["Hahaha, is Sunday getting a bit scared?"]
["But, to be fair, Trailblaze is so romantic, Mikhail's story is truly moving, and the train crew's performance is super cool, but he's Sunday, the seven-day bro!"]
["So conflicted! I love it when the villain wins for once."]
["I want Sunday to win, but I don't want the Trailblazer to lose. What do I do?"]
["That's what makes this so successful. When you don't blindly root for one side, it shows the story isn't simplistic."]
["That said, I'll take a hit—six days off a week, five is fine, please don't fight, okay?"]
— —
Himeko stood with her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence. "In my view, there's another possibility—perhaps They also want to know who will shape Penacony's future, standing in for a fallen Aeon to bear witness."
Sunday let out a sigh of relief. "In that case, on behalf of Penacony's Dreammaster and the 107,336 kin of the Oak Family, I formally extend an invitation to you all—
We cordially invite you to the Penacony Grand Theater to attend the upcoming Charmony Festival. Of course, you won't be in the audience but at the center of the stage.
This concerns the Stellaron, Penacony, and the future of the entire galaxy. For fairness' sake, let us settle this there and show our true mettle.
Since you believe so firmly in Akivili's Path, show me Their courage and resolve."
In an instant, Sunday vanished from the scene.
Caelus and the others didn't immediately give chase.
March 7th, staring at Sunday's fading figure, asked, "Does he mean we're supposed to face off at the Charmony Festival?"
"Most likely," Himeko replied.
"That's so weird! I was on guard for when the big bad would pull something, but he's still talking about 'fairness'… Does he not take us seriously at all?"
Himeko shook her head. "From what I see, Sunday is deeply convinced of his ideals and genuinely wants to prove to us the righteousness of 'Order.'
I sense a strong conviction and desire for control in him. If he can't win openly and honorably, he probably wouldn't be able to justify it to himself.
Because of that, in the upcoming confrontation—he'll undoubtedly give it his all."
["I get it now. This is a villain with depth, not a caricature."]
["The core of the conflict is a clash of beliefs. In this era of explosive web series, people chase one-dimensional villains because they don't need buildup—just raw emotion for the audience."]
["A clash of beliefs needs substantial groundwork, or the characters won't hold up."]
Caelus touched his chin. "He feels so… upright."
March 7th shot him a glare. "You—why are you chickening out?! We've taken down the Lord Ravagers of 'Destruction.' A mere 'Order' is nothing we can't handle!"
"No matter what, the Astral Express cannot ignore the Stellaron. To 'Trailblaze' a future for Penacony is also the long-cherished wish of Mikhail and those before us," Himeko continued. "Everyone, since we've taken up the baton, we must not let their will down."
Firefly nodded. "But the same applies to 'Order.' Their plan wasn't formed overnight. Behind it lies the massive consciousness nurtured by the 'Festival Star' for centuries—
The desire to dream, the laziness to sleep, the urge to escape or give up… These emotions, unconsciously fostered in people, became the cradle for the birth of 'Order's' sweet dream.
Using the will of an entire world to bring about an Aeon's advent… This battle is far more than a clash of strength. For Penacony's future, you can't be the only ones fighting on that stage."
March 7th's gaze darted between Himeko and Firefly. "You? What do you mean, you're not coming with us?"
Firefly explained that she had received a script from Elio, foretelling three "deaths."
The first was being pierced through the chest by Dormancy, becoming Firefly Sauce.
Now, she understood the meaning of the second death and needed to act immediately.
Otherwise, the third death would manifest in the worst possible way.
"The worst possible way… That would be…" March 7th gasped.
Himeko finished her thought: "True 'death'… Everyone in Penacony would be forever lost in the sweet dream of 'Order.'"
Firefly's gaze was steadfast, her eyes resolute as if pledging herself. "That's a future we must avoid at all costs."
"Miss Firefly, are you… fully resolved?"
"Yes. If I weren't, I wouldn't be here."
"Thank you again for the help you've given the Astral Express. May we meet again in reality."
"Yes, see you all. May your journey of 'Trailblaze'—never end."
With that, Firefly pulled out her Sam transformer.
Meanwhile, Caelus, Himeko, and March 7th boarded the elevator to Penacony's grandest stage.
"I dreamed of a scorched land, a new sprout breaking through the soil, blooming toward the sunrise, whispering softly to me…"
Firefly completed her transformation…
In her mechanical synthesized voice, she said, "Fireflies dance toward the flame, born through death. May we meet again in the waking reality."
["So cool!"]
["She's genuinely gorgeous!"]
["Who gets it? A beautiful girl in a mech suit—miHoYo totally knows what they're doing."]
— —
The scene shifted again. Firefly sat back in the familiar co-pilot seat.
Picking up from before.
Blade: "I wish you find the answers you seek there… or perhaps, liberation."
Firefly, gazing at the radiant lights around her, asked, "You mean… the three 'deaths'?"
"Silver Wolf told me about them. I only regret they're not in my script."
["Hahaha, Blade's jealous as hell."]
["Blade's like, 'Three deaths? That's so unfair!'"]
["I can already see Blade drooling, so funny!"]
["This line somehow made me laugh."]
["Blade's been chasing death forever, and then one day he hears from Silver Wolf that Elio gave Firefly a script with three deaths. Honestly, after sorting it out, I couldn't hold it together."]
["Blade's like, 'What a shame!'"]
"I want to live, but I'm not afraid of death. The opposite of death is immortality, and that's never… what I sought. Everyone dies, and so will I. Death is like a script—an inescapable fate. But because of that… we must choose the place where we lay our bones."
"Your survival is for destruction?"
"Aren't you the same, Blade? The end you seek… was never defined by others.
If I die now, I'm just a 'weapon.' But I want… to die as a 'person.'
Though that definition is still far from me, isn't that what ordinary people spend their lives searching for? An answer—a short name to be etched on a tombstone.
Mine once bore 'Glamoth Iron Cavalry,' then 'Stellaron Hunter,' and one day…
It will bear the name 'Firefly,' and the brilliance she bloomed at life's end."