his gaze to Myles. "And what strange creature have you brought with you?" he adds with a smile.
Lia bows. "This 'strange creature', as you call him, Father, is the man I wish to marry one day."