PS:
Hey everyone, you might want to read the intro before starting the main story.
Using memes is just the author's writing style. If you're not a fan, please don't leave just yet. The content is mostly serious, and the characters in the story won't be acting completely unhinged.
This is also the author's first time writing a story, so the early parts might be a bit unpolished. Please bear with me if there are any issues.
The beginning is relatively lighthearted, but it will become more serious once the "Kalpa's Return" begins. Of course, it definitely won't be too oppressive or despairing. The ending will be a good one.
This is a *Honkai: Star Rail* fanfic, but if future game updates contradict it, don't worry about it—just consider it an alternate universe.
Also: Version 3.7 is over. Any discrepancies with the game's early storyline will be explained later in this story. This fic has not been invalidated by canon.
…
(Start of Main Story)
Phaethon, who had just turned 18, lay quietly in the wheat fields of Aedes Elysiae. A breeze blew past, causing the wheat to ripple gently, as if whispering something to him.
His mind was racing, pondering his utterly disastrous life.
*"Oh no, oh no. They say that after transmigrating, everyone is supposed to reach the peak of life. But me?"* Phaethon lamented silently. *"I got dumped in a world on the verge of destruction. Even though I know the script, I'm already an adult and my golden finger still hasn't appeared. What's the deal with that?"*
He let out a helpless sigh. Gazing at the azure sky above, his thoughts drifted back to the day he transmigrated.
"Uncle, just set your heart at ease! Auntie will definitely be fine!" A young girl's voice was soft, yet carried a hint of playful charm.
Hearing this, the man felt slightly reassured, but couldn't help sighing. "Cyrene, of course I know, but... ah."
Just then, a clamor of voices suddenly arose: "They're here, they're here! Your family has been blessed! Two, two healthy baby boys!"
…
My name is Phaethon. Just moments ago, I transmigrated. As for the reason? Although I never dared to test my luck, what's meant to come will always find you.
It was an ordinary day. As I turned the knob to my dorm room, a blinding white light flashed before my eyes.
*Holy crap, who threw a flashbang into the dorm?* Before any of my roommates could respond, I pushed the door open and found myself in this world.
At first, all I saw was a pair of pale, tender little feet dangling in front of my eyes.
*Wow! They're so sweet and soft...*
*Wait, no! Damn it, where the hell have I ended up? Is this even still Earth?*
…
And just like that, I was ambushed by my dorm room door and sent to Amphoreus. And I became the destined younger twin brother of the savior, Khaslana.
What? You ask why I'm the younger brother? Because the "Savior" is as strong as a monster; during birth, he almost elbowed me right out of the cockpit…
What? You also ask why I'm called Phaethon?
Because our original names were Khaslana and Asterion.
And then... a certain overly familiar young lady said these names weren't cute and gave us nicknames. Phainon and Phaethon.
The key point is, even our parents thought the nicknames were much easier to say. So then why did you give us such long names in the first place? Did you hope we'd grow up to become "Five-Word Titled Gods"? (Note: Chinese name for khaslana is five words)
…
"Just as I thought, both little Whitey are lying in the wheat fields slacking off. You clearly promised to accompany me for another round of 'Oracle Cards' yesterday."
Hearing this familiar voice, Phaethon didn't need to guess to know Cyrene had arrived.
He sat up helplessly and watched Cyrene skipping towards them. "Cyrene, how is this slacking off? I'm just…," he retorted, slightly annoyed.
Cyrene looked at Phaethon with sparkling eyes, grinning playfully. "Just what? I think you're just trying to get out of coming with me to draw 'Oracle Cards.' Come on, get up! We mustn't keep the lovely priestess waiting♪."
Phainon also rose from the wheat fields and reached out a hand to pull Phaethon up. "Let's go, little brother. Stop dawdling, or Cyrene will start nagging again."
Phaethon brushed the wheat chaff from his clothes and grumbled, "Honestly, Phainon, I told you I'm the older brother. Fine, fine, I guess I have no choice with you two." The three of them headed towards the village.
"Phaethon, why do you always refuse to admit that Phainon is your... older brother?" Cyrene asked, squinting with a smile. "You're not just embarrassed about being the younger one, are you? Is that it? Come on, tell me, little Phaethon♪."
"Hmph~" Phaethon let out a short, dismissive snort.
