《A Dream Unchained - Honkai Star Rail》


 1. Memory Zone

    As I approached the Asdana star system, I began to feel a strong turbulence around me.

    It was as if I had just entered a vortex that threatened to sweep me and my armor away, leaving me stranded in the vast loneliness of space.

    Memoria...

    That was the force I felt all around me.

    This strange substance, when accumulated in large quantities, had the ability to create whole new worlds.

    Like the one I was heading for.

    Penacony''s Dreamscape.

    Penacony, the Land of Dreams, was nothing more than a vast space station that had once housed a penal colony for the IPC.

    But this was no longer the case. It was now home to a luxury hotel, the Reverie, run by the wealthy Oak family.

    Inside it, their guests could immerse themselves in special devices filled with Memoria, the Dreampools, to access the Dreamscape, a realm of dreams where it was said that any wish could become true.

    Of course, a Stellaron hunter couldn''t just turn up at the front desk and ask for a room.

    Maybe that''s why the script chose me for this mission...

    If you couldn''t dive into a Dreampool, the only way to access the Dreamscape would be to physically enter the core of the Memory Zone.

    And only one of us had the means to do that.

    I amplified SAM''s power. Green flames erupted from the shoulders of my armor and with extreme speed I plunged deeper and deeper into the sea of Memoria that surrounded me.

    I remembered the words Silver Wolf had said to me before I left:

    "If someone like you tries to enter the Dreamscape... you will suffer an agony similar to death!"

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    I had decided to ignore the concern in her voice and had not replied.

    Since my dearest friend had been taken away from me, I had never wanted to show my true feelings in front of my other comrades.

    After all, they too might disappear one day, if it was written in the script.

    Someone like me...

    Perhaps it was because of the way I was born, but I had never been able to dream.

    After all, an organism created solely to be a weapon against the Swarm and destined to fade away in a short time, after its reason for existence had been exhausted, didn''t need to dream.

    A weapon had no need to dream.

    But... maybe... if there was one place where that could change, it was here.

    If in the Land of Dreams called Penacony there was even the slightest hope of making the wish I could not fulfil in reality come true... then I would accept all the deaths I was destined for.

    And...

    I wanted to see her again.

    I knew she wouldn''t be the same person who had once been so dear to me. I knew she wouldn''t remember me. And I knew I wouldn''t be able to escape Elio''s script this time either.

    "SAM will fight the Astral Express."

    I have to find a way to avoid this fate... I want to see her again... but I don''t want her memory of me to be the Stellaron Hunters'' weapon, SAM. I want her at least... to think of me as just Firefly.

    I finally reached the core of the Memory Zone and the world went dark.

    A myriad of lights and blurred scenes flashed before my eyes.

    A battlefield.

    A sea of fire, piles of charred insect carcasses, and the destroyed armour of my fallen breatheren.

    A long sleep.

    An awakening, a promise and new comrades.

    An inescapable destiny.

    But also a girl.

    The soft light of her golden eyes.

    Her warm touch.

    And then she disappeared... and I was alone, locked in a cold steel prison.

    In tears I thought:

    I want to find a dream of my own.

 2. Golden Hour

    I opened my eyes, still wet with tears.

    A breathtaking sight unfolded before me.

    I was floating in the air, dozens of feet above the ground, below me a city lit up by countless lights, like stars in a night sky.

    The Golden Hour!

    I had arrived at my destination.

    The Dreamscape of Penacony was divided into twelve areas, or "Moments" as they were called, corresponding to the hours of a clock.

    The most popular and famous of these was this one: the Moment of Golden Hour, midnight.

    In this dreamlike realm was painted a prosperous city frozen in time, which would never go to sleep and where the merrymaking and partying would never end.

    Suddenly I realised I was losing altitude.

    Instinctively, I concentrated on activating SAM''s propulsion systems, but...

    I don''t have my armour on!

    I was used to flying inside it, but to feel the cold air of this eternal night whip across my face was a sensation I''d never experienced before.

    As I was about to hit the ground, I began to slow down and landed gracefully on a circular clearing that seemed to have been put there for that very reason.

    But before I could look around, my head suddenly began to spin.

    Memoria...

    Now that I was out of my mecha suit, the great concentration of that strange substance began to overwhelm me.

    But after a few deep breaths, I managed to get used to the strange atmosphere.

    There were several people around me, but I didn''t seem to have attracted their attention. After all, seeing people fall from the sky was probably commonplace here.

    But I decided to get moving anyway.

    I knew that Penacony''s visitors were given a special pass, which served not only as a guide to the attractions of Dreamscape, but also as a form of identification.

    If someone stopped me and asked me to show it, they would know immediately that I was a stowaway.

    But where to go?

    I looked around.

    There was a wide street in front of me, flanked by two rows of tall skyscrapers plastered with illuminated billboards. They were surrounded by what looked like a network of giant tubes, with spheres travelling through them at great speed.

    Ah, I read something about this, it was an old prison transport mechanism.

    I glanced off into the distance and my eyes fell on an imposing structure floating in the starry sky.

    What an incredible sight!

    That must have been the Grand Theatre of Penacony, where the Charmony Festival, the most important event in the Land of Dreams, was to be held in a few days'' time.

    The Family would organise grand celebrations for the occasion, culminating in the performance of the Harmonius Choir.

    I want to see it closer...

    No, no, Firefly, you''re not here to have fun!

    It was best to avoid what seemed to be the main street of the town for now.

    And going near the theatre was even more out of the question.

    Now that the festival is approaching, it will be full of Family guards everywhere.

    So I decided to take a side street that seemed to be very busy.

    It was perfect, I could blend in with the crowd.

    As I passed under a wide stone arch, I began to think about where to start my investigation.

    My mission was to find out as much as I could about the Watchmaker''s Legacy.

    He was a legendary figure, said to be responsible for the creation of the Dreamscape. A figure so legendary that many didn''t believe he ever existed.

    But if he didn''t, then who sent that letter?

    A message had reached us Stellaron Hunters.

    An invitation to travel to the Land of Dreams and search for his Legacy. And as far as we knew, we were not the only ones summoned.

    There was only one clue in the message:

    Why does life slumber... I wonder what it could mean?

    I had to find an answer and then...

    I had to help her unravel the mystery behind Penacony.

    Deep in thought, I found myself facing a long flight of stairs.

    Oh... maybe I should choose to go another way, since I can''t use SAM her-

    Suddenly I realised something and looked down at my hands.

    I''d been so caught up in the spectacle of the Golden Hour that I hadn''t noticed.

    I... I feel fine.

    To make sure I wasn''t having some kind of hallucination, I improvised a jog up the stairs and reached the top without a problem.

    This is...

    I felt a tear trickle down my face.

    Firefly, remember, it''s only a dream.

    ELS. Entropy Loss Syndrome. That was the name of the disease I was suffering from. It was incurable, probably caused by the way I was born.

    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!It had no external symptoms, but it made my life hell.

    Over the years I had begun to feel a constant slowdown in everything I did. Walking, running, jumping, things that everyone took for granted had become a challenge.

    It was as if I was losing touch with reality, moving into a dimension where I was always one step behind others. And I knew that soon I would disappear completely.

    Like the insect from which my armour, and then I, took our name, my life was destined to be nothing more than a fleeting moment.

    There was only one way to delay this inevitable fate:

    SAM

    My armour was also my medical bay, inside it the deterioration of my condition was slowed and I was able to move without suffering its effects.

    Perhaps it was because I had spent so much time in it that I hadn''t noticed that here, in the Dreamscape, my illness didn''t seem to affect my body.

    Perhaps...

    I remembered Elio''s words:

    "You and the Trailblazer will receive unforgettable gains."

    Maybe that was what he meant.

    Here, even if it is only a dream, I am free from the shackles that imprison me in reality... perhaps here I can actually make my dream come true.

    I had arrived at what appeared to be a shopping district. Numerous luxury cars were on display, surrounded by potential buyers.

    Penacony is a popular holiday destination for the rich.

    I put my hand in my pocket.

    Mmmh, I didn''t bring much, but maybe I could take a souvenir...  No, what am I thinking again! The mission!

    But a deep desire began to creep into my mind.

    This was a unique opportunity. Even if it was only a dream, I could finally taste what it was like to live normally in my own body.

    At least for a little while...

    It would be several days before the Astral Express arrived in Penacony. There wasn''t much of a hurry to start investigating.

    Besides, it would be useful to know the city.

    With a more light-hearted spirit, I began to observe the shop windows. This shopping centre seemed to be very popular, there were so many people that my head started to spin a little. It was a new, almost pleasant feeling.

    But everything here is so expensive!

    As I looked at the goods on display in a jewellery shop, my eyes twinkling, something nudged my leg.

    "Huh?"

    I turned around.

    In front of me was a billboard with two big eyes drawn on it, politely tapping my leg.

    What the hell is this?

    I had heard that you could meet anything in this place, but...  I guess you could call it intrusive advertising.

    I looked at what was written on the animated billboard.

    A clothes shop...

    I lowered my eyes.

    I was wearing my usual black suit. It was all I had, basically the "work" uniform I wore when I wasn''t in my armour.

    Do I really want to meet Stelle dressed like this?

    After all, these clothes were also part of my identity as a Stellaron Hunter, and I had decided that I only wanted her to know me as Firefly this time.

    Well, it doesn''t cost me anything to take a look....

    The billboard led me dangling towards the shop it advertised.

    I looked in the window and

    ...!

    My eyes were immediately drawn to one dress in particular. A short, light black coat with gold trim was tied with an orange ribbon over a white dress with detached sleeves that ended in a skirt...

    This colour reminds me of SAM''s flames... I want it!

    But when I put my hand on the doorknob of the shop, I started to hesitate.

    But... can someone like me really pull off such a cute outfit?  What kind of impression do I want to make on Stelle when I meet her?

    Whatever I do... it will be a lie... but... I want to show her the me I want to be.

    Ten minutes later, I came out of the shop with a much lighter wallet, but with those beautiful clothes on.

    Even if it''s just for a little while... this really feels like a new beginning for me.

    I kept wandering around that commercial district until I started feeling peckish.

    Hmm, how does it work? Can you eat in a dream?

    The answer was clearly yes, as I soon found a shop that sold food.

    I scanned the menu and found items I had never heard of before.

    An Oak Cake Roll? What a strange name!

    Driven by curiosity, I decided to order it. What arrived was a slice of cake with an icing that strongly resembled tree bark.

    As soon as I took a bite, I realised it wasn''t just an impression.

    It feels like biting into a piece of wood, but... It''s so good!

    I ended up ordering another slice.

    <hr>

    The next two hours were the best I had had in a long time.

    Having finished my exploration of the shopping area, I had wandered out onto the main road.

    I had admired the scenery beyond the railings that lined it: the endless depths of the golden hour, a metropolis that never goes to sleep.

    I had visited the statue of Clockie, Penacony''s most popular mascot, and then reached Aiden Park, an amusement park full of attractions.

    I finally sat down on a bench, a little tired but very happy.

    I... love this place.

    I knew it was all fake, but...

    Even if this place isn''t real... how can I resist it? Here I can really live like a normal girl.

    But while my mind was wandering, two people, a man and a woman, approached me.

    Oh... I was careless.

    "Good evening Miss, we''re from the Bloodhound family, we''re investigating a possible stowaway, could you show us your Dreamscape Pas- HEY WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU''RE GOING?"

    I ran as fast as I could.

    "Mmmh, I need to find a place to hide!"

    I ran through Aideen Park, trying to lose myself in the crowd, but the two Bloodhounds were hot on my heels.

    Eventually I found myself in a dead end.

    Damn... Should I use SAM?

    No, not if I could avoid it, I would have caused so much trouble if I had transformed here in the middle of the city and...

    Now that I''ve experienced what it''s like to be a normal girl, at least in this dream, I don''t want to put on my armour!

    My eyes darted around, soon the two who were chasing me would catch up with me. Then I saw it: a half-open manhole.

    I would rather not go in, but... there is no other way.

    I climbed down a ladder.

    I was plunged into darkness, but the narrow place I was in did not seem to be a sewer. I crawled through the dark tunnel until, pushing a grate, I emerged in an impossible place....

    Huh? But how?

    I was standing on the roof of a skyscraper, so close to the sky that I felt I could touch it.

    This place... it''s magnificent!

    In the distance I saw an even taller skyscraper that seemed to tower over the entire golden hour.

    I want to go there!

    I began to walk along a strange path. This part of the dreamscape seemed to be under construction. There were stairs that didn''t seem to lead anywhere, but from the right perspective they allowed you to walk between the roofs.

    After about ten minutes I reached my destination.

    As I climbed the stairs that would take me to the very top, I began to hear a melody.

    Is this... Robin''s voice?

    I was familiar with this song: "If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking".

    I had listened to it many times because its lyrics resonated with me: it was about a caged person who wanted to break free from their chains to fulfil a dream after a life of hardships.

    Just like me...

    I had arrived. My gaze lost itself in the immensity of a blue sky, rippled by a shower of comets.

    I... don''t want to wake up from this dream.

 3. Reunion

    Today was the big day. The Astral Express would arrive in Penacony after receiving the Watchmaker''s letter of invitation.

    My script, as usual, was not very detailed, but I knew that of all the Moments of the Dreamscape, Stelle would visit the Golden Hour.

    That''s why I''d spent the last week making sure that I visited every corner of it.

    This way I could put my plan into action: I would pretend to be an actress from the Iris Family, who, not having many gigs, was a tour guide on the side.

    I definitely felt guilty about lying to her but...

    Today might be the only chance I have to spend time with her again.

    I had missed her so much all this time...

    I remembered the day Kafka brought that girl to our secret base as if it were yesterday.

    At first I had tried to keep my distance from her. My relationship with my fellow Stellaron Hunters had always been rather superficial, and I also knew that this new recruit would have her memory wiped after some training.

    This was so that she could fulfil the role assigned to her by the script: a vessel for a Stellaron.

    But my intentions had clashed with Stelle''s personality. Always cheerful and playful, whenever we met she would try anything to cheer me up.

    When I had asked her why she kept approaching me despite my obvious attempts to keep her away, she had said with a beaming smile:

    "You always have this sad look on your face. I want to see you smile more often, just like me!"

    Soon I couldn''t help but grow fond of her and consider her my first friend.

    In the precious moments I had spent with her, I had begun to understand what my dream was.

    But soon it was all over.

    The bright sun that had come into my life had disappeared, leaving behind an icy wasteland.

    But I didn''t regret having become close to her.

    Although it hurt, the time we had spent together was worth all the pain I felt at seeing her go.

    Those memories helped me cope with the cold reality I was living in.

    But here we are in a dream... at least for one day, maybe I could relive those memories.

    I didn''t know what to expect though. After all our personalities were the result of the experiences we had lived. Now that she had lost her memory, what kind of person would Stelle be?

    I hope we''ll get along well....

    I still hadn''t forgotten about my mission though.

    In addition to exploring the Golden Hour, I had begun to investigate the Watchmaker''s Legacy so that I could help the Astral Express get closer to it.

    So far I had not discovered much about it.

    I had, however, heard disturbing rumours that something murky was lurking behind the Dreamscape''s golden curtain.

    "Mysterious disappearances..."

    The idea that someone could vanish within a dream was very strange. After all, if something traumatic happened while in the Dreamscape, one would simply wake up.

    Are those people trapped somewhere?

    Surely it couldn''t be a coincidence that something like this was happening just a few days before the Charmony Festival and at a time when several guests were arriving in the Dreamscape.

    That was another point of concern.

    The Fools and even the IPC...

    I had to make sure that no one would try to manipulate Stelle for their own ends.

    If necessary, I''ll have to pull her off the stage... Wait... that sounds like I''m the one manipulating her though!

    I was walking towards the entrance of the Golden Hour, deep in thought, when two figures blocked my path.

    Ugh... I got distracted again! I must pay more attention!

    They were the two members of the Bloodhound Family who had chased me a few days ago.

    "We finally tracked you down! Don''t even think about running away, you stowaway!"

    I looked around for a way out. My heart skipped a beat.

    "Stelle..."

    A tall, grey-haired girl was staring at me, a puzzled expression on her face.

    Without thinking, I ran towards her.

    "S-sorry for bothering you! Please, I need your help!"

    Her golden eyes lit up with understanding and a broad smile lit up her face:

    "I will do my best to protect a pretty young lady!"

    Maybe she thinks I''m being harrassed... wait... did she just call me a pretty young lady?!

    This way of speaking was so Stelle-like that for a moment my head began to spin.

    Meanwhile, the two Bloodhounds had approached us.

    "Hey look, she has an accomplice!"

    "Good job! Now we can nab them both in one go!"

    Damn, I''ve only just met her and I''m already getting her into trouble...

    Stelle, however, did not seem at all intimidated. The girl pulled out some sort of club and took a stance, ready to fight.

    What am I going to do? I can''t let her beat people up in the middle of the city!

    Before I could make up my mind, a man approached.

    He was tall and well built, probably in his thirties. His silver vest was emblazoned with the symbol of the Bloodhound family.

    "That''s enough, boys..." he addressed our two opponents in a calm voice.

    "S-sir?"

    ��What''s gotten into you all? Open your eyes and take a good look. Is this lady the stowaway we''re looking for?��

    The woman gave him a puzzled look, but after her companion explained that the man had been sent by the family to keep order during the Charmony Festival, she stepped back.

    After being lectured, the two walked away.

    "I''m Gallagher from the Bloodhound Family, and those idiots are some young Bloodhounds I''ve been training.�� the man apologised.

    Gallagher... how strange... I''ve never heard of him.

    Stelle lowered her bat and hooked it onto her belt:

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    "Who were they looking for?" she asked Gallagher.

    "We got a tip that a criminal had illegally entered Penacony. With the Charmony Festival coming up, some bad characters are starting to show up..."

    The man''s gaze settled on me, his mouth curving into a slight smile.

    ��...��

    ��But this was just a misunderstanding! Such a lovely young lady could never be a stowaway!��

    This person...is dangerous.

    But I quickly composed myself and smiling in turn said:

    ��Thank you... without your help I wouldn''t have known what to do...��

    ��You''re welcome. I''m just doing my job.��

    After apologizing and advising us to be careful, Gallagher left, leaving me alone with Stelle.

    Now that the crisis situation had passed, I felt my heart accelerate.

    It was really her... I had waited so long for this moment.

    I turned around. Stelle was staring at me, her eyes full of curiosity.

    "Um, thank you very much! I owe you one. If you hadn''t helped me, they would have taken me away..."

    Stelle smiled broadly at me and gave me a thumbs up:

    "Galactic Baseballer, at your service!"

    She really sounds just like her.

    "Something wrong?"

    "No, no, you... sound like a really fun person!"

    I tried to compose myself.

    "Sorry to ask, but you''re a Nameless, right? Is this your first time in the Penacony?"

    Stelle looked at me in surprise:

    "How do you know who I am?"

    Uh...!

    Fortunately, I quickly found a way out of the predicament I had got myself into.

    I quickly pointed to the ticket pinned to her jacket.

    "That''s the Astral Express badge, I... I''ve seen it on TV several times!"

    "Oh..." Stelle''s expression relaxed and she smiled at me, "I didn''t think we were that famous, do you want an autograph?"

    "That''s not why I asked... Although I really admire the Nameless..." I replied, "since you''re not from here, I wanted to offer to be your guide, you know... to repay you for helping me!"

    Stelle''s eyes lit up:

    "That would be great! I almost got lost allready. What''s your name, by the way?"

    Oh...

    Although I had already come to terms with the fact that she would not remember me, hearing those words hurt me more than I expected.

    But... this is the chance to get to know each other again... I can''t waste it by getting all mopey.

    Trying my best to smile, I recited:

    "I am Firefly. Although the Bloodhounds mistook me for a stowaway, I''m actually a local. I belong to the Iris Family and I''m a stage performer. I mean... sort of. I''m more of an extra.

    When there are no gigs, I work as a tour guide near Glax Avenue. I can show you the most interesting things to do here in the Golden Hour!"

    "Perfect! I''m Stelle, nice to meet you."

    I know.

    "Nice to meet you!"

    "Are you sure you have time for me?"

    "Right now I have nothing else to do. Most of the tourists here are rich people who don''t need guides..."

    "Alright. I''ll be in your care then!"

    We started walking.

    "Things don''t seem very peaceful around here..." Stelle commented, watching two Bloodhounds questioning a person nearby.

    "Um, it''s not usually like this, but with the Charmony Festival coming up, everyone''s a little on edge..."

    "I see... I was just thinking about what Mr Gallagher said. I wonder if there is anyone around who is dangerous..."

    If she knew who she''s walking with....

    But apparently I wasn''t the only one interested in Stelle.

    As I thought, someone is following us!

    "Let''s go! We can talk later, there''s so much to see!"

    I quickened my pace, trying to lose our tracks in the crowd.

    "This way!"

    After a few minutes we arrived at the first stop on the itinerary I had drawn up.

    "This is Oti Mall! You can find just about anything here! Luxury goods, clothes, gadgets! And not only that, when you buy something, for a little extra you can have it delivered to you in reality!"

    Stelle looked around open-mouthed.

    I giggled

    I had the same reaction.

    But suddenly something caught the girl''s attention and she turned in that direction.

    What did she see?.. uh?

    Stelle was looking at her reflection in the window of a luxury car.

    "Look at how shiny it is!"

    "Um... yeah."

    Does she like it just because it''s... shiny?

    "Can I really buy something like this in a dream?" she asked, giving me a hopeful look.

    "Um, yes... but at the moment cars cannot be transferred to reality..."

    "Oh..."

    Why does she look so disappointed?

    "Where would you keep it anyway? Don''t you live on a train?"

    "I could park it in March 7h''s room!" she said, smiling.

    March 7h, one of her trailblazing companions....

    I bet she''s a menace to them too, just as she had been to us Stellaron Hunters in the short time we''d spent together.

    "Is something wrong?" asked Stelle, looking at me.

    "No, don''t worry... it''s just that you remind me of someone I know."

    "They must be a great person then!"

    She is.

    "Come on, there''s so much more I have to show you!"

    That man... is still following us.

    We spent several minutes window-shopping, after which I suggested to go for a bite.

    "Now that you mention it, I''m kind of hungry. But how does it work, can you eat here?"

    "Sure! There''s a saying here: ''In a dream, hunger is the most precious spice!''" I recited, remembering the words I''d read on a billboard, "come, I''ll take you to my favourite place! Today it''s on me!"

    When we arrived at our destination, I saw Stelle''s eyes light up as she looked at the food on display.

    "I personally recommend the Oak Cake Rolls, they are so good! I come here every day to get one!"

    "Aren''t you afraid of getting fat?"

    "Y-You can''t gain weight in a dream!"

    "Are you sure you want to treat me? I''m really hungry right now."

    "N-no problem, I have some savings put aside..."

    Oh no!

    I had forgotten. The Stelle I knew was literally a bottomless pit.

    "Okay, I warned you..."

    My smile grew stiffer as I watched Stelle order every single item on the menu.

    "Um... this... have you finished ordering? Y-you''ve got quite an appetite, huh? Haha... go sit at a table while I get the bill..."

    20000 CREDITS?!... I''m... out of money...

    When I sat down in front of Stelle, she asked me, with her mouth full of food:

    ��Mmph you ��ot ��etting a��i��ing?��

    ��No�� I��m not hungry.��

    But Stelle quickly cut up half the Oak Cake Roll she had ordered and offered it to me, looking at me as if she were a magnanimous queen offering riches to one of her subjects.

    I paid for all of this!

    But I soon burst out laughing.

    This situation... it''s just like the old days.

    "What is it?"

    "Nothing, don''t worry..." I replied, wiping away a tear and taking my first bite of my Oak Cake Roll.

    Soon Stelle had her share, but when she took her first bite I saw her eyes widen.

    "You don''t like it?"

    "No, it''s not that... it has a strange texture, but it''s good. It''s just that since such a cute girl recommended it, I was expecting something... sweeter."

    Again with the "cute girl" thing... does she act like this with everyone?

    "Don''t make fun of me and, anyway, it''s not like cute girls only like sweets."

    "You''re right, sorry. I just wanted to pay you a compliment!"

    I felt a certain warmth in my cheeks.

    I''m not used to this...

    Who would ever call a criminal like me a "cute girl"?

    We continued to eat in silence for a few minutes.

    I''m not very good at small talk.

    Luckily it was Stelle who came to my rescue:

    "You said you were an actress, right? That sounds like a lot of fun!"

    "Um, like I said, I''m pretty much an extra and... when I get a bigger role, things usually don''t go smoothly..."

    "How come?"

    "Lately I never agree with the script I''m given and I try to deviate from it as much as possible... but the results are never good."

    "I feel you! I like to improvise too! You''ll see that things will work out in the end!"

    I hope you are right.

    "But tell me about yourself instead! Being on the Astral Express, you must have seen a lot of interesting things!"

    Stelle launched into a tale of her latest adventures: her awakening on the Herta space station and the events of Jarilo VI and Xianzhou Luofu.

    I already knew everything, of course, but I couldn''t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm.

    Traveling with her... would be so much fun...

    "Firefly?"

    "Um... Oh... sorry, I got distracted for a moment..."

    "That''s ok, but... is everything all right? You had such a sad look on your face."

    "Oh...it''s nothing..."

    "You don''t like living here in Penacony?"

    "No, no, I love it here..."

    "Is your work the problem then? You don''t like being an actress?"

    "Something like that... But there are... reasons... why I can''t quit."

    "I see. But come on, at least today you don''t have to work! We can spend as much time as you want having fun together! Let''s go!"

    Stelle grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the shop.

    At that moment, I could have followed her to the ends of the universe.

 4. Sparkles

    "Look, Firefly! They''re selling fireworks at that little stall!"

    "Hey, don''t go off on your own!"

    Although I was technically her guide, by now Stelle seemed to have taken over the reins of our tour. Her enthusiasm was so overwhelming that I was struggling to keep up.

    After visiting Oti Mall, we had come out onto the main street of the Golden Hour. From there, I had walked with her to the square with the big statue of Clockie, where we had decided to take a short break.

    Stelle ran towards me, holding what looked like long wooden sticks.

    "What have you bought?"

    "Sparklers! Have you never lit one before? Come on, I''ll show you how!"

    I followed her up a flight of stairs to one of the most picturesque spots in the Dreamscape.

    Beyond a railing stood a breathtaking panorama.

    The infinity of the Golden Hour was illuminated by the lights of countless skyscrapers like a myriad of precious stones, and at its centre, in all its splendour, towered the most precious gem: the Grand Theatre of Penacony.

    Every time I went through here, I couldn''t help but stop and watch that spectacle for several minutes.

    Now, however, there was someone else who was monopolising my attention.

    "OK, take one! Try not to hold it too close, you don''t want to burn yourself!"

    I''m pretty good at handling fire...

    After making sure I had followed her instructions, Stelle brought a lighter closer to the tip of the stick I was holding.

    "Oh... it sparkles!"

    I stared at the tip of the stick I was holding, mesmerised.

    "I mean... that''s why they''re called sparklers! Here, take another one!"

    After Stelle had lit the second one he had given me, I began to wave them in the air,

    "What a pretty glow... kinda like fireflies... Stelle, thank you."

    "It''s no big deal!" Stelle replied with a smile.

    I... didn''t think I''d ever feel such happiness again.

    Maybe it''s no big deal to her but... this time we are spending together is so important to me.

    Absorbed in this precious, light-hearted moment, I began to spin in place, my eyes following the trail of light the sparklers left in the night sky.

    Click.

    "Huh?"

    I watched Stelle lower her phone, a guilty smile on her face.

    "You... took a picture of me?"

    "Sorry... you had such a lovely smile, I couldn''t resist!"

    "...Let me see it!"

    After putting off the sparklers, I approached her and tried to grab her phone. But Stelle was a little taller than me and raised her arm, taking it out of my reach.

    I started jumping around trying to catch it.

    "Camera shy, huh?" asked Stelle, giggling.

    "Stop teasing me and let me see it! I bet I look terrible!"

    The only picture of me going around is the one of SAM on the wanted posters...

    "No... no, I assure you you''re incredibly pretty even in pictures!"

    "Don''t start making fun of me again!" I complained, "why do you want a picture of me anyway?"

    "Because this way, even if I''m on the other side of the universe, I''ll have something to remind me of the time we spent together!"

    Huh?

    I stopped jumping around and looked Stelle in the eyes. For once, she looked completely serious.

    I... what am I doing...?

    All this time I had been thinking only of myself and the memories I could create.

    I had completely neglected Stelle''s feelings.

    She thinks she''s befriending a local girl but, from the first moment I met her, I have done nothing but lie to her.

    Suddenly the guilt I had felt earlier in the day came back, much stronger.

    "Hey, not that sad look again! Is it because of what I said? Don''t worry, we still have time to have some fun! And I''m on a space train anyway! I''ll come back to see you lots of times, I promise!"

    Her kindness... only makes things worse.

    But I did my best to smile at her.

    I know it''s selfish of me... but just a little longer... please... I want to live in this dream just a little longer.

    "Thank you, let''s go to Aideen Park now! There are some fun games there!"

    I didn''t just want to change the subject.

    The man following us hadn''t given up yet. It was better for us to go somewhere crowded before he got any strange ideas.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    But as Stelle and I walked towards the amusement park, she suddenly stopped.

    "Firefly, wait a minute! I saw something!"

    And she sprinted off.

    "Again?! Wait for me!"

    Has she spotted our stalker?

    But when I caught up with her again, I was confronted with a scene that was definitely unexpected.

    ��

    "... Stelle... why are you hugging a trashcan?"

    The girl barely looked up, a dreamy expression on her face.

    "How could I resist? I''ve never seen anything like this!"

    "Anything like this? It''s just a trashcan!"

    "Just a trashcan''? This, my girl, is a work of art, it''s incredibly well made. Look at the shine on this metal. It sparkles!

    No... this is not a trashcan, this is a chest, and it has yet to show us its treasure!"

    "Please don''t rummage through trash...''

    But I couldn''t help giggling.

    This scene kinda reminds me of...

    <hr>

    It was late at night.

    I was returning from a mission.

    Like a shooting star in the night sky, I landed at the designated spot near our secret base.

    Still in my armor, I started walking towards its entrance.

    Lately... even walking has become a problem when I''m outside of SAM.

    I reached for the electronic mechanism to unlock the door, but it opened before I could touch it.

    Who''s up at this hour?

    Oh... it''s that girl... Stelle.

    She had joined us recently and we had spoken a few times.

    I had found her rather overwhelming.

    When she saw me, the girl took a step back.

    Oh... it''s her first time seeing SAM. She must be scared... the armor is quite imposing, I guess. Maybe she saw the flare from when I landed through the windows and came to see what it was.

    But after that brief moment of shock Stelle threw herself forward and hugged SAM''s leg.

    "SO THIS IS SAM! How freaking cool! Such shiny metal, such a sturdy build... it sparkles! Beautiful!" she said, stroking my thigh.

    I was speechless.

    What kind of reaction is this?

    "Hey, what are you doing?! Don''t touch me like that!"

    "Huh? You can feel my hand from inside there?"

    "Of course! I''m fully connected to SAM''s systems... How could I even fight if I couldn''t feel my surroundings!!"

    "Unbelievable..." Stelle said, continuing to feel SAM''s leg.

    "Stop that! It tickles!"

    I grabbed her arm, careful not to hurt her. But I couldn''t help lifting Stelle a few inches off the ground.

    The girl didn''t seem to mind, on the contrary:

    "Woah, so strong... but are you really the one in there, Firefly? This mecha suit is so big and your voice is so deep!"

    I sighed.

    "It''s just a voice change module... step away for a moment or you''ll burn yourself."

    I let go of Stelle''s arm and she obeyed, taking a few steps back.

    In a vortex of flame and a flash of green light my armor disappeared. I landed gracefully in front of Stelle whose eyes were shining.

    "Woah! It really is you! So cool! You almost looked like a superhero transforming back to their  normal appearance after a mission!"

    "Superhero? Stelle... maybe you still don''t understand what we Stellaron Hunters do... we''re the villains. And I''m probably... the worst of us.  While the others act with finesse... the only thing I know how to do is wreak havoc."

    Maybe if I scare her a bit she''ll leave me alone.

    But Stelle didn''t even seem to hear me, her eyes were fixed on my other hand, where I was holding SAM''s control device.

    ...

    "Don''t even think about it!"

    "But I haven''t said anything yet!"

    "It''s obvious what you are going to ask me!"

    I clutched the device to my chest to make sure she didn''t try to grab it.

    "Just for a minute!" she begged me.

    I sighed again.

    "Even if I gave you the controller, you wouldn''t be able to activate SAM anyway. Only I can pilot it. It''s the only reason I exist..."

    "Just let me try!"

    "I said no!" I blurted out in frustration, "SAM is not a toy. It''s just a weapon whose only purpose is to burn everything in front of it... just like me."

    I tried to enter the base, leaving Stelle behind, but she grabbed my hand.

    I turned to look at her, annoyed. But to my surprise, her expression had changed.

    She wasn''t smiling anymore. She looked pissed off.

    "You are not a weapon!" she said in a firm tone.

    What''s with this reaction?

    "Oh, and what makes you say that? Do you really think you know anything about me? We have barely spoken! I was born as a weapon to defend Glamoth against the Swarm, and now I am the weapon of the Stellaron Hunters... Fighting is my only reason to live."

    "You''re right, I don''t know you well, but... a weapon... that''s not the impression you gave me."

    "Impression? What do you mean?"

    "You know, before she brought me here, Kafka told me a bit about you: SAM, the Molten Knight, the most dangerous Stellaron Hunter, a death machine who leaves nothing but scorched earth wherever he goes.  Imagine my surprise when I met you for the first time and found out that you were the one she was talking about!"

    "... Is my appearance enough to make you doubt Kafka''s words? That''s a bit... superficial."

    "I''m not talking about your looks... I''m talking about your character. You are rather cold and distant, but... I can still feel the warm kindness you try to hide.

    You always sigh, as if you are filled with regrets.

    And that''s not all: when I saw you leaving for a mission, I could tell from a mile away that you were reluctant... It kinda made me think!"

    "About what?"

    Stelle smiled at me again and put a hand behind her head:

    "Of all the Stellaron Hunters, you''re the one who intrigued me the most.

    Kafka... well, she''s Kafka.

    Silver Wolf seems willing to do anything as long as it''s exciting.

    And the same goes for Blade, if there''s even the slightest chance of him finally finding a way to die.

    But looking at you... I immediately thought, ''Why is she here if she seems to hate what she''s doing?''"

    "That''s... none of your business!"

    "Too bad! I already asked Kafka, since I was so curious!"

    "... Nosy..."

    "You want to find a new reason to live, right? And manage to subvert an inevitable fate?"

    I sighed for the third time.

    Why is this girl so interested in me?

    "That''s right... but it''s useless, I''ve never managed to go against Elio''s script. Fate is really inevitable, you can''t change it."

    "But you are trying to! That''s what matters!"

    "What matters? I have only collected failures after failures... In the end, my fate is to die as a weap-"

    "No! Even if you have failed so far, the important thing is that you are trying to rebel against your fate!" Stelle interrupted me, "that already proves that you are not a weapon. A weapon is an object in someone''s hands, they have no say in how they are used. But you... the fact that you are trying to find a new way forward... means that you have a will.

    And a weapon cannot have a will of its own!"

    Those words made my eyes widen.

    "I..."

    "And anyway, you know how it is... first impressions count.

    Even if you''re inside a weapon like SAM, you''ll always be Firefly to me!" Stelle said, beaming at me.

    This girl...

    I handed her the device.

    "You can hold it for a bit... but don''t you dare leave my sight," I said.

    Her eyes lit up.

    "You''re the best Firefly! I want to take pictures while I''m doing some poses! Come on, I''ll help you get on the couch!"

    <hr>

    "Firefly?!"

    "Eh? Sorry, I got distracted again."

    "That look on your face... is it possible you''re a trashcan lover too?"

    "What... no!"

    Stelle sighed dramatically and turned her gaze back to the trashcan:

    "What a shame! I''m sorry, no one understands you but me!"

    "Don''t start talking to it!" I scolded her, laughing.

    But suddenly a deep voice answered.

    "Considering you can appreciate your King''s greatness, it seems you''ve got some sharp wit."

    HUH?!

    The trashcan lifted itself off the ground, revealing two muscular legs.

    ��What do you think of my body?�� he asked.

    Stelle replied with a curtsy:

    ��You look majestic and formidable!��

    ��Not bad at all. You can distinguish the outstanding from the mediocre, and your words are pleasing to my royal ears.If this were the real world, I''d gladly award you the title of "Trashcan General."

    After bowing and spitting out some gems from under its lid, the trashcan ran away.

    What... did I just witness?

    As if nothing had happened Stelle turned to me:

    "So... we''re going to Aideen Park?"

    ��...yes.��

 5. Lies and Guilt

    "This place is full of people," Stelle said, looking around.

    "It''s the biggest park in Penacony. Everything here is soda-themed! See that huge soda bottle in the distance? That''s the headquarters of the Soulglad Enterprise. It is the most famous drink in Penacony. The ingredients it''s made from are extinct in real life, so the only way to enjoy it is here in the Dreamscape."

    "Soulglad... I ordered it earlier, right? I guess I ate too much... I can''t even remember what it tasted like..."

    That''s what you get for spending my 20k credits...

    "Something wrong? You look angry for some reason."

    "Nothing... Let''s go, there are some games with prizes over there, stay close to me and be careful not to get lost in the crowd," I told her, watching our stalker in the distance.

    Let''s see if he follows us here too...

    "Don''t you want to play, Firefly?" Stelle asked as she received some tokens from the Aideen Park attendant.

    "I already lost all my daily tokens this morning."

    "Oh, bad luck at games, I see! Don''t worry, I''ll win enough for both of us."

    The truth was that I couldn''t get any tokens because I didn''t have a Dreamscape Pass.

    Another lie to add to the collection...

    I smiled as I watched Stelle, who, despite her boasts, lost all her chips in the nearby slot machines without winning a single thing.

    Unfortunately, I couldn''t give her the attention I wanted: our pursuer was getting much closer.

    I can''t ignore him any longer... soon Stelle and I may have to part ways, I have to warn her of the danger she''s in.

    So, after her last token resulted in another loss, I said to her:

    "Let''s go to the snack bar over there, so you can try Soulglad again!"

    "Ok..." said Stelle, all mopey.

    Still peering through the crowd, I led her to our destination.

    Let''s see if he gets any closer...

    "So... did you have fun, Stelle? Golden Hour is great, isn''t it?"

    The girl quickly recovered from her disappointment and smiled at me:

    "Yes! Although I have visited several places in the short time I have been with Astral Express, I must say that this one is special. It has a magical atmosphere. It''s really like a dream."

    "Right? It''s a dream that accepts everyone, where our real life circumstances don''t matter..."

    It even accepts a criminal like me...

    "Why the sad tone?" asked Stelle worriedly.

    "Oh, it''s nothing..."

    "If you want to talk about it, I''m here! Anyway, thanks for being my guide! I had so much fun being with you!"

    "You''re welcome. You really helped me before, I was just returning the favour. Besides, I love this place, it even accepted someone like me... so I was glad to share it with you!"

    "Accepted... didn''t you say you were from here?"

    "I... I am local, at least for now."

    The me she met today was born and will die in Penacony... outside here... there is only SAM.

    I noticed that our pursuer had come even closer, no longer seeming to hide.

    "Could you come a little closer? I have something to tell you."

    Stelle obeyed.

    Suddenly I felt a rush of nervousness.

    She''s so... close. The last time we were this close... was when we said our last goodbyes.

    But now was not the time to bring up those memories.

    ��Someone has been following us Stelle. He started when we parted ways with Mr. Gallagher, so I''m sure you''re his target.

    He''s about 5 feet 9 inches tall, give or take. Judging from his strong build, it''s clear that he''s well trained. He walks in long strides, but his steps are light and barely audible. That way of walking doesn''t leave footprints����

    I watched him again as he got even closer:

    �� ...He looks like a skilled fighter, the covert kind. He has large palms, yet his fingers are slender and nimble. I reckon he has experience using knives, like a short sword or dagger�� He is wearing a maroon jacket, has emerald eyes and dark blue hair..��

    "How on earth did you see all these stuff from a distance?! But... from this description the only person I can think of is..."

    "Stelle! he''s coming this way!"

    I slipped a hand into a pocket, ready to materialise Sam''s control device.

    If it is to protect her...

    But our pursuer didn''t seem inclined to attack. When he was close, he raised a hand in greeting:

    "Hey, if it isn''t my most loyal customer, Stelle? Long time no see! What a coincidence to find you here in Penacony, my old friend!"

    "Sampo?  What the hell are you doing here?" replied Stelle with an annoyed look on her face.

    I relaxed a bit since Stelle seemed to know him. But I didn''t let my guard down just yet:

    If they are friends... why has he been following us at a distance all this time?

    The man turned to me after greeting Stelle:

    "Oh, where are my manners? Miss March! It''s a pleasure to see you again! But what''s that expression? Don''t tell me you don''t remember me?  After all the favours I did for you all in Belobog..."

    "March?! You should get your eyes checked. Does she look like March to you? She''s Firefly, my guide!"

    "Uhm pleased to meet you, I''m Firefly, a stage performer for the Iris Family..."

    "Oh, that explains everything! I was just wondering how Miss March managed to change her appearance in such a short time. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Firefly, I am Sampo, an old friend of Stelle."

    "I don''t remember ever becoming friends with you..."

    "Oh, don''t be like that! You''ll embarrass Miss Firefly!"

    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The two of them started a little back and forth.

    I took my hand out of my pocket. This Sampo guy didn''t seem like a threat, but...

    I don''t know why, but... I feel that there is something sinister behind his friendly demeanour.

    "What are you doing in Penacony, Sampo?" asked Stelle.

    Sampo seemed amused by the question:

    ��My purpose? Haha, you''re funny. What else can I do in Penacony? Well, I just hang around, daydream, and do the things that anyone on vacation would do. By the way... since we''ve met... how about I take you on a little tour?��

    "I already have a guide, Sampo... let''s go, Firefly!" Stelle replied, taking me by the arm.

    But Sampo blocked her way:

    "Come on. I have been watching you for a long time. Miss Firefly seems to know Penacony well... but when it comes to adult entertainment... I can do much better!"

    "Adult entertainment?!" I repeated.

    "Just as I thought, that''s not your field, Miss! My analysis was right..."

    Analysis... Was he following us to find out what I wanted from Stelle? Maybe... he really is her friend and wanted to make sure I wasn''t taking advantage of her...

    Meanwhile, a spark of curiosity had lit up Stelle''s face.

    Damn...

    It seemed that it was time to say goodbye because of Sanpo.

    I sighed.

    I knew it wouldn''t last forever... but now that we have to part...

    "Well... then... I''ll be going. It was a pleas-"

    "What are you talking about? I told you I''d spend the whole day with you! Come with us! I know how he looks like... but he''s not a bad person!"

    "Miss Stelle... you know I can hear you, right?"

    "I... all right..."

    How could I say no to her...

    We followed Sampo to the lower parts of the shopping district.

    Apparently his idea of "adult entertainment" was to sneak into a club run by the Pepeshi, a native species of Penacony that would be quite similar to humans were it not for their small size and the cotton ball sticking out of their heads.

    But the club''s bouncer seemed to have no intention of letting us in. I saw Stelle raise an eyebrow as Sanpo pathetically tried to fool him.

    Eventually, though, he seemed to give up.

    "Let''s go, Firefly!"

    "No, no! Don''t worry, this was not our final destination! As soon as my Pepeshi friend returns with some items I left at the club, we can leave."

    Stelle did not look convinced at all:

    "What do you have in mind? Don''t tell me this is another scam of yours..."

    "No scams. I want to show you a very special Dream Bubble..."

    "A Dream Bubble?" said Stelle, "I tried a couple of them before I met Firefly and they were just a load of nonsense!"

    Dream Bubbles... ah, that weird shop with the giant eyeball sells them. They''re practically movies... what is Sampo trying to show us?

    "I am not talking about an ordinary Dream Bubble! You see, a special service is offered to the most loyal customers of that shop. We can submit dreams we''ve recently had. With the appropriate emotion prototypes, the shop will be able to turn them into customised Dream Bubbles that can be experienced over and over again. And it just so happens that I had the perfect dream for you two the day before yesterday. The kind of dream you''d like to keep living as soon as you wake up..."

    "The kind of dream you want to keep living as soon as you''re awake...?!"

    Just... like today...

    Sanpo looked at me with a grin:

    "Why so surprised Miss, I thought as a guide you would be aware of this service. After all, Dream Bubbles are one of the most popular attractions of the Golden Hour!"

    Oh...

    I had been careless.

    And it only got worse.

    As we walked towards Oti Mall, Sampo continued to chat amiably. But it was obvious that there was an ulterior motive behind his words.

    His questions and comments seemed to have only one purpose: to try and get me to contradict myself.

    He''s trying to expose my lies in front of Stelle... He''s realised that I''m not from here... But how? Is it just because of the Dream Bubbles?

    He can''t know my true identity, can he?

    This situation only rekindled my feelings of guilt.

    This is why he followed us... he thought I was someone who wanted to deceive Stelle... and he was absolutely right.

    When we arrived at our destination, Sampo argued for a moment with the owner of the Dream Bubbles shop, the giant eyeball called Dr. Edwards, and had a large drop of Memoria delivered to him.

    "Here we go! Put your foreheads here... I hope you''re excited, there''s a big reveal in the finale!"

