Archive of Our Own ^beta

“My gaze has lingered on her for quite a while.”

A statement from a charmingly feminine voice, who echoes questions and implications of intrigue.

“And tonight…” One breath taken as a sigh bleeds through with excitement, “I’ll initiate our first engagement.” A simple declaration laced with an alluring, sultry grace.

A Rondo Across Countless Kalpas. 

The charmer’s voice fades amidst the chorus of passersby. 

The blurred lines of reality dissipate. Warm lights emerge, and the incoherent chatter of invisible guests begins to rise before halting at a threshold. Eerily controlled, with only an instrument to fill the background. They mingle, dancing and conversing in the faded scenery within a grand banquet hall. It was akin to a shadow puppet show, they were present but weren’t alive.

Within the hall sat an out-of-place individual who appeared to be in a daze, gazing into the distance for sights only she seemingly saw. Her sharp eyes never left the glass of wine which remained untouched, fitting delightfully on the round table in front.

She fittingly appears before the dazed beauty, blending seamlessly onto the set stage. Standing a little ways away, with a hand to her chin, she calls forth, a question escaping her.

“Waiting for someone?” said in that enticingly charming voice, disarmingly friendly and welcoming.

To which the beauty before her denies with a cute, almost slow shake of her head. 

Ah… The mysterious ‘Ranger,’ who claims to belong to the independent group of Galaxy Rangers. Their achievements are well-known, but they aren’t a properly organized group, and they’re just as strange as the swordswoman in front of her. Her true identity, and memories, remain to be seen.

Her mystery, her unique aura, was oh so tantalizing. Within this sea of dull and blurry noise, her colors and presence were too enchanting for a Memokeeper to resist. She wished to partake, to see what lay beneath such nobility and disinclination.

“Then, how about a dance?” she proposed, her hand reaching forth and awaiting the silent Ranger’s response. Such a fine specimen should be treated with the utmost care, and she wished to know more about her… up close .

The Galaxy Ranger observed her for a brief moment, although it was difficult to tell if it was done out of caution or interest. Whether intentionally or not, her silence and impassive gaze made for a perfect mask for her thoughts, leaving the smiling Swan with only assumptions about what they could be. It further intrigued the Memokeeper, solidifying her initial expectations and fueling her desire further to press forward with the engagement.

Finally, the Ranger reached out to her and held her hand. The Memokeeper’s eyes never left her inquiry, cheshire smile serene while they both took to the dance floor. Her hands traced the Ranger’s arms as she circled the indifferent woman, the rhythmic sounds of their heels accompanying the matching symphony. Their rando had begun.

Despite her cold exterior, the Ranger matched her steps with enviable mastery, her hand gently caressing the veiled woman’s cheek.

It was obvious, surely someone of her caliber is another player in the race for the Watchmaker’s legacy, and within this tapestry of intrigue, truth is as elusive as the prize they sought. However, she held a special card other competitors did not, an invaluable boon to bypass trickery and deceit.

Lies could never taint the purity of one’s memories, after all.

With each soft touch, each elegant twirl, and seemingly intimate embrace, the Memokeeper’s dance hid her silent prodding into the Ranger’s memories. Many joined this ominous feast, be it the IPC and their ever-cunning Stonehearts, her peers of the Garden of Recollection, the fickle Fools, the valiant Nameless of the Trailblaze…and most importantly, the annihilation gang, her reason behind this current endeavor. The agents of Destruction were anticipated, yet their arrival was notably missing a key player of their team.

“Duke Inferno is dead. He and his children won’t be attending.” The Memokeeper spoke with a knowing smile, her stage now set as she stared deep into those amethyst eyes.

Who is this perplexing ranger? And most importantly-

“What have you done, beautiful ‘Ranger’?” Her innocently asked question was met with an expected silence. The window was open and she dove right in.

The search was on. She saw visions of the Ranger’s past, partaking in moments cherished and despised until finally reaching the searched memory.

There, she bore witness to the devastation of Duke Inferno and his kin, inflicted by the Ranger’s hands, their ardent blaze snuffed out by the sharp edge of a blade most haunting.

There, she bore witness to the noble and detached Ranger, floating amidst the falling bodies with wildly fluttering hair.

Then for a moment, their eyes met.

Colorful orbs peered into ominous crimson with slit white pupils. Instinctively, the Memokeeper felt her throat constrict. The feeling of a coil around her neck gradually tightened. She’ll soon be pushed of-

“Excuse me. Is it me that you’re asking?”

The Ranger’s voice rang in her ears, yet she dared not voice any response. Momentarily frozen with shock, she resisted her body’s tremble as the white beauty closed in. Those calm, steady steps felt different. An unwilling dance was initiated. No, she had to-

Their rondo continued. 

With each flourish, she felt her flesh ripped asunder. With each twirl, she felt her organs burst. Struggle, she attempted, and suppression she suffered, the agonizing pain only growing with each defiance. Like a bird trapped by a python, all she could do was flail about desperately to escape the ever-constricting hold, pouring every fiber of her strength to save her life. However, such resistance remained futile as she sensed her ego being stripped bit by bit, one feather at a time.

Only then was she made witness to ‘death’. Everywhere she turned, death was the only constant. Staring her in the face, and threatening her with swift annihilation, an enormous, ever-growing hole. The galactic cosmos, and the giant stars, all declined before this woe. In a brief moment, she wasn’t a Memokeeper anymore, she wasn’t Black Swan, she was…another of the departed, welcomed by this endless abyss just like the rest .

A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠l̶҉̰͚͖͕̍̈́̅͗̏̇͢͜͜͝l̶҉̰͚͖͕̍̈́̅͗̏̇͢͜͜͝ s҉̝̭̦͚̑ͯ̌͡h̷̶̘̘̬ͭ̏͞͡a҉͖̟̜̞̂̃̑̽͢͢͠͡l̶҉̰͚͖͕̍̈́̅͗̏̇͢͜͜͝l̶҉̰͚͖͕̍̈́̅͗̏̇͢͜͜͝ r҉̵҉̛̠̩̥̋ͦ̆͆͟͞͡͞͠e̵̡̫̫͍͕̎ͭ̐͟͟͝͞t҉̷҉̢͖͔̹͛̌͊͘͜͢͠͡͡u̶͖̖͆̊̈́͡͡r҉̵҉̛̠̩̥̋ͦ̆͆͟͞͡͞͠n̸͐̈́͟͟͝ t҉̷҉̢͖͔̹͛̌͊͘͜͢͠͡͡o҉̢̡̲͇̌͗̀͢͝ N̵҉̾͟͞͡i҉̧̯̤̙͔̑ͧ̅̔ͦ́͜͟͢͝͠h̷̶̘̘̬ͭ̏͞͡i҉̧̯̤̙͔̑ͧ̅̔ͦ́͜͟͢͝͠l̶҉̰͚͖͕̍̈́̅͗̏̇͢͜͜͝i҉̧̯̤̙͔̑ͧ̅̔ͦ́͜͟͢͝͠t҉̷҉̢͖͔̹͛̌͊͘͜͢͠͡͡ȳ̸̵̩̜͔͍̔́͟͟͢͡.

In a blink, she found herself yet again within the ballroom, gasping for air in the Ranger’s embrace. Any semblance of confidence was gone, replaced by horror and dread on her pale, sweating face.

“Who are...the Annihilation Gang?” the Ranger asked, genuinely confused by the question and the people mentioned. She doesn’t remember meeting an Annihilation Gang, nor this Duke Inferno the weird lady spoke of.

The veiled lady didn’t offer any answer, disappearing amidst the crowd as fast as she could. The Ranger watched her retreat, confused by the sudden reaction even as a tuft of her hair turned gray.

‘Where are you…☐☐☐☐☐☐?’ 

The out-of-place individual brought a hand to her lips as she watched the Swan escape, her thumb brushing the supple bottom half. Had she asked something?

“The train is about to make the jump!”

Pom-pom’s announcement rang throughout the train from the speakers, a kind reminder to the passengers aboard. Caelus shifted slightly in place, trying to relax atop the large, red velvet-like sofa.

“5…”

Pom-pom’s adorable voice started the countdown. As the five second mark passed, Caelus had closed his eyes.

“4…3…”

As Pom-pom’s cute little counting reached three seconds, a flush of blue enveloped the train, expanding from the front, back to where Caelus sat.

“2…” 

The surge of blue energy seemed to envelope the Trailblazer.

“1…”

And suddenly, fragmented memories surged into him. There weren't any recognizable faces. They remained faint and elusive, yet so close at the same time. A firefly. A robin. A chessboard. And… A wanderer.

The countdown had finished, Caelus regained his bearings. Eyelids fluttered open in a daze of light. He blinked, confusion etching itself upon his features. His hands moved, palm across the never-felt before sofa. Left and right, his head turns, eyes wide and mouth open.

“Huh…?” It was an unfamiliar place. What had happened? Did something go wrong?

Caelus stood, eyes searching around for any clues until the sound of footsteps stole his attention. He turned towards the voice, only to freeze at the sight. ‘Purple,’ was how he could best describe it. More than shock, he was in awe of the beauty whose arms were crossed.

“Not another one…” She sounded slightly annoyed, a sigh escaping her. Before any reaction could be made however, she turned, ordering for him to follow. Her arms flowed freely as she took a step, “come with me.”

