remember when i said i was gonna die again for another month? THAT WAS A LIE

also someone thought that the previous chapter made like a day or few before the latest chapter act on CN was similar (see second eruption flashbacks in The Storm, the idea is somewhat there.) they thought i was a mihoyo writer trying to hint clues bc it came out of nowhere.

okay, that's not true lol. I don't work for mihoho. it was just plain coincidence. if i was, then every story would be about fu hua being super amazing in every dialogue.

ITS WORSE WHEN MY BEST FRIEND AGREED THAT I SEEMED LIKE ONE LOL HOW DID THAT EVEN HAPPEN-

sighhhhhhhhh

Disclaimer: I do not own Honkai Impact 3rd. Be it characters, or the main story.

This being my first time writing something out of my usual Genres, so let me know what you think.

Another Chance:

Our Prelude

Warnings:

- Go and fuck yourself, Otto Apocalypse.

- Also an obnoxiously long essay of a description in just telling you how terrifying Kiana is.

- Physical threatening.

- Mental conflicts.

A faint pause. The silver haired woman's mouth closes before she turns her eyes towards Fu Hua. The woman who did all she could to protect her in her times of darkness, and who Kiana in-turn helped her from her own darkness.

An apologetic smile; small and faint, was sent towards the Valkyrie. Her consciousness already waning and a brief few seconds from fading. It was all Kiana could give, and the last Kiana would see of her for the moment.

The last she would see of her. That very thought somehow cut deeper than she would've liked. Something that she would not want to happen at all, no matter what.

The pleading that burned in those blue eyes, begging for her to not leave; with an emotion behind it so intense she wasn't sure what it was, somehow convinced her a little to reconsider her current haphazard plan. A rash act made on impulse, shifting and throwing all that carefully planned thoughts out of the window.

Something within told her that Fu Hua would've never expressed herself to this extent before- much known to hold that cold and cruel exterior, even when Kiana knew about the other side that she kept in. But, for her to be desperately telling her to not do this was something else entirely on its own.

It was more than just care she held for her as a friend..

It was like as if Fu Hua seemed to-

Kiana stops herself in her thoughts. She dare not entertain such a suggestion; in question of whether was it in fear of being mistaken and deceived, or just her overthinking it, she was not sure.

She grips her hand and curls it into a fist, deliberately feeling her nails against her skin. Cut it off. Cut the thoughts off. She wants whatever idea she had given herself in mind to be wrong, and yet a part of her tells her she doesn't want it to be.. And so, she does not think about it.

Kiana spares her one last look that seemed to spanned through more than mere seconds in that fraction of time as their gazes deeply meet. Then she sees those blue eyes slowly close before her. The eyes she wished to see more again, now leaving her.

They close. And she resigns herself to being escorted by two Valkyries; of the blonde haired woman that stood beside her, and of her companion. A polite, dutiful maid with an exceptional absolute loyalty for.. cleaning up things.

...

The ship slightly rumbles, but that does not shake her out from her stupor. Her blue gaze unknowingly fills with the scenery outside, of clouds and sky; both gray, white and blue.

As if she were in a daze. A blank mind.

That was the only thing Kiana was having at that moment. She doesn't really pay her surroundings any mind, long aware of the situation she was in.

The inside of the ship was bland. gray and dark with just blue lines streaming across its walls. The metallic body seemed to have a perfect coat of paint. It didn't help one bit to let her pretend it was Helios. This was a Schicksal ship that was set on its course to their HQ.

To Schicksal HQ.

She stifles the brief sadness that sank in upon such thoughts of leaving St. Freya, and continued to keep her attention to the window, to ignore everything else in the ship.

Everything else being the two Valkyries that stood there on the other side of the room, conversing with each other while keeping their eyes on her. Much so when she can even feel their stares pinning her back occasionally. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it was one she had to put up with.

She wasn't sure at the beginning why the few other Immortal Blades that escorted them were apprehensive upon landing their sights on her. She wasn't even sure where they came from to begin with, despite them being quite the small group.

