Fortunately, this battle wasn't overly intense.
After all, Sunday's true intention was for the trio to experience it firsthand.
Caelus and the others resolved it with relative ease.
The candle-headed figure bowed respectfully, signaling the end.
Sunday's voice resounded once more:
"'Thus concludes the first act. Amid the blazing war, the Frontier Prison gradually transformed into the Land of the Exiles.'"
A flash of light, and the trio found themselves back on the stage.
Himeko summarized her observations from the first act:
"This is likely the history of Penacony's founding. With the help of outsiders, the prisoners finally achieved freedom, establishing the Land of the Exiles in the cosmos. However, Sunday seems to emphasize the spiritual plight of the people over their physical imprisonment."
March 7th shook her head. "This play's a bit too artsy for me. The fighting part was the easiest to understand… Anyway, we've found the exit, so let's go!"
As they searched for the second painting frame, Sunday chanted again:
"'They plucked starlight to craft a quill, devising symbols for sound and number.'
'They gathered stardust into rivers, designating the good and just to flow upstream, the evil and unjust downstream.'
'From then on, all things bore their marks, and humanity could discern good from evil, benefit from harm.'
'This was the third and fourth day.'"
[This dialogue is so biblical.]
[Biblical or not, I don't know, but I'm starting to lose it.]
[Just get to the action already! So much buildup is dragging the pace.]
[Chill, bro, it's just a moment longer.]
— —
Following the same pattern, the trio entered the painted world again.
Himeko surveyed their surroundings. "'The Ode of the Foolish Servant'… This must be the second act."
March 7th noticed something. "The environment's different from before. The surroundings… seem a bit more orderly?"
As they explored, Sunday narrated the Family's journey from internal strife to unification.
[I feel like Penacony's hinting at something.]
[Be confident, drop the 'hinting.' miHoYo's definitely implying something.]
Under Sunday's guidance, the trio encountered a puppet holding a wine glass—The Newly Arrived Master.
It spoke: "'Honored guests from afar, I beseech you to aid this household, to rid it of the poison of hidden instigators.'"
March 7th took a step back. "Uh… help you? What do we need to do?"
"'I wish for them to regain rational calm, no longer manipulated by falsehoods.'"
Himeko pondered for a moment. "It seems this second act depicts Penacony's transformation into the Land of Dreams, with the Family playing an indispensable role."
After some discussion, all eyes turned to Caelus.
Caelus understood, pulling out his pocket watch and performing a series of clockwork tricks.
One by one, the puppets on the ground were restored to calm. But then, the wine-glass puppet launched an attack.
March 7th shrugged. "I'm getting used to this."
…
Soon after, the battle ended, and the trio prepared to enter the third act.
"'They gathered star rings to establish laws, decreeing codes of conduct for the masses.'
'With the great piano of black and white keys as the instrument; the symbols of sound and number as notes; the river flowing only downward as the melody; and the decreed laws as the composition.'"
"'Thus, humanity found their sole place within the score. This was the fifth and sixth day.'"
Following Sunday's recitation and the puppets' guidance, March 7th found the third painting frame. "He really loves using these puppets to lead the way."
Pre-Curtain Play, Act Three: "The Ode of Order" began.
The background music grew more melodious, radiating a sense of divine illumination.
March 7th couldn't help but comment, "I finally get it. This last act is all about praising Order."
Himeko noticed something. "The atmosphere here… is completely different from the previous two scenes."
…
The third act's plot was relatively straightforward.
After a segment of dialogue, the trio entered combat.
…
Finally, at last…
The group defeated the King. The King spoke:
"'I leave behind traces too faint to notice, passing through a silent night. No need to remember me forever or mourn the soul of a dream.'
'What is mine shall fade, but you will surpass its frailty.'"
"This was the final act, much easier to understand than the earlier stories… He wants to drive out The Harmony and build an empire of Order." Himeko steadied her emotions. "Let's go. After the pre-curtain plays… it's time for the main event of the Harmonic Gala."
— —
The group returned to the Grand Theater, now resplendent and radiant with golden splendor.
Sunday's voice echoed again:
"'They granted meaning to the people of the world, and all creation was complete. They rested from all acts of creation.'
'Yet the masses cried out to Ena: "You define us with Order, yet make us realize we are but your puppets!"'
'Thus, on that day, the masses united as one and cast the god into the pit of destruction.'"
But the subtitles marked the speaker with three "???"
[Why's the name just question marks?]
[I was wondering the same thing.]
[Maybe the enemy we're facing isn't Sunday, or Sunday doesn't see himself as Sunday.]
[Then what is he?]
[A god!]
— —
Knowing their foe was formidable, Caelus and the others cautiously advanced toward the stage's center.
"'This was the seventh day.' 'The hymns of jubilation resounded in unison—'"
Sunday's voice lingered in their ears.
At that moment, the subtitles seemed to come alive, filling the audience seats, dancing wildly.
"Universal Harmony, stars shining together! Supreme merit praises the Lord! Order is dead! Order is dead! Order is dead!"
[This is giving me physical discomfort.]
[This is the most religiously charged episode yet.]
[The heavens are dead, the yellow sky shall rise!]
[But seriously, this scene is breathtaking. Did miHoYo actually create this set?]
[They did. I heard they dug a deep pit, broke several water pipes, and caused a water outage for days. Mineral water prices near the interactive city spiked.]
[Insane!]
— —
"Look! He's right there!"
Sunday, one hand behind his back, turned with a faint smile. "That concludes all matters concerning Order. What are your thoughts?
