Discimer: I don't own Honkai Star Rail and any of their characters. All belonged to their rightful owners - Hoyoverse.

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  Maybe I'm dead?

  Saying it a couple of times in my head was starting to be doubtful as time stretched on. What made me think so was that I felt dead and not dead at the same time. It was starting to get confusing. I had my body in perfect condition minus the watch on my wrist. It was gone.

  However, I had more problems on my pte to worry about.

  "Well this is shit," I sighed, rubbing my face. Around me, there was nothing. Just an empty white void. No walls, no floor, no horizon—just me. Getting stuck here was one thing but being bored was just straight-up torture.

  "Okay, think Ethan. What can you do to get out of here." I began to think. For how long I've been stuck in here, I had no clue. Probably hours, hopefully not days. There was no way to tell.

  Initially just right after I arrived, I already did what my mind came up with first. That was to explore my surroundings.

  That….didn't go well.

  It felt like I was in a loop. No matter where I go, I will go to the same pce I did once before.

  The second option was to wait it out and see what happens.

  And nothing happened.

  So I came up with a logical solution.

  To do the same stuff from the first option all over again. This may be out of a desperate attempt but I had no other options left.

  Standing up, I tried to move around for a little while and as soon as I went on, the closer I was close to realizing, I may be fucked.

  "This isn't working," Frustration started to sink in, I pressed my hand to my chin as I slowed down my pace until I eventually stopped. Looking around, I saw nothing–

  Wait, is that door?

  I blinked. Blinking multiple times to see if I was hallucinating or not.

  "A door?" It was doubtful but looking at it from a hard distance. It definitely looks real.

  I thought to myself. Was it smart for me to go there?

  For a moment of consideration, I was left with no choice but to press on.

  I arrived at the front of the door. Looking behind it, there was nothing.

  My brows furrowed as I studied the door once more. It was completely authentic white. It was brand new without a scratch. I gently and firmly grasped the doorknob, slowly turning it, and it clicked.

  I was surprised that it wasn't locked. I took a moment to think about my next move before gently pushing the door.

  From there, I saw a different reality.

  "What the fuck" I said aloud, not bothering to hide my shock.

  What met me on the other side wasn't the empty void but rather the inside of a beautiful and expensive house. It was a hallway to be exact. Everything from that hallway seemed to be made entirely out of gold from its delicate design and it was shimmering from the light above.

  I was hesitant whether to step inside or not. That hesitation quickly died down after I firmly grabbed a hold of myself.

  When I took my first step inside, the door behind me was immediately shut closed, drawing a surprised yelp from me. I turned around and saw the door vanish before my eyes.

  "Okay, no turning back." I kept a solid note to myself and took the courage to move forward.

  The hallway wasn't as overly long as I expected. I was greeted by another door, albeit, rger than the one before it.

  My face fell into a deep thought. Somehow, a bubbling feeling started to rise in my stomach. Why do I feel like the moment I opened this door was my doom waiting for me?

  That feeling subsided after some thinking.

  As I said, no turning back.

  I pushed the door using my two hands. Seeing it wasn't budging, I added more force to my push. It was painfully excruciating as every ounce of my muscles was working to open this damn door.

  *Creak*

  Much to my relief, the door slowly opened just enough for me to get inside without trouble.

  Setting aside my now sore arms, my gaze lingered on the surrounding area. What caught my attention first was a rge throne towards the center and somehow, it seemed there was a person sitting on it. Or perhaps, I was wrong?

  I immediately found out soon after it spoke. "Welcome young host, or should I say the fourteenth line of the generation of masters, Ethan."

  That person was a woman judging from her voice.

  "Who are you?" I cautiously asked the person. The person was covered in a bck silhouette which hindered me from describing her looks.

  Was I stepping into something dangerous here? Could be.

  The person chuckled much to uneasiness. "How cute. No need to be afraid. I'm a harmless individual."

  'The moment they say that, it's the complete opposite' I thought at the back of my head.

  "Oh, where did you hear that? I'm curious"

  I blinked after finding something odd in what she said. "Wait, did you just read my mind?"

  "Did I?"

  "Did you?" I asked back.

  "Who knows." She shrugged with a pyful tone.

