"You said we'd be there in just one night! We've been walking for a whole day already!" A valkyrie voiced her frustrations.

"I didn't expect we'd come across so many Honkai Beasts!" replied a man wearing a suit, his sleeves rolled up.

Otto and Kiana were both exhausted. They'd spent the last night and most of the day slowly making their way towards Arc City. What held them back however, were honkai beasts.

To think Field Valkyries have to deal with all this every time an Eruption occurs.

They were walking through what once was a coastal town, now a stretch of fire and rubble, as a group of honkai beasts entered their field of view.

Both of them sighed.

The girl retrieved her revolvers from her thigh holsters as the man materialised a pair of golden gauntlets.

MIMICRY OF THE TAIXUAN FISTS

Forgive me for the disrespect, Master Jingwei.

This was the most effective weapon Otto currently had at his disposal, aside from a few chains from Judah he could summon momentarily. Shamash would only damage his body further, while the energy requirements for mass mimicry would greatly tire him. Abyss Flower and Water's Edge tend to break quickly, given his current condition.

So, the only option left for him was to get up close and personal, combining his intuition with the little martial arts knowledge he'd gained from Sushang during their travels 500 years ago.

A honkai zombie, almost three heads taller than him, charged at him, wielding two swords.

The charge was stopped as Otto grabbed one of the beast's arms with his right hand and snapped it. He grabbed the now falling blade with his free hand and spun around, stabbing the zombie in the stomach, killing it. As the body fell down, he looked for his next targets.

Otto charged towards the remaining two zombies as he dodged a scythe swing by sliding underneath it, which he then followed with a sweep, causing the zombie to fall. He raised his fist and finished his opponent. He picked up the scythe, embedded in the sand and turned towards his final opponent.

The zombie was aiming its bow -ready to fire- by the time Otto had neutralised the former two threats. As the arrow flew towards him, a single golden feather appeared, and the next moment, the man wasn't there. He was now directly behind his foe.

Otto kicked at the honkai zombie's knee from behind, causing it to kneel as he placed the scythe over its neck. Using his left foot to apply pressure, he beheaded the zombie.

This entire spectacle only took 4 seconds. Kiana, who had just killed one beast, turned towards Otto and was surprised to see 3 corpses lying about. He was fast and unnecessarily brutal.

"The pains of using an inapt body. This took you more time than it should've."

Void Archives commented.

I know, but there's no point in using more force than what is needed. I need to save my energy in case we run into an emergency.

Kiana had now taken down two more beasts by herself, that too by only using physical force. Since she had been warned by Otto to not use her powers at any cost. Kiana had been completely exhausted and she didn't even have a body of soulium, but could still put up a good fight. Otto was certainly impressed.

Deciding to lend her a hand, he stretched his left hand towards her direction, summoning two chains which held the beast she was fighting in place.

"Thanks for the support!"

Kiana raised her leg and slammed it down, as what looked like a giant cat paw slammed the beast into oblivion.

It seemed there were no more threats, for now.

"Are you alright?" asked Otto.

"Yes, but I really don't know how much longer I can keep this up." the girl replied.

"Assuming the packs of beasts we come across are going to be like this, we should reach by tonigh-"

"You're not in the clear, boy! I'm detecting an Emperor Class beast at your 3 o' clock!"

Archives warned.

Sensing an incoming attack, Otto instantly pushed Kiana away, putting distance between themselves, narrowly avoiding a pair of long blades protruding from the sand.

They turned towards the source of this attack.

"That's…an Emperor class…."

Kiana muttered to herself, her eyes wide.

The beast towered them both, a pallor of white and bright pink, as blades spun around it. It had been completely plated in heavy armor.

"Kiana, open fire. Aim for the gaps between the plates."

The man's caring tone was now a cold, calculating one.

Kiana nodded and began firing volley after volley.

Out of the barrage, one shot seemed to have landed right where it should've. The beast was stunned and had lost balance.

Now's my chance!

