Before returning to the Stellaron Hunters' ship, Hanxing first brought Firefly into his own space. Then he looked at her seriously. "I'd like to ask you a favor."
"What is it?" Firefly met Hanxing's gaze, her eyes sincere. "I'd like you to keep it a secret that my memories have returned."
"Why?" Firefly asked, but agreed a moment later. "Never mind. I promise." Hanxing smiled faintly. "Thank you."
After their conversation, Hanxing tore open space. On the other side of the opening was the Stellaron Hunters' ship.
"Yeah, that's right. Just follow this route." Silver Wolf's voice rang through the ship, and she came into Hanxing and Firefly's view. She was staring intently at a screen, seemingly oblivious to everything around her. A brilliant idea occurred to them both...
The two crept up to Silver Wolf and placed their hands on her shoulders together. "Who is it?" Silver Wolf turned around warily and saw Firefly and Hanxing. "You two... are back? What have you been through these past few days?"
"It's a bit complicated. We'll talk about it when there's time," Hanxing cut in, then changed the subject. "Speaking of which, where's Kafka?" "She and Blade are on their way back. They've returned from the Xianzhou."
"Looks like we got back at just the right time." Hanxing smiled faintly and asked another question. "What's next?"
"Do you mean the 'script'?" Silver Wolf set aside what she was doing for the moment. "Elio said Penacony is next."
"Penacony, the 'Planet of Festivities,' Harmony's territory..." Hanxing recalled what he had read in the databank. "That place is famous throughout the universe."
"Did Elio... say anything else?" Rather than Hanxing's analysis, Firefly was more curious about the rest of the "script." "First off, you and Hanxing will be going again this time." Silver Wolf paused before continuing. "And you will experience 'three deaths' in Penacony."
"Three... deaths?" Hanxing was also startled. Why would someone have to experience death three times? Was Firefly in grave danger this time?
Unexpectedly, Firefly merely nodded. "Understood. The 'script' will lead to the best possible future."
"Then... when are we going?" Hanxing asked. "We'll probably leave tomorrow," Silver Wolf answered. "For now, we just have to wait for Kafka and Blade."
"I hear someone's been thinking about me." As they were speaking, Kafka pushed open the door. "Firefly, Hanxing, welcome home."
Hanxing nodded, opened a spatial gate, and took out the Stellaron. "Mission accomplished." "So you got a 'Stellaron' even though you ended up at the wrong destination?" Hanxing nodded. "We went to a place called Fansha Star and snatched a 'Stellaron' from a Throne of 'Order.'"
"A Throne of 'Order'?" Kafka immediately seized on his words. "A being above an 'Emanator'? But 'Ena' fell long ago. Where would the Path energy to sustain his power come from?"
"That's where the 'Stellaron' comes in," Hanxing said. "He borrowed the power of 'Destruction.' When the 'Stellaron' descended and destroyed his home, he used the divine authority of 'Order' to hold on to those people's souls, as though the planet were still functioning. He also fused the Stellaron into his body to keep supplying himself with Path energy."
"Then if you obtained the 'Stellaron,' that means..." A guess arose in Kafka's mind. "That's right. I killed the Throne and took the Stellaron. His strength had diminished a great deal, probably because his Path was impure."
"Is that so... I understand." Kafka's voice trembled slightly. In other words, this guy had wiped out a "Throne" with a flick of his hand and snatched the Stellaron from him. His strength was still a mystery.
"Let's focus on the new mission instead." A man's voice came from the side, one they hadn't heard in a while. "Blade, don't be so impatient. The children just got back. It's good to ask them what they've been through."
"Suit yourself." Blade shook his head and looked at Hanxing and Firefly. "I'll take you there for this mission."