Honkai Star Rail: Survive. Adapt. Overcome.

"One extra zero...? No... Two? Five? How many zeroes are there?!" Seele's eyes widened as she stared at the number on the phone. "Why did this disaster have to happen during the festival? I just wanted to eat sweets until I burst..."

"Ugh, there are so many digits that just looking at them gives me a headache." March muttered, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"With that many credits, couldn't I just buy my own planet, found the Galactic Bat Legion, and show the Antimatter Legion what real destruction looks like?" Stelle murmured with a crooked grin.

Aleph retrieved his phone and walked away—somehow, Stelle's ideas had sent a strange chill down his spine.

With a sigh, he began composing a clear and concise message for Himeko, skipping the convoluted legalese that usually accompanied IPC contracts.

[Aleph: "Jarilo-VI is on the verge of being seized as corporate property. Bronya requested help. Can the Astral Express intervene without too many complications?"]

Perfect.

Aleph nodded to himself, impressed by his own eloquence.

March slumped onto one of the platform's metal benches.

"I never thought I'd have to worry about bankruptcy... I can't even manage my own spending without Dan Heng or Mr. Yang helping me."

A figure approached from the far end of the upper hallway.

Followed by her little dimensional piggy, Topaz stopped a safe distance from the group, wearing a smile.

"Thanks for waiting." She paused. "I'm sorry about what happened with Skott and his subordinates. I want you to know those actions were not ordered by me."

Aleph watched her silently, arms crossed.

Topaz sighed.

"It was a unilateral move. An 'aggressive interpretation' of regulations. All I can promise is that it won't happen again... as long as it's up to me, of course."

"Thanks for saying that." Seele replied, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

Topaz gave a slight nod, then turned and walked off down the same hallway.

"We need to talk to Bronya. If anyone can find a way out of this, it's her."

...

The group moved to return to the Overworld.

Aleph walked calmly, glancing around.

[Master... Have you thought about what you'll do to treat your condition?]

"No. I don't think I have an answer—or even an idea."

[...]

Distracted by his mental conversation with Burroughs, he didn't notice Stelle stepping in front of him, blocking his path.

Aleph tried to walk forward, but Stelle quickly grabbed his arm with a firm grip.

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly.

Aleph glanced at the others; they hadn't noticed and were still walking ahead.

A dozen answers spun through his mind, but when he tried to speak, none came out.

He lifted his gaze—gold met gold—as he stared into her eyes.

"Yes."

Stelle didn't blink.

"I don't believe you." She said, not letting go. Her grip tightened. "Aleph, I'm not joking. You have that look—the same one from when those guns appeared in your hands, the same one you had on the Luofu before your fight with Blade."

Cold wind swept pale dust across the metal floor.

"What madness are you about to dive into now?"

Aleph couldn't hold her gaze anymore when he saw the tremble in her eyes.

He clicked his tongue in frustration.

Since when was Stelle so perceptive?

"I'm doing what I have to do. Nothing more." He replied in the most neutral tone he could muster. "My situation doesn't matter right now. Our priority should be helping Belobog overcome this crisis."

Stelle frowned as Aleph gently removed her hand from his arm.

"We should hurry. You've seen what Skott did—what makes you think others won't try the same? Or that it isn't already happening somewhere else in the Underworld?"

"Aleph…"

"The sooner we resolve this, the sooner we can enjoy the Calisol Festival and some well-deserved vacation time. Let's go!" He said as he strode ahead to rejoin the group.

Stelle remained silent, staring after him.

"Why won't you let me help you? What are you afraid of?" She murmured, clenching her fists. "Am I really that untrustworthy in your eyes? Why? I'm strong—I can handle anything."

Her gaze stayed fixed on his fading silhouette as a storm of anger began to rise within her.

"I will help you, whether you want me to or not."

********

[Master…] Burroughs's voice was filled with hesitation. [Do you believe you did the right thing by not telling Stelle about your current condition?]

Aleph said nothing as he continued walking alongside the others toward Qlipoth Fortress.

"…I'm not sure. After all, there wasn't really a right choice. It came down to either telling her and making her worry… or lying and making her angry." He replied, feeling a knot in his stomach—he didn't like lying to Stelle.

