Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 15 – Between Breaths, Before Fire
Astral Express: A Moment's Rest
The Astral Express hummed softly as it drifted between stars. Inside, the crew and Avengers gathered in the lounge.
• Tony tinkered with fragments of corrupted crystal, embedding purification algorithms into his HUD.
• Bruce carefully examined readings of civilian recovery, muttering about long-term effects.
• March 7th laughed with Natasha, showing her snapshots she'd taken during the fight.
• Pom-Pom, now able to leave the train, waddled in proudly with tea for everyone.
Pom-Pom (smiling nervously):
"Pom-Pom never thought… Pom-Pom would Trailblaze with you all. But… it feels right."
The room warmed with quiet laughter. For the first time in a while, the war didn't feel endless.
Neo's Reflection
Neo stood apart at the observation window, Aeon aura faintly glowing. Wanda approached quietly.
Wanda:
"You saved more than lives today. You gave them hope. Do you realize that?"
Neo (half-smiling):
"Hope's fragile. That's why I'll keep walking. Even if the universe burns, Trailblaze doesn't stop."
Behind him, everyone watched. It wasn't just words—it was a vow.
Factions Across the Cosmos
Elsewhere, the ripples spread.
• IPC (Interastral Peace Corporation): Alarmed reports flooded their boardrooms. "A new Aeon walks, reviving worlds we couldn't even touch…"
• Xianzhou Alliance: Some envoys whispered in awe, others in suspicion. "He walks Permanence and Trailblaze both. Can such balance exist?"
• Other Aeons:
• Lan, the Hunt brooded silently, the weight of Neo's earlier warning still heavy.
• Nanook, the Destruction, now weakened, seethed but dared not act.
• Others simply… watched. Fear and curiosity entwined.
The cosmos itself was changing.
Chat Group Reactions
The chat lit up.
[Asuna]: The Express lounge feels so cozy… it's like a home for us now.
[Kiana]: Don't get too comfy. Another fight's coming. I can feel it.
[Himiko (HSR)]: …She's right. The Tree doesn't rest. Neither can we.
[Zhongli]: Still, even mountains must pause between storms. Take this moment.
Next Stop: World in Peril
The train jolted. Welt's expression hardened as star charts shifted.
Welt:
"We've detected another corruption anomaly. This one… stronger. More entrenched."
Himeko:
"Prepare yourselves. Halovest was the opening act. This will be worse."
Neo rose, cloak flaring with both Aeon light and void flame.
Neo (firm):
"Then we move. Trailblaze waits for no one."
Arrival – Rising Tension
The Astral Express pierced the veil of crimson mist, descending upon a planet drowning in corruption. Towers twisted like bones, oceans boiled black, and screams echoed across the surface.
March 7th (staring wide-eyed):
"It's… worse than Halovest. Much worse."
Tony (grim):
"Welcome to hell, round two."
As they prepared to disembark, the corruption pulsed—stronger, more deliberate. Almost… aware.
Somewhere in the shadows, the Transmigrator smiled bitterly, clutching his chest.
Transmigrator (internal):
"He's coming… and if I can't kill him, then I'll drown him in endless despair."
The next battle had begun before the first step was taken.
✨ End of Chapter 15 – Between Breaths, Before Fire ✨
(The Express crew and Avengers share a calm bonding moment, factions across the cosmos react in awe and fear, but the peace shatters as the next corrupted world—far worse than Halovest—awaits.)
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 16 – Roots in Shadows, Flames of Renewal
Corrupted Planet – First Descent
The Astral Express landed with a low shudder, its frame gleaming faintly from Neo's recent enhancements. The world that greeted them was twisted beyond recognition: crimson vines choking cityscapes, rivers turned into tar-like sludge, and skies fractured by black lightning.
The air itself groaned. Corruption here was deeper—almost like the planet's soul was being consumed.
March 7th (grimacing):
"It feels like the whole world is screaming."
Bruce (Hulk's voice grumbling beneath):
"Then we shut it up. Fast."
But before charging in, Neo raised a hand.
Neo (calm, sharp):
"No… this corruption is smarter. It moves with intent. If we don't find the root, it'll keep spreading no matter how many creatures we cut down."
