When we emerged into the deserted station, Welt was waiting for us. I immediately let go of Stelle's hands as if they were on fire.
"Stelle, glad to see you're safe and sound..."
As much as he said he trusted me, he was still worried... I can't really blame him.
"Those voices just now..." Stelle murmured, a little groggy.
Voices? She probably saw some memories as well.
"How did we get here, by the way? And what is this place?" she asked after collecting herself.
"The surge of memoria you felt in the chest... it was that creature. Apparently, all you have to do is close your eyes and it appears. The monster you've always known as Death is actually the guardian of the Land of the Exiles. It abides by a certain rule, abducting people from their dreams and bringing them here," I replied.
"You mean it was... the thing that killed you." Stelle murmured, shivering and looking at the ground.
"I'm here... I’m not dead, Stelle."
She just nodded in response, without looking at me.
"The question that has been perplexing us: 'Does death really exist in the Dreamscape?' appears to be a cognitive trap. It was laid by those orchestrating events from the shadows to cover up the truth behind the disappearances, and the existence of this fortress known as Dreamflux Reef. It's likely that many of our longstanding questions will be answered in this place," said Welt.
"In the little time I spent here I already found a lot of answers. But I don't think I'm the best person to explain it all. Now that the Astral Express is here, the one who invited us is bound to show up." I said.
"Do you happen to know their identity, Miss Firefly?"
"I can’t be sure… But from the whispers of the residents, I've heard a familiar name... Gallagher."
"It's that man again, always in the right place at the right time... though that does save us the trouble of looking for him. Himeko and March have already made a move. Stelle, get ready, we're about to set off."
"Yeah let’s get a move on, this place gives me the creeps."
We started walking down the alley. I walked a few steps behind Welt and Stelle,
Even though we have technically cleared everything up... I can't help feeling awkward.
"Firefly..." Stelle said suddenly, without turning to look at me.
"Um?"
"You Stellaron Hunters... will you continue to follow me wherever I go? This is the second destination in a row where I've found one of you waiting for me."
"Um, I'm afraid so. You see, in the past Elio's scripts used to revolve and expand around certain specific Stellarons. But, with your appearance, this condition has apparently ceased to be appropriate. You could say that you have become the main protagonist."
"I see... at this point you should just choose one of you to stay with me if you are going to keep pestering me..."
Does she want me to stick around? Surely not... It's probably the opposite. She hasn't even looked at my face since we got here. She's still angry, I'm sure... she just felt sorry for me before.
"I don't think it's that simple. The script is not something that Elio writes on a whim. He has the ability to foresee future possibilities. His script is the way to bring forward the best possible results. So, depending on the mission, one of us may have better skills than others."
"Why were you chosen for this one?"
"I don’t know yet…"
After all, my skills are all about burning and destroying… but maybe… it’s because of our connection. I guess my next two deaths will shed more light on the meaning of this journey.
Stelle had resumed talking to Welt, but I could not quite understand what they were saying, as they were whispering.
I could make out Acheron's name and the word "sword".
As I thought, the rift that opened in the memoria must have been her doing. I don't know why, but she finally drew her blade.
To feel its effect in the deepest part of the Dreamscape... I can see why she was reluctant to unsheet it. If she had fought seriously... I would have been dead by now.
As I had done days before, we got into the lift. On our way up I merely stared at the floor.
I really don’t know how to behave around her now. Now that she knows who I really am… things suddenly got very hard.
"Unbelievable... to think there's a settlement of this size within the Dreamscape... and all beyond the The Family's reach, " said Welt, breaking the silence, probably observing the view from the lift bars.
"When I first saw it, I was in awe too. The sky here, it's like... a reflection of the twelve Dreamscapes. What's even more bizarre, is that this place is also separated into trade and residential areas. The layout may be simple, but the facilities are very comprehensive. It seems that there are quite a number of people living here," I said in response.
After that long ride we finally stepped out.
"Let's meet up with Himeko and the others first," said Welt.
