Rhaps

  There are many Eldritch Gods in this wide universe, some hold the power to dictate the movement of the Stars, some embody the darkness of space, some judge life itself, and some keep order and chaos banced on the cosmic scale.

  And one is a locomotive, moving across the universe from one gaxy to another. That is The Stelr Express, Qitar Elismo, the Fifth Harbinger of Life.

  A Star encased in its Eldritch body reminiscing of a steam train on Terra. Traveling through the cosmos on rails made of stardust.

  Each cargo of the Express is the size of a pnet. In other words, each cargo is a different world, with a unique environment to suit each and every one of its passengers.

  And it is Ren's job, an attendant of the Stelr Express, to accommodate the millions of passengers of the First Cargo - which held the Avatars of Eldritch Gods and many Heralds of the Eldritch Gods.

  Like, there are as many passengers here as there are stars in the universe!

  Walking down the Star Road, wearing a golden brown uniform and holding a bronze tablet in her right arm, she is Ren Aurelia, from Earth during the reign of Emperor Aurelian. Beautiful, cute with her blond hair and bubbly grey eyes. Well, she isn't that special, only being the Herald of The Stelr Express.

  That's right! Every creature can become Heralds of The Stelr Express. For the duration of their stay in the Express, that is.

  Ren hasn't found her destination yet, so she decides to stay on the train until she finds her pce in the vast universe...

  She was free, that is what she had best. She didn't know what true suffering was, being born in high nobility. But that freedom... it drove her to insanity.

  When The Stelr Express crosses The Bubble, entering the domain of The Pale Court, the First Harbinger of Life... it seeks out Passengers, those who felt they didn't belong in their original world. Many people boarded the train, to find where they truly belong...

  Ren was one of them.

  It was like yesterday when she left the comfort of her home in Rome.

  Ah! Enough time being nostalgic! Ren has a job to do!

  She knocked on the door of Cabin 456667.

  "Room Service! What would you like to request?", she asked with an attentive and cheerful tone.

  The wooden door opened, inside was a tree-like creature with bck scales for skin, and hundreds of mouths full of sharp teeth. This is The Manic Song—

  Right, Ren put on her earmuffs, as this Passenger is dangerous with their voice.

  They sang, replying like a choir, "We~ would like to~ repce the soil of our~ domain."

  "Oh, would you like to try a new fertilizer? The Express Guards just killed a Category-7 Void Beast a few Star Cycles ago.", Ren smiled, while opening her tablet to read the order.

  "Ooh~~ I will take it, is the soil of Marashi still avaible?"

  Ren shook her head, "I apologize, what you are looking for is currently unavaible. And it would be difficult to obtain it in the next Stelr Cycle since Marashi was recently destroyed by a Jury of the Pale Court."

  "Bah~! That genocidal maniac! At it again~", the branches moved forward, surrounding Ren. Hehe... this is terrifying, "Who was it~?"

  Quickly, Ren checked her tablet to look for information...

  "It was Surtr, the Bcksmith of The End.", Ren said, which made the chorus of The Manic Song quiet.

  Since Surtr is the most dangerous Jury of the Pale Court after all. Even without his sword, he could easily destroy— ehem, I mean, Judge an entire world. Capable of going against 30% powered Category-12 Eldritch Gods!

  As if nothing happened, they went back to singing, "Very well~ child~ then some good soil~ with the fertilizer you mention~"

  "Would that be all?"

  "That would~ be all~", they sang.

  Sending the order and waiting for a bit to get the receipt, Ren then spoke to The Manic Song.

  "Your resources will be ready by the Third Boardcast.", she bowed her head before stepping out of the domain.

  The door closed, soundproofing the entire space. Phew! That was dangerous as always, these Eldritch Gods are quite worrisome. You can never know what they are thinking.

  Anyhow, Ren walked down the road as she checked the flight schedule on her tablet...

  "Huh...", she stopped and leaned onto the wall, her usual smile was gone...

  "The next destination is... Terra, my world."

  Ren looks up at the artificial starry night sky, illuminating the First Cargo. Beautiful... I can never get sick of this view.

  Just like back home, when the sky was moonless and free of clouds, Ren could see countless stars in the sky.

  Back then, she had a very ridiculous idea, something her parents and friends ughed at. She dreamed of reaching the stars, knowing the world back then... it was unachievable.

  But now look at her, being an Attendant of the Stelr Express, traveling through the cosmos from one gaxy to another for what must been like thousands, or at the very least, hundreds of years.

  Time flows differently in every world. I am sure everyone I knew and loved is dead.

