Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Acheron loved the way Caelus smiled.

She remembered every one of them, each offering a unique flavor of respite from the unending rain. She wasn’t exactly sure why they shined so brightly in the fog of her memories, cutting through the Nihility’s static waves with such ease. But regardless, she was endlessly grateful for it. It allowed the Self-Anhilliator to bask in their rays whenever she pleased, an odd feeling she didn’t quite understand bubbling under the surface of her cold dead skin as the result of their warmth.

If forced to choose a favorite, Acheron would probably end up forgetting the task before she finished choosing. 

His confident and slightly cocky grin whenever a stupid decision was about to be made always brought out one of her own chaste yet appreciative smiles. It was hard to keep a straight face when a grown man ended up in a chase with a pack of origami birds after all.

The eruption of laughter echoing from his belly when one of her jokes landed exceptionally well. Or the huff of air and a grateful little expression to entertain the idea of humor even when they didn’t quite hit the mark. He never let her go unappreciated, not even for a moment. 

However, maybe there was one she held above the rest. 

Whenever it was just them, somewhere quiet and alone… And two pairs of eyes locked onto one another, exploring the oceans that lay behind them… Their bodies drifting ever closer, his breath hot on her lips until she could no longer stand to be without it…

A tiniest smile Caelus was probably unaware of slowly took his face. The true depth of his emotions was hidden in its tiny movements, feelings no words could ever do justice.

His heart laid out bare right in front of her. 

Was he not afraid of being so vulnerable? In this land of dreams and illusions, was he not afraid to trust her? Many have taught him that lesson by now, breaking and abusing his caring nature. Yet here he was regardless, the depths of his soul served on a silver platter. She could rip it out at any moment, tear it to shreds and stomp on its remains. Inflict him pain so great even his family on the express could never match it. Even if it was the last thing she ever wanted, her fate doomed them to such an end. Either she’ll end up hurting him or she will have to throw away them. 

And yet… 

Acheron knew she could never commit such a betrayal. Not against him. And so, she lets a small smile of her own bless her icy face, and closes the distance. 

When the Nihility’s void echoes her name once more, maybe she will finally find something worth living for.

Or maybe she’ll realize he was right in front of her all along. 

Chapter Text

She wanders the snowy fields, cold emptiness in place of identity. Delicate flowers form on the ridges of her outfit, red and black, blood and void. Though her robes are far from prepared for nature's tomb, the cold is well appreciated. It hurts. But it tells her she is alive.

She takes a step forward.

S◇me unknown force propels her deeper. A desire to protect echoes the woods. What? From what? She searches in vain.

The sky is blocked from her view, gray clouds thundering above. ◇nly the falling white to direct her path.

Another step.

Thin birch trees surround the lone figure, waiting to pull the trigger. They grow downwards, hollow bars trapping in their innards.

Whispers of a name swirl through the air, too much for her mind to bear. She clings to a single memory as it fades, only regret left in spades. 

She is… alone?

◇◇◇◇◇◇?

She takes an◇ther st◇◇. 

The hole her previous positi◇n left is immediately covered by snow, though the figure is b◇rely bothered by the show. She is already too de◇p into the forest’s depths, darkness whispering to her in short breaths.

There ◇s nothing to return to anyway.

A gray sh◇dow rises underneath her b◇ots, no sun to give it roots. I◇ stares back, two sp◇ts of gold plucking away at what little is left.

◇◇◇ final ◇◇◇◇

The w◇man kneels before her sh◇◇ ow, old gears t◇rning into meadow. Sh◇ takes ◇ handful of the seren◇ s◇rf◇ce, bringing it to r◇st on her cold f◇ce. A sing◇e tear rol◇s down in stride, a fl◇od breaks ◇ut from ◇nsi◇e. Bl◇◇d flows from ◇ hole i◇ her ch◇st, as her mind wand◇rs to its eternal rest.

◇◇◇◇◇◇, ◇◇◇ ◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◇◇?

Her final plea is lost to the static.

She can no longer feel the cold.

Chapter Text

Caelus set down the awkwardly cut vegetables, fidgeting with a knife as he watched the water boil. Turns out using blunt type weapons leaves your cutting skills lacking. Accepting his defeat with a long sigh, he poured the amateurish pieces of art into the pot.

Stirring until the brew looked about ready, he shot a glance to the digital clock.

She should be waking up soon.

Caelus took to preparing the little tray as the meal cooled off. Some tea, a few peach flavored sweets and cutlery. The flower he found that morning was just the cherry on top. He hadn’t expected to find such creative work interesting, people usually paid him to wreck or test things. But more and more, a new side of him began to emerge.

Beating the clock to the punch, Caelus literally punched it just as the first beep rang out. Pouring the meal into a bowl and completing his masterpiece, he effectively hopped into the next room, careful of the tray in his hands.

He wondered how many of his “new” hobbies were actually new. Learning about who he was has been a long journey, one that left many stones yet to be turned. But one thing was for sure. The Caelus he was, the one Stellaron Hunters knew like one of their own? He doesn’t really exist anymore. Only the occasional instincts and odd feelings were left, shadows of the past slipping through the cracks. 

They never went away. 

Is that why this… this whole life felt so ironic? He was free to follow his own path, but one that had already been predetermined. He saved countless worlds, but never found his own. He said his goodbyes, and instead met them once again.

He reached for the stars, but ended up lost amidst them.

But now, his gaze finally falling upon a mess of sheets and hair, a soft smile widened. A gentler kind of irony stared at him from beneath it all. Acheron, Raiden Bosenmori Mei, an emanator of nihility and an honorary Galaxy ranger. The last survivor of Izumo, the one who gave it all in the face of the inevitable and pulled him out of The Order’s dream. The woman no fiction nor reality could do justice… was bested by a common cold.

