...?!

In the darkness in which I was immersed, I clearly felt that something was about to touch me. Was it an enemy?

Target acquired.

I quickly opened my eyes to find myself face to face with a stunned Stelle, her index finger firmly gripped in my hand. I instantly let go in dismay:

"I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?!" I asked.

To my relief Stelle started to giggle:

"Don't worry! It's not like it's my real finger anyway! I was just startled... your hand moved so fast that I almost fell off the bed from the surprise!"

"I'm sorry!" I apologised again, "when I was a soldier I was trained to wake up immediately in case of an attack..."

If I was sleeping inside Sam like I usually do... I could've really hurt her.

"It's okay, it's okay! It's my fault for thinking of launching a terrible poking assault on your cheeks!" Stelle smiled as she dug her finger into the side of my face.

"So soft!" she chuckled.

Seeing her gentle expression instantly soothed my guilt. But Stelle's face soon changed to one of mischief.

"But is a soldier supposed to be such a sleepyhead?" she asked cheekily.

Sleepy...head?! That's right! Why was I asleep?!

The sudden awakening had not made me realise the situation I was in. Of course, since we were still in the Golden Hour, there was no sun peeking through the curtains of the window of our hotel room, but something told me that it was already morning. I quickly grabbed my phone from the bedside table and, after unlocking it, stared at it in disbelief.

"11am?!"

My plan last night had been to watch over Stelle to make sure she didn't have one of her nightmares, but I had apparently fallen asleep. That in itself was strange. My body didn't need to rest very often. Usually a couple of hours was enough to keep me going for two or three days.

But oversleeping like this? Is this a special effect of sleeping in the Dreamscape? But Stelle woke up before me!

Perhaps my body didn't need rest, but my mind did, after the emotional exhaustion of finally meeting Stelle after missing her so much. But still, waking up so late was way too much!

"I'm sorry Stelle," I mumbled, "I can't believe I made you wait for me! You should have woken me up!"

"What are you talking about?" Stelle hugged me from behind, poking her head over my shoulder to kiss me on the cheek, "Stop apologising, dummy. You said it yourself yesterday, we can be childish sometimes and there's no problem with that. If you slept this long, it means you needed it. Besides... you gave me a lot of material for my collection!"

"Material for your collection?" I repeated, confused.

"What do you think people will say when they see the baby face Stellaron Hunter Sam has when she sleeps?" Stelle replied, stretching her arm out in front of us to take a selfie with her phone.

"You... took a picture of me while I was sleeping?! Delete it immediately!" I yelled as I tried to grab her phone out of her hand. But Stelle quickly lifted it out of my reach.

"No can do!" she said, releasing me from the hug and trying to escape. But I quickly grabbed her waist and stopped her from getting away. The ensuing playful wrestling lasted only a few seconds. Soon I had Stelle pinned beneath me, her wrists locked tightly in my hands.

"So forceful... are you sure you want to take me now? I thought you said you wanted to wait..." Stelle muttered, looking away shyly.

I let her go immediately, my cheek flushing as I remembered yesterday's events. But as soon as I did, I saw a grin form on Stelle's lips:

"Mpfh," she let out a suppressed laugh.

"Stelle... is teasing me your new Path or something?" I sighed in annoyance, realising she was messing with me.

"Oh, when it comes to that, I'm definitely Aeon level!" she chuckled.

"Yes, yes... can you delete the picture now?"

"I never took any... I'd never do anything as rude as taking pictures of my sleeping girlfriend without her consent!"

So she was screwing with me from the start!

But instead of irritation, I felt a smile light up my face. This awakening had definitely been sudden... but it was probably the best I had ever had.

If I was still in the Iron Cavalry, I would have been severely punished for oversleeping. But... I'm not anymore.

I was in Penacony, having fun with my girlfriend, who accepted every side of me. There was nothing wrong with letting my guard down.

My past... I will never forget it. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't change.

Once a soldier, always a soldier, was what people said. And for me, who had been one from the day I was born, it was probably even truer.

But if there's anyone who can deprogramme me from all the training I've been subjected to... it's her, I thought as my smile widened.

Someone as chaotic as Stelle was the exact opposite of the stern and cold generals of the Firmament Front.

"I don't know... the Stelle I know is capable of anything. After all, she's the biggest idiot in the universe. If Dr. Ratio said it, it must be true!" I finally chuckled.

"You hurt me, Firefly. You used to be so gentle and kind to me and now you are starting to treat me as badly as March," Stelle whined dramatically as she pouted.

"Stelle... just the other day you sent me a message about staging her funeral. I think she has every right to scold you!" I countered with a giggle.

"I see... you are taking her side. Very well then. Since you said I'm capable of anything... how about this!"

Before I could stop her, her hands went to my sides.

"Ngh!"

I quickly covered my mouth to keep myself from laughing out loud, but Stelle looked at me with her usual mischievous expression:

"Oh oh! It seems I have found the hidden weakness of the strongest Stellaron Hunter!"

"Huh?! No Stelle, sto- ahahaaha!"

When Stelle suddenly started a tickling attack on my ribs, I quickly understood that having my entire body's sensitivity restored also had some disadvantages.But I had no intention of letting her win, so I immediately launched my counter-attack. Five minutes later we were both laying side by side, gasping for breath from laughing so hard.

