If an intruder had somehow managed to sneak into the Stellaron Hunters base and reached a certain room on the second floor, they'd have found a rather odd scene. The extremely dangerous intergalactic criminal known as Sam, the Molten Knight, was sitting on the edge of a chair that was far too small for his imposing frame. Although you couldn't see his eyes through the visor on his helm, it was easy to tell that he was intent on staring at something on the computer screen in front of him.
What was it? Was it the famous 'script' that those despicable terrorists were rumoured to be following to carry out their evil plans? No, it was nothing like that.
I smiled inside SAM's cockpit as my eyes scrolled through Little Gui's blog post entitled 'An exclusive interview with Coach Stelle' for what must have been the 20th time. Below the title, written in shiny red letters, was a photograph of a golden-eyed, grey-haired girl with a cocky expression on her face as she raised the mechanical fist of a young redheaded boy in the air.
She looks so cool.
As a fuzzy feeling crept inside me, my attention turned to the last paragraph of the article. By now I could have repeated it from memory.
Lil G.: Is there anyone you would like to thank for this victory?
Stelle: Of course! I dedicate this win to my girlfriend! Her fighting style inspired many of the moves I taught Luka. Aside from my impeccable coaching and Luka's iron fist, she was the key to our complete victory!
You are so silly Stelle!
I giggled, causing Sam's metallic voice to rumble through the room.
From what I had read in other news, Luka Strongarm had certainly made an impression during the Luminary Wardance, dispatching opponent after opponent. His battle with the Ringmaster of the Xianzhou Yanqing had been particularly exciting, but Stelle was going too far by calling it a complete victory. From the sound of it, the young disciple of General Jin Yuan had recognised Luka's prowess and given him the victory.
Besides... you only saw me fight once and I was holding back!
I laughed as I got up from the chair. A flash of green light illuminated my room as I deactivated SAM. The world instantly slowed down as the ELS symptoms became apparent, but I barely noticed. Sprawled out on my bed, she was all I could think about.
I'm so proud of her! I thought, smiling, as I looked at the framed photograph on the wall that portrayed Stelle smiling by my side.
I remembered how she'd confessed to me that, in spite of her usual crazy antics, she was always a bit nervous around strangers. But here she was, at the centre of a huge public event like the Wardance, even giving interviews!
She really embodies the Trailblaze perfectly, she's always going forward...
It was at that moment that a colder, sinister emotion began to creep up on the warm feeling in my chest.
I wonder if one day she'll leave me behind...
My smile disappeared and a sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the cracks on the skin of the back of my hand. They were the signs of my life slowly fading away due to the condition that forced me to be far away from the person I loved. I was trying my best to keep a positive attitude, but there was no way around it:
I miss her so much already... and it's only been a month.
Day after day I could feel my heart yearning for her company more and more. We texted a lot and called each other almost every day, but it wasn't enough. It was a much sweeter pain than the one I had felt before I left for Penacony, when I thought we would never see each other again. But it was still very hard to bear.
I looked around, hoping to find something to distract me and keep my mind from going to bad places. My room was unrecognisable from the anonymous, bare one I had lived in before. Along with all the mementos I had brought back from the Land of Dreams, I had begun to add a personal touch to my living space. A cute looking plant I had brought from a nearby planet sat in a pot in one corner. A new desk with a mirror was attached to the wall. On top of it was a much larger collection of make-up products than the one I had before. The most prized piece was of course the lipstick with the clover cap Stelle had gifted to me. I had also ordered many more plush toys for my army. The biggest one, a shark, was particularly adorable.
And, of course, there was also my new bookshelf filled with comic books. I didn't quite understand why Stelle had made me promise to stop playing the romance games Silver Wolf had lent me, but I had no intention of betraying her trust. So I had decided to find another way to learn how to be a good girlfriend. That's why, at Wolfie's suggestion, I had ordered a lot of a particular type of comics.
I think she called them yuri manga or something?
They had turned out to be cute and sweet stories about girls in love. I enjoyed them, but I couldn't help thinking that they wouldn't have helped me much. They were mostly about normal couples going to school together. And even the ones with more fantastical settings seemed rather tame compared to my circumstances.
I'm a terminally ill terrorist dating an intergalactic hero... and we can barely see each other... what am I supposed to do?
