Robin opened her eyes slowly. When she tried to sit up, an immediate, stabbing headache stopped her cold and forced her to bring a hand to her head. She frowned as a memory ran through her mind.
"If possible, I would have preferred not to go this far… Not with you, at least. But for the sake of fulfilling our dream, to raise this paradise… I'm sorry, Robin. You'll need to sleep a little longer."
Robin pressed her lips together and stood up. As her gaze swept over her surroundings, her expression darkened at the sight of unconscious people scattered across the streets, leaning against walls, sitting on benches, slumped against one another like abandoned figures.
Why?
Why had her older brother done this?
"Well, well. What do we have here? Oh! Is that a little confused dove, far away from her stage?" A mocking voice from behind made Robin turn around immediately.
Standing there in a casual, almost lazy posture was a cute, petite girl, watching her with a wide smile and eyes gleaming with amusement.
"What's someone like you doing in such a lonely place?" Sparkle continued, tilting her head. "I thought stars liked being where everyone can see them. Oh no! Could it be that Penacony's great diva secretly has some strange kleptomaniac urges she needs to work through? Don't worry, the great Sparkle is excellent at keeping secrets!"
Robin frowned.
"How did you wake up?" She asked, a bit more sharply than she intended. "Could you explain that?"
Sparkle blinked a couple of times before bursting into laughter. She covered part of her face as she laughed uncontrollably, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. Eventually, she sighed, still smiling, and wiped the tears away with a finger, ignoring the scowl on Robin's face.
"That dream was boring!" She said, lazily waving a hand. "Way too boring to hold my attention. I ran out of things to do after a few minutes! I got tired of it after Sampo blew up for the fifteenth time. So I filled it with nonsense until it collapsed. And there you go. A beautiful, explosive free exit!"
Robin remained still, watching her in silence, trying to detect some deliberate lie or at least a trace of falsehood in Sparkle's words. In the end, she found nothing conclusive. She exhaled and leaned against the nearby carousel.
"What do you want? I don't think it's a coincidence that I ran into you right after waking up. The timing is far too convenient, don't you think?"
Sparkle tilted her head, wearing an innocent expression.
"Did I do it or didn't I? Well, it looks like the little dove will have to live with her doubts, because the great Sparkle, being the best at keeping secrets, isn't going to tell you anything!" She said smugly, planting her fists on her hips in pride.
She stepped closer and, with a casual motion, pulled a small box-shaped device from her pocket. It was red, with a large button on top. A flower was drawn on it.
Robin took a step back. An ominous sensation crawled up her spine as her expression stiffened.
Sparkle's smile widened when she noticed the reaction.
"No need to overreact or pull such a long face. I haven't done anything bad… depending on how you look at it, of course! But that's not what matters right now. There are two options." She said softly, raising two fingers. "I won't pressure you. Truly. But I will remind you that every choice comes with its incentives… and its consequences."
She shook the box in her hands as if it were nothing more than a pretty toy.
For a brief moment, Sparkle's expression changed. Her red eyes locked onto Robin's with a rare seriousness.
"Whether you like what your brother did or not, there's no way to justify it. He has to be stopped, and I just so happen to have two ways to ruin his plan."
She shook the button again and let out a small giggle.
"This is one of many detonators and bombs I distributed across Penacony while using illusions to take your appearance." Sparkle said, giving her a playful wink. "After all, who would refuse a cute gift offered by their idol? You know… if even one of these goes off, all of Penacony will go kaboom! A spectacular fireworks show. Beautiful, right? Without the dreams holding this place together, Sunday will be left powerless."
"Are you insane?" Robin asked, horrified. "How can you even consider killing everyone here?"
Sparkle laughed.
"Why would I be insane?" She replied. "It's the minimum sacrifice required to stop someone with messianic delusions who gains power every second, turning his fantasies into reality. Otherwise, you could always try therapy with your dear brother and see if that fixes his issues."
She shrugged indifferently, offering her a sweet smile.
"Besides, that's not the only option."
Robin stared at her steadily.
"What's the other one?"
"Just a moment!"
Sparkle vanished around the corner.
Robin blinked, confused, until she saw her return, dragging an enormous trunk almost as big as she was. She opened it and began rummaging through its contents, tossing items onto the ground without care. A beach ball, a giant toy hammer, an AK-47, a rocket launcher, and a book titled How to Make Bombs: From Beginner Level to Oppenheimer Level.
A bead of sweat ran down Robin's forehead.
"Eureka!" Sparkle exclaimed with a grin as she pulled out a height-adjustable microphone stand and quickly placed the microphone into Robin's hands.
