Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope you really enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Honkai Impact 3rd
It was around the time when the first rays of the sun began to shine on St. Freya Academy that the valkyries and students had managed to push back their defenders out of the land. Seeing the first rays of sunshine descend unto their academy did the shocking realization begin to settle in.
Against all the odds that were stacked against them from the sabotaging of their defenses to the overwhelming numbers they had to fight against they had somehow survived the night.
It first started off as shocked chuckles from some until it inevitably transformed into loud triumphant cheers as both valkyries and students roared out their excitement to sky.
They had survived the night.
Their cheers grew even louder when they saw the approaching forms of Schicksal transports coming in from the horizon, filled to the brim with combat ready Valkyries who were ready to defend their fellow sisters in arms.
After the reactivation of St. Freya's main power system they had immediately sent their distress beacons to all nearby Schicksal bases that hadn't been hit by the invasion of Anti-Entropy and the World Serpent.
It didn't take long for the bases to receive the distress beacon from the academy and they scrambled to send what reinforcements they could. They had feared the worst when they were informed of the Far East Branch's headquater's condition and the distance between them meant that it would take some time to reach the academy, adding to their worries.
Though those worries had immediately faded away when they saw the gleaming hull of the Hyperion Battleship flying above St. Freya Academy, acting as a guardian bastion for those that called the school home.
Yet while they had pushed back their invaders that did not mean it was time to kick back and unwind.
The damage inflicted on the academy had been extensive. Millions of dollars worth of damages had been inflicted on the school, and that had just been the initial damage report. From infrastructure to power grid systems, from the classrooms that had been indiscriminately destroyed to the defense network that had been nearly destroyed.
It would take a long while to come back to a sense of normalcy.
So thus began the academy's long road to recovery, including a full overhaul of its defense system. The Overseer himself had declared St. Freya Academy's reconstruction effort Schicksal's number one priority and as such resources and manpower were diverted to ensure the successful reconstruction of the school.
It was during the second week of the school's reconstruction that a pair of people, a red haired teenager and a cyan haired woman, were on a rooftop that overlooked the academy grounds of St. Freya, deep in conversation.
"So you're saying Cocolia won't be punished for the invasion?" I asked in an exasperated tone as I looked to the other person on this rooftop with me in non-concealed disbelief.
"Not in the way you're thinking of Haruto." Einstein retorted from her leaning position on a brick wall. The cyan haired scientist was currently covered by the shadows of the wall so that even if someone was to walk in on our conversation she could hide herself from them. "She will still be punished but not to the extent of what you believe she should be."
"She invaded Schicksal territory, the territory of the Overseer's granddaughter now mind you." I pointed out with a bit of irritation in my voice. It wasn't something that could be helped at the revelation that the leader of the invasion was essentially getting off free.
She had attacked my home for crying out loud, I could be entitled to a bit of anger here.
Einstein calmly nodded, understanding where I was coming from. "If she had acted alone then yes she would be punished more severely, anything less could mean Schicksal declaring war on us for this invasion. However the presence of another group can allow us to rewrite the narrative in our favor."
"The World Serpent." I grasped.
"Indeed," The cyan haired scientist confirmed. "With the organization taking part in the invasion of the academy we can pass off the responsibility of the attack by saying that they were the ones to plan the assault and that they coerced Cocolia to invest Anti-Entropy resources to it as well."
I frowned at what it meant for the blonde Anti-Entropy Enforcer. "Sounds like she'll be getting off lightly then."
"Publicly yes but privately no," She amended with a small smile. "She'll be placed under the direct supervision of the Sovereign for the foreseeable future."
At the mention of the current Herrscher of Reason an exasperated expression appeared on my face. "I still can't believe that the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy was one of St. Freya's history professors this entire time."
I knew beforehand that Welt Yang went undercover in St. Freya as a teacher, for a reason that I had feeling was to spy on Kiana due to her being the host of the Herrscher of the Void. I didn't know if he had still done so considering all the butterfly effects that were happening in the timeline.
And it wasn't like I could just straight up seek him out without any logical reason that wouldn't cast suspicion on me so I merely focused on training and getting better as a knight in training.
Though it was still remarkable just how well the Herrscher of Reason was at hiding in plain sight.
"Welt Yang is the infamous name of the leader of Anti-Entropy, not Joachim Nokianvirtanen," Einstein smiled at just how effective a ruse of using a fake name as opposed to a real name was. "As far as Schicksal and the world is concerned, Joachim is a name that belongs to a history professor of St. Freya Academy."
"A name of a person now considered MIA," I pointed out one crucial key of information that name now had. Officially the story had been that the history professor Joachim Nokianvirtanen went missing during the invasion. When search parties could not find any trace of him he was declared MIA and was an addition to the list of names of the people whose lives were lost during that night.
Unofficially I knew that he had battled alongside Bronya to reactivate the first sub reactor. Einstein had been the one to tell me this as the petite gray haired Valkyrie had told everyone that she had been the only one to fight in the control room, completely leaving out the Sovereign's role in the battle.
"Couldn't he have just stayed behind?" I asked. "I'm sure that you guys could've fabricated some kind of convincing story."
