Author's Note:
Last summer, my cousin showed me a trailer for Honkai: Star Rail, which has an event with Fate Stay Night, and I started playing it just because of that.
At the time, I thought I would have to wait a few months, but the event would come after a year. In a way, I feel cheated.
Seeing that there's about a month and a half left until the event's release, I decided to dedicate a One-Shot.
Being a Genshin Impact and Type-Moon fan, I had previously written a crossover story.
I decided to make a triple crossover Fate Grand Order X Genshin Impact X Honkai: Star Rail, a sort of sequel/spin-off.
XXX
Explanation:
Here's a quick explanation for those who don't follow my work.
On Earth-2126, the Last Master of Chaldea is Bruce Bel Bahamut Belmont, a powerful sorcerer and Planeswalker, capable of traveling between worlds.
He and his twin sister, Adeline Jones, who shares his Planeswalker power, ended up in Teyvat during one of their adventures.
Bruce met Paimon and became the Traveler, while Adeline became the Princess of the Abyss.
Bruce, Paimon and the Heroic Spirit on duty have traveled throughout Teyvat, becoming great heroes, following the main events of the storyline with a few changes here and there.
Assuming a Good Ending for Genshin Impact, where the Order of the Abyss was defeated, the world was saved, the Traveler regained all of his powers, and was reunited with his twin sister who had returned to goodness.
There is only one thing left for the Traveler to do, say goodbye to all the friends he made in Teyvat and return home.
Unfortunately during the Traveler and Paimon's latest adventure, something happens, and the two of them end up in the Honkai universe: Star Rail.
End of explanation, I wish you a happy reading.
XXX
Story Title: The Honkai House: Traveler and Genius Society (One-Shot)
Plot: Paimon, she led the Traveler across all the lands of Teyvat, eventually meeting the Seven Archons and contributing to countless heroic deeds committed by the Traveler along the the time came for Paimon to say goodbye to the Traveler, but during their last adventure together an accident occurred and the two of them ended up in a universe of Pathstriders and Aeons.
XXX
POV Narrator
Herta Space Station is a space station founded by Herta, member #83 of the Genius Society.
Researchers from different planets come to work here, most of whom are loyal followers of Herta.
Qualifying for a research role on the Herta Space Station is a difficult process and a goal cherished by the scientific community.
But there are always exceptions, especially for extraordinary people who have accomplished great things.
At the moment, one of these exceptions is about to settle into the Herta Space Station and stay there for a while.
XXX
Not far from the Herta Space Station, a small spaceship is approaching, colored blue and gold, with a long, narrow shape, like a sword.
The name of this spacecraft is Avalon, a more than significant clue as to where it comes from and who built this flying marvel.
Avalon and her crew of four are preparing to dock at their destination.
XXX
The cockpit of Avalon can be described as the cockpit of an airplane but more futuristic and with many more components, similar to an advanced gaming console.
On the left, in the main pilot's seat is Saber, aka Artoria Pendragon.
Artoria has the appearance of a young girl in her early-mid teens with a slender and petite physique, soft skin, and green eyes. She has "finely textured" blonde hair that seems "as if sprinkled with gold dust". Her face shows some signs of naivety and displays elegance.
Artoria is 154 centimeters tall, weighs 42 kg, her three dimensions are: B73/W53/H76.
To avoid looking out of place, Artoria wears a modern and slightly futuristic version of her blue and white dress, paired with dark leggings and high-heeled black boots.
On the right, in the co-pilot's seat, is a person completely incapable of contributing to the piloting of the Avalon.
This person is called Paimon, she is a fairy-like creature.
Paimon, she has a small, graceful body, thick white hair cut just above her shoulders, dark purple eyes, and pale skin.
She wears white ankle boots, black leggings, white shorts, and a white long-sleeved T-shirt with a stylized golden triquetra design.
Over the T-shirt he wears a midnight blue jacket with stars drawn on the shoulders and back.
Paimon's accessories are a dark blue star-shaped hairpin and a rose gold tiara that levitates above her head like a halo.
"It's been six months since Paimon started traveling in space, but she never gets bored of this landscape." Said the Little Fairy, looking at the sea of stars, a blue planet and a certain space station.
"I have to agree with you, Paimon, this is a landscape I could not have imagined in my time." Artoria said, admitting that she finds the view of space fantastic.