    A reveal...

    Stelle followed Sanpo''s instructions and I couldn''t help but do the same.

    After a moment, I found myself immersed in a sea of Memoria, and soon bizarre scenes began to appear before my eyes.

    Stelle was moving through an underground city surrounded by talking trashcans with muscular arms and legs.

    Thrashcans again!?

    But soon, following the absurd situations Stelle was getting herself into, I began to understand the meaning behind the plot of this Dreambubble.

    She''s being bounced around by various trashcans... they''re manipulating her to do their own bidding... just like...  Penacony!

    It was all an allegory about how here on the Dreamscape different factions would try to exploit her...

    It''s a not too veiled attack on me... but then the reveal?! Does he actually knows who I am?!

    I couldn''t risk it. I didn''t want Stelle to find out and even worse in this absurd way.

    Before the Dream Bubble could reach its finale, as a gargantuan trashcan-turned Stelle was about to punch a giant Sanpo, I shouted:

    "Hey wait! What kind of nonsense is this?!"

    My shout stirred the memoria around me, bringing that strange experience to an early end.

    I reopened my eyes, finding myself confronted by a confused Stelle and a displeased Sanpo, who shook his head and said:

    "What a bummer. I was really looking forward to seeing how Stelle was going to overthrow the Garbage King..."

    "I would have defeated him with one punch!" replied Stelle, a note of regret in her voice.

    "What a huge pity! Such a meaningful dream came to an abrupt halt cause of Miss Firefly!"

    "I..."

    "I was looking forward to seeing your face when the truth dawned on you," Sanpo continued, turning to Stelle.

    "Is this weird dream trying to hint at something hidden?" she asked.

    ... will he tell her anyway...? I... don''t want... to hear it...

    Panicking, as Stelle was distracted by Sanpo, I slipped away and disappeared into the crowd.

    I''m such an idiot.

    I ran and ran without stopping.

    I shouldn''t have lied to her if I wasn''t prepared to face the consequences.

    I arrived at Clockie''s Square and, as I climbed the stairs, I stopped at the spot where, just an hour before, I had shared precious moments with Stelle.

    They already seem like a dream, one that I wanted to continue while awake...

    If Sanpo had really revealed my identity to her... she would want nothing more to do with me.

    She knows what kind of monster SAM is in the real world...

    I leaned against the railing in front of me, my eyes once again on the Grand Theatre.

    I would have loved to spend more time with her...

    But as my mind wandered, a voice brought me back to earth.

    "Firefly! That''s where you were! Don''t disappear like that! You scared me!"

    Stelle.. why...

    Had I misunderstood Sampo''s intentions?

    I turned around. Stelle was smiling at me...

    I can''t stand it anymore!

    "Stelle...I have something to tell you."

    "Go ahead," the girl said, also leaning against the railing.

    I turned my eyes away. Unable to look her in the face.

    "I...am hiding something from you. I... I''m not a local."

    "I know."

    "You... know? Did Sampo...?"

    "No, I figured it out a while ago. The fact that the first person I talked to here turned out to be a guide was already a bit suspicious... and then you continued to act a bit strange.

    You knew your stuff but it felt like you had only been here a short time."

    "Oh..."

    So all this time... she already knew I was lying to her. But then...

    "Why didn''t you tell me anything and still hang out with me?"

    "Well, even though you''re not a real guide, you''ve given me a great tour. Your enthusiasm for this place is contagious! Besides... you didn''t seem like a bad person. I guess you have your reasons for hiding something..."

    I turned around, stunned. Stelle was still smiling at me.

    But why.. even though I betrayed her trust...?

    This girl was really too innocent, from now on I should have done my best to protect her from those who really wanted to manipulate her.

    Trying to fight the urge to burst into tears, I hurried to tell her:

    "I-I thank you. I know it''s not worth much coming from a liar like me... but you have to believe me, I had no ulterior motive in approaching you! I... just wanted to get to know you and spend some time with you..."

    It was Stelle''s turn to act surprised:

    "Just get to know me? What for? Is it because of what you told me before? "

    I... damn it... I can''t help lying again and again. I am such a terrible person.

    If I had told her that we had once been friends, but that she had lost her memories of me... she would have realised that I was one of the Stellaron Hunters. After all, Kafka had already told her that she was one of us before she lost her memory.

    If I reveal my identity now, only to be forced by the script to fight her as SAM... I couldn''t bear that. I just want her to remember me as the girl who gave her a Penacony tour...

    "Y-yeah, it''s... because of my admiration for the Nameless. You have been to many worlds, met people from all walks of life and experienced all sorts of things. Every day is a new beginning for you..."

    "I see..." Stelle said nodding, "since you admire us so much... how would you like to join the Astral Express? From what you''ve told me, you don''t like what you''re doing now... it could be a fresh start for you! I''m sure you''d fit right in!"

    Those words were like a knife.

    I... if only I could. Such a life... that''s what I''ve always dreamed of. But...

    "Stelle I understand if you don''t want to trust me anymore, but... can I take you to another place? It''s not another tourist attraction, it''s my very own secret base."

    Stelle''s eyes lit up:

    "A secret base!? What are we waiting for?!"

 6. A priceless moment

    I really hope that I can make her understand how I feel, at least a little.

    I was deep in thought as I was leading Stelle towards the manhole that would have taken us to the magical place called Dream''s Edge, on the outskirts of the Golden Hour.

    I''m so used to hiding my emotions that I''m worried I won''t be able to convey... how much the time we spent together today means to me.

    As I tried to think of something to say to her, Stelle suddenly stopped.

    "Firefly... wait a minute!"

    Don''t tell me she''s spotted another trashcan!

    But that didn''t seem to be the case. Stelle''s gaze was fixated on a spot in the pavement in front of us.

    Seemingly confused, she asked:

    "What kind of thing... are you?"

    ...Who is she talking to?

    "Um, is there a problem?"

    "I think I''m seeing things..."

    She doesn''t seem to be joking... I guess an illusion is something that could happen in the Dreamscape, with all this Memoria floating around...

    Stelle continued talking to something that only she seemed to be able to see.

    After a while she said:

    "OK Clockie, how can I help you?"

    "Clockie? You mean the character whose statue I showed you earlier? Can you really see him?!"

    "Yes, he''s right here in front of us. You don''t see anything?"

    "No... I wonder why..."

    After a moment''s pause, Stelle looked at me with a strange expression on her face:

    "He says he is only visible to those who have the innocence, kindness and honesty of a child."

    I feel called out... I definitely don''t have any of those qualities...''

    "He needs help! We have to move Firefly, someone''s life is in danger!"

    "UH?! Is the situation that bad?!"

    But Stelle had already taken off. I ran after her.

    Normally I would have thought it was all a joke, but Stelle wouldn''t lie about something so serious.

    When I reached her, I saw that something was really going on: a tall woman with long, dark purple hair was surrounded by a handful of shady looking individuals.

    As I approached, I heard her sigh:

    "How did it come to this..."

    It seemed that she, like me a few hours earlier, had got herself into quite a predicament.

    Who is she anyway... she doesn''t look like a local.

    Her outfit was extravagant to say the least, she was wearing a white and purple jacket with intricate designs. Her attire was completed by high-waisted, form-fitting black and purple shorts and black boots.

    My eyes were drawn to the weapon she was carrying.

    It''s such a big sword... Maybe it''s an Odachi...

    For some reason, I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked at the sheathed blade.

    Meanwhile, Stelle was continuing her conversation with Clockie:

    "How come they''re all people I know?" she said as she looked at the surrounded woman.

    "What do you mean by all?"

    Does she also know the guys who are harassing that woman?

    Meanwhile, the situation seemed to be escalating:

    "You broke the rules! And now you''re gonna pay the price!" one of the men shouted.

    "PUNISH HER BOSS!" shouted another.

    "My baseball bat can''t wait to show its might!" exclaimed Stelle, getting ready to fight.

    "Baseball bat? That''s a rather inefficient choice of weapon. Against a crowd like... Wait, no! What I meant to say is that we can''t solve the problem with violence..."

    I got carried away...

    Stelle resumed her conversation with Clockie, and after a few moments she walked towards the gang with a determined look on her face.

    What is she doing...? Maybe I should intervene...

    But to my surprise, the one who was supposed to be the leader of the gang of criminals suddenly burst into tears, and soon the whole group ran away.

    What the hell did she say to him to make him ran away like that?

    I hurried to join Stelle, who was now talking to the dark-haired woman.

    "Thank you, Stelle. I''m surprised we get to see each other again so soon. About all the commotion just now... I heard a bunch of Masked Fools were causing a ruckus on the streets. I happened to be passing through, got stopped for questioning, and there were some... misunderstandings along the way. Anyway, I owe you another one."

    Masked fools... as I thought, they too must have set their sights on the Watchmaker''s Legacy... but who is this person? Is she another friend of Stelle? She has a completely different presence compared to Sampo.

    "Is this lady... your friend too?" I decided to interject.

    The woman turned her piercing violet eyes towards me and then gave me a gentle smile:

    "Well, we''ve only met each other once before. But she is a kind soul for helping me at the hotel. It''s my pleasure to meet you, beautiful lady. My name is Acheron."

    I felt myself blush.

    ��B��Beautiful lady����

    "Hey, what''s with this reaction? When I called you pretty earlier, you hardly batted an eye," Stelle interjected, a bit annoyed.

    "Oh... um, sorry?"

    I was so used to the old Stelle teasing me, that I hadn''t really taken her seriously when she had paid me those compliments. However, in the case of this woman called Acheron...

    She��s so dignified�� I wonder what��s her deal��  She''s also has something strange about her, but unlike that Sampo guy I don''t think it''s anything bad.

    Acheron seemed amused by our exchange, but after a few seconds she asked:

    "By the way, what did you do to that man earlier? It was like someone took him on an emotional roller coaster."

    "I was wondering about that too... What happened back there, exactly?" I pressed her.

    "Clockie taught me some Clockwork."

    Clockwork��?

    Acheron looked equally puzzled by Stelle''s words:

    "Clockie?"

    "Yes, the famous cartoon character. I think he''s shown up in reality�� I mean��  in the Dreamscape. I don''t really know how a cartoon character could show up around here, but according to Stelle, only honest people with childlike innocence can see him��" I explained, as Stelle nodded.

    "Childlike innocence�� It seems like I''m too old to qualify for that. But what you said would explain why I��m feeling the presence of something inexplicable next to us."

    She can�� feel it? I��m not sensing anything�� is it because I��m so dishonest?!

    But Acheron explained:

    "We can both perceive these extraordinary things in the dream, probably due to our ability to react to memoria. But you''re more attuned to it than I am. I thought your heightened perception was caused by something the elegant Memokeeper might have left in your mind. Now, it seems to me there are many more special beings like her in this dream."

    A�� memokeeper?

    But this time it was Stelle that was as confused as me.

    Seeing the expression on her face Acheron said:

    "Shortly after we parted ways, I wandered into a ball without realizing it. A lady wearing a black veil invited me to dance. It was my first dance, and it was an unforgettable experience. It''s a shame that I forgot to ask her for her name. I only know that she''s from the Garden of recollection."

    The garden of recollection�� that��s the group that serves the Aeon of Remembrance.

    Seems like the list of troublesome guests is just getting longer and longer�� I��ll need to be very careful about how I move from now.

    "Anyway," continued Acheron, "sorry for rambling. Once again, thank you for being kind to me. I wish you a great time in the dream, and I shall not interrupt your... date?"

    "DATE��?! N-no we are not on a date!"

    "Aren''t we? I thought you were taking me to your secret base to confess your feelings! I''m kinda hurt" Stelle exclaimed, giving me a gentle nudge with her elbow.

    "I... don''t start making fun of me again..."

    "Eheh," chuckled Acheron and walked away, waving her hand.

    "You have a lot of... interesting friends," I said.

    One look was enough to tell me that Acheron was no ordinary person either.

    I hope she''s not on the trail of the Watchmaker''s Legacy as well... she seems like a tough cookie.

    "What can I do... I''m very popular. But now, come on, let''s continue our date."

    ��...��

    I decided to pretend I hadn''t heard that last part and continued to lead her towards our destination, hoping there would be no more unexpected events.

    A few minutes later, we reached our destination and...

    "Firefly... I... thanks..." Stelle''s voice was full of emotion.

    "Huh?"

    "I... I''ve never seen a more beautiful manhole cover in my life. Now I understand why you chose this place as your secret base..."

    "What? No! This is not my secret base. We need to go in there," I said, pointing at the manhole.

    "Huh? Look, I was joking... Do you really want to go into a sewer?"

    "Don''t worry, it''s not a sewer... I know it''s hard after all the lies I told you... but just trust me. Stay close to me, it''s quite dark."

    After my reassurances, Stelle followed me without hesitation into the manhole, down the ladder and along the narrow, dark tunnel.

    At the end, pushing down the grate, we emerged on the roof of a skyscraper, just as I had done for the first time a few days before.

    Stelle looked around in amazement, then ran to the nearby railing.

    ��WOAH!��

    "Breathtaking, isn''t it?" I said to her as I got close, my eyes wandering across the blue sky, streaked with countless shooting stars, "we should be careful, guests are not allowed in here... but don''t worry, it''s not a dangerous place. It''s just that we''re on the edge of the Golden Hour, the Family are still redesigning the Dreamscape around here."

    Stelle seemed too lost in that incredible sight to understand my words:

    "So... beautiful. I can see why you chose this place as your secret base..."

    "No, we still aren''t there just yet...my stronghold is even better!��

    "Even better!? Let��s go!"

    We began our journey, sneaking behind the bloodhound guards on patrol and employing the strange devices that the Family used to shape the Dreamscape to make our way from rooftop to rooftop.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    "Firefly, is that��?!" said Stelle stopping for a moment, to admire something high in the sky.

    "Yeah, that''s the Penacony Grand Theater we saw before in Clockie��s square. Seeing it from up here it��s all another thing, isn��t it? It radiates dazzling light perpetually, just like this glamorous dream. I suppose everyone who likes to bask in the light will be drawn to that kind of warmth...Like countless fireflies chasing the fire."

    I feel that after I leave Penacony... I''ll keep chaising this light for the rest of my life.

    I sighed

    "Let''s go... we''re almost there."

    After a few minutes we finally reached the familiar stairs.

    Since arriving in the Dreamscape, this place had been a daily stop for me.

    "A... song</a>? Where is it coming from?" muttered Stelle.

    "It''s called  If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking  , by Robin. Her songs are played in the dreamland from time to time as the Charmony Festival is drawing close."

    "It��s�� beaut-" but Stelle''s voice faded as we climbed the last step.

    The immensity of the Golden Hour sky opened up before us.

    We were so high up that the darkness of the eternal night gave way to a brilliant light on the horizon. Above us, an endless shower of meteors descended towards the boundaries of this sweet dream.

    Stelle hurried to the railing at the edge of the roof.

    "Firefly... I''ve never seen... anything so incredible..."

    "This spot is the closest place to the sky in the Dreamscape. It''s far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and free from the bickering among the dreamers. You can feel the moment, the scenery, the people, and the dreamsm without being disturbed by anyone��" I said, approaching her.

    "In this dream time is frozen," I continued, gazing into that impossible sky, "It''s a golden dream we can all share... no matter who we are or if we have different goals, we can all fall asleep here equally. Members of the Astral Express, the IPC, Fools of the Tavern or... me."

    I turned my eyes and our gazes met.

    "Stelle.. I''m sorry. I... I really am a stowaway."

    She nodded in response:

    "I kind of expected that..."

    "I''m not much of an actress, am I?" I replied with a bitter smile.

    But still... still I can''t tell her the whole truth. But at least something... I owe her that.

    "You see my planet was destroyed by the Swarm. I have no place to call home in the universe but here... the Harmony accepts everyone, including wanderers from afar. The Family takes them in, but they... don''t belong here."

    I took a deep breath.

    Will I be able to make her understand how I feel about this place and... her?

    "In this splendid metropolis, some have a dream called Penacony, but some have dreams... that are no different from reality, even though everyone who comes here harbors the same motive in the beginning. And it''s likewise for me. I have a wish I want to achieve so badly in the real world, but I can''t. So, I want to give it a shot here��"

    Stelle smiled gently at me:

    "What is your dream? Maybe I can help you achieve it..."

    You already are... but I can''t tell you the whole story. But... but I need you to understand how important the time we spent together was to me.

    "Entropy Loss Syndrome. Have you heard of this term?"

    Stelle''s smile faded as I explained my condition, giving way to a sad and worried expression.

    Her hand rested on my arm.

    "Firefly..is there..no cure?"

    Why did I even think she would be a different person?  She''s just like...

    <hr>

    ��Firefly?��

    ��Uhm?��

    I was lying on the couch in the living room of the Stellaron Hunter base, intent on reading a book, one of the few pastimes my body allowed me while I was outside of SAM.

    Nearby, Stelle sat in an armchair, intent on playing a handheld console. She said she''d borrowed it from Silver Wolf, but I suspected that was far from the truth.

    "Are you really sure that there is no cure for your disease?"

    "Why this question all of a sudden?"

    "I - your condition is getting worse, isn''t it? Before I... well, you know. I''d like to do what I can to help you..."

    I put the book down. Stelle was looking at me with a serious expression for once.

    We had become closer lately and I had begun to realise that, behind this unhinged girl, there was an extremely kind person.

    "I''ve already explained it to you, Stelle... there''s nothing you can do about it. I cannot recover from it. When I was born, my genetic code was altered to increase my perception and allow me to pilot SAM... ELS is a direct result of it. I was born with it and soon it will make me disappear... there is nothing you can do about it. But... thank you," I added.

    "But ... there must be something in the whole universe, at least I don''t know ... that can alleviate your symptoms or delay the worsening of your condition," Stelle replied with a note of desperation in her voice.

    "There''s no way of knowing ... there''s no point in setting out in search of something that you don''t even know if it actually exists. Especially since the time I have left is so little..."

    "But there is a chance! Didn''t you join the Stellaron Hunters to subvert fate?" Stelle blurted out.

    "My death is not the fate I wish to fight, Stelle. I have already accepted the fact that my end will come soon... it is how I will live until then that I want to focus on."

    "Firefly ..." Stelle whispered, calming herself, "you are ... really brave..."

    "Brave?"

    Stelle looked into my eyes with a strange expression:

    "Unlike you ... I am afraid."

    "Afraid? Of what?"

    It was not like her to act like this.

    "I know my situation can''t even be compared to what you''re going through...but I''m scared. Losing my memory completely... isn''t that practically like dying?

    Without my memories, without my experiences... the new Stelle will practically be a different person."

    "Stelle...are you not going to go through with the plan?"

    "No, I will do it. I know why this is my script, I have to do it, it is for the good of the whole universe".

    "So... Aren''t you being brave too?"

    "Me? But..."

    "Being afraid of something like death is normal. Being brave doesn''t mean not being afraid, it means not being consumed by fear... after all, I''m afraid too."

    Stelle looked at me in surprise, but then nodded.

    "Thank you... I''m such an idiot, I wanted to help you, but I ended up just venting to you..."

    "Don''t worry..."

    After all, talking to you... helps me a little too.

    Stelle suddenly jumped to her feet:

    "But since we both don''t have much time left, we should do whatever we can to enjoy life!"

    ��What are you...?!��

    Stelle came over to the sofa and took me in her arms.

    "What the hell are you doing!?"

    "Silverwolf is on a mission, let''s sneak into her room and play some of her games together"

    "Let me go!" I complained and tried to wriggle out of her arms.

    But there was no way, I finally gave up and let myself be carried up the stairs.

    If Wolf finds out that I played with Stelle after all the times she begged me to do it with her...

    But a smile crept across my face.

    I wonder if video games are anything like controlling SAM...

    "Firefly?"

    "Um?"

    "If the Stelle who will exist after me turns out to be a bad person... let her eat SAM''s punch!"

    <hr>

    There is no need for that Stelle.. the new you is as wonderful as the old one...

    "No there is no cure," I replied.

    Stelle''s grip tightened more on my arm.

    "Don''t worry...I have long accepted that this is my reality."

    "But here ... here we are in a dream... and... and... my condition doesn''t affect me. So, how could I possibly resist it... I mean can you imagine it? I can actually free myself from the icy medical cabin in this dream�� I can forget about all the doctor''s advice. I can listen, and see, and touch, and think, and understand whatever I want with my body. So, although this world isn''t real, this experience is priceless..."

    I placed my hand on hers, still clasped on my arm, and turning to her, I added with a smile:

    "...Just like this moment."

    "Firefly��"

    Stelle''s face became more relaxed.

    "Now I understand why you seem to love this place so much... And thanks to you... I think I''ve fallen in love with it too. I understand you can''t tell me who you really are... but you really should think about becoming a guide."

    "I''d..really like to..."

    "You know, I didn''t tell you... but I have no memories of my past. My memory begins in Herta Space Station, the place I told you about before.

    Since then I have had many adventures. Honestly, sometimes it''s a little tiring, being bounced around from one place to another solving troubles.

    So today... spending time having fun with you, without any worries... was very important to me. So, thank you Firefly."

    Stelle''s gaze, like mine, lost itself in the horizon.

    "I also want to thank you for bringing me here. This magnificent view in such a remote place, it must not have been easy to find. Thank you for sharing it with me. Looking at this sky, together with you... I feel like I have never been so happy. As you said, this moment is truly priceless and I will never forget it.

    I felt tears blurring my vision, but did my best to hold them back.

    This is exactly what I had hoped for...

    But if I wanted her memory of me to stay that way and not be sullied...

    "Stelle�� I''m sorry. For certain reasons, there are things I can''t reveal to you yet. But there are also things you should know.  I am, in fact, after the Watchmaker''s Legacy, but that doesn''t mean we have to go our separate ways and be enemies. But at least... I hope things won''t turn out that way. I hope�� we can become friends.��

    Stelle looked at me in amusement, "You idiot. We are already friends!"

    "I...thank you."

    My gaze joined hers in the horizon, at its brightest point.

    "You see one time, in the past, I had a dream. In my dream, I saw a scorched earth, and a new sapling emerging from it. It bloomed against the morning sun, and whispered to me."

    I turned again toward Stelle:

    "Do you still remember the question on the invitation letter�� why does life slumber?"

    "Oh yeah... I don��t really get it.��

    ��I�� think I know my answer. You see, everything is possible in this land of dreams. The nightmarish past will disperse and fade away like bubbles in water, and the future that you don''t want to face will never come.��

    In this dream I never have to go back inside SAM. I never have to fight and kill. I can be myself. I can be Firefly and�� I wish this would never end.

    "Why do people choose to sleep? I think�� It is because they''re afraid to wake up from the dream.��

    I sighed

    If only it were possible to continue this sweet dream forever..

    "I''m sorry things are getting all bleak and serious... Let me see if I can do something to lighten the mood. Do you have any ideas?  What would you guys on the Astral Express to liven up things?"

    Stelle started grinning:

    "Oh I know the perfect thing for this occasion. See one of my friends is obsessed with selfies!"

    "Selfies? Oh�� now that you say that I''ve been here so many times. Why didn''t I think of taking a photo?"

    "Don��t worry I��ll take a beautiful one for you�� so I can add it to my collection!"

    "I already told you I��m camera shy�� could you�� take it with me?"

    "Of course!"

    "Alright�� since you are taller, you hold the camera. And don��t laugh at me, please."

    This�� this is the chance for me to have something to hold on to when everything is over.

    Stelle took the phone from my hand, launched the camera app, and switched to the front-facing camera effortlessly. Then, she extended her arm and holding the phone at a distance, she ensured both of us were captured in the frame.

    "Wait, let me get ready." I said, copying the victory pose Stelle was doing.

    "Ok, I''m good. Let''s do this.  One�� Two�� Say cheeeese!"

    Click

    "Here you go," Stelle said, handing me the phone, "as I thought you came out great!"

    "What are you talking about..."

    But I felt my mind melt as I looked at the picture.

    This... I''ll treasure it forever....

    "Hey Firefly... what is that...?"

    Stelle walked over to a nearby flowerbed and started fiddling with it.

    "What are you doing?"

    "There are feathers sticking out of the ground, but... I can''t get them out!"

    "Feathers... I can''t see anything!"

    Is it another memoria being, like Clockie?

    "And here we go!... Finally... And now... what the hell are you?"

    Stelle continued talking to the invisible being for a while, then turned to me with a grin.

    "What''s going on?

    "A little birdie told me that this is a popular spot for couples... so when are you going to confess to me?"

    "This again?"

    But for some reason I felt my heart rate quicken....

    Calm down Firefly... you''re just flustered because of the picture...

    To my rescue came Stelle''s phone, which began to ring.

    The girl frowned at the screen. Eventually she looked up and turned back to me:

    "I''m sorry, Firefly... I have to go..."

    Oh... Well... I knew it would have to end sooner or later. And at least... I have this picture of me and her now.

    "It''s okay, don''t worry... time... really flies. Come on, we can say goodbye at the golden hour!"

    I started to go down the stairs, but Stelle grabbed my arm.

    "We''ll see each other again, right? I... give me your number! I don''t know how long I''ll be in Penacony, but until I leave... I''d like to spend more time with you."

    "Stelle... The same goes for me..."

    I just hope that the next time we see each other... it won''t be for the battle written in my script.

    "And even after I leave... You know, with the Astral Express I can go anywhere, even if you''re not from here, maybe we can find each other on another planet! And anyway... on my travels I will do everything to find a way to help you in your condition".

    If only her words could become reality, but... outside of here we will never be able to meet. It''s better if her memories of me are limited to the girl she met in this dream.

    Still, I nodded, smiling.

    We walked back in silence. Eventually we reached the entrance to the Golden Hour.

    I could tell immediately that something was wrong. There didn''t seem to be a soul in here except... one unpleasant figure.

    Ugh... him again...  but where did everyone else go?

    As we got closer, Stelle seemed to notice that something was amiss as well and approached Sampo:

    "Sampo! What the hell is going on? Why has this place turned into a desert?"

    Sampo''s smile sent shivers down my spine. There was no trace of the joviality that had characterised him before. I could only read malice in that expression.

    "We meet again, my dear... It looks like you have not taken my warnings to heart.... A pity. Are you so enchanted by that girl?"

    The sinister air I had sensed around him before was now in full view, and his friendly tone had given way to razor-sharp words.

    "You''re just so... blind," he said to Stelle, in a mocking tone.

    I stepped in front of Stelle and placed myself between her and Sampo.

    I have to protect her.

    "...Careful. I''m more than certain now that this friend of yours is dangerous."

    "Oho, this brave little girl appears to be protecting you. I wonder why? Are you two that close?"

    "You talk too much."

    I prepared to materialise Sam''s control device, but...

    If I get into SAM now then Stelle will...

    That moment of hesitation was fatal. The world around me began to spin.

    This memoria concentration... my head...

    The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness were Sampo''s eyes, illuminated by a sinister red glow, his words now intelligible to my ears.

    Stelle...

 7. The first Death

    "Stelle!"

    Her name was the first thing that came out of my mouth when I regained consciousness. But when I opened my eyes, I immediately realised that I was no longer in the place where I had fainted.

    The corridor I was in was clearly not the entrance to the Golden Hour.

    The silence around me was broken by the incessant ticking of clocks and numerous doors opened in the walls, which were decorated with numerous posters and portraits.

    Stelle was nowhere to be seen.

    Where... am I? This place almost looks like... a hotel corridor. Could this be... the Reverie?

    Obviously I wasn''t referring to the real hotel run by the Oak family, but to a dream version of it.

    I was still dreaming after all. I could clearly feel the memoria around me. Its presence seemed much more intense than in the Golden Hour.

    The atmosphere it emanated was almost suffocating, and in some places it even seemed to take shape, creating blue-coloured bubbles.

    And are those... letters?

    Indeed they were. A series of blurred letters floated in the air before me, clearly spelling out a name:

    Mikhail�� who��s that?

    Suddenly I heard a noise behind me.

    I turned to see a strange creature hopping towards me. It looked like a television with arms and legs. On its screen, between static lines, was an angry face.

    Could this be a memoria being? A... meme? Memoria here is so concentrated that even I, like Stelle, can see it.

    Without hesitation, I materialised SAM''s gadget and, pressing a button on it, ejected a long blade of green plasma.

    Before the meme could attack me, I struck it with a swift slash.

    The creature''s metal body was instantly shredded. The spot where I had struck it was completely melted.

    It seems I don''t need SAM for an enemy of this calibre... at least in the dream.

    In real life I could never have acted so quickly.

    A new sound alerted me. This time it was the creak of a door opening.

    Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone step out into the corridor.

    I barely had time to make my sword disappear before I found myself face to face with Stelle.

    "Stelle! So you were brought here as well!"

    Thank goodness. I was afraid Sampo had done something to her.

    "Firefly... where the hell are we? Don''t tell me we''re dead and this is the afterlife!"

    "We are still clearly in a dream. It can''t be anywhere else, much less reality... I''m never wrong about the distinctive sense of memoria that''s in the air."

    My gaze landed on that name again.

    Mikhail��

    "But this is very different from the ''sweet dream'' that I''m familiar with: suffocating...silent... uneasy. And these floating words. Can you see them too? This kind of place would never exist on Penacony under the provision of The Family. So, could this be a dream bubble...?"

    "Mmh�� I think she mentioned something about this place being�� the real Dreamscape," said Stelle, scratching her chin.

    "She? Who are you talking about?" I asked confused.

    "After you fainted... Sampo, or I guess whoever took on his appearance, revealed their true identity. A girl... with a strange outfit and... a fox mask on her head," Stelle replied, massaging her temples as if trying to remember something.

    A mask... so she must have been a Masked Fool. Playing tricks is their speciality.

    But why did she target me and Stelle... and why did she bring us here?

    "I��m sorry�� I should��ve been more suspicious of your so called friend."

    "It''s not your fault, I should have realised it wasn''t the real Sampo... but she played the part really well. Anyway, if this is supposed to be the "real Dreamscape", according to that girl... what does that even mean?"

    The real Dreamscape��

    In the few days I had been in Penacony I had come to love that wonderful dream.

    But I still couldn''t help noticing the cracks...

    Maybe... this place has something to do with those mysterious disappearances and the Watchmaker.

    I don''t know what the Masked Fool was up to... but she may have put us on the right track.

    "I''m not sure. Everything happened so quickly. But regardless, The Family must be hiding something... something about the truth of the Dreamscape��

    And, you probably noticed it when you woke up as well, the ticking of clocks all around us... My gut tells me that the secret hidden here is also linked to that mysterious Watchmaker."

    "The Watchmaker you say�� Then perhaps we should take a look around. Not that we have much choice."

    "Right, let''s get on with it. Whether it''s to find the exit or ... the truth."

    This situation is perfect! I can help Stelle get closer to the Legacy without having to fight her, as it says in my script...

    But for some reason, I couldn''t help but feel worried. After all, a member of the Masked Fool would never help someone without an ulterior motive.

    I must be on my guard...

    We began to explore that strange dream, in which the normal rules that govern the Penacony Dreamscape were not respected.

    We soon found ourselves walking on the walls as the gravity around us kept shifting. Meanwhile, those floating words kept appearing around us.

    But they were not the only things we found in that place. Numerous creatures blocked our path. Fortunately, Stelle''s bat was more than enough to get rid of them.

    "So strange... The Family insist that the Dreamscape is absolutely safe," I said to myself.

    It was obvious that this place was something the rulers of Penacony wanted to keep hidden from their guests. It was like a nightmare hidden in the depths of a dream.

    Depths... memoria is heavier here... a bit like the pressure when you dive deeper into an ocean...

    Soon we found ourselves in a huge room. The memoria here had taken on strange shapes.

    A giant whale was swirling in the air, making the comparison with an ocean even more apt.

    "Incredible... This is really a sight that can only be witnessed in a dream��"

    My gaze fell on some new words that had appeared before us:

    Mikhail, you look like you''ve got something on your mind��

    "These words have been appearing and then vanishing persistently for awhile now. Whose thoughts are they? And who is this Mikhail��"

    "I... think I have heard that name before..." Stelle said.

    "Did you?"

    "Yes... but I can''t remember where."

    Does this Mikhail have something to do with the Astral Express?

    As we continued our journey through the hotel, the atmosphere began to grow heavier. The words around us began to emanate a strong sense of confusion... fear... sadness...

    We soon arrived in a round room. On its floor were piles of smashed televisions, their wires tangled like a spider''s web.

    This place�� I have a bad feeling.

    "Firefly, this seems to be a dead end!" shouted Stelle, pushing against what seemed to be the only way out of the room.

    "Stelle, I think we should go back..."

    Suddenly the televisions turned on, lighting up the room. The only thing they seemed to be broadcasting was static.

    New words began to form around us:

    Come back here  Mikhail

    Penacony must save itself

    Please help me��

    Please help me��

    I don''t want to die

    Suddenly the light emanating from the televisions seemed to increase abruptly.

    "The TVs are so bright, it''s hurting my eyes... Careful, something''s up��" I warned Stelle.

    That''s when it happened.

    Eyes.

    Dozens of inhuman, slit violet eyes appeared on the screens of every television. As their malevolent gaze fixed on me, I felt a new sensation.

    Death.

    Having spent most of my life on a battlefield, it was nothing new to me, but...

    Such a feeling... should not exist here in the Dreamscape... this should be a paradise where death cannot come.

    Suddenly a cloud of darkness spread over us. I was just in time to scream ��Stelle! Something is coming!�� that a creature emerged from it.

    It was a huge monster with an elongated shape resembling a worm or a snake.  It had a large number of eyes in its dark purple body, all focused on us.

    Attached to one of its claws was what looked like a wing made of sharp blades.

    More of those blades floated behind the creature in the form of two tails, from which even more of its eyes were fixed on us.

    There was no doubt about it. It was a meme, just like the creatures we had encountered so far in this bizarre dream.

    But the memoria from which it had taken shape was precisely what seemed to project that sense of inevitable death.

    Is this creature... what the Family wants to keep hidden from the eyes of their guests?

    Stelle stepped in front of me immediately:

    "Don''t be afraid, Firefly, I''ll take care of this!" she shouted, grabbing her bat.

    "Stelle! I don��t think you can fight something like this!"

    But my words did not seem to reach her. Stelle threw herself at the creature, her bat glowing with its own light.

    But her blow did not even seem to scratch the Meme''s carapace

    It soon became clear that I was right: Stelle had no chance of winning.

    I materialised Sam''s control mechanism behind my back.

    I... have to help her...

    But the hand I had clasped around the gadget was shaking...

    I... why am I hesitating? Am I... afraid?

    That was not possible.

    I had been created as a weapon.

    Indoctrinated from the first moment I was born to treat my life as something easily expendable.

    But even after that chapter of my story had been closed and I was no longer a member of the Iron Cavalry, I had never been afraid of death.

    It was something inevitable after all.

    Life�� begets death.

    But then... why was I hesitating? Did I not want Stelle to see me in my armor? Or maybe...

    "FIREFLY, WATCH OUT!"

    I looked up and saw the creature coming towards me. Soon I found myself caught in one of its claws, one of its blades inches from my face.

    "FIREFLY!" cried Stelle in despair.

    Then I felt it.

    Memoria, in a concentration that made my head spin.

    I stopped resisting.

    This feeling... it''s like the first time I entered the Dreamscape... If this blade pierces me...!

    But before that could happen, the ground beneath me began to glow as a strange seal lit up on it. Suddenly, dozens of crystal arms erupted from it and grabbed the Meme.

    The grip of the monster loosened and I fell to the floor as the creature was sent crashing into the ceiling.

    "f you don''t know the right technique...you might never return from the shadow of Death��" said  someone with a soothing voice.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    I turned to see a woman with long lavender hair sitting cross-legged on one of the televisions.

    Beneath the veil she wore on her head, I could see her amber eyes fixed on me, her mouth curved in a mysterious smile.

    "And you are...?" I asked her, getting up from the floor.

    "Easy, girl. I''m on your side. You can call me... the Memokeeper, Black Swan."

    A memokeeper�� is she the person Acheron was referring to?

    Meanwhile, Stelle had also risen and seemed ready to fight again.

    ��Go on girl, I��ll support you.��

    A red glow illuminated Stelle''s body.

    What��?

    In her hand appeared a weapon very different from her usual bat. It was a grand lance, its tip engulfed in flame.

    This... is the power of the Stellaron. The power to cross other Paths... this must be... preservation.

    But even with this new weapon and Black Swan''s support, the creature didn''t seem to take any damage.

    We are in its domain... it is virtually invincible.

    Black Swan seemed to have realised the same thing.

    This time it was the ceiling that lit up. Countless limbs sprang from it, grabbing the Meme''s body and forcing it to the floor.

    The woman threw a tarot card at us and a vortex opened behind us, similar to the one the monster had emerged from.

    "See ya next time. Hurry," said Black Swan with her calm voice.

    I didn''t wait a single second. I grabbed Stelle''s wrist and pulled her towards the portal with all my strength.

    Soon we were floating in a sea of memoria

    A gentle current seemed to be carrying us to the surface.

    If we follow it... we will probably return to the waking world, but...

    I wanted to see this through. I wanted to find out the truth about the nature of this "real Dreamscape" and about that creature.

    I sighed:

    I''m sorry Stelle, this is where we have to part... I know you''re probably going to be worried about me... but I need to find out the truth so I can reveal it to you.

    Against my deepest desires, I let go of her.

    Soon we were separated, and as her unconscious body was dragged to the surface, I concentrated and began to delve deeper into the abyss of the memory zone.

    I have to find... what''s at the bottom.

    Soon I was out.

    "This place... seems like another part of the hotel we were in before... but the memoria here is even thicker..." I said to myself, taking in the scenery around me.

    But I had no time to waste.

    I had so much fun today. Now it was time to work.

    I took out my phone and dialled the number I had been given before the mission.

    The receiver picked up immediately:

    "Wolf, I found a lead."

    Silence.

    "Took you long enough, Sam."

    I jumped from the surprise.

    The voice was not coming from my phone, but from behind me.

    I turned around to find myself face to face with the holographic projection of my fellow Stellaron Hunter, Silver Wolf.

    She was a petite girl, wearing a short coat as usual, along with a crop top and unbuttoned shorts. A grin was painted her small face.

    "It''s not often I see you react like that..."

    "You''re lucky I''m not inside SAM or I''d already have burnt you to a crisp from the scare you gave me... I guess you would be fine anyway since you aren''t actually here...anyway, you could have contacted me if you thought I was taking too long."

    "Oh... I didn''t want to interrupt your date with the Trailblazer..."

    "Date?! Were you spying on us?"

    "No," Silver Wolf sneered back, "I just thought you''d try to get her involved in something like that, and now you''ve confirmed it for me!"

    "You... it wasn''t a date!"

    But speaking of Stelle...

    She must be worried sick about my disappearance...

    I pulled out my phone again and searched for the contact she had given me a few hours earlier.

    What should I write to her... I''m not used to chatting, the last time I only sent her stickers from Blade''s phone... oh... I guess I could send her the photo.

    I attached the photo we took together on the roof, along with a sticker of Pom Pom doing ok with their thumb.

    I think she''ll understand I''m ok if I send her this...

    But when I tapped the screen to send it, an error message appeared:

    Failed to send the message.

    "You can''t send messages here, we''re too deep in the Memory Zone, we''re pretty much out of range of everything! Cute picture though!"

    I gasped again as Silver Wolf spoke close to my ear. She was tiptoeing over my shoulder, peeking at my phone.

    "That''s private! And... by the way, I called you just a moment ago!"

    "That''s because it''s me you were calling!"

    Oh... that made sense.  Silver Wolf''s speciality was "Aether Editing",  a skill which enable her to tamper with the data of reality.

    It was like hacking a website. She could do pretty much anything she wanted without having to abide by the rules that governed the world, be it the real one or this dream.

    "Are you sure you can stay here in this form?" I asked her, "There is a Memokeeper here, a member of the Garden of Recollection. If she studies the memoria around here, she might see that you were s with me."

    "Don''t worry. Even someone with an incredible attunement to memoria shouldn''t be able to sense me. At most, they might be able to tell that there was someone next to you, but they wouldn''t be able to figure out my identity or hear what I was saying to you."

    "I see..."

    "So... what have you found out?"

    As we walked through the maze of deserted corridors of the hotel, I told her everything I knew.

    From the mysterious disappearances I had heard about, to how we had arrived in this strange part of the Dreamscape, to the encounter with the creature.

    "A creature that seems to radiate ''death'', you say... certainly not something the Family brought here..." Silver Wolf commented, deep in thought.

    "But if not them, then who? They rule the Dreamscape... who else could have the power to bring something like that into the Dream?"

    "Maybe it''s like a virus!" exclaimed Silver Wolf, "a third party put it here to turn against the Family and create chaos."

    "A third party��!"

    Of course... why didn''t I think of him.

    There was someone lurking in the backstage of Penacony, casting a shadow as wide as the Family.

    I remembered the incessant ticking that had accompanied our trip through the True Dreamscape.

    ��The Watchmaker! That thing I encountered with Stelle back then...If I''m not wrong... it has to do with the Watchmaker.��

    "The Watchmaker, you say? Why would he, if he even exists, unleash something that can kill people in the dream he created?"

    "Perhaps... perhaps because it doesn''t actually kill people."

    I told Silver Wolf about the oppressive memoria I felt emanating from the monster''s blades.

    "So... you mean this creature doesn''t really kill you, but... takes you to an even deeper part of the dream..."

    "Yes... the bottom of it. I can feel it. The space around us, this dream... is slowly sinking towards something... something the Family doesn''t want us to see."

    My theory made sense. Maybe that secret place was indeed where the so-called Legacy was kept, whatever it was.

    If my hypothesis is right, I could help Stelle get to it before anyone else even gets close...

    But how could I prove that I was right?

    "If I could try again��" I muttered, while watching my reflection in a nearby screen.

    "Try what again?" asked Silver Wolf.

    "If I can find that creature again, I can confirm my theory. Let��s get going."

    "Alright! Just know that I won''t be able to help you in this form!"

    "That''s fine, like I said, I don''t think it''s really dangerous. Wolf, could you contact Stelle and the Astral Express and get them to come here?" I said as we walked into a new room, identical to the one we were in before.

    "Sure, but... are you sure you want to tell them everything yourself? They''ll realise your identity."

    She was right. But I had had enough of lies.

    "I won''t hide anymore, I''ll tell her the whole truth. I just hope we''ll find the creature before they get here so I can be sure."

    "Ok, I sent her a message. She should be able to get here from the Dreampool in the hotel room, thanks to the code I gave her. As for finding it... have you looked at your script? Maybe there''s a clue there."

    My script��

    It was a bad habit of mine to only read it quickly before the missions.

    But I guess it might help me this time...

    I scrolled through the messages on my phone to find the one Elio had sent me a few days earlier.

    As always, my script was very short. After all, he knew I would do my best to deviate from it.

    It didn''t take me long to get to the current day. And then my heart stopped.

    Sam will get into his Mecha suit.

    And  line right after:

    Sam will fight the Astral Express.

    What��?

    I knew the second part very well but the first one�� I was sure it wasn��t there before.

    ��Calm down, Firefly... Stay calm���� I murmured as my breathing became heavy.

    "What''s going on?" asked Silver Wolf worriedly.

    Did she tamper with my script with her hacking powers?

    "Why did you...!? This isn''t what we agreed on��"

    Silver Wolf looked at me in confusion:

    "Did what?"

    It was clear from her tone that she had no idea what I was talking about.

    Elio�� he tricked me��

    But why?

    "Mecha...!? Why��"

    Why? Why did I have to enter my armor now?

    I... I don''t want to... I don''t want to...

    I began to feel increasingly nauseous. By now my breathing had been reduced to gasps.

    I don''t want to go back... I don''t want to go back there... to that... ....

    Perhaps because of the oppressive presence of memoria around me, words and scenes that I had hoped to have locked away in a distant part of my mind came back to me as clear as day.

    "Article 22 of Glamoth''s military regulations: Knights must give all they have to Her Majesty, the queen. Including their lives."

    An existence born only to serve, to fight and to perish... burned to ashes.

    It was the identity that I desperately wanted to escape from.

    I had done everything to distinguish myself from all the other clones that had been created with me.

    But in the end, standing on a scorched planet in a field full of corpses... I had realised that it was all useless.

    My existence... my life... my death... were all meaningless.

    But still I fought... I fought so hard... for a new future.

    But in the end... I was still shackled.

    Shackled to the symbol of my existence as a weapon.

    A fetter that was the only thing keeping me alive.

    My armor.

    SAM

    "Sam, are you all right?" asked Silverwolf, putting a hand on my shoulder.

    "DON''T CALL ME THAT!"

    I started running, leaving her behind.

    "Firefly?!" I heard her voice call for me but I ignored her.

    I don''t want to go back into SAM... not here... please please please!

    As I stopped in a room to catch my breath, I heard a noise behind me. The door suddenly burst open and dozens of memes flooded into the room.

    NO!

    I started running again, but soon found myself at a dead end, with my pursuers still very close.

    ��The door... It won''t open... It''s a dead end���� I cried in desperation.

    But when I touched one of the walls, an opening suddenly appeared:

    "There''s actually a path here... It''s an exit... Following it should lead me out of this place..."

    I began to calm down as I walked down the new path. The memes following me seemed to have given up.

    I''m... such an idiot... it''s not like me to behave like this. I thought my resolve was stronger than this.

    I understood why I had always hesitated to activate my armour these days.

    I was afraid, but not of dying.

    But of who I would be when the end came.

    I did not want to die as a weapon. That was my wish.

    And in this dream I had been able to taste it.

