Y/n slept a long while. Like— really long.

Her body needed the rest anyways, and it was much needed, but she was aware of her surroundings as she slept.

At one point, Dan Heng left silently and a couple of nurses came in to check on her and whatever, nothing serious.

But then... she noticed someone new in the room.

Then another new person.

And another.

And... another.

Hm...

Wait a second.

"Clara, Miss Y/n has regained consciousness."

Y/n immediately sat up and looked over to where Clara and Svarog were, the little girl seated on the giant robot who was serving as her personal seat.

The little girl's magenta colored eyes lit up as she hopped off of Svarog and rushed over to the bedside instead, "Miss Y/n!"

"Huh..." y/n blinked and then rubbed her eyes, "Wha... huh? Clara, what are you...?"

"Your friend Mister Caelus told me that the Underworld was being allowed to return to the Overworld!" Clara exclaimed, "As soon as Mr. Svarog got here, we came right here to see you, but you were sleeping... so we decided to wait for you to wake up."

"Huh, I see..." the young woman grinned, "Hehe, I'm really glad to see you, Clara! And you, Mr. Svarog! How are you liking the Overworld?"

"The air is very yummy, and the sky is pretty!" Clara exclaimed, "Mister Caelus bought me a yummy drink earlier. Both him and Miss March asked me to give you this one too."

Clara offered a little cup with a twisty straw, y/n accepting it and sipping a little before her eyes lit up.

"It's good...!"

"Right?"

Clara clambered into the bed with y/n, sitting next to her and showing her a book she'd gotten from the book store. She offered to read it to her, y/n happily accepted, and it was a good two and a half hours before Clara just fell asleep.

After y/n was sure the little girl wasn't awake, she glanced over to Svarog, "Erm, Mr. Svarog, do you know where my friends went?"

"They left approximately 6 hours ago to attend the new Supreme Guardian's succession ceremony. They should return within another hour." Svarog replied, "Will you all be departing soon?"

"Yeah, I wanna head back to the Astral Express and see Mr. Yang again!" y/n chirped with a pleased little look, "I can't stay much longer, but I'm sure that the others would love to spend more time here."

"You're leaving, Miss Y/n?"

💩 she was awake.

Y/n gave Clara a little smile, "Mhm, I really overworked myself this time, so I've gotta rest a lot! Don't worry, though, you and Mr. Svarog are welcome to visit the Astral Express at any time!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Mm... okay, I'll visit very often." Clara decided with a nod, "I'll even bring gifts for Mimi when I visit!"

"I'm sure Mimi will appreciate it!" y/n chuckled before picking up the book again, "I'd say we have some more time, so would you like me to finish the book?"

"Yes please."

Y/n finished reading the book to Clara before her and Svarog left, leaving y/n alone again. It was a while before Caelus came to retrieve her.

"Alright, we're headed back to the Astral Express." he announced as him and y/n wandered down the halls of the hospital together, "March and Dan Heng handled the hospital bill, so don't worry about that."

"There was a hospital bill?" y/n asked blankly.

Caelus looked like he wanted to say something, but just decided not to. When they finally headed outside, y/n just wanting to go back to the Express and sleep forever, they were greeted by... who the hell was this? Oh, Serval. And Geppie!

"Hey there, Caelus! Y/n!" the woman greeted with a bright smile, "Are you all preparing to head out?"

"Yeah, but we'll be back to visit! Y/n and I!" Caelus chirped before giving y/n a nudge, "Won't we?"

"If I don't die."

"!!!"

Gepard opened his mouth as if to protest but immediately shut it and muttered a, "I wish you all safe travels..."

Y/n pursed her lips, silently debating on what to do before lifting Mimi and exclaiming in a tiny voice, "It was an honor fighting alongside you, Captain Gepard! Y/n and I will miss you very much, but don't worry, we will return to hang out and enjoy food together!"

Caelus and Serval were smothering their laughter as y/n peeked at Gepard past Mimi with glimmering eyes, "We will meet again, Gepard. You have my word, my friend!"

Gepard's cheeks went red, a clear sign that he was embarrassed, but he still smiled, "I look forward to it."

After bidding the siblings farewell, y/n patting Gepard on the head and cooing about how he was such a cutie *she was acutely aware of those guards fangirling in the background* the duo headed to the city exit where March and Dan Heng were waiting.

"Are you ready to go?" Dan Heng inquired.

Y/n gave him and thumbs up and nodded.

"Alrighty, back to the Astral Express!" March cheered, looping her arm with y/n's, "Let's go!"