The Trailblazer didn’t heed her sudden demand, standing in place. He had things he wanted to ask, an array of questions already formed within his mind. “...,” only for his throat to abruptly run dry.

His voice was stuck, perhaps out of confusion over the unknown around him, but that didn’t seem likely. Perhaps it was less about him, but more about the effect the stranger had on him. There was an indiscernible tug drawing him in, encouraging him to be trusting of the individual who conveniently showed up amidst his confusion. 

“Who are you?” the Trailblazer managed to ask in the end.

The lady shifted her attention to him, giving him a look as she seemingly contemplated his question. 

“These questions…have no meaning. But I will answer you as best I can,” she replied, her voice tethering between indifferent and saddened. Which was which? Caelus gave her a look, the same strange one she gave him earlier. A mere imitation to a motivation unknown to him. It could be considered as a playful gesture on his part.

“This is the border between reality and the Memory Zone, a… dreamscape ,” she proceeded to explain as her arms crossed. He was starting to notice a trend. “Right this moment, you and I have coincidentally shared the same dreamscape, and appeared in each other’s minds. This is the Land of Dreams’s inaugural welcome to us.” Her hand then gestured to their weird surroundings and the dim lights floating around.

Caelus nodded, amber orbs glancing over the furniture and the fractured painting. For a dreamscape, it certainly left much to be desired given the rather grim setup and lighting. If this is a taste of what the place called Penacony would offer, this small vacation might be more lackluster than he expected. Expectations were low, but they were already sinking deeper into the ever growing abyss. 

Why does trouble follow him wherever he goes?

“Worry not, for very quickly, you will awaken from this dream, forget everything that has transpired, with naught but a faint lingering of loss.” There was a coldness to her words, and she had closed her eyes to take in a deep breath. A gesture for those conflicted, if his experiences served as any clue. 

“Really? I can’t choose to remember this?” he asked, slumping slightly when the stranger shook her head. A part of Caelus was reluctant to accept the fact that he’s essentially forced to be here and then forced to forget.

“Pay it no mind, for this forgetfulness happens with each new dawn. It is an occurrence that we have become accustomed to for so long,” she said in reply, her stoic face betraying no emotion as she turned to the door. “So, come with me. I’ll take you home.” Without waiting for him this time, she began walking out of the room.

Caelus immediately reached out to her, wishing to grab her shoulder, say something , but ultimately stopped short as confusion set in and furrowed his brows. Why did the dreamscape connect them? Did it have something to do with how she made him feel? It was clear what he wanted to gain from this bizarre set of circumstances, and so hurried after her. “Right behind you!” 

His steps were heavy, running out of the room to catch up to her in the corridor. “But hey.” Nearing the lady, his steps lightened. “You didn’t answer my question though,” he added while consciously matching pace with her, eyes curious with his usual friendly smile. 

The lady did not turn to him, seemingly focusing on the path ahead as the first door opened with a light push of her hand. “Galaxy Ranger, Acheron…This is what they call me,” she nonchalantly introduced, casting a side glance at Caelus. 

“You can call me whatever you want,” Acheron casually added before suddenly stopping in her tracks, waiting for something. 

His feet came to a halt as well, a look of confusion replacing his cheerful expression. The response he had on hand flew out of his fingers. It was only after thirty seconds of awkward silence that Caelus finally understood.

“Oh! Nice to meet you, Acheron. My name is Caelus.” The Trailblazer replied with his best and hastily conjured smile, feeling somewhat conflicted. ‘Did she just toy with me?’ His lips twitched at the thought.

Acheron suddenly shrugged and gestured to the door in front of their path.

Regardless, he felt more relaxed to see her be less indifferent to his presence, if only just a bit. She seemed comfortable enough to hold his tongue, and that was enough to steady his smile. They resumed walking until reaching the door, acting as if Acheron didn’t just pull his leg.

“Open this door…Take a look at the mesmerizing dreamscape, while you can still remember.” The reminder of the inevitable forgetfulness was doing little to sway Caelus’s smile as the door gave way to a luxurious reception hall.

Caelus walked a step behind, taking the time to inspect the surroundings. Acheron seemed to understand his need to do so, her own footsteps halting. His eyes took note of the strange bubbles all over the place. Wait.

‘ No way …’ The tables and couches were above him, as well as the lights floating close by. He rubbed his eyes and checked again, noting both the luminous and expensive bar and the couches down below as well as the gloomy equivalent above him. ‘ This trip is going to be disorienting .’

“This way.” Acheron’s voice snapped him out of his musings, the ranger watching him gawking at the dreamscape’s marvels from up ahead near a wall.

Caelus eyed the two flights of stairs separating them. “This is a dream, right? And none of the others are here to stop me…”

“Yes, why-” 

As soon as he heard the affirming word, he was already propelling through the air. Skipping one flight, he landed effortlessly onto the flat area before gaining momentum to skip the next flight.

Thud. 

“Okay. Where to now?” asked the Trailblazer, his smile content. The Galaxy Ranger’s lips seemed to twitch for a second. A good sign?

“After you.” She then gestured to the wall before disappearing. 

“Huh?”

Caelus sensed a gaze above him and tilted his head accordingly, finding the ranger eyeing him down in silence. Looking around, he tensed when the golden bubbles at the wall coalesced into a ramp of sorts. ‘ Am I supposed to walk up the wall ?’ Readying himself for a sprint, he sped up the newly formed platform of golden. His body was poised, ready to make an impromptu landing in case something went wrong, worrying he’d fall at any moment when gravity took over…until he noticed it didn’t .

Stopping in place, Caelus turned his head around. Just a small look…

Bad idea. Vertigo instantly racked his head, causing him to quickly turn back. ‘ I wonder if I’ll get used to this… ’ His mind wandered to the Ranger for a moment.

‘ Why not? ’ Acheron’s voice echoed in his mind, making him yelp as he abruptly turned to her.

The Trailblazer took in a long breath before casually proceeding to the second ramp that suddenly coalesced, as if it was leading the way. 

‘ She can hear the thoughts in my head? ’ Caelus wondered, realizing once again they were in a dreamscape connecting them.

‘Why not?’ Her voice echoed inside once more, this time more expectant than the last. It was a question of confusion but also a test of expectation. Stepping foot in the weirdly dark version of the room above them, he caught sight of familiar figures in the distance while he approached her. 

‘Can you hear every thought, or perhaps… You can only hear thoughts when I think of you?’

“We’re almost there. Can you still walk?” Acheron asked as he stopped in front of her, crossing her arms and scrutinizing him. Her dour expression gave no answer to his literally thoughtful question. 

“Now I Am Become Trailblaze, the Perambulator of Walls,” Caelus stated somberly, offering his best impression of a stern Dan Heng in an effort to lighten the mood. Seeing the slight quirk of Acheron’s lips…Success. 

“You’re funny,” Acheron commented. Was that a compliment or-? Her ghost of a smile dissipated as quickly as it came. “If you can crack jokes, you’re probably fine.” Saying so, she leveled a stare at him. “Don’t stop, don’t turn back, don’t look down…or up, for that matter.” 

Her warnings reminded Caelus of the times March tried to warn him about something she regretfully tried before.

Still, Acheron seemed more experienced with this stuff than March was with the Omni-Synthesizer, so maybe it wasn’t all that bad. Voices echoed around him, some familiar, most less so. He couldn’t recognize many of the vague figures around them but still managed to catch sight of a certain hacker among them, as well as the imposing knight next to her. ‘ So cool …’ 

“These voices are just shadows of the dreamscape. Pay no heed to them.” Acheron’s voice snapped him out of the unrealized daze, and Caelus noticed he had started drifting away from her. Chuckling nervously, he refocused on the path ahead. The two of them ran in the hallway, keeping pace as the door got further and further away. It took a minute before the door finally stopped moving away from them, closing up before new doors closed in front of it.

The two shared a glance before Caelus took the lead and pushed open the doors, blinking at a young boy suddenly bowing to him.

“Welcome to the Reverie! May you experience an unforgettable holiday! If you need help checking in, please head straight to the concierge…” The little boy cheerfully welcomed him with practiced fluency, giving Caelus a warm smile. Much like the other people they’ve passed, the young boy also disappeared, leaving nothing but a faint echo of his voice.

“Leave this realm, and rise as you would on any other day. Forget this fortuitous encounter, and return whence you came,” Acheron spoke, eyes narrowed on his form. She seemed to be briefly lost in thought, turning to the Trailblazer once more. “But before you do, I would make a request of you.”

“Sure, if I can help,” Caelus casually replied while closing the distance between them, stopping short in front of her.

Acheron seemed relieved, a rare smile gracing her upturned lips. “You may think it somewhat strange, perhaps even rude, but I wish to know…”

Caelus noticed how she observed his reaction as she spoke. Giving a nod, she then continued.

 “Have we met somewhere before?” she asked him, her attention noticeably on his face the entire time.

Caelus considers her question, unable to answer outright. During his journeys, it became evident that his memories of the past were important but somehow missing. For one example, it seems he spent a great deal of time with the Stellaron Hunters, at least from what hints and pieces the members had left him with. It’s made him curious about the people he might have met, and places he might’ve traveled to. This left him wondering many times about the kind of person he used to be, and the adventures he went on.

Did he have a home and family somewhere? A place to return to? 

