"Lalala~ I am a pretty jester. A pretty jester~"

Sparkle happily skipped along the roads of Golden Hour, humming a tune that seemed melodious to the general populace. Beneath this persona, however, lay a deceitful woman yearning for her own spark of Elation—a typical trait of Sparkle.

Her eyes zeroed in on spots of potential interest, scouting her next prank and her next unfortunate victim.

Despite her search for victims, which she intended to engage with 'chaotically', she found none of interest; their potential was far too low for her standards.

Then she spotted a child carrying a doll with silver-gray hair, and memories flooded back as she recognized whom the doll resembled.

She abruptly stopped skipping and, with lightning speed, snatched the doll from the hands of a passing child, exclaiming, "Mou!" She gazed at the doll with a pout, imagining it as a certain Trailblazer.

"Mommy! She took my toy away!"

The child voiced his complaints, but the mother, who was already approaching the Masked Fool, halted.

The child looked confused. "Mommy...?"

The mother turned to her child, her voice fading with disturbance, "N-nothing. How about mommy buy you a new toy, what do you say?"

The innocent child nodded happily, his naivety unknowingly shaping the future. "Mm! But I thought you didn't have any more money...?"

The mother shook her head. "Ah, no, no. Mommy changed her mind. Let's go now!"

The duo quickly left the scene, but the mother remembered the face of the Masked Fool.

It was a face of utter craziness, devoid of any emotional sympathy and unhinged beyond belief.

Meanwhile, Sparkle, jiggling the doll in her hands, imagined the doll with a helpless expression as she moved it swiftly from left to right.

A sinister smile crossed her face, her teeth gleaming, as passersby felt a shiver in her presence. "Hehehe~ Oh dear raccoon, my raccoon... if only you hadn't left little ol' me behind here and let me join your adventure. I would've had so much fun messing around with everyone!"

She cast another glance at the doll. "But that's okay! You've given me an opportunity, and this opportunity is like a little gift for this Masked Fool."

Sparkle caressed the doll with a surprisingly gentle touch, but her smile only widened. "You silly man, maybe I should hop on the Astral Express train and join you on your next journey. Oh, that would be so much fun! Think of the possibilities!"

She couldn't wait to meet Caelus again. The feeling, the utter itch that was slowly becoming so tempting, it gradually built up—the urge to play around with him was becoming oh so unbearable.

"Your train of thoughts is certainly disturbing to see. Perhaps I shall join you in your dilly-dally."

Sparkle looked up and saw the Memokeeper, her smile flattening into a curious line. "Oh... what brings you here? Can't you see that I'm trying to fantasize about my next adventure in my oh so hopeless life?"

Black Swan giggled as she stood beside Sparkle, watching over the recovered beauty of Golden Hour. "You are very open with your feelings, aren't you?"

Sparkle merely giggled and gently placed the doll on a postboard. "Mmhm! When you see the world as it is now, you'd surely understand, wouldn't you? People strive to be so special, yet they keep quiet about their skeletons in the closet. That will only serve to make your life self-destruct, no?"

The Memokeeper hummed, "Not everyone does that, but I get what you're trying to say."

Sparkle dramatically nodded and patted the doll. "Oui! It's nice to know that you keep track of what I say."

Black Swan shook her head. "I am only here to provide assistance to your already melodramatic life. After all, what would you have done without me here?"

The duo had practically bonded, not because of a genuine relationship, but just because they liked to have 'fun' at other people's expense. People might view it as friendship, but the two thought otherwise.

Truly agents of chaos.

Sparkle brought out a doll from... somewhere, and placed it beside the Trailblazer look-alike doll. "That's true, I admit. But! You wouldn't have also accomplished your goal without me."

Black Swan waved a finger in the air. "And I thank you for that. Now... you were saying about boarding the Astral Express train?"

Sparkle's eyes lit up, and she could already feel what was to come. "Oooh! Let's head to the train; I'm sure there isn't anyone there at the moment as they are stuck dealing with politics, blegh!"

She was truly sickened by the orderly hierarchy that manages things, but she understood why it must exist, although that doesn't mean she would follow it.

Black Swan did not utter a word and simply walked away with a smile. Sparkle looked at her with a pout. "Not even saying a word... How rude!"

