The train stretched into the unknown vastness of space.
It was one of many transport methods used by them—a vessel of steel, designed to pierce the fractures of reality, effortlessly cutting through dimensions.
The Cosmic Juggernaut was in the midst of its journey, carrying its passengers through the deepest fears known to humanity in that era.
According to the one who dispatched it, the journey was meant to be smooth with the Divine Key in use—a seamless trip through the endless expanse. After all, something within it was meant to protect the train.
Even as it ventured across the dreaded fracture known as the Dead Zone, nothing was supposed to stand in its way—as long as Cera was there.
That is… until something unexpected appeared in its path.
"Heeey… c'mon, don't jinx this trip. Lia's still feeling down after leaving them," Cera muttered, her voice light but carrying an undertone of caution.
Taking a seat on the plush black cushion of the passenger carriage, she studied the faintly glowing dark red feather floating above her palm. This ethereal plume was no mystery to her.
It was His Feather—the same one that usually rested within The Void. Though its color and shape had changed slightly, the warmth it carried and the purpose it served remained the same.
To keep, to preserve, to hold memories within.
"Yeah… it's His Feather," she murmured, slipping it back into her pocket. "I chose to keep that world within this one. Maybe one day, it would mean something to Lia."
A small smirk found its way to her lips.
"I'd say I did a pretty great job, wouldn't you?" (Cera)
As the woman's joyful laughter echoed through the air, a commotion erupted at the front of the locomotive, where the engineer's seat was typically located.
"Oh hold on, I'm tagging along." (Cera)
As she arrived, she couldn't help but peek over to see what the little girl and her little friend were up to.
Gazing out at the passing scenery, the feasty haired little girl and her little furrball friend sat there, their curious eyes scanning every detail.
"(Whisper) What, they're being good kids." (Cera)
Like a curious child granted the best seat on the car, Hylia's eyes remained wide with wonder. Unable to tear her gaze away from the ever-lasting view before her, all she saw was an endless stretch of darkness ahead.
Ever since they had left behind the small world with Danmachi's setting, all she saw was this endless expanse of darkness, her eyes dry and drained from the tears she had cried.
"Everything is dark." (Hylia)
"Fuwa," came the simple reply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Then, after a brief pause—"Fuwa?"
"No... Cera will get mad if we touch things carelessly... but... what is this for?" Hylia wondered. "I've never seen this kind in Hepha's smithy."
Initially, she had grown tired of gazing out the passenger window and had hoped for a change of scenery from the front of the locomotive. Who wouldn't be curious about the person behind the wheel of this massive vehicle??
Now, as she stood in her new position, she was confronted with a bleak view where no driver in sight. The scenery outside was no different from the darkened window beside Cera's seat.
A suffocating void stretched endlessly beyond the glass, an impenetrable veil of darkness that swallowed even the faintest glimmer of light. This was the so-called Dead Zone: Third Layer.
"(Whisper) In Subnautica, there's no such thing as layers upon layers... but in this Dead one, we do. There are five layers, actually, and each one still belongs to the Outer Expanse." (Cera)
Leaning back against the wall, she let out a quiet breath and briefly closed her eyes, as if listening to the distant echoes of a lost civilization. In that moment, she resembled a wanderer longing for a home that no longer existed.
"(Whisper) I don't particularly enjoy talking about the Outer… but something that is dead was once alive." Her voice was subdued, laced with an almost reluctant nostalgia. "The Dead Zone… it was once inhabited by sentient beings. Planets, stars, even entire galaxies once thrived here."
Yet, whatever had transpired in the past had wiped them all out—planets, stars, even entire galaxies, erased without a trace. This vast emptiness was no mere coincidence.
There was a possibility… that the birth of the Outer Expanse, which now stretched across the entirety of the Dead Zone, was inextricably linked to the destruction that once befell this place.
A cause. A consequence. A truth lost to the void.
