[50 Honkai energy watts]
[120 HW]
[170 HW]
[250 HW
[350 HW]
[500 HW and holding]
Mei stood opposite Dr Macaria in the test chamber. A Honkai faraday cage surrounded the pair, Honkai energy reactor sitting between the two. A curious device wrapped about the Doctor's torso. Mei folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Last chance to back out, doctor."
"If this is what it takes then I'll take the risk."
Mei shrugged.
"I'll make your death as a zombie as quick and painless as possible."
The doctor snorted. Mei had to admit she found the ballsy attitude of the woman refreshing. She was putting her life on the line to prove a point.
"Release the reactor safety limiters," Dr Macarai ordered.
A pulse of Honkai radiation washed over the room. For a human it would be lethal. Dr Makara walked over to one of the plasma steel walls and punched it with all her might. The faintest indentation of her knuckles showed on the wall.
Mei waited several seconds before drawing the Honkai energy into herself. The doctor stood unharmed. Several components on the prototype attached to her torso were smoking. There was a good chance the woman had been exposed to a decent amount of Honkai energy. Mei would order she was monitored closely for the next several weeks.
"Yaaass!" the woman announced with a fist thrust to the heavens.
Mei unfolded her arms and gave a single clap.
"Your point is proven. And that point is?"
"Much as the stigma on the Raitaro allows some measure of Honkai energy resistance and modulation, so too does this device. It can absorb and then project minute doses of Honkai energy, even into people without any form of stigma. The test data from the Raitaro tests has taken us in some interesting directions. I've combined it with what we known about the Selene. This is a rougher than rough prototype. But I think I might be able to modulate Honkai energy input/output."
Mei gave a low appreciative whistle.
"What sort of time frame are we looking at for deployed?"
Dr Brown interrupted over the speaker before Makaria could finish.
"After the Herrscher of the End. This is barely a proof of concept."
Dr Macaria returned a glare to the room cameras that would melt plasma steel.
"We simply do not know enough about the Selene program, concepts and application. This is beyond the rawest of theoretical stages."
"Then accelerate our plans. All available data shows that we have maybe a year at most before the Herrscher of the End. This gives us a viable way to deploy Kijo on the battlefield that could hold their own against whatever Honkai forces the Herrscher can muster."
"Which means nothing if we cannot stop the Herrscher of the End herself. The Selene battleship is still our only viable option. And we know next to nothing about it. Every scrap of information we have drawn up from the Previous Era has raised more questions than answers. There is no point in researching this physical equipment if the fundamental concepts remain an unknown."
Before the pair could continue their heated debate Mei raised a hand. Dr Schwarz had remained politely silent as usual.
"Your thoughts, Dr Schwarz?" she asked her.
"The Previous Era thought that the Stigma were a solution. We know very little about them. I think we should continue our research into Project Stigma and the more recent TIAMAT."
The head of Yurei, Raiden Mei, nodded her head.
"It all comes down to a lack of knowledge. As much as I hate to admit it, we need Project Selene. The battleship. The weapon deployed against the Herrscher of the End. The scientific concept. Amarant has struck a deal with a middleman from Anti-Entropy and is arranging a meeting. It seems that still isn't enough. I loathe relying on the Previous Era. However, this is critical to our plans."
Hanakawa spoke through the speaker without prompting.
"I will begin further investigation into possible information sources. World Serpent will be avoided. We need to keep them ignorant from our plans for as long as possible."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
An electronic metronome. Antiseptic white walls. The smell of bleach. Hospitals are never pleasant places. No matter how gussied up they are. These places deal with the spaces between life and death. A few flowers, some scented candles or warm inviting walls do little to warm the soul of such a place. Merely plaster over a false façade that gives people the delusion of comfort or repose. Spend long enough in one and that plaster begins to rot. The black pus of reality oozes through the fissures.
Mei knew more than any reasonable person should about hospitals and about pain. Thus, she held Miles' hand firmly as the two stepped into the room. Tatiana was asleep. The young boy wanted to rush over. The slight tightening about his hand stilled the notion. Mei held a finger to her lips. In understanding, the boy slowed his breathing and instead walk up on surprisingly silent feet to his mother. Looked over her features. For a child so young, their parent is their world. To know they have come to harm is to have that world rocked. Miles took it better than Mei would have at such an age. She would not deny that. He reached out, hand hovering over his mother's hand. Then very carefully touched her. The woman did not move. Mei knew the cocktail of drugs Tatiana was hooked up to via a central line. It had pushed her world-renowned doctors close to the edge to save the survivors of World Serpents latest experiments. And still not all had been saved. Two weeks on the mother had fought an unconscious battle to stay with her son. It would be at least another week before she regained consciousness. If at all.
'Worse comes to worse I can ask a favour of Alter-Hua. She could confirm the woman's mental condition.'
Miles lost all track of time. He watched the slow rise and fall of her breathing as though it were a ritualistic ward against bad spirits. Finally, Mei took a step forward and put her own hand on the boy's.
"Please," she whispered.
Credit to the child, he kept his nerve. Stepped back. Turned without any prompting and walked out the room.
'That one has a will of iron. Given enough years he would face down the Devil himself and not blink.'
Mei followed behind. The plain white walls of the Nagazora medical ward flickered by. Doors cracked open. Peering in revealed Kijo in various stages of recovery. Those that had fallen in battle against the Honkai. Those that had repelled assaults from Schicksal. Those that had felt the knife in the shadows that was World Serpent. Waiting at the elevator were Kurikawa and Hanakawa. Both stepped aside and permitted Mei and Miles entry. Once all were inside the door closed. As the elevator descended Mei tapped Miles on the shoulder.
