Kai had just finished dining in the galley. Dinner had quickly become everyone’s favorite part of the day since Lily had taken over as chef. While her main role was managing the ship's inventory, she made sure every meal was memorable. The storage was fully stocked before they left Drakmoor, and Lily made good use of every ingredient.

Speaking of leaving Drakmoor, Kai reflected on the dinner he’d recently had with Eliana’s mother. All things considered, it had gone far better than he’d imagined.

---

“No more dusty jacket, and definitely no worn-out boots,” Eliana had said, running around the ship’s wardrobe in search of something suitable for him to wear.

Eliana had been different that day—more... bossy, but in an endearing way. Kai sat on the edge of his bunk, watching her dart around, holding up different outfits for comparison. Her enthusiasm made him smile. He found her adorable this way, so determined to make everything perfect.

What he didn’t enjoy as much was the constant wardrobe changes. Every time Eliana decided on a new outfit, Kai had to take off the previous one and try on the next. But he didn’t complain. She wanted everything to be just right for the meeting, and so did he. Leaving a good impression on her mother was worth all the effort.

Eliana pulled Kai in front of the mirror, her grin wide and full of pride. Kai stood in a perfectly tailored dark red suit that fitted him well. The color complemented his sharp features, and his white hair was combed back in a sleek, polished style. He looked at his reflection, genuinely impressed by how dashing he appeared. He hadn’t thought he could ever look this good.

Eliana placed her hands on her hips, grinning with satisfaction at her handiwork. “Perfect,” she declared, admiring him like a proud artist.

Kai raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the pile of discarded clothes littering the floor. “So... who’s going to clean this up?” he asked, half-joking.

“I’m going to dress up too!” Eliana said with a mischievous smile as she slipped out of the room before Kai could respond.

Kai shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. He knelt and began picking up the clothes, carefully hanging them back one by one.

He was folding the last piece of clothing when Eliana returned. Kai glanced up—and froze.

Eliana stood in the doorway wearing a stunning red dress that perfectly matched his suit. The fabric hugged her figure elegantly, and she paired it with delicate high heels, light makeup, and shiny earrings that caught the light with every movement.

For a moment, Kai was completely speechless. The half-folded cloth slipped from his hands, falling back onto the floor in a crumpled heap. He barely noticed.

Eliana giggled softly, her cheeks slightly pink from his reaction. She came close to Kai, picking up the cloth on the floor and folded it neatly.

“What do you think?” She asked as he put the cloth away.

Kai blinked, finally finding his voice. “You’re... beautiful,” he said, his words barely above a whisper.

Eliana smiled warmly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Well, we match now, don’t we?”

Kai nodded, still captivated. “We do,” he said, a soft smile spreading across his face.

The two looked into each other's eyes, the shades of red from their outfits blending as they leaned in for a long, passionate kiss.

Kai gently landed the craft in the front yard of the mansion. It was his first time visiting Eliana’s family home. The house stood on a tall ledge overlooking the ocean, illuminated by the soft glow of the evening. The wind blew gently against his face, carrying the salty scent of the waves. For a moment, it reminded him of Velmorra—of his own family.

Eliana noticed the faint sadness that clouded Kai’s expression. She gave his hand a soft squeeze, pulling him back from his thoughts. He looked at her and smiled, their steps aligning as they walked toward the grand entrance of the house.

Under the warm glow of the mansion lights stood Kevin and a woman who could only be Eliana’s mother. As they drew closer, Kai could see her features more clearly. It was like looking at a more mature version of Eliana. They shared the same striking hazel eyes, the same auburn hair, and even the same radiant smile. Her elegant dress complemented her graceful demeanor, and her welcoming expression put Kai at ease.

“Mr. and Ms. Draco,” Kai greeted as they reached the steps, still holding Eliana’s hand.

“Oh, please, just call me Amelia,” Eliana's mother said with a warm smile. She reached for Kai’s free hand, turning it over in hers to examine it closely. “You’ve worked hard, haven’t you?” she remarked, noticing the roughness and calluses on his long fingers.

Kai nodded. “It wasn’t easy, especially in the deeper levels of the mine.”

“And that’s where you discovered the buried ship,” Amelia said, her tone filled with intrigue.

“Yes,” Kai replied.

“Hmm, isn’t it fascinating to think about how it even got down there in the first place?” she mused.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. That’s why we’re heading to Earth—to learn more about humanity’s past,” Kai said.

“How exciting! Maybe I should come with you,” Amelia said enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up.

Kevin cleared his throat, his tone playful but firm. “We’ve talked about this, Amelia. No more adventures. We have responsibilities here on Drakmoor.”

“Boring,” Amelia said, pouting dramatically and blowing a playful raspberry.

Laughter erupted from everyone, including Kai. In that moment, he understood where Eliana had inherited her playful spirit.

