In the main carriage, Aleph collapsed onto the sofa, his gaze heavy and his eyelids growing heavier by the second. He had spent several hours playing video games with March.
The last thing he heard before his eyes closed completely was Pom-Pom's voice making announcements.
"Passengers, we've entered the Asdana system! Just a couple more hours until we reach Penacony."
And then, sleep embraced him.
.....
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer on the Express.
He found himself in what looked like the lobby of a luxurious hotel with red carpets, crystal chandeliers, velvet-covered walls… but something was wrong. Tables, couches, and plants clung to the ceilings and walls as if gravity had suddenly gone mad.
A faint bluish light illuminated the place.
A music box played softly in the background, slow and melodic, tinting the atmosphere with something ominous.
"The only thing that could make this worse is if Stelle or March showed up dressed as bananas, singing that dumb fruit smoothie song March came up with…" Aleph muttered in annoyance as he rubbed his forehead.
"Fruit smoothie song?"
The feminine voice behind him made him jump as if pricked by a needle. He spun around, ready to scold whoever it was, but the words got stuck in his throat.
Before him stood a woman of ethereal beauty. Long hair cascading like a waterfall, a flawless yet expressionless face, and a serene, almost flat voice.
Aleph was speechless.
She looked so much like her… and yet she was different.
"Mei?" He murmured without realizing it.
The woman blinked in confusion, staring at him without understanding.
Aleph let out a slightly awkward laugh.
"Sorry. I mistook you for someone else."
She nodded gently.
"My name is Acheron."
"…Aleph Avesta."
The name caused a brief flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she erased it as quickly as it appeared, restoring her expression before he could notice.
"You shouldn't be here." She finally said.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
But Acheron shook her head.
"Follow me. I'll get you out of this place."
He sighed and chose to follow her.
........
Human-shaped shadows awaited them in the hallways. Their forms were vague, but their voices sounded all too familiar.
"Ignore them." Acheron warned without turning. "If you stare too long, you'll lose the path."
The boy nodded silently and kept his eyes fixed on the woman walking ahead of him.
They reached a dead end, and Aleph looked at her for a moment, wondering if she had gotten lost.
"Now what?"
"Just watch."
Off to the side was a fountain of golden, bubbling water. Acheron leaned down, dipped her hand in, and pulled out two liquid orbs that glowed with golden light.
She placed one against the wall and, upon bursting, it transformed into a radiant bridge that looked more like a ramp connecting the wall and the floor.
"Your turn." She said as she took a few steps onto the wall.
Aleph followed her lead and soon found himself walking along the walls.
....
The path ended at a white door. Acheron stopped, turning to him with a more serious expression.
"There's something I need to tell you. My memory… it's somewhat defective. I struggle to remember names and faces. When I meet someone again, I'm almost never certain. I can't rely on memory… only on the emotions they stir within me."
Her eyes locked onto Aleph's.
"And with you… I feel like we already knew each other."
Aleph smiled sadly. It was as much a curse as it was a blessing.
"I feel the same."
It was impossible to cast aside his old longings and start anew. There were many people he missed, and Mei was one of them.
She turned away, giving him her back.
"Goodbyes are always sad. Reunions, uncertain. But even if my memory fails me, I hold on to something that never leaves me… the judgment to see the truth, even when one forces oneself to believe a lie."
Aleph frowned.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing that matters right now." Acheron shook her head softly. "Tell me, 'Aleph'… would you like to see me again?"
He smiled—despite the strangeness of this encounter, she was quite pleasant. So he didn't hesitate to answer.
"It would be my pleasure."
Acheron's lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
"I only hope our weapons won't end up pointing at each other."
Before Aleph could ask, unbearable pain exploded in his chest.
He looked down—Acheron's katana had slid out of his heart. She sheathed it calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"We'll meet again… when all color has been erased, and only black and white remain."
....
"Aleph!"
Pom-Pom's voice greeted him as he opened his eyes.
Back on the sofa in the carriage, he blinked while struggling to catch his breath. Aleph raised a hand to his face, shocked to feel tears streaming down his cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Pom-Pom asked in concern.
Aleph touched his chest. He couldn't remember much, but one feeling lingered.
"I feel… like someone important hurt me."
Before he could say more, Stelle suddenly threw herself at him in a hug.
"I'm sorry, Aleph! I really shouldn't have kept that yogurt I stole from March! I promise I'll share it with you next time!"
Aleph stared at her in confusion.
From the carriage entrance, March's eyes went wide.
"So it was you?!" She shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her.
Stelle shrieked and hid behind Aleph, using him as a human shield, while Pom-Pom sighed in exasperation.
*********
The Astral Express finally came to a stop with a gentle rattle.
The doors opened and the passengers began to disembark, immediately greeted by Penacony's festive and vibrant air.
Aleph stepped off with a long yawn, while Corruid settled onto his shoulder. Stelle tried to pet the little creature but received a frosty glare that rejected her instantly.
