Chapter 14: Legends of History

The place where Soleil ended up following Logos to was almost conveniently right within view of the church where Kiana and Kallen had been taken. But they were still quite a distance away from it. I do have to admit that this gives us a pretty nice look across the city. It wasn't some hotel or the like, just an old building that nobody used Logos said he'd happened to come across. However, Soleil wondered about the veracity of that claim as he watched the young man set his cloak aside and light a fire.

What Soleil took in was the damaged uniform he was wearing. A white jacket edged in faded yellow, and the back of it bore a Schicksal emblem that had been torn out by a cut of some kind, the rest practical-looking attire fit to the era. All in all, Soleil realized the man looked like he'd just been dragged back from the fight of a lifetime. And he also noticed the ever-familiar pendant around the man's neck, though it was still the crown shape like it had been before. He was quick to stuff his own into his collar to keep it out of view.

"So, what's the deal anyway?" He spoke up, hoping to at least learn a bit about what was going on since he doubted he'd get an oh so convenient narration like before. "Why was that Kallen girl being taken away by those robe creepers?"

"I said it's not any of your business." Logos growled, Soleil tilting his head down. "I'm better off asking who you are. You and that girl are dressed oddly. You're clearly not from around these parts."

"Ah, well… it's kind of a story." Soleil answered. Not like a data recreation of a historical figure would believe any explanation I have. "We're from afar. That's really it. We ended up here pretty much by accident."

"And it entailed falling from the sky, huh?" Logos huffed like he was somewhat impressed. "Not the oddest thing to have come across lately."

"But seriously, what's the deal?" Soleil said. Logos gave a groan. "Come on. Not like I'm gonna be around long anyhow."

"Fine." Logos relented. "Just so you don't keep asking me about it. Because I can tell you will." The man rolled his eyes as Soleil pumped a fist. "To put it simply… Kallen is slated for execution. I would be as well if they'd been able to catch me."

"Execution? For what?"

"Because we stole something from Schicksal." Logos leaned back in a chair, kicking his feet up onto the room's table. "And what we stole was considered very valuable to them and their research. But… it was also dangerous. Too dangerous. So, we stole it hoping to take it somewhere it could be properly sealed. Our first choice was a bust, so we went further out."

"And…?"

"That's not a story I'm willing to tell in full." Logos ignored the disappointed expression that came to Soleil's face. "That's even less your business than this is. In short, we ended up in a small village in the Far East, and what was sealed in that box ran amok. Someone we got close to during our time there… it didn't end well, to say the least. Schicksal was already on our tails from the moment we'd left with that damned box. After that disaster, it wasn't long before we were taken into custody and condemned for our sham excuses for crimes."

"Talk about a hell of a journey only to get dragged back here for summary execution." Soleil grumbled. "Is that just how things work around here? They ax people for trying to do the right thing?"

"What the church says is 'right' is quite different to what someone like me, or someone like Kallen, would say is such." Logos scoffed. "And then there's that damned fool Otto. He'd turn over hell itself if it was for Kallen's sake. I worry what he'll try to do to prevent her execution." Wait… Otto as in… no, he can't mean that Otto, that'd be absurd. Soleil shook his head to brush the thought aside. "Tch, damn… I already said too much with that alone. Get some rest. You can use the bed."

"You don't feel like using it?" Soleil hummed. "I'm more than comfortable on the floor."

"I'll rest later. I need to keep watch." Logos shooed Soleil aside and took the window Soleil had been looking out over the city from, sitting up on the sill and starting to fiddle with his pendant. "Tomorrow, I'll lead you to the church so you can get your friend and leave. After that, I'd suggest you not stick around for longer than you have to."

"Gonna be that curt about it, ain't ya?" Soleil said, flopping down on the bed. "Kallen's you're friend, right? Aren't you worried about her if they're gonna… y'know?"

