Stairways and platforms followed one another with an almost ceremonial regularity. Unlike the previous space, this environment was carefully arranged. The decorations followed symmetrical patterns, the corridors opened with clear intent, and the mannequins no longer appeared twisted or restrained, but sculpted into elegant poses. Each seemed to represent a different artistic discipline. Some evoked ballet, others theater, music, or oratory.
March looked over the scene with curiosity.
"This is so different." She remarked as she observed her surroundings. "Everything looks much more orderly than the previous space. Even them…"
She pointed at the mannequins.
"It's like they're posing for a play."
"Then listen to this tale." Sunday said. "After the struggle for power, seven great lineages rose over the Land of the Exiled. Tree. Fruit. Flower. Bird. Herb. Beast. Insect."
As he spoke, they advanced toward a circular platform. The floor was covered by a red velvet carpet, and around them rose tall mirrors, illuminated by rows of white lights like those in celebrity dressing rooms.
"Of course." Sunday continued. "Of those seven, only five remain today. This stage of history is rich and complex, so I'll try to summarize it without losing its essence."
Stelle yawned as she struggled to endure the boredom.
"Peace never truly existed in the Land of the Exiled. The leader of the Alfalfa Family attempted to defect to the Corporation. He sought survival by offering his loyalty in exchange for freedom. However, he was captured by his own eldest son and executed on the spot. The son took his place as head of the family, preserving honor through blood."
As they moved forward, the mannequins began to move. Some faced each other, others shouted insults, and soon the confrontation escalated into blows, shoves, and murders among them.
"The Land of the Exiled faced both external and internal enemies." Sunday said. "Though outwardly the seven lineages appeared to cooperate, each pursued its own ambitions. That hypocrisy was the seed of an endless conflict."
Another platform opened before them. This time, the floor was covered with mannequins lying curled in the fetal position. They did not fight or move. They simply lay there, motionless.
"The Plum Family was the first to fall." Sunday went on. "All thanks to the Alfalfa Family's plans during the event known as the White Desert. Their might passed into history. Then the Moth Family fell. Alongside one of the Nameless, they departed to extend the stellar rails left behind by the Express. They were besieged by the remnants of the Swarm. Sadly, none returned."
They continued moving across the platforms.
"Years later, when Gopher Wood came into contact with the Family and earned the respect of the five remaining lineages, the Land of the Exiled adopted the name you know today. The Land of Dreams."
A mannequin stepped forward from the edge of the platform. Its body was polished black, contrasted by a golden mohawk and garments of the same color. In one hand it held a golden chalice.
"Ladies." It said with a slight bow. "Would you be so kind as to help me purify the poison the instigators have spread throughout my mansion?"
At its feet, five mannequins remained prostrated, their heads touching the floor.
March opened her mouth to ask a question, but Stelle stepped in first.
"Alright." She said without hesitation.
March let out a sigh.
"Why do you agree to everything so quickly?" She asked.
Stelle shrugged.
"Seems necessary to keep moving forward." She replied. "And we were going to do it anyway."
Himeko nodded.
"I agree." She said as she stepped forward alongside Stelle. "We'd better hear him out."
March pursed her lips and pouted, but eventually followed them.
The mannequin raised the chalice slightly.
"I seek your aid so that you may recover the calm of reason." It said. "And free us from the chains of hypocrisy."
The three stepped aside a few paces.
"At this point." March murmured. "It seems the Family had a massive impact on Penacony. But I don't feel comfortable with him. He sounds polite, but… something's off."
"I think you're overreacting." Stelle replied.
Himeko intervened calmly.
"Perhaps that's Sunday's purpose." She said. "To make us read between the lines. To see how the Family transformed Penacony and notice how familiar it feels when compared to what the old jailers did."
Stelle approached the first mannequin on the left, who wore an artist's garments, and leaned slightly toward him.
"Why are you like this?" She asked.
The mannequin lifted its face.
"In the absence of my lord, I am free." It replied. "But without him… to whom shall I sing?"
The voice of the black mannequin echoed behind them.
"The hearts of the corrupt can only be saved by the melody of tranquility."
This is the proclamation of the New Lord.
The bowed mannequin extended its hand toward Stelle.
"Help me." It said. "Allow me to rise."
Stelle helped him to his feet.
"I shall serve my new lord." It proclaimed. "Just as his noble voice guided the lost across the cosmos."
Meanwhile, March took the opposite path and stopped before the first mannequin on the right. He wore an accountant's attire. His gaze was rigid and devout.
"My lord will return." He said fervently. "And when he does, I will be rewarded for remaining loyal until the very end."
The black mannequin raised its chalice.
"Reason shall eradicate the poison of the past that prevents us from seeing the future."
This is the proclamation of the New Lord.
March helped him to his feet.
"Now that my lord is gone, I will no longer wait for a reward." He murmured. "I will take what I deserve. Even if I must do so by force."
Himeko approached the mannequin that remained at the center. Its figure was more robust than the others, dressed in the attire of a bodyguard. A spear rested against the ground at its side, and though it was kneeling, its posture retained a rigid, martial discipline.
It lifted its head as it noticed her presence.
"As the most loyal bodyguard." It declared firmly. "Now that my lord has been expelled, I possess the legitimate right to claim his domains as my own."
"Without serenity, there is no escape from the twilight where death lurks."
So proclaimed the New Lord.
Himeko did not reply. Instead, she extended her hand to help him stand.
The bodyguard rose, but his body began to tremble.
"It's been a long time since my lord left…" He murmured. "Then… why do I still tremble when I recall the shadows of his creations?"
Stelle and March moved toward the last two kneeling mannequins. One wore the garments of a counselor. The other was clad in the neat uniform of a butler.
"Without my lord, I thought I would find freedom." The counselor said bitterly. "But I only ended up being led by the blind."
The butler raised his gaze, his expression rigid.
"I will become a new lord." He declared. "Or I will await the return of the former one. But I will never swear loyalty to a new lord!"
The black mannequin's chalice gleamed as it was raised.
"Only with calm hearts will one avoid falling to the instigations of hidden enemies." Proclaimed the New Lord. "I wish for you to recover the calm of reason and break the chains of hypocrisy."
Stelle and March helped them to their feet.
"I must seek a new lord." Said the counselor. "And swear my loyalty to him."
"Without a lord…" The butler murmured. "Who would grant me true freedom?"
The New Lord raised his chalice once more.
"I thank you, outsiders." He said politely. "You have returned sanity to my servants."
Then he turned toward them.
"Their old lord will never return." He continued. "Only through justice and unconditional mutual support will we reach perfection. By lifting the veil of hypocrisy and embracing one another, we will behold the true truth."