"Hey! Why does it let you and not me?" She protested, pouting.
March laughed.
"Looks like even pets have good taste."
The remark earned her a murderous glare from Stelle, who huffed, crossed her arms, and muttered in annoyance.
"Tch! It's not like you're that special."
Before the group could scatter, Pom-Pom stopped them to make a request.
"Listen carefully! I need you to keep an eye out for three names Tiernan, Legwork, and Razalina. Guard, mechanic, and surveyor of the Express, respectively. I can't leave the train, so I want you to find out what happened to them."
Everyone nodded.
"Good!" Pom-Pom smiled and raised a tiny paw. "Have a pleasant trip!"
Himeko paused near Dan Heng.
"Are you sure you don't want to come? I could stay in your place. Penacony might be interesting."
Dan Heng calmly shook his head.
"It's not my scene. I'd rather stay behind and keep the Express records updated. Besides, someone has to accompany Pom-Pom."
Welt placed a hand on Himeko's shoulder and nodded.
"He's made his decision. It's fine this way."
Himeko sighed in resignation and finally followed the group.
......
Further ahead, March was flipping through a colorful pamphlet as she walked, reading aloud with excitement.
"The Grand Hotel: luxury rooms, spa, casino, endless buffet, chocolate fountains, and even a private observatory!"
Aleph's and Stelle's eyes sparkled with excitement.
In the end, they couldn't avoid bumping into a nearby bellhop.
"Oh, sorry." Stelle said while Aleph helped him up.
"No worries, honored guests." He replied. "My name is Misha, and it's a pleasure to welcome you."
Aleph and Stelle greeted him kindly.
"Hey! Stop getting distracted and keep moving!" March's voice forced them to turn around—and when they looked back, Misha was already gone.
.....
At the reception desk, a refined-looking woman in a blue suit awaited them.
"Welcome. I'm Alley. Your rooms are ready…" she said with a smile, but after checking the reservation list, her expression stiffened.
"According to the registry, the bookings are for Welt Yang, Himeko, March 7th, and Dan Heng. There's no space for additional guests. All rooms are occupied due to the Carismonia Festival."
Silence fell instantly.
"I'm Dan Heng." Aleph declared solemnly.
"No! I'm Dan Heng!" Stelle retorted with equal seriousness.
They faced each other.
"There can be only one."
Baseball bats were placed in their hands as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You're going down, Danleph!" Stelle shouted.
"You're going down, Danstelle!" Aleph shot back.
The atmosphere was about to explode until a voice intervened.
"That won't be necessary."
Aventurine appeared with a charming smile. Beside him stood a young man with a dignified presence in an elegant suit—Sunday, leader of the Oak Family—and a woman with a radiant aura, Robin, accompanied him.
They stepped in, easing the situation and convincing Alley to adjust the registry.
"Consider this problem solved." Sunday said calmly.
March, unable to contain herself, practically sparkled with excitement in front of Robin.
"I'm your fan! I know all your songs!"
Robin laughed, bringing a hand to her chest.
"I'm glad to meet someone so passionate. Thank you for your support."
With a polite farewell, she left with her brother.
Aleph and Stelle glanced at each other, utterly lost.
"Robin?" He muttered. "Is she, like… Batman's friend?"
"She sings?" Stelle added in confusion.
March nearly fell over backward.
"How can you not know her?!"
.....
In a quieter corner, Himeko gathered them.
"Did you notice?" She asked, looking at Welt. "The invitation message was encrypted in the same way the Nameless usually do."
Welt frowned.
"That raises too many questions. Who sent it, and why?"
Himeko nodded.
"Robin also seemed to be using Harmony to hide the fact that she's losing her voice. What could have forced her to strain it so recklessly just days before the Festival begins?" She furrowed her brow slightly before continuing. "The Family has invited too many factions—us, the Corporation, the Masked Fools… and who knows how many more."
Welt nodded gravely.
"So many questions, and we've only just arrived… This doesn't bode well."
Meanwhile, March, Aleph, and Stelle were sipping fruit cocktails as if nothing was wrong.
Himeko sighed and murmured a barely audible apology—especially toward March, who had dreamed of a quiet vacation.
.....
Finally, after the discussion, the group dispersed. Aleph helped carry Himeko's, March's, and Stelle's luggage to their rooms.
Stelle insisted several times on sharing hers with him, but the joint response from Himeko, Welt, and even March was a resounding "no."
Aleph even offered to give up his own room, but Stelle only grumbled.
"It's not the room that bothers me…"
Not fully understanding, Aleph let it go and entered his quarters.
He began unpacking, tossing his jacket onto the bed, and just as he was about to flop down to test the softness of the mattress, the door opened.
Aventurine strolled in with a carefree smile.
...
Aventurine leaned a shoulder against the doorframe, wearing a carefree smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Stellaron." He winked. "Hope you don't mind me barging in, but you know… fortune always favors those who take the initiative."
