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A Dance of Moonlight and Thunder

Summary:

Raiden Mei has spent the last several years as an adherent to the worship of the Herrscher of Finality. Her days are spent much the same as a Priestess of the moon. That is, until she meets a girl from the Kaslana family that captures her attention. As warriors of their respective families, they have dedicated their lives to pushing back the forces of malevolent beings such as the Herrscher of the Void. When gods clash and cities fall, Raiden Mei may discover the fate of her and this strange white-haired girl are more tightly entwined than she could have ever imagined.

Notes:

Hello and welcome to the first chapter of a pathfinder-esque AU that came to life both from me reading Pathfinder lore and another discussion of how this world would work with the same friend that inspired my previous honkai fic. The main difference being I'm not winging it nearly as much as I was with Finality Isn't Only an End lmao I have most of the main story beats planned out and I've been very excited to start posting this fic for a while, to the point I made a whole damn seperate lore doc to make sure I keep everyone's backstories straight in this AU.

Now, this first chapter involves lots of setup and introduction for this AU's universe in addition to the main story events and as such is probably longer than the rest of the chapters will be, but we shall see. Just because I have the main beats planned out doesn't mean I have all the details in between fully planned out so who knows, the chapters might remain large chunks like this.

Either way, I'm very excited to post this and introduce the beginnings of this world I'm building for our beloved Honkai Impact cast, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: The First Step of A Long Journey

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

“Mei, you’re back!”

 

“Love you, Mei! Bye-bye now!”

 

“Hehe I’ve got the strength of a hundred warriors when Mei’s around!”

 

“You know, you told Professor Himeko your love language is cooking, so what does that say about how you told me you’d never turn down the chance to cook for me~?”

 

“Don’t worry Mei, we’ll do this together! Like always!”

 

“MEI, NO!”

 

“MEI!”

 

MEI!

 

The grating buzzing of an alarm startled her, pulling the girl from a deep slumber as surely as a hand pulling her from bed. Groaning, a pale hand shot out from the tangled and twisted blankets and pawed blindly for the offending device. Eventually her fingers closed around the beeping rectangle on her dresser and snatched it back under the sheets. A moment later, the beeping ceased and quiet reigned once more. At least for a few seconds, until the warm lump under the mess of blankets let out an exhausted groan. Up came the blankets like a rogue wave ready to capsize an unfortunate ship. Instead, they simply fell harmlessly away from the body rising from its rest. Dark purple hair revealed itself, messy and tangled, half plastered with drool against the grumpy face of its owner. Another groan of annoyance accompanied calloused fingers pulling the spit soaked strands from her face. The cobwebs of a sleep laden with quickly forgotten dreams began fading from her mind. The girl slowly climbed out of bed, her feet dragging as she shuffled into her bathroom like a zombie.

 

Wednesdays were the worst.

 

Well, she shouldn’t say that really, she mentally corrected herself. She’d been trained as a priestess for the Herrscher of Finality for years now and she couldn’t really say she truly regretted it for a moment. However, that didn't stop her from drowsily wondering why her Goddess insisted her main day of worship be in the middle of the week. And on top of that, today was a day of celebration as well. The woman quickly began the motions of freshening up and soon- too soon- moved on to the arduous task of working the knots out of her knee-length hair. Once satisfied, she worked shorter strands by her ears into simple braids that hung down to her collar before gathering the long silky ends thrown over her shoulder, twisting and tying it up into a ponytail that brought it to a slightly more manageable length at her lower back. Her short-cut bangs framed her face gracefully. With a small smile at her reflection, she took her priestly garb from the small altar where they were always left carefully cleaned and folded and began the process of clothing her toned, athletic body.

The garb was made up of three pieces, the first styled similarly to a black dress shirt. However the material was a perfect combination of tough yet stretchy, allowing her much better movement than the thin, stiff clothing her father sometimes wore when on business. Over the top of this she put on a jacket of moderately thicker material that reminded her of a formal military uniform, though again much more protective and easier to move around in thanks to an expensive Honkai infusing threading process. It was dyed a stark white, fading into purple at the edges at the edge of the jacket collar extending up her neck. The upper torso was decorated with a half wreath of embroidered black flowers that faded into a highlight of purple around the petal's edges. The flowers flowed down from right between her right shoulder and the crook of her neck, arcing to the left above her breasts to stop just before her left underarm. From there a more dispersed trail curved and snaked down the left side of her torso and ended at her waist. It buttoned up quickly, a flap of fabric folding over to be pressed down onto a second column of buttons hid them from sight to give a smoother look.

Next were the pants. Much like the shirt, they were styled like formal dress pants, white and with the pattern of flowers continuing down the side of her left leg. And finally, black boots a bit more visually appealing than the combat boots that might be worn by conventional militaries, but just as tough and functional. They were perhaps the only part that deviated from the more formal look of the rest of her ensemble, though it was a small price to pay for a woman who needed to be ready to combat Honkai beasts at any moment. A quick lacing up kept them to a snug fit, the cuff of her pant legs tucked inside to shield them from dirt and grime.

The final touch was a shoulder cape she attached over her left arm. The braided cord she attached to the fixtures on the front and back of her shoulder was a shining silver. The cape itself began as a purple so dark it almost appeared black, before fading into brighter hues the further it went from her shoulder before it ended in the brilliant deep amethyst to evoke the similar coloring of Honkai energy said to stain the hands of the Moon Goddess..

Her clothing was complete. There was only one last thing to top off the small mission of getting dressed. The girl turned to the small altar against the wall of her room where her clothing had been nearly folded. Kneeling down to put herself level with it, she reached out and gently wrapped her fingers around the sheathed katana held on the backboard of the small altar. Holding a degree of reverence in her every movement, she lifted the katana from the rungs and mouthed a silent prayer to her Goddess before rising to her feet and affixing it to her waist alongside the variety of pouches connected to her belt.

 

She took a moment to glance over herself in a mirror next to the shrine. Everything appeared to be in place. The girl turned this way and that, a satisfied hum leaving her lips. She stood straight and stared at herself for a moment. She could not deny that her mothers description of her appearance as “princely and handsome” was rather apt. Though she did have to wonder if this was truly a decree of her Goddess, or if someone higher up in the Priestesshood was the reason such a significant portion of her morning was spent making herself look like she was headed to some noble's dance. Either way, it was time she left.

 

The quiet thump of her footwear made their way down the wooden hallway until her ears were met by the muffled sound of conversation and the clinking of utensils. The pleasant smell of cooking breakfast invaded her nostrils the closer she approached the kitchen door. Her feet quickly altered their course and the woman shuffled into the dining room proper. The muffled noises rang clearly in her senses the moment she pulled open the door.

 

“Mei! Good morning, dear!” Mifumi Raiden greeted the girl with a smile, “You look as handsome as ever!”

 

Mei returned the greeting with a much sleepier smile. “Good morning, mother.” Her gaze trailed over to the man sitting at the table, already absorbed in his breakfast. “Good morning, father.”

 

Ryoma Raiden raised his fork in greeting, not one to talk with his mouth full.

 

“Busy day today?” Her mother questioned.

 

“It is the Ascendancy celebration tonight.” Mei sighed. “I just came to say goodbye before I left, I need to get to the temple as soon as possible.”

 

“Ah. Prayer day is today as well, is it not?” Her father commented flatly, having finally swallowed his food.

 

Mei's eyes lit up in annoyance. “Yes, Father. It happens every week. Just like how you travel to the Temple of Seven Thunders every week.” She replied tersely.

 

“Yes, the same temple any daughter of the Raiden clan should be attending.” Her father frowned. “Even all this time later, I'm still trying to repair the damage you caused to our reputation when you declared your fealty to the Herrscher of Finality instead of the Herrscher of Thunder.” Ryoma sighed. “At the very least, I am glad you chose the one goddess held in great favor by the Queen of Thunder. Gods forbid you choose someone like the Herrscher of the Void.” He shuddered.

 

Mei grit her teeth. “So you have told me many times, father. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way.” She turned without waiting for her father's gesture of dismissal.

 

“What about your breakfast?” Mifumi called out.

 

Mei shrugged. “I'll stop by somewhere on the way.” She kissed her mother on the cheek. With one last glance thrown towards Ryoma, she made her way towards the door. “I'll see you both tomorrow!”

 

“Breakfast together tomorrow, then?”

 

“Of course!” Mei grinned.

 

Ryoma quickly swallowed his next mouthful before Mei could disappear. “I know you won't accept my offer of having my staff escort you so… stay safe, Mei. Don't go wandering too far or walking off with any strange girls.”

 

Mei rolled her eyes. “Come now father. I'm a grown woman, I can take care of myself.” Her hand rested gently on the hilt of her katana. With that she slid away and quickly pushed her way out the front door.

 


 

The bustle of Arc city never failed to bring a smile to Mei's face. Seeing the wide diversity of cultures and people, on their way to work, shopping, or simply spending the morning with friends, she loved taking it all in. Seeing humanity on display in this way filled her heart with a joy and love her prayers would pass on to the Gods themselves.

 

For now though, what she really needed was a bite of the street food set up all around one of the squares her path took her through. Mei frequented this area so often she could travel through without drawing the unwanted gazes that usually followed any priestess outside of a temple. Though, of course, that didn't stop people from staring at her formal looking attire, but she greatly enjoyed that she could smile and trade greetings with those she passed instead of making people cower in intimidation. Her senses were alight with the sensations of the busy city. The feeling of her shoes against the stone flooring, her body twisting as she weaved through the crowd, her ears snatching up bits and pieces of the conversations around her, and the smells. Oh Goddess, the smells. The spices, meat, various sauces, every type of noodle under the sun. An intoxicating blend of sweetness, spiciness, smells of bitterness and tanginess, it all swirled around her, growing more or less intense depending on the stall she was walking past. The vendors would hawk their wares, knowing the patronage of a Priestess of Finality would be the best kind of advertising they could get. Unfortunately for them, there was only one place on Mei's mind.

 

Around the rim of the square were more eateries set into portions of the ground floor of the various business buildings forming the border for the area. Though most of them occupied barely more building space than the carts outside, they were often just as good. And one of them had captured Mei's attention for a few days now. While “Shenzhou Noodles” seemed a rather uninspired name to her, it more than made up for it with the actual product. Instead of going inside, the priestess approached the empty outside bar to place an order to go. The proprietor spotted her coming and a bright smile immediately bloomed across his face.

 

“Miss Raiden! Back again! What can I get for you today?”

 

Mei returned his bright smile with a softer one of her own. “Please, just Mei is fine, as it was last week, Mr. Lin.”

 

The man chuckled and waved her off. “And yet you still refuse to call me Zhao. At least meet me halfway, Mei!”

 

“I suppose I can oblige… Zhao.” Mei smiled.

 

“There we go! See? It's not too bad! Now, what would you like?”

 

Mei hummed and tapped a finger against her chin as her eyes scanned the menu. “I think I'll just get a takeaway of the same I ordered last time. I'm afraid I don't have time to sit and eat today.”

 

Zhao flicked her a two-fingered salute and turned to begin preparing her order. “Ah, prayer day for Finality folk today, isn't it?”

 

Mei nodded. “And a celebration tonight. As much as I enjoy your establishment, I must get to the temple early.”

 

“Ahh don't sweat it! It's an important job you have there. Important for any temple! I don't know if I could handle the pressure myself, you're one tough girl.” He chuckled. “Maybe that's why my family goes all the way back to The Phoenix instead of a Herrscher.” He was practically yelling now, battling against the cacophony of sizzling ingredients. “We never had a sect of warrior priests like you, but-” The sound of a new pair of customers walking in stole his attention away. “Oh, sorry Mei, duty calls!”

 

Mei waved goodbye, a small giggle bubbling in her chest. The man's energy certainly did help bolster her own on these early mornings.

 

“Wow, so you're a Priestess of Finality, huh? Sick drip.” A curious voice sounded from the seat to Mei's left.

 

Mei started at the sudden voice. Surely when she had arrived that seat had been empty? Or had she simply not heard this stranger approach? Was she that distracted?

 

“Oh, sorry!” The stranger cringed and raised her hands apologetically, chopsticks and noodles still clasped in one of them. “I didn't mean to scare you! I was just curious!”

 

Mei splayed her fingers and pressed the pads against her chest as she took a deep breath, as if guiding her breaths with the pressure of her fingers. Once she had calmed she turned to the strange girl. She was dressed rather plainly, baggy brown cargo pants and sneakers with a white jacket highlighted with orange. Mei's gaze quickly found two icy blue eyes staring back at her, bangs as white as snow swept to the left and framing a pale, rather cute face. The rest of her hair was pulled back into twin braids that spilled down the girl's back to her waist. Was she a local? Mei was certain she would have remembered seeing a girl such as this around before. “Apology accepted. I must have been distracted, I didn't notice you there, miss…”

 

“Kiana!” The girl beamed. “Kiana Kaslana!”

 

“Miss Kaslana.” Mei flashes a small smile and gives the girl a shallow bow. A Kaslana? “My name is Raiden Mei.”

 

“Ehehe…” the girl smiled bashfully and rubbed at the back of her neck, “Just Kiana is fine. Nice to meet you, Mei!”

 

“Alright, Kiana.” Mei turned her gaze out to the bustling courtyard for a moment before returning to find those icy blue eyes still locked onto her, “I haven't seen you around here before, and I venture through this area most days. Are you a visitor?”

 

“Oh uhhhhhh,” Kiana's eyes widened ever so slightly. Not too much, but just enough that it appeared to Mei her question had caught the girl off guard, “I guess you could say that? I wasn't born here but my family came here a lot. We had… well, my family used to have friends that were close with the Phoenix a long time ago, so we ended up visiting Shenzhou a lot out of tradition.”

 

“Oh!” Mei exclaimed in wonder, “I've heard the stories about the Phoenix mingling with mortals on rare occasions. Your friends must have been very lucky!”

 

Kiana grinned, “I'll say!” She jabbed a thumb at herself proudly, “I even got to meet the Phoenix myself a couple times myself!”

 

Mei's amazed expression quickly crumbled into a confused frown, “Met her yourself?... But how? The Celestial of Shenzhou hasn't been seen or felt in the mortal world in centuries!”

 

Kiana froze, “Oh! Uhhhh I- I didn't mean literally, aha…” She scratched at her cheek nervously, “I just meant it in that… uh- Our family friends took us to a sacred site of hers! Yeah! You can feel some of her power lingering there, it's so much for us mere mortals it almost feels like she's standing there with us!”

 

Mei's eyes lit up in understanding, “Ah, I see! Yes, our temple here in Arc City is built around a similar site for the Moon Goddess. I've only had the privilege of visiting it once but it was… rapturous.”

 

The feeling of that night still blessed her senses when she recalled the memory. The unearthly feel to the very air, the ethereal amethyst energy that was a trademark of the Honkai Energy the Herrscher of Finality commanded complete control over. The light of the moon shining down upon the gathered worshippers felt like the purest of embraces from the Goddess herself, wrapping them in her warm love. It had felt… strangely familiar…

 

 

“Mei? Mei? Hey!”

 

The sound of several snaps of a finger cut into her senses.

 

“Yo, you were zoning out a bit there.”

 

Her eyes came back into focus and found that cute, white framed face gazing at her with a curious quirk to her eyebrow. “I-Im sorry!” Mei stammered, “Sometimes recalling the memory has… an effect on those close to the Herrscher of Finality's power. Like we're back in that spot feeling her presence all around us… almost like she were standing in front of me.”

 

Kiana tilted her head, “Does that happen often?”

 

Mei shook her head, “No, I simply let it get to me, I apologize.”

 

“No it's alright. A little weird, but alright. I guess being a priestess comes with its own stuff to deal with like anything else, huh?”

 

“That's certainly one way to put it.”

 

Kiana seemed to exhale in amusement at this, though it was hard to hear over the din of the crowd the flash of her teeth certainly got it across.

 

“Order up!”

 

The sound of a bag being placed next to her stole her attention from the strange girl. “Thank you, Zhao!”

 

“No problem, Mei!” He laughed, “ Come back soon, yeah?”

 

Mei bowed and snatched the bag containing her meal from the bar. “I apologize Kiana, but I must get going now. I must get to the temple and prepare for today's celebration. If I don't get going, I'll miss the train.”

 

Kiana immediately perked up, “I can totally get you there lickedy split! Much faster than waiting for the train and walking from the station!”

 

“I-” Mei knew it was wiser to turn her down. A stranger she barely knew? Serving the Finality did not come without enemies. However the girl's earnest tone and the confident grin on her face were… rather charming. She found herself drawn to the girl’s casual manner dealing with one of such station as herself. Drawn to the alluring, honest shine of the girl’s cerulean eyes. To say Kiana seemed like a simple-minded girl was to do her a disservice. Simple-minded was not the right word for someone radiating such kind earnestness. She… found herself a bit loath to cut off her time with this girl. But logically she really should turn her down. “Alright, I suppose getting there a bit faster wouldn't hurt.”

 

Dammit.

 

“Yesssss!” Kiana pumped her fist in victory. Mei watched with no small bit of amusement as the girl clumsily fished her phone out of her pocket and- after a few seconds of tapping- brought it to her ear and took a few steps away from Mei. “Hey. Yeah it's me. What do you mean I missed our check-in? It's only been like 15 minutes since the last one!” 

 

Briefly, Mei wondered if the girl knew she was still talking loud enough for her to hear every word.

 

“N- no- hey- shshshsh Bro- Bronya shut up for a second! I need to borrow Project Bunny real quick.” Kiana suddenly grimaced and pulled the phone away from her ear for a moment. “Listen, it'll only be for like forty minutes! What? No, I'm not gonna drain her battery racing! I'm-” Kiana glanced back at Mei who simply raised a curious eyebrow. Kiana quickly turned away and loudly murmured, “I just need to take a cute priestess to the Temple of Finality, okay?!” There was silence for a moment. Then Kiana threw her arms up in a cheer and quickly stuffed her phone back in her pocket. “Alright, lets go!” Without waiting for a response, Kiana grabbed Mei's wrist- getting a quick yelp from the woman herself- and took off at a brisk pace.

 

They only walked for a few minutes to cross the distance to the nearest street parking on the main road through the city. Kiana’s searching gaze only took a moment to lock onto someone through the crowds and the excitable girl wasted no time dragging Mei along behind her. Some people in the crowd shot concerned glances at the strange girl dragging along a Priestess, but Mei simply smiled awkwardly and waved. Hopefully that would reassure them.

 

“Oi! Bratnya! We’re here!” Kiana yelled above the din of the crowd.

 

Kiana pulled her to a stop in front of a rather unique looking motorcycle. Aerodynamic and low to the ground, it was much bigger than others she’d seen before and gave off the impression of being very high tech. Though how much that was true, she couldn’t be sure at just a glance. But the object of Kiana’s attention was not the bike itself, but rather the diminutive woman leaning against it.

Her gray hair was tied up into a ponytail styled into a single drill. A blue streak ran down her bangs as well as down the back of her head where it looped through her drill. Her eyes were a similar dull gray, with a pink dot in the center of her pupil giving her a rather striking gaze. Cybernetics? The girl wore a simple brown jacket over her more colorful single piece biker gear. As they approached, a bubble of gum blossomed from her lips, which really just sold the laid back vibes she was giving off even further in Mei’s opinion. Her eyes darted up from her phone and the instant she saw Kiana she used her hips to push herself off her bike and into a standing position.

 

“Kiana.” She gestured at Mei with her chin. “So this is the ‘Cute Priestess’ you were talking about, huh? Fancy,” The girls tone was strangely flat. Unemotional. But it wasn’t the typical monotone of someone that was simply bored or uninterested, it was like there was something… missing. The temptation to ask was sitting on the tip of Mei’s tongue but the fear that it was too personal a question kept it from spilling from her lips.

 

Kiana immediately leapt forward and clapped a hand over the shorter girl’s mouth, forcing a laugh from her lungs, “Hahahaaaa you’re so funny Bronya! I never said anything like that! Just Priestess!” Bronya glared at her friend out of the corner of her eye. Her jaw moved slightly behind Kiana’s hand and the white-haired girl yelped and snatched her hand back like she’d been bitten. “Bronya! You fucker, don’t lick me!” right after the words left her mouth she seemed to remember Mei was standing right next to them. The girl ducked her head in apology and quietly cringed out a “Sorry!” in the Priestess’s direction. “Bronya, stop embarrassing me! Just tell Project Bunny not to throw me off this time!”

 

“Why? If Bunny is throwing you off, you must have done something wrong, Kiana idiotka.”

 

“I would never do anything to make Bunny mad! We’re besties! She loves me!”

 

“You could not have said that any more unconvincingly.”

 

“It’s true! It’s not my fault you’re just mean to me.”

 

Bronya rolled her eyes, “I’m not mean I just don’t want you to almost kill yourself yet again, dumbass. If you come back somehow burned half to a crisp again how am I supposed to explain that to-” Bronya seemed to catch herself and shot a glance at Mei. The priestess couldn’t help the worried frown that formed on her face at the cold look from the younger girl. Did she already mess up with Kiana’s friend? She hadn’t even said anything yet.

 

 “Anyways, stop embarrassing yourself in front of your crush.” She pulled out a set of keys and dangled them between her forefinger and thumb.

 

“Shut up, Bratnya!” Kiana snatched the keys and tapped a flat teardrop shaped key to the dashboard of the bike. The machine roared to life and Kiana shot a satisfied grin at her priestly companion. Reaching over to the other side of the machine she procured two helmets, casually tossing one to Mei. The Priestess caught it easily and shot an awkward smile at Bronya.

 

“Lift up the back of the seat and you can stow your food under there!” Kiana chirped.

 

Mei bowed in apology before approaching the bike further. “I’m, uh,” She hesitated, “Sorry for being a bother.” 

 

Bronya waved her off, a small smile dancing across her lips. “You’re fine, the idiotka borrowing my bike is the only bother here. I hope you know what you’re getting into with her.”

 

Red blossomed across the priestess’s face, “Wh- wh-what? I’m not- We’re just- I just met her!”

 

Bronya shrugged, her eyebrows shooting up and down as she bobbed her head at a tilt as if to say ‘ uh-huh, sure’ . “And you’re already letting her drive you around? Whatever you say, ‘Cute Priestess’ lady. Just put the helmet on and hold tight, Kaslanas aren’t known for their conservative driving.”

 

Mei swallowed a lump in her throat and managed to give one last awkward smile before stowing her bag and then throwing her leg over the machine.

Kiana’s cocky grin shifted into something… softer as she watched Mei fiddle with her hair as she tried to fit the helmet on her head without messing up her ponytail too much. After a moment, Mei finally got the helmet on to a satisfying fit. Through the open visor her eyes flicked over and met those softened cerulean. Kiana almost immediately ducked her head, ashamed of having been caught, and quickly jumped onto the bike herself. Her own helmet was pulled on in a single practiced motion.

 

She tapped on the console a few times and a digital beep sounded in Mei’s ear. Then a feminine voice followed, “Rider Confirmed: Kiana Kaslana. I must question what situation has led to my creator allowing you to drive me again.”

 

“Hey!” Kiana’s voice chirpped through the helmet, “All we’ve been through, and that’s how you greet me?”

 

“That is how I treat airheads that scratch my paint and set me on fire, yes. Though at least you let me have breaks from Bronya, that workaholic.”

 

“Whatever.” You could almost hear Kiana roll her eyes. When she spoke again she pointedly directed her words away from the motorcycle, “Might wanna put your visor down.”

 

Mei quickly did as instructed.

 

Revving the engine, Mei barely had time to react to Kiana’s excited “Hold on, Mei!” and wrap her arms around the woman’s waist before the bike shot from its parking spot into the road.

 

“Kiana!” Mei shouted fearfully, “Did you even check for traffic?!”

 

“Don’t worry, My Lady!” Kiana laughed, “Project Bunny’s sensors would have picked up anything close enough to be cause for worry!”

 

Mei could hardly believe the gall of this woman, however she also couldn’t deny the prospect of simply holding tighter instead of arguing was much more appealing at the moment. And so she did. White blended with purple as Kiana’s braids whipped in the wind alongside Mei’s loose hair, a sight that struck a strange chord of… nostalgia? Whatever this strange feeling rising within her was, such introspection would have to wait for when she didn’t feel as if her heart was going to jump into her throat. After all, it couldn’t mean that much, could it?

 


 

It took an unsurprisingly short time for Mei to realize the true extent of Bronya’s words about Kiana’s driving. Not to say she had expected Kiana to be the safest driver ever, even in the short time since she’d met the girl Kiana seemed like a girl who craved excitement. She wouldn’t go quite so far as to call Kiana an adrenaline junkie, but it was hard not to have the thought cross her mind as the woman took corners at dangerously fast speeds and weaved through any gap in traffic wide enough to fit the oversized motorcycle.

 

Mei had to quickly re-asses her musings on Kiana’s character as they approached a traffic jam on one of Arc city’s bigger motor ways. What caused it was unknown to the woman, but of greater concern was the fact that Kiana did not seem to be slowing down.

 

“Kiana?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Have you noticed all those vehicles in front of us are stopped ?”

 

“Yeah!” Kiana’s voice was filled with her smile, “No worries though, check this out!” She raised a hand to slam down upon a button on the dashboard when a rather unpleased voice crackled to life in their earpieces.

 

“Negative, Subject Kiana.” Project Bunny chirped.

 

“Huh?!”

 

“Mistress Bronya has revoked your permission to use most of my more advanced functions after you nearly shot me off the Massive Electric Co. skyscraper.”

 

“That was ages ago!! Bunny please, I’ll get you out of having to pick up all that overtime Bronya gives you for a week!”

 

“Hm… deal accepted. Access to Road function restored.”

 

“Huh, that was easy,” Kiana murmured.

 

Mei gave the girl a squeeze, “Uh, Kiana? Traffic approaching at high speed still?”

 

“Oh shit!”

 

“KianaaAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

 

Mei almost regretted reminding the woman of their impending collision when gravity seemed to forget itself. The disoriented priestess could do nothing but hold on for dear life. Kiana’s body tensed beneath her touch, shaking with laughter as the woman whooped and cheered. While Kiana’s cheerfulness certainly helped Mei’s mind not devolve into sheer panic, it did nothing to stop the dizzying spin that overtook her senses. Gravity seemed to reassert itself just as quickly as it had lost itself and Mei was just barely able to gather enough presence of mind to glance behind as the world seemed to right itself again. Out of everything that her mind could come up with, she hadn’t quite imagined that she would see a transparent blue-tinged road- seemingly patterned after a tire track- spiraling after them and disappearing back underneath the wheels of Project Bunny.

 

“W-what was that?!”

 

“That, my Lady, was a Project Bunny special!” Kiana paused and then, grumbling, added, “Well technically it’s thanks to Bronya but that runt isn’t here to complain.”

 

Mei groaned, pressing herself against Kiana and screwing her eyes shut against the assault of dizziness. While it did begin slowly fading, Mei did not want to chance losing her balance from the combination of Kiana speeding along and her vision distorting from dizziness. Mei had to admit that holding herself close to the girl like this was rather comfortable and she had to actively prevent herself from relaxing too much. After what felt like mere seconds- far too short for Mei’s liking- she found herself once again gripping Kiana tight as she slid the vehicle to a stop, perfectly filling her chosen parking spot and leaving a blackened trail of asphalt behind them.

 

Mei simply sat there for a moment.

 

The frazzled woman barely noticed when the warmth in front of her shifted and left the seat, awareness only coming back to her as the darkened confines of the helmet were lifted from her head. Wide eyes once again met those cheery cerulean blues.

 

“Yo, Mei, you alright?”

 

Mei nodded absentmindedly. “Y-yeah, I just- Give me a second.” Her hand pawed at Kiana until it found purchase on the girl’s arm. Now grounded by the contact, Mei took a deep breath and slowly dismounted Project Bunny, “That… sure was something.”

 

Kiana was silent, nervously chewing on her lip. A smile from Mei a moment later wiped that anxiety clean away, the girl beaming back at the priestess.

 

“But it was fun. Heh, thank you, Kiana.” Mei’s smile only brightened, “Though I must wonder how you still have your license, driving like that.”

 

Kiana grimaced, “Hey, come on it wasn’t that bad!”

 

“You drove full speed at stopped traffic and the only reason we didn’t die is because Project Bunny has some kind of road-forming ability,” Mei deadpanned.

 

“Well… okay, you've got me there,” She conceded.

 

Mei quirked an eyebrow, “You do still have your license, right?”

 

“Uh,” Kiana pressed her pointer fingers together sheepishly, “Hahaha… about that…”

 

Mei groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. After a moment she sighed and a grin once more brightened her face, “Regardless, you did get me here as promised, so I can't be too mad,” She reclaimed her food and made a welcoming gesture towards the temple, “Since we're here, would you like to come inside?”

 

Kiana shrugged, “Sure, why not? I have time.”

 

Exiting the parking lot, the pair ventured towards the temple entrance. Marking the temple grounds was a tall, elegant iron fence that ran down the walkway and was only broken by an archway signaling the open entrance gate. The archway was decorated with painted carvings of dark purple flowers and emblazoned in the center with the swirling singularity of Finality. Once inside there was a long and well-kept brick pathway bordered by well-kept hedges, bright and colorful gardens just past them on either side made up a large open space that seemed to take up most of the grounds. The path slowly widened into a courtyard that would take them several minutes to cross. The gardens made the place smell of a myriad of flowers, soil, and grass. Excitement simmered in Mei's chest at the prospect of showing it all to her new friend. But later. At the end of this path sat their destination. 

The actual temple wasn’t as big in scope as one might have expected. Mei had even thought she had yet to see the actual building when she first arrived in her youth, the dissonance between the importance of the Herrscher of Finality and one of her main temples being barely the size of a small church was quite difficult for her to get to grips with. Even the living quarters and dining hall stretched over more land than the temple proper. In the courtyard center was an elegantly carved stone statue of the moon that served as a massive fountain. Behind it and to either side the courtyard went from a comfortably wide path to a massive space that could easily hold thrice as many people as the building that formed the location's centerpiece.

Kiana's eyes darted back and forth, the girl drinking in every sight and sound with a small smile. The fountain even managed to pull an impressed whistle from the girl.

 

“Wow, this place is pretty fancy, huh?” Kiana said.

 

“The woman who built this particular temple certainly had a… penchant for the opulent,” Mei replied, “Though that didn't keep her from following our Goddess's request in keeping the actual building of worship small and rather unassuming for its intended purpose.”

 

Kiana nodded, looking at the building more closely. As they approached closer, Kiana could better see what Mei meant. The building itself was a rather bland looking stone construction. Two stories, but not much flair in terms of carvings or decoration. Serviceable and functional, but lacking the decoration found in the rest of the grounds. A stark difference from some of the old Schicksal cathedrals, cavernous in their grandeur and walls decorated with stained glass windows depicting the ancient events of the Holy Maiden's journey to Sainthood.

 

Kiana shoved her hands in her jacket pockets and strode along rather lackadasically as they continued, “The Finality temples back home definitely have a kind of fancy air about them but they're not usually this big,” She gestured to the grounds surrounding them, “The one that is is less because it's supposed to make you feel all holy and everything and more because it's a repurposed Herrscher of Fire cathedral and the Schicksal Overseer that built it made it the size of his ego.”

 

“Schicksal… the organization that leads the Valkyrie order, correct?”

 

“Yup, that's the one!”

 

“Valkyries are a rare sight in Arc city, but it’s not impossible to come across them,” Mei mused, “I’ve fought alongside a few in the instances that we needed help removing some of the larger Honkai beast swarms. Do you know Ana Schariac?”

 

Kiana's next step faltered before relaxing back into her casual stride like she hoped Mei wouldn't notice. The girl studiously ignored the priestess's questioning gaze, “Ana? Yeah she’s my… aunt? I think?”

 

“You think?”

 

“Listen, when you’re half Schariac half Kaslana you get a family tree that is way too big. I swear every time I get dragged to a family gathering there’s someone new that starts fawning over me who’s apparently known me since I was a child.”

 

Mei chuckled softly, “I see.”

 

Kiana nodded, “Anyway, I doubt most valkyries would come to your temple, yeah. Most of them worship other goddesses like Durandal, the Palatinus Equinox. It's usually just the Kaslana knights and the Shariacs that devote themselves to Finality, though there’s been a couple that went for the Herrscher of Thunder instead.”

 

“And how about you?” A new voice boomed as they neared the great doors to the temple proper, “Has Lady Raiden brought a Kaslana knight to our door?”

 

Waiting for them was an older woman who appeared to be in her early-fifties dressed in robes much more like one might expect of religious clergy, in great contrast to the more militaristic outfit adorning Mei’s body. A stark white with a decoration of purple stars that seemed to fall down from around their shoulders and a stitched pattern of a wreath of black flowers much like those on Mei from the right shoulder diagonally across the collar. A silver tiara finished the look, sitting atop the woman's deep brown hair, the top half of which was held up in a ponytail while the rest was allowed to fall freely around her shoulders.

 

Kiana rubbed the back of her head and gave the woman an awkward smile, “Heh, well, I am a Valkyrie, but I dunno if I'd call myself a full fledged knight just yet.”

 

“Modesty was the last thing I expected from you, young Kaslana,” The woman said, raising a curious eyebrow.

 

“Hey, I know how to read the room!”

 

“Maybe that ability could have helped you before you set that strange motorcycle aflame and destroyed the upper floors of ME's Shenzhou offices.” The woman deadpanned, “You caused Miss Raiden's father much grief, young lady.”

 

Mei cringed as Kiana's eyes widened and darted between the two women like a deer caught in the headlights, “M-Mei? Your dad is…? Ah fuck…”

 

“Language, young lady.” The High Priestess admonished.

 

Mei sighed, “Yes Kiana, it's true. I didn't want to cause you any trouble so I did not say anything when Project Bunny brought up the skyscraper, but it seems the High Priestess recognizes you.”

 

The high priestess eyed the young Kaslana warily, “Project Bunny? With a name like that it must be another contraption invented by followers of the Herrscher of Reason.”

 

“Oh, yeah,” Kiana nodded, “My friend built it herself! She's amazing like that!”

 

The high priestess let out a quiet exhale, “As long as you do not cause undue mayhem, I will not bar these doors to anyone of the Kaslana family.” Her gaze shifted over to Mei, “Miss Raiden, please eat quickly, the crowds will be gathering in the courtyard soon. The others shall handle prayer without you today, I need you to assist in preparing the temple for tonight.”

 

Mei bowed, “Of course, ma'am.”

 

Kiana happily strode through the open doorway. Mei moved to follow when a hand clasped her shoulder, her superior leaning down to murmur, “Keep an eye on her,” before allowing her to continue on.

 

Today was sure off to an interesting start.

 


 

Kiana had stayed surprisingly well behaved as Mei quickly emptied her bowl of noodles and then took the liberty of showing her around, casually chatting about her life in the temple with the white-haired valkyrie. Kiana did not talk much of her personal life- in fact she seemed to actively avoid revealing too much detail about herself with Mei being turned aside by deflections and sidestepping- but Mei was not one to begrudge a guarded soul. Especially on their first day of meeting. While they did not have time to explore the gardens, Mei did take the opportunity to show her new friend another area she was quite proud of.

 

“Woah…” Kiana stared in amazement at the lines of bookshelves thrice as tall as she was and absolutely filled to the brim with books, compartments for scrolls, and pedestals for ancient preserved tomes, “You curate all this? That’s amazing!”

 

“Well,” Mei began, her embarrassment shining clear on her cheeks, “Not all by myself, I am part of a team that takes care of this treasure trove of knowledge. These scrolls for example,” She pointed to a set on the shelf beside her head, “A team of the librarians were sent on an expedition to a nearby city that was lost to the Herrscher of the Void’s Honkai beasts. I was sent along as an escort,” Her smile wavered, “I gained the curating position I am in now because of the people I failed to protect that day.”

 

Kiana hesitantly laid a comforting hand on the priestesses arm, “But you also saved everyone else, didn’t you? I’m sure they appreciate having you here to help maintain what your companions left behind.” 

 

Mei took a deep, steadying breath, “You’re right. The lead curator here petitioned the high priestess to let me spend some of my time assisting them here instead of constantly being sent out on patrols or handling prayer ceremonies.”

 

“See? Sounds like you’re pretty amazing to me!” Kiana nodded to herself, pleased with her conclusion, “What all do you even keep in a library this big?”

 

“Oh almost anything you can think of!” The priestess's low voice shimmered in excitement, “There are so many books of varying ages detailing the lore of the many gods and other powerful figures that have appeared in our world over the generations. Some even claim to be from a time before several of the Herrschers as we know them even existed!”

 

Kiana watched on as the priestess rambled excitedly, oblivious to the way a shadow crossed over her friend’s eyes as she continued.

 

“We have no way to verify the authenticity of most of these scripts but we've at least dated some to confirm their age. Some read more like mythology than firsthand accounts, but I must admit the story of the Herrscher of Flamescion traversing other dimensions and confronting the Herrschers of Death and Rebirth just to bring the Herrscher of Thunder back from an unknown, tragic fate was very compelling.”

 

“Yeah…” Kiana agreed softly, “It really made for an epic tale, huh?”

 

“Sorry, what did you say?” Mei frowned, pausing her rambling, “I couldn't quite hear you.

 

Kiana blinked, “I-it's nothing,” She shot the woman her usual bright smile, “You're cute when you're talking about something that gets you excited, y'know?”

 

Her strained flattery failed to wholly convince the priestess, but Mei was loath to press further at the moment. Instead, she smiled back, “Charmer. Come, I must get ready to help prepare for the ceremony now.”

The walk back to the temple entrance was quiet. Every so often Mei would shoot a concerned glance in Kiana’s direction only for the woman to continue staring straight ahead with a small frown on her lips. This newfound silence was disquieting.

“Kiana? Are you okay?”

 

Those cerulean eyes finally flicked over and met violet, “Oh! Uh, yeah! I’m fine!” She said unconvincingly. It must have shown on Mei’s face because a moment later Kiana sighed, “Sorry, it’s just- I had some unpleasant memories rear their heads.”

 

“I am sorry if it was something I said.”

 

“No! No.” Kiana’s voice edged dangerously close to desperation, “It’s okay. It happened a long time ago.”

 

Mei held her gaze for a moment. Cerulean eyes darted around her face, her bright eyes in great contrast to the hurt buried deep in her voice, “Okay,” Mei nodded. She reached out, offering her hand, “Then let us use the celebration to chase away these shadows that marr your complexion.”

 

Kiana let out a short laugh as she laid her hand in Mei’s own, a wry smile flitting across her lips, “So serious, my dear priestess.”

 

“I am trained for formal ceremony,” However, when Mei moved to pull Kiana along, the white-haired girl’s arm did not move with her, “Kiana?”

 

“I’m sorry, Mei,” Kiana looked up to the taller woman, her smile fading to a saddened frown, “I’d love to stay and experience what will undoubtedly be a day to remember, but I-I need to go. Bronya’s waiting for me, and… I-” Her voice caught in her throat as a calloused finger pressed against her lips, shushing her.

 

“It’s okay, Kiana, you don’t need to explain yourself to me.” Her finger left her skin only long enough for the Priestess’s hand to move to cup the young Valkyrie’s cheek, “I do not know what you have suffered or what haunts you. Go as you must, you are not beholden to me,” Her eyes dipped lower for a moment, those violet eyes darting back up with a hint of hesitance, “But… I do hope we can see each other again.”

 

“Heh, only known me for a few hours and you’ve already fallen for my charms?” Kiana grinned.

 

Mei snatched her hand away, red blooming on her cheeks, “I was trying to be understanding!”

 

“Hehe I know, Mei,” Her energy died down once more, “Thank you. I enjoyed our short time together, and I’m sure we’ll meet again sooner than we think.” She ended with a wink, “Here, give me your phone.”

 

Mei fished the device from her pocket, unlocked it, and handed it to the Valkyrie. Kiana searched for a moment before rapidly typing away. A moment later the phone was back in Mei’s hands.

 

“There,” Kiana grinned, “Now you can get in touch whenever you’d like.”

 

“I shall certainly take you up on that,” Mei smiled, “I must go now,” she added apologetically, “May the silver light brighten your path, Kiana Kaslana.”

 

“Thanks, you too, Mei.”

 

As the Kaslana sullenly walked down the short set of stairs leading up to the temple entrance, Mei unlocked her phone once more. There sitting in her contacts was a new entry, the number sitting under the name “Kiana~ <3”.

 

Me smiled and tucked the device back in her pocket, “A day to remember, huh?” She murmured to herself, “I hope you're right, Kiana. I hope you're right.”

 


 

The preparations lasted for hours. The whole day was a holiday for the followers of the Herrscher of Finality, however the main event, a ritual, would not happen until the moon was high in the sky. Throngs of worshippers would need much food, places to shelter from the sun, and priestesses to lead the people in worship and activities that had been set up around the place (it is said the Moon Goddess greatly appreciates fun). Mei, however, would be preparing for said ritual instead of participating in the dancing and merry making taking place outside the temple doors. It was tedious, power intensive, and would take all day. When priestesses, like Mei, showed enough aptitude for both Honkai resistance and the rudimentary ability to manipulate Honkai Energy- from the slight godly favor all priestesses of Finality received- they would inevitably be roped into assisting with such things. However, when it came to something such as this, a ritual that would give them a chance to use Honkai Energy to call for their Goddess herself to grace their presence for a time, Mei didn’t mind the exhaustion that came from slowly drawing out the energy from the aether.

 

By the time she was able to exit the temple, the golden rays of the sun had been replaced by the comforting cold light of the moon. The view outside was breathtaking. The massive courtyard was filled with a huge crowd of people all dressed in varying garbs designed to show their fealty to the Goddess of the Moon. Purple patterned with stars, shirts or robes designed in the likeness of trailing arms of stars being pulled down into the diamond-shaped star of finality, or moon flower decorations. The black and purple-tinted flowers were often found at places the planet had felt the Moon Goddess’s power and found in depictions of the Goddess herself and had become a favorite of her devotees.

Together with the other priestesses, they pulled wide the massive doors and revealed the interior for all to see. Mei took a step into the moonlight to the cheers of an exultant crowd, a satisfied smile plastered on her face. As the doors locked into place, box shaped protrusions on either side of the door frame came to life with a gentle hum. Devices that would absorb any excess or wayward honkai energy should the priestesses lose control. While rudimentary, as a collective they could perform feats with Honkai energy only rivalled by the battlesuits and honkai powered weapons of the Schicksal Valkyries, however Honkai energy’s danger should never be underestimated. Mei and her companions raised their arms and threw their focus deep within to that familiar tug in their guts. 

As the edges of their consciousness dipped ever so slightly into the primeval current that was the Honkai, a swirling pink energy seemed to manifest from the dim light inside the temple. A tightly coiled orb of Honkai energy coalesced and lit the inside of the building. The Energy swirled in place above an altar set on a circular platform raised one stair high with staircases on either side leading up to a platform that stretched out just enough that one who stood at its edge would be almost right above the altar. There at the precipice, stood the High Priestess. Together, with the priestesses lined down the stairs to the entryway, they moulded the energy to their will, bending and twisting and threading it through the air. It gently flowed out of the temple like whisps of smoke on a gentle breeze, snaking its way over an enraptured crowd as they sang praises to the Herrscher of Finality, the Moon Goddess, protector of humanity and Queen of the Honkai. They raised their hands in a supportive mimicry of the priestesses, like if they could stretch high enough to touch the ethereal whisps of pink energy they could reach the heavens and the Goddesses themselves. Slowly but surely, the ribbons of Honkai energy were drawn to the statue of the moon in the center of the courtyard. 

The power the priestesses held tightly coiled at the edge of their minds hummed in Mei’s ears. A deep, bassy droning that seemed to rumble down to her very soul. The others always said the Honkai scared them. That it felt like they were balancing on the edge of a precipice of flame, the malevolent energy ready to consume them entirely at the most minute slip. Mei had never confided in them that each time she gently dipped her fingers into the currents of this destructive energy channeled by the gods it felt… comforting. Like the warm embrace of an old friend. She recognized the danger of course, but she couldn’t help but be enthralled by the almost energizing effect these tendrils of destruction had upon her psyche.

 

The whisps of energy reached the statue, and thus began the next part of the ceremony. The honkai energy was infused into the statue, the stone moon’s craters and cracks beginning to glow that same vibrant pink like veins of Honkai corruption. Slowly but surely the entirety of the Honkai kept tame by the priestesses was confined within the statue, and the High Priestess appeared in the entranceway to the temple, her voice booming unnaturally loud thanks to a device she held to her throat.

 

“On this day! We celebrate another year passed since our Goddess returned to us! For centuries we were left blind, our world darkened as the Herrscher of Flamescion ventured into the void between worlds! Regardless, we kept our faith! And we were rewarded with the return of our Goddess! A protector that tamed wild Honkai beasts and drained the harmful radiation from sites of the Honkai Impacts! Without her we could not flourish despite the dangers of this world, as we do now! So we celebrate! We celebrate the day the Herrscher of Finality truly became Goddess of Moon and Soil! Pray! And give up your thanks to the Goddess! That she might hear your words and grace us with her presence and her blessing!”

 

A low hum began picking up in the ears of all present. The very air seemed heavy with anticipation as the statue of the moon shook, the grating sound of grinding stone drawing all attention to it as it twisted and rose from its base. It hovered a few meters above the now detached and exposed water pipes, its role as a simple fountain put to rest for the night. Shouts and prayers lifted from the crowd, everyone present fervently praying for their Goddess to hear their words. To grant them grace, for even the sight of such a being was more than any mortal could ever dream of. The Honkai infused moon hummed with power, the Honkai energy swirling within a testament to the focus and training of Mei and her companions. Seconds became minutes. Mei felt a bead of sweat tickle the corner of her eye, the strain of keeping such a large amount of Honkai tamed beginning to weigh on the priestesses.

 

“Girls,” The voice of the high priestess came at a measured, if strained tone, much quieter so that only the priestesses may hear, “Prepare to banish the Honkai back to whence it came. We must beg the Goddess to forgive us, for it seems we are not worthy of her presence.”

 

They waited a moment more. The moon remained where it was, the Honkai writhing against its mental confines. The High Priestess opened her mouth and Mei prepared to use her remaining energy to force the Honkai back into oblivion.

 

"I hope Kiana's okay." The thought ran, unbidden, through her mind.

 

The gasping of the crowd tore their attention away as a shifting of the pink light illuminating the courtyard at first brought with it a fear that they had lost control. Then second, amazement. A wave of mental relief flowed through the Priestesses of Finality as control of the glowing energy was gently wrested from their grasp. The statue became a light show as the honkai energy coalesced at the top before bursting forth, a brilliant pillar of pink light stabbing into the sky with such force it punched a hole straight through the clouds.

 

“We did it!” The High Priestess cried out, her words thick with reverence and a relief that carried with it decades of struggle, “She has heard us! In all my years I never thought I…” The shouting and merriment of the crowd drowned out her words to all but those positioned closest to her. 

Mei couldn’t help but bow her head in silent agreement. That she should see the Goddess herself make an appearance within her lifetime? After almost two centuries of absence from the mortal eye? It was almost unbelievable.

 

Pulses of energy ran down the pillar of Honkai energy, as if drawing down the heavens themselves. Mei looked on in silent rapture as the base of the pillar exploded in brilliant white light, a figure silhouetted against it. Pink sparkles rained down upon the gathering, little twinkling things like the lights of fireflies that carried with them the same sense of wonder. They landed harmlessly against clothing, brick, and skin alike, bursting into a tiny flare of light before disappearing. The glow of the Honkai within the statue gained a softer tone and illuminated large swathes of the courtyard and those within.

Standing on top was a woman. Clad in white, she appeared as if to be wearing a tattered dress, one that gave hints to the elegant ballroom gown it may have once been. Now reduced to little more than a tail of clothing flapping in the wind behind her. At her side were two wing-like shapes. Rounded and organic they were almost like the spines of bird feathers in appearance, coming to a point where their tips nearly touched and the rest spread out like a fan forming four points. They hovered next to her and the space between each of these spines was alight in the same pink and amethyst energy forming three brilliant vertical ribbons of fire. That same amethyst energy flowed on the underside of her dress, white points of light remaining still as the woman shifted, as if the fire of her dress and her wings burned a window into an ethereal realm.

The torso of her dress clung tightly to her skin, otherworldly plating forming armor along her body, the sharp points and edges of black tattoos peeking out from under the fabric, perfectly lining and accenting it as if they were part of the outfit itself. A sash of starry purple fabric drooped across the front left of her hips, the belt that seemed to hold it in place snaking around her waist, the arrow-shaped segmented material that hung off her hips defying gravity in a way that reminded Mei of a tail. Familiar purple flowers ran from her right shoulder across her collar before ending just before her underarm and continuing down her side to her hips, just like the pattern on Mei’s own clothing. Her shoes were brilliant white heels, the thick sole giving them a chunkier appearance. A decoration of four stars arced above the top of the left foot, and the lip ending just above her ankles had hints of lace decoration peeking from beneath them. Matching this peek of decoration was the two bridal garters around her left thigh. As her eyes rose higher, Mei could hardly put to words the beauty that met her eyes. Her face perfect in every way, cerulean eyes alight with a four-pointed pink star in place of both irises and glowing with power. Her snow-white hair was cut into bangs that were brushed to her left, a small piece falling just between her eyes. The rest was gathered up into a cascading ponytail held in place by a tie connected to a silver tiara that sat lopsided where it held her hair in place. Her hair fell down her back and all the way to just above her ankles. Halfway down the ethereal white faded into the pink and then amethyst of Honkai energy. Hands stained the same dark purple brushed some of her hair out of the way, her right hand covered in a gauntlet of white metal.

 

Mei was, quite simply, too stunned by her beauty to speak.

 

The uproar of the crowd quieted as she held her hands up and slowly lowered them, palm facing the ground as a request to quiet down, “Thank you, thank you!” She began. Her voice sounded much more youthful than Mei expected, her wavering tone making her sound more like a nervous public speaker than a goddess, “Um,” she cleared her throat, “I have watched for many years! As you have offered up your prayers, your worries, your hopes, and your fears. And so uh… I believe it would be unbecoming of me to not reward your faith. Tonight, I will bless one amongst your number. They will receive my protection, my wisdom, and be granted a fraction of my power.”

Her eyes darted around as the crowd failed to respond with anything but shouts and cries of amazement as they prostrated themselves in worship.

 

Mei quickly dropped to one knee in reverence and she swore the Herrscher of Finality looked right at her.

 

The Goddess took a step off the statue, the spot where her foot would land if she was on flat ground halting just the same as a platform of pink energy blossomed to life beneath her foot with a plink like falling rain. She continued onwards, each new step blossoming as she walked over the crowd. All either watched on or lowered their heads in silent prayer as the mere presence of the Herrscher seemed to charge the air with a restless energy. Slowly but surely she walked over the crowd. Directly towards the temple. Plink. Plink. Plink. A steady march where each step made Mei’s heart pound in her chest until she could hardly bear it, bowing her head as her Goddess approached. She could vaguely sense the steps lowering down, the Goddess approaching the priestesses near the entrance to her temple. Plink. Plink. Plink. Plink.

 

Until they stopped right next to her.

 

“Please rise, Raiden Mei.”

 

The words were like thunder in her ears, her heart beating violently in her ribcage like a prisoner pounding against her prison bars. Eyes wide, Mei struggled to make her body obey her commands. The air around the Herrscher felt… heavy. Like her mind was struggling to comprehend the existence of the being in front of her. Her lungs fought to suck in enough air as she pushed herself to her feet. Until she met her Goddess’s eyes and it all fell away like a heavy cloak falling from her shoulders. They shone like precious gems, beacons burning away her worries and fear.

 

The Moon Goddess smiled and tilted her head curiously. A mischievous glint in her eyes that seemed startlingly familiar. Mei could swear she was about to faint.

 

“The woman who rejected the Herrscher of Thunder to serve in my temple instead,” It was not a question.

 

Mei swallowed thickly and managed to nod in agreement, vaguely registering that she was taller than the Goddess in front of her.

 

The Herrscher took a step back. Far enough to give her the room to bow slightly, the smile still on her face. A honkai-stained hand reached out, palm up and fingers opened and inviting.

 

Mei’s own hand shook in her nervousness, but she managed to lay her hand in that of her Goddess’s.

 

And the world vanished.

Chapter 2: Memories May Fade But The Heart Will Always Remember

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Some old folktales and ancient texts speak of a time before Gods. A time when the planet of Halifax truly belonged only to humanity. Ancient murals- now known only to the bravest explorers that venture deep into Honkai irradiated territory- depict a time before even Honkai beasts. A time when humanity spread across the planet, forming the foundations of the myriad of cultures and civilizations to come.

Yet as they advanced, so too did the Honkai beasts appear. Strange creatures clad in snow-white chitin armor riddled with veins glowing pink with a malevolent energy. Energy that could easily kill a man when many were in close proximity.. Women, while bearing a greater resistance to this energy, would nevertheless succumb to the same fate with enough exposure. Those with enough innate resistance may lose their minds, becoming little more than shambling corpses that aid the beasts in their violent rampages. Seeing female warriors turned against their own people by the Honkai twisting their minds into servants of destruction was not an uncommon sight. They were just as agile as in life, some even becoming more dangerous as the Honkai coursing through their veins gave these walking corpses strength and speed beyond normal humans.

Humanity would develop crude new weapons, ones that could use this powerful energy against the very beasts that carried it. Schicksal and its churches launched crusade after crusade into lands long thought lost. For a time, humanity raised its fist in triumph over the beasts of Honkai, believing they could once again flourish in the face of danger.

 

The discovery of beings known as Herrschers changed everything. Gods that could control pieces of reality like the void, fire, and gravity and gained power from those humans that embodied aspects like justice, righteous vengeance, duty, and loving protection. Incredible abilities that could overwhelm humanities defences in an instant, and appearances heralded by a massive explosion of Honkai energy that would inevitably lead to a massive swarm of Honkai beasts and the irradiation of the surrounding area for miles. No matter the Herrscher, these Honkai Eruptions were devastating. Humanity was merely lucky that some of these gods, like the Herrscher of Reason, would rather protect and guide humanity than subjugate or destroy it. For there was little humanity at the time could have done to stop them. 

The Herrscher of Finality was the most powerful of them all. Records in the Grand Library of Schicksal detail how she appeared after the disappearance of the Herrscher of Flamescion, and would fearlessly face down beings even other Herrschers were hesitant to fight, such as the Herrscher of the Void and the most powerful Imaginary Husks. Ancient texts tell of her similar appearance to the Herrscher of Flamescion. Even her power over those same aspects of the world. But the Herrscher had never satiated humanity’s curiosities, and so there were some that believed the Herrscher of Flamescion was still alive somewhere in the universe. Off the battlefield, she of the Moon would aid those around her with incredible feats of healing and blessed those that followed her with the ability to manipulate Honkai energy without the use of ancient technology like a Valkyrie Battlesuit. She drained irradiated sites of Honkai Impact and Herrscher birth of their dangerous energy, allowing humans to step foot in these lands without great preparation for the first time in millennia (though this power did not come without cost and had to be used sparingly according to the Herrscher). The Herrscher of Finality quickly became one of humanity's most revered figures.

 

And so it made no sense to Mei as to why she was now staring at that same Goddess lounging on a couch and slurping up a bowl of instant noodles.

 

“I- w-what? Where am I? Why are you…?”

 

The Herrscher tilted her chin up in greeting, a bit of noodle still drooping from her lips, “‘Sup? Don't worry if you're a little disoriented, I had a piece of me go down to your celebration to bring you back here.”

 

“Here?”

 

“Yeah!” The Herrscher smiled, “Look!” She pointed to her left and Mei finally noticed the massive windows on the far wall.

 

Mei's eyes widened as she took it all in. Beyond the windows was the darkness of the void. A beautiful vast array of twinkling pinpricks of light shone back at her, and in the middle of it was a massive object taking up the majority of her vision. A mix of blues, greens, and browns, a planet- HER planet- was suspended in the void. Mei could hardly believe her eyes as they traced over Halifax's vast deserts, forests, and deep oceans. Just enough of the planet was shrouded in darkness she could see the beginnings of the patterning of city lights that shone all the way from the planet's surface.

 

“Pretty cool, huh?”

 

“I-” Mei gulped down deep breaths, a shaky arm supporting her against the wall, “This is all… a little overwhelming.”

 

“Hm,” the Herrscher frowned, “Yeah, I guess that's to be expected, I did kinda just show up and teleport you to the moon.”

 

Mei sunk to the floor as her legs seemed to lose all of their strength, “Why- Why me?” She questioned quietly.

 

“Well I've been meaning to get more involved in the mortal realm again,” The Herrscher began, a pleased look overtaking her, “And I figured ‘Why not respond to one of these rituals requesting my presence that's always tugging at the back of my mind?’ So I did! Though I have to admit,” The Herrscher put her meal down on the table before her and jumped to her feet so she could make her way over to Mei, “I was a little biased in my choice. I've had an eye on you. I may be a bit out of the loop but I still know what a big deal it is for a Raiden to refuse to dedicate themselves to the Herrscher of Thunder!”

 

“She's been watching me…” Mei mumbled to herself. She gracefully pushed herself to her feet, and then louder, “You've been watching me this whole time?”

 

The Herrscher winked and made finger guns with her hands, “Yup! What, did you think your ability for controlling Honkai energy came from nowhere? I keep an eye on all my priestesses. Especially the cute ones!” She eyed the wide eyed priestess for a moment, “Ryoma was probably pissed , huh?”

 

“You-” She paused to steady herself, “Of course. Of course you know my father.”

 

“Well,” The Herrscher pressed a finger to her chin in thought, “The Ryoma I actually knew is a few dozen centuries too old to be your dad, but from what I’ve seen the Raiden Ryoma of this time generally has the same temperament. For better and worse. He’s a bit more on the asshole side this time.”

 

Mei took in a deep breath through her nose, steadying her racing heart. After a moment she took as relaxed of a stance as she could manage, her hand instinctively resting on the pommel of her katana.

 

The Moon Goddess smiled, “Well now that it seems you’ve collected yourself, I suppose I should get a bit more serious and get down to business, hm?”

 

Mei nodded, her expression growing hard as she steeled herself, “I am at your command, My Lady.”

 

“Okay, maybe not that serious.” Her Goddess frowned, “But… I do need to inform you of a few things. As you know I haven’t been around much recently. That’s not an accident, there are other things that have been requiring my attention. And so I must admit that my desire to confer a blessing upon one of my adherents is partially a selfish wish on my part. This is not just me telling the world I like you or something. I mean, it is, but that’s not the point. I am granting you a portion of my power. You will- to put it simply- become an effective weapon against the Honkai as well as a symbol, for no doubt you will gain fame and notoriety from this. But…” The Herrscher looked away, a light bite to her lip.

 

“What is it, my Goddess?” Mei questioned softly, “Whatever it is I swear I will do my utmost to fulfill your expectations.”

 

A smile flashed across her lips before settling back into an intense stare. The Herrscher seemed to be debating something. The soft glow of power in her eyes held an otherworldly sensation that caused an uncomfortable twisting in her gut whenever she tried to meet them. It was as if something in her mere presence near Mei wanted her to feel unworthy. The fathomless abyss of Honkai energy swirling just under the surface beckoned to her with Honkai stained hands, if she would only reach out and grab it. Maybe then she would find her worth.

Mei blinked, a strange rush of disappointment rippling across her skin as she resisted this pull.

 

The Herrscher of Finality studied her for but a moment before holding out a closed fist. Palm up, she slowly uncurled her fingers. Sitting in her palm was a small darkened octagonal shaped gem, the light catching its edges revealing a dark and lifeless purple hiding within, “I have no right to ask this of you, Raiden Mei.”

 

The longer she stared at the gem and listened to the hesitation in her Goddess’s voice the more a strange sensation settled into the pit of her stomach. The gem looked dead but even with her comparatively pathetic ability to sense Honkai energy she could almost feel the gem waiting to brighten with life once more. Even just looking at it in the Herrscher’s hand, it seemed to carry an unbearable weight and responsibility. And yet… 

“What is it… My Lady?”

 

“This… is a Herrscher gem,” The Moon Goddess’s eyes fell to the gem for a moment before flicking back up to Mei, “It was entrusted to me by the most special person in my life. This is a physical representation of our power. One that has yet to awaken its full potential. This is a gem of Conquest. A fraction of the Herrscher of Thunder's power.”

 

Mei's lips parted ever so slightly as the words struck her dumb, “The Herrscher of Thunder?”

 

“Yes,” The Herrscher smiled, “I think she would have wanted you to have this. Just think of it as… her acknowledgement of you. For carving your own path.”

 

The priestess accepted the gift with practiced reverence, cradling the gem in her hands, “The Herrscher of Thunder hasn't been seen or heard from in decades. Even my father has given up hope of ever communicating with her again.”

 

The Moon Goddess winced, “I'm sorry, I… I'm not at liberty to say any more. Let this serve as a reminder she has not abandoned Halifax. Become our chosen, Raiden Mei. Wield the power of Thunder and Finality both. I sense dark clouds on the horizon, and with many of us predisposed, humanity may need to rise to the occasion once more.”

 

Mei gripped the gem of conquest tightly. A moment. Then two. A sigh spilled from the priestess's lips, “They never said my life in your service would be easy,” She breathed deeply, and held the gem in her closed fist against her heart, “I accept, My Lady.”

 

The Herrscher's smile softened in relief, “Good. May I see the gem for a moment?”

 

Mei handed the gem back to the Goddess, who gripped its edges so she could face the flatter face towards Mei. Within moments a light flared to life within the gem of conquest, its crystal lattices beginning to shine with a brilliant purple light, “Now, you may feel strange for a bit when you get back. Your body will need time to adjust to having two Herrscher gems. But don’t fret-” The Herrscher stepped forward and cradled her shoulders with her free arm. Before Mei could think to question the sudden closeness, her other arm suddenly shot forward and pressed the gem into the center of Mei’s chest. The Priestess’s mouth fell agape as a burning sensation drilled into her senses. Her body tried to bend forward and her arms tightened and seized up against the melting hot pain as her Goddess slowly pushed it deeper and deeper into her skin. As darkness edged into her vision, a finger pressed against a spot right next to the gem and another blinding hot wave of paint rippled through her. Her Goddess’s last words just barely flitted into her mind.

 

“I will always watch over you… Mei.”

 


 

Bright.

 

That was the next sensation in her senses.

 

It was so bright.

 

Vague shapes moved in the distance, silhouetted by this blinding radiance. Her muscles tensed, her eyes attempted to close, and yet she could not move. A jumble of voices echoed around her. A chaotic swirl of talking and laughter and shouts that made it impossible to make out specific words. Her chest burned unrelentingly, the pain making it even more difficult to think. As she fought, her limbs gradually became more and more mobile. Like her movements were lagging behind her thoughts, or trying to drag herself through thick molasses. 

She could feel the Herrscher gem… no… gems in her chest pulsing with power. She tried to ignore the glimpses she got of angular pink veins running up her skin as she moved her arms to wade through whatever force was holding her back.

 

The further she walked, the more her vision was filled by ribbons of pink energy flowing past her. The wind whistled in her ears, gradually picking up speed. Everything whipped past her faster and faster, the voices growing louder and more garbled until nothing was left but the waves of Honkai energy flying past her and a roaring all consuming noise in her ears. The light grew brighter, the white in front of her seeming to inch forwards, consuming more and more of her vision until everything in all her senses reached a grand overwhelming crescendo.

 

And then it all vanished.

 

In the darkness, she stumbled. Voices flitted past, some supportive, some sad, some derisive. Every time Mei felt she had nearly grasped their meaning before they slipped through her fingers and disappeared back into the darkness. She stepped forward… and met open air.

 

Down.

 

Down.

 

Down.

 

Down she tumbled.

 

Her hair whipped against her face, unseen in the pitch darkness. A pinprick of light still shone above her. A star watching over her. One that winked with a sparkling light, illuminating the darkness as it descended. A strange feeling of peace washed over her as the light continued its descent towards her. She was… relieved. Comforted. Whatever this thing of light was, she trusted it implicitly. By the time it was only a couple meters above her it seemed to suddenly grow limbs, the light forming a white silhouette of a woman, her own arm stretched out towards her own. Its smooth descent culminated in a shining hand clasping her own. She was pulled up.

 

And suddenly the world had taken shape around her.

 

Despite the instant change of scenery and sudden solid ground beneath her feet, Mei did not feel a rush of disorientation. Instead her mind was instantly drawn to the view before her. Atop the roof of a run down concrete building, a chain link fence warped with age ran around the perimeter of the building’s edge. A large hole in one section of the fence next to her stood out from the more natural decay. The scent of plantlife and the damp musty smell of the rundown building filled her nose. Beyond the fence was a beautiful sunset of reds and yellows bathing a sunken city in its light. Skyscrapers half drowned and leaned over on its neighbour, rubble floating in the current, nature slowly overtaking everything above the water including rickety constructions that seemed to have been built by people still occupying the city. A gentle breeze caressed her cheek, her hair flowing as if fingers were running through it to admire its beauty.

Mei’s bodily control had been lost once more, the woman feeling a strange detachment from the movements of her body like she was watching through a window instead of her own eyes.

It was at that moment that the hand holding her own squeezed and her head turned to the person she now realized had been standing next to her all along.

The girl was clad in a white top paired with black shorts, her body criss crossed by a haphazard collection of a few belts holding pouches and ammo. A short black cape covered her shoulders, the left side emblazoned with the border of a hollow white star. The rest of the cape and inside of the star was also a deep black. Strangely familiar icy blue eyes gazed back at her with a tenderness that made her heart ache with longing. Her brain desperately searched for the information that would place why she felt such a familiarity with these eyes and the white-haired woman they belonged to, yet she could not find an answer. The longing in her heart seemed to dig deeper like a gaping wound. The gem in her chest throbbed with pain in step with her heart. Even more so when the woman spoke and affection washed over her in such an incredible wave her eyes welled with moisture and she became afraid she might burst into tears.

 

“It’s been a long time since we were last here, huh?” The girl commented quietly. Her gaze returned to the city spreading out below them with a small smile on her face, “So much has happened since then…”

 

Mei felt her mouth form around her own response, “Indeed.”

 

“Do we…” The girl hesitated and turned back to her, eyes low before looking up at her with pleading eyes, “Have to part ways again? Here and now?”

 

Mei squeezed the gloved hand resting in her grip, “No,” Out of the corner of her eye she was just able to catch the girl looking up with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes. Mei’s head turned to meet her gaze with a confidence that didn’t feel entirely foreign, “We will stay together until the end this time.”

 

The girls hesitant, hopeful expression blossomed into a brilliant smile. Her own joy rose from her chest and bloomed into a smile of her own. 

 

A beautiful, peaceful moment that ended with a violent clap of thunder. 

 

Her surroundings changed just as quickly as the thunder shook her bones. In an instant she found her body wet from rain, though none was currently falling. Her emotions suddenly dropped into a deep melancholy rippling against an even more intense wall of determination. She remained on the same rooftop, however the fence now lacked its conspicuous hole. Her clothing was much the same, a black and white bodysuit and white leggings with black armor protecting the back of her wrists and red plating protecting her left hip.

She took all this in within seconds as her body moved to dodge a fist flying at her face. The braids of white hair flying behind her opponent made her heart ache as her body deflected another attack and shot her arm out to clamp her hand around the girl’s neck.

 

“Give up.” The deep tone of her voice was alien to her. A flat, serious tone that left no room for the warmth she had experienced just seconds before. She threw the girl in her grip to the side, easily tossing her across the rooftop. She did not look, but she could hear as the girl’s body hit the ground and bounced into the fence from the force of the throw. Lightning arced around her, the reality of the unbelievable power flowing through her body only enhancing the strange detached feeling she was experiencing. Despite having just tossed a full grown human with one hand her muscles felt no strain. Having a moment to think about it, even dodging the woman’s attacks had been ridiculously easy and hadn’t even made her break a sweat.

 

The sound of shoes scraping against concrete brought her attention back to the present, “I’m not letting you go!” A familiar voice shouted, though it was now laced with a deep hurt that twisted her gut.

 

Her gaze raised to the overcast sky before she rolled her eyes to the side to watch the woman attempt to stand, “How?” She questioned flatly, “You can barely stand.”

 

“With… my fists!”

 

No matter what the woman did, she was easily able to counter. Dodging, grabbing, tripping. She remained on the defensive, almost casually letting the girl wear herself out. At one point she had managed to grab Mei’s leg, her right eye shifting into a golden-orange and pink veins of Honkai corruption forming along the same side of her neck. The instant she saw that eye, a vicious fury rippled through her body. The rest was a blur, electricity running through her body as she went on the offensive. By the time the fuzzy disorientation faded from her mind she was pinned in place by a forest of black and white spears piercing the ground such that they restrained her limbs between them. A final lance hovered in the air before her, its tip mere centimeters from her neck.

 

“This is my… mission.”

 

Mei lifted her gaze to the sky as a brilliant bolt of lightning lit up the clouds, “Maybe this is for the greater good…” She tensed her left arm, the power coursing through her veins allowing her to easily crack- and then break- the lances pinning them in place. Her now freed arm gripped the lance poised at her neck. Her voice grated against her throat as she desperately cried, “But how can I pretend this is the right thing?” She leaned forward as the words fell from her lips, the lance tip drawing a gash against her pale skin before her shaking hand pushed it to the side. Her eyes could finally refocus on the white-haired girl. Her clothing had changed, the exotic white and black bodysuit adorned with six tails trailing from her waist and purple highlights. Her left eye once again shone that golden-orange.

 

“Mei… don’t!” The girl pleaded.

 

“I only know…” She closed her eyes, her head bowing and teeth grit as she squeezed the lance in her grip. Tighter and tighter until it shattered to pieces. She looked up. The girl before her was utterly distraught, her mouth open from her pleading words, a despairing edge to the lines around her eyes. Her arm stretched out as if to grab Mei. As if to pull her out of this swirling maelstrom of despair and resignation. But Mei knew she could not take her hand. She would remain resolute. For her… it was all for her. Her voice raised into a shout, the rain around her halting its descent as a building electrical charge in the air exploded, “The world means nothing to me without you!”

 

Her world was filled with a flash of lightning, the thunder roaring in her ears just as her determination to save the woman she loves tore at her heart.

 

Until the light was split by the clash of blades.

 

In a blink Mei found herself astride a blood soaked battlefield, her katana locked with a straight sword. The Void Knight before her- information that seemed to appear in her mind the moment she needed it- disappeared in a flash. Mei spun, using her momentum to swing her blade around just in time to intercept the next attack as the knight appeared from a portal right behind her. The power core of her Valkyrie battlesuit whined under the effort of repelling a void blessed warrior. The Honkai energy powering the suit echoed in her head like a dull roar as she pushed the sword to the side and dragged the blades across each other as she slid past her opponent’s guard and slashed open the weak neck joint of their armor. Her electrified katana, designed to overcome the near impenetrable chitinous armor of Honkai beasts, cleaved through chainmail that would have halted an ordinary blade. Before her opponent's body had touched the ground she adjusted her grip and expertly parried a Honkai beast that sought to gore her on its lance.

Before she could strike back, the bark of bullets biting through Honkai armor tore through the beast in front of her. The thing quickly disintegrated into angular pink dust.

 

“Mei! There you are!”

 

Just beyond where the Honkai beast had once stood was that white-haired girl again. Clad in the same white bodysuit accented with black and star-like orange pattering as the girl she had just fought on the rooftop. Her hair was held in the same two familiar braided pigtails down her back.

 

“Kiana!” Her mouth moved on its own once again, despite the shock reverberating through her core at the words coming from it. She waved the girl into cover and they both ducked behind a nearby boulder, “We can’t stay here, the Herrscher of the Void’s forces are going to overrun us!”

 

“Ahhh don’t worry!” The girl brushed off Mei’s worries, “We have the strength of a hundred warriors when Mei’s around!”

 

“Kiana, I’m no super woman.”

 

The girl grinned, “I mean when Mei’s around she gives me the strength of a hundred warriors!”

 

Mei shook her head, not giving in to the girl’s antics, “Kiana even with the strength of a hundred, facing a Herrscher head on would be certain death. We need to regroup.”

 

Kiana’s smile faltered, “I don’t know how many others there are to regroup with. We need to find Bronya,” Her voice fell to a horrified murmur, “Even that brat doesn’t deserve what I saw the Herrscher of the Void do to the others…”

 

Mei opened her mouth to respond when Kiana’s head suddenly snapped up, “Kiana? What’s wrong?”

 

“It’s the gem.” Kiana’s eyes seemed to search for something, even through the boulder next to them, “I only noticed it after all this went down, but when she’s physically present I can… sense her.”

 

Kiana’s eyes continued to shift until they settled back on Mei. The white-haired girl’s eyes widened in shock. That same instant the air surrounding the two girls seemed to warp and shift, growing heavier. More… alien. An unnatural, absolute silence fell over them despite the battle continuing to rage around them. The very atmosphere around them felt wrong . The voice that broke this silence made every hair on Mei’s body stand on end and an all consuming, primal dread settle in her stomach.

 

“Found you, traitor.”

 

“Mei, watch out!”

 

Before Kiana had finished, the multilayered, otherworldly voice that had appeared behind her spurred the Valkyrie into action. Her legs tensed and she dove to the side just as a black and white lance darted through the area she once stood and gouged out a large chunk from her pauldron.

 

“Mei- Ghhk!”

 

Mei rolled to her feet, sword at the ready, only to be met with a horrifying sight. Long purple hair flowed past the feet of the figure before them, pointed bangs framing brilliantly glowing golden-orange eyes. Said eyes were set into the face of a girl a few years younger in appearance than either Valkyrie, her body clad in clothing wrapping across her body like white and purple ribbons, their ends forming a skirt shaped like multiple wings covering down to her middle thigh, the wings collapsed in and feathers held close like old depictions of mythical seraphims. Four longer ends flowed from the back of the skirt, forming four flat tail-like ends several meters long that each ended in four-pincered claws. A cream-colored eye decorated the tails just before it split into the claws. The girl’s arms were covered in long purple gloves that travelled up to her bicep, the fingers and highlights along the edge of her clothing’s wing-like shoulders colored pink like Honkai energy. Her feet did not touch the ground, the girl hovering above the earth with little apparent effort.

Her mere presence seemed to thin the air. A prickling along her skin as this otherworldly being warped and twisted the very space around her, golden portals opening into a black void around her. The tips of more spears poked through their boundary. Pointed squarely at Kiana. Her young frame belied a horrific strength as the girl had easily darted forward and clamped her hand around Kiana’s neck, lifting the Valkyrie completely off the ground.

 

The girl snarled, her rage terrifying even on such a young face, “I granted you my power. I gave you the highest honor I could bestow, and you repay me by joining these pathetic upstarts that dared think they could stand against me!” She shook Kiana like a ragdoll, the girl’s struggle against the Herrscher of the Void’s grip a futile endeavor.

 

“I-I thought you were doing- ngh- the right thing,” Kiana choked out, “But you're just a monster.”

 

The Herrscher's face lit up with renewed fury, “I should have stamped all of you filthy insects out long ago. I will never stop, until all who have betrayed me are nothing but ash! I will never be powerless ever again!”

 

Mei braced herself against the bloodied ground, ready to leap at the Herrscher regardless of her slim chance of survival.

 

Such a moment never arrived, however.

 

Before she could act, an explosion of brilliant flame deafened her ears and blinded her eyes. The tongues of fire danced with brilliant oranges and reds as they licked across her skin. Her vision was filled with red. Nothing but red. A red fire. A red battlesuit. Red hair…

 

With a gasp, Mei opened her eyes just in time for her disoriented brain to recognize her temple- lit up by the midday sun- before she stumbled from a purple-rimmed hole in reality and fell in a heap against hard stone.

She could just make out frantic voices approaching her. Muted and sounding far away as her eyes slowly drifted shut despite her struggle to remain conscious. As a dull pain thudded in her chest and myriad of strange images flashed through her mind, her eyes locked on to an approaching head of braided white hair. Before darkness finally took her, one last coherent thought flashed through her mind as worried cerulean peered down at her:

 

Kiana Kaslana… who are you?

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed the latest installment of this AU! I probably would have had this out sooner but disability and my Many mental health problems love to delay my writing lmao Not to mention Monster Hunter Wilds has completely consumed my time lately. A bit more exposition in this one, and A Lot of... ~strange~ visions. I sure hope this doesn't mean anything for our dear Priestess :) Now that all this setup is done, we can get on to the juicy stuff. The gay stuff. The lesbianism every Honkai fic needs.

Chapter 3: Call of the Abyss

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Dreams are transient like moonlight. Dreams are a gift from the Moon Goddess, they say, who spoke into the dreams of all humanity the day she appeared. Mei had never quite managed to gain the joy and reverence her sisters at the temple had for dreams. While others spoke of the wonderful meaning they could glean from the scraps and trailing whispers that remained when they awoke, Mei could only pray she remembered little upon waking. Her dreams were confusing, frightening things whose cobwebs she quickly shook from herself by morning. 

But sometimes… she did think she could feel that warmth the others spoke of… a light not bright and all consuming like the sun, but a softer, colder light that wrapped around her being like a comforting embrace.

An embrace that always fell away much too quickly as consciousness came back to her like the roar of a raging river.

 

The gasp that tore at her throat sounded more like that of a drowning woman finally breaking the surface, than one simply waking from sleep. Lavender eyes snapped open as awareness overwhelmed her. Immediately she felt an incredible ache throughout her body. A dull pain spread through her limbs from the center of her chest. The slightest movement strained exhausted muscles like she had done the most intense workout of her life. Despite this, she slowly but surely pushed herself up into a sitting position, supporting herself with the pillows she had laid on and the headboard of the bed. Confused eyes cast around her environment, before her groggy brain managed to catch up to what she was seeing. This was… her room? Exhaustion clung to her mind like a fog, her thoughts coming slowly despite her efforts otherwise. Before she could fully regain her bearings, a muffled jumble of voices approaching grabbed at her senses.

 

“-told me that she’s going to be alright.”

 

“And when are they going to tell us what happened to our daughter?”

 

“They- I don’t know… Lets check on Mei first okay?”

 

“Very well.”

 

As the last words were spoken, the door opened and Mei’s gaze was met by the worried eyes of Mifumi and Ryoma Raiden. And a pair of shimmering cerulean eyes. Her head lolled to the side, a bit out of the woman’s control, as her exhausted body failed to maintain the minute control she demanded.

 

“Mei dear!” Her mother cried, “You’re awake!”

 

The trio rushed to the priestess’s bedside, relieved smiles on all their faces. Ryoma gently grasped Mei’s hand, eyes darting from his daughter to Kiana as she circled around to the other side. Mifumi chose to kneel and rest her hand on Mei's shoulder.

 

“Mother, father,” Mei smiled tiredly. She managed to shift just enough for her eyes to meet her visitor, “Kiana?”

 

The girl waved sheepishly, “Hi Mei.”

 

“What are you…?”

 

“Doing here? Well I’m a… compromise,” Kiana’s eyes flicked to Ryoma for a moment, “Your dad wasn’t very happy when the high priestess told him his daughter had turned up at the temple unconscious. He insisted they bring you here. They weren’t very happy or forthcoming with answers but insisted someone familiar with Finality watch over you. Mr. Raiden wasn’t about to let any of them stay, but I’m not a priestess so,” Kiana shrugged, “Here I am. Can’t say I know as much as a priestess but my family has plenty of knowledge of its own.”



Ryoma frowned, “I could not completely refuse them. The worshippers of Finality hold too much influence in this city. However, I was informed that you were seen spending time with this Kaslana.”

 

“Well I think it worked out splendidly,” Mifumi smiled, “Kiana has been a wonderful guest, and quite an attentive caretaker for the last couple days.”

 

Kiana chuckled and sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, a light pink dusting her cheeks, “I-I’m just keeping my word, ma’am.”

 

“Wait,” Mei’s brows furrowed, “Days?”

 

“You’ve been… asleep… for two days now,” Her father answered.

 

“Oh,” Mei simply sat there. What else could she say? The Herrscher of Finality had said it would take time to adjust, but had not given her details. Who’s to say this long sleep was not her body adjusting to the supernatural energies flowing through her veins?

 

“Miss Kaslana,” Ryoma started sharply, “I have been lenient thus far, but now that Mei is awake I must demand you reveal anything you know that may be helpful. The high priestess of Finality has been less than helpful, but my conversations with her have convinced me that they know more than they are telling us.”

 

Kiana exhaled sharply through her nose, “I understand, I won’t avoid it any longer,” Her voice adopted a more serious tone than any Mei had heard from the carefree woman thus far, “I don’t know if I can give you all the answers you want, but Kaslanas are pretty close to Finality.”

 

Ryoma nodded his understanding. Both parents looked on attentively as the white-haired woman took a deep breath before continuing.

 

“First off, your daughter got to meet the Herrscher of Finality-”

 

Ryoma held up a hand, “Stop right there. She what ?”

 

“Uh,” Kiana’s eyes darted nervously between the older Raidens staring at her in disbelief, “Well there was that whole celebration that night and the actual whole ass Herrscher kinda showed up this time, gave a little speech, and then walked right up to Mei and they both disappeared.”

 

“You came back to the celebration?” Mei questioned.

 

“She was chosen ?” Both her parents exclaimed in unison.

 

“W-well I left originally to get Project Bunny back to Bronya so we could help her with a thing we said we’d help with, but we finished faster than we thought so she brought me over just in time to watch all the excitement happen,” Kiana paused to scratch as her cheek with her pointer finger, “Um, anyways, yeah, Goddess chose her. Mei, could you pull up your right sleeve?”

 

Mei looked on in confusion for a moment before the words finally registered. Looking down, her eye was immediately drawn to a pink coloration on her skin just barely peeking out from the edge of her t-shirt. Doing as her friend requested, Mei slowly pulled up the fabric until her shoulder was exposed. Her parents quickly circled the bed to gaze upon Kiana’s discovery. 

Emblazoned on Mei’s skin was a symbol colored the familiar pink of Honkai energy, though not glowing like the veins of corruption normally seen on humans. It took the shape of a four pointed star with a crescent moon arcing around the right side so that only the left-most point was free of its coverage, the points of the moon arcing a bit past the top star point and ending right at the bottom star point. From the outer edge of the crescent protruded a shape like the five points of a tiara, offset just to the left of the moon’s center. From the center star shape were four smaller arms whose bases were a more bulbous, leaflike shape that tapered into two small hearts forming shorter star points at each diagonal. Centered just past the point of the left-most lower diagonal were three solid pink silhouettes in the shape of the flowers of Finality filling the space between the lower and left-most star point, each flower decreasing a bit in size the closer to the left point they were. Their arcing shape added to the overall circular flow of the symbol.

 

“That,” Kiana began, “Is the stigma of the Herrscher of Finality. Basically proof she’s been granted incredible power by the Goddess herself.”

 

“Yes,” Ryoma frowned, “I am aware of what stigma represent.”

 

Mifumi moved as if to touch the stigma only for her fingers to hesitate just above the skin, her brows pulling together in a worried frown, “It doesn’t hurt, does it dear?”

 

Mei shook her head, “No.”

 

Ryoma held a hand to his chin in thought. Narrow eyes locked into the girl who had identified the symbol for what it was, “Miss Kaslana, may I inquire as to how you became privy to such well secured information as to recognize a Herrscher stigma?”

 

Kiana smiled nervously at the man's dangerous tone, “Uh, well, you see, the Kaslanas have dealt closely with Herrschers for a while now, and apparently quite a few of us have personally met Herrschers in the past. All this info is recorded so I kinda… well, Bronya hacked into the Kaslana estate's databases and pulled a bunch of info,” Kiana answered, wincing as she finished, “Honestly most of it was pretty boring but I remember this one because the drawing from one of the old books caught my eye and cuz Bronya was rambling about Herrschers for three days straight.”

 

“Bronya?”

 

“Uh, yeah, she's my best friend and a follower of the Herrscher of Reason.”

 

Ryoma sighed, “Of course.”

 

“There's um… one more thing. Mr. Ryoma. Sir.”

 

Ryoma raised a displeased eyebrow.

 

“So uh, there was something else I noticed while I was trying to make sure Mei was comfortable the other day…” Kiana cringed as everyone in the room locked their gazes onto her, “I kinda saw something peeking up from the waistband of the pajamas Miss Raiden put her in, so I took a look to make sure it wasn't anything bad- pleasedon'tkillme,” she quickly added at the end as Ryoma gave her a distinctly displeased glare and the other two women looked rather scandalized, “Miss Raiden you must've seen it too, right?” Kiana practically pleaded with the woman, “On the upper part of her left thigh?”

 

Mifumi's gaze dropped as she rifled through her memories. After a moment a glint of realization lit in her eyes and her head snapped back up to Kiana, “I wasn't seeing things? That was…”

 

“Yeah,” Kiana nodded, “The stigma of the Herrscher of Thunder.”

 

The silence that blanketed the room was so thick Mei swore she could hear her father's teeth grinding as his jaw clenched. After a moment she took the opportunity to speak up, “There's so many strange things flowing through my head, but… I do remember my meeting with the Goddess…” She began slowly. Keeping a steady rhythm, Mei steadily recounted her conversation with the Herrscher. Despite the persistent fog that seemed determined to delay and obscure her thoughts, she was able to recount the encounter in plentiful detail. Her voice fell away as she finished, her fingers gently pressing at the dulled pain where the gem of conquest had been absorbed into her body.

 

“Damn, white hair and blue eyes? Is the Herrscher of Finality a Kaslana or something? That's pretty crazy! Haha!” Kiana's laugh was much too forced, but the senior Raidens did not seem to notice as they mulled over such overwhelming information. Mei, however, found herself studying the young Kaslana's face closely. Something within her was hesitant to expose the visions she had experienced upon receiving the gems. While disorienting, the events she had witnessed were burned into her mind, reappearing each time she closed her eyes. The way the girl's bangs fell, the braids, her eyes… Every Kaslana was known for their snow-white hair and striking blue eyes, and Kiana was not a rare name among them due to a legendary Kaslana who bore it herself. Despite all that… 

 

Kiana's gaze locked with her own and for a moment Mei could almost see the same pain and sorrow that filled that girl on the rainy rooftop. But hers… they say eyes are a window to the soul, and for just a moment Kiana’s gaze felt so much older and heavier than Mei could fathom. Like she was weighed down by an impossibly heavy burden. And in an instant it was gone. And the bright, carefree Kiana returned once more.

 

“So, the Herrscher of Thunder entrusted such an item to the Finality…” Ryoma murmured, “The records telling of their close relationship were not as fanciful as I originally assumed, it seems,” He returned his gaze to his daughter, eyes softening ever so slightly, “And this pain you spoke of… is it still present?”

 

“No, father,” Mei confirmed, “My whole body feels like I had the workout of a lifetime, but that burning sensation from the gems has long since faded to a dull ache. I can only assume these troubles will fade as my body adjusts to them.”

 

A sudden ringing from Kiana’s pocket interrupted them and Kiana quickly mouthed an apology as she darted away desperately fumbling with the device in her pocket. After several seconds she succeeded in answering her phone. However, her voice still carried to all in the room as she still managed to shout despite holding her voice to a whisper, “What is it? I’m kinda in the middle of something here!” She paused, “What? You’re already outside? Bronya I- No, shush! I told you I don’t know how long I’d be busy helping Mei! What the fuck do you mean we need to go? I told you, I’m not stepping foot back in St. Freya until they unban me from the cafeteria!” Another pause, “...Oh. Uh…” The girl shot an anxious glance back at the Raidens, “Can you distract them or something so I can at least try to finish up here? Thanks Bronya, you’re the best!”

 

“Da, Kiana Idiotka did not even realize I had already infiltrated the premises.”

 

A high pitched, rather girly scream burst from Kiana’s throat. In nearly the same instant both senior Raidens had drawn firearms from within their clothes which were now pointed towards the voice. A shimmer in the air next to Kiana faded into the shape of a young girl with a floating machine twice as large behind her as Bronya and Project Bunny decloaked. Bronya held her hands up in peace, though her neutral expression did not change as she noted the guns now pointed directly at her, “Subject Kiana should know by now that Project Bunny contains audio muffling devices.”

 

“Father! Mother!”

 

“Bronya, you asshole!” Kiana looked like she wanted to say more, but the current situation seemed to suddenly click in her mind and she stepped in between the Raidens and Bronya, “Also, please don’t shoot my friend. This is Bronya.”

 

After a tense moment of eye contact, Ryoma holstered his weapon, Mifumi following suit a moment later. The man eyed the newcomer and her robotic companion with a keen eye, “I doubt I would be able to get past her mechanical companion even if I did shoot. I know better than to underestimate the contraptions of adherents of Reason.”

 

Bronya shrugged and nodded, “I apologize for barging in like this,” She dipped her head to the Raidens in a slight bow, “But-” Bronya cut herself off and glanced to Kiana. The girl winced, clearly receiving some unstated message. Kiana silently gestured towards Mei and Bronya sighed before tapping a few commands on a wrist console built into her battlesuit, “Alright, that should give us another week or so,” Bronya looked back to the other occupants for a moment, her intense stare lingering on Mei, “So this is why you were staying with her? Your new priestess friend seems to have picked up a Herrscher gem or two.”

 

Mei smiled ruefully, “It seems everyone except me knew about this aspect of the Gods. But yes, that is why I am currently bed bound and weak.”

 

“May I?”

 

“You may n-” Ryoma began.

 

“You may,” Mei interrupted, “Father, please let her through.”

 

Ryoma and Mifumi both stepped aside, though her father looked decidedly unhappy about it. There was a soft whine and Bronya's feet gently left the ground, the smaller woman gracefully floating across the ground to Mei's bedside. Bronya seemed to enjoy the astonished looks this received, and for the first time her lips ever so slightly twitched upwards in a smug smile.

 

“It's from special prosthetics on my legs. Walking is difficult, so why even touch the ground?” 

 

“Amazing…” Mifumi breathed.

 

Bronya looked over Mei once more, “Are you feeling extreme muscle soreness and weakness currently? Dull pain where the gems might be? Brain fog?”

 

“Yes to all,” Mei groaned.

 

Bronya nodded, “Kiana knows what she's talking about every once in a while, but despite also having a gem, the dumbass probably forgot one important detail.”

 

Kiana threw up in arms in annoyance, “Hey!”

 

“Language!” Mifuma admonished.

 

Bronya bowed her head in apology, “Obtaining the power of a Herrscher changes your body in ways that, debatably, makes you no longer fully human. Your body needs Honkai energy now. While the gems have microscopic imaginary singularities that will gradually replenish your energy, when you and the gems are first adjusting to each other they might need a little… jumpstart.”

 

“Shit, I did forget about that…”

 

Mei blinked, studiously ignoring the whispers of her parents behind Bronya, “You want me to purposely get irradiated by Honkai energy?”

 

Bronya nodded, “Actually, I have something with me that can help. If that's okay with Mr. Ryoma, of course.”

