Kevin opened his eyes.
The ceiling of Stelle's room stared back at him. Soft light filtered through the window, stars still visible in the distance.
He... slept.
Kevin sat up slowly, staring at his hands. The rings glinted in the light, humming their usual faint presence.
For the first time in decades maybe longer he'd actually closed his eyes and drifted off. No nightmares. No visions of Aionios burning.
Just... rest.
How long has it been?
Across the room, Stelle's bed was already empty. She must've left without disturbing him.
Kevin stood, adjusting his coat. Decades of walking. And it took a train collision and a stranger's couch to finally stop.
He headed toward the parlor car.
The main room was lively. March sprawled on the couch scrolling through her camera. Stelle stood nearby. Welt sat reading a newspaper, occasionally adjusting his glasses. Pom-Pom bustled about energetically.
And standing by the coffee maker was someone new.
Tall. Red hair. Elegant coat. Confident presence.
Himeko. Navigator of the Astral Express.
Kevin had seen her countless times before in another life, through different eyes. Leading missions. Making decisions. The heart of the Express.
Now she stood before him, real and solid, pouring coffee.
She noticed him immediately, turning with a warm smile. "Good morning! You must be Kevin." Her voice was smooth, welcoming. "I'm Himeko, the navigator. I apologize for not being here yesterday I was reviewing route data."
"Himeko," Kevin nodded respectfully. "Thank you for allowing me aboard."
"The Express welcomes all travelers." She gestured to the coffee pot. "Would you like some coffee? Fresh brew."
Behind her, March's head snapped up, eyes wide.
Welt glanced from his newspaper, expression carefully neutral but... concerned?
Stelle watched, curious.
Pom-Pom's ears drooped slightly.
Kevin caught all of it.
Ah. Himeko's legendary coffee.
He'd seen the memes. The player complaints. Characters suffering through her well-meaning but terrible brew.
March made frantic gestures behind Himeko's back. Welt had that look of someone watching a tragedy unfold. Stelle just observed, interested.
Kevin met Himeko's expectant gaze. She looked so proud.
I've faced the Endless Hollow. I've stared into Nihility itself. How bad could coffee be?
Besides... he was curious.
"I'd like that," Kevin said calmly. "Thank you."
March slapped her hand over her face. Welt closed his newspaper with a resigned sigh. Pom-Pom deflated.
Stelle's lips twitched.
Himeko beamed, pouring him a cup. "Wonderful! I take pride in my coffee."
She handed him the mug. Steam rose from the dark liquid.
Kevin raised it to his lips.
March whispered urgently to Stelle. "Should we stop him—"
"Too late," Stelle replied.
Kevin took a sip.
The taste hit like a Stellaron burst. Bitter beyond reason. Burnt yet somehow raw. Like drinking cosmic regret.
...Ah.
But Kevin's expression didn't change. He'd endured worse. He could handle bad coffee.
He swallowed. Took another sip.
March's jaw dropped. "He's still drinking it."
Welt looked genuinely impressed. "Remarkable."
Pom-Pom stared. "How is passenger Kevin still standing?!"
Himeko smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it! Most find it too strong."
Kevin took another sip, maintaining perfect composure. "It's unique. Thank you, Himeko."
Aionios's ration packs were worse.
March leaned to Stelle. "Is he human?"
"He survived getting hit by the astral train," Stelle pointed out. "Coffee's probably nothing."
Kevin finished the cup backing out would be admitting defeat and set it down gently. "Excellent coffee."
Himeko looked delighted. "You're welcome aboard anytime, Kevin!"
Behind her, the crew gave up.
March raised her hands. "Okay, respect. That was actually impressive."
Welt nodded slightly. "You have my condolences."
Before anyone could comment further, Pom-Pom hopped to the center of the room.
"Passengers!" Pom-Pom announced excitedly. "The warp navigation meeting has begun!"
Everyone gathered around.
"Firstly, Pom-Pom wants to congratulate the Nameless for successfully resolving the problems at this stop!" Pom-Pom's ears perked proudly. "The Express is now able to continue along the Star Rail!"
March grinned at Stelle. "The three of us actually pulled it off, huh?"
Stelle gave a small nod.