"Yeah, that's why Zei got curious too. But really, there's no point in coming to a place that's nothing more than cosmic dust." Cera let out a quiet sigh before shifting the subject. "Enough about the background—how's Lia?"
Although she could at least see the intricate mechanisms within the train silently at work. The faces of the two young beings were now just a few inches away from the buttons, gauges, and steering wheel that comprised the locomotive's control panel.
Their curiosity was piqued.
"How about this?" Hylia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she pressed the "Light Speed" button, and then... wham!
The acceleration slammed her back just like a tumbling weed. She was launched backward like a rag doll, her stomach lurching as the train shot forward like a bullet. "Huaah?!" she yelped, her voice trembling with surprise.
Cera's laughter was infectious as she swooped in to catch Hylia, a playful glint in her eye. "Gotcha, little troublemaker!" she teased, a hint of amusement in her voice. "What did I say about messing with the controls?"
Hylia's face burned with embarrassment as she thought back to all the times Cera had warned her about messing with the train's controls. "I-I'm sorry... it's just the button is calling for me," she mumbled, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Yeah... calling, huh?" (Cera)
She blushed even harder, feeling like a scolded child. "Unnm..." she muttered, avoiding eye contact.
But as she looked up at Cera, the little one couldn't help but feel a twinge of awe. Because that woman was just... lounging there. Unfazed, even as they hurtled through space at near-light speed.
"What? Oh, did Zei forget to set the safety permissions for two extra passengers?!" Cera let out a frustrated sigh. "I told him I wasn't alone… Unbelievable. Just keep holding onto my shirt, Lia."
"O-Okay..." Hylia gasped, still struggling to breathe, let alone move. But then—"Oh? Wow... it feels normal again."
After Cera slowed the train from light speed and made a few adjustments to the main panel, the little one finally managed to stand on her own again.
Yet, even with her balance restored, an invisible weight still pressed down on her, as if gravity itself refused to let go. The lingering effects of the excessive speed were still coursing through her body.
As she tried to move, she suddenly realized that Fuwa was nowhere to be found. A wave of panic washed over her, but it was soon replaced by Cera's calm explanation.
"I think Fuwa got sent flying to the next carriage," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Huah!? Fuuwaa! I'm sorry!" (Hylia)
"If you end up falling, don't say I didn't warn you!" Cera chuckled, watching the little girl chase after the fluffy creature.
Left alone, she let her thoughts drift toward what lay ahead. They had only just passed the third layer—there's still a long way to go. Perhaps some entertainment would be needed to pass the time.
As someone who could perceive more than just the truth, she found herself growing impatient—eager for the next whisper, the next piece of the Fool's story to unfold.
"It's Sakura Zeimachi! How many times do I have to repeat myself?!" she huffed before pausing in thought. "Anyway, it's Sengoku's turn now, right? Hmm… I have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen there. Want me to spill a little?"
As usual, Cera had a habit of talking to the air.
"Well, to put it simply… Sengoku is like a mix of Kalpas, Accelerator, and Bakugo," she muttered to herself. "Most of Zei's personas are mashups of characters he's encountered, after all. Als: Rengoku and Otto… then there's Dust: Belial and Diablo, and so on."
"So, just imagine what would happen if any of those walking balls of anger ended up in a world perfectly tailored to their tastes. They'd either try to destroy everything—just like how a kid smashes the sandcastles they built themselves—or get bored out of their minds." (Cera)
Muttering idly as she strolled through carriage after carriage, Cera eventually found Hylia and Fuwa nestled together in the rear section of the train.
The two were clinging to each other in an embrace, as if they had just reunited after years apart. Honestly, Cera thought their antics were a little too melodramatic. "Why do you two look so terrified?"
"C-Cera... there's a stray lingerie over there!" (Hylia)
"Fuwa!"
As it turned out, they had been spooked by a piece of underwear casually draped over a passenger seat cushion. Realizing just how ridiculous that was, Cera let out a long, weary sigh before wordlessly tossing the garment aside.