"Perhaps but there's always the risk of someone knowing where he was during the invasion." Einstein explained. "Besides Anti-Entropy is better off now that he has returned to his duties of leading it forward, he has already made plans to ensure that any World Serpent is expunged from the organization."
"Is that so?" Perhaps that was for the best. With Welt back as the leader of Anti-Entropy then he could unite it once more and get rid of any corruption that had given the organization a bad reputation. "Yes, that is something to be happy about."
"Indeed and for some reason he seems lighter than before, as if a great weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. Even before I had informed him of the Anti-Entropy attack on St. Freya he was not like this. Only after his battle alongside Bronya-san did such a change happen." The cyan haired scientist revealed.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that news. "Really?"
"I wonder why that is?" She asked as she locked eyes with me, no doubt searching if I knew anything that she didn't.
Haruto Nakamura technically didn't know anything, but the one that came before him most certainly did. After all, it's hard to forget the first Herrscher of the 5th Valkyrja Squad. Had Bronya's path to being the Herrscher of Reason already begun? If so…
What did that mean for the future?
"Indeed, indeed" I cryptically said as I looked towards the sky, hoping my ambiguous answer would satisfy the scientist.
Einstein continued to look at me, no doubt suspicious of my answer, but before she could inquire any further her tablet began to beep. "Hmm it looks like this is the time where we part ways for now Haruto." She said as she saw that she was notified of a proximity alert. Someone was approaching us, signaling the end of our conversation.
"Till next we meet." She gave her farewells as her form began to turn into motes of light.
"Till next we meet." I reciprocated the farewell with a nod of my head. Seconds later the cyan haired Anti-Entropy scientist teleported away, leaving me alone on the rooftop. And not a moment sooner as when Einstein teleported away from the rooftop the access door was opened by a familiar face.
"Ah Haruto there you are." Bianka said as she walked over to me.
"Bianka?" I greeted the leader of the Immortal Blades back, a bit surprised at her appearance. "I thought you were in the middle of a patrol right now?"
After the invasion the Overseer himself decided that St. Freya was very vulnerable to attacks right now. One might say that it would be foolish for Anti-Entropy or World Serpent to attack again but it didn't hurt to be safe.
Which led to the Overseer temporarily assigning the Immortal Blades to the Far East Branch's Headquarters.
The blond S-Rank Valkyrie nodded as she joined me on the rooftop's railing. "I was however the Principal wished for me to bring you to her. She would've messaged you but it seems that St. Freya's communications network is still offline and she couldn't reach you."
"Still?" I feigned surprise, knowing the real reason why I hadn't been able to receive any messages from anyone. Even with no one knowing that Einstein was in St. Freya that didn't mean she could lower her guard. She was in enemy territory, she needed to take precautions to ensure that no one knew that she was here.
One of those precautions being that she created a field where communication signals of any kind were blocked.
"Well there's nothing we can do but just deal with it." I said, making it seem that it was an inconvenience rather than revealing that it was a well meaning sabotage. After all, it wouldn't be well received if a member of the organization that had just attacked St. Freya was found here.
"I hope I haven't been making you search for me that long?" I asked as the both of us left the railing of the rooftop.
"No," She answered as we walked through the roof access' door and descended down the flight of stairs. "You were quite easy to spot on the rooftop."
"I suppose it's easy to spot when you have hair for this." I reached up and ruffled my bright red hair, the both of us lightly chuckling as we exited the building and made our way to wherever Theresa was.
The both of us made some light talk as we walked through St. Freya Academy. Reconstruction efforts had immediately begun the day after the invasion but even with the massive resources that Schicksal had at its disposal the damage done to the academy grounds had been extensive.
Case in point as even with two weeks of hard work there was still a lot to be rebuilt. Walking through the academy grounds we passed by various constructing crews. What they were building or repairing ranged from damaged walk paths, buildings that had ended up as casualties, even destroyed defense systems.
With St. Freya's defense system down that meant a large number of Valkyrie squads had to be patrolling the premises to ensure that no one decided to attack the academy once more. It certainly felt like they had the entirety of Schicksal's Valkyrie army defending them just from how many patrols they encountered on their way to Theresa.
It was a sign that the invasion affected everything and everyone.
And none was this feeling of the invasion felt then at the main headquarters of the academy. The academy building had to go through a complete reconstruction, the amount of damage that it had sustained had been extensive, so much so that it had been a miracle that it was still standing.
Which meant that there was a lot to repair.
To go along with every single inch of the building that was not in the process of being reconstructed had Valkyries on the watch, who saluted us as we walked up to the main entrance of the building.
It was hard to think that this building was our last bastion from annihilation that night.
As we entered the headquarters Bianka spoke up.
"Forgive me Haruto."
I looked at her perplexed as we began to navigate the hallways of the building. "For what?"
"For not being here when St. Freya was attacked." She clarified as she looked at me, an expression of guilt on her face. "I had felt something concerning yet I did nothing to act on it."
"You don't have to beat yourself up on that Bianka," I assured her. "No one could've anticipated that we would've been attacked in the middle of a random night by both Anti-Entropy and the World Serpent."
