Otto had to reach the Imaginary Tree. It was the only way.
Johann would simply have teleported himself and Otto to the tree, but his struggle against Kiana had drained so much of his energy that it was all he could do to ready a subspace lance for the imminent battle. Likewise, Otto had been stripped of his powers of the False God. They could only rely on each other now.
As they regarded their distance to it, an army of enemies rose from the red field, transforming themselves into warped and twisted effigies of the two Apocalypse cousins.
"Ready yourself, Johann. The Will of the Honkai does not appreciate being deceived. It has created an army to prevent us from doing what we must, but we can't fail now. Not after we've come so far. Nothing can stop us," Otto told him.
Johann nodded. He gripped his lance and charged alongside Otto at the mass of opponents standing in their way.
Otto summoned a Judgement of Shamash and slammed it down on a group of his doppelgangers, incinerating them. More of them assaulted him, rising from the very ground itself. He swung his sword in an arc, bisecting them.
At the same time, numerous dark copies of Johann charged at him. He deftly dodged their strikes and pierced one with his subspace lance before lashing out and kicking it far away. Then he created a second lance and wielded it in his other hand. He stabbed a clone with both before tossing it aside to face another five clones charging at him.
Otto likewise created a pair of swords and was dual-wielding them against the relentless horde of enemies. He weaved in between them, slashing them apart before kicking their remains away from him.
He looked up and saw several enemies rapidly approaching his cousin from the rear.
"Johann! Behind you!" Otto warned before he was encircled by more of his dark doppelgangers. He transformed his twin blades into the Abyss Flower. He charged forward, impaling three of them upon the same lance and reducing them into less than dust.
Johann heard Otto's warning just in time to avoid a flurry of strikes. The enemies were weak individually but seemingly endless in numbers. If he and Otto did not prevail soon, they never would.
Johann tossed aside a group of enemies encircling him using a burst of telekinetic power before running over to Otto's side. The two of them fought through their clones that only seemed to grow in number by the second.
Otto shouted in pain as one of them managed to strike him from behind, knocking him down onto his face. Then another. Then he was buried beneath a pile of them, all of them relentlessly stomping him into the ground.
Suddenly, lances jutted out of each of their chests before exploding. Otto looked up to see Johann staring at him, his hand reaching down for him.
"Get up, Otto. I won't let you die just yet. Kallen still needs you."
Otto smiled and gratefully took his cousin's hand. "Thank you, Johann."
He pulled him into a standing position. They found themselves surrounded on all sides by a mass of their clones.
"Shall we?" Otto asked.
"We shall," came Johann's curt reply.
Ever so slowly, both Apocalypses fought closer and closer to their goal. The enemy's ranks were thinning. They scattered like dead leaves in the wind before the two who fought for the sake of the woman they both loved.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the enemies stopped attacking. Otto and Johann watched them carefully.
"They're planning something," Johann said.
"That they are. I look forward to seeing what," Otto replied.
All of their doppelgangers seemed to be fleeing from them. Then they realized that in the distance, they were clustering into one undulating mass of clones. The shape had to be composed of hundreds, if not thousands of them, swarming over each other into countless layers, each buried underneath the next and compressing themselves into a single, colossal shape.
The amalgamation of clones rapidly took form. A deafening roar emerged from the golem-like colossus each of the clones had become a part of. Its massive bulk cast a shadow onto both of them.
Otto smirked. This was their final obstacle, and they would topple it together.
With surprising speed, the colossus lunged at them with its fist. Johann barely managed to move out of the way, but Otto was struck head on. He let out a pained grunt as he was sent flying back for hundreds of meters, smashing into several stone ruins and reducing them into rubble. He skid across the ground, jamming both blades into it to halt his movement.
Johann had no time to worry for his cousin. The colossus was after him next. It raised both fists and slammed them down on him, unleashing a massive shockwave that kicked up large clouds of red dust around them. Johann grunted with effort as he struggled with all of his might. He had managed to block its blow with his lance and held it flat against its fists, but he was quickly losing strength. In another second or so, it would grind him into a bloody smear on the ground.
