Chapter 20: New Stories Have Yet to Start

Who are those little girls in pain, just trapped in castle of dark side of moon.

Twelve of them shining bright in vain, like flowers that blossom just once in years.

The blizzard was thick that night, just like that time she returned to her home after learning the truth her mother had so precariously hidden from her and the world. A secret that, by intentions, had secured Belobog and its future for generations, even if it's a false one.

Neither Bronya or Seele said a word, the former quietly munching on her food while the latter watched her under a careful gaze from a chair near Bronya's nightstand. Seele's eyes were stern but not unkind, silently imploring Bronya to eat and finish her food.

She had to after Bronya refused to eat, saying that she lacked the appetite to eat anything at the moment, which made Seele mad just from listening the excuse.

"You know damn well how precious foods are so you better not be wasting any."

Seele had snapped at Bronya, feeling terrible when the woman flinched in fear from her tone only to push said feeling away a second later. She did what she needed and if she had to hurt herself to make sure Bronya was fine, then she would do it.

But in the end, it was a near futile endeavor. Bronya stopped after the fifth bite and put her meal down, head casted low and away from Seele's gaze. Try as she might, no matter how hard she swallowed the food would always try to push back up her throat, rejected by the body and its wounded soul.

Seeing this, Seele sighed and put her leg down from its crossed position, the soft thump making Bronya jumped slightly as it sounded like thunder in the quiet. She heard Seele approaching before the bed creaked and dipped under her weight beside Bronya.

Seele gently picked the small box of food, took a spoonful of its content and motioned it for Bronya. "Come on, now. It's only a few bites left."

She should've been embarrassed but Bronya hardly felt anything to really care if someone spoon-fed her her foods, moreso in the safety of her chamber where nobody could judge her in her most vulnerable moment. Seele had promised her that and Bronya believed she would keep her promises.

Opening her mouth, she caught a glimpse of grin on Seele's lips as she shoved the spoon into Bronya's mouth, giggling. "You really are a baby, are you?"

"I'm sorry," Bronya apologized and went to take the food from Seele's hands only to blink in surprise when Seele pulled her hands away from her reach.

"I didn't say I mind," again with the grin, only this time more noticeable. "Don't you indulge on this kind of thing, princess?"

"What kind of thing?" Bronya asked back as she swallowed the food and almost immediately Seele shoved another spoonful into her mouth.

"Being pampered, I mean. You lots like to give the most mundane of jobs to the peasants, right? Anything to keep your hands clean? But, ah, who am I kidding, you're a soldier first and foremost so it's unlike you to shy away from labor, either."

Bronya thought over it for a second before she shrugged weakly. While there's people like that out there, she wasn't one. Besides the ethical reasons, Bronya didn't like wasting resources if she could do something herself. "Why would I?"

Seele chuckled. "Why would you, indeed."

Soon, the box was emptied. Thanks to Seele's attempt at smalltalk Bronya managed to distract herself and suppressed the bile in her throat from rising again. Seele carried the now empty box with her and put it on Bronya's dresser, sitting down on her previous position on the chair.

"Have you eaten yet?" Bronya asked Seele after taking a little sip of water.

"Yeah, I've had my fill." Which was almost twelve hours ago and Seele was now positively starving after so many time passed. Not that she would tell Bronya that knowing she would send her away to eat. Besides, holding back hunger wasn't something new, anyway, so Seele easily ignored her needs for now. "Serval made something interesting."

"You've had meal with Serval?"

Seele hummed and nodded. "She had a few things she wanted to tell me. She also fixed my phone." Deliberately leaving the this morning part out, Seele shrugged in what she hoped was a nonchalant shrug to Bronya. "Honestly, she's such a kind person."

A small smile bloomed on Bronya's face, the first one Seele saw after coming over. "I know she is."

Seele grinned. "She also told me some very interesting things, though my favourite would be the one about a Bunny and a Wolf in the vast castle."

Bronya flushed, inciting a laugh from Seele. "I can't believe she told you that."

"It was kind of sweet. Who knew you could be very unruly as a child."

"I caused Mother and Serval so much troubles back then."

"Was it true, though? That you climbed a flagpole once in your game of hide and seek with Serval?"

"It was." Seele laughed again and Bronya joined her a second later, unable to keep up the pretense. She still remembered that day when she scaled the top of Qlipoth Fort and climbed said flagpole like it was yesterday, that and the pure terror on the Guard's and Serval's faces when they found her hugging the pole for dear life. "Not my proudest accomplishment."

"I'd be very proud of myself, honestly."

"Well, when you're an heir of a great power with even greater expectations put on you it is important for you to not be selfish about yourself. What I did was a selfish act that endangered not just myself but also the future of Belobog."

"You were just a kid. Kids make mistakes."

"That might be true."

"Might? It is true," Seele said, rolling her eyes. "Cut yourself some slack here and there, everyone makes mistakes even as an adult."

"But a Supreme Guardian cannot," Bronya said matter-of-factly and Seele fell silent. "We live not for just ourselves but also others, what we choose will affect everyone."

"The sum is always greater than its parts..."

Bronya hummed and nodded. "And I am an important part in the dynamic."

Being the Supreme Guardian was a solemn duty she had sworn to carry, even far since she was young she knew that she would be one in the future. It's just that Bronya never expected she would inherit the title from her mother this way.

In the bygone past, back when her mother's warmth was still radiated in abundance, she had caught a glimpse of what it was about. As she grew up, it only got clearer and clearer until it was all she'd known. Bronya understood the burden and responsibility of a leader, joining the Silvermane Guards and subsequently being their Commandant served only to further increase her understanding of the role. That said, while prepared in theory, nothing could've actually prepared her for the actual thing.

Just a week ago everything seemed normal with her mother in charge but now here she was, leading her people in her own light. Bronya hoped that it was sufficient, that all she did was right and just so far, and she had reasons to be once she was told about the Underworlders and their recent predicaments. Still, it was but a small step and it would only get harder therefore.

She was on the right track, but bumps were inevitable in the future and nothing she could do but brace and wait until they actually revealed themselves to her watchful eyes.