I sighed again as my eyes returned to the PC monitor. That had been Silver Wolf's idea too.
"If you keep staring at the small screen of your phone, you will ruin your stupidly good eyesight," she had said.
It was actually a very considerate thought on her part, but I suspected that she just wanted a reason to justify building a new machine. After all, I didn't really need the top specs, as she had called them, for the use I was going to make of this computer.
"You could use it to research your disease!" Wolfie had said as she fiddled with a screwdriver inside the PC case.
Unfortunately, I knew that any research I could do was not going to amount to much. Wolfie surely knew it too. She was the one who had scoured the net for any kind of useful lead we could follow to find out more about ELS. She had even hacked into Pier Point's IPC servers, but had found nothing of value. Whatever Jade knew about that damned silver lining, it seemed to be safely tucked away in her head.
Still, I had given Wolfie a grateful smile. She was doing her best to keep her spirits up. I almost wanted to punch her in the head, though, when she had started rolling on the floor laughing after seeing me typing on the keyboard.
"You look like a granny!" she had shouted hysterically.
Sadly, she was right. Not only had I never practised typing in my life, but SAM's fingers were far too big to do it accurately. I often ended up hitting two keys at once, which resulted in gibberish. In the end, though, I couldn't help but laugh as well. Someone on the outside might have thought it was mean of Wolf to tease me about something related to my condition, but I didn't mind. I knew there was no meanness behind her behaviour, in fact keeping things light was her way of cheering me up.
I sighed for the third time.
I miss her too.
Me and Kafka had convinced her to travel to the Xianzhou to keep an eye on Stelle. At first, when the Borisin crisis had started, I had been very happy with that decision. But now, the fact that I had to endure being far away from my best friend alongside my girlfriend only made things more difficult.
"You should really think more about yourself and less about that girl."
If ELS didn't affect my movement so much, I would have probably jumped out of bed. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn't heard Blade's heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. My Stellaron Hunter companion's gaze was fixed on the computer screen, a steaming mug in his hand. It wasn't the first time he'd scolded me for spending my time thinking about Stelle. But I didn't really mind. Ever since I had returned from my trip, he had always seemed rather worried about me.
"I told you, Blade, keeping tabs on her counts as thinking about myself!" I said, smiling at him.
Blade scoffed and handed me the tea he had brought.
If Elio had told me that my relationship with this gloomy looking man would end like this, I'd have thought his foresight was malfunctioning. After all, during our first encounter I had to physically restrain him so that Kafka could control his Mara-fuelled rage. But over time, I'd found that when his mind wasn't ravaged by the Long-Life Curse that afflicted him, Blade could be surprisingly caring. If your name wasn't Dan Heng, that is.
"Thank you!" I said, taking the mug.
It was probably very hot, but my body had lost a considerable amount of sensitivity by now, so I didn't really mind. I blew on it several times before I drank, though. Even if it didn't hurt, burning my tongue would have dulled what was left of my sense of taste, and I didn't want that to happen.
Blade sat down on the chair I had vacated, grabbed the mouse and changed the tab. This wasn't a new occurrence. Lately he had taken it upon himself to help me with my hopeless research into Entropy Loss Syndrome. I was sure he knew we'd come up empty, but I suspected he just wanted an excuse to keep me company. Someone who had lived as long as he had knew very well how painful loneliness could be.
"I thought you went out last night." I said, looking at him as he typed 'detereorqating genetirc conditioons' into the search bar. Not only were there typos, but he was even slower than me. For once I was glad Wolfie wasn't around or she would have teased him too.
"It was just a small job. Our radio picked up an IPC communication about the Antimatter Legion on a nearby planet," he said dryly.
"So you went in and took care of both of them. You know Kafka would be mad, right? We are supposed to be on vacation!" I chuckled.
But I couldn't really blame him for being restless. When I heard that the Borisin Warlord Hoolay had escaped from the Shackling Prison, I had to use all my self-control not to fly off to the Xianzhou. Unlike Kafka and Wolf, Blade and I weren't really able to take things easy, it seemed.
We are really hopeless when those two are not around.
"You also left the base two nights ago." Blade retorted while reading a complicated looking article.
I wasn't surprised that he had heard me. I had tried my best not to wake him, but SAM wasn't exactly good at not making noise.
