Caelus' eyes twitched for the nth time today, a silent testament to his exasperation. If possible, he'd rather be railed by the Astral Express just to see the end of the day. Yet, there he stood, caught in an unforeseen encounter that promised nothing but complications.

Nearby, Silver Wolf, a notorious figure among the Stellaron Hunters, couldn't help but feel a stir of excitement at seeing Caelus again. Despite her initial thrill, her gaze quickly soured upon noticing the woman next to him. She remained composed on the outside, but inwardly, she couldn't help but appraise Acheron. 

'So, this is the woman who has enraptured dear Noob. I won't lie, she does look more stunning up close,' she mused silently, her eyes critically analyzing Acheron's striking presence.

Acheron, meanwhile, observed the little hacker with a galaxy ranger's keen scrutiny. 'I vaguely remember her. A Stellaron Hunter with hacking skills unrivaled... that is until she tangled with the Genius Society,' she recalled, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. As she pondered the notorious reputation of Stellaron Hunters, she did the unthinkable, causing Caelus to stifle his laughter at her audacity.

Silver Wolf, irked by Acheron's provocative action, watched in disbelief as the galaxy ranger squatted down to her height, mimicking the patronizing gesture of an older sister teasing a younger, shorter sibling.

"A Stellaron Hunter like yourself has no business with the residents of Penacony. Why have you come here?" Acheron inquired, her voice cool yet piercing as she adjusted her height to match the petite hacker's, igniting further irritation within her.

Acheron understood that while Stellaron Hunters typically posed no direct threat to universal peace, their aggressive actions often resulted in unintended casualties across planets, earning them a notorious reputation and high bounties despite the beneficial aftermath of their missions.

Forcing herself to breathe deeply to control her rising anger, Silver Wolf knew better than to lash out at a galaxy ranger. Pointing a finger at Caelus, she unintentionally provoked a protective instinct in Acheron.

Never mind, she took all that back; the Stellaron Hunters do mean harm against the world.

Acheron recoiled slightly before her expression hardened. "...So, you have chosen death. I see, the Stellaron Hunters are truly menaces to society," she muttered darkly. Rising to her full height, she summoned her Odachi, the blade materializing with an ominous hum, which widened Caelus' eyes in shock.

He rushed to her side, his hands raised in a calming gesture. "Wo- WOAH! It's alright, Acheron. Silvie here is an associate of mine, begrudgingly, that is. She means no harm to me," he hurriedly explained, hoping to defuse the tension.

Silver Wolf, unthreatened by Acheron's display but acknowledging Caelus's intervention, nodded slightly. "Yeh, don't worry, I'm just here to check up on Noob. Nothing more, nothing less. Though, I must say, you both are quite close, huh? It's making me very angy," she stated, her tone a mix of annoyance and curiosity as she casually popped another bubblegum.

Caelus was still attempting to diffuse the tension, placing his hands gently on Acheron's shoulders. "Not the time, Wolfie," he muttered, his voice strained but patient.

Silver Wolf huffed, her annoyance flickering at the nickname, a reminder of another who teased her similarly. "Hmph! You're just like Kafka, always adding nicknames to everyone," she retorted, though her comment fell on deaf ears as Acheron cooled down, her weapon vanishing into thin air. Caelus released a long sigh of relief, grateful for the de-escalation.

Turning his attention back to the diminutive hacker, Caelus's expression softened. "What did you say earlier? I didn't get to hear you," he inquired, genuinely curious despite the tension.

Silver Wolf sighed, a mix of resignation and persistence in her tone. "It's alright, it was just a quip of mine. Anyway, I'm just here to check up on your well-being," she explained, trying to steer the conversation back to her original purpose.

Caelus raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by her concern. "Well-being? As you can see, hear, and feel—I am perfectly healthy," he asserted, his voice carrying a hint of defiance.

Silver Wolf licked her lips, her gaze intensifying as she scrutinized Caelus. "Hear and see, that is perfect. Feel? My, my, you've become very bold as of late, ey?" she teased, her words dripping with insinuation.

"Agh! I didn't me- You know what I'm trying to say!" Caelus stammered, flustered by her implication.

Waving her hand dismissively, Silver Wolf chuckled at his discomfort. "Nah, I know perfectly well what you just said. Don't worry, I can always visit you in the Astral Express and not totally sneak onto your bed while you sleep," she joked, her tone light but her words carrying an edge.

Caelus felt a prick of irritation at her insinuation, and he sensed Acheron's discomfort as well, her aura darkening with each of Silver Wolf's playful jabs.