Aleph frowned.
Their eyes met, and Aleph frowned, recognizing in his gaze the look of a gambler who had just drawn the winning card.
"And what exactly is it you want?"
The man advanced toward him slowly.
"You know, I'm fascinated by gambling. So much so that among my colleagues—the Ten Stonehearts—it's practically become a tradition to call me 'the Addict.' Pretty cute, don't you think?"
Aleph raised an eyebrow.
"And why tell me all this?"
A light laugh slipped from Aventurine's lips.
"Because if we're going to start a friendship… shouldn't I begin by catching your interest? You open up, share a little about yourself, and then—" His eyes gleamed mischievously—"You talk about mutual benefits. A partnership, Mr. Stellaron. You and me first… and if it proves worthwhile, between the Nameless and the IPC."
He sat down beside him on the bed as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His hand rested familiarly on Aleph's shoulder.
"After all, isn't that what friends are for? To help when you need it most."
Aleph turned his gaze aside, slightly uncomfortable.
"If you really wanted a partnership, why not talk to the others instead?"
Aventurine's smile wavered a bit.
"I tried, believe me. But Ms. Himeko and Mr. Yang seem far too busy trying to put out a… problem caused by your companion. If what I heard is true, Miss Stellaron decided to go to war with room service. Apparently it all started with a… minor dispute. From what I gathered, she argued with the staff about the proper way to prepare a hamburger. Things escalated pretty quickly."
Aleph slapped his forehead.
"Of course they did…"
Before Aventurine could pick up the thread of conversation again, the door opened once more.
A woman entered calmly.
Aleph recognized her immediately.
"This is my room." Acheron said, her voice firm but without hostility.
The gambler blinked, genuinely confused.
"Curious… this was the room I booked. Though… it's true I handed it over to the Nameless." Aventurine narrowed his eyes and studied her more closely. "Might I ask who you are?"
"Acheron. A Galaxy Ranger." She replied, her expression unchanged.
"Huh. A Galaxy Ranger?" Aventurine muttered—just before his phone began to ring.
After seeing who it was, Aventurine stood.
"Seems like that's my cue to leave. We'll continue this little chat another time. Don't forget what I said~." He tossed Aleph a playful wink before vanishing down the hall.
Aleph sighed as Acheron regarded him calmly.
"Good thing I arrived in time. Otherwise, that man might've eaten you alive."
The young man blinked in confusion.
"What…?"
She let out a faint sigh.
"He used everything on you. Charm, rhetoric, pacing the conversation. He guided you step by step. Every word was chosen to steer you toward what he wants—while making you think you're still in control."
Aleph's silence, paired with his expression belatedly lighting up with realization, made her shake her head.
"Just as I thought." Acheron said, shaking her head again. "Anyway. Enjoy your stay in Penacony."
She turned and walked out, leaving him alone.
Aleph exhaled and was about to do what he had planned from the start—flop onto the bed to test its softness—when the door opened again.
Acheron peeked her head back in.
"I'm lost. I don't remember how to get back to the lobby."
Aleph stared at her blankly for a moment, then let out a small laugh.
"Seriously…"
She looked at him with the same impassive expression, which only reminded Aleph of Mei, who would get lost everywhere, until it became routine for him, Kevin, or Su to take turns going after her.
With a nostalgic smile, he stood.
"Come on. I'll walk you there."
.......
Back in his room, Aleph decided to try the peculiar seashell-shaped bathtub. On the nightstand he found a pamphlet with instructions.
Rules for entering the dreamscape:
1. Food consumed in the dreamscape will not sate the physical body. It's best to eat beforehand.
2. For outsiders, except in rare cases, the safe limit is 8 to 9 hours. Afterward, a break in reality is required.
3. While physical harm is impossible inside, neural overload may affect reflexes, behavior, and even speech upon return.
The text ended with a bolded warning.
Be cautious with wagers and deals. The downfall of careless visitors is no game, but a common reality in Penacony.
Aleph snorted and set the leaflet aside.
"What a hospitable welcome."
He slipped into the tub. A crystalline liquid, shimmering with violet hues, rose slowly until it enveloped him completely.
With his eyes closed and a faint vertigo crawling down his spine, Aleph submerged himself for the first time into the dreamscape.
**************
Aleph opened his eyes, and the sensation of weightlessness hit him instantly. His vision, still blurry, slowly cleared, revealing a scene that was rather… unreal. Buildings of illogical proportions rose toward a sky where ethereal whales swam as if the air were an ocean. A soft melody drifted through the atmosphere, somewhere between jazz and blues, wrapping the place in a hypnotic mood.
In the center, dominating everything, a massive clock resembling Big Ben struck eternal midnight.
It took Aleph only a few seconds to put the pieces together.
"Golden Hour…" He murmured, recalling something described in March's pamphlet about Penacony's dreamscapes.
The most urgent matter, however, wasn't the clock or the whales.
