SCHICKSAL HQ
Kiana woke up groggily.
Her head felt heavy.
Ugh. Atleast it doesn't hurt anymore.. But.. I'm exhausted..
She took a deep breath.
Wait! The Operation!
She tried to push herself off bed, only to hear a voice.
"It'd be better if you were to lie down. You need to rest."
Huh?
She turned towards the familiar voice.
It was Otto.
"Mister Otto!"
The man was seated on a chair, as he peeled an apple.
"Yes, it's me."
"The operation! Was it successful?!"
"A Grand Success, must I admit. Schicksal now has two more herrschers currently under training."
Otto replied with a smug grin.
"... TWO?!"
Kiana was surprised beyond belief.
"Ana, the Herrscher of Ice and Chen Tianwu, the Herrscher of Stars."
"..You mean Owl? The world serpent Cadre?"
"Mhm. He had a personal history with Ana, just as we had suspected. He has now defected to our side, mainly because he's with the Herrscher of Ice."
Otto neatly laid the sliced apples on a plate.
"Here, eat up. Have something light for now, I'll have a proper meal ready soon."
"This is great! I can't wait to meet them!"
Kiana expressed her excitement as she downed the slices with unimaginable pace with a fork.
"That will have to wait for now. You know full well why I'm here, don't you?"
Otto asked.
The girl stopped eating, holding a half bitten slice of apple in front of her. Her gaze lowered.
"... I know."
The screen in front of her displayed reports and scans with great detail.
"All forms of HSN derived suppressants are no longer viable. Soulium based rejuvenation has yielded poor results. We're out of options."
"..."
"Kiana. Please. This is not the time to be stubborn.. Your body has reached its limit. You'll have to surrender the Gem of Conquest. There's no other way out."
"How much longer do I have?"
"A few months, if we're lucky."
Otto's expression was grim. In all honesty, he was frustrated. Not at the girl, but at himself.
"You can do the impossible now, yet you can't do the one thing you were supposed to have always been good at."
That's right. Otto was a doctor. A miraculous, legendary healer who had cured an entire plague by himself. But even his healing prowess could achieve nothing when it mattered most.
Even back at Arc City, I could do little for her condition.
"She's the one who can address the root cause after all."
"Please Mister Otto. Consider this my last chance. I will get the gems under my control. I will."
She looked at her hands, her eyes wide.
"You'll have to switch to a soulium body, like mine, should you fail. You understand what that means, right?"
Otto folded his arms, and spoke in a threatening tone.
She knew. A soulium body might be one's idea of invincibility or immortality, but for a valkyrie, it does nothing but take her greatest strength away. She'd lose her Stigmata. Moreover, there was no guarantee she'd be able to use her Herrscher powers with a body which wasn't even human.
Otto on the other hand relied on Void Archives and an otherworldly authority she couldn't even begin to understand.
"You look just like Aunt Himeko whenever she talks about my grades!"
Kiana laughed as she tried to change the topic.
"This…is no laughing matter, Kiana."
Otto sighed.
"You're not going to be training for a while. All you should focus on is resting."
He decided.
"What? No! I need to get my powers in control, for that I must train!"
She began to sound agitated.
"Your mental integrity matters more at such a critical stage."
"I can barely keep up with Bianka! At this rate I'm going to be a sitting duck next time a herrscher appears!"
Her voice only expressed her disapproval and uncomfort.
"Kiana. My decision is final. You are to focus on controlling your power through non volatile means. During this duration your duties as a Valkyrie have been temporarily suspe-"
"UGH! SHUT… UP!"
Kiana shouted in a sudden outburst, as she threw the fork with which she had held in her hand, directly at Otto. The fork scratched his cheek, as it embedded into the wall behind him.
A single, faint, line of blood trickled down his cheek.
One of Kiana's eyes glowed a bright Orange.
Otto stood there, not moving. His expression was one of shock and concern.
It was then Kiana realized what she'd just done.
