Chapter Text
Kafka was looking through her phone currently, looking back on various pictures she had taken during her time as a Stellaron Hunter. She was still reeling from the revelation that she was on her own now, no longer a Stellaron Hunter. She always knew that it wouldn’t last forever, but she believed that it would end with her death and feeling fear in that last moment, not being flung out of the door. She knew that there was still a role she had to play in her future relating to the script as she knew that her destiny would result in her being with Stelle when the time to face Nanook came. So why now? Why is she left alone now?
Kafka shook her head, she still had far too many questions, and Elio was the only person who would have the answers she seeks but he would never give them to her. She looked out of the window, she knew soon the Express would arrive and that would be March off, once she was gone what did that mean for her? She was still confined to a bed for now with no guarantee of getting out of it soon and even if she could, she would have no method of getting off the planet. At least the people of this world don’t seem to know who she is or who the Stellaron Hunters are, so she isn’t wanted here.
She was interrupted from her contemplation by the door opening and March’s head poking through asking. “Hey, I have some guests who want to meet you. Shall I let them in?”
Kafka smiled at the girl; she had a suspicion as to who those guests are, but she would not deny that their company would improve her mood. “Sure thing, I am sure they will be in for a surprise.” The ex-hunter winked at March with her reply.
March smiled back before turning around. “Ok, come on in!” Before she opened the door fully and stepped inside.
Following March in, to no surprise for Kafka, were the rest of the Express crew and none of them failed to hide their surprise, well except for Black Swan, due to probably scanning through March’s memories.
“Kafka?!” Stelle exclaimed with gasps being heard from the rest of the crew.
“Hi Astral Expressers, looks like we meet again?” Kafka teased.
“March, are you saying Kafka was the person who saved you?” Himeko questioned spinning to face the girl, prompting a nod from the pink-haired girl. “Are you sure she hasn’t manipulated you? Used her spirit whisper to control you?”
“No, she didn’t! … Well ok, she did use her spirit whisper a few days ago but not to manipulate me and it was with my permission.” March jumped to Kafka’s defence although she clearly didn’t do a great job at easing the others’ nerves.
Himeko stormed up to Kafka grabbing the woman by her medical gown. “What did you do to March? How dare you try and turn her against us!”
“Nice to meet you too Himeko.” Kafka replied in her typical tone. “As for your question, I haven’t done anything to her apart from making sure she was safe. Also, the spirit whisper use was to help her realise her feelings for a certain girl.” Kafka looked at Stelle with the latter statement causing a blush to form on both Stelle and March’s faces.
“And how are we supposed to trust you? A Stellaron hunter!” Himeko exclaimed.
Before Kafka could speak up Welt stepped in. “Easy Himeko, it is clear regardless of how she did it, that she saved March from the exploding station. We could be more reasonable and give her a chance to defend herself.”
Himeko let go of Kafka, before taking a step back and a moment to breath before grumbling. “Fine, but I still don’t trust this woman.”
“If I may I could provide some assistance.” The voice of Black Swan suddenly spoke up, prompting everyone to divert their attention towards her. “I could peer into Kafka’s memories to determine if she has been truthful, of course with your and her permissions.”
Welt placed a hand on his chin before answering. “I see, that could work; it prevents Kafka hiding anything from us as her memories won’t lie.” He looked at Himeko who gave a nod before turning to face Kafka.
“Go ahead, I have nothing to hide.” Kafka replied holding her hands in a mock surrender.
Black Swan nodded and walked over before making direct contact with Kafka’s eyes and peering into her memories. It took a few anxious seconds for the Crew before Black Swan took a step back and revealed her answer. “She has been truthful; she hasn’t controlled March into being with her or to betray the Express in any way. Also, there was something else I have learnt but I think it is best if she tells you herself.”
Himeko’s eyes widened at this reveal, but Stelle walked forwards towards Kafka. “Kafka… thank you.”
“Aww, it’s good to see you again darling. I’ll bet it has been tough for you but don’t worry I won’t ever let you down.” Kafka smiled gently at the girl placing a hand on her cheek.
“I hate to interrupt but Black Swan said you had something else you should mention.” Dan Heng spoke up from next to March.
“Ah yes.” Kafka nodded before continuing. “It goes back to your earlier statement Himeko when you called me a Stellaron Hunter. You may need to correct that statement as from a few hours ago I am no longer a Stellaron Hunter.”
“Wait, what!” Himeko and Stelle exclaimed simultaneously.
“Kafka could you clarify that for us?” Sunday spoke up. “I know we haven’t met before, but I am aware of your exploits, and you probably know who I am.”
“I can indeed, and yes, it is good to meet you Sunday, Firefly had quite a lot to say about you and your sister. Especially about your sister.” Kafka smiled back before resuming. “Speaking of Firefly, she came here a bit ago, you just missed her in fact, and she came here to inform me that Elio has discharged me from the Stellaron Hunters effective immediately.”
Himeko turned back to Black Swan and March. “Is this true?”
The pair both nodded before March spoke up. “Yeah, Firefly left a bit before you all arrived, and she told me what she told Kafka.”
Welt turned towards Kafka once more. “What will you do now?”
“I am not sure honestly.” Kafka answered. “I was discharged as I got what I wanted from Elio, so I don’t have that to push for now. I am still confined here for a while at least until this toxin can be removed from my system. After that I don’t know, I will probably try to find a way off here, but finding somewhere to go will be difficult I am wanted after all.”
Silence filled the room as the Crew could see the humanity with Kafka, it’s hard to imagine she is currently the most wanted woman by the IPC looking at her now.
March then broke the silence. “Hey, um guys. I have something I want to discuss with you; we can do this outside of Kafka’s room. I hope you don’t take offence to that.”
“None taken March don’t worry.” Kafka smiled gently in response.
“Very well.” Himeko answered before turning to Kafka. “*Sigh* I want to say thank you for saving March and I am sorry about how I approached you; it has been a rough couple of weeks for all of us.”
“Don’t worry, if you want, I don’t mind you being rough with me.” Kafka teased back.
Himeko scowled in response before turning around and leaving the room with the rest of the crew.
Kafka could hear parts of the conversation outside as she sat back in her bed. She pulled up a picture of March and herself on her phone, one March took for her 3 days ago. It was a selfie with March beaming next to Kafka and Kafka just smiling in response. “I guess this will be goodbye then.” Kafka felt a tear forming on her face. It hurt, everyone leaving her behind, being left alone once more. I guess this is how it always ends up for her.
Eventually the door to the room opens once more with March leading the Express crew back in. She had a smile on her face with Stelle next to her also smiling. Welt, Dan Heng and Sunday had more neutral expressions, though for those three it is fairly normal. Black Swan had a slight smile on her face whereas Himeko was actively avoid looking at Kafka.
March the spoke up look straight at Kafka. “Sorry about that. It’s just I had an idea, and I wanted to run it past them and get the approval of the others.”
“It’s fine.” Kafka calmly responded. “Pray tell, am I allowed to hear about this idea?”
March looked back at the others before nodding, taking a deep breath and speaking up once more. Asking a question which would change Kafka’s life. “Would you like to travel aboard the Astral Express with us?”
-THE END-