A silver rail blazing across the endless sea of stars, the reawakened Astral Express, has one again ventured into the cosmos. Inside the driver's cabin, Noah is sitting at the Captain's seat, working on the final adjustments for their travel in the navigation panel.
It has been a month since he brought the Express back to life.
In that time, he had already traveled to one world. As per the Void Archives suggestions, it shared the coordinates of this world as a start. Noah, who didn't have any plans nor destination in mind, chose to go with VA's plan.
That one choice brought him an unexpected yet welcomed outcome.
And in that world, he met two people who slipped into his life naturally, without forcing anything. They became part of him because they simply mattered.
"How long until we reach our next destination?" a voice gently broke the quiet hum of the cabin. Soft arms wrapped around Noah's shoulders, and he felt the familiar weight lean into him. A pair of warm cheeks pressed lightly against his. Her long white hair, tied into two loose braids, fell over his shoulders, swaying with each subtle movement. Her ocean-blue eyes peeked over his shoulder, bright with curiosity and excitement.
This girl was Kiana Kaslana, one of the two people Noah met after tin that world. Their meeting wasn't like a normal boy and girl meeting. It was messy, loud, and a bit dangerous.
It was during one of the days Noah is strolling the streets of the city where landed. He felt a pull through the Force, something was wrong. Following that feeling led him to a ruined street, where he saw Kiana facing a Honkai beast or as VA called it, twice her size with nothing but a dented metal bat in her hands.
She was hurt. Tired. But she didn't back down.
That image stuck with him.
Whether it was fate, instinct, or just a bad habit of running toward danger, Noah stepped in to help. From that moment on, the two traveled together, looking leads about her missing father.
Over time, they grew to each other. Kiana's wild energy, her stubborn grin, and the way she tried to act like everything was fine, Noah saw through it. He noticed how she'd go quiet when no one was looking. How she smiled a little too easily, too brightly.
So he stayed beside her, accompanying her with whatever she thought off. Keeping pace with her. Giving her space when she needed it, and standing close when she didn't.
Kiana never said much about it but she noticed. And little by little, she let him in. No walls, no acts. Just Kiana, and they built trust in each other one day at a time.
After a few more days together, they found a lead, something that hinted at a possible relative of Kiana's. With Noah's help, they managed to track her down: Theresa Apocalypse, Kiana's aunt. Who were also searching for her and Kiana's father, Siegfried.
Theresa welcomed them to the school she ran, a place where young warriors were trained to stand against the same creatures Kiana had once faced alone. It wasn't just a place to stop by, It became home to both of them. For Kiana, it was something she felt ever since Noah came to her life. A place where she could breathe without pretending. For Noah, it felt like he was back again to his home world. No need to make plans for tomorrow. Just being there, with her, in a place that didn't ask for more.
Noah closes his eyes enjoying her warmth and softness. "Maybe in a few hours. We're heading to an unknown world."
Kiana chuckled as she rubbed their cheeks together clearly enjoying the moment. "An unknown world? Where is it?"
"I've been tracking it through the Express observation systems," Noah said, running his fingers over the controls, displaying the image of the world he plans them to visit.. "It's a new world that doesn't seem to have any record in the archives and connection in the silver rails. But the Astral Express picked up on it. I believe it's just a one or two jumps away. We'll know more when we get there."
"Sounds intriguing," A melodic voice chimed in from the corner of the room, laced with an elegant, almost playful lilt. The speaker stepped forward and made herself home on Noah's lap, her long rosy-pink hair cascading down her back in waves, eyes shimmering with mischief and warmth.
Her name is Elysia. During Noah and Kiana's stay in Saint Freya Academy, the school the Theresa runs, there was a mission that made her have to be deployed. So Noah and Kiana forcefully went with her. And deep inside the forest they found her, encased in a crystalline flower sleeping for who knows how long.
Peering up at Noah from where she sat curled on his lap, Elysia gave him a playful smile. "But will it be safe?"
Noah gently brushed a strand of her hair aside with his fingers. "Who knows? But we're Trailblazers, right? Nameless of the Astral Express. What's an adventure without a bit of danger?"
Kiana pouted, puffing her cheeks as Elysia stole his attention. "Mou... then we better be ready for anything."
Elysia, catching her reaction, shot her a cheeky little grin. "Then let's go. A big adventure's waiting for us."
Kiana smirked back. "Then I'm stepping first. Try to keep up."
Noah sighed dramatically, patting both their heads with a tired smile. "Can you two please not turn me into your battlefield every time? I'm the one who ends up taking the full damage from your 'adorable assaults.'"
Both girls huffed and looked away, arms crossed, cheeks puffed in sync. In truth, Kiana and Elysia were close—too close, maybe. But when it came to affection, they couldn't help but get competitive. Noah could only watch, helpless and quietly amused... though he'd never admit how much he actually liked it.
Neither moved from their place beside him, so Noah simply shook his head, smiling wryly. He leaned forward and reached for the Express's controls, setting the final calibration for their jump.
