Tesla browsed through the mission's details one last time before clearing the ship for takeoff. Everything looked simple enough, but when dealing with Cocolia, things usually got messy. Hopefully she was nowhere near the Sea of Quanta or the Deep.
But the mission was simple. Get in. Try to find any traces of Theresa Apocalypse. Get out.
If they find her, she'll probably need immediate medical attention. Not even two days had passed since she was left down there to fend off the Honkai Beasts of the Deep. It was her sacrifice that allowed Bronya to get in the Sea. Best case scenario, she might have even killed them all by now and is just waiting for rescue.
Worse case… Cocolia or Schicksal had her.
Tesla groaned. She hated being kept in the dark about things. And recent events didn't seem to hold her best interests at heart. With Kiana's return and Einstein… missing, surprises were the last thing she needed right now. Especially without Welt to keep things moving smoothly.
Wiping a single tear from her eye, she left the rest to the crew. If Bronya and Seele were to get into any trouble, at least they had more people to send as backup now and for that, she was thankful.
«Dr. Tesla!»
At the mention of her name the red-head turned around. She noticed Mei waving at her from across the room and she smiled, approaching the young woman.
«Mei, you're up early. Slept well I presume?»
Mei blushed and she averted her gaze, looking down at her coffee in hand.
«You could say that…»
«Well, I'm glad you're happy. It's refreshing actually.»
«How about you?»
Tesla looked at Mei with surprise, pointing at herself questioningly.
«Me? I'm as fine as one can be, all things considered.»
«It's fine if you want to take a break every once in a while.»
«Please… If I slack off then who will run this place? With mophead gone and all.»
«I think we can manage.» Mei replied with a smile and Tesla couldn't help but smile back at the girl.
The monitors behind Tesla now showed Bronya and Seele's ship leaving the landing pad and Mei looked at the takeoff with mild interest.
«Where's that one headed? Didn't know we sent out smaller troops on the regular these days…»
Tesla looked back at the screens, and she took a seat on a nearby stool.
«That ship is taking Bronya and Seele to the Deep so that they can search for Theresa…»
«What?!» Mei questioned, her attention snapping back to the smaller adult. «Why didn't you tell me?»
«It was a last second call. Made the plan just yesterday while you were out. The girls wanted to do it.»
Mei looked skeptical for a moment before sighing in agreement.
«Just, please keep us updated. If they need anything we'll go and help right away.»
«Of course. We're lucky we have a few spare hands to help out around here from now on.» Tesla assured the girl and Mei nodded before turning to leave. She didn't want Kiana to wake up alone after all…»
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Kiana laid motionless under the sheets of the bed, her eyes unwilling to open. She seemed completely content with simply staying still for the rest of the day. She hadn't slept like that in… well… ever. Sure it took a long, long time for things to start slowing down and as Kiana recalled last night's events, she wondered exactly at what point she had fallen asleep…
«It must have been after Celine's third? Fourth turn perhaps? My head hurts just thinking about the details…»
«Actually, that may have been me.» Celine's voice was heard in her head, revealing the cause for her headache and Kiana groaned.
«You mind If we talk for a minute?»
That got Kiana's attention and she subconsciously placed herself in their shared mental space. Celine was laying on the ground with a smile on her face.
«Wow, someone's having a good day. What's the catch?» Kiana asked jokingly, seating herself on the ground next to Celine.
«You could say that. I had a dream last night too.»
Kiana's eyes widened in surprise. «You have dreams? In here? How is that even possible?»
Celine looked at the young Kaslana with a raised brow.
«What exactly do you think I do in here all the time?»
«I don't know. Walk around, plan things, sky gaze. Regular stuff. Not much else to do anyway.»
«I sleep too you know. It's not often but some days are more taxing than others.»
«Hmm… And what did you dream about?»
Celine looked at the girl with a sad smile and she spoke softly.
«I saw dreams of my past life. From my own body and my own time. Stupid useless memories from a reality that was never real to begin with. But those memories made me feel safe and warm. Even if it didn't last for long. It felt like I wasn't alone. Like last night.»
«Nice to see you aren't regretting the split.» Kiana replied looking down. «Mind telling me about these memories?»
«They had to do with Cecilia Shariac.»
Kiana's face hardened and she waited for Celine to explain. The Herrscher sighed and continued.
«In those false memories, Siegfried Kaslana and Cecilia Shariac were my parents. And we were sisters.»
«S-Sisters? Mom and Dad…»
«It was the first time I saw you, before I ever found myself in your body. Now that I think about it, the accuracy was astounding all things considered.»
Kiana gulped before asking her question.
«What was it like?»
Celine's eyes widened at the unexpected reaction and she raised her hand to her chin, deep in thought.
«It was nice. Clothes shopping, parties and other things were all nice but…»
«But?»
«The thing that made me feel safer than anything else, was Cecilia's embrace. Even if I knew it was fake, it felt like it was real.»
«What happened?»