"Take a right turn at the end of this road, and you'll reach the trade district. There are more people there, and perhaps someone knows where she is. I’ll see you all later."
I started to walk away, but a hand grabbed my sleeve and made me stop.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Stelle asked, still avoiding to look me in the eyes.
"The Astral Express likely needs room for some internal deliberation. In the meantime, I'll try and locate Gallagher," I answered, surprised.
"You are not going to… disappear this time, right?"
"Stelle…"
Aaaaah, I don't understand her... does she hate me or not... maybe she's just worried because she's so nice.
"I'll be back, I promise, if anything comes up I'll send you a message."
"Alright... be careful."
I really hope I'll get the chance to make things right before the end of my mission. I'd hate for us to part while things are like this between us...
I started wandering the streets of the Dreamflux reef in search of Gallagher. Fortunately, it didn't take me long to find him.
But he was not alone: in his company was a well-dressed young man.
He had smooth, light blue, shoulder-length hair, and behind his ears were a pair of wings of a similar colour, adorned with golden herrings. Behind his head was a golden halo.
That's Sunday... to bring him here as well... things may be on the verge of collapse.
Kidnapping the head of the Oak family was certainly bold.
I could clearly see the anger in Sunday's golden eyes as I approached. He definetly hadn't come here on his own accord.
"Show me Robin first," I heard him say.
Gallagher chuckled at that:
"As you wish, all right, as you wish. Here she is..."
The man turned to me with an enigmatic smile on his face.
"..."
Sunday didn’t seem to appreciate him joking around:
"What's your trick this time?"
"Haha, just kidding, relax Birdie. I mean, this lady will lead us to Robin, right?"
She probably met the Express Crew by now... she sticks out like a sore tumb around here.
"And the Crew too. There are too many people who you own... an explanation" I responded.
But I guess I have no right to criticise him for hiding things, do I?
"Haha, that would be great. Please follow me, honorable Oak Family Head. Now all the actors... are on the stage."
We walked in silence to our destination, the highest point of the Reflux, where the three steeles stood to commemorate the 3 Nameless heroes of Penacony.
I flashed Stelle a tentative smile as we reached the small crowd that had gathered there, she nodded in response.
I guess that's progress... at least she looked at me.
Apart from her companions, there was Robin and a tall man with a blond beard, I remembered talking to him before during my investigation, his name was Micah.
Sunday went straight to his sister.
"Brother!"
"There's no need for words, you're safe and that's all that matters," Sunday said.
"Well, I did my job, I got everyone here. Gallagher will explain the rest... Take care," Micah said before leaving the group.
Sunday and Robin also distanced themselves from us and started talking between each other.
"I promised to give the siblings some privacy, so let's talk about our business first. What do you say?" began Gallagher.
"That sounds sensible enough. Since you went through the trouble of gathering The Family head, the Crew, and the Stellaron Hunters, I'm guessing you have something important to say, Mr. Gallagher?" asked Welt.
"Oh, is it that obvious?"
"Miss Firefly had already tipped us off that you were the one behind all this."
"Oh I see you have been doing your homework, young lady," he said smiling at me.
"You weren't really trying to hide, were you? Who are you really? The identity you assumed... is fake isn't it?" I asked.
"You’re right, I should probably reintroduce myself. I'm the founder of Dreamflux Reef, the deputy of the Watchmaker, and...the one who sent out that invitation.
As Gallagher the History Fictionologist, I humbly extend my greetings to you all."
History Fictionologist… that explains why Wolf wasn’t able to find anything about him…
The history fictionologists were a group of followers of Mythus, the Aeon of Enigmata. They were responsible for numerous false histories or information obscuration.
"Don’t fret over it, the stuff I told you about The Family, the Watchmaker, and Mikhail is true. I just was never really one of them. As Miss Firefly said, Gallagher doesn’t actually exist, is just a fictional character made of the traits of all the Family members," said the man, addressing the Astral Express Crew.
"So Mr Gallagher, why did you make us come here?" asked Himeko.
This time there were no surprises.