"Hey," Seele said softly and Bronya looked up, noticing the unease in her purple eyes. "I tried asking people about you and your mother."

"Yes?"

"I still don't understand."

"What you don't understand?"

"How it feels to have a mother," Seele's gaze dropped down and in a much smaller voice she added "and how it feels losing her."

Bronya grimaced. "I'm sorry, it must have been difficult."

"You don't get it. I'm not worry about me. I never have one so I don't really care about mine." A sigh as Seele slumped down on her chair, fingers absently drumming her thighs as she gazed at the ceiling in thought. "I wanted to understand so I could at least offer you some words, maybe condolences even but I simply couldn't. When I think about Cocolia, all I feel is dissent and disgust."

Seele shrugged helplessly and continued with a snort. "So here I am, cussing over your dead mother who you obviously loved."

"I don't blame you," Seele blinked and looked back towards Bronya, raising an eyebrow while Bronya tiredly rubbed her eyes. "I heard the whispers even before I went to the Underworld and saw the truth myself. At first, I simply dismissed them for normal discontents but it was only after meeting you I understood that they purposefully lowered their voices around me in fear of reprisals."

Seele sat up straight with a scowl. "... do you remember what I told you? About not letting others tell you what to do?"

"I do," Bronya admitted, a small smile gracing her lips before it was gone just as quick. "It was when we promised each other."

"I was wrong."

"Huh?"

"I was wrong," Seele repeated, pronouncing each syllable with emphasizes. "I said that not knowing your circumstances, I said that based on my way of living. You don't live my life and the opposite is true so to assume both of us live off the same principles won't do. A leader that doesn't listen to the people is no different than a tyrant. While you'll have to be decisive, you'll also have to be transparent with your conducts. This, of course you understand. It's just that I want to apologize for being... uncouth?"

Bronya chuckled at her hesitation in choosing word and Seele rolled her eyes, huffing exasperatedly. "What you told me is not wrong," Bronya began with a smile. "But it's not a conduct I can afford to follow. Living a carefree life is not something I know."

"We have our own concerns," Seele concluded softly, earning a nod from Bronya.

"That we do."

The parallel of both worlds. Wherein Seele lived to survive with foods and safety being her drives, Bronya lived with the constant thought of survival for all of Belobog. Survival was their objective, just that they had different paths to reach it and different measures altogether.

It wasn't lost on them, the cold hard fact of reality. Perhaps, there was never a difference between the two worlds aside from the ones they created themselves. Perhaps, the barrier was never physical alone but also that of idealism, invisible as it was to the eyes with no way of knowing until it was lifted by Bronya's decree.

"Is it possible for you to ever forgive my mother?"

The question caught her off guard with how sudden it was and Seele, unprepared, answered with the first thing that came to her mind. "No," it was short and curt with deep certainty, but what made her regret the delivery was the unintended heat that made Bronya flinch away as if she was struck. Taking a deep breath to ease herself, Seele continued anew. "You have to understand that it's still her fault a lot of my people suffered unnecessarily. I won't condemn you for loving her for it is your right, but I won't ever forgive her. Although, it's in the past now so I really couldn't care less about her anymore."

"... Mei told me that in her last moment, she broke a smile. Whenever I recall it, I couldn't help but shudder at the implication. Had my mother always been controlled by the Stellaron this whole time, then how much of her love was actually true and not just some fabrications to prepare another puppet for it to reign? How much of it was fake and how much of it was genuine? Had my mother truly given up against it or was she still fighting it until finally being liberated by death?"

The sweet promises of certain future and continuous existence whispered by the Stellaron through her mother's lips were like a poison to her mind, flowing in her veins until they reached her heart and gripping it in its tight grasp. It made her chest seize with searing white pain, knowing it was but an illusion that led to decay.

Worst of all, her mother believed it.

She couldn't even begin to comprehend the why but the more she told her the more Bronya understood her reasoning. As always, it had been desperation for the future that drove her mother to agree to the devil's proposal, relinquishing all control for another day and another generation. Bronya understood, after all it was a job where survival was the objective and with that many people counting on her, she was bound to doubt herself until she started cutting corners.

It's just that Bronya couldn't accept it. The duty of a Supreme Guardian was to lead the people ahead through the blizzard, even if she had to make sacrifices it must be her own before her people's and it had always been true which was something her mother unable to bear any further.

Sending people to wars took but a word for leaders such as herself, but the burden of the inevitable deaths would lay heavy on her conscience therefore until the rest of her life. It didn't just go away, it didn't work that way, and Bronya imagined her mother had long collapsed under her burden she stopped being on the lead by letting something else took the role.

It was one of the reasons why Bronya rejected the Stellaron.

By letting it took control she would have to sacrifice her people as proven by the seclusion of the Underworlders, a ploy she now knew was orchestrated by the Stellaron itself to further deteriorate Belobog, and nothing could tell what more sacrifices it would've demanded. Her people needed a leader, not an oppressor from outer space who knew nothing about the Belobogian and their struggle.

Her mother was wrong, that was irrefutable yet Bronya couldn't find it in herself the will to hate her.

"Does it matter, now?" Seele retorted calmly, gaze hard and cold as iron. "Whatever she was to you is but what you believe, regardless whether it was genuine or not. You believe she was a good mother and I can't say otherwise because only you really knew her. What she is to me was a tyrant, but to you she was a mother and nothing else. Though if you asked me, there must be a point in the past where she genuinely loved you if what Mei said was true."

"I couldn't help but to ponder about it."

"That's fine, you ought to be selfish sometimes. You've done so much so you deserve as much."

"Can I really?"

Seele sighed deeply, scowling. "This is what I don't like about you. You always put others above yourself and forget that you're also human with your own needs."

"Sorry."

"See? Even now you're apologizing needlessly." Seele shook her head fondly and in a much smaller voice she added "But I guess that's what make you special."

"Then, can I ask something of you?"

