Don't mind me...just posting another angsty, dark with no fluff whatsoever chapter.

Void reappeared in a hallway in the base. Suffice to say it was empty as she was hoping. She was about to head back to the others when she sensed someone approaching. Before she could even react a figure had tackled her to the ground.

"Master," The voice cheered. "You're back," Bella cried as she landed on top of Void. The Herrscher cracked a smile at her silly dragon, before patting her on the head. "I was so worried when you just disappeared." She exclaimed before realizing the situation. Bella immediately stood back up looking embarrassed. Void let out a soft chuckle as she floated back up.

"Forgive me for my brash behavior," Bella quickly apologized.

"Relax, Bella," Void laughed. "It's no trouble at all." She told the dragon.

"Big sis," A tiny voice cheered. Void looked down to see the young Kaslana had accompanied the dragoness. "We were looking all over for you," Kiana informed. "Where have you been?" She questioned.

Void hesitated for a second before forcing a smile. "I was just catching up with an old friend." She told Kiana. "We…lost track of time," She told the younger girl.

"An old friend," Bella thought as she tried to figure out who it was. She then took a little sniff of her Master before her eyes opened wide. "Oh, no." She gasped. She didn't know the smell personally but she recognized the scent of the other Honkai Beast on her Master.

"You're replacing me," Bella said in a panicked voice. She recalled the few memories she had witnessed of her Master and that…that big dog. "You were seeing that mutt…weren't you master. I knew it I'm not worthy of you," She lamented.

"Was she always this overdramatic?" Void thought, not realizing the hypocrisy of that statement.

"Relax Bella, I'm not replacing you." Void tried to console. "I just figured that since you'd be staying with Sirin, I should probably look for another stead, to avoid overworking you," She explained.

"But Master Void…I can serve both you and Master Sirin," Bella argued.

"And burn yourself out." Void retorted. "No thanks, I much rather that you don't work yourself to death," Void added. She didn't need Bella exhausting herself once again for her sake.

Memories of being beaten down and bloodied returned to the Herrscher as she had been brought to the mercy of the humans once more. She had fought a good fight and had been at her limit. They would have taken her had it not been for Bella, ever loyal Bella, flying back to her even after Void warped her to safety.

The dragon had fought till the end, Void's own consciousness had been slipping as Bella kept fighting against the humans. When the Herrscher had woken up after, Thunder had awakened, and her dragon had been taken. That had been the day Void would never forget, nor would Thunder.

"You're better off hiding and protecting Sirin," Void told the dragon.

"I can still protect you both." Bella continued to defy.

"Do I look like I need your protection?" Void snapped. Bella winced at the sudden shift in tone. Void sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled," She apologized immediately. "Just don't risk yourself nonsensically for me," Void told her.

"If you want to do something for me Bella…then promise me you'll live to grow up with Sirin and Kiana." She told the dragon. "Those two are going to need you a lot more than me," Bella was about to comment once more but Void stopped. "Please Bella," Void pleaded.

"Okay, but only because you order me to Master," Bella answered. Void almost laughed at that statement. She may agree to follow the orders, but Void knows well enough. Bella won't follow any orders that prioritize herself above her Master.

"Good, now as for you," Void said as she turned to little Kaslana. Void lifted up her little sister before meeting her at eye level. She then blew a raspberry into the girl's neck. Kiana giggled at this as Void continued. When the Herrscher finally stopped she could see the girl smiling and laughing, and Void followed suite.

"I must say this is quite a sight," A voice called behind them. Void turned around to see none other Siegfied, smiling at them. Kiana quickly jumped out of the Herrscher's arms before running towards her daddy. "Hey, baby girl," He cooed as held her up.

Void and Bella looked on. This felt right. No fighting, no worries, just them all existing together, laughing and smiling. Void glanced at her dad and her little 'sister'. These were the moments she wanted. However, even the most touching moments can be interrupted, especially by the grumble of a few stomachs.

"What was that?" Bella questioned.

"That was his stomach," Void laughed. "What's the matter, old man? Isn't Thunder feeding you all?" She questioned.

"Hehe…well we hadn't exactly felt like eating," Siegfied answered. "She had made lunch for us, but we only took a few bites. We were…more preoccupied thinking about things," He explained.

"Oh," Void realized.

"Now don't look so down," Siegfied tried to assure her. "It's not your fault. I quicker blame that bas-…sorry that bad man Otto than you," Siegfied corrected as he recalled the little tyke in his arms.

"That doesn't mean I'm not somewhat responsible," Void admitted. "I did spring all this on you all."

"We asked," Siegfied corrected.

"Still…. let me make it up to you," Void told him.

"How exactly?" Siegfied questioned.

