He Who Feels Guilt [Honkai: Star Rail]

Narrator's Pov

"Stellaron Hunter? Like those two I found at the station?"

Ryan frowned lightly as the silver armor walked slowly towards him, suddenly from the back of the robot, a burst of flame came out Impulsing it directly towards the boy who quickly created an ethereal katana in his hand using it to block both swords from SAM.

"Serval Landau and Svarog were not meant to be there" SAM spoke as it quickly separated from the clash of weapons.

"What are you talking about?" Ryan frowned lightly as he created a second katana in his free hand.

"Cocolia Rand was meant to die"

"What?"

In another burst of flame, SAM flew quickly towards Ryan throwing a kick, he tried to block the attack rising a wall of Ice, but the intense heat of the flames completely melted away the ice, the attack from the armour completely connected against his chest sending him flying backwards, his body bouncing and rolling across the snow, when he stopped, Ryan looked up and Immediately saw himself forced to roll to the side, barely dodging a stomp from the silver armour but this still didn't save him from the wave of flames and explosion that were caused by said stomp, his body was briefly covered in flames before he dissipated them with a gust of wind magic.

SAM didn't waste time and immediately rushed towards the white-haired boy, starting throw cut after cut with the glowing green sword it held, Ryan hold on tightly to both of his ethereal swords and started to block the various attack that the silver armour threw at him, his katanas broke after blocking a few attacks, but he quickly summoned other two and continued blocking, but ethereal swords after ethereal swords, they broke quickly against the rampage of attacks that SAM threw at him.

Deciding to change his approach, Ryan spun around to dodge a downard cut from SAM and then created an ethereal axe swinging it over his head and down towards the armour, out of pure reflex, SAM positioned both swords on from of itself to block the attack, but the ethereal axe suddenly got surrounded by ice now looking more like a mace, the heavy weight fell on the sword forcing them down against the ground alongside SAM's arms, the silver armour looked up at Ryan who stepped on the ice around the axe to add more weight and he clasped his hands creating a golden lighting bolt between his palms.

Ryan pulled one of his hands back, as if he was tensing a bow, which seemed to be accurate as the lighting bolt had now turned into a sort of bow, with a lighting bolt serving as an arrow, SAM immediately let the swords go and with a burst of flames he flew backwards, barely dodging the lighting bolt from hitting him a strong lighting explosion covered the area around Ryan, SAM fell on the ground and as the lighting dissipated, Firefly could only sweat inside the armour while looking at the hole that the lighting arrow had made through the snow and ground.

"If that attack had touched me..." Firefly frowned in the insides of the armour.

Ryan yet again prepared another arrow in the lighting bow, shooting again the golden lighting bolt directly at SAM that moved its body to the side barely dodging the attack that exploded in the distance, another arrow was shoot directly at the sky, exploding and throwing multiple and smaller lighting bolts towards SAM, a cloud of snow quickly rose up as the attack landed on the silver armour, Ryan frowned slightly for looking at the cloud for a few seconds, then a rising ball of fire came out flying to the sky, in a huge burst of flame, SAM covered itself in fire glowing brightly like a star, before it went straight towards Ryan, throwing a punch.

With a slow breathe, Ryan closed his eyes for a second, a Kitsuné mask appeared on his face as soon as the fire star fell towards him, creating a huge explosion in the area, melting some of the snow and causing a small rain because of the intense heat from the explosion, SAM stood up from its crouching position and looked around at the cloud of smoke that the attack had caused.

"He's not dead...he's around here..."

A small shiver went down Firefly's spine and then SAM immediately turned around, blocking an Ice blade using two of its green blades, under the armor, Firefly widened her eyes as she saw how Ryan had completely transformed into his Aeon form for a second time.

Behind the Kitsuné mask, Ryan let out a small growl before jumping backwards, his left ice hand had created an Ice sword on his palm, tightening the grip on the extension of his body he frowned behind the mask, looking at the silver armour.

"Aeon of Guilt..." SAM muttered while Ryan looked at the armor.

"You're not gonna give me explanations, are you?" Ryan spoke back to SAM.

SAM immediately flew directly at Ryan attacking with both swords, both of their weapons started to clash against each other's, SAM tried to stab the boy with one of the swords but he quickly side stepped and used his Ice sword to block the second sword of the silver armour.

The armor crouched down and tried to kick Ryan's legs, but the Aeon jumped away from SAM and pointed his right blood hand towards the armour, throwing blood tendrils from his palm that flew directly towards SAM, the armour quickly flew upwards impulsing itself with a burst of fire dodging the tendrils, SAM flew directly down towards Ryan who quickly lifted up a wall of Ice, The silver armour hit it and with a burst of flame completely melted the wall, this unfortunately stopped SAM from seeing the group of chains flowing directly at him, the chains quickly gripped its arm and lifted it up, slamming SAM down against the snow again and again before pulling it, Ryan tightened the hold on the chains he extended from the shackle of his right hand and then pulling SAM towards him, he gave the armour a strong kick on the stomach, before quickly spinning and throwing an attack with the Ice sword on his left hand directly at SAM, but as soon as the sword touched that armor, Ryan was sent flying due to a huge fire explosion, he quickly composed himself in the air and fell on his feet, looking at his left hand he grimaced as he saw how up to his elbow, his Ice arm had completely dissapeared.

