Star Rail: The Aeon Hunters

"Ms. Landau, is it? May I ask…"

"Too stuffy Dan Heng! Be friendlier!" March called out.

Lynx smiled a little at their exchange. "You can call me Lynx, what is it Dan Heng?"

Dan Heng shot March a look before sighing. "Right, I just wish to ask… these fragmentium monsters, do you recognize them?" he asked her.

Lynx slowly nodded. "Yes… these fragmentium monster has been around for a long time. The Silvermane Guards work 24/7 to keep these creatures at bay, away from the city," she explained.

"Silvermane Guards?"

"Yes, they are the people who work tirelessly to protect the city of Belobog and those who live in it under the guidance of our leader the Supreme Guardian," Lynx explained.

With that, Lynx spent the rest of the journey explaining to the group everything she know about Belobog, Fragmentium, and everything else. 

Soon, everyone can see the tall imposing gates of Belobog. The final bastion of humanity in this barren world of winter everlasting.

A handful of silvermane guards stood guard in front of the gates. It's a bit far off and they still haven't notice any of them.

"W-wait," Lynx paused in her tracks. "Uh… ummm…" she motioned everyone to follow her and hide behind a large boulder. She crouched down on the snow and put down her backpack. "I'm so sorry, give me a second…"

Lynx rummaged through her backpack as everyone else crouched around her curious.

"What's wrong Lynx?" March asked.

Lynx found what she was looking for, a pair of binoculars. "Just wanna make sure…" she peek from behind the boulder and observed the guards closely with her binoculars. "Ugh, by the Qlipoth, why is he here?"

"Who?" Stella asked.

"Gepard…" Lynx sighed a little. "He's my brother, he… I mean, I'm not supposed to be out here. I don't want him to see me,"

March grinned. "Well aren't you just a little troublemaker," she gave Lynx a playful nudge. "Then, are there any secret entrance you know?"

Lynx nodded. "Yes, there is, follow me…" she stood up and everyone else was about to follow her, when Dan Heng paused.

"Wait," Dan Heng turned to March and Stella. "If we sneak in, it wouldn't look good on us. The Guards will think of us as trespassers once they found us out. And I do not fancy spending an entire expedition as a wanted fugitive," he paused and gave March a look. "Again,"

March rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine, then what do we do?" she folded her arms. "We can't just let poor Lynx get caught by her brother,"

"It's her fault that she ran away in the first place,"

Stella meanwhile, turned towards Lynx who couldn't say a word. "You can go, through the secret entrance," she told her. "We'll meet you in the city,"

March and Dan Heng heard what Stella said. "So that's the plan?" Dan Heng asked. "I admit it's better than what March has in her mind,"

"I think I like that," March gave Stella a thumbs up. "Good call Stella," she turned to Lynx and pat her head. "We'll see you in the city real soon, now go Lynx! Don't let the guards catch you!"

Lynx slowly nodded, a determined look on her face. "Thank you! Trailseekers, I'll help you in anyway I can once we get to the city!"

With that, the little girl went running off into the distance, leaving the Trailseekers alone in the snow, ready to face the Silvermane Guards.

March watched Lynx go with a wistful smile on her face. Once the little girl disappeared from sight, she turned to Stella and Dan Heng. "Okay, so…" she crouched down and began speaking in a low voice. "We are basically explorers and researchers for Herta's Space Station," she explained. "Dan Heng is the lead scientist, Stella is the new recruit, and I am the cute and adorable communicator. Any questions?"

Stella raised her hand. "What are we researching?"

"This planet and since we saw that Fragmentium Beast, we can say that we're also researching about Stellaron and the Eternal Winter. Though I didn't mention about Stellaron, so… I suppose we'll need to talk with someone who knows,"

Dan Heng nodded in agreement. "This is a very good cover, but do you think it's wise to use Madam Herta's name?" he glanced at the lifeless puppet beside them. "Though we're on good terms with Madam Herta, we're not exactly on good terms with the Space Station itself,"

March clicked her tongue. "Well, I'm betting on the fact that no one here even knows what celestial bodies are," she folded her arms. "I mean, Lynx is definitely educated, and even she was surprised to see how her planet looks like."

