I frantically used the front camera on my phone to make sure that I looked presentable.

Stelle was just a few steps away, sitting on one of the sunbeds by the pool. She probably needed to recharge her batteries after all the chaos she had caused through the Radiant Speldspar.

This was my chance and I couldn't miss it.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ef8cS9T.png]

Here goes nothing, Firefly. This is what it means to make your own choices. You have to accept the outcome, whatever it is.

After taking a deep breath, I approached her.

I was only a few feet from her when Stelle's golden eyes fixed on me. Without realising it, a broad smile spread across my face as I saw her face light up with surprise.

I raised my hand and said in a trembling voice:

"Hi, w-we meet ag-"

I didn't even have time to finish the sentence before I found myself squeezed into Stelle's arms. For a moment I was sure that my third death would be by suffocation and... that I would not have minded at all.

"Firefly! Thank the Aeons you are safe!" she shouted in my ear.

"I am. I came back to see you, just like you said," I replied, leaning on her.

"I knew you would... but I couldn't help but worry. Acheron said some ominous things about you sacrificing yourself to wake us up..."

"Yeah... it was pretty rough. But nothing I couldn't handle!" I smiled at her as she pulled away from the embrace.

Now that I was close to her again, all the mental anguish I had suffered while leaving the Dreamscape seemed insignificant.

"I don't know how someone as cute as you can also be so tough," Stelle said, putting a hand behind her neck.

"I - don't tease me like this!" I blurted out, blushing.

"What's going on? You've always brushed off my compliments, unlike Acheron's... could it be that you've finally fallen for my charm?" Stelle said, coming closer to me with a mischievous smile.

YES! YES, I HAVE!

But this was not the right moment to tell her. I needed to create the right atmosphere first, otherwise she'd take it as a joke.

"So... are you enjoying this party?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, it's my party after all! I even got some exclusive merch! But I guess that's not quite right... the Charmony Festival is about to start!" she said excitedly.

"The Charmony Festival?" I asked, confused.

"Yes. You know, with what happened with Sunday, the Grand Theatre is kind of off limits. And I guess they didn't really feel like having a big celebration with all the political struggle going on behind the scenes. So Robin's going to have a little one here on the ship!"

"Robin? Even after what happened to her brother..."

From what Wolfie had told me, she and Sunday would probably never see each other again.

"She's another example of not judging a book by its cover. She's tough as nails, isn't she? Do you want to see her concert with me? I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was one of your wishes..." she said, winking at me.

Oh...

"Have you found my diary already?"

I hoped she would find it after she left Penacony... so she would think of me even after we said goodbye. Now... it's kind of embarrassing.

"Pom-pom cleans the parlour car religiously every day. They were so confused when they found it. But I knew right away it was yours. You have such cute handwriting!"

"I... Thank you. I'd love to watch the opening cerimony with you! When does it start?" I asked, beaming at her.

"In about an hour, I think..." she said, trying to remember.

An hour... that should be enough... Remember what Wolfie said, Firefly... I don't see any flags around here, but I can probably raise my affection level with her a bit before I go for it.

"Do you want to have some fun together before her performance?" I asked in a hopeful tone.

"Of course! Come on, this time I'll be your guide!"

What followed were moments of pure bliss.

It hadn't been long since I'd met her here, in the Land of Dreams, but I'd missed spending some carefree time with her so much.

I did my best to capture every single moment in my memory:

Stelle robbing the buffet, incurring the wrath of the waiters.

Stelle losing all her chips in the casino and lashing out at the blonde IPC ambassador for stealing her luck.

Stelle pulling me away from a long red-haired man in shining armour as he sang of my beauty, making me blush.

Stelle, who forced me to follow her in a strange dance in front of the live band area, making everyone look at us funny.

Stelle, who, despite my protests, lifted me into the air near the front of the ship, imitating a scene from a famous Penaconian movie.

I want these moments to last forever...

But it was because they couldn't that they were so important.