It was the fact that he was plummeting headfirst from the sky.
"Now I remember why I hate heights…"
His scream was lost in the air as he stretched out his arms.
Using Zan and Garu, he shifted the wind currents around him; with Bufudyne, he condensed moisture into icy surfaces and began sliding down in spiraling arcs.
The crowd below pointed up, apparently convinced they were witnessing some kind of street performance or show.
The illusion broke quickly.
From a nearby point, another figure was falling, screaming all the way.
"Aleeeph!!"
It was Stelle.
"Now I get why people are scared of heights! I take it all back—I'll never make fun of flightless birdies again!"
With a thud, she slammed into Aleph, clinging to him as if her life depended on it.
"Save me! It's your duty as a sidekick to protect the protagonist!"
Aleph felt a very strong urge to just let her go. But before he could decide, the added weight threw them off balance.
Both of them spiraled uncontrollably downward.
The impact carved a crater into the street. Dazed, they glanced at their intact bodies—no broken bones. But they also noticed their movements felt clumsier here, as if moving was more difficult than in reality.
"Welcome."
A melodious voice snapped them out of their trance. In front of them stood Robin and Sunday.
"It's a pleasure to see you, esteemed guests." Sunday remarked with a smile.
Robin, with a warm smile, extended a hand.
"Don't worry. It's normal to feel strange your first time."
With a delicate gesture, she unfurled the power of Harmony. A luminous note wrapped around them, and immediately Aleph and Stelle felt themselves regain control over their bodies in the dreamscape.
"Thanks…" Aleph muttered, brushing the dust off himself.
Once done, Robin bid them farewell and turned to leave with Sunday.
Aleph couldn't help but mumble under his breath:
"She had really beautiful eyes."
Stelle's lips twisted into a pout.
"Yeah, Robin's eyes are pretty."
"Robin? Ah, right… she also had beautiful eyes."
Stelle's expression twisted in confusion.
**********
After walking for a while through the streets of the Golden Hour, Aleph couldn't help but feel Las Vegas vibes, like in the movies.
"What are those things?" Stelle pointed at one of the vehicles.
Curious, she searched for info on her phone. Moments later, her eyes went wide.
"What?! The Family developed technology to bring certain objects from here into the real world. And gliders are one of them!" After her excited squeal, she turned to her companion. "Imagine the possibilit—" Her face went blank when she realized her companion had abandoned her.
...
Aleph shrugged, preferring to leave Stelle to her excitement and continue exploring on his own.
That's how he ended up in front of a peculiar shop.
A gigantic eye, embedded in the wall, stared straight at him.
"Welcome, visitor." Its voice boomed from all directions. "I am Dr. Edward." The eye's gaze held on Aleph, as though trying to see him more clearly. "And someone asked me to show you something…"
Intrigued, Aleph accepted.
A bubble of memories unfolded before him, swallowing him into a familiar scene—the interior of the Astral Express.
Pom-Pom was scolding a dark, shadow-covered figure. The man's voice was almost identical to that of Aleph's old math teacher, Mr. Tachibana.
The scolding was harsh, mainly for a navigation error that had nearly caused the Express to crash. Head bowed, the figure muttered that maybe he was "the worst of the Nameless."
"Not at all!" Pom-Pom refuted firmly. "The worst Nameless was Aha, the Elation."
Aleph's eyes widened. Even the shadowy figure froze in shock.
Pom-Pom then explained that old story of how Aha secretly traveled aboard the Express, disguised as a Trailblazer, under Akivili's guidance. For an entire year he lived with them—until suddenly, he revealed his identity and blew up half the Express… and, incidentally, a nearby planet.
"That's why." Pom-Pom concluded. "No one has ever been a worse Nameless than Aha."
The memory dissolved. Aleph resurfaced in the shop, thoughtful. He said goodbye to Dr. Edward and returned to the streets.
....
He hadn't walked far when someone bumped straight into him.
It was a gray-haired girl, breathing heavily. Behind her, members of the Hound Family were closing in.
She shot him a pleading look.
"Please… help me!"
Aleph stared at her for a few seconds, weighing the situation. Then he sighed.
"Eh?" Surprise flashed across her face when Aleph scooped her up princess-style, but she had no time to react.
Aleph quickly broke into a run.
.....
Half an hour later, they managed to slip into a dark alley, having shaken off the Hound Family members.
The girl, blushing, whispered in a weak voice:
"Y-you can put me down…"
He set her gently on the ground.
"Thank you." She said, averting her gaze. "My name is Firefly, an artist of the Iris Family."
"Aleph Avesta." He replied—though the way she looked at him left him confused. It was almost as if she expected him to introduce himself with another name.
Do we know each other? Aleph wondered, intrigued. But Firefly left no room for questions.
"Let me treat you to a meal. It's the least I can do to thank you for your help." She said, sneaking glances at him.
......