"I'm not criticizing your cover March," Dan Heng sighed. "I am just saying that we shouldn't use Madam Herta's name for our cover."

"Well that sounds like a critique to me! I'd like to see you…"

"Enough!" Stella half shouted. "We'll go with March's cover," she took out her bat and pointed at the Silvermane Guards standing outside. "Now we need to figure out how to deal with them. We shouldn't tell them about Lynx so we'll need a new story on how we ended up in Belobog."

March and Dan Heng stood there stunned. Usually it was Welt who steps in when the two started arguing, they weren't expecting Stella to bravely steps in just like that.

The former nodded as a determined look formed on her face. "Alright, leave the talking to me,"

The latter folded his arms and nodded in approval. "I have nothing to say against this plan,"

With that, the three (plus the herta doll) walked out of their hiding spot and approached the Silvermane Guards. The one at the front, a blond haired man with a noticeably better armor than everyone else motioned them to stop in their tracks.

"Halt, in the name of the Supreme Guardian, state your identity and intention," Gepard spoke.

March gulped and stepped forward. "Hi! We're researchers who works for Madam Herta," she gestured at the doll standing beside her. "My name is March 10th, this is Dan Heng, this is Stella, and this is a doll given to us by Madam Herta to help us on our expeditions. Pleasure to meet you!"

Gepard paused for a moment, looking at each and every single one of them with scrutiny. "Where does this… Madam Herta came from? I never heard of her,"

"She's the member of the Genius Society! One of the most renowed scientist in the whole cosmos," March began singing praises of Madam Herta. "Not only that, but she's also the owner of the Herta's Space Station! You can find her name on footnotes in every research paper ever published in the IPC!"

Gepard glanced at his guards, who simply shook their head. He sighed and folded his arms. "So your purpose here is for research?"

"Yep! On your planet, Jarilo VI, your civilizations, and even the Fragmentium Creatures we encountered along the way," March explained.

Gepard tapped the hilt of his sword. "It is said that a long time ago, strange visitors from beyond the sky would visit us here..." there's a faraway look on his face as he quietly mused to himself. After a moment he shook his head and nodded. 

"The decision to welcome or reject you to this city is not mine to make," he spoke with finality. "I shall take you to meet our Supreme Guardian, who shall decide your fate. In the meantime, you may visit the city."

With that, Gepard led the Trailseekers into the great city of Belobog. The air became considerably warmer with every step they took. The outdoor heating system and Qlipoth's blessing worked 24/7 to keep the city warm and livable.

"Welcome to Belobog, the City of Preservation." Gepard announced with a splash of grandiose.

"So this is the city of Belobog," March took out her camera and start taking pictures. From the tall buildings, the tram, the stalls, the fountain, and more. "It's so beautiful! Especially the architecture!"

"Thank you," Gepard replied. "I am glad you can appreciate the beauty of this city,"

Beside him, Dan Heng looked around the place in slight curiosity. "Scans from the Hyperion, our space cruiser, shows that this is the only habitable place in the entire planet," he explained. "Despite this, the city is far less crowded than I expected, how many people are here?"

Gepard shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know the exact number at the top of my head. Please save your question until after you have an audience with Madam Cocolia. If she approves of your stay, I shall send someone more suitable to be your guide around this city."

"Why thank you Mr. Silvermane Guard!"

"It's… Gepard, you can call me Gepard," he replied.

[LINE BREAK]

Soon, the Qlipoth Fort came into view. The building named after the Aeon of Preservation themselves. In there, sat Madam Cocolia the Supreme Guardian of Belobog.

Many guards stood there for protection, but honestly, the crowd is more than enough. There's a very long queue that led from the bottom of the staircase to the fortress. Numerous people seem have something in mind to say with the Supreme Guardian.

Along the way, Stella noted, people are whispering about them and Gepard. It appears that the Silvermane Guard is a big deal around these parts. People are singing praise abou him. Not only that, some even mentioned the name 'Landau'.

"So he's Lynx's brother, right?" Stella whispered.

"Yes," March replied. "But we shouldn't know that yet, if you saw her, pretend you don't know her, let me handle it,"

The four of them marched up the staircase and up to the Qlipoth Fort. March, as always, took her sweet time with the pictures. Some of the guards seem to want to stop her, but Gepard simply raised his hand and told them to stand down.

