!!! - EDITED - 12/30/24 (Note: This chapter itself only received some minor adjustments to fit the current changes)
Disclaimer: I don't own Honkai Star Rail and any of their characters. All belonged to their rightful owners - Hoyoverse.
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"Yosh, that should do it," I let out a satisfied smile as we inserted the key and placed the code down to activate the elevator. It only took a minute or so for it to be fully booted.
"The elevator should be up right now, right?" I asked Arlan, who was looking in another direction. When I say another direction, I mean in front. I followed his gaze and saw the elevator going up.
"…." I stared at it not knowing what to say.
"That's not supposed to do that, right?" I nervously asked Arlan who looked strangely calm on the matter. Did someone manage to get in and just go straight in after we did all the work of activating it? Now that is just bullshit.
"We only activated the elevator on the next floor," Arlan calmly explained.
"Wait, wouldn't that mean we have to go there ?" I asked, frowning a little.
It seemed that Arlan noticed my change of expression, and a guilty expression took over his face. "Sorry, but this space station was entrusted to Lady Asta by Madam Herta. I must do this for the safety of the master control zone and the staff here. So I'll have to trouble you to take a bit of a detour from the back towards the upper layer. Sincerest apologies."
"A-Ah, I see. Then it should be no problem if that's the case," I nodded, acknowledging his reason.
"Huh? You're not coming with us?" March asked.
"My leg is injured… I'd only slow you down. I'll stay here and shut down the elevator once you've made it to the master control zone," Arlan explained while gesturing to his leg. There was a noticeable wound at the side of the calf. I winced at the sight of it. It looked painful.
"No, that won't be a problem. We can protect you," Dan Heng suggested with a calm look.
"Agreed," March nodded, gesturing with her hand. "We made it here safely by ourselves, and we've got Dan Heng, and he's a good fighter. We're more than enough to protect you."
"I also have my bat," Stelle added with a smile, displaying her bat like a prized trophy.
"They're right. Let them worry about the Antimatter Legion while you and I keep ourselves alive in the back as we follow them," I gave an assuring smile, not bothering with the glare behind my back.
Arlan looked at us for a moment before a smile curved onto his lips. "...Thank you."
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After finishing another batch of Void Rangers one after the other, we finally made it across toward the elevator. It was within sight and, more importantly, it was near. I could basically smell freedom from where I was. Just one more, Ethan. One more.
While we were walking, I held Arlan on his right arm, supporting him due to his injured leg.
"Is that it? We've reached the elevator already? That wasn't too many monsters," March sighed dejectedly.
I curled my brow at her. This girl wants more? Is she crazy? "Oh? Feeling confident already?"
March looked at me with a smug grin. "They were pretty easy. Just one arrow, and poof, they're gone."
Ah, did I also mention that her arrows were literally made of ice? Like, literally, it was made of ice.
"Better be careful about what you say. There's a saying that it might bring bad luck," I warned with a serious look.
March blinked as her face dawned with realization. "Oh no! I take it back!"
"Too late," I shrugged, much to the girl's panic.
"You've grown, March," Dan Heng sighed, shaking his head.
Just as we neared the elevator, I heard something akin to a whistle, and it was growing close.
"Watch out!" Dan Heng suddenly rushed in front of us, deflecting the projectiles coming right for us. The deflected projectile nearly hit Stelle and me, but thankfully, we managed to tilt our heads to the side in time.
In front of the elevator, something that almost resembled a centaur but robotic stood guard. It was tall, massive, and had an aura that just screamed, 'Fuck with me and find out.' It had two horns on its head, maybe as massive as my arm, and they were sharp. I noticed the edge of it resembled the point of a spear.
I stared at it as it overshadowed us greatly by its massive size alone. I gulped. Now I understand why the Antimatter legion is to be feared among many solar systems.
'This doesn't look good.' Who am I to joke? This actually does not look good at all!
"You guys can handle that right?" I asked with a trembling voice.
"A Trampler," Dan Heng responded grimly while looking down at his arm, smoke rising above it. "Be careful. They're capable of using projectiles, and they hit harder using their feet. And chances of beating it with this limited space is very low"
"Great, I already don't like the name," I said with dread. "And the chances. Especially the chances."
