The clicking of a latch stirred Chuma from his doze as he saw Kur pushing the door closed. "Where did you go?" Chuma asked sitting up before rubbing his eyes. 

"I was merely out on the deck settling my thoughts though we are an hour from arriving," Kur spoke softly as they sat on the opposite cot, "Did I wake you?"

"No need to feel like you disturbed me Kur," Chuma sat up and swung his legs over to the side of the cot and stretched, "I was bonded to wake as I don't need as much sleep as certain species do but in an hour I would have gotten up." Chuma stood surprised there was no swaying of the ship.

"Is there something the matter, Chuma?" Kur asked watching how Chuma reacted to standing up off of the cot.

"I thought by now I would have stumbled since we are on a ship and normally ships sway when they are both docked or sailing," Chuma noted as there was a sudden knock on the door. Kur stood before walking to the door and opened it to see that Senerity was standing right there.

"Burakku wishes for everyone on deck as there has been a disturbance and it requires everyone to help," Senerity stated before turning and walking away. Kur and Chuma shared eye contact before Chuma asked.

"Wonder what happened?" Chuma grabbed his bag and placed his mask on though there was no pollen, noticing Kur staring, Chuma spoke explaining, "I cover my appearance as one standard of a lich is if they look someone dead in the eye they become cursed... but that is only a rumor and I really don't like the rumor so blocking the enemies knowledge of what I look like is better than listening to their ramblings about being cursed by a lich for eternity... but it's better this way in case it is an enemy so they have no idea who I am until my presence is known."

Kur nodded their head as they understood where Chuma was coming from as over the year in Makai Velacera had explained what Chuma, Orcus, and Futsura were and the type of impact that brings to be other species. False pretenses are never fun and always having a negative name in a sense of nicknames can be rude and downright belittling with certain beings. Kur opened the door further as they walked out and up the stairs of the ship onto the deck.

Walking up onto the deck they could see the crewmate demons surrounding one corner of the deck as the clear sight of Burakku's deer skull antlers. He was at the front. But there was a scowl on his face. Kur had never seen him scowl before so it was a little unnerving to see their once Devil of their star scowl in a cold manner. "What are you doing here Kumo? We had a bargain from each end and it seems you are breaking your side," Burakku snarled as his eyes seemed to be tinting red at the edges signaling that he was becoming angry. 

A raspy voice replied, more feminine than anything else, "but I barely landed on your deck before your crew gathered... besides I feel another blackhole on this ship and yet you treat me with disgust but favor the other... how unfair of you? I thought you were a gentleman." Burakku growled. Kur raised an eyebrow before they felt the tug on their sleeve as they looked back to see that Chuma had grabbed their sleeve and now was shaking his head. Kur knew what Chuma was implying as Emerald had just emerged from the stairs and froze at the sight of Kumo's presence. "Oh?," Kumo smirked looking to where Emerald stood, "what do we have here? Do I see a little Lumerian on your ship, Captain Shifter~?" 

Burakku growled before taking a step forward, "leave now, Kumo before I personally throw you off this ship." Kur gritted their teeth as Burakku took several steps forward towards Kumo. Kur did not like where this was heading but got a slight idea and crotched down as the chains around their right arm untangled and crept along the floorboards of the ship like a snake stalking its prey. Making its way to the front of the crowd unnoticed Kur narrowed their eyes and maneuvered their chain to wrap around Kumo's ankle before they jerked the chain to move upwards and swaying over the railings and letting Kumo's ankle go and hearing them cursing for who knows what as their voice fades away as a sign of them falling. 

"Did you do that Kur?" Chuma asked as Kur stood straight before sighing, nodding their head. "Well, at least you didn't get fully involved so that is a positive side of this outcome." Kur smiled as the crew dispersed down the middle as Burakku made his way over to the two.

"I can't believe Kumo," Burakku hissed, seething with anger, "why of all days they have to show up and pull this stunt... Senerity make sure that they didn't damage anything while they were around here... we are nowhere near the ports or any place that sells some of the rare items we need for this ship." Senerity nodded their head as they waved some of the other crew members to follow them as Burakku came closer to them, "are you three alright? Well, other than meet the one that puts Blackholes to a bad name... I knew it has been too quiet even for them."

"So that was the infamous, Kumo the chaotic disaster blackhole," Emerald asked in disbelief as Burakku grumbled on about having to slash his claws the next time he sees Kumo. "Seeing them up close is like asking for early death. And yet you snarled at them and yet still alive... incredible... I am actually on the ship with Captain Shifter, the infamous Celestial Devil that has survived the destruction of their star and can merely snarl at such a dangerous opponent and don't lose their life... and so much more than Captain Shifter is also known for... it's such a long list!" Emerald kept rambling on and on as Kur and Chuma stepped away with Burakku.