Did he make promises he couldn’t remember now?

Was there anyone out there waiting for him?

Questions like those always lingered in the back of his mind, never to be answered no matter how hard he tried to remember. However, he couldn’t deny the gut feeling about the woman in front of her. “Perhaps we have,” he answered, unsure, but trusting of his heart above all else.

“You evoke memories of an old friend,” Acheron commented while walking past him, her gaze absentmindedly on the door in front of them. “In the haze of my recollection, he stood shoulder to shoulder with me, much like this surreal dreamscape where we stood close, yet forever out of reach.”

Caelus couldn’t see her face, but could somewhat gauge what she felt. Maybe it was the dreamscape messing with them again, but he could sense certain emotions from the silent Ranger. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, and it made him flinch.

“May I ask you a few more questions? I…tend to forget things, which is why, rather than memories, I’m accustomed to using my emotions to capture what I normally wouldn’t otherwise,” Acheron explained. “The answer is inconsequential. Your spontaneous reaction is what matters.” She turned and faced him again, a repeat of their earlier conversation. Seemingly intimate.

She then seemed surprised for a split second, a flicker of something incomprehensible. So sudden, it made him think something was behind.

Checking the hallway with a momentary turn of his head, his smile faded a bit. “Is something wrong, Acheron?” he asked, worriedly glancing at her.

Wait, why was she smiling at him like that?

“It’s nothing,” she answers his unasked question, placing a hand to her waist. “Let me ask you this, when you awaken in your room, your lips speak several names. Are they your companions? Family? Enemies? You seem to have forged unbreakable bonds with many people and many incidents…Might I ask if you fear losing these bonds?”

“I don’t,” Caelus answered. Acheron tilts her head, to which he offers an encouraging smile. “I don’t fear losing them…because they’re within me, they’re within everything I do no matter what happens…to remind me of who I am, even if I forget everything about myself.” He placed a hand upon his chest.

Acheron observed this reaction, and then continued. “Then, if there was a dreamscape, so lifelike it’s indistinguishable from reality. There, no one faces life’s separations or deaths. Everyone attains their deserved happiness and lives joyfully ever after.” Caelus frowns, to which she narrows her eyes. “I would ask. Would you wish to stay?”

Caelus shook his head almost immediately, taking a look at the dreamscape around them. “I would never want to live in a dream,” he answers, the prospect wholly antithetical to his beliefs. All dreams end when the dreamer wakes, and preferring a fake world of his own making, however flawless it could be, would only make him a fool.

Acheron nodded, taking his answer and expression in stride. “Now…imagine if this splendid dream were fated to fall apart: friends, family, strangers; followed by the gentle breeze, soaring birds, the stars…and ultimately, yourself.” Her words, and the way she said them, made his chest feel constricted. Caelus steadied his gaze into Acheron’s visible eye.  “Everyone, and every face they remember, the joy and the heartaches, the vows sealed and those left hanging…all will inevitably march towards a predetermined ending. If you had grasped the journey’s finale right from its inception…” There was a pause as she crossed her arms. “I would ask: Would you still embark on this journey?” she asked.

I…

“Papa! Where’s my papa?!”

“My child, my parents, my wife, all dead…”

“Save me! Please, I don’t want to die!”

Familiar voices rang inside, his entire body tensing before he took a deep breath. ‘That’s right, this was only a dreamscape.’ Acheron took a step closer, and he answered. 

“I’d still walk that path.”

Acheron gave a reassuring smile. “I know this is hard, you don’t have to be hard pressed to make a decision. As I have said…the answer is inconsequential.” Her tone sounded wholly sympathetic. “Hearing, touch, thought - through these, you gain emotions – cherish them. With emotions, we make choices,” she explains. “And so we return to the original question…I would ask, do you still remember me?” A repeat, as serious and somber as the first time.

And again, the Trailblazer felt his heart skip a beat. An unmistakable familiarity drowned his doubts and lack of memories. “I’m sure I met you somewhere before,” he answers, more certain than the first time. Just like Acheron said, emotions can capture what perception could not.

“I understand,” Acheron affirms, an expression of satisfaction upon her face. “That was my final question, thank you. We all have our paths to walk, so we shall bid our farewells.”

“Will I ever get to see you again?” Caelus asks, reluctant to part.

Acheron silently glanced at the distance behind him. “The golden dream is getting restless. In the coming nights of long, I’m afraid you will face many tribulations and witness many tragedies. And finally…your sight will only see black and white.” There was a pause, as if she was deliberating something. “But please believe me that in that monochrome world, there will be a glimpse of fleeting red, and when you make a choice, it will reappear before you once more…”

It seems that was the end of her warning. She then drew closer, her steps paced, deliberately slow. Her hand reached down, grasping the handle of her sword.

Wait, when did she summon that sword?

“What you must do now is ponder its significance.”

Okay, it seems that wasn’t the end of it.

“Then, you can return to the waking world,” she said, tainted tears silently falling down her cheek.

Caelus took an instinctive step back. His arms were suddenly raised, eyes widening as his body tried to guard against the sudden rush of danger. He then felt his chest cave in from the untraceable blow, a shockwave piercing through his body and forcing him to bend over. Gritting his teeth, he somehow managed to stay standing, golden lines fracturing on his skin as he turned. “A-Ach,” he wheezed, unable to fully voice her name as he struggled for a breath his crushed chest couldn’t give. 

His body jerked as Caelus felt something slash him, bubbly substance gushing all over the corridor.

“That’s where we all find our answers.”

Her words echoed as he fell, his arm desperately reaching out to her. Then he was snapped back to the train with a gasp, his heart racing and hammering against his ribs as he checked his body for any injuries. He looked down at his shaking hands, his breath raspy as he remembered the horrible sensation of his lungs failing him. Tears trickled on his forearm, and he wiped them off quickly.

‘ What was that? ’ The trailblazer wondered, the light of the nearby Penacony drawing his attention.

Pom-pom, ever so soft-hearted, with an approachable appearance to match, urgently voiced their concern.

“Caelus!” The conductor called out without reservation, his well-being called into question. “W-what’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?” 

They’re rather quick to notice changes within the train, perhaps a skill honed by many years of being the Express’ conductor.

Caelus looked to the dependable and teaseable Pom-pom, his eyes wavering with indecision. Thoughts welled up within, minutes passed in the blink of an eye as memories played out into pictures and scenes. A picture show that failed to capture the experienced events.

“I…had a dream, Pom-pom.” Yes, it was but a dream. “I’m alright, thank you for worrying about me.” The Trailblazer presented a smile, one which Pom-pom took with silent solace.

“Okay,” they said, a slight nod of their head being acknowledgement. “But, if you need us, the crew will always be ready to help,” the conductor added before coughing. 

“Ahem. You should be careful, Caelus. You seem to be quite susceptible to memoria,” they warn, flapping their tiny arms. “The good news is that the Express has already arrived at Penacony. Make sure you grab everything you need! And grab March 7th as well, she’s waiting for you in the back.”  Pom-pom then waved their furred hand. “I’m afraid I’m train-tied at the moment, even though I want to wander the streets… Have fun!”

Caelus followed the steps that Pom-pom took for a few seconds, watching their bunny-like form as it disappeared towards the front compartment. Taking a deep breath, the Trailblazer stood. He then stretched out both arms, making a bridge of his fingers as all ten of them created a choir of cracks. A sigh escaped in tandem.

‘Guess I should head out now. Let’s grab March!’

The walk was brief. Caelus was pleasantly surprised by March’s stasis appearance near the window outside her room. “Hey, March.”

The fair lady of ice turned away from the sight that lay behind the transparent pane. She was very excited, it seems.

“Caelus, you’re up? Welt and Himeko already beat us to the punch!” She dashed past him, her hand gripping his as she pulled him along. “Let’s get going!”

“Alright, alright. I know you’ve been waiting on me,” Caelus said in reply as he willingly embraced her efforts and even lessened how much strength March had to use.

“Hehe, you better not forget it!” Their usual banter followed them all the way to the lobby.

Upon arriving, March expressed her surprise and awe. Caelus was awed as well by how spacious and grand it was. “Oh! I think I can see Mr. Yang and Himeko at the desk,” March announced during her viewing.

Caelus turned towards where March was pointing, making out the familiar figures of his senior Trailblazers.

“Hmm. They seem to be having trouble,” his companion stated as she squinted her eyes.

“You can tell?”

“Of course I can!” Suddenly, she had let go of his hand, bouncing off to the front desk to scope out the situation. Perhaps she'd get to fill him in when he got there? Shrugging, Caelus attempted to follow after her. Attempted.

“Welcome to the Reverie!” A boy in blue, with a noticeably spectacular hat, bowed before him. “May you experience an unforgettable holiday! If you need help checking in, please head straight to the concierge.”

‘Wait, isn’t that-’

It was the boy from the dream. Though, it would be strange if he said so. “Do you work at this hotel?” he asked instead. 

“I’m Misha, a bell boy-”

“Caelus!” Both the boy and Caelus turned towards the voice. 

“Over here,” called out March with a wave of her hand. “There seems to be a problem.” It didn’t take long for trouble to find him once more. This time it came rather quickly.

Caelus gave a nod and then turned towards the boy, ready to explain why he had to get a move on. Only for him to be greeted with a smile.

“Should you need assistance with luggage, feel free to contact me. Please, don’t keep your friend waiting.”