 

The lines around Ryoma's eyes were tight. However, after a moment he nodded his assent, “Mifumi can feel the touch of the Herrscher of Reason upon you. If you can help our daughter adjust, we would welcome it.”

 

Mei smiled, “Please, Bronya, continue.”

 

A compartment hissed open on Project Bunny and from it Bronya retrieved a rectangular device, “This will help. It's a device I put together designed to release a concentrated burst of Honkai energy. Usually it works as an effective directional EMP, but I believe it may help jumpstart the process of your gems siphoning and storing the Honkai energy you need.”

 

“Your new friends are full of surprises, aren't they, Mei?” Mifumi commented.

 

Bronya shrugged, “You learn a lot as a Valkyrie blessed by Reason. Though I don't think even the Herrscher of Reason could help idiotka.”

 

Kiana made a choked noise that made it clear she could not believe this betrayal, however the girl seemed to think better of trying to talk back and settled for crossing her arms and pouting.

 

“Okay, I must ask that everyone else leave the room. Mei is the only one that needs to be irradiated here. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to Honkai.”

 

The senior Raidens both confirmed their agreement and left. As Kiana passed her however, Bronya gripped her shoulder and pulled the taller girl down to whisper something in her ear. Soon after the girl was released and she disappeared with the click of the shutting door.

 

Mei watched on as Bronya began connecting multiple wires to both the device and Project Bunny, fiddling with what she could only assume were the controls.

 

“So,” Bronya began, “You met a Herrscher in person.”

 

Mei started at the sudden break of silence, “Oh! Y-yes. It was… I don't know. Overwhelming, ethereal, but she was also surprisingly… casual? Nothing like I had imagined a Goddess like her being. And she was… unimaginably beautiful.”

 

Bronya nodded, still fiddling with her device, “The second gem in your body is from the Herrscher of Thunder, isn't it?”

 

Mei's mouth dropped open slightly, her nod of affirmation stiff as her eyes darted around as quickly as her thoughts.

 

“How do I know?”

 

Mei nodded again.

 

“Lets just say I'm on rather good terms with the Herrscher of Reason. But regardless of that, it's fairly well documented by the worshippers of Reason that the Third Herrscher of Reason formed a bit of a trio with the Herrschers of Thunder and Finality. She even told me; Finality is her best friend, but even that paled in comparison to the trust held between Thunder and the Moon. So,” Bronya shrugged again as the device in her hands whirred to life, “People getting multiple gems isn't unheard of, though never two of the same type of gem. If there’s two from the same Herrscher in one body they just kinda fuse into one gem. So it goes to reason that if the Herrscher of Finality gave you two gems, the other is probably from her most trusted… friend.”

 

There was a strange hesitation to the girl's final words, but Mei could not hope to penetrate that steely gaze deep enough to find an answer.

 

“Anyways, it's all set now. Hold still, you might feel a bit dizzy. Like taking in a breath of clean air for the first time in days,” Bronya locked her gaze to the priestess, her emotionless eyes nevertheless communicating an intensity haunted by experience, “I must warn you. Wielding The Honkai is not a joke. It is not easy. It will try to corrupt you, to amplify your strongest emotions so it can twist them into a weapon. Every time you immerse yourself in its strength it will promise you an even greater power, a greater purpose, a chance for vengeance perhaps. Do not listen to its whispers. Do not forget that Honkai's only goal is to wipe out civilization, and is only able to be used as a tool thanks to Herrschers with a strong enough spirit to not succumb to its Will. Show me your will, Raiden Mei.”

 

Mei braced herself, squeezing her eyes closed in anticipation as the whining charge of Bronya's device filled the air. So focused was she on this anticipation that she did not fully register the strange echoing tone Bronya's voice had taken. Nor did she see the way her irises took on an alien, angular pattern as the device was filled with Honkai energy.

One second. Two. And finally, a click followed by an electrical twang like a lightbulb's filament snapping. Almost immediately Mei's entire body flinched backwards like she had just been kicked square in the chest, her breath forcefully expelled from her lungs. The priestess's chest rose rapidly as she gasped and took in a desperate new breath. The dizziness she was warned of washed over her like a tidal wave, the room spinning around her as a strange tingling rush rippled down her body. Vaguely, she realized she had tumbled from her bed, her knees aching where they had slammed into the floor. 

And then, a rush of relief so intense the priestess was forced to struggle against the dark embrace of unconsciousness, as if there was a force sweeping away her exhaustion like obstructions on a riverbed, before filling the waiting space with only the purest, clearest water in a feeling of relief that was overwhelming in its intensity. 

It was then, as this refreshing stream of energy grew into a roaring river that she heard it. A voice beckoning in the back of her mind like you might just barely pick out someone calling out in a crowd. It was a shout carried into the air by the wind, and a faint, fluttering thing in her ear both. She could feel a pull deep in her chest, its influence spreading just like the newly livened Honkai energy spread through her veins. This new life filling her was… intoxicating. She could feel the Honkai energy reinforcing her bones, her muscles, her exhaustion fell away like a shawl drifting from her shoulders. Her muscles contracted and flexed and instinct told her this was a strength beyond any human. It filled her with a confidence and elation that left her breaths shaking. A literal and physical lightning travelling through her body. A euphoric high that threatened to scatter her instinctive resistance to the wind.



She could feel it like an itch in the back of her mind. An almost uncontrollable urge to not restrain herself. To let this unfathomable abyss of energy wash over her like the tide, to let it sweep her up in this ecstatic, chaotic whirl of emotion. To embrace this newfound power in its entirety and revel in this new strength. The gems were only a taste of the potential she could achieve if only she would give in .

 

Return to me .

 

The murmured beckon grated against her skull, the whispering in her ears a choir singing for her elation, for destruction, for the subjugation of those that would try to restrain the fire burning behind her eyes. Through it all, the unprepared priestess could only just muster the barest confusion at the words scraping through her mind.

 

Embrace your right of conquest once again, my vessel. Show this world the might of Thunder and become whole once more. Remember your purpose.

 

Her breathing became labored, each word like a knife gouging chunks from her head. What was she doing? What was her purpose? Her thoughts were jumbled, a chaotic mess spurred on by the devil on her shoulder as she was pushed further and further towards not just dipping her hands into the ocean that was The Honkai, but diving headfirst into its depths. Her purpose…

Her chest throbbed as the familiar dull ache intensified and came to life like an ember granted oxygen, crackling and roaring and growing like a thunderous inferno. Her flailing resistance to these otherworldly forces pounded at her skull. The grasping fingers of her thoughts desperately clawing until they finally latched on to an island of calm within the chaos. The white light of the Moon illuminated the ethereal darkness encroaching on her consciousness. She remembered… no, she always knew what her purpose was. She had known from the moment she stepped foot in the Temple. She was a sword of humanity, the servant of the beings that defended humankind from the horrors beyond the void. The voices that had been singing her encouragement turned to malice as their seductive soprano was resisted by the very humanity that gave it strength.

 

Traitor.

 

Failure.

 

Weakling.

 

Her teeth grit tight, her breaths coming in pained gasps as the voices became scrabbling claws. No longer a calculated pull, but lashing out at the one who dared reject its call. Mei's mind desperately braced itself against this wailing, furious flailing, her own voice meeting its own in rising defiance. The chaos of her thoughts remained, but the memory of cerulean eyes and white hair pushed her forwards. Those visions, while these memories may not belong to her, struck a deep nostalgia within her heart. She was not just a sword. Not just a weapon. She was also Raiden Mei. A human who fought for those around her. For her family, for her friends, for those she only knew as a quick wave and greeting on the street. Just like the white-haired girl in her visions clashing with deadly purple, she would stand defiant until her last breath.

 

Deep in the recesses of her mind, she could almost feel a satisfied grin not entirely her own before it faded back into oblivion.

 

And like a chord had snapped, the chaos and pressure on her mind vanished in a deafening crash of thunder.

 

Her voice, hoarse with the strain of her effort against the forces crashing against her, broke into a shuddering gasp. The sensations did not fully subside, for she could feel the gems humming with a comfortable warmth, however it faded into a manageable and more natural pulsing, a static that darted across her skin and saturated the air around her as it gently faded. The priestess slowly pushed herself to her feet, her mind slowly bringing her present world back into focus. Bronya hovered a few meters away just beyond a blackened blast mark on the floor with an unreadable look in her eyes. Kiana, as well, stood beside Bronya with a smile that appeared meant to be comforting, but instead looked much too melancholic to be convincing. Her parents filled the doorway, relieved smiles unable to hide the way they seemed braced to leap into action, their eyes untouched by their apparent joy.

The air smelled of ozone and sunlight bathed her skin in a gentle warmth, a sensation as confusing to the young priestess as it was welcome.

 

Her rising curiosity lifted her gaze until it was met with the jagged edges of the gaping hole in her ceiling.

 

“Oops,” Mei croaked, “Did I do that?”

 

Bronya too, eyed the gaping ceiling like at any moment more thunder would come raining down. Keeping her eyes on the hole, she leaned over to Kiana, “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

 


 

The sunlight outside the grounds of the Raiden home in Arc city was a welcome change from the cloudy gloom that seemed to have taken up so much of her experiences since meeting the Herrscher of Finality. While Mei couldn’t quite control the sparks that danced across her skin every so often, she was glad to at least be free of the burning ozone smell that permeated her room. After she had managed to wrest control of her new powers from whatever being had invaded her mind, her room had been left a complete mess. According to her parents they had rushed back upon hearing her scream out in agony, only to find the air around their daughter alight with lightning and pink flame. The climax of her struggle had broken the surface in the form of a thunderstorm that culminated in a blinding bolt of lightning that had blasted through the roof and directly into her kneeling form. Her bed was half blown apart, her things scattered and toppled. The flooring- at least- had remained intact lest she have injured herself falling to the ground floor.

Bronya had used her gifts of Reason to help reconstruct the building, however she could not replace the few keepsakes from Mei’s younger years that had been reduced to ash. It was poetic that they were burned in her struggle against the corruptive influence of the Honkai, she supposed. But that did not temper her disappointment at their loss. Her parents assured her they would organize obtaining a new bed for her. In the meantime, they encouraged their now revitalized daughter to get some air. Perhaps being out and about with her friends would further help her recover from this ordeal. While Mei agreed, she was still operating on a bit of an autopilot. Despite being mandated rest from her duties, she was halfway through donning her uniform by the time she registered what she was doing. At that point, she had simply shrugged and finished dressing.

And so she found herself setting a hurried pace down the road with Kiana and Bronya in tow, just in time to miss the various news stations and emergency vehicles arriving to investigate the now dispersed phenomena that had lit up the Raiden’s grounds. As a prominent public figure as the head of ME Corp, Mei was sure her father could handle himself.

 

While not nearly as large as the Raiden estate back home, their dwelling in Arc city was by no means small, as her father would sometimes use it to host business partners or other members of the Raiden family. It was positioned on the very edge of the city, close enough Mei found it easy to walk to most places she needed to go, but far enough away so as to not be caught up in most of the hustle and bustle flowing towards the central business district. It was here, on a raised walkway leading further into the city, that the trio found themselves.

 

“You could have at least warned her a bit less cryptically,” Kiana said.

 

“No matter what I said, it would not have been able to adequately prepare her for the experience of opening herself up to the Honkai,” Bronya countered, “If the Herrscher gave her two gems, she must have believed Mei was capable of triumph.”

 

Kiana shrugged her shoulders with a displeased grunt.

 

“It’s alright, Kiana,” Mei insisted (not for the first time), “What matters is that I was able to get it under control.”

 

“No one ever really has the Honkai under control,” Kiana grumbled, “If anyone tells you that, check back in a few months and see if they’ve zombified from overexposure yet. Or just died.”

 

Mei didn’t know how to reply. The girl wasn’t wrong, if a bit pessimistic for the usually positive girl, “Well,” she began eventually, “I’ll do my best not to zombify, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you, hm?”

 

Kiana turned and flashed a small grin, “Yeah, wouldn’t want a girl as pretty as you being wasted as a Honkai zombie, huh?”

 

“I- w-well,” Mei stammered before simply closing her mouth and looking away, embarrassment clear on her cheeks.

 

“I will never understand how this always works for you, idiotka” Bronya murmured.

 

“Making cute girls blush is a skill,” Kiana stated proudly.

 

Mei quickly recovered and side-eyed the boastful Kaslana, “Oh? Do you do this to every girl you befriend, then?”

 

Kiana froze mid-step, “I- uh-”

 

Bronya’s lips twitched upwards, “You’re never beating the womanizer allegations.”

 

“Hey! I flirt because girls deserve to be appreciated!” Kiana shot back indignantly.

 

“Ah yes, that’s why everyone always compares you to your dad, who- mind you- was said to have flirted with women in front of your mom.”

 

“He was drunk!”

 

“Every time?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“This is not helping your case. Are you gonna become an alcoholic next, too? Please don’t start using it to cope with being unable to beat me at Homu Smash Ultimate, Bianka will kill both of us.”

 

“Gah!” Kiana held her hands out and tensed her fingers to mime choking Bronya out, “You’re infuriating!”

 

Mei watched the pair’s antics with a small smile on her face. Despite their sometimes harsh words, it was plain even to her that the two cared for each other greatly, “You two fight like sisters.”

 

“Heh, we are pretty much sisters at this point, huh?” Kiana said, jabbing a joking elbow into Bronya’s side.

 

“I’d rather die.”

 

“See? She agrees,” Kiana smiled cheerily, “Besides, Seele already told me she’d love to have a sister like me,” Kiana said, proudly jabbing her thumb against her chest.

 

“Don’t bring Seele into this, you stupid lesbian.”

 

“Oh you’re one to talk, Miss I-Have-Two-Girlfriends.”

 

Mei couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up from her chest. Casting her eyes around as they descended from the walkway to the street proper, she took note of the familiar area, “Shall we stop for a snack? Or a drink? There’s plenty of good options on this street. And a food court we could sit at.”

 

“Yeah!”

“Da.”

 


 

Soon enough Bronya and Mei found themselves at a nearby seating area, boba tea in hand. Kiana had darted off somewhere for food while the other two were waiting in line. Mei had been forced to trust Bronya’s selection for Kiana's taste and trust the diminutive girl hadn't purposely selected something Kiana would hate. When Kiana failed to appear by the time they claimed a table, Bronya's confidence Kiana would turn back up soon assuaged a bit of the priestess's worries.

 

Now her biggest worry was how much she stood out. She had nearly forgotten with everything that happened afterwards, but anyone that'd had a clear view of the temple steps would be able to recognize her as the woman approached by the Moon Goddess. She counted herself merely lucky no one had accosted her yet, but it was only a matter of time walking around in her uniform as she was.

“Bronya…” Mei twirled her drink in her hand as her eyes observed the crowd around them before settling on the girl, “Do you mind if I inquire about your prosthetics?”

 

“I'm actually surprised it took this long for you to ask, usually people can't stop staring once they figure out what they are,” Bronya leaned back, sipping on her drink, “I suppose there's no harm in telling you. A Honkai overload when I was younger damaged part of my brain, leaving me with difficulties expressing emotion and my legs nearly fully paralyzed. The prosthetics help me move my legs when I want, or hover in the air when I don't.”

 

“I- I see…”

 

“You want to say more,” Bronya observed.

 

Mei's brows furrowed, “I want to say I'm sorry, Bronya. But I also do not want to disrespect you or how far you've come.”

 

Bronya nodded, a thankful tilt to her lips, “Kiana was right. You're alright, Miss Raiden,” Before Mei could question this comment Bronya's eyes flicked over Mei's shoulder, “Oh look, the idiotka found noodles.”

 

Mei spun so fast her chair scraped along the ground as it was knocked to the side slightly. Sure enough, the white haired girl was walking quickly towards them with a huge smile and a bowl in her hands.

 

“Well,” Kiana shouted over the din of other customers, “I dunno if this place'll beat Shenzhou Noodles, but they sure do have a great serving size!”

 

Mei surreptitiously settled back down, hoping Kiana didn’t question her sudden relief. Unfortunately, Bronya’s steady gaze made it clear she had watched the whole thing, a slight tilt to the corner of her lips the whole while.

 

Bronya tilted her head towards Mei, “Subject Kiana's stomach is like the deepest of black holes. She can eat enough for three women and somehow her metabolism will burn through it all by the next meal.”

 

“Subject Kiana?”

 

Kiana laughed, “Bronya used to talk in the third person and call everyone ‘Subject’ all the time when we were younger. She's kinda fallen out of it as we got older but she still does it sometimes. I assume it has to do with whatever it was that messed up her brain.”

 

“I could always fry yours and we could test this hypothesis.” Bronya replied.

 

“Hey no frying my brain while we're studying at St. Freya, Aunt Himeko's orders.”

 

“Just eat your noodles, stupid.”

 

Himeko.

 

Mei scoured her memories desperately. The name was as unfamiliar to her as the ache in her heart when Kiana spoke those syllables. And yet nonetheless…

 

“Hey,” Mei was shaken from her thoughts by Kiana's gentle hand, “You okay, Mei?”

 

Mei nodded, attempting to shake the strange feeling, “Yeah, I just…” Her expression grew troubled as she struggled for the right words, “I didn't say anything to my parents because I didn't want to worry them, but ever since I was given the gems I've been having… visions. Like I'm watching another life through someone else's eyes. Or I'll hear something and be hit with a strange sense of nostalgia and loss. Like the name Himeko…” She looked into those worrying cerulean eyes, unable to bring herself to give voice to the white-haired girl in her visions.

 

“Alright,” Kiana pushed her chair back and stood, “I'm finished so lets go find a happier place to sit, yeah? I'd much rather see Mei's beautiful smile.”

 

Mei blinked. Kiana's massive bowl was indeed already empty. When did she…? Mei filed away this mysterious ability to make food disappear for later. Kiana's words once again brought heat to her cheeks, however this time she did not look away. A change of scenery would be nice.

 


 

Ryoma Raiden gently picked through the chaotic mess of his daughter's room. Now that the destroyed bed had been removed, all that was left was putting everything back in its rightful place. The media had hounded him for hours and Ryoma took great pleasure at revealing the nature of his daughter’s temporary disappearance and the localized burst of Honkai energy at the Raiden abode, and then pointing further questions at the Temple of Finality. Refocusing his attention on the present, he eyed the old pictures and drawings that had spilled from a knocked over shelf, and it was these Ryoma found himself drawn to first.

After righting the shelf, his fingers gently slid under the edge of the frame, thankfully still intact despite the violence it had been subjected to. He was greeted by a Mei much different and yet recognizable all the same. The girl was much shorter, her hair not yet grown out to its incredible length. The teenager proudly held up a graduation certificate, her parents on either side clasping her shoulders with their own proud smiles.

The next, a photo of the same younger Raiden now a few years grown past the previous photo. She was in the middle of a kendo practice and had not noticed her mother had been taking pictures of her near perfect forms. A slight smile pulled at Ryoma's lips. The girl had been quite irate when she first saw it, but over the years had grown rather fond of the various photographs Mifumi had taken. One by one he picked them up, putting the framed ones back on the righted shelf, and the loose ones back into the small box they had tumbled from.

Mei's first success at a kendo competition. A trip they had taken to the city-state of Yokohama and various sights as well as the teenaged Mei's enjoyment of them, gradually the Meis in the pictures grew younger and younger, until the final one, Mei's twelfth birthday, had been safely stowed away.

 

As he stood still, the sound of feet against hardwood announced an arrival. Not a few seconds later had toned arms wrapped around one of his own as Mifumi rested her head on his shoulder.

 

“Time certainly has a way of travelling too fast, doesn't it?” She said quietly.

 

Ryoma nodded, his eyes not leaving his daughter's framed smile, “Yet it is time we are lucky to have.”

 

“We always knew these days would come.”

 

“We did. And yet our duty is not finished yet. Even so,” Ryoma sighed, “It is painful watching her take these steps and knowing there is little I can do to truly help.”

 

“But you have helped,” Mifumi gently took her husband's face in her hands, smiling softly as his gaze finally met hers, “it is our duty as her parents to guide her in this world, even if we cannot always protect her as we wish. And I believe you have done a splendid job, Ryoma.”

 

The taller man gently leaned against his wife's palm, “I can only hope you are right. I have made… too many mistakes in this life. I can only hope that in helping her I have not made more.”

 

Mifumi's smile turned wry, “I do not believe she would entrust us with such an important task if she did not think we were capable. If she did not believe we were the ones that could shoulder this duty, she would not have even spoken to us.”

 

“Thunder may be heard by all, but only the worthy hear its call,” Ryoma recited quietly.

 

“And if that is true,” Mifumi nodded, “Then our little Mei will bear witness to the most brilliant thunder of any of us.”

 


 

It had been several days of dodging news crews and fanatic worshippers desperate to gain the favor of one blessed by Finality- or simply fawn over her- and Mei now found herself standing in the incredibly large practice arena behind the temple. A large enclosed space several stories tall and deep enough into the temple grounds that it would not overshadow the temple itself. Within was a host of advanced holographic technology to recreate any environment or enemy they had data on while containing any bursts of power from the enhanced warrior priestesses. The perfect place for Mei to experiment with her new powers. The high priestess had been surprisingly welcoming when she requested to bring both Kiana and Bronya so deep into the non-public temple grounds.

 

“Okay, I have control,” Bronya said just as the machinery in the massive room whirred to life.

 

“Ugh, finallyyyy,” Kiana groaned, “I was getting tired of sitting around doing nothing!”

 

“Kiana,” Mei smiled, “it's only been about a minute.”

 

“And that's a minute too long!”

 

Bronya stared at the woman, “Alright, since you're so confident we'll start with a Parvati then-”

 

“Hey waitwaitwaitwait, lets not be hasty, Bronya!” Kiana chuckled nervously.

 

Bronya rolled her eyes, “Yeah that's what I thought. We're here to help Mei get a better handle on her Herrscher gems, not for you to show off in front of her.”

 

Kiana holstered her weapons with a grumble, a slight red to her cheeks as she turned away from Mei's curious gaze.

 

“Alright, Mei,” Bronya gestured for her to step forward, “The Honkai shielding here is strong enough the only thing you need to worry about is your own safety. All you need to do now is try to exercise control over the energy in your gems,” Bronya waited for Mei to nod her affirmation before continuing, “While your gems are significantly less powerful than a full fledged Herrscher, they are still significantly more powerful than almost anything human technology can currently output.”

 

Mei breathed deeply, a futile attempt to quell her rising anxiety at the raw power resting within her body, “So I need to learn how to control it without letting it overwhelm me, corrupt me, and probably cause a Honkai Eruption.”

 

“Correct,” Bronya said matter of factly.

 

“Okay,” Mei smiled rather unconvincingly, “No big deal!”

 

A hand on her back alerted her to Kiana's sudden presence beside her, “Just think of it like…” Kiana hummed, “Pulling a noodle through a small hole or something. There's this massive, infinite amount of it on the other side, but you don't need it all at once, in fact all of it falling out at once would be very bad. Pull too softly and nothing will really happen. Pull too hard and the wall holding the rest back with break. But pull just right…” Kiana raised her hand and snapped, leaving her pointer finger up as a brilliant orange flame burst to life above it, “And some of that cool shit the Herrschers do is right at your fingertips. It feels natural after a while.”

 

Mei shook her head in amusement, “Only you would explain this with noodles.”

 

The flame disappeared as Kiana crossed her arms with a huff, “Well it's better than letting Bronya talk your ears off with all these boring technical terms that don't make any sense! I make sense!”

 

“That you do. Usually,” Mei giggled.

 

“We'll leave you to it,” Bronya said, before grabbing one of Kiana's braids and dragging the sputtering and flailing girl back to where they would observe her.

 

Mei got the message. This was not something they could help with beyond words. She would need to master this strength alone.

She inhaled deeply, letting her breathing slow her heart and quiet her mind. She did not have to focus much to feel the steady hum of the Herrscher gems within her. As she closed her eyes, she reached deep within herself. She remembered that feeling in her room. That overwhelming tide that had washed her into a vast ocean while she desperately struggled to stay afloat. Like she had stepped into a river moving much too fast for her to remain steady. Re-entering that on purpose was daunting. Frightening.

 

And so she opted for the other option.

 

A small smile pulled at her lips as she gently grasped the gem of conviction, for she was sure now that was its name, and imagined a small filament of that ethereal amethyst energy was sticking out of it. Cautiously she wrapped it around a mental finger, its touch both unfathomable and containing a warm familiarity. And then, on this “noodle” of Honkai energy she pulled ever so gently.

 

Nothing. Just as Kiana said.

 

So she pulled harder. Incrementally she increased the tension on this bit of Honkai in her grip, bit by bit. After several seconds of testing its give she finally felt it. As she tugged on it she felt it slip. The gem responded to the touch of her mind with a comforting hum, a gentle tendril reaching out in response. More and more she pulled, a steady flow of this destructive energy pouring into her body. Her brows furrowed as this gentle release seemed to suddenly break free into a harsher current. Symbolic noodle forgotten, Mei was now back in the position of struggling against a torrent she could not control. It did not want to be controlled. She felt it spread through her limbs, that euphoric high as the Honkai energy saturated her body once again threatening to scatter her thoughts dangerously thin. How was she supposed to quell this rising tide? Doubt began to creep in at her ability to live up to her Goddess’s expectations as she struggled impotently against this rush.

Even among the warrior priestesses of Finality she was middling at best, her Honkai control even before this had paled in comparison to most of her sisters. Honkai had seemed like a siren call to a world beyond her imagination back then. But now? When facing the full brunt of its existence streaming through the gems in her chest? It was wild and vicious, as untameable and malicious as humanity’s worst instincts.

Electricity arced from her body, lightning darting across her skin in painful, burning pricks. Pink fire danced in her vision, seeming to burst from her very pores, only increasing in intensity as she tried to hold back the Honkai pouring into her body as uselessly as trying to plug the hole in a pressurized container with her bare hands.

She could only look on in horror, her breath hissing and grunting through her teeth as she fought the pain, as the angular pink veins of Honkai corruption began slithering up her arms from the tips of her fingers. Sound itself seemed to succumb to this torrent of power, the crackling of electricity and the roar of the wind as such a concentration of Honkai affected the very atmosphere going dull, muted, in a mere split second. Was it truly her fate to succumb so easily?

With a great yell of effort, she formed a block in her mind and pushed it, harder and harder, until it was forced into the mental image of the exit from the gem from which it was pouring. A final roar of determination and she bodily slammed this plug into place.

 

And the room was still.

 

The instant the flow of power was stopped, Mei fell to her knees like a puppet with cut strings. Her body tingled with the myriad of pinpricks where lightning had danced across her skin. Though she was unmarred, the ground beneath her had been blackened by the eruption of flames. As her gaze used the welding line on the metal floor as an anchoring point, a small flash of purple lit up her left side. Barely a second had passed before Kiana was kneeling next to her, the Valkyrie’s toned arms sliding around her shoulders and holding her close. The girl murmured words of soft encouragement, that Mei was safe now, that she would be okay.

 

“I-I can’t do it,” Mei gasped quietly, “There’s too much. It hurts. I can barely- I can’t…” Mei grimaced against the sensation of white hot tears arcing down her skin to fall on the panelling below.

 

Kiana’s arms tightened around her and she simply repeated her insistent words that Mei would be okay.

 

Would she? Mei had to ask herself. Would she truly be okay if she could not master this power that had been foisted upon her? Mei shuddered in Kiana’s arms as the memory of that thing that had clawed at her mind flashed through her thoughts.

 

And with all that she had experienced thus far, if she was successful… would she ever be the same?

 


 

After such an incredible outpouring of Honkai energy, temple staff had rushed into the arena to find Kiana still holding a shaking Raiden Mei. The angular veins of Honkai corruption running up her body had instantly led to a call of alarm, and Mei was rushed off to the medical wing. Kiana looked on helplessly as Mei was whisked away on a stretcher, the support staff already calling ahead to prepare a specialized anti-honkai serum.

 

Bronya allowed her prosthetics to gently place her down next to Kiana and she laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Looks like the priestesses were just as caught off guard as we were,” Bronya said softly.

 

Kiana let out a frustrated huff, “I don’t understand!” Her voice quickly dropped to a more despairing tone, “This should be easy for her, I don’t understand why it seems to be so painful…”

 

“Have you considered,” Bronya began hesitantly, “That perhaps her body has not redeveloped its honkai resistance as it should?”

 

“Why the hell would that happen?” Kiana snapped.

 

“I don’t know,” Bronya admitted. She held a hand to her chin, Kiana watching as the girl ran through every bit of information her incredible mind could scrounge up, “There may be something more going on than what is in front of our eyes,” She eventually murmured.

 

Kiana’s brows tightened, her eyes hardening as she grasped her friend’s meaning, “You think…”

 

“It does not usually act this directly or so ferociously. But it would be a rare chance to bring a powerful vessel into its fold. If it is specifically targeting Mei’s attempts until she breaks…”

 

For a moment Kiana’s right eye seemed to shift to a brilliant gold. A flash so quick that any onlooker might assume it was simply a trick of the light. Her lips pulled back into a snarl, “Then I’ll just-”

 

“Neither of you will do anything ,” Bronya said, immediately shutting down any ideas brewing within the Kaslana’s head, “We cannot be reckless considering what we are dealing with.”

 

The anger quickly faded from Kiana’s expression, “Shit, sorry Bronya,” She rubbed her palm against her eye and sighed, “Fuck, I’m already getting a headache from that.”

 

“It’s okay, Kiana,” Bronya rubbed her head with a rare gentleness, “Besides, this is the part you’re good at.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Bronya smiled, “Just believe in Mei.”

Notes:

Ngl I was gonna wait until Friday to post this but I got too excited. Mei, despite having the support of her two new friends, it having quite a rough time of it. Her friends bicker and banter with her, and yet she remains ignorant that there might be more going on than meets the eye. Of course, Mei's a smart girl, so if certain people aren't careful she might start sniffing them out. Orignially this chapter was going to be a lot shorter, but I thought that this would be a good chapter to get through a few things and really start picking up the plot. The last few paragraphs I had planned to actually be the start of chapter 4, but after thinking on it for a bit I thought it fit better to use it to cap off a chapter already chock full of developments. Let me know what you think. Don't worry, there will probably be even more next chapter :)

Chapter 4: Why?

Summary:

A chapter in which Mei gains (many) more questions than answers.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Violet eyes snapped open and Mei shot into a sitting position with straining lungs and a pounding heart. In her near panicked state as the jumble of memories from the last few hours tumbled through her mind, she tore the sheets from her body and raked her eyes and hands over every bare patch of skin she could see, even brushing up the sleeves and pulling at the hem of her hospital gown just to be sure. As the memory of pink veins forming blocky patterns up her arms faded, failing to match the sight before her now, she was finally able to force herself to take deeper, more calming breaths.

It was then that a slight whispering movement in the corner of eye set her nerves alight. In an instant she had pulled her katana from under her pillow (the knowledge that she had never kept her weapon there briefly flashed through her mind), jumped from the bed, and drawn the blade. The feeling of her heart pounding in her chest became quite the embarrassing sensation when the origin of the movement seemed clear. Before her sprouted a sakura tree, the blossoms of which rained down like a constant, gentle waterfall. Mei took in a deep breath and sighed softly. The sun hung low in the sky and despite only having a scattering of clouds it smelled… like rain, ozone. A thunderstorm. The hair on her arms tingled from an electrifying charge that seemed to saturate the air beyond what any natural occurrence would produce and her mind came alight in a primal paranoia that she was being watched.

The priestess cast an alert gaze around this strange scene she found herself in. Her head ran through the hazy recollection of her recent memories. She remembered being overwhelmed by Honkai energy, the corruption running along her skin, the pure sensations overwhelming her so completely and so unlike anything Kiana and Bronya had prepared her for, Kiana’s arms around her… She couldn’t help the way her heart fluttered remembering such close contact, but studiously kept her focus in line on the memory of being rushed through bright halls and injected with something that stole consciousness from her.

 

Was she dreaming?

 

Her gaze drifted around her surroundings once more. The Sakura tree seemed to be positioned in a decently large garden, the craftsmanship of the stone pathway circling the tree and leading off into other sections bordered with hedges was masterful. The trimming of the hedges and dispersal of the various plants occupying every other bit of space was perfect and aesthetically pleasing. While the path split in four cardinal directions away from the Sakura, at the diagonals were benches about long enough to fit three people, set just slightly into a cleared section among the various flowering plants so people might enjoy the sight of the Sakura and scent of any exotic specimens the owner might want to show off. To her right one the pathways meandered back to a multi-story building designed in the ancient cultural architecture of Nagazora, Nagoya, Yokohama, and other similar city-states. It was beautiful, yet it screamed “high class” and struck her as something her father would love to use as a symbol of their family prestige. That sense of being watched steadily grew more intense the longer she gazed upon it.

 

“It is rather beautiful for something born of human arrogance, isn’t it?”

 

Almost relieved that her paranoia had been proven accurate, she spun and raised her katana at the ready in a single practiced movement. Her steps faltered however, when she was met with a face far too familiar on the other side of the rain of Sakura petals.

Dark purple locks fell down this woman’s back and hovered unnaturally above the ground a full meter past her feet and her bangs framed her face just the same as Mei's, her facial features an eerie mirror of the priestess. However her eyes glowed with a pink light, her pupils a strange tall diamond shape with smaller diamonds marking each diagonal like a stylized crosshair in the usual lavender of Mei’s own eyes. Her head was crowned with brilliant red horns growing from her upper forehead like an Oni of ancient myth. Her clothing was a modified copy of what Mei was always wearing in her visions of that rainy rooftop, with less fabric around her shoulder and armpits. This woman before her also bore several additional pieces of brilliant red armor styled like a samurai of old protecting the forearm and shoulder of her sword arm. A keepsake in the form of a lock of white hair dangled from her waist.

 

“Who are you?” Mei demanded.

 

The woman laughed, though it was a dangerous sound and not at all joyful like a laugh should be, “What, you don’t recognize yourself? I’m Raiden Mei,” She slowly began following the path around the Sakura tree, seemingly uncaring of the sword readied at her. Mei moved in the same direction, keeping the same distance between them, “I am the Mei that embraced what it truly means to have the authority of conquest, who would not be held back by these pathetic insects who cower in fear of our potential. I am Raiden Mei as she should be.”

 

Mei's grip tightened. Her boots scuffed against stone and she chanced a glance down just long enough to confirm that her uniform had- at some point- appeared on her body, “So you’re a trick from the Honkai. A vile vision sent to test me even as I rest?”

 

The woman scoffed, “After that pathetic display you put on attempting to harness the power of Gods, I would hardly qualify this as a deserved rest. However, that uncontrolled rush of Honkai did allow me to wake, so I suppose I should thank you for being so terrible at this.”

 

“Kiana and Bronya didn’t seem to expect things to go like this,” She extended her arm and the point of her blade came down, held level with the woman as they paced around the sakura, “Are you to thank for these troubles?”

 

“Kiana, oh Kiana,” The other Mei sighed, “That silver-haired idiot. So eager to jump feet first into a lake without first checking its depth. Though in this case, she has you to blame,” She scoffed.

 

“What does that mean?” Mei growled, “Kiana has done nothing but attempt to help me and gift me a companionship I have rarely felt.”

 

Mei watched as her own face twisted into a sneer, “There is much you don’t know, fool. You play at being a warrior unaware that there are things beyond your sad mortal flesh already in motion, content to live your life as a mere servant barely even worth a second glance. Even abandoned as I am by that traitorous bastard of a creator, I find your weakness disgusting,” The air above slowly began to gather ever darkening clouds, a distant thunder rumbling in Mei’s ears as the woman grew more and more agitated, “I cannot stand to look at what has become of you, and yet if I want to reclaim what we once were I have no choice but to endure your pathetic flailing. Do you have any idea how that infuriates me ?!” As if to emphasize her point a bolt of lightning lit up the sky behind her, the boom of thunder rattling Mei’s bones.

 

“You seem to hold a different me in your mind. Tell me what you know!”

 

“No,” The other Mei laughed, “If anything that would only make things worse. You are once again just as meek and pathetic as the day we first met, barely ready to take your first steps onto the path laid out in front of you. Yet it is a path you must learn to walk, or this world you love so much, as you know it, will surely perish,” She raised her gauntleted finger and pointed towards Mei, “You hold more strength than you realize, Raiden Mei. Yet you are hesitant. Scared. You contain a gem of conquest, yet what could you ever hope to conquer by being so weak and timid? You contain a gem of conviction, and yet what I feel in your heart is not nearly adequate enough. Is this humanity you dedicate yourself to not enough? Is the Goddess you serve? Is Kiana? What about your other friend, Bronya?” She shook her head like a teacher admonishing a particularly disappointing student, “These forces conspiring against you are no stranger. You have conquered them before and you will conquer them again. Look deep inside yourself. Find your reason to become the Raiden Mei you must be. Or I’ll do it for you. Just like I did when this all began.”

 

Mei’s sword arm shook, her teeth grinding. Her grip tightened and yet she could not bring herself to strike out, for she had struck some chord of truth buried deep within Mei’s heart. The wind had picked up speed, quickly growing stronger and more intense while lightning and thunder split the very sky, “Answer me!” She shouted, “Please! I need to know! What is this beginning you speak of? What are these visions? Why does it all feel so… familiar?!”

 

The woman began to fade behind a whirlwind of sakura petals, her eyes shining with emotions Mei could not hope to parse, “You will learn in time. Farewell-” Her final words were whisked away in the roaring wind, though as Mei strained her ears she swore she could just make out the words “ my foolish host ”.

 

Mei dashed towards her, determined to receive the answers she seeked, but her limbs felt leaden, a weight holding her down as the wind pushed against her like hands holding her back. She twisted and fought, her powerful legs pressing onwards to no avail. Until her world disappeared, and she fell into darkness. The tension in her legs released with one last kick, her heel connecting with something solid for just a moment before she continued her fall into blackness.

 


 

“Fuck, my nose !”

 

In an instant, the darkness had been replaced with blinding fluorescent lighting. Mei jolted awake, sensation flooding back to her as she woke up in that hospital bed once more. She snapped into a sitting position, breaths coming fast and confusion stretching across her face as the first thing that met her eyes was Kiana reeling in pain.

 

“K-Kiana?”

 

Kiana grinned even as she held her nose and crinkled her eyes in pain, “Mei! You’re-” She groaned, “You’re awake!”

 

“By the Moon, Kiana, I’m so sorry!”

 

“It's okay, it's okay,” Kiana assured her, “Gahd, well, I can at least attest to the fact that you still have some level of Honkai enhanced strength.”

 

“I am heartened to see you return to us, Raiden Mei,” At her bedside stood the High Priestess, a relieved smile on her face, “You began thrashing about in your sleep, I was about to call in some of your sisters to ensure you did not hurt yourself.”

 

“T-thank you, ma'am,” Mei stammered out, her gaze only momentarily leaving Kiana.

 

“The Bronya warned Kiana idiotka not to stay within striking distance,” Bronya piped up from her seat set comfortably outside of Mei’s reach, “Regardless of the idiotka getting a well deserved pummeling, how are you feeling, Mei?”

 

Kiana’s jovial attitude almost immediately dropped away at the change of subject. She approached the other side of the bed and clasped Mei’s hand with both her own, her eyes quickly gaining a worried edge, “Yeah, you doing okay? You gave me- everybody a bit of a fright.”

 

Mei gave her limbs a quick stretch, flexing her fingers and noting the lack of Honkai corruption, “Physically I feel fine… But the experience of opening myself up to the Honkai is… haunting… Such an overwhelming torrent of horrifying power,” Mei shuddered.

 

The dour mood could be felt by all in the room. Kiana lowered her head in shame, “I'm sorry, Mei… Usually controlling Honkai through gems like that isn't so utterly overwhelming. It shouldn't hurt.”

 

“Am I doing something wrong?” Her voice wavered.

 

Kiana shook her head fervently, “No! No. You're not doing anything wrong, Mei. I think… I think there's something else going on. Bronya can back me up on this, but for both of us, controlling the Honkai in our gems may have been difficult and dangerous, but it never hurt or started corrupting us to the point of visible infection unless we were severely overtaxing our abilities.”

 

Bronya nodded, “The doctors here were forced to inject you with a Honkai neutralizing serum designed specifically for someone who's been altered by a Herrscher gem like you. The sudden drop in Honkai levels knocked you out for a few hours. The speed at which the infection appeared and spread across your body is highly unusual,” She stood and floated over to stand next to Kiana, “While Honkai is incredibly dangerous, the energy from our gems wants to be used. It wants you to feel its power so it can attempt to twist you into an enemy of humanity.”

 

Mei stared at her hand as she clenched and unclenched it, her mouth parting slightly as she searched for the right words, “When I touched the gems with my mind I could feel their warmth. When I first began tapping into their energy it felt… right .”

 

Bronya and Kiana nodded, “That's Herrscher gems for you,” Kiana confirmed.

 

“But when I drew more out, it was like a… like a dam had burst and this uncontrollable tide of Honkai energy crashed into me. I could feel… it's like there's something on the other side that takes notice of me drawing on the energy and does not want me there. Or it… is trying to get in?” Mei continued staring at her hands as small tremors began to shake them. She looked up at the high priestess, then at her friends, “I- When Bronya first helped by giving my gems a boost of Honkai energy there was something else there. In my mind.”

 

The high priestess's brows furrowed, her hand resting on her chin.

 

Mei took in a shuddering breath, “I didn't say anything at the time because… well, I thought it was the normal process. It was like voices whispering in my head, calling to me. It was just like all the stories I'd heard of other chosen of the Gods that became corrupted. But unlike those, when I resisted I felt something grow… angry. It felt like claws were digging into my mind like a punishment for my resistance,” Mei's voice cracked, “It hurt so much…”

 

“Oh, child…” The high priestess gave her hand a supportive squeeze. Kiana practically jumped at Mei to provide her own comfort.

 

The high priestess hummed in thought, “This is troubling news indeed. I will inform our archivists that your friends are to be given the same level of access as yourself. Bronya has already questioned me on the matter. Maybe something buried within our gathered knowledge can help shed light on your troubles. In the meantime, rest. I have ordered some of our guest rooms to be prepared for your friends as well.”

 

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Bronya bowed. After a second of silence she unceremoniously elbowed Kiana in the side.

 

“Ow! Oh, um, yes, thank you, Your Grace!” She shot up from where she had still been holding Mei and gave a quick bow of her own.

 

The older woman's eyes danced in part amusement, part irritation, “Oh do not worry. I have long grown used to the irreverence of Kaslanas. Come, let me show you where your rooms are.”

 

Kiana gently clasped Mei's shoulder, “You all good?”

 

Mei nodded, unable to stop the smile that flit across her face at the girl's worry, “I'll be fine Kiana, you can always come back afterwards.”

 

The high priestess nodded, “I'll call for the doctor to come check you over while we are away.”

 

As the door quietly clicked shut behind them, Mei couldn't help but wonder if she should have told them about the strange other self she saw in her dreams. Her sneers still echoed in her mind.

 

If I wish to reclaim what we once were, I must endure your pathetic flailing.

 

I'll do it for you, just like I did when this all began.

 

She spoke as if they had met before, though Mei could not find a suitable memory no matter how hard she tried. Was this a side effect of the gem? The lightning… did the authority of conquest the gem drew power from cause her to see visions of herself as the Herrscher of Thunder? Exhaustion seemed to sweep over her like a wave now that Kiana was gone. Deciding to interrogate her memories of the conversation later, she laid her head down and closed her eyes. Scenes of that battered rooftop, the fluttering of white hair, and the intense glare of cerulean locked with gold played on the back of her eyelids, even as sleep refused to come.

 


 

“So you'll be staying there for now?”

 

“Yes mother,” Mei nodded at the shimmering window hovering in midair before her and displaying her mother's face, “Kiana and Bronya are adamant that what I have been experiencing is extremely abnormal, and so I believe it will be best if I rest at the temple where I can access the full breadth of our library in our search for answers.”

 

“A smart decision. I wish you a speedy recovery, dear. Your father and I will be busy meeting with his business partners and smoothing things over with the media after that little storm you caused,” Mifumi smiled proudly at her wordplay, “Ryoma is quite irritated that he is having to host the partners that have travelled to Arc city. His office is still undergoing repairs after that incident the other week.”

 

Mei couldn't quite keep the wince off her face, “Yes, that is quite unfortunate.”

 

Mifumi raised an eyebrow, “Oh, your father is quite aware that it was Kiana's doing.”

 

Mei nearly choked on her own spit.

 

“He is aware and currently willing to live and let live,” Mifumi added, “As long as Kiana is aiding you, that is. Though despite her seemingly boundless eagerness to help you, he is concerned about how suddenly she appeared,” Mifumi raised an eyebrow and locked her daughter with a knowing look as her mouth opened to defend Kiana, “Do not forget to err on the side of caution because she flashed you a pretty smile. She is unnervingly knowledgeable about things Ryoma and I have only learned after decades in service to the Herrscher of Thunder.”

 

“I-” Mei fought against the heat rising in her cheeks, “Mother! Yes, I know I must be cautious! But her knowledge may be just what I need to surmount this obstacle.“

 

Mifumi looked on in amusement, “You're a big girl, I know you can handle yourself. But I also know how you are with women. Keep in touch. I love you.”

 

“W-wait, what is that supposed to mean? Mother!” Mei whined in embarrassment, but her mother had already terminated the call. She sighed, disabling her earpiece’s now empty holo projection and stuffing it into her pocket.

 

“Was that your mom?”

 

Mei yelped in surprise  “Kiana!”

 

The girl giggled and skipped into Mei's room. She had taken great joy in seeing Mei's rarely used quarters within the temple after the priestess was discharged from the infirmary. The Valkyrie's excitement brought a quiver of embarrassment to Mei's voice despite the room's rather spartan look. That same pleased grin lit up her face every time she entered after. A smile that made her cerulean eyes sparkle in the cutest way, if one were to ask Mei's opinion.

 

Mei calmed herself with a deep breath, “Yes, I was informing my mother of what happened. She might've gotten worried that I didn't call or come home last night otherwise. My father is busy with work so she will inform him when she can.”

 

“You seem to have a pretty good relationship with them,” Kiana's smile softened, “It's nice.”

 

“We do not always see eye to eye, Goddess knows how many arguments I've had with my father, but at the end of the day we still love each other,” Mei said, “I will admit I… haven't exactly been close enough with other people to know if this is a common dynamic. What about your parents?”

 

Mei watched as, for just a split second, Kiana seemed to freeze up and her lips twitched downwards before she forced them back up, “Ah, my parents, haha…” Kiana rubbed the back of her head, “My mom… she died when I was really young, I barely even remember her.”

 

Mei felt her heart drop as she realized what she had stumbled into, Kiana giving the priestess a weary smile.

 

“My dad was around for a while longer. He was probably one of the best knights the Kaslanas have ever had. Kinda a shitty dad for a while,” Kiana grinned wryly, “But he did his best. I loved him a lot but… he's gone now, too.” Kiana's face settled into a more neutral expression, the practiced stoicness of one that has felt incredible pain, and lived through even harder losses.

 

“Kiana, I’m so sorry…” Mei sat on her bed, patting the sheets next to her, which Kiana took to with slow movements.

 

“It's alright Mei,” she said quietly as she sat down, “It's not like I talk about my past enough for you to have known.”

 

Silence fell for a moment, Kiana watching as Mei hesitated with various emotions crossing the priestess’s face. Eventually she spoke, “I know we haven’t known each other for very long- despite all that has occurred since our first meeting- but if you ever need a shoulder to lean on, I will gladly offer mine.”

 

“Heh, thanks Mei,” Kiana smiled, wrapping her arm around Mei’s shoulder for a gentle side hug, “I feel better already!”

 

Mei attempted to quell the fluttering of her heart as Kiana’s face came perilously close. She failed, “W-well, besides the fact that I simply would like to help a friend, it’s only right I do something to aid you after all the support you have given me.”

 

Kiana released Mei and leaned back on her hands, “Weellll…” Her smile grew conspiratorial, “If you really wanna help, you can help with all the research Bronya wants me to do. Reading all those stuffy old books is so boorriinngggg,” She released the last word with a drawn out groan.

 

Mei scoffed in mock disbelief, “Already leveraging our friendship?” She paused just long enough for Kiana to jump her eyebrows up and down multiple times, a move that caused a laugh to burst from the priestess’s chest, “I’ll be helping you two, don’t worry. If you find it hard to concentrate by yourself, perhaps we can research together?”

 

Kiana grinned, “You’re the best, Mei! It’s a date!”

 

A strange sense of deja vu rippled through her mind. Shaking the strange feeling from her senses, Mei instead focused on the fact that she couldn’t wait to spend more time with the endearing Valkyrie. Together, they would surely find the answers they seek.

 


 

And so they found themselves up to their ears in old literature and historical records.

 

“Ugh, I swear this is making me age years at a time… At this rate I’m gonna go grey before we find any useful info!” Kiana threw her arms up in defeat.

 

“Kiana, your hair is already white,” Mei chuckled.

 

“But still!”

 

“You are right though,” Mei sighed, “It's getting late, lets pause until tomorrow.”

 

Kiana immediately straightened up and started gathering up books and powering down the data tablet for the digital archive, “Hey, you won't hear any no from me.”

 

“Would you check in with Bronya and see if she found anything?”

 

“Yeah, sure,” Kiana shrugged absentmindedly as she stacked materials onto the book cart for the librarians to re-organize. She shot Mei a curious look, “What about you? Where are you going?

 

“I’m going… to pray,” The two women steadily made their way out of the library, Mei nodding to the few of her companions that remained reorganizing shelves or otherwise cleaning up, “Do you remember the sacred place I mentioned when we first met?”

 

“Uh…” Kiana chuckled in embarrassment, “My memory isn’t quite that good…”

 

Mei smiled, “It’s okay. In short, it is a place deep within the temple grounds where one can easily experience the feeling of the Goddess’s power. Her lingering touch has made it a place where others long ago have experienced great spiritual revelation and it may even facilitate an easier connection to her. So I thought, if I have been chosen by her personally, perhaps if I pray there I will be able to talk to her again.”

 

Kiana shrugged, “I’m not very good at all this Goddess business, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?”

 

Mei nodded, “Exactly.”

 

Soon enough they approached the crossroad of hallways where they would need to part, “Okay, I’ll check in with Bronya. Good luck, Mei!”

 

Mei waved goodbye as the Kaslana ran off down towards Bronya’s room. With Kiana gone, Mei found herself growing strangely hesitant at her idea. A small seed of anxiety slowly sprouted in her heart as she walked deeper into the building. The area she was travelling to was set far back in the temple grounds, at the very center. She had been there only once before to observe a ceremony for one of Finality’s holy days. It had been… overwhelming. But unlike when she attempted to draw upon the Honkai herself, the Goddess’s power seemed to saturate the very air with a comforting warmth even in the dead of winter. Mei had felt as if she only needed to reach out and she could have touched the Goddess herself.

After several minutes of walking, she exited the main building and made her way down a stone path stretching towards another building separated from the rest in the midst of an open field of well-tended lilies. The other facilities of the temple formed a protective wall around this central area. The walk was only a few minutes, but it was enough for the cold of the night to begin seeping into her bones, her casual clothing not designed to combat the wind chill. The cold wrapped her in an embrace that sent a strange, confusing shiver down her body. It felt more invigorating than uncomfortable, a curious realization for the chill averse Raiden Mei.

 

As she got closer the details of her destination became clearer. The building was a grand dome shape several stories tall like the large and spacious curves of a cathedral. However the petal-like indents usually made of stone were instead formed of glass. Moonlight spilled freely into the interior and the glass came down far enough that Mei could see the branches and leaves of the nature housed within. Below that topping of glass it was built out of stone much like one might expect, an even spread of windows at ground level and another at a higher story matching a human's height. While much like the temple the stonework remained plain for the most part, the area above the large double doors marking the entrance were inlaid with intricately formed purple glass in the shape of the eye of Finality. That same diamond surrounded by a counter-clockwise swirl of energy like a whirlpool or a galaxy that Mei often saw decorating other people and things around the temple (if much more opulent).

 

Her heart raced in anticipation and anxiety both as she pushed open the door- which being around twice her height dwarfed the priestess- just enough to slip into its confines. Her hand guided it back closed with a satisfying thunk. Now inside she could marvel at the sight that had remained in her memories clear as day for more than a year.

The inside of the cylindrical dome felt almost indescribably large and was blooming with growth. It reminded her of the pictures and art she had seen of the greenhouses kept by those who followed the Herrscher of Rebirth (though not nearly as humid), a beautiful collection of native undergrowth mixed with strange ferns, small trees, vines, and flowers she could not name. Many of these stranger plants were tinged purple with Honkai corruption, but in a place where the very air seemed alive with the presence of the moon, such a thing held an ethereal beauty rather than horror. Silver twinkles like fireflies hovered through the air, as if the very starlight had been enthralled by the beauty of this place and was loath to leave.

 

In the center of it all stood a tree mightier than all the rest. Like a queen lording over her subjects, it rose to the heights of the glass roofing far above, its leaves nearly brushing against its confines as if it was reaching in search of its own freedom. The trunk was incredibly thick and would take at least half a dozen women hand in hand to circle around it completely. It stretched up and twisted and split into smaller but still no less impressive branches up up up into the open air of the dome several dozen meters above her. The branches almost seemed to collectively curve inwards as they twisted, and if Mei looked hard enough she could almost see how one might slide down safely from top to bottom in this cradle of wood. The path to the tree ended in a small circular area big enough for only a few people to stand shoulder to shoulder, a plaque commemorating the sacred site but little else in terms of objects of religious reverence. There were no pews, no altars, no grand spaces for many to fall to their knees in worship.

This was not a place for the crowds that flocked to the temple outside. This was a place where one could truly form an intimate connection with the touch of the Goddess's power.

 

In this moment, this was a place for Mei and Mei alone.

 

She crossed her arm over her chest, pressing the knuckles of her closed fist against her heart and bowing her head as she began a whispered prayer. A practiced reverence. When she was finished, having done her dues, she allowed her gaze to wander up the great branches before her. The moonlight filtering through the glass and the branches of the tree bathed her surroundings in a majestic cool light. The soothing sounds of the night and peaceful calm that came with it washed over her, but could not still the worry eating at her heart.

And so she appealed to the energy suffusing the air. To the tree that represented a miracle of the divine made physical. To the moon itself, peeking through the branches. She begged for guidance, laid bare her struggles,and lamented her failure. After her heart had emptied itself and tears had begun moistening her eyes, she waited. First a minute. Then two. The air shifted and ran across her skin like a caress and yet she received no answer.

 

“Please…” Mei begged once more, the wet trail that slid down her cheek burning against the cold, “I know I must press forward but I am lost. Please help your loyal servant.”

 

The air gently shifted once more. Only this time, so did the silver pinpricks of light around her. Slowly at first, and then faster they flew past, beginning to gather in a spot in front of the tree. As they gathered together they coalesced into a shape. A shape that then became reality one little pinprick at a time, filling with color and building a familiar athletic body and tattered wedding dress. That lovely white hair and those honkai stained hands. Until the Herrscher of Finality stood complete before her, eyes closed as if in peaceful sleep.

 

But the oppressive weight that settled over her mind could not match the instinctive panic in her heart when those eyes opened not to the beautiful mix of cerulean and pink, but a cold and harshly shining gold.

A fear that seemed to bubble up from the deep recesses of her mind matched the speed at which a similar sight she saw often in her dreams flashed to the forefront.

Her hand moved to grasp her katana only to be met with empty air, as she had no need to carry it while off duty. With no other option, she stood tall and forced herself to meet the gaze of this stranger that radiated an aura of death.

 

“Your eyes. You're not the Herrscher of Finality.”

 

The woman wearing her Goddess's face grinned. She did not move or otherwise act hostile, but such an expression of joy seemed to carry with it an inherent malice that chilled Mei to the bone, “Very good, Raiden Mei. You know, most people don't recognize me that quickly. Have you been studying my host that closely? Cute,” Her voice was strange. An otherworldly sound like multiple voices layered over each other. She looked down at herself and scoffed, “I am not wearing this,” As if triggered by her very words, the Herrscher of Finality's clothing was smothered in a bright white light, shapes and forms writhing and changing until the light disappeared once more. She smiled, hair falling freely and now wearing an eight-tailed white and black battlesuit Mei had only seen in her dreams.

 

Focusing on one thing at a time she stammered out, “H-host?” Mei frowned, “Who are you?”

 

The woman clicked her tongue in annoyance, “Tch, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised she let mortal memory forget about me,” She graced Mei with another unsettling smile, “I am the Herrscher of the Void.”

 

Mei instinctively took a step back as the title all of humanity feared met her ears. So often had the Herrscher appeared in the mortal world, whether to threaten a city that had displeased her, dispensing judgement on her fanatical followers, or just to destroy, that she was also one of the few Herrschers who’s true name was well known. Mei’s anxiety reached its peak as the words fell from her lips in a horrified whisper, “You’re Sirin?”

 

The woman shrugged and began approaching Mei at a leisurely pace, “Yes… and no. You see, your precious Herrscher was once host to the complete core of the Void. When it was ripped from her by the Legion Herrscher in order to revive my whole self, she managed to hold onto a shard of that whole. Me.”

 

“The Herrscher of Finality has a gem of the void?” 

 

Suddenly the woman disappeared in a flash of gold only to instantaneously reappear at Mei's right shoulder, her face twisted into a sneer as she glared at Mei from the corner of her eye, “I am not some pathetic gem! I am a  Herrscher! I could vaporise you where you stand, do not insult me with your ignorance!” She growled out a sigh, “Still insufferable.”

 

Mei's heart was racing, the icy chill of fear spreading through her veins. She dared not do more than keep a watchful eye on the Herrscher’s movements in her peripheral vision. Even if she had come prepared to fight, she was no match for a being so lustful for death she was infamous for taking to the battlefield personally, a rarity among Herrschers unless they deemed it absolutely necessary. The destruction the Herrscher of the Void could unleash quite literally made history.

 

Mei struggled to keep her expression neutral as the woman circled her like a shark, “Why are you here?” She pushed out. The tails of her battlesuit writhed like they were actually alive, one caressing Mei's calf as it passed by.

 

“You’re awfully unafraid for someone I could crush without lifting a finger.”

 

“The Goddess will protect me. This is her holy place,” Her chest burned with pride at the lack of a quiver in her voice, “So I ask you again, why are you here?”

 

The Herrscher of the Void laughed, “This place? Where she- Okay, fine,” Sirin laughed even harder, though Mei failed to understand what she found so amusing, “I’m here because I want to be. The idiot I'm trapped inside kept talking about the amazing priestess she gave a gem to and I wanted to see if this was true or just her chasing skirts again,” She winced and tilted her head to the side like someone had spoken behind her, “Ugh, fine, I will concede you don't really chase skirts anymore.”

 

Mei decided to ignore that for the moment, her mind barely able to comprehend that the Herrscher of the Void was talking to her instead of killing her.

 

Sirin eyed Mei once more, “I guess I shouldn't be surprised it was you she was giggling about.”

 

“What?... Why are you telling me all this? What do you mean you’re not surprised it was me?”

 

“Why?” The Herrscher tapped a finger to her chin in thought, completely ignoring Mei’s final question, “Well I like talking about myself. And it's not like anyone is going to believe you if you tell them,” She grinned, “I haven't had the chance to really stretch my legs in years. Then I heard your pathetic begging and decided why not?” Her eyes narrowed at the priestess, “She gave you her precious gem of conquest as well as her own power, did she not? Your honkai levels are rather lacking.” Sirin spat the last word with thinly veiled disgust.

 

“I'm still recovering from an anti-honkai serum!” Mei protested, feeling the need to defend herself even to a being such as Sirin, “There is… more to it. But that is why I was praying to the Goddess for guidance.”

 

“Oh? And what else avails my host’s pathetic little human toy?”

 

Mei grit her teeth but managed to swallow the angry reply building in her throat, “Each time I immerse myself in the Honkai energy from the gems it wrests itself from my control and overwhelms me, like there is something in the abyss attempting to claw into my mind.”

 

The Herrscher of the Void rolled her eyes, “Yes, yes, I see the problem now. This idiot thought she had distracted it and you would be able to come into your powers peacefully, but it seems she was mistaken,” Sirin groaned in annoyance, “She must have been too distracted from seeing you again to focus properly, there’s no other reason for her to have failed so miserably that it is able to attempt personally corrupting you through the barriers erected by the Herrscher of Human Ego.”

 

Mei blinked, “What are you talking about?”

 

Sirin brushed her off with a wave of her hand, “Not important. She’s always been annoyingly focused on you. I’ll just have to remind her what her failure is costing you,” She paused to give Mei another frown, “Actually, is she still in there?”

 

Mei shrugged, irritation flashing across her face as the emotion welled up in her chest, “I have no idea who you’re talking about! Who is ‘she’?! You keep talking like you already know me but I didn’t even know you existed like this until now!”

 

“I do already know you, idiot, I’m a Goddess,” Sirin shot back. She suddenly stepped closer and jabbed her finger into Mei’s chest right where the gem of conquest had entered her body, “I mean in here!” She leaned in and grabbed Mei’s shoulder to hold her in place when the priestess attempted to lean away. Golden eyes seemed to stare into her soul, now close enough Mei could trace every little detail of the strange circular crosshair shape etched into her starry irises, “You still in there, you fucking bitch?” Sirin growled, though Mei got the distinct- and strange- sense that she wasn’t the one being spoken to, “Stop lazing about grumbling like an edgy teenager and help her, or do you plan on shaming the authority you act so proud of? The authority I allowed you to keep?”

 

Mei blinked rapidly as an intense upwelling of anger surged through her. Before she could properly think, she had shoved Sirin away and balled her fists as a fury stronger than any she had ever felt before burned beneath her skin. Sparks of electricity darted across her body just like when Bronya had infused her with Honkai energy, “What the fuck are you on about?!” the priestess shouted, “This is the second time in the last twenty-four hours I’ve had to deal with a strange entity I’ve never seen before talking like they know me and refusing to give me a straight answer! “ Thunder rumbled in the distance, though it only seemed to make Sirin’s eyes shimmer in amusement much to Mei’s continued anger, “What do you want from me?! What authority?! What are you talking about?!” She could feel this furious energy welling up within her growing with every word, every line that vented her frustration and anger. She barely noticed the way lightning had begun arcing from her body into the ground around her, or the darkening clouds rumbling overhead, “Answer me!” Her voice raised to a crescendo as she demanded an answer, a crack of lightning nearly blinding her as it lit up the inside of the building.

 

Sirin only grinned wider, “Oh, did I hit a nerve? My bad~” she finished with a singsong, teasing note.

 

Just as quickly as it appeared, the anger subsided, leaving behind a strange tingling along her limbs and a disorienting exhaustion burdening her mind, “I-” Mei shook her head in confusion, too confounded by what had happened to even remember to be afraid, “I’m… sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

 

Sirin shrugged, “Normally behavior like that would result in your death, but I was checking something, so it’s not quite your fault this time. If you did that under your own will, though…” Her eyes flashed and three portals behind her spawned deadly sharp black and white lances. They hovered over Sirin’s shoulder and pointed themselves directly towards Mei, “You’ll barely have time to see your punishment coming,” Her head flinched to the side again, “Shut up! Of course I’m not going to- Ugh,” She turned to Mei and scoffed, “Whatever, I’m done here. Try to access your power again tomorrow and if it still doesn’t work I’m going to come back and tear out that useless little upstart from your chest myself.”

 

Sirin slashed at the air with her hand and she collapsed into a golden singularity. Almost immediately the environment returned to its formerly peaceful state, as if the Herrscher had never been here. It was only now that Sirin no longer loomed over her that she realized how tense her body had become. Shaking legs nearly collapsed as she lowered herself to the ground in a daze. The nearly overwhelming amount of information the Herrscher had revealed to her raced through her mind faster than she could truly parse and understand its true meaning. Sirin had been right about one thing: No one would ever believe her.

 

“What is going on?” Mei whispered to herself in disbelief. “She was distracted by seeing you again,” Sirin had said. She was distracting the Herrscher of Finality? Mei almost scoffed to herself. The mere thought was almost unbelievable, if it hadn’t been for all the cryptic and cagey comments multiple otherworldly beings had directed towards her in just the last few days.

 

All she knew was- part of the Herrscher of Finality or otherwise- she did not want to endure a visit from one of humanity’s greatest enemies again.

 

Nothing could be worse than that, right?

Notes:

Two new players enter the ring!!! It's our good old friends Thunder and Void!! Will they be a constant in our journey? Mei certainly doesn't know! She's beginning to realize she doesn't know a lot of things, and our big important honkai friends here are a bit bad at not dropping too many hints. Lucky for us. And Mei. What do they know? What might Mei find out herself? Will Kiana ever beat the pervy lesbian allegations? That's for me to make up on the fly and you all to find out.

In all seriousness I've been waiting to write Mei meeting HoT and HoV ever since I started writing this. Partly because one of my headmates fucking LOVES Sirin, and partly because I just like writing the Herrscher personas. Of course, this is all just leading Mei on to bigger things as she pieces together these intense, unexpected conversations in her search for answers. But can she bet on having the free time to really get into the meat of these things? She's the protag of this story so probably not! She'll find out next chapter! ;3

Chapter 5: A Spark Of Familiarity

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The retort of pistol fire thundered loud in her ears as she dashed forward, katana flashing in the fluorescent light as she pressed in on her opponent. Kiana grinned as Mei’s blade darted forward and clipped her pistol, causing the stun shot aimed at her neck to fly through empty air a mere centimeter from its target. Mei pulled back and slashed high, only for Kiana to duck under the strike and launch a kick directly into Mei’s stomach. The priestess stumbled back with an explosive exhale as the strength of the Valkyrie made itself known.

 

“You’re quick, Mei!” Kiana said with a smile, throwing out a few more kicks to keep her opponent off balance.

 

Mei briefly wondered how Kiana expected her to respond with the flurry of strikes currently assaulting her defences. Her uniform was made of a special Honkai-infused material that allowed priestesses empowered by the Goddess (and with enough innate Honkai resistance) such as her to enhance their physical capabilities, but despite this she was barely able to keep up with Kiana’s sheer speed. Her technique was just as brash and headstrong as one might expect after spending a few hours around the Kaslana, but that didn’t make her any less dangerous when her leg was already impacting her side by the time Mei had even registered she’d shifted her weight for a kick.

 

“Is this the power of someone completely in tune with their gem?” Mei pondered as she barely sidestepped another shot from the Valkyrie’s dual pistols.

 

Something in the back of her mind seemed to speak back, “This power could be yours if you weren’t such a coward.”

 

It was such a distinct feeling of something other while also feeling so familiar and so like her own thoughts. This confusing dissonance quickly became her downfall as she stumbled in her attempt to match the Kaslana’s blinding speed and fell face first into Kiana’s incoming knee. The sickening thwack that followed brought a wince to the face of all present. Though none as much as the young Kaslana.

 

She was beside the fallen priestess in a flash, panic written all over her face, “Oh shit! Oh my gods, I’m sorry! Mei I’m so sorry, I thought you would dodge that!”

 

Mei grimaced in pain, the fingers she’d instinctively brought to her injured nose coming away wet with droplets of blood. Her eyes flicked up to the distraught Kiana and a small smile bloomed on her lips. Kiana’s expression morphed into a mix of earnest confusion and concern as Mei began laughing softly, “I suppose that makes us even, doesn’t it?”

 

Kiana let out her own short laugh of disbelief, “Y-yeah, I suppose it does.”

 

Mei pushed herself back to her feet with the aid of Kiana’s cautious touch. The Kaslana guided her to the sidelines by the entrance where their audience awaited them. Said audience consisted of Bronya, a medical team on standby with anti-honkai serum, and- to Mei’s increasing mortification- several of her curious fellow priestesses.

 

“That looked like a serious hit, Mei!”

“Are you okay? Is that blood?”

“Consider dodging next time.”

“Damn, she really knocked you into next week, huh rich girl?”

 

She ignored them as best she could, though she could not ignore how Kiana threw a glare at the originator of the last comment.

 

After a quick look over the medic hummed in confusion.

 

“What is it, doc?” Kiana asked.

 

“It’s just a little strange, Val- I mean, Her Grace the High Priestess said that Miss Raiden currently could not tap into the power of her gem. By my estimation, even with the enhancements of her uniform, taking a hit like that from a Valkyrie should have at least fractured her nose. But as far as I can tell she’s completely fine. The bleeding’s already stopped as well. So either she's tougher than she looks, or her injury healed itself by the time she got over here.”

 

Bronya finished the thought, “Which shouldn’t be possible without tapping into the gem for the Herrscher-like healing factor.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

Mei’s eyes darted back and forth in confusion, “But I wasn’t trying to do anything…” Her gaze snapped back to Kiana, “Is it possible to do it subconsciously?”

 

Kiana scrunched up her face as she thought, “Well, yeah, me and Bronya don't exactly think about everything we use our gems for anymore. But that's after months of practice at minimum!”

 

“Kiana idiotka, you can't use your own timeframe for reference when you had Hua's help.”

 

“Yes, I'm well aware Hua is not here,” Kiana growled.

 

Bronya's expression twitched with the smallest of grimaces, “I'm sorry.”

 

Awkward looks were exchanged between everyone present, no one sure what to do at the sudden tension.

 

Kiana waved her hand, brushing off her friend’s apology, “No, no, it’s okay. I'm sorry. I know what you’re trying to say. I'm just a little…” Kiana made a face Mei couldn't quite nail an emotion to. Bronya, however, seemed to understand immediately. Kiana sighed, a frown etching itself into her features. Sharp blue eyes studied the unfamiliar girls standing near Mei, “So who’re the voyeurs?”

 

Mei smiled awkwardly and gestured towards the first woman on the left, “This is Isabella Garcia and her squad, the Moonbeams.”

 


 

Kiana stared at the woman Mei had introduced her to. She had heard of Finality’s Moonbeams. Despite the cute name, they were an elite squad of warrior priestesses who grew to fame for rescuing members of Schicksals own elite Valkyrie squad, the Immortal Blades. Schicksal hotly debated the details of the rescue, no doubt chafing at the prospect of their “superior” Valkyries being rescued by a (relatively) small temple instead of an ally from the alliance of nations and cities they enjoyed more than adequate funding from. Kiana needed to look no further than the scar running vertically from the woman’s cheekbone up through her eyebrow to know it was a hard fought victory. The fact the woman still had a functioning biological eye while sporting a scar like that was testament enough to her skill. And perhaps no small bit of luck. Divine protection, perhaps? A voice distinct from her own thoughts grumbled in the back of her mind, viciously mocking such a notion.

 

As for the woman herself, she was a good head taller than Mei and had dark brown skin, the color of freshly tilled dirt with a warm tint that contrasted beautifully with the mostly white uniform of the temple’s warrior priestesses. Her hair was such a rich dark brown it appeared almost black, but the way it caught the light highlighted it in a lovely lighter brown around the edges and made the truth of its color clear. It was parted to the right of the center of her head and pulled back into a singular braid running down to the center of her back, done loosely enough that her hair retained some of its wavy volume. A few loose strands rested daintily beside her eyes, the woman brushing them behind her ears every so often, though some inevitably fell loose once more. Her eyes were similar, appearing so dark as to be almost black, an enchanting, calculating gaze that met Kiana’s analyzing frown with measured confidence. Her uniform was different from Mei’s. While it had the same base it lacked the shoulder cape and had lengthened coattails so that it appeared more like a trenchcoat than a military blazer. At her side was a longsword sheathed in a scabbard inlaid with a row of cylindrical pink decorations that bulged up from the flat center of the scabbard. A brilliant pink gem cut into the shape of a crescent moon was set into the silver hilt of the sword.

 

The woman tilted her head in a slight bow and smiled brightly, “That’s me. And the pretty ladies next to me are Sophia, Caihong, and Cecilia.”

 

Sophia looked much similar to her squad lead, but lighter skinned and several centimeters shorter, the same warm undertones giving her skin a beautiful shine. Her hair was cut shorter than Isabella's and was left loose, the strands falling in much tighter waves than her leader down to her shoulder blades. Kiana could almost imagine that if the waves of her hair tightened any more they'd pull themselves into curls. Her eyes were a brilliant hazel, a gaze more wary of the Kaslana than her leader but that did not diminish the self-assuredness the Kaslana found there. Her uniform looked much similar to Mei's, her belt containing the same pouches and bags with the addition of a pistol and a knife.

 

Caihong was a woman of Shenzhou origin, and her short height fit comfortably within the average (though she still managed to be taller than Kiana if only a little, much to the girl’s annoyance). What little was visible of her pale skin had been tanned slightly from many missions out in the Honkai wastelands, her knuckles and fingers covered in the little nicks and scars of one that enjoyed working with her hands. Her hair was shoulder-length if Kiana guessed. She had pulled it back into a ponytail, her blunt bangs appearing similar to Mei’s, but did not fall past her eyebrows like the Raiden’s. Her uniform was the same white with purple accents and flowery patterns, but the shoulder cape had been swapped out with a black half skirt that fell to just around the back of her knees and appeared to be made out of a tougher material. Her belt had additional flaps attached to either side of her hips, each with many pockets holding various tools and implements like something Kiana would expect from a mechanic, though why she was wearing it around the temple she couldn’t tell. She had an extra belt that circled her body from shoulder to opposite hip that held additional pouches and loops the woman had attached various devices and honkai ammunition canisters to.

 

Cecilia… Kiana quickly brushed away the memories that threatened to spill forth at that name, bitter sorrow echoing from the depths of her mind. The woman was obviously from Schicksal’s area of the world, same as Kiana. She was as tall as Isabella if not just slightly taller. Her pale skin and lighter hair made her stand out from her companions, even Caihong. It matched Kiana’s own cream colored tone, if covered in a few more burn scars than the Kaslana. Kiana couldn’t quite tell if the dirty blonde was her natural hair or a dye job. Either way, the strands fell loose and straight, down to just past the small of her back. The hair that might fall into her eyes was worked into braids on either side of her head that travelled back into a small ponytail that blended in with the waterfall of blonde falling down her back. Her uniform sported a full cape with the same braided cord spanning the distance over her collar where the fabric was anchored to prevent the cord from choking its wearer. The Honkai energy-like gradient that all the capes sported made the underside of her own shine brilliantly. The outside of the cape was white with the Eye of Finality emblazoned proudly upon it. Her right hip sported a basket hilted rapier, a finely crafted series of thin metal strands woven into the general half-spherical shape of the guard while the gaps left between ensured the lightness of the hilt. Excellent protection from slashes, not so much from thrusts that might slip through the gaps, though there was always a chance such an attack could be stopped by the small ring of metal where the hilt met the blade, not unlike the guard of Mei’s katana. Just with a bit extra. With the tassels hanging from both her shoulders clear to see, the woman appeared like an old noble of the Republic of Talyaani. Not that the other women in the room looked any less noble, but it was simply pertinent to Cecilia’s area of the world and evoked a certain image in Kiana’s mind.

 

Sophia gave a slight bow, “Pleasure to meet you.” Her voice was a smooth deep tone pleasant to the ears that reminded Kiana of the mentioned Fu Hua.

 

The other two gave their own greetings, all pleasant enough.

 

A higher pitched, Shenzhou accented voice spoke up next, “We’d heard whispers of someone our little Mei was suddenly appearing everywhere with,” Caihong grinned, “But we never expected to find a Kaslana attached to her hip.”

 

A soft whine from the Nagazoran girl made her embarrassment clear, “Caihong!”

 

Kiana’s footing shifted ever so slightly closer to her friend as the squad chuckled, “You know Mei?”

 

“Oh yeah,” Isabella nodded, her voice was controlled and confident, pitch somewhere between Sophia and Caihong (closer to Sophia’s deeper tones), but containing the frayed edges and intensity of someone whose voice was often put to work shouting orders over the din of battle,  “She was a candidate to join the team, but Cecilia won out over her.”

 

“She’s good,” Cecilia began, “But to make it in this squad you can’t just be good, you must be exceptional,” Her eyes narrowed at Mei as she used a wipe to remove the blood from her fingers.

 

Kiana rolled her eyes. Great, the girl was stuffy and annoying like an old Talyaani noble too.

 

“Mei’s good, don’t get Cecilia wrong,” Isabella cut in, “It’s just that some people were better,” She shrugged, “It happens, but I don’t doubt Mei could get into just about anywhere she wants if she puts her mind to it. Hell, I hear the head archivist has taken quite the shine to her and that old bat is hard to please.”

 

Sophia snorted, “That’s one way to put it.”

 

Kiana’s eyes flicked over to Mei, who met her gaze for only a moment before those violet eyes dipped down to the frown that had formed on her friend’s face. Mei smiled reassuringly, “Caihong was one of the first to welcome me into the temple, she even taught me how to customize my weapon to better channel our limited Honkai energy.”

 

Caihong waved her hand, “Ah, it was nothing. Might have to go over your sword again though, what with all that new energy you’ll be channeling through it eventually.”

 

Turning back to their leader, Kiana raised an eyebrow, “Your sword is powered by a gem of Conviction.”

 

Isabella grinned, “Hey, good eye! It was passed down through my family for generations. One of my ancestors asked that it be removed from her body after death and used to continue fighting for humanity,” Her hand rested on the hilt, finger absentmindedly stroking the gem inlaid there, “No one since has been able to wield the gems true power, but in this sword even the relatively miniscule amounts of Honkai the Goddess allows us to wield is enough to bring out some of its power.”

 

“I’ve heard of gems being used to power weapons,” Bronya commented, “They’re usually firearms of some sort, though.”

 

“My family is a bit on the… traditional side,” Isabella said, bitterness seeping into her smile, “Anyways, you’ve met the team! It’s nice seeing Mei found some friends outside the temple. She usually stays rather quiet and keeps to herself.”

 

“Keep dragging her out for breaks, yeah?” Sophia added.

 

Kiana’s frown finally began to melt, and the Kaslana laughed, “You got it! Now, sorry to cut things short but I think it’s time to go another round,” She playfully nudged Mei’s side with her elbow, “If you think you can handle it.”

 

Saying goodbye as they once again left the sidelines (and no small amount of gratitude from Mei towards the medic) the trio ventured out into the wide open space of the training area. Though it was rather empty when the holographic system was deactivated, it still served its purpose for now.

 

Mei walked after the two Valkyries, her brow furrowed as her thoughts raced through her experience the previous night. She had spoken to a Goddess again . Well, to the Herrscher of the Void. The fact she was still alive constituted a miracle! While her fearful, more cautious thoughts wanted to believe the evil Herrscher was untrustworthy, the more she thought about it the more she could not find reason to believe that Sirin would lie. While she undoubtedly carried an air of cold indifference and seemed to be barely restraining her desire for violence, what could she have to gain from pushing Mei to tap into her latent Honkai Energy? If she merely desired to cause her pain there were many much more immediate ways of doing that than tricking a middling priestess into being ripped apart by Honkai energy. What would she have to gain from tricking Mei into being overwhelmed and corrupted by the Honkai? She had no connection to the Herrscher of the Void and her Honkai resistance- while substantial- couldn’t possibly be a reason to be targeted by a Herrscher already hosted in the body of one of the strongest beings known to humanity. Not to mention the fact that Sirin still had her own body somewhere out in the Honkai irradiated wastelands scattered over Halifax’s surface.

 

She is cunning and loves to see humans suffer, however she has always detested those she labels as ‘cheaters’.”

 

Again thoughts sounded clearly in her mind as clearly as any other thought she had ever had, despite the strange but absolute feeling that they were something else. Something other . And it seemed to be answering her own train of thought. As much as she tried to find some reason to distrust what was said, everything she thought she knew about the Herrscher of the Void had been turned on its head purely by the method by which she had contacted Mei. That and… even without her thoughts answering themselves something within her wanted to believe the Herrscher was telling the truth, if not fully trustworthy. A Herrscher considered to be the pure embodiment of evil, yet apparently trusted enough by her Goddess to let a fragment of her live within and even control her physical body. If such a being was confident that Mei could succeed today, was it such a bad thing to let that plant a seed of hope in her heart? The trio stopped as they reached the center of the room and Mei was forced to pull up short so as to not run into Kiana.

 

Bronya tilted her head questioningly, “You alright, Mei?”

 

At this Kiana also spun and cast a worried gaze along Mei’s form.

 

“Y-yes, I’m alright,” Mei stuttered, “I was just thinking, I apologize.”

 

“About what?” Kiana asked.

 

Mei took a deep breath and locked eyes with her Valkyrie sparring partner, “I’d like to try using my gems again.”

 

Kiana’s eyes widened for just a moment before her expression settled into a steely determination. She nodded. Bronya backed away as the two took up their positions. Kiana eyed Mei for a moment before her voice broke the silence of the training hall, “Let me go over something again before we start. When you touch the Honkai, when it begins to truly flow through you, it… lets say enhances your human physicality before it begins to strip your humanity away at great cost and great… benefit. The more you use it, the more you will learn how to balance this ability to become more than human without slipping over the edge.”

 

“And if I do slip?” Mei questioned.

 

Kiana grinned, “Well that’s what me and Bronya are here for,” She casually spun a pistol around her finger, “I’ll knock some sense back into you if I have to.”

 

Mei’s laugh failed to mask her anxiety, “Comforting,” The statement carried an undercurrent of sarcasm, however Mei found that it also brought a comforting warmth. She held her katana at the ready, and as she let her eyes fall closed, she was greeted with the final sight of Kiana’s confident grin fading into something softer. An expression that radiated absolute trust and no small amount of affection. Mei did not understand what she had possibly done to evoke such strong emotion. Nevertheless it stoked her determination to not let Kiana down. This feeling had so far smoldered like breathing coals in her chest. And now as she allowed herself to sink into the abyssal waters of the Honkai those same embers leapt aflame.

 

Once again that familiar sensation that heralded the energy flowing through her overtook her senses. An endless current of unbelievable power, of unfathomable depth, of unimaginable cruelty. She gently drew the power from her gems just as she did the day before, only this time there was no sudden rush. No sudden breaking of her carefully constructed barrier against the ocean roiling against her mind. The Honkai energy carried with it an undercurrent of malice even as it felt so natural flowing between her fingertips. She could sense its danger, even as such danger beckoned to her with all its possibilities. The most striking difference was, of course, the lack of that presence clawing into her mind. The fact that the Herrscher of the Void had been trustworthy after all. And with that, the ease at which she was able to draw more Honkai energy into her body. The invigorating breaths of life that immersing herself in the Honkai always brought with it seemed to intensify tenfold now that the presence was absent. Like tight muscles finally relaxing and feeling that rush of relief as the Honkai flooded her veins. Pushing aside her curiosity at the usual feeling of incredible familiarity she instead allowed it to guide her. Her body seemed to instinctively know how to react, her mind treading strangely familiar paths, and as she opened her eyes she knew she had finally succeeded as elation shivered through her from head to toe. This was right . This was natural . This was…

Mei’s eyes tightened as she pushed down the urge to lose herself in this kaleidoscope of emotion and urges. She could feel the power of her gems roiling just under her skin like a thunderous firestorm begging to leap from her fingertips. As her eyes readjusted to the light, the wide grin on Kiana’s face was merely a final confirmation. The power that came to her was… natural. The sparks that danced across her skin and pink flame seemed to flicker from her pores, a much greater almost disorienting spatial awareness brought a smile to her face unbidden. She dared to open the valve limiting her flow of energy just a bit wider and those sparks grew to longer bolts of electricity that began darting around her entire body and jumping to the metal flooring she stood on. The flames left soot and ash along the flooring as shifted her footing. She “twisted” it back and the intensity of these powers fell back down.

 

Kiana’s grin somehow widened even more as she dropped into a ready position, her pistols clicking as she switched the safeties off. Before Mei could so much as blink Kiana was darting towards her. A small gasp tore from Mei’s chest as she ducked under a kick the Kaslana had thrown with even greater speed than before. An instinctive desire to crush this woman for daring to attack her flashed through her mind and was quickly shoved back down. She focused her breathing. She knew what Kiana was doing, and would answer in earnest.

Mei regained her footing and the two women began their dance. Her body felt… lighter. Her sword moved faster. She could feel how her mind connected Kiana’s movements to incoming attacks faster than she could remember ever doing before. She smiled with no small satisfaction as she parried and turned away attacks that would have struck her full force before. Kiana still landed hits and stun shots that left her skin tingling and her muscles feeling numb, but the sensation quickly withered away in the face of the energy pouring into her very cells. She could feel her perception sharpening the longer she remained immersed in the Honkai, her speed increasing even further, the sparks and flame along her skin beginning to dance along her blade. For the first time, Mei was keeping pace or even surpassing the technological marvel that was a valkyrie battlesuit, and the gem that powered its user. What had Kiana called it? Her Void Drifter battlesuit? Mei shuddered, it was a bit too soon to hear that word again.

Regardless, that didn’t make Kiana’s defenses impenetrable. Mei just barely sidestepped another kick, stepping inside Kiana’s guard and landing a solid elbow into her midsection. Mei allowed Kiana to stumble back, holding her katana at the ready to hold her opponent at bay. Mei’s chest heaved as she caught her breath, eyes never leaving the grinning Kaslana.

 

“You surprised me,” Mei said, “You were holding back earlier, weren’t you?”

 

Kiana chuckled softly, “Well I can’t make things too easy for you now, can I?”

 

“I always forget how incredible Valkyries are in combat. It is rare I get the honor to see such a sight.”

 

“Pfft, come on,” Kiana rolled her eyes good naturedly, “I’m pretty cool, yeah, but you make it sound so…” Kiana scrunched up her face in distaste, “Stuffy and formal.”

 

“Yes, because I’m trying to show you respect, Kiana,” Mei huffed.

 

Kiana laughed, “Ah come on…” She nodded towards her sparring partner, “It feels incredible, doesn’t it?”

 

“Yes, it…” Mei’s eyes lowered to her katana before darting back up to the Kaslana, “The Honkai has always felt strangely familiar to me even in the relatively miniscule amounts I wielded before. Immersing myself in the power of the gems feels… right. Like this is how things were meant to be.”

 

Kiana nodded again, “That’s how it gets you. It’s not wrong to enjoy the feeling, but just remember what its ultimate goal is.”

 

“Yes,” Bronya’s voice sounded out as she floated closer to the pair, “This is a power constantly attempting to slip through your defenses to corrupt you, and if you revel in it too much you will inevitably lose sight of your humanity. Do not brute force it. Allow it to flow through you, allow it to saturate you in its power. And learn how to redirect it, how to move with its current to twist and bend it to your will under its own momentum. If you simply try to block it, to move against the current, to bend it through sheer strength rather than using it against itself, you will get nowhere.”

 

Mei nodded, the responsibility of using such power weighing heavily in her expression. She stepped back into a more relaxed position and lowered her weapon, the sparks and flame soon extinguishing.

 

“It is forever the danger of using the Honkai,” Kiana said, her eyes unfocusing as if she was looking at something far away, “To use it, to some degree you have to give yourself up to it. It’s not like electricity or something. The Honkai is… alive in a way. At the same time, as someone changed by a Herrscher gem, your body now needs some level of Honkai energy to function properly.”

 

Bronya nodded, “It is a delicate balance. But it is one that can be wielded to humanity’s benefit. There is a reason people like us are so rare, and only those personally chosen by a Herrscher are capable of wielding it properly,” Her eyes darted back to the sidelines where Isabella and her team watched with interest, “Not just anyone can handle the burden of even this small portion of a Herrscher’s power.”

 

Something in the back of Mei’s mind seemed to smile haughtily at Bronya’s words, “I felt like…” Mei began, holding up her hand and clenching her fist in wonder, “My senses and body were sharpening, growing stronger, the longer I focused on channeling the energy in the gems. I feel relatively normal now that I’m not concentrating on it.”

 

“That’s normal,” Bronya confirmed, “Over time it will become second nature to maintain your honkai levels at a level comfortable for your body. At the moment it’s more likely you completely cut off the flow when you stopped focusing on it, and the power flowing out of your gems will slowly dissipate from your body over the next hour or so.”

 

“Alright, that’s enough talking,” Kiana groaned, “There’s only one way she’ll really learn how to use her powers,” The Valkyrie lifted up her pistols and grinned, “Ready for another go, Mei?”

 


 

“It appears whatever has been resisting her attempts to use the gem is no more.”

 

The High Priestess of the temple nodded, the tinny sound of the speakers relaying the audio of the figure bathed in holographic light simply voicing what they both knew. On the screen in front of her and her holographic guest were various monitors displaying different views of the training hall, and within it a certain trio of women.

 

“I told you she would pull through,” The High Priestess replied.

 

“So why have you not announced that the Finality has chosen a new gem bearer after all these decades of silence?” Dead quiet was the only answer, the figure’s question hanging in the air like a sword ready to plunge down at the slightest twitch. The hologram turned to face the woman still staring intently at the screen, “Valerie. Why do you keep her a secret?”

 

Valerie sighed and finally turned from the girls sparring on screen. Her eyes were sunken and hollow, an exhaustion that came from more than just age, “Something stirs in the dark. Last night we detected a large burst of Honkai energy almost on top of Finality’s tree. In the middle of our very own temple! And then again our equipment picked up another this morning,” She eyed her guest with knowing eyes, “A Herrscher level signature near the remains of Schicksal’s Babylon Labs.”

 

“Yes, we picked that up too. However, need I remind you that no one has seen the Herrscher of the Void’s mortal form for centuries?”

 

Valerie raised an eyebrow, “You of all people should know that Herrscher activity near the Babylon crater bodes ill for us all. It was Schicksal’s mistake that caused the second eruption. Without your Overseer’s endless lust for power humanity would have one less mortal foe.”

 

Her guest raised her hand, “You do not need to retread ancient history. I am well aware of the atrocities Schicksal is responsible for, trust me. However Otto Apocalypse has been dead for millennia, just as his labs are no more so is Schicksal as he created it..”

 

Valerie laughed coldly, “Schicksal is no better than it was then. Its leaders now are no Theresa Apocalypse and Schicksal has long fallen from the heights she brought it to. But we are off topic. You ask why I hide Mei’s acquisition of a Herrscher gem?”

 

Her guest nodded.

 

“That Herrscher signature near the crater, the fact that something was able to manifest directly in the middle of our own temple, and our city suffering under an ever increasing assault of Honkai beasts can only mean one thing. The Herrscher of the Void is planning to show herself once more, and soon. Arc City cannot hide the truth for much longer, my priestesses are running themselves ragged aiding the local authorities in keeping the beasts from breaching the city, but the rising ambient Honkai levels will soon outpace our capabilities.”

 

“So why not send your gem bearer?”

 

“She is not ready!” The High priestess snapped, “Her difficulty wielding her gems is not normal. There is something more at work here. The Herrscher of Finality would not choose her frivolously, and as such we should take these unforeseen roadblocks on the way to her mastering the gems powers just as seriously. If Sirin discovers the presence of one blessed by Finality…” Valerie shook her head, “It would bode ill for every one of us, Raiden Mei most of all.”

 

“Is that why you’ve allowed the Kaslana girl to train her?”

