Kakavasha accompanied Aventurine slowly to the front of a curtain.
"Behind this curtain is the grand stage… It's almost time to take the stage. Are you ready? I wish you a successful performance."
Aventurine nodded. "Thank you."
Kakavasha blinked. "You still look nervous… How about we do a 'palm touch'? If the Mother Goddess blesses you, you'll feel more at ease.
'Palm touch' is a small ritual. We press our palms together and recite a prayer to Mother Fenge, and she'll bless us. If you don't know how, I can teach you."
"No need, I know. Of course I know."
Dark clouds gathered.
A blonde girl knelt down, gently stroking Kakavasha's face. Despite her reluctance, she spoke, "We have to part here, Kakavasha. The Katicans are coming."
Kakavasha kept wiping the tears from his eyes, but no matter how hard he tried, they wouldn't stop.
"Why? The Katicans have already taken all our money, our food, and killed Mom and Dad… What more do they want?"
"The Katicans are bloodthirsty, cruel, and insatiably greedy. They want everything, so they'll get nothing.
This is a scheme, a revenge. Remember? Today is 'Kakava' day, your birthday.
They know the Avgin will hold a festival today. With this rain, they'll come to destroy our caravan and take whatever they want.
But the Katicans don't know that this time, we'll fight back. The black-clad people from the sky are on our side. The Katicans stand no chance against them and will pay for their arrogance.
If it weren't for this rain, the Katicans wouldn't act, and we wouldn't have a chance to maneuver. This is all the Mother Goddess's gift, and you are 'Kakavasha.' Your good luck will ensure your sister's success."
"But…" Kakavasha looked at his sister. "But people will die, and you'll be in danger… How is this good luck?! Why do you have to do this…"
"The Avgin always repay their grudges. The Mother Goddess is calling me, Mom and Dad are waiting for me, and I must answer. But she granted you good luck, so you must live.
As long as you're alive, the Avgin blood will never run dry. So run, Kakavasha, don't be afraid, don't look back. Go to the other side of the mountain. The rain will stay with you, the rain will protect you.
And we will meet again under the aurora of the next 'Kakava'…"
The girl extended her palm, pressing it against Kakavasha's. "'May the Mother Goddess thrice close her eyes for you…'
'Keeping your blood eternally pulsing…'
'May your journey forever be peaceful…'
'…And your schemes forever concealed.'
Goodbye, Kakavasha."
[Holy crap!!! I'm really torturing myself here!]
[AHHHHHH!]
[I'm crying!]
[I can't take it, I'm literally crying to death here.]
[Tears, family, tears.]
[Aventurine's character is so well-developed, it's divine!]
[Goodbye, Kakavasha!]
Finally, the Interastral Peace Broadcast reported a string of cold death toll numbers.
The only winner was the company!
The flashback ended. Aventurine walked to the curtain, glancing back, but Kakavasha's figure was already gone.
"The actor is in place; the show's about to begin. This performance is for you, hoping it leaves you with unforgettable memories… 'Kakavasha.'"
The scene shifted, the camera switched.
The Astral Express crew finally regrouped.
At Welt Yang's suggestion, the crew agreed to let Acheron accompany them.
Acheron said she would contribute her "modest strength."
Just as the group was about to look for Aventurine, a broadcast from him echoed from the stage: "Ladies and gentlemen—Penacony's most astonishing, most grandiose performance is about to begin—The Interastral Peace Corporation sincerely invites you all to attend in person—Clock Studios Theme Park!"
Himeko, with an unsurprised expression, said, "See? If the actors and audience can't make it to the stage, wouldn't all of Aventurine's preparations be for nothing?"
"Let's go, everyone—it's time to uphold the way of 'Trailblaze.'"
…
Not long after.
The group ascended the stage to confront Aventurine.
"You're quite late, Astral Express crew, and this… 'uninvited guest.'"
Himeko responded politely, "We've come to keep the appointment, Mr. Aventurine. By courtesy, you should show yourself as well."
"Of course I will. But before that, I'd like to properly introduce tonight's star… Please give a round of applause for—Mr. 'Stellaron'!"
Caelus raised two fingers. "Mom, I'm on TV!"
March 7th had the urge to knock Caelus out.
[I knew it, Caelus's abstract humor is no match for Stelle's.]
[Yeah, Stelle doesn't seem like she's acting.]
[Is Kafka watching?]
[Probably, right?]
Welt Yang crossed his arms over his chest. "Allow me to remind you, this stage and the Trailblazer's identity likely have nothing to do with catching the real culprit."
Aventurine declared he would personally orchestrate a truly spectacular death, intending to detonate the Stellaron in Caelus's body.
Caelus put his hands on his hips. "My energy isn't that big…"
"Don't underestimate yourself. I told you, you have the power to flip the entire table…"
Acheron tightly gripped her edict blade. "Bluffing won't work on us. If you could really do it, you had plenty of chances earlier."
"You're betting against me? Fine, I'll take that bet. I wager I'll win big, proving with an unprecedented explosion that 'Harmony's' oath is nothing but a complete joke."
"…You can't do it."
"Of course I can. It's just another gamble. I came from the deserts of Sigonia, branded for sixty copper coins, shackled, sent to the gallows, buried in the sands…
But the sun couldn't kill me; the quicksand instead delivered me to the Learned and the company's embrace. Remember, I didn't win by chance—I've never lost.
Here's a proverb for you all: 'Sleep is a rehearsal for death.' Why do we sleep? Because we're not yet ready to face death.
Every night's dream is no different from facing death, just like you and me right now, harboring the will to die, hiding in slumber. And 'death'… will come in response to our dream murmurs.
Friends, the game has begun. You can't refuse—there's no reason, no room to."
Suddenly, the lights dimmed.
Except for Acheron, the Astral Express crew summoned their weapons simultaneously.
[Why isn't Caelus using the baseball bat?]
[Because of Firefly.]
[???]
[Because Firefly said the bat didn't seem to work, and when Firefly got stabbed, Caelus was holding the bat—probably has some trauma now.]
[Oh!]
Aventurine's image appeared on the big screen. He had completely transformed, donning a top hat and mask, as if he'd become someone else.
"The dice have been cast—everyone, are you ready to reveal your cards?"