Kaito sat on the edge of a floating medical bed, hands resting stiffly in his lap. Finn sat on the far end of the same bed. Aqua stood right beside him with Kaeline and Elysia on the opposite side of the holo-projection as the footage of the exams replayed him absorbing the guardian inside of his eye followed by the beings voice speaking to Sylas of Lyra and rebirth of her former lover turned capturer. Of a man who would ravage the universe Lyra created to claim it as his own.
Kaito's brows scrunched together with every passing second. The footage was eventually stopped by Kaeline right before Sylas was attacked.
"Does any of this seem familiar?" She asked carefully.
Kaito assumed she was speaking to him. His head dropped and his shoulders tensed. His fists clenched tightly in his lap as he searched his blank memory for anything. But there was nothing.
Finn watched him from the side, helplessness oozing from his eyes.
Kaito had always carried more than he let on. He knew that. But this—this was different. Everything that happened so suddenly. It was too much for one to bear alone, even someone like Kaito.
His own fist curled in his lap, blood seeping from the glowing bandages covering them.
Then—
"Y–Yes…" Came another voice. One more reserved and softer.
"…Yes, it does."
Kaito's head snapped up.
"…What?" His eyes widened as he turned toward Aqua.
She stood beside the bed, gaze fixed on the projection.
"That being, what it's saying… it matches what little I remember of the Grand Order's mission."
Kaito froze.
"…Their mission?"
She nodded slowly.
"Or rather…his mission."
The footage shifted to Sylas again.
"And that elf… He looks like the one I remember seeing inside the preservation pod. The one—"
Kaito moved without thinking. In a blink, he was in front of her, his hand covering her mouth, heart pounding violently in his chest.
"Are y'all crazy!?" He shouted, panic sharp in his voice as he spun toward Kaeline.
"You remember what happened to Jorak, right!? Why would you push her to talk about the same person that likely killed him!?"
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Aqua gently pulled his hand away. Her grip was steady yet gentle.
"That's because…" She said calmly, meeting his eyes.
"...They can't kill me."
Kaito stared at her.
"…What?"
Kaeline stepped in.
"While you and Finn were still in the exams. Aqua woke up as you can see. When she did, we monitored her closely. During that monitoring, we began to talk."
She glanced at Aqua.
"While talking it seemed some of her memories returned. Not all. Not much actually. Despite that, it seems she's able to mention certain things without any of the repercussions Jorak suffered."
Kaito's chest tightened as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.
"…How can you be sure? How do you know it won't happen later?" He asked nervously.
"We don't." Elysia answered gently.
All eyes turned to her.
"But, it likely has less to do with who Aqua is… and more to do with what she is."
Kaito's head tilted slightly.
"…What? What do you mean by that?"
Elysia smiled softly.
"Her race. Next to the elves, the elythrians are considered the second most powerful ancient race in recorded history, and the second known to travel the stars. It's taught in most academies that this happened because the first elves traveled the cosmos in search of worlds similar to their own. Worlds rich in water, which to their surprise wasn't that hard as current studies show that roughly forty-five percent of all habitable planets in the known universe contain vast oceans. When the elves arrived to these worlds, they found beings already living there. Beings like Aqua."
She paused.
"Only… different."
Finn's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean different?"
Elysia folded her pink hands on one another.
"They were true, full-blooded elythrians with entire civilizations living beneath the oceans on multiple worlds. Even on planets composed entirely of water. They were true amphibians, beings unable to survive on land. Not until the elves arrived."
Silence settled over the bay.
"Over time, the elves settled on those worlds and some eventually began to procreate with the elythrians."
Her gaze shifted fully to Aqua.
"Because of that, a new kind of elythrian emerged. Ones with elven traits. Ones capable of breathing air and water."
Aqua lifted her hand slowly until her webbed fingers brushed the skin on her cheek the color of warm sand beneath her eye, her expression contemplative.
Kaito glanced back at Aqua, his eyes lingering on the parts of her body that were covered in skin like his and Finn's. From her neck that was partially covered in light blue scales of a fish, her shoulders to her collarbones, to her lower thigh that was somewhat visible below her white clothing. It was human and elf-like… but not entirely. It seemed to shine subtly. Almost as if she had a permeated gloss covering her skin like she recently jumped out of a pool.
"…So you're saying, she's part elf?" He asked quietly.
Elysia smiled and nodded.
"Yes. Part elf… and part elythrian."
She folded her hands together again, voice calm but deliberate.
"These new elythrians were able to walk alongside the elves. Travel the stars with them and colonize worlds beyond the oceans they were born into."
She raised a single pink finger.
"And because of that…" She continued, her tone sharpening just slightly.
"I believe whoever this man is—he needs Aqua for something."
Kaito swallowed.
