"Dear passengers, welcome to Azmr International Airport, Rosianna. The current time is 11:00. Thank you for choosing our service. We hope you have a pleasant day."

  The intercom clicked off, and the cabin filled with the sounds of seatbelts unclasping, tired groans, and the shuffle of passengers stretching their legs.

  “Finally,” Stepan exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he grabbed his bag. “Four hours on that plane, and I was about ready to jump out mid-flight.”

  Beside him, Gabie adjusted his sleeves, his usual deadpan expression unwavering. “We flew east to west. That’s just how it works.”

  “That’s not the problem,” Stepan groaned. “I just hate flying.”

  Gabie arched a brow. “So that’s why you took forever to get ready this morning?”

  “Shhh! Keep it down,” Stepan muttered, throwing a glance at Revana, who was walking ahead, chatting with Starlight. “You know how she never shuts up.”

  Gabie let out the faintest chuckle. “What, are you scared of Revana?”

  “Afraid? Pfft! As if,” Stepan scoffed, though the slight pink tinge on his ears said otherwise.

  Before Gabie could press further, Revana turned toward them, her amber eyes gleaming. “Isn’t this amazing, Star? We just went from night to day in only four hours! No matter how many times we fly, it still feels unreal.”

  Starlight nodded, her gaze drifting toward the massive windows overlooking the city skyline. “After two years in the night zone, seeing the Trappist light again… it’s almost surreal.”

  Stepan let out a quiet sigh of relief. “Thank the stars, she didn’t hear us.”

  Gabie, however, had other plans. “Do you like her or something?” he asked flatly.

  “H-Huh!?” Stepan nearly choked on his own breath. “What the hell are you talking about?!”

  Revana, ever perceptive, narrowed her eyes. “Hmm? What are you two whispering about?”

  Stepan straightened up instantly. “Uh, nothing! I was just asking where we’re headed next! Hahaha!”

  Starlight, mercifully, stepped in. “We’re heading straight to the hotel. We should rest before doing anything else.”

  Gabie gave a small nod. “Makes sense. Traveling takes its toll.”

  Revana groaned dramatically. “Ugh, finally! I need to lie down. My back is killing me after sitting for so long.”

  Stepan smirked. “What are you, a grandma?”

  Revana snapped her head toward him. “Huh? What was that, troublemaker?”

  “Ah, nothing! I said I totally agree! Hotel, let’s go! Yay!” Stepan said, laughing nervously.

  Starlight chuckled softly. “Alright, let’s not waste time standing around.”

  With that, they headed for the taxi stand, the towering skyline of Azmr stretching out beyond the airport doors.

  The hum of the hovertaxi's propulsion system filled the cabin as it glided above the sleek highways of Azmr. Through the tinted windows, the city sprawled beneath them, neon signs flickering against the ever-present glow of Trappist light, casting a surreal shimmer over the towering skyscrapers.

  Stepan leaned against the window, arms crossed. “Man… after two years in the night zone, suddenly being blasted with this much light, without even passing through the twilight zone properly, just feels weird. I swear, I won’t be able to sleep without the night blanket.”

  Gabie, seated next to him, glanced over. “We did pass through the twilight zone. We flew over Romagna.”

  Stepan scoffed. “Yeah? Easy for you to say. You had the window seat. I barely got to see anything.”

  Gabie smirked. “Because you were airsick?”

  Stepan shot him a glare. “Oi! I told you not to bring that up!”

  Across from them, Revana, who had been idly scrolling through her wristpad, suddenly perked up. “Wait, what? You get airsick?” She grinned, then burst into laughter. “Pfft…hahahaha! And here I thought you were some tough guy with so much life experience! What a joke!”

  Stepan’s eye twitched. “Shut up, Revana! It has nothing to do with life experience!”

  She wiped a fake tear from her eye. “Of course, sir airsick. Hahahaha.”

  Gabie, who was usually the least reactive, tilted his head slightly. “You two sure are close. Since when did you become a couple?”

  Silence. Then....

  “We are NOT a couple!” Stepan and Revana shouted at the same time.

  For a brief second, their eyes met in shock, before both immediately looked away, cheeks tinted red.