The Investigation
The group fanned out, tracing the corruption like detectives through the ruins. Strange glyphs glowed in the tar, pulsing in rhythm.
• Tony scanned them with his armor. "These aren't random infestations. They're… programmed. Like someone left a curse running on a loop."
• Welt adjusted his glasses. "This reeks of the Lord God Space. Systematic, calculated. And worse—it adapts."
• Himeko (HSR) knelt, brushing the tar. "It's tethered to the Imaginary Tree itself. Someone's bending it, corrupting it…"
The Transmigrator's fingerprints were all over this.
Restorations of Power
Before advancing, Neo turned to his companions. His Aeon glow flared, merging with his Tensura skills and the Cocoon of the End's essence.
• Dan Heng:
His body trembled as Neo reached into his sealed heritage. Chains of corruption shattered, dragon scales rippling across his skin.
Neo: "Awaken, true Scion of Permanence."
Light surged. For the first time, Dan Heng stood complete—whole, unshackled, and true.
• Zhongli:
Erosion scars glowed faintly along his veins. Neo pressed his palm against the Geo Archon's chest, threads of void and eternity weaving through.
Neo: "Rise again, Rex Lapis. No erosion can chain Permanence."
The scars vanished, and Zhongli's full divine might returned, his aura deeper, steadier than before.
• Welt Yang:
Neo combined Azathoth's void coding with Herrscher logic, reconstructing the stolen fragments of Welt's core.
Neo (smiling faintly): "Reason never dies—it just needs a spark."
A blue blaze roared alive as Welt's Herrscher of Reason powers returned in full, stronger than they had ever been.
The others, too, were uplifted—each touched by Neo's Trailblaze and Tensura essence, their limits undone.
Unity Before War
The Avengers felt it in their bones—strength rekindled, sharpened to perfection.
Natasha (clenching fists):
"…This feels different. Like I've been training my whole life for this moment."
Hulk (grinning wide):
"Hulk stronger. Smarter. No holding back."
Wanda (aura steady):
"The corruption won't take anyone else. Not while we're here."
The chat group buzzed alive, watching through the live feed.
[Asuna]: Neo's basically rewriting their destinies… this is insane.
[Kiana]: …And he hasn't even gone full Aeon mode yet. I've got chills.
[Zhongli]:typing from the field "Indeed. Permanence stands renewed. Thanks to him."
Corruption Stirs
The ground quaked. From the corrupted roots, massive abominations rose—twisted parodies of beasts and soldiers, fueled by despair. The city's heart pulsed black like a beating heart.
Welt (Herrscher aura blazing):
"This planet is a cage. Break the core, and we free it."
Neo (smiling coldly):
"Then let's burn the cage."
Into the Fire
The team leapt into motion:
• Neo's Trailblaze aura split pathways through the corruption, carving clear ground as they advanced.
• Dan Heng's true dragon power ripped through the skies, his spear glowing like a comet.
• Zhongli summoned pillars and shields that hummed with ancient authority, shaking the land itself.
• Welt's restored Reason conjured constructs of brilliance, crushing waves of creatures in sweeping arcs.
• The Avengers, Astral crew, and chat group warriors fought as one, synchronized and stronger than ever before.
The planet shuddered under the combined force.
And yet… in the deepest part of the corruption, a whispering voice laughed.
Transmigrator (distorted, echoing through the roots):
"You think this is salvation? No. This world is only the beginning. And you, Aeon… will choke on the weight of your mercy."
Neo narrowed his eyes, void flames burning.
Neo (quiet, resolute):
"Then I'll Trailblaze through you too."
The first true battle for the planet's core had begun.
✨ End of Chapter 16 – Roots in Shadows, Flames of Renewal ✨
(The team investigates the corruption, Neo restores and empowers allies, and the fight against the world's core begins with the Transmigrator's shadow looming.)
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 17 – Nameless, United, Unbreakable
Planet Core – War Erupts
The world cracked beneath their feet as corrupted roots exploded outward, spewing endless horrors. The sky turned scarlet, and the air itself hissed like acid.
The Transmigrator's voice slithered through the battlefield:
"Fight, struggle, burn… it doesn't matter. This planet is already mine."
