I really hope that I can make her understand how I feel, at least a little.
I was deep in thought as I was leading Stelle towards the manhole that would have taken us to the magical place called Dream's Edge, on the outskirts of the Golden Hour.
I'm so used to hiding my emotions that I'm worried I won't be able to convey... how much the time we spent together today means to me.
As I tried to think of something to say to her, Stelle suddenly stopped.
"Firefly... wait a minute!"
Don't tell me she's spotted another trashcan!
But that didn't seem to be the case. Stelle's gaze was fixated on a spot in the pavement in front of us.
Seemingly confused, she asked:
"What kind of thing... are you?"
...Who is she talking to?
"Um, is there a problem?"
"I think I'm seeing things..."
She doesn't seem to be joking... I guess an illusion is something that could happen in the Dreamscape, with all this Memoria floating around...
Stelle continued talking to something that only she seemed to be able to see.
After a while she said:
"OK Clockie, how can I help you?"
"Clockie? You mean the character whose statue I showed you earlier? Can you really see him?!"
"Yes, he's right here in front of us. You don't see anything?"
"No... I wonder why..."
After a moment's pause, Stelle looked at me with a strange expression on her face:
"He says he is only visible to those who have the innocence, kindness and honesty of a child."
I feel called out... I definitely don't have any of those qualities...'
"He needs help! We have to move Firefly, someone's life is in danger!"
"UH?! Is the situation that bad?!"
But Stelle had already taken off. I ran after her.
Normally I would have thought it was all a joke, but Stelle wouldn't lie about something so serious.
When I reached her, I saw that something was really going on: a tall woman with long, dark purple hair was surrounded by a handful of shady looking individuals.
As I approached, I heard her sigh:
"How did it come to this..."
It seemed that she, like me a few hours earlier, had got herself into quite a predicament.
Who is she anyway... she doesn't look like a local.
Her outfit was extravagant to say the least, she was wearing a white and purple jacket with intricate designs. Her attire was completed by high-waisted, form-fitting black and purple shorts and black boots.
My eyes were drawn to the weapon she was carrying.
It's such a big sword... Maybe it's an Odachi...
For some reason, I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked at the sheathed blade.
Meanwhile, Stelle was continuing her conversation with Clockie:
"How come they're all people I know?" she said as she looked at the surrounded woman.
"What do you mean by all?"
Does she also know the guys who are harassing that woman?
Meanwhile, the situation seemed to be escalating:
"You broke the rules! And now you're gonna pay the price!" one of the men shouted.
"PUNISH HER BOSS!" shouted another.
"My baseball bat can't wait to show its might!" exclaimed Stelle, getting ready to fight.
"Baseball bat? That's a rather inefficient choice of weapon. Against a crowd like... Wait, no! What I meant to say is that we can't solve the problem with violence..."
I got carried away...
Stelle resumed her conversation with Clockie, and after a few moments she walked towards the gang with a determined look on her face.
What is she doing...? Maybe I should intervene...
But to my surprise, the one who was supposed to be the leader of the gang of criminals suddenly burst into tears, and soon the whole group ran away.
What the hell did she say to him to make him ran away like that?
I hurried to join Stelle, who was now talking to the dark-haired woman.
"Thank you, Stelle. I'm surprised we get to see each other again so soon. About all the commotion just now... I heard a bunch of Masked Fools were causing a ruckus on the streets. I happened to be passing through, got stopped for questioning, and there were some... misunderstandings along the way. Anyway, I owe you another one."
Masked fools... as I thought, they too must have set their sights on the Watchmaker's Legacy... but who is this person? Is she another friend of Stelle? She has a completely different presence compared to Sampo.
"Is this lady... your friend too?" I decided to interject.
The woman turned her piercing violet eyes towards me and then gave me a gentle smile:
"Well, we've only met each other once before. But she is a kind soul for helping me at the hotel. It's my pleasure to meet you, beautiful lady. My name is Acheron."
I felt myself blush.
“B—Beautiful lady…”
"Hey, what's with this reaction? When I called you pretty earlier, you hardly batted an eye," Stelle interjected, a bit annoyed.
"Oh... um, sorry?"
I was so used to the old Stelle teasing me, that I hadn't really taken her seriously when she had paid me those compliments. However, in the case of this woman called Acheron...