The wind picked up, sending a slight chill through the group. Amelia quickly apologized and ushered everyone inside the mansion.

Kai stepped into a house that was a masterpiece of design. It had an elegant, old-world charm with polished wooden walls and warm, inviting lighting. The large windows offered a breathtaking view of the sunset casting golden hues over the ocean. The interiors were adorned with collector’s items, many of which Kai didn’t recognize but could tell held stories of their own.

They gathered in the dining room, where a feast had already been prepared and laid out on a long table. The tantalizing aroma of various dishes filled the air, making Kai’s stomach growl audibly.

Eliana turned red with embarrassment, but Amelia only smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad someone appreciates the food!” she said, motioning for Kai to take a seat.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

As everyone settled in, Amelia said, “I suggested we go somewhere fancy for dinner, but Eliana insisted this should be a home-cooked meal. She said it’s the last meal before leaving Drakmoor, and she wanted to enjoy my cooking.”

Kai smiled at Eliana, warmth filling his chest. He wanted to thank her, he had missed having dinner with his own family. Eliana thought about it and invited him to her family.

The food was nothing fancy, yet every bite filled Kai’s heart with a warmth he hadn’t felt in a long time. Each morsel carried a sense of love and care that tugged at the edges of his emotions. His nose tingled, and he could feel the moisture building in his eyes. Not wanting to show it, especially in front of Eliana’s family, he quickly raised his glass and took a sip, using the moment to compose himself.

“So… when are you two going to get married?” Amelia asked plainly.

Kai almost spat out his drink, choking as Amelia’s words caught him completely off guard. He coughed violently, his face red with surprise and embarrassment.

“Mom!” Eliana exclaimed, rushing to pat Kai on the back. Her face was a shade redder than her dress.

“What?” Amelia replied innocently, as if she had merely asked about the weather. “You’re both adults, clearly in love, so marriage is the next logical step.”

“Well…” Eliana began, glancing nervously at Kai, “we’ll think about that in our own time.”

“Take your time,” Kevin said, casting an apologetic look at Kai. “What she really meant, Kai, is that you both have our blessing. And I want you to know,” he continued, his tone sincere, “that I see a great future ahead of you—not just because you have the gift from the buried ship, but because you’re hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and loyal. Those traits will take you far.”

Kai smiled, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Kevin. Those words mean a lot coming from you.”

Kevin nodded but then leaned forward slightly, his expression growing serious. “Just one thing, though. Don’t let Eliana get hurt. You know what I mean.”

Amelia, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement, her eyes soft but firm.

“I won’t,” Kai said, his voice steady and filled with conviction. “I promise.”

---

Kai wandered down the second level of the ship, the faint hum of the Black Swan’s engines accompanying the chatter spilling from the rooms he passed.

He used to think the Black Swan felt too big for its small crew, often quiet and almost empty as he walked through its corridors. Perhaps that had been the designer's intention—to make the ship feel vast, luxurious, and full of untapped potential, as though there was always more to explore.

Now, with the addition of new crew members, the ship felt more alive than ever, even a little too small.

Ray, Lily, and Isaac had settled into their roles aboard the Black Swan, each finding their place in its intricate workings.

Ray, the most experienced of the three, had been adjusting quickly to life on the ship. He was familiar with much of the equipment onboard, but Ivan had taken to shadowing him, ensuring he became proficient with the ship's advanced systems. Kai had initially assumed Ray would adapt instantly, but the Black Swan’s controls were far more sophisticated than the older drop ship Ray was accustomed to. Still, Kai had no doubt Ray would master them in time—his skill and determination were undeniable.

Lily, meanwhile, had taken charge of inventory management. A natural at the task, she had quickly adapted to the ship’s routines, spending most of her time in the cargo area logging supplies and ensuring everything ran smoothly. To Kai, she was the unsung hero of the ship, working tirelessly behind the scenes. Her cooking, too, was a morale booster that no one could overlook.

Then there was Isaac. Kai wasn’t entirely sure what he’d been up to. Since leaving Drakmoor, Isaac had become something of a recluse, rarely leaving his makeshift quarters in the research room at the far end of the second level. Kai had initially worried that Isaac was struggling to adapt to life on the ship, but every time they crossed paths in the galley, Isaac’s wide grin and lively energy told a different story.

Kai stopped in front of Isaac's room and knocked. When there was no response, he knocked again. Finally, the door slid open, and a blast of icy air greeted him, sending a shiver down his spine.

“Why is it so cold in here?” Kai asked, stepping inside.

“To keep the servers cool, of course. Otherwise, they’ll overheat and damage the components,” Isaac replied, not bothering to look up from the screen in front of him.