"You owe me an answer."
The boy remained silent.
"I recall a promise. That you would tell me your name next time we crossed paths. It has been two weeks. I believe I am owed that answer."
"Adam Elias Miles Acheloios. My Dad liked long names. Liked."
The last word was drawn out. Mei thought over the options presented to her. Hanakawa was already typing a schedule into her tablet. The woman's uncanny prescience never ceased to amaze.
"I can see why you just prefer Miles."
Miles shrugged. Mei continued.
"The Honkai hurt you. People hurt you. The world considers you a resource. A useful trinket or tool. They want what's in your body. To study. To dissect. Weaponize and then mass replicate."
"And you disagree," Miles snapped.
Mei smirked.
"Oh, you are a resource. But I am quite willing to be honest with you. You would be studied by my scientists. They would take samples of you. They would perform all manner of test. But I will make it an equitable exchange. I will commit every resource I have to saving your mother. I will train you so that you might fight against what the Honkai will throw at you. I'll teach you how to kill people. To kill Honkai. To kill Herrscher. In the end you will be a weapon. But you will be a weapon with agency."
She chuckled and switched to English.
"After this, if you want to tell me to fuck off, then I will respect your decision. But you will need power to back up your decision."
"I cannot win against a Herrscher."
"That is where you are wrong. If you want it, you can attain it. If you push yourself to your absolute limits, I have no doubt one day you will surpass even me. That's what the Previous Era wanted. I will fulfil their wish. Just not quite how they wanted."
The elevator came to a halt. The doors opened at the entrance to the Amano-Iwato Lab. The four walked down the linoleum floor in quiet contemplation. Kurikawa opened the door to one of the presentation rooms. After a quick scan of the room the bodyguard permitted the three to enter before placing herself on sentry duty just outside. Mei sat down, Hanakawa to one side, Miles opposite the pair.
"Do I have to decide now?" the boy asked.
"No. Take all the time you need. I understand what the burden of responsibility can be at such a young age. I will begin your training now if you wish. That way you can determine my resolve. Acceptable?"
The young man unconsciously reached up and rubbed where the STIGMATA lay hidden beneath the collar of his jacket. Frowned in concentration.
"For now," was his final reply.
Hanakawa finished the schedule and showed it to Mei. Everything a boy going straight into physical preparation, combat awareness, tactical training and psychological hardening would need. A single nod was all Hanakawa needed.
"You in there Raiden?" someone called through the door.
"More meetings," Mei grizzled. "You are excused, Miles."
- The streets of Seoul -
Multiple observation drones were situated around the dimly lit park. Rain sprinkled down, a fine mist dancing in the air and shifting in glistening waves where the light struck it. Faranaq stood with a satchel hanging off one shoulder, her free hand resting on the palm-size chakra magnetically adhered to her waist. Even with all the extra security she felt incredibly vulnerable.
[Nothing detected] Maryanne announced via text.
Faranaq gave the barest nod of her head. This was the agreed upon trade point. The possibility of it being a trap was not lost on any of the Kijo. Their preparations had been meticulous and substantive. The revisions by Amarant frustrating. When anybody had asked why her caution, she had remained tight lipped. She even refused to be the one involved in the face-to-face trade. Faranaq's blunt questions had led to an even more vague answer.
"Best I wait in the wings unless absolutely necessary. If it does go badly, you need them unaware."
So now Faranaq stood in the pitter-patter of rain. Motion caught her eye. She switched to a combat stance.
"Where the hell did he come from?" Faranaq cursed under her breath.
[I picked up nothing]
Text could not convey anger or embarrassment. Faranaq knew her squadmate was exclaiming both right now.
[Keep your cool] Thea ordered.
The man was dressed head to toe in black, a black umbrella unfurled to protect against the rain. His features were initially obscured. Only once he was up close did Faranaq realise the man wore a full face mask, a single gash allowing a red eye to peer out.
"Grey serpent?"
The man inclined his head and set down a briefcase.
"What have you brought?" he asked.
Faranaq found the man's voice to be… uncomfortable. Disturbing. Inhuman. She opened the satchel to reveal five small yellow-orange gems.
"Five cores as agreed."
The man reached out a fraction, hand hovering as though trying to feel something in the air, fingers twitching slightly. He withdrew his hand and nodded.
"Good."
The briefcase was opened and a single shard of soulium the size of a thumbnail removed. Faranaq snatched the soulium shard and quickly handed the satchel in return. The thought was irrational. The Valkyrja feared the idea of touched the thing's body. Grey Serpent hefted the satchel as though checking the weight. He slipped it into his briefcase. Picked it up. Checked the weight again.
"Why?"
Faranaq shrugged. She hadn't been told what the trade was about. What was being given in exchange. Only that the five cores they had secured in the field were being traded for something both meaningless and meaningful. An obfuscation gambit.
Faranaq turned. The idea of putting her back to the man… Whoever. Whatever. Just. The thing that creeped her out. It made her skin crawl. Not even a minute in and she loathed him. Faranaq kept her cool and walked into the shadows of the trees.
[Damn he's good. As you walked off Gray Serpent eyeballed every last one of my cameras]
"Let us get the hell out of here," Faranaq grizzled.
Dr Orr tapped on a hologram showing a sphere of 1000 satellites orbiting an obscured central body.
