Chapter Text
The next day, all of the Chrysos Heirs were gathered at Dawncloud to bid farewell to the Express Crew and their new members. One by one, each came up to Phainon and Cyrene to give their blessings.
"Our time together was short," Castorice said as she gave Cyrene a hug, "but I'm still so glad we got to see you again."
"Of course, Cas," Cyrene replied. "Plus, it's not like we're gonna be strangers. We will come back to visit ever so often."
"You better stay sharp then, Deliverer," Mydei told Phainon, punching his shoulder. "I'll be disappointed if you aren't ready for our next duel."
"Same goes for you, too, Former King of Kremnos," Phainon replied. "Don't let your 'retirement' dull your skills."
"As if I would ever."
After one last hug, they made their way down the line. Aglaea and Anaxa were next. "You two are going to do great out there," Aglaea started. "And your future together is bright. You don't need the golden threads to see that."
Cyrene smiled at Phainon, and he returned the gesture, reaching for her hand.
"You were a great student, Phainon. Don't ever stop trying to learn new things," Anaxa said next. "Keep him in check, Cyrene. Make sure he-"
"Really, Anaxagoras?" Aglaea interrupted.
"What? I just want to make sure they-"
Phainon led Cyrene away from them, letting them bicker in peace.
"They're never going to stop their arguing, are they?" he asked her.
"As long as they are happy together, does it matter?"
The next duo was Cerydra and Hyselins.
"Dux Solaris," Cerydra started, "we may not know each other as well as we know the others, but there is no doubt in my mind that you will make Amphoreus proud." She turned to Cyrene next. "And Lady Cyrene-"
"Still no Duke title for me yet?" Cyrene joked.
"I was getting to it. Don’t interrupt me." Cerydra cleared her throat. "Lady Cyrene, or Dux Amoris, I trust you will show the cosmos the same love you've shown Amphoreus."
Cyrene beamed.
"Pink Sea Hare, Little Sunfish, may the rivers of fate keep you both safe until we meet again," Hyselins said after that.
"Thank you Hyselins," Phainon told her. "We may not have known each other long in the grand scheme of things, but I wish you well in the future."
"Likewise."
There was one more group to say goodbye to, so they went down the line one more time.
"Snowy, Reney," Tribios started, "thank you both for everything you've done for our home. We're going to miss you so much."
"If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to let any of us know," Hyacine said afterwards.
"It'll be a lot less exciting around here without you guys," Cipher finished. "But we are happy you get to take this chance."
"That was surprisingly poignant, Lady Cipher," Hyacine commented.
"Yeah, no puns? No tricks?" Tribios asked.
"I can't say something nice without being questioned about it?" Cipher almost looked offended.
Cyrene laughed. "Thank you, Cipher. We are going to miss you all."
Before long, Himeko was calling them aboard. With one last wave, the two new Nameless boarded the train. The other Heirs waved back, even as the train took off and they faded from view.
Cyrene couldn't help but stare out the window as the Express took off from Amphoreus. Despite having seen this view before on the way back to Amphoreus a week ago, it still left her in awe. The stars she had seen as a child were nothing compared to this.
One look at Phainon told her that he felt the same way. He was also staring in awe at the stars around them. Was he seeing them for the first time? She couldn't tell.
Slowly, she sided up to him. "It's a gorgeous view, right?"
"Absolutely. Nothing could've prepared me for how the stars would actually look." He wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'm so glad we get to experience this together."
She blushed as she leaned against him. "Me, too."
They stood there together for a moment, just enjoying the peace in each other's-
"Attention all Express Passengers! Meet in the Party Car to welcome our two new members!"
Well, it was peaceful for a moment.
Grabbing each other's hands, they made their way to the Party Car, where the Crew was starting to gather. Before long, the two new members found themselves in front of the rest of the crew.
"Now then, Phainon and Cyrene," Himeko started, "becoming a follower of the Trailblaze is not an easy choice."
"Becoming a Nameless signifies leaving the past behind to blaze a trail into the future," Dan Heng continued.
"Exploring the far corners of the universe will seem more exciting than just looking out for yourself." March.
"You'll step out of your comfort zone to set forth on adventures into uncharted territories." Mr. Yang.
"Your home will no longer be the places you know and love, but the distant stars." Sunday.
"Above all else, becoming a Nameless means the responsibilities you bear far outweigh the rewards you'll reap." Stelle.
"Now that you know all this," Himeko finished, "do you still wish to take this journey?"
While it did sound scary, Cyrene knew she wouldn't regret this. One look at Phainon told her he felt the same way.
"We do," they said at the same time.
"Excellent, Now, hold your ticket out as we recite the Trailblaze Creed," the conductor instructed. They did so, watching as the other members of the Express took their tickets off of their clothes and did the same.