So when almost an hour had passed, I took Stelle's hand and led her outside.

image [https://i.imgur.com/k1deAGT.png]

I leaned against the ship's railing and stared out at the clouds, illuminated by the orange light of the sunset.

"Did you have fun?" asked Stelle at my side.

"Yes... I never had so much fun. You know... I had my expectations when I came here, but... you completely shattered them."

"Smashing things is what I do best!" she exclaimed with a chuckle.

"It’s being crazy hasn’t it? ...Two murder cases, a showdown with the IPC's ambassadors, the legacy of the Nameless, and a remnant of the Order who wishes to replace an Aeon-created paradise with a dream... you guys even ended up shattering the dream... It's truly been quite a vacation, isn’t it?”

"Yes... but I'm really glad we went through all that trouble. I wouldn't have met you otherwise," Stelle said.

My heart was beating so fast I was afraid she could hear it.

"It's good that you managed to overcome all those difficult problems. Congratulations! After the Charmony Festival's opening, will you guys be leaving again?” I said, trying to change topic to regain a bit of composure.

But I soon realised that I had made a mistake. Stelle's smile faded.

"Yes... I think we'll stay a bit to deal with the aftermath, but... after that... I still don't know where the new destination will be."

"There will always be somewhere. After all, you guys are on the Path of the Trailblaze …" I said, trying my best to not let my smile fade as well.

"Firefly... I think you have shown more trailblazing spirit than any of us during this whole thing."

"You're not the first person to tell me that... You know, before joining the Stellaron Hunters, Elio told me that this journey will tell me how to live on. That's all he said. As for the rest, it's up to me to find out." I said, looking at the horizon.

image [https://i.imgur.com/IdqejD8.png]

"So, I'll pay extra attention to any leads that will let me live on. This trip to Penacony is no different.

But... even if I haven't found a cure for myself yet, I think I've at least found out what it really means to be alive, thanks to you. I may leave the dream with nothing tangible, but at least I have found an answer."

"I'm glad I could help you, Firefly... but a cure... didn't you say there was none before?" she asked, looking straight into my eyes.

"I’m still not sure but… there may actually be one. Do you know Miss Jade from the IPC's Strategic Investment Department? Bonajade Exchange belongs to her.

She said that there might be a silver lining to my situation. But… it won’t come for free. She told me her price, but…"

"Don't take the deal. Those IPC people may have ulterior motives," Stelle said firmly, "whatever it is, I'll help you find it myself. I'll tell Himeko that I'm taking a break from Trailblazing and we'll look for it together."

I knew she would say that. But I couldn't let her, no matter how much I wanted to. Stelle had her mission, I couldn't let her give it up for me. And anyway:

"No Stelle. It seems that Jade didn't really want my answer. But even if she had, I would still have refused. Of course I want to live on, but... what fate owes me, I want it paid back, not passed on. No one else should be involved, because this is a grudge between me and fate. So this is something I must do alone."

"But... how can you ask me to just go back to my adventures when I know that you might die soon?" said Stelle, shaking her head.

"I know it's hard. I really thought I wasn't afraid of dying, you know? But the thought that I might not be able to feel the happiness I felt today ever again... it's kind of hard to deal with. But... you have something else to do, Stelle. Every step you take matters to the universe. Every ally you gain will be important. You have to keep trailblazing to protect the future so that one day I might be able to live in it."

Stelle lowered her eyes and sighed.

"You are really stubborn, has anyone ever told you that? If that's what you want... but that won't stop me from trying to help you. On my journey I'll keep looking for it, for that silver lining. I'm going to ask every single person I meet, in every corner of the universe, whether you like it or not!"

"Thank you Stelle... I'll always think about you."

"Me too."

It was time. I had to do it now or there wouldn't be any more time. I put my hand to my chest, took a deep breath and asked:

"Do you remember when you told me that I'm too used to hiding things?"

She smiled faintly:

"Of course I do, Miss Stage performer of the Iris Family."

