Then he noticed them entering.
Aldric immediately pointed at him.
"You damn bastard."
The pilot blinked in confusion.
"…What did I do now?"
Aldric strode further into the room, irritation still sharp in his voice.
"Why the hell did you close the door when that brat was still on the ship?"
The pilot looked genuinely puzzled.
"What?"
He glanced between them before realization slowly formed.
"Oh."
A brief pause.
"I thought they were done leaving."
Aldric stared at him.
The pilot raised one hand defensively while still steering with the other.
"They got off."
He gestured vaguely behind him.
"I waited a few seconds."
Another shrug followed.
"Then I closed it."
Aldric's eye twitched faintly.
"You saw her still standing inside."
"Yeah, but nobody told me she was staying."
The pilot's tone was completely sincere.
"And it's not like I make those decisions myself anyway."
He jerked a thumb lazily toward the back of the room.
"I was ordered to close it."
Aldric's gaze shifted immediately.
Toward Lyriana.
She remained seated near the artifact, posture relaxed, expression unreadable as ever.
She did not react.
Did not explain.
Did not even acknowledge him.
Aldric stared for another second.
Then clicked his tongue and looked away.
Meanwhile, Draven had already taken his seat near the front of the deck, bottle resting loosely in one hand.
Kaelira settled nearby as well, entirely comfortable despite having only just decided to remain aboard.
The cultist returned quietly to her position beside Lyriana.
At the controls, the pilot continued speaking.
"Besides, I'm only human."
His voice shifted into exaggerated exhaustion.
"It's been almost two days."
He gestured weakly at the controls.
"I haven't eaten."
Another gesture.
"I haven't slept properly."
Then toward the glowing mana displays.
"And I've been nonstop piloting this giant flying disaster the entire time."
He shook his head solemnly.
"This cannot continue."
A deep sigh escaped him.
"I'm going to die."
A beat passed.
"Either from starvation…"
A dramatic pause.
"…or lack of sleep."
Another pause.
"…or both."
Aldric looked entirely unimpressed.
"I asked why you closed the damn door."
He pointed sharply at him.
"Not for your life story."
The pilot looked offended.
"My suffering matters."
"It doesn't."
Aldric replied instantly.
"And don't even think about stopping the ship now."
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"Since you're so smart, maybe you should've thought about rest before killing the previous pilot."
Silence followed.
The pilot slowly turned his head.
"…You're never letting that go, are you?"
Aldric took another drink.
"Not even once."
From nearby, Kaelira leaned slightly toward Draven.
"I like this ship."
Aldric immediately pointed at her without looking.
"You're part of the problem now too."
"Since you've apparently decided to infest this ship permanently—"
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"Get moving."
Kaelira blinked once.
"…What?"
Aldric gestured toward the pilot.
"That overworked corpse at the controls needs food."
The pilot immediately pointed at himself.
"Finally, someone understands my suffering."
"No one understands your suffering," Aldric replied flatly.
Then he looked back at Kaelira.
"From now on, you're assisting him whenever needed."
Kaelira stared at him.
A beat passed.
"…Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Aldric took another drink before continuing.
"You're staying here voluntarily, which means you're useful now."
He lazily gestured around the deck.
"This ship doesn't run on friendship and bad decisions."
The pilot quietly raised a hand.
"I think it's mostly bad decisions."
"Shut up."
"Understood."
Aldric's gaze returned to Kaelira.
"So congratulations."
His voice dripped with dry sarcasm.
"You've got responsibilities."
Kaelira opened her mouth.
Aldric immediately cut her off.
"No complaints."
"I wasn't even going to—"
"Don't care."
He pointed toward the corridor exit.
"Move."
Kaelira crossed her arms.
"You know, threatening people isn't exactly a great way to welco—"
Aldric's gaze sharpened instantly.
"If you become annoying enough, I won't hesitate to throw you off the side of this ship myself."
Silence fell.
Even the pilot glanced sideways at him.
Aldric continued calmly.
"We can all watch together and see if you survive the landing."
Kaelira stared at him for a moment.
Then sighed dramatically.
"You really have issues."
"Move."
Kaelira clicked her tongue softly, then finally turned toward the corridor.
"Yeah, yeah."
She paused briefly.
"…I already knew I'd have to work if I stayed here."
For once, her voice carried something more genuine than playful defiance.
She glanced briefly toward Draven seated nearby.
"I don't mind."
A small grin returned to her face.
"As long as it helps Master."
Aldric froze.
Slowly lowered the bottle.
Then stared at her with complete disgust.
"…Another one."
The cultist quietly looked away.
The pilot, on the other hand, looked deeply entertained.
Even Lyriana's gaze shifted toward Kaelira for the briefest moment.
Aldric dragged a hand down his face.
"Unbelievable."
Kaelira looked pleased with herself.
Aldric pointed again toward the corridor.
"Go bring food."
Then, gesturing toward the pilot:
"And bring enough booze while you're at it, before this exhausted idiot starts crying again."
The pilot immediately looked offended.
"I have never cried while piloting."
A brief pause.
"…Recently."
Aldric ignored him entirely.
Kaelira stretched lightly before heading toward the exit doors.
"Alright, alright."
Her tail flicked behind her as she walked.
"I'll save the starving pilot."
The pilot raised a hand dramatically toward her.
"You are a hero."
Kaelira grinned.
"I know."
The doors slid open.
Then closed behind her.
For a brief moment, the control deck finally quieted.
Aldric exhaled slowly, taking another long drink.
"I already regret letting her stay."
A pause.
"It's not like I even had a damn choice."
That part wasn't entirely true—or entirely false.
At the front of the deck, Draven remained seated in silence, gaze fixed calmly ahead as the massive ship continued its steady ascent through the skies of Arkvareth.
Unbothered.
Unmoved.
As always.
The kitchen doors slid open with a soft hiss.
After a moment, Kaelira stepped back into the control deck carrying a bag slung over one arm and another hooked loosely in her hand. Bottles clinked faintly inside, along with the heavier weight of packed food.
She didn't announce herself.
She simply walked in like she belonged there.
Aldric barely looked up from his seat.
"You took your time."
Kaelira tossed one of the drink bottles straight at him without warning.
He caught it one-handed.
Barely.
"…Better," he muttered, turning it over once. "At least you're not completely useless."
Kaelira tilted her head.
"Careful. That almost sounded like praise."
Aldric opened the bottle, took a sip, and immediately regretted engaging.
"I said almost."
She hummed lightly, clearly enjoying herself.
"Good to know I'm improving."
Aldric exhaled through his nose.
"You're still a problem."
"Then don't look at me."
"I don't have that luxury," he shot back. "You keep inserting yourself into everything."
Kaelira leaned in slightly, smiling in a way that was more sharp than friendly.
"And yet I'm still here."
Aldric studied her for a moment.