The Astral Express pulsed with light, silver energy wrapping around its frame as it entered imaginary space and in a second, it was gone, streaking forward faster than thought, chasing a world no one had yet to know.
—----
As the Express exited the jump and joined the normal space, the fleeting feeling of weightlessness during the jump disappeared and settled back to normal.
"We're here," Noah said, voice low with quiet wonder. The three of them made their way to the observation deck to get a full view of the world waiting below. A vast continent stretched across deep blue oceans, with clouds swirling in gentle motion above, giving the planet a sense of vivid, breathing life.
"Such a beautiful world…" Kiana murmured, pressing her hand against the glass, her breath leaving a faint fog.
Elysia stepped up beside her, resting a soft hand on her back. "I can already tell... this adventure might just turn out to be a very romantic story."
Hearing Elysia's words, both Noah and Kiana smiled softly, amused, and a little fond. But then Noah paused. A faint shift tugged at him through the Force. He turned his gaze back to the world below.
There was something there.
Or someone.
Waiting.
Someone that would matter. To him. To them. More than they knew yet.
"Noah?"
"Captain!"
Blinking, Noah snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the two girls beside him, both watching with slightly worried expressions.
"Sorry. I felt something through the Force," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Geez, so it was just your weird mumbo jumbo senses acting up again?" Kiana huffed.
"Ahaha~ At least we know it wasn't anything serious," Elysia added with a playful smile. "So tell us, what did your 'Captain tingle' sense this time?"
"...Captain tingle? Mumbo jumbo senses?" Noah stared at them, deadpan. "Please don't call it that. If my master or any other Force-sensitive heard you, I'd never hear the end of it."
The two girls simply shrugged, completely unbothered, and looked back at him.
Noah sighed. "It's just... I felt like someone's down there. Waiting. And whoever it is, they'll be important. To us."
"...It's a girl, isn't it?" Kiana deadpanned, earning a look from Noah.
"Definitely a girl," Elysia added with a dramatic sigh.
Noah's cheek twitches. "Why do you both instantly assume it's a girl?"
"Because it's you, Captain," they said in unison before turning away, cheeks puffed in playful protest.
-------
As the Astral Express aligned with the planet's orbit, the trio stood inside the launch chamber, preparing for descent.
Kiana was checking her gears starting with the twin pistols gifted by her father, Siegfried, when he met Noah in secret during their time in her world. Slung across her back was her familiar metal bat, now enhanced and powered by Noah just for her. And completing her setup was a custom battle suit, designed and built by her aunt Theresa at the Saint Freya labs—Void Drifter: Radiant Blaze version.
Elysia stood nearby in her Fire Moth combat uniform, her bow loosely held in one hand. Instead of fussing over weapon settings or combat specs, her attention was more on how the outfit looked. She twirled once, clearly more concerned with aesthetics than function.
Noah, clad in his Jedi robes, quietly checked his gear. At his waist hung two sword Luxes, the weapons of the Genestellas in his world, resting securely and ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. With no access to kyber crystals on his homeworld, he had to find an alternative, using Manadyte ores to replace the traditional power source.
The hilt of his lightsaber-style Lux weapon looked sleek and modern, but the blade it summoned resembled a glowing blue katana exactly how his ever-child heart wanted. One his left hand, concealed the Void Archives under his sleeve.
"VA, are you sure it's safe to leave the Express floating here?" Noah glanced at his floating partner.
[ Yes, Captain. It will be fine. The current civilization on this planet does not have the capability to leave their atmosphere. And if anything were to happen, I am still connected to the Express systems, I can easily activate its defenses. ]
Noah let out a long sigh. "Alright. As long as it stays safe. I am not dealing with another repair nightmare." He visibly shuddered.
"It'll be fine, Captain~! Trust your mighty AI," Elysia added with a playful wink toward VA.
[…Thank you for that, Miss Elysia.] VA responded in a dry tone.
"Then, are we ready to go? Can we go now?!" Kiana bounced with excitement, her bright grin practically glowing.
Noah and Elysia chuckled.
"Yeah. Let's go," Noah said, placing his hand on the launch pad. As the Trailblaze energy surged through it, light surrounded them and in the next the trio vanished, teleported to the planet below.
--------
Fields of green stretched endlessly before them, speckled with wildflowers swaying gently under a morning breeze. The scent of grass and blossoms filled the air, crisp and welcoming, wrapping around the trio as they touched down on the soft earth. In the distance, birds chirped and insects buzzed—a quiet, living rhythm that greeted them.
"Such a... wonderful world," Kiana murmured, awe coloring her voice as she took in the untouched beauty.
Elysia turned slowly, her gaze sweeping the open field. "It's beautiful," she agreed softly. "It feels... alive. Like full of life."
Noah took a breath, letting it settle in his chest. "Yeah," he agreed. "Feels like the kind of place where everything could slow down for once. The best place for vacation."
