I would like to apologise for the rather late delay, I have no excuse other than I got a bit lazy and demotivated so that is on me.
But fear not this story is far from dead. I plan to finish this story no matter how long it takes me(which may be a while at this rate). I just hope that you readers are willing to stick with me and see how this turns out. I'll try not to disappoint.
Moving on we now reaching the climax of this Arc, again I'd like to say that I'm adapting to writhing out combat scenes, if anyone has any tips for this particular issue of mine I welcome it whole heartedly.

Within Simulation Chamber

Kiana took a deep breath as she watched her father carefully. She recognized the Kaslana stance that he was using, the same ones that he taught her when she was younger, and the same ones that she had expanded upon with the training that Aunt Kallen was giving her.

What she wasn't sure of was if she was on the same level as her old man, but seeing as the person in front of her was just a simulation based of her own memories, that meant that nothing he used would be new to her. Something that was a tad bit disheartening seeing as she one day hoped to fight her father at his full capabilities.

"If you're not going to come at me then you better watch out, cause here I come!!" Siegfried shouted as he charged towards the younger Kaslana with speed that she had not expected.

Kiana barely managed to duck under the right arm he swung towards her, and swiftly rolled to the side to evade the following shot that key from the legendary pistol in his left arm. Deciding to get into gear Kiana swung the Xuanyuan sword upwards in an attempt to slash her fathers chest, but the elder Kaslana managed to leap backwards out of the blades range.

Kiana didn't relent as she pushed, she had to press whatever advantage she had. She swing her blade diagonally downwards only for the blade to clash with her father's right pistol. She had long since learnt that the size of a weapon didn't determine its durability when it came to solium weapons. So it didn't surprise her to see the pistol tank an attack from her blade.

"You holding back on me Baby Doll?" Siegfried said as the elder Kaslana easily pushed his daughter back, causing Kiana to take a few steps back in order to create some space between the two of them, "Cause I know you can do a whole lot better." Siegfried said in unnaturally serious tone that more than unnerved his daughter.

Kiana couldn't help but scowl, he was taunting her. As it stood Kiana wasn't wearing her weights, but she was so used to holding back in her simulated training and spars that it seemed more like second nature than anything. There was also the fact that Aunt Teri was probably watching all of this right now, and Kiana didn't know if she was ready to let others know of her abilities outside of emergency situations.

A concentrated beam of fire suddenly flew past her, nearly burning her right cheek, forcing the Kaslana outside her train of thoughts. The beam struck the ground a few meters behind the Kaslana and triggered an explosion that caused Kiana to turn back in shock at the amount of power that had been behind that shot.

"Siegfried!! Why the hell are you firing Shamash at full power?! You could kill her!!" Theresa's voice was suddenly heard from the speakers within, the panic and anger apparent within her voice. The school principal was obviously worried about the safety of her niece, but she also could help but wonder when Kiana had seen Shamash being unleashed at full power. The simulations were based of her memories, so everything Siegfried did was based of that.

"Don't worry Theresa, I know what I'm doing." Siegfried said as he, to the shock of both Kiana and Theresa brought the twin pistols of the Judgment of Shamash together.

Kiana watched in wonder and awe and the solium that made the twin pistols melded together and it grew in length and size, and grew into a large flaming sword, the split cores from the individual pistols coming together slightly above the hand guard to form the herrscher core from the previous era.

'Is…is this the Cleaver of Shamash?' Kiana wondered in awe as she gazed upon the blade form of the diving key that had been passed down in house Kaslana. This was the first time that Kiana had actually see the flaming sword in person, though her father had told her about it numerous times before, however there hadn't come a situation where he had needed to use it from what she had seen. This brought forth a question.

Just how was it being simulated if it wasn't her memory?

Kiana didn't have much time to think on it as Siegfried once more charged on the young Kaslana with the sword held in his right hand, the flaming blade leaving a trail of fire behind it. Kiana knew that she would have to up her game a little if she wanted to match this simulated version of her father. She activated the flame element of the Xuanyuan sword as she also moved to meet her farther mid way, golden flames surrounding the blade in contrast to the crimson flames unleashed by Shamash.

The two Kaslana, father and daughter, clashed in the middle as they danced in a battle of blades. The numerous clashes of their swords sent embers and small flames all around them. Theresa who was watching the duel from above was surprised at what she was seeing. She already knew that Siegfried was strong, but was surprised to see that Kiana was actually going toe to toe with him.

Kiana blocked a strike from Shamash that had been aimed at her head with her own blade. Despite actually blocking the attack, the heat from the blade in itself was enough to make the Kaslana more than a little uncomfortable. She pushed forward, causing her old man to stumble a few steps back. Taking advantage at his lack of balance, Kiana held her blade with both hands and thrust it forward, aiming to pierce his abdomen before he could recover. However before the blade could hit its mark, Siegfried brought Shamash down on the incoming Xuanyuan sword causing the young Kaslana's blade to pirce the ground. Locking the blade in the ground, Siegfried twisted his body and delivered a round house kick in Kiana's stomach that sent her a few feet away, fortunately she managed to maintain a solid grip on her sword.

Siegfried watched as Kiana stood up. Despite her position she still seemed to be calm and collected, she wasn't going to let her own emotions be the cause of her loss, but the elder Kaslana could still see the fire and determination that was within her eyes. This actually caused Siegried to smile.

"You're strong Kiana." Siegfried said, not referring to his daughter in the affectionate name he had given her. "But you can't match your old man just yet." He taunted which seemed to have worked as Kiana's eyes narrowed slightly.

The young Kaslana channeled more honkai energy into the golden blade, causing the flames around it to grow larger, almost as if they were reflecting the anger within her. Kiana swung the blade vertically and unleashed an explosive torrent of flames towards her father. Siegfried merely smiled at the incoming fire and held the Cleaver of Shamash above his head, before swinging the blade down. Shamash released a vertical crescent line of crimson flames that split the golden flames right through the middle. The arc shaped crimson fames tore past the golden flames ad continued forward…and crash into the other side of the chamber triggering an explosion.

Kiana suddenly appeared beside her father, her blade in hand as a colo mist was emitted from it and its light blue gem glowed rather than the previous red. She swung the blade down on her fathers exposed neck as he was still bent downwards from the previous swing of his sword. The older Kaslana saw the incoming strike and fluidly rolled forward and avoided the decapitating strike. However Kiana had already predicted this movement.