Caelus gave a smile, mutual understanding settling between them. “Thank you, Misha. I’ll be sure to contact you if I need help with the luggage.”

There seemed to be a small problem with his identification. It was a shame he couldn’t simply assume the guise of Dan Heng’s identity, but through some civil discourse and aid by one Aventurine, Robin, and Sunday, everything worked out smoothly.

Currently, Caelus was walking to his new snazzy room after breaking away from the group. He couldn’t wait to inspect the interior, relax, and go into the dreamscape. March was excited as usual, which was understandable considering she met her idol. 

‘Odd… My room’s door is open.’

It seemed like a purposeful action, as if whoever was inside wanted to let him know ahead of time that they were there. Caelus calmly walks in, spotting a familiar and fanciful attire. They had a physical target on their back, which uniquely separated them from the crowd.

With a crisp, perhaps even practiced turn, Aventurine greets him with an amicable smile. “How fortuitous, we meet again,” he says, painting a coincidence.

“Is…this your room?” Or rather, was. Caelus was willing to play along for now. “Thank you for transferring it to me.” Aventurine may have his reasons, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be ungrateful.

“Haha…” He seemed surprised, if only a little. “Of course! This is what ‘friends’ do,” Aventurine replied, putting emphasis on friends. “Yes, this was my room half a system hour ago, and now it’s yours. A lucky block number, a lucky floor, a lucky room number. Treasure it well, friend.”

That did explain why Aventurine was already there, waiting for him. “I assume you want something from me. If it’s not too much trouble, could you get straight to the point?”

“Sure, let’s chat. My goal is simple. Help the IPC retrieve some things that belonged to them in the first place. If you agree, you still stand to reap great rewards, as well as the Preservation’s protection.”

“I can’t make that decision on my own,” Caelus states not a second later.

“...Of course, you can confer with your colleagues if you choose. You can even use me in return. Your value will be evident. I don’t do deals where I’m on the losing end, so I hope that ‘friends’ don’t let me down.” 

Caelus didn’t immediately answer this time, instead pondering over the implications of Aventurine words. This vacation certainly wasn’t lackluster, far from it. Perhaps he’ll be impaled once more during the timeframe? In all honesty, most of what Aventurine said seems to be veiled with other meanings and intentions, and he was no Sherlock. Whoever that may be. 

“There’s no rush to give me an answer,” Aventurine said, interrupting his thoughts. “Because,” he says, confidence rising, “no matter what happens…the outcome will still remain the same.”

Caelus gave a silent nod of acknowledgement, watching as Aventurine left for the door. His eyes followed his back, watching as he stopped short of the exit.

“Oh, yes. Before I go, let’s play a game. A simple one-” The man turned to face him, and in the same instance, the door unceremoniously opened to reveal a purple-clad figure with an eye-catching, sheathed blade.

Aventurine twisted his head in that same instance, lips curving upwards in amusement.

“...Well played, friend. But don’t forget to stay on your toes. Keep your doors closed. After all, there are,” he then gave Acheron a look, “rather unsavory characters amidst the festival.”

His message made, he walked past Acheron towards the now open door. “Have a pleasant stay, mister Stellaron,” Aventurine said on his way out.

Now there were only two. One Trailblazer, and one Acheron. The beauty clad in purple had her arms crossed, leveling a stare at Caelus. She seemed to be waiting for something.

“Uh. Thank you. Have we met somewhere?” Caelus remembered the dream. They had met, right?

“...Why haven’t you left?” coldly and rhetorically questioned Acheron.

Amber eyes widened in surprise, his mouth gaping in momentary surprise. Caelus crossed his arms, the same as her, and repeated her question with the same tone of voice. An imitation at least, to exude the same aura.

“Why haven’t you left?” he asks, coldly and rhetorically. The Trailblazer did not put emphasis on ‘you,’ simply repeating the line as if it were odd of her to ask.

“This is my room,” Acheron answered rhetorically, emphasizing how it was hers.

Caelus must have made an even funnier face, because she momentarily chuckled. That chuckle left him feeling strange, in a good way.

“I was just teasing, please forgive me,” she corrected, a smile on her face. Not a faint or one that disappeared within a millisecond. Is the room this lucky as Aventurine said? Caelus held his thoughts of Aventurine a little higher in regard now. 

“This is indeed your room.” Caelus nodded, affirming the fact that it was. “I saw that man scooping around the hallway, it didn’t seem like he was searching for his own room, so it made me wary…”

Hearing the explanation, Caelus was…not fully convinced, to say the least. But he believes her intentions are good. Had she been keeping an eye on him, or an ear to their conversation? Otherwise, how did she know when to intervene? Questions for later.

“I later saw you walking into the same room, so I began to connect the dots. The situation got a bit tense…I hope you don’t mind I pulled this stunt.”

Ah, so she saw him walking in. What a happy little coincidence, if he says so himself.

“Anyways, as long as you’re all right. I should return to my own room, too.”

Wait, really? That was too soon. His brows furrowed as he waited for her to turn around and walk out.

“But before I go, can I ask you a question?” Yes. Caleus nodded. “You may think it somewhat strange, perhaps even rude, but I wish to know.”

Caelus nods once more, a little encouragement for her to continue.

“...Have we met somewhere before?”

“In a dream,” Caelus sincerely answered.

“Yes…It was a dream. I had a dream on my way here, and I think you were in it. A blink of a thought in my head…”

A blink of a thought, huh.

“You may not remember, but those feelings are still there, right?”

Acheron seemed a little surprised, as if asking how he knew.

“You told me that it’s not the answers that mattered, but that I answered honestly.”

She nodded. “Caelus, this is your name, isn’t it? Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you, Acheron.”

“So you remember my name, too…”

“Yeah. How’d you remember mine?” Caelus asked, eyes straying behind her towards the open door. Acheron turned her head, following the direction of his gaze.

“That man mentioned it earlier. My memory’s not very good, but it’s not so bad that I can’t remember details from just minutes ago.”

The beauty turns around, facing him once more. “You already know my name, but they call me Galaxy Ranger, Acheron. Although, you can call me whatever you want… Since I doubt we’ll meet again.”

“I'm certain we’ll meet again,” Caelus chimed in with a smile. If his fortunate, or unfortunate streak is to go by, he had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until then.

“Hmph. Lastly, as a gentle reminder…” She had paused, adopting a somewhat sterner expression. He couldn’t exactly tell, due to how muted her expressions were. “Beware of that gambler. That is all I can say.”

Gambler, she calls him? Caelus briefly recalled his interaction with the man. It wasn’t unwarranted. Giving a nod, the Trailblazer affirms her caution with an open mind.

“Got it,” he says. Seemingly satisfied, Acheron’s smile seemed to grow a little wider before she abruptly turned around.

“Goodbye.” She was gone before he knew it, like the wind. Caelus closed his eyes in thought, a hand coming under the chin as he tilted his head towards the ground. It’s been one thing after another. ‘...Forget it. Let’s try entering the dream now. March and the others have probably made it in by now.’

But first of all, he needed to close and lock the door. As he neared the knob, and reached for it, a familiar body came into view. They clashed, and his head came into collision with another’s.

“What the- Acheron?” It was a rather soft impact, so he felt no pain. The Ranger didn’t seem phased either. She was silent, as if contemplating something.

“So…we meet again,” Caelus suaves with a knowing smile. It seemed to irk Acheron a little, if the slight shift of her head was any sign.

“...Could you point me in the direction of the lobby? All these hallways really look the same to me.”

“Haha-” Caelus stopped himself short. “Ahem. Sure, it would be my pleasure.”

He steps out, comfortably closing the door behind him. “Follow me…”

It was a brief but fulfilling excursion, Acheron’s poor sense of direction allowing Caelus to spend a few more minutes with her. She thanked him and again, but he waved it off and they both went separate ways.

“Now then…” Caelus now stood over the Dreampool, rereading the Dreamscape Pass’ instructions once more. “It’s about time.”

Caelus groggily opened his eyes, scrambling to his feet as he checked for his surroundings. He seems to be surrounded by bushes and some trees, spotting what looks to be a big ferris wheel in the distance. ‘ I guess I’m in a Dreamscape…intentionally, this time. ’ 

Then he heard noises coming from the bushes.

The Trailblazer jumped back and summoned his bat, only to unsummon it a second later as a familiar figure came into view. “Acheron?” he asks, each syllable slowly said, the weapon hopefully wasn't in her view.

“It’s you…” Acheron trailed, the words drawn out, a frown on her face, arms crossed. “We met, yet again…a bit quicker than I imagined,” she added awkwardly.

“Yeah, true. Not what I expected to wake up to in a dreamscape, but I’m glad it was you.” He lets out a laugh, grinning enthusiastically as he pointed to the attraction not far from them. “Wanna go see that with me?” he suggests, hoping to experience the mysterious dream world with a familiar face. It was unfortunate that March and the others weren’t here. March must’ve been having the time of her life right now.

Acheron seems to consider his suggestion, turning to the large, revolving wheel-shaped attraction in the distance. She remained silent for a few moments, and Caelus barely noticed the way her eyes grew strangely saddened by the sight. His mind scrambled for a way to salvage the situation, half-expecting the Ranger to refuse. “I’ll accompany you, for the time being,” Acheron eventually answers, her voice calm and measured as usual, despite the initial reaction.