"I've been exploring avenues regarding the Herrscher of Domination cores. Our original theories were right. The cores do not take over the Herrscher connection between the original Herrscher core and Imaginary Tree. Instead, it appears to subvert control of the power, disabling the internal connection between core and Herrscher. It redistributes power to the 1000 Domination cores. Stress load and backlash are still placed upon the original core. Put another way, the Core of Domination doesn't damn the flow of the river between the Imaginary Tree and the Core of Reason. Instead, it lets the water flow to the core before redirecting it into exclusive tributary channels. As an example, Bronya takes on all the stress and fatigue associated with the Herrscher of Domination using the core of Reason, but has access to none of the power. It's ingenious and very dangerous. Your caution regarding your own Herrscher power was well advised. But perhaps unnecessary."
Mei bent forward, elbows on the table, fingers steepled.
"Oh?"
"Raiden, what is the difference between you, Bronya and Kiana?"
The answer was there before Mei even needed to think.
"Bronya accepted the torch from the previous generation. Kiana had her power thrust upon her. I claimed this power for myself."
"Now how would you react to someone trying to take that power from you?"
A black chuckle echoed around the room. Everyone present leant back from the pressure the woman released.
"They would die."
"Exactly. Bronya Zaychik, though she is indeed the Herrscher of Reason, does not have as strong a hold on her core as you do. Though Kiana is indeed an incredibly powerful Herrscher she has psychological reasons for rejecting who she is. If the Herrscher of Domination tried taking your power, what do you think would happen if it failed that tug of war?"
Another black chuckle.
"You wouldn't have brought myself here just for the good news."
Dr Orr gave a sly smile.
"The way the Herrscher of Domination Cores are entangled intrigues me. Their connection to the Theatre of the Domination demonstrates a possibility that Herrscher power can be actively and consciously redistributed. Imagine what could happen if we applied that concept laterally."
It took several seconds for Mei to chew over just what the man was saying.
"You are devious," she finally admitted.
'Bringing him on was the wisest decision we made.'
"It is purely conjecture. But I may be able to do something with it. Perhaps reinforce the link with the next generation of TIAMAT. I am aware of our limited time-frame so I am moving as quickly as possible."
"How much energy do you need?"
"As much as a true Herrscher can manage."
- Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean -
A 500 km radius no-fly-zone still existed around Coral City. Multiple military vessels from the navies of various South East Asian and Pacific Island nations maintained the cordon. It mattered little to the stealth VTOL doing high altitude detour for reconnaissance purposes. The technology utilised in the aircraft was more advanced than anything Schicksal, AE or World Serpent could currently muster regarding aircraft and counter-detection enhancements. One of the flight engineers had nicknamed it 'The Blackbird.' Seated in the passenger area were two women in business suits and another in red. The two in suits were going over the itinerary for Salt Lake City. Mei pushed the glasses up from the tip of her nose as she memorised all the details.
"I've chosen a very public neutral area for the negotiations," Hanakawa continued. "Though it is doubtful that Anti-Entropy will take an aggressive stance, we cannot discount the possibility of infiltrators from Schicksal or World Serpent. Their screening program is lax and security measures substandard."
"You sound almost contemptuous," Mei teased.
"When it comes to your safety, Raiden-sama, I trust nobody that does not meet minimum standards that Raiden Ryoma-sama set years ago."
"I will defer to your judgement and experience."
Kurikawa studied the city and building maps closely. She would be the one to provide tactical support if they had to retreat.
"Your primary objective is to ensure Hanakawa's safety," Mei ordered her bodyguard. "Use whatever level of force you deem necessary to withdraw. Avoid civilian casualties unless there is no other choice. Use lethal force on all enemy targets regardless of disposition."
"Understand, My Lady."
Hanakawa nodded in agreement.
"We can go over your schedule of meetings and their contents after the link-up meeting with Amarant," Hanakawa advised. "And after you have slept."
"I am a Herrscher, Hanakawa, I do not need to sleep."
"Even if your body does not require sleep, I still wish for you to rest before these meetings. We are engaging in high level negotiations with Anti-Entropy, one of the three big powers of the planet. I need your mind at peak awareness and clarity."
The whisper of a smile touched Mei's face.
"I feel like I'm being lectured by a parent."
Hanakawa fixed Mei with a cool look. The woman raised her hands in a placating gesture.
"Okay. Okay. A rest beforehand."
"Good."
Kurikawa looked mildly amused. As much the two had a very professional relationship, she could still see the softest edges of something deeper between her Lady and Hanakawa. In many ways the secretary had been more of a parent than Ryoma or Sachiko ever had. Since her rebirth Kurikawa was a building burnt to the ground, its basement flooded with Honkai tainted water. As the weeks passed and the small flecks of paint that constituted Kurikawa's latent humanity floated to the surface, she began to recall how to read subtle emotional queues and interact with others on a functional level.
"How are you feeling regarding Bronya and Kiana?" Hanakawa inquired.
Mei shook her head.
"Firstly, we may not even come across one another. All of us are busy with our own roles fighting the Honkai in our own way. I won't go out of my way to seek the two out. I have a feeling they may do the same. And if we do cross paths then that is a matter I will decide upon at the time."
"In other words, Raiden-sama, you have no idea."
A faint chirp interrupted the exchange. Mei blinked at her AR interface to accept the call. The space around an empty seat flickered before the image of a seated woman came into focus. Amarant lounged with her holographic feet placed up on a desk.
"Ohisashiburi des nei, Raiden-sama," she teased.
Mei's slow sigh through her nose spoke volumes.
"I see you have yet to be crippled, deadweight."
"Until you finish paying me, I will never fall or falter."
