Star Rail: The Aeon Hunters

Lynx's brief exploration of the space station had been an exhilarating experience, like something out of a book. A gigantic vessel floating through the vastness of space, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. She had even taken photos and sent them to Pela with the caption 'Exploring the Satelladon.'

"Hey Lynx, Clara,"

Lynx and Clara turned to Stella walking towards them. "Miss Stella!" the former walked closer to her. "So, have you guys settled on our next destination yet?"

"Yep, March told us we need to start talking about our group's name and backstory," she turned to Clara. "I think Clara can help too, if she's not busy."

Clara nodded. "Of course, I have time, what do you need Miss Stella?" she looked at the other end of the Space Station. "If this is delicate matter, we should talk in my study, please follow me," she gave the two a short bow before leading them both through the space station.

...

Soon, they made it to Clara's study, which is basically her personal office. Strange robotic trinkets decorated the room. Robotic parts neatly organized in the locker and stands around the room. There's also a large desk with all sorts of fancy schematic all over it.

Clara pulled a lever near her desk and the floor shifted as a large coffee table emerged from the floor. She sat down near it and gestured at everyone else to sit down. "This should be private enough," she turned to Stella. "So how was it, miss Stella?"

"We're going to Xianzhou Luofu," Stella said. "Long story short, Dan Heng and March just got a bounty under their name for something they didn't do,"

"Oh no," Clara said.

"Again?" Lynx sighed. "How are they taking it?"

Stella chuckled. "It's fine, Dan Heng wants to go to Xianzhou to clear up the misunderstanding since it was his homeland, March on the other hand," she paused, cleared her throat, and made her best March 10th impression. "Oh! The NERVE of those Geezers, I say we go there and give them a good reason to give us a bounty! That'll teach em!"

Lynx laughed a little at that. "Ahaha! That sounds like what she'd do..." she folded her arms. "I'm guessing we're not going with them though?"

"Nope, we're going to go there as..." Stella paused. "Who are we again?"

Everyone looked up in deep thought, thinking about this new group of theirs.

Lynx stood up and start pacing around the room. "We're researchers, that much is certain. Clara is the Robot Princess of the Frozen Wasteland..."

"N-no, that was just a nickname the moles gave me..." Clara said, blushing.

"Stella is the Herscherr of Destruction,"

"They call me, the Galactic Baseballer," Stella made a pose with her bat.

"And I am an Explorer," Lynx folded her arms. "Titles for each of us is cool, but we still need a name for our group..." she sat back down, deep in thought.

"I have one..." Clara said. "While looking into Madam Herta's research, I came upon a note on Aeon called Akivili the Aeon of Trailblaze. They were apparently the ones who connected the entire cosmos itself in a network, contributing not only in terms of transportation but also standardized time."

Lynx and Stella turned to her, intrigued.

"The thing that impresses me about Akivili is how they really and truly are an explorer," Clara sighed softly. "Not only that, but some records say that Akivili even walk among mankind as a mortal rather than just a mighty Aeon," she smiled softly. "So, what if we call ourselves, the Trailblazers following the Spirit of Akivili?"

"The Trailblazers," Lynx giggled. "That sounds so good, I hope it's not too on the nose with Trailseekers..."

"Hmm... Mr. Yang also talked about Akivili," Stella replied. "He said that out of all Aeon's that exists, Akivili is the one that is closest to humanity, he believes that Akivili represents an Aeon that's truly beneficial and helpful to mankind."

The three of them looked at each other. "So, it's settled then?" Lynx asked. "We call ourselves the Trailblazers?"

"Yeah, sounds good to me," Stella replied.

"Yes, I think it fits us nicely," Clara added.

Lynx grinned brightly. "Alright! We got our name settled," she nodded proudly. "Next is, our goal and motivation, anything other than researching?"

Stella raised her hand. "For now, we need more members for our teams and..." she shrugged a little. "I dunno just have fun? I heard there's plenty of cool things to do in Xianzhou,"

Clara nodded in agreement. "I agree, our travel doesn't have to be purely for research. Getting to know the locals and admiring the cultures of the places we visit is just another way we can embody the Spirit of Trailblaze,"

Lynx's eyes widened a little in surprise. "Wait... Clara, is it okay if we become Trailblazers for real?" she whispered. "I mean, I know that we're all about Anti-Aeon and everything, but like..."

"You can, the blessings of the Trailblazers will also help you on your journey," Clara said. "Besides, just because you follow an Aeon's path, doesn't mean you agree or support them. They aren't like humans or gods, you see?"

Lynx tilted her head. "Really??? So how do I... Start following their path?"

"If you're serious about it, you should already are... Ehehe..." Clara giggled softly. "It's really just a matter of intention,"

"Whoa... I wonder what sort of Blessings I'll get..." Lynx looked at her own body, absolutely nothing changed. "What about you Clara?"

"I am a follower of the Path of Erudition, same with Madam Herta,"

With that, the two turned to Stella. She tilted her head and put both hands behind her head. "I mean... I am the Herscherr of Destruction so..." she shrugged. "Path of Destruction,"

Lynx grinned a little. A follower of Erudition, Destruction, and Trailblazer. They are like a ragtag team of adventurers that only exists in Pela's long list of novels.

A light ring snapped Lynx out of her musings. Clara took out a phone out of her pocket. "Oh, Madam Herta gave us permission to take one of the Space Station's Shuttle," she smiled and stood up. "Come on, let's see what else she's prepared for us."

[LINE BREAK]

When Clara made it back to the Research Center, Asta and Herta seemed to be in a fierce argument. The former has that frustrated look on her face while the latter just stood there impassively.

"Madam Herta, with all due respect, you are out of your mind," Asta said.

"Clara is my apprentice and I have the final say on what she gets from the Space Station," Herta replied.

"No, no, absolutely not! Have her to just borrow a Space Shuttle? Madam Herta, please think this through! She's your apprentice!"

Clara stopped midway, biting her lip. The thing she feared the most is happening. She always had a feeling that Madam Herta has been overblowing what she's worth. Giving her a personal office in the Space Station is one thing, but a space shuttle... there's only so much she can demand from the Space Station.

"Well, if you feel like digging into your own pockets to..." Herta paused when she saw Clara walking timidly towards them. "Oh look, she's here."

Clara took a deep breath and turned to Asta. "Ano... Lead Researcher Asta," she bowed deeply. "I'm very, very sorry for making the unreasonable demands for the Space Station and I realize that I've went too far with abusing my position,"

Asta's eyes widened. "Wa-wait, Clara, you misunderstood,"

"No, I understand," Clara took a deep breath. "It's alright, regardless of my position, there's a certain line that I simply cannot cross," she gestured at Stella and Lynx. "This Space Shuttle will be given to my friends here for their mission, in the mean time I promise I will work harder for the Space Station."

Clara then turned to Herta. "And Madam Herta, I humbly ask you to not spoil me too much, I understand that as your apprentice you believe that the Space Station should facilitate all of my activities, but..." she looked down. "I don't want to be a burden for everyone else here, so please, let me work to earn my rights, just like everyone else in this space station."

Madam Herta nodded. "Exactly what I wanted to hear from my apprentice," she pat Clara's shoulder. "I'll let you talk it out with Asta now, see ya,"

Clara turned to Asta who looked like she wanted to cry from this misunderstanding.

"Lead Researcher Asta..."

"Clara, sweetie, listen..." Asta sighed a little.