Himeko frowned.
The mannequins began to raise their weapons.
"Hey! Didn't we help them?! What's wrong with them?!" Stelle said, growling in irritation.
"I do not wish to commit cruel acts against the kind outsiders who offered their aid." Replied the New Lord as he gently swirled his chalice. "But understand this. My servants feel shame at having been seen in such a pathetic and unsightly state. And if I must choose between outsiders and my servants… the choice is obvious."
"Get ready." Himeko ordered.
Stelle took her stance with the bat. March drew her bow, an arrow of ice taking shape. Himeko activated her saw.
The servants charged.
The New Lord drank from the purple liquid in his chalice.
"Snow completely covers Asdana." He murmured. "The skies tremble. The earth wavers on the brink of collapse. At the edges of a dry and barren universe… the poor seedlings will sprout beneath the rising sun."
The bodyguard tried to impale March, but Stelle blocked the blow with force. March's arrows pierced the Singer, who shattered into ice across the floor. The Accountant was torn apart by Himeko's saw.
The counselor attempted to ambush Himeko with her rapier, but March intercepted her with a rain of arrows that allowed Himeko to destroy her.
Stelle smiled as she fought the bodyguard. The butler fell quickly under the coordinated assault of March and Himeko.
The bodyguard roared and attacked with all his strength, trying to skewer her, but his rigid body couldn't keep up with Stelle.
"You're way too stiff!" Stelle complained. "And way too predictable."
She charged her bat with energy and defeated him with a single blow.
"So boring!"
The New Lord straightened and cast them a scrutinizing look.
"It is unfortunate that my poor servants have perished." He said. "But at least they fell fighting you with everything they had."
He raised the chalice and hurled the purple liquid onto the ground. The substance spread rapidly as electricity began to course across its surface.
"Get back!" Himeko shouted.
March fired, trying to finish him quickly, but the New Lord shattered the arrows with a sweep of his arm. Even so, the freezing fractured part of his limb.
"To leave such a mark on my body… inconceivable. I will have to destroy you."
Indignant, he lunged forward, trying to spill the contents of the chalice over them.
After escaping the area of effect, Stelle and Himeko created a distraction. Seizing the opening her companions created, March unleashed a rain of arrows that froze the liquid spread across the floor.
Taking advantage of the New Lord's distraction, Himeko severed the hand holding the chalice. The liquid covered the New Lord, electricity surged through him, and the substance turned sludgy before finally solidifying.
Stelle delivered the final blow, causing his remains to scatter across the floor like a porcelain piece shattering on impact.
Sunday resumed his narration.
"Until the very end, they pursued their illusory freedom, becoming slaves to that very desire." He said. "Thus concludes the second act. Amid an imaginary Harmony, the Land of the Exiled began its path toward the Land of Celebrations."
"That's way too dramatic." March complained.
Stelle looked at her flatly.
"You're only realizing that now?"
Himeko observed the space in silence.
"I wonder how many changes the Family brought." She said. "…And how many of them were truly good."
They climbed the stairs toward the final platform. A new tableau transformed into a portal.
March stretched as she exhaled lazily.
"Finally." She said. "Let's get to the final act of this strange and pretentious play."
...
"The planetary rings were used to establish the law." Sunday murmured. "And with it, to sanction a new code of conduct for the masses."
The space before them opened abruptly.
Unlike the previous acts, this stage was vast and desolate. The colors seemed drained from the environment, leaving behind a muted, almost sterile palette. Platforms floated in strict geometric arrangements, and before them, an overwhelming number of mannequins gathered upon a much larger central platform.
March studied the scene with a furrowed brow.
"…I have to admit it." She murmured with a strange expression. "Sunday really seems to like mannequins."
Stelle tilted her head.
"Do you think he's into ventriloquism?"
Sunday continued, unfazed.
"What you witnessed in the first and second acts was Penacony's past and present. I showed them to you in the hope that you would understand my desire for change. That you would be moved by why it is necessary."
He paused briefly.
"Now I will show you the future."
The platforms began to align slowly.
"This is the final act." He said solemnly. "The Ode to Order."
On the main platform, a female figure stood out among the mannequins. She wore the attire of a conductor and held a baton raised with elegance. Her posture was firm, her presence absolute.
"If the people are not wise, then we shall decide for them." She declared firmly. "We will decide for the people and bear the consequences. We will support one another. We will protect the weak and confront the powerful."
The baton descended gently.
"Before there was a King, everything followed its natural course. So it shall remain, even after his departure."
All the mannequins bowed their heads in a perfect reverence toward the Councilor.
March tilted her head.
"So… what now?" She asked quietly. "Do we talk to them… or go straight to throwing punches?"
Stelle took a few steps forward until she stood before the mannequins.
"Hi." She said simply.
No one reacted. The Councilor did not even look at her.
Stelle frowned.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Sunday let out a soft sigh.
"Forgive my negligence, I forgot to tell you." he said. "This final act is somewhat… different from the previous ones."
The Councilor straightened and turned toward them. The mannequins mirrored her movement in unison.
"It is time for the old King to speak to us of the ancient rite."
Without further warning, the mannequins launched their attack. Spears descended from all directions, advancing with perfect coordination. The Councilor moved her baton with precision, directing the ranks while releasing waves of sound that rippled through the air.
They were not fast.
But they were relentless, and their numbers were truly vast.
Stelle narrowly dodged a spear and retaliated, knocking several down with a single blow. March froze an entire formation with a rain of arrows, while Himeko advanced, cutting through ranks with her saw.
"Watch the formation!" Himeko warned.
As they fought, a new voice layered itself over the scene.
"Descending the infinite spiral staircase, I will advance toward the future with care. There is no need to remember my name or seek my existence. The outline of my mind will intertwine with other experiences."
The mannequins fell, but continued to advance.
"In the vastness of nocturnal reverie, I will leave faint traces in my wake. There is no need to remember me or record me. What is mine will wither. The others will transcend their fragile nature."
The Councilor attempted to reorganize her ranks, but a combined charge struck her brutally. She fell to the ground, and with her, control shattered.
The path toward a new portal was cleared.
...
Crossing it, they returned to the Grand Theater.
March opened her mouth in surprise.
The place was no longer shrouded in shadows, nor were there pages floating through the air. Red curtains draped from above, and golden lighting bathed every corner in a warm glow.
Sunday's figure was nowhere to be seen, but his voice rang out clearly.
"The Aeon imbued the world with meaning and perfected all existences of heaven and earth. At last, it was able to rest from creation."
The three advanced toward the center of the stage.