Robin held it, not understanding.
Sparkle crossed her arms and nodded.
"The other option is to sing," She said. "By using the power of Harmony, you'll have to take this gamble and try to awaken those who remain asleep, tuning their hearts to stir a desire for freedom. It's a risky bet, and as you know, it can go very well… or very badly."
Ignoring Robin's incredulous stare, she smiled sweetly.
"I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines! And don't worry. If it fails, we'll just go with plan B. There's never a bad time for a beautiful fireworks show, right?"
Robin's hands trembled around the microphone.
What was this, if not a veiled threat to force her into action?
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she let the fear and doubt go with the air.
Her grip on the microphone tightened.
She was ready to sing.
************
As they moved through the hotel's dark hallways, the scene grew increasingly unsettling. Human figures walked stiffly, dragging their feet, muttering disjointed phrases with vacant stares. Their movements were clumsy and erratic, as if something were pushing them forward while they themselves were not truly present.
Stelle frowned as she watched a couple come to a dead stop in front of a nonexistent wall, mumble under their breath, then resume walking.
"What's wrong with these people? They don't walk like they're fully awake, but they don't seem to still be asleep either. It's like something got stuck halfway."
Acheron gave them a sidelong glance before continuing calmly.
"Not everyone is capable of fully awakening. Some hesitate, others resist without realizing it. That indecision prevents their minds from reaching this intermediate space completely, so all they project here is an incomplete version of themselves, similar to a sleepwalker."
"So… they're still trapped in their dreams?" Stelle asked as she looked at Black Swan.
"Yes. Their bodies believe they have awakened, but their spirits remain anchored. They are people who lost themselves in what they wanted to see."
"Wow. This is starting to give me the creeps."
It didn't take long for them to reach the lobby. Stelle looked around with curiosity at the place's familiar yet strangely distorted state.
Boothill laughed brazenly, casually pressing the muzzle of his revolver against Aventurine's temple.
"Now, partner, let's not make this complicated. Tell me where Oswald Schneider is and I promise I won't leave you in worse shape than you already are. Don't worry, if you cooperate you'll walk out of here just fine… well, more or less walking."
Aventurine let out a laugh and pushed the gun away from his head with a finger.
"Put the weapon away. This isn't helping anyone." Dan Heng ran a hand over the bridge of his nose as he tried to intervene.
"Helping? Come on, pal, I'm just asking a very simple question. All he has to do is give me an answer and everyone's happy." Boothill said.
"Even if I cooperated, I highly doubt that would calm your impulses. Besides, there are things that don't depend solely on—" He began, but stopped when he noticed Acheron, Black Swan, and Stelle approaching.
"…"
"Well, looks like we've got company."
Boothill clicked his tongue and holstered the revolver.
"This isn't over." he warned.
Aventurine returned a bright smile while wiping the spot where Boothill had pressed the barrel of his gun with a handkerchief pulled from his pocket.
"Does it ever end? I suppose I can agree with that. Still, there'll be time to continue our little game of cat and mouse another day. For now, it's time to work."
Dan Heng stepped forward when he saw Stelle arrive.
"Stelle, I'm glad to see you're alright," he said.
"That's debatable, but thanks. What about Himeko, March, Welt, and Aleph?"
Dan Heng shook his head.
"As far as I know, they still haven't awakened."
"Aleph did wake up. I spoke with him briefly before Stelle awakened. He chose not to stay. Apparently, he had his own matters to attend to," Acheron said.
"His own matters…?" Stelle murmured, confused.
Aventurine raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds like the beginning of a potential advanced case of work addiction. In the future, I'll send him sleeping pills as a gift. Wouldn't want him to end up like someone such as Topaz. Trust me, when someone piles up that much workload… they can become dangerously volatile under the right stimulus."
Aventurine shuddered slightly, ignoring Stelle's strange look.
Black Swan stepped forward.
"That's enough. The time for jokes is over. What's happening now is far too serious to waste on provocations."
Seeing the others begin to pay closer attention, Black Swan nodded and began her explanation.
"How serious is it? Because honestly, I'm having a hard time believing this can get any worse." Stelle remarked as she sat down on a nearby chair.
"The situation has escalated in the worst possible way. The enemy is no longer just Sunday, nor the Harmonious Choir he usurped."
Stelle clicked her tongue.
"Great. Just what I wanted to hear. Is there really no worse news?"
Black Swan hesitated for a moment before sighing and crossing her arms.
"There is."