"(Whisper) Must be someone from Star Rail… The last time this train was used, it was in that world," she grumbled.
"There was a race, you see—between the Cosmic Juggernaut and the Astral Express back then. Maybe someone left their clothes behind during all that chaos. But don't worry, it's just the three of us here." (Cera)
"Really?! You're really sure?!" Hylia pressed, eyes wide with unease. "I don't know if I can stop you on my own. Ever since we got on this train, I'm not sure I can use my full power anymore..."
"Well, that's because this place is a neutral zone. Don't mind it too much." (Cera)
Seeing the little girl so shaken, Cera simply nodded and ruffled her hair in reassurance. Still, she couldn't help but ask—why was Hylia so scared over a mere piece of lingerie?
She then mumbled, her face turning red. "B-Because… if that's there, doesn't that mean… something lewd could happen? I-I'm still scared… If something like that happens, then… then Cera will get mad again… and maybe even destroy this whole sliding vehicle..."
"Hey! Don't make it sound like I'm some cranky old lady who flips out over nothing!" Cera huffed, delivering a slow karate chop—straight to Fuwa's head instead. Fuwa blinked in confusion.
There was a time, hidden within their many shared moments, when Cera had promised to teach Hylia a few things about adult matters. With the existence of a Red Light District in Danmachi'sworld, it wasn't all that difficult to give her a proper education on the subject.
Perhaps, this trace of fear can be traced back to that moment. Right?
"(Whisper) W-Why do I feel like you're getting mad at me?" Cera muttered under her breath. "(Whisper) H-Hey, I had to! What if someone tried to take advantage of Lia? Do you know how many Breeding Uncles exist in this story?! There are tons! Don't even let me start about NTR Rangers Squad."
Explain why Hylia is afraid you'll get mad.
"(Whisper) Y-You're going full commando on me right now... Look, it was just one of those cliché moments. When she was learning in the Red Light District, some Random Civilian #762 tried to flirt with her, and even pressured her to wear lingerie like that. Bell Cranel arrived just in time to stop him, but I wasn't satisfied with just that." (Cera)
...
"(Whisper) Really, that's all. She's still the same pure, cute, ice cream-loving brat! I just taught her what she needs to know and what to avoid. That's it! Besides, I'm a proud Vanilla enjoyer!" Cera declared.
...
"(Whisper) Though… I do enjoy NTR sometimes..." she muttered under her breath.
...
"(Whisper) But the point is! I did what I could to teach her—without, you know, leaving any permanent scars or anything. So… I mean… I'm safe, right? H-Hey? You're not just gonna erase me or something, are you?" (Cera)
After settling the two young souls down, Cera urged them to sit quietly. Their journey was still far from over, and with the energy they'd need later, it would be best to sleep until they reached the First Layer of the Dead Zone.
"Fheww..." Cera exhaled, stretching her arms. "Alright, both of you… sit tight. Ughh… this has gotta be the hardest babysitting job I've ever had to deal with… Yjooor Where are you, my boy? I need your Yjorpium…"
"Okay! But teach me one song first!" Hylia chirped.
"Fuwa!"
"...Oh, come on," Cera groaned, already exhausted. "Can't you two just sit tight for once?"
"Nope~!" Hylia and Fuwa answered in perfect sync, making Cera wonder who had raised them to be like this... oh, right. It was her.
Cera was already at her limit, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Dealing with these two was like herding stray comets—impossible to control and constantly colliding with her patience.
But even in the most trying moments, she knew there's always something to gain. Every obstacle she overcame would surely be repaid in due time, in ways the universe had yet to reveal.
"First is Magnolia." (Cera)
With a sigh, she reached under a worn-out passenger seat and pulled out a small, stringed instrument—its surface slightly dented, its strings humming with the potential of forgotten songs.