"But…" Elysia added.
"Something fascinating that Aqua remembers… is the fact that Elara is his primary target."
Kaito's entire body tensed.
"The… captain?" He asked, disbelief creeping into his voice.
Elysia nodded.
Kaito turned slowly toward Aqua.
"…Is that really what you remember?"
Aqua hesitated, then nodded.
"It's hard to picture clearly, but I remember Sera and I attending a meeting with five others."
Her silver colored brows knit together.
"All of us connected through encrypted holo-projections, their faces were hidden and their voices distorted. But I remember for certain Elara was the primary topic and target. Sera wouldn't stop talking about it after. I remember that for sure."
A small smile tried to form, but was quickly washed away as she continued.
"They said once Elara was retrieved, nothing or no one would be able to stop him from becoming the rightful god of this universe. And once he does, those who follow the Grand Order would have all of their wishes fulfilled."
Kaito's chest tightened. He barely had time to process any of it before a soft chime echoed through the medical bay followed by Elara's voice over the intercom.
"Kaito, Finn, Elysia, and Kaeline, report to the main chamber for a crew meeting. We are preparing to jump to the Kheris system so find somewhere to strap in."
There was a brief pause.
"Kaeline, bring the Codex Fragment as well. We'll convene after the jump."
"Understood, we'll be there." Kaeline responded evenly.
Elysia chuckled softly.
"Well then, it seems Elara's little meeting with the exam organizer has ended… but her hunger for answers clearly hasn't." She said lightly, as if this was all a game to her.
She glanced sideways at Kaeline with a knowing smile.
"Things are getting rather interesting, don't you think, Kaeline-sensei?"
Kaeline nodded.
"…Indeed."
Before anyone could say more, Viro's voice burst through the intercom, far too damn cheerful for the tension hanging in the air.
"Alright everyone! Hold onto something! Initiating jump sequence! Ten… nine… eight…"
The deck vibrated softly beneath their feet.
"Seven… six…"
Kaito instinctively steadied himself in the bed. Aqua took a seat next to him
"Five… four… three…"
Light and reality began to bend along the edges of the room.
"Two… one—!"
The stars outside stretched and collapsed and then snapped back into place in a mere moment.
Stellar System: Kheris
Primary Star: G-type (orange-yellow)
Secondary Star: M-type (red)
Number of Planets: 10 (4 within habitable zone)
Galaxy: Viridion Galaxy
Distance to Starfall City: 0.003 light-years
The ship drifted at the edge of the Kheris system, the distant twin suns twinkling through the viewport at the edge of the room.
Kaeline turned toward the exit.
"Follow me.
Everyone complied and moved, everyone… except Aqua. Kaito noticed immediately. He stopped and turned back.
"Why aren't you coming?" He asked.
She looked down briefly.
"I'm not a member of Elara's crew… I don't believe it would be right of me to be allowed in such a meeting."
Kaito stared at her for a short moment then he shook his head.
"You're right…" He said.
"You're not part of Elara's crew… Because you're part of mine."
She looked up, surprised. The icy-blue fins along the sides of her head twitched subtly.
Kaito stepped closer and held out his hand.
"So come on, I'm pretty sure we both have a lot of questions about everything going on. Ain't that right?"
She stared at his outstretched scarred hand for a long moment. It seemed as if she wanted to ask him something right then and there, instead, she walked past him without saying a word or taking his hand. She continued toward the others, stopping beside Elysia near the exit. She turned back toward him, her expression calm… but warm.
"You're right, I do have a lot of questions I'd like to ask."
She paused, then added softly—
"…So thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do so, captain."
A small smile rose on her lips.
Elysia clapped her hands together in delight.
Kaito felt something loosen in his chest seeing that smile of hers. He smiled back and walked forward to join them as the doors hissed open.
Planet: Unknown
Stellar System: Unknown
Number of Stars: 2
Star Type: K-type & K-type (Orange / Orange)
Number of Planets: 12 (7 within the habitable zone)
Galaxy: Astralis
Seraphine sat before a towering mirror framed in gold and black material. Soft light from hovering holo-screens bathed the dark chamber in blue hues. One projection hovered directly before her listed as classified.
Low-ranked Cosmic Well Guardians venturing far beyond origin points…
Villages and cities destroyed…
Her amber eyes moved calmly from line to line. Despite the nature of the news, her eyes remained mostly unreadable yet still motherly, almost gentle. But beneath that front was the gaze of curiosity.
A soft chime sounded and another projection bloomed beside the reports.
A hulking alien figure appeared, dressed in crimson-and-gold Accord military armor. The moment the connection stabilized, he dropped to one knee, head bowed.
"My lady…" He said, voice deep and disciplined.
"Scout satellites have confirmed they've departed the licensing station."