"Use Judah, Otto! Now!"
Bright golden light shone through the opacity of the red clouds of dust. Golden chains flew at the golem, wrapping around it and forcing it to lift itself off Johann. He looked in the direction of the chains and saw Otto wielding the Oath of Judah - the same weapon Kallen so dearly cherished and the same weapon Johann had such a dark history with.
For the first time since they had arrived in this place, Johann smiled.
"I'll help hold it down! Finish this, Otto!" he yelled.
He drew upon his last reserves of strength and channelled his telekinetic powers, using them to bind the colossus in place even as Judah's chains did the same. The golem was completely immobilized, helpless to do anything against Otto leaping at it with the heavy golden cross raised over his head. With a triumphant shout, he slammed it down onto the golem's skull with crushing force, shattering it into irreparable pieces.
The chains vanished. Johann relieved his telekinetic hold. The decapitated golem slowly fell forward and crashed onto the ground in a prone heap.
Their hearts still racing, they regarded their fallen enemy. Then they turned to the glowing tree-like structure they had fought all this way for, taking in its magnificent power.
A white trunk spiralled into the sky. Its branches were white light, its leaves large red masses suspended in the air and waving softly in a wind they could not feel.
It was the Imaginary Tree upon which half all of existence rested.
Slowly, they met each other's gazes.
"Otto. Is this really it, then?"
Otto smiled and slowly nodded. "It is. We have fought well. We will soon achieve what we desire the most in this world, my dearest cousin."
Johann stared into those green eyes he had stared into too many times before. They had always hid something more than what the man revealed. Somehow, he felt that Otto was doing the same even now.
"You will use the powers of the void Kiana and I gave you," Johann carefully confirmed. "You will place your hand upon this tree and use that power to create a new branch, one where Kallen lives. You will sacrifice your own soul to do this."
"You've described it perfectly. I'm sure you'll be content with the fact that my life will finally be over. Only death can free me from the prison the Will has trapped me in. It is the price for Kallen's life…one I will gladly pay."
Otto closed his eyes. He gently placed his hand upon the trunk of the Imaginary Tree. Breathing calmly, he drew upon the tremendous reserve of void energy he had taken from Kiana's clash with Johann. All of it he unleashed, sending it surging into the tree.
The tree glowed brighter as a new reality was born. From one of the branching tendrils of light above them emerged an identical branch from the one it originated from, shining brightly. The formation of countless lives in a new world unfolded before their very eyes.
They knew Kallen was one of them, and no words could truly describe the joy they felt in that moment.
At last, the labours of the past five centuries were complete.
...
"Is it done?" Johann asked softly, still staring in awe at what he had contributed to.
Otto breathed heavily and with such difficulty that Johann realized he was in pain. Finally, he shook his head. "No. Kallen still needs you. She will never be happy without you. It is not over until she has reunited with you."
Johann did not understand his meaning. Once again, he recalled his suspicion that Otto was hiding something from him. A feeling of unease gnawed away at him. "Reunited? What are you saying?"
Otto removed his hand from the tree and turned to him. "My meaning is simple. You must be one with Kallen again. For this to be possible, you must be sent into the branch I just created. Otherwise, all our efforts will be for naught."
He reached forward and took hold of Johann's wrist. Sensing danger, Johann forced Otto off him and created another subspace lance, pointing it directly at Otto's face.
"I knew it…I knew you were lying to me…you know that I can't be with Kallen again, as much as I may wish to. I have other people I love waiting for me to come back to them. I have so much to explain to them, so much they need to understand…take me back to them now, Otto. Before your soul dies."
And Otto was indeed dying. His soul, once so unbreakable, was dying. His creation of an entirely new universe had taken its toll. The end of his existence was the cost for Kallen's life.
Otto barked out a brief laugh. "I see that you've managed to override the directive I programmed into your Soulium body. I should have expected something like this. You always find a way to impress me, dear cousin."