A pair of purple blinked in a mixture of intrigue and surprise, not expecting Bronya to be upfront so quickly. "Sure," Seele asked gingerly. Although she trusted Bronya, she had terrible experience of agreeing on something so blindly so she wasn't that thrilled. "If it's within my capability."

"Well, it is but..." Bronya trailed off and Seele raised an eyebrow at the clear anxiety bleeding in her tone, she was also fiddling with her thumbs on her lap, blushing deeply. "Only if you're agree to, um..."

Seele narrowed her eyes. "Just spit it out."

"Well, will you stay the night and accompany me?"

Bronya's voice steadily lowered until it was but a whisper with rosy tints painting her cheeks. Gaze falling down to the floor, she waited for a response in the deafening silence that followed, waiting for what seemed to be an eternity she actually began to reconsider her request when Seele didn't say anything at all.

"Sure," Seele said offhandedly and Bronya blinked, baffled by her casual response. Catching the purple haired woman's smile, Bronya forced her expression to stay neutral. "I'll stay."

Bronya nodded slowly, lying down on her bed with her back facing Seele. "Then, join me," She whispered.

"What was that?"

Bronya's lips trembled from embarrassment, feeling the heat spreading to her chest and neck as she blurted out. "Join me."

There was no response as everything suddenly fell quiet. With her eyes squeezed shut, she couldn't see anything except darkness behind her eyelids, ears pounding with the rapid beating of her heart Bronya felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.

So when the bed dipped slightly on the other side, Bronya nearly jumped.

"Really..." Seele mumbled as she sat there and untied her shoes. Opening her eyes, Bronya turned her head to Seele's direction, seeing her purple hair cascading her back with her reddening ears peeking out for her to glimpse. "You're unbelievable, you know that."

"Sorry."

The bed dipped even further as Seele's full weight settled on it. Both women lay there, backs facing the other and words escaping their thoughts that only silence prevailed. Seele watched the blizzard steadily dwindling into nothing outside the window to distract herself from the fact she was lying in the bed with someone else for the first time in her life while Bronya's silver gaze was locked at the reinforced wall of the Fort, trying in vain to stave off her myriad of emotions swirling in her chest.

For a long time, neither said a word. Simply lying there with their heat seeping into each other, heat that even the Geomarrow heater could not reproduce. Bronya, being able to control herself better thanks to her training and experience, inhaled deeply and broke the silence first.

"Thank you. For keeping up with my selfishness."

Seele shifted as tension eased out of her body, finally letting her muscle to relax with a long exhale. "It's alright. If it's only this much then it's nothing."

"I won't force you if you don't want to. You're free to go if you so desire."

"I said it's fine. It's not like I mind, either."

"You know you don't have to keep up with me, it's me who owe you and not the other way around."

"What are you on about?" Seele shot back as she turned around to face Bronya who took a shuddering breath in.

"I... am grateful of your support, of everything you've done but I can't allow you to do what you did back then again."

"What? Saving your ass from the clutch of the Stellaron? You know I had to."

"No, I meant sacrificing yourself like that." A pair of wet silver met sharp purple, glinting in the glow of the white light above. "I've lost friends and will continue to lose them in the future, having to endure still ahead and I've accepted that but this is the first time I get to speak with one of them again after they've died and it's... I can't even begin to explain."

"If what you meant to ask is whether I regret it or not... then no, I don't and I doubt any of your friends either. I'm sure they understood the necessity of it because I did. They're willing to sacrifice themselves because they believed in you and the future you'll make." Seele's gaze softened as she peered into Bronya's soul, seeing the emotions raging inside. Emotions that previously were so closely guarded because of the expectations put on her shoulders. "You'll do good, Bronya. I'm sure of it."

They smiled, finally finding understanding on each other after all that happened. Bronya, that Bronya told Seele that it was unfair to judge this Bronya too soon when she hardly knew her back then when she told her that she liked her better than the Silvermane Commandant and she had begun to understand that. Bronya was not like what she expected for she had her own struggle, her own demon and her own aspirations she strived to achieve.

She worked hard, probably harder than anyone else in the world for a selfless goal of prosperity for all. An admirable dream few ever dreamed and fewer still to have achieved.

"Get some sleep," Seele told Bronya tenderly. "You haven't gotten any lately, right?"

"I've been having a nightmare," Of you never coming back, "and works have been taxing, too."

"You can forget about it all for now," for I am here with you, "for now, just sleep. Tomorrow's a big day."

Bronya hummed, pulling the blanket for both of them and Seele shuffled into it. Grabbing her phone, she remotely turned off the light with it and the room turned dark, illuminated only by Geomarrow heater in the corner.

She exhaled softly and closed her eyes, finding comfort in not just her bed but also the companionship. "Goodnight, Seele."

There was a split second delay before Seele said anything. "Goodnight."

They're dancing in the shadow like whispers of love.

Just dreaming of place where they're free as dove.

March found Kiana already waiting for her in the hallway that morning, back against the wall with a hand in her jacket pocket while the other was busy typing something on her phone. The white haired woman saw March exiting her room through the corner of her eye and waved in greeting which March returned with a smile as she approached Kiana.

"Good morning."

"Morning, March. Sleep well?"

March hummed affirmatively and nodded. "What about you?"

"Still a little tired," Kiana admitted with a frown before she shrugged, pocketing her phone back. "But nothing I couldn't handle."

"I see," March joined Kiana by her side, stealing glances to the Kaslana who had her arms crossed and eyes closed in mundane thought. "Where's Mei?"

They both went to bed together last night so March was right to assume they would be together now, instead Kiana was alone without Mei in sight.

"She has something to do so she went out early," Kiana supplied softly, still not opening her eyes as she rested her head against the wall behind her. She still looked a little out of it.

Bronya explained the nature of her power a while back and the reason of Kiana's exhaustion. Apparently, she had a choice of recharging her vigor by using it but Kiana decided to let her body recover naturally so to not further strain the world with unnecessary 'Honkai leakage', so to speak. She told them that they're on a verge of Eruption with the excessive usage of their Authority, a feat that made Kiana a living legend with the way she burned away thousands of monsters in an instant, and Mei when she cut away Cocolia's meteor strike which was a spectacular thing on itself.

