Meet the Amazing Trailblazers

My throat is dry, and my chapped lips flutter slightly in my confusion as I feel my return to reality. Something props the back of my head upwards as a small amount of cool liquid pours down my throat, yet I hack up most of it. Footsteps and voices shift in a haze around me, the commanding voice of a woman echoes outwards, her words undecipherable as my attention is consumed by the choking feeling in my throat.

Suddenly my head falls flat against a pillow, whatever holding it upwards rapidly retracts and I let out a slight groan. More voices, and more footsteps scatter around in a panic. I can barely feel my insides, yet my outer flesh screams in pain.

More of the liquid pours down my throat, much softer this time and I manage to swallow it down with some struggle. My dry eyes attempt to part, but the sudden pain of light forces them shut once again. Again I feel myself fade. Yet as I fall away, my heart hopes that I am saved.

. . .

My eyes squeeze and squirm in my skull, water dwelling inside of them once again as they slowly part. The previous light now dimmed as I lay down on something much more supportive than sand.

I spot the roof, metallic, with a soft light in the shape of some kind of fish gently sitting above. Angling my head slightly, I move my eyes in a long gesture. The room is mostly empty, with a soft chair next to me. A man softly seated it in. A table next to him with a half pitcher of water and three small glass cups, one closer to him than the other two which appear untouched. An ornate cane leaning against the table as well. He types away on his phone, none the wiser of my awakening. An odd symbol I don't recognize on its back.

So wherever I am, it would seem, has phones. Honestly that's a good sign, I would hate to go back into the stone age. My body finds its strength restored as my thoughts wander, so I go to speak to my presumed savior from the barren waste I'd found myself trapped upon.

"Th-ack" my dry voice rasps out as I cough, the man's eyes widening and pocketing his phone in a fluid motion, before looking at me with concern.

"Do you need anything?" He speaks, already pouring water into one of the cups. My eyes light up slightly as the man faintly smiles before burying it with deep thought behind his eyes. After a moment he slightly props up my head and gently pours the water down my throat. My limb attempts to move to grab the water, but its weakness is underestimated and I let out a weak groan instead of actually moving.

Greedily drinking the water I let out a sharp breath as a spiky feeling washes over my parched throat. My head softly presses back into the pillow and he fills the twin cups with water and moves his body over once again.

I breathe heavily and rasp out a thank you as I bring my body up, more power returning to it over time as the fluid graces me with its presence. He smiles slightly, perhaps glad to see my quick recovery as my arm succeeds in its goal this time, grabbing the water cup and chugging it immediately as I grab the other one and chug it down once again.

He takes the cups and refills them again, and again as I drink and drink until the pitcher is empty. A part of me is grateful for not being allowed to drink directly from the large glass, as I'd surely cough it all up in my haste.

"Do you need more water?" he gently poses the question, as though expecting a yes.

"I'm alright for now, but truly, Thank You." Yet, surprisingly I do feel much better. My body is more adaptive than I thought. Though the thought does remind me I am certainly not in a dream, this is my reality now.

He once again takes a seat in his chair, before looking at my (hopefully) much healthier form.

"Would you like me to leave the room so you can get your bearings?" My thoughts stir before I rise slightly, into a sitting position.

"I'd prefer to know where I am and what's going on first, but again, Thank You."

"There is no need to thank me young man, my name is Welt, and the crew of the Astral Express is just glad to see you healthier."

Astral . . . Express? My mind burns. I KNOW that name, but from where?

Then it hits, a bullet, or perhaps a bullet train in this context, practically flying through my mind as my voice hitches in my throat.

Honkai Star Rail. A gacha game I'd given up a year ago, maybe more I can't remember. My memories of the game are mostly missing from the long time of absence. I'd found myself addicted, and forced myself to an ultimatum. Forced myself to uninstall the game in pursuit of my education and work. The being I'd become an Emanator of. A demi-god in all but name, I remember him from an event.

The name of said event eludes me, but I definitely recall him doing something vile and terrible to the universe. My breath rapidly escapes my flesh, my muscles tense, my eyes flicker- A soft gloved hand rests on my shoulder.

"You're safe now." The words like ice, sending a brief shock through me. I may be safe at this moment, but I am far, far, from where I should be. A small glass of water appears in his hand as though through magic, but I take it nonetheless. Downing the water as I shake.

This man, I recall him. He was a playable character I'd never obtained. All I remember of his presence is that he is a reliable ally to the protagonist.