Neo didn't move. He stood at the center, Aeon power restrained, eyes locked onto the shifting corruption. Waiting. Calculating. Preparing.
Neo (calmly):
"Everyone else—tear it apart. I'll handle the heart."
Split Sub-Battles
Thor vs Corrupted Juggernauts
Thunder split the skies as Thor clashed against mountain-sized corrupted beasts. Each swing of Mjolnir was a storm, lightning purifying with every strike.
Thor (roaring):
"For Midgard! For the stars themselves!"
Tony vs Mechanical Aberrations (with March 7th)
Corrupted machines rose from the ruins, warped mockeries of technology. Tony's nanotech armor clashed against them mid-air, firing precision blasts.
Tony (grinning under his helmet):
"Guess I'm back in the robotics business."
Beside him, March 7th fired arrow after arrow, freezing monstrosities for Tony to shatter.
March (excited):
"We make a good team, metal man!"
Tony: "Best crossover collab of my life."
Wanda & Natasha vs Corrupted Witches
Scarlet chaos twisted through the battlefield as Wanda unleashed controlled torrents of hex energy, while Natasha fought with precision, breaking corrupted witches at close quarters.
Wanda (focused):
"No more lives lost to corruption."
Natasha (reloading calmly):
"Then let's end it, one bullet at a time."
Together, chaos and precision danced side by side.
Hulk & Dan Heng vs Corrupted Dragons
Massive corrupted draconic entities descended, roaring fire and bile. Dan Heng, fully awakened as Scion of Permanence, met them with spear and dragon form.
Dan Heng (eyes glowing):
"You mock the legacy of dragons. I'll erase you."
Beside him, Hulk leapt into the fray, smashing with primal fury.
Hulk (grinning wildly):
"Hulk smash dragon!"
The unlikely duo shattered scales and bones in unison.
Zhongli & Welt vs Root Guardians
At the corrupted root's edge, colossal guardians stood—manifestations of the planet's pain. Zhongli's divine shields and meteors hammered down while Welt, Herrscher of Reason restored, crafted blazing constructs that tore through the enemies.
Zhongli (voice steady, ancient):
"This world will endure."
Welt (cold, resolute):
"And reason will not be consumed."
Together, endurance and logic crushed the corrupted roots.
Himeko (Chat Group) & Himeko (Express) vs Fire-Wrought Corruption
Two Himekos—both tempered by loss, both aflame with will—fought side by side. Their flames merged, one from the Cocoon of the End, the other from Astral Express.
Himeko (Express, fierce smile):
"Never thought I'd fight with… myself."
Himeko (Chat Group):
"Then burn twice as bright."
Twin firestorms scorched the corrupted skies.
Neo's Silent Watch
As battles raged, Neo remained still, hands folded behind his back, scanning the battlefield with void-like eyes. His aura flared subtly, unseen threads extending.
Inside the Cocoon of the End, corruption signatures mapped themselves. The Transmigrator's core location was revealed—hidden deep within the planet's root system.
Neo (softly):
"…Found you."
Final Trump Card – The Expresses
In the Imaginary Sea, Neo stretched his Aeon powers outward. He touched abandoned, broken Astral Express Trains drifting across timelines. One by one, he restored them—repairing engines, purifying rails, and filling them with his Trailblaze essence.
The cosmos trembled as multiple Astral Expresses roared back to life, converging across the world.
Pom-Pom (eyes wide, trembling):
"T-The Expresses… multiplied?!"
The chat group erupted:
[Asuna]: He's restoring other Expresses!?
[Kiana]: That's cheating! That's so Neo though.
[Bruce]: Remind me never to play chess with him.
Strike on the Transmigrator
The corrupted roots quaked violently as the Transmigrator sensed Neo's lock-on.
Transmigrator (panicking):
"No… you can't—how did you—?!"
Neo finally moved. His aura erupted—Trailblaze and Permanence, Azathoth and Cocoon, Tensura and Aeon light—blending into one overwhelming presence.
Neo (cold, absolute):
"You should've stayed hidden. Now… you're done."