"Good-” A sneeze interrupted her. “Morning…”

“Good morning to you too.” Caelus planted a chaste kiss on her forehead, carefully setting down the breakfast on the bed. “Running out of tissues?”

“Not yet…” Acheron mumbled in her little fortress as he made himself comfortable. Cute. “I’m never visiting Belobog again.”

“But we had so much fun together!” And they really did, but her eyes told him even his best “kicked puppy” act wasn’t changing her mind. He could probably take acting off the potential-past-hobbies-he-didn’t-know-about-yet-list. Caelus approved name TM.

Acheron went straight for the meal, his panicked hand only barely stopping any burn injuries to be added to her ailments.

“Ehe.” He let the wrist with the scalding spoon go, unamusement sculpted on his face. “It ain’t fun when I’m the only one lying here sick.”

“I should’ve warned you when we went to the outskirts. Got too used to Akivili’s protection I suppose.”

“Guess we both forgot what cold feels like. What did you mean by Akivili’s protection though?” Acheron perked up. Aeon’s blessings were quite varied in their usefulness, she had to make sure he wasn’t harmed.

“It’s a special perk of us Nameless. The trailblaze power grants us the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and even stay awake for multiple days.” He giggled like an excited kid. She giggled with him. “However we have to pay off the “debt” so to speak by making up for it later. Current record for the longest sleep marathon belongs to Dan Heng at 3 whole days. But I’m gonna beat him one day! That’s for sure! I plan to ask Himeko to prepare me a batch of her jet fuel coffee and then I’ll…”

As Caelus spoke, becoming increasingly animated as the plan convoluted, Acheron silently observed. It was comforting seeing him so free and relaxed. He was good at pretending to be an extrovert, but she knew better. She knew how he felt behind the friendly smile and enticing eyes. How he hurt.

Maybe that is what drew them together? He was… familiar, reminiscent of Frebass and Izumo’s nameless hero in a lot of ways. Optimistic, foolishly so at times, but also determined to protect that which he cared about. Was she worth being in that category, she didn’t know.

But besides the similarities, there was one other inescapable hope blossoming within her chest. One born out of nothing more than a feeling, hesitantly formed though she learned to trust her instincts long ago. That maybe, just maybe, through some cosmic miracle beyond her understanding.

She’d be able to save him.

It was why they had to split paths and reunite only in these blissful moments. Why she was hesitant to let him in, to let him see beyond the veil. Because to her, there was nothing there.

Her fate had been sealed long ago.

A footnote written in red on the universe’s pages. “Here lies Acheron, doomed to perish by the Nihility, fighting to take THEM down with her.” No matter how selfish she wanted to be, or how much the touch of his skin upon her’s felt like heaven. She couldn’t risk it all again. He had to be pushed away.

“Heya, Astral Express to Acheron, checking in?” Caelus lightly tapped her shoulders, breaking the wall of half lost memories she surrounded herself with.

“Oh, I’m sorry I dozed off.” Acheron quickly recovered, the fever invading her body acting a good anchor to the present. 

Well, this is it then? The moment she ended it all. To finally save one from the bloody trail left in her wake.

“Hey Caelus?” She began, voice betraying her at such a crucial moment.

“Everything alright?” He looked at her with those big golden eyes. She couldn’t find the strength to meet his gaze, instead opting to look downwards. Right at a sign of his love, laying on her lap. The disproportionately spicy soup, made in such a way so she could actually taste it. Her favorite sweets, peach flavored of course. A flower he found who knows where, soft petals too beautiful to look at. Why did it have to be this hard?

“I… uh, I need to tell you something.” Acheron whispered, Naught buzzing beside the bed. It must’ve sensed the whirlpool of emotions swelling within her.

“What is it?” He looked so dumbfounded, so innocent. And she would shatter all of it.

“I don’t… We…?” A warm hand eclipsed her own, catching Acheron off guard. Burying her in the spot, each word a giant obstacle to overcome.

“I…”

“I’m still mad I’m the only one sick here.”

And there it goes. Her last chance. She failed. Crumbled at the slightest of his touches. And he would pay the price at her expense, all while wearing that stupid stupid kindness on his face.

“I think I know how to fix that.” Caelus smirked as he put away the breakfast. She hated it, hated knowing it would fade away. No, she needed to do this.

“No, you don’t understand– hmmm!?!” 

And just as Acheron regained her composure, he went in for the kiss. Sweet and short, far too short, but filled with adoration nonetheless. It shut up Naught in an instant, and then awoke it again, with far more positive emotions this time. He caught her off guard, basking in the shock his tongue left upon her own. Caelus was gentle, exploring her mouth like it was made of glass, tracing contours around it. Oblivious to the mental shroud she got pulled out of. Pulling away so quickly, obviously intending to mess with her.

A big mistake.

She yanked him by the shirt, his turn to be confused as she took what she desired. Needed. She needed to know he was here, with her. That it wasn’t all a dream she would soon awaken from. Her hands hesitated for only a moment, and then quickly went to his shirt, neck, face. Anything she could find, its feel was imprinted onto them. Never to be lost to IX waves. She’d never forgive THEM for dulling this moment. His mouth had a faint taste, no matter how much she drowned in it. One akin to the salty sea or a midnight’s breeze. A tear escaped without her knowing, Caelus’ hands cupping her cheek and wiping it away. He was real, they were real.

There was still time.

He broke away first, that cute smirk plastered alongside her sweat.

“You’re going to get sick.” Acheron’s hands never left his neck, too scared he will vanish the moment she does.

“That was the plan, yes.” He laughed. 

