-One Day After Caelus' Absence-

"Hahaha! So, I am your esteemed client, and this is the courtesy you extend, Memokeeper?" scoffed the man with a tone of mock indignation. "The IPC has funded your services quite handsomely, yet you've faltered in your core competency. This isn't a trivial oversight, is it?"

The blond man's laughter echoed through his hotel room, his words resonating with a palpable sarcasm.

He was addressing another entity known as a Memokeeper, a figure acquainted with individuals of notable standing in Penacony—specifically, one identified as Black Swan.

"Dear Caelus is not one to trifle with, Aventurine, particularly with his newfound alliances. As influential as I may be in the realm of dreams, even I would remain unscathed by his cohorts... after all, he holds sway over someone exceedingly special."

At this, Black Swan's comment caused Aventurine to halt abruptly, casting a frigid stillness across the room.

"Special? Whomever they might be, I can navigate the gamble and persuade them to relinquish him. The lad, no, the man, is far too significant to be simply ignored."

With that, Aventurine strode over to his table, his fingers deftly manipulating the coins he collected.

"The activities of the Family are far from coincidental. Mysterious cases began surfacing just prior to the IPC's arrival, escalating with the appearance of crews like the Astral Express. You've noticed the pattern, haven't you, Memokeeper?"

Aventurine ceased his manipulation of the coins, which impressively landed to show the number seven on the palm of his hand.

Black Swan offered only a serene smile, gently caressing her cheek.

"Fufufu~ Indeed, I perceive far more than you might think. But... that falls outside our agreement, does it not? After all, you enlisted me to facilitate Caelus's meeting with you, not to probe the enigmas of Penacony. Besides, being a prominent figure in your department, why not consult the Family instead, hmm?"

Aventurine responded with a thoughtful hum, flipping another coin to another perfect seven.

"I see... You appear quite protective of him. It seems then, that the IPC's interest in him is more than superficial. If he has also captured your attention, he must indeed be a marvel beyond our wildest imaginings."

Black Swan chuckled at Aventurine's observation.

"Hmm~ Protective, you suggest? I don't recall expressing such sentiment. Like you, my curiosity is piqued... thus, spare me your presumptions of affinity, Kakavasha. Your tactics in retrieving him are, frankly, repugnant to me."

Black Swan's barbed remark caught Aventurine off guard, her disdain palpable as she approached the door.

Aventurine maintained a composed silence, his gaze sharp and contemplative, reflecting the depth of his namesake gem.

"Then, it is farewell, Memokeeper. While your service fell short of success, it inadvertently yielded significant insights. For that, I am grateful."

He expressed his gratitude with a bow, but Black Swan did not linger, stepping out with a parting caution:

"Tread carefully, young man. The legacy of the Memokeepers may haunt you if you are not prudent in this dreamscape."

As she departed, her expression was enigmatically cold, leaving Aventurine deep in strategic thought.

Yet, as Aventurine reflected on her departing words, his smile vanished, revealing a personal agenda that extended beyond professional boundaries.

"How fascinating—the fact that she was dissatisfied with our agreement is indeed delightful. I had assumed that Memokeepers were steadfast in keeping their promises, yet she has proven to be exceptionally devious."

He didn't intend to label her as inherently terrible; rather, he described her as someone driven by far more self-centered ambitions. Memokeepers, known for their cunning, trade, copy, steal, and deceive, employing any means necessary to harvest precious memories. They meticulously ensure their invisibility, leaving no trace of their presence, unless they encounter a potential recruit for their secretive order.

However, her recent actions, especially those involving Caelus, had clearly altered her intentions.

"Hmm, no wonder Topaz incessantly speaks of him. She continues unabated despite her demotion. Ah! Perhaps I should intercept him before she has the chance."

He then glanced at the case on his table, from which an intense power radiated, its magnitude beyond comprehension.

"Apologies, my little ones, it seems you'll be bypassing this realm."

