Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae

The chest of Georios, the body of the fallen dragon supporting the shattered earth, enduring millennia of pain. Dan Heng, the Nameless and the Chrysos Heir who guards the Earth's Coreflame, steadies the world before it falls and guides all life across the land to a new home beyond. Rivers flow to the sea, mountains echo in harmony, and the eternal path stretches ten thousand miles.

He never imagined this day would come, when the Trailblaze seemed to screech to an abrupt halt. The acrid smell of blood spread as the wrecked car spewed choking smoke and dust. He struggled to his feet, groping for direction in the darkness. Tick-tock, tick-tock... In the deathly silence, only the echoes of life slipping away remained. "Trailblazer..." The deformed components in the car blocked his path. Fighting through excruciating pain, he removed the obstacles one by one. Warm blood trickled down his fingertips, but what terrified him more was that he could barely sense that familiar breathing anymore. "Let's... go home together." He administered the medicine he carried, the nearly depleted spirit water swirling in his palm, but against such horrific wounds, even healing was futile. The Black Tide Creatures prowled, surrounding them both with their howls. The Cloud-Piercer shattered, crashing onto desolate rocks. The spirit water turned crimson as he used his last ounce of strength to shield Trailblazer He woke up from the nightmare, gasping for breath. ... "What's up? Is there something on my face?" At breakfast the next day, his gray-haired companion asked curiously. "Thankfully it's not like in the dream..." But he didn't say it out loud, just turned his gaze to the sky outside the window, "It's nothing... eat up." The sky over Okhema remained azure blue. But he couldn't help his thoughts from wandering, "I wonder if March is doing alright..." The car plummeted like a burning meteor. Would she, arriving later, meet the same fate? Or perhaps something even worse... He shook his head, pushing away the chaotic thoughts. Another new day dawns. With recording tools in hand, he prepares to head to the market. The Trailblaze journey seems to be going as usual.

His Trailblaze often begins with exploration and understanding. "Little Dannie, hold on tight, sit tight, here we go..." He sought knowledge of lost history from the red-haired girl, and they invited him to a history lesson overlooking the world. "Kremnos's tradition?" "Yes. May we have a duel?" He asked the golden-haired crown prince. By the side, a white-haired youth was eager to try. "I want to join as well. Traditions like this are better experienced." The proud lion of Kremnos kept silent, responding only with a stance. ... He ventured to the Grove, poring over every book in its collection, as the shattered world gradually took shape in his mind. To find a way back to the stars, he delved deep into the ruins, investigating the mysteries of the world beyond the sky. He records everything he experiences, just as he has done at every stop along the way. But when the fate of the world rests upon a hero's shoulders, he knows that this "Trailblaze" cannot be reduced to mere cold entries. Those were pivotal battles, each and every one. Together with companions, they ended the history of "Strife" and witnessed the crown prince of Kremnos break from tradition. Trailblazer joined the fray, returning the Coreflame of Time. When he/she returned from the treacherous nether realm, he still couldn't forget the joy of that day, like one who had survived a catastrophe. Those were also countless moments of farewell. The Holy Maiden's thousand forms withered, the sage was reduced to ashes, and the daughter of the River of Souls bid her final farewell to the mortal realm... He remembered at the time of parting, they were either sorrowful or content, but never once did they show any regret. "If one day, we too shall come to this..." Thinking of Trailblazer's destiny and March 7th who had yet to arrive, he too had spent sleepless nights over this. "For a thousand years, we have all been prepared to face sacrifice, or to sacrifice ourselves for our companions..." He had seen it more than once... The weaver gathering relics, embroidering them with a golden flower. "Now... there are no regrets left." Compared to the existence of the Permanence, their lives were like fleeting fyreflies. Yet he could clearly see those twinkling lights illuminating the night sky they had traversed and would traverse together. As Okhema falls into the blood-red twilight, the prophesied moment shall arrive. Yet facing the inevitable strike from the black-clad swordmaster, his heart remains as calm as the vast ocean. He believes Trailblazer will forge ahead without hesitation. By the faint glow of the Flame-Chase, he too caught a glimpse of the path he must take.

