Disclaimer: 'Honkai impact 3rd' is the property of Hoyoverse, Singapore. I do not own any characters in this story except the minor OCs here and there.
Moths and a new Assignment
FIRE MOTH BASE – 2018(Previous era)
Sounds of sparring could be heard in the training arena on this chilly January morning. The first one was a man in his late twenties with silver-blue hair and stubble on his face, which made him look like a western cowboy. The other person was a teenager of roughly fourteen years of age with sky-blue eyes and silver-white hair shining in the sun. The two of them had been going at it for two hours continuously now, without anyone being a complete winner. The boy's exhaustion was slowly showing itself, however, it was not that the man was doing so well either.
"Pant... Pant… You are getting good huh Kevin."
"I just follow yours and Himeko aneki's training seriously that's all." the teenager named Kevin replied.
"Don't try to be a smartass to me, I know that you sneak outside to train on your own." the man named Ato said.
"Whatever you could be talking about, aniki."
"Fine then, I'm getting tired so how about we finish this off."
"Yes aniki."
As they said they both charged for the final time to each other. Ato started with a punch to the solar plexus, which was blocked by Kevin. Kevin then retaliated with a low kick to the shin which was intercepted by Ato. The kick was followed by a barrage of punches to Ato's midsection, which he was not able to deflect all. But just as Kevin thought he was winning, Ato saw an opening on the left side of his body.
"There!"
"You fell in my trap, aniki."
"No, you fell in mine otouto."
"Wha-"
But before he could finish his sentence, Kevin felt a huge blow to his waist by a kick that Ato had managed to land by distracting him. This blow caused Kevin to lose his balance and fall to the ground.
"Damm, still not enough." Kevin said as he sat on the ground, sore all over his body.
"You are hundred years too early if you can think you can trick me, Kevin." Ato said while sitting beside him.
"Yeah."
"But man, you are growing fast, too fast honestly. Maybe you will surpass me in another four years or so."
"But you said I'm hundred years too early."
"Did I, Haha maybe. But still Kevin I'm actually relieved, at least the Moths will have a good fighter when I'm not there anymore huh."
"Don't say that aniki, you have now a daughter waiting for you at home. You will retire peacefully and live the life you always wanted."
"Then what about you Kevin, what will you do after defeating the Honkai?"
At this question, Kevin fell silent. Truthfully, he hadn't thought about it and he didn't care. All that he could think about day and night was killing the Honkai and nothing else, even if he disappears as long as the Honkai was defeated he would be content. Sensing Ato's questioning gaze on him Kevin answered:
"I Don't know aniki."
"Thought so. Kevin, I may sound like a broken record saying this but you have to live for something else other than just killing Honkai."
"You know that's impossible for me."
"…" Ato was once again dismayed by Kevin's reply. The boy had so much of life ahead of him and the only thing he thought of was killing the Honkai? They fought against it sure, but it was not their reason for living by any means. Ato was concerned that Kevin would just waste his life away at a goal that brought nothing but pain, living for vengeance. Ato was like him once, just living for the sake of killing Honkai, becoming nothing more than a killing machine day by day. Until he met Clara, she slowly showed him that there were other things worth living for: namely a loving wife and a family. Ato just hoped that somebody would come to drag Kevin out of the same darkness that he was in.
"By the way Kevin, would you visit my home during the Holidays, Clara wishes to see you and Griseo misses you too."
"How can she miss me, isn't she just three years old."
"Well, she keeps pestering me where her 'nii-nii' is all the time. So, I said I would bring him this time I come home, so what do you say? "
"Why did you make such a promise? Sigh... fine. But just for one week only."
"Thank you, Kevin; well then, I will go ahead and tell my wife, she will be thrilled about it. Prepare for a feast this weekend."
"Hmm."
"See you this evening then, Kevin."
"Yeah, you too aniki." said Kevin as they parted their ways in the hallway leading to their respective barracks. Despite being only fourteen his battle prowess and his leadership skills, he was already promoted to the rank of a Sergeant commanding around 100 men. As he made his way to the shower booths, he saw another familiar figure.
"What brings you here aneki?"
"Oh, you were training outside Kevin? I just came to check up on you." Said a woman in her late twenties as well. She had a voluptuous body and a gorgeous face. Her yellow eyes and crimson waist-length hair made her the subject of the desire of many people in the base, but none dared approach her due to her no-nonsense attitude.
"I was just training with Ato aniki as usual."
"You can train indoors for this time period, it's freezing outside. Nobody would like you to get sick just because you trained in the cold for a long time outside. And knowing you, you will just push yourself unnecessarily." the woman named Himeko said in a concerned voice.
"I'm fine aneki, you can stop treating me like a child." said Kevin in a disgruntled manner.
"I will stop treating you like one when you start taking care of yourself more."
"If everybody knew how you fawn over me, people will get the wrong idea."