The restored Astral Expresses roared downward in a cosmic barrage, rails of light piercing the planet's core. Neo channeled every ounce of his power through them, forming a constellation-shaped seal of void and eternity.
The strike landed. The Transmigrator screamed, corruption shattering across the world.
✨ End of Chapter 17 – Nameless, United, Unbreakable ✨
(Each hero shines in battle, Neo executes the perfect trap, and the restored Astral Express fleet delivers the decisive blow against the Transmigrator's core.)
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 18 – Ashes of Salvation, Shadows of Resurrection
Aftermath – A World Saved
The skies of the corrupted planet finally cleared, the red mist dissolving into soft, crystalline light. Across the cities, civilians stepped out of their ruined shelters for the first time in years, gazing upward at the newly healed skies.
Children laughed as the first drops of pure rain fell. Elders wept, clutching the soil that no longer burned their hands.
Civilians (weeping joyfully):
"We… we're free."
"The nightmare is gone…"
"Thank the Nameless, thank the Trailblaze…"
On the battlefield, the Astral Express crew, Avengers, and chat group members stood among the survivors. Exhausted, but triumphant.
March 7th (wiping sweat, smiling):
"That's… one for the history books."
Natasha (reholstering her guns):
"Another world walks the Trail."
Factions React Across the Cosmos
News of purification spread like wildfire.
• IPC whispered nervously in their corporate halls. "The Aeon of Trailblaze reshapes markets and order… we must adapt or die."
• The Xianzhou Alliance bowed their heads in reverence, their generals recognizing Neo's miracle as something even their fleets could never achieve.
• The Genius Society argued passionately—half demanding to study Neo, the other half declaring him too dangerous to provoke.
• Aeons stirred uneasily in their domains, their silence more telling than words.
The universe trembled—not in destruction, but in awe.
Neo's Unease
But while celebration spread, Neo did not smile. His gaze pierced the healed skies, his aura tightly coiled.
Neo (low voice):
"…Too easy. That strike should've ended him."
The others exchanged uneasy looks, but before they could ask—
The Transmigrator's Last Trick
The ground quaked violently. A scream echoed from the void, tearing through every mind on the planet.
From the ashes of corruption, the Transmigrator reformed—twisted, stronger, radiating a stolen mockery of divine power. His eyes burned with hatred.
Transmigrator (laughing manically):
"Did you think me so fragile?! Death itself cannot chain me!"
He was stronger—but still two levels below Neo's Aeon supremacy. Enough to be a threat.
Neo's expression hardened into true seriousness for the first time since becoming an Aeon.
Neo (flatly, deadly calm):
"…Then I'll erase even your resurrection."
The Full Power of Azathoth, God of the Void
The battlefield shook as Neo unleashed his complete Tensura origin power—the Ultimate Skill: Azathoth, God of the Void.
• Space collapsed into nothingness around Neo.
• Infinite eyes opened within the darkness of his aura.
• The planet's skies blackened as the void expanded, swallowing everything unnecessary.
The chat group went silent. Even Nanook the Destruction, far across the cosmos, shivered.
Neo (voice like thunder in the void):
"I am Azathoth—the Void that devours. Return to nothing."
The Transmigrator screamed as Azathoth consumed him—not only destroying his body but devouring the concept of his existence, dragging fragments of his essence into Neo's endless void.
Manas: Seraphina – Analyzing Resurrection
Within Neo's soulscape, the voice of Manas: Seraphina rang out.
Seraphina:
"Analyzing anomaly… resurrection function detected. Counter-concept creation in progress."
The void shifted, reshaping itself into new principles. Neo was not only destroying—but learning, adapting.
Neo (murmuring):
"Good. Next time, resurrection won't save anyone. Not even gods."
Final Erasure
Azathoth roared with infinite hunger. The Transmigrator's body dissolved into screaming fragments, swallowed whole into the abyss. His last words echoed pitifully:
Transmigrator (desperate, fading):
"No… no! I am eternal! I—"
Neo (final):
"You were."
With a single gesture, Neo collapsed the void. Silence returned.
The Transmigrator—gone forever.
Aftermath – The Weight of Erasure
The battlefield was quiet. The crew, Avengers, and civilians watched Neo in awe and fear. His aura dimmed back into humanity, but the memory of the void lingered.