"So how much further?" Chuma asked as he unclasped his mask.

"If that fiend, Kumo didn't mess with anything on my ship then we can get there in several minutes but if anything did happen we'll be stranded for a few hours as the nearest port will not be able to make it to us unless a days time," Burakku sighed heavily as he sat down on the crate that was left on the deck, "I didn't expect to run into them anytime soon since are bargain had already been completed not so long ago... They broke their end this time... and I gave my Devil's honor that disgraceful fiend." 

Burakku kept mumbling as Kur gave a side glance over to Chuma who was just merely staring in the direction of where Emerald once stood, "Is there something the matter, Chuma?" Chuma snapped his head to look at Kur before sighing.

"Yes everything is fine, Kur," Chuma clipped his mask onto his bag, "but my concern is for Emerald... She's been distancing herself for some time now and usually that behavior can only lead to mistrust and worst-case scenario, betrayal..." Kur raised an eyebrow as they had never heard Chuma ever make assumptions about others before, "then again it may be that we just encountered another who isn't docile like you Kur... I can see very clearly the distraught the whole crew is going through right now..." 

"Lumerians are emotional shifters as they can feel the overload of emotions around them," Burakku sighed hearing Chuma's concerns, "my crew will brief her to a point of calamity but... Oh, Senerity how is everything." Burakku noticed Senerity's approach as they held out a list and handed it to Burakku. "I see nothing damaged and nothing was stolen... That's a relief... Then we'll arrive on schedule... Alright men," Burakku shouted, "get back to your tasks and stations we'll be arriving at the universe's center in 30 minutes!"

A chorus of cheers surrounded them as everyone began to move around and started their tasks. "They truly are an astonishing group," Chuma remarked. Burakku nodded his head smirking. "So who is briefing Emerald then, Burakku?"

"Another Lumerian that is older than she is and is more costumed to controlling their emotions and displaying positive than negative... Senerity should've already brought Emerald to Chanile already... She's a very relaxed gal that knows how to settle things... She's a therapist in a sense but is more down to calming the mentality than beating around the bush in a way... But genuinely a very pleasant lass," Burakku explained as he closed the parchment that Senerity had handed him. "Just rest for now sorry for the false alarm... And Kur that was a hilarious prank you did to Kumo... I need to learn how to do that... Very useful."

Burakku had already turned around and left the deck. Kur hummed before turning around and leaning on the railing looking far out as the ship moved. Chuma stood next to Kur and pulled out his journal and began writing in it as per usual. "What should I say to Creator-sama," Kur thought aloud.

As Chuma looked up from the current page, "what do you mean by that, Kur?" Kur sighed as they looked at Chuma.

"You heard Burakku," Kur closed their eyes, "it's been 200 years since my star's disappearance... Surely Creator-sama communicated a few times through King Enma's family and once when I fainted back in Makai but I was never the one to start the conversation with them... How does one start a conversation about such a serious topic with one's creator?"

"It normally comes naturally to most," Chuma seemed uneasy with the referral of Kur's remarks, "but sometimes it comes out to being hesitant to say words and just mumble something incoherent but in likely stories, someone's parental figure will understand and be patient to understand and make it easier to say aloud by stating the facts they can see within the behaviors of their offspring," Chuma trailed off tapping the pen on the railing.

"I presume you have witnessed the opposite, Chuma," Kur remarked as Chuma tensed up gripping onto the pen tighter. "Creator-sama has always been a patient being and loving to all. I have never heard or seen them be spiteful or disgusted towards others."

"Then I'm sure they'll be patient and understanding if you are unsure what to say and most likely speak first to make you feel comfortable and not awkward," Chuma said as he closed the journal and placed his things back into the bag, "I'm guessing that's the docks then... Such an interesting docking area that is?" Chuma said as Kur looked over and saw what Chuma was talking about.

It was merely a single structure that was held up by clouds and a nebula surrounding it. "We'll be docking soon," Kur and Chuma turned around to see Senerity standing behind them.

"Thank you Senerity," Kur spoke softly before Senerity bowed before turning around walking away. "Well, shall we head to the entrance Chuma? I assume Creator-sama would want to see me right away due to the situation at hand." Kur pushed off the railing standing up as Chuma looked back at the structure before nodding his head and following Kur towards the entrance. Standing in front of the entrance they heard the commands as the ship came to a stop. Kur sighed as the deck lowered and Kur took a step off the deck to the solid ground of the docking area. 

"Ah, my child we finally encounter each other once more for so long" Kur stopped in their tracks as they heard that familiar voice, "Welcome home my child we have must discuss." 

(Cliffhanger..... to be continued.....)