Star Rail: First Single Pull Acheron

"Dan Shu, I know you miss me, and I miss you too. But I still have things to do. I can't get lost in this beautiful dream. I need to wake up."

Caelus said to Dan Shu. Ever since they parted ways on the Xianzhou, he hadn't received any news from her. The time they were apart wasn't long, but he unexpectedly saw her in a dream. His feelings were complicated. She was the only wife of Caelus's who was lost somewhere, her fate unknown.

"Mhm, I understand. You saved me from a tragic fate, and you surely want to save more people. I wish you a smooth journey ahead, my... husband."

Dan Shu responded, then voluntarily threw herself into Caelus's arms. She kissed him on the lips, and her body gradually turned into bubbles and disappeared. At the same time, everything around Caelus also vanished.

When Caelus opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting on a sofa. The familiar dreamlike sensation washed over him, indicating that this was not reality, but a dream. Judging by the colors around him, it seemed to be the palette of the Dream Hotel.

"Darling, come here."

Black Swan's gentle voice reached him. Caelus was surprised and immediately got up and walked to the door. When he opened it and saw the corridor, he saw two women standing before him.

"Caelus, you're awake."

Acheron spoke. Black Swan stood beside her. The two mature-looking women standing together were captivating, but Caelus wore a strange expression.

"Black Swan and Acheron together? What kind of dream is this?"

Caelus said, intending to return to his room and sleep. He felt his uncle was still plotting against him and needed to find a way to truly wake up.

"This isn't a dream."

Black Swan stepped forward and took Caelus's hand, saying to him with a helpless expression.

"Then why aren't you afraid of her?" Caelus asked suspiciously.

"I... Compared to personal fear, the safety of Penacony is more important, right? And I'll tell you a secret..."

Black Swan's expression was a bit troubled, but to make Caelus believe this wasn't Sunday's paradise, she secretly leaned close to his ear.

"Actually, after being roughly treated by Acheron, I can't forget that feeling."

Black Swan's words were rather suggestive. Caelus gave her a strange look. In their shared secret, the incident where Black Swan's feathers were plucked by Acheron was known. Now, with Black Swan bringing it up, it revealed some of her minor preferences. It's natural to like being pampered, but she seemed to also miss the feeling of being treated roughly.

"You really dare to say it. As expected of you. I believe you."

Caelus said to Black Swan with a serious expression. Caelus's impression of Black Swan had always been that of a reliable older sister. Now, she had revealed a preference he couldn't have imagined. This meant she was indeed herself, because in a happy and beautiful dream, she wouldn't say anything that didn't fit her character.

"I know you're confused right now. We'll do our best to explain everything. But before we can clarify the whole story, you need to understand one thing: this is the space between dreams and reality, belonging to those who have awakened from the Great One's Dream."

Acheron spoke to Caelus. Caelus's awakening was within her expectations. Acheron knew that the man she fancied wouldn't be defeated by a mere orderly dream. And now, he had indeed achieved it.

"Acheron, I missed you so much! Why did you leave after fighting Aventurine? You have no idea how badly I was bullied. Would this happen if you were there?"

Caelus pounced and crashed into Acheron, hugging her waist and rubbing his head against her chest. Acheron just let him be, not objecting.

"Mhm, you've been wronged. But I had my own things to do, which is why I left the dream. You'll know soon."

Acheron raised her hand and patted Caelus's head to comfort him, then looked at Black Swan, signaling her to speak first.

"Do you remember Sunday's ambition? He planned to use the Stellaron, the will of over a hundred thousand members of the Oak Family, and the wishes of all beings in Penacony to usurp the authority of Harmony and bring Order back to the world."

Black Swan spread her palm, and a tarot card appeared in her hand. The image on the card depicted the actions Sunday had taken.

"Unfortunately, the truth is more than that. We were already influenced by the Stellaron upon entering Asdana."

Acheron chimed in. Caelus watched their synchronized performance and felt that their relationship seemed to have become much better while he was away.

"I think the purpose of Order isn't to make everyone fall asleep. On the contrary, they used the Stellaron to catalyze the infiltration of Penacony's Memory Matter into the material world, causing dreams and reality to merge."