So here she was, drowsy but decidedly better.

Next to join them was Dan Heng and it actually surprised March a little that she managed to wake up earlier than him with opposite being the usual. Dan Heng was an early bird, often waking up before sunrise to train with Welt about both the sword and the thought. He was gifted and Welt took him under his wings with little trouble, finding excitement in mentoring the young man as he showed great promise.

He silently stood beside March after greeting them both, waiting for the final member of the Express to join them after receiving a smile from March and a nod of acknowledgement from Kiana.

Finally, Stelle emerged from her room, looking perplexed as she was met with three pairs of eyes the exact moment she set foot on the hallway. Raising an inquisitive eyebrow, she grunted. "What is this? You guys looking like you're about to thrash someone up like that."

Kiana shrugged lazily while March rolled her eyes, surprisingly it was Dan Heng who answered for them, voice filled with a hint of humor. "I have just been here so I wouldn't know."

Humming to herself, Stelle snorted. "Right. So, everything's done?"

"If you guys don't have any other matter to attend then yeah we should be good to go." Kiana started as she gave them a once over, earning nods and a thoughtful look from Stelle who then shook her head and smiled. "You've got the things, right?"

Stelle patted her pocket and nodded. "Yeah, they're right here. Do you have someone to give them to?"

"Nah, not particularly. Mei has had it covered so it's up to you guys now." Kiana gestured with her head for them to follow and they began to move, taking the first step towards departure of many journeys to come. Meetings and partings were one and the same, in which one couldn't occur without the other and it was inevitable as it was a part of the Order. Even Kiana with all her might and power couldn't stop them from happening as they were fundamental.

It was poignant but only if one were to think it that way. In the end, it was all a matter of choice whether it would be joyful or sorrowful.

This time, they would have the taste of the former.

People didn't recognize them much as they exited the hotel and they liked to keep it that way. The goal of the Nameless was to travel and forge bonds, exploring and helping those along the way. All the fame that followed was secondary, or rather a byproduct of their deeds and not the objective as they liked to be known as simple travellers.

Of course, the Express' fame preceded them as it was rather well known in the cosmos but the Crew itself was oftentimes hardly seen as an individual but a collective instead. Only those that had been touched by their kindness would know the actual characters, the people and not just the title.

So, although the people didn't recognize them, the Guards did and their response varied greatly to each other.

Awe, reverence and respect bled through their actions as they greeted the Crew along the way, many in which was directed to Kiana and Stelle for their actions. They had seen what the Herrscher was capable of and it struck both fear and admiration while Bronya's action in gifting the Control Lance to Stelle was seen as a symbol of utmost respect for it was a weapon wielded by many of the previous Supreme Guardians including Alisa Rand herself.

Frankly, Stelle was a little uneasy when she received the lance from Bronya knowing the significance of it but the now Supreme Guardian assured her that she deserved at least as much.

"This lance is a symbol of our timeless struggle," Bronya said firmly back then. "We've had it since the beginning of everything and since then it has been passed onto many others before me. Now, however, it belongs to you as the fire only reflects upon your fiery soul. No better candidate than you may achieve the same feat you did."

She accept it with gratitude then, thrilled to have a new weapon beside her bat. It was an amazing weapon, too, as it was crafted by many talented hands of the Architects using a method now long forgotten. The weapon was sturdy and powerful, capable of channeling her power to burn everything into molten slag with a single strike.

However, for some reason Kiana seemed to be more excited about Stelle receiving it than Stelle herself if the way her eyes snapped open and alerted were any indication. Kiana had been on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion due to the endless works they must do so it was rather endearing to see how Kiana pulled herself together just to say five words in total in response to the revelation.

"That is so cool, dude!"

Mei also said some interesting things about it and after a short but quiet exchange of words with her wife they came to an agreement about training Stelle on how to use a lance properly. Stelle, for the most part, only accepted since she knew next to nothing on how to use a lance to begin with. Sure, she could just swing it around and it would've worked with her experience in batting things going as far as to bat a Doomsday Beast to death before but that was suboptimal at best. Archers didn't go to melee and stab people with their arrow if they could help it, after all.

"Alright, I have some things to speak with Captain Gepard," Kiana announced just when they saw Bronya descending the stairway of the Qlipoth Fort with Seele in tow, looking better than she was before after a proper night of rest. "You guys good?"

Kiana gestured at Bronya subtly before looking back at the trio imploringly, smiling when she received solid nods of affirmations from the three. Without another word, she left to where Gepard was talking with Serval in front of her shop.

"Shall I do the honor?" Dan Heng offered flatly, meeting both Stelle's and March's eyes. The former shook her head.

"No, we'll do it together."

"It's a team effort," March added and Stelle hummed. "Although, I always get cold feet during something so formal. I wish Mister Welt was here."

"It's a good learning experience, March," Dan Heng assured the pinkette as they walked forward to meet Bronya and Seele. "We can't just rely on the adults."

"I know, but it's unnerving still."

"Just act like usual with your friends," Stelle chimed in as she shot Bronya and Seele a friendly smile. "Good morning, guys." She greeted the duo.

"Good morning, everyone," Bronya replied lightheartedly while Seele grinned behind her. "Is this everyone?" She added, making a show of looking around the area.

"Kiana said Mei has business in the Underworld while Kiana herself has something to discuss with Gepard, Bronya—err, our Bronya returned early last night since she didn't want to cause unnecessary confusion for everyone." Stelle explained as best as she could.

"I see, that is rather unfortunate. Do you mind giving my regards to Lady Zaychik later?"

"Sure."

"What's the deal with Mei, though?" Seele piped up as she stepped to Bronya's side, looking a little concerned. "Something the matter in the Underworld?"

"It's a personal business. Kiana told us so we didn't know the details," March said with an easy smile. Stelle was right to let them talk like friends would rather than people in power. It made things easier to know Bronya was still Bronya. "I'm sure everything is okay."