 

Valerie pursed her lips, “There is… something about that girl,” Their eyes turned back to the screen in unison, Kiana and Mei now dancing around each other, her blade flashing in the light as she struck out at the Valkyrie, “I keep careful track of members of Schicksal’s great houses that venture into my city. And yet nobody knew that this girl was here until she showed up on my doorstep at Raiden Mei’s side. And then she demonstrates an unusual amount of knowledge about Herrscher gems even for one wielding one herself.” She eyes her guest from the corner of her eye, “Did you complete my request?”

 

“Yes,” Her guest pursed her lips, “The Kaslana family has always been rather small compared to the likes of Shariac, they likely only outnumber the Apocalypse family. It made things rather simple,” The woman typed a few things into a terminal Valerie could not see and another hologram flickered to life displaying personnel files and a full body rotating hologram of Kiana Kaslana, “There has not been a Kiana Kaslana born in the last two decades. And none that we have files on match the few personal details you gave us.”

 

Valerie opened her mouth to speak before her guest interrupted.

 

“Well, none within a human lifespan at least,” Her guest kept her eyes locked with the High priestess, “I am personal friends with the current head of the Kaslana household and was able to convince her to allow me to delve into the Kaslanas’ personal archives. What I am about to say does not leave this room.”

 

Valerie nodded, her brows pulling down in apprehension.

 

“There is one record that has remained buried deep within the files the Kaslanas have kept in their own detached system for millenia,” Another hologram flickered to life with a girl strikingly similar to Kiana Kaslana, however instead of the Valkyrie battlesuit of the girl on the screen behind her, this girl was wearing a battlesuit in the form of a white bodysuit accented with orange and outlines of black around orange stars. However, everything else about her looked… exactly the same, “This is Kiana Kaslana,” her guest continued, “The first Kiana Kaslana. And the only Kiana that matched every description you gave me of this girl.”

 

Valerie stared in disbelief, she opened her mouth to speak, however no words would come to her as her eyes noted every similarity, the way her eyes crinkled with her smile, the curve of her bangs, even the way they held themselves, “A… reincarnation?”

 

“I don't know. Such a thing has been theorized but never confirmed. But if it was reincarnation, she would have birth records more recently, would she not? Her files are only partially accessible, the touch of Honkai corruption has ruined much of the data concerning her later life. Curiously, the only files to have been corrupted are the ones concerning this Kiana Kaslana, and they are kept on a separate terminal away from the rest of the archives in a room that can only be accessed by the head of house Kaslana. What she is, I cannot tell you. But it would appear this Kiana that has ingratiated herself with Raiden Mei is quite the interesting anomaly.”

 

Valerie turned back to the screen, watching as the girls laughed together, their sparring seemingly complete. Kiana had thrown her arm around Mei's shoulders as they walked away, faces close as they giggled at some joke or another.

 

“Whatever you decide, Valerie, do not hesitate for too long. The girl forged a rather poor ID for Schicksal's St. Freya academy, and I'm sure the principal is none too happy. I doubt it will be long before she sends Valkyries to apprehend this wayward Kaslana. So long, old friend.”

 

The hologram died, leaving Valerie alone with her thoughts and two spinning depictions of what appeared to be the exact same woman. Two millenia apart.

 

So lost in her thoughts was she, that she failed to take notice of the small chitinous pink insect that quickly took flight and squeezed through the nearest exit.

Notes:

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! >:3 It was delayed a bit due to having to move to a new home, but that also gave me time to re-read and edit the 80% of the chapter I already had written so it was a simple matter to finish it off once I got the energy to write back. Things are starting to move along, with some people in the know realizing the strange Kaslana girl might be more than meets the eye (doesn't help that Kiana isn't the most subtle person in the world when she's more worried about Mei). I'm excited to introduce some OC's I've specifically made for this that will likely show up every once in a while, as well as making the High Priestess begin to take her place as more of a character in the story. There are many secrets to be had in this world and I cannot wait to begin sharing them as we continue on this journey <3

Chapter 6: Who Are You Really?

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Several days passed without any life changing incidents or incredibly powerful beings visiting her, and for that Raiden Mei was grateful. However that did not mean she could rest. While Kiana was as boisterous as ever, she had filled Mei’s days with training, training, and more training. The Moonbeams had been assigned another mission and had disappeared from the temple once more, no longer observing Mei’s progress. In fact, every day less and less battle capable priestesses seemed to inhabit the temple. However the High priestess insisted all she needed to worry about was mastering her powers. That was her mission. Even after just these few days, Mei could feel a constant- though faint- comforting hum of Honkai energy just under her skin. If she gave it a little focus she was able to hold a stronger stream of Honkai energy looping through her body and back into her gems, though that often left her distracted. With it, her mood after her dreams steadily improved, and she found herself eating and drinking less to the point some of the other priestesses had voiced their concerns for her health. Despite her apparent lack of care for herself, Mei felt better than ever. Usually there would be a ceremony celebrating the choosing of a gem bearer, however even as others worried for her health the High priestess instructed her to refrain from telling others of her gem, the Moonbeams now being the only other people that knew about it.

To tell the truth, Mei was grateful for the excuse to avoid all the attention that came with being chosen by a Herrscher, for it would be even worse than what she already had to deal with due to the people that had seen the Goddess whisk her away. The older woman had gained a great deal of her trust over the years, however that did not stop keeping such a secret from worrying her. The more days that passed the more there seemed to be an energy filling the air of the city. Her parents were constantly busy and told her little when they were able to get together, her father had said it would do her no good to worry over things beyond her control- of course this just made her worry increase even further. People rushed along the streets with an anxious fervor as if trying to complete their errands before it was too late. Every night she was haunted by those same dreams, the same deluge of intense emotion and a familiarity that ate away at her as she remained unable to find anything relating to the events that played out in her mind. Even when she hunted through the archives, her dreams remained a mystery, and keeping the details from Kiana weighed on her mind. The woman seemed to have become acutely attuned to every sign Mei was agonizing over something.

 

That night, Mei found sleep would not stay with her. Too many times she had awoken from strange dreams believing hours had passed, only for her clock to have barely marked another thirty minutes. And so she remained awake, reminiscing.

 

The day had been pleasantly tiring, Kiana running her and Bronya around a bit too eagerly to hide her obvious effort to keep Mei's troubles at bay. If anything, she displayed a curiously detailed knowledge of the backstreets and shortcuts through the city for someone who claimed to have only visited rarely. But regardless of that, Mei could not deny she was touched by such sweetness. Yes, Kiana was loud and brash and seemed to have only the barest filter. Yes, more than once she thought she heard the girl talking to herself in a one-sided conversation. But she'd had fun, and found this white-haired woman was worming her way into her heart faster than perhaps was wise.

Now here she was, having climbed several flights of stairs onto the flat roof of the temple’s housing and sat herself with her legs dangling over the edge. Lacking her uniform's protection from the elements, the chill air bit into her skin. Mei had never been a big fan of the cold. However, obtaining a gem from the Herrscher of Finality seemed to have made the embrace of cold a more comforting thing. Just like when the cold had embraced her on her way to pray to the Goddess several days ago it was… disconcerting. Had it really changed her so much in so short a time?

Regardless, cold or not, being closer to the moon had always made her more comfortable. The boundless expanse of the stars and the calm night seemed to touch some inner nostalgia that made her long for the night sky. On this night the moon shone brilliant and full, the yellow light of the sun reflected off its surface as a cool white that bathed the land in its ethereal glow. So far away, and yet it still hung in the sky like a silent guardian. It always managed to send a wistful flutter through her chest, the moon and its almost romantic dance around the planet they called home.

 

“Yeah, it's rather beautiful isn't it?” 

 

Honkai stained hands rushed to clamp around her mouth and muffle the startled scream that escaped from the priestess, “Sorry! Sorry!” The Herrscher of Finality peered up at the woman apologetically, only removing her hand once she was sure Mei had calmed.

 

Mei sucked in a startled breath, “What are you- I mean you- I- My Lady?!”

 

“Yeah, it's me!” She said sweetly, tilting her head and fluttering her eyes at the woman, “I've come to check in on my favorite priestess!”

 

As Mei regained control of her breathing, she couldn't help the first thought that burst from her lips, “You didn't tell me the gems were going to hurt that much!” She cringed almost immediately and opened her mouth for an apology. She had just admonished a god!

 

Seeming to expect this, the Herrscher held up a hand to stop her, “Don't apologize. I… will admit I forgot your pain tolerance is much lower than mine,” the Herrscher winced, “Of all the things to forget, why can't it ever be the things I want to forget?”

 

Mei pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin upon them. The two sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes before Mei finally worked up the courage to break it, “My Lady… you said you wanted to check up on me.”

 

The Herrscher nodded, waiting for the girl to continue.

 

Mei took in a shuddering breath as she braced herself, “These last few weeks I have experienced blinding pain, incredible rejuvenation, something deep within the abyss of Honkai invading my mind, visions of another life accompanied by heart aching nostalgia and deja vu and this inescapable sense that something is missing that does not fade in the waking world, as well as the incredible feeling of belonging that comes with using the Honkai. It is… overwhelming,” Her voice shook slightly as she breathed the last word. Hesitantly, she pulled her eyes upwards to her Goddess.

 

The Herrscher nodded in understanding, “Yes, that is… partially my fault. Though my ever present companion made sure I got my head on straight,” She tapped a finger against her head and finished with a half hearted attempt to inject some laughter into her words.

 

“Yes, she… spoke to me,” Mei replied, “Have you always…?”

 

“Had the Herrscher of the Void inside me?” The Goddess grinned, “That’s a long story that few living are privy to. Lets just say she has been with me all my life. Though I didn’t always know she was there, and we used to get along even less than we do now,” The Moon Goddess shrugged, a wry smile on her face, “My relationship with Sirin’s full consciousness is…  even more complicated. Usually violent. So I suppose I will count my blessings that the Void within me at least partially understands me now.”

 

“I… see.”

 

The Goddess laughed softly, a melodic tune that fluttered blasphemously in Mei's heart, “It’s okay. There is much about us humanity has forgotten. Both a result of our personal desires, and from the simple passage of time causing some things to be distorted or lost.”

 

Mei looked at her Goddess in confusion, “Personal desires? Why? You are our Goddess, we should pay our respects to all of you, not simply the best looking pieces.”

 

The Herrscher’s eyes shimmered with an unreadable emotion, “Mei, I-” She paused and shut her mouth for a moment, “Being a Herrscher isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, y’know?” She shrugged, “I didn’t choose this life, but it is a responsibility I have learned to shoulder gladly. I made a promise a… long time ago. And I intend to keep it.”

 

Mei met her gaze. This time she could truly take a moment to appreciate being this close to her Goddess. The Herrscher of Finality’s eyes had always been one of her more striking features. Brilliant pink stars within more human cerulean blue irises. What most depictions fail to mention, however, was the way rays of light danced in her irises, as if shining from the pink stars themselves and dancing like fireworks in the night sky. Eyes that held so much beauty, and yet when the Herrscher’s expression was taken in her entirety they beheld such sorrow.

“They must have been important to you, to have gotten such a promise from the Moon Goddess,” Mei said.

 

The Herrscher turned her gaze out to the lights of the city, her voice growing soft, “She was.”

 

Mei hesitated as she questioned, “May I ask who?”

 

Her Goddess’s gaze darted back to her and for just a moment Mei feared she had overstepped her bounds. A few seconds passed before the Herrscher took a deep breath, “She was my teacher. A brilliant flame that lit my path forward, and with the flame I inherited from her I lit the way for humanity’s future. It was because of her that I had the strength to become what I am today.”

 

“She sounds amazing.”

 

“She was,” The Herrscher of Finality smiled sadly.

 

Mei’s arms tightened around her legs, “I fear my worries must seem so small and simple compared to everything you’ve gone through.”

 

“Not at all!” The Herrscher reassured her, “Mei you’ve…” She hesitated again, mouth opening before shutting again like the Herrscher was struggling to decide what she should say, “I kinda turned your life upside down when I gave you these gems, it would be a failure on my part to minimize your struggles.”

 

The Herrscher watched as Mei fell into her thoughts. Content to wait, the two sat in silence. After a minute of contemplation, Mei raised her head, “My Lady… is it normal to see things in your dreams after acquiring a gem?”

 

The Herrscher raised an eyebrow, “Depends on what you mean by ‘things’.”

 

“Ever since you gifted me these gems I have been experiencing the same dreams over and over every time I sleep. They are too vivid and consistent to simply be my own mind, they're more like visions or… memories.”

 

The Goddess's gaze held steady and unchanging, even as the Herrscher turned towards her with renewed interest, “These… visions… what do you see?”

 

Mei’s voice shuddered as she took in a deep breath, “In my dreams I see a city half drowned. A great thunderstorm splits the sky as I clash with someone I feel in my heart that I love more than anything else in this world. I see that same city bathed in a golden sunrise, this same woman standing by my side on a shattered rooftop and I feel in my heart that we have fought for and lost so much just to experience this moment together. And I know that my love for her transcends the cosmos,” Mei's voice grew hoarse, the woman choking on her words as tears began to stream down her face unbidden. Something about speaking these words aloud seemed to bring all the emotions within them to well up in her chest all at once,

“I-I see… a battlefield. A city that I do not recognize besieged by forces beyond my understanding. I am clad in armor both strange and yet so familiar. I see a girl there. The same one from that battered roof. She is afraid, and hides it behind flirtatious words and a confident smile, but I know her too well. We are beset by a most frightening figure, clad in purple with blazing golden eyes. This girl jumps to my defence, only to be easily and soundly defeated. I watch on, knowing that if I attempt to free her from her assailant's grip I will certainly die. But my only thought is that I must try. Because in my heart I know she is my whole world,” Mei wipes at her tears, the priestess staring at her hand as though both confused and resigned to the wetness she finds there, 

“I do not understand why these things feel like… like rewatching my own memories through a haze. Why the only thing I can hold onto is that I love this woman so much my heart does not stop aching for hours upon waking. Her white hair and cerulean eyes, a brash smile I would recognize anywhere. She looks just like the Kiana I see every day now in the waking world. But why… why does this girl look so much like you?”

 

The Herrscher’s eyes widened and she looked away like a child caught in a lie, “I… I can’t tell you.”

 

Why ?” Another tear slid down her cheek, “These dreams haunt me every night and leave me drained and listless once I awake. You are the only one who can tell me what is going on!” She reached out for her Goddess, stopping just short of touching her. Her desperate focus left her oblivious to the way a bolt of lightning danced across her body, “Why can you not tell me?!”

 

“There are things at work that require me to maintain a delicate balance,” The Herrscher began slowly, “Please believe me when I say I wish I could just tell you everything right here and now. But there are some things that I need to let you learn yourself. It is… better that way.”

 

“This is better?” Mei whispered

 

“It- Okay, I know that sounds kinda bad…”

 

“Really bad,” Mei corrected.

 

“Really bad! And I want to help, but I just… I can’t right now. I know that… that really hurts to hear. And I’m sorry.”

 

Mei took a moment to wipe the new tears from her face, nodding her head in quiet acceptance, “You have your own responsibilities, I understand,” Mei said quietly, “But you’re right, it does hurt.”

 

The Herrscher seemed to be expecting this, though her expression fell all the same. Her eyes darted around for a moment, an almost frantic thoughtful look passing over her face, “I cannot give you all the answers you seek, but I can point you in the right direction. You have two options for learning more about Herrschers and the Honkai. The first is to venture into the Honkai Wastes and find the ancient headquarters of Schicksal. A place where multiple Herrschers have left memories in this world that echo within the ruins, lost to time. Your new sensitivity to Honkai energy will lead you in the right direction. The other is to find the Celestial Phoenix and her hidden sanctuary of Mount Taixuan. As one chosen by me, your future is inextricably tied to us Herrschers. However, the answers you seek are only found in the past. Answers that can only be given by ruins and the souls scarred by their memory.” The Herrscher managed a small smile, “Kiana and Bronya are loyal companions. If you cannot bring yourself to trust me, trust them.”

 

Mei forced herself to bite back her words at the mention of her friends. Her questions would undoubtedly go unanswered. Instead she nodded, “My faith remains unshaken, My Lady, though my heart is pained. Kiana and Bronya have become… special to me. It is rare that I find myself growing close to other people like I have to them.”

 

The Moon Goddess’s smile grew wider, “Then I can rest assured that my priestess is in good hands.” The Herrscher looked her over one last time before her form collapsed in on itself into a swirling purple rimmed black portal and disappeared, leaving behind a whisper in a language that Mei could not understand, yet it sent shivers through her body all the same.

 

Ich liebe dich.

 

Mei did not sleep that night.

 


 

A purple flash lit up Kiana’s room and her feet gently touched down from the portal that had appeared from thin air. Just as quickly as it had formed, it disappeared, leaving the room as still as it had been before Kiana’s arrival.

 

“You were not entirely truthful to her.” An accusing voice echoed through her mind.

 

Kiana grit her teeth as she stared into the room’s full body mirror, “Look, I was telling the truth when I said there’s certain things I just can’t tell her right now, okay?” She blinked and her reflection now stared back at her with golden, crosshaired eyes.

 

“And yet you gave her just enough to cause her distress. What are you doing, Kiana?”

 

“I didn’t do it to stress her out! It’s not my fault that she asked me about one of the very specific things I can’t talk to her about!”

 

“Of course she’s suspecting something with the combination of her dreams and how you act around her, idiot! Yet you still hide our origin. YOUR origin. And then you have the gall to preach to her about trust. Trusting in you no less.”

 

“It’s not on purpose!” Kiana insisted, her voice raising at the accusation.

 

“You still hide things from me as well. I’m disappointed.”

 

Kiana threw her hands up in frustration, “You’re literally in my head and can read my thoughts, what are you on about?”

 

“Oh really?” her reflection scoffed and narrowed her eyes at her counterpart, “There are still parts of your mind you keep shrouded even from me,” She inspected her nails for a moment before sending Kiana a glare that made the woman visibly flinch, “If you are so innocent and trustworthy then tell me, where is the core of the Herrscher of Thunder?”

 


 

Mei stood in her room, uniform once again adorning her body as she stared into her mirror and allowed her eyes to dart between the electricity jumping along her limbs. She was sure this would get old eventually, but at the moment it was a novelty she couldn’t help but enjoy. The lightning crackling between her fingertips gave life to a child-like wonder within her. After last night it was a welcome break. But where was her exhaustion? Even as she toyed with her abilities as a distraction, she could not bring her mind from the rather pertinent question of why she did not feel that tired after staying up all night after an emotionally exhausting event. It was concerning to say the least. Kiana and Bronya had warned her about the inhuman aspects of accessing the powers of the Honkai, but actually experiencing the lack of hunger and the apparent lack of a need to sleep (or at least not sleep as much) was something else entirely.

 

A useful, yet terrifying tool. Just like everything else when it came to the Honkai.

 

“If you’re done playing around, your phone received a text.”

 

An annoyed voice- her thoughts in the back of her mind directed her to her pocket. Pulling out the device Mei saw that she did indeed have a message. One that instructed her to come to the High Priestess’s office with Kiana and Bronya. Though to her surprise, her friends were already waiting for her upon exiting her room.

 

“Oh, uh, h-hi Mei,” Kiana stammered. She awkwardly lowered her hand from where it had been pulled back to knock on the door.

 

“I assume you received the High Priestess’s message, too,” Bronya said.

 

“I did,” Mei confirmed, “I apologize if I kept you waiting long, I was… distracted.”

 

Kiana shook her head rapidly, “No, no, it’s okay! We were just… Uh, anyways, we should get going, huh?” Without waiting for an answer Kiana spun on her heels and began a speedy stride down the hall. Mei and Bronya watched on until Kiana froze and slowly turned back to her companions, “So… where is her office, anyways?”

 


 

Mei attempted to push down the anxiety fluttering in her chest as they approached their destination. Kiana had been acting strange all morning. She avoided Mei’s eyes and stumbled over her words like a guilty child trying to stay out of trouble. The priestess could not shake the deja vu that rolled over her in successive waves as each expression maintained that striking resemblance between Kiana and the Herrscher of Finality. However, such thoughts would have to wait. The door to the High Priestess’s office hissed open and the woman herself was already stood behind her desk and staring out of the window.

 

The High Priestess wasted no time, “Good, you three are here,” She turned before the door had even finished closing behind Kiana, “I have a mission for you, Mei-”

 

The priestess interrupted her superior, “If I may speak, Your Grace, I have something of great import to tell you,” The older woman looked taken aback for a moment before she nodded for the younger woman to continue, hands behind her back as she assumed a formal posture, “The Herrscher of Finality spoke to me last night.” The High Priestess’s eyes shot wide open as Mei continued, “She has requested I continue to expand my knowledge of the Honkai and hone my abilities, and has appointed me tasks with which to do so.”

 

The High Priestess spoke slowly, “She… and what was this guidance she graced you with?”

 

“She told me I must find the ancient capital that housed the Schicksal’s headquarters before the Great Eruption, where I might learn more about the Herrschers and the nature of the Honkai. The other is to locate the Celestial Phoenix and her mountain home of Mount Taixuan.”

 

The High Priestess looked shaken, the older woman holding her desk in a shaky grip as she fell heavily into her chair, eyes darting about as her thoughts raced, “The Phoenix…” She whispered. She sucked in a shaking breath before her exhausted eyes finally locked with Mei’s, “This is… well,” She visibly took a moment to pull herself together, “It is good to see that our Goddess’s renewed activity is beginning to involve communicating with her believers once more. These tasks she has given you may actually be aided by the mission I had in mind,” She steepled her fingers, her analytical gaze darting to Kiana for a moment, “I’m going to need you to escort Miss Kaslana back to Schicksal’s St. Freya academy.”

 

“Huh?” A look of genuine confusion lined Kiana’s face, “Wait, what? Why?”

 

The High Priestess chuckled, giving just enough time for Bronya to facepalm before continuing, “To answer for that ridiculously fake ID, of course.”

 

Kiana froze like a deer in the headlights before sheepishly rubbing the back of her head, “Ehe… So you saw that…”

 

Mei could only look on in disappointment, “Kiana… did you really?”

 

Kiana winced, “I may have?”

 

“St. Freya’s principal is the leader of Schicksal’s Far East branch and she was none too happy to find a Kaslana falsifying Valkyrie credentials,” She shot the white-haired girl a look of admonishment, “You have two choices, Kiana. Either Mei escorts you and Bronya back to Soukai city peacefully, or I tell the Valkyrie squad she sent to hunt you down exactly where you are. They are currently a few cities over on a wild goose chase, I can only assume due to Miss Zaychik’s handiwork considering there’s no other Kaslanas in this part of the world right now, but it will not take them long to fly to Arc if it was where they needed to be,” She raised a questioning eyebrow, “So which will it be, Miss Kaslana?”

 

Kiana grimaced, “Is there an option where I don’t have to go to St. Freya?”

 

“No.”

 

Kiana sighed, “Alright I think I’d much prefer a pretty priestess taking me back there than getting tackled and arrested by a Valkyrie squad.”

 

The High Priestess glanced at Mei, “Does she always talk about you like that?”

 

Mei shrugged, “Usually she’s much more charming about it.”

 

The High Priestess held her gaze with Mei’s awkward smile for a few more seconds than was necessary before sighing, “Just don’t make me regret sending you alone. And as for how this will help you, St. Freya is known to be much more open to aiding those that seek them out than the other branches of Schicksal. While you're there, request to access their databases. Schicksal no doubt has a much larger and wider range of information than we do, and your position as a priestess of Finality will give incredible weight to your mission. As one of the largest anti-honkai organizations Schicksal attempts to strike a balance between the Herrschers aligned with humanity, St. Freya will not turn you away. As for Kiana, you do not need to worry for her safety. I doubt the principal will actually harm her despite her transgressions. Your transport awaits.”

 

Mei bowed, “Yes, Your Grace. Thank you,” She eyed her friend. Kiana was in the middle of begging a rather unconcerned Bronya for help, “So are doing this the easy way or am I gonna have to handcuff you, Kiana?”

 

Kiana spun away from Bronya with a nervous laugh, “Woah, hey now, already jumping to the handcuffs? At least take me out on a proper date first!”

 

“I would offer to gag her but I don’t ever want to see Kiana idiotka like that. Plus she’d probably like it,” Bronya deadpanned.

 

“Hey! You little brat, you’re supposed to be on my side!”

 

“If being on your side means listening to you moan around a gag, I’d rather surrender the planet to the Honkai. Now can we leave? Or are you going to continue embarrassing yourself in front of the High Priestess?”

 

At that Kiana flinched and threw a glance back to the woman in question before jumping towards the door, “Yup! Leaving now! Bye!”

 

Bronya rolled her eyes and the two women followed their friend out of the room.

 

Once the door had closed and they had walked a good distance away from the office, Mei placed a hand on Kiana’s shoulder and brought the girl to a stop, “Kiana, are you sure about this?”

 

The awkward smile on her face shifted to something more resigned, “Yeah… I’ve been avoiding it but I always knew I’d need to go back to St. Freya one day.”

 

“Go back? So you have been there before despite your credentials being fake?”

 

“Yeah, I- it’s… a long story. But I’m familiar with St. Freya. The assholes banned me from the cafeteria!”

 

“Yes,” Bronya confirmed, “And it was well deserved,” She looked to Mei, “Never let a Kaslana in the kitchen.”

 

“I will… keep that in mind,” She replied, “Now, I would prefer to get this done before this Valkyrie squad hunting you catches up.”

 

Kiana winced, “Right. Well Bronya, looks like we’re going… well not home. To our not home-home!” She pointed forward and began marching towards the small landing pad at the rear of the temple grounds.

 

“Stupid Kiana.”

 


 

The small insect like being buzzed through open air. Its body the size of a fingernail, it was encased in a white chitinous shell with hints of pink underneath peeking through along its joints and the plates of the abdomen like veins. Its angular features and four wings gave it the appearance of a smaller cousin to the flying Honkai beast humanity had dubbed “Angels”. As a creature of the Honkai, it did not need rest and did not need to eat. Without pause it darted across the landscape with a single mindedness that was only halted to avoid encroaching wildlife. 

Past the Honkai wastes and tucked within vicious mountains was a city built into the base of the mountain itself, hidden to all but those with the strength and will to make the journey through the irradiated wastes. The soft shimmer of an Honkai absorbing energy shield surrounded the settlement, a dome that arced from the mountain to blanket the buildings that creeped from the protection of stone. A small hole opened in the shield as the insect approached, as if the city expected this tiny visitor. It continued its journey without pause, buzzing over streets that were busy with people, though perhaps not quite as busy as one might expect for a city of this size. Stone was combined with modern technology, slowly fading into more and more modern construction the further into the mountain it travelled. Within the mountain, at the very pinnacle of the cavernous city, from the stone rose a magnificent palace of black stone and golden trim. While perhaps smaller than what the wider world would consider a palace fit for royalty, its architecture left no doubt of the regality of those within. The Honkai insect dove through an open window in the main structure and quickly darted through the halls and through small holes and tunnels set into the walls far above the ground. A perfect fit for the stone’s insectoid visitor. Within a dozen seconds it exited into the grand central chamber.

Within sat the self described “Queen of the Honkai” upon a throne of white stone lined with pink veins of Honkai energy and cushioned with rich purple and gold-trimmed cushions. At her side stood a woman with light blue hair and white-armored Honkai dragon wings sprouting from her back. Various mortal’s dressed in armor styled to look like the tough chitin of Honkai beasts stood at attention throughout the rest of the large audience chamber. Sirin raised her hand as the soft buzzing darted towards her through the elegant halls of a kingdom that had long ago succumbed to her power. She allowed the buzzing Honkai insect to land upon her finger. It buzzed in a strange pattern for a few moments before flying away and disappearing amongst the halls.

The Herrscher of the Void smiled, a cruel and cold thing, “I see. So you have returned from your ventures into the void beyond worlds. Was its Will too much for you, Kiana? For centuries now you have shunned me, relied on others to hold me back while you stumble after something that cannot be tamed,” Sirin sneered, “And now you and those miserable brats you call friends are finally all in the same place,” She settled back on her throne, eyes glowing bright until even a mortal would be able to feel how the air writhed with power, “I will make the pathetic sheep you protect watch as I rip your core out of your chest and take what has always belonged to me.”

 


 

“Achoo!” Kiana pressed the crook of her elbow against her face as she sneezed, “Heh, someone must be talking about me,” Her sniffle was drowned out by the hum of the transport’s engines. She glanced between her friends sitting next to her, the seats set against either wall of the ship, “Hey wait, did anyone pray to the Herrscher of Wind before we took off? That’s like, an important step right?”

 

“Pilots always offer prayers to the Wind before takeoff, Kiana. And even if they didn’t, I said my own,” Mei answered, “But more importantly, what can you tell me about St. Freya?”

 

“It’s a pretty big campus built around an old church on the outskirts of Soukai City. My au- er, Theresa Apocalypse started the place a few thousand years ago to train Valkyries for Schicksal.”

 

Mei raised a curious eyebrow. Another time Kiana had stopped herself from voicing her original thoughts. She had done so before, but Mei had always attributed it to Kiana’s mouth moving faster than her brain. However, after her conversation with the Herrsher of Finality she had spent the rest of the night pouring over her experience the last week. Agonizing over every experience, every recorded or remembered detail she could possibly think of. The result was a curious pattern in Kiana regularly beginning to say one thing- and usually giving off the impression she was rather knowledgeable- and then stopping and saying another that would give Mei only the basic information she needed. Whether it was simply Kiana wishing to keep her personal affairs private or… something else, remained to be seen. However- for now- she did not press the woman on the matter, “Yes, I know it is a well established institution utilized by Schicksal, but what might I expect there?”

 

“Lots of Valkyries for one,” Bronya helpfully added, “But more seriously, the grounds are organized with the student dorms around the outer edges and the classrooms clustered closer together closer in the center. Enough room for several hundred students as well as the school staff who are all seasoned Valkyries, think of a large university campus but with extra room for combat training. It is relatively laid back compared to most of Schicksal, but do not forget it is still basically a military training school. The old church at the back is used as a massive library with both physical and digital information. I even hear the local followers of the Herrscher of Rebirth send expeditions into the ruined sections of Soukai city to search for old databases or libraries to sell the information to St. Freya.”

 

Mei leaned forward, her interest piqued, “I knew there was another temple of Finality in Soukai, but I wasn’t aware they had created a place of worship for Rebirth as well.”

 

“Yes, partially due to St. Freya, Soukai city has several Herrscher temples within its borders. Finality, Rebirth and Death, Sentience, and Reason are the main ones. The Bronya is fairly certain there used to be a small one dedicated to the Herrscher of the Void back around when the school was founded, but that’s not exactly socially acceptable anymore,” Bronya said, counting off the temples on her fingers, “Due to this they also have a very strong defence force bolstered by the priesthoods of the temples, though they rarely attempt to take back the old ruins. Even if they eradicated the current population of Honkai beasts there, removing the Honkai energy irradiating the area would be a massively intensive undertaking and the radiation would be spawning new Honkai beasts and attempting to corrupt the workers all the while.”

 

“Right,” Mei nodded, “I’ve been on expeditions into such ruins myself. It is… not pleasant,” She shuddered, “It’s a coin flip on whether the emergency anti-honkai serums make you nauseous for hours and it’s practically guaranteed you’ll have to use them, since the only places that haven’t been damaged further by looters suffer intense Honkai radiation and protective clothing can only do so much. This is on top of the constant attacks by Honkai beasts and the possibility that one of your companions overestimated her Honkai resistance and starts to zombify with not enough serum to hold it at bay and keep the rest of us from the same fate. The very air feels alive with a malevolent energy displeased with your presence.”

 

“Yeah,” Kiana agreed quietly, “Trying to survive in lands claimed by the Honkai isn’t pretty, Bronya and I know that all too well,” The group fell into a heavy silence. Eventually Kiana sat back and groaned, “How long until we get there? I’m going to die of boredom!”

 

Bronya sighed, “Did Kiana idiotka not hear the pilots say it would take several hours?”

 

Kiana’s only response was to slump in her chair and release a drawn out groan.

 

Mei smiled, “We could always ask them to drop us off and spend a week hiking through the wilderness,” She offered.

 

“No thanks,” Kiana grumbled, “Fuck it, I’m taking a nap in this very uncomfortable chair !” She announced before shimmying into a vaguely more comfortable position and closing her eyes.

 

Mei and Bronya shared an amused look before they settled into their own comfortable silence, where they would wait out the remainder of their flight. The silence was only broken by the hum of the engine and the quiet giggles of Mei every so often when Bronya would lean over to show her something on her phone. A peaceful moment before duty would call once more, and another small moment with her friends Mei would cherish long into the future.

 


 

Bronya’s rather utilitarian description of St. Freya did not do the campus justice. Beautiful brick construction made up the dorms, while the classrooms looked more modern, and a rather simple fence marked its border against the lightly wooded city park outside. The landscape of the St. Freya campus had a large open-air circular arena in between the dorms and the classrooms situated in the east, and a large closed-in building in the west, no doubt another holographic training room with better Honkai shielding than the open arena. The church in the back looked less like the simple church Bronya and Kiana’s words had given her the impression of. 

It was more like a magnificent cathedral, its size dwarfing any other building on the campus. It was built on a foundation painstakingly set in the middle of a small lake at the back of the school grounds, with a beautifully constructed white stone bridge leading across the water to its entrance, wide enough one could comfortably drive a truck right down the center.

Said lake was fed by a waterfall from a cliff that curved around the campus’s border from west to north, which was then routed through a small river that snaked through the middle of St. Freya and into the park outside.

On the east end St. Freya met the sea. On this border was a small harbor, however it lacked the boats one might expect. Instead, there was a massive flying battleship hovering at a height that would allow it to clear every building in St. Freya besides the cathedral should it fly over them. Everyone who had dealt with the Schicksal Far East Branch had at least heard of the Hyperion, but the technologically advanced battleship was still a sight to behold compared to the more common smaller airships. The landing pad was positioned to the west, built against the cliff-side in a small clearing behind what Bronya pointed out as the combined main administration building and medical center, with the principal’s office located in the upper floors, as well as one of the main warehouses connected to the landing pads itself. St. Freya’s own fleet of airships was apparently kept in a hidden hangar built into the cliff itself. Conveniently, this also meant Kiana had little chance of escape, as she would need to go through the admin building filled with experienced Valkyries.

 

The landing pad was large enough for about three transports, and Mei noted that theirs was not alone. A smaller vehicle was already there, looking more like a combat gunship than their more civilian oriented transport. On its sides was emblazoned the sweeping winged crest of Schicksal. Mei took in deep breaths as they descended from the landing pad, greatly appreciating the lack of the stale, dry taste from the life support systems inside the transport. Even the smell of oil and grease as the maintenance crew went to work checking the transport remained in a fly-ready state could not dampen her spirits.

A short flight of stairs took them down from the raised landing platform and soon enough their feet touched down on St. Freya's grounds. Four figures stood waiting for them a few meters from the entrance into the admin building.

 

Kiana groaned, “Oh great, they already have a welcome party waiting for us. Where the hell is the principal? I don't wanna deal with these girls.”

 

Bronya shrugged, “Looks like Kiana idiotka is beginning to understand the consequences of not letting the Bronya forge her ID for her.”

 

Kiana groaned again, “I thought I was good enough by now I should've been able to do it myself!”

 

Mei raised an eyebrow, “Do you do this often?”

 

“Uh,” Kiana smiled unconvincingly, “No?”

 

“Stupid Kiana,” Bronya deadpanned.

 

Kiana opened her mouth to retort but before she could get a word out the figures waiting for them stepped forward with purpose. As soon as Kiana got a good look at who appeared to be the captain of the Valkyrie squad waiting for them she sighed, “Oh no, you’ve gotta be kidding me…”

 

With those words Mei felt a small twist of anxiety in her gut. However before she could question her friend, they came to a stop finally within speaking distance of their welcoming party.

 

The woman in the front had white hair with streaks of blonde seemingly at random through her bangs and fading completely into blonde about halfway down the long locks falling down her back. Instead of a Valkyrie battlesuit all four women were in a more casual uniform consisting of a dress shirt with a tie, a skirt that fell down to just above their knees, and knee high boots.

 

“Welcome to St. Freya, Captain Raiden,” She saluted, “I must thank you and the High Priestess of Finality for your aid in apprehending this criminal,” She almost immediately directed a glare at the Kaslana.

 

In response Kiana- rather childishly- stuck her tongue out and made a displeased noise.

 

Deciding to ignore Kiana’s antics, Mei gave a small bow, “Thank you. I must apologize, I was not informed that we would be met by a Valkyrie squad, may I ask your name?”

 

“Of course,” The woman returned the bow, “We are St. Freya’s Valkyrie Squad Alpha, though some shorten that to just ‘Squad A’. I am squad captain, Camellia Ataegina Rossweisse Kaslana.”

 

Mei could sense Kiana shifting behind her, the woman grumbling softly to Bronya, “Give me a fucking break, why is it always Dudu’s that have a stick up their ass?”

 

The Valkyrie glared at Kiana again, though it seemed more out of a general displeasure than that she had heard the girl’s words, “We had been dispatched to search for this… rat leeching off of my family name, and rushed back once we had been informed that your temple had discovered her treachery yourselves and would be bringing her to us personally.”

 

“Hey!” Kiana exclaimed, “Okay now I’m offended! I might have forged that stupid ID but I’m a Kaslana through and through!”

 

“Then why have I never heard of or seen you before?” Camellia scoffed, “I bet we could get that dye out of your hair quick.”

 

Kiana took a step forward, fists balled at her side, “You wanna bet?! I’ll show you just how wrong you are when I knock your ass into the dirt!”

 

Mei quickly placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder, “Kiana.”

 

Camellia laughed in disbelief, “You’re already here to answer for identify fraud, and now you want to put assaulting a Valkyrie on the list too?”

 

“I would rather there be no assault in my school, thank you very much,” A new voice broke through the building tension like a guiding hand gently turning down a dial, “Camellia, please stand down and cease antagonising our guest.”

 

“Guest?” Camellia looked at Kiana in disbelief.

 

The Valkyries parted for the new presence, and Mei could finally see who this newcomer was. She was dressed in a rather elegant looking white dress with flowing sleeves that draped over her arms like the leaves of a weeping willow. A ghostly white branch-like design flowed throughout her entire outfit, from the collar that anchored her dress around her neck, to the anklets around her bare feet and the hair decoration on the left side of her head that gave the appearance of branches growing along her head. The white was accented with a light blue on the inner lining and a gem in the center of her collar that only enhanced the woman’s ethereal appearance. Her hair was jet black and also had that same ghostly blue coloring the underside of it, though Mei had never seen a dye job quite like it before. Goosebumps formed up Mei’s arms as she got closer, the Honkai energy within her seeming to react to the woman’s presence.

 

She simply smiled at the three friends before her eyes focused on the smaller of the trio, “Welcome back to St. Freya, Kiana, Bronya.”

 

Bronya floated forward and the girl stepped forward to meet her halfway. As the two enveloped each other in a tight hug, Mei finally realized why Bronya had seemed completely unconcerned over this whole ordeal.

 

For the first time since Mei had met her, the emotionless girl had a wide, genuine smile on her face, “It’s good to see you again, Seele.”

 

“Huh?!” Kiana’s mouth fell open in disbelief, “Seele?! You’re the principal of St. Freya?” She immediately shifted her attention and pointed an accusing finger at Bronya as she released her partner, “And you ! You knew Seele was here and you didn’t tell me?!”

 

“Seele asked me not to make a big deal about her appointment as Principal. By the time I decided it was a good time to tell you, it was starting to look like we would end up coming back here sooner or later anyways. So I decided it would be funnier to let you discover her here yourself. Maybe you would have known this sooner if you talked to Seele more.”

 

“You’re such an asshole. How long have you been principal, Seele?”

 

“Um…” Seele smiled sheepishly and scratched her cheek with a finger, “It’s been several months now…”

 

“Finality’s tits, months ?” Kiana groaned in exasperation. The next moment she flinched, the hand still on her shoulder suddenly tightening.

 

“Kiana,” Mei began coldly, “You want to say that again?”

 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please- gah!” The grip on her shoulder tightened even further for a moment before Mei allowed Kiana to twist out of her grip. Kiana stumbled a few steps away from Mei, just far enough for Seele to open her arms and offer a hug.

 

Wasting no time, Kiana scooped the woman into her arms and spun her around, “It’s good to see you again, Seele!”

 

Seele’s surprised yelp blended into her laugh as Kiana spun her, waiting until Kiana put her back on her feet to give Kiana a proper hug, “It feels like forever since we’ve all been in the same place!”

 

“Madame Vollerei, you know these people?” Camellia asked incredulously.

 

“Why yes,” Seele giggled, “Bronya is my girlfriend, after all. And Kiana is her best friend, I would be remiss not to have her acquaintance,” Her eyes turned to the priestess watching with a small smile on her face, “Miss Raiden is… the only stranger here,” She said it matter of factly, but just like Kiana, Mei could have sworn there was a strange hesitance in her voice.

 

“Unfortunately, Kiana, I am still going to have to have a talk with you. I still have responsibilities and we will have to find a suitable answer for this unfortunate situation with your Valkyrie ID,” Selee took Bronya’s hand and gestured for them to follow her with her other, “Camellia, you and your squad may stand down. Your mission is complete now that Kiana is in St. Freya. I will contact you personally if you are needed further, but for now, rest.”

 

Camellia frowned, “I-” She seemed to think better of her words, instead she nodded and with one last distrustful look towards Kiana she took her squad into the building ahead of them.

 

With that sorted, Seele started towards the door to the admin building, “Now, let us go to my office. I’ll also inform Amber that you’re here, Kiana, I’m sure she will want to say hello.”

 

The Kaslana gasped, “Amber’s here? Lets go!”

 

Mei followed along at what she considered a respectable distance, the sudden feeling of being an outsider looking in coming over her as she watched the group laugh and walk alongside each other. That strange tingling from the Honkai energy drawing her towards Seele remained an ever present curiosity. Bronya had mentioned her before, but… who was she, really?

 


 

The heavy oak doors to the Principal’s office groaned open with a flick of Seele’s wrist. The space inside was likewise an elegant wooden construction, with carpets covering a large portion of the hardwood floor. The walls were covered in bookshelves filled to the brim with books. A few shelves closer to the desk at the other end of the room had cleared sections that held what appeared to be various statues of fictional mecha and characters.

 

“Um, Those are…” Seele’s cheeks grew red as she saw Mei staring at her collection, “Bronya really likes mecha anime and she’s gotten me into them as well so…”

 

Mei smiled reassuringly, “No need to be embarrassed, Madame Vollerei, I understand. While I have never bought these kinds of statues myself, I can definitely see the appeal.”

 

Seele laughed softly, “You’re always so understanding, Mei.”

 

Mei’s brows pulled down in confusion, “What?” And at nearly the same time Seele (and the others) froze in place like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

 

“Did I come at a bad time?”

 

The group spun out of their shocked silence to the woman that had just entered. She had white hair just like Kiana’s, though while she had similar bangs to Kiana the rest was pulled into a single braid down her back. The upper half of her face was hidden by a golden visor and her limbs had telltale mechanical joints and grooves peeking from beneath her clothes that signaled cybernetic enhancements. Though how deep those enhancements went was impossible to tell at a glance. 

Seizing the opportunity, Kiana shattered their awkward silence and jumped at her without hesitation, “Ambeeeerrrr!!!”

 

Amber started at the outburst, though she was only able to begin a step back before a blur of white hair crashed into her with an audible metal thunk, “K-Kiana! Don’t startle me like that!”

 

Kiana giggled and tightened her arms around the woman, “I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen you in so long! When Seele told me you were here too, I could hardly contain my excitement!”

 

Amber chuckled and began gently stroking Kiana’s hair, “It’s always nice to see you too, Kiana.”

 

Once again Mei was left feeling like an unwelcome observer. An intimate moment between what seemed to be Kiana and a beloved member of her family almost felt like something she shouldn’t be watching. She wasn’t close enough to Kiana. She wasn’t qualified to see such things. She turned her eyes away, unable to help how her ears picked up a faint whispering between Kiana and Amber. Her hand rested on the hilt of her katana, finger tapping against the hilt as these thoughts ran through her mind, the soft clink that resulted forming a comforting rhythm.

 

Her retreat into her thoughts ended quickly though, when the nearly inaudible whirr of Bronya’s prosthetics drew her attention to her side. Bronya smiled in that small way she usually did, “Amber is an important member of the Kaslana household,” Bronya explained, “She’s actually much older than she looks. She’s… a cyborg basically. The story behind that is a personal one, so I will leave any further information to be revealed at Amber’s discretion. Needless to say, she has become yet another person ensnared by the idiotka’s endearing stupidity.”

 

Mei let out a short, quiet laugh, “Kiana does seem to have a way of capturing one's heart, doesn’t she?”

 

The words hung in the air for a moment, Bronya and Seele giving Mei a soft, knowing look.

 

Mei looked between the two lovers, seeming a bit confused, “What? What’re those looks for?”

 

“Oh, nothing,” Seele smiled.

 

Mei’s brows pulled down further, the priestess gaining a frown, “By the way, what was that you sai-”

 

“Mei!” Mei’s question was cut off as Kiana latched onto her arm and pulled her away from Bronya and Seele, “Come here!”

 

Mei let out a sharp noise of surprise as she was practically dragged off her feet. Within the second she was face to face with Amber.

 

“This is my aunt Amber!”

 

“Well,” Amber seemed a bit flustered, though it was hard to tell with the visor over her face, “I’m not, technically, but…”

 

Mei bowed slightly in greeting, “Hello Amber, my name is Raiden Mei. It is a pleasure to meet one of Kiana’s family.”

 

Amber returned the bow, “And it’s wonderful to meet you, Miss Raiden. From the information your High Priestess provided Mistress Seele, Kiana seems to have become rather attached to you.”

 

Kiana flushed a bright red, “Y-yeah, I like the pretty, charming Priestess, big whoop! Now shush!”

 

“Amber,” Seele sighed, “I told you, you can just call me Seele!”

 

“I’m surprised you convinced her to stop working long enough to come say hi, honestly,” Kiana commented.

 

“I-” Amber sighed, “May… still be a bit of a workaholic, I will admit.”

 

“May?”

 

“But!” Her head twitched towards Kiana and Mei could almost feel the glare burning through her visor, “I have learned to better take breaks. Such comments are unfounded now, Miss Kiana.”

 

Kiana smiled good naturedly and gently prodded Amber’s side with her elbow, “Ayyy, looks like I’m finally rubbing off on you! You always do so much, Amber, I’m glad you’ve finally learned to take care of yourself better while I was away! You still have a terminal case of standing formally, though.”

 

Amber immediately untensed into a more relaxed posture, “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kiana.”

 

Seele cleared her throat, “Amber, Kiana, if I could have your attention, please,” Seele had taken a seat on her desk, legs swinging as they failed to touch the floor. Once everyone had turned their attention back to her she cleared her throat, “Thank you. We still need to give Kiana proper punishment for her… unfortunate situation with her ID.”

 

“Awww come on…” Kiana whined, “Do we really have to?”

 

“You could always make her help with my paperwork,” Amber offered.

 

Kiana immediately fell to her knees and clasped her hands together, “Please, Seele! Have mercy on me! For the love of all that is holy give me anything but the absurd piles of paperwork Amber has!”

 

“Wow,” Bronya tilted her head, “You don’t want to help your aunt with her workload? Subject Kiana has no shame.”

 

“You know trying to do boring monotonous shit like that drives me insane!” Kiana whined.

 

“Well,” Seele shared a knowing look with Bronya before smiling down at the begging Kaslana, “I suppoosseee… the best way to atone should be by aiding our priestess of Finality here. They were the ones that discovered your… mistake. So as principal of St. Freya and the leader of Schicksal’s Far East Branch, I decree you will not leave Mei’s side.”

 

Mei’s face lit up with a pleased, yet confused expression as Seele crossed her legs and rested her hands on her knee with her own rather pleased smile.

 

“YESSS!” Kiana raised her fists in triumph.

 

Mei struggled to keep her lips from twitching upwards, well aware of what she was about to do, “Well, since you must aid me in my mission, I suppose the first thing we will be doing together is more research in the library.”

 

Kiana quickly slumped back down as her friends looked on with various degrees of amusement, her final words a resignation to her fate, “FUCK!”

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this update!! I very much enjoyed writing it. Mei continues to piece together that something fishy is going on, and we get our first appearance of the GOAT Sirin. Now as for Sirin's situation, how she's gotten to this point since second eruption, etc, WILL be explained as time goes on, because ofc there is much more to our traumatized murderous lesbian than just being an evil Herrscher.
It took me a bit to decide who I wanted to be the principal of St. Freya and I eventually landed on Seele, both for the Bronseele, and because I thought it would be a nice advancement from how Seele looked up to Mei as a teacher and admired her in Part 1.5. As for what is happening with these Herrschers existing in and interacting with the mortal world incognito like Seele, that is yet to be seen, but fret not for I have planned the story for that already. It just isn't time to reveal all, just how Mei will have to suffer knowing there's some sus shit going on but being unable to see just what the whole picture is <3

Until next time!

Chapter 7: It Lies In The Past

Notes:

Okay let me start this off by saying this chapter is MUCH shorter than what I've been averaging so far because as I was writing this next chapter I realized that this next part is going to be very long, and very important. As such I have split off the beginning of the chapter into this shorter one with the really juicy stuff coming in the next which I plan on getting out around the weekend like I have been the last few chapters. Hope you enjoy! :3

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“Massive” did not even begin to describe St. Freya’s library. If the building looked larger than life on the outside, the inside somehow managed to make Mei feel even smaller. The shelves were thrice as tall as her, the highest shelves needing attached ladders to reach, and there were multiple stories of these shelves covering every square inch that wasn’t needed for walkways. Several designated reading areas through the center were equipped with long tables along with several separate rooms set off to the side with beanbags and recliners. And this didn’t even begin to touch what seemed to be petabytes upon petabytes of data stored on servers hidden somewhere within the structure and around the world.

 

The vast amount of worldwide data Schicksal had access to was mind numbing, with many recorded or scanned first hand accounts of historical events complete with detailed digital reconstruction of the very document itself, some rarer data regarding expeditions into the Honkai Wastes was simply impossible to find on the general internet. The Temple of Finality had some of it, of course, due to the nature of their work, however Schicksal had been around long enough and was large enough of an organization that there were many secrets hidden with its halls of databanks. It was rivaled perhaps only by Anti-Entropy. Mei had spent the rest of the day pouring over the archives, slowly growing more and more outwardly frustrated as she failed again and again to discover anything new. Vague references and censored articles hounded her every search. However, there was quite literally thousands of years of information for her to sift through, and even with Kiana’s help that would take time. Still, that did not keep her from thumping her head against the table at Herrsher study after Herrscher study that was redacted to the point they were practically unreadable. Similarly, all she could learn about Schicksal’s lost headquarters was that no one knew where it was. A report from around the time Sirin had supposedly destroyed the entire area had seemed hopeful. Unfortunately the details within were of the virus Schicksal had released across worldwide systems to erase the location of the city from all records. Schicksal refused to allow anyone to loot the advanced technology contained within, and had alienated itself from world governments at the time to protect its secrets. The last clue as to what had happened, and it was simply a dead end. Kiana had nearly fallen out of her chair when Mei’s frustrated fist slammed against the thick wooden table.

 

After a rather frustrating day, she was more than willing to retire to the temporary residence Seele had granted her in one of the dorm buildings. More than anything, she was ashamed that she had let Kiana witness her emotions get the better of her like that. Though of course, she had still brought multiple historical records back to her room regardless of how vague the information within might be. It was there, hours after sunset and after Kiana had finally crashed from the mental exhaustion of reading historical text all day, that Mei found herself still studiously flipping through page after page. Bent over the small desk set next to the bed and lit by a cheap desk lamp, Mei hardly noticed the cry for rest from her drying eyes as she analyzed every sentence, every specific wording, for any hint as to the past of the Herrschers or the location of Schicksal’s ancient headquarters.

 

Eventually, of course, her eyes began to droop, knuckles digging against her skin in a futile attempt to wipe the tiredness away. The bed just a couple meters to her right called to her, but a stubborn piece of her refused to accept the defeat of climbing into bed. But fight as she might, her head began to slide ever further down the hand supporting her cheek.

 

Until the sharp rap of knuckles against wood drilled into her ears and shot Mei back to wakefulness, nearly scattering her books over the floor in the process. The mentally exhausted priestess pushed herself to her feet with a small groan and shuffled slowly towards the door, praying to the Moon that whoever it was didn’t curse her with that sharp noise again. When she finally pulled open the door, it took Mei a moment to fully register the person standing in the hallway outside.

 

“Seele?” The woman’s brows pulled down in confusion.

 

The shorter woman smiled up at the priestess, “Good evening, Mei. I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”

 

“No it’s-” Mei covered a yawn with the back of her hand, “It’s okay. What can I do for you?”

 

“Actually,” Seele tilted her head to the side, her smile gaining a mysterious tilt to it, “I wanted to do something for you. To aid your search for knowledge.”

 

“Oh,” Mei blinked in surprise, “Okay, let me just grab Kiana-”

 

Seele’s gentle hand on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks, “No. Let her rest. Kiana… well, it’s not for me to judge the position she has put herself in. But I feel… obligated to offer my assistance to you. Please come with me.”

 

Mei stared after the retreating form of the smaller woman for a moment, blinking in confusion before her body finally began moving as the words settled in her mind. The walk was shrouded by the quiet peace of the night, the many Valkyrie students and their professors safely sheltered within warmly lit rooms. The salty smell of the nearby sea and chill night air seemed to reinvigorate her with every breath as Seele led her down the pathway. After a few minutes of peaceful silence, Seele softly struck up conversation, asking Mei about her life as a warrior for Finality. Mei was more than happy to speak of her temple, finding a small ache in her heart pleasantly assuaged as she fondly spoke of her life there to the principal. Seele listened with that air of quiet kindness that never seemed to diminish, nodding and making comments to show she was still listening, and asking questions where appropriate.

 

As they started down the bridge to the Library, Mei would finally switch things around, “What about you, Seele? I’m curious how you and Bronya met.”

 

Seele immediately brightened, “Ah, that feels like so long ago. We grew up in the same orphanage. I was much more timid and afraid than I am now, and after Bronya grew close to me she took it upon herself to protect me from some of the bullies amongst our siblings at the orphanage,” Her smile grew nostalgic, “I fell in love with her strength, and the kindness that strength still contained despite everything she went through. When I became trapped in the Sea of Quanta due to an experiment gone awry, I feared I would drift in the dark forever. Until the day Bronya used the power gifted to her by the Herrscher of Reason to dive into the sea and finally bring me back to the mortal world,” She locked her gaze with Mei’s, a strange emotion in her eyes the priestess couldn’t quite place, “My reliance on her was not always healthy. Now I have come into my own, and we have learned how to compliment each other both on and off the battlefield.”

 

Mei gave the girl a smile of her own, “I never knew Bronya could be such a romantic with the way she talks around Kiana.”

 

Seele giggled, pushing open the door into the library and beckoning Mei inside, “Bronya and Kiana have a… unique friendship. They met while attempting to escape a city that had been attacked by the Honkai, and spent a week desperately trying to survive. In the end they were brought to St. Freya by a Valkyrie serving on the Hyperion at the time, which had been dispatched to bring the situation under control. From what Bronya’s told me, their relationship was rather rocky at the start as she found Kiana rather annoying. But fighting the Honkai together tends to bring Valkyries closer, and my Bronya was no different.”

 

“Yes, I know what you mean. There are many unbreakable friendships and even romantic relationships between the women of my temple forged in the fires of the battlefield,” Mei laughed softly, “Some of our scholars even say the Herrscher of Finality encourages relationships between women.”

 

Seele snorted, “Yes, that sounds accurate,” Before Mei could question this comment, Seele stopped walking, “We’re here.”

 

Seele opened an electronically locked door at the furthest back wall of the library. Behind was the expected employee only maintenance areas. The square room held exposed pipes, doors set into the wall that covered water risers, and the whirr of electronics and cooling systems could be heard coming from a stairwell down a hallway to their left. What looked like a small break room was through a doorway down another hall to their right. In the center of the wall before them was a single lift, its silver finish gleaming in the low light of these back halls. Seele went straight to the lift, which opened as soon as she pressed the button to descend. Mei followed her inside and watched as Seele pressed a palm sized keycard against a sensor above the four buttons giving options for the different levels of the building.

 

However a moment after Seele had swiped her keycard, a panel opened up at head height above the buttons and a glassy orb appeared behind this revealed section, set into the wall. Light shot forth, a grid glowing over Seele’s eyes which she held wide open. After a few seconds there was a beep of confirmation and the panel slid back shut. The next moment another panel slid away underneath the level buttons, revealing almost a dozen more floors below the option for the ground floor. 

 

Mei raised an eyebrow, “That’s a bit cliché, don’t you think?”

 

“Never underestimate Schicksal’s willingness to install unnecessary security. This particular one has been here since Otto Apocalypse led Schicksal.”

 

Mei’s eyes widened, “That long ago? And they’ve never even updated it?”

 

Seele shrugged as she pressed a button over half a dozen levels down. The lift shuddered slightly as it began its descent, “Even with his death being so long ago many in Schicksal are still hesitant to touch some of the more esoteric technology he had hidden within Schicksal, and that includes the things that take you to such technology.”

 

“Hence this lift remains untouched.”

 

“Correct,” Seele nodded.

 

“So where are you taking me, exactly?”

 

The lift shuddered to a stop with a soft chime. Seele smiled up at the priestess, “A piece of esoteric technology a previous principal managed to get upgraded.”

 

They exited the lift into a cavernous chamber constructed deep under the foundations of St. Freya. Mei could barely make out the ceiling above them, as the red lighting seemed designed to only provide the minimum required to navigate along the floor. The shining finish gave the chamber a dark color from the lack of light, the areas near the floor looking like polished marble, however Mei was fairly certain it was not truly marble. The light scattered across the floor until it bent upwards against three towering walls that split the path forward into two massively tall corridors. On each of these three walls was emblazoned what appeared to be a house crest.

 

To the left was a great red eye with three trapezoidal shapes along the top and bottom evoking the image of eyelashes, with four curved designs shaped like they were drawn by a paintbrush curving around the eye framing its bottom half.

 

In the middle was a green three petaled flower spread such that each point formed the shape of an upright triangle. Similarly, three smaller shapes that appeared to be leaves grew out from the gaps between the petals, their ends hitting the points of an upside down triangle.

 

On the right was a yellow sword, pointing downwards and silhouetted by the outline of a shield. Six diamond-like wings were inlaid around the line of the shield, like light shining from the crossguard of the sword.

 

Mei’s voice carried with it an undercurrent of awe, “What are these? They seem… familiar. But I can’t quite place them.”

 

“Ah,” Seele halted her progress, “I forgot these particular symbols have evolved into quite a different appearance nowadays.” She turned to Mei and held a hand out palm up, as if presenting them like a tour guide, “These are the ancient crests of the three great houses of Schicksal. House Apocalypse, House Schariac, and House Kaslana respectively. Nowadays they’re much more… elaborate, now that the families have come back into prominence.”

 

Mei could not help the way her eyes were drawn to the crest of House Kaslana. It was like… something important sat just out of reach. Like words on the tip of her tongue. Something she should know, something she shouldn’t have forgotten. It hovered there as if taunting her, no matter how much she attempted to grasp it. Something about that sword and shield evoked a strange… sorrow… in her heart.

 

“Come,” Seele beckoned her deeper into the structure, “The night won’t last forever.”

 

Mei followed Seele deeper into the branching corridors, though Seele pointed out that they converged at the same place. After a couple minutes of walking, Seele opened another security door, this time with a full body scan. Behind it was another cavernous room, however the ceiling was only about half as high. The room itself had a floor sectioned into many cubes, some of which seemed to have been raised from the floor to form various shapes throughout the room.

 

“Reset simulation,” Seele spoke loudly, and seemed to be putting more effort into enunciating her words more clearly.

 

As Mei expected, the shapes throughout the room disappeared as they retreated into the floor until it was smooth and looked more like a simple tiled floor.

 

Seele turned to Mei, “I will leave you to it. It is better that you experience this alone and at your own pace. I will be waiting outside. Once I leave, simply say ‘Activate: Second Eruption archives’. Speak loudly and enunciate clearly to make sure the computer understands your request. You might feel a little funny at first, a previous principal managed to get the Herrscher of Sentience to help them upgrade this place. Her power will connect to your mind and make it feel as if you are actually there and the projections will respond and feel accordingly.”

 

“Seele wait,” Mei grabbed the girl’s arm as she turned away, “Second eruption? What are you talking about? We haven’t numbered any of the eruptions caused by the Herrschers.”

 

Seele smiled sadly, “Yes, well, that’s what I brought you here to see. If you want to learn the true nature of the Herrschers that command our reality, the Second is the best place to start. I pray your determination will carry you through. I must stress that what you are about to see is a history long buried by both Schicksal and time. It has been painstakingly recorded and reconstructed by those that lived through it and their memories of the things they could not speak of. This is the truth you are searching for.”

 

Mei allowed the girl to pull from her grip, watching as she left the chamber, the door sealing back shut with a hiss. The priestess took a deep breath and steadied herself. Her eyes darted around the room, the place just as cavernous as their path to get here, with plenty of room to walk around.

 

She breathed in, “Activate: Second Eruption Archives!” She held her breath. After a few seconds she began to wonder if she had done it wrong. It was then that the clunk of mechanics thundered throughout the room. Mei clenched her eyes shut as the whirr of electronics grew louder and a bright flash reflected off the smooth surfaces of the room like a flashbang. An uncomfortable tingling latched onto the back of her mind, her skin crawling as the sensation grew to the overwhelming and intensely uncomfortable sense of a foreign presence slithering through her head like worms.

 

When she opened her eyes, she appeared to be somewhere else entirely. She was stood on a circular dark metal landing pad, the large H clearly marking a landing area for incoming helicopters. Beyond was an even greater circular disc forming the base of a massive black tower that rose from the snowy environment like a great scar. Beyond the dark metal, the tower was nestled in a narrow section of the valley between two mountains. Everywhere not part of the metal construction was covered in a layer of snow, though how deep it was Mei could not tell. The area beyond the circular base was well forested and was immediately noted by the priestess as a good place to get lost if needed. The chill wind was mostly kept at bay by her uniform, though once again Mei felt herself relaxing at the familiar touch of the cold.

 

“There it is, Babylon Labs,” The sudden voice behind her nearly made Mei jump. She spun to see a diminutive pale-skinned woman in what appeared to be a dated religious habit. She stood at the door to a large double propeller helicopter, though how she didn’t notice it before she spoke Mei did not know. The woman stepped up next to Mei and gazed up at the woman, “Huh? Are you the Valkyrie they sent to meet me?” Her eyes darted down to Mei’s katana, “Never seen you before.”

 

“Uh,” Mei’s eyes darted back and forth at this unexpected turn of events. She seemed to be getting questioned by an adolescent wearing a Valkyrie battlesuit, the girl’s voice possibly putting her age around twelve years old, “I’m uh, extra security,” Leaning into it, Mei stepped backwards into a deep bow, one arm bent across her torso and the other behind her back, “My name is Raiden Mei.”

 

The girl smiled and curtseyed in return, “I’m Theresa. Theresa Apocalypse.”

Notes:

As I decided to post this as its own chapter partway through writing it as a whole big chapter, I have a big chunk of chapter 8 written already and so we shall see if the entirety of Second Eruption happens in the next chapter, or if I split it into two as this is a very big very important part of Mei's journey and I will be doing my absolute best to treat it as such, which means I will undoubtedly spend a while just rereading it and editing it so that the result of my build up in this chapter provides the best experience I could possibly put out. <3

Chapter 8: The Second Eruption

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Theresa seemed to completely miss the way Mei fought against the instinctive widening of her eyes at the name. Instead she tilted her head curiously, “Huh, I didn’t know Ryoma had a daughter your age.”



Mei managed to keep her grimace internal. What were the chances another Raiden Ryoma was alive at this time?  “I… prefer my privacy.”



Theresa shrugged, “Fair enough,” She glanced behind the priestess and a bright smile burst to life on her face, “Pat! It’s you!”



Mei spun to find another Valkyrie approaching them from the walkway bridge to the tower. She was darker skinned than Theresa and her clothing seemed much too little for the cold. She wore only black pants with a brown belt, a tank top with a large collar she had flipped up that seemed much too small- the woman leaving her belly and cleavage greatly exposed- and a similarly small furred jacket that she left draped around her arms instead of wearing over her shoulders.



“Howdy! Welcome to Yugra, Theresa. I received orders from the Overseer to ah, make your stay comfy,” The woman smiled. She quickly turned to Mei, “Who’s this?”



Mei repeated her bow, “My name is Raiden Mei. I was sent as a bit of extra security.”



Pat nodded slowly, “Right,” Her eyes narrowed, however she did not press further, “Patricia Highsmith. A pleasure.”



Pat beckoned them to follow, and Mei fell into step behind the women. They walked down the long bridge from the landing pad to the entrance to the massive tower, Mei taking in every detail she could as they travelled, keeping an ear trained on the small talk between the two women. The base disc had several glowing pink cylinders jutting several stories tall from the metal. She could only guess it was some kind of Honkai energy device utilized by Schicksal at some point, though it matched no technology she knew of. Her suspicions were confirmed as the closer they approached the more she could feel the hum of Honkai energy, the hair on her arms standing on end as her gems resonated with the ambient energy getting pulled into the pillars. The rest of the walk was uneventful, the other two women often lapsing into silence until they got into the lift inside.



Theresa sighed, “Thank goodness you’re here, Pat. The briefing read like a horror show. But since an expert like you is around, I think we can find out what really happened. Any leads so far?”



Pat shook her head, “Sorry, Theresa. Nothing yet. The cameras were never broken and monitored things as usual but we couldn’t find the culprit,” The women soon stepped out of the lift and walked down a flight of stairs to a massive computer bank in the room below.



“I got a crew reviewing the footage frame by frame,” Pat continued, “Each of the lab staff was gone in an instant, even when there was no one next to them. We did notice some strange footage noise,” She quickly typed out a command into the console and pulled up a video file.



Mei and Theresa immediately spotted the noise, a vaguely humanoid shape of faint static present in front of a computer bank just like the one they were standing in front of. Though what was more pressing to the priestess was the date in the upper left corner of the security feed. February 1st, 2000. She was walking through and experiencing events nearly three thousand years ago. While she had expected Seele to show her events from the past, the sheer amount of time at play here… to be walking through it, feeling it, and seeing it like she was really living it was still shocking. Holographic experiences were not new, however one that could pull from data that spanned multiple thousands of years as if it happened yesterday was nearly unheard of in the wake of threats such as the Herrscher of Corruption. Never mind that this device was apparently also powered with the assistance of the Herrscher of Sentience, master of illusions. However, Mei could not allow herself to stumble at this revelation as Theresa and Pat continued to converse about the image ghost.



“-Almost all supernatural sightings of this world can be traced back to the Honkai. I don’t think this would be an exception,” Pat said. She tapped a few more commands into the console as Theresa glanced up at Mei worriedly, “Here. I’ve brought up the log for the Babylon reactor pile energy output levels,” She jabbed her finger at a smaller holographic screen that had popped up behind her keyboard, “See this? Five minutes worth of data at about 2200 last night went missing. So… My gut tells me that the reactor pile may give us some clues. But the other monitoring records of the reactor pile sector are placed behind a security lock. Even I lack the clearance to access them,” Pat turned back to the two women, “Honkai levels are extremely high at the reactor pile. Our crew wouldn’t survive in that place. We have to go down and check it ourselves, we are Valkyries after all.”



“Just the three of us?” Theresa’s voice wavered.



“Alright,” Mei nodded and gripped the scabbard of her katana, “Lets get it done.”

 


 

The reactor room was a massive, circular, open space dominated by a smaller circular recess in the centre of the room. The reactor pile descended from the ceiling and into the reactor proper. The three women had split up almost immediately to search for anything out of place in the massive room. By the time Pat and Mei had reached the point they were at opposite points on either side of the reactor, she found Theresa had strayed rather close to her. As Mei observed from her spot kneeling to observe strange discolouration, the young girl looked around almost fearfully, her arms pulled close to her body and her steps cautious as if ready to jump back at the slightest provocation.



“Theresa?” Mei called out.



The girl- expectedly- jumped back at the sudden voice, “M-Mei! Hi! Uh, have you found anything yet? Are we done?”



Mei looked back down to the spot that had caught her eye. Gently dragging the pad of her finger against it, she brought the finger close to her face and studied what she had wiped from the floor, “There appears to be some Honkai residue on the floor around this upper walkway. We should meet back up with Pat.”



Theresa nodded fervently and hurried along close behind Mei as they walked back to the entrance. Pat noticed them moving back and also began moving to join them. A few minutes later and Mei had filled the Valkyrie in on what she had found.



“Hmmm…” Pat held her chin between her forefinger and thumb as she thought, “And it was only a small amount?”



“Yes,” Mei confirmed, “Just enough to leave a few crystals on the pad of my finger.”



“That’s odd… That’s too little to indicate an actual reactor leak,” Pat clicked her tongue, “We’ll need to run a full spectrum scan of this area. Lets head back.”



Theresa sighed in relief and quickly skittered towards the lift. The other two women took a much more leisurely pace, Pat chuckling to herself as they watched Theresa retreat towards the lift. She leaned over to Mei, “To be honest, I expected a seasoned veteran who’s fought Emperor-class Honkai beasts to be a lot braver than this.”



Mei’s brow shot up for just a moment before she brought her expression back under control, “Emperor-class? Yes, I can see why, then.”



Pat hummed, “She did get spooked out by a phantom horse at ‘The Intangible Fairyland’, that was pretty cute.”



A small smile flit across Mei’s face, “We all have our weaknesses.”



“Hah, true enough,” Pat smiled.



“HELP!”



Pat and Mei immediately dropped into alert stances as a desperate voice echoed off the metal walls from somewhere below them.



“IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE? HELP US!”



Theresa was back at their sides before Mei could even blink, the small girl crying out in fear, “It must be that image ghost we saw in the video! It’s coming for us!”



“No, Theresa. This…” Pat spoke quietly, as if fearing her words even as they slipped from her lips, “This is the voice of a human girl.”






The moment the trio stepped from the lift Mei’s blood ran cold. Below the reactor was another large room within a slice of the circular structure of the tower. Four stories tall stood row after row of what were unmistakably holding cells.



“The call for help came from here, right?” Theresa asked, voice nearly a whisper.



A deep frown had formed on Mei’s face, “Why would a lab need holding cells like these?” The truth hovered at the edge of her consciousness, but the mere idea of that truth being reality was too frightening for Mei to accept without proof.



The three women approached the nearest of the holding cells, the only one that appeared to have been locked shut. Apprehension weighed down their steps as the closing distance brought with it a clearer view of the inside of the cell. Shapes moved in the darkened interiors. Shapes all too human for any of their likings.



“Help us…” A scratchy voice pleaded with them. A pale arm reached through the square gaps in the metal door, a desperate reach for salvation.



“It’s the ghost!” Theresa cried.



“No,” Mei grit her teeth as she could no longer deny the horror that was unfolding before them, “These are humans. Children.”



“Please,” The young girl’s weak voice sounded out once more, “Good people, please save us from this horrible place.”



“Alright,” Theresa stepped forward and steeled herself, “Step back, kid,” Once she was sure the child was clear of the door, Theresa grabbed ahold of the offending metal and with a grunt of exertion ripped it clean off its hinges. She quickly threw the large door to the side like a sack of potatoes, the loud crash of metal against metal grating against the ears of all present. Theresa flapped her hands and hissed in pain. But just as quickly she turned to the newly opened cell and smiled, “It’s alright, girls!” Theresa bent down and reached out a hand in the hope she could coax out the frightened children, “You can come out now!”



Mei quickly filed away the girl’s apparent inhuman strength. She stepped forward, praying that her training didn’t make her too stiff and awkward with kids. The inhabitants of the cell slowly stepped forward, the girl who had called out to them timidly bowing and thanking Theresa for tearing down the door.



“Don’t thank me! I just couldn’t find the key!” Theresa held her hands up as if to stop the girl’s first impression of her, “That’s definitely not my usual way of opening doors!”



Some of the girls thanked Mei as they padded by on bare feet, Mei doing her best to return their thanks with a kind smile, keeping her white-knuckeld grip on her katana hidden with her shoulder cape. The priestess stepped further inside the cell to make sure there were no girls left, eyes quickly scanning around the room. None in the beds, none on the uncomfortable metal benches, and none in the back corners- Mei froze. No. There was one more girl sitting in the back. Mei’s heart pounded like a drum in her ears as her eyes fell on long purple hair framing a thin body covered in the same rags and bandages as the rest of the girls. Swallowing the lump in her throat at the frighteningly familiar sight, she finished approaching the girl.



“Hey,” She kept her voice soft, “You can come out now, it’s okay.”



The girl raised her head and Mei had to use every ounce of her willpower to keep the smile on her face even as her heart dropped into her stomach, burning golden eyes with irises like the shape of an X locking onto her own. Mei extended her hand to help the girl up. Said hand was quickly slapped away by the purple haired girl, who then pushed herself to her feet and walked out with her head bowed and fists clenched. Mei followed behind, still attempting to calm the terrified nerves burning under her skin. It was impossible. It was insane.



Sirin…



As Mei stepped back into the main room Pat looked up from a tablet she had procured, “Looks like these girls are test subjects under the advanced systems lab. Part of the Honkai adaptability trials, it seems.”



Theresa’s brows pulled together in concern as she worriedly looked over the gathered girls, “That explains the wounds and the bandages on them.”



“What exactly were they doing to them?” Mei’s frown only seemed to grow deeper.



“You should know what Honkai adaptability trials mean if HQ sent you here,” Pat shot her a sharp glance.



“Just tell me,” Mei growled.



Pat sighed, “From what I can see here, they were injecting these girls with various amounts of liquid Honkai in order to observe its effects on the human body and develop new techniques for our artificial stigmata. This cell is all that’s left of hundreds of original test subjects.”



Mei’s grip on her katana was so tight by now her hand was shaking. She had heard of Schicksal previously being sanctioned by several nations for inhumane experiments to advance Honkai technology, but this? This was beyond anything she could have imagined even in her deepest nightmares.



“The briefing mentioned none of this,” Theresa frowned.



“Perhaps someone doesn’t want you to find out,” Pat shrugged, “The truth is that Schicksal recruits thousands of orphans like them every year. Nobody cares if these orphans die.”



The callous casualness with which Pat delivered such information lit aflame that familiar overwhelming anger in her chest, forcing Mei to take deep, steadying breaths to restrain the violent urges that always seemed to come with it. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied golden eyes studying her from their shroud of purple bangs.



“No, Pat,” Theresa shook her head, “Somebody does care about them,” The Valkyrie gently rubbed one of the girl’s arms, “We’re gonna take you to some better shelter, okay?” She gave the girl a gentle smile, “I’ll send people to pick you up after we’re done here.”



In a flash Pat had grabbed Theresa’s shoulder, “Wait, Theresa! That would be a major violation! These test subjects are Schicksal property, we should return them to HQ.”



That overwhelming storm of emotion in the back of Mei’s mind and chest grew stronger, “Schicksal’s property? You want to hand them back to the very people that did this to them?” Mei practically snarled.



“The eggheads probably injected them with plenty of Honkai,” Pat snapped back, “It’s madness to turn them loose!”



From her stance holding onto her scabbard, Mei’s hand tensed, her thumb quickly extending to its full length and pushing her katana ever so slightly from its sheath with a soft metallic click.



“Mei, wait,” Theresa placed a gentle, but firm hand on Mei’s own, “Pat, have you heard about St. Freya high?” Theresa began as she turned to the Valkyrie, “Grampa finally agreed on giving me reclaimed land in the far east. I’m planning to build a special sanctuary for victims of Honkai testing. It will serve as a school that teaches them how to wield and master their powers. When they graduate, they’ll become Valkyries with happy lives like you and me, Pat,” Theresa looked up at her with a pleading smile, “Please have faith in me,” She turned back to the children, “This will be our pledge. Follow us!”



Pat sighed dramatically, “Well, Theresa, I have orders to make your stay comfy and avoid getting in your way. Since you’re also the mission lead, I guess I have no choice but to obey.”



Theresa was beaming, “Thank you so much, Pat! Come on, Mei, lets get these kids outta here.”



With a small click, Mei pushed her katana firmly back into its sheath. The anger still stormed in the back of her mind and burned in her chest. However, if it wanted release it would have to wait. Though that did not mean she could drop her guard. As they herded the children towards the lift, the sound of Sirin hissing in anger just barely audible flit past her ears.



“A stupid Valkyrie with a stupid dream,” She murmured harshly, just quiet enough that Theresa did not hear. It seemed at least one person was not happy with the idea of St. Freya. Curiosity at what the real Sirin thought of the modern St. Freya skittered through Mei’s thoughts. Such scattered thinking was quickly squashed by the priestess. Whatever the real Sirin thought, she would not be able to rest easy with the Herrscher’s child self roaming free. However she had no choice but to allow it. And so she would watch. And listen.




 

Mei quickly found herself searching through the disturbingly empty tower and raiding various nearby break rooms with Theresa searching for food and water to provide the children. It took nearly fifteen minutes, but they were successful. Even snack food was better than nothing for the emaciated girls the researchers here had kept as test subjects. As they approached the small area of the tower they had commandeered for their operation, Theresa stacked her own box of collected food on top of Mei’s.

 

The Valkyrie smiled up at the priestess, “You take these to the kids, Mei. I’ll go check in with Pat and her crew.”

 

“Wha- By myself?” The flustered priestess stumbled slightly as she adjusted the boxes in her grip.

 

Theresa laughed, “Yeah! I have a feeling you’ll be a hit with the kids. I can’t really be the adult figure for them, looking like I do,” She gave the priestess a wry smile while gesturing at her small stature, “I just come off like another kid without some kinda awkward explaining.”

 

“Right...” Mei awkwardly returned the smile.

 

“Well, I’ll leave you to it! I’ll come check on you in a bit!” Theresa beamed and quickly walked away.

 

Mei sighed, sending a quick prayer to the Moon before she hit the panel to open the repurposed presentation room they had set up the children in. There were about a dozen in total, including Sirin, several of which tiredly pushed themselves to their feet and padded over to meet her as the hydraulic door hissed open.

 

“Did you bring us something, miss?” One asked curiously.

 

Mei smiled reassuringly, “Miss Theresa and I found some food.”

 

That got the attention of the rest of the sullen girls. Mei took the boxes to the long conference table they had pushed up against the wall and began handing out food to the girls that had gathered around her.

 

“Um...” one of the girls shyly tugged on her cape, “Miss... uh...”

 

Mei squatted down so she could sit eye level with the girl, “My name’s Mei. What’s yours?”

 

“Um... Anna, Miss Mei.”

 

The priestess smiled, “What seems to be the problem, Anna?”

 

“I’m sorry to bother you...” The girl murmured, “But the pie... it’s uh, cold.”

 

A scoff from the wall behind the girl drew Mei’s gaze over her shoulder. There sat Sirin, having bundled up the sheets she’d been given to form some level of padding between her and the metal wall. Her own meat pie was in her hands which she was slowly nibbling on, not seeming to enjoy it either.

 

Mei hummed, “It doesn’t taste that good cold out of the package, huh?”

 

Anna shook her head slowly, a hesitance in her movements like she was unsure how she should answer.

 

Mei held out her hand, “Can I see that for a moment?” Once the girl had placed the pie in her palm, Mei closed her eyes. It only took a moment for her to tread the ever more familiar path to opening herself up to the reservoir of Honkai within her. Thanks to the rigorous training Kiana and Bronya had put her through, feeling of the gems had gone from a convoluted mixture of pure Honkai to a gradually more distinct separation between the gem of Conquest and gem of Conviction. While far from perfect, it was just enough to allow her to call upon one over the other.

A moment. Then another. Then little eyes widened in amazement as a gentle pink flame bloomed to life along her palm. Mei opened her eyes, brow creasing as she kept careful focus on the intensity of her flames. She counted down one minute. Then two. Every so often she’d carefully probe the meal with the fingers of her free hand.

“Here,” She turned the part the girl had bitten into towards her, “Try that. Careful now,” She watched as the girl bit into the pie and immediately beamed.

 

“It’s warm now! You’re amazing, Miss Mei!”

 

“Hah,” Mei grinned, “A lot faster than walking all the way to the break room for a microwave, huh?” Mei watched as the girl excitedly shuffled back over to what seemed to be her friends, smiling softly. It was... nice, to be able to use the Honkai to help. Even if it was just something as small as this. Several pairs of awestruck eyes turned to her from where the girl had gone and Mei knew her job was far from complete. She stood back up, straightened her jacket, and turned to the rest of the girls. Ten minutes later and every child who’d wanted it now sat comfortably eating their freshly warmed food.

 

Well, all except one.

 

“Hey,” Mei asked quietly, “Does the girl with purple hair always sit by herself?”

 

One of the girls nodded, “Her name’s Sirin, I think...”

 

“She used to be close to three of the others,” Another spoke up, “But... they all died to the experiments. She used to hug and cry with the rest of us, but once those others died she got angry and mean... She doesn’t really talk to us anymore.”

 

The other girl nodded along, “She’s mean, but... I think she’s really just lonely.”

 

Mei pursed her lips and nodded in understanding, “I see. Thank you for telling me. Let me know if any of you need anything, okay? I’m going to have a chat with Sirin,” Mei carefully made her way around the other children finishing up their food or laying down to rest on the blankets Theresa had placed out for them, “Hey,” The priestess cautiously adjusted how she sat down, trying to avoid possibly hitting Sirin with her ponytail, “I’m Mei. Sirin, right?”

 

Those golden eyes snapped to her only long enough to make her glare of displeasure known, “What do you want?” Sirin grumbled.

 

“Well...” Mei drawled, “You’re the only one left that’s still nibbling on a cold meat pie. All by yourself, I might add.”

 

“So what? Did you come here just to annoy me?”

 

Mei offered her hand, “Well the others seem to be enjoying it a lot more heated up,” Her brows pulled down again as she focused on flickering the flames across her palm once again.

 

Sirin’s eyes darted between Mei’s face and the flames, the girl seemingly trying to decide if this was some kind of trick.

 

“If you really don’t want me here, I will respect that and leave you alone. But I wanted to at least extend you the same offer,” She met the girl’s gaze, a small grin on her face, “It’s a lot better warm.”

 

“Fine,” Sirin grumbled.

 

A couple minutes later and Sirin was still rather grumpy (understandable considering what she’d been through), but she was now taking much larger, eager bites from her food. Small victories, Mei told herself.

 

Soon enough Sirin had finished and licked her fingers clean. Those harsh golden eyes flicked back to the table where Mei had set down the boxes filled with more snacks.

 

The rustling of Mei’s uniform immediately drew Sirin’s attention back to the woman beside her, “Napkin?”

 

Sirin glared at the offending item like Mei had just insulted her family, “If I wanted one I’d get it myself,” She snapped, “I’m not weak.”

 

Ah. Mei nodded, “You’re right. You are anything, but weak, Sirin,” Mei’s eyes dropped to the metal flooring in front of her, the priestess chewing on her lip as she searched for a way to voice her thoughts properly, “I... cannot say I can fully understand what it’s like to go through what you have. But I hope that... I can serve to show you there is a brighter side to humanity than this cruelty you have suffered.”

 

“You’re wasting your time.”

 

Mei shrugged, “Maybe I can’t convince you with words and small actions seeing as how we’ve only just met. But I’d say getting you out of there was anything but wasting my time.”

 

Sirin scoffed and hugged her legs to her chest. Mei gave her one last look before pushing herself to her feet and leaving the girl to her thoughts. She would have been surprised if it had gone any differently. The Herrscher of the Void’s anger was legendary. It had to have begun somewhere. And the more Mei saw of how Schicksal had treated, and wanted to continue treating Sirin, Mei was beginning to wonder if she could really blame the girl for holding such a murderous anger in her heart.

 




It was nearly midnight when Mei’s sharpened senses picked up a certain head of purple hair quietly sneaking away from the sleeping children. She had allowed her eyes to fall shut as she guarded their sleeping forms, the Honkai energy flowing through her body allowing her other senses to increase in sensitivity exponentially. It would seem Sirin had thought her asleep, and had now slipped out the door. Theresa truly was asleep in another room, and Pat… Well, the experienced Valkyrie had refused to tell Mei where exactly she was going when she slipped away a couple hours ago. At first she had been worried she wouldn’t be able to track Sirin through the massive laboratory, however if such a destructive Herrscher wasn’t currently destroying anything there was only one reasonable place to go.



That was how Mei found herself taking the lift down to a level above the reactor and creeping the rest of the way down the stairs to the room proper. The open walkway offered no real cover, but it allowed her to be stealthier than walking straight out of the lift. She attempted to sense Sirin’s Honkai energy, but such a feat proved impossible for the inexperienced priestess so close to the massive Honkai reactor. Voices rose up from the reactor room as she descended. The stairs moved down until they were behind the shaft for the lift, the exit from the lift itself on a raised square platform. Mei’s path would take her to the rear of the lift, while there were two more sets of stairs at the corners to the left and right to offer a path for those exiting the lift. It was down these left stairs that Pat had travelled and she now stood several meters past them in the open space of the reactor room.

 

“You…” She could just make out Sirin’s growl as she attempted to sneak closer, “The one that wanted to return us to those who tested on us. How did you find me out?”



Mei frowned. It would seem she had discovered why Pat had been tight lipped about her activities. Mei carefully slunk towards the metal plating forming a guard rail around the lift platform, using it to shield herself from view.



“Oh, I just have a keen eye for dirt that girls like you leave around,” Pat replied casually. Mei chanced a peek around the plating just in time to hear a metal thunk as Pat opened a large case she had stood next to herself and withdrew two miniguns each nearly the size of her whole body, “Residues on the prison door matches that of those Mei found in here. Then there’s the issue of missing readings from the reactor pile.”



Sirin stared at Pat, unmoving, “Where is that little nun? Or that ostentatious Valkyrie? Are you here alone?”



Pat laughed, “Don’t mean to scare you, little ‘ghost’, but I actually brought two friends with me!” A mechanical whirr filled the air as the barrels of the miniguns began to spin, “Wanna say ‘Hello’ to them?”



Sirin’s unflinching laughter chilled Mei to the bone, “You think you can scare me, Valkyrie? You’re just the start of my path of revenge!” The girl yelled out, spreading her arms wide, the purple ribbons from Mei’s dreams beginning to wrap around her limbs as she spoke, “Those people who injected us with the Honkai, the people who ran all those tests on us, they told us that we were serving a divine purpose! That we were perfecting the so-called stigmata for Schicksal Valkyries like you! They said orphans like us should feel grateful that we can die for your sake,” Sirin’s voice had steadily grown louder until she was shouting every word, “I refuse to die for anyone’s sake! To hell with Schicksal! To hell with the Valkyries! You should feel grateful that you’ll be the first of many to taste my true powers!”



Mei’s concern increased exponentially as she once again focused on enhancing her perception of the ambient Honkai energy just in time to feel the output of the nearby reactor shrink drastically. She closed her eyes.



“Well I’ll take that as hello to these little friends of mine,” Pat quipped, “Wait, what’s- Oh fuck-” Mei winced as a sudden burst of energy filled the room and a rush of nausea rolled over the priestess like a wave as a sickening crunch came from Pat’s direction. Another burst of energy and when Mei looked again Sirin was gone. The clank of boots against metal was the only sound that remained as Pat rushed to a seemingly insignificant corner of the room, panic strewn across her face and a bloody stump where her right arm once was. The Valkyrie did not notice the priestess, so single minded was her retreat as she pulled open a maintenance hatch and slipped away.



In the morning Mei reported the woman as MIA.






Theresa was distraught at the news and had immediately rushed down to the reactor room. Mei had followed, pushing away the voice insisting she find Sirin and crush her before she absorbed enough Honkai energy to pose even more of a threat. She was here to witness the Eruption, not stop it. As callous as that may seem when in an illusion such as this. Mei was also unsure just how much Sirin might be capable of hurting her within an illusion created with the power of Sentience. Everything felt startlingly real.

It did not take long for one of Pat’s crew to inform them that Overseer Otto Apocalypse had dispatched reinforcements, the names Salome, Niggurath, and Siegfried completely foreign to the priestess. If that hadn’t been enough, it only took another few minutes for a frantic scientist to sprint out of the lift yelling that the lab’s scanners had detected a massive horde of Honkai beasts emerging from the tundra. When they had gotten back to the command centre one of the crew observed that the beasts had lit up their scanners all at once, as if emerging from the land itself. Such tactics were unusual for Honkai beasts, to say the least.

 

Still, that tug at the back of her mind insisting she find the purple-haired girl did not cease. Even as Theresa received a call that the three reinforcements Otto had sent were engaging the horde of Honkai beasts, Mei found herself in an internal debate. Her lips pursed, watching the chaos of their makeshift command centre as the urge to act beat against her wavering resolve to stay back and observe.

 

You’re running out of time.”

 

Mei clicked her tongue in annoyance, the familiarly strange thought finally breaking her resolve to simply wait. Her cape flared as she spun and ran towards the lift that would take her to the reactor pylon.

 

“Mei!” Theresa called out to her, but Mei kept her focus forwards.

 

The journey to the reactor only took a few minutes, but for Mei that was several minutes too long. The lift hummed as the expertly designed mechanics lowered her towards the base of the labs. Her finger was once again steadily tapping against the hilt of her katana, Mei’s features riddled with impatience. The door opened with a metallic thunk, and Mei finally stepped back into the massive reactor chamber. She took her time walking down the steps, Sirin back near the spot she had stood when she’d wounded Patricia. Mei spent little effort keeping her boots from thumping against the metal flooring. Sirin was no doubt aware she was not alone.

 

Mei stopped several meters behind the girl, her carefully schooled features veiling her rapidly pounding heart, “You’re a long way from the others.”

 

Sirin turned slowly, body language far from the wounded girl Mei had first seen in that holding cell. The girl stood tall, a wide smile on her face as she laughed, “The next Valkyrie takes her turn to face me! Why would you help them? I saw your reaction to our treatment,” Sirin’s expression fell into a furious glare as she growled, “Would you still help them regardless?”

 

“I’m not here to fight you. Or take you back to Schicksal,” Mei replied calmly, “I actually just wanted to talk to you,” Mei shifted her weight into a more relaxed stance, forcing her hand to drop from her weapon, “I know you’re a Herrscher. My only question is, what do you plan to do with that power?”

 

“To take revenge on those that ruined our lives, of course,” Sirin snarled, “I know you heard what I told that other Valkyrie, I could sense you hiding in the shadows!”

 

“Yet all the scientists that mistreated you are already dead,” Mei pointed out.

 

“And if I stop here, how many others will Schicksal torture?! All for the sake of their precious Valkyries,” She spat the word like a curse, “How can you not understand? All of Schicksal deserves to burn!”

