Chapter Text
Stelle:
Hey! I’m going out for a bit in Planarcadia, but do you want to meet me for dinner later?
11:56am
Dan Heng:
Sure, just let me know the time and place.
11:57am
Stelle:
Okay!
11:57am
Dan Heng:
Did you have a place in mind? I assume you got busy and forgot.
4:23pm
Stelle?
5:02pm
I’m coming to look for you, text me when you can, please.
5:20pm
Where are you? Please answer.
7:14pm
This user can no longer receive messages.
——
A heavy sigh leaves Dan Heng’s lips as he stares at his phone, at the unanswered messages.
Four years. It’s been four years since Stelle disappeared, leaving no trace. The Astral Express reached far and wide to try and find her - to no avail. It’s as if she just ceased to exist, only memories of her left behind.
No one they knew had any idea, not the Loufu, the Galaxy Rangers, the IPC. The Masked Fools for their part did some digging, Sampo leading the investigation, but he found nothing.
Not even the Stellaron Hunters knew of her whereabouts, or so they claimed. Trusting their words was difficult, with how cryptic the group was. Kafka had stated; “Elio has not told us anything, but I can see concern in his eyes.” That did little to ease their fears.
With an annoyed grunt, Dan Heng stands from his desk, pocketing his phone. It was late, the others were all likely asleep by now. They would gather to have a navigation meeting in the morning, so he should try to get some rest before then. He silently exited the archives, making his way to Stelle’s room.
The room hadn’t changed at all, he had been caring for it in her absence. It still faintly smelled of her, but it was steadily fading. Once he reached the bed, he stared at it for a moment.
…
“Come on! I’m cold…” Stelle pouted from beneath the blanket, watching Dan Heng change into his sleepwear.
“Patience is a virtue, you know.” He murmured, before sliding into the bed beside her. Stelle instantly cuddles up to him, huffing.
“You know by now patience is not in my vocabulary!” She retorted, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. “Or I should say, I have no patience when it comes to you…” She leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his lips.
…
The fond memory ended far too quickly, Dan Heng frowning. He was forgetting the feel of her touch, the softness of her lips, the smoothness of her skin…
Shaking his head, he laid down on the bed, curling into the blanket. He inhaled deeply, seeking out her scent, her warmth - but the blanket smelled stale, and the bed remained cold.
He dreamed of her. He always did. They were either memories of their time spent together, or false hopes of a reunion. When had he become so smitten for her? It could have been when he first laid eyes on her, or when she showed her heroics and personality in Belabog.
All that mattered however, was that he loved her. The little mannerisms she had (yes, even her obsession with trash), the way she softly smiled at him from a distance, her acceptance of his past sins.
Bzz!
A sudden noise from the nightstand made Dan Heng groan. He wasn’t ready to wake yet, he still wanted to see Stelle in his dreams.
Bzz! Bzz!
Surely it was just March telling him breakfast is ready? If so, he could skip the meal for now.
Bzz! Bzz!
Bzz! Bzz!
The Vidyadhara growled, sitting up and reaching for his phone. Upon unlocking it, he stiffened.
Unknown Number:
Little dragon, wake up.
6:46am
I know you can hear your phone, your hearing is scarily good.
6:46am
Don’t make me hack into the Express’ security and set off the fire alarms or something.
6:47am
You have 10 seconds until I do so!
6:47am
Dan Heng:
What do you want, Silver Wolf?
6:47am
Unknown Number:
Good morning, sleepy head. I have a message for you, well, for the Express in general.
6:48am
Dan Heng rubbed the sleep from his eyes, straightening and stretching his back. This seemed suspicious, anything from the Stellaron Hunters was suspicious-
Unknown Number:
There is going to be a Stellaron disaster on the planet ‘L-42’ on the star map. I advise you and your crew to go there to contain it.
6:49am
Dan Heng:
We were going to have a navigation meeting this morning, but I think we already had a destination in mind.
6:49am
Unknown Number:
I would strongly suggest you go to L-42, after all, what would happen to the planet if two Stellarons were to erupt there?
6:50am
Dan Heng:
… what’s that supposed to mean?
6:50am
This user no longer exists.
Dan Heng stared at that last message, his brow furrowed.
“… if two Stellarons…”
He mulled over it, moving to get out of bed and sit at the computer in the corner of Stelle’s room. He wanted to look into that planet.
‘L-42’, a planet lush in greenery and civilization. There have never been political debates or wars for power, the landmasses at peace. The crime rate is at an all time low of 3.7%.
Scrolling through information, he came across a recent news article from one of the major cities there.
“Could a Stellaron be the cause of recent unrest and environmental changes? It’s not unlikely!”
So Silver Wolf was correct, but for there to be two Stellarons on one planet? That seemed like a stretch. Unless-
“Stelle…?” Dan Heng breathed, the realization striking him like a sword to the chest. He stood quickly, sending the chair toppling to the floor behind him. Was she there? Had Elio finally predicted something?
His hands shook, his chest heaving. The emotions and possibilities surging through him made him lose control of his cloudhymn for a moment, teal horns manifesting on the crown of his head.
Without wasting another second, he spun around, swiftly pulling his coat on and slipping on his shoes. It was still early in the morning, but surely Himeko or Welt was awake. Dan Heng practically jumped down the stairs, running for the Parlor Car.
Upon bursting through the door, he saw Himeko seated at one of the couches, a cup of coffee steaming in her hands.
“Oh, Dan Heng, you’re up a bit early-“ The crimson haired woman began, but he cut her off.
“I know where we need to go next,” Dan Heng urged, taking long strides towards where she sat.
Himeko raised a brow, her gaze landing on the horns that peaked through his hair. “Well, we have a few options. Once the others are up and moving, we will hold our navigation meeting.”
“No, there are no other options!” Dan Heng snarled, but he realized how he had raised his voice, flinching back. “I- I’m sorry, Himeko. But… I got a message this morning, it was from Silver Wolf. She advised that we go to the planet L-42, because there will be a Stellaron disaster,” He explained, pacing in front of the couch.
“She said there would be two Stellarons, Himeko. That has to mean something! Stelle could be there, she- she could be there…” Tears stung at his eyes - was he really about to cry? The hope of finding her, however slim the chances were, made his chest ache.
Himeko sat silent for a moment, but there was a glimmer in her eyes. “Okay, okay,” She exhaled, motioning for Dan Heng to sit down beside her. “Come here, sit.” She watched as the young man all but dropped himself onto the couch, placing his head in his hands.
“When the others wake up, we will bring this up to them. I’m sure they’ll understand and agree to go there.” Himeko gently placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling how tense he was.
“She has to be there, this is the only hint we’ve gotten, even if it is vague,” Dan Heng muttered, his voice wavering. “I can’t… I can’t be without her anymore, Himeko. It kills me to think of where she could possibly be, alone, scared…” His shoulders shook, a strangled sob leaving his lips.
“I know. We all feel the same, Dan Heng.” The older woman sighs, gently pulling him against her. “We’ll find her. We haven’t stopped looking for her after all these years, we won’t stop now.” She held him tighter, allowing him to let out his emotions.
Himeko lifted her gaze to stare out the large window at the cosmos, a solemn look crossing over her features. This could be a step in the right direction, but what if it wasn’t? She hummed softly, continuing to console the usually stoic Dan Heng.
We need something, anything, to give us hope right now.