"I just went to watch the sunset in one of the nearby galaxies... it was really pretty."
"Huh," he scoffed.
"Would you like to come with me next time?"
"I don't see the point. But it's not like I don't have time on my hands," he replied after a short moment of silence.
I felt a faint smile creep back onto my face.
A person who wants nothing more than to die and one who desperately wants to live a little more find solace in each other's company... I guess it's kind of poetic.
Time passed slowly as I continued to drink my tea and Blade continued to work on the PC. It was only 20 minutes later that a voice broke the silence. And it wasn't one of ours.
"Why the hell are you so close to the screen, Blade? Do you need glasses or something?"
"Uh?"
Wolfie's cheerful tone came from the computer's speakers. I quickly activated SAM and stepped closer to see what was going on, since Blade's wide back obscured part of the screen. As I approached, I saw that in a small window in the corner was the smiling face of my best friend and colleague, Silver Wolf. Strangely enough, behind her was what looked like the interior of a spaceship, and not the lavish Xianzhou-style garden from which she had been calling us lately.
"You know very well that if my eyesight were to suddenly deteriorate, the Mara would restore it immediately," Blade replied, sounding annoyed.
"Wolfie! Why are you calling us like this?" I asked, looking at her in surprise.
"What's the matter, not happy to see me? Sorry to interrupt. I'm sure you and Blade have been having a great time. Did I walk in when the funeral march was about to start?"
"Have you contacted us just to mess around?" asked Blade in a stern tone, while my laugh, metallic and deep due to SAM's voice module, echoed through the room.
"I didn't actually. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be back tomorrow morning," she said with a grin.
"Tomorrow? I thought you were staying on the Xianzhou for another week!" I exclaimed as I felt my heart suddenly become much lighter.
"That was the idea. But Kafka sent me a message: the new script is ready, so vacation time is over. She told me to let you know as soon as possible."
The happiness I felt quickly turned to worry and then, unexpectedly, to excitement. In the past I had never been happy about the missions I was given, but after the last one things had changed. Maybe, just maybe, the script would have me and Stelle cross paths again.
As my heart rate quickened, I took a deep breath:
Relax, Firefly. Don't get any unreasonable expectations... Stelle is going to Amphoreus, that's not a place I can just sneak into like Penacony... besides, even if this script has something to do with her, there's no guarantee I'll be the one chosen by it.
But luckily, seeing Stelle wasn't the only thing I could look forward to. If my attempts to find the silver lining Jade had mentioned didn't work out, there was only one thing I could do: have faith in Elio's promise. As much as it burned me to admit it, I had truly received an unforgettable reward during my last mission, so maybe, just maybe, following the play he had written could lead me to the cure I craved.
But don't get me wrong, I'm doing this of my own free will. I'm going to create my own destiny, not be a slave to it like you. And if you force me to do something like fight Stelle, I'll try to rebel again, even if it doesn't work.
"Even with the armor on, I can see that you are already pumped up... or could it be that you missed me that much?" Wolf teased me.
"Of course I missed you!" I exclaimed.
My answer obviously wasn't the one Wolf wanted:
"You're no fun..." she said, rolling her eyes, "Cya tomorrow!"
And just like that she was gone. I made a mental note not to look up anything on the computer that might embarrass me.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"A new script, that's unexpected," Blade commented calmly, getting up from the chair, "I was sure Kafka mentioned we'd have to wait a bit longer."
"Maybe Elio changed his mind or something..."
But it really was strange. Since Elio could see the future, his plan had been set in stone a long time ago. Waiting for the script was only necessary for us, the actors. The information would be always revealed at the right time. Perhaps this surprise was a necessary part of the script.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow... I thought as Blade left the room.
I looked at the clock with a smile.
Only 20 minutes to go.
I got out of my armor and got back into bed. My gaze went back to my favourite picture among all the others on the wall. I looked at her again. Her smile was enough to erase all my worries.
"...I find myself lost in your eyes..." I hummed softly.
Wolfie was right, I really was behaving like a lovesick girl.
When my phone rang, my finger was ready to answer.
"Stelle!" I shouted happily.
"Coach Stelle, you mean!" my girlfriend's cheerful voice sounded from the phone.
"Yes, yes, I read all about Luka's exploits!"
