Chapter 2: Priscilla!

Aster (still catching his breath) : Are you okay? You're not hurt, right?

The girl (reflecting a mix of relief and jest) : I'm alright, no thanks to you. If I hadn't leaped, I might have been stargazing from another realm now. But yeah, your efforts didn't go unnoticed, so Thank You for helping me , Mr. Petrified.

Her words carried a playful undertone, highlighted by a cute pouting face that hinted at an inner child-like nature.

Blushing with a mix of embarrassment and amusement, Aster apologized for not reacting more swiftly. He couldn't help but express how her beauty had momentarily mesmerized him. This revelation prompted both of them to burst into laughter, the shared mirth resonating through the silent expanse of their surroundings.

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Aster and the mysterious girl shared a hearty laugh, tears glistening in their eyes as their laughter was reaching its limits. Once their laughter subsided, a new sound emerged-an unmistakable rumble , from Aster's stomach, signaling the arrival of a different need.

Quick to respond, the girl reached into her coat and bring out an apple.

The Girl : You can have it.

She offered, with her voice laced with a playful pout.

Aster graciously accepted the gesture, taking a bite and savoring the taste of the apple.

Aster : I didn't know apples could grow in this place.

He remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice. The same taste, the same texture was astonishing to his buds.

Amused by Aster's observation, the girl cocked her head and asked "This place? You talk like you're not from here."

Aster : ...

A momentary pause hung in the air before she cleared her throat and extended an invitation for introductions. With a cheerful demeanor, she revealed her name-Priscilla.

Priscilla : I am Priscilla, I love adventuring, visiting new places and eating tasty new dishes. And you?

Aster : I don't know how to say this but i don't remember my name.

Priscilla : What do you mean by this?

Aster : I am not from this world, All i remember was making a contract with a sage. I occasionally get part of my memories but for now, I am just an empty shell.

Priscilla : Ohh! This is so bad. Till the time you get your memories back, Let me give you a temporary name. Your pupils looks like A Star, So how about??

Hearing these words flooded Aster's mind with a surge of memories.

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He was transported into a scene painted with the colors of a distant past. He found himself in a cradle, in a loving embrace.

Two figures were gazing down at him with boundless affection. It was a memory, a glimpse into the moment of his birth. Though the faces were not properly visible, It was evident that they were Aster's Mom and Dad.

Mom (whispering with joy) : Look, he's born so healthy.

Father (admiringly) : Yeah, and his eyes, they're so beautiful.

Mom : His pupils, they're like A Star.

Father : Let's name him Aster-a name that will be undetachable to him.

In that cradle of infancy, Aster's journey began, marked by the resonance of a name that held the warmth of parental love and the promise of a Identity that no exchange could compromise.

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Aster & Citalia (together) : Aster!

Priscilla : Wait!What?

Aster : My name, It's Aster, I remember it. My parents gave me this name for the same reason you mentioned.

Priscilla : Talking about coincidences , This is strange but I can definitely see the reasoning of your name. Anyone smitten of your eyes would have named you Aster. UHMMMMM... I am not smitten or anything, this was just a figure of expression.

Aster : Yeah, Don't worry, I didn't misunderstood you. By the way Priscilla, What even is this place? From the time I opened my eyes, I have seen otherworldly things that have left me awestruck.

Priscilla : I will explain everything but can we sit somewhere else. These heavy winds and thunderstorms are so scary, and don't even mention the rocks.

Aster : We can go to "Pandora Express".

Priscilla : Pandora Express? There is no such train as Pandora Express that passes through The Junction. The only trains are "The Adventure Guild Train", "The Fatuus Frivolo Train" and "The Myriad Express". But None of those comes here often. These trains often travels on a fixed route.

Aster : Then what about the people who lives here?

Priscilla : No-one lives on such places. Talking about me, I was trying to reach for an Apple tree in LuftLand, But the winds were too strong and I fell from the tree and got sucked in a typhoon and you know the rest.

Aster : LuftLand?

Priscilla(getting scared by the nearby typhoons) : UHMMM! Can we please sit in that "Pandora Express" of yours. It's not like I am afraid but these storms are really making me uncomfortable.

Priscilla and Aster strolled towards the Pandora Express, its gleaming presence casted a spell of awe and wonder. The sheer glamour of the colossal train seized Priscilla's senses, leaving her momentarily breathless.