To them, she was just a normal silver haired woman- a student of St. Freya, a harmless unseasoned and overconfident B-rank Valkyrie. Where and what was the intimidation that she held that could cause them to go into such thoughts to begin with?

But after a silent pause, she interrupts herself and strains her ears after catching a few brief details of a conversation Durandal and Rita were having.

She only catches a few, but finds herself even surprised at whatever they would speak. Especially when it was regrading her. But in the end, she only tunes it out after not understanding a single bit of it and finds her gaze once again staring at the outside world.

"Ah.. The girls apparently were talking about some weird things again.."

Girls. They speak among themselves, and literally anyone in their group of friends. Gossip, small talk, rumours, jokes.

There was no exception for especially them, and 'them' was a large emphasis on the well-disciplined Immortal Blades. Many of those Valkyries who look up to the both of them- much so however for the S-rank that wields both the Abyss Flower and the Orchid Lily.

In a way, you could say the Immortal Blades is an elite Valkyrie fan club for the diehard supporters of Durandal and Rita; but instead of neon glow sticks and obnoxiously large banners of ridiculous love confessions, it is guns aimed at your head, never ending weapons swinging and much more aimed at their enemies.

..Though that's not really the most important detail of the main object of concern that they have been circulating around.

The thing was, when the two S-ranks were escorting out the Lord Overseer's target towards the transport ship, neither of them had seemed to notice something. Mind you, this was a small escort group of their squad that Durandal herself insisted on bringing along- in promises of both their discretion and subpar loyalty.

Ever since whatever that was bound to happen, however; those 'promises' seem a little dull in compared to what the original impression was for discretion.

One of them apparently decided to express her surprise about the fact that a Valkyrie would go to the extent of betraying Schicksal to protect whatever this silver haired woman had done; that was almost similar to an extremely dangerous threat of an enemy to the Organization to end up like this.

While that didn't etch a single expression or reaction in said silver haired woman's current empty, dull gaze as she slowly walks past them, with the one and only Durandal following behind her closely; it was only after another had piped in, saying as one would directly quote in a whisper, "That Valkyrie got what she deserved though.. What were they thinking in the first place to even let her have a place to belong in Schicksal?"

Many do admit that it was quite excessive, repulsive and over the edge to even think and dear god, utter of such a thing. But, whatever that would occur next as soon as those words were uttered from the poor oblivious soul was without a doubt- much worse and terrifying.

Curiosity got the better of them. Then came the fixed gaze that settled on the group.

Suffocating yet piercing. The air then would've made hairs stand on their ends. The crackling and crunching of leaves and twigs that scattered all over the white broken tiled pavement of the secluded area in a sector of St. Freya were inaudible. As if the environment; the sounds of birds chirping, and the sighing of winds, and their footsteps- had all stopped completely; all sound seemed to be lost to the void.

The only thing that seemed to move in the world that suddenly lost its vibrant hues were the blue eyes that slowly turned to look at the direction of the sound where those words came out from.

Blue eyes in the colorless world, staring at the escort group.

They've obviously stepped out of line to even speak such things in the first place, but then the gaze simply shut them off there and then. If they could've moved in the first place, none would know what may happen.

It was paralysing. From the gray world within where they stood, they bore witness to those; frigid and inhumane, murderous yet indifferent.

Eyes with such a suffocating intent had directed their attention on them. Filled with a silently quelled yet burning rage, as if it were just a hair away from releasing itself and destroying them. The powerful cold eyes that froze them on the spot, and the absolute intent of having silence, was heeded immediately with her gaze alone.

It was without a doubt to begin with, who would dare speak a word nor breathe when facing such?

There was no spark nor sign of life in them. It was as if they were meeting something else, and they met her presence- a monster, one had uttered softly once, the words shakily leaving her lips.

They were Immortal Blades. Valkyries of Schicksal. Brave fighters against the Honkai. And yet, someone else than their superiors had merely commanded them with their sheer gaze alone.

Time seemed to stop. Colours of the world lost to the void. Everything seemed to only move for the silver haired woman. Even with such knowledge given to them, the taste of something acrid is evident and would be noticeable in their next thought process in mind.