"I... thought... I... had... you... this time," Stelle said, panting.

"... you... will... need... much... more... to... beat me..."

"... fine... next time."

We quickly started laughing again, which only made the situation worse. When we finally calmed down, we started to get dressed, sitting on opposite sides of the bed. This time, unlike last night, I wasn't nervous. I knew that Stelle, as much of a menace as she was, would respect my wishes and not take a peek at my naked body.

"Say, Firefly, have you heard anything from your... friends?" Stelle asked suddenly as I tied my boots.

"Nothing," I said.

I was very glad that was the truth. If Silver Wolf had tried to contact me and found out that I was blissfully asleep in the same bed as Stelle, I would never have heard the end of it.

"I see..."

Stelle's tone betrayed hesitation.

"What's the matter Stelle, are you afraid we're going to cause trouble for you and the Express?" I asked, turning around to see Stelle staring into the emptiness.

"No, it's not that... Silver Wolf said you could relax and take it easy, so... she's a bit of a punk, but I don't think she'd lie to you."

"Then what's the problem?" I asked again, walking around the bed to sit by her side. I put my hand over hers and squeezed it.

"Kafka... she's here," she said after a second of silence.

"You don't want to see her?" I asked slowly, trying to look into her face. But Stelle quickly turned away.

It had been a while since she and Kafka had seen each other. From what my colleague Stellaron Hunter had told me, their last meeting on the Luofu had been quite eventful. Stelle had helped the Divination Commission capture her, but then had ended up helping her get Blade out of there. These two contradictory actions perfectly described how complicated their relationship was. But it couldn't be helped.

They used to be so close, and now Stelle doesn't even seem to want to talk about her... but their fates are tied together. As much as Stelle's brain tells her to get away from Kafka... her heart won't let her.

To confirm my suspicion, Stelle muttered, shaking her head:

"I really don't know Firefly. It's a bit like how I felt about you. Even though I didn't remember the time we spent together, I still felt like I wanted to be close to you. But with her... it's much more complicated. I feel like... I don't understand her."

Tell me about it...

"Every time she talks, it sounds like she's playing with me. Every word she says sounds both perfectly true and a lie at the same time. And... she just toys with people. Look what happened on the Luofu. Instead of asking for our help, she just manipulated us into doing her bidding, as if we were her playthings. Of course, in the end, her actions still helped us save everyone. But couldn't she have just talked to us straight? She was pretty direct when she asked me to help her with Blade."

At these words, the guilt I had felt for lying to Stelle the last time came back as strong as ever. But she seemed to sense this and quickly added:

"You felt guilty for lying to me, Firefly. And you did nothing but help us, even going so far as to risk your life for us! I mean, look at Himeko, she can't stand Kafka, but she really likes you! She was so happy when I told her I wanted to invite you on the Express."

Her words eased the pain a little.

"Thank you Stelle, but..."

"But still... I can't get her out of my mind. Knowing that she's here... I feel like running around looking for her. I know it doesn't make any sense... maybe it's some kind of imprint, since she's the first person I saw when I woke up on the station."

"That's not it, Stelle."

Like the one I shared with her, the bond between Kafka and Stelle could not be broken by mere amnesia. Even if she didn't have her memories, Stelle unconsciously was trying to reach out to her. And Kafka, even though, unlike me, she believed in sticking to the script, was doing the same. The words she had said to me before this trip, were a clear sign of that.

...but at the moment they are both unable to give each other what they want...

"Stelle... I know Kafka more than you do now... but I still don't really understand her myself. But what I do know is that she really cares for you in her own way. So... if you can... what you just told me... tell her. She'll try to push you away, but I think she really wants to hear those words from you.

"I... okay."

Stelle gave me a tentative smile.

But are they actually going to meet?

Perhaps it would be better if whatever our plan was for this mission in Penacony, it would be set in motion after the Express left for Amphoreus.

I really don't want to cause problems for Stelle.

"Penacony to Firefly, Penacony to Firefly!"

"Er, oh sorry, what were you saying?" I asked as Stelle poked my cheek again.

"I said how about we go for lunch? I mean, technically it will be breakfast for us!" she giggled.

"I'm sorry... but sure!"

"Do you mind if the others join us? They just told me they are about to come into the Dreamscape."

"I don't mind at all, but... are you sure I should be with you? What if someone-"

"Don't worry? We sort of own the place now, no one will suspect anything if you're with us. Besides, March really wants to see you! And the others really like you too, like I said! You are an honorary member after all!" Stelle said smiling as she took my hand to lead me out the door.

"Okay..." I said timidly.

I was not used to hang out with so many people, aside for my companions. But since Stelle was at my side, everything was likely going to be fine.

"Speaking of members... it looks like we are getting a new one," Stelle said casually while we were in the hotel lift.

"What?!"

This was definitely not the kind news I was expecting. After all, we, the Stellaron Hunters, were keeping a very close eye on what was going on in the Express.

Is Wolfie slacking off with her intel?

"That's great! Who are they?" I asked curiously.

"I don't know."

"Huh?!"

"I really don't. You see, the reason we are in Penacony is to meet them. Miss Jade will introduce them to us."

As soon as I heard that name, I understood why I hadn't heard anything.

Jade... the person Elio likely had a chat with...

There was no doubt that this mysterious new member of the Astral Express had something to do with the reason why we Stellaron Hunters were in Penacony. And since it was part of the new script, I was kept in the dark about it.