[Have you already given up?]

"No, but I'll handle this on my own. It's better if the others don't find out. If it comes down to it and I can't find a way to save myself, I'll do what any sick animal does—go somewhere quiet and wait for death alone."

[If I could make my fists tangible, I'd hit you.] Burroughs's voice, usually cold, carried a clear edge of anger at how indifferent Aleph sounded toward his own life.

...

The atmosphere was tense as the group entered Bronya's office.

Once inside, they saw that several people were present in addition to Bronya.

"Bronya." Seele stepped forward, drawing attention to herself as she called out to her friend, who quickly turned to look at them. She looked exhausted.

"March already filled me in on what happened in the Underworld." She said, prompting everyone to glance at March.

"Hmph! It was the best way to save us time and the effort of explaining everything again once we got here!" She said with her hands on her hips.

Ahem. Bronya coughed lightly into her hand to get their attention.

"Back to the point—Topaz arrived well before you did and made me an offer."

Seele, Gepard, and Aleph immediately tensed.

"Did she try to coerce you into something?" Aleph asked.

"Blink twice if they slipped you some kind of special drug that forces you to say only nice things about them." Seele added.

"I guess we took too long on the way back…" Gepard muttered, as the others glanced at March, who was innocently whistling and avoiding eye contact.

Not her fault the line for crepes had been absurdly long—or that Aleph and Stelle had split up partway through the trip!

Bronya shook her head and sighed.

"Please treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves. And no, Aleph, I wasn't coerced into anything. But yes, she did make a proposal."

...

Topaz had shared her story—how her homeworld had suffered a different but equally devastating tragedy. A pollution so thick it blackened the sky, killed crops, and forced people to live behind gas masks.

"That's when the Corporation showed up?" Gepard asked. "Forgive my bluntness—but how can you be sure what she said is true? What if she's just lying to gain your sympathy?"

"Someone else confirmed the facts for me. Please, let me finish before interrupting. In exchange for everyone joining as employees, they offered their technology. Thanks to it, they were able to restore their planet." Bronya closed her eyes for a moment. "Despite my personal feelings on the matter… I came very close to signing." She confessed.

Seele slammed her hand on the desk.

"You're kidding! You seriously considered that?!"

Bronya met her gaze head-on.

"I thought about my people—about their future. If that meant selling our autonomy, maybe it was worth it."

Seele looked at her with disapproval.

Aleph and Stelle exchanged a brief glance.

"Later, one of their colleagues joined the meeting just as I was about to sign. Miss Himeko revealed what Topaz had left out: while her story was true, her planet had been a fortunate exception. The Corporation's success rate in these interventions barely reaches 50%." Bronya stood from her seat. "I thanked her sincerely. And in the end, I did what, deep down, I believed was right."

Her steady gaze swept across the room, meeting each of theirs.

"You arrived just in time. I want you to travel across Belobog—both the surface and the Underworld. Talk to the people. Listen to their voices. If you decide to sign with the Corporation, so be it. But the decision will be yours."

Aleph nodded silently. Beside him, Stelle clenched her fists, saying nothing.

"Also, Miss Himeko and Dan Heng are in the next room." Bronya added. "She asked me to tell you to speak with her before you leave."

....

After leaving the main office, the group headed into the adjoining room. Inside, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.

Dan Heng was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and eyes closed. His posture was calm, but not exactly relaxed.

Himeko sat beside a small table, quietly sipping a cup of coffee.

Cocolia was murmuring to herself, her hands clasped in front of her mouth.

"…What if Bronya is wrong? What if she makes a decision she can't take back…?"

"Then instead of tormenting yourself over it." Himeko said calmly. "Why not prepare yourself to support her in case she needs it?"

Cocolia looked at her, surprised. She blinked, taking in her words, and finally nodded in silence.

"Himeko!" March cried out, running to her. "You're here!"

She hugged her tightly. Himeko let out a soft laugh and returned the hug with one arm.

"It's good to see you. I can tell you haven't been wasting time." Her eyes landed on Aleph. "Thanks for contacting me—though next time, try to be a little less vague."