With a hiss, the Pandora Express's doors opened, inviting Priscilla and Aster into its embrace. As they both entered and settled into a window seat, the doors sealed shut with a loud thud. The train, roared to life with engines initiating a rhythmic chook chook sound, signaling the commencement of their journey.

The train gathered momentum, hurtling down the tracks. Then, an unexpected shift occurred-the train lifted off the ground, defying the laws of gravity. As it ascended, the tracks vanished and the Pandora Express started traversing the air itself.

Priscilla and Aster, witnessing the spectacle unfolding before them were mesmerized and charmed by it.

Priscilla(excited) : This is so cool, I have never travelled in any train till now. This is too good to be true.

Aster(equally mesmerized) : Yeah, you are right! By the way why is this train going in a spiral manner?

Priscilla : Because we are in MYRIAD and It is a Seyfert Galaxy. It is made of countless different realms. But only 7 are the main one. These realms are often called THE 7 ASTROREALMS. They are : LuftLand, Shanluo, Raien, Akingam Bodha, Aquitaine, Motshaba and Ledovaya. These realms are arranged in a spiral manner around the CELESTIA. You see that shiniest start at the center , This is Celestia. Only people who have ascended to Godhood can go there.

Aster(fully determined) : Celestia! I wanna go to The Celestia. Pandora Express? Can you take us to Celestia?

Priscilla : Are you dumb? I just told you that only people of this world who have ascended to Godhood can go there. And you are not even of this world. And talking about dumb, How can you ask the train, It's not like it can answer.

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Suddenly the notice board insider Pandora Express flashed with the words :

"This train can't go to Celestia, At Least not yet..."

Aster and Priscilla(together) : Pandora, You have consciousness?

The notice board flashed again with the words :

"NO! Pandora Express will reach out to you on its own accord.Traversing to all ASTROREALMS is important to fulfill the criteria to board this train to Celestia. You can choose the starting location but after that, your journey will be determined by the laws of this world. This train will appear every time at the commencement of a new journey."

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Aster : Where should I go Priscilla? Any ideas? I barely knows anything about any of the mentioned AstroRealm.

Priscilla : I feel LuftLand will be the best Realm for you to start your journey. It is the Realm of Freedom. That will be the best place for you to accustom yourself into this world of Myriad. We can also get some tasty dishes to try there.

Aster : We?

Priscilla : It's not like I wanna come with you but you saved my life and I really owe you for that one. So I will try my best to be a wonderful guide to help you out on your journey. In return, you can treat me to some exotic cuisines.

Aster : So, It's about food in the end? Huh?

Priscilla(with a pouty face) : It's not like that, you know nothing about the mentioned AstroRealms and I was being generous to help you out. But you know what! Nevermind, You can be on your own. I don't even wanna come with you.

Aster(controlling his laughter) : I was just kidding , Haha! , I am so sorry but you look so good when you are mad. I humbly accept you as my travel guide : Priscilla-The best Travel guide.

Priscilla(with a proud face) : HMMPH!!

Aster(in a loud voice) : Pandora Express, Take us the LuftLand.

As the Pandora Express continued its journey, a sudden shift occurred. The train's whistle echoed, and its speed intensified. The engines rumbled with heightened energy, and then, with a series of resounding sounds, the train increased its momentum.

Faster and faster it went, accelerating with an otherworldly force. A brilliant white flash covered the entire space within the train, blinding Aster and Priscilla. When they cautiously opened their eyes, a breathtaking scene greeted them-a realm unknown, bathed in the soft care of calm breezes and the soothing melody of flowing winds.

As Priscilla observed the surroundings, her eyes caught a peculiar sight-the very air seemed to carry whispers, and words fluttered in the gentle breeze.

Priscilla (turning to Aster with excitement) : We are here... into the realm of winds.

The Pandora Express had seamlessly transported them to a land where the very essence of the atmosphere held the promise of new adventures and untold wonders.

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Myriad and The Celestia

The Gateway of Godhood is destined only for the people, Whose beliefs has the enigma to shape an entire world.

The seven treasures are goaded to us by the will of Gods.

You have set your foot on this world to shatter the ruling structure of world. But Let me ask you one thing.

"What does freedom really mean, when demanded of you by a God?"

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Chapter 3 : Into the Realm of Winds...

The Symphony of Winds Begins!

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******************************𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅****************************