"Lemme cook dinner for you all," Void answered. Kiana and Bella's faces immediately warped to one of sheer horror at the mention of Void and cooking. However, neither's horrified looks were acknowledged as Siegfied blissfully unaware agreed to allow Void to commit more crimes against humanity and nature.

Elsewhere in the base….

Kurikara stared at its master in confusion. She visited after a while, her intentions being, to clean Kurikara, but the dragon knew there was something more. Despite what others thought it was far cleverer than most realized. It knew its master was not in the best of moods. The dragon however did not voice its thoughts letting its master act as she wanted, it would just wait for when it was needed.

The dragon was doused with water as the giant hands of its master sought to clean it. The dragon had witnessed these very hands rip and maim other beasts like itself, but it had never once experienced the pain they could inflict. Instead, these arms were gentle, tenderly caring for the beast. They weren't as soft as the master's actual hands though.

Eventually, the bath was finished, much to the Dragon's delight, but that was not why it was happy. Its master's mood was lifted somewhat. The sorrow still existed but it can feel an opening beginning to form. "Master," It whispered silently through the link they shared. "Is something bothering you?" It questioned.

"Kurikara," Its master whispered. "How long have you served me?" Master inquired.

"Since I was born my lady," The dragon responded. Since it awoke within the carcass of the Void Herrscher's dragon, it had served under Thunder and it would continue to serve her, till it could no longer do so.

"That's right," Master told it. "You've served me since you were born," She repeated. There was a brief pause. Within that moment it could feel the emotions stir within her master. "Tell me, would you serve me…if I weren't a Herrscher?" Its master questioned.

This caught the dragon by surprise. Its master had always been a Herrscher to it. Even though it knew there was a time when she wasn't one, the dragon still found the idea had to believe, yet despite this…it knew the answer well. "Yes Master, Herrscher or not, I will serve you," It answered.

"That's good," Master answered. It could feel the mood lighten somewhat. Master was pleased and so would the dragon be. However Master once again posed another question for it. "Would you serve me…if I didn't have any memories of you? If I didn't know you; if you were free to leave and do as you please? Would you still serve me?" Master asked once more.

"Till the end of time," Kurikara answered. "I am forever your eternal servant," The dragon stated proudly.

"You're my only follower," Master giggled.

"Then I know for sure I am the best," Kurikara responded chuckling slightly.

"Fair enough," Master noted. "Alright, my second to the last question." She told the dragon. "Tell me…would you serve me…even if I was someone completely different," Master asked.

This time she did puzzle the dragon. "I'm not sure, I understand," Kurikara responded. "When will Master…not be Master?" She questioned.

"You are aware of this journey through time we have undertaken," Master replied. "We have met versions of me that are radically different people, they have led different lives, and experience different things." She informed. "Would you be willing to serve any of those other versions of me?" She rephrased the question.

This caused the dragon to pause, as it carefully considered the answers to the question. On one hand, all these alternatives were still its master in some form or the other. Yet it had seen Master fight against some of the other forms, friendly or not. A complex problem to answer, either of the obvious responses could be seen as betrayal, but it knew deep down the true answer.

"So long as it is by your orders, then I shall serve you regardless of what may happen. Whether you have no powers or no memories, my loyalty is you alone," It answered.

"Clever dragon," Master praised. It could feel a happiness welling in her and at that moment Kurikara felt so as well. However, it was not prepared for what would be asked next.

"Kurikara," Master called. "Here is my final question. Will you be willing to serve and protect, this world's version of Raiden Mei instead of me?" She questioned. Kurikara's eyes widened at this one.

"Master, don't you mean alongside you?" Kurikara tried to correct it. Surely it had misheard her. Master merely shook her head.

"No, Kurikara, I meant instead." Master answered. "Raiden Mei's a lonely girl, she needs someone who will stand by her side regardless of circumstance." She elaborated.

"Forgive my rudeness, but why do I need to leave you?" Kurikara questioned. It didn't want to leave her side.

"I don't think I can face them," Master answered. "The Kaslana's are a special case, but if I try meeting my own family….I…." She trailed off. Kurikara didn't need to sense her emotions, it just knew what needed to be done.

Lowering its head, it gently nuzzled the Herrscher before licking her cheeks. "Hehe…you're like a dog, you know that," Master laughed. "Loyal and caring as ever, even to a horrible Master," She added.

"You are not horrible," Kurikara scolded.

"I am Kuri," Master answered. "I pushed everyone away all for the sake of revenge. I spat on the ideals of those closest to me, for the sake of my own. I let myself become consumed with a delusion." She mustered.

"I have taken advantage of everyone who has ever shown me kindness." She lamented. "Even now, I take advantage of your loyalty," She told the dragon.

Master soon began to laugh, not one of joy, but one of cynicism and maniacal. "Do you know Kurikara…when I awakened as a Herrscher for the first time….I zombified an entire city?" She told the dragon. Kurikara nodded, it knew this story well, the third eruption. "Do you know…that among those people…was my own father?" She added.