Meanwhile, in another part of the Golden Hour, Stelle walked with a frown, a bat resting on her shoulder.
The other members of the Express had fallen into different dreamscapes. Only she and Aleph had ended up here, but what annoyed her most was being abandoned without explanation.
Stelle kicked a trash can with a growl.
"Stupid Aleph! Why'd you leave without saying anything?"
The metallic crash echoed through the street, quickly attracting the wrong kind of attention. In the distance, several members of the Hound Family turned their heads toward her.
"Is that her?" One of them whispered.
Another nodded, and then they charged.
"There's the stowaway!"
Stelle went pale.
"Huh? What did I do this time?!"
She didn't wait for answers. She bolted, running with all her strength, dodging neon signs and makeshift casino tables.
The chase dragged on until, without looking ahead, she slammed into someone.
"Oof!" She crashed headfirst into a Pepeshian, knocking him over completely.
"Ouch! Watch where you're going!" the Pepeshian squealed.
Stelle barely had time to apologize before the hounds caught up, surrounding her.
They had no intention of letting her slip away.
The little guy yelled in outrage while the Hounds took advantage of the commotion to step closer and ready their weapons.
"You're under arrest for disturbing the peace!"
But before they could touch her, a rough voice cut through the air.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
A middle-aged man with slightly messy hair and a loose tie appeared.
The Hounds went pale.
"Mr. Gallagher! T-this girl is—"
"A guest." He interrupted sharply. He pointed at Stelle's identification bracelet. "Or are you arresting tourists now too?"
The Hounds stammered excuses, but in the end had no choice but to retreat, heads hanging low.
Stelle sighed in relief and turned to Gallagher.
"Thanks!"
"No problem, young lady." Gallagher nodded and started to walk away, but Stelle quickly stopped him.
"I need your help to find someone." She said.
The man raised a brow.
"Someone? Like who?" Looking at her a bit more, Gallagher figured maybe she was searching for a lost dog—or perhaps a missing child.
"Aleph." Stelle pulled out her phone and showed him a picture. "He's lost, and I'm worried someone might trick or scam him." Despite her words, the girl didn't seem worried so much as very, very annoyed.
Gallagher studied her for a long moment. His expression shifted from indifference to puzzlement, and then to mild discomfort.
"Fine. I'll help you." In the end, Gallagher decided to go along. After all, if it turned out she was up to something shady, he could always hand her over later.
"Perfect!" Stelle replied with a somewhat mischievous grin, muttering under her breath all the things she wanted to do to Aleph as revenge.
Am I helping a serial stalker? Gallagher wondered as he scratched the back of his neck, listening to her. In the end, he just sighed.
***********
Meanwhile, Aleph was wandering through the Golden Hour alongside Firefly.
First, they passed by the statue of Relojito.
She led him from one attraction to another.
"Aleph, I think someone's following us…" She whispered softly. Aleph was about to summon a bat and tell her he could handle whoever it was when, to his surprise, a familiar voice called out at the top of its lungs:
"Gray hair!"
Aleph barely had time to react before Sampo threw an arm around his shoulders.
"Sampo?" Aleph couldn't help but look puzzled.
Firefly gave him a strange look. And while Aleph was glad to see a familiar face, he couldn't shake the feeling something was off about Sampo.
.....
Sampo led them to an attraction called The Adventures of Hanu. A TV-shaped contraption bathed Aleph in light, transforming him into a cartoon character.
"Hmmn…?" Aleph murmured as he looked at his stubby little paws. It seemed now he couldn't make any sound other than that.
"Hurry, Hero of Dreamville! The mission awaits!" Sampo shouted, enthusiastically hurling Aleph into the stage.
What followed was a series of candy shootouts, absurd chases, and bizarre traps. Aleph ended up laughing more than he expected.
When he finally came out, another flash returned him to normal.
"What did you think?" Sampo asked.
Aleph gave him a thumbs-up.
"Incredible."
Sampo grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Of course you can count on your dear friend, Sampo Koski, to find the best places to have a good time!" He declared before laughing. "Later, check out Dr. Edward's shop—I left a gift there for you. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
While Firefly wandered off a bit, Sampo leaned closer to Aleph's ear to whisper:
"Don't trust the liars."
Not long after, Sampo cheerfully waved goodbye, promising they'd meet again before disappearing into the streets.
When Firefly approached after a few minutes, her expression was a little strange.
"…Sorry for taking so long." She muttered an apology while scratching her cheek, looking slightly embarrassed.
But she grew puzzled when she noticed Aleph seemed more focused on silently staring at an empty space.
"Huh? Tic Tac, can you see me?" Said the little being Aleph was watching.
"Yes."
"Wonderful!" Clockie looked delighted. But he quickly brushed that aside to urgently deliver a message to Aleph. "You have to help me—Misha's in trouble!"
"Huh?"
Before Aleph could even respond, Clockie took off running.
"Uh, erm, sorry!" Aleph apologized hurriedly to Firefly as he followed after Little Clock.