Johann gripped his lance even more forcefully. "It was during my battle with Kiana. Sirin helped me regain my freedom. Even then, I willingly chose to continue our plan because I believed in it, because I believe in Kallen. Don't make me regret it now, Otto," he growled.
Otto smiled sadly and shook his head. "I'm afraid that I can't do that. Kallen needs you."
Without warning, he lunged at Johann, his hands outstretched and reaching for him.
Johann's strength had been depleted to the point where he could barely react. He lashed out with his lance only to accidentally drop it. He clumsily stepped out of the path of Otto's charge. Otto's movements were likewise haggard and drained. He overshot Johann and stopped a distance behind him before turning around and charging at him again.
Johann scrambled over to his fallen lance before raising it and letting Otto's momentum impale his own face upon the lance. To his dismay, Otto performed a blind and frenzied kick that managed to knock Johann off his feet. He grunted with pain as he struck the ground. His entire body felt like it was composed of lead. He was defenceless.
He looked up in time to see Otto, his face rippling and twisting as the Soulium machines in his body healed the gaping hole in his head, grabbing him by the leg. With both arms and the last of his strength, Otto heaved Johann into the air and threw him into the trunk of the Imaginary Tree.
"No, Otto! STOP!" he pleaded before the entire world turned white.
...
Screaming. Terror. Death.
The roars of nightmarish creatures freed from their underground prison. The terrified screams of the brutally slaughtered.
He was lying on the ground. Where was he? What was happening?
No…no, this…this is…it can't be…
He remembered this scene all too well. He prayed to some god that he was hallucinating. This was impossible.
Then, the world fell silent and still. Everything came to a sudden stop. Honkai beasts froze in mid-air as they leapt upon helpless victims. Helpless victims stood in place as they ran without moving. All colours turned dull and muted.
He gazed up at the sky. To his shock, he saw his cousin falling down from it.
What has that bastard done?!
Despite the distance between them, he could see Otto's face clearly. He gazed back at Johann with the warm, loving expression of a man about to exchange his life for those he loved most dearest.
Otto opened his mouth and spoke. His words reverberated around the entire world, but were meant for Johann and one other in this world alone. No one else ever heard them.
Kallen…live.
You know what to do. Johann…make her happy.
He vanished into a burst of multicoloured particles of light that rained down upon the reborn world.
Johann felt his depleted reserves of strength surging with renewed power. He was nearly overwhelmed by the rush of energy coursing through him. It was Otto's last gift.
The echoes of his cousin's voice faded away. Then, as if the world were being restarted, the terrified screams of people desperately fleeing for their lives and the roars of the monsters pursuing them began anew.
He knew what was about to happen in only a few seconds' time.
He knew this was always what Otto needed him to do.
Johann looked into the distance. He saw the little girl cowering under the fallen wall. He saw the massive Honkai beast approaching her, its claws raised. He saw the woman dressed in white and golden robes protecting the girl with her own life.
She had long, silvery hair.
He knew what would happen if he did nothing. He had done nothing before. He would not do so again.
Screaming her name as if it were the only word he knew, he created a portal and teleported himself between the woman and the beast's spearlike claw as it stabbed down. The claw collided with his chest, but rather than piercing through him, it shattered into innumerable broken pieces. The Honkai beast roared with confusion.
Then it was impaled by a half-dozen spears of Johann's own make. The perforated beast fell backward and lay still forever.
He heard the shocked gasp from behind him.
"J-Johann?"
He turned around and saw the woman from ages past, unable to trust his eyes before his senses finally told him that what he saw was real.
It was her. It was really her.
Kallen lived.
But she would not live for long if he did not destroy each and every Honkai beast Otto had let loose in the city. He had to protect the one he loved at any cost. Already, more and more Honkai beasts were returning to the courtyard in front of the cathedral. The white and violet flood streamed through the streets of the city, their roaring ceaseless. It was as if something had attracted them there.
The scent of Honkai.
"Kallen, take the girl."
She quickly turned around and picked Sasha up in her arms.
"Johann, what are you - "
She cried out as a dark portal enveloped herself and Sasha. Both of them vanished. They had been transported into a pocket dimension. They would be safe there.