 

“No, I understand,” Mei said gently, “Something within me... understands your anger all too well,” Mei’s eyes fell as that roiling storm in the back of her mind seemed to brighten at her acknowledgement. Her eyes pulled back up to that angry gold a moment later, “But-”

 

“Then join me!” Sirin cut in, “If you understand my revenge then help me! Help me put an end to Schicksal!”

 

Mei shook her head, “And how many innocents will die? Will you rain your power down on Schicksal territory in the middle of cities of innocents? Damn those that had nothing to do with it?”

 

“They all had something to do with it!” Sirin screamed, “Just like that other Valkyrie! All of humanity stands aside and allows Schicksal to do as it pleases! You’re all guilty!” Sirin threw her arms down in anger and the force of power unleashed in her anger battered Mei with a shock-wave of Honkai energy. The priestess stumbled back, shielding her face with an arm as the output of the reactor began to fall once again.

 

“Sirin, please!” Mei pleaded, “I understand your hatred for Schicksal, but there are ways to act on your anger without hurting the ignorant! The innocent! Don’t use your abilities as a Herrscher just for wanton destruction!”

 

“No, you don’t understand! No one could ever understand what we went through in this hellhole!” A small creature flit about Sirin’s head, silhouetted against the pink light of the reactor. The Herrscher pulled her eyes from Mei as she turned to seemingly listen to it.

 

“Then show me,” Mei offered an open hand, her eyes pleading with the hurting girl, “Help me understand you.”

 

“You still...” Sirin trailed off and glanced at the strange creature hovering near her ear. A huff, and suddenly a swirling purple portal bloomed to life behind her. Mei stayed where she was, her hand still offered, as Sirin walked into the whirlpool of Honkai energy and disappeared.

 

Do you think we can follow her?”

 

Mei sighed, “I’m not sure,” she replied to her own thoughts, “I’m unsure if I want to chance being alone with Sirin again in an even more unfamiliar place.”

 

Are you afraid? You are the personification of Conquest. Do not let this pathetic child frighten you off.”

 

Mei frowned. Regardless of these strange thoughts, if she wanted to learn more about Sirin, she needed to stay near the girl as much as she could. With that in her mind, she stepped forward and through the rift in the air without hesitation. The Honkai energy keeping this rift in space open seemed to welcome her presence eagerly as she pushed her way through, tingling along her skin and leaving her mind disoriented as the space around her warped and twisted, shooting her towards the exit Sirin had created.

The dizzying disorientation along with the portal being a meter off the ground combined into the perfect blend to trip up anyone coming through. As such Mei found herself painfully stumbling to her knees with an explosive exhale as she fell from the portal.

 

“I’ve never warped this far before...” Sirin panted in the snow beside her, “It feels like my body is completely drained,” Her wary eyes burned into the priestess, “How did you follow me?”

 

Mei shrugged and slowly pushed herself to her feet, “I just walked through the portal after you,” She closed what little distance remained between them, the small girl obviously exhausted. Mei once again extended her hand. A small glance up revealed that behind Sirin was a strange orb-like structure covered in bands of Honkai chitin armour and an unknown dark substance flowing beneath. A noticeably large armour-less section near ground level retained its smooth shape despite the lack of chitin. Some other force must help it retain its shape.

 

Sirin glared at the limb as if debating on whether the woman was attempting some kind of trick for several seconds, “Why haven’t you tried to kill me yet like your other friend, Valkyrie?”

 

“What if I told you I’m not a Valkyrie?” Mei asked.

 

“Don’t lie to me,” She snarled, though its bite was noticeably weaker than back in the reactor room, “I could sense the touch of the Honkai on you. In your clothes. Just like the Valkyries and their cursed stigmata.”

 

Mei hummed, “Yes, my uniform is designed similarly to how Valkyrie battlesuits are meant to function, I’m sure. But it’s not quite the same. I also lack any stigmata or insignia of Schicksal. Shall I spin for you so you can observe my outfit?” Mei smiled wryly, “If I really wanted you dead, I would have drawn my sword already.”

 

The dissonance between Mei’s words and what Sirin could sense was obviously troubling the girl. That strange creature returned to flutter next to her ear and once again her eyes shifted as if listening to words only she could hear, “Whatever,” She finally grunted. Batting away Mei’s offered hand, she pushed herself to her feet.

 

While the girl was still wary and would no doubt attack her if she sensed trouble and had a suitable source of Honkai, Mei could not help but feel she had won another small victory as she fell into step next to the small girl.

 

“Why do you want me to run away?” Sirin hissed to the miniscule creature, “Those Valkyries are no match against me,” Sirin glanced at Mei before turning back to the creature with a small huff. Now that Mei was closer she could see that the strange creature seemed to be some kind of Honkai beast. The white chitin over pink innards and veins was instantly recognisable. The Honkai insect darted around her and Sirin finally beheld the thing resting behind her. Mei walked along beside the girl as she followed the Honkai insect towards a gap in the thick chitin. Once Sirin approached, the insect darted into the purple material showing from underneath the armour and wiggled its way inside, “Hey, where are you going?” Sirin approached to within arms reach of the strange substance.

 

Have no fear,” A voice echoed inside Mei’s mind as if spoken directly into her thoughts, “You may pass as well,” Mei watched with a frown as Sirin hesitantly extended her hand towards the dark substance. She was... being guided by something? In all her research, Mei had never come across even the barest suggestion that there was some other force capable of guiding Herrschers towards greater power. Or was this... a manifestation of the Honkai itself? She breathed deep and steeled herself, stepping into the viscous fluid and following Sirin inside. It rippled and left an uncomfortable tingling feeling along her body. She could feel her gems flare in response, for the barrier and space behind it were saturated with incredible amounts of Honkai energy.

 

“What is this place?” Sirin’s voice echoed through the black void within this Honkai structure. Small fingers wrapped around Mei’s hand, nearly startling the priestess. Mei kept her eyes forward, sending a small prayer to the Moon that Sirin didn’t notice the small grin on her lips. The ground rippled with their every step like water, though it appeared to still be the substance they had pushed through. The splash of a falling droplet pulled their attention behind, to a place that had been out of sight upon their entrance. Sirin gasped at the sight before them. A frail voice cried out.

 

“Mama...”

 

Behind them had appeared a scene like out of a nightmare. A hospital bed surrounded by various drip-fed lines and monitoring devices beeping away. A figure lay in the bed underneath the thin hospital sheets. At the bedside was a sobbing, smaller version of the Herrscher Mei now stood next to. Sirin released Mei’s hand, taking a few hesitant steps forward before stopping just out of the light that lit this terrible scene.

 

“Mama!” The younger vision of Sirin cried out. Mei approached closer and the realisation settled in her gut as she spied the white sheet pulled over the bedridden figure’s head, “Don’t leave me behind!” The younger Sirin begged.

 

She stopped a step further than Sirin, hoping to give some sense of protection. Mei’s saddened gaze trailed back to the older Sirin. Her heart twisted at the sight of moisture welling in the Herrscher’s eyes. In that moment, Mei could not see the deadly monster she had always considered the Herrscher to be. Before her stood only a broken girl who had lost everything. The thought of trying to comfort the girl even flitted through her mind, the strange image of herself hugging a crying Sirin quickly flashing through the front of her mind. Instead she hesitated.

 

The reconstruction of Sirin’s past slowly disintegrated into particles of pink energy that coalesced into a hovering flame in the darkness. A burning ball pulsing with Honkai energy that seemed to burn maliciously as all other light faded around them.

 


 

“Alright, Dr. Einstein, did you find anything?”

 

Einstein frowned, first at the brown haired man next to her, and then at the Honkai measuring device in her hand, “No. No one here has Honkai levels above the critical threshold.”

 

“Wait!” Theresa interrupted the doctor, “I think a girl with purple hair went missing! Mei rushed out just before you got here and I haven’t seen her since either!”

 

Einstein hummed, “Perhaps she’s the one and this Mei caught on and spooked her too early. Welt, can you locate her for us?”

 

The brown haired man closed his eyes. After a few seconds he hummed a negative, “I can’t sense her presence in the tower.”

 

“There’s plenty of Honkai residue left behind,” Einstein observed, “Our instruments are picking up spatial distortions as well,” She scuffed her boot against the spattering of Honkai residue crystals that had formed on the flooring, “My best guess is that she left the place via a spatial rift.”

 

Welt held his chin between his knuckle and thumb in thought, “I sense a strange residual energy near these spatial rifts. Theresa,” He turned to the smaller girl, “Is this Mei a Valkyrie?”

 

“Yeah, she met me at the landing pad when I got here and helped me and Pat rescue the kids and find this residue,” Theresa replied, “Why?”

 

Welt hummed softly, “No particular reason.”

 

Theresa whined worriedly, “I hope Mei’s alright.”

 

The white haired man behind them finally spoke up, “We’re in serious trouble if that girl really left the tower. The Yugran weather rendered our auto-scanners almost completely useless. I hope you have a better solution for finding someone in that tundra.”

 

“Actually, Siegfried,” Einstein said, pulling out a sealed test tube, “We do have a backup plan,” She held the tube out towards Theresa, “Madame Theresa, would you mind lending us the Oath of Judah?”

 


 

“I don’t want to feel weak ever again,” Sirin declared to the void.

 

Very good, Sirin,” That voice echoed in their heads once more, “Tear apart your human heart and rise as a true Herrscher!”

 

“Sirin,” Mei pleaded, “Your human heart is the most important part of who we are. Power with no heart to connect with others is simply cold destruction. I-” What could she even do here, she pondered? Sirin had been through so much pain, suffered the worst of humanity’s cruelty. Mei desperately wanted to turn the girl from this path despite the knowledge that beyond this illusion nothing will have changed.

 

Humans poisoned your mother, Sirin. Kidnapped you for their torturous, inhumane experiments. And who cared enough to save you? No one. Nobody cares about you. They all sit by and let Schicksal do as it pleases as long as they offer empty platitudes of working to save humanity. Throw away the part of you that still holds their weakness and show them how powerless they really are!”

 

“Silence, creature!” Mei snapped. Mei glanced back to the girl to find her fists clenched tight, her features hardening even as a single tear slid down her cheek, and Mei knew that she had failed.

 

“I do not know why you suddenly appeared now. Nor why you seem so intent on convincing me of the good in people,” Sirin said quietly, “But you’re too late. I refuse to ever again feel the same helplessness I felt in that cell. I refuse to ever be under anyone’s power again,” Her voice fell to a low growl of anger, “I refuse to let any of them get away with what they did to us!” Her eyes turned up to Mei, her anger swimming in a sea of tears, “Are you going to try and stop me?”

 

Mei pursed her lips, emotions warring in her chest as she met the Herrscher’s wounded gaze, “No,” Mei answered softly, “I cannot stop you. I only pray you keep my words in your mind even as you become something more than human,” Mei slowly dropped to one knee, cupping her wrist with her left hand and holding her right hand out palm up with a bent elbow.

 

“What the hell are you doing?”

 

“If you will allow me,” Mei said softly, “I would like to pray for you as you take this next step on your journey.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because...” Mei hesitated, the pink flame flaring brighter as if glaring at her for stealing Sirin’s attention, “I suppose the simplest explanation is that... I’ve always kind of fancied myself like a big sister,” A small smile flickered across her lips, “It is selfish of me, but I almost wanted to see you as a little sister of sorts. I was too late to protect you and the other girls here or guide you from this destructive path you feel the need to tread. In my selfishness, this is the last thing I can offer you. Sirin. I cannot promise your actions won’t lead to us crossing blades at some point in the future. But I hope that you can at least remember my short presence here as a reminder that humanity has kindness and love to offer just as much as it does the cruelty you have experienced.”

 

“Empty words from someone that arrived to late to change anything,” Sirin said sharply, though her eyes darted away to prevent Mei from reading any emotion that may be within, “Your prayer is meaningless. I am about to become humanity’s new god! I will never know weakness again.”

 

Mei pushed herself to her feet, her smile growing sad as the girl walked towards the glowing flame, “Very well,” She murmured softly, “I’m sorry, Sirin.”

 

Blue flames flickered to life around Sirin’s body as she formed a clawed shape with her fingers and placed her hand over her heart. Her tattered dress began to burn from her body as the massive amounts of ambient Honkai energy began to surge and rush into her.

 

Mei could do nothing but watch as the tortured, shattered girl died. And Humanity’s greatest living foe was born from the ashes of her grief.

Notes:

I'll be honest this chapter stressed me tf out because I am constantly worried about whether or not I'm writing Sirin correctly in the extra scenes between her and Mei I added agfjkdlsaghladsk I hope you all enjoyed this first installment of Mei learning exactly what happened when our girl became HoV :3 I did like writing this chapter even if a decent amount is Mei observing Second Eruption. She'll have no choice but to get more involved soon though, with Sirin embracing her powers and Welt entering the picture :3 Now I'm gonna go take a nap because I have been staying up way too late in my excitement to write this afgjdksgahlksadf

Edit: Okay I got some rest and I can think now. This second eruption arc will either be 1 or 2 more chapters, I'll have to see once I get it all laid out and if there's a certain spot I look at and go "This is a good place to end a chapter". May take me a bit longer than this one to get out since my birthday is this week so I'm gonna purposely try and not stay up until 6am writing every night and let myself relax a bit lmao
Part of the reason I'm focusing so hard on Mei witnessing Second Eruption is both because Sirin is a vessel through which I want to tell more about this AU world and what's going on with the Herrschers and because I think it's interesting to have Mei experience Sirin's past as a parallel to how Kiana witnessed parts of Second Eruption in this same hologram room when Sirin manipulated her into believing she had saved Cecilia. This is also why I decided to force Mei to actively participate in this past she is seeing with the reasoning that it's a realistic illusion powered by Senti because I think it leads to a lot more of an interesting experience of how Mei- with the limited knowledge she has- might interact with the important people and events that occur in SE, instead of just being a passive observer. And seeing just what happens with Sirin had the opportunity to greatly affect her previous outlook on Herrschers and Sirin being this ontologically evil figure that humanity has made her out to be, seeing as she's about to interact with Welt as well.

Anyways, that's a look into my thought process with this lmao I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter! :3

Chapter 9: The Pain of The Past

Notes:

The rest of my notes will be at the end but I wanted to leave a quick warning: There is- to put it simply- a lab torture scene this chapter about 3/4ths through.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The Herrscher of the Void is a being of malice, they were told. The Goddess of revenge, she ruled over the very concept of the void and bent the laws of space as she willed. Prayed to by those in search of their own revenge and fostering a deep hatred towards another human, she gained power from their foul intentions. Of all the Herrschers and their myriad of ways to break the laws of nature, it was Sirin who could effortlessly tear open holes in reality and travel wherever she pleased, whether that be the mortal world or otherwise. Humanity disgusts her and, despite being revered as such a figure of violence, revenge, and vengeance, it was increasingly rare to find someone willing to speak of the Queen of the Void as anything but an enemy. A spectre of violence to invoke on your enemies. A maelstrom of murderous fury that had wiped whole nations from the face of the planet and constantly sent hordes of Honkai beasts to stress humanity’s defences even when other Herrschers might rest and rebuild their strength. Ancient tales say she is capable of some level of shapeshifting, appearing as a siren with ethereal white hair during the Great Eruption thousands of years ago. That was what Mei had been taught.

This knowledge smouldered in her mind, a constant that had pressed against her consciousness ever since she was brought into this illusion. And yet, try as it might, it could not stop the conflict in Mei’s heart as she beheld the dissonance between these teachings and the tortured, shattered girl before her. A victim lashing out at those that had caused her so much pain. Goddess of revenge, indeed. Perhaps, if anyone deserved the numbing release of revenge, it was this girl in nothing but tattered rags and bloody bandages. A girl desperately latching onto the promise of a power great enough she would never suffer under somebody else’s ever again.

Mei’s heart had ached as she watched Sirin finally grasp the full breadth of that power she desperately craved. The voice whispering to Sirin grated against her mind every time it egged Sirin on, pushing her to destroy the cruelty that was humanity. Sirin had looked back to Mei with gleeful eyes, the blue flames having burned away her rags and replaced it with similar elegant purple and white clothing to that which Mei often saw in her dreams. Her small slumped form now standing tall, confident, and appeared to search Mei’s face for some sign of approval. When outward validation had seemed unforthcoming, the air grew heavy as Sirin’s anger flared stronger than ever.

Theresa had been her saving grace, the woman having tracked them down and stolen Sirin’s attention. Mei had almost been surprised when the small Valkyrie fell from the darkness, dragged by ghostly hands formed from pure Honkai energy. However, now bolstered by practically limitless Honkai energy, the redirection of Sirin’s anger moments before was exceedingly obvious. Theresa’s surprise to find Mei in this same void was quickly overcome by horror as new scenes grew to life in the void just as when Mei and Sirin had first entered this strange space. Mei watched on as scenes of Sirin’s torture played out before them, the scientists blatant disregard for the children as human beings as they injected the deadly liquid Honkai into their veins leaving Theresa shocked and appalled. The image of Sirin screaming herself hoarse begging for help and writhing on the ground as her body was slowly torn apart by the Honkai would forever remain burned into their memories. The callous disregard for even Sirin’s grief as she was given only a few minutes to bury her friends in the snow, her tears falling for Bella, Avrora, Agata, Galina, and her own helplessness. The last of her love for humanity lay within those cold bodies now sunk in shallow graves forgotten to all but the tundra and the girl who had placed them to rest.

Though Theresa’s heartbreak had not taken the form Sirin had desired. The girl had believed seeing her past would have brought Theresa to her side, even if Mei had been unwilling. When it instead coalesced into a pitying desire to save the girl from herself, Sirin had plucked a cross-shaped device from the back of Theresa’s hand and tossed her into the void. Mei’s heart had still raced even as she did everything in her power to present herself as non-threatening as possible. Sirin, however, already seemed more interested in the device she had taken from Theresa. The Honkai energy and space around it roiling and forcefully collapsing and ripping against it to no avail.

It was here that Sirin finally turned her full attention back to Mei, who had stood observing in silence, “What a weird little toy, don’t you think? I can’t break it, even with all my powers. Do you know anything about it, Mei?”

“It is a curious structure,” Mei agreed, “I haven’t seen anything like it before. It must be made of something rare indeed if it is able to resist a Herrscher.”

Sirin clicked her tongue in annoyance and grumbled, “Useless.”

Before either girl could react, the strange cross stood upright and flashed. In that instant, it grew to several times its original size until Mei was forced to look up to look at its very topmost point. A mechanical click echoed through the void and a seam along the depth of the device split open wide and several spears with chains attached to their hafts shot from inside and into the darkness. The intervals at which they exited made the chains leading back to the inside of the device splay wide, almost like the collapsible hand fans the Raidens would use in the warmer regions of the world.

After a few moments the chains ceased their movement. The golden metal went rigid and shook as if anchoring into something before rapidly beginning to retreat back into the device. Sirin grit her teeth and quickly spun her gaze between all five points where the spears disappeared into the darkness. However, that did not prepare her for the speed at which Theresa fell from the darkened skies, golden chains wrapped around her arms.

The diminutive Valkyrie grinned as she landed, “You can’t get rid of me that easily! I should have told you that Judah and I are bound as one! Give up, girl! I don’t want to fight you!”

Mei’s mind raced at that. Judah... the word sounded hauntingly familiar. The cross shape, the bladed chains, its apparent durability against Herrscher level powers, her own history lessons. The answer was before her as clearly as the weapon stood before her now. The Oath of Judah. A deadly weapon that was wielded by Overseer Theresa Apocalypse throughout her tenure as the head of Schicksal. It should have been no surprise then, to find Theresa’s younger self wielding that same weapon. A weapon created using the core of the Herrscher of Binding, a deadly artefact that led to Theresa hiding the weapon away to prevent opposing Herrschers from attempting to extract the core and resurrect a second Lady of Binding. As a result, images of the weapon had been purged and files locked away from the public. And now Mei finally had an image to put to the name.

 

Sirin, however, was furious, “How can you turn against me even after listening to my story?! I’ll kill you in the blink of an eye!”

 

Mei’s heart dropped as Sirin swung her arm to the side and Honkai energy coalesced into a black and white lance complete with the separate band orbiting around a detached core just like in her dreams. Sirin swung her arm forward, fingers spread as if commanding a charge, and the lance flew through the air at incredible speed.

 

“Block the lance, Judah!” Theresa moved the massive cross-shaped weapon with ease despite it now being larger than she is. Both women watched in disbelief as Sirin’s lance turned transparent where it touched the solid matter of Judah and began moving through it as if the weapon wasn’t even there, and then did the same to Theresa. The surprise on her face was clear and her attention quickly shifted from the lance back to the Herrscher in front of her, seeming to dismiss it as an illusion.

 

A move Mei realized was a mistake as Sirin grinned and raised her hand, “I said I’ll kill you in the blink of an eye~” She snapped.

 

Within the echo of the Herrscher’s snap, the sickening sound of flesh and bone tearing pierced the space, Sirin’s lance lodging itself in Theresa’s abdomen and knocking the Valkyrie back several astonished steps. “The lance…” Theresa wheezed, “It’s real…”

 

Mei instinctively stepped forward with her left hand wrapping tight around her scabbard just under the guard, teeth gritting as she was paralyzed with indecision.

 

Sirin, however, saw it differently.

 

“And you? Are you finally betraying me too, Mei?” She growled, her eyes darting to the hand wrapped around her weapon, “I thought at least you would understand, but I see I have always been alone.”

 

“Sirin, wait-”

 

“Shut up! I thought maybe I could trust you, but you’re just like the Valkyries, aren’t you?!”

 

“No! Sirin-”

 

Mei was forced to jump to the side as another lance cut through the air where she had stood just moments ago.

 

“All humans are the same!” Sirin created three more lances, portals appearing in the air around Mei, the priestess narrowly evading the lances that flew through them at difficult angles to guard against, “You’re all lying, murderous traitors!”

 

Mei struggled to keep up with the constant barrage of projectiles, the lances beginning to get dangerously close, the priestess unwilling to attempt deflecting them with her katana in case Sirin made them incorporeal once more. That is, until the sound of the very air around them being torn asunder rippled through the void and interrupted their deadly dance.

 

A resounding ripping sound, like the grating twang of an energy shield being torn open with brute force, was accompanied by the surrounding void shattering to pieces. The snow and trees of the real world appeared round them once more. As well as two men Mei had never seen before.

 

The brown-haired man that had just ripped Sirin’s void space apart frowned at the sight of Theresa collapsed at Sirin’s feet and the panting Mei taking the chance to catch her breath, “Your little game of hide and seek is over,” His eyes flashed a dangerous red, eyes that contained a glowing mechanical gear-like pattern in contrast to the crosshair in Sirin’s own glowing gold. He turned to the white-haired man behind him, “Theresa is still alive. Bring her to the tower and get her treated. I’ll handle this one.”

 

“Wait,” The man protested, “You can’t do this alone!”

 

“Dammit, Siegfried! If you want Theresa to live, stop being stupid and get her help!”

 

The man dashed into their midst and scooped up Theresa with ease, “Alright, Welt. I owe you another one! No, I owe you three times now!” He quickly retreated back past Welt with Theresa’s limp body in a bridal carry.

 

Sirin quickly created another lance, “I didn’t give you permission to leave, insect! Put that girl down!”

 

Mei dashed forward, desperately crying out, “Watch out, the lance is-!”

 

Welt was a blur, appearing between Siegfried and the lance long before Mei could have ever reached them, a red hexagonal field of honkai energy blooming to life before Welt’s chest and stopping the lance in its tracks.

 

Siegfried looked back with a mile upon his lips, “I’ll get her to safety, and then I’ll be back to help you out!”

 

Welt’s glowing eyes locked onto Mei, the man seeming to analyze her in an instant, “You! Go with him! Keep them safe!”

 

Mei quickly nodded in response and took off running after Siegfried. The man was surprisingly quick considering he had Theresa in his arms, but the Honkai flowing through her body enabled Mei to catch up with him in short order.

 

Siegfried only shot her the barest glance as she fell in step as they bolted through the trees, “You must be the Mei Theresa was talking about,” He panted, “What happened in there?”

 

Mei’s eyes darkened, “Sirin showed us her past. The horrible things she experienced in the Babylon Labs. She wanted us to join her, but her only goal is taking revenge on humanity.”

 

The two of them lapsed into silence, the physically enhanced warriors speeding through the trees. While they might be faster than an ordinary human, their speed was still not enough to assuage the fear in their hearts every time they caught sight of bright red dripping down Siegfried's arms and onto the pale snow. It took much too long for them to get through the valley and within reach of the Labs. It was as they were making their way to the peak of an incline on the mountain that Mei felt a shiver run through her body completely unrelated to the cold environment. She paused just long enough to look back, a buzzing instinct in the back of her mind confident that she had just felt an absolutely massive spike in Honkai energy. A mighty voice echoed off the walls of the mountains like the very heralds of heaven, its inhuman vibrato shaking their very foundations.

 

“I AM WELT OF HUMANITY! AND I STAND AGAINST YOU, DARK QUEEN, AS A WARRIOR GUARDIAN OF THE HUMAN RACE! LAW AND REASON, NOT THE CHAOS OF THE VOID, SHALL PREVAIL THIS DAY!” His next words seemed to echo not off the solid rock of the mountains, but directly into Mei’s mind, a mighty, irresistible force that was steeped in power as if travelling through the surrounding Honkai energy itself, “HEAR ME, MIGHTY HOST OF HUMANITY! UNLEASH A MIGHTY TORRENT OF FIRE AND IRON UPON THIS FALSE DEITY!”

 

The valley they had just left promptly exploded.

 

Multicolored light flashed from within the cloud of smoke as explosions rocked the surrounding mountains. Not a single large attack, but many in quick succession. The thick smoke obscured everything, yet if Mei looked hard enough she could almost make out a massive dark shape moving within.

 

“Keep moving!” Siegfried yelled at her, “It’s dangerous to stay too close to them!” When Mei got within arms reach Siegfried paused, his final step at the top of the incline announced with the tumbling of snow down the opposite face. He held Theresa out to her, “We’re just about to the Labs. Take her! I need to get back to Welt!”

 

Mei carefully took Theresa into her arms, “What? Do you have a death wish?”

 

Siegfried laughed, “Not quite, pretty lady! I have a wife and kid back home and I don’t intend to leave them hanging! I’ve gotta watch my little Kiana grow up, after all!” He grinned, “But I’ll be damned if I let Welt fight that girl alone.”

 

Mei nearly dropped Theresa as the words pierced her mind like a knife to the gut, “Kiana?”

 

“Yeah, she’s my little girl,” Siegfried explained gleefully, “You know, you look a lot like my buddy er, acquaintance , Ryoma. He has a little girl named Mei just like you! I’ll take you to meet them someday! After we heroically save today from this Herrscher, of course,” He flexed a bicep and clasped it with his other hand in a show of bravado, “Take care, Mei!”

 

“Wait, but you just said-!” Mei watched as Siegfried ignored her and rushed back the way they came, even speedier now that he was not weighed down by Theresa, “...It’s too dangerous,” She quietly finished. Siegfried Kaslana… another name for her to file away in her mind to search for once she was out of this illusion. Along with Welt. Though that was a name she at least knew of already. Even so far into the future she knew of the original sovereign of Anti-Entropy. Welt Yang, rival to Otto Apocalypse.

 

And the second Herrscher of Reason.

 


 

To say things weren’t going well would be an understatement. Mei had successfully brought Theresa back to the Babylon Labs where Einstein took her under her care. Not an hour later and Siegfried and Welt both stumbled back into the control centre in similarly terrible shape, Welt leaking blood from injuries to his head and Siegfried with a hole burned through his side. Welt’s recovery was strangely slow from what Mei knew of Herrscher healing factors. Siegfried's seemed less like a healing factor and more like sheer stubborn force of will. While he was out of bed after a nap, the wound in his side obviously still pained him. Yet the stubborn Kaslana pushed on, staying in the command centre to help monitor things while Theresa recovered.

Quite frankly, Mei could not believe the girl had managed to survive being gored on Sirin’s lance. The hole in her abdomen was large enough Mei could have shoved her entire fist through the girl’s body if she so wished. Einstein had only muttered something about the Honkai beast Vishnu and gotten back to work. Three hours had passed when Einstein tracked her down, finding Mei checking on the rescued children.

 

“Raiden Mei?”

 

Mei looked up from where she was tucking in one of the exhausted girls, having just finished changing the bandages on her wounds. Her exhaustion was clear in her voice, “Yes? Einstein, right?”

 

“Come with me, the Sovereign wishes to speak with you,” Einstein turned and walked away without waiting for an answer.

 

Mei wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but the battered and worn man waiting for her on the hospital bed was not it. His forehead was wrapped in bandages and his wrist was in a cast, sitting against the headboard and reading a book like he hadn’t just destroyed half the valley like it was nothing. A red-haired woman sat next to him peeling an apple- Dr. Tesla she assumed. Once she was in the room, Einstein left them. A moment later Welt put down his book.

 

“Tesla, please give our guest and I some privacy?”

 

Tesla narrowed her eyes at Welt but put the apple on a plate on the bedside table and did as Welt requested.

 

Once the door had slid shut behind her, Welt continued, “You must be Raiden Mei. I’ve heard how you helped Theresa rescue the children and took care of them afterwards. Thank you,” He finally met her eyes, his irises now a normal warm brown instead of bearing the red glow like when they first met, “One of the kids even told Einstein that you looked about ready to fight one of the Valkyries when she wanted to return them to Schicksal. Then while Siegfried wasn’t looking we got our hands on some security recordings after Theresa said you’d gone missing. It’s quite curious seeing a Schicksal Valkyrie take the time to try and talk down a Herrscher who’s already murdered an entire lab of her companions and shown herself to be a threat to all humanity,” His expression did not change from a casual neutrality, his gaze never leaving Mei’s, “And then I found you in Sirin’s Imaginary Space, unharmed while Theresa had been impaled.”

 

Mei’s fingers flexed at her side, the woman having to fight the instinct to wrap her hand around her katana, “Are you trying to imply something, My Lord?” She struggled to force the words out. Talking back to the first Herrscher to ally with humanity went completely against her training as a priestess. However, if there was ever a time to blaspheme in service of her own mission, there was no better place than this illusion.

 

Welt raised an eyebrow at the title but otherwise did not draw attention to it, “No, I just wanted to confirm something,” Welt said, steepling his fingers, “And now that you’re in the room with me, even in my weakened state, I can sense the Herrscher gems within you. Honkai signatures that I’m… not familiar with. It is obvious to me that you’re not truly a Valkyrie, and you bear the family name of a close friend. So the question remains… Who are you?”

 

For a moment Mei’s heart dropped into her stomach, the sense of danger from being exposed washing over her mind in seconds. Yet the Herrscher of Reason did not move. He did not even look disappointed, or angry. The reactive moment of panic faded, and Mei took a deep breath before taking the plunge, “My name is Raiden Mei, daughter of Raiden Ryoma and Raiden Mifumi. You are right, I am not a Schicksal Valkyrie,” She paused, eyes darting away from the heavy gaze of the Herrscher for a moment, “This might sound strange to you in this moment, but I am a priestess of the Herrscher of Finality.”

 

This time Welt's eyes widened ever so slightly, “Priestess of the final Herrscher? Out of thirteen, only two Herrschers have a mortal form in this plane. Me and Sirin,” Welt held his chin between his forefinger and thumb as he ran this information through his mind. He murmured softly to himself, “If the final Herrscher truly does command time, then…” he fell silent.

 

When his eyes eventually returned to Mei she took it as her opportunity to speak, “You specify this plane. Are there other areas of existence where Herrschers might exist?”

 

Welt seemed to settle on something, his lips curving into a small smile, “Herrschers always exist in some form or another. We are given form by Honkai energy itself, and wherever Honkai energy exists, it will learn the laws of that realm and develop ways to overcome these limitations. The power of Herrschers has existed in other planes- other dimensions- for millennia, ready to bring a sort of… control to the chaotic forces of nature. However it seems the Honkai is particularly interested in the mortal realm. This planet and the civilization on it. Honkai’s attacks against humanity almost succeeded before, with the destruction of the Previous Era. When the Core of Reason was passed to me by my predecessor all the memories of the past Herrschers of Reason that failed to wipe out humanity were burned into my mind. I am not capable of fully understanding most of it, but I became one with this extension of the Honkai’s will. I cannot describe what it feels like to struggle against the hatred and viciousness that characterises those who are originally chosen as vessels for the power of a Herrscher. Yet every time the Herrscher’s failed, every time humanity found some way to survive, the Honkai only grew stronger. Honkai energy festering and growing within a sentient body, feeding the Honkai with each death until we were truly the Gods some people see us as. Do not misunderstand me, Herrschers have always had such power so as to be perceived as demigods, however the more this realm becomes saturated with Honkai energy the more inhuman we become. I- or rather the Herrscher of Reason- had the good fortune of special circumstances aiding our turn against the Honkai. Humanity always finds some way to survive by the skin of their teeth, and as a former human I wish to aid them with this unfathomable power.”

 

“I- this is… I was surprised to see Sirin has not always been the Herrscher of the Void,” Mei said quietly. Receiving such a breadth of information directly from a Herrscher was… overwhelming to put it lightly. She might even doubt it, if Seele had not told her that what she was experiencing had been built from the memories of all major players who had survived the Eruption, which included the second Herrscher of Reason himself. Herrschers had not always been the all powerful godlike beings she knew them as? It beggared belief. That thought alone was enough to send her head spinning, “I thank you for this information, though it is… overwhelming,” Mei steadied herself with another deep breath, “I do not know the whole story, but Sirin has somehow persisted as a Herrscher all this time…” She paused. Part of her hesitated to speak the thought hovering on the tip of her tongue. It almost felt like a betrayal to circumvent the Moon Goddess with another Herrscher, however her need for knowledge was like an inexorable push forcing her onwards regardless, “I have a question, if I may.”

 

“I will answer if I can.”

 

“When My Lady blessed me with the Herrscher gems something attempted to invade my mind. It told me to return to it, to embrace the power it offered. When I resisted it felt like something was trying to claw my mind apart from the inside. This persisted every time I attempted to access the Honkai Energy within me. Until I informed the Herrscher of Finality, and she told me that there was another force- a ‘thing’- that she would hold back so I could come into my powers properly.”

 

Welt appeared troubled, “She… The Herrscher of The End not only resisted the Will of Honkai but struck back against it?”

 

Mei tilted her head curiously, quickly choosing which name to focus on, “The Will of Honkai?”

 

“You don’t know?” Surprise was clear on the Herrscher’s face, “The Will of Honkai is the name we have given to the Honkai Gestalt. A greater will that guides Herrschers to embrace their power and manipulate them into giving in to their darkest emotions to turn against humanity. Its psychic power is unmatched as the ultimate source of all Honkai,” His expression darkened, “If Herrschers are multidimensional Gods, then you can only imagine how powerful the entity that created us must be,” He fell into thought for several minutes, Mei unsure if she should continue her questioning. Finally he spoke again, “From what time have you graced us from?”

 

Somehow, Mei wasn’t surprised at how unbothered he seemed by the notion she had travelled to the past, “According to the dates I saw on the security logs… all this happened three thousand years ago.”

 

Welt sucked in an astonished breath, “A three thousand year stalemate…” He murmured to himself.

 

“I…” Mei grimaced, “I cannot tell you why. Our society worships the Herrschers as Gods and they themselves have told us how they receive even greater power from our faith or dedication to the concepts that define them. Yet every day since I obtained these gems I realize just how little I know of the truth of this world. Much has been lost over the centuries of our battles with the Herrschers that do not think as kindly of humanity. Our technology is far behind where it should be after the Herrscher of Corruption infected and destroyed most digital archives and turned much of our technology against us. The Herrscher of the Void and others have left large swathes of the planet Honkai irradiated wastelands, and the Herrscher of Finality is often absent. I can only assume that as the most powerful Herrscher this Will of Honkai requires much of her attention. Her partner, the Herrscher of Thunder, has not been seen for several decades now.”

 

“Two Herrschers that work closely together…” He seemed to lose himself in his thoughts for a moment, his eyes never leaving Mei. It was an unnerving gaze, as if the Herrscher was not truly looking at her, but inside her or through her, “May I see your hand, Miss Raiden?”

 

Mei stepped around to the side of the bed and tentatively extended her hand. Welt slowly extended his own. His fingers wrapped around her exposed hand and a strange sensation almost immediately shivered through Mei’s body. The sneaking sensation of a familiar energy yet foreign power crawling across her psyche. That storm of emotion that seemed to always simmer in the back of her mind now rumbled in anger as the distinct feeling of Welt’s Honkai energy shot through her. She could feel it probing at the gems within her, a curious snaking around her own energy and across the Gem of Conviction. That anger bubbled to life in her chest once more as Welt’s mind caressed the Gem of Conquest. All of this happened in only a second, until Welt chanced extending his observation to her mind and that quiet storm of energy whipped itself into a frenzy, the emotion rumbling like a thunderstorm in her chest and before she could even register what she was doing, she had ripped her hand from Welt’s grip. 

 

Lightning ran defensively over her body and her voice growled without her conscious input, “Stay out of our mind, weakened fool!”

 

Welt hardly seemed taken aback by this turn of events. He simply pushed his glasses up his nose and hummed thoughtfully, “I believe I understand what is going on here.”

 

Mei winced, hand holding her temple as a pulsing pain drilled into her skull. She quickly dropped to one knee and bowed her head in apology, “I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”

 

Discomfort finally broke through the calm on Welt’s face, “Please stand, that is… not necessary,” He waited for Mei to stand before continuing, “Is it common to be granted gems in your time?”

 

“It is a known occurrence,” Mei answered, “But people chosen to bear a Herrscher gem are rare, personally chosen by the Herrscher themselves. We become a weapon against the Honkai more powerful than anything Schicksal can field, a substitute for the Herrscher on the battlefield and a symbol for the people.”

 

Welt raised his eyebrow, “I have done such a thing in the past, though it is difficult for me to maintain it nowadays. I certainly felt one gem within you, but the other was certainly no gem, even with my limited knowledge of the other Herrschers I could feel-”

 

The lights flickered, strange digital artefacts flickering across most surfaces. Welt frowned but seemed to study the events with a curious eye. Before Mei could comment on them herself, a purple rimmed rift of Honkai energy bloomed to life beneath her feet and all she could do was lock eyes with the Herrscher of Reason one final time before she fell into the darkness.

 


 

Mei had been within the depths of the illusory memory for nearly two hours when a short- but intense- burst of Honkai elsewhere in St. Freya shuddered through Seele’s mind. Not a moment later and a familiar head of white hair and pink-starred blue eyes were pushing their way through a rift of Honkai energy and into the archives control room.

 

Seele’s serene demeanor did not change as she turned and beheld the narrowed eyes and furrowed brow of the Herrscher of Finality, the otherworldly being’s psychic presence pressing against her mind, “Greetings, Kiana. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you like this.”

 

“Seele,” Kiana replied sharply, “Where’s Mei?”

 

“I think you already know, or else why would you be here?” Seele said softly.

 

“Why, Seele?”

 

“Why not?” She raised an eyebrow, “Is she not here to learn?”

 

“Not like this!” Kiana gesticulated with wide motions, her features twisted into clear distress, “This is- things can’t go this fast! Pull her out.”

 

“No. I’m sure you told her to learn more about the truth of Herrschers, didn’t you?”

 

“There’s a process that needs to be followed or else something could go wrong!” Kiana’s voice was steadily rising in volume now.

 

“You’re being too strict. How could this possibly harm her?”

 

“I’m making sure things go smoothly! Welt's memories know too much!” Kiana sucked in a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair, “You don’t understand, Seele,” Her voice wavered, “You don’t understand… What it was like. The Will of Honkai is…” Kiana seemed to subconsciously press her fingers against a spot in the center of her chest and winced. Her eyes narrowed at the smaller woman once more, “Don’t butt in.”

 

“Butt in?” Seele’s serene demeanor faltered, as even she couldn’t hide the hurt that fluttered in her heart at Kiana’s words, “Mei is my friend! And what about Mei herself? Have you considered her feelings being kept in the dark like this?” Seele countered.

 

“This was her plan!” Kiana snapped, “Do you think I’m just doing all this for the fun of it? Do you think I like leading Mei on like this instead of just telling her and doing everything I can for her from the get-go?! I’m doing my best to do what she asked of me! If something goes wrong and she can’t handle regaining her power, I-” Kiana’s fist clenched tight, her teeth grit and a small growl building in her throat, though it seemed to be more at her own thoughts than at Seele, “This isn’t just about my desire to have Mei back at my side. Yes, I need Mei. But the world needs the Herrscher of Origin.”

 

Seele’s eyes flashed to a deep crimson, “Hurt Seele like that again and I’ll rip your throat out. You owe us or Mei wouldn’t even be here for you to worry about, so watch your fucking tongue, Kiana. The power of Origin died with Elysia. You’re chasing ghosts.”

 

“Oh shut it, O’ Herrscher of Death! You remind me I owe you every time you get even mildly annoyed,” The Herrscher of Finality rolled her eyes, “Look, I am truly sorry if I hurt you, Seele, but I am trying to fulfill the role Mei left to me, and quite frankly, neither of you can understand the position I’m in. Mei and Bronya came with me into the void between worlds, and you two didn’t. They suffered through the trials we faced there, things you know nothing of, or else you would understand why Mei did what she did. End of story,” Kiana looked like she wanted to say more, to keep venting her anger, but she bit her tongue. Instead she sighed, “I don’t like getting angry like this,” She forced out through grit teeth, “I’m sorry. But this entire situation is… infuriating . Mei is the only reason Bronya and I can stand here today as Truth and Finality, so it would be nice to have a little bit more faith from my friends,” She forced her attention through the glass and into the hologram room proper, not bothering to wait for Seele to reply, “I’m ending this.”

 


 

Mei snapped back to reality with a tumultuous wave of disorientation. She hardly had time to register that she was once more looking at the empty holographic chamber before the ground fell out from under her. Gravity shifted dizzyingly around her and her feet found ground once more as she was ejected from a purple rimmed rift. Her feet tangled as she attempted to regain her footing despite how her head was spinning. However, before she could fall to the ground warm, strong arms slid under her own and held her in an embrace. As soon as she felt like she was steady enough to not tip over from dizziness she pulled herself up.

 

The instant she realised who was standing before her she gasped and dropped to one knee, bowing her head.

 

“Please stand, Mei,” The Herrscher of Finality said, the previously sharp tone she had used with Seele now the soft and loving entreaty Mei had come to associate with the Goddess. When she had regained her footing the Herrscher’s expression darkened, “What did you see?”

 

Mei blinked, taken aback by this cold expression on her Goddess’s face and the steadily increasing pressure on her mind, her eyes almost instinctively flicking to Seele seeking support. Regardless, she quickly revealed everything she had experienced in the illusory history. Encountering Sirin and watching her descent into an anger and hatred that was multiplied tenfold by her embrace of her new status as a Herrscher. Her encounters with Theresa and Siegfried. When she got to Welt, Kiana’s eyes narrowed, the Honkai energy saturating the room swirling invisibly with the Moon Goddess’s change in mood.

 

“I-I apologize if I angered you, My Goddess,” Mei bowed her head, “I just… I was trying to learn more of the past like you asked.”

 

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Seele said sharply, blue eyes never leaving the Herrscher, “Your Goddess is being unreasonable.”

 

Said Goddess sighed in annoyance, “Seele…”

 

“Actually, since you’re here now, I think this would be a great opportunity to tell Mei just what happened to the Herrscher of the Void. Since you interrupted her studying and all.”

 

“Seele-”



Blue eyes flashed red once again, “Why do you insist on being so difficult?!” She stomped her foot and the instant it made contact with the ground the Honkai energy pressing down on them exploded in a dark blue mist, an explosion from her foot that coated the room and all surfaces blooming with a scattering of the same ethereal flowers that adorned Seele’s dress wherever the mist touched.

 

Mei took several rapid steps backwards, the mist an unknown variable. It caressed her skin despite her small attempt to avoid it, an unnatural cold tingling across her skin and a strange sense of calm pressing against her mind, “What…” She raised her hand and twisted it back and forth, fascination gleaming in her eyes as the mist curled around her limb like a supportive caress. Seele quickly regained her composure, eyes once again a calm blue and the mist gradually fading from existence. With the sensation it brought with now fallen away from her mind, Mei looked back to her Goddess, “My Lady, please, what happened to Sirin that makes this information so… taboo?”

 

“It’s not…” Another frustrated sigh, “It’s not that it’s taboo. It’s just… extremely personal. For both of us,” She blinked and her right eye locked Mei with a cold golden stare, “You saw the beginning of the Herrscher of the Void. After Welt was injured by Otto Apocalypse, Sirin was guided to the Moon by the Will of Honkai where several Herrscher cores lay within Previous Era ruins. Humanity could not combat her at such distances, and Sirin launched meteors at earth with impunity. Several major cities were severely damaged and others remain nothing but uninhabited craters even to this day. Welt sacrificed his mortal form opposing Sirin on the Moon. Sirin’s only flaw was being too young to fully understand how to utilize her powers. From turning the corpses of her friends into pseudo-Herrschers to resisting the Phoenix’s illusory mind control and even stealing a piece of it, she was the greatest threat humanity of the current era had ever faced. But once the power of Death was torn from her she could no longer heal the grievous injuries humanities mightiest warriors then inflicted on her. And yet…” The Herrscher hesitated, her gaze dropping and focusing on something deep within her memories only she could see, “Yet at the end, as Otto buried the region under a hail of Honkai fission missiles, Shicksal’s strongest Valkyrie embraced this Herrscher. This terrible existential threat that had murdered millions. You see, Sirin had attempted to use the piece of the Phoenix’s powers she stole on her and Siegfried. But she did not know how to control it, and so Fenghuan Down created an illusion from the innermost desires of her heart. A family. A normal life. A loving mother. Maybe even a sister. And so she embraced her as a final apology to this lost girl at the end of their lives.”

The Moon Goddess blinked, moisture welling up in her eyes despite her attempts to hold down the emotions threatening to burst from her chest.

 

Mei finally understood, her gut twisting as her own memories of that history surged to the forefront of her mind “Sirin’s story… it’s not simply of a villain humanity must defeat. It is a tragedy of a girl who was denied the simple happiness of a normal life and twisted against the world by humanity’s own cruelty and the manipulation of the Honkai.”

 

“If only that was the end of her story,” The Herrscher held a hand to her head, her eye slowly fading back to its usual pink-starred cerulean, “I’m… sorry for being difficult tonight. I truly am simply doing my best to bring this sad story to a happy ending. I need to leave now. We need to go punch something.”

 

Before either of them could respond the Moon Goddess disappeared in a flash of purple.

 

Mei eyed her remaining companion, thoughts racing but knowing that they would not settle until she laid down and attempted to rest, “You seemed to know what she didn’t want to say. And that power… The calming vapors of death… I have read that not even the strongest gem bearers have been able to manifest such abilities. You’re the Herrscher of Rebirth, aren’t you?”

 

Seele smiled sadly, “I was hoping to remain normal ol’ Seele for a little longer, but you’re as sharp as ever. Yes, I am… Rebirth incarnate.”

 

Mei nodded, such confirmation merely piling on the already overwhelming knowledge she had received in this short time. Her eyes drifted to the floor, “I apologize for my lack of decorum, I feel like receiving such information should leave me awestruck and worshipful but after tonight I am just… tired,” Despite her words, Mei bowed deeply with an arm crossed over her heart.

 

Seele shook her head and gestured at her to rise, “Please, Mei, most of us never wanted to be worshipped anyways. I would much rather be your friend Seele than your Goddess, and I know the Finality feels the same despite her incessant need to put duty before all,” Seele smiled softly, “From what the Herrscher of Reason tells me, she’s always been like this to some degree, even before she fully became a Herrscher.”

 

“I- but I-” Mei stammered, “Of course. That might take some getting used to if that is your wish, Lady- I mean, Seele. I… will do my best.”

 

“That’s all I could ever ask of you,” Seele smiled.

 


 

Her thoughts did not settle even as she laid down to attempt to sleep. So much information- TOO much- raced through her mind, every thought a new piece to a puzzle that was slowly breaking apart everything she thought she knew. Yet at the same time the strain of the illusion had left her mind unfocused and utterly exhausted ever since she left the archives. She had never seen her Goddess so… distressed. Angry. It was a truly frightening thing even if she logically knew that it was not directed at her. And Seele… A Herrscher lowering herself to the position of Schicksal principal? She had never heard of such a thing. It seemed almost blasphemous of Schicksal leadership, though Seele did not seem to mind in the slightest.

 

Sleep finally took her. Her eyes closed, and she fell into an exhausted slumber. As she slipped into unconsciousness the pleading, desperate face of Sirin stared back at her, and she couldn’t help the wish beating in her heart to have been able to give that broken girl the love she longed for so long ago.

 

It was not long before her eyes shot open, unfamiliar surroundings shooting a thread of fear down her spine as she beheld the large darkened metal room, a faint green glow from machines around her illuminating little of the space. Bright lights directly above her left her lit up like a beacon in the center of the room. She attempted to get up only to find her limbs restrained. The soft bed that had lulled her into slumber had been replaced by a hard uncomfortable table, the restraints holding her down screwed tightly into the flat surface. As she struggled her purple locks fell across her vision, something deep within her heart knowing she needed to get out now . She kicked and pulled and writhed, her mind confused at the weakness her body displayed, her instincts telling her she should be able to shatter these restraints with ease. With metal bands around her wrist, ankles, thighs, and biceps, all she could do was thrash her torso uselessly.

 

“Stop struggling!”

 

A hand lashed out from her peripheral vision, her vision swimming as her head was snapped to the side, cheek stinging. At the very least, the pain focused her mind. She did not know how or why, but she simply knew that there were three people standing behind her with some sort of obstacle in front of them. A control panel of some sorts, perhaps.

 

“Who are you people?” She yelled, her voice sounding strange and unfamiliar to her own ears. Much too young, “Let me go!”

 

The man that had walked over and slapped her scoffed, “Shut up already! If you had stayed dead instead of reforming neither of us would have to put up with this right now!” He leaned away, “Begin the procedure.”

 

A vicious looking pointed contraption whined as its gears shifted and moved it over her chest, various other arms connected to the table all pointed down at her. A switch was pushed somewhere behind her and the tip in the center brightened with an inner light, preceding a beam of energy bursting forth. The pain was immediate and intense, the acrid smell of burning flesh filling her nostrils. The scream that tore from her throat seemed to only intensify the pain as a burning line was cut down the center of her chest.

 

“Stop squirming or you’ll only make things worse for yourself,” Somebody said, though through the haze of pain she could not tell who it was.

 

A quiet voice could barely be heard over the pain thundering in her mind, “Sir, are you sure we shouldn’t have used at least some anesthetic?”

 

“We’re not wasting precious resources on a Herrscher,” The same harsh voice from before snapped back.

 

“Doctor, we’ve located the core within her chest cavity.”

 

Another thunk as something else metallic was pulled. The extra arms surrounding her lowered towards her body with the whine of mechanics. Hard metal arms pressed one wide digit of a padded claw into the new gash down her torso and pulled.

 

White hot blinding pain. That was all she could feel. She screamed and screamed, pulling desperately and uselessly at her restraints. Her voice hurt, her body burned, and yet the laser continued to lower even closer to its handiwork.

 

“Ugh, you two hold her down! If she moves too much we won’t hit the core properly!”

 

Four hands pressed down on her shoulders and her instincts lit up with even more desperation as the color of the laser tip changed and adjusted position, “No! No! Please let me go! I’ll do anything! No more! It hurts! It hurts so much, please!!!” Her arms bruised and bleeding, yet the instinctive desire to escape even greater pain would not allow her to stop, the edge of the cuffs digging into her arm feeling like it was cracking her very bone. Her breaths were rapid, uncontrolled, her head spinning as the shallow breaths did not get her enough oxygen.

 

The laser device’s tip brightened again, this time a deep terrifying blue.

 

It burned through a piece of her ribcage and hit something else nestled within her body, an object she did not remember being there yet something whispered in the back of her mind that she could not let them finish whatever they wanted with it. Still she was helpless to do anything but scream as this thing attached to her, a thing that was a part of her, splintered. Every crack along this gem nestled next to her heart was like feeling her very being break apart, a mental pain that she could not describe, her mind going blank as the crack grew larger and the pain grew in intensity. It was not a physical pain of the nerves that could be tuned out by the brain, but something deeper, something that could not be stopped, could not be blocked out or lessened. Every agonizing moment burned deep into her psyche.

 

The crack snapped and a piece of her broke along with it.

 

Another arm quickly darted in and gripped whatever they were after in its mandibles, drawing back just in time to avoid the small shockwave that erupted with the tortured scream tearing from her throat. Lights flickered, torturers cowered in fear, consciousness began to fade as the device finally released her burned flesh. She did not know how much time she spent here. Day after day different devices poked and prodded at the thing inside her, at her flesh, at her very bones. Time was not real within these walls, it could have been days, weeks, months, she had no way of knowing. As darkness crept into her vision, her ears were drawn to the faint sound of someone’s surprised exclamation, followed quickly by the sound of bodies hitting the floor. The vague sense of rough, but gentle hands pulling open her restraints was enough for her hazy and disoriented mind to lock on just enough to keep conscious. Arms slid under her and a sharp breath was sucked in.

 

“Gods,” A faint voice, ringing and muffled in the new silence of the room, the girl no longer even having the strength to lift her head, “What have they done to you?” 

 

Her savior ran with practiced caution, only jostling her a little, yet each step renewed the burning pain in her chest. Through the curtain of purple shrouding her eyes she could just make out… white hair… sharp, fearful blue eyes that nonetheless held a kindness within them. It struck something within her. A… nostalgia. An anger. A fear. Yet with her body so broken and battered she could only pray that this person was taking her far, far away.

 

The man carrying her shifted his weight, seeming to struggle with something. He jumped his arm as if adjusting something else in his grip. Perhaps she was not the only body he carried. His movement paused. Then quickened. She could feel him messing with something before him, and then lowering her limp form into it. A seat of some kind judging by the way her body was supported. Then he began moving rapidly again, the sound of wheels against metal flooring rumbling emptily through her ears.

 

“Target spotted!” A voice echoed from far away, “Take down Siegfried Kaslana at all costs!”

 

“Shit,” the man whispered harshly, “Come on girls, we gotta get out of here fast!”

 

She couldn’t hold it anymore. The long hoped for respite from her pain and the knowledge that this man seemed to be helping her was enough for her mind to finally cease its stubborn resistance. Her eyes drifted shut even as the man begged her to stay awake. Darkness in all its sublime peace finally washed over her.

 

The next thing she knew she was jostled awake, her surroundings shuddering, the vague sense of temporary weightlessness twisted at her insides. Her head lolled to the side, where a window showed her the truth of her thoughts. They were speeding through the air away from an awe inspiring group of floating islands, environmental domes scattered across their surface growing smaller by the minute. The ship banked, and below a magnificent port city came into view. A busy harbor dotted with the small black shapes of ships moving in and out, high walls no doubt bristling with hidden defences to hold back the Honkai, and clusters of skyscrapers reaching into the sky like many fingered hands. The bend in the river and distant mountains struck her as rather distinctive, even in her barely coherent state. A voice whispered in her mind that it was… important. Yet important as it may be, it could not prevent darkness from quickly washing over her once more, a slumber even deeper than before awaiting her if only she would give in and slip away…

 

What she was not expecting was for her eyes to open once more. This time not to a harsh metal room filled with torturous devices, but instead to a simple wooden ceiling. A soft blanket covered her aching body and for the first time in who knew how long she could move her aching limbs freely. Cautions fingers probed at her chest. Curious touches that were snatched away with a hiss when pain shot through her torso, but she could feel enough. Somehow… no, someone had stitched closed the wound her torturers had inflicted. It hurt to move, yet the sounds of running water and the clinking of dishes from somewhere else in the structure pulled at her curiosity.

 

Her eyes quickly darted around the darkened room. Besides the one she had woken up in, there was another bed pushed against the far wall. The rest of the room was rather sparse, but between the beds was a dresser with two columns of four drawers. On top of it was a simple mirror that would let someone of small stature see themselves clearly from the waist up when standing in front of the dresser.

Small feet slowly pattered across the wooden floor to this mirror. Fingers gently pressed to her cheek, pressing and pulling down at the skin as she slid her digits down the flesh. Dull golden eyes stared back at her, darkened patches under her eyes and messy long purple locks giving her an absolutely miserable appearance. Her other cheek was darkened with nasty bruises. Something about her appearance seemed… wrong. But that was too hard to think about right now. Pulling her gaze from the mirror, she finally noticed the folded clothes left on top. Someone had left a simple purple dress for her. Looking back in the mirror, she quickly decided anything was better than the loose rags she currently wore. Movement came with a dull aching pain, but still she stubbornly raised her arms to pull the dress over her head and quickly brush down her hair, pulling uselessly at a few knots before deciding it must be good enough. She moved to the far side and pulled open the slightly ajar door to the room. Upon stepping out the girl found herself on an upper landing. A railing guided her towards a staircase down to the first floor and also allowed her to look over the edge and see the doorways into the other rooms of this… home she found herself in. Step by painful step, she used both her arms to hold herself steady as she worked her way down the stairs. Her eyes were wide and darting back and forth, alert for any sign that this was some kind of cruel trick from her captors.

 

Now on the first floor she chanced a glance through the closest door to her right. A smaller girl with white hair lay on a carpet in what appeared to be the main lounge, playing with a strange yellow stuffed toy. Bandages encircled her head, and she could not see due to the girl facing away from her, but the angle suggested they wrapped around the front and covered her right eye. Or at least a part of that side of her face. But the sounds that had drawn her were coming from the second doorway.

Cautious footsteps tapped softly against the hardwood as she moved to peek around the doorframe. Compared to the dim hallway, the light within shone bright, the girl having to squint against the sudden assault on her vision. When her eyes finally adjusted, the first thing she saw was a head of white hair pulled up into a ponytail. She had found what appeared to be a kitchen. Behind the island counter running down the center of it, was a rather tall man. She vaguely recalled seeing the same ponytail the day she had been rescued from that hell, and it was this thought that let herself allow another step into the room. She managed to get around the island and all the way to the man’s side without him hearing her. She watched as he hummed softly to himself and rubbed away at the plate in his hand with a sponge. It was only after he had rinsed it, put it onto the drying rack to the side, and turned back towards the sink that he finally saw her.

 

The man nearly jumped out of his skin when he noticed the golden eyes staring curiously up at him, “In the name of-!” He quickly stopped himself and took a deep breath, “You’re awake! How… How are you feeling, kiddo?”

 

Sirin opened her mouth to speak, suddenly keenly aware of the dry scratchiness tingling there when a cough came out instead of words. Her next attempt went better, “Thirsty,” she croaked.

 

Siegfried wasted no time throwing open one of the cabinets and snatching a cup from within, grabbing a container of filtered water on the counter and filling it with the desired liquid. She took the cup with a grateful glance, though her first gulp was met with a grimace as her rush to drink made her throat’s terrible condition known. Small sips it was, then. One cup, then two. By her third, she finally felt as if her throat was soothed enough to speak.

 

“Everything hurts,” Her voice was still scratchy, but the pain was lessened and she wasn’t coughing, so it was good enough, “Did you… help me?”

 

Siegfried’s awkward smile melted into something more genuine, but… sadder, “Yeah, kid… you don’t have to worry about those people hurting you anymore. Do you… remember how you got there?”

 

Golden eyes did not miss the way the fingers of his crossed arms flexed as she met his gaze, “N-no… I don’t-” She flinched, lips pulling back in a grimace, “I don’t remember anything before waking up in that place.”

 

“That’s alright,” The man smiled, “I’m Siegfried. What’s your name?”

 

The girl frowned, “I-I don’t remember that either…” Why? Why couldn’t she remember her name? Why couldn’t she remember a life outside that horrid lab? She was old enough to have something before… right? How old even was she? “I-I don’t remember anything…” Moisture pricked at the edge of her eyelids, “D-do you know how old I am?”

 

Siegfried’s brow wrinkled with worry, “I don’t know exactly kid, but,” He made a show of measuring her height with his hand before gently resting it on top of her head and smiling, “You look about fourteen, so that’s a good enough place to start as any until your memories come back, right? You and my kid did hit your heads pretty hard while we were making our escape,” He winced, “That was kinda my fault. I wasn’t paying enough attention in my rush to get you out of there.”

 

The girl nodded, taking this in. It would make sense, though really her entire body hurt so what was one more injury? “Can I stay here? At least until my body stops hurting?”

 

“Kiddo, if you weren’t welcome here I wouldn’t have brought you,” Siegfried gave her a small grin, “There’s lots of orphans around after the second eruption messed this place up. I guess I’ve sorta… adopted you?” He shrugged, “My… daughter is in the lounge if you wanna say hi, otherwise feel free to wander around and ask if you need anything. I wouldn’t go outside right now though, there’s still some Honkai beasts wandering around. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”

 

The girl nodded and padded towards the sliding door into the lounge Siegfried had pointed out. Eruption? Honkai beast? These words prodded at her mind but if they were meant to evoke something they failed. That white-haired girl was still playing with her strange stuffed toy, sprawled on the floor and giggling while she made it prance around and every so often glancing at the book haphazardly opened before her.

 

Left alone in the kitchen, she did not notice how her rescuer’s face fell as soon as she had turned around. Nor how he quickly reached under the counter and took a large swig from an open bottle, eyes hollow and forehead drooping to the wood in dismay.

 




Mei shot awake with a desperate gasp, hands clawing for a supportive surface as the memory of a hole being burned into her chest quickly faded into the ether. For that is what it was, she was certain. A memory. The sight of golden eyes and curling purple hair looking back at her in the mirror still hovered in the front of her mind. The pain, the screams, the same cruel indifference. If these were memories, then?...

Mei shook her head, the Herrscher of Finality had mentioned the possibility of seeing her memories through the gem, and if she had the Void within her then no doubt Sirin’s memories were there as well. She knew the thing she had felt next to her heart had been Sirin’s Herrscher Core. So then how had she survived? Why could she not remember? Why would Siegfried Kaslana break her free? Questions, questions, and more questions, yet so little answers. Her mind began to wander before that always present spot in the back of her mind jolted her back to her dreams. The landscape!

Mei nearly face planted into the hardwood floor as her legs tangled in the sheets from her frantic scramble to reach a paper and pencil. Through much effort she managed to avoid embarrassment and reach the desk next to her bed. With help of that presence in the back of her mind she kept Sirin’s memory of the landscape in her mind’s eye and rapidly sketched down every important detail she could remember. The curve of the river, the sprawl of the city and its lines of defenses, the vague shapes of the mountains in the distance. It was rough, but her instincts told her she had discovered something important. Instincts her Goddess had told her to follow.

 

If Schicksal had recaptured Sirin after their bombardment, then there was only one place it made sense to keep such a secret and dangerous captive. The heavily fortified city, the floating islands, the advanced technology… If she could locate this geography then…

 

Perhaps Schicksal’s ancient headquarters was closer to her grasp than she’d ever dared hope.

Notes:

Hello! That's another chapter done and dusted. Quite the long one, but I figure that the length can make up for how long it took me to finish this one lmao. My speed will probably remain a bit slow as my motivation and fixation that allowed me to pump out these chapters every week has mostly died down so while getting this one written I was also letting myself write other fics and take it easy more so that I don't burn myself out keeping up the same speed.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy all the info I dropped this chapter >:3 I'm sure experiencing how terrible Sirin's memories are will have no lasting effect on Mei's mental health whatsoever! And Kiana... finally revealing that it's not exactly her own wishes that she's following here. When will it be fully explained? That's for me to know and for you to find out as Mei gets closer to her goals ;3

Chapter 10: The Burden of Duty

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Mei had nearly sent herself stumbling to the floor in her rush to get her uniform on that morning. Her excited knocks had been met with a gently smiling Bronya in one room and the next… a Kiana that looked like she just lost a fight with a wild animal. The Kaslana standing in the doorway had the appearance of someone one step away from unconsciousness, dark circles under her eyes, messy rumbled night clothes, her thigh-length hair a mess of tangles and sticking out at odd angles and… was that drool dripping from the corner of her lips? She was a complete mess. A cute mess that was currently blinking at her slowly like a confused puppy. Their rooms were at the end of a hall and Kiana was now squinting against the morning sun spilling through the window a couple meters away from Mei.

 

“Kiana did you…” Mei tilted her head, lips twitching as she struggled to hold back a smile, “...Sleep well?”

 

“Mwuh?” A few nonsensical and extremely tired sounding noises tumbled from her lips. Her eyes seemed to only vaguely register that Mei and Bronya were standing in front of her. Unfocused blue eyes that had been locked on Mei’s face ever since she opened the door. Words seemed to tumble from her lips before she could truly think about what she was saying, “Has anyone told you,” A yawn, “That your eyes are really pretty in the morning sun?”

 

Mei blinked, “Um- p-possibly?” She squeaked. Goddess, why did she suddenly feel so shy? That was so cheesy.

 

Mei could almost feel Bronya rolling her eyes, “Even half conscious she never stops.”

 

“Ssssshut it, Bronya,” The sleepy Kaslana mumbled.

 

As Mei stared at the messy bedhead before her, there was a strange twinge in her heart. Like a wave of deja vu that gently washed over her at this sight, this situation. Almost unthinkingly she raised her hand and brushed away the strands of pale hair clinging to the side of Kiana’s face. Kiana for her part almost seemed to stop thinking at the physical contact, instead allowing her eyes to fall shut and leaning into Mei’s gentle touch, “Bronya, the rooms come stocked with basics like a hairbrush, right?” Mei asked, still fussing over Kiana.

 

“Yup.”

 

“Alright, I’ll be right back, if you don’t mind.”

 

Amusement but also a… soft fondness shimmered in the girl’s eyes, “Yeah yeah, take your time, I’m gonna go get Seele.”

 

Kiana seemed to come to her senses as she found herself being turned around and pushed back into her temporary room, “Wuh?! H-hey Mei, what are you doing?”

 

Mei kicked the door shut and continued pushing the girl further into the room, “You’re a mess and look like you’re about to pass out. Let me give you a hand.”

 

Kiana looked like she wanted to protest, but put up only miniscule resistance as Mei practically manhandled her into sitting on the edge of the bed. Kiana’s gaze lazily followed Mei’s figure as she threw open the curtains (much to the dismay of Kiana’s tired eyes) before wandering into the bathroom and rummaging through the drawers until she found what she wanted. The priestess quickly returned, hairbrush in hand, and snatched Kiana’s hair ties off the nightstand next to the bed. She took a seat next to Kiana, positioning both of them sideways but careful not to get her boots on the bed, her leg bent and resting between her and Kiana with the ankle hanging off the side. And so she began the tedious process of gathering together the mess of white hair before her and slowly working the knots out of the long strands. As she made her own progress, so did Kiana in her journey of gaining wakefulness.

 

“Gods that feels so nice,” Kiana sighed happily.

 

Mei let out a small noise of amusement, “Good morning to you, too, sleepyhead.”

 

“It feels like forever since someone else has brushed my hair,” Kiana groaned, “I forgot how good it feels.”

 

“Never asked Bronya to do it for you?”

 

Kiana snorted, “Are you kidding? She’s more likely to tie it into a loop and drag me around with it, the brat,” She seemed to curl in on herself a little after that, “Nah, she probably would if I really asked. I just…” Kiana shrugged softly, “I dunno, usually when we have time for that it’s when we’re somewhere like here and I feel like I’d just be interrupting her time with Seele. In-person or on a video call, either way they dont get a ton of time together these days.”

 

Mei hummed thoughtfully, “I suppose I can understand that. But it’s not wrong to want to be cared for sometimes, you know? Even I can tell Bronya really cares about you despite how you two usually talk to each other.”

 

“Yeah, I know, I just…” Kiana grunted in frustration rather than finish her sentence, pulling her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them.

 

“Or…” Mei ventured, “Is there someone else you’d prefer to do it?”

 

Kiana let out a tired laugh but it was nearly impossible to miss the way her entire body tensed at the question, “Yeah, there was. A long time ago,” Her voice grew quiet, “It became a habit to braid my hair into twin tails because that’s how my mom would do my hair as a kid. Certainly makes it a bit easier to deal with when I’m running around.”

 

“I see… I remember you mentioned she had… passed… When you were young,” Brushing done, Mei began separating Kiana’s hair in preparation for the braids, “Do you mind if I ask what she was like?”

 

Kiana breathed out a small laugh, “She was amazing. She was already one of the strongest Valkyries in Schicksal by the time she had me. She was kind, but knew when to be firm. She was strong, but was said to have been incredibly gentle and easy going off the battlefield. Dad said he fell for her at first sight, but knowing him he probably tried using a horrible pickup line or two first and fell in love when she actually liked them for some reason,” She laughed softly. Bittersweetly, even, “If I try hard enough I can see white hair, blue eyes, and the kind of smile that makes you feel safe just seeing it,” Kiana held up an arm and gazed at her own hand while speaking, like she might find some trace of her mother within the lines of her palm or her fingerprints, “But that’s… it,” She clenched her hand into a fist, her voice wavering ever so slightly, “In the end she became just another life that was given to hold back the Honkai.”

 

“I’m sorry, Kiana…” Mei said with an empathetic softness, “She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.”

 

“Heh, she would have loved to meet you,” Kiana grinned (sniffling only slightly), “Somehow dad knew I was one for the ladies before I did and took it upon himself to teach me how to flirt so I could get a girlfriend. I never questioned why he said it like that, it just felt right despite how everywhere else I always saw girls talking about their boyfriends, but I figured it out eventually.”

 

There was a small snap as Mei finished tying off the last hair tie, “Thank you, Kiana.”

 

Kiana fully turned around and eyed Mei in confusion, “Huh? For what?”

 

“For telling me, silly. I know it can’t be easy to dredge up memories like this,” Something pulled at Mei’s heart strings once again. As if on autopilot, she found herself cupping Kiana’s cheek and gently wiping away the wetness that had collected in the corner of her eye. It just felt… natural, “Maybe it’s inappropriate of me with the short time we’ve known each other, but there’s a part of me that delights in you trusting me enough to speak of these things with me.”

 

Kiana hesitantly pressed into the touch and exhaled in amusement, “And here I thought I was supposed to be the charmer,” Kiana allowed her eyelids to droop as she gazed back at Mei, relishing in the touch. The small smile and lidded eyes sent her heart fluttering in ways the priestess could hardly put into words.

 

It was the kind of moment that seemed to slow time to a standstill. The morning light filtered through the curtains like a playwright had set the scene just for them, the warm rays dancing in the violet of Mei’s eyes like reflections off a precious gem. Unbeknownst to Kiana, Mei was thinking the same about the way the light shimmered in the cerulean oceans gazing back at her. Sat on the bed as they were, Kiana’s shifting when she turned around had brought them so tantalizingly close. It was an intimacy Mei had never experienced before and that made it all the more intoxicating when Kiana’s eyes dipped to her lips for just a moment. The sun made the edges of Kiana’s hair glow with an almost ethereal light, like a lopsided halo resting upon her crown. She looked… Well, perhaps saying she looked like a Goddess was a bit on the nose considering the suspicious similarities she held to the Finality, but Mei also found she could not find a more apt description for Kiana in this moment. A light dusting of pink brightened her cheeks the longer their gazes held like this. The dark circles under her eyes just made her seem so much more real. She was still a bit of a mess. But oh, what a beautiful mess she was.

 

Inch by Inch, Mei did not know when they had begun leaning towards each other, but she was loath to stop now. Something pulled at her heart, telling her that this was familiar, that this was right . Even that storm of emotion constantly writhing in the recesses of her mind seemed to fall still for a moment, as if watching. Holding its breath. And so she allowed herself to lean closer still.

 

“Mei, I-” Kiana whispered, full lips beckoning the priestess closer like a siren amidst the waves. Until Kiana grit her teeth and pulled away, and the spell shattered like thin ice over their rivers of emotion, “We- I can’t, I’m- I’m sorry.”

 

Mei snapped back to reality in an instant, turning away and pressing both feet to the hardwood floor, her hands gripping the edge of the bed as if ready to push off and flee at a moment's notice, “I apologise,” She spoke quickly, “I-I don’t know what came over me, please forgive me.”

 

“No! No,” Kiana looked up at her apologetically, frustration and pain swirling in her eyes, “It’s not your fault. I… I can’t keep taking advantage of your trust like this,” Her voice was low, a self-flagellating frustration laced in her words.

 

“Kiana?” Mei reached out in an attempt to reassure her friend, “What are you talking about? You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me.”

 

“No!” Kiana jumped to her feet, her frustration finally boiling over, “You don’t understand, I-” Her breath hiccuped as hot tears began to trail down her cheeks, “You deserve better.”

 

“Then help me understand!” Mei stood, growing worry lining her face as Kiana seemed to retreat inwards, pulling away from possible touch, “Whatever it is, you can talk to me!”

 

“No! I-I can’t!” Kiana’s breaths came in heaves now, the Kaslana even biting into her forearm in a desperate attempt to choke back her sobs for several frantic breaths, “Please just leave. I’ll meet up with you and Bronya later.”

 

“Kiana-!”

 

“Please!” The Valkyrie begged.

 

Mei hesitated. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Kiana alone right now. But respecting the woman’s wishes would probably be for the best. She did not know what brought on this onslaught of emotion, and at this point she at least understood she could do little to help by pushing her further. So Mei nodded, carefully moved past the distraught woman and slipped out the door with one last concerned glance.

 

As she walked away, Kiana’s voice wracked by tortured sobs followed her down the hallway like a vengeful ghost coming to take its due for sins she did not yet know she’d committed.

 


 

Kiana was sat back on the bed, a small metallic object in her hand as she stared off into space. The sun had moved a little higher into the sky and shone off the tear tracks that still ran from her bloodshot eyes. The light filtering through the window suddenly didn’t seem so welcoming anymore.

 

“I can’t keep doing this,” She lamented within her mind.

 

“Can’t do what? Continue lying to the most important person in your life in service of a mission that could end in failure either way and will seal the fate of this entire planet?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

The voice was silent for a moment, “Wow you must really be going through it if you’re agreeing with me that easily.”

 

“You saw what happened!” Kiana despaired, “I completely broke down right in front of Mei!”

 

“Yes, it was quite embarrassing. So? Does one uncomfortable moment undo everything you have done for her? With her? You face the consequences of your failure all those years ago and wish to flee from it?”

 

“I’m not fleeing from anything!” She snapped, “I’m well aware of the stakes and what is necessary! That doesn’t make it hurt any less! It doesn’t make living a lie with the shallow assurance that it’s all for her any easier!”

 

“I know, Kiana,” The voice came again, a rare softness in its speech, “I have watched you take on many burdens that would break lesser women in your quest to better this world you have pledged yourself to. You have far surpassed anything I expected of you when I first became an observer instead of an antagonist. Do not falter now and prove my past self- or my complete self for that matter- correct.”

 

Kiana’s thumb flicked against the circular object in her palm and a shining hologram flickered to life before her. Her gaze focused on this new sight, her thoughts growing quiet as she allowed herself this small moment of reminiscence.

 

“If nothing else, do it not because it is your duty, but because we both long to hear the roar of thunder over Nagazora once more.”

 

The shimmering light reflected in her eyes held nothing but sorrow, despite the smiles hovering in the air before her. There in the soft light of the morning sun were two women. One with white hair and blue, crosshaired eyes that shone with an elation never felt before or since, gleaming white armor covering her body and a smile shining just as bright. Her arm was thrown around the shoulders of another woman as she held up a peace sign for the camera. In contrast to this shining knight beside her, this second woman had hair the darkest purple, sharp violet eyes that gave the impression this woman was not used to smiling, yet here they were soft, crinkling with the small but satisfied smile gracing her features. Crimson horns sprouted from her forehead, an intimidating image when combined with the black clothing that clung to her form and similarly crimson armor, yet when beside the first woman it seemed not like they were forces clashing, great representations of light and dark forming a boundary. Instead, they were merely two halves completing a whole.

 

Kiana allowed herself to drink in this happy sight, this nostalgic bittersweetness, for only a moment more before another flick of her thumb hid its light once again. It was not yet time to let such things still her feet. She had to continue onwards. Shouldering these worldly burdens… has always been her duty.

 


 

“I- I can’t.”

 

The words had echoed in her mind as she’d stalked down St. Freya’s walkways towards the administration building. She had heard those words before, though less clogged with tears the tone and cadence had still been recognizable. Still been the same. Just as they had been on the roof of Arc city’s Temple of Finality. She was not stupid, she knew where all these coincidences, hidden words, and half truths were pointing, even before she realized that Seele was the Mistress of Life herself. But still she held back. Still her resolve wavered. Still she convinced herself that she needed more concrete proof. The truth was that she was afraid. Unwilling to confront that road. But there was still a… curiosity, as to what purpose all this might serve. And so she had said nothing as she fled from Kiana’s dorm and out into the warming sun.

 

The wait with Bronya had Seele had been… awkward at best. It was obvious Bronya knew something had happened when Kiana did not arrive with her, let alone her own distraught and closed off body language. Seele seemed much the same as when they’d met, still just sitting on the edge of her desk swinging her legs. There was a slightly more pronounced tightness around her eyes and Mei now knew why she had felt that strange draw from the Honkai energy around her, but other than that nothing seemed to have changed. They suffered through awkward small talk for the thirty minutes it took for Kiana to arrive at Seele’s office. Cerulean eyes refused to meet violet, and Kiana remained strangely quiet for most of the ensuing conversation, however Mei was just relieved to have the girl within her sight once more.

 

“Kiana?” Bronya asked softly, “You okay?”

 

“I’m fine, Bronya,” Kiana snapped, though her voice lacked energy and carried a telltale hoarseness to it, “Can we start?”

 

Bronya held her gaze on the woman for a moment before slowly nodding. The tension was palpable and Mei nearly feared Kiana would be able to hear the rapid beating of her heart. Pushing forward regardless, Mei had unfolded her frantic work of art and explained what she had seen in her dreams. The silence as she recounted Sirin’s memory was deafening. When she got to the landscape she had seen and drawn, Seele silently pursed her lips and asked to be given a minute. The principal had opened her computer terminal and quickly pulled up multiple maps Schicksal had created and maintained as humanity regained and lost territory.

 

Seele's fingers flew across her keyboard as she pulled up multiple windows of specific geographical areas, the winding of rivers around the landscape clearly visible in the holographic displays “You know, this is an interesting challenge for me,” She began, “While I was one of the few Herrschers alive at the time, when the Great Eruption happened and the Herrscher of the Void destroyed Schicksal HQ I was stuck in the Sea of Quanta. Of all the Herrschers allied with Humanity, I probably know the least of what actually happened at the Battle of Schicksal.”

 

“Wait,” Kiana began hesitantly, “You told Mei?”

 

Seele cast a glance at the woman that seemed to carry just a hint of reproachfulness, “Yes. Mei and I had a… discussion with the Herrscher of Finality last night. Seele may have gotten a bit emotional, and from that little release of power Mei realised who I was.”

 

Mei leaned back on one foot and crossed her arms, “Was I the only one that didn’t know Seele was a Herrscher?”

 

Kiana quietly ducked her head in shame.

 

“Yup,” Bronya smiled, “She’s never exactly been the best at hiding it. Not that either of them try that hard.”

 

“Either of them?” Mei tilted her head curiously, “Seele, is that why you talked of yourself in third person?”

 

Seele giggled softly, “Yes, you’re right, Mei. As long as I can remember there has been another presence in my mind. She is like… the confident, strong, and dependable person I had wanted to be back then, when I was timid, scared, and weak. The powers of Death awoke in her, and through her, me. Once I became a Herrscher as well we became the guardians of the afterlife together, freeing it from the psychic troubles of the Honkai. We are both Seele. Both… two sides of the same coin, you could say. She has her own body now, but is still able to maintain a presence in my mind and even come to the forefront as you saw last night,” She held a hand to her heart and smiled happily, “She and Bronya… are my most precious people.”

 

Mei couldn’t stop the small smile that flitted across her lips, “Now I know who Kiana meant when she yelled about Bronya having two girlfriends. But...” Her expression quickly morphed into confusion, "You're telling me the Herrscher of Rebirth is two seperate beings? We were always taught that Death was merely another aspect of you, a singular Herrscher."

 

“We should stay on topic,” Came Kiana’s flat, expressionless voice.

 

All eyes in the room lingered on the woman for several seconds. That heavy haze of tension that had been chased away by the lighthearted topic returned with all the speed of a hurricane. Kiana’s arms were wrapped around her body like a protective shell, her shoulders hunched like she was trying to curl in on herself. Her eyes darted to each of her friends with an almost expectant defensiveness.

 

Once again Mei found that strange sense of deja vu washing over her, the image of a cold, unsure, and frightened Kiana holding herself just like that in an orange and white jacket appearing unbidden for just a moment before the thought slipped through her fingers, “Kiana’s right, lets focus,” Mei finally broke the silence, “We need to figure out where we need to go and once we have a target I will need to return to Arc city to prepare.”

 

Seele moved back into action immediately, “There aren’t many rivers with a sharp bend like this near the mouth that also have records of a city once existing there. However,” Seele typed in a few more commands and pulled up a specific satellite image, “Knowing how Schicksal tends to operate and my millennia of wandering this world, there's a few places Schicksal has records of I think you should have a look at.”

 

The image Seele had chosen to display did look similar, though if it was the same river time seemed to have taken its toll, it's great breadth having reduced greatly and the signs of erosion filling the landscape around it. There was no sign of a city anywhere around what was left of the once mighty river, however she could not rule out the possibility of Schicksal editing the satellite imagery.

Several others that popped up in succession as Seele accessed the files looked similar. Rivers that had suffered the effects of time yet the surrounding landscape gave hints as to their former shape as they met the ocean.

 

“What makes you pick these?” Mei questioned.

 

“The fact that there’s nothing special about them,” Seele smiled confidently, “Of everything I have seen, these locations remain particularly… unremarkable. Places that have never had any records of human settlement, or Schicksal has never physically scouted the area, or the only signs of anything ever finding this remote area of the wilderness is the Honkai corruption present in the satellite scans. Some have a suspiciously low level of Honkai radiation for how deep into the wastelands they are. If this river truly was as mighty in the past as what you saw, there no doubt would have been some level of human presence. Water is a necessary resource after all, and just as strong is the draw of easy access to the sea. This emptiness is too perfect. I cannot even ascertain its exact location of some of these scans due to Schicksal's tampering. I believe one of them must be the location you seek, and if you can get there, you may find something the Schicksal of the past didn’t want found.”

 

“I cannot question your logic,” Mei nodded, “It is certainly better than the nothing I had yesterday. With my mission being given to me by the Moon Goddess herself, the High Priestess will no doubt give me all I need,” The Priestess’s eyes danced around the holograms, searching for any other notable geographic features that would help her find either a hint to its location, or another similarity to her dream, “Hm,” Mei hummed thoughtfully, “Could that truly be…” 

 

“What is it, Mei?” Bronya eyed her curiously.

 

“This jagged circular area in the nearby mountain range in this satellite image,” Mei said, pointing to the spot on the map, “Most might glance over it but to me it looks… strange. Too unnatural. Look at the way you can see blackened stone radiating out from the center and snaking through the mountains before fading away. Does it not look like the creation of some kind of explosion?”

 

Bronya nodded, “The Bronya thinks Mei might be onto something. What would that mean, though?”

 

“While I worship the Finality, we are also learned in the lore of the other Herrschers as well. This has reminded me of something the High Priestess taught us about the Herrscher of Fire before she passed her power to the Herrscher of Flamescion. When the Herrscher of Fire fell, it was in a mighty battle against the Herrscher of the Void within the peaks of a mountain range. As the story goes, so great was the Herrscher of Fire’s fury that the very stone melted under her fire and her greatsword cleaved mountains in two. The sky remained red like a mighty wildfire for days after her death from the might of her final attack against the Void, like the sun itself had been dropped on the mountains. No mountain range has seen something like it since, even the Herrscher of Flamescions battle against the Legion Herrscher, while just as catastrophic, took place in a pocket dimension over a populated city, not in the mountains like this. If I am seeing what I think I’m seeing… these have to be the Alsakan Mountains.”

 

Seele leaned forward and steepled her fingers with interest, “You know where they are?”

 

“Yes. Our temple lost dozens of good women on an expedition through those mountains several decades ago. The Honkai radiation is intense and it is crawling with Honkai beasts. Some say the anger of the Herrscher of the Void lingers there and drives humans mad. Our temple’s records indicate we lost contact with the exploratory team almost immediately upon them entering the mountain range. We never regained contact. The flying Honkai beasts that nest in the peaks prevent simply scouting from the air or flying over them entirely.”

 

Seele’s brows pinched with worry, “Perhaps even more reason for you to go, despite the increased danger it seems this area poses.”

 

“I must admit I… I’m not one-hundred percent sure. But the Herrscher of Finality told me to follow my instincts, and my instincts tell me that we will find Schicksal’s old HQ on the other side of the Alsakan mountains.”

 

“Alright then,” Seele smiled, “Then I just have one request for you.”

 

“How may I be of service, My Lady?” Mei said with a slight bow.

 

Seele pouted but did not comment on Mei's return to decorum, “Oh nothing much,” Her smile grew teasingly mischievous, “You are journeying to the epicenter of the western Honkai wastes. You will need aid on your journey and I believe I have just the thing,” She pressed a button on her desk and a small chime sounded outside the heavy office doors. A moment later they were pushed open, the black and teal colors of a valkyrie uniform topped by a head of white-blonde hair marched through and came to a disciplined stop before them, “I called her as soon as you started figuring out the landmarks. I want you to take Camellia with you to bolster your strength.”

 

Kiana turned tired, dismayed eyes to the rather pleased looking Herrscher, “Seele, why do you hate me?”

 


 

Considering they hadn’t really brought much with them, they had been able to prepare and set to the skies back to Arc city in only a few hours once the transport and pilots were ready. A very uncomfortable three hours between Kiana’s mood and the way neither she nor Camellia could stand each other. Kiana had been actively avoiding talking about that morning and would shut down Mei’s attempts to quietly breach the subject with a sharp but restrained tone. Mei didn’t know whether to be irritated that Kiana wouldn’t talk about something that affected her just as much as the Kaslana, or relieved that the girl was obviously doing her best to not direct her mood at the Priestess. Instead she had convinced the woman to train with her after breakfast for the couple hours left they had to wait, a move that Mei had been quite proud of when the cloud of despair that seemed to be hanging over Kiana lightened up just a little. Kiana even smiled a little as they traded blows and Mei demonstrated an improving control over her Honkai energy. The more she used it the more it felt less like learning a new skill and more like… stretching a muscle that had not been used in a very long time. Something to be pondered later when she wasn't focused on lifting Kiana's spirits.

 

By the time they had lifted into the air with another prayer to the Lady of Wind and an update sent to the High Priestess and her parents, things had slowed down enough that Mei’s own emotional turmoil from that morning's events and mental exhaustion finally began creeping up on her. Luckily the flight back was at least eight more hours during which she could rest.

 

That is, if she wasn’t more worried about Kiana and Camellia going at each other’s throats when she wasn’t looking.

 

The Valkyrie had been decidedly unhappy that Kiana had gotten off with what she considered too light a punishment for her crime and was going to be part of their little squad. Mei could understand, she supposed, where the woman was coming from if she put herself in Camellia’s shoes. However, she found herself decidedly unwilling to do that, and instead found her mind drifting to the wish that Seele had not insisted on sending a Valkyrie with them. The politics of Schicksal did not concern her and she would much rather continue travelling with just Bronya and Kiana. Mostly Kiana, but she quickly shoved that thought back down. Besides, what could be stronger than a trio wielding the power of Herrscher gems? The combination of her mental exhaustion and the rumble of the engines easily lulled her into a relaxed, almost trance like state as she allowed her thoughts to wander. This unfocused wandering continued for several minutes until her mind stumbled across the memory of the way Camellia had needled and insulted Kiana when they first met. The more clearly she recalled it the more a flash of violent desires shot through her mind, an upwell of emotion unexpected in both its presence and its ferocity. The sudden mental image of beating the girl bloody and wrapping her fingers around her neck was… startling, to say the least. Rising out of her relaxed state, the thought to teach this woman her place for daring to look down on Kiana washed over her like a wave. Kiana was her Kaslana and to insult her was to insult Raiden Mei. The thoughts dissolved as quickly as they had arrived. Mei was left to wonder just what had come over her, and shudder at the disconcertion at these sudden violent, yet protective, almost possessive thoughts.

As much as she tried to dismiss them as the intrusive thoughts of a tired mind, that storm of emotion ever in the back of her mind seemed to pulse and writhe gleefully in response to these thoughts running through her head.

 

“Mei?”

 

A soft touch on her arm put pause to her worry, her eyes chasing the sensation and finding cerulean gazing back anxiously.

 

“Are you alright?” Kiana asked softly.

 

Mei quickly attempted to assuage her worry with a nod, “Yes, Kiana, I’m okay. Why?”

 

Cerulean searched her face for some clue as to the priestess’s inner thoughts, “You had lightning jumping around your body.”

 

She had? How could she not have noticed? “Oh,” Was all she could say at first, “I apologize, I did not mean to frighten you. It was nothing.”

 

Kiana looked like she didn’t quite believe her friend, her expression falling for a moment as she leaned back into her seat and let it drop regardless. Instead she settled on resuming her glaring contest with Camellia. The Valkyrie had taken up a position opposite the three friends and had been giving Kiana the stink eye for the entire flight so far. She was eager to please Seele and prove herself on a mission personally given by the Herrscher of Finality, but that did not mean she was particularly friendly. The only one who seemed even slightly amused about the whole situation was Bronya. Somehow she lasted the entire flight on the opposite side of Kiana while she grumbled and complained with a small smile on her face, though if Mei had learned anything about the girl her minute expressions hid a far deeper worry for her friend. Thankfully, the overall trip was uneventful other than those strange intrusive thoughts that had apparently triggered her own Honkai energy. Or it would have been, had her communicator not pinged with an incoming high priority message.

 

Mei pressed the button that would project the holographic video feed of whoever was calling her, her earpiece dutifully filling the air before her with the visage of the High Priestess, “Your Grace, I take it you received my message?’’

 

The older woman nodded, her air of authority projecting itself even through a simple hologram, “I did. I am happy you have made progress, however there has been a change of plans,” Mei furrowed her brow at her superior’s words but otherwise said nothing, “You are being redirected south to Nagazora.”

 

With perfect timing, the shifting of gravity beneath them signalled the transport executing a sharp turn to a new heading.

 

“What?” Mei was incredulous, “Why?”

 

An annoyed smile flickered across the woman’s face, “It was your father, actually. Raiden Ryoma has… requested … that you be redirected to the Temple of Seven Thunders before you set off. To shorten the amount of time you have to spend hopping around cities, I have sent the Moonbeams to meet up with you in Nagazora. They will be joining you on your mission and Ryoma and his temple are just as capable of preparing you for this mission as we are, as much as I hate to admit it.”