But this is merely an insignificant interlude in the galaxy's history, unimportant. What matters is where this great river will flow next…
You've arrived just in time. The Harmonic Gala is about to commence. It would be a shame if the prelude to Order lacked your presence.
Allow me to welcome you once more—welcome to the Penacony Grand Theater—the heart of the sweet dream, the seat of the Stellaron, the absolute stage of the Harmonic Gala…
And also… the battlefield where we decide Penacony's future."
Caelus, unconcerned with Penacony's past, focused on one thing: "Where's the Stellaron? I don't see it."
"It lies behind the curtain—or you could say it is the theater itself.
But to see it, you must demonstrate a conviction worthy of the Stellaron's power.
Only with conviction can we bring true prosperity to this world."
[Caelus, pull out the Stellaron in your body and show Sunday.]
[Don't underestimate my Stellaron essence. Worst case, I'll self-destruct with Sunday.]
— —
Himeko stepped forward. "Allow me to point out that eternal slumber cannot equate to happiness, especially when people are manipulated in their dreams."
"Miss Himeko, even now, you believe Order merely seeks to turn the universe into its puppets?"
"No matter how perfect your paradise, a cage is still a cage."
March 7th nodded earnestly. "In that world, people can't find true happiness! They're just toys for an Aeon!"
Sunday fell silent, then smiled with relief. "It seems you've misunderstood my intentions all along. Let me formally declare: my ambition is not to revive an Aeon or ascend to godhood—
My sole purpose is to create a paradise without Aeons, only Order, where everyone's dignity and happiness are embraced, a paradise solely for humanity."
"You're mistaken. If people are to live with dignity, no one or anything should stand above them." Himeko interrupted Sunday. "In your so-called paradise, that person is you."
"It seems we'll never convince each other. Fate has destined us to clash. So be it—let us each use our Paths to show the universe the true way forward.
But before the prelude to the future plays, I ask you to ponder my question further."
"Are day and night equal? Are the righteous and the sinful equal? If humanity is born weak—where shall the weak find solace from the gods?"
At that moment, the enemies from the pre-curtain plays reappeared:
"The Past," "The Present," "The Future."
The audience buzzed with excitement, unaware that these three puppets would become an eternal nightmare when facing the Simulated Universe.
…
Himeko drew her weapon case, Caelus donned his elegant top hat, and March 7th readied her bow.
The battle was imminent.
This fight highlighted Caelus's combat style after embracing the Path of The Harmony.
It was undeniably unique.
His dance seemed like another form of song, influencing March 7th and Himeko.
This time, Caelus acted as a support, boosting his companions' strength.
[This is what a support does?]
[I've said it before—this game's all about supports. DPS comes and goes, but supports are forever!]
The three puppets didn't hold back, unleashing dazzling special effects and ultimate moves.
The ground was soaked in red wine, and a lightning-charged strike came crashing down.
The more thrilling it was to watch now, the more painful it would be facing them in the Simulated Universe later.
…
Suddenly, the stage lights dimmed.
The puppets lost their strength, their heads drooping lifelessly.
The move startled March 7th.
The curtain above slowly parted, revealing countless puppets hanging, all moving in one direction.
Sunday continued his chant, now mixed with a feminine voice:
"Your resolve is known to me. Now, I grant you the right to gaze upon the sun.
Upon these 107,336 steadfast stones, the omnipotent strings of harmony are mine to wield—the Tuner of All Praises!"
In the next moment, the puppets dissolved into dust, reforming into a colossal figure.
Caelus's eyes widened, gripping his top hat tightly.
[Another massive enemy?]
[Giant enemies are the best for impact!]
[Can't we have a normal-sized fight? Think about it—Doomsday Beast, Cocolia was okay, Phantylia—which one wasn't a huge boss? Only giant bosses bring that pressure.]
[Bro, I'm not defending miHoYo, but this boss fight looks expensive as hell. Knowing miHoYo, they might even build this boss for tourists to see.]
— —
Light blazed, blinding everyone.
The Choir of Unity, Dominicus!
The Choir's voice drowned out Sunday's tone. "Step forward to behold, wayfarers lost in the shadow of death!"
Himeko frowned. "An avatar of The Harmony? So the true purpose of the Harmonic Gala… is to usurp it?"
"You are wise and perceptive. It's not hard to see why The Harmony and Order can merge as one."
The Choir of Unity swung its conductor's baton, attacking the Express trio with song.
Fortunately, Caelus's power of The Harmony countered it.
Using Harmony against the Choir.
[Caelus is giving it his all. If Xipe hadn't glanced his way, I don't know how we'd fight this.]
[Seriously, it's the final battle, and after all that buildup, it's just Caelus, March 7th, and Himeko?]
[How many do you want?]
[Come on, every past boss took the strength of nearly everyone!]
— —
March 7th shook her head slightly. "It feels… like there's another world before my eyes…"
Himeko warned, "It's the power of tuning… Don't let the song distract you!"
Caelus waved his hand, dispelling March 7th's condition. "Don't worry, I've got you."
The battle was spectacular, with all the expected flair.
March 7th's Pom-Pom's Rain of Arrows, Himeko's orbital cannon, and Caelus relentlessly buffing from behind.
However, for a true boss fight, the roster felt a bit thin.
And then…
The Choir of Unity, Dominicus, raised its baton. "For we cannot tolerate—dissonance!"
"The time has come—creation shall rise anew from the divine remains!"
Suddenly, a massive water dragon pierced through Dominicus's body from behind.