The mission ended the same way it always did.
Quiet.
The transport descended through Nexarion's gray skies.
No one spoke.
No one needed to.
Akane sat still.
Hands resting.
Alive.
That was all he could've asked for.
The ship landed.
"…Disembark."
Akane stepped out.
Cold air hit him.
And just like that—
It was over.
His room was the same.
Empty.
Silent.
He sat down.
And without thinking—
Reached for it.
The book.
Worn.
Used.
Familiar.
He opened it.
Like always.
Between missions.
During breaks.
Before sleep.
The book was given by Aira years ago.
Pages flipped.
Then stopped.
Celestia.
A place without war.
A place where no one fights.
He had read this page more than any other-
Over and over.
Like something he wanted to believe.
"...I'll... go."
The words came out quietly.
But they stayed.
The next morning—
Akane left.
The Nexarion district 9 was busy.
More alive than he remembered.
People moving.
Talking.
Living.
Akane stood still for a moment.
"Where's the station"
He looked around.
No signs he understood.
No clear direction.
A pause.
Then he walked up to someone.
"Excuse me."
The person turned.
"Yeah?"
"Where's... the space terminal?"
"First time Around here?" they asked.
"....Yes"
They pointed down a wide street.
"Straight, then left at the second crossing."
"Thank you."
Akane followed the direction.
But after a while—
It didn't look right.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
He stopped again.
Turned.
"This... isn't it"
He asked again.
Different person.
Different directions.
He adjusted.
Corrected.
Walked again.
Until—
The terminal appeared.
Massive.
Crowded.
Alive.
People everywhere.
Civilians.
Travelers.
Different uniforms.
Different factions.
All in one place.
Akane stood there—
Taking it in.
"So... this is how they move"
He stepped forward.
"Next."
"…Destination?" the clerk asked.
"…Celestia."
"Purpose?"
Akane hesitated.
"...Rest."
The word felt unfamiliar.
But he said it anyway.
"Approved."
A ticket slid forward.
Akane picked it up.
And he went to the gate.
The ship was massive.
Larger than any combat transport.
People boarding in lines.
No panic.
No shouting.
Just order.
Akane followed.
Blending in—
But not really.
Inside the Ship
Seats filled.
Voices echoed.
People talked.
Laughed.
Relaxed.
Akane sat near a window.
Still.
Watching.
Across from him—
A child laughed.
Two people joked.
Someone slept peacefully.
Akane looked away.
"…How…"
"Prepare for departure." the pilot said.
The ship lifted.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Safe.
Nothing like war.
After leaving the atmosphere.
Orbit opened wide.
Ships everywhere.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
All moving along glowing lanes.
Organized.
Peaceful.
Akane adjusted his gaze.
"No one... is fighting…"
It felt unreal.
8 hours had passed.
Akane's gaze shifted at the voice on comms.
"Now arriving at Celestia."
The planet appeared.
Bright.
Alive.
Untouched.
Akane stared.
"...It's... real?!"
The ship had landed smoothly
Smoother than what he experienced
Guided descent.
Assigned platform.
Perfect control.
The ship docked smoothly.
No alarms.
No urgency.
Just—
Arrival.
Akane stepped out.
And stopped.
Color.
Light.
Noise—
But not the kind he knew.
People walking freely.
Laughing.
Living.
"…What do... people do here…?"
Trying to Live
He didn't wander blindly.
He asked.
"…Excuse me."
"Yeah?"
"…What do... people usually do here?"
"For fun?"
"…Yes."
"Eat, walk, relax just enjoy."
Enjoy.
"…Where... do I start?"
"Food."
Akane approached a stall.
"…What do you recommend?"
The vendor smiled.
"Is it your first time around here?"
"…Yes."
"Try this."
Akane nodded.
Sat.
Took a bite—
Paused.
"…It's… good…"
Simple.
But new.
After finishing his meal.
He kept asking.
"Where can I go?"
"What's worth seeing?"
"Is there somewhere quiet?"
Different answers.
Different paths.
He followed them.
Learning.
Adapting.
Like always.
He stopped near a group playing.
"Do... people just stand here?" he asked.
"…Yeah."
So he did.
Listened.
Didn't understand.
But stayed.
"You're actually asking people for directions now?"
Akane froze.
That voice—
He turned.
Aira stood there.
Watching him.
"…Aira…"
"What... are you doing here?"
"Enjoying my time?"
Silence.
Heavy.
"Let's... Head for a different place" she said.
Akane nodded.
"I... Saw... what happened in your last- mission..."
"R-really" akane replied, his voice breaking.
She stepped closer.
"I-im sorry... for your loss..."
" You don't need to apologize"
"It's all of my fault..."
"No.. it isn't... And it will never"
Akane looked away.
"If I was stronger, I could've saved them..."
Aira's voice softened.
"You don't need to..."
"You'll just... traumatize yourself-
even more"
A pause.
"M-maybe" akane replied quietly.
"So... what are you doing?" she asked.
"…Trying to understand this place."
"By... asking people?"
"…It works."
Aira Laughed softly.
"Then I'll help too"
She showed him better places.
Better food.
Better views.
"Try this."
"Sit here."
"Watch that."
Akane followed.
Trusted.
"You still read that book, I gave you?" she asked.
"Yeah always"
"You kept staying on that page."
"It felt different before"
"And now you're here."
"Yeah iam"
On the distance Heavy and assault watched.
"…Wow. He's learning." assault said.
Heavy approached.
"Didn't think I'd see this," heavy said.
"S-she's just helping me" Akane said.
"doesnt look like it" Assault laughed.
Aira crossed her arms.
"…So these are the ones"
"…And you're the one he knows" Heavy replied.
"I would never trust you with him"
"Same here"
Both stared at eachother furiously.
Judging.
The group walked together.
"You rely too much on strength."
"You rely too much on thinking."
"Thinking keeps people alive."
"So does ending fights faster."
"That's reckless."
"That's effective."
Assault laughed.
"…I'm enjoying this."
They tried different things.
Games.
Food.
Random activities.
Akane failed each game.
"You're bad at this," Assault said.
"Probably." akane replied.
But he tried again.
For a brief moment—
Akane smiled.
Not fully.
But real.
Aira noticint.
Said nothing.
Just quietly smiled out of happiness.
They stood together overlooking the city.
Lights glowing.
Peaceful.
"This... is... different," Akane said.
"Yeah" Assault laughed.
"Too much of a difference"
A brief moment of silence passed
"Yeah"
"Heavy difference" akane laughed
Heavy laughs too.
"What did I do?" heavy asked laughing.
Aira looked at akane.
"Just... don't disappear again."
Akane didn't answer—
But he stayed.
And for now—
That was enough.