‘ Yes! ’ the trailblazer exclaimed internally. His interest in Acheron was the icing on the cake, as this was the perfect opportunity to know more about her.

“Let’s go?” Caelus made his way out of the bushes, as did Acheron. Entering the festive area, he took in the attractions, restaurants and decorations within with sheer wonder.

“Is this your first time in an amusement park?” Acheron’s voice cut through the voices of the people and the music around them, her attention solely on him since earlier.

“As far as I can recall, yeah,” answered Caelus as his eyes strayed to a performer juggling five colorful balls. “What about you, Acheron? Ever been in one before?” The performer he was watching added three more balls to the ring.

“I have, although my memory of the time is hazy,” she answered, blurred figures of old friends teasing her mind. So distinct and warm, yet still fragmented and out of reach. In spite of her forgetfulness, the thought evoked a smile. “What’s the matter?” she inquired, tilting her head as the Trailblazer cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

“N-Nothing.” Caelus looked away, placing a hand to his chest. Ba dum. Ba dum. That smile. “Ahem. Since this isn’t your first time, I’ll follow your lead?”

“Leave it to me,” Acheron replied, her smile reassuring. “So long as I’m by your side, I guarantee you’ll have nothing to worry about.” She stated it with certainty, her eyes serious and determined…

…or at least it was the case until they began exploring again. It didn’t take long for Caelus to notice the difficulties Acheron had when dealing with unfamiliar places, despite the sincere confidence she displayed, making it seem like everything’s under control. 

It was getting harder not to laugh as they walked, Caelus realizing that his guide gave up all pretenses as she clung to his sleeve. It was adorable in a way, like a chick following after its mother, but he was no mother. His hand was offered, lifted behind his back.

The Ranger didn’t say anything. After a moment, he felt her hand firmly gripping his. Moving through the crowds, they enjoyed the sights the park offered and the merry cheers of the crowds around them. 

Penacony wasn’t so bad after all. 

Their first stop was a vendor of animal ears headbands, the Trailblazer eagerly buying a raccoon-themed pair while Acheron reluctantly picked one with horns after much encouragement from her insistent companion. After which, they moved on to the Merry-Go-Round where Caelus cheerfully rode his mighty steed with his bat, alongside the children who joined in on the improvised roleplay, earning a soft chuckle from his new friend and the laughter of the spectators. Their next target were the roller coasters, where Acheron’s impeccable stoicism shone in the different pictures taken during the rides as her neutral, unfazed face stood out between the expressions of fear, joy and the exceedingly thrilled Trailblazer beside her striking different poses for the camera on each ride. The list went on and on as the two partook in the many experiences the dreamscape had to offer, and Caelus honestly began to believe Acheron would probably remain passive no matter what he did…until they got to the dodgems, and all hell broke loose.

Admittedly, Caelus should’ve read the warning signs, like the fact Acheron herself made the suggestion to try the bumper cars, or the fact she asked to drive their dragon-themed car, or even the way her eyes narrowed slightly when she held the wheel. Alas, his happiness over Acheron’s initiative blinded him, and only when the world turned blurry did he sense something amiss.

Acheron held nothing back, accelerating like their lives depended on it as she made quick work of their competition. No. Calling the others a competition was an overstatement. They were closer to lambs trapped in a cage with a dragon, helplessly being flailed about until they were decimated. It took the Trailblazer’s full effort and then some just to keep from being sent flying each time Acheron made a swift turn and damn near drifted all over the place when the others decided to gang up on them. Sadly, their numbers did little against the silent Ranger, her stony expression unaffected by the ruckus or the high-speed clash.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the round ended, the others glaring at the two of them with different shades of annoyance and irritation. Caelus spent the remainder of their time around the attraction appeasing and apologizing to the aggrieved players and concerned parents while Acheron continued to gaze silently at their ride, now sporting multiple dents after all the trail of destruction she put it through.

All of which brought them to where they were now, sitting together at a bench with Caelus laughing his lungs off despite the way Acheron glared at him. He was quite happy to see more reactions from the Ranger, even though it came at the cost of her embarrassment and being juggled around inside the bumper car as he hung on for dear dream life. Still, he reigned in his laughter when Acheron crossed her arms.

Then both of them heard sobbing coming from the bushes beside them. The Trailblazer sprung to his feet immediately, surprising the Ranger as he pushed through to find a small girl hugging her knees with tears streaming down their cheeks.

“Hi there,” Caelus first announced to the girl while slowly approaching. He made sure to smile, lifting his hands in surrender. He observed her form, inspecting if she was hurt anywhere, eyes widening for a split second when he noticed the necklace around her neck. Wait. No, it must be his imagination. “You’re safe now, don’t worry,” he gently reassured, kneeling down while offering his hand.

The girl gave him a look, unmoving for a minute. Caelus waited patiently, his hand open for her. Eventually, she took it, and he gently helped her up. While helping her out of the bushes, the Trailblazer recalled that dream. This girl…

“Mister?” The girl’s saddened voice snapped him out of his recollection, her tear-stained eyes eating away at him.

“You’re…Ana, right?” Caelus asked, mustering a friendly smile when the girl nodded. “I’m Caelus, and this is Acheron,” he introduces, gesturing to the silent Ranger. “Are you lost?”

“Y-Yeah, I w-want papa and mama.” 

“It’s alright, don’t worry,” Caelus reassured her. “Come with us, we’ll find your parents for sure.” This offer seemed to somewhat appease the child, for now. That was good to see. 

Looking around, the two couldn’t find anyone near the bench, and began walking around with Ana in an attempt to locate her parents. 

Caelus made a stop to buy the girl some cotton candy, hoping the sweet treat could sooth her spirit. Turning to his companion, Caelus smiled when he saw Ana hanging on to Acheron’s coat while the silent lady glanced at her. She seemed to be having a hard time.

“Here, Ana. I got you some candy.” He offers her the treat, holding it a little ways away from her. 

“No. I want my parents.” Ana shook her head, refusing the offer as she huddled closer to Acheron. 

Caelus flinched, but remained undeterred, giving Acheron the cotton candy. Moving along through the general direction, they managed to find security and swiftly conveyed the situation. After the first few minutes of waiting for someone to show up, the three of them sat together on a nearby bench. 

Caelus threw glances at Acheron, noting the way she kept staring at the cotton candy while Ana started drawing some pictures. The Ranger seemed awfully intrigued by the pink treat for some reason, a feeling at the back of Caelus’ mind telling him she liked it.

At least she wasn’t mad at him for laughing anymore. 

“Look!” Ana said, handing her little handbook to Acheron with a cheerful smile. She seemed more at ease now that people are looking for her parents, comfortably sitting between the Trailblazer and the Galaxy Ranger while swaying her legs.

Caelus sneakily leaned behind Ana, looking at the drawing with Acheron. Ana drew the two of them, smiling amidst shapes of flowers and silly trees in the background as they held hands together. The Trailblazer did not comment, eyes trailing to Acheron to bear witness to a stunning smile on the aloof lady’s face. Struck speechless by her beauty, he could only watch from the side without a word even as a flock of pigeons flew by them.

The passing birds caught Ana’s attention, the little girl hopping down the bench and running in pursuit. She laughed as some falling feathers tickled her cheek, her eyes focused skywards as the birds flew away from her. She turned to the two sitting by the bench, only to see them tense and shocked.

“Ana! Watch out!” Caelus’ warning came too late, as the girl realized she got too close to the stairs without realizing it. She cried out, closing her eyes just as she lost footing.

But she didn’t fall.

It took the girl a few moments to muster the courage to open her eyes again, and she saw Caelus by her side, golden lines traveling across his skin as he held her close. She gasped at the sight, thinking back to the superhero stories her parents always told her about.

Seeing her awestruck eyes glinting with wonder, Caelus winked and placed his index finger in front of his lips. The golden lines receded as the power of the Stellaron was dispelled, as if it never happened.

Once she got over the initial surprise, Ana quickly mimicked Caelus’s gesture, a silent promise to keep the event a secret between them. Her sudden seriousness made her look more adorable, though Caelus settled with a thumbs up when he noticed a couple approaching with a security guard.

Ana’s eyes sparkled when she saw the couple, running towards them with a happy smile. “Mommy, daddy!” She jumped straight into her mother’s embrace, laughing as her father patted her head.

“Oh sweetie, I’m so glad you’re okay.” The lady sighed in relief, comforting her daughter with a soft smile. Her gaze shifted to Caelus and Acheron, offering a grateful nod as she lifted her child up. “Thank you for finding her.”

“We worried sick,” added the Father, scratching his head as he bowed his head. “We looked for her everywhere before we heard the announcement. We can’t thank you enough.” 

“It’s alright, we’re happy to help.” Caelus smiled while Acheron nodded silently. He watched as the three of them left, waving at Ana when she turned his way one final time before their figures disappeared amidst the crowd.

“You’ve met that girl before?” Acheron suddenly asked, her attention finally shifting from the cotton candy to the Trailblazer.

Caelus nodded, his smile fading seamlessly. “Not long ago, me and my friends came across a planet named Jarilo VI.” His hands went to his pockets as he looked away from the cheerful crowds. “It was devastated by a Stellaron, and many people died before we arrived and sealed it. Ana…was one of them,” Caelus explained as the two of them returned to the bench, watching the festive dreamscape around him with a sigh on his lips. “I met her remnant, one of the echos made by the fragmentum, when I was cleaning up the monsters on a visit. That’s how I knew of her and other victims of the Stellaron.” Like the one he had within him.