Pom-Pom (voice trembling):
"…Trailblazer… you really erased him."
March 7th (half in awe, half scared):
"Neo… you're not just an Aeon, are you?"
Neo (quietly, eyes softened):
"…I'm me. That's all that matters."
But deep inside, Neo knew the truth—this battle wasn't the end. The corruption wasn't random. Someone—or something—had been feeding the Transmigrator.
And now, with resurrection devoured and analyzed, Neo prepared for the wars still to come.
✨ End of Chapter 18 – Ashes of Salvation, Shadows of Resurrection ✨
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 19 – Echoes of the Void, Whispers of Permanence
Aboard the Astral Express – The Calm After the Storm
The train hummed softly as it drifted across the starry expanse. The echoes of battle still lingered in everyone's minds, but for now, it was time to breathe.
Neo sat in the observation car, gazing at the flowing light of the imaginary space. Around him, the crew and allies gathered, their exhaustion giving way to cautious relief.
March 7th (stretching):
"That was… terrifying. And amazing. You didn't just beat that Transmigrator, Neo—you erased him."
Pom-Pom (clutching its tail nervously):
"Erase… is that even possible? That wasn't just Trailblaze… it was something else."
Neo didn't immediately respond. His hands folded, his aura quiet, as though the void had never touched him.
Velgrynd's Explanation – What Azathoth Really Is
Velgrynd, arms crossed, broke the silence.
Velgrynd (serious, clarifying):
"Don't misunderstand what you saw. Azathoth isn't some cosmic horror. It isn't an eldritch being—just a skill, born in another world's system of power. A creation of concepts, not a god."
She leaned forward, her tone sharp.
Velgrynd:
"In Tensura's worldview, skills evolve, merge, and ascend. 'Ultimate Skills' embody laws and ideas. Azathoth—God of the Void—wasn't a creature Neo summoned. It's simply his ability, the strongest expression of his will. Nothing more."
Welt Yang (nodding thoughtfully):
"So it's not a monster from beyond reality—it's a tool. One others may one day learn to counter."
Neo (quietly, agreeing):
"Exactly. Power means nothing if it can't be challenged. Azathoth is just one of many paths I've walked."
Crew & Allies Reacting to the Nameless' Growth
One by one, the others reflected on what had changed:
• Dan Heng stood straighter, his dragon blood no longer sealed, radiating permanence. For the first time in ages, his gaze didn't hold shame—but pride.
• Zhongli sat calmly, golden eyes glowing with restored might. His erosion was gone, and the weight of his millennia of wisdom was whole again.
• Welt Yang tested his Herrscher of Reason power, shaping constructs of brilliance, his connection to the Imaginary restored.
• Even Pom-Pom sparkled faintly with the gift Neo had given—no longer bound only to the train, but a true traveler on the Trailblaze path.
Natasha (softly, smiling at the group):
"It's not just worlds being healed… it's us, too. Everyone's walking farther along the path together."
Factions React Across the Stars
As the Astral Express drifted on, whispers spread through the factions:
• Xianzhou Alliance: Generals and ministers bowed before star maps, astonished. "The Imbibitor Lunae… returned as the True Scion of Permanence. The Mandate of Heaven lives again. We must tread carefully."
• IPC: Board members argued furiously. "Not just Neo, but his companions are ascending. Even those thought eroded, diminished, or past their prime are returning to power. What economy can withstand this?"
• Genius Society: Half rejoiced at the chance to study miracles; half trembled at the danger. "A crew of walking impossibilities… this is no longer just the Trailblaze."
And in the distance…
• Aeons themselves stirred uneasily.
• Nanook, weakened, seethed at the memory of his broken Path, but dared not face Neo again so soon.
• Lan, the Hunt, remained silent, the memory of Neo's suffocating aura making him reconsider his arrogance.
• Yaoshi, Abundance, whispered in curiosity—what did it mean for mortals to carry such permanence?
Neo's Private Thought
As the discussions quieted, Neo closed his eyes, speaking softly to himself.
Neo (inner voice):
"Azathoth isn't invincible. Nothing is. If one world's logic birthed it, another world's logic can counter it. And when we face those worlds… we'll need more than power. We'll need unity."