Seele didn't look convinced but she conceded either way. Things in the Underworld were not okay as March called it but the pinkette wasn't wrong either. If it's the same old, then everything was technically fine. "Is that so..."

"I'm surprised to see you this early, though. I thought you would be in the Underworld."

"I am yet to return to the Underworld, actually."

"Huh?"

Seele crossed her arms over her chest and shrugged. "Bronya needed my help with something."

They threw the Supreme Guardian a look, something between inquisitive and intrigue as Bronya didn't ask anything from any of them before. It must be something only Seele could do, then, and they pretended the subtle blush on her face was but a trick of morning sun.

Bronya cleared her throat. "Anyway, shall we go down to business?" She paused, pondering her word before chuckling. "Wait, that's wrong. This is nothing sort of business."

Stelle laughed, as did March while Dan Heng shook his head fondly. "Yeah, it's not. Let's not become strangers now."

"That I agree," Bronya nodded, her smile turning solemn. "Thank you, for everything you've done. Truly, if there's a way we can repay your kindness and sacrifices, please do tell."

"Mister Welt said that journey and adventure are just a medium, the true rewards are the bonds and memories we make along the way with those we meet." March told Bronya softly. "We can't ask anything better."

"But I wouldn't refuse if you're to give something, though," Stelle joked, ruining the moment which earned her a light slap in the back from March. "What? Rewards are always nice."

"You're unbelievable," the pinkette muttered.

"Still as straightforward as ever, huh?" Seele commented, grinning. "I really like you guys for that. Never change, yeah?"

"Eh, sure. Beating up the bush is not my style anyway."

"It's beating around the bush, actually." Dan Heng corrected, a hint if amusement in his eyes which Stelle returned with a nonchalant shrug.

"Unfortunately, as right now Belobog cannot grant you any rewards. Still, gratuity for sacrifices is the way of the Silvermane so I promise to recompense you for all of your troubles one day."

Stelle rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "It's fine, I'm just joking," she began, realizing Bronya was taking her words seriously. "You don't have to feel indebted."

"We're friends, aren't we?" March added with a reassuring and bright smile. "Although, we didn't meet in a favorable circumstance we eventually understand each other so it's alright."

"Friends rely on each other so you can always expect us to help you in the future. Free of charge."

"Well..." Bronya regarded the trio for a second before chuckling to herself. "In that case, it is my obligation to provide you with help, too. From henceforth, Jarilo-VI will be a safe harbor for Astral Express and its crew while the Silvermane Guards will always stand ready to assist you, shall you need it. This is my solemn promise to you as a Supreme Guardian."

"That is more than enough." Stelle extended a hand and Bronya shook it with her own almost immediately. Just like that, ancient bonds between the Trailblazers and the people of Jarilo-VI were reestablished after over seven centuries of cold and darkness. "Thank you."

"The honor is mine." Bronya replied with a nod. "So, this is goodbye?"

"Yes, but..." Stelle let go of her hand and looped her arm around March's shoulders instead, pushing the shorter girl forward. "Alright, March, time to shine."

"Huh, but they're with you...?"

"Nope, they're in your pocket."

March frantically felt her dress and sure enough she could feel something was in her pocket. "When did you put them in there?!"

"Who knows? Certainly not yesterday when we're out taking pictures, or maybe it was."

March groaned in disbelief while Stelle grinned cheekily at her. Dan Heng, completely oblivious, simply blinked in confusion. "What are you both talking about?"

"Himeko gave me a bunch of Express Passes," Stelle explained, gently nudging March on the side. The pinkette sighed and fished out the content of her pocket and held it up. "Said we should give them to our important friends."

"A journey is about forging bonds, at the end of it all that's left is to maintain those bonds." March handed both Seele and Bronya a Pass each. "I hope we continue to be friends." She finished with a smile.

The Passes, silver and rigid with a pattern of the Express' locomotive on the surfaces, glinted under the morning sun. Both Bronya and Seele stared at their respective Passes, no different than a normal ticket in size, for a long moment before the former nodded and smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, I'll cherish this gift forever."

"What is this for, though" Seele asked, waving her Pass for emphasize.

"They're like an identification card for you, unique for each person." Dan Heng supplied, finally understanding where the conversation go to. "Take another look, your name should be there now."

Seele looked down again and sure enough, she could see her own name now written on the Pass almost magically. Mouth falling open in clear fascination, she glanced at Bronya's and noticed her name was also written on her own Pass.

Bronya's had her full name on it while Seele's, after another closer inspection, saw that the last part looked odd. It was almost like it had been scrubbed off, leaving just a single, faded letter behind.

V.

"It's different to our own," Stelle gestured at the similar Pass pinned on her coat, right over her chest, which was gold instead of silver. "Yours are Visitor Pass and as the name suggests, will only identify you as visitors on the Express."

"With them, you guys should be able to visit us whenever you guys want." March paused and laughed sheepishly. "Though, a notice would be appreciated."

"How do we use them?" Seele asked softly. Truth be told, she was a little dejected when she learned that the Crew would have to leave so the chance to visit them whenever she desired was an opportunity she wouldn't miss. There was still a lot of things she wanted to discuss with them, especially about a certain purple haired girl living in a world galaxies away with a certain silver haired woman she had not the chance to properly send off.

"It's simple. You go to nearby Space Anchor with yours out and ready. It should transport you to the Parlor Car immediately."

"A little warning, the first time will always feel odd so if you have an... out of body experience then consider it normal." March warned and Seele raised an eyebrow at her. "You'll understand."

"That is... good to know I guess."

"Just remember to message us prior," Stelle reminded both women. "We don't want you to transit when our hyperdrive is down. Trust me, it wouldn't be pretty for neither of us."

"But don't worry!" March quickly assured. "The Fast Beam is totally safe otherwise!"

"Thank you for the warning," Bronya said, amused. "I'll come and visit when works have lessened a little. As of right now, I'm afraid it's not feasible."

"So I heard," Stelle sighed, smiling sympathetically at Bronya. "You have your hands full keeping Belobog afloat. It's honestly amazing that you manage to keep up with everything."