"And you really have no idea who they are?" I asked.

"I don't... what's going on Firefly? You look nervous."

"I... are you really going to bring someone that Jade recommends into your crew? You know she doesn't do anything for free, right?" I asked.

I couldn't hide the contempt in my voice. It wasn't because of Jade herself, or because of what had happened the last time we met on Radiant Feldspar. If anything, I found Jade quite respectable by IPC standards. At least she didn't hide who she really was or try to trick people. She put her true nature on display and let people choose to deal with her of their own free will.

But the IPC in general? I had no sympathy for them. While peace sounded like a good word in theory, the way they were pursuing it was not something I could condone.

Is it worth people losing their freedom to maintain peace and prosperity? I don't think so. Maybe, even if Elio and I hadn't crossed paths, I would have ended up on their wanted list anyway.

As for the Ten Stonehearts, I really didn't know much about them. According to Jade, they all had their own agendas, but their ultimate goal was to see the Amber Lord triumph in the War of the Aeons. Although it was THEY who had sealed my mortal enemy, Qilphot's path was one of the most antithetical to mine.

Preservation... just sounds like stagnation to me... things have to come to an end eventually, or they have to move forward.

"I know," Stelle nodded, "that's what I told Himeko. I said 'this is surely her way of putting a mole of the IPC between us'! But she said we couldn't really refuse. We're becoming important as a faction again, you see. We have to maintain a good relationship with the IPC, since we are both big players here in Penacony."

Is this why Jade made them take a stake in Penacony? I thought, biting my thumb nail.

"Hey, don't worry! As much as I have my doubts, I trust Himeko, she's THE adult of the Express! Besides, there's nothing to worry about, we'll just go around solving problems as usual! Even if we have an IPC lackey among us, things won't change much! And don't worry about them taking up space! The Express has plenty of rooms and... you could just stay in mine when you join."

I sighed as Stelle's sweet eyes melted away my worries.

But you really don't understand how important you are, Stelle... I thought as we walked together towards Oti Mall.

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

"Woah, this suit looks so good on you!" March ran up to me and grabbed my hands.

"Thank you!" I replied, overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

"Where did you buy it?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"You know you could never pull off this look, right?" Stelle commented cheekily.

"Stelle..." I glared at her, causing her to lower her eyes, "It's tailor-made! I don't really know where Kafka orders them, but I can ask her!"

"Tailor-made?!" March's eyes widened, then she turned to the other three people approaching us, "Himeko, I think I'm going to defect to the Stellaron Hunters!"

"I don't think you'll fit in there. Don't you always say how scary they are?" Dan Heng commented calmly.

"If Pom Pom hears you, they'll turn your room into the new broom closet," Himeko chuckled softly, "It's good to see you Miss Firefly, is everything alright?"

"Yes, Miss Himeko, Mr Yang, Dan Heng, it's a pleasure to meet you again," I said, bowing my head slightly.

The two men from the Astral Express greeted me as well.

"So polite and graceful! You should really learn from her, Stelle!" March commented as we all started walking towards Oti Mall, only for Stelle to stick out her tongue and make a funny face.

"Did you enjoy Dr Ratio's lecture? I was very surprised when Stelle told me she was going to take you there. Did she actually manage to sit through the whole lesson?" Dan Heng asked.

"Oi, why do you make it sound like I'm some kind of problem child? Look, Firefly, this is how I get treated every day! Save me!"

But I was too busy choking on my laughter to be of any help.

As Stelle and March continued to playfully squabble while Dan Heng tried his best to keep them in line, Welt and Himeko came to my side.

"Miss Firefly, could we have a word?" Himeko asked.

"Sure," I replied in surprise.

We slowed down a bit, letting the three younger members of the crew overtake us.

"...the other Stellaron Hunters, are they in the Dreamscape right now?" Himeko asked when we were a bit further away.

Before I could answer, Welt added:

"We understand if you can't reveal the reason for your visit. We are only asking to prevent something unpleasant from happening. As you know, we're leaving for Amphoreus tonight, so we'd rather not get into any trouble."

"Exactly," Himeko nodded, "although our relationship has been rocky in the past, we appreciate the help you have given us here in Penacony. I've come to accept that although our methods may not be the same, we still share the same goals most of the time. So I'd rather avoid a repeat of what happened on the Luofu."

I followed her eyes and saw that she was staring at Dan Heng's back.

She's worried that Blade will try to kill him again.

I never thought it would come to this, but I found myself very happy about Kafka's decision to keep me in the dark. It made everything so much easier for me.

"I'm sorry, but I don't really know anything. I haven't been told the details of this mission. All I know is that it has something to do with the Dreamscape, but I have no idea whenabout they're coming in or what we're going to do."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Himeko and Welt looked at me in surprise. But then the man nodded, adjusting his glasses on his nose:

"I see. That sounds like something your script would do. Perhaps the fact that you do not know this is crucial to the success of your mission."

I don't think that's the case, Mr Yang! It's just Kafka being a weirdo as usual!

But I nodded too and added:

"I still haven't heard from them, so with any luck our script will have nothing to do with you this time. Maybe we'll start stirring up trouble after you're gone."

I was trying to manifest the reality I wanted. But if my hunch was right, things were not going to go that way.