«What always happens. The illusion, broken. Staring betrayal in the face with the one person closest to me at the time taken away, never to return.»
«And you're scared of the same thing happening with Mei…»
«Yeah…»
Kiana nodded in understanding before turning to take Celine's hands in her own. She looked at her dead in the eyes and spoke with confidence.
«Celine, what happened last night was real. It wasn't a trick and Mei is not going anywhere. You can feel safe again. I promise.»
«You know the next few weeks are going to be the hardest of your lives right?»
Kiana smirked at the purple-haired Herrscher. «Nothing worthwhile is easy. But we'll make it. Together.»
«I guess…» Celine then looked up in slight annoyance. «We'll finish this up later. Now get going.»
«Why? What's-
Kiana was pulled out of her mind space, opening her eyes slowly, only to see Mei standing in front of her.
«I was hoping I'd be back before you woke up. Bummer…» Mei said with a small pout and Kiana grinned.
«How did you sleep?» the young Knight asked as she jumped off the bed to hug the now-blushing Mei.
«You and I both know not enough sleep was had last night… But I'm feeling well enough today so I guess it's not that bad.»
«Breakfast then?»
Mei nodded. «Breakfast. And since we have the day off, we could try and do something fun after that…»
«Like train! Yes! I'm so excited now, we need to get to that as soon as possible! Come on!»
Kiana called out as she stormed out of the room, leaving behind a very confused Mei.
«You have a very interesting perspective on fun…»
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Fu Hua sat on the floor of her new room, meditating as she prepared to head out for the day. She opened one eye however when she heard a knock on her door.
«Come in.»
The door was then slightly opened as Higokumaru peaked her head inside the room with an awkward smile.
«Hi there…»
Fu Hua offered the girl a gentle smile and she motioned for her to step inside the room. «Good morning. Please, sit.»
Higokumaru closed the door behind her and sat cross-legged in front of the Phoenix. She gazed around the room for a moment but didn't say anything. Fu Hua politely coughed into her hand to get her attention.
«Is there something you wanted?»
«Yeah…» Higo fiddled with her fingers, seemingly steeling her resolve, but for what, Fu Hua wondered.
«Higokumaru, if there's anything you need to get off your chest, you can tell me. I've been told I'm a great listener.»
That seemed to calm the younger girl somewhat and she took a long breath before looking at Fu Hua.
«Did you feel that surge of Honkai Energy last night?»
«No, not really. How did you even-
«I'm a Herrscher, Fu Hua.»
Her gaze hardened and she received a similar look from the girl in front of her. Higokumaru, a Herrscher…
«What's your plan? Surely you must have some reason for telling me… knowing I don't particularly like the threat they pose…»
Higokumaru didn't avert her gaze. Instead she inched closer.
«I've seen you before.»
Fu Hua's gaze softened slightly and she focused on the girl in front of her, studying her thoroughly.
«You're from the Old World…»
Higokumaru nodded. «So are you. In fact, I remember exactly from where.»
«Well you're free to enlighten me.»
«I was held in a cell for testing. Your best doctors were trying to determine the risk of letting me out. You and your squad were gifted with something born of my tests.»
«I'm the only one who could control it. The others failed and were killed by Honkai Beasts. How is this important?»
«I'm the Herrscher of Erosion. I don't doubt you know of how I was contained after those Humans 'killed' me.»
«The Black Box… The Divine Key!»
«Exactly…»
Fu Hua stood up instantly and she pointed an accusing finger at the Herrscher.
«Why didn't you warn us sooner?!»
«I couldn't. I didn't remember anything until yesterday. The exposure to all that Honkai Energy must have triggered something I had locked away.»
«So that sword… Your gem is inside it?»
«Yes! Which is why we need to make sure it stays away from anyone with enough Honkai Energy to release it. Or else…»
Fu Hua looked down sadly. «The plague of Erosion will destroy everything and everyone in this place…»
«Unless…»
Fu Hua looked up in surprise. «Unless?»
«I take the gem. Absorb it, leaving the Divine Key with only a fraction of it's power. Just like the others.»
Fu Hua considered the possibility for a few moments until she sighed in understanding.
«First Kiana started going around collecting Herrscher cores. Then Seele and now this? If we add Mei then we're practically walking around with the power of 5 Herrschers. If we get all the gems…»
«We can just storm straight into Schicksal!»
«We'll have to fight through the Immortal Valkyrie Blade Squad. And Rita shouldn't be underestimated, no matter how much firepower we'll have. And not to mention Durandal…»
«Durandal?»
Fu Hua nodded. «The strongest Schicksal Valkyrie. I could probably hold my own against her if I recover my full strength. Add an army of mechs into the mix and we've got a right mess in front of us. Plus, I don't doubt Otto has something hidden up his sleeve. I've known that man for many years. And if I've learned anything about him, it's that he is always prepared, no matter the situation.»
«We should probably get to work then, right?» Higokumaru asked and she stood up as well.
«We should. Let's find Kiana and Mei, before they accidentally kill everyone in this place…»