"You were not in control," Kurikara quickly defended. "You were young and inexperienced."

"That may be so, but I still did it," Master told it. "My father died due to my own powers. How can I face him with that knowledge?" She questioned.

"My original reaction had been to jump off a roof. Let myself fall and end this story…but Kiana wouldn't let me. She believed I was worth saving." Master explained. "So was Major Himeko,"

"I entertained the idea at first Kurikara. I tried to be a hero for them." Master continued. "I fought to become a Valk and to save the world…but the more I fought the more I lost. Eventually, I lost even them,"

"I was too weak to do anything then. I still hate myself for not being strong enough when it mattered…but that's changed now. I am stronger now." She mused.

"But I realized something…I was never meant to be a hero. I only ever did it for them." She noted. "and when they were gone….I fell apart."

"Do you know…the day you were born…. was the first day I had smiled and laughed in a long time," Thunder frowned as she looked up. Bella Benares had been thoroughly removed from the world and in its stead stood Kurikara, but Void couldn't accept that. She remembered the desperate look in Void's eyes as her rival beat her down, screaming till her throat bled.

Nothing else had mattered to her at that point. Whether she lived or die, whether the world survived or not, it didn't matter. All that mattered was Void's pain. She was content. The Second Herrscher would have finally killed her, but what would that do. Nothing, Thunder had won, and Void lost.

Except….

Void didn't kill her that day. She never asked why. Void just didn't kill her. She left Thunder alive after that battle, and whether it was intentional or not, that worse. It was worse because now Thunder was left with time to think. She had won but then what. All she had left was an emptiness and the feeling of her sins crawling on her back.

"Your birth had brought me so much joy…but the circumstances were far from what a decent person would approve of." Thunder hadn't even cared for the dragon beside her at the time, ignoring and neglecting it. Yet the creatures were persistent and eventually…Kurikara wore her down.

"The truth of the matter is that I was never a good person, the Honkai powers within me just made it clearer." She noted. "But you…are," She told the dragon.

"You're much better than me," Thunder noted. "And perhaps with someone like you around…Raiden Mei can be a better person as well. She can be someone…greater than me."

"I will do my best," Kurikara answered. "I just have one question." The dragon noted.

"Ask away,"

"How am I supposed to look after her in my current form? I imagine the humans will not be as tolerant of my presence in this current state." Kurikara noted.

"That's true…" Thunder noted. "Don't you have a humanoid form like Bella?" Thunder asked.

"Ehe…no. I do not." Kurikara answered shamefully.

"Oh well no worries…I'll just figure out how to turn you into a human girl…how hard can it be?" Thunder mused.

Very hard.

"So, what are you planning on making for us?" Siegfied questioned as they entered the kitchen. For whatever reason Thunder had left it alone. He had loved her cooking, but he was now curious about Void's. Surely she couldn't be as bad as he was.

"I'm not a fancy cook like Thunder," Void warned. "So don't expect anything too extravagant. I'll make something far simpler." She smiled as she snapped her fingers. Much to their amazement, they saw the space warp as the various ingredients were laid before them. "Pizza Toast," she told them.

"Pizza," Bella muttered.

"Toast," Kiana finished.

"Haha…that's great. I haven't had that in ages," Siegfied laughed. The last time he had really eaten pizza toast was when he was still traveling before he met Cecilia. It was one of the few things he could make somewhat decent.

"Why don't you let me help you?" He offered to the Herrscher. "I'm sure I can give you some pointers," He smiled.

"I…" Void stuttered. "I would like that a lot actually." Void admitted with a smile. "Why don't you start pasting the bread while I chop the vegetables?" She told him.

"Sounds like a plan," He answered.

Bella and Kiana watched from afar as the two cooked. They sat near the door with the dragoness ready to bolt with the child, should things go south. Fortunately, it seemed like two adults wouldn't burn down the base…this time. They were able to prepare the food like somewhat competent people, however that soon changed when it came time to bake the Pizza Toast.

"So now we just put it in the oven to bake," Siegfied noted as he lifted a tray with a batch. Void had other plans though as she warped the tray back in front of them. "Alright…what gives?" He questioned.

"While the oven might be good, I have heard of a faster way," Void smiled as she opened another portal. Siegfied was surprised to see what she pulled out, Shamash.

He quickly checked on his person and to his surprise, he found only one of his pistols. Void didn't say anything, her eyes glancing down at the gun in his hands before she gestured to the other tray. He smiled in response before taking aim at one tray with Void aiming at the other.

"Is that really a good idea?" Bella questioned. She had recalled vaguely of those guns had been used before. She didn't know whether to be impressed or disturbed by the implications of it doubling as cooking appliances.