"I’m sorry about that," I chuckled, "but now I really want to try expressing my emotions as any ordinary person would. So… Stelle… I…"

But a loud voice interrupted me:

"It's that girl! Get moving! Arrest that criminal before the Charmony Festival begins!"

Why now?!

I looked around to see the very same two Bloodhounds that had chased me the first day coming towards me:

"I can't believe they've chased me this far... Looks like we'll have to say our goodbyes. Don't worry about me. Just go and enjoy the ceremony!" I said reluctantly.

But Stelle grabbed my wrist.

"I’ll help you deal with them!"

But I shook my head:

"It’s okay, you have to go, you are the star of the party, aren't you? We’ll meet again don’t worry. After all my script hasn’t reached its end yet."

I just hope we won't meet just in time for my third death to happen...

Stelle sighed and let me go. I ran away quickly, clenching my fists.

Why am I so unlucky?

But I would not lose heart.

I ran inside the ship, plunging into the crowd to cover my tracks. After a couple minutes I was sure that I had lost my pursuers.

Now it's time to get back to Stelle.

But I soon realised that it would be difficult. I could hear a big buzz coming from the pool area. It was clear that the Charmony Festival had just begun.

Checkpoints had been set up around the exits of the ship's interior, probably to make sure no ill-intentioned people interfered.

I leaned my back against the wall.

I really wanted to see Robin's performance with Stelle...

I took out my phone and quickly texted her to let her know I was okay.

Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do now but wait. And so I did. Ten minutes passed before my phone rang.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Is it Stelle?

It was, but...

Is this a group chat? Why did she add me to it?

Stelle: We've got a problem, friends. There's an imaginary neutron bomb on this ship

March 7th : ?

Welt : What's happening?

Stelle: It's all thanks to that Masked Fool .

"From Where to View Fireworks" has joined the chat

"From Where to View Fireworks" has joined the chat

From Where to View Fireworks: Miss Sparkle will explain the situation personally!

I watched as message after message popped up on my phone.

999 bombs?! What is this Masked Fool deal?

I still didn't understand her motives for making me and Stelle discover the real Dreamscape. Yet she had helped us to discover the truth.

So why was she disrupting the Charmony Festival now?

I guess I shouldn't expect a Masked Fool to follow any kind of logic.

By now, people were fleeing left and right all around me. Poking my head into the outside of the ship, I saw that the guards had moved, probably to help evacuate the ship.

"I'm going to help Stelle with this," I thought, and ran to find a corner where no one could see me.

I materialised my device and got into my armor, keeping the flame output to a minimum so as not to make any noise. Then I flew into the air in order to get to the top of the ship.

"Initiate: Clean up!" I exclaimed as I spotted a strange object on the roof of the banquet room.

But when I grabbed it, I realised it was just a plushie.

"Are these the bombs? They are clearly just toys," I thought as I incinerated the Sparkle plushie with my flame vent while it screamed in a squeaky voice.

But I didn't stop my operation. There could've been a real bomb hidden among the fakes after all. But after dealing with all the ones on top of the ship, not a single one turned out to be real.

Unable to find any more, I landed on the now deserted deck, just near the pool.

I deactivated my armor and checked my phone.

"Looks like they took care of all the 'bombs' except one," I thought as I scrolled through the chat.

When I lifted my eyes from it, I saw it. A plushie was hidden under one of the sunbeds.

There it is... I guess it was just some kind of stupid prank.

But as soon as I picked it up, I felt something was wrong. This particular doll seemed to have an ominous aura about it.

"What... is this...?"

The plushie began to speak.

"30 minutes, 29 minutes, 59 seconds..."

I quickly turned into Sam and tried to burn it, but it came out unscathed and continued its countdown. As I deactivated the armor, I started to get nervous.

Withstanding Sam's fire... this thing is definitely not a toy like the others. And this feeling... this is not good. If it's a real bomb, things might get dangerous now that Ena's dream has been shattered.

I quickly took out my phone and dialed Silver Wolf's number.