"I have to agree with you, Paimon, this is a landscape I could not have imagined in my time." Artoria said, admitting that she finds the view of space fantastic.
"But out of the hundreds of things I imagined, none included ending up piloting spaceships in a galaxy of a completely different reality. Life is full of surprises, as far as life goes for a Servant." Artoria said, knowing that calling herself alive isn't exactly accurate.
The Artoria who is piloting the spaceship, Avalon, is not the real Artoria Pendragon, only a degraded copy of the Heroic Spirit, Artoria Pendragon, who has been in the service of an unusual Master for many years.
"Paimon has a question, Artoria do you think Artoria could become a Heroic Spirit?" The Little Fairy asks curious if she could end up in the Throne of Heroes that was mentioned by the Traveler during their journey through Teyvat.
Artoria continues to pilot the spaceship, thanks to her Rank-A Mount ability, but takes a moment to think about Paimon's question.
"It's unlikely you'll become a Heroic Spirit in your own right, but you could certainly become some sort of Noble Phantasm." Artoria said, starting to explain her answer in detail.
"My Master took the name Traveler the entire time he was in that world, you Paimon were by his side every single moment, especially during his most important battles." Artoria said, while pressing buttons and pulling a lever to slow down the engine.
"Paimon wasn't exactly by the Traveler's side at all times, Paimon gave him privacy when he went to the bathroom or had a date with a pretty girl or boy. Especially when there was an Archon in the mix." The Little Fairy said, smart enough not to get between a deity and the subject of their affection.
If we count Furina as Fontaine's Archon and exclude Nahida, who is a child.
The Traveler has stolen the hearts of every Archon in Teyvat in one way or another.
A bold undertaking, worthy of the great adventurer who was given the Ancient Name, Shuja: The One True Hero.
Too bad it became such a problem that it nearly triggered the Second Archon War, when the Archons gathered in one place and discovered that the Traveler... does not practice monogamy.
Back to the present and not talking about a fight between Archons over a cursed/blessed hero with Aura Harem.
"For the people of Teyvat, the concept of Traveler, the Great Hero, is closely tied to the idea of Paimon, the hero's fairy companion. If someone tries to summon the Heroic Spirit, Traveler, they will also summon the fairy Paimon." Artoria concludes her explanation of what might happen in the future for the little fairy.
"Does this mean that the Traveler and I will be together forever!?" the little fairy asks aloud with excitement.
"The Throne of Heroes is a metaphysical place that transcends my understanding and the normal laws of time, space, and reality." Artoria said, having a limited understanding of the Throne of Heroes, despite being connected to it.
"You Earthlings like to make things more complicated than they need to be." Paimon comments, crossing his arms, always wanting an answer and not another complex explanation.
"The faerie companion Paimon will forever be linked to the Hero known as Traveler. However, the name and identity of Traveler is merely an alias that my Master has used only on Teyvat and for the past six months in this strange galaxy. This leads to some uncertainty. Will the Hero's Throne register the Master and his identity as Traveler as separate entities or cohesive?" Artoria said, thinking of the different versions of her who have received the status of Alter or Deity.
Perhaps the Pendragon blood is cursed to make Ascension to the Heroes' Throne and future invocations a complicated and unusual affair.
"This is too complicated for Paimon. Paimon just wants to know that he can always be with his best friend, Traveler, and go on adventures." Paimon said, having only three wishes in his head: food, money, friendship.
"In simple terms, yes, Paimon, you will be with the Master or the version/aspect of the Master that occupies the identity of Traveler." Artoria said, providing an explanation that everyone could understand.
"This is great news, Paimon hates being away from the Traveler." The Little Fairy said, not wanting to end her journey with the Traveler so quickly.
The event that brought the Traveler and Paimon out of Teyvat was a setback to the Last Master of Chaldea's plans to return to Earth-2126 and reunite with his extended family.
But for Paimon it was a gift, a chance to postpone the moment when she will have to say: "Goodbye Traveler, Paimon she was only too happy to be your guide."
"Paimon is hungry, Paimon goes to see what EMIYA is doing in the kitchen." Said the Little Fairy, flying up from the co-pilot's seat.
"If you come back here, bring me a hamburger, I didn't eat enough breakfast." Artoria exclaims, having a weakness for the food prepared by EMIYA.
"Paimon will if he can." The Little Fairy replies, exiting the cockpit, through the automatic doors that open and close in a spiral.
