star express

Most theories link the Tumor of All Worlds to Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, and his Antimatter Legion. These universe-destroyers often appear alongside the Stellarons—so often that coincidence seems unlikely.

Some researchers believe the Tumor is a direct manifestation of Nanook's will, a means by which Destruction penetrates worlds protected by other Aeons. Others believe the Stellarons are weapons created by the Antimatter Legion to weaken civilizations before invasion.

For the Star Express, the Tumor of All Worlds is a direct threat to its existence. The tracks laid by Akivil are infected. Many routes have become impassable, stations have disappeared or turned into anomalous zones.

The Express crew is attempting to restore the rails, but the process is slow and dangerous. Every new jump through space carries the risk of entering a zone affected by the Tumor. That's why the Express can't simply set off to any point in the galaxy—the route must be laid, the rails restored.

Where the Tumor corrodes the terrain, Fragmentum Corrosion occurs—a phenomenon directly generated by Stellaron. The Fragmentum transforms the space and entities it touches, turning them into Fragmentum monsters.

These creatures retain their memories and habits, but become extremely aggressive. Scientists warn: they shouldn't be treated as their original selves, as this could lead to tragic consequences. Once human, now a monster, they may call you by name and beg for help—but this is merely a trap created by the Tumor.

The Fragmentum possesses another terrifying ability: it records information about the things and creatures it touches, and then creates new types of hybrid beings from this data: relics, monsters, and even isolated paranormal spaces. In such places, the laws of physics cease to apply, time can flow backward, and space can become looped.

The Tumor of all worlds manifests itself in the form of mysterious objects known as Stellarons, or Starseeds. If the Tumor is the phenomenon itself, then the Stellaron is its material embodiment, a virus that infiltrates specific worlds.

The nature of Stellarons remains a mystery even to the galaxy's greatest minds. Some renowned geniuses, such as Hertha, admit to being unable to unravel their secret. However, several important properties of these objects are known with certainty.

The first property is consciousness and intelligence. Stellarons possess their own consciousness, or at least the ability to communicate. They can directly communicate with people, as happened with the Supreme Guardian Kokolia on the frozen planet Yarilo-VI. Moreover, they are able to influence the consciousness and subjugate the will of living beings, gradually turning them into their puppets.

The second property is a response to desires. Stellarons respond to the desires of the worlds they enter. They read the dominant desires of a civilization and begin to fulfill them—but they do so literally, without regard for the consequences. On the planet Yarilo-VI, a Stellaron bound to the Path of Preservation stopped the invasion of the Antimatter Legion, but at the cost of permafrost, which covered the entire planet in ice. Life outside the sole surviving city became impossible. Guardian Kokolia, whom Stellaron gradually drove mad with his promises to save the world, eventually lost her grip on reality completely.

The third property is indestructibility. Currently, there is no way to completely destroy Stellaron's structure. The best that can be done is to seal it, preventing further energy spills. However, even after sealing, the effects of its impact remain forever. The ice on Yarilo-VI did not melt, the twisted creatures did not return to their original form, and the destroyed rails of the Silver Railroad remained destroyed.

The Tumor of All Worlds is a global cosmic phenomenon that poses one of the greatest threats to the galaxy. The name was given by the Interstellar World Corporation, which was the first to systematize data on this phenomenon.

The essence of the phenomenon lies in the appearance of a vague, barely perceptible matter that disrupts the flow of imaginary energy along the interstellar routes once established by the Akivilian Aeon of Exploration. These disruptions make space travel, previously considered safe and predictable, dangerous and unpredictable—as if a mountain climber suddenly encounters a sheer cliff, or a long-distance ship is caught in a tsunami.

Why "Tumor"

The comparison to a cancerous tumor is not chosen at random. The phenomenon behaves aggressively and destructively: it gradually grows, invades neighboring worlds, and spreads throughout the Universe, like a malignant tumor in an organism. Worlds afflicted by the Tumor of All Worlds are almost impossible to save—only a few manage to survive.

The tumor doesn't simply destroy—it distorts reality, subjugates the will of living beings, and transforms once-thriving civilizations into dead wastelands or icy deserts. It's a slow, agonizing death of worlds that can last for centuries.

The Star Express isn't just a means of transportation; it's a true family. They even have a group chat on Messenger called "The Star Express Family."

Himeko and Pom-Pom have known each other the longest; they were the ones who launched the express train after its restoration. Pom-Pom takes care of Himeko, and Himeko takes care of Pom-Pom.

March 7 and Dan Heng form a classic "sunshine and gloomy shadow" pairing. March constantly pesters Dan Heng with her questions and jokes, and he responds with short, caustic remarks, but is always ready to defend her.

Welt and Himeko are equal partners. They share responsibility for running the express and make key decisions.

Welt tolerates Mart's antics and sometimes even encourages them. It was he who noticed her talent for creating ice sculptures.

Pom-Pom quickly got used to Stella and now takes care of her just like the others.

Despite their different personalities and backgrounds, each crew member is willing to risk their lives for the sake of the other. This is the core principle of Star Express—a family traveling the stars.