Relentless, Silver Wolf continued, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "Heh, anyway, we're digressing from the subject. We, and I mean not just me, are checking up on you and some other things. Don't worry, we don't mean any harm to you and your accomplices."

"Your statement is making me deeply uncomfortable," Caelus confessed, his weariness apparent.

The weight of recent encounters was beginning to toll on him, and the addition of the Stellaron Hunters to his complex web of interactions only heightened his anxiety. It reminded him of someone he hoped not to deal with yet.

Catching something in Silver Wolf's phrasing, Caelus's heart sank. "When you say 'we', do you mean that she is also here?" he asked, dread coloring his tone.

Silver Wolf, ignoring his concern, pressed on with a complaint. "You, mister, because of you, things weren't working according to the script. You are an unpredictable variable, but a player, nonetheless."

As Acheron absorbed Silver Wolf's words, her demeanor shifted, her previous irritation morphing into more serious contemplation. She was familiar with the jargon of variables and players, a narrative spun by those who saw life as a series of scripts and roles to be filled, destinies prewritten and immutable.

The trio's attention was suddenly drawn away by a commotion nearby. Glamorous laughter and exclamations filled the air, pulling their gaze towards a striking arrival.

Upon seeing them, myriad reactions ensued. Silver Wolf sighed, Acheron's head tilted, and Caelus' face turned grim. Lo and behold, a woman approached them with such a sway that it left the men feeling thirsty.

She was stunningly beautiful, her red wine-colored hair styled in a messy ponytail that beautifully framed her face. Her attire was both elegant and bold, consisting of a white dress shirt paired with high-waisted black shorts and nylon tights, accented by wine-colored straps and a dramatic black jacket adorned with a spider-like pattern. Her ensemble was completed with mismatched black boots, adding to her unique allure.

There she was, Kafka, all smiles on the surface, yet her eyes betrayed a different story.

Oh boy.

As Kafka approached, her movements seemed to draw the very air towards her, hypnotizing and fraught with an unsettling allure. Caelus watched her, a knot of dread tightening in his stomach, feeling as if danger had not merely been lurking but was now poised to pounce.

Acheron, standing silently beside him, sensed the imminent threat that Kafka embodied. The woman's elegant appearance belied the lethal intentions that seemed to radiate from her, making her seem like the embodiment of stylish, silent death.

Kafka halted directly in front of Caelus, her presence overwhelming. Unlike her usual flamboyant demeanor, she seemed more focused today, as if she had come for something far more personal. With a swift, almost tender gesture, she grasped Caelus' chin, tilting his face upwards slightly. Her hum was contemplative as she scrutinized his features, her fingers tracing his jawline with a familiarity that spoke of deep acquaintance.

Silver Wolf, standing a little off to the side, snickered at the scene, though even she couldn't hide the edge of unease that Kafka's behavior stirred within her. It was clear that Kafka was different today—her silence was uncharacteristic and foreboding.

Finally breaking the tense silence, Kafka released her hold on Caelus and stepped back, her gaze sweeping over him with a mix of affection and something darker. 

"I came here to see how my dear boy has been faring," she began, her voice smooth and chillingly calm. "And it appears he has been thriving... Lavishly roaming this planet, carefree, and charming numerous women, enchanted by their captivating beauty. It's as though he has all but forgotten about me."

The cold disappointment in her tone sent a shiver down Caelus' spine, her words echoing like a warning.

Turning her attention to Acheron, Kafka's smile widened slightly, though it did little to soften the menace behind her eyes. "I have heard of you. Your bounty would do wonders for our future 'projects'. But alas, I fear that going against you might result in losses we are not prepared to handle."

Her words were laced with charm but carried a clear threat, one that Acheron recognized and mentally noted.

Kafka then began to circle Acheron, observing her with an intensity that felt almost invasive. "Tell me, what brings a Galaxy Ranger like you to Penacony? As far as I recall, your kind pursues justice, and you won't find any of that here. The sweet honey of righteous goodness isn't present on this planet of festivities."

As Kafka spoke, Acheron felt an uncomfortable tug inside her, as if someone was trying to pry open her mind and coax secrets from her lips. Yet, she resisted, her own resolve forming a barrier against the intrusion.

Sensing her resistance, Kafka's smile morphed into a smirk. "Of course, you don't have to tell us. Why not start from the beginning, as our introduction has been rather delayed."

Acheron gave a slight nod, understanding Kafka's shift in conversation. She glanced sidelong at Caelus, who stood next to Silver Wolf, his expression fraught with nerves.