"There's something wrong..." Ryan narrowed his eyes behind the mask. "I'm not as strong as I was against Cocolia..."

Another burst of fire distracted him, looking at SAM, he was the armor slowly rising up in the air, fire coming out from its chest in a shape similar to an X, from its shoulders two thin layers of green energy came out acting as if they were 2 capes and as it stopped rising up, SAM created a green longsword in each hand.

From the insides of the armour, Firefly but her lower lip, ready to throw herself against the Aeon, before a message appeared on the HUD of SAM.

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[Elio]

"Stand down, SAM, the script changed again."

________________________________________

The girl widened her eyes slightly at the message she received but then closed her eyes, SAM slowly went down to the ground, the fire, energy and swords slowly dissapeared as the silver armour simply stared at Ryan.

The Aeon stared at the armour for a few seconds, before understanding that the fight finished, the transformation slowly dissapearing, and as Ryan went back to his original looks, he crossed his arms across his chest.

Both of them then simply stared at each other....completely in silence.

...

"I, Bronya Rand, the nineteenth Guardian of Belobog, hereby take my oath..."

The three trailblazers calmly sat on a small table as Bronya's speech finished, followed by the voice of the people from both Overworld and Underworld screaming her name, March finished drinking her smoothie, Stelle slowly stood up and Dan Heng gently put the magazine he was reading on the table.

"Wow~ I didn't think so many people would come listen to Bronya" March smiled as she also stood up from the table.

"It's understandable, with such a sudden change of leader, many would be interested" Dan Heng Replied as he crossed his arms across his chest. "Bronya said that Cocolia's Injuries were grave...that must meant she wasn't taken into trial yet"

"Do you think we'll be asked to act as witnesses?" March asked a bit nervous "I don't do well under pressure..."

"Fuck it, we ball" Stelle spoke getting the stares of her companions.

"Don't say weird stuff like that Stelle..." March sighed deeply and then looked at Dan Heng. "Any news about Ryan?"

"Nothing yet, I'm afraid"

The three trailblazers turned around and saw Welt approaching them, his staff tipping the ground softly until the adult man stopped alongisde the three younger trailblazers.

"Mr.Yang? You're here?" March asked a bit surprised.

"What? You think I'm too old for chilly environments?" Welt asked with a little smile making March recoil slightly.

"No no it wasn't that! I was just surprised!" She defended herself causing Welt to chuckle.

"I decided to stay a bit more to look for Ryan, I didn't found him, but I found...some scorching marks around the place" he pushed his glasses up. "It's possible a fire Fragmentum Monster attacked and he had to fight it away from the Stellaron."

"It's...possible, he did say that monsters might be able to break it free from the seal he put on it" Dan Heng rubbed his chin.

"Bah! He'll come back eventually, we can always ditch him" Stelle smirked casually swaying her air.

"That's cruel Stelle"

"Eek!"

The trash panda gave a quick step backwards looking at Ryan poking his head from Welt's side, the Man turned around giving a step to the side letting Ryan fully be seen by the trailblazers.

"Ah, Ryan, we were just talking about you" Welt smiled looking down at him.

"Yes, I heard something about ditching me?" He narrowed his eyes looking at Stelle who simply looked away.

"It was March's idea..."

"Hey! Don't throw me under the bridge for something you said!" March quickly defended herself.

"Ryan, I suppose what Mr.Yang said was true?" Dan Heng asked and the white-haired boy nodded his head.

"Yes, one of those purple fire monsters tried to attack the Stellaron, probably to break my seal, I had to take it away...but I think I got too carried away" he let out a small chuckle.

"I see..." Welt smiled and looked at Ryan's side. "And who's this lady that accompanies you, Ryan?"

The three younger trailblazers suddenly were able to see the girl at Ryan's side, she had long silver hair and golden eyes, her skin was a bit pale and she wore a white buttoned shirt, adorned with a golden brooch on her chest, over that she wore a silver coat with golden trimmings on the arms, she also wore a white pair of pants and black boots, she twitched a bit as the three trailblazers looked at her.

"Ah, she's Rina, when I fought the Fragmentum Monster I ended up bringing it here to a faraway district of Belobog, I managed to kill it but I was a bit lost, fortunately Rina found me and helped me come back here" Ryan explained with a slightly nervous smile.

"Hmmm...I see" Welt looked down at Rina for a few seconds before smiling "I appreciate your help in guiding him here, miss"

"A-ah! No need to thank me" she smiled nervously shaking her head a bit. "It's a bit embarrassing to admit but I helped him because after seeing the Fragmentum Monster I was a bit afraid and didn't want to be alone..."

