The Safari Family had grown to five, with Olive reluctantly joining the chaotic crew. While Ian floated in romantic daydreams about her, Safari was already focused on their next challenge.
Safari (grinning):
"Alright, next stop — a demon stronghold. Finally, something worth my time!"
He checked his tracker, which displayed a blinking red signal.
Zack (nervously):
"Red, which means...?"
Jen (tilting her head):
"It's definitely a demon general!"
Safari smirked at the thought of another intense battle. But before he could speak, Olive's eyes widened in shock.
Olive:
"That signal— it's from Planet Krollos."
Everyone turned to her.
Safari:
"And? Never heard of it."
Olive (sternly):
"That's because no one has ever managed to liberate it. Even the elite Celestic Justice couldn't handle the demons ruling there."
Her voice grew darker as she recalled the stories.
Olive:
"Two Demon Generals control that planet. It's their stronghold. Countless soldiers lost their lives just trying to breach the outskirts."
Ian's usual grin wavered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, puffing out his chest.
Ian (dramatically):
"Fear not, Olive! With me by your side, no demon shall lay a hand on you!"
Olive, however, brushed past him without so much as a glance.
Olive (deadpan):
"I'm not afraid of demons. I'm afraid of stupidity."
Safari snorted in amusement.
Safari:
"Doesn't matter if they've got two generals or twenty. If they're in my way, they're gone."
He punched the ignition, and the ship smoothly descended toward Planet Krollos.
The surface of Krollos was a barren wasteland, cracked and lifeless. The air was thick, as if the very atmosphere carried the weight of past battles. Gigantic black towers loomed in the distance, likely part of the demon fortress.
Safari's ship made a gentle landing, but as the ramp lowered, the air was immediately filled with an eerie silence.
Safari (grinning):
"Well, here we are. Let's see what's waiting for us."
Just as the crew stepped out, a familiar glow flashed above them.
Angeleva descended gracefully from the sky, landing with effortless elegance. Her radiant wings fluttered, making Ian gasp dramatically.
Ian:
"Angeleva! The goddess herself! Truly, this day is blessed!"
Angeleva (smiling faintly):
"I see you're still as lively as ever, Ian."
Safari rolled his eyes.
Safari:
"Enough flirting. Time to get moving."
Before they could proceed, Olive pulled out her futuristic gun, the sleek design glowing with a blue energy core. She gripped it tightly, her body visibly tense.
Olive (whispering):
"The stories... they said no one survived past the first sector."
Sensing her fear, Ian immediately tried to offer "comfort" by attempting a dramatic embrace.
Ian:
"Fear not, fair Olive! For I shall protect you—"
Olive (deadpan):
"Don't touch me."
She shoved him aside without a second thought. Ian, as always, collapsed in comedic heartbreak.
Ian (wailing):
"Ah! Rejected by my beloved once again! It seems my overwhelming charm is cursed!"
But Olive wasn't paying attention. What truly unsettled her was the calm determination she saw in the others.
Safari stood tall, his usual confidence unwavering. Zack and Jen exchanged excited grins, as though this was merely an adventure. Even Angeleva, despite her delicate appearance, carried a sense of fearlessness.
Olive (thinking):
"They don't understand. They have no idea where they've stepped in. This place is a graveyard."
But for now, there was no turning back. The group began their march toward the looming fortress, the cracked ground crunching beneath their feet.
Safari (grinning):
"Time to see what these so-called Demon Generals are made of."
Before the crew could take another step toward the ominous demon stronghold, Jen suddenly raised her hand.
Jen (smiling):
"Hold it! Marching into a battle on an empty stomach? No way! I'm making us a proper meal first."
Safari groaned, clearly impatient.
Safari:
"We don't have time for—"
Jen (cutting him off):
"We're fighting two Demon Generals, remember? You'll need all the energy you can get."
Zack (grinning):
"She's got a point, big bro."
Safari crossed his arms but didn't argue further. The tension eased slightly as the group followed Jen back to the spaceship.
Once inside, Jen swiftly took control of the small kitchen. She tied her hair back, her hands moving with practiced skill.
Olive (watching in curiosity):
"You're... really good at this."
Jen (grinning proudly):
"Of course! Safari big bro and Zack had been eating my cooking ever since I joined and later on even Ian. He's still alive, so I must be doing something right!"
Safari snorted but didn't deny it. Ian, meanwhile, leaned dramatically against the wall.
Ian:
"Ah, forgot to mention her, a beautiful cook! Talented and caring — a rare gem! She cooks really good."
Olive (deadpan):
"You're hopeless."
As the aroma of food filled the ship, even Angeleva seemed unable to resist peeking in, though she lingered quietly near the door.
Jen prepared a hearty meal — sizzling meat, roasted vegetables, and a rich broth. She even crafted a dessert using the limited supplies they had on board.
Jen (cheerfully):
"Dig in, everyone!"
The crew gathered around the table. Safari sat at the head, with Zack and Jen on one side. Olive and Ian took the other, while Angeleva kept her distance, standing gracefully near the window.
For a moment, the horrors of Planet Krollos felt distant.
Zack (mouth full):
"Jen! This is amazing!"
Safari (grinning, devouring his meal):
"Not bad. You're getting better."
Jen:
"That's because I have a hungry big brother to practice on."
Ian, attempting to look sophisticated, took a dramatic bite.
Ian:
"Exquisite! Each bite is like poetry in my mouth!"
Olive (deadpan):
"You sound ridiculous."
Despite her remark, even Olive couldn't hide her surprise at how delicious the meal was. It was perhaps the first real comfort she had felt in a long time.
As the laughter and chatter continued, Angeleva remained distant, quietly sipping from a small cup. She watched the others with a soft, almost melancholic smile. Safari noticed but chose not to comment.
Zack (cheerfully):
"Angeleva, you should sit with us!"
Angeleva (shaking her head gently):
"I'm fine here. But thank you."
Though she spoke softly, her heart warmed at Zack's kind gesture. Later on Jen forced her to sit and gave her a meal too.
Angeleva after tasting it felt the love she put in her cooking and commented. "Your cook has a homey feeling to it."
Jen smiled. "It's because we are like a real family and.."
Zack added. "You are a part of us too even though you don't stay with us."
Ian sighed comically. "They're right, without an attractive and charming fairy like you, it's hard for me alone to bring light to the boring lectures of Safari big bro."
Safari heard him and shouted furiously. "WHAT DID YOU SAY? Who is the one..."
Zack and Jen immediately grabbed his arm pleading him to stop.
Safari muttered. "Tch! Whatever."
Angeleva was trying her best to hold her laughter observing the drama.
Soon enough, she gradually started to blend in with the others as she enjoyed her meal, making sure to keep her distance from Safari.
Her presence somehow made the environment more cheerful and lighter.
Safari looking at all that couldn't help but admire her spirit deep inside even though they were enemies.
_ _ _
With their meals finished, the crew cleaned up, the sense of warmth lingering in the air.
Safari (standing up, smirking):
"Alright, enough rest. Time to do what we came here for."
Everyone nodded, the playful atmosphere giving way to determination. Even Olive, despite her fear, seemed slightly more resolute.
Olive (thinking):
"Maybe... they're not as reckless as I thought. Maybe this is what it means to fight with family."
Safari led the way out of the spaceship. The shadows of the demon fortress loomed once more, but this time, the crew faced it with their spirits lifted.
Safari (grinning):
"Let's see if these Demon Generals are ready for the Safari Family."