"Hmph, let them, they are anyway coward to say it to my face."
'Just how many hearts have you broken like that aneki?' Kevin thought to himself.
"Anyway, get showered, and then we will have breakfast together, alright." said Himeko smiling.
"Yeah, sure." replied Kevin as he entered the shower and turned on the tap.
At breakfast
"So, we got some new persons in the research wing recently?" asked Kevin taking a toast and putting it in his mouth.
"Yeah, apparently they were running short of manpower to dissect and research the carcasses of the Honkai beasts brought in." Himeko replied giving a knowing look towards Kevin to which he just looked at her indifferently. She then continued:
"The people at the research division always complain that they have more beasts to dissect and study than they have the manpower for. They say it's mainly because of you going overboard and killing thrice the amount of Honkai beasts regularly."
"I already made clear that killing Honkai is the reason I joined the Fire Moths for. If they have an issue with it, then it's their problem, not mine. They can always dump the unnecessary beast carcasses they can't study."
"Come on don't say that. Those increased amounts of beast bodies are the reason that our research in Honkai Physiology and Anatomy has come leaps and bounds compared to decades of stagnation in just four years. It's all because of you that we are now more well prepared and the soldiers get less hurt."
As she spoke, Himeko's voice and face softened "Your commanding skills are the reason that there hasn't been a single casualty in your squad till now, since you were put in charge. What I mean to say is you can be proud of yourself a little Kevin."
Kevin remained silent. Himeko knew that the boy was extremely kind to others even though he did not show it outwardly. He always took to the frontlines and the most dangerous encounters in any mission assigned to his squad, so that not only his squad mates remained safe, but also the other soldiers from different squads that cooperated in those said missions. The number of casualties in those missions was the lowest of all with the returning soldiers in near-perfect conditions with barely a scratch. Kevin on the other hand would get wounded the most, assuredly taking the burden himself. This reckless nature of him has caused him to brush with death many times. Himeko would regularly scold him for the reckless actions to which he would just brush it away saying: "it was the most effective solution."
Himeko was worried that if Kevin kept this up, he will grind himself to dust soon. But even though she wanted him to stop doing things this way, it could not be refuted for the results it brought. His plans were often the most efficient and brought the least amount of damage. However, it did not change the sadness she felt whenever he got hurt instead of others. Over the time that Kevin had spent in the Moths, she had come to see him as her little brother.
As they finished breakfast and Kevin started to go off to his post, he stopped briefly and said "A monster like me should not feel proud as I let many die as well, just for the sake of killing some beasts."
Hearing this Himeko was greatly agitated, but before she could berate him Kevin already disappeared around the bend.
'Kevin, you idiot why do you think of yourself like that? Do you have any idea how many care for you?' thought Himeko sadly.
"We have completed twenty-four Honkai exterminations, which included 40 Templar type, 64 Chariot-type, 123 Knight-class and 213 Seraph-class. In addition, we also have exterminated 4 Emperor-class Honkai beasts. Our current casualty for the last month stands at zero and our success rate is 100% with 12% less loss of property and overall destruction. However, we are running short on spare parts and ammunition and would require further supplies regarding that. That is all for the monthly report."
"Good Sergeant, impressive performance as always. As for the ammunition and spare parts, we are testing a new model of assault rifle plus a new model of pistol called BABEL. The prototype will be given to you specifically for testing and data collection usage. These weapons especially the pistols are concentrated Honkai energy powered, which means if the tests are successful then we will have weapons that can run indefinitely without the need for reload." Said Commander general Alexei.
"Honkai-powered weapons sir?" asked Kevin astonished. He didn't know that they were actually possible.
"Yes. Due to your increased amount of bringing back carcasses of Honkai beasts, our research engineers have successfully found a way to harness the power for ourselves. And as the major contributor to this, I'm giving you the first chance to test them."
"It's an Honour sir." said Kevin respectfully.
"Haha, I knew that the conventional weapons would be ill-suited for you, given your let's say Brazen tactics."
"Sir that's-"
"It's okay, the results are impressive so I'm not admonishing you. Anyway, the pistols are for you and the mass-produced rifles are for your squad mates, they are less powerful than your new pistols but have a higher rate of fire than their conventional counterparts. I want you to select the ten best marksmen from your squad and they will be provided the prototype rifles."
"Sir."
"With that out of the way. I want you to take a twenty-man team to the German countryside, we have reports of some Honkai activity but something is weird about it?" general Alexei said in a serious tone.
"Weird?" asked Kevin.
"Yes, firstly our Honkai sensors have sensed Honkai energy over 625 Relts, but there seem to be a lack of any huge beasts. If any the beast activity has seemed to dwindle in that area."
"625 Relts, that's impossible." Kevin was surprised a little, the highest reading recorded in history was 250 Relts so his surprise was normal.