She plucked a few notes, testing the tension, before settling into a slow, soothing rhythm. The sound resonated through the dimly lit carriage, wrapping around them like a lullaby carried by the manager of the void itself.
"Then Myotosis or forget-me-not." (Cera)
Hylia and Fuwa, once restless, quieted down. Their small figures leaned against the seats, eyes fluttering shut as they surrendered to the melody.
Cera watched them for a moment, her fingers moving almost instinctively over the strings, playing a tune that felt both ancient and new—something plucked from the echoes of lost civilizations.
"Fuwa?"
"Yeah you're right, Fuwa. Are these songs about flower?" (Hylia)
"Indeed they are, though not just some regular flowers," Cera said, adjusting a few strings before strumming once more. "And finally, Marigold."
Outside, the vast darkness of the Dead Zone stretched infinitely, a hollow expanse where not even the faintest glimmer of starlight could be seen.
And yet… if they dared to whisper their wishes, if they clung to the embers of hope still flickering in their hearts, perhaps—just perhaps—those wishes would find their way into the universe, carried by unseen currents, waiting to be fulfilled in ways they could never predict.
As the soft melody filled the carriage, Cera's voice broke the rhythm.
"Lia, what's the one wish you want to come true the most right now? Try whispering it in your heart," she said, her fingers still lazily strumming the strings.
Hylia blinked, tilting her head. "A wish? Hmm… I have a lot! But why?"
"Just do it." (Cera)
"Oh… got it," Hylia mumbled, closing her eyes.
Clasping her hands together, the feasty haired little girl scrunched her eyes shut, as if pouring all her might into making her wish come true. A mountain of chocolate ice cream? Never having to leave Hestia Familia? Whatever it was, only she knew about it.
Beside her Fuwa also mimicked her actions. Deep in thought, they're making their own silent wish. Cera, however, remained still as she finished and brought her song to a close.
She had no need to wish for anything—she already had the one she desired most within her own story. Whispers of hope were meaningless to someone who carried the embers of everlasting hope within them.
Her fond memories with Sakura Zeimachi burned within her soul, unwavering and unyielding, so long as she willed it. And yet despite it all, a small, fleeting wish still crossed her mind.
A wish so beautiful, so ultimate, to ensure the Fool's journey wouldn't be disturbed.
"Zei erotic scene… hm," Cera mused absently, tapping her chin. "Not in Blender, not in Koikatsu… but some real-life, ultra-HD, ray-traced, motion-captured, physics-enabled, AI-enhanced, dynamically rendered, Dolby Surround Sound-optimized, IMAX 3D experience..."
She paused.
"With haptic feedback." (Cera)
...
"...Lots of erotic scenes... with Hentai definitely," Cera muttered again to herself. "Whatever the genre… as long as there's no Futa, netorase, or anything that would force me to do a mental reset halfway through."
...
"God-tier animation… a soundtrack that makes you ascend… seamless transitions between POV and cinematic angles…" she mumbled feverishly. "With subtle but impactful plot progression… character development that makes the climax hit emotionally…"
She clenched her fists.
"NO CENSORSHIP." (Cera)
The more she let the thought spiral, the worse it got.
Heat surged to her cheeks, her mind spiraling deeper into the very thoughts she was trying to suppress. No matter how much she willed herself to stay composed, the treacherous curve of her lips kept forming a grin—one she couldn't erase.
"Khuh! Get real! Get real! Get real!" Her body trembled. Her soul quaked. The sheer magnitude of her burning, unholy desire threatened to rip a hole in the very fabric of reality.
"I pray to Bahamut, Madoka, Speedwagon, Lord KMR, Ohma Zi-O, the Wise Sage Morbius, and all cultured beings—except Kazuma from Konosuba, that trash! I demand… ABSOLUTE, MAXIMUM, PEAK FICTION SEGGGGGGGGS! GRANT ME WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!" (Cera)
The hum of the Cosmic Juggernaut's engines filled the silence, carrying them ever forward through the endless void of the Outer Expanse. Until it was disturbed by Cera's outburst.
