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- “One day, Elio handed you over to me. He said that if things continued to transpire according to the future possibility he foresaw, you would eventually change me and I would change you. In other words, you and I are each other's destiny.”
- — Kafka to Caelus in "Letter from a Strange Woman".
- “"I am your destiny." The woman replied, "It took me a long time to find you and an even longer time to become restrained and patient. I didn't act until Elio found the best of futures. He told me that you will change me." She smiled bitterly, "So, you are my destiny too."”
- — Kafka interaction in Simulated Universe, Closed Beta Test 2 (not in final game).
KafCae is the het ship between Kafka and Caelus from the Honkai: Star Rail fandom.
Canon[]
In the beginning of the game, Kafka activates Caelus's receptacle and seals the Stellaron within his body. When Caelus wakes up, the first person he sees, and also recognizes, is Kafka, hinting of a past they have together that he doesn't remember. Caelus can have the option to ask Kafka who she is, which shocks Kafka, thinking Caelus would remember her. Kafka tells him that people will love him, treat him like family, and he has a long journey ahead of him; This is the future Elio has foreseen. Whether or not Caelus accepts this future, Kafka will say his answer is lovely, telling Caelus that the version of his determined enough to reach the end of his journey is the "you I like." Another dialogue option here leads to Kafka making a comment that the two are paving the way for a written future like weaving brocade, and the two together will make a gorgeous pattern eventually. Kafka also remarks that Caelus will be able to remember her before she's seen. After being hurried by Silver Wolf, Kafka leaves after spending another minute with Caelus, though Caelus doesn't want her to go. Kafka's lasts words to him are that when faced with a chance to make a choice, don't make a choice hell regret. This line is echoed in the mission description in the prologue.
Belobog[]
While Kafka does not appear in Belobog, when resting at the hotel after having defeated Cocolia, Caelus hears Kafka's voice in his sleep telling him that "At the end of your journey, all that perplexes you and troubles you will resolve."
Xianzhou Luofu[]
Kafka interrupts the Astral Express's navigation meeting, appearing as a hologram. Caelus looks at her as she walks past, though Kafka doesn't acknowledge him. Kafka requests for the crew to deal with the Stellaron in the Xianzhou Luofu in order to clear the Stellaron Hunters' name and save her companion, Blade. March 7th is suspicious of Kafka, though all of Caelus's potential dialogue choices show that he is considering accepting Kafka's request, to which March exclaims not to listen to her. Kafka ends the transmission allowing the crew to decide for themselves. When talking to Himeko afterwords, Caelus can declare his position on whether or not they should go. If he doesn't believe they should go, Caelus can say that they can't trust Kafka as her reason. When interacting with Himeko a second time, Himeko points out that Kafka never mentioned Caelus at all. She warns that Kafka implanting him with a Stellaron hints at a far-off purpose, and that Kafka won't always turn a blind eye.
March and Caelus fill Dan Heng in on the situation. When talking to March, she'll reiterate her frustration with the Stellaron Hunter, asking Caelus if Kafka was always like this. Caelus can reply that he doesn't remember, that Kafka used to be nice, or remain secretive.
Once Caelus, March, and Welt arrive at the Xianzhou Luofu, they aren't accepted to deal with the Stellaron. However, Jing Yuan tells them that they can track down Kafka for them. With Tingyun's help, the trio are able to catch up to Kafka, though Kafka has gotten Cloud Knights to fight them for her. When Tingyun asks what she did to them, Kafka alludes to her ability to control people, saying Caelus should know all about that. After a boss fight, Kafka gets arrested by Fu Xuan. Welt and Caelus feel uneasy about the fact that Kafka seemed to have been expecting Fu Xuan's arrival, showing that Kafka is planning something.
