Vanessa’s consciousness was taken back to when she was young, when she first gained the nickname of ‘Dantae,’ and became known for her travel between worlds.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Her father, Matsumura Kumo asked a very eager Head researcher, who would go on to become General Armando.

“Of course. We’ve done tests to ensure that the device is able to transfer with her. If you are still unsure, Vanessa can test it in front of you.”

Armando waved his hand, and Vanessa complied with a goofy grin on her face. She had been having the time of her life exploring the extent of her powers ever since her clan’s awakening ceremony, and had yet to meet a roadblock that she couldn’t smash.

In fact, it brought her great pleasure when she teleported behind her father, then back in front of him, the device still radiating heat and light on her body.

“Alright! Fine, fine.” Juntaro Kumo said, and pointed at his daughter. “But why is the device a collar?”

Christian Armando shrugged and pointed at that very same girl. “Ask your daughter. It was a design choice on her behalf.”

When her father looked back at her with curiosity in his eyes, she knew she had to lie to him. After all, how could she tell him that having a collar on felt comforting to her?

“It’s just a style I chose so I could be hands free.” She said, flexing all ten fingers in front of her.

The head of the Kumo household gave her a questioning glance, but ultimately dropped the subject. “Whatever. So, do you actually feel like you’re ready for a return to that world?”

Vanessa’s thoughts flashed back to her childhood on the beach, when she had mentally observed another plane of existence. At that time, she only scouted the world to find a burial ground for the beached whales in front of her, but this time, she would make sure that she explored and mapped it out properly.

Despite the fact that her clan and the American government were at odds, she decided to try and be the bridge between the two to advance any sort of peace talks. Adding to that, she quite liked the research staff in Seattle. They were all kind to her and treated her like a person, although they could make do with treating her as much less.

“Of course I feel ready.” Vanessa said, and gave her father a hug before returning to lie back down on the examination table.

The table itself was actually a very powerful enhancer for her powers that Christian Armando had come up with. With its presence, they were hopeful that Vanessa would be able to reach that other world that she had only barely touched upon in her childhood.

”Alright then, I’ll say no more.” Juntaro stepped back, and watched his daughter settle into the device.

She took several deep breaths and the familiar blue glow of the Kumo family’s dimensional powers began to engulf her.

Juntaro watched his daughter with a smile on his face. She was his pride and joy, and he reminded her of it every day. Although she was hard headed and strong-willed like her mother, he was proud of the young woman she had become.

His reverie was cut short upon hearing his daughter’s screams, at which point his eyes were glued to the table, where the light was turning a darker shade of the once sky-blue color.

“Vanessa!” He screamed and rushed over to the table, but it was too late. His daughter was nowhere to be found, and the tracking and support device that was supposed to be with her was lying on the table.

Juntaro turned an angry gaze to Christian, whose slacked jaw spoke volumes to how little he expected that to happen. Grabbing the scientist by the collar, Juntaro shook him to and fro, screaming, “Where is she!? Where is my daughter!?”

Christian peeled off the angry Japanese man and sighed. “Calm down. Your daughter tends to involuntarily scream whenever she teleports long distances. That’s her own thing. The only problem is the tracker. I thought it would stay on, but I guess travelling across dimensions comes with it’s own set of technological challenges. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.”

Juntaro watched in amazement as the researcher began to walk away. “What about-”

“She’ll be fine.” Christian interrupted, a sly grin on his face. "Have faith in her. She’s the next head of the Kumo clan, after all.”

---

Vanessa opened her eyes with a start, and found herself staring into a blinding light. The light began to dim, and soon she was staring at a planet much like earth, with a purple ring around it that resembled saturn.

She tried to speak, but frowned when she realized she couldn’t. Apologies for startling you, girl.

Vanessa crumpled to the ground under the pressure of the voice inside her head, and silently screamed. Instantly, the pain alleviated, and Vanessa lay in a heap on an invisible floor.

Huh? I guess that was too much of an influx of my powers. My apologies once more, traveller from another world. My name is Tirania. Although you may not know of me, there are many who see me as a goddess to this land.

The tallest woman Vanessa had ever seen stepped out from nothingness, and floated over until she was standing in front of the Kumo heiress.

She was at least three meters tall, with an hourglass figure, and radiant silver skin. Her seafoam green hair cascaded down and obscured some of her face, but left enough room for her green eyes to shine through.

Those same eyes seemed to pass down judgement on Vanessa, who tried in vain to return to Earth.

Unfortunately, I can not return you to your world yet, traveller. I require your assistance first. Vanessa started to hyperventilate from the stress of being unable to control her own powers, when she felt a cool hand caress her cheek.

She looked back up and into Tirania’s eyes. Don’t worry. You shall lose no time in your own world, little one. It seems the kings of this era have forgotten why certain fields of research are considered taboo. I need you to remind them. Will you do this for me?

A pitch-black katana landed in front of Vanessa, who used it to struggle to her feet. She looked the goddess head on, and did the only thing she thought would bring her calm: she attacked the giant being with the very sword she had created.