Chapter Text
Was it so obvious that this game of wild goose chase, called the Phantasmoon Games, was rigged?
Aha knows that games are not fun when there’s a determined winner each match. But when has humanity ever tried to deny Aeons, which they derive their beliefs off of? Now, here’s the fun part: getting away with blatant cheating. Because others are too weak to stop you.
And that is why… THEY have set THEIR sights on a particular Nameless of the Astral Express. A witty, kind, proactive soul. THEIR light draws in anything close to it, like a moth to a flame.
Hmm?
What do you mean the Trailblazer? Silly you. Obviously THEY’RE referring to THEIR precious Akivili. THEM? “Leading you on”? What, Akivili IS a Nameless!
Oh, THEY see. You must have got THEM confused! THEY are both destined towards ████████ so Aha understands the confusion.
The thing is, poor lil’ Aha has no friends to play with. And believe THEM, THEY have tried everything to get some type of joy out of the other Aeons. Most of THEM turned Aha away.
But before that wretch Nanook ascended, Akivili was benevolent enough to amuse THEM.
Oh, THEIR Aki… THEY always indulged in Aha’s antics when the others wouldn't. THEY remember little about what THEY did (other than something about an “I owe you”). But Aha remembers the lingering excitement that bubbled up in THEIR mask whenever THEY interacted with Aki.
Perhaps, that is the Elation that comes with Trailblazing with companions. But who are THEY kidding?
Then came THEIR disappearance.
…
You must be tired of THEIR gushing, so THEY will get straight to the point.
While Akivili is who Aha wants, THEY need to resort to measures on an Aeonic scale. And THEY thought long and hard about how THEY should go about it. Should it be like the Noblesse Worm, where Aha randomly grants Akivili-shaped divinity?
And then the Trailblazer swerved onto the road, carrying a similar spark to Akivili’s bright glow. At that moment, Aha was drawn into this anomaly.
There they were. The perfect catalyst for Operation: Revive Akivili!
And it just so happens that this Trailblazer waltzed into Planarcadia, THEIR territory, starry-eyed. Nothing mattered but this. Aha immediately dropped all THEIR masks in a hurry and pulled the strings of the doll that is the Phantasmoon Games.
THEIR four-dimensional fingers are tangled in threads of fate, the doll’s limbs pulled taut. But now, THEY can let go of this Trailblazer wind-up toy and watch them march right into THEIR palms.
Outside the Pearluxe Tower, Caelus can already hear the screams of his name mixed in with his companions’ as well as the other Supplicants. He looks down from the window, feeling something akin to a worm eating his insides as he processes the sheer amount of people who came to congratulate him.
It shouldn't be that surprising though, seeing as this is an Aeonic game of Aha’s.
Honestly, when was the last time he ever felt this strung up since the Battle of Irontomb? He settles on a nice, warm bath in his bathtub when he gets back to the Express.
All of his companions are looking at him expectantly. Or, well, that’s what he thinks anyways. Their searing gazes pierce through his clothing like a sunbeam.
“Caelus, are you ready?” Himeko’s gentle voice said.
He hears Dan Heng take a step forward, “Take your time to get settled. The media’s not going anywhere for the time being.”
Caelus looks over his shoulder, a grateful smile gracing his lips, “Thank you, everyone. But uh…”
A very awkward pause.
“Himeko, do you mind debriefing on what I’m supposed to ask Aha? I think I’m blanking out from nervousness.” He chuckled unsurely, “I know… It was my idea but-”
“It’s alright,” She shook her head fondly, “I get that having to explain something substantial in a minute is nerve wracking to think about.”
“And to an Aeon no less!” March peeped.
“Thank you guys, really.”
She nodded, “As we agreed upon, we will be asking Aha to be the leader of the Anti-Destruction Alliance. Use some examples from their IOU to… blackmail them as Pom-Pom suggested. You also want to compliment them a little bit, from… experience…”
During Himeko’s briefing, Pearl motioned to her ear-fin looking thing and nodded like she was on call. Caelus felt dread (or is that excitement?) run down his body like a veil.