"Then say it all at once. I'd rather take the full hit than get it piece by piece," Stelle said, giving her a somewhat sour look.
"The Dream Master released the Plague within the Dream. The Swarm spreads as fear is etched into the minds and hearts of those who remain asleep, fear deep enough for them to beg the Order for protection. That plea triggered a chain reaction that restored the Path of Order and allowed Sunday to become Ena."
"…" Stelle stood there with her mouth completely open, wearing a rather foolish expression.
Dan Heng brought a hand to his head as the onset of a severe headache took hold.
"Maybe March was right. The luck of those who board the Express has always been terrible."
Acheron crossed her arms and shook her head.
"The process is not complete. Sunday has not yet finished his ascension. He stands at the threshold, transcendence within reach. If not for the immediate intervention of the Corporation's ships, the energy of Preservation would not have permeated the Sweet Dream, and the outcome would have been different."
Aventurine scoffed, crossing his arms with a faintly malicious smile.
"On my watch, a second Order that threatens the Corporation's stability will not be born."
"Don't let a small victory cloud your judgment, gambler. That intervention is temporary at best. And there is something else you must know. Ena's true form has been released from the Dreamscape and has grown to proportions equivalent to an Aeon. At this very moment, the Asdana star system is nothing more than a marble in the palm of her hand."
"Facing it head-on is not an option. In its current state, it wouldn't even need to try to eliminate us." Black Swan said.
Stelle's bat slammed into a nearby table. The structure was sent flying across the lobby, crashing in the distance.
Boothill whistled, impressed.
"That flew pretty far."
Stelle clenched her teeth and looked at Acheron and Black Swan.
"Then tell me something. Why did you gather us here? To satisfy some cruel impulse… or because there's a real chance, no matter how small, that will allow us to defeat it?"
"There is a way. Sunday's current state is not so different from that of a false god. Powerful, yes, but that does not mean he is as stable as a true one. What sustains him are two lies. As long as the Sweet Dreams and the Fear created by the Order remain intact, he will stay one step away from ascending. If the Sweet Dreams fall, and with them the fear that keeps those who remain asleep in chains, he will fall alongside them." Acheron said calmly.
Stelle clenched her fists as she processed the magnitude of what she was hearing. Her gaze moved across those present as she tried, unsuccessfully, to think of some plan or way to use the information. Unfortunately, she was better at hitting and breaking things than at using her head.
"So… everything depends on something that simple?" She murmured, with a mix of disbelief and hope.
"That's right." Black Swan replied, folding her arms gently. "Although, unfortunately, I must inform you that this is one of those situations where the solution may sound simpler than it truly is. I will try to explain it to you as clearly as possible."
Black Swan sighed and gave them all a very serious look.
"There are currently three layers within the dreamscape that impede our freedom. The first is Ena's Dream, woven by Sunday. Each dreamer is given a reality tailored to their desires, becoming trapped within it like flies in a spider's web. The second is the primordial dreamscape. Areas such as the Dreamflux Reef have already been overtaken by the Plague, turning them into a hell that generates a constant flow of fear, strengthening the Order. The third layer is the Twelve Moments created by the Family, which merged with reality and were magnified, becoming an impossible labyrinth to traverse."
Aventurine's eyes narrowed.
"Even after getting through all that… we'd still have to face him, right?"
Black Swan sighed and nodded at Aventurine's words.
"…You should change your name to Black Cat. You seem to attract disasters just by being nearby." Stelle muttered, giving Black Swan a flat, expressionless look.
"Hm?" Black Swan tilted her head in mild confusion upon seeing Stelle murmur something, but chose not to dwell on it, as she had not quite caught what she said.
Boothill frowned and struck the table with the back of his hand.
"Is that it? All we have left to do is wait for that thing Sunday becomes to ascend without trying to stop it?"
"Do not mistake the true intent of my words." Black Swan replied, meeting Boothill's gaze directly. "We never said we would surrender."
Acheron took a few steps forward before stopping beside Black Swan.
"Awakening those with strong wills was the first part of the plan. They will introduce dissonance into the Order's perfection. This was made possible thanks to the assistance of other Memokeepers present in Penacony."
Dan Heng inclined his head slightly, aware of the weight of her words.
"You said it yourselves. There isn't much time left before Sunday recovers and completes his ascension. Those of us gathered here in the lobby can hardly be considered a sufficient force." He exhaled heavily. "It was a negligible effort compared to what we truly need."
"We need an immediate method to awaken as many people as possible, or at least to gather a group with an ego strong enough to shake the structure of the Dream." Black Swan said.