“Then come on, I began to miss my bed warmer.” Acheron laughed alongside him, even more so when he jumped on her and began to tickle. She’d get her revenge for that later, for now she just enjoyed the sound of their shared laughter.

It was a sweet, sweet sound.

Chapter Text

Sparks flew everywhere as two weapons clashed underneath the starry night. A lance and a longsword were brought to a standstill as one of their wielders caught his breath. Few precious seconds of bliss, and then her command rang out once more.

“Again.”

Acheron retreated her blade, breaking the struggle of metal and going in once more. Caelus was forced on the defensive for the hundredth time, dodging and weaving around the scabbard wielded with no hesitation.

Their sparings were relentless, neither side willing to hold back punches. There was too much to prove to be limiting themselves like that. Not to one another, but to that tiny voice echoing from within their darkest corners. With each other's lives weighing upon their backs, the duel was once again finished, a tip of the master’s scabbard striking the trainee’s chest, toppling him over. 

A clawed hand reached out, bringing an exhausted but no less willing Caelus back to his feet.

“Again.”

Thoughts ceased as another duel began, and this time the spearman went first. Left foot ahead and the tip of his lance to follow, a barrage of strikes went Acheron’s way. Ones she dodged by dashing sideways, and then once more, to close the gap to Caelus’ open side. The lighter handle of his weapon was brought up in an impromptu defense, fire enveloping it blocking her attack and still sending him stumbling a few steps backwards.

An imbalance his opponent was more than quick enough to exploit. Acheron continued her counter attack, getting in his personal space and forcing him to ineffectively block with the massive weapon until eventually…

Clink!

The duel ended as soon as it began, more chest pain and another loss to add to Caelus’ losing streak.

“Hah, hahh… Any tips?” He blurted out from his spot on the ground, settling in a comfy position among the thin blades of grass.

“A few.” Acheron eyed her disciple for a moment and then sat cross legged beside him, deciding a little timeout could do them good. “You aren’t utilizing your weapon to its limits, to start.”

“What do you mean?” Caelus showed his willingness to improve, earning him some of Acheron’s silent gratitude.

“That lance you wield, it grants you greater range than most foes while also being infused with the power of Preservation.” She began, unaware of her gaze upon the night sky or Caelus’ gaze upon her. “A formidable fusion of offense and defense. I see why you’ve taken a liking to it.”

“Hard not to after what we went through.” Even as tired as he was the sense of humor was not gone. Although Acheron wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by it.

“My point being, no weapon is without sacrifices. Be it trading defense for offense, flexibility for strength, even the ability to conceal it for effectiveness. Those that seem without a price usually wield their debts in other ways.” Though the teachings continued, Caelus sensed a storm brewing within Acheron’s voice. One of his hands went for her own, conjoining their fingers in a hold that seeped the worries growing within.

“Thankfully you need not worry about that. Tell me, what is the drawback of your weapon?” She questioned stoically, but he saw the sparks of relief dancing between those eyes of purple delight.

Sadly now wasn’t the time to get lost in them. It was time to think. What was the drawback of his weapon? It was pretty heavy, but so were a lot of far deadlier weapons he encountered by now. There was a rumor he heard that general Jing Yuan’s weapon was originally meant to be wielded by ten combatants at once. If true it certainly hasn’t affected his combat capabilities. What else then? Speed, maybe. Yunli would seem to disagree that it’s a weakness, but would others?

“Uh, speed? And bulkiness I suppose.”

“They are problems - yes, but they can be mitigated or even totally avoided by working on your body. Which, remind me to find us a gym sometime.” Acheron proposed the idea, the thought of seeing Caelus all worked up in tight clothes not at the forefront of her mind but certainly not lagging far behind.

“Will do. But for now, I’m not sure the lance has other drawbacks.”

“Think of your losses tonight. Are there any patterns?” She refused to give him the answer so easily. He was her student after all. At most a pointer or two to guide him in the right direction.

His losses huh? How did those usually go… Acheron would throw out an attack and he’d retaliate, forcing her to back out – before she came back in faster than he could defend. At around that point he’d block a few attacks at most before he found his chest with another bruise. To give himself some credit (save himself some pride), blocking her with that part of the weapon felt quite fruitless. Was that the issue?

“You kept invading my personal space, forcing me to block with the handlebar.”

“Good, that was exactly my strategy, albeit somewhat simplified.” Acheron approvingly nodded, most hidden of smiles tugging at her lips.

“There are two massive flaws with that weapon as I see it. The delay between actions is the first one. It is a combination of a few causes you have already named, but I doubt it can be fixed through simple strength training due to the nature of the weapon’s top heavy design.”

“Is that what you’ve exploited to get in close?” Caelus tried being as receptive as possible, absolutely enchanted by the sight of Acheron being so passionate about the craft behind their every fight.

“Correct. The unwieldiness of it allowed me to close the distance quite easily after you went in for an attack. And why did I want to close that distance?”

“Because I can’t defend effectively if you get through the Preservation’s flames.

“Correct again, apprentice.” Acheron teased, such a lovely sight to hear her crack a joke. “That’s the second problem. As much as your range is longer than most, it pays that price by making you inefficient up close. I’ve exploited these two facts to break through your guard every time. You should try playing around those, and trying to spot similar weaknesses within your foes.”

“I know; I know…”

Acheron looked towards her trainee, seeing the doubts piling up underneath his relaxed facade. Her memories were hazy at the best of times, but an unknown sympathy for his predicament greets her from the empty well regardless. Could it be she once found herself in a similar spot? Learning, training, studying, all to protect something – someone they cared about. Maybe they weren’t as different as she imagined. If that was the case...

She couldn’t let his story end like hers.

