Early morning.
Areca set out alone, running along the Starship Passage. Midway, he suddenly stopped.
In the deep darkness of the passage, eyeballs of various sizes glimmered with red and yellow Primordial Energy.
"Areca?" Natsumi called out.
"Areca, don't be scared. It's us," Red Peach soothed.
"This early? What a diligent little fellow," Grass Dragon praised, then teased, "Or maybe Dragon Cypress couldn't wait and sent Areca out early."
Areca was startled by the sudden encounter but quickly regained his composure. He questioned, "How did you all come together? Isn't Spider King Spurge's caravan supposed to arrive three days later?"
Grass Dragon turned unusually solemn, stating seriously, "This year's matter is significant, so we came three days early. Spider King Spurge arranged for us to travel together."