It was just, intimidating. As if looking at something so insignificant that it could've felt as if she were offended by them breathing the same air as her. But it was not haughty- words can not describe the pure fear that they felt when they gazed into those pools of blue. And it was all because one had made mention of that navy haired Valkyrie.

Though, it all simply disappeared into the wind when she looked away, as if the immense gravity that they felt pulling at their knees- having the instinct to drop deeply at her feet; to grovel and kneel or beg for forgiveness in mercy of sparing their life that seems to dangle on a thin string was never there in the first place.

Whatever force that was present to make them shrink back with widened eyes, and if one would've squint- trembling, never seemed to be there. As if it was merely a hallucination, and that she had never spared a glance at them to begin with at all.

Though, if she had- such a presence did not seem to linger around when she looked away, as if the harboured emotions from her intense, callous gaze alone never existed authentically.

A mystery none dares to ask about.

Clack. Clack.

Those awfully loud yet familiar shoes that stepped against the floor takes her daydream away.

God, it seems that they're too paranoid for her to even have a private moment of peace-

She stops that train of thought after noticing who it was.

Loud yet familiar.

The reflection in the glass changes. Her focus flickers away from the sky and to the shift behind her. Standing across the room was a blonde haired man she knew too well.

Too well for her own liking. There was no need for introductions. He knew who she was, and she in-turn knew who he was. Even if he may have no awareness of such knowledge she holds against him.

Kiana Kaslana frowns.

Otto Apocalypse appraises the silver haired woman that sat in front of him. Despite her hands being in cuffs and the presence of the two S-rank Valkyries, she had stuck to a relaxed posture.

The Overseer had known that, in a way, the silver haired woman in front of him was a shaky chess piece for him to wield. She was dangerous, and powerful for his benefit if he used his cards properly, but would cause him severe consequences should he slip.

There was an air of acceptance around her, and she was not in denial nor in panic about her current state. It was intriguing, as if she had long known that such a scenario would take place, and she was far aware of the events that would play.

Things that were supposed to go his way, somehow had made it seem as if it were hers.

It was truly fascinating, and this he would look into sooner or later, but what caught his attention the most was her gaze in her blue eyes. It was not of fear, nor was it of anger for what they had done. They held something deep, that reminds him of a burning memory within his digital consciousness of a mind.

When he was a body of flesh and blood, and he finds himself running towards the fallen silver haired woman of his heart, with arms stretched out in an attempt to protect her from the Warrior that stood before them.

Blood-red eyes, and a gaze of cold and steel; of wisdom and knowledge, of an acceptance long understanding that this was the life they live in. Of eyes that looked like as if they had seen more than they had wanted- more than they wished; and it was them seeing hell, being through it, and still living in it for something that seemed to spanned eons.

While it was not of the same intensity, he could somehow see her having the same in the future.

It was just simply empty, akin to something lifeless, but not quite. As if this; his presence, was something long expected, and she was not surprised by it. Already resigning to the situation she was sitting in.

And this would pique his interest. He had seen the girl grow, moving from place to place. And from what he has seen in St. Freya upon finding her again, there it was. K-423 was supposed to be young, despite having the soul of someone older than what it should've been, it would not be possible for the two to already become one. And yet, before Otto stood someone who seemed to be older than they were supposed to be.

Fear is something rational. An instinct called from within. A response to danger. But she does not seem to fear him.

There were so many unknown factors to this enigma that was the Herrscher of the Void housed within this copy of a Kaslana. Everything he knew about her simply changed in the blink of an eye. It was, to put it, too much for him to even overlook it.

Otto wishes to know many things, and the idea of the answer to which he seeks, that the possibility of it residing here right in his own hands entertains him very much so.

"This is certainly interesting.." His eyes do not leave her, and after a short pause he raises up a hand with a smile on his face. A smile that was more harmful than friendly; light yet dangerous.