“But then again, there’s still time.” She began with words she wished to hear back then. They came to her naturally, mind maybe forgetting but the heart remembering. “To be completely honest, against an opponent unable to tear through the fire you’d be a much bigger threat.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I know there’s still a lot for me to learn.” Caelus closed his eyes, hoping the trials of the path ahead may just be delayed by one second if he did.

“Of course, but don’t lose sight of where you’ve come.” Acheron gave a tiny squeeze to their still intertwined hands, bringing him to reality like she has done so many times before. 

With a little effort Caelus opened his eyes only to find Acheron now lying next to him, deceptively close but still eyeing the distant lights basking them both. The serenity he felt upon that moment, seeing her break free and be the person IX swallowed so long ago, for even such a short amount of time was indescribable - picture perfect almost. 

Mei… What a lovely name.

A soft breeze washed upon the endless grass, springing life into action. Countless fireflies rose from within a nearby forest, illuminating the night even more. His fingers wrapped tighter around hers, too scared of waking up from the moment. The dream was too perfect to be true. And yet it was no dream.

For the first time in a while, forgetting even the reason they were upon this open field, the unlikely pair took a moment, ironically enough, to breathe. Infinite tiny lights sprawling above them revealed just how shallow their breaths usually were, how much they deprived themselves of it. The air smelled of fresh grass and midnight breeze, endless space only the first of many horizons.

The lovely sight brought the most precious bout of thankfulness into Caelus’ very being. With it came a tiny seed, capable of growing into countless wonders. A seed of hope, that the endless wanderer beside him may understand how much her hand in his meant. But on the off chance she couldn’t…

“Thank you.”

He’d let her know.

“...?” A purple head of hair turned towards him, unparalleled in beauty even in this green haven. “What for?”

“Being here. Teaching me. Everything, really.” Caelus bled his heart out, wounded by her ethereal touch.

“You don’t have to thank me for anything.”

“I know. But I feel like I don’t say it enough.”

Acheron smiled at his corniness, one of her hands hastily trying to cover it. It wasn’t out of embarrassment, it’s just that… Aeons, how does he do it? Making her feel like a crushing schoolgirl at the sight of his big stupid smile. Maybe it was the fleeting nature of these moments that got her feeling so warm and reflective. Meeting like this after several months of voyaging on their own journeys, training and listening to the heartbeat of stars. It awakened sparks long lost to Nihility's numbing pulse, that even she couldn’t resist giving in. She was weak to his games, sue her. But it wouldn’t do to let him get off the hook so easily for making her heart skip a beat like that though…

“C’mon, we’ve rested long enough. Let’s get back to training.” Acheron began standing up, her eyes avoiding the no doubt smug grin splattering Caelus’ face. Time to train boyo, no more procrastinating.

“Are you gonna say your catchphrase again?” For his part, he thankfully moved onto less embarrassing topics.

“Catchphrase…? I have a catchphrase?”

“Yeah, you know, when you get all stiff and serious and go ‘Again’. It was the only sound coming out of you for the better part of an hour.” Caelus teased in his animated style, no doubt revenge for calling him an apprentice.

Oh well, he was lucky to be cute. She could indulge him a little.

“Well then…”

“...Again.”

Sparks flew everywhere as two weapons clashed underneath the burning sky. A lance and a longsword were brought to a standstill, blood dripping from them in uneven increments. Few more agonizing moments, looking and seeing all that was wrong and unavoidable, and then her command rang out once more.

“Again.”

Caelus swiped his lance first, breaking their standoff and almost clipping Acheron’s shoulder. She dodged backwards and immediately blocked, a familiar feathered hat shooting golden coins at her. He became disgustingly good at weaving his abilities, the wave of flame sent her way immediate proof of it.

As Acheron dodged, she couldn’t help but remember how proud she had been – how much he made her proud. Listening intently and applying her advice the best he could. She remembers the loving looks he gave her in between each session, those golden pupils enveloping her cold heart with their warmth. Now the Stellaron puppeteering a face so precious made them look dead. Cold.

Just like hers.

It reminded her of the planet they are currently standing on, how beautiful it used to be. Another world she failed to save. Caelus told her she was the one to find it floating through space, though when she didn’t know. Barely the size of Penacony’s grand hour, yet harboring some of the most beautiful nature in the cosmos. Untainted by IPC’s greed and safe from IX’s influence, they found their meeting spot, when their journeys allowed them.

She wishes they got to use it more often.

Ache■■■ Mei strikes back, Naught unleashed in its true form. Rain was falling, not like usual, but fast, so fast. The journey took him far, even her usual tactics weren’t enough. She was so proud. 

He blocks her piercing lunge with his body, cancerous and bloody palms left with a gnawing hole in the middle. The sight makes her want to puke. She was always weak to his games, her stance faltering, exactly as it wanted. Catching her off guard, boots make contact with her stomach, sending her stumbling, wheezing for air.

The true Caelus would shoot out a quippy remark right about now, if and when he managed to land such a good hit. But the monster wearing his face was nothing like him. It gurgled, growled and scratched at its skin, frenzied eyes fighting a hopeless battle. He was still in there somewhere, consumed by the poison that was his own heart. She felt him, the true him, in every punch held back by the tiniest fraction. No one knew him better than her. Understood him better than her. The force of his punches, angles of attack, favorite moves. The pressure he put in each kiss and his favorite parts of her.

Acheron stood back up, legs slightly trembling and lungs still on fire. Determined to see the fight to the end, whatever it may be. The beast noticed, piercing itself back together as it watched the reward of its hunt leaking out of her wounds. Could it be her presence that brought some clarity to the soul lost underneath the filth? Or was it simply relishing in the sight, like a wolf toys with its wounded prey?

