[ Creators ]

Chapter 43

The trio, accompanied by Pandora and DarkClaw, make their way out to start the long journey of finding Straus' father, Zeus. They travel for a few days, taking in the sights as they go along. The infinite expanse of the Multiverse may seem intimidating for a newcomer, but for seasoned travelers such as them, it was practically a walk in the park. However, as the group wandered, Koto couldn't help but keep an ulterior motive in mind.

"(You seem rather intent on this mission, Mistress.)", Illumi would chime in every once in a while. She could sense it deep within Koto's soul. This was unexplored territory, places no one in the party recognized. Within these outer regions of Jupiter's former Kingdom, could they possibly find a once-lost home? Koto shakes the idea off and continues the search, knowing that this mission isn't for her satisfaction, it's for Pandora and Straus. She doesn't break concentration, even if she is starting to grow tired.

DarkClaw admires the colorful surroundings, "You guys always get to have the best-looking skies. All we have in my home is just blue and white..." Straus turns and faces him, making a scary yet silly face, "That's my presence looooming over you..." "Boys, play nice!", Pandora chimes in. Koto stiffens a laugh. "Lady, I am a 25-year-old adult!", DarkClaw sasses, "I DRINK MY MILK!" Pandora stops, simply baffled by the response, "Er- that's nice, dear." DarkClaw smirks and winks at Straus who just sighs and carries onward.

Sometime later, the party all begins to tire from the long trek. While they're still focused on the goal, they're not walking with the same amount of "pep in their step" as before. "We've been at this for hours", whines Red, "I'm almost starting to think we're lost." Straus, who was leading at that point, stops in his tracks and looks off at something in the distance. Koto steps up next to him curiously, and also notices the strangeness just over the horizon.

In an instant, darkness shoots across the sky, changing it to a gruesome black and purple. The siblings stand frozen in fear as they see an apparition of a ghastly face appear before them.

"...Hello...Straus."

"Nye-! Nope-! Nope nope nope-", Straus backs away as he grabs Koto's hand. Koto looks up at the face with intrigue.

"Nice to meet you too, Koto..."

"Let's go, Koto. It's not safe here." Koto nods and starts to run away with Straus as she keeps a tight grip on his hand. The face chuckles as it watches them.

"...I'll be seeing you two very soon... until then...Hello, Lightverse."

DarkClaw snaps his fingers in front of Koto and Straus' faces, "Helloooo? You guys kinda zoned out for a bit there. You both ok?" "Oh- yeah... we are now", Straus answers, still dazed. "Hm...", Red stares at the two, "Ok. If you say so." Pandora puts her hands on her hips, "Are you two lying...?" The siblings, still holding each other's hands, snap into attention with an "Eep-!" "Noooo?" Straus answers. Pandora's stern look intensifies. "Bro-!", Koto whispers, "She raised an eyebrow at us! What do we do!?" "Don't worry 'bout it,", Straus whispers back, "Her vision is based on fear." Pandora continues to stare the siblings down, hoping to pry an answer out of them. "H-How about we keep looking for Straus' dad-!", Koto suggests. "Alright...", Pandora grumbles, "But I've got my eye on you both...you both had better let us know if anything is wrong, ok?" "Yep!", the two answer in unison.

"(...HOLY MACKEREL I FORGOT HOW SCARY THAT WAS.)", Straus thinks to himself.

Later on, Straus and Koto walk together, keeping to the back of the group. The two whisper to each other:

"Did she act like that when you were a kid?"

"Yeah. I know she means well when she does it. But man- it's been forever since she's done that."

"I propose we agree to not get on her bad side for the rest of the trip, deal?"

"Mm-hm."