As the situation on the space station settled, Herta stood beside Himeko, arms crossed, her expression unreadable as she addressed Stelle.
"You've handled yourself adequately," Herta said in her usual aloof tone. "Now comes the real question: Would you prefer to stay here and assist with my research maybe get dissected once or twice or join the Astral Express?"
Stelle blinked. "Wait dissected?"
Himeko gave a soft chuckle. "She's joking… mostly."
"I'm not," Herta added with a smirk.
Stelle hesitated, then quickly said, "Yeah, I'll stick with the Express. I'm not signing up for a science experiment."
"Suit yourself," Herta said with a dismissive shrug, turning away. "More samples for someone else."
As Herta and Himeko approached Sepharos, the air around him felt heavy with discipline, an almost unspoken power radiating from his towering figure. His armor, though idle, seemed ever-ready humming softly as it stood at attention.
Herta studied him briefly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Your turn, Space Marine. Will you stay and contribute to my research, or join the others on the train?"
Sepharos answered without hesitation. "I go where I am needed. The Express it is."
Herta narrowed her eyes. "Before you go, answer something for me where did that armor come from? And where exactly are you from?"
He hesitated for a moment, then straightened. "Macragge. Like any son of Guilliman."
Herta blinked, the name unfamiliar. "Guilliman?"
"Robouta Guilliman. The Primarch of the Ultramarines. Daughter of the Empress."
Herta's confusion deepened. "Wait daughter?"
Sepharos nodded, his tone solemn and unwavering. "Indeed."
"And this… Empress?" she asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
Sepharos's voice took on a reverent tone. "The Empress of Mankind. Creator of the twenty-one Primarchs. Ruler of the Imperium. She is the guiding light of Humanity, sovereign across the stars."
There was a long, awkward pause as Herta processed his words.
Herta slowly turned to Himeko, her tone dry. "I think I've found someone more delusional than the Simulated Universe team."
Himeko watched Sepharos move toward the Astral Express, his weapons softly humming in their dormant state. She raised an eyebrow. "He's… oddly polite for someone who's seen so much bloodshed."
Sepharos, walking past them, muttered low and calm, as if in prayer:
"Courage and honor until the end and past it."
Himeko smiled wryly. "Okay. Definitely delusional."
As Himeko guided Stelle and Sepharos onto the Astral Express, the two newcomers took in the sight of their new surroundings. Before they could begin their tour, a small voice called out to them.
"Hey!"
Sepharos and Stelle glanced around, puzzled. There was no one in sight.
"Down here!"
They both looked down only to see a tiny, plush-like creature with big ears and a serious expression staring up at them. The small figure stood proudly with arms crossed.
"Hey, yes, you the ones looking completely dumbfounded. Pom-Pom's talking to you."
Stelle blinked. "It talks?"
"Yes! Pom-Pom does talk. Himeko filled Pom-Pom in on your situation." The little conductor tapped a paw on the floor. "So listen up Pom-Pom's only going to say this once. You've probably had a lot of people tell you how special you are lately, right? But this is the Astral Express. Everyone here has their own secrets. Since you've chosen to board, you're expected to follow the rules. You're not the only special one around here. Remember that."
"I'm Pom-Pom, the conductor. If you have any trouble, come find me."
Pom-Pom then turned to look up at Sepharos who loomed like a walking fortress in his power armor.
"And you try not to damage the Express too much."
Sepharos gave a respectful nod. "I will be careful not to."
Just then, March 7th called out from the hallway. "Hey, you two! First trip, huh? That means double the excitement!" She waved enthusiastically. "C'mon, Stelle tour time!"
Stelle gave Sepharos a quick smile before following March deeper into the Express.
Left behind, Sepharos turned to Himeko. "Himeko, I have a question."
She smiled gently. "Go ahead."
"Where do I stay… so I can 'rest'?"
"We've got some spare rooms in the carriage car," Himeko replied. "It's on the other side of the train, a bit of a walk."
"That's fine," Sepharos said calmly. "I enjoy my solitude."
Himeko led Sepharos through the sleek corridors of the Astral Express, the soft hum of the train beneath their feet as the stars drifted by outside. As they passed through the Parlor Car, the warm lighting and cozy atmosphere contrasted with the cold steel Sepharos was used to.
A mechanical whirr caught his attention.
He turned his head and approached a robot tending to the bar counter a strange-looking automaton with a worn yet polished frame, its movements smooth and practiced as it wiped down a glass it didn't need to.
Sepharos paused. "Who is this?"
Himeko stopped beside him, smiling softly. "Ah, that's Shush."
"Shush was created by an unknown Nameless several Amber Eras ago and was gradually forgotten. After the Express began its journey again, Void Archives restored It. The name 'Shush' actually came from the last thing I told Void Archives before he departed from the Express."
