Gloria strolled around the bridge, while Duke and Raymond discussed their formation. Hugo and Jabu scanned the walls, ceiling and floor.

The two brothers stared at the bridge crew silently. The men and women sitting in front of their monitors ignored the intense stares and worked tirelessly, while the rest of the crew prepared to submerge.

“Well, this is fun. I am going to go snoop around.” Gloria said playfully and she vanished with a giggle. The golden eyed candidate wafted through the walls and the passages. She passed by a group of Candidates gathered near the map rooms and headed straight for the infirmary.

“I knew I would find you here. I was looking for Raymond’s library. I heard he asked The Council for coded texts from their private store.” Gloria whispered, and Laurence giggled.

“I doubt he would keep them on his ship.” Laurence replied, and the medical officers’ heart rates spiked. “There is no need to be so concerned, Dr Voster. My sister is harmless. So long as you stay on her good side.” The tall golden eyed man said and the medical staff breathed a sigh of relief.

“My lord-oh, my apologies.” A doctor said, before they noticed Gloria and bowed quickly. “Speak freely, Doctor. I am only here to observe.” Gloria said cheerfully and the bald man nodded. “The warehouses are fully stocked. However, the reserve beds are faulty. They will take some time to repair.” Doctor Finch reported nervously.

“What is Raymond thinking? We may be fine, but civilian crews need infirmaries that are fully stocked and prepped before every voyage.” Laurence scolded, and his golden eyes flashed.

The three horned-man’s ghost slipped out of his body and through the tiled floor. He followed the lift shaft, passed through the ceiling and entered the warehouses. The four-metre-tall figure strolled through the infirmary carefully, even when the medical staff had given him a wide berth.

“Do not be so hard on Raymond. Priya’s words rang true. I have long since complained that the ships are too large for mortal legs to traverse.” Gloria said softly and Laurence sighed. “I know, but still. They should not have to suffer for our mistakes.” He rumbled stoically and the medical staff looked around. The men and women in white coats exchanged confused looks, when they heard the strange rumbling noise.

“That is the price of being a Lord. Look at them. Most of them have only seen him once. And even then, it was for the briefest of moments. If I did not know better, I would swear The Council wants us to be worshipped.” Gloria whispered to her brother and his ghost split into four copies. They drifted down the aisles, split once more and passed through each hospital bed in storage.

“Perhaps they do, in their own way. Perhaps the mortals should, in their own way. Simultaneously, I would not fault them if they did not. This war party has reminded me of how different we are. Would that difference not reflect in our people? I think that is what The Council wants us to understand. Our people are free to choose, much like we are.” Laurence whispered back, and Gloria smiled. “I wonder if Raymond and his brothers feel the same way.” She said and her brother giggled.

*

 A blur streaked past the barracks, and the soldiers inside exchanged frustrated scowls. A few sighed with relief and the rest stared in awe.

“Amazing. Can you imagine what life must be life at their speed?” a young corporal asked softly. “I don’t have to imagine. One day, I’ll live my life that way.” Another replied. “Oh please, you would have already risen above your rank if you had the talent to obtain such power.” A jaded sergeant said snidely.

“Ha! Still sore about your rejection letter?” a tall and muscular woman asked, before she let out a booming laugh. “Captain.” The soldiers said, and they saluted her in unison.

“At ease. I came to check on you all. I am glad to see you are in high spirits.” Captain Titan said, and her ears twitched. The hairs on her arms stood on end and a debilitating fear coursed through her veins. She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. Captain Titan scowled and clenched her teeth. “Captain? W-what’s the matter?” the corporal asked hesitantly.

“Let me go!” a tall and muscular soldier roared. “Farah! Mason, calm down. Farah!” another soldier called out. Captain Titan raced through the barracks. A blur streaked past her and she carried on running. The commotion died down, before Captain Titan reached her destination and her heart sank into her stomach.

“Please, forgive him-““-at ease Captain. The situation is under control.” Kenpachi said calmly. “He felt the sea monster’s presence, and it happened again.” a tall and slender soldier said as he held the muscular giant in his arms.

“Mason. Is he alright?” Farah asked, and Kenpachi nodded. “Aye. I shared a meditation technique that will help to quell the rage. Still, I am surprised. You have great ambitions, young one, and your prey is too large for you to hunt. Give up on your quest. It will not end in success.” The imposing one-horned man rumbled warily and Mason stared at the ceiling.

*

“That was close. I thought we were dead in the water there.” The slender giant said, and Farah scoffed. “The Dragons don’t kill for pleasure.” She said confidently and the terrifying presence drew nearer. Mason clenched his teeth and fidgeted in his bunk. Farah walked over to his bedside and held his hand.

“Just this once. Think of home. Think of the dark blue skies and red sands. Think of the domed cities, the agricultural zones and the endless dams and reservoirs. The blimps and the artificially generated clouds. The first patches of Martian grass and the pine forests we grew up in.” Farah whispered, and Mason closed his eyes. He thought about his homeland and the intoxicating rage faded away.

“I heard a few have, though.” Marshall whispered, and Farah closed her eyes as well. “Farah’s right.” Mason croaked out. “I remember the day that thing showed up. The fear immobilized everyone. The air grew so thick that it drowned the children and the sunlight was so bright that it struck down the elderly. I remember screaming for help, but no sound came out. It took hours for the beast to fly over our territory. Hours of suffering and death and for what?” Mason asked, and Farah sighed.

“Seven weeks later. We found out that a guild of mages had been conducting experiments. The First Invasion kicked off and after our first deployment, we saw him. He just, descended from the clouds like a ship. Easily half a kilometre long and his wingspan was just so fucking massive. I’ll never forget how he just hung in the air without flapping.” Farah said with a smile, and Mason stared at the ceiling.

“Tons and tons of magical cells, oceans of Mana, but he didn’t even kick up a single cloud of dust. Power and control. The Dark Guild burned to the ground that night. And that was the last time humanity ever challenged the Dragons.” Mason said and Kenpachi’s warning rung in his ears. Clyde listened in on the conversation and stared at the ceiling.

“I had no idea they held our people in such high regard.” The gangly one-horned man said and the imposing one-horned man chuckled. “I know you didn’t, but now you do.” He replied. “Not anymore, it isn’t.” Marshall blurted out. Farah scowled at him, and Mason glanced at him out of the corners of his eyes. Clyde scowled and Kenpachi placed a gentle hand on his right pauldron.

“Someone must have sent this one, right? Doesn’t that mean there are humans working with the enemy?” Marshall asked, and Clyde’s expression softened. “Indeed, which is why we are here. It’s our job to apprehend or eliminate those threats.” Farah said confidently and the blanket of terror was lifted. The civilian crew, that noticed the beast’s presence, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“It’s dead.” Mason said, and he closed his eyes. “So quickly?” Marshall asked, with surprise. “Yes, but it must have been quite the battle.” Farah replied, and Clyde clenched his fist. He vanished regretfully and Kenpachi sighed, before he vanished as well.