Kaito walked through the halls of the ship, dragging his feet against the metal floors making a high pitch squeaking sound, but his mind was too cluttered to hear it. The memory of Elara asking Nara to be her pupil kept looping in his head.
"Why her? Nara's already crazy strong… far stronger than me. I—I don't get it."
His thoughts drifted further back, as hethought back on his short stint on Draconis Prime.
"My fight with Jorak… I could barely put a scratch on him. Not only that… I would've died right there after that Velzari guy shot me through the chest if I wasn't saved by the others… I couldn't even stop Aqua numerous times with the help of Enaros and the other draconians… or even after being healed over and over by Nix and Elysia…Then there's Talon and Kaeline… They weren't just strong… they were on an entirely different level than everyone else there. They took down everyone I thought was powerful like it was nothing. Even Viro was able to take down Jorak… "
His steps slowed as he passed by the medical bay. He bit the bottom of his lip until it bled, the painful truth radiating in his chest.
"I'm not strong enough…"
Through the small window, he caught sight of Aqua lying on a bed unconscious. Elysia stood beside her analyzing a floating holo-screen. The door hissed open, catching her attention.
"Kaito dear. You're up really late." She said with a subtle hint of surprise in her voice.
"Hey, Elysia. Yeah, I know. Sorry to bother you again…" Kaito muttered out as he dragged his feet through the doorway.
She shook her head gently.
"It's okay, Kaito dear. No need to apologize. I was just checking over Aqua's results."
His body perked up slightly.
"Is… she going to be okay? Did you find anything new?"
Elysia slowly shook her head.
"Other than the essence flow in her brain being irregular, everything else seems to check out fine."
"Is there anything you can do about it?" He asked.
She frowned slightly.
"Unfortunately, no. I can treat her symptoms, but I can't correct the essence issue. She'll need to take a daily dose of Neravax to suppress the seizures, but that's only a temporary fix."
"So you're saying… there's nothing we can do?" He mumbled out, his tone now full of defeat as he looked over to Aqua.
Elysia's expression softened. Seeing Kaito like that… so stressed… so troubled, so unlike his usual confident self… made her ache a way she's never felt before.
It was painful…
She watched him for a long moment, her conflicted eyes beginning to tremble slightly before looking away.
"Well, I think there might be a way we can help her…" She muttered out.
Kaito's head snapped over to her.
"Wait… really? What is it?!"
Elysia took a moment before looking over to him.
"My mentor. She's an expert on essence and its flow within the body. She's in charge of overseeing a very important place that has information about all things in the universe. If anyone can fix or find a solution to Aqua's condition, it's her."
"That sounds amazing! What kind of place is it? Where is she? We have to tell the captain to change course so we can—"
"No." She suddenly cut him off, her tone unusually firm.
"You cannot tell the captain. Or anyone. Under any circumstances."
"Huh? What? But why? I'm sure the captain or anyone else would have no issue with it, besides maybe Talon…" He aired out, scratching the back of his head anxiously.
Elysia took a deep breath.
"…Because Kaito dear, my world isn't normal."
His head tilted to the side.
"Huh? Not normal? What do you mean?"
She turned toward the medical bay window, looking out to the stars.
"My home and the other planets and moons of my civilization, exist in a tight cluster of thousands of stars. It's in a small galaxy far, far away from us. So remote that even the Accord has no knowledge of it." She said calmly.
Kaito's entire body straightened up slightly.
"No knowledge? But the Accord knows almost everything. They got records of all kinds of civilizations across the cosmos. How could an entire galaxy just… not exist to them?"
Elysia turned around to face him.
"Because it was meant to be hidden. No history books, no star maps, no explorers have ever documented it. My people and the many others who share our small galaxy made sure of that. No outsiders are allowed to visit. Not just my world, but any world within the cluster or even the galaxy. No exceptions. And we're strictly forbidden to leave."
His eyes bulged out.
"You mean… your people are trapped there?"
She shook her head.
"Not trapped necessarily… But bound by law. We're free to travel between the many worlds and moons of our cluster, but leaving…That is strictly forbidden."
"Then what would happen if we went there anyway?" He asked hesitantly.
"...Then everyone would be killed." She stated bluntly.
Silence hung between them for a long moment, the weight of her words making his heart skip a beat.
"Everyone… would die? Just what kind of place is Elysia from?" He thought to himself, gulping as sweat rolled down the side of his face.
"But… what about you? If your world is so far away, how are you here?" He asked.
"…I can't tell you that Kaito dear. Not right now." She said hesitantly, averting her eyes to the side.
"Why? You've already told me this much, so why not—"
His words were blocked off as she raised her pink hand in front of his mouth.
"Here is just not a good place to talk about such things…" She said before turning toward the door, her voice trailing off.
"…Isn't that right, miss Kaeline?" She muttered calmly.
The door hissed open. Standing at the entrance was Kaeline, her expression was unreadable as she stepped into the room.
"No, it's not… Elysia." She said calmly, her gaze locked onto her.
"Kaeline…?" Kaito muttered, taken aback.
