Author's Note: Hello Everyone!
Before we start I would like to share to that yes, I screwed volume 1! Big time!
I re-read it.. and thought who the heck wrote this crap! there are allot of disjoint scenes and the progress/flow was different from what I had in mind... although the end result showed what I want, but the process? I screwed it up. Right now I don't have the time to re-write that crap... as I don't have that much time in Real Life due to Real Life responsibilities and I'm now focusing on Volume 2 which will introduces three new characters. They are the 3 people from Noah's vision and will be part of Main Crew. This Volume will explore their adventure. I think I pretty much fix the issues that face from making volume 1 here. if you guys saw this errors again please kindly let me know.
well then! let go with the Prologue of Volume 2: Converging Paths at DXD.
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As The Astral Express exits from its warp jump with a soft hum, smoothly transitioning into normal space. The shimmering trails of Astral light peeled away like stardust, revealing the soft glimmer of a distant world hanging beneath them. This descent, gentle and poised, marked the next chapter in a long story still unfolding.
Soft mechanical whirrs hummed through the Express's corridors. On the conductor's cabin, crystalline consoles pulsed gently with energy as the Express stabilized from the jump. The ceiling panels flickered in hues of blue and gold, reacting like calm waves beneath a starlit sky.
AI-Chan's cheerful voice rang through the comms, "Successfully exited astral jump. Re-aligning trajectory to the planet's gravitational pull!"
Void Archives followed a beat later, its tone clinical but calm. "Trajectory stabilized. Orbit established. Planetary scan commencing. Atmospheric composition within expected tolerances. No anomalous signatures yet detected, though ambient resonance is notably unstable."
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Hajime Nagumo, Alice Louise Gododdin, and Anisphia Wynn Palettia stood quietly at the observation deck, gazing down at the vivid planet below. The light reflected in their eyes mirrored both awe and purpose.
"It's beautiful," Hajime whispered, his voice low but sincere. "What kind of marvels we will uncover in this world."
Alice nodded gently, her ethereal presence always calm. "It seems peaceful from here. But first impressions are often illusions. We'll help however we can."
Anis leaned forward against the glass, her breath fogging slightly. "Ooh, this adventure is going to be amazing—I can just tell! Think of everything we might uncover down there!"
Noah stepped onto the deck with Elysia, Kiana, and Lumine right behind him, smiling warmly. The air between them buzzed with unspoken trust. "How are you three feeling? Ready for your first official Trailblaze Expedition?"
Hajime turned to face them, a quiet fire in his expression. "Determined. We'll give it our all, Captain."
Alice stepped forward gracefully, offering a reassuring smile. "Calm but cautious. I'll ensure we handle things peacefully."
"I'm more excited than cautious," Anis grinned, bouncing slightly. "But ready either way!"
Elysia smiled, her gaze soft and wistful. "You're about to take your own 'First Steps' as Nameless... It brings back memories. Teyvat, Mondstadt, Dragonspine."
Noah chuckled, exchanging glances with Kiana and Lumine, whose small nods reflected their agreement. "It really does. We've all grown so much already. And this is only the beginning."
Elysia basks from their memories then looks back at Hajime, Alice and Anisphia. "And this time it will be your turn, to leave your own marks."
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Hajime closed his eyes momentarily, letting the present fade.
He had once been a normal high school student—unaware of the hidden world of myths, gods, and ancient magic walking silently beside his own. A spring trip to London to return an antique for his grandfather had changed everything. There, he met Alice Louise Gododdin—an eccentric, cheerful noble lady, unbeknownst to him, was a hime-miko with clairvoyance and a magical heritage that ran deeper than most could fathom.
Though physically frail, Alice's radiant personality drew him in instantly. That day, they explored London together—walking side by side as if the stars had arranged a meeting. She guided him to the museum, laughed at his awkwardness, and offered warmth like no other.
But the day's warmth shattered with nightfall.
Gilgamesh, a Heretic God wandering on Earth in search for Enkidu, appeared—and chose Alice as his catalyst, to summon his dear friend. Hajime intervened to protect Alice, however, a mortal against a god, his actions proved meaningless. Wounded and fading, he saw Alice's smile one last time as she surrendered herself to protect him.
Then darkness.
