Chapter Text
Dan Feng didn’t like being called Dan Feng.
That much, Dan Heng could tell.
In fact, he was only slightly miffed when March 7th called his dragon “Dan Dan”.
“Did you not like that name?” Dan Heng asked Dan Feng.
When he was settled to rest for the night.
His dragon gave him a look.
Like they ate a sour fruit that offended them three lifetimes over.
And Dan Heng could feel the quiet discomfort deep in his bones.
Maybe even slight reluctance— if that made any sense.
Dan Heng was only joking when he called his dragon “Dan Dan.”
So he tried it out.
He looked at his dragon straight in the eye.
Whose eyes were the same color as his.
With a streak of red beneath their eyes.
And called out, “Dan Feng.”
His dragon didn’t blink.
But a flicker of rolling uneasiness rippled through.
“Dan Dan,” he tried instead.
His dragon didn’t huff.
But a flow of resignation washed over.
“…Dan Heng.”
His dragon shifted.
Maybe even curled a little in surprise.
And Dan Heng almost wanted to laugh.
Because the next thought that ran through his head—
Was almost jarring.
Maybe even startling.
Instead, he reached out to his dragon.
Placed his tiny hands to behold the living memory before him.
And called out one last time.
With a soft, gentle grieving voice.
“Dan Heng.”
Something changed.
What it was— Dan Heng didn’t know.
But when he blinked, he was alone.
His hands held empty air.
And his heart raced rapidly.
As tears fell from his face.
Without him understanding why.
Deep in the waters, the chains shifted.
“No—“
And the tree shuddered.
“Don’t call for me—“
But nothing else changed.
“Please— I just wanted—“
Except for the tears that dissolved from closed eyes.
“No— You can’t remember—“
And a quiet broken oath.
“I will never let us remember.”
._._._._._.
The first time March 7th met Madam Herta, they were restocking supplies.
She watched when Dan Heng was approached by a doll.
And he lit up.
As in— he stood a little straighter.
Even his eyes seemed a little brighter.
March 7th had always watched Dan Heng.
Always watched his demeanor when he was with the crew.
With herself.
And he had the same demeanor with the doll.
Where he was relaxed and certain of his safety.
…Maybe just a bit shy as well.
And— if he had a tail, March 7th would’ve bet all of Pom-Pom’s pancakes that it would be wagging.
“You’ve returned,” the doll greeted.
Dan Heng nodded, “Yes. Just to restock.”
Madam Herta was half a foot taller than him.
(Horns included.)
And she ruffled his hair between his horns with a gentle hand.
“Hmm~? Though you’ve grown a little in stature, your horns have shrunk.”
Dan Heng almost pouted.
Almost.
March 7th could see it on his face.
“Herta,” he started as he pulled away from her doll hand.
Dan Heng almost bolted to March 7th’s side.
“This is March 7th,” he introduced without fanfare, “She’s a new member on the crew.”
Now, March 7th almost didn’t know what to say.
Because never once had Dan Heng took the lead.
Never once did he do the talking.
It warmed March 7th’s heart.
And brought an excited smile on her face.
“Nice to meet you!”
Madam Herta looked at her.
Really really looked at her.
For a moment, there was nothing between any of them.
Not a sound.
Not an action.
Madam Herta’s eyes almost seemed to bore into her soul.
Like she was an object to be studied.
Very intently.
March 7th almost squirmed under her gaze.
Until Dan Heng tapped the doll’s hand.
And Madam Herta finally smiled, “Nice to meet you too, March 7th.”
If anyone were to ask, March definitely felt like she just passed some big test for some reason.
Dan Heng pulled at the doll’s hand now.
His eyes were gleaming a little bit, “Herta— Guess what? I also have another friend.”
The doll hummed, “Hm? There’s more?”
March 7th barely dodged the watery head of Dan Heng’s bestie.
“Yes— meet Dan Dan,” Dan Heng said proudly, patting his dragon’s head, “Our pet dragon.”
It really warmed March 7th’s heart.
To hear how much that silly nickname had made an impact.
How much it made an impact to the boy she started to see as her little brother.
And judging from Madam Herta’s look—
She was safe in her presence.
(And safe from the look that mirrored Himeko’s “kind lecture” face.)
March 7th felt her circle grow just a little bit more.
._._._._._.