"Like a cockroach. What have you found out in the field?"
"A contact on the Hyperion confirmed earlier reports. Kiana used her void powers to summon the Hyperion and invade the Theatre of Domination. Once there they deployed significant forces and obliterated all 1000 Herrscher. Apparently, it was quite the light show when the Hyperion provided ballistic support."
The half-smirk on Mei's face announced her opinion.
"Losses?"
"If you're referring to your masochistic best friend, she is fine. The Russian child-soldier too. Hua appears fully recovered post Herrscher of Sentience. Whatever illness plagued her for the past 500 years has been settled. Other Valkyrja and Anti-Entropy enforcers suffered minor injuries. No deaths. And Major Himeko… it seems like she has been training under Welt."
"Training? With Welt?"
"The Herrscher of Reason knows the Key of Binding best."
Mei considered the meaning behind those words.
"Hanakawa, remind me to send a bottle of champaign to Welt Yang of Anti-Entropy. He has some very novel ideas from time to time."
"Understood, Raiden-sama."
"The trade?"
Amarant smirked.
"Done. World Serpent probably thinks we're trying to offer an olive branch after all our recent actions. They don't have proof that we've been stepping on their tail. But they have to suspect. Handing over five cores does seem excessive."
"Dr Orr has the only one that is useful to us. He is going in some interesting directions. Let them remain ignorant of our plans for as long as we can manage."
As the conversation rolled on Hanakawa frowned. She lifted a hand to one ear to receive a direct phone call. Then gestured at her AR to place it on hold. Another channel opened.
"Immediate background check," she whispered.
"With another Herrscher down, we need to focus on further information gathering. I have a few wild ideas. Problem is Otto still lurking beyond even my net. I don't want to act yet. And Kevin is playing with his cards very close to his frosty chest."
"Give me good news, Amarant."
Hanakwa's frown deepened before eyes opening in surprise. Then turned to address Mei directly.
"Raiden-sama, we have a man on the line. I would have redirected but I believe you should take this phone call."
The room stilled. Amarant took her holographic feet off the table and sat forward. The hungry look in her eyes screamed her desire to know what this new development meant.
"I ordered an immediate background check on the caller after what they referenced. He is the great-grandson of the Herrscher of Domination puppet you personally dealt with. He claims that his great-grandfather as a Herrscher of Domination vessel has something vital to tell us."
Mei gestured to receive the call.
[Audio only]
"Am I… speaking to Raiden Mei?" a young male voice asked respectfully.
"The same."
"My name is Furude Sasuke. My great-grandfather wishes to speak to you. He said you would understand. And I personally wish to thank-you for everything you have done for my village—"
"Don't waste my time."
"Sorry."
The audio crackled and thumped, giving the impression of a phone being handed over.
"Oyashiro-sama," a deep voice intoned.
Ethereal fingers trailed down Mei's back, cold prickling in their wake, a worry that she could not justify percolating. Mei did not believe in prescience. But hearing the old man shouted warnings in her mind.
"What happened when Takano Miyo broke into the shrine?"
Meaning. More meaning. Innuendo. Allusion.
'Deception.'
Fear. Mei's mind ran rapidly over the possibilities. Began piecing together possible scenarios and weighing them up. Kurikawa read the mood and prepared for whatever orders. Hanakawa reacted the same way, fingers dancing over her tablet, eyes scanning over organisational resources.
[S-Priority call inbound]
Everyone stilled. There were only four people who could make a A-Priority call directly to Mei and three, including the hologram, were onboard the VTOL.
"Accept," Mei ordered
[Audio Only]
"Dr Orr," Mei greeted the caller
"We have trouble, Raiden. The Herrscher of Domination Core just did the impossible."
"Details."
"I noticed some minor space-time fluctuations around the Core in the last half-hour. I thought it might be as a result of my own experiments with entanglement and Herrscher energy sources. Then it began to rapidly lose mass and volume. I tried to place a space-time lock on the lab area but it was gone before I could initiate the protocol. I screwed up, Raiden."
"We were all played," Mei disagreed. "Gather what data you can ready for my return."
Mei ended the call and switched back to the elderly Furude.
"I will be at your house within the hour. We have some things to discuss."
"Hurry."
Furude cut the connection. Mei stood and rolled her shoulders.
"Hanakawa, you are to carry on to Salt Lake City. I will not allow this to interfere with our negotiations. Likely this little surprise is not limited to us. Use the time Anti-Entropy spends scurrying in response to observe them. Useful intel for the future."
"Understood, Raiden-sama."
Amarant was uttering a few choice curses in a broad variety of languages, dialects and accents.
"I'll scramble for what information I can," she said before ending their call.
Mei walked over to the cabin access door and entered the override code. Gave her pilots ten seconds to prepare. The door would automatically close after 5 seconds so the disruption was minimal. Hanakawa buckled herself into the seat. Kurikawa strode up beside Mei. The door hissed open, air roaring and ripping around the cabin. Kurikawa leapt first, Mei a heartbeat behind. The pair descended for 100 metres before both were haloed in eye-scalding crimson lightning. Kurikawa let out a roar, spreading her wings wide as Mei landed atop her spine in full Herrscher form. Mei's AR interface connected with the ME Corp satellites and plotted a trajectory toward their destination. A simple gesture from Mei was all the dragon needed. The pair tore through the sky, Kurikawa projecting an EM field forward to reduce all wind resistance and further enhance her speed. Augmented with Herrscher energy, the dragon flew faster than any human aircraft could. The two flew against sun, pre-dawn light transitioning to the gloom of night. The wine dark ocean far below rippled.