“Excuse me, Nameless.” She cut in, cold yet polite and clear, “The mecha outside are telling me that the media is getting unrest. Please keep this in mind.”
“So that’s it, huh?” Himeko shook her head, frowning, “I guess it can't be helped.”
“Don't worry, Caelus,” Welt affirmed, “We’ll be right behind you.”
Caelus smiled as something warm welled up in him, “Thank you. Is Sunday also coming? I don’t want to be alone.”
Sunday waved his hands across his face with a very enthusiastic shake of his head, “That would cause numerous other problems and I don't want to ruin this special moment for you.”
“Just say that you're a Supplicant and you, uhh.. decided to attend us!”
“That would just make it worse!” March complained.
“It’s fine, Caelus,” Sunday smiled wryly.
A comforting hand rested on Caelus’s shoulder. “Don't overthink it. We’re with you, always.” Dan Heng said.
Oh, Dan Heng…! Caelus’s bottom lip jutted out into a pout, sniffling. He wiped his imaginary tears and smiled brightly. “Yeah, I got this!”
March whooped, cheering on the rest of the Supplicants as they headed out together. Caelus could hear the polite clapping of Himeko and Welt behind him. He managed to catch that assuring signature nod of Dan Heng’s, and so he tossed a cheeky smile over his shoulder.
The elevator hummed in the background, the perfect white noise for Caelus. The harsh illumination of his phone nearly lit half of the shaft, even though his back was against the wall.
He tip-tapped away at his phone, sending a quick message in the Astral Express Family group chat.
—
Caelus
I miss you guys already…
Dan Heng
You’re going to be okay, Caelus.
March 7th
We’ll be in the front row at the venue!
Dan Heng and I are going to follow you down the red carpet, ‘kay? I gotta snap a bunch of photos!
Himeko
I hope the other Supplicants are treating you well.
Welt
You’re doing great kiddo. We’re all proud of you.
—
Caelus couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, but quickly forced it down with a cough. He just barely remembered that he was around people in a confined space. What would they think if they saw him smiling like an idiot on his phone?
“I saw that.” Sparxie remarked, smirking, “You look like an idiot. Messaging dragon boy again?”
Caelus scoffed, rolling his eyes, “Sorry, I don't talk to people in last place.”
Sparxie let out a harrumph before strategically retreating, sulking to the other corner. Phew… he thought he would be locked in a battle with Sparxie on who could tongue-lash better and survive.
Caelus swiped open the Department of Aberration Defense’s message again, staring at his ranking uneasily.
1st place: Caelus
Not like he was complaining, it’s just… the ranking has stayed relatively the same ever since the whole Land of the Sneering Gods thing happened. It’s too suspicious… but maybe it really is thanks to his efforts that he won!
Yeah, let’s go with that for now!
The elevator’s hydraulics hissed as the door opened with a ding. Out poured all the supplicants into the main entrance. The clamor was definitely louder here, with fans and the employees hustling to the beat of their bosses’ orders.
Caelus’s eyes caught the blonde hair of Kuchiba. She seemed to be discussing with another executive, jotting down notes on her clipboard.
He approached her with a tiny wave, she acknowledged him with a nod. “Good evening, Caelus. The Department of Aberration Defense put me in charge of the lineup.”
“You will be here, right next to Mr. Ashveil,” She said.
Caelus blinked in curiosity as she tilted the clipboard slightly towards him, tapping meaningfully on a small sketch. There seemed to be eight squares, representing the eight Supplicants with their initials under it.
“It should be taped on the floor…” Kuchiba frowned, tapping the pen against her chin. She turned around to one of the employees lurking around, “Hey, make sure to tape their positions for the lineup. A marker? Just use….”
By that point, Kuchiba was already drawn away before Caelus could even ask anything. He sighed to himself.
A pat on his shoulder caught his attention.
“Hey, aren't you supposed to be with us right now?” Ashveil jutted a thumb in the directions of the other Supplicants, “We start walking in a few minutes. You might wanna steal a snack or two.”