That did little to assuage the S-Rank Valkyrie, if anything my response only worsened what she was feeling. "You may be right however…" A frown appeared on her face as her blue eyes looked at me. "I dislike the idea of you facing the leader of the World Serpent all by yourself."
At the reminder of my conversation with the original Kaslana my current mood plummeted. "...I didn't exactly fight him," I muttered as I thought back to the conversation I had with the man. "Though it wasn't exactly a relaxing tea party we had."
It was more along the lines of being picked apart by the Kaslana and being unable to do anything about it.
"I can't imagine what it was like to meet the original Kaslana." She commented. I shouldn't be surprised that she knew the identity of the World Serpent's leader. She was Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, she needed to know the biggest threats that could endanger the organization.
"Indeed," I said as I began to reminisce on the conversation I had with Kevin, starting from the moment he insinuated that the stigma I had was not really what a stigma was meant to be. "It was like talking to one of the great heroes of humanity, he exuded a presence that you couldn't help but feel freezed by."
Bianka nodded along with my words before asking a question. "What did you two talk about?"
It was an innocent question, one without any ill-intentions behind it, but I couldn't help but tense upon hearing her request. I couldn't stop myself from stopping in my tracks and immediately Bianka focused her entire attention on me, worry etched onto her face.
Before she could say anything I quickly gave her my answer. "...A conversation for another time." The wary tone of my voice and the expression that must've been on my face was evident enough that the talk wasn't a pleasant experience.
Bianak wasn't deterred as she took a step towards me, her hands reaching down and clasping mine in a reassuring manner. "But-"
"Please Bianka," I interrupted her, giving her a pained smile. Even after two weeks had passed from that talk it still was something that weighed heavy on my mind, haunting me at the worst times.
"Do you think you can keep K-423 safe from her fate? From what she was created to accomplish?"
"I…I don't want to talk about it right now." I pleaded with the S-Rank Valkyrie, hoping she would understand where I was coming from. "Please."
A period of silence followed after my request as we stared into each other's eyes, a battle of wills silently being waged between us. I could feel that Bianka wanted answers, to know what had happened in my conversation with Kevin Kaslana, and I didn't want to have to do this to her.
But it was just not an easy thing to tell somebody else.
After a period of unknown time passed it would be the blond Valkyrie that would reluctantly relent. "I understand." She whispered, a bit of bitterness in her tone that made me wince. Opening my mouth I prepared to say something but I suddenly stopped when the leader of the Immortal Blades closed the distance between us and engulfed me in a strong hug.
"I understand my friend," She said as she held me in her arms, and without much thought I reciprocated the action with a hug of my own. "Just do not hold it in forever. I will always be willing to listen when you are ready."
"I will…thank you." I told her as I tightened my hug, showing her just how thankful I was for her words.
We stayed a bit longer in our position before separating, the mood slightly lighter than it had been moments earlier. It was still slightly heavy but the promise made slightly lessened it by a bit.
Without speaking any words we both nodded at each other before we resumed our walk to Theresa's office. Thankfully it wasn't far from where we were so it didn't take long before we opened the door and entered the Principal's office.
Though the moment I took a step inside the room and saw the other person present in the room, I sorely wished that we took longer to get here, even wishing that something had happened that would take me away from this building.
As it seems that after meeting the leader of the World Serpent, fate decided that I hadn't had enough misery yet.
For the next obstacle that I had to survive next revealed itself as I locked eyes with green eyes. It took everything within me not to show my displeasure at the revelation of who I was looking at.
"Ah Haruto Nakamura," The blond Overseer of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse, smiled as he stood up from his seat in front of Theresa and walked over to me. As he walked up to me I appraised the man walking to me.
Otto Apocalypse was the current Overseer of Schicksal, the one responsible for making the organization what it was today. Blond hair, green eyes, a charismatic personality that was able to inspire confidence to all he spoke, it was easy to see why he had led the fight against the Honkai for so long.
Yet I knew the truth of who Otto Apocalypse really was.
A person who would sacrifice everything and everyone to fulfill his wish. A wish that would take the lives of so many people.
Stopping in front of me the taller man extended his hand out. "We meet at long last."
"Overseer," I cordially greeted as I extended my own hand out and mentally prepared myself for what was to come. Unlike my conversation with Kevin the conversation that I would no doubt have with the Overseer would be the equivalent of dancing on a glass bridge. One misstep and I would fall to my demise.
One misstep would result in having Otto's attention on me and that was not something I wanted right now. Especially now that I had Kevin's attention on me, I did not want the attention of another powerful leader on me.
Our hands met in the middle as we shook them in greeting.
"A pleasure to meet you at last." Otto said with a gleam in his green eyes.
Meanwhile on the other side of St. Freya Academy two people were busy catching up in the workshop of the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corps whilst the scientists were busy with whatever they had to do.
"So let me get this straight." The first person started as she was currently sprawled nonchalantly out on a couch.
"Hmm?" The second person, who was seated in a chair not far from the couch, looked at the other person in curiosity.
"You left the safety and security of the bunker for Kuro of all things?" She asked in disbelief.
"Sora would've been really sad if I Kuro wasn't with her." He retorted back.
"You lost track of Kuro, who left like a minute before you."
"She's very fast in my defense."