"Of course I am." Logos muttered. "She's the kind of person who'd go through with it all to prove a point. Kallen has a good heart and a strong will, but sometimes she's too stubborn for her own good… though I suppose that's just the way Kaslanas are. Her father wasn't much different… always willing to give their lives in exchange for others."

"I see… so, you're planning to save her, right?"

"Obviously." Soleil couldn't see his face, but Soleil could tell he was tense even from behind. "Now get to sleep, kid. Best not to keep bothering a troublesome exile like myself."

"Alright then. Good luck." Soleil only got a huff in reply as he rolled the sheets over and laid down. Logos Empyrean, huh… who'd have thought that I'd ever get a chance to meet one of my ancestors? Even if it'd be in a digital recreation of history like this?

The next morning – Soleil was really hoping there would be some kind of time dilation between the simulation and the real world – Soleil was following Logos through the streets again to the jail side of the church building. The man had resumed wearing the cloak, and now Soleil was sure it was to conceal his identity from any passersby who might be able to tell who he is. The bustle was what Soleil would call quite average, but he did hear the occasional murmur about Kallen. Well, considering who she and Logos are, I'd imagine people would be pretty interested in this kind of news.

History class had certainly taught Soleil some interesting things about the history of Schicksal. He wondered how much of it may have been touched up to make them look good, though.

"It's likely Kallen told the guards your friend has nothing to do with her and myself." Logos said, stopping as they got within about a block of the church. "Go inside and talk to the guard. He'll take you to her. Explain that you got separated and make up some excuse for why she'd cause a ruckus. They'll let you go without a problem. Hopefully."

"That gives me so much confidence." Soleil snarked.

"It should work out." Logos said. "Either way, this is where we part ways."

"Hey…" Soleil called out, Logos glancing back at him. "Whatever you plan to do… good luck."

"Empyreans like myself tend not to be that lucky. Farewell, Soleil." There was a bitter smile on the young man's face, and Soleil felt his own expression drop as he turned away once more.

"Yeah… don't I know that." Soleil sighed as his hand balled up, Logos vanishing into the crowd like a specter. "Now… as for how to explain things about Kiana…"

"The Bronya can help with that." Soleil jumped and shot around. His face crinkled as Bronya looked up at him. "Hello, Soleil-niisama. It took a while to find you in here."

"What the hell, Bronya?! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Soleil snapped.

"You and Kiana-idiotka fell into a separate data scrape from what I had planned." Bronya said, stepping off into the church ahead of Soleil. With a wave of her hand, she changed herself into a flowery-looking dress and parasol. "It seems this place has special access to those of Houses Kaslana and Empyrean. You were dragged in with the idiot because the system recognized your credentials."

"Surprised that's even possible after Dad ditched like he did." Soleil said. "So… this isn't part of your little history program?"

"Nyet. This is an unexpected shift. It was made by somebody else. The Bronya will explain more once we collect the fool." Bronya cleared her throat and approached a guard, though when she spoke, to a lack of surprise, she barely changed her tone. "Hello, good sir. My foolish young daughter got caught up in some trouble yesterday, and I'm here to bring her home. Would you mind bringing her brother and me to her?" You're just gonna run with that, are ya? Soleil thought.

"You mean the brat that was dragged in here yesterday?" The guard asked, Bronya nodding. "Huh… ain't you kind of small?"

"I'm quite a bit older than I look." Bronya said. Surprised she's not referring to herself as usual. Soleil mused.

"And you're her brother?" The guard stepped over and gave Soleil a close eye. "It just me or… nah, must be a coincidence. Whatever then. Follow me. Least we can be done with one problem." Soleil sighed while Bronya nodded, and they followed the guard down into rows of cells. "Kiana! You're mother and brother are here to bail you out!" The guard went ahead to a cell and opened it up, a drowsy Kiana stepping out of the door. "Go on and get. I don't want to see you around here again."

"Wait, Kallen, what about you?" They saw Kiana look back as they approached, and a soft chuckle carried out from the cell.

"I'll be fine. Go on now." Another voice, no doubt Kallen, said.

