The platform of the Astral Express hummed softly with ethereal energy, the kind that seemed to hum along with the pulse of the multiverse itself. Hine stood there, her heart still heavy from the conversation with the Silent Soul. His words replayed in her mind — about the Captain, about Natlan, about the inevitable ties that bound her destiny to forces far beyond her current understanding.
Istaroth, the ruler of time, stood close, her serene presence anchoring the moment in quiet gravity. She watched Hine, her eyes deep pools of timeless wisdom, holding a tenderness that few ever witnessed.
"Hine," Istaroth said softly, her voice like a gentle current. "Before you step through those doors, you need to understand what lies ahead of you."
Hine turned, her gaze steady but questioning. "The Silent Soul said this… this journey will change everything. But I still don't know how. Or why."
A faint smile curved Istaroth's lips. "Because the multiverse is vast — infinitely so. What you know now, the worlds you've seen, the people you've met, they are only fragments of a much larger reality. Every dimension is a thread in a tapestry too complex for even gods to fully see."
The words sank into Hine like drops of rain soaking into parched soil. She had seen glimpses of this enormity, but hearing it now, here, made her breath catch.
"Your next destination," Istaroth continued, "is Elysmara, a world unlike any you have ever known. It lies within the Writiverse, where realities converge and intertwine in ways that even I tread carefully."
Hine's brow furrowed, anxiety flickering in her eyes. "The Writiverse? That… sounds overwhelming."
"It is," Istaroth admitted. "But you need not fear it. The moment you step out of this train, you will not be alone. One of my friends will be there at Elysmara Station to greet you. Trust her, Hine. She will guide you through the foreign expanse until you find your footing."
Hine exhaled, her chest loosening slightly. "I… I don't know what to say."
"Then say nothing," Istaroth replied gently. "Listen. Learn. And grow. This journey is not just about discovering what lies beyond; it is about discovering who you truly are."
Behind them, Asmoday approached with her usual quiet grace. She carried no smile, but her gaze held the kind of respect only earned by witnessing resilience firsthand. Naberius followed, her sharp eyes softer than usual, though she said nothing at first.
"You've come far, Hine," Asmoday said, her tone steady, almost warm. "Farther than any of us thought possible. Remember that when the path ahead begins to feel impossible."
"And when it does," Naberius added, folding her arms loosely, "remember you're not walking it alone. There are allies in places you've yet to see."
Hine blinked at their words, gratitude welling in her chest. "Thank you. Both of you."
From the shadows near the far wall, Ronova stood apart, silent and still. She hadn't moved closer, hadn't spoken. The weight of her silence pressed at the edges of the platform like a storm cloud refusing to break. Hine glanced at her but said nothing; she understood enough to know that Ronova's distance wasn't apathy. It was something deeper. Something complicated.
Istaroth's voice drew her attention back. "When you arrive in Elysmara, you will feel the shift immediately. It will not be like Natlan or any of the realms you've stepped through. Keep your heart open, Hine. The people there… they will challenge you in ways you do not yet understand."
"And your friend," Hine asked, hesitant, "who is she? What should I expect?"
Istaroth allowed a rare, almost playful smile to ghost across her lips. "You will know her when you see her. She has a way of making her presence known. Trust that."
Hine nodded, clutching her bag a little tighter. The hum of the train grew louder, its doors glowing faintly as if aware of the moment.
Asmoday stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on Hine's shoulder. "When you step through those doors, do not look back. Whatever doubts you carry, leave them here."
Naberius tilted her head, her tone softer than her usual sharpness. "And if you find yourself lost… listen. Sometimes the answers find you when you're quiet enough to hear them."
The train let out a low, melodic chime, signaling its readiness. The doors began to slide open with a smooth, quiet motion, the light spilling out onto the platform in golden ribbons. The moment felt frozen, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Istaroth stepped closer one last time. "This is not the end of your journey, Hine. It is only another beginning. And no matter where the path takes you… you carry us with you. Always."
Hine swallowed hard, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotion. "Thank you… for everything."
Istaroth inclined her head gracefully. "Go. The multiverse waits."
Behind her, Asmoday and Naberius watched quietly, their expressions unreadable but filled with the kind of unspoken pride only found in hard-won bonds. Ronova remained where she was, her gaze fixed somewhere distant, her silence louder than any farewell.
Hine took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she stepped toward the glowing doorway. The hum of the train seemed to harmonize with her pulse, carrying her forward. She paused at the threshold, glancing back just once, locking eyes with Istaroth, then Asmoday and Naberius, and even Ronova in the shadows.
Then, with her grip tightening on her bag, she faced forward again.
The doors stood open, waiting. And Hine stepped forward, ready for whatever awaited her in Elysmara.