Galacta's Farewell

Richard had actually vaguely expected that this day would come sooner or later.

No matter how strong Galacta was or how lofty her realm, she was, in the end, just a young girl who had run away from home on a whim. She could not keep wandering outside forever. Sooner or later, one day, she would have to return to Galactus's side—regardless of what form that took.

He had simply never expected their parting to come so soon.

All of a sudden, she was leaving, and in such a hurry that they did not even have the chance to say a proper goodbye.

Before leaving, Stardust came to Richard. "I believe one of our companions is still in your custody."

Richard knew she meant Silver Surfer. That silver-shining fellow was indeed still being held in a special S.H.I.E.L.D. cell.

There was not much point in keeping him. A group of Earthlings were both wary of and fascinated by Silver Surfer's power, but it was nothing particularly remarkable to Richard.

So he nodded. "Naturally, we will release him."

Perhaps because of his identity as a god, Stardust seemed to trust his promise. She did not ask further, merely saying, "You are an extraordinary being, even among the gods. I have rarely encountered an existence like you... one similar to myself."

Richard smiled. "Likewise."

After a pause, he looked past Stardust's shoulder at Galacta.

"Take good care of her," he said. "She is your young mistress, isn't she?"

The light on Stardust's face shifted, and it was impossible to read her expression from that energy-formed visage. But she nodded. "We will."

Galacta rose into the air with the three heralds and slowly floated away. The girl kept looking back with every step, clearly reluctant to leave.

But before she had gone very