"We're not going to that place. It's literally just trees," Barock said, flicking through a glossy brochure.
"Look, it even says 'National Park' in bold."
"At least it's peaceful," Ginto replied.
Kiluar held up a travel magazine with a polished photo of a Japanese shrine.
"This one has cultural significance."
"You just like the robes," Akira muttered.
"I value elegance," Kiluar sniffed.
"Guys," Barock whined, spinning around. "Check this out—'Welcome to Brazil.' Beaches, parties, and real food."
"I will incinerate you," Jinka said flatly.
Akira finally stood, voice dry."Why the hell are you all fighting over vacation destinations?"
Silva, mid-shouting match with Barock, turned and pointed."Because your lazy ass won't give us an answer!"
Akira threw his hands up."What am I supposed to be, your guide now?"He walked out.
Silva stared after him, jaw twitching. Then he clapped his hands."Alright. America."
Everyone blinked."What?" Kiluar asked.
Silva nodded. "It's one of the most important places on this planet. Richest country. Loudest culture. That's where we go."
"I—don't think that's how this works," Ginto muttered.
"Too late. I've decided. Pump her up," Silva said, already walking toward the cockpit.
"We haven't even agreed yet," Jinka shouted.
Kiluar sighed.
The team then heads towards New York
The ship landed softly in a grassy clearing outside the city, its matte-black surface pulsing faintly.
Ginto pressed a few keys on his pad. The entire craft shimmered—then vanished."There you go," Ginto said, adjusting his glasses.
They walked toward the skyline in loose formation, feet crunching leaves.
"This is New York," Silva said with unearned confidence. "One of the most developed cities on Earth. Act accordingly."
Ten minutes later, they witnessed a screaming match between two guys fighting over who owned a beagle.
One of them tried to swing a sandwich at the other.
Everyone lowered their heads.
"Developed, my ass," Kiluar muttered.
Akira, arms crossed, deadpan as ever, asked,"What are we doing in America again?"
Silva, unfazed, replied, "My main objective here is to study human behavior. This city's a melting pot. People from all cultures, different mindsets. Best sample environment."
All of them head towards Fast food place, Downtown Manhattan
Barock was practically moaning over a slice of pizza, pulling long, stringy trails of cheese from his mouth like he was reeling in a fish."Food here is... something," he said, mouth full.
The crew sat scattered across two booths. Outside, the glow of signs and the bustle of the street felt miles away.
Akira leaned on the window ledge, quiet.
Then—"It's about time."The voice returned. Calm. Bold. Not his.
Akira stiffened.
Shinko slowly lowered her drink."...What's wrong, Akira?"
Akira blinked."What?""The voice," she said plainly."...What voice?"
Silva sat up straight. "Boi you good?"
Akira sighed, pressing his fingers into his temples.
"I dunno. There's something in my head. Probably just a headache or some stress."
"What the hell are you doing here?" said a voice from behind.
Everyone turned.
It was Alph.
"What are you doing here?" Kiluar asked.
"You didn't get it?" Alph said, stepping closer.
"There's a signal. You didn't pick it up?"
"What signal?" Ginto asked, already flipping open his tab. He adjusted the lenses over his glasses.
As he did—Buzz.
His tablet pulsed with a new alert."There it is," Ginto said slowly.
"It's a delayed signal. Very advanced tech. Masked itself until now."
He looked up, grim."That thing's been here a while."
"The tech is quite different; the radars will inevitably detect the ship, so this ship somehow delays the signal."
Ginto tapping his forehead," According to my calculations, they have been here for at least four days."
"Four days!", Silva exclaimed, "if extraterrestrial beings are here for that long, it would be very difficult for us to track them down."
"The question is, what are their intentions?" Alph asked Silva.
"Most certainly bad, Earth doesn't have a great reputation in the universe", Silva said with eyes closed and arms crossed.
"Makes sense", Akira said with a smirk.
Kiluar looked into Silva's eyes and asked, "Do you really think we should concern ourselves with all this?"
"Huh? what do mean by that? are you asshole from birth?", Alph said angerily.
"Isn't it odd you'd wanna come to Earth?", Ginto asked Silva.
Silva replies,"If I'm right, there's only one who'll be willing to come here."
Silva looked Akira in the eyes and said," And if I'm right, it's really bad."
"Do you really think it's him?" Shinko said with a calm, low voice.
Silva stood, posture tense.
Alph turned toward him.
"Oi, what are you talking about?" Jinka asked angrily, fist clenched, denial on her face.
Akira shouts, "What are you talkin-".
Silva cuts him and says.
"He's another Conqueror."
Jinka with Fear and Anger in her eyes,
"...Dolph."
Silva clenched his jaw.
"Who's that?" Alph asked.
Ginto's eyes narrowed."Former Vision. Now a rogue Conqueror."
"Vision?" Akira asked.
"They're the strongest of conquerors," Jinka said darkly. "Chosen for complete annihilation. Cruel beyond words."
"You're calling someone cruel?" Akira raised a brow. "Now I'm scared."
"So what's the deal with them anyway?" Silva asked Jinka.
"You seem extra concerned."
"You aren't as tough as you act", Akira smirked.
Jinka sat down, crossing her arms."My father was one."
Silence.
Alph blinked. "...So that makes you a mix?"
"Yeah," Jinka said softly.
"He had me after he became one; he was the one who trained me, raised me."
"What happened to him?" Alph asked Jinka.
"I killed him," Silva answered, voice cold as iron, standing at the edge of the table.
Silva turns his back, picks up his overcoat, and starts moving
"We'll be moving now," he said, eyes sharp.