As Aventurine delved into the insights within his chamber, Black Swan perceived a mysterious disturbance.

"???"

An enigmatic aura pervaded the Reverie, undetected by all except her—a Memokeeper sensitive to such subtleties.

This aura was diffusive, designed to dampen senses, yet her status as a Memokeeper afforded her a degree of resistance, starkly contrasting with the essence of the disturbance.

She honed in on the direction of the eerie aura, which ominously beckoned her.

"Caelus...?"

Overcome with urgency, she teleported into his room and immediately recoiled at the noxious odor that assaulted her senses, emanating from a clam bed filled with liquid.

But the water was not crystal clear; it was a sinister shade of inky black.

The sight appalled Black Swan, and in her shock, all she could do was utter a horrified inquiry.

"What have you done...?"

-Three Days After Caelus' Absence-

"Munch, munch..."

Acheron, the striking woman with dark purple hair, savored her peaches while meandering through the Golden Hour. The sounds of footsteps and the occasional honk of cars, as another Intellitron met its end under a speeding vehicle, provided a backdrop to her stroll.

"Mrs. Kafka enlightened me with aspects of fashion I never knew existed... I hadn't anticipated she would be the one to impart such wisdom. Even the 'little one' seems enchanted by these revelations of feminine lore."

Her recent encounter with Kafka and Silver Wolf, whom she affectionately called the 'little one', had been delightful. Her views on the Stellaron Hunters remained unchanged—consistently positive—and the personal interaction had only reinforced her confidence in them.

Yet, she had not foreseen their decision to embark on THAT particular path. It shed light on why their plans usually unfolded as anticipated.

Despite her desire to share their secrets, she had committed to a vow of silence regarding their origins and true mission, a promise made in exchange for something equally valuable.

As long as she could meet with Caelus, they were agreeable, albeit reluctantly. It seemed they were granting consent, albeit somewhat begrudgingly.

"Can't a woman prioritize her own desires occasionally?" she mused. Her extensive lifespan had taught her that she deserved to pursue her own needs at least once.

"Ah..."

She paused on the sidewalk and extracted a paper from her bag.

It was a list titled 'What to do by Kafka', essentially a schedule of daily activities—a parting gift from her friend.

Silver Wolf had hinted that the list resembled more of a planned rendezvous with a certain 'someone' upon closer inspection.

From the hints dropped by the Stellaron Hunters, she surmised it was likely orchestrated for her and Caelus.

She scanned the list: Shopping at a mall, trying on five different outfits, having a companion critique them... The activities suggested an elaborate date.

"This would indeed make for a lovely date. Perhaps I should contact the Astral Express and inquire about Caelus' availability. I'm quite certain he's free before Robin's concert," she pondered aloud while continuing to peruse the list and slipping it into her pocket.

"Or perhaps I should call them now for an immediate response. Yes, that should prevent any complications in the near future."

Acheron retrieved her device and browsed her contacts list, which, though small, included only essential connections. Among them were the Stellaron Hunters, who had reassuringly shared their numbers, and the Astral Express Crew, specifically Ms. Himeko's number, though the lady had provided additional contacts should she be unreachable.

"Calling would be more effective than messaging."

Acheron was not one to be described as impatient, but an immediate response would be sufficient.

She pressed the call button and awaited Himeko's reply.

As the phone rang, she reflected on her emotions once more. What had once been faint, lingering sensations were now returning, gradually but distinctly. It seemed that interacting with those close to Caelus had opened more avenues for her to regain and embrace her feelings.

Honestly, the intensity of these emotions made her feel youthful again, as if rediscovering feelings from childhood.

"Ah, hello again, Acheron. Quite a lovely day, isn't it?"

Ah, that was Himeko's voice.

"Hello, Himeko. Yes, it is indeed lovely. I trust your day has been equally pleasant."

"Fufu~ If stargazing in tranquility with a cup of coffee parallels your idea of a lovely day, then yes, it certainly is. But tell me, what prompts your call today? I presume all is well, aside from the usual matters with the Family?"

