Silence enveloped the starry sky.
Artoria Stark floated quietly where she was, watching Galacta fly toward the enormous figure of Galactus Galan.
Compared to the Planet Devourer's colossal body, Galacta looked like a tiny speck of light.
Yet Galan lowered his head slightly.
For perhaps the first time in countless years...
The Planet Devourer willingly bent down to listen to someone.
...
"Dad."
Galacta landed gently on Galan's shoulder.
She folded her arms and pouted.
"You've changed."
Galactus remained silent.
His enormous eyes simply rested upon his daughter.
"I haven't."
His answer was as brief as ever.
Galacta puffed out her cheeks.
"There!"
"That's exactly what I mean!"
"You always answer with only two or three words."
"I've lived with Artoria for less than a month, and I've already spoken more than I did with you in hundreds of years."
"You don't even know how to chat."
Galactus remained quiet.
After several seconds, he slowly spoke.
"I..."
"...am not good at it."
The simple sentence stunned Galacta.
Her father...
Actually admitted it?
She had always thought Galactus was simply indifferent.
Now she realized...
He truly didn't know how to express himself.
...
"Then why did you suddenly come looking for me?"
"You've never done that before."
"You've always let me wander."
Galactus looked toward the distant stars.
"Because..."
"...this time is different."
His deep voice echoed through the vacuum by telepathy.
"I have gathered enough Cosmic Energy."
"It can sustain you for a very long time."
Galacta blinked.
"So?"
"I don't understand."
Galactus slowly raised one enormous hand.
Within his palm floated a brilliant sphere of golden cosmic energy.
The terrifying energy contained within made even the surrounding space tremble slightly.
"This."
"I collected it."
"For you."
Galacta stared blankly.
She could clearly feel the familiar aura.
It was the pure Cosmic Power that only Galactus could refine.
Normally...
Her father would absorb all of it himself to suppress his endless hunger.
But this time...
He had stored it instead.
"For me?"
Galactus nodded.
"You are going to become a mother."
The moment those words fell...
Galacta froze.
"You..."
"You know?"
"I know."
Galactus looked unusually serious.
"When you were born..."
"I experienced the same phenomenon."
"The hunger."
"The instability."
"The rapid loss of energy."
"I nearly died."
His tone remained calm.
Yet Galacta could sense something she had never felt before.
Fear.
Her father...
Had been afraid.
"When I discovered your condition..."
"I searched the universe."
"I gathered enough energy."
"So neither you..."
"...nor the child..."
"...would suffer."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Galacta lowered her head.
She finally understood.
Her father hadn't come to force her home.
He had crossed half the universe...
Simply because he was worried about her.
...
"You idiot..."
Galacta suddenly punched Galactus' enormous finger.
The tiny fist was no different from dust landing on a mountain.
"You should've just told me!"
"You always keep everything inside!"
"I'm not a mind reader!"
Galactus looked confused.
"I..."
"I thought..."
"...you would understand."
Galacta almost laughed through her tears.
"No!"
"I don't understand anything!"
"How could anyone understand your face that never changes?"
She wiped the corner of her eyes.
Then...
She smiled.
A warm smile.
"Thank you..."
"...Dad."
Galactus became motionless.
Even the Silver Surfer looked over in surprise.
After millions of years...
This was the first time he had heard someone thank his Master.
...
Far away.
Artoria crossed her arms.
"They're talking for quite a while."
The Silver Surfer stood respectfully nearby.
Neither spoke.
Finally...
The Silver Surfer broke the silence.
"Thank you."
Artoria turned her head.
"Oh?"
"You can say thank you?"
The Silver Surfer's expression stiffened.
"I..."
"...can."
Artoria couldn't help smiling.
"I thought your vocabulary only contained 'Master' and 'Stand down.'"
The Silver Surfer coughed awkwardly.
"My previous behaviour..."
"...was inappropriate."
"You protected your friend."
"I understand now."
Artoria looked at him with slight surprise.
It seemed Galactus wasn't the only socially awkward one.
Even his herald wasn't very good at talking.
"No need."
"I would've done the same for anyone I consider family."
The Silver Surfer quietly nodded.
For the first time...
He looked at the young girl before him with genuine respect.
Not because of her strength.
But because...
She dared to stand before Galactus without fear.
Few beings in the universe possessed such courage.
...
"Dad."
Galacta suddenly spoke again.
"If I go back with you..."
"Can I return?"
Galactus nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"How long?"
"Two days."
"So soon?"
"I only need to complete the energy transfer."
"You may return immediately afterwards."
Galacta smiled brightly.
"Deal."
She extended her little finger.
"Promise."
Galactus stared at the tiny finger for several seconds.
"What is this?"
"It's a promise."
"..."
"I don't know how."
Galacta sighed helplessly.
Then she flew over and hooked his enormous little finger herself.
"There."
"Now you can't break your promise."
Although Galactus didn't understand...
He nodded solemnly.
"I won't."
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