Dan Heng sighed, crossing his arms as he assessed the situation.
"…I believe the proper move would be to use the jade abacus to contact the Xianzhou Alliance."
Boothill laughed softly, tilting his head with amusement.
"Sounds like you want to use a once-in-a-lifetime treasure. Don't worry, old Boothill here has a way to save the day."
From a small pocket in his coat, he pulled out a brilliant purple bullet that exuded gas of the same color.
"This is a special relic that only shows its true effect in the hands of a Galaxy Ranger. It is a funerary relic used to commemorate the fall of a colleague who served with honor. When fired, its light illuminates the universe and represents the exact moment a hero draws their final breath."
Boothill held it between his fingers.
"From every corner of the Cosmos, the meteors of the Hunt will answer the call. Each will respond regardless of distance, time, or reason. The Galaxy Rangers will fall like shooting stars in the darkest night… and with their arrival, they will bring a new dawn."
Boothill coughed theatrically into his hand when he noticed Stelle's excited expression. She looked like a small child witnessing something awe-inspiring. Those shining eyes stirred old memories he would rather not bring to the surface.
"If a group with a strong ego, an indomitable will, and unparalleled courage is needed, there is no better choice than the Galaxy Rangers." Boothill said with a laugh, flashing them a sharp smile. "I will be the one to spark this flame. Much time has passed, and it is time for our faction's name to be heard once more across every corner of the Cosmos, reminding all cunning villains and wrongdoers that we have not vanished. And that each of them should start washing their necks in preparation."
Black Swan nodded calmly.
"That covers one of the key points. We now have another interference that will delay Sunday's ascension. But we are still missing a method to shake the very foundations of the Dream."
Acheron closed her eyes for a brief moment as she spoke softly.
"That is already taken care of."
Everyone looked at her with curiosity, but Acheron remained silent, not adding a single word.
"And what will we do about the other two layers of the dreamscape?" Dan Heng asked, frowning slightly.
"There is nothing we can do about them for now." Black Swan said helplessly. "Those places are beyond our reach. The danger is far too great to intervene."
Acheron nodded in agreement.
"Once we make our move to affect Ena's Dream, Sunday will feel the interference immediately due to his connection and will proceed to confront us with his full strength in order to eradicate us completely."
"Wouldn't it be safer to wait until the other Memokeepers awaken a few additional allies?" Stelle murmured, leaning slightly against the back of a nearby chair.
"I hate to be the one who always brings you bad news, Stelle, but unfortunately that isn't possible." Black Swan shook her head. "It would take too long, and success would be uncertain. By the time they manage it, Sunday may have already fully ascended, rendering any plan useless."
"What about waiting for outside help? Would it be viable to hope that some allied faction notices the current situation?" Dan Heng asked.
"Our only hope would be the intervention of another Aeon, but that would amount to a declaration of war among them, should any support Sunday. It's practically opening a can of worms." Black Swan sighed, rubbing her forehead in irritation. "Let's be realistic. What Aeon would lift a finger over what's happening in Penacony? Not even Xipe has reacted, despite Ena being on the verge of resurgence. With the time we have left, waiting for help from the gods is a foolish notion bordering on the ridiculous."
Aventurine let out a laugh, drawing everyone's attention.
"Doesn't this sound like a gamble? Those who seek to survive without facing risks will inevitably meet death, while those who dare to confront the coming challenges head-on… will live. I like it."
Soon, the distinct sound of heels against the floor echoed through the lobby as Constance arrived, closely followed by Kali, Silver Wolf, and Firefly.
"Huh? Were you having a secret meeting without inviting us? How unpleasant. I suppose I'll have to invite myself. I brought a small gift to make up for my intrusion. Just a few lost girls I ran into along the way, so naturally I brought them here."
Silver Wolf looked at Constance with a flat expression.
"If you call me a kid again, you'll face the consequences." She said coldly.
Firefly laughed awkwardly.
"Come on, Silver Wolf, just calm down. I'm sure she didn't mean it in a bad way."
Black Swan clicked her tongue in annoyance and crossed her arms, making no effort to hide the pure disdain she felt toward Constance and Kali.
"Wolfie! Ah… why did you bring her, Firefly? This is no place for minors."
Firefly blinked blankly as she scratched her cheek.
"Y-yeah… sorry, I didn't mean—"
"Shut it, Stelle. You're a minor too." Silver Wolf interrupted, frowning. "Tch. Kids these days are getting more and more rebellious."
She then fixed Firefly with an intense stare.
"Why are you apologizing?"
Firefly averted her gaze, a bit embarrassed.