She’s so dignified… I wonder what’s her deal… She's also has something strange about her, but unlike that Sampo guy I don't think it's anything bad.
Acheron seemed amused by our exchange, but after a few seconds she asked:
"By the way, what did you do to that man earlier? It was like someone took him on an emotional roller coaster."
"I was wondering about that too... What happened back there, exactly?" I pressed her.
"Clockie taught me some Clockwork."
Clockwork…?
Acheron looked equally puzzled by Stelle's words:
"Clockie?"
"Yes, the famous cartoon character. I think he's shown up in reality… I mean… in the Dreamscape. I don't really know how a cartoon character could show up around here, but according to Stelle, only honest people with childlike innocence can see him…" I explained, as Stelle nodded.
"Childlike innocence… It seems like I'm too old to qualify for that. But what you said would explain why I’m feeling the presence of something inexplicable next to us."
She can… feel it? I’m not sensing anything… is it because I’m so dishonest?!
But Acheron explained:
"We can both perceive these extraordinary things in the dream, probably due to our ability to react to memoria. But you're more attuned to it than I am. I thought your heightened perception was caused by something the elegant Memokeeper might have left in your mind. Now, it seems to me there are many more special beings like her in this dream."
A… memokeeper?
But this time it was Stelle that was as confused as me.
Seeing the expression on her face Acheron said:
"Shortly after we parted ways, I wandered into a ball without realizing it. A lady wearing a black veil invited me to dance. It was my first dance, and it was an unforgettable experience. It's a shame that I forgot to ask her for her name. I only know that she's from the Garden of recollection."
The garden of recollection… that’s the group that serves the Aeon of Remembrance.
Seems like the list of troublesome guests is just getting longer and longer… I’ll need to be very careful about how I move from now.
"Anyway," continued Acheron, "sorry for rambling. Once again, thank you for being kind to me. I wish you a great time in the dream, and I shall not interrupt your... date?"
"DATE…?! N-no we are not on a date!"
"Aren't we? I thought you were taking me to your secret base to confess your feelings! I'm kinda hurt" Stelle exclaimed, giving me a gentle nudge with her elbow.
"I... don't start making fun of me again..."
"Eheh," chuckled Acheron and walked away, waving her hand.
"You have a lot of... interesting friends," I said.
One look was enough to tell me that Acheron was no ordinary person either.
I hope she's not on the trail of the Watchmaker's Legacy as well... she seems like a tough cookie.
"What can I do... I'm very popular. But now, come on, let's continue our date."
“...”
I decided to pretend I hadn't heard that last part and continued to lead her towards our destination, hoping there would be no more unexpected events.
A few minutes later, we reached our destination and...
"Firefly... I... thanks..." Stelle's voice was full of emotion.
"Huh?"
"I... I've never seen a more beautiful manhole cover in my life. Now I understand why you chose this place as your secret base..."
"What? No! This is not my secret base. We need to go in there," I said, pointing at the manhole.
"Huh? Look, I was joking... Do you really want to go into a sewer?"
"Don't worry, it's not a sewer... I know it's hard after all the lies I told you... but just trust me. Stay close to me, it's quite dark."
After my reassurances, Stelle followed me without hesitation into the manhole, down the ladder and along the narrow, dark tunnel.
At the end, pushing down the grate, we emerged on the roof of a skyscraper, just as I had done for the first time a few days before.
Stelle looked around in amazement, then ran to the nearby railing.
“WOAH!”
"Breathtaking, isn't it?" I said to her as I got close, my eyes wandering across the blue sky, streaked with countless shooting stars, "we should be careful, guests are not allowed in here... but don't worry, it's not a dangerous place. It's just that we're on the edge of the Golden Hour, the Family are still redesigning the Dreamscape around here."
Stelle seemed too lost in that incredible sight to understand my words:
"So... beautiful. I can see why you chose this place as your secret base..."
"No, we still aren't there just yet...my stronghold is even better!”
"Even better!? Let’s go!"
We began our journey, sneaking behind the bloodhound guards on patrol and employing the strange devices that the Family used to shape the Dreamscape to make our way from rooftop to rooftop.
Stolen story; please report.
"Firefly, is that…?!" said Stelle stopping for a moment, to admire something high in the sky.