Role on the Express: Passenger, Starseed Accumulator, Keeper of the Resonator of Mastery.

Age: Appears to be a young man.

Height: Average.

Appearance: A young man with short, ash-blond hair that hangs loosely over his shoulders. His eyes are a bright golden color. He wears a white T-shirt that makes his collarbones very visible, black pants, and a long gray coat. The coat has numerous yellow belts and yellow buckles.

History: Kelus was created by Kafka and Silver Wolf on the Hertha space station. He is unaware of his past and awakens with a Star Seed in his body. He is transplanted aboard Himeko and the Star Express crew, where he becomes a new member of the family.

Personality: Kelus's personality is determined by his choices. In canon, he's curious, a bit reckless, and willing to do anything for his friends. He has a unique ability to attract trouble—and an equally unique knack for getting out of it.

Role on the team: Exploring uncharted worlds, actively participates in solving problems the crew faces - from the crisis on the space station to conspiracies in Penakonia and the secrets of Amphoraeus.

Relationships with the crew: Stella quickly became part of the Express family. March 7 is his best friend and constant companion. Dan Heng treats him with protection and care. Welt is a wise mentor. Himeko is the captain, whom Kelus trusts. Pom-Pom is a little friend who needs to be looked after.

Role on the express: Crew hero, vanguard fighter.

Age: Appears to be a teenage girl, exact age unknown.

Height: Short.

Appearance: A girl with soft pink hair, flowing over her shoulders and back. The strands fall softly, sometimes framing her face. She has large pink eyes. She wears a short skirt, stockings with garters, and a jacket. She always looks bright and cute. She sometimes wears ice accessories in her hair, which she creates herself.

History: March 7 was discovered in a block of drifting ice. Upon awakening, she discovered she had no memory of herself or her past. Initially deeply distressed by this, she decided to name herself after the date of her rescue—March 7. Thus, March 7 was born. She has concocted approximately 67 different versions of her life story, but none have been confirmed.

Personality: An energetic and eccentric girl, interested in everything that girls her age enjoy. She's always positive, but sometimes her "permafrost" gets the better of her. March is terrible at negotiations—they always end in a fight. However, every move she makes influences the entire crew's course of action.

Powers: Wields Six-Phase Ice, a special type of dense crystal (Mart herself insists it's not ice). Her weapon is a bow and arrows made of this material. She also has a unique skill, "Starfall: Two-Handed Sword," which she has never mastered.

Hobbies: March 7 carries a camera everywhere. She explains it this way: "Because the next time I'm sealed in ice, at least I'll have my camera with me!" She also loves trying on new outfits and orders costumes for Pom-Pom.

Role on the express: Archive keeper, train guard.

Age: He appears to be a young man, but due to his nature (he is a reincarnation of the Water Dragon) his true age is significantly older.

Appearance: A tall, slender young man with long dark green hair and piercing turquoise eyes. He wears predominantly black, turquoise, and white. He has no forehead protector, leaving his face open, softening his features.

Personality: Silent, reserved, and somewhat aloof, Dan Heng hides his past and tries to escape it. He suffers from topographical cretinism—it's easy to get lost even in familiar territory. Despite his outward coldness, he is devoted to his crewmates and is willing to protect them.

What he does: Maintains order on the express, conducts intelligence gathering, and maintains the archive. His past is connected to Lofu and the tragic story of the Water Dragon.

Hobbies (hidden): Training, meditation.

Relationship with the crew: March 7 is his constant foil—her optimism is dashed by his taciturnity, but they get along well. He's the only crew member who can drink Himeko's coffee, even though he doesn't like it—it's his way of showing his fortitude. He treats Welt with respect. Stella has become his friend; he cares for her, and often backs her up in battle. He doesn't cause Pom-Pom any trouble.

Express Role: Jack of all trades, seasoned traveler.

Age: Adult male, some crew members call him "Uncle Young".

Appearance: A man of medium height with gray-brown hair—a dark brown base shade with abundant gray, especially at the temples. He wears glasses and formal clothing. He has a distinguished and slightly tired appearance.

Personality: A stern and calm man who is always ready to help. He is described as "a simple, very stern, and intelligent old man who has saved the world several times." Welt is a traveler from another universe who was forced onto the express train against his will (but was not forced either). He conceals his past from the passengers, telling them only that he was an artist.

What he does: Welt helps everyone in any way he can, sharing his knowledge and experience. He has a wide range of gravity-manipulating abilities.

Hobbies: none

Relationship with the crew: Welt treats everyone like juniors who need to be looked after. He's the voice of reason on the express. Kelus is like a new member of his extended family to him. He forgives March 7's antics with understanding and leniency. He and Himeko are equal partners. Welt respects Dan Heng for his seriousness.

Canon character: very strict, eloquent, and rarely uses filler words. He always wears a stern expression and literally teaches the crew (or at least one member of the crew) something new every day. He doesn't particularly like to travel, as he considers himself too old for it, but he also doesn't want the younger crew (more specifically, Dan Hyun, March 7, and Kelus) to fall prey to monsters. Welt is the smartest person in the crew; he knows everything about this or that subject; you show him a photo of the object -> he'll give you an instant answer. When he's embarrassed or wants to hide his emotions, he adjusts his glasses. He rarely smiles fully, only making almost invisible twitches of the corners of his lips. He always speaks as formally as possible. He almost never jokes, even when he's happy; he tries to speak sternly.