As I had suspected, the Dreamscape was indeed created thanks to a Stellaron. A Stellaron that the family had promised to seal, but in fact hadn't, betraying Mikhail, the Watchmaker.
"The Stellaron was never truly sealed. It existed in a different form within the Dreamscape. Think about this, what would it cost to create and maintain such a lavish dreamland?" he said.
"It's people's lives. The opulent dream is built upon the decay of spirits, with a toxic elixir called pleasure flowing through the Dreamscape. It tempts people to indulge in the Dreamscape, and gradually their minds succumb, becoming nourishment for the sweet dream. Confusion, laziness, and cowardice... weaknesses that plague humanity were magnified and nourished by The Family. Penacony became a new kind of prison, even more impenetrable than the previous one," he continued.
I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness at his words. I really loved this dream and the experience I had in it... the fact that the truth behind it was so murky just left a bad taste in my mouth.
"You sent out invitations in the Watchmaker's name to find forces capable of resolving the Stellaron disaster and draw them in to Penacony to uncover the truth?" asked Himeko at the end of his monologue.
"It's not just that. Above all, I wanted to see what happens when the major factions engage in a struggle for the legacy. Since this is the Watchmaker's first announcement in decades, the traitor within The Family is bound to reveal themselves."
A traitor…
"If that's the case, where is the Stellaron now?"
"That's a question for Mr. Wings. The Stellaron is still under The Family's control, and as the head of the Oak Family, I'm sure he holds all the answers."
After rejoining us, Sunday revealed the truth without hesitation: the Stellaron was nothing other than the Great Theatre of the Penacony itself.
The thought that this was the true nature of the magical structure I had seen so many times before made my mood even worse.
As for the traitor who had been using the power of the Stellaron, it was Mr Gopher Wood, the current DreamMaster.
I could see the pain on Robin's face when Sunday made this revelation. Pain that quickly turned to determination:
"I can't just stand by and watch Mr. Gopher Wood become an enemy of the Harmony. I won't use my voice to support an evil cause...I won't step on that stage and sing, no matter who the traitor is or what orders they give me. I won't let the Charmony Festival become an event that destroys Harmony itself... For the paradise in our dreams."
Her resolve is so strong... I really want to ask her for an autograph... Now it's not the right time Firefly! Maybe I'll have a chance before I leave Penacony. I'd also like to go to one of her concerts...
Perhaps thanks to his sister's wishes, Sunday decided to fight on our side as well.
The two siblings left to confront Gopher with Welt, who decided to lead the negotiations on behalf of the Express.
As the trio disappeared into the distance, Stelle approached me.
"What are you thinking about? The Stellaron?"
"I already thought that was the core of the issue."
"I guess being a Stellaron Hunter isn't just a title, huh?"
"I...guess."
"I still can't really imagine you being one of them..."
"..."
I didn't have time to find the right answer: tt seemed that Gallagher had something else to show us.
"Mikhail, on his deathbed, told me to find the Astral Express and deliver a invitation to the future Nameless. He left behind a special gift, a true legacy... something that belongs only to the successors of the Trailblaze. Come with me. Now... is the time to reveal it."
The man knelt and touched the nameless stele, murmuring:
"Don’t let us down, old man."
The ground beneath us began to shake.
"What is happening?" asked March worriedly.
Soon I realised that the place where we were was rising in altitude. Soon we were projected into the night sky of Dreamflux Reef.
We climbed and climbed until the Grand Theatre of Penacony, the Stellaron, appeared so close we could touch it. But it was not the only structure standing there at that height.
Ahead of us a flight of steps led to what looked like a small garden, under a dome I could see a chair in the distance.
image [https://i.imgur.com/EY8c4Q1.png]
"Go ahead. His resting place... lies in the garden up ahead. The first and last Nameless of Penacony... Mikhail Char Legwork, the Watchmaker," said Gallagher in a somber tone.
After ascending the stairs we arrived at his presence.
Beneath the sea surface of Memory Zone, in a garden closest to the full moon in the water, an elderly man, with a monocole rested on a recliner, enveloped in utter silence.