Aventurine smiled in amusement, resting his chin on his hand.
"Stellaron Hunters, huh? If I managed to capture one later, I might even earn a nice promotion and a pardon, despite the Penacony plan failing."
Silver Wolf snorted and looked at him as if to say, "You, of all people?".
"Hmph. Try it if you've got the guts. Many far more capable and stronger than you have tried and walked away empty-handed."
"Is that another bet?" Aventurine laughed brazenly as he spun a chip between his fingers. "Because it just so happens I'm very good at those."
Constance pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Kids these days can't be near each other without fighting."
Kali shot her a sideways glance.
"You're the least qualified person to say that."
Dan Heng sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time.
"Do not lose focus on what truly matters. You can argue later, once everything has been resolved."
Silver Wolf frowned.
"The Stellaron Hunters will secure the second layer and make it safe. As for the first layer, one of our collaborators has already ensured the safety of the Chosen of Harmony."
"Robin? That fast? Well, you really do work quite efficiently." Aventurine commented.
"Robin left a message."
Silver Wolf held up her phone and activated a holographic display with a prerecorded message.
"Whether someone is born strong or weak, their will should never be defiled by the desires of others. If carving paths is a mission befitting heroes, then Harmony will ensure that the strong protect the weak. The situation is dire, and everyone remains lost in their dreams. The people of Penacony are weak on their own, but together… together they will be strong enough to fight for their world and their freedom."
It was not hard to notice her uncertainty from the expression on her face and the way she gripped the microphone in her hands, yet that was precisely why the look in her eyes convinced those who watched her.
"The path to happiness will be forged by everyone's hands, no longer in dreams, but in reality. I will give everything I have to instill courage in the hearts of those who still doubt, and finally bring this cruel dream to an end."
She was resolute.
"Perhaps thanks to Robin, everyone will be able to awaken and reunite… but it doesn't matter. People's obsession with happiness will make them cling to dreams unconsciously, making the entire process more difficult. This is not something that can be eradicated overnight. How will we get them to take a step toward the right path?" Black Swan asked.
"It isn't about pushing them forward or pointing out the path." Acheron replied. "It's about inspiring in them the desire to find it, and giving them the courage to save themselves."
"The preparations to stir up a commotion in the Twelve Moments are already complete so you can slip through." Silver Wolf said, looking at the others. "As for the primordial dreamscape…"
"Aleph… he's already taking care of it." Firefly murmured, her expression conflicted.
Stelle stepped closer to the two of them.
"Is Aleph okay? Ever since you said he went off on his own, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it… do you know why he decided to do that?"
"…" Firefly fell silent, unsure of how to answer.
Silver Wolf sighed and moved closer to Stelle so she could speak without the others overhearing.
"Stelle, before you say anything else… please don't panic. Aleph intervened at a critical point in the script. A point Elio had marked as immutable. He prevented Firefly's death, but by doing so he diverted events onto a route Elio considers extremely dangerous. A route with four possible outcomes, as far as we know."
Firefly clenched her fists tightly, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like that… he wasn't supposed to be there. If I had been faster, he wouldn't have had time to intervene."
"Maybe. Or maybe not. You can't truly be certain. You know as well as I do that the script isn't infallible, whether we like it or not. That's why… there are things I can't say out loud. Even now, even here. Speaking about them openly would be dangerous." Silver Wolf said, her tone tinged with fatigue.
Stelle blinked in confusion.
"So… what's going to happen to him?"
Silver Wolf gestured with a finger for her to lower her head.
"Come closer."
Stelle complied in silence.
"…As I said, there are four possible outcomes, and we don't know which one is currently unfolding. The first is that Aleph is reborn as a Devastator, with power comparable to the Scorching Flare. The second is that he becomes the new King of the Swarm. The third… is that he dies. And the last one… Elio didn't give many details. He only said it's far worse than any of the others."
"…That's not exactly reassuring." Stelle said, frowning.
Silver Wolf stomped the floor in irritation.
"Believe me, I'm worried too. But we can't afford to lose our composure over this. It may sound cold and insensitive, but right now there's very little we can do for Aleph. The situation we're in doesn't leave us much room to maneuver. The one thing we can do is make sure we defeat Sunday. And for that, we need you at your best."
Stelle sighed, letting her hands fall. Her bat hit the floor with a dull thud.
"…You're right. If I let myself fall apart now, I'll only make things worse. I'll finish this quickly. Whatever happens afterward… I'll face it."