"Despite its good intentions." Sunday continued. "All thinking beings cried out to Ena. She defined the Cosmos with Order. But that only revealed how deeply they were her puppets. Thus, the beings united… and cast the Aeon into oblivion."
Himeko frowned.
"Get ready."
Stelle clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Great, and that idiot still isn't here." She muttered. "When I see Aleph, I'm punching him. I'm not forgiving him for not bothering to show up."
"Celebrations and songs resonated in unison." Sunday declared. "And the frenzied voices crying out for the Magnificent filled the world."
Distorted echoes of jubilation flooded the theater.
At the end of a splendid red carpet, Sunday's back came into view. He turned to face them, wearing a calm expression.
"Thus conclude my accounts of Order." He said. "I wish to know what reflections you have made, and whether you have come to understand my reasons."
Before they could respond, he inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you for taking the time to listen to these words, even if they are no more than a footnote in the history of the cosmos. What truly matters is the course this river will take in the near future."
He extended his hands.
"I wish for you to witness from the front row how, at the Carismonia Festival—"
"You're going to fail. We'll stop your plans." Stelle interrupted.
Sunday closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded calmly.
"I see. You have chosen the path you will continue upon." He said. "I admire the depth of your devotion to the Path you follow and the philosophy that sustains it."
March crossed her arms and stepped forward.
"Hmph. That's only natural." She said without hesitation. "Who would want to live in a world where everyone is just a puppet?"
Sunday frowned at March's words.
"You're mistaken."
Himeko stepped forward before he could continue.
"As long as you want to submerge people in an eternal stupor, no one is going to look kindly on your wishes. No matter how beautiful a cage may be, it's still a cage."
Sunday fell silent for a moment before turning his back to them.
"You…" He murmured. "Just like him, you're incapable of understanding what I truly seek."
He walked a few steps, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I have no intention of reviving an Aeon." He continued. "Nor do I wish to become one. What I seek is an eternal paradise. A world free from the influence of all Aeons. A world sustained by Order, where humanity's happiness and dignity do not depend on chance."
Himeko shook her head.
"That's exactly what's wrong." She said. "People will never live with happiness or dignity as long as someone stands above them deciding how they should live."
March nodded.
"In that paradise of yours, you'd end up being the Supreme Being. There's no difference."
Stelle was more direct.
"You're just replacing one god with another." She said. "And expecting everyone to accept it with a smile."
Sunday exhaled slowly.
"Then it's clear that reaching an agreement is impossible." He said. "If this confrontation is inevitable, let us unfold our Paths. Let their clash decide Penacony's true future."
As he remained turned away, three silhouettes began to peel themselves from his shadow.
"Before the prelude to the future." He added calmly. "Reflect one last time on the questions I asked you."
The figures advanced, and the light revealed their forms.
"Are day and night the same?"
The first dragged chains behind her and wielded a barbed whip alongside a golden crowbar.
"Are the just and the sinners the same?"
The second held a chalice from which a dark, ominous liquid dripped.
"If you make the weak…"
The third wore a conductor's attire, baton still in hand, her gaze empty.
Sunday turned, looking at them over his shoulder.
"To which god will you pray when they seek comfort?"
The shadows lunged into battle.
The Councilor raised her baton and began directing movements from the rear. The New Lord spread the liquid from his chalice across the ground, sealing routes and forcing positions. The Jailer advanced head-on, her whip whistling through the air while the tonfa struck from mid-range.
Himeko hurled her twin saw, attached to the drone, which began spinning through the air and embedded itself between the three shadows, forcing them apart.
Stelle immediately stepped in front of the Jailer. She narrowly dodged the whip as it grazed her face and countered with a solid swing of her bat.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to aim for the head?!" She shouted angrily. "And of all things, aiming at my face! Go, Marchmon! Use Ice Arrow!"
While Stelle kept her occupied, March slid into an open angle and unleashed a barrage of ice arrows at the Councilor.
"Stop calling me that!"
Caught off guard by the rain of arrows after barely dodging the saws, the Councilor failed to move in time.
Freed from pressure, March turned and began bombarding the New Lord, freezing the ground around him and blocking every attempt to spill the chalice's contents.
The New Lord raised his chalice, but arrows struck one after another, freezing the liquid before it could spread. Himeko appeared at his side and, with a single motion, her saw severed his head.
The Jailer roared and redoubled her assault.
"Could you give me a hand here?! It's hard to focus when you're being attacked with a tonfa and a whip!"
Stelle dodged another strike by mere centimeters.
"And it should be illegal to always aim for the face!"
March spun in place and fired a concentrated arrow at the ground, freezing the Jailer's feet. Himeko closed the distance, and the fight ended abruptly.
Then, slow applause echoed.
The three looked up as a chill ran down their spines.
"Where's Sunday?" March murmured.
The curtain of the Grand Theater fell.
Beyond the stage, the night sky opened before them from the summit of the Grand Theater.
"I will grant you the honor of witnessing the true sun that will rise over this world."
The remains of the mannequins began to rise. Even the defeated shadows ascended, breaking apart into fragments that floated through the air.
"Ten thousand three hundred and thirty-six stones will become the harmonic strings at my command."
A metallic colossus emerged above the Grand Theater. Gold and obsidian plated its body. Four arms unfolded, one of them holding a baton. A golden visor concealed its eyes. Its lips did not move, yet Sunday's voice flowed from them.
"I am the supreme tuner."
Dominicus, the Great Harmonious Chorus.
"Wow."
March stood frozen, her mouth hanging open.
"Get ready."
Himeko clicked her tongue and activated her weapon as she shifted her stance.
Stelle's eyes gleamed.
"That loot…" She murmured. "It's going to be legendary."
How many credits would all that gold be worth?
"Tell me." The voice boomed from the giant. "Why do you think Order and Harmony merged?"
Stelle raised her hand.
"Because even hippies have to work at some point in their lives?"
Septimus let out a weary sigh.
"Because neither Path can tolerate discord."
The baton rose—but before it could fall, a roar tore through the air as a water dragon streaked across the sky and coiled around the colossus.
"Dan Heng?" Stelle murmured as she watched him.
From the heavens, two figures cut through the air.
"I hope you don't mind that I'm a bit late." Dan Heng said, nodding in their direction before returning his focus to controlling the dragon.
"Show no mercy."
At his side, General Jing Yuan unleashed the Divine Knight's attack.
The impact shook the entire theater.
Amid the chaos, a stone was flung loose and struck Stelle on the head.
...
Stelle groaned as she felt someone shaking her.
"Ugh… five more minutes…" She murmured, frowning as she buried her face in the pillow.
"Get up!" March said. "Don't be lazy."