But I could use this opportunity to find out more.

While I was thinking that, Himeko let out a sigh:

"As long as it means we won't be involved in that woman's schemes, I hope that's the case... I can't believe I'm saying this. I may be radiated from the board of Penacony in record time if someone is eavesdropping, but I hope you succeed in whatever you are planning to do if it means we are not the ones who have to deal with it," she added, letting out a smile.

Of course, I didn't have to think about who she meant by 'that woman'.

"You know, Miss Himeko, Kafka speaks very highly of you. You must have made quite an impression on her," I said, trying my best to cool the fiery relationship between the two women in charge of our factions.

Her eyes widened for a few seconds before she said:

"That just makes me worry more."

"I can see why," I replied with a smile.

I waited a moment before asking my question:

"Miss Himeko, Stelle told me you were here to pick up a new member, one recommended to you by Jade."

The red-haired woman sighed again.

"That's another headache for you. I've been looking for new members for a long time. You see, I dream of a day when the Express will return to its former glory, with many Nameless aboard to reach their new destinations."

"I think you are doing a wonderful job!"

"Thank you!" Himeko smiled, but her expression quickly turned worried again, "but this is really not how I thought it would turn out. Miss Jade is being very secretive for some reason. I'm quite worried that we might soon have a new troublesome crew member on board soon."

"But then..."

"Why didn't we refuse?" chimed in Welt, "Unfortunately, a small faction like ours can't do much against the influence of a huge corporation like the IPC. It was only a matter of time before they took an interest in us. Our future travels would be much more difficult if we make such a powerful enemy. On the other hand, the fact that the Stonehearts owes us one will prove beneficial in the long run, as will our relationship with the Xianzhou Luofu."

"But to be honest, I don't really care about this kind of power struggle as much as Welt does," Himeko said, "if it were only for that reason, I would have refused Jade's offer."

I looked at her confused.

"This new member, from what Miss Jade told me, could benefit from a fresh start. And if that's the case... the doors of the Astral Express are always open to those who seek a new path in life, regardless of their past or present. That is the will of the Trailblaze. That's why I'd really like you to join us one day, Miss Firefly," she explained.

I was speechless. There were many things I wanted to say. How they had underestimated the malice of the IPC. How this new member could have put them in danger if they hadn't vetted them properly. But in the end, in front of her kind smile, I couldn't argue.

She's right... the will of the Trailblaze. I really don't fit in with them right now. Despite my will to look forward, I still end up letting my problems slow me down... but one day I will walk a new path... my own new path.

"I really hope that will happen one day." I muttered.

"It will," Welt said calmly.

"That's right. Stelle will make it happen no matter what."

"Huh?! I heard my name! Ehy, what are you doing back there! Are you telling Firefly my embarrassing secrets?"

I was quickly kidnapped by Stelle again. This time all six of us banded together, chatting merrily along the way. Hanging out with the Express was always an experience. It was fun and light-hearted and, like Himeko's words, somewhat inspiring. But unlike spending time with Wolfie and the others, it was still a bit nerve-wracking and not as comforting. But why? Unlike my companions, they were not some notorious criminal but more like kind and benevolent heroes.

I guess this is the difference between family and new friends.

Family...

At that moment I thought of them. Wolf, Kafka and Blade. Where were they? Were they still on the ship? Or were they here in Penacony?

I kinda want to see them.

It made no sense. Not even five minutes ago I had wished they would wait until the Express left. But now, surrounded by smiling and happy people who were treating me kindly, I couldn't help but think the opposite. Because... why couldn't we enjoy each other's company?

Hanging out all together, the Astral Express and the Stellaron Hunters, would be so much fun...

That was an even more outrageous wish. Himeko had clearly expressed her dislike for Kafka. And of course there was the whole Blade-Dan Heng thing. But I still thought it would have been nice. For my family and Stelle to be able to joke together. This impossible picture I had conjured up in my mind suddenly made me realise something.

Getting on the Express... If I do that... will I be able to see them again?

If I could beat my condition and Stelle could win her fated confrontation with Nanook, what would happen to the Stellaron Hunters? Unlike the Express, we had joined together for our personal goals. What would happen when those goals were realised? Unlike the Express, our journey together had a definite end in sight, we were, after all, on the Path of Finality.

Blade... is he really going to die? And Kafka, will she be a different person when she experiences fear? And Wolfie... will she be content, stop looking for thrills and join the Genius Society or something?! Elio... what will happen to him after he writes the last page of the script?

All these thoughts came rushing through my head.

I want to be with Stelle but... but what if realising my dream means that I'll never see Wolfie and the others again?

I looked at Stelle's smiling profile by my side. A warm feeling of peace filled my troubled heart.

That's right... always looking forward, Firefly! This is the will of the Trailblaze. If I want to walk that path one day, I have to stop wavering so much. And if the Stellaron Hunters, can't be on that path, I'll make my own that also includes them. What if the faction itself ceases to exist? They will still be my dear family, even if we are no longer colleagues! I'll find a way to keep track of them anyway!

Reassured, I rejoined the conversation, much more relaxed.

But this moment of peace was short-lived. As we arrived at Oti Mall and made our way to the Clockie's Diner to grab a quick bite, I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

It's lunch time... why are there so few people around?!

The last time something like this had happened in the Dreamscape, it had been the fault of the Masked Fool Sparkle.