Isaac to no one's suprise, had transfered a part of "Nexus" on board the Black Swan. Now, it became a unique sight. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the soft glow of computer monitors and the bright screen reflecting off Isaac’s face. Kai peered closer, noticing Isaac was sketching something—though what it was, he couldn’t tell.

“Hold on,” Isaac said quickly, shielding the screen with his hand. “I’m not done yet..." He drew quickly, finishing his work, "now look."

Isaac removed his hand from the screen, revealing what he’d been working on. Kai leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher the strange symbol. It depicted a bird with its wings spread wide, its long neck curving elegantly, and its beak elongated in a way Kai had never seen before. It was unlike any bird he had ever encountered.

“It looks unique. What is it?” Kai asked, puzzled.

“That,” Isaac said with excitement brimming in his voice, “is a swan.”

“Huh?” Kai blinked, still not grasping it.

Isaac launched into an explanation, his words pouring out like rapid-fire bullets. “The other day, Baiyan and I met in the galley and started talking about how we felt about the ship. I said I liked it, and he said he liked it here too. But then he brought up something that confused him—why the ship is called the Black Swan when there’s nothing remotely related to a swan on it. So, I explained that ‘Black Swan’ is just a saying for us, meaning something rare and unexpected…”

Isaac paused to take a breath, but before Kai could respond, he continued, more animated than ever. “Then Baiyan started laughing and told me that a swan is actually a bird that used to live back on Earth. He said no one alive today has ever seen one, but there are pictures of it in old books. Naturally, I asked if he could show me one, but he said he didn’t have any books on him. So, I asked him to describe it, and he ended up drawing me a picture of the animal. And guess what? Baiyan is actually a pretty decent artist—but that’s beside the point. I took his drawing and designed this logo from it.”

Kai opened his mouth, ready to say, Wow, that’s really cool, but Isaac pressed on, his enthusiasm unstoppable.

“I think it’s a majestic bird that fits the name of the ship perfectly! The wings are massive—likely because it had to travel long distances—and the long neck was probably for catching fish underwater. A creature that could both fly and float on water? That’s incredible.”

“Cool, cool,” Kai said, nodding politely as he scanned for an escape route. He had only come to tell Isaac that dinner was ready, and now he was caught in a tidal wave of endless dialogue. Still, something about Isaac’s words reminded him of the True Kin man the guards had pulled out of the APC. That man had also mentioned swans, talking about how humanity was living under a lie. The thought sent a chill down Kai’s spine. How many words they used every day had lost their original meaning? The idea left him with a strange sense of loss.

“Sorry, Isaac,” Kai said abruptly, snapping out of his thoughts. “What you said gave me a lot to think about, but—uh—food’s ready. You should probably get something to eat.”

With that, Kai turned and made his way out of the room, leaving Isaac and his endless enthusiasm behind.

Kai stepped onto the bridge, immediately spotting Eliana seated at the engineering station, her attention fixed on the holographic display in front of her. Teresa stood beside her, leaning casually against the console as the two exchanged animated conversation.

Eliana glanced up and noticed Kai approaching, her face lighting up. "What's up, Kai? Teresa’s been teaching me the basics of star charts. You wouldn’t believe how complicated this stuff is."

Kai smiled, his curiosity piqued. Stars were something he hadn’t yet delved into himself. No matter how much the strange liquid in his body enhanced his physical abilities, knowledge and technique still required good old-fashioned learning. He leaned in, listening as Teresa continued her explanation.

“The star on Velmorra and the one on Drakmoor are both Yellow Dwarfs,” Teresa explained, gesturing at a glowing chart. “These are the most common types of stars to form habitable, Earth-like planets. But there are many other types, like Red Dwarfs, which are smaller and cooler, often forming long-lasting systems. Then there are White Dwarfs—remnants of stars that have burned through their fuel, and Brown Dwarfs, which are sort of failed stars.”

Kai nodded, absorbing the information as Teresa moved on.

“Beyond the dwarfs, we have the Giants—massive, bright stars that burn quickly and die young. And then there are the exotic objects: neutron stars, incredibly dense remnants of supernova; and black holes, the collapsed cores of massive stars, where not even light can escape. Oh, and let’s not forget wormholes,” Teresa added, her voice tinged with fascination. “They were just theories until the invention of FTL jump drives confirmed their existence. Though they’re rare and unstable, they’ve completely changed how we understand space travel.”

Eliana stifled a yawn as Teresa’s lecture continued, her expression betraying a mix of interest and boredom. Noticing this, Teresa chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Okay, I think that’s enough for now. You don’t need to learn everything in one day."

Eliana’s face lit up in relief as she stood, brushing herself off. Kai offered her his hand to help her up, which she took with a smile. That smile quickly morphed into something mischievous, and Kai immediately recognized the playful glint in her eyes.

"Let’s spar again,” Eliana said, her grin widening. “I’m sure you just got lucky last time."