XXX
In less than five minutes, the Little Fairy arrived in Avalon's kitchen.
Even though the ship was built by one of the smartest people in the galaxy, the place looks a lot like a 21st century Earth kitchen.
"Hello, EMIYA, is there anything nice to eat?" Paimon asks, addressing the Avalon's unofficial chef.
EMIYA is a handsome adult man, 187 centimeters tall, with short white hair combed back, gray eyes and tanned skin color.
He wears a tight black sleeveless shirt, a red coat, black gloves, black pants, and combat boots.
Like Artoria, EMIYA's outfit has also received a small update, looking the same as always, but more modern and suitable for this interstellar society.
"Paimon, shouldn't you be buzzing around Master, instead of coming to me?" EMIYA asks, while he's tidying up the kitchen.
"Paimon is not a fly, Sword Head." Said the Little Fairy, using her ugly nickname for EMIYA.
"You seem so creative with nicknames." EMIYA comments, with a large dose of sarcasm.
Paimon's cute face turned slightly red with anger.
"Paimon would like to go and stay with the Traveler, but he has locked himself away in his Captain's Cabin working on his research and doesn't want any distractions." Paimon explains why he isn't at the Traveler's side.
"You know now you have your own room, you should use it, instead of sleeping in the same bed as the Master, you are not a little girl, I think." EMIYA said, raising an eyebrow, having a problem determining Paimon's age.
Is she small because she is a fairy or is she small because she is young?
"Is there anything to eat in this kitchen?" Paimon asks, changing the subject.
"I just put the space equivalent of a turkey in the oven, paired with some chopped potatoes, it will take an hour to be ready. If you can't wait I have some bones from the steak from yesterday's dinner." EMIYA said, taking his job as a chef seriously, but he always has time to make fun of Paimon.
"Paimon isn't even a dog!" Paimon exclaims, clenching his little hands into little fists.
"I would have believed it if I hadn't seen you eat and what you eat." EMIYA said, insinuating that Paimon has the same table manners as a dog and the same kind of stomach.
"Did the Traveler tell you about the time Paimon ate dog food by mistake?" asks the Little Fairy with an embarrassed expression.
"You're not the only person the Master talks to at the end of the day. I'm not Karna, his favorite Servant Lancer, or Astolfo, who he considers the cutest of the Riders. But the Master talks to me, man to man." EMIYA said, knowing that the white fairy can be a little jealous if someone spends too much with the Traveler.
The relationship between Paimon and the Traveler can officially be considered as best friends.
Although the Last Master of Chaldea defined Paimon as the fourth female friend in the entire multiverse.
But unofficially, the relationship between Paimon and Traveler can be considered as that of a younger sister and older brother, even if there are moments more of an adoptive daughter and adoptive father.
"Crew this is Artoria, in less than five minutes we are about to begin the landing process in the hangar of the Herta space station." Artoria's voice resonates in the kitchen through communication systems mounted in the room.
"This means Paimon won't have time to eat." The Little Fairy comments, losing some of her enthusiasm and energy.
"A real tragedy." EMIYA comments, activating a timer in the oven to prevent the food from burning.
"Paimon, you should go tell the Master that we are about to arrive at our destination, he has sealed off his cabin, making it impossible to receive news from me." Artoria transmitted this request via the same communication system as before.
"Paimon is going to get the Traveler out of his cabin, he has some brains to meet." Paimon said, starting to fly out of the kitchen.
"Remember to knock before entering, we never know when some nice company might appear in the Master's cabin." EMIYA said, trying to help Paimon not die of embarrassment.
Paimon's entire face turned as red as a hot pepper, remembering the several times she had appeared unannounced or entered without knocking into a room where there was the Traveler and an Archon or a Heroic Spirit or a Vision bearer... in the midst of some... recreational activity.
"Thanks for the advice, Archer." Paimon replies reluctantly, not wanting to start this adventure off on the wrong foot.
The Traveler, being a person incapable of feeling shame, embarrassment or modesty, has no problem if he is caught during his moments of love.
Unfortunately, more often than not his partners are more normal and end up angry at Paimon for ruining the atmosphere and their fun.
'Paimon always remembers to knock on the door, or else there is the risk of facing attacks full of elemental energy or Noble Phantasm.' The Little Fairy thinks, remembering the moments when a bullet grazed her ear, metaphorically speaking.
