The Astral Express barreled headlong toward the Aeon of Nihility!
As it drew closer, Nihility's shadow thickened like a parasitic mist, saturating every inch of space, closing around the train until there was nowhere left to run.
To Yevenko, it felt as though the universe itself was now just a shadow cast by IX—no refuge, nowhere left to hide.
But a Trailblazer never retreats. A Trailblazer cuts through every obstacle, pushing relentlessly toward the unknown.
And now, to Yevenko, the greatest unknown was Nihility itself!
The power of Trailblaze surged wildly through Yevenko and the Astral Express, forming a radiant white aura around the train's hull, sharpening it into a blazing sword that pierced the encroaching shadows, relentlessly pushing toward the core of Nihility itself.
The dense, dark energies of Nihility felt like a swamp; with every inch closer, enormous amounts of Trailblaze power drained away, slowing the Express further.
Worse yet, shadowy forms consumed by Nihility continually emerged—massive, pitch-black hands and monstrous beasts clawing desperately at the train.
Gritting his teeth, Yevenko pressed both hands fiercely onto the floor, channeling all his strength into the Astral Express.
"Crash right through them!"
White light flooded the train, brightening the dim aura outside. With a renewed burst of speed, the train collided headlong into a massive shadowy hand.
BOOM—!!
It shattered, dispersing into black mist and dissolving back into the dark swamp of Nihility.
The sudden, enormous drain left Yevenko gaunt and hollow, as though he'd gone weeks without food or rest. Dizziness overwhelmed him, his heartbeat erratic, until finally his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the floor.
In a flash, Tom appeared at his side dressed in a white doctor's coat, flipping Yevenko over and immediately pulling defibrillator paddles from behind him, pressing them against Yevenko's chest.
A jolt surged through Yevenko's body. His eyes snapped open, clarity returning instantly as memories flooded back.
He propped himself up again, forcing energy through his trembling hands and shouted:
"Keep going! Keep hitting it!"
The newly restored Trailblaze power drained away once more. The Express lurched forward again, slamming violently into another shadowy beast and scattering it.
Yevenko gasped raggedly, intense pain radiating through every limb. He collapsed again.
Tom calmly repeated the process, administering another shock, bringing Yevenko back once more.
Though he'd nearly fully recovered physically, the lingering psychological agony remained, etched deeply in his memory. Yevenko's face was deathly pale.
The Express was now like a remote-controlled toy car with dying batteries—it surged forward briefly each time he poured power into it, then stopped again, waiting until he collapsed and revived before repeating the cycle.
He muttered weakly:
"I thought we'd tear through Nihility in one go and reach IX directly…but if Mei and Nuan saw me struggling like this, wouldn't it be a little too embarrassing…?"
"Not cool at all."
Yet determination blazed in his eyes once more, and he pushed yet again, pouring every ounce of power he had left into the Express.
...
"Onii-chan is so cool!"
Nuan spoke softly, seated quietly on the ground, black traces of Nihility creeping around her eyes, sweat dripping continuously. She gazed steadily upward at the Astral Express, inching closer and closer toward the black sun—struggling, but never giving up.
Beside her, Raiden Mei's body trembled from the surging Nihility within her. She silently nodded in agreement.
Watching the Astral Express push stubbornly onward, Mei was now certain that even though Izumo was engulfed by IX, if Yevenko and the train had simply fled in the opposite direction, they could have escaped.
But now, the train—and Yevenko himself—charged resolutely toward IX, inching forward in jerks and halts. Mei couldn't imagine how much agony he must be enduring.
Why is he doing this? He barely knows this planet—he barely knows us.
Why is he fighting so desperately?
Mei stared unblinking at the train in the sky, not daring to avert her gaze, until she noticed the once brilliant glow of the train had dimmed, stagnating for far too long.
Its fading light was slowly consumed by shadows, yet still it faintly flickered.
Mei's pupils shrank in despair. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her flesh until blood welled forth. Unable to shed tears, a single droplet of blood trickled down her cheek.
She whispered softly, voice trembling:
"Enough…"
"It's already enough…"
---
"Move, damn it—MOVE!"
"Am I really unable to do anything either?!"
Yevenko braced himself against the floor, gasping for air. Sweat and tears blended together, dripping uncontrollably as his body shook violently.
Tom's revivals could heal his body, but the agony of repeatedly nearing death remained, stacking endlessly in his mind.
His own body now rebelled, fighting against his will to push the Trailblaze power further.
He had methods to force the Express forward instantly, but those had severe limitations.
So far, they'd yet to draw IX's true attention, merely contending with its passive, overwhelming presence. Those special methods needed to be saved for the moment IX truly noticed them, to strike at just the right time.
As for whether IX possessed consciousness—Yevenko was certain it did.
Though Nihility itself symbolized emptiness, if it truly possessed no consciousness at all, IX would never have come into being.
Yet IX clearly existed. Therefore, IX must have some form of consciousness, however faint.
At least, that was Yevenko's reasoning. Until they reached a certain distance from IX, he wouldn't dare use methods that might trigger IX's active attention.
Otherwise, one casual reaction from IX could annihilate not just Yevenko and Tom, but Izumo itself, along with the entire surrounding star sector.
Trembling, Yevenko forced his hands to the floor again, staring resolutely at the looming black sun.
"Just a bit further…a little more…"
He desperately urged his Trailblaze power onward, but now his body actively resisted, refusing to experience the torment again.
Frustrated beyond endurance, Yevenko raised his head and shouted furiously at the black sun:
"Aeon of Nihility, screw your ancestors—!"
The instant his voice echoed through the Express, joyful laughter suddenly burst forth, filling the train with layers of carefree mirth. A whimsical, enchanting voice resounded cheerfully:
"Aha's having tons of fun today!"
Bong—!!
A playful sound effect echoed through the air, accompanied by a burst of wind.
In the next instant, a floating Fool's mask appeared, hovering directly in front of Yevenko.