  I took a moment to ponder over my words before getting back to the topic. "Alright, so what's this pce? And more importantly, do you know where I am? I'm hoping to get answers if you don't mind."

  She didn't seem hostile. That was how I got the impression of her. So I didn't beat around the bush and ask straight away.

  I could see a person cocking her head to the side. "You're in the afterlife."

  I took her words to heart as I mumbled incohesively "So I'm dead, huh." Saying it with certainty hits harder than I expected it to be.

  Dying once was one thing, but dying the second time feels different. It made me feel empty? Sad? What did I even accomplish in this life? It felt like it was the same as my previous life aside from the weird shit going on which made my life almost a living hell.

  "I'm joking! I'm joking. No need to be so dramatic, young Ethan." She was ughing. Yes. She was ughing. Snorting even.

  It was undylike if I were to say. I felt my brows twitch. Well, that certainly put off the pressure she was putting on me earlier.

  The person stood up from her throne, and from there, the silhouette around her body began to fade. The person's appearance was the definition of a beautiful dy. She wore an elegant dress like its entire fabric was the gaxy itself with white dots that seemed to glow like there were stars. It did justice to her curves. Her hair caressed down until it reached her waist and was dark as the night sky. Her eyes held deep shades of purple like there was an endless bountiful knowledge hiding within.

  "You may call me, Althea, young Ethan." She bowed gracefully, lifting her skirt slightly. The woman, Althea, smirked seeing my unresponsiveness "What did my beautiful face leave you speechless, young host? I'm fttered."

  I coughed, trying to hide my embarrassment. It seemed my experience of women's charms was still nonexistent. Do note to me to train my emotions a bit better. "You've misunderstood. I was simply shocked to uhm…" Great, I couldn't even think of what words to say.

  Althea hummed, folding her arms over her chest. "Nonetheless, young Ethan, it's a pleasure to meet you in person. How long I've been waiting for this day? It's not common to see a previous incarnate system to see the next chosen master. I've certainly grasped this opportunity well."

  The words system and master made a question mark appear above my head. "Wait, are you like Orion?" That came rather suddenly if I were to say.

  Thankfully, she didn't look offended but rather quite happy?

  Althea csped her hand and nodded a few times. "Great, that saves a lot of time expining what I am, and yes, you could say Young Orion is my little brother of sorts."

  I made an O shape from my mouth to express my shock. "So….I'm confused. If you're like Orion then what are you…what is this pce?" I looked around to find…nothing.

  Honestly, aside from the throne, there was nothing inside this hall.

  "Where else? You're inside of your astral space." Althea simply answered like it was something obvious.

  However, that left me even more confused. "Astral what now?"

  "You're Astral Space is a special space where your soul resides. A pce that is considered to be the most vulnerable part if you're not careful." Seeing my doubled confused look, Althea eyed me before her expression changed as she realized something. "I see, I often forget about your particur situation. Does your world not have a concept of such things? Earth, was it?"

  The mention of Earth stood me rooted on the spot. "H–How did you.." I stared at her with widened eyes

  Althea blinked before her lips curved into a strange smile. "Young Ethan, you're not the only one who has experienced what you call Isekai. Quite a strange name for dimensional travel if you ask me."

  "You–You're telling me you're not from around here?"

  "This universe is not my own, yes" Althea shook her head. "Nor was it from my master and the previous masters before her."

  "Which meant, my watch…"

  "Powerband, my young host. Don't confuse our likeness to a mere technology of your world. It's an insult" Her brows furrowed in displeasure.

  "Ah right sorry," I scratched my head sheepishly, her gaze softened much to my relief. "I meant powerband. So this means we're both–?"

  "That is correct, young Ethan. We're both an anomaly of this world."

  Huh, never knew I would get the answer of my wa-powerband origin so easily so soon in my life.

  "Were you surprised?" She asked.

  "It would be a lie if I didn't," I shook my head in exasperation.

  "You'd get used to it, young Ethan. Life is full of mysteries as my master always says" Althea nodded. For a glimpse second, I could see the sadness in her eyes before it faded away quickly when a serious expression took over. "Now that you're here, I believe you have a lot of questions regarding all of this. I think this is the right time to ask for it while I'm still avaible at the moment."