"Aleph?" Still confused, Firefly chose to follow him.
.......
When they arrived, they found the young bellboy being harassed by three men with a look straight out of a gangster movie.
"Hey, hey~ you look real fine, missy." Commented a bald man wearing dark shades.
"…I'm a guy." Misha said as he backed up against a wall.
"That's even better!" Said a blond man whose hairstyle made his head look like a flame.
Cold sweat ran down Misha's forehead.
"Misha, I brought help!" Clockie announced as he stood in front of Misha. Soon after, Aleph arrived.
Though not quite the way Little Clock had expected.
With a hard glare, the thugs froze the moment they met his golden eyes.
"…You dare covet my product without paying the price?" He said, walking toward them slowly, each footstep deliberately loud. Firefly followed behind, one hand pressed to her forehead. "You should know that trespassing on another's territory could very well lead you to a most… 'unfortunate' fate, don't you think?"
The thugs began backing away from Misha. Despite the apparent youth of the man before them, and the faintly laid-back smile on his lips, his eyes promised nothing but pain.
"…These are the reinforcements?" Misha muttered to Clockie, wearing a doubtful look.
"…He can see me. Only good and innocent people are supposed to be able to do that," Clockie replied, just as uncertain as his friend.
....
At last, once the thugs had left, Misha and Clockie thanked Aleph for his help. Firefly, on the other hand, gave him a look very similar to the one March always wore whenever she caught Stelle doing something weird.
"You can judge my methods, but not my results." Aleph declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
For some reason, after hearing that, Firefly smiled, her eyes tinged with nostalgia.
"Hey, Aleph…" She said with a soft smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Would you like to see something amazing?"
Though confused, Aleph gave his answer without hesitation.
"Of course."
*********
"Come. I want to show you something special."
Firefly led him to the edge of the district, toward an area under renovation. Scaffolding blocked the way, and upon seeing it, she lowered her head in disappointment.
"Looks like we can't reach it anymore…"
Aleph placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry."
A cold breeze swept past, making Firefly hold down her skirt.
With a snap of his fingers, Aleph began shaping ice into solid platforms, forming a makeshift path. Once the first part of the way was complete, he turned to her, hand extended.
"Lead the way."
Firefly blinked in surprise before smiling and taking his hand.
Together, they ascended, building their path step by step.
When they finally reached the highest rooftop, Firefly spread her arms.
"Ta-da!"
Aleph's jaw dropped—calling the view incredible felt like an understatement.
From there, he could see the entirety of the Golden Moment. And far above, the radiant Grand Theater.
Sitting on the railing, Firefly smiled sweetly at Aleph's genuinely shining eyes.
But soon she looked away, lowering her head slightly.
"There's something I have to confess… I lied to you." She spoke with sadness. "I got in here illegally. I'm a stowaway. I came for a pretty selfish reason."
She met Aleph's eyes.
"I suffer from a disease called Entropy Syndrome… Have you heard of it?" She asked, her hand resting on the railing as she gazed at the scenery. "Those who suffer from it experience an irreversible chronic dissociation of their physical state until they slowly fade away, while others hardly notice the process."
She noticed the disheartened look on Aleph's face.
"Sorry for dragging you into this, Aleph. You shouldn't have to break the law for the sake of a fool whose body is practically useless without its life-support system in reality."
Aleph shook his head.
"I chose to help you. So you don't have to worry about that."
She looked at him in surprise, a little flustered, before letting out a small laugh.
"You're such an idiot."
He smiled.
"Maybe."
Both fell into silence, contemplating the immensity before them. At last, Aleph took out his phone and began snapping photos.
"What are you doing?" Firefly asked curiously.
"Trying to take a good picture…"
March would definitely love this view.
"Want to take one together?"
Firefly nodded and stepped beside him with a bright, happy smile.
........
Sitting on the railing, Aleph and Firefly swung their legs back and forth like children.
"This dream…" She murmured, gazing at the golden lights stretching beyond the horizon. "My greatest wish would be to live like this in reality too. To walk, to feel the air, to live what for every girl is just a normal life… without the need for any life-support."
Her voice faltered at the end, but the smile she wore revealed the depth of her longing.
Aleph stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the distance, though what he truly saw was far behind him—a darker time, when the only thing he wished for was to vanish without a trace. Remembering that, and comparing it to Firefly's situation, almost made him laugh at how pathetic he had been.
"Your dream… is truly beautiful, Firefly." He sighed, once more lost in his memories. "Mine, on the other hand, was always a pretty stupid one." He added with a dry laugh.
"I just wanted to be beside… certain people. They were so special to me. They were the only thing that gave meaning to each day."
She looked at him with curiosity, her eyes carrying a strange glimmer Aleph couldn't quite recognize.
"Did they die?"
Aleph slowly shook his head.
"No. We're just… too far apart. I don't even know how much time has passed since I last saw them. Sometimes I wonder if they've already forgotten me, or decided to pretend I never existed."