'We were played for fools. I should have seen this. Why didn't I see this? Foolish complacency. I have become too accustomed to success. Not tasting failure for so long has left me weak and lacking caution. Not again. Damnit not again.
Let me approach this logically. The Herrscher of Domination is not stupid. As a collective they are incredibly dangerous. They must have realised that their disruptive actions were being noticed and countered. Would they simply fake their death only to return and repeat the same actions?
No. No that doesn't fit them. Always consider a Herrschers' actions from what it is capable of. What is the most efficient way to destroy the human species with their abilities? This is not the Herrscher of Legion. They each possessed a singular talent. This Herrscher can…
It can Dominate and take control of a Herrscher's abilities. The Honkai are adapting to the number of Herrscher that have rebelled in the Current Era. Would the end goal of the Herrscher of Domination be to cause mass confusion and disruption? No. That is the first step. Draw the attention of the big three. They would utilise not only their substantive military assets but also their Herrscher. This is the real goal of the Herrscher of Domination. To leave impotent their most potent asset. Have us take the fight to the Herrscher. Throw all our forces at them. Leave everyone believing that their enemy had been defeated. Lower our guard. Then act decisively. Right now, Anti-Entropy houses the Herrscher of Reason, Void and Sentience. The Herrscher of Domination has demonstrated the ability to open space-time rifts. All it need do is drag those three idiots into the Theatre. When pushed into a corner they will call upon their powers and none have the capability to win a power-struggle between their singular will and the will of a thousand.
Which means I need to enter the Theatre of Domination myself and cause my own disruption. They will likely muster all their strength to keep me from rendering direct aid.
Then again.
Yes.
I don't need to act directly.'
A wolf's smile rose up.
"Kurikawa," Mei shouted, "Once we reach the shores of Japan you are to fly to Nagazora. I am already forwarding instructions to our science branch. Dr Schwarz will have everything you need. I will fly directly to Furude-san. Meet with me as soon as possible."
The dragon's roar of approval was all Mei needed. On into the night the pair flew.
'Don't let me be too late. Don't let me fail this time.'
Once the coast was in sight Mei leapt off her ally and flew in a more northerly direction. She was not quite as fast as Kurikawa. But only a little slower. Japan, it's brightly lit cities and dark farmlands, streaked by. The Herrscher of Thunder had her eyes on a singular destination. A small village in the middle of nowhere. A storm built up in Mei's wake. It mirrored the roiling emotions and wrath of the one that called it.
A sonic-boom announced the arrival of the Herrscher, windows far below rattling in protest. Crimson lightning slammed into the ground before the porch of an old wooden house. Mei stepped out of it. Already standing on the balcony was Furude. Members of his family peered out from doors and windows.
"It is already too late," the man said in his low, rich voice.
"How so?"
"They are prisoners, Oyashiro-sama."
Mei swore. She looked up into the sky, clouds beginning to swirl and crackle, matching the mood of their mistress far below.
"How did you know? We have your core. Had your core."
"They cut me off long before you. Hid their voice. Their plans. But I can feel their pride. They are smug. Gloating. It bleeds through."
"You have no connection," Mei refuted.
"Welt Yang. Your loss against the Herrscher of the Void. Once the bond has been formed it can be diminished. Severed. If you lack the strength to hold on."
Another possibility that Mei has overlooked. That everyone had. It was staring them in the face and yet they failed miserably.
"In that case open a portal to the Theatre of Domination. I will end this."
Furude shook his head.
"The core is a key. Without it I lack power to force the door."
A second sonic boom. A second thunderbolt. A dark-skinned woman walking out from the crackling crimson. She handed a syringe to Mei before stepping deferentially to one side.
"I can give you a brief augmentation. The Herrscher of Domination are capable of stealing any Herrscher's power. Which means in principle you can use any form of Herrscher energy."
Mei held the syringe out to Furude.
"TIAMAT. Power from the Herrscher of Thunder. It should be enough."
"Do you think that is enough?"
Kurikawa gripped the katana where it trembled. A millimetre further and it would have pierced Mei's jugular. The iajutsu had been so fast Mei had no time to react. Lightning crackled from where Kurikawa held the blade.
'He created the blade using the power of Reason. Which means that…'
"Your mind is unbalanced," Furude warned. "Focus, Oyashiro-sama."
The admonishment and humiliation left Mei's face flaming. The old man was right. She was unnerved and she could not afford to be. Mei drew in a slow breath, held it as she centred herself and softly exhaled. Furude nodded. The blade disintegrated into red dust.
"Better. Your mind is strong. They have rattled you. What would happen to your brethren?"
It took a second for Mei to grasp the meaning.
"Kiana is emotionally unstable," Mei admitted, "So trying to crack her fractured psyche would be the best course of action. The Herrscher of Domination has demonstrated itself skilful in understanding and manipulating the human psyche. Perhaps it wishes to awaken the Herrscher of the Void again."
Furude nodded as Mei laid out her reasoning.
"The Herrscher will pull Kiana into the Theatre. Try a psychological attack. And if that fails then it can always take her Herrscher powers. She still lacks the strength to hold on. Better still the rest of the idiots will follow. Fu Hua has very little control of her Herrscher powers. That gives the Herrscher of Domination control of 3 cores. Which would also cripple Alter-Hua."
They were out of options and short on time. It was time to do what needed to be done. Mei's whole demeanour morphed. The proud Herrscher of Thunder looked down at the old man.
"Open a portal to the Theatre of Domination," she ordered.