Sparkle followed Black Swan from behind, hopping instead of running.

The two dolls that she had left behind on the post were a mirror to her confusingly conflicting persona.

The doll of a Trailblazer and her very own, touching one another.

---

"You know, I didn't expect you to be so... rough."

"Be quiet."

"I am serious! I didn't think you'd be that loud too. I mean, I was loud as well, but not as much as you."

"Caelus... please stop."

Caelus laughed as he walked down another section of the dreamscape, a place that didn't attract tourists but was another spot of beautiful nature.

He and Mei, yes, he now started calling her by her true name, had also done the deed, and he must say—it felt good.

He didn't know how much time had passed since they had been at it for a long time, thanks to his body and mind being fused and remodeled by Kevin's inheritance, so he felt a bit prideful that it had enhanced his... stamina.

As for Mei, she hadn't thought that such a deed would be quite explosive in emotions. She believed that such intimacy would only evoke feelings with the goal of future life.

Yes, she had read somewhere that such a session would bring out something, but she hadn't anticipated it would bring out so many things from her and, by extension, from Caelus.

And she also hadn't expected to learn many things from Caelus, just as he had learned a lot about her during their intimacy.

A mild blush appeared on her face as she recalled how his hands had roamed around her, among other things.

Anyway, they were walking along the grassy patches of a ruined road—a place that reminded him of Mei's home, which he remembered when he had delved deep into her memories. A segment that had bamboo and all sorts related to her.

A field of swords, fallen and forged into the Odachi that Mei now wields—an act of sacrifice at the price of power to save her home but ultimately failed.

Failed as she was the byproduct of the catastrophe she had ended with her own hands.

But in the end, she had achieved what she had desired.

Him.

Mei stopped in her tracks and looked at him, "Out of all the places we've met, I didn't think this was a suitable location for our first meeting."

Caelus merely shrugged, "Circumstances happened, and I can't really control where we should first meet. I mean, would you blame me if I said an old man forcefully brought me here?"

Mei looked at the field of swords, now peaceful, better than before. "That is true, although, I must admit that I am embarrassed by my reaction towards you."

Caelus tilted his head, "Why would you be embarrassed? You did confess to me, and I didn't have an appropriate answer at the time."

He did fall asleep after her past self, or 'oni,' confessed to him, claiming that she loved him. He truly regretted not giving a genuine answer. It should be him feeling embarrassed.

Mei, though, was a bit conflicted. Caelus never truly existed in the experiences of her past, but the fabrication by Caelus, forcefully making his presence in her memories and tampering with them, felt as if things weren't where they should be.

It felt as if fate was trying to change her destiny without her consent.

Caelus caught the look of conflict on her face and assured her, "Hey," placing his hand on her shoulder, "The past is the past, and this is the present. I am here for you."

If Caelus weren't the man she loved, she would've pushed back anyone who had said that to her.

Truly, love is blind. But... her nature will mess with her lover's life.

She sighed, "And what will the future hold for us? I am an Emanator that shouldn't exist and you are part of the Nameless."

Caelus quirked a brow, "And?"

Mei frowned, "You would be exposed to even more danger if I follow you. The universe's populace does not do well with Nihility and I walk the road of such."

"So?"

His voice turned serious, and the influence of Kevin's cold tone mingled with his, stopping Mei from continuing her words.

One word was enough to halt her.

She gulped, but Caelus responded, "Even before coming to Penacony, I never cared for rules or managing things—I live by following my own code. As long as it makes me happy, I am good."

He grasped her hand, and she intertwined hers with his in a gentle hold, "As long as I make you happy, that also makes me happy. I don't want to lose you."

Mei adopted a solemn look, "And if people don't accept who we are?"

Caelus glared at the sky in response to her question, "I'll make them accept it, mark my words. Even if I have to use force."

The Stellaron within him brightened with approval.

Mei felt a flutter in her chest, "You would do that... for me?"

Even if their love remained between themselves, it was bound to be discovered by many people, which is why Mei was concerned. The world moves in a spotlight, and once the track is targeted at them, everyone, including the media, will watch and anticipate their move.