"I am Acheron... Caelus' friend," she introduced herself simply.

Kafka tilted her head, her laughter light and seemingly genuine, yet there was a sharpness to it that belied its sweetness. "Hahaha!~ I have seen who Caelus has befriended, but none have seemed as uniquely awkward as you. I am Kafka, and you might say I am something of a mother figure to him."

Caelus, caught off-guard, could only emit a squeak of surprise. "Umm... Kaf-"

"Hush, my dear boy. As your mother, I must chat with your friend here and see if she is suited to be your partner," Kafka declared, turning back to Acheron with a mischievous glint in her eye.

The sudden mention of 'partner' brought a flush to Caelus' cheeks, and even Acheron felt a warmth spread across her face at the implication. Internally, Acheron processed the revelation—Kafka's demeanor and her self-ascribed role in Caelus's life added layers to the complex web of relationships he navigated.

'Caelus had ties with the Stellaron Hunters before his apparent amnesiac state. That explains their peculiar behavior towards him, but to think they would act in such a manner...' Acheron mused, reassessing her understanding of the Stellaron Hunters in this new light.

Kafka observed Caelus and Acheron with an amused tilt of her head, her keen eyes not missing the subtle interplay of emotions between them. Internally, she couldn't help but feel a mix of satisfaction and apprehension at how open Caelus had become with Acheron, especially in terms of his feelings.

'To think that your feelings developed so quickly. Ah~ young love! But...' Kafka's thoughts trailed off as she continued to watch Acheron, who was nervously fidgeting her fingers.

Observing the Galaxy Ranger more closely, Kafka recognized the layers of her nature, but chose to remain silent. Revealing everything at once would strip the unfolding drama of its intrigue. 

'I guess I'll have to thread this slowly. Caelus needs a break from his adventures for once,' she mused silently, considering the complexities of Elio's script that loomed over their heads.

However, Caelus broke into her contemplations with a question of his own. "Umm... are you here to check on my well-being? Silvie told me that was your—and hers—reasoning for the visit."

Kafka stifled a giggle at his inquiry. "In one way or another. I am genuinely curious about how you've met this lovely lady," she replied, her voice tinged with a playful curiosity.

Silver Wolf, standing a bit apart, popped her bubble gum loudly. "Ay, this conversation has gone on too long. Why don't we go back to the Reverie? Get some drinks, chit-chat and all that."

Caelus and Acheron exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds good! Acheron and I need a break from the dreamscape," Caelus added enthusiastically.

Acheron, slightly taken aback by the sudden plan, opened her mouth to interject, but Caelus quickly draped his arm over her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly in surprise.

Kafka and Silver Wolf observed the pair, their expressions a mix of amusement and confusion. "What a confusing relationship they have," Silver Wolf muttered, before she disappeared in a cascade of gaming pixels, her form breaking down into a digital departure.

"Don't mind Wolfie, she's just weary from navigating external policies," Kafka hummed, her tone light, masking the true nature of their intrusion into Penacony's defenses which facilitated their entry.

Caelus, sensing the shift in mood, gave one more nod and took Acheron's hand, leading her towards their next destination. Acheron followed him, her mind racing with thoughts and a premonition of something looming on the horizon.

---

And indeed, Acheron's premonition was correct.

At the Reverie, a bustling hub of activity, the duo of Stellaron Hunters found themselves observing the unfolding drama with a mixture of intrigue and amusement. Dan Heng stood beside Caelus, his hand dramatically smacked against his forehead, a gesture of exasperated disbelief at the scene before them.

Positioned provocatively in front of Acheron was a man of imposing appearance, his presence alone enough to draw the eye. He was clad in a fusion of militaristic and rebellious styles, donning a sleek black jacket adorned with red accents that hinted at a chaotic streak. His hair was a striking silver, styled in an untamed manner that flowed back from his face as if caught in a perpetual breeze. A menacing gun was firmly grasped in his hand, its design as intricate as it was deadly, pointed unwaveringly towards Acheron. His overall demeanor was that of a man not only comfortable with danger but one who thrived on it, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and thrill.

"Kehehe! It looks like following the Astral Express was the right thing to do. Prepare to meet your demise, woman!" he declared with a wild cackle, his voice echoing with menacing glee.

Acheron only sighed; she now understood why Caelus had been sighing for most of the day.

End of Chapter

A/N: Holla! First off, I apologize for releasing this chapter late. I've been extremely busy with work (damn you, overtime!). Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter; I had a lot of fun writing Kafka's segment. That's all I have to say, thanks for reading!