A golden light washes over the room. Kiana knows what it is. She's seen it many times. Multiple, several, countless times. In her dreams. In a life that did not belong to her. In a reality that memories belonged to her in the past became garbled and null to her recollection. Many others that she lost count or recollection of. She didn't need to even blink twice at it to know what it was.

Fu Hua had trained her against it, and she knew what it was- yet, she still finds herself turning to meet his gaze, instead of glancing at the glowing feather that was simply floating in his hand, a golden aura surrounding the plume.

Kiana waits. Otto waits. The mimicry of Fenghuang Down waits. The world waits. Yet somehow, nothing seemed to happen.

The blonde haired man, the only person that seemed to be in the room aside from her alone- lowers the Divine Key in his hand. He clicks his tongue, a brief flash of disappointment in his green eyes. It was a crack within his always calm demeanor. Despite lasting only for less than a heartbeat, the Kaslana somehow catches it.

Body language, reactions and emotions seemed to still be something she could, in a way, read better than the norm even if she wasn't the best at such a thing. Kiana however, pretends she had not caught such a detail. It was an ideal option to simply keep her capabilities to herself, and the Overseer was one of the last people she wanted to show it to.

..Until the time needed arrives, that is.

Kiana stares at him, her eyes looking straight into his own. "Whatever you want with me, is with me alone. There's no need to involve the others into this."

Her calm voice doesn't betray her thoughts and emotions against this.

"Oh?" That doesn't get a reaction out of her, and yet he continues to smile with such disgusting fake sweetness. "Playing the Lonely Hero, just like Siegfried are you?"

Damn this fucking bastard and his crazy perspectives-

"-But you already know that they wouldn't simply sit around and do nothing without getting you back."

Her teeth would've nearly cracked from how hard her jaw clenched unconsciously when she hears such words being uttered at her. Something surges within her and the silver haired woman immediately moved to stand up from her seat with an arm raised at him-

-To only have it restrained by a golden chain, it's metallic jingles sending signals to her brain. Blue eyes swept over its details; an awfully familiar chain that brought her nothing but stabs of pain into her mind. Especially when held by him of all people.

Then it tightens its hold around her, sending her expression into a slight wince. Adding with the burns it would inflict on her skin and the anti-Honkai capabilities it holds, it would affect her more than she ideally wished it should.

He suddenly tugs her closer with such a force as if she were nothing but a toy that her hair swayed roughly. She was forced to meet those green eyes that seemed to be challenging, commanding and threatening. Otto clearly did not like the show of disrespect and insolence his own creation held against him, but she still stares him down with her own defiance.

Then she realizes briefly, that maybe he was just trying to incite a reaction out of her own expressions. That, or he was truly getting sick of her not being subdued in his presence.

"Your arrogance tests my long-lasting patience," He speaks out, but it felt like it was forced out through gritted teeth.

Until it suddenly was as if another thought occurred to him that he cuts himself short on whatever words he wanted to speak next.

The transport craft slightly shook, as if one had simply jumped down from above and landed on the ground.

"Lord Otto, this is Rita speaking. We have now landed in HQ."

"Hm." was all he said in reply.

He lets go of her, releasing the chain that constricted around her arm- it left a mark on her skin, which would prove that he would be nothing but troublesome to get past. The pain that lingered was something she could take, but not treat lightly.

Oath of Judah's Zeroth Power had the capability of killing her, after all. God or not, reviving her from the dead or not. While she could break those chains apart, she had to tread carefully against this man that had many other things up his sleeves.

Otto Apocalypse slowly turns for the door, taking his leave. But that did not stop him from turning around to glance at her from the corner of his eye.

It wasn't a pleasant sight to witness from the Overseer himself.

"But, I'm more than willing to test out how long yours will last when they arrive to try and rescue you from me, K-423."

The door closes, and the silver haired woman slumps down on the bed, back against the glass.

Kiana had some time to recompose herself before they came to escort her out of the ship, and so she makes good use of it. She heaves out a sigh, raising up a hand to rub her temples.

And yet, even if she was alone for the time being, she somehow never seemed to be able to get rid of the unease that filled her when she saw those green eyes of his.