He awoke aboard the Astral Express, healed by Noah with the power of the White Flower. The Express had stopped by on this world to resupply and explore—an expected normal trip was drawn by a curious force— then they found the aftermath of a divine made disaster. Hajime, broken and barely alive, had been recovered by the crew just in time. Haunted by Alice's fate, he pleaded to return—his voice ragged, his will unwavering, to take back what he lost even facing the impossibility. Elysia answered his desperation with a gift: a Origin Crystal. He remembered Elysia's gentle voice. "If your resolve, your will is strong enough, maybe you can awaken this power.."
The same way Kiana obtained her flames and became the Herrscher of Flamesion. With the combined synergy of Elysia's Origin, Noah and Lumine's Trailblaze, Sirin and Kiana's connection with the Imaginary space—he awakened as the Herrscher of Reason.
Hajime returned and faced Gilgamesh, wielding logic, power, and defiance. Victory came not only with strength, but through belief. He became the Fifth Campione. Enkidu emerged from the ritual, and seeing that Hajime successfully defeated his friend Gilgamesh he told Alice that once Hajime is awakened and healed, come and find him for a duel on behalf of His friend.
After the battle against Gilgamesh, Hajime and Alice spent a few days recovering. Though wounded, they leaned on each other, preparing for the final confrontation. During this time, the crew of the Astral Express—Noah, Elysia, Kiana, and Lumine—visited them often. Around the tea table in the lounge, questions were exchanged.
Alice had asked them who they were, why they helped Hajime, and what this 'journey between stars' truly meant. It was there she learned the full story: of the Trailblazers, of the multiverse fractures and the Path of Trailblaze. Noah, quiet but sincere, had told them he saw something in Hajime worth protecting—something that could one day protect others.
Hajime, leaning on Alice's shoulder, looked around the table, meeting each of their eyes. He finally asked if he could join them—if he could fight for this path, to answer the call of the stars, and for most importantly for Alice.
Their answer was unanimous.
Then when they're ready face Enkidu. He honored his earlier words and accepted Hajime's challenge. In a fierce and transcendent clash, Hajime fought not just with the power of the Herrscher of Reason, but with the Authorities inherited from both Gilgamesh and the will he forge along with the crew.
Alice stood at his side, her own power anchoring and supporting Hajime in ways none could see—guiding, reinforcing, and shielding when his mind threatened to falter. Her body was still fragile, but her spirit never wavered.
They triumphed.
Enkidu, defeated, smiled at them with silent acknowledgment before fading into myth once more. Yet the toll of victory was grave. In the aftermath, Alice collapsed. Her soul had begun to fray under the weight of the exertion, her body pushed far beyond its limit. Even in triumph, the price she paid echoed in her every breath.
Hajime was gripped by something deeper than fear—a defiant, desperate refusal to lose her. Drawing upon Enkidu's Authority and the crystalline logic of the Herrscher of Reason, he reached into her fading soul, reconstructing what had been unraveling. The air bent with the force of his will, divine and rational forces intertwining to forge a miracle.
Piece by piece, he restored her—not simply healing, but reweaving her existence with the clarity of Reason and the mercy of divinity. It was a miracle born not of chance, but of unrelenting devotion and power.
And when she opened her eyes again—he claimed her with trembling conviction.
She said yes.
Their bond solidified, they joined the crew. Hajime's curiosity and inventive spirit made him fast friends with Noah. Together they forged weapons, constructed tools, and improved the Express's systems. One trip brought them to the world of Anisphia Wynn Palettia—a genius princess obsessed with magical science, whose eccentricity masked brilliance.
She fell—literally—into Hajime's path, crash-landing into his arms after losing control of her self-made broom prototype during an aerial test. With her usual dramatic flair, she sprang to her feet and introduced herself as a magical genius, princess, and self-proclaimed pioneer of 'magicology.'
Their shared passions ignited instantly. Hajime, intrigued by her eccentric knowledge and disregard for royal formality, found in her a kindred spirit—someone who approached science and invention not through strict logic alone, but through unrestrained creativity and joy. The two immediately began bouncing theories, comparing schematics, and challenging each other's designs like old rivals reunited by fate.
Fascinated by Hajime's Herrscher powers, his mechanical prowess, and the very idea of the Astral Express, Anisphia pressed him with endless questions. When she learned that he was part of a crew that traveled across the stars exploring unknown worlds, she practically begged for a chance to join. Her excitement was uncontainable, and her eyes sparkled with possibility.
Noah, Elysia, and the others—after watching the rapid-fire debate between Hajime and Anisphia devolve into impromptu technical sketching on the floor of a quiet inn—exchanged amused glances and welcomed her aboard with warm smiles and open arms.