“I see. So all the people here are…” Acheron trailed off, her eyes taking in the smiling passersby in a new light.

“Yeah, they’re victims I met over the time I spent constantly interacting with the departed.” Caelus took in a deep breath, his back straightening. “It’s nice to see them happy I suppose, but I didn’t expect them to show up first thing in the dreamscapes,” he comments softly while casually leaning in closer to the Ranger.

Acheron tilted her head, confused at the sudden approach as the Trailblazer got closer still. Just as she was about to question him, the young nameless took a bite out of the cotton candy and pulled back. His sly act drew a slight furrow from the Ranger, but she chose to overlook it as she took a bite of the treat herself.

Their peaceful time was abruptly interrupted, the sunlight growing brighter and brighter as it encompassed the entire landscape. The two tensed, covering their eyes as they jumped to their feet with their weapons in hand. Caelus glanced at the people around him, his heart skipping a beat when he saw them smiling at him.

‘Thank you so much for saving us!’

“Wait!” Caelus desperately called out to them, his hand reaching out only to flinch when someone roughly grabbed his arm. He turned to see a white-haired man staring at him, blue eyes stoically watching him.

“Don’t chase the dreams,” the stranger warned, voice adamant and strict as the figures began to dissipate. “They’ll lead you nowhere, just to an abyss you’ll never be able to wake up from.”

The Trailblazer couldn’t tell what happened, or how long he was out of it. Through the haze of his dizziness, Caelus could barely make out the soft feeling of grass tickling his neck and hands.

“-lus?”

A voice called out to him, a bit hard to make out. His eyes opened as he groaned, his blurry vision clearing up to reveal Acheron’s dazzling eyes watching him worriedly. “I hope you got the plate of whatever hit me,” he quipped, sitting up and rubbing his face as the confusion receded.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Acheron replied, her worries dissipating as she helped him to his feet. “It appears we were shifted to another dreamscape.” She gestured to their new surroundings. They appeared to be in the garden of a luxurious mansion, the design bearing small similarities to more traditional houses of the Xianzhou given its distinct classical architecture.

It didn’t take much to know whoever owned this place was super rich, but it didn’t tell them what they’re supposed to do here. Taking a look around, the dreamscape itself seemed much less stable and detailed like the amusement park, as everything outside of the manor was muddled and fuzzy, closer to poorly made sludge trying to mimic the shapes of houses, trees and street lights. The sky also looked weird, like it was poorly rendered textured on one of the games he tried that goes awry when his connection took a small dip.

A traumatizing experience for a game enjoyer like Caelus.

Acheron began walking unexpectedly, her steps slow and deliberate as she scrutinized the place more attentively.

“Something bothering you, Acheron?” Caelus asked, taking in their surroundings as he followed after her. The inside of the manor seemed just as obscure and disturbingly distorted as the outside parts, leaving them walking in the gardens.

“This place…feels familiar,” she answered, calmly tracing the wooden railing as they circled around to find a small dojo separate from the main residence. The Ranger hummed casually, approaching it and entering without a word. 

Inside the dojo, Caelus took the time to appreciate the luxurious and resplendent interior. Following Acheron’s example, he took off his shoes and accompanied her as she looked around the peaceful place before the two of them approached a rack of wooden swords. Given the Ranger’s apparent familiarity with the place, the Trailblazer assumed this dreamscape was hers. Her home, perhaps? Did she train here? He didn’t know. 

He curiously checked the swords, grabbing one of them before stepping in the middle of the dojo, giving a few test swings and striking different poses he saw from the Express’s databank records.

Safe to say, Yanqing would’ve never let him live this down if he were here…on the off chance his sword didn’t take this display as a personal insult and try to kill him to defend the honor of its wooden counterpart.

“Calm your breath.” Acheron’s voice startled him, her hands gently placed over his as she corrected his grip. “A sword is different from a bat. Make use of the entire grip if you want to draw its full potential,” she explained, her breath tickling his ear before she pulled back, observing him from the side.

“How about you show me?” Caelus suggested, pointing his wooden sword at the Ranger. 

Acheron seemed to ponder over his proposal for a second before she nodded. Taking hold of a sword, she joined him in the sparring floor and readied herself. Caelus could swear the world shifted for a brief moment, his muscles tensing up as he felt goosebumps racing up his spine.

“Are you ready?” Acheron suddenly asked, her purple eyes glinting as she maintained her stance perfectly. No openings, no lapse of focus, and no hesitation. Her every motion polished to perfection the likes of which others could only dream of, the wide chasm between the two of them evident before the fight even began.

‘ I’m so screwed… ’ The Trailblazer, savior of Belobog, and defender of the Luofo lamented the punishment he brought upon himself, but it was too late to retreat now. Hardening his resolve, Caelus tightened his grip and nodded.

Tonight, he dies like a man.

And so he did, the first strike of many hitting his forearm five seconds into the duel. Had it been a real blade, he would’ve been in need of a hook for his new stump. “Again,” he said, moving back to the starting position again. Loss never disheartened him, and time was abundant in this dreamscape.

His second loss came ten seconds into the fray, a hasty defense Acheron easily decimated with a strong blow to his exposed shoulder. Pain forced him to wince, the momentary lapse of attention ending with Acheron’s sword against his throat. “Again,” Caelus spoke again, enduring the pain and moving right back to the start.

Time flew by as the Trailblazer endured strike after strike, his continued resistance slowly but surely growing with each second of resistance he scraped by. Pain continued to intensify as the blows continued raining down on him, but it was a price worth paying for getting closer to a victory.

His persistence didn’t seem to bore Acheron as she answered his challenges without fail, pointing out his mistakes and correcting his flaws before taking her stance again. Although her expression looked serene and aloof, she felt more at ease and comfortable than before. He briefly contemplated the possibility she was enjoying the beating she’s inflicting on him, but quickly banished the idea when he saw her smiling when he followed her instructions.

The continuous sounds of their swords clashing rang within the dojo, along with the occasional groan from Caelus when his body fell on the floor right before he rose back up again. Only when the Trailblazer got past the minute mark did the flow begin to shift…an achievement not entirely of his own making.

‘ Raise your left foot. Protect your right side. ’

Caelus obeyed the somber voice in his head, raising his foot just in time to evade being swept off by Acheron’s swing. He brought up his sword as fast as he could, barely managing to stop the Ranger’s follow-up and locked blades with her. 

Caelus’s eyes briefly shifted to the stranger standing behind Acheron, arms crossed as his blue eyes observed them. The Trailblazer couldn’t get a measure of him beyond the deeply rooted sensation of overwhelming power.

‘ Back away, then duck. ’

Caelus reacted instantly, his eyes widening when he saw a blur move just in front of his face. The moment his feet touched the ground, he crouched under the second, faster swing he couldn’t even see coming. The only indication of the blow was the wind ruffling his hair, but Caelus didn’t dwell on it as he readied to counter the surprised Ranger.

‘ Don’t. Roll over to the right. ’

Gritting his teeth, Caelus stopped his attack and jumped away, hearing a loud thud of Acheron’s sword against the floor. ‘ She’s too fast! I can’t get any hits in. ’ Caelus once again came to the realization of just how outclassed he really was with each passing moment. In the time it took for him to swing once, his opponent could have swung ten times with enough intensity to easily incapacitate him by the third blow. His dwindling stamina didn’t help, especially given the fact Acheron didn’t appear to have broken a sweat during this entire thing.

‘ Focus. ’

Caelus snapped back to the fight, hastily blocking the incoming strike and getting pushed back to the edge of the sparing space. His palms stung, his skin ripping up as he withstood blow after blow with no opening to counterattack.

‘ The reason you can’t resist is because the power within you is not your own. ’

‘ That’s not really helpful! ’ Caelus shouted back in his mind, and it cost him the match as he was struck down with a swift thrust to his liver. The pain forced him to his knees, before he fell down to the ground completely.

‘ If you cannot break that weapon with your own strength, you will never wield it properly…and you won’t even graze her. ’

Caelus gnashed his teeth, enduring the pain for a while until he was able to get back to his feet again. Wiping the sweat on his forehead, the Trailblazer took a breather to gather his bearings. He knew he couldn’t match Acheron as he was, but the only possible solution was…volatile. Despite regular training, Caelus has yet to master the Stellaron’s power within him beyond short bursts of power within his weapons or imbuing it in his body for a few seconds.

Even so…he didn’t want to lose without giving it his all. Even grazing her would be enough.

‘ You chose this path, so follow it to the end at all costs. ’

Caelus didn’t pay too much attention to the man’s words as he focused on the overwhelming power coursing through his veins. Taking a deep breath, he focused on his heartbeats as golden lines spiderwebbed across his skin. He wielded his blade, ignited eyes staring straight at the enigmatic swordswoman.

Acheron did not seem surprised, her undivided attention focused on him from the very beginning. Lightning danced across her body for a brief moment, and then she was gone.

Caelus didn’t panic this time, swiftly turning around and slamming his sword against Acheron’s. In a mix of gold and purple, the two exchanged swings in rapid succession, ending with Caelus getting pushed back once more with his sword reduced to splinters.