"'nuff talking! Go and get!" The guard shoved Kiana from the cell, the white-haired girl loudly protesting as she stepped away.

"Quit pushing! Geez!" Kiana growled. "Who even…?"

"Apologies, my good sir. My darling yet spoiled daughter can be a bit of a troublemaker." As soon as Kiana laid eyes on Bronya, her face went stilted. She then looked to Soleil, who had a hand to his face in a bit of shame. "What a spoiled brat you are! You've got your mother all worried sick!"

"Wat." Kiana muttered.

"Let's just go." Soleil sighed. This is already enough of a mess…

After leaving the jail with a freed Kiana, the group had gotten to wandering the stalls around the market. Soleil was waiting for Bronya to properly answer him about what was going on, and Kiana had a look like she was about ready to throw a fit over what had happened.

"Bronya, this VR tutorial is way too dangerous!" Kiana said. "Soleil-senpai and I nearly died from a fall yesterday, and there's some powerful boss called Lord Arthur that I can't beat! And didn't you say these are all VR elements? How can I touch them and be knocked out by them?!"

"The Bronya explained a bit to Soleil-niisama, we're in a different data scape than the one the Bronya made." Bronya said. "It's a hidden sector of the memory archives accessible only to members of Houses Kaslana and Empyrean. It also features hyper-realistic feedback settings. The Bronya had to apply advanced programming and exploit logic bugs to gain access."

"I guess being a Kaslana has its perks." Kiana mused, picking up a nearby apple from a stall. "I'm curious about that Kallen lady too. I wish I knew more about her."

"You mean Kallen Kaslana?" Bronya asked.

"What?! She's a Kaslana too?!" Kiana yelped. "Wait… now that I think about it, she does kinda look like Auntie Theresa… or maybe it's the other way around?"

"I met someone yesterday too." Soleil said. "Logos Empyrean, an ancestor of my own."

"Seriously?!" Kiana gasped. "Just where are we in this freaky simulation?!"

"The Bronya is surprised you're even asking." Bronya sighed. "Information on those two was in the history exam we had to take. Of course, though, you flunked that one. So, here is information on the both of them, since this event coincides with them as it happens."

Multiple windows flashed in front of Kiana and Soleil, Kiana's eyes looking at the information closely to take it in. The summaries of both went from their births as the heirs of the Kaslana and Empyrean houses and their rise to fame as a Valkyrie and Knight, respectively, notably achieving high ranks within Schicksal when they were only teenagers. Also, in recognition of their prowess over their careers, how both were granted powerful tools. Kallen the Oath of Judah, a powerful mechanical cross Soleil knew was another of the Divine Keys. And Logos the Empyrean's pendant, and with it, its own powers as a Divine Key.

It was standard information that Soleil knew. But where it got the interest of Soleil and Kiana moreso was the entry that merged their two histories together…

1477 C.E.: Kallen and Logos stole a Honkai Energy crystal being research by Schicksal. They fled to the Far East, where they met a girl named Yae Sakura. She was suspected of having been corrupted by the crystal's powers and began the process of becoming a Herrscher. Both the crystal and suspected Herrscher were destroyed in the same year, severely hampering Schicksal's research efforts.

The severely wounded Kallen and Logos were then apprehended by Schicksal and returned to the European stronghold to answer for their crimes. Though during the journey back, Logos was able to escape custody and flee.

"During that trial, Kallen declared 'That girl was innocent, and she was someone the both of us came to love.' As for what happened…" Bronya explained. "Those who witnessed it had thought Kallen went insane, and Logos with her. The trial sentenced both to hang while they searched for Logos. This is their stated fates. Although, Logos almost vanishes from records at this point."

"So the history books say… but now I'm starting to wonder." Soleil looked over to Kiana, and she was shaking in agitation. "Kiana?"