I smiled. I could see her proud face in my mind. If only I could've patted her on the head. Since it wasn't possible, I picked up the giant raccoon plushie that reminded me so much of her and hugged it as tightly as my little strength would allow.
"We triumphed! We totally crushed the competition! So... do you regret not asking me for an autograph last time?" she asked jokingly.
"Maybe a little..." I replied with a chuckle, "but see, I told you the Wardance would be fun!"
"It was... I still would have preferred to spend some time with you, though! I'm sorry if I haven't been able to call you much lately... you know what happened with those wolf dudes. Are you lonely, Firefly? Are they treating you well?" her tone now betrayed concern.
She knew Silver Wolf wasn't with me, and her relationship with Kafka and Blade was complicated at best.
"Don't worry. Of course I miss you very much, but I'm fine! After experiencing death three times, I needed to relax a bit. Kafka is out all the time, but Blade is helping me look into ELS!"
I'm sorry Stelle... I'm doing it again...
But how could I have told her that every moment I was away from her felt like hell? Especially after I had turned down Sunday's offer and told her that staying apart was the right choice for now?
Stelle had to look forward, that was the Path of the Trailblazer. I didn't want to be the one to hold her back.
"I see..." she murmured, not sounding very convinced. But apparently she decided not to pry any further and continued: "Speaking of which, during Luka's training, we went to the Alchemy Commission. I met a very pretty dragon lady there! She has such fair skin, super smooth! And her pointy ears are so cute!"
"A dragon lady... you mean you made friends with a Vidyadhara lady! That's fantastic! I heard they have some cool abilities, what is it called... cloud-something magic?"
For some reason, Stelle remained silent.
"Stelle?" I asked, worried that the call was having issues.
Luckily it wasn't the case.
"I'm sorry, Firefly. I was trying to tease you," Stelle sighed, "since you said you weren't lonely... I was trying to make you jealous."
"Oh..."
I hadn't considered that she might take my words that way.
"...it's fine. I really miss you, Stelle. I think about you all the time. But you really don't have to worry about me."
"How can I not worry..." she sighed again, "but I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, it was kind of mean... but you really aren't jealous at all?"
Jealous, huh? I guess that's something a normal girlfriend should be... maybe? I'm really not normal.
"I mean, I don't like the fact that I can't be by your side... but I trust you, Stelle. And I want you to experience new things and meet lots of people. You want to live your life as Stelle and not as a Stellaron vessel, don't you?"
Another silence followed. And then:
"You are an angel, Firefly! An angel! I'm sorry I tried to mess with you! I have eyes only for you, you are the sweetest, the prettiest, the most beautiful girl in the world! Dragon ladies, fox ladies... even the Aeon of Beauty can't hold a candle to you!" shouted Stelle, sounding like she was about to cry.
"What are you talking about..." I muttered. But I could feel myself blushing. Now that we were a couple, brushing off her compliments was not as easy as it used to be.
"The pure and simple truth!" Stelle replied, but then she continued in a more serious tone, "But this lady, Miss Lingsha, she's an expert on the diseases you see. It's incredible, she can tell what's wrong with people just by smelling them. So I asked her if she knew anything about Entropy Loss Syndrome..."
"...but she didn't know anything," I finished for her.
It wasn't surprising that even an expert healer wasn't familiar with it, after all it wasn't a natural disease but an artificial condition that had been maliciously implanted in me.
"But she will look into it! The Alchemy Commission has many contacts all over the universe, you see! I'm sure they'll find something useful."
"You really are becoming influential, Stelle! Mobilising such a powerful group for me! Thank you!" I exclaimed.
I was truly grateful. Even if it didn't amount to anything, the fact that Stelle was trying so hard to help me filled my heart with unbridled happiness.
"But... a stranger sniffing me would be pretty embarrassing!" I joked, trying to lighten the mood again.
"Don't worry! I can testify that you smell fantastic!" Stelle replied in a voice full of conviction.
"Huh? When did you...? Stelle!"
We both laughed in unison. But when we stopped and Stelle started to speak again, her tone was even more serious than before.
"Firefly... today I heard that a person I know has arrived here on the Xianzhou. She's a strange one, but... she's someone that might actually be able to help you. You see... she's an expert in genetics..."