That's the kind of danger she didn't want Caelus to be involved in.

Caelus, however, realized that she was just concerned. He smiled, "I did say that I promise to be with you, so of course I will. Everyone moves when power is displayed, and I'll display it by burning bridges if needed."

Mei didn't want to point out if that was meant as a joke, as she knew he carried a fiery essence within him.

Just like how Naught is for her, Uriel was for him.

Caelus continued, "Plus, I can just tell the world that I am an Emanator of Destruction or whatever the equivalent is. If they want proof, I'll just say that I was the cause of Penacony's destruction."

Mei's brow twitched hearing that, "You are making yourself sound like an enemy, do you realize that?"

Caelus huffed, "Phrasing isn't my strong suit; I usually let my fist, lance, or bat do the talking, but you know what I mean, right?"

Mei nodded, "Mmm."

His words were already enough, and she knew by his genuine confession that he wouldn't leave her side. Perhaps it was insecurity or the imminent danger in the future, she was perhaps too reckless with her judgment and decision-making.

Caelus now looked at the sky with a more calm expression, "How about we walk around and calm your mind? At least... you know, you can take things slowly."

'Who are you to say to calm down?' Mei thought, knowing that even her lover had his own conflicts in his head and she was even more surprised that he wasn't having an identity crisis at the moment.

'But he's right... I should ease my mind first.' She looked at the sky, mildly covered by trees with crimson leaves. She felt a sense of nostalgia as she slowly strolled with Caelus by her side.

They walked and walked, enjoying the silence bestowed upon them. Mei was satisfied, happy, and everything linked to what made her happy was evident on her face as they walked.

Perhaps, things aren't as bad as she had envisioned—after all, having voyaged through certain aspects of the universe, she had seen many things that could destroy a life in a pinch, and so she was rightfully concerned.

But Caelus was right, the world will bend when one shows power that can move the world, an influence that can strike many individuals.

Many admire heroes, and she had no doubt that Caelus could strive on a path of heroism, but how long will it take before he breaks?

"Nah, I'd win."

Mei was a bit spooked by Caelus' words and looked at him, but his face was already nearing hers, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Caelus smirked, "Now that you're showing plenty of emotions, you are like an open book. With the way you keep glancing at me with a worried look, I can almost see what you're thinking."

Caelus felt a bit prideful about that; such a skill of analysis and observation was thanks to Kevin. Yep, he was very much enjoying the gifts.

Mei tried to look away, "I'm just worried, that is all..."

Caelus smiled, "Hmm, well, if you are that worried about me, you can try to help me out with my next objective."

"Objective...? What do you intend to do?"

He dropped his smirk and shaded his eyes with his hand as if trying to hide from the sun, "I've been thinking lately about Firefly..."

Her mood almost worsened as she heard Caelus utter another woman's name, but the negativity halted as she quickly thought it over.

Firefly was a member of the Stellaron Hunter, and Mei knew that Caelus, in the past, had been a member of the organization as she had heard from Kafka. She figured that Caelus wanted to make amends with Firefly, but she didn't know to what degree.

She mulled, "You wish to talk to her, I presume. She was, after all, someone who was connected to you like other Stellaron Hunter members, a part of what was yours in the distant past."

Caelus nodded, "Yeah. Unlike the others such as Sparkle and Black Swan, I haven't properly said my words to Firefly. I've seen how she looked at me, and I just knew it... but I don't want to hurt her."

Mei understood and couldn't help but support him, "Then by all means, I'll support you, just like how you've helped me all this time."

Caelus brought another smile, "Hehe, now that's the spirit!"

Mei smiled, anything to cherish her love.

The sky then darkened and rainfall instantly dropped.

Mei opened her umbrella just in time to avoid a drop of water on her, wide enough to shelter two people, and she looked at Caelus who was now wet and dripping.

"Umm..."

"You may join me under my umbrella, I'll lead the way."

"Phooey..."

As the raindrops tumbled from the crimson leaves, their pitter-patter on her umbrella whispered gently to her with him by her side. In these moments... She found serenity.

---

Firefly sat on the bench in the Golden Hour, watching people go about their activities.

The usual buzz of entertainment had returned to the dreamscape, now fully recovered, and people weren't talking about the damages that had occurred.

