Fate’s Slave - Shadow Slave X Honkai Star Rail

Seele stood up, turning to Sunny and Bronya with a perplexed expression. He sent her a questioning look.

"So? What happened?"

A few minutes passed as Seele explained what happened in her Soul Sea — the slumbering form of Veliona, the strange chains and crimson claws, and the Aspect Legacy she had recieved.

Sunny found it strange that she didn't obtain any tangible Relics, such as a Memory or Echo. She should have at least gained an epiphany about her Aspect, like how his Shadow Dance made use of the movement of shadows to comprehend the fighting styles of others.

As Bronya didn't get anything, Seele explained Veliona's existence as a Flaw to her. The Supreme Guardian's successor seemed baffled at the alien concept of an entire entity being born from a Flaw.

The three of them discussed the situation, but no one had any clue what to do in this situation. For now, Seele was completely cut off from her Dormant Ability, and hadn't reaped any rewards from obtaining her Aspect Legacy — something that few Awakened ever recieved.

As such, they simply moved on, forgetting about Veliona's predicament.

…What? There wasn't anything else they could do!

***

"Hey, they're finally back!"

Hearing March's high-pitched voice, Sunny grit his teeth. Why did she have to be so loud? There were Nightmare Creatures with voices more soothing!

Of course, those voices would be used to lure in their prey via a mind attack, but his point still stands!

After being called out, Bronya replied:

"Sorry for the unannounced disappearance."

For whatever reason, March suddenly looked smug.

"Ha, that's nothing — the unannounced disappearance record-holder is right here!"

Dan Heng sighed.

"And that's something to be proud of?"

Having been led by Seele, the three of them walked through Boulder Town a bit before finding March, Dan Heng, and Oleg. After noticing the old man, Sunny kept himself from saying anything stupid.

'Alright, just have to play the long game. Wait for the key moment, then snatch Seele from under his nose! It's not sly, just business.'

The man with a prosthetic arm heartily laughed at the strange interaction.

"It's good to have everyone back together. Let me get straight to it... Regarding this 'Stellaron' and your predicament in the Overworld, your friends have gone over both with me again."

His eyes glazed over in reminiscence.

"The last time I saw Cocolia, she was an impressive young lady... I never thought that after becoming the guardian..."

He sighed.

"All I can say is that I sympathize with your situation. Rest easy. Wildfire won't go behind your back on this. Your plan sounds a bit like the ravings of a drunken miner, but at least you're offering a road forwards. We Underworlders haven't had a road to anywhere for a long time now, and you can see how things have become. I'm willing to give you guys a shot."

Sunny's eye twitched at Oleg's words.

'Drunken miner? Me?'

March grinned, clearly unaware of the insult.

"Don't worry, Mr. Oleg, we'll make sure you don't regret it!"

Meanwhile, Dan Heng pursed his lips, clearly offended.

"Ravings of a drunken miner is a little harsh."

Oleg laughed once more. Sunny was starting to get the feeling that he had a tendency to do so.

"Maybe it is! But I think we need to set our sights on something a bit more realistic. You guys want to know the whereabouts of the Stellaron. Wildfire wants to remove the restrictions on the Underworld... In other words, Svarog is the target of both our efforts. If we can't deal with the boss, we can't deal with anything."

This was along the lines of what Sunny had been thinking of. He nodded.

"We need to find a way to bring him over to our side."

Seele huffed, crossing her arms. She seemed more aggravated than usual.

"Hmph, he wouldn't understand — you're forgetting he's a robot. It'd be faster to smash him to scrap metal!"

Oleg seemed to notice this change of behavior, if the way his eyes flickered to her was any indication. However, he didn't comment on it.

"We should make preparations for both approaches. Of course, it's better to settle matters through peaceful means. But if the situation changes, we must be prepared for armed conflict at a moment's notice."

He paused.

"Wildfire has tried many times to make contact with Svarog — without success. He has no intention of engaging with us. At our current strength, it would be incredibly dangerous to use force. Svarog's robots don't fear sacrifice, and I don't want to risk Underworld lives."

Oleg's gaze steeped across the five Awakened — mainly, Sunny, March, and Dan Heng.

"But things have changed — your arrival constitutes an 'external variable' for Svarog. I may not have the full picture, but perhaps you guys have an opportunity to sway him."