It sounded too good to be true. And the fact that Stelle's voice was worried rather than ecstatic made it clear that this person was problematic.
A woman expert in genetics that Stelle knows... It can only be one person.
"You are talking about Miss Ruan Mei," I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice.
Stelle seemed to catch it:
"So... you know her?" she asked hesitantly.
"Not personally. But her name was the first Wolf mentioned to me when we talked about ELS. You know how she likes to pester the Genius Society."
"I see... but then... you know, it's kind of her field... I thought I could talk to her about..."
"No!" that single two letter word escaped my lips in a much harsher tone than I wanted.
"Firefly..."
I cursed myself, hearing Stelle sound hurt, and said in a much softer voice:
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lash out at you. I'm really glad you're trying to help me... I want to keep living so I can be by your side, but there are some lines I'll never cross. One is betraying the people who care about me... the other is accepting help from someone like that woman."
"I see... so you know what she did..." Stelle said.
"I know," I replied dryly.
Ruan Mei, member #81 of the Genius Society. I had done a lot of research on her. I needed to know why... why would someone do something as terrible as trying to revive my old enemy?
When Silver Wolf had told me what was going on in the depths of the Herta Space Station, I had felt a rage I hadn't thought possible. If Kafka hadn't threatened to use her powers on me, I probably would have stormed off and maybe, right now, there would be nothing but the dead emptiness of space where the space station normally orbited.
"I did not want to hide it from you. I just thought that... since she can probably save you... I am sorry," Stelle mumbled.
Why do I have to be like this... I thought, my chest tightening as I heard all the sadness in my girlfriend's voice.
I had shared with her the pain my condition was causing me, the fact that my life was on a countdown, and now that she was giving me a solution, here I was shutting her down so insensitively.
"Please don't apologise, Stelle! You're fantastic, I really don't deserve to have someone as wonderful as you as my girlfriend."
"Don't say that..."
"It's true! You do everything to help me, but I only put you down... I'm sorry, it's just hard to talk about it..."
"You don't have to Firefly... it's fine, I understand."
"No, you don't. You can't. And it's okay, I want to explain... I want you to know..." I said, taking a deep breath. At that moment, scenes from the past flashed before my eyes as a huge weight began to form in my chest.
"Bugs don't sound like a threatening thing, do they? You fought a Lord Ravager... you saw a Self-Annihilator draw her blade and you even won against a newborn Aeon. But for me... I can still see them clearly in my mind, Stelle. You know I can't dream, but when I close my eyes, it's almost as if I'm being swallowed by a waking nightmare."
"Firefly..."
"They were so many... so many that you couldn't even see the stars at night, and even in the morning they clouded the sky so much that it felt like a perpetual sunset... one drenched in blood. And the stench of those battlefields... I can still feel it in my nostrils... their burnt flesh mixed with that of my comrades, all torn to pieces. We fought for so long... but there was no end to them. It was like trying to hold back a foul, dark ocean with our hands... By the end of the war, the terrain of Glamoth and the nearby planet was soaked with their bile... nothing could grow on them anymore. And it was all for nothing... even though I and the other Iron Cavaliers were created for the sole purpose of fighting them, we still lost. They killed everyone until I was the only one left-"
It was only when my voice broke that I realised I had been crying.
"It's all right, Firefly, they are gone now, you are still alive and you have me and the others... we all love you. And if anyone, even Ruan Mei, tries to bring the Swarm back, I'll beat some sense into them," Stelle said gently.
I hugged the plushie tightly. I still remembered the warmth of her body. Even though we were far away, it was enough to give me some comfort.
"Thank you, Stelle. I love you..."
"Me too... forget I said anything, okay? And no more tears. This Galactic Baseballer will find another way to heal you. I mean, Amphoreus sounds like a cool place, they probably know a trick or two on there!"
"Yeah, you're right..." I agreed, sniffing.
I had been so determined to handle everything on my own, to fight fate 1vs1, but now I was just happy to be reassured. And strangely enough, I didn't feel ashamed.
Having someone I can show some weakness to... it's kind of nice.
Soon my tears stopped and a new smile appeared on my face. It was a sad one, but a smile nonetheless.
"I didn't tell you the truth before Stelle. I miss you so much it hurts... I'm lonely."