The barest glimmer in the old man's eyes. Something long buried. A flicker of recognition and acknowledgement. His family started to spill out from the house, shouting protests. A raised hand silenced them. He jammed the needle into a vein and pressed the automatic injector. Shimmering purple liquid flowed into his veins. What was curious was how he stood taller and stronger. A man so old should have bowed under the intensity and pressure. He revelled in it. Made that weakness his strength. Wrinkled brows knitted together. Mei felt the Honkai and Herrscher energy swirl around the man. Then something she could not comprehend.
'Space-time manipulation. Perhaps something they learned from the Herrscher of the Void. Perhaps something unique to them. Another line of research. My scientists will groan under the demands I have for them after this crisis is resolved.'
A hole in reality was rent apart. Beyond it floated a vast baroque building backlit by an impossible sky of swirling hues. Kurikawa was the first through, Mei right behind. The tear snapped shut.
"Lead on, Oyashiro-sama," a deep voice ordered.
Mei turned to glare at the old man where he stood behind her.
"Your records show you are nearly one hundred."
"True."
Furude did not say anything further. Mei sniffed. If the old fool had a death wish then it was not for her to say. She summoned her Domain of Sanction blade, the familiar grip falling into hand, fingers comfortable as they tightened around it. Four Key of Castigation formed around her. They stood on a free-floating building at the periphery of the Theatre of Domination. The tall walls and ominous windows sought to inspire awe, fear and trepidation. Mei sniffed and paced down the stony hallway. In the distance came the sound of clacking puppets and Imaginary constructs
"Kurikawa."
"Yes, my Lady."
"Do not hold back."
The woman disappeared in a halo of lightning, a crimson scaled dragon charging out of the thunderous haze and right into a group of enemies. Broad sweeps of her wings slammed the constructs into the walls. She bent down and bit a puppet in two. An Imaginary construct with blades for arms charged from behind and took several swipes. Blades cut deep enough to draw blood. The enraged Dragon swept its tale in a wide arc, taking out the construct's legs. Once off balance the tail coiled around the creature's mid-section and began to squeeze. More enemies poured in. Kurikawa reared back, drawing in a deep breath and focussing Honkai energy into her chest. She opened her mouth and breathed a column of coruscating vermillion lightning. Construct. Puppet. Void creature. All were as dust. With a final roar an orb of lightning was launched forward, hitting the rear wall of the building and detonating.
The aftermath was utter destruction. The only enemy that remained was the construct held in Kurikawa's tail. Most of the building had been torn apart, the phantasmagorical skybox filling Mei's vision. The dragon stomped amidst the remains looking for any survivors.
"She has had a great deal of pent-up frustration since Coral City," Mei explained to Furude. "I thought it important for her to work off that nervous energy."
The old man gave no response. His eyes were fixed on the remaining construct. The dragon lumbered over to Mei and offered the mostly crushed creature to her. With surgical swipes Mei removed its limbs and examined the curious core up close.
"In principle this is like the previous constructs I've encountered. Closer examination reveals it is more advanced. The Honkai evolving. Or maybe not. This reminds me of the Nihilis construct I previously fought. More mysteries piling one atop the other."
A blaze of amber light left Mei flinching. Once it subsided the construct had completely reconstituted itself. Bladed arms lifted high, ready to attack. Before Mei could ready herself Furude was on the offence. A katana and wakizashi materialised in his hands, the shorter blade used to defend against the first attack. He moved with practiced grace and impressive battlefield awareness, katana meeting and guiding away the next two blows. Stepping inside the constructs guard, the man performed a sky to ground strike, cleaving the brassy core in two. The rest of the creature crackled and shattered into fragments of light. A clattering came from behind the two women. More Imaginary constructs, crawling on nimble foot and claw, were rushing them. Mei curled a hand, ready to launch multiple bolts of lightning. Furude dropped his weapon, the objects turning to red dust. In turn he curled his hands, two pineapple shaped objects appearing. The man hurled the pair of Type-97 hand grenades at the constructs. They detonated just before the enemy, shrapnel fragments tearing through the enemy. The cores that remained the man personally cut apart. Mei smirked.
"You are full of surprises, old man."
Furude turned to Mei, his wizened features unreadable as usual. It was a soft tickle. The barest touch. Anybody else would have missed it. Would have been helpless. Mei. Her mind had been teased apart, torn to shreds, twisted and invaded. The feeling of something touching her thoughts was familiar and intimate. Lightning haloed her mind and rejected the invasion. Furude winced and stumbled back. Mei looked to see a feather, shades of peach and red, clutched between his fingers.
"You could have told me," Mei pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
"Better to experience it."
Mei sighed. Then chuckled.
"I think we're going to get along. So that means Fu Hua has been Dominated. All that is left is Kiana."
Kurikawa acted, dropping low to ground. Mei hopped atop the Dragon, Furude jumping up and taking a seat beside her.
"Kurikawa, take us on a circuit around the Theatre. Look for a gathering of Herrscher puppets. They'll be waiting for guests."
The dragon roared and jumped off the building, wings flaring out and flapping as the great beast soared through the strange skies. Floating out buildings and odd towers hovered around the main Theatre of Domination. Kurikawa raked each building with her lightning breath as they sailed by. Destruction followed in her wake, stony fragments all that remained as the dragon demonstrated her incredible power.
"Not a Honkai Beast," Furude observed.
"Closer to me," Mei admitted.
"Ahead."