Acheron did not press on the assault, her own sword equally shattered. She stood there, watching the Trailblazer intently for a few moments before she gently grasped the tufts of hair on her shoulder. She took a closer look at them, and then shifted her attention back to Caelus, taking a new sword and switching her stance as she grasped the sword horizontally. “You’ve done well.” 

“What can I say? I have a great teacher.” Caelus felt a rush of satisfaction coursing through him as he finally got a reaction from her after all his failures. The pain he felt from the Stellaron's energy was overshadowed by the euphoria of the small victory he accomplished. Taking a new sword, Caelus took a deep breath and focused on the feeling within his body, knowing he wouldn’t be able to catch Acheron off guard a second time.

Both fighters were ready once more, the dojo illuminated by a mixture of gold and purple before the two charged.

‘ Watch out. ’

The man’s voice cut through Caelus’s thoughts, and the Trailblazer didn’t realize what the warning was about until it was too late. The space between the two of them quickly began to crack until two familiar metallic hands broke into the dojo, one of them grabbing hold of him while the other was swiped away by Acheron.

‘ Damn it! Not this thing again! ’ Caelus cursed as he summoned his bat and hammered the big hand with all of his might until it released him. He caught sight of Acheron observing the Doomsday Beast’s attempts to push into the dreamscape, the breach to the dojo widening progressively as the giant construct rammed its body against the fracturing barrier.

‘ It must’ve been made from my memories. ’ Caelus frowned, preparing to fight before his eyes caught sight of a red petal floating near him. “Be careful, Ache-” 

He tried to warn his companion, but his voice was cut off, along with all other noise.

Everything froze when the Ranger stepped forward, her hair turning gray as she unsheathed her sword…and the entire dreamscape was shattered.

It was a bleak world. A place where any and all hope dies.

Nothing else came to mind as Caelus gazed upon the eerily pressuring black sun in the distance. It was large, far larger than anything he probably thought it could be. If he chose to move closer, he was sure it would only become larger, and larger, until he saw nothing but darkness.

 It felt like just standing in this place was robbing him of any joy or sadness, seeking to leave a callous detachment from the colorless ruins around him. He looked at the water he was standing on, and the pitch black abyss stared back, with not a glimmer of anything within.

Every part of him screamed of danger. This place wasn’t a dreamscape, that’s for sure.

“Acheron?” he called out, searching for any trace of the beautiful Ranger. No answer was given, only the pervading silence. Caelus began searching through the ruined houses as he made his way forward. His initial efforts proved fruitless, finding no one in this devastated path. Eventually the ruins became fewer and fewer until only the looming black hole remained in front of him, and the dread weighing on him grew heavier and heavier.

The further he walked, the more weary he felt. Like he shouldn’t care, and just walk away from this…from everything. The Trailblazer’s advance faltered momentarily, his eyes gazing at the intimidating black hole and the unshifting horizon as confusion permeated his senses. 

How much did he walk up until now? Did he even move? At a certain point, he couldn’t tell anymore.

Caelus frowned as his head began to ache, a soft breeze passing by without disturbing the waters. But to him, it felt like he was being pushed back, fighting against a tide he couldn’t see just to stay where he was, all alone within this hopeless landscape.

Until someone passed him by, walking forward at a steady pace with their coat and white hair fluttering about. Indomitable and unflinching blue eyes looked to the horizons with neither doubt nor despair, pushing through the suffocating pressure bearing down on the two of them with palpable ease. Caelus watched the stranger’s back as the man advanced, his heart beating faster as he gritted his teeth and took one more step.

The man did not wait for him. Caelus didn’t want or need him to. If that man could do it, then Caelus could too, no matter how hard it is. His figure, seemingly untouchable, stood tall and erect in front of the trailblazer like a shining beacon challenging him to push on.

The pressure grew more and more intolerable, his body and consciousness were crumbling steadily. Parts of his ego were fading as he began to wonder why he was doing this.

For what purpose was he here?

He couldn’t tell what brought him here anymore, but he still kept walking. Another step forward, and he could no longer stand straight, pushing against an invisible weight as he fought for every inch while the man kept getting further and further away. Caelus couldn’t see the girl watching him just out of sight, her pendant shining for a brief moment.

Why was all of this happening?

He couldn’t tell what was going on, but he kept walking. Static blurred his vision, black spots obscuring his vision as he crossed his arms and firmly planted his feet in the water before pushing once again. A lone wooden sword witnessed his valiant effort, its pristine form unblemished by the murky surroundings.

Why was he fighting so much? For what purpose does he resist?

He didn’t know why he couldn’t stop anymore, even so, he did not hesitate. His thoughts grew muddled with unintelligible noise, and it was a struggle in and of itself to just think. It felt like his own mind gave up, and the only thing he wanted to do was give this entire thing a permanent rest and just abandon any hope of accomplishing whatever goal he thought he could achieve here.

Still, he remained defiant, glaring heatedly at the stoic figure standing tall in front of him without a care. Stalwart and unbending, the difference in their postures alone made the gap in strength beyond question. Regardless of any cards the Trailblazer had, he wouldn’t come close to the heroic figure the stranger had. In no circumstances did he stand a chance of beating him…but he won’t stop.

A golden light steadily grew from within chest, as power flowed into his limbs. Like cracks, golden lines slowly spread across his body, the eerie sound they made ignored by the young man as he began to pick up the pace. He cast aside all reservations, matching the violent gales he could now see with equal fervor as more cracks began to spread across his skin. His desire further fueled the Stellaron as the young man fearlessly treaded forward, the consequences a faint thought at the back. 

Even if weakened pieces are all that’s left of him, he’ll still fight back with every ounce of strength he has left. 

Finally, the stranger stopped and turned his head to stare at Caelus from the edge of his vision. His face was locked in the same measured and cold stoicism it held since the first time the Trailblazer saw him. “Think you can catch up to me?” the man asked abruptly, his voice resonating within this bleak landscape.

His question was enough. Caelus stomped down, and surged forth in an explosive charge as the golden cracks finally gave way. His body crumbled, golden pieces falling off his skin much like a dying outer shell, leaving him swiftly piercing through the haze in a mad dash as the Stellaron’s light arced and raced across his form.

“You bet!” Caelus shouted back at him, the man’s figure getting closer by the second as he kept walking leisurely. Each step upended the water as the stagnant sea began to move, the power flowing within the young Nameless’ body shifting the landscape behind him with every step. “The Galactic Baseballer’s gonna leave you in the dust!”  With all his might, he finally pulled ahead, carelessly dashing with unmistakable determination.

The stranger watched him with a faint smile, his stride every poised as he kept walking after him in this desolate world.

Caelus’s sprint through the sea eventually came to a halt when he finally caught sight of Acheron, a wide smile stretching across his face as she turned to him with clear shock. “Acheron! There you are!” He skids across the water, breaking abruptly and nearly drenching the silent Ranger were it not for her speedy reaction.

“You shouldn’t be here, Caelus.” The Ranger spoke gently, her face still bearing the same disbelief as she peered at the slowly dissipating light radiating from the Trailblazer’s body.

“I wanted to find you and get out of here. And something told me…you’d be in here.” His words were spoken through pants, slowly stabilizing his breath, his eyes widening when he noticed the peculiar changes on his friend’s body. “Woah! You look different now!” He gasped, taking in Acheron’s gray hair, red eyes and the lines stretching across her skin with great intrigue. 

He hummed, finding the new appearance to be rather cool if only the Ranger didn’t look so sad. “It’s cool, now we have matching hair…somewhat. We can be the Galactic Baseballer and Ranger duo.” Caelus rubbed his nose with a smirk, trying to brighten the mood.

His efforts seemed to work to an extent, as Acheron shook her head with a small smile. “I see your humor is still intact. I’m glad.” Acheron turned to the hole in the sky, her back facing Caelus before she continued. “I wanted to thank you, for everything. The time we spent together, however brief, was…fun,” she said, visibly trying to find the right words while her mind was preoccupied with the fragments of memories she was trying to remember before Caelus burst in, namely their first encounter.

She could not recall the name of the planet, nor how long ago this meeting took place. The first thing she could recall was the sound of the train she was in, and the whispers of the people next to her. Then he caught her attention when he offered his seat to a pregnant lady, his warm deposition welcoming and reassuring even to strangers. They bumped into each other many times on the same planet, and each time he smiled at her and gave her the directions she needed to get to her destination. 

Then, her memories are mired with scenes of devastation, buildings in ruin and covered in big pieces of fragmentum. A hellish landscape filled with only screams and wails, and within the cries of danger, the Ranger saw a singular person walking into the flames. Shifting through the chaos and battling against the monsters, he searched for survivors relentlessly. 

He struck a pitiable figure, his clothes turning into a mess and his body riddled with burns and injuries the deeper he charged, yet the lone young man never backed down. His face shifted between sound reason when fighting against the fragmentum beasts and profound sadness with each corpse he found.

Trying to carry everything on his shoulders…the thought made her heart ache for some reason. It was comforting to see he hasn’t changed since then to an extent. Her curse made her see past acquaintances in the people she met, but something about his particular figure anchored him within the haze of the sleepless’ blessing.

Acheron couldn’t tell…and yet she didn’t find it particularly troubling compared to the fact he managed to hold out here for so long. It was almost as if he experienced death already, but she could tell the young man in front of her was alive.