The Watchmaker, Mikhail Char Legwork, had passed into that endless, timeless dream, where no sound could ever awaken him.
In his hands was a ball of a familiar hue.
"Is that a…" I started saying.
"A Dream Bubble," concluded for me Gallagher, "I believe inside that bubble, there's something that holds meaning only for the nameless. After all, I've checked it and there’s nothing inside."
“Let’s check it ourselves then,” said Himeko.
I stepped aside as the three girls from the Express rested their foreheads on the Dreambubble, but after a while they returned with confused expressions.
"Nothing?" asked Gallagher.
"Nothing... but I have an idea. Could I borrow your pet for a quick trip to the Golden Hour?" said Himeko.
She was only gone for about ten minutes, when she returned she had a smile on her face.
For the second time, the Astral Express Crew entered the dream bubble, leaving me alone with Gallagher once more.
"So, young lady... you, who are stuck in the waking world, how did you like the dream my old friend built?"
"I am... conflicted. Even though I now know what lies behind it... I still can't bring myself to shun it.The time I spent here was some of the best of my life."
"There is no need to shun something that brings you joy. You just need to find some meaning in it, beyond the temporary relief it has given you."
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"A meaning... an answer. That's what I'm looking for. Why does life slumber? It's you who wrote that question, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I thought I had an answer, but... now I'm not so sure. To escape my troubles in a dream... is that really the point of my journey here? It was so beautiful and it made me happy... but isn't it just an illusion?"
The man looked at me with his usual enigmatic smile.
"You're talking to a man who doesn't exist, young lady. But even so, I still managed to make an impact in the real world. I brought you all here, didn't I? Don't underestimate the power of fiction, Miss Firefly. Sometimes something fake can still have value."
"An impact in the real world...."
Our conversation was interrupted by the return of Stelle and her companions.
I could see a hint of tears in their eyes, but all three were smiling.
"You're back sooner than I thought... Any results?" asked Gallagher.
"Yes... And now, it's up to us to forge ahead," Himeko said.
While the two were talking, I approached Stelle.
"What have you discovered?"
"Trailblazing secret. You'll find out later..." she replied.
"..."
I was the last person who could blame her for keeping something hidden.
I turned my attention back to Himeko.
"As I see it, relying on Welt's negotiations alone is far from enough. Regardless of whether the other party will be compliant, negotiating simply allows us to meet them as equals, it won't grant us an upper hand. Penacony is our rival's home turf, and we already have very few chips left to play with. Rather than idly sit around while The Family's got us blocked off, an offensive approach might be a wiser course of action."
She wants to go on the attack... she is right. In the realm of dreams, the Family has the upper hand, we should be ready to fight if negotiations fail. But...
"On the eve of the Charmony Festival opening, how exactly are we going to get close to the theater? Family security will be airtight, and if we brute force it... Even if we succeed, it's too risky," I said.
We all remained silent for a few seconds.
"So... no one's gonna say anything? Then I'll raise my hand, I know the answer to this question!" said March suddenly, "So, I heard that before the Charmony Festival begins, there will be a pageant to kick off the festival. It's called the... SoulGlad ™ Festivity Auditions or something, and it's going to be held in the Moment of Scorchsand . I already got us some tickets from Robin’s fanclub! If we win we’ll be able to attend the Festival!"
"That can work. Good job March! Mr Gallagher, are you going to join us?" asked Himeko, turning to the man.
"Im afraid I won't have the time. As a virtual character... I've already completed my final mission. Whether Penacony can awaken from this dream is all down to you."
"I see, I hope you’ll visit the Express sometimes."
I took a step back.
I think this is as far as they’ll let me join.
But suddenly a hand tapped me on the shoulder.
Stelle...
"Himeko, Firefly is going to join us, right?"
"Of course, I was just about to ask her. Miss Firefly, we thank you for all your support. We're faced with a formidable enemy. As long as the Astral Express and Stellaron Hunters' objectives are aligned, we're willing to cooperate with you."