"Eh~ Ryan saving another damsel in distress?" March smirked crossing her arms.

"With how close she was to the monster I'd say I put her in more danger" Ryan deadpanned at March.

"At least you're okay, you should really charge your phone" Stelle rubbed her forehead.

"I know I know" Ryan sighed and looked at the crowd dispersing. "Bronya gave the news, right?"

"Yes, we're going to talk to her now, would you like to come with us too?" Dan Heng asked.

"Not right now, I have to take Rina back to her district..." He replied looking at the girl who nodded her head.

"Thank you, Ryan..." She smiled lightly taking a hand to her chest.

"Hmph! Are you changing us for this girl? That's so mean" Stelle crossed her arms across her chest.

"Weren't you the one who talked about ditching him?" March deadpanned at her fellow trailblazers.

"Anyways!" Stelle quickly cleared her throat. "We have to talk with Bronya right?"

"Yes, we have to, Mr.Yang, would you like to accompany us?" Dan Heng asked to the adult man who slowly nodded.

"Yes, I'm interested in meeting this new friend of yours" Welt let out a small smile.

"We'll go then, Ryan, you can join us at Qlipoth Fort, our talk might go on for a while" Dan Heng spoke again this time towards the white-haired boy.

"Understood, I'll try to not take too long" he nodded his head before looking at Rina. "Should we go?"

"Yes" the girl nodded before looking at the trailblazers. "It's been a pleasure meeting all of you"

Rina quickly turned around and started walking, Ryan soon following behind her, Welt drove a hand to his chin, looking at the other two walking away a bit curious, but when he heard the other three trailblazers walk towards Qlipoth Fort, he shook his head and decided to follow them.

"That wasn't necessary you know?"

Rina and Ryan turned around a corner and walked a bit before entering an alley, the illusion around Firefly dissipating as she leaned against the wall, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Sorry, but you came here to make sure everything came accordingly, right?"

"I'm not meant to-!" Firefly let out a short sigh. "I'm not meant to interact with them here, once we got confirmation that Elio is unable to see you I was free at the moment so I came here to make sure everything followed the script... nothing horrifying happened, but your presence already changed fate..."

"Is that why you attacked me?" Ryan narrowed his eyes towards the girl.

"I...admit, that I got carried away, but taking you out would've eliminated the variable that could change everything..." She closed her eyes for a moment before looking at him seriously. "Ryan...please, stay away from the Astral Express..."

"You're asking that, because of this Script?"

"Yes...the Astral Express is destined to make great things, you already changed fate once, if you continued travelling with them, you might help them cause even greater changes to the universe...or you could very well drive them to their death" she took a hand to her chest looking at him. "Please, I know you don't want to hurt the Astral Express, I'm not asking you to never see them again just...please, make sure to not influence their journey anymore..."

Ryan looked sy he girl for a few seconds before letting out a short sigh, he walked to the exit of the alley and looked slightly back towards Firefly.

"I'm not leaving them...I have use for them" he spoke making the girl sigh. "But I can promise you, I won't let any of them die, I can promise you perfection of that Script you speak about, but I'm not letting any of them die"

"I...thank you, Ryan, knowing that at least reassures me a little..." She lets out a short sigh. "But still, please try to not influence their journey too much..."

"Don't worry, I'll try" He spoke before walking out of the alley.

Firefly soon walked out of the alleyway too, looking at Ryan dissapear as he turned around a corner she let out a small sigh, taking out her phone and seeing a message from Elio.

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[Elio]

"SAM, any luck?"

[Firefly]

"No, I couldn't convince him to stay away from the express"

"I'm sorry, Elio"

[Elio]

"No matter, I've realized something"

"He is not from this universe, it has to be the only explanation to me not being able to see him, something that does not exist at all is the only thing that I wouldn't be able to see"

"But I guess I found a loophole"

[Firefly]

"A loophole?"

[Elio]

"I told you the script changed right? I'll tell you what I saw..."

" 'The Aeon of Guilt and SAM from the Stellaron Hunters fight in Jarilo-VI' "

"As soon as I saw this change, I messaged you"

"My theory is that I'm unable to see him when he's "himself", but if he turns into an Aeon..."

[Firefly]

"Then he'd be something that exists here..."

[Elio]

"It's a headache...but if we want things to go as they're meant to, we have to abuse this and be cautious, anything that Ryan does in his normal state could change everything"

[Firefly]

"I got it...are they still going to the Luofu?"

[Elio]

"Yes, but Kafka and Blade will go there, you can stand down this time"

[Firefly]

"Understood"

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Firefly slowly put the phone in one of her pockets and let out a small sigh, there was still a chance of foreseeing a terrible fate and probably change it, she let out a smile and then turt around she started to walk away.

"I guess...I'll have to wait until our next meeting."

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A/N: Hello, another sloppy chapter here, I'll try to cook better for next time, anyways, It's 1 AM here and I'm sleepy, I'm going to bed.

Hope you all enjoyed!