[Honestly, hearing that line, anyone who's played Glamoth Iron Cavalry knows the weight it carries.]
[Yeah, it hits you right in the heart.]
[I haven't played that game. Is it fun?]
[It's a fun hack-and-slash, but once you dig into the story, it gets really heavy.]
[True, the game's story makes Firefly's character so much more vivid. Her lines hit deeper once you know the context.]
--
The screen went black, and a subtitle appeared.
"And then came a long silence. Neither spoke, as if accustomed to such quiet. It wasn't until much later that a soft sigh broke the stillness in the car."
--
Firefly gazed at the flickering lights outside. "This tunnel's so long. I didn't notice it was this long when we started."
Blade: "Half a system hour from now, it'll lead us to Kafka. Then comes the downfall of the Japella Brotherhood."
"Is that all part of the 'script'?"
"It's in your 'script' too."
"Sorry, I didn't pay attention."
"Even if you choose to ignore it, their fate won't change."
"I told you, it's a bad habit."
"And you? This time, will you find the 'Death' you're looking for?"
Blade sighed. "As always, a blank. It's not on this planet. Why ask all of a sudden?"
"Because I'm in a car driven by someone who's half-asleep… I just hope we make it safely."
[Haha, Firefly's really clinging to life!]
[Firefly's too cute, lol.]
[There's this weird contrast going on.]
[Is this how Stellaron Hunters talk to each other? Haha.]
[This part's killing me.]
[Firefly's got some bite, huh!]
[Some laugh and laugh, then stop laughing. Those who know the story get it—comedy's core is tragedy!]
--
Blade paused, then let out a wild laugh. "This car's on autopilot. I'm just resting my hands on the wheel, alright?"
Firefly exhaled in relief. "Just kidding."
[Blade: I'm kidding too—no license, no autopilot.]
[Hahaha.]
[This bit's got some humor.]
[Is this deadpan comedy?]
[Question: What if Dan Heng's standing in the road ahead?]
[Blade would smirk and floor it.]
--
"Elio always says there's only one fate, inescapable. He sees the future, and we… we know our 'predestined end' too."
Firefly quickly changed the subject.
"But until that moment comes, we can still choose what to do… We all have that right, don't we?"
"After today, Japella's name will vanish from galactic history, and the Ever-Flame Mansion will take its place. In the near future, you'll receive an invitation… That's your next stop."
"The land of dreams, Penacony."
"Here's hoping you find the answers you seek there… or perhaps, liberation."
--
The screen went black.
The camera opened like human eyes.
"Caelus, I'm glad to see you safe and sound."
Caelus blinked. "Mr. Welt, you're here too?"
" 'Close your eyes'… That's the answer. Incredible, isn't it? The monster we thought was 'Death' is actually the guardian of the Land of Exile. It follows a specific pattern, abducting people from the Sweet Dream and bringing them here," Firefly said slowly, looking at Caelus.
Welt then explained the full story.
Beneath The Golden Hour lies a more real Penacony, a fortress called "Dreamflux Reef."
Dreamflux Reef is where Dormancy takes people.
Their current mission is to find Gallagher and ask him everything they need to know.
[Holy crap, I just remembered—Sunday got slashed too, didn't he?]
[Oh yeah, we all thought Gallagher was the final boss. So we got it wrong again?]
[Damn, last season it was Iron Wolf, now it's flipped again?]
[I'm used to it. I'm done thinking—doesn't help anyway.]
--
The three took an elevator to a new location.
Dreamflux Reef was shrouded in gray, heavy with an indescribable oppression.
After a brief exchange, Firefly left first.
Welt Yang nodded as he watched Firefly's back. "Let her go. We need to observe her before deciding if she's trustworthy. But before that, there's someone I want to talk to. Come with me, Caelus. You must've noticed."
Caelus glanced at the blue-haired bellhop on the left and a talking clock. "I saw them earlier…"
"Right, over there… The bellhop from the 'Daydream' Hotel. Why's he here, and right after Miss Acheron sliced through the Sweet Dream? Better confirm, just to be safe."
Soon, the two reached Misha.
Misha bowed respectfully. "Oh, it's the guest from before! We meet again! And a new friend… I-I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Misha, the hotel bellhop."
"Hello, Misha. I'm Welt. We met when entering the dream…" Welt replied politely, though his curiosity lay with the clock. "And this one next to you is…?"
"Tick-tock! Old friends and new, give me a high-five!"
Caelus raised an eyebrow at Welt. "Mr. Welt's still got a playful side, huh!"
Welt frowned, studying it for a moment. "You're… a memoria meme?"
[???]
[???]
[???]
[Why so many question marks in the barrage?]
--
"No, no! Clockie's my good pal. Our home's here," Misha hurriedly explained. "How did you two get here? This dream shouldn't be open to outsiders… Could it be 'Dormancy'?"
"You said this is your home?"
"Yup. I go home after work in the Sweet Dream. Travel used to be easy, but since free passage stopped, Dormancy's been ferrying people between the two dreams."
"This 'Dormancy'… Can you describe what it looks like?"
"Dormancy's a memoria meme. Looks fierce, with lots of big eyes. But it's actually well-behaved. Gallagher's been taking care of it."
Caelus's brows furrowed. "Gallagher again…"