"I didn't… mean to.."
She choked on her words.
The Overseer's visage then relaxed into one of understanding. He walked over to Kiana, who was seated on her bed and knelt to lower his eyes to her level.
"This… is between Sirin and me. I must end it myself.. I cannot let people around me.. Keep getting hurt.."
She tried to speak, her attention at the scratch on Otto's cheek.
She's barely got it together…
Otto realized. Ofcourse, he knew she had to overcome her inner turmoil and had monitored her from afar while she did so in his past life. But to see her struggles first hand caused Otto to feel a sharp pang of guilt.
The Overseer smiled softly.
"You remember the story of the Holy Maid, yes?"
Kiana nodded. She'd heard it from the Overseer himself.
"She was a hero. A brave, valiant, yet sad hero. Not wanting others to suffer, she chose to fight alone. That not only led to her inevitable defeat, but had also caused her to drive away the ones she loved. She unknowingly led the closest person in her life to the darkest path imaginable."
Kiana's gaze lowered. The person who had taken that very path was right in front of her.
"You aren't alone, Kiana. Your strength lies in fighting alongside those you trust. Don't go around trying to push those people away."
Otto got on his feet. He ruffled the girl's hair, while brushing his thumb past her forehead.
Her skin was cold.
The Overseer's smile faltered for a moment.
"I once again ask you to reconsider surrendering the gem. This is a tough decision, I know. But it is one only you can make."
He walked towards the door, as he took a deep breath.
He smiled.
"It's been a while since I cooked something, wouldn't you agree? Wait up for a while. I'll prepare something good."
Otto left the room and as the door slid shut behind him, his smile faded away as his eyes narrowed.
He let out a shaky sigh.
"Are you alright… Overseer?"
It was Bianka. She had been leaning against the wall next to the door.
"Ah…Bianka. You…heard it all, didn't you?"
"I did. She's…very persistent. I've tried talking to her myself too."
Otto had expected as much. Kiana took after the one who raised her, after all.
"Let's… discuss this somewhere else."
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SCHICKSAL HQ - KITCHENS
Otto stirred the broth before bringing the ladle close to his mouth for a quick taste.
"Lord Overseer, does she really have that little time left?"
Bianka asked.
"... I'm afraid she has a month at most. I'd believed she had more time on her, but she's already showing critical signs of corruption."
Bianka closed her eyes momentarily.
"... Can't we take the Gem of Conquest by force?"
She suggested.
Otto's eyes widened.
"No. We must not. You'd only break her trust, Bianka."
He voiced his disapproval.
"But we can't let her fall apart like this.."
"I agree. It's best if she can stay human. I do not want her to use soulium avatars. I cannot deny that girl her own lineage and blood."
"I do not see the point of bloodline or lineage, Overseer Otto. If I were in her place, I would have given up my flesh and blood if it meant I could continue carrying out my duty."
"If only she knew…"
Silence, Archives.
"..."
Otto sighed.
"But at the end of the day, you are not her. All we can do is hope she finds her way."
The Valkyrie nodded in affirmation.
"In other matters, how's Ana's training coming along?"
"She's a little slow on the uptake, but her herrscher powers are allowing her to adapt. She should reach the calibre of Rita and myself with enough time."
"Good. I'm going to check up on Tianwu. Please have this delivered to Kiana."
Otto spoke as he placed the dish onto a movable rack.
In a mere fraction of a second, the Overseer's melancholic visage snapped into a smug, authoritative one.
It was the persona of the Schicksal Overseer.
"I'm sure Kiana will appreciate your company. Have a good day, Bianka."
He entered the elevator, as the doors closed behind him.
SCHICKSAL HQ- R&D DIVISION
Otto walked towards the center of the lab, where a young man's body was suspended in a glass chamber, full of fluid. Several of his limbs were unnaturally black. He opened his eyes to look at the Overseer.
"Ah. It's you."
He sounded disappointed.
"Expecting your beloved, were we?"