“That is not a pet.”
Himeko almost spluttered her own black coffee.
(Her precious, delicious coffee, by the way.)
Madam Herta didn’t even spare her a glance from her screens.
“You mean, Dan Dan?” Himeko asked.
Herta really looked at her this time, but said nothing.
“From what I understand, I think he’s Dan Heng’s guardian.”
The doll’s eyes strayed from her, “A physical manifestation of his innate power that flooded my space station, that’s what.”
“He did apologize for that.”
“Yes, through several text messages.”
The look on Herta’s face seemed like she regretted giving Himeko the contact.
(Now, Himeko never gotten a chance to do this yet—
But she did consider Madam Herta as one of Dan Heng’s emergency contacts.)
Madam Herta placed a hand on her hip.
“Himeko— That seal is almost broken.”
Ah.
Ah.
Everything quietly clicked for Himeko.
Why Madam Herta was doing this.
(Because there was no denying it.
Dan Heng, no matter his appearance—
Was a powerful ancient being.
And he wasn’t fully aware of it.)
“I am aware,” Himeko assured.
“Welt and I will make sure everything will be alright.”
The silence that met her was almost a challenge.
Like meeting a mother’s, no— a friend’s concern dead on.
Yes, friend.
(Because it was Himeko who found Dan Heng first.)
Suddenly, Madam Herta returned to her screens.
Like her attention was abruptly snatched.
A little notification popped up.
Before Asta’s slightly serious face appeared.
And in the background, Himeko could clearly see it.
Could very plainly see Dan Heng frantically waving his hands.
And March 7th scrambling to catch her balance on something slippery.
And one of the many dolls of Herta being held on by Dan Dan’s watery jaws.
Was that doll dangling over the railing…?
“All Supply Zone personnel, please prepare for the emergency liquid draining procedure. I repeat—"
The screens dropped.
And Madam Herta gave Himeko quite the look.
“Your restocking is done. Kindly get your kids off this station before I get any more ideas,” she deadpanned.
Himeko didn’t laugh.
But she did smile, highly amused.
Because that just meant Herta was curious about something.
And that something was definitely proven with yet another flood.
Albeit smaller this time.
“Hm? I thought you wanted us to visit?”
“Visiting hours are over,” Madam Herta stalked off.
But Himeko could see it.
Reflected on the shiny metal.
The plain amused resignation on Madam Herta’s face.
“By the time this Era ends, I’d have to make more dolls at this rate.”
._._._._._.
When Himeko boarded the Express, Dan Heng and March 7th were hiding behind a plant.
She looked at Welt.
“What happened?”
The expression on his face was between amusement and concern.
“Nothing.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“It’s really nothing,” Welt assured, “Just a big splash of water.”
From the corner of her eye, she could see Dan Dan sulking at Dan Heng’s feet.
And March 7th whispered loudly, “It’s okay, Dan Dan! You were just protecting us.”
Welt did not look at them, “All part of Madam Herta’s research— just like last time.”
And Himeko—
Laughed.
._._._._._.
Dan Heng had gotten used to their little adventures.
With March 7th included, things had been rather fun.
“Dan Heng! Pose!” she’d call over to him.
And Dan Heng would give a simple pose in an instant.
Because really, March 7th doesn’t really wait.
Well, not that she could wait for the right timing.
How does someone pose for the perfect angle in the middle of an explosion?
Dan Heng yanked March from her perch to run from their falling target.
Now, before they left, Madam Herta entrusted them to find something for her.
It wasn’t on the top of her list.
Just something she just happened across.
A little curio that was a little chessboard piece.
(Someone gave her a very special chessboard with two pawns short.
As a gift for her help on something she took part in.
And she almost threw it into the rest of her curios.
Until she noticed the interesting power that emitted from it.)
Something about illusions of a grand kingdom that was long gone.
And by grand—
They didn’t expect to end up in a place of ruins.
Two galaxies away from the Space Station.
The world they entered was desolate.
Full of buildings built for a kingdom of glory.
But rubble, debris and time wore on the walls.
Nothing but wild plants and fauna lived in its streets.
Although, there were some “fauna” that definitely weren’t an animal.
Now, Dan Heng was a good fighter.
And he had gained a lot of experiences aboard the Express.
He even fought some weird giant monsters he swore he encountered before.