They followed the path into the forest, sunlight slipping between the leaves. Elysia moved with a skip in her step, pausing every few meters to snap pictures of the scenery with her camera. Noah walked a bit more quietly, listening to the rustling leaves and the distant chirps of birds, letting the sounds of nature settle into him. Kiana, on the other hand, looked around with wide-eyed wonder, her bright smile never fading as she took in everything.
At one point, she plucked a few fruits from a nearby tree and took a bite before either of them could stop her.
"...Kiana, just because it looks safe doesn't mean you should eat it," Noah said, flicking her forehead.
"Oww... ughh... Sorry... it looked tasty and smelled sweet, so I thought it was fine," Kiana mumbled, rubbing the spot with a small pout.
Noah sighed, not surprised. Elysia just laughed and raised her camera again, capturing the moment like a treasured snapshot in their growing story.
Then, a figure stepped out from the clearing. A girl elegant and quiet in her presence. She wore a white, sleeveless dress with a blue-and-white scarf draped around her shoulders, white stockings and boots, and a light blue skirt that swayed softly with each step. Two white flowers adorned her hair, delicate but noticeable.
Her golden eyes caught sight of the trio, narrowing slightly with suspicion. In her arms, she carried the same kind of fruit Kiana had just eaten moments ago.
Noah felt a subtle pull through the Force the moment he saw her.
It's her, he thought.
She was beautiful with a cool and composed temperament, but it wasn't just her appearance that drew him. In her golden eyes, he saw it clearly: pain… and loneliness, the same one he saw from Kiana and Elysia.
"Why hello, beautiful maiden!" Elysia greeted the girl with her usual energy and flirtatious smile. "It's such a great day to meet someone as lovely as you."
The girl gave her a deadpan look, her posture tightening with caution. Noah and Kiana both groaned and facepalmed in sync.
"Ellie, come here for a second. Let the Captain handle it," Kiana said, tugging Elysia gently back beside her.
"Mou~ Kiana, why? I was just being friendly to the first local we've seen," Elysia pouted.
"Sorry about her," Noah said, offering the girl a small, apologetic smile. "Ellie's not trying to cause trouble. That's just... her."
The girl gave a small nod, her expression easing slightly. That's a good sign atleast, Noah thought.
"I'm Noah," he said with a light smile, offering his hand. The girl shifted slightly, carefully balancing the fruit in her arms as she accepted the shake.
"The one who greeted you earlier is Elysia," he added, motioning toward Elysia, who gave a cheerful wave and a wink. Then he nodded toward Kiana. "And the white-haired one with the dango braids is Kiana."
"Hey! What's with that introduction?" Kiana protested, crossing her arms.
"...Lumine," the girl replied softly, pulling her hand back. Her voice was quiet, but clear enough to be heard. "That's my name.".
"Are you by any chance a local here? We just arrived in this world, and… well, we don't know anything about it yet," Noah began, his tone id polite. "So we were hoping maybe you could help us out?"
"...World?" Lumine picking up on the word. Her eyes widened slightly. "This might sound strange, but… are you perhaps visitors from another world?"
There was a hopeful, almost pleading note in her voice. The trio exchanged a glance before turning back to her.
"Uhhh… yeah? We kind of are," Kiana admitted, scratching her cheek.
"We're Nameless of the Astral Express! Explorers of the known and the unknown!" Elysia added with a cheerful flourish.
"...I see," Lumine whispered, lowering her head as she bit her lip. Noah noticed a subtle tremble in her shoulders.
"Sorry about that," Lumine said after a soft breath. "I'm not a local either, unfortunately… but I've traveled around this world enough to learn its culture and how things work." She looked back at them, her golden eyes now holding a small spark of life.
"If it's okay with you… I could be your guide," she offered, making her intention and feelings clear. "I know about the kingdoms and how society works here. I might not know everything, but… I want to be helpful."
"...Are you a traveler too? From another world?" Noah asked gently, catching the subtle edge of hope in her voice.
Lumine nodded. Her once distant expression softened—melting into something more vulnerable and open. But before Noah could say a word, a flash of pink flew past him.
Elysia wrapped Lumine in a sudden hug, making her drop all the fruit in surprise.
"Of course you can! Honestly, it'll be more fun with more people in our party," Elysia grinned, still holding onto the stunned Lumine. "Besides, Captain already said someone would be waiting for us here."
Lumine blinked, clearly unsure what to make of the sudden embrace or the trio in front of her.
"See, Captain? Told you it'd be a girl," Kiana said smugly, pointing straight at Lumine with a teasing smirk.
Noah didn't respond. He just looked up at the sky, expression blank.
Am I seriously turning into a harem protagonist...?
The morning light slipped through the trees, wrapping the four of them in a gentle warmth. Lumine was still within Elysia's hug, but her expression had softened, the feelings stored inside her for a long time had lessened even just a little.
Kiana grinned like she always did, joined the girls in their group hug and Noah… Noah stood there watching them, the corners of his mouth pulling into a small smirk.
Well that might not be bad.