"Careful Firefly, if Silver Wolf hears you she'll make fun of you again for being too sappy!" Stelle said, making me laugh, but then she murmured, "the same goes for me Firefly... do you remember the other day when I wrote to you about that weirdo pretending to be you?"
"Of course I do!"
It was not as if Silver Wolf was going to let me forget that so easily.
"It's kind of silly... but when I saw your name on the tournament table, I got super excited for a moment!"
"Oh Stelle!"
"So I was thinking..." she continued hesitantly, "I was thinking... can we see each other soon? Me and the crew were thinking of making one last stop at Penacony before we leave for Amphoreus."
Penacony...
Of course it was the easiest place for us to meet. The idea of getting to live in my body again for a bit more was also very tempting.
A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the terrible sensation of the memoria pressure forcing me to relive the memories I had just shared with Stelle.
But if it's to see her... I can bear that without a problem.
But there was a much bigger problem: the new script.
"Stelle, I don't know if we'll be able to," I replied reluctantly, "I really want to, but I'm probably going to be sent on a new mission tomorrow. I doubt it'll be to Penacony, since I was there less than a month ago..."
"A mission... I thought you were going to be on vacation for a while!"
"So did I, but apparently Elio has already sent Kafka the new part of the script."
"The new part of the script..." Stelle repeated, "Could it be...? Maybe it's about which of you will show up on Amphoreus! And since the only way in is through a mirror of the Garden of Recollection... he'll let you board the Express with me! You are the one Himeko would allow to travel with us!"
I wish I had her optimism...
"Stelle... I doubt the locals would be happy if they found out you were smuggling in an intergalactic criminal..." I replied with a sigh.
"We could get SAM a costume! Leave it to me!" she exclaimed.
I don't know about that...
I had an idea of what kind of costume she had in mind. But I laughed, letting her enthusiasm infect me:
"All right! Sure! Let's have another date in Penacony! Whatever mission I'm assigned to, I'll finish it quickly and meet you there!" I declared fiercely.
"That's my girlfriend!" Stelle said happily, but then turned serious again, "but don't overdo it, ok? No crazy stunts... I miss you, but I don't want to put you in danger because of me."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. We usually work in pairs anyway. I think this time it will be with Kafka, as we haven't worked together for a while. There's no way she'll let me get hurt."
"I don't know if I can really trust her... but I believe in you, Firefly! Even if you still feel like hiding things from me... Don't worry, I'll make sure I get every secret out of you in time," she said, sounding mischievous.
"I'm looking forward to it," I giggled, "I can't wait to see you again Stelle!"
"Me too. Now go eat something and get some rest! Save your energy for when we meet again soon! Good night Firefly... I love you!"
"I will, don't worry! Goodnight Stelle, I love you too!"
Since I didn't need so much sleep, I would have spent the night on the roof, looking at the night sky and thinking about all the fun I would have when I met my own star again.
----------------------------------------
I stood quietly in a corner of the kitchen while Blade was eating his breakfast. I was not hungry at all. All the confidence I had shown during yesterday's phone call was leaving my body as the moment approached when the new script would be revealed. But there was also a more pleasant feeling inside me.
I can finally see Wolfie again!
When I caught the sound of the base door opening with my acute hearing, I ran quickly towards the entrance, making the floor shake under SAM's weight.
"What the hell's going on in there?" I heard Wolfie say, still outside. As she entered I was ready to jump into her arms, deactivating my armor in mid-air.
"What the hell?" Wolf shouted as she tried her best to hold me, "Oh, it's you! For a second there I thought I had fallen into an IPC ambush!" she exclaimed.
Even through my dulled senses, it was so nice to feel her tiny body against mine.
"You really should stop doing this kind of stuff! What if you fell? You know that IRL strength is not one of my many qualities!" she scolded me as she patted me awkwardly on the back.
"But I'm so happy you're back, Wolfie!" I said, pulling away from the hug a bit to look at her face.
As usual, she looked a little annoyed by my show of affection, but she still had a faint smile.
"Of course you're happy. I bet Blade doesn't put up with your antics half as well as I do," she said, putting an arm around my waist to help me back into the kitchen.
"He's very nice, you know?"
"That's because you're always sighing... 'Oh, how can I live apart from my Stelle? Look at me, I'm such a tragic maiden in love!' You are making even Mr Edginess feel sorry for you."