As they were departing, y/n gave Belobog one last glance. Yes... she would definitely come back again.

Upon their return to the Astral Express, the squad was greeted by Himeko and Welt *much to Caelus's excitement*.

"Welcome home, you four." Himeko greeted as y/n carefully used Dan Heng as a shield. She'd rather not explain how she ended up losing an eye, or maybe she could just pretend that the eyepatch was for decoration! ...eugh...

"Himeko, Mr. Yang! Team Trailblaze, back from duty!" March chirped with pride, "Mission One: Accomplished!"

Himeko chuckled lightly, "Although Welt and I didn't get the chance to go with you, I can tell you worked hard to handle the Stellaron. Well down, everybody. And especially you, Caelus, I heard plenty of good things about you."

Caelus beamed, suddenly all sunshine and rainbows, "Thank you, Miss Himeko!" 'Best day ever!'

March suddenly looked nauseous.

"What about me?!" y/n demanded, peeking out from behind Dan Heng before pointing to her eye patch, "I lost an eye for those 🚚ers!"

Dan Heng gave her a seriously? look while y/n covered her mouth with a gasp, "Oh... oops."

"Again?" Himeko sighed.

"AGAIN?!" Caelus demanded.

"Remember how I told you my issue keeps me going even when I'm in no condition to be doing anything? Yeah, I meant it wouldn't let me die even if I wanted to." y/n hummed before shrugging, "The missing eye will come back eventually, it's just a really slow process when I'm low on energy."

"That's... so that's why..." Caelus pointed to y/n's gut, "SO THATS WHY YOU RIPPED THE HALBERD OUT!!!"

"She what?!" Himeko and Welt demanded and y/n went into panic mode, waving her hands frantically.

"Ah... I didn't-! I wasn't-!" y/n decided to abandon communication and take off running instead, "I'm gonna go sleep, bye now!!!"

Welt heaved a sigh, "That one..."

Himeko's surprise seemed to fade and she gave the group a little smile, "Ah... it can't be helped, I suppose. You all should get some rest."

"Will the train be moving soon?" Caelus inquired.

"Pom-Pom suggested that we leave as soon as possible to avoid a potential reappearance of the anomalies we experienced earlier. Himeko and I agree." Welt explained.

"Which means we need to decide where our next destination will be." Dan Heng murmured.

"That's right." Welt confirmed.

"Ah, that's the path of the Nameless, I presume. Always on the road, trailblazing..." March took a look at the two young men's faces, "N-Not that I'm complaining! One adventure after another is exactly what I signed up for!"

"Hehe, seems as though March has fallen in love with the name of the Nameless." Himeko chuckled, "You all can return to your rooms for rest or stay here and enjoy a cup of coffee. Whatever you'd like."

"I'll head back to my room then." was Dan Heng's immediate reply and March pouted as he did exactly that, heading off in the direction y/n had run in.

"Huh, there I was thinking this guy would gradually open up." March huffed as she watched Dan Heng walk away.

"We need to give him time, March. I believe he treasures the time spent with you guys." Himeko said as Caelus and March exchanged a look.

'Mm...'

"Caelus, about your battle against the Supreme Guardian and the whole Stellaron situation, you must have lots of answered question, I suppose." Himeko was saying as March... uh, marched away to return to her room, "While you were away, Welt and I did some research and came to some rather interesting conclusions. If you have questions, just ask."

"Thank you Miss Himeko..." Caelus broke off with a yawn, "I'm... gonna go get some sleep for now."

"Alright, sleep well."

'I SURE WILL.'

And so, Team Trailblaze all returned to their respective rooms to rest and get some sleep.

Y/n slept well, sprawled out on her couch with Mimi on her belly, but eventually woke up with a strange urge to do something.

...

She decided to clean her weapons.

Y/n had gotten the urge before, it came periodically every few days or so, and the urge would quickly turn to crippling anxiety if she ignored it. So... she just obeyed the urge when it appeared.

It wasn't like it took much energy.

It was quite therapeutic, actually.

Y/n felt as ease, and the constant pain she felt became distant as she simply sat in silence and tended to her weapons. Sometimes, she even heard voices.

Sometimes there was voices.

Other times, there was warmth.

Sometimes there were just sounds.

It all varies from time to time.

Y/n paused, lifting the broken sword she held and giving it a long stare. Her reflection stared back, scrutinizing her just as intensely as she scrutinized it.