But from what Wolfie told me, she left Penacony after fulfilling her contract with us.

Did she come back to mess with me and Stelle? It was possible, but I had another hunch. That's why I didn't say anything to the others, who were too distracted chatting to notice that something was going on. I materialised SAM's controller in my pocket anyway, just to be on the safe side.

"I hope they have room, there are so many of us!" Stelle exclaimed happily, putting her hand on the handle of Clockie's Diner door. But when she opened it, I saw her smile instantly freeze.

"Stelle what-?"

March 7th, peering over her shoulder, had the same reaction. As I approached, my suspicions were immediately confirmed.

"Long time no see, Astral Express crew."

Kafka lifted her sunglasses over her head and gave us one of her usual enigmatic smiles. Blade sat at her side, intent on reading a newspaper. The hologram of Silver Wolf was dangling in her chair, rocking it back and forth with her foot on the side of the table, immersed in her handheld. Their table was filled with an abundance of food, from Oak Cake Rolls to Clockie's pizzas.

"You... what are you doing here?"

Himeko was the first to recover from the sudden shock of finding herself in front of the three most wanted people in the galaxy, leisurely hanging out in one of the most popular restaurants of the Dreamscape.

"Oh, Miss Himeko, we just wanted to have lunch together after a hard day's work! Please join us, we took the liberty of ordering for you as well!" Kafka replied with a soft chuckle.

A dead silence followed. None of the Astral Express crew seemed to want to move a muscle and I didn't really know what to do either.

I know everything is possible in the Land of Dreams, Kafka! But this is too much! Do you really think they will sit down and eat at our table?

I tried to catch Wolfie's eyes to get some kind of explanation about what the hell they were thinking, but she was too busy gaming to notice me. Meanwhile, the waiter arrived with a tray filled with 9 bottles of Soulglad. He had a vacuous expression on his face.

Kafka's Spirit Whisper.

And of course the fact that there was no one else in the diner was probably her or Silver Wolf's work.

Is this encounter with the Express in the script or are they just messing around?

I was about to speak up and break the silence when someone moved next to me.

"Whatcu playing?" Stelle asked, sitting down in the chair next to Wolf and looking at her console.

"Fighting game. Clockie's Bizzare Adventures," Silver Wolf replied after blowing her bubblegum, "I picked it up in a shop nearby."

"You didn't steal it, did you?"

"Oi, who do you think I am? Some petty thief? As long as it's a good game and not p2w, I'm more than happy to whip out some credits."

"Such integrity! It's almost as if I'm not talking to the most wanted hacker in the galaxy!"

"Shut it."

Stelle turned to me briefly to give me a little wink.

I love her so much.

I quickly took a seat next to Kafka. She smiled at me as she handed me a plate with a slice of Oak Cake Roll.

"How did your date go, Sam?"

She's calling me Sam again... I guess we're in the middle of a mission, aren't we?

"Very well. We went to the Paperfold Academy to see a lecture by Dr. Ratio and then hung out in the Golden Hour. How about you, when did you get inside the Dreamscape?"

Of course there was no way I was going to say what had happened tonight.

"Last night. We went sightseeing and visited the spots you told us about. Wolf wanted to call you but I think we did well to leave you alone considering what happened between you and Stelle."

HOW DOES SHE KNOW?!

This was a frightening step away from being able to read my heart and close to being able to directly invade my mind. Kafka giggled at my expression:

"Ara, seems like I was right. So you did actually spend the night together?" she cackled at my sour expression and then added, "I hope you treated my little junior right, Stelle."

Stelle's eyes immediately dropped to her knees as Kafka addressed her directly. It was clear that she had been staring at her just a moment before.

"We just slept in the same bed," she murmured.

I have to help these two... or they'll never get closer, I thought.

"Let's talk about something else. Kafka, aren't you happy to see each other again? Stelle told me how she wished she could meet you soon!" I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation in the direction I wanted.

Stelle looked at me with her mouth half open. But she was not the only one who was surprised. Incredibly, for a split second I saw Kafka's pupils dilate. Her smile softened as she looked at Stelle.

"I see... I'm glad that you still think about old Kafka from time to time. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you lately, but I'm sure the script will soon bring our destinies together again. Always remember, our fates are tied together, that's something that will never change no matter what choices you make".

"I... really wish you would speak more clearly," Stelle said after a moment of silence.

"I think she's saying that she's happy to see you as well and hopes that you'll be able to spend more time together soon!" I explained with a smile.

"Oh thank the Aeons I have my own personal Kafka translator now!" Stelle exclaimed, "but there is something I want to know... Kafka... Do you only want to hang out with me because of your script and what Elio promised you or do you actually miss me?"

"Oh you got even more straightforward it seems, is this what having a girlfriend does to people?" Kafka asked playfully.

"Just answer the damn question!" Stelle exclaimed, brandishing her fork like a weapon.

"Well, can't both things be true? Is there really a difference between what I want and what's in the script?" Kafka answered her question with two new ones.

"I give up," Stelle sighed, making me burst out laughing.

My girlfriend looked at me and smiled:

"Kafka, if it's really my destiny to change you... I'll finally make you speak your mind."

Kafka raised her glass, almost as if in a toast:

"I can't wait for that moment."