Dan Heng nodded.

"That would be best."

Oleg sighed.

"But I fear that Svarog just isn't the swaying type. You'll understand when you get to his territory. Things never run smoothly down here."

He turned to Bronya.

"What about you, Miss Silvermane? You're the only one here that isn't compelled to do or die with Svarog. I'd like to hear your plan."

She didn't hesitate, not a single doubt able to be perceived.

"The Underworld is still a part of Belobog. If Svarog's existence constitutes a threat to the people here, I will of course stand with you."

He laughed again. At this point, Sunny was convinced that this was just an extravagant way to clear his throat. What was so funny? He wanted to know.

"Hahaha, excellent! An enlightened answer, young lady — and spoken like a true successor to the guardianship. Seeing as we're all on the same side, there's no reason to delay. Let's go, I've arranged for a guide to take you to Svarog."

He turned to Seele.

"Seele, perhaps you can take our outsider friends the rest of the way."

She silently nodded in response, a far cry from her usual tendencies.

***

"...Hook? You..."

Seele stared at the young girl in astonishment, who looked up at the group with an awkward grin.

March was baffled.

"This I really wasn't expecting..."

Sunny narrowed his eyes, seeing the child in a new light.

"So, The Moles are a part of Wildfire..."

Hook's eyes swiveled around.

"Th—That's right! It's me, Pitch-Dark Hook the Great! What do you want?"

They were interrupted when a certain Sampo Koski appeared out of nowhere, looking down at Hook with a confused expression

"Uh, kiddo, I think there's been a misunderstanding... I will be your guide, friends. By order of Chief Oleg..."

A self-deprecating chuckle escaped him, an obvious attempt to garner sympathy.

"I gotta say I'm a little upset at the thought of you choosing a toddler over your old buddy Sampo..."

Seele clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Alright, alright, don't get started. But I wanna ask you something: Everyone in Wildfire knows the location of Svarog's lair. Why do we need you as a guide?"

Sampo sighed at the thick layers of distrust.

"My specialties in the field, perhaps? Wildfire may know where the base is, but have they ever been inside?"

Sunny blinked.

"You've been inside?"

Sampo paused.

"...No. But I've felt my way around the outside and picked up more than a few clues. I can help you. You have my word."

In response, Sunny sneered.

"Clues for your own shady dealings, no doubt."

Sampo raised his hands in offense.

"Hey! That's not nice! Wildfire made a request and I got on with the job. My legacy will prove that Sampo Koski was nothing but a willing and devoted servant of—"

March groaned.

"Ugh, enough! Jeez! We believe you, okay? Show us the way already."

'Speak for yourself…'

***

The Robot Settlement lay sprawled across the frozen wasteland like a relic of a bygone age, a patchwork of rusted metal and battered tarps forming a ramshackle refuge against the eternal frost. The snowfield stretched in all directions, its pristine white marred only by the occasional winding path trodden by weary feet and the clanking tracks of tireless machines.

The air was thick with the scent of oil and burning scrap, the telltale stench of desperate survival. Scattered fires flickered within makeshift barrels, casting a dim orange glow upon the gaunt faces of vagrants who huddled close for warmth. They were drifters, outcasts, people who had been forgotten by the towering city of Belobog above. Wrapped in patchwork cloaks and scavenged coats, they moved like ghosts through the settlement, their eyes hollow yet watchful.

Among them, the robots worked in silence—metal sentries of a civilization that no longer cared for them. Some shoveled snow from paths that would soon be buried again, their movements stiff but determined. Others carried crates of salvaged parts, their mechanical limbs whirring as they toiled without complaint. Their bodies, dented and rust-streaked, bore the marks of long service, yet they remained unwavering in their monotonous routines, as if fulfilling orders long since forgotten by their creators.

And above it all, standing like a relic of a forgotten age, was the mansion

Unlike the haphazard shelters and scavenged metal huts of the settlement, this place still held its dignity, its dark stone walls rising high against the snow-laden sky. The iron gates, though weathered, remained intact, their intricate design half-buried in frost. Its towering windows gleamed faintly with light, casting long shadows across the snow, proof that it was still inhabited.

And having just arrived were five Awakened and an Ascended, standing stupidly without purpose.