Aleph scratched the back of his neck, but didn't respond.

Dan Heng opened his eyes. His gaze went straight to Aleph, then to Stelle and March.

"So… what mess have you gotten into this time?"

"Hey!" March huffed, cheeks puffed. "It wasn't our fault! We were just trying to help."

"Yeah, the problems were already here before we showed up." Stelle added.

"Between the museum theft—still no culprit—and the mess with the Corporation, it's more like the problems came looking for us, not the other way around." Aleph crossed his arms.

"My demons have been searching for clues about the theft." He added. "But so far, nothing concrete. Mr. Cold Feet is pretty slippery."

Dan Heng nodded, but his expression soon hardened.

"Be careful when dealing with the Corporation." His voice was more serious than usual. "Before I joined the Express, I worked for them for a while. What I saw wasn't pretty."

A short silence followed. Himeko set her cup aside, her gaze drifting momentarily to Aleph.

"Aleph…" She looked at him closely. "Are you alright?"

"You look really pale." Dan Heng added. "More than usual."

Aleph looked away.

"Must be the weather." He said casually. "Belobog's not exactly tropical."

Stelle glanced at him from the side but said nothing.

Himeko narrowed her eyes, but didn't push the matter.

...

Soon, the group split up, following Bronya's instructions.

"I'll speak with the other Guards." Gepard said, adjusting his gloves. "The opinion of those who defend this city should be taken into account."

"I'll head to the Administrative District!" March announced, raising her hand. "They say Belobog's best bakery is there… Uh—I mean, I'm sure the people there have some important thoughts to share!"

The others sighed.

"I'll handle the Underworld." Seele said. "I'll talk to the miners, the drifters, and the Wildfire members. Natasha and Oleg probably have a lot to say about all this."

"I'll go to the nearby district." Aleph said.

"I'm coming with you." Stelle added calmly.

Aleph simply nodded.

...

An hour later, the group gathered again in front of Qlipoth Fortress.

Inside the office, the tension was thick.

On the right side, Topaz stood waiting, arms crossed, several Corporation employees lined up behind her like some kind of honor guard. Her dimensional piggy, Conti, waddled around playfully at her feet.

On the left side, Bronya stood firm, flanked by her advisors and with Cocolia just behind her.

Aleph handed over the collected data. The others followed suit.

One of Bronya's advisors reviewed the information and, after a few minutes, gave the verdict.

"A tie."

Silence fell instantly as everyone processed the result. Cocolia's expression was one of disbelief.

"In that case…" One of the employees behind Topaz began to say.

Bronya raised her voice, cutting off whatever he had been about to say.

"There's still one person left to decide." Bronya declared, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I chose not to cast my vote until I was certain of what the people of Belobog had chosen."

**************

"My decision is final." Bronya's voice was clear and unwavering. "I refuse to accept the contract."

Topaz, arms crossed, shook her head. Her expression, though controlled, couldn't completely hide her frustration.

"Turning down this opportunity, given Jarilo-VI's current economic situation, could have serious consequences." She said calmly. "Rebuilding Belobog, reclaiming the areas lost to the Fragmentum… not to mention the astronomical debt you're carrying. Are you sure this is the right call?"

Bronya smiled gently.

"Let me show you the reason behind my confidence."

She stood and, with a gesture, signaled for Topaz to follow. The rest—Aleph, Stelle, March, Dan Heng, Seele, Gepard, and Himeko—joined without needing to be told.

As they walked, Himeko offered a faint smile. March, ever curious, noticed right away.

"Do you know what she's going to show us, Himeko?"

"I do." Himeko replied without stopping. "But I'm not going to spoil the surprise."

March and Stelle exchanged a knowing look before turning toward Dan Heng in perfect sync, giving him pleading eyes.

"Daaaan~" Stelle murmured.

"Pleaaase~" Added March.

Dan Heng sighed without even looking at them.

"Be patient. You'll see soon enough."

Both of them groaned in defeat.

...

The walk wasn't long, but it was steep. They climbed a mountain path until they reached a ridge near Everwinter Hill—the site of the battle that, just months earlier, had changed Jarilo-VI's fate.

And then they saw it.