His smile twisted with a hint of bitterness.
"Pathetic, isn't it? Clinging so tightly to a blurry memory." He shook his head. "Sorry if my rambling makes you uncomfortable."
Firefly gripped the railing lightly, ready to respond, but the chime of a phone cut through the tension.
Aleph lowered his gaze and pulled out his device—it was a message in the Astral Express group chat.
[Welt: "Certain 'unfortunate events' have occurred."]
[Himeko: "What do you mean?"]
[Welt: "It's best we meet and discuss it in person."]
[March: "Right now?! Mou."]
[March: "I was already at the front of the line at the camera shop…"]
[Himeko: "March…"]
[March: "Ugh… I'm on my way."]
Aleph sighed, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
"I have to go."
"Then I'll stay with you a little longer." Firefly opened an app and sent him a request. "That way we can talk later."
Aleph accepted without fuss.
*********
As they walked through Golden Moment, the calm slowly grew unsettling. The lively noise had vanished completely, as if it had never been there at all. An unnatural silence enveloped everything.
Both of them narrowed their eyes.
"Something's not right…" Firefly muttered, moving closer to Aleph.
From a nearby alley, a familiar figure emerged.
Sampo.
"What a disappointment, Aleph. To see you so comfortable with her…" He murmured, almost in pity. "Well, it's not unusual for someone to be fooled by a pretty face, right~? Ehe~."
As he finished, his disguise unraveled into motes of orange light, revealing his true form—a petite girl with black hair and red eyes.
Her smile was so sweet and playful it was impossible to tell if she was laughing with you or at you.
"Gray Hair, I'll show you the true dreamscape—the real Penacony."
Before Aleph could react, Firefly collapsed unconscious at his side.
"What—? Firefly!"
Sparkle skipped toward him, barely reaching his chest. With a giggle, she tried to touch his forehead.
But when she did, nothing happened.
Aleph raised a brow and let out a dry chuckle. The Aleph standing before her vanished, revealing that the real one was further back, holding the unconscious Firefly in his arms.
"You seriously think illusions work on me?"
He snapped his fingers, and in the blink of an eye, the girl's outfit transformed into a garish clown suit—red nose included.
The twitch in her left eye was immediate.
A burst of laughter rang out from behind.
Sampo appeared, doubled over, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Marvelous! Aleph, that was… that was a show worth seeing. I have to save this moment!" He raised his phone and snapped several pictures of the girl trembling with rage. "This will be one of my most treasured possessions, I swear, Sparkle."
"Why didn't you tell me illusions wouldn't fully work on him?" She huffed with a pout.
Sampo shrugged.
"You didn't ask."
Sparkle ground her teeth and, after a brief silence, exhaled deeply.
"I suppose I should've expected it. After all… he is the Prince."
Aleph blinked in confusion.
"Prince?"
Sparkle's smile widened with a hint of delight.
"Yes. The favored one of the Lord of Laughter himself." She said with a sweet look. "He's already decided! All of us must do our part to temper his fa~vo~rite~."
A chill ran down Aleph's spine at the memory of that cursed word.
He forced himself to keep his composure and fixed his gaze on Sampo.
"Don't you have a better work partner than this Pepeshian?"
Sampo's explosion of laughter was so loud he nearly doubled over.
Sparkle, however, froze.
"P-Pepeshian…? I am not—! How dare you compare the gorgeous Sparkle to some Pepeshian?!"
"You have to admit, you really do look like one." Sampo added between fits of laughter.
"Shut up!"
Seizing the moment while Aleph was distracted by their reactions, Sparkle pulled out an enormous hammer from nowhere.
"Go to sleep!"
The blow crashed down on his head.
Aleph's consciousness shattered in an instant.
Before darkness swallowed him, he heard Sampo's voice, tinged with genuine regret beneath his laughter.
"Sorry, Aleph. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
And everything went black.
"All of this… is for a greater good."
****************
Aleph opened his eyes once again in that strange place where he had once met Acheron. The scenery was just as bizarre as before.
It looked like the hallway of a luxurious hotel, with crystal chandeliers, velvet-covered walls, and furniture clinging to the ceilings and walls.
He wasn't alone. Firefly was watching him, still somewhat unsettled, and beside her stood Stelle, frowning deeply.
"Idiot!" She snapped immediately, storming toward him with furious steps. "How could you just leave me behind? Do you not give a damn about what happens to me?"
Aleph raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed by her anger.
"You're old enough now, Stelle. You can take care of yourself. I don't see why I should stay glued to you."
Stelle scowled, offended, then turned away with a pout and crossed arms, letting out a huff. But her irritation only grew when she noticed how Aleph brushed past her, leaning toward Firefly instead.
Firefly, caught in the middle of the scene, wasn't sure what expression to put on her face—something about it felt oddly nostalgic.
"Are you alright, Firefly?"