“Hey Acheron,” Caelus called to her, looking at the monochrome plane as he stood beside the silent lady. “Do you want to go to a real amusement park after getting out of here?” he suddenly suggested, silently gauging her reaction.

Acheron turned his way, tilting her head as she blinked at him.

“Well, a dream isn’t the same as a real thing. Since it was fun, I wanted to do another trip to an amusement park in reality,” he adds, scratching his head as his arms crossed, with his gaze averted. It didn’t take much to notice Acheron wasn’t the brightest ray of sunshine, even more so in her current state in this weird place, but Caelus felt it was even more of a reason to wash off the dreary taste this bleak landscape left on them with some merriment.

Then he heard a chuckle. Caelus instantly turned back to Acheron, eyes wide as he saw the composed woman actually chuckling. It was a warming sight, one that stole his breath, as if a swarm of butterflies danced in his chest before erupting from his mouth, rendering him speechless.

“Forgive me. It’s the first time I’ve seen you so bashful. You seemed so carefree and unfettered beforehand, I didn’t expect an invitation like this to be difficult for you…some things never change.”

Caelus’ eyes lit up as he crossed his arms. “So? Will the fearsome champion of the dodgems conquer a real battlefield with me?”

“I accept,” the Ranger answers, shaking her head and accepting the playful gesture in stride. “However, it will have to wait for the time being.” While it was impressive for him to stay here for so long, continuing to remain will endanger his life. “Your journey has not ended yet. Do not linger here.”

Confused, Caelus raised his head to ask the Ranger about the delay, before grunting as their surroundings were engulfed in fog and smoke. “Acheron!” Caelus called out to her, running through the haze to no avail. He ran in all directions, even tried swinging at the fog, but it only made him even more tired.

“Her path is already set.” A familiar voice echoed within the fog, its cold tone grating the young Trailblazer. “You, who can’t even save yourself, could never save her,” it added, neither derisive nor empathetic. A cold harsh truth beyond any help.

“Shut up!” Caelus shouted, gritting his teeth as he pushed off his feet and ran in a different direction. “Acheron! Where are you!?” Nothing but shadow and smoke within sight as the fatigue of his earlier stunt bore its ugly head.

“She has accepted her fate,” the man’s voice rang once more, clear through the haze and over Caelus’ own calls. “Self annihilation is the only resolution at the end of T̼̼̖̾͟͞h̨͚͚͖ͯ̒̄͗͞ḛ̡̰̳͓̥ͬ͋ͪͧ N͔͔̥̺̞̿͊̇i̧̻̻͉̜͑ͪ̾͟h̨͚͚͖ͯ̒̄͗͞i̧̻̻͉̜͑ͪ̾͟l͖͖̰̝ͭ̀͘i̧̻̻͉̜͑ͪ̾͟t͖͖̠̬͛y͙͙̪̰ͫ͌́.” His words, once clear, suddenly got blurry and incomprehensible at the end.

“I won’t let her die!” Caelus flinched as his head began to hurt, wincing as he felt his temple throb the more the voice spoke.

“You want to die with her?”

“No! I want her to live!” His eyes narrowed as he searched for the source around him. “I’m not going to give up on her!” Suddenly, a hand burst from the smoke and grabbed his neck.

Before him stood the same enigmatic man, staring him dead in the eye as he held him up. Caelus struggled against, but his resistance proved inadequate to free him from the stranger’s iron grip.

“If it’s your wish, will you die in her place?” The man asked once more, his gaze unflinching and intimidating as he squeezed tighter.

Caelus did not back down, remaining defiant as he gritted his teeth. “Go ahead. Cough… Do your worst.” 

The man’s face did not change, his piercing eyes scrutinizing Caelus for a few moments. “Then swear on your life.” An ardent blaze erupted around them and pushed the encroaching darkness away. In an instant, Caelus’s body was flung far away, while the man stood still, his attention shifting to the black hole in the distance as his figure was slowly covered by the darkness. “Keep her safe,” the man whispered before he marched on ever forward, unfazed and unchanging within the darkness of Nihility. 

Like an immovable mountain, his sense of purpose never faltered nor wavered against the relentless waves of this sea of purposelessness. Such was the mark of a now nameless hero of Izumo, fighting for what he found beautiful in this world.

Caelus felt his heart racing as the world around him spiraled in all directions, his weakened body slamming and skipping across the water before he eventually came to a halt. His senses were rattled and growing numb, the ups and downs he’s had catching up to him as he stood on wobbly feet. Before him stood the person he was searching for, gazing at him with a tainted tear staining her stoic face.

She spoke, but he couldn’t hear her, his sense of hearing already robbed as he struggled weakly towards her. Water trickled down his drenched form, but he didn’t feel it, his sense of touch equally stolen as he finally approached the woman watching him. “You…really get lost…a lot…” All he had left was his rapidly failing sight, and just enough strength left to slowly raise his hand and gently wipe away the stain. “Still…D-Don’t worry…no matter…how many times…you get lost…” His sight was gone, so he offered a weak smile to the reticent woman. “I’ll be there…to guide you…back…just like…before,” he uttered just as his body failed him. 

“...May the tide bring you back home.” Acheron gently caught him and slowly eased him down, watching silently as he faded away from the river of Nihility and left only a tiny speck of light in her palm. She held the insignificant light close to her chest, focusing on the sensation of warmth she clearly felt as it faded in her bosom.

A tear unknowingly fell down her cheek, the clear drop gently falling into the stale river as the Emanator reveled in the colorful feelings flowing within her, as fleeting as they may be. When her eyes opened once more, her blade appeared in her grasp while a gentle red hue flickered over her forehead, its shape not unlike eerie crescent horns.

Focusing on the feeling in her chest, the lone woman cut through the world around her with a single swing and pierced through the veil of the golden dream.

 The First thing Caelus sensed upon regaining consciousness was the wind around him, and the feeling of weightlessness as if he was falling.

Only when he opened his eyes and saw the clouds growing further and further away, did he realize he actually was falling, from quite high too. He turned around to see a bustling metropolis below him, filled with vibrant colors, numerous attractions and a mosaic of neon lights illuminating the night marvelously.

Caelus gasped at the sight, taking in the large landmarks excitedly as his eyes shifted from one fun attraction to another before noticing a particular problem with his current situation.

Well, the good news was his imminent landing within the town.

Bad news? He was crash landing.

Realizing the inescapable impact coming his way, Caelus’ face paled. He screamed and flailed as the reality of the harsh pavement got closer and closer. His desperation quickly became acceptance, and the Trailblazer started to regret taking Dan Heng’s place in this adventure instead of playing games with Pom Pom and sleeping this one off.

Thoughts of you float in my mind, as if I have not seen you in ages.

Above him, the clouds shifted as the golden dream shook briefly with the rumbling of lightning, a flash of majestic purple vaguely visible from the view offered at a certain secret rooftop high above the bustling streets. A flash traveled through the skies in an instant, descending upon the flying young man before he reached the ground.

When all hope seemed lost, Caelus heard the clap of thunder in the skies. Something suddenly caught him, a soft feeling pressing against his head. 

The clouds are hazy and drifting, and the rain may wash over me,

Opening his eyes, Caelus was shocked to see Acheron holding him close in her arms. The lights shone upon her form, making her look ethereal, her eyes upon him with a gentle smile.

but how can I stop looking at that familiar face, seemingly from the past?

No matter how many times, it still struck him speechless, silently admiring the sight of her fluttering hair and charming eyes as she landed gracefully in front of the large hotel at the center of the main street.

Endlessly or aimlessly, joy and sorrow entwined us.

Raiden Bosenmori Mei smiled at the stunned young man, the gray tips of her hair shifting back to purple as she gently lay him down. She didn’t need many words to put the sensations she felt into words, be it the feeling of her skin against him, the sight of his overjoyed face or the sound of his voice.

With a radiant smile, all matters seemed to vanish like smoke, because…

Even if the unending rain finds it hard to show pity, all that mattered was…

“I found you.” In her hand was a stick of cotton candy, which she offered with a smile.

… I know where I am, going through all the changes, and I know who I wish to share the woes of my travels with.

Caelus grinned, taking a bite of the treat. “You did, Acheron.”

Extra Scene: True Love’s Kiss

The domain of Nihility, within it, a bottomless sea which reflects the void in the distance. It’s an all-consuming, deep, pitch black sphere with a band of light curving around which outlines its shape.

The band of light is blindingly white, illuminating the space to a visible level.

“Caelus,” softly called out the white-haired beauty only a few short steps away. She stood resolute upon the surface of the water, her reflection at the side.

“Acheron…” The man in question took a step forward, his hand reaching out. “I…”

“Caelus…” She repeats his name, fondly so.

“Acheron.” Resolutely this time around, he takes a confident stride.

The only problem then was the pitch black. ‘Wait. Where did the light go?’ wondered the Trailblazer.

He then felt something wet on his cheek. It was…soft, and fleshy. Isn’t this…Caelus should know what this is. Wait…isn’t this…!

Caelus woke up with a gasp, amber eyes wide and mouth gaping. He lurched forward, sitting up as he consciously exerted control over his breathing. His entire body was drenched with sweat, and so were his sheets. What had happened? What did he see?

“What the hell…was that?”