Somewhere in interstellar space on the Shining Path of the Star Rail.

    "The universe is vast beyond imagination. The face we get to know and travel together can only be seen as the design of destiny." says Himeko, after the debrief from Jarilo-VI is finished and the group splits up to relax, wind down and contemplate on the Express' next destination.

    "... Miss Himeko... can you tell me about the Path of Preservation?" asks Stelle, summoning the Lance and looking down at it. Feeling the weight of the weapon itself, and the purpose behind it.

    Himeko chuckles. "Qlipoth the Preservation is know for THEIR... Indifference... Unless you become a zealot like those in the IPC... it's hard to share any of the Aeon's power. Determination to preserve their world allowed the Architects to hang on for hundreds of years... but as the Fragmentum spread, and monsters continued to advance... their faith began to shake and cracks began to show. Cocolia abandoned the Path of Preservation, while in contrast you stood your ground and proved your faith in the Amber Lord. You managed something a select few have. You drew the Glance of Qlipoth, that gaze infused you with the power to both weild that Lance, and control the Colossus."

    Stelle dismisses the weapon, and smiles wanly... which fades soon after. "Cocolia's power... it came from..."

    "A Stellaron, no doubt about it... it must have corrupted her from a very young age, so all the tragedies can be traced from that point forward... however we cannot judge her too harshly. Imagine if you were in her position, watching your entire world slowly ground down, looking back at how it was, to how it's becoming now. Would you not also question what you believe in?"

    Stelle nods solemnly... "It... felt like we could have gotten through to her... at least, at the very end she put up some kind of shield, so only she would be affected by absorbing the Stellaron fragment." Stelle sighs a little, looking pensive. Himeko steps closer, and sets a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Jarilo-VI may never recover to how it was before, it may take a very long time, at least... but from what you and the others have reported back... the new Supreme Guardian is a very capable young lady with strong leadership qualities. She learned a lot in her journey with you. Have some faith in her. I believe that no matter what the universe throws at her. She will adapt and overcome it."

    "What happened to the Stellaron?" Stelle asks next.
    "It's, virtually impossible to destroy a Stellaron. Not even Herta has found a way to damage or break its structure... however we have techniques of suppressing and preventing its energy from overflowing. When you and the others defeated Cocolia, the Stellaron was exposed for a moment, long enough, for Welt and I to contain its power. It's suppressed for now, but eventually it will regain its power... though that may take a very long time... Anyway, go get some rest, you've earned it."

    Stelle nods, a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes being cast toward the red-haired Navigator.

    As she walks toward the sleeper cabin, she spots Pom-Pom looking over some readouts. "Star Rail stability is rising. 56% 57%... Stabilizing! We're ready to dispatch the Express!" The little rabbit-like creature glances, then jumps a little. "Oh! Stelle, welcome back. Thanks to you and your group, the Spacial Fissure is healing up, and the Star Rail has become stable enough for us to dispatch the Express. We're dispatching immediately, but once we're in a more stable place, we'll hold a Navigation Meeting to determine our next destination. Please, get some rest before then."