Disclaimer: 'Honkai impact 3rd' is the property of Hoyoverse, Singapore. I do not own any characters in this story except the minor OCs here and there.

Extra- 3: A Warrior's memory 3

ELYSIAN REALM – 2018(Current Era)

Raiden Mei was coming back from another run of the Elysian realm trials. She contemplated a short rest before going to another part of the realm. As she made her way to the lounge, she saw the man who had already claimed her heart and made it his own. Even though he looked different from his current physical appearance, he still behaved the same.

He was the same kind person who stopped her from killing Kiana-chan when she lost control of herself in Nagazora, who helped her tame her powers, the one who became her pillar of support in the loneliness of St. Freya. He never blamed her and encouraged her to write her story the way she wanted; that is what she believed she was trying to do now. Because she knew from the bottom of her heart that her story was incomplete without him in it.

As she sat beside him on the long sofa, he registered her but made no motion to greet her. She pouted and puffed her cheeks; it seems that his rudeness had carried on from the previous era. That was when she noticed the air was a little bit colder around them than usual. She understood at once that he was thinking back on some heavy memories.

He did this in the real world also, thinking that nobody noticed but how wrong he was. She noticed. Not only she; but Kiana-chan, Bronya-chan, Fu Hua, Himeko sensei when she was there and even Principal Theresa noticed when he was in an extremely depressed mood. He did not show any hints of such, but they all had learned to notice the subtle changes in his behavior when he thought back on those memories.

He would be more silent than usual, rarely speaking to anyone. He would disappear from the dorm for the entire night only returning in the morning. There would be this chill around him for the next few days that would make it near unbearable to approach him. After it was revealed who he was, Fu Hua used to have a look of deep worry on her face whenever he was in one of those moods. She tried to comfort him in her astral form thanks to the feathers which had fragments of her consciousness that Kevin had with him. But now, that she had woken up again in her body she couldn't do so. So now she contacted Mei with the secret device that Mei had somehow sneaked into the world serpent base with her. Fu Hua usually wanted to know how he was doing and his mental health. Mei tried to ask about his past to her but she refused, saying that she didn't have that right. She said that she would find all the answers in the Elysian realm. Fu Hua also begged her to not hate Kevin after she learned the full story.

She didn't even need to ask. How could Mei ever hate Kevin? Sure, she didn't approve of many of the things he did, but she understood why he did so. She accepted all of his sins and all of him. Now she just had to get those feelings across to him along with the feelings of others who loved him the same.

Thinking such things, she greeted him:

"Kon'nichiwa."

Kevin remained silent.

"Sigh… it is basic manners to greet people back when they greet you first Kevin."

Still silence.

"The…. Chill around you is stronger than usual. What's wrong?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"What do you want Raiden Mei?" Kevin's sim finally opened his mouth.

"Finally. I thought you would never speak." Mei said relieved "I was asking why is the chill stronger than usual."

"You're trying to find a way to beat me. Why?"

"No, no. You misunderstood." Mei refuted his claim.

"Then?"

"I just wanted to know if you are all right." She replied in a low voice.

"My wellness is in no way related to your journey to find the truth."

"That's-"

"Raiden Mei, you should look at yourself. You look confused and lost."

"I was just- sigh… you know what, leave it. You wouldn't understand it either way." Mei sighed with resignation.

'I just wanted to know if you are okay.' She thought to herself.

"…" Kevin's sim didn't pry further. After being silent for a while she spoke up again:

"You know… maybe you failed to notice something as well. Kevin, you know nothing about the craziness and obsession deep within your heart."

"…"

"You made me realize if Herrschers could fight for humanity, humanity could also destroy themselves."

"No, Herrschers never fight for humanity." Kevin replied.

"Be it you or her."

At this Mei refuted as well:

"I suppose you are right. I don't strictly fight for humanity. I fight to protect what is precious to me." Kevin looked at her with a questioning gaze.

"As for what it is, it's a secret. Even you have your own, right." Mei said confidently. At this Kevin remained silent.

'I fight to protect you, Kevin.' Mei admitted it in her mind but had no intention of sharing it with the man in front of him. She will confess her feelings to the real him once she manages to save him from himself.

"I know and believe what I fight for. But what about you? What do you fight for, Kevin Kaslana?" Mei looked at him with challenging eyes.

"Please….. look….. after…. Hua. Protect…everyone…..Kevin."

…

"I cannot go on any longer. Please, Kevin…. protect…..my daughter… protect…..humanity….and….destroy…..those…false…..gods."

…

"I leave the rest to you, Kevin. Protect humanity and burn away those false gods. Kill the WILL, have your revenge."

…

"You are the only one who can do it, Kevin. Please lead humanity to victory, my Prince."

"You will never understand, Raiden Mei." Kevin said in a very low voice looking back at her squarely in the eyes.

Mei had to take a step back seeing the intensity of his gaze. They burned with determination and resolve deep within that frozen layer.

"Leave if you have nothing more to say."

Deciding that it was better to leave him alone, Mei got up from the sofa and made her way. She was genuinely surprised that even after his heart had shattered into million pieces, he still had that determination to carry out his duty. What made him go so far? How can he be so strong even after all these years? She had so many questions whose answers may lie in this Realm.

She renewed her resolve to explore the realm fully and finally understand what drove this protector of humanity.

He may have fought alone for so long, but not anymore. Mei promised to herself.

Hello everyone, welcome back to 'A Warrior's destiny'.

So this extra was meant to portray a little bit more of the circumstances that will lead him down the path he will follow in the future. The only thing I can tell now is that a lot of things are going to change, some more positive than others. So, I hope you all will stick around that long as it is going to be a long journey.

Starting next chapter, it's the third eruption and the finale of the Nagazora arc. I hope you will enjoy it as well.

As always if you enjoy the story please leave a follow, favorite and/or review.

Thank you for reading, until next time.