Otto mocked.
".. Whatever. How long till I can leave this accursed septic tank?"
"Hmm.. Soulium implant readings are optimal. I say you're good to go."
The fluid in the chamber drained and the gate opened.
Chen Tianwu was coughing abruptly, as air entered his lungs again.
"Perfluorohexane tends to do that to people. It must've been quite the experience, breathing in liquid like that. Though, it was essential for creating the proper medium for your new soulium parts."
The former world serpent cadre didn't pay any attention to Otto's ramblings.
"My arm.. It feels.. Just like a real one.."
He was looking at the black arm which was attached to him.
"Courtesy of soulium. I've replaced all your cybernetics with soulium based alternatives. These should also greatly enhance your combat ability and herrscher core compatibility. Though.. You're going to need training. Rigorous training."
"So where's the hidden bomb implants? Or do these bionics have backdoors, like you had once used on Reanna Brigantia?"
"How do you kn- Nevermind. To answer your questions, no, your body isn't rigged. As of the second question, I cannot place any backdoors as you're using soulium parts. Backdoors only work when the whole body is composed of soulium. Rest assured. Your body is safe."
"... You're serious? What about Ana? What do you plan on doing to her?!"
"She's close friends with Bianka and is a trained Valkyrie. Naturally, her safety and well being holds much more priority than yours."
The former cadre, Owl, laughed.
"To think the Clown Overseer had a sense of decency…"
"I do expect you to divulge all you know about World Serpent."
"Ah. Should've seen that coming."
"You had asked me how we'd deal with Kevin. I've….. Got quite the elaborate plan. The more information you can provide me, the better."
A devious smirk spread across Otto's face.
"Enterprises. Government ties. Military assets. Research facilities. I need information on all of it."
"...I will look into it."
"Good. We shall discuss this in detail once you've gotten a hang of your current body."
"What do you m-"
Chen Tianwu asked as he tried to stand up, only to fall face flat onto the floor.
"You're going to have to learn how to walk all over again. That's the price you are paying for nigh indestructible organs."
The Mercenary, now a Knight in training, sighed.
Looks like his date was going to have to wait, after all.
MEANWHILE
ST. FREYA DORMS
Following the successful suppression of the 4th Honkai Eruption and confirming Kiana's well being, Raiden Mei had been sent back to St. Freya.
Mei opted out of the joint dorms, as she no longer had any reason to share her space with anyone. After all, she was no longer by her side.
The heiress of ME Corp idly gazed at the photo frame on her desk. She could only see the smile of the girl with platinum white hair and her own downtrodden expression, reflected in the case of the frame.
Was Kiana really safe?
Raiden Mei felt uncertain about trusting the Overseer. In fact, she couldn't understand why Miss Himeko and Miss Theresa gave in so easily.
That man had been the root of all their worries and pains and one wouldn't even realise they've fallen into his trap until it's too late.
Mei held her head in her hands, trying her best to think optimistically.
That was until she noticed her Computer Screen flashing in the corner of her eye.
… huh?
Classified documents spanning across the past months were being anonymously mailed to Mei.
Before she could react, however, a masked figure appeared on the screen.
"The World Serpent extends its greetings, Raiden Mei. Our Sire believes these files will be of great interest to you."
"Gray Serpent!"
Mei stood up at once.
Instincts told her to contact the principal.
Yet her curiosity insisted otherwise.
With hesitation, she opened one of the files.
She let out a gasp.
"... This cannot be…"
They were medical reports from Schicksal HQ.
A certain Kaslana was expressing signs of critical Honkai Corruption and none of the treatment methods seemed to have any effect.
It would appear even the Overseer's most reserved and specialised options had failed.
There was also a video clip attached.
Mei clicked play.
A dilapidated cityscape, with ice stretching across.
Kiana clutched her eye and groaned in pain, while Rita, the S-Ranker, supported her by the shoulder. A masked figure with blonde hair ordered her to retreat.