Seems there would be no answer. 

Only a lone lover’s hope.

“Again!”

Astral Express Log - number 120v3Y0u

Came across a very interesting planet today. Rumored by some of my crewmates to hold the last known location of a previous Astral Express member, the nameless world [codename: C432U5] currently cursing through star system number M31 piqued my interest. Was this a chance to uncover more about the past trails of Akivili?

Unfortunately, upon arriving at the planet, I became deeply disappointed. According to some age old notes, found in one of the closed off rooms we managed to pry open with the conductor's help, the planet used to be bustling with plants and tiny bugs. 

However, it seems that much has happened here since then, and most of the natural life has been eradicated. There aren’t enough clues for me to accurately conclude what disaster occured here, but the findings are astonishing. 

Trace amounts of path energy linger on the scorched planet's surface. But not just any single path power, but rather a combination of a multitude of them. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a phenomenon quite like this. It’s leading me to conclude an emanator of multiple paths must have walked here once upon a time. Particularly, it seems this entity was well versed with a power my tools can’t properly measure, glitches and static the common signs of its presence. A remnant of a fallen Aeon perhaps, lost to time and collective history?

This finding could be enough for the Intelligentsia guild to finally notice me!

Upon exploring further, I’ve found a single patch of grass left intact on the planet, nested right underneath a prospering cherry tree. While naturally curious on how exactly this specific spot was spared the wrath once brought down upon this world, a different discovery caught my eye.

Underneath the lone tree, I’ve found the most curious symbol. A longsword and a bat, seemingly pierced through one another, rested in some sort of A shape.

Most puzzlingly, each weapon appears shattered into at least a dozen pieces, leading to my inability to take it onto the Express without ruining the delicate stasis. Neither could I take just one of them, since it seems both were made with the intent of relying on the other for their integrity. If I tried, I fear the other or maybe even both of the weapons would collapse into the pieces they were cut into.

Slightly infuriating, but my sketches will have to suffice.

One final note, since it seems this stop holds no other secrets. The soil in a specific part of grass appears different from the rest. Like it has been enriched specifically to plant a single spider lily I found growing from it.

Combined with all my previous findings, I can only conclude that what lies before me is sort of a burial site. Upon clearing some dust around the plant, I’ve also found a tombstone, confirming my hypothesis. Two unintelligible names were written down on it along with the following quote, which I will use to end this log entry:

Nunc scio quid sit amor.

Chapter Text

“Acheron, over here!!” Little miss March called out from across the dance floor.

A deep purple bun of gothic accessories weaved through the dancing crowd. Unwilling to join the maddening rhythm, she cut her way towards her companions. The planet of festivities was finally living up to its name. Loudly. She preferred it before. Acheron carefully moved through the rowdy dancers, mostly avoiding but not afraid to push the waves of half drunk party goers out of her way. Their sloshed faces made it easy to tell one thing. The party was in deep swing by now. Yet one problem remained.

“Acheron!” March called out once more, now standing right in front of her. “Look at you girl!”

“Hmm?” Acheron silently questioned. What was wrong with her looks? Did her hair puff up again? She just put it down that morning!

“What do you mean ‘Hmm’ !? You’re killing in that costume!” March pleaded with Acheron, pulling out the pink phone’s camera and letting her see how she looked.

Oh right, this was one of those parties. She almost forgot. What did the other crew members call it… a Maskenball?

Acheron was forced to get herself a costume if she wanted to attend with the others. The Family called them to take part in the grand reopening of Penacony, and as a member of the Astral Express she was cordially invited as well. On the condition she dresses up along with everybody else. 

Well a costume they wanted and a costume they got. 

Caelus insisted on keeping his a secret, but Acheron went with a simple vampire look. She’s been told she resembles one a few times so it was an easy choice. It also meant she wouldn’t need to put in much effort to be able to attend. She wasn’t here for The Family’s front of the crisis being truly resolved nor their harmonious purity. 

They could keep those for their other quests. 

She was here to spend some quality time with her new travel companions. Hopefully those moments would get recorded in her faulty typewriter of a brain. And more importantly - stay there. Not forever, Acheron wasn’t naive enough to hope for that, but for a little while. Until she had to depart again at least. ‘Till her journey and her curse took away the memory of their little knacks and games, the smell of fresh breakfast in the morning and the warmth of a certain golden eyed blanket…

She has really dug herself a second grave, hasn’t she?

Which is how she ended up here, taking selfies with March amidst Penacony’s partying dreamers. To be totally honest, she felt a little silly. The pair of plastic fangs and extra gothic makeup she bought just for this occasion were nice, but besides March everything looked basic in comparison. Wearing the most glitter bombed dress known to man with an equally shiny tiara to match, March was dazzling. It was as if the whole room lit up blue every time one of the reflectors passed anywhere near her. Acheron’s eyes were beginning to hurt just by being in its vicinity.

“See you around!”

Parting with March 7th (princess Marcille according to her) before even getting to ask her what she wanted, Acheron continued her search. She’d be able to find her again if she needed to. Just had to follow the light. The same unfortunately couldn’t be said for the other crew members.

The older members of their little train club both went with fairly standard costumes. A cunning witch and some kind of mech she couldn’t recognise, they were both supposed to sit with the big players of Penacony. It was clear why they haven’t gone too overboard. Wouldn’t wanna scare away the investors. She remembers the sadness in Mister Welt’s eyes when he had to downscale his costume. Acheron was 90% sure it wouldn't fit inside the room otherwise.

In the end she looked more akin to them than to her peers.