"The Family? I believe they are quite excited to host Robin's concert. They've extended invitations to numerous VIP guests and would undoubtedly prefer that nothing disrupts the event, especially with the IPC in attendance."

"Hmm, quite true, yes..."

"Ah, speaking of Robin's concert, I wanted to inquire about Caelus' availability. I'm hoping to spend that day with him."

"Caelus?"

There was a note of concern in Himeko's voice as she mentioned his name, an inflection Acheron hadn't anticipated.

"Himeko, you sound worried."

Her tone was not what Acheron had hoped for, and it stirred a sense of foreboding within her.

"Ah... it's just that—we've been unable to reach him. I had instructed March and Welt to check on him, but they've been unable to secure a definitive response. His room was sealed off by the staff of the Reverie, and even the Bloodhound Family has been drawn into the affair."

Acheron stood frozen, her phone clutched tightly.

"I regret to inform you that this is all the information we have at present. It's not the news we hoped to share, but we are diligently searching for him. The Oak Family has joined the investigation, linking his disappearance to the mysterious occurrences around here."

He was missing—that was the stark reality confronting her.

He was missing, and she was not there to support him.

He was missing, and the world had failed to keep her informed?

"It's also our oversight for not notifying you sooner; we didn't want to cause undue alarm. Regrettably, it has been several days since he vanished. So, Ache—"

Her phone crumbled under her tightening grip, now coated in a blood-red hue, her arms shimmering with a ruby luster.

He was missing, and the world would turn red if she did not find him swiftly.

-One Week After Caelus' Absence-

"Man, what a pain."

"You've been repeating that since yesterday, Gallagher."

"Tsk, you're fluttering around us non-stop, Sunday. Aren't you supposed to be busy with your sister's concert?" Gallagher inquired, his shoulder-length brown hair tousled in a manner that suggested a laid-back disposition.

His attire was eye-catching: a detailed white jacket with black accents, including shoulder pads and cuffs, adorned with various badges. A red scarf or tie was neatly tucked into a dark vest beneath his unbuttoned jacket, revealing a glimpse of a crisp white dress shirt. His vibrant red pants provided a bold contrast to the white jacket, enhancing his distinctive style.

"Bold of you to assume I'm not occupied. As the head of the Oak Family, my hands are indeed quite full," Sunday retorted, his eyes scanning a book listing every recent disappearance.

Gallagher's brows knitted in irritation.

"You didn't answer my question, birdhead."

It was now Sunday's turn to display annoyance, his brows twitching.

"Isn't it rather presumptuous to call me that?" he questioned.

Gallagher chuckled at Sunday's reaction.

"I overheard a little girl earlier in the Golden Hour, hopping around and shouting 'The head of the Oak Family is a birdhead!' It was amusing, to say the least—just thinking about it makes me laugh again, hahaha!"

The girl, whoever she was, had been nothing short of a menace.

An expression of vexation crossed Sunday's face.

"Perhaps I need to enhance surveillance around this realm... Nevertheless, to address your question: my sister's concert is my utmost priority. Even when I'm not present, I ensure that my 'eyes' are on her."

Gallagher grimaced at Sunday's comment.

"You... you sound like a siscon, you know? Tourists and outsiders—they'll perceive you differently if they see that side of you."

Such behavior was unbecoming of a Family Head.

Sunday rolled his eyes, having heard similar remarks far too often.

"It's purely for my sister's safety... I didn't intend for it to sound—well, inappropriate. Surely, you understand the sentiment, even if it extends to your closest friends?"

Sunday's words resonated with Gallagher, who then gazed up at the night sky where stars and distant worlds twinkled.

His expression was one of happiness tinged with nostalgia, revealing his deep-seated emotions and connections, a true reflection of his inner self.

Sunday scrutinized his 'friend' with a discerning eye.

"My... it's rare to see such an expression on a man. How long has it been since you last saw them?"