At the end of Era Nova, the cold testing ground reveals its cruel core. The tidal waves of the Remembrance merge into a tsunami, engulfing the pathstrider of Trailblaze. When he awakens, his companions are already lost in the bottomless Memory Zone. He felt as if he'd returned to those solitary days before boarding the Express, yet the pain of this moment told him this was more than just a nightmare. The moment he stepped back into the memoria tide, fragments of the past came rushing towards him... "...Their heartbeat and pulse are very weak. March, get ready to perform CPR." "Huh!? I... I don't have much experience with that. Dan Heng, you do it!" He remembered their fateful first encounter with Trailblazer. "I'm just imagining all the fun stuff that'll happen to us three... hehe!" On the streets of Belobog, snow once blanketed their shoulders, and sharing a steaming hot wrap was enough to warm up the entire winter night. "...As a descendant of the Vidyadhara, I will fulfill my duty to the Luofu." In the presence of Trailblazer and March 7th, he broke free from the shadows of his past, as their laughter and chatter gradually melted away his snow-heavy memories. "What did you encounter in Ena's Dream?" "I dreamed of the Express passing station after station, with people coming and going, yet we five remained together throughout. This journey seemed as if it would never end." In a similar Memory Zone, they had once escaped Penacony's dream together, leaving the most desired future to reality. "Dan Heng, how much more can you sacrifice?" The voice in his heart questioned his resolve, and he answered with decisive action. The fading demigod entrusted the Coreflame to him. The moment he grasped it, countless gazes of desperate souls seemed to ignite his very being. At the moment the Sacred Tree fell, he shouldered the burden of a world's creatures, fusing their bloodline with the earth of Amphoreus. He ventured into the depths of earth's root system, searching for the direction of his companions. Through vast jungles and endless seas, he traversed wind and frost, crossed the Dead Sea desert, and sometimes lost his way in this complex world. In every moment when he stepped into darkness, he could always feel that gentle gaze behind him. "We're retracing our old flight paths, with so much to redo. We need a guard... and an archiver." "I am 'Dan Heng'..." Along the inescapable path of the past, the wild dragon roars as it breaks free from all restraints, soaring towards the unfinished road ahead... "I am... the one who guards the path of Trailblaze!"

He felt as if he was back on the speeding Astral Express. He watched as the Express ventured into the vast unknown, blazing trails never traveled before. In the endlessly stretching path through space, he saw a giant dragon soaring through chaos. It once slumbered in its egg, until one day it emerged in rebirth. It met others of its kind, sharing the same bloodline and path. It stirred vast spirit waters, bringing rain and nourishing all living things. It upheld the earth of gold and stone, protecting the eternal prosperity of all nations... Its path still winds toward the future. War's flames licked its scales, and from that heat, it shed its old scales time and time again, gaining rebirth. Then, together with the express, it leaped toward the future. ... "You know, in the future, if the Express gets covered in a layer of cosmic barnacles that won't wash off, Dan Heng can use his... Dragonquake Boom to sand them away!" "Great idea. Look, Dan Heng's waking up... Want to bet whether it was a good dream or..." "You guys are too noisy..." As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Trailblazer and March whispering loudly next to his ear. "Come on, spill it! Falling asleep at a time like this. What sweet dreams were you having?" March stretched lazily, gazing into the distance with anticipation. "Let me guess, did you dream about what's going to happen on our upcoming journey?" "..." "Do you even need to ask? Of course we're gonna beat up all the bad guys!" The wind that blew then seemed to carry the aroma of breakfast from the Express. "Let's... go home together." He made a silent vow, as he had in the past, and would in the future.

As you can see, that transformation was brought about by the power of the Permanence. Though you may have many questions, I'd like to reintroduce myself before I answer them. I am the Guard of the Astral Express, your companion, Dan Heng the Nameless.

You wish to greet me with Amphorean etiquette? Go ahead. Though I think our usual way is just fine.

I'll keep watch tonight. Get some rest. We'll need our strength for what's coming tomorrow.

After I accepted the Coreflame of Earth as one of Long's Scions, the power of the Permanence within this body became a shield for all life in Amphoreus, carrying them into the distant sea of stars to race freely through the boundless unknown beyond.