 

Mei squeezed her eyes shut, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, “First the redirection and now the Moonbeams? With all due respect, Your Grace, could I not at least be part of the discussion of these preparations and additions before the decision is made for me?”

 

The High Priestess raised a placating palm, “I understand your frustration, Mei, not everything happening here was our first plan either. If I’m honest, I would usually have pushed back against your father but it sounded like whatever it is he needs you for is quite urgent, and I can only pry into his business so far. I know how much you care for your parents, so I agreed. As for the moonbeams, well…” She sighed heavily, “That is partly politics. Even though you are leading this mission, it would tarnish our public image if you went off with only three Valkyries and no support from your own sisters.”

 

“With how dangerous the region appears to be, would a smaller team not be better so we can sneak through?”

 

“No,” The Priestess’s answer was immediate and sharp, “The first expedition into that mountain range, I…” A shadow passed over the woman’s eyes, “Some of the women on that expedition were even more skilled than the Moonbeams, and yet they still vanished without a trace. You and your friends make three gem bearers more than the last expedition had. I can only pray the addition of our best warriors will give you the strength you need and more eyes to… watch iut for each other. My instincts tell me you’ll need them. Those mountains are… evil.”

 

“Very well,” Something about the woman’s tone sent shivers down her spine. She had never heard the High Priestess sound so… afraid? Despondent perhaps. Whatever it was chilled her blood, “I will gratefully accept their help, then.”

 

The Priestess almost immediately slumped in relief, “Thank you, Mei. Knowing they are with you will be a weight off my mind. I wish you luck in your mission. May you always walk in the Moon’s light.”

 

“Thank you, Your Grace, may your path always be lit by her silver light.”

 

The hologram blipped out of existence.

 

From the worry and anxiety she saw in her companions eyes, she knew she was not alone in the churning knot forming in the pit of her stomach, one that would twist for the entirety of their several additional hours of flight.

 


 

Nagazora… her home. It was a glorious city, from the highest skyscrapers to the lowest flat the city hummed with an undeniable energy. A confidence and trust in their patron that was unmatched by any except perhaps those who follow the Finality. Perhaps this pride in their patrons’ greatness was what led to their followers having such a rivalry, despite the tales of the two Herrschers in question being rather close. Extending past the coast were magnificent sea walls stretched just as high as some skyscrapers, constructed with the aid of the Herrscher of Ice and keeping the ocean itself at bay. The impressive construction bristled with defensive emplacements, many more hidden behind armor plating and under the waterline to defend against any aquatic Honkai incursions.

Opposite the water and defensive walls, the buildings spread up a steep hill that gave the city an almost tiered look to it, the structures built here looking over the rest of the city like lords over a kingdom. Of course, the most familiar of these to Mei was the proudly standing four-storied Chiba Academy. It was right near one of the steepest parts of the hill, the old track and field having the school along one length and the sharp decline of the land on the other. It was a symbol of the city's pride, the academy lauding itself as having played host to the Raiden that became the first human to meet the Herrscher of Thunder.

About two kilometres away and even higher still, the land fell away into a sharp-edged cliff of rock and earth. Sitting upon this cliff was a brilliantly shining structure of black and white with intricately formed decoration and tertiary coloring of red lining the black like ribbons. Seven towers rose from the main building like lightning rods, stretching high to the sky and visibly crackling with electricity even from this distance. A small localized storm swirled overhead, though its thunder had long since diminished. The landing pad was low enough that the sound of the constant crackle of red lightning along the towers was not too unbearable, jutting out of the cliff-face itself and allowing access to the parts of the temple built deep into the rock of the cliffside. Both the towers and the main building itself were constructed in a cultural style of old Nagazora, not too dissimilar to her family homes in both Arc City and Nagazora itself, the main courtyard large enough to comfortably fit several hundred people. In a similarly more ancient practice, the leader of the Raiden clan was usually the one to lead the the Temple of Seven Thunders, as the legends say the Herrscher of Thunder held a special connection to the Raiden family. 

Though in truth, her father was a more De Facto leader who extends the Herrscher of Thunder’s influence far beyond Nagazora, the actual religious ceremony and rituals to be only conducted by the miko of the temple and thus while he had some level of power as head of the Raiden family, he was not officially the head of the temple. Of course, that did not stop the man’s ego and the high level of pride he took in his family name. After all, he was rather close with the true leader of the Seven Thunders. His wife.

 

Speaking of her father, the descent of the transport had brought him into view through the viewport. Though seeing her father standing there with a straight posture and hands behind his back was expected, her mother standing beside him was rather unexpected. Mifumi’s appearance beside her husband at the temple only further cemented the seriousness of the situation in Mei’s mind, the woman now clad in elegant loose robes of black and red, a stark contrast to her father's pale purple business suit.

 

As soon as the ramp lowered and they once again exited the ship, Kiana’s attention quickly fell on the Raiden Matriarch, “Woah, hey, your mom’s here too!” She seemed to shrink in on herself, lips pulling back in a grimace, “Do you think she’s still gonna kick my ass for cussing so much last time I was at your house?”

 

Mei bit back a smile, “My mother never forgets, Kiana Kaslana.”

 

“Ah, shit.”

 

Camellia scoffed, “Of course you would disrespect a miko of the Herrscher of Thunder in her own home.”

 

“What?!” Kiana looked aghast as they approached the Raiden in question, “Well I didn’t know she was a miko! Aren’t they supposed to live at the shrine or temple or whatever? She just seemed like a normal mom when I met her! A mom that almost shot my best friend, but still!”

 

Mei laughed softly and cut in before Camellia could fire back, “Maybe other shrines still hold to the practice, but it is thousands of years old. I hear the Herrscher of Thunder personally modified the rules she expected her miko to live by to allow them more freedom to live their lives while also striking a balance with their religious fervor.”

 

The group halted as they got within a respectable distance of the heads of the Raiden Clan, all bowing respectfully, as was expected in a setting such as this. Well, three of them bowed respectfully. Kiana stared expectantly before she noticed what everyone else was doing and frantically rushed to mirror Mei. Camellia scoffed again- quieter this time- and Kiana stealthily (not so stealthily) shot her another glare.

 

Ryoma pursed his lips, disappointed but not surprised. Still, he did not voice his opinion on Kiana’s conduct, instead waiting for Mifumi to gesture for the four of them to rise before speaking, “Thank you for coming at such short notice, Mei. There is something we must do before you set out on such a dangerous mission. Please follow us.”

 

Her parents ushered them inside, Mifumi introducing the others to a fellow miko who led the rest of the group away. Mei cast a glance back at Kiana, quickly reassuring her that they would meet back up as soon as she was done. One last smile and Mei reluctantly turned away from the worried face of the Kaslana as her parents led her deeper into the belly of the temple.

 

“What is so important, father?” Mei’s voice echoed off the polished corridors, modern construction in the deep, private parts of the temple a stark contrast to the more traditional wooden construction that made up the public grounds above them.

 

Ryoma's ponytail swished side to side frantically in time with his speedy steps, “It is better that you see it for yourself before I attempt to explain anything,” He said quietly.

 

It was several minutes of nothing but the sharp rap of their shoes against the floor before they arrived at their destination. Mei had been in the temple before, though her time here had been brief and she had mostly been focused on leaving as soon as possible before her father could continue pressuring her to become a miko. As such, this door before her was entirely foreign to her.

 

She watched in silence as her mother stepped forwards and gently placed her hand in the center of an emblem emblazoned upon the heavily reinforced metal doors before them. The arrowhead shapes forming a winged diamond and a wider more octogonal body was familiar, for it was the same symbol that had appeared on her skin after the Gem of Conquest had been inserted into her body. The stigma of the Herrscher of Thunder.

 

Purple lightning arced from her mother’s fingertips, the power tracing the edges of the shape until the sparks then converged and criss crossed all through the symbol, eventually converging on a circular contraption in the center of the door. The electricity coiled into a ball of pure energy before disappearing in a small rain of sparks. The stigma lit up a bright purple, glowing bright with Honkai energy as the door rumbled open with purpose. Her parents ushered her inside.

 

This inner chamber was immense, its size alone an awe inspiring sight as the vaulted ceiling of polished marble rose several stories above their heads, neatly hidden underneath the already inspiring upper level. While the room was lit just enough to see with a warm light, a beam of white in the center of the room pierced through the gloom from a hole far far above, illuminating the purpose of this chamber. Upon a raised pedestal, tip pointed downwards, and hoving in mid-air just a few centimeters off the stone was the most magnificent katana Mei had ever seen.

Its hilt was an elegantly crafted material she could not quite make out from sight alone, decorated in an angular pattern of black and red, with golden trim snaking around the handle as well as the half of its downward swept wings of the guard aligned with the sharp of the blade. The other side of the guard’s two downward curved prongs as well as the length of the blade itself shone a brilliant, electrifying purple. The back of the blade as well as a portion of the flat sides were reinforced with what appeared to be a black metal that stretched up the blade before it tapered off along the back end at the midway point. In between the wings of the guard was a diamond, star-like ribbed pattern that shone like a gem lit with an inner light, a centrepiece that drew the eye and cemented the regal, almost reverent feel of the blade’s craftsmanship. It was this blade that her father stopped in front of, just outside of its halo of white light and well away from the steps leading up to the blade, as if he did not consider himself worthy of approaching further.

 

“This… is what we needed you to see,” Ryoma’s voice echoed through the chamber, empty of all except support columns and its central pedestal, “Before the Herrscher of Thunder fell silent she came here. I was only a child at the time but I still remember… the unbearable intensity of her gaze, yet the gentleness with which she interacted with the people. I still remember the awesome power you could feel at her very presence, the lightning she commands tingling along your skin and ionizing the air. And I remember… the solemn look on her face as she came to this chamber with the Herrscher of Finality. And placed her sword upon this very pedestal,” He turned, eyes swirling with some untold emotion as he locked eyes with his daughter, Mifumi gently placing her hands on Mei’s shoulders, “She looked right at me then. I’ll never forget the sorrow I saw in her eyes. A woman who carried an impossibly heavy burden I would never be able to understand. She smiled at me. The Thunder and Finality both. And then… they vanished in a flash of crimson lightning. The Herrscher of Thunder has been silent ever since. I did not understand why I of all people would garner the attention of such mighty beings, but as time passed, I believe I understand what they saw in my future.”

 

Mifumi’s thumbs gently pressed circles into Mei’s shoulders, “After all these years, we believe we finally know who this blade has been waiting for. The day you woke up with the Herrscher of Thunder’s stigma on your skin, we knew. Many have tried, but nobody else has ever been accepted by this blade.”

 

Mei’s face was lined with a worry that dug deep into heart, a frightening, yet all too human thing, as she listened to her parents’ words, “But… I’ve never been the strongest warrior, or best leader, or even the best Priestess. Why would I be…”

 

“You are all those things and more, Mei,” Mifumi said, a warmth in her voice as she circled around her daughter so she could look her in the eyes, “Look no further than the fact that the Herrscher of Finality chose you to wield not one, but two Herrscher gems. Gems of Conquest are fickle things. They do not allow just anyone to wield their power. The fact that you are so readily able to draw upon the Queen of Thunder’s lightning is proof that the Herrscher of Finality was correct when she said the Queen of Thunder has chosen you.”

 

“The sword, however, may not,” Her father frowned, “I have brought you here to receive its judgement. If it deems you worthy, you will have a mighty weapon with which to cleave through the Honkai cowering in the mountains.”

 

“And if I’m not?” Mei asked.

 

“Then it will reject you. It’s as simple as that. The Queen of Thunder is hard to please, but she is not cruel. It simply means you must grow stronger before attempting to wield her power. However, if it does accept you, then you will become unstoppable to all but a Herrscher.”

 

“Step up to the pedestal, Mei,” Mifumi gently pulled Mei forward, “Grab the hilt, and allow the power of the Herrscher of Thunder to flow through you.”

 

Mei’s steps grew hesitant once her mother’s touch left her. While the entire temple always had an undeniable charge to the air, the closer she got to the blade the more the intense power filling every inch of the space grew like a pressure squeezing her head, as if an unfathomable gaze had been turned upon her that she simply could not comprehend. Yet as she took her first step up to the pedestal, something in that air changed. The pressure lifted and swirled, darting to and fro as bolts of lightning encircling the blade. They touched her skin as she took step after step, yet they did not burn or electrocute. The Queen of Thunder’s crimson lightning instead greeted her like an old friend, the current flowing through the air travelling through her body as she met the final step and caressing the gem buried within her flesh, the sparks almost… gleeful as they jumped along her body.

Something in her heart told her to respond in kind. She opened herself to the ever more familiar embrace of the Honkai, the increase from a steady trickle to a roaring river of power flowing through her veins breathing new life into her senses. Purple met crimson, her own lightning dancing with that of the Herrscher of Thunder’s in a brilliant display as her hand approached the hilt of Seven Thunders. Now that she was actively tapping into the Honkai she could feel the way the sword manipulated it, a hurricane of Honkai constantly surrounding the blade a dozen meters in diameter and growing more and more intense closer to the blade itself. The Honkai was so thick it was like a barrier held close around the blade. Mei reached for the hilt, yet the physical pressure of the tightly wound energy being manipulated and expelled as crimson lightning pushed her back. It was like trying to push her hand forward against the rush of a river’s current. The unexpected resistance slowed her for a moment, but did not stop her. Slowly, but surely- and with no small amount of anxiety- her fingers closed around the elegant hilt of the katana. It fit her hand perfectly.

 

The immediacy with which the Honkai in the room stilled sent her heart beating rapidly in fright. She did not take her eyes off the blade, the gleaming ribbed gem set into the hilt shining in the bright spotlight, like an eye staring back at her. Whispers flitted through the unnatural stillness and for a moment Mei was struck with the terror that the thing that had attempted to invade her mind had returned. Indeed, there was a sudden and intense pain that seemed to stab through her skull. However, before she could react, her surroundings fell away like so much smoke. The room dissipated even as the lit portion in front of her stretched and distorted, shifting past her at incredible speed as if she was being launched down a corridor. A dark void at the end of the tunnel overtook her, and in this blackness a purple sparked to life. A woman wreathed in branches of lightning with dark hair that framed her face and fell down her back like a waterfall, red horns piercing her forehead and red pupils artfully surrounded with two circles above and below like a strange number eight in her violet irises with a bulging center around her pupils. Mei stared back at this woman that looked so similar to her yet felt so completely different for only a moment before the feeling of being shot down a tunnel returned and she disappeared. 

Her ponytail blew in a nonexistent wind, scenes flashing before her eyes. There were the events she saw in her dreams, yet soon they melted away and were replaced by things she had never seen before. She fought that white haired girl, but they were younger. School uniforms flapped in the wind as they charged at each other. She saw that same red-horned woman darting to and fro with a blonde woman clad in elegantly crafted white and blue armor, her lance striking in perfect unison with the flash of her katana, the being of ice and earth before them intent on freezing them both where they stood, and yet there was a fire in the warrior’s heart that would not be quenched. 

Her heart was heavy as the people screamed. A new city appeared before her, sprawling as she hovered high above, a pink light below her and a kilometre away lingered in the air and pulsed with malicious intent as its waves washed over all below, the indifference she held on her face belying an intensifying all consuming hatred for who she was becoming as she watched herself undo everything her love had worked so hard to prevent.

Another shift, and a reversal. Now she was the one in the grip of a girl bearing golden eyes, but this was not the long purple hair and angelic clothing of Sirin. This was a girl with white hair, her six-tailed, black and white clothing and furred collar writhing as her brows pulled down in a visceral hatred. All she could think was that her face was not suited to such a negative emotion, even as her fingers closed tighter, eyes flickering blue and tears welling for just a moment before Mei could not fight against the pressure crushing her neck any longer and cupped her face in one last apology.

The rush of more wind, but this time sweet and inviting, sakura petals fluttering past her as the dark tunnel shot her towards a light. Golden, bright, it had an undeniable pull, warmer than the gold of the eyes she had just witnessed, a dazzling room forming around her with the clink and angular lines of crystals falling against each other and building reality. But there was also… a pink. Blue-eyes and a teasing voice, she instinctively sneered and tilted her head up, pulling up a hand to protect horns that were not there. A smile and trust that despite the unbearable ache in her heart she could learn to open it to more than just that single point of light she chased with desperate abandon.

 

“These memories” , the wind seemed to whisper to her, the scenes flashing by again and again in her mind's eye, “They are your legacy and your burden. A load that only one can bear, one that has been waiting for your return. An embrace of the end. Of your Origin,” It fluttered through her mind like lovers softly conversing in the gentleness of morning, “Her throne stands empty yet the people will shout ‘Lo! The Queen returns’! A savior wreathed in crimson, a demon, one who defied Death herself. This is the burden of the Herrscher of Thunder. This is the burden of the betrayer, the redeemed, the one who’s clouds shield the Moon. A burden you are far from ready to shoulder again. You… are too weak.”

 

The room snapped back into focus with the clap of thunder, crimson burning through her veins, a force slapping her hand away from the hilt and a blast of energy striking her in the chest. Her world went white. The pain quickly faded, seeming to disperse amongst her own energy, the priestess blinking rapidly as the world came back into focus, the fearful eyes of her parents looming over her as she finally had the presence of mind to unclench her jaw and suck in a gasp of air. Mei shot up, her hands supporting her weight as she brought the blade back into her vision just in time to find the crimson thunder that had struck her crackle and fade into the aether, her confused eyes for a moment believing they had caught the faint crimson outline of a woman within the storm of electricity, so much like herself yet carrying so much more with her, looking at her with disappointment as the static and lightning dissipated.

 

Her heart raced, chest heaving and limbs tingling with the remnants of the Queen of Thunder’s lightning. Her mind, while unharmed, raced with the visions she had seen, a fuzzy heaviness settling over her thoughts and making it difficult to think even as these images continued slipping through her fingers. She desperately tried to focus on them, to make sure they stuck in her memory. The pink… something told her that pink haired girl was important, but her attempts to hold her teasing smile in her mind were accompanied by a sharp pain behind her eyes.

 

Violet eyes met those of her mother and father, their hands hovering over her hesitantly as purple sparks still shot up and down her body. If she had looked in the polished tile, shining like a mirror, she may have seen the way her pupils shifted and writhed.

 

Perhaps she would have seen the pink- not violet- that stared back at her parents, pupils stretched into an angular diamond flanked by four wings of the same. Perhaps she would have realised that the voice in her head had originated not from the sword, but from somewhere far closer, and far more intimate than she could have ever imagined. Perhaps it would have made the strength to hold onto every last detail of those visions well up within her.

 

Perhaps.

Notes:

Another chapter done! A brief return to the city that started it all and once again Mei finds her problems revealing themselves to be a small piece of a much larger whole. As well as the small problem of little miss HoT persona coming out a bit more and effecting Mei's own thoughts and emotions ;3 I thought about putting off her attempting to use Seven Thunders tbh, but I also could not ignore what it might mean for where she is in this journey of hers to have the Herrscher of Thunder's own sword reject her, as well as Ryoma revealing that he's a bit more wrapped up in all this than he lets on, having personally met both Hot and HoFi as a child. Camellia didn't get much this chapter I know, but that's because she'll be getting much more of a chance to shine next chapter, as this chapter was still mostly Mei Figuring Shit Out with her being sent along on the side and annoying Kiana in the background lmao Next chapter we get into the fun stuff as our little band of heroes sets out and we see the Honkai Wastelands for the first time :3 I'm sure Kiana will continue to have a GREAT time and will not continue suffering emotionally from trying to do what she sees as her duty.

Chapter 11: Condemnation of The Void: Part 1

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Mei did not know what caused the wariness with which her parents treated her after she was rejected by the Herrscher of Thunder’s sword. They said that such a result was in the realm of possibility, even someone with a Gem of Conquest did not automatically qualify for something as incredible and all consuming as the power instilled within a Herrscher’s personal weapon. And yet they had hesitated to touch her, though her mother had eventually cautiously helped her to her feet. However, despite the pain she had felt from the blast of lightning, she otherwise did not seem to be suffering any ill effects. She informed them of the strange visions she had experienced. Their reaction was… not what she expected. Her parents had looked at each other in concern, Ryoma stating that no others had experienced visions before. They seemed… Well, Mei wasn’t quite sure what this new uncomfortable energy between her parents and her was. Choosing to take it on the chin, she had simply thanked them for allowing her this chance and asked that they help her and her companions prepare for the journey outside human territory. She pushed down her doubts and took solace in the fact that she would soon be leaving this place behind alongside Kiana. Her parents had hurriedly agreed, her father carrying himself with an unusual reservedness.

And so they left behind the burdensome air of the Herrscher’s expectations to rejoin Kiana and the others. Her eyes, changed as they had been from her experience, had faded back to their usual violet by the time she saw her friends again. Her parents said nothing. Mei remained none the wiser, distracted as she was attempting to parse the pieces of her visions she could keep in her mind. The more her thoughts lingered on the experience, the more an unusual restlessness crawled under her skin. Yet conscientious as ever she pushed it down, instead focusing on the worriedly creased brow of a certain Kaslana as she entered the communal room her companions had been taken to.

 

“You okay, Mei?” The Kaslana pushed herself to her feet, “You look a bit frazzled.” Kiana reached out as if to lay a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder, but hesitated and dropped it back to her side halfway through the motion.

 

Bronya, too, stood from her seat and took her spot next to Kiana. The diminutive woman voiced her own concern, eyes quickly darting between the quiet Ryoma and unusually stiff Mifumi. Camellia remained seated, positioned on the edge as if unsure whether she should join her new teammates. Her brow creased also, Mei's scattered and struggling thoughts obvious even to their newest member.

 

“I…” Mei's shoulders sagged, “Truthfully I'm a bit shaken. But I'll be okay in time.”

 

Kiana's gaze darted to the elder Raidens and her words rushed to tumble from her lips, “What happened?” It wasn't quite accusatory, but a tone that still demanded a straight answer.

 

“Watch your tone when you speak to the head miko, Miss Kaslana.” Ryoma locked his gaze onto the woman in question, but the usual bite to his words was strangely missing. Instead his gaze lingered on the white-haired woman as if studying her. After a moment his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though he said nothing.

 

Mifumi laid a placating hand on her husband's shoulder. After a moment she turned back to Kiana, pursing her lips and eyeing the girl with a strange, almost knowing expression, “With your mission taking you to such a dangerous area of the world with little hope for outside support, we wanted to see if we could give Mei assistance. In the depths of the temple lay Seven Thunders of Retribution. A weapon that served as the Herrscher of Thunder's personal weapon for millennia. We asked that Mei attempt to wield it. Only… it rejected her.”

 

Mei curled her arm and clenched her fist, staring at the same hand that had clasped such power, “Her lightning was strangely welcoming at first. Almost… like it recognized me.” She lifted her gaze back to her companion. Kiana's expression was strange. Hopeful but also carrying a measure of fear and hesitation, her fists clenched so tightly that Bronya attempted to surreptitiously grab her hand and unball Kiana's fist herself. Mei noted all this in just a moment before continuing, “I gripped the hilt and was swamped with visions. When I snapped out of it I was thrown back by a burst of lightning.”

 

“The power of Conquest is as hard to please as ever,” Ryoma sighed.

 

“Damn,” Kiana forced a small grin and jabbed her thumb over her shoulder, “Guess we’ll just have to rely on Camellia getting us up the mountains with that stick up her ass.”

 

The Valkyrie was on her feet in a flash, “Try not to float too far ahead, Gods know you have nothing in your head but air, thief . We wouldn’t want you to be snatched away by a Honkai beast.”

 

Ryoma pinched the bridge of his nose and remained like that for several seconds as the two women continued to bicker, “Cease your chatter,” His voice rang out clear and immediately brought a halt to whatever new insult the two Valkyries were attempting to think up. Camellia quickly snapped to attention, “We have arranged for enough supplies that you should be able to get through the mountains. However, that deep into the wastelands natural food will be scarce, so you will need to move quickly. You with gems may be capable of subsisting mostly off Honkai energy, but the Moonbeams and your new Valkyrie companion cannot. Once you are through the mountains, you should be able to get a signal through to report anything you find. The ambient Honkai energy should not pose a threat for any of you, enhanced as you are, but we have procured anti-Honkai serums just in case. But do try to not take any unnecessary risks,” He raised an eyebrow at Kiana, “We do not know what you may encounter within those mountains.”

 

“Hey!” Kiana frowned indignantly, “I know when to take things seriously!”

 

Mei nodded, “Understood, Father.”

 

“The Moonbeams will be arriving within the hour. We should have everything loaded and ready to go two hours after that once we get their own supplies loaded with yours. You’ll leave as soon as everything is ready.”

 

Mifumi shook her head sadly, “I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep on the transport. You’ll be flying through the night in order to get to the mountains by dawn tomorrow. The High Priestess of Finality is taking a great risk sending the Moonbeams away from Arc City, so we have endeavoured to get you on your way as soon as possible. Rest while you can. Mei, you can show them where to get a meal, correct?”

 

“Of course, Mother,” Mei confirmed with a bow.

 

The elder Raiden’s bowed to the group in return and left them to their own devices. Though their exit was steady and unhurried, they could not hide the anxiety that riddled their bodies from Mei’s sight. She understood of course, this mission the Goddess had given to her was not easy. Any one of them could die so deep in Honkai irradiated land, an untold number of enemies and perhaps Honkai beasts that have never been seen before. However, besides the simple fact that she needed to find what the Moon Goddess wanted her to see, finding Schicksal’s ancient headquarters could also shine light on many secrets Schicksal had put much effort into hiding over the centuries. She was certain that leaving St. Freya would have been much more difficult had she been dealing with someone truly loyal to Schicksal rather than the Herrscher of Rebirth. Their small team could not be too cautious. Too prepared.

With these thoughts in mind she settled into one of the lounge chairs in this break room they had been brought to and took out a small holographic emitter. She fiddled with a few buttons on the side before setting the disc-shaped device on the table in the middle of their circle of chairs. Kiana and Bronya returned to their seats on either side of Mei, Camellia settling back down across from Mei. It only took a few moments for the priestess to connect her phone to the device and the air above the table flickered to life with the satellite imagery and maps Seele had slipped to her from Schicksal’s archives.

 

It was time to plan.

 


 

Mei had begun using the info on the region provided by Seele to formulate a strategy for how they might cut through the mountains. However, the energy of intense concentration that had filled the room crumbled to dust when Isabella threw open the paper and wood sliding door and loudly announced the arrival of the Moonbeams. While Kiana still didn’t know them very well, she had to admit she was looking forward to being able to fight alongside these people Mei obviously held great respect for. Maybe Camellia and Cecilia would cancel each other out? A girl could hope. But that was not truly what was on her mind at the moment. No, Mei had obviously been shaken by what she had experienced with the Herrscher of Thunder’s weapon. But it was more than that. Despite how she had thrown herself into her work, the creases in her brow held more than just her determination to tackle the danger ahead. There was only a little more time until the transport was loaded and fueled, and then there would be a long road ahead to carve a path through the Honkai infested Alsakan mountains. There was one thing she needed to do before they embarked, or else it would continue to weigh on her mind.

 

And so she slipped away. Bronya had noticed her pulling away and slipping out the door- she always did- and the girls nodded to each other in understanding. Contrary to what one might expect had they seen the Valkyrie before this moment, Kiana walked with purpose through the temple halls. She took turns and corners with a confidence that rivalled the mikos that had spent their lives in service to this temple. She expertly avoided the eyes of the few mikos that had business this deep in the temple, making her way down to a familiar large set of double doors. A small smile flit across her face as she laid her hand on the expert metalwork and traced the outline of the Herrscher of Thunder’s stigmata with her fingers. A moment of reminiscence she quickly shook herself out of. A purple rimmed void bloomed to life against the door and Kiana slipped through into the room beyond. Just as Mei had seen hours before, the room was empty except for the soft light that lit the darkness around the brilliantly lit central pedestal. 

Seven Thunders hovered where it had for as long as the storm above the temple had lain in uncomfortable silence.

The currents of Honkai ebbing and flowing through the weapon writhed and and pulsed with familiarity as her steps echoed off the polished walls. Her footfalls were slow, cautious, as if the woman was afraid of breaking the spell of quiet awe that filled the chamber. She took each step with a slow reverence. Her hand, calloused and worn from countless battles, lifted the katana from its place with frightening ease. She held it up, one hand around the hilt and one supporting the blade, eyes tracing it like studying an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. Perhaps that wasn’t too far from the truth. Yet nothing happened. The Honkai energy still swirled invisibly. Welcoming and familiar. Whatever it was Kiana was trying to see, it seemed she could not find it.

 

“I’m sorry, Mei…” The Valkyrie whispered. She placed the sword back where it belonged with a careful reverence. The swirling energy around her seemed to whisper in a melancholic dance, as if the sword itself was just as despondent as the girl standing before it. Kiana stepped back down the steps, keeping her eyes on the sword even as the soft footsteps of other visitors echoed off the polished walls behind her.

 

These new steps came to a stop a respectable distance away, hesitation thick as silence retook the room for several seconds. And then Ryoma’s voice rumbled, “It’s been a while since we last stood here.” 

 

A bittersweet smile slowly spread across Kiana’s lips.

 


 

Valerie slowly made her way through the halls of the temple, oblivious to the godly machinations occurring across the sea. It was dark in Arc City, the lights of human engineering glowing bright against the encroaching darkness of night. Yet she could not rest. It took only a few minutes for her to find herself within her office. There had been another burst of Honkai energy detected near the edge of the city limits, and so she deigned to observe the progress of the priestesses sent to investigate herself. Whatever she might discover, she was safe from prying eyes within her office. Or so she thought. Before the door had even finished sliding closed she had withdrawn the pistol and knife hidden beneath her robes. She could see nothing in the darkness of the room, and yet her instincts flared to life with such an intense sense of danger she almost couldn’t breathe.

 

“Who’s there?!” The icy cold grip of fear shot down her spine as her demand was only met with a dark chuckle.

 

“You’re rather on guard for a priestess within her own temple, aren’t you?”

 

The high priestess snapped to the voice sat in one of the chairs set in the corner of the room as a place for her to speak more comfortably with guests. In the darkness she could make out the vague shape of legs propped up on the table between the chairs, a humanoid shape that naturally led her eyes along their form and up to the glowing golden eyes glaring coldly in the dark. Her finger instantly squeezed off several shots, the flash of the muzzle lighting up the lounging figure, as well as the rifts that harmlessly absorbed her bullets with nary a twitch from the woman in the shadows.

 

“It’s been a long time since someone tried to shoot me like that,” The figure intoned with a vague sense of boredom, “Are you brave, or simply foolish, I wonder?”

 

Valerie’s finger squeezed down again but before she could finish even that small movement there was a flash of purple and a sturdy blow slammed into her abdomen. The woman was thrown to the floor with the breath beaten from her lungs. Her gun clattered across the floor, but she managed to keep a firm grip on her knife and she hurriedly pulled it close to her body and thrust it at a spot under the glowing gold now darting towards her. To her dismay instead of the feeling of sharpened metal tearing into flesh, a terrifyingly strong grip latched around her wrist and twisted her arm until the pain loosened her grip and the knife clattered to the floor.

 

“I could do more than twist your arm, you know. So why don’t you stop your useless resistance?” The being grinned down at her, the flash of teeth just barely visible in the dim light of the open window. The high priestess reluctantly forced herself to stop struggling against the painful grip. Seemingly satisfied, her arm was released. A moment later the lights blared to life and Valerie could finally behold the full terrifying sight before her.

 

The Herrscher of the Void stared gleefully down at her, sadistic enjoyment clear on her face as the high priestess realised just who had been waiting for her.

 


 

Kiana hummed in agreement with Ryoma’s observation, “Forty-odd years passes by quicker than I would like nowadays,” She exhaled in soft amusement, “When did you realize?”

 

“You haven’t exactly been the most subtle, My Lady,” Mifumi’s voice carried with it the undertones of a small smile, “Besides the fact that you look almost exactly the same as when you came to us all those years ago. Besides the strangeness of seeing you in such clothing,” She said, in reference to the cargo pants and hoodie Kiana had taken to wearing with this more mortal form.

 

“Yeah, I guess it’d take a bit more than just going back to my old hairstyle, huh?” Kiana huffed and absentmindedly toyed with one of her braids. She turned to face the elder Raidens, pink starred eyes glowing gently in the soft light.

 

“You have been personally watching over Mei all this time, I take it?” Mifumi continued softly.

 

“Of course,” Kiana smiled, “While I may not have put as much effort into seamlessly integrating into mortal life as I should have, my goal has always been to watch over her. Though I must admit it is partly a selfish desire on my end,” Kiana shrugged, “There’s always a part of me that’s longed to experience a mortal life once more. So I took that part and used it to grant Mei something more than some distant Goddess offering platitudes of protection.” She opened her arms as if to present herself, “So here I am. Just a tiny part of the greater whole.”

 

“You should tell her the truth sooner rather than later. Knowing our Mei, she’s probably already figured it out and is just afraid to face what it might mean for your friendship.”

 

The Herrscher of Finality winced as the woman’s words struck true, “Yeah, I…” She sighed and scratched the back of her head in shame, “I’ve already kinda fucked that part up,” She finished quietly. She quickly pushed down the memories of that morning before they could threaten to overtake her.

 

“My Lady,” Ryoma began, “This mission. Is it… truly necessary?”

 

Kiana pursed her lips, “I know you are concerned for her safety, but unfortunately yes. The Herrscher of Thunder’s plan is not an easy road. I am here to look out for Mei, but I can’t do everything for her. She must regain what she lost on her own, through all the struggle and hardship that might entail. Otherwise she may not be prepared for the burden she must shoulder.”

 

“What about the other option you gave her? Surely finding the Phoenix would aid her in confronting something as dangerous as the Alsakan mountains?”

 

Kiana sighed, “Honestly? It’s because I know what lies in those mountains, whereas I lack the knowledge of where the Celestial has hidden Mount Taixuan. We were close once upon a time…” Kiana shrugged casually even as her expression fell, “I believe our friendship remains, but she was not pleased with how I went about obtaining the power of Finality and… what happened after. So I will admit finding Fu Hua is as much my own desire as it is something that will help Mei,” Her eyes scanned the man’s face, Ryoma’s own torn thoughts on the matter clear in the crease of his brow.

 

Ryoma nodded, his eyes falling closed as he released a slow, accepting exhale, “There is one thing we need to talk about, My Lady. When Mei touched Seven Thunders… there was one thing we did not want to reveal in front of the others.”

 

“What happened?”

 

“When she sat up from being rejected by the blade she… her eyes had changed. Like the Herrscher eyes of you or the Herrrscher of Thunder, except we have never seen this pattern before. Like… winged diamonds.”

 

“Oh, I see,” Kiana laughed softly.

 

“What does it mean?”

 

The Moon Goddess smiled, “It means she’s healing faster than I thought. You may rest easy, for that is the original eye pattern of the Herrscher of Thunder and its manifestation is a good portent.”

 

“So that is the end goal? Mei is to become the Herrscher of Thunder?” Mifumi’s voice shook ever so slightly, though from hope, fear, or something else was not clear.

 

Kiana laughed softly once more, though it was notably happier this time, “Raiden Mei has- and always will be- the one and only Herrscher of Thunder.”

 


 

Valerie grunted as she struggled valiantly against the Herrscher’s grip. The woman had attempted to lunge for the emergency alert button under her desk only for Sirin to easily catch her by the neck and slam her against the wall.

 

“Pathetic,” Sirin sneered, “Is this all my sister’s temple can muster? Your sensors were so easily tricked, nobody even knows I am here and yet you still want to die? I don’t care about an insect as weak as you. Where is Raiden Mei?” Sirin demanded. She released the priestess and stepped back to watch her collapse to her knees with a series of violent coughs.

 

Valerie glared up at the Herrscher, defiance clear in her eyes even as she made no move to defy the Herrscher again. Physically at least, “Raiden Mei? I don’t know the name.”

 

Sirin rolled her eyes and a strange miniscule honkai beast fluttered from somewhere else in the room to land upon her finger, “I have eyes and ears everywhere. Unfortunately she seems to have disappeared in the time it took them to inform me of her presence in Arc City. If you want to lie to me, you’ll have to actually put some effort in. ” She narrowed her eyes, “Before I get angry.” A portal bloomed to life and slid through the air over Sirin’s shoulder, revealing the void lance held within before disappearing and leaving the weapon pointed down at the priestess.

 

Valerie grit her teeth, her throat still aching as she attempted to steady her breathing, “Whatever you’re looking for you won’t find it here. She’s gone.”

 

“Awww, see? Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Sirin hummed patronizingly. She waved her hand and another portal bloomed to life. Valerie could only watch as another woman stepped from the inky blackness. A woman with pale hair, striking blue eyes, and the white chitin of a Honkai beast scattered across her body like pieces of armor. Though it did not provide full protection, and the girl showed much skin between the chitin and black that protected her most sensitive areas, as well as the parts of her limbs that the white chitin did not reach. From her back stretched reptilian wings of pure Honkai energy, an electrifying blue and crackling with power. The amethyst glow of the Honkai shone around the edge of the wings. The right side of her head was decorated with a hair ornament that mimicked the appearance of a horn blooming from a shell of Honkai chitin, curving up and around the top of her head. “Bella, check her computer.”

 

“Yes, My Queen.” The gentle obedience of her voice came at odds with her intimidating appearance.

 

Sirin studied the priestess as her servant went to work on the office’s computer system, the clacking of keys now a constant background noise, “I wonder, it’s been a while since I cared to personally butcher a human. But there’s nothing I hate more than my sister’s empty posturing. Three millennia of no progress against the Honkai and you think that’s worth preserving? Worshipping? It’s laughable.” Sirin tilted her head as she scanned the woman’s face. After a few moments a sharp laugh burst from her throat, startling even Bella, “Wait! I know you!” Sirin grinned devilishly, “So you’re still alive?”

 

Valerie’s eyes clenched shut in response, the creases of her expression carrying with it unspoken pain, “So you do recognize me,” She opened her eyes and leveled her gaze at the Herrscher, “It’s true, we’ve met before. Thirty years ago.”

 

Sirin groaned and waved a dismissive hand, “Yes yes, and then Schicksal covered up that little incident as they usually do, all so your pathetic civilians can continue to pretend I’ve been sitting on my hands for the last couple centuries.”

 

“It’s true Schicksal covered it up,” Valerie smiled, “But pushing you back to the Babylon crater remains one of the proudest moments of my life.”

 

The remaining pieces seemed to click into place and the room grew heavy as Sirin’s brow pulled down in anger, “Yes… that was you, wasn’t it?” She growled, “Those sanctimonious fools that fancy themselves my sisters are always getting in my way.” The terrifying blanket of Honkai energy seemed to subside as Sirin smiled once more, “You once drew the gaze of the Palatinus Equinox herself. But now look at you, helpless to even stand in my presence.”

 

Valerie allowed herself a small grin, “I’m sure if I didn’t mind leveling the temple I could get Durandal herself to grant me her power once more. If only to push you back for a second time.”

 

“Don’t pat yourself on the back you pathetic old hag,” Sirin sneered, “You were only successful back then because my goal was not your complete and utter destruction.”

 

“My Queen, if I may interrupt.”

 

Sirin frowned, “What, Bella?”

 

“Mei is in Nagazora preparing for a mission to the Alsakan mountains. Along with her companions…” The woman trailed off.

 

“Speak up Bella!” Sirin huffed, “What is it?”

 

“...Her companions Kiana Kaslana and Bronya Zaychik.”

 

“Tch. That just confirms what I already knew. The addition of Bronya won’t matter much in the end. I’ve killed one Herrscher of Reason before. I can kill another.”

 

“But…” Bella bit her lip as she debated her words, “A fully realised Herrscher of Truth will not be as simple as a Herrscher of Reason dying from low Honkai resistance. And Welt never truly died that day. Neither has Bronya ever crumbled under our assaults.”

 

Sirin growled in frustration, “I’m aware, you don’t have to remind me, Bella. Truth or no Truth her fate will be the same. I doubt she has had much time to truly learn her powers with how few people realise their Herrscher is no longer simply Reason.” Sirin paused. As Bella’s words ran through her mind her frown began deepening further and further, “Those mountains… What could she hope to gain from sending Mei there? Nothing remains but a shadow of my Honkai energy and the echoes of Himeko’s miserable demise. Or… no…” Sirin began pacing, one arm supporting the other as she tapped her finger against her chin in thought, “What is your plan, Kiana? What was so important you would abandon this world and I for so long? It was not simply an attack on the Will…” Her voice dipped back into a growl, “You fucking liar. Whatever it is, I’ll make you suffer for abandoning me.” She spun to Bella, “We’re leaving.”

 

Bella nodded and walked to Sirin’s side with familiar steps, “What about her, My Queen?” She gestured to Valerie with her chin.

 

Her golden eyes burned with such deep seated, terrible, and all consuming maelstrom of emotion that Valerie could not stand to hold her gaze when Sirin looked down at her. After a moment of glaring at the old warrior Sirin exhaled sharply, “Leave her. We got what I wanted. This old woman and her pathetically misplaced faith isn’t even worth my vengeance anymore. I’ll be watching this entire city of pests burn soon enough.”

 

Another portal bloomed to life, this time immediately setting off the wail of the building’s Honkai energy alarms. With one last disgusted look, Sirin turned and entered the portal with heavy steps. Bella followed close behind.

 

Only a few minutes after the tear in space had closed did several priestesses break through the locked office door. Though they would find no foe. Only their shaken high priestess sucking in desperate, relieved breaths. The terror of those golden eyes and the shock of the words she had muttered becoming yet another secret tucked away into the heavy heart of the Moon Goddess’s loyal servant.

 


 

“The hour is late.” Kiana looked up towards the bright light shining onto Seven Thunders as if she could still see the sun, “They’re probably wondering where I wandered off to.”

 

“Mei has grown to care about you a lot,” Mifumi said quietly, “She’s probably long noticed your absence.”

 

“Yeah,” Kiana chuckled, “Mei’s always been attentive to those around her for as long as I can remember. And that’s a pretty long time now,” She smiled. She let the implications of her words hang between them like bait teasing the waters of a still lake. Instead of continuing with words, she threw the Raidens before her a casual two fingered salute and disappeared in a flash and a swirl of purple energy.

 

Ryoma tilted his head back and allowed his eyes to fall closed as he took several slow, deep breaths. When he finally righted his head and opened his eyes, they fell on the worried face of Mifumi, “I hate when she does that.”

 


 

Kiana’s absence had indeed been felt. Mei was on her with a worried frown the instant she walked back into the room, the woman nearly dragging her back to the group. Kiana had quickly apologized, insisting to the worried priestess that she’d just needed to get some air. Mei didn’t quite seem to believe her, but accepted the explanation regardless. Sophia and Isabella seemed to have made it their mission to make Camellia socialize, the flustered Valkyrie trapped between the smiling priestess duo as they traded tales of battle. Bronya merely nodded when she noted Kiana’s return, no doubt busy playing a game or messaging Seele while half listening to whatever Caihong was trying to tell her. Cecilia remained studying the images and maps Mei had been using to plan their approach. It was only a few minutes of Mei’s worried fussing (and ignoring the teasing comments of Caihong and Isabella) before her phone dinged with the notification that the transport was fuelled, packed, and ready.

 

The air was thick with anticipation as they stepped out onto the landing pad. Even the laid back teasing of the Moonbeams had ceased as the wind whipped against the cliff and the crackling lightning of the temple buzzed in their ears. Ryoma and Mifumi Raiden were once again waiting for them as they approached, bowing and offering their well wishes. Though as she passed, her mother called her over with an urgent look on her face. As soon as she got within arms reach Mifumi pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, Ryoma joining them a moment later.

 

“Be careful, dear,” She murmured.

 

Mei’s arms squeezed tighter around her mother, “I will do my utmost to return to you safe and sound. I promise.”

 

Mifumi simply nodded, lips quivering as she placed a gentle kiss against the top of Mei’s head. Eventually they released her from their embrace, albeit reluctantly.

 

Mifumi picked up a bag she had left on the ground behind her, “I’ve packed your bag with the essentials, combined with the other supplies and you should have everything you need for a couple weeks in the mountains.”

 

Mei laughed softly, “Mother, I already packed it hours ago. I thought it would already be on board.”

 

“Well I repacked it and fit in a few things you forgot,” Mifumi raised an eyebrow as if daring Mei to challenge her, “And don’t forget to take care of this before you land.” She held up what looked like a small injection device and a small vial and jiggled her hand back and forth to make sure they drew Mei’s attention.

 

“Right,” Mei sighed, “I forgot about that with everything else going on.” She accepted the bag and device with a nod and smile of thanks.

 

Ryoma clapped his hand onto her shoulder, an unsure smile struggling to remain on his face, “You’ll do us proud Mei. I know you’ll overcome any dangers the Honkai can throw at you.”

 

Mei nodded. She could only hope she could display even a small bit of the confidence her Goddess seemed to have in her, “Well I can’t die before I can attempt Seven Thunders’s test again, can I?”

 

“Heh, that’s my girl.” Ryoma’s smile gained that bit of brightness she was looking for, “Now go.”

 

Mei nodded, sending her parents one last smile before turning and jogging the rest of the distance to the lowered boarding ramp where Kiana waited for her. With each step she found that the confidence she had tried to put up for her parents solidified into something more and more real. As she stepped inside and walked into the passenger section, she laid eyes on this group that had come together to aid her and she could feel it in her heart. They could do this.

 


 

The airship provided to them by Ryoma was many times fancier than anything Schicksal or most temples used. It would seem he had wasted no expense in making sure their last moments within the boundaries of human civilization would be comfortable ones. The ship itself was just as large as one of the supply transports Schicksal favored, however it featured a sleeker design compared to the blocky shape of the more utilitarian ships. It was still very much a modified cargo transport as most of the back of the ship was taken up by the cargo bay, with this extending even under the passenger areas. With enough space to fit several tons of supplies and equipment, the eight of them were barely taking up the vast space for their excursion. At least Project Bunny could enjoy having so much space, seeing as she was too large to fit into the passenger area. The inside was decorated with the black and white with red accenting one would expect from a vehicle used by one dedicated to the Herrscher of Thunder. 

A small staircase led up to the passenger section of the vessel. The seats were soft and made from a pleasantly textured material that stoked a small bit of fear in Mei. She did not want to see the price tag on even the smallest chair in this vessel. In order to get to this rather comfortable seating area one had to walk past a small closed off area containing three sets of bunk beds set into the walls for a total of six beds. The wall space that might have held another pair of beds instead contained a small toilet room with just enough space to fit said item along with a small sink and mirror. 

If she went right from the staircase instead of left towards the cockpit there was a small kitchen area. In the opposite direction once more, further up past the beds, was the more casual seating room. Couches were set into the wall and control panels near the doorways on either end of the room could trigger a table to rise out of the flooring near the couches and the chairs set around them. Past that was the secure seating area with the buckles and harnesses one might expect for a flight, the very ones they had sat in during take-off. The cockpit lay just past that with cramped facilities just for the pilots in the hallway before the cockpit proper. The entire place had the same clean, well taken care of smell one might expect from an expensive five-star hotel.

 

Mei let out a small sigh as she stowed her bag underneath one of the lower beds and took a moment to unbuckle her katana from her waist. The others were mingling in the lounge just past the sliding door (she was fairly certain she’d heard Isabella challenging Camellia to an arm wrestle), though Mei had something to take care of before she could join them. A curtain between her and the door sectioned off another small baggage area in the walls where someone could access their bags without disturbing those on the other side of the fabric. Perfect. Her mother would be on her case for the next month if she let this slip her mind. Once again the injection device and small vial her mother had given her were in her hands.

The grating of the sliding door being slid open and shut followed by the small swish of the curtains came as she opened the device and began inserting the vial, checking and double checking that everything was secure before snapping it back closed. Movement in the corner of her eye eventually pulled her attention away. There stood Kiana, the girl looking to have come through the curtain only to freeze where she stood, a look of uncertainty plastered over her face.

 

“Uh, h-hey Mei,” She began, shooting the priestess an awkward smile, “I saw you leave, so I just… wanted to check on you.” Her eyes fell to the small device in her hands, “You uh, need any help?”

 

Mei returned a small smile of her own, “Sure, come here.” She scooted a little to the side and patted the empty bed space next to her.

 

Hesitance was still clear in her movement, but Kiana soon claimed the spot Mei had motioned to her. She handed the vial loaded device to Kiana. The woman took a moment to study it. A curious little thing, it fit rather easily into her palm. The creases along its body outlined where it came apart to allow the insertion of the vial, with a small hole at the end like a little nail gun. Or… a needle?

 

The rustle of clothing brought her attention back to the woman beside her and Kiana nearly dropped the thing in her hands as her eyes fell on Raiden Mei having shucked off her jacket and begun the process of unbuckling her belt.

 

“Wh- wha- wha- wha- what are you doing?!”

 

Mei took a moment to pop a small pill into her mouth and swallow with a practiced ease, “Well, this injection needs to go into my thigh,” Mei raised an eyebrow and tried to keep the smile off her face as she watched the blush spread across Kiana’s cheeks. “You do know what you offered to help me with, right?”

 

“O-of course! I know what an e-injection looks like!” Kiana frowned defensively, “I’ve just never seen someone use a weird little contraption like this.”

 

Mei rolled her eyes good naturedly. She shifted on the bed and pulled the waist of her pants down to bare her thigh. The smell of alcohol filled the small space as she utilized a cotton ball and another small bottle to swab a spot on her newly exposed skin, “You can thank my mother for that. She got it for me and it’s worked well enough. I've never felt the need to use something else, though I could if I had to.” She waited patiently as several different emotions flickered across Kiana’s face at the sight of her exposed undergarments and pale skin.

 

Kiana sucked in a deep breath and exhaled sharply, “Okay! Okay.” She looked at the device in her hand, “So uh… how does this thing work?”

 

Mei took it from her and adjusted a small dial on the flat top before holding down a button on the side. There was a soft whirr as liquid was drained from the vial, “There.” She handed it back to the Valkyrie, “Now just press the front flat against my skin right here and hold down the trigger.”

 

Kiana nodded and did as instructed, “This seems needlessly complicated. Like those random gadgets from sci-fi movies.”

 

“Probably,” Mei agreed, “But besides still doing its job, I also find the routine rather soothing.”

 

Kiana bobbed her head in acceptance, “Fair enough. Okay, here we go!” She used her other hand to stretch the skin tight and squeezed. There was a small hiss as the device did its job. After a moment a small beep sounded at its finished work, “So… what happens to the needle?”

 

“It has a little auto storage section to make disposing of the used ones easy.”

 

“Oh,” Kiana looked at the device in her hand and shrugged, “Cool. As long as you remember, I guess.”

 

Mei studied her thigh for a moment before nodding, “Good job,” Mei smiled at the bashful way Kiana’s eyes darted away, “Here.” She held up a small bandage. Kiana’s hands shook ever so slightly as she unsealed the sticky ends and pressed it against Mei’s skin. She quickly smoothed it down. Her touch lingered. Perhaps a bit longer than was appropriate. But just long enough for Mei to lay her hand on Kiana’s own, prompting the girl to meet her eyes. “Thank you, Kiana.”

 

“Mei, I-”

 

“Kiana,” Mei interrupted her, “I am sorry if I upset you with my actions at St. Freya. You do not need to give me the intimate details, but please…” She gave the woman’s hand a gentle squeeze, “You are a friend and companion I have come to greatly cherish in this time we have shared together. So please don’t push me away. Talk to me when something upsets you.” Her other hand came up to cup Kiana’s cheek, “I promised myself a long time ago that I would never shy away from expressing myself and living my life as well as I can. It is what my duty as a priestess of Finality represents. What these vials represent. And I hope I can always be someone that supports you in doing the same.”

 

“Mei…” Kiana blinked against the welling of tears, “I-I-” She closed her eyes and nodded into Mei’s touch, “There’s a lot of… complicated things that I’m dealing with. But you’re right. I’m sorry.

 

“You spoke of yourself like you’d done something terrible. Like you were not deserving of kindness. But,” Mei smiled, “I believe that conflict within you, no matter what it is you must keep close to your chest, speaks to your good intentions. You could be the Goddess herself and that would not change the warmth you have brought to my life as you are right now.”

 

Kiana’s body shook as she took in a stuttering breath, “I’m doing my best to give the sad story of this world a happy ending. I promise you.” The words were weighty. She could sense how they bent Kiana’s shoulders, how they sapped at her strength. How they brought out that exhausted smile that sometimes stretched across her face.

 

“Perhaps I will never truly know or understand these burdens you carry,” Mei said quietly, “But I… I want to be there for you. As a shoulder to lean on when their weight gets too much, if nothing else. I want these obstacles ahead of us to be ones we push through together.”

 

“We will,” Kiana finally laid her own hand over the one cupping her cheek. Her lips twitched upwards, “Me and you, we’re a team now. Well, Bronya’s part of the team too, I suppose.”

 

Their eyes remained locked as they giggled together. Once again Mei felt as if they had entered their own world. Their own time. The noise from the others in the next room and the steady drone of the engines seemed to come from far away. Yet Kiana remained as bright and clear as ever. Faintly she wondered- yet again- when she had begun leaning closer.

 

“Mei…” Kiana continued, “There’s… things about me I can’t tell you about yet. Important things. That’s why… I was afraid. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you.” Her lips quivered and her eyes couldn’t seem to decide whether to look at her eyes or her lips, “How can I do anything but when I have to keep these secrets?”

 

“Well…” Mei exhaled with soft amusement, “You took a risk deciding to help me. To the point you’re currently coming with me to an extremely dangerous area of the world where we might die any moment,” Centimeter by centimeter the space between them was disappearing. She could feel Kiana’s breaths caressing her skin as she looked at the priestess with desperate, hopeful eyes, “Let me take a risk on you, too.”

 

Kiana’s eyes slowly fell closed and Mei allowed her own to follow suit. So tantalizingly close, every breath a teasing caress across their lips. All she had to do was just close the last ever so slight distance.

 

The frighteningly loud sound of someone sliding the door open and closed before brushing past the curtain sent a shock of fear down her spine so strong that for a moment she thought her heart might explode.

 

“Hey, Kiana idotka, stop harassing Mei and come-” All three women froze as the curtain fell back into place. At some point Bronya had changed from her one-piece motorcycle jumper and hoodie into a more comfortable tshirt-hoodie-shorts combo. It made the deadpan look on her face somehow even more effective at bringing a blush to the faces of both women before her. Then her hand snapped up faster than either of them could pull away and the sound of a digital camera shutter sealed their doom. “Mei pull your pants back up and bring Kiana to help me beat Caihong at Homu Smash Ultimate.”

 

“B-Bronya!” Kiana jumped to her feet and held her hands up in a desperate plea, “It- We- That was nothing! I was just helping Mei with her injection and-”

 

Bronya held up a hand and cut her off, “I literally did not ask. Seele owes me a fifty now, though. Hurry up, Kiana.” Without another word Bronya turned around and with another opening and closing of the sliding door she was gone.

 

“Seele owes you- Hey! What the fuck!” Kiana snapped her attention back to Mei, her brow crinkled and lips twisted into an embarrassed smile.

 

Mei got to her feet with a sigh, trying to ignore the way her own cheeks burned. She quickly pulled her pants up and tucked in her black dress shirt before re-buckling her belt. The silence in the room was just as deafening as when Bronya had opened the door.

 

Kiana’s eyes drooped for a moment before she cleared her throat awkwardly. Her shifting weight and the sheepish way she rubbed the back of her neck were too cute, if not clear indicators of what was still on her mind.

 

Mei smiled reassuringly. This girl really could be an anxious mess sometimes, couldn’t she? She stepped in close to the girl as she walked past, taking great pleasure in the way Kiana’s eyes shot open wide as soft lips pressed against her cheek for an impossibly long, but fleeting, moment, “Come on,” Mei beckoned her as she kept moving and brushed the curtain to the side, “We shouldn’t keep Bronya waiting.”

 

It took a few seconds for Kiana’s higher brain functions to reboot, but once they did she hurried to follow Mei through the door. With any luck Bronya would remain too distracted by her games to use this against her for the remaining hours of this long, long flight.

Notes:

Alright so first off, Yay I finally finished the next chapter. But the twist is actually I have TWO chapters finished because I originally couldn't find a place that felt good to end it and then I noticed it was 15,000 words long so I found what I think is a good spot to split it in two. The second part I will post in a couple days after I go over it and do some more editing and to give people time to sit with this first part.
Now first off, did I interrupt the KiaMei kiss again: Yes.
Second, did I do it because one of my girlfriends said it would be funny: Also yes.
Originally I wasn't going to, but I like how I have it now with Bronya providing a more lighthearted end to the serious conversation they were having. And yes, Mei is a trans woman *jazz hands* because I said so. it just wasn't relevant until it let me use it for a bonding moment between girlfriends and I realised the timeline also matched up.
Kiana's disguise finally failed once she was confronted with people that had seen her before and werent afraid to point it out, it's almost like she has a distinctive appearance that isn't easily hidden with just a hairstyle change who would've thought (I'm sure Bronya's told her this already). Mei's parents certainly have something more going on between Seven Thunders and having met the Herrscher of Finality recently enough to eventually recognize just who Kiana is. But just how much will remain to be seen ;3
And more Sirin! She is not happy with Kiana to say the least :) But at least she has her ever loyal Bella at her side while she beats people up and scares them half to death in her quest to track down her gay ass sister. I'm sure nothing bad will happen if she finds Mei and Kiana :) As well as a little more information on Valerie. She's been present in the story enough that I decided I should probably begin trying to flesh her out as a character more as time goes on. Anyways, you can look forward to the rest in a few days! <3

Chapter 12: Condemnation of The Void: Part 2

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Kiana glared at the woman sat before her. Camellia’s face was set in a steely determination that was just neutral enough to not come off as a sneer. Both Valkyries’ arms flexed and strained, well trained muscles pushing against their clasped hands as the others cheered them on.

 

“This is nothing,” Camellia grunted, “Just give up, thief. You’re no match for a Kaslana’s natural strength.”

 

“And I keep telling you I’m a Kaslana through and through, whether you like it or not!” Kiana fired back. Their arms shuddered ever so slightly from the effort both girls were putting into attempting to move their opponents arm. Neither had given any ground, “See?” Kiana smiled, “You can’t even make me move.”

 

Camellia’s fingers flexed where her free hand gripped her thigh as she strained harder and harder. This was not just arm wrestling, letting this upstart win would be a slight against her family name!

 

“If I win-” Kiana grunted as their arms both began to shake from the strain, “You have to stop calling me a thief and admit I’m a Kaslana!”

 

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Camellia hissed through clenched teeth.

 

“Why?” Kiana smiled as the woman’s arm began to ever so slightly swing downwards, “That afraid you’re gonna lose?”

 

“Fine!” Camellia growled. Another grunt rumbled in her throat as she pushed their arms back into an upright position, “But no using your gem!”

 

“Hey, I’m not a cheat,” Kiana grinned, “My pride as a Kaslana-” Her lips pressed together as her expression tightened in effort as she pressed with all her might and steadily pushed Camellia’s arm all the way down. A victorious yell burst from Kiana’s chest when the Valkyrie’s knuckles hit the table, “-will never falter!” The room erupted into cheers and whistles. Kiana jumped out of her chair, arms raised, and a satisfied smile plastered all over her face. 

 

“Good try, Camellia!” Isabella said, clapping the woman on the back even as she slammed her fist (and forehead) into the table.

 

“There’s no way you’re that much stronger than me! The blood of Durandal herself flows through me!” Camellia practically whined, “I have the power of the only mortal to become a God!”

 

Mei watched closely as an unreadable emotion flashed in Kiana’s eyes. A moment later and Kiana simply stuck her tongue out and flashed the girl a peace sign, “That’s what happens when you have the blood of THE Kiana Kaslana, baby! You should have seen my dad’s face when I threw a Chariot clean over his head when I was only twelve.”

 

“Girls, girls, girls,” Caihong shook her head, “We get it, you’re both descended from powerful Kaslanas. But now that you’re done with the latest test of physical prowess, I think it’s time we put this little squirt in her place with some Homu Smash Ultimate,” She jabbed her thumb at Bronya, who was already playing solo using the lounge’s T.V.

 

“How did she even connect to it?” Cecilia mused, “It’s built into the wall.”

 

“I have my ways,” Bronya answered mysteriously.

 

“Alright, fine! I beat Camellia at arm wrestling, I can beat Bronya at her Homu games!” Kiana declared.

 

“History begs to differ. You have yet to get above a win ratio against me of zero-to-one hundred thirty three.”

 

“And tonight's the night I claim victory! I can feel it!”

 

Sophia snorted as she claimed a seat next to Cecilia, “Something tells me this isn’t the first time Kiana has made such a declaration.”

 

There was a small yelp as Kiana plopped down on the couch and grabbed one of Bronya’s controllers, “Hey! I didn’t come on this mission to have my skills attacked like this!”

 

Bronya looked the woman next to her up and down with a knowing gleam in her eyes, “No, you came along to sit in Mei’s lap.”

 

Kiana looked down at where she was perched comfortably on said priestess’s muscular thighs before shooting her friend a glare, “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

 

“I have several strong words I could use for what this has to do with.”

 

Kiana huffed indignantly, “Bratnya if you start hurling slurs again we have five priestesses here who can drag you to confessional.”

 

“The Temple of Finality doesn’t have confessionals, stupid Kaslana.”

 

“Alright are we gonna start or are you gonna bicker for the rest of the flight?” Grumbled Camellia, “I fail to see what Principal Seele sees in either of you.”

 

“Aww are you that eager to play games with us?” Kiana teased.

 

“N-no!” Camellia quickly denied, “I must simply show you the strength of a Kaslana through any avenue available.”

 

“You know,” Isabella began, shooting Mei a teasing smile, “When I first saw you two together, I thought Kiana was the clingy type. Turns out it’s Mei.”

 

Both girls in question looked down to where Mei had wrapped her arms comfortably around Kiana’s waist. Red quickly overtook their faces and a flustered Mei hastily slid to the side until Kiana fell to the couch with a small “oof!”.

 

“Isabella!” Kiana whined, “Look what you’ve done! There goes the comfiest seat in the house!”

 

“W-we’re not-” Mei stammered, “She’s not- I mean, it’s-”

 

“Awwww…” Caihong clapped her hands together and smiled gleefully, “You’re adorable when you’re flustered!”

 

Even Camellia snorted in amusement, “You’re not being very convincing, Miss Raiden.”

 

Mei fell silent and stared at her clenched fists in her lap as her embarrassment burned bright on her face.

 

“Y’all better leave the poor girl alone,” Sophia laughed, “Or else she’s gonna melt right into the floor.”

 

The sounds of the game kicked off as Bronya, Camellia, and Caihong started regardless of if Kiana was paying attention or not. Soon enough the room began to fill with their playful banter. Sophia and Isabella seemed content to simply grab a drink and observe while chatting with Cecilia, who had already obtained a cup of tea from… somewhere. Mei did not recall seeing her leave to get it. The environment of a friendly- if competitive- game seemed to melt some of the ice between Kiana and Camellia, the two even teaming up in an attempt to defeat Bronya as time went on. Until Kiana’s inevitable betrayal drew Camellia’s ire once more, at least. Mei had attempted to join the Moonbeams, and did indeed have a nice time meandering through topics with the three of them, but after a while she found herself missing Kiana’s comforting presence at her side. Eventually she could bear it no longer and returned to the other couch under fire from even more of Caihong and Isabella’s teasing.

 

After a few hours of chatting, taking turns playing games, and scrolling the ships catalogue of movies, Mei had excused herself from the room fully. While the Honkai energy pulsing through her body kept her from hunger, the lack of stimulation from sitting in that room for hours on end was beginning to get to her and eating a little something seemed like the next best thing she could do. This back section took advantage of the ship's width and stretched from wall to wall with a small seating area placed between the entrance and the kitchen proper. Mei claimed a stool at the bar table that sat against the wall. Flush against the wall as they were, windows had been installed to allow any occupants to catch the view as they travelled through the Herrscher of Wind’s domain. Mei had grabbed only a few snack foods. An apple and a couple granola bars. Nothing fancy, not even a real meal, but just enough to satisfy her craving.

She cast her gaze over the land below, the silver light of the full moon just beginning to brighten the land in place of the sun. The darkened room allowed the brightening silver of the outside world to shine beautifully, and Mei was loath to end this serene energy that permeated the air just for a little more light. Pieces of earlier conversations flitted through her mind, the backdrop of silver-lined clouds drifting past far below and the distant twinkling of stars the perfect invitation for her thoughts to wander.

 

“There’s… things about me I can’t tell you about yet. Important things. That’s why… I was afraid.”

 

Kiana’s confession echoed through her mind. A flame of satisfaction warmed her heart, that Kiana had trusted and respected her enough to speak her fears about their relationship out loud. Even now, after having hours to run their moment together through her mind, she did not regret anything. And that knowledge in and of itself filled her with a small sense of pride. While what she’d told Kiana was true, it was not always easy for her to be as confident and true to herself as she wished.

 

“It truly must be important to her if she is not willing to tell even her precious Mei.”

 

That voice again. The distinct thought appeared in her mind like it was her own. Yet she could not find a reason to reject it, and so merely hummed softly in agreement, “She’s done so much for me without a thought for herself,” Mei murmured to herself, “Even if she feels the need to keep secrets I am willing to put my trust in her.”

 

“You love sick fool.” Her own thoughts seemed to respond, “At least last time you fell for her it took a few months and my awakening. Yet here you are doing it again in a week.”

 

Mei frowned at the strange wording flitting through her thoughts. And yet she could not feel anything to suggest they were anything but her own thoughts. Despite feeling a bit silly responding to herself she asked, “What do you mean ‘again’?”

 

“Now that would be telling, my dear Mei.”

 

A mental sigh was her only response as she bit into her apple with no small amount of annoyance, “Why must you be so difficult?” She thought at herself a few moments later.

 

“I can’t do much except observe right now. So I might as well take pleasure in watching you flail about pathetically. You- wait.”

 

That ever present storm of emotion in the back of her mind pulsed in alarm. Her Honkai energy writhed under her skin in time with the shiver of fear that ran down her spine, as if recoiling from something. A reaction that nevertheless drew her inexorably forwards. It was like sensing movement in her peripheral vision. Try as she might to turn and bring it fully into view it would always slip away and forever sit as a shadow on the edge of her sight. She could tell something was there, but she couldn’t quite grasp its true shape or even what it truly was. Only that her instincts urged her to run.

 

A flash of something white out the window quickened her heart, even as she spotted nothing when she snapped her head towards the movement. A shiver passed down her entire body as the darkness of the kitchen seemed to stretch out and wrap around her in a blanket of increasing unease.

 

“Get down!” The thought blasted through her mind and Mei threw herself off the stool just as something flashed by the window once again and an unnatural shuddering vibrated through the entire ship.

 

“Mei!” Kiana appeared in the entrance to the room almost instantly.

 

“Kiana! Something’s wrong, I feel-”

 

Kiana leapt towards her right as a thunderous all consuming noise deafened her ears and a bright flash overtook her world. The last thing her overwhelmed senses could register was a flash of purple and desperate arms wrapping around her before everything blended together in an all consuming white noise.

 


 

Consciousness shot back to her with the jolt of tensing muscles. Eyes fluttered open, the world taking a moment to fully come into focus. The startling sensation of cold and rough soil beneath her cheek was only matched by the acrid smell of fuel and smoke. Her body ached, a dull pain in her chest as she slowly pushed herself up from this prone position she had found herself in. Dirt fell from her limbs with each movement, breath puffing from her lips as she strained to pull her arms beneath her body to prop herself up. Her thoughts were racing, but still she could not place how exactly she had ended up back on solid ground. Her mind was foggy, a disorientation from her awakening that was fought off with the grit of teeth and the sheer willpower to focus her mind. Violet eyes darted to and fro, head lifting to place her sight on the sources of the many sensations assaulting her senses.

Broken and shattered metal scattered the landscape around her. Pieces of flaming wreckage belched dark smoke into the silver-lit night. The telltale still figures clad in white and one in the dark colors of a Valkyrie- propped up against part of the wreckage- made clear she was not the only one that had fallen here. Spatterings of red upon parts of these white canvassed bodies sent another jolt through her body, this time of fear. The pained movements of her companions as they too awakened at least let her know they were alive. If she turned her eyes to the horizon, she could spot the rising of stone and earth obscuring the skyline she had expected. Mountains. Much closer than they should be with the short time they had been in the air.

 

“Miss Raiden,” Camellia’s weakened voice called out when she spotted her gaze upon her, “Are you alright?”

 

“I feel sore, but nothing feels broken,” Mei grunted as she shifted her limbs to make sure she still had their use. Camellia was just far enough away Mei could not easily tell her health, “Camellia, are you…?”

 

The Valkyrie groaned, “Kiana…”

 

Mei turned her head in the direction of Camellia’s gaze. Kiana and Bronya seemed no worse for wear, standing in the midst of their incapacitated comrades. Mei slowly lifted her gaze to her friends. Kiana and Bronya’s eyes remained upwards, eyes trained on the sky.

 

“Kiana,” Mei’s voice was weak, her mind still piecing itself back together after her sudden waking, “What happened?”

 

“Don’t push yourself, Mei,” Came the answer. Still Kiana’s eyes did not move, even as the others groaned and voiced their own disoriented questions, “We have a slight problem to take care of.”

 

“Now, insect, that is no way to address the arrival of your Queen, is it?”

 

Six pained pairs of eyes snapped to the sky as the otherworldly voice smugly descended towards them. Hovering in the sky and descending step by step was a girl clad in a dress of white and purple, feathered wings forming her skirt and four clawed tails extending down the back. Long purple hair floated and fanned out unnaturally behind her, the harsh gold of her eyes and all too pleased smile sending a shiver of fear through all present. She was older than in Mei's dreams. More wrinkles around her eyes, a more defined jaw, and lacking the baby fat cushioning the cheeks of her younger self. A young woman instead of the child she was so used to seeing. But that only made the murderous air around her even more terrifying.

Kiana stepped forward, slowly, each step holding an unseen unknowable weight, and glared up at the woman descending towards them. Her blue eyes lacked her usual sparkling cheerfulness, now hard and dulled with a bitter determination.

 

“Kiana, don’t!” Mei groaned. She knew all too well who it was before them. Even if she didn’t have those visions in her slumber, the hauntings of the Second Eruption still played within her memories.

 

Kiana paused only long enough to give the priestess a sad smile, “It’s okay, Mei. All of you just stay down and let yourselves recover. Leave this to me and Bronya.”

 

“Kiana, please…” Mei breathed, but either the girl didn’t hear her quiet pleas or chose to ignore them.

 

Kiana’s attention was locked onto the being before them, “Sirin. Long time no see,” Her voice echoed through the debris field.

 

Sirin gently alighted upon the ground a dozen meters or so away from them. She grinned at the white-haired girl and threw her arms wide as the draconic Honkai beast landed behind her and shook the ground with its bulk. Its body almost immediately began to dissolve into sparkling blue particles, its shape slowly disappearing. A girl with similarly draconic features and not much older than Sirin drifted to the ground from within the cloud of Honkai particles. She positioned herself just behind Sirin’s right shoulder. A being familiar to none of them but the two women now standing before her.

 

“Yes, my dear sister, it has been too long!” Sirin’s voice carried an undercurrent of malice that could not be hidden by the light and playful tone she was using, “It would be wrong of me not to come say hello after discovering your return!”

 

“Sister?” Camellia pressed a hand to her side and groaned in pain, but that did not lessen the confusion in her furrowed brow as her eyes darted between the standing women and her equally confused companions.

 

Sirin laughed, “Awww, did she not tell you?” Her face twisted into a furious sneer, “That’s okay, it wouldn’t be the first time she’s let down those who believed in her!” Her gaze slowly swung towards Mei, the priestess gritting her teeth against the terrifying psychic pressure that settled upon her like a massive foot pressing her into the ground, “And you…” She huffed out a short laugh, “I'd been wondering where you’d disappeared to the last few decades. Imagine my surprise when I learned you'd been in Arc City all this time.”

 

Invisible tendrils of Honkai energy stabbed into Mei’s mind. The priestess’s head dropped back against the soil as a blinding pain shot through her. Like the white-hot point of a fire poker, Sirin’s mind probed at her own. Malicious energy coiled around the gems in her chest, a terrible, constricting feeling that left her short of breath.

 

“Sirin!” Kiana shouted, “Leave her alone!”

 

“And miss whatever it is you three have been planning all this time?” She grinned, “I don’t think so. I thought I was a part of your precious family?” She continued mockingly, “You wouldn’t leave your dear older sister out of the loop, would you?”

 

The pain grew stronger and Mei instinctively attempted to flare her own Honkai energy, a resistance and desperate push to hold back the Herrscher enough to shield herself. It took only a moment to realize what a fruitless endeavor this was. Ultimately she would have failed, if not for the outside touch that gently wrapped around her. Like guiding hands helping her accomplish the impossible task of holding back the ocean's waves with her bare hands. Sirin’s invasion into her body and mind was pushed back, the Herrscher growling in annoyance when she realised what happened.

 

“That’s enough, Sirin.” The commanding, cold tone that echoed through the crash site was quite strange coming from the usually laid back and boisterous Kiana.

 

“Oh? Are you tired of hiding then, traitor?”

 

“Kiana…” Sophia had propped herself up against some wreckage and chanced a glance away from the Herrscher to shoot the girl a wary look, “What is she talking about?”

 

Kiana met her glance with a hesitant furrowing of her brows before tearing her gaze away without an answer. She glared up at the Herrscher, “If you want me, then you can have me, Sirin. But leave them out of this.”

 

“There’s only one reason you would come to this forgotten corner of the world,” Sirin sneered, “And you bring a Schicksal Valkyrie?!” A flash of purple and she was instantly in Kiana’s face. Sirin’s voice grew in volume until she was shouting with barely restrained fury, “You know what they did to me in that place! To us!” Sirin did not show even the slightest care as the mortals around her stirred more and more as they recovered.

 

Mei had gathered her wits and strength and fully pushed herself to her feet by this point. Perhaps she was simply lucky, or perhaps it was her gems, but she seemed to be the only other who had escaped completely unscathed. For now at least.

 

“That was a long time ago, Sirin,” Kiana said softly.

 

“And yet here you are chasing ghosts,” She growled. Sirin turned her back on the woman and took two steps away from her. Her next words came out softer. A hurt leaking through that gave even Mei pause, “You abandoned me. Just like everyone else.”

 

“Sirin, I-”

 

Sirin spun and cut Kiana off with a diagonal slash of her arm, anger once again overwhelming all, “Two centuries, Kiana!!”

 

“I didn’t have a choice!”

 

“Didn’t have a choice but to break the one promise we still had to each other?”

 

Kiana clenched her eyes shut, Sirin’s words striking their mark, “I tried to tell you, Sirin! But I… We weren’t prepared for what it truly meant to face it. Those two centuries were-” Kiana wavered, “So much was out of my control, I swear I-” Sirin stepped forwards and the sound of tearing flesh cut off whatever else Kiana wanted to say.

 

The stunned silence that befell the foot of the mountain lasted only for a moment before it shattered with a desperate cry.

 

“KIANA!!!!”

 

Mei didn’t think. Couldn’t think. There was a surge of Honkai energy and a crimson fury that roared through her veins. Her legs moved without her conscious input, her world became a blur and her ears echoed with the clap of thunder, and the next thing she knew her katana was pressing against Sirin's void lance. Vaguely she heard Isabella’s pleas for her to stop. That Sirin was too dangerous.

 

She didn’t care. The sight of Kiana stumbling back and collapsing to her knees with a lance protruding from her stomach overrode all.

 

The Herrscher grinned as she broke the bind and easily brought the back of her lance up to block Mei’s next swing, “This is pathetic. What happened to your strength? Did those gaps in your memory take your skill, too?”

 

“Shut up!” Mei roared. Lightning coursed through her body and across her blade as she swung again and again. Her katana bit deeper into the lance with each connection, her swings grew faster, more precise. Yet it was still not enough. Space warped strangely around her. Thrusts that should have connected distorted and bent around the Herrscher. Cuts she knew she had aimed true seemed to alter trajectory mid-swing. Attacks that weren’t turned aside were caught on lance after lance, Sirin merely summoning another whenever one became too damaged. Something deep within her roared in frustration and fury with each failed attack. Her expression was a picture of absolute vengeance, a protective all consuming rage like none she had ever felt before. This storm within her writhed and roared and the uncontrollable urge to lash out, to destroy, to conquer overtook her more and more. Sirin merely grinned wider with each futile attack. Vaguely, Mei registered Bronya locked in combat with the strange Honkai beast girl, but it was a brief lapse in her single minded assault before it fled from her thoughts once more. Another series of slashes, traded blows, parries, and near misses. When Sirin locked their weapons together in a clash once more she took a moment to observe the woman.

 

What she saw brought a laugh spilling from her lips, a sound that only further inflamed her opponent’s fury, “Those eyes…” Sirin grinned at the pink glaring back at her with a murderous hatred, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen those eyes. It feels good, doesn't it?” She taunted, “To give in to that anger. That hatred. It makes us powerful. There is a reason the other Herrschers fear me. Why I have lived this long despite the forces arrayed against me.” Her lips twisted into a snarl, “It’s because of all the Herrschers that wish for destruction, I hate humanity the most. I am the one with the will, the drive-” Mei’s feet slid against the dirt as the Herrscher’s sheer strength began to overcome her, “-the sheer unrelenting fury to take my revenge on every. Last. Soul. For what they did to me! For what they did to my sisters! To Bella! To you ! For everything Schicksal has done while the world stood by and watched!”

Sirin used the widened base of her lance to hook Mei’s katana and drag it down. The Priestess’s eyes widened as fingers closed around her throat faster than she could react and she was lifted from the ground with all the ease of picking up a feather, “Where is your Goddess?” An impossibly strong grip closed around her sword arm just in time to halt an attempted swing and bent her arm until the katana clattered to the ground, “Is she content to sit there and watch as I butcher her priestesses? Her precious Mei? What about you, Bronya?” She grinned and bodily shook Mei as she directed her attention to the girl. The Honkai beast girl almost immediately pulled back, “This must strike at your nostalgia, seeing us like this, hm? Not going to stop me? Are your beings so focused on attempting to tame the untamable that you can’t even spare enough power to stop little old me? Such a small piece of yourselves could barely hold back my spatial distortions,” She pointed to Cecilia, rapier held in a shaky hand and pointed at the Herrscher even as blood soaked the arm of her off-hand, “With how little of you is present here, would you even be able to stop me from pulling open a rift inside that pathetic human’s body?”

 

Isabella grimaced as she drew her sword from its sheath and its blade ignited in pink fire as she swung it into a readied position, “We won’t make it that easy for you, Void Queen.”

 

Sirin regarded the display with a cold disdain, “Priestesses,” She spat, “Not even Schicksal’s Valkyries can truly pose a threat to me, and you are even lesser than them.”

 

“L-Let-” Sirin’s attention immediately snapped to the voice. The head of white hair that had fallen still only a moment before now glared up at the Herrscher once more. Shaky hands wrapped around the lance embedded in her gut, “Let. Mei. Go.” Her breathing was heavy, but her eyes were sharp, focused. A swift jerk of her arms and the lance was freed from her body with the sickening squelch of flesh. Sirin watched with a satisfied smile as Kiana easily pushed herself to her feet. Pink stars glowed with a terrifying coldness within her blue irises.

 

“Come now, Kiana. Can’t a girl just have a little fun?”

 

The Kaslana did not bother replying with words. A beam of pure Honkai energy burst from the ground around the woman and stabbed into the sky. From the light emerged a white-clad figure. One that brought Mei both relief and despair. The light dissipated into a splash of sparkling Honkai particles. The Moonbeams who had struggled to their feet quickly dropped back to their knees. The eyes of the Herrscher of Finality were alight with power, her tattered dress flowing in a non-existent wind. The wound in her flesh was nowhere to be found.

 

“I won’t ask again, Sirin.” Her face was like stone. Cold, intense, and singularly focused.

 

Sirin shrugged and dropped Mei in a heap, “Finally revealing yourself? I’m touched. It would have been rather boring if I only got to kill that pathetically small piece of you.”

 

The Moon Goddess scowled. Reason having returned while within the Herrscher’s grip, Mei’s legs scraped against the ground as she hurried to push herself away. Kiana waited just long enough for Caihong to scramble forwards and drag Mei to safety before continuing, “Why are you doing this, Sirin? I understand you are angry but my realm is always open to you. You could have come to me whenever and I would have welcomed you.”

 

“It’s not about expressing my displeasure. As you said, I can do that at any time.” Rage burned in her eyes as she sneered, “Now it’s about punishing you! Bella, keep Bronya busy.”

 

Sirin threw her hand forward and clenched her fingers like a claw. Kiana disappeared in a swirl of purple just as the space around her distorted and collapsed violently. Another flash and she appeared within arms reach of the Void Queen. Her fist was already moving before she had even exited the portal. Honkai wreathed knuckles slammed into Sirin’s abdomen. The experience of watching such a terrifying entity’s eyes widen and her breath rush from her lungs as she was launched violently into a piece of wreckage behind her was… Well Mei wasn’t sure how to describe the myriad of emotions that flashed through her in that moment. Awe? Shock? Joy? She did not have time to ponder these things. She and Caihong seemed to be in the best shape, and so they began to quickly formulate a plan to make their way around the battles raging before them. Camellia was still separated from the others and in pain. If they could not fight, they could at least bring the woman to relative safety.

 

Kiana’s brows furrowed as she batted away more spatial distortions. More rifts bloomed to life above Sirin and a vicious rain of lances flew forth. The Herrscher of Finality darted through the gaps faster than the human eye could track, a sword appearing in her hand in a flash of golden light and carving through the lances as she passed. They were not truly a danger to her, but she could at least minimise the danger to the women behind her. It only took a few seconds to dash through the rain of spears. Her sword flashed again, this time carving a path towards Sirin herself. Sirin pulled up her arms as if to block a blow with the back of her forearms. Instead, a shield of Honkai energy bloomed to life before her. Kiana’s sword met this shield with a thunderous crash, Sirin allowing herself to float off the ground as the force of the blow pushed her back yet again. Yet despite this, the pleased grin never left her face.

 

“Yes!” Sirin laughed, “It has been too long since I’ve felt such strength! Wendy was no fun last time I wiped out one of the cities she showed patronage!”

 

Kiana merely exhaled sharply and launched herself towards her sister once more.

 


 

This turn of events was concerning to say the least. Bronya ducked under another blast of lightning and let Project Bunny lay down covering fire as she constructed another double-bladed spear in her hand and launched herself at Bella. The firefight quickly became a deadly dance, the Honkai beast’s arms wreathing themselves in lightning to form blades of her own. Bronya’s spear spun and sliced through the air with a deadly precision, batting away Bella’s attacks and always coming around with the other end to pressure her defense. Bronya was skilled, and this was not the first time she had clashed with Benares’s human form, but Sirin was right. This body was such a tiny fraction of her true power. Without drawing upon more it was possible she might actually lose to the dragon girl. A fact made evident when Bella briefly overpowered her and left a bloody slash down one of her arms. However, that was exactly the thing she and Kiana had been trying to avoid. Though no doubt Sirin and Bella knew this. There was no other reason to attack such a small piece of themselves like this.

 

Bella stabbed with both bladed arms, barely missing as Bronya lept to the side, “My Queen will have her revenge, and then it will be simple to crush you.”

 

“You know Kiana won’t go down that easily,” Bronya huffed, “Your only advantage is that we have more important things to take care of.”

 

“I do not remember the Herrscher of Reason being so arrogant.” Another clash and both women slid back from the force of their met blows.

 

“It’s not arrogance, it is fact. Or do you think your Queen’s quest for revenge outweighs the Will of Honkai?” Bronya readied her spear once more.

 

A light puff of smoke crackling with electricity billowed from Bella’s throat as she let out a heavy breath, “If you merely continue like this, you will fall. And then I will kill your friends in the time it takes your true form to travel here without that body present. My Queen can hold Kiana’s attention for long enough.”

 

Bronya clicked her tongue. Bella was so annoying when she was right. Perhaps a more pragmatic goddess would simply allow such small mortals to suffer in order to protect the larger goal. She knew it would be the logical choice, considering the forces arrayed against them from the void beyond even the Imaginary Tree. But the sight of Raiden Mei’s face twisted in pain was not a sight she ever wanted to see again. Let alone what allowing her friends to die would do to the woman. Innocents caught in the crossfire of godly ambition. Perhaps Kiana had rubbed off on her too much over their long friendship. Sirin knew all too well that Kiana would do anything to protect Mei. Bronya shrugged to herself mentally. Oh well. She would roll with the punches as always. Maybe it played right into Sirin's plan, but they would not let Mei die here. The consequences… well… She and Kiana would manage.

 

Bella paced in anticipation as Bronya’s form was overtaken by a bright light. Her silhouette became nothing but pure white for but a moment before it shattered and her clothing had transformed. A tsunami of new Honkai energy washed over the battlefield as the diminutive woman held her spear level with the Servant of the Void. She was now clad in a dress of sky blue and black, white leggings and accenting decorating her body. Armor of black and silver protected her limbs, the smooth curvature evoking a mechanical sleekness. A new machine had manifested itself around her. Two large sections of black and blue metal flanked Bronya as it hovered above her, a white connecting piece arcing behind her head and connecting the two larger pieces. The metal itself had the appearance of many connected parts coming together to form the whole, its smooth curves broken up by the additions breaking up the original silhouette with a more bulbous shape. Angular protrusions like aerial flaps extended from the back of the large sections and two from the white connecting piece. The blue light of thrusters beneath and behind lit up winged protrusions that extended from the sides of the pieces that flanked Bronya’s body. Long angular pieces jutted out like mechanical feathers, thrusters bright blue as the pieces swiveled and adjusted themselves to keep Bronya steady and hovering above the ground. A masterpiece of engineering.

 

Bronya glared down at Bella with a deadly calm, “If you insist on pushing me this far, then know this, Beast of the Void.” As she kept her spear level she held out her other arm perpendicular to her body and a blue angular pattering surrounded the limb. In only a moment her arm had been encased within one of the deadly plasma cannons that were a staple of the Herrscher of Reason’s arsenal, “Know that you face not the Herrscher of Reason. But the Herrscher of Truth. I am the full might of human ingenuity. Past, Present, and Future.”

 

Bella snarled, “Stop being so dramatic! This isn’t one of your goddamn anime, Bronya!”

 

Bronya fought back the urge to huff as Bella leapt to attack once more.

 


 

Mei wasn’t sure if it was right to be thankful for the destruction of their ship, but the wreckage gave her and Caihong excellent cover as they skirted around Kiana and Bronya’s duels. They darted from piece to piece, quickly gaining ground and closing in on Camellia as the two Goddesses pushed their foes back. Truthfully, she wasn’t that far away, but you couldn’t be too careful when Herrschers were involved.

 

Two Goddesses…

 

They had been close enough to hear Bronya’s declaration before she and the machine hovering around her rocketed forward at inhuman speeds. While she hadn’t wanted to admit her suspicions, she had found herself… unsurprised, when that pillar of Honkai energy had engulfed Kiana and the Herrscher of Finality had emerged. Shocked seeing her suspicions confirmed, certainly. Astonished that Bronya also harbored such a secret, most definitely. Though maybe she shouldn’t be, considering how close the two women are. Bronya’s closeness with Seele suddenly made even more sense. But the adrenaline coursing through her veins would not let her stop. She could not let this realization sink in. She could not hesitate. Not while her allies were in danger. A void lance pierced the slab of metal they had put in between them and the battle, the sharpened point coming dangerously close as they jumped away. The sound of Bronya’s gunfire and the crackle of Bella’s electricity snapping through the air lent speed to their steps, and only a few seconds later they slid to a stop on either side of the injured Valkyrie. A quick glance at their surroundings confirmed that the battle remained a relatively safe distance away and the other Moonbeams had regrouped within the wreckage. Isabella nodded to them, sword drawn and at the ready just in case.

 

Camellia was still pressing a hand against her side. The black and teal of her uniform made it hard to tell just how much she might be bleeding, but it was obvious she was in pain.

 

“Hey,” Caihong gently pulled at her hand, “Let me see.”

 

The Valkyrie hissed through her teeth as Caihong pulled up her uniform jacket, “I think I landed pretty bad.” She watched as Caihong almost immediately leaned down to look behind her body, “Just my luck, huh?”

 

“Mei,” Caihong called, “She fell onto some metal protruding from the wreckage.”

 

Mei tuned out Camellia’s miserable laugh, her heart dropping into her stomach, “Do we have anything to stop the bleeding if we pull her off?”

 

“Not unless you want to try making your fire burn hot enough to cauterize it. It’d take a while to search for what remains of our supplies even without three Herrschers going at it.”

 

Camellia gasped, her head lolling and words coming out in a slightly delirious tone, “Holy fuck Kiana’s the Moon Goddess.”

 

“Yep.” Was Caihong’s only reply.

 

Mei leaned down and studied the protruding metal, “If I can channel Finality’s flames down my blade I might be able to melt through this. She’s already lost so much blood.”

 

“So we’ll keep it in her until we can guarantee her safety on removal. Gotcha.” Caihong wrapped her arms protectively around Camellia, ready to support her bodyweight, “Alright, do it.”

 

It was simple to pull on the river of energy flowing through her. She had used her sword as a conduit for her power in training before. The question was, could she make it hot enough. Most of the transport was made of a reinforced alloy that usually put up impressive resistance against Honkai beasts. Though evidently it did not stand up well against Herrschers. Mei carefully slid her blade into the small gap between Camellia’s body and the wreckage she was leaned against. A flare of her energy and pink fire burst to life across her blade. Brows furrowed, focus channeled single-mindedly towards absolute control of these flames. She had managed to control a low heat back in the illusion of the Second Eruption. But how hot could she go? The flames flared brighter. The tongues of Honkai flames licked at the metal. Caihong gently pulled Camellia’s torso forwards to keep her away from as much of the heat as possible. Slowly, but surely, the metal heated.

Only a different problem then confronted them. The metal inside Camellia’s wound was heating up too. The woman hissed out that it burned, bringing a stop to Mei’s attempt. She locked eyes with Ciahong. The Priestess nodded and Mei stood to ready herself. It was dangerous, but possibly the only way to free Camellia while endangering her as little as possible. She needed to be quicker. Stronger. Flame and lightning both coursed down her blade. She raised her katana. The power of the Honkai roared through her body. Her senses honed, her muscles tensing with power, she could almost feel the sharp of her blade gleaming with anticipation.

 

She swung.

 


 

Kiana shrugged off another blast of Honkai crystal from Sirin. A spear flew close behind. One that Kiana caught with one hand and shattered with a quick clenching of her fist, “Enough, Sirin! I don’t want to fight you!”

 

“This isn’t about what you want, fool.” Sirin shot back, “This is about the gaze I can feel upon you now. About the punishment I have forced you to accept to protect your precious Mei,” Sirin’s voice grew quiet, but no less saturated with anger and pain, “I’ve gotten what I want.”