Himeko chuckled at the memory.
"Now, Shush serves as the drinksmith robot of the Express and It;s got a thing for telling jokes, though some of them are… uniquely mechanical."
Shush turned and chirped cheerfully, "Would you like a joke or a drink first, tall and silent?"
Sepharos stared for a moment. "No... thank you."
With a hum of servos, Shush gave a mock bow. "Anytime."
The two continued on past the Parlor Car and into the quieter stretch of the train. Eventually, they arrived at the carriage section. Himeko stopped in front of a room and gestured toward the door.
"This is your room," she said. "It's simple, but it's yours for as long as you ride with us."
Sepharos gave a small nod. "It will suffice. Solitude is a welcome companion."
Now that he was alone in his room, Sepharos finally allowed himself a moment to breathe. The soft hum of the Astral Express was a far cry from the roar of battlefields he remembered or rather, inherited from the memories of a long-dead Space Marine.
He stepped into the center of the room and brought up the system interface only he could see. With a flick of thought, he accessed his inventory, materializing the Gladius Invictus with a flash of light and a gentle hiss of displaced air.
The flame-forged power sword pulsed in his grip, heat radiating gently along its inscribed edge. Ultramar relics glowed faintly across its surface, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, he could feel the righteous fury that coursed through the weapon controlled, focused, waiting.
He set it aside with care, laying it across the small metal table in the room.
Next came the chainsword its teeth dormant but eager, a brutal tool of warfare. Then the standard-issue power sword, its form less ornate than the Invictus, but still a reliable instrument of death. His boltgun followed, heavy and solid, its heavy-augmented frame humming with suppressed potential. Finally, he placed down the Ultramar-pattern shield, emblazoned with the symbol of the XIII Legion solid, unyielding, a wall as much as a weapon.
He looked at the small collection now displayed before him, lined up with military precision. His fingers lingered briefly on the Gladius Invictus.
"This is my path now," he muttered to himself.
The room felt quiet peaceful but his mind was already preparing for whatever scenario the system would throw at him next.
Just as Sepharos finished inspecting his gear, the soft chime of the intercom crackled to life.
"Ahem. This is the conductor speaking," Pom-Pom's voice echoed. "All passengers, please proceed to the parlor car. We are preparing to depart for our next destination."
Sepharos acknowledged the call with a nod and made his way through the train. The familiar mechanical hum beneath his boots was oddly comforting. Entering the parlor car, he took a seat on one of the long, cushioned sofas. Moments later, Stelle and March returned from their tour of the passenger cabins.
"Hey, there you are!" March chirped before moving to another seat.
Stelle, quiet and thoughtful, sat beside him. Without a word, she closed her eyes, letting the gentle motion of the train lull her into rest.
Sepharos turned his gaze toward the window across from him, watching the stars streak by in serene silence until everything faded.
The parlor car vanished.
Silence.
Then light warm, golden gathered before him in the void.
Standing within that light was a figure in full Ultramarine regalia: the original Sepharos, proud and imposing, yet calm.
"You've done well," the Space Marine said. "That creature formidable. You held your ground."
Sepharos didn't speak at first. He could feel the weight of the armor around him, the rhythm of his breath inside the helmet this was still his body. His soul. But now, it stood side by side with the one who came before.
"I thought you'd try to take this back," Sepharos finally said.
The original Sepharos let out a low chuckle. "No. That life ended the moment I fell. You're not wearing borrowed power. You are me now. And I've seen your choices. You're worthy."
A brief silence stretched between them before Kyle Sepharos spoke again. "Then I'll keep fighting. I'll carry the Empress's will to the corners of this universe. I'll show them the strength of the Ultramarines."
"Good," the original Sepharos replied, voice firm. "But remember don't lose yourself to power. You're more than a weapon. Be a shield for the weak. A light in the void."
Kyle raised his armored fist.
"For the Empress."
The original Sepharos smirked. "For the Imperium."
Their fists connected, a solemn promise sealed. The original Sepharos began to glow, his form dissolving into light that streamed into the body of the new warrior.
The void faded.
Sepharos opened his eyes.
He was back on the sofa. The familiar hum of the Express returned. March stood by the window, excitedly waving for their attention.
"Hey, wake up! Look!"
Stelle stirred beside him as he stood and turned toward the window. Outside, a vast white world shimmered under endless snow and pale clouds.
Pom-Pom's voice crackled again over the intercom.
"Welcome to our next destination: Jarilo-VI."
Sepharos narrowed his gaze.
"So… that's Jarilo-VI."
To be continued...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOOOOOOOOO almost got through 2k words well i said we were going to jarilo and well were almost there but hope you guys like this and imma go to sleep and please enjoy this long chapter :)