"And how does that explain you getting lost not once, not twice, but several different times?"
"W-Well…you see…"
"Then you somehow miraculously stumble upon an old service entrance that you could still open and by some miracle encounter a Anti-Entropy mecha pilot who's the most incompetent soldier I've ever heard of."
"H-Hey when you have to go to the bathroom, you have to go."
"Then you proceed to knock him out, steal his mech, and go guns blazing in taking out an entire mechanized squadron all by yourself." The woman shot the person across from her a narrowed look of her eyes.
"Did I get all of that right Keji?"
The brown haired teenager in question just rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well when you say it like that Midori it sounds a little unbelievable."
"A little?!" The black haired Valkyrie shouted incredulously as she threw her arms up into the air in exasperation. "If I hadn't just watched security cam footage of you getting lost for an hour and you fighting I would've punched you in the arm for making this shit up."
"Alot happened that night, okay?" The combat operator defended, his cheeks slightly red at the reminder of what he had done on the night of the invasion. Looking back at it all it did like something you would see in an anime and definitely not what you would do in a situation of life and death.
"Sorry," Midori apologized as she brought her hands back down from the air. "Just pissed that I wasn't here to help."
"Glad you're alive idiot." She added as she sent her friend a grateful look.
The chess enthusiast smiled in response. "Thanks." He said before deciding to change the subject. "So you guys are staying here for the foreseeable future?"
"Pretty much," The Immortal Blades Valkyrie quickly replied, also wishing to change the subject. "The Overseer doesn't want another repeat invasion to happen so the Immortal Blades will be stationed here for quite a while I believe."
If he had to live through another stressful night like that ever again then Keji wasn't sure what would happen to him. Though looking back at his current track record for these kinds of things he was already mentally preparing himself for the next one.
"Anything interesting happening to you guys?" She asked as she took a look around, noting just how busy the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corp was at the moment. "I've heard how you got a massive boost in funding."
"Yeah…" He trailed off as he looked down to his tablet, which had a massive list of things he had to do. The only reason he wasn't doing them at the moment was that Midori and surprisingly Rita of all people had come by for a visit and his big sis had allowed him to take a break to catch up with his friend while she caught up with
He would have to ask how exactly she became friends with the vice captain of the Immortal Blades, that was sure to be a great story to hear.
"Can't believe you activated the Hyperion of all things. I know that the ship, besides the Kingsbane Battlesuit Program, is Asplund's baby and I know that you probably have a better chance of crashing it than actually flying it off the ground." She retorted.
At the mention of the floating battleship that was currently docked in the shipyards had the combat operator stiffen up. "Well…" He trailed off nervously as he thought of how 'well' that had gone.
But before he could answer a feminine voice beat him to the punch. "He almost did!" On the table that was between the two of them a hologram began to materialize on the wooden surface. A girl with bright green hair tied up into two buns the size of an action figure appeared and immediately turned to face the chess enthusiast with a pout on her face. "He almost bricked the flight programs and almost made me crash into the ground!"
"Ai-chan," It was hard to believe that the mini sized child that was currently berating him was the AI responsible for the Hyperion Battleship. From major systems responsible for flying in the sky to the most rudimentary like operating the coffee machine, she controlled it all.
When he had first heard of how getting the Hyperion Battleship from the shipyard and into the sky would involve him opening a file with the image of a cabbage Keji had honestly thought he was being messed with. There was no way that an AI would have the image of a cabbage.
Yet the moment he activated Ai-chan he watched in awe as she began to activate the millions of programs that the battleship had with ease.
It definitely made sense why an AI like Ai-chan was needed for a ship like the Hyperion. With so many crucial systems it severely limited the risk of system failures if only one entity was in charge of them as opposed to a group of people, human error and all that. Though Keji had to wonder if Asplund had to make such an important figure this…eccentric.
"I said I was sorry." He apologized to the AI once more for what felt like the umpteenth time. He did not want to get on the bad side of an AI that controlled the strongest battleship in the world right now.
Luckily for him the green haired AI was very easy to appeal to. "You're just lucky that I am the best AI in this world." Ai-chan praised herself as she placed a hand on her chest, eyes closed with a smug expression on her face.
"Yes Ai-chan" Keji said as he put on his best awed voice he could. "We are forever in debt to your awesomeness."
"That's right." And Ai-chan ate it all up, unknowing to the smiles on both his and "Oh looks like I have to go! Some bugs popped up in the Hyperion's weapon systems and if I don't do anything it will explode the entire magazine. Bye!"
And without skipping a beat the tiny green haired child disappeared.
"She's certainly…" Midori started as she tried to think of a good word to describe the Hyperion's AI.
"A handful?" He offered.
"Was gonna say inconvenient but that works too." The black haired Valkyrie shrugged. "Can't believe that she's the AI that runs the world's deadliest battleship right now."
The combat operator just raised a brow. "Is it really that surprising considering who our boss is?"
"...You right." She conceded after thinking of the Pudding Scientist's behavior as she leaned back into the sofa before looking around. "Though I'm surprised that you guys are so busy even though mostly everyone else is relaxing from the ordeal you guys experienced."
