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Once upon a time, a boy was born in Herta’s Space Station with a Stellaron within his chest. The boy fought a whole hoard of beasts within the space station. However, the boy has no memory whatsoever other than a blur that feels like lightning that crawled across their skin. It was safe to say he was created instead of born which is a natural process most species go through.
No, he was created. Emphasis on the last word. He was created to contain a cancer of worlds that can destroy a whole planet’s ecosystem or even a galaxy.
The boy was created in the image of a Xianzhou native as said by Caelus due to his sharp eyes - a pair that is as sharp as the latter’s sword. Black hair lined his head, cold teal eyes contrasted the golden hot destructive energy of the Stellaron, and has the innocence of a newborn despite being “born” in the image of an “adult”. That is what one of the Astral Express - Caelus, he remembers the name - said about his appearance.
They gave him the name “Dan Heng”, courtesy of Caelus.
He decided to join the Astral Express - a train that the Aeon of Trailblaze once used to travel across the universe. The crew was made up of the navigator Himeko - a redhead who fixed the Express, Welt Yang - an enigmatic middle-aged (seems like it?) man, March 7th - a girl who was found in a block of ice in space, Caelus - a silver-haired man with a gentle face that contradicts his ferocity in battle, and Pom-Pom - an adorable bunny-like creature who is also the conductor of the train. Traveling in a train that travels through space sounds absurd, but it seems to be the right path for him.
As he got to know them, he found out that Welt - or rather, Mr. Yang - likes animation and would draw from time to time. Every planet and destination has a specific photo album in March 7th’s room. Himeko likes her homebrew coffee. Caelus just likes fighting in particular and on occasions, picking stuff from trash cans.
He roomed with Caelus in the archives, which the latter does not necessarily use unless he needed to. Dan Heng found himself immersed in the numerous entries in the archives. He likes how everything he needs to learn about the universe is just stored inside this room.
“If you have some new data, you can always put it in the archives.” Caelus smiled at his newfound interest, “No one will bite you.” He giggles.
“Okay.” Dan Heng replied.
“I'm not really fit to be an archivist because I'm all about fighting as the Express guard.” Caelus admits. Dan Heng knows how adept in battle Caelus is. Armed with his sword, he managed to hold off a horde of monsters from the Anti-Matter Legion alone until he reached Arlan.
“I'm just happy that someone seems interested in such a position now. That is if you want to.” Caelus continues with a smile.
“That sounds quite pleasant.” Dan Heng replied.
“Excellent!” Caelus chirps, now walking towards their room’s door to exit their shared place.
“Wait.* Dan Heng said. Caelus halted, his hand hovering over the doorknob while looking at the former. “Do you think that this body…” Dan Heng held his chest before he continued with his inquiry, “Can hold this Stellaron?”
“Mr. Yang already did something about the Stellaron within you.” Caelus confirmed, “Whenever he and Himeko seal a Stellaron, I'm sure the seal does not break that easily.”. To speak with such confidence as if Caelus contains a stellaron himself, that alone confuses Dan Heng.
“Do you know who created me?” Dan Heng asked what it seems like a million-credits question for him. He remembers a voice reminding him to make choices that he does not regret. His eyes closed since then, only to wake up with Caelus' face close to his own in his crude attempt of CPR.
Caelus shook his head before walking towards him. He sat beside him, which soon followed by his explanation: “I do not know, but Herta seems to have interest in you because you hold her Stellaron.”.
“Herta told me that my body is stable.” Dan Heng added.
“That's the thing. Stellarons hold nothing but disaster but for your body to contain a living disaster, whoever or whatever created you to be this way must be good at it.” Caelus exclaimed, his golden eyes sparkling, “Not even a member of the Genius Society can achieve that.”. Ah, so no one from Herta’s group has achieved creating a human vessel before?
“I guess I am what you may call an enigma.” Dan Heng jokes. His body was created for the purpose of containing destruction. That is quite an enigma and an irony - possibly one he can live with. He could say it is if he can live long enough for what purpose his creation holds.
“Do you want to find out the truth about yourself?” Caelus asked.
“I do, but honestly, I do not know where to start.” Dan Heng admitted. He does not remember anything other than a voice and the feeling of desperation and abandonment.
“Just take it slowly.” Caelus suggested with a smile, caressing his back, “I heard knowing everything at once might cause you to break down.”.
Dan Heng’s face heated, feeling cared for and loved. Whilst Herta also sought him to experiment on him, the Astral Express was a complete contrast. They wanted to care for him and help him even if he does not know his purpose yet. He looks at Caelus with an appreciative look. Thankfully, the silver-haired man knows how to read his companion's emotion even without a word.
Caelus stood up, now walking towards the door.
“What about you?” Dan Heng feels genuinely curious about Caelus. March does have a past other than being found in a block of ice, but they have yet to find out. Caelus, however, was found by Himeko on a planet before he was taken in. Yet, what comes before that? Does he have a past that he knows about?
Caelus’ body stiffened, his hand shaking and hovering over the doorknob. He looks back at Dan Heng with a smile that seems like a forced one. “Y-You do not have to know that.” He answered before opening the sliding door. Dan Heng could only look at Caelus as the latter exited the room and closed the door.
Dan Heng shrugs, his body collapsing on the bed. He looks at the ceiling as he wonders what his dreams will look like. It has been a long day and even if he spent a long time unconscious after his outburst, he feels like slamming his face on the bed.