How did she not catch Sparkle while she was setting all this up? Is she still in the Genius Society? Come on, Wolfie, pick up!

But she didn't. It was so strange, she usually never missed a call.

Wolfie... why now of all times? It's all right, I suppose. There are a lot of people on the ship. Maybe Black Swan could teleport it away with her tarot-

But while I was thinking that, my eyes caught sight of something: on the sunbed where I had found the bomb was now a sheet of paper.

What is this? Was it there before?

I grabbed it and read what was written on it in a peculiar handwriting:

This_is_a_memetic_virus.exe

!!!WARNING!!!

A memetic virus has been planted into this imaginary neutron bomb

Memetic lifeforms (particularly Memokeepers)(especially Black Swan) are advised to stay clear

Otherwise

Exposed individuals face a 72.36% chance of turning into a

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

banana banana banana banana banana

P.S.: She means business.

P.S.P.S.: It's true! Try it if you dare!

What the hell is this? Is she reading my thoughts or something?

I tried calling Wolf again, but she didn't answer this time either. Running out of ideas, I threw the bomb into the nearby pool and started walking back and forth.

Think Firefly... if that thing goes off here, it could be very bad. Ena's dream is over. I can't destroy it, and I doubt anyone will be able to disarm it. We can't send it away either, so...

I stopped.

"So that's it. My third death... now I get it."

I made a move to grab the bomb again, but I hesitated.

I... what if I don't make it back? What if I pass out from the memoria concentration? I'm still feeling the effects of yesterday's ordeal...

But maybe... maybe it was okay. After all, it meant I would be able to go out on my own terms. I would save everyone while shining brightly in the sky, just like I had told Blade before I came here.

Maybe this is the temptation you were actually talking about... a heroic death... something a criminal like me should not get.

Suddenly I heard a footstep coming towards me.

"Firefly!" Stelle shouted, running towards me.

But before she got here, she stopped and reached for her bat.

"Are you really Firefly?" she said, looking at me suspiciously.

"It's me, Stelle. It's the second time you've asked me that," I giggled, my worries melting away like snow in the sun, "but don't come any closer, that bomb is very dangerous."

I could still hear its voice, muffled by the water.

" Twenty-seven minutes and fifty-two seconds... Twenty-seven minutes and fifty-one seconds."

"Dangerous? All the ones we found so far were just duds!" Stelle exclaimed, stepping to my side despite my warning.

"This one is the real thing. I tried to destroy it, but the bomb's design is incredibly unique, as if it's been locked by some mysterious Path force... Apart from its creator, I fear no one knows how to deactivate it."

"I see, if you are the one who is saying that I trust you. I guess we'll just blow up and wake up..." she said.

But I shook my head.

"No, Stelle. The sweet dream has lost the protection of the Order, if that bomb were to explode here... the consequences would be unfathomable."

"I see..." Stelle's usually carefree face faltered, "I guess we have no choice but to find out where that girl is then!"

"Do you really think we'll be able to? She's a master of disguise. Remember how she tricked us on the first day?"

"You're right... Let's wait for the others then. I'm sure Black Swan or someone else will be able to handle it.

"About that..."

I handed her the paper she had found and watched her brow furrow as she read it.

"So... there is nothing we can do..." she murmured at the end.

"There may be a way."

But you will not like it.

Looking into her eyes, I knew she already suspected something, so I decided to just say it.

"Do you still remember? The script said that I will experience 'death' three times in the Land of Dreams. I think this moment heralds the third time."

"NO!" she yelled, grabbing my wrist.

I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

"You may already know that I have no way of evoking dreams, I employ a Stellaron Hunter's special method in order to enter dreams instead. This allows me to perform feats that typical Dreamchasers can't. As long as I can bear the pain of the memoria pressure, I'll be able to dive into the primal Memory Zone beyond the dream, and extend a lifeline to the Radiant Feldspar. I will take this bomb into the depths of the Dreamscape... as deep as possible, where there are no living souls around. That way, at least no one will get hurt," I explained to her.