Stelle replied by throwing a pillow straight at her face.
"You're cruel!" March protested, rubbing her forehead as she shot Stelle a glare. "I kindly came to wake you up and you throw a pillow at my face!"
Stelle blinked, still half-asleep.
"…My room?" She repeated, tilting her head in confusion. "Since when do I have a room in this hotel? There wasn't supposed to be any vacancy, and I was sharing with you."
March watched her in silence for a second, then burst out laughing.
"That rock definitely hit you way too hard." She said between laughs. "You must've had some pretty weird dreams."
Before Stelle could reply, March grabbed her hand and pulled her along with energy.
"Come on. Himeko, Dan Heng, and Mr. Yang are waiting for us at the bar near the lobby."
As she was dragged out of bed, Stelle frowned slightly.
"…Why didn't March mention Aleph? Did she forget? Well, there are more important things to check."
Stelle decided to let it go for the moment.
"So…" She added, "what happened while I was out of commission?"
"Dan Heng used the jade abacus the Xianzhou Alliance gave us." March explained casually. "He summoned General Jing Yuan, and together they gave Sunday a monumental beating."
Stelle let out a long, clearly relieved sigh.
"Good." She said. "I would've been really annoyed if I'd missed that."
They walked toward the lobby, and along the way a familiar figure crossed their path.
"I'm glad to see you both in good condition." Black Swan said calmly. Then she looked directly at Stelle. "Later, I'd like to speak with you in private."
Stelle nodded without thinking much of it, and the two continued on their way.
Neither of them noticed how, as they turned their backs, Black Swan's expression tightened, shifting from cordiality to pure bewilderment.
....
The bar was fairly lively, but Himeko and Welt were nowhere to be seen.
"They must still be busy with the General." March deduced. "Let's find Dan Heng!"
They found him in a more secluded area of the bar, leaning against the counter while talking with Boothill.
Dan Heng turned when he saw them and relaxed his shoulders.
"I'm really glad to see you're okay, Stelle." He said sincerely.
"Hey there, raccoon girl!" Boothill greeted enthusiastically. "Good to see you survived."
Stelle slowly turned her head toward Dan Heng, fixing him with a flat stare.
"Big mouth."
Dan Heng stiffened immediately.
"I— uh— I'm sorry."
March sniffed the air exaggeratedly.
"…Do you smell that?"
Stelle frowned.
"Alcohol."
Boothill burst out laughing and gave Dan Heng a hard slap on the back, nearly sending him face-first into the counter.
"Don't worry, he might've had a few too many." He said with a laugh. "But it's not like he spilled any embarrassing secrets."
Stelle narrowed her eyes.
"…What secrets?"
"Oh, you know." Boothill went on, completely unconcerned. "That you enjoy sleeping in cardboard boxes, that you like sneaking into the ventilation ducts when you get bored, and something about you drafting an official document declaring the independence of pants."
Stelle's fist began to clench slowly.
March raised her hands nervously.
"W-Wait, we can talk this out calmly—"
"Oh, and you." Boothill added, turning to her. "Are you the girl who's afraid of slugs and has issues with imaginary friends?"
March snapped her mouth shut and stepped beside Stelle, glaring daggers at Dan Heng.
Dan Heng averted his gaze and pretended to stare at some distant point in the bar.
"I'm telling Aleph on you!" Stelle declared, pointing at him.
Dan Heng and March turned to her at the same time.
"…Who's Aleph?" They both asked.
"…What?" Stelle stood there, mouth agape.
**********
Ignoring their protests, Stelle dragged them toward the main lobby.
There stood Himeko and Welt, calmly conversing with Jing Yuan.
"In this matter, the Xianzhou Alliance will take its position as an ally of the Astral Express, ensuring we mediate and appeal to reason while we try to prevent all the bothersome politics born from the disaster caused by the former head of the Oak Family from causing you harm in the future." Jing Yuan said.
"We greatly appreciate your intervention." Himeko replied. "Without your support, Penacony would have had a much harder time."
Jing Yuan chuckled softly.
"That's what allies and friends are for." He said. "Besides, if it weren't for you preventing the remnants of Order from taking the final step of their plan… there really wouldn't have been much I could've done to support you. Fortunately, that situation didn't come to pass."
That was when he noticed Stelle, March, and Dan Heng.
"Oh! Well, would you look at that—the all-powerful heroine of our era, the Galactic Bat." He greeted with a smile. "It's good to see you're in good shape."
Himeko and Welt stepped closer to Stelle.
"Are you feeling alright?" Himeko asked with concern as she approached and gently brushed Stelle's hair aside, revealing the spot where the rock had struck her.
Stelle shook her head.
"That doesn't matter right now." She said, pointing accusingly at Dan Heng and March. "They're being mean to me! They won't tell me where Aleph is so I can punch him, and on top of that they're pretending they don't even know who I'm talking about!"
Himeko sighed and gently adjusted Stelle's hair.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Stelle asked.
"Sorry." Himeko replied, offering no further explanation.
Welt sighed.
"…It's Evie again."
"Don't say that!" March protested. "Evie is real!"
Dan Heng chose to ignore the topic entirely.
"Mr. Yang." He said. "Are you alright? I understand you and Robin were imprisoned by Sunday."
Welt nodded slowly.
"He made use of tuning." He explained. "He confined us within his mind. We suffered no physical harm… but the helplessness of being unable to intervene, of being mere spectators, left a rather bitter taste in my mouth."
Welt let out a sigh.
"If General Jing Yuan hadn't destroyed the Harmonious Chorus…" He said, pressing a hand to his temple. "Robin and I would never have regained our freedom."
March's eyes widened in surprise.
"Then…?" She murmured. "Does that mean that if it hadn't been destroyed… we might've ended up trapped too, without even realizing it?"
Welt nodded.
"Exactly."
March swallowed.
"…That's terrifying."
Himeko crossed her arms.
"At least he chose to face us head-on." She said calmly. "If Sunday had resorted to more underhanded methods, he could've defeated us without us ever knowing when it happened."
Dan Heng frowned slightly and steered the conversation elsewhere.
"General Jing Yuan, what ultimately happened to Sunday?"
"He was stripped of his position as head of the Oak Family." Jing Yuan explained. "He was declared the primary party responsible for the events that led to this disaster. He is currently being transported to Pier Point, where he will be put on trial for being deemed a threat to the peace of the Cosmos."
Jing Yuan snorted softly.
"The Family didn't hesitate to label him and the remnants of Order as rebels who incited an internal uprising." He continued. "In doing so, they completely severed themselves from any responsibility and, more importantly, prevented the Corporation from exploiting the situation to claim Penacony as an asset."