Nestled against the slope, the massive colossus stood silent and imposing. The Engine of Creation, surrounded by towering scaffolding, was being restored.

There, men and women of all ages—miners, guards, drifters, children, and elders—worked side by side. Hammers rang out. Voices mingled. There was sweat, yes, but also determination.

Topaz came to a halt, visibly surprised.

Bronya turned to her.

"The Engine of Creation was originally designed to assist in Belobog's reconstruction after the Eternal Freeze. Its existence was kept secret. It was built around 300 years after the start of our frozen era."

Topaz frowned.

"I had no records of this..."

"I figured." Bronya crossed her arms. "It was a sealed project—kept hidden even from high-ranking officials. Even I didn't know about it until recently."

Aleph stepped forward, silently taking in the scene. Without saying a word, he walked over to a group lifting a heavy beam and helped them carry it.

One by one, the others followed.

Seele gave directions to workers from the Underworld while helping the children nearby. Dan Heng, without a word, reinforced one of the side supports. Stelle and March joined the rubble-clearing team, laughing between each haul. Himeko simply watched, nodding faintly in approval.

Bronya stepped beside Topaz.

"Is this enough to prove that Jarilo-VI can stand on its own?"

Topaz chuckled softly. For a moment, her expression softened.

"Yeah. It's clear I lost this round." Her gaze returned to the Engine of Creation and the people surrounding it. "I'll do what I can to get you a longer repayment term."

She went quiet for a beat, then murmured under her breath.

"If our people had been this stubborn… and this united… maybe things would've been different."

She turned to Bronya and extended a hand.

"My best wishes to you and to Jarilo-VI. The Corporation will sign a new contract with you—this time, to provide materials for restoration."

Bronya took her hand without hesitation.

...

Hours later, snow was falling gently over the frozen plains.

Near her ship, Topaz was checking her phone while Conti played in the snow. The device buzzed violently. Topaz frowned.

"Conti, quiet."

Seeing the name on the screen, she sighed in resignation before answering.

"Aventurine."

"Well, well." the man's teasing voice echoed through the line. "Seems like your job on Jarilo-VI wasn't as simple as you thought."

Topaz groaned.

"Now what?"

"Due to your decisions, you've been demoted two ranks. Down from P45 to P43." He laughed mockingly. "Which puts me above you now."

"Sure, enjoy it while it lasts. You accepted that assignment in Penacony, remember? You could end up worse than I did."

"True. But if I pull it off, I'll climb even higher. That's the thrill of betting, isn't it?" He chuckled. "Oh, and by the way—they asked me to bring a partner."

There was an awkward silence as Topaz rubbed her forehead in annoyance.

"I picked you."

Topaz let out a frustrated groan.

"Perfect..."

"Oh, and one more thing." His tone shifted to a more curious one. "Are you really sure you want to cover the cost of the materials being sent to Belobog yourself?"

Topaz gazed off into the distance. Her voice softened, but remained firm.

"What does it matter? I've had more than I need for a long time."

She paused, glancing at Conti.

"Besides… this is an investment."

***************************************************************************

Extra: The Other Side

Part 01: Is He Gone?

The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner. A pile of empty bottles rested on the low living room table. Pizza leftovers still sat in their boxes, and the smell of melted cheese was starting to linger in the air.

Kevin yawned as he stretched his arms. He was lying on his back on the couch, the remote resting on his chest.

"What time is it?" He asked without lifting his head.

"Past five." Su answered from the kitchen, glancing at the microwave clock. "He said the day before yesterday he'd call at four-thirty."

Mei scoffed, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. She was sitting on the carpet, back against the couch.

"He probably forgot. Or he's busy trying to charm some dumb Italian girl."

Mike, who was sitting at the table with a can of soda, slowly turned his head toward her. Su swallowed. Kevin opened one eye.

"…Charm?" Somehow, using that word to describe him felt off.

"Don't look at me like that." Mei shot back, eyes still on her phone. "What other excuse is there for turning off your phone after promising to call?"

She pouted and kept muttering things that left the others a bit puzzled.

Kevin sat up, a faint frown forming on his face.

That part was strange—if he remembered right, his phone only turned off when the battery died.