At first, I had nowhere to call home but the Express. The Trailblaze? It felt more like a ticket to escape from my past than a journey forward. But before I knew it... Every stop the Express made became a new beginning for me.

Cloud-Piercer was once broken, but it became more indestructible than ever after its rebirth.

Whatever happens in the future, I hope the records we collected and compiled in Amphoreus will help the cosmos gain an objective and complete understanding of it.

All living beings have their own ways of communication. For instance, the dromas language has thirty-two different regional variants... Was that a bit too much? Sorry.

Amphoreus is fraught with dangers... We must consider every possible method to ensure everyone's safe return.

The black tide's corrosion, the ravages of divine wars, and the deluge of memoria... Amphoreus's Earth has endured so much pain, yet it has never failed in its duty to protect all living beings. It embodies the true way of the Permanence: not in achieving immortality alone, but in preserving all things.

The Vidyadhara of the Luofu wield the art of water and rain-calling, while the ancient dragons of Amphoreus once held the power to raise the heavens and anchor the earth. The great Long is no more, yet we have barely glimpsed THEIR mysteries... Who can say what the journey ahead may reveal?

Fearless, optimistic, confident... I learn so much every time I trailblaze with you.

Be it Evernight, or the two of us, Trailblazer, we'll become memories of March 7th's past... yet walk beside her as she moves forward.

The future spun from golden thread was nothing more than a dream, but her sincere and unwavering heart led others to bring it to life.

"Those who are truly great never lose their childlike innocence." I'm reminded of this old Xianzhou saying whenever I see them.

"Those who are truly great never lose their childlike innocence." I'm reminded of this old Xianzhou saying whenever I see them.

Her thousand-year journey proved once again that living with a clear conscience means more than a long lifespan.

His style is completely different from that of ordinary teachers... If we had the chance to spend more time together, I'm sure we'd have plenty to talk about.

That sky where twilight converges has already brought glimmers of hope to life in Amphoreus.

Everyone might be running away from something, but in the end, we all eventually head towards what we truly desire.

When I grasped the Coreflame, the conflagration of thirty million recurrences felt real for the first time. His endurance and defiance deserve the highest respect from the Nameless.

Heavier than the Coreflame of Earth are the hopeful gazes of every living being in Amphoreus. His journey reached its end. Now it's time for us to carry that hope forward.

As a fellow kin of water, I am always reminded of Scalegorge Waterscape's tides when she sings... I hope the people of Amphoreus may one day find a sea just as clear and pure.

It is thanks to her that the ages were carved into an epic, preserved, not scattered to the wind. In the future, these memories will surely grant the Chrysos Heirs the courage to keep moving forward.

If my spear shows even a sliver of hesitation, then it won't pierce destiny's indomitable wall.

These newborn scales grow ever harder.

I'll use this power to my heart's content.

Every twist and turn, every hardship... they're all part of the road "I" chose.

Focus on what's ahead. I'll hold off their attacks.

March, time to show us what you're really made of.

I won't let a single comrade fall behind, Miss Himeko.

Be at ease, Mr. Yang. We're no longer the fledgling Nameless we once were.

We've truly begun to understand each other in battle.

I'll say this upfront: Please do NOT go against March's wishes.

To safeguard hope... that too is every Nameless one's duty.

To fulfill the duty of a Guard, one must continue to temper oneself.

Mmm. Time to set off again.

I can also assist with commanding the waters.

We have the edge.

I'll stand in their way.

My strength is not what it was... it's more.

My purpose has always been to protect.

Do not let this moment slip away.

Incoming!

Mountains roar. Dragons rise!

Earth shatters. Heaven trembles!

I'll endure.

I need... to be better.

Dragons, obey this order.

Calamity undone. Soaring above the lands. This is permanence!

My duty... isn't over.

Another rebirth.

Do not worry. This is nothing.

A will of metal and stone.

Bearing their hopes, I guard this land.

I'll take this back to the Express. Time to restock.

Hey, hold on to that. Never know when it might help.

A good haul. That's the essence of Trailblazing.

As effortless as instinct.

Let instinct guide what reason delays.

No need to hesitate. Your judgment brought you this far.

When the heart changes, so does the world it sees.