The sour mood I had been in since the confrontation with Stelle suddenly became much lighter.
She wants me around...
"W-we've already come this far together. I'd like to join you for the rest of your journey on Penacony. I'm pleased that we can finally fight shoulder-to-shoulder, I couldn't ask for a better ending," I replied, smiling.
"This is also the spirit of the Trailblaze. Now, everyone, let's prepare to move out."
----------------------------------------
What am I supposed to do...
After saying goodbye to Gallagher, we had closed our eyes and let Sleepie transport us to our new destination: the moment of Scorchsand.
A huge bottle of Soulglad was towering above the audition venue.
According to the brochure March had shown us, the winners of the competition would be sent up into the air on the top of its cap, towards the Grand Theatre.
At that prospect, I couldn't help but think:
The view from there must be incredible... maybe I could sneak in a photo... wait, Firefly, this is not the moment!
Soon we had cleared the initial screening and were admitted to the audition course. To win, we'd have to pass three tests.
There was just one small problem... the maximum number of people who could participate together was two.
For this reason, March and Himeko had gone first, while I was left together with Stelle at the beginning of the course.
It was a platform with benches and food stalls, at the end of which was an attendant standing near a giant ball that would send us off to the first test.
Between us had fallen an awkward silence.
I don't know what to do... she's given me so many mixed signals...
But we can't just stand here and do nothing... if Mr Yang's negotiations have failed, we need to get to the Theatre as soon as possible!
"Stelle, let's go!" I said, starting to make my way towards the end of the platform.
But just as before, I felt Stelle's hand grab my sleeve.
"What is it?"
Once again she avoided my gaze.
"How about we get something to eat at that stall? Maybe they have Oak cake rolls... I'll treat you."
"Stelle... what...?"
Suddenly the girl let go of me and ran her hands through her hair.
"AAAAH why is this so hard!" she complained.
I approached her worriedly:
"What's going on?"
"How are you supposed to make up after a fight? This is the first time this has happened to me!"
Oh…
My heart suddenly became extremely light.
Stelle wasn't giving me the cold shoulder to make me feel bad or to punish me. She didn't know how to behave, just like me.
"I don't know... I don't have much experience with this kind of thing either..." I replied, smiling at her.
"I... it's just... when I tried to talk to you, I was reminded of all the mean things I said to you before and I felt ashamed. I was angry and I wasn't myself... I'm sorry."
"No... don't apologise. It's the same for me... I hurt you and I can't stand it."
"That's true, but... after thinking about it, I think I understand why you acted the way you did..."
"What?!"
"You know me and you are somehow similar. The present me... exists only to be a vessel for a Stellaron. But I don't want to be just that. I want to be my own person, I want to live my own experiences as Stelle... just as you want to live as Firefly. But unlike you, I have nothing to tie me to my past, and my future is full of possibilities... if it weren't so... I don't know what I would do."
"That still doesn't excuse what I did to you."
The fact that she could still empathise with me, despite being so hurt by my behaviour, only showed what a wonderful person she was.
"Maybe not... but I think it's good enough for me to forgive you. And Firefly... I'm rooting for you, if there's anything I can do to help, please just let me know."
Again I had to fight the urge to burst into tears.
All the suffering I had felt over the past few days seemed to have been swept away by a spring breeze.
"You are already helping me so much, Stelle..."
Just like back then... just being close to you is enough.
"Don't get me wrong. I still don't trust you. I think I've got your type now, if you get the chance you'll do some crazy stuff... I'll keep an eye on you."
"As you wish…"
“But now… about those Oak cake rolls…"
"We can't Stelle, we have to hurry! If the negotiations fail and the Stellaron is not sealed, the whole Penacony could be destroyed!" I said reluctantly.
"You're right. But then... what about afterwards, when the crisis is averted? Let me treat you something, as a thank you for the last time."
"I..."
I wanted nothing more than to say yes. But I had made up my mind to be honest with her from now on.
"I can't make any promises, Stelle. I don't know what's going to happen and if we’ll be able to hang out together again after this..."