That thought haunts her very much so.

"You're telling me you defected from Schicksal?"

She just only came to a few minutes ago, and before she could even realize what the situation was- she was already being grilled into an interrogation.

The navy haired woman inhales a large breath of air before exhaling. She doesn't know why it sounded a little like she was being the person at fault here, but she continued either way.

"That is true," Fu Hua concedes. Mei was still ensuring the bandages they had wrapped around her body was still intact and in good shape.

"Thanks," she mutters to the woman by her side, in hopes she wasn't too uncomfortable by her; as Hua feels the slight hesitation in her touch as Mei traces her finger over the line on her shoulder where Otto had shot her.

It was just a simple bullet wound, but a shot from Shamash- mimicry or not, still has the capability to, as quoted by Kiana once; 'hurt like hell'.

Mei only dips her head in a nod. Somewhere in her thoughts, she hoped Mei was doing alright.

Theresa spun around to look at her, which catches Fu Hua's attention. She glances over. "Why were you sent by Otto to spy on us, though?"

A pause.

The question was very blunt, and she didn't like the way Theresa had called her a Schicksal Spy.

..All this once caused again because of her previous life's naivety in thinking that wretched man who would sacrifice anything in his way to just get whatever he wants would bother upholding their deal to begin with.

And she bought it. She actually had bought it despite her apprehension and doubts that came with such a thing.

And in exchange, consequences came with just her sole actions alone.

It severed her relationship with everyone.

It caused Kiana to become the person she was now- even if somewhere deep down, she knew Kiana had always been like that ever since she had to survive on her own as a child.

If not for her, Himeko may have lived longer.

If not for her actions, Mei would not have to leave their side for World Serpent.

And the events that would follow, unfolding one after another.. Could she have averted all of that if she had just simply refused that offer all those years ago?

The question leaves a terrible taste and sensation within her.

She had just wanted to protect Shenzhou even if her power was no longer what it once was.

She just wanted to keep that promise she made to Nuwa and Fuxi.

She had just.. only wanted to do her duty..

The sheets crumpled under her grip when she grabbed fistfuls of it. Mei took that as a sign to slowly let go of her.

The Valkyrie that was on the bed lowered her head, bangs shadowing her expression. It seemed to form a protective curtain around her head as her hair was no longer tied up.

If one would've noticed, her hands were slightly shaking.

"..I've been manipulated by him for many years. He was only using me." Her arms continued to quiver, deepening the indifferent woman's brought out emotions in front of the others. "..But it was my fault for not being able to stop him from taking Kiana away."

A few shares a look between each and one another. The apprehension in their eyes were understandable. The root cause of the problem was Schicksal. Would you listen to the story of someone who once worked as a spy for the Overseer?

Quite likely for them to not buy her story, which means she's stuck in this predicament of a-

"-The Bronya trusts the Class Monitor."

Everyone, including the person involved herself, turns to look at the one who was standing by the door, a Homu plush clutched in her grasp.

"Bronya..?" Fu Hua's voice came out uncertain at the sudden intervention.

"The Bronya trusts the Class Monitor." Bronya repeats once again without hesitation as she stopped in front of the bed. Her gray eyes looked into her blue ones. Gratitude?

As if sensing Fu Hua's slow blinking that was directed at her, Bronya elaborates. "The Class Monitor was the one who guided the Bronya's way to waking up, saving her life."

From the corner of her eye, Fu Hua spotted the red haired Major's jaw going slightly slack before sighing. A soft whisper of 'so that's why then..' was heard, tinged with a hint of realization.

Apparently it was a small conversation the two had while she was unconscious; a dream about a certain- ahem, butler coming to Bronya's aid when she was frozen in her dilemma of a dreamland. The same as back then- but this time, she spares her powers on the more conservative side, which was why she left the place with no blood coughed out in her hands.

There was acceptance after those words melted into the air. If Bronya trusts her, so could the others. It was somehow relieving.

