"Forget it. I've already waited thirty million years—what's eight more?"
Camearra turned her head away, pouting, sulking like a girl denied her wish.
"Camearra, I've explained it to you countless times already." Yu Zhou steadied his breath, forcing the blush on his cheeks to fade. "I'm not the ancient Tiga. How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?"
"You're not? Then tell me—where did Tiga go?"
Camearra clearly didn't buy it. Her voice was still sharp with grievance.
"He… went back to his homeland, didn't he?"
Yu Zhou spread his hands helplessly. He had no idea where the real Tiga had gone, only that he had returned to his place of origin.
"And where, exactly, is this homeland?" Camearra narrowed her eyes at him.
"Orion's Belt?"
Yu Zhou hesitated. Based on what little he had studied, the ancient Giants of Light seemed to be born when humans of that era gained power from Orion's Light. Maybe Tiga was no different.
"Uh… I'll be going then," Masaki said awkwardly from the side. "This seems… like family business. I shouldn't intrude. Yu Zhou, handle it with care. Come find me later."
With that, Masaki all but bolted from the Crystal Palace.
"Family business? Masaki, don't just run off! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Yu Zhou reached out a hand, but Masaki was already gone.
"Well then, Camearra, if there's nothing else, I should—"
Before Yu Zhou could finish his escape plan, Camearra grabbed his wrist and held him fast.
"You're not leaving." Her eyes glared, cheeks puffed in frustration. "Come with me!"
"This…"
"Are you coming or not?!"
"…Fine."
Yu Zhou had no choice but to wear the look of a man resigned to his fate, trailing after her.
"What are you so nervous for? I'm not going to eat you."
Camearra rolled her eyes, annoyed by his jitters.
Lady, I'm seriously worried you might, Yu Zhou thought, but dared not say aloud.
No matter how much he denied it, Camearra had already convinced herself he was the ancient Tiga. His words couldn't shake her belief.
"Tiga, hurry back and rein in your wife," Yu Zhou muttered under his breath toward his Spark Lens. "If you don't, I'll end up stuck with another 'Forgiveness Form' before long."
"Sit here."
They arrived at the main seat of the palace hall. Camearra gestured for him to take the throne-like crystal chair.
"But—"
"Sit. Or not?"
Yu Zhou wavered, then dropped into the seat. It's just a chair. Not like it'll kill me.
"That's better. Very obedient."
Camearra exhaled softly and sat at the adjacent crystal stool, the deputy seat beside him.
The two of them sat in silence.
Yu Zhou glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Without the dark markings that once painted her face, her skin looked pure and fair. Her usual black dress had been replaced with a flowing white gown, radiant under the glow of the palace. The change made her seem breathtakingly beautiful.
No wonder… no wonder the ancient Tiga, the strongest of the Dark Giants, married her, Yu Zhou admitted to himself.
"What are you staring at?"
Her voice snapped him back. Camearra's gaze was locked directly on him, as if she could see straight into his thoughts.
"N-nothing!"
Yu Zhou waved his hands, flustered. He had only admired her beauty—he hadn't thought anything improper!
"Really?"
Camearra leaned closer, warm breath brushing against his neck.
"Really!"
The heat made Yu Zhou's face flare crimson. He leapt from his crystal chair, turning away to gulp down deep breaths.
"Then why were you looking at me like that?"
Her lips curved into a sly smile.
"I wasn't!" Yu Zhou insisted. No way was he admitting it—if he did, she'd surely get the wrong idea.
"Fine, fine. I'll stop teasing you."
She chuckled at his bright-red face.
"If that's all, then I'll… take my leave!"
Yu Zhou all but sprinted from the Crystal Palace like a man fleeing a dragon's den.
"One day, you'll understand," Camearra murmured to herself, watching him go.
But just as Yu Zhou stepped outside the palace gates, two figures appeared before him.
"You are…?"
He blinked in surprise.
One was a slim young man dressed in trendy, modern fashion. The other was a massive, tower-like figure in a neatly tailored suit. Both looked oddly familiar, though Yu Zhou couldn't immediately place them.
"Well, well. Tiga, you're back!" the slim one greeted him without hesitation.
"…Hudra?"
It clicked. With permission to come and go from the Crystal Palace, and appearances that—despite their drastic changes—he could now piece together, these two had to be Hudra and Darramb.
"Yeah, it's me," Hudra nodded.
Yu Zhou gave them both a once-over, stunned.
The first time he'd met Hudra, the man had looked like a full-on delinquent: purple mohawk, bizarre face paint, the whole works. Now, though, his purple hair was styled into a sleek, fashionable cut, paired with sharp streetwear. He actually looked… good.
Darramb, too, was transformed. Gone was the grotesque garb and strange markings. In their place was a clean, imposing suit, giving him the air of a composed, reliable gentleman.
"You two… sure have changed."
Yu Zhou shook his head with a laugh. "Eight years really did a number on you."
"It's not so much," Hudra said with a shrug. Since becoming Giants of Light, both of them had mellowed greatly, shedding their old violent tempers. The only thing unchanged was their unwavering loyalty to Camearra.
"Actually, could you arrange some lodging for me?" Yu Zhou asked. "Flying back and forth is too much hassle. Might as well stay in R'lyeh for a while."
"No problem," Hudra replied immediately. "Hold on."
He zipped into the Crystal Palace at super-speed and returned moments later, pressing a crystal card into Yu Zhou's hand.
"Here's your room key."
"This is… a room in the Crystal Palace?" Yu Zhou blinked.
"That's right." Darramb nodded gravely. "This suite was always prepared for you."
"For me, huh…" Yu Zhou rubbed the card thoughtfully. It made sense—he had helped rebuild R'lyeh, even supplying the Nebula M78 crystals. Giving him a room was hardly unreasonable.
After a few more words with the two guardians, Yu Zhou stepped out onto the busy streets.
The newly rebuilt R'lyeh was thriving. Tourists from every corner of the globe filled the avenues, their extravagant clothing marking them as queens, princesses, tribal chiefs, and nobles.
Most of them gazed with awe at the shining Crystal Palace at the city's heart, whispering excitedly to their companions.
Yu Zhou couldn't understand their languages. With a sigh, he pulled an old gadget from his storage bracelet—a universal translation earpiece, one he'd obtained back in the world of Ultraman X from an alien scientist.
At once, the chatter became clear.
"This Crystal Palace… it's magnificent!" exclaimed a richly dressed matron to her companion. "If I could live here just once, my life would be complete!"