Following where her green eyes were looking he saw various members of the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corp being busy. They were currently separated into two groups right now. The first group was working on the 6th Valkyrja Squad's Kingsbane Battlesuit as they now had three suits to maintain and repair when needed.
The other group on the other hand were all huddled around a large table, various papers messily scattered about as they debated over their project. It was this group that Midori's attention was focused on so Keji decided to elaborate what they were doing.
"Yeah well the Overseer saw that the Mashu's and Layla's Kingsbane Battlesuits were so key to the defense of the academy he generously donated a bunch of funds to the project." He explained to his friend as he threw a glance to where the Pudding Scientist was, frantically working on a terminal whilst giving commands to his subordinates.
"And Asplund is not one to sit idly by so he's already beginning the development of the next batch of suits." He revealed, getting a surprised look from the black haired Valkyrie.
"Really?" Who are they for?" Midori asked inquisitively.
"It's for the 5th Valkyrja Squad." Keji informed her. "Said it was only natural that they get the next line of suits and everyone agrees with his words."
Both the 5th and 6th Valkyrja Squads were essential for the defense of St. Freya. Without the 6th Squad holding the line whilst the 5th Squad went behind enemy lines to reactivate the academy's power. Without either two of those squads St. Freya probably wouldn't be standing right now.
No one would argue with the 5th Valkyrja Squad getting their own Kingsbane Battlesuits after the 6th Valkyria Squad
"Geez Mei about to get an upgrade." Whistled Midori. "If it's anything like Haruto's Caliburn then I know she'll be a monster to fight up against. Looks like I have to get some serious training in." She cracked her knuckles with an excited grin on her face.
Seeing such a look on his friend's face made Keji think of how she would only react like this back in the Kendo Club, back in much more innocent time. "What have you been slacking off since you got to the big leagues?" He teased her.
"Ha-Ha," The Valkyrie shot back with a very unamused look on her face, though the glint in her eyes showed that she was feeling the exact opposite. "Very funny." The two laughed shared a quick laugh before Midori's bracelet began to beep, signaling their conversation was now over.
"Welp, I have to get back on patrol." She said as she stood up from her seat. "See ya later?"
"Yup," He nodded and with that Midori went to find wherever Rita and his sister was, leaving him alone at the seating area. Though he wouldn't be by himself for too long as his tablet lit up with a notification from his boss. Sighing that his break was now over the brown haired teenager stood up from his seat and went to meet up with the Pudding Scientist.
He found the white haired scientist standing in front of the Shiden that he had used to clear the third sub reactor. The purple mech had taken quite a beating, fighting odds that were five to one. He didn't know the extent of the damage until he had seen it propped up in the workshop, where it was practically ready to be placed in the scrapyard at that point.
Surprisingly instead of scrapping it Asplund decided to not only repair it but also refurbish it, for whatever reason he had no idea. But then again…
Who knew what went on in the scientist's head.
Walking up to his boss Keji silently stood next to him as the two watched as repairmen worked all over the Shiden, replacing damaged parts and adding new ones in. It would be the white haired scientist that would break the silence.
"It's a strange feeling Keji." Was what he first said, prompting a confused look from Keji as he turned to face his boss.
"What is?" He asked curiously.
The pudding scientist just nudged his head towards the Anti-Entropy mech in front of them. "Did you know that the Shiden was one of the first projects that I worked on in Anti-Entropy? He explained with a nostalgic look on his face.
The mention of where his boss' first worked gave Keji an opportunity to ask a question he always wanted to ask him. "I've always wanted to ask you…why did you ever leave Anti-Entropy?"
Normally that would've been a sensitive question to ask, considering that same organization had almost killed them a few weeks ago, but Asplund didn't seem to mind. "It's a bit of a hard question to answer. There were many reasons that made me leave the organization." He explained.
"But if I had to say what the main reason was for me leaving it would have to be a disagreement on principle." He answered.
"Principle?" The brown haired teenager repeated in confusion, not expecting that kind of answer.
"As a scientist our duty is to understand the world, to understand how it works and use that knowledge to push humanity forward. But there are things in this world that are not meant to be touched." The white haired scientist told as a look of melancholy grew on his face. "I disagreed with the projects that Anti-Entropy was funding and when it became clear that they would not change their ways I left."
"I see." Was all Keji could say as he processed the information that he had just heard. If the projects was revolting enough that Asplund would leave he didn't want to know what they were.
So instead the brown haired teenager focused on the damaged Shiden in front of them, shifting the conversation. "It must feel weird to see your first project in front of you right now."
The scientist chuckled, either from his words or his obvious change in topics. Which one it was he didn't say. "Even weirder that one of my employees has just piloted it." He said as he turned to face Keji. "You were very lucky that night, considering that you were but a hair away from blowing up."
"Let's not bring that up again like…at all anymore." The combat operator muttered in embarrassment as he remembered his actions that night. The scientist just hummed in response before looking back at the Shiden in silence. Keji didn't know whether or not the scientist not responding was a bad or good thing.
Another period of silence passed between the two of them until Asplund spoke up once more. "Say Keji…" The scientist turned to him, his usual wild grin on his face. "How would you like to live up to the 'combat' in your job description?"