"But.. what does Schicksal have to do with Kiana?" She turns to look at the raven haired woman. her purple eyes inquisitive. Fu Hua had already expected such a question to be asked, but the tone Mei had given her slightly took her by surprise.

Uncertainty, and yet, anguish.

Anger at her failing to save Kiana even if it was the Kaslana's own choice to do so, or anger directed at Mei's own self for not deciding to come along in the hope that such a situation could've been averted in the first place- Fu Hua wasn't sure.

She takes a look at everyone. They were all expectant for an answer, while some were mildly reluctant.

It was a consideration, but should she tell them the truth? And if so, how much?

..Would Kiana approve of her actions, even when she wanted to prevent this from happening in the first place? Keeping your loved ones away from the truth was wrong, and yet it may do more harm than good should she reveal everything.

She closes her eyes. A vague attempt. "Kiana is.. not human."

"..So Kiana's a Herrscher?" Mei deduced from her words alone, the voice coming from behind. As expected of the Third- and if it was that obvious, she herself was getting a little worried.

A Herrscher. An Enemy of Humanity. An Apostle of God, and Bringer of Destruction.

She could not deny her question, because it was the truth.

Hua lets out an explosive breath, not daring to open her eyes to see the reactions they bore. "She is.. Otto wants to use her Herrscher powers."

"..But why? Why would he do such a thing?"

"I don't think he'll succeed, though. This is Kiana we're speaking of."

Fu Hua opens her eyes, and balefully stared down at the crumpled sheets in her grip, even when she wanted to answer Theresa's question, Himeko's statement just gnawed at her mind. "No, Major.. Kiana is more than perfect to his eyes in succeeding whatever he wants."

Amber eyes turned to look at her, silently questioning, 'and why is that?' She catches it.

Hesitation bubbles in her words, and for the first few seconds of when she opened her mouth, there was nothing but silence.

"It's because she isn't the real Kiana Kaslana. I'm sure most of you already knew that long ago.. But she isn't just a.. normal clone created by Schicksal.."

Her eyes flicker to Theresa, and a mutual understanding somehow connects between them. Her throat feels dry, but she swallows and presses on.

"She's the Second Herrscher.. and Kiana hates Otto Apocalypse with all of her being. That man.. is willing to do anything to get whatever he wants. We're stepping into a dangerous trap." She stifles a wince, as if a phantom pain came to bite at her. "If Kiana finds out he had done something to us.. it'll incite a murderous rage even I wished to never have witnessed in my entire life."

"..You sound like you knew her for a long time, more than we do, Fu Hua."

The navy haired woman froze, but there was nothing she could do to back out of the situation she dug herself into.

A poor blunder. She seemed to have spoken too much through her emotionally clouded mind; of guilt, worry and a mix of many feeling she could not differentiate with words.

..Tread carefully, Oldie.

And for once, she listens to the advice that was offered to her by her fellow companion who woke up alongside her in her long journey.

She could not simply tell them they came from a doomed future- no matter how different her path was from Kiana's.

With a sigh as she comes back to reality, she simply answers, with a plausible reason she hoped would work. "..That is because we have. Many years ago, we fought. Theresa was in the Second War. She of all people should know Kiana- Our Kiana, could simply destroy Humanity if she wished to."

And the same went for her. Fu Hua knew the Kaslana had such power to do so.

"..If you're saying you had fought her before.. Then what are you..?"

She quickly looks up, somewhat sensing where the question was going.

"I'm not on Schicksal's side. Like I said, it was not my intention for her to-"

"I know, but!-" Mei cuts her off, Fu Hua flinches at how loud the volume was, and she unknowingly shrinks away from her.

Himeko and Theresa stiffens at the outburst. Bronya did not. She immediately made to move to Mei's side, holding her hand as she looked up to see those conflicted violet eyes. A small hope in comfort. A frail attempt. But the attempt seemed to work.

She knew it was hard for them. For her, for Mei. For everyone too- she does not speak nor continue, staying perfectly still in the bed, the sheets unmoving on her legs.

The raven haired woman does not say anything against it. It was only for a long pause that she was even able to move from her position.

