After getting released from the hospital, Howl couldn't help but feel depressed. His mother had meddled and contacted Maize Maizier to inform them of his injured condition, and he was quite certain it had been revealed that he had not been unwell prior to his encounter with the unknown Negaverse Captain. He was able to get medical leave from work, but that would only last for a short while at best.

He had tried to simply stay home, but he found that he was simply haunted by the series of events leading to him being stuck there in bed. It reminded him of how he was useless, only able to remain in a bed.

What kind of Squire was he? He not only lost his weapon, but he had been reduced to a pathetic state where he only waited for his mother to move back with him. In his opinion, it wasn't an acceptable way to exist.

He was steady enough on his feet to stand up. He phased into his uniform as a Squire before reciting his oath and soon enough seemed to vanish from his condo. There was no concern that someone would ambush his home while he was gone. It had been a momentary blip of energy and it logically should not have captured the attention of any aligned with Chaos.

The lad soon enough phased in upon that dreaded wonder that was beneath the surface of Neptune's waters. He was careful to not face the panel that separated him from the ocean, staggering slightly as he made his way to a different wall.

A part of him hoped deeply that his ancestor would not pop up to pester him. Nysa was already fed up with his meddlesome mother giving him grief over his injury. Last thing he needed was another relative (of sorts) doing the same thing.

He eventually made his way to the wall where a damaged painting lay, waiting to get hung up. With his gloved hands, he pressed the torn sections up so he could see the face of the beautiful woman of the ocean. Princess Neptune.

Still holding the damaged sections in place, he lowered himself to his knees, kneeling like a loyal subject should.

"...Princess... I have failed you..."

The words stung to say aloud, but they needed to be said. Even if at that very moment, he was talking to an inanimate object upon a dead world.

With a subtle sigh, he attempted to speak out what he had been holding back since he had been bleeding out.

"...I was unable to defend your honor, Princess. I fought hard against a Captain of the Negaverse, and I lost. Not only did I lose the battle, but my weapon was put out of commission..."

There was slight hesitation in his voice as he uttered "...Am I no longer worthy of serving you, my Lady?"

He paused, his teal gaze upon the painted face beneath his fingers. It was merely an inanimate object, but it was almost as if he was waiting for a response from the Princess he idolized so much. It was silent, but with a partial smile, it seemed as if he got the response he was seeking.

"...Your smile is all I need to see to reassure me, Princess. I promise... I will find you..."

He normally was not so bold, but with a renewed sense of purpose, he couldn't help indulging a little in fantasy. Still holding the painting's tears in place, he leaned in an tenderly planted a kiss upon the Princess' lips. When he finally pulled himself away, he uttered "...I will not disappoint you again, Princess..."

He had only been there for a few moments, but those few moments were all he needed. Feeling completely renewed, he turned away, phasing out and returning back to Earth.

He still had a promise to fulfill.