    I had been able to take a sip of the forbidden nectar that I could never taste in real life.

    For a while, I had finally been able to be Firefly, and not only that, I had been able to be Firefly by the side of the person I cared about most.

    To put that armor back on now would have been like waking up.

    And I was afraid to do it.

    Some people are afraid to wake up from the dream��

    But I knew it wouldn''t last forever.

    Remember Firefly... Life begets death... as death comes at the end of life... at the end of a dream you are always going to wake up.

    I sighed as I walked through what appeared to be the hotel lobby.

    I should call Silver Wolf... I shouldn''t have yelled in her face...

    But when I unlocked my phone, I was confronted with the photo of me and Stelle.

    The turbulent thoughts that had plagued my mind were instantly swept away by a gentle breeze.

    No matter what happens next... we managed to meet again.

    After we parted the first time, I was sure that our lives would become two parallel lines, destined never to cross again.

    But the impossible had happened. A true miracle, only possible here.

    Our destinies had grazed each other for one last time.

    Just as you told me...

    <hr>

    "Firefly... it''s in a week."

    I looked up at Stelle, who had just entered the living room. Her expression was strangely worried.

    "What''s in a week?" I asked, my heart in my throat.

    It can''t be... not so soon.

    But my fears were confirmed:

    "In a week I will lose my memory and Kafka will take me to the Herta Space Station..." Stelle replied with a bitter smile.

    "NO!" I shouted and jumped to my feet. The ELS that affected me immediately flaired up and I lost my balance.

    Stelle caught me and helped me to sit down on the sofa.

    "I knew you would react like this... Firefly, I know it''s hard... but we knew this moment would come."

    It''s true, but... now that it''s really happening... I can''t let her go.

    "H-how can you be so calm... I... don''t... we can still do something. We can... escape! With SAM we can escape..." I muttered.

    I knew that this suggestion was pathetic and went against everything I believed in. But at that moment I felt that I could even betray my own ideals if it meant keeping her close to me.

    "No. I have made my decision. Before our inevitable end, we have the power to make our own choices... you''re the one who taught me that. And this... this is my choice."

    "But... why? You said it... it''s like you''re dying," I asked her desperately.

    "Elio''s plans may be a bit messed up sometimes, but in the end he wants to save the universe from destruction. Is my life worth more than that?"

    "You..." I whispered, tears wetting my cheeks, "I never took you for someone who wanted to be a hero... there''s something else you''re hiding from me."

    A smile broke out on Stelle''s face:

    "I guess, like you, I''m not good at pretending, huh? You''re right, there is another reason, a selfish one," she said, coming closer to me, "I... want to help you. But now that I''m just a useless girl, I can''t do anything for you... but with the power of a Stellaron... I might be able to cure you."

    "What? NO! I told you I accepted my death a long time ago. I don''t want to be cured. I just want... to spend more time with you. You already help me a lot... by seeing me as Firefly... that''s all I ever wanted."

    "Firefly..."

    Stelle pulled me into a hug.

    It was not the first time she had touched me. Several times she had helped me up the stairs or to the sofa.

    But this sensation was new to me.

    The warmth of her body pressed against mine was the opposite of the cold steel that usually surrounded me.

    "I know it''s not what you want... but it''s what I''ve decided for myself. Please... accept my decision, even if you don''t agree with it."

    "Please..." I sobbed, leaning on her shoulder, "I don''t want you to leave me alone. If you... forget me... I''ll... just be Sam again."

    "That''s not true. The time we spent together, the happy memories we made... they are not something that can disappear. Even when I''m gone... you''ll always be Firefly. Because that''s who you are, no matter what armor you wear."

    "But..."

    "And this is just a momentary goodbye anyway. I''m sure we''ll meet again. Even if I won''t remember you... we''ll just have to start again from scratch."

    "You know that can''t happen... even if we met... I would be in my armor. Do you really think you would trust someone like Sam, the Stellaron Hunter?"

    "I don''t know... but I know you''ll make it happen. If you want us to meet and be friends again... it will happen."

    "But how?"

    "I don''t know. But you... you are the most determined person I know. If you want to do something, even if it''s impossible, I''m sure you''ll find a way."

    <hr>

    I found a way, Stelle. I had to lie and hide so many things from you, but... I did it.

    I''m sure you''d be angry with me now for the way I''m behaving...

    My heart was finally at peace. Soon I would see her again and tell her everything.

    Just then I heard a noise behind me.

    New enemies?

    This time I would not hesitate.

    But when I turned around, I saw her.

    There were two others, but my eyes were only on her.

    "Stelle..."

    A smile crept across my face. It hadn''t been long, but I''d already missed her.

    "Firefly!" yelled Stelle, sprinting towards me.

    She must be so worried.

    I made to run towards her, but...

    A portal opened behind Stelle and a creature with an elongated body filled with eyes darted out.

    No... not now... I haven''t warned her yet.

    But before I could react, my body was propelled upwards.

    As the Meme whirled around me, I lowered my gaze until I met Stelle''s eyes, an expression of pure terror on her face.

    Don''t worry! Nothing bad is going to happen...

    Those were the words I wanted to tell her. But before I could utter them, I felt a blade pierce my back.

    My mind was flooded with dozens of images, projected at such a speed that I could not make sense of them.

    But even in this cacophony of thoughts, Stelle''s image was still clear.

    "I''m... s-sorry..." I barely managed to say before the creature''s blade plunged deeper into my body.

    Falling forward, my ears were invaded by Stelle''s desperate voice:

    "FIREFLY NOOO!

    I''m sorry... it''s all my fault, trying to escape the script I made a mess. I hope... you''ll forgive me.

    I landed in her arms.

    Although my mind was slowly fading, the warmth of that embrace still seemed to break through the fog that clouded it.

    My last thought was:

    The moment I really die and turn to ashes... this is where I want to be.

 8. To keep on burning

    For the second time that day, I woke up in an unfamiliar place.

    This time, however, it was not the corridor of a luxurious hotel, but what appeared to be an abandoned railway station.

    Piles of rubbish littered this disused environment, and the many benches that surrounded me were covered with cowebs.

    Its inhabitants were probably the only ones who had come here recently, waiting for a train that would never arrive.

    Is this... the waking world? No... I can clearly feel the memoria swirling around me... and it is even denser than before.

    However, the atmosphere it created was very different from the one I had felt in the hotel.

    It wasn''t oppressive or suffocating, standing here was almost like being immersed in deep but calm waters.

    What is this place? It''s completely different from the glamorous dream of the Golden Hour...

    I thought as I walked through the only exit, which led into a narrow, cramped alley.

    The walls of the tall buildings surrounding me were covered in graffiti and neon signs. Between the buzzing sounds they made, I heard voices coming from ahead.

    Careful not to make any noise, I approached them.

    "That''s strong stuff!" said a male voice.

    "What are you talking about... you just can''t handle the booze!"

    I leaned around the corner and saw two people.

    One man was leaning against the wall, clearly feeling nauseous, while the other was patting his back.

    "Come on, let''s go back to the pub for another round!"

    The pub?! Do these people live here? What the hell is this place?

    I had expected to find some strange oniric realm, but the place I had stumbled upon was as close to reality as I had seen so far in the Dreamscape.

    Why is the Family hiding this place?

    I should have investigated, but...

    "Not now..."

    I had confirmed my theory. That creature was here to transport its prey, not to kill it.

    As for why there would be time to find out later, there was something far more pressing I had to deal with now.

    Stelle... I have to find her.

    Her terrified expression was burned into my retinas.

    I couldn''t bear the thought that my actions had hurt her.

    She probably thinks I''m dead and, knowing her, she''ll feel guilty about it.

    I had to clear everything up.What had happened to me, what my mission was and... who I really was.

    I owe it to her...

    But there was one little problem:

    How the hell do I get out of here?

    There was only one person I could ask.

    I just hope she''s not mad at me.

    I retraced my steps and, after clearing the dust from the end of a bench, sat down in the deserted station, immersed in silence.

    I pulled out my phone and dialled Silver Wolf''s number again. A part of me feared she would not answer, but that was not the case.

    "Yo��"

    "Wolf�� It''s me."

    "Of course it''s you, dummy. You are the only one who has this number!"

    "I guess you are right... why did you answer normally? Can''t you materialise where I am?"

    "Of course I can, but last time you made a scene about it and... I think it would be a bit awkward at the moment."

    Oh... it''s not like her to be so tactful. I really did behave like a child before, didn''t I?

    "Silver Wolf... I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have yelled at you like that, I wasn''t myself."

    There was a small pause, and suddenly the figure of my companion Stellaron Hunter appeared by my side, sitting on the bench.

    "It''s all right. How do you feel now, Firefly?" she asked, her gaze lost in the void.

    Silver Wolf...

    If Stelle was the first person I ever called my friend, this petite girl was the second.

    When she first joined us Stellaron Hunters, I thought of her as just a colleague but, after Stelle had made me open up a little, we had grown closer.

    We weren''t really compatible, in fact we had completely different tastes.

    Silver Wolf lived for exciting things, whether it was a new video game or hacking IPC sites.

    I was the opposite, all I craved was peace.

    If Wolf''s ideal evening was a gaming session with plenty of snacks, mine was lying on the lawn watching the stars.

    But we still got on well, perhaps because we were each other''s balance.

    It wasn''t a deep relationship, but it was a reassuring one, for someone like me.

    However, things had grown colder between us recently.

    All because of me.

    After losing Stelle, I had withdrawn into myself, rejecting all attempts by my allies to comfort me.

    But despite everything... she still cares for me... even though I treated her terribly not even an hour ago.

    "I''m fine now. I''ve calmed down. You can call me Sam as usual, don''t worry."

    "Let''s just stick with Firefly... after all, on this mission you''re mostly acting with your own body, aren''t you?"

    "Silver wolf... thank you."

    We Stellaron Hunters may be villains, and we may not always agree on our methods, but... we still care about each other.

    "No big deal... you''re such a dummy. If only I could turn into a robot! I just don''t understand you."

    I laughed quietly.

    Maybe it''s for the best... her bounty would exceed Kafka''s if she had SAM as a toy.

    "You''ve changed, Firefly," Wolf said suddenly.

    "Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked confused.

    "Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that you are back to the way you used to be. I can''t even remember the last time I heard you laugh."

    "Oh..."

    "What power does that girl have over you? You''ve looked like a zombie ever since Kafka and I took her to the station. Now you only had to spend one day with her and everything seems to be fine again..."

    It''s so obvious...

    I had already realised it.

    Seeing her again had made something that had withered inside me blossom again.

    This inner change was apparently also reflected on the outside.

    "She... let''s say if I were a character in a video game, she would be my perfect counter."

    "Oh... then she has to teach me some supereffective moves against you!" Silver Wolf giggled.

    But she quickly became serious again.

    "I''m a bit worried, though. Firefly, forgive me for saying this, but don''t forget that you are in a dream."

    "I know..."

    "I''m not so sure. What happened before..."

    Wolf''s words faded into nothingness.

    It was clear that she didn''t want to say anything that would remind me of what had happened. But I understood what she meant.

    I can''t escape reality... even if I want to.

    If I had become too involved in the dream, I would have risked never wanting to wake up again.

    "I understand, Silver Wolf... but let me dream a little longer. I have already achieved something very precious," I said, clutching the phone, "but I am sure there is still something for me here in Penacony. Maybe I won''t get my wish and I''ll wake up in my old, bitter reality. But I still want to try... at least I want to find an answer."

    "An answer?"

    Why do people choose to slumber?  Is the answer I have come up with really the right one?

    "And anyway... I still have two deaths waiting for me," I continued, evading the question.

    ��Firefly����

    "It''s alright. I''ll do what I have to do, I won''t hesitate any longer. Now tell me... I need to get out of here and back to the hotel, how can I do that?"

    "Let me see..." Silver Wolf replied as she started to fiddle with her phone.

    "Why do you want to come back by the way? To tell that girl you''re ok? You know I could just send her a message, don''t you?"

    "I know. But I want to be the one to tell her the truth and... there''s another reason."

    The two people who were with her.

    At that moment I had only been concentrating on Stelle, but now, with a clear mind, I realised that something was wrong.

    The Memokeeper Black Swan and... Acheron?

    Why were those two women with her instead of her Astral Express companions?

    I have no idea what their intentions are, but... I have to find a way to separate Stelle from them, I can''t allow her to be manipulated by anyone!

    "Wolf, when you''ve finished what you''re doing, can you check the identity of a person called Acheron?"

    "Sure, I''ll do it right away... multitasking is my speciality," Wolf replied, "let''s see... she checked in to the Reverie as Acheron, Galaxy Ranger."

    Galaxy Ranger?

    As far as I knew, Rangers were followers of the Path of the Hunt. They travelled the universe to bring justice by force, hunting down criminals and evil beings.

    Criminals... maybe she''s on to me.

    With a bounty of over 9 billion credits on my head, I was definitely infamous. Perhaps she had heard the rumour that I was here and had come looking for me.

    But a Galaxy Ranger... a hero of justice... that''s not the impression that woman gave me.

    "Ok, I''ve found a way out, Firefly, but... you''re not going to like it."

    "Let me guess... does it involve my armor?" I asked with a sigh.

    "Unfortunately, yes. You can''t dream like a normal human, but... the method you used to enter the Dreamscape should work here. I Instead of plunging into memoria... you have to go back up. It''ll hurt like hell though."

    "Alright."

    I stood up and materialised Sam''s device in my right hand.

    "Are you... sure? I can see if I can find another way."

    "That''s fine, Silver Wolf... I... thank you, so much."

    My companion smiled at me:

    "Okay, to make it up to me, when you get back from the mission, you MUST try a new game I bought!"

    "I thought you didn''t like the way I play games..."

    "I HATE it. But playing in multyplayer is always better than alone and besides... I still haven''t forgiven you for playing with that girl before me!"

    "Alright, it''s a promise. I''ll get back to you later."

    "See you later and... take care."

    Silver Wolf''s hologram vanished, leaving me alone in the deserted station.

    The time had come.

    I clutched the gadget to my chest so tightly it hurt.

    Article 22 of Glamoth''s military regulations: Knights m-

    Stelle... I''ll come back to you.

    I stretched out my right arm and a flash of green light lit up the night.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    I was back in my cold cockpit.

    But the lingering warmth of Stelle''s embrace was enough to bear that sensation.

    I would have preferred not to experience it in this sweet dream, but now... the time had come to show my resolve.

    Two flaming green wings erupted from my back and in a moment I was high in the sky, leaving a luminous trail behind me.

    I did not look back. I had only one goal in mind and I would reach it as quickly as possible.

    As I sped through the night sky, crossing currents of memoria, images from the past once again appeared before my eyes. But this time I ignored them.

    Her smile was like a talisman that kept the bad thoughts away.

    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a powerful light began to shine in front of me until... there I was... at the place of my first death.

    But I was not alone.

    Dozens upon dozens of memetic creatures infested the hotel lobby.

    The metallic sound SAM made when he landed on the floor seemed to have alerted them to my presence.

    It seems the situation here has only gotten worse.  I hope Stelle is safe ... Since I''m still in Complete Combustion, I can get rid of these things quickly before I go looking for her.

    Two plasma swords materialised in my hands.

    "Initiate: Clean Up."

    I began to dart through the lobby, mowing down my opponents with methodical precision.

    I was in my element.

    If I was still self-conscious and nervous about being Firefly, being Sam was so easy for me... maybe that was why I hated it so much.

    The fact that I was so efficient at killing and destroying was just proof of the identity I was trying to escape from.

    Within a minute, the hotel lobby became a smoldering graveyard of meme carcasses.

    "Targets eliminated," I said.

    Talking like that was a habit I had kept since my days as a member of the Iron Cavalry.

    Though I shunned that past, the training was far too ingrained in my brain.

    But thanks to her, at least I managed to...

    I heard something behind me.

    I turned to see one of those animated televisions emerging from beneath the bodies of its kind.

    I missed one... I guess I''m a bit rusty.

    I had deactivated my enhanced state, but there was no need for it against such an enemy.

    I grabbed the meme hard and slammed it to the ground, shattering its metal body.

    Then I heard the sound of footsteps.

    Did I miss another one?

    But when I turned around, I realised that I hadn''t.

    Destiny can be so cruel. Are you happy, Elio? I played in the palm of your hand.

    "Stellaron Hunter Sam..." said Memokeeper Blackswan.

    "Stelle, careful!" shouted Acheron.

    But the grey-haired girl had already approached me. She brandished her bat and gave me a look of pure hatred.

    ��

    "You... betrayed her! You left her to die... you bastard..."

    It was as if all the happiness had been sucked out of me.

    I was used to being regarded as a bloodthirsty monster by the whole world.

    But to see Stelle, of all people, look at me like that was just too much.

    Maybe it would have been better if I had really died.

    I wanted nothing more than to step out of my armor and explain everything, clear up any misunderstandings, but...

    If I tried to defy the script again... I would only be delaying the inevitable and perhaps making our eventual confrontation even worse

    By now my vision was obscured by tears but, here, alone in my armour, no one would ever notice and no one would ever come to comfort me.

    Now that it''s come down to it... I''ll play my role... just as you taught me.

    <hr>

    ��Say, Firefly... how do you behave when you are on a mission inside SAM?

    By now I was used to these out-of-the-blue questions from her.

    "Behave? What do you mean?" I asked her, giving her a confused look across the kitchen table.

    "Suppose you meet someone and you need to talk to them... how do you deal with them?"

    I gave her a bitter smile:

    "Usually my targets don''t even have time to see me coming, let alone start a conversation..."

    "So you''re always silent?"

    "Not really... I told you, I used to be a soldier. When you spend a good part of your life in an army... certain things get stuck in your head. So every now and then... I find myself repeating phrases that we Iron Cavalry members used during our missions."

    "What kind of phrases?"

    "I..."

    I felt myself blushing. For some reason, it was embarrassing to say those words in my normal voice without SAM''s voice change module.

    "Come on, I promise I won''t laugh!"

    "Things like "Initiate: cleanup!" or... "Execute: Scorched Earth Operation."

    I could clearly see Stelle''s face twitch. It was clear that she was doing everything she could not to burst out laughing in my face.

    I don''t blame her... how could anyone take those words seriously when they were said in my girlish voice?

    I, however, did not find much to laugh about. After all, those words only conjured up images of death and suffering in my mind.

    "I think you could do better... you should come up with something more effective," Stelle commented after finally managing to compose herself.

    I looked at her with a raised eyebrow:

    "Stelle, how many times do I have to tell you? This is not a game for me. When I''m on a mission, I just want to finish it as soon as possible..."

    "That''s exactly why I''m suggesting it to you. Since you don''t like what you''re doing... why don''t you try to distance yourself from it? You could build yourself a character... you are a villain after all."

    "Stelle..."

    Obviously, she had thought a lot about this playful suggestion, and behind it was only her genuine concern to make me feel better.

    Creating a character... it sounds like a way of running away from reality. But... if it helps me cope... and I don''t want to deny her efforts.

    Giving in to the impulse, I asked her:

    "What did you have in mind?"

    "Well, if you want to create a proper villain. You have to have proper one-liners. How about: ALL THE WORLD WILL BURN!!!��

    I immediately began to regret the decision to indulge her. Stelle started proposing an endless series of phrases, one cheesier than the other, while begging me to try to recite them.

    "I would rather die than say something so embarrassing!" I exclaimed after yet another suggestion.

    "Phew... you''re really impossible to please," replied Stelle pouting, "why don''t you try creating one then?"

    "Me?!..."

    But I couldn''t deny that, as I listened to her, my mind had started working. And I had already thought of a sentence that sounded extremely cool.

    Clenching my fists and closing my eyes, I hurriedly uttered it.

    "..."

    After a moment of silence, Stelle burst out laughing loudly.

    "YOU PROMISED!"

    "I''m sorry... it''s just that''s the lamest thing I''ve ever heard... I''m sorry... but how the hell would you set fire to water?!"

    "I hate you..."

    <hr>

    "A Galaxy Ranger�� and a Memokeeper. Leave now, and nobody gets hurt. Or else�� all of you will die here."

    My voice was broken with tears, but SAM''s voice modulator returned only a cold, mechanical tone, without any hesitation.

    Stelle did not seem intimidated by my threat. Before she could rush to attack me, like a flash Acheron stood before her.

    I lunged at her, aiming at her sword with my fist as I said:

    "The detective game is over. You shouldn��t be here."

    The Galaxy Ranger parried the blow with the sheath of her sword.

    In my mind, I had already formulated a plan: I would focus my attacks on her and Black Swan, trying to create an opening that would allow me to grab Stelle and take her away.

    But this woman was certainly a formidable opponent. Her speed and the way she had blocked my blow had made me realise it immediately.

    I had to fight harder, but still make sure I didn''t hurt Stelle.

    Going into Complete Combustion is out of the question. But... Stelle is strong, if I stick to Secondary Combustion she shouldn''t be in any danger.

    Despite the fact that the tears showed no sign of stopping, I didn''t want to hesitate.

    I would have done anything to protect her and tell her the truth.

    And not just what was possible... I would have found a way to do the impossible.

    For her��

    I��

    "... WILL SET THE SEAS ABLAZE!"

    The shell of my armour began to emit roaring scarlet flames

    "Move 4: IGNITE!"

    I switched on my propulsion systems and launched a flaming kick at Acheron. The woman sidestepped at the last moment. A crater opened at the point of impact.

    I felt the presence of someone behind me. Stelle was about to strike me from behind with her bat.

    I let the blow crash harmlessly against my armor as I incinerated a tarot card that Black Swan had thrown at me, using the flame vents installed under my arms.

    I sprinted towards the Memokeeper but, before I could reach her, Acheron intercepted my charge with an electrified bolt from her blade, still safely in its sheath.

    The blow was enough to stop me, but did not seem to do any damage.

    We''re at a standstill... I can''t do much with so little power...

    But out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that gave me an idea.

    Stelle had switched to her lance after noticing that her bat was completely ineffective against my armour.

    Now that she''s using her Preservation powers... this is my chance.

    I amplified the thrusters and flames roared at my feet.

    "Once you''re back in the real world, remember to tell everyone, about the Stellaron Hunter who was behind your ultimate departure," I declared, trying to warn her that something big was about to happen.

    I launched myself into the air, flying over the lobby.

    I overcharged my armour with all the power the Secondary state would allow.

    "Executing: Scorched Earth Operation!"

    I swooped down, hitting the floor with my fist.

    A huge explosion went off from the point of impact, sweeping away every object in the vicinity.

    Using my enhanced senses, I recognised the siloutte of Stelle through the thick layer of black smoke my attack had caused.

    NOW!

    I sprinted towards her, extending an arm to grab her.

    But when I was barely a metre from her, a figure landed in front of me.

    I was just in time to parry her electricity-imbued attack.

    She��s�� too fast��

    Acheron seemed to have decided to go on the offensive. There was nothing I could do but retreat: if I had tried to fight back, I would have hit Stelle as well.

    I must think of a new-

    But while I was thinking about what to do, I saw that Black Swan had appeared next to Stelle. I had no time to blink before they were gone.

    I immediately lost all desire to fight.

    I... failed again.

    Acheron continued her attack, but I just backed away.

    Now I could give it my all, but... what for? I have no reason to fight her now.

    Acheron seemed to realise that something had changed and distanced herself, remaining on guard.

    ...she''s not fighting with all her strength either... she didn''t even draw her sword....

    "Better unsheathe that blade now. Ranger." I tried to provoke her.

    After a moment of silence, Acheron sighed and said:

    "...Do you still dream, hunter, of those slain by your hand?"

    Why this question...?

    But while I was trying to think of an answer, the woman grabbed the hilt of her sword, barely pulling it out of its sheath.

    The shiver I had felt the first time I laid eyes on that weapon came back way stronger. For a moment, it was as if all the colours of the world had vanished, leaving only a black and white desolation.

    But after a moment... everything returned to normal.

    "...I still see them in my dreams. Hold it. Your time hasn''t come yet."

    "My time��?"

    That blade�� what I just felt�� is she truly a follower of the path of the Hunt?

    ��I''ve seen many clever disguises that can conceal appearances, but they can never cover up who a person really is. And you''re no different.

    You had no desire to kill Stelle. You only did what you did to drive me and the Memokeeper away... but why?��

    She�� saw through me. I guess she could tell I was holding back�� but with disguise�� does she mean��?

    In the face of my silence, Acheron continued to press me:

    "Did Destiny''s Slave make you do it?"

    "You know Elio."

    She��s not just a Galaxy Ranger, I��m sure of it. The way she��s reading me like an open book, without even been able to see my face�� it��s kinda creepy.

    "I thought this is just the kind of thing that''d get written into your script."

    "My script has always been brief. Other than that. Anything beyond that is unnecessary. He knows my nature: There is but a single destiny, from which no one can escape�� and until then, I hold the privilege of choice. However, you appear to be ignorant of this, so it''s time for me to inquire: who exactly are you?" I tried to change the topic.

    I don''t want to vent in front of her... Elio knows how much I hate following his script... so he tricked me... In the end, I just did what he wanted, as usual.

    "Not your enemy, perhaps."

    "That''s not what I asked."

    "I don''t deserve your curiosity. Loners wandering the cosmos always have their secrets. Take me. I''m wanted by the IPC, so it''s little wonder that I know something about the Stellaron Hunters... That''s all. Maybe I can help."

    "What reason would you have for doing that?"

    As far as she knows, I''m just a criminal... why would she want to help... does she...?

    "I tend to forget things, which is why, rather than memories, I''m accustomed to using my emotions to capture what I normally wouldn''t otherwise. So...I know who is inside that cold armor."

    ...

    I didn''t think for a second that she was bluffing.

    She knows.

    For a moment I felt as if Acheron''s sharp violet eyes pierced my armour to fix on mine, still flushed with tears.

    "How about it? Ready to take off that armor and sit down for a talk?"

    For a moment I considered accepting her offer. From the way she spoke, I could sense a great wisdom emanating from Acheron. The wisdom of one who had travelled far and wide for a long time. She could have given me some good advice, I was sure of it.

    But then...

    "It''s not yet time."

    I want Stelle to be the first to see me come out of the armor. And... in the condition I''m in now... I don''t want to be seen by someone like her. I''m really pathetic...

    But still, I think I can trust her.

    "I don''t need help, but I can give you a suggestion that would make things better for you and me. If your goal is the Watchmaker''s Legacy, then go look into The Family. Not only are they covering up the existence of Death, but they''re burying the truth about what happens inside the Dreamscape."

    If I can''t reach Stelle... maybe she can help her.

    "Already on it."

    "And��the Astral Express is no enemy of yours."

    "I know that... I just never expected to hear you say it."

    I just hope that Memokeeper also thinks the same��

    As if she had read my mind, Acheron asked:

    "What''s next, then? Stelle''s been taken by Black Swan. Will you go look for her?"

    I wouldn''t want to do anything else, but... I might create more problems. I''d better start investigating that place and... just follow my script.

    "No need for that... No harm in mentioning that Elio''s only given me one instruction: "Get all of the Astral Express to track down the grand legacy". I tried settling this in an easier and more direct way, but as you can see, here I am, confronting you: I failed. Can''t ever go against the script."

    "The so-called impossible is merely something that has yet to happen"

    That''s... what I always wanted to believe... but after what''s happened... can I really still do that?

    "...That''s it. Before we split, can I ask you one more thing?  Is there anything else in your script about me? I''d like to know what kind of footnote I get to leave in that future foreseen by destiny?"

    I don''t remember seeing her name when I scrolled through the script...

    "Unfortunately, not a thing came up."

    "...I knew it."

    The woman turned her back on me ready to leave. But before she did I stopped her, I wanted to give her an answer.

    Or maybe... I really just wanted to vent.

    "Hang on�� I don��t."

    "I don��t what?" asked Acheron turning towards me.

    "Your first question was: "Do you still have dreams about everyone who died because of you?  I don''t. Never have. I was born without the ability to dream.

    I live for this cold harsh reality, for a little light, and to burn... to keep on burning, until I turn to ash."

    The tears had started to fall again.

    "So, I really envy you."

    "Is that so��"

    The look Acheron gave me was full of compassion.

    "Then you''re already living in the waking world."

    I waited for the woman to disappear into the winding corridors of the hotel before deactivating my armour.

    I fell to my knees, the sobs that had been trapped within the cold steel walls of the cockpit now echoing freely through the deserted lobby.

    I cried and cried until I had no more tears to shed.

    It was true. Today I had done nothing but run for fear of waking up from this fantastic dream I had fallen into.

    But someone like me... couldn''t really dream. It was all an illusion. An incredibly sweet one.

    Just a glimmer of light in the darkness of my existance.

    In the end... was running away so wrong when the alternative was a reality of suffering?

    I... still don''t have the answer. But there is only one way to find it.

    I stood up clenching my fists.

    I am not going to give up. In the end I may only be heading towards my predestined end, but... until then... I will decide my own actions.

    "The so-called impossible is merely something that has yet to happen."

    I�� really want to believe that.

    Even if it didn''t work out this time, and maybe it never will, I''ll try to find Stelle again.  And this time... I''ll show her every side of me.

 9. All that I am

    Over the next few days I immersed myself in investigating the secret part of the Dreamscape I had discovered.

    Being active helped me to keep away the worries that plagued me:

    Will I be able to reach Stelle and tell her the truth? And if I''ll manage to... how will she react?

    The look of pure hatred she had given me when I was inside SAM continued to haunt me like a waking nightmare.

    The thing I feared most was to see that look again, not directed at my armor, but at my real face.

    To have reacted like that... my ''death'' must have caused her so much pain... what will happen when she finds out I''m alive?

    Will she be happy and run to embrace me or... will she hate me for keeping all these secrets from her?

    Fortunately, there was so much to discover in the place called Dreamflux Reef, The Land of Exiles, that I was able to keep my mind occupied.

    First of all, I had managed to find a way to get back there.

    It turned out that there was a very simple way to make the Meme appear.

    After I had finished crying my tears in the hotel lobby, I had remained silent , eyes closed, thinking.

    Then I had heard that creature''s screech again. But when I had opened my eyes again, I had seen nothing.

    So I had closed them again and waited... until I felt the blade of memoria pierce my flesh again.

    Maybe it''s shy and doesn''t want people to look at it...

    After walking all the way down the alley that led to the abandoned station, I had found myself in front of a huge statue of Clockie.

    It had nothing to do with the polished monunent I had visited in the Golden Hour. It reminded me of a toy, abandoned by its owner to gather dust.

    I had then taken a lift that kept going up and up until, through its bars, an incredible spectacle had appeared before me.

    The sky in this strange part of the Dreamscape reflected all twelve Moments of Penacony.

    The giant skyscrapers of the Golden Hour were upside down above me, so that I could see their roofs.

    The intuition I had in Dreamscape version of the Reverie Hotel was correct: the Dreamscape was sinking at the moment and its destination was the Dreamflux Reef.

    I soon realised why.

    This place was where it had all started, this was where the Watchmaker had laid the first stones to transform Penacony from a prison into a Land of Dreams.

    The Watchmaker was the key to everything. And now I was finally sure that they really existed.

    At the centre of the Dreamflux Reef were three steles commemorating three fallen heroes.

    Only two names were legible : Razalina Jane Estella and Breukelen Tiernan.

    With Silver Wolf''s help, it was not difficult for me to discover that they were two Nameless who had left their mark in the history of Penacony.

    So to who was dedicated the third, illegible gravestone?

    Their companion, the Watchmaker of Penacony... Mikhail Char Legwork.

    The floating phrases in the hotel... were those the Watchmaker''s memories?

    But the surprises were not yet over.

    As I had discovered on my first trip, this place was not deserted, quite the opposite in fact. The Dreamflux reef even had a commercial and a residential area with many inhabitants.

    Some of them seemed to be in a strange state of daze. The reason was to be found in the way they had arrived here: the Memory Zone Meme.

    Or as the locals called it, Sleepie.

    Who came up with such a cute name for it?

    Despite its frightening appearance, it was not an evil being.

    Its purpose was to transport here those who were invited by his creator.

    Sometimes, however, he would get carried away and bring some unlucky unrelated people to this part of the Dreamscape.

    I''m sure I''m not one of them.

    I was certain that I had been brought here for a very specific reason.

    During my exploration I had come across another incredible sight: a black hole of memoria that seemed to devour everything around it.

    As I stared at that terrifying sight, I understood.

    Creating a dream realm as stable and lasting as Penacony, even with all the memoria of Asdana''s star system... was it really possible?

    How had the Watchmaker managed such an incredible feat?

    There could only be one answer: he had used as his foundation stone something that could make the impossible possible.

    A Stellaron. That was the terrible secret the Family had tried so hard to keep hidden. The reason why Penacony was slowly sinking.

    A Stellaron disaster... and who better to deal with it than a Stellaron Hunter.

    The Legacy... it probably didn''t even exist. Whoever had sent the invitation had only wanted to lure us here to solve the impending crisis.

    And as for the sender of the letter... I was almost certain I knew his identity.

    One name was often whispered about by the inhabitants of the Land of the Exiles: Gallagher.

    That man, whom I had met at my first meeting with Stelle, had immediately struck me as suspicious.

    The name of an important officer of the Bloodhound family could not have been missing from the list of important players that Silver Wolf had given me before I arrived in Penacony.

    The reason for this absence was now obvious. There was no trace of Gallagher''s name in any of the Family''s records.

    It was as if the man did not exist.

    In any case, I was not the only person he had invited here recently.

    During my explorations I had discovered that a very important figure was also here: Robin, Penacony''s most famous singer and sister of Sunday, the head of the Oak family.

    I had decided to keep my distance from her for the time being, so as not to reveal my identity.

    I would have liked to ask her an autograph...

    But now that a representative of the Family and one of the Stellaron Hunters were here... there was only one faction missing that could help deal with a Stellaron: the Astral Express.

    <hr>

    I sighed inside SAM as my gaze was lost in the blue infinity of the memoria around me.

    In the end, I had never managed to reach Stelle.

    I had tried to rise from the depths of the Dreascape into which I had sunk eleven times. But I had not even been able to return to the hotel.

    The pain caused by that ascent was too great. Perhaps my body had become accustomed to the memoria texture of the Dreamflux Reef and refused to leave it.

    I had no choice but to wait and reluctantly turn to the only source that could tell me how to act: my script.

    That was why, at this very moment, I was trying to escape the Lands of Exile once again.

    Thanks to the script, I knew it would not be like the other times.

    The pain was unbearable, but I clenched my teeth until... I felt it.

    It was the same sensation I had experienced when Acheron had drawn her blade, but much, much stronger.

    Suddenly it seemed as if the whole world was shaking, and a rift opened before me.

    Without hesitation, I threw myself into it.

    The place I arrived at was a simple platform in a sea of memoria, with a portrait up a small flight of stairs.

    I had never seen it in person, but I had heard of it.

    This... must be the entrance to the Dreamscape. The boundary between reality and dream.

    Normally, all visitors to Penacony entered the Dreamscape from here, but that was obviously not the case for me.

    I had no time to look around before a flash of red light illuminated the platform.

    My heart stopped for a moment.

    Finally... I see her again.

    Stelle had appeared before me, unconscious on the ground.

    She was not alone: a woman with flowing red hair, a man with brown hair and round glasses and a young girl were beside her.

    Unlike her, they were getting up.

    Her companions from the Astral Express.

    I stood still, watching them, until the three of them became aware of my presence.

    The atmosphere immediately became tense.

    The pink-haired girl materialised a bow and pointed it at me, while the two older members glared at me.

    "Stellaron Hunter Sam, I was wondering when you would reappear. Our companion told us of your encounter," the redhead commented.

    She has such a mature appearance... she must be Himeko. The man is too old to be Dan Heng, so he must be Welt Yang. The girl can only be March 7th.

    "Hold it. I''m not here to fight you," I explained quickly.

    "As if we could believe that," March replied.

    But Himeko motioned for her to lower her weapon.

    "If you''re not here to fight, then you must have something to tell us."

    "Exactly. I''m here to give you some important information... about the Legacy you seek."

    "Information? At what cost?" asked Welt, raising an eyebrow.

    "None. My script instructs me to help you."

    "I see. We are at least willing to listen to you."

    Thank goodness... fighting them would''ve made everything so much worse. Maybe that''s what would''ve happened if I tried to escape the last confrontation with Stelle.

    I explained the true nature of the creature that haunted the Dreamscape, the kind of "death" it caused and the place it led to.

    After I had finished, Himeko''s gaze had softened for some reason.

    Strange... from what Kafka told me, she is usually very wary of us Stellaron Hunters.

    But I soon understood the reason for this strange behaviour.

    "Inside that armor... you are Miss Firefly, aren''t you?  Stelle told us so much about you."

    "..."

    For a moment, I thought my armor had become transparent.

    It was the second time someone had easily guessed my identity like that.

    But then I realised that, after listening to my story and connecting the dots... it wasn''t that hard to come up with that answer.

    In the face of my silence, Himeko explained:

    "The experience you told us about corresponds to the one Stelle faced together with that girl.

    But if that creature does not kill its victims, it means that Miss Firefly is still alive. The fact that Sam appeared at the scene of her "death" leaves only one explanation."

    At this point, there was no point in denying the evidence. I was going to tell Stelle everything anyway.

    "That''s right. I am the girl Stelle met at the Golden Hour. The reason I am here is not only to give you this information, but... I would like to talk to and apologise to her for the trouble I have caused."

    "You better do that! I''ve never seen her so devastated... she''s always such a menace, but she was so sad!" commented March 7th.

    "We should move on," said Welt, "we just have to wait with our eyes closed, right?"

    "Yes, but... do you really want to leave Stelle alone with me?" I asked, surprised.

    "If there''s one person a Stellaron Hunter would never hurt, it''s her. Besides, I want to trust our friend''s judgement of your character."

    Stelle... I... did I mean that much to you? Unlike me... as far as you knew, we had only just met...

    I watched as Sleepie appeared behind the members of the Astral Express, its blades penetrated them and their bodies faded into memoria bubbles.

    Now, in this border between dream and reality, there was only me and Stelle, still unconscious.

    I turned my back on her. I knew that when she woke I would not be able to bear her gaze.

    I don''t want her to look at me like that again.

    After what seemed like an eternity, I felt Stelle move behind me.

    I sighed... the moment I had partly feared and partly awaited with trepidation had arrived.

    How would she react? There was only one way to know.

    I decided to start speaking.

    "You''re awake," I said.

    SAM''s cold voice echoed through the deserted place.

    "You... what are you doing here! What have you done? Where are the others?"

    She thinks I did something to her companions...

    "I didn''t do anything but wait for you to wake up. You''ve met me before, I''m Sam, a Stellaron Hunter."

    "Do you really think I''ve forgotten who you are? You''re lucky that Black Swan took me away a few days ago... Why are you here? Want to pick up where we left off?"

    "No... I''m not here to fight you."

    "You''re not... so what do you want from me? To apologise? My friend is dead because of you! Don''t think I don''t know that.

    We had a Memokeeper with us, we saw that you at her side and how you betrayed her. "

    "That is not what happened."

    "Ah, you think you can get away with lying? We clearly heard her exclaim, "this isn''t what we agreed on," and then, "Mecha... why!? Do you think there are other robots around here to put the blame on? So tell me, why did you abandon her?"

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    So it''s because of those sentences that she thinks it went like that...

    "I am here specifically to give you the answers you want. I originally planned on showing up earlier to reveal the truth to you. But I encountered more roadblocks than expected. Eleven times, I''ve tried, but ended in failure. Before I knew it, this world and I became too intertwined and it became too difficult to escape the constraints of the script."

    I continued to speak, reciting the words I had prepared for her.

    A part of me wanted nothing more than to stop.

    My greatest fear was that what I had gained so far, the precious memories I had built with her, would be shattered, tainted forever by my lies.

    "...Elio is right. In this Land of the Dreams, you and I will reap unforgettable gains. I don''t know people''s hearts as well as he and Kafka do, nor do I have a specialty like Silver Wolf and Blade.

    Most of the things that I''m good at only apply to villains who need no mercy."

    I paused for a moment to gather my courage.

    "So... I only found this method to make you understand... This is to show you..."

    My armor disappeared in a swirl of flames and I landed in front of her as I had a long time ago for the first time.

    "...all that I am." I finished, turning to look at her for the first time.

    Stelle''s eyes widened in shock.

    "FIREFLY!"

    The girl took two steps forward.

    For a moment, I was sure she was going to run to me and hug me.

    But... she stopped.

    Stelle stepped back and looked at me as if she couldn''t believe her eyes.

    "This... this is a dream, isn''t it? It''s an illusion... a dream bubble! Or... I know what is happening... you are that girl! The one with the mask... you are so messed up for trying to trick me by taking the appearance of my dead friend!"

    But it was clear that she didn''t believe her own words either. After all, she knew that the girl called Firefly was hiding something.

    "No... we are still in a dream, it is true, but... I am the real Firefly... the girl you met at the Golden Hour, the one who gave you a tour and treated you to a meal at Clockie''s Diner... the one you took a picture of playing with sparklers and... the one who brought you to her special place at the Dream''s Edge."

    As I recalled the memories we had shared that day, Stelle had no choice but to believe me.

    "It''s... really you..." she took a step forward but then stopped again, "... how is it possible? I saw you die before my eyes... your body exploded in my arms in drops of memoria..."

    "I am sorry that I made you witness such a thing... it was not my intention. That creature didn''t actually kill me. Though it gave off a scent of death, it is not possible to lose your life in the Dreamscape.

    Its role is different and I wil-"

    "What about Sam? Who is he... why was he here a few moments ago... and why was he at the place of your death?"

    Her expression had changed. Now that she had accepted the fact that I was indeed alive, that was the most important question.

    A question to which I could see in her eyes that she already had the answer. She just didn''t want to accept it.

    Everything is falling apart... but I can''t lie to her anymore.

    "Sam... that''s me. He''s my true identity. I am a Stellaron Hunter."

    "Inside that armor... it was you?"

    "Yes..."

    "When you''re in there... is there something that takes over? Like an AI... a split personality or..."

    Stelle''s words faded into the void.

    She was trying hard not to face reality. Just like me.

    "No... there is no such thing. I''m in complete control of the mecha suit. The voice you heard is mine, it''s just a voice modulator that makes it sound like that."

    I clearly saw the despair on Stelle''s face when she heard these words. Despair that soon gave way to anger.

    "Why... didn''t you say anything?" asked Stelle in a trembling voice, "I... thought you were dead... it made me feel in a way I never experienced before. But you... when I met you in the lobby inside the armor... you said nothing. You could have told me you were all right."

    "I... did everything I could to make sure it didn''t happen. But that confrontation was in my script. If I had tried to avoid it again... I don''t know what would have happened."

    My words did not seem to calm Stelle down, in fact her anger only increased.

    "Your script?! Oh... I see. You really... are a Stellaron Hunter. You''re just like Kafka... you don''t care about other people as long as you get to complete your mission."

    "No Stelle, that''s not..."

    I thought I was prepared... but this hurts so much.

    "I guess I should thank you for the lesson you taught me... I had already snuffed you out for the liar you were, but I decided to trust you anyway.

    I bet you and your friends were laughing your asses off about what an idiot I am".

    "Stelle, please, I didn''t..."

    But by now she was beside herself. Her eyes were filled with tears of anger that slowly trickled down her flushed face.

    "Did you enjoy playing with my feelings? It must have been fun, huh? The idiot Trailblazer falling for your tear-jerker of a backstory?"

    I couldn''t say anything. It hurt so much... but since I had made her suffer, I thought I deserved it.

    Stelle''s anger seemed to quickly fade though, replaced by what looked like quiet disappointment.

    "Firefly... wait, is that even your real name? Sam, have you told me a single truth all this time? Everything was fake, wasn''t it... it was just a game to you.

    For once I really thought I had found someone who really just wanted to spend time with me... without any ulterior motives.

    Nothing to do with world threatening stuff or any other Astral Express mission. But in the end... it couldn''t be further from the truth. The moments we shared together... were all just a lie."

    Those words finally made me react.

    "NO!" I shouted as I ran towards her and grabbed her jacket, "I don''t blame you for hating me for what I''ve done and I understand if you don''t want to have anything to do with me anymore... but please don''t say that... those moments... they weren''t fake. If they were... I don''t think I would have the strength to go on."

    Stelle looked away and murmured:

    "As if I could believe a word you say..."

    "You have every right not to believe me, but... please at least listen to what I have to say. I won''t deny that I lied and hid stuff from you, but... I want to tell you the truth now. The whole truth.

    It''s fine if you don''t want to accept it but... at least listen to me".

    Stelle huffed but remained silent. Taking that as a sign of agreement, I let her go and began to talk.

    I explained my mission to help her get to the Watchmaker''s Legacy and the confrontation that was planned in our script.

    "As I told you when we were at the Clockie''s Diner... I don''t like to follow a path that someone else has decided for me..."

    I paused briefly to allow Stelle to ask a few questions. But since the girl just ignored me, I continued.

    "The actions I have taken since coming here have been to avoid that fight. I wanted to complete my mission in a simpler and more direct manner, without becoming your enemy.

    I intended to work hard to find the truth and then simply communicate it to you.

    But, I know you won''t believe me, I had no ulterior motive when I approached you that day. I... I really just wanted to meet you and become your friend.

    There would have been time later to complete my mission.

    At the end of that fantastic day, you would have returned to your comrades and I would have contacted you when I had discovered something useful."

    For a moment it seemed as if Stelle was going to cut me off, but instead he decided to let me continue.