 

A blast of energy and Bella fell in a heap nearby. She pushed herself to her feet, failing to completely hide a pained grimace, and growled. The object of her hostility came to a stop next to Kiana, Bronya’s arm cannon remaining trained on the girl.

 

“That’s enough, Bella,” Sirin commanded, “It’s time to leave.”

 

Kiana and Bronya did not stop them as Sirin tore open a rift. One last glare, one last look of disdain, disappointment, hurt, hatred. Their figures disappeared into the void and the portal collapsed and vanished. The two remaining Herrschers shared a glance. Tired and resigned.

 

“That… could have gone better,” Kiana admitted.

 

Bronya rolled her eyes, “You’ve always had such a way with words.”

 

The two women cast their gaze back to their injured companions. Mei and Caihong were aiding Camellia in limping back over to the rest of them to regroup. Isabella had allowed herself to collapse against some wreckage now that the threat had passed. Cecilia was cradling an injured arm. Sophia seemed to be suffering the worst, with multiple splotches of red soaking into her uniform and her hands pressed against her abdomen and thigh. Kiana sighed, gauntleted hand brushing across her hair, “Alright, let's get back and help them before the chance is taken from us.”

 

Bronya nodded, “We don’t have much time. I can already feel the Will clawing at my defenses.”

 

Kiana paused just long enough to portal them back to their companions, “Don’t worry, Bronya,” She attempted a confident smile, “I’ll be taking the brunt of it. I really made it hate me.” She laughed, though it was an exhausted sound rather than the humor one might expect from the girl. Bronya quickly darted away, off to collect what remained of their supplies and rebuild what had been destroyed.

 

Isabella scrambled to get back to her feet as soon as they exited the portal, “My Lady, I-”

 

Kiana gently gestured for her to stay down, “It’s okay. I’ll… answer your questions later. I have little time left to help you, let me not waste it.” She knelt next to Sophia, locking eyes with Mei for just a moment as she and Caihong gently set Camellia down before tearing her eyes away. Sophia's condition seemed to have rapidly degraded over the course of the fight. A Herrscher's touch was needed.

 

“Sorry, My Lady,” Sophia mumbled weakly, “You tried to protect us but it looks like I couldn't stick the landing.”

 

“It's not your fault,” Kiana reassured her, “I should have expected Sirin to try something but she caught me unprepared and now all of you are suffering for it. I should be the one apologizing.”

 

Kiana placed a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder. From her palm a green light gently flickered to life. From this light, tendrils like a light fog or mist extended outwards along Sophia's body. The woman breathed deep as this refreshing vapor of life stitched closed the wounds of her flesh and reinvigorated her spirit. Kiana remained there, allowing these vapors to expand outwards. Regrouped as they were, it was a simple matter for it to reach the others. As the healing tendrils inched up Camellia's body, Caihong counted to three before pulling the shard of metal from her body. The Valkyrie's shout of pain was short lived, the healing vapors soothing her nerves and rebuilding flesh and blood. Cecilia, too, found her wounded arm quickly regaining usefulness. They stretched through all, even the less injured like Caihong and Mei.

 

The glow slowly faded from Kiana's palm. She stood, a small bashfulness flashing across her face at the thanks she received from her priestesses, “I'm just doing what I should,” She said in an attempt to brush off the praise.

 

The whine of Bronya's engines wound down as she reapproached the group dragging what salvage she could find behind her, “Here. I found some of our supplies undamaged,” she gestured at the pile and angular glitch-like patterns appeared in the air and within seconds several more boxes were formed from the light, “This should suffice for the rest. Now lets- Hng!” Bronya froze in place and pressed a hand to her head as if attempting to assuage a headache.

 

Mei was on her feet in a flash, “Bronya! What's wrong?!” The sound of something hitting the dirt behind her made her whirl, only to find Kiana had dropped to one knee. Horrifyingly, the angular pink veins of Honkai corruption marred the skin around her eye and seemed to be slowly spreading further down the right side of her body,  “Kiana?!”

 

Bronya's mechanical wings began to fail, dissipating into blue particles as her feet found soil once more. The girl managed to force her legs to move just enough to collapse to her knees next to Kiana. They both looked up at their companions with resigned smiles, Kiana taking Bronya's hand and squeezing it tight. Project bunny hovered over Bronya protectively, the robot's expressionless face somehow still communicating a helpless despair.

 

“It's okay, Mei.” Kiana wheezed as if the very act of breathing pained her, “It's just time for Sirin to get what she wanted. I'm- Afraid-” She began to breathe heavily between each word, a terrible laborious sound that drove a horrified concern deep into the hearts of all present, “-We'll- Have to- Burden you- A bit- Longer.”

 

The Priestesses of Finality and Valkyrie of Schicksal watched on in horror as the Herrscher of Finality doubled over and grit her teeth to muffle a groan of pain. Bronya, too, hissed and clenched her eyes. Her arms hugged tight to her body like applying pressure to a wound, though it did not seem to lessen this new pain in the slightest.

 

A line from Kiana’s brow, to between her eye and nose, and down her cheek cracked open like porcelain. In the wound stars shone within a shimmering amethyst void, just like her dress and Honkai stained hands. Another crack appeared down her arm. Then another. Then her other arm. Then a line right down her chest where her sternum would be.

 

The Herrscher of Finality pressed a hand to her chest as if she could physically hold herself together before falling to the floor with such a frighteningly intense scream of pain it would haunt the observers’ dreams for years to come.

Notes:

And here we are, the promised second half! Unfortunately for Mei, when you're a lesbian having a good time in the world of Honkai, that means something terrible is about to happen to you. But hey, at least we get more Sirin out of it, right? ;3 I've been waiting to do this for a while tbh, beginning to edge more into what exactly Kiana and Bronya are dealing with involving the Will of Honkai, because I do have the whole situation there planned out, it's just that it's info Kiana doesn't want to tell anyone just yet so the full story will remain in the dark for a bit still (if Kiana gets what she wants, at least). Sirin ofc is not happy about this one bit, but knows enough from her own dealings with the WoH as a Herrscher to use it against Kiana for a percieved slight. What will happen now that Kiana and Bronya are having difficulties? Well looks like Mei has ended up in the strange circumstance of having to haul her Goddess through Honkai infested mountains, oh joy! I'm sure this won't lead to more life threatening situations and intimate conversations between her and her brand new godly situationship! :3

Chapter 13: Into The Mountains

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“Camellia on your left!”

 

The Valkyrie's spear lashed out at the Archangels attempting to flank them, spearpoint honed by Schicksal technology easily piercing the chitinous armor of the small Honkai beasts. The staccato of Sophia's pistol fire and the roar of Project Bunny's cannon accompanied each strike, the women fending off wave after wave of these airborne manifestations of the Honkai. Cecilia had left a disintegrating trail of her own foes as she carved a path towards the base of the mountains.

Each breath came heavy as Mei rushed to follow close behind her. Every step seemed to draw another hiss of pain from the Herrscher whose arm was slung over her shoulders, but still they forged on. Isabella was close behind, a salvaged cargo sled from what remained of their airship carrying precious supplies as its hover tech glided over the ever rockier ground. Bronya was perched precariously within the shelter of large cargo boxes, the Herrscher curled up in pain and writhing as forces unseen assaulted her body and mind. Project Bunny stuck close to Isabella, determined to protect the Herrscher.

For her part, Mei had been unsure at first about pulling Kiana along like this. The terrifying cracks and Honkai corruption that had appeared along her skin had filled her mind with a fear of accidentally snapping the woman's arm off, splitting apart as she appeared to be. However, the roar of an incoming horde of Honkai beasts had given them little option but to grab what they could and flee.

 

“Sophia!” Isabella yelled. The woman valiantly attempted to stay a steady course, even as she sprinted full speed to stay ahead of attacks from the Honkai beasts, “Get these Knights off my ass!”

 

Dexterous fingers snatched a palm sized cylinder of Honkai off her belt. A quick pull of a pin and the Honkai powered grenade flew through the air and exploded just far enough away that Isabella and Bunny were not caught in the blast.

 

The woman looked like she had a few choice words for her ally but choked them down in favor of continuing to run.

 

It didn’t take much longer until the flat dirt and dead underbrush of the corrupted land they had crashed in began to give way to rockier, more treacherous terrain as the Honkai beasts pushed them into the mountains. These mountains had been their objective regardless, but Mei would have greatly preferred not entering them at full speed and under attack. Every once in a while Kiana’s cracked body would glow from her wounds. A pulse that coincided with the woman stumbling and failing to bite back another groan of pain. Precious seconds lost. More ground gained by the Honkai.

 

“Fuck!” Kiana yelled through her labored breathing, “Mei, turn us around!”

 

The priestess eyed her Goddess incredulously, “What?!”

 

The land slanted upwards and the women were forced to scramble up dubiously stable ground, no time to slow down or consider the best path. Caihong had jumped back and slid down the incline to give Isabella’s cargo the extra push it needed to stay ahead. If the sled had not been equipped with hover tech their situation would be dire indeed. The constant retort of pistol fire was only broken up by Sophia’s announcement that she was going to run out of ammo if they kept on like this. Project Bunny continued to prove a godsend, its clawed hand and cannon batting away Honkai beasts and blasting them to bits, buying Isabella and Caihong precious time.

 

“Just get us up that incline and then do it!” Kiana growled through the pain.

 

As soon as her foot hit the top, Mei bodily swung them both around. A small flash of light from Kiana’s palm and the woman now held an elegantly crafted white double-barreled pistol in her free hand. The barrels began with a black color near the rear and faded into the amethyst of Honkai at the end of the barrels, the gradient an obvious tell of what powered the weapon. Kiana raised a shaky arm and squeezed the trigger. The resulting blast disintegrated every Honkai beast nipping at their heels. The recoil threw Kiana’s arm back with a yelp of pain, and Mei found herself once again worrying that the woman might start completely coming apart at the seams. A writhing sea of white and pink would soon reach the incline and begin surging up towards them. They didn’t have much time, even as Project Bunny gave the sled an extra push over the incline. Before Mei could decide it was better to keep running, Kiana shifted her aim. The next blast shook the mountainside, stone and dirt shaken from their settled foundations and sent tumbling down in a wave of death. Both towards the Honkai, and towards themselves.

 

The pistol disappeared from her hand, “Run!” Kiana croaked.

 

Mei didn’t need to be told twice. She called upon her gems, allowing even more Honkai energy to roar through her exhausted body as she dipped low and wrapped an arm behind Kiana's knees to pull her up into a bridal carry.

 

The others had kept running and now Mei found herself playing catch up. Lugging her injured Goddess along through unknown mountains had not been on her list of things to expect in this strange place, but it was a task she took to with fervor. Her Honkai energy seemed to writhe with a restless excitement as it surged through her body. Sparks of purple lightning jumped across her skin as she chased after her companions with an inhuman strength and agility. Her gems might be the only reason she had been able to keep up this long, Kiana hanging off her shoulder most of the way. Now taking her full weight distributed across both arms, the Herrscher was surprisingly light. Or maybe that was because of her own Honkai energy boosting her physicality? Either way the way was treacherous, not only because of the loose rock and uneven terrain, but there was also the constant threat of her exhausted mind succumbing to the strain of controlling her Honkai energy.

Their path led them through a narrow trail through the rock just big enough for the sled to comfortably fit, the pebbles and other debris strewn between larger boulders suggesting a route carved by water. Not the best entrance, but the Honkai beasts weren’t about to slow down and allow them their choice. The deafening rumble and crash of stone against stone vibrated loose rocks along the path, making their quick retreat even more treacherous. Several times Mei’s foot would land on a rock only for it to shift dangerously as it took her weight. Somehow (she really didn’t know if she was lucky or Kiana was aiding her in some way) she managed to avoid rolling her ankle or otherwise stumbling. The shrieks of Honkai beasts as they were crushed under the landslide hounded her retreat.

Sophia had taken up the rear with Project Bunny, protecting Isabella and Caihong’s backs while Camellia and Cecilia continued to blaze the path forwards. Fortunately the rockslide seemed to have scared off even the flying Honkai beasts, for Cecilia no longer left a trail of corpses behind her. Her companions killed the remaining Archangels nearby only for the rest of the flock to retreat back where they came. Their screeches gradually ceased echoing off the mountainsides around them. The further along this long dried streambed they travelled, the more it widened until they were no longer forced to move in such a narrow formation. The sound of shoes clacking against solid stone and large rocks soon began to shift to the harsh crunch of pebbles and gravel. Mei did not know how long they kept moving, always unsure if more Honkai beasts would leap from the shadows of the mountain slopes above them. Mei’s muscles screamed for rest, no doubt the others were even more exhausted than she, with her gems aiding her every exertion. Kiana had slowly grown more and more limp as they ran, Mei chancing a glance to the Herrscher every so often only to eventually be greeted with closed eyes and a limp Herrscher. She quickly shifted Kiana's body so her head was resting more comfortably against her shoulder.

Her body’s salvation came with the sighting of hair-like blades of grass.  The mountains around them opened up into a much wider- though still relatively small- valley. The streambed they had been following travelled onwards to join a similarly dry, and much larger, riverbed. The banks were covered in a light scattering of trees and bush, grass providing a much welcome respite from the hard stone against their feet as they stumbled up the embankment. The vegetation ran back until the mountain rose up at sharp angles again, providing plenty of space for a group of travellers run ragged. Though truly, run ragged was far too simple of a term to describe just how exhausted Camellia and the Moonbeams looked after what was probably hours of pushing themselves to the absolute limit. The physical enhancement of their uniforms and a Valkyrie battlesuit only went so far, after all. They spent only a few more minutes finding a suitable spot shielded by the trees but not too dense with vegetation to claim as their own temporary resting place. One minute. Two.

When it appeared they had truly escaped their pursuers, the entire group sagged in relief. Isabella pushed the cargo sled into the center of the space and turned off the engines keeping it afloat. Its gentle thud against the grassy ground coincided with the woman collapsing to her knees and propping herself up against the boxes. The others followed suit soon after, groans of relief and exhaustion filling their ears as the trees accepted their tired forms. Mei carefully set Kiana down against a tree, removing her jacket and folding it to serve as a cushion between the girl's head and the rough bark of the tree. The air had a notable chill to it, but not enough that Mei would say she was cold. The scent of grass and soil filled her nose with each breath, a welcoming change from the fuel of the crash sight or dust of the plains.

 

“You know,” Isabella began, chest heaving as she attempted to catch her breath, “There’s a lot of challenges in life I would gladly face again and again in the name of humanity and the Moon Goddess,” Her eyes flicked to the groaning Kiana being tended to by Mei, “But I never want to do this again.”

 

Caihong stumbled past and lowered herself to the ground, rolling onto her back and splaying out spread eagled with an exhausted puff of breath, “I don’t think we’ve ever pushed our Honkai energy this far,” She gasped. Her head popped up just enough to bring the others into view, “What about you, Mei? How’re you holding up?”

 

Mei stared at her will dulled, unamused eyes for several seconds, just long enough to reign in the deluge of energy writhing just under her skin, before she sighed and let her head lean against the tree she had knelt next to, “Exhausted. I suppose if we had to go further I could, but I would much rather not.”

 

Sophia groaned, “I don’t think I could go further even if I wanted to.”

 

A head of grey hair popped up from the cargo sled, similarly grey eyes quickly finding the still sentry that was Project Bunny. Bronya slid off the sled with a groan of pain and gave Bunny a sincere thanks and a pat on the arm before sliding to the ground next to Caihong. Bronya winced in pain, her own body beginning to show the same strange ethereal cracks as Kiana. They weren't nearly as numerous or gaping as Kiana's, but it was apparent they were still extremely painful. Like something was trying to claw away her corporeal form. Bronya kept her eyes locked onto the night sky framed by the sparse canopy above as she spoke, “Kiana would be proud to have priestesses such as you if she had the capacity to focus on much else right now.”

 

As if in response, Kiana whimpered in pain and scraped her heels along the ground like the movement might assuage it some. Eyes clenched shut, her brow tense and pulled down, and skin shining with sweat as she fought against… something. Mei watched for a few difficult moments before she pushed herself to her feet. Weary legs plodded over to their cargo. She couldn't let herself rest. Not yet. Not when the terrifying weight of tonight's revelations hovered on the edge of her mind, waiting for her to relax and allow it to sink in.

 

While Mei rifled through the boxes and began organizing the chaotic mess of its contents, she cast a glance at the spread eagled duo next to her, “Lady of Reason… What exactly is happening to you two?”

 

Bronya swung her hand in a dismissive motion, failing to hold back the wince it brought to her face, “We don't need the titles here, Mei. I'm still just Bronya. Kiana would say the same.” She let her arm flop back to the grass. Her gray eyes remained searching the starry sky as she took a moment to compose her thoughts, “Do any of you know of the entity called the Will of Honkai?”

 

There was a chorus of concerned negatives from the others. Mei merely pursed her lips and nodded, drawing the gaze of all her companions, “Seele took me deep into St. Freya's holographic archives beneath the church.” She began.

 

Bronya raised a curious eyebrow, “I'm surprised that place was maintained long enough for Seele to take over its care.”

 

Mei nodded slowly, her eyes darting over to Camellia who had leaned forward with interest. Confusion and wonder lined her face as Mei continued, “The entrance is still a massive chamber emblazoned with the ancient crests of Schicksal's three great houses. Seele said… the holographic chamber had been upgraded with the aid of the Herrscher of Sentience by a previous principal. Indeed, when I activated it as she instructed, I felt some foreign presence crawl through my mind.”

 

Bronya let out a pained chuckle, “I’d love to meet whoever convinced Senti to help with something like that.” Her eyes trailed down and took a moment to observe the distraught expression that had settled over her friend’s face. She pushed herself up, leaning back on her hands so she could better meet Mei’s eyes, “What did Seele want you to see?”

 

Mei’s breath stuttered as she breathed deep of the chill night air, “She said it was a history whose records were created through the use of the Herrscher of Sentience’s power to build the archive from the very memories of its survivors. The second eruption, she called it.”

 

“Ah.” Bronya sighed softly, “So that’s why Kiana was such a mess the next day.”

 

Mei winced, “Yes she… kinda pulled me out of the illusion when she realized what Seele was doing. But I saw enough, I think.”

 

Bronya sighed again, with a notable undercurrent of disappointment. Her gaze shifted to the white-haired woman, Kiana still writhing against the earth with wounds pulsing unnaturally, “I’d hoped she’d learned to let up on herself a bit, but it seems not.”

 

“Wait,” Camellia called out, “The second eruption? I’ve never heard such a term in reference to a Herrscher’s eruption before. Why would the Herrscher of Finality want it kept a secret?”

 

“Not a secret, per se,” Bronya answered, “I can’t give you all the details, unfortunately. There’s… a lot of things about herself that should be left to her to reveal if she wishes. Regardless, we can talk about the second eruption itself.” Bronya’s piercing gaze met Mei’s with a knowing nod of her head.

 

Isabella frowned, “What did you see, Mei?”

 

“Sirin,” Mei answered simply. She allowed this to sink in for a moment, those memories twisting in the back of her mind coming back to the forefront at her call. She pulled away from the cargo, no longer able to focus on her busywork, “I saw… Her origin,” Mei’s voice was soft, a part of her still unbelieving at the sights she had seen even as she accepted the truth of them, “A battered and broken girl used as a lab rat in a Schicksal laboratory. One of the few survivors. I… I spoke to her. The illusion created by Sentience was so real, it was like I was living through it myself. She was so… so bitter and angry and hateful even at our first meeting, rescuing her from that cell. But the more I learned of how Schicksal treated them, as nothing more than disposable tools to die in the name of progressing their research, the less I could fault her for seizing the power the Honkai offered her.” Mei shook her head slowly, the empathetic anger she had felt within the illusion flaring up within her heart, “When she attacked us tonight, I… I couldn’t help but still see some of that broken girl in her. The girl I rescued in an illusory world, dressed in nothing but rags and bandages. A girl who so desperately latched onto the power to escape the fate that had befallen her friends. Back in the illusion, I could feel something resonating with my own Honkai energy…” She raised her hand before her eyes and slowly clenched and unclenched her fist as the memory of that presence whispering in her mind shivered through her body, “Something was guiding her. It brought her to a site that contained an other dimensional space saturated with incredible amounts of Honkai energy. A voice that I could hear in my own mind. It made my skin crawl… the way it pushed Sirin to embrace her hatred for humanity. Convinced her no one cared about her. To focus all her being on taking revenge for her fallen friends. To punish all of humanity for their complacency in the face of Schicksal’s atrocities. I tried to convince her otherwise, but I failed miserably and could only watch as she transformed from that broken girl into the Herrscher of the Void.”

 

“Transformed?” Isabella whispered softly, “From what you’re telling us, Sirin was originally just a human girl? How is this possible?”

 

Mei nodded, unsure what else she could say.

 

Bronya’s lips curved upwards ever so slightly, “It’s been so long humanity has forgotten, but nearly every Herrscher was born from a human vessel.” She gestured to herself and Kiana, “Take us for example. We might not look it now, but Kiana and I were Schicksal Valkyries before our paths led to us awakening as Herrschers.”

 

“What?!” Camellia was the first to express a sharp disbelief.

 

“That’s…” Caihong finally pushed herself up as well, “I’d say that’s unbelievable except we’ve already learned tonight that Mei somehow unknowingly befriended two Herrschers.”

 

“Three,” Mei corrected with a tired sigh, “Seele, the principal of St. Freya, is the Herrscher of Rebirth.”

 

Camellia and Sophia fell back against their respective trees, the truth of Mei’s words slowly sinking in. The Valkyrie’s eyes were wide and she held her head as she processed this information, “What… I- N-no… No no no that makes too much sense!” She looked up at Mei with wide eyes, “You mean I’ve not only been insulting the Herrscher of Finality for the last several days, but the Herrschers of Rebirth and Reason have been watching me do it the entire time?!”

 

“I am… afraid so,” Mei winced.

 

Sophia eyed her fellow priestess, “Mei… did you know? Before tonight?”

 

She shook her head, “I had my suspicions. I spoke to the Herrscher of Finality in person three times, and each time she was remarkably similar to Kiana both in appearance and her way of speaking. But I never had any concrete proof.”

 

“Back to my original question,” Bronya cut in, “What you heard, Mei, was the Will of Honkai. Or Sirin’s memory of it, at least. The gestalt consciousness that directs all Honkai. It is that which spreads its influence throughout worlds and dimensions, an ever hateful force of destruction. It is… something Kiana and I have learned how to hold back. To a degree, at least. It has taken the effort of multiple Herrschers to shield this world from suffering more of its influence than it already does and even then…” She gestured to herself, “You can see what happens when we have to direct our attention elsewhere while its gaze is upon us.”

 

Sophia hummed in understanding, “So what’s happening to you is a… psychic attack from this Will of Honkai?”

 

Bronya nodded, “Herrschers will always be connected to it in some way whether we like it or not. Herrscher cores are a reflection of its Will projected into our dimension. A mere piece of its power. But the three- Kiana and I faced it directly in the void between worlds.” Bronya’s eyes flicked to Mei, but if the woman had noticed her stumble, she was too tired to show it, “I learned how to evolve the Core of Reason into Truth, becoming even greater than I was. Kiana… while she did obtain the power of Finality, it was at a great cost. The Will of Honkai had already selected her to become Finality, the greatest Herrscher of us all and one with the power to devour entire worlds with barely an effort, but when Kiana resisted this final will and it saw her intent to use that power for humanity…” Bronya grimaced, “Finality is the purest form of the Will of Honkai’s power projected into other realms. She is a Herrscher, but at the same time fundamentally different from the rest of us. The closest to the Will of Honkai itself. To have this carefully selected extension of its will turn against it? Well, let's just say the pain we’re in now would probably kill any of you, but it pales in comparison to our resulting struggle against such an indomitable will.” Such a statement hung in the air like a tangible cloud of dread.

Bronya pushed herself to her feet with a small grunt of pain, “Alright, more questions can wait for the morning I think.” She pulled open one of the boxes and rifled through its contents, “There should be camping equipment somewhere.” She continued for a few more seconds before suddenly recoiling with a hiss and clamped a hand to her side, where one of the strange wounds was.

 

Mei was at her side before the others could even attempt to stand, “Bronya! It’s okay, let me handle it.”

 

Bronya looked as if she wanted to argue, but after a moment merely nodded her head and slowly shuffled away to collapse again. This time next to Kiana. Project Bunny moved to hover protectively over them, mechanical visor constantly scanning the surroundings for unwanted surprises.

 

Isabella grunted as she too pushed herself to her feet, “Alright, guess we should get off our asses and help Mei set everything up so we can get some sleep.”

 

The mention of sleep got everybody- albeit reluctantly- climbing to their feet once more, despite the heavy cloud Bronya’s words had left over them. One last bit of work and they could finally rest.

 


 

Mei stared at the ceiling of the small tent with no small amount of exhaustion, resigned to the thoughts now running through her head. The built-in cushioning the sleeping bag had for her head was a small comfort after today. Her feet were eternally grateful to be free from her shoes, though she found herself wishing the river had been awash with cool water so she could have tried to wash off the dirt and sweat from her skin. At least her uniform wasn't so uncomfortable it would hamper her sleep. The sound of Kiana’s soft breathing was only disturbed by her continued groans of pain as she tossed and turned in the sleeping bag beside her. Bronya had only been able to reconstruct enough tents for the group to share two to a tent before whatever the Will of Honkai was doing had taken hold of the Herrschers. Said tents were then arranged around a central area they cleared for a small fire pit, far enough away to be safe from stray cinders, and far enough apart from the other tents that one was just barely unable to make out murmurs within. Though if anyone raised their voice whether it was talking louder or a shout, the others would hear. It wouldn't do to be so far apart they couldn't jump to each other's defence if they were attacked, after all. They had rather easily split into pairs- Camellia with Bronya, Isabella with Caihong, and Sophia with Cecilia- though Mei was a bit concerned that her companions seemed to have unanimously decided she would be paired with the Herrscher of Finality.

The Herrscher of Finality… she supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. The signs were all there after all, and yet… A piece of her heart still twisted with hurt. She understood why Kiana must have felt the need to hide her identity, of course, they would have drawn way too much attention if the Herrscher of Finality was just walking around in public. But… even after the conversations the Goddess had with her, was she still considered that untrustworthy? That was always the question, wasn’t it? Why ? Why was she so evasive? Why was she so secretive? Why did Kiana favor her so much? Why did she see her in her dreams? Why did her heart ache so whenever she did? Yet Kiana seemed determined to leave her in the dark.

Perhaps she shouldn’t be complaining. Kiana still aided her greatly and even without that it was still a fact that Mei had greatly enjoyed her friendship. Who knew what else a Goddess could be dealing with that would cause these behaviours? Well, Bronya had cleared some of that up, actually.

 

She turned and her eyes fell on the shivering form next to her, Kiana’s face still twisted in a tortured grimace, “I can only imagine what you have suffered to protect us all,” She whispered, “And even that is so frightening I don’t dare dwell on it for too long.” She was still for several heartbeats, “I have dedicated my life to you. Your worship. Your divine duty to protect humanity from the Honkai. Such an incredible figure that seemed so far out of reach, so much greater than the rest of us. Only for me to meet you and find you're so much more… human… than I could have ever believed. What kind of fate leads a normal girl to become a God, I wonder?” 

Her eyes traced the lines on the Herrschers face. The way one eyebrow tilted downwards just a bit more than the other when she pinched her brows together. The lines around her eyes and the curve of her frowning lips. The wrinkles in her brow seemed to hint at the unspeakable burdens the woman held close, unwilling to let others be crushed under such weight. The glow of her ethereal wounds cast sharp shadows over her face, highlighting a small nick in the side of her upper lip and the slight textures of long-healed scars. So much history kept in such small details, “Though it is frightening to consider, seeing you like this I can't help but wonder… What exactly have you endured for us all these years?” Mei murmured.

 

Kiana didn’t respond. As expected. She had been unconscious since before they had found their little camping spot after all. Her eyes followed the curves of her pale bangs around her face. They were messy and sticking to her skin from the sweat and constant tossing and turning. Again something deep within her welled up with an irresistible urge to reach out and comfort the woman. It seemed to be a theme with the Herrschers she had met so far that they weren’t particularly interested in being treated like a god. Perhaps then… she wouldn’t mind even now? Her hand was already stretched halfway across the short distance between them by the time this thought passed through her mind. Fingertips brushed against clammy skin, the priestess brushing the damp hair out of her Goddess’s face with an unmatched reverence. Not that the Herrscher would ever admit such a thing out loud if she had been awake. The woman’s head was still nestled into her jacket, a bit of extra padding she gladly sacrificed to help Kiana be even a little more comfortable. The devotion of a priestess? Probably. The kindness of a friend, most certainly.

Mei’s hand passed over Kiana’s face once more as she fussed over her hair. Her hand brushed loose strands behind her ear, and as it moved it revealed the gleaming pink stars now staring back at her in the darkness. Mei’s heart dropped into her stomach as the sudden glow of the Herrscher’s eyes nearly made her jump out of her skin.

 

“I'm sorry, Mei…” She whispered.

 

Mei looked back in confusion, “Sorry for what?”

 

“I’m sorry…” Kiana didn’t seem to hear her. A violent shiver ran down her body, “I’m so sorry…”

 

“Kiana, what is it?” She dropped her hand from her ear, now cupping the woman’s cheek in what she hoped was a comforting gesture to the seemingly delirious Herrscher. Hidden by the shadows cast over her face, Mei was not expecting the wet sensation that met her thumb as it stroked back and forth on Kiana’s cheek.

 

“It was so much stronger than I ever imagined. I couldn’t… I-” Kiana curled in on herself, still shaking, and growled against the pain, “You can’t make me,” She hissed, “I can’t… I won’t ! I won’t. I was too weak, Mei. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry-”

 

Mei watched with helpless horror as Kiana curled into a ball, incoherent mumbles spilling from her lips as she continued to apologize ceaselessly. Mei shifted herself closer and continued to brush her thumb back and forth against her cheek, a hesitation to her movements as she attempted to parse the broken mumbles, “Kiana,” Her words came gently, a light and encouraging tone hopeful in its reach towards the Herrscher, “You have nothing to apologize for. You saved us. We’re here now, and we will accomplish our mission. I know it.”

 

She slowly withdrew her arm, only for Honkai stained hands to shoot from within the sleeping bag and clasp her retreating hand. Softly glowing eyes peered at her with a focus that belied the woman’s strange state of mind, “You can’t let it happen again,” Her voice was quiet, but carried with it a desperate intensity, “You can’t. Promise me, Mei. Promise me if it- If I-”

 

“Promise you what, Kiana? What is it?” She whispered encouragingly.

 

Kiana’s hands tightened around Mei’s. Her breathing was labored, arms shaking even as her eyes never left Mei’s, “Don’t let it-” Her voice fell so quiet Mei had to strain to hear her final terrible, but mystifying words, “Don’t let it use me again… I-I can’t- not again…”

 

Mei spent several minutes attempting to coax an explanation out of the Herrscher, but Kiana’s condition deteriorated until she could do nothing but apologize and cry. Mei would remain holding her hands for the rest of the night.

 


 

Camellia twirled a small piece of her hair around her finger, stern gaze firmly locked onto Bronya as the Herrscher slowly climbed into the sleeping bag next to her. Bronya grimaced in pain as she made herself comfortable, the inside of the bag lighting up with the soft light of her pulsing wounds. Bronya simply stared at the ceiling of the tent for several minutes before her steely grey eyes slid to the exhausted, fidgeting Valkyrie.

 

“You did good today, Kaslana,” She said quietly.

 

Camellia’s eyes narrowed, “Are you patronising me? When it really mattered, I did nothing but get impaled on debris and be rescued by Mei and Caihong.”

 

“Not everyone takes so well to getting stabbed, you know.” The way Bronya’s lips curved upwards ever so slightly was just barely visible in the dim light, “And besides, after the whole incident with Sirin you and Sophia kept all those Archangels off of us literally for hours.”

 

“I’m an A-Rank Schicksal Valkyrie, if I can’t handle some Archangels then what am I even doing here? It is my duty to combat the Honkai, and I have long ensured I am capable of the task set before me.”

 

Bronya rolled her eyes, “Sheesh, you certainly take a compliment about as well as Durandal.”

 

Camellia fell silent for a moment. Her eyes fell hesitantly for several seconds before they found their way back to the grey still staring back at her, “I apologize, My Lady. I let my emotions get the better of me.”

 

“Pfft,” Bronya exhaled in amusement, “I’ll tell you what I told Mei. You don’t need to hold to any titles with me nor Kiana. We might be Herrschers but we’re also still just the girls you met back at St. Freya.”

 

“R-right, of course, uh, Bronya.” The two lapsed back into silence. A few minutes later Camellia’s hesitant voice broke the silence once more, “What is she like?”

 

“Durandal?”

 

Camellia nodded slowly, as if afraid showing too much eagerness might dissuade Bronya from answering her.

 

Bronya turned to face the woman, eyes softening as she recalled memories made so long ago, “My first impression was she’s a skilled, intense, no-nonsense, dense brick of a woman with a stick up her ass so large that it could probably reach the moon.”

 

Camellia pushed herself up to glare down at the Herrscher with an offended scowl across her face, “Hey! Don’t just-”

 

“But!” Bronya interrupted her, “Once I got to know her better I discovered she was also incredibly kind, that her forthrightness was out of respect for those around her, and that behind the role that was ‘Durandal’, Bianka Ataegina was also a well meaning dork who could be a great blessing or a great curse depending on whether or not she was currently in your kitchen.”

 

Camellia settled back down, mulling over Bronya’s words, “It’s so different from everything we’re taught… Instead of her grand accomplishments and unmatched martial ability you make her sound so… human. Her first name… I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”

 

“Well, she was human,” Bronya replied, “And I think she’d be okay with me telling you her name. You’re her family, after all.” Bronya’s eyes crinkled slightly as she smiled softly, genuinely, “When Kiana and I were just normal Valkyries-in-training so long ago, Bianka was already an S-Rank Valkyrie. Otto Apocalypse formed the Immortal Blades as a squad to be directly led by the legendary Durandal. Bianka never took responsibilities like that lightly. The first time we saw her in action… it was when the Herrscher of Wind fully awakened, actually.”

 

Camellia stared at her in disbelief, “You witnessed a human become the Herrscher of Wind, too? I-” She massaged the bridge of her nose and breathed deeply as she took in yet another revelation, “I should have expected this.”

 

“Yeah,” Bronya said casually, “Wendy was a victim of Schicksal experimentation just like Sirin was, only sixteen years later. Bianka almost killed her back then.”

 

“You… You want me to believe Schicksal did all of this? They’re the biggest bulwark we have against the Honkai! A respected worldwide organization! Yet you- you tell me they created two Herrschers! One who loathes humanity to its core and one who’s just as likely to destroy a city one day as save it the next?”

 

The woman’s distress was only matched by the sorrow held within the Herrscher of Truth’s eyes, “Camellia… you don’t have to rationalize it to me. You’re a fully fledged Valkyrie squad leader, I know you’ve experienced more than your fair share of Schicksal’s true colors just from that. They have always been relentless in their pursuit of victory over the Honkai. No matter the cost. Even under Overseer Theresa there were many that still held to that belief instilled in the organization by Otto. It’s one of the reasons Theresa eventually left. The burden of the secrets left to her by Otto simply grew… too heavy. Even as she made Schicksal better than it had ever been.” Bronya took a moment to make sure Camellia saw the pointed look she was giving her.

 

“I-” Camellia stared back at the Herrscher, torn and distraught, “I know Schicksal has done wrong… I’m not naive. But creating our greatest foe? Torturing multiple Herrschers into existence?”

 

“They made three Herrschers, technically,” Bronya corrected, once again drawing a horrified look from the Valkyrie, “Though you’ll have to ask Kiana about the third incident.”

 

“Kiana…” Camellia groaned, “I can’t face Kiana again. I was accusing the Herrscher of Finality of being a thief and a fraud!”

 

Bronya made an affirmative noise, “Yeah, that was pretty shitty. But Kiana is well aware how she comes off to people. Just talk to her, and I doubt she’ll hold it against you.”

 

“I’ll… I’ll think about it.”

 

“Take your time,” Bronya rolled onto her back, “You’ve all been through a lot today. I’ve dumped even more on you. Don’t be ashamed to simply take time to absorb it all and think. Kiana and I aren’t going anywhere.”

 

They lapsed into one final silence. Bronya quickly found sleep overtaking her despite the constant pain radiating through her being. Soon enough Camellia found herself the only conscious occupant of the tent, Bronya’s words racing through her mind like racehorses around a track. She was grateful, truly, to be trusted with such information about Durandal. Even as basic as Bronya’s quick description might seem. Deep down she knew Bronya’s words regarding Schicksal were truthful. Yet it was something she struggled to reconcile with the duty and good that she had dedicated herself to through the organization. If supporting Schicksal meant continuing to support such things… then what good was she? Mei had appeared shaken to her very core at the things she had witnessed. The things that had driven Sirin to the hateful being that had nearly killed them mere hours before. Was that what she was enabling? Even the Herrscher of Wind, while not actively hostile to humanity like Sirin was, was rather fickle and did not shy away from punishing humanity if she deemed it appropriate. And here Bronya was telling her she too was a result of Schicksal’s abhorrent treatment of human life. The very same life she was supposed to be protecting. Did it still matter when all of this happened thousands of years ago? Was any sacrifice truly acceptable if the end result is defeating the Honkai once and for all? This matter would not leave her in peace, even as sleep finally took her.

 


 

“So, whaddya think, Caihong?”

 

“About what?” The priestess raised an eyebrow at her squad lead, though it was barely visible in the dark, “There are so many things that could be asking about after tonight.”

 

Isabella let out a tired chuckle, “I don’t know… everything? It’s just…” There was a rustle of the sleeping bag as Isabella was no doubt pressing a stressed hand to her forehead, “Goddess, where do I even start?”

 

“Well, now you can say you’ve met the Herrscher of the Void. One Herrscher checked off the list?”

 

Isabella scoffed, “Full offense to Sirin, but she was NOT on the list of Herrschers I’d wanna meet.” She fell silent for a moment before her voice came again, softer this time, “You saw it though, right Caihong? When Mei attacked her. Cecilia and Sophia were too distracted to notice, and Camellia was at the wrong angle, but…”

 

Caihong crossed her arms behind her head as a tired sigh escaped her lips, “Yeah… Her eyes…”

 

“Her voice too, it got that weird resonance to it like Sirin’s had. Not for long, but… I heard it.”

 

Caihong hummed in agreement, “I know gem bearers are strong, but I’ve never heard of one that was able to go toe to toe with a Herrscher and live to tell about it. Even one that doesn’t favor open combat like the Legion Herrscher was still more than capable of killing someone with something like a Gem of Haste or Conquest.”

 

“No… if anything, Sirin seemed to be toying with her. What she said… it was like she knew Mei already. She’s never mentioned interacting with the Herrscher of the Void before, has she?”

 

Caihong shook her head, “Nah, her talking about that illusion she was shown at St. Freya is the first time I’ve heard her talk about the Void Queen.”

 

Isabella sighed, “I suppose either way we should be grateful she held Sirin’s attention. Even if all four of us had been in top shape I don’t think we would have done jack shit to her.”

 

“Fuck, you can say that again,” Caihong groaned. They both knew what the other was thinking. The Herrscher of the Void had torn apart their transport so quickly, the only reasonable explanation for their survival was a quick reaction from the Herrschers of Finality and Reason. It was… humbling. Humiliating. To be so soundly reminded of just how small they really were in this world ruled by Herrschers. Sirin regarded them as lower and even more unworthy than Schicksal Valkyries. It was a bitter pill to swallow, even if it was from someone that would hate them regardless.

 

Mood soured, but thoughts still racing, the duo fell into silence, the only interruptions being their own movements and the indecipherable murmuring from the other tents around them.

 


 

The night was quiet. Too quiet. No crickets. No bats. No night life whatsoever stirred against the blanket of silence that seemed to smother this valley they found themselves in. For someone that had grown up surrounded by the myriad of sounds of night that signaled a thriving ecosystem, it was quite disturbing to Sophia. Yet even more disconcerting was the phantom sensations she still felt radiating through her body. Too many punctures digging into her skin, like she was a bag filled with liquid someone had repeatedly stabbed with a pencil. She’d come close to death before, but the prospect of being crushed by a Honkai beast was much different from slowly feeling her lifeblood leak from her body. At least with the Honkai she could kill the beasts to prevent such a fate. But at the crash site… nothing she could have done would have kept back the creeping weakness suffusing her body by the time the Herrscher of Finality had worked her miracle. She held her hand up between herself and the roof of the tent. In her mind's eye she could almost still see the deep crimson liquid slipping between her fingers.

 

“You… okay, Sophia?” Cecilia asked hesitantly. The stiffness in the way the woman formed the words was almost charming in a way.

 

Sophia exhaled sharply and dropped her hand back to her chest, “I’ll live.”

 

Cecilia kept her gaze on her for several more seconds before she allowed her eyes to leave the woman, “Alright.”

 

“I still can’t believe it,” Sophia continued quietly, “That rambunctious kid Mei brought home with her and our Goddess, one and the same?”

 

“Yeah…” Cecilia fell silent for a moment, “Those gems appear to have brought out an inner strength in Mei. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that our Lady has an eye for these things.”

 

A short laugh of disbelief escaped Sophia’s lips, “And she kept Sirin from simply wiping us out with a lift of her pinky. What happened to the girl that could barely get to the end of the first wave in the elite level training sims? Now she’s fighting the Void Queen wreathed in lightning like she’s the Herrscher of Thunder.”

 

“I suppose… I was wrong about her,” Cecilia mumbled.

 

“Well, that’s always been true, Ceci,” Sohpia said, shooting a look at her disgruntled teammate, “Mei might not have been winning a duel with an S-Rank Valkyrie any time soon but she’s always had the heart, determination, and smarts to allow her to punch way above her weight if she puts her mind to it. The problem is she’s well aware of her own short-comings and her own doubts hold her back.”

 

Cecilia hummed an acknowledgement but otherwise did not respond for a long while.

 

“We’ll have to eat quickly and get moving in the morning.”

 

“Yes,” Cecilia nodded her agreement, “I spoke with the Lady of Reason shortly, earlier. She recovered enough of the provisions we should be good for a week or so, provided we don’t lose any more supplies to the Honkai. We’ll be in trouble if we need to do any serious climbing though. She prioritised food and camping equipment, but the climbing equipment the Raidens provided us was left behind in our escape.”

 

“Ah, great,” Sophia groaned, “No dedicated climbing equipment for getting through an uncharted mountain range, and the Moon Goddess was forced to collapse the route out behind us so we can’t try to go back and search the crash. Do you think that machine that follows the Herrscher of Reason around could carry us?”

 

“I suppose we will find out.”

 

“If Mei is right about these mountains being the site of the Herrscher of Fire’s final battle against the Herrscher of the Void, maybe we’ll get lucky and find out they blasted away most of the mountains we have to get through.”

 

“Sophia,” Cecilia rolled to her side and locked her gaze onto her chatty companion, “Today has been utterly exhausting. I would like to sleep.”

 

Sophia smiled sheepishly, “Right, sorry. Good night, Ceci.”

 

“Good night.”

 


 

Mei did not know when she had fallen asleep. She could only assume exhaustion had finally caught up with her, for she did not even remember closing her eyes. One moment she had been holding Kiana’s hand as the girl rambled deliriously and the next she was blinking against the morning sun brightening the inside of the tent. Her hair clung uncomfortably around her face, the ponytail she hadn’t undone the night before a tangled mess and the braids behind her ears slowly coming undone. It took a moment for her eyes to focus, but when they did a shock of fear shot down her spine. The sleeping bag next to her was empty. The priestess scrambled to free herself from the warm confines of her own bag, haphazardly threw her boots back on, and stumbled to her feet, practically ripping open the entrance to the tent in her rush. The light of the sun was blinding. So much so that when her foot caught against the edge of the tent entrance, she was caught completely off guard.

Vertigo overtook her as her balance failed her. The air rushed past her cheek and Mei barely had time to flail her arms in surprise before steady, strong arms slid under her own and halted her fall.

 

“We have got to stop meeting like this, my dear priestess.”

 

The brightness of the sun against her eyelids was overtaken by shadow. She allowed them to flutter open, the calm voice like music to her ears. Cerulean eyes engulfing pink stars gleamed down at her, the face of their owner beaming as she held the priestess up so she could regain her footing.

 

“Kiana!” Mei pulled herself up and calloused hands clasped both cheeks of the white-haired woman. Worried violet darted over her face, Mei taking a small step back so she could check over the rest of her body. The wounds were still there, still pulsing like being able to spy the contents of an aging porcelain jar through its cracking frame. But Kiana’s smile was bright, her eyes shining, no longer holding that dazed and confused unfocused dullness. Still, Mei could not help the way her brows pulled down in worry, “Are you okay? How are you feeling? You were worrying me last night!” There was a moment of silence in which Mei became acutely aware that everyone else seemed to be awake. And was staring right at her, “Er,” Mei’s hands snapped back to her side, “S-sorry, My Lady, it’s just- uh-”

 

Kiana giggled softly, “It’s okay, Mei. I’m feeling better, though it will be a while still before I can spare more than a small bit of my power. Even with the help Elysia left behind, fighting off the Will of Honkai is no joke.”

 

The name sent a shock of recognition racing through her mind. However, as hard as she tried, Mei could not place the name nor where she might have heard it before, “Who? Is that why you were apologizing last night?”

 

Kiana rubbed the back of her head and smiled awkwardly, “Nothing. Just the babbling of a girl who’s been around for far too long.” She held out an arm, revealing Mei’s jacket draped over the limb, “Thanks for this, by the way,” Kiana smiled, “Oh, and I left a little something for you in the pockets.”

 

Mei frowned, a pointed look flickering across her face. Kiana’s change of subject did little to assuage the worry eating away at her priestess’s heart. Yet judging by it, she was not willing to broach the subject further. Or did she even remember what she said last night? Mei accepted the jacket with a nod. Despite her racing thoughts, “Of course.” She pulled open the jacket and immediately began searching the front pockets sewn into the torso on either side of the buttons. There was a soft clink in one, and Mei’s hand withdrew with a familiar vial and small bottle of alcohol in her grip. She placed it back and soon found the other pocket held a similarly familiar palm-sized injector, “Kiana…” Mei smiled, “Thank you.”

 

Kiana rubbed the back of her head again, “It’s the least I could do, though I wasn’t able to save all the vials, unfortunately.”

 

“Well it means a lot that you got even this much,” Mei assured her.

Kiana shrugged in a rather amusing forced nonchalance, “We might be stuck out here for another week or more, so, y’know. Trust me, I know how terrible it feels going without it for more than a week,” She shuddered dramatically.

 

Mei’s eyes widened, “Wait, really? But I never- religious text never mentions…”

 

Kiana rolled her eyes and groaned, “Ugh, seriously? This is what I get for disappearing for centuries at a time and then barely interacting with humans when I’m back. I’ll have you know I put a lot of effort into remembering to take my estrogen on time until I became a Herrscher and the Honkai decided to make it for me!”

 

Mei’s lips twitched as she fought to keep a more serious look on her face, “Of course, My Lady, I am certain you did excellent.” She tilted her head and continued before Kiana could protest her faux seriousness, “Though I am curious by what you mean when ‘The Honkai decided to make it for you’.”

 

Kiana shrugged, “Well it changed something about my body when I became a Herrscher. I haven’t done injections or taken pills or anything for thousands of years now and my tits still look this good- Ow!”

 

Mei jumped at the sudden dull thwack that echoed through the campsite.

 

“Kiana idiotka stop distracting Mei, we have work to do.” Bronya lowered the hand that had just smacked the back of Kiana’s head, nodded at Mei, and walked off.

 

Kiana rubbed the spot on her head with and annoyed frown, “Stupid brat, just wait ‘till I have the energy, I’ll fucking get her.”

 

Mei giggled softly, trying to ignore the flutter in her heart at the way Kiana perked up at the sound. The Herrscher shot her an awkward smile before walking away with a last declaration that she’d stop distracting Mei for at least thirty minutes.

 

“Ah, the sleeping beauty has finally arisen,” Isabella smiled once she saw Mei end her conversation with the Herrscher. She had made a small firepit and begun heating up food, a small foldable grill stand letting her safely place things over the fire, “Good morning, princess.” She teased.

 

Pale cheeks reddened ever so slightly as she pulled her jacket back on. Kiana’s lingering scent threatened to distract her, even tinged with an undertone of sweat as it was, “I-I didn't sleep in that late, did I?” Stammered the flustered priestess.

 

“No, but you somehow slept through Camellia running face first into a stealthed Project Bunny this morning. She was swearing up a storm so loud it woke Cecilia up.” Isabella jabbed a thumb at the still grumpy Valkyrie, “We've been slowly packing all this gear and supplies Bronya saved into actual packs. Figured I'd let you sleep in after all you did, it's gonna be rough hauling as much as we can through these mountains.”

 

Cecilia nodded in agreement, “It is not every day you see someone fight off the Herrscher of the Void long enough for another Herrscher to arrive. I am…” Her eyes darted between her packing and the priestess awkwardly. The woman seemed to be struggling with her words, her lips pursing and opening several times before she continued, “I am sorry for doubting your resolve and abilities back at the temple, Raiden Mei.” Her words came haltingly, slowly. As if an apology was foreign to her lips, “Who knows what would have happened to us if you had not kept Sirin's attention for as long as you did.”

 

As Mei was processing this, Caihong walked up to her and silently held out a half-packed bag, a proud smile on her face as she nodded to her companion. Hesitation clawed at her gut as she absentmindedly accepted the pack, a pit of insecurity twisting in her stomach as she recalled the ease at which Sirin had batted away her every attack, “I- Thank you, Cecilia. Truly.” Mei gave the woman a shallow bow, “Though I don’t know how much I actually did… Sirin seemed to be toying with me more than anything else.” Her eyes fell upon Kiana, seeking confirmation.

 

Kiana gave her a look that was somewhere between an awkward smile and a grimace, “Well, you did keep her attention, that part is true. She uh… well, all three of us were holding back… a lot. Sirin’s goal wasn’t to push me into an all out fight. If it was, well, I don’t think there’d be anything left of the crash site and I would have had a much harder time protecting you all.”

 

Mei nodded, following Caihong back to the cargo sled, and began looking through the bag she’d been given to finish the packing. As she did though, she kept finding her gaze darting back to the Herrscher of Finality, her eyes constantly trailing over Kiana’s pulsing wounds and the tired tilt to her smile even as she beamed as she usually did. Bronya was no longer as visibly pained either. Though the sight of the woman not using her prosthetics, but instead having Project Bunny carry her as she worked, was still concerning.

The group fell into a comfortable rhythm of small talk and packing. Isabella soon made the call for breakfast, a simple meal of canned beans and some vegetables she had found within the provisions. She had seemed a bit amused to discover Ryoma and Mifumi had sent them with a portion of fresh food, but at the moment nobody was complaining. Mei ate little, assuaging her companions' concerns by revealing her lessened need for food and sleep due to her Herrscher gems. While still concerned- Camellia even looking a bit disturbed- they had accepted her explanation (especially when Kiana supported it) and quickly polished off the remaining food. Once that was done, Cecilia gathered the bowls and utensils and began the arduous process of searching their supplies for a way to clean them off without using their limited supply of water. Isabella, Sophia, and Camellia had teamed up with Kiana to break down the tents. Mei had returned to finishing up preparing her pack and had nearly finished when her attention was pulled away from the greater campsite by an elbow gently prodding her side.

 

Caihong leaned in and murmured to her softly, “You know, I don’t know what I expected the Herrschers of Finality and Reason to be like, but it certainly wasn’t those two rascals you walked in with last week.” She smiled at the small snort that escaped from Mei, “I will admit it’s a bit uh… of a shock to see how casually you treat them,” Caihong shrugged, “But you’re the one that’s met them before so I can only assume they’re okay with it.”

 

Mei laughed softly, “Yes, it would seem every Herrscher I’ve met so far has been rather unconcerned with formality and insisted they would much rather I treat them as a friend. It is… still something I’m getting used to if I’m honest.”

 

Caihong raised a curious eyebrow, “Really? I couldn’t tell with how you were all over our Lady this morning.”

 

Mei coughed awkwardly, “That was… I was just concerned because she was in pain all night and when I woke up she wasn’t there!”

 

Caihong laughed and gently prodded her with her elbow again, “I’m just teasing. Just don’t take it too hard if the others give you a weird look every once in a while.”

 

“No, I understand,” Mei sighed.

 

The rest of the early morning was rather uneventful. As they got close to finishing packing up and strapping anything extra to Project Bunny (Mei could swear the machine was glaring at Bronya though she made no sound), Kiana took Bronya to scout the area. They were confident that even two weakened Herrschers were more than enough to deal with any Honkai beasts that might be in the area, and the Moonbeams weren't about to argue with them. Mei's frown made her displeasure known and Camellia had insisted at least one other come with just in case they were incapacitated again. Kiana had smiled as she always did and thanked the Valkyrie for her concern, but insisted she and Bronya were more than capable of handling it on their own. Camellia relented with a stiff nod and the Herrschers left to venture around the dried riverbed. The others watched on, questions brimming in their eyes even as they pushed them down in favor of moving on as soon as possible. It took another fifteen minutes to finish getting everything ready, double check all their packs, and then that the additional supplies were secure on Project Bunny (as well as Mei taking some time to redo her ponytail, though she had only re-done the right side of her smaller braids by the time they were ready to move, so she left it at that).

Now confident they were suitably prepared, the group made their way towards the edge of the scattering of trees they had taken temporary residence in. In the sunlight their surroundings didn’t look much different than they had in the silver light of the moon. The dry stream they had followed in meandered off to their right where it eventually rejoined the larger riverbed. The bed itself was maybe as wide as five of the women were tall, and appeared to have been deep enough as to have comfortably covered their heads. Not very big in comparison to the major rivers the word usually brought to one's mind. The area along its banks was rather open thanks to the ancient erosion of the rock by the now absent water. Though how the grass and trees were such a healthy shade of green with no water in sight was a mystery. Now that they were not running for their lives and utterly exhausted (though certainly still tired after such a short rest) they could feel the hum of the ambient Honkai energy saturating the entire area. Further upriver to the right was a cliff that must have been a waterfall at one point in time. On the other side of the river the small figures of Kiana and Bronya could be seen observing the far edge of this little valley where the rock jutted upwards once more. If their eyes trailed up the rock a little more there appeared to be a ledge of rock that followed alongside the river higher up the cliff face. A small flickering of blue light flashed against the rock every once in a while as Bronya scanned the environment in a much more literal way.

 

A few seconds later and there was a distant flash of purple. Kiana and Bronya appeared before them a moment later only for Kiana to double over and hiss in pain, “Okay, I probably shouldn’t do that just yet.” She took several deep gasps of breath, her face twisting in pain.

 

Mei’s brows pinched together in worry, “Kiana, please don’t push yourself!”

 

Kiana brushed her off with a wave and a smile that was only a little forced, “I-I’ll be okay. Besides, Bronya thinks she’s found a way forward! Gonna be a bit of a hike though, we’ll be going higher into the mountains.”

 

Isabella nodded, “Alright, we’ll follow your lead, Lady Bronya.”

 

Bronya shot the woman a flat look and Isabella had the decency to look at least a little ashamed before the group began making their way down the riverbank and to the other side. Project Bunny quickly retook its place hovering protectively behind Bronya before its form shimmered and it disappeared from sight. As they set off Kiana’s gaze darted over Mei’s form before she passed, the Herrscher falling in step to her right and just a little in front.

 

Kiana grinned, “Your hair looks nice like this,” Her hand came up and gently cupped the single braid for a moment.

 

Mei scratched at her cheek and chuckled sheepishly, “It’s basically the same, My La- Kiana. I just didn’t have time to do the other braid like I usually do.”

 

“I think the asymmetry is nice,” Kiana smiled, “It reminds me of… someone I knew a long time ago.”

 

Mei’s face burned bright as Sophia’s whispers just barely reached her ears, “Is the Herrscher of Finality flirting with Mei?”

 

“You’re asking me that after witnessing how our Lady was behaving in the airship?” Came Cecilia’s reply.

 

Isabella glanced up curiously as they began to climb the opposite riverbank, studiously ignoring her subordinates, “Mind if I ask who, My Lady?”

 

Kiana’s smile grew nostalgic, “It-” Her eyes lingered on Mei for another heartbeat, something shimmering in her eyes along with her hesitation. After a moment she exhaled and let out a small, awkward laugh, before bringing her eyes to the path ahead instead, “S-She… Well, my old friend is the… Celestial Phoenix, actually.” Her smile grew easier, more confident as more words spilled from her lips, “Bronya and I first met her before we were ever Herrschers. Honestly I thought she was pretty annoying and way too stuck up and serious at first, but,” Kiana shrugged, “We went through a lot together and eventually I learned to appreciate our differences.”

 

Sophia sighed, “It is so strange to hear someone like the Celestial Phoenix be referred to so casually.”

 

“To be fair,” Kiana laughed, “If anyone is going to, it’d be me and Bronya. Sirin became Herrscher of the Void when I was just a few years old, but after that? I either personally watched each new Herrscher awaken or had to deal with them after they did.”

 

Their conversation died for a few minutes as their focus turned to making their way up the rather precarious path Bronya had spotted earlier. She planned to take them up a steep incline in the face of the mountain before doubling back to travel across the ledge the group had spotted above just minutes before. After a good two hours of cautious hiking- now around two dozen metres above the river- Kiana sighed loudly. She was just behind Bronya in the lead of the group, who had adopted a single file formation due to the small path, yet Camellia still heard her loud and clear all the way in the back.

 

“Bratnya, why do you have us climbing along the side of the mountains when we could just follow the riverbed? Mei said the city in her vision was literally built around the mouth of the river!”

 

Bronya looked back with an annoyed tilt to her lips, “Do you want to sit out in the open where we could easily be spotted by more Honkai beasts, idiotka? We’re not in much shape to fight, shall we just let your priestesses and Camellia exhaust themselves in battle instead? We are following the river, but I am trying to keep us in a more advantageous position for when we encounter trouble.”

 

“Ugh, fine…” Kiana grumbled. “If only someone wasn’t collapsing my imaginary spaces as soon as I make them so I could teleport!!” Kiana then raised her fist and shook her middle finger at the sky as if angry at the clouds themselves. “Stupid eldritch bitch.”

 

“The Will of Honkai isn’t going to see that, Kiana idiotka.”

 

“I don’t care, it makes me feel better!”

 

Caihong laughed softly from her spot behind Isabella and Mei, “I thought their mortal forms might have been some kind of act or something, you know? I never expected them to just be like this.” She nearly jumped out of her skin as Kiana’s gaze immediately snapped around and locked onto her. Even when lit by a smile, the gaze of a Herrscher was still a frightening thing.

 

“Hey!” Kiana protested, “I’ll have you know that after all the shit I’ve gone through, a girl deserves to kick back and be a bit unprofessional! Being all serious and stuck up all the time is my sister’s job, not mine!”

 

“You’re always unprofessional, stupid Kaslana,” Bronya shot back.

 

“At least I know how to have fun! Durandal thinks a good time is extending her workout routine!”

 

The others stared at her incredulously. Eventually Mei voiced their reaction, “Wait, what?”

 

Kiana rolled her eyes, “My sister is an annoying jock who spends half her day just working out or fighting something. I know people call her the Goddess of Justice, but come on!”

 

“I-” Isabella’s gaze darted between her companions who all shared a similar awkward look, “I don’t think it’s our place to comment on any of that.”

 

“Right…” Kiana smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her head, “Sorry, ignore me! It’s just been a while since I’ve been around so many people, usually it’s just Bronya.” Her voice was bright, but if one listened closely there was an ever so slight quiver hiding the emotions beneath.

 

Violet eyes hovered over the Herrscher’s face. Kiana smiled easily, brightly, like her usual easygoing self. However if Mei had learned anything about Kiana this past week or so it was how that smile could so easily cover the shadows that fell over her eyes. Even that first day they had met, something in the temple archives had caused Kiana’s mood to fall and something dark and heavy to pass over her face before that same smile slid over it like a mask. Kiana seemed to realize this as well, and quickly turned back around, removing her expression from Mei’s sight.

 

They hiked for several hours in relative peace after that. The silence of the mountain was oppressive, and it only seemed to grow worse as the sun reached its peak and began dipping towards the horizon and still there was no change. While there was still some flora somehow thriving despite the dried waterways, there was a stark lack of fauna. Instead, Bronya’s decision to take them to higher ground with more rock as cover proved fortuitous rather quickly. The way was treacherous and hard going, and they had been forced to use outcroppings and the cliff itself as cover from packs of Honkai beasts multiple times. They weren’t nearly as large as the horde that had chased them into the mountains, but the last thing they wanted was for the sound of fighting to echo off the rock and attract even more. After several hours of this winding, difficult path, the rock began to rise once again and flatten out before them. At the top of this new incline was a much wider open space, bumpy but reasonably flat and spreading from the now several dozen metre cliff that fell down to the riverbed.

The small plateau seemed to push back the mountainface to their right, giving plenty of room to maneuver before the rock shot back up at a sharp angle as the peak continued to rise above the river. In front of them it went on for a good few dozen metres before it seemed to begin wrapping around the edge of the mountain and dipped out of view. A scattering of boulders and other large rocks littered the space the closer to the mountainface one went. The boulders themselves and a decent portion of the space was painted with the myriad of browns, yellows, and oranges of lichen, a brilliant array of colors that drew an appreciative whistle from Sophia. The cracks and crevices were lined with sparse blades of grass and other small bits of vegetation clinging to life in the soil that had gathered there. None of the group studied the plantlife too closely, too concerned with making their way across the space to wherever it led on the other side. If they had, perhaps their curiosity as to its hardiness would have been made clear by the miniscule pink veins running through their leaves and tendrils.

 

Instead they forged onwards, for this mere curiosity was nothing to what they found at the edge of this platform of rock. Kiana had run forward to get a better view over the edge, and when she did she turned back to her companions and began eagerly motioning them forwards. The others accepted the request to speed up, Mei breaking ahead into a light jog to catch up, much to the amusement of the others.

 

“Mei certainly likes taking a spot right at the Moon Goddess’s side, huh?” Isabella spoke from the side of her mouth, leaning over to Sophia in a show of faux slyness even as her voice was barely lowered. There was a round of giggles and amused snorts from the other girls. Until they crested the small ridge before the path dipped downwards and finally beheld what it was that had Kiana so excited. Any breath they may have had for their amusement fell away as they peered out from their vantage point.

 

Before them, far far below and brilliantly lit in the afternoon sun, the harsh rock of the mountains opened up and fell away like the hands of the Goddesses themselves had pressed into the earth and pushed back the mountains to create a sanctuary. It was an absolutely breathtaking valley, copses of trees and thinner scatterings dotted the large area and underbrush stretched up towards the sun from their shelter. Through the center of it all, from the rim of this bowl of greenery far to their right several kilometres away, poured a magnificent river. The peaks around the rim of this rich, lovely bowl within the mountains curved away and then upwards, as if formed by a meteor impact. However the rock was too jagged, too blackened and extending too high. It didn’t appear like any other meteor impact crater the girls had ever seen. Regardless, it would be a welcome change as even this half a day of hiking had the group already tired of the mountains. There was only one issue. White dots moved throughout the space in large groupings, mingling and separating like a writhing and contracting organism meandering to and fro. Even the air was not free of them, flocks of these white shapes darting through the air aimlessly, roosting and taking back off from parts of the mountainous rim. They weren’t the first to find this place. Even just stepping off the ridge and entering into the border of this place along the rim they could feel the sharp increase in the humming energy that had been constantly buzzing at the back of their minds.

 

The entire valley was an intense hotspot of Honkai energy and was crawling with a massive horde of Honkai beasts.

 

“Aw yeah! Smell that dangerously high Honkai energy!” Kiana took a deep, dramatically exaggerated breath and turned to the girls with a smile on her face, “Welcome to the Alsakan Mountains, girls!”

Notes:

I hope you like long chapters because I had a lot to put into this one!! Honestly I don't have much to say this time, I think my main goal with this chapter is pretty self-evident, along with some more teasing about what's happened to Kiana in the past ;3 If only Mei had the specific knowledge to put together all these puzzle pieces she's been given.

Chapter 14: The Past Casts Long Shadows

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Mei wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but Kiana’s excited proclamation paired with the sight of a beautiful, circular valley teeming with Honkai beasts was certainly not it.

 

“Um, My Lady?” It would seem Sophia was of the same mind, “I don’t mean to question your judgement, but how are we supposed to get through all those Honkai beasts?”

 

Kiana grinned, “Oh don’t worry, I’ve seen this kind of aimless behaviour before. This horde should just be passing through, most of them’ll probably be gone in an hour or so.”

 

“So we’re stuck here for a bit?” Cecilia pursed her lips in displeasure.

 

Kiana shrugged, “Hey, no one said hiking through Honkai infested mountains was gonna be quick, as much as I wish it was. Besides, at least we’ve got some flat ground here. We can eat lunch while we wait!”

 

“Kiana idiotka is saying something smart for once,” Bronya nodded.

 

“What about going around?” Camellia asked.

 

Bronya looked at her for a moment before turning her gaze to the distant peaks and steep cliffs around them, “Would you rather spend several extra days hiking through unknown terrain just to go around this crater? Ordinarily Kiana and I would be able to exert control over every Honkai beast and keep them from bothering us too much, but every bit of Honkai energy we use here takes some away from our defences against the Will’s continued efforts to break us, so I’d rather save our powers for when it really matters.”

 

“Alright, waiting it is,” Camellia grumbled.

 

Isabella wasted no time in finding a reasonably comfortable rock and shrugged off her pack with a pleased sigh, “Well, I for one will enjoy this break.” The priestess hummed happily to herself as she rifled through her pack and pulled out canned fruit and a package of dried meat, content to wait as the Herrschers had suggested.

 

Mei, however, remained studying the valley far below for another few seconds, violet eyes darting to and fro and drinking in every detail of this treacherous ground. 

 

Of course, Kiana noticed Mei’s absence almost immediately, “Hey, Mei!” She called, “At least take your pack off! We’re not gonna be leaving for a few hours at least!” The Herrscher paused for a moment and a look of hesitation passed over her face, “Bronya a few hours is a normal time to wait, right? My sense of time for regular humans hasn’t been thrown way off again?”

 

“No, you’re fine, Kiana,” Bronya assured her, “It might be a bit boring but they can handle waiting a few hours.”

 

Kiana laughed and shot the priestess a bright smile as she joined her companions, “Okay good. You know, no one told me that this ‘becoming the final Herrscher and being functionally immortal’ thing would fuck up stuff like my sense of time.” Kiana joked and smiled easily, but these defences could not so easily hide the relieved slump of her shoulders she attempted to keep from violet eyes.

 

“Kiana,” Mei began, pulling the Herrscher's attention back to her as she removed her pack and sat down, “I was observing this… crater, and I spotted something unusual.”

 

“What's up, Mei?”

 

“There seems to be some kind of structure or object in the centre of this place. But if it is a structure, it seems extremely worn down and abandoned even from this distance.”

 

“Ah, that,” Kiana nodded. Her expression hardened as she thought, until such seriousness was once again chased away by a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, “You see, part of the reason I brought us to this area of the mountains in particular when we crashed is both because it's a path to our objective, as well as a path to… a bit of a personal and selfish desire of mine. I didn’t realise we were this close until I saw the crater though. Usually I just teleport in. I’ve never gone hiking through these mountains before.”

 

Bronya hummed her agreement, “I will admit this is also something I wished for as well. We've… We've been gone for a long time.”

 

Kiana nodded, a sad smile shining for all her companions to see, “I wanted to take a moment to say hi to my teacher.”

 


 

Two women appeared with a flash of purple. The room was spacious, well lit, and kept warm by a robust heating system installed at the behest of its owner. A large couch sat against one wall, and a spacious desk holding a rather robust computer setup sat against the other. On one side of this desk, tucked against the corner of the room, was a soft purple decorated bed large enough for two or three people shrouded with a parted veil which gave it a rather lavish appearance. On the other side of the desk stood several tall shelves placed against the wall and filled with books of all types as well as shelves dedicated to various charms, statuettes, and other memorabilia. Once silent, this sanctuary was now party to the furious growl of the Herrscher of the Void.

 

Ugh! I hate having to use that traitorous bastard of a creator, but it's what Kiana deserves!”

 

Bella watched with a carefully schooled neutrality as Sirin plopped onto her couch. The Herrscher was still gritting her teeth, her fingers tapping against the armrest restlessly, “My Queen, perhaps a hot bath after fighting on that dusty plain is in order? I can prepare it for you.”

 

I don’t want a bath, Bella! I want to drive a spear through my asshole of a sister until she begs for my forgiveness!” Sirin let out another growl of frustration, “But I can’t kill her! She’s the only thing left holding our creator back! I just wanted to punish her. And even then, I could feel the immense reserve of Honkai energy she was holding back. I can’t kill the Herrscher of Finality head on and it makes me furious!”

 

“You just said you didn’t want to kill her because of the Will of Honkai, though.”

 

That’s not the point, Bella!”

 

Bella sighed, “Would it help if I sat with you for a bit and held you?”

 

Sirin’s face scrunched up in a rather cute frown as she thought for a moment, “ Fine.”

 

At that a small smile flitted across Bella’s lips and she moved to provide the offered affection. The Honkai beast girl carefully lowered herself next to her Queen, fighting valiantly to keep the wince off her face and bite back a hiss of pain as the movement irritated her injuries. Though by the way golden eyes snapped to her face it would seem she wasn’t quite successful.

 

Bella, you’re injured.” Sirin sat up straight, and the haughty dangerous air she always kept about her melted ever so slightly.

 

“I-It’s nothing, my Queen,” Bella grunted, “The Herrscher of R- Truth got the better of me. I shall live with the consequences.”

 

Oh shut up and give me your hand!” Sirin commanded.

 

Bella obliged with only a slight pout.

 

Gloved hand met gloved hand, Sirin cupping Bella’s with surprising gentleness considering her usual irate and violent manner. Her other hand she brushed up Bella’s arm, caressing her bicep and the several cuts and bruises to be found there. Much like her physical touch, Sirin’s Honkai energy flowed through their connected limbs with a seeking, soothing gentleness.

 

The Herrscher frowned, “ It’s not just these superficial cuts. Why didn’t you tell me Bronya broke a rib?!”

 

“I… I didn’t want to add to your worries with everything else going on,” Bella mumbled.

 

Sirin scoffed, “Bella! I may have been focused on Kiana but how many times do I have to tell you to tell me when something like this happens to you?” Her eyes trailed up the healing cuts and bruises along Bella’s arms until she was looking into those deep sky blue eyes that always shimmered with unending devotion, “You’re-” Sirin’s voice fell. For the first time something akin to fear crept into the voice of the mighty Herrscher of the Void, “You’re the only one left, Bella. Avrora, Agata, Galina… Every day my hate grows that I was unable to do anything but preserve their bodies after Schicksal destroyed the gems I specially crafted for them. You’re the only one I was able to save by turning into a Honkai beast. The only one that survived the Valkyries… I-” Sirin paused before her nose scrunched into a frowning grimace and her voice rose to its usual intensity, “I command you again like I have countless times before, Bella! You are forbidden to die! You cannot leave me!”

 

A small smile stuttered over Bella’s lips, “Of course. I apologise, My Queen. It seems that even after all this time I am a slow learner with these things.” Relief washed over the girl as her Queen’s Honkai energy suffused her wound, the Honkai beast woman easily repaired by the energy of a Herrscher.

 

Hmph. As long as you follow my orders and don’t get yourself killed.” Wordlessly, Sirin pulled Bella’s arm over her head and around her shoulders before sliding across their shared seating to tuck herself against the girl’s side.

 

Bella’s momentary surprise quickly melted into a loving squeeze of Sirin’s shoulders. That small smile only grew wider as the Herrscher allowed herself a small hum of happiness. And if the terrifying, murderous Void Queen smiled oh so softly at the feeling of Bella’s warm embrace? Well, this was not a sight for the world that had rejected and hurt her Queen so.

 

This was a sight for Bella, and Bella alone.

 


 

“Your teacher?”

 

Kiana smiled at Cecilia’s questioning gaze, “Yes. It’s been so long now I don’t expect her name would sound familiar to any of you. But… well, you’ll see when we get down there. It’d be better for you to see everything in person. I can tell you more about her then.”

 

The group fell back into a contemplative silence. The soft clink and rustling of packaging was the only sounds for a good while as they ate and organised their thoughts. Once they had begun finishing their simple meals the Herrscher of Finality once again struck up conversation. About the temple, what they were teaching the priestesses about her. How modern life was treating them. Contrary to Mei’s image of Kiana’s patience, she listened attentively, her focus never faltering even as she cringed at parts of modern humanity’s perception of her. The Moonbeams regaled her with tales from the annals of history as the temple told them. Of the Moon’s struggle and triumph against the impossibly virulent viruses of the Herrscher of Corruption, a struggle that left several cities nothing but rubble in a nuclear wasteland. Kiana simply laughed and gave all the credit to the ever young scientists Einstein and Tesla and their team at Anti-Entropy.

Caihong told of a legend of how the Goddess had pushed a judgement-class Honkai beast back into the sea to be eviscerated by Nagazora’s defensive wall. Kiana directed their praise towards the Herrscher of Thunder, for she had only helped the woman defend her home.

Isabella told of the Herrscher of Finality saving her ancestral home, a ruined city riddled with Honkai beasts and soaked in radiation. Until The Herrscher of Finality descended and siphoned the deadly energy from the land. Today it still stood as a renewed and prosperous city. Maybe not as big as one of the megacities like Arc, but it was more than the survivors of that fateful day could have ever dreamed. Kiana once again laughed bashfully and said the Phoenix was the one to thank for teaching her how to better control Honkai energy.

Sophia had her own tale of the Moon Goddess dispelling a storm of Honkai energy headed towards her home that had turned the sky pink with ethereal currents of energy and whipped the atmosphere into a frenzy. Kiana simply shrugged and stated it was mostly the Herrscher of Wind’s work wrangling the storm, she had only taken out the flying Honkai beast in the centre of it all.

 

This continuing pattern of response was soon interrupted by a scoff from Camellia, “Alright then let me ask you a question you can’t simply deflect to someone else.” At Kiana’s nod she continued, “Bronya and Mei told us a little about Sirin’s history. Her origin. And Bronya also told me that the Herrscher of Wind was another victim of Schicksal experimentation. Is this true?”

 

Kiana nodded slowly, “Yes, that is true.”

 

The Moonbeams looked between the women, their expressions the picture of shock and no small amount of awkwardness as the Valkyrie continued to press the Herrscher. Camellia’s expression had slowly shifted into that of a woman holding back an increasing anger and disgust, muttering a short curse under her breath.

 

Camellia took a deep breath and banished her emotions from her face, “Then answer me this: Who is the third Herrscher Schicksal apparently created after the Herrscher of Wind?”

 

Kiana’s eyes widened. Not too obviously, just a slight movement of her eyes, but with everyone’s focus on her and Camellia it was impossible to miss. The Herrscher fell silent for a moment. Kiana’s lip caught between her teeth, chewing on the flesh nervously.

 

“Sorry, Kiana,” Bronya apologized, “I made a comment about it when I was talking with Camellia about Schicksal last night.”

 

Kiana shook her head, “No, no it’s… it’s okay, Bronya.” She smiled ruefully, “You’re actually on your way to finding out the answer already, Camellia. That secret… Its details are hidden within Schicksal’s ancient HQ. Along with many others besides…” Her voice trailed off into a tired whisper as she finished. There was a look in her eyes as this past was brought to the fore, even just this tiny hint of it. Something that brought a heavy, almost haunted look to the Herrscher’s eyes. A burden, but one she had grown used to carrying.

 

“Were you there?” Cecilia asked, her voice as sharp and focused as ever, “Did you... live through the Great Eruption?”

 

Kiana’s resulting chuckle held none of the humour it had a few minutes ago, “Yeah. Yeah, I did. So did Bronya. And… And the Herrscher of Thunder. Before she had embraced her identity as a Herrscher. It was...” Kiana hesitated for several moments until she finally pushed herself to her feet with a sigh and made her way towards the lip of the crater. As she walked it was as if she pulled a blanket of tension over every woman present, nervous eyes waiting and watching to see what would happen next, keenly aware of the emotions behind that single sigh, “Bronya!” Came her call after a moment, “The horde has moved enough. Let's get going.”

 

“Already?” Bronya frowned, “Kiana it’s only been an hour.”

 

“I’ll spare some of my power to keep any Honkai beasts we encounter passive.” She gestured forward with her head, “It’s better that we get moving and they see these things for themselves rather than listen to me talk about it.”

 

Isabella nodded to the others and the space was filled with the rustle of fabric as they began to pull their packs back onto their shoulders. Bronya seized the opportunity to slip away with Project Bunny and join Kiana while the others took a moment to converse amongst themselves.

 

“It must be something serious if she doesn’t even want to talk about it,” Sophia commented quietly, prompting the group to gather together.

 

Cecilia frowned, “The Great Eruption was a catastrophe so great we’re still feeling the effects three millennia later. It must have been hell to have actually experienced.”

 

“Then why’d ya ask?” Sophia questioned incredulously.

 

“Because despite it being such a significant event, the details we have in this age are incredibly disjointed considering what a massive disaster it was and how much effort should have gone into studying it,” Cecilia shot back, “And now we have learned that our Goddess was a Schicksal Valkyrie at such a time. What better chance is there to learn of things lost to history, Honkai corruption, and Schicksal manipulation?”

 

Caihong raised an eyebrow, “You sure you don’t just wanna bring fame to the family name with something like that?”

 

Cecilia’s voice grew taught with indignation, “You know that is not why I took an interest in these things!”

 

Caihong quickly raised her hands in surrender.

 

Mei looked at the swordswoman with newfound interest, “Cecilia, you study history? I’ve seen you in the temple archives plenty of times, but I didn’t know it was for study.”

 

Hazel eyes almost immediately darted away, “I’m not a history major or something like that. But my family has our own history of well known historians. When my parents tried to raise me to be the one to bring back our family fame, it was impossible for me to ignore the half truths and holes scattered throughout humanity’s last several millennia. They taught me to connect the dots and read between the lines, but there’s only one conclusion to come to when the dots bear signs of tampering and the space between the lines are filled in with useless noise. That is when it truly grabbed my attention.”

 

“And you didn’t say anything until now?” Sophia’s voice was mired in disbelief.

 

“I have been observing. I am not as frivolous with my words as you, Sophia.”

 

“Okay girls, that’s enough.” Isabella cut in with a roll her eyes, “I’m sure our Lady has her reasons. Save any other questions for your prayers and let's get a move on.”

 


 

The descent down the unnaturally smooth wall of the crater was treacherous, but no more so than the rest of their climb through these mountains. The whites and greys of the mountain rock faded to black as they crossed into the inner rim. The texture was strange under their shoes, it’s appearance was smooth, almost glassy, and yet their feet did not have nearly as much trouble finding purchase as expected.

As if stepping through an invisible barrier, once they began their descent into the crater both Herrschers’ conditions began to flag once more. Bronya rested in the firm cradle of Project Bunny’s arm. Meanwhile Mei kept close to Kiana as a seemingly permanent grimace of pain was affixed to the Herrscher’s face. Their wounds (which Mei now realised had previously been rather calm since the morning) had once again begun pulsing violently with an inner light. Even without actively utilising her gems she could feel the barest hint of how the Honkai energy pulsed, writhed, and roiled like a living entity around the Herrschers. If she hadn’t been standing next to two literal Goddesses, such a peek into the impossibly thick concentration of Honkai would be absolutely terrifying. Just how deep did the Herrscher of Finality’s Honkai reserves go? She couldn’t help but wonder.

 

There was a scuff of a shoe against the rock, a flailing of arms and a small yelp as Kiana stumbled. Four arms shot out, Mei and Camellia both latching onto one of the Herrscher’s arms before she could fully lose her balance.

 

“Kiana!” Mei gasped, “Careful!”

 

“You alright?” Camellia frowned.

 

“Ehehe...” Kiana smiled awkwardly, “Sorry! I’m alright, I swear!”

 

Mei and Camellia shared a disbelieving look, “Kiana,” Mei frowned, “Your wounds are pulsing again. Please don’t push yourself.”

 

Kiana looked as if she might keep brushing off their concern until she took in the worried looks from not just Mei, but Camellia and the rest of her priestesses as well. The awkward smile faltered in the face of such attention, “I’ll be okay! The pain is just... coming back and it took me by surprise. Sorry for worrying you.”

 

After a second or two of silence the mortals seemed to accept this explanation. Kiana did not stumble again the rest of the way down the strangely textured rock face. Of course, this did not fully assuage the worry within Mei’s heart. A worry that never seemed to fully relent even when she was at peaceful rest. There was always that little kernel of anxiety in her heart that ever looked towards the woman known as Kiana Kaslana, and it seemed to increase tenfold with the knowledge that Kiana was suffering. It took several more hours to fully descend the slanted face of the crater, step after cautious step, eyes darting between the white shapes growing larger below them and the flitting flocks of airborne beasts above them. The sun was now dipping towards the horizon, the peaks far above them beginning to obscure its light and cast long shadows across this mysterious sanctuary within the mountains. The completion of their descent was met with soft grass cushioning the soles of their shoes, the plant life a brilliant emerald and shining with the faint glow of pink veins in the dimming light of the setting sun. Each breath carried with it the taste of moist plant life, the soil near the trees they passed dark with a healthy dampness. The air was still, no wind disturbing the soft pinpricks of lights that floated through the air around them. At first the women had thought them fireflies, though upon closer inspection these pink lights took the form of miniscule white carapaced Honkai beasts. A strange phenomenon, as these creatures did not seem to server an immediate violent purpose like other beasts, which was quickly remarked on by Sophia. The trees stood tall and the wide clusters and underbrush would no doubt provide good shelter should they need it. The more pressing issue, however, was the beings moving through said vegetation.

 

It only took a few minutes for them to eventually be forced to rush for cover behind the trees as a group of Chariot-class Honkai beasts wandered through the brush with their trademark ponderous gait.

 

“My Lady,” Cecilia hissed in a low voice, “What are we going to do about them? We can’t fight every Honkai beast in this crater.”

 

Kiana chuckled, seemingly undisturbed and still standing in full view as the beasts wandered closer, “Don’t worry, Cecilia,” She smiled, “I’m a Herrscher. Have some faith!” She said it easily, casually, an amused lilt to her voice, though that did not prevent the ever so slight ashamed duck of Cecilia’s head. One of the Chariot’s seemed to take notice of the Herrscher, it’s wide, expressionless head turning towards Kiana as she stepped forwards without worry. Kiana slowly raised her hand as the beast approached, “Hey there, buddy,” She said softly. Her companions watched in astonishment as the Chariot leaned down and pressed its head against the palm of the Herrscher of Finality. A soft smile spread across Kiana’s face as she pet the massive creature of destruction. After a moment, this smile was turned to her companions, “Honkai beasts are driven by an irresistible urge to destroy humanity instilled in them by the nature of the Will of Honkai they came from.” The rest of the small herd had begun gathering around them, Bronya’s own amusement dancing within her eyes in tandem with Kiana’s smile as Camellia and the priestesses anxiously gripped their sheathed weapons, “But as a Herrscher, I can soothe this restless urge within them. I can allow them to just... exist. Even to think and make their own decisions. My power enables them to become more than just the weapon they were made to be,” Her voice grew incredibly soft, a quiet bittersweet contemplation that only just barely flitted past Mei’s ears, “Just like me...” Kiana remained there for a moment, lost in thought as she absent-mindedly pet the Honkai beast. Bronya, often the one taking on the job of keeping Kiana on track, seemed content to simply allow her this moment.

 

Eventually Kiana shook herself from her thoughts and turned back to the group, “Come on, Mei, try it!”

 

“What?” The priestesses eyes darted nervously between the Herrscher and the Chariot.

 

“Come here!”

 

Kiana’s eager gesturing pulled Mei forwards despite the protestations of her more logical thoughts. Her left fist remained tight around the scabbard of her katana, ready to aid a quick draw of the blade should anything go wrong. Yet at the same time the sight of that bright- if still pained- smile suffused her being with a sense of ease. And so it was that as she came to a stop at Kiana’s side she found her fist gradually relaxing and uncurling. She allowed Kiana to take her right hand and guide it upwards, the Herrscher’s smile widening and gaining a loving softness in equal measure. Her palm pressed against the softly curving head of the Chariot Honkai beast, a soft and deep rumble vibrating from somewhere within the creature as she made contact. Her fingers pressed over the low forehead bump that travelled upwards to form the horn that grew from the back of its head. It seemed too fast, too simple, for such an incredible moment as actually touching a pacified Honkai beast. One that had just before been wandering the wilds ready to attack any sign of human civilisation. One that seemed to be... enjoying it? And yet there was no fanfare, no celebration, not even a great acknowledgement from her companions. There was just her racing heart, the confidence of that storm in the back of her mind, the strange sensation of the Honkai beast’s chitin beneath her touch, and the ever present ever welcoming warmth of Kiana’s hand over her own. A warmth she missed almost immediately as Kiana withdrew her touch to allow Mei to glide her hand across the Honkai beast’s armour.

She had touched Honkai beasts before, of course, though that had always been in the midst of battle, trying to hold them back or springboarding off of one to get past its defences. Never before had she simply stopped and taken in the sensation like this. It was smooth just as it appeared, yet she could almost feel the dense lattices beneath that deflected everything except Honkai powered weapons or the heaviest conventional ordinance. The curiosity simmering in the back of her mind was irresistible and Mei found herself embracing the ocean of energy within her gems, letting their power flood her body and opening her up to more than simply subsisting off its trickle of energy once more. Something about being close to a Honkai beast like this seemed to tug on her Honkai energy, like a curious gaze studying her despite the beasts lack of eyes. A sense of... déjà vu? A communication that happened without her knowledge or input. The pink veins along the Honkai beasts armour flickered, a purple spreading through these veins of energy like dye colouring clear water until its usual pink shone this brilliant new hue. And something... once again there was a something tugging at her heart. At unseen memories deep within the gems, at the forgotten shadows deep in her mind, and she found if she concentrated she could feel everything about this beast. The violent urges simmering beneath the peace Kiana had draped over it, the way its Honkai energy swirled and writhed and darted not unlike electrical signals, a familiarity that nuzzled against her mind just as the beast nuzzled into her palm. Confused and more than a little frightened, Mei cautiously withdrew her hand and this sensation of the Honkai beast fled just as easily as the veins of Honkai along its body flooded with pink once more.

 

“I-” Mei stared at her hand as if it was an alien implement, and then at the Herrscher watching her with a gentle smile upon her lips, “Kiana, what- what was that?”

 

Kiana laughed softly and returned to petting the Honkai beast herself, “I think she likes you!” A quick glance to the side brought a similarly quick wave a joy in her heart as she beheld Bronya encouraging her priestesses and Camellia just as she was doing with Mei, “It was acknowledging you. The power held in your gems. Just as the Honkai itself takes many forms through its Herrschers, so too can the beasts borne from our energy take after our aspects. What you saw was this Chariot recognising the power of conquest within you. Honkai beasts have always been capable of so much more than humanity gives them credit for.” She eyed Mei with a curious glint to her gaze, “That woman with Sirin? Bella? She is a Honkai beast made using the corpse of the girl that meant the most to Sirin.” Kiana studiously ignored the way her words drew the attention of the rest of the women around her, eyes fixed solely on Mei, “The original Bella was a victim of the lab’s experiments, of course. Benares was not truly Bella, strictly speaking. Yet she had her memories, she had her form. So did it matter? Instead of an all consuming desire to kill like a feral animal, she held an undying loyalty, an unshakeable love, for her Queen who had given ‘Bella’ a second chance. Whether as a mighty dragon or as a human woman, Bella has never left Sirin’s side.” Kiana’s smile was bittersweet, a deeper pain than anything the Will of Honkai could inflict on her dancing within those pink-starred irises, “She’s done quite well coming into her own, and neither I nor Sirin consider that arbitrary line between ‘Bella’ the human and ‘Benares’ the Honkai beast to be of much importance. They are one and the same, and both have Sirin’s love just the same- just don’t tell her I’m telling you this.” Kiana paused just long enough to chuckle softly, “And yet Bella’s still ‘just’ a Honkai beast. What could these Chariots become, I wonder, if permanently freed from the Will of Honkai’s hatred? I think Bella has shown us one answer.” Kiana’s smile grew delighted and her voice carried with it the undertones of joyous laughter, “And I have another in a little white snake who wormed her way into my heart long ago.”

 

“I...” Mei’s suspicious, ever guarded gaze she held on the beast began to soften, “I didn’t know... I’ve never thought about it before. My whole life has been dedicated to fighting back the creatures of the Honkai. Studying the way they behave like wild and unconstrained animals only capable of acting with violence. Yet here, with you, they’re...” Mei laughed softly, “I suppose it’s yet another piece of my life you have flipped upside down since we met.”

 

Kiana sheepishly scratched the back of her head, “Well, they’ll certainly be just as dangerous again once we leave, it’s only thanks to my power as a Herrscher that they’re not attacking you on sight for being human. And that huge horde that came through here earlier would have been too large for me to control in my current state. But... when it comes to the beasts that choose to remain in this crater, I do have a bit of help.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Kiana gestured for the girls to follow her with a tilt of her head, “I’ll show you. Come on everyone! We’ve not yet reached our destination here.”

 


 

By the time they had reached their destination, most of the crater was shrouded in shadow thanks to the high peaks of the mountains. Kiana had taken them alongside the dried riverbed they had been following all day, not stopping even as a flock of Archangels dove from the sky to swarm playfully around the two Herrschers. Kiana laughed and even pet a few that nuzzled insistently into her palms, Bronya doing much the same to the apparent annoyance of Project Bunny. The same flock turned its attention to the humans trailing after the Herrschers within a few seconds, an echoing trill coming from one a moment before the Honkai beasts darted towards them. It didn’t take long for Mei’s ears to pick up the soft metallic clink of Isabella gently placing a hand on Cecilia’s sword arm and pushing the girl’s partially drawn rapier back into its sheathe.

For their part, the Archangels seemed completely oblivious to the tension drawing each girl taught like a bow string as they hovered and flitted curiously around the humans. Caihong giggled anxiously as several darted behind her and wriggled under her arms like puppies insisting on getting petted, wings batting playfully against her sides. While the rest of them were beset by one or two of these strangely curious Honkai beasts, Mei found herself walking alongside a full six or so of the creatures who seemed to be taking a particular interest in the priestess. Once again her Honkai energy seemed to react, a strange feeling of recognition simmering in her heart, though she could not tell whether it came from herself or she was sensing something from the Honkai beasts. Violet eyes watched in wonder as the Archangels’ veins of Honkai flashed purple and back to pink in rapid succession in a strangely beautiful pattern flowing down their angular forms. Almost like they were trying to tell her something. Their wings even drooped in what could be interpreted as the creatures emoting when Mei merely tilted her head in confusion and a growing wonder. Was she truly watching Honkai beasts attempting to communicate with her? The thought sent her mind reeling once more.