"I'll be in my room.. I need some time alone.."

None dare to object to her request, and so moved aside for the woman to walk.

Blue eyes watch as those violet eyes that filled with pain slowly turn away from her, and made to leave the place.

While the others may not know what Mei had asked, Fu Hua had understood it clearly as day.

An old memory of her mistakes that she never wanted to remember ever again comes to mind. She had lost Kiana that day, and Kiana had lost her. It was the faults Fu Hua would shoulder for the rest of her life until she atoned for them by making it right in this life.

And that was why she was determined to change Fate. But even so, she does not know the answer to such a question that was given to her.

A question Mei asks of her, but finds herself unable to answer with confidence. She looks out at the window, once more finding her gaze drawn to the skies as it always does.

..What truly am I to Kiana?

Kiana surveys the room she was in. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, and it was certainly not what she expected.

Emphasis on not what she had expected.

When one would mention being captured by Schicksal as a test subject- one would just imagine being confined in a dark room surrounded by a bunch of scientists, with one gigantic ominous light shining above her as she resigns her fate to having her limbs confined against the cold slab they call an operating bed-

..In her defense that was what had happened in Siberia, after all.

The Valkyrie that was escorting here didn't seem to budge an inch from where she was standing.

That was strange. Kiana slowly turned to look at Durandal, a glance sent her way.

"You aren't leaving?" She asks, but Durandal didn't seem to budge an inch at her question. Kiana scratches her cheek, visibly confused at whatever that was happening before asking again. "..Is this another order to watch over me?-"

"-No.. I," She cuts herself off, which was certainly rare for the blonde haired woman, so Kiana keeps quiet. She was clearly trying to sort out her thoughts and figure out what to say.

"I know that.. we are supposed to be.. enemies. While I don't even know what Lord Otto has planned for you, I still wish to apologize for taking you, forcefully away from St. Freya."

The silver haired woman sighs, before waving the attempted apology off, "It's not your fault. You were just under orders."

Then she notices the marks on her arm, where the chains had slightly burned her. Durandal paused, taking a glance over at it before slowly reaching out- adding once more to Kiana's surprise.

"But I was the one who knocked you out. May I at least..?"

Honestly, she had no idea what to say at that moment, and so she could only accept it in her confusion.

In her frozen stupor, Kiana watches in a mild daze as the blonde haired woman gently picks up her arm.

Durandal doesn't seem to listen to her incessant stammers when the Kaslana does realize what was happening.

"Did the Overseer cause this?" The ruffling of bandages soften in the background in favor of the question. The way she asked such reminds Kiana of being inquired by worried parents when one would come back home after being bullied without anyone knowing. It made her feel extremely small. She only nods.

"..Lord Otto had saved my life as a child, and he had treated me extremely well. I don't understand why would he do such a thing."

'He probably knew you had the potential to become the strongest Valkyrie as of now. You don't understand it because I'm just a simple thing for him to use.' Somewhere deep down, she wished to say such a thing- but it felt extremely wrong to do it. She only keeps it to herself.

This was so unusual. Nothing of this caliber had happened when she was captured by Schicksal. She was only forcefully sent on a one-way trip to Sirin's awakening.

None of this had happened.

But Kiana finds a slight warmth fluttering in her- that maybe, someone in Schicksal wasn't truly evil to her after all.

Maybe. Maybe it was the case.

"..Theresa had always mentioned you when we used to have time to talk. I would be lying if I didn't say you caught my interest.."

Kiana had to process the words in her ears.

..Excuse me, what kind of interest?

See, I wasn't kidding when I said you're like a chick magnet-

Kiana sighs. Sirin. Please.

She only hears a sharp inhale, before nothing else, after a short, soft whisper of an 'alright,' came. It was possibly because of the tone she conveyed her thoughts to.

It was how she was currently feeling, after all, she knew Sirin was trying to cheer her up, but Kiana didn't want to admit to her that now wasn't the time for it.

She also doubts that it was true. Even if it was really true, Kiana would forget that these people of Schicksal had done unspeakable, inhumane things to both her and Sirin.