"It's my duty. Plenty of people rely on me."

"I bet." Stelle straightened up. "Well, it's high time we go. I wish you luck guys luck."

"Likewise. Goodbye, for now."

"Come visit again, will you?" Seele added.

"Of course."

They shared another bouts of smiles before the three teenagers turned and left, heading towards nearby Space Anchor. The Pass in her hand felt heavy and a quick glance towards Seele revealed that the girl was practically thinking the same thing judging from the way she's staring at her own Pass.

"Off they go to another world.." Bronya mumbled and Seele looked up, just in time to catch the trio's glowing bodies disappeared in a flash of rainbow and shot up to the sky. "They're noble people."

Seele hummed in agreement. "I've never met such an interesting bunch before," she admitted with a fond smile. "The Nameless, huh..."

"I'll have their deeds recorded for safekeeping, so when they visit again in the future people will still remember them and their selfless actions."

"You do that," Seele pocketed her Pass, careful to keep it. "It's the least we can do."

"Yeah."

"I have to go too," Seele announced suddenly. "I'm still needed in the Underworld. You cool if I leave?"

Bronya nodded. "Yes, thank you for everything."

"Don't worry about it. Just call me if you need me."

"There's something, though." Bronya said just when Seele was about to take her first step away. "About the recovery project..."

"What about it?"

The hesitation was clear in Bronya's tone as she explained. "Recent conflict took a toll on both Overworld and Underworld and I understand that. However, to really start a recovery I'll have to focus on the Overworld first before moving to the Underworld. The Overworld has production capability that is crucial for the effort and with it we should be able to—"

"Save it," Seele interrupted and Bronya's mouth snapped shut. "I have absolute zero clue on what you're spewing. You do what you have to do. I trust you, Bronya."

"... thank you, Seele."

Gepard was in a middle of conversation with his sister when Kiana approached the siblings, trained eyes finding the Kaslana approaching from between a growing crowd of people. Serval, noticing that her brother had his attention somewhere else, fell quiet and followed his gaze.

"Hey," Kiana greeted. "You guys busy?"

"No," Gepard answered quickly, too quickly in fact. The glare Serval sent him set off all sort of sibling alarms in Kiana's own mind and it made her chuckle quietly. "How can I be of help?"

"Easy, big guy. Always ready to help, huh? Can't say I don't understand, though."

"A Silvermane Guard has to stand ready to serve and you've proven yourself to be a honorable ally." Gepard cited almost instinctively. "It is my duty to provide you with assistance."

"It's fine, I don't need anything but your time."

"Of course."

Kiana nodded, giving Serval a friendly wave the blonde returned with equal warmth. "I don't want to assume but I have no problem if your sister joins us."

"It's no problem. I trust her."

Serval smirked but didn't say anything.

"Right. So, there's something I need to tell you." Kiana pulled her phone out, opened the gallery, and scrolled through her collection of pictures for a second before turning the screen to both Gepard and Serval who leaned forward slightly to look at the display. "These are Honkai beasts."

"Honkai... beasts?" Serval muttered as she frowned, testing the word with her inexperienced tongue while her eyes still set on the picture. "What's Honkai?"

"It's a lot of things," Kiana began, gauging each of their reactions. "But the best way to describe it is that it's a ruinous power beyond comprehension."

"Why are you showing us this?" Gepard asked, glancing towards Kiana who sighed tiredly.

"Honkai is the source of my power," she went on, lowering the phone so she could look at the siblings in the eye. "While I have total control over it, sometimes it's just impossible to fully contain it. When I use my power, I risk a rift in reality we call Eruption and I can feel that this planet is on the edge of it."

The last bit caught Gerpard's undivided attention and he straightened up, looking at Kiana seriously. "You mean there's another threat on the horizon?"

"A possible threat," Kiana assured. "But yes, a threat nonetheless. Before an Eruption, smaller incursions might occur and it's usually marked with the emergence of these beasts. In the past, it also would give birth to a Herrscher but I'm not sure if it's the same here."

In the past, Herrschers were born from the fragments of Finality's Authorities in the form of shards which manifested in their hosts after an exposure to Honkai Energy. Shards, or Gems which hardly over a fist size yet contained enough power to sink a continent or control millions of minds at once. Here, there was no Cocoon nor Finality so Kiana had no certain way to tell whether there would be a Herrscher or not following an Eruption.

Better safe than sorry.

"Naturally, I have the power to strip them off Honkai," Kiana continued after a while. "So, if you see any oddity that is not the usual oddity, I'd appreciate it if you inform me immediately."

"How dangerous is this new threat?"

"Very dangerous."

"Understood. I'll relay this information to the troops."

Kiana smiled. Gepard's focused nature was truly something admirable it's easy to imagine he'd come with various counters for the threat already. "I'll send you the full information later. It contains everything so you should give it a read later."

"I will," he put his hand to his chest and bow slightly. "Now, if you excuse me."

"Sure." Kiana's smile turned apologetic as she faced Serval next. "I didn't interrupt something important did I?"

The blonde shook her head. "Nope, just the good old sibling quarrel I suppose."

"I'm a little envious. My sister and I never really have that."

"You have a sister?"

A hum. "Bianka is her name."

"Are you not close?" Serval asked tentatively, studying Kiana's expression.

"Oh, we are. It's just that we didn't really grow up together so it feels like there's a barrier between us. We're sisters but it's almost like we're best friends instead."

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking that is."

"Well, best way to describe it is that we're both a victim of our circumstances. My father lost her when they went to rescue me from the clutch of this evil man, for years he thought she'd died until like a decade later. After that, well... we didn't really know each other because her memories had been tampered and she'd forgotten about a lot of things."

"Well, that's..."

"Terrible, right?"

"Unfortunate." Serval finished, shaking her head. "But hey, you guys still have the chance to make up for it."

Kiana laughed. "True. We don't really push and shove like siblings would but we still love each other dearly. I made it my goal for my sister to get along with my father again and they're doing pretty good nowadays."

Serval's smile faltered for a second before she forced it steady. "You and your father sound close."