Once Fu Xuan looks into Kafka's true motives, she is shocked. Caelus asks what she saw, but Fu Xuan hurries to report to Jing Yuan, telling the Astral Express crew that they can question Kafka. Welt and March know that Caelus has a lot to ask Kafka, so they let him do the questioning. Kafka greets Caelus, saying he hasn't changed one bit, and apologizes for her sorry state. Caelus can be aggressive, saying not to talk to her like a friend, which Kafka accepts, or express worry, to which Kafka replies she's fine. Alternatively, if Caelus replies that Kafka does not look to be in a sorry state, Kafka is glad, not wanting to affect Caelus's perception of her. She tells Caelus that she didn't talk to him on the train because she knew they'd have a chance to talk alone. Kafka reveals that the Stellaron Hunters have no connection to the Stellaron in Xianzhou; Rather, they are here for Caelus. She explains that they lured the Astral Express crew here because the future Elio chose requires the Astral Express to have the Xianzhou Alliance on their side. Elio foresees that they will face Nanook the Destruction in the future, a struggle they won't have a glimmer of hope in without following Elio's plan. Kafka then tells him that even Aeons can be killed. She tells of past Aeons, like Akivili the Trailblaze, that fell and two ways how. Caelus questions her further, but Kafka tells him to wait, watching in satisfaction as the Ambrosial Arbor resurrects. Kafka breaks free of her restraints. Caelus pursues her, but is blocked by Blade, and the two jump off.
Daily Messages[]
In Kafka's first daily message, she reaches out to Caelus, telling Caelus that although she is not by his side, she aware Caelus has done a lot of missions recently, asking Caelus how she feels after completing them. If Caelus responds saying he feels satisfied, Kafka remarks that Caelus is like that now, saying it is very nice, before telling Caelus if he ever needs help, Kafka will come to him, as he is still the same. If Caelus says he feels empty, Kafka says that it is truly a shame he is like this now because she can not help much in that sense, as she is still the same. Caelus can chose to remark that he knows or he does not remember anything, to which Kafka affirms the statement, before remarking that she accidentally stained her coat, and she will have to deal with her coat now as the mission is over, leaving Caelus with the parting message that they will talk again.
In Kafka's second daily message, she texts Caelus a simple "Hi", to which Caelus can either respond with recognizing her as Kafka, or asking who she is. If Caelus remarks that it is her, Kafka affirms it, remarking that he guessed right away, and asking Caelus how his time on the Express has been. If Caelus instead asks who Kafka is, Kafka comments that he forgot about her so quickly, before melancholically stating to forget it, as it is no wonder Caelus forgot her, asking how Caelus's time on the Express has been. Caelus can state that he misses Kafka, to which Kafka is surprised, asking if that is the case. If Caelus says it is the truth and asks Kafka if she believes it, Kafka says she does believe it, and although Caelus can not see it, that truly made her very happy. If Caelus chooses to say it is not true, and that he did not expect Kafka to see right through her, Kafka comments that her intuition is always correct. She then states that as long as Caelus is with the Express, she knows she does not need to worry, and Caelus should remember that too. If Caelus says he is living well and he likes his life, Kafka simply says that is good, and she knows she does not have to worry if Caelus is with the Express, and that Caelus should remember that too, the conversation coming to a close.
In Kafka's third daily message, she casually reaches out to Caelus, prompting Caelus to either ask what is wrong, to which Kafka says nothing, that she merely thought of him, or to remark that Kafka messaged him again, prompting Kafka to ask Caelus if he is welcome. She then comments that she did not expect to be the only person in the cinema, as she thought lots of people liked this movie. Caelus can either ask why she did not go with anyone else, to which Kafka remarks that all the Stellaron Hunters have their own preferences, so it would not be good to force them to come, or tell Kafka that next time they can go and see it together, to which Kafka agrees and remarks Caelus should not forget this time. She then asks Caelus what type of movie he likes now, to which Caelus can either respond with biographical films, action movies or sci-fi movies. If Caelus chooses to tell Kafka that he likes biographical films, Kafka agrees, stating she also likes reading about and watching others, but she hopes no one would ever make a movie about her, as she would not want to be shown based on a director's perspective of her. If Caelus remarks he likes action movies, Kafka tells him that because she finds herself in scenarios like in action films, she does not find it exciting or involving. If Caelus states he likes sci-fi films, Kafka remarks that although movies like that are set in the future, what happens in the past will always happen again and again in the future, as life is that way. She then tells Caelus that the movie is about to start, so she has to go, bidding him farewell.
Quotes[]
- “Caelus, we meet again.”
- — Kafka's voiceline when added to the same team as Caelus
- Caelus – “She used to be nice.”
- March 7th – “Oh yeah? Huh, maybe she really liked you...”
- — Caelus and March about Kafka, "An Invitation Without Proffer"
- Caelus – “She sure is a Stellaron Hunter...”
- March 7th – “Ugh, why don't you go and marry her, huh?”
