As the intense countdown ended, The Train shuddered violently, then entered warp speed. The surrounding space twisted dramatically, as if being kneaded by an invisible giant hand. Through the window, strange lights and colors could be seen interwoven, forming a dazzling spectacle.
At this moment, Stelle and the others watching the scene were surprised to find peculiar images continuously flashing within the distorted space.
Robin... Acheron... Sunday... Scenes and figures appeared before their eyes.
Fu Xuan: "Strange... Why would there be such images during warp? At this point in time, you shouldn't know anyone from Penacony yet, right?"
Herta: "Perhaps it's related to remembrance. Interesting. I'll research it, but not now. I have more important things to do."
These images switched rapidly like a movie, making it hard to keep up. Stelle tried to discern every detail, but she could never capture a complete picture.
Stelle slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in an unfamiliar, luxurious guest room. The room was neatly and opulently furnished, with a soft bed, a desk, a sofa, a bookshelf, and other pieces of furniture arranged within it.
Himeko: "This is... a room in The Reverie Hotel?"
March 7th: "It really is! Wasn't Stelle still on The Train? How did she suddenly end up in a hotel?"
Fu Xuan: "Could it be... Stelle has already entered the dream world at this time?"
Stelle slowly stood up from the floor, her gaze sweeping around. A graceful, elegant purple-haired Old Woman stood quietly in a corner of the room. Her eyes were deep and mysterious, as if they could penetrate one's soul.
The purple-haired Old Woman parted her lips slightly: "Another one... Follow me." Her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an irresistible authority.
Stelle, somewhat confused, asked, "Who are you?"
Acheron merely shook her head slightly and said indifferently, "These questions... are meaningless. But I will try my best to explain: This is the intersection of reality and the Remembrance Domain, a piece of... 'dream'."
"At this very moment, we share the same dream, appearing in each other's thoughts. This is the Land of Dreams's initial greeting to us."
"Don't worry, you will soon awaken from this dream, forgetting everything that happened here, leaving only a faint sense of melancholy."
"Nor do you need to care; this 'forgetting' happens every morning, it's a common occurrence we've long been accustomed to."
"...So, follow me. I will take you home."
As she spoke, she slowly turned and walked towards the room's door.
When she reached the door, she paused, tilted her head slightly, and her gaze fell on Stelle as she softly said:
"To the left, at the end of the corridor, I'll be waiting for you there."
As her words faded, she gently pushed open the door, and her figure gradually disappeared into the darkness beyond. Only Stelle remained in the room, looking around somewhat at a loss, then nervously checking the entire room.
After confirming there was nothing unusual, Stelle took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and followed her out of the room. She carefully closed the door and walked with hesitant steps through the long corridor.
When she finally reached the end of the corridor, standing before the closed grand door, the purple-haired Old Woman appeared before her again. She gazed quietly at Stelle, her eyes shimmering with a mysterious and captivating light.
"Sea Ranger, Acheron... That's what they call me; feel free to use it."
Stelle silently nodded, her gaze involuntarily drawn to this mysterious lady before her, for a moment forgetting to speak.
At this point, Acheron gently extended her hand and pushed open the grand door before them. As the door slowly opened, a strange aura rushed out, making Stelle feel a dizzy spell.
"Open this door... and behold the magnificent dream, while you still remember."
Stelle took a deep breath and pushed open the grand door, which shimmered with flowing, colorful light.
In an instant, a breathtaking sight appeared before her eyes—a supremely luxurious and spacious grand hall suddenly came into view.
Some Phantom figures stood scattered throughout the hall, some even defying gravity by standing on the walls and ceiling. They seemed to be speaking, but there was no sound.
"This... Oh my god," Stelle exclaimed in genuine admiration.
Sparkle: "It's spectacular, alright~ But, am I the only one who feels dizzy with some people standing at strange gravitational angles in this room?"
Qingque: "Eh, I feel it too! If you stare at it closely, you get dizzy!"
"This way," Acheron urged softly, and without hesitation, walked directly towards the wall. Surprisingly, she walked on the wall as if it were flat ground.
Stelle's eyes widened. Curious yet cautious, she lifted her foot to try, and indeed, she successfully stepped onto it, but the sudden shift in perspective made her feel a wave of dizziness and discomfort.
However, this peculiar experience was quickly replaced by inner shock—so it really is possible to do this... Stelle mused to herself.
Just as Stelle was immersed in her astonishment at the new ability, a thought flashed through her mind without warning: "Why not?"
Her heart suddenly jolted, and she couldn't help but ponder again: Can you hear what I'm thinking?
However, the response she received was still that calm, unruffled phrase: "Why not?"
With a mind full of confusion and astonishment, Stelle closely followed Acheron's steps, arriving together at the ceiling, or more accurately, the other side of the room. Here, a giant blue bubble floated prominently in the center, surrounded by furnishings like a luxurious and comfortable lounge.
"We're almost there. Can you still walk?" Acheron asked with some concern.
Stelle: "I'm on the wall, feeling good."
Acheron: "Very humorous. Since you have the presence of mind to joke, I'll assume you're fine."
"Don't stop, don't look back, don't look down, and don't look up."
Ahead, two figures who appeared to be siblings seemed to be chatting.
Stelle, somewhat curious, walked over to them, and as she approached the Phantom, sounds emerged.
Sunday's Phantom said, "The Harmony Festival stage belongs only to you, little sister."
Robin's Phantom said, "But what's the point of a stage if I cannot sing?"
Robin: "I... can't sing?"
Fan A: "Miss Robin! We don't want to lose you!"
Fan B: "Miss Robin isn't dead yet! Don't come to Penacony anymore!"
After speaking, the shadows dissipated, and Stelle felt it was very magical, so she walked to another shadow's side.
Ratio asked: "By what right do you believe you can win, you damned gambler?"
And Aventurine on the other side just confidently said: "Three 'chips' are enough. All, or nothing."