XXX
After fifteen minutes.
Inside the space station's Reception Center, two important individuals are waiting for an equally important guest.
The two prominent individuals are Asta and Arlan.
Asta is the curious astronomer and responsible for managing the affairs of the Herta Space Station, including personnel management and the relationship with the Intelligentsia Guild.
In short, she's the boss when Herta isn't around or doesn't feel like working.
Asta is a slim built young woman with pink hair, a fair complexion and light blue eyes. She wears a collared white shirt with loose, detached sleeves and ruffles, a black bowtie, and a black skirt with gold accents covered with a ruffled purple overcoat. Around her waist is an unzipped pink and white colored jacket with numerous buckled belts of varying colors. She sports a lanyard around her neck with an identification card and black heels.
Arlan is the head of the security department of the Herta space station, and a trusted friend of Asta.
Arlan is a short young man with dark skin and pink eyes. He has white hair with black tips, some of which is tied in a small ponytail.
He wears a beige vest with one long sleeve and one sleeveless shoulder, a black turtleneck, blue pants, and black boots. Around his chest he wears a black compass with colored highlights on a blue strap, with an identification badge hanging from it.
He wears metal shoulder pads and an elbow pad; a knee pad and shin guard on one leg; a blue sash with the emblem of the Herta Space Station; mismatched gloves, one metal and one white; and two pockets tied to one leg. He has a scar above his nose and on his exposed forearm.
Next to the feet of safety there is
Peppy, an adorable little dog with soft white fur.
"Lady Asta, my subordinates have finished checking all of the Space Station's rescue systems. No problems or anomalies have been detected in our systems." Arlan states, having received confirmation from his subordinates.
"Good news, this is an important assignment, Herta told me to do my best." Asta said, determined to complete this assignment, especially when Herta is showing interest in this individual.
"Lady Asta, can you tell me, why are we making such a fuss about the arrival of a Doctor, Herta Station is not full of researchers and scientists." Arlan asks, knowing only that a VIP is about to arrive and that he must keep security as high as ever.
"As you know, Herta, she belongs to the Genius Society, a group of the most extraordinary geniuses and brilliant minds in the universe. The organization had a total of 84 members, now we are about to receive member number 85, Traveler." Asta said, slightly tense at meeting a new genius mind capable of attracting the attention of the Aeon Nous, The Erudition.
Often, these peerless geniuses are eccentric people like few others and/or highly antisocial, not to mention their projects are a mix of miracles and nightmares for the scientific community.
"Traveler? That's an unusual name." Arlan comments, sure that no person in the world would name their son that.
"The Real Name of the 85th member of the Genius Society is unknown, Traveler is some sort of code name or nickname. Which makes sense because he is a nomad who travels everywhere in search of new data to collect." Asta tells his friend the little he knows about Traveler.
"If this Traveler has become the 85th member of the Genius Society, how come I've never heard of him?" Arlan asks, surprised that he has never heard of this new addition to the Genius Society.
"Maybe because in the last few months you've become a fan of the Galaxy Ranger, Saver, and his sidekicks: Saber, Archer, Angel." Asta said, knowing that Arlan's little free time, which isn't spent with his dog, is spent on forums dedicated to Team Galaxy Heroes.
"A masked Galaxy Ranger saving entire cities and sometimes planets with three masked sidekicks gets more attention than a new genius." Arlan said, trying to explain his ignorance about the 85th member of the Genius Society.
"Arlan, be careful, I'll give you an explanation of who we should meet." Asta said, taking out his Smartphone, wanting to offer a visual contribution to his explanation.
A photograph of Artoria opening the door of a futuristic limousine appears on Asta's phone.
"This person is Artoria, she is Traveler's driver/bodyguard. Due to their resemblance, it is speculated that they may be related. There are reports that she is a skilled swordswoman, using a lightsaber as her primary weapon." Asta explains who Artoria is in the general knowledge of the inhabitants of this galaxy.
"I understand, Lady Asta, I will be careful with this Lady Artoria." Arlan said, keeping this information in mind in case he has to fight with or against Artoria.
With the flick of a finger, a photograph of EMIYA carrying a tray of food to a fancy place full of businessmen appears on Asta's phone.
"This man is called Emiya, some call him Traveler's butler or his personal chef. Many people have seen him doing various tasks for Traveler or helping Artoria, basically a jack of all trades. It is unknown if he has any combat skills." Asta explains who EMIYA is in the general knowledge of the inhabitants of this galaxy.
