There were times his existence as a spectral form had its ups and down. Nikolai hovered over Eric's sleeping form, eyeing his human half carefully as he slept. With the damages to his brain, it will be impossible to synchronize with Eric and utilize their full potential without drawbacks. That pest of a sister was another obstacle to deal with. He needed to accelerate Eric's recovery and secure their Queen's return. The Disciples have ensured 'that place' was secured and prepared for Eric's recovery.
It was difficult to possess and guide Eric in combat with the brain damage his ridiculous sister inflicted upon them and was forced to see his other half fight with only one arm and limited unity with Nikolai. He needed a way to get Eric to Scandinavia and─!
He felt it, it was faint, but he felt it. Their Queen's human half was in emotional distress. No, it was not good. If something was troubling the Queen, they needed to fix it fast. "Wake up Eric…" Nikolai whispered to his human half. "Our Queen is in sorrow." With that, Eric's eyes opened.
*Hospital*
Eric walked through the hallways, he had heard of Himeko's condition worsening and here he found Kiana slumped over on the bench in sleep. She wasn't doing so well emotionally, and Eric found himself sitting next to her, wrapping his arm around her sleeping form and pulling her close. Kiana subconsciously snuggled into him, and a warmth and sense of spiritual fulfillment entered him.
He didn't know why, but seeing Kiana being peaceful in her sleep like this soothed his heart. He stayed still as her head rested against his chest, hearing his heartbeat's rhythm.
Nikolai's disembodied spirit observed and nodded his head in approval. The Queen's human half has calmed for the moment. He flew through the glass window to Himeko's room and observed the red-head's condition himself. There he had seen the problem.
Artificial Stigmata, it made the Honkai entity scoff at the human's doomed attempt to artificially master the Honkai energy like the humans of the Previous Era. Those MANTIS were close but not perfect in mastering their evolution into the new humans just yet. Through Eric and Nikolai, Sirin would be the Mother Goddess and Progenitor of the next generation of humanity with Mei Raiden following suit.
He'd confirmed that the original Herrscher of Death's descendant, a test of God's experiment, was a success in creating a divine bloodline and inheritor of the powers. If she ever acquired the Divine Key that Durandal wielded, her powers would be formidable and one of the strongest fighters once she masters her potential.
He hated this waiting game and task of observation until the promised time. But the Will of Honkai had spoken and he must oblige in it. For now, though, fixing Himeko was a task only he could do. They had all the right chemicals to synthesize a vaccine that will aid in Himeko's recovery…and improve her body's adaptability to Honkai energy. But only Eric and Nikolai had that knowledge to do so, well, Nikolai did anyways give Eric's current amnesia.
But hey, he can improvise. Already Himeko had slept with Eric and although sterile, the seeds will bloom inside of her body as a catalyst the vaccine will need to aid the woman's health. All he needs to do now is find a doctor to possess and secretly create the vaccine for her. All for the Queen.
Kiana felt warm when she stirred from her fading nightmares, feeling and hearing the heartbeat of another person soothed and caused her to wake. She slowly turned her gaze upward to see Eric with his eyes closed and a calm breathing. She felt her cheeks warm at his presence, and a sense of peace filled her as she quietly whispered her desire to Eric.
"I wish to be strong. To not lose anyone close to me…" she whispered softly before closing her eyes and resting against him again. She was stressed and tired from the mission, and the condition Himeko was in had caused guilt and grief. Unaware of Eric being awake as he opened his eyes and smiled softly.
Her wish will be granted…for his beloved moonlight's sake.
*Few Days Later*
Theresa walked with an anxious expression, Rita was walking beside her and there, in a personal training room stood Kiana in the White Comet Battlesuit with Eric at the controls. "What is going on here?" the World's Number 1 Cutie asked in confusion as the loyal maid was the one to answer.
"Master Eric has requested the usage of a simulator and the use of a new battlesuit for Miss Kiana. Which while I find odd, have faith in my master's choice of helping inspiring Valkyries." Rita explained as Eric typed something with one hand.
"Past foes…fight…defeat…win." He stated as Kiana was wrapped in chains as a miko with rose colored hair and fox ears was responsible for it. Theresa instantly recognized the girl and wondered how Kiana knew this girl in the first place. Said girl smirked and broke free from her chains and began her counterattack.
Rita had taken notes on Kiana's fighting style, aware of her existence as K-423 by Otto as the girl bested numerous foes like they were nothing. Some were members of Anti-Entropy if she recalled correctly as the girl was setting records. "She is a fighting prodigy, a valuable ally in the front lines." Rita noted with approval.
"That is if her grades don't send her behind as mere support." Theresa sighed tiredly, knowing that was the only problem with Kiana.
Then, a final enemy appeared, bearing a familiar face all four saw. He smiled and flexed his clawed hand menacingly. "Good to see you, Kiana." Nikolai greeted in a friendly tone despite his menacing atmosphere.
Eric screamed, clawing his head as his mind ached in agony when Nikolai appeared. Rita immediately went to restrain him so he doesn't hurt himself, trying to usher words of comfort as Theresa pulled out a cross from the armory and prepared to head down into the simulator herself. Nikolai, even if a simulated one, was a foe Kiana cannot face alone.
A powerful barrier prevented both exit and entry as Kiana got into a combat stance. "While we fight," Nikolai spoke, blocking a punch and deflecting a spinning kick with his human hand. "I need to tell you something important for Eric's sake." the Praetorian said, getting Kiana's attention.
"What do you mean?" the aspiring Valkyrie demanded as Nikolai threw a punch that produced a shockwave and left a dent on the wall, instantly sending warning alarms inside of Kiana's brain.
"I hijacked this machine so I can give you the information on fixing Eric's brain and arm! In a set of coordinates, there is his family home. The home of his family since the Previous Era. The truth behind his past will come to light." Nikolai answered as he got into a stance with Kiana doing so as well. The girl felt a fire build within her, and she knew she needed to see it through now.
"Neko Charm!" Kiana cried out, activating her battlesuit's systems as cat paw limbs appeared out of nowhere and slammed right into Nikolai. She realized this was all a performance and she knew how to pull off an act herself. Plus, it would help Kiana measure herself against Nikolai who was holding back when sparring with her.
"Master Eric, please restrain yourself!" Rita shouted, struggling to restrain Eric as his physical might was beyond even her S Rank Valkyrie powers as a frenzied look was appearing on Eric's face before Theresa smacked him in the back of the head with her cross.
"Sorry Eric, but you'll thank me later for stopping you." Theresa apologized, already feeling the upcoming fury of Durandal at what has become of her 'brother' under her watch. She turned to see her niece Kiana having overwhelmed the fake Praetorian of the Void as the replica faded into pixelated dust. The barrier had faded, and the tiny principal had rushed in to check on her niece's stats.
"Kiana! Are you alright?!" Theresa shouted, checking her niece up and over for any injuries. They were minor scratches, but she was alright. And what surprised the World's Number 1 Cutie was that Kiana was smiling.
"I found a way to help Eric regain his memories!" she exclaimed excitedly. Rita had overheard and her eyes widened.
Durandal was to be informed of this revelation. No doubt she would be thrilled by the news of her brother's chance to finally regain his past.