SCHICKSAL HEADQUARTERS(?)

Impossible..

The person standing before Otto Apocalypse was a spitting image of himself.

He sat with his leg crossed, yet his composure exuded a regal aura.

The air in the room felt cold.

"I'd grown quite anxious. It's finally a pleasure to meet you, Otto Apocalypse."

"You…are…"

"I am the Archbishop of Schicksal. My name, Otto Apocalypse. Allow me to welcome you to my Schicksal."

He spoke.

Archbishop? Does he still follow traditional Schicksal rules?

This can only mean…

I'm..in a parallel world.

Perhaps, another branch of the tree?

He remembered what the Herrscher of the Void had said when she had seen him.

"You're..You're one of those Enforcers!"

Everything fit into place.

"I see. So, you're the Enforcer of this branch."

Otto concluded.

The Archbishop laughed.

"You don't even know what an Enforcer is, yet you've already got me pinned as one! As expected of myself, I suppose."

He sighed.

"Yes. I am an Enforcer. Though, my goals, responsibilities and authority vary greatly from yours.."

"What? Aren't we supposed to fight the honkai? Wasn't that the sole purpose of it all?"

"You've..been mistaken. That's only your responsibility. My goal is to seek knowledge."

The Archbishop rested his head on his hand. His eyes glowed in a malicious tone of green.

"My purpose is to know all there is about the Honkai. How it spreads, how it unbinds itself from the laws. And if the Honkai truly has a GOD, I need to find it, learn all of its secrets and then find a way to kill it, too. That is all that matters. Everything else is secondary."

Wh-What..?

Before Otto could understand what the other him was saying, a woman with platinum white hair entered the court.

That can't..be…

Kallen?!

"My Lord! Do you require anything?"

She asked the Archbishop before she turned towards Otto. Her eyes widened and she pulled out a pistol.

"Huh?! W-Who is this impostor?!"

"...how?"

Otto was at a loss for words. His voice was barely a whisper.

"Kallen, this man is a guest of mine. Please, leave us be."

The Archbishop spoke coldly.

The woman seemed confused, but she nodded and left the courtroom, not speaking a single world.

There was no way this subservient woman could be Kallen.

She was just a clone.

He..dares..to turn Kallen…into his Servant?

Otto was livid.

"That's…not her…"

He muttered, trying to suppress his rage.

"A clone with false memories and an actual person. How'd one tell the difference?"

The Archbishop asked in a nonchalant tone.

"You can't be se-"

"Enough. Let's argue over who the bigger fool is some other day. For now, we shall cut to the chase."

Otto was cut off as the Archbishop materialised a golden cube.

It was then Otto realised Void Archives wasn't with him.

"I possess no such weapon in this world. Why turn herrscher cores into weapons when herrschers themselves make for better tools?"

.This man…is..insane!

There was no denying it. This version of Otto Apocalypse was an unhinged madman.

"A weapon can be used by anyone. A person, however, if trained right, will remain loyal to you and you alone. Not to mention, it takes a human host to bring out the true potential of any of the gems of honkai."

"You're..beyond saving…."

Was all Otto had to say to this twisted tyrant.

The Archbishop's eyes widened.

"But..aren't you trying to do the same thing? You're training K-423 to enact your will, aren't you?"

"It's not the same?! You're… treating life as if it's… beneath you-"

"Tch. This conversation tires me greatly. I thought at least you'd understand. Sadly, I've been disappointed.."

Otto was interrupted yet again.

I'm dealing with a narcissist. Aren't I?

Otto sighed internally.

"Your knowledge of the honkai is superficial at best. You'd do better to hear someone who at least knows something."

"..."

"That's the spirit. Now, you see this divine key of yours is incomplete. It lacks what one from your world would call, a Zeroth Power. It's as if the creator of this Divine Key changed their mind and tried to stop the creation process."

"You'd…be right."

"Of course I'm right. Nevertheless, allow me to complete it for you."

The Archbishop's eyes dilated. He was certainly talking to Void Archives. The golden cube was still mid air. A few minutes afterwards, however, rings of gold began to spin around the cube.

"There. I can't give you power, but this is the most I can offer you, for now. Because our ideologies seem to be incompatible, I feel this is the only way for us to reach common ground."

The Archbishop explained. He was being diplomatic.

"But, they often say… knowledge is power."

His eyes narrowed.

He got up from his throne and walked towards Otto.

Otto couldn't move. Perhaps, that was because he wasn't from this world.