Now that he no longer needed to worry for Kallen's safety, he could focus on the rest of the horde.
He saw some of his men still struggling against the tide. He immediately launched a lance at each beast threatening the soldiers he had entrusted with the task of saving Kallen's life.
"Stay here. I will deal with them," Johann ordered them, ignoring their dumbfounded reactions to the display of his strength.
He teleported high up into the sky where he could see each and every Honkai beast rampaging in the streets of the city below. With careful, unerring aim, he opened up a thousand void portals in the sky above him and fired a subspace lance from each. The one thousand lances met their targets without fail with blinding speed, embedding themselves in the Honkai beasts' carapaces before detonating. The city glowed with golden light released from the explosions. In an instant, the entire threat was dealt with. Vienna was spared.
He teleported down to the ground. He opened up another portal, out of which stepped Kallen and the girl she protectively held in her arms.
They stared at each other for so long that they did not notice the crowd of survivors walking up to them, each of them staring at him with disbelief, fear, and awe.
...
The Overseer's Sanctum was Schicksal's seat of power. It was a vast chamber designed to instill awe in those who stood before the throne decorated with the wings of Schicksal and the man sitting upon it. Elegant stained glass windows adorned the wall above, letting in multicoloured light that shone onto the floor below.
Johann felt nothing as he regarded the man staring at him from the throne. Nothing in this world held any meaning for him, or so he thought. The man in the throne was old with a white, wizened beard. On his head rested an elaborate headpiece only the Overseer of Schicksal was ever permitted to wear.
Johann had stood before this man many times before. The only difference now was the balance of power between them.
The old man shifted in his throne and spoke, his voice deep and coarse.
"Johann Apocalypse, first and only nephew of mine. Please, tell me. Is any of it true? Is it true that you have gained incredible powers and rescued our city from certain destruction on your own?"
Johann continued to stare. He did not know what else he could do. Behind him, he knew that Kallen, Lord Arthur, and hundreds of others watched and listened with bated breath.
Finally, he tore his gaze away from his uncle and stared at the floor below him. "It is, uncle. I gained strength beyond imagining. I used them to defend this city and its people from the Honkai beasts that were unleashed from under this very cathedral."
"Please, show me. I must see these powers with my own eyes," the Overseer asked.
He did not demand. He asked.
Johann nodded. As easily as taking a breath of air, he opened up dozens of dark portals above himself. Out of each slowly emerged a subspace lance pointing directly at the Overseer, poised for launch. He released the energy, and all of it vanished in an instant.
Nikolas Apocalypse saw everything he needed to see. He took a slow breath. "Where did you gain such strength, my nephew?"
Little captain…they could never understand the truth even if you explained it…
I know, Sirin.
"From the black box Kallen and I stole," he lied. "It contained a powerful demon in control of unspeakable abilities. Kallen and I, along with Yae Sakura, the woman we both fell in love with, managed to seal the demon, but not before I took its strength for myself. This is what you always wanted from those experiments, isn't it? A human in control of the powers the box had to offer."
Nikolas continued to regard him with an unreadable expression. If he had detected Johann's lie, it did not matter.
"Yes," the Overseer slowly answered. "This outcome is indeed what Schicksal had hoped for. But the box is now destroyed. Never again can there be another with your powers. You are alone in this regard. You alone can decide what you will do with your newfound sovereignty."
"Do not worry, uncle. I may have a demon's strength, but I'm still a man. I will never turn against this world and its people."
"I believe you, my nephew."
Silence settled onto the throne room. He heard people quietly murmuring amongst themselves. Many of them regarded him with awe, others with fear, and all with the caution they would treat any unknown and unpredictable factor they encountered.
"Uncle, I have a question."
"So be it."
"Where is Otto?"
Nikolas was silent for a very long time. The others in the throne room wondered if he had fallen asleep, or worse.
"He is no longer with us," the Overseer answered in a halting, mournful voice. "His body was found deep in the dungeons below the Grand Cathedral where we stand. It was maimed and torn into numerous pieces. The Honkai killed my son."