    "But as you know, there was a mishap. The member of the Masked Fools took us to that strange part of the Dreamscape and together we encountered that creature."

    I explained to her what I had felt when the creature had taken me in its clutches, and my decision to stay at the hotel to investigate.

    "I tried to contact you at the time... but I guess my messages didn''t reach you," Stelle said, breaking her silence.

    "They didn''t... I tried myself. I''m sorry for worrying you... but I wanted to see it through.

    I wanted nothing more than to reveal everything to you as soon as possible... that''s why I asked Silver Wolf to contact you and explain how to get to where I was.

    But... things didn''t go as I had hoped. The Meme caught up with me at the worst possible time, before I could tell you the truth."

    "If that''s the case... why didn''t you just tell Silver Wolf to explain everything to me?"

    "I... I wanted you to hear everything from me. I wanted to apologise for deceiving you... but in the end I only managed to hurt you more."

    "At least you are aware of that..." Stelle commented coldly.

    "I am, and I''m willing to do anything to make it up to you..."

    "Mmph," Stelle just huffed.

    "Anyway, when that creature pierced me, my mind exploded... but after a while I woke up in a place that was very, very different from the dream we are used to.

    I tried to return to you to clarify what had happened, but... you know how that went.

    I decided to act out the scene from my script. Since then I''ve done nothing but try to reach you to tell you the truth, but, in the end, all I could do was wait for the script to give me the chance.

    In the end by trying to defy it, I just made a mess... I''m sorry."

    Stelle was silent for almost a minute, weighing my words. Finally she asked:

    "Assuming what you said is true... wasn''t there an easier way to get what you wanted? You see, I have met some of your colleagues before.

    As much as I dislike your methods, our goals are usually the same. If you had simply told me who you were from the start, I would not have refused an offer to cooperate."

    I hesitated for a moment: the time had come to reveal the most vulnerable part of myself. But if there was one person I could do it to, it was her.

    "You are right. I didn''t do it for my own selfish personal reasons..."

    "Personal reasons?" Stelle asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "I... I wanted to approach you as Firefly, not as Sam."

    "What... do you mean?"

    "Entropy Loss Syndrome, remember? It wasn''t a lie, I really do suffer from it. The thing is... the icy medical cabin I told you about... it''s SAM."

    "SAM... what the hell is that armour?"

    ��S.A.M, Firefly-Type IV Strategic Assault Mech. The armor... it''s the meaning of my existence. The only reason I came into this world is to pilot it.

    In the end... you were kind of right about Firefly being a fake name, after all I''m the one who chose it for myself. I didn''t have one when I was born, I was just identified by a number.

    AR-26710, a genetically engineered soldier whose sole purpose was to fight inside  SAM to defend Glamoth from the Swarm.

    My life was supposed to be all about fighting the enemy, until the day I burned to ashes. But then... Glamoth fell.

    In that moment, I realised that everything I''d done was completely meaningless: all my life up to that point, all the battles I had fought, all the lost lives of my comrades, had been for nothing."

    "Firefly..." Stelle began.

    But I stopped her.

    "It''s okay... I didn''t give up! I decided to use the time I had left to find a new meaning to my life.

    That''s why I agreed to join the Stellaron Hunters... I made a pact with Elio to fulfil my wish: to avoid the fate that condemns me to die as a weapon.

    But... things haven''t gone so well so far."

    I couldn''t help but smile bitterly.

    "Although I have found companions who care about me, I have never managed to be the person I want to be: Firefly.

    I just went from being an Iron Cavalry weapon to the Stellaron Hunters'' one.

    You see, ELS is not a natural disease. It is a fail-safe mechanism implanted in me that prevents me from escaping my true nature. It forces me to stay in SAM if I don''t want to vanish into thin air.

    It is a shackle that binds me to my past and drags me towards a future I never want to face...".

    For the second time, Stelle seemed to want to interrupt me, but I did not let her. I was afraid I would not be able to continue if she stopped me:

    "I''m not telling you all this to make you feel sorry for me.

    I just want you to understand how important the time we spent together was to me.

    Like I told you on the roof... this dream allowed me to experience what it''s like to live in my body like a normal girl.

    But the most important thing for me was not so much that...

    You know... I met a girl once. The short time I spent with her made me realise how important it was for me to have a bond with someone for whom I wasn''t just a weapon."

    My smile softened.

    "That''s why I approached you, I wanted to try to have that kind of connection again: a bond with someone who didn''t see me as Sam, but just as Firefly.

    And even though I built it through a castle of lies... even though I lied to you and made you feel hurt... I''m still glad I did it... I''m a terrible person."

    There was a moment of silence. Stelle did not seem to know how to respond to that torrent of words. But then she asked:

    "Why ... me? If all you wanted was a friend... you could have tried to approach a local, Since I''m a member of the Astral Express, it was obvious that I would''ve eventually find out everything you were hiding."

    "No... it had to be you."

    "Why? Don''t try to tell me it''s just because I''m a Nameless. When you answered me like that last time, it was clear that you were lying. You know... for someone who tells so many lies, you are surprisingly bad at it. I think I already told you once."

    She was right, maybe it was because I was in my armor all the time and I was not used to making eye contact with people.

    But what do I do now?

    I didn''t want to lie anymore. But... to remind her of the fact that her memories had been taken... it would have been cruel.

    I knew how much it hurt to be deprived of a part of your life. If my creators had stolen my future from me... she had been robbed of her past.

    In the end, I decided to tell her the truth.

    I said I would show her all that I am. The relationship I had with her past self is an important part of me.

    "Kafka told you, right? Before you lost your memory and joined the Astral Express, she was responsible for your training."

    "Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? Is she the one who pushed you to approach me? Come to think of it, it just sounds like a thing she would do..."

    "No. The fact is that ... the girl I told you about earlier ... my first friend ... it was you.

    When you weren''t on a mission with Kafka, you lived in our base and that''s how we met. Y-you were the most important person to me."

    I saw Stelle''s pupils dilate. The girl took another step back.

    "You''re not lying again, are you?"

    "No. If there''s one thing I''d never lie about, it''s this. You... saved me, Stelle. Thanks to you, I didn''t lose hope that one day I would be able to realise my dream.

    When fate separated us, it was like all the stars in the sky went out for me.

    But I finally got the chance to meet you again, and even though our relationship can never be what it once was, I am still incredibly happy to have seen you again."

    It was clear that Stelle had no idea how to react to this revelation.

    For a while the girl just stared at me, perhaps desperately searching her memory for an image of my face. But obviously it was impossible to find something that no longer existed.

    "I... I''m sorry. I don''t remember anything."

    "I know, don''t worry. When we parted, you told me that even if you didn''t remember me anymore, we could just start over.

    It was in a dream and for a short time, but the fact that you considered me your friend for a bit is all I wanted."

    "I..."

    "It''s ok. I''m sorry, it''s all my fault. My desire was so strong that I didn''t consider your feelings. Even now I''m hurting you. Maybe your friend Clockie was right: I''m neither kind, nor honest, nor innocent."

    "I-I don''t think you''re a bad person, Firefly." Stelle finally managed to speak.

    "Huh?"

    "I just think you''re too used to hiding things. I know lying is easier than telling the truth sometimes.

    But in the end, acting like this it''s only bound hurt yourself and the people you care about. I don''t think I can trust you anymore, even if I want to."

    I had nothing to say in response to that.

    My heart broke, but I could only respect her decision.

    I gave her a bitter smile.

    "I understand. Thank you for listening to me anyway. Now let me take you to your comrades and then ... I will leave you alone. I still want to help you, but... I will make sure that Silver Wolf contacts you."

    Stelle sighed:

    "What I wanted to say is: you will have to work hard if you want to regain my trust..."

    I remained petrified.

    It''s not possible, not after everything I put her through.

    "Stelle you..."

    "Don''t get me wrong, I haven''t forgiven you yet. But I really want to believe that you told me the truth this time, so I want to give you a second chance... or rather a third in your case.

    What can I do, I am very magnanimous," she said with a slight smile.

    The tears I had done my best to hold back throughout all the conversation began to flow.

    "I don''t deserve your kindness..."

    "It''s okay. After all... I''m being a bit selfish too. Even though I know that the most logical thing to do would be to distance myself from you... I just don''t want to".

    "Even if I hurt you..."

    "Yes. Actually, maybe it''s because you hurt me. When I saw you getting stabbed by that thing... I think it''s the first time in my short life that I was really scared.

    And when I thought you were dying in my arms... I''ll never forget how powerless I felt."

    "Stelle, I''m sorry..."

    "I guess it just made me realise how much you meant to me. We met on that same day... but in that moment I felt like I lost a part of myself. Maybe a part of me still remembers you."

    I didn''t know how to react to those words. I was so happy that she felt that way about me, but I couldn''t forgive myself for the pain I had caused her.

    "Also... I think I should apologise, I think I had every right to be angry, but I went too far. I''m sorry for calling something that meant so much to you a lie."

    "Don''t... apologise."

    Each of her words was both sweet and painful.

    She''s killing me with her kindness... maybe this is the second death I was destined to.

    "And... I''m glad you''re well, Firefly. I really am."

    All I could do was stand there and cry. I wanted to throw myself into her arms, but I didn''t think I deserved it.

    After a while I finally I calmed down.

    "Thank you, Stelle. I will do my best not to make you regret giving me another chance."

    "We''ll see...now how do we get out of here?"

    "It''s surprisingly easy... you just have to close your eyes."

    "Close my eyes?"

    "Yes..."

    Stelle obeyed. Before doing the same, I looked at her face with affection.

    It had been painful to tell the truth and expose the part I hated about myself in front of her, but in the end it had been worth it.

    If she''s willing to accept me even after what happened... maybe I should start to try and also accept myself.

    I closed my eyes as well.

    "Take a deep breath, and visualize the Dreamscape''s outline in your heart. And remember... you must not open your eyes at all times."

    "What��s going to happen? I��m kinda nervous."

    I took her hands in mine.

    "Don��t be afraid, I��m here with you. Just listen to my voice. Three... two�� one�� Relax�� The one who has come to greet us... has arrived."

    After a shriek, a thick and ferocious surge of memoria crashed into my chest, churning and ravaging.

    This time the memory that it awakened was a recent one.

    I was in a car with one of my companions, we were talking about the coming mission.

    "I hope you find whatever you seek there, be it answers... or salvation."

    I don��t know yet if I��ll be saved, Blade�� but I think I��m coming up with a new answer for myself.

 10. A new blossom

    When we emerged into the deserted station, Welt was waiting for us. I immediately let go of Stelle''s hands as if they were on fire.

    "Stelle, glad to see you''re safe and sound..."

    As much as he said he trusted me, he was still worried... I can''t really blame him.

    "Those voices just now..." Stelle murmured, a little groggy.

    Voices? She probably saw some memories as well.

    "How did we get here, by the way? And what is this place?" she asked after collecting herself.

    "The surge of memoria you felt in the chest... it was that creature. Apparently, all you have to do is close your eyes and it appears. The monster you''ve always known as Death is actually the guardian of the Land of the Exiles. It abides by a certain rule, abducting people from their dreams and bringing them here," I replied.

    "You mean it was... the thing that killed you." Stelle murmured, shivering and looking at the ground.

    "I''m here... I��m not dead, Stelle."

    She just nodded in response, without looking at me.

    "The question that has been perplexing us: ''Does death really exist in the Dreamscape?'' appears to be a cognitive trap. It was laid by those orchestrating events from the shadows to cover up the truth behind the disappearances, and the existence of this fortress known as Dreamflux Reef. It''s likely that many of our longstanding questions will be answered in this place," said Welt.

    "In the little time I spent here I already found a lot of answers. But I don''t think I''m the best person to explain it all. Now that the Astral Express is here, the one who invited us is bound to show up." I said.

    "Do you happen to know their identity, Miss Firefly?"

    "I can��t be sure��  But from the whispers of the residents, I''ve heard a familiar name... Gallagher."

    "It''s that man again, always in the right place at the right time... though that does save us the trouble of looking for him. Himeko and March have already made a move. Stelle, get ready, we''re about to set off."

    "Yeah let��s get a move on, this place gives me the creeps."

    We started walking down the alley. I walked a few steps behind Welt and Stelle,

    Even though we have technically cleared everything up... I can''t help feeling awkward.

    "Firefly..." Stelle said suddenly, without turning to look at me.

    "Um?"

    "You Stellaron Hunters... will you continue to follow me wherever I go? This is the second destination in a row where I''ve found one of you waiting for me."

    "Um, I''m afraid so. You see, in the past Elio''s scripts used to revolve and expand around certain specific Stellarons. But, with your appearance, this condition has apparently ceased to be appropriate. You could say that you have become the main protagonist."

    "I see... at this point you should just choose one of you to stay with me if you are going to keep pestering me..."

    Does she want me to stick around? Surely not... It''s probably the opposite. She hasn''t even looked at my face since we got here. She''s still angry, I''m sure... she just felt sorry for me before.

    "I don''t think it''s that simple. The script is not something that Elio writes on a whim. He has the ability to foresee future possibilities. His script is the way to bring forward the best possible results. So, depending on the mission, one of us may have better skills than others."

    "Why were you chosen for this one?"

    "I don��t know yet��"

    After all, my skills are all about burning and destroying�� but maybe�� it��s because of our connection. I guess my next two deaths will shed more light on the meaning of this journey.

    Stelle had resumed talking to Welt, but I could not quite understand what they were saying, as they were whispering.

    I could make out Acheron''s name and the word "sword".

    As I thought, the rift that opened in the memoria must have been her doing. I don''t know why, but she finally drew her blade.

    To feel its effect in the deepest part of the Dreamscape... I can see why she was reluctant to unsheet it. If she had fought seriously... I would have been dead by now.

    As I had done days before, we got into the lift. On our way up I merely stared at the floor.

    I really don��t know how to behave around her now. Now that she knows who I really am�� things suddenly got very hard.

    "Unbelievable... to think there''s a settlement of this size within the Dreamscape... and all beyond the The Family''s reach, " said Welt, breaking the silence, probably observing the view from the lift bars.

    "When I first saw it, I was in awe too. The sky here, it''s like... a reflection of the twelve Dreamscapes. What''s even more bizarre, is that this place is also separated into trade and residential areas. The layout may be simple, but the facilities are very comprehensive. It seems that there are quite a number of people living here," I said in response.

    After that long ride we finally stepped out.

    "Let''s meet up with Himeko and the others first," said Welt.

    "Take a right turn at the end of this road, and you''ll reach the trade district. There are more people there, and perhaps someone knows where she is. I��ll see you all later."

    I started to walk away, but a hand grabbed my sleeve and made me stop.

    "Aren''t you coming with us?" Stelle asked, still avoiding to look me in the eyes.

    "The Astral Express likely needs room for some internal deliberation. In the meantime, I''ll try and locate Gallagher," I answered, surprised.

    "You are not going to�� disappear this time, right?"

    "Stelle��"

    Aaaaah, I don''t understand her... does she hate me or not... maybe she''s just worried because she''s so nice.

    "I''ll be back, I promise, if anything comes up I''ll send you a message."

    "Alright... be careful."

    I really hope I''ll get the chance to make things right before the end of my mission. I''d hate for us to part while things are like this between us...

    I started wandering the streets of the Dreamflux reef in search of Gallagher. Fortunately, it didn''t take me long to find him.

    But he was not alone: in his company was a well-dressed young man.

    He had smooth, light blue, shoulder-length hair, and behind his ears were a pair of wings of a similar colour, adorned with golden herrings. Behind his head was a golden halo.

    That''s Sunday... to bring him here as well... things may be on the verge of collapse.

    Kidnapping the head of the Oak family was certainly bold.

    I could clearly see the anger in Sunday''s golden eyes as I approached. He definetly hadn''t come here on his own accord.

    "Show me Robin first," I heard him say.

    Gallagher chuckled at that:

    "As you wish, all right, as you wish. Here she is..."

    The man turned to me with an enigmatic smile on his face.

    "..."

    Sunday didn��t seem to appreciate him joking around:

    "What''s your trick this time?"

    "Haha, just kidding, relax Birdie. I mean, this lady will lead us to Robin, right?"

    She probably met the Express Crew by now... she sticks out like a sore tumb around here.

    "And the Crew too. There are too many people who you own... an explanation" I responded.

    But I guess I have no right to criticise him for hiding things, do I?

    "Haha, that would be great. Please follow me, honorable Oak Family Head. Now all the actors... are on the stage."

    We walked in silence to our destination, the highest point of the Reflux, where the three steeles stood to commemorate the 3 Nameless heroes of Penacony.

    I flashed Stelle a tentative smile as we reached the small crowd that had gathered there, she nodded in response.

    I guess that''s progress... at least she looked at me.

    Apart from her companions, there was Robin and a tall man with a blond beard, I remembered talking to him before during my investigation, his name was Micah.

    Sunday went straight to his sister.

    "Brother!"

    "There''s no need for words, you''re safe and that''s all that matters," Sunday said.

    "Well, I did my job, I got everyone here. Gallagher will explain the rest... Take care," Micah said before leaving the group.

    Sunday and Robin also distanced themselves from us and started talking between each other.

    "I promised to give the siblings some privacy, so let''s talk about our business first. What do you say?" began Gallagher.

    "That sounds sensible enough. Since you went through the trouble of gathering The Family head, the Crew, and the Stellaron Hunters, I''m guessing you have something important to say, Mr. Gallagher?" asked Welt.

    "Oh, is it that obvious?"

    "Miss Firefly had already tipped us off that you were the one behind all this."

    "Oh I see you have been doing your homework, young lady," he said smiling at me.

    "You weren''t really trying to hide, were you? Who are you really? The identity you assumed... is fake isn''t it?" I asked.

    "You��re right, I should probably reintroduce myself. I''m the founder of Dreamflux Reef, the deputy of the Watchmaker, and...the one who sent out that invitation.

    As Gallagher the History Fictionologist, I humbly extend my greetings to you all."

    History Fictionologist�� that explains why Wolf wasn��t able to find anything about him��

    The history fictionologists were a group of followers of Mythus, the Aeon of Enigmata. They were responsible for numerous false histories or information obscuration.

    "Don��t fret over it, the stuff I told you about The Family, the Watchmaker, and Mikhail is true. I just was never really one of them. As Miss Firefly said, Gallagher doesn��t actually exist, is just a fictional character made of the traits of all the Family members," said the man, addressing the Astral Express Crew.

    "So Mr Gallagher, why did you make us come here?" asked Himeko.

    This time there were no surprises.

    As I had suspected, the Dreamscape was indeed created thanks to a Stellaron. A Stellaron that the family had promised to seal, but in fact hadn''t, betraying Mikhail, the Watchmaker.

    "The Stellaron was never truly sealed. It existed in a different form within the Dreamscape. Think about this, what would it cost to create and maintain such a lavish dreamland?" he said.

    "It''s people''s lives. The opulent dream is built upon the decay of spirits, with a toxic elixir called pleasure flowing through the Dreamscape. It tempts people to indulge in the Dreamscape, and gradually their minds succumb, becoming nourishment for the sweet dream. Confusion, laziness, and cowardice... weaknesses that plague humanity were magnified and nourished by The Family. Penacony became a new kind of prison, even more impenetrable than the previous one," he continued.

    I couldn''t help but feel a tinge of sadness at his words. I really loved this dream and the experience I had in it... the fact that the truth behind it was so murky just left a bad taste in my mouth.

    "You sent out invitations in the Watchmaker''s name to find forces capable of resolving the Stellaron disaster and draw them in to Penacony to uncover the truth?" asked Himeko at the end of his monologue.

    "It''s not just that. Above all, I wanted to see what happens when the major factions engage in a struggle for the legacy. Since this is the Watchmaker''s first announcement in decades, the traitor within The Family is bound to reveal themselves."

    A traitor��

    "If that''s the case, where is the Stellaron now?"

    "That''s a question for Mr. Wings. The Stellaron is still under The Family''s control, and as the head of the Oak Family, I''m sure he holds all the answers."

    After rejoining us, Sunday revealed the truth without hesitation: the Stellaron was nothing other than the Great Theatre of the Penacony itself.

    The thought that this was the true nature of the magical structure I had seen so many times before made my mood even worse.

    As for the traitor who had been using the power of the Stellaron, it was Mr Gopher Wood, the current DreamMaster.

    I could see the pain on Robin''s face when Sunday made this revelation. Pain that quickly turned to determination:

    "I can''t just stand by and watch Mr. Gopher Wood become an enemy of the Harmony. I won''t use my voice to support an evil cause...I won''t step on that stage and sing, no matter who the traitor is or what orders they give me. I won''t let the Charmony Festival become an event that destroys Harmony itself... For the paradise in our dreams."

    Her resolve is so strong... I really want to ask her for an autograph... Now it''s not the right time Firefly! Maybe I''ll have a chance before I leave Penacony. I''d also like to go to one of her concerts...

    Perhaps thanks to his sister''s wishes, Sunday decided to fight on our side as well.

    The two siblings left to confront Gopher with Welt, who decided to lead the negotiations on behalf of the Express.

    As the trio disappeared into the distance, Stelle approached me.

    "What are you thinking about? The Stellaron?"

    "I already thought that was the core of the issue."

    "I guess being a Stellaron Hunter isn''t just a title, huh?"

    "I...guess."

    "I still can''t really imagine you being one of them..."

    "..."

    I didn''t have time to find the right answer: tt seemed that Gallagher had something else to show us.

    "Mikhail, on his deathbed, told me to find the Astral Express and deliver a invitation to the future Nameless. He left behind a special gift, a true legacy... something that belongs only to the successors of the Trailblaze. Come with me. Now... is the time to reveal it."

    The man knelt and touched the nameless stele, murmuring:

    "Don��t let us down, old man."

    The ground beneath us began to shake.

    "What is happening?" asked March worriedly.

    Soon I realised that the place where we were was rising in altitude. Soon we were projected into the night sky of Dreamflux Reef.

    We climbed and climbed until the Grand Theatre of Penacony, the Stellaron, appeared so close we could touch it. But it was not the only structure standing there at that height.

    Ahead of us a flight of steps led to what looked like a small garden, under a dome I could see a chair in the distance.

    "Go ahead. His resting place... lies in the garden up ahead. The first and last Nameless of Penacony... Mikhail Char Legwork, the Watchmaker," said Gallagher in a somber tone.

    After ascending the stairs we arrived at his presence.

    Beneath the sea surface of Memory Zone, in a garden closest to the full moon in the water, an elderly man, with a monocole rested on a recliner, enveloped in utter silence.

    The Watchmaker, Mikhail Char Legwork, had passed into that endless, timeless dream, where no sound could ever awaken him.

    In his hands was a ball of a familiar hue.

    "Is that a��" I started saying.

    "A Dream Bubble," concluded for me Gallagher, "I believe inside that bubble, there''s something that holds meaning only for the nameless. After all, I''ve checked it and there��s nothing inside."

    ��Let��s check it ourselves then,�� said Himeko.

    I stepped aside as the three girls from the Express rested their foreheads on the Dreambubble, but after a while they returned with confused expressions.

    "Nothing?" asked Gallagher.

    "Nothing... but I have an idea. Could I borrow your pet for a quick trip to the Golden Hour?" said Himeko.

    She was only gone for about ten minutes, when she returned she had a smile on her face.

    For the second time, the Astral Express Crew entered the dream bubble, leaving me alone with Gallagher once more.

    "So, young lady... you, who are stuck in the waking world, how did you like the dream my old friend built?"

    "I am... conflicted. Even though I now know what lies behind it... I still can''t bring myself to shun it.The time I spent here was some of the best of my life."

    "There is no need to shun something that brings you joy. You just need to find some meaning in it, beyond the temporary relief it has given you."

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    "A meaning... an answer. That''s what I''m looking for. Why does life slumber? It''s you who wrote that question, isn''t it?"

    "Yes, that''s me."

    "I thought I had an answer, but... now I''m not so sure. To escape my troubles in a dream... is that really the point of my journey here? It was so beautiful and it made me happy... but isn''t it just an illusion?"

    The man looked at me with his usual enigmatic smile.

    "You''re talking to a man who doesn''t exist, young lady. But even so, I still managed to make an impact in the real world. I brought you all here, didn''t I? Don''t underestimate the power of fiction, Miss Firefly. Sometimes something fake can still have value."

    "An impact in the real world...."

    Our conversation was interrupted by the return of Stelle and her companions.

    I could see a hint of tears in their eyes, but all three were smiling.

    "You''re back sooner than I thought... Any results?" asked Gallagher.

    "Yes... And now, it''s up to us to forge ahead," Himeko said.

    While the two were talking, I approached Stelle.

    "What have you discovered?"

    "Trailblazing secret. You''ll find out later..." she replied.

    "..."

    I was the last person who could blame her for keeping something hidden.

    I turned my attention back to Himeko.

    "As I see it, relying on Welt''s negotiations alone is far from enough. Regardless of whether the other party will be compliant, negotiating simply allows us to meet them as equals, it won''t grant us an upper hand. Penacony is our rival''s home turf, and we already have very few chips left to play with. Rather than idly sit around while The Family''s got us blocked off, an offensive approach might be a wiser course of action."

    She wants  to  go on the attack... she is right. In the realm of dreams, the Family has the upper hand, we should be ready to fight if negotiations fail. But...

    "On the eve of the Charmony Festival opening, how exactly are we going to get close to the theater? Family security will be airtight, and if we brute force it... Even if we succeed, it''s too risky," I said.

    We all remained silent for a few seconds.

    "So... no one''s gonna say anything? Then I''ll raise my hand, I know the answer to this question!" said March suddenly, "So, I heard that before the Charmony Festival begins, there will be a pageant to kick off the festival. It''s called the... SoulGlad ? Festivity Auditions or something, and it''s going to be held in the Moment of Scorchsand . I already got us some tickets from Robin��s fanclub! If we win we��ll be able to attend the Festival!"

    "That can work. Good job March! Mr Gallagher, are you going to join us?" asked Himeko, turning to the man.

    "Im afraid I won''t have the time. As a virtual character... I''ve already completed my final mission. Whether Penacony can awaken from this dream is all down to you."

    "I see, I hope you��ll visit the Express sometimes."

    I took a step back.

    I think this is as far as they��ll let me join.

    But suddenly a hand tapped me on the shoulder.

    Stelle...

    "Himeko, Firefly is going to join us, right?"

    "Of course, I was just about to ask her. Miss Firefly, we thank you for all your support. We''re faced with a formidable enemy. As long as the Astral Express and Stellaron Hunters'' objectives are aligned, we''re willing to cooperate with you."

    The sour mood I had been in since the confrontation with Stelle suddenly became much lighter.

    She wants me around...

    "W-we''ve already come this far together. I''d like to join you for the rest of your journey on Penacony. I''m pleased that we can finally fight shoulder-to-shoulder, I couldn''t ask for a better ending," I replied, smiling.

    "This is also the spirit of the Trailblaze. Now, everyone, let''s prepare to move out."

    <hr>

    What am I supposed to do...

    After saying goodbye to Gallagher, we had closed our eyes and let Sleepie transport us to our new destination: the moment of Scorchsand.

    A huge bottle of Soulglad was towering above the audition venue.

    According to the brochure March had shown us, the winners of the competition would be sent up into the air on the top of its cap, towards the Grand Theatre.

    At that prospect, I couldn''t help but think:

    The view from there must be incredible... maybe I could sneak in a photo... wait, Firefly, this is not the moment!

    Soon we had cleared the initial screening and were admitted to the audition course. To win, we''d have to pass three tests.

    There was just one small problem... the maximum number of people who could participate together was two.

    For this reason, March and Himeko had gone first, while I was left together with Stelle at the beginning of the course.

    It was a platform with benches and food stalls, at the end of which was an attendant standing near a giant ball that would send us off to the first test.

    Between us had fallen an awkward silence.

    I don''t know what to do... she''s given me so many mixed signals...

    But we can''t just stand here and do nothing... if Mr Yang''s negotiations have failed, we need to get to the Theatre as soon as possible!

    "Stelle, let''s go!" I said, starting to make my way towards the end of the platform.

    But just as before, I felt Stelle''s hand grab my sleeve.

    "What is it?"

    Once again she avoided my gaze.

    "How about we get something to eat at that stall? Maybe they have Oak cake rolls... I''ll treat you."

    "Stelle... what...?"

    Suddenly the girl let go of me and ran her hands through her hair.

    "AAAAH why is this so hard!" she complained.

    I approached her worriedly:

    "What''s going on?"

    "How are you supposed to make up after a fight? This is the first time this has happened to me!"

    Oh��

    My heart suddenly became extremely light.

    Stelle wasn''t giving me the cold shoulder to make me feel bad or to punish me. She didn''t know how to behave, just like me.

    "I don''t know... I don''t have much experience with this kind of thing either..." I replied, smiling at her.

    "I... it''s just... when I tried to talk to you, I was reminded of all the mean things I said to you before and I felt ashamed. I was angry and I wasn''t myself... I''m sorry."

    "No... don''t apologise. It''s the same for me... I hurt you and I can''t stand it."

    "That''s true, but... after thinking about it, I think I understand why you acted the way you did..."

    "What?!"

    "You know me and you are somehow similar. The present me... exists only to be a vessel for a Stellaron. But I don''t want to be just that. I want to be my own person, I want to live my own experiences as Stelle... just as you want to live as Firefly. But unlike you, I have nothing to tie me to my past, and my future is full of possibilities... if it weren''t so... I don''t know what I would do."

    "That still doesn''t excuse what I did to you."

    The fact that she could still empathise with me, despite being so hurt by my behaviour, only showed what a wonderful person she was.

    "Maybe not... but I think it''s good enough for me to forgive you. And Firefly... I''m rooting for you, if there''s anything I can do to help, please just let me know."

    Again I had to fight the urge to burst into tears.

    All the suffering I had felt over the past few days seemed to have been swept away by a spring breeze.

    "You are already helping me so much, Stelle..."

    Just like back then... just being close to you is enough.

    "Don''t get me wrong. I still don''t trust you. I think I''ve got your type now, if you get the chance you''ll do some crazy stuff... I''ll keep an eye on you."

    "As you wish��"

    ��But now�� about those Oak cake rolls��"

    "We can''t Stelle, we have to hurry! If the negotiations fail and the Stellaron is not sealed, the whole Penacony could be destroyed!" I said reluctantly.

    "You''re right. But then... what about afterwards, when the crisis is averted? Let me treat you something, as a thank you for the last time."

    "I..."

    I wanted nothing more than to say yes. But I had made up my mind to be honest with her from now on.

    "I can''t make any promises, Stelle. I don''t know what''s going to happen and if we��ll be able to hang out together again after this..."

    After all, I have two deaths waiting for me... and the last one could be the real one for all I know.

    But when I saw the sad expression on Stelle''s face, I immediately added.

    "But I would love to! I''ll try everything in my power to make it happen!"

    "That''s good enough for me!" Stelle exclaimed, smiling, "remember, you promised me a third date!"

    "Date?! I told you that wasn''t a date... Wait, what do you mean by third?"

    But Stelle was already heading towards the giant ball that would take us to the first test.

    The fact that she can joke around like this, even when we''re in mortal danger... she''s incredible.

    I hurried after her.

    The attendant greeted us:

    "Welcome, here you can choose which course to take as your first test. On the left is the action course and on the right is the acting course".

    "What do you think we should do, Firefly?"

    "I think we should go for the action one. Even if I can''t help you fight, you''re much stronger than the average Penaconian, so it should be a piece of cake!"

    "Alright, we''ll take the acting course, sir!"

    "Stelle... why did you even ask me?"

    "Sorry, it just occurred to me that I have a famous stage performer from the Iris family here with me. The acting course will be a breeze with your talents."

    ...

    "...what happened to you forgiving me, Stelle?"

    "What do you mean?"

    "You''re obviously trying to get back at me!"

    "Who, me? I''d never do something like that."

    I know I should be angry because we''re in such a hurry... but I can''t help feeling happy that she''s comfortable teasing me like this again.

    We climbed aboard the giant sphere and, after fastening our seat belts, rolled off at high speed.

    When we reached our destination I was the first to get out, Stelle followed me wobbling.

    "Why is this a thing? Good thing we didn''t eat... how can you be so unfazed?"

    "Uh? that was nothing!"

    I was used to much rougher manoeuvres when I fought inside SAM.

    After Stelle had collected herself, we approached what appeared to be the start of the test.

    There was a microphone in the middle of a platform, with an attendant standing nearby.

    ��Oof, just take a look at this pair. Such star quality! Since you''ve come as a pair, I''ll prep a two-person scene for you!��

    As the name suggested, we would be judged on our acting skills during this course.

    The judge in front of us told us the setting: me and Stelle were going on a trip to Penacony, but instead of a shining land of dreams, we found ourselves in a desert wasteland with a terrifying Memory Zone meme in front of us.

    This... kinda hits too close to home.

    ��Now... Stelle, what line would you deliver to express your disappointment in Penacony?�� asked the judge.

    The girl approached the microphone and exclaimed excitedly:

    "Great! I love living on the wild side!"

    ��

    "Stelle�� what are you doing? You''re trying to express disappointment! Why do you sound so chipper?"

    "Oh, you are right!��

    She approached the microphone again and, shaking her fists in the air, said:

    "A brutish creature! Quick! Let''s run it over!"

    "Are you doing this on purpose? We are on a hurry!" I said, suppressing the urge to laugh.

    "Fine�� What in tarnation is this hellhole! The Watchmaker is a big fat liar!"

    That didn''t seem appropriate either, but the judge seemed to take pity on us and accepted her answer.

    "Very good! Now, though you''re disappointed, your screen partner is conversely very enthusiastic. Now, young lady! You will say��"

    This... is so embarrassing... but after scolding her, I can''t afford to hesitate.

    ��Th-this is great! I love living on the... w-wild side!�� I said tentatively into the microphone.

    The judge seemed enthusiastic:

    "Very good! Very intense!"

    On the contrary, Stelle looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

    "What��s wrong?" I asked her.

    "I don''t know... I expected a bit more from a great actress like you."

    "Stelle... you know very well that me being an actress was a lie..."

    "I don''t know... you seemed pretty good to me. How was it... Oh yeah! Cough Cough��" then she started talking in a deep voice, "Once you''re back in the real world, remember to tell everyone, about the Stellaron Hunter who was behind your ultimate departure!��

    I remained petrified as my cheeks caught fire.

    I then curled up into a ball and hugged my knees.

    Second death... third death... as many as you want... just bring them to me now!

    But Stelle wasn''t done yet: she kneeled down close to me and whispered in my ear.

    ��I will�� set the seas ablaze!��

    ...I guess I deserve this, this is my punishment.

    But��

    "Yeah, that was me. And those lines... I think they are really cool, okay? I practise them a lot in front of the mirror... I''m very lame, is that a problem?" I said, getting up and giving her a defiant look.

    You are the one who inspired me, you idiot!

    Stelle seemed surprised by my reaction, but smiled at me:

    "Sorry, I was just joking. Honestly... I think it''s kind of charming."

    "Charming... that''s... wait, we don''t have time for this!"

    Despite Stelle''s best efforts to mess things up, we managed to pass the first test and move on to the second part of the acting course. This time it wasn''t about words but body language.

    ��Picking up from where we left off, a heavy downpour saves you both while you are stranded in the desert. This rain quenches the anger in your heart. You look to your companion, now completely devoid of fighting spirit, wanting to comfort her... At this moment, what should you do to make her laugh?" the judge asked Stelle.

    She looked at me for a second and... started patting my head and ruffling my hair.

    My heart immediately jumped into my throat.

    If I show her how happy this makes me, she''ll tease me endlessly about it.

    "You seriously think that would make someone laugh?" I said, trying my best not to show what was going through my mind.

    Stelle looked disappointed and turned to leave.

    "Where are you going?! Come back! You look like you want to abandon me, not make me laugh!"

    Suddenly Stelle got down and started rolling on the ground.

    "What is... ahahah!"

    She looks like a puppy! So cute...

    Apparently it was enough for the judge to let us go on to the next stage after a few more questions.

    A new choice lay before us.

    "A gunfire or a time trial�� wonder what that means..." asked Stelle.

    "Can I choose this time? Let��s go for the gunfire one��"

    "Why?"

    "The name inspires me more."

    But as it turned out, my choice was going to have some bad consequences.

    When we arrived at the second audition, we found ourself facing a small television.

    "Dear friends, welcome to the wonderful world created by the Watchmaker! Awaiting you is the morally dubious yet ever-charming character from the animated Clockie series �� Hanu! Enter into the world of Hanu via the TV by the entrance, and partake in an enchanting and suspenseful story with him! Good luck in there!" said the guide close to it.

    "I guess we don��t have the choice, ready Stelle?"

    After the girl had nodded we both touched theTv. The world went black and...

    "What... is the meaning of this?"

    "We are very sorry... this course was built with only one player in mind... so we have adapted it in this way."

    "WHAT?! Why didn''t the attendant warn us about this?"

    "Calm down Firefly or you''ll fall!"

    I was sitting on Stelle''s shoulders with a bizzare scene in front of me: a strange short, hairy character with a fedora on his head and a pair of sunglasses.

    "What is this��?"

    I raised my hand to fix my hair. The character did the same.

    "Look, it seems like you control his arms and I control his legs!" said Stelle, taking a step forward.

    She was right. This test was about navigating a small maze while controlling Hanu and avoiding the unwanted attention of Boss Stone''s minions, his nemesis.

    Why did they have to make it so embarrassing and... why am I having fun?! What is wrong with me...

    "Everything all right up there, Firefly?" asked Stelle after a while.

    "I am gradually getting used to this... who knows, I might even be able to perform some high-level moves with Hanu. It''s just, the plot of this story is kinda dull��"

    The judge seemed to take my complaint to heart, as a rocket launcher suddenly appeared in front of us. I immediately made Stelle move closer to it and grabbed it.

    "This thing feels like the Soaring Locust II..."

    "The soaring what?!"

    "Enemy spotted Stelle, 3 o''clock. Initiate: cleanup."

    "UH?!"

    It only took me a few minutes to completely wipe out the entire population of Boss Stone''s minions.

    In the end, we got out of the TV.

    "Well, that''s that. But it is gonna be hard to let go of that bazooka... Uhm, nevermind. Let''s hurry over to the next stage."

    "I''m... kind of glad I''m not your enemy."

    "Oh... sorry I got a bit carried away..."

    But Stelle smiled at me:

    "Don''t worry... I''m happy I got to see that. You know, unlike you, I only got to know you on the first day I came here... I''m really glad we got to do this stuff together so I could see more sides of you. You''re not only very sweet, you''re also kind of a dork, aren''t you?"

    "A dork?! I don''t know if I should take that as an insult or..."

    The truth is... I don''t even know who I am myself...

    Being stuck in the armor meant that I didn''t usually get to experience things like this. Hanging out with people outside of my companions was out of the question.

    And anyway, most of my time was spent on my Stellaron Hunter missions.

    So who am I really... right now I''m Sam the Stellaron Hunter... I want to be Firefly in the future, but... who is she? Maybe... thanks to her... I can find out.

    The final choice of course was a matter of luck. They were simply called Arena 1 and 2.

    "Let''s go with number 2! It''s clearly the best choice," said Stelle.

    But when we got there, I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

    This atmosphere is... Death.

    The audition course was deserted, no one was there to greet us.

    Only a familiar creature was there, standing menacingly at the centre of the stage.

    "What? Sleepie?! What is Mr Gallegher''s pet doing here?"

    I took a step forward. I had never been afraid of it, even before I knew its true nature.

    Now I actually found it kind of endearing: the idea that such a scary looking thing was just an overzealous pet was kind of funny.

    But as I walked towards it, I noticed that Stelle was not following me, so I turned around.

    Stelle''s eyes were fixed on the ground, her fists clenched and shaking.

    "Stelle, what''s..."

    Suddenly I found myself in her arms.

    This embrace was very different from the ones we had shared in the past.

    Stelle''s body was pressed so tightly against mine that it almost hurt. She was trembling.

    I could feel her hands on my back, clinging to my coat. Her grip was so strong, as if she was afraid I would vanish into thin air if she let go.

    "Firefly..." she murmured, sobbing on my shoulder, "you''re alive, aren''t you? This isn''t just an illusion, is it?"

    My heart stopped at those words.

    It''s cause of the Meme... it''s the first time she''s looking directly at it after "that" happened...

    All my life I had struggled with the trauma from my time as a soldier in the Iron Cavalry. To think that I would put my dearest friend through something similar... it just made me sick.

    The pain I put her through... I''ll carry this burden for the rest of my life.

    "I am here with you, Stelle. I''m fine, don''t worry," I said, gently stroking her hair.

    Her grip tightened even more:

    "I''ve wanted to do this ever since I saw you again... but I''m scared. Now that I know what it means to lose someone... I don''t want it to happen again. I''ve only known you for one day, but... maybe it''s because my body recognises you even if my mind doesn''t... I just don''t want to let you go again."

    "Stelle... I''m sorry. I can''t promise you that I''ll be able to stay with you for long... but I''ll try my best so that at least next time I''ll be able to say goodbye properly".

    All I really wanted to say to her was that I''d always be with her... but it would have been another lie: even if I survived the two deaths that awaited me in Penacony... my time was ticking anyway.

    "That''s... not what I wanted to hear. But... even if it hurts... I want to be close to you until that time comes."

    It seemed like her old self, Stelle, had the ability to make my spirit soar high into the sky with just her words.

    I couldn''t help but cry on her shoulder as well.

    I don''t... deserve her.

    "Th-Thank you... you don''t know how happy that makes me."

    "I... hate the fact that I lost my memories of you... I want them back!"

    "It''s okay... after all, we already made some new, precious ones."

    "But... it''s only a dream, isn''t it?"

    "Even if it''s just a dream... they''re just as important to me as the real thing..."

    Mr Gallagher... I think I know what you meant now... I can feel the answer I am looking for coming closer.

    We stood in silence for a minute, but then:

    "Come on Stelle, we have a mission to complete."

    Stelle nodded, and after we pulled away from the embrace, I offered her my hand.

    I felt hers tremble in mine as we approached the Memory Zone Meme.

    "Ga��lla..gher��"

    "He��s calling for Mr Gallagher and it seems�� sad?"

    He said he had completed his final mission... surely he didn''t mean that...?... If that was the case, we had all the more reason to hurry.

    I won''t allow this paradise your friend has built to be sullied any further, Mr Gallagher.

    After petting the head of Sleepie, who seemed to have no intention of fighting us, I guided Stelle to the ball at the end of the platform. I would defend this place with everything I had.

    If it wasn''t for Penacony, Stelle and I wouldn''t have become friends again...

    Friends...

    This feeling... it''s just like back then... could it be... already?

    At that moment, I could clearly feel that a flower that had long since withered inside me was beginning to bloom again.

 11. Life begets Death

    As Stelle and I climbed inside the last ball, I did my best not to let her notice my agitated state.

    Calm down, Firefly... it''s only because hugging her reminded you of the old times!

    How could it be true after all?

    Even though they were very similar, the Stelle sitting in front of me was not the same person who had made me feel like this in the past.

    Such a feeling couldn''t have developed in the short time we had spent together. At least... so I thought.

    After all, someone like me was never supposed to feel this way. Someone born a weapon should never have felt as I did.

    Maybe that''s why I''m panicking so much right now... even though I can keep my cool in life-and-death situations.

    By keeping my eyes on my knees and taking deep breaths, I finally managed to regain control.

    The only important thing right now is to make sure we seal the Stellaron. I can think about all of this later... and anyway, I already made a decision back then.

    But when I looked up and met Stelle''s smile, her words echoed in my head:

    "I just think you''re too used to hiding things. I know lying is easier than telling the truth sometimes.

    But in the end, acting like this it''s only bound to hurt yourself and the people you care about."

    But this is a truth I can''t accept Stelle... if I do, even thinking about you will be nothing but painful.

    I was beginning to falter again when, fortunately, we arrived at our destination.

    As soon as we stepped onto the new platform, a voice announced:

    "Congratulations to Stelle and Firefly on becoming this Scorchsand Festival''s champions! We look forward to their amazing entrance in the Charmony Festival!"

    "Phew! We made it, I was afraid we took too long!" Stelle said.

    "You shouldn''t have spent so much time screwing around if you were worried about that!" I thought with a smile.

    Apparently Stelle was not the only one who was worried though.

    "What took you girls so long?!" March 7th exclaimed as she came towards us. Himeko was a few steps behind, dignified as ever.

    "Sorry, we were busy signing autographs! Our acting was just too good," Stelle replied, puffing out her chest.

    "Yeah, right..." March retorted, rolling her eyes.

    But after looking at Stelle, she asked:

    "Why are your eyes so red? Has something happened?"

    "Oh... you see, Firefly''s performance was just so good and I was so moved by it that I couldn''t help but shed a few tears!"

    March turned to me:

    "Are you really such a good actress?"

    ...

    "... she''s just messing with you again!"

    "STELLE!"

    The fact that she''s already back to her usual self after what happened with Sleepie... she''s really unbelievable.

    I chuckled as March lightly punched Stelle''s arm with her fists.

    "It''s time to go girls," Himeko urged us with a smile.

    Turning serious, we nodded and began to follow her down the corridor ahead of us.

    The brochure March showed us said that Robin would be awarding the winners.

    But of course we knew that the Penacony''s star singer was now in the middle of a difficult negotiation with the Dreammaster.

    I just hope that whoever her stand-in is, they are not gonna make us lose too much time.

    After going throught a door, we arrived at the end of the audition course.

    In front of us, surrounded by a sea of memoria, was what looked like a large circular television studio. Several cameras were pointed at expensive-looking sofas. Suspended in the air around us, numerous television screens showed our faces.

