Honkai: Star Rail. Getting chased by players! [8]

"Warning! Warning! An unidentified object is breaching the outer protective shield of the space station!!

Warning! Warning!"

"What's happening?!"

"Help! I don't want to die!"

The sudden blaring of alarms threw the control module into chaos. Everyone turned to see the massive claws of a beast tearing through the station's outer shield on the virtual screen!

"It's here!"

Cava's eyes sharpened as he stood up and made his way toward the bridge.

The Doomsday Beast, drawn by the Antimatter Legion’s Stellar Hunter, had finally arrived. If the earlier encounters with the Antimatter Legion were mere skirmishes, then this planet-destroying Doomsday Beast was the main event!

"You all take the train and leave! I’ll stay behind."

The pink-haired Asta commanded the Astral Express crew, turning back to face the Doomsday Beast as it broke through the outer shield, her eyes filled with determination.

As the station’s director, Asta couldn’t afford to panic now. With Herta nowhere to be found, the space station could only rely on her.

“Alright. March, bring Cava. We’re heading back to the train.”

Himeko, realizing the gravity of the situation, spoke firmly to the hesitant March 7th.

"But…"

March 7th wanted to protest, but seeing Himeko’s serious expression, she could only follow along.

Cava, having overheard the brief exchange, approached, patting March 7th on the shoulder and nodding at Himeko.

Stelle, still confused by the situation, simply followed the Astral Express crew as they left the control module and headed for the support module.

“The support module’s shield won’t hold much longer… Hurry! Leave this to us!”

Watching the shield’s energy levels flash red on the screen, Asta sent a reminder to the Astral Express team over the bridge’s broadcast.

As the Doomsday Beast neared, Asta gritted her teeth...

At the very least... she had to make sure the Astral Express team escaped safely! This disaster wasn’t their fault; they shouldn’t be caught in it!

...

"Leave this... to me... You all... hurry..."

Asta’s voice came through the broadcast, broken and fading. Soon, it went completely silent.

“Communications are down…”

Himeko stopped in her tracks, her expression grim.

“Do we go back? Just a reminder—that’s a Doomsday Beast, a planetary weapon of the Legion.”

Dan Heng, though calm, seemed to be holding back tension, his arms crossed as he looked at Himeko.

“Don’t worry. This is Herta’s space station. Unless an Aeon-level being interferes, it shouldn’t face total destruction.”

Himeko shook her head.

As a genius revered across the universe, no one would be foolish enough to provoke Herta. Even the Aeon-level beings would think twice.

“But we can’t just run away like this!”

March 7th hesitated, remembering the friendship between the Astral Express and the space station. Asta had always been kind to them. Leaving her behind now felt… wrong.

Dan Heng shook his head.

“The Doomsday Beast will tear through the shield eventually. With Herta absent, the station’s defenses stand no chance.”

Though harsh, he had to state the brutal truth for the sake of the Astral Express.

“So we need to leave now, and we need to bring her with us.”

Himeko’s gaze shifted to Stelle, her eyes deep with understanding.

Cava glanced at the still-baffled Stelle, his mind racing. As the vessel for the Stellaron, Stelle possessed the power to change the course of events. The Doomsday Beast was here because of her. More importantly, Stelle represented the collective consciousness of the players—the infamous Fourth Calamity. Their thoughts and decisions were now embodied in this innocent, amnesiac girl.

Though her current confusion stemmed largely from memory loss, Cava knew she wouldn’t stay that way forever.

"Alright, so what's our next move?"

Dan Heng nodded, agreeing with Himeko’s judgment. He might not fully understand the situation, but as the navigator of the Astral Express, Himeko’s insight was beyond reproach.

“We’ll head straight to the nearest platform and meet up with Welt. With all the commotion, he’s probably already on his way.”

With no further objections, Himeko led the team toward the platform.

Welt’s abilities were well known among the crew of the Astral Express, especially to Cava. While the others might not know the full extent of his powers, Cava was aware. As the former leader of Anti-Entropy and the Herrscher of Reason, Welt could protect the Astral Express and even deal with the Doomsday Beast if necessary.

The path to the support module was anything but smooth. The remnants of the Antimatter Legion’s Voidrangers still roamed the station.

Fortunately, with Himeko’s drones clearing the way, the Voidrangers posed little threat to their progress.

Even when they encountered a few Voidranger Stompers, Cava’s support helped them get through quickly.

Cava’s lightning needles were extremely effective in battle. They could paralyze enemies or boost the vitality of allies by jolting their bodies with electricity, enhancing their combat abilities. Plus, with the power of Abundance, he could heal them as well.

It wasn’t exactly what Cava had envisioned when designing his character card, but it was close enough.

After all, real combat didn’t always follow turn-based rules.

Finally, the group broke through the last line of Voidrangers and made it to the platform near the Astral Express.

Seeing the train within reach, March 7th’s excitement soared. If they could just meet up with Uncle Yang, perhaps the space station would be spared from the Doomsday Beast’s destruction!

With that hope in mind, March 7th dashed toward the train.

“March! Wait!”

Suddenly, Dan Heng’s expression grew serious. Something was approaching!

“It’s the Doomsday Beast!”

Cava’s hair stood on end as he looked up, spotting the massive figure looming above, growing ever closer.

It wasn’t fear that coursed through him, but excitement.

Only by being here in person could one truly feel the crushing pressure of that monstrous presence! And... the massive claw tearing through the sky, aiming straight for them!

"It’s actually coming after us..."

Himeko frowned as she watched the Doomsday Beast descend. She glanced at Stelle, who was transfixed by the sight, a glint of realization in her eyes.

"Hmph! Come down if you dare!"

March 7th, bow drawn, taunted the beast as it hovered overhead.

"ROAR!!!!"

As if provoked by March 7th’s challenge, the Doomsday Beast actually swooped down from the sky!

"Watch out!"

Sensing danger, Cava quickly pulled both March 7th and Stelle backward, while Dan Heng and Himeko also retreated, narrowly avoiding the beast’s attack as it crashed down onto the platform.

"ROAR!!!"

With a thunderous roar, the Doomsday Beast began its assault on the Astral Express team.