During all this exchange, the rest of the Astral Express had stood still like a bunch of wax statues. But as Stelle began to dig voraciously into her pizza, Mr Yang took a step forward.

"Welt?" Himeko called to him.

"Standing still won't do us any good. It's clear that the Stellaron Hunters have business with us. If we leave, they will probably follow us and cause problems around Penacony. We might as well hear what they have to say, since they have taken precautions not to be seen".

With that, he took his seat at my side. March 7th soon followed and went to the chair near Stelle.

"I'm sorry, but I'm starving! You haven't poisoned any of this, have you?" she asked with a slice of pizza halfway to her mouth.

"If we'd wanted to kill you, we'd have had Sam blow you up by now," Silver Wolf replied, sipping her Soulglad through a straw.

"'irefly 'ould never do such a thing!" March shouted as she finished chewing.

"Ara, you've got the whole Express wrapped around your finger, I'm proud of you!" Kafka chuckled as she ruffled my hair.

"I just didn't try as hard as you to make them hate me..." I said, trying to make her stop.

But despite Mr Yang's words, both Dan Heng and Himeko didn't look convinced. Their eyes were clearly fixed on Blade's figure, still hidden by his newspaper. Kafka seemed to notice as well:

"Don't worry, I've got Bladie under control, he won't bother you this time. After all, lunchtime is not a good time for murder."

With a defeated sigh, Himeko and Dan Heng finally sat down at the table. The red-haired Nameless glared at Kafka as she elegantly took her seat:

"Don't misunderstand me. I have come to accept that you don't wish Stelle any harm and that you share an important bond with her. That doesn't mean that we, the Astral Express, want to have anything to do with the Stellaron Hunters."

"Miss Himeko, you hurt me! Here I thought we were beginning a productive partnership. You even seem to be quite fond of one of our members."

"This is a purely personal relationship," Himeko remarked, giving me a look, "I greatly appreciated MIss Firefly's contribution during the Penacony crisis. But that has little to do with her being one of you. As far as I know, her actions were mostly her own. If anything, your script only caused her problems and made things more complicated that they needed to be."

"That's right! If it wasn't for your stupid script, she wouldn't have had to lie to Stelle!" March exclaimed.

But both I and Stelle knew that wasn't true. My script was brief, and the lie I'd told wasn't in it. If anything, I had lied to go against it and get Stelle to know me as Firefly, not Sam.

"But in the end... she's the reason you're here and not stuck in some eternal dream. If Elio hadn't sent her to help you, the famous Astral Express would have ended its journey in Penacony," Kafka replied, running her finger along the rim of her glass.

"You can't know that. I don't want to belittle Firefly's contribution, but we're on the Path of the Trailblazer, we would have found a way forward anyway!" Himeko blurted out, cutting into her pizza, almost as if she hoped it was Kafka's hand.

Meanwhile, everyone at the table except Blade, who was still absorbed in his reading, and Stelle and Wolfie, who were still checking out the new video game, were shifting their eyes from Himeko to Kafka as if they were watching a tennis match.

"Are you so sure, Miss Himeko? You speak as if you had a choice. But being acquainted with Elio, I know that the future is nothing but a selected number of possibilities. And fortunately for you, he has instructed us to set you on the path with the best outcome. You think you've made many choices while travelling on the Express, don't you? But in the end, you still ended up here at our table."

"Are you really content to follow a script written by someone else? Don't you have any pride? Your own boss is called Destiny's slave. Do you want to be one too, Miss Kafka?"

"It's not about what I want. It's about reality. You may believe in a so-called 'free will'. But from my experience under Elio, I can tell you that it doesn't exist. All we do is choose from an exhaustive list of possibilities, crumbling and falling towards a single destiny. And even then... are we really the one making the choices? Can you really be sure that you have chosen to board the Express of your own free will? After all, had you been born on a different planet, had you had a different upbringing and experiences, wouldn't you have taken a different path? Perhaps you would be here in my place as a member of the Stellaron Hunters. In the end... we are just puppets being tossed around by the strings of fate."

Himeko just sighed. She had realised that she would never be able to break through Kafka's wall. I myself had come to the same conclusion a long time ago. I had fought her many times over her nihilistic ideas. Like her, I could believe that there was a predetermined end, but until then I believed that we had the right to choose for ourselves.

And... maybe even that end can be changed. I think Kafka is just waiting for her to prove it, I thought, casting a glance at Stelle, her cheeks full of Oak Cake Rolls.

My star will show you and Elio how it's done.

The table fell silent for a moment. I took the opportunity to ask Kafka where our clothes were made, as March 7 had asked me before. The young girl looked a little scared, but then quickly became excited when Kafka told her that she was willing to send her a tailor-made suit through Stelle. Meanwhile, Mr Yang was trying to discover the secrets behind Silver Wolf's hologram, but was only getting half-hearted answers.

"Hey Dan Heng, do you really think Blade is behind that newspaper? He barely moved so far, maybe there's a mannequin behind it and the real Blade is about to come down from the ceiling and cut your head off?" I heard Stelle ask Dan Heng in a low voice.

"Do you think we are in a movie or something?"

The only one who was silent as a grave was Himeko. As much as I enjoyed seeing all my favourite people sitting at the same table, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty:

"Miss Himeko... I'm very sorry, I had no idea it would turn out like this."