    In the middle of the room, someone was waiting for us.

    Someone who should not have been there.

    But as I watched the young man turn and fix his golden eyes on us, I felt no surprise. It had struck me as odd that the head of the Oak family could be unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

    If he hadn''t already moved to seal the Stellaron, it was because he didn''t want to.

    Gallagher must have realised this, but he was probably hoping that his sister would be able to change his mind.

    "But that part of your plan didn''t quite work out, Mr Gallagher... unless you had something else in mind," I thought as Sunday''s gaze swept over us.

    That golden colour reminded me of Stelle''s eyes, but unlike hers, the man''s seemed to be devoid of any kind of warmth.

    "Congratulations to all of you on becoming the Festive Superstars of this year''s Charmony Festival. Before entering the Grand Theater... I, on behalf of the organizers, extend my sincere congratulations to you, wishing you joy under THEIR radiance."

    "What are you doing here? Weren''t you supposed to talk to the Dreammaster with your sister and Mr Yang?" Stelle asked.

    I could tell from the obvious hostility in her voice that she already knew the answer to her own question.

    Sunday replied with a slight smile:

    "As previously promised, my sister, Mr Yang, and I have met with the Dreammaster. We delved into the truth about Penacony and its Stellaron, and have come to a consensus: both I and the Oak Family cannot acquiesce to your request."

    "...Just as expected."

    It was clear from his tone that the negotiation had been a mere formality: Sunday had long since decided which side he was on.

    Ignoring my comment, Sunday continued:

    "We acknowledge the perspective of you Nameless: Penacony does require change, but not as you propose. The Planet of Festivities cannot and will not revert to a place characterized by chaos, disorder, or anarchy.��

    Chaos... disorder... anarchy... doesn''t the Harmony accept everything without question?

    "Through your journey of overcoming obstacles, you must have glimpsed the essence of that era: the vulnerable ruthlessly eliminated, equality non-existent, commonfolk living precarious lives, eking out a dreary existence... ultimately, only "heroes" like yourselves manage to achieve success," continued Sunday.

    His eyes locked with Stelle''s:

    "But I would dare ask: Miss Stelle, if you did not possess the special status of having a Stellaron, and you were but an anonymous and frail member among the masses... which Penacony would you prefer?  A dystopia for the survival of the fittest, or a Sweetdream Paradise for all?"

    "I... we have no time for quizzes!" replied Stelle after a second, "what have you done to Mr Yang?"

    "Don''t worry, he and my sister are unharmed, they are just enjoying a well-deserved rest."

    But his reassurances did not seem to convince the Astral Express crew:

    "Is this how the whole-accepting Harmony is supposed to treat its guests?" asked Himeko coldly.

    Sunday smile got larger:

    "Harmony�� do you really think that an ideal paradise could ever been crafted by Xipe. True bliss can only be guaranteed by the "one" who transcends the many."

    Wait... is he...?

    "Within the foundation of law, humanity establishes civilization... And through Harmony , we obtain Order."

    So that��s how it is.

    The secret the Family never wanted us to know was not the Stellaron, but their true nature: followers of a dead Aeon.

    Even if an Aeon perished, the disciples of its path would not disappear.

    Ena, the Aeon of Order, once created the laws of the cosmos. Her adepts formed the Beyond the Sky Choir, spreading solemn and reverent hymns throughout the universe.

    But one day, the Path of Order collided with Harmony, and the choir''s notes were swallowed up until they were drowned and could no longer be heard.

    When the choir sang again, its melody was a Hymn of Harmony.

    But it seems that some remnants of Order still lingered, and now the echoes of a long-lost melody were beginning to create a dissonance in the all-forgiving Harmony.

    "Unbelievable, to think that there would be... remnants of the Order on Penacony" commented Himeko, ��you should know that these actions make you an enemy of the Astral Express."

    "Should we need to stand against the Nameless, it would only be myself and the Oak family involved. But we haven''t reached that point yet, have we?"

    "You want to talk terms with us?" Stelle asked scornfully.

    "Smart kid. You''re just as sharp as Mr Yang," Sunday replied amusedly.

    But it doesn''t make sense... if he''s really a Pathstrider of the Order, why bother talking to us, it''s not like he''d consider a different opinion... and Penacony is in danger. If he wants to use Order to control the Stellaron... why waste time talking to us?

    Himeko seemed to find this as strange as I did:

    "If it is the Order that drove you to imprison Welt and Robin, and you''re using them to coerce our compliance, then there''ll be no point in entertaining any type of discussion," she said.

    "You''re mistaken, Miss Himeko. They are in very safe hands, and just as The Family has always proclaimed: no one can be harmed in the Dreamscape, least of all in the beautiful new world belonging to the Order."

    The young man returned to the centre of the studio and, spreading his arms, declared:

    "Penacony and the entire universe have witnessed far too much innocent bloodshed. The strong wield their blades against the weak, and the victors push the vanquished to the brink of life... natural selection: the world abides by this principle, establishing the well-being of humanity atop the corpses of the downtrodden. Only we Pathstriders of Order, or rather I, possess the power to put an end to this farce."

    So this is not only about Penacony... but to bring the whole universe to Order will be impossible since Ena is dead... unless...!

    Himeko had also understood:

    "So you''ve decided to resurrect a dead Aeon? No one''s ever done such a thing."

    "If Miss Himeko is interested, let''s draw back the veil and speak candidly. I''ve always firmly believed that people can understand one another through peaceful means.

    I''m willing to divulge the unembellished truth as to the intentions of the Order''s Pathstriders, so that you will make better judgment for the Astral Express, for Penacony, and for this stretch of the universe. Words can hardly do justice to the beauty of that ideal... so come with me, everyone. Let us retrace our steps and see once again where this road leads."

    I didn''t even have time to blink as Sunday disappeared before our eyes.

    "What...?"

    The atmosphere had changed. We were still in the TV studio, but something was clearly wrong.

    The voice of the head of the Oak family echoed around us:

    "Welcome. This isn''t any location in Penacony''s Dreamscape. It''s my inner world. The reason the scenery before you remains unchanged is because your consciousness has drawn on similar concepts to fill in the gaps."

    "You''ve imprisoned us? Is this what you did to Mr Yang?" Stelle blurted out.

    "It''s a "tuning" process, stronger in effect and more draining on the mind. You have experienced it before Miss Stelle, so you should understand what it entails.

    Tuning allows you to intuitively grasp my feelings, which also means that I cannot hide anything from you. Now, everyone, please look at the huge screen. The road we once took begins here."

    So Sunday begane to narrate.

    His test for us was to relive some of his past experiences and decide how we would act in his place.

    The first memory to appear on the screen was of a small wounded bird resting on the tiny hands of a little girl.

    It was a Charmony Dove, a native Penacony species that Robin and Sunday had found dying in their garden.

    The two had initially decided to build a nest for it. However, given the cold winter and the many predatory insects in the area, Sunday had suggested bringing it indoors and nursing it back to health in a cage before releasing it in the spring. But the bird''s tragic fate had already been decided: it would never be able to fly anyway.

    "Now, I pass the power of choice to you all. Faced with this situation, what choice would you make? Stick to the original plan, and build a nest with soft net where the Charmony Dove fell?  Or build a cage for it, and feed it, giving it the utmost care from within the warmth of a home?"

    We remained silent for a moment.

    "That guy just casually throws this kind of question at us? What exactly is his deal?" commented March 7th.

    "I��m afraid we have no choice but to humor him at the moment," Himeko said.

    She''s right: we''re on his turf.  We have no way of fighting him... so there''s nothing we can do but see what the point of this quiz is...

    "Firefly, what do you think?" asked Stelle, deep in thought.

    "I..."

    This question hits too close to home...

    Before I came here, I probably would''ve chosen to leave the Dove free... but now... i f it protects you from a terrible future, is a life in a cage so bad?

    "I can''t decipher his intentions right now... but based solely on the question, I would probably choose to build that dove a cage�� Even if I was gonna release it back into the sky, it''d have to be strong enough to fly first. If I left it where I found it... I fear it''d never get the chance to fly ever again."

    "I see..."

    But is this really the answer I want to give? I thought I was getting closer to another one, but... put in front of the harsh reality, does it really stand up?

    "So what is your decision, Miss Stelle?" asked Sunday after a few minutes.

    The girl looked at the screen with determination.

    "I''ll build a nest on the spot. A life in a cage... that''s not a real life. I have no authority to impose that on another being."

    ��...Interesting. Since you''ve made up your mind, allow me to reveal what fate this choice will bring to the fledgling," I could hear the bitterness in the tone of Sunday''s voice, "from what I''ve observed, there are at least three predators in that yard that prey on small birds: the Vossickle Scorpion, Asdana Wolverine, and the Huntington Winged-Snake...

    Even if they shy away from humans, these animals are still near-apex predators in a fenced location like a yard. In such a location, only one fate awaits that little Charmony Dove: a painful death.

    As for the choice you made... I am deeply sorry. Now, let us advance to the second decision. This time... it''s the story of a Dreamchaser."

    In the past, Sunday was appointed to the role of Bronze Melodia, a position similar to that of a confessor.

    His role was to listen to the concerns and worries of the Dreamscape''s inhabitants. It was during this time that a Dreamchaser, a stowaway like myself, came to seek his help.

    He had come to Penacony, leaving everything behind, even his two young children, in search of a better life. He had planned to buy his children back after making a fortune in the Dream Land, but now he had the Bloodhounds on his tail.

    ��Will you do as I did, and try to convince the Bloodhound Family to stop their pursuit, so that the Dreamchaser may live peacefully and realize his wishes?

    Or will you remain silent, leaving him to languish while the Hounds are hot on his heels, until his inevitable judgment arrives?��

    This question must be linked to the first one, and again... it hits so close to home.

    My crimes were more nefarious than the Dreamchaser''s, but here, in Penacony, I had still been accepted...

    To live on like this... to forget the guilt I carried... was that really what I wanted?

    "I-I would probably choose to ask the Bloodhounds to stop their pursuit." I told Stelle when she asked my opinion.

    After nodding, Stelle turned to Sunday:

    "I think everyone should get a second chance. What matters is what they do to make up for their past mistakes."

    "I see�� I''m honored to witness you arriving at the same decision. Out of respect, I''ll share with you the dire consequences that my choice back then brought about."

    The Dreamchaser had first attained success but the wealth had quickly gone to their head. In the end he had been caught trying to usurp the head of the Alfalfa Family . He had been banished from Penacony. As for his children�� he didn��t even remember about them.

    "In the end, my heart aligned with the Harmony , and the good deed I dared to undertake held no value, turning instead into a wrongdoing. It created a lamentable oppressor and countless oppressed individuals��" Sunday concluded.

    Then it was time for the final question, a more personal one.

    Robin used to travel the length and breadth of the universe because of her fame as a singer.

    In one of her tour destinations, however, a war had suddenly broken out. Trying to spread the word of Harmony and save lives, Robin had travelled to the front lines.

    It was there that a stray bullet had struck her in the neck. It was a miracle the bullet hadn''t hit a vital artery.

    But it was far from the last danger her travels would bring.

    �� Would you still support Robin''s journey on the Path of Harmony?��

    Robin... she''s really incredibly strong. To think I thought she was just an amazing singer.

    But now I understood what all these questions were about.

    Sunday thought that Harmony was not enough to ensure a happy existence. What seemed to be the right choice could also have nefarious consequences.

    The threads of destiny were something the gentle embrace of Harmony couldn''t control.

    That''s why he had sought a new way: the shackles of the Orders, with the power of the Stellaron, would be able to control even fate itself.

    But... what would we have to give up to get the happy ending he wanted for us?

    "I would support Robin''s journey. Her path is hers to choose, you have no right to interfere, even if it doesn''t have a happy ending!"

    Stelle, I know you are right, but then... why am I still wavering?

    "Heh... I see," Sunday replied coldly before reappearing in front of us.

    "I am now aware of everyone''s stances. Raising these questions merely serves to illustrate one point: the plight of Penacony cannot be salvaged by the Harmony. The true foundation for a Sweetdream Paradise can only be established through the Order where the strong govern the weak," he said.

    "I know the suffering of being tormented, the turmoil of losing your way, how sorrow... and even despair, set in when matters don''t work out. All of this causes me unending pain, because this is not what "happiness" is at all. We must teach the weak how to live a happy life. And this life isn''t some noble propriety that the upper crust preaches, but in definitive terms, a way of survival that belongs to everyone," continued Sunday.

    "So, what is your definition of living a happy life?" I asked.

    "Good question. Human consciousness is fundamentally an illusion, a cage known as "self-worth". People lured in by this illusion, make mistakes, yet still ask that external influences bear the burden. When one mistake after the next permeates the masses, they become impossible to trace... Thus, the amassing of these individual cages culminate to form a prison, a place dictated only by the rule of survival of the fittest."

    A prison... just like the one I''m living in outside of the Dreamscape... Can he really free me from it?

    I could feel my chest tighten as desire began to burn through me.

    "Nature is always accompanied by predation and sacrifice... Its antithesis is known as Order.

    That is what I want to do: Unite people''s happiness under the banner of Order. They won''t need to make bitter choices any longer, nor face the weaknesses of humanity. They can cast aside their primal instincts, to build a haven for mankind."

    I would never have to face my weakness again��

    "Simply describing thoughts is far too abstract, so allow me to provide a simple example: as you all may know, there are societal norms like "weekends" and "long weekends" that exist on some worlds. During these hard-earned rest days, people are given the chance to extricate themselves from the stresses of everyday life, allowing a certain tranquility to return to their souls.

    But only three days is too fleeting compared to the span of a lifetime. From where I stand, society''s ideal system should be "seven rest days". Following Sunday, there should ensue a second, a third, and indeed an infinite procession of Sundays. This should be the face of the new world: idyllic, eternal, peaceful days."

    Peaceful days�� just like the one I spent with Stelle��

    "And thus, every person can return to their base selves in this utopia. Some gaze in reverence at the stars, pouring their whole beings into calculating the distance between us and the isolated world of Pegana starting point. Meanwhile, some seek refuge in quiet corners, holding one another, unencumbered by the chains of unwelcome obligations...

    There would be no need to bear the hardships of reality. Only in this way can humanity face the inevitable end with the purest of spirit. Living a life of dignity: this is what it is to live in bliss."

    Sunday''s eyes locked with mine. I was sure he could sense the turmoil his words were causing within me.

    "Miss Firefly, you who are stricken with Entropy Loss Syndrome, you of all would surely understand this?"

    "I��"

    Yes, I understood. What he was offering me was everything I had ever wanted. An eternal blissful dream from which I would never have to worry about waking up.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.In his paradise of Order, I would finally be free of the chains that imprisoned inside Sam. I would no longer be a weapon.

    The moments of pure happiness I had shared with Stelle would become my new reality.

    "It sounds... like a flawless theory��" commented March.

    Himeko did not seem to know how to react either.

    As for Stelle...

    My eyes met hers.I could see the quiet determination stirring in those golden pools.

    I...

    "But... what is the price to attain all this?" I asked Sunday, trying to go against my instinct to submit to his plan.

    "The cost is minute, merely a personal... and eternal sacrifice. If this paradise is to be maintained for everyone, someone must remain trapped in solitary wakening, until the end of the cosmos."

    These words only made me waver more.

    So he''s willing to sacrifice himself for his plan... we would live an eternity of bliss while he endures a life of loneliness... but...

    "Wakening... Which means that this so-called paradise is still a dream. Stepping into this paradise means forsaking reality, correct?"

    "It is not forsaking, but transcending. Flesh, blood, sorrow, weakness. If the physical is the root of spiritual suffering, it is only logical that we defeat it."

    I...

    It was time to face the question I had been trying to answer all this time. What was the meaning of this dream I had been living for the past few days?

    Was escaping my nightmarish path and the future I didn''t want to face really the point of this journey? If I''d accepted Sunday''s offer, I could have really made my escape.

    I could have lived like a normal girl, forgotten about my condition and... stayed together with Stelle.

    It seems so perfect, but... If I live in an endless dream and never wake up from it... won''t the time I''ve spent with her really be just an illusion?

    I remembered the words Gallagher had said to me:

    "There is no need to shun something that brings you joy. You just need to find some meaning in it, beyond the temporary relief it has given you."

    A meaning...

    If I just run away forever... there really won''t be any.

    "But in this supposed "bliss," people won''t have defeated their demons. The chance to overcome their tribulations would be forever lost to them. In other words... it is an escape," I said to Sunday, my voice now firm.

    "That''s another way of understanding it, but there is no shame in escape. On the contrary, the seeds of escape exist in everyone''s hearts. Don''t you agree, Miss Firefly? And as to why we sleep? It is because we are afraid to awaken from our dreams.

    But this is not in conflict with the grand plan. Only in acknowledging this, can we truly understand the frailty of human nature, and from there, show compassion and protection."

    It''s because we''re afraid to wake up from our dreams... his answer is pretty much the same one I gave Stelle on the roof...

    But now I was sure. My answer had changed. He was right, running away was nothing to be ashamed of.

    My time in the dream had brought me incredible happiness, but...

    It can''t go on forever.

    The memories I had built up had a very special meaning. They made me realise what my life as a Firefly could have been.

    And to achieve something like that... I had to keep fighting.

    Those happy memories would be the perfect fuel to face the future.

    If I choose to live forever in his dream... it will truly be like entering another cage. My destiny... I''ll be the one to shape it... not Elio... not Sunday... I won''t give up my free will to anyone!

    My resolve, which had wavered so much in the past few days, had finally returned stronger than before.

    "I... admit that you are a born leader. Your perspective on humanity brims with pessimism, yet you express compassion for all, even when your heart pities them.

    But unlike you I live for the "self". From my perspective, individuals making choices for themselves is their birthright," I said, giving Sunday a defiant look, "the want to escape may be innate in the weak, but whether they are weak or not... It is not up to another to decide. Perhaps in your mind, you also view me as weak?"

    There''s nothing wrong with wavering a little... what''s important is the strength to pick yourself up. And the little escape I made... gave me enough strength to face my destiny.

    "Because I don��t think I am!" I declared.

    I saw Stelle smiling at me, while Sunday was staring at me with evident irritation.

    "Since Miss Firefly has said her piece, the Astral Express will also naturally give you our answer. We''ll leave it to you, Stelle. Just as Mr. Mikhail instructed before: tell him our choice��" Himeko said.

    What��?

    A flash of golden light flashed around Stelle. Suddenly, the dreamlike realm in which Sunday had enclosed us was swept away. I could feel a force emanating from my friend as a sense of calm and hope enveloped me.

    This... is the power of Harmony!

    Raising an arm to the sky, a feathered hat appeared in Stelle''s hand as a strange figure materialised at her side.

    Is that�� Clockie?! Why can I see him now?

    Stelle pulled her hat down on her head and looked resolutely at Sunday.

    That must be the Watchmaker��s Legacy they found in the Dream Bubble�� she�� looks so cool!

    But there was no time to be distracted. I glanced at the others and nodded. We had all come to the same decision:

    "The Penaconians'' and Mikhail''s dream does not belong to Order!" exclaimed Stelle.

    Sunday seemed speechless. But it was only for a moment. Recovering himself, with a voice animated by scorn, he said:

    "I can''t believe that Xipe, the Harmony would cast a glance at Penacony at a time like this... Is it because of the resonance from the legacy of the Trailblaze? Or perhaps the bond between you is so strong that it even impresses an Aeon?"

    "Well, there might be another possibility. Perhaps THEY want to witness, on behalf of the fallen Akivili and Ena, who will hold the future of Penacony," Himeko answered.

    That was the end of our discussion; if he really thought he could convince us, Sunday had failed.

    "If that''s the case, on behalf of the Dreammaster of Penacony and the 107,336 members of the Oak Family, I''m extending a formal invitation to all of you�� I''m cordially inviting you all to the Penacony Grand Theater to participate in the upcoming Charmony Festival. And of course, you won''t be in the audience, but on center stage," announced the Head of the Oak Family.

    "Since the future of the Stellaron, Penacony, and even the entire Cosmos is at stake, let''s draw a conclusion there, in all fairness.

    If you truly believe in the Aeon of Trailblaze path, then show me THEIR courage and determination," declared Sunday and, after a moment, disappeared again.

    "Does that mean he wants to fight us during the Charmony Festival?" asked March after a moment.

    "I''m afraid so," I replied.

    But something wasn''t quite right. March seemed to think so too:

    "This is weird! Aren''t arch villains usually plotting some dirty conspiracy in the end? But he actually said something like "in all fairness"... Could it be that he''s underestimating us?"

    "Well, in my opinion, Sunday is deeply committed to his own philosophy and genuinely wants to prove that the Order is right. I sensed a strong conviction and a desire for dominance in him. Maybe he won''t accept the outcome unless he wins fair and square. That''s why he''ll give it his all in the upcoming battle," replied Himeko.

    That might be true, but... Is that really the only reason?  I don''t agree with his methods, but I think his intentions are pure.

    But if he believes so much in his ideals and thinks that his utopian dream could be the happiness of the universe... would he really just risk everything by fighting us?

    No... it didn''t make sense. There was also the matter of the Stellaron: if the power of the Order was really capable of controlling such a thing... why wait?

    Why waste time arguing with us... maybe... maybe because he already had all the time in the world.

    Of course... how could I not have realised it before!

    The dream Sunday wanted to create... we had been in it ever since we had arrived in Penacony!

    Since I had set foot in the Dreamscape, the chains of the Order had tightened around my wrists without me noticing. That was why the leader of the Oak Family seemed so willing to humour our attempts to disrupt his plans: he had already won.

    I glanced at Stelle and her companions as they discussed what to do.

    Did they not realize it?... I should tell them!

    But before I could open my mouth, another thought stopped me.

    Wait a minute... how... did I notice it?

    If I really was trapped in a dream ruled by the forces of Order at this moment... I should never have noticed in the first place.

    From the way Sunday had spoken, my free will would have to be destroyed and I would never have a chance to rebel. Only then could the world achieve what he considered to be happiness.

    But then why...?!

    Of course... that''s why I''m here.

    There was something Sunday hadn''t considered. Of all his prisoners, there was one who, by their very nature, was not completely under his control.

    And that someone was... me.

    I... can''t dream. That''s why I''m not completely trapped like the others.

    But that meant there was no point in explaining to them what I had discovered: the clutches of  Order would have prevented them from understanding the truth.

    Then there''s only one way... I have to wake them up. But how?

    I would have to return to the waking world myself, but how could I do that?

    If I tried to wake up normally like the others... I would just end up back in the dream. But then...

    Think Firefly, think!

    And then it hit me: the answer was already in my script.

    My second death! if I die, I''ll wake up!

    But of course death was not possible in the Dream of Order. But as luck would have it, another external element, just like me, was now present in the Dreamscape.

    Something that shouldn''t have been here. Death. But not a metaphorical one like the one inflicted by the Memory Zone Meme.

    True death: pure Nihility.

    Her blade... should be able to kill me even in this dream.

    Now I knew what I had to do, but... I looked at Stelle. Her eyes were still filled with determination.

    "I�� I��ll do it," I thought, clenching my fists, "this is the time for me to help you and make amends for everything."

    "Anyway, we can''t leave the Stellaron unchecked. This is about trailblazing a bright future for Penacony and fulfilling Mikhail''s and his predecessors'' long-cherished wishes.

    Now that we''ve taken up the mantle, we can''t afford to fail them," said Himeko.

    "However, the same applies to the Order. Their plan didn''t materialize overnight, and they have the profound collective consciousness of the Planet of Festivities behind them��" I interjected, "a desire to dream, to slumber and escape reality... All those hidden emotions have given birth to the sweet dream of the Order. They''ve harnessed the will of an entire planet to create an Aeon... This confrontation is far more complicated than a simple power struggle. To secure Penacony''s future, fighting on the stage alone is not enough."

    The three Astral express girls turned to look at me. March looked at me with a furrowed brow:

    "What do you mean? Are you not coming with us...?"

    "I believe Firefly is trying to say that she''s heading off to another battle."

    I nodded as my eyes moved to Stelle''s. My chest tightened as I saw the sadness that had appeared on her face.

    "Do you... really have to go?" she asked quietly.

    "I have to, Stelle. You see... Before I left, Destiny''s Slave told me that this journey would bring unforgettable rewards. Even though the script he gave me only had a few lines, I couldn''t ignore them. Because one of the lines said... I''ll experience "death" three times in the land of the dreams."

    March 7th looked at me dumbfounded:

    "Three times!? This can''t be serious, right...?"

    "The first time was a painful death when I was stabbed by the blade of "Dormancy," which led to all subsequent events. The script will always come true, but in a way... that will only be revealed when that page is turned. So now, I''ve understood the meaning of my second "death," and I am prepared to face it. If all goes well, my efforts will provide crucial support for you."

    "Firefly... you said you would fight with us to the end..."

    ��I know Stelle, but I have to do this�� Only by achieving victory in this battle can we secure a future for Penacony. And only then, my third and final death... won''t come true in the most terrible form."

    "Terrible form?!"

    The sadness that animated Stelle had now given way to the same terror I had seen in her gaze when Sleepie had pierced me.

    Himeko answered for me:

    "The true "death"... where everyone in Penacony loses themselves completely in the eternal sweet dream of the Order."

    "We must do everything we can to prevent that."

    Otherwise, the time we spent together will really be a fake. And unlike now... it will have no value.

    "Have you... made up your mind, Firefly?" asked Himeko.

    My gaze shifted back to Stelle, who was now staring at the floor.

    "I��yes," I replied, clenching my fists even tighter.

    "Thank you again for your assistance for the Astral Express. May we meet again in reality," replied the woman with a smile.

    "Yeah, let��s meet again. You know�� for a Stellaron Hunter, you are kinda cool!" March said, winking at me.

    Stelle seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

    I know it''s hard... I want nothing more than to stay with you, but I''m not going to run away anymore.

    "Yeah, farewell, everyone. May your Trailblazing expedition never end."

    I turned, ready to set off on what might be my last journey. But before I could take a single step, her arms were wrapped around me.

    "Stelle��"

    "Firefly... you are really unfair... why do you always have to disappear on me?"

    "I... have to do this Stelle," I squeeze one of her hands with mine.

    "I... know. As much as I want to stop you... I won''t. Knowing what your life is like... denying Sunday... you are the strongest person I know. But I won''t let you beat me like that!"

    "Stelle... you are already stronger than me. All this time I''ve done nothing but waver."

    Stelle forced me to turn around.

    "Don''t say that now," she admonished me, "it doesn''t matter if you get lost sometimes, what matters is the destination you reach. And I think in the end... we arrived at the same one. We can''t let that guy turn this place into a prison again."

    "You are right!�� I nodded, lost in her gaze for what might have been the last time.

    "But... don''t think for a moment that I''ve forgotten what you promised me!"

    The girl hugged me again, but with such force that she lifted me into the air.

    "Stelle!"

    "I''m not going to say goodbye or farewell! We will meet again!" shouted Stelle, spinning me around in the air.

    "Stelle, you know I can''t..."

    "Yes, we will. I believe in you Firefly. If you want something, you''ll make it happen, even if it''s not in your script! I will be waiting for you!"

    "She is..."

    <hr>

    When someone gently knocked on the door of my room, my heart leapt in my throat.

    It was the fateful day.

    It had been a week since Stelle had left, probably to complete the last part of her training.

    I only hoped to see her again before it was time for her to leave for the Herta space station to meet her destiny.

    But the days had passed without any news of her. So I had locked myself in my room, only going out to eat, waiting. And finally the day had come.

    I braced myself and said:

    "Come in..."

    But it was not the grey-haired girl who entered. Instead, it was a beautiful older woman.

    Her claret hair were tied up in a messy ponytail. Her eyes, of a similar colour, looked at me from under the round, dark sunglasses. Her mouth was curled into her usual enigmatic smile.

    "Kafka..."

    "Were you expecting someone else?" the woman said as she entered the room.

    "I.."

    But as I tried to get up from the bed, Kafka waved me to stop.

    "Relax, she''s waiting for you downstairs," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

    Kafka turned to me and studied me with her sharp eyes. As usual, she gave me the impression that she was checking me out under an x-ray.

    "Silver Wolf tells me you have hardly left the room this week."

    "I... my condition suddenly got worse..."

    But it was clear that such a lie would never work on her.

    "I thought I was clear when I brought that girl here. You should have listened to me."

    "I... I don''t want to hear you say that now," I looked away.

    The best way to describe my relationship with this woman was: problematic.

    Although her reputation was even worse than mine, this intergalactic criminal had been nothing but kind to me.

    She was the person who had recruited me into the Stellaron Hunters, but it wasn''t just that. She was the first person that had looked me in the face, not as a weapon, but as a human being.

    But even though I admired her, I still couldn''t help feeling nervous in her presence.

    Although she would often come up to me, when I was the one approaching her she always pulled away.

    "When you make friends with someone, you should keep the right distance in order to maintain a long-term relationship," she had said when I had asked her why she was behaving that way.

    But was that really what she thought? I was never able to decipher what was really going through her mind.

    Did she really care about me, or was I just a little pastime for her? I really couldn''t tell.

    "Should I keep quiet while my sweet trainee is so sad? She''s a bit crazy, but I thought you were more rational, Sam," said Kafka with a chuckle.

    "... is laughing at me the reason you are here?" I asked, without getting angry.

    When it came to Kafka, there was always a hidden agenda behind her actions. Although she was a ruthless criminal, she had never been malicious towards us, her comrades.

    "I just thought I would let you in on something that might interest you," she said, confirming my suspicion.

    "What are you talking about?"

    "You seem convinced that you and that girl will never meet again."

    "Am I wrong? After she becomes the vessel for the Stellaron, she''ll leave us and join the Express."

    "That is true, but... you see, in the near future, we Stellaron Hunters and the Astral Express will begin to progress on the same path. Our destinies will intertwine and we''ll become their shadows."

    "But we barely interacted before... is it because of her?"

    "Yes."

    "How can you be so sure?" I asked, but I already knew her answer.

    "My script. That girl... is my destiny," Kafka said, looking me straight in the eye.

    "Your... destiny."

    Kafka began to cackle for some reason.

    "What''s so funny?"

    "Relax Sam, I''m not going to steal her from you. If anything, I see her as an overgrown, unhinged child. Training her was one of the more difficult missions Elio gave me."

    I remained speechless.

    "Steal her�� what are you...?"

    "Do you really think you can hide your feelings from me, Sam? Even if you were inside your armor, I could still read your heart clearly."

    "I..."

    There was no point in denying it, not in front of Kafka.

    For months I had tried to escape what I was feeling, but in the last week I had to face reality: the pain I felt could only be one thing.

    "Are you gonna tell her before she goes away?" asked Kafka.

    "No," I replied immediately.

    What good would that do? She would soon forget me. Revealing my feelings would only make her feel bad. Stelle had made her decision, the best I could do was to say goodbye with a smile.

    "I see..." said Kafka, "as long as you think you won''t regret it."

    "I would never tell her, even if she wasn''t leaving... she and I could never be together. A weapon could never..." my words were lost in the void.

    "I thought your goal was to defy your fate. As you know, I have never agreed with your philosophy. The idea of leaving everything to fate, of relinquishing control... sounds exciting," Kafka said.

    "That''s only because you have never felt what it is like to have no agency... you have never felt the fear of dying a meaningless death."

    "So if you don''t want to end up like that... isn''t trying to purse your relationship with her a way to go against your fate?"

    "I... it''s never worked before, and... she''s in your script, not mine."

    "But between the lines of your script, don''t you want to write something of your own?" Kafka asked as she stood up.

    ��I... all I could write for now was death and destruction... I''d never be..."

    "Maybe not in the middle of your script then... maybe you''ll find a new place to write in," said the woman offering me a hand.

    "Kafka��"

    I really don''t understand her, but... now I know.. she really cares about me.

    With Kafka''s help, I descended to the ground floor of the base. There were three people waiting for us, Silver Wolf, Blade and...

    "Firefly!" shouted Stelle, running up to me and hugging me.

    "Stelle..."

    "I''m so sorry! We were so far away I couldn''t text you. How are you feeling?"

    "I... I''m fine."

    "I see..." she said, pulling away from the hug and looking at me worriedly.

    "It''s time to go, the ship is waiting in the underground hangar," said Kafka.

    With a sinking heart, I followed my companions to the lift that led to the underground levels. The fact that Stelle helped me walk made it all the more painful.

    Soon there would be nothing but an empty void at my side.

    With a ding we reached our destination. The Stellaron Hunters'' airship was there, ready to take her away from me.

    "We''ll go ahead and prepare," Kafka said, giving me a smile before leaving with Silver Wolf.

    There were only three of us left, me, Stelle and Blade.

    "Well, Mr Blade, we didn''t talk much, but it was a pleasure."

    Blade simply nodded and shook Stelle''s hand.

    Then he stepped back, leaned against the wall and looked ahead at the starry sky visible from the hangar.

    The end had come.

    "Firefly... I..."

    I took a deep breath. Tears threatened to flow with every passing second. But I couldn''t let that be Stelle''s last memory of me... even if it would soon fade away anyway.

    "It''s all right, Stelle. You made your decision and... I respect it."

    I said, looking into her eyes. Stelle gave me a sad smile:

    "You don''t have to be so uptight, Firefly... you can cry... like me!"

    In that moment tears began to flow from her golden eyes. Soon I was back in her arms.

    "I''m going to miss you so much! You are my best friend Firefly, I hate that we have to be apart! Even if it''s just for a little while."

    "A... little while? What are you...?"

    "This is not a farewell, Firefly. It''s just a temporary goodbye. I won''t remember you... but you will. I know you''ll find me. I''ll be waiting for you!"

    "Stelle I..." I clung to her, trying to absorb the warmth of her body inside me, "I don''t know if I can..."

    "You will! Even if our paths part for now, I know you''ll find a way to bring them together again. You are the strongest person I know."

    "I... you are stronger than me. I just want to take you and run now... even if it means condemning the universe to its grim fate."

    "But you are not doing it, right? Wavering is human Firefly, the fact that you can still do the right thing even through your doubts is proof of how strong you are."

    Her lips suddenly touched my cheek.

    "There! You better not forget me either," she said, parting from me and smiling brightly.

    "I... will never forget you," I said, my eyes finally blurring with tears.

    "I wish I could say the same, but... I look forward to getting to know you again!!"

    "I... thank you Stelle. For everything you have done for me. I..."

    But the words died in my throat.

    Stelle stroked my cheek and wiped away a tear.

    "Goodbye Firefly... may we meet again!"

    "G-goodbye Stelle..."

    As I looked at her back, my chest tightened more and more.

    "I... I love you," I whispered, my voice choked with tears.

    Stelle took one last look at me before climbing into the ship. Soon there was nothing left of her but a trail of flames in the darkness of the night.

    I began to cry desperately, throwing out all the tears I had tried to hold back.

    Not even the tight grip on my shoulder could calm me.

    I stayed like that while Blade watched over me for who knows how long.

    I could not accept that the brightest star in my sky had been stolen from me forever.

    <hr>

    But it had not been like that. It really had only been a temporary goodbye.

    That star was shining again and I had no intention of letting her go this time.

    As Stelle prepared to climb onto the platform that would lead her and her companions to the Grand Theathre, I gave her a reassuring smile.

    She was right, I had found her. And she was the exact same Stelle.

    Our memories were not the only thing that made us what we are. I was sure of it.

    Even if Stelle lost her memory 100 more times, she would always end up becoming the same wonderful person, again and again.

    And I, for 100 times, would always end up falling in love with her.

    That was a part of my destiny I wouldn''t have fought against. This time I would have told her everything.

    But now I had a mission to fulfil.

    "I  wanted to fight at her side in the end..." I thought with a sigh as I turned my back on her, "please, be safe Stelle."

    The time had come. The sweet dream was coming to an end.

    You always knew, Firefly... just as every day ends in a sunset, every dream ends in waking up. Just as life... ends in death.

    I materialised Sam''s device in my hand.

    It was nice to escape for a while... but now I have to face the future. Just like that time... I��m gonna trail my own path!

    As the device began to glow and fire swirled around me, those familiar words came back to me:

    "I dreamed of a scorched earth.

    A new shoot sprouted from the earth.

    It bloomed in the morning sun, and whispered to me��"

    As my armor materialised around me, the words I hadn''t been able to say to Stelle on the roof echoed clearly in my mind.

    ��Like fireflies to a flame�� life begets death.��

    My suit enveloped me once more. But this time I was not going to wreak havoc with it, no, I had another goal now.

    I know that in the future I''ll die and burn to ashes. But until then I have the right to choose. And I have made a choice: I will fight to realise a dream of my own, a  dream I found thanks to her.

    As I took one last look at Stelle, projected high into the sky, I remembered the words I had spoken to Blade before the mission:

    ��The tombstone that belongs to me once bore the inscription "Glamoth''s Iron Cavalry," then it changed to "Stellaron Hunter," but one day...

    It will bear the name "Firefly" and the brilliance she showed at the end of her life....��

    But I don''t want to focus on that anymore. I don''t want to concentrate on how I''m going to die.

    All my life I have lived to fight... now I want to fight to live!

    I was determined. I was going to find a cure for my condition so I could finally live as Firefly.

    But who was she?

    In this dream I had found the answer:

    She is a girl who wants to enjoy a normal life. She wants to go shopping, see lots of nice places, maybe even go to school! She also wants to eat lots of sweets, especially lots of Oak Cake Rolls.

    And... she wants... to stay by the side of the person she loves.

    Maybe my script was filled with nothing but pain and suffering, but if that was the case... I''d have done what Kafka said: I''d have added a footnote spelling out a single name.

    Stelle.

    As I flew away without looking back, a single wish echoed in my heart:

    May we meet again... in reality.

 12. End of a Dream

    So�� where should I go look for her?

    After the havoc she must have caused by unsheathing her blade, Acheron was probably no longer welcome in the Dreamscape.

    But it''s not like she could leave the dream.

    She must be somewhere in Penacony still, hiding from the Family...

    Luckily, I had someone I could always count on for this sort of thing. But, just as I was about to contact her, Silver Wolf''s voice echoed in the cockpit:

    "Firefly!" my fellow Stellaron hunter exclaimed, her tone strangely panicked.

    What happened? If she''s connecting directly to SAM''s transmitter, it must be something serious.

    "I''m alone, Wolf, we can talk. What happened? I was just about to call you."

    "The entire Xianzhou Fleet! It just entered the Dreamscape! I have no idea how they managed to reach Penacony without me spotting them... anyway, you need to be careful, after what happened with Blade, you''ll be in for a world of hurt if they catch sight of you!"

    I understood why Silver Wolf seemed so out of it. After all, she was very proud of her spying skills.

    It would have been a big blunder for her not to have spotted a huge fleet of ships approaching the star system she was monitoring. But I knew very well why she hadn''t detected them.

    It''s not the real Xianzhou fleet... it''s just an illusion created by the dream of Order.

    As for why it was here now, I also had an idea: Kafka had told me that the Astral Express had received the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath during their last Trailblazing expedition on Xianzhou.

    Thanks to that artefact, they could summon the help of the Xianzhou Alliance wherever they were.

    The missing crew member, Dan Heng, must have used it. I suppose they contacted him and informed him of the seriousness of the situation.

    But I knew it wouldn''t amount to anything. In fact, it might have lulled them into a false sense of security.

    Even if they win their battle against Sunday, nothing will change. They''ll go on dreaming without ever noticing...

    I was the only one who could stop that from happening.

    "Silver Wolf, what I''m about to tell you will be difficult to understand, but try to follow me. In the meantime, please find out where the woman called Acheron is right now."

    "Acheron... oh, the Galaxy Ranger you told me about... on it!"

    I shut down SAM''s propulsion systems and began to hover in the air above the Moment of Scorchsand.

    As I recounted what I had discovered and realised in the last few hours, I heard Silver Wolf gasp in surprise.

    "WHAT?!" she exclaimed at the end, "...I guess that explains why the fleet seemed to appear out of nowhere. But how could I not notice that all of this was going on?!...That''s the power of a Stellaron for you I guess... to think that even my network couldn''t detect what''s happening."

    "If you didn''t notice it, it means things are pretty grim. We must be getting closer to the birth of a new Aeon of Order. I must put an end to this. Did you find out where Acheron is?"

    "She was on the Astral Express not long ago it seems... or the dream version of it, I suppose... uuugh this story is making my head hurt. Anyway, I''m trying to see where she went after that.

    Why are you looking for her, by the way?"

    "I think... she''ll be the one to deliver my second death."

    Silver Wolf was silent for a second and then said:

    "What... do you mean?"

    "If I want to escape this dream... the only way is to die. But death shouldn''t exist in the paradise Sunday wants to create. But when that woman drew her blade... I felt it. As clear as when I was a Glamoth''s soldier. It was... death."

    "A blade that radiates death... wait... you don''t mean...!?"

    "A blade so powerful that it can open a rift through the entire Dreamscape. Such power... could only be wielded by an Emanator."

    "An Emanator of Nihility? But IX barely cares about people! But if she really is one... you want her to hit you with that blade?! Firefly, have you completely lost your mind?"

    "I probably have..."

    Maybe Stelle completely destroyed my rational thinking.

    "Let''s say your body can actually survive a slash of pure nihility... if you come out of the dream now, your mind will be shattered! If what you say is true, and Sunday is trying to create a new Aeon, he must be concentrating all the Memoria in the Asdana Star System using the Stellaron! Remember what happened the first time you entered the Dreamscape? It''s going to be a thousand times worse!

    I did. I remembered clearly all those terrible memories that had feasted on my mind. But now... now I had something that would help me fight them.

    "Even if that''s the case, I have no other choice. What am I supposed to do? Stay here and live in this dream forever? I''ve already spent a good part of my life being a pawn with no agency, I''m not going to let that happen again!"

    "Firefly..." Silver Wolf whispered and then... "AAAAUGH YOU ARE SO STUBBORN!!! After all I''ve done to make sure everything went well!"

    "What... are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

    Sure, she had been a great help over the past few days, but was she actually doing something else behind the scenes?

    "Forget it! Acheron is in Dreamflux Reef right now. Happy now?" Silver Wolf blurted out.

    The Dreamflux... that makes sense, the Family''s gaze can''t reach that far.

    "Thank you Wolf... sorry for being so selfish, but I want to do things my way for once."

    "Do what you want...", Silver Wolf said annoyed, but then added: "If you die, I''ll bring your armor back and really make it my toy!"

    It was a roundabout way of expressing it, but I could feel her deep concern behind those words.

    "Don''t worry Wolfie, I can''t die just yet... I have something to do."

    Silver Wolf huffed:

    "Don''t call me that... Firefly, don''t die," she said, ending the call.

    I won''t. When it''s all over, I''ll make it up to you.

    Stelle wasn''t the only person I owed something to. I would do my best to reconnect with them... they were the closest thing to a family I had after all.

    <hr>

    To return to Dreamflux Reef, I had to enlist the help of Sleepie once more.

    The poor creature seemed inconsolable at the disappearance of its master, but it did its job. Perhaps it understood that I was now carrying Gallagher''s torch.

    When I appeared in the abandoned station, I didn''t bother to deactivate my armor. I soared into the sky, using my enhanced senses to scan the area for Acheron.

    I didn''t care if someone saw me and panic spread. It was all just an illusion anyway.

    It didn''t take me long to spot my target. She was standing by the railing where a few days ago I had gazed at the giant Memoria Black Hole.

    She wasn''t alone.

    As I landed in front of her, the Memokeeper Black Swan said with a smile:

    "Looks like we have company."

    I couldn''t help but feel a certain dislike for that woman. It was kind of childish, since she couldn''t know my true intentions, but I couldn''t get over the fact that she had separated me from Stelle during our last encounter.

    But... she could actually be a great help in this situation.

    "Sam... why are you here?" asked Acheron with her usual composure.

    "I was looking for you. The fate of Penacony is in grave danger!" I replied.

    "You are a little late for that, my dear," Black Swan said with her usual faint smile, "thanks to Acheron''s warning we have gathered some powerful allies. The Family''s plans are about to crumble under the might of the Xianzhou Alliance."

    Acheron''s warning?

    Noticing my inquisitive look, the woman explained:

    "I caused a bit of a ruckus in a fight with an IPC member. The Dreammaster made it clear that I was no longer welcome here... but, after talking to him, I understood that the incident I caused wasn''t really the reason he didn''t want me around. I was sure he had something nefarious in mind. That''s why I contacted Black Swan and together we..."

    "I see," I interrupted her.

    Though I was curious, there wasn''t time to hear her explain everything now.

    "...whatever you''ve done will be useless."

    Black Swan looked at me seraphically, while Acheron''s usually composed face showed an expression of mild surprise.

    So, for the second time, I recounted what I had discovered.

    If anyone is able to grasp the meaning of my words, despite the power of the Order that surrounds us, it''s these two.

    Perhaps that is why the Dreammaster wanted to banish Acheron. She''s an anomaly, just like me.

    There was a moment of silence after I finished my story, and after that:

    "Fufufu, to think that''s what the distinguished head of the Oak family had in mind," Black Swan said with a chuckle.

    "You don''t seem very surprised," Acheron commented.

    "Oh, I imagined something like this might happen. That''s why I implemented a fail-safe mechanism to warn me of such events. Even if the Dream of Order makes me forget what Miss Sam just told us, I will find out again and be in condition to fight against it."

    I looked at her in surprise:

    "Fight? You mean you can do something to free us from this dream?"

    "Exactly. How can I explain it... have you ever had a dream so realistic that you didn''t know you were asleep?"