"Executed for loving a Herrscher? That's crap!" Kiana snapped. "Herrschers are still humans. They've just been misled by Honkai. It doesn't make them monsters! Loving them can't be a sin!" She's probably thinking about Mei right now… then again, so am I. Soleil let out a sigh. And she's probably about to suggest something stupid… "We should try to save Kallen!"

"And there it is!" Soleil threw his arms up, Kiana looking at him with shocked eyes.

"The Bronya must remind you this is a data simulation." Bronya said while tapping Kiana with her closed umbrella. "The real Kallen has been dead for 540 years."

"But even then, these people are still wrong!" Kiana said. "So come on, Bronya, tell me where that hanging takes place! I don't care if it's VR. I won't stand by and do nothing when I can save someone."

"You're completely aware of the fact this will mean absolutely nothing, right?" Soleil murmured, tugging at his bangs. "It's just a data recreation. I'd argue whatever we do won't really change anything."

"But aren't you mad too, Soleil-senpai?!" Kiana said. "What if we were in the same place?! What if people were treating us that way because of what we feel about Mei-senpai?!"

"W-What are you implying?!" Soleil yelped, his face burning. "T-That's… I'm asking just to make sure you're aware! Even if we can save Kallen, all it'll do is last until this simulation resets again. You're alright with that?" Don't just launch at me with questions like that, dammit. He thought.

"Even if it doesn't matter, I'll still do it! Because saving people is what a Kaslana does!" Kiana put a closed hand to her chest and chuckled. Keep thinking that way, and who knows where it'll lead you… it could get self-destructive. Soleil couldn't bring himself to say the thought out loud, so instead, he just sighed.

"Alright, fine, we'll do it your way." He relented, Kiana jumping in victory.

"Da, the Bronya will assist too." Bronya said. "The Bronya will initiate careful planning, though will remind we do not have weapons or equipment in this VR setting."

"Actually… I think we do." Soleil pulled his pendant back out, the key dangling on its chain as he lifted it. "This came over with me when we dived in."

"But it is just a recreation of the Divine Key." Bronya said. "The Bronya doubts it has any of the powers the real version would hold."

"Maybe… but it just might, if my ancestor is part of it." Soleil flipped the key over and grabbed it tightly. "If the data for the Key exists in this simulation… then maybe I'll be able to use it for our little plan."

"Will it work, though?" Kiana asked. "You've been trying ever since Nagazora to get it to work again, and it hasn't happened at all!"

"I'll figure something out." Soleil tossed the key and caught it, snickering. "My luck tends to flip around in tight situations after all. So, let's see what happens."

"We'll need a plan, of course." Bronya said, Kiana at rapt attention now. "I think it will be simple. While Soleil-niisama and Kiana-idiotka move to rescue Kallen Kaslana, the Bronya will make a distraction. It is likely with materials in the market, the Bronya can craft some simple explosive devices to cause a diversion."

"And when they're all confused by the noise, we swoop in and rescue her!" Kiana said. "Easy as pie! Though, we may have to deal with that Lord Arthur guy who knocked me out. Kallen seemed hesitant about the idea of fighting him. Oh, and what about that Logos guy you met?"

"Odds are he might try something of his own." Soleil said, scratching the back of his head. "So I guess this has also become us helping him out too. I don't know how to find him, so telling him the plan's a bust. Besides, he kept telling me to butt out. So he'd shoot us down anyway if we DID offer to help."

"Hmm, that's how it is, huh? Ah, whatever!" Soleil angled a brow at Kiana with how easily she blew the idea off. "We just have to do it our way! No problem, since we're so awesome when we work together!"

"You're perhaps a bit too confident about all of this, Kiana." Soleil grumbled. "But not like we have any better ideas to work with. So, let's do it. Let's save this VR character representing a historical figure."

"Put some more back into it, Soleil-senpai! Be more excited!" Kiana demanded, Soleil shaking his head.

"What has this learning trip turned into?"