Silver Wolf nodded and stepped back.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Good luck, Stelle. If everything goes well and we play all our cards right, you and the rest of the Astral Express crew should be able to charge straight to Sunday's location once he's weakened. Firefly and I will handle the remnants of the Followers of Order. This will be our only real chance to defeat him. If we fail… the dream will merge with reality. And Sunday will win."
Black Swan crossed her arms and gave her a curious look.
"How can you be so sure Sunday will be weakened? You know as well as we do that his current power is more than enough to crush us before we even execute the plan."
"Hmph. Because an idiot of his caliber would've already prepared his own set of tricks in advance, just in case…" She said, pointing at Aventurine, who smiled innocently as everyone's eyes turned to him.
"Well, well… what an inelegant way to refer to me. Still, I must admit you're right. After all, I may be many things, but I'd never be the kind of person who lets the game end without playing my last card. Tell me, did you really think the arrival of the Corporation's fleet was the only thing I had planned?"
Aventurine rolled a chip between his fingers as Constance's and Black Swan's expressions shifted.
"Don't tell me…"
"Ding ding. Correct guess. Unfortunately, there's no prize for getting it right. From the very beginning, my goal was never direct confrontation. As explained earlier, the massive presence of followers of the Path of Preservation and the actions of my colleagues achieved something far more interesting than merely interfering with the dream using Preservation energy. Simply put, we planted the Heart of Preservation within the Dream."
Black Swan shook her head calmly.
"Even so, the Ten Stonehearts are still merely followers of Preservation who possess only a fraction of an Emanator's true power. To think of confronting a being on the verge of becoming an Aeon with that… is ridiculous."
Constance rested a hand against her cheek.
"As much as I dislike agreeing, I have no choice but to side with her. It's a reckless gamble whose only outcome is loss."
Aventurine shrugged, unconcerned by their words.
"Normally, it would be. But there's something both of you are overlooking. For all that the Dreammaster's plan seemed flawless, he made a mistake from the very beginning. Tell me… what real difference is there between calling upon Order and calling upon Preservation? There's a reason the cosmos doesn't need a second Order. Through the Jade Keystone, we will absorb the dreams and the desire for salvation of everyone still trapped in Penacony, condensing it all into a single desperate plea. In return, they will receive the promise of Preservation's protection. Proclaiming glory to the Lord of Amber."
"…The Corporation truly is terrifying. Unable to claim Penacony physically, they chose to seize it on a conceptual level." Dan Heng murmured, his eyes widening in surprise.
Aventurine nodded in satisfaction.
"I'm glad you understand. That was one of the first lessons I learned while serving the Corporation. Never question your own cruelty. Never allow doubt to interfere. In the end, the only thing that matters is whether you can generate profit." Aventurine's smile widened as a playful, vengeful gleam filled his eyes. "The end of this ordeal has already been written and recorded in our ledgers. The Family will, of course, have to provide generous compensation for all the inconvenience caused. As for the new plague… what other fate awaits it, if not to repeat the past? The rumble of the Lord of Amber's hammer will echo across the Asdana star system as Order is shaken to its core, and Sunday will be powerless as his strength is stripped away."
Black Swan nodded.
"With everything in place, there remains one final issue we cannot avoid. Even if we succeed in stripping Sunday of his divinity, someone will still have to face him directly. By the time we reach that point, all of us will have fulfilled our roles and will be exhausted. None of us would be in any condition to fight that final battle."
Before anyone else could respond, Stelle began hopping in place with one hand raised high, earning an exasperated sigh from both Dan Heng and Silver Wolf, while Boothill and Aventurine laughed at the sight.
The smile on Black Swan's face faltered briefly at the absurdity of Stelle's behavior, but she ultimately chose to let it pass.
"…I see determination in your eyes. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, but I won't pretend I'm surprised by your desire to fight. After all, do you wish to break the chains that bind you with your own hands? I can only commend you for that choice and wish you the best of luck as you throw yourself onto an uncertain path, Stelle." Black Swan straightened, her expression turning serious as she looked at everyone gathered in the lobby. "Listen carefully, all of you. There will be no second chance. A single mistake will mean the end. If anyone has doubts, if anyone wishes to step back or say a few final words, now is the time."
Boothill grinned and, together with Dan Heng, stepped up to Stelle and gave her a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Heh. Looks like nobody's gonna say a thing. That's fine by me. Stelle, Dan Heng… when all this is over, make sure you look up at the sky. Shooting stars falling together are one hell of a sight." Holding the brim of his hat, he adjusted it with a sharp smile. "It'd be a damn shame if you missed it."
With that, the cowboy went on his way, preparing to fire the relic.