"Now it's time for your conductor ahem, that's me to reveal the name of our next stop!" Pom-Pom gestured dramatically.
The holographic display flickered to life.
But instead of a star map, a figure materialized elegant, composed, wine-red hair, holding an umbrella.
Kafka.
"Long time no see, Astral Express crew," Kafka's voice was smooth, almost playful. "It's Kafka."
Everyone tensed immediately.
Welt adjusted his glasses, expression sharpening. Himeko's warmth vanished, replaced by cool wariness. She crossed her arms, looking at her hand with studied indifference.
Kafka walked through the hologram, umbrella resting on her shoulder. "It seems I came at a good time. You're all here. Every single one."
Her gaze swept the room March, Stelle, Welt, Himeko, Pom-Pom then landed on Kevin.
She paused for the briefest moment. Her eyes flickered with recognition or was it surprise? Someone unexpected. Someone who shouldn't be here.
But her smile didn't waver. She continued smoothly, as if nothing had changed. "Every single one."
She noticed, Kevin thought. Of course she did. Kafka never misses anything.
But she said nothing. Just filed the information away and moved on.
"No need for mysterious introductions," Himeko said, trying to appear unbothered. "Stellaron Hunter."
Kafka giggled. The umbrella in her hand dispersed like smoke. She looked at Himeko, leaning slightly. "Himeko... correct?" Then continued walking through the projection. "Apologies for interrupting your little get-together, but I'm sure once you hear my request, you'll forgive me. I'd like you to make a destination alteration."
Himeko ignored the request, eyes on Kafka. "I've seen your face before, Stellaron Hunter. Even if it was only on an IPC wanted poster. They were offering quite the bounty... Dead or alive, do you figure?"
Kafka shook her head. "It doesn't concern me. Then again, an IPC bounty is a compliment, not an insult, don't you think? The higher the figure, the bigger the compliment."
March scoffed. "You wanted criminals sure know how to look on the bright side of things."
Himeko continued. "I will say, Herta certainly paid you a compliment. 'A maniac who claims he can see the future, leading a bunch of Stellaron Hunters in pursuit of the most dangerous objects in the universe!' And Herta doesn't give out compliments often."
Kafka's smile didn't waver. "'In pursuit of the most dangerous objects in the universe,' huh... In that sense, you Astral Express and I are cut from the same cloth."
"You're in the wrong place, Kafka," Himeko said firmly. "We're not accepting your request, and we're not about to get in the same bed with a Stellaron Hunter. It was nice talking to you. Perhaps next time you'll be willing to pay us a visit in person, and we can continue our conversation."
Kafka tilted her head. "Have you heard of the Luofu?"
Welt spoke, voice measured. "The Xianzhou Luofu. It belongs to the Hexafleet of the Xianzhou Alliance. We've heard of it."
"Hm. But what you haven't heard is that it's currently very close to you. A couple of warps away, in fact." Kafka paused meaningfully. "Not to mention, 45 system hours ago, a Stellaron burst occurred on the Luofu. An unexpected calamity, don't you think?"
Welt's expression darkened. "What exactly are you Stellaron Hunters trying to do? The Xianzhou Alliance aren't like us. They won't give you time to explain. Once you draw the attention of Lan the Hunt, you become their prey. The Alliance will hunt you to the ends of the universe."
Himeko looked directly at Kafka. "Stop speaking in riddles, Kafka. Say what you have to say."
"It's simple," Kafka replied. "That Stellaron burst has nothing to do with us. But the Xianzhou is convinced we're responsible."
The hologram shifted, transforming into another figure a man with long dark hair, red eyes, and bandages wrapped around his arms. He emanated danger like a drawn blade.
Blade, Kevin recognized.
"My companion Blade has been taken away by the Cloud Knights," Kafka continued. "I want to bring him back, resolve this Stellaron crisis, and clear our names."
March put her hands on her hips. "Nothing to do with you? Yeah right! Sounds like a weird coincidence you just happened to show up after the Stellaron burst. Also, we're not your friends. Why should we care if a Stellaron Hunter is innocent?"
Stelle looked at March. "We should seal the Stellaron and help the Xianzhou."
