Ken had reached the peak of the mountain. The ship seemed to be in a standing position, as if it was ready for takeoff.

“Woah, so this is where you live, big bro Ken?” Lola looked at the ship, amazed by its design and structure. A small campfire was outside and blankets beside it. It was in an uncleaned state which would tick off any neat or clean freaks. A small light was flickering from the corner of the ship. Ken tried to get a glance at what was going on.

“Oh, it's Milo.”

He recognized Milo. Milo was working on repairing the ship. It noticed Ken and began beeping as it was trying to tell something to Ken..

“Still don’t know what that means, but I guess I'm back,” he said.

Liam and Lola kept on looking at the ship with wonders in their eyes. To them, it was like a big toy on its own. The hatch was open as they walked in. Ken noticed the others were gathered in the main dining hall. He also noticed Akane on the back with them. A tense feeling hit his chest. He acted quite childish during those last few moments. The only thing he wanted to do at the moment was apologize, but his childish pride wouldn’t let him. Apology was one of the few words that he hated the most. A grim feeling loomed behind that word. A distant past, an uncertain future, all had accumulated because of that word. Regardless, he walked in. The noise of his footsteps echoed back in the hallway, notifying everyone that he was inside. Ken felt the same sort of distance he felt back when they first met. He knew they still hadn’t gotten close to being friendly. But all of them looked at him with a minor concern on their face.

“What's wrong?” he asked, getting closer. Ryu had both of his hands crossed, as if he was in deep thinking. Sora was just touching his scabbard, reminiscing about his sword. Miku and Akane were sitting beside Halo in the dining room.

“Is that…” Halo gasped.

“Uncle Halo!” Lola sprinted from Ken’s back towards Halo. Both Lola and Liam rushed towards Halo, hugging him tightly. Seeing their sweet reunion loosens the tense environment.

“I’m glad you guys are alright” Halo felt relieved seeing the kids alive. He kissed their forehead with love, meaning thanking Ken and the others for saving him. He then looked at Ken. The ray of hope he felt seeing him didn't vanish. He grabbed Ken’s hand. Ken’s body jolted, seeing his action.

“Umm, thank you for everything. Like I explained to your friends, I'm sure the villagers have explained to you, too. We need your help! You guys are strong. I’m sure… I'm sure you can free us from this tyrant”

Ken didn't know what to say. After a brief pause, he said,

“I… I don't think you need to worry.”

“Really?” Halo’s face lightened up.

“Yes. I met up with a really powerful government official. I’m sure they can-”

“No, they can’t!”

Halo shouted. Just hearing the word government officially made Halo’s blood boil.

“It's no use. Even.. even our chief tried… but those officials won’t… can’t help us.”

Ken’s face shook up hearing that. The bit of assurance he had about Nozomi had disappeared. Halo then looked at Ken with tears in his eyes.

“Only you can help us!”

Ken, seeing Halo begging, felt pity towards them. But before he could give any answer, Ryu pulled on his shoulder.

“Give us a moment,” he said to Halo as he pulled Ken to the corner.

“I told you to not get us into stupid trouble. What is all of this?!”

“What do you mean, trouble? These people were hurt and were being treated like some slaves. Since I had the power I had to-”

“Are you trying to be some sort of hero?” Ken’s words stuck in his throat hearing that. Ryu said,

“Look Ken. Do you even understand what being an outlaw means? We don't follow the law, we are nemesis in the public's eye. We don’t help people, we take what we want from them,” just hearing that ticked Ken off.

“No! That's not what being an outlaw means to me..”

“Huh?”

“Being able to roam this vast world the way I want to, to live according to the way I want to, to be the freest man alive not bound by any laws, that's what it means to be an outlaw. That doesn’t mean I will lose the humanity or compassion I have left in me.” he said with great vigor. Ryu felt furious hearing that.

“Humanity? compassion? Those things are blinding you! Do you really think you can become the cosmic Emperor with just -”

Before he could finish, Ken grabbed Ryu by the collar. Everyone seized notice of that and jumped from their seats, thinking something bad was about to go down.

“You better watch your mouth. I will definitely become the-”

“Then stop letting your petty feelings impede that! Miku did some research. These people are affiliated with one of the most powerful royal families in the universe! You think us damn rookies have any chance of going against them?! Huh?!” Ryu shouted back. The kids felt afraid as they hugged Halo tightly. Ryu using force pulled Ken’s hand off of his shirt. He walked towards Halo with his emotionless eyes.

“I’m sorry, but we are not heroes nor law enforcements. We all have our own goals we need to fulfill and that's why we can’t afford to get involved with you guys. Hope you understand.”

Ken was stuck in his place. He didn't even turn around. He didn't know what face they were making. How helpless and afraid they were, he wondered. Halo had also lost the hope he had in his eyes. He pulled Liam and Lola onto his back. He then looked towards Ken. Just a single look from him is all the confirmation he needed. To see if there was still a chance for Ken and the others to become their saviors. But he soon realized this wasn’t something he should have relied upon.

“I… want my people to be free. To have a life. To have dreams like you youngsters have… Isn’t that what we old people live for?”

They all were speechless. Halo slowly walked outside. Lola and Liam slowly walked away with Halo. Lola looked back at Ken, seeing his cheerful smile just fade away. Not knowing what to do.

“Wait!” she suddenly screamed. Everyone felt shocked at hearing her voice. She walked towards Ken. She looked at Ken’s face. It was quite the miserable one. Pulling his right hand close, she put her favorite straw doll on his hand.

‘This is mister Hoffy. He has been my friend for all of my life. I want you to take care of him. Ok?”

Ken felt confused. What was she trying to say to him? He wondered?

“But why?”

“Even if I can't, I want Mr. Hoffy to see the world for me. The big, big water filled with animals, places with only sand and sun or even the big, big gigantic trees that exist. I want him to see all of it. Could you at least do that for me, Big bro Ken?”

Tears looked like it was forming in Ken’s eyes. He didn’t know what to say. He gently patted her head and said with a saddened grin,

“Sure.”

They left. Without another word. Ken stood in front of the hatch, not saying anything, just looking as they went away. Ryu let out a sigh and asked Miku,

“So we have all the parts, right?”

“How long do you think it might take for us to leave this planet?”

“If my calculations are correct, we can leave within an hour or 3 .”

“Good enough for me.” Ryu said, pulling out his small book and walking towards his room.

“If it's gonna take that fucking long, then I might as well get my sword back.” Sora said, operating outside of the hatch.

“I’ll also go with you. Milo is handling the finishing touches and I need my hand on some of those hearthstones.” Miku said, putting on some hand gloves and her coat. They both passed by Ken, ignoring him. Akane looked at him with a little sympathy, but she knew in this cruel world there was no need for sympathy or compassion.