They thought it was a 'glitch' that had happened, or that the Family was experimenting with something, resulting in certain changes. Yet, they did not complain.

After all, why complain when dreams come true? At least that was what they thought.

She sighed as she looked at her hands gently resting on her lap, reminiscent of a schoolgirl.

'Just where did things go wrong? I only wanted to meet him and yet... I don't understand what's going on anymore.'

She did not try to admonish herself, but events had taken a turn for the worse, far beyond what she had imagined, simply because the script given by Elio was not being followed.

Where her 'death' should have taken effect, it did not affect her in the slightest. The opening, the process, and the end were there, yet the results did not follow the script.

'Then... why? Could it be because I did not approach him? If I had, what would have happened? Would I have been with him?'

The mantra of words that had struck her since she spotted him with Black Swan and... her.

Then she heard footsteps approaching, familiar ones, and she looked up.

Two figures approached, their presence mighty yet relaxed. They stood out like sore thumbs amidst the foreigners, but theirs was palpable.

One was a man in a coat, and the other a woman holding a red umbrella and wearing a purple kimono.

It was Caelus and Acheron, seemingly bantering with each other, his face more cheerful than hers, yet both appeared happy.

The member of the Iron Cavalry had just been thinking about them, and now they appeared before her.

Caelus somehow spotted her and pointed, "There she is! See, Mei, luck is always on my side!"

Mei merely hummed, "Yes, yes. I do see her. Now, shall we?"

Firefly could hear the two speaking from afar. Her body's special nature allowed her to be extra sensitive.

Caelus approached Firefly with an awkward look, but she greeted him first, "Hello..."

Caelus waved his arm and stopped before her, "Hello, Firefly."

The air was tinged with a certain awkwardness that is normal among people with contradictions, and Mei couldn't help but think if this was how it was when she and Caelus were together sometimes.

Firefly couldn't say anything, not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't know what to say.

Their previous conversation was handled with care, and the purple-haired woman had already stated her peace about having Caelus as her partner, which Firefly had almost accepted.

She gulped, "What brings you here?"

She felt as if she wanted to bury herself on another planet and destroy another Swarm; it was better than handling such talks.

Caelus rubbed the back of his head, "Well... you remember when I said we could be friends? Start over our life together as friends, I mean."

Firefly nodded; she clearly remembered that part, "I do... but that doesn't explain why you are here."

She didn't mean to push Caelus away with her words; it felt as if she was expressing disdain towards him, when clearly, at least in her head, she felt guilty about all this.

Caelus softly thinned his lips, "I wish to help you."

Help...? He should have helped her when she was on her mission and not walking around with other women! The audacity, the rage she felt now!

Touch.

"Eh?"

She looked down at her hand and saw that Caelus had placed his hand on hers, bringing her warmth that she didn't expect.

It was the warmth that had kept her motivated in the past.

Caelus then squatted and kneeled to eye level with her, "I'm sorry if my words are... rather intrusive, but I genuinely want to help you. If things don't seem right for you, then I can always step back. You don't have to force yourself."

Firefly didn't know what to do, but the care Caelus had displayed towards her was like in the past, yet now he seemed more powerful and carried an air that could carry his words.

She eyed him, "I didn't mean to be harsh, but... I just don't know what to do. This warmth I feel when your hands touch mine, it gives me a sense of life that I yearned for. I am sure that your... friend understands what I mean."

Mei, who was a distance away, heard her and nodded. Unlike her circumstances, Firefly's situation was more severe, and with Naught, she managed to capture some memories within the Stellaron Hunter.

Memories of her past as the Iron Cavalry warding off against the Propagation's Swarm and THEIR army.

Caelus, too, nodded. He could sense that Firefly's life essence was incredibly short, supported only by a medium he was not aware of. He sensed that it was biological in nature, and in biology, there was one person he knew who could help her.

He then patted her head, to which she froze, "I don't know what's going on with your health, but if I may, I can bring you to someone who can help you. A certain member of the Genius Society."

He knew one person who could help anyone when it came to 'life'. Anything is possible to cure with that one person.