"Are you sure it's off?"

"No. But he's not answering, and we haven't gotten a single notification."

Su pulled out her phone and dialed.

Everyone fell silent, listening to the ring… which didn't last long.

An automated voice came on almost immediately:

> "The number you have dialed is not available. Please try again later."

"Out of coverage." Su murmured, frowning at the screen.

"That makes no sense." Mike said, pursing his lips. "He said he had international roaming on. We even checked it at the airport."

Mei stood up abruptly.

"What kind of roaming cuts out this bad?"

Kevin didn't answer. He just got up slowly and walked to the window. From there, he could see the quiet street and the corner convenience store's sign.

"Maybe he fell asleep." He said, though he didn't sound convinced. "The trip must've worn him out. And seeing what's left of his family probably drained him enough to forget to call."

Mei muttered something unintelligible and sat back down. Mike started tapping the can against the table, no rhythm to it.

Su looked at her phone again, then at the others.

"Should we try calling his grandparents' house in Italy?"

"He didn't give the number." Kevin replied, eyes still fixed on the sky.

Then, a sound caught their attention—Mike's phone started ringing.

Mike was the first to react. He got up to check.

"Could it be him?"

He rushed to the phone and brought it to his ear.

"Hello?" A puzzled look appeared on his face. "Yes, we're all here. Who is this?"

Mike's mouth fell open in a way that would've been funny—if not for the growing sense of dread in the room.

"…What?"

Kevin and Mei looked at him.

Mike looked back at them, face suddenly serious.

"It's the police."

Mei shot to her feet.

"What?"

Su stepped closer.

Mike motioned for them to come near and put the call on speaker.

> "Good afternoon. Am I speaking with one of ***** *******'s emergency contacts?"

Su nodded, though it wasn't needed.

"Yes, we're all here. Did something happen?"

> "We're calling because the flight he was on never reached its destination. It's currently listed as missing. There's no sign of an accident, but there are also no records of a landing or diversion. We've been instructed to contact those who saw him last before boarding. Did you notice anything unusual at the airport?"

The officer waited.

But no one answered.

Kevin was still staring at the landline like he didn't understand it.

Mei had dropped her phone on the floor.

Su opened her mouth… but couldn't say a word.

Mike's hand was shaking.

> "Hello?" The voice insisted. "Are you still there?"

But no one replied.

************

The day went by with an artificial sense of normalcy.

Mike had spent the whole afternoon going through his playlist for next month's school trip, convinced that ***** would show up at any moment and make fun of his taste in '90s pop music.

Mei, though she didn't say anything, had taken and kept her friend's stuffed animal collection at her house.

Kevin didn't say a single word all afternoon.

After lunch, once classes were over, he locked himself in his room.

No one bothered him. Of the four, he was the closest to *****, so it didn't seem all that strange that he'd react this way.

*****'s phone was still out of coverage, but by now it had become a kind of habit to try calling him every so often.

He could disappear for a couple of days and then come back with an excuse so ridiculous it somehow sounded believable.

Weird things had happened to him before.

He was probably fine.

Right?

**********

Mei nearly spilled her glass of water as she stood up and let out a yawn. Mike tripped over a chair. Su, on the other hand, stayed seated, watching cat videos.

Soon, the sound of the doorbell rang out, followed by the front door slowly opening.

It was Mei's father, briefcase in one hand and a faintly furrowed brow on his face.

He greeted them with a quick nod and asked with mild curiosity.

"He's not back yet?"

Mei shook her head, holding back a sigh.

"Any news about the flight or the passengers?"

The man took a moment to respond. He set the briefcase down on the dining table and reached into his pocket for his phone.

"Still nothing official." He finally said. "The flight dropped off radar over the Mediterranean. Its signal vanished like it just... disappeared into thin air."

Mike raised his hand.

"What are they saying about it?"

The man looked at him with a conflicted expression, as if unsure how much to tell.

"They think it was likely a technical issue. Sometimes flights go off course, make emergency landings. The main thing is to stay calm and wait for official updates."

Kevin came downstairs just then, hair still damp from a long shower.