(A vague feeling really.
Yet it felt like it was him from another time who fought them before.
Dan Dan definitely didn’t look at him when he asked.)
Although….
Dan Heng looked up in slight awe.
The massive horse before him was half as long as Dan Dan was long.
(Which was in fact, very long.)
It wasn’t much of a monster either.
More like a knight’s horse decked out in its full glory.
With jarring splotches of jagged corrosion everywhere.
Did Dan Heng mention the giant sword forever merged in its mouth?
No?
Well.
It definitely tried to kill them with it.
March ducked behind a building, “Did you see Himeko?”
He peeked around his building, “Uhm…”
The horse was completely knocked over by a saw blade.
And Himeko—
Dan Heng waved at her, “Hi Himeko.”
Himeko smiled at them in relief, “I hope I didn’t take too long to find you both.”
March came out of her hiding spot, “Of course not! You came just in time!”
It was almost funny, really.
How Himeko only had to hold out a hand.
And Dan Heng ran to her.
Gently grasped her hand.
Because she was his shelter.
And looked up to her.
“Let’s go.”
._._._._._.
The three of them crossed the battle scarred grounds.
Through the remains of torn flags.
Past the abandoned weapons.
And left the ruins of a once grand city.
There was no life that remained.
But signs of life were etched everywhere.
They come across nothing but wild animals scurrying by.
Birds perched on unmoving stone statues of humanoid beings.
Foxes had homes in the broken stone horses that no longer moved.
Vines swallowed giant marbled swords that protruded from the grounds.
March took pictures of the vast mountain views.
Occasionally asked Dan Heng and Himeko to pose at random intervals.
(Afterwards, when they would return, March and Dan Heng would notice something different about them.)
A picture of Dan Heng hopping across a tiny stream.
Another of Himeko looking at a scene of various weapons impaled in the ground.
Of Dan Dan caught mid bite on another “knightly horse”.
Of herself posing in the middle of a vast field of flowers.
It was strange to Dan Heng.
There were so many signs that people had once lived here.
That there was some form of civilization that once flourished here.
But there were no bones to be seen.
No old scrap of armor or clothes that would fit a normal human.
Or maybe there were never humans here in the first place.
Still, Dan Heng felt like there was something a little off about this.
But as they marched on.
Toward the set of coordinates that Herta gave them.
He quietly tucked the feeling in his chest and moved on.
._._._._._.
They came across a castle.
It wasn’t rather large.
Maybe small enough to fit two train cars side by side.
Dan Heng blinked.
He found himself looking up at the most intricate dome he’d seen in his life.
It even seemed like there were shooting stars moving across the stained glass.
The tell tale snap of March 7th’s camera pulled him away from the sight.
Although, when he looked at her, she had an odd look on her face.
But it was gone when she smiled at him, “It’s really pretty, huh?”
Dan Heng couldn’t help his own smile, “It is.”
Himeko checked her phone, “Hmmm, it should be around here.”
Dan Heng carefully inspected the walls around them.
The architecture was rather admirable.
The intricate carvings in the arcs.
Delicate stained glass art.
It spoke of pure reverence to something.
He spotted carvings of the stone horses in two different places.
Even the humanoid giants holding those staffs.
There were more.
Names were etched with precision and care beneath each carving.
Well, that much Dan Heng assumed it would be.
But the most elegant carvings were people adorned with royalty.
With crowns made of pure ivory and unblemished ebony.
Yet their names were chipped, scratched, and pried out.
A rather unnerving detail to note.
The ground was just as elaborate as the walls.
Glossy tiles and shapes lead to a doorway without a door.
As in— the broken hinges were crooked and the door itself was like a shattered piece of glass.
The hall wasn’t empty.
There was a sword impaled into the ground.
It was small enough for Himeko to wield it with one hand.
The perfect size for a human being.
This was the most evidence that Dan Heng could gather.
Himeko stepped into the hall.
The dust was thick on the ground.
And her footsteps were marked like snow.
The light barely shone through the small stained glass windows.
It gave the hall a quiet melancholy feeling.
That even March didn’t say anything about the sight.
As Dan Heng passed the blade, something in the air stirred.
At least, that was what he believed.
Because the next second, the hall filled with light.
And Dan Heng gaped at the sight.
Before him, the hall was a beautiful throne room.