Welt nodded in understanding.
"It seems that, in the end, everyone had their own hidden agendas," he murmured. "I can't say I'm surprised."
March raised her hand uneasily.
"And Robin?" She asked. "She's innocent, but she's still his sister. I can't help but think that—"
Jing Yuan sighed.
"That is a particularly delicate matter." He admitted. "The Family and the Corporation can be extremely inflexible. Mediating between the two factions will not be easy."
He glanced at the communicator on his wrist.
"I'll need to attend a meeting soon." He said.
He turned back to them with a faint smile.
"However." He added. "I would like to extend a formal invitation for you to participate. As a faction deeply involved in these events and directly responsible for stopping the perpetrator, you are more than qualified to be present."
He smiled slightly.
"And even if the other parties were to object, the Xianzhou Alliance will not stand by while its allies are treated with disdain." He paused briefly. "Though, to be honest, I doubt there will be objections. For some reason, the Corporation seems to hold you in fairly high regard."
Himeko nodded with a smile.
"If you've gone to the trouble of inviting us so formally." She replied. "it would be rude not to attend."
March immediately took a step back.
"I'm allergic to that kind of meeting." She said. "Paperwork, speeches, politics… all of it gives me hives."
Welt chuckled softly.
"Don't worry." He said calmly. "Himeko and I can handle it."
March let out a sigh of relief, then turned to Stelle, who had remained silent through most of the conversation.
"…Is something wrong?"
Stelle blinked vacantly.
"No, nothing's wrong."
"If you don't mind." Dan Heng said. "I can escort you back to the Astral Express. Pom-Pom mentioned that he wanted to give you a surprise."
Shortly after, Himeko and Welt departed alongside Jing Yuan.
Stelle watched them go, then followed Dan Heng and March, still carrying a strange feeling she couldn't quite define.
Along the way, they ran into two familiar figures.
"Ah, just the people we were looking for." Topaz said with a smile. "You know, they say good news after a hard-fought battle lifts the spirit, so allow me to be the one to deliver it. From Pier Point, the Corporation's upper management has declared that they are permanently withdrawing their claim over Penacony."
Aventurine nodded, giving them a playful wink.
"In other words." He added. "Penacony is forever beyond their reach."
March grabbed Stelle by the shoulders and shook her excitedly.
"Did you hear that?!" She exclaimed. "That's incredible news!"
Dan Heng simply nodded in silence.
Further along, they encountered Dr. Ratio, who was speaking with a hologram of Tornillum. Both interrupted their conversation to greet them.
"Ah, so the raccoon girl has awakened. Congratulations. Have you heard? The Society of Knowledge has expressed great interest in the calamity that occurred here."
"The Genius Society has also already begun negotiations to initiate formal studies." Tornillum declared.
"As compensation for the authorization, they will contribute advanced technologies to support Penacony's restoration and improve its infrastructure."
Stelle frowned.
"…Since when have these factions been interested in investigations so… mundane?"
"Don't be so grumpy." March said with a smile. "At the end of the day, it's a positive outcome."
...
After several minutes of walking and being stopped time and again by people claiming to be their fans, Stelle once again felt deeply unsettled.
"Superstars of the Happy Soul Contest™…Wasn't that title supposed to belong to March and Aleph? Since when did Firefly and I…?"
Upon reaching the Astral Express, they found Himeko and Welt waiting at the entrance to the main car.
"The meeting was quite brief—much shorter than I expected—and everything turned out better than anticipated." Welt commented. "We've already done everything we could for Penacony."
Himeko nodded.
"There's no longer any reason for the Express to remain in Penacony. It would be best for us all to gather and decide our next destination."
March took Dan Heng and Stelle by the hands.
"Let's go!" She exclaimed, dragging them inside.
As she crossed the threshold, Stelle paused for a moment, looking down at the floor.
There was no trace of the crack through which Pom-Pom had scolded her and Aleph so many times when they played bat duels to decide who got to eat the ice cream they'd stolen from March.
"Everyone to the main car!" Pom-Pom announced enthusiastically. "I'm very happy to welcome two new passengers!"
"…Boothill and Black Swan?" Stelle murmured in confusion.
Boothill rested both elbows on the table in the main car and looked around with a grin.
"So, how do you decide the next destination?" He asked curiously. "A vote, a raffle… or a duel to the death between volunteers?"
Black Swan immediately raised a hand.
"Hold it right there, cowboy." She said with a gentle smile. "As newcomers, it might be wiser to first listen to the proposals of those who've been aboard longer, before rushing to impose a course."
Boothill clicked his tongue.
"What a letdown. A duel would've been way more fun." He leaned back on the couch, propping his boots up on the table and pulling his hat down over his face. "But I guess you're right." He conceded reluctantly.
"Boring, but polite."
March bounced slightly in place, visibly excited.
"It's great to have new passengers!" She said enthusiastically. "It doesn't happen very often. In fact, the last one to join was Stelle."
Stelle frowned when she heard her name.
"I was really the last one?"
March turned toward Black Swan and pointed at her accusingly.
"That said, don't even think about using any of those weird Memokeeper tricks to mess with us."
Black Swan let out a soft laugh.
"Don't worry, dear." She replied calmly. "You won't even notice my presence."
March shivered.
"That does not reassure me at all."
Boothill tilted his head, surveying the surroundings with interest.
"Hey, I've got a really important question." he said. "Just how strong is the alcohol on this tin can?"
Dan Heng shook his head.
"We don't have alcohol on board." He replied. "But if you'd like, you can try rocket fuel—or Himeko's coffee."
Boothill went quiet for a few seconds.
"…Rocket fuel."
Pom-Pom hopped forward to draw everyone's attention.
"All right, all right!" He said, waving his little hands. "Let's get back to the main topic! It's time to decide our next destination."
He paused for a moment before continuing, visibly excited.
"And before that, I'd like to thank you." He added. "Thanks to you, I was able to learn what really happened to Mikhail and to everyone who stayed behind in Penacony so long ago."
Pom-Pom composed himself, gave a few small claps with his hands, and continued.
"Very well. These are the proposals. The first option was put forward by Himeko." He announced. "Lushaka, the ocean planet. A world completely covered in water, home to numerous aquatic races, and also the birthplace of Mikhail, an Anonymous from long ago."
"Second option." He continued. "Melustanin, the world of the Agates, proposed by Welt. It's famous for being the first planet affected by a Stellaron and the place where Idrilla, the Beauty, ascended."
"The fourth option is Edo Star. A planet trapped in a region of ion storms, currently at war with the Antimatter Legion. It has recently stopped sending distress signals, which prompted the Corporation to request an investigation."