She cannot forgive Otto no matter what, but somehow the thought of throwing that amount of hate to the Valkyrie who was just only following orders was too much.

Durandal was just..

Just..

"..Do you think.. all Herrschers are bad?"

Durandal looks up at her, unexpecting such a question to be asked, but already prepared to open her mouth to answer the obvious- only after some quiet thoughts run through her mind, did hesitation bubble through, putting her resolute answer with uncertainty. "..I don't really have a certain answer to such a question."

"Guess so, huh." Kiana thinly smiles at her. Durandal was not sure of the reason, so she entertains her. Blue eyes directed at the empty white wall.

"..You're a good person, Durandal. Many people look up to you. I did once too, but then I realize some things just can't change with sheer commitment alone." Kiana closes her eyes. "Otto doesn't really wish to defeat the Honkai, he doesn't feel the same way as you do.."

The silver haired woman takes a deep breath, before continuing. "You might say some sacrifices are just needed- and I agree, but.. He won't let anyone stop the Honkai, he gets rid of those who try to get in his way. He needs it to continue, or else he can't get what he wants."

...

Durandal wasn't sure what to say. Kiana only goes on, this time more softly.

"I really don't want to fight you. I'm sorry that I'm dropping this all on you- I know I can't probably convince you, but please think about it. You're a good person and.."

The words get caught in her throat, the last word spoken out echoing in the room like a chant fading away.

And..

..The silence seemed to spanned throughout eternity.

The silver haired woman only leans her head against her hands, bent over the side of the bed- hiding her expression and only looking at the ground where her feet was.

Durandal suddenly stood up from the bedside, words prepared to be spoken- until Kiana cuts it off.

When Kiana spoke again, her words were soulless and cold, leaving no other room for argument. No traces of those soft genuine thoughts were left in it.

"You can go now. Thank you for being kind to me."

Another pause. Was Durandal going to stay behind for no particular reason at all?

The blonde haired woman did not. Sensing the mixed up feelings of loss, sorrow and anger- she only nods before moving to the door.

..

When it closes behind her, Kiana moved to grip at the sides of her head.

It was painful.

She knew she had to do this, so the others wouldn't get involved and suffer under the events that would happen- so they could all be together alive..

But in times such as this where she has no idea what she was supposed to do now; a part of her wishes she could just go back to Mei's side, and even Fu Hua's- to pretend everything was still okay and be under that small warmth of happiness away from all the darkness that threatened to strangle her in the deepest corners of her mind.

She really doesn't want to do this anymore; but she just had no choice..

'It's true.. It's happening. She really wasn't kidding when she mentioned that they'd be coming to find us for help. What do you think about this?'

'While I don't believe in such things, this sounds oddly like as if she can see the future.'

'Well, we don't have much of a choice anyway. She did do us a favour by getting that damn vixen to finally stop her nonsense. Temporarily, I guess, but it's still something!'

'I still suggest to exercise caution, Dr. Tesla. We are going up against Schicksal without Him leading us.'

...

'I know, but.. Does Kiana know the truth about herself, Einstein? I don't like it that we're leaving her in the dark about the problems she's going to be facing. She's trying to go against Otto all on her own.'

'..There's no need to worry. It seems that she already knew and came to accept it herself far long before we've made contact with Madam Theresa.'

'Isn't it kinda cruel though.. Trying to shoulder all these problems by herself, knowing this is the life she lives with- but still does it anyway because she feels like its her duty? She's just like that idiot, always trying to be the Hero.. Ugh.. That's why we can't deny that request can we, Mophead?

'She has done us an immense help by assisting us even if we're strangers. In a way, it's our turn to assist her now. Even if Anti-Entropy doesn't have as much power as it once had against Schicksal, I am certain there is an advantage over them- as we somehow seem to always find one."

Survived through the last two weeks. I have somewhat all the time in my hands now before the month break ends. though i may just "die" instead of writing more since i just got my vaccination lol

also if you got confused, tesla and einstein took turns to speak.

Thanks for reading!