He turned his gaze back to the crew, to the Nameless, to his companions—smiling faintly.
Neo (to them):
"Rest well. Tomorrow, the path continues. Together."
The Express glided silently into the cosmos, carrying not just warriors, but legends reborn.
✨ End of Chapter 19 – Echoes of the Void, Whispers of Permanence ✨
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 20 – Whispers of a Broken World
Astral Express – Aftermath Training & Investigation
The hum of the Astral Express carried with it a quiet rhythm of focus. In the wake of the Transmigrator's defeat, calm returned—but no one mistook it for safety.
Neo stood at the observation car, eyes half-closed, extending his senses into the tides of Imaginary space. Threads of corruption still stretched through the Tree of Imaginary Numbers… and one thread pulsed with ominous familiarity.
Neo (murmuring):
"…a resonance with Welt Yang's home. A world where Honkai already tore history apart. The next anomaly lies there."
The words drew the attention of the crew and Avengers alike. Training intensified almost immediately. Himeko adjusted star charts, March practiced her ice constructs with Wanda's guidance, and Welt, quietly grim, prepared himself for a return he had hoped never to make.
The Chat Group – Rewards & New Members
A soft chime echoed. The [Multiversal Chat Group] interface shimmered into existence, lines of glowing text appearing before everyone present.
[System Notice]:
"Mission rewards distributed. All active members have received:
• [Divine Energy Crystals ×5000]
• [Enhanced Skill Matrix: Universal Resonance]
• [Cosmic Reinforcement (Permanent Stat Boost)]"
Everyone confirmed the shimmering rewards manifesting into their inventories. The boost carried a warmth that stitched seamlessly with their essence.
Tony Stark (grinning in chat):
"Well… that's one hell of a level-up screen. Guess I'll take my 'cosmic reinforcement' with a side of scotch."
Welt Yang (serious):
"…Universal Resonance. It feels like it harmonizes with Imaginary constructs. This could change how I fight."
Then, another notification appeared.
[System Notice]:
"Eligible individuals aboard the Astral Express have now joined the Chat Group."
Names lit up one after another:
• March 7th
• Dan Heng (Scion of Permanence)
• Pom-Pom
• Himeko (HSR)
• Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
They blinked, slightly overwhelmed as their interfaces synced.
March 7th (excitedly typing):
"Wha—!? A chat group across universes? Wait, wait, wait, does this mean I can send stickers to Tony Stark???"
Tony (replying instantly):
"Bring it on, pink popsicle. I've got memes older than your hairstyle."
Black Widow (calm, scanning the UI):
"Efficient. Dangerous, but efficient. If this lets us coordinate across universes, it's worth the risk."
Introducing the Post-Honkai Universe
Neo turned back to the group, raising a hand as space distorted, projecting an image for all to see. A ruined Earth, skies fractured by Honkai energy, and cities half-consumed by war.
Neo:
"The next anomaly rests in Welt's own origin. The Post-Honkai Universe—what followed after the Herrschers' era. Its fabric is already unstable, weakened by repeated cycles of collapse."
Welt (grim, fists tightening):
"I thought I had left that world behind when I boarded the Express. To see it again… it will not be easy."
Himeko (supportive, smiling faintly):
"Then you won't face it alone this time. That's the point of the Trailblaze."
Steve Rogers (firm, resolute):
"Another war-torn world, another fight to save it. We've done it before—we'll do it again."
Closing – Foreshadowing the Next Stop
As everyone prepared—training, syncing their new abilities, and reviewing the fractured histories of Welt's world—Neo's gaze lingered on the Imaginary threads once more.
The corruption pulsed, darker than before, almost aware of their approach.
Neo (inner thought):
"The Post-Honkai Universe… a scar across fate itself. If corruption has rooted there, it won't be just another mission. It may be a reckoning."
The Astral Express pressed forward, engines singing. A calm before yet another storm.
✨ End of Chapter 20 – Whispers of a Broken World ✨
Arc 3: Tree of Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 21 – Echoes Before the Storm
Astral Express – Training & Bonding
The Astral Express coursed through Imaginary space, its hum steady, almost like a heartbeat. Inside, the atmosphere was both focused and strangely warm.
