Star Rail: The Aeon Hunters

With that, the group split in two. Pela, Bronya, and Dan Heng went to meet Chief Oleg led by Sampo. While March and Stella went on a little tour led by Pitch Black Hook the Great.

Along the way, Pela couldn't help but admire the view of the city. At a glance, it looks like an ordinary slum, but there's a certain beauty in the way people tried to get by building a city. With houses stacked after one another, staircases built all across the cavern, connecting houses and structures.

The Geomarrow Ores not only provide warmth but also an everlasting light in the city deep underground. The soft amber glow glowing softly, like the remnants of a once blazing fire of civilization. 

Then Pela turned to Bronya who looked at the city in silent contemplation. She wondered what's on her mind and hoped that it was one of sympathy for her own people. Pela knew that Cocolia is a lost cause after what she's done to her and the outsiders. But she believes that Bronya is different…

"Right over here Ladies and Gentlemen!" Sampo exclaimed as he led them up a staircase. "Chief Oleg is…" his words faltered when a bunch of scary looking thug stood in his way. "Whoa, hey, what's the problem buddy?"

Pela clicked her tongue, getting ready to summon her turrets.

"What's with the outsider?" one of the thugs said. "Giving the tour to the princess, huh?"

Dan Heng focused his gaze, though he hasn't taken out his spear yet. 

"These are Chief Oleg's honored guests! You don't want to mess with the Wildfire do you?" Sampo tried to say.

One of the thugs took out his gun. "Oleg's ain't here, now hand her over!"

"Friend," Sampo glanced at Dan Heng who looked ready to fight, to Pela who already activated her turrets, and Bronya who already took out her rifle. He looked back at the thugs and spoke to them. "I don't think you wanna mess with these outsiders, like literally, I'm not worried about them, I'm worried about you,"

"Enough with the pleasantries! Get them!"

One of the thug open fire, but in that moment, something peculiar happen.

Cracks formed in the very fabric of space time and split the bullet in half, followed by a tear in space. From the gaping maw of oblivion, countless butterflies burst forth, fading in and out of existence. The swarm of butterflies flow around a spot in a vortex until finally…

It formed into a beautiful girl, carrying a huge scythe. "You fuckers dare to have fight in my turf?" Seele warned them. "How about a couple of rounds with me, huh!? You spineless thugs!"

The thugs turned tail and run at the sight of the girl. Even Dan Heng was shocked to see her entrance. There's nothing normal about it, the way she just appeared through the fabric of time, and even cut bullet moving that fast. This is someone of a Trailseeker's caliber.

"Glad that's over with, now to deal with the other problem," she turned to Sampo and grabbed him by scruff of his neck. "What did you do this time Koski? Do you have any fucking clue just how much bullshit we have to deal with!?"

"Wh-what?! I did nothing! I am simply giving these VIP a tour around the city and meet Chief Oleg," Sampo replied. "Uhh, right guys?"

Dan Heng sighed. "What Sampo said is correct, he's unfortunately our guide around the city," he stepped forward and gestured at Seele to let him go. "Thank you for your help, my name is Dan Heng, the lead researcher of the Trailseekers. Have Chief Oleg told you of our visit?"

Seele folded her arms. "I haven't heard of this 'Trailseekers', we're busy with other stuff right now," she turned to Bronya and Pela. "And what do we have here, the overworld princess and her handmaiden," she folded her arms. "Chief Oleg wishes to see you,"

Bronya narrowed her eyes. "Naturally, I also wish to see the man behind my abduction," she replied. "Don't think that you'll get away with this, mother will…"

"HA! 'don't think you'll get away with this' you say?" Seele leaned forward and teleported right in front of her face. "That's rich coming from you princess, because the Supreme Tyrant will not get away for what she did to us,"

"The Supreme Guardian have her reasons,"

"Yes and it's fucking slavery!" Seele raised her voice. "You and I both know that the Supreme Tyrant will leave us here to ROT if it isn't for the Eternal Freeze!" she waved her arm. "Look around you princess, every bit of hell your beloved guardian sent us to!"

"You don't get to talk to the Supreme Guardian like that,"

Seele jabbed her finger on Bronya's chest. "I talk to whoever the fuck I want, however the fuck I want," She turned around. "Final hope of Belobog…" she muttered to herself. "What a bunch of bullshit…"

Bronya was about to say something, but Pela took her hand. The girl slowly shook her head and whispered to her.

"Lady Bronya… just listen… these are your people,"

Bronya took a deep breath and nodded, heart in turmoil as she follows Seele through the city. Is this what the people underground think about her mother's action? Is there ever a good reason for her to leave them down here?

There has to be, there's simply no way mother doesn't care…