I can't help but wonder… that Soleil wasn't your usual sort. As he wandered the streets, ears open for any news about Kallen and the location of the execution sight, Logos found his mind trailing to Soleil. Nothing about a person such as him is on record… perhaps he and his friend really are a new variable to consider here. But as he was pondering, a presence came to Logos' mind. He stopped and ducked into an alleyway. Once he was down it, he stopped, throwing his hand into his cloak and wrapping his fingers around the grip of a weapon.

"Whoa! Hold there, Logos." The young man turned, recognizing the voice as belonging to Lord Arthur. When he faced the cloaked man, a hostile light remained in his eyes. "I know you have no reason to trust me right now, but please, hear me out?"

"And what would you want with a traitor such as I, Lord Arthur?" Logos said, not removing his hand from the hidden weapon as he turned. "If I go back with you, I'm already consigned to death alongside Kallen. I witnessed the trial. The council wanted nothing of what she had to say. My words wouldn't make a difference at this point."

"I know, and that is exactly why I have come to you know while they are still preparing." Arthur stated, a hand raised in caution. "Please, believe me. I wish for now harm to come to you or Kallen. I believe you both had the best of intentions when you stole the Honkai crystal and fled. Even some of us believed it to be a step too far in our research."

"And yet you so willingly took Kallen to the cells where her execution now waits."

"I know, but as with you two, I also have my duties." Logos' eyes narrowed. "And that is why I wish to help you. I know you will not stand by and allow this to happen, and that is why we've arranged something."

"We? Who else is…"

"My my Logos, are you really so paranoid now you didn't think your dear friend would do something either?" Logos' jaw clenched as another voice came from behind him. He didn't bother to turn, and the chuckle he got in response didn't elate any feelings of relief from him. "Trust me, old friend, Lord Arthur and I have it all planned out. In fact, even your own role here was taken into account for it. All you need to do is act when needed, and we can save Kallen easily."

"Is that so?" Logos huffed. "And pray tell, Otto, what does this scheme of yours have in store for me if I go along with it?"

"Hmhmhm… trust me, it will work out. All we must do is play our cards right."

"Is that so?" Logos grumbled. Again and again… if those two can mix this up… I can only hope so. Logos sighed and removed his hand, though he still refused to turn. "Alright then. Tell me, what's this plan of yours have in store?"

"It's quite simple, really…"

Some hours later, with their plan ready to go, Soleil and Kiana had found their perch to observe from. Now wearing cloaks to conceal themselves, they were overlooking a packed plaza filled with peasants before the execution platform, which robed priests stood guard at as the people milled about and wondered just what was going on to warrant such an event.

"It's pretty dang weird to think about in the first place." Soleil commented. "This entire space is a VR recreation of historical events… the question is, who's memories were used to make it?"

"Hmm… that is a good question." Kiana admitted. "But one I don't think needs an answer, don't ya think?"

"I actually think it does, thank you very much." Soleil chuckled as Kiana stuck her tongue out at him. During their locating of the execution grounds, Kiana had also managed to find herself a dagger to use. Soleil's hand palmed at his key as he looked across the crowd again. Let's hope this crazy plan works and that this thing will work for me in this space. It's not real, so maybe I can overcome that limitation at least a bit.

The two focused when the crowd went quiet, more men in robes proceeding out, pulling the bound Kallen up onto the platform with them. The young woman looked like she didn't have a doubt in her mind, ready to accept the fate before her without a shred of regret to it. That kind of look… it bothers me way too damn much. People who're so willing to give up their lives like that. Soleil felt perhaps it was because of his clan's tenant and his own experience. Living, making his way in the world, would always be his highest priority. He would save others, but never would he do so in a way that could destroy himself in the process. And as the crowd began talking, he took care to listen to them.

"What is this?! Master Kallen would never commit such crimes! Nothing about this makes sense!"

"Not two years ago, she saved my village from monsters!"

"And where's Master Logos?! What did he have to say about this?!"