"It's likely that quite a bit of memory from the Outer Choir was mixed in... Over a long period, dreams became indistinguishable from reality, and reality began to exhibit hallucinations. People believed they were awake, but their minds had already entered the halls of Order."

Acheron's intelligence remained sharp. She seemed dazed in reality, but in dreams, she was always at the center. Caelus admired his dear Acheron more and more.

"This is also the terrifying aspect of the Great One's Dream. In the paradise dominated by Order, everyone can achieve their own perfect dreams and live happily ever after."

"I believe that, except for that one flaw, what you experienced in the beautiful dream was still something that truly happened. Only then could he guide you to your ideal destination, resolve the crisis in Penacony, and embark on the next Trailblaze journey."

Black Swan spoke, guessing about Caelus's dream. But in reality, his dream wasn't that complicated. It was simply because he cared about his wives. For him, the greatest happiness wasn't Trailblaze, but spending time with his wives. This was like him finding a loophole.

"If Miss Acheron hadn't made arrangements in advance, we might have been lost in this dream forever."

Black Swan was already full of praise for Acheron. Caelus looked at her and felt that this woman was about to turn gay. This wouldn't do. He had to straighten her out so she could have little swans for him.

PS, please collect, recommend, and vote monthly.

Chapter 122: Strange Companions Have Increased

"Fortunately, although [Order] governs all things through its Path, it cannot affect [The Void] itself. I also noticed this point when the Dream Master expelled me at all costs."

Acheron said calmly. Just as she said, people would be influenced by the Stellaron's power as soon as they entered Penacony. Like the Pipissee that Caelus had slapped awake a few times, they shouldn't have existed. But Caelus also had Stellaron energy, which was equivalent to giving the other party a "clear-headed" buff.

And the other person who remained awake even in the dream was Acheron.

"The value of The Void is still increasing. Wuwuwu, Acheron, my dear Acheron, you're the best."

Caelus felt that Acheron was, as always, his biggest support. He hugged her arm tighter, his head wishing it could flatten her chest.

"But I wasn't so lucky. Even as a Memory Weaver, I was still affected by Order and fell into hallucinations. However, thanks to remembering the dance I did with Miss Acheron, I woke up."

Black Swan said enviously from the side, envious of how Caelus could freely touch Acheron. Caelus looked at her strangely, thinking this goose was starting to turn into a masochist.

"Even with the power of a Path, mortals cannot create a perfect world like gods. That's why there were flaws in your dream. As long as you can perceive the anomalies in the world, your consciousness has a chance to withdraw from the dream."

Black Swan ignored Caelus's strange gaze and stated this matter very seriously. What she would lead to next, of course, were those who had awakened from the dream.

"Now, we still have a glimmer of hope. And to make it a reality... Miss Black Swan, please take us to meet those equally resilient people."

Acheron told Black Swan, and the Swan smiled and nodded, then began to lead the way in the dream world, guiding Caelus towards the hotel lobby. After only a few steps, Caelus heard a familiar song. Following the source of the song meant he wouldn't get lost here.

Upon arriving at the Dream Hotel lobby, Caelus saw that familiar figure. Robin was singing there. Unfortunately, there was no accompaniment, and she was all alone.

"Meet Miss Robin. She's someone who woke up from the Great One's Dream by her own will, and it's this strong young lady who has tirelessly led us here with her song."

Acheron spoke, pushing Caelus forward slightly and leaving their time together to Robin.

"Little bird, are you okay? I was so worried about you."

Caelus came to Robin's side and took her hand. She had been so worried when she and Welt stayed behind to face the Dream Master.

"I'm fine. Brother just made me fall into the Great One's Dream. After I woke up by my own will, I was here."

Robin smiled. Caelus waking up from the beautiful dream meant she hadn't misjudged him. The desire to be his lover was still there.

"Sigh, you know, Uncle is really something. He went through all that trouble to protect you, but you still woke up on your own. He's going to be so devastated when he finds out."

Caelus sighed. Robin's expression also turned a bit bitter. She knew her brother wouldn't let her go. If things continued to develop, she might become a target of special attention, and there might not be another chance to wake up.