  Starlight, watching from the Revana’s side, chuckled softly. Gabie, on the other hand, blinked in confusion, his expression as stiff as ever.

  Just then, the hovertaxi began to slow. Starlight glanced outside, then smiled. “Ah, we’re here.”

  The vehicle descended smoothly toward the entrance of a skyscraper, its glass exterior reflecting the shimmering glow of the city.

  Stepan let out a long whistle, his eyes scanning the towering crystal-like facade of Hotel Azzzmr. The structure gleamed under the soft glow of Trappist light, hovering drones weaving between floating balconies, delivering drinks to guests lounging in mid-air pools.

  “Whoah!! What the hell, Miss Star, this is our hotel?!” Stepan gaped, taking a step back just to take in the full view.

  Revana crossed her arms, equally stunned. “I didn’t think you’d go all out with a six-star hotel… Isn’t this a little too much?”

  Gabie, standing stiffly beside them, didn’t say a word. His expression was unreadable, but his frozen posture said enough.

  Starlight, just finishing up her transaction with the hovertaxi driver, turned toward them with a small smile. “Hahaha, no. It’s nothing like that. Besides… I’d feel bad if you all willingly followed me this far and didn’t get the best accommodation.”

  The hovertaxi driver gave a small nod before lifting off smoothly, disappearing into the city's sky lanes.

  “Enjoy your stay in Rosianna!” he called out before leaving.

  “Thanks, sir! You too!” Stepan replied with a wave.

  Then, turning back to Starlight, he tilted his head. “Still, you don’t need to feel bad, Miss Star. We’re here as friends. No need for all that awkwardness.”

  Starlight blinked. “F… friend?”

  The word felt foreign on her tongue, unfamiliar in a way she never quite realized until now.

  For the longest time, she had only considered the people around her as colleagues, even after everything that happened at the Junkyard, even after sharing close calls with Revana and the others. And yet, hearing it so casually from Stepan…

  Revana raised a brow. “Of course, Star. What did you think we were this whole time?”

  Starlight quickly looked away, her cheeks warming. “O-Of course we’re friends! I just…never mind. Let’s just check in already!”

  She hurried inside the hotel, her usually composed demeanor slipping for just a second.

  Revana watched her go, then let out a sigh. “Do you think all geniuses are like that, Stepan? Just… bad at making friends?”

  Stepan chuckled, crossing his arms. “Hell if I know Reva, but if that’s the case… I’m starting to feel kinda sorry for the idiot we’re chasing.”

  Revana was about to respond, when she suddenly registered what Stepan had just said.

  Her eyes flicked toward him, a slight pink dusting her cheeks.

  Did he just call her Reva?

  Stepan, oblivious, noticed her silence and tilted his head. “Hmm? What’s up, Reva? Cat got your tongue?”

  Revana’s brain momentarily short-circuited.

  “W-What? N-nothing! You, uh, you should wake up Gabie before he turns into a damn statue!” she stammered, then spun on her heel and marched after Starlight.

  Stepan blinked at her retreating figure. “What’s her deal?”

  Then he sighed, shaking his head before turning to Gabie, who still stood completely frozen in place.

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  “…Gabie?”

  No response.

  Stepan narrowed his eyes.

  “GABIEEE! DON’T DIE ON ME!!” he yelled dramatically, grabbing his friend by the shoulders and shaking him back to life.

  Stepan sighed, rubbing his temples as he eyed Gabie, who was finally snapping out of his daze.

  “You seriously do this sometimes, Gabie. How the hell do you just black out because you’re too amazed?”

  Gabie blinked a few times, still looking disoriented. “I… I don’t know. It just, happened. This place is just…” He gestured vaguely toward the grand marble-like pillars and floating chandelier drones above them. “…a lot.”

  Stepan let out an exaggerated groan. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t do that in a fight, alright?”

  Before Gabie could answer, Starlight stepped forward, handing Stepan a sleek access card. “Here’s your room key. You’re in 465.”

  Stepan took it, glancing at the number before looking back up. “Oh, thanks, Miss Star. So, where are your rooms?”

  “We’re right next door, 466.” Starlight smiled softly.