As for the dragon boy, Acheron last saw him straddling around an hour or so ago. He also went with a fairly plain costume - cosplaying as some law student. March heavily scolded both of them for picking out such unimpressive fits. Maybe Acheron wasn’t actually all that different in her styling. Just minimalistic. Sadly, Dan Heng already said his goodbyes, leaving her as the odd one out. She was pretty sure he slipped out as early as possible, going back to Express to read some books or update his data bank. Lucky. She hated all the loud noise. Parties weren’t really her style. Maybe there was a corner where she could hide herself with some soothing drink? It could’ve all been so much easier though, if only a certain little issue hadn’t popped up. 

Caelus was nowhere to be seen. He had informed her he’d be arriving late and that she should go get started without him. But right now they were about an hour into the event with no traces of him anywhere. She was debating on going back to check the express. Best case scenario he was still fumbling with his costume, or maybe he fell asleep. The past few expeditions haven’t been kind to him. She would find him, get ready and come back, missing a little bit of the party. Didn’t matter, the real entertainment would be beside her.

Worst case scenario? He was taken somewhere along the way. To be turned into a cog in somebody else’s machine. Being a hero meant putting his face out there, a semi constant source of their fights. But this was exactly why she was so adamant about him limiting his in person appearances, she couldn’t be there for him all the time. Caelus was a capable warrior who didn’t need her to shield him from the battlefield. But he was also an overambitious magnet for trouble. What if something happened to him? What if-

And then, her problems were two.

“Penacony’s dearest audience!” A booming voice bombarded the crowd from the speakers.

“Welcome to the official reopening ceremony for the land of the dreams! As you all may know, or may not - you don’t have to answer that, recently our beautiful heaven has been plagued by many issues! Now, I ain’t the type of guy to leave a maiden to her troubles, so I’ve arrived here as early as I could. Some might even say…” And right about there Acheron tuned herself out of the blue haired host’s rambling.

Aeons, this was bad. Security wouldn’t allow her to leave on the off chance the express crew was about to be called to the stage. It was the first time they went out all together, embarrassing them like this wasn’t an option. Maybe if only she was missing but with Caelus out of the picture? Not a chance. Alright, no panicking. Acheron has been in worse situations before. Even if her chest never hurt this bad. She would send a message to check up on him. It’d probably wake him up if he did indeed doze off. Just had to hold out for a reply.

After that Acheron only caught the faintest glimpses of the night’s opening speech, preferring to lose herself to the symbiotic synths of bass and static working as one. They did a good job of soothing her panicked heart. It took him a solid 20 minutes, but the slightly obnoxious host passed over the main points. The issues have all been resolved, Robin shall be performing later in the evening along with a secret quest, drinks are on the house, yada yada yada. It was all stuff the VIP’s from the Express have been informed of long ago. 

The Express she was now a part of… That title still felt a little unreal at times.

Acheron still remembers the night she broke the news quite well. The overthinking followed by unshakeable determination. The fear. The joy. They all accepted her with such open arms, how could she go back to the way it was? The stars flying past the main cart weren’t the only fleeting moments falling that day. Many tears were shed - mostly by Caelus (and a few by March). She remembers laying awake that night, the soothing heat wrapped around her in such an appealing manner. So many thoughts were racing through her head. And among them a single thread rang stronger than any.

She couldn’t wait anymore. It’s been an hour and a half, she had to find him.

Shooting a quick message to inform March of her departure, Acheron went for the exits. No doubt there’d be at least one guard there. She couldn’t slip out totally unnoticed, but they’d never catch up to her. Alright, on three.

“Save your wishes for later cause they are indeed the rising stars!”

One.

“IT'S THE ONE, THE ONLY…”

Two.

“IT’S THE GALACTIC BASEBALLER AND THE MECHANICAL FEVERRRR!!!”

Thr- What?

“Welcome everybody!!” Caelus himself walked on stage, welcoming and high-fiving with guests as if he owned the place. He partly did. Acheron looked to where March’s dress usually shined like a light house only to find she had somehow disappeared. How was that even possible? What the heck was going on?? And what was-

“Thank you for the mic Sampo. Now, are ya ready to party?!” The crowd bursted in excitement, confirming they were indeed ready. But she wasn’t. Absolutely not. Not when he was standing there dressed like a giant peach.

“Now, this first song I’m dedicating to a very special someone.” You wouldn’t. “I won’t reveal who she is for her own safety,” You wouldn’t. “but I have a nagging suspicion she might be among the crowd.” You would. Acheron felt herself stop frozen in time, especially so when he winked directly at her. You trotter loving son of a nice lady, that’s where you’ve been?!

“For you, my black hole sun. Hit it Pela!” This wasn’t happening. There was no way this was happening. Maybe her eyes, ears and brain were all lying to her. Surely.

She wasn’t this lucky.

But the song began, its rhythm and the lover behind it so oblivious to the overload they were causing. Dangerous little man, don’t you know how close her heart is to bursting? Acheron listened to beats of an old timer rock, energy as blazing as fire threatening to overtake it. 

She watched as Caelus poured his heart out to fuel it, all while looking like a failed juice mascot. 

Behind him on the bass was Dan Heng, that traitor. He hadn’t gone back to the express like she thought. How long was he in on it? When did they swap out the real band? Besides them, some people she couldn’t recognise played the other instruments. But there was no way they were regulars here dressed like that. Only their hair felt Penaconian, adorned with neon purple streaks for the guitarist or drowned in deepish blue for the drummer. Were they..? No, no no. How did he get his friends-? When did any of this-? How???

Acheron almost totally lost it at the suddenness of everything, until he smiled at her with that sly smirk of his and all of the worries melted away. It was effective even through the sheer silliness of his costuming. The beat carried her like a drunken sailor, lost to enchanting words of a gray haired siren. She felt lightless, the world growing ever so distant compared to the music coursing her heart. It was as if she was riding a wave, one verse at a time carrying her further. Until she blinked again and she was on top of an actual wave.