"Silence! Do not question the Overseer's judgment!" From Kiana's expression as she locked eyes on the man who'd bellowed to the crowd, and the different mask he wore, Soleil assumed it had to be Lord Arthur. So that's the guy we're keeping an eye on.

"Lord Arthur, the hour runs short." Another man said, Arthur giving a dragging sigh. Soleil could've sworn he caught the man's head shift ever so slightly to look somewhere else.

"Commence with the execution."

"What's taking Bronya so long?! It's starting!" Kiana muttered, moving up onto the rail as one of the men put the noose around Kallen's neck.

"It probably takes a lot longer to make the bombs than she thought." Soleil muttered. "Please don't do something dumb." But just in time, an explosion finally went off, and all eyes turned further down the street.

"That's our cue!" Kiana chuckled, leaping from the railing. "Time for a Neko Jump!"

"She's so reckless." Soleil groaned. Rolling his eyes, he followed after Kiana down. As they did, the robed men nearest to them had the cloaks thrown in their faces, being barreled down by hard kicks from the two teenagers. And from the other end of the platform, the other guard was taken out when Logos dropped from the rooftops. And when both Logos and Kallen saw Kiana and Soleil, both gasped at seeing them.

"You two?" Kallen gasped.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Logos snapped. "I told you to stay out of this!"

"Change of plans really." Soleil said, casually flipping a hand. "We decided to help out.

"You're fools." But, Logos showed a wry little smirk despite his tone.

"Alright then, Boss Arthur! You're next, so I won't be careless this time!" Kiana went for the dagger at her hip, her eyes focusing as Arthur moved an arm. But he didn't make a move to attack. Instead, he gestured towards a passageway down the road. "Huh?"

"Please, take Lady Kallen and go with Sir Logos." Arthur said. "There is a boat ready at the pier to take them away from here. You should go with them and get away as well."

"No way, so you turned out to be a good guy after all!" Kiana said, a surprised smile showing.

"What a twist." Soleil deadpanned.

"But, Lord Arthur, you know they'll never forgive you if you help us escape." Kallen said, moving her arms as Logos untied her.

"He knows." Logos said, hefting one of Kallen's arms over his shoulders.

"It's quite alright, Lady Kallen." Arthur said. "I've lived long enough. I'm proud to have the two of you as my students. Now please hurry, you won't have long. You two, please do your best to help them."

"Count on it." Soleil said, giving Arthur a thumbs up as they moved for the edge of the platform. But then, before they could descend, another explosion went off. "What the…? Bronya couldn't have made that many explosives. We only needed one distraction, so what the hell did that?

"Run for your lives! The Beasts have invaded the city!"

The answer came immediately. People were running down the streets in a panic, the monstrous Honkai Beasts Soleil and Kiana had seen in the event recreation from before rushing down the roads in a feral frenzy. Any person that got in their way wasn't spared, bodies and blood flying across the streets as the monsters crashed through buildings and ripped up the stone with their claws. What the hell…? This isn't anything like what happens even today… this is… this is just a slaughter. Soleil felt an urge to vomit rise as the carnage got closer. His gaze went to Logos and Kallen, and both were in wide-eyed shock at the sight before them.

"What the… why are Honkai Beasts here in the city?!" Arthur gasped. "Did the perimeter break?! Did they somehow get through?!"

"No, I doubt that was it…" Logos muttered. A growl rose up in the young man as he yanked the pendant off his neck. "Otto… was this part of his plan too?"

"What?!" Kallen gasped.

"Ahahaha, I'm surprised you figured it out, Logos!" All eyes turned as someone strode out from the passage Arthur had directed them to go down. A man with blonde hair and green eyes, and from Logos' statement, his name was Otto. And Soleil noticed something immediately… the man bore an utterly uncanny resemblance to the Otto he knew to be the Overseer of Schicksal in the modern-day. Is this guy his ancestor too? Is he another data recreation like Kallen and Logos? Yet something made Soleil feel like somehow, that wasn't quite the case. Something about it felt too real for some reason.

"What are you doing here?" Kallen asked.

"Simple, really, to help you and Logos get out of here." Otto said. "My father, the Overseer, thought his plan to have you two executed was foolproof. He assigned the members of your clans and the Valkyries on pointless missions abroad to make sure none of them could be around to try and save you two. Of course, he didn't quite count on a few things: Logos escaping, and the Honkai beasts we had trapped in the cathedral."

"Are you insane?!" Logos shouted. "You'd involve innocents in this plan?! This didn't have to turn violent!"

"Oh, but don't you two see how easy it is now?" Otto responded with a downright cavalier tone. "With the chaos sowed by their panic, we can quite literally stroll through the streets without fear of being caught. So, let's do so. Let's leave this ungrateful city."

"Bastard…" Logos stepped forward, but Kallen moved from letting him support her.

"You can't be serious! Innocent people are dying because of this wild plan of yours! Their blood is on your hands because of it!" Kallen said.

"Please, a few hundred of them are barely worth your lives. I know! How about we travel once we leave? We could head to the Far East that you two enjoy so much. It would be great." Otto responded. Logos' hand flashed, and the familiar sword Soleil had used before formed in his grip. But Kallen was the one who moved first, her hand striking Otto across the face and sending him to the ground.

"Otto, you disgust me." Kallen's tone was cold. "The House of Kaslana is a shield for defending the people. I will not run when innocents are in danger! I appreciate you trying to aid us, Otto, but your means are evil. I cannot go with you."

"If I'd known this was part of your plan I'd have never agreed to it." Logos spat. "We'll deal with the Beasts. Only then will we leave. But, not with you."

"Lady Kallen, Sir Logos, please think!" Arthur objected. "Both of you are still wounded from what happened to you. You can't possibly fight these many beasts in the states you're in!"

"And what choice do we have?" Kallen countered. "We can divert them. That will give the people the time we need."

"And I can likely muster the strength to take down a few. I don't have this sword with me for nothing." Logos held the white blade up, his grip on it going tighter. "I have that much strength in me at the least."

"I guess that's the Kaslana blood Papa talks about." Kiana spoke quietly, but Soleil heard her. A smile was on the girl's face. "The instinct to protect the weak… I can't just stand by and do nothing either!"

"Well, don't count us out of this little escapade!" Soleil said, spinning the chain of his key on a finger. Kallen gave him a warm look as he spoke her thoughts for her. "If Kiana and I are being caught up in this, then let us help too. We've got some experience when it comes to Beasts."

"Yeah! We're tough!" Kiana chuckled. "Besides, four warriors are better than two! So let's go!"

"We're past the point of me being able to object." Logos mused. "Very well, let's fight together!"

"Thank you, little miss… no, Lady Kiana." Kallen said. "And you as well, Sir Soleil."

Elsewhere from the events in the plaza, Bronya had managed to find a high spot to observe from. She had an excellent view of the chaos going on down below, and her mind was running at top speed watching all of it.

"The Bronya senses a convergent event." She thought aloud. "The Honkai beast density poses a critical hazard without proper weaponry. Solution: Force access into the sector's management system. Then arm Kiana and Soleil with weapons available in this sector." A wave of her small hand opened another series of windows. Bronya rifled through it until she found just what she was hoping to find. "Pause search anomaly found. Hidden data stash of current record located. Analyzing data structure… decrypting…"

Memory Log No. 858

…During the execution, the plaza was invaded by Honkai beasts from unidentified sources. And Kallen Kaslana, already weakened by her and Logos's ordeal, was killed by a Honkai beast when she attempted to save the common folk.

A/N
I am amazing myself with being able to get chapters of my usual length out of the admittedly not very content heavy manga chapters I'm currently working with in terms of what's being "adapted" here. Also as an addition, Logos has been a thing I've had planned for a LONG time, about as long as the story itself alongside Soleil. And boy am I glad to finally get to show him off just a little bit. 'course this is far from all I wanna show about him.