He was wearing his usual black-and-orange hoodie, but his shoelaces were a mess. That alone was almost alarming for Kevin.

"So officially… they don't know if he's alive or dead?" He asked in a low voice, like he didn't really want to hear the answer.

"Officially, he's 'out of contact'." The man answered carefully. "But considering it's been over six days, yes — both he and the other passengers have now been listed as missing."

Kevin nodded. Then he went back upstairs without saying another word.

The rest of the afternoon felt thicker than regular time. The house had pretty much become their base of operations.

The TV stayed on, but no one was watching.

Notifications kept coming in on their phones. The world kept spinning, as if he hadn't gone missing at all.

And deep down, even if no one said it out loud, they were all thinking the same thing:

He'll show up tomorrow. Surely.

*************

A month had passed since the plane vanished.

The investigation was still ongoing, but with each passing day, the media spoke of it less, and the families were pushed into the uncomfortable silence of resignation.

For many, accepting death had become the only way to move forward.

Even they, no matter how much they clung to the idea that he might still be alive, couldn't hold on forever.

Kevin outright refused to accept that fate.

*********

The school trip to Aomi City had been planned before everything happened, but the teachers decided to go through with the itinerary anyway, believing it would be a healthy distraction. No one dared to argue—at least not openly.

Around noon, the students were released to find lunch at the local food stalls. Kevin, Su, and Mike walked through the city streets, taking in the scent of grilled meat and fried noodles, when they came to a sudden halt.

"Again…" Mike groaned, slapping his forehead, not sure whether to laugh or get frustrated.

"You've got to be kidding me." Su sighed, closing her eyes like she already knew what had happened.

Kevin just brought a hand to the bridge of his nose. No one needed to say a word.

Mei had gotten lost.

Again.

Her sense of direction was truly terrible.

They tried calling her, but she didn't pick up.

...

Just when they were about to split up to go look for her, Su's phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number.

"Hello?" She answered.

"I got lost again…" Mei's voice sounded flustered, but relieved. "I ended up at some random high school and I have no idea how I got here. But thankfully I met a really kind girl who lent me her phone."

"You okay?" Kevin cut in, leaning in to hear better.

"Yeah, yeah. Nothing bad happened. Hua said she'll give you directions. I'll be waiting at the main entrance."

"We're on our way." Kevin replied, already turning around.

Mike let out a bitter laugh.

"How the hell does she manage to get lost that badly?"

"It's one of her unique talents." Su replied, shaking her head.

They walked calmly toward the spot she mentioned.

**********

The girl, who didn't seem much older than them, introduced herself as Hua.

Her uniform was spotless, her expression neutral, her gaze sharp.

…Somehow, Mike found her intimidating, though he couldn't explain why.

...

After a few minutes of casual conversation, just as they were about to leave—

Hua's friend, Carole, suddenly shouted.

"Did you see that?!" She yelled, pointing toward the street.

Several people were snarling and lunging at others, biting them and tearing into their flesh.

Su turned just in time to see a group of bodies scrambling across the schoolyard, trampling each other in a chaotic frenzy.

Dark veins bulged beneath pale skin.

A purplish glow seeped from open wounds.

Mike turned pale.

"N-no way… Are those zombies? No… No, no, no—"

"Calm down." Su said, frowning, before karate-chopping him on the head. "They haven't noticed us yet. Which is surprising, considering someone screamed just now."

Carole awkwardly looked away.

"Could you stop wasting time and get inside already?" Hua said, giving them a flat look.

In the end, everyone followed her in silence.

Once inside the school, they barricaded the door with as many desks and chairs as they could find.

Hua looked around at all of them, her calm unbroken—at least on the surface.

"Today was club practice day for Kendo and Baseball." She said quietly. "The janitor left an hour ago... said he wanted to 'talk' to a couple of third-year girls. I doubt he's come back, so we can probably use the bats and other equipment as weapons."

"And the infected?" Carole asked, peeking down the empty hallways. "How do we know there aren't zombies in other parts of the school from people who snuck in after getting bitten?"

"I don't know," Hua said, shaking her head. "Move carefully—and don't get bitten."

The group stepped deeper into the school, uncertain of what they'd find.