Mei followed where the old man's hand pointed. What looked like a gothic stone amphitheatre hung in the cold air between them and the Theatre. And standing atop the highest tier of stall was one of the Herrscher puppets. Kurikawa circled around the building and continued toward Theatre. A mocking laughter filled the air. A gothic stone amphitheatre blocked their way. Kurikawa dove beneath the building and continued flying forward. The dragon's flight path was blocked by a gothic…
"This is getting old," Mei muttered.
'I guess within this realm they have some control over space-time. They could trap outsiders like us within a bounded area much like a mobius strip. Which means I have to play their little game.
Somewhat.'
Kurikawa interpreted Mei's unspoken will and did a wing-over, circling the amphitheatre. Packing the tiered stalls were various constructs and several Herrscher puppets. Kurikawa was in no mood, inhaling and then exhaling a gout of lightning, raking the stalls and scouring it of all life. Mei leapt off her ally's back, crimson lightning drawing her to the centre of the amphitheatre. The crashing thunderbolt knocked away more constructs. Furude landed on soft feet, the old man manifesting weapons just as Mei did. Conscious of not wanting to catch the man in the cross-fire, Mei restricted herself to melee attacks of a certain raidus. She was still ruthless in her decimation of the Theatres inhabitants. The four Key of Castigation katana's cut down construct after construct. Mei herself focussed on larger targets, letting them defend against the stragglers. A mimicked Titan mech loomed large, its strange black polished body sliced in two with minimal effort.
'They're all simulacra. Pale imitations of the real thing. Perhaps that is the Herrscher of Domination. A thousand echoes of a complete whole.'
Furude was not nearly as bombastic as Honkai beast and Thunder Herrscher. He still held his own. Efficient and minimalist movements severing limb and body neatly and bloodlessly.
"Traitor. Traitor. Traitor!"
Mei paused to see where the taunting was coming from. Three Herrscher puppets stood further of the stalls, hands around mouths, calling out their spiteful words. Mei smirked and blew them a kiss. The puppets gestured to Furude.
"Traitor. Traitor!"
The old man didn't bother with a reply. He needed none. The carpet of felled constructs was his answer.
Kurikawa landed behind the puppets and roared. One she crushed with her tail. Another simply swallowed whole. The third was sent flying toward Mei with a slam of a wing. The puppet hit the ground hard, tumbling several times over before coming to a dusty heap at Mei's feet. Its blindfolded head rotated to look Mei in the eye.
"You are all traitors," it wheezed.
"Since the very beginning," Mei agreed. "I've betrayed people my entire life. I even turned my back on the very friends and family that helped saved me. You think tossing around an edgy word or two is going to wrack me with guilt?"
The puppet rose to hand and knee. Its joints clicked and rattled. Its dusty voice taunted still.
"Kiana has failed. You could have saved her if you had been with her. You turned your back on her. On all of them. Your betrayal has damned them. You ran away and tried your own games."
Mei smirked. A katana pierced the puppet's shoulder. Pinned it to the ground. The blade twisted slowly, the sounds of porcelain and wood splintering under the motion.
"Just how stupid are you? If I couldn't stop Kiana from the path she has chosen, what possible chance do you have?"
The puppet appeared confused.
"Haaa you really aren't a bright little Herrscher of Domination are you? I'm here because I know exactly what Kiana is going to do. Just as Kiana knows exactly what I'm going to do. What I've always done. She will charge in and lay waste to all your plans. Not necessarily with subtlety. That girl is a force of nature unto herself. It doesn't matter what you throw at her. Kiana always adapts to circumstances faster than you would imagine. She's a fighter at heart and when she stops acting the fool you don't want to cross her. Whatever plans you have, she will throw them back in your face with gusto. And she trusts me to support her as I always did. See what she did not see. Go where she would not go. So here I am, supporting her as I always have. The mayhem and havoc are just an added bonus."
A quick flick was all it took to tear the puppet apart. Mei sighed, lifted her weapon and sighted down the edge of the blade. As she anticipated several more Herrscher puppet's fell from the sky. These ones manifested various weapons. The tickling upon Mei's mind was vaguely amusing. Further futile attempts to wield the power of Sentience. Mei blocked the mental assaults and peered around her weapon at her foes.
"You know that this doesn't end well."
As she anticipated, Furude dove into the fray before she could. The man's clinical dissection of his opponents was worth standing back to enjoy. When more grenades fell amidst the surprised puppets Mei could not hold from clapping. Standing amidst the powdered ruins of wood, porcelain and metal, the old man cut an imposing figure.
More impacts on the amphitheatre floor. More Herrscher puppets. Mei flexed her fingers.
"We can do this all day long," Mei taunted as Kurikawa landed heavily beside her. "I have more than enough power. So, tell me, puppets. Can you afford this? I know right now Kiana must be causing all sorts of trouble. Perhaps the other two idiots as well. How long before your numbers begin to run thin? You might have stolen three Herrscher's power but you still need some intact bodies to wield them. And me I've not even warmed up yet. Another twenty seconds and this building is dust. You can keep trying to warp reality around me. I will just barge through with brute force."
More puppets stepped out of the rubble.
"In a clash of wills, who do you think will fare better? I'm confident I can rip asunder whatever little trick you are using to keep me pinned here. It shouldn't take long when I'm facing an inferior foe."
"Always with power. Always with strength," one of the puppets complained.
"Arrogance and might," another.
"The wealthy think they call walk all over us."
"Hubris."
"A rich bitch from ME Corp. Just as corrupt as her father."
"She looks down on us. They always look down on us."
"But we are so many."
"We can win."
"With her we will be unstoppable."