Otto dashed, leaving a trail of dust in his path.

Clenching his fists tightly, he pummelled the beast's armor repeatedly, until he noticed a pronounced crack.

MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

Otto used his energy to materialise an Abyss Flower. He momentarily lost his balance because of doing so, but immediately thrust the lance at the crack. However, it wasn't enough.

"Tch!"

The beast was beginning to regain its standing.

Otto then took a deep breath as he positioned his fist over the hilt of the lance.

With a blow powerful enough to create a shock wave, the punch shot the lance through the beast, leaving a giant hole.

The battle was over. Otto was breathing heavily.

My condition is…. pitiable.

But, it's fine if I can keep the girl safe…

He killed an Emperor Class honkai beast… just like that?

Kiana thought to herself. While she did think the Overseer's ability to conjure any divine key was unfair, she couldn't deny the fact she was in awe.

"Let's just keep walking. We might attract beasts should we stay here any longer."

Otto suggested.

"Mhm."

Most of the journey was silent. Otto took a good look of his surroundings as he came to terms with the brunt of his actions in his previous life. The town was covered in ashes. Houses were either reduced to rubble or abandoned. They even came across honkai irradiated corpses of those who couldn't make their escape.

Otto's previous actions directly caused the death of millions. But, loss of life and the destruction of one's life are two different things. For every thousand who died at his hand, millions more lost their homes, their livelihood and family. Even if they lived, the meaning which their lives once held was no longer there. Now free from his obsessions, Otto could not help but feel tremendous guilt grasp his heart.

Kiana noticed the grim expression on the man's face. After a few moments of contemplation, she decided to speak-

"Class Monitor and Himeko Sensei always tell me to focus on the present and plan for the future. You'd know about that better than anyone else, no? I don't know if everyone will forgive you for what you did, but what you can do is keep your promise and make up for it. I'll …help you with that as much as I can!"

She didn't know why she was trying to console the person who had put her through such misery nor could Otto understand why she was supporting him even though he had schemed every waking moment of her life.

"... But, you're going to have to tell me the full story some day, you know?"

The girl added.

Otto simply nodded, not wanting to reply.

Yes. This time… for just this once, I will keep my word to you and… fulfil the promise I made her 500 years ago.

Otto resolved.

.

.

.

.

.

Wait… this is strange.

They'd walked a good distance, taking occasional breaks. But they had barely encountered any honkai beasts.

"I guess we got all of them?"

The girl asked.

"No.. That would be too less a number for an Eruption outbreak."

Otto tried to think of an explanation as to why, as he stroked his chin with his hand.

He narrowed his eyes.

"This is not a good sign. There's something which must've gotten their attention, such as a-"

"Group of people?!"

Kiana concluded, her eyes widening at the realization.

"Precisely. We must be vigilant and if possible, locate survivors and get them to Arc City too."

Kiana nodded.

Not too long after, however, the pair heard what sounded like distant gunshots. They looked at each other for a moment and then immediately began to sprint in the direction of the sound.

Their fears were right. What they witnessed was an armored truck, presumably land cargo, being attacked by honkai beasts of all sizes as Security Entails bearing cybernetic armor, akin to those in Arc City, opened fire at the beasts. They were outnumbered.

Not wasting a moment, the duo charged towards the horde.

The sound of automatic rifle fire and screams of the beasts was now being drowned out by louder sounds of revolver fire and the sounds of breaking bones and blades as Otto and Kiana plowed their way through the horde of beasts.

Once they reached the centre, it didn't take Otto long to spot the leader of the security team, a girl with short hair, who wasn't wearing her helmet.

"I request you to provide us cover fire, we'll take it from here."

The leader noticed the Valkyrie insignia on Kiana's battlesuit and gasped.

"Yes sir!" she responded immediately.

"You take care of the ones on the left, I'm going right. But don't overdo it."

Otto turned to Kiana.

"Aye-Aye!"

The girl affirmed as she performed a spinning vertical kick, crushing a group with her battlesuit's Neko-charm.