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Hajime opened his eyes, fingers interlacing with Alice's hand. The warmth of her touch steadied him—more than any calculation or blueprint ever could. It was not just comfort; it was a reminder of everything they'd fought through, and everything they'd still face together.
"We'll be fine," he whispered, not with arrogance, but with the quiet certainty born from battles survived.
Alice squeezed his hand gently, her lips curving into a soft smile. Her jade eyes met his, filled with serene faith. "I trust you," she murmured, her voice barely above a breath—but it carried the weight of galaxies between them.
Beside them, Anisphia leaned forward, her arms crossed with a sly grin that didn't quite hide the warmth in her gaze. "Okay, okay—you two are being unbearably adorable again," she teased, but the tremble in her smile softened the words. "Move over, lovebirds. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
She stepped forward, slipping her hand into theirs without hesitation. For a moment, all three stood bound together—by trials endured, laughter shared, and an unspoken promise to move forward as one.
"Let's make it count," Anisphia whispered, her voice reverent yet full of fire. "Let's blaze our path together."
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A gentle chime echoed as AI-Chan's voice returned. "Captain, the Express is now aligned with the planet's orbit."
The command bridge buzzed with subtle energy. The screens lit up with atmospheric data, the planet's silhouette slowly filling the main viewport.
Lumine stepped forward, her smile calm and radiant. "Double-check your Emblems before deployment. It's a new world—we go in prepared."
One by one, Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia checked their Emblems. Hajime's pulsed a cool, steady blue Hydro element, resonating with the clarity of reason. Alice shimmered like gentle jade, the element of Anemo imbued with grace and inner strength. Anisphia glowed red with an energetic hum,the element of Pyro alive with excitement and unpredictable spark.
"These emblems are amazing!" Anisphia said brightly, tilting hers toward the light. "They feel like they're cheering us on! Like they know we've got this."
Alice's lips curved in agreement. "They carry hopes… and the bonds we've made since the journey began."
Hajime gave a firm nod. His voice was calm, but resolute. "Then we carry them with purpose—and we don't let go of that purpose no matter what's ahead."
Anisphia looped her arms around both of them with a grin. "And we make sure to look amazing doing it! Let's show this world what we're made of—Trailblazers, together."
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Noah placed a steady hand on Hajime's shoulder.
"Investigate any signs of Stellaron disturbance, if there is any, but if there isn't, you can think of this a vacation. Alice, guide with care. Anis, keep your mind open—and don't blow anything up unless absolutely necessary."
He lowered his voice slightly, his tone more solemn.
"Also—keep watch for a boy with a red gauntlet. The Force is whispering. reckless, but with a heart for others. He carries something ancient. When the time comes, guide him."
"Understood," Hajime replied, his voice firm.
Kiana smirked, nudging Alice.
"Keep him in check, or else he will charm everyone there."
Alice nods, her eyes contained serious will, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"He's already ensnared two hearts. Let's not make it three."
"Indeed!" Anisphia pouted, crossing her arms.
"They better not steal all the attention. Hajime belongs to us after all!"
She leaned in with a grin and nudged him.
"He's mine especially when it comes to research hours—deal with it."
Alice shakes her head with a helpless smile.
"Do I get a say in this?" Hajime sighed, smiling helplessly at them.
"No," the two girls said in unison.
Noah chuckled, shaking his head. There was warmth in his voice, pride glimmering beneath the humor.
"You'll all do fine. Just come back safe—together."
Kiana and Lumine waved. "Go show the stars what you're made of."
Elysia gave them a hug. "Once you are done in this world, you will realize how much you have grown." She releases them and looks at them tenderly. "The marks you will leave here will not only affect them but you as well."
"We won't disappoint," Hajime replied.
Alice added, "We'll return safely."
Anisphia grinned, "We'll bring souvenirs too!"
"This is it. Our First Steps." Hajime say as he holds Alice and Anisphia's hands
"Always together," Alice said as she adjust her hold on Hajime's hand.
Anisphia tightened her hold in Hajime's hand. "Let's blaze this trail!"
Watching the three of them stands at the drop point, Noah smiles at them and gives his blessing.
"May the Force be with you."
Hajime, Alice and Anisphia look at each other before looking back and give Noah a cheeky grin, "Always!"
And together, they stepped into the story that awaited them. The beginning of something new, yet deeply bound by the legacy that led them here.