"And finally." He said, looking at Black Swan, "Petrivia, the Crystal Belt. A vast belt of asteroids crystallized after the attack of the Lord Ravager Zephyro. It currently houses a company of Mourners."
March brought a hand to her forehead.
"On one hand, Lushaka sounds perfect for getting a tan." She commented. "But on the other, Edo Star sounds pretty concerning."
Dan Heng nodded.
"The cessation of communications could mean there's nothing left to be done." He said. "But it might not. Investigating would at least allow us to confirm the situation."
Stelle looked up.
"I'd rather find out." She said firmly. "If there's even a chance we can help, I want to know."
After hearing her, Welt exchanged a glance with Himeko.
"Then we're in agreement." He said at last.
Himeko nodded.
"Edo Star."
Pom-Pom clapped once more.
"Perfect," he announced. "Everyone get ready. We'll plot the optimal route immediately to arrive as soon as possible."
...…
Later, Stelle wandered through the car without any clear destination.
She had spoken with everyone, and none of them remembered Aleph or Acheron at all. Even the events connected to both of them seemed to have unfolded differently.
"Was it really just a dream…?"
But that didn't fit either.
"Aren't dreams supposed to fade when you wake up? Then… why can I remember everything in such detail?"
She sat down on one of the couches in the main car and brought her hands to her head, unable to organize her thoughts.
"What thoughts could possibly reduce our brave heroine to such a state?" A voice beside her asked.
Stelle looked up.
"So, what did you think of this journey through the world of dreams?" Black Swan asked.
"I don't know." Stelle replied. "There are too many things that were left unclear."
Black Swan smiled.
"Check the pocket of your coat."
Stelle obeyed. Her fingers brushed against a thin tarot card bearing the word "Aeon" yet strangely, it had no image on it.
"I think it's time to review what happened." Black Swan said.
Pom-Pom's voice echoed over the speakers.
"Passengers, please take your seats. Prepare for the jump."
Black Swan let out a sigh.
"Tell me, Stelle." She asked. "Do you really think this is a perfect ending?"
"No." Stelle answered without hesitation.
"Of course not." Black Swan said. "There are gaps that couldn't be filled. So they were sealed… in the laziest way possible."
She leaned slightly closer to Stelle.
"What matters is the truth." She added. "The Astral Express fell to Sunday. All of you failed and were trapped, along with the Asdana Star System, inside Ena's Dream."
Stelle's eyes widened in shock.
"But not all is lost." Black Swan continued. "There is still hope—faint and fragile… yet enough to change everything and flip the board. As you know, this dream failed to replicate two entities." She said.
"You should already be able to identify their names. So tell me." She concluded. "If the foundations are so fragile… why not tear it all down at once?"
***************
Aleph let out a sigh as he dropped onto the couch he had dragged into one of the hotel's side corridors. The upholstery creaked under his weight as he leaned back and lowered his gaze to his hands, which he clumsily clasped together, as if he still wasn't fully accustomed to his new strength.
His fingers tightened.
"Damn it…"
His mutter was swallowed by the dark, lonely hallway.
"Aleph."
A voice emerged from the deepest shadows. Aleph lifted his gaze as he recognized who it belonged to.
Acheron stood there, calm in the darkness, watching him. She didn't look surprised to find him, as if she had known from the start exactly where to look.
For a few seconds, they stared at each other in silence.
Finally, Acheron stepped forward and stopped in front of him.
"Tell me something." She said. "Did you choose this… or did someone push you into it?"
Aleph frowned, confused.
"What are you talking about?"
Instead of answering, Acheron sat down beside him and, before Aleph could react, grabbed his left arm with a somewhat rough motion.
An exoskeletal armor completely covered his left arm, its design disturbingly similar to that of the Antimatter Legion's Voidrangers.
Aleph raised his free hand to the back of his neck and let out a slightly forced laugh.
"Ah… that." He said. "I guess it looks worse from the outside."
Acheron wasn't laughing at all.
"Answer me." She insisted. "Are you sure you want to keep going with this?"
Aleph let out a sigh as he dropped his left arm onto the couch. He soon startled when he felt Acheron lace her fingers with his.
Aleph lowered his gaze to their joined hands and gave a dry chuckle.
"…It's funny. It feels a lot like that day." He murmured.
"That day?" Acheron asked, genuinely confused.
Aleph looked at her for a moment, then shook his head again and fell silent.
"It's nothing. Just forget it."
Acheron watched him for a bit, but in the end decided not to press further.
"How did you manage to get out of the dream?"
"It was ridiculous." He replied. "Way too fake to buy into."
His mind drifted to a recent memory.
Kevin and Su entered first, escorting Mei, who carefully held a huge birthday cake. Kevin scanned the surroundings as if expecting something to go wrong at any moment. Su walked beside him, ready to correct his course if needed.
"I told you I could bring it by myself." Mei protested.
"And I told you no." Kevin replied. "Last time you ended up in a different building."
A brown-haired man with streaks of gray approached with a calm smile and gave him a pat on the back.
"Happy birthday." He said.
A red-haired woman appeared right after and, without asking permission, plopped party hats onto Kevin and Su's heads.
"Don't complain." She said with a sweet smile. "They look good on you."
More people came down the stairs.
Su's older brother came down carrying a large box. His older sister followed with an amused expression, while his younger sisters practically rolled down the steps, dragging questionably wrapped gifts.
"We're here!" March said.
Bronya and Seele entered together carrying a large package alongside Hook and the Moles. Sampo waved from the back— for some reason dressed as the Joker. Luka gave a thumbs-up as he gifted an outfit identical to his own. Gepard tried, unsuccessfully, to keep order. Serval slipped in with an amplifier. Lynx waved shyly while hiding behind Pela. Clara cautiously approached the dessert table, followed closely by Svarog.
Cocolia observed everything with an unreadable expression. Arlan and Asta argued about something hard to understand. Peppy and Stelle competed to see who could catch the frisbees Firefly was throwing. Fu Xuan walked in staring at the ceiling, muttering a curse about Jing Yuan being an exploitative boss. Kafka smiled in a way that sent chills down his spine… Was that a bow decorating her head?
Yes… maybe it was better to ignore that.
Silver Wolf was already sitting on the couch, playing video games as if she had always been there.
Blade leaned against a wall with a sour expression. Jing Yuan chatted with Yanqing about sword formations and the secrets of the perfect nap.
Mike was shouting something from the back while fleeing from Herta's hammer. Huohuo was panicking while Guinaifen tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Sushang, who was choking after eating the desserts too quickly.
Aleph, in the middle of it all, felt an uncomfortable twinge.
