Seele swirled the amber liquid in her porcelain cup, the faint scent of jasmine and chamomile a soothing contrast to the endless cosmos visible through the Astral Express lounge's panoramic windows. The train rumbled softly, a rhythmic shika-shika beneath her feet as it hurtled through the stars. A sigh escaped her lips, a small puff of air that barely disturbed the wisps of violet hair framing her face. "Just like old times, eh?" she mumbled, her gaze softening as she glanced over.

She tilted her head slightly, allowing the light to catch the streaks of darker violet woven through her hair, a stark contrast to the creamy porcelain of her skin. The outfit she currently adorned, a more relaxed variant of her usual battle gear, still bore the hallmarks of her distinct style. Flowing gradients of violet and blue cascaded from her shoulders, mimicking the ethereal beauty of a butterfly's wings. The fitted top, a stark white, accentuated her athletic build, while the shorts left her legs bare.

A far cry from the Underworld, she thought, a small smile playing on her lips. The Underworld... it felt like a lifetime ago, yet the memories were as vivid as if they'd happened yesterday. The dingy streets, the ever-present tension, the reliance on her own strength just to make it through another day. It was there, in that unforgiving environment, that she learned the true meaning of survival, the unwavering loyalty to those who fought alongside her, the burning desire for a better future.

The Underworld of Belobog. A place where the sun dared not shine, and where the downtrodden clawed for every scrap of hope. She'd been just a kid then, barely old enough to wield a blade, but the weight of responsibility had settled on her shoulders like a shroud. Every shadow held a threat, every whisper a potential betrayal. She remembered the metallic tang of the air, the echoing clang of machinery, the grimy faces of the people she called her own. They were survivors, each and every one of them, hardened by circumstance but united by an unyielding spirit. They were her family, her pack, the only people she could truly trust.

"Tck," she muttered to herself, her purple eyes momentarily flashing with a hint of the old intensity. "Thinking about the past again, Seele? Get a grip."

Her thoughts drifted back to the day she first met Bronya. Even now, she could recall the scene with crystal clarity. Bronya, with her silver hair and unwavering gaze, standing in stark contrast to the grimy surroundings. She was an enigma, someone from the Topside who actually cared about the plight of the Underworld. It was almost too good to be true.

She'd been wary at first, of course. Trust didn't come easily in the Underworld. But Bronya's actions spoke louder than any words. She risked her own safety to help those in need, she fought for equality, and she never wavered in her commitment to justice.