"Give me seggs scene, you shitty ▀▀▀▀!!!" she shouted, fists clenched, her frustration boiling over.
"Whuhah?!? You really are angry!" Hylia yelped, clutching Fuwa like a tiny, terrified shield.
———————————————————
「Chamber of mind」
The Chamber of Mind—an imaginary expanse formed within his consciousness.
A space, a room, a mental realm devoid of decoration, save for walls covered in shifting static, resembling the distorted screen of a broken television. The air felt thick with an unplaceable hum, as if the very fabric of this realm was in constant flux.
Hidden within this ever-shifting veil were several concealed doors, seamlessly blending into the chaotic colors. Their existence was obscured by an unknown force, and only the Personas—the manifested fragments of his psyche—could perceive and access them.
Thus, this Mental Realm became both a sanctuary and a fortress, shielding the mind of Sakura Zeimachi from external and internal threats alike.
And behind one of these hidden doors, a gathering was taking place. The activated Personas had convened, deep in discussion over something of great importance…
"Kukuku... What a shame, Als, my brother. You were the one who admired Fu Hua the most, yet your ideology held you back, and you couldn't even last an hour with her. Huhu, such a pity."「El Dust」
"Ahaha! That's not entirely true. While I do wish I could play with Fuka-san again, I can't bring myself to lie to her. Every second I spend deceiving her is another second of torment for me."「Als」
"That's exactly what I pity about you. If it were me, I would have kept her in the safest place, one that only I could enter. Freedom will only drive you two apart."「El Dust」
"Yeah... you're right, my friend Dust. But this is the freedom I wished for her, and I am truly grateful that I was able to give Fuka-san that freedom! Ahahaha!"「Als」
Hearing that response, El Dust merely shook his head, musing to himself as always.
They were all gathered behind one of the hidden doors, inside a secluded room designed for comfort, modeled like a cinema. It was here that they observed and analyzed the unfolding events happening before their physical eyes, using this space as their private viewing chamber.
From within this concealed sanctuary, they watched in silence.
From within this concealed sanctuary, they cheered whenever an exciting scene played out.
Together with two other Personas, Necrophi/Vandango and Loli-man, they resembled a group of friends enjoying a movie night—analyzing, reacting, and immersing themselves in the spectacle before them.
"By the way, why did you just leave like that? Couldn't you have used some kind of recovery or resurrection and kept fighting? Now it's like you're dumping everything on Sengo to clean up your mess, man."「Loli-man」
"Hmm, I just got a call from Zei. He wanted to use the Astra Sphere for a bit, so I logged out to hand it over. But… hahaha! Who knows, maybe Monolith got destroyed too quickly and trapped me inside!"「Als」
"Bruh. What's the call anyway?"「Loli-man」
"...He needed something to pick up Cher. After disappearing for who knows what reason, she suddenly ended up far beyond the Dead Zone and asked for a ride back. Honestly, she loves being a hassle."「Necrophi/Vandango」
"Oh? Cher left without telling anyone? Now that's interesting."「Loli-man」
When gathered in one place, the Personas were often difficult to distinguish from one another. Because of this, they each understood their roles without needing further explanation.
El Dust was easily recognizable by his chef's hat—a cook, barber, and butcher who wielded scissors and rope as his tools. Meanwhile, Als had the most eccentric appearance, his entire outfit carrying the distinct essence of Murim culture.
As for Necrophi/Vandango, he kept things simple, wearing a plain white shirt and long pants, his straight-cut bangs giving him the appearance of a mushroom. Then there's Loli-man—who, instead of revealing his face, simply wore a wanted poster over it.
"Guys, since we're talking about girls—do you have a favorite from the map we're playing on right now? I mean, even though we've barely met anyone from the Honkai-verse, surely someone must've caught your eye, right?"「Loli-man」
Speaking casually and without a care, the Persona grabbed a whiteboard and stuck it onto the wall. Written clearly at the top were the words: "Take Me Out."