  “Nice, neighbors, huh?” Stepan pocketed the key.

  “Then let’s head up and rest,” Starlight said, already turning toward the elevator. “We’ll need it.”

  No one disagreed. After hours of travel, even the excitement of the city couldn't outweigh the exhaustion creeping in.

  “As expected from a 6-star hotel! The facilities are insane!” Stepan exclaimed the moment he stepped into the spacious, high-tech suite.

  Before he could admire more of the room, Gabie’s panicked voice came from the bathroom.

  “STEPAN! T-THE BATHROOM!!”

  Stepan's head snapped toward the sound, his pulse quickening. “Huh?! What? Is the shower alive or something?” He rushed in, half-expecting to see something catastrophic.

  Instead, he found Gabie standing there, eyes wide, pointing atnothing.

  “Where’s the toilet?” Gabie asked, his voice still laced with disbelief.

  Stepan blinked, then followed his gaze. Sure enough, there was no toilet in sight.

  “Ohhh, it’s one of those fancy hidden ones,” Stepan muttered. He walked over to the wall panel, pressed a discreet button, and, with a soft mechanical hum, a sleek, high-tech toilet smoothly emerged from the floor.

  Gabie let out a breath. “What the hell... That’s so unnecessary.”

  Stepan chuckled. “Luxury, my friend. You really have never been in a place like this, huh?” He leaned against the doorframe. “Honestly, though… a 6-star hotel? Feels kinda excessive.”

  Gabie sighed. “Yeah… but, whatever. I’m taking a shower first, then crashing for a bit.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll set up the night blanket later, I’m not used to all this light,” Stepan replied, grabbing the remote control and pressing a button to activate the feature. The windows darkened slightly, but he left the full blackout mode for later.

  He then collapsed onto the long sofa, stretching out with a tired groan.

  “Huuah… today was way too long…” he mumbled, eyes growing heavy.

  And before Gabie had even finished his shower, Stepan had already dozed off, his exhaustion finally catching up to him.

  “Huaah… I think I slept too well…” Stepan mumbled, stretching as he sat up.

  The night blanket he had activated earlier kept the room comfortably dim. As his eyes adjusted, he scanned the luxurious suite, two separate beds, a long sofa, three small couches, and a holographic TV in the center.

  Gabie lay stiffly on one of the beds, completely wrapped in the night blanket, still motionless.

  Stepan yawned and got up. “Might as well take a shower,” he muttered.

  A few minutes later, he emerged, fresh and awake, drying his hair with a towel.

  “Ahh, I should have done this before sleeping,” he sighed.

  Gabie, now awake but still groggy, turned towards him. “Stepan… you showered? How did you turn it on?”

  Stepan froze mid-step. “Wait… don’t tell me you haven’t showered because you didn’t know how to turn it on?”

  Gabie looked away, clearly embarrassed. “…That’s exactly it.”

  Stepan let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. “Seriously?”

  He walked over and demonstrated how to operate the futuristic bathroom system.

  “There. If you get confused, just call me,” Stepan said after finishing the quick tutorial.

  “Got it,” Gabie nodded and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Stepan grabbed a cold coffee, sat on the sofa, and switched on the holographic TV. A news broadcast immediately flickered to life.

  “In our next story, a series of coordinated pickpocketing attacks have recently targeted PHI members.

  The current chairman, Mr. Nico von Vasseur, suggests that these incidents are directly related to the ongoing presidential election…”

  Stepan frowned, sipping his coffee.

  “Hmph… they’re really willing to go that far just for power. Then again, the presidency of Unoseis isn’t something to take lightly, it’s even making headlines here in Rosianna,” he muttered to himself.

  His concentration broke when the doorbell rang.

  “Ning nung…”

  Stepan blinked, then got up. “Coming.”

  He opened the door to find Starlight and Revana standing there.

  “Oh, Miss Star, Reva. What’s up?”

  Revana pouted slightly, though her cheeks were a little pink. “Did you forget already? We’re supposed to be discussing our next move at 16:30!”

  Stepan froze for a second. Then, he grinned sheepishly.

  “Oh… yeah. Haha… totally didn’t forget. Please, come into our humble nest.”