Johann said nothing. He wondered if Otto's role in the near-disaster was known or if he would only be seen as another victim.
"Otto is dead, and with him, my legacy. Who can take my place as Overseer now? If he were alive, Ferdinand, my eldest son, would have made an acceptable, if unremarkable leader. But alas, he departed from this world long before Otto did. Fabian is a coward at heart and unsuitable for leading a troupe of actors, let alone Schicksal. I have no more sons left alive who can."
Johann had an inkling of what the Overseer was about to say next.
"But you, Johann…even though you are not my trueborn son, I have always seen you as one. I loved my brother, Friedrich. In you, I see his gentleness and compassion this world is so dearly in need of. In you, I see your mother's strength and indomitable will. Lilika Schariac was a woman like no other. Both of them would be as proud as I am to see how far you have come."
…Mother…father…
He blinked the tears away before more could form, remembering the night he lost them.
"Truth be told, I have always wished for Otto to take my place as the two hundred and twenty-sixth Overseer of Schicksal. Unlike his elder brothers, he knew how to use the head on his shoulders he had been blessed with. He understood the rules that govern this world and its people, and he understood how to bend these same rules to his will. If he were alive, he would understand why I have chosen to leave the position to you, my nephew."
No one in the Sanctum spoke. The tension was palpable.
"Otto was always the smart one, but you, Johann, have always been a natural leader. Your drive and determination are unmatched. When you face resistance, you do everything you can to overcome it. You work closely with all your allies to overcome any obstacle you encounter. The Supreme Commander proved this. Even though leading an army is not the same as leading Schicksal, I can see that you will lead both just as well."
"Overseer…" Johann began, but Nikolas interrupted him.
"Do not lie to yourself. Kallen had already spoken to me about this. She says that you wish to become a greater part of Schicksal to forge it into something better. In this, you have my full support. Schicksal is old and aging. It requires new blood for it to thrive. None will oppose you in this. None could stop you now if they tried."
Johann could not speak. His thoughts were a confused stream looping around themselves.
Me…as Overseer? No, this is impossible.
But it's what you always wanted, isn't it? It's what Kallen always wanted, isn't it?
That…that was five hundred years ago…I've changed since then…I'm Johann Stern now, not Johann Apocalypse…that man is long dead…
Johann Apocalypse stands before the throne of the Overseer at this very moment. As far as anyone is concerned, he is as alive as Kallen.
No, no, I can't…I need to return to my own world. My valkyries are waiting for me. I can't remain trapped here…
He argued with himself for a long time. Sirin listened in on his thoughts but did not interrupt.
Finally, he found the words to say to the Overseer. "You say that you've already spoken with Kallen."
Nikolas slowly nodded.
"You know what will happen if any harm befalls her."
"Yes, my nephew. Everyone in this city knows. Kallen Kaslana will receive no punishment for any of the crimes she has been accused of. Before a council of this land's highest judges, she will be determined to not be guilty of any of her crimes."
Johann felt a rush of relief hearing those words. He was more than willing to protect Kallen from those who would do her harm by force of his own strength, and he was glad he likely would not need to.
"I also demand that no consequences befall Lord Arthur and my surviving men for their roles in assisting me with Kallen's escape."
"Lord Arthur and all those involved will receive no punishment. Instead, their efforts in aiding the city against the Honkai beast attack will be rewarded and recognized in the highest regard," the Overseer promised him.
Johann sighed, satisfied. Lord Arthur had been his close mentor growing up. He had saved his and Kallen's lives. Under Otto's orders, he had followed him and Kallen all the way to Yae Village where he kept a watchful and protective eye on them. He had also been the one to leave the Oath of Judah for Kallen to find outside the mountain temple, which would allow them to prevail against Hellmaru. He and a number of nuns had rescued them from the brink of death after that battle.
"Then I have only one more thing to say," Johann continued, uncertain if he were lying. "I…I will consider your offer. Schicksal is in need of new leadership, on this I agree. At the same time, I cannot say for certain if I am the right man for the position. I can't make such drastic decisions so soon. I need more time to decide."