"Yes Sergeant, that's why I want you to investigate it. Either there is something wrong with our sensors, or there is something extremely powerful there that defies human knowledge."
"Yes sir." Replied Kevin
"One more thing Sergeant, if the situation there is extremely dangerous, I want you to withdraw completely. That is an order."
"Yes sir." said Kevin with a little bit less enthusiasm.
"Don't misunderstand son, I don't want to lose good men and one of our best fighters over something more powerful than we expected. That will be all, you are dismissed."
"SIR!" Kevin saluted and left the command room.
'Don't die out there boy.' thought general Alexei as he closed his eyes and took a long breath.
"Listen up, our mission is to scout the area for any possible threats and to neutralize them if possible. We will be leaving at 1000 hours and make our way to the west German wildlands. Once we land there, we will form five-man units and start scouting. Any questions?"
"Sir, what shall we do if we find the anomaly in question?"
"You will report to me and wait for all others before engaging the enemy."
"Understood."
"Any more?"
Nobody said anything. Seeing as everyone understood the plan Kevin said "Well then let's get prepared, those whose names I have called earlier in the meeting go to the research wing to get the prototype rifles. You need to test it for ease of use and power outputs and are expected to submit the report detailing the issues faced and suggestions for improvement by tomorrow afternoon. That's all Dismissed."
As everyone went to their lockers, Kevin went to his and started to dress himself. As he undressed, he took a look over his body, moderately muscled with good proportions, a tough and lean body that was trained for both strength and speed. He believed both are key components to survive fighting against multiple opponents and come out on top. However, this physically fit body was marred by scars of all shapes and sizes, with every imaginable type of scar being present on his body: cuts, serrations, burn marks, etc, from his way of fighting while ignoring his body's limits and getting assuredly wounded by the enemy at some point. He knew what he did was borderline stupidity, but if he did not do most of the tough fighting, there was a chance they would like...
'No' he thought. There was no use in thinking of those who will not come back, he just had to make sure that everyone lives in the end and the Honkai is killed no matter what happens to him.
He started wearing his padded clothes and his coat over them. Despite him being a soldier, he wore clothes like those antiheroes that he saw on Tv whenever he visits Ato's house. Long black pants, a large suspender to hold the pistol holders, a white undershirt and a black coat that reached until his lower leg. On his back, he strapped a Bastard sword which he learned to fight with from General Alexei himself and his two pistol holders in which he use to put two handguns he used until recently; but now as the General said he will get two new pistols.
Finishing dressing, he went to the research wing to get his new pistols. As he entered the department section he was greeted by the chief of the R&D Samantha Nikola Tesla and her partner Lynthia Albert Einstein. They were both the top researchers in the world and served as Chiefs of Honkai research and weapon development here at Fire Moths.
"Good to see you make it on time Sgt. As much as loathe you I must get the work assigned to me done." Said head researcher Tesla.
"…"
"Huh, have you gone dumb or what?"
"…" Kevin remained silent.
"Answer me, you buffoon." Said Tesla getting irritated.
"Where are the prototype pistols?" Kevin finally asked.
"Is that all you have to say, no Good morning or anything huh?" Said Tesla getting a tick mark on her forehead.
"Calm down Samantha, he was just asking for the weapons, he didn't mean any harm." Einstein tried to pacify Tesla down.
"Good morning, Dr. Einstein" greeted Kevin.
"Oi, why does she get the greeting and not me, you want to go boy. I may not look like it but even I can handle a few fists."
"I would be troubled if that happens, as it would mean I would have to defend myself and I may pop one of your joints if I tried to pin you down." Replied Kevin nonchalantly.
"Why you…" Tesla grew visibly angry at that.
"All right, all right. Enough bickering you too, we are getting off-topic here. Kevin, you said you came for the pistols?"
"Yes, Dr. Einstein."
"Okay then please follow us, we are running last-minute tests now, so we can hand them over to you as soon as we are done."
"Hmm, after you then Dr. Einstein Dr. Tesla."
"Now he acknowledges me, that's why you are so insufferable." complained Tesla as they made it into the lab.
Once they reached the lab, Kevin noticed two pistols with white and gold accents on the weapon stand. They kind of looked like a colt-action revolver but more modernized if he would be honest.
"This is our latest pride and joy, the first Honkai powered pistol: BABEL; they can be deployed in Burst or Rapid mode depending on the situation."
"Burst, Rapid?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah, Burst mode boasts extremely high penetrative power, almost equal to artillery, but has a huge recoil and doubles the reloading time of the next shot. Rapid lets you fire 3 rounds successively from each pistol, but the power is reduced to 70% of the normal firing mode." Explained Tesla.
"We need you to perform tests on both modes by shooting a specific amount of different enemy types. We would also like your feedback, so we can further improve them and make them more feasible for mass production. Of course, we have given two more Prototypes to Lt. Ato and Lt. Himeko, for varied feedback. So, we can further fine-tune this one along the line to your preference."