  I have nothing...

  But why do I miss... home so much?

  Why? This job, these bindings called The Stelr Express, they are what kept me sane all these years...

  I don't want to go insane again, that feeling was... horrible. Their blood on my hands, I ughed... I ughed... why did I ugh?

  [Ren, are you okay?]

  This voice...

  "Y-yes...", I sniffed, wiping my tears, "Miss Navigator, what do need of me?'"

  [Just checking on you, Dezmond said your emotional readings became unstable. Ren, what is wrong?]

  "Nothing!", Ren put on her brave face, "Everything is okay!"

  [Ren, emotional readings don't lie. We need you to be in top shape as a Senior Attendant, checking on your mental health is a part of the job too.]

  It didn't take long for Ren to caved in. This feeling of loss is something I don't feel too often, since I don't miss home that much... until now.

  "I just feel so... lost. Back on Terra, Ren was insane— she didn't know what to do, I didn't know what I could do. Nobility or not— no... there was so much Ren could do, the freedom... it scares me... I tried many different things... from farmer to Vestal Vergin— nothing worked, I felt my mind crumbling... those duties weren't enough to help Ren be sane. Only by boarding the Stelr Express, and having a job dealing with the Eldritch Gods... the stress hold Ren together. Help Ren... seeing the next destination being Terra, my old home, a sudden urge to cry took over her... help, please... Ren doesn't know what to do— Ren wants to stay on the Express, but Ren also wants to go back home— no!!"

  I kept on rambling and rambling. My mind, it's a mess, Ren doesn't want to be free of her duty— Ren wants to stay here, I want to be sane! I WANT TO BE SANE!!

  Still, the Navigator listened quietly to her insane rambling... and when Ren finally broke down completely, only her breath can be heard across the Star Road...

  Her emotionless voice finally spoke to me.

  [Ren Aurelia, come to the engine room after you finish all your duties.]

  "Y-Yes...", I sniffed a bit.

  And the call ended there.

  The engine room... that's where the Conductor is. Ren hasn't seen since she became an Attendant...

  Alright, let's finish the duties. Let's see... Ren checks her tablet.

  "The Red Rampage, The Machine Overlord, The Pgue Garden, The Spawn, The Seven Kingdoms. Two Harbingers of Life? My, these are pretty tough to handle. And Two Lords of Annihition too? Well, I guess these Gods can keep Ren sane."

  She happily went to do her duties. These shouldn't be too hard.

  =0=0=

  "Sorry, doc.", Ren ughed as the doctor was about to stretch her arm.

  It got mangled up after meeting with The Red Rampage. Being an Attendant, her body's natural healing capability is greatly accelerated, they have to survive in a pce full of otherworldly beings after all. Especially those who work in the First Cargo.

  "Hmph!!", he yanked Ren's arm with his tendrils, his seven eyes warped in frustration, "Taah!! Dammit, your muscles had become too dense so it's hard to correct them."

  "Ahaha... is that so? I guess I'm just naturally strong."

  "No, dumb girl. You stressed your body too much from overworking. Seriously, you should go rest once in a while. Being here for over a hundred Stelr Cycles and without a break day.", he crossed his many arms, nodding to himself, "You are on the Stelr Express, the train traveling across the universe. Go for some sightseeing, or hunt some Void Beasts!"

  So even the doctor is asking for Ren to go on a break...

  "Thank you for your recommendation, doctor! Ren will be fine!", I ughed and hopped off the bed.

  "Be sure to take proper rest."

  "I will!", waving him goodbye, Ren decided to go to the engine room.

  It will take quite a bit of time to get from the medical bay to the engine room, maybe Ren might not reach there before the Third Broadcast.

  But as the doctor said, Ren should take it easy.

  It isn't the first time Ren got her body mangled up by Eldritch Gods, it isn't the first time Ren got scolded for being a workaholic. She knows she's abusing her body, even as an Attendant.

  Oh... walking down opposite of Ren is an Eldritch God. In the form of a glowing white cloak, as if there is someone wearing it, but they have no head to speak of, only a golden slit in space resembling the iris of a snake. They are the First Harbinger of Life, Shemiss Aluqdim, The Pale Court themselves.

  I quickly bowed before them as they approached me... why is The Pale Court here? Aren't they supposed to be banned from leaving the bubble—

  "You must be Ren Aurelia.", their many voices spoke to me.

  I am shaking... I can feel their Judgemental look... urgh... even if they are my Eldritch God, I am uncomfortable with Judgement-Attribute Eldritch Gods...