"You have to treat your sword well, y/n. Talk to it, clean it regularly, ensure that it doesn't rust or dull... basic maintenance."

"Mm? But why?"

The two siblings sat together on the roof of a building, watching as starskiffs flew past below. The little girl sat cross legged, hands rested on her face as she stared at the pristine blade her brother held.

It'd been through many battles, y/n knew that, but you'd never be able to tell at first glance. That was how well her older brother cared for it.

"It protects you, why would you not return the favor my caring for it in return? That, and it's been in our family for eons. I'd hate to be the one to break it, haha." the older boy chuckled, "I like to talk to it, y'know?"

"But why talk to it if it won't talk back?" y/n inquired with a tilt of her head, "How do you know if it hears you?"

"Well... Father once told me that our ancestors talked to it so that when they died, it'd carry on their skills and will to help the next holder." the little girl's brother murmured before giving her a smile, "One day, when you get to use it, I sincerely hope that my own skills and wishes will aid you."

Y/n looked thoughtful for a long moment before her eyes lit up, "Mm... so will I be better at hide and seek?"

"Maybe, maybe." her brother snickered, "How about you and I make that wish together, eh? Perhaps the sword will fulfill it."

"Mhm! Mhm!"

Y/n shuffled closer to her older brother, peering down at the sword with sparkling eyes as he closed his eyes.

"I wish my little sister will be the best at hide and seek when it's her turn to wield you." the older boy declared before peeking at his sister with a grin, "And that when she gets older, she'll get the courage to ask to marry—!"

"AAAAAA!!! STOP IT!!!"

"What are you doing? You're messing me up!"

"NO! NO! Don't wish that!!!"

Y/n squinted at the sword, "A sword that fulfills wishes... well, you must hate me now. You're in my possession and you're broken. Sorry I don't remember how I did that, but I'll continue to do my best to keep you well maintained."

She glanced over to the various other weapons on her wall, now shiny and in pristine condition after y/n gave each and every one of them a fraction of her resting time.

She inhaled deeply, then exhaled.

The broken sword was placed back up on the wall and y/n grabbed Mimi before retreating to Dan Heng's room.

As expected, he was at his desk doing something, so y/n just flipped on the bean bag she'd left there.

"Book." was all y/n said and Dan Heng tossed it to her without a word, "Thanks, Dan Heng."

She diligently wrote everything she'd just experienced in those two minutes she spent staring at her sword before just going limp on the beam bag with a long sigh.

'I think I'll just nap in here... I need more sleep...'

. 　。　　⋆　　•　 　ﾟ　　。 .　.　.　。 .　。
⋆　　　。　　 ⋆。　 ඞ 。　 . • .  .   ⁎ 。　. 　。　.　　⋆. 　　。 .　 .　　 .  ⋆.   。.   ⁎ 。•　 　ﾟ　　。

Hm...

Something wasn't quite right...

Y/n had rolled over in her bean bag to look at Dan Heng who'd actually decided to sleep on his spot on the floor.

She narrowed her eyes.
'Is he having a bad dream?'

All the evidence pointed towards that being the case as his breathing was labored and quick, a huge contrast to the usual slow and relaxed rhythm y/n would often fall asleep to.

She sighed, dragging herself off the bean bag and just crawling on over *walking was too much of a hassle*.

Y/n took a seat next to Dan Heng and gently took his hand in hers. What to do... what to do...

"Hmph." y/n reached out to poke him on the nose only for him to sit up with a gasp, causing her to recoil, "Ah, Dan Heng, you're awake! Everything alright?"

Ah, stupid question, dude was practically gasping for air. Y/n shuffled over next to him, patting his back as he calmed himself, "Breathe, Dan Heng, take deep breaths."

For a long moment, the two just sat there. Y/n rubbing Dan Heng's back while the young man slowly calmed down. The young woman waited until his heart rate no longer sounded like someone rapidly banging on drums before she decided to ask, "Nightmare?"

"Mm, something like that." he replied quietly.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"I'd rather not."

"Well then, if you don't mind, I'm gonna crash here." y/n decided as she flopped backwards and curled up beside him, "You seemed really distressed, so I'll stay here to make sure you're okay."

She blinked open an eye, "Is that alright?"

Dan Heng nodded, still a little shaky from the looks of it, "That's fine, stay here for as long as you'd like."

"Hm." y/n closed her eyes again, "I shall do that."

Immediately after that, a knock came on the door.

Caelus and March, y/n already knew.