"I understand." said Kevin.
"If that's all you have to say then get out of here, we are busy as it is with the huge pile of bodies that you bring like fishes from the market. Ugh, I just want to sleep; hey Lynthia, can't we take a break today, we have been pulling all-nighters for almost three days now." Said Tesla yawning loudly.
"We still have five more bodies to dissect, Samantha."
"Sigh... somebody kill me already." Tesla said on verge of tears.
"I will be leaving ahead then, Dr. Tesla, Dr. Einstein." said Kevin intimating the two.
"Yeah, and take care on the mission, I would like to have those guns back." said Tesla.
"Understood, thank you, Dr. Tesla. I will try my best to return." said Kevin as he left the labs.
"You could at least soften up a little bit towards him and show that you care." teased Einstein.
"Hmph, whatever you could be talking about. Now let's get to dissect those bodies, ugh I need another cup of coffee. You coming Lynthia."
"Yeah, coming" said Einstein following her co-worker and best friend while smiling at her actions.
WILDLANDS OF WEST GERMANY - 2018(Previous era)
"Team Delta to all squads, we are nearing the spot of Honkai energy reading, over." said one of the soldiers over the radio.
"Copy, team Delta, confirm visual on the target and remain on standby until further orders, over." replied Kevin.
"Yes sir, over and out."
As the team reached the exact location, they saw a man with ragged clothes sitting on a rock and seemed to be working on something. When he lifted it, that something turned out to be a shotgun, he inspects it and says "Not sturdy enough." and the shotgun vanished with a blue light.
"What the hell?" said one of the soldiers incredulously.
However, he stepped on a twig by accident which alerted the said man.
"Who's there?" the man asked alarmed before summoning tons of rifles and aiming at the general direction of the soldiers.
"Shit!" the soldier exclaimed before retreating fast, the man following him from behind. As the soldier was running, he radioed "Team Delta, cover blown, target pursuing us, repeat: cover blown, target pursuing us, over."
"Lead the target to us one and a half clicks northwest, over." Kevin gave the order.
"Understood, over and out."
The squad started running to the designated place while being followed by the man shouting: "Who are you? Show yourself." The man fired some shots in random directions toward them. Some of them whizzed passed over the soldiers, who were out of their wits.
"What the hell? He summoned those guns out of thin air, is this some magic show or shit?" asked one of the soldiers incredulously.
"Don't know man, we just need to lure him towards Sgt. Kevin, then we can face him with all our forces." replied another.
"Yeah." said the one from before.
Once they reached the ambush point, Kevin ordered his men to fan the area and wait for the man to show up. Once the man showed up, he commanded: "NOW!" and all the soldiers in his unit circled the man in question and pointed their guns at him.
"Surrender or we will shoot you with everything we have here." Said Kevin in a commanding voice once he had surrounded the man.
The man was startled before rising his hands in the air "Wait, Wait I mean you no harm."
"Saying the one who was just shooting at my men earlier."
"That's because I was startled and thought someone was coming to hunt me down."
"Who are you and what is your affiliation?" asked Kevin.
"Isn't it polite to give your name first when starting a conversation, boy?"
"I will not ask again, who are you and what is your affiliation?" said Kevin unholstering one of the Pistols and pointing it towards the man's head.
"Whoa, are they Honkai powered? And you use a sword as well, impressive." said the man curiously.
"Answer." said Kevin in a low and threatening voice as his fingers inched closer to the trigger.
"Wait, wait let's be civil and exchange dialogue instead of bullets." The man said.
"…" Kevin glared at the man coldly.
"Sigh... Kids these days, fine my name is Joachim Nokianvirtanen, but you can call me Welt Yang, and I am a professor at Berlin university of science. I teach nuclear physics along with Quantum mechanics." Said the man now identified as Welt Yang said.
"And as for what I am..." the man waited for a little before he gave the answer:
"I'm a Herrscher."
Kevin was totally confused, so he had to repeat what the man said as a question:
"Herrscher?"
To be continued….
Hello everyone, welcome back to 'A Warriors Destiny'
This chapter was mainly focused on the interactions of Kevin in the Fire Moths. Now you may have noticed many familiar faces in this chapter. I assure you that this is no coincidence, they will play a huge role in this AU of the previous era as well as Kevin's Signature weapon. Now the next chapter will focus on Kevin's interaction with Welt of the previous era and will be half battle-oriented and half slice of life. As always if you like the story please leave follow, favourite and/or Review.
Note: I have used a different unit to measure Honkai power in the previous era, the conversion is simple:
1 HW = 0.25 Relts. So, by 625 Relts it is equivalent to around 2500 HW, more than enough to make a Herrscher.
Thank you for reading, Until next time.