"This is a recent event. The 5th Eruption, as you must've heard."
"...How much time does she have left?"
Mei asked, her eyes welling with tears.
"Not more than a month."
Mei's knees gave in, as she slumped to the floor.
Why was she being told all this?
She was powerless.
She couldn't save Kiana.
"Our Sire has a way to save her. Your cooperation is required."
Mei perked up at the mention of an opportunity.
If there was a way to prevent such a fate, the former herrscher of thunder would gladly oblige it.
"A VTOL will report at these coordinates, awaiting your arrival. Make your choice, Raiden Mei. Do NOT alert Schicksal or Anti-Entropy of this exchange."
The Computer System was forcibly crashed by Gray Serpent, to remove all traces of information.
Mei looked at her reflection at the now dark screen. She then looked at the photo of the one she loved more than anything.
Her answer was obvious.
SCHICKSAL HQ - COMBAT SIMULACRUM
Otto barely dodged a swing of a golden greatsword.
"I'm surprised you decided to train against me. You don't wish to disturb Bianka, is that why?"
"Precisely. I'd rather let Kiana and her spend as much time together as possible. Who knows? Bianka might end up convincing her."
"Hmm. It does make sense, considering how they're both the s-"
BANG!
Otto fired his pistol to silence the clone mid-sentence.
"Why you little.."
Void Archives grit his teeth, as portals opened behind Otto, firing rounds from Shamash, while the clone dashed forward, slashing in wide circular arcs, creating an inescapable net of attacks.
To his surprise, Otto was dodging every single hit. Even if barely.
"Impossible. That strike had a 99.3% success rate."
Void Archives spat bitterly, as he prepared another flurry of attacks.
"Do you believe me now?"
Otto asked.
Both of them stopped for a moment.
"Even during my bout with Ana and Owl, I dodged several attacks, though I didn't intend to. It's like my subconscious acts on its own."
"Looks like you weren't bluffing. Those moves appear to be some sort of martial arts, but I have no records of anything similar to what you pulled off there."
"This must be because of my connection to the Imaginary Tree."
"Indeed. There is no other explanation."
"Nevertheless, I ought to see how far this can take me. I'm sure something like this can increase my odds against Kevin."
"...Speaking of Kevin. Don't you think he's too quiet? He should've contacted us by now, demanding answers."
Otto remembered his brief exchange with the World Serpent Sire in his previous life.
"You either submit, or you will be destroyed."
Otto shuddered at the thought of having to face the Greatest Hero of the Previous Era.
"We mustn't waste anymore time."
"Indeed. Our true trials have begun."
Otto sighed. Just then, Amber came running into the Simulacrum.
"Lord Otto!"
Didn't I tell her not to call me that?
"What is it, Amber?"
"The Sire of World Serpent has requested your presence."
"Speak of the Devil."
Void Archives sneered.
"I suppose I have to go alone?"
Otto asked.
"Yes, Overseer. These were the coordinates sent over to me."
A panel appeared in front of Otto, it was a map, with a red dot marking the intended location.
Otto's eyes widened.
Why here ….of all places?
Kevin… what are you planning?
The location was none other than the site of the Third Honkai Eruption.
"Archives. Prepare a RPC-6626 unit. We're headed to Nagazora."
"Roger."
The Soulium clone fell to the ground, as the gold cube materialized in Otto's hand.
I could only make hollow threats back then. This time, things will be different.
Kevin Kaslana. No matter what you're planning…
I won't let you get in the way of my plans.
CHAPTER 13- END
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Author's Note:
Ah, you might've noticed my upload schedule has slown.
It's exam season here and boy I'm gonna be occupied the next few months.
Also, Honkai's story has gotten REALLY insane in the latest chapter.
I actually had my own plotline set for Kevin's arc, but now I'm beginning to think I might have to change it to better suit the game.
Should I do that, or just stick to what I originally had in mind?
Nevertheless, I hope you liked this short chapter, do look forward to the next one.
Take care!