Acheron quickly turned to look who was carrying her, only to notice the ever so iconic blue dress, robotic mask and a witch’s giant hat.

“Hey- Hey! What is this?!? You’re in on it too!?”

March looked at her like she was stupid. “Oh come on. Just enjoy the moment you goofus.”

Acheron began to form a response before suddenly getting handed over by the trio to even more eager partygoers. A familiar fox and peacock masks greeted her from below. Along with a bunch of people she was sure were here at Caelus’ request. Who knew from where he flew them all in. Oh she’d get him so good for doing this to her poor heart. 

But for now… Maybe she could enjoy a song or two more.

“Sooo, what did you think of my suprise?”

Later that same night, an unlikely couple laid in their shared bed aboard the Astral Express, tucked underneath blankets and each other in equal measure.

“I can’t believe you did that to me.” Acheron plucked a stray bit of hair out of Caelus’ face as she spoke. They both shed like snakes at times. It was getting harder to tell who’s it was without comparing lengths. And smell. Trash digging doesn’t come consequence free. Maybe she was quite lucky to not be able to sense that. 

“Ahaha, how so?” Caelus smiled in that oh so iconic way. A signature move by itself at this point. If only she figured out how not to go weak in the knees from it.

“I was looking for you all over the place! Only to finally find you playing rockerboy!” She feigned anger, though she was mostly just exasperated at his antics. Where do all these funky ideas come from, she wondered.

“Did you not like it?” Acheron could almost feel Caelus wincing with the way he said that. But it wouldn’t work on her. Not even the slightest bit. She knew he was just faking it, setting her up for some joke.

“That’s not what I said…” She conceded, annoyed that his games were able to whisk away her anger so easily. The anger went, but something else remained behind.

“So you did like it!” Caelus instantly dropped the act, hugging her to the point of threatening to snap her bones. He might've done it, if she allowed him.

“Doesn’t give you the right to ghost me like that!” Acheron pushed herself out of the embrace. She regretted it almost instantly. But there was no way back. “I was really worried, you know? And you haven’t even apologised.” Acheron continued pulling away, clearly hurt. Turning around and as far as the bed allowed, her tender form seemed to shrink into itself.

Caelus was left laying there, ghosts of her presence still lingering in his hands. Before, he hadn’t even considered what she just told him. It was so obvious in retrospect, but it was also something he rarely thought of. It was no longer like before. People cared about him now. Sometimes more than they were willing to let on. 

Without saying a word, he carefully positioned himself around Acheron’s turned back. Tucking his hands around her waist and planting his forehead against her neck, he spoke. “Hey.”

“I’m sorry. You know I never meant to hurt you.”

“...” Acheron remained silent. Not because she had nothing to say, but rather, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. She wasn’t even sure what she thought. Why was she acting this way? She wasn’t that hurt, even if she would’ve loved a heads up about the whole thing. Was she faking it for attention? Is that all she could muster after he organised such a thoughtful event, just for her? No… it wasn’t that. It’s been such a long time since a feeling has made itself that clear to her. And yet she wasn’t able to place a finger on it, no matter how much she raked her own head. It was… a completely unknown emotion to her. Nostalgic, almost.

“You know, when I first became a member of the Astral Express, it was under some crazy circumstances.” Caelus spoke in low notes, recalling a past chosen for him by the hands of others. “Everything happened so fast. So uncontrollably. Herta’s Station. Belobog. Even after Luofu I still felt kind of like an outcast.” 

“But then I met you.” Acheron could feel Caelus’ smile in his words. Unknowingly, it wasn’t the only one present.

“You were so mysterious back then. I was immediately drawn to you like a moth to a flame.” Caelus didn’t even know how apt that metaphor was. Or rather, how apt it will turn out to be.

“But as I began to know you better, I realised something. It wasn’t the intrigue or the mystery I was drawn to.” Caelus whispered, no barriers to overcome between them. As close as they could be. “It was you. They just pointed me in the right direction.”

“You are so powerful. And so kind and thoughtful at the same time. You aren’t strutting me along for a future that may be, or searching for a past that’s long turned into ash. You hear me, hear the real me. Accept that real me. The one lost in the world, drifting through the universe with no past nor future to call my own.”

“I suppose we’re quite similar in that regard.” Acheron finally spoke, turning to face him. Voice still small and soft but undeniably real. Not even Ena’s dream could replicate it.

“I just wanted to give you the best trailblazer welcome one can get. So you may never get to feel like I did.” His dimmed golden eyes met her own, speaking in a tongue only they knew. She finally realised as he spoke. What that unknown emotion was.

“I won’t. But not because of some stupid party or concert.”

Fear. 

“It’s because you will be right by me.”

For the first time in a small eternity, Acheron fears. She has something to lose. Somebody to mourn. Again.

“Are we okay then?” Caelus asks, expectant of every answer she could give. Even though there was only one.

“Of course. Especially when you marked yourself as mine so nicely.” Acheron bluntly pointed out.

“Huh!?”

“Oh come on. The giant peach costume, the song, the nickname? It couldn’t have been more obvious if you wanted to.” Acheron teased as she watched Caelus lose all the bravery he had on stage. Even just a few seconds prior. Seems his little spells work both ways. How interesting…

“I mean- yeah? I did mean it like that but also… that was so straightforward!?” Caelus sank as deeply as he could into the cushion. Hiding the streak of red staining his cheeks wasn’t successful.