She channeled more honkai energy into her blade, the light blue gem glowing brighter, before it struck the ground her father had been standing on seconds ago. Upon striking the ground, numerous spikes of ice erupted from the ground all around the young Kalsana, growing larger as they expanded in radius. Siegfried leapt back to avoid the attack, the flames of his divine key growing brighter and hotter as they evaporated the incoming ice.

There was no denying it now, while the Xuanyuan sword was far stronger than the average weapon, it was no match for a divine key such as the Cleaver of Shamash, if if it was just a simulated version of the real thing. Perhaps it was her lack of experience with the blade, or her inability to use the other elements of the key to a proficient level.

Her fathers strength and experience was not to be cast aside either, even if he too was a simulation. She had seen him fight before of course, but never of Shamash in its blade form, and he had never shown this much skill and strength. She might be able to matc him if she went all out, but she had promised to only do so in the event of an emergency.

The AI system rang out throughout the entire simulation chamber. The alert immediately put Kiana on edge. As far as Theresa and Himeko had told the young Kaslana, the herrscher persona within Mei had not awakened since the third eruption in Nagazora. So for the herrscher to awaken now, after more than a year meant that there was something else that was going on. As for the bomb within the former heiress the Kaslana had also been told about that by Himeko.

She was originally against such a measure, but after the major told her that Mei consented the descision the Kaslana knew there was nothing more she could say on the matter. Kiana only understood why the former heiress agreed to such terms after she had come to the Kaslana and two of them had that talk regarding the events in Chita.

"Kiana!! I just received news that AE has infiltrated St.Freya!!" Theresa suddenly shouted over the comm speakers, Kiana narrowed her eyes over the revelation.

"How did they even get in?!" Kiana shouted in frustration. St.Freya was supposed to be a valkyrie training school, and thus a secure place. It shouldn't be possible for even the likes of Anti-Entropy to just waltz in without being detected until it was too late.

"I'm not sure, but their most likely after Mei, and probably the reason the herrscher within her awakened." Kiana couldn't help but agree with the principals assessment. Depending on the threat level or how overwhelmed they were, the Mei may have been forced to rely on the powers of the herrscher within her. "I need you to head over to the majors place to assist them if need be." Theresa added, much t Kiana's shock.

"What about you?" Kiana asked as she wondered what else would be so important. As far as the Kaslana was concerned if AE got their hands on Mei that would be bad news as there would be no telling what they would do with her, or the herrscher core within her.

"There's been a breach underneath the cathedral. Grandpa ordered me to stop the infiltrators there since there's some valuable information held down there that he doesn't want in the hands of AE." Theresa explained, the regret and frustration in her voice quite audible. It was obvious that one attack was mean to be draw the principals attention while they achieved the other, whatever data they were going for must be just as crucial as obtaining a herrscher if they were willing to go that deep into the school.

"Alright, I'll go." Kiana relented, according to what she had been told by Himeko, the bomb inside Mei's heart would detonate within five minutes if the herrscher core within her remaned active for that long. That didn't give her a lot of time, and seemed lik an impossible task in itself.

Between getting to the majors place and somehow stopping the herrscher itself, it just wasn't doable. Regardless, Kiana wasn't going to give in without even trying. Wit all that said that Kaslana turned as she began to make her way towards the exit. However, a few steps forward and her instincts suddenly screamed at her to evade an incoming attack. Trusting her instcts the young Kaslana tilted her body to the left, and was grateful she did so as a concentrated laser beam passed through the spot her head had just been a second ago. She was instantly reminded of what, or rather who, she had been facing before the interruption.

"What the hell old man?! You heard Aunt Teri, I gotta go help my friends!!" Kiana shouted, she should have told Theresa to ed the simulation, but appearantly the principal had already left in a hurry. Turning back to her old man she saw him no longer holding Shamash in its blade form, but back its dual pistol form, with the left pistol still smoking from the recently fired shot.

"Your friend, the one Theresa said was a herrscher?" Siegfried asked in an unnaturally serious tone that made Kiana involuntarily shiver from head to toe.

"W-well yeah. She's one of my teammates, and closest friends." Kiana defended her friend.

"She's a herrscher Kiana, a danger to the world if she loses herself. And from what I've heard today, it's a losing battle." Siegrfied said seriously as Kiana couldn't help but clench her hands into a fist, the bangs of her hair covering her eyes preventing her father from truly reading her expression, "Tell me baby doll, will you be able to bring her down if her very existence threatens the world?" Siegfried inquired with a frown.

"You have no idea what can and cannot do." Kiana muttered bitterely, she tried to tell herself that it was just a stupid simulation, that it wasn't her father. And yet the questions he asked angered her to no end.

He wasn't there when Kasumi was infected in Chita. He wasn't there when she pulled the trigger on one of the most important people in her life. He wasn't there when Mei expressed her insecurities to the Kaslana. And he most certainly wasn't there when Kiana promised to do what was necessary in the event that Mei truly lost her way. She was more than capable of keeping her word, but that would be a last resort, she wouldn't give up hope in trying to save Mei without trying.

"Herrschers are the harbingers of destruction for the honkai. They must be terminated. This is the oath that the Kaslana lineage has followed for centuries. To defeat the honkai, and protect the world and our loved ones." Siegfried reminded his daughter.

"I'm trying my best." Kiana muttered, hearing her family oath being said from the mouth of her father reminded her of how she had already failed to keep it twice now. She couldn't fail a third time, she would never be able to live with herself if she did.

"Are you though?" Siegfried said as Kiana looked up at her father with a questioning glance, "You're a lot stronger than what you've shown me today baby doll. One fight was all it took for me to realize that. Hiding your capabilities does not benefit anyone. Not your friends, family or loved ones, not even you."

The truth in those words hit Kiana harder than she had originally thought. Her father was right, she had followed Aunt Kallens advice in keeping her strength a secret for the past seven months. And thus far it hadn't really been of benefit to anyone, not even herself. The greatest example of this being the last mission that had left Himeko hospitalized. She couldn't keep doing this to herself, and more importantly her loved ones. After the events in Chita, she had promised herself that she would never allow anything like that to happen to the people she loved, how could she keep that promise if she didn't give it her all.