Otto returned to his slaughter. With five consecutive punches, he killed five humanoid honkai beasts. For the sixth, which was slightly larger than the former five, Otto performed an uppercut, sending it upwards. Otto grabbed onto its leg and flung it towards an advancing group of enemies, causing all of them to fall over.

He dashed towards them and leapt into the air, preparing a powerful strike. The man darted down in one swift motion, creating an explosion which decimated the entire group. The battle was however, far from over.

One of the more agile beasts had caught up to him and lunged forward for a strike aimed directly for Otto's chest. He pulled up his right arm in defense, causing the blade to hit directly on his golden bracer, breaking it.

"Tch!"

The man took a quick step backward and with his left hand aimed a downward strike, smashing the beast's head into the ground.

He materialised another pair of gauntlets and dashed onwards to continue his assault. Punch after punch, dodge after dodge, the battle felt like it could go on forever. He had forgotten about Kiana and could only think about the situation he currently was in.

An Emperor Class beast stood before Otto and let out a screech. Not seeing any other way out, Otto materialised a pair of twin blades.

MIMICRY OF WATER'S EDGE

With swift slashes Otto cleaved through the smaller beasts and sprinted towards the emperor class beast and stabbed it directly at its chest. The blade in his left hand went only a few inches deep and shattered. Not wasting a moment, Otto spun around and drove the other blade into the same spot and hit the hilt with all his might.

A loud clang was heard as Otto's gauntlet shattered and the blade went shooting through the beast's chest, killing it.

The same strategy proved to work yet again.

The number of beasts only seemed to increase. Otto was now growing desperate. He decided to resort to serious measures.

MIMICRY OF CLEAVER OF SHAMASH

Otto's vision blurred from having taxed his body yet again.

"Boy, you're going to get yourself killed!"

I can't let those people die! Nor can I let anything happen to Kiana!

Wait…. Kiana?

SNAP!

At that very instant, portals opened across the field. Subspace lances shot out with immense speed, skewering every single beast as far as the eye could see.

Oh no. No no no no.

Otto, overwhelmed with worry, turned around to find the girl, who clutched her head with her hands. He could see the bright orange glow of one her eyes, peering through the gaps in her fingers.

"I'm… fine!"

The girl tried to reassure him. The portals were now gone.

No, you aren't.

Otto mouthed while he glared at her.

Just then, the sniper of the security team, shouted with fear-

"We need to get out of here! There are three Emperor Class beasts and another horde approaching our destination!"

He pointed towards the right and he was true.

The current horde they faced was nothing.

Kiana sighed and began advancing forward, materialising a subspace lance.

Otto grabbed her by the wrist.

"Don't do it! You know you can't! We need to run away! "

"Arc City is not too far from here, right? Even if we were to run… those beasts will follow suit. We can't risk the lives of innocents!"

She replied and turned towards the enemies.

An all too familiar feeling overcame Otto. The last time he felt like this was when… Kallen took the black box and walked out of the church. He couldn't stop her, he couldn't stop her father, nor would he be able to stop this girl in front of him.

What good was having power, if one couldn't use it when they most needed it?

Frustration fuelled Otto, as he resolved his next course of action. His energy and health be damned, this was something he had to do. Hesitation will only result in things ending like they did last time.

"Void Archives!"

The golden cube manifested itself. With a motion of his hand, Otto shot the cube skywards.

The clouds cleared. A giant portal appeared.

ORBITAL DROP: MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

A giant lance descended from the sky with great speed and fell directly on the horde. An extremely bright explosion engulfed the field, strong enough to even push Kiana back.

When her vision cleared, she saw not a single trace of honkai was left before her. All of it had been eradicated.

"W-Woah!"

She didn't expect such power from The Overseer, she turned towards him with joy, but her smile faltered at the sight before her.

The man was on his knees, clutching his chest and gasping for air. His eyes were dilated.

She ran towards him and offered him support to stop him from falling over. The man was pushing his body, which was already at its limits, further than what it could handle.