    ��I... I��m not able to dream����

    "Oh... you poor thing. But you see, when you are living in such a dream, how do you wake up? Well, it all starts when you notice something strange, something that can''t be real. Whether it''s a shadow that shouldn''t be there, or a law of physics that''s suddenly defied. That''s when a dream starts to show its cracks and you realise that you''re not really awake."

    "So you are saying that your fail-safe..."

    "It will expose the impossibility of this dream. If that''s going to happen, I should be able to make everyone else realise it too. Or at least... the people who actually want to wake up and not get lost in Sunday''s sweetdream paradise".

    "I see... then I guess I didn''t have to worry about it too much..."

    I was determined to do everything I could to wake Stelle and her companions, but apparently there was no need. The power of a Memokeeper was truly incredible.

    But Black Swan shook her head:

    "I said I can make them realise they''re asleep, I can''t actually wake them up. For that... we may need another person to act."

    The Memokeeper''s gaze shifted to Acheron''s sheathed blade. The woman noticed and said in a sombre tone:

    "If we are dealing with an Aeon�� Even my blade will not be enough to cut through this dream."

    But Black Swan giggled again:

    "Fufufu, that just means we have to create another kind of disturbance. Like I said, we just need to expose the cracks in this false paradise. But before that... I''ll need your help too, Miss Sam."

    "What do you need me to do?"

    "The Astral Express. If they got caught up in the Dream of Order as soon as they arrived in the Asdana system, that means they may never have reached Penacony.

    If that''s the case, even if I realise what''s happening, I might not be able to reach them. But..." the woman drew a tarot card, "if they have this with them..."

    I took the card she handed me:

    "So you want me to take this to the real Astral Express?"

    "Correct. Since you can''t dream... you''ll be able to escape from here. If you were looking for Acheron, I assume you know what you have to do and are prepared to face the consequences."

    "I am," I replied, nodding.

    "Very well, I will leave you to it... Miss Sam, may you one day find a dream for yourself," the Memokeeper said before disappearing.

    "I already have," I thought, turning to Acheron, "it''s just a matter of making it come true."

    Acheron sighed:

    "So this is why you came looking for me. When did you find out? You were not there when I used my blade. Did Stelle tell you?"

    I shook my head.

    "You really shouldn''t have unsheathed it in front of me if you wanted to hide it.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.After all, Death has been at my side for most of my life. There was no way I wouldn''t have caught its scent... Self-Annihilator Acheron."

    The woman gave me a bitter smile:

    "It seems I''m not the only one who''s good at finding out people''s identities... now that we both know who we really are, I know we should hurry, but how about that conversation?"

    I didn''t know why, but I couldn''t resist her invitation. I deactivated my armor under Acheron''s gaze.

    "I see," she muttered, "you didn''t need my help after all."

    "What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

    "The last time we met it seemed like you were about to give up... but now I sense an unyielding resolve in you."

    Oh...

    I smiled at her:

    "You may be right... you see, the last time I told you that I lived only for a tiny glimmer of light... well, I have found my very own sun now!"

    Acheron smiled faintly in response:

    "Do you think you''ll be able to defy your script now?" she asked.

    "I don''t know yet... I''ll keep trying. What I do know is that I''m going to use every single blank space to write my own story. I will make my own path... towards being the person I want to be, without looking back."

    Acheron chuckled softly at my words.

    "What''s wrong?" I asked.

    "Sorry, it''s just... are you really a Stellaron Hunter?" she asked.

    "Um... what?"

    "I mean, isn''t Destiny''s Slave a follower of Terminus? To think that a Pathstrider of Finality would talk like that. Even the Black Sun that once looked upon me is reduced to ashes before Them. But the way you look ahead, unmindful of your own weakness... you sound like a follower of a certain dead Aeon..."

    She certainly knows a lot about us Hunters... but she may be right. This is probably the result of Stelle''s influence on me.

    "Maybe... it''s because the Trailblaze and Finality are two sides of the same coin. Finality isn''t the end of everything. All things come from there and move on to the next finality. In a way... the end is just the beginning of another journey".

    Acheron was silent for a few seconds, then said:

    "You are determined to see this through... Are you prepared for what comes next? Even if you survive the blow of my blade, Order will not let you escape unscathed."

    She sounds just like Wolfie.

    "I am prepared."

    "Very well," Acheron sighed and turned to me, "then I will do my part."

    "Thank you, Miss Acheron. I hope we''ll meet again under less gloomy circumstances."

    The woman gave me another bitter smile:

    "If we do... I hope I''ll remember you and your courage. You see, because of the Self-Annihilator''s curse,, my memories are taken away and my past is blurred."

    So she carries a burden like me...

    "Do not worry. This journey has taught me that memories aren''t all that matters. I don''t know what it is, but there''s something else that doesn''t let us forget the most important things. I don''t know if it''s something like longing or attachment... but I''m sure it''s there and even your curse can''t do anything about it".

    "Do you... really believe that?" asked Acheron, for once losing her composure.

    "Well, you see... as a wise person once said to me: ��The so-called impossible is merely something that has yet to happen��."

    Hearing her own words, Acheron''s face lit up with a true, beautiful smile for the first time.

    "I see... perhaps I was the one who actually needed help here. Very well, Firefly. May we meet again. In the meantime, I wish you a safe and long journey on your path, be it that of the Finality or the Trailblaze."

    It all happened in an instant.

    As Acheron drew her blade, the world lost all colour.

    A red flash, an emanation of pure nihility, reached my chest.

    So... this is what it''s like to die.

    I felt no pain. In fact, I felt nothing. Every feeling was absent.

    In front of me was the deepest darkness I had ever experienced.

    And then, for a split second, I saw it: an event horizon where a huge black sun was rising.

    "Is this the end...?" I thought as my eyes stopped working, "no...I... can''t... die... yet!"

    <hr>

    Slowly, I began to regain sensation until... I felt cold... unbearably cold.

    When I opened my eyes, I saw a white, pristine membrane surrounding me. I was floating in an icy transparent liquid.

    I shivered and hugged my body in an attempt to warm it.

    Suddenly the walls around me began to shake.

    "Warriors, it is time to awaken�� For Her Majesty."

    A pair of mechanical hands appeared from beneath me. I tried to escape, but they soon caught me in their iron grip. They lifted me up, the walls opened and light blinded me.

    "Feel glory in your birth�� For Her Majesty��"

    When I opened my eyes, I was alone. All around me were dozens and dozens of incubators, pale figures floating in them.

    "Accept your honor, and your destiny�� For Her Majesty��"

    I couldn''t tell where the voice was coming from, so I decided to find out.

    I crossed what appeared to be a deserted and inhabited palace. Colossal insectoid carcasses stood around like silent guards.

    Eventually I reached a magnificent chamber. A woman, whose face I couldn''t see, sat on a throne, her hands clasped tiredly in her lap.

    "Don��t look up."

    Someone had come up to me and whispered these words. They had a badge on their suit.

    AR-26702.

    I glanced at myself:

    AR-26710.

    Is that�� who I am��?

    "Come closer�� my child��"

    The voice echoed in the depths of my mind.

    I couldn''t resist.

    I approached the Empress and knelt down, my mouth coming closer to her fingertips...

    No...

    As my head cleared, I slapped her hand away.

    "I��m no longer AR-26710, I am... Firefly."

    My vision blurred again.

    I was back there. Naked, in the middle of a ravaged planet.

    Around me, like macabre flowers in a field of death, were the mangled bodies of my comrades.

    And then... they spoke.

    "Born to fight, such is the honor of Glamoth��s Iron Cavalry. For Her Majesty!"

    I couldn''t help but cover my eyes as they began to crawl towards me, even though most of them had lost their limbs.

    "Article 22 of Glamoth''s military regulations: Knights must give all they have to Her Majesty, the queen. Including their lives."

    "No... my life is my own..." I muttered.

    "You think you can run away from your destiny? You think you can have a normal life? We died For Her Majesty... you ran away..."

    "Her Majesty... Her Majesty... For... NO!" I shook my head, "She was just a fake and now... I''m not one of you anymore!"

    "Who are you then?"

    Through my fingers I saw the world change again. I lowered SAM''s arm to see the charred corpses of some kind of anthropomorphic animals.

    All around me was devastation: Jepella''s hours were numbered

    As before, one of the corpses began to speak.

    "I may have been a criminal, but I had a life, you know? Unlike a weapon like you, I had people who cared about me... do you think you have a right to be happy after what you have done to us? Do you think your sins can just be washed away?"

    "I... don''t..." I stammered.

    "Only in a dream can you live the life you want... you are just a murderer, a weapon for the Stellaron Hunters. That''s all you are."

    "That''s not..."

    Then I felt a terrible pressure around my neck. I blinked to find myself back in my body.

    SAM was lifting me up and choking me.

    "Who were you before?" the armor asked.

    "G-Glamoth''s... Iron Cavalry," I could barely answer.

    "And now?"

    "S-Stellaron... Hunter," I replied, trying to loosen his iron grip on my neck.

    "And who will you be in the future?"

    "I-I... don''t know..." I said as my consciousness began to fade.

    "To burn to ashes is the honor of Glamoth��s Iron Cavalry. Like destiny�� it cannot be defied."

    SAM is right... I can''t be anything but a weapon...

    My memories began to fade like pages of a diary burned in a fire.

    All my struggles... were in vain...

    For my comrades... I was just a weapon...

    For Stelle...

    I grabbed SAM''s hand. His grip loosened immediately.

    It was obvious that it would. After all, he was just a part of me.

    It was time to face the truth again.

    Glamoth''s Iron Cavalry. That was my past. I would stop running from it.

    The hopes and dreams of my fellow clones, I would carry them with me.

    In their memory, I would show everyone that even someone born as a weapon could become a real human.

    Sam, the Stellaron Hunter... that was me. He was my present. It was true, I had committed many sins, but I would bear them and pay for them. Together with my comrades who cared so much for me.

    It was true that those two identities made me who I was. But... they were not all that I was.

    There''s more that makes me the person I am:  Firefly  .

    That''s right, a person, not a weapon. Because a weapon could never love someone like I do.

    "SAM, you are just a piece of metal. I may not really know who I''m going to be in the future, but I''ll be the only one to decide!"

    Green flames blazed around me. This fire was not part of the powers of my armor, it was the pure manifestation of my determination.

    The dream world in which the Order tried to imprison me was swept away as SAM''s burning wings spread out into the cosmos.

    Back in reality, as I flew through the Asdana Star System, I clenched my fists:

    "My dream is over... now it is time to face the future. One day... I will be a firefly and live for myself until I die and burn to ashes!"

    I only had a second to formulate these thoughts before screams erupted in my cockpit:

    "FIREFLY??! ARE YOU OK?" shouted Silver Wolf.

    "Apart from being half deaf, yes," I replied with a smile.

    "Very funny... I was so worried, your signal had completely disappeared, I thought you..."

    "I''m fine, Wolfie. Thanks for letting me do this. And I''m sorry for worrying you, I''ll play any game you want when I get back, I promise!"

    "I told you not to call me that... I''m glad you''re ok, though. What''s the plan now?"

    "I have to find the Astral Express."

    "Way ahead of you, I''ll send you the coordinates."

    "You''re amazing, Wolfie!"

    "..."

    Thanks to her help and SAM''s speed, it only took me a few minutes to find it.

    When I saw the train, floating in the vastness of the universe, I felt my heart rate quicken.

    Stelle... she''s in there.

    I lowered SAM''s power as I approached the doors of the Express.

    What should I do...? I really don''t want to break anything...

    "Don''t worry, I''ll open a door for you," Silver Wolf said.

    In no time at all, one of the carriage doors opened in front of me.

    I feel kind of bad coming in here uninvited.

    But my guilt was soon replaced by curiosity.

    This is like Stelle''s home!

    "If you go to the left, you''ll find the parlor car."

    I know I could just leave the tarot here, but... I want to see her.

    Following Silver Wolf''s directions, I passed through several carriages, all rather bare, until I came out into a large, well-lit room.

    "Is that a whale?!" I whispered, watching the strange lamp in the ceiling.

    Lowering my eyes, I saw something that made my chest tighten.

    Is that...?! Oh, poor thing!

    I quickly descended the stairs and rushed to the small, rabbit-like creature with large ears lying on the floor.

    Pom-Pom... they must have been standing when they entered the dream...

    With all the gentleness SAM''s arms allowed me, I lifted Pom-Pom and gently placed them on one of the nearby chairs.

    "Sorry for the intrusion, I hope you''ll forgive me," I whispered.

    When I lifted my eyes again, I saw her.

    A grey-haired girl was sitting on one of the nearby sofas. From the way she was slumped against the backrest, it was clear she was fast asleep.

    Stelle...

    I approached her with the slightest hesitation. It had been so long...

    "I guess we really did meet in reality... I hope you''ll be awake next time," I said.

    A single tear fell from her eyes.

    "Stelle..."

    "Firefly don''t d-..."

    But before Silver Wolf could finish, I deactivated my armor.

    Immediately, I felt the world slow down as I fell to my knees.

    "Welcome back reality..." I thought, looking at the ELS scars on the backs of my hands, "but I won''t let it stop me..."

    I crawled towards Stelle. Every moment felt like I was about to disappear, but finally I reached her.

    My trembling hand brushed gently across her cheek, wiping away the tear.

    I slid back to the floor.

    I guess this is as much as I can do for now... next time I want to hug her and... kiss her.

    I activated SAM again and was immediately greeted by an furious Silver Wolf.

    "I swear... you are completely insane. Getting out of the cockpit after you just got a lifetime dose of nihility..."

    "I know, I couldn''t help it. Wolf... could you do something for me?"

    "Oh, you even have the guts to ask me to do something now. You know, sometimes I feel like you are my idiotic little sister!"

    That doesn''t sound so bad... but it''s very strange to hear Wolf call someone little... If I say that, she''ll really get angry.

    "So, what do you want?"

    "The diary I had with me in the dream... can you bring it here?"

    "Who do you think I am?"

    Suddenly, a small notebook appeared on the sofa next to Stelle.

    "Thanks Wolfie, you are the best."

    "I know."

    I slid the notebook under one of the cushions.

    In that diary I had written down everything I wanted to achieve during my time in Penacony.

    It was a collection of silly little dreams, but...

    "I hope it reminds you of me..."

    I materialised the tarot card that Black Swan had entrusted to me. After leaving it in Stelle''s lap, I went out without looking back.

    After closing the door of the Astral Express behind me, I reactivated Complete Combustion and made my way back to Penacony.

    "Firefly... if you try to return to the Dreamscape, I swear I''ll hack your suit."

    "I know Silver Wolf, I have no intention of dying. For now my role in this story is over, I just want to watch its ending. I am sure... it will be a happy one."

    And so, as the huge space station came into view, I reduced SAM''s power to the minimum.

    I began to float gently in space, my gaze fixed on Penacony. There was only one thing I could do: believe in her.

    I waited for what seemed like an eternity until...

    "Firefly, dozens of ships are approaching Penacony at full speed! Make sure they don''t see you!"

    "Is it the real Xianzhou Fleet?"

    "No... they are unregistered, but let me see... wait... what the hell are all these Galaxy Rangers doing here?"

    "So this is the disruption Black Swan had in mind... it looks like they are starting their counter-offensive," I thought, as trails of light lit up around me, tracing the road to Penacony.

    And a moment later I felt it again.

    Death.

    The flat atmosphere of the universe torn apart by a blade of pure nihility.

    Acheron... so your work is done too... now it''s their time to fight.

    I waited in trepidation until a melody</a> rang out in the silence of the cosmos, as if the stars were singing it.

    I got goose bumps.

    A chorus of mighty voices began to sing a majestic hymn. Each note seemed to shake every fibre of my being.

    This music was imbued with power and expressed a burning desire: to bend everything to Their will.

    The Beyond the Sky Choir... Order sings once more...

    Sunday had begun his final plan. This song would bring about the birth of a new Aeon.

    But...

    You will not succeed... they will stop you. Their Trailblazing spirit will never yield to Order!

    I clasped my hands in prayer, hoping that even an ounce of my strength would reach them and help Stelle win her battle.

    Then something happened: in that melody of pure control... a wrong note was played.</a>

    And another.

    And another.

    Soon a new song echoed through the cosmos, dissonant with the Chorus of Order.

    This is...

    This melody penetrated my heart and filled it with pure hope.

    If Sunday''s song wanted submission, this one wished nothing more than for me to fly free in the sky.

    Those harmonious notes were soon joined by a voice.

    Robin! This is her own Hymn of Harmony! To think she would fight her own brother... wait no, that''s not right... this song...

    After listening to that hopeful tone a bit more, I understood that she was expressing a single pure desire with her song: she wanted to save him.

    That''s right... in the end, Sunday and I had come to the same conclusion: reality was a terrible place. But unlike him... I have found a reason to wake up.

    Sunday... listen to your sister! You also have someone who won''t leave you alone!

    As I thought that, I heard Silver Wolf say:

    "What?! What are they doing now?!"

    It only took me a second to realise what she was referring to.

    Pom-Pom...

    A rail unto the stars: like a comet, the Astral Express blazed through the infinity of the universe.

    "YES!" I felt my heart explode from happiness, as I watched the Express plunge deep into Memory Zone, "YOU CAN DO IT!"

    Even as an incredible light began to shine from the core of Penacony, I didn''t lose hope.

    The birth of the new Aeon of Order was almost complete, but I knew it wouldn''t reach its completion.

    "THEY WON''T LET YOU!"

    Suddenly I heard their voices echoing through the universe, joining Robin''s song.

    "Those imprisoned in their dreams are awakening for Freedom!" said a wise, deep voice.

    "You have a noble soul�� Don��t be shakled by the past!" urged a calm and firm voice.

    "Even if the future is full of pain�� we won��t escape from it!" exclaimed a young and hopeful voice.

    "Witness�� the will of the weak!" thundered a mature and indomitable voice.

    "Brother�� The weakness of humanity cannot be redeemed by others," said a mournful but harmonious voice.

    And then...

    The voice of the person I loved.

    "Why does life slumber? That��s because, one day, we will wake up from our dreams!"

    So in the end... we came up with the same answer, Stelle.

    As I felt my consciousness begin to fade, I saw the light that had invaded Penacony dwindle away: Sunday''s dream had come to an end.

    But an end is only the beginning of a new journey... I hope you too will find something to hold on to like me, Sunday... I''m sure you''ll find your own hope. You have to... you owe it to your sister.

    I smiled happily as the fatigue of my escape from the Dreamscape finally got the better of me.

    "Stelle... I knew you would succeed. After I get some sleep... I''ll come back to you and this time I''ll say it out loud... I love you."

 13. Hesitation

    The golden hour was busy as usual. Watching the comings and goings of the Dreamers, leaning against a railing, it was almost as if the events of the previous day had never happened.

    "The Charmony Festival was attacked by an unidentified Stellaron and came to a halt."

    This was the official version put out by the family.

    Ordinary visitors to the Penacony would never have known about the Order''s role in the crisis, and they wouldn''t have known about the power struggles that were going on behind the scenes for a while. But fortunately it was no longer my problem. My mission in the Lands of Dreams could be considered complete. But...

    My script is not over yet�� a third death�� I need to see Stelle before that happens.

    Before re-entering the Dreamscape I was determined to go and find her immediately but now...

    I��m getting cold feet�� Why is this so hard?!

    I didn''t want to go back on my decision to reveal my feelings for her. The problem was that I didn''t know how to do it.

    From her point of view, a girl she''s only known for two days is suddenly going to ask her out... she''s definitely going to think I''m weird!

    I sighed, my eyes lost in the crowd.

    "You really like this place, don''t you?  Don''t worry, there''s still plenty of time before you have to leave. You can enjoy a little vacation in the meantime," Silver Wolf said, startling me.

    I was so lost in my own thoughts that I had almost forgotten that she was at my side.

    Fortunately, no one could see her hologram, otherwise she would have been too eye-catching, even in a dream.

    "You were so skeptical before you came here. But after all this madness, I see you''ve grown fond of the Dreamscape. Just a heads up, you''re still on the Bloodhound Family''s wanted list. So keep a low profile.��

    She was right.

    This could throw a wrench in my plans.

    After all, the Express Crew were now the heroes of Penacony, they probably would have been surrounded by Family guards to ensure their protection. And after my role in the recent events, my cover was probably already blown.

    "It''d be quite inconvenient if I can''t move freely. Could you help me, Wolfie?"

    "I knew you''d ask that. Don''t worry, I''ve hacked all the systems and left no trace. Don''t do anything that may draw attention, and don''t talk with guards, they might recognize you. Keep these two points in mind, and you can go wherever you want unbothered."

    "Thank you, you are the best."

    "You should give me a fake name, though. That way I can give you access to some areas where security is tighter."

    A fake name��

    I thought about it for a moment.

    ��How about�� Samuel?��

    "Miss Samuel... that''s kind of cute! But isn''t it too similar to Sam? I thought you didn''t like that name."

    I gave her a smile.

    "I''ve come around to it, I think."

    The recent soul searching I had been forced to do had finally brought me closer to accepting myself. Even the parts I didn''t like.

    "I see..." Wolf said, looking at me, "So, Miss Samuel, what are you going to do now that we��re done with the mission? I heard the Genius Society is here. How about we go stir up some excitement?"

    That really sounds like something��s up Wolfie��s alley��

    "Well, you know, my  script  isn''t over yet."

    Silver Wolf''s expression darkened:

    "I didn''t let you get back in the Dreamscape to hear an answer like that. You''re planning to do some crazy stuff again, aren''t you?"

    "Don''t worry. The script says that I''ll experience three ��deaths�� but also receive an ��unforgettable reward�� on the Planet of Festivities."

    I''ve already got so much out of this journey, but... is it bad if I want a little more? What will happen if I reveal my feelings to her? Maybe...

    I didn''t know what to expect.

    "How will I know if I don''t try? All possibilities exist until the outcome actually happens, right?" I asked, hoping Silver Wolf would encourage me.

    But my friend merely huffed in response:

    "You may not realize it, but you have a bad habit: whenever you seem to be asking a question, you''ve already made up your mind, and no words will dissuade you�� Man you are so stubborn�� this is about that girl, isn��t it?" she asked, giving me an inquisitive look.

    "Yes..."

    "So why don''t you go and see her now? I''ll find an opening for you," Wolf said, taking out her phone.

    "No... it''s okay. I just need... some time to think." I replied.

    I need to prepare what I''m going to say...

    Silver Wolf sighed:

    "What''s got into you? You are behaving like a maiden in love!�� she exclaimed.

    As I felt my cheeks catch fire, I turned to look at her and my eyes met hers.

    "Oh��" Silver Wolf immediately looked away, "I see�� that��s�� how it is."

    "Is it that obvious?" I asked with a note of desperation in my voice.

    "It''s written all over your face. And I��m nowhere as good as Kafka in these kinds of things."

    My gaze returned to the passers-by as I groaned and shook my head.

    I��m so hopeless.

    I had been on so many dangerous missions during my time as a Stellaron Hunter. But this... this was the first time I really felt like I had no idea what to do.

    I could blow up several IPC squads on my own, but being in love was something I wasn''t equipped for. Just thinking about Stelle gave me a fuzzy feeling in my chest. But when I thought about talking to her about it, the idea that she might reject me hurt so much I wanted to scream.

    While I was trying to make sense of these thoughts, something touched my arm. I turned to see that Silver Wolf had given me a light nudge with her elbow.

    She was smiling as she chewed her gum.

    Wolfie... maybe she can help me��

    "Wolf... how... are you supposed to confess your feelings to someone?"

    "Uh?!"

    My question strangely seemed to surprise Silver Wolf .

    "I... um... well I guess you have to trigger the right flags first, so you are sure you are on the right route then... I guess you have to increase her affection level so you can unlock the CG..." she said, scratching her chin.

    "..."

    " Flags?! CG? What is she talking about? Is romance supposed to be this complicated? Do normal people just know this stuff? Maybe... I''m just stupid..."  I thought as I looked at her with my mouth open.

    "...just do that and I��m sure you��ll be fine," concluded Silver Wolf, patting me on the shoulder.

    Asking for her help had only made things worse.

    "Do you think I''m strange, Wolf?" I asked, sighing for the umpteenth time.

    "Strange? Why should you be strange? I think falling in love is perfectly normal for a girl your age."

    Those words immediately lifted my spirits.

    A girl like me... that''s right, I''m just a silly girl coming to terms with being in love for the first time. It''s perfectly normal to be a bit clueless. It would probably be the same for Stelle, now that she''s lost her memory.

    Finally I could give Wolf a big smile:

    "Thank you! And, by the way, I''m actually much older than you!��

    "Being in suspended animation doesn''t count," Silver Wolf huffed, as she began to fiddle with her jacket, "where did I put it... oh, there it is. Here!"

    I grabbed the black card she was holding out to me, my eyes shining:

    "Is this��?"

    "Kafka''s special card. You ended up without money, right? She told me to say this to you:  "If you see anything fabulous in Penacony, get one for me. Just swipe my card, you know the PIN" . Going shopping will definitely ease your love troubles!"

    "Thank you! Did she want anything in particular? I saw a coat the other day that would look perfect on her!"

    "She didn''t specify anything. But I think a coat or a dress would be fine. Just pick something... you know more about fashion than I do."

    "Are you sure you don''t want to try some new outfits with me?" I asked jokingly.

    "I''m sure the shop staff would be thrilled if they saw their clothes were floating in the air. I guess it wouldn''t be that unusual for Penacony, though. But no thanks, I''ll pass. I also have a message from Blade."

    That''s rare...

    "What did he say?"

    "Honestly, I''m not sure... you know how subtle he is with his words. But I think the gist of it was: "Temptation will show up again in Penacony" or something like that."

    Blade... it''s probably about the conversation we had before I came here. But... haven''t I already dealt with the biggest temptation I could have with Sunday''s offer?

    "Got it. He was just worried about me. Relax, Wolfie. The most I''ll do is get rejected by Stelle."

    "Always so pessimistic," Silver Wolf said, shaking her head.

    I remained silent for a while while she fiddled on her phone.

    After a bit I said:

    "How about we go for a bite? I still have to buy an Oak cake roll today. I''ll get one for you too. And if you don''t like it, I''ll enjoy double the pleasure. Or I can bring one to Kafka, as she never refuses to try new things. Or maybe I''ll give it to... Blade. He''ll appreciate it."

    "Mmmh," Silver Wolf murmured, her eyes still on the phone.

    "I mean, it''s not part of the mission or the script... but you see, yesterday I decided to start adding some footnotes to it."

    "I see..." Wolf said, putting her phone back in her pocket, "I''m afraid we''ll have to do this another time. I''ve got somewhere to be right now!"

    "Oh��" I murmured, disappointed. Now that our friendship seemed to be rekindled, I wanted to spend time with her while I had the chance.

    "Don''t worry! I''ve found something for you to do while I''m away. Speaking of footnotes... I found something that might help you add some new ones. It''s a unique opportunity you can''t lose!"

    I looked at her, raising an eyebrow:

    "What are you talking about?"

    "Have you ever heard of the Radiant Feldspar?"

    <hr>

    The luxurious airship was packed with people. Apparently, there was an exclusive party taking place today.  But as Silver Wolf had said, getting on board had been surprisingly easy.

    That''s the best hacker in the universe for you, I guess.

    But I still couldn''t help being skeptical about what she had told me.

    A pawnshop that grants wishes... is there really a place like that on this ship?

    Even if there was, could it really help me find a way to cure my condition?

    I guess there''s only one way to find out.

    I made my way towards the central part of the ship, passing by what appeared to be a pool party for Trotters. Numerous waiters moved between the tables, serving drinks to the many partygoers.

    This place is so crowded, it almost makes my head spin. I wonder what they are celebrating...

    I approached what looked like a small souvenir shop, intending to ask for directions. But as I was about to ask the clerk where I could find the pawnshop, something caught my eye.

    Is that...!?

    It was a plush toy depicting a googly-eyed Stelle riding a trashcan, her bat signaling the charge.

    "..."

    "Can I help you, miss?" the clerk asked, with an expression of sincere puzzlement in front of my silence.

    "I''ll take all your stock!" I exclaimed, pulling Kafka''s card from my pocket.

    "Huh? Oh, you mean these plushies! I''m sorry, they''re a limited edition to celebrate the new Nameless Heroes of Penacony. I can only sell you one. If you come back later, I might get different instructions... you''re the first to ask for this particular model after all."

    "I''ll take one for now!"

    I clutched the toy to my chest.

    It looks so silly... I''m sure she designed it.

    "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

    "Oh...yes," I had almost forgotten, "do you know how to get to the pawnshop?"

    "Pawnshop... Ah, you must be talking about Lady Bonajade''s place, right? I heard she offers... special services there. Enter the banqueting hall through the door down there. Then go up the stairs and stay on the side of the ship. If you take the door there, you''ll come to the VIP lounge where Lady Bonajade''s room is.

    "I see, thank you!"

    I turned away. deep in thought.

    Bonajade... I''m sure I''ve heard that name before. Has Silver Wolf mentioned it?

    In any case, I was about to find out.

    Following the directions I had been given, I made my way into a large room where a large semicircular table was laden with tempting looking plates of food.

    So much stuff... I wonder what are the-

    I had suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar gray-haired girl out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see Stelle hurrying up the stairs.

    W-why is she here?!

    I leaned against the wall, my heart threatening to jump out of my chest. This was a hell of a coincidence.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    What am I going to do? I''m not ready for this!

    I took deep breaths until I could compose myself.

    It''s ok. One thing at a time... UUUGH!

    I wanted to go to her, I wanted to talk to her, hug her... but I was so out of it.

    Calm down, Firefly. I''ll go and see her in a minute. Let''s have a look at the pawnshop first. If it can really help me, I''ll tell Stelle. I''m sure it will ease her worries about me.

    Having regained a small amount of determination, I made to go up the stairs. But before I could do so, I caught sight of another familiar face.

    Robin? What is she doing here too?

    Making sure she wouldn''t notice me, I approached the crowd that had gathered around Penacony''s most famous singer.

    "...By the way, there''s one more thing. Mr. Alfalfa and I discussed it. I''ll present a gift to the Astral Express on behalf of The Family as a token of gratitude for the Nameless'' contributions to Penacony" I heard her say.

    "..."

    SILVER WOLF!

    So that was what it was all about.

    A celebration of this scale couldn''t be a random party. It was too much, even for Penacony''s standards. What was being celebrated was the averted crisis and the new heroes of Penacony: the Astral Express.

    That explains why that plushie is being sold here... but she said something about Mr Alfalfa... from the sound of it, all the big players are here .

    It was very likely that behind the scenes of the party, on this luxurious ship, the talks about Penacony''s future were taking place.

    And there''s no way Wolfie doesn''t know...

    She had set me up. While she was fiddling with her phone, she had probably pinpointed Stelle''s location and tricked me into meeting her.

    I... Thank you, Wolfie.

    Maybe I should have been angry about her tricking me, but I couldn''t help but be grateful for the little push she had given me.

    I''ll do it... but first...

    I walked up the stairs until I found myself in what appeared to be a casino. I saw Stelle near a slot machine, busy arguing with a distressed-looking Intellitron.

    "What is she doing? " I thought as I got as close as I could without being noticed.

    "If I win... your chest is mine!" exclaimed Stelle, pointing to a coffer next to the Intellitron.

    "...Who said I was belittling you?" he asked exasperated.

    "I did!" she replied with a defiant look on her face.

    "Stelle�� she��s as unhinged as ever�� I��m sorry, I��ll see you in a bit,"  I thought, looking longingly at her back.

    I stepped out of the ship''s interior, went through a door and down a flight of stairs.

    I found myself in an environment that was, if possible, even more luxurious than the previous ones.

    "Excuse me, where can I find Lady Bonajade?" I asked a waiter.

    "That door, miss!"

    After thanking her, I approached the room she had indicated. Not quite knowing what to expect, I knocked on the door.

    "Come in," a seductive voice invited me.

    After going through the door, I found myself in a well-appointed, dimly lit room.

    A tall woman with long, flowing, bright pink hair was waiting for me near the desk. Beneath her large, black-brimmed hat, her pastel blue eyes stared at me while a smile spread across her rosy lips, giving me goosebumps.

    This person...

    There was no way I wouldn''t recognise her.

    Lady Bonajade, yeah.. right��

    The well-dressed woman in front of me was none other than Jade, one of the Ten Stonehearts.

    What''s Silver Wolf thinking, sending me to someone like this? But I guess if she did, it''s okay. Wolfie would never put me in danger.

    But was my cover strong enough to evade the prying eyes of one of the IPC''s biggest players?

    Even if it''s not... I don''t think she''d cause a ruckus on Family''s turf.

    "Welcome to the Bonajade Exchange, Radiant Feldspar Branch. How shall I address you, dear lady?" said Jade in her musical voice.

    I did my best to smile back at her.

    "Just call me Samuel."

    "Samuel, nice name. So, what do you need, Miss Samuel? And what are you willing to give up in return?"

    She knows... I''m sure of it. But I''ll play along.

    My wish... It had become so simple over the past few days.

    "I want to keep on living. And for that, I''m willing to give up everything I have."

    It''s the only way I can stay with her...

    I... don''t want to die. Not for a while. I want to stay in this world much longer and experience many new things. I know my end will come eventually. But I want to go out on my own terms, not because of the condition they have implanted in me.

    "Everything you have?" Jade asked, frowning.

    "That��s right. Everything."

    Jade''s smile lit up again:

    "Miss Samuel, I think you''d best turn around. It seems you''re not quite familiar with the term ��pawn��."

    It was my turn to be confused.

    "I mean it literally. I sense your burning desire to live, but unfortunately, you don''t have anything of equal value to offer," she continued.

    I didn''t have much faith in her intentions to help, but I couldn''t avoid being disappointed.

    "Heh..." I snorted, "Okay, a pawnshop that grants wishes... I see. It''s just a marketing gimmick."

    My words seemed to bother Jade enough for her to reply:

    "That''s quite a harsh accusation. I understand you may not fully comprehend what I mean, but don''t worry, I''ll help you understand.

    Go and talk to the people outside. They''re all customers of my pawnshop. See for yourself if their wishes have come true. Once you''ve done that, come back to me. I''ll help you understand the true meaning of ��pawn�� and make you realize what you''re missing."

    "What I��m missing��"  I thought as I walked out the door,  "I kinda want to see where this is going... If Wolf made me come here to talk to an IPC big shot, there must be a reason."

    But when I got out in the VIP lounge I saw her again: Stelle and a serious-looking young man were surrounded by lots of balloons.

    "Which one should I pop?" said the girl, then she started singing, "One, two, three, four, five�� Dang Heng and Voidrander jive!"

    "Don��t change the words," the young man scolded her, shaking his head.

    The irritation I felt vanished instantly as I burst out laughing.

    She''s always so funny... just give me a little more time...

    I headed back to the casino to look for the customers Jade had mentioned.

    A man and a woman were having a heated argument in front of one of the slot machines.

    "Hahaha! You stupid little girl! Coming back to lose more money, huh?" said the man.

    "Enough talk. Let''s get started. This will be our final game... I''m betting my entire fortune!" exclaimed the young woman, giving him a defiant look.

    "Oh? A big talker, huh? Alright, let''s see what you''ve got!"

    But the gambler''s cockiness disappeared in an instant when the girl defeated him decisively.

    "I... I won? I actually... won?!" she said, dumbfounded.

    "T-this... this can''t be! You lost to me ten times in a row... How could I possibly lose to you at such a crucial moment?!" said the other, stunned.

    "It''s true... Lady Bonajade has truly blessed me�� Ha... Ha... Hahaha!! Finally, my luck has turned for the better! A great new era for Stacy the Master Gambler has arrived!"

    How is this possible?

    It was impossible to control something like gambling luck. Was the game rigged?  If so, it wasn''t much of an achievement.

    I want to see more.

    I made my way to the foredeck. Near a live band, two Pepeshi were holding hands.

    "I''ve prepared a gift for you, Dorothy. Check this out," said the male Pepeshi.

    "Whoa... what a beautiful necklace! Is it made of cymophane? It''s stunning...

    How did you know I love jewelry made of cymophane? It has the same purple hue as the necklace my dad gave my mom... I''ve never told anyone about it. How did you find out, Dell?" exclaimed Dorothy, her eyes shining.

    "So... so�� Will... will you go out with me?" said Dell.

    "I... I will!"

    I left to give them some privacy.

    It seems she can even play the matchmaker... to find that kind of personal information, her network of informants must rival that of Silver Wolf.

    As I was looking for another Jade''s consumer, two women caught my eye.

    "Hey, did you see that? The gray-haired one out there..." one of them said, looking curiously towards the front deck.

    "Don''t look around! Just focus on your drink! Seriously, she looks like a total lunatic..." said the other, turning away.

    Gray-haired��

    I decided to take a look and, not surprisingly, saw Stelle for the umpteenth time.

    What... is she doing?

    She was climbing onto the tip of the ship, trying to get closer to what looked like birds made of paper.

    Are those the birds she mentioned in my secret base? It seems I can see them now too...

    " Chirp, chirp ... Origami bird... Hey, little birdie..."

    "Come on... come on down. Everyone''s staring at you!" cried March 7th, irritated.

    "She''s so cute..."  I thought, listening to Stelle''s chirping a little longer.

    But in the end I decided to go back into the ship.

    I''d rather approach her when she''s alone anyway��

    It didn''t take me long to find another customer of the Bonajade Exchange.

    "Yes... you heard right. I''ve got him. He''s been hiding in Penacony at the Moment of Sol, using a fake identity. And he even posed as a professor at the Paperfold academy."

    A shady looking Intellitron was speaking on the phone.

    "I''ve made a deal with The Family. I''ll leave the extradition-related paperwork to you.

    How did I find him? Well... let''s just say I had some help from an influential figure. Don''t ask for all the details. Twenty-two years�� twenty-two years of chasing this guy all over the Cosmos. Y''know, never thought it''d end up like this, right here��"

    It seems she was telling the truth... she really can make the seemingly impossible come true. How did she do it? And what does ''pawn'' really mean? I should go back and ask...

    Deep in thought, I made my way back to the VIP lounge and knocked on Jade''s door.

    "So you''re back, Miss Samuel," the Stoneheart said, her snake-like eyes fixed on mine.

    "Yeah, I found those people, and it seems their wishes did come true after visiting the Bonajade Exchange. But I''m not sure what you want me to see. They all seem to be living... fulfilled lives."

    "Not so fast. This step was just to show you that the Bonajade Exchange is genuine, that I had the power to grant their wishes. And now, I''ll tell you the price they paid," Jade said with a wicked smile.

    "Dell was from a wealthy family. He was head over heels for Dorothy and wanted to win her heart, so he made a deal with me. He put up his entire fortune in exchange for a gift that would impress Dorothy. It was a piece of cake for me, thanks to my IPC connections. However, Dell will soon find himself evicted from the Dreamscape because he can''t afford his room. Whether he can bounce back from poverty... well, that depends on him. Let''s just hope that necklace will keep their relationship from crumbling."

    So he gave up his entire fortune to make his dream of love come true... I can see where she''s going with thi  s.

    "Then there''s Stacy, a lady with a gambling addiction. She wanted some serious luck, but she had nothing to offer, so I took something else instead. I took away all her close relationships. From the moment she stepped out of the Bonajade Exchange, every casino in the cosmos would remember her name, but her parents and siblings would sever ties with her, and it would be impossible for Stacy to make any real friends again.

    She will accrue a vast wealth due to her ��good luck��, but she''ll never be able to use it for the people who truly matter to her."

    She can even take something immaterial like relationships�� this sounds more like a deal with the devil than a pawnshop��

    "As for Detective Walker, he spent two decades chasing down a wanted criminal for some heinous crime, but he never caught the guy. In his desperation, he came to me.

    He offered his own memory system as collateral. In due time, his memories as a detective will be erased, and he will completely forget his own identity and all the sacrifices he has made."

    I know very well how painful that can be��

    "Interesting, don''t you think? I fulfill people''s desires and grant them favors, and soon, they come back to me with even greater desires. When people see others'' desires get fulfilled, they develop their own desires. It seems like an endless cycle but it does have a goal. In the end, I will get what I desire from this whirlpool."

    I now fully understood what she had meant during our first conversation. Unlike the consumers I had just seen, I had nothing of value to give her.

    A weapon made only to fight had no riches to give away. And most of my memory was filled only with death and suffering...

    ...but that was only my past. That''s probably why she took the time to talk to me instead of just refusing to deal with me outright. She probably knows that I can give her something of value now... and I can guess what it is.

    As if to confirm what I had just thought, Jade came closer and said to me, her smile growing wider:

    "And patience happens to be one of my greatest strengths. So now, do you understand what you must give up, Miss Samuel? Or should I address you as...AR-26710, a remnant of Glamoth''s Iron Cavalry?"

    So she has finally decided to reveal her true intentions.

    "I''m not surprised," I said without losing my composure.

    "You are much calmer than I expected. Entropy Loss Syndrome ... truly an unjust misfortune, isn''t it? The higher-ups in Glamoth implemented such a ��fail-safe�� within the genes of their warriors, just to make sure the Republic''s most powerful weapons wouldn''t fall into the wrong hands," said Jade as she walked around the room, her heels tapping rhythmically on the floor.

    "As for the price... Those Iron Cavalries weren''t exactly seen as regular, independent ��humans��, so there wasn''t really a price to be paid. However, you are different. You''re now a Stellaron Hunter, a living being named Firefly. Naturally, you want to continue your existence, but with the Firmament Front gone, the people who know the secret and can cure the disease are nowhere to be found."

    As I thought. My identity as a Stellaron Hunter is what she''s interested in.

    Normally I would have shut down immediately, but...

    Does she... really have a cure?

    I couldn''t ignore that. Even if I''d turned down her offer in the end, I needed to know more.

    "Are you suggesting that the IPC has a remedy?" I asked, trying to hide my trepidation.

    "Well, there might be a silver lining. That''s all I can say for now."

    So... maybe there is a way. But of course she won''t say anything until I pay her. Was this the temptation Blade had warned me about?

    But there was no way I was going to pay the price she wanted. There was only one thing an IPC member could ask of me. But I''d rather die now than give it to her.

    My loyalty towards my comrades is not something I''m willing to sell.

    "I see. It''s no wonder you said I can''t provide anything of equal value, because nothing I own holds any meaning�� So, you''re going to ask me to personally restrain my partners to ensure my own survival," I said, looking into her eyes.

    But to my surprise, Jade shook her head.

    "Unfortunately, that''s not quite the case," she replied, "Partners... a nice way to put it. Now, I''m even more curious about the Stellaron Hunters. Each of you has your own identity and a special bond with each other. It''s strong and intimate, and yet it allows for independence. Just as the Ten Stonehearts follow Diamond , you follow your own leader. I wonder what they are like, and if all Stellaron Hunters are like you... Traveling on the Path of Finality but struggling against your destiny, attempting to move in the opposite direction?"

    "..."

    It was the second time someone had questioned my Path. But unlike Acheron, I didn''t trust this person one bit.

    "I really hope that one day, all of you will come and visit my pawnshop. I''ll be waiting patiently for that day," Jade concluded, returning to her desk.

    So that''s what she wants... but why does a big shot from the IPC want to interact with us? This is not something I can handle alone. I should talk to Elio about it when I get back. For now, I should try to get more information out of her.

    "Can I see this as an invitation from Diamond to the Stellaron Hunters while keeping the IPC in the dark?" I asked her.

    "Consider it more of a personal offer from myself. It doesn''t represent the IPC or the Strategic Investment Department ."

    So she''s acting alone... it must be something important if she''s willing to risk going against her own boss.

    "The Stellaron Hunters have interacted with the IPC, but not the Ten Stonehearts... Our paths have never crossed. As for your offer, I can pass it along to my partners, but I have a question�� You know who I am, and you must know that my partner is keeping an eye on this room. If she wanted to, she could let the entirety of Pier Point know about it within a few mere seconds. What drives you to take such a risk and extend this invitation on behalf of Diamond, even if it could lead to your downfall?"

    I was bluffing. I had no idea if Wolfie was actually listening. Maybe she had told me the truth and was wreaking havoc around Herta and Screwellum right now. But she was not someone even Jade could keep track of.

    "Simply put... you and I are the same. However, unlike you Stellaron Hunters or the Astral Express, we Stonehearts band together... merely to obtain what we want.

    Each of us has our own past and destined ends. And on this journey, we have been invited by Diamond to join him. This journey could be either brief or long, as each of us carries a void in our hearts that can only be filled from the outside."

    Jade ran a hand through her long hair, as if remembering something:

    "So, Diamond made us a promise. To divide the power of the Emanator of Preservation into ten pieces and give each of us a Cornerstone to fill that void.

    "Mortal flesh is fragile, yet my heart is unyielding like the monolith. For without this resolve, the way of Preservation would fade into oblivion."

    So, you understand? This pledge goes beyond a mere oath. It''s our collateral in exchange for opportunities, wealth, survival, and a future... And whatever we gain from it will fortify the Stonehearts in return, allowing us to achieve the great cause of the Preservation when the war among the Aeons eventually comes.��

    I guess it was too much to expect a straight answer, but I guess she''s doing what she thinks is better for her faction in the end.

    "...I understand."

    "Take your time, child. You don''t need to give me an immediate answer. Like I said, patience is one of my greatest strengths."

    "If fate turns that page, our paths will cross again," I said, heading for the door, "It''s a shame, though, that this pawnshop can''t give me what I desire. My last attempt in Penacony... Well, it ends with ��hope��."