"You're right. I cant protect the people closest to me the way I have been. Its all or nothing with us Kaslana. And if something were to happen I would regret it then I would regret it for the rest of my life." Kiana said as she looked directly within her fathers eyes with determination and passion burning within her blood, "That's why I cant give up on my friend without actually trying. Herrscher or no, if she's in there and there's a way to save her then I have to try with everything I have." The young Kaslana said with unyielding determination. Siegfried couldn't help but smile at the look in his daughters eyes, his facial expression relaxing.

"Then go, and protect them with all your strength." Siegfried said with an ssuring nod, one that Kiana returned affirmatively. The young Kaslana didn't even wait for another word before turning around and continuing to make her way towards her friends.

Siegfried watched with a smile as his body began to dissolve into tiny digital cubes. Despite not being her real father, the programming construct had done all that he could for the girl. He had pushed her a step in the right direction, and perhaps helped ease the weight and burden that he saw in her eyes. Even if his exitstence was just temporary, he was glad that he'd been able to play the roll of a father when his daughter unkniwngly needed him.

However he could still feel the other entity that dwelled within her, the one that had truly brought his digital life to existence. Kiana had a long road ahead of her, but her will was strong and her physical prowess even more so. She would continue to grow and would one day over come the malice that dwelled within her. Until that day, he could only entrust her upbringing and well being to Theresa and his daughters comrades.

…With that final thought, the digital vanished from the chambers as the simulation ended.

~~~

Himeko's Appartment:

The clash between the two herrscher turned out to be more one sided than either of them had expected. The difference between a true herrscher, even one partially awakened, and an artificial herrscher was quiet embarrassing for the latter of the two of them. His gravitational powers no match her her supreme thunders.

Once more the body of Welt(?) crashed into the ground with enough force to create a small crater. He'd lost count of how many times that had happened since this fight started. He glared up at his opponent. The third herrscher hoveing in mid air with her legs crossed one over the other as she looked at her nails in an uncaring method. Her body unscathed, almost as if she hadn't been in battle at all.

"You disappoint me insect. I expected more from you, but alas here you are now, on your hands and knees." The third herrscher spoke in boredom, the fight truly had been nothing exciting for her. Nothing that was worth her time, the fact that she wasn't truly awakened spoke levels of how weak this fake was.

'How is this possible, we're both herrscher!! And yet…the gap between us is frightening. This shouldn't be possible!!' Welt(?) internally screamed as he glared at the ground beneath him I fright and frustration. 'Is this the power of a true herrscher?!' he wondered as his body trembled.

"You're no herrscher, you're just a cheap copy. A fake. The fact that you thought you could stand amongst our kind sickens me." The third herrscher said with a snarl, this man truly was a disgrace, and she would be damned if she were to be addressed in a similar title to this fraud. No she wouldn't stand for it!! "I should just wipe you existence of the face of this earth." She said as she raised her left arm into the dark and clouded skies.

Lightning and thunder responded to her will as she gathered her power at the tip of her index fingers which were pointed upwards. The purple lightning gathered just above the indix fingers and formed the shape of a sphere about the size of an eyeball. The third herrscher then stretched her arm toward Welt. The sphere grew larger in size until it was the size of a persons head, with bolts of lightning being emitted from it and striking all that was around the herrscher.

"Any last words worm?" the third herrscher asked with a sadistic smirk plasterd on her face.

"D-damn it. I won't lose like this!!" Welt shouted as he slowly stood up from the ground, his body was aching a lot more than he was willing to admit, but he could already feel the very slow regenerative abilities that came with being a herrscher begin to work through his system. Unfortunately he didn't have the time to recover enough strength to be able to put up a decent fight. Black lightning once more coursed through his body as he prepared to use his gravitational powers to deflect or stop the incoming attack.

"…hmm, I suppose that will do. Though your struggle will be In vain." The third herrscher taunted as she prepared to fire the sphere of lightning that would surely end her foe.

The third herrschers eyes widened at the sudden warning.

She grit her teeth, and growled in frustration. While she was more than eager to put end the filth that was in front of her, she knew that unleashing any more energy would definitely result in her death, and that of her pathetic host. Not that she cared for the coward anyway.

It wasn't a good situation by any means. She could feel her chest begin to ache as the implanted bomb neared its detonation, and clutched her chest just above her heart in an attempt to sooth the pain. The third herrscher ceased the circulation of herrscher energy throughout her body, her wings vanishing instantly, lightning stopped crackling all around her, the skies became quiet as the clouds began to clear and her body falling to the ground.

Fortunately she managed to land on her feet. But the pain in her chest did not stop as she let out a few nasty coughs and struggled to breath properly from the pain in her chest.

"Huh…I guess they only teach you to talk big in school, right little valk." The third Herrscher heard the voice of her adversary speak from behind her. Despite the pain in her chest and lack of power she turned to glare at him with her glowing amethyst eyes, promising him a swift death if it weren't for these human restraints.

'Damn this human failsafe!!' The third Herrscher thought as she groaned at the pain that was still coursing from her chest. It was utterly humiliating to be bending down in pain in front of this scum.

"Hehehe, you look like you're having a bit of trouble there." Welt(?) taunted as he walked towards the downed Herrscher, she didn't pose as much of a threat anymore. The glare that was directed at him only caused him to smirk as he knew that was all the third Herrscher could do at the moment. "I guess that means that this little fight of ours is mine to win." The male Herrscher added with a statistical grin as he channeled his powers once more and increased the gravitational force within the surrounding radius.

The effect was instantaneous as the third Herrscher felt the force of gravity push down on her. Without her Herrscher powers coursing through her body she wasn't strong enough to resist the gravitational powers and remain on her own to feet. She was instantly brought to her hands and knees as she struggled to stay even in that position.

"Oh ho!! Look at you now on your hands and knees. It's too late to be begging for your life now little valk!!" Welt(?) shouted with a disturbing amount of glee as he crouched down to her level. He grabbed the third Herrscher by the hair and forced her to look him directly in the eye, "You know after all the effort that went into capturing you, I think I deserve a little reward. Don't you?" He asked the female Herrscher who scowled at him.

"Go…to…he-hell…" the female Herrscher managed to wheeze out despite the pain that she was feeling. She wouldn't give this lowlife the satisfaction of submitting to him in any shape or form. She would sooner die before that happened.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!" the male Herrscher laughed maniacally as he gripped his face with his free hand while the other still held onto the valkyries hair tightly, he took a couple of seconds to calm himself before facing her once more, "I like that fire in your eyes, Papa will be sure to snuff it all out soon enough." He said before letting go off her hair and standing back up on his two feet.

The gravitational force holding the third Herrscher vanished suddenly and she felt her body awkwardly give into it's weight as she fell to the floor, her muscles too tired from resisting the force that attempted to press her against the ground. Before she could even recover and attempt to stand, she felt her body involuntarily being lifted from the ground as lightning that was not her own surrounded her form, its color black.

"You look like the kind of girl who likes things rough." Welt(?) spoke as his outstretched right hand had a black orb hovering above it once more. He couldn't help but grin as he watched his adversary squirm in an attempt to break free of his power. "Luckily for you, Papa can help you reach heights of pain like nothing you've experienced before." With that said the male Herrscher slowly brought the fingers of his left hand together, the black orb in his hands slowly shrinking in size.

The effect was instant as the black lightning surrounding the third herrscher clung to her levitating figure and tore through her portions of her clothes and burned her skin, causing her let out muffled screams of pain that couldn't be clearly heard due to the fact that she bit her lower lip. She wouldn't give this cowards that satisfaction of hearing her scream, not if her pride had anything to do with this.

"Ah ah ah, I was actually looking forward to hearing those screamed of yours. Perhaps an increase of pressure is in order." Welt(?) continued as he continued to clench his hands once more. The lightning further tightening around the female herrscher was then accompanied by the feeling of an invisible force crushing her from all sides.

Still she did not scream, and instead bit harder on her lips. She could feel the burning sensation that she was sure would leave marks to last a long time should she survive, not to mention her bones slowly creaking under the gravitational force crushing her from all sides. The pain was enough to cause her to bite her lower lip hard enough to draw blood.

'Is this how my tale ends, at the hand of this worthless scum?' The third herrscher mentally questioned bitterly, 'If so then good reddens to this God forsaken world.' She thought as the slightest smirks could be seen through her pained expression. She had no regrets.

…Anything was better than the cursed life that she led alone.

"Uugghh!!" The painful cry of her adversary suddenly ran out in the third herrschers ears, and with it came the release from to torture and torment she had been suffering just seconds ago. Her body fell unceremoniously to the ground, and she couldn't help but grin in pain at the minor impact.

She opened her eyes to see who it was that had saved her, and why they had done so. To her surprise it was the silver haired teammate of her host.

