❝𝙵𝚎𝚗𝚐...𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚛...𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗..?❞

🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐

After their little talk, M/n was put into a holding cell in the shackling prison. Which, in his opinion, was a little much if they had made peace just now. 

Yanqing had reconvened with the general in the office just as M/n was being taken right back to where he started. The boy gave M/n a small glare, but it was justified. M/n was partially involved in Jing Yuan's little prank on his right hand. He didn't take it to heart though.

Eventually, M/n was allowed back in after the General's conversation with the divination commissioner, Fu Xuan. 

"There are three things I can't seem to rid myself of: the troubles of the Xianzhou, the papers on my desk, and the weeds in my garden..." Jing Yuan mused as M/n walked in the room, rubbing his wrists from the less than soft ropes

"I imagine the weeds are quite an issue general." M/n deadpanned as he sat down on a couch. "She's the person I have to guard? You really do hate me."

"Sir, Diviner Fu has always wanted General's position for herself." Yanqing spoke with a sigh as he crossed his arms and stared at the two men.

"She IS very capable, but her intellect is burdened by her temper. I'll retire once she has a better balance."

"So I'm in for just a WONDERFUL experience, yes?" The man's tail flicked in annoyance as he threw some of his stray hair over his shoulder.

"You'll be just fine M/n. She's like a small dog. All bark and only a minor bite."

"Lovely."

"Listen, General, this stelleron thing is easy! Blade escaped and now we gotta go get him! Just say the word and I'll be done in a flash." Yanqing obviously overestimated how badly he was going to get hurt if he did go after the criminal. M/n knew first hand what Blade can do. Sure, he and Dan Feng were significantly stronger, but that didn't mean that Blade couldn't do any damage.

"Kid, listen. Yin- Blade..is a force to be reckoned with. The only reason he didn't kill you that time was because he wasn't there for you."

"W-Well, then why aren't you..." The boy trailed off as soon as he saw the slight glare from his general and the Vidyadhara. He immediately shut his mouth and knew that it was a losing battle to fight.

"I understand your impatience, and I know you wish to prove yourself. However, you can't just go brandishing your sword out at others. Especially a major criminal. M/n is right, Blade clearly seems to be on some kind of trip if he spoke to us in such a way. I expect he isn't the type to give up when there's a hindrance. He'll eliminate any distractions."

"Tsk...you'd think I'd actually lose to him?"

"We're saying you need patience. Running the Xianzhou is different than a sword fight. Besides..we still don't have any idea on who's moving the chess pieces. There's something we must take care of before making our next move. Until then, we're at a stalemate. That something, is the Stellaron.

"I say we bring those two stellaron hunters before Diviner Fu. She'll get an answer out of them in no time."

"I've asked our friends from the Express to take care of that for us. Worry not, your moment will come once the stalemate is broken." Jing Yuan turned towards the window facing the outside.

Yanqing just puffed his cheeks out in anger as he stormed off without the other noticing.

M/n just picked up a cup of tea on the table next to him and sipped quietly, not bothering to stop the angered boy.

"Yanqing, you are my most trusted aide, and there are some things I would only assign to you. Speaking of-"

"He's far gone Jing Yuan. You scared him off."

The general's initial shock wore off as he heaved a heavy sigh. "That boy...I suppose it is my fault. I should've given him an opportunity sooner."

"More children do not need to die in this war..." M/n cut through Jing Yuan's self pity. "Too much blood plagues your hands. Do you truly wish for his to coat them as well?"

"...A sharp sword can never stay sheathed forever. My fear is that this is going to be too much of a setback, bigger than his exuberance...I trust that he will be safe..."

"You'd better have that same drive for others as you do him. Now, this...commissioner."

🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐

"Dan Heng...you've been standing there for half an hour. I've never seen you like this before. Are you worried about those two? Welt is with them, they'll be fine." Himeko spoke gently to the brooding man who stood at the Express window with an unreadable expression.

"....Himeko, did you keep a copy of the Stellaron Hunters' transmission? May I have a look?"

"Sure...?"

Himeko surrendered the transmission to Dan Heng, who went through it quickly, speeding up to the back and forth conversation between Welt, Himeko, and Kafka.

"Stop!" He shouted. An image of Blade appeared from the transmission, and Dan Heng became serious and fearful.

"Do you...know this man?" Himeko asked, sensing the new tension in the train car. 

"The Xianzhou is in danger! ....This...This man he-.. If he's on the ship than March, Welt, and Caelus are all in trouble! They're in danger! But..."

"Is this man...connected to the past you want to escape..?"

"I....I can't just leave them down there. I'm afraid that my burden has finally caught up to me.. and that everyone else is about to get drawn in...a-and him..m-my l..."

Himeko placed her hand on Dan Heng's shoulder, cutting him off with a small smile. "Is there really anyone who doesn't carry around a past burden? Even someone as care free as March, despite not remembering. We tread on a path that is hidden from us. Burdens weigh us down..but they give us the strength to keep going. Try not to dwell on it, Dan Heng. The Express stops for several days, and it doesn't stop the passengers from doing whatever they want."

Dan Heng looks at Himeko, who just gave him a 'go on' look. "Pom-Pom and I are more than capable to take care of the express..If there's something you have to do, then do it now so you don't regret it farther down the line. You'll come back and when you're done..right?"

Dan Heng silently nodded, and without any fanfare, left the express and Himeko. 

🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐

Caelus, March, and Welt were wandering through the large shipping containers of Starskiff Haven. A small creature, Dingting, was ahead of them searching for Kafka based on traces he was given.

So far, it seemed the Astral Express was just walking around in circles, until Kafka eventually showed her face. Sadly, not much talking was done, nor did the crew get the information they needed. Soon, a fight ensued between the four. It was a hard opponent to face, but they managed to weaken her enough.

Just when they thought it was over, Kafka smirked and began shooting in the air, her bullets almost raining down on the three. 

Then...as if everything was in slow motion, a two figures came from the sky. One wielding a familiar spear, and other stopping the bullets in real time.

"Rudementary...your every move.." A soft, feminine voice cut through the shock and amazement. "...has been forseen by the omnesia.."

The woman landed gracefully, as the barrage of bullets stop and M/n stepped up beside her. 

"Fu Xuan, the Divination Commissioner." She introduced herself. "I'll be taking the criminal from here."

"M/n!"

🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