Both Dan Heng and Stelle nodded toward him with resolute expressions. They then walked toward Acheron, who motioned for them to come closer.
"Close your eyes for a moment. It's time for us to return to the beginning—and the end. With this Festival nearing its conclusion… all I can say is that meeting you was truly a fortunate encounter."
Acheron began to draw her katana as space itself started to distort.
"In the darkness, a small child cries. A young woman releases sighs heavy with regret. And a fool chokes on his own blood while laughing at his fate."
In the ensuing silence, only the sound of shattering glass assaulted Stelle's and Dan Heng's ears.
"For it is when life dares to drift into slumber that it may awaken and find the light of dawn."
...…
Stelle opened her eyes slowly, listening to the echo of her own footsteps rippling across the water.
Before her stretched an endless black-and-white sea, pierced by the silhouette of a black hole slowly rotating overhead. Rain fell without pause, and each drop seemed to carry an uncertain murmur, its words indistinct.
A figure appeared before her, facing forward with her back turned. Despite the many changes she had undergone, it wasn't difficult for Stelle to recognize who the woman was. Her skin was so pale it seemed as though it had never known blood. Her hair, whiter than freshly fallen snow, cascaded over her shoulders.
"I offer you a sincere welcome to the Horizon of Existence…"
Her eyes burned with a deep, unsettling red as tears stained her face. From her arm and chest bloomed scarlet flowers, creating a sight both beautiful and disturbing.
"…Acheron… you look different."
Acheron simply nodded, as though this were far from the first time someone had seen her like this.
"I'll tell you a bit more about this place. This is one of the many faces Nihility can take. A space forcibly opened by my power. Through this path, you will be able to reach your objective."
Stelle looked around in confusion as she noticed something missing.
"Do you know where Dan Heng went?"
Acheron nodded.
"He has already passed through this place." She said calmly. "This is where we part ways. I will wait for you at the end of the path."
As Stelle continued forward across the black sea, several figures became visible, resembling people she knew.
"I wish people would learn to look beyond memories, to live their lives and cherish those who walk beside them." Wished the foolish memokeeper.
"If only, at the moment of death, I could see her again… perhaps then, even for an instant, I could be happy once more." Wished the gambler.
"I want everyone to be able to return home. To embrace their loved ones, to laugh around a noisy table, and to share a meal in peace." Wished the gruff cowboy.
"I long for a world where wisdom and perseverance allow people to gain the knowledge needed to understand themselves and, at last, be happy." That was the wish of the mediocre.
"I wish people would embrace one another without restraint and speak sincere words, that the beauty of a genuine compliment might brighten even the grayest days." That was the wish of those who pursue Beauty.
Near the end of the path, the figures of Silver Wolf and Firefly came into view.
"Stelle… win. No matter how. Break fate if you have to, but win."
"Come back alive. Prove that even in the face of the Conclusion, it's still possible to move forward."
A chorus of voices whispered a prayer into the void, directed at the one who chose to bear everything.
"We trust you. Lead us to the dawn. It doesn't matter if it's today or tomorrow, or how many more nights we must endure. We entrust you with our dreams, our hope, and our will."
Amid that multitude, four figures stood apart from the rest.
"May hope not be betrayed at the end of this journey." Wished the wise.
"May good intentions find an answer and not be lost in the void." Wished the experienced.
"Even if it hurts, even if the road is awful… may everything turn out well. That's all that matters." Wished the fools.
"May moving forward always be worth it, even when the price is high." Wished the sinners.
"May the Trailblazer expedition never end, so that in the end we may all awaken together." Wished the Trailblazers.
At the end of the path, Aleph's figure came into view, with Acheron standing beside him.
"Before the pain of loss, the absence of hope, and the resentment born of fear…" He murmured softly as he turned to meet her gaze. "I wish that everyone may overcome the demons that dwell within them. That they may experience, without restraint, the joy of being alive."
That was the wish of the inhuman.
The figures began to fade one by one, dissolving into the void like reflections on water when the surface is disturbed. Their voices vanished without resistance, leaving behind a dense silence that seemed to weigh upon the horizon.
Acheron watched that ending without looking away.
"It's normal for you to feel confused by everything you've seen and heard on your way here." Her voice was neither distant nor indulgent. "One does not walk among things that refuse to disappear every day."
Stelle lowered her gaze for a moment before raising it again.
"Then… what was all of that?"
Acheron turned her head slightly, as if choosing her words with care.