"One: no matter the ebb and flow of fate, stop staying within the lines.
Two: even in the face of tempestuous seas, we always align.
Three: even if we do not gain the upper hand, we fight for right.
Four: even if forgotten by the world, never care a rap for hindsight.
Five: no matter how bleak the cosmos may get, let us light the night.
Six: even if there are wheels within wheels, go ahead.
May this journey lead us starward."
When they were done, Cyrene pinned her ticket onto her belt, while Phainon pinned his onto the edge of his tunic.
As soon as she pinned her ticket back, Stelle was the first to walk up to them, pulling them into a hug. "Welcome aboard, you two. We are so thrilled to have you."
One by one, the rest of the Crew came up and expressed the same sentiment. Whatever anxiety was lingering in Cyrene's gut, it went away as each Crew member hugged her or patted her on the back.
"Now then, I think this calls for a celebration!" Himeko said after a while. "Shush, are the preparations finished?"
"They are in the kitchen waiting for your cue, Miss Himeko!"
"Then let's get started!"
After a lovely dinner with the rest of the crew, Phainon and Cyrene were shown to their rooms in one of the passenger cars. Phainon had spent the rest of the evening unpacking his belongings and making the room feel like his own.
Once the lights outside shut off for the 'night', he decided to try to turn in. However, his mind was restless. Why, he didn't know. So instead of sleeping, he sat in his bed with one of the data tablets Dan Heng had lent him. After spending so long on Amphoreus, it would be nice to have a little bit of knowledge about the rest of the cosmos.
As he finished an entry on a species called 'imaginae', a knock sounded from his door.
"It's me." Cyrene. "Could I come in?"
"It's open," he called out.
The door opened and Cyrene walked in. She was also in her nightclothes, but what stood out was the journal in her arms.
"Can I stay here for a little while?" she asked. "I can't sleep."
"Of course." Phainon scooted over on the bed, patting the spot next to him. Cyrene quickly made her way over, sitting in the empty spot and opening her journal.
For a while, they just existed together as he read and she wrote. It wasn't too long before Cyrene yawned and leaned onto Phainon's shoulder, dozing off almost immediately.
Rather than fight it, he laid her down, moved her journal and his tablet out of the way, and settled down with her, also falling asleep quickly.
"Passenger Stelle! Passenger Dan Heng! You're late!" Pom-Pom cried as the couple walked into the dining car the next morning, Nova sleeping in Stelle's arms.
"Sorry, Pom-Pom," Stelle said as she sat down after Dan Heng pulled her chair out for her. "Somebody decided she didn't want to sleep in her crib last night and kept us both up in protest."
(She didn't admit that both her and Dan Heng had also forgotten to turn their alarms back on after the brief vacation. Pom-Pom didn't need to know that.)
"I'm sure we can forgive them for that, right Pom-Pom?" Himeko asked before the conductor could respond.
"……fine. Pom-Pom will let it slide for now."
Stelle sighed in relief as she scoured the table. Himeko was in her usual spot, her data tablet in one hand and her coffee cup in another. Mr. Yang was next to her, reading a light novel from a series March had recommended him recently.
March and Sunday were surprisingly next to each other, having a quiet conversation. Before, they would sit at opposite ends of the table and keep sneaking glances at each other when they thought no one was looking, but now, it seems, they were ready for their relationship to be out in the open. Stelle smiled at that. Despite all her teasing, she was truly happy for them.
Dan Heng placed a plate in front of her and sat down in the spot next to her. She kissed his cheek in response. Then she remembered who else was missing.
"Where are Phainon and Cyrene?" she asked.
"Huh," Himeko replied. "I don’t know. They must still be asleep."
"And you got on us for being late to breakfast, Pom-Pom?" Dan Heng quipped. Stelle had to hold back her snort.
"Well… Pom-Pom will give grace to those two because it was their first night on the Express!"
"Of course," Stelle chucked. Then she had an idea. "I can go check on them, if you want."
"Pom-Pom would appreciate that, Passenger Stelle."
Stelle got up from her seat and made her way to the door. Nova was still in her arms, and by now she was awake.
"Let's go see what's keeping Aunt Cyrene and Uncle Phainon," she whispered to the baby once she was out of the dining car. Once she made her way to the second passenger car, she opened the second door from the entrance, expecting to see Cyrene still in bed.
Except the room was empty.
She stood in the doorway, puzzled for a moment before a grin of realization appeared on her face. She moved to the next room, and sure enough, in Phainon's bed, were Phainon and Cyrene. They were snuggled up in each other's arms, still deeply asleep. They didn't even react when she opened the door.
Stelle smiled as she closed the door quietly. "Let's let them sleep. They deserve it," she said to Nova.