"What's your name, young man?" I pause for a moment considering abandoning my previous name, and the feelings associated with it before I shake my head slightly. It would be wrong to throw such a thing away so casually.

"S-sam, Samuel Fuller."

"I see. Do you need any help getting home Samuel?" I tense slightly, is that even possible? But, undoubtedly, the answer is

"Yes, I do." I nod as the words leave my mouth. The man nods as well with a smile.

"We would be happy to help, do you know where you need to go?" Long ago i'd sworn to a friend that if I'd ever been kidnapped by aliens I'd only refer to Earth as 'Shit Outta Luck 3' (Sol III for those wondering what this could possibly mean) however such thoughts are long gone when actually confronted with my desire to go home.

"Earth." The man freezes, and my heart accelerates. Fuck, did I say something wrong? Is Earth destroyed in Star Rail? Is it a big deal? Questions rapidly fire in my mind as the man asks me a simple question.

"Did you say Earth?" I flinch at the name, and his eyes blink rapidly, readjusting the glasses on his face. However, I do not say a word. I remember this man to be kind in the game, and his actions have reflected that. However, as he stands before me, not drawn in a game, but truly in the flesh I can not be certain of his true character.

"I too, come from Earth." His words nearly whisper, his eyes slightly glassy before he steels himself again.

I freeze, my expression twisting in confusion. Was this always a thing? I severely regret not reading his lore in my free time, however such regrets could have been pointless if this man is just a body snatcher or something.

"You've found yourself very, very far from home Sam." A small frown on his face as thousands of images flicker through the back of his eyes. My hands tighten on the thin sheet over my body as I too become lost in thought.

"Earth is . . ." His expression morphs in sorrow, "Out of reach." Everything I'd worked for shatters in an instant, those days of labor, those years of study, all of it slips through my fingers like the sand of that awful planet. The meaning behind his words is clear.

"There is no way home?" He gives a small nod, this man certainly understands the pain I must feel in this moment. Tears break from my eyes as I bury my face in my hands. A soft hug of the man, my senior, a warm accompaniment to my sorrow. If I'd ever attempt to see the people of this world as 'not real' or simply 'characters from a story driven gambling simulator' those thoughts would never get the chance to form from this moment on.

The moment lasts for minutes, perhaps longer, however after my sobs fade he peels back slowly. As he reaches over to his cane and pockets the book next to him.

"Get some rest, I'm going to speak with the crew about how we can best help you. Is that alright?" I nod thankfully before plopping my head back onto the pillow.

So, guess I'm in a gacha game now.

That's . . . really fucking annoying. I'd only played up to Penacony and vaguely remember something about a Memory character class coming out afterwards. Though such a thing had come out after I'd quit. My hand tightens slightly at the thought. It had made so much sense to quit so long ago, but now I find myself in a regret I'd never thought I'd feel.

Regretting quitting a game explicitly decided to eat your wallet alive? Honestly that's kind of pathetic. Blinking blankly I chuckle slightly at nothing in particular. What do I even do at this point? I guess go over what I recall.

I remember the opening of the game, A space station attack, followed by the exploration of an ice planet named Bele- something, a massive spaceship that might as well be Space China (which makes sense considering who made the game), and then the planet where everyone goes to sleep and wakes up at a giant carnival. I also recall having to fight a god's avatar or something at the end of that last one.

That sounds like a nightmare- Huh. Am I already considering traveling with the crew of the Astral Express? Would they even allow me on board? Is it even safe? My mind swirls, as I come to a conclusion. I think I just don't want to be alone in the middle of a universe I barely recognize. However, I do fall back to sleep. Much more comfortable than my previous 'rest' despite my anger against Bug Bitch for putting me in this fucked up situation in the first place.

. . .

I stir awake, a pitcher of water next to me with a large glass. In addition to a brown liquid I hope to be a cup of coffee. My arm swarms outwards and grabs the cup instantly before dragging it to my lips. The taste bitter, but something I easily handle. Though overall quite good. I've tasted many different coffee's before and I've had much, much, worse. Honestly, the thought of giving me any coffee at all is quite nice though.

Peeling myself out of the bed I spot the blade I'd found what I can only assume to be many days ago. Its form sits against the table in the same fashion as Welt's cane. Are they really just giving me a sword? Are they that confident in beating me, or are they just trying to make me feel more comfortable?

Dammit, these people seem really nice. I wish I'd had friends like them back on Earth. My jaw tightens at the thought, and I also wonder if perhaps Welt had just put in a good word for me. Though wasn't the goal of the Astral Express crew to help people? So I suppose this does make sense.