"You will have it," the Overseer said quietly, seemingly disappointed. "You will be given as much time as you need…but know that I have already named you as my heir…upon my eventual death, you will become Overseer whether you wish to or not."
Johann turned around and began walking away. He stopped in front of Kallen. Neither of them knew what to say. He offered her his arm, which she took, and they departed the Overseer's Sanctum together as hundreds of eyes watched.
...
They stopped in a quiet corner of one of the Grand Cathedral's hallways. The outer wall was lined with clear glass windows that let in the darkening sunlight. They watched the sunset together, waiting for the other to speak first.
Kallen grasped his arm. "Is…is he really gone?"
He sadly nodded. She began tearing up.
"Otto…why…"
He embraced her as gently as he could. He had nearly forgotten how warm and comforting her touch was. He gently held her as she sobbed into his shoulder. When she was finished, she remained there.
"Don't mourn him, Kallen…it isn't what he wanted…he gave his life for you, and he wanted nothing except to make you happy…"
"Otto…he…he what?"
Johann realized that he had misspoken. Kallen did not yet realize the truth of this world. Besides himself and Sirin, not one being in this world knew.
"Trust me, Kallen. Otto told me everything. He…he told me what to do. He made sure that you're safe now. No one can hurt you anymore."
"Johann…" she cried again.
"It's alright, Kallen. I'm here for you…I'll always protect you…"
No…don't lie to her, you idiot…you'll return to your own world soon, leaving her behind…
"I know, Johann. Sakura and Otto may be gone, but I still have you…I'll always have you…"
They continued holding each other, unwilling to let go.
"Johann…your powers…"
"...Yes, Kallen?"
"...Why did you keep them a secret? You were crippled, but you weren't really. You aren't bound like the rest of us are…you can even soar into the air like a bird…"
"Kallen…I…"
He had to think of a proper lie to explain it to her.
Tell her that you only wanted to keep her safe. If the world knew about your abilities, they may target her to strike at you. She is your only weakness. In fact, I fear for this possibility as I speak. You are not surrounded solely by allies.
He thanked Sirin and told Kallen yet another lie. She finally released him.
"What will you do now?" she asked, turning back to the sunset. "The Overseer made it clear what path you must take. It's what you and I have always wanted. It's the perfect opportunity to accomplish what we can't otherwise. We have talked about this before, on that night…remember?"
"Kallen…I told him that I needed time to think about this…you heard me then…"
The sky illuminated the world with orange light from the sun extinguishing itself below the horizon. Yet the sunset's beauty had no meaning to him. This world was fake. Everything and everyone in it was fake…aside from her.
"Will you remake Schicksal in your own image, a better one? Or will you instead leave this accursed land in search of a better one? Whatever you choose, the choice is yours alone. No one can deny you now."
I…I…I can't stay here. The others need me back in my world…Bronya, Kiana, Mei, Seele, Rozaliya, Liliya, Fu Hua, Rita, and Theresa are waiting for me to come back to them…this world will need to fend for itself.
Despite his efforts, his thoughts slowly betrayed him, drifting to what he and Kallen had created, the life blossoming within her at that very moment.
"I…I will stay with you, Kallen. No matter what, I will be with you."
He did not know what compelled him to say the words he just said. He did not know if he had just told Kallen another lie.
She smiled. She leaned in and kissed him.
"Let's go home, Johann."
She began walking down the hallway.
"I'll be right with you, Kallen. I have something to attend to first. Wait for me at the front gates," he called after her. She nodded and continued walking.
When he was certain that she could not hear him, he roared with the might of all his rage and struck the stone wall in front of him. He only used a fraction of his full power. If he had given it his all, the entire city and more would have been annihilated in one destructive blast.
Even with a sliver of his strength, his fist still embedded itself deep into the solid stone.
OTTO, YOU FUCKING BASTARD! I'M SUCH A GODDAMN DUMBASS FOR EVER TRUSTING YOU! YOU JUST HAD TO FUCK ME OVER ONE LAST TIME, DIDN'T YOU?!