Arlan looked at EMIYA's picture, ignoring the fact that both of them are dark-skinned men with white hair, he understood something about EMIYA
"Lady Asta, this man is clearly a veteran of many battles, it is evident to any soldier or fighter with a modicum of experience." Arlan said, sure that between Artoria and EMIYA, the white-haired man is the more dangerous.
"I will believe your words, Arlan, you are the Chief of Security, you know more about these matters than I do." Asta said, being a woman of science after all, an astronomer, not a warrior woman.
Asta showed a third image on his smartphone, which shows Paimon trying to eat a three-tier chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream and strawberries, by herself.
"She is the newest member of Traveler's entourage, her name is, Paimon, she is..." Asta pauses for a moment in his speech, not knowing how to describe the Little Fairy.
"Her name is Paimon, I'm not really sure what she is. Some say she's an exotic pet, a maintenance drone, a luxury doll, an advanced toy, a personal assistant, a little sister, or even an illegitimate daughter." Asta said, describing Paimon's particular case.
'As always, the media is full of gossip.' Arlan thinks, sure that Paimon's identity is a topic of discussion on the forums.
"However, there is one indisputable fact, Paimon is glued to Traveler's side, they have never been seen apart in public, as long as Paimon is there, you will also find Traveler." Asta said, providing one of the most tangible pieces of information about Traveler.
"A female swordsman who drives limousines, a veteran who works as a cook, a fairy with a big appetite, a rather diverse entourage." Arlan said, memorizing this new information.
"Such an unusual group could be formed by a unique individual." Asta said, preparing to show his friend pictures of Traveler.
Before the female astronomer could lift a finger, the doors to the Reception Center opened, admitting a group of four people.
"Lady Asta I believe Traveler has arrived." Arlan said, giving his female friend a light nudge.
Asta stops looking at his smartphone screen and watches the arrival of the 85th member of the Genius Society and his three associates.
Artoria and EMIYA are to the right and left of Traveler, with Paimon floating behind Traveler's head.
'Traveler is cuter in person than in photos.' Asta thinks, looking at the famous nomadic genius.
The person who plays the role of the Traveler in this timeline/universe is called, Bruce Bel Bahamut Belmont, but no one other than Paimon knows his True Name.
The Traveler has the appearance of an effeminate boy in late puberty.
He is 175 centimeters tall and has an androgynous build, which makes it very difficult to determine his gender.
The Traveler's face has soft, delicate features, thin eyelashes, and facial features reminiscent of Artoria Pendragon or Morgan Le Fay, some of her ancestors through her maternal grandmother.
Her skin color is bright, milky white, smooth and free from imperfections.
The Traveler with beautiful black hair has changed his hairstyle since he ended up in this new universe.
The Traveler's hair is now short and held in two short braids at the sides of her face that fade to a shade of lavender.
Clearly, the Traveler copied Venti's haircut.
Both of the Traveler's eyes are visible, showing a light grey coloration, although they can appear silver in the right light; the pupil is amethyst purple.
Not many people know, but the left eye is artificial, normally covers the eye with a fringe, and the empty socket contained an Artificial Mystic Eye, but the new environment has forced certain changes.
Traveler wears an outfit that can be described as a combination of a Noir Detective and a Cyberpunk Spy.
The basic garment is a high-tech skintight jumpsuit, colored primarily a stark white, but with several secondary sections colored lavender.
The skintight suit covers almost all of Traveler's body, starting from the tips of his toes and ending at the neck.
As you might imagine, such a dress leaves little to the imagination, a fact that many women and men are very happy about.
Over his high-tech suit he wears a black vest with four elaborate silver buttons on either side.
In the left pocket of the vest is an expensive and elaborate pocket watch, in the left pocket is a chain wallet.
Around his neck is a dark purple tie with a silver tie clip with a small red stone.
In the right nipple area there is a silver pin in the shape of a seven-petal flower made of black diamond.
The Traveler wears a long, sleeveless coat that looks like it came straight out of a cyberpunk world, colored mostly black with neon purple stripes.
Attached to one of the coat's many pockets is a kind of metal identification badge with a photograph of Bruce, a symbol, and some illegible writing.
On the back of the coat, in the area where the two shoulder blades come together,
There are two souvenirs from Teyvat, a knockoff Vision Electro and a Fake Delusion Pyro.