After all, I have two deaths waiting for me... and the last one could be the real one for all I know.
But when I saw the sad expression on Stelle's face, I immediately added.
"But I would love to! I'll try everything in my power to make it happen!"
"That's good enough for me!" Stelle exclaimed, smiling, "remember, you promised me a third date!"
"Date?! I told you that wasn't a date... Wait, what do you mean by third?"
But Stelle was already heading towards the giant ball that would take us to the first test.
The fact that she can joke around like this, even when we're in mortal danger... she's incredible.
I hurried after her.
The attendant greeted us:
"Welcome, here you can choose which course to take as your first test. On the left is the action course and on the right is the acting course".
"What do you think we should do, Firefly?"
"I think we should go for the action one. Even if I can't help you fight, you're much stronger than the average Penaconian, so it should be a piece of cake!"
"Alright, we'll take the acting course, sir!"
"Stelle... why did you even ask me?"
"Sorry, it just occurred to me that I have a famous stage performer from the Iris family here with me. The acting course will be a breeze with your talents."
...
"...what happened to you forgiving me, Stelle?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're obviously trying to get back at me!"
"Who, me? I'd never do something like that."
I know I should be angry because we're in such a hurry... but I can't help feeling happy that she's comfortable teasing me like this again.
We climbed aboard the giant sphere and, after fastening our seat belts, rolled off at high speed.
When we reached our destination I was the first to get out, Stelle followed me wobbling.
"Why is this a thing? Good thing we didn't eat... how can you be so unfazed?"
"Uh? that was nothing!"
I was used to much rougher manoeuvres when I fought inside SAM.
After Stelle had collected herself, we approached what appeared to be the start of the test.
There was a microphone in the middle of a platform, with an attendant standing nearby.
“Oof, just take a look at this pair. Such star quality! Since you've come as a pair, I'll prep a two-person scene for you!”
As the name suggested, we would be judged on our acting skills during this course.
The judge in front of us told us the setting: me and Stelle were going on a trip to Penacony, but instead of a shining land of dreams, we found ourselves in a desert wasteland with a terrifying Memory Zone meme in front of us.
This... kinda hits too close to home.
“Now... Stelle, what line would you deliver to express your disappointment in Penacony?” asked the judge.
The girl approached the microphone and exclaimed excitedly:
"Great! I love living on the wild side!"
…
"Stelle… what are you doing? You're trying to express disappointment! Why do you sound so chipper?"
"Oh, you are right!”
She approached the microphone again and, shaking her fists in the air, said:
"A brutish creature! Quick! Let's run it over!"
"Are you doing this on purpose? We are on a hurry!" I said, suppressing the urge to laugh.
"Fine… What in tarnation is this hellhole! The Watchmaker is a big fat liar!"
That didn't seem appropriate either, but the judge seemed to take pity on us and accepted her answer.
"Very good! Now, though you're disappointed, your screen partner is conversely very enthusiastic. Now, young lady! You will say…"
This... is so embarrassing... but after scolding her, I can't afford to hesitate.
“Th-this is great! I love living on the... w-wild side!” I said tentatively into the microphone.
image [https://i.imgur.com/XSNRrfs.jpeg]
The judge seemed enthusiastic:
"Very good! Very intense!"
On the contrary, Stelle looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"What’s wrong?" I asked her.
"I don't know... I expected a bit more from a great actress like you."
"Stelle... you know very well that me being an actress was a lie..."
"I don't know... you seemed pretty good to me. How was it... Oh yeah! Cough Cough…" then she started talking in a deep voice, "Once you're back in the real world, remember to tell everyone, about the Stellaron Hunter who was behind your ultimate departure!”
I remained petrified as my cheeks caught fire.
I then curled up into a ball and hugged my knees.
Second death... third death... as many as you want... just bring them to me now!
But Stelle wasn't done yet: she kneeled down close to me and whispered in my ear.
“I will… set the seas ablaze!”
...I guess I deserve this, this is my punishment.