His mind flashed back to that tense moment when she pressed her kunai against his throat. His body tensed instinctively and before he could think, he moved to place himself between Aqua's unconscious body and her.
"What are you doing here?" He asked firmly, his entire demeanor becoming defensive.
"Relax Kaito. I'm not here for Aqua." Kaeline said calmly.
"Then why are you here? You don't look injured to me, so it can't be to see Elysia either."
"Drop the attitude hot shot. I was actually looking for you."
His eyebrows shot up.
"Huh? Me? Why me?" He asked skeptically.
Kaeline let out a small breath before crossing her arms.
"I wanted to apologize."
"A-Apologize?" He repeated, eyes full of shock and skepticism.
"For what happened. The way I handled you… I went overboard. I'm sorry about that."
Kaito's lips opened slightly, but before he could respond, she continued.
"Look Kaito… You don't have to accept my apology, I understand if you don't. But you should know my job is to protect her and the crew. No matter the cost. Aqua… moments before she seemingly broke free of Sera's control, she was our enemy. A deadly one too. And even now, despite being freed, there's a lot we don't know about her. Too many unknowns."
He glanced back at Aqua as she continued to talk.
"Her and Jorak's memories have been partially wiped. That means she doesn't even truly know herself. Someone like that… with that much power, that much mystery, is a risk. Risks can cost lives. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
There was a short stretch of silence between them. He dropped his head, rubbing the back of his neck before looking back up at her.
"…Yeah, I understand. But… I also realized something too. I got too cocky after the tournament. Thought that after all those fights underground in Thalos, I was the real deal. But the truth is… I was weak. I'm still weak..."
He clenched his fists as tight as he could, his hands beginning to tremble slightly.
"My lack of strength, my lack of actual training… all of that makes me a risk to the crew, too. And yeah… Aqua is a risk, but so is everyone on this ship. People like us, we take risks just by being here."
His mind drifted back, to himself as a child, beaten bloodied in the streets of Thalos, crying out for help… and no one answering.
"Taking risks is just part of this life. And if taking that risk means helping someone who needs it… then I'll take it every single time."
He looked back at Aqua laying there, his eyes burning with conviction.
"She's screaming for help, I can hear her… I can feel her. And I won't allow her to be ignored… not like I was."
The entire room went silent. Elysia smirked warmly. Kaeline's eyes lingered on him for a long moment before she slowly exhaled.
"…I see. I guess I have my answer, then." She casually aired out.
She took a single step closer to him. At the exact same time, he stepped toward her as well. And then, they both spoke at the exact same time.
"Allow me to become your pupil."
"Allow me to become your mentor."
There was an awkward long silence between the both of them.
"Eh…?"
"…Eh?"
They stared at each other, processing what the other had just said. Elysia blinked in surprise before suddenly bursting into a light laughter.
Kaito's mouth opened slightly, then closed, then it opened again.
"Wait—what!?" He stuttered out, completely baffled.
Kaeline mirrored his reaction, before narrowing her eyes.
"No, you wait—what do you mean pupil?"
"What do you mean mentor? You were about to kill me just earlier, now you're asking me to learn under you!? Are you crazy!?"
"You do realize you're asking to learn under me yourself… do you?"
"Yeah, but… nevermind! It's just…" He shook his head, calming himself down.
"The battles… they opened my eyes to how big the gap is between me and real star travelers. Every fight I had… from Jorak to Aqua—I outright lost. And if it weren't for the others, I wouldn't even be standing here right now."
His eyes flicked to Elysia, then back to her.
"You two, Talon, Nix, the others—you're the only reason I'm alive… But you Kaeline… When you grabbed me when I was trying to protect Aqua… I couldn't do anything." His hand instinctively reached for his throat, remembering the sensation of her kunai pressing against his skin.
"In that instant, I was completely helpless. If you had wanted to, I'd be dead. Just like that… How am I supposed to help others if I can't even protect myself? How am I supposed to achieve my dream if I'm this weak? …That's why I need to get stronger."
Kaeline watched him for a long moment, her face unreadable.
"Hmmm...I see." She muttered out.
"What about you though? Why did you ask me to be your pupil?" He asked.
She remained quiet for a moment before opening her mouth.
"Because you're right." She said casually.
"Huh?" Kaito aired out confused.
"You stood no real chance against the starborne troupe members. Your essence control is horrendous. Your efficiency using it? Even worse. Your attacks lack refinement, you rely too much on instinct, and your physical endurance is impressive, but it's not enough to make up for your weaknesses. Not only that—"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" He cut in, waving his hands.
"Jeez, I thought she was gonna say something positive, but she's just confirming all the things I've been doubting about myself…" He thought to himself, visibly deflated before opening his mouth.
"I suck, I know. Can you at least say something positive about me?"
"Your hand-to-hand combat is above average." She said bluntly.
The entire room went silent.
"…That's it?" He replied.
"Yup." She responded without hesitation.
More silence.
Elysia, unable to help herself, giggled like there was no tomorrow.
"Hehehehehehe. Well, his durability is far above average, considering how many times he gets pounded and still gets up asking for more."
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!" Kaito shouted, turning toward her.