  "Greetings, what service are you seeking?", Ren put on her friendliest face.

  "There is nothing you can do for me now, child.", I can feel a chill running down my spine just from listening to their disorienting voices...

  "I am here for you, child.", they said, some in a mocking manner, some in joy, some were proud, and some with pity.

  "What do you mean by that...?", I feel uneasy...

  "The Conductor had deemed you unfit for your current job, so The Stelr Express wants you to go on what they call... a paid vacation.", they stare at me, even though The Pale Court has no eyes.

  "W-wait, what?! I need to speak to the Navigator— no! I need to speak to the Conductor!!"

  Then I ran— no, Ren found herself frozen as soon as she took the first step.

  "This is non-negotiable, child. We had reached an agreement, you will go back to Earth for a while. For the sake of your mental health, as that Herald of The Machine Overlord proposed."

  "No!! I don't want to go back there— I— Ren— I want to work here... I don't want to be let go... please, God... please let me stay...", I can feel the tears rolling down my cheeks, hot... they are hot..., "Please, Shemiss Aluqdim... my Lord... I don't want to be free... I don't want to go insane..."

  From under the cloak, a pure white slender arm reached out to Ren, it held her chin, gently forcing her to look at The Pale Court. I made contact with the golden slit for a head...

  Once again... I cannot understand what an Eldritch God thinks.

  "It is something you cannot decide for yourself. As one of our children, it is within your domain to not reach the stars by the power of an Eldritch God, but by your own strength.", those voices... they were gentle and kind...

  Right... even if The Pale Court is known as a genocidal maniac across the universe... they are also known for their love of life, which only includes the life they created. I am one of them.

  This is... unconditional love. It disturbs me...

  "Please... this is my life... I want to decide for myself."

  Ren felt the stares of The Pale Court burrow directly into her for a moment, just a few seconds but it felt like an eternity had passed...

  "Very well, we said the deal is non-negotiable, but we did not say you could not alter some of the content.", Ren can feel The Pale Court smiling...

  And Ren can move again!

  "Th-Thank you!", I quickly bowed.

  "We can help you get there faster, child.", they fluttered their cloak, wrapping around Ren— oh the stars! It's blinding!!

  Who knew a cloak shining like a sun could be so blinding?!

  "Gah— eh? Huh? What?"

  Ren found herself in the engine room, a dome with thousands of green monitors lighting up the room. And bunnies, or at least creatures that look like bunnies but walk on two legs. They are Administrators, the ones working behind the scenes to make sure the Stelr Express works properly.

  "Qitar Elismo, the child requests to alter the deal.", ah, The Pale Court is standing right behind Ren.

  An Administrator, instead of having the usual bck fur, this one has white fur and four eyes instead of two. Those piercing red eyes with golden circles... they are creepy. They also wear a tall hat with the Roman number five on it.

  This is the Conductor, Qitar Elismo... they are so cute!! Out of all Eldritch Gods, they have to be the cutest one!! Beating even The Final Showdown!

  "Miss Ren, a pleasure to meet you again.", kyaah! Their voice is so squeaky!!

  "Y-Yes! Conductor!", I stiffened up, I had to act properly in front of the Conductor.

  "What is it that you wish to alter? Are you not satisfied with a Stelr Cycle break?", they leaned their head to the side. Gah!

  Wait!

  "A whole Stelr Cycle?!", I turned to to The Pale Court, "How much does a Stelr Cycle equate to years on Terra?"

  "A Stelr Cycle is hard to predict, as the Stelr Express travels across the universe. Only the Navigator and the Record Keeper can keep tract of that.", they stated.

  Miss Navigator... and the Record Keeper? Wait! Isn't the Record Keeper a Jury of the Pale Court?!

  "Can I get in touch with the Record Keeper?!", I grabbed the Conductor— ah, "I'm sorry!!"

  I quickly put the Conductor down.

  "Ehem.", they dusted their bck jacket, "Galileo is currently unavaible. Then... how about this."

  They held their stubby hands out, energy began to gather... hot... I can feel the heat of a Star...

  "This is...", her eyes widen in surprise.

  "This is the Ticket to the Stelr Express.", a golden ticket flew towards Ren.

  On it is the symbol of The Stelr Express, a melting candle inside an intricate circle...

  Woah... this thing is beautiful. She picked it out of the air.

  "With this Ticket, you can return to the Stelr Express any time you want."

  Hih!!

  The Conductor suddenly grew rger, their appearance became monstrous as their white fur became wispy and their snout grew longer. Eek!! They bore their fangs at me— not cute! Not cute at all!!