Why had he dreamed that Welt and Himeko were his parents?
Why had he accepted without question that the others were his siblings?
The attachment felt embarrassing even within the memory. He hadn't even known those people for that long… and yet, for a brief instant, he had wanted them to stay there, for that moment not to break apart.
A slight movement snapped him out of his reverie—Acheron had squeezed his shoulder.
"You spaced out." She said. "What did you see?"
Aleph blinked and returned to the hallway.
"Nothing." He answered immediately.
Acheron kept holding Aleph's hand firmly, her eyes fixed on him, as if she were trying to fit together something that still refused to take shape.
"You've changed." She said softly.
Aleph blinked, confused.
"Changed… how?"
Instead of answering, she lowered her gaze to their interlaced hands and tightened her grip just a little more—enough for Aleph to notice.
"It doesn't matter." She murmured. "That's not what I want to ask."
Aleph frowned.
"Then tell me what it is."
"With my condition…" Acheron briefly closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth in her hand. "It's not unusual for my memories and certain sensations to fade away, like mist being swept off by a strong wind…"
She lowered her head with a sigh.
"And yet… every time you're near, I feel something very familiar and pleasant, as if…"
Aleph opened his mouth to respond, but ended up closing it, unsure of what to say.
"…As if I truly knew you." She added. "As if we had already shared things I shouldn't have forgotten."
Their gazes met again. A strange sensation washed over them as the hallway blurred away, replaced by a spacious classroom bathed in afternoon light. The windows were open, desks neatly aligned, and the distant murmur of students heading to clubs or home drifted through the air.
In front of him stood a strikingly beautiful girl wearing a neatly fitted black high school uniform. A pair of dark glasses rested on her nose, and her long hair was tied into a tidy bun.
She was staring at him with the same surprise.
In front of her stood a short boy with brown hair falling to his shoulders. The male uniform looked odd on him—too large in some places, too stiff for a body that didn't quite fit it.
"What…?" They both murmured almost at the same time.
They abruptly pulled their hands away and stepped back.
Acheron looked at Aleph again, comparing him to that boy. Unlike their first meeting, his hair had returned to brown, two horns adorned his head, and the gold had faded from his eyes, replaced by a strange mix of pink and purple.
"…You really were shorter." She murmured under her breath.
Aleph's eyebrow twitched.
"…Excuse me? Average! My height was average!"
"I was only 1.65 meters tall, and I was taller than you…"
Before Acheron could finish, Aleph suddenly stood up and lunged forward, pinning her against the wall.
"Did you just call me short?" He growled, leaning in close. "Do I look short to you in any way?"
Acheron tilted her head up to look at him. Even then, the difference in height was obvious.
"I didn't—"
Her words died halfway as their eyes met. For a second, both of them fell silent.
"…You've changed." Acheron murmured again.
She cautiously raised her hand and gently touched one of his horns, tracing its shape from the purple base to the bright pink tip.
Aleph shuddered as a chill ran down his spine.
"…Don't do that." He said quietly, his voice almost pleading.
Acheron didn't pull her hand away. Her fingers continued to follow its shape, and she found herself oddly enjoying the way Aleph's body trembled each time she did.
"How much time has passed?" She asked softly.
Aleph pulled back slightly so she couldn't touch him anymore.
"I don't know. I couldn't be sure." He admitted.
Acheron stepped forward. Aleph stepped back.
"Why are you backing away?" Acheron murmured as she grabbed his hand and pushed him against the wall. "You pushed me… isn't it fair that I return the favor?"
Aleph stayed silent as he wrapped his arms around her without thinking. She responded by looping her arms around his neck.
Acheron rested her head against his chest and hugged him tightly.
"Tell me something." She said in a low voice. "Are you sure about what you're going to do?"
"Yes."
Aleph released her and took a step back. Without saying anything else, without even bothering to say goodbye, he turned around and began to sink into the darkness of the hallway.
"…You do realize that what happened to Alexandra wasn't your fault, right?"
Aleph stopped dead for a brief moment, but then continued walking without giving the slightest response, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
Watching his back grow farther away, Acheron couldn't help but murmur with concern.
"…Angie."
**************************************************************************
Extra: True – 1
The rain fell without pause over the dark hillside. Cold drops slid down the boy's face as he struggled to open his eyes. His clothes felt heavy with moisture, his head was spinning, and there was a strange taste in his mouth. He slowly pushed himself up, shielding his face with one arm as he assessed his surroundings. He didn't recognize the place, but that didn't surprise him much. The dizziness immediately reminded him of the last stupid decision he'd made.
"…Ugh… I never should've trusted Kevin…" He muttered in a hoarse voice. "Who the hell mixes vanilla ice cream with Monster and vodka? Idiot…"
He stared at the muddy ground for a moment.
"I think I'm going to die."
A few meters away, the space ceased to be dark and rainy.
Instead, there was a pure, unfinished white stretching out like a freshly created void. There, a figure lying flat on its back snapped its eyes open.
"Please, no more cold water, Wolfie!" Caelus shouted as he jolted upright. He was panting like he'd just escaped a nightmare. His golden eyes scanned the place in confusion. "…Where am I? And where are my plushies?"
The shout made the boy lift his head. He let out an annoyed grunt when he noticed his glasses were crooked.
He blinked several times before focusing properly. Seeing the stranger, he frowned. Caelus—now sitting on the white ground—was staring back at him.
"What…?" The boy murmured.
"Huh…?" Caelus replied.
They stared at each other for a few seconds.
The rain kept falling over the hill, but not over the white space—as if each of them were trapped in their own world.
Caelus was the first to move. He took a deep breath, adjusted his coat, and tried to compose himself. He remembered some advice Kafka had given him. Straightening his back, he bowed slightly toward the boy.
"Good morning, miss. It's an honor to encounter such a charming presence in—"
The boy looked at him flatly.
"Miss…?"
"Yes. Kafka said I should practice like this whenever I see a—"
The boy stood up without bothering to brush the mud off his clothes. Rainwater continued to run down his hair.
His face showed no anger, but there was something in his steps—something that made Caelus retreat. Strangely, it reminded him of Silver Wolf that one time Stelle accidentally formatted her console.
"The next word you say will be your last." He said calmly, giving him a serious look.
Caelus raised his hands as he backed away.
"Hey, wait, I think we can talk this out like two reasonable adul—"
The shorter boy punched him in the stomach.
Caelus doubled over with a strangled groan, dropped to his knees, and braced one hand against the white ground.
"A—Aaagh!! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
The boy wiped his hands as if he'd touched something filthy.
"I warned you."