~~~

Under St.Freya's Cathedral

Theresa ran down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her. She felt uncomfortable knowing that there was the threat of the third Herrscher within the wall's of St.Freya, and even more so at the fact that she had left Kiana to deal with something of that magnitude, but she had been given orders. She couldn't let AE achieve whatever objective they came for. She only hoped that the bomb within Mei wasn't triggered, otherwise she would regret her decision.

Reaching the base of the stairs under the cathedral, Theresa ran towards the doors as they split open at her presence. Not wasting any time the principal entered the control room and saw near the panel two individuals, the taller one with blonde hair while the other had blue.

"Hold it right there!!" Theresa shouted as she entered into her battle stance, the Oath of Judah appearing behind her and slamming into the ground. It seemed this had been enough to draw the attention of intruders as they turned to face the principal.

For one reason or another Theresa was not surprised to see that Cocolia was part of the attack, it would certainly explain the awakening of the third Herrscher. They must be trying to steal data and capture Mei while they were at it. The principal could only hope that Kiana would be able to rise to whatever challenge awaited her. In the mean time she would deal with the intruders on her end.

"S-rank valkyrie Theresa Apocalypse, head of the far East branch and wielder of the Oath of Judah." Cocolia said with a grin plastered on her face. Despite being in the presence of one of Schicksal strongest valkyrie, and arguably the second strongest after Durandal herself, Cocolia was not bothered and it showed in the way she placed her hand on her hip as she glanced at the principal.

"Cocolia why are you attacking the Far East Branch unprovoked?!" Theresa demanded from the enforcer of AE. She wouldn't let the blondes posture get to her, she had other things to be worried about that weren't her own pride.

"To rightfully claim what belongs to Anti-Entropy of course, while collecting a few things on the side." The blonde answered mockingly as Einstein couldn't help but sigh at the blondes overconfidence. She honestly didn't want to be here, as that would put the cover of their TRUE Sovereign at risk, but the scientist not being one to let an opportunity pass decided to use this infiltration to pass a message to the principal of St.Freya.

"Mei isn't your property." Theresa argued as a golden spear appeared in her right hand and golden chains connected to Judah wrapped around her left arm.

"You're right, but the gem of Conquest is. And as long as she's in possession of it then we'll take her, even by means of force." Cocolia responded before waving her. All most immediately three giant Mechs appeared around Theresa, surrounding her in a triangle formation. "I hope you didn't think that we came unprepared, we do know who you are after all. And we have enough records of the Oath of Judah's abilities to know it's not truly a combat oriented weapon, but rather a support and restraint type." The AE enforcer smirked as she truly believed that she had Theresa backed into a corner. She then turned to Einstein and nodded at the scientist for her to resume her hacking whilst Theresa was held busy.

Einstein sighed as she went back to hacking St.Freyas system, she could see the many flawed that were in Cocolia's plan but she wasn't going to point them out. They would fail to obtain the herrscher but would at the very least succeed in obtaining some data from the system she was hacking. Cocolia was underestimating Theresa's ability as a valkyrie and war veteran of the Second Honkai war.

Theresa sighed as she watched the mechs slowly approach her. She closed her eyes and steadied her breath as she prepared herself for battle, she would show them why she was an S-rank valkyrie of Schicksal. And the mech to the principal right suddenly moved, tightening it's hand into a giant fist and bringing it down on the principal with the intention of crushing her, but Theresa simply smirked.

"Let's do this Judah." The principal whispered as more chains erupted from the divine key and were caught by Theresa before she jumped into the air, pulling Judah with her, and avoiding the giant fist of the attacking mecha.

Theresa took the opportunity to swing the Oath of Judah down on the mecha that was still bent forward with its fist buried into the ground, the golden cross landing on the robots backside causing it to fall down on its chest. The other two mechs moved in as Theresa landed on top of the golden cross. The golden spear formed once more in her hand before she thrust it into the head if the downed mech, shutting it down completely.