"They were the wishes of those who awakened from the sweet dream. Remnants drawn toward the divine and the amorphous. All of them were able to dream because they clung to those wishes with sufficient strength. The Dream of Order tried to imprison them, but because it could not fulfill them, it failed. From that failure came their ability to awaken."
Stelle let her eyes wander across the monochrome landscape, the fractured sky, the motionless sea, and then fixed them once more on Acheron. Something uneasy stirred in her chest.
"So…" She hesitated briefly. "Does the end of all desire… always end here? In Nihility?"
Acheron closed her eyes for a moment as she considered her answer.
"That conclusion is correct… and incorrect at the same time." She replied. "Fulfilling a dream can grant happiness. It can give a life the momentum to keep moving forward. But if no new desire were ever to arise… if the heart were to fall completely silent… what would remain to be contemplated?"
Her crimson eyes lifted toward the horizon.
"Hidden behind Nihility lies the brightest light. So intense that it compels one to seek it in desperation."
The nonexistent wind stirred the scarlet flowers blooming from her body.
"The Cosmos has several endings already written. One of them is to fall before Nihility, when everything is swallowed by the divine and the amorphous."
The edge of the path began to come into view.
Acheron turned to face her.
"Tell me, Stelle. What desire drives your reckless burden forward? What longing lies at the bottom of your heart?"
Stelle blinked, surprised by the question. Then she laughed softly, scratching the back of her neck with a hint of embarrassment.
"I guess it's pretty simple. Actually… I don't have one. I don't have a grand dream or a clear goal. I live day by day, kill time playing video games, rummaging through trash cans looking for interesting things… But precisely because there are so many people around me who do have dreams and hopes… there's something I hold onto tightly."
She raised her gaze to meet Acheron's.
"Fighting at their side. Defending the wishes of others. Fighting tooth and nail so they aren't taken away from them."
Acheron let out a faint smile.
"I see. That's a good thing."
Stelle tilted her head.
"And you? Do you have one too?"
Acheron blinked. For a brief instant, her expression grew distant in contemplation.
"Because of my condition… I retain little of who I once was. Beyond my name, only fragments and a few scattered glimmers remain."
Her gaze drifted toward the point where the figure resembling Aleph had stood before.
"All I have left… is who I choose to be now."
A third voice broke the silence of that monochrome space.
"Small sparks ignite fires. Fires, with their vast light, draw the attention of insects."
The space vibrated with the beating of countless wings.
"Life desires death, and death desires life. It is because of this eternal pursuit that our actions carry weight."
A presence descended.
"Just as good intentions can bring about disastrous results… bad intentions can also give rise to benevolent consequences."
The figure of Aleph manifested before them.
His hair was now a dark brown. Two beetle-like horns emerged from his head, purple at the base, transitioning to pink and fuchsia toward the tips. Black armor, traced with fine golden lines, covered his body, unsettlingly similar to that of a void explorer from the Antimatter Legion.
"A short, fleeting life…" He murmured softly. "Like the flash of a shooting star in a distant sky, or embers on the verge of going out."
An ethereal flame, tinged with green, rose from his body. The deafening screech of a vast legion of giant insects flooded the space.
"Is it wrong to want to give it a purpose?"
That was the Legion's wish.
"Fate is never fair." Acheron murmured quietly. "No matter how much weight we wish to assign to our decisions, their true importance is small if the future already exists. So tell me… is there truly value in the actions of mortals? Or is everything meaningless from the very beginning?"
She opened her eyes and looked at Stelle.
"Even knowing this… will you still pursue the future you long for?"
Stelle exhaled slowly.
"That's exactly why I want to." She smiled with determination. "I'll take those hardships with my own hands and use them to carve a path toward the future I chose. Whether it's possible or not, I'll find out myself."
She clenched her fists tightly.
"And if this wall won't move… then I'll break it. Even if I have to smash it with my own head."
Acheron looked at her in bewilderment before beginning to laugh.
"Hey! I put a lot of effort into thinking about what to say!" Stelle protested with a pout. "And you're laughing!"
Acheron wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. A smile adorned her face as she turned toward Stelle; the expression was so beautiful and serene that Stelle was left breathless.
"You're right… about more things than you realize."
The space began to fracture as Acheron's hand came to rest on the sheath of her katana.
"In the times to come, you will witness countless tragedies." Acheron's voice remained steady as everything cracked apart. "You will face trials that will test your will."
With the crash of shattered glass, reality collapsed.
"In this monochrome space, you will see a distant flash of red." A gentle voice offered a reminder. "We will meet again."
The world broke apart completely.
"When that moment comes… I want to know what it was that you glimpsed in the future."