"It's time to return to whence you came, Otto Apocalypse… though, I absolutely despise fools such as yourself. However, you happen to be me. Which is why I will be watching over your struggle with great interest. I wish you luck, Clown Overseer."

He thrust the cube into Otto's chest, sending him flying.

"Till we meet again, Otto."

Those were the last words he heard before his vision faded.

.

.

.

.

HELIOPOLIS LABS

The beasts charging at Otto were befuddled. The man was now on the other end of the lab, lying on his back.

Otto got up, coughing. His hair had returned to blonde, his disguise had been discarded.

He's…strong.

By the time Otto got back on his feet, the beasts had already resumed their attack.

To counter one of the beasts, Otto tried to materialize Abyss Flower only for him to experience a searing headache.

VOID ARCHIVES: ZEROTH POWER- FLAWLESS IMITATION

What?

"..Hahaha..HAHAHAHAHAHA. I… I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD SUCH POWER!"

Void Archives was clearly euphoric.

Otto decided to focus on the battle at hand, as he materialized the lance.

MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

Not only did the lance materialise instantly, its weight felt more balanced.

He stabbed one of the zombies in his abdomen.

FLAWLESS IMITATION - BLACK ABYSS

The Lance began to change shape. It had now become sleeker and the beast he'd just stabbed decomposed instantly.

Otto swung the lance with great speed, creating a circular arc. Every beast caught in the lance's trajectory withered to dust in seconds.

More beasts charged towards Otto. He performed a descending motion with his free hand.

MIMICRY OF OATH OF JUDAH

The cross slammed into the ground, as it began shooting out spears at a great pace. Just like how the actual Divine Key would.

"...Incredible."

Otto was truly amazed.

"I'm not done, boy! …Behold! My true capabilities!"

ZEROTH IMITATION - ELYSION PEDION

The cross split open, as countless gears surrounded every crevice of the lab.

All of the Honkai beasts inside were reduced to rubble.

I can…use the Zeroth Power of..any key?!

"Precisely! With this…our path has become much easier!"

These projections..they're as good as the real thing!

The lab had been wiped clean.

Otto chuckled. He had just been struggling moments ago.

"You might want to check on Kiana and the others.."

Ah, right.

He ran out of the lab, as he looked at a device showing Kiana's location on the map.

He spotted a lone zombie on his way.

MIMICRY OF JUDGEMENT OF SHAMASH

Otto pointed a single pistol at the zombie and fired.

To his surprise, however, the pistol had immense recoil and burnt his entire arm off.

In just a single shot.

The round fired, however, had created an explosion, leaving no trace of the zombie which had been there a moment ago.

"As good as the real thing, you said? You'd be wrong, boy. My imitations…they now outclass the actual divine keys!"

Colour me impressed, old friend.

MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

Otto took a moment to heal his burnt arm.

Hmm. My body's been healed significantly, but it'd be better for me to stick to non-destructive weapons. Especially considering..these newfound parameters..

"...Vill-V…Did you not want me to…have such power?"

Void Archives asked.

What?

"Nevermind, boy."

Otto continued on his way.

ARC CITY- BRIDGE

Otto could see bright flames in the distance. His map said he'd gotten closer to Kiana.

Oh no.

He increased his pace. He felt his heart sink.

When he'd reached the scene..

His eyes widened. Kiana wasn't there. Her contact device lay on the ground, beeping.

Rita was in one corner, trying to support herself up as she used her other hand to staunch a gut wound. Fu Hua had been gravely injured, unable to stand.

"...What…happened..here?"

Otto asked.

"...Raven…she's…got Kiana."

Fu Hua replied.

Otto rushed immediately to the Valkyries.

MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

Their wounds healed quickly. But, they were still in no shape or condition to fight. They had been worn out severely.

"Lord Overseer..We were…ambushed by Raven. She's…strong. Only Kiana could put up a fight.."

Rita tried to speak.

"We only got in Kiana's way and..she'd been overwhelmed. I've..got no idea where she took her."

Hua added.

"It's alright. I'll find her. Both of you ought to rest."

Otto reaffirmed the injured Valkyries.

He pulled out an emergency beacon. Rita's eyes widened.

"Are..you sure?"

"There are too many beasts running amok in the city. Countless Valkyries have been injured. We've got no choice but to contact Bianka and the rest of the Immortal Blades."

"I..see.."

BEEP

"Keep the beacon with you. She'll be coming soon."

Several Honkai Beasts had been drawn towards the bridge, presumably due to the fires.