  Revana walked in first and immediately paused, glancing around the dimly lit room.

  “…You turned on the night blanket already? It’s still daytime.”

  “I still can’t get used to all this bright light,” Stepan shrugged.

  Starlight chuckled as she entered. “Where’s Gabie?”

  “In the shower,” Stepan replied, walking over to the bathroom.

  He knocked on the door. “Gabie, the ladies are here. You might want to get dressed in there.”

  Gabie’s voice came from inside. “Oh, uh, yeah. Stepan, can you pass me my clothes bag? Also… how do I turn off the shower?”

  Stepan facepalmed. “Press the same button twice.” He grabbed Gabie’s bag and handed it through the door.

  With that settled, he turned back to the group. “Alright. So, what’s the plan?”

  Starlight placed a holographic map on the sofa table, activating it with a quick gesture.

  Stepan leaned over, studying the glowing 3D projection. “Hmm… so this stupid prince had a plane crash off the southern coast of Steppe City.”

  Revana nodded. “So we need to go to Steppe first, right?”

  Stepan leaned back. “What do you think, Miss Star? I’ll follow your lead.”

  Starlight hesitated. “I’m not sure… Steppe isn’t an ideal place to settle down.”

  Gabie, now dressed and drying her hair, chimed in. “But it makes sense for him to be there. He entered Rosianna illegally, and Steppe is known as a dumping ground for outcasts.”

  Revana frowned. “So… he’s an illegal immigrant now?”

  Stepan sighed. “Yeah. He ditched all his IDs on the plane. But honestly… I’d say his chances of survival are only 40% at best.”

  Starlight’s expression darkened, her hands clenching into fists. Before she could speak, Stepan cut in.

  “But we won’t know for sure until we check it ourselves, right?” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “That’s why we’re here. We’ll maximize that 40% chance and use it as our fuel for motivation.”

  Revana sighed. “So… are we going to Steppe?”

  Stepan shook his head. “Not right away. If we go there first and find nothing, we’ll have wasted a trip. Steppe should be our final stop.”

  Starlight nodded. “So what’s the route?”

  “We start here, in Azmr, then move southwest to Shoit. After that, we take a hovercar west to Ritzm. Then, we fly north to Urnei, drive through the Salazzam region in the northeast, fly to Coltier in the southeast, and only after confirming he's not in any of these places, we head to Steppe.”

  Revana looked impressed. “That actually makes sense.”

  Starlight smiled. “Alright, let’s do it.”

  Before wrapping up, Starlight glanced at Revana. “There’s one more thing. Revana has something to discuss.”

  Revana fidgeted for a moment, then took a deep breath.

  “S-so… since we’re moving as a team, shouldn’t we have a team name?”

  Stepan raised an eyebrow. “Hah? Is that really necessary?”

  Revana huffed. “I knew you’d say that!”

  Gabie nodded. “Actually, I agree. Since we’re working undercover, we need an alias.”

  “Thank you, Gabie!” Revana beamed.

  Stepan sighed. “Fine. Then… how about we call ourselves The Fool Search Team?”

  The room fell silent.

  Everyone stared at him with pity.

  “…Huh? What’s with those looks? That’s a cool name, right?”

  “Cheesy,” Revana said flatly.

  Starlight giggled. “Your naming sense is… unique, Stepan.”

  Gabie didn’t hold back. “That’s the worst team name I’ve ever heard.”

  Stepan clutched his chest, as if their words had physically wounded him.

  “T-then do you guys have a better name?!”

  Revana grinned. “Yep! How about Team Star? Since Starlight is our leader, I’m the deputy, Gabie’s the bodyguard, and you, Stepan, you’re the minion.”

  Stepan’s eye twitched. “Minion…?”

  Starlight blushed. “I… don’t mind it.”

  Gabie smiled. “I like it. We’re Team Star.”

  Stepan sighed dramatically. “Minion, huh? …Yeah, sounds about right.”

  Starlight glanced at the clock. “Whoa, it’s 20:20 already. We should get some rest.”

  “Good night, Gabie. Good night, Mr. Minion!” Revana teased.

  “Yes, good night,” Gabie chuckled.

  “…Yeah, yeah,” Stepan muttered.