With two chairs atop a grand dais.
One made of pure ivory.
One of unblemished ebony.
A deep blue canopy was drawn back.
And a matching plush carpet trailed from the foot of the throne to the end of the hall.
Dan Heng stood on the carpet.
Right where the sword was supposedly was.
In quiet awe and shock.
Because he was not alone.
Not with Himeko and March 7th.
There, standing before the thrones, was a person.
A rather young man adorned in white and silver stood before the ebony throne.
His long silver hair was tangled in a crown that looked like the mural on the walls.
Who looked so tired and anxious.
With his hands clawing into his own skin of his crossed arms.
Like he was in severe pain.
Yet exhausted and weary.
Like the weight of the whole world was on his shoulders.
And maybe it was.
Until he looked up and horror flooded into his expression.
His voice so weary, so strained, “Ari.”
The loud sound of a sword clattered rattled Dan Heng’s bones.
And he nearly choked on his gasp.
Another young man draped in black and gold strode past Dan Heng with confidence.
Or was it haste?
His much shorter pitch black hair was also tangled into another crown that matched the mural.
Whose shoulders were tense and stiff.
Like he too bore the weight of the world on himself.
He quickly caught the other king as he fell.
Like a puppet whose strings were cut.
They sat on the floor.
Leaning against the ivory chair for support.
Ari’s voice was at the edge of breaking, “Kureha—“
Dan Heng could see how close they were.
How much they were suffering.
Ari was not pristene.
In the light, the black clothes were shimmery wet.
Torn in minor places.
Sliced in vital places.
It tainted the other king’s white with a violent red.
Kureha was not well.
His skin was too pale.
And his eyes were too sunken with illness.
“It worked—I don’t feel the other Pieces. Just us.”
The words sounded so hollow in the grand throne room.
“It worked but— Why did you come back? You were supposed to go—”
Kureha’s desperate words trembled.
And Ari tried to soothe the king.
Combed the silver hair with blood coated hands.
Even though his own precious life was bleeding out of him.
“Not without you.”
The resignation was heavy.
“Rose, Noel, and the others got out with the time I bought.”
Like surrendering to the fate that snatched them.
“The memokeeper had left with the other Pieces.”
Ari’s blood red eyes were fluttering.
“As promised, we’ll be remembered.”
As if he was struggling to stay awake.
“I just—I couldn’t leave without you.”
Kureha gave Ari a weak punch.
“You idiot. Now we both don’t have any time left.”
Ari laughed as red dripped down his chin.
And looked up with a warm smile.
Right where Dan Heng stood.
“At the very least—“
._._._._._.
“You’re not alone.”
._._._._._.
“Dan Heng!”
Dan Heng blinked.
And the grand hall was desolate again.
Gone were the two dying Kings at the foot of the thrones.
And Dan Heng’s hand was curled on the rusted sword’s hilt.
March 7th stood before him with a concerned frown on her face.
“Hellooo to Dan Heng! Are you there?”
Dan Heng dropped his hand from the sword, “I never left.”
March blinked at him.
She seemed like she had something to say.
Because she looked a little unnerved and shaky.
But decided against it instead.
“You okay?” She asked.
No.
He wasn’t.
But instead of answering, he merely assured her with a nod.
Then he asked her, “Did you see it?”
The hesitance in her eyes was his answer.
The scene was unsettling.
To witness the end of someone he didn’t know.
And probably would never get to know.
“Did you?”
Her voice was sad.
Like she was grieving over them, too.
Something clicked for him.
Dan Heng hurried over to Himeko.
Who stood at the bottom of the dais.
She stood in silence.
As if to respect the empty view before her.
The thrones were no longer as glorious they had been.
Yet, they remained whole.
As if untouched by the ruined chaos outside of the hall.
And there, resting at the foot of the ivory throne—
Were a pair of chess pieces standing upright.
One ebony pawn.
Chipped and scratched.
One ivory pawn.
Cracked and gorged.
“You’re not alone,” Dan Heng breathed.
Himeko hummed.
As if she was quietly contemplating.
He reached to pick them up gingerly.
As if to caress the memory before him.
Of the memory of the people he had just witnessed.
They deserved that much.
“Himeko,” he began, but paused.
Because he suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Thankfully, Himeko seemed to understand.