"Those weren't the deciding factors of my decision to train you, though." Kaeline calmly stated.
Kaito paused, lowering his arms as he turned to her.
"Then… what was?" He asked.
She pointed a single finger at his chest.
"Your heart."
He tilted his head to the side.
"…My heart?"
She nodded.
"Yes. You throw yourself into danger for the sake of others without hesitation. Stranger, friend, enemy—it doesn't matter to you. You saw it as a risk worth taking. I saw it back when you stood against me and Talon's orders. While we prioritized the captain and the crew, you refused to leave Enaros, Nix, and the other Draconians behind. Even when faced with death, with a hole in your chest, you stood by your words. You had nothing left to fight with, yet you still tried to fight. That kind of conviction is rare. That's the first reason I want to train you."
Kaito's eyebrow scrunched up slightly.
"…The first reason? What's the second?"
Kaeline was silent for a moment, staring into his brown eyes before speaking.
"Your goal is to become the King of the Stars, right?" She asked.
"Y-Yeah. What about it?" He replied.
"In order to even follow that dream, you need a crew of your own, correct?"
He gave her a confused look.
"Yeah, I already figured that out. What's the big deal about that?"
She unfolded her arms, her voice turning colder.
"When a star traveler wants to become a captain of a crew, they have two choices. The first is the most common route—get a Star Traveler license, register as a captain, and recruit members to your crew."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Kaeline's eyes sharpened slightly.
"The second option… is for someone who's already part of a crew and wishes to become a captain of their own. In order to do so… they must defeat their current captain in battle."
Kaito felt his entire body jolt.
"…What?" He gasped out.
"That's the rule. If a Star Traveler is already part of a crew but wants to become a captain of their own, or even take over their current crew, they must challenge their captain and win." Kaeline explained calmly.
Kaito could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He gulped hard, shaking his head.
"Wait, wait, wait. So you're telling me… if I want to leave the crew one day to start my own, I have to fight the captain?" He asked, eyes wide with anxiety.
"Yes." She replied, eyes calm.
He took a moment to process the revelation, eyes scanning the floor all over before looking back up to her.
"…Is the captain aware of this?"
Kaeline nodded.
"Yes. She's aware."
Kaito ran a hand down his face becoming deep in thought before something clicked in his head.
"Wait a second… why are you helping me? I thought you and the captain were close. Why do you want to train me to beat her?"
Kaeline hesitated. For the first time since the conversation started, she looked… conflicted.
"The main reason is that… I want to become a part of your crew, Kaito."
"A part… of my crew? But… why?"
"Every member of this crew has their own personal goal. We each have a reason why we joined, something we're chasing after. For a long time, I thought my path aligned with the Elara's… but I was wrong. My goals have changed. Now, they align with yours."
Elysia stepped into Kaito's view.
"The same goes for me as well. I thought my goals were my actual goals and they aligned with the captain's but once I met you… all of that changed… I truly can't explain why that is at this moment, but just know Kaito dear, I will stand by your side no matter what."
"Elysia…" He thought to himself as he looked at her, his face full of surprise.
Kaeline tilted her head to the side.
"Hmmm, it seems you were already building a crew in secret. Good. I already planned to have Elysia join us."
Elysia grabbed Kaito's arm and began to playfully wave it at Kaeline.
"Actually miss Kaeline, since I technically came up with the idea, that would make you the 'addition' wouldn't it?" She teased playfully.
Kaito rubbed his chin with his free hand before his eyes widened a bit.
"Wait, wait, wait. The captain's goal is to become the head of the Accord, right? Wouldn't that mean I'd be able to leave the crew once she achieves that? She wouldn't be a star traveler captain anymore, so why not just wait until then?" He asked.
Kaeline let out a small sigh and shook her head.
"That would be the smart thing to do. But you're wrong."
"Huh? Why?"
"When we agreed to join the crew, we also agreed to stay together—to stick by the captain's side no matter what. That means, once the captain becomes the head of the Accord… the rest of us would follow her into the Accord's ranks. Permanently. If that happens, you will never be able to become a star traveler again. Your dream of becoming king of the stars? It'll die right then and there."
Kaito took a step back, his hands clenching at his sides.
"No… That can't be right. That's not what I— But… the captain never told me that when I asked to join. And Nara—she just joined! Does she know about this? Why am I just now finding this out? Did she not tell me because she doesn't believe I'll ever beat her?"
Kaeline shook her head.
"No, I think it's the opposite."
He perked up, looking over to her with a look of surprise.
"Huh? Wh–What do you mean it's the opposite?"
"I believe the captain sees you as a worthy opponent."
"A… worthy opponent?" He repeated quietly.
"Yes… But listen to me carefully Kaito, the captain isn't what she appears to be on the surface. You haven't seen who she really is..."
Kaito's heartbeat pounded in his ears.
"If she isn't… then… who is the captain—"
Kaeline suddenly raised her hand, cutting him off. Her body tensed, and her eyes flicked to the door. In that split second, Kaito understood.
"Someone's listening."
He shifted slightly, his eyes following hers toward the entrance.
The door hissed open.
Stepping into the room was Nara… and the captain Elara.