On the left bicep, there is a futuristic silver C-shaped pendant, with a simple yet elegant design.
On all the fingers of the left hand there are silver rings with a simple and elegant appearance, but obviously technological.
On the right hand there are four rings, also silver, but with a more traditional look, decorated with diamonds. On the middle finger of the right hand stands out an obsidian ring that looks like an ancient family heirloom.
Around the waist are simple lavender synthetic leather belts, fitted with pistol holsters.
A video cassette player with buttons on the sides, small enough to hold in one hand, a video cassette inside, but everything has received a Cyberpunk-style update.
The Traveler carries in his hands his "main weapon", a customized walking stick.
The stick is 108 cm long and is divided into two parts: the first half is made of elegant pitch black wood, the second half is made of a dark purple metal segment with white lines.
The handle of the staff is silver, shaped like a raven's head. Amethyst-colored gems are set on both sides of the handle.
Decorations reminiscent of precious rings or imaginative jewels are inserted around the shaft of the stick.
If you haven't figured it out, this genius likes the Noir genre and things with a vintage look, but with capabilities that are superior to today's technology.
'Traveler, he's definitely an eccentric individual, just look at him and you can tell.' Asta thinks, but not too surprised by the Detective Noir look in a cyberpunk world.
After all, Madam Herta dresses like she's a (sexy) witch from a children's fairy tale (more along the lines of an Anime full of Waifus).
The Avalon crew stopped in front of two representatives from the Herta Space Station.
"I know you, you are Stata, one of the best female astrologers and Lead Researcher of the Herta Space Station." Traveler said, greeting the beautiful pink-haired girl.
"Have you read my articles?" Asta asks, trying to figure out what kind of genius this Traveler is.
"Astronomy is not my main field of study, but it is involved in one way or another in several fields that I enjoy studying." Said the Traveler, referring to the numerous arcane arts that use the planets as references, and to his stellar engineering projects.
"Your articles are thought-provoking, above average, you're probably the least stupid person in the local Star System." Traveler replies stoically, holding out his hand to Asta.
The Last Master of Chaldea is not telling the full truth, he has actually read some of Asta's published articles.
But recognize Lady Asta, and also Arlan, because he did his investigations before agreeing to collaborate with Herta and her subordinates.
'Am I the least stupid? Is this an insult or a compliment?' Asta thinks, while maintaining a friendly expression and shaking the Traveler's hand.
"Paimon is Paimon, and Paimon knows what you're thinking: Being the least stupid is a compliment in the Traveler's view of the universe." Paimon said, doing his job of being the Traveler's friendly voice.
"The Master is a man who believes that in the entire universe there are less than 100 Truly Intelligent people, then there are a few thousand Almost Intelligent and all the rest are Stupid." EMIYA said, knowing how the gears that make up his Master's brain work.
"EMIYA, don't speak so condescendingly, you're as twisted as I am." The Traveler comments, knowing that neither he nor Archer are the best in terms of sanity and social skills.
"Paimon is on the Traveler's side, Sword Head!" exclaims the Little Fairy, still angry at EMIYA.
Asta glances subtly at Artoria, who seems to be the only sane one of the group.
"The three of them are always like this, you get used to it." Artoria said, not giving Asta the pill.
'If I only have to deal with eccentric behavior and a sharp tongue, my job will be easy.' Asta thinks, with a calm expression.
The female astrologer has had to deal with many scientists and researchers with difficult personalities in her career, so far Traveler seems to be easily manageable.
But who knows, Asta's opinion of the Traveler may improve or worsen over time.
"Let's not waste time in idle chatter, I have numerous projects in progress and I'm not working on them because I want to meet Madam Herta or should I call her Herta Senpai?" Said the Traveler, placing a hand under his chin.
"Herta is busy with an important project at the moment, we can give you and your staff a tour of the Herta Space Station." Asta said, wanting to provide a traditional welcome to their guests.
"Paimon accepts a private VIP tour, we often have to explore new places on our own and get into trouble." The Little Fairy said, unable to leave the Avalon without getting involved in something.
"Lead the way, Madam Chief Researcher." Said the Traveler, seeing no reason to refuse this proposal.
"I believe we're in for one of the rare quiet stays." Artoria comments, relaxing for the moment, believing there are no serious threats in this research facility.