For some reason, he was suddenly curious about his fellow Personas' favorite girls. Then again, Loli-man had always been the type to do random things without warning anyone beforehand.
"Well… I don't think my answer would be all that interesting if I go first. How about you?" Als said, glancing to his side. "I'm curious about the taste of a killer like you."
"Hmm... huhu, I do have one or two from my recent encounters," El Dust admitted with a smirk. "But it wouldn't be fair if I had to start again, my world-destroyer friend," he added, shifting his gaze to the next person.
Necrophi/Vandango remained silent and simply turned to the person beside him.
"Ahh, fine! On the count of three, write down the name of your favorite girl on the board as fast as you can," Loli-man announced. Using the strange physics of the dream realm, he tossed a few markers to the others. "That way, no one has any excuses, right?"
In perfect sync, the four of them nodded and got into position like athletes at the starting line.
Loli-man began his countdown. "Alright—one… two… and—"
"Fuka-san, obviously!"「Als」
Before Loli-man could even finish, Als had already slammed his answer onto the board, his handwriting so elaborate it looked like a masterpiece of calligraphy. The marker stroke still shimmered with divine intensity, as if he'd poured his very soul into writing it.
The room fell into stunned silence for a moment.
"...Dude, at least pretend to wait for three," Loli-man deadpanned.
"Fuka-san should never be in third place!" Als declared dramatically.
Already used to his over-the-top antics, the other Personas didn't bother waiting for a cue. Without hesitation, they started scribbling down their answers. El Dust finished first, followed by Loli-man, and last—taking his sweet time—Necrophi/Vandango.
"Higokumaru."「El Dust」
"Sirin."「Loli-man」
"...Adult Bronya."「Necrophi/Vandango」
Loli-man squinted. "You paused there for a second, didn't you?"
Necrophi/Vandango sighed. "...Fine. Adult Bronya and Bronie. Plus Durandal. Also Monolith."
Loli-man blinked. "Man… that's quite a list."
A few moments later…
With all the names scribbled in a chaotic mix of fonts—some bold, some cursive, one even looking suspiciously like Comic Sans—Loli-man stared at the board in silence. His expression unreadable.
"...Now all that's left is Sengoku. Since he himself said he's never met anyone from the Honkai-verse... I guess his opinion would be more of a love-at-first-sight situation," Loli-man finally muttered.
"What's this list even for? As far as I know, you already understand them pretty well."「Als」
"Yeah, I know plenty about them. There are tons of memes about them, after all," Loli-man replied, scratching at the wanted poster covering his face. "I just wanted to mark who I'm not allowed to mess with."
As it turned out, the whole reason he had started this ranking in the first place… was simply to figure out who was off-limits for his antics. His approach was eerily similar to a hitman compiling a "do-not-touch" list before a job.
"...You're overthinking this."「Necrophi/Vandango」
"Indeed, my lolicon brother," El Dust mused as usual. "Just because they're our favorites doesn't mean you have to hold back for our sake. This whole charade is for our enjoyment, after all. Prioritize your own desires—there's no mission forcing your hand here."
"Haha! That's right. Knowing you, you're probably acting exactly as Dust predicted," Als laughed. "But honestly, I share his opinion—just as long as you don't do anything you don't actually want to do."
"Yeah... that's something I'll try to keep in mind."「Loli-man」
Feeling a bit too familiar with this sudden wave of brotherly camaraderie, Loli-man decided to shift his focus back to the big screen.
There, playing like a blockbuster movie, was Sengoku in the middle of a heated confrontation—facing off against Thomas the Main Unit. His expression was pissed-off, a man teetering on the edge of destruction, seconds away from unleashing his fury.
Seeing that the battle was far from over, Loli-man and the other Personas leaned back in their seats. Their fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. "Now then… let's us see what the Mad Dog will do next."