  "SO YOU CAN NEVER LET GO OF IT, REN AURELIA. IF ANYONE BUT YOU ENTER THE STELLAR EXPRESS WITH THAT TICKET, YOU WILL BECOME AN ENEMY OF THE HARBINGERS OF LIFE."

  Eek!! Then The Pale Court brred up!!

  "Do you dare to threaten one of our children in front of us, Qitar Elismo?"

  "SHEMISS ALUQDIM, ARE YOU GOING TO GO AGAINST NOT ONLY THE STELLAR EXPRESS, BUT ALSO MANY DIFFERENT ELDRITCH GODS. ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN GO AGAINST THE MAJORITY OF THE UNIVERSE?!!"

  "Are you serious?", The Pale Court pced a hand on my head, "You think we would back down from a challenge?"

  "You are already surrounded."

  "Conductor! We have an emergency!!", one of the Administrators shouted.

  All the screens switched view from inside the train to the out...side... what are those things?

  Sword? Why... are there so many swords made out of light? And they kept on increasing... no way... that amount is impossible to survive...

  The Stelr Express is completely surrounded...

  "Each one of those is capable of destroying an entire world. How many would it take to completely destroy the Stelr Express...?", it was a challenge...

  The Pale Court, the First Harbinger of Life... there was a legend across the universe. When the Universe was still a few billion years young, many Eldritch Gods tried to steal or replicate the Tempte of Life...

  None was able to steal, few were able to copy... the fate of those who tried to replicate was... not good. Even with their power weakened from the distance, countless worlds were destroyed, pnets wiped off the Star Maps... in less than a Stelr Cycle.

  It was due to their Authority over life itself... they know where every lifeform stemmed from the Tempte of Life are. And they can send one of those swords to delete an entire pnet... not even the Stelr Prison can block that attack.

  The Oblivion Light is what Shemiss Aluqdim is also known for... everyone should be gd that the Cosmic Bubble stops those swords from ever escaping again.

  "TCH...", the Conductor shrank down, "Fine... Ren, you won't become an enemy of the Stelr Express. But there won't be a second Ticket for you."

  Ah, the swords are vanishing.

  "It will take a few more Star Cycles to reach Sol System. So go back to your room for now, Ren. I will announce when the Stelr Express reached Earth."

  Earth? Is that a new name for Terra? I guess time changed... wonder if the Roman Empire is still around.

  "We will not stay here any longer, so this is our 'welcome back' to you.", they spread their arms, all four of them, "Welcome back to your home, Domintia Aurelia."

  The Pale Court, the most deranged Eldritch God... how can something be so evil... yet so nice to me at the same time?

  Ren can never understand other people's hearts in the first pce, so how can she understand the thoughts of an Eldritch God?

  I know their intentions are good... their voices... they are warm... I... I missed Mom...

  "I...", I went ahead and hugged Shemiss Aluqdim, "I am home..."

  It will be just for a short while... freedom... it scares me...

  But The Pale Court is here... an Eldritch God... my Eldritch God... I think I can confess...

  "Shemiss Aluqdim... freedom... it scares me..."

  "Then you will love the current Earth, child.", they comforted me, hugging me back, "Freedom... there is currently only one person who has absolute freedom. You are not that person, Ren. You will be fine."

  Is that so...

  "A world driven by endless conflicts, now even more vicious than ever. Even the tiniest bit of freedom is a luxury."

  That sounds... amazing.

  =0=0=

  Ren returns to her room, pondering what she should do. She could've returned with The Pale Court, but she wanted to say goodbye to her colleagues... now... her vacation doesn't sound like a death sentence anymore...

  Ren want to keep her sanity, her world back then wasn't too bad. Even when her father was killed by the Praetorian guards... those bastards... she still had a comfortable life... it scared her.

  She wasn't afraid of assassinations, she was afraid of being left alone with all the freedom to herself. Right, cracks began to show themselves then.

  The chimes ring throughout the train... it is time.

  {This is your Conductor, Qitar Elismo. We have reached the Sol System, only the Passengers of the First Cargo may exit if this is their destination. I repeat. We have reached the Sol System, only the Passengers of the First Cargo may exist if this is their destination.}

  Looks like this is it...

  Ren got up from her bed, taking a good look around at the trinkets she collected from many Stelr Cycles. Ren will miss them...

  My name is Ren Aurelia, my true name is Domintia Aurelia, daughter of Ulpia Severina and Lucius Domitus Aurelianus, Savior of the World. This is my story, of me finding chains to shackle me from freedom.