Before arriving at the vault door, Noah got the feeling that something was watching him. He stopped to investigate the narrow hallway for the source of the ominous feeling. All he found was Josh shrouded from head to toe, with only his eyes exposed, and the pair of armoured men. Josh looked at him curiously.

"What is it, Noah?" Josh asked.

"It's nothing. I just have a strange feeling that something is watching me," Noah replied.

"Do you want me to search for it," Josh asked.

"No. Let's not waste any more time," Noah said as he declined the offer.

He ignored the feeling of being watched and opened the vault door. Inside, his companions were waiting patiently for their return. Lyn ran over to Noah as he entered the transport ship.

"Do you see that? It's a submarine island! Do we get to go on it?" Lyn asked excitedly.

"Yes, we're going there now. But I won't be staying with you," Noah replied as he crouched down in front of the boy.

"Why not?" Lyn asked with a pout.

"Because I have something I need to take care of. It'll save a lot of people," Noah said. He placed a hand on Lyn's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Can I stay with you?" Lyn asked.

"I'm sorry, but you will have to stay with Louise. I know you don't need anyone to look after you. So, you need to keep her safe. Can you do that for me?" Noah asked as the boy reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"If I'm on the submarine island, how will you find us again?" Lyn asked.

"I have an idea. Pass me your origin root," Noah instructed.

Lyn reached into his pocket to retrieve the shimmering pink origin root. He offered it to Noah, who accepted it. It glowed as he infused it with lifeforce, causing it to grow a stem at a visible rate. Offshoots began to branch out as small leaves multiplied rapidly. When Noah was satisfied with the amount of growth, he cut off the supply of lifeforce. Held in his hand was a seedling herb bush gently glimmering with pink-light. Noah broke the sprout away from the origin root and placed the wilted herbs inside his [Zero-Space Dimension Ring]. There was a short stem stump left attached to the root as he placed it inside Lyn's palm, gently closing it with both hands.

"I'll be able to use this to find you. You can do the same with me. I'll come back, I promise. Until then, I need you to be brave for me," Noah promised the distraught boy.

"I will be," Lyn declared.

"Good man," Noah replied.

Noah stood and patted the boy's shoulder before gently pushing him toward Louise, who crouched down and gave him a warm hug. Whispering something Noah was unable to hear, causing the pair to look at Noah as Lyn nodded. Louise gave him a comforting smile then stood back up. Noah was still watching their interaction as the boss and Roger approached to speak with him.

"We are ready to fight," Roger spoke first.

"I need you to stay with them. This trip to the Fallen Citadel is likely to be one-way for me," Noah replied.

Roger began to speak but was interrupted by the boss, placing a hand on his shoulder while shaking his head.

「I understand, Fishbait. There are some things a man must do alone.亅 the boss said.

"We must hunt the demon of the depths for the blood we are owed. It is best to do that from the sea," Roger said in agreement.

"That is the variable in my plan. It may all go wrong. If it does, I don't want you all in danger. I don't intend to throw my life away, but there's going to be a certain amount of risk involved," Noah said.

「We will help if we see an opportunity to do so. This will not be the last time we meet. I know it.亅 the boss said.

"And here I was thinking that Roger was the shaman," Noah joked, causing the pair to laugh.

"Farewell, Fishbait," Roger said, offering his intact hand for Noah to shake.

"I'll see you again soon," Noah replied with confidence that he didn't feel. Accepting the offered hand in a wrist clasp.

Noah offered his hand to the boss for a handshake, but he ignored it and drew him into an embrace instead. Stepping back while gripping both of Noah's shoulders.

「Fight well, Fishbait. You have much honour. Your ancestors smile upon you.亅 the boss said.

The pair returned to their seats on the bench while Noah remained standing at the window beside the pilot's chair. Wayde, the red-plumed armoured man, closed the vault door then released the transport ship's clamps with a resounding clang in the silence.

The transport ship began to move forward as Bruce, the blue-plumed armoured man, filled it with blue-lifeforce. They maintained their altitude as they crossed the distance to meet the Sisters of the Sea. The deck of the Airshark passed under them until there was only water below the transport ship. Something caught Noah's attention, causing him to place his head against the glass of the window for a better look.

"What is that?" Noah asked as he stumbled backward in shock.

"Sanctuary," Josh replied.

"That island is alive! I saw orange-colored patterns moving under the water," Noah exclaimed.

"It's on the back of a sea turtle," Josh patiently replied.

The people sitting on the benches began to mutter as they attempted to crowd around the window.

"Everyone, sit down! We don't want to crash when we land," Wayde shouted over the noise.

Everyone hesitatingly returned to their seats after hearing the red-plumed man's command. Grace clutched the fur of the sheepdog as she talked excitedly with Lyn and Louise. Uncle Joey maintained his cool while Roger lectured Avery. The boss remained standing beside Noah with a thoughtful look on his face. The three remaining oarsmen hadn’t spoken since Noah returned.

The room became silent as the transport ship began to descend. It settled with a thud on the rocky surface of the island turtle. The red-plumed man opened the vault door without ceremony. Standing outside waiting were the envoys of the Sisters of the Sea. Among them was a face Noah recognized.