"I never said anything like that... and don't call him that," I complained, pouting jokingly.
Suddenly, even through my numbed body, I felt Wolfie's finger digging into my side.
"Ehi!"
"Don't tell me... are you putting on weight, Fly?"
I looked at her, stunned:
"Of course I'm not! I don't think my body is even capable of that, you know!"
"Mhh... I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe that's why Stelle thought that chubby dude was you in a costume!" she said with a grin.
"This again? When are you going to drop it?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"Never. But anyway, have you continued to experiment? Maybe that's why you're getting fatter!"
"I have... but no luck yet."
Ever since I got back from Penacony, I had been trying to bake some Oak Cake Rolls using the recipe book I bought. It turned out to be much more complicated than I thought. My first attempts, using SAM's fire to cook them, had resulted in inedible charcoal. Silver Wolf had then supplied us with an oven and things had got better, but we were still doing something very wrong. If we'd asked Kafka, she'd probably have known how to make them come out perfect, but I really wanted to do it myself. Or at least with Wolf's help.
"I can't just throw everything away... it would be a waste of food..." I said, shaking a little, thinking of the extremely bitter ones I had eaten the day before. They tasted so bad that for once I thanked Entropy Loss Syndrome had dulled my taste buds.
"Firefly... I think you'll die of poisoning before ELS catches up to you," Wolf chuckled.
"They're not that bad... but maybe we could have Blade taste test them..."
"Oh, you are a genius! He can't actually die from them!"
Laughing together, we entered the kitchen where Blade had finished his breakfast.
"Sup Bladie," Silver Wolf greeted him.
"I told you not to use that nickname," he replied in a stern tone.
"I don't remember you complaining when Kafka does it," she retorted, taking a seat at the table after helping me to my chair.
Blade just scoffed as he poured her coffee.
The next hour passed quickly as Silver Wolf told us all about her trip to the Xianzhou Luofu. When I heard the door of the base open again, my heart jumped in my throat: the decisive moment had come. I listened with trepidation to Kafka's light footsteps as she approached the kitchen.
"Good morning," the beautiful woman said as she entered the room and took off her coat. The atmosphere changed almost instantly. There was something about Kafka that made everyone tense. Even we, her companions, were not completely immune to this feeling.
"Kafka! Welcome back!" I said, trying my best to stand up to greet her.
"Stay seated dear, we can just talk here. No need to go to the briefing room when Elio's not around," she said, taking a seat at the head of the table.
"Is that cat still MIA?" asked Silver Wolf, biting into her toast, "or did you know where he went and were just keeping it a secret..."
A faint smile appeared on Kafka's face:
"You hurt me Silver Wolf, do you really think I would hide something from my dear colleagues?"
All three of us looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"Ara, I guess it can't be helped," she said with a chuckle.
She filled her cup with coffee before continuing calmly:
"Elio is meeting with a rather influential person, you see... he just didn't want you to worry about him."
Elio is meeting someone?
That was something out of the ordinary. Even we, the four Stellaron Hunters, were small fries compared to our leader. For him to expose himself by meeting someone in person...
I watched Kafka take a folder out of her bag with a terrible sense of foreboding. This script was not going to be one of the usual missions, I was sure of it.
Stelle... I really hope I can keep my promise.
"Why doesn't the cat just send us a message like a normal person? I guess he really loves his theatrics..." Silver Wolf commented while Blade absentmindedly cleaned his sword.
"Let's just get on with it, shall we? I can already see Sam shaking with excitement," Kafka giggled as she stared at me with her sharp red-wine eyes.
Excitement is definitely not what I'm feeling right now, Kafka...
But she knew very well. She was Kafka, after all. If she was teasing me like this... could it be that the script wasn't so bad after all? But when she spoke again, my hopes were immediately dashed.
"The actors for this script will be... all of us."
It was as I feared. The missions that required all of us to mobilise were the hardest, like the Jepella one. Even if things went perfectly, it was very likely that I wouldn't make it back in time to see Stelle.
Kafka's smile seemed to widen when she heard my sigh:
"I understand your disappointment, Sam. It will be a boring mission for you after all. I bet you would've preferred a change in scenery."
"Huh?" I looked at Kafka, confused.
"Our destination is: the Land of Dreams, Penacony."