    I left as one of her customers came in to make a payment.

    I walked through the lounge and up the stairs. When I was sure I was alone, I slowly slid down to the floor.

    "Aaaah��" I sighed.

    It had been so hard to turn down her offer.

    The fact that a tiny glimmer of hope was enough to make me feel that way showed how desperate my situation was. My feelings for Stelle had definitely rekindled my desire to fight my fate in a way I''d never imagined.

    There were so many things I wanted to do in the future. The time I had spent with her had given me a taste of what my life as a Firefly could be, and now my heart longed for it so much it hurt.

    But for  now it was just a fantasy. The things I wanted to do were just lines on a bucket list that I would never be able to cross off.

    That silver lining... how can I reach it?

    I didn''t want to make a deal with the devil. If and when I reached that impossible future, I wanted to finally be happy, with no strings attached.

    But to do it alone... no, I have to try.

    I stood up.

    This is a fight between me and the fate that has been decided for me. I know my companions and Stelle will want to help me... but I want to do this alone. I want to show Elio myself that destiny is something that can be changed.

    But like all things, a battle must have a beginning before it can have an end.

    However it goes, I''ll do it. I''ll make this the first chapter of my new story.

    As I began to search for Stelle, the words of a familiar song began to resonate in my heart. It was as if I was back there, on the balcony, where my feelings for her had begun to bloom again.

    Will she reject me or... will she return my love?

    It didn��t matter.

    No further hesitation on those unanswered questions. So now�� I��ll make a dream unchained!

 14. Like a firefly to a flame

    I frantically used the front camera on my phone to make sure that I looked presentable.

    Stelle was just a few steps away, sitting on one of the sunbeds by the pool. She probably needed to recharge her batteries after all the chaos she had caused through the Radiant Speldspar.

    This was my chance and I couldn''t miss it.

    Here goes nothing, Firefly. This is what it means to make your own choices. You have to accept the outcome, whatever it is.

    After taking a deep breath, I approached her.

    I was only a few feet from her when Stelle''s golden eyes fixed on me. Without realising it, a broad smile spread across my face as I saw her face light up with surprise.

    I raised my hand and said in a trembling voice:

    "Hi, w-we meet ag-"

    I didn''t even have time to finish the sentence before I found myself squeezed into Stelle''s arms. For a moment I was sure that my third death would be by suffocation and... that I would not have minded at all.

    "Firefly! Thank the Aeons you are safe!" she shouted in my ear.

    "I am. I came back to see you, just like you said," I replied, leaning on her.

    "I knew you would... but I couldn''t help but worry. Acheron said some ominous things about you sacrificing yourself to wake us up..."

    "Yeah... it was pretty rough. But nothing I couldn''t handle!" I smiled at her as she pulled away from the embrace.

    Now that I was close to her again, all the mental anguish I had suffered while leaving the Dreamscape seemed insignificant.

    "I don''t know how someone as cute as you can also be so tough," Stelle said, putting a hand behind her neck.

    "I - don''t tease me like this!" I blurted out, blushing.

    "What''s going on? You''ve always brushed off my compliments, unlike Acheron''s... could it be that you''ve finally fallen for my charm?" Stelle said, coming closer to me with a mischievous smile.

    YES! YES, I HAVE!

    But this was not the right moment to tell her. I needed to create the right atmosphere first, otherwise she''d take it as a joke.

    "So... are you enjoying this party?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

    "Yeah, it''s my party after all! I even got some exclusive merch! But I guess that''s not quite right... the Charmony Festival is about to start!" she said excitedly.

    "The Charmony Festival?" I asked, confused.

    "Yes. You know, with what happened with Sunday, the Grand Theatre is kind of off limits. And I guess they didn''t really feel like having a big celebration with all the political struggle going on behind the scenes. So Robin''s going to have a little one here on the ship!"

    "Robin? Even after what happened to her brother..."

    From what Wolfie had told me, she and Sunday would probably never see each other again.

    "She''s another example of not judging a book by its cover. She''s tough as nails, isn''t she? Do you want to see her concert with me? I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was one of your wishes..." she said, winking at me.

    Oh...

    "Have you found my diary already?"

    I hoped she would find it after she left Penacony... so she would think of me even after we said goodbye. Now... it''s kind of embarrassing.

    "Pom-pom cleans the parlour car religiously every day.  They were so confused when they found it. But I knew right away it was yours. You have such cute handwriting!"

    "I... Thank you. I''d love to watch the opening cerimony with you! When does it start?" I asked, beaming at her.

    "In about an hour, I think..." she said, trying to remember.

    An hour... that should be enough... Remember what Wolfie said, Firefly... I don''t see any flags around here, but I can probably raise my affection level with her a bit before I go for it.

    "Do you want to have some fun together before her performance?" I asked in a hopeful tone.

    "Of course! Come on, this time I''ll be your guide!"

    What followed were moments of pure bliss.

    It hadn''t been long since I''d met her here, in the Land of Dreams, but I''d missed spending some carefree time with her so much.

    I did my best to capture every single moment in my memory:

    Stelle robbing the buffet, incurring the wrath of the waiters.

    Stelle losing all her chips in the casino and lashing out at the blonde IPC ambassador for stealing her luck.

    Stelle pulling me away from a long red-haired man in shining armour as he sang of my beauty, making me blush.

    Stelle, who forced me to follow her in a strange dance in front of the live band area, making everyone look at us funny.

    Stelle, who, despite my protests, lifted me into the air near the front of the ship, imitating a scene from a famous Penaconian movie.

    I want these moments to last forever...

    But it was because they couldn''t that they were so important.

    So when almost an hour had passed, I took Stelle''s hand and led her outside.

    I leaned against the ship''s railing and stared out at the clouds, illuminated by the orange light of the sunset.

    "Did you have fun?" asked Stelle at my side.

    "Yes... I never had so much fun. You know... I had my expectations when I came here, but... you completely shattered them."

    "Smashing things is what I do best!" she exclaimed with a chuckle.

    "It��s being crazy hasn��t it? ...Two murder cases, a showdown with the IPC''s ambassadors, the legacy of the Nameless, and a remnant of the Order who wishes to replace an Aeon-created paradise with a dream... you guys even ended up shattering the dream... It''s truly been quite a vacation, isn��t it?��

    "Yes... but I''m really glad we went through all that trouble. I wouldn''t have met you otherwise," Stelle said.

    My heart was beating so fast I was afraid she could hear it.

    "It''s good that you managed to overcome all those difficult problems. Congratulations!  After the Charmony Festival''s opening, will you guys be leaving again?�� I said, trying to change topic to regain a bit of composure.

    But I soon realised that I had made a mistake. Stelle''s smile faded.

    "Yes... I think we''ll stay a bit to deal with the aftermath, but... after that... I still don''t know where the new destination will be."

    "There will always be somewhere. After all, you guys are on the Path of the Trailblaze ��" I said, trying my best to not let my smile fade as well.

    "Firefly... I think you have shown more trailblazing spirit than any of us during this whole thing."

    "You''re not the first person to tell me that... You know,  before joining the Stellaron Hunters, Elio told me that this journey will tell me how to live on. That''s all he said. As for the rest, it''s up to me to find out." I said, looking at the horizon.

    "So, I''ll pay extra attention to any leads that will let me live on. This trip to Penacony is no different.

    But... even if I haven''t found a cure for myself yet, I think I''ve at least found out what it really means to be alive, thanks to you. I may leave the dream with nothing tangible, but at least I have found an answer."

    "I''m glad I could help you, Firefly... but a cure... didn''t you say there was none before?" she asked, looking straight into my eyes.

    "I��m still not sure but�� there may actually be one. Do you know Miss Jade from the IPC''s Strategic Investment Department? Bonajade Exchange belongs to her.

    She said that there might be a silver lining to my situation. But�� it won��t come for free. She told me her price, but��"

    "Don''t take the deal. Those IPC people may have ulterior motives," Stelle said firmly, "whatever it is, I''ll help you find it myself. I''ll tell Himeko that I''m taking a break from Trailblazing and we''ll look for it together."

    I knew she would say that. But I couldn''t let her, no matter how much I wanted to. Stelle had her mission, I couldn''t let her give it up for me. And anyway:

    "No Stelle. It seems that Jade didn''t really want my answer. But even if she had, I would still have refused. Of course I want to live on, but... what fate owes me, I want it paid back, not passed on. No one else should be involved, because this is a grudge between me and fate. So this is something I must do alone."

    "But... how can you ask me to just go back to my adventures when I know that you might die soon?" said Stelle, shaking her head.

    "I know it''s hard. I really thought I wasn''t afraid of dying, you know? But the thought that I might not be able to feel the happiness I felt today ever again... it''s kind of hard to deal with. But... you have something else to do, Stelle. Every step you take matters to the universe. Every ally you gain will be important. You have to keep trailblazing to protect the future so that one day I might be able to live in it."

    Stelle lowered her eyes and sighed.

    "You are really stubborn, has anyone ever told you that? If that''s what you want... but that won''t stop me from trying to help you. On my journey I''ll keep looking for it, for that silver lining. I''m going to ask every single person I meet, in every corner of the universe, whether you like it or not!"

    "Thank you Stelle... I''ll always think about you."

    "Me too."

    It was time. I had to do it now or there wouldn''t be any more time. I put my hand to my chest, took a deep breath and asked:

    "Do you remember when you told me that I''m too used to hiding things?"

    She smiled faintly:

    "Of course I do, Miss Stage performer of the Iris Family."

    "I��m sorry about that," I chuckled, "but now I really want to try expressing my emotions as any ordinary person would.  So�� Stelle�� I��"

    But a loud voice interrupted me:

    "It''s that girl! Get moving! Arrest that criminal before the Charmony Festival begins!"

    Why now?!

    I looked around to see the very same two Bloodhounds that had chased me the first day coming towards me:

    "I can''t believe they''ve chased me this far... Looks like we''ll have to say our goodbyes. Don''t worry about me. Just go and enjoy the ceremony!" I said reluctantly.

    But Stelle grabbed my wrist.

    "I��ll help you deal with them!"

    But I shook my head:

    "It��s okay, you have to go, you are the star of the party, aren''t you? We��ll meet again don��t worry. After all my script hasn��t reached its end yet."

    I just hope we won''t meet just in time for my third death to happen...

    Stelle sighed and let me go. I ran away quickly, clenching my fists.

    Why am I so unlucky?

    But I would not lose heart.

    I ran inside the ship, plunging into the crowd to cover my tracks. After a couple minutes I was sure that I had lost my pursuers.

    Now it''s time to get back to Stelle.

    But I soon realised that it would be difficult. I could hear a big buzz coming from the pool area. It was clear that the Charmony Festival had just begun.

    Checkpoints had been set up around the exits of the ship''s interior, probably to make sure no ill-intentioned people interfered.

    I leaned my back against the wall.

    I really wanted to see Robin''s performance with Stelle...

    I took out my phone and quickly texted her to let her know I was okay.

    Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do now but wait. And so I did. Ten minutes passed before my phone rang.

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Is it Stelle?

    It was, but...

    Is this a group chat? Why did she add me to it?

    Stelle: We''ve got a problem, friends. There''s an imaginary neutron bomb on this ship

    March 7th : ?

    Welt : What''s happening?

    Stelle: It''s all thanks to that Masked Fool .

    "From Where to View Fireworks" has joined the chat

    "From Where to View Fireworks" has joined the chat

    From Where to View Fireworks: Miss Sparkle will explain the situation personally!

    I watched as message after message popped up on my phone.

    999 bombs?! What is this Masked Fool deal?

    I still didn''t understand her motives for making me and Stelle discover the real Dreamscape. Yet she had helped us to discover the truth.

    So why was she disrupting the Charmony Festival now?

    I guess I shouldn''t expect a Masked Fool to follow any kind of logic.

    By now, people were fleeing left and right all around me. Poking my head into the outside of the ship, I saw that the guards had moved, probably to help evacuate the ship.

    "I''m going to help Stelle with this," I thought, and ran to find a corner where no one could see me.

    I materialised my device and got into my armor, keeping the flame output to a minimum so as not to make any noise. Then I flew into the air in order to get to the top of the ship.

    "Initiate: Clean up!" I exclaimed as I spotted a strange object on the roof of the banquet room.

    But when I grabbed it, I realised it was just a plushie.

    "Are these the bombs? They are clearly just toys," I thought as I incinerated the Sparkle plushie with my flame vent while it screamed in a squeaky voice.

    But I didn''t stop my operation. There could''ve been a real bomb hidden among the fakes after all. But after dealing with all the ones on top of the ship, not a single one turned out to be real.

    Unable to find any more, I landed on the now deserted deck, just near the pool.

    I deactivated my armor and checked my phone.

    "Looks like they took care of all the ''bombs'' except one," I thought as I scrolled through the chat.

    When I lifted my eyes from it, I saw it. A plushie was hidden under one of the sunbeds.

    There it is... I guess it was just some kind of stupid prank.

    But as soon as I picked it up, I felt something was wrong. This particular doll seemed to have an ominous aura about it.

    "What... is this...?"

    The plushie began to speak.

    "30 minutes, 29 minutes, 59 seconds..."

    I quickly turned into Sam and tried to burn it, but it came out unscathed and continued its countdown. As I deactivated the armor, I started to get nervous.

    Withstanding Sam''s fire... this thing is definitely not a toy like the others. And this feeling... this is not good. If it''s a real bomb, things might get dangerous now that Ena''s dream has been shattered.

    I quickly took out my phone and dialed Silver Wolf''s number.

    How did she not catch Sparkle while she was setting all this up? Is she still in the Genius Society? Come on, Wolfie, pick up!

    But she didn''t. It was so strange, she usually never missed a call.

    Wolfie... why now of all times? It''s all right, I suppose. There are a lot of people on the ship. Maybe Black Swan could teleport it away with her tarot-

    But while I was thinking that, my eyes caught sight of something: on the sunbed where I had found the bomb was now a sheet of paper.

    What is this? Was it there before?

    I grabbed it and read what was written on it in a peculiar handwriting:

    This_is_a_memetic_virus.exe

    !!!WARNING!!!

    A memetic virus has been planted into this imaginary neutron bomb

    Memetic lifeforms (particularly Memokeepers)(especially Black Swan) are advised to stay clear

    Otherwise

    Exposed individuals face a 72.36% chance of turning into a

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    banana banana banana banana banana

    P.S.: She means business.

    P.S.P.S.: It''s true! Try it if you dare!

    What the hell is this? Is she reading my thoughts or something?

    I tried calling Wolf again, but she didn''t answer this time either. Running out of ideas, I threw the bomb into the nearby pool and started walking back and forth.

    Think Firefly... if that thing goes off here, it could be very bad. Ena''s dream is over. I can''t destroy it, and I doubt anyone will be able to disarm it. We can''t send it away either, so...

    I stopped.

    "So that''s it. My third death... now I get it."

    I made a move to grab the bomb again, but I hesitated.

    I... what if I don''t make it back? What if I pass out from the memoria concentration? I''m still feeling the effects of yesterday''s ordeal...

    But maybe... maybe it was okay. After all, it meant I would be able to go out on my own terms. I would save everyone while shining brightly in the sky, just like I had told Blade before I came here.

    Maybe this is the temptation you were actually talking about... a heroic death... something a criminal like me should not get.

    Suddenly I heard a footstep coming towards me.

    "Firefly!" Stelle shouted, running towards me.

    But before she got here, she stopped and reached for her bat.

    "Are you really Firefly?" she said, looking at me suspiciously.

    "It''s me, Stelle. It''s the second time you''ve asked me that," I giggled, my worries melting away like snow in the sun, "but don''t come any closer, that bomb is very dangerous."

    I could still hear its voice, muffled by the water.

    " Twenty-seven minutes and fifty-two seconds... Twenty-seven minutes and fifty-one seconds."

    "Dangerous? All the ones we found so far were just duds!" Stelle exclaimed, stepping to my side despite my warning.

    "This one is the real thing. I tried to destroy it, but the bomb''s design is incredibly unique, as if it''s been locked by some mysterious Path force... Apart from its creator, I fear no one knows how to deactivate it."

    "I see, if you are the one who is saying that I trust you. I guess we''ll just blow up and wake up..." she said.

    But I shook my head.

    "No, Stelle. The sweet dream has lost the protection of the Order, if that bomb were to explode here... the consequences would be unfathomable."

    "I see..." Stelle''s usually carefree face faltered, "I guess we have no choice but to find out where that girl is then!"

    "Do you really think we''ll be able to? She''s a master of disguise. Remember how she tricked us on the first day?"

    "You''re right... Let''s wait for the others then. I''m sure Black Swan or someone else will be able to handle it.

    "About that..."

    I handed her the paper she had found and watched her brow furrow as she read it.

    "So... there is nothing we can do..." she murmured at the end.

    "There may be a way."

    But you will not like it.

    Looking into her eyes, I knew she already suspected something, so I decided to just say it.

    "Do you still remember? The script said that I will experience ''death'' three times in the Land of Dreams. I think this moment heralds the third time."

    "NO!" she yelled, grabbing my wrist.

    I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

    "You may already know that I have no way of evoking dreams, I employ a Stellaron Hunter''s special method in order to enter dreams instead. This allows me to perform feats that typical Dreamchasers can''t. As long as I can bear the pain of the memoria pressure, I''ll be able to dive into the primal Memory Zone beyond the dream, and extend a lifeline to the Radiant Feldspar. I will take this bomb into the depths of the Dreamscape... as deep as possible, where there are no living souls around. That way, at least no one will get hurt," I explained to her.

    "What do you mean no one will get hurt? What about you?!"

    "Don''t worry. I believe SAM will be enough to get me where I need to go before the countdown ends... and maybe even bring me back safely."

    "Maybe?! So you are not sure at all! How can I let you go knowing that? You left me twice already... this... no..." Stelle tightened her grip.

    I put a hand over hers.

    "Please, Stelle, this is my decision. I told you before, I''m going to walk my own path. It doesn''t matter if this is just part of my script, because I''m doing it of my own free will."

    "But..." Stelle took a step back, but still wouldn''t let me go.

    "It''s impossible to change our destiny. That may be true but... Miss Acheron told me something. ''The so-called impossible is just something that has yet to happen...''

    At the moment there are so many things that seem impossible... but are they really never going to happen? Maybe it''s just that the moment to disprove these ''impossibilities'' hasn''t arrived yet."

    "So please... let me go ahead, Stelle. I need to see what happens. Whether it be a literal ending, suffering akin to death, or a harrowing deathscape... before the appointed destination arrives, they are all the same, yet I can still make countless choices. I also firmly believe that when the moment comes for us to make a choice, the answer to our end will already be in our hearts. It is not destiny that shapes us, but we who shape destiny."

    Finally Stelle''s grip loosened. She lowered her eyes, seemingly unable to say anything in response. I knew I was hurting her again, but...

    I want to use SAM for my own desires this time... not to kill or destroy, but to save everyone.

    I jumped into the pool and activated my armor. After grabbing the bomb, I glanced behind me. Stelle was standing still, her hand outstretched towards me, looking as if she had been petrified.

    "Just as I thought... SAM''s probably reminding her of what happened the other day..." I sighed in the cockpit.

    In the end, I don''t think I was able to make it up to her... that''s another reason why I have to do this.

    But before I could turn on the thrusters, I heard a splash and suddenly Stelle''s hand was on SAM''s arm.

    "Stelle..." I murmured, surprised.

    SAM''s deep voice made the water around me shake.

    "I''m sorry," she said, tears streaming from her eyes, "I know this is what you want, but I can''t let you sacrifice yourself."

    "Stelle... I thought... you didn''t like seeing me in the armor..." I said, looking at her hand. I could have easily escaped her grip, but I didn''t.

    "What are you talking about? It doesn''t matter if you are in your armor or not. To me you''ll always be just Firefly!"

    At that moment I felt as if my heart had suddenly grown wings of its own and was ready to fly away. I didn''t even notice it but my wish had already come true.

    I was alive, as Firefly, at this very moment. It didn''t matter that I was still bound to SAM, because she could still see my true self, even if I was inside it.

    "That''s right, I''m Firefly..." I said, smiling at her in the cockpit.

    There was a moment of silence between us.

    From a speaker I could hear Robin''s gentle voice</a>. Perhaps this too was part of destiny, the fact that her notes accompanied the most important moments for me.

    "You know... a few days ago I probably would have done what you said. I would have sacrificed myself so that everyone would remember me as Firefly. But now... I won''t do that. I will come back because..."

    I deactivated my armor, causing Stelle''s grip to close on the air. I ran to the edge of the ship before turning to her and letting her see all the joy I felt, painted on my face.

    "Because the person I fell in love with is waiting for my return."

    I only took a second to see Stelle''s golden eyes widen in surprise before I jumped off the ship.

    I really felt alive when I felt the breeze in my face. And I intended to stay alive. That resolve was a raging inferno inside me as my armor enveloped me.

    I powered up the thrusters and I began to fly higher and higher in Penacony''s sky.

    Kafka was right. The Astral Express and the Stellaron hunters�� are like light and shadow. We walk on different paths, intertwined, moving forward and growing together��

    And I want to keep moving forward at your side, Stelle. Maybe the end is predestined, but�� it is not today!

    But just as I thought that, the bomb in my hand started talking again.

    "Since things are going too well�� Let''s speed up the countdown!"

    "No��"

    I focused as hard as I could and green flamed roared behind me.

    I will do whatever I can to get back Stelle�� but however it goes I��m happy I was able to tell you how I feel. Human life is short, just like fireflies to a flame. So, if you have an answer in your heart... Always remember, don''t leave with any regrets.

    I took one last look at her. I saw her hands joined together in prayer.

    We have this right... don''t we?

    I was ready to see where my choice would take me. I accelerated and accelerated until I felt the memoria thicken around me. But... the bomb in my hand began to shake.

    "So this is it... I''m sorry Stelle, I''m glad I got to live as Firefly at your side for a little while..."

    The explosion went off. Light blinded me...

    "This..."

    Fireworks. Joining the stars in the night sky, fireworks were going off all around me.

    "Sparkle... look what you made me do... Stelle!"

    I flew back just in time to see her swim through the night. The masked fool was right behind her, armed with a giant hammer.

    Faster than I had been before, I flew towards Stelle and caught her in my arms. Her smile was brighter than any fireworks.

    I shed off my armor so she could see mine, bigger than ever.

    And just like that, our fingers intertwined and we began to waltz in the night sky.

    In a way, I was right. Everything really was possible in this land of dreams. But it was never about forgetting my past or escaping the future.

    I had found something else here.

    We each came here with our own goals, and realized them in unimaginable ways. Regardless if the result was a sweet illusion or a bitter reality, it was an answer we longed for day and night.

    Soon we would both return to reality, leaving behind this cherished dream we had shared. But these moments wouldn''t have disappeared. They were so important precisely because they were not eternal.

    So, why do people choose to slumber? I think it''s as you said��  Because in the end, we will wake up from our dreams.

    I looked deep into Stelle''s eyes.

    I don''t think I''ll ever be so happy in my life.

    But I was wrong. Stelle said something, but I couldn''t really hear her over the sound of the fireworks.

    She seemed to realise that and I felt her pull me closer.

    And then it happened.

    I gasped as her lips met mine. My eyes closed as I let this new feeling wash over me.

    I was sure of it. In all the skies of Penacony, embracing as we shared our first kiss, we were brighter than any star.

    I had done it. I had finally made it.

    At last I had truly become a firefly, that had finally reached the flame it had been chasing for so long.

    <hr>

    When we landed on the familiar balcony, I immediately felt dizzy. It wasn''t because we had been spinning in the air so much. No... I was just not used to so much happiness that I felt almost drunk with it. I laid Stellle gently on the ground before deactivating my armour. With uncertain steps she approached the railing and leaned on it.

    "You know... I came here so many times after... you know..."

    "Stelle, I''m sorry..."

    "It''s okay. I watched these shooting stars for so long, thinking. I couldn''t understand why you meant so much to me even though we had just met. Then, when you told me that we had known each other before... it all started to make sense."

    I walked to her side. Her gaze was lost in the horizon

    "I think that... maybe we only dreamt of being strangers. But now... now we have finally woken up and realised that we have always loved each other. I loved you, Firefly, I''m sure of it.

    And I still do. I love you, Firefly."

    She turned and looked at me. She was blushing. I didn''t even know she was capable of feeling flustered.

    "You''re so cute..." I murmured.

    "Cute!? What are you talking about?! Way to ruin the cool phrase I came up with," she exclaimed only getting redder.

    "I was so worried for nothing. She''s as bashful as I am!" I thought with a giggle.

    "You little..!"

    Stelle took me in her arms.

    "You''re really unfair. Saying that stuff and then flying away..."

    "I''m sorry," I said, burying my head in her chest, "I swear I don''t like disappearing on you..."

    "The evidence is against you. But... I don''t plan on ever letting you go again. Firefly, what are you-"

    Before she could finish, I put my finger over her lips.

    "Not now. There will be time to think about the future. For now... let''s dream a little longer."

    How do I even do this... now that we are not in the air, she is so tall...

    I stood on my tiptoes.

    I had no idea which way to turn my face, but... maybe it didn''t matter.

    "I think... I still owe you a third date."

    At the edge of the dream, under a shower of comets, our lips met again. And again we shone brighter than the shooting stars above.

 15. A Dream come true

    I happily waved goodbye to Stelle as she gave me one last smile before descending the stairs of my secret base. Tomorrow would be another great day, I was sure of it.

    I wonder where she''ll take me...

    Stelle had told me to leave everything about our date to her.

    "It''s only fair, I''m the one who technically asked you out," she''d explained, puffing out her chest.

    Maybe she was just trying to show me that she wasn''t embarrassed at all by this situation. For my part, I could already feel a hint of nervousness. Of course, I had spent a lot of time alone with Stelle during the tour I gave her at the Golden Hour, but now that we were officially dating... things would be different.

    How should I act during a real date?

    Maybe I was just complicating things again.

    I should ask Wolfie for advice again. But first...

    I took out my phone and quickly dialled her number. Having discovered the reason why she had ignored my calls before, I was half expecting her not to answer, but after a few rings she did:

    "Yo Firefly! Sorry I was a bit busy with Herta earlier and couldn''t pick up, I heard there was a bit of a ruckus on the Feldspar. Are you OK?"

    So she''s still trying to play dumb...

    "I''m fine, can you come here? We need to talk."

    In a moment, my colleague Stellaron Hunter appeared at my side. Her gaze immediately went to the meteor shower on the horizon.

    "Woah," she exclaimed after popping her chewing gum, "so this is your secret base!"

    "Beautiful, isn''t it?" I said, leaning against the railing.

    "Yeah... I was expecting something like a cave or some kind of abandoned building!"

    She was silent for a few moments before asking:

    "So how did it go? Sorry I wasn''t able to..."

    "I know everything, Wolfie," I cut her off.

    "You know... what?!" she exclaimed in surprise.

    "The Masked Fool you hired spilled the beans with Stelle. I know you were behind everything she did," I explained calmly.

    Silver Wolf''s eyes widened for a second before they fixed on the ground:

    "That little... I knew I shouldn''t have trusted her with this..." she muttered angrily.

    But then she looked at me with an embarrassed expression:

    "Firefly... I''m sorr-"

    I couldn''t resist, before she could finish apologising, I hugged her with such force that I lifted her small body off the ground.

    "What the...?! Let me go!" complained Silver Wolf as she tried to wriggle free.

    But I had no intention of listening to her.

    This embrace was very different from the one I had shared with Stelle. Silver Wolf felt cold in my arms, as if I were holding a marble statue.

    I guess it''s already something that I can even hug an hologram... her power is really crazy. But I should definitely do this again when we meet in the real world.

    "Won''t you let me go?" asked Silver Wolf after a while, ceasing her attempts to resist.

    "Nah.This is your punishment for hiding things from me!" I replied jokingly. If she wanted to, she could have made her hologram incorporeal anyway.

    "Uff, I guess I deserve it... I''m sorry... You''re mad at me, aren''t you?"

    "Maybe a little, but... most of all I''m really grateful. You did everything to make sure I was safe, right?" I said, pulling away from the hug to look at her face.

    Wolf looked away and muttered grumpily:

    "That stupid cat and his absurd scripts... Three deaths! How could I ignore it, knowing how stubborn and reckless you can be?"

    "So you..."

    "I knew I couldn''t act myself or you would have found out. So I decided to hire Sparkle. I leaked her your script and told her to make sure the deaths happened in a safe way."

    "I see... and you had to hide it so that I would think I really would die at the end..."

    "Right... of course I didn''t expect her to go over the top like that. That''s a Masked Fool for you... but I guess it all worked out in the end."

    "It really did!" I smiled at her, finally releasing her from my grasp.

    But Silver Wolf didn''t smile back, instead she looked down with a look of shame:

    "Sorry, Firefly... about what happened at the hotel. I tried to trick you into getting into SAM... I didn''t know how bad it would make you feel. And then I lied to your face."

    "It''s okay... I think that moment really started my journey of self-discovery."

    "I see..." Silver Wolf finally gave me a small smile, "so how did it go with the Trailblazer?"

    "I did it Wolfie! She returned my feelings!" I exclaimed overjoyed.

    "Congratulations! I told you you just needed to get on the right route! Looks like that unforgettable reward Elio told you about was getting a girlfriend!" she said with a grin.

    A girlfriend...

    I couldn''t help but blush at the sound of that word. But that was only part of it:

    "You know how Elio is... you can''t really get him to talk straight. But I think he kept his end of the bargain by letting me come here. At least a part of it at least. What it means to be alive... I think I found the answer, Wolf," I looked at the horizon at the edge of the dream.

    "Nothing lasts forever. But that''s why the time we spend in this world is so important. We suffer, we fail and sometimes we cry. But we also get up, try again and succeed. We smile and laugh happily... and eventually we fall in love. I want to experience all these things for a lot longer, even though I know I''m inevitably going to die in the end. I''m going to make my choices and bear the consequences of them, whether they''re pleasant or not. Isn''t that what it means to be a human being and not a weapon?"

    "I don''t really think about these complicated things..." Silver Wolf said, scratching his head, "but it sounds to me like you''ve decided something important."

    "I will take everything Elio has promised me. I''m going to defy my fate... I''ll still hold up my end of the bargain as the Stellaron Hunter Firefly but, from now on, I''m going to try to find a cure for myself with all my strenght. So that one day I may just be Firefly."

    "I already know what you''re going to say," Silver Wolf said with another grin, "''I''ll do it alone, because this is my fight!'' But I don''t care, just like this time, I''m going to pull the strings and help you behind the scenes whether you like it or not!"

    "Wolfie... thank you!"

    "Oh, I''m not doing it for you," she said, averting her eyes, "you know, I like cheesing what people call hard levels. Cheating fate sounds like an easy challenge to me!" she concluded with a smirk.

    All this time... I was never alone. I was just the one averting my gaze from her and the others...

    "Well... I''ve kind of unlocked a new difficulty too, Wolf. So I was hoping you could give me some advice."

    "Shoot it!" she said excitedly.

    "What... should I do on a first date?"

    For some reason, Wolf seemed annoyed that I asked this. Maybe she thought I was talking about a literal video game.

    "Oh... well, haven''t you hung out enough already for you to know?" she asked, pouting.

    "Yeah... but this time is kind of different."

    "Well, I don''t really know what to tell you. It''s not my area of expertise..."

    "But you gave me a big hand with the confession! I raised my affection level with her and it worked!"

    "You... oh my Aeons, you are so stupid!" said Silver Wolf, hiding her face in her hand.

    "What?!"

    "Forget it... let''s talk to an expert about this."

    She took out her phone and started fiddling with it. After a while she held it horizontally in front of us. A beam of light came out of it and formed a screen in the air, as if her phone had become a small projector.

    "What are you...?"

    Suddenly the screen began to show something: a woman, smiling at me, sitting at a table. Behind her was a tall man, leaning against the wall of what looked like a kitchen.

    "Kakfa! Blade!"

    Kafka chuckled at my excited voice.

    "Oh my, you sound very chipper, Sam. Long time no see... From what I can see, Silver Wolf''s little plan seems to have  worked."

    "Was I really the only one who didn''t know about it?" I asked, but Wolf started whistling as if nothing had happened.

    "What would you have done otherwise?" asked Blade in his deep voice, "would you have given in to temptation?"

    "I... no. I was willing to risk my life if it meant saving Stelle and the others... but I didn''t want to go out like that. I''ve got a lot more to do before I can put my name on a tombstone, like I told you."

    "Looks like you found your answer," Blade replied unperturbed.

    "I think an answer is not the only thing she found there in Penacony, is it?" said Kafka.

    Even through a video call, she seems to be able to read me like a book.

    "Yes..." I replied shyly.

    "I look forward to hearing all about your and that child''s adventures when you get back. But it seems you have something to ask me now."

    I glanced sideways at Silver Wolf, who gave me an encouraging nod.

    "Kafka... how do you behave on a first date?" I asked.

    I could feel my cheek burning with embarrassment.

    The scene that was unfolding on this rooftop was truly absurd. Sam, the Molten Night, was seeking love advice from his fellow Stellaron Hunters, the most dangerous and notorious criminals in the universe.

    I wonder what the IPC would think if they saw us like this...

    Kafka laughed at my question, but when she answered, she was serious:

    "There are many ways to approach a relationship. There are people who do their best to accommodate their partner''s tastes by pretending to be someone they''re not. Others try to be difficult and hard to catch, to make their love interests chase them".

    I don''t think I''m capable of either... and I don''t really want to act that way.

    As usual, Kafka seemed to understand what I was thinking:

    "Don''t worry. In your case something like that is unnecessary. You and that girl are very straightforward, if you just behave as you usually do, everything will be fine. You got on well from the first moment, so there is no need to do anything special".

    "So... I should just be myself? Is that really all? What if I mess up? I really have no experience with romance!" I asked worriedly.

    "I''m sure that girl would find that funny and be happy about it."

    She was right... I wasn''t going out with a random person, but with Stelle. She wouldn''t have judged me for my mistakes. We''d have laughed about them together.

    "Thank you, Kafka," I said, smiling at her.

    "You''re welcome. For your next date, I''ll help you pick a special outfit. For now, just go with the one you have. I see I was able to teach you some fashion sense, unlike with Wolf."

    "I told you... these clothes are very comfortable!" blurted out Silver Wolf.

    I burst out laughing, but soon stopped.

    "Kafka... do you really think we''ll have the chance for another date in the future? After I leave Penacony... I''ll be back inside SAM and..."

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    I was cut short by a collective sigh. Both Silver Wolf and Kafka shook their heads. Even Blade was raising an eyebrow.

    "How can you keep doing this, Firefly? You spent so much time in your room dooming about never being able to see her again, and lo and behold, here you are, going on a date with her!"

    "Wolfie..."

    "You''ve got a lot of blank spaces before the end of your script," Kafka said, "a few dates don''t seem like a bad way to fill them."

    "Guys..."

    I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

    "I''m sorry for..."

    "Stop!" Silverwolf cut me off, "you''ll have plenty of time to make it up to us. For now, just think about tomorrow!"

    Smiling, I wiped away a tear and nodded:

    "Alright. Thank you! I''m looking forward to tomorrow, but I also can''t wait to see you all again!"

    "Enjoy your vacation. And remember to buy something fabulous for us," said Kafka, waving at me.

    Blade gave me a small nod before the communication was cut off.

    "Wolfie... thank you!"

    "Sure, sure... let''s stop with the sappy stuff, I''m getting diabetes..." she said, putting her phone back in her pocket.

    "Alright!" I replied with a smile, "I just hope Kafka is right..."

    "She''s never wrong about these things," Wolf said with a huff, "and anyway... if that girl makes you cry, I''m going to delete her Simulated Universe save files!"

    "You''re really starting to sound like an older sister!" I said with a chuckle.

    I really don''t mind it...

    "Shut up!" she said, heading for the stairs.

    "But Stelle would never do such a thing!" I said, sprinting to her side, "Besides... isn''t that kinda what Herta did to you?"

    Wolf''s expression immediately darkened.

    "Don''t remind me of that, please..." she quickly changed the subject, "Let''s go to Oti Mall."

    "Oti Mall?"

    "If you really want to increase those affection points... you need to get her a present."

    "A present?" I repeated, "but what am I going to get her for such an occasion?"

    "Don''t worry, I''ll help you find the coolest gadget ever!" exclaimed Wolf, puffing her chest, "we can also stop for those Oak Cake Rolls you mentioned... what are you d-?! LET ME GO!"

    I was sure now... a girlfriend was definitely not the only thing I had gained from this journey.

    <hr>

    My eyes were lost in the clouds as I fidgeted nervously with my skirt. The sun had just set in the Blue Hour and would never rise again. This particular moment of Penacony was frozen in time just after dusk... the most romantic time of the day.

    In the bright orange sky my eyes saw the Radiant Felspar flying lazily above me. Just the day before, something crazy had happened on it and the night that surrounded it. And it was not over yet... Something I had never expected was about to become a reality. I was extremely happy, but... very nervous. The reason my eyes were fixed above me was to avert them from the scenery around me.

    Couples... so many of them. With a sigh I finally lowered my gaze. Not far away, the gates of a crowded amusement park opened. Compared to Aideen Park, this place had a completely different atmosphere. It was, after all, the most popular dating spot in Penacony.

    I know this was the most obvious place, but I wish Stelle had chosen something a little less...

    I blushed as I saw a couple holding hands and cuddling on a nearby bench.

    Are we going to act like that in a bit...?! I feel so out of place...

    But before I could get any more nervous, I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

    "Firefly!" yelled Stelle as she ran towards me, "sorry I''m late!"

    "Don''t worry... I... I just got here!" I squealed, reciting the sentence Wolf had told me to say.

    "Really?" Stelle said with a questioning look, "oh well! Y-you''re super cute as usual!"

    "Y-you too!" I replied.

    We stood there for a moment, both red in the face.

    "Um... let''s go!" said Stelle, starting to walk towards the gate.

    "Wait for me!"

    As usual, she walked fast. But she stopped at my call.

    "Oh yeah... sorry... I guess we should..."

    She held out her hand to me. I swallowed as I stared at it. It wouldn''t have been the first time we''d held hands, but...

    "Could you... take the glove off?"

    For a moment I thought I was about to activate Complete Combustion without even being inside SAM.

    "Oh yeah... you''re right..." she said, turning even redder.

    She complied and this time held out her bare hand. I took it and we started walking side by side.

    Wait, wait... this is not right! It''s like I''m her daughter or something! Come on Firefly... you need to be more assertive.

    So I shifted my hand inside her grip and slowly our fingers intertwined. Stelle''s hand was very soft, as she always wore gloves. I could feel some calluses on her fingers, though, probably from holding her bat so often.

    "Pretty busy place, huh?" Stelle asked, looking around at all the other couples as we entered the amusement park.

    "Yeah..."

    "Everything seems very... pink."

    "Yeah..."

    Why is it so awkward?!

    I''d thought that meeting Stelle would have made things easier. But I couldn''t help feeling like I had a spotlight following me, along with a sign that said ''This person does not belong here''.

    "I think we should go for a ride," Stelle said.

    "Yeah..."

    WHY CAN''T I SAY ANYTHING ELSE?

    "This one seems to be popular, l-let''s go for it!" said Stelle, with a bit of hesitation in her voice.

    I let her guide me to a long queue of people. In front of us now stood a sign.

    ��THE TUNNEL OF LOVE.��

    ...

    We remained silent until one of the attendants let us into a small boat.The boat began to move slowly through a dimly lit river. Floral scenes were painted on the sides as we approached the tunnel.

    "This is pretty... romantic!"

    I just nodded to avoid saying yes again. As the tunnel we had just entered suddenly lit up by dozens of fake stars, I saw the couple in front of us having a very passionate display.

    Should we do that too...?

    I turned to Stelle, who was also looking at them. I was about to put a hand over her shoulders, but... something stopped me.

    How... am I supposed to do this?! Yesterday it felt so natural... but...

    In the end, the ride ended with us still locked in an uncomfortable silence.

    "I knew it... I''m really not good at this! I''m sure Stelle has realised that too," I thought as I got out of the boat.

    We began to walk aimlessly, not even holding hands. But suddenly Stelle grabbed my wrist.

    "Firefly..."

    "Stelle?" I asked, looking surprised at her sad expression.

    "I''m so sorry. I was cocky yesterday, but I really had no idea where to take you for a real date... I saw a flyer saying this place was great for couples, but... it kinda gives me the creeps! I feel so out of place here!"

    For the umpteenth time, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

    The others are right... I never learn. I really should stop doubting myself.

    "Stelle, it''s okay. I''m sure we''ll find a way to have fun anyway... we''re here together after all."

    "But..."

    "I think we just need to be ourselves! Who cares what other people do!" I said, squeezing her face between my hands.

    Stelle''s expression lit up:

    "You''re right! Let''s go, let''s find a real fun ride!" she exclaimed, and after taking my hand she began to pull me energetically.

    "This... this feels right!" I thought, although my fingers were a hurting a little.

    After a few minutes Stelle suddenly stopped. Looking into her sparkling eyes, I immediately understood why.

    "Let''s go!" I said.

    "Are you sure? Won''t you get bored?"

    "No, how about you teach me a bit?"

    "I thought you said that a bat is an inefficient weapon?"

    "Well... you can try and change my mind!" I giggled and walked closer to the batting cages in front of us.

    We were the only ones there and the attendant looked almost surprised to see us. It was clear that this wasn''t a very popular attraction.

    I laughed when I saw how happy Stelle was when she got a couple of helmets. But soon the darkness blinded me.

    "Oof sorry!" said Stelle, adjusting the helmet on my head, "you look pretty cool!"

    "So do you!"

    "We may soon be known as the Galactic Baseballers Couple!"

    "I guess I don''t hate the sound of that," I thought as we entered one of the cages.

    Stelle grabbed one of the bats from a nearby rack.

    "Pay attention," she said as she took up her position.

    I only have eyes for you...

    As the ball was fired from the cannon, Stelle took a strong swing and hit it squarely with a thud! Soon the cage was animated with applause coming from the speakers as Stelle hit a perfect home run.

    I joined in, jumping up and down:

    "You are so cool!"

    "Thank you, thank you! Your turn now!"

    "But..."

    "Come on! I''ll show you!"

    I couldn''t help but gasp as Stelle grabbed my arms and started to put them in the right position. Then she put her head over my shoulder.

    "Keep your chin up, don''t think about where the ball is, think about where it''s going to be!"

    But I was only half listening.

    She''s so close...

    So, impulsively, I pecked her cheek with a kiss.

    "Ehi!"

    "Sorry!"

    "Um... you''re not a very good student... let''s see, if you hit a home run, I''ll give you a reward!"

    "A reward!? Alright coach!"

    "Much better!"

    So I started to go at it. At first I could hardly hit the ball, but soon my swings became more and more precise until...

    "No way!" said Stelle when she saw my ball hit the centre of the target up in the air.

    "Uhmf!" I grinned, satisfied. Maybe it was because of my enhanced senses, but baseball was kind of easy.

    "You''re amazing! A prodigy!" said Stelle, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me.

    "What are you talking about! What about my reward?" I asked, smiling.

    "Oh... right!"

    "Wait! You didn''t think I''d actuall-mmh!"

    Stelle had already closed my mouth with a kiss.

    That''s not fair...

    But I closed my eyes and once again enjoyed the sensation of her soft lips against mine.

    "So... shall we find something else to do?" Stelle asked, like nothing had happened but I could see her cheeks were on fire.

    "Yeah!"

    We started walking through the park, snobbing most of the popular rides.This time it was me who froze.

    "That''s.. so cute!"

    On a shelf in a booth was a giant stuffed animal.

    "A shooting game? Sure, that sounds fun... wait, do you want that thing?!"

    "Isn''t it cute? It kind of reminds me of you!"

    "Of me!? A raccoon?! We look nothing alike! But sure, I''ll get it for you."

    Stelle approached the stand and took the gun from the attendant.

    "This will be easy!" she said and took the first shot.

    Her bullet lost itself in the back of the booth, missing the target by at least three feet.

    "Ah! A sudden wind current, I see... I''ll have to adjust my aim for that."

    The next pellet came dangerously close to hitting the clerk in the head. At the end, she had barely grazed a target out of 10.

    Stelle looked gloomily at the box of tissues she had been given as a prize.

    "This... no, I won''t be defeated! One more try, boss!"

    This time the attendant just left the booth before she actually started shooting. 10 minutes later, there were 6 boxes of tissues on the counter.

    "I''m sorry..."

    "It''s okay. Can I try one time?" I asked.

    "Sure... be careful, this gun is faulty, I''m pretty sure."

    "Alright!"

    I took the toy gun from the attendant.

    Um... it''s very light, probably not much recoil. I''ll have to make sure I stabilise it and take the wind into account. It''s coming from the west. About 4 to 7 mph. The sun isn''t up, so I don''t have to worry about being blinded by it.

    I took a deep breath and then:

    "Executing scorched earth operations!"

    "WHAT?!" the clerk and STelle shouted in unison.

    In between my shots, I could see their mouths hanging open wider and wider. In the end, I hugged the raccoon plush happily. It could hardly fit in my arms.

    Stelle had a look on her face that was both amused and sad:

    "You''re crazy....Man, I''m so uncool. I can''t even win a prize for my girlfriend!"

    Her girlfriend... I''m her girlfriend!

    I handed her the stuffed toy.

    "What?" asked Stelle, confused.

    "So you can give it to me!" I giggled.

    "That''s just cheating... but ok, here you go!"