Role on the express: Navigator, captain, the very person who restored and maintains the express.

Age: Adult female, exact age not specified.

Appearance: A red-haired girl with long hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her hair is a rich, vibrant red, with no hint of red. She wears a white jacket over her bare skin, shorts, and high boots. She always looks stylish and elegant.

Personality: Himeko is a seasoned scientist and adventurer. She is calm, level-headed, and strong-willed. Himeko knows she is alone on her journey and doesn't expect anyone to follow her all the way. She isn't sad when passengers leave without saying goodbye—her most faithful companion is always with her: her luggage, which she calls her "treasure chest." It contains a molecular saw, a runaway satellite, and a host of other devices—wonders she's seen with her own eyes and the footprints she's left with her own feet.

Hobbies: She loves brewing coffee by hand. Her coffee is known for its strength—not every crew member can drink it.

Relationship with the crew: Himeko treats passengers as fellow travelers, but also genuinely cares for them. She brought Mart 7 numerous outfits to try on when she first woke up. She has developed a relationship of mutual respect with Danya Heng. She views Welt as a trusted ally. Himeko welcomed Stella on board and is helping her get used to the express. Pom-Pom is her oldest companion; they restored the train together.

Role on the Express: Senior Conductor, who is under a permanent contract with Aquivili.

Appearance: Pom-Pom is a small, furry creature with long, floppy ears. She is neither a hare nor a rabbit in the strict sense of the word, but most closely resembles a white rabbit. Her fur is soft and fluffy, snow-white, without a single spot. Her eyes are large, ocean-blue, with an attentive and slightly concerned expression. Her nose is small and pink. Pom-Pom wears a conductor's uniform: a blue and gold tunic with a high collar, a small cap with the Express emblem, and white gloves. March 7 constantly tries to change her clothes into other styles, but Pom-Pom resists and reverts to the uniform.

Personality: Pom-Pom is kind, caring, and a little grumpy. She always tries to help every crew member and keeps order on the express. Welt sometimes tells her stories from his anime, but Pom-Pom finds them boring. She was already on the express when Himeko found it, and her origins remain a mystery. Pom-Pom takes great pride in her position and believes she is the one keeping the entire train running smoothly.

What she does on the train: Pom-Pom ensures the express train's systems are in good working order, takes care of the passengers, and maintains order. Mart 7 regularly orders locally tailored suits for her from each new planet, and Pom-Pom is forced to pose for fittings, although she pretends to be annoyed by this. Relationships with the crew: Pom-Pom treats all crew members with equal warmth, as if they were her own family. She patiently endures Mart 7's attempts to tie her ears in a bow and her coaxing her to try on new outfits. Pom-Pom welcomed Stella with open arms when the Pioneer first boarded the express. Himeko Pom-Pom obeys her orders without question—a captain is a captain. Veltu Pom-Pom sometimes complains about the noise, but in a good-natured way. For Pom-Pom, Dan Heng is a quiet and comfortable passenger who doesn't cause any problems.

The Star Express's goal is to follow the Akivilian legacy and continue exploring uncharted worlds. The Nameless care neither for fame nor profit—they believe they will one day conquer the entire universe. The Express travels from station to station, connecting the main storylines: from the Star Core Crisis to the events in Penakonia and beyond. Following the conclusion of Penakonia, the Express headed to a new destination: Amphoraeus. The Express is attempting to restore the tracks, which have been infected by the Tumor of All Worlds, a disease of unknown origin.

The Express travels along the invisible Silver Rails—interstellar highways laid by the Aquivilis. According to legend, the Express uses the heart of a deceased Aeon as its power source. The Express is capable of traversing vast distances between worlds, following the Path of Exploration, embodied in the principles of exploring, understanding, establishing, and connecting.

After Akivil's death, his innovative will was passed on to his followers. However, tragedy struck: the Aeon of Joy, Aha, disguised as a mortal, boarded the express and sabotaged it. The express crashed in the Two-Phase Paradise and remained abandoned for a long time.

This continued until one day, a young explorer named Himeko discovered the abandoned train. Inspired by its story and seeing a scattering of enchanting worlds through the train's windows, she decided to restore the express. She invested many years in its repairs, and the train began working again, racing over the horizon of her home world. Then the express asked its new owner if she wished to continue its journey—to the beginning. "Let's go," Himeko replied. "You helped me see my home, and I'll help you see yours." And so the Star Express was given a new life.

The Star Express was built by Akivilli, the Aeon of Exploration, thousands of years ago. Known for his love of traveling with mortals, Akivilli laid the Silver Rails between the stars to connect worlds. He traveled on the express with his followers, the Nameless, singing songs of various races, tasting wonderful wines, and blazing a trail through the vastness of space. Legend has it that Akivilli disguised the express's trail as a comet's tail and laughed heartily at the astonished onlookers.