March and Stelle brought out their weapons in response.
"We'll sit this one out. Go, guys!" I cheered from behind, making sure to position myself safely behind Arlan, who shot me a perplexed glance.
Dan Heng made the first move. He rushed in, not waiting for the monster to act. His spear flew from his hand, striking its large body. The force of the hit pushed the Trampler back slightly while the spear bounced back into Dan Heng's hand as he closed in again.
March finally attacked, releasing a stream of arrows aimed at the Trampler's head, blocking its vision. Meanwhile, Stelle followed Dan Heng with her bat.
The Trampler raised its hand, a glow emanating from it. Suddenly, a rift appeared out of nowhere like someone tore through reality itself, and a blocky pillar shot toward Dan Heng.
He dodged the attacks swiftly as if he saw it coming from miles away. However, that momentary pause gave the Trampler another opportunity to attack. It raised its massive body and smashed the ground, sending tremors through the floor.
It only interfered with Dan Heng, while Stelle, on the other hand, managed to sneak in, landing a solid blow on one of its legs, causing it to bend down slightly. This opening allowed Dan Heng to readjust and throw his spear again, this time aiming for its head. Sparks flew as the spear collided with the Trampler's head, bouncing back into Dan Heng's hand.
"Stelle, get out of there now!" Dan Heng shouted urgently, but it was too late as the Trampler raised its body once more before slamming the ground, creating shockwaves so strong that Stelle was thrown back towards me. Even Dan Heng struggled to remain steady against the force. In the end, he was pushed back as well.
The Trampler roared loudly echoed throughout the whole area and prompted me to cover my ears. If I didn't, I would certainly be sure my eardrums would burst. However, as it ended, several antimatter legion forces floated around the Trampler.
It called for backup. How original.
The Trampler raised both its hands as a massive bow materialized from them.
Okay, I take my words back.
"Hey, sore losers!" March shouted, worry and fear etched on her face. "You can't just gang up on us. That's unfair!" She protested with a glare.
"I'm pretty sure they can," I said with a grim look as we started to fall back on our guard while they slowly pressed on us.
"Not helping!"
Just as I thought this might be it, something unexpected happened. I heard clacking and slashing above us.
"Himeko!"
I looked up and saw a flying robot slashing its way through the Void Rangers like it was a scissor cutting through paper. It went towards the Trampler, which leaned to the side to dodge its razor-sharp blade. It managed to cut off the edge of one of its horns.
Holy shit, that robot's sick!
"Come on, let's go!" Dan Heng urged as my hand was caught suddenly by Stelle.
"Wait, I can run–AH!" She was fast and most importantly, strong. I felt like I was dragged like thin paper. We passed through the Antimatter Legion forces as the robot kept them at bay. We entered the elevator and seeing we were now completely safe, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close," I muttered and shot Stelle a look as my gaze lowered to her hand which was still holding my wrist. "Can you please let go?"
Stelle blinked as she nodded and like I requested, she let go.
Weird, my wrist kinda hurts.
"If it wasn't for Himeko, we would have been squashed!" March said as I could tell a massive exhale of relief from her voice.
"Himeko? Is that hers?" I questioned March.
"The one and only! Himeko is known for her weird but useful inventions" March pointed out proudly.
"Who's Himeko?" Stelle asked
"She's the navigator of the Astral Expresses." Dan Heng answered.
"In other words, she's in charge of where the express goes," March added,
"So she's one of you guys?" Stelle asked the two for confirmation.
"Yes."
"Pretty much"
"So how did she find us?" I asked, curious as to how she found out our exact location at the right time.
"I messaged her," Dan Heng replied.
"...." That explains it. "Wait, you mean the signal is back?"
"Just came back a couple of minutes ago, Yes."
The elevator bell rang out as it stopped.
"We're here," Dan Heng announced.
I took a breath. The moment I had been waiting for. After hours of getting into shenanigans that I seriously didn't need in my life, I finally achieved peace.
When the elevator door opened, the first person who greeted us was none other than…
"Himeko!"