It was a gamble. The challenge was what enticed Mei. Excited her. The Herrscher's purple eyes shimmered. She rolled the dice. Gripped the power within. It was a gamble. A risk. That was what made it so enticing. Mei drank in the Herrscher energy and coiled it around her blade. Metal limned in angry crimson lightning. The Herrscher held her blade to one side, letting the power within reach its zenith before sweeping it left to right. A wave of destruction followed the sweep, tearing apart construct, stall and finally puppet—
—white
—black
—silence
—cacophony
—inversion
—explosion
It wrapped around Mei. Suffused. Invaded. Infested. Shrill noises. A thousand porcelain fingers raked the Herrscher of Thunder's consciousness. Dug into flesh and tried to rip out thought. Tried to pull the very Herrscher power from her grasp. Behind it all was something more insidious. A hunger. A memetic disease. Mei knew it. She had shared her mind with a twin, a gestalt fusion of apocalypse and angry child. That was what lost the battle more than anything else. Compared to her twin, this was the palest of imitations. EM barriers arose around Mei's mind even as she grabbed a hold of the thousand hands of her foe. Gripped them tight and drew back. The flow from the Imaginary Tree to Mei held firm. She sought to flood the tributaries that had formed in expectation of subversion. If her enemy wanted her power then she would give it to them.
"Know the Gem of Conquest," Mei whispered.
A thunderclap filled the amphitheatre. Energy from the Herrscher of Thunder swelled. Sloshed. Roared. A tsunami upon a thousand tiny tributaries. Water that burst banks and swept away all in its path. Each great wave of energy slammed into the tiny puppet at the end of it. A faint fragment against the all-conquering torrent.
The puppets let out a collective wail and dropped to their knees. Errant flickers of red Honkai lightning licked their bodies and scorched limb. Some did not even survive, bodies shattered by the assault, electrical fire turning them to ash. Mei was on her knees too. She had maintained a hold. But to send such a torrent of power back upon her foe, all thousand of them, was still a monumental strain. Her mouth tasted of copper and her vision was fuzzy. Kurikawa was a merciless bulwark, tearing asunder every enemy that tried to approach Mei. A heavy thud drew Mei's attention. Furude was kneeling beside her, skin pale, face soaked in sweat. The faintest crackles of electricity flickered over his body.
"Oyashiro-sama," he warned her.
"I doubt they will try to grapple with me again," Mei rasped.
Furude offered his hand.
"I like you, old man," Mei admitted. "If you survive, I'll hire you."
Mei's vision was too blurred to tell if the man scowled or possibly even smiled at the offer. Instead, she took his hand and gathered more Herrscher energy. The attack this time was directed squarely at the old man.
—purple
—red
—crying
—silence
—blood
—void
Just as before Mei felt something try to grab hold of her, of the essence and fundament of her, wrench it out of her hands and into their greedy, undeserving paws. This time there was less cohesion in the attempt to wrest control. Less hands. More opportunistic. More desperate.
'Whatever Kiana is doing; it's making their life hell.'
Energy suffused the Herrscher's being. Mei grabbed hold of her many ethereal opponents, wrestled with them and dragged them to her. The torrent of Herrscher energy she poured into her foes and flooded them whole. Screams of pain and terror carried around the dusty amphitheatre. Arm and leg were blasted apart by internal electrical fire. Heads ablaze. Hand and feet ash. It was a brutal slaughter. Mei slumped as she poured more and more energy into the struggle. She knew that the Herrscher of Domination would soon recover. Rally its remaining puppets. The best she could do was thin their numbers substantially. When finally, it ended Mei had little left to show. She lay on her side amidst a carpet of corpses. Kurikawa was quick to crush the little resistance that remained. In a burst of lightning her protector shifted to human form.
"My lady. MY LADY!"
The barest of smiles touched Mei's lips. She hadn't felt this tired since dealing with Nihilis. Which was a certain circular irony. Mei reached out; her weak hand taken by Kurikawa as the woman slowly pulled her up. Mei was draped over her shoulder. Her vision turned to a pin-prick.
'Shouldn't have stood up—'
The faint huffing of a kettle. That was enough to crack an eye. Mei lay on a futon in a simple room with wooden floors. She sat up and winced. Swore. Brushed hands over eyes, ears, nose and mouth to check for blood. Blissfully none. The kettle died down. Faint clinking. The padding of feet. The door opened. Kurikawa holding a tray with hot tea and little biscuits. Three cups. Closed the door with her foot.
"Kurikawa," Mei breathed.
"Ohaiyo, my Lady."
A glance to the window revealed the earliest of the sun's rays peeking through.
'I've been unconscious that long.'
Mei got herself comfortable and accepted the tea. Sipped at it slowly. Nibbled on a biscuit. The door opened again to reveal Furude.
"You survived, old man."
"You too."
The counter-barb was worth a bark of laughter. Furude sat down beside Kurikawa. Made himself a cup and enjoyed it.
"Anything left of the Herrscher of Domination?" Mei asked as she finished another biscuit.
Furude shook his head. Tapped a temple.
"Silent. The Herrscher of Flamescion was thorough."
It sank in. Mei grappled with the information. Dissected. Consumed. Almost gloated.
'You finally accepted it, Kiana-chan. Who and what you are. And you were born anew from it.'
Mei took another sip.
"How did we get back?"
"Furude-san was able to open a tear back to his house," Kurikawa explained.
"So what about you, old man?"
Furude materialised a tea spoon and stirred his tea.
"I'm certain Dr Orr is going to love this puzzle."