"Are you alright!? Answer me!"

"I…must…not..repeat.."

The man grunted as he tried to get back up on his feet.

What?

"Snap…out of it!"

She shook him vigorously.

"Oh! Uh.."

Otto blinked his eyes repeatedly and then held his head.

"Thanks.. I'm fine now. Kind of blacked out for a moment there."

He reassured her and got onto his feet.

"Um, all threats have been neutralised!"

The security team leader informed both of them.

"That's a relief.."

Otto sighed.

"Words aren't enough to thank both of you for the help. We were going to die here if it weren't for your assistance."

The entire team bowed before them.

So that's how it feels, to play a hero.

Otto thought. He felt warm.

"Well, we both are headed for Arc City ourselves, so if it wouldn't be a problem would you be fine with us tagging along?"

He suggested.

"Of course, it would be an honor!"

The leader answered.

Otto limped into the vehicle and Kiana followed suit.

"Well, we won't have to worry about the rest of the journey, huh?"

Otto asked.

"Mhm. This is nice. I had gotten worn out from all the walking!"

Kiana chimed.

The ride was quiet until one of the Security Agents spoke-

"You both were amazing!"

"-and to think the rumors were true! Male Knights do exist! Not to mention, they're ridiculously strong!"

Another added.

The leader chuckled.

"So Um, what's… your name?"

She asked Otto, as she fidgeted with a bang of her hair. The commanding authority she had held before the pair's arrival at the scene was now nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, it's Fabian!"

Otto lied, a cheery smile on his face.

"... Ah, Fabian… Oh and, yours?"

She turned towards Kiana.

"... Cecilia."

She answered. Otto was relieved the girl chose to use an alias too. It would be troublesome should word of their names be spread.

Though, out of all names..

Otto's lips stretched into a thin line. He wished he could've prevented Cecilia's death. Yet, fate had something else in plan for him.

"You must be proud, Mister Fabian, having such a capable daughter!"

One of the guards spoke.

Before Otto could answer, however, Kiana blurted-

"NO! He's not my father! He's…."

She had spoken without thought. She had to think of something, quickly.

"He's…my uncle!"

This was the first time Otto Apocalypse had ever felt such magnitudes of embarrassment in his life.

Void Archives was howling with laughter.

Kiana had begun to stare at the floor with great interest.

"Y-Yeah, she's my niece! My brother is currently deployed, taking care of the Eruption, you see. So I'm stuck with this brat until then."

Otto huffed, trying to hide his embarrassment.

The leader gave a sigh of relief.

"BROTHER!? haha! I cannot even imagine what Siegfried would do if he was to be called YOUR brother! Quite the family man you've become, haven't you, uncle Otto?"

Void Archives snapped.

Please shut up. Please shut up.

Otto too began taking interest in the repetitive patterns in the flooring as he too stared at the ground, like the girl beside him.

The rest of the ride was spent like this, with the leader making occasional small talk with Otto every few minutes.

.

.

.

.

The pair had finally reached Arc City. They'd parted with the Security Entail and were now headed their own way.

Arc City was a metropolitan city. Everyone seemed to be busy with their own work.

"That's… a lot of people…"

Otto wasn't too fond of crowds.

"Isn't that a good thing? We should be able to blend right in!"

Kiana replied.

"Well you're right about that."

He sighed.

"Where are we headed, though?"

"I've… got a secret workshop in this city. Amber is the only other person who knows about it, though."

Once they'd reached the hideout, the first thing Otto did was patch up Kiana's wounds. His instincts as a former field medic didn't allow him to leave any injuries unattended.

"What about you?"

The girl asked him.

"Oh, don't worry about me. My body is made of soulium. I'm going to have to repair this body as much as I can, since I can't acquire a new one yet."

"Why not?"

"Most of my Soulium Reserves are at major Schicksal Branches. I'd rather not show up there."

"...ah, I see."

The girl's stomach grumbled audibly.