"The reason I was able to wake up is the same as all of you. In the dream, I experienced things that would never happen in reality... This illusion was too sweet, making me clearly realize it was just a dream."

Robin explained. She looked at Caelus, who had also woken up through his own will. Others had woken up with more or less help, but only Caelus and Robin had woken up through their own strong will.

"This is also our last hope. The Great One's Dream is built upon the manifestation of the united will of the Choir of Harmony. It only appears when the desires of all beings in Penacony become one."

"Now, it has become indestructible due to people's desire to slumber in the dream. If we want to destroy it, we must make everyone in Penacony want to wake up from the dream."

Robin explained the principle of Sunday's power to Caelus. However, the solution sounded extremely difficult. Most people were ordinary. Why should they wake up and face a cruel reality?

"But the problem is, how do we do it? Making such a large group of people have the same will is probably as difficult as reaching the heavens."

Black Swan interjected.

"But no matter what, we can't just stand by and do nothing."

An external voice cut in. Caelus turned to see Dan Heng approaching. The Star Rail Express was also in Penacony, and naturally, they had been affected. Dan Heng was accompanied by someone Caelus hadn't seen before.

"This is a critical moment for the survival of the universe. How can we still have time to argue about a broken number?"

This person had distinct black and white hair. Each strand seemed to have its own will. The clothes they wore only covered their chest, and below that, one could see their metallic skin and modified mechanical arm. Caelus thought this man looked like a cyborg. He was dressed like a cowboy, and his weapon was a cowboy revolver, common in movies.

"Dan Heng, who is this?"

Caelus asked, confused. Dan Heng's presence here wasn't surprising, but this cowboy-like figure who clearly wasn't an ordinary person was intriguing.

"It's a long story. Let Acheron explain it to you." Dan Heng said.

"Do you remember I used the identity of a Pathstrider?" Yueyi Liuyiqi "Yibashi Bashi"

Acheron said to Caelus, who naturally nodded. He had never doubted Acheron's identity, even as an Envoy of The Void. But that was her job; being a Pathstrider was definitely her life.

"I remember."

"Although this organization is loose, it has its own rules. I killed several groups using the identity of a Pathstrider, and they sent someone to investigate."

"That man's name is Boothill; he's a real Pathstrider."

Acheron looked at Boothill and said. Caelus felt that it seemed like Acheron was in the wrong here, as she had been using the organization's name to cause trouble. The Grand Duke of Fiery Nether wasn't even cold yet, and rumors outside were saying it was the Pathstriders who did it.

"So that's how it is. Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. My Ah Quan has caused you trouble. She didn't mean to. Let's be friends."

Caelus took out some Credits and stuffed them into Boothill's hand, meaning to bury the hatchet.

"Heavens, can these Credits of yours take you back to reality? And we don't have time for this now. Anyway, I can't beat this woman."

Boothill angrily swatted away the Credits from Caelus's hand. As he spoke, he already had a built-in censorship function. His original intention wasn't these abstract words, but the Synesthesia Beacon had automatically translated them.

Chapter 123: Just Wait for Acheron to Make a Move

"This is the first step of the plan. With the help of Memory, people as strong as you will gradually awaken from the dream. The awakened free will will become the dissonance that shakes the Great One's Dream."

Acheron stated her idea. However, imagination was beautiful, and reality was cruel. Some people present had also thought of this.

"A mere few dozen people are like a drop in the ocean in the face of such a vast dream. We must find other ways to awaken hundreds of thousands, even millions, of free souls in a short period."

Dan Heng pondered the current problem. He felt that it would be difficult to achieve this with just their group, unless there was other backup.

"If it's not possible internally, then we have to seek help externally. Asdana is a galaxy rich in Memory Matter, where a wondrous phenomenon called Synesthesia Dreams exists. When people first arrive here, many appear in each other's thoughts, sharing the same dream. And at this very moment, the entire Asdana galaxy has only one dream."

Acheron continued to share her plan. If it were the previous Penacony, there might not have been such an opportunity. But Sunday had already proactively merged all the dreams. No matter who came, they would enter the Great One's Dream, and Sunday couldn't close the door.

"The real difficulty lies in how to gather a large group of steadfast people like yourselves in a short period."