"Yeah, that's the Penacony Grand Theater we saw before in Clockie’s square. Seeing it from up here it’s all another thing, isn’t it? It radiates dazzling light perpetually, just like this glamorous dream. I suppose everyone who likes to bask in the light will be drawn to that kind of warmth...Like countless fireflies chasing the fire."
I feel that after I leave Penacony... I'll keep chaising this light for the rest of my life.
I sighed
"Let's go... we're almost there."
After a few minutes we finally reached the familiar stairs.
Since arriving in the Dreamscape, this place had been a daily stop for me.
"A... song? Where is it coming from?" muttered Stelle.
"It's called If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking , by Robin. Her songs are played in the dreamland from time to time as the Charmony Festival is drawing close."
"It’s… beaut-" but Stelle's voice faded as we climbed the last step.
The immensity of the Golden Hour sky opened up before us.
We were so high up that the darkness of the eternal night gave way to a brilliant light on the horizon. Above us, an endless shower of meteors descended towards the boundaries of this sweet dream.
Stelle hurried to the railing at the edge of the roof.
"Firefly... I've never seen... anything so incredible..."
"This spot is the closest place to the sky in the Dreamscape. It's far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and free from the bickering among the dreamers. You can feel the moment, the scenery, the people, and the dreamsm without being disturbed by anyone…" I said, approaching her.
"In this dream time is frozen," I continued, gazing into that impossible sky, "It's a golden dream we can all share... no matter who we are or if we have different goals, we can all fall asleep here equally. Members of the Astral Express, the IPC, Fools of the Tavern or... me."
I turned my eyes and our gazes met.
"Stelle.. I'm sorry. I... I really am a stowaway."
She nodded in response:
"I kind of expected that..."
"I'm not much of an actress, am I?" I replied with a bitter smile.
But still... still I can't tell her the whole truth. But at least something... I owe her that.
"You see my planet was destroyed by the Swarm. I have no place to call home in the universe but here... the Harmony accepts everyone, including wanderers from afar. The Family takes them in, but they... don't belong here."
I took a deep breath.
Will I be able to make her understand how I feel about this place and... her?
"In this splendid metropolis, some have a dream called Penacony, but some have dreams... that are no different from reality, even though everyone who comes here harbors the same motive in the beginning. And it's likewise for me. I have a wish I want to achieve so badly in the real world, but I can't. So, I want to give it a shot here…"
Stelle smiled gently at me:
"What is your dream? Maybe I can help you achieve it..."
You already are... but I can't tell you the whole story. But... but I need you to understand how important the time we spent together was to me.
"Entropy Loss Syndrome. Have you heard of this term?"
Stelle's smile faded as I explained my condition, giving way to a sad and worried expression.
Her hand rested on my arm.
"Firefly..is there..no cure?"
Why did I even think she would be a different person? She's just like...
----------------------------------------
“Firefly?”
“Uhm?”
I was lying on the couch in the living room of the Stellaron Hunter base, intent on reading a book, one of the few pastimes my body allowed me while I was outside of SAM.
Nearby, Stelle sat in an armchair, intent on playing a handheld console. She said she'd borrowed it from Silver Wolf, but I suspected that was far from the truth.
"Are you really sure that there is no cure for your disease?"
"Why this question all of a sudden?"
"I - your condition is getting worse, isn't it? Before I... well, you know. I'd like to do what I can to help you..."
I put the book down. Stelle was looking at me with a serious expression for once.
We had become closer lately and I had begun to realise that, behind this unhinged girl, there was an extremely kind person.
"I've already explained it to you, Stelle... there's nothing you can do about it. I cannot recover from it. When I was born, my genetic code was altered to increase my perception and allow me to pilot SAM... ELS is a direct result of it. I was born with it and soon it will make me disappear... there is nothing you can do about it. But... thank you," I added.
"But ... there must be something in the whole universe, at least I don't know ... that can alleviate your symptoms or delay the worsening of your condition," Stelle replied with a note of desperation in her voice.
"There's no way of knowing ... there's no point in setting out in search of something that you don't even know if it actually exists. Especially since the time I have left is so little..."
"But there is a chance! Didn't you join the Stellaron Hunters to subvert fate?" Stelle blurted out.
"My death is not the fate I wish to fight, Stelle. I have already accepted the fact that my end will come soon... it is how I will live until then that I want to focus on."
"Firefly ..." Stelle whispered, calming herself, "you are ... really brave..."