"Miss March, please refrain from taking pictures once we enter the Qlipoth Fort," Gepard reminded her.

"Ah, sorry! Force of habit, ehehe~"

The towering gates make way to the audience chamber of the Qlipoth Fort. A woman stood on a chair, another silver haired woman stood in front of them. A fierce argument seem to be happening between them.

"...But that's a meaningless sacrifice, how can you…" the silver haired woman tried to speak.

"Ahem, you may leave Bronya. Visitors have arrived,"

"… yes mother,"

The young girl reluctantly left the scene. As she walked past them, the Trailseekers saw a glimpse of her face and March in particular froze. She took a double take on her receeding form, glancing at Dan Heng who simply shook his head.

"Madam Guardian, I have brought the three outsiders to you," Gepard announced their arrival.

Madam Cocolia waved her hand. "The messenger informed me. Well done, Gepard, you may leave,"

With that, Stella, March, Dan Heng, and a still lifeless puppet stood before the Supreme Guardian of Belobog. At once, the four of them bowed down before her in respect, before March began to speak.

"It's a great honor to have an audience with you, Supreme Guardian," March stood up and smiled softly.

Cocolia nodded. "Welcome, visitors from beyond the Eternal Freeze. Or perhaps I should say: from beyond the sky... no?" there's a small smile on her face at the surprised look on March's face. "I am Cocolia Rand, Belobog's supreme guardian. I would be grateful if you could tell me why you have come."

"Research and Intrigue, Madam Guardian," March replied. "We are the Trailseekers, a private group of researchers under the guidance of Madam Herta from the Genius Society. Our mission here is to simply learn more about your world, your city, your people, and your culture,"

The Supreme Guardian slowly nodded, her fingers softly tap on her desk. "May I have your names, Trailseekers? So that I may properly register you as guests in our city?"

March smiled. "Of course, my name is March 10th, I am the communicator and documenter of the expedition," she gestured at Dan Heng. "This is Dan Heng, the lead scientist of our group," she gestured at Stella. "This is Stella, she's our new recruit," finally she gestured at the doll. "This is… not a person, but rather an advanced doll that we bring with us. She helps around~"

Cocolia took a double take at Herta and finally noticed the joints and glassy eyes. "Impressive… If you would be so kind, would you be willing to share some of your knowledge and technology from beyond the stars? It would be most useful for our cause."

"Of course!" March said. "We would love to share our knowledge and findings Madam Guardian, consider it a thanks for your hospitality,"

"You're welcome and as a proof of my gratitude," Cocolia waved her hand. "I will arrange for you to stay in our most comfortable hotel. Rest there, and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow at noon, I will dispatch someone to help you on your research around the city."

[LINE BREAK]

The Trailseekers stepped out of the Qlipoth Fort in silence. Stella tried to break the silence, but Dan Heng motioned at her stay quiet. Something's up with the Supreme Guardian and they need a safe place to talk about it.

"It seems that the supreme guardian holds you in high regard. I have received orders that your movements are no longer to be restricted," Gepard spoke to them as he led them back down to the city.

"She's a great leader," March replied. "Belobog is lucky to have such a kind and benevolent ruler,"

Gepard nodded. "She is, the Supreme Guardian is a beacon of hope and guidance in this great era of disaster," he began his monologue. "For hundreds of years, the city of Belobog have preserved through the Eternal Freeze by the guidance of each and every one of the Supreme Guardians."

March zoned out through half of his speech, but managed to nod convincingly. "In any case, since we're here, we'd like to do a little research on your city and your culture. Can you show us to some place worth visiting?"

"Sure," Gepard gestured at a large building. "There's the Golden Theater and the History Museum, though you'll need a pass to enter the latter," he gestured at a strange sculpture in the middle of the city. "There's also the Everwinter Monument, one of our most symbolic landmark."

Finally, he gestured at the two building at the other side of the city. "That's the Goethe Hotel where you'll be staying and there's the Neverwinter Workshop, the owner is very knowledgable in terms of machinery and technology of our city, so if you're curious you can ask her,"

"Alright, thank you! We'll go check out those places,"