The woman raised her eyes to meet mine and her lips curled:

"It's all right, it's not your fault. I understand that these people are very dear to you, but as a member of the Astral Express-"

"We are your shadow, Miss Himeko, the sooner you accept it, the easier it will be in the future. No matter how far ahead you go, we'll always follow you."

"Kafka..." I began to admonish her.

I really didn't want any more bad blood between them.

"...but I want to make it clear that we bear no ill will towards the Express. Stelle is one of you now, so of course I like you very much."

To my surprise, I saw Himeko's face relax a little.

That's right... there are so many different people sitting around this table, but there's one thing that unites us all... Stelle.

"I don't know about you Stellaron Hunters... but trying to kill Dan Heng fits my definition of ill will. As does everything else you have done on the Luofu. Do you know the trouble you caused us? We even had to explain ourselves to the Generals," Himeko replied, but her tone was much lighter than before.

"Let's call it an unfortunate accident. Now that two of our members are dating, things will be smoother, won't they?" Kafka chuckled.

Probably taking advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere, Welt broke into the conversation and asked:

"So, if you want things to go more smoothly, how about telling us why you are here in Penacony?"

The whole table suddenly stopped talking. It was clear that everyone in the Express and I were very interested in what Kafka would say.

"Ara... I guess I could answer, since we want to make peace. But let's make it interesting, shall we? Let's play truth and lies. Did Stelle tell you about this little game of mine?"

"Not this again," Silver Wolf sighed.

I shared the feeling. Even Blade had been roped into this 'fun' little game of hers.

"I can hardly see the point of playing a game with you right now," Welt replied firmly.

"So serious... but then I'll play alone. I'll either lie or tell the truth to answer your question. Then you'll ask me something else and I'll do the opposite."

"As you wish," Welt said with a nod.

"So... the reason we're here is the same as always. We will do our best to be useful to you and help the Astral Express," Kafka said with a smile.

"That is the most obvious lie I have ever heard!" March exclaimed.

But I wasn't so sure.

"So what's your next question?" Kafka asked, looking straight at Stelle, "She had some interesting ones the last time we played."

"What colour is the coat you are wearing?" Mr Yang asked.

An astonished silence fell over the table.

"Ara, you are as clever as they say, Mr Yang. It's clearly blue, of course."

So I was right.

"What do you even want to help us with?" Himeko asked slowly.

"I'm afraid you've run out of questions. Unless you wish to continue the game," Kafka replied with a giggle.

Of course, Himeko would never do that. Even if they were no longer at each other's throats, she was still Kafka. Soon the subject was dropped and the various conversations resumed. After a few minutes, Stelle got up from her seat and came over to me.

"Sorry... that game was super cool," she said in my ear, kneeling down next to me.

"It's okay!" I exclaimed, "do you want me to move my chair closer to yours?"

"Umh, yeah, get up, I'll help you move it!"

But as soon as I did, Stelle quickly stole my seat.

"Stelle what-?!"

Her hands grabbed my sides and pulled me towards her, making me sit on her lap.

"Uh?!"

I blushed when everyone at the table looked at me as Stelle's arms hugged me tightly.

"So soft..."

"Stelle!"

My embarrassment quickly grew as I saw everyone, even the usually seraphic Dan Heng, trying to hide their laughter. But I soon had to accept my fate.

Maybe Kafka is right... there is no free will in this world.

In a minute, my flustered state was gone, and I enjoyed the rest of the lunch chatting with Stelle while she kept stealing my food.

But like all things, even this incredibly improbable moment had to come to an end.

"Well, thank you for lunch," Himeko said as she got up from the chair, "I can't say that I'd like to see you again soon, but I appreciate that you didn't make a fuss this time. I hope our next meeting will be like this one... then I might bring myself to trust you. Express, we are leaving for you know where. Feel free to come along so you can say a proper goodbye to Stelle, Firefly," she added with a smile in my direction.

Before I could answer, Kafka got up from her chair as well:

"No worries, Miss Himeko. I understand you're in a hurry... you don't want to keep a member of the Stoneheart waiting after all. Jade can be especially dangerous when things don't go her way, I've heard."

The smile on Himeko's face froze as the hostile expression she had at the beginning of this meal returned.

"You... how do you know this?"

"If you think Sam told me, you are wrong. As I said before, we're here to help you, so it's only natural that we know why you're in Penacony. I mean... Miss Jade is the one who informed us in the first place."

So I was right again! But... what does she mean by helping?

How could we, the Stellaron Hunters, help the Astral Express to deal their new member?

Meanwhile, the crew was clearly stunned.

"A member of the Ten Stonehearts colluding with the Stellaron Hunters?" Welt asked, rising from his seat as well.

"Well... aren't you, too? You just ate lunch with us!" Silver Wolf replied, finally putting her handheld back into her pocket.

"Kafka, what is the meaning of this?" HImeko asked visibly annoyed at Wolf's words, "if you are planning-"

But she didn't get to finish.

We all heard it: an explosion from outside the diner.

And then another and another.

Was Penacony being bombed or something?!

"What's going on?!" March yelled anxiously.

"This is your doing, isn't it?" Dan Heng asked, his hand on the shaft of his spear.

"Ara, it looks like we are running out of time too. Time flies when you are having fun! That's right, those sounds are the decorations I've set up for our party, Astral Express crew! And now it's time for the main event!"