That got a confused look from Keji. "Huh what are you…" He trailed off when he noticed what exactly was in front of them. It didn't take long for him to connect the dots of what his boss was asking him of.
And knowing the glint in his teal eyes showed that he wasn't going to take no as an answer.
"Fuck," Was all he could say.
"Please sit Haruto," The Overseer said as he sat down in the chair that Theresa had just been sitting on mere moments ago. "I have been dying to talk to you for some time now but certain events have prolonged this long desired meeting."
"Yes it has been…challenging as of recently," I idly said as I took a seat on the offered chair, glancing from the edges of my eye to see my final hopes leaving on me. I was barely able to catch the forms of Bianka and Theresa leaving the office before the door closed. The head of the Apocalypse house had requested that he had a private conversation with me which meant that I couldn't rely on Bianka and Thersa for this stressful conversation I was about to have.
Joy.
"Indeed to not only have to fight a Templar-Class Honkai Beast for your first mission to having to encounter the leader of the World Serpent," He smiled charmingly as he placed both of his elbows on the table and interlocked his fingers together. "One would say that you were destined for an interesting life."
"I'm pretty sure that most people would hate to have what you consider interesting," I remarked, trying my hardest not to reveal anything to the scheming man.
I was beginning to learn how both leaders of the World Serpent and Schicksal got their fearsome reputations. Kevin had an aura that demanded obedience from others, he had no need for schemes. What need was there for schemes when you had brutal honesty and strength on your side?
Otto Apocalypse was a master manipulator. He put forth a charming personality that would fool those unaware of the monster that was hidden beneath. Innocent questions were his way of lowering someone's guard and he would covertly guide the conversation to revealing what he wished to know.
The blond man in front of me just smiled before he brought out a tablet. "Haruto Nakamura," He recited, the information on the tablet was no doubt whatever profile he had on me. "A teenager that grew up in a rural town, only to move into Nagazora at the acquisition of a scholarship from Raiden Ryoma. From there he would befriend Mei Raiden and Kiana Kaslana and would find himself involved in many events that would eventually result in the Nagazora Honkai Eruption. If not for him Mei Raiden would continue to destroy whatever was in her path until she either could not handle the strain of honkai energy or be put down by Schicksal."
Oh that bastard was really pulling that card now was he? Using my friends like this. "As you said," I narrowed my eyes, letting him know my displeasure of his words. "My life can get particularly 'interesting' at times."
If Otto was offended by my tone he didn't say anything. In fact he seemed delighted by my response, his smile widening just a tad bit. "Yes indeed…before we go any further I believe that something must be said."
I raised my eyebrow at his words. What could possibly be said by the Overseer of Schicksal during our first official meeting. Did he know something that I didn't? If so I was mentally preparing myself for whatever he was about to say.
"...As the Overseer of Schicksal I offer my deepest apologies for being attacked by Stalker Carbon during Rita's assignment in Nagazora." He said before he closed his eyes and slightly bowed his head in seeming apology.
Out of all the things he could've said that was not what I was expecting from the blond man. "Huh?" Was all I could dumbly respond with.
"You do not have to hide it Haruto." He 'innocently' said as a look of understanding was on his face. "I could not in good conscience allow such a grievance to go unanswered, especially now that we are talking face to face now."
I was so caught off guard by his apparent apology that I had no idea how to respond to him "I…!"
Unfortunately I realized a bit too late what he had just done and I cursed by how quick I was caught off guard, even when I knew his true nature. By bringing the events of that night up and expressing guilt there was nothing that I could do but accept it gracefully. If I tried to play it down or express anger then he would have something to hold over me and knowing Otto by giving him a mere inch he would use it to his maximum benefit.
"I do not hold Rita Rossweisse against what happened that night." I responded with my most level tone that I could muster. "She was only doing her mission and I just happened to be an unfortunate bystander."
"That is good," Otto nodded with a pleased smile. "It would do Schicksal no good if there was in-fighting within our ranks. We can only hope to stand against the Honkai as a united front, not as a fractured whole."
"Yes against the Honkai," I thought bitterly, doing everything in my power not to glare at the Overseer. If it wasn't for him so much suffering could've been prevented. Kiana would have both of her parents as opposed to being an orphan and wouldn't be the host of a Herrscher if it wasn't for this man's selfish desires. "I know what your true aim is here, Overseer."
I couldn't let him lead this conversation any further, the previous dialogue showed me that letting him ask the questions was a bad idea. "If you may forgive my boldness Overseer but why exactly have you wished to talk to me privately? I am sure a man of your stature has many responsibilities that cannot be as important as a single talk with me." I asked.
The blond man's eyes widened a tiny bit, probably a bit caught off guard by my different approach, but he quickly hid it. "Indeed they are," He admitted as he leaned back into his chair. "However the real reason why I wished to talk with you today was that I was curious about your thoughts on Kevin Kaslana. After all it is not everyday one gets to hear more about the first of the prestigious Kaslana house."
That was probably half the truth of why he wished to talk to me. I knew someone as calculating as Otto wouldn't openly admit the true reason why he wanted to talk to me, to which I had the feeling it was to know who I was. Saying that he wanted to know me would be overplaying his hand which in turn would lead me to be more guarded against him and make it harder for him to get what he wanted from me.