Black Swan spread her palms, pointing to the firm individuals present who were not indulging in pleasant dreams and cared about reality.

"I believe only the Alliance of Jade can achieve this."

Dan Heng felt that at this point, it was time to use that item. As long as Jing Yuan and the Cloud Knights were summoned, the willpower of the Xianzhou soldiers could not be shaken by Sunday's Order, and then it would be stable.

"No, there's no need for that. There's no need to alarm the Xianzhou Alliance. Keep that treasure, which can only be used once in a lifetime, safe. Tens of thousands of free wills? Leave it to the Pathstriders to solve."

Boothill said, placing his hand on Dan Heng's shoulder. Caelus felt like he had missed a season. In places he didn't know about, Dan Heng had made friends with strange people.

"Can you gather the Pathstriders?" Dan Heng asked.

"Outsiders think the Pathstriders are elusive and have no contact with each other. If you ask me, that's true! But we can gather because of the fall of a giant star."

Boothill said, his words being cryptic. Although Penacony was dangerous now, no one had died, let alone some Pathstrider giant star.

"A Superstar, who is it?" Caelus asked, confused.

"One of the three seniors from the train, Tielnan, who was officially declared dead by the people here."

Acheron explained, her words surprising everyone. They all looked at her, eager to hear the unbelievable story.

"Didn't his story end when he was trailblazing outwards? They said he encountered a locust plague and fought until his last breath."

Caelus remembered what Mikhail had told him. Of the three seniors on the train, only Mikhail had survived until the end. But now, it seemed another had lived longer.

"Actually, he didn't die. He survived tenaciously. By the time he returned to Penacony, everything had changed. Without an invitation, he was naturally denied entry by the Family. People didn't believe Tielnan could be resurrected, so he lingered for a while, but ultimately couldn't return here."

"Later, he became a Pathstrider. I met Tielnan in a world between the Void. Do you remember me saying I wanted to fulfill someone's dying wish?"

Acheron spoke slowly, explaining her connection to the Star Rail Express and the Pathstriders. Acheron wasn't just picking up a random identity; she was genuinely connected to everything.

"The person you're talking about is..."

Caelus hadn't asked Acheron why she was in Penacony, and she hadn't offered the information. Now, he realized that if he had asked sooner, and she had spoken sooner, everyone on the Star Rail Express would have known she had interacted with an old senior.

"Tielnan always wanted to return here. I came carrying his dying wish, and at the same time, I'm returning his belongings to the Pathstriders," Acheron said.

"So you knew the seniors from the Star Rail Express long ago. No wonder you didn't object to us getting on board. It all makes sense now."

Caelus realized how everything connected. Acheron's getting lost on the Space Station was indeed a coincidence, but after seeing the Star Rail Express, she must have accepted that coincidence.

A bullet appeared in Acheron's hand. This purple bullet looked like liquid and was handed to Boothill. This legitimate Pathstrider began his explanation.

"This is a burial item, only heroes who have achieved great merit for the Pathstriders are worthy of possessing it. When its light appears in the universe, it signifies the fall of a Superstar. The revenge of The Hunt will begin here."

Boothill skipped the formalities and directly explained the situation. Tielnan was indeed an old senior of the train. Even without returning to Penacony, he had thrived among the Pathstriders, trailblazing tirelessly until the end of his life.

The Pathstriders were a free organization, but they all respected the great heroes among them. Tielnan's bullet being fired meant he had died in Penacony. The nature of The Hunt was extreme vengeance. If he had died of natural causes, they wouldn't care, but if he was killed by someone, they would seek revenge at any cost.

"Tielnan's final wish was for Penacony to become the place he and Mikhail envisioned, not as it is now. Therefore, his dying wish will attract countless Pathstriders, and their will shall shake this dreamscape."

Acheron continued. Caelus felt a surge of excitement. Even in death, the old senior had left behind such a plan. He truly was a senior.

"After the dreamscape is shaken, the second step of the plan will be carried out by me. I will use the song of Harmony to attune the sleeping people, introducing the dissonance of trailblazing into their hearts and pointing them toward reality. This requires Caelus's help, as I do not follow the Path of Trailblaze, and your path of trailblazing is certainly sufficient."