"All you need is to be gentle," Void assured. "Just ease your finger on the trigger and…" both the Herrscher and the knight clicked the weapon. A steady stream of fire erupted from the nozzle before covering the bread. When the stream died down there were now two trays of fully cooked…if slightly burnt Pizza toast.

"Presto," Siegfied said as they looked over at the tray. Kiana looked in awe and disbelief. Surely these two couldn't have made something that smelt so good. She was about to reach for a slice, but Siegfied stopped her. "Careful baby girl, it's still hot. You might burn yourself." He warned.

"Here let me take out some for you," Void told them. She snapped her fingers and like magic, four plates appeared on the table, with four of the slices landing on top of them.

"That never stops being impressive," Siegfied commented as he reached for a slice to take a bite. "Ouch…still hot…still hot." He cried as he went to rinse his tongue.

"Careless old man," Void huffed. She then looked over to Kiana and Bella's plates, put her own and Siegfied beside them. "You're supposed to blow on it to cool it off first." She told the duo. "Like this," Void said as she took a deep breath.

She then blew, however the gust she released was far stronger than what most should be capable of. Kiana would describe it as a strong sea breeze. Bella would describe it as her master's wind core. Regardless of what you'd call it, the toast was cooled enough.

"Dig in you two," Void told them. Kiana and Bella each took a bite, and it was evident from their faces that they enjoyed it. Void however waited before eating hers. "Hey old man, are you going to eat yours, or can I have it?"

"Not on your life kid," Siegfied commented as he finished rinsing his tongue under the pipe. He then hurried back to join them, with Void sliding his plate to him.

"Alright bottoms up," he said as he and Void took a bite. "Delicious," He commented. "Best I've had in a while," He smiled as he turned to Void. "How is it?" He asked before noticing tears streaming while she ate. "Void?"

"This Pizza Toast tastes the same as I remember." She commented. "Especially with those who share the memory," She informed. "Sorry…just an old saying I heard during my travels."

"Are you crying?" Kiana questioned.

"What no…of course not…I'm sweating through my eyes. I had to cut onions remember," She lied. Kiana and Bella believed her and dropped any further questions.

"Why don't you two carry this back for the others?" Siegfied told them after they finished eating. "Void and I will clean up the kitchen," He explained as he gestured to the food cart. Bella looks to respond but Void put a hand on her shoulder.

The younger two left to carry dinner to the others, leaving Siegfied and Void alone. "You didn't need to stay behind," Void told him. As if to prove her point, she snapped her fingers again, her powers warping all the dishes into the sink, putting away all ingredients as well.

"I know," He answered. "But I figured it would be a nice way to get us alone," Siegfied said. "We need to talk."

"We can talk when Sirin wakes up," Void muttered.

"Not about that," Siegfied commented. There was a pause as he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he told the Herrscher. "I overreacted earlier."

"No, you were completely in the right," Void told him. "Any reasonable person would react like that," She informed him.

"Just because anyone would, doesn't mean it was right," he told her.

"Alright…so apology accepted," Void noted. She didn't hold it to him, but she knew her father well enough.

"I taught you that recipe…didn't I?" He questioned. "How else would you figure to use Shamash to cook?" He asked rhetorically.

"Was it that obvious?" Void questioned.

"I watched when you cut the onions. You closed your eyes. One of my secret techniques." He mused.

"It only works if you move the knife slowly and try and recall exactly where you hand is…otherwise you'll cut yourself more," She noted.

"That it does," He affirmed.

"All your secret techniques still cause more harm than good," Void chuckled lightly. "But they can work well enough if you're careful."

"The pizza toast was still a bit burnt especially around the edges." He told her.

"But sometimes it tastes better when it's slightly burnt," they said in unison. The two then laughed a little.

"It does admittedly taste a little better burnt." Void commented. She tried making it without burning. It didn't taste as good.

"What kind of relationship do we have in the future?" Siegfied asked. He noticed how Void stiffened. "That was stupid of me," He corrected. "You don't have to answer." He told her.

"You've saved me." Void whispered. "Many times…I oh my existence to you and not just because I am Kiana's clone," She explained. "You took me from the labs and made me feel safe. I am forever grateful for that," She told him.

"Was I…was I a father to you?" He questioned.

"I wouldn't have any other," Void answered. "Kiana and Sirin…are very lucky to have you. Come what may…you always manage to do right in the end," She told him. "At least…that's my biased opinion." She laughed.

"There is more to that," Siegfied knew. "But I'll wait till you're ready to talk," He thought as he looked at the Herrscher. Unbeknownst to him Void had her own plans.

"Tomorrow, I'll set this." Void thought. "I'll wake Sirin up and explain everything." She mused to herself. "But for now…I'll enjoy this. I can be selfish just this once." She thought as she and her father headed back to the others.