But…
"Yeah, that was me. And those lines... I think they are really cool, okay? I practise them a lot in front of the mirror... I'm very lame, is that a problem?" I said, getting up and giving her a defiant look.
You are the one who inspired me, you idiot!
Stelle seemed surprised by my reaction, but smiled at me:
"Sorry, I was just joking. Honestly... I think it's kind of charming."
"Charming... that's... wait, we don't have time for this!"
Despite Stelle's best efforts to mess things up, we managed to pass the first test and move on to the second part of the acting course. This time it wasn't about words but body language.
“Picking up from where we left off, a heavy downpour saves you both while you are stranded in the desert. This rain quenches the anger in your heart. You look to your companion, now completely devoid of fighting spirit, wanting to comfort her... At this moment, what should you do to make her laugh?" the judge asked Stelle.
She looked at me for a second and... started patting my head and ruffling my hair.
My heart immediately jumped into my throat.
If I show her how happy this makes me, she'll tease me endlessly about it.
"You seriously think that would make someone laugh?" I said, trying my best not to show what was going through my mind.
Stelle looked disappointed and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?! Come back! You look like you want to abandon me, not make me laugh!"
Suddenly Stelle got down and started rolling on the ground.
"What is... ahahah!"
She looks like a puppy! So cute...
Apparently it was enough for the judge to let us go on to the next stage after a few more questions.
A new choice lay before us.
"A gunfire or a time trial… wonder what that means..." asked Stelle.
"Can I choose this time? Let’s go for the gunfire one…"
"Why?"
"The name inspires me more."
But as it turned out, my choice was going to have some bad consequences.
When we arrived at the second audition, we found ourself facing a small television.
"Dear friends, welcome to the wonderful world created by the Watchmaker! Awaiting you is the morally dubious yet ever-charming character from the animated Clockie series — Hanu! Enter into the world of Hanu via the TV by the entrance, and partake in an enchanting and suspenseful story with him! Good luck in there!" said the guide close to it.
"I guess we don’t have the choice, ready Stelle?"
After the girl had nodded we both touched theTv. The world went black and...
"What... is the meaning of this?"
"We are very sorry... this course was built with only one player in mind... so we have adapted it in this way."
"WHAT?! Why didn't the attendant warn us about this?"
"Calm down Firefly or you'll fall!"
I was sitting on Stelle's shoulders with a bizzare scene in front of me: a strange short, hairy character with a fedora on his head and a pair of sunglasses.
"What is this…?"
I raised my hand to fix my hair. The character did the same.
"Look, it seems like you control his arms and I control his legs!" said Stelle, taking a step forward.
She was right. This test was about navigating a small maze while controlling Hanu and avoiding the unwanted attention of Boss Stone's minions, his nemesis.
Why did they have to make it so embarrassing and... why am I having fun?! What is wrong with me...
"Everything all right up there, Firefly?" asked Stelle after a while.
"I am gradually getting used to this... who knows, I might even be able to perform some high-level moves with Hanu. It's just, the plot of this story is kinda dull…"
The judge seemed to take my complaint to heart, as a rocket launcher suddenly appeared in front of us. I immediately made Stelle move closer to it and grabbed it.
"This thing feels like the Soaring Locust II..."
"The soaring what?!"
"Enemy spotted Stelle, 3 o'clock. Initiate: cleanup."
"UH?!"
It only took me a few minutes to completely wipe out the entire population of Boss Stone's minions.
In the end, we got out of the TV.
"Well, that's that. But it is gonna be hard to let go of that bazooka... Uhm, nevermind. Let's hurry over to the next stage."
"I'm... kind of glad I'm not your enemy."
"Oh... sorry I got a bit carried away..."
But Stelle smiled at me:
"Don't worry... I'm happy I got to see that. You know, unlike you, I only got to know you on the first day I came here... I'm really glad we got to do this stuff together so I could see more sides of you. You're not only very sweet, you're also kind of a dork, aren't you?"
"A dork?! I don't know if I should take that as an insult or..."
The truth is... I don't even know who I am myself...