- — "Stars Sun, Prescience Sprung"
- “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
- — Caelus to Kafka (optional)
- “One day, Elio handed you over to me. He said that if things continued to transpire according to the future possibility he foresaw, you would eventually change me and I would change you. In other words, you and I are each other's destiny.”
- — Kafka to Caelus in "Letter from a Strange Woman".
- “"I am your destiny." The woman replied, "It took me a long time to find you and an even longer time to become restrained and patient. I didn't act until Elio found the best of futures. He told me that you will change me." She smiled bitterly, "So, you are my destiny too."”
- — Kafka interaction in Simulated Universe, Closed Beta Test 2 (not in final game).
Fanon[]
KafCae gained interest from their very first interaction, noting their shared history and how Caelus seems to care for Kafka, and in turn Kafka seems to care for Caelus too. KafCae is a popular ship for both Caelus and Kafka.
Fan depictions of KafCae usually like to lean into the angst potential they have and often depict them as "tragic" or "doomed", in scenarios such as Caelus feeling abandoned by Kafka and desperately longing for her whilst she is away, or on Kafka's side with Caelus being unable to remember her or her being unable to open up to Caelus due to her past.
Familial[]
Kafka and Caelus are also often understood as a mother-child relationship, as Kafka technically created Caelus early in the game, and her words of concern can be seen as a mother's guidance. Those with this interpretation prefer to mention Caelus' possibility of abandonment due to the figure of her mother, the only person he remembers, leaving him.
On May 28, 2023, a Kafka companion mission dialogue was leaked on Twitter, in which Kafka told Trailblzer that she was genetically their mother.[1] This dialogue was in fact Kafka lying, although this was not made clear until hours later. Conversation on the leak mostly pertained to KafStel because of its greater popularity, though leak was devastating for both ships as it deemed Kafka x Trailblazer problematic. The leaker received some backlash for leaking the initial dialogue without context, seemingly making KafCae look bad.[2][3]That said, the misunderstanding that the two are related is still rampant, due to players mistaking the lie as truth.
Kafka and Caelus are also commonly interpreted as a mother-son relationship, due to leaks which suggested that Kafka created Caelus, but this was proven to be a lie when her companion quest released. Her caring words could been seen as the guidance of a mother. In the Western fandom, people with this interpretation like to touch on Caelus's potential abandonment issues due to his mother figure, the only person he remembers, leaving him. In the Japanese fandom, KafCae is often seen as familial due to Kafka being viewed by the fandom as the player, and in turn Caelus's, mother, with many people calling Kafka "カフカママ" (Kafka mama).
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Caelus/Kafka tag on AO3
- Caelus & Kafka tag on AO3
Trivia[]
- Kafka’s companion mission, Letter from a Strange Woman (陌生女人的来信) references Stefan Zweig’s novella Letter from an Unknown Woman (一个陌生女人的来信), which describes a woman’s passionate but sorrowful one-sided crush on a man that forgets her and never recognizes her. The woman, who has surrounded her entire life around her crush, leaves a letter for him in her last hours, finally confessing her love.
- Kafka's "Health Recovery" voiceline in Chinese is "谢谢，你是个好人。" ("Thank you, you're a good person.")
- Vietnamese HoYolab lists Kafka as having "special feelings" for Caelus.
- In "A Foxian Tale of the Haunted", there is an option to pick "She is beautiful" as a response to seeing a haunted Kafka poster.
- In "Dreamjolt Hostelry", Kafka's drink description calls her "the love of your dreams".
- One of Blade's daily messages is Kafka messaging Caelus, as her phone was broken and she wanted to talk to Caelus.
- In one of Firefly's daily messages, she states that Kafka always talks about Caelus, which is why she thought the two knew each other well.
- A poem can be found that seems to allude to Kafka and Caelus during the Xianzhou Luofu quest while chasing Kafka, referencing the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, a classic Chinese romance.
- The achievement "Suum Cuique" (Chinese: 彼此的命运, Each Other's Destiny), which is obtained after creating "Shader Cat" for the first time in the Lifeform Oven, is translated as "Destinados a estar juntos" ("Destined to be together") in the Spanish version of Honkai Star Rail.
Gallery[]
Fan Art[]
- All art in this section is fan made, and must be sourced back to the original artist. It also must have permission from the original artist to be posted here. If your art is here without your permission and you wish to have it taken down, please inform an admin, so that we may delete it.