She seemed embarrassed.

"Give me a moment, I'll see what I have here."

He said.

…. All he found was a shelf full of Instant Ramen and another, with wine.

Amber..is Instant Ramen all you could find?

No wonder the restock bills of this hideout were so low. She'd been cutting costs.

Though, Kallen Fantasy games don't fund themselves.

Otto set the cup of instant ramen in front of her.

"This is all I've got for now. Though, rest assured you'll have proper cooked meals from yours truly, starting tomorrow!"

He reassured her.

"... I'm willing to bet that Mei-senpai is a far better cook than you will ever be."

She replied with a cheeky grin.

We'll see about that! I literally own the HOMU Restaurant franchise!

Otto thought to himself. But, the girl's eyes soon got distant.

"I hope… she's fine…"

Kiana murmured.

"Of course she is. I've had Amber keep watch on the Hyperion. They're all doing fine. Not to mention, you'll be able to meet them again once you're in the clear!"

"That's a relief."

She remarked as she began to eat.

"... You're not eating?"

She looked at him, as if she'd been expecting him to join in.

Otto sighed and pulled out another cup of ramen.

He used a pair of chopsticks to slurp some of the noodles.

"Dangerous levels of Sodium detected."

I can taste that. Just.. Bear with it.

After the meal, Kiana had fallen asleep, her exhaustion finally taking hold of her. Otto retrieved a blanket and tucked the sleeping girl in.

Reminds me of the days Theresa would fall asleep on her desk.

Otto chuckled softly.

He entered his workshop and took a seat on his chair.

Several panels appeared before him, as the man began typing at a fast speed.

This should throw AE off for a while and hopefully… get me closer to making amends with them.

Otto reclined in his chair, satisfactorily looking at the orders he'd issued.

I should get groceries tomorrow. The girl needs proper nutrition.

Otto then remembered something.

Uncle, huh?

He laughed. It was genuine.

Even though she probably didn't mean it, the idea of a family was something the man had always subconsciously longed for.

To think a few days ago this was the same girl trying to kill me. So much has changed.

Otto sighed.

He closed his eyes, falling peacefully asleep for the first time in 500 years.

-BATTLESHIP HYPERION-

Tesla was busy working on blueprints of Mechs she had been designing, until Eins barged into the room, her usual expressionless face was now one of surprise.

"Eins! What is it? Did they find the girl yet? Any leads on the clown?!"

"... You've got to see this."

Eins opened a digital panel of the world map, with several areas marked in various colors.

"You can't be serious! Why would he do that?!"

This felt like a nasty scheme or a dream too good to be true.

Schicksal forces, which had been pressuring Anti-Entropy territories for the past few decades had withdrawn. Even some areas which were annexed were now free.

"Miss Theresa, just what is the meaning of this?!"

"Only.. The Overseer can issue.. Such orders.."

Theresa was at a loss for words.

Himeko looked carefully at the marked areas.

"It doesn't look like he's planning to coordinate an attack, either."

"Did he really have a change of heart? It's almost like he's another person."

Eins contemplated.

"That Otto… just… what is he up to?"

Tesla was confused.

This wasn't the Otto Apocalypse they were so familiar with.

"Nevertheless, we've got to reorganise our forces in these territories before this opportunity slips!"

Tesla quickly decided.

With that, Otto's plan to steer off Anti-Entropy from finding him had succeeded.

CHAPTER 4 END

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Welcome to a new episode of Zane can't write action scenes!
This one's pretty long!
The plotline I've planned is certainly VERY WACKY and it only gets wilder from here.
But, I'm having a lot of fun writing it!
As of the false alias Otto used, Fabian Apocalypse was actually Otto's brother. You can find his family tree in Ch 21 (iirc)
He even had a sister named Bianka Apocalypse. (The one who died at war when he was little aka the one mentioned in his monologue in ch 28)
Makes me wonder how he would've felt when Durandal chose that name for herself.

As always, do let me know your thoughts on this chapter!
Take care!