"Artoria don't let your guard down our Master is a mad scientist and soon he is about to meet the most intelligent woman in the universe. I already see a planet-eating monster, created by mistake by the Master and the infamous Herta." EMIYA said, not hiding his pessimism from anyone.
"Someone's been watching too many movies." Asta comments quietly, though there's a hint of concern in his voice.
The astronomer woman doesn't believe that Traveler and Herta can create a planet-eating monster by mistake, but two members of the Genius Society can definitely create something scary.
"To create something like this from scratch and in the realm of biology, I would need a century of work, the resources of an interstellar government, and a planet suitable for severe external and internal terraforming treatments." The Traveler said, his tone stoic as if it were actually possible to create a planet-eating monster.
"If I wanted to destroy a planet there are easier methods, but if we wanted to do something with style, I would propose a 72 kilometer long space warship, with a main canon powered by the power of a star. A more accessible option would be a simple spaceship using a NOVA bomb, the result would be a planet turned to glass and unfit for life." Said the Traveler, talking about how to destroy a planet with style or ease.
"That's what worries me." EMIYA said, pointing his hand at the Traveler's head.
"Paimon sometimes forgets that the scariest part of the Traveler isn't the sword but what's inside his mind." Comments the Little Fairy, more used to seeing her best friend fighting bad guys than talking about weapons of planetary destruction.
"Don't look at me like I want to destroy the universe, I'm not Nanook, The Blemished One. I can conjure up every wonder and horror imaginable and put it on paper or digitally, but that's the easy part." The Traveler said, tapping the console-like device that's clipped to his belt.
"Building them is the hard part, some of my projects will take five hundred years of work to become a reality with the commitment of a star empire of 500 worlds." Traveler said in a slightly depressed voice, having great ambitions, but enormous difficulty in realizing them.
"I won't even talk about my Impossible Projects: Clock World & Archetype Galaxy Bahamut. The sun will go out before any of my descendants can finish either of them." Said the Traveler, certain that he will die of old age or a violent death before seeing these two projects come to fruition.
'I think I'm beginning to understand why Aeon Nous, The Erudition, has taken an interest in the Traveler.' Asta thinks, starting to think of the Traveler as a scientist with an ambition so great that it borders on absurdity, but he seems willing to try anyway.
"I know that look, you think I'm crazy or that my ideas will never come true." The Traveler said, with a cold tone, looking straight into Asta's eyes.
"No, I just thought you were an ambitious genius." Asta replies, not wanting to hurt the feelings of a genius who talks about planet-killing weapons.
"I don't get angry, I know I'm crazy and how people see me. In my life I've met so many people who told me I'll never be able to achieve my ambitions, that they were impossible. But, in the end I've always managed to achieve what I want, every victory allows me to dream bigger." Said the Traveler, his ice-cold tone starting to catch fire.
'The Traveler is about to have one of his episodes, that happens if I work too much in the lab and he's not out adventuring, even though he has the title of Galaxy Ranger these days.' Thinks the Little Fairy, knowing her best male friend very well.
Paimon flies closer to the Traveler and pulls his back braid.
"Little one, what are you doing?" asks the Traveler, whipping around to face Paimon, freeing her braid.
"Paimon stops the Traveler from making a mad scientist scene about evolution, science, boundaries, and infinity." The Little Fairy said, knowing more or less what the Traveler's speeches about art and the progress of science/magic consist of.
"Paimon wants to see the tour begin and end, so Paimon can go to the cafeteria and eat. Traveler please be good for a few hours." The Little Fairy said, using her sweet eyes to persuade the Traveler.
The Last Master of Chaldea huffs and crosses his arms, standing next to Asta.
"Let's start this tour, I have a lot to do." The Traveler said in a monotone, sounding like a child who was interrupted in the middle of his favorite game.
"Very well, follow me." Asta said, taking advantage of the Traveler's newfound calm.
'It's going to be a long day.' Arlan thinks, having a feeling that something challenging is about to happen.
Continues ?
XXX
Author's Note:
I hope you enjoyed this One-Shot.
If I get some positive feedback I might take this [One-Shot] and turn it into a [Short Story], maybe write a few more chapters introducing Madam Herta & Ruan Mei.
Ps. Obviously, this story takes place a few months before the game starts.
The Astral Express has not yet arrived at Space Station Herta and they have not recruited/awakened The Trailblazer (Stelle).