However, I decide to leave the sword resting where it currently lays, I don't want them to think I'm gonna stab them or something. Spotting my jacket hanging on a hook I throw it on, something heavy in the jacket pocket. The jade bangle I'd completely forgotten I'd picked up.

This is most likely from the Luofu, or at least from a part of their faction. The Astral Express will go there- When am I even? Is the protagonist even part of the crew yet? Something to figure out, I completely forgot the protagonist's name. I remember there being two of them to choose from though.

Sighing I stand at the metal door, hoping it's not some super advanced tech. Luckily I spot a handle and crack it open before pulling on it, only for it not to move. My heart tenses, is it locked? Then my expression flattens as I push it. It opens leaving my dumbass stunned for half a second before I quickly recover.

Outside is a hallway, with windows revealing the vast expanse of space. Little stars glittering in the distance. My head bends rightwards and reveals another door, I vaguely recall this hallway and make my way towards it and crack it open revealing a large open room with leather seats and lots of relaxing decor.

A slightly familiar woman, beautiful, with blazing red hair drinks a cup of coffee. The first 5 star I'd ever pulled, her giant space laser emblazoned in my mind due to its sheer awesomeness. Though much of her character is gone from my mind.

Next to her a pink haired girl sits, looking slightly embarrassed as she looks down to the floor as the woman next to her drinks her coffee. Ah, that must be March 7th, her peculiar name and closeness to the protagonist allowing me to recall her name.

Welt is seated across from them, his cane resting next to him as he reads from a familiar book, resting against a nearby wall is a woman who looks familiar. However, I do not recognize her. Her outfit is very similar to Dan Heng, another one of the protagonists' close companions.

That's . . . odd. My expression warps in confusion from the new information clashing with the old. Fuck is my memory so bad that my mind completely rewrote her appearance in my head? I must never speak of such a thing. That would be so damn embarrassing.

Her gaze flickers towards me, and sends me a light nod. I give a small wave absent mindedly and mutter a greeting. The older woman catches my words in the air and smiles towards me.

"Why don't you come take a seat with us? We have much to discuss." I tersely nod and walk over. March looking up from her seat with a slightly red face at my sudden arrival. She twiddles her thumbs as I take the open seat next to Welt.

The awkward silence hangs over us for a moment before the red haired woman (who's name I can't remember for the life of me) looks at March who shuffles slightly before speaking with slight embarrassment.

"Uh, hi, I'm March 7th and I'm sorry." What? I blink dumbly before muttering out a question.

"Why?"

"I tried to force water down your throat when we first found you and you choked pretty bad on it." Thats . . . that's it. Huh, well that's pretty tame. I smile slightly at her words. Her apology is far nicer on my ears than that giant ass bug's inane buzzing.

"It's not a big deal, I honestly just appreciate you trying to help." She lets off a small breath before smiling and turning to the woman next to her.

"See! He didn't think it was a big deal!" She perks up and holds a finger in the air as if declaring her innocence. Sighing the red haired woman speaks, perhaps she wanted this to be a teaching moment for the pinkette, but my response ruins the attempt entirely. The radiant smile on March's face enrapturing for a moment.

"My name is Himeko, and we found you stranded on Taxus-II. I heard about your situation from Welt, however I must ask. Do you know how you got there?" She's right to the point, and I can't blame her. However, I also can't tell her the Giant Ass Bug sent me.

"Just kind of woke up there, I don't know how much time has passed but I think I spent half a week in that desert." She nods slightly, seeming to come to a conclusion in her mind before continuing to speak.

"It's very fortunate we got to you in time-" My stomach growls interrupting her violently. I look down with slight embarrassment at the crude interjection.

"I suppose you would be hungry, that planet doesn't have any life on it. So, nothing to eat. Dan Heng, if you would." So hi-her name is still Dan Heng? I don't know enough about Eastern names to get much from that, but I can assume her name is gender neutral? Or am I really just not remembering very well.

The woman stops leaning against the wall and walks to the other room in order to get what I can only assume to be food.

"Apologies about her, she's had a . . . negative experience with the Xianzhou in the past, and I'd say more but it's not my place to speak. Though enough of that, we are heading to Herta Space Station for a resupply, if you would like we can drop you off there. However, after discussing with the rest of the crew, we'd like to make you an offer instead."