"What do you mean no one will get hurt? What about you?!"

"Don't worry. I believe SAM will be enough to get me where I need to go before the countdown ends... and maybe even bring me back safely."

"Maybe?! So you are not sure at all! How can I let you go knowing that? You left me twice already... this... no..." Stelle tightened her grip.

I put a hand over hers.

"Please, Stelle, this is my decision. I told you before, I'm going to walk my own path. It doesn't matter if this is just part of my script, because I'm doing it of my own free will."

"But..." Stelle took a step back, but still wouldn't let me go.

"It's impossible to change our destiny. That may be true but... Miss Acheron told me something. 'The so-called impossible is just something that has yet to happen...'

At the moment there are so many things that seem impossible... but are they really never going to happen? Maybe it's just that the moment to disprove these 'impossibilities' hasn't arrived yet."

"So please... let me go ahead, Stelle. I need to see what happens. Whether it be a literal ending, suffering akin to death, or a harrowing deathscape... before the appointed destination arrives, they are all the same, yet I can still make countless choices. I also firmly believe that when the moment comes for us to make a choice, the answer to our end will already be in our hearts. It is not destiny that shapes us, but we who shape destiny."

Finally Stelle's grip loosened. She lowered her eyes, seemingly unable to say anything in response. I knew I was hurting her again, but...

I want to use SAM for my own desires this time... not to kill or destroy, but to save everyone.

I jumped into the pool and activated my armor. After grabbing the bomb, I glanced behind me. Stelle was standing still, her hand outstretched towards me, looking as if she had been petrified.

image [https://i.imgur.com/lymMXkh.png]

"Just as I thought... SAM's probably reminding her of what happened the other day..." I sighed in the cockpit.

In the end, I don't think I was able to make it up to her... that's another reason why I have to do this.

But before I could turn on the thrusters, I heard a splash and suddenly Stelle's hand was on SAM's arm.

"Stelle..." I murmured, surprised.

SAM's deep voice made the water around me shake.

"I'm sorry," she said, tears streaming from her eyes, "I know this is what you want, but I can't let you sacrifice yourself."

"Stelle... I thought... you didn't like seeing me in the armor..." I said, looking at her hand. I could have easily escaped her grip, but I didn't.

"What are you talking about? It doesn't matter if you are in your armor or not. To me you'll always be just Firefly!"

At that moment I felt as if my heart had suddenly grown wings of its own and was ready to fly away. I didn't even notice it but my wish had already come true.

I was alive, as Firefly, at this very moment. It didn't matter that I was still bound to SAM, because she could still see my true self, even if I was inside it.

"That's right, I'm Firefly..." I said, smiling at her in the cockpit.

There was a moment of silence between us.

From a speaker I could hear Robin's gentle voice. Perhaps this too was part of destiny, the fact that her notes accompanied the most important moments for me.

"You know... a few days ago I probably would have done what you said. I would have sacrificed myself so that everyone would remember me as Firefly. But now... I won't do that. I will come back because..."

I deactivated my armor, causing Stelle's grip to close on the air. I ran to the edge of the ship before turning to her and letting her see all the joy I felt, painted on my face.

"Because the person I fell in love with is waiting for my return."

I only took a second to see Stelle's golden eyes widen in surprise before I jumped off the ship.

I really felt alive when I felt the breeze in my face. And I intended to stay alive. That resolve was a raging inferno inside me as my armor enveloped me.

image [https://i.imgur.com/LncNeok.png]

I powered up the thrusters and I began to fly higher and higher in Penacony's sky.

Kafka was right. The Astral Express and the Stellaron hunters… are like light and shadow. We walk on different paths, intertwined, moving forward and growing together…

And I want to keep moving forward at your side, Stelle. Maybe the end is predestined, but… it is not today!

But just as I thought that, the bomb in my hand started talking again.

"Since things are going too well… Let's speed up the countdown!"

"No…"

I focused as hard as I could and green flamed roared behind me.