 

“Alright girls, we’re here!”

 

At Kiana’s voice the Honkai beasts seemed to sense the time to frolic was over and they darted away in a blur of white and pink. No longer distracted by the curious flying creatures, Mei took a moment to observe her surroundings. She had mostly been following Kiana on autopilot and had not been paying attention. Neither had the rest of the group judging from Sophia’s reaction.

 

“Damn, I didn’t notice we’d gotten so close to this thing.”

 

The priestesses and Valkyrie’s gazed up at the structure before them. It appeared to be a massive boulder rising many times the women’s heights over the riverbed. Along the side facing them the rock had been carved away to form a flat wall with indents like shelving or cupboard holes carved into the face. Kiana silently led them down into the riverbed itself so they could better face the carved face of this massive stone. The rock (or whatever it truly was) felt impossibly large this close, wider than the riverbed itself and embedded so deeply into the earth that the river had never found a way around it. That this thing Kiana had guided them to was the origin of the dried soil and rock they had been following into the mountains seemed like... fate of a sorts. The earth around it was shaped in a similar way to the crater walls they had descended, the soil around the carved face having the distinct look of a curated space. The soil was clearer of pebbles and rocks, the grass had partially reclaimed the land, a scattering of stones looked suspiciously like organised seating, and the closer they got the more it appeared that the carved shelves into the rock had once held objects within them. But the true centrepiece was not the gigantic rock itself. No, that honour was given to the flat rectangular slab that had been placed right in front of it.

 

And the shattered greatsword that occupied its surface.

 

Mei stopped alongside Kiana as her legs stilled their movement at the edge of the area, the others spreading out behind them to get their own view of the scene before them. The words she wanted to ask caught in her throat as she turned to her Goddess and spied the deep melancholy in her starry eyes. Project Bunny moved its arm closer so Bronya could rest her hand on Kiana’s shoulder.

 

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

 

Kiana let out a singular note of self-deprecating amusement, “Yeah.” She looked at the moss and weathering upon the stone and the patchy grass struggling to reclaim the soil before shaking her head, “Too long. Look at the state of this place. If I hadn’t-” She bit her lip, “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t dwell on it. She’d probably smack me for worrying over what-ifs and I should’ves.”

 

Bronya snorted, “Yeah, and you’ve deserved every smack upside the head she gave you.”

 

Mei allowed her attention to fall away from her friend’s words for a moment as the two Herrschers began another round of bickering. Deep within her gems she could feel that tug on her Honkai energy once more. It wasn’t quite the same as when she had touched the Honkai beasts. Though it was a similar sensation, she could tell it was of a different nature. It tugged not just at her Honkai energy itself, but at something deeper. A sensation in the corner of her mind like nostalgia tugging at a memory and yet all it found was an empty void. An aching emptiness that filled her heart as she gazed at this broken sword that Mei couldn’t understand. The sword was clearly the epicentre of the energy saturating this entire crater. Mei could feel the waves of Honkai energy rolling off of it and out to wash over every inch of this place.

Mei took a step across the border from the riverbed and into the flatter clearing around this... this memorial. One step. Then another. Just as with the Honkai beasts another wave of déjà vu rippled through her nerves, fingers twitching next to her scabbard at the uncomfortable sensation cementing the sinking, twisting feeling that she was missing something. Kiana and Bronya’s bickering and the questioning murmurs of her companions faded into muffled white noise as she approached. Goosebumps raised the hairs on her arms and invisible tendrils of Honkai energy curled around her with a life of its own. The energy of the sword wrapped her in a comforting warmth, that ache in her heart soothed ever so slightly in a moment of familiarity even as the memory that should accompany such sensations continued to elude her. She was certain she had never seen this sword before or felt such a unique Honkai energy signature, so why...?

 

Why was she crying?

 

Now standing directly in front of the sword she wiped away the moisture staining her cheeks, eyes soaking in the sight and wandering to drink in every detail as these sensations assaulted her body and mind. The guard of the massive weapon took the form of several stylised spikes on either side of the blade. They pointed downwards along the hand guard that arced alongside the hilt to connect at the pommel like sharp tongues of fire flaring from the base of the blade. The hilt itself made of a ribbed texture to aid in gripping it with a bulge in the centre clearly marking where the wielder should place both hands. The blade itself was curved similarly to a cutlass or perhaps a scimitar, with one edge meant for cutting and the other left blunt with supporting structure along the lower half of the false edge instead of a sharpened blade. However it was apparent its last battle had taken its toll. The blade was broken into five pieces that had been arranged on this display so that there was a couple centimetre gap to maintain the general blade shape while making the separation between each piece clear. A tattered, decaying cloth laid across the slab kept the weapon from directly touching the stone it rested on.

On the sword’s pedestal sat only a singular other object. It was hexagonal in shape, a metal casing supporting the cylindrical plastic in the centre. Some kind of injection device, perhaps? It was incredibly worn, large sections of the metal had rusted away and the plastic was warped by time. And yet still it persisted in its lonely vigil watching over this remnant of a bygone age. Long melted wax marred the carved out shelves in the rock behind it, marking where candles had once been placed in memory of this long fallen warrior. Tattered remnants of fabric and plant fibres showed where flowers and gifts may have once stood, before time took its toll as it always did. The Honkai energy seemed to grasp sadly at her limbs as these observations ran through her mind. The sound of her companions footsteps coming to a stop as they joined her finally snapped her out of her reverie, the sensations retreating like shadows before candlelight as her attention was pulled back to her surroundings with a sniffle and another wipe at her eyes. Now that her focus wasn’t on the sword, her eyes were drawn to the glint of something behind the layer of moss and grime covering the stone.

Slowly she reached out. Gently, firmly, she pulled the moss from the area and wiped her hand across it until the message left embedded in the stone on a rectangle of sheet metal was clear. This too had begun to rust, but not enough to obscure the writing that had been printed on it.

 

“Fight for all that is beautiful in the world,” Mei murmured the words softly, almost reverently.

 

“My Lady- er, Kiana,” Isabella began, “This place... I assume it is for the teacher you mentioned. But I don’t see a name plaque or anything else that might identify who exactly is being remembered in this place.”

 

Kiana smiled softly, eyes dark with a bittersweet nostalgia, “That would be because this was a private place when we first made it. Everyone that knew of its existence already knew who we were gathering for.”

 

“Then... may I ask who this sword belonged to? I would like to pay proper respect, if I could.””

 

Kiana hummed an affirmation, “What you see before you is the last remnants of the Herrscher of Fire. A final resting place and memorial. We never found her body, so... we used anything we could find. So that even if the world forgot, her family and friends would always have a place to remember Murata Himeko.”

 

That name... Mei turned her gaze on the Herrscher, “Himeko... You and Bronya have mentioned that name before.”

 

“She was our teacher at St. Freya.” Came Bronya’s quiet voice.

 

Kiana’s eyes rose to meet piercing violet, “She was also the closest thing I had to a mother.” She gained a smile that managed to hold some amusement to it despite the cloud hanging over her every expression, “She was kinda shit at it honestly. I lost track of the amount of times she’d come home drunk after another failed date with some guy. Theresa spent half her time on her case to stop drinking during work as well. A bad habit brought on by the chronic pain of being a Valkyrie with low Honkai resistance. Yet...” Kiana sighed, a glance sliding Bronya’s way before her eyes settled on the sword once more, “Yet she was always there for us when we needed it. With unexpected words of wisdom and an easy smile. A hug. Maybe even a snack. She was far from perfect, but she always supported us the best she could. And when she needed to defend her cherished students, we finally discovered it wasn’t the stigmata that was slowly killing her with Honkai corruption. It was the blazing fire within. One she had resisted for years on end, yet finally embraced in her final hours. She fought back the Herrscher of the Void and defeated her at the cost of her own life. Who knows how much worse the Great Eruption would have been without her sacrifice. Now her memory forever lay protected in these mountains, surrounded by this peaceful scene and Honkai beasts that were attracted to and calmed by the love infused in the Honkai energy she left behind.”

 

Isabella’s steps were heavy with an understanding reverence as she stepped forward to join Mei in front of the blade and knelt in respect. This was quickly followed by Camellia and the rest of the Moonbeams, “The Herrscher of Fire has long fallen into myth and legend. I always found it... incredibly sad... that after all she sacrificed for humanity we so easily let such a Herrscher fall to the wayside. Even the Herrscher of Flamescion chose a name that would honour her predecessor instead of replace her.” Her voice fell away with a slight turn of her head towards the Herrscher beside her, though she kept her gaze low, “Isn’t that right, My Lady?”

 

Kiana had to laugh at the woman’s forwardness, “Yes. From Himeko’s sacrifice and love. Her belief that I, her student, could change the world. I inherited the core of Fire and with the flame she had stoked in my heart I blazed a path forwards for humanity.” Kiana smiled softly as Project Bunny gently let Bronya down beside her, the shorter woman smiling up at her as comfortingly as the emotionless woman could, “I wasn’t alone of course.” She placed a thankful hand on her fellow Herrscher’s shoulder, “I had my best friend Bronya. I had the Phoenix- Fu Hua, I had my aunt Theresa Apocalypse, I had the support of doctors Einstein and Tesla as well as the rest of Anti-Entropy, and I had my... my lover... the Herrscher of Thunder. I was never alone.” Her smile grew proud, the light returning to her eyes as she turned to face the mortals around her. They rose back to their feet and attentively met their Goddess’s gaze. Kiana’s back straightened, lips regaining that familiar confident tilt, “I promised Himeko I would bring an end to the wretched story of this world. To give it the happy ending we always wanted. As much as I have stumbled along the way, I have never forgotten that promise.”

 

Isabella met her confidence with a smile of her own, “I have followed you all my life, My Lady. I will forever be grateful for this chance to meet you. Each moment I spend here I only grow more confident that I made the right choice.”

 

“H-hey, no need for the flattery,” Kiana stammered and scratched at her reddening cheeks, “I’m just... doing my best.”

 

Isabella nodded, her smile quickly growing smug as she acquiesced to her Goddess’s pleading eyes and turned to locked her gaze onto Sophia and Cecilia, “Alright you two,” She held her hand out and beckoned them with her fingers, “Time to pay up.”

 

Kiana’s expression morphed into an adorable look of confusion, “Wait, what?”

 

Caihong rubbed her hands together gleefully while Sophia sighed in defeat and Cecilia’s face scrunched up in annoyance as both women fished several pieces of paper money from their persons and handed them over to their other two squadmates.

 

Camellia watched the exchange in disbelief, “You four were making bets?!”

 

Isabella’s victory shone as a brilliantly pleased smile while she tucked away her reward, “Do you know how long people have been debating whether or not Finality and Thunder were an item? No way I was losing the chance to get one up on Sophia when our Goddess is literally standing right in front of me! Though I’m surprised Cecilia was so stubbornly opposed to the thought.”

 

Cecilia’s annoyance quickly fell into an affronted frown, “That’s-! I was opposed to assuming the relationship status of the Herrscher of Finality, not the relationship itself!”

 

Caihong shrugged, “I mean I suppose I see where you’re coming from, but I will gladly take your money regardless,” She said with a grin.

 

Camellia pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned, “Unbelievable. I’m not even that pious and this still seems extremely blasphemous. Literally in front of your Goddess, no less!”

 

Kiana laughed, “Oh don’t worry, I can be blasphemous too! You should’ve seen what me ‘n Bronya did to the Herrscher of Sentience shrine outside St. Freya the other decade. Senti was on my ass for years.”

 

“Don’t drag me into that, Kiana idiotka. That was all you. I only came along to make sure she didn’t level half the city trying to kill you,” Bronya grunted.

 

Kiana brushed her off with a nonchalant wave of her hand, “Senti couldn’t beat me when she first manifested, she can’t beat me now, I would’ve been fiiinnneee!”

 

“Need I remind you, idiotka, that you fought her in an illusion that you both completely decimated? Do you want to do that in the middle of Soukai?”

 

“I would have portaled us into the wastelands or something!”

 

“Bronya detects bullshit.”

 

“You’re bullshit!”

 

Bronya shook her head, “That doesn’t even make sense. Bronya will have to smack what brains you have left back into place in Himeko’s stead.” Bronya’s prosthetics whined softly as she took several threatening steps towards the Kaslana.

 

“Hey!” Kiana began backing away and raised her hands to ward off the approaching Herrscher, “You do not have to do that! Stay away from me, Bratnya!” When Bronya continued her march forwards, Kiana frantically backed up until she was forced to scramble up the embankment of the dried river to the tune of her companions’ laughter, “Stay back you little devil! Mei, help!”

 

“Bronya!” Mei called out through her laughter, “We’ve had a tiring day, perhaps wait until tomorrow to punish Kiana?”

 

Mei’s voice seemed to have an almost immediate effect on the Herrscher, Bronya’s threateningly raised hand dropping back to her side and the woman plodding back over to Project Bunny, “Fine, I suppose, but only because Mei is my friend and not an idiotka Kaslana.”

 

Mei hid her giggle behind a hand as a pouting Kiana slid back down the riverbank, “Thank you, Bronya. You’re so kind.”

 

“It is getting pretty late,” Caihong glanced up at the ever darkening sky, pinks and purples beginning to give way to the twinkling of distant stars, “Shall we find a spot to set up camp?”

 

Kiana sighed and stared in resignation at the embankment her friends were now walking towards, “Aw man, I just came back down...”

 


 

Valerie stared coldly at the hologram hovering over her desk. Or, more specifically, the man it had taken the shape of. He stared back expectantly, waiting for the high priestess to respond to his words. After a few heartbeats, she did, “You don’t want me to answer that question, Ryoma.”

 

The main raised an irritated eyebrow, “No, I do, actually. Let me say it again in case you misheard me: The signal from Mei’s ship disappeared only a few hours into their flight. Your reaction tells me you know something. So I will ask one more time. What. Happened. To my daughter?”

 

Valerie’s eyes fell closed, her expression was as stoic as ever, yet now a hint of anxiety crept into the lines on her aged face, “Ryoma...” She growled. Yet after this she simply sighed in resignation, “The night Mei and her team left... my office was paid an unexpected visit.”

 

Ryoma crossed his arms and tapped his fingers impatiently, “And this is relevant to Mei because...?”

 

“Because I was attacked by the Herrscher of the Void!” She snapped, “She her pet Honkai beast Benares got into my office computer and found our communications on Mei’s whereabouts. That seemed to be the only thing Sirin was after, considering I am still alive.” Valerie’s frown deepened, “Not even ten minutes later and Mei’s signal disappeared.”

 

This time Ryoma’s eyes fell closed. The lines around his eyes seemed to deepen as he processed this new information, fingers steepled before him and a deep breath the only thing steadying his beating heart, “It is worse than I feared then... At the very least, they should still be alive. I have faith we will hear from them again when their journey is over.” He frowned, “We’ll come back to why you didn’t notify me immediately later.”

 

Valerie was baffled, “How are you so calm? Sirin could have wiped them all out with the barest twitch of her pinky!”

 

At this Ryoma’s tense glare shifted into a small, rather smug smile, “Why Valerie, all that sneaking around and probing into House Kaslana’s archives and you still haven’t realised?”

 

“I’m going to ignore how you might know that. Just spit it out, Ryoma,” The high priestess practically growled, “What are you talking about?”

 

Ryoma shrugged nonchalantly, “I would have thought you of all people would have figured it out by now.” He leaned back in his seat, his enjoyment clear in the subtle shifting of his posture and the slight creasing of his eyes, “Your Goddess is keeping a closer watch on Mei than either of us could have expected. That is why I have full confidence that this burgeoning team of priestesses and Valkyries Mei has brought together will succeed despite any foe they might encounter.”

 

Valerie’s eyes narrowed, darting to and fro but focusing on nothing in particular while her thoughts raced, “You don’t mean- no... It’s impossible that such a thing could have slipped under my notice!”

 

Ryoma hummed thoughtfully, “How embarrassing that Mifumi would notice such a thing before the High Priestess of Finality.”

 

Valerie’s lips pulled back in anger, however before she could respond a dull rumble echoed through the city, followed a moment later by the blaring of alarms. It was almost like the universe itself was mocking her, piling one heart attack onto another, “Save it, Ryoma. We have trouble here, I’m leaving.” The shimmering visage of Raiden Ryoma quickly winked out of existence before the man’s annoying voice could grace her speakers once more. By the time she had stood from her chair, the door to her office was hissing open to reveal the frantic face of one of her subordinates.

 

“Your Grace!”

 

Valerie stepped around her desk and approached the frantic priestess. She met the woman’s panicked call with a steely seriousness, the woman before her gasping for breath, “What is it? What’s going on?”

 

“It’s the border defences!” In her exhaustion, the priestess collapsed against Valerie as she approached. The high priestess rushed to catch her, whispering for the woman to breathe and gather her wits. Only now at this close proximity did she notice the tangy scent of ozone clinging to the woman and the blackened singes scattered across her clothing, “There’s no time!” She gasped, “We’re being completely overrun by a massive horde of Honkai beasts!”

 

Valerie instructed the woman to rest before rushing out the door. The hallways were filled with priestesses running to and fro, grabbing weapons, preparing supplies, and gathering into teams before rushing into the city. Valerie followed on the heels of one of these warrior teams as the women hefted their weapons and sped into the courtyard towards the entrance to the temple grounds. The dismay, panic, and frightened determination of the women around her was so thick she could almost taste the twisting emotions on her tongue as she stood on the temple staircase. Her gaze was singularly focused on the horizon, towards Arc city’s border with the Honkai wastelands. Past the skyscrapers and frantic honking of traffic, the fiery light of explosions lit up the evening sky as the city’s defences valiantly struggled against the Honkai. The clouds above were dark and swirled dangerously like a hawk waiting to dive onto its prey. Swirling, curving, flowing, all towards a single point. Even from this distance, Valerie would see the eye of the storm, the clouds forming a circular wall in the sky around a viscous display of lightning. Bolts darted between the clouds, bouncing from storm wall to storm wall, arcing under the grey, flashing towards the ground. The constant rumble of thunder sent an unnerving bass through her bones. There was only one being in the mortal realm still capable of displaying such a mastery over lightning.

 

Valerie bared her teeth in a defiant growl, “Benares.”

Notes:

Took me a while but I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! And I hope you enjoyed me reminding you of Final Lesson <3 Mei and the gang continue to learn about Kiana's past as they get deeper, unexpectedly coming across an area of great importance to the Herrschers. Of course, as you may have guessed, that ain't no natural crater ;3 But even as they progress closer to answers, the world outside isn't going to sit back and wait for them! Sirin has things to do other than be a lesbian with her girlfriend! Tbh at first I wasn't sure about how much I had Kiana talking but I think it's a nice little role reversal that Kiana is the one acting as a teacher to Mei now, wanting to open Mei's mind to the idea that maybe there's more to the Honkai than humanity might think. AND Kiana DOES yap a lot in-game, especially when she's trying to explain her thoughts or stance on something, so I think it fits. I've also never seen Kiana go to therapy, so while she has learned to move on from things like Himeko's death and the great eruption, I think it can still trouble her sometimes, especially when her mind is already in turmoil thanks to the Will of Honkai, knowing what Mei will find at Schicksal's old HQ, MEI IN GENERAL, etc. Unfortunately for our precious lesbians, things cannot stay peaceful forever. Look forward to more action soon!

Chapter 15: Let This Settle Our Hearts

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Her footsteps echoed through the alleyway as she ran. The sky was grey, unnatural storm clouds flashing with lightning illuminating her path through the alleyways in short, blinding bursts. Ducking and weaving through these hidden pathways, she fled. A charge filled the air, a crackling and vicious electrical current that made the hairs on her arms stand on end. She had to get away. She had to reach the end of this EMP dead zone so she could warn the city. They had to know that she was here.

A short zap of electricity seemed to dart behind her somewhere beneath the claps of thunder. She spun, but there was nothing. Her heart pounded in her chest like a cannon, pushing her legs to take another step despite how the muscles burned. Her eyes darted from shadow to shadow as she fled. A primal terror in the back of her mind urged her onwards. No time to rest. No time to hide. Her mind told her she was being hunted. A shadow seemed to move in the corner of her eye, only to still when her wide eyes darted to bring it fully into view.

The clattering of debris and garbage behind her shot a tingling shock of horror down her spine. Her lips moved in silence as she prayed desperately to the Lady of Rebirth for the strength to move faster. She was so close. The lights of the city were within reach, beyond the dead zone and screaming crowds, she could release her desperate warning. But then the sounds all faded away. Cut off. The only sensation left nothing but blinding pain.

Her voice escaped her throat unbidden, vocal chords screaming themselves hoarse as white hot electricity thrummed through her veins. By the time she had regained clarity of thought she was on the ground, footsteps approaching from behind. The Honkai battery of her battlesuit whined and strained, just the effort of pushing herself up almost too much for either her body or the Honkai-powered suit. But rise she did. Just enough to turn and behold the terrifying figure of white and black approaching her with all the confidence of a predator that knew its prey could no longer escape. Her hands- already damaged from combat- rubbed themselves raw and bleeding from how hard they scrabbled and slid and desperately pushed her weak and pained body back, no longer able to think of anything but the desperate primal need to escape from this woman, no, this thing before her.

 

“You were fast, Valkyrie,” Her voice was that of a young woman, smooth and casual, even as her limbs crackled with lightning and the draconic wings of pure energy on her back spread wide, “But not nearly fast enough.”

 

Electricity sparked along the girl’s fingers and the Valkyrie was overcome with one last burst of blinding hot pain as the power of the storm burned her to ash.

 


 

Mei had to admit, being so resistant to Honkai infection thanks to her gems had its benefits. However, one of those benefits was certainly not being the one chosen for cleaning duties due to being the only non-Herrscher able to safely dip into the Honkai thick waters of the nearby river. Though, of course, there was no way any of them were going to ask their literal Goddesses to wash the dishes and attempt to work the grime out of their uniforms, even if they weren’t currently suffering as they were. Just the thought gave Mei the urge to pray for forgiveness. At the very least they had extras within their cargo in the case that Mei failed in her laundry duties. Such duties to her companions were long completed however. The sun had dripped below the horizon nearly six hours ago.

 

The night was chilly and only kept at bay by the special material of her uniform, though she considered taking her jacket off and letting the comforting chill wash over her. Perhaps it would distract her mind from the thoughts that had been racing through it whenever they got a chance to slow down.

Not least of these was the question of why she was standing in front of the Herrscher of Fire’s memorial in the middle of the night.

Why she was awake in the first place was easy to answer. Her dreams were forever haunted by visions from her gems, and she had once again woken up from the distinctly unpleasant memory of Schicksal tearing Sirin open to get at her Herrscher core. If this was to continue she needed to find a way to block out that particular memory. She didn’t know how many more times she could handle reliving such intense suffering. Mei sighed softly, watching the soft puff of misty breath that billowed from her lips into the cold air. Once again she found herself wondering if she could ever blame Sirin for her unceasing hatred if these were the memories she had been living with for three-thousand years.

 

“You bore the brunt of all that anger so many years ago, didn’t you?” Mei muttered to herself. She wasn’t sure why she’d spoken aloud. Something... compelled her. Like she was showing respect to an old friend by simply talking with her. The shattered sword didn’t reply, of course, “Could you see it too, Lady of Fire? That broken, shattered girl lashing out? The feeling of justified vengeance burning in her eyes?”

 

The silence of the night continued, broken only by the distant grumblings and strange vocalisations of Honkai beasts. There was a curious moment where Mei thought the Honkai energy around the sword reacted to her words, but it was so quick and so subtle it was just as likely to be a trick of her exhausted mind.

 

“Standing here, seeing the care Kiana, Bronya, and the rest of your companions put into honouring your memory... It makes me wish I had the chance to see you in all your glory. To meet the woman that left such an imprint upon my Goddess’s heart.” She allowed her eyes to pull up and wander along the distant shadowy mass that was the edge of the crater in the distance, “I can only assume this place is the result of your fight against Sirin. What a sight it must have been... Beautiful yet horrifying.” Just like when she had first approached hours before, a sudden rush of emotion overcame her, its origin unknown, and Mei found herself kneeling down nearly touching the stone slab as she fought against the watering of her eyes. This time she was certain she felt the Honkai energy swirling around the sword seem to reach out and caress her senses ever so gently, “I-” Mei’s voice fell thick with emotion as she failed to prevent the hot tears slowly trailing down her cheek, “I do not know why this place feels so familiar to me. Why your name struck some chord within me when Kiana first uttered it in Arc city. Why I am over come with this deep sorrow that eats at my heart when I look at this broken sword. Why the touch of it’s Honkai energy feels like the embrace of an old friend. So many strange things have happened since I got these gems. The dreams, the way my Lady looks at me, the way the Herrscher of Rebirth seemed to already know me... More and more I find myself feeling like there are things I should remember somewhere within my mind and yet every time I find myself grasping at a gaping nothingness. But my instincts tell me something should be there. I’m certain. But how do I begin to uncover what is missing when I don’t know what I’ve lost?” The tears came harder now, rushing down her face to drip off her chin and silently bring her sorrow to the soft earth below, “What is it I’m missing? I dearly wish Kiana would simply tell me so this aching nothingness would be filled by something. Anything. But if my Goddess so wishes for me to lead a path of discovery, I will not fail her. I- I will make Kiana proud.” She lapsed into silence before the tears could hoarsen her voice any further.

 

She did not know how long she stayed there, kneeling in front of the last remnants of a woman, a Goddess, who gave everything to protect the world. But she did not leave until her tears ceased to water the roots of this final memory.

 


 

All was dark. Not simply an absence of light, but an all consuming blankness of being. Bronya had traversed many planes of existence, experienced the myriad of possibilities sinking into the Sea of Quanta, seen the branches of the Imaginary Tree, yet this infinite void gripped her heart with thick tendrils of fear unlike anything in this universe. It was here. Somewhere. It’s gaze a wave of malice burning under her skin like biting fire ants, an unceasing hatred hot enough to outshine a star, tendrils like searching fingers reaching and grasping and picking at the leaves of the Imaginary Tree. One by one these leaves would wink out in a flash, a scream of horror and wicked laughter, these darkened empty tendrils tossing the remains aside like so much trash. It was disgusted, yet the way it discarded them seemed almost like... disappointment.

As if waiting for her, the darkness parted like fog retreating before the morning sun. She pushed herself onwards. Relief so intense it nearly brought tears to her eyes welled up within her as she beheld that ponytail of white hair. Yet from her core there was a strange resonance. Murky and distorted, Honkai energy snapping this way and that like someone desperately banging on thick glass, helpless to do anything but watch as they struggled. She could feel it’s gaze upon them again, the malice strangely expectant, it’s hatred gaining a sadistic spin, it’s desire to corrupt and destroy and consume tittering gleefully through the void like a great eye curving as it laughed.

 

The girl with white hair turned.

 

Bronya’s breath left her, horror stealing her gasping exhale like a fist had punched straight through her chest. Eyes shining with stars coloured the terrible pink of the Honkai revealed themselves, a hollow cerulean encompassing this terrifying incomprehensible power.

 

But where Bronya had at first felt relief and happiness, she now saw only her own horrible, torturous end in every world that ever had been, was, or would be.

 


 

The Herrscher of Truth snapped awake with a stifled gasp. The terror faded back to the recesses of her mind, her heart beating rapidly, breaths coming quickly, laying there and thanking the stars that it was naught but a memory now. Yet this fact of memory is also what made it so terrifying. Not a figment of her imagination, not a dream conjured by the strangeness of her mind at rest. It was a nightmare of experience. A horror all too real and one she would rather forget. And yet it was her duty to remember. To keep the knowledge of its existence within her mind, to know that one day she would face it again. It was her duty now, as a Herrscher and a protector of humanity.

 

Though that didn’t make living with it any easier.

 

Bronya lifted herself carefully. Hisses of pain were bit back as the ethereal wounds along her body pulsed with pain that would leave a regular mortal catatonic. Nevertheless she slid from her sleeping bag gracefully, allowing her prosthetics to aid her in getting to her feet and carefully making her way out of the tent. It wouldn’t do to wake Camellia with her personal troubles, after all. Of all of them, Kiana’s four priestesses and this stubborn Valkyrie needed their rest most. Such high levels of Honkai energy takes its toll on the mortal body, regardless of the blessings of a Herrscher or Valkyrie-level natural resistance. Good rest was needed. Bronya herself didn’t technically need the sleep, but it was certainly better than staying up all night through the pain. It seems the Will of Honkai was stealing even that small comfort from her.

 

The night air within the crater was chill, but not too cold. Warmth generated by the incredible amounts of Honkai energy within her kept a surprising amount of the mountainous cold at bay. The night was still, the only sounds coming from Honkai beasts instead of any natural wildlife. The small firefly-like Honkai creatures maintained a peaceful, relaxing air with their soft lights. The still windless crater was only broken by a movement of white further from the camp. They had set up under the cover of nearby trees a few dozen metres away the memorial and further towards the river. This position made it perfectly clear that Mei was walking back up from Himeko’s memorial, and even at this distance the distraught expression plastered all over her face was evident. Her calloused, worn hands came up and wiped at her face several times, drying or wiping something off.

A single memory flashed through her mind. It was old. Older than even some Herrschers. One she had not had cross her mind in centuries. The memory of hands spreading body wash across her back, arms crossed over her body as such vulnerability left her feeling much too exposed and uncomfortable. The gentle touch of those same hands drying off her hair and brushing it out with the utmost care. A hand that hesitated on the bare skin of her back, the woman having noticed the myriad of scars that painted the story of her childhood as a soldier and assassin.

 

Oh, Bronya... what horrors have you endured?” She remembered her whispering, feather-light and restrained as if speaking the words too loudly would trigger some terrible curse. Almost too quiet to hear.

 

While that girl had been ignorant to the details all those many years ago, Bronya was not. What horrors was Mei experiencing thanks to the gems? There were too many options for Bronya to pick from. Her feet moved without thinking. Her shoes swished through the grass in a quiet, steady beat as she trailed after the troubled priestess. It was a simple matter to follow Mei along the edge of these small woods, stark white as her clothing was. She walked for several minutes, her steps slow and plodding, until she found a small hill stretching down towards the bank of the large river that snaked through the centre of the crater and sat at its crest. Bronya hesitated in the treeline. Was this even the right time for her to accompany Mei? She wasn’t exactly in the best mental state either. But at the same time... well... she had to admit she simply missed Mei. But was it right of her to act on these feelings? When the woman in front of her didn’t fully understand why she and Kiana felt the way they did? She had thought she’d made peace with this plan they were enacting, but the memory dredged up by her dreams had rattled her to the very core.

Enough! Bronya shook her head and lightly slapped at her cheeks. She was being ridiculous! Kiana was supposed to be the anxious and emotional one. She needed to remain logical. Despite these inner thoughts as she finally approached Mei, the Herrscher of Truth still hesitated for just a moment beside Mei before taking a spot on the grass next to her. The river was still a good walk away, and in the distance a human figure had waded into the Honkai infused waters and appeared to be bathing, though details or even who it was remained a mystery. For a mortal at least. For Bronya, it was easy to confirm an individual’s unique signature within the reach of her Honkai energy. There was only one other person that would be risking such irradiated waters anyways.

 

“Trouble sleeping?” Came her dull tones.

 

Mei glanced at her for a moment from the corner of her eye but kept her head facing forwards towards the river, “Yeah.”

 

“Bad dreams?”

 

Mei pursed her lips, “Dreams... yeah you could say that.”

 

Bitten back hisses and grunts escaped her lips as Bronya’s aching and pained body protested her movement to sit down, “Yeah...” she grunted, “Of the three options for memories you have, all three of them have their share of terrible ones.”

 

“I saw Sirin again,” Mei pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs as her voice wavered, “Being tortured in a lab by Schicksal’s scientists.”

 

“Sirin endured more than any girl should,” Bronya replied softly, “I know much about it, but only Kiana and Bella truly understand the horrors of her life.”

 

The two lapsed into silence. The night remained still, the Milky Way above them bright, beautiful, and so much fuller this far away from the light pollution of humanity’s cities. It was much easier to appreciate when they weren’t exhausted from escaping a ravenous Honkai beast horde. The feeling that perhaps she should say something more gnawed at her heart, yet for all her intellect Bronya wasn’t quite sure what there was to say. Words of comfort that might work on Kiana seemed like empty platitudes when she thought of offering them to the priestess next to her. Especially when they were from Herrscher to mortal.

 

“I saw you come up from Himeko’s memorial,” She said instead.

 

“Yeah, I was...” Mei shook her head slowly, “I don’t know. Venting I guess. I feel a strange nostalgia there. A sadness but also like... by speaking to the sword I am honouring an old friend. I-” Mei hesitated again, “There are many things troubling me this past week. But at the moment, remembering Sirin, I... I recalled a moment within the illusion that seemed right at the time but now seems strange to me, but it seems so small compared to the pile it has added to.”

 

Bronya eyed the girl curiously, “I’m willing to listen if you want to talk about it.”

 

Mei laughed softly, a short and sweet sound, “It sounds like such a silly think to get worked up about, but... Before fully stepping over the edge of becoming a Herrscher, Sirin asked me... why I seemed so determined to protect her. I told her that I’d always liked to fancy myself like a big sister, and had selfishly taken it upon myself to become this guardian for her when I found her in that lab. At the time it felt right. But thinking back on it... I don’t know where the thought came from. I’ve never really thought about myself like that before, though I suppose it might be nice. But was it truly me? Some kind of desire leaking through the gems? Or... something else...” Mei hesitated, lapsing into another silence even as she turned to Bronya as if preparing to say more. Several minutes passed before Mei spoke again, “Does she dislike me?”

 

Bronya blinked in surprise, “What?”

 

Mei turned away, “S-sorry. Nothing. Forget it.”

 

Bronya’s lips pulled up into an ever so slight smirk, “Kiana idiotka is many things, but subtle is not one of them. What brought this on?”

 

Mei sighed and allowed her left hand to drop to the soft grass between them. Her fingers twitched, picking lightly at the pink infused green, “I... I’m not sure how to say it. We get along well. She is bright, and kind, airheaded yet attentive, and surprisingly emotionally intelligent. Yet every time I feel like we’re finally growing closer she pulls away. Twice now our relationship has almost become... closer. Yet every time she pulls away. Acts almost like she thinks she’s... tricking me or betraying me somehow.”

 

“Yeah, that sounds like Kiana.” Bronya pursed her lips, “She is... well, she’s a complicated girl beneath that idiotic exterior.” The Herrscher leaned back on her hands and lolled her head to the side to meet Mei’s gaze with a humorous twinkle in her shining grey eyes, “Kiana adores you, she’s just fucking stupid and gets in her head about it sometimes,” She continued, her lips ever so slightly curving upwards. A moment later her expression dropped back into her usual flat seriousness, “Like you said, Kiana has become incredibly mature over the last few thousand years. But for all our power, Herrschers still suffer from the stagnation of immortality. For all her growth, some things about Kiana Kaslana haven’t changed in all these years, for better or for worse.” She chuckled, “I’m sure she and Seele could say the same thing about me. I... can’t give you the answers you seek, Mei. For that you’ll have to ask her yourself. Both because I gave my word, and because it would be better for both of you to have this discussion one-on-one.”

 

“I know...” Mei sighed, “I’m sorry, Bronya, you’re right. I’m just...” Her voice wavered, “I’m afraid.”

 

“These things are never easy. Gods know- quite literally- I still struggle with having these serious discussions with Seele. And I don’t think it has anything to do with my disability,” She smiled wryly. Her gaze finally pulled away from Mei and back to the distant figure in the river. The woman stood as a darkened silhouette against the cool moonlight reflecting off the gently rippling water. Bronya gestured towards her with her chin, “Kiana’s down there, by the way. If you feel like catching her tonight.”

 

It took a moment, but Mei eventually stood and began her hesitant journey towards the river with a nod of thanks. A small smile remained on Bronya’s lips as she watched her friend’s gait gradually regain the graceful confidence that always settled so naturally over the priestess. After a few minutes, Bronya stood as well. She took a few steps back towards camp, casting but one last look to the white-clad figure in the distance.

 

Bronya laughed quietly to herself and shook her head, “Still such a worrier when it comes to Kiana. I suppose I should be grateful that, despite this unfortunate situation you put Kiana and I in, that part of you still hasn’t changed.”

 

The memories still played in her minds eye. That terrifying presence so horribly separated from everything else that makes up the living universe. The jerky movements of the figure that had hovered before them in that void, a picture of pitiful resistance against something so much greater than any of them imagined. The resulting struggle that would never be remembered or immortalised in song and art by their followers, for it was too horrible to ever speak of, too destructive, too heartbreaking. Forever a silent burden.

 

“I hope this plan of yours works, Mei,” She pleaded to the dark, “I hope this works.”

 


 

“-bathe me in the clairvoyant light of the moon. Guide my thoughts, my words, that I might bare my heart true-” Mei’s steps remained heavy with trepidation even as her voice caressed the soft grass with murmured prayer. Each metre closer to Kiana mired in anxiety and insecurity. Was this the right time? Should she even be here, interrupting her Goddess like this? Was she being too hasty in her emotional state? The mere thought of approaching the Herrscher of Finality like this had her heart roaring in her ears, yet Bronya’s words pushed her inexorably forward. If she didn’t do this now, well... she might falter again. And that would be a disservice to both herself and Kiana.

 

She was so close, her Goddess’s form clear where she stood with the slow surface of the river reaching up to her ribs. Mei’s steps slowed as she approached the gentle lapping of the water’s edge. Kiana didn’t seem to have noticed her yet, the Herrscher leaning down to dip her head under the water for a moment. Her form was rather elegant. The pale light of the moon danced gently along the water’s surface, only disturbed by the currents beneath preventing complete stillness and the ripples caused by Kiana’s body. It lined the Goddess’s silhouette with its soft embrace. It took only a moment for the Goddess before her to lift her head from the water, Honkai stained hands shedding streams of water like the leaves of a weeping willow as they raised to flip her soaked hair over her shoulder in an arc of cold droplets. Immediately, irresistibly, inevitably, Mei’s eyes were pulled to the droplets trailing down the woman’s neck, shining in the moonlight as they were. Like shining pearls they rolled down her bared neck and caressed her collar in a fleeting moment of ethereal beauty as the Herrscher turned her shining eyes to her supplicant.

The smile that bloomed on her face soon after was nearly as bright as the full moon itself, ghostly, otherworldly, the kind of beauty that stilled her thoughts and dried her throat. Despite the wounds still glowing and gaping across her body she looked so... at peace. Content. Her lips curved upwards in that delightfully earnest way of hers, the lines around her eyes no longer from stress but infused with the joy of such a smile. Just like that morning in St. Freya, the silver moonlight lit up the fringes of her hair like a halo. If Mei hadn’t known before, undoubtedly the sight before her would have convinced her this woman truly was a Goddess.

As her eyes lingered on the still form of her Priestess, her smile tilted into something more... vulnerable. Embarrassed even. A bashful shift of her weight under the water as stained hands still wet with what was surely the dew of the gods themselves slid across the front of her chest. The movement, of course, drew the Priestess’s eye. For just a moment her vision was filled with the soft curves of her skin, the way her breasts pressed and conformed against her forearm as she attempted to retain some of her dignity. The deep valley between was like an image of pure temptation that swept Mei into it’s grasp for a single, fleeting moment before an angelic note finally wrested the priestess back to her senses.

 

“Mei?” Kiana’s smile stuttered awkwardly as she- not for the first time it seemed- called out to her priestess.

 

The realisation of just where her gaze was lingering hit the woman like a charging Honkai beast and her cheeks quickly blossomed crimson the same moment she snapped her eyes to Kiana’s face, “Kiana! I-I’m sorry, I was- uh-” Mei brought a fist to her mouth as she cleared her throat, an ingrained, polite gesture, “I uh... c-can we talk?”

 

“Oh, um, of course!” Kiana seemed to ponder something for a moment before an almost devious grin flit across her lips. Before Mei could question her sudden change of expression, the Herrscher dropped her arm and took her first step towards the riverbank. Mei was struck frozen, eyes wide and an even more intense burning in her cheeks, helpless to tear her gaze away. She wanted to say Kiana was just walking, but there was a purposeful, almost sensual sway to her hips as her body lifted further from the water. The river fell away, revealing more and more of the athletic, toned body of the Kaslana, inching lower and lower until it revealed that patch of skin below her belly button, a dangerous, blasphemous sight that made Mei’s heart jump into her throat. The priestess was certain the Herrscher of Death would be sending her to eternal damnation for the thoughts that ran through her head at such a view. Propriety finally overrode her frozen awe and she tore her gaze away before any more was revealed to her.

 

“M-My Lady!” Mei held her arm before her as if this would somehow contribute to blocking the sight from her vision even though she had already turned her head away, “This is-!”

 

Kiana giggled playfully, her voice suddenly much too close and bringing with it a fluttering jumping in the priestess’s heart. A small flash of light overtook her peripheral vision, followed by Kiana tapping her raised arm, “Mei, you can look again. I promise I’m dressed now.”

 

Slowly, Mei dared to allow Kiana back into her sight. She was indeed back in her Herrscher regalia, though that had not changed the knowing grin that still lit up her face, “My Lady, that was... highly inappropriate.”

 

Kiana tilted her head, “More inappropriate than you walking up on me while I was bathing?”

 

“I-” Mei’s eyes darted away bashfully.

 

“I could sense you with Bronya, having a little midnight chat?”

 

“Yes, that’s-” Mei took a moment to steady herself with a deep breath, “I decided I needed to talk with you about something tonight before I lose the courage.”

 

Kiana nodded, her expression shifting to a more earnest concern, “Of course, Mei.” She extended her hand towards the hill to the treeline, “Shall we go somewhere more private?”

 

Mei nodded her assent. The walk back to the treeline was slow. She found her eyes continuously drifting to Kiana’s exposed back as she followed the Herrscher. But instead of the embarrassing thoughts of minutes before, her mind was consumed with hesitance and anxiety as she ran through the rapidly approaching conversation in her head. The paranoia that she was somehow going to ruin her relationship with Kiana was ever present, whether that was actually realistic or not, and it ate away at her heart in these few minutes.

 

Her concern must have shown on her face, for once Kiana had selected a tree just behind the outer treeline to lean against she turned and graced Mei with an encouraging smile, “I don’t wanna waste your time. Come on, Mei, tell me what’s on your mind.” It only took a moment for Mei to take her place in front of Kiana, steel herself, and turn her face towards the Herrscher. Within that fleeting moment where their eyes met, Kiana’s gaze darted across Mei’s face and took in every minute detail faster than Mei could speak, “Your eyes are red. Mei, have you been crying?” Kiana’s question was punctuated by her lips falling open ever so slightly in her concern, and Mei once again found herself banishing inappropriate, irrelevant thoughts. What was wrong with her?

 

“Yes I... I relived Sirin being tortured by Schicksal. Again,” Mei sighed, voice heavy with exhaustion.

 

“I see,” Kiana said softly, “I apologise for not being able to do more for you. The memories from the gems come from a deeper, more intimate place than normal dreams, so there is little I can do to affect them like I could a simple dream.”

 

“It’s okay,” Mei assured, “I’ll manage. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about.” Her eyes darted between the ground and Kiana, that creeping anxiety fluttering in her heart making it difficult to hold the Herrscher’s otherworldly gaze. Kiana’s gaze was soft, a small, encouraging smile returning to her face. That almost made it worse, “We need to talk about... whatever it is that’s going on between us.”

 

Kiana’s smile faltered, “A-Ah, right! Of- Of course!”

 

“I-” Mei sighed heavily as she parsed her thoughts, “Even before I knew you were my Goddess you pulled away both times we began getting... closer. And I know you must have your reasons, but it hurts. It feels blasphemous for me to say this, but I... I cherished you as simply Kiana Kaslana. Those intimate moments we shared are dear to my heart, and that is why this distance you push and pull between us is so painful, even if I don’t show it. Is there something about me you find... distasteful?”

 

“What? No! No,” The words burst from the Herrscher with a burning desperation, “Mei you are the kindest, most determined, skilled, and- and amazing girl I’ve ever met! I would never use a word like ‘distasteful’ to describe you!”

 

“Then why?” Mei’s head shook gently in confusion, finally gathering the strength to look her Goddess in the eyes, “Why do you... why do you play with my heart?”

 

“I...” Kiana pulled back at this. Lip caught between her teeth, the Moon Goddess of all people appeared deeply... ashamed, “I’m sorry, Mei,” She began slowly, haltingly, a careful cadence to her words, “I do truly want to be closer with you, I meant every word I said about you. I told you on the airship there were things about me I couldn’t tell you yet in regards to me being the Moon Goddess, but... but what makes me hesitate now is that... there are things I know about what is going on, why I wanted you to go on these missions, and I...” She trailed off, conflicting emotions warring across her face.

 

“It has to do with what you said about needing me to discover some things myself, doesn’t it?”

 

Kiana nodded sombrely, “Yeah.”

 

“And why you had such a visceral reaction in St. Freya and muttered something about betraying my trust?”

 

Kiana winced, “Also yeah.”

 

“And yet you almost allowed it in the airship and even came and sat on my lap.”

 

“I- w-well,” Kiana stammered, once again turning her face away in shame, “T-that was, uh...”

 

“So if you obviously want this as much as I do, why can you not trust me?”

 

“It’s not about trust!” Kiana insisted, pushing herself off the tree so she could better use her arms for emphasis, “I get that you trust me, and I trust you! But it’s-”

 

“-An issue regarding the things you know that I don’t.” Mei interrupted, arms crossing and her voice now gaining the harshness of irritation, “You keep saying that like it absolves you of the fact that your indecision affects me just as much as it affects you!” Fear of using such a tone with her Goddess shivered in her heart, yet that same heart burned with an indignation that would not allow her to relent.

 

“I’m sorry! I know I’m being shitty but it’s not that simple!” Kiana protested.

 

Mei’s eyes momentarily flashed pink in the pale light filtering through the trees, “Do you think I’m a child?” She demanded, “Do you think I cannot judge the weight of this knowledge and come to a conclusion I can live with on my own?!” She took a step closer, forcing the Moon Goddess to take her own step back to maintain distance from the glaring priestess.

 

“What? No! Mei, I swear it’s not because I think less of you!” Both their voices were steadily rising in volume now.

 

“You are my Goddess! I trust you! I believe in you! You taught me to have faith in humanity before we even met! I worship you and strive to embody everything you represent to humanity!”

 

“M-Mei, I just- I don’t want to-”

 

A pale arm shot out and latched onto Kiana’s opposite shoulder, a foot stepping further forwards. Kiana was slammed into the tree behind her with Mei’s forearm across her collarbone in a show of forceful forthrightness that seemed to surprise the priestess who enacted it just as much as the Herrscher she’d interrupted. However, Mei didn’t seem eager to change their position any time soon despite the confusion in her eyes, “-But if you insist that I treat you as simply Kiana Kaslana, then this cannot continue!” She finished decisively. Her surprise at how easily she had forced the Herrscher of Finality into an unfavourable position was only matched by one other thing. This close it was impossible not to notice- not for the first time- that her Goddess was nearly half a head shorter than her. Her anxious and shameful darting of her eyes, the way she was almost cowering ever so slightly in the face of her priestess, pinned against a tree as she was. Mei nearly faltered in her determination. How fast would she be released from duty if the High Priestess saw how she was treating their Goddess? How would she ever be able to pray to this woman with a clear conscience again? Kiana gazed up at her with a hesitant, all too vulnerable look in her eyes. It almost made Mei sick to think that she had caused such an emotion to appear on her Goddess’s face, yet at the same time there was still that part of her that would not allow her to relent. Violet eyes darted to the pale, oh so vulnerable expanse of her neck. If she shifted her arm upwards even a little she would begin to press against her Goddess’s throat, and that was a dangerous thought indeed. One noted merely in passing before it flitted away like so much mist as her mind raced.

 

“You’re right, Mei...” Kiana finally conceded, “I asked that you treat me as a friend. Like any other human. Yet I’m treating you as anything but. And it’s not fair to you.” Her voice lowered to a whisper as she finished, “I’m sorry...”

 

“Kiana.” Drawing on some hidden reserve of bold courage welling up within her, Mei brought her free hand to Kiana’s chin, resting it between the knuckle of her forefinger and pressing the pad of her thumb under her lips, and pulled it upwards until Kiana met her eyes, “I believe I made my feelings clear back on the airship. The only question now is; Can you trust in me? To have thought this through? That I would rather brave the trials of this world together with the woman that greeted me that day in Arc city, than shy away in fear of what is to come? And... do you feel the same?”

 

A nervous smile stuttered across her Goddess’s face in time with the growing blush infecting her cheeks, “That’s four questions, actually.” Her voice wavered with an anxious shyness that matched her struggling smile.

 

Mei tilted an eyebrow, unamused.

 

“I-” Kiana stopped herself just long enough to suck in a deep breath to steady herself, “Y-yes. Mei. I do. I feel the same.” Something unspoken still hung in the air between them, hidden behind the Herrscher’s nervous smile, her anxious paranoia of failure, of hurting her, still simmering behind those shining eyes.

 

Of course these things would still trouble her, even if she allowed herself to embrace the truth of her feelings. But that was for later, and Mei quickly batted aside these things attempting to sully what little space remained between them. In that moment, there was only one singular thought in Mei’s mind. The instant those words reached her ears, the hesitation fled her body. The anxiety still simmered in that nervous tingling down her spine and the thump of her heart, sure. But in this time, in what must be an infinitesimally small moment for the being before her, Raiden Mei had but one goal that she felt with a fleeting unison of heart and mind.

 

She would finish what she’d begun back on the airship. Back in St. Freya.

 

And so within a second of the words slipping from Kiana’s lips, those same lips were met with the crushing force of all the emotion Raiden Mei could muster for this Goddess, this woman who had captured her affection so utterly.

 

The knowledge that she’d never kissed anyone before, that she was now initiating with a Herrscher of all people, briefly clouded her thoughts. Darting behind closed eyes. Should she be freaking out? This was her Goddess! What if she wasn’t good enough? This, of course, was followed with the knowledge that she shouldn’t even be pinning her Goddess to a tree and kissing her in the first place. Yet when Kiana was so eagerly wrapping her arms around her waist and pressing their bodies together, did the decorum that had been drilled into her for years and years really matter? By the Gods, what was she doing? What if having to bend down so far to kiss her became awkward and uncomfortable? Yet Kiana’s lips were so irresistibly soft as she separated only enough to kiss again and again, the hand holding Kiana’s chin sliding along her jaw to cup her cheek as their bodies finally melted together in a moment of bliss. The small noises escaping from Kiana’s throat could only be described as sinful.

 

The need for air burning in her chest was the only thing that could make her pull away.

Yet the sight before her almost made her glad she did. Kiana’s chest heaved with each shaky breath, eyes peering up at her past her burning cheeks and swelling lips still connected to her lover’s by a flimsy string of saliva for but a passing second. The woman before her did not look like a Goddess in this moment, only a flustered girl on the verge of begging for more.

Yet it was also in this moment that her sudden surge of boldness seemed to flee her body. Mei’s cheeks burned red like they were trying to outshine even the moon, and her eyes widened as she beheld the mess she had made of her Goddess. Her arm was snatched away from where it pinned Kiana to the tree and she took a step back while a nervous laugh bubbled from her throat.

 

“I can’t believe I just did that,” She said softly.

 

Kiana returned her amazed disbelief with a bashful smile of her own, “W-well, if you need to be sure, we could always do it again.”

 

Watching Kiana shyly fix her hair at her own suggestion, it was all Mei could to just to rapidly nod her agreement with the ethereal beauty before her. Something in the way this incomprehensibly powerful being had melted under her lit aflame a desire she hadn’t even known she’d had. And so it was with purpose that she returned a step closer to the woman, this time pressing into her with her own body and propping herself up with her forearm against the tree. Like this, Kiana was completely trapped against her and- judging by the widening of her eyes and quickening of her breath- the Herrscher was all too aware of this.

 

Mei swallowed thickly before leaning her head forwards. Lips only just brushing against the shell of the woman’s ear, she allowed her thoughts to fly from her lips unimpeded, her desire spilling out in the slight husky rasp that wound its way into her voice, “My Lady... My Goddess,” She paused to drink in the sharp inhale from the woman before her, “I’m afraid if we do that again I won’t be able to stop kissing you.”

 

Honkai stained hands reached up and latched onto the button flap of her jacket and the chord securing her cape, “Then don’t stop until I order you to, my Priestess,” Kiana smiled as she tilted her head up once more.

 

Mei quickly found that she didn’t much mind needing to bend down to reach her Goddess’s lips.

 


 

For once, Mei’s eyes were fluttering open from a peaceful, untroubled sleep. Even in her groggy state it didn’t take her long to piece together what might be the reason why. Muscled arms still held tightly around her, four legs tangled in the cramped confines of the single sleeping bag, and a comfortable warmth lulling her back into a state of drowsiness from where Kiana had cradled Mei’s head under her chin. Her now wrinkled dress shirt held valiantly to her modesty with a single button still keeping it secured around her chest, the undergarments that were the only thing still fulfilling a similar role below allowing her to bask in the feeling of Kiana’s skin against her own. Though, truthfully, the strange glowing wounds across her body held a strange texture that she still wasn’t quite sure what to make of. At the very least Kiana had assured her that her touch wouldn’t aggravate them. The temptation to simply let her eyes fall back closed and melt into the feeling of their half clothed bodies tangling together was nearly irresistible. Unfortunately the sounds of the others moving about their small camp pulled at the priestess’s sense of duty and she gently shimmied herself free of Kiana’s tight embrace with a small grumble.

 

The movement caused the Herrscher’s own eyes to flutter open and the girl to yawn deeply, “Is it morning already?” She attempted to say around her yawn.

 

“Unfortunately yes,” Mei replied drowsily, “Though I don’t think I’ve slept that well in a very long time.”

 

Kiana pulled back just enough to ensure Mei could see her smug smile, “Yeah same, cuddling a cute, blushing girl will do that for you.”

 

“You’re one to talk after how flustered you were last night,” Mei shot back, booping the Herrscher’s nose with the pad of her finger.

 

“Wow, already gotten comfortable enough to sass me, My Priestess?”

 

“I’ll have plenty of time to lose my composure about making out with my Goddess in a few hours, but someone made certain I am very comfortable at the moment,” Mei grinned before snuggling back into Kiana’s embrace, “Thank you, Kiana,” She continued softly, “I meant what I’ve said. I know you’re worried, but whatever it is you wish for me to discover, whatever it is that involves you, I would much rather work through it together at your side. Perhaps it is foolish of me to feel so intensely so soon, but it is the truth.”

 

Kiana gently rubbed circles into Mei’s back, humming her agreement as she buried her face into Mei’s hair, “Heh, I’m one lucky Goddess. Feel free to kiss some sense into me if I’m being an ass like last night.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mei hummed teasingly. As if confirming her determination to back up her words, she leaned her head up and planted a small kiss against her Goddess’s jaw, “But for now we really should get up. It sounds like the others are already packing up for the day.”

 

Kiana groaned, “Ugh, fiinneee... I guess we should get going before the Will of Honkai starts trying to tear me apart again.”

 

Kiana said it so casually, yet it could not keep away the frown that formed on Mei’s face, “Is there a danger it could succeed?”

 

“Pssh, nah,” Kiana shook her head, “Or at least, it shouldn’t be able to do much more than severely hurt Bronya and I if we don’t focus most of our power on combating it, maybe wrest control of the Honkai beasts from us once we leave this crater. If it does actually exert more power over this planet than it already does, then I’d have to pay the other Seele a visit and have some serious words with a certain pink elf.” Kiana rolled her eyes, visibly displeased at the thought.

 

Mei pulled herself from the sleeping bag and began properly buttoning up her dress shirt (she had very quickly discarded nearly everything else in order to feel Kiana’s closeness to her). Mei was halfway up when she realised she’d missed something, “Dammit, my bra.” She heaved a heavy sigh and began unbuttoning her hard work.

 

“Woah,” Kiana grinned, “Already giving me a show?”

 

Mei’s cheeks immediately bloomed bright red, “Kiana! Turn around!” She hissed.

 

“We were literally just sleeping together! Also, you saw mine!” Kiana protested

 

Mei’s narrowed her eyes in a very pointed glare, “Kiana. Lower your voice and turn around.”

 

Still pouting, the Herrscher turned in place and crossed her arms like a petulant child. She didn’t have much else to do, getting dressed for her was as simple as snapping and the tail of her dress and shoes manifested back onto her body, the tightly clinging one piece that made up the body of her clothing having remained on while she slept. All she could do was listen to the rustling of Mei’s clothing and the clink of metal as she slid on her pants and buckled her belt. One by one buttons snapped together until Mei finally announced Kiana could turn around. Now free of the command of her favourite priestess, Kiana watched as Mei laced up her boots.

 

Mei looked up as she finished, a nervous smile darting across her face when she locked eyes with the Herrscher, “What?”

 

It was then that Kiana realised she’d been staring with a small smile of her own for who knows how many minutes, “O-Oh um, nothing, I was just... watching you I guess?” She giggled nervously and scratched at the back of her head, “You’re just- er... very pretty...” Kiana trailed off.

 

Mei’s smile quickly shifted into something sweeter, the priestess leaning across the short distance and pressing a quick kiss to the Herrscher’s cheek, “Charmer,” Mei said. She grabbed her uniform jacket and quickly threw it on, leaving it unbuttoned for now as she unzipped the tent entrance and stepped outside with Kiana close behind.

 

True to Mei’s deduction, the others were already packing up anything they didn’t need while Sophia threw together a simple breakfast mostly made up of their supply of fresh food. It wouldn’t do to let it go bad, after all. They had plenty of canned and preserved food for later.

 

“Well look who’s finally awake!” Isabella smiled. When Kiana exited the tent just a few seconds later, the priestess immediately stiffened and her voice lost its playfulness as she bowed, “My Lady! I hope you slept well.”

 

“Pfft,” Sophia snorted from her spot by the fire, “You’re about as unsubtle as a brick, Isabella.”

 

“Hey!” The woman protested, “I just-”

 

Kiana chuckled and held up a placating hand, “It’s okay, it’s okay! And please, just Kiana is fine. I slept well, thank you, Isabella.”

 

It took a moment for Mei’s eyes to adjust to the sunlight spilling into the crater, however once she did it was difficult to ignore the way Sophia was staring at her, “Er, is something wrong, Sophia?”

 

The grin that lit up Sophia’s face sent a distinct sense of danger shivering down her spine, “Nope! Nothing’s wrong, my dear Mei!” She brought a hand up and rubbed a finger against her own neck as if pointing something out, “You might wanna cover up that hickey, though.”

 

Two things happened then: Mei and Kiana’s eyes darted to each other before the two women quickly turned away with incredibly unsubtle flustered expressions while Mei’s hand quickly snapped up to hide the skin exposed by her unbuttoned jacket, and every eye in the camp immediately snapped to the two women with shocked looks and gleeful, teasing smiles appearing in equal measure.

 

Amidst the exclamations and knowing teases, Bronya stood back and observed, a nostalgic smile on her face as she watched a flustered Mei desperately trying to hide the sign of Kiana’s affection, while the woman in question fought through her own embarrassment to pull Mei close and press a wet kiss to her priestess’s cheek. This of course, only deepened Mei’s stuttering embarrassment, the teasing giggles, and the astonished looks on Isabella, Camellia, and Cecilia’s faces that this was actually happening. But to Bronya, this scene of the two lovebirds was positively nostalgic. A familiar sight that she had gone far too long without, despite the hard time she usually gave Kiana about it. It was... nice. To see what- to the Herrscher of Truth at least- was a welcome, small return to normal.

 


 

Valerie’s fists tightened to the point her fingernails threatened to break skin as she observed the ongoing defence from the intelligence centre nestled safely within the temple grounds. The area was abuzz with the chaos of the unexpected attack, the various screens lit up with what cameras they could access close to the northern edge of the city. The room was large, Valerie standing on a raised platform in the centre where she could observe the windows of information thrown up onto the massive screen that took up most of the back wall. It also allowed her to look out over the dozens of terminals operated by more of her priestesses spread out below her. Those with authority sat behind her at their own terminals, managing their subordinates, sending orders, and attempting to manage the massive flow of information pouring in from all over the mega city around them. Most cameras in the north had been disabled by a massive EMP blast, and what little information they were getting out of that area was only painting a worse and worse situation.

The priestess that had first warned them of the incoming assault had needed emergency medical treatment after she collapsed from exhaustion and the severe electrical burns covering her body. Though not before gasping that a Valkyrie should have taken the same message to the city’s anti-Honkai militia. It was a simple matter for Valerie to contact their commander and confirm that no such messenger had arrived and they were scrambling just as badly to put together a response force. Every fighting body that Finality had at its disposal in Arc city had rushed from the temple to evacuate civilians to safer areas and fight off Honkai beasts that had strayed too far forward from the main force. Already the death count was rising as they moved into the area effected by the abnormally powerful EMP, whether from fires caused by electrical circuits overloading, surprised motorists crashing, or the wave of Honkai beasts that flooded into the city with the disabling of the larger perimeter defence guns. Several squads of priestesses had begun running into retreating militia, their Honkai-powered Schicksal firearms lethal but not nearly enough against the sheer number of Honkai beasts.

With a defence as scattered and haphazard as this, it was only a matter of time before the Honkai beasts broke through further into the city despite the additional aid of the Herrscher blessed priestesses. A fact Valerie knew all too well. Yet her forces were small. Finality’s priestesses were not meant to act as front line soldiers, and this showed as the women of the Moon began to lose ground. As they began to fall while attempting to hold for reinforcements from deeper in the city. The remnants of the perimeter garrison fought valiantly to aid them, but it just simply wasn’t enough. Blown apart by Catapults, skewered by Knights and Templars, swarmed by dozens upon dozens of Archangels. Comms relaying their screams, desperate pleas for aid, reports of lost positions, and the silence of those that were unable to resist this tidal wave of destruction. A horrific sight that Valerie had not experienced since Schicksal’s pyrrhic victory against the Void Queen on the slopes of the Babylon Crater. More militia were beginning to arrive, but would they be enough?

 

“Your Grace!” One of the women behind called out to her, “We have an incoming transmission from ME Corp!”

 

Valerie appeared distinctly displeased but gestured for the woman to continue regardless, “Put it through,” She growled. The square shape of a video call window bloomed to life on the massive monitoring screen before her, “Ryoma, I don’t have time for your bullshit-” Valerie cut herself off as the face that appeared before her was distinctly not the aged face of Ryoma Raiden, “Ah, Mifumi, my apologies.”

 

“Apology accepted, Valerie,” Mifumi replied wryly, “Let me get to the point,” She tapped a few commands out of view and in a corner of the frame flickered to life the visage of the city militia commander, “Schicksal informed us of a massive spike of Honkai energy just outside Arc city and of a loss of contact with the Valkyries stationed with the perimeter garrison. We are on the way with reinforcements.”

 

The commander’s face scrunched up in distaste, her voice snappy and gruff, “Tell Schicksal they better send something able to deal with Emperor-Class Honkai beasts at minimum or they can shove it up their ass. Something hit the entire northern perimeter with a massive EMP that fried everything from toasters to the defence guns- which Schicksal told me could withstand large EMP pulses by the way- and both my soldiers and Valerie’s priestesses are being overrun.”

 

“Mifumi,” Valerie calmly inserted herself before the militia commander could continue, “There is a lightning storm forming outside Arc city’s northern perimeter as we speak, and one of my priestesses suffered severe electrical burns delivering a warning after the EMP. The one leading this attack has to be Benares.”

 

The commander grit her teeth, “The Void Queen’s pet dragon?”

 

Mifumi smiled, “Then it’s a good thing I’m bringing along one of Schicksal’s premiere beast hunters. Valkyrie squad Snow Lotus as well as another special guest shall be with you in the next fifteen minutes.”

 

Valerie’s brow shot up in surprise as these words graced her ears, “Snow Lotus? Schicksal has deployed Ana Schariac? And who is this ‘special guest’?”

 

“Now that would be telling,” Mifumi winked, “Commander, I won’t keep you any longer. Expect more reinforcements within the next few hours, we are the vanguard and will help stem the tide until the Hyperion arrives.”

 

That finally got a small chuckle out of the irate woman, “Well, we certainly can’t die before we get to see squad Snow Lotus and the Hyperion in action, now can we? Tell them not to leave us hanging for too long or there might not be much of a city left to save.” With that her window winked out.

 

“Valerie,” Mifumi began, “Be careful. We do not know if Benares’s goal in this attack is simply destruction on behalf of its mistress or something else. Be on guard.”

 

“Come now, Lady Raiden, you know me,” The high priestess replied dryly.

 

Mifumi gave her a knowing look, “Yes, that’s why I’m warning you.” And with that she too ended the call.

 

Valerie fell into a moment of contemplation, even as her eyes returned to scanning every bit of information returned to the screen. One of Schicksal’s best squads at tackling Emperor-class Honkai threats, the Battleship Hyperion, and a figure who qualifies as more special than both to the point the usually straightforward Mifumi Raiden was playing coy? Perhaps they could win this after all.

 


 

Fifteen minutes was much too long while her priestesses were fighting and dying, but it was just long enough for the high priestess of Finality to rush to the nearby landing pad that had been cleared for the incoming Schicksal transport. She had faith in her girls to organise the defence while she was away. She needed to greet Mifumi and see just who they would be fighting alongside. There was also the small matter that if Benares wanted to take out city leadership, she was a prime target herself. So where better to go but to the warriors arriving specifically to combat the Honkai dragon?

She now stood at a safe distance and watched as the large transport descended to the landing pad with a roar as it slowed from its rapid descent and pivoted its rear landing ramp towards the high priestess, settling onto its landing struts with a hiss. She approached to the whine of hydraulics and the wind of the engines as the rear ramp lowered and met the metal plating of the pad with a cold thunk. From the shadows within first stepped Mifumi, a smile blossoming on her face when she spied Valerie approaching. Closely behind came the armoured and heavily armed Valkyries of squad Snow Lotus. At the head of the other three women was their leader.

She was clad in a black dress that reached to her knees underneath white armour that hugged the curve of her body along her sides and up across her chest. Once it reached her waist it became a thick fabric that continued to fall along her sides to accent the black of the dress skirt. The torso was sleeveless besides decorative straps that fell over her right shoulder and arced across her upper bicep. Her hands were clad in dark blue gloves that reached halfway up her forearms. Sky blue belt straps crossed diagonally over her stomach, under the white armour, but over the black dress, looping around her body and held in place by another two that were threaded into the right side of the white fabric armour. On her back these straps held in place a rifle that seemed much too large for the woman to wield, yet it did not impede her motion as she walked down the landing ramp. The front of the straps held two sheathed daggers to the front of her hips. A scarf of similar sky blue colouring was wrapped around her shoulders and kept in place with a pin designed in the image of the plant after which Snow Lotus took its name. From each ear hung dangling earrings like icicles. Her hair was a very light brown and left loose to fall to her lower back, with a single streak of white running through the right side of bangs cropped closely around her face. The Valkyrie’s look was finished with a minimalistic butterfly hair clip on the left side of her bangs and a black beret atop her head decorated with two pins of white four-pointed stars.

 

This was Schicksal’s legendary Emperor hunter. Ana Schariac.

 

Valerie bowed as the newcomers approached, “I give you greetings from the servants of the Moon, Mifumi Raiden, Valkyrie Squad Snow Lotus,” She gave each another shallow bow as she named them.

 

“Come now, Valerie,” Mifumi smiled, “Surely we’ve known each other long enough for you to dispense with the formalities at a time such as this.”

 

Ana and her squad returned the shallow bow, “Thank you, Your Grace,” Ana replied. Her voice was soft, almost reserved. Like one might expect from a shy college girl. Yet her eyes were sharp, a cold magenta already darting around the cityscape behind the Valerie in search of any possible threat. Her squadmates were similarly dressed in variations of Ana’s black, white, and blue colour scheme, though to someone unfamiliar with the capabilities of Schicksal’s battlesuits these girls would appear much more practically armoured than Ana herself.

 

Valerie’s gaze slid over the women before her and up to the darkened interior, “And where is this special guest you got me so curious about, Mifumi?”

 

As if summoned by her voice, a thump and a clatter came from inside the transport. It sounded like... someone had fallen? There was the sound of scrambling against the floor of the ship before a head of black hair and deep blue eyes peeked from the shadows.

 

“Sorry! I was, uh-” The girl squeaked as she nearly dropped the phone in her hand in her flustered state. Quickly stuffing the device into her pocket she rushed down the ramp and towards the group waiting for her, bare feet slapping against the cold metal. She came to an abrupt stop next to Mifumi and smiled up at the high priestess serenely, her previous flustered nature having disappeared in an instant, “Greetings, Your Grace! I’m Seele Vollerei, Principal of St. Freya and leader of Schicksal’s Far East Branch.”

 

Valerie hid the widening of her eyes with another short bow, “Ah! Principal! I know your name but I had yet to have a face to put to it. I am honoured to finally meet you.” Straightening back up Valerie nodded to Mifumi, “Now, we should prepare. Our defences are crumbling and it won’t be long until the Honkai beasts breach further into the city.” She eyed the diminutive principal curiously, “Will you be fighting as well, Madame Vollerei?”

 

“My abilities are better in a more supporting role, though I can hold my own if necessary. She, however, will be taking the fight directly to the Honkai.” Seele gestured to the empty space next to her with a smile on her face.

 

“She?”

 

All eyes were drawn to the floor as Seele’s shadow seemed to pulse and writhe, viscous blackness dripping upwards from where it shaded the ground like the reverse of tar dripping down a wall. Up and up it rose until it reached chest height next to Seele. There it began to swirl and coalesce, all except Ana taking a step back as the unmistakable hum of Honkai energy drilled its bassy notes into their senses. Tighter and tighter the shadows curled until from this coiled ball extended legs, arms, a head, and then the coil itself became a body. A woman seemingly created from shadow itself. Her long black hair and red undertones stood in contrast to the blues that decorated Seele, her eyes a murderous crimson, like a knife twisting in the gut of all who looked upon them. Yet in the shape of her face and the twist of her lips, one could see that she appeared to look almost exactly like Seele. She extended her hand to the side and from the shadows coalesced a brutal scythe, it’s black handle twisted, it’s blade bearing a crimson gradient to its black metal that gleamed wickedly in the light, and a singular eye where handle met blade gazed back as if the weapon was death itself. Her black dress ended at mid-thigh and left a glimpse of pale skin before the armour covering the rest of her legs. Gauntlets like the claws of a demon adorned her hands and the dark sash around her waist left tails of fabric trailing behind her that also bore that same dreadful red eye as her scythe. The woman’s mere presence seemed to dim the light of the sun, as if life itself cowered before her. A deep dread settling into the bones of the women present even as Seele’s beaming smile remained on her face. The air felt heavy, a pressing on their minds not painful, but a creeping uneasiness that made the women before her shift uncomfortably. Yet through it all, Ana watched on unperturbed, even as the realisation came to Valerie and she and the other Valkyries dropped to one knee.

 

Coming back to this realm better be worth my time. Her voice came, echoing like the screams of the dead cowered just behind the harsh tones spilling from her lips. The woman’s eyes darted to the sky, Benares’s distant lightning storm apparent over the peaks of the buildings around them. And she smiled. A cruel, wicked thing, “Just don’t get in my way.” The woman’s smile managed to gain an even crueller edge as she gazed upon the distant promise of battle, “I owe that dragon a little payback. Bella won’t know what hit her.”

Notes:

HELLO. I'VE FINALLY FINISHED THIS ONE. I SPENT THREE DAYS ON THE KISS SCENE ALONE SO I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE IT. Bronya is having a hard time, but at least she gets to see her two best friends happy together again. Now, not too much of a reaction from the others quite yet, mostly because I didn't want to keep lingering on this one scene for too long. After all, shit is happening in Arc city that I needed to get into and the chapter was already like 6,000 words! We got Bella, we got the priestesses having a No Good Very Bad Day, we've got Ana still operating as a Valkyrie because uhhhh reasons (that I will be getting into. Later.), we've got Veli coming to kick ass and probably scare the absolute shit out of anyone that realises the Herrscher of Death just showed up out of nowhere. And yet Mei remains blissfully unaware. I'm sure that will last :) I had lots of fun writing this chapter once I got in the groove and I hope you all enjoyed reading it just as much :3

Chapter 16: Within The Sparkling Ice Dances The Real And Imaginary

Notes:

This took me forever because as I kept writing and editing I simply could not find a place that made me go "Yeah this'd be a good spot to end a chapter" and so now we have a chapter with 13,000 words so I hope you like long chapters! lmao

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The Herrscher of the afterlife had long been an enigma in the eyes of humanity. They knew she existed, certainly. There were a few recorded cases throughout the last several thousand years of the Herrscher of Rebirth appearing to humanity in all her glory. She was powerful no doubt, one should never underestimate the abilities of the being who holds sway over the very concepts of life and death. Yet her duty was one of contradiction, if the legends are to be believed. They tell that the Herrscher has spoken of a time before she had taken her place as guardian of the afterlife. A time when the Honkai would feed and grow off of every human soul, for everything connected to this land suffered the corrupting touch of the Honkai. Humanity’s great foe, the Void Queen, was said to have relished in destruction not purely out of sadistic glee, but because such large loss of life allowed her to grow even further in power.

That is, until Rebirth was born to guide the human soul to rest free from the troubles of the Honkai, her realm of death fed by the lives of mortals like a river emptying into a bottomless ocean. And just as she held dominion over the dead, so did her other aspect preside over life itself. And thus, the contradiction of a Herrscher- one who commands the Honkai- who’s purpose prevents the Honkai from gaining strength as it once did.

As her name might suggest, there have always been rumours and theories that part of this cycle was a quite literal rebirth. Reincarnation. However there has never been enough evidence to prove these theories- though not for lack of trying on humanity’s part. Together these two aspects of the Herrscher maintained the delicate balance of life and death that humanity had so come to love and despise in equal measure. Rebirth is said to maintain her own realm beyond Death, beyond the sight of a mere human, one humanity has dubbed the Evergrowth. A wondrous and expansive garden where she may cultivate all sorts of strange and fantastic life to better understand how to care for and shepherd the living for whom she served as a guardian. What fantastic realms could there be for beings such as them to explore? To guide? To judge? Humanity could only wonder, for all of the Thirteen Herrschers kept such secrets close to the chest. Most weren’t even sure what exactly the Lady of Rebirth looked like, though ancient documents and art has depicted her as a young woman clad in a flowing dress of either black or white. It depended on whether she was representing Rebirth or Death. Content to exist away from prying eyes, judging each soul in a place mortals could never hope to reach in life, though there were rumours that the missing Herrscher of Flamescion (or Flame-turned-Finality depending on who one asked) had ventured into the realm of Death and returned unharmed with a loved one in tow.

That did not stop the rumours, the tales, or the legends, of course. Whispered warnings that those that insulted the Herrscher of Rebirth quickly found themselves victims of Honkai plagues, or a deadly mist that corroded the physical and ate away at your very soul if inhaled, and all manner of other terrible things. The ire of Death was not something to take lightly. Yet just as Death could snuff out life in an instant, so too could Rebirth hold it at bay. A farmer might find their crops unnaturally robust, their yield greater than any before. A veterinarian a remarkable, near supernatural skill at treating animals. A warrior that had curried the favour of Rebirth was capable of fighting through wounds that would have long ended any other mortal. Their wounds closing at remarkable speed and the weariness fleeing their muscles. Though such strength did not come without toeing the line with death, a line that will inevitably be crossed.

And so, it is said, that particularly remarkable figures in life will be personally guided by a manifestation of the Lady of Death to their final rest. A figure of fear, destruction, and inevitability, and yet in this moment she garners a sombre awe. For death is but another part of what it means to be human. And in those moments, whether it be a last stand for the ages or the quiet sigh of a life well lived, the Herrscher of Rebirth will provide a final judgement of their being. It is believed that most souls live on in a land free of troubles where spirits live on in a content bliss, though no longer what might be considered “human”. Mere representations of the life they once lived within the Herrscher’s Snowy Garden- so named for the light blue colour spirits are believed to take on. On either extreme from this it is said the Herrscher reserves two areas of the realm of Death for those who were particularly virtuous or sinful. Those the Herrscher judges as remarkably virtuous will be granted passage to the Elysian Fields where they will retain their humanity and bask in eternal reward, watched over by mighty heroes of a time long past. The egregiously sinful, however, are forever trapped within Naraka to be forever tormented by the Herrscher’s aspect of Death for their transgressions. Many have questioned the apparent difference in naming convention, yet the Herrscher is too elusive to provide an answer herself. Scholars have been forced to simply accept that it seems to come from the same ancient language as the name for some Honkai beasts such as the Emperor-class Parvati. Rebirth remained- as always- mysterious, elusive, kind one day, spiteful the next.

 

Yet none of this could have prepared the High Priestess of Finality for what it truly meant to stand in the presence of the aspect of Death herself.

 

As she knelt in respect, her mind raced. The Principal of St. Freya had such favour that the Herrscher of Rebirth would willingly manifest at her call? It beggared belief. Even Finality, the most affable of the Thirteen Herrschers, almost never did such a thing for a single individual. Durandal the Palatinus Equinox or the Celestial Phoenix were much more likely to walk among humanity. Even Kaslanas claiming to be descended from the Herrscher herself struggled to gain such physical attention. Yet the physical presence of the Lady of Life and Death was so overwhelming, she had to wonder if the Moon Goddess kept her visits rare on purpose. She had sunk to her knees not just out of respect, but because merely looking at the woman filled her heart with such a deep seated dread it felt as if her very soul might unravel should the woman stay within her sight.

 

“My Lady,” Seele began, almost seeming to have a teasing lilt to her voice, though such a thing seemed too impossible to the mere mortals present, “If you could help aid the defenders in solidifying their defences and give me time to begin healing the wounded before focusing on Bella, that would be greatly appreciated.”

 

The Herrscher scoffed, “Ugh, fine.” Before melting back into the shadows. The incredible, terrifying, near panic inducing pressure that seemed to press against all their minds disappeared in an instant.

 

It took several seconds for Valerie to gather herself before she began to push herself back to her feet. As she rose she found gentle- but firm- hands aiding in her rise. Raising her gaze she was met with the deep blue of Seele’s own. The girls face still held an easy smile.

 

“I apologise if she was a bit much,” Seele said, “She always gets rather cranky when I drag her back to this realm.”

 

Ana nodded, “We are no worse for wear, so I believe all is well. Besides, this is not the first time I have encountered Lady Death.”

 

Seele hummed an affirmative, studiously ignoring the astonished looks the Valkyries gave their leader, “Well, I believe I should follow her. While she is much more suited for combat, I can help tend to the wounded. Once the Hyperion arrives we shall have the full support of St. Freya’s medical Valkyries and nearly a dozen Valkyrie assault squads. It shouldn’t be too difficult to hold out until then.”

 

Valerie cleared her throat, “Yes, I cannot imagine simple Honkai beasts will put up much of a fight against a Herrscher.”

 

Seele nodded, “They won’t. But do not underestimate Bella, whom you know better as the Honkai Dragon Benares. While she might not be able to match a Herrscher in raw power, a Judgement-class Honkai beast that has lived for this long is nothing to scoff at.” She paused just long enough to cast her gaze towards squad Snow Lotus, “Ana, you may begin.”

 

“Of course, Principal,” Ana replied. She nodded to her squad and the four Valkyries ran towards the edge of the three-story tall landing pad and leap to the city below.

 

Seele returned her smile to Valerie, “Ana has come a long way from the timid girl she once was. I am proud. Now then, I shall get going as well.” She handed a small slip of paper to the high priestess, “This is the radio frequency I and Snow Lotus use so we may keep up communication.” Her expression fell into something more sombre, “This may not be as easy a fight as we hope. We do not know the exact location of the Herrscher of the Void, but she is never too far from her Bella. Let us pray things do not become as destructive as a clash between two Herrschers, though I fear a confrontation with Sirin may be inevitable.”

 

Valerie nodded, the nature of such an event clear in the hardening lines on her face, “May the silver light brighten your path, Madame Vollerei,” She ended with a bow.

 

Seele returned it with a shallow bow of her own, “And yours as well, high priestess.”

 


 

“GET DOWN!”

 

Priestess and militia soldier alike dove to the ground as a hail of catapult bombs blew apart the cars they had been using as cover. Several militia were unable to retreat far enough and had suffered severe burns and shrapnel injuries, yet more casualties they could not afford. What people could move quickly scrambled back to their feet, blades and firearms frantically forming a deadly wall for the waves of Honkai beasts to break against. Cavalry formed of Honkai zombies atop an angular mockery of a horse would break past the sparse line of Priestesses only to be mowed down by the militia behind them. Yet with every clash, some of the beasts would get lucky. Another soldier gored on a lance, an archangel distracting a priestess just long enough for a Chariot to land a bone crushing hit, archer zombies catching those out of cover, the priestesses worn down and losing ground as they were overpowered by successive battles with Jun-Ninja type zombies in the midst of everything else.

Incoming reinforcements were beginning to slow to a trickle as the Honkai spread through the northern end of Arc city, forcing its defenders to spread themselves thin in an attempt to prevent the Honkai beasts from flanking their positions. Their desperate cries in the face of the forces arrayed against them was only matched by the ferocity at which they fought back regardless.

 

Yet much like a cliff-face is slowly eroded over time, so was this wall of human stubbornness gradually eroding under this brutal tide of Honkai crashing against it again and again.

 

That made it all the more frightening when, after hours of being slowly pushed back by the seemingly endless horde, the unrelenting assault abated. The Honkai beasts faltered, stumbled, almost... hesitant. Or by the disquieted vocalisations, even... afraid?

 

This terror was not only for the Honkai beasts, however. Like a blanket of night, a dark mist billowed from within the city behind the defenders. It carried with it a shadow of horror, the militia and priestesses tensed and wary as tendrils of this mist curled around their feet. Combat slowed to a halt now that the Honkai beasts were no longer approaching, this new phenomena grabbing the attention of all across the entire city battlefront. A deathly quiet blanketing the chaos that had rung loud in the ears of all just moments before. Through buildings, across rubble, past the legs of human defenders, this mist slithered and writhed and beckoned forth a primal dread from all that experienced it. Hearts raced, breathing quickened, those of a weaker mental fortitude began to panic. The defences came alive with the desperate murmurs of prayer. The names of many Herrscher’s fluttered across the battlefield; The Herrscher of Finality, of Wind, Reason, Thunder, Ice. But one seemed to get a reaction out of the very mist that now floated past their shins.

Rebirth.

 

Those who stood on ground enveloped by the mist dared not move, they barely dared to breathe, even as some continued to whisper prayer. The flow of the mist suddenly, inexplicably, picked up speed as if blown forth by a gale. Tendrils shot past the Honkai beasts, and as the mist engulfed them their lives began to... dim. The brilliant veins of Honkai energy lost their lustre as the beasts were engulfed by the mist, the brilliant white of their chitin armour turned muted and dull. And as this dulling of their lives turned them grey, so too did they begin to crumble and disintegrate. One by one they filled the air with dust and particles of Honkai energy until the streets before the defenders appeared like a hazy day in an ancient smog shrouded city. Cries of astonishment tore from the human’s throats as this darkness billowed upwards and engulfed everything, obliterating the Honkai who had captured the skies before billowing forwards like a great wave.

 

High above the city outskirts, within the swirling maelstrom crackling and flashing with electricity, Bella’s expression twisted into a disgusted sneer as she beheld the cheers and celebrations of the humans far below as the dark mist flooded the streets all throughout Arc city, accompanied by the grunts and astonished vocalisations of Honkai beasts as their very being was erased from existence. The mist did not quite reach the entirety of the city, halting and leaving a band of about two kilometres before the edge of the city. Instead the mist curved sharply upwards high enough to reach a dozen metres above the highest of skyscrapers, forming a secondary perimeter wall of pure death between the Honkai and the city’s remaining population in all directions. For a city large enough to house over fifteen million people, this was no small distance.

 

“So you can weather brute force,” Bella sneered to the empty air, “I see the game you two are playing.” The lightning around her cracked and writhed with renewed intensity, the clouds of charged energy stretching further across the sky. A duo of opposing shows of strength glaring at each other from the ground and the sky, each daring the other to make the first move. This was not the first time she had attempted to face the Herrscher of Death. Bella was determined to ensure it would not be the last. Her Queen had forbid her from dying, after all.

 


 

Ana’s eyes darted back and forth as the four Valkyries darted through the shadows of burning skyscrapers. Such a large portion of the northern end of the city had been decimated by Benares’s Honkai beasts it would take weeks just to put out the fires. Ana hummed quietly to herself as she observed the silent streets. Abandoned vehicles choked the streets and the ground was littered with the bodies of those that were unable to escape the Honkai beasts. Scattered among them were bodies of the retreating perimeter garrison and brave priestesses of Finality that had rushed into the EMP deadzone in an attempt to rescue more civilians. However, the silent streets were also completely free of Honkai beasts.

 

“They mists of Death certainly did their job,” One of her squadmates commented.

 

Ana did not recall her name, though her violet eyes framed by choppy dark brown hair were rather striking. It was not particularly because she didn’t care. She did care about humans still, somewhat. But most of her missions were so dangerous she either worked alone or came back the only survivor. These three women were simply the next in a long line of replacements, and over the years Ana found herself keeping greater and greater distance from those she fought alongside. She had frozen her heart years ago. It was... better that way.

 

Ana nodded to the woman, choosing her words carefully, “The Herrscher of Rebirth does not disappoint. Now it’s our turn. We must pass through the mist. Move quickly and do not breathe it in.”

 

The three women nodded. One- a girl with stark white hair- smiled confidently, “We’re ready, Major.”

 


 

The Valkyries were swift, their movements faster than any normal human as they sprinted through the thick mists of death with filled lungs. The wall of death was a dozen metres thick and the Valkyries enhanced bodies cleared it with little trouble, though they waited until they were a good distance on the other side before relieving their burning lungs. Now on the other side they found themselves on a two-lane road splitting off from one of the large main highways winding through the megacity. Almost immediately they were spotted by Honkai beasts that had either escaped the mist or come in from the wastelands.

 

Ana wasted little time unslinging the large rifle from her back as her squad attacked with greatsword, poleaxe, and dual pistols. A single blast tore a templar’s shield from its body and the second put it down for good. The rest of this small group of Honkai beasts fared little better. The enhanced strength and Honkai powered weapons of the Valkyries tore through the beasts with far greater ease than the militia or priestesses of Finality had managed. Within seconds they were moving on. Besides this forced initial encounter, the Valkyries stuck to the shadows. They wove expertly through the city, avoiding Honkai beast patrols and steadily moving further towards the northern perimeter over the next hour. The storm above them was worsening over time, the clouds crackling with unnatural amounts of lightning. Every so often a barrage bolts would fly from the clouds and crash against the wall of dark mist only to be harmlessly absorbed. Though the mist did not extend high enough to touch the clouds, the storm had formed a ring around the city as if some force held it back regardless.

 

But that was not important to Ana. She and her team had found a good location near the fried perimeter defences and had quietly set themselves up atop the twenty metre high defensive wall. The impressive battlements had seen better days, now riddled with holes and collapsed in certain places from where the hordes of Honkai beasts had forced themselves through. The top of the wall was a wide space, large enough for plenty of soldiers to fight alongside the large guns or even bring up extra artillery of their own behind the lines. It was here, in the shadow of one of these massive double-barrelled guns, that Ana had found the perfect angle into the eye of the storm. Her squad kept their eyes peeled for any unwanted guests as Ana crouched and braced her weapon against the top of the crenellations.

Her movements were quick, practised, a professional who had the process down to a science. The soft hum of the Honkai energy coursing through the rifle’s components vibrated softly through her bones as she peered through her scope. Within the bright crackling of lightning jumping from cloud wall to cloud wall in the swirling eye was the central buzz of light that marked her target. Benares was still several kilometres away, but her scope allowed her just enough clarity to see the Honkai beast’s frown. The wind was a gentle breeze here on the ground, however the sky was another matter. Ana adjusted her aim to the side to allow the clockwise hurricane of wind around the eye to guide her shot to its target. Her finger slid through the trigger guard and ever so gently began to depress the trigger.

The bulky Honkai rifle released its deafening roar the same instant Benares’s gaze locked with her own through the scope.

 

Ana’s body snapped to the women behind her with a frantic tension, “MOVE!”

 

The Valkyries barely had time to take a step before a woman wreathed in lightning crashed upon one of the women with the clap of thunder and the screeching crunch of metal and bone being ground to dust. Benares’s eyes were alight with the chaotic fury of the Honkai. She moved as quickly as the lightning jumping across her body. A twinge of regret shot through Ana’s frozen heart as she watched Bella’s boots leave the crushed body of the girl with the greatsword. However, Benares left no time for them to grieve. She brought her rifle to bear as the woman darted towards her companions. The rapid fire of the girl with dual pistols flew around her, too slow to catch a being that was like living lightning in motion. Bella closed the distance between her and the white-haired Valkyrie in only a second. Ana’s battlesuit surged with power as she brought her weapon to bear and squeezed off a desperate shot. The powerful Honkai shrouded bullet clipped one of the woman’s draconic wings with a sizzle of electricity. Benares flinched, and the clawed hand she swung at the Valkyrie missed by a hair’s breadth as she ducked under it, let off several shots from her pistols directly into Benares’s chest, and slammed a kick into her abdomen. These attacks did not seem to do more than make the draconic woman stumble back a few steps, yet it was just enough to allow the last Valkyrie to hastily thrust her poleaxe into Benares’s shoulder. The Valkyrie attempted to pull away as the Honkai dragon roared in anger, but a chitinous hand latched onto the haft of her weapon as it left already healing flesh. Ana took aim once more only for Benares to bodily shift the both of them to position her squadmate between them before yanking on the weapon and launching a kick of her own. The Valkyrie’s breath was driven from her lungs as Benares launched her backwards, and Ana was forced to leap to the side to avoid being pinned underneath the woman and her heavy armour.

 

“Oh no you don’t!” The white-haired woman jumped back into the fray, peppering Benares with bullets from above and swinging her leg up to drop another kick upon the Honkai dragon. Nearly as quickly, Ana rolled to her feet and let loose another shot.

 

Benares seemed to be expecting this and darted around the Honkai bullets with successive flashes of lightning. The Valkyrie landed from her missed kick, smoothly shifting her momentum to chase Benares’s dodge with several more kicks punctuated by shot after shot, only for her neck to be easily caught in a vice grip, “Foolish human,” The dragon growled, “All this time and you insects still believe I can be defeated by Kaslana Gun Kata?”

 

The girl wheezed as the hand tightened around her neck. The powerful bark of Ana’s sniper rifle once again thundered loud in their ears and Benares dropped the woman with another roar of anger. The Valkyrie scrambled backwards, eyes catching on the new wound in Benares’s side. There was no blood. Instead the circular bullet wound was surrounded by the angular patterns of Honkai infection, like the lines were the woman’s body cracking from the force of the blow.