"Dan Heng! Come on, there's a navigation meeting in the Parlor Car!" March called and y/n let out a loud groan, "You too, y/n!"

"Damn... I wanted to sleep more." y/n grumbled as she sat up and set Mimi down beside Dan Heng, "Mimi will keep you company. Take your time!"

With that, she marched out the room and immediately grabbed both Caelus and March by their ears to shout at them about interrupting her rest.

Making a ruckus to divert attention away from Dan Heng, long enough for him to get himself together.

Upon entering the Parlor Car, y/n made a beeline for Himeko, shoving Caelus out the way in the process with a, "Good morning, Miss Himeko~"

"Good morning to you as well, y/n. You sound like you rested well." the woman hummed with a warm smile as y/n gave March a sidelong glare.

"No thanks to that one over there..."

"Huh? What did I do?!"

"Hmph... anyways, is the meeting beginning soon?" y/n inquired, "Let's go walk to Pom-Pom together!"

"Oh? Did you miss me that much?"

"More than you could ever know!"

Caelus watched in disbelief and betrayal as y/n strolled over to Pom-Pom with Himeko, chatting with her happily. Ugh, traitor!

Whatever, it was time for the meeting.

"Passengers! The warp navigation meeting has officially begun!" Pom-Pom exclaimed, what a cutie, "First of all, Pom-Pom wants to congratulate you, the Nameless, for successfully resolving the problems at this stop. The Express is now able to continue along the star rail!"

Y/n gripped her wrist, resisting the urge to pet the little cute rabbit conductor. So... difficult... must... pet-!

"The four of us actually pulled it off, huh, Caelus?" March hummed with a proud little smile.

"It's time for your conductor— ahem, moi — to reveal the name of our next stop-!" Pom-Pom was saying only for the sound of... a hologram it seemed, to reach y/n's ears.

She turned her head just as the hologram of a woman appeared, a black umbrella concealing her face.

"Long time, no see Astral Express crew." a smooth, gentle yet attention grabbing voice hummed as they all turned to see who it was, "It's Kafka."

Himeko and Welt did not look happy, but y/n had absolutely no interest in this Kafka lady. What she did have interest in was Welt's fine self adjusting his glasses as a frown settled on his face. Omg, Himeko too! That side eye! AHHH!!!!!

'URGHHH, SO FINE-!!!' she thought, trembling lightly as she clenched a fist, 'I'm so lucky to be here... love it, love it, love it!!!'

"It seems as though I've come at a good time, you're all here." the hologram of Kafka said as she strolled past each of them, "Every single one."

"No need for the mysterious introduction. Stellaron Hunter." y/n almost fainted, Himeko had no business being so goddamn fine!

She immediately went on guard when this Kafka lady's umbrella disappeared, the strange Stellaron Hunter turned towards Himeko with a chuckle, "Himeko, correct? Apologies for interrupting your little get together, but I'm sure once you've heard my request..." yo, why was she tapping the counter like that, "You'll forgive me."

'Like hell I will, get your 🍑 out of here, you're ruining Miss Himeko and Mr. Yang's day!' y/n thought irritably before glancing over to little Pom-Pom who had decided to hide behind Welt's leg, 'The Conductor too!'

"I need you to make a... destination alteration." Kafka told them as she glanced back at them with a sly little smile.

"I've seen your face before, Stellaron Hunter, even if it was only on a Corporation wanted poster." Himeko's tone was not friendly, her arms crossed as she regarded Kafka with untrusting eyes, "They were offering quite the bounty... dead or alive. Do you know the quantity?"

"Doesn't concern me." Kafka said in a disinterested tone, "Although, I consider the bounty as quite the compliment. Don't you think? The higher the quantity, the bigger the compliment."

"More like the more distasteful people find you." y/n muttered with a sour look on her face, 'Go away, I wanna enjoy my time with Miss Himeko, you jerk!'

"She doesn't understand, y/n. A life of crime does have a cost of a decline in a intellect." March agreed, giving Kafka a rather annoyed look to match y/n's.

"I will say, Herta certainly paid you all a compliment. A Maniac that claims he can see destiny, leading a bunch of wild lunatics in pursuit of the most dangerous objects in the universe!" Himeko continued as the hologram walked over to stand in front of them again, "And Herta doesn't give out compliments very often."

"In pursuit of the most dangerous objects in the universe, huh?" Kafka's voice was starting to get on y/n's nerves, "In that sense, you Astral Expressers and I are cut from the same cloth."

"You're in the wrong place, Kafka. We're not interested in your request, nor are we about to get