I will do whatever I can to get back Stelle… but however it goes I’m happy I was able to tell you how I feel. Human life is short, just like fireflies to a flame. So, if you have an answer in your heart... Always remember, don't leave with any regrets.

I took one last look at her. I saw her hands joined together in prayer.

We have this right... don't we?

I was ready to see where my choice would take me. I accelerated and accelerated until I felt the memoria thicken around me. But... the bomb in my hand began to shake.

"So this is it... I'm sorry Stelle, I'm glad I got to live as Firefly at your side for a little while..."

The explosion went off. Light blinded me...

"This..."

Fireworks. Joining the stars in the night sky, fireworks were going off all around me.

"Sparkle... look what you made me do... Stelle!"

I flew back just in time to see her swim through the night. The masked fool was right behind her, armed with a giant hammer.

Faster than I had been before, I flew towards Stelle and caught her in my arms. Her smile was brighter than any fireworks.

I shed off my armor so she could see mine, bigger than ever.

image [https://i.imgur.com/N8t2vTd.jpeg]

And just like that, our fingers intertwined and we began to waltz in the night sky.

In a way, I was right. Everything really was possible in this land of dreams. But it was never about forgetting my past or escaping the future.

I had found something else here.

We each came here with our own goals, and realized them in unimaginable ways. Regardless if the result was a sweet illusion or a bitter reality, it was an answer we longed for day and night.

Soon we would both return to reality, leaving behind this cherished dream we had shared. But these moments wouldn't have disappeared. They were so important precisely because they were not eternal.

So, why do people choose to slumber? I think it's as you said… Because in the end, we will wake up from our dreams.

I looked deep into Stelle's eyes.

I don't think I'll ever be so happy in my life.

But I was wrong. Stelle said something, but I couldn't really hear her over the sound of the fireworks.

She seemed to realise that and I felt her pull me closer.

And then it happened.

I gasped as her lips met mine. My eyes closed as I let this new feeling wash over me.

I was sure of it. In all the skies of Penacony, embracing as we shared our first kiss, we were brighter than any star.

I had done it. I had finally made it.

At last I had truly become a firefly, that had finally reached the flame it had been chasing for so long.

----------------------------------------

When we landed on the familiar balcony, I immediately felt dizzy. It wasn't because we had been spinning in the air so much. No... I was just not used to so much happiness that I felt almost drunk with it. I laid Stellle gently on the ground before deactivating my armour. With uncertain steps she approached the railing and leaned on it.

"You know... I came here so many times after... you know..."

"Stelle, I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. I watched these shooting stars for so long, thinking. I couldn't understand why you meant so much to me even though we had just met. Then, when you told me that we had known each other before... it all started to make sense."

I walked to her side. Her gaze was lost in the horizon

"I think that... maybe we only dreamt of being strangers. But now... now we have finally woken up and realised that we have always loved each other. I loved you, Firefly, I'm sure of it.

And I still do. I love you, Firefly."

She turned and looked at me. She was blushing. I didn't even know she was capable of feeling flustered.

"You're so cute..." I murmured.

"Cute!? What are you talking about?! Way to ruin the cool phrase I came up with," she exclaimed only getting redder.

"I was so worried for nothing. She's as bashful as I am!" I thought with a giggle.

"You little..!"

Stelle took me in her arms.

"You're really unfair. Saying that stuff and then flying away..."

"I'm sorry," I said, burying my head in her chest, "I swear I don't like disappearing on you..."

"The evidence is against you. But... I don't plan on ever letting you go again. Firefly, what are you-"

Before she could finish, I put my finger over her lips.

"Not now. There will be time to think about the future. For now... let's dream a little longer."

How do I even do this... now that we are not in the air, she is so tall...

I stood on my tiptoes.

I had no idea which way to turn my face, but... maybe it didn't matter.

"I think... I still owe you a third date."

At the edge of the dream, under a shower of comets, our lips met again. And again we shone brighter than the shooting stars above.