The only thing I could do was go along and try not to reveal much about myself, for trying to deflect his question would just cast suspicion on me. "He was…" I trailed off, finding what words to say as I remembered the conversation I had with Kevin Kaslana. As much as I did not wish to relive the conversation I had with him I had a feeling that Otto would know if I was being truthful or if I was making things up.
At least he was asking what I thought of him, as opposed to what we had talked about. For if that was the case then I would have been screwed.
"He was a very committed person." I finally said. "He was willing to do what it took to see that his mission was completed."
"And what did you think of his commitment?" Otto asked me curiously.
I remained silent as I processed his question. What did I think of Kevin Kaslana's commitment? He was one of the first Fire Moths to fight against the Honkai and remains up to this as one of the last ones left alive. If it weren't for him then humanity wouldn't have what it would need to fight against the Honkai right now, even Schicksal wouldn't be what it was today.
If it wasn't for him Kiana Kaslana wouldn't even be alive right now. He had done so much for humanity and sacrificed so much for it…
And yet…
"...I believe him to be wrong." I truthfully told the Overseer in front of me.
That got a surprised raise of the brow from the blond man. "You think that the original Kaslana is wrong in the goal he has chosen?" He remarked with an almost incredulous tone.
"No, I believe his goal is admirable." I corrected my answer. "To finish what his era could not, to destroy the Honkai. It's like a story of old being played right in front of my very eyes."
"But I disagree with the method he chooses to use in order to complete that goal. That he would become a slave to his goal and nothing else." Kevin was like a certain time traveling captain that I once knew. Of a captain that tried to get rid of his values to see victory through just like the original Kaslana had done.
"One might say that is necessary to defeat an enemy like the Honkai." Otto commented.
"Perhaps," I reluctantly agreed. There was no victory without sacrifice after all. "But it blinds one to the truth of the matter. That not a single person alone can defeat the Honkai, that it can only be achieved when humanity works together as a whole."
When I finished saying my piece the Overseer of Schicksal looked at me with an unreadable expression. I didn't know what the blond schemer was thinking of but I raised my eyes so that I locked gazes with his green eyes unflinchingly.
"...Interesting," Otto said after a time of silence had passed. "I am beginning to see the interest that the World Serpent Leader had in you. How very interesting…"
Before he could elaborate any further on what he meant his tablet suddenly began to beep, drawing both of our gazes to the device. Grabbing it the Overseer quickly read over whatever the notification was before chuckling.
"It seems that duty calls for me, you are free to leave Haruto." He motioned for the door. "This conversation has been particularly enlightening for me."
He didn't need to tell me twice as I stood up from my chair, gave him a curt farewell, and briskly made my way to the office door. The faster I was away from him the better.
Just as my hand touched the metal surface of the door's knob, Otto's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Oh and Haruto?" I turned around to look at the Overseer. "Please do inform Fu Hua that her request has been approved and that I will be contacting her about the details soon enough."
Approved? Fu Hua had asked the Overseer for something, even knowing his true colors by now. "Request?" I could not help but ask.
"Yes she never told you?" He said with mirth, no doubt relishing that he had caught me off guard right now.
"I have approved for the 6th Valkyrja Squad to be promoted to B-Rank Valkyries. Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion. I am sure that you will continue to be the sword that Schicksal needs to win against the Honkai."
All I could do was smile and thank him for the news. Closing the office door behind me I couldn't help but have a horrifying epiphany.
I not only had the attention of the leader of the World Serpent, but now I had the attention of Otto Apocalypse on me…
Who now had the perfect opportunity to spy on me now.
Just great.
"So there's a whole ceremony and everything huh?" I said to Fu Hua as the two of us were sitting in our empty dorm room. It had been only a few hours since Otto's revelation and already news had spread of the 5th and 6th Valkyrja Squad's promotion.
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya were currently on a patrol with my aunt but I knew somehow they knew of the news already. I could already imagine Kiana's excitement at the fact that she was already getting a promotion even though we had only been St. Freya students for like half a year.
Layla and Mashu had immediately rushed off to the communications center to tell their older siblings of the news. St. Freya Academy's communication network was still down and the only way to send messages outside of the base was through the communications center..
I was tempted to tell my parents as well but decided that probably wasn't the best idea in telling them that I was getting promoted from having to survive an invasion and almost dying to the strongest human in the world. If the combined might of World Serpent and Anti-Entropy wasn't enough to kill me, the wrath of my mother definitely would.
"I didn't think promotions were this extravagant." I noted as I looked down to the message that Theresa had sent us. The ceremony would take place tomorrow, which was surprising considering that St. Freya was still in the midst of reconstruction. Surely a ceremony could be postponed in favor of the reconstruction of one of Schicksal's major bases?
"A ceremony is usual for Schicksal Valkyries," Explained Fu Hua, who was sitting across from me. "But this is one where the Overseer is conducting it and thus the need for such an extravagant ceremony."
Whenever a Valkyrie was promoted in rank there was usually a ceremony to go alongside it. B-Rank Valkyries ceremonies were usually done in batches, as most of the time new B-Rank Valkyries were graduating Valkyries in training.