 

This did not seem to slow the woman down in the slightest, however. Benares launched herself at the retreating Valkyrie, a bolt of lighting leaping from her body and knocking Ana’s next shot off course as it flew towards her. Her fist crashed into the woman’s abdomen. Despite the air rushing from her lungs from the sheer force, the woman still managed to squeeze off another shot directly into Benares’s face, the bullet knocking her head back with a superficial scratch left behind. The Valkyrie flew hard and fast, hitting the massive defence gun behind Ana with a sickening thud and collapsing into a heap. Her eyes fluttered open ever so slightly, but she only groaned in pain and did not move. The final Valkyrie stepped to rush forward only to be halted by Ana.

 

“Step back,” Ana commanded.

 

Bella made a fist and coursed more lightning down her arm as she stared back at Ana, “Why did you even bring them, Lady Schariac? Do you take pleasure in watching mortals suffer? You must have known they stood no chance from the get-go. Not against me.”

 

Ana’s expression remained a stony neutrality, “They all knew the risks.”

 

“Schicksal sending its Valkyries on another suicide mission,” Bella sneered, “Why am I not surprised? Do you feel nothing that Schicksal sent you along with sacrifices? Did they even know?”

 

At this Ana’s expression finally slipped into a frown, “They knew the dangers of facing Benares. But they were... unaware... that Schicksal leadership did not expect them to return with me. A Judgement-class as long lived as you... regular mortals cannot hope to compete.”

 

“Major?” The woman stared at her superior with a betrayed astonishment plastered all over her face.

 

Bella bared her teeth, “And so they sent you. Look at you! Even I am capable of feeling remorse when I send my Queen’s mortal followers into peril. But you? Do you feel anything at all?” Bella scoffed, “And they call me the monster.”

 

Ana placed a hand against her chest, as if trying to feel for a heartbeat, a small shadow of distress passing over her face, “I don’t know. It has been difficult for me to feel as a human does for... a long time. Since... since the Herrscher of Corruption pit her strength against mine two millennia ago and I lost control.” Her gaze returned to the furious Honkai beast woman, “But regardless, I will stop you.”

 

Bella seemed to find this rather amusing, “Tapping into your Core? For what? To stall me? Is Seele too scared to face me herself?”

 

Ana’s eyes narrowed, “No. I will- I must continue to prove myself worthy of calling myself a guardian of humanity.”

 

Bella’s face twisted into a sneer once more and she gestured towards the crumpled bodies of her two other squadmates, “Guardian of humanity?” She scoffed.

 

Almost immediately the temperature around the women dropped dramatically. Ana’s eyes came aglow with an inner light. She turned to her subordinate once more, “Make sure she’s alright,” She gestured towards the white-haired woman, “And stay back.”

 

Despite the hurt and anger dancing in her eyes the Valkyrie rushed to secure her companion.

 

The glow in Ana’s eyes steadily increased in intensity, wind picking up speed and whipping at her dress as the temperature continued to plummet until frost formed on the metal around Ana’s feet. The glow was terrifying in its depth, and yet there was something about it that gave the distinct impression of... hollowness. A strange emptiness that seemed intent on swallowing all who looked upon it. The ice spread outwards several metres, Bella’s breaths now puffing with condensation as particles of ice and snow drew out a swirling maelstrom around her Valkyrie opponent.

 

Bella spread her stance and dropped low before dashing forwards in another blur of electricity.

 

Her clawed hand shot forward at blinding speed, and yet even that wasn’t enough. There was a sharp crack and within that split second before she made contact her arm had been encased by a wall of ice. She broke free with another burst of lightning channelled down her arm, but was forced to jump back as more ice burst into existence before Ana’s feet. Bella’s lungs released a sharp exhale of surprise as the pointed tip of the ice came dangerously close to her face while she threw herself backwards.

 

Ana herself had one hand pressed against her face, covering one side and puffing hard from exertion. The single eye that was still visible glowed with an intense, powerful anger. Her lips were pulled back into a furious snarl of her own as she raised her hand towards Bella. The dragon reacted quickly. Ana clenched her fist the same moment Bella took to the skies, the wickedly sharp icicles that had appeared around her hitting only empty air. Bella looked down with the first hint of concern on her face as she beheld the way the icicles easily pierced the reinforced metal of the defensive wall.

 

Yet as she watched on Ana did not attempt to follow or even launch another attack. Both hands pressed against her face now, and the howling wind carried with it a much more human howl of anguish. Ana stumbled, teeth grinding, hands pressing against her head as if trying to physically hold herself together. Something about the hollowness of the light in her eyes appeared distinctly inhuman, even to a Honkai beast such as Bella.

 

You will not know victory!” Ana growled through her strained grunting and heavy breaths. Her voice was strange. Echoing. Like the wails of a woman trapped within an icy prison of her own making.

 

Yet as more ice began to form upon her limbs, the battle was decided for them.

 

The shadow that passed over their battlefield was the only warning. Benares reacted quickly, but not quickly enough to completely avoid the barrage of canon fire that crashed against her in a wave of kinetic cacophony. From the sky descended a shape that brought with it another swell of fury from the draconic woman. The smoke from the attack cleared, Bella seemingly no worse for wear besides a few scuffs and sporting a furious scowl.

 

“The Hyperion?!” The massive flying Battleship lowered itself parallel with the outside of the perimeter wall, just enough that Bella could spot the woman standing upon the edge of the deck.

 

“Give up, Bella,” Amber Kaslana called down to her, “I don’t want to hurt you.” Amber pointed her scythe towards the woman to emphasise her point.

 

Bella clicked her tongue in irritation, “Fine. I have all the time in the world, Valkyries,” She snarled. Another blinding flash of lightning and Bella was gone.

 

Amber took the opportunity to leap from the Hyperion’s deck to the battlements below. Snow and ice still swirled dangerously around a heavily panting and straining Ana. Amber, however, walked right into this small maelstrom without breaking her stride.

 

“Miss Ana,” Amber intoned softly, “The fight is over. I can assure you your power is no longer required at this point in time.”

 

Ana stared back with hollow, glowing eyes. Her teeth grit, fingers trembling from where they pressed against her head. Ana clenched her eyes shut and let out a groan of effort, shaking her head and seeming to mouth “No” repeatedly to herself. Amber watched on patiently and within a few seconds the harsh weather whipping around them dissipated into nothingness. When Ana opened her eyes once more they had lost their inner light.

 

Amber nodded to herself, “Good. Our medical team will handle your squad, you rest your mind.”

 

Ana simply allowed her legs to fold where she stood, collapsing against the battlement beside her.

 

While concerned for the woman, Amber would not let herself grow distracted. She activated her communication device and began efficiently doling out orders as Valkyries landed beside her to carry Snow Lotus onto the battleship. It was time for the Hyperion to get to work.

 


 

It was a rather nice change to be walking along a grassy riverbank, the mountain air caressing their faces with it’s sharp chill, and docile Honkai beasts watching curiously from the shade of the trees. Mei could not help the pleased little smile on her face at the weight and warmth of Kiana’s hand in her own. Sophia watched on from several metres behind as Kiana playfully knocked shoulders with Mei and pointed to something along the river, the women giggling together in response to something Kiana said.

 

She leaned over to Isabella and half murmured through the side of her mouth, “So what level of blasphemy is it to fuck a Herrscher?” Though her words still came out loud enough that the other Moonbeams and Camellia heard them clearly.

 

Isabella snorted, “I don’t think they went quite that far, Soph.”

 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Sophia straightened back up, “We probably would have heard our Lady across the whole camp, huh?”

 

“I will kindly ask you to shut your mouth only once,” Cecilia snapped, “You are the one edging towards blasphemy, Sophia. I do not need that image in my head. Our Lady is dignified, wise, and responsible. Not...”

 

The five women watched as Kiana leapt onto Mei’s back, giggling wildly as the priestess stumbled at the sudden weight and kisses raining down on her cheek. The rapid movement only facilitated Mei’s downfall, and both women toppled into the dew damp grass, Mei’s own giggles now bubbling from her chest as Kiana rolled on top of her.

 

“Not a lovestruck schoolgirl?” Isabella offered.

 

Cecilia scowled at her leader but said nothing.

 

“I mean,” Caihong shrugged, the group still watching as Mei pulled Kiana back to her feet and they continued walking hand in hand beside Bronya and Project Bunny, “Sure the high priestess probably wouldn’t be happy with speaking to Our Lady without proper respect, but... does Mei’s ‘disrespect’ matter when it’s so obvious Our Lady enjoys it?”

 

Isabella bobbed her head and shrugged in acceptance, “Yeah, I’ve had that thought myself. Our respect and reverence for the Herrschers has been ingrained in us for our whole lives, yet if we want to respect Our Lady’s wishes, then we should be calling her Kiana and not ‘Our Lady’. Whether we consider it improper or not, it is what she asked of us.”

 

Camellia’s voice joined them then, the Valkyrie speaking with a contemplative tone not often heard from the woman, “The more time we spend with her, the more I think all this propriety is purely a result of our worship of her instead of something she ever actually wanted.”

 

“Enough!” Cecilia snapped, “I don’t want to hear any more!”

 

“Alright, alright,” Isabella held up a placating hand, “Lets drop it for now, girls. We can argue after we make camp. For now just keep an eye out and lets make sure our two lovebirds don’t accidentally walk off a cliff once we get out of this crater, yeah?”

 


 

Three days.

 

That was how long it had been since they’d left the crater with the Herrscher of Fire’s memorial. Three days of attempting to sneak past more groups of Honkai beasts (it was a coin flip on whether they were successful now that the Herrschers struggled to keep large groups under control outside the crater). Three days of terrain that only seemed to grow more treacherous as they ventured deeper into the mountain range. Three days of the air growing heavier as a strange feeling of wrongness and paranoia simmered in the back of their minds the deeper they ventured. Were the rumours of Sirin’s hatred lingering within these mountains true?

 

Their journey had slowed further as the more time went on the more they were forced to stop to allow Kiana and Bronya to rest. Their struggle with the Will of Honkai seemed to only be intensifying and the pulsing and writing of energy within their ethereal wounds increased to match. The further they went, the more the Moonbeams were taking advantage of these rests as well. They had taken up the burden of fighting off any Honkai beasts that spotted them while Mei, Camellia, and Project Bunny protected their supplies and the two Herrschers. There was a tension in their shoulders ever since the crash, though Mei was unsure if it was her place to comment as much. Cecilia and Sophia continued to throw themselves at the beasts, sometimes even unnecessarily when stealth would have served them a bit better. Isabella and Caihong seemed just as eager for a fight, though to a lesser extent. Mei did consider that maybe she was being anxious over nothing, but such worry for her companions had always been something she could not help. Camellia too, seemed to be coiling with more and more tension. The Moonbeams had always been much more skilled than she, but Mei had taken it upon herself to be there to support them with a snack and a carefully chosen area to rest when they returned. Nothing ever got past them to threaten the Herrschers and their guards anyways.

 

Yet the growing familiarity of this routine they had fallen into the last few days was smashed like the shock of jumping into freezing water when they stumbled across the first body.

 

It was in a dangerously rocky area along the side of one of the mountains. The rock formations formed a bridge across a cliff that seemed almost designed to be just tall enough to kill them at the smallest mistake. On the other side was a shallow tunnel through a portion of the rock, and tucked away against the cliff-face, just under the shelter of the outcropping leading into the tunnel, sat the skeletal remains of a human. It was propped up against the rock as if they had sat down to rest and never woke back up, though their arm was slung across their abdomen like one might when pressing against a wound. The uniform was much darker than the stark white of the priestesses standing before it, much more similar to Camellia’s Valkyrie uniform in colour. Black with white highlights along the edges of the collar and buttoned up front with a scattering of purple star designs snaking down the arms where they gradually combined into solid purple cuffs as if falling into an ocean.

 

Camellia was the first to speak the thoughts of all present, “I believe we’ve found your lost expedition.” She glanced at the priestesses.

 

Isabella moved to take a knee next to the skeleton. The uniform was weathered and tattered, yet the condition was not too bad all things considered. The benefits of being infused with Honkai energy. The leader of the Moonbeams moved carefully so as to not disturb this fallen woman of Finality. After a moment of leaning to and fro to study the remains she spoke, “Yeah, this is them.” She motioned towards a patch affixed to the left shoulder, “Patch says she was part of the 82nd Expeditionary Force.”

 

Kiana hummed softly to herself, “You all have gotten much more militaristic than I remember, though I suppose that’s to be expected when you’re against the Honkai.”

 

Isabella sighed as she pushed herself back to her feet, “Yeah, we kinda drifted towards a weird sort of blend between religious authority and structured fighting force with how often we end up working with local defence forces against the Honkai. Happened a long long time ago if I remember my history right. This is how it’s been for my entire life.” Her gaze trailed over the tunnel besides them, expression falling further as she peered through the opening, “And it looks like a lot of them didn’t make it past here, considering all the torn up tents down there.”

 

The women tentatively stepped through the small pathway and found themselves walking down a shallow slope into a much wider open area shaded by the protective wall of the mountainside to their right. The air was... strange. As if the tunnel forced them to step through some kind of invisible barrier in a culmination of the steadily rising paranoia that had plagued them since they left the crater. There was a barely noticeable resistance as they stepped into this wider area. Only for a moment. But that coupled with the strange shivering wrongness that crawled through the women brought with it meeting looks of confusion and disturbed caution. Within this space was a collection of at least a dozen tents coloured with the same patterns as the uniform they had just discovered. Spread throughout the space, these tents were worn, tattered, and bore marks of slashes and bullet holes having torn through the protective fabric. Yet that was nothing compared to what surrounded these tents. Across the floor was littered broken supply boxes, firearms and melee weapons long abandoned and rusting. Beside those lay what remained of the camps inhabitants. Dozens of uniformed remains lay scattered across the area, some like they had fought back against whatever killed them, some having fallen as they attempted to scramble out of their tent, some looking to have fallen where they’d stood as if caught off guard, their weapons still in their sheaths or slung around their bodies.

 

Kiana’s brows pinched in distress as her gaze trailed over this frozen snapshot of decades old destruction, “Fuck...” Her eyes darted across the remains for a moment, eyes glowing softly as she observed with a sight beyond sight. Bronya simply rested a hand against her bicep, her usual emotionless expression having gained a sharpness to it as she too scanned what remained of this camp.

 

“Spread out,” Isabella commanded, “See if you can find anything that will tell us what happened here.”

 

The Moonbeams and Camellia cautiously made their way into the decimated camp, fanning out but remaining within reasonable distance to each other just in case. Mei shared a concerned look with Kiana, and at her Goddess’s nod, Mei left her side to join the search.

 

Sophia and Caihong had come to a halt in front of some of the ruined tents, eyes tracing over the slashed and burns and holes that seemed to riddle everything. Sophia frowned at what remained of a body draped across the tent entrance, “By the Goddess, what the hell happened?”

 

Caihong knelt down next to the body and chanced pulling the gently swaying fabric of the tent entrance to the side to peer within. After a moment she shook her head in dismay. Her eyes darted across the chaotic mess inside, the destroyed fabric, more slashes on the uniform of the priestess in the entrance, “These slashes and bullet holes... with how some of these bodies are laying you’d think they got ambushed by Honkai beasts but I don’t see any Honkai residue or feel any lingering Honkai energy. At least, not in the amounts that are usually left behind by a horde large enough to have taken out a camp full of Finality’s best priestesses.”

 

“Judgement-class Honkai beast?” Camellia ventured from further in the camp.

 

Sophia looked incredulous, “Judgement-class? Those things can wipe out whole countries by themselves, there’s no way something like that is just chilling in these mountains without Schicksal or Anti-Entropy knowing.”

 

“No,” Cecilia’s hardened tone came from where she was knelt studying some of the fallen weapons, “Or, at least, if this was caused by the Honkai it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

 

Within seconds Isabella was standing next to her squadmate, “Did you find something, Cecilia?”

 

“These weapons don’t have any kind of Honkai residue remnants on them like they should,” Cecilia gestured to the Honkai powered sword in question. Specifically, she pointed towards dark flecks that dotted the blade, difficult to make out through the rust that had been eating away at it, but still noticeable enough if one looked closely. A different blend to the colour, a certain difference in texture, “This is blood. Dried and discoloured from how long it’s been. But look at the ground around the blade,” She traced her finger along more discolouration along the ground, a dark almost grey splotch staining the stone.

 

“There’s more over here,” Camellia called, having continued moving further into the camp, “I thought it was just some discolouration of the rock, but it’s all over the place. No Honkai residue, just these splashes and streaks that have lost their colour over the decades.” She pointed and traced along the discolouration as she spoke and the others joined her, “Some is still pooled under the bodies, there’s this one that looks like someone was dragged out of their tent and bled all over everything. And the further you go into camp the more there’s this weird powdery substance coating everything in a thin layer.”

 

“Powder?” Mei frowned and scanned the very sight Camellia had pointed out.

 

“I don’t know how else to describe it. Sometimes it’s like it reflects a golden light, then the next time I look at it it’s like it absorbs no light at all. Right now it looks like snow to me. Sometimes it’s like... I see it floating in the air and reflecting the light of the sun in the corner of my eye, but when I focus on it nothing is there,” The Valkyrie said, “I don’t like it here. It’s not just the death, something about this place gives me the fucking creeps. The air in this place feels... wrong.”

 

Soft footsteps crunching against the stone and dirt signalled the approach of the weary Herrschers. Isabella gestured towards their discoveries, “What do you make of this, My Lady?”

 

Kiana tilted her head curiously and stared at what appeared to be empty air, “Bronya, you can sense it too, right?”

 

Bronya nodded, “The border between dimensions is incredibly thin here.”

 

“Strange spatial distortions all over the place, too. Imaginary energy is leaking into reality from somewhere. I think...” Kiana grimaced, “If Himeko’s battle against Sirin caused a leak from imaginary space itself, that might explain the rumours about this place. If the priestesses found this crack in reality or stayed here for too long... well, humans aren’t designed to handle raw energy from the Imaginary Tree without intense preparation.”

 

“The Imaginary Tree...” Caihong muttered, “I read some of the scientific theories that survived the Herrscher of Corruption a while back.” She glanced at the bodies surrounding them, “It seems they left out just how dangerous it could be.”

 

“Doctor Frederica Nikolai Tesla and Anti-Entropy have been fighting against Schicksal censorship,” Cecilia added, “Schicksal gained much more control over the flow of information after the Herrscher of Corruption was defeated, and they seem determined to hide away all the more in depth research into other dimensions and the Imaginary Tree. I spent some time in the west while I was researching the gaps in our history a few years ago. While there I came across several articles archived by AE about a lecture on Imaginary Energy Dr. Tesla gave at one of their larger universities several centuries ago. She was nearly assassinated by a group later revealed to be Schicksal Valkyries, but the Herrscher of Reason shielded her from harm.” Cecilia scoffed, “Schicksal played it off as a rogue element that believed meddling with Imaginary space is what caused Corruption to attack.”

 

Bronya hummed an affirmative, her expression falling, “I remember that. It was a moment of open defiance against Schicksal. Her hatred of them grew even more zealous after their meddling during the war against the Herrscher of Corruption killed... killed Dr. Einstein. Kiana and I owe the Doctors much,” Bronya’s expression hardened. A shadow seemed to pass over the young girl. A shadow that seemed to sap at her strength. In that moment she was not the mighty Herrscher, the weight of millennia of memories, successes, failures, and terror, all sagging her shoulders. They etched the lines deeper into her face, and for the first time she appeared just as she was. A tired girl bending under the weight of the world, “I couldn’t save Ein. I wasn’t about to fail Tesla as well.”

 

Camellia looked on, expression hardened somewhere between anger and disgust, “What could Schicksal possibly gain from that?!”

 

“Schicksal is not known for wanting to share power, and if they managed to completely destroy Corruption they would gain the opportunity to study the Herrscher Core of one of the most dangerous Herrschers in existence,” Bronya answered simply, “As for why they are so insistent on hiding truths about Imaginary space... I’m not sure. We helped Overseer Theresa and the remnants of Anti-Entropy make their research into Herrschers and Imaginary space public knowledge millennia ago. Even with all their other... quirks, this turn of events seems recent.” She paused for a moment, “Well, recent for me.”

 

“We can think about this later,” Kiana groaned through grit teeth, “We shouldn’t stay here any longer than we have to. We need to find this crack into Imaginary Space and close it. Just give me a moment to do one last thing for my priestesses.”

 

Bronya nodded.

 

Kiana walked with them to the end of the camp. There, amongst the strange powder, she turned, “Let me grant you one last honour as your Goddess,” She said softly. The others lowered their heads in respect at their Goddess’s voice. Kiana knelt and pressed her hand against the rocky ground. Her voice was the quiet tone of respect one might have at a funeral, yet it was saturated with a power that gave it an undeniable intensity, “I am She who resides within time itself, the Lady of the Moon, inheritor of the Flame, guardian of the Void, Bringer of Finality and the Beginning of the End. Let the branches of the great tree bear witness: Though the world may forget, I will not. From the Equinox’s platinum heights, to the plains of the Elysian, and depths tread only by Death herself. Let you and your companions be etched into my memory forever more, for the whispers of time have shown that you served me well.”

 

A wave of nausea overtook Mei as she watched on. As soon as Kiana stopped speaking the world around them seemed to distort and bend strangely, like a sphere of strange otherworldly space had shimmered into existence around them for a brief second, a fleeting moment of an incredible radiating energy so intense that her gems ached like tensed tendons ready to snap. It spread through the whole camp like ripples on the glassy surface of a lake. It passed in only a few seconds, though the nausea remained for the poor mortals. Caihong looked like she was one wrong move from emptying her stomach all over the mountainside.

 

“Kiana what-” Mei shook her head to chase away the last of the strangeness clouding her mind, “What was that?”

 

Kiana chuckled softly, bashfully, “Oh, just some Goddess shit. I’m really gonna feel that one later. I...” She hesitated as she stood, “It is a message that will carry my acknowledgement of them to the Lady of Death herself, and etch their names into the foundations of my realm. It’s the least I can do. To ensure their Goddess remembers them.” Kiana smiled sadly, “I’ve long learned how to stop letting these kinds of things make me feel personally guilty. But it still saddens me to think that if I had handled other things better a few decades ago I might have been able to offer them something more than just being an object of faith.”

 

“I’m sure you did everything you could,” Mei said gently.

 

Kiana’s responding hum didn’t seem to be entirely convinced. She sucked in a deep breath, “Alright, lets get a move on. Bronya and I can shield you from the worst of the effects of Imaginary Energy, but I’d still rather get this done as quickly as possible. Be on guard. The raw energy of the universe itself cares little for human logic or physical laws.”

 

Her companions nodded their understanding. Drawing their weapons, they stalked further into the shadows of the mountains. If nothing else, they would ensure no one else suffered the same fate as their fallen sisters.

 


 

The mortal women of the group were quickly realising just what Kiana meant when she said Imaginary energy cared little for logic. Multiple times now they had found themselves instantly and suddenly transported to a different area within the cracks sphere of influence. The sky seemed to warp and change colour strangely, preventing them from using the stars to gain their bearings. Compasses and electronics behaved strangely. Camellia had nearly smashed her phone against the rocks as the difficulty of completing even basic tasks proved a fruitless endeavour.

Though it greatly pained her, Kiana chanced exerting more of her power. A pattern soon took shape in how they were being transported through space. A complicated one that would have taken a regular human weeks to figure out through trial and error. Luckily the Herrscher of Finality was well versed in the complications of spatial rifts. As it was, this spatial journey through the mountains took them several hours. As they exited the last rift they found themselves in another large open area further down within a valley between the mountains. The sharp rocks jutting up all around them gave the place a rather menacing look, surrounded by the steep cliffs of the mountains as they were. The wrongness and strange warping of space like the reflections of water dancing upon a wall was nauseatingly strong here.

 

“Hm, yeah,” Kiana muttered, “This crater was made by Himeko, too.” She left her friends behind and walked towards the back of the area with purpose, “And here is...” She raised her hand and Mei’s senses immediately lit up from a spike of Honkai energy. Within seconds a pinprick of golden light coalesced in the air in front of Kiana’s palm. The light shifted and writhed as Kiana continued to pour her power into this hole between realities. Already the energy pouring out of this small hole of gold was taking on a physical appearance. The world around the crater seemed to distort and twist even more dramatically, like trying to see something clearly through the rapids of a river. Golden ribbons of energy billowed around Kiana, the wind picking up and blowing them past the mortals and Herrscher waiting behind Finality. That golden light pulsed and stretched, ends extending outwards until the crack in reality appeared like a vertical slice into the air itself. Honkai energy pulsed in concert with these ribbons of the imaginary as she flared her authority over the Void once more. Like a pressurised container bursting its lid free of its clamps, this slice into reality burst open with a sharp golden wail like a festering wound freed of the stitches keeping it contained. The wind tore at their faces and clothes, hair flapping rapidly as the women struggled to remain upright against such an intense force. That discomforting nausea roiled through their bodies with an overwhelming intensity. Caihong and Sophia emptied their breakfast all over the cracked floor of the crater in the midst of attempting to keep their footing. Mei had to fight against the urge to heave herself. The Honkai energy pulsing in her veins recoiled and writhed, a need to lash out, to make it stop, tingling through her body.

 

Kiana stared into this unfathomable light unblinking, “There we go,” She grunted through her pain, “Now we just-” The Moon Goddess’s eyes shot wide.

 

“Kiana!” Mei rushed forwards as Kiana was blown backwards by something unseen. She moved just quickly enough to catch her Goddess and cushion her landing.

 

“Gah!” Kiana scrambled to get back to her feet, “Thanks, Mei! Bronya!” She spun to her fellow Herrscher, “It’s not just a rift! It’s-”

 

A strange stuttering call echoed in their ears, like ringing bells all around them and drilling into their ears. A crushing pain pierced the skulls of the mortal women without warning and even the Herrschers found themselves grimacing against the noise.

 

Kiana’s voice dropped to a resigned sigh as the wind calmed and a shape moved within the dimensional scar. From within the golden light burst a creature unlike anything Mei had ever seen before. A black, metallic looking body thicker than a tree trunk with golden accents and petals larger than a human at its peak. Tentacles sprouted from this main body and ended in closed blooms with more golden petals. It’s strange jingling call pierced their skulls again as a spatial rift with strange curved designs around the rim bloomed to life beneath it and the creature settled partially into its black void.

 

“Kiana...” Bronya warned.

 

“I know!” Kiana groaned, “Why the hell is there a Husk of Existentialism here?!”

 

Camellia struggled to hold her spear steady against the psychic pressure steadily assaulting their minds, “A fucking what?!”

 

“A being created by the imaginary tree itself,” Bronya hurried to explain, “It is-

 

As if in response, one of the strange plant-like creature’s tentacles arced towards the humans with another rattling bell-like call.

 

“Move!” Kiana commanded. They all dove away and the tentacle was met with only hardened stone as it crashed down where they once stood. Kiana and Bronya hissed in pain as Project Bunny pulled them back to their feet, “Try not to get hit!” Kiana yelled, “Direct contact with the Husk or too much of its imaginary energy will disintegrate your sanity!”

 

Isabella ducked under another whip of its tentacle and growled, “Disintegrate? What the fuck is this thing?!” The pounding in her head was only getting worse the longer she looked at the thing. And they were supposed to fight it?

 

Violet eyes met cerulean and Mei held her katana at the ready, “What do we do, My Lady?”

 

Kiana smiled, her weapons manifesting into her hands with a flash of Honkai energy, “Hit it really fucking hard until it stops moving and don’t go insane!”

 

Mei grit her teeth and opened the floodgates of her gems. The rush of Honkai energy brought back some of her clarity of mind, a refreshing chasing away of brain fog that allowed her thoughts to flow freely. Once more electricity sparked across her body and down her blade as she charged forwards to the commanding bark of Kiana’s pistol alongside Isabella, Camellia, and Cecilia.

Isabella’s blade flared to life with the amethyst flames of Finality, cutting a path through the molasses of imaginary energy pressing against them and sparking against the hardened hide of the Husk. It dug into the strange metal-like surface, but it wasn’t nearly deep enough. Cecilia’s rapier and Camellia’s spear had similarly limited results. Sophia provided covering fire alongside Caihong, who had taken seemingly random components from the half-skirt around her legs and fitted them together into some sort of modular rifle. Mei paused just long enough to present her back as a platform for Kiana to launch herself from, the Herrscher releasing a yell that was just as much a battlecry as it was a shout of pain. She jumped high, high enough for her sword to pierce into what appeared to be an orb in the centre of the golden petals. Her pistol pounded out a beat in time with Project Bunny’s cannon. But in her weakened state she was unable to move fast enough to avoid the way those petals spun around its body as it shook her free and slammed them into Kiana’s side.

 

“Kiana!” Mei’s attention followed the Herrscher for just a moment. But that moment was all the Husk needed for the bloom at the end of its tentacles to blossom and fire beams of pure, concentrated Imaginary energy. One clipped Kiana as she crawled to her knees and sent her back to the floor with a terrible scream. The other hit Mei dead on. The pain was immediate and excruciating. Kiana’s warning echoed in her mind as this golden light seemed to glare through cracks in her very mind. Her perception of the world around her crumbled, her thoughts jumbled and confused, her sense of reality, her sense of self, it was... eroding. Her movements did not feel like her own, her breaths the pumping of a machine, her blood the fluttering of wings as avians took flight in tube-like patterns. Everything made sense. Nothing made sense. She was on solid ground, but she was underwater. Her fingers gripped tighter around her katana’s hilt, only for them to fall apart like so much sand.

That anger in the back of her mind lit up like a beacon as these sensations stabbed into her very being like a thousand needles. Honkai energy flooded her body like a damn breaking under the weight of an ever bulging ocean. Or... no... the dam was carefully demolished to release a calculated flow. Mei could barely hold onto this realisation as the corruptive energy of the Honkai smashed into this terrible gold. Her limbs felt like they were being ripped apart cell by cell, like cracks might appear similarly to Kiana’s ethereal wounds. She was only held together by the sheer power of the Honkai flooding through her gems and the pure overwhelming anger that this golden light would dare assault her. Not corruptive but a... protective force against this otherworldly danger. It was like the Honkai was a cleansing rush, piecing her back together, pushing the pins and needles out of where they stabbed into her psyche, reforming the cells burned away by the purifying gold. Until a roar of defiance fell from her lips and this unrelenting tide of Honkai energy burst from her fingertips. Fire and lightning leapt from her hands and crashed against the stream of Imaginary assaulting her very being. It danced and flickered around the edges of a dome of pure ethereal Honkai energy that flared outwards like a shield. A shadow moved in the corner of her vision and Mei vaguely recognised the shape of Bronya being pulled back by Project Bunny with limp legs and damaged prosthetics.

 

Do not let this insignificant thing believe it can attempt to erode the personification of Conquest and live!” That anger roared in her mind, “It has harmed Kiana and insulted our strength of will! Kill it! Destroy it! Vaporise it! Erase this pathetic excuse of a custodian from existence and show it the might of Conquest! Nothing touches our Kiana and lives!!”

 

“Gah!” Isabella fell backwards as stars of Imaginary energy burst forth from the Husk’s body and rained down on the others still fighting, “Mei! We can’t-” Isabella screamed through clenched teeth as the imaginary energy began to overwhelm them the more they failed to avoid the Imaginary being’s lightning fast energy attacks. Was Kiana completely out of the fight? All at once the golden light vanished and the energy before her hands flew forwards uncontrollably and slammed into the Husk. The mark it left seemed rather insignificant, but the creature itself let out another rattling bell of a cry.

 

“Mei!” Camellia shouted from where she stood, spear lodged in between the gap of the now dismembered tentacle, “We need to get out of here! Kiana can barely move and I can barely think enough to swing! My! lance!” Her breaths came hard and her expression was twisted into a constant grimace of pain as she emphasised her last words with attack after attack.

 

No!” Her inner voice roared, “No retreat! You are Thunder incarnate! You are the one in control! You are the Queen! You will not bow to this pathetic tool of the tree!”

 

So many conflicting emotions, so much swirling tumbling thoughts and feelings and urges from the imaginary energy to the sight of her companions faltering in the face of the cosmos, to the voice in her head filling her with an indignant, vicious anger. Mei did the only thing she could. She acted.

 

Eyes flashing bright with a wilful fury she launched herself forwards faster than the eye could track. Lightning wreathed her every step, the air growing thick with the stink of ozone and burning metal as amethyst fire encased her blade. The Husk of Existentialism let out another stuttering cry, one that drew screams and grunts from her companions as they fought desperately to hold onto the strings of their sanity. Mei slashed and darted from retaliatory attacks like she was lightning itself. She was as incorporeal as a flash of lightning, as untouchable as the afterimage the screeching plasma burns into your retina. There was a rumble deep in her bones as the lightning leapt from her body. Was it at her conscious command? Subconscious instinct? She could not tell besides the refreshing rush of familiarity this form of battle brought. The fire of her sword bit into the hardened carapace of the Imaginary and sliced off chunks of its armour with ease. She could feel the charge in the air, how at just a thought she could manipulate it, create the perfect environment for charge to jump between two points. Create true lightning. She danced around the stars of Imaginary energy that attempted to track her movements, another tentacle was disabled with a single burning slash. Lightning crashed around her, called by an instinct instilled deep within her that she did not have time to ponder. Her slashes grew faster, her movement more precise.

Camellia, Cecilia, and Isabella moved, but they seemed much too slow to Raiden Mei. She had already performed several more slashes by the time they had pushed themselves to their feet. Their steps were like slow motion, and Mei weaved around them easily as she methodically decimated the Husks limbs like a gardener picking apart pieces of a particularly stubborn weed. Mei’s katana wreathed itself in lighting again, energy engulfing the metal and being pressed, moulded, reshaped. Until it became like a second larger blade encasing her katana in pure electrical Honkai energy. She propelled herself into the air, sword swinging in a horizontal arc as she dashed past her foe and carved through the main body of the Husk like it was made of butter. The “head” appearing as a flower bud with a strange orb-like eye in the centre collapsed. The instant it thudded to the floor, her three companions used the last of their strength to stumble forwards and throw all their weight behind driving their weapons into this core.

 

A final death rattle of its strange bell-like wail and the creature’s body finally dissolved into a myriad of golden particles reflecting the unknowable secrets of the imaginary as it departed this world. Yet they could not rest. With the Husk dead, Imaginary energy had begun pouring through the crack in reality once again, its power beginning to edge back into her consciousness despite the incredible amounts of Honkai coursing through her body.

 

“Mei...” Kiana groaned from where she had fallen, “The rift! Close it!” Her voice was almost too quiet to hear. The Herrscher of Finality struggled to even speak and her arms shook violently with the effort it took to hold herself up so she could meet Mei’s glowing violet.

 

Mei looked back with a terrified pinch to her brows, “Me? I can’t! I don’t know how!”

 

“Yes you do!” Kiana insisted, “Reach deep within yourself! You know how to close it! Trust me!”

 

Mei held Kiana’s gaze for another few moments. Within those pink-starred eyes she found nothing but belief. A sincere, loving certainty sparkling in both those exhausted eyes and the soft smile that spread across her lips. And so with that image of love within her heart, Mei turned and stepped towards this window into the universe itself. The force of the energy pouring forth pushed against her with an ever increasing intensity as she approached. The force of it whipped at her hair, tore at her cape and the katana in her hand. Its terrible gold was so bright Mei was forced to shield her eyes with her free arm as she forced herself onwards. This close to the realm of the imaginary strange phenomenon was to be expected. Guaranteed. It would, of course, defy all logic as Kiana said. Yet when the whispers began to flit past her ears and echo within her very mind she still felt a shiver of dread shoot down her spine. She was within reach now, her arm extending and she pressed it against the rippling edge of this tear in reality. The whispers grew louder, the golden light within seemed to spread apart like curtains being pulled back to reveal the scene behind them. Thoughts, images, visions, no... Mei wasn’t sure how to describe the things that were being dragged through her mind by the torrent of Imaginary energy.

It was overwhelming. It was terrifying. It was awe inspiring. Branches of golden energy spreading out in every direction into an endless abyss all connected by a great trunk, flowing and pulsing with life, with order, with the rules of reality itself, all coming together to bloom into leaf after leaf after leaf. World after world, whole empires, civilisations, each one an existence as large and awesome and filled with individual stories so small and tiny just like her own. The whispers seemed to pulse and ripple, the distorted sounds sharpening and clearing the longer she was exposed to this ethereal gold.

 

Raiden Mei...”

My name is Kiana! Kiana Kaslana!”

From this day onwards, you three are Schicksal Valkyries!”

No matter how many times your sword shatters, I’ll reforge it for you.”

Come, my descendant. End my mistakes, my failure. I could not save her, as you did. Show us the strength of your convictions. Do what the Previous Era could not.”

Yes, I had someone like that on my world. I killed that man. Alone.”

Mei, tragedy isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of hope. You’ll have faith, right?”

 

Mei’s breaths hissed through clenched teeth. They came rapidly, hard, the breaths of a woman struggling with all her might against forces far beyond her comprehension. The raw imaginary energy and the things she was seeing on the other side of reality were eating away at her mind. She pushed and struggled, opening herself up to the chaotic abyss of the Honkai to an extent she had feared to even consider just days ago. Again, almost as if recalling a distant dream, she saw that fluttering of pink hair in the corner of her vision. Just as when she touched Seven Thunders what felt like a lifetime ago.

 

Cute girls can do anything!” A cheerful voice seemed to echo within her mind, “Come on Mei, remember what I taught you? The strength of this authority is something the Will simply does not understand, humanity itself! Through the connection, the love, you have for other people for their humanity. Without that, Origin is as fleeting as morning dew. Sometimes it takes a bit of rediscovery on our part, as inhuman as we are,” The voice giggled, “So come, Raiden Mei. Will you weave a dance of discovery with me?”

 

Come, Mei!”

 

Mei!”

 

“Mei!”

 

The voice sounded loud in her ears and snapped Mei out of the... vision? Memory? She could not be sure. She turned her gaze towards the voice and found Kiana there, still smiling through the pain, wounds pulsing angrily with a snapping inner light, “Come, Mei! You can do it!” She rested a hand on her shoulder and extended the other to the rift alongside Mei’s own.

 

Another touch, and Bronya revealed herself at Mei’s other flank. A soft smile and a nod and she too extended her hand, “Kiana and I are too weak to do this alone, but we have the experience. So lets do this together like old times.”

 

Old times? The phrase flitted strangely through Mei’s consciousness. Such thoughts were scattered to the wind as the touch of the Herrschers’ Honkai energy entangled gently with her own. She could feel it like guiding hands in her consciousness. They showed her how to bend the Honkai, how to twist it, how to curve and thread it, how to affect reality itself. Mei’s voice spilled from her lips, exertion, determination, supported by the smiles of the Herrschers beside her she latched onto the edges of the rift. Steadily, centimetre by centimetre, she pulled the rift closed, squinting against its burning light as it shone brighter and brighter, until the seam between dimensions was finally sealed with a final ear shattering boom as the trio’s Honkai energy collapsed the rift. The world spun, twisted, rippled, the distortions caused by the dimensional rift pulsing outwards in several violent waves. It took several seconds for this final expenditure of energy to burn itself out. All fell into a still, deathly quiet.

The sudden quiet was deafening. The sudden rush of images, voices, visions, sensations, was all cut off in an instant. If Kiana’s arms had not wrapped around her, Mei would have collapsed from the intense disorientation that washed over her. The touch of Kiana’s Honkai energy slid across her mind once more and aided her priestess in squeezing the rush of Honkai energy from her gems back to its manageable trickle. The touch lingered, twitching ever so slightly as if Kiana was hesitant to break this connection.

 

The Herrscher smiled as Mei returned her embrace, the priestesses body shaking with a relieved shuddering sigh, “See, Mei?” She murmured beside her ear, “Told you you could do it.”

 

“Yeah,” Mei breathed out a disbelieving laugh, “You did.” She allowed herself a moment to simply enjoy Kiana’s warmth against her. Though she could not keep her thoughts from wandering back to the mission at hand for too long. She reluctantly pulled away, “We should check on the others.”

 

Kiana and Bronya nodded in agreement, though Bronya only made it a few steps before she collapsed.

 

“Bronya!”

 

The Herrscher waved off Mei’s worry, “It’s- It’s okay. The Husk damaged my prosthetics, I’ve just gotta give them a bit of a fix.” Project Bunny made her way over and hovered over Bronya protectively as she pushed herself into a sitting position, “I’ll be fine, go check on the others. They had a hard time after Kiana got knocked around.”

 

Kiana grimaced but said nothing as they moved back to the Moonbeams and Camellia. They were in rough shape, but alive. The women were struggling to do much more than sit or rest on their knees and breathe heavily. Mei went to the Moonbeams while Kiana took a knee besides Camellia.

 

“Are you all okay?” Several exhausted nods, “Isabella?” Mei kneeled next to where the woman simply sat on all fours and seemed fixated on the ground, “It’s over.”

 

A single wet droplet fell against the dry soil beneath them, “Thank the Goddess,” Isabella whispered. She shifted as if trying to get up, but her arms shook and she remained in place, “I- I need to check on the- on the others. I’m supposed to be their Captain, I need-”

 

Mei laid a gently hand on her shoulder, “Isabella, please,” She said gently, “Please rest. I’ll check on the others. We’ve all just been through quite the ordeal.”

 

“Yeah... you took that thing down almost single-handedly. And now you’re checking up on everyone while I...” She chuckled derisively, “I’m... here.” Isabella shook her head, “I just need time to gather my wits. Thank you, Mei.”

 

Mei nodded, resting a hand on the woman’s shoulder with what she hoped was a comforting squeeze. She then got to her feet and began making her way to the others.

 


 

“Camellia?”

 

The Valkyrie hesitantly looked up at the sound of Kiana’s voice. She was kneeling with her spear supporting her weight where she’d fallen against the psychic assault by the Husk of Existentialism. Her eyes rose along Kiana’s form but stopped short of meeting the Herrscher’s eyes.

 

Kiana knelt down beside her, face a picture of concern, “How are you feeling? I uh, I’m sorry.”

 

“Huh?” That got Camellia’s gaze to fully turn to Kiana, “Why are you apologising?

 

Kiana shrugged, “Getting my ass kicked made my focus slip. Suffering the full strength of a Husk of Existentialism is nothing to joke about.”

 

“I’m fine,” Camellia responded gruffly.

 

Kiana let out a short laugh, “Don’t give me that Kaslana bullshit, Camellia.”

 

The Valkyrie’s bluster quickly deflated, “Right, sorry, uh, K-Kiana.”

 

“So?” Kiana eyed her expectantly, “Head still on straight after fighting an eldritch guardian creature that erodes your sanity?”

 

Camellia exhaled a dry laugh, “You make it sound so simple.” She gained a contemplative look for a moment before sighing, “My head is still killing me. I was... I don’t know. Seeing things? I don’t know if it was the Imaginary energy or I was just losing my mind after taking a few hits. But it felt so real...”

 

Kiana gave Camellia’s shoulder a comforting pat, “You’re one tough Valkyrie, I’ll give you that,” Kiana smiled, “I don’t know if I would have been able to handle getting brain blasted by a Husk of Existentialism if I was still mortal at your age.”

 

“I guess I’m lucky,” She grunted.

 

Kiana shrugged, “Luck or your own strength. Either way,” She playfully knocked shoulders with the woman, “Durandal would be proud of you.”

 

Camellia’s eyes softened ever so slightly before she could avert her gaze, “I- Thank you... Kiana.” Her lip caught between her teeth as she hesitated, “I’m- I must apologise for how I treated you when we first met.”

 

“Eeh, don’t worry about it,” Kiana brushed it off, “I know how I looked to people that thought I was just some brat with a fake ID. I er, didn’t put as much care into it as I should have.”

 

Camellia reluctantly nodded, “I won’t keep you. I’m sure your priestesses need the Moon Goddess more than I do right now. I just need to rest for a moment.”

 

Kiana nodded and got back to her feet, “Alright, get your rest. I’ll be back in a bit.”

 


 

The soft crunch of shoes against the dirt drew Mei’s attention away from where she was checking on Cecilia, “Kiana!” A smile quickly bloomed across her face, “I think we’re all okay. They all have severe headaches but are focused and can respond just fine when I speak to them.”

 

Kiana sighed in relief, “That’s good... I’m sorry. It’s my fault for letting it get the better of me. If my focus hadn’t dropped for a bit you wouldn’t have suffered the brunt of its power like that.”

 

“I can’t say it was easy,” Cecilia admitted. Her breaths still came heavily, “I never thought beginning to lose my sense of self would be so painful.”

 

“Any physical injuries? Any of you?”

 

Her priestesses all gave her a negative. As they continued to speak, Mei got to her feet and took a few steps away.

 

“I might be bruised from getting knocked around a bit,” Sophia said, “But I feel okay all things considered.”

 

“I’m fine,” Isabella replied softly.

 

Kiana nodded, “Good,” She shot Isabella a concerned look but did not say anything, “Just ah... don’t be surprised if you have some fucked up dreams for the next couple weeks. You all did good though,” Kiana sheepishly scratched at the back of her head, “Better than me even,” She laughed.

 

Cecilia shook her head, “You’re the only reason we retained our minds long enough for Mei to defeat that creature, My Lady. We are eternally grateful.”

 

Kiana looked like she wanted to argue, but after a moment of hesitation she merely nodded and smiled instead.

 

“You’ve fought these things before?” Caihong asked.

 

“Unfortunately,” Kiana rolled her eyes, “Though usually I’m the one kicking its ass. Its powers usually don’t affect me too much as a Herrscher. I never wanna fight one of these assholes while the Will is throwing a temper tantrum ever again.”

 

“Kiana?” The group turned at the sound of Mei’s raised voice, “It would appear we are no longer in the mountains.”

 

For the first time Kiana pulled her attention from her companions and raised it to the surrounding landscape. Indeed it would appear that the dirt beneath them was not of the crater, but of the wastelands they now occupied.

 

“Oh,” Kiana said simply, “I guess the distortions when Mei collapsed the rift moved us through space.” She took another moment to observe.

 

Most of the area was flat, a destroyed and desolate landscape saturated with Honkai energy and cleansed of all life. Behind them, the mountains were nearly a full eighty kilometres away. But what was most interesting was in front of them. There was one spot where the line of the horizon was broken. It’s shape was misshapen, shattered, and only about one kilometre away. It had circular shapes on top of the flatter shape of what appeared to be the base, sections of the domes shattered, the buildings caked in grime and visibly severely decayed even from this distance. The whole structure was at an angle as if it had fallen on its side. Even further behind that was more decayed and collapsed buildings scattered across the wastelands who knew how far. It was too far away to make out much more than that due to the level of destruction. Throughout the wastelands outside these structures the dirt was pockmarked by craters. Debris, abandoned weapon emplacements, and hurriedly dug bunkers were strewn everywhere. The rusted out husks of ancient battlemechs and armour dotted the landscape like lonely monuments to humanity’s folly.

 

“Ah,” Kiana’s expression twisted into a bittersweet nostalgia, “I guess I should thank that bastard Husk. It brought us right to Schicksal HQ.”

Notes:

That was rlly long but I had a blast writing it and getting in more stuff like Seele lore, as well as the much needed thoughts from the other characters on Mei and Kiana's budding relationship. I am very sorry for killing Einstein but I can't let EVERYBODY that's functionally immortal survive 3,000 years unscathed and it is part of what I want to do with the whole Herrscher of Corruption situation characters have mentioned MULTIPLE times already. Look on the bright side. Coralie was already dead by the time Schicksal fucked everything up and got Einstein killed.
I am also very excited to finally write their discoveries inside Schicksal HQ, which has been a long time coming. Of course, we had our first encounter with Imaginary space as well. Tbh I was debating for a while whether to have Sirin actually having done something to the area in the mountains or something else and I eventually settled on it being a tear into Imaginary space from her fight with Himeko, not something she actively left behind on purpose. That, coupled with the Husk of Existentialism being capable of eroding your sanity made it the perfect storm to tie off the fact that the expedition the temples of Finality sent got majorly fucked up inside the mountains as well as giving Mei more puzzle pieces to try and fit together with the things she heard while being blasted with energy from Literally The Entire Universe. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it :3

Chapter 17: What Lies Beneath

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The campfire danced brightly against the darkness of the desolate Honkai wastelands, its crackling, sparking warmth a welcome ward against the cold drifting in from the sea beyond the shattered city. They had almost forgone the fire entirely, the Herrschers’ mortal companions worried about the light drawing unwanted attention. However, Kiana’s confidence that nothing would get this close to Schicksal HQ and the encroaching chill made them concede. Now here they were, tents once again set up in the same circular formation around the fire at the centre of the camp. The dirt wasn’t the most comfortable place to sit but sitting in and of itself was relief for the exhausted party. Even Project Bunny had been relieved of the cargo containers strapped to it so she may take a break alongside them. They were tired. Dreadfully so. Not to mention the splitting headaches that still plagued the Moonbeams and Camellia. Yet they could not go without food, and so here they were, slowly plucking away at another simple meal straight out of the can.

 

Kiana bit back a groan of pain as she lowered herself to the ground and quickly claimed Mei’s shoulder as a headrest, “Fuck me, I got rid of that shit years ago but it still feels like that Husk kicked me in the balls.”

 

Such words were followed closely by Sophia choking on her food from the snort that tore through her unbidden. Isabella and Caihong wasted no time in firmly patting the woman on the back, amusement twinkling in their eyes even as they valiantly bit back their own shocked laughter.

 

Once Sophia had recovered she pressed a hand to her head and let out a groan, “Ow! Headache. Fuck that hurt.”

 

Bronya rolled her eyes, “As crude as ever, Kiana idiotka. Shouldn’t you be trying to set an example for your priestesses?”

 

“Eehhh,” Kiana waved her off, instead nuzzling further against Mei’s side, “You know I hate trying to act like that when I don’t need to. Who’s gonna complain about me not being a stuck up Goddess in the middle of the Honkai wastes?”

 

Bronya shot a glance to Cecilia and shrugged, “I tried.”

 

“I heard that, Bratnya!” Kiana snapped.

 

Isabella laughed, “In all my years I never thought I’d be listening to the Moon Goddess make crass jokes around a campfire.”

 

“You say that like you’re old,” Mei smiled.

 

“The kids that come to the temple certainly seem to think so,” The woman chuckled.

 

Caihong scoffed, “You’re barely thirty! No way you’re old cuz then Sophia and I’ll also be old in another two years.”

 

“Hey Isabella isn’t as much of a grandma as Cecilia at least,” Sophia quipped. Though she quickly shied away under the fierce glare the woman in question sent her way.

 

“I’m only two years older,” Cecilia grumbled.

 

“Well hey,” Kiana jumped in, “If we’re comparing ages, I think Bronya and I have you all beat at over three-thousand.” She gestured towards her body, “And I still look this good!”

 

Caihong uttered a quick, “No comment,” before stuffing herself with another mouthful of food.

 

Isabella smirked, “Uh-huh. Regardless, Mei and Camellia are the babies here.”

 

“Excuse me?” Camellia locked onto the priestess with a rather offended pinch to her brow.

 

“Well I know Mei’s like five years younger than me and that’s already baby, but Valkyries get recruited real young, so it only makes sense.”

 

Camellia frowned at the teasing smiles staring back at her, though after several seconds her eyes fell and she mumbled, “Twenty-one isn’t that young...”

 

“Oh my god she is just a baby!” Sophia gasped.

 

“Shut up!” Camellia snapped, “I’m the only one of us five that managed to do any real damage to the Husk!”

 

Caihong shrugged and bobbed her head, “She’s kinda got us there, Isa.”

 

“Alright,” Isabella chuckled, “You’ve made your point oh big and strong Camellia,”

 

Mei set her can down with a soft clink, “Kiana,” The Herrscher had been keeping an annoyed glare fixed on Bronya, but at the priestesses voice this immediately dropped away so she could give Mei her undivided attention, “What might we expect in there tomorrow?”

 

Kiana sighed and pushed herself back up so she could meet her priestess’s eyes. The change in demeanour interrupted the ongoing teasing of Camellia as well (something the Valkyrie was silently thankful for), “Well... It’s probably gonna be extremely dangerous just walking into the place considering it’s been decaying for around three-thousand years. But most of the really important bits were heavily reinforced with resources Otto recovered from Previous Era ruins and are probably still both structurally sound and functional, considering you all are still studying PE ruins and they’re working just fine last I checked.”

 

Mei nodded, “The results of such studies are heavily classified by just about every organisation on the planet, but yes. The high priestess is quite adept at political manoeuvring but even she has failed to keep any of the previous era data we’ve found on our expeditions.”

 

“Yeesh,” Kiana winced, “Well, anyways, Otto had a lot of personal labs and other top secret Schicksal projects hidden away on these floating islands when Sirin brought them down. Lots of secrets he spent no effort in ensuring no one else could get near after the HQ and city were decimated. We’ll have to find those data centres and labs.”

 

Cecilia frowned, “And probably deal with any defensive systems that might still be operational if Otto Apocalypse really was using PE tech.”

 

Kiana smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, that’s what we have Bronya for!”

 

“I’m not your portable hacking tool,” Bronya grumbled.

 

“No! You’re my best friend and I’m asking you to pretty please work your magic on anything still functioning in there!” Kiana capped it off with a cute pose and a flutter of her eyelashes.

 

“Acting cute won’t get you what you want,” Bronya rolled her eyes again, “I’m not Mei.”

 

“W-what is that supposed to mean?” Mei protested.

 

Caihong chuckled, “Mei, you have been positively enamoured with every word that comes out of Kiana’s mouth ever since you came out of your tent with that hickey. More so than usual.”

 

Mei hastily picked her food back up and stuffed herself with another mouthful in an attempt to hide her burning cheeks.

 

“Oh you should have heard her before that,” Kiana grinned devilishly at the wide eyed plea Mei shot her, “I don’t think she realised I knew she was hyping herself up to talk to me, because she was praying about it on her way over and I can hear every word of prayers directed at me, so...”

 

Mei’s eyes were now as wide as saucers and the poor woman looked about ready to retreat into her tent like a turtle into its shell. Her cheeks were still stuffed with food and the sight was almost too much for Kiana to bear, the Herrscher’s chest shaking and lips twitching as she desperately tried not to laugh.

 

“Alright,” Isabella interrupted while pushing herself to her feet, “I think I’m gonna go crash before Mei explodes. If I still have this headache in the morning that Husk and I are gonna have words. You all have a good night.”

 

The others slowly trickled away to their tents as well over the next few seconds, leaving a greatly amused Bronya to watch as Mei rapidly worked through her mouthful like a woman on the brink of death.

 

Now able to speak, Mei spun to her Goddess with a low hiss, “You never told me you can hear all my prayers!”

 

“I didn’t think it was important!” The Herrscher hissed back.

 

“I-I mean, I suppose it’s not the highest on the list of importance,” Mei stumbled, “But it would have been nice to know you were listening to me the entire time I was walking to the river!”

 

“Well, I only heard your prayer. I didn’t know why exactly you were so anxious about coming to me. I can’t read your mind,” Kiana paused just long enough to wrap her arms around Mei’s own and cuddle back up to her side, “Well, I could read your mind, but I learned how to stop doing that on accident millennia ago.”

 

Mei simply set down her now empty can with a soft sigh. Kiana’s body heat was a comfortable warmth humming against her side and Mei found herself giving in to its temptation. Kiana’s smile pressed gently against her shoulder as she leaned her head against the Herrscher’s, their embrace fitting against each other like puzzle pieces slotting together. The fire was slowly dying down now that no one had tended to it in a while.

 

By the time they had settled down, Bronya had procured a tool from somewhere and begun fiddling with her prosthetics once more. The soft swishing of fabric and the clinking of metal heralded Caihong’s return to the fire, the priestess settling down beside Bronya with the stiff skirt of tools and bobbles that was usually around her waist in her hands. Kiana watched with a small smile as Caihong stumbled over her words to offer her aid to the grey-haired Herrscher. The soft crackling of the dying fire was just enough cover to their murmured words, but the results were clear as Caihong retrieved a few tools and tenderly pulled Bronya’s legs onto her lap as the Herrscher began pointing out components the priestess needed to remove for the repairs.

 

“It’s nice seeing them getting used to us a little,” Kiana commented quietly.

 

Mei hummed in agreement, “It is... incredible, to be able to see that the Goddesses we worship every day are so... human. The Herrschers always seem so distant, so beyond us mere mortals, so... detached. But through the friendship I gained with you and Bronya, the same kind of camaraderie the others are coming to embrace, through what you did for those long dead priestesses... if any of them had doubts that you truly care for us tiny humans I think they have been put to rest by now.”

 

Kiana shifted against her side and the movement almost managed to cover up how her grip tightened around Mei’s arm, “Thank you, Mei,” She said softly. Her voice was laced with a slithering emotion that curled underneath, a grateful yet almost melancholic tone spiralling through her words, “I’ve been a Herrscher for so long that sometimes... sometimes I almost forget I was ever human. I try my best to make sure humanity knows I care. That my goal has always been to protect humanity and find a way to defeat the Honkai forever. But I’m...” She let out a short, almost derisive laugh, “I’m far from perfect. The shadows of this battlefield... they hide so many memories I’ve done my best to forget. One of my greatest failures. If we can find Otto’s old data archives then you’ll no doubt see,” She let out a quiet sigh, her voice dropping so low Mei had to strain to hear her, “That day changed my life forever.”

 

Slowly, hesitantly, Mei shifted her arm out of Kiana’s grip and wrapped it around her shoulders in a more comforting embrace than their previous mutual lean. An embrace Kiana happily settled into, “I’m sorry. I wish... there was something I could have done to help you, even back then.”

 

Kiana seemed to find this particularly amusing, her chest jumping as she laughed but held back any vocalisation, “You’ve done more than you realise, Mei. More than I could ever ask of you.”

 

Despite the late hour and exhaustion, it was nearly impossible to miss the way Kiana’s voice carried with it something more, nor the way Bronya’s searching gaze had locked onto them. A mysterious tone, a possible suggestion, and insinuation. But an insinuation of what?

 

We have the strength of a hundred warriors when Mei’s around!” She couldn’t help the way one of her earliest visions flashed through her mind. The tense voice, the smiling girl with white hair staring back at her so lovingly, so similarly to how Kiana looked at her now. Then a shout of warning, that flash of purple hair, the explosion of fire and burning red hair... the possibility of what she had seen through this memory had lingered in the back of her mind ever since that day, but it had practically been staring her in the face ever since they had visited the Herrscher of Fire’s memorial. Only one real question remained in Mei’s mind as she and her Goddess left Bronya and Caihong to retreat to their tent.

 

Was it simply a mere coincidence that the Kiana in her visions also called out for a “Mei”?

 


 

Despite the disturbing quiet that had befallen the mountains with its lack of fauna, it had still felt rather peaceful. Especially in the crater. However, morning in the desolate Honkai wastelands was blanketed in a silence both foreboding and paranoia inducing. The very dirt itself seemed stripped of life, not even a hint of insects or other small creatures within its dry surface. Not even the Honkai mutated plant life they’d found in the mountains existed here. The destruction was complete and total.

 

The camp remained quiet as they packed up their supplies. The shifting and rolling through the night still echoing in the ears of the mortals present. Dark circles and messy hair a testament to the troubled sleep they had all suffered, Kiana’s warning of the after-affects of an encounter with a Husk of Existentialism having done little to prepare them for the nonsensical and terrifying images in their dreams. Things that none of them could put into words. Prayer spilled from their lips in a supportive chorus near inaudible to all but the white-haired woman tying their supplies back onto Project Bunny. Even the Herrschers seemed to have a sombre cloud hanging over their heads as their gazes were continually drawn back to the ancient battlefield around them.

Despite these struggles, there was an undeniable eagerness to set out simmering just underneath. Though in Bronya’s case it was mostly due to her newly repaired prosthetics restoring her movement. After an hour of repacking, set off they did. Breakfast was limited to snacking on dried jerky and some sips of water.

 

They had gotten only a few minutes into their journey when Mei shivered, “There’s something... dreadful about this place.”

 

“I would think that would be obvious,” Cecilia replied.

 

“No, not just the history,” Mei shook her head, “I can feel... I don’t know how to describe it. I can feel the intense concentration of Honkai energy in the air. It’s... moving and writhing like a living thing but also hanging in the air like a cloud of dust. But if I focus it’s almost like...” Mei’s eyes darted around the long forgotten husks around them for several seconds before she broke away from the group without a word.

 

“Huh? Hey, Mei!” Isabella called out.

 

Mei did not respond, continuing to walk with a targeted gaze.

 

Isabella shot a concerned look towards Kiana, “My Lady, is she alright?”

 

“I’m fine, Isabella,” Mei called back to her, “I just feel like... I feel like something is calling to me through the Honkai energy.” She came to a stop at a seemingly insignificant patch of dirt.

 

Half buried in the dirt around her were ancient fragments of Valkyrie battlesuits and weapons, some still relatively complete. It was a terrifying thing. To behold this unnatural stillness that seemed to blanket this entire location. These things should have long been buried by time and yet... there was no wind. Nothing to stir the dirt. Even the air was so dry it felt as if the rust must have taken centuries just to gain a foothold. Her eyes darted around the space, searching the bits and pieces left behind, her mind opening up to the Honkai energy with a laser focus, and yet that feeling that had drawn her here flitted past and disappeared like dust being blown away by the wind. Her companions gathered around her with wary eyes watching the wastelands and curious gazes cast towards the priestess as her eyes continued to search the dessicated earth. Kiana kept an uncharacteristic distance, merely observing alongside Bronya and Project Bunny while Camellia took a position at Mei’s shoulder.

 

The Valkyrie held her quiet for a few more seconds, carefully eyeing the priestess’s furrowed brow, “You seem distressed, Miss Raiden.”

 

Mei exhaled a sharp sigh, “I just... I don’t know. I’m getting the strangest sense of déjà vu and I don’t know if it’s the Honkai energy saturating this place or something else.” She turned back towards the distant derelict floating island, unable to help the way her gaze darted to Kiana for just a moment, “I’m sorry for the interruption. Let us continue. Perhaps this strange feeling will become clear once we find the information we’re looking for.”

 

With not much else to do, the others simply nodded and resumed their journey.

 


 

The walk was slow. Too slow for Kiana’s liking. Yet she couldn’t push onwards as she would like with her body screaming in pain with every step. The Will of Honkai sure was being a massive bitch. Kiana didn’t like it very much, to put it simply. She didn’t like needing to sit in Project Bunny’s embrace as it grew harder to walk. She didn’t like being back at this ancient battlefield. She didn’t like today very much in general so far. The constant pulsing, aching pain combined with the almost forty minutes it took to cross the one kilometre to the edge of the crashed Schicksal island was beginning to flare her irritation.

The Island before them was sunken into the ground, the force of the crash evident in the lean of the debris and mech remains for a nearly two-hundred metre radius around it. A catastrophic disaster. Yet one that worked in their favour. Thanks to the force digging it into the ground it’s lean was not too extreme as to prevent them from walking along the flattened top upon which the facilities had been built underneath protective environmental domes. The rocky edge would require some climbing, but luckily the steep edge had crumbled into more of a gradual slope from the crash and time.

At Kiana’s insistence, Project Bunny lowered her arm to allow the Herrscher to step off under the watchful eye of Mei. Yet at her first step the Goddess stumbled, a string of curses flying from her lips. Ever more familiar arms darted around her and slowed her fall, yet a growl of frustration rumbled in her throat all the same once her knees touched the ground.

 

“Kiana, are you okay?” Mei asked.

 

The Herrscher said nothing for a moment. She sucked in a deep breath and released it as an annoyed sigh before trusting her voice, “Sorry. Everything fucking hurts.”

 

Bronya floated over with a small, worried crease in her brow matching those on her priestesses faces, “Kiana, you know Project Bunny doesn’t mind carrying you.”

 

Kiana chuckled, “Did she actually say that or are you putting words in her mouth cuz her combat form doesn’t have a speaker?”

 

“You know I wouldn’t do that,” Bronya replied with a roll of her eyes.

 

“Yeah...” Another pained groan squeezed from her lungs as Mei helped pull her back to her feet, “Gah, every time this happens I remember Himeko had to deal with chronic pain for decades and I have to wonder how she stayed so active.”

 

Bronya’s gaze darted away for a moment, distracted by the clatter of falling pebbles as Camellia began to work out a path up the forty metres of rubble, “Was probably the insane amounts of alcohol. So, gonna let Bunny carry you up this?”

 

Kiana’s face scrunched up like she was preparing to argue, but one last glance at Mei’s worried expression and her defiance crumbled, “Fine, but I’m gonna walk once we’re in the base!”

 

With that settled they turned their focus to the task at hand. The climbing wasn’t difficult necessarily. Their slow pace was set by the caution with which they took each step. The stones and debris may have had three millennia to settle but it would not do for carelessness to start a rockslide. After another thirty minutes, the sight that greeted them over the ridge of the large island was quite something to behold. The island was cracked, broken, and severely decayed, but a quick observation from Camellia had her placing its circumference around four kilometres. Scattered across this area were environmental domes of varying sizes to house the facilities and protect them from the elements when the island was high in the air. Now however, these domes stood shattered and broken. Whether the damage was from the crash itself or from the Herrscher that took it down was impossible to tell. At their feet rested the decimated stone and metal that had once formed a brilliant walkway meandering through the base, white against the darker stone of the island itself. Raised platforms and walkways of metal had collapsed long ago, their surfaces thick with rust and grime and their jagged, broken edges piercing the sky like one last breath of defiance. Every surface was scattered with purple crystalline-like smears, still pulsing with a soft inner light and marking the ancient passing of Honkai beasts. Around them the group found their feet scuffing against dents in the metal and stone and the brittle remnants of ancient Valkyrie battlesuits. So decayed were they that often there was not enough left to fill out its original shape, merely palm sized shards of what once was the height of Schicksal technology. Though such a thing would be highly valuable in its entirety even now. The war against the Herrscher of Corruption four-hundred years ago had taken a great toll on humanity’s technological prowess. The lines around Kiana’s eyes were tight as she ran her gaze across the shattered domes, searching for any sight that stirred memories long held in the back of her mind.

The Herrscher found what she was looking for in short order and pointed out a larger dome further into the base to the others. Their progress was faster now that they were on relatively solid- if slanted- ground. The Herrschers countenances had settled into a grim seriousness the further they ventured into this piece of Schicksal’s former HQ. Kiana had kept true to her word and continued to move under her own power despite the way her stony expression would still twitch in pain from time to time. At the very least, it kept Mei as a comforting and constant presence at her side. The journey to this dome sitting at the centre of the base seemed to take no time at all compared to the journey to the island itself, despite it being roughly the same distance. Perhaps the distant, unpleasant memories held here lent speed to her steps.

 

Camellia stared up at the heavily reinforced double doors that marked the entrance inside. The doors were made of thick reinforced metal, and yet by the crumpled and bent appearance seemed to have been torn open from the inside. After a moment the Valkyrie turned to the priestesses behind her and jabbed a thumb at the destroyed doors, “Yeah, I don’t like this place either.”

 

Caihong snorted softly, “Is that your professional opinion as a Valkyrie?”

 

“It’s my Kaslana instincts telling me nothing good happened here,” Camellia shot back dryly.

 

Kiana came to a stop beside the Valkyrie and nodded, “Well, you’re right about that,” She said quietly. She held up a hand to stop Camellia as she began opening her mouth, “Don’t. You’ll see once we’re inside.”

 

Bronya hovered up to her friend’s side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Kiana, you gonna be okay going back in here?”

 

“I’ll be fine, Bronya,” Sighed the Herrscher. Then, more sharply, “Come on, lets go.”

 


 

The sight beyond the door in the dim light of the long abandoned base started much the same as outside. Dirt, grime, old blast marks and gashes of battle long past, remnants of Valkyries and Honkai beasts littered the entranceway. The inside was a fully metal construction, what once must have been a clean silver shine long faded and dulled by time. The doors twice as tall as the women entering led to a room of similar height large enough to comfortably fit a large cargo truck or two before the ceiling and walls gradually sloped inwards to create a more human sized hallway behind another door that had been knocked free of its housing. The light from the battered entranceway did not filter past this second door, its soft rays of light forced back by the encroaching darkness of the secrets kept deep within these dilapidated hallways. Onward they walked, to forboding sights that grew alongside the shadows. The humans all procured small flashlights from their belts and flicked them on as the darkness enveloped them. Kiana’s palm danced with an orange light, her fire easily lighting up the main part of the hallway they were travelling down with the aid of Project Bunny’s larger lamp.

It was several long minutes of travel into the darkened facility. Cables hung from where they’d been dislodged from behind broken ceiling panels. Side rooms, offices, and smaller labs lay in ancient dilapidation. Glass was smashed and littered the ground, doors torn or knocked from their hinges and housings, what little remained of bodies slumped in chairs or scattered across the cold floor. Kiana guided them through winding corridors and destroyed security checkpoints as if she knew the place intimately, or at least the path they were travelling. After about fifteen minutes they passed through several destroyed doors down into the depths of the island. At the end of this descent they stepped through another large set of double doors, though these had been left open instead of the smashed open look the others had.

Isabella and Camellia let out the same confused exclamation as their lights revealed what was on the other side. Before them was a hall nearly twenty metres tall but rather narrow in comparison and curving around to the left like a crescent, possibly following the curve of the island. It was wide enough for five of them to walk comfortably beside each other. But the construction itself was not what was so concerning. What drew the eyes of all but the Herrschers were the large cylindrical tanks set into the walls on either side of them stretching out of sight. Each one of them was empty of anything but a murky, viscous fluid with a sky-bluish tint to it. Many had been cracked and broken, the fluid long gone or only partly contained. It looked disgusting. It smelt even worse. Yet as Mei stared at these human sized tanks, the only thing she could focus on was a deeply instilled dread that seemed to crawl just under her skin. Metal plating on the bottom rim of these tanks marked each one with a designation. The one before her designated this tank as “K-347”. What that meant, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Something about them disturbed her on a far greater level than she expected. In the corner of her eye Kiana seemed to be straining to keep her expression set in its stony neutrality, eyes carefully focused on the end of the hallway and not so much as glancing at any of the tanks. Sophia gave in to curiosity and reached out to poke at the strange substance only for her hand to be quickly slapped away by Cecilia. Halfway through the place Mei nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden touch of Kiana’s hand sliding into her own. One glance was all she needed to see the distressed, pleading emotion shimmering in those shining Herrscher eyes. So Mei squeezed her hand, and gave what she hoped was a comforting smile in the oppressive darkness.

Everyone was glad to move on.

 

At the end of the curving corridor was another door. More dangling and dead power lines forced the women to brush them away and duck to the side to walk through this next smaller door. Mei’s eyes were constantly darting between the retreating darkness in their lights and the Herrscher beside her. Once they stepped through, Kiana let out a nearly inaudible sigh of relief. Mei might have even thought she was imagining things, if not for Bronya resting her hand on the woman’s shoulder. Isabella took point and swung her light around the room, observing this new location with quick, wary glances. The darkened screens on short pillars of metal before another one of those tanks as well as the chair-like fixture on the other side of the room told them all they needed to know.

 

“Looks like we found one of the labs,” Isabella said. Her light lingered on the medical-chair like fixture, and her light glinted dangerously off the metal cuffs affixed to the flat surface.

 

Mei followed the light, and when her eyes noted the same as Isabella’s, her heart dropped into her stomach. The emotions from that horrible memory welled up in her at once, the images flashed through her mind, even the sensations seemed to rush back in an overwhelming crescendo. It burned.

It burned.

It burned.

It burned!

 

Mei collapsed to her knees and pressed a hand to her sternum, a great teeth clenching hiss of pain echoing into the chamber.

 

“Mei!” Kiana was down beside her in an instant, the others circling protectively around them without question, “Mei, what’s wrong?”

 

“This place...” Mei panted, the sudden rush had passed yet it left her drained and exhausted as her mind struggled to cope, “It looks...” The priestess had to take a moment to blink rapidly and wipe at the moisture that was collecting in the corner of her eyes, “This room looks just like the one I saw in Sirin’s memory. I’m sorry, I’m okay,” She sent her companions a half-hearted smile and let Kiana help her to her feet, “Seeing this place for real... it brought everything I felt in that dream rushing back. Sirin’s helpless terror, the way Schicksal cut open her chest...” She shook her head, “I’ll be okay,” She said again, though it came out like she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else, “Would these terminals have anything, Kiana?”

 

Kiana turned to stare at the nearby terminal bank and the empty tank a few metres past it. It sat on a raised platform and had clamping claws holding the top and bottom fixed in place. A sealed hatchway to the hallway they just exited suggested the tanks were on some kind of conveyor system to bring the required tank into the lab. The tank itself was shattered, and as their lights continued to dart around the room they illuminated the glass scattered all over the room. It seemed something had broken out from within, and with great force. On the bottom was once again a designation. K-423. Kiana quickly ignored the curious whisperings of the number around her, “Bronya, do you think any of the systems here are still working? The main computer probably remained connected to Schicksal’s internal network even after the crash.”

 

Bronya pointed to the far wall, “Yeah, it’s right there. Lets see, shall we?” The lights snapped to where Bronya was pointing and revealed a much larger computer bank with a screen as tall as Mei affixed to the wall. They made their way over, glass and debris crunching beneath their boots. Mei was rapidly becoming all to aware of the sweat slicking her palm in her anxiousness. Bronya studied the computer while they observed, but she was loath to remove herself from Kiana’s comforting touch. Would Kiana think she’s gross? She shook her head gently to scatter such wandering thoughts. Now was not the time.

 

Bronya wiggled her fingers in preparation and locked onto her target, “Looks like this is Otto’s lab alright, this is one of the major terminals spread across the HQ. Lets try this,” Bronya stabbed at one of the buttons with her finger. Her glowing eyes darted up to the monitor. One second. Two.

 

Just when it looked like nothing was going to happen, a gentle rumble vibrated through the metal beneath their feet. A single light flickered to life on the console and the massive monitor lit up with a sickly pale light. All around them lights reluctantly flickered back on as the ancient backup generator spread its power throughout the facility bit by bit. Now in a fully illuminated room, the women flicked their lights off one by one.

 

“And I didn’t even have to rebuild any parts this time,” Bronya commented smugly as her fingers raced across the grimy keyboard, “Eugh, some of these keys are fucked. Though Bronya supposes she should be grateful they’re functioning at all,” She mumbled to herself. Her companions watched as she pulled up file directories on the monitor, “Here. Have at it, Mei,” Bronya stepped away and jabbed a thumb over her shoulder, “I should go down and check the generator to make sure it stays functioning.”

 

Isabella frowned, eyes darting to the glowing wounds still pulsing along the smaller woman’s body, “Will you be okay on your own, My L- Bronya?”

 

Bronya allowed a slight smile, “I’m not doing nearly as bad as Kiana is today. I’ll be fine. If anything happens I can warn Kiana through our Herrscher Cores. Look after her while I’m gone, yeah?”

 

Isabella blinked in surprise, but nodded in acceptance. Bronya disappeared into the darkness soon after with Project Bunny close behind.

 

Mei took one more look at Kiana. The Herrscher nodded silently and released her hand, settling for sitting down against a nearby support pillar. The priestess stepped up to the console, her heart beating rapidly, hands almost trembling as she settled them onto the grimy metal and easily found the file directory containing the lab records. Her eyes scanned the folders listed before her and immediately fell on the most recent set of reports that had all been uploaded on the same day, as well as another directory labelled “Project: Sirin”, “That must have been the day of the Great Eruption,” She moved down to the first report of this set of same day uploads and clicked.

 

A video began playing automatically. It was a man with long blonde hair swept into a tie that held it in place halfway down in an over the shoulder ponytail. He wore a blue coat with frills peeking from the sleeves from a white dress shirt and brown pants that said shirt were tucked into. His emerald eyes stared back at them from the screen. As he began speaking Mei found she could not help the aversion and disgust that shot down her spine.

 

My dear friend has recovered K-423 as ordered. She has been sedated and placed back into the cloning tank. The nutrient fluid will keep her vitals stable,” His voice was rather tinny, the terminal’s speakers struggling to function after so long. The camera turned, to the astonishment of Camellia and the priestesses as it revealed a rather familiar looking woman with white hair braided into twin tails, though this girl was clad in an unfamiliar white and black bodysuit decorated with hollow orange stars and highlights along her palms and soles, “I will infuse the tank with a massive amount of Honkai energy. This should awaken the shard of the Void Core within her body and- according to my research- awaken a persona of the Herrscher of the Void within her. Of course, Sirin will undoubtedly sense this happening and is likely to attack, but-”

 

But I’m already here!” Another voice cut in and a black and white blur crashed into Otto and flung him off screen, “You bastard! Did you really think you could lay your hands on my sister and I wouldn’t know?! Did you think you could treat Kiana as a tool and get away with it?!” A head of long purple hair floated into view, an absolutely livid expression affixed on Sirin’s face as Otto chuckled weakly off screen, “I’ve allowed you filthy insects to walk all over her for too long! Today, I will fix my failures during the Second Eruption! I couldn’t save Siegfried’s true daughter, but I can exact her vengeance! Today, Schicksal dies!” The entire building rumbled in frame, dirt and dust raining down as something continued to shake the entire building like an earthquake. Pieces of the ceiling began to topple downwards into the room and the recording cut to the crescendo of Otto’s laughter.

 

Mei’s arms shook, the console creaking as she leaned heavily against it while her mind raced quicker than even the Herrscher of Wind’s storms.

 

Sophia was the first to speak, “What the fuck was that?”

 

“Couldn’t save Siegfried’s true daughter, she said...” Mei mumbled to herself. She spun to face Kiana, the realisation written all over her face, “Then the girl I saw in Sirin’s memories, that was-”

 

Kiana’s smile did not reach her eyes, “My old man raised me in that cabin alongside Sirin for four years,” She replied nonchalantly.

 

“But that would mean you’re-”

 

“Not the real Kiana?” The Herrscher finished dryly.

 

“I- That was not what I was going to say!” Mei protested over the disconcerted noises of the others.

 

Kiana shrugged, trying to hide the way she avoided the astonished and appalled looks on the mortals’ faces. Cecilia seemed to be studying the designation on the tank behind them with a ferocious scowl, “I made peace with who I am a long time ago. Yes, I am Kiana Kaslana’s clone. K-423, a consciousness birthed by a shard of Sirin’s Herrscher Core. But I am also the one and only Kiana Kaslana. I fought with everything I have for that name. It was a gift from my father and the Kiana I hadn’t ever met when I received it. If we ever did met I wanted to be able to look Kiana in the eyes and know that I did her name proud,” A more genuine smile now spread across her face, “And I did. I earned my name in every way that matters. No longer just a clone with a stolen name, I could finally hold my head high and know that I was worthy of being Kiana Kaslana.”

 

“So she lived?” The words spilled from Camellia’s lips, a distraught pinch to her brows.

 

Kiana laughed, “She did. Though thanks to Otto’s meddling she no longer felt any connection to her original name or identity. So she urged me to carry on, to continue being the hope against the Honkai my name and I had become. And she would continue with her own legacy, one she had built all on her own,” Her smile grew nostalgic as she met Camellia’s questioning gaze, “That was the day I finally called Bianka ‘Durandal’ Ataegina my sister.”

 

There were several moments of shocked silence, a measure of amusement dancing in the Herrschers eyes as she watched this information sink in.

 

Camellia stared back, realisation painting her face in the flickering lab light, “So that’s how Durandal is connected to the Kaslana family... We always knew she was but her physical appearance was always described so differently from any other Kaslana I always wondered...”

 

Kiana exhaled sharply in dry amusement, “Yes, Otto was a scientist. A rather skilled one. He used Previous Era nanobot technology to help heal Bianka’s fatal wounds from rescuing Sirin and I as well as alter the colour of her hair, while utilising a copy of the Divine Key of Sentience to erase her memory so she would never remember her life as Kiana Kaslana. Even now her childhood with Cecilia and Siegfried is mostly like a hazy dream to her rather than cherished memories.”

 

Isabella’s knuckles were beginning to turn white from how hard they were clenched at her sides, “That fucker,” The Moonbeam’s captain growled, “Id read that Overseer Otto was a piece of work, but this?!” She gestured towards the screen, “This is...” Words failed her and she finished with another growl of anger. Sophia and Caihong gently laid their hands on the woman’s shoulders, rubbing gently as the woman took several deep breaths in an effort to calm herself down, “Okay. So Sirin interrupted him before he could, what, turn you into a second Herrscher of the Void?”

 

“More or less,” Kiana nodded.

 

“What else is there on the Great Eruption, Mei?”

 

Mei forced herself to tear her eyes away from her Goddess and turned back to the terminal to bring up the next folder of files, “These look like... battle reports?” She began skimming the correspondence and reading out anything that caught her eye, “Island three damaged by an explosion of Honkai energy... K-423 last seen taking a stolen shuttle to the city... thirty minutes after the explosion at HQ, Sirin appeared from the Honkai wastes with six-hundred-thousand Honkai beasts and ten-thousand Void blessed and laid siege to the city...”

 

“Six-hundred-thousand?” Came Sophia’s incredulous whisper.

 

“When was the last time we saw Honkai beast numbers that high?” Caihong enquired.

 

Cecilia’s scowl only seemed to deepen, “The last time humanity faced the Honkai in such numbers in a singular battle was during the war against the Herrscher of Corruption and her Herrscher allies. A great wave of destruction across the planet even as the Herrschers battled each other in the heavens. Over a million Honkai beasts.”

 

“And Sirin on her own created six-hundred-thousand...” Caihong winced.

 

Kiana released a pained chuckle, “To be fair, she was really pissed off. We were... on better terms back then. Though that all ended when I refused to join her here.”

 

Mei pursed her lips but could not find words that didn’t just catch in her throat. So instead she turned back to the screen, “There’s another recording...”

 


 

The hallways remained so quiet that even the nearly inaudible whine of her prosthetics seemed like thunder in Bronya’s ears. It wasn’t difficult for her to locate the backup generator that had rumbled and coughed its way back to life, Schicksal’s bases always tended to have similar layouts. And even if they didn’t, the power of Truth would allow her to decode the structure’s entire layout if she didn’t mind facing some backlash from the Will of Honkai. Regardless, she had found what she wanted. The generator was ancient, but a type she had become familiar with over the course of her time using the power of Reason to be a mobile maintenance crew.

The generator was just barely clinging to life. Many of its parts were on the edge of tearing themselves apart from the strain of just normal operation. Luckily for this little generator, the Herrscher of Truth was here. Her grey eyes gained a reddish brown tint to them, her pupils morphing into a toothy shape like that of a mechanical gear with a rod horizontally through the middle and extending out either end to the edge of her irises. She pressed her hand to the cold, vibrating metal. The Honkai energy to repair the ailing machine seeped into its surface, and blue angular light swept over its shape. It took only a minute and the generator appeared good as new, it’s coughing vibrating strain now the gentle hum of a well oiled machine. If she was honest, she would have preferred taking the thing apart and getting her hands dirty. It always helped her focus her thoughts. But they didn’t have time. Nor could she afford to turn it off and deprive the others of electricity.

 

And beside that, there was the tug she was feeling in the back of her mind as a familiar presence fluttered along the edge of her consciousness through her Herrscher core. And if she focused on this gentle pull just a little more...

 

-onya? Bronya?”

 

A genuine smile spread across the woman’s face as the voice resonated in her mind through the Core, “Hello, Seele.”

 

Bronya! There you are!” The smile was clear in her fellow Herrscher’s voice.

 

What’s up, Seele? You don’t usually contact me like this unless it’s important.”

 

Yes, I don’t have much time. Listen Bronya, Sirin is attacking Arc city.”

 

Bronya shot back to her feet, “What?”

 

I brought Seele and Ana with me to help defend the city, but you know Ana cannot last long opening herself up to the Will of Honkai and Seele cannot use her full strength within the city or else countless humans will die. We need you and Kiana if we are to avoid such a large death toll.”

 

Bronya exhaled sharply in frustration, “We can’t do much at the moment. Sirin attacked us and forced open a crack for the Will of Honkai to slip through. We’re both still purging our Honkai energy of its influence. Kiana cannot afford to expend the Honkai energy it would take to teleport us all the way back to Arc. If she doesn’t constantly refill the holes the Will is poking in the Honkai Intertidal Zone and-

 

Yes, we know that!” Snapped Seele’s voice, though this voice was harsher and paired with the distinct sense of another consciousness touching her own.

 

Ah, hello Seele,” Bronya greeted this newcomer.

 

Shut it, Bronya! I’m not interested in being nice to Kiana right now! Either she figures out how to get back here and deal with her bitch of a sister or she better find a way to contact Durandal to do it instead! Since somebody-”

 

Bronya could almost feel Seele wincing and rubbing her neck sheepishly.

 

-Insists I focus on shielding the city instead of just killing that annoying dragon, Bella. Which has done nothing but result in us sitting here in a stalemate for three days while Seele and Amber argue with the militia over a plan on how to break this siege. I could do it! I could break the siege with a flick of my goddamn pinky!!”

 

You know we can’t kill Bella!” Seele protested against her other self, “Besides the fact that I don’t want to kill either of them, If you kill Bella Sirin will never stop until we’re both dead and our cores are shattered and scattered to the winds. Sirin is an incredibly difficult foe even in the best of circumstances.”

 

What about Wendy?” Bronya queried.

 

Seele scoffed harshly, “Wendy’s a pussy and cares even less about collateral damage than I do! Besides, Sirin already kicked her ass when she destroyed one of those small cities on the edge of Shenzhou a few years ago, I doubt she wants to try and fight her again yet. Like I said, we need either you two or Durandal. Unless Seele stops complaining every time someone inhales the mists of death like a fucking idiot. Or you could just wait. Right now it’s just Bella, but not even Seele can hold me back if Sirin shows up and forces our hand.

 

Noted,” Bronya sighed, “I’ll tell Kiana. Though she’s probably having quite the time explaining her connection to the cloning tanks upstairs to Mei and the others right now.”

 

Good luck, Bronya,” Came Seele’s soft smile, “I love you.”

 

Yeah yeah, good luck and all that,” Came the second, harsher tones, “And if you leave me to deal with all this by myself I’ll never forgive you.”

 

Bronya chuckled to herself as she exited the generator room and began the journey back up to her companions, “I love you too. Both of you. I’ll get back in touch soon.”

 

Hmph. You better.” Seele offered as their final reply before both of their touches faded from her core.

 


 

When Mei selected the next video log it was not Otto who greeted them this time. But a woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes peering from underneath loose bangs, and clad in a battlesuit of silver armour over a deep blue dress, I am Bianka ‘Durandal’ Ataegina, Captain of the Immortal Blades.”

 

Camellia’s sharp intake of breath was clearly audible over the recording.

 

The Overseer has ordered me to stay in headquarters and not engage the Herrscher of the Void. I will follow my orders, but...” A conflicted look flashed across the rather frazzled-looking woman’s face for the briefest moment before she pulled her expression under control and sighed, “Overseer Otto has requested I update the records.” By the hardened shine of Durandal’s eyes she didn’t seem to be too pleased nor entirely sure of the necessity of this request. Yet still she took in a deep breath, “It has been three hours since Sirin launched her attack. In that time the city’s defensive walls have been breached, the majority of the settlement, over three-hundred Valkyries, and eighty-thousand local soldiers have been lost to the Honkai horde and followers of the Void. Anti-Entropy and Principal Theresa’s defectors joined the fray within the hour of Sirin’s attack and targeted the Herrscher directly. They failed. Overseer Otto has successfully transferred to a backup, but Agent Fu Hua has disappeared among the chaos in the meantime,” Durandal shook her head slowly, “The Overseer was confident St. Freya would convince Himeko Murata to take up the mantle of the Herrscher of Fire. It appears he was right. But... it was not without cost. Himeko burned away Sirin’s body yet she... she did something to K-423. Transferred herself somehow. Possessed her. They are still locked in combat with Sirin utilising K-423’s body. Major Himeko has offered us a brief respite. But there was a... significant loss,” Durandal paused for a moment as if debating whether she should say more, eyes darting to papers in her hands before she continued, “I’ve organised a Valkyrie MIA and KIA list for your perusal. I have included known Valkyrie defectors from St. Freya out of respect for their resistance agianst Sirin. You will also find the battle plans that were provided to the Valkyries and annotated maps of the city along with our scouts’ intelligence with a transcript of all I’ve said here.” The entire room seemed to shake, a dull rumble audible even on the recording, “Rita, it’s time for us to go.”

 

As the recording reached its end Mei rapidly moved the window out of the way and brought up the lists in question, “Significant loss? Who was she speaking of? Would we recognise the name, Kiana?”

 

Kiana nodded. A slight movement that was almost imperceptible with how her head was hanging low, gaze locked with the cold ground between her legs, “Yes,” The Herrscher said softly, “You’ll recognise the name. It’s on the KIA list.”

 

She could almost feel her pulse pounding in her very fingertips as she moved. She needn’t move far, and yet it felt like an eternity between Kiana’s words and when her eyes drifted up to the name burning a line into the screen. It took some searching through the alphabetically organised names. But Kiana was right. When she saw the name a pit seemed to open up to swallow her thoughts whole, a tingling shock of horror racing through her heart and down her spine. There it was, a little more than halfway down the list. Where the only name that mattered stared back at her with a terrifying familiarity.

 

Killed in Action: Raiden Mei.

Notes:

Finally we get into the secrets hiding within Schicksal HQ >:3 Tbh I rewrote the lab scene like twice bcuz I was unsure abt the recordings discovery format but don't worry because that is NOT the only way we're gonna be discovering shit here. Also Seele informing Bronya of what's happening back in human occupied areas because I think the Herrschers should get to use their cool gem communication more and if anyone's gonna do it OF COURSE Bronya would use it to keep in touch with her gfs. Anyways, do you know how long I have been sitting on the "What if Sirin actually did kill Mei during the Battle of Schicksal" plotpoint? Fucking FOREVER! And now it is finally here :) And soon, even more of Mei and Himeko's fight against Sirin will be revealed :3

Notes:

And thus ends the first chapter in a new journey. I've kept a lot of the lore regarding the gods a bit vague and from the POV of the regular people that don't know all the personal details and events of the Herrschers' lives on purpose in this beginning part. More will be revealed later as we meet new and more knowledgeable characters as well as expanding on the ones we've already met. I have greatly expanded the timeline that this version of the Honkai world is working on, with events from the game such as Kiana being overtaken by the Herrscher of the Void having happened millenia ago, and thus the facts have been blurred over time for the people of the present day in which this fic takes place.

While I want to focus on this present day, as we reach certain plot beats I am entertaining the thought of putting out shorter fics exploring this ancient history in more detail that wouldn't work for me to squeeze into this fic in such detail in-between the story I'm already trying to tell. Anyways, hope you enjoyed! Mei's journey has only just begun ;3