She placed her hand on his head.
As if to assuage the worry that was etched on his face.
“I know, I saw it too.”
._._._._._.
When they returned to the Express, March 7th stayed in the Parlor Car.
They retrieved the curio that Madam Herta asked for.
Himeko had gone to send a message to her.
Dan Heng had disappeared into the Archives.
And Welt was all ears as March caught him up on all the details.
He kept her company even after she finished and settled into the plush cushions.
She flicked through all the pictures she had taken on their recent venture.
Where she had taken many candid photos in that seemingly empty world.
Their exit was quiet.
None of those weird stone horse monsters came after them.
Instead, she had a picture of an odd row of them bowing their heads as they left.
As if to send them off.
She wondered if those horses were there to just protect something.
Or maybe, they were trying to judge if the three of them were a real threat.
It made her a little uneasy.
The memory that flashed before her was unsettling.
As if the world was trying so hard not to forget what it held.
To at least prove that something had happened on its surface to whoever would listen.
And listened they did.
Especially when Dan Heng was so quiet in that old forgotten throne room.
The look on his face was hard to forget.
And she didn’t take a picture of it.
(Because it hurt.
To see the expression of quiet shock and sadness well up.
She didn’t like seeing that on him.
He deserved to smile.)
Although, March couldn’t help but notice something strange about the taken photos.
A picture of Dan Heng hopping across a tiny stream.
(With a young girl with rosy hair following after Dan Heng.)
Another of Himeko looking at a scene of various weapons impaled in the ground.
(With a Commander sitting on a rock that overlooked the grave site.)
Of Dan Dan caught mid bite on another “knightly horse”.
(With a young man with pitch black hair tending to a horse at the edge of the frame.)
Of herself posing in the middle of a vast field of flowers.
(With a young man with silver hair dancing so carefree in the midst of it all.)
She stopped on the photo of the grand old throne room.
Except… It wasn’t quite it.
In fact, the throne room was lit with a warm light.
Decorated with the prettiest flowers and the happiest people.
And there.
Before the thrones was a group of people.
The young girl with rosy hair wearing the brightest smile was caught in mid-spin.
(Rose?)
A commander that seemed unburdened and content stood at the foot of the dais.
(Noel?)
A king draped in black with a joyful expression on his face held a tambourine.
(Kureha?)
Another king in white with a gentle smile on his face sat relaxed on his ivory throne.
And a familiar sword leaning against his throne.
(….Ari?)
March 7th shot to her feet.
Nearly bumped into poor Pom-Pom who was about to serve her fruit juice.
“Hey!”
She spluttered a quick apology.
Then scrambled down the Parlor Car to the Archives.
Clutching her camera in the tightest grip ever.
._._._._._.
That night found Dan Heng and March in the Archives.
Pouring over the photos.
Logging it the Archives.
Dan Heng’s hands shook quietly.
Because it was strange this time.
But he took this experience to learn.
To better understand.
What it meant to be a trailblazer in situations like these.
Though there was an emptiness, there was a fullness.
A story that was in fragments.
But a story nevertheless.
About two kings that might’ve ruled this world.
Who gave up their lives for something.
It was a strange thought.
To just be forgotten like that.
To be remembered like that.
Dan Heng grieved for what that world once held.
Made it point to make sure that March 7th photos were clearly recorded.
Despite his grief, he couldn’t help but add a note at the end of this world’s entry.
._._._._._.
“Though it was empty, there were signs of life. The records and memories experienced here will not be forgotten. As long as the Astral Express continues its journey, the Nameless will not turn a blind eye to those who need their help. Even if it is the world itself who needs it.”
._._._._._.
Deep in the waters, a figured stirred.
And Dan Heng sat on the surface.
Looking down at the face that looked like his.
His emotions swirled like a gentle wave.
Swishing back and forth in the tide.
“I wonder what story you have.”
Dan Heng sat in silence.
Waiting for an answer.
One he’d never get.
But he wanted to try at least.
Because he could tell.
There was heavy burden.
He placed his hands on the surface.
And spoke in full confidence any way.
“We’re not alone— not anymore.”
Let me help you, he didn't say.
Deep in the waters, the chains shifted.
“Even so—“
And the tree stilled.
“Let this burden—“
But nothing else changed.
“…be no one but mine to bear.“