Still hunched over, Caelus muttered as he tried to stand.
"I knew it… innate evil is inversely proportional to height… the shorter you are, the more dangerous…"
"I'm not short." He growled. "I'm average height."
Caelus raised a trembling finger.
"That's exactly what a short guy would say."
The boy stepped forward half a pace, his expression neutral.
"Want another hit?"
"No, no." Caelus said immediately, raising both hands in surrender. "Got it. Average height. Very average. Extremely average."
The rain kept pounding the hillside, but this time a few drops began to fall onto the pure white space—where they shouldn't exist.
The surroundings began to blend around them. Darkness seeped into the white, while cracks of light spread from the white into the dark.
Caelus noticed it.
"Is it… changing?"
The boy shook his head.
"I'm not doing anything."
"Me neither." Caelus replied. "At least I think not… wouldn't be the first time something exploded near me by accident."
"…That's not reassuring at all."
The space continued to warp, forming a hybrid terrain between the rainy hill and the white void.
"So what's your name?" Caelus finally asked, rubbing his stomach.
"Angello." He replied bluntly. "And you?"
"Caelus. Professional Stellaron Hunter, average big brother, exotic food connoisseur, survivor of Silver Wolf in the mornings!"
Angello let out a tired sigh.
"That… do you expect me to understand everything you just said?"
"And you." Caelus added. "Did you escape from the Pepeshian factory or something?"
"What's a Pepeshian?"
Cracks of light and rain spread across the horizon without any apparent logic.
Caelus looked up at the fractured sky.
"I think we're in something weird."
Angello adjusted his glasses and nodded heavily.
"Ugh. I really wish I had a bottle right now."
With no other options, the two of them began walking through the place.
Angello noticed something strange on the ground. It was a crystalline fragment with iridescent colors.
"Is this… yours?" He asked, lifting the fragment cautiously.
Caelus leaned in to look, curious.
The moment Angello touched it, the fragment lit up.
"Cover me."
In front of them appeared a clipped image of Caelus and Stelle running down a corridor while SAM destroyed a building.
"Oh, I remember this." Caelus sighed. "That day I almost got fined for parking illegally."
Angello glanced at him sideways.
"What did you do?"
"I asked Stelle if Abominations of Abundance can smell fear."
Angello stared at him in silence, his expression blank.
"…"
Caelus nodded, scratching his cheek with some embarrassment.
"Yeah. They can."
"Incredible." Angello muttered sarcastically.
The fragment went dark and fell to the ground like ash.
Another fragment appeared a few steps away from where they'd found the first.
Caelus picked it up. When he touched it, they saw Blade hitting him on the head during training.
"…Why does it take you so long to learn, brat?"
"Hmph. That man has no sense of subtlety." Caelus commented, crossing his arms.
"That hit sounded hard." Angello added, watching the man with a curious expression.
Why would someone wrap their hands in so many bandages?
"I'm a true, indestructible man of steel! Well… at least that's what I like to believe. White Snake said Stelle and I were specially designed to withstand a huge amount of physical abuse."
"…And there you go again, mentioning people I don't know like I should."
"You're the weird one! The Stellaron Hunters are pretty famous!"
Angello tilted his head, looking at him with curiosity.
"Were you some kind of celebrities, stars, or mercenaries?"
Caelus looked away, letting out a slightly overacted laugh.
"…Maybe."
As they moved on, they found another fragment.
He picked it up, and the image showed Su encouraging him as he crashed into a bush while riding a bike.
"You'll get it on the next try… maybe."
Caelus watched it with a smile.
"You looked adorable."
"Shut up."
They kept walking.
A piece of light trembled under Caelus's foot.
Silver Wolf appeared in the image, throwing an empty can at his head.
"What's hollower? The can, or your head? You shouldn't press that button, idiot."
Caelus crossed his arms.
"She loves me. She just gets a little intense when it comes to video games."
"Scrub!" Silver Wolf shouted.
Angello could only smile nervously.
"…That's some deep affection."
"That's the effect I have on women." Caelus said, puffing out his chest arrogantly.
Angello blinked.
"…You mean they hit you?"
"Kafka told me they're called tsunderes."
"…I'm not commenting on that." Even so, Angello's gaze drifted back to Silver Wolf.
"Hey!" Caelus growled. "Don't stare at her so much. If you want one, get your own silver-haired loli."
"…"
More fragments fell like weightless leaves.
Angello picked one up. It showed a strange pink-haired girl approaching him with a sweet, slightly annoyed smile.
"Angieee~ Ignoring my messages again~?" She said, leaning against his back.
Angello shuddered, a bit of cold sweat running down his forehead.
"That woman was crazy…"
Caelus shouted at the memory.
"Run! Run! That's a retreat signal!"
"This is my memory, not a horror movie!" Angello growled.
"Huh? But it really looked like a horror movie."
One fragment after another appeared.
Now it was Caelus watching Stelle jump off a cliff.
"I'm gonna beat you, stupid gravi—iiiity!"
"I had to look after that maniac." He muttered, rubbing his forehead.
"Incredible. She seems even crazier than you."
"You should've seen her when she had a sugar overdose. White Snake almost skinned her alive over what she did to her lab."
The next fragment showed Mei, Kevin, Su, Angello, and Mike having a picnic.
"Wow. You all look really close."
"…Yeah. You could say they were my best friends—and my best friend."
"Why are you blushing so much?" Caelus asked curiously.
"Shut up! You wouldn't get it!"
...
The light faded from Angello's eyes as he stared blankly at the image of himself kissing a silver-haired girl.
Caelus whistled.
"…Lesbians?"
Angello clenched his teeth. He'd only grown his hair long—it wasn't that big a deal.
"No…"
"Seriously, you looked like a princess. Like some kind of 'Lady of—'"
"I'm going to kill you."
Caelus immediately backed off.
"Wait, hey! Calm down! It was a compliment!"
"Don't you dare say that, idiot!" Angello growled, throwing a left hook at Caelus.
"Ugh, damn you, Su! Does long hair make someone look more masculine? Lying bastard!"
...
Another fragment floated beneath Caelus's feet. When he touched it, they saw his past self reaching out toward a bolt of lightning during a storm.
"Ohhh, I remember this! One of my most creative days as a gourmet." Caelus explained with a smile. "I tried to analyze the flavor profile of lightning."
Angello stared at him for a long moment without expression, then stepped closer and grabbed Caelus by the collar, pressing his ear against Caelus's skull.
He tapped it a few times and heard a hollow sound.
"…Must be really small."
"What do you mean?"
"…Never mind."
As the memories continued, the scenes began to change, now starring a young man who looked strikingly similar to Caelus.