["Hey, Stelle." Kafka's smile softened as she saw her approach. "…You haven't changed a bit. Sorry for letting you see me in such a pathetic state."]
["Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Stelle asked, her voice tinged with concern.]
["You're worried about me?"]
[Kafka was slightly taken aback, a warmth rising in her heart. "I'm fine. The Xianzhou always treats its prisoners courteously. On the train, I didn't talk to you because I knew we'd have this moment alone here. So I thought, why not save everything for now? You seem to have a lot of questions for me."]
["What did Fu Xuan see?"]
["The Stellaron chaos in the Xianzhou has no direct connection to us. But from Elio's perspective, you could say the Stellaron Hunters aren't entirely innocent. We foresaw all of this long ago but did nothing until the right moment to act."]
[Kafka continued calmly, "The reason Master Diviner Fu was so shocked is that she discovered three truths."]
["First, the Stellaron Hunters are not the Xianzhou's enemies. You already know this, though you've never fully believed it."]
["Second, the one who brought the Stellaron to the Xianzhou and activated it was someone else—both internal threats and external enemies seeking to destabilize the Xianzhou. The Master Diviner rushed off to inform the General, likely about this point."]
["But that's all she knows because Elio didn't share the critical details with me. He foresaw that the Divination Commission would use the Matrix of Prescience Ultima on me. To prevent any mishaps, at this moment, I only know what the Xianzhou Alliance is supposed to know."]
["The third truth is, if the Stellaron Hunters aren't the masterminds behind this, then why are Blade and I here?"]
[A faint smile curled Kafka's lips. "—For you."]
[In the face of Stelle's shocked expression, Kafka continued unhurriedly, "The answer is that interesting. The Stellaron Hunters are here, Blade was captured, and I was brought to the Matrix—all to bring you, the Astral Express, to the Xianzhou."]
In the Marvel Universe.
Peter Parker stood before the Sanctum Sanctorum in New York. Half an hour ago, he'd received a text from Stephen Strange inviting him for a visit. He didn't need to think hard to guess the topic—most likely related to that mysterious celestial screen in the sky.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the heavy wooden door. The sound of the knocker echoed clearly in the evening street, but no one answered. Just as he raised his hand to knock again, the door opened silently.
"Come in," a low voice called from inside.
It wasn't Peter's first time at the Sanctum, but each visit left him marveling with "wow, wow" exclamations. The air was thick with the scent of ancient tomes and sandalwood, and the walls were adorned with bizarre magical artifacts.
"Parker, come find a seat."
The voice came from the spiral staircase above, where Strange's signature mustache came into view. He held a coffee mug, looking down at Peter. "Don't be late next time."
Peter climbed the stairs and saw that the fireplace wasn't occupied by just one person. Steve Rogers, Dr. Banner, and… Mr. Tony Stark!
"You brought Parker?" Tony raised his hands, his tone tinged with irritation. "Wizard, you should've given me a heads-up."
"Relax, this won't take much of your time," Strange said with a deep breath. "You all know that the people in the celestial screen can observe our world and have ways to interfere and influence us. Beyond that fact, one person caught my attention."
"Who?" Peter asked curiously.
"Elio—though he hasn't appeared in the screen, we know from Kafka's words that this person can predict the future." As he spoke, the Eye of Agamotto on Strange's chest glinted with an odd light.
They all knew this was the Sorcerer Supreme's most mystical and vital artifact, housing a gem that could manipulate time. With it, Strange could freely observe the past and even the future.
"Oh, I think I get what you're saying," Tony said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting Elio's some kind of Sorcerer Supreme, with a gem like yours?"
"I can't be certain—that's why I invited you all here," Strange sighed. "To be honest, we know little about their world, whether it's the Aeons or their Emanators. We need to keep observing them…"
"Observation's fine, but we need a change of venue," Tony said, scanning the Sanctum with a slight smile. "How about my Stark Tower?"
——
["The Astral Express was meant to come to the Luofu, yes, and to accomplish something great. In the future Elio chose, the power of the Hunt is indispensable. For that, you needed to connect with the Alliance…"]
["So I had to lure you here. I needed you to meet the Luofu's General, help them resolve the Stellaron crisis, and make the Alliance owe you a favor. That way, in the future of futures, at the critical moment, the Xianzhou will lend you their strength."]
[Kafka gave a gentle smile. "Surprised, aren't you? The infamous Stellaron Hunters went through all this just to make you the Xianzhou's hero. Who could've imagined such a script?"]
"A strategist placing themselves in the game, all to gain a slight edge over fate… It seems Elio's true goal was to bridge the Alliance and the Express," Zhongli said with a chuckle.
"But, Guest Advisor, there's something I find odd."
Hu Tao furrowed her brow in confusion. "Elio's plan hinges on making the Alliance owe a favor, but according to General Jing Yuan, the Xianzhou has its own means to handle the Stellaron. With the Stellaron Hunter matter resolved, do they even need the Express crew anymore?"
"Hall Master, it's not that simple. If Elio foresaw that Fu Xuan would use the Matrix of Prescience Ultima on Kafka, he surely anticipated that this Stellaron crisis is unlike any before."
Zhongli lowered his head in thought. "Moreover, the Xianzhou now faces both internal and external threats. The 'traitor' Kafka mentioned likely refers to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus colluding with the Abundance. The Xianzhou might handle a single crisis with ease, but if the Destruction and the Abundance strike simultaneously, throwing the Luofu into chaos…"
"I'm afraid Jing Yuan… his position as General might not hold steady."