"Brave?"
Stelle looked into my eyes with a strange expression:
"Unlike you ... I am afraid."
"Afraid? Of what?"
It was not like her to act like this.
"I know my situation can't even be compared to what you're going through...but I'm scared. Losing my memory completely... isn't that practically like dying?
Without my memories, without my experiences... the new Stelle will practically be a different person."
"Stelle...are you not going to go through with the plan?"
"No, I will do it. I know why this is my script, I have to do it, it is for the good of the whole universe".
"So... Aren't you being brave too?"
"Me? But..."
"Being afraid of something like death is normal. Being brave doesn't mean not being afraid, it means not being consumed by fear... after all, I'm afraid too."
Stelle looked at me in surprise, but then nodded.
"Thank you... I'm such an idiot, I wanted to help you, but I ended up just venting to you..."
"Don't worry..."
After all, talking to you... helps me a little too.
Stelle suddenly jumped to her feet:
"But since we both don't have much time left, we should do whatever we can to enjoy life!"
“What are you...?!”
Stelle came over to the sofa and took me in her arms.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
"Silverwolf is on a mission, let's sneak into her room and play some of her games together"
"Let me go!" I complained and tried to wriggle out of her arms.
But there was no way, I finally gave up and let myself be carried up the stairs.
If Wolf finds out that I played with Stelle after all the times she begged me to do it with her...
But a smile crept across my face.
I wonder if video games are anything like controlling SAM...
"Firefly?"
"Um?"
"If the Stelle who will exist after me turns out to be a bad person... let her eat SAM's punch!"
----------------------------------------
There is no need for that Stelle.. the new you is as wonderful as the old one...
"No there is no cure," I replied.
Stelle's grip tightened more on my arm.
"Don't worry...I have long accepted that this is my reality."
"But here ... here we are in a dream... and... and... my condition doesn't affect me. So, how could I possibly resist it... I mean can you imagine it? I can actually free myself from the icy medical cabin in this dream… I can forget about all the doctor's advice. I can listen, and see, and touch, and think, and understand whatever I want with my body. So, although this world isn't real, this experience is priceless..."
I placed my hand on hers, still clasped on my arm, and turning to her, I added with a smile:
"...Just like this moment."
"Firefly…"
Stelle's face became more relaxed.
"Now I understand why you seem to love this place so much... And thanks to you... I think I've fallen in love with it too. I understand you can't tell me who you really are... but you really should think about becoming a guide."
"I'd..really like to..."
"You know, I didn't tell you... but I have no memories of my past. My memory begins in Herta Space Station, the place I told you about before.
Since then I have had many adventures. Honestly, sometimes it's a little tiring, being bounced around from one place to another solving troubles.
So today... spending time having fun with you, without any worries... was very important to me. So, thank you Firefly."
Stelle's gaze, like mine, lost itself in the horizon.
"I also want to thank you for bringing me here. This magnificent view in such a remote place, it must not have been easy to find. Thank you for sharing it with me. Looking at this sky, together with you... I feel like I have never been so happy. As you said, this moment is truly priceless and I will never forget it.
I felt tears blurring my vision, but did my best to hold them back.
This is exactly what I had hoped for...
But if I wanted her memory of me to stay that way and not be sullied...
"Stelle… I'm sorry. For certain reasons, there are things I can't reveal to you yet. But there are also things you should know. I am, in fact, after the Watchmaker's Legacy, but that doesn't mean we have to go our separate ways and be enemies. But at least... I hope things won't turn out that way. I hope… we can become friends.”
Stelle looked at me in amusement, "You idiot. We are already friends!"
"I...thank you."
My gaze joined hers in the horizon, at its brightest point.
"You see one time, in the past, I had a dream. In my dream, I saw a scorched earth, and a new sapling emerging from it. It bloomed against the morning sun, and whispered to me."
I turned again toward Stelle:
"Do you still remember the question on the invitation letter… why does life slumber?"
"Oh yeah... I don’t really get it.”
“I… think I know my answer. You see, everything is possible in this land of dreams. The nightmarish past will disperse and fade away like bubbles in water, and the future that you don't want to face will never come.”
In this dream I never have to go back inside SAM. I never have to fight and kill. I can be myself. I can be Firefly and… I wish this would never end.