"No!" March turned to her. "Why are you listening to her? The Alliance is strong. Is a single Stellaron burst really too much for them to handle? We're the Astral Express, not some squad of super Stellaron-sealing specialists!"
The hologram shifted back to Kafka. "You could, of course, not get involved. Knowing that the Stellaron hasn't affected this region of space, you could make the jump and arrive at the next world." She paused. "But sooner or later, the Star Rail here will be blocked more than it was before. I can tell you what the future holds: if you don't go to the Luofu, the Stellaron will eventually contaminate the entire ship, and half its inhabitants will perish."
Her gaze swept across them. "Oh, you brave and fearless Trailblazers. You benevolent Nameless. Can you really remain indifferent to that?"
Himeko crossed her arms. "This companion of yours, Blade he'd perish too, right?"
"No comment." Kafka smiled. "Here are the coordinates. It's up to you how to proceed. Our destinations may differ, but the orbits of stars will eventually converge." Her hologram began to fade. "See you later."
She vanished.
Silence fell over the parlor car.
Himeko turned to March. "March, get Dan Heng."
A few minutes later, Dan Heng entered the parlor. His expression was carefully neutral, but Kevin noticed the tension in his shoulders.
He knows, Kevin thought. He knows what the Luofu means for him.
"Are you okay, Dan Heng?" Himeko asked gently. "March brought you up to speed, I assume?"
"I'm fine," Dan Heng said quietly. "And yes, I'm up to speed."
"Good." Himeko looked at the assembled crew. "In that case, with regard to the matter at hand, let's vote to decide our next move."
She took a breath. "Our Stellaron Hunter claims that a Stellaron burst occurred on the Xianzhou Luofu, and that we're in the vicinity. If we head for the Luofu, we may have the chance to save many innocent lives. However, it's also possible she's lying and using us for her own ends."
Welt adjusted his glasses. "Neither Himeko nor I believe she's telling the complete truth. But we can't just ignore the intel she's given us."
"So we hold a democratic vote," Himeko continued, "on whether to set a course for the Xianzhou. All those in favor, raise your hand. All those against, keep your arms by your side." She paused. "Three... two... one."
March raised her hand.
Welt raised his.
Stelle raised hers without hesitation.
Kevin raised his as well. I know what's coming. But they need to walk this path themselves.
Himeko raised her hand.
Dan Heng's arms remained at his sides.
"five against one," Himeko confirmed. "It looks like the Astral Express crew has a majority vote to head for the Xianzhou."
Stelle looked at March. "Weren't you against it?"
March gave an awkward smile. "Sigh... I calmed down and thought for a bit. If it turns out that woman wasn't lying, then a lot of innocent people are gonna get hurt. Now it's time to think about other people. Hehe... sigh."
Welt's expression softened. "Alright, alright. I think we're all used to March's modus operandi by now."
Himeko turned to Dan Heng. "So, Dan Heng. Do you want to stay here?"
Dan Heng met her gaze steadily. "Yes. I'm staying this time."
No explanation. No justification. Just a simple statement.
Himeko nodded with understanding. She turned to Welt. "In that case, Welt, ready for a Trailblazing expedition? I know you've been itching to get out for a while now. But make sure to take care of Stelle and March."
Welt smiled slightly. "Of course."
Himeko looked at Kevin. "Kevin, you're still new to the Express. You don't have to participate in this."
Kevin met her gaze calmly. "I want to help. If there's a Stellaron crisis..." His hand brushed the Ring of Death and Beginning. "I understand endings."
Himeko studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. The expedition team will be Welt, March, Stelle, and Kevin." She looked at Pom-Pom. "Set course for the Xianzhou Luofu."
"Aye aye!" Pom-Pom scurried off toward the engine room.
As the crew dispersed to prepare, Kevin stood by the observation window.
The Xianzhou Luofu. Where Dan Heng's past catches up with him. Where the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus strike. Where Phantylia descends.
He knew what was coming. The battles. The revelations. Jing Yuan's strategies.
But he wouldn't interfere. He'd walk alongside them.
The way he wished someone had walked alongside him on Aionios.
The rings hummed quietly.
A new beginning. Maybe not for the souls I carry but for me.
Outside, the Astral Express jumped into warp, hurtling toward the Xianzhou Luofu and whatever destiny awaited there.