"I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!" Himeko yelled, shaking her suitcase to get her sawblade out.

At the same moment, the TV in the corner of the diner, which had been showing Clockie's cartoons, suddenly changed channel on its own. A chibi version of Silver Wolf appeared on it, with a huge warning sign flickering beneath her. At the same time, the voice of my colleague Stellaron Hunter began to speak from it. And not only from there, I could also hear it coming from outside the restaurant.

"Attention, inhabitants of Penacony! We Stellaron Hunters have come to take over your little dreamland! Sorry, not sorry! If you don't want to get pwned, you'd better go back to the real world and take a normal nap! As for you, Families, you better have hidden the sealed Stellaron well, you don't want it found, do you?"

I didn't have time to internalise her words before I saw a flash of red coming from behind Blade's newspaper. I quickly kicked my chair backwards, just in time to get myself and Stelle out of the way as the Luofu renegade's sword split the table in two and crashed into Dan Heng's spear. At the same time I heard the familiar rolling sound of Kafka's grenades. I turned, grabbed Stelle by the shoulders and rolled away as the diner was engulfed in a series of explosions.

"Are you okay, Stelle?!" I asked, getting up from her and giving her my hand as a blanket of black smoke enveloped us and the sounds of fighting erupted around us.

"I'm ok, are you fine Firefly?" she asked and after I nodded she added, "Is this your friends' definition of helping?!"

She then began to cough.

"I don't know Stelle!"

I was sure that everything Wolf had said in her minatory message was a complete lie. But why were we suddenly fighting the Express then?

Wolfie said everything would be fine... but how is this a good ending?"

Anyway, there was only one thing I could do now. I took out my device and held it to my chest.

Fireflies... die for the sake of living!

As fire engulfed me, the smoke around us dissipated, allowing me to see the situation. Kafka, a smile on her face, was toying with Himeko, using her katana to deflect her spinning saw blade. Dan Heng and Welt were busy with Blade, who was rampaging around like a wild beast in the midst of his mara-fuelled frenzy. And March...

I quickly activated SAM's propulsor to intercept her arrow before it could hit Kafka. Then I stopped Himeko's weapon with my hand.

"I'm sorry Miss Himeko, but I can't let you hurt Kafka."

"Tsk," the redhead clicked her tongue as she took a step back.

Then I turned and began to ask:

"Kafka, what are we-?"

But I stopped as her hand gently brushed Sam's metallic cheek:

"Thanks for the help... but this is not your stage, Firefly," she whispered.

As I heard her fingers snap, the world before me changed. In an instant, I was no longer in a half-destroyed restaurant, but in the middle of a sea of stars.

"What... Stelle!" I exclaimed, ready to plunge back into the Memory Zone. I couldn't leave her alone in the middle of a battle between our families! It was too cruel!

But just as I was about to activate Complete Combustion, I heard a voice in my helm:

"Stop! Don't even think about going back in there, Fly!" Silver Wolf exclaimed.

"Wolfie..."

That's right, she wasn't in the diner anymore...

"Don't worry, nobody's going to get hurt! Kafka's just playing with them! The bombs were also in some isolated places!" she explained quickly.

"Playing... but why?! Is this how we are going to help them? Forcing them into a fight when they were just about to forgive us for what we did in the past?"

"I know it sucks... but this is the script. We have to create chaos in Penacony, a distraction you might say! That's probably the deal Elio made with Jade!"

"Jade..."

Suddenly I had an intuition.

"Wolfie... what is my script?"

"You are to break into the Reverie and free a prisoner."

Her words sealed it. Even without having the script in front of me, I now understood the plot of this play.

Jade had called the Astral Express to Penacony to get a new person to join them. A person under her control. A person who needed a new start. A person who was currently being held captive for their crimes. There was only one person who would fit each of these criteria.

"So... So I have to dive into the depths of the Reverie and free Mr Sunday, right?"

"Ding Ding! Correct!"

But of course, even a member of the Ten Stonehearts couldn't convince the Families of Penacony to let go of the perpetrator of the recent Stellaron crisis. And from what Jade had told me during our last meeting, the Strategic Investment Department often acted in their own interests without informing the rest of the IPC of their moves.

That's where we came in. We Stellaron Hunters were to stage an attack on Penacony and use the commotion to lure the Bloodhounds and the IPC garrison into the Dreamscape, allowing us to break Sunday out of prison in reality and lead him safely to the Astral Express. That was what Kafka meant by helping them. We were acting as a scapegoat.

Jade had obviously kept all this from the Express, because they would never have agreed to such a plan. She was probably counting on Himeko's kindness and trailblazing spirit to accept Sunday on board.

But... did Elio really agree to do all this? Jade must have offered him something really good.

But there was something else that didn't add up.

From any point of view, Kafka would have been best suited for an infiltration job, while I would have been most qualified to create a very explosive distraction... unless...

"Are Blade and Kafka the ones causing a ruckus in Dreamscape, because I would not be willing to do it due to my relationship with Penacony?"

"Ding Ding... probably. I guess Elio knows you pretty well by now."

I sighed and switched on my propulsors.

"I can definitely get Sunday out of there... but how am I going to get him to the Express?"

"Bzzt!"

"Huh?!"

"Bzzt! You got it wrong, Firefly! According to the script, it is not the Express that will get a new member... it is us, the Stellaron Hunters!"