…
"Big Brother Phainon, Big Brother Phaethon, when will you teach me how to wield a sword?" a childish voice piped up beside them.
Phainon smiled down at the child who had spoken and gently patted his head. "Let's wait a little longer. Once you've grown a bit taller."
The child pouted unwillingly. "But I've been trying really hard to grow taller! Why can't I learn yet?"
Cyrene patiently explained, "Little one, learning the sword isn't a simple matter. You need enough strength and coordination. You're still young, and your body is still developing. Learning swordsmanship too early could harm your body. Be good. When you're older, Sister Cyrene will drag both your Big Brother Phainon and Big Brother Phaethon right in front of you to teach you swordsmanship, so you can become a great hero like in the storybooks. How does that sound?"
Just then, a rough voice called out from a distance: "You three, huddled together again? Head home early, so you don't worry your mother sick again."
Phainon turned and saw it was the village hunter. He quickly replied, "Okay, Uncle Hunter, we'll be sure to head back soon."
"Speaking of which, Sister Cyrene, why don't you just bring the 'Oracle Cards' album directly to us to draw from?" Phaethon asked, trailing behind them without a care for posture.
"Well, of course it's because drawing them at our usual little plaza has more of a sense of ceremony♪," Cyrene replied, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards into a sly smile. She narrowed her eyes and hummed lightly, "Besides, it's been so long since I used the 'Oracle Cards' album that I can't find it~"
"So you dragged us here just to help you look for it?" Phaethon couldn't resist complaining.
"Now, now, no need to focus on such trivial details. Many hands make light work! Besides, Phaethon, could you really bear to see a cute girl rummaging through the dust all by herself?" Cyrene bounced along as she walked ahead. "As for its location? With three of us thinking, we'll find it in no time~"
"We're here. Let's search around our usual plaza first." Cyrene smiled and sat down on the wooden swing in the center of the plaza, gently swaying back and forth.
Phainon and Phaethon exchanged a glance, seeing the mutual resignation in each other's eyes. The brothers tacitly didn't say anything more and split up to search for Cyrene's 'Oracle Cards' album.
"This is... my favorite storybook from when I was a child? I actually found it here." Phainon flipped through the pages in disbelief, then somewhat joyfully and carefully tucked a small booklet away.
"Oh, it seems Phainon has found an extra little treasure..." Cyrene's voice suddenly chimed in. He looked up and saw Cyrene sitting on the wooden swing not far away, swaying leisurely.
Maybe it was his imagination, but Phaethon felt Cyrene was swinging a bit higher than before. Her pale, delicate feet swayed in the sunlight, mesmerizing to the eye.
As for that storybook? Phaethon had read it in his childhood too. It was a tale about a Bat-Wielding Hero.
The story's protagonist rode a great land beast named "Train," endured countless hardships, and ultimately defeated the evil demon king to save the beautiful Crystal Princess.
To be honest, it had completely bewildered him back then. *Awesome! Which prophet wrote this novel? How is this balanced?*
Especially during the part where the protagonist, riding the "Train," charged straight at the chief of the demon king's Four Heavenly Kings—the Conductor of Oddities.
Phaethon had wondered if he'd somehow slipped into some bizarre secondary creation. Like, *"Star Rail: Planning a Wedding for Mythus and Aha from the Dawn of History"* or something.
Because of this, Phaethon had even gotten his hopes up, wishing that protagonist would hurry over and "trailblaze" Amphoreus, liberating his brother—Phainon.
But reality proved that life isn't a storybook. No protagonist ever showed up.
What, you say I transmigrated, so I'm the protagonist? Don't make me laugh! What kind of protagonist transmigrates without a golden finger?
Phaethon had long since understood this point: he was just a salted fish who wanted to slack off, lie flat, and enjoy life.
He knew the general plot, anyway. When the time came, he just needed to survive until the next Eternal Recurrence. That shouldn't be too hard. As for what is after the next Eternal Recurrence? Who cares? He'd live his life to the fullest first.
However, this storybook was probably one of the reasons Phainon felt an instant connection with the protagonist, Phaethon thought with a bit of mischief. It also reminded him of that cryo-preserved young woman—March 7th—who entered Amphoreus just one step ahead of the main crew.
*Could she be behind this? Which Eternal Recurrence have I even been thrown into?*