"Why do people choose to sleep? I think… It is because they're afraid to wake up from the dream.”
I sighed
If only it were possible to continue this sweet dream forever..
"I'm sorry things are getting all bleak and serious... Let me see if I can do something to lighten the mood. Do you have any ideas? What would you guys on the Astral Express to liven up things?"
Stelle started grinning:
"Oh I know the perfect thing for this occasion. See one of my friends is obsessed with selfies!"
"Selfies? Oh… now that you say that I've been here so many times. Why didn't I think of taking a photo?"
"Don’t worry I’ll take a beautiful one for you… so I can add it to my collection!"
"I already told you I’m camera shy… could you… take it with me?"
"Of course!"
"Alright… since you are taller, you hold the camera. And don’t laugh at me, please."
This… this is the chance for me to have something to hold on to when everything is over.
Stelle took the phone from my hand, launched the camera app, and switched to the front-facing camera effortlessly. Then, she extended her arm and holding the phone at a distance, she ensured both of us were captured in the frame.
"Wait, let me get ready." I said, copying the victory pose Stelle was doing.
"Ok, I'm good. Let's do this. One… Two… Say cheeeese!"
Click
image [https://i.imgur.com/fE0j684.jpeg]
"Here you go," Stelle said, handing me the phone, "as I thought you came out great!"
"What are you talking about..."
But I felt my mind melt as I looked at the picture.
This... I'll treasure it forever....
"Hey Firefly... what is that...?"
Stelle walked over to a nearby flowerbed and started fiddling with it.
"What are you doing?"
"There are feathers sticking out of the ground, but... I can't get them out!"
"Feathers... I can't see anything!"
Is it another memoria being, like Clockie?
"And here we go!... Finally... And now... what the hell are you?"
Stelle continued talking to the invisible being for a while, then turned to me with a grin.
"What's going on?
"A little birdie told me that this is a popular spot for couples... so when are you going to confess to me?"
"This again?"
But for some reason I felt my heart rate quicken....
Calm down Firefly... you're just flustered because of the picture...
To my rescue came Stelle's phone, which began to ring.
The girl frowned at the screen. Eventually she looked up and turned back to me:
"I'm sorry, Firefly... I have to go..."
Oh... Well... I knew it would have to end sooner or later. And at least... I have this picture of me and her now.
"It's okay, don't worry... time... really flies. Come on, we can say goodbye at the golden hour!"
I started to go down the stairs, but Stelle grabbed my arm.
"We'll see each other again, right? I... give me your number! I don't know how long I'll be in Penacony, but until I leave... I'd like to spend more time with you."
"Stelle... The same goes for me..."
I just hope that the next time we see each other... it won't be for the battle written in my script.
"And even after I leave... You know, with the Astral Express I can go anywhere, even if you're not from here, maybe we can find each other on another planet! And anyway... on my travels I will do everything to find a way to help you in your condition".
If only her words could become reality, but... outside of here we will never be able to meet. It's better if her memories of me are limited to the girl she met in this dream.
Still, I nodded, smiling.
We walked back in silence. Eventually we reached the entrance to the Golden Hour.
I could tell immediately that something was wrong. There didn't seem to be a soul in here except... one unpleasant figure.
Ugh... him again... but where did everyone else go?
As we got closer, Stelle seemed to notice that something was amiss as well and approached Sampo:
"Sampo! What the hell is going on? Why has this place turned into a desert?"
Sampo's smile sent shivers down my spine. There was no trace of the joviality that had characterised him before. I could only read malice in that expression.
"We meet again, my dear... It looks like you have not taken my warnings to heart.... A pity. Are you so enchanted by that girl?"
The sinister air I had sensed around him before was now in full view, and his friendly tone had given way to razor-sharp words.
"You're just so... blind," he said to Stelle, in a mocking tone.
I stepped in front of Stelle and placed myself between her and Sampo.
I have to protect her.
"...Careful. I'm more than certain now that this friend of yours is dangerous."
"Oho, this brave little girl appears to be protecting you. I wonder why? Are you two that close?"
"You talk too much."
I prepared to materialise Sam's control device, but...
If I get into SAM now then Stelle will...
That moment of hesitation was fatal. The world around me began to spin.
This memoria concentration... my head...
The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness were Sampo's eyes, illuminated by a sinister red glow, his words now intelligible to my ears.
Stelle...