    "Thanks!" I said. Overjoyed, I instructed the attendant to send the plush to the Miss Samuel account that Silver Wolf had set up for me.

    "Don''t worry though... I have a real present for you... more than one actually!"

    "HUH?! What did you get me?" I asked, my eyes twinkling.

    "It''s a secret! You''ll find out soon enough!"

    "Not fair..."

    But I couldn''t really blame her. After all, I had something for her too.

    I wonder if she''ll like it...

    "Whatever! I refuse to be beaten like this! Let''s go over there," she said, pointing to another ride.

    "There? Oh, bumper cars! That sounds fun!"

    By the looks of it, all the couples were getting on the same car. Meanwhile, Stelle and I went on two different ones. From the look on her face, I knew she wanted a bit of revenge from the shooting game.

    "Sure... but I won''t go easy on you," I thought, looking at the controls of the Bumber car.

    Compared to SAM, this is child''s play.

    I grabbed the steering wheel and stepped on the gas, looking for Stelle between all the other adventures of the attraction.

    "Target sighted."

    Soon we were surrounded by a circle of cars occupied by frightened couples as we began to crash violently into each other.

    "Just give up!" shouted Stelle as she rammed into my car.

    "No way! I''ll show you the meaning of ultimate departure!" I retorted, escaping her attack and pinning her to the wall of the track.

    In the end, we couldn''t really declare a winner and left the ride with all eyes on us. But I didn''t care... our date was going great.

    "How about we go eat now?" asked Stelle, wiping a bit of sweat from her forehead, "all pf this has made me really hungry!"

    "Sure... before they ban us from coming here!" I chuckled and took her hand.

    "Well, you''re used to being chased from places you''re not supposed to be!"

    "I swear, if those two Bloodhounds show up here, I''m going to roast them a bit."

    "That would certainly liven things up. Look, there''s a snack bar! I''ll order, you sit at a table. It''s my treat today!"

    "Alright!" I said with a smile.

    That smile faded a little when Stelle returned with enough Oak Cake Rolls to feed a small army.

    "Stelle! Don''t you think it''s a bit much?" I said, helping her put the many plates she was carrying on the table.

    "You said it yourself, you can''t put on weight in a dream!"

    "That''s not what I''m worried about!"

    But I started to eat anyway.

    "Aaaah soo good! I must get the recipe for this!"

    "Oh, I really want to eat something you made!" Stelle exclaimed excitedly.

    "I never really cooked much. Apart from barbecuing..."

    "Barbecuing? Wait, you don''t mean...?" Stelle asked, her eyes widening.

    "Well, you know... one time we were stranded and there was a big wind, so it was hard to keep the fire steady, so... I sort of used Sam to grill some meat. You should''ve seen Silver Wolf''s face," I giggled.

    "I can imagine," she chuckled, "you two are really close, aren''t you?"

    "I used to think we weren''t, but... she''s my best friend now. She looks after me a lot... almost like a sister!"

    After all, the person who was once my best friend is now my girlfriend.

    "I see..." Stelle said with a strange look on her face.

    I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she started to smile again:

    "Looks like you didn''t have to worry too much!"

    I lowered my eyes to the plates. They were all empty except for one.

    "What?! Did you eat them all?"

    "Oh no, you already ate like 5!"

    "That''s not true!... I ate 6!" I said as I grabbed the last Oak Cake roll.

    "Ehi!"

    But Sam the Stellaron Hunter wasn''t a heartless monster like people said. I gave them half of it.

    "Thank you, Stelle! Consider your debt repaid!" I said after we had finished eating.

    "Oh, that''s too bad... I wanted to treat you to many more meals before we leave Penacony..."

    "Oh... well, let''s take turns then! That way we can always repay each other!" I replied, smiling happily.

    "Sounds like a plan! Now, time to burn those calories!"

    "But we can''t get fat!"

    "Doesn''t matter... I''ve found something interesting we can do," Stelle said, leading me to the edge of the park.

    I soon saw what she meant. A small television sat in the centre of a deserted booth.

    "Is that... the Hanu game from the audition course?" I asked in surprise, "How did you know it was here?"

    "I received a strange message from its creator. Apparently these are supposed to be some very hard stages! Are you up for the challenge?"

    "You know I am."

    Boss Stone''s minions were no match for our combined might. Stage after stage, we cleared everything out with ease, leaving behind smoldering piles of scrap metal.

    "Behind us!"

    "Got it! Wait, this one''s much bigger than the others!"

    "Nothing my rocket launcher can''t handle!"

    "You''re right! Ready? Looks like the tail is its weak point."

    "Of course! We shall..."

    "SET THE SEAS ABLAZE!" we shouted, laughing together.

    <hr>

    "That was so fun!" I said, straightening my skirt after getting out of the TV.

    "Right? Too bad we finished everything. I hope they release new levels by the time we come back her!"

    "Stelle..." I looked at her with a smile.

    "What? This is not our last date. Meeting outside of Penacony will be hard, I know... but we can always meet here between our missions! Or... well I''ll tell you later..." she said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

    "Alright!" I replied, covering her hand with mine. I already had a suspicion of what she wanted to say to me.

    We stood in silence for a few moments before...

    "What''s this noise?" I asked.

    It was like an excited buzzing that seemed to be coming from the centre of the park.

    "Oh, looks like it''s starting already!"

    "What''s starting?" I asked, confused.

    "You''ll see!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me in the direction of the sound.

    Every person in the park seemed to be moving in the same direction. Soon I could see it. A stage had been set up near a giant Clokie statue, and on it stood...

    "Robin?! What is going on? I was checked if she had some concerts planned but... wait... STELLE!"

    This was one of her presents I was sure of it. I looked at her teary-eyed as she smiled at me.

    "Well, let''s just say I asked her a little favour! You didn''t get to hear her sing on the Feldspar, so..."

    "Stelle! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

    "''Anything for you, Firefly... seems like she''s starting."

    The notes that echoed through the crowded park were happy and upbeat.

    "Sway to My Beat in Cosmos!</a>" I shouted.

    "You really are a big fan, aren''t you? Don''t worry, I''ll get you an autograph too!"

    "Stelle..."

    My girlfriend bowed slightly and held out her hand to me.

    "Would this pretty young lady do me the honour of dancing with me?"

    "I... sure! But I don''t really know how..." I said, putting my hand in hers.

    "Perfect! Because I have no idea either!" she laughed.

    We probably looked very funny... but it didn''t matter. The only thing that mattered to me was Stelle''s smile, her eyes narrowed in happiness, and Robin''s voice filling my ears and my heart.

    Soon the melody changed, the tempo slowed and familiar piano notes began to play.

    As the song that had accompanied the precious moment we had shared on the rooftop began to play, Stelle took me into her arms. We began to dance slowly, embracing each other.

    "Stelle... I love you. Thank you for everything you have done for me."

    "I love you too. Don''t worry, Firefly, this is just the beginning. It may take a while...  but I''m going to help you make every single one of your dreams come true."

 16. Will shooting stars align neath the sun?

    When the ferris wheel started to move, I slumped a bit in my seat. I felt a bit tired after running around and playing with Stelle. My resistance had always been higher than a normal human''s but, to put it simply, I''d had way too much fun today for my brain to really process it at the moment.

    I shifted my gaze from outside the cabin window to smile at Stelle, sitting in front of me. Her golden eyes were lost in the distance, probably admiring the many lights of the amusement park as we began to climb high into the air. Her expression was uncharacteristically sombre.

    Stelle... I can guess what''s going through your mind. I can feel it as well, but I''m just too happy to think about anything sad.

    I leaned forward and put a hand on her knee:

    "Stelle, is something wrong?" I asked in a gentle tone.

    My words seemed to startle her. As she looked at me, her face relaxed and a slight smile returned to it.

    "Sorry, it''s nothing..."

    "Are you sure?" I pressed her, giving her a questioning look.

    "Yeah, it''s just... knowing how high you can fly in the sky, this ride is probably pretty boring for you, isn''t it?" she said jokingly.

    She''s hiding something. Being an expert in that field, I can easily see it.

    I stood up, trying not to hit my head on the small cabin roof, and sat down close to her, squeezing into the small space by her side.

    "Huh?"

    "I told you before, I never get bored when I''m with you!" I said, looking into her eyes.

    Stelle turned her face away and looked down:

    "The same goes for me... I had so much fun today."

    I could clearly hear the pain in her words.

    "Stelle, please tell me what''s wrong. You see... a very important person told me that it is not good to hide things," I said, grabbing her chin to make her look at me.

    Stelle''s golden eyes lit up in surprise and her cheeks flushed:

    "Um... I didn''t think you''d be so assertive..."

    "Oh, sorry!" I said, letting her go.

    Was that too much?

    Stelle waved her hands in front of her.

    "It''s fine, it''s fine! It''s just... you were a bundle of nerves like me before! So it kind of surprised me!"

    "Oh... that''s because... romance is kind of new to me. Usually I''m not nearly as indecisive as I showed you during this trip. As I thought, I showed you a pretty pathetic side of me..." I sighed.

    For some reason, Stelle chuckled.

    "What?" I asked, confused. I knew she wasn''t the type to make fun of me.

    "Sorry... if you''re pathetic, then what am I? It''s just.... what you just said kinda reminded me of the way your colleagues described you to me. They made it sound like you were some kind of ruthless, unstoppable killer robot!"

    This time it was my turn to look down:

    "Oh..."

    I really don''t want her to think of me like that...

    Stelle grabbed my shoulders immediately:

    "No, no! Sorry, I didn''t mean it like that! I really only think of you as Firefly, the sweetest girl in the world! ...But I guess there was a little truth behind those words. That''s what I thought was funny!"

    Reassured, I smiled at her:

    "I mean... they weren''t really lying. When I''m on a mission, I don''t like to waste time. While Kafka likes to play with her prey, I''m the opposite. I go for the target and take care of it as quickly as possible. I think that''s the best way to go about things. After all, I have seen so much unnecessary suffering in my life."

    "I''m sorry to remind you of these things..." said Stelle, looking mortified.

    "It''s all right! I''m sure you want to know more about me... now that, you know... your memory of me is gone."

    As we spoke, the wheel had reached its highest point. The blue hour stretched before us in all its splendour. But as I looked out of the window, Stelle put a hand on my shoulder.

    "So I guess... I''m your prey this time?" asked Stelle with a slight grin.

    I giggled:

    "Well, I''m a Stellaron Hunter!"

    Stelle chuckled:

    "You know... usually I don''t like it when people mention what I have inside me but can''t say I''m mad about it right now... besides, I somehow feel like I don''t have to worry about anything when I''m with you!"

    "The same goes for me! Stellaron or not, I would always want to be at your side. And, unlike my missions, I don''t want this to ever end!"

    Stelle''s face trembled at these words and soon she threw herself into my arms, pressing her face against my chest.

    I''m such an idiot... I thought I had managed to cheer her up...

    "I''m sorry, I didn''t want to make things gloomy..." Stelle said in a subdued voice, "But... Firefly... I don''t want today to end. I want this date to last forever..."

    Just as I thought...

    I started to stroke her hair, hugging her tightly.

    "Stelle... you know that''s-"

    "What Sunday offered us? I know. I''m a bit of a hypocrite, aren''t I? I rejected his plans and told him his whole world view was wrong, and now I''m here, thinking that an eternal holiday with you would be all I want!"

    "Stelle... I think the same," I replied quietly, "I would like the hands of the clock to stop right now, so that we could continue this ride forever."

    "But then... does that mean we made the wrong choice?"

    "Do you remember what I told you yesterday?" I pulled away slightly and pointed my finger at her left side, "the right answer is right here, Stelle, and we both know it..."

    "But then..." Stelle began to sob, "why does it hurt so much? Why is it so sad to do the right thing?"

    "Because..." I wiped a tear from her cheek, just as I had done in the parlor car, "unlike an eternal dream, reality is not only filled with happiness. But that''s why moments like this are so important."

    I kissed her gently. I could feel her tears trickling down my skin. Before I knew it, they were mixing with mine.

    "Firefly..." Stelle said as our lips parted.

    "It''s ok... let''s talk about it, Stelle. We both have something to say to each other, don''t we?"

    <hr>

    The balcony was as peaceful as ever. The soft piano tones were still filling the air, as they had on our previous visits.

    "Sorry, you must be getting sick of this place," I said, looking apologetically at Stelle.

    "Are you kidding me? Penacony has a lot of interesting spots, but... this is our place. I''ll probably see so many incredible things during my journey... but in the end, I''ll always want to come back here," she said, smiling as she looked at the shining horizon.

    "The same goes for me... you know I can''t dream... but every day, when I go to bed, I think my mind will always return here," I said, moving to her side.

    "We are leaving soon, aren''t we? Leaving the dream... waking up..." Stelle said with a hesitant voice.

    "We are..."

    "You know... I find it hard to believe somehow.... that this is all a dream. It felt so real. Part of me is afraid, that when I wake up, you won''t be there..." Stelle said, coming closer so that our shoulders touched.

    "I''m real, Stelle... I''m not some kind of illusion. I left you my notebook, didn''t I?" I said, hugging her waist.

    "Yes... you''re right. You know... I actually met a person who only existed in the dream. You were there with me, but you probably didn''t see him."

    "Did you?" I asked,

    A person... does she mean some kind of special meme?

    "Yes... he was a fragment of the Watchmaker''s memory."

    The Watchmaker... that explains it.

    "So that''s what happened in the dream bubble... You spoke to him?"

    "Yes."

    "I wish I could have met him to thank him for creating this place... You know, I think I''ve been seeing some Memoria creatures lately too... like the paper birds and Clockie. I guess you really are a big influence on me!" I said with a smile.

    Stelle didn''t smile back but looked at me with a serious expression. Suddenly she grabbed my hands and stared me straight in the eyes.

    "Firefly... before we parted, Mikhail said something that stuck with me: everyone goes through moments of uncertainty and hesitation. Eventually, though, they gather the courage to make bold decisions. Sometimes all you need is a little push to take the step towards the place where you really belong. I will give you that small nudge. Because, this... is the will of the Trailblaze."

    Stelle reached into her pocket and took something out. Even though I had expected it, my heart skipped a beat. In front of me was a ticket, just like the one Stelle had pinned to her jacket.

    I looked at her face. I could see all the nervousness and anticipation in her expression.

    I don''t think my heart  can take this...

    "I asked you before... but you kind of brushed it off. This time, I want an answer. I spoke to Himeko and the others and they all agree: throughout this crisis, you have truly embodied the spirit of the Trailblaze. So, Firefly... will you join me on the Astral Express?"

    I''ve thought about it for so long... I knew she was going to ask me and I know what I have to say... but it hurts... it hurts so much.

    I took a deep breath. I saw Stelle''s expression quiver as I opened my mouth to give her the answer I had found inside me:

    "I''m sorry Stelle... I can''t."

    "I see..." she said looking away, a sad smile on her face, "I expected it but... why... just why does it have to be like this..."

    As her tears began to flow again, I took her face in my hands.

    "I want to join you! I want nothing more than to stay by your side! But... this is not the time yet."

    "Why? Why can''t you join me? I''ll make you happy, I promise! I told you before, I''ll make every single one of your dreams come true!" Stelle cried, desperation in her voice as she grabbed my wrists.

    "I know you''d do your best, Stelle... but we have to face reality. Travelling, seeing wonderful new places and helping you with your missions... I''d give anything for that!  But you know that''s impossible right now. Outside of here, I''m stuck inside SAM. Having a wanted criminal, with a bounty of 9 billion credits on his head, at your side during the traiblazing missions wouldn''t be ideal, would it?" I joked, trying to cheer her up a bit.

    But Stelle looked like someone who would never smile again.

    "Then... y-you could just..." she stammered.

    "Stay on the train? Wouldn''t that be like being in a gilded cage?" I replied. I didn''t want to be rash but it was the only way to say it and... I had to convince myself too.

    Stelle was at a loss for words.

    "And that''s not all... Stelle, you may not like them... but the Stellaron Hunters are the closest thing I have to a family. They mean a lot to me, and I have treated them unfairly. I want to reconnect with them."

    "Are they more important than me?" Stelle blurted out, letting go of my hands and taking a step back.

    "You know that''s not what I meant! I love you, Stelle. But... you care a lot about your Astral Express companions, right? I feel the same way about Wolfie, Blade and Kafka. Sure, we are not heroes like you... but we still share a very important bond," I replied, moving closer to her and grabbing her jacket.

    "I know... sorry. That was unfair of me..." Stelle said, lowering her eyes.

    I hugged her tightly:

    "You are the most important person to me. That''s another reason why I can''t join you yet. I may not always agree with Elio''s methods, but his ability to see into the future is the real thing. One day you''ll face a confrontation that will decide the fate of the universe. I will do my best to help you. I''ll do my best to support you as a Stellaron Hunter. As long as it''s for you... I don''t mind following my script."

    "Firefly... I understand. I knew you would answer this way, but I couldn''t accept it..." she said, leaning on my shoulder, "But... when this is all over, when we find a cure for you, you will join us, won''t you?"

    "I will, it''s a promise!"

    "A promise..."

    Stelle pulled away from the hug and looked at me sheepishly. She held out her little finger to me.

    What is she doing?

    "This is what people do to make promises. Just link your pinky with mine. If you go back on your word, you''ll have to swallow a thousand needles!"

    Needles?! This sounds very dangerous!

    "Is this some kind of Stellaron power?" I asked, stunned.

    Stelle chuckled, wiped away a tear and intertwined her pinky with mine.

    "You''re kind of an idiot, you know?" she said with a grin.

    "People often tell me that..."  I replied with a soft smile, still a little confused.

    She seems fine now... I''m glad I was able to cheer her up. And I feel a bit better myself.

    Stelle slipped the ticket into her pocket. But when her hand came out, it was clenched in a fist.

    "Since you are going to join us one day... I have something for you!"

    "Something for me?" I repeated excitedly.

    I''ve never been given so many presents in my life... after Robin''s concert, what does she have in mind?

    My eyes widened as Stelle opened her hand and revealed what she was holding:

    "Is that...?"

    "A limited edition lipstick! It''s not the one you wanted, I know. Sadly they were all sold out. So I had them make this special one with the Astral Express symbol! Think of it as your welcome gift as an honorary crew member," she said, putting it in my hand.

    There was a small red ribbon around it and it had a clover-shaped cap.

    "This..."

    "You don''t like it?" asked Stelle worriedly, "I''m not good with these things, but March told me I had to choose something myself..."

    "No, no! I love it! It''s just..." I hurried to explain, "the first present I ever got was a lipstick too. It was from Kafka. A light pink one with a peach scent, kinda like jelly. At the time I didn''t really get it, you know? Make-up... why would someone like me need something like that?"

    "Because you are the cutest girl in the world! It''ll enhance your already beautiful features!" Stelle replied animatedly.

    "I wouldn''t go that far..." I replied, a little taken aback by her enthusiasm, "but you''re kind of right... I''m just a girl, aren''t I?"

    A big smile crept across my face.

    A normal girl! That''s how Stelle, Kafka and the others see me...

    "Thank you Stelle! I''ll treasure this!" I replied, smiling happily.

    I then took out the tap and, using my phone''s camera to help me, started to apply it to my lips. It was a delicate shade of pink.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    "Like I said, I''m not really an expert... but it really suits you!" Stelle exclaimed, giving me a thumbs up.

    "Thanks... don''t you ever wear make-up?" I asked.

    For some reason my question seemed to embarrass her.

    "No... I''d look weird with it... I''m not a cute girl like you!"

    "You are plenty cute!"

    Impulsively, I grabbed her jacket and pulled on it to make her bend towards me.

    "Firefly what-?!"

    I saw Stelle''s eyes widen as I kissed her again. I could feel the sticky feeling of freshly applied lipstick between our lips. When I pulled away, I looked at her mouth:

    "Just as I thought... it suits you too! You are so cute, Stelle!" I commented with a chuckle.

    "You..." Stelle was red as a tomato, "what have you done to my innocent and shy Firefly?"

    Am I going too far? Now that we''re together and I''ve gotten over the initial nervousness... I feel so comfortable around her. It''s almost like I''m back with the old Stelle... but since she has no memories of that time...

    "Sorry... but like Clockie said, I''m not innocent. Sure, I can be a bit shy sometimes, but... I don''t usually waver and I can be a bit rash too. Do you... hate it?"

    But Stelle gently put a hand on my cheek:

    "Not at all. I love to see new sides of you. And this one... I kind of like it. You know... I know I act a bit strange and uninhibited sometimes, but... that''s just my way of dealing with people. When things get serious and it''s time to be open with my feelings... I can''t help but get nervous and anxious. So having you be so assertive and bold... it really helps!" she said with a little grin.

    I''m glad she doesn''t mind... but can I really manage? I don''t think I''m capable of taking the lead in a relationship. I really don''t know what it means to be a good girlfriend still... I hope Wolfie can give me some other tips.

    "I see... let''s have fun and get to know each other better, Stelle... you still have some free days, right?"

    Stelle''s face darkened again:

    "Yes... but after that... what are we going to do?"

    "Don''t get sad again, Stelle. I know... it''s going to be hard to hang out after we leave the Dreamscape," I replied with a sigh, "But... I''ll send you lots of messages, ok? And I''ll call you every night. We may be far away, but we are still under the same sky! We can count the stars together!" I added, trying to encourage her.

    A tiny smile crept across Stelle''s face.

    "That''s very romantic... can we also meet here every now and then?"

    "Of course!"

    "I didn''t tell you, but... the Astral Express has become quite a big deal in Penacony. The Feldspar, for example, is our property now! We can spend time up there without worrying about you being found out!"

    The Feldspar... having the place where I confessed to her all to ourselves... that''s actually very romantic!

    But another idea crept into my head:

    "Stelle... do you think... we could see each other in other places too?"

    "Other places?" Stelle asked, surprised.

    "Yes... during my missions I have been to many beautiful planets. Because of the way I was born, I don''t need to sleep much. So, in the early hours of the morning, I usually try to find a very high spot to see what the sunrise looks like in different angles of the universe... It''s always so beautiful, but... kind of lonely. I''d like to do it with you sometimes... but..."

    "You''re worried because you''ll be in your armor," Stelle finished for me.

    "Yes..." I said, lowering my eyes.

    Stelle hit me lightly on the head with her fist.

    "You are so silly... Firefly, I love you! I love how cute and pretty you are, but also how strong and determined you can be. I love the sweet girl Firefly and the strong warrior Firefly. So I kinda love your armor too!" she said, ruffling my hair.

    "Stelle..."

    "Oh, and... y-yesterday... when you carried me so easily in your arms... it was kind of hot..." she stammered, looking away, her cheeks blushing again.

    WHAT?! Why didn''t she say anything?

    "Hot?! I''m so sorry! I thought I had my flames under control! Did I burn you anywhere?" I asked, frantically grabbing her gloveless hand to see if there were any blisters on her palms.

    For some reason, Stelle burst out laughing.

    "Yep! You really are an idiot!"

    Her laughter only got louder as I looked at her in confusion, but soon I couldn''t help but smile.

    She sounds a lot like Wolfie...

    Thinking about my companion reminded me of something.

    "Stelle?"

    "Yes?

    "I have something for you too!" I said, taking a small box out of my pocket.

    "A present? For me?" she asked, her eyes shining.

    "Yes... but don''t expect much. I don''t know if you''ll like it... Silver Wolf insisted on buying you a hi-tech electric bat, but... when I saw this, I had to get it."

    "I''ll love whatever you got for me, don''t worry!"

    "Alright!" I said, handing her the box with shaking hands.

    Stelle opened it immediately and looked at its contents with surprise.

    "I know... it''s not really your style..."

    "It''s very pretty... too pretty for someone like me," she said, taking the silver bracelet out of the box.

    This again... is she doing this to make me compliment her, or does she not realise how cute she is?

    "What are you talking about!?" I said, grabbing it out of her hands, "Give me your wrist. I''ll put it on for you!"

    "So forceful!" she said giggling, "thank you! the pendant is very cute!"

    "It is," I said as I unclasped the bracelet while looking at it, "That''s why I bought it. When I saw it, I immediately thought of you..."

    "Because of my name?" she said with a smile.

    Oh... she''s right, her name means star...

    "That''s not the reason."

    "Then why?"

    After securing the bracelet to her wrist, I lifted my sleeve to reveal another bracelet, identical to hers.

    "We match!" Stelle whispered, widening her eyes.

    "I hope you don''t mind..."

    "Of course I don''t mind! I love it! But..."

    I put my wrist on hers. The two pendants, in the shape of two shooting stars, made contact.

    "You know... I used to be a very gloomy and sad person, Stelle. But... then you came into my life. You brightened my days and made me not lose hope. But one day you went away. I thought then that the paths of our destinies would never cross again... like two shooting stars going their separate ways in the night sky.

    But here, in the land of dreams, where anything is possible... our fates have crossed again. And I''m sure... even though we have to part now, it won''t be the last time. We''ll meet again and again. We''ll grow and experience new things, alone and together. And I''m sure... if we keep going, we''ll reach the same destination one day."

    At the edge of the dream, my gaze wandered to the horizon. Where were all those shooting stars going? What was beyond that point? I didn''t know yet.

    But even destiny can''t stop us. One day the trajectories of these two shooting stars will align and nothing will be able to separate them.

    "Stelle.."

    "Yes..."

    "The day we have to part... let''s meet here, one last time," I said, turning to look at her.

    As I did so, I realised that her face was extremely close to mine.

    "What are you talking about? One last time? When I feel lost and lonely... I''ll come here and think of you... so do the same. Maybe we''ll meet," she said before closing my lips with a kiss.

    <hr>

    The days that followed almost made me reconsider my decision. Spending time with Stelle and her friends gave me another taste of what my life as the Nameless Firefly might be like.

    These memories... I will always treasure them, no matter how my journey ends.

    Going shopping with March 7th and taking lots of silly pictures while Stelle did everything she could to tease us.

    Taking a relaxing break over a cup of coffee with Miss Himeko while Stelle tried her best to make Dang Heng lose his seemingly endless patience.

    Discussing the design and engineering of SAM with an enthusiastic Mr Yang while a bored Stelle begged me to leave so we could have some fun together.

    I even managed to get her and Silver Wolf to meet up so we could play some games together on the Radiant Feldspar.

    It really was a wonderful dream. One I didn''t want to wake up from.

    "I wish these days would last forever..." I thought every time it was time to part with Stelle.

    But I had made up my mind. And just as I had decided, I would accept the consequences of my choice.

    This is what it means to have will as a human being. The will of the Trailblaze... I wonder if I really have something like that inside me.

    One thing was certain. The path I had chosen wouldn''t have been comfortable. It was very likely that my efforts to find the silver lining Jade had mentioned would have come to nothing. But... I would still have looked ahead, towards my future. Be it happy or tragic.

    So, on my last day in Penacony, as I walked up the now familiar stairs to my secret base, my step was steady. As I approached the railing, I took out my mobile phone to check my face.

    "...why did this have to happen?" I sighed.

    I wanted everything to be perfect for what would be the last moments Stelle and I would share for a long time.

    This band-aid... is so in the way... Stelle is going to get worried.

    "Firefly!"

    The phone almost fell out of my hand, as I suddenly heard Stelle call my name. I fidgeted nervously, trying to hide the band-aid from her before she approached. But obviously my efforts were in vain.

    "What happened?!" she shouted, putting her hand on my face and forcing me to look sideways to check my cheek, "are you hurt?!"

    Just as I thought...

    I moved her hand away from me with another sigh:

    "It''s nothing, don''t worry! I just had a rather unpleasant encounter yesterday."

    "An unpleasant encounter? With whom? I''ll give them a taste of my bat!"

    It''s a bit late for that...

    "I received a message from Kafka yesterday. She wanted me to check out a new experimental weapon the IPC is supposedly developing and get some info on it. And well... that thing was kind of dangerous."

    "Wait, yesterday... the fire at the Grand Theatre! Was it you?! People in the hotel said it was almost like a giant bomb went off inside," Stelle asked, her eyes wide with shock.

    "Yes...sorry," I said with an apologetic smile, "Since it''s currently closed to the public, the IPC has been using it as a testing ground... but those things are dangerous Stelle. I''m kind of worried if the IPC starts trying to use them on a large scale. It almost looked like it was going berserk, firing its weapons with no regard for collateral damage. If you ever have to deal with some kind of beast-like robot in the future, be careful!"

    "Sure... but it''ll probably be fine if you only came out with a scratch!"

    "Oh... if it managed to give me this small wound, it''s definitely not something you can handle alone!"

    "Are you calling me weak?" said Stelle, pouting jokingly.

    She''s so cute!

    "Definitely weaker than me!" I laughed and hugged her, "but I''m sure one day you''ll be much stronger. You just have to keep travelling and experiencing new things!"

    If she manages to acquire the power of even more Paths... I can see why Elio put her at the centre of his plans... I''ll do my best to make sure he doesn''t put her in too much danger.

    "That''s a bit paternalistic..." she complained, "big words from a shortie like you!" she added, patting me on the head.

    "You know I could get into SAM right now and lift you in the air with one finger, right?"

    "That... doesn''t sound so bad..." she mumbled, blushing for some reason.

    What''s up with her?! Why does she always react like this  when I mention SAM lately?

    I decided to change the subject as Stelle had looked a bit uncomfortable the last time I''d asked her.

    "So... a Wardance, eh? That sounds like a lot of fun!"

    But I soon realised I had made a mistake when Stelle''s expression darkened.

    "A lot of fun..."

    I''m so stupid...

    "Stelle, I''m sorry, but..."

    But I couldn''t finish the sentence before she hugged me tightly.

    "I''m sorry! I really wanted to say goodbye to you with a smile. But... I can''t!"

    I felt her body tremble in my arms as the sound of her sobbing pierced my ears like an unpleasant song.

    "Don''t cry Stelle... or... I''ll... too..."

    All the thoughts that had been troubling me over the past few days assaulted my mind at once. My hands gripped her jacket as the reality that we''d soon be parting ways began to sink in. How long would we have been separated this time? Would I ever see her again? A failed mission or a sudden deterioration in my condition... so many things could go wrong.

    "How can I have fun... knowing that you are out there, stuck inside SAM, suffering? How can I let you go far away from me, when you could just disappear without me ever being able to hold you in my arms again?" Stelle murmured into my ears.

    Thesee words... the suffering they radiated, came close to breaking my heart.

    Did I make the wrong choice?

    Sure, I would''ve needed to stay on the train, but... at least I could spend a lot more time with her. With my life expectancy being so short... did I really want to spend more time away from the person I loved?

    Why does it have to be like this? Why can''t we just be a normal happy couple like the ones we saw yesterday?

    But even though it was surrounded by sadness and fear... the answer I had found during my journey was clearly still there, in my heart.

    I took a deep breath as I pushed Stelle''s away so I could look straight into her golden eyes.

    "You can''t, Stelle. You can''t stop looking forward. That''s the choice we''ve made. Always looking to the next destination is the path of the Trailblaze."

    Stelle looked at me in despair:

    "But... when I think of you..."

    I took her hands:

    "I want you to be happy when you do, knowing that I didn''t give up thanks to you! I will also be doing my best. You know how I am, I''m too stubborn to mop around for too long. And anyway... I died three times already, I don''t want to do it again for a fourth time,"  I said with a faint smile.

    "You really are stronger than anyone I know... Firefly..." Stelle said, wiping away her tears and tentatively returning my smile.

    She raised her hand towards the light in the distance. The silver bracelet on her wrist shone brightly.

    "Thanks for giving me this... it''ll make me think of you and feel a little less lonely."

    I close my hand over hers.

    "The same goes for me... Stelle... you have already made so many of my dreams come true... but now I have an even bigger one... one that I want to realise for myself! I want to reach that point... beyond the horizon, where these shooting stars above us finally meet. I don''t know if it even exists... but I''ll keep searching for it!"

    Stelle nodded with a sad smile on her face.

    "I understand... sorry for spoiling the mood."

    I can''t leave her like this... I love Stelle''s real smile... that''s what I want to see before I say goodbye.

    But how could I cheer her up? My cheek suddenly flushed.

    The training I did with Wolfie... I have to put it into practice. After those kind of kisses.. people looked very happy.

    "Stelle, can you lean down a bit and close your eyes?"

    Stelle seemed flustered by the sudden request but complied.

    Her lips are closed... how do I make them open?... It''s embarrassing to ask. But I can''t let her stay like this forever...

    So I began to kiss her gently. Then I pulled away a little and breathed on her lips to see if it would work. When it didn''t, I decided to try something else. Opening my mouth slightly, I let my tongue out and began to gently stroke her lower lip.

    This fizzy taste... she must have drank Soulglad before coming here...

    Stelle audibly gasped and her lips soon parted as she tried to speak.

    "Wha-.!?"

    I took the opportunity I was given. I pressed my lips onto hers as her warm breath caressed them. I felt her body stiffen in my arm as I tentatively slipped my tongue inside her mouth.

    This feels strange... it''s very different from the other kisses we''ve shared... I should go slow...

    Stelle''s mouth felt much warmer than mine. Not knowing how far I should go, I stopped and lightly teased the inside of her lips. Stelle shivered in my arms. I held her tighter, slowly caressing her back, trying to calm her. Our combined heartbeats seemed so loud that I could only faintly hear Robin''s song in the background. Soon I felt her relax in my arms.

    And then we touched.

    It was just a little brush that lasted a fraction of a second, as if we had burned each other. Maybe a bit like our first meeting, when I had barely looked into her eyes. But then we searched for each other again. And we reunited, it all felt right. Stelle''s hand buried itself in my hair as our tongues touched and a passionate embrace began. It felt personal, intimate and... hot.

    This... what is this feeling...

    As the kiss continued, I clung to her jacket, my palms sweating. My breathing became heavier and when I felt that the air I was getting through my nose was no longer enough, I pulled away a little to get a little more. Fearing that Stelle would think I''d had enough, I put a hand behind her head as well, so that this moment wouldn''t end just yet.

    "I don''t think I can get enough of this..." was just one of many incoherent thoughts that crossed my mind at that time.

    When we parted, Stelle seemed completely out of it. Her grey air was completely messy and she looked like someone who had just run a marathon.

    "What... was... that?!" she asked, looking at me in bewilderment.

    "I think it''s called a deep kiss," I replied, wiping my mouth.

    "Of course... I know what it''s called! But... you... how did you...?!"

    Stelle seemed to have forgotten how to form a sentence. But I somehow understood what she was asking.

    "Do you remember what I told you the other day on the Feldspar? How I was interested in trying out some romance games? Silver Wolf ended up procuring some for me as educational material."

    Stelle''s eyes widened.

    "What kind of games did that girl make you play?!" she shouted in a high-pitched voice.

    "I really don''t remember the titles... let me ask her!" I said, pulling out my phone.

    "No! I...  don''t want to know. Just... never play them again, ok? I think I''m going to have a heart attack if you keep learning things from them."

    Why is she so shaken? did she not like it? Was I too forceful?

    Romance was really something I didn''t understand.

    "Sorry Stelle... I wanted to make you happy but ended up doing something stupid again." I said, shaking my head.

    "That''s not the point... I was just surprised. That... felt very good!" she said, putting her hands on my shoulders.

    "Then... can we do it again next time?" I asked with hope.

    "...yes," she said, looking away and blushing.

    "Man... you really are bold Firefly," she said then, covering her face with a hand, "but thanks, I feel much better now."

    "I''m glad... it''s getting late. Are you going to be all right, Stelle?" I asked after a short pause.

    "I am. It''ll be hard and I''ll probably cry again later, but I''ll manage. I... also have a new dream to look forward to," she said smiling.

    "A dream?"

    "First of all... I''ll do my best to help you. As soon as I get to Xianzhou, I''ll sprint to the Alchemy Commission. Maybe they can give me some clues on your condition... and then I''ll do the same in each of my destinations. I''ll search every corner of the universe for that silver lining".

    Her and Wolf... to have people who care so much about me, it''s something I never thought would happen.

    "Thank you!" I replied with an happy smile.

    It may not amount to anything... but knowing that she cares for me, even when she''s far away, makes me really happy.

    "And then... I want them back!" she exclaimed, clenching her fists.

    "You want what back?" I asked, confused.

    "My memories of you."

    My eyes widened.

    "Stelle... there''s..."

    "I know... we can always make new ones. But... I still want them back! All the moments we spent together are important to me... so not even being able to remember our first meeting... I can''t bear it. Maybe after the Harmony... I''ll gain the power of Remembrance. That will certainly help me figuring something out."

    Our first meeting...

    <hr>

    The briefing room of the Stellaron Hunter base was silent, except for the persistent sound of frantically pressed buttons. The cause, of course, was Silver Wolf, deep in her handheld console as usual.

    "Does she just play all day?" I thought annoyed, looking up from my book.

    Blade, on the other hand, didn''t seem to be bothered by the noise. His eyes were fixed on the distance, as if one of the turned off screens could give him the answers he was looking for.

    Why do we have to be here at all? The new girl won''t be a real member anyway...

    I was already tired of my missions, and now even my little free time was being taken up by Elio''s stupid orders.

    It seemed like hours passed before two sets of footsteps approached the room. I recognised the almost indiscernible ones of Kafka, but the others...

    Why is she making such a racket? I could hear her coming even without my enhanced senses...

    Suddenly the door of the meeting room burst open.

    "Hands up! This is an IPC raid! You are under arrest!" a tall, grey-haired girl shouted in an overly enthusiastic voice.

    Kafka stood behind her, shaking her head. Silence fell again, but the button-mashing didn''t stop.

    "Nice... another weirdo," I thought, raising an eyebrow. My other two colleagues in the room hadn''t even flinched.

    "Eh, just kidding!" said the girl, seemingly unconcerned with the reception we had given her joke, making her entrance.

    "Stelle, behave," Kafka said, but I could see her lips curling into a smile.

    Of course, Kafka loves problematic people like this girl...

    Meanwhile, the girl called Stelle had approached Silver Wolf.

    "You must be Silver Wolf! Nice to meet you, I''m... wait, is this the latest model!?" she asked, looking at her console with eyes full of desire.

    "It is... stop talking to me now, can''t you see I''m in a raid?"

    "Alright! But you have to let me play sometime!"

    "Of course..."

    I could clearly see that Wolf hadn''t even listened to what she had said.

    Stelle then went over to Blade.

    "You''re Mr Blade, right? N-nice to meet you!"

    It seemed that Blade''s presence was too much even for someone like her. For his part, he barely looked at her and gave her a small nod.

    I sighed when it was my turn.

    "And you... who are you? Kafka didn''t tell me another girl of my age would be here! Are you new too!?" she said, gripping my hand in excitement.

    Just as I thought... this girl is going to be a huge pain.

    "Don''t touch me!" I said irritably, pulling my hand out of her grasp and looking away.

    "Sorry! I shouldn''t have done that... I was just a bit excited!" she said mopey, "wait... what are those... scars?" she than asked.

    I felt an even stronger pang of annoyance as I saw her staring at my cheek. I really didn''t like people looking at those marks.

    "None of your business."

    "I see... they look very cool though! You are also very pretty! So don''t worry about it!"

    "This  girl... what''s her problem?" I thought, finally looking into her eyes. Those golden pools were filled with curiosity.

    "I''m Sam." I finally said.

    Now the curiosity was joined by confusion.

    "Sam... wait... Kafka, did you trick me?" she asked, turning to her.

    "I didn''t," Kafka replied, sitting down at the table, "this girl is Sam."

    "But isn''t Sam supposed to be a big robot guy or something!?"

    "I''m the pilot, you might say," I tried to explain to end the conversation.

    "I see... it''s kind of hard to imagine you piloting a huge mech. But then... is Sam the name of the robot, your name... or both?"

    Why is she asking this question? Does it even matter?

    But there was no reason not to answer.

    "My name is Firefly."

    Stelle sat down at the table in front of me.

    "Firefly! Much better! Such a cute name, it certainly suits you much better than Sam!"

    ...

    I looked at her with my mouth half open. Kafka cackled by her side:

    "It''s going to get a lot livelier around here."

    <hr>

    As usual, Kafka was right. But Stelle hadn''t stopped at the Stellaron Hunter base. She had made my whole existence brighter and happier than I had ever dreamed it could be.

    "Why are you laughing?" Stelle asked, confused.

    "Nothing... don''t worry, I''m sure you''ll find out eventually."

    I smiled brightly at her, trying to imprint her face in my mind.

    "I''m sure you''ll make it, Stelle. Nothing can stop you."

    "Not even you?" she said jokingly.

    "Well, I''m willing to let you win today... if you give me a big hug!"

    "I''ll take it."

    Her arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. I leaned against her, making sure that the warmth of that embrace enveloped me. I''d need it to survive the cold reality that awaited me.

    "Stelle... it''s time to wake up," I whispered.

    "I know... I''m glad we could share this dream together. I look forward to seeing you in the real world. I''ll be awake this time, I promise!"

    "You better be!" I chuckled before turning serious, "Make me proud, Stelle. Travel the universe, make new allies and friends, and don''t let what''s inside you get in the way. As an honorary member of your crew, I must say... may your journey lead you starward!"

    "The same goes for you, Firefly. May your dreams come true. I''ll be rooting for you and... I''ll be waiting. I''ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

    As the embrace loosened, I took the opportunity to give her one last tender kiss on the lips.

    "Goodbye for now, Stelle... I love you."

    My flames enveloped me as I entered my armor, but the cockpit felt strangely warm this time. I rose high into the sky I had come to love so much as I heard Stelle call out my name:

    "Firefly.... I LOVE YOU!"

    I smiled as a tear trickled down my cheek.

    Thank you, Mr Mikhail... for this wonderful dream.

    Wide green wings spread across the clear sky of Dream''s Edge as I accelerated towards my destination. To Stelle I must have looked like one of the many shooting stars around me.

    I want to reach it... the point beyond the horizon... the point where there are no more scripts. The point where it''s just me and her, Firefly and Stelle.

    But until that moment, I would have lived for myself, just as she''d taught me.

 Epilogue: A blank slate

    As Silver Wolf put her tiny hand on the scanner, the door to the Stellaron Hunters'' base opened immediately.

    "Kafka and Blade are on a mission, they''ll be back tomorrow I think. You should get some rest so we can start that serious gaming session you promised me," Wolf said as she went inside and turned on the light.

    I looked at her, smiling in the cockpit.

    "What''s wrong? Have you forgotten where your room is?" she asked looking back at me.

    "It''s nothing!" I said taking a step into the base, "I''m home!"

    "Yeah yeah, welcome home," Wolf greeted me with an annoyed look, "the stuff from your trip is in your room, by the way. Along with the other things you asked me for."

    "Wolfie!"

    Silver Wolf put her hands out in front of her with a frightened expression:

    "Please, no more hugs! I have had enough of this sappy stuff! You almost made us crash into an asteroid when you did it in the airship! Besides, if you do it while inside SAM, you will kill me for real!"

    "Alright, alright... but I''ve gotten very good at controlling my strength, you know?" I chuckled, "But Wolfie... can I hug you once in a while?" I then added.

    "...seeing a freaking giant robot acting so cute and asking for hugs is certainly something..." Silver Wolf said, shaking her head, but then she huffed, "Why do you want to hug me anyway? It feels so uncomfortable... but ok, just don''t tell Kafka."

    She paused for a second before muttering:

    "Who am I kidding? She''s going to find out anyway..."

    Still shaking her head, Silver Wolf walked through the kitchen door with a defeated look on her face. Giggling, I headed for the stairs. The steps creaked under SAM''s weight.

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    "It seems like an eternity went by," I thought as I reached the door to my room.

    My living space had always been so anonymous. A bed, a desk, a wardrobe full of identical black suits and a small library. The only thing that might have helped someone figure out what type of person  lived there was a small make-up case on the bedside table.

    But that was about to change.

    There were now so many colourful things on my bed. A small army of plushies, led by a giant raccoon. A signed picture of Robin and other posters from the various Penaconian flicks. Small gadgets and souvenirs like Clockies and Hanu''s figurines. A huge book with recipes for Penacony''s delicacies. On the side was a cute dress with a little dark brown coat and orange ribbon.

    Everything was here, proof that for a short time I had been part of a wonderful dream.

    But that wasn''t all. On the desk were the most important prizes I had collected on my journey: a lipstick with a red ribbon and a clover-shaped cap, a silver bracelet with a shooting star pendant and...

    Thank you, Wolfie. I really owe you a lot.

    I deactivated my armor. My condition showed up immediately, but I did my best to endure it. Slowly I put the bracelet on my wrist, smiling as I gazed at the shooting star.

    I wonder if her twin has already arrived on the Xianzhou Luofu.

    Then I took the first photo from the stack that Wolfie had printed for me. Two girls were smiling, with a beautiful sky behind them. I grabbed the roll of tape on the side and, with unsteady steps, approached the wall next to the bed.

    It was bare. But that just meant there was a lot of space to fill. But I wasn''t going to stop here, before my end came I would create so many colourful memories that they would fill all the walls of this room.

    I admired the photo on the wall with a big smile.

    I should print a larger version and frame it...

    I was thinking about it when I heard those unmistakable soft footsteps outside my room.

    "Came to gloat?" I asked, my smile widening, "You won this time, but I''m not giving up. I don''t know if I''ll ever be able to, but I''m sure she will. She''ll show you that even your script can be rewritten."

    A boyish chuckle answered my words:

    "If that moment really comes, I''ll happily admit defeat."

    I could hear the mockery in his voice, but I didn''t care.

    "Stelle... if you''ve managed to change someone like me... I''m sure that one day you''ll defeat even Finality itself."