Inside the military base where their spacecraft was docked, Kai and Eugene arrived to find Rese, Septa, and Ruby waiting nearby. The three were chatting together when Rese noticed Kai and Eugene approaching. With a faintly sad expression, as if saying farewell to close friends, she spoke to Ruby and Septa:
"Take care, you two. My captain's here now… I'm really going to miss you both."
Both Ruby and Septa hugged Rese just as Kai and Eugene reached the ship.
Ruby turned to Kai. Though her face remained calm, a small smile tugged at her lips as she said,
"Good luck. Travel safely, meow. And thank you for everything. Meow… I think I've finally made peace with Mas."
Septa, seeing Kai, lightly pinched her skirt and lowered herself in a graceful bow.
"Greetings, Sir Kai. I believe I'll remain here, since this is the safest place for me now. I've also been entrusted as the caretaker. Thank you for everything you've done for me. Please have a safe journey."
Hearing them, Kai smiled gently and replied,
"Good luck to you both. Take care of yourselves, and if anything happens, you can always reach out to me… Come on, Eugene, Rese."
The three boarded the spacecraft. As Kai settled into the control seat, the ship slowly lifted off the ground. Rese, sitting by the window, pressed her hand against the glass, watching Ruby and Septa below wave their farewells. She raised her hand and waved back, her eyes glistening.
Kai's voice broke the silence."Rese, set our course. We're heading for the southwest continent. Give me the coordinates for planet Sephida so we can exit Meta's orbit."
Still with her hand on the window, Rese turned, pulled out a small book, and quickly flipped it open."Coordinates 9876, southwest—planet Sephida, Captain."
Kai entered the data into the navigation system, guiding the ship upward through Meta's atmosphere. With the coordinates set, he initiated the warp sequence.
The console hummed."Warp in three… two… one…"
Vwoooom… shoooom… whuuuddd!
The spacecraft shot forward, vanishing into the void of space.
Stars stretched endlessly around them as Kai exhaled with relief."Finally… warp complete."
Rese turned toward him."Captain, why are we going to Sephida?"
Kai kept his eyes on the navigation display as he replied,"We're going to find Sephira. I don't know why exactly, but a man once told me I needed to meet her. I don't even know who he was, but he said she might hold answers about me."
Rese nodded in understanding, then grew quiet. Eugene, however, spoke up:
"Sephira, huh? She's the guardian of the southwest continent. Many seek her out to learn their fate. They say she has the power to glimpse into a person's future. But she's elusive—people rarely find her. Some say if she wishes to see you, she'll simply appear."
Hearing that, Rese's eyes sparkled. She leapt to her feet, raising her fists excitedly against her chest."Wow! The guardian of the southwest continent herself! I can't wait to see what she's like—it's so exciting!"
Their journey continued until Kai sensed something unusual. Through his Vision Eye, he detected movement in the debris field ahead—a massive black serpent slithering between drifting rocks. Its enormous form coiled in the void, eyes gleaming as it prepared to strike the ship.
Fssssshhh!
The serpent lunged, its maw wide. But Kai remained calm.
Suddenly, a colossal black hound—so large it rivaled a dwarf planet—emerged from the darkness. It sank its fangs into the serpent, tearing its body apart in one brutal motion.
The monstrous hound turned its gaze upon Kai's ship. At that moment, Kai understood. A deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind—telepathy.
"Long ago, you saved my life. Today, I return the favor, O merciful one."
With that, the enormous hound vanished into the endless dark.
The way ahead now clear, Kai guided the ship forward as though nothing had happened. Inside, however, Rese and Eugene were still shaken.
"Wh-what was that?!" Rese exclaimed. "Captain, I just saw something unbelievable!"
Eugene frowned."Unbelievable indeed. Beasts of legend fighting each other isn't rare… but for one to help us? That's strange. Why?"
The two women exchanged confused looks. Only Kai understood. With a quiet smile, he murmured,
"This must be the reward for doing good."