“Don’t tell me you’re going back on your words now, the oh so great galactic baseballer?” Acheron was in control now, straddling his legs, she was now sitting atop him. Her hands held no restraint in soaking Caelus’ well toned midriff. So strong, so beautiful. So her’s.

“Uh… no?” Caelus looked at her with equal parts embarrassment and confusion. A white streak of light caught his attention. More so its location on Acheron’s upper jaw. 

“Good. Cause I’m not done marking you.” Acheron smirked at him with his own signature style, watching him crumble even further. The suggestive pose and position of her arms told him a lot about what she meant. But not all.

“Acheron..? You still have the f- fangs…” 

“Hold still.”

Seems that halloween costume would come in handy after all. 

Chapter Text

The white veil over her head feels like a dream.

A dream she hadn’t dared to ever imagine, hadn’t dared to even try. It had always been too much to hope for. To hope is to admit you have something to lose, and Acheron has nothing. She had nothing. Until a fake dream brought her a real one.

A part of her wants to run away. To brace herself, to get ahead of the joke she knew was coming, of which only she would be the punchline. Was that how all people in her position felt? As if a single wrong touch might shatter the fragile illusion? She doesn’t even want to think about losing this. About losing him.

Acheron readjusts her focus back to the mirror’s reflection. Long purple hair flows from behind the veil, the only point of contrast to the blinding white. She spins once, the dress’ feathery ends not even grazing the aged oak. They follow her like purest doves, ensuring no mistakes would be made. The dress was a present from an old friend, an angel both in personality and looks. Tailor made just for Acheron.

She didn’t feel worthy of it.

What was it that caused so many to trust her? When did she earn that? She has manipulated everyone who has ever fallen in love with her to fall in love with her. That either made her a very good liar or a very unlovable human being.

“Are you okay?” Caelus asks, the two arms wrapping around from behind bringing her back from another plane of existence.

“You shouldn’t be here, you know?” Acheron gently reminds him, one of her own arms betraying her and sliding up his. Despite her best efforts to adhere to the tradition - the one Caelus so willingly broke by seeing her - she was glad he was here. It was in no way communicated, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction so easily, but he knew. He always knew.

“I’ve thought of that.” He says smugly. She opens her eyes to see his reflection in the mirror - blindfolded and grinning. Idiot. Her idiot.

“But you still haven’t answered me.”

“I’m- yeah, I’m okay.” Her lips move to form a faint smile, knowing he could sense it. Reassuring both of them that everything really was okay, now that he’s here. With her.

Though her tone leaves a lot of room for doubt, it was the truth. Acheron’s hands run along the fabric of the suit, sleeves holding her so close bending underneath her every touch. The sensation of Caelus beneath her fingertips speaks to that tiny voice inside her skull. That it’s all real, that he’s actually standing right behind her. That this isn’t an illusion to be broken.

And even if it was, she just prays to the Aeons. Please don’t let her wake anytime soon. Let her slumber unto eternity, but don’t break this magical moment. She will count every second as they pass. Every second is another confirmation to her, to that cursed sword and to the black sun hovering between stars. A proof she can be not alone.

Shadows of the past still haunt her every peaceful moment. Be it in reality or dreams. It wasn’t uncommon for her to awaken in cold sweat from a memory resurfaced in the storm. Sounds of metal and anguish still rang inside her head in uncanny perfection. She’d always find Caelus wrapped tightly around her, absorbing her tremors and shakes for hours upon a time. Assuring her she was with him and not wherever her mind took her. Acheron even scolded him for it multiple times, losing sleep just to help her wasn’t worth it. Not like it persuaded him.

Other times, the dreams spoke to her. Accused her. She didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve this warmth. On particularly bad nights, Acheron would pretend to have finally fallen peacefully asleep, even while wide awake. Then she’d scoot over, taking her fingers and checking Caelus’ arms and then neck. Finally, she’d rest her head against his chest, the faint buzz of a stellaron welcoming better dreams. She was listening to his heartbeat. Making sure he was still alive. If one day she couldn’t feel it she’d, she’d…

A tear had escaped from her eyes without her noticing, but he did. He always noticed, even while all goofy and blindfolded. He’d noticed her eyes floating away from him, away from them.

One of his hands travels upwards, while the one still on her hip slowly turns Acheron towards him. Trailing the silky skin of her neck as much as it could, his right hand makes it to her face. Cupping her right cheek gently, he brings her back to him. Awaking her from nightmares that needn’t be. Like she did to him a lifetime ago.

“Do you think you are doing the right thing?”

Usually, Acheron’s questions came with a tease. Maybe a deeper meaning behind them, which he happily dug into uncovering. And sometimes she just wanted to mess with him. Rightfully deserved. But even he could see the rightful worry hiding within those words. The vulnerability. Maybe she expected him to struggle or be indecisive. In truth, in his heart, there was only one answer.

“I do. I know it better than anything in this world.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Another question. More fear infused into it, spilling out from the words so it wouldn’t spill from her tears. He knew how Acheron could be. She was holding back so much. Pretending to be fine, lest she worries anyone. Pretending she didn’t experience… hell. Closest to hell that exists in his knowledge. Things people simply… don’t heal from. 

He wanted to help her…

…and nothing else mattered anymore.

Caelus takes off his blindfold, Acheron’s perfect dress unveiling before him. But his eyes pay no mind, focusing instead on the twin sapphire voids watching his every move, afraid of decimating the reality around them.

With one hand still on her cheeks and the other one now joining, his lips connect with her’s. It wasn’t an answer to Acheron’s question, but it spoke enough. It was a reminder of love, desire, want, and everything that connected them. A promise he made upon the corpse of a perfect dream. A promise he wasn’t intending on breaking any time soon.

“Let’s go, everyone is waiting."