  Really?

  "Yes"

  Oh right, she can read my mind.

  Seeing her amused look, I cleared my throat, assembling my thoughts. It'd be a lie if I didn't have a bundle of questions right inside of my head. But mostly what I wanted to put out was. "Ahem, yeah, I have questions. It's mostly about the watc–powerband, though."

  She listened attentively before gesturing her hand for me to continue.

  "It's about the elemental powers Orion mentioned that I have three tiers of elements. How can I unlock the second tier?"

  Never would I see a very confused look on Althea's face. "Tiers? Why would— Oh, I get it."

  She stared at me intently before speaking. "Young host, this tiers you speak of must be a new protocol of the powerband. Previous masters before you don't have this protocol. Knowing why young Orion did that must be reted to you."

  Seeing my ever-confused expression, she quickly added. "You're a mortal, both body and soul. That's the problem. This protocol is a safety measure to ensure that you don't get the backsh of overloading your astral space."

  I fell into a deep thought about what she said. "So you're saying I will go boom–I mean explode?"

  "Reduced to nothingness, Yes," Althea confirmed which earned a terrified look from me. "These elementals are not fitted for mortal beings, but champions that are selected by their species could acquire their full potential."

  I then frowned. "So I can't get stronger?"

  "Not…precisely," Althea replied after a moment. "While talent is an important aspect in acquiring its potential. The power band's greatest ability is to adapt to any circumstance hence why you have your tiers instead of grasping the elementals at their fullest potential. However, your journey will be a long and rough one compared to the ones before you."

  One good news, and one bad news. "Okay, I think I get it. So, uhm, but then how do I get the other elementals unlocked? Orion never mentioned this before."

  That drew a light chuckle from her. "Young Orion must love you for being this tough on you."

  My face fell even deeper. "I felt the opposite really."

  Althea chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't help you on that, young Ethan."

  "Aren't you supposed to have more authority than Orion?"

  She blinked, and a curious expression on her face appeared. "What made you say so?"

  "Well, the fact that you are the previous system before Orion means that you are far older than him."

  A strange smile formed on her face. "Older? You're saying I'm an old, young Ethan?"

  I suddenly shivered, feeling a cold aura seeping from her body.

  Did I say something bad?

  Thankfully that feeling disappeared when she added, "That's not how it works. While you have a point, young host. I'm neither dead nor alive, but an echo of my true self before. I'm afraid I can't do much in this state. Only the current system has the ability to help you with that."

  "I wish he would have told me right away."

  "He must have his reasons, I suppose." Althea thought it over. "Every master from generations, centuries has a distinct system, far different from the previous ones. Yours is likely a special one like me when I was with my master."

  I fell into a deep silence, pondering what question I should ask next. Maybe, I should ask her about my current situation?

  I had a tiny inkling feeling that somehow she was reted to how I turned into a child.

  "I got one more thing to ask–"

  It was then I felt a sudden shake from the ground. It was weak but its presence was strong to stop me from speaking.

  "Uh-" I tried to say but was firmly cut off.

  "I guess it's time. Too bad." Althea spoke out, swirling her hands. Golden threads began appearing around me then immediately began wrapping around me tightly.

  My eyes shook in arm as I struggled to get out. "Wait, what are you–"

  "Hush, like I said time is almost running out. I could see your friends trying their best to wake you up. If you go far beyond your time here, there would be some noticeable backsh so we can't have that, can we?" Althea whispered in a calm voice, her eyes held a strange warmth as she added. "Young Ethan, also, please do take care of him. He can be quite troublesome sometimes as you've noticed."

  "Who–?"

  "And also, be cautious as well. I've sensed some godlike beings have their eyes on you." She cut me off again before I could finish.

  I blinked, immediately taken aback by what she said. "Wait, what?!"

  "Also, to answer your supposed question, it's already there after you wake up. Byee!" She waved cheerfully as my vision quickly became hazed.

  "Wait! Miss Althea–!"

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  AN: This was supposed to be long, like 4k words perhaps, however much to my *Procrastination* I didn't finish writing the other half so this was the only one that got finished.