Firefly couldn't help but think that Caelus was referring to her short life or health in general, but whatever it was, maybe she should take his offer and let him help her.

She smiled, her eyes that were slightly detached with sadness now brimmed with glee, "I can only assume that whoever your friends are, they are genuine and kind. That is the type of people you have around you, Caelus."

Caelus internally tried not to scream; he couldn't say if Ruan Mei was the 'friendly' type, seeing that Herta was cautious of her, but the scientist meant well with him. Though he couldn't fully translate that to others.

Caelus nodded, "Yep, so, are we good?"

Firefly stifled a giggle, "If you mean by befriending me and trying to help in the long run, then yes, we are 'good'."

The mixed feelings she had with him were now gone, replaced with a new opening to a new beginning. Something she looked forward to.

Caelus then stood up, "Nice! Then I'll contact you once I ask her for help."

Her...? Firefly couldn't help but sense dread at who the person was.

On another planet, Ruan Mei sneezed and the bottle in her hand exploded.

Caelus walked towards Mei but stopped midway, "Oh I forgot to give you my contact."

Firefly waved her hand, "It's fine, I already have your number. Though, I must ask, do you ever bring your phone with you?"

It was one of her last resorts to contact him directly, but seeing that throughout their days in Penacony, Caelus had never answered her.

Perhaps Silver Wolf had given her the wrong number?

Caelus looked startled at that, "I actually forgot to check my phone. All this time... the others must've been worried about me."

Mei walked towards him and rubbed his head, "You were occupied with a lot of things, so it's understandable that you didn't have the time to answer them."

Caelus fumbled around in his pocket for his phone, "True, true. Now, what's the worst that could happen."

...?

Firefly looked at him with a tilt, and Mei too looked at him and his phone.

The silence was deafening, and Firefly wasn't sure if she should say something.

Caelus gulped, "I'm cooked."

Cooked...? Ah, she had heard that phrasing from Silver Wolf all the time when she rarely lost in a game. Did that mean Caelus was about to face defeat in something?

Mei took the opportunity to calm him down, "You can always confront them about it and tell them of your situation, they will understand once you explain your side of the story."

Ah, it was something between his friends. That was better than having some anonymous contact with him.

Caelus turned his head to face her, and even though his expression was a bit shaky, he was strong enough to let out a smile at her, "Well... I'll see you next time, Firefly."

Firefly smiled at that, "I'll see you too, Caelus and... Ms. Acheron."

Caelus nodded and headed off, while Mei stayed back a bit.

The purple-haired woman faced her, and Firefly couldn't help but feel a looming sense of danger, but that was a false signal.

"Are you happy now?"

Firefly blinked and realized what she was saying, "Ah... I assume that he has chosen you. How is it?"

Mei retorted back, "You didn't answer my question."

Firefly sighed and looked up, the stars colliding with another realm of the dreamscape, "I wouldn't say I am completely happy, but I feel much better than before."

At least, she could still be friends with Caelus, even if her relationship with him wouldn't be as strong as before, but this was a start for her. Who knows...

Mei closed her eyes, "I see. I am not naive to think that Caelus can handle all of this alone. The phenomenon that is intertwined with him will not be resolved with his own strength; thus, he needs friends, friends who will be there for him no matter what."

"Just like the Astral Express..." Firefly muttered.

Mei nodded, "Indeed, he will need you, just as you need him."

That was a given, just like how empires grow with alliances, a small circle can grow big when the right people help them. But the thought of it brought a gesture of happiness into her heart.

Even if he had changed, he would be there for the people who support him.

Firefly then retorted back with a smile, "That relieves me of a lot of burden, though... you haven't answered my question either."

Mei turned to another direction, "Feisty, aren't you? But to answer your question..."

"I love him as much as he loves me. I will protect what is mine."

And thus, she walked away towards the direction that Caelus had run off to.

Firefly breathed in and out. She should be feeling sorrow over the revelation, but somehow, she wasn't.

She was accepting the fact that he had changed just as she had now changed.

A few lines of conversation can do wonders for people, and this is what she was experiencing.

At least, she would be there for him, when he needs her, and she would damn right give her all.

End of Chapter

A/N: The full author's notes will be in the Finale, Part 2 chapter!