  And with that, Team Star’s first official meeting came to an end.

  Inside the sealed comfort of Room 466, the world outside remained bright as ever, bathed in the long glow of Trappist light.

  Yet, within these walls, the night blanket cast a deep artificial darkness, simulating the nighttime that Rosianna would only experience in two years later.

  Lying in her luxurious bed, Starlight should have been asleep.

  But something felt off.

  Something she couldn't quite place.

  And when sleep finally took her, it brought a dream unlike any she had ever had before…

  The dream was vivid, almost as if she were reliving it.

  A little boy stood ahead, glancing back at her with an impatient grin.

  “Hey, Nana! You’re so slow! If you keep going like this, I might leave you behind!”

  A small girl, with blonde hair and deep ruby-red eyes, pouted in response.

  “Wait, ####! Aren’t you supposed to be my hero? You’re Helki, right!?”

  The boy paused, blinking at her. Then he laughed.

  “If I’m Helki, why are you giving up so easily, Nana?”

  She huffed, crossing her arms.

  “Hmph! Helki, my hero, shouldn’t say things like that! He should always be there for me! He should help me!”

  The boy sighed dramatically, but a softness flickered in his eyes.

  “Gosh… okay, okay. I’m Helki, Princess Nana’s hero! I’m coming, Princess!”

  Hearing that, the little girl’s face lit up.

  “Of course! Helki, I’ll always be waiting for you!”

  The boy nodded determinedly, then knelt down.

  “Princess Nana, please get on my back. I’ll carry you and get you out of here.”

  She giggled before climbing onto his back.

  “Hahaha! I was right! You are Helki, my hero!”

  The boy grinned.

  “Yes, yes… I am Helki!”

  The moment he shouted those words, the dream shattered like fragile glass....

  Awakening

  Gasp.

  Starlight’s eyes snapped open.

  Her breathing was uneven.

  Her cheeks were wet.

  She reached up, touching her face.

  …She was crying.

  But why?

  The dream had felt so real, yet she had no memory of it.

  “Helki...?”

  She whispered the name, her voice trembling.

  A name she had never spoken before.

  A feeling so deep and nostalgic, yet unfamiliar.

  The tears kept falling.

  And within the darkness of the night blanket, she lay there, lost in emotions she couldn’t explain.

  For the first time in a long time....

  Starlight didn’t know why.

  On the southernmost edge of Rosianna, in the city of Steppe, where the unwanted were discarded, a place of ruins and outcasts,

  A city now infamous for being close to a recent Soundwave-jet crash.

  And in that forsaken city, a young woman slept, drown in a vivid dream.

  "Hahaha, I was not wrong, you are Helki, my hero!"

  "Yes, yes, yes… I am Helki!"

  Anastasha’s eyes snapped open.

  Her breath hitched, her fingers trembling as she touched her damp cheeks.

  "Helki...!?"

  She didn't know why she was crying.

  She didn’t even know if that dream belonged to her.

  But what she did know,

  Was that the name Helki had just entered her life again.

  A name belonging to someone who had just joined Cartridge.

  A man sat awake in a dimly lit room.

  Four beds. Two bunked.

  His was the lower bunk on the farthest wall.

  A single glass window, its frame cracked, its view obscured by the hazy effect of the night blanket.

  The man’s emerald eyes were cold, yet his mind was chaotic.

  His fingers drummed lightly against the wooden bed frame.

  His thoughts raced, bouncing between the past, the present, and the unavoidable future.

  "Damn it! I just barely managed to escape from Naura and Starlight, and now… Anastasha!? Seriously!?"

  A frustrated sigh escaped his lips.

  "I know Aunt éclair brought Anastasha to Rosianna, but why the hell is she in Steppe?"

  "What a sick coincidence…"

  No,

  Not a coincidence.

  This was fate, forcing him back into the spotlight he had spent two years avoiding.

  His hand curled into a fist, pressing against his chest, against the name buried deep inside him.

  A name he had abandoned.

  A name he had revived the moment he killed Alexsir and threw Sir Alex into the ocean.

  A name that now haunted him,

  Just as much as it guided those hunting him.

  Welcome back, Helki.