Dan Heng had a negative experience with the Xianzhou? I remember that. Vaguely. I didn't really pay that much attention to that part of the story. Also I thought it was the Luofu, or are they the same thing? Maybe my mind is just fried when it comes to Dan Heng. But, Herta Space Station? That's the beginning of the game . . . and I don't see the protagonist. However we also might be way before the start of the story anyways.

My rapid fire thoughts are cut off by her words.

"We'd like to offer you a place aboard the Astral Express, as one of the Nameless. Offering you room and board, however what we do can be dangerous as we travel the stars helping others to the best of our ability. Facing off against the Antimatter Legion." My eyes blink at that. Yeah, these guys go around saving worlds from the forces of destruction. That's a big weight to carry.

The door slides open and Dan Heng walks outwards with a small rabbit-like creature at her side. Said creature holding a cutting board as it walks alongside her, in her hands two plates with different foods upon them.

"Take some time to make your decision, and certainly eat first. It's bad to make decisions on an empty stomach after all." Damn, she really is nice. My eyes wander for a moment as they rise from looking downwards at the small creature in the distance. Not going to lie, she is super hot as well. Whether she notices or not, she doesn't make a comment and instead turns her head to the approaching two individuals.

"This is our conductor, Pom Pom, they are the conductor of the Astral Express." The small creature approaches with a smile and sets down a cutting board with a delicious looking sandwich. Then takes the plates from Dan Heng and goes to set them upon the table as well.

"I'm glad to see you're doing better! I hope you enjoy it!" Pom-Pom says in a supremely high pitched voice as it looks up at me with a smile.

"Thank you, and thank you for the coffee as well." I return the expression and notice a widening smile appearing on Himeko's face.

"So you enjoyed the coffee?"

"Absolutely." I nod with vigor. I could speak on it being a bit bitter, but honestly I'm just thankful right now for not being a dried out husk. Himeko nods with a growing grin, March looking at me like I've crawled out of some damp cave.

"It's nice to hear more than just one other person can enjoy my brew."

Instead of responding my hands are already reaching for the sandwich and in about 4 seconds it's gone. Wow, I really am hungry. Turning to the toast with an egg on top I pop it in my mouth as well and devour it immediately.

Pom-Pom smiling with pride as everyone looks at me with concern for a moment, before it fades away as I don't spontaneously vomit.

"Thanks! It's good." Smiling at the little creature I offer my thanks. I never was much of a chef but I had to pick up some tricks to save money. That is to say, I wasn't even close to as good as little fellow in front of me.

"Though I do have a question," Everyone's eyes look attentively towards me as I speak with a subtle suspense in the air for a brief moment, "Where's the bathroom?" The feeling is gone immediately, as Welt stands up. His cane in hand.

"I'll show you." He says with a small grin, clearly amused. He takes me back down the hall and through the door before once again asking me a question.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Certainly better than when I first got here, and I have you and the crew to thank for that."

"That's good. Ah, and in case you were still wondering about Himeko's comment from earlier, where she brought up something called the Xianzhou. The clothes you currently wear come from their culture. We both know you aren't actually from there, though that does pose the question of where you got them." He speaks to me as we walk down the hall and eventually stop in front of a door. The question makes me blink slightly in surprise as I remind myself of the pilot I buried.

"I found them in a crashed spaceship." He nods at the answer as we walk into the empty room. A nondescript bedroom without any decoration, and another door to the side.

"Each bedroom has its own personal restroom, you can consider this your room while you accompany us to Herta Space Station." Is it just me or is he giving me a sales pitch? Honestly this room is somehow nicer than my apartment despite the lack of furniture.

"Seriously, Thank You, it means a lot." Smiling, I enter the restroom and close the door behind me.

. . .

I walk outside feeling much better, and find myself in an empty room. I go back to the main lounge as I still find myself awestruck by the stars outside.

Everyone is still there, excluding Dan Heng who seems to have wandered off. Additionally Welt seems to be reading his book again and Himeko relaxing on a seat. March spots me near immediately and bounds over with a smile. Her joy is infectious as the adorable girl approaches.

If she'd approached me like this when I was a teenager I might have fallen in love in about three seconds. Though, I'm not here to propagate- the words feel wrong as they enter my head. Not only wrong to say, but the specific words used feel unnatural. Fuck, I-

"I'd love to give you a tour of the Astral Express so you know where everything is! Would you like to join me?" I blink, my previous thoughts being shelved for something to worry about later.

"That sounds good." I let out a small smile as the girl twirls around, her skirt and camera at her waist spinning with her as her hands gesture outward.