The girl gave a faint nod, while Stelle watched them from the corner of her eye, irritation simmering.
*********
The three of them walked through the strange hotel in search of an exit. Aleph ran a hand over his forehead, wondering if someone was going to stab him again.
"Hey, Aleph." Stelle's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "What are those things?" She asked, pointing ahead at the figures emerging from the blackish mist.
One looked like a gemstone with arms and legs far too short for its body. Another resembled a television with limbs, a malicious face flickering on the screen.
And the last one was some kind of purple crystal dinosaur, with red eyes and golden metal claws.
Firefly stared at them, momentarily wondering if she should risk herself and fight. But Aleph and Stelle misread her look as fear, and both decided to show off.
Before she could even blink—
Aleph charged in, his bat of ice whirling with wind, fire, and lightning as he unleashed it upon the dinosaur.
Stelle struck the other two with her blazing spear.
Soon enough, both of them returned, slightly disheveled.
"Done." Stelle said, dusting off her hands. Aleph, for his part, cracked his knuckles.
Neither of them really understood why, but both wanted to look good in front of Firefly.
Their path led them into a corridor that opened into a chamber lit only by the gray glow of old televisions.
Dozens, maybe hundreds of screens projected endless static.
There were four doors, including the one they had entered through.
Stelle was the first to test her luck, boldly opening one and stepping through. She came right back out… into the same place.
"What the hell…?"
They tried opening each one in turn, but no matter the order, they always ended up back in the same chamber. Even retracing their steps brought them once again to the room full of televisions.
The sound of static began to rise in volume.
"I don't like this." Firefly murmured, clutching her chest.
"I'll just smash them all!" Stelle shouted in frustration, raising her spear to destroy the screens.
"…Damn it." Aleph muttered as he noticed a purple haze slithering along the floor, crawling up the walls until it swallowed everything. Instinctively, he and Stelle pushed Firefly to the center, standing around her protectively.
A roar tore through the static. From above, emerging through the mist, descended a creature far larger and fiercer than any enemy they had faced on their journey here.
It had a long, serpentine body with bat-like wings, metallic scales, and a single glowing red eye that devoured them with its gaze.
The creature's second roar shook the walls.
"Perfect…" Aleph murmured, tightening his grip on the bat. Sparks of electricity flickered across its surface.
A circle of glowing symbols appeared beneath the creature. Two tarot cards ignited in the air, and suddenly, dozens of crystalline hands emerged from the darkness, gripping the entity with brutal force and pinning it to the ground. The beast shrieked in rage, thrashing uselessly against their hold.
From the shadows of one of the nearby doors emerged a female figure.
An elegant woman, with an enigmatic smile, walked toward them with serene steps.
"What a dangerous scene…" She said in a voice so sweet it sent a shiver down Aleph's spine. "I thought perhaps you could use a little help."
"Who… are you?" Firefly asked, eyeing her with distrust.
The woman bowed her head in an elegant curtsy.
"Black Swan. A simple memokeeper, at your service."
Her tone was friendly, but that didn't stop Aleph from stepping forward, placing himself between her and the girls, his eyes wary.
Every fiber of his being screamed at him not to lower his guard.
"Oh, such coldness." Black Swan said, placing a hand on her chest with a mock look of hurt. "And here I thought that by saving you, we could be friends."
Aleph frowned in distaste.
"Cut the games. Wasn't your arrival a little too convenient, Memokeeper?"
"Hey!" Stelle interrupted, stepping forward to stand beside Black Swan. "Don't be so ungrateful—she helped us."
Aleph sighed, closing his eyes in irritation.
"You should already know that that thing," he said, gesturing to the monster trapped on the ground. "Was no problem for me."
But Stelle didn't even pay him any attention as she apologized to Black Swan on behalf of the three of them. Firefly watched, confused, unsure of what was happening.
For a moment, Aleph locked eyes with Black Swan—and understood.
"Tch."
The woman was enjoying the situation, savoring every exaggerated gesture, every crocodile tear that tricked Stelle.
Even she seemed surprised at how easy it was to manipulate her.
The reality was much simpler Stelle wasn't really thinking about anything. She just wanted to annoy Aleph, still upset that he had left her behind.
***********
While Black Swan spoke with Stelle and Firefly, Aleph decided to approach the meme. When he thought no one was paying attention, he placed his hand on the creature's crystalline body and absorbed part of its energy.
A notification echoed in his mind.
[Trace of ??? detected: initiating decryption process.]
[Estimated time: 6h.]
[Note: more energy absorbed = shorter analysis time.]
As he observed, a flicker of sadness passed through Black Swan's eyes, but her expression remained unreadable.
"Have you made it this far, little one?"
Finally, Black Swan gently tossed a card into the air. It embedded itself in the wall like a knife, opening a glowing vortex.
"If you go through this, your bodies in the real world should awaken."
As they crossed, they heard her voice one last time.
"I hope we meet again soon."