Kiana scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Honestly? Not the best dad since he left me alone when I was eight or something. But he did teach me a lot of things including our oath as a Kaslana," she paused, smile turning nostalgic. "That useless old man..."

"Can I ask you something?" Serval started anew after a short pause. Kiana noticed the slight change in her tone and adapted a more serious look.

"Sure."

"That familial responsibility of yours as a Kaslana... what does it mean to you?"

At first, she was unsure with the sudden interest of the topic but Kiana recovered quickly. "It's my duty, one I am expected to carry until my last breath. Thou shalt constitute thyself as a shield for the weak and innocent, is what my father taught me."

"Do you not feel burdened by it?"

"Not exactly. I do it because I like it. In a way you can say it's been encoded in our blood, not to mention that our legacy goes as far as time immemorial." She paused, frowning. "Why did you ask, anyway?"

Serval sucked in a breath and looked away, the scowl on her face was clear to see. After a moment, her expression loosened to resignation. "My family, the Landau, have served Belobog for a very long time. Be it military, politic or scientific there was a Landau in every sector. It is kind of expected for the next generations to continue serving the city."

"Ah..."

The blonde smiled bitterly. "You get what I'm saying? In a way, we're alike." A sigh later and Serval continued. "But unlike your father, ours could be very strict about it. He expected perfection to the boots and when he didn't get it he could go physical."

Kiana gasped. "That's horrible..."

"I could take it. But Gepard was young he couldn't even understand what he did wrong yet so I started to fight back for his sake." Serval chuckled and it caught Kiana off guard she tilted her head questioningly at the blonde. "You should see him when he was a kid, always clingy and very energetic around me."

"We're talking about your brother, right?" Kiana asked jokingly and Serval laughed.

"Unbelievable, I know but it's the truth. Nowadays he can look after himself, fight better than me too so I can rest easy knowing he's grown up to be a great man. Back then... well, I had to protect him with all cost from our father."

"You love him so much, don't you?"

"He's my little brother and will forever be. Even if he can now smash someone's skull open with his bare hands, he would still be the little boy I need to protect."

"I'm sure the feeling is mutual," Kiana offered and Serval hummed in agreement.

"Forgive me to say this and I don't mean to belittle you or your beliefs at all but to me, familial oaths are nothing but unnecessary burdens for the children and they shouldn't be expected to carry them in their lives. They should be free to choose their own paths, their own futures without some dead people's words dictating their actions."

"I understand what you meant," Kiana smiled reassuringly at Serval, not offended in any way. "There are times where my Oath has taken me to a very dark place. It was only after I learned that love goes both ways did I realize that I shouldn't carry it alone. My friends and family care for me as much as I care for them and this Oath should be the bridge for us to cross together than the river that separate it. It was meant to be a selfless act, but when you turn everything and everyone out it becomes a selfish decision."

"Though, I'm ashamed to admit it took Mei kicking my ass for me to understand. Literally I must say," Kiana added with a grin.

"You can't be serious."

"Oh, I am serious. Mei can be really scary."

The mental image of Kiana, a literal living Goddess, shrinking in fear under Mei's wrathful glare was too amusing Serval outright doubled over laughing. The Kaslana scratched her cheek sheepishly as she recalled that one particular moment where Mei came unannounced and barged into her room and caught her red handed eating her fourth cup of instant noodles.

What transpired next was not something Kiana fond of remembering. Hell, she would rather fight Kevin again than to experience it the second time.

Needles to say, she'd learned her lesson.

"Your wife's the only one who can keep you in check, huh?"

"It's in the family," Serval laughed again at that and Kiana turned slightly red from embarrassment. "L—look, it happened to my dad so it's not that odd."

"I'm not saying it's odd. It's just so cliche it's actually funny."

"I mean, what can I say? She completes me like nobody else."

They said that often times at a journey's end one would visit the place where it all began. A place where the first string was tied to create an unbreakable bond until it stretched further down the way, entangling more strings of fate and creating even more relationships.

The universe was one big, infinite cycle consisted of chaotic yet orderly happenings, regardless how contradictive it sounded since contradiction itself was a part of the cycle. In it, countless chances, possibilities and even certainties worked ceaselessly to create what one might call a destiny.

Perhaps, it was a destiny that she met Mei in her clinic and nowhere else, baffled as she was when she saw a face so familiar yet foreign at the same time. Or perhaps it was just a single, unplanned occurrence. A stroke of luck that happened in one of a trillion chances, specifically in this part of the universe where countless leaves rustled and danced in between the cosmos.

There was no way to know, not except someone were to peer into the secret of the Universe like many had tried before eventually failing in the past and the upcoming future. Nevertheless, it had happened and it happened again right at this moment of reflection.

Mei first sat on that specific seat a few days ago, days that felt like a lifetime ago, nursing a cup of tea that was also within her hold with Natasha across of her just like now. Whether it was coincidental that their first meeting started with them talking at this exact place and ended with their parting in yet at the same place was a mystery impossible to solve by mortals.

Yet, as they basked in the silence, they concluded that it didn't matter. The vastness of the Universe was up to everyone to wonder but the simplest of things, the smallest of moments, were not something many could appreciate and they were determined to savor theirs up to the last.

That morning when Mei visited Natasha, both women barely exchanged a word. In fact, nothing was needed to convey their thoughts. Natasha understood what Mei was coming for while Mei knew the doctor would grant her that without question. Not like either minded it but sometimes words were just not necessary when one's intention was as clear as day.

Before they go, however, Natasha proposed for another alone time for just both of them and Mei was more than willing to accept it. While they knew it wouldn't be permanent, it would be quite some time before Mei would visit Jarilo-VI again.

Of course, contacts wouldn't lost. They'd exchanged numbers and could talk to each other any time they wanted while the Space Anchors would allow them to come whenever they pleased but Mei would be gone into yet another adventure, stars away to a place so distant it would be no different than the rest of the twinkling specks in the night sky. Now that she's still here, it would be wise to spend as much time with the woman Natasha could call a friend as long as possible.