A-Rank Rank Promotions, while a bit more rare, were usually done by squads and the ceremony was usually done by high level officials.
Though promoting valkyries whilst they were in the midst of their training was unprecedented it was something that could possibly happen.
But the Overseer himself leading the promotion ceremony was practically unheard of.
Until now.
"He has the power to do this?" I asked Fu Hua, who had a better understanding of the blond man than I did. "Seems kind of an abuse of power in my opinion."
"Yes it would if Himeko and I hadn't first submitted our proposals to Theresa." She revealed. "It was purely by chance that the Overseer was present when we did so."
"You were already going to ask us to be promoted?" I turned to my A-Rank Valkyrie in curiosity. "Why?"
This was coming out of nowhere. The bluish gray haired Valkyrie had never voiced a desire to try and promote us this quickly, only to do her duty as the 6th Valkyrja Squad's A-Rank Valkyrie and train us to the best of her ability.
"You all performed well above what was expected of Valkyries in training to do, even going beyond what B-Rank Valkyries face." Fu Hua explained. "Your aunt and I talked about it and we both believed that you were all ready for this."
I nodded as I could see where she was coming from with that thought process. Yet I couldn't help but think that was not the whole truth for this decision. "There's something else isn't it?"
"Yes I…I am worried about what the Herrscher of Sentience will do next." She admitted and I understood where she was coming from now. Despite the fact that a Herrscher had attacked St. Freya Academy the both of us had made the decision to not reveal that there was a Herrscher, who wasn't even supposed to have been awakened yet, running around and causing chaos.
Not only would that revelation spread panic but it would cast a spotlight on the both of us of how we even knew that information in the first place.
"I mean she is a Herrscher." I noted. "She's not someone that we can take lightly."
Fu Hua nodded along with my assessment. "They are unstable, desperate to be 'completed', yet that is not what is what concerns me." She said with a rare dark look appearing on her face. I had always assumed that dealing with the Herrscher of Sentience had just been business, that she was simply doing her duty as a Valkyrie.
I had a feeling that it had crossed from being business to now personal.
"When she fled our battle I saw an emotion that was so out of place from her usual behavior." The dark look in her blue eyes swiftly changed to that of silent anxiety.
"Assured certainty."
"She is certain of something that will guarantee her what she believes is hers" Fu Hua brought up her gaze to look into my eyes, showing just how serious she was. "What she is certain of I do not know but I know that we cannot allow ourselves to be caught off guard as we were that night."
"Hence why you want us to become a B-Rank Valkyrie Squad." I nodded in realization.
"Yes," She confirmed with a stern tone. "The opportunities that come with being a B-Rank Valkyrie far surpass anything that you currently have access to. The missions that were available to us from the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corp were good for training, but good can no longer cut it. By being a B-Ranked Valkyrie you will be called into duty often and that will provide the 6th Valkyrja Squad with training and experience that the school cannot offer."
"Though…" An abashed expression appeared on Fu Hua's face as she averted her gaze. "While you may have the rank of a B-Rank Valkyrie you will still remain a student of St. Freya. Which means that you still have to attend classes."
I chuckled at that, not expecting to hear after that serious conversation that I still had to attend classes. "Well I didn't come to this school just to know what the powerhouse of the cell is." I joked.
We both shared a quick laugh at that. "Yes it is quite hard to forget that whilst we are now an official B-Rank Squad, we are still students at the end of the day."
"Yes that-!" I was cut short when I heard my phone begin to ring.
"Hello?" I asked as I brought the device up to my ear and answered the phone. "Who is-!"
"HARU-SENPAI!" I quickly jerked the phone out of my ear, wincing at just how loud Kiana's voice was.
"K-Kiana?" I asked as I could hear my ear ringing from her voice. "What's the matter? You almost made me go deaf you know?"
"Sorry I'm just so excited!" I could hear her excited voice through her panting. Was she running right now? "When were you going to tell me that we were becoming B-Rank Valkyries!?"
"I literally found out just moments ago Kiana," I chuckled. "Also why are you running?"
"To come get you!" She responded as I could slightly hear Mei's voice in the call, asking the Kaslana to slow down. "We need to celebrate this achievement with everyone!"
"That sounds great Kiana, I'll get everyone else and meet you at the dorm room. Sound good? Alright see you there." I ended the call before looking over to Fu Hua.
"Kiana wants to throw a mini celebration for us becoming B-Rank Valkyries. Are you free at the moment?" I asked.
"That would be nice but I am afraid that I must politely decline." She shook her head. "Both Himeko and I have much paperwork to finish in order to get your B-Rank Promotions finalized before the ceremony tomorrow."
I opened my mouth to suggest that we could always postpone it but she swiftly interrupted me. "You should celebrate with your squadmates and sister squad. You all haven't had a chance to relax after the invasion and you all have been quite stressed even after it."
She was true in both regards. We haven't really had a time to sit back and relax after the events of the invasion, simply too busy aiding in the reconstruction efforts of St. Freya. Throwing a celebration felt ill-timed considering there was much lost in the attack.
It also didn't help that certain…events came to light for some individuals, specifically Mei learning of what happened during