"This is the Parlor Car! Where everyone meets together, and chats!" She takes me back to the previous hall, introducing everyone's rooms before stopping before one.

"And this is my room! We can actually go inside this one without anyone's permission but myself!" She presses her hand into her chest as she puffs it out, clearly proud of the room we enter.

A pink bed, countless pictures on the wall, and many stuffed animals neatly organized. The sheer order of the room washes over me as I recall my 'orderly mess' back home.

"Let's take a picture to remember this occasion!" Smiling as she takes out her camera and softly pulls me closer to the window with some struggle, as quite I'm a bit taller than her. I think I was about her height in my old body, but I'm definitely taller now. That's for certain.

She holds the camera downwards allowing my face easily into the shot as she smiles wide. The camera in her hands clicking as our photo is taken. It prints out on the film, rapidly developing as I get a more detailed view of what I actually look like.

The picture is simple, a guy with a wide eyed expression looking down at the camera, and a pink haired girl with sparkling pink and blue eyes next to him. A blanket of stars visible in the background as outer space rests behind the pair.

The man has sharp features, and seems to be fairly young. Perhaps in his early twenties, a mole under his right eye and a thin streak of dark pink hair on the opposing side of the mole. His eyes are a sparkly purple and his hair short and slightly disheveled.

Damn, I look good.

"We look good! Anyways, wanna go check out the front of the train?" March drags me about for another half an hour, and it's fun. I haven't just enjoyed someone else's sole company for a long while without the pretense of either of us needing something from the other person.

Inevitably our running around comes to a close as I let out a yawn, exhausted as my body recovers and mention as such to March. She takes a thoughtful pose before asking me a question with a slight flush on her face.

"Before you go and rest, I didn't catch your name." I blink, did Welt not tell them? Or does she prefer to hear it from my mouth?

"Just call me Sam."

"Then you can call me March!" She smiles, a joyous expression on her face. Damn, she really is cute.

"It's always nice to make new friends after all!" I nod in agreement. Though honestly such a feeling has been foreign for a long time now. Either too busy or weighed down by life to truly form connections with others where we could just have fun together. Honestly I'm surprised I didn't go crazy. A small part of me whispers that getting thrown into this other universe may have set me free, but I frown remembering all the people I'll never get to see again. The dog I'd left alone.

Honestly I was more worried about him than anything else, the little bastard was a needy little guy. Hopefully someone was able to take care of him. A twinge of guilt floats through my body as the sense of abandonment swarms through my thoughts.

"Have a goodnight!" She waves before striding away with a spin, and snapping me out of my stupor. Bad thoughts while exhausted should never be trusted anyways, but they still sting deep.

Making my way to what I can only assume to be the guest room, now my room temporarily, I slot my jacket on a hook near the door, conveniently in a similar place as the medical room I was in earlier. I plop on the bed and pass out after throwing the covers over myself with near instantaneous ease. Only the faint buzz of thoughts clouding the back of my mind as night (if such a thing even exists in space) takes me once again.

AN: Hi again! Here is the second chapter! This one is slightly more chill than the previous, so no pissing of freaky bug monsters today! Just starting the process of setting up character relations Making in to the Herta Space Station should be in a chapter or two and then we can kick start the main plot! Everyone's comments have been really nice (with many people wanting him to do things to Ruan Mei lol) but such lewds must wait for the future so please remain patient! This chapter is about one thousand words longer than the previous, but I honestly have no idea how many words chapters will tend to be. It will probably range from 4k to 5k though depending on what the chapter is about. I don't like just spontaneously ending a chapter, though I might do that as a cliffhanger to troll you fellows on occasion. For anyone wondering about future plans I intend to use the female protagonist Stelle over Caelus for what I hope is obvious reasons. But for our dense harem protagonists out there my reasoning is simply 'she's hot, and is a cute trash panda'. In other news the power of Propagation worms into his mind ever so slightly, more attentive readers may have noticed his internal thoughts often using words related to insects despite his dislike of them. Additionally he is severely confused by Dan Heng which I find supremely funny that she's practically a blind spot to him because of how much both he (and I lmao) didn't pay much attention during the Luofu Arc. Additionally thank you to all the people who made the art I snagged of the internet for this chapter

Again, please leave nice comments! I truly do appreciate them and I make sure to read them all! As for my schedule it's basically just "Whenever I'm Ready" so it may be erratic, did tons of research on the Astral Express Crew for this chapter in order to make it as close to canon as possible (though I'm bound to make some errors occasionally) so I appreciate everyone waiting!

As always, thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time!