It was just rather unfortunate that good times would always have to end, sometimes too early but that was just because of one's inability to discern time properly at the height of their emotions.

With a soft thunk, Mei put her empty cup on the saucer and Natasha's piercing red eyes found it. The message was clear which only got clearer when amethyst found ruby red.

"Do you know where Lysetia and her family live?"

Natasha hummed. "I do."

"Do you mind showing me the way?"

"Not at all."

Natasha finished her tea and put the now empty cup on the table before standing up to her feet, her chair scraping softly against the wooden floor as she rose to her full height. Mei, who was considerably taller than her, followed suit and not long after they'd found themselves walking out of the clinic side by side.

Even the streets were unusually quiet at this hour. After the blockade was uplifted by Bronya, efforts had been made to replenish and replace various aging mining tools used by the Underworld miners with the latest design created by the Architects, improving the work standard and increasing production values. No longer people had to work day and night to meet the needed quota. After a decade, people could finally rest.

The same couldn't be said to her, however. Being the only qualified doctor in the Underworld put a strain on Natasha but nothing she couldn't endure. After all, it was a life she chose and one she wouldn't trade for anything else. She was here, helping people and that was all where she wanted to be and do.

Lysetia's house was unremarkable, nestled between other houses with nearly as unremarkable nature. Just like many Underworld housings, it was old and certainly seemed like it had seen better days. It was, however, far from not decent as maintenances were carried out regularly by its occupants.

They stepped to the porch, the metal surface beneath their feet groaned and creaked audibly under both of their weights, and while Mei moved on ahead Natasha decided to hang back a little behind the taller woman as she rapped her knuckles against the door.

A second passed, and then the unmistakable noise of footsteps came closer from the other side. It was slightly off, abnormally slow and tentative, which they noticed almost from the get go.

"Coming!"

The door swung open on its hinges, there in the hallway was a girl they both were so familiar with for the past week. She froze when she saw Mei, eyes wide before an equally wide smile blossomed on her face.

"Mei!" She threw her body to Mei's and Mei readily caught her in her embrace, laughing at the liveliness of it all.

"Hello, Lysetia." Mei greeted back between laugh. "How are you?"

Lysetia tightened her embrace and Mei returned the gesture warmly, after another second the girl finally released her but still keeping her hands on Mei's.

Hands...

"I'm doing great," she stopped then, looking past Mei to a smiling Natasha. Blushing, she laughed somewhat sheepishly. "Oh, doctor Natasha! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

"It's fine. Where are your parents?"

"Mom's asleep and dad is still out in the mine helping his old Silvermane friends remapping the area."

"I see."

"Would you guys come inside? I'll prepare you some tea."

Mei shook her head. "Thank you for the offer but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I'm here to say goodbye."

In an instant, the girl's smile crumbled as her shoulders sagged. "Oh..." she mumbled in realization, looking up to Mei with concealed sadness in her eyes. "Is it time already?"

Mei sighed and nodded somberly. "It is."

"... will we meet again?"

"We will."

"You promise?"

Mei's fingers wrapped themselves around Lysetia's smaller ones. "I promise."

Her smile returned, brighter than before without a shadow of doubt nor gloom. "Can you wait for a bit? There's something I want to give you."

Mei, hesitant at first, quickly nodded in both concession and acceptance. A gift was nothing foreign to her and turning one down was as insulting as it was hurtful for the giver. Despite the knowledge that she had little to none to give, Lysetia was still willing to give Mei one of her prized possession. It was clear that the girl valued her dearly and Mei was obliged to return it.

"Of course."

Her warm digits slipped free from Mei's hands as the girl retreated back into her house. Mei saw the way she was limping and wincing with each step she took but didn't comment on it. She had told her that it would've been painful until she had fully recovered and recalibrated, knowing it was solely because of Lysetia's own fortitude and sheer will that the girl was walking right now.

"That girl is truly something else," Natasha began and Mei nodded.

"She's a good kid."

"Makes you worry, right?"

"... a little. But whatever she do now is up to her and it is our responsibility to guide her and many of our children to a path they won't regret."

"You speak from experience?"

"Yeah."

Lysetia returned not five minutes later and Mei schooled her expression before she could see the worried look on her face. "This is one of my favorites," she handed her a book and Mei accepted it. "I hope it'll remind you of me when you're out there travelling the stars."

The book was well kept, true to Lysetia's claim of it being one of her favorites. Although it had seen uses, the magenta cover was still pristine with gold letters imprinted on it. The title, Mei realized.

"A Blue Dove For the Princess?" Mei read, intrigued.

"Oh, I know this one." Natasha chimed in. "It's quite popular and old."

"What is it about?"

"Razgriz," Lysetia answered for her with a wide, excited smile. Happy that Mei found it interesting. "The Demon from the Ancient North Sea."

"A story about a demon?" Mei looked up, a little confused.

The girl laughed, short and sweet. "I know, but it's not what you think! It's a tale of a hero rising from the destruction to put a stop on a never ending war between man."

"When history witnesses a great change, Razgriz reveals itself. First as a dark demon. As a demon, it rains death upon a land and then it dies. However, after a period of slumber, Razgriz returns. This time as a great hero." Natasha recited, earning a look of awe from Lysetia. Chuckling to herself, she turned to Mei. "It's the summary of it."

"I see... It does sound interesting." Mei smiled and put her hand on Lysetia's shoulder then in gratitude. "Thank you. I'll cherish this forever."

"I hope we can talk about it when you visit again, or maybe you can tell me your own stories! About the stars, the people and the wonderful Universe!"

"I will. But until then, you'll also have to promise me to work hard to stay alive."

"I'm very good at keeping promises," Lysetia raised her pinky finger and Mei hooked her own with it. "Until next time, Mei."

"Until next time, Lysetia."

In the end, you will go beyond the graves and create a future we could not reach.

TBC

Finally done with Belobog arc, next in order is Luofu.

Though, It'll be a while before the next update since I need to get things in order with the Luofu arc being such a mess in term of execution. I might have to completely change it but until then you guys will have to wait.