Fu Hua forced herself to stand up and wearily assumed stance.

"I..can..still.."

Otto put a hand on her shoulder.

"You have no reason to push yourself this hard, Old Friend. Leave this to me."

A single arrow shot out towards them. Otto grabbed it with his free hand, snapping it in half.

"Our enemies…will pay. For all they've done to our Valkyries. For all they're planning to do to this city. I assure you that."

He spoke to Rita and Fu Hua, as he dashed towards the beasts.

His eyes were glowing a bright, emerald green.

MIMICRY OF WATER'S EDGE

He evaded an attack with a side step, which he followed by lunging towards his attacker, impaling it with both of his swords.

Anticipating another attacker behind him, Otto let go of one his swords, to grab the zombie's hand, which he then redirected towards the gut of a third beast in front.

For the beast which Otto still held in place with one of his swords, he retrieved one of his explosive knives. Pressed the button on its hilt and slammed the knife into the zombie's head.

"Huaaaaagh!"

He hurled this zombie towards the rest of his attackers, causing all of them to topple over.

BEEP.

All of the zombies exploded, splattering their remains over the bridge.

Arc City Mechs had appeared. They'd identified Otto as the assailant.

He sighed.

MIMICRY OF ABYSS FLOWER

FLAWLESS IMITATION - BLACK ABYSS

Fu Hua's eyes widened. Void Archives shouldn't have been capable of something like that.

Otto dashed towards the mechs and in a matter of seconds, all of them were reduced to rust.

Even at his weakest he's able to…

just…how much power…does he have?

Fu Hua couldn't help but wonder.

Otto walked towards the valkyries.

"We need to move to a safer location. It's going to hurt, but you both have to walk."

He supported both valkyries on either side of his shoulder as he helped to get them away from the site.

As they walked, Fu Hua spoke.

"You've both..changed so much.. Kiana.. She was nothing like the girl in my class. She's become.. A formidable valkyrie. You too, Otto… I never expected you of all people..to.."

"Change? A decade ago I'd have laughed at the very thought and probably despised my current self for abandoning his obsessions. But.. I've decided..I won't fool myself anymore."

Rita didn't utter a word.

For Otto to go this far, just for valkyries whom he once thought were irrelevant to his plan? He's…truly..changed.

"The Hyperion…they're in shock. Theresa…cannot imagine why you would hand over 1/4th of Schicksal's forces to her.. Anti-Entropy..they think you're scheming, even though you've stopped pressuring their territories."

Otto laughed.

"I suppose, I just have to keep at it until they finally believe it, huh?"

"I'm sure..you can do that."

She reassured him.

"Thank you, Old Friend. I really owe you a lot."

"Mhhm.."

She was glad to finally have someone like Otto Apocalypse on their side.

They were headed to a more secluded place.

Fu Hua felt something was off. Her instincts screamed at her.

It was as if they were being watched.

She noticed a spark in the corner of her eye.

She gasped.

"OTTO!"

She pushed Otto away, as a jolt of lightning shot towards them.

Before Otto could comprehend what happened, something red splattered over his face.

Fu Hua had been shot in the head.

"...Confirmed. That was a round fired from the Third Divine Key."

Otto felt as if time had stopped. His Old Friend stood there, ajar, as her head tilted backwards. Her eyes, wide.

Rita immediately took cover behind a car.

Even though..I did so much..to prevent this…

Anger.

Hatred.

Madness.

Insanity.

Otto's eyes glowed brightly, as he sharply turned towards the now fleeing attacker.

It was Raven.

MIMICRY OF WATER'S EDGE

The Overseer dashed with great speed, shattering windows. His eyes, not blinking and staring at his target. He held a golden blade in one hand, and multiple explosive knives in another.

Payment was due.

This lowlife mercenary was going to pay.

For attempting to use an entire city for their twisted experiments.

For claiming the lives of countless valkyries who served under him.

For abducting a girl, who now felt like family to him.

For taking the life of one of the few friends he had left.

And above all,

For getting in the way of his plans.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

For those who guessed it right, yes, it was GGZ Otto.
Absolute Madman. He cloned Kallen and called it a day. He's got like artificial herrschers working for him and what not.
I'm very sure our Otto would hate him.
Void Archives never had a proper Zeroth Power, so I went, "WHY NOT?"

Thank you so much for reading this chapter and do let me know your thoughts.
I wonder what Otto will do next.

Till next time,
Take care!

(Also I realised has terrible formatting. The text looks much better in AO3.)