"We've arrived at Dreamflux Reef. Where are we going next?"
Dreamflux Reef, Moonlight of a Child
Lagwork Charles Mikhail walked into a quiet garden, where the full moon reflected in the water seemed almost within reach.
He looked at the Clockie beside him and shook his head:
" Clockie, I probably... won't go there again."
Misha gazed up at the cold, clear moonlight in the sky, wishing only to rest for a moment under this illusory moonlight.
"I've come far enough. It's time to take a short break..."
"Oh, then we'll set off after you've rested enough?"
"No, I'll probably stay here. And then... it'll be over."
Misha's gaze was calm and relieved; his mission was complete.
"The end? Misha, what does that mean? You clearly said that the [ Trailblaze ] journey would never end." The Clockie was puzzled.
"Yes, I did say that..."
Misha looked at her companion tenderly. "So now, it's your turn to decide your next destination."
"My next stop? Where should that be? I've always followed you..."
" Misha? What's wrong with you? Curiosity today! If you're unhappy, we can do what we always do—perform the [ Clockwork ]!" Clockie said, turning the hands of his face.
Misha smiled faintly. "No need, I'm not unhappy. As for [ the Clockwork ]... yes, in this dream, it seems to solve everything."
He looked up, and the sky reflected a dream as brilliant as gold.
"So do you know what [ the Clockwork ] is?" Misha asked softly.
"What is it? I don't know."
Everyone gets lost sometimes, hesitant and unsure which way to go. This feeling exists within this dream world, and it exists everywhere outside of it.
"But there's no need to be afraid. Just as people feel lost, there are moments when they also make a bold and remarkable decision..."
"Whether it's shock, joy, anger, or sadness, all they need is a small push, and then they can take a step forward and move towards their own future."
He gently stroked the Clockie's head, "I'm leaving this little bit of power to you, and I hope you'll bring it to more people..."
"This is the [ Clockwork ], the will called [ Trailblaze ]."
"The hands of the clock go round and round, just like a person's confusion, worries, and weaknesses... swinging endlessly." Misha slowly lay down in the old, deep blue rocking chair, bathed in the false yet gentle moonlight.
But ultimately, people still have to move forward.
The voices blended into the moonlight, and the scenery shifted. The Astral Express Crew crew broke free from the dream bubble that had enveloped the Nameless's life and silently gazed at the old man Dormancy in the rocking chair.
Mikhail's words still echoed in the emptiness, "Like your pointer, forever pointing forward."
Xing pursed her lips, picked up the top hat that had been left on the ground, and solemnly placed the cup of milk tea given to her by Ye Yan on it, offering the Nameless a silent but supreme respect.
"My journey ends here. From now on... it's your path."
A full moon floats in the reflection of a beautiful dream, and a child sleeps peacefully bathed in its illusory moonlight.
No matter how much the swords continue to clash, the faint light of " Harmony " will still be willing to provide a silver canopy for the sleeping child.
His dream was so long that even the sound of a train whistle couldn't wake him.
In the stillness of the night, undisturbed by anyone, all the Strife seemed to have temporarily subsided.
But... is that really the case?
The Astral Express Crew disappeared into the darkness of the night, Gallagher's figure quietly emerged in this tranquil garden.
"I can't believe it, old man, your absurd plan actually came true. Are all of you Nameless fools just acting on impulse?"
He took a deep breath, the air thick with the disillusionment of a dream crumbling.
"I can sense that this false dream is about to end. Those Nameless may be young, but they are certainly capable of doing this... just like you were back then."
"It's a pity I couldn't let you witness this scene. I'm afraid I'm not destined for it... Enigmata something is seen through, it's as if it doesn't exist."
"Hmph..." Gallagher scoffed, his gaze drifting into the void. "Leaving aside those Nameless, that winged brat is just like you—stubborn, won't learn until he's faced with certainty... Fate is cruel..."
Gallagher sighed deeply and continued, "If it weren't for this damned Path, we might actually have gotten along really well."
"But at least we got our revenge in the end. That feels good now."
"Remember how those bastards cursed us back then, huh?" Gallagher mimicked the venomous voice from his Remembrance, his eyes icy. "They said: 'Go to hell, you damned traitors'..."
" Mikhail, Mikhail, I don't know if what they're saying is true, but if your heart yearns for freedom, you deserve to go to hell..."
"Then I'll be coming down to find you soon, you old man."
"Let's have dinner together again in hell..."
A faint sob drifted by, almost imperceptible, and reached Gallagher's ears, causing him to frown.
Tsk... this is probably a sign that it's about to disappear; even my hearing is failing me.
Then, his gaze fell on the Dormancy [ Clockmaker ], and he took out the cup of milk tea that Xing had given him not long ago. In case he didn't know the name, he thoughtfully stuck a note on it.
[ Gathering and Scattering Have Their Time ]
"Oh, I almost forgot, there's one more thing..."
Gallagher picked up the drink. "Let this cup of ' Gathering and Scattering Have Their Time ' be a tribute to you... Star..."
To the imperfect... tomorrow.
He tilted his head back and drank the cup of milk tea that Xing had given him in one gulp, then gently placed the cup beside Mikhail.
"Hmm, the taste is indeed quite good."
He closed his eyes, awaiting the end.
Goodbye, old man.
· · · · · · ·
All was silent.
The anticipated dissipation did not occur.
One minute, two minutes... until ten minutes quietly passed. Gallagher looked down in confusion, examining his still-solid body; nothing had happened.
Strange... it came later than expected...
"Forehead..."
A youthful, bewildered response broke the almost frozen silence.
Gallagher turned his head sharply and found Misha looking at him with the same blank expression. Then he looked at his sleeping older self next to him and scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
"Old... old man, you're not dead?!"
At the same time, the thunderous sound also startled the shadows not far away.
Ye Yan shifted her gaze from the dramatic scene in the garden to the Silver Wolf beside her, who was trying to wipe away the last trace of moisture from the corner of her eye, and moved closer to her.
How are you feeling?
"..." Silver Wolf didn't speak, turning his face away.
It's that meddlesome [ Eternity ] again... Give her back her tears!