The soft hum of the Astral Express filled the cabin, a steady rhythm that seemed to match the pulse of the stars outside the ship. Noah sat at the helm, his hands resting lightly on the controls. Despite the vastness of the unknown cosmos stretching endlessly in all directions, there was an undeniable sense of quiet control. The ship was his guide—his companion—and although it held powers he still didn't fully understand, Noah trusted it implicitly. He trusted it more than the answers it hid from him.
"How long until we reach our next destination?" a voice broke through the stillness—clear, light, and brimming with energy. The girl stood near the viewport, her eyes wide as they traced the stars drifting by. Her silvery-white hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, bouncing with each shift of movement. Her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with a hopeful determination, one that seemed untouched by fear or doubt.
She was Kiana Kaslana—the first companion Noah had met on this journey. A beacon of light, of warmth. And of resilience he hadn't yet fully understood.
Noah glanced at her and smiled faintly. "It'll be a few hours. We're heading to an unknown world."
Kiana tilted her head. "An unknown world? Where is it?"
"I've been tracking it through the express's systems," Noah said, running his fingers over the controls. "It's a world that doesn't seem to have any record in the archives. But the Astral Express picked up on it. I believe it's just a couple of jumps away. We'll know more when we get there."
"Sounds intriguing," A melodic voice chimed in from the corner of the room, laced with an elegant, almost playful lilt. The speaker stepped forward, her long, rosy-pink hair cascading down her back in waves, eyes shimmering with mischief and warmth. There was a graceful beauty to her—timeless and radiant.
She was Elysia. Once encased in a crystalline bloom deep within Kiana's home world, she had been a forgotten dream waiting to be rediscovered. Noah and Kiana had found her there—resting, untouched by time, her slumber guarded by petals of light. When she awoke, she smiled—and chose to follow them into the unknown.
a small smile playing on her lips. "But is it safe?"
Noah didn't hesitate. "I can't be sure. But sometimes, the unknown is where we find what we need."
Kiana's gaze drifted back to the stars. "I guess it's worth a shot. We could use a change of scenery."
There was a silence that followed. Elysia walked over and placed a gentle hand on Kiana's shoulder. "Adventure always starts with a step into the unknown."
Kiana grinned. "Then let's take a big step."
Noah smiled faintly as he reached for the ship's controls, the hum of the Astral Express rising with quiet anticipation. He set the course with deliberate calm, eyes steady as the astral rift shimmered ahead—a swirling vortex of color and light. The moment felt right.
The Express responded like a living thing, pulsing with energy as it surged forward into the rift. As stars twisted into streaks beyond the glass, Noah leaned back, mind adrift in thought, contemplating the path ahead.
Would this world offer answers? Or more questions?
—
The ship shuddered briefly as they passed through the rift, the soft rumble of energy pulsating through the hull. For a moment, everything felt disjointed—a fleeting feeling of weightlessness before the Astral Express settled into a new rhythm.
"We're here," Noah said, wonder blooming in his voice. Through the viewport, the world unfurled before them—vivid and alive, yet ancient in its silence. Great rivers wound between jagged mountain ranges, and the remnants of long-forgotten ruins dotted the landscape like scars on an old soul.
"It's beautiful..." Kiana breathed, her voice soft with awe.
Elysia placed a hand on her back, warm and gentle. "And it's real. That's what matters, Kiana. We're here together."
Noah stared at the planet, and in that moment… something stirred. The Force pulsed softly in his chest—not a warning, but a quiet echo. A presence.
"There's someone down there," he murmured, almost to himself. "Someone important."
The Astral Express descended gently, breaking through the clouds like a falling star. Fields of green stretched out before them as they approached, dotted with wildflowers and the soft shimmer of a waking breeze. The hum of the engines quieted as the ship touched down on a grassy plateau.
The doors slid open, letting in the scent of earth and bloom, fresh and untamed. As the trio stepped onto solid ground, their boots pressing into the dewy grass, the silence of the land greeted them like a breath held too long.
"This place... it feels different," Kiana murmured, her voice full of both wonder and curiosity.
Elysia glanced around, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It's beautiful, yes. But there's a mystery here. I can feel it."
Noah nodded slowly. "This world is unlike any other we've encountered. But let's explore. We'll figure it out."
The forest welcomed them with dappled light and quiet birdsong, but as they moved deeper, the sense of peace gave way to stillness too perfect to be natural. Nestled between the trees, they found a village. Quaint. Empty. Abandoned.
The trio slowed, eyes scanning shuttered windows and untouched doorsteps. The silence grew heavy—until it broke.
A figure stepped into the clearing, her movements fluid, cautious, yet certain. Golden eyes met theirs, framed by soft blonde hair that shimmered faintly in the sun. She carried herself with the calm grace of someone who had wandered too far, for too long.
She studied them, expression unreadable, and for a heartbeat, the world itself seemed to hold its breath. The Force surged gently within Noah—no danger, only a pulse of knowing.
He stepped forward, offering a calm, reassuring smile. "Hey there," Noah said, his voice steady. "Didn't mean to startle you. We're not from around here."
The girl's golden eyes flicked between them, unreadable but not unfriendly. She remained still.
"We just arrived," he continued. "Exploring, learning—trying to understand this place."
There was a pause, and then the girl tilted her head slightly, her tone soft. "You're… not locals. You don't have the look."
"No," he said. "Not even close."
The Force stirred faintly—curious, quiet.
"You're the first person we've met," he added. "And maybe… the right one."
The girl blinked once, gaze lingering on Noah. For a moment, her posture softened—just slightly. It wasn't trust, not yet, but a flicker of consideration. She looked past them to the treetops swaying gently above.
"I've seen signs," she said slowly. "Shadows in places that should hold none. Places that no longer belong to themselves."
The Force whispered again. Not logic. Feeling. She was part of this.
She hesitated. "This world is not what it seems. Be careful. The Abyss is stirring."
Kiana blinked. "The Abyss?" Her voice carried no fear—only innocent curiosity.
The girl turned her gaze toward the horizon. "A force that corrupts everything it touches. If you stay long enough… you will meet it."
"We'll face it," Noah said quietly. "Together."
Elysia stepped forward, smile warm and welcoming. "If you'd be willing… we could use a guide."
The girl studied them a moment longer, then gave the smallest nod. "I will help you. But don't mistake wonder for safety. This world has teeth."
The four began to walk, the silence between them slowly replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the rhythm of footsteps shared.
"I'm Noah," he said, voice lighter now. "This is Kiana. And that's Elysia."
Kiana beamed. "Nice to meet you! I have a feeling we're going to be great friends."
Elysia extended a hand with elegance. "We're grateful to meet you."
The girl paused, then finally said, "Lumine. That's my name."
Lumine nodded. "Much lies ahead. Let's begin with trust."
The forest deepened. The path wound forward. And in that simple moment—between names and smiles, between silence and song—a bond was born.
Their journey had begun.