Seraphine's gaze did not waver. He continued.
"Your hypothesis was correct. Their trajectory suggests they seek upgrades enough to traverse vast intergalactic distances to follow the call of the fragment. They jumped towards the northern edge of the Viridion Galaxy. There can only be one destination they seek in that area."
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"…Starfall City." She finished for him.
The captain inclined his head lower.
"Shall my fleet begin interception, my lady?"
"Yes." She replied smoothly, then firmly added—"But do not engage Elara."
His head lifted slightly.
"If you do, you and your entire fleet will die."
She paused.
"Wait for Kaito to separate from her. The moment he does, take him. If any of his precious crewmates try to interfere, kill them."
Her amber eyes hardened just a touch.
"And no matter what happens… ensure he remains alive."
The captain's dark red eyes that matched his thick crimson skin, hardened with resolve.
"Understood, my lady." He answered determinedly.
His projection vanished. As it did, Seraphine returned her attention to the reports.
City: Starfall City
Planet: Zarithis
Stellar System: Kheris
Number of Stars: 2 (Binary)
Star Type: G-type (orange-yellow) / M-type (red)
Number of Planets: 10 (4 within the habitable zone)
Galaxy: Viridion Galaxy
On top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in Starfall City was an open-air bar where Morgoth and Bellatrix sat as a short orange waitress with short green hair placed another glass of a glowing light green liquid on their smooth floating table.
Below in the city, neon lights of all colors flashed. Numerous drones displaying ads for everything you could think of flew over the city streets stacked upon streets. Beyond the city's distant edge was endless sand and jagged mountains stretched beneath the setting twin suns.
Morgoth slumped back in his chair, downing the large glass filled with a glowing light-green liquid the worker dropped off. In front of him were several other empty glasses.
Bellatrix sat across from him, her posture perfect and drink untouched.
A chime echoed and a small encrypted holo-projection flickered to life between them on the table of a featureless upper torso cloaked in shadow.
"They've entered the Kheris system. They're currently at the edge of the system and arrival is estimated to be within a few planetary cycles."
"Yeah, yeah—we know." Morgoth slurred, waving a dismissive hand.
"Everything's ready. Bellatrix and I are just enjoying a little time off."
He leaned back, grinning.
"This is the party city of the galaxy, you know! We deserve it. You work us nonstop and I—"
"Everything is prepared." Bellatrix cut him off.
"We will notify you the moment Aqua and Elara arrive."
The projection paused.
"…As expected. You are as reliable as ever Bellatrix."
Bellatrix bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you, my lord."
Morgoth scoffed and reached for another glass.
"Hey!" He muttered, slurring slightly.
"You really gonna show up yourself and fight Elara? Thought that elf brat's body wasn't ready yet. And Aqua's body is still unstable with that monster inside of her."
He snorted.
"And even if it was, you really think that thing's enough to beat her?"
The leader was silent for a moment.
"The elf's body is not ready, and it may never be. But that is irrelevant. Neither Elara… nor Aqua… is my true target for my visit."
Morgoth blinked and burped loudly.
"…Huh? Then what are we even—"
"He was never my intended target…" The leader said, voice darkening.
"But his sickening devotion to his younger brother created a complication I could not ignore. So I took him instead."
The leader's projection presence seemed to deepen as his gaze drifted off slightly.
"My essence can sense him… My blood. He is with Aqua. With Elara."
He turned back to Bellatrix then to Morgoth.
"Prepare for battle once my arrival comes to fruition."
Bellatrix bowed her head deeply this time.
"Yes, my lord."
The projection fizzled out. Morgoth stared at the empty space, then downed another drink.
"…I really hate that guy." He muttered.
Planet: Unknown
Stellar System: Unknown
Number of Stars: 1
Star Type: K-type (yellow)
Number of Planets: 7 (1 within the habitable zone)
Galaxy: Viridion Galaxy
Inside a vast laboratory were rows upon rows of tall glass pods, each filled with a green liquid. Inside them floated elves of every kind—different races, different worlds, different ages. All stripped down and unconscious with glowing blue tubes latched to their bodies. Small holo-displays hovered before each pod, listing names, races, home systems, affinities.
The leader walked slowly through the rows.
He stopped at the far end of the chamber.
Before him floated a young adult elf with short curly dirty-blonde hair. A faded swirling sigil glowed on his left shoulder.
The holo-display flickered gently.
Name: Theron
The leader's lips curled into a faint smile as he rested a hand on the glass.
"…It seems our family reunion will be quite the event."
His black eyes gleamed.
"Don't you agree my son…Sylas?"
[END OF VOL 3] - The Star Traveler License Exams Arc
Next up: Volume 4 - The Kheris Confrontation Arc