March 7th balanced on one foot while practicing with a projected ice bow, Wanda correcting her stance with calm precision.
Bruce Banner (Hulk), now freer with his control thanks to the chat group's purifications, sat cross-legged, running simulations of gamma stability with Tony.
Meanwhile, Pom-Pom strutted around the compartments proudly—newly empowered by Neo to Trailblaze beyond the train itself.
Pom-Pom (arms crossed):
"Remember, Express regulations still apply! Even if I can Trailblaze now, you all better be on schedule!"
March 7th (teasing):
"So, Captain Pom-Pom, does that mean you'll be the one purifying corrupted planets next?"
Pom-Pom (flustered, puffing up):
"M-March!! Don't underestimate Pom-Pom's authority!"
Laughter rippled through the cabin, lightening the heaviness of their mission.
Neo's Observation – The Calm Before Entry
Neo leaned against the window, gaze fixed on Imaginary space as his senses stretched further. Threads of corruption still pulsed faintly, like a distant infection calling to them.
Behind him, Kiana leaned on her arms, voice soft but certain.
Kiana:
"You're thinking too hard again. Even if this next stop is brutal, we've got you… and you've got us."
Neo smiled faintly but did not answer immediately. His thoughts lingered on the growing resonance between corruption and the fractured paths of fate.
Chat Group Activity
Notifications flickered.
[System Notice]:
"All members have retained their previous rewards. New training functions are unlocked within the [Simulation Space]."
The group immediately lit up:
Tony Stark:
"Training rooms across universes, synced in one interface? Yeah, I'm basically living in there."
Dan Heng (calmly):
"Efficient. This will accelerate recovery and refinement."
Black Widow (Natasha):
"Tools don't matter without teamwork. Make sure your bonds are sharp—missions like this don't forgive division."
Himiko (smirking):
"She's right. Trailblazing isn't about strength alone. It's about walking the path together."
Factions & Aeons Reacting
Beyond the Express, reactions rippled through the cosmos.
• The Xianzhou Alliance whispered uneasily about Dan Heng's confirmed return as a True Scion of Permanence, debating whether this was salvation or another omen.
• IPC observers filed frantic reports: "A new Aeon of Trailblaze and Permanence… expansion unpredictable. Proceed with caution."
• Other Aeons turned their gazes.
• Nanook simmered in weakened silence, his Path permanently scarred from Neo's defiance.
• Lan, the Hunt, avoided direct mention of Neo but quietly adjusted plans, wary of his aura.
• Nous, the Erudition, hummed in curiosity: "A mortal weaving paths across fate… fascinating. Dangerous."
Even those not aligned with corruption hesitated. Neo's very existence as an Aeon with humanity intact disrupted the natural order.
Astral Express – Quiet Conversations
Later that night cycle, small clusters formed.
• Steve Rogers sat with Welt Yang, the two veterans quietly discussing the burden of carrying worlds on their shoulders.
• Wanda and Bruce spoke of second chances, their words quiet but warm.
• March showed Natasha (Black Widow) how to send custom stickers in the chat, much to Tony's irritation.
And Neo… Neo sat with Himeko, her voice steady.
Himeko:
"You know they're looking to you more and more, right? Not just as a comrade, but as… their Aeon."
Neo:
"…I'll never get used to that title. But maybe that's good. I want to walk this path as myself, not as some untouchable god."
Himeko smiled, lifting her cup of coffee.
Himeko:
"Then keep walking. That's what Trailblazers do."
Closing – The Next Destination
The Express engines flared. Welt stood up suddenly, his eyes narrowing as space trembled.
Welt Yang:
"…We're close. The Post-Honkai Universe. My world."
The projection screens flickered, showing a ruined planet ahead, fractured skies leaking Imaginary energy like wounds in reality.
The warmth of the downtime vanished, replaced with the sharp chill of purpose. Everyone rose, united.
Neo (in thought):
"This isn't just another stop. This is where history still bleeds. We'll heal it—or it will consume us."
The Astral Express surged forward. The calm before the storm ended.
✨ End of Chapter 21 – Echoes Before the Storm ✨