Being stuck in the armor meant that I didn't usually get to experience things like this. Hanging out with people outside of my companions was out of the question.
And anyway, most of my time was spent on my Stellaron Hunter missions.
So who am I really... right now I'm Sam the Stellaron Hunter... I want to be Firefly in the future, but... who is she? Maybe... thanks to her... I can find out.
The final choice of course was a matter of luck. They were simply called Arena 1 and 2.
"Let's go with number 2! It's clearly the best choice," said Stelle.
But when we got there, I immediately sensed that something was wrong.
This atmosphere is... Death.
The audition course was deserted, no one was there to greet us.
Only a familiar creature was there, standing menacingly at the centre of the stage.
"What? Sleepie?! What is Mr Gallegher's pet doing here?"
I took a step forward. I had never been afraid of it, even before I knew its true nature.
Now I actually found it kind of endearing: the idea that such a scary looking thing was just an overzealous pet was kind of funny.
But as I walked towards it, I noticed that Stelle was not following me, so I turned around.
Stelle's eyes were fixed on the ground, her fists clenched and shaking.
"Stelle, what's..."
Suddenly I found myself in her arms.
This embrace was very different from the ones we had shared in the past.
Stelle's body was pressed so tightly against mine that it almost hurt. She was trembling.
I could feel her hands on my back, clinging to my coat. Her grip was so strong, as if she was afraid I would vanish into thin air if she let go.
"Firefly..." she murmured, sobbing on my shoulder, "you're alive, aren't you? This isn't just an illusion, is it?"
My heart stopped at those words.
It's cause of the Meme... it's the first time she's looking directly at it after "that" happened...
All my life I had struggled with the trauma from my time as a soldier in the Iron Cavalry. To think that I would put my dearest friend through something similar... it just made me sick.
The pain I put her through... I'll carry this burden for the rest of my life.
"I am here with you, Stelle. I'm fine, don't worry," I said, gently stroking her hair.
Her grip tightened even more:
"I've wanted to do this ever since I saw you again... but I'm scared. Now that I know what it means to lose someone... I don't want it to happen again. I've only known you for one day, but... maybe it's because my body recognises you even if my mind doesn't... I just don't want to let you go again."
"Stelle... I'm sorry. I can't promise you that I'll be able to stay with you for long... but I'll try my best so that at least next time I'll be able to say goodbye properly".
All I really wanted to say to her was that I'd always be with her... but it would have been another lie: even if I survived the two deaths that awaited me in Penacony... my time was ticking anyway.
"That's... not what I wanted to hear. But... even if it hurts... I want to be close to you until that time comes."
It seemed like her old self, Stelle, had the ability to make my spirit soar high into the sky with just her words.
I couldn't help but cry on her shoulder as well.
I don't... deserve her.
"Th-Thank you... you don't know how happy that makes me."
"I... hate the fact that I lost my memories of you... I want them back!"
"It's okay... after all, we already made some new, precious ones."
"But... it's only a dream, isn't it?"
"Even if it's just a dream... they're just as important to me as the real thing..."
Mr Gallagher... I think I know what you meant now... I can feel the answer I am looking for coming closer.
We stood in silence for a minute, but then:
"Come on Stelle, we have a mission to complete."
Stelle nodded, and after we pulled away from the embrace, I offered her my hand.
I felt hers tremble in mine as we approached the Memory Zone Meme.
"Ga…lla..gher…"
"He’s calling for Mr Gallagher and it seems… sad?"
He said he had completed his final mission... surely he didn't mean that...?... If that was the case, we had all the more reason to hurry.
I won't allow this paradise your friend has built to be sullied any further, Mr Gallagher.
After petting the head of Sleepie, who seemed to have no intention of fighting us, I guided Stelle to the ball at the end of the platform. I would defend this place with everything I had.
If it wasn't for Penacony, Stelle and I wouldn't have become friends again...
Friends...
This feeling... it's just like back then... could it be... already?
At that moment, I could clearly feel that a flower that had long since withered inside me was beginning to bloom again.