“I’m fine, Ashveil. But thanks!” Caelus said, holding the side of his neck, “Actually, do you know where we’re walking to? I’ve heard some stuff here and there online, but never a solid answer”
“Apparently,” He started, “The stage and venue for the ceremony is set in @Entertainment Plaza.”
“Well, that’s the IPC for you… always finding ways to promote themselves.”
“Hey now, keep it down. You’re in an IPC building, for Aeon’s sake!”
Caelus had… forgotten about that part. Six months in Planarcadia and he hasn't gotten over the cubicle stereotype of IPC buildings that was planted in his head.
In the distance, an IPC employee started hollering the names of the Supplicants (to little avail as their voice barely reached over the ruckus).
“We should probably start heading over,” Ashveil sighed, rolling his shoulders and warming up his limbs, “Hope you're ready for that ten-mile walk! Let’s see if you can remember your wish. Tell me if your legs are in distress and I’ll swoop you into my arms!”
Caelus grinned, jabbing a finger, “I won’t lose to you!... Even though the games are over.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He made his way to his spot, shimmying to perfectly align the tip of his shoes with the tape. Caelus looked over his shoulder. Surprisingly enough, most of the Supplicants were present, except for Sunday.
As expected, Ashveil was to his right as 2nd place, Pearl was behind them as 3rd place. Then there was Silver Wolf, Sparxie, Evanescia, then Cinderborne who offered to be a stand-in for the Daybreak Squadron.
The anxiousness in Caelus’s chest had only grown more catastrophic as Kuchiba walked to the front of the group.
“Listen carefully, as I won't repeat my words.” Her voice boomed through the building, “Stay in your position no matter what. If a fan decides to throw anything at you including themselves, let the Aberration Defense take care of it. If you need water or a short break, please inform the nearest escorting officer…”
It takes a whopping minute for Caelus to tune her out. As much as he respects her, rules are not his forte — refer to his motto.
And it takes several minutes until Caelus feels a nudge from Ashveil, silently goading him. Wide-eyed and flustered, he catches up with the escort, the Supplicants following suit.
As soon as the doors slid open, Caelus was immediately blinded by… a lot of things. He doesn't care if it’s the sun or the flash of paparazzi cameras, just make it stop! He flew his arm over his face, squinting against the harsh lights.
“Not used to it, huh?” Ashveil said, waving to a camera, “Just try to look at the top of the lens, that usually works for me.”
Easy for you to say, Caelus hissed to himself, You have a hat!
Oh, how badly he wanted to talk to Evanescia, Cinderborne, or even Sparxie! But Pearl behind him would probably curse him for life if he stepped out of line… literally!
As soon as he thought of giving up and turning back, he caught a glimpse of raven hair and bubblegum hair. He’s saved! Praise Aha for guiding these angels to him!
“Caelus, Caelus!” March called out, her tiny hand waving over a crowd of brown and black, “Over here! Look over here!”
Caelus could hear the hasty apologies of Dan Heng as he tried to stick with March. He looked… amusingly distressed.
“March! Be careful– so sorry– Don't shove!” He cried as he made his way to the red stanchion railings. He looked quite frazzled, like he rolled around in his futon.
Caelus doubled over in laughter, barely registering the rising frequency of flickering cameras. Oh, how he loves his friends. He snapped into flashy poses for March’s camera: blowing a kiss, sticking his tongue out, and flexing his muscles.
He’s charging up to giggle at the exasperated look on Dan Heng’s face when he feels that rising feeling
drop.
Caelus barely has time to register it. His limbs feel taut, yet limp as he feels his body crumple like a ragdoll.
A comforting, strong hand braces his back. He feels the side of his arm press up against something warm. His lolled head is tilted up. He sees the vague shape of… two people hopping over a railing, running over to him and the gobsmacked expression of the person holding him.
What are they in such a hurry for? What silly people. There’s always time for everything…
A single giggle bubbles out of his curved, parted lips before.. before…
THEIR ears are graced with elated laughter that sings,
Akivili! It’s been far too long~