A Honkai: Zhongli x Star Rail

The soft hum of the Astral Express filled the air, a rhythmic reminder of its journey through the boundless cosmos. The atmosphere inside was peaceful—an odd contrast to the lingering weight in Zhongli's mind.

He stood in the observation car, gazing out into the endless stretch of stars.

His encounter with the Aeon had left an impression.

Not just upon his thoughts, but upon his very being.

"The Aeons watch me now… but for what purpose?"

He had known the weight of divine attention before. Celestia had been distant yet absolute, dictating the fates of mortals and gods alike. The Aeons were different. They were not watchful rulers—they were forces, shaping the universe through sheer will.

And now, one had acknowledged him.

"What is my place in this cosmos?"

Before he could ponder further, a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Still reflecting, Zhongli?"

He turned to see Himeko approaching, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Her crimson coat draped elegantly around her, and despite her relaxed demeanor, there was a sharpness in her gaze.

Zhongli gave a polite nod. "It seems I have much to consider."

Himeko chuckled, leaning against the railing. "That tends to happen when you travel with us. Every new world holds a new perspective."

Zhongli folded his hands behind his back. "It is perspective that I seek. But tell me—does the Trailblaze truly grant answers, or merely new questions?"

Himeko took a sip of her coffee before answering. "A bit of both, honestly." She gave him a knowing glance. "But from what I've seen, I think you already know your answer. You're just looking for confirmation."

Zhongli was silent for a moment, before a small, knowing smile crossed his lips. "Perhaps you are right."

Himeko tapped the side of her cup. "We'll be arriving at our next destination soon. Welt and Dan Heng are already in the briefing room. Care to join us?"

Zhongli inclined his head. "Of course."

As they left the observation car, the stars continued to stretch infinitely beyond them.

And among them, something stirred.

---

Mission Briefing: The Broken World

The central projector flickered to life, displaying a fragmented planet suspended in the vast void of space. Jagged landmasses floated in its orbit, separated by great rifts of energy.

"This is Panhua," Welt began, adjusting his glasses. "A world once known for its vast libraries of knowledge and its scholars who studied the paths of the Aeons."

March 7th furrowed her brows. "Was known? What happened to it?"

Welt's expression darkened slightly. "A Stellaron was planted here over a century ago. The result was… catastrophic."

Dan Heng studied the hologram with a measured gaze. "It has been split apart."

"Precisely."

The projection zoomed in, showing floating cities, massive spires that barely held together under the weight of gravity. Cracks of pulsating energy split the land, the remnants of a planet that had once been whole.

Zhongli observed carefully. "And yet, life still persists."

Welt nodded. "Barely. The survivors have adapted, forming city-states among the ruins. But something is happening now that wasn't before—new anomalies have begun appearing across the surface, warping reality itself."

Himeko folded her arms. "The last time we encountered distortions like this, it was a sign of a more active Stellaron."

March groaned. "Great. So another world-ending catastrophe waiting to happen."

Zhongli tapped a finger against the table. "If these anomalies are the result of the Stellaron, then our priority must be to locate its source. However…"

Dan Heng glanced at him. "You've noticed something."

Zhongli nodded toward the projection. "These distortions… they are not chaotic in nature. Look closely—their patterns are structured. Almost as if they are following a design."

Silence fell over the room as they all examined the data again.

Finally, Welt spoke. "You believe there is an intelligence behind this?"

"It is a possibility," Zhongli admitted. "One we must be prepared for."

Himeko sighed. "Alright. We have our objective. We'll land in the capital ruins and establish contact with any remaining factions. From there, we'll investigate the anomalies."

March stretched her arms. "Well, at least we're getting an adventure out of this!"

Dan Heng shook his head. "This is more than an adventure. We are walking into an active disaster zone."

March pouted. "Way to ruin the excitement, Dan Heng."

Zhongli merely smiled. "Perhaps both statements are true."

Welt adjusted the projection, setting their course. "Everyone, prepare yourselves. We arrive in one hour."

Zhongli turned back to the hologram, his golden eyes scanning the shattered world before him.

The weight of history lingers here.

And something within the ruins was waiting for them.

---

Arrival on Panhua: A World in Ruins

The descent was turbulent.

The Astral Express passed through unstable gravitational fields, forcing Pom-Pom to make constant adjustments. As they neared the surface, Zhongli could see floating islands of stone and metal, remnants of a once-great civilization now scattered like debris.

The sky was fractured—an expanse of swirling colors and broken light, as if the very laws of reality had been stretched too thin.

The train finally came to a halt near the outskirts of an abandoned city. As the doors slid open, the crew stepped onto a massive suspended bridge, its supports cracked but still standing.

March shivered. "Okay. This place gives me bad vibes."

Dan Heng was already scanning the area. "No signs of immediate threats, but the energy readings here are unstable."

Zhongli stepped forward, feeling the pulse of the land beneath him. Even here, on a world broken apart, he could still sense the remnants of something ancient.

Something watching.

Himeko checked her communicator. "Let's move. Our first objective is to find the nearest settlement."

They advanced cautiously, navigating through the abandoned streets. Once-grand buildings now stood hollow, their insides consumed by strange crystalline growths.

Suddenly—

"Stop."

Zhongli's voice was calm, yet absolute. The group halted immediately.

Dan Heng followed his gaze. "What is it?"

Zhongli narrowed his eyes.

At the far end of the street, a figure stood motionless.

It was not human.

Its body was twisted, formed from the same crystalline material that grew throughout the city. It pulsed with an eerie light, its shape vaguely resembling a soldier clad in ancient armor.

March whispered. "What… is that?"

The figure tilted its head, as if sensing them. Then, slowly, it began to move.

Zhongli's stance shifted ever so slightly.

"Be ready."

The creature raised its weapon.

The silence shattered.

And the battle began.

---

Chapter 7 Preview: Echoes of the Lost

A shattered world.

An ancient civilization forgotten by time.

And a new enemy unlike any before.

As Zhongli and the Trailblazers navigate the ruins of Panhua, they will uncover a mystery that could change everything.

But some secrets were meant to stay buried.

---

Author's Note: Give me stones pls (⁠☞⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠°⁠)⁠☞