Gallagher bristled at Sunday's intrusive query, sneering inwardly.

"You'd do well to mind your tone, young man, lest this Hound demonstrates the true consequences of a bite."

Sunday shook his head dismissively.

"Now, now, don't let your temper flare. Remember, we both play crucial roles in locating the Trailblazer, who has mysteriously vanished."

The mention of the title "Trailblazer" visibly unsettled Gallagher, a reaction not missed by Sunday.

"Indeed... a disappearance so enigmatic that even I did not anticipate it."

"Are you truly surprised? In days past, when I inquired about others' disappearances, you dismissed them as mere curiosities of the dreamscape. Yet now, when it concerns 'him'..."

Sunday's observation was poignant. Gallagher, usually the epitome of composure, seemed uncharacteristically perturbed since Caelus had gone missing.

It appeared Gallagher had his own designs concerning Caelus, and Sunday was intent on unraveling every detail.

However, Gallagher's response was merely a chuckle, a sound that Sunday found unsettlingly ominous.

Taking a cautious step back, Sunday noted the emptiness of the halls, which he was certain had been bustling with people moments before.

Gallagher's tone remained eerily calm as he suggested, "Perhaps we should continue this discussion elsewhere, far from prying ears, don't you think?"

The atmosphere grew tense, and beneath the darkened skies loomed a monstrous entity, its claws gleaming maliciously.

Sunday's voice was tinged with fury as he accused, "You—You deceived me! Weren't we committed to collaborating on solving these cases? The fate of Penacony demands it!"

Gallagher's laugh, filled with deceit and hidden agendas, echoed in response to Sunday's heartfelt plea.

"The fate of Penacony? Psh! Look who's talking, you manipulative fiend. Now, let's delve deeper into this matter. Don't worry, it won't hurt. Not in the slightest."

With a swift motion, the monstrous entity's claw struck at Sunday, and the scene dissolved into chaos, the surroundings blurring into indistinguishable puddles.

-Twelve Days After Caelus' Absence-

Acheron was beyond distraught—she was seething.

Multiple days had passed since she last received word from Himeko about Caelus' vanishing, and it was driving her to the brink of madness.

With each passing day, her desire to tear Penacony apart from the inside grew, clinging to the slim hope that Caelus might still be found there.

Nothing. She felt an overwhelming urge to unleash destruction from within herself.

Making matters worse, before her stood Aventurine, exuding a confidence she longed to erase with a single swing of her sword.

Aventurine simply smiled, observing Acheron's furious expression.

"You appear quite perturbed, my friend. Pray tell, what might have transpired in this esteemed place? Perhaps... a friend has gone missing?" His words were deliberately provoking, straining Acheron's patience.

"What do you want."

It was a statement, not a question—a demand.

Aventurine was taken aback by her tone, realizing he needed to approach her with caution.

"How about a proposal?"

Acheron tapped the butt of her Odachi, listening intently.

"Sigh... Why does silence always follow when I ask for something simple? Regardless, I'll be direct. I have been tasked by the IPC higher-ups to forge an opening for negotiations with the Family. But, I also extend this offer to you as a personal favor."

He was taking a gamble, as he knew little about the woman before him, familiar only with her reputation as a 'Galaxy Ranger'.

Acheron was unmoved.

"Personal favor? I have strayed into oblivion and have nothing to offer you. You've approached the wrong person."

What she said was straightforward, but to Aventurine, it felt like a cryptic message.

"Hmm, very well. But perhaps you might consider listening to this man's tale, hm? It might pique your interest, and possibly, provide insights into the Trailblazer's predicament."

Acheron remained silent. The proposal was tempting, but she was loath to waste time. Yet, what benefit was there in aimlessly searching when she couldn't find him?

Reluctantly, she conceded. "Very well... Speak."

Aventurine's grin widened at her acquiescence. It seemed the first phase of his strategy had succeeded; now, onto the next.

"Good. Aren't you at all surprised? The missing are primarily loyalists of the Family, yet one figure stands out as an outsider—The Trailblazer, Caelus. I suspect the Family has silenced him. Can you see where this is leading?"

Aventurine posed the question, but Acheron flatly dismissed the notion.

"If the Family has indeed resorted to such measures, they ought to be wary of provoking what resides within him."

Aventurine understood Acheron's implication. The Stellaron within Caelus was exceptional, but at what cost?

"Indeed, but consider this: everything is interconnected. The Stellaron Hunters' earlier visit wasn't coincidental."

At that moment, Acheron realized Aventurine's narrative was merely a facade, a distortion of truth shaped by his beliefs.

Aventurine continued, "Their presence signifies several possibilities." He raised three fingers.

"First, the Family is concealing a profound secret, likely aiming to harness the Stellaron for their own purposes—a tool to intertwine everyone's dreams."

Folding one finger, he then displayed two.

"Second, the Family might be weaponizing the Stellaron for self-defense against us. Given their history with the IPC, their hostility has likely intensified. Despite my efforts for a peaceful negotiation, their welcome was anything but warm."

Concealing another finger, leaving only one, he illuminated the grandeur of the theater.

"Third, perhaps everything is an elaborate charade for the Family, seeking amusement through this spectacle."

Acheron narrowed her eyes, skeptical.

"Your claims are mere theories without evidence. Are you aware of the gravity of your accusations? If you truly intend to negotiate with the Family, such subterfuge will fail."

Acheron's sharp retort only made Aventurine smile; he had successfully agitated her.

It appears he has found the ideal adversary to enact this drama.

"Subterfuge? Nonsense, this is merely a prelude. My goal is to expose the Family's secrets and secure a foothold for the IPC—a dual victory."

Following his declaration, the surroundings shimmered in golden hues.

In this universe, unlike others, Aventurine faced no direct challenge from the Family, emboldening his risky maneuvers.

Here, he had provoked the wrong individual: a grieving, wrath-filled Acheron.

Aventurine's attire transformed into an ornate, fantastical ensemble predominantly black with radiant blue and gold accents, suggesting both armor and ceremonial garb. His chest was adorned with white, fur-like material, adding a regal element. Flowing capes or robes in vivid blue and teal with gold trim extended from his back and arms.

His helmet, sharply pointed with a face mask, added to his enigmatic presence, highlighted by a bright green band coordinating with the emblem he clutched.

Having gained some authority as an Emanator of Preservation, he risked everything, ready to face death to emerge victorious.

The Golden Hour echoed with the fanfare of his grand finale, yet Acheron remained unimpressed.

It seemed she needed to impart a lesson on the true meaning of life.

"Now, Acheron. Shall we dance until death parts us?" Aventurine's voice was soothing yet abrasive, like grinding stones.

But the symphony of his chorus of Preservation halted abruptly, replaced by the essence of void.

Aventurine was taken aback, unprepared for what was unfolding.

He had orchestrated this as his ultimate gamble, but the disintegration of his carefully constructed illusion was more catastrophic than anticipated.

Facing him was a formidable woman, her white hair and red eyes that of a predator ready to strike.

"You, who traverse the path of convoluted gambits, will perish, for the Singularity holds your eternal answers."

The last vision he registered was a striking flash of red, obliterating his existence.

"May you find the answers you seek in the void, as your past deeds dictate."

End of Chapter

A/N: Hello, everyone. I'm uploading early this week since I just tested positive for COVID again, which means I have a lot of free time. I never thought I'd see that virus again... but here we are. Anyway, did you all enjoy the chapter? It's serious, but I try my best, especially since most of the material I'm uploading doesn't strictly follow canon, though it does in some ways.

By the way, how many of you are playing Elden Ring right now? The DLC has come out, and I've been having a blast, even with my broken controller (don't ask why it's broken). Anyway, thank you all for reading, and I'll see you when I see you.