March 7th led the group to where Himeko was.
In the distance, the camera clearly showed Himeko conversing with a tall man.
As the camera zoomed in, the group finally reunited.
After a few polite exchanges, the tall man introduced himself as one of the caretakers of Dreamflux Reef, the Tombkeeper—Micah.
Just then, Misha excitedly pointed at Micah. "Mr. Micah is too modest. Whenever lost dreamchasers are brought here, it's always Mr. Micah who takes on the role of guardian, either sending them back to the Dreamscape or teaching them how to survive in the chaotic dream."
Welt Yang nodded in approval. "So, you're the patriarch here."
"Hm?" Micah pointed at his own nose. "Mr. Welt, are you speaking to me?"
Welt let out an awkward chuckle, as if responding to Micah's question.
He then exchanged a glance with Himeko.
[What does that mean?]
[I'm getting chills. Can Micah not see Misha either?]
[So, is Misha really a ghost fog?]
[There's no ghost fog in the Dreamscape—it's called a Dreamscape meme.]
[This feels like a major foreshadowing, constantly being hinted at.]
— —
After a brief silence, Welt steered the conversation back. "By the way, Mr. Micah, you mentioned tombstones. We didn't see a graveyard on our way here."
Micah gave a playful smile. "Heh, calling them graves is just a figure of speech—merely a few symbolic cenotaphs. Since you've asked, Mr. Welt, why don't we visit them in person? If I'm not mistaken, you might find something significant there."
The next moment, he shifted the topic. "But before that, there's another important guest who will join you."
Hearing this, the group had a hunch.
Sure enough, not far away, Robin was happily chatting with a group of children.
In this scene, Robin's gentle persona shone through.
[Our dear Robin has finally won her comeback!]
[Yes! Miss Robin, I just knew it, I knew it had to be like this!]
The Express Crew then reunited with Robin, exchanging information.
From Robin, they learned once again that "the Dreamscape is on the verge of collapse."
Robin's gaze turned to Micah. "To uncover why the Watchmaker, Mikhail, broke with the Family, and who exactly made the decision to betray… Mr. Micah, do you remember our deal? Now it's time for me to give my answer—
I'm willing to give up, to no longer take the stage at the Charmony Festival."
— —
The screen went black.
A pair of small, delicate hands carefully cradled an injured bird.
Though the person wasn't visible, the subtitles revealed it was Robin and Sunday, the sibling duo.
However, they disagreed on how to handle the small Charmony Dove.
On whether the bird should be kept in a cage:
Robin believed birds were born for the sky and shouldn't be confined.
Sunday, however, thought the bird was too young and would face death in the wild within days.
At this moment, Gopher Wood spoke up. "You should know that Charmony Doves are birds capable of flying beyond the atmosphere. When they soar at high altitudes, their feathers glow brilliantly from the heat of friction, like streaks of meteors.
We're accustomed to this beautiful sight, assuming it's their innate talent… but that meteor-like brilliance is the result of hundreds of Amber Eras of struggle against nature.
The ancestors of Charmony Doves were too weak to survive the struggles on the ground. To escape being preyed upon, they began to look to the skies, flapping their wings and leaping…
And so, after thousands, tens of thousands of generations of attempts, one bird in the flock finally learned how to move its wings correctly. It took flight, leaving the ground behind forever."
Robin: "So, birds aren't born knowing how to fly, but they achieved it through their own will, right?"
Gopher Wood smiled faintly. "Heh, that's indeed an idealistic interpretation. And you, Sunday, what do you think?"
"I…" Sunday pondered for a moment. "I think people assume flying is a bird's nature… because they've never seen a bird plummet to its death."
"That's an interesting perspective. So, have you figured out what to do with this little bird?"
"I will… hm, put it in a cage for now, at least until it can survive on its own. Because I… no matter what, I want it to live."
Gopher Wood patted both their shoulders. "Well done, children. It seems you each have your own answers. Your visions are beautiful, and I sincerely hope they come true in their own ways."
Robin looked at Sunday with joy. "We'll take good care of it. Right, brother?"
"Yes. But, Mr. Gopher Wood, there's one thing I still don't understand…"
"Go ahead, child."
"If this Charmony Dove never learns to fly in the end, what should we do? I mean, if there are some fledglings in this world that can never fly in their lifetime…
Should we still set them free to the sky… only to watch them plummet to their deaths?"
[This segment has quite a philosophical vibe.]
[Robin feels very idealistic, while Sunday is more realistic!]
[This part's purpose is to show the audience the inner growth arcs of Sunday and Robin.]
[Why do birds fly?]
[Don't worry, this is just an appetizer. There'll be deeper debates later.]
[What? Why's there another cryptic comment like this?]
— —
"Nice dream talk, little bird. Time to wake up."
Sunday slowly opened his eyes, lying on a park bench.
He shakily propped himself up.
Gallagher smirked slightly. "What, can't stand? Need a hand?"
Sunday shook his head. "I'm not dead?"
"Hmph, happy about that?"
"Tell me where Robin is. Now."
"Heh, knew your first thought would be her. She's right here in this place, don't worry. Your sister's safe—probably still wandering the streets.
If I were you, I'd be more worried about myself at this moment… After all, you're standing in front of a jerk who just stabbed you in the chest."
Sunday, being sharp, naturally understood the implication. "If you truly meant to kill me, you wouldn't bother with small talk… State your purpose, Watchmaker's lackey."
Gallagher proposed a collaboration, but Sunday rejected it outright.
Yet, when Gallagher used Robin as leverage, what could Sunday possibly do?
Sunday had no intention of cooperating, focused only on seeing Robin.
"Let me see Robin first."
"Sure, as you wish. Here she comes…" Gallagher glanced toward the sound of footsteps.
At that moment, Firefly appeared between the two.
"???"