Cocolia watched with mild annoyance, as well as interest as Theresa made quick work of the other two mechs that attacked her. The blonde enforcer could easily see why the principal was considered an S-rank valkyrie, and she would admit that she had underestimated her because of her appearance and doubted her mastery over the Oath of Judah. Watching Theresa swing the large golden cross like a mallet caught her interest as she wondered just how strong the principal actually was to lift something that was no doubt five times heavier than she was. Regardless Cocolia was not concerned, she had contingencies in place in case they needed a quick escape.

"There!!" Theresa shouted as a dozen spear from the Oath of Judah ranged upon the last mech, shutting it down as well. Theresa couldn't help but turn towards Cocolia with a smug look on her face, "How's that for a supportive weapon?!" The principal asked, feeling a little it was a little warranted, Cocolia scowled but didn't allow herself to be ruled up that easily.

"Don't get cocky brat!" The blonde spat before turning to Einstein, "How much longer?" She asked the scientist, her patience beginning to ware thin.

"I'm already done." Einstein replied as she pulled a hard drive from the computer server it was connected to. "To think that Schicksal is still using the same firewall program that I installed all those years ago. You should really get that changed." The blue haired scientist went on as she turned to face the principal.

"You're not leaving this place with that drive." Theresa said sternly as she tightened her grip on the golden spear that was in her left hand.

"Agree to disagree Madam Theresa, but before we engage in another bout of violence. There's something I'm sure you would like to see." Ein said as she stretched her left hand back to the computer panel behind her without tearing her gaze from the principals eyes.

Theresa's curiosity got the best of her as she watched Einstein press a few buttons on the panel. She then heard gears shifting all around the room as the steel walls of the room began to move revealing numerous pods behind them. Within the pods, Theresa could just barely make out the feminine human figure within them, though she could not tell who it was or what they truly looked like.

"Wh-what is this?" Theresa asked feeling more than a little unnerved. She didn't know that something like This had been hidden right under the ground of St.Freya, even as the principal she only had a certain level of clearance to the works of Schicksal as a whole.

"This is one of the many projects your overseer has been working on with the power of the Second Herrscher." Einstein replied as she saw Cocolia raise and eyebrow in her direction from the corner of her eye, but chose to ignore her in favour of continuing her conversation with Theresa.

"Its common knowledge that Grandpa has been experimenting with the powers of the Second Herrscher." Theresa admitted grimly, she wasn't aware that he was going to such lengths. Human experimentation as one thing that she wasn't fond of.

"You are looking at this wrongly Madam Theresa. I'd advise you to take a closer look." Einstein spoke up having read the principals expression, it wasn't that had to guess the conclusion she had come to.

With the press a button the light within the numerous pods lit up, displaying the figures within them. Theresa noticed it instantly that they all looked identical to one another, not a single strand of hair looked different.

"What you're looking at Madam Theresa is the K-series project. One of Otto's most secretive projects. I'd like you to take a closer look at the individuals within the pods." Einstein continued, Theresa hesitated to take her gaze off the AE enforcers but eventually did as asked.

Looking carefully at the identical bodies within the pods she was able to tell they had slightly pale complexions, they all had snow white hair that reached their was, and all looked to be in their teens, probably sixteen or so. But what really caught Theresa attention, and made her blood run cold, was their facial features. They all looked exactly like…

…Kiana.

"W-what is this, they all look like-" Theresa couldn't even bring herself to actually say it. Just what had her Grandfather been doing?

"After the Second Honkai War Otto, in all his wisdom decided to try and create a human capable of wielding Herrscher powers. Thus he decided to splice the genes of Kiana Kaslana, who had the Kaslana and Schariac blood flowing through her, and that of Sirin, the herrscher of the void. What you are seeing now are the numerous cloning attempts he made in completing that objective." Einstein explained as Theresa's mind tried to process what she hearing. It was then that a terrifying thought clicked for her, one she wished she hadn't thought of and one she hoped wasn't true.

"Are you trying to say that…"

"Yes, I am. And I would advise you keep a closer eye on her going forward." Einstein cut the principal knowing what she intended to ask.

Theresa barely geared the words that followed after the scientist said 'Yes'. The fact that the 'Kiana' that was with her today was just another one of the clones in the pods that currently surrounded her, it was a morbid thought. But Theresa would never judge the girl because of something like that, she wouldn't treat the child any different because of her origins, especially when hers were similar to the you Kaslana.

No, what truly brought her despair was the fact that she didn't know where the real Kiana was now. Her grandfather probably has her hidden away somewhere for one reason or another but there was no way for the principal to be sure.

'Cecilia, it seems like I still failed you' Theresa thought as she fell down to her knees, she wouldn't allow herself to cry, not in front Cocolia and Einstein, but the shock of everything was enough to almost break her on the inside. So much so that she barely registered the approaching steps of the AE enforcers, and the hand that was placed on her shoulder.

"Otto will come for her sooner or later, and nothing good will come from such a thing. When it happens, do not hesitate to contact us for assistance should you need it." Einstein said, this wasn't her trying to comfort the principal by any means. This was just her warning and offering a hand for the inevitable outcome.

When Theresa didn't react to her words she simply sighed and followed after Cocolia as they began to make their escape, leaving the principal on her knees. The blue haired scientist could only hope that she would make the right choice when that time came.

~~~

Himeko's Apartment:

Everything had gone silent the third Herrscher turned to the sight where Welt(?) crashed several meters away from her before looking up at the individual who had saved her from more humiliation at the hands of that fake. She was surprised when she saw the blow had been delivered by none other than the snow haired girl that was well acquainted with her host, Kiana Kaslana if she remembered correctly.

The girl turned from her opponent to the third Herrscher herself. The Herrscher of thunder expected many things in that moment. She expected the Kaslana to look at her with a look of distrust, hatred and criticism among other things. As far as she was concerned Herrscher were the bane of humanity, harbingers of destruction for the Honkai, so it only made sense she would treat her as such. At least until she was subdued enough for her host to take control of the body once more.

"Thank you."

Wait what?

Turning to look at the Kaslana she was met with grateful eyes?! She didn't understand, the girl was a valkyrie from what, and not just that but her family had been fighting against the honkai for generations. She should be treating as an enemy, perhaps even kill her if not for the fact that she would be killing Mei as well.

"I'm not Raiden Mei you fool." The Herrscher spat, that was the only explanation there was.

"I know, you're the third Herrscher right." It was more of a statement than a question. The girl no doubt knew who she was talking to, "I can fell the shift and circulation of Herrscher energy within you." Kiana stated.

"Then if you know who I am then why are you thanking me?" The Herrscher asked with mild annoyance, what was this girl playing at? The fact that she couldn't tell if the girl was being genuine or was trying to trick her in one way or another infuriated her.

"I just wanted to thank you for protecting Bronya and Fu Hua." Kiana stated as the herrscher rise an eye brow at the girl before turning to look where the mentioned valkyrie should have been, only to see they weren't there. "I moved them to a safer location whilst that bastard was focused on you." She explained as she saw where the herrschers gaze had fallen.

"Hmpf, don't presume anything. I was just evening the odds." The Herrscher said as she turned away from the Kaslana. The other two valkyrie had she'd blood to protect her host, and while she wasn't one to care about such things this body was just as much hers as it was Mei's. That being said it made sense that she would finish their battles, nothing more nothing less.

"Regardless you protected them where I couldn't. I also wanted to thank you for not exceeding the time limit of the bomb, even when the odds were turned against you. You also protected Mei by doing that." Kiana said gratefully with a small bow of her head. She had truly been worried that she would be too late to stop the bomb from exploding, thus killing Mei. And truthfully she had been too late, the only reason it didn't was because the herrscher subdued it's own powers.

"Tch, will you stop with all the thanks already!" The third Herrscher responded as she couldn't understand why this girl was talking to her as if she were speaking to an ordinary person.

Looking into the sky blue eyes of the Kaslana the herrscher could see they didn't hold an ounce of fear within them. She didn't know whether to be offended by that or not. She was a Herrscher damn it!! Still, she also couldn't deny unexplainable feeling of acceptance that filled her being.

Kiana merely giggled at the herrschers response before putting her hands under Mei's legs and back and lifted the Herrscher in a bridal carry position.

"W-what are you doing?! Unhand me this instant!!" The third Herrscher stuttered in embarrassments she tried to remove herself from the Kaslana's hands, but without her powers she wasn't much stronger than her host. The injuries she had on her body only weakening her further.

"I'm moving you out of the field. You're injured and your power is suppressed. Not to mention that you're the target of this whole invasion." Kiana explained as she moved out of the clearing towards one a shop that wasn't too far from where they stood. She could sense Welts(?) power begin to rise once more, which meant he had recovered from the surprise attack.

"I am more than capable of walking!!" The third Herrscher argued, this was more humiliating than being beaten by that sorry excuse of a Herrscher. She was a god in the face of ordinary man, and could blend the laws of physics with her fingertips…

…and yet here she was, battered and bruised in the hands of this girl. It was a bitter pill to swallow and a blow to her pride, but even she knew when to accept help.

Kiana merely ignored the herrscher, much to her annoyance and placed her on the ground with her back leaning against the wall of the previously mentioned shop. She couldn't go too far without the male Herrscher following them, and taking the third Herrscher to the same location she had hidden Bronya and Fu Hua was most likely not a good idea so this seemed like the best option for the time being.

"Just hang tight, I'll be the one to 'even the odds'" Kiana said as she threw the herrschers words back at her. The Kaslana didn't wait for a response, knowing the third Herrscher would most likely throw another jab or retort at the young Kaslana as a means to mask her own embarrassment.

Instead Kiana turned back the direction she came from and walked to the centre of the clearing as she watched the other Herrscher walk out of the building she had sent him into. He didn't look to be injured too badly, save for the bleeding nose where she had punched him, a sight that satisfied the Kaslana more than she was willing to admit.

Still her opponent was a Herrscher, one that had bested Bronya, Fu Hua and even stood it's own against the third Herrscher despite not being a true Herrscher. This meant Kiana had no reason whatsoever to restrain herself, she would be going full throttle from the start. The very thought excited the young Kaslana to no end, win or lose she would finally get to test her true limits!

"You know, I'm really getting bored of you valkyrie popping left and right. That bitch and I could have been long gone by now." Welt(?) said as with a scowl plastered on his face as he dusted his clothing. The toll of using his powers excessively was starting to become apparent within his body.

The aches and muscle pains were already hindering his movement, add together the fatigue and injuries received in the past few battles then it was really a bothersome situation. But he was sure that he had more than enough juice to take care of one last valkyrie before making, especially if she was anything like the last one.

oh this poor soul.

"I'd apologize, but I know I wouldn't really mean it. So why don't we just get this over with." Kiana said as she pulled the Xuanyuan blade from her back and held it at her left side. She want aware what powers this particular Herrscher had, which meant she would have to be cautious.

"Let's just skip the chit-chat already!!" Welt(?) shouted as black lightning once more coursed through his body and several black orbs formed around his person. " Barrage of Reason!!"

Kiana watched as he wasted no time launching the orbs at her position, the Kaslana was not worried however, and took a deep breath to gather her focus. The barrage of black orbs swiftly approached the Kaslana who had yet to move from her spot, and for a split second it seemed as though their aim would be true. But just as they were about to strike…

…Kiana vanished. Causing the orbs to hit nothing but dirt.

"What?!! Where did that bi-" the male Herrscher couldn't finish his words as his snow haired opponent appeared before him faster than he had expected considering the distance that had been between them.

It was only pure instinct that saved him from the precise and lethal blade that cut through the air as he leapt back. Despite managing to evade the attack the blade had still managed to cut the torso section of his jacket.

Kiana didn't relent and pressed her offensive advantage by attempting another slash at her opponent, only to have her golden blade get stopped by an invisible force. Looking up at the herrscher clone Kiana saw his hand outstretched as purple lightning danced all over his figure. Before the Kaslana could comprehend what was happening she felt the gravitational force suddenly expand outwards, launching her back a few meters above the ground.

The Kaslana was quick to adjust her position mid air and managed to land on her feet without taking much damage.

'His powers seem to be based on the manipulation of gravity. If so does he have an area of effect and just how much force can he release with those powers?' Kiana questioned as she narrowed her eyes on her opponent, taking her eyes off him would be a terrible mistake seeing as she could really see some of his attacks. She would have to predict them based on his body movement.

Channelling honkai energy into the Key of Domination, Kiana felt the air around her become warmer as golden flames once more surrounded the blade. It's red gem glowing brightly for all to see.

If Welt(?) was disturbed or unnerved by this then he didn't show it, and instead watched as the girl before no wasted no time swinging her blade sending a torrent of flames in his direction. He smirked as he activated his blue grid barrier in front of him.

"You're gonna have to do a lot better than that!!" He shouted in statistical glee as the flames crashed against his shield. The force of the attack was definitely enough to make him grunt in pain and take a few steps back, but ultimately his shield stopped it. And yet when the flames dispersed the girl was gone once more.

In all honesty Welt(?) was getting tired of these tricks. First that blue haired valkyrie kept vanishing using her feather tricks, then came his humiliation at the hands of the third Herrscher, and now he was unable to keep track of this girl.

"No..." The soft feminine voice behind him caused him to widen his eyes in alarm as he swiftly turned his body around with black lightning coursing over his body. "...you should be more aware of your surroundings." He managed to enough to see the Kaslana standing behind him with her blade coming upwards to slash him across the chest.

In a last ditch effort to prevent himself from being critically injured, the male Herrscher channelled his powers into his right hand as he brought it down to meet the golden blade. The black lightning and black orbs surrounding his hands clashed with the golden sword, triggering an explosion that pushed both of them in opposite directions and away from each other.

Kiana was quick to gather her bearing and dig her blade into the ground stopping her from being pushed further back. Looking up she watched as her opponent stopped himself from moving further back by levitating in mid air. Despite her surprise attack looking to have been neutralized, the Kaslana smiled when she noticed that it had achieved its true purpose.

"You're a lot stronger than the other valkyrie, I'll give you that much. But you're still no match for a true Herrscher!!" Welt(?) said with a smirk, only to frown when he saw that Kiana herself was smirking as well. In fact she looked smug. "What are you smiling about?"

"Take a look at your hand." Kiana said with a grin as her stance relaxed a little.

The Herrscher did as she said, though not without taking a quick glance at the Kaslana, and sure enough there was a small and thin cut that was going across the palm of his right hand. But that isn't what worried Welt(?) at that particular moment…

…no it was the cold, stinging sensation that suddenly came from the wound as ice suddenly started to encase the wound itself, slowly spreading outward, freezing his palm, fingers and the entirety of his hand.

"Aaahhh damn it!! What the he'll did you do?!" Welt screamed in pain as he clutched his painfully freezing hand as the frost slowly vegan to travel up his wrist and towards his elbow. If left unchecked his entire arm could possibly freeze!!

"Nothing much, just one of the many abilities of this divine key." Kiana said as she presented the light blue crystal gem glowing instead of the previously glowing red one, signifying the switch in elements.

Kiana watched as her opponent hand stopped freezing by the time it reached his elbow. It seemed she hadn't been able to inflict enough damage to freeze his arm, but she would take what she could get. He was crippled one way or another, and she was going to take full advantage of the situation.

""This changes nothing!!" Welt(?) screamed at the Kaslana in both pain and frustration, his frozen hand feeling like a thousand needles were piercing the lower half of his arm, the glare he sent at Kiana promised the young Kaslana a slow and painful death. He outstretched his left hand, as his right hung pimply at his side, as a black orb appeared above the palm of his hand.

Kiana sensing the incoming attack swiftly jumped to the side and avoided being pushed down by the gravitational attack that broke the ground she previously stood on.

'I have to end this...' The Kaslana thought in finality, the battle had go on long enough and she could see how tired her adversary was, she just had to push him a little bit more then she could finish him off for good.

The Kaslana strapped her golden blade onto her back once more and leapt into the air. Once she was high enough she summoned numerous metallic pieces appeared all around her and converged right in front of her forming into a large cannon aimed directly at the herrscher.

"What, do you think that will stop me?!!" Welt screamed as he raised his still working hand and five black orbs appeared all around him. Kiana was not deterred and charged her cannon.

" Gungir Destruction!!" Kiana shouted as she pulled the trigger of the fully charged cannon, releasing a large yellow beam of energy towards her opponent.

"This is nothing to a God!! I control the power of gravity itself!!" Welt(?) shouted as the five black orbs converged in front of the incoming attack, "Witness the true might of the Stars!!" He screamed almost hysterically as the five in a merged together forming a spherical rip in the space in front on him.

'Is that a Black Hole?!!' Kiana exclaimed in shock as she watched the beam of her cannon near the black hole. The attack was absorbed by the beam, the laws of physics working naturally as the hope absorbed all that was near it, sending the attack into the unknown. Kiana couldn't help the feeling of frustration as she watched her attack be negated without her opponent receiving so much as a scratch. The black hope then vanished as soon as it's purpose was served leaving it's creator to Kiana's view once more.

The silver haired girl couldn't help bu take solace in the fact that conjuring that black hole seemed to have taxed the herrscher more than he was willing to admit, as evident by the way he was panting and clutching his chest painfully. Her gambit was paying off, he was reaching the limit of his Herrscher powers.

"It looks like you're reaching your limit." Kiana said as the cannon vanished and she landed on the ground, drawing the Xuanyuan sword from her back once more.

"Damn…you!!" Welt(?) wheezed out as his powers slowly began to fail him, unable to keep afloat the male Herrscher fell to his knees on the ground below him and began to cough horribly, to the extent of coughing blood.

"Scratch that, you have reached your limit. You fought fight after fight tonight without rest, using powers that aren't your own. First Bronya, then Fu Hua, not to mention the fight with the third Herrscher which forced you to push yourself." Kiana said as she walked towards her opponent with her blade resting by her side, "I would have preferred fighting you myself but at the end of the night your downfall was more of a group effort, and so this win isn't mine alone." The Kaslana stated as she now stood in front of the 1st herrscher.

"Just do it already." Welt(?) said as he clutched his chest in pain, but the scowl never left his face. He knew it was over, his right hand was frozen, his body had many bruises and burn marks from the fight with the other valkyrie and the third Herrscher, and now his powers were failing him due to being pushed to their limits. He couldn't fight anymore…

Kiana took a second to ponder her predicament, the individual in front of her was powerless she could see and sense that much, but he was a Herrscher, a false one at that, and worked for an enemy organization. He had attacked and nearly killed her friends tonight, but now his life rested in her hands. She could kill him, or just simply turn him in. Schicksal would probably find use for him or just outright kill him.

"You're lucky that I don't want to kill someone defenceless….not again." Kiana mumbled the last part to herself. Welt(?) was about to shout a retort but the Kaslana simply punched him hard in the face knocking the male Herrscher out immediately as he collapsed onto the ground unconscious.

The Kaslana took a moment to look at her defeated adversary, she wished she could have fought him on more even terms, it would have been a great way to test how far she had come, this fight had ended much too quickly for her taste. But she wouldn't complain, she had gotten a chance to let loose more than she did during spars. She would let Aunt Teri decide his fate, she was done with him.

"I'm impressed." The echoing voice of the third Herrscher suddenly spoke behind the Kaslana, Kiana had already sensed her approach.

"Didn't think I could a fake Herrscher?" Kiana questioned as she turned to face the queen of thunder.

"I would've been disappointed if you couldn't. My host seems to hold you in high regard." The third Herrscher said with her arms crossed as she looked Kiana up and down now that she had the chance to.

"What about you?" Kiana asked as she ignored how the herrscher was sizing her up, almost as if she was gauging her threat level base on her physical appearance.

"I couldn't care less. This worm was nothing but a imposter, his strength a joke compared to my own." The third Herrscher said as she gestured to the unconscious first Herrscher, "And that's saying a lot considering I'm yet to fully awaken my true power." The Herrscher added quietly but Kiana still managed to hear her, the Kaslana wanted to ask for further explanation on what she meant but decided to pocket that piece of info for another time.

"Then maybe we should spar sometime…" Kiana trailed as a thought suddenly came to her, "Wait do you happen to have a name? Cause I feel like addressing you as 'Third Herrscher' or just 'Herrscher' would be plain rude." The Kaslana questioned causing the third Herrscher to look at her with a questioning glance.

"Why, it's how most of you humans address us Herrscher is it not." The Herrscher replied as she glanced at the Kaslana curiously. She didn't have a name, no…she didn't need a name. She was the third Herrscher, born into this world with terrible powers that were meant to bring destruction to the human race.

"I tend to not be like most people." Kiana said with a grin, she felt a bit weird speaking to a Herrscher so casually like this. These beings were the largest threats in their fight against the honkai, and had the power to level entire cities at the top of their finger tips. Yet right now she didn't sense an once of hostility from the being right beside her, if the Kaslana didn't know better she would have assumed she was Human.

It boggled Kiana a little. But she had long since learned that anyone capable of love was just as capable of hate, and while Herrscher may be born of negative emotions who's to say they can't express or feel positive ones either. The Kaslana was curious, she wanted to speak more with the third Herrscher, she wouldn't trust her for a long while. But she was curious…

"Why do you want to know?" The third Herrscher asked as her arms unravelled themselves and rested at her sides.

"Well aside from asking to spar, if I'm going to thank you I want to thank you by name." Kiana said with a smile, a sincere one. She was grateful to the herrscher for watching out for Fu Hua and Bronya during when the Kaslana wasn't there. Kiana frowned when she noticed the third Herrscher turn away and bite her lower lip, "Could…could it be that you don't have one?" Kiana asked carefully. The Herrscher snapped her head towards Kiana with a scowl.

"Of course not!! I was brought into this world for the sole purpose of purging Humanity. I go by many names, the Herrscher of Thunder, Queen of Thunder and the Lightning Empress!!" The Herrscher snapped at the Kaslana, the sympathetic expression she received from Kiana after her rant made her even more angry.

"Those sound more like titles than names to me." Kiana said, it was actually kind of sad really. A name was how one defined themselves, while it may not be unique to that person alone it still went a long it defining who you were. And while the third Herrscher had many titles she didn't truly have a name.

"Oh yeah, then what would you propose?"

Kiana wa shocked at the question. She knew she had been more or less put on the spot and asked to think of a suitable name. She would have thought the herrscher would just grant herself one and be done with it. But now that Kiana had to give a suggestion she knew it would have to be one that reflected her strength and pride. She could tell the third Herrscher was one that took pride in her powers as he Herrscher and would only accept victory, thus the reason why the humiliation against the male Herrscher was a topic Kiana was adamant on avoiding for now.

It was then that an idea cane to the young Kaslana, the name was not original, as it was based off one of her many titles. But it was perfect for the third Herrscher.

"How about 'Empress'" The Kaslana suggested with a smile as she turned to the third Herrscher who had a less than impressed look on her face.

"You simply removed the 'Lightning' from 'Lightning Empress'. I am not amused." The Herrscher spike as she shook her head sideways.

"Maybe, but it's a fitting name considering your many titles. An Empress is the equivalent of a queen, the name is a show of strength and pride." Kiana explained.

"Tch. Whatever, it's not like anyone will use it." The Herrscher, now named Empress, scoffed as she turned away from Kiana. Kiana shook her head sideways at the Herrschers antics, that was the closest she'd get to a confirmation or agreement.

…who knew herrschers could be so tsundere.

"I'll use it." Kiana whispered silently as her gaze shifted to the full moon displays in the clear night sky.

Unknown to her, Empress heard her words, and the Herrscher of Thunder couldn't help the small smirk that made it's way onto her lips.


Authors Notes:

Alright, finally got this arc over with. Got to say, didn't think it would take me this long to post this chapter, but you know how things happen irl.

Not much happened in this chapter that didn't really happen in cannon so there's not much to say other than the obviously knew blossoming 'friendship' between Kiana and Empress, along with the young Kaslana besting the herrscher clone on her own.

There were many reviews about Kiana defeating the clone on her own since she is a lot stronger in this fic, and she did, but as stated before her victory was more of a group effort due to the number of battles the herrscher clone took part in.

Kiana will get the opportunity to show her true potential real soon, against the most unexpected opponent. I will give a shout out to the person who can figure out who she'll be up against and when the fight will occur.

As for her connection with Empress, in cannon Kiana formed a connection with the third Herrscher simply because she wanted to save both sides of Mei. In this fic I decided to have Kiana curious enough to try and get to know more about Herrscher from a direct source, by befriending one. I know the excuse sounds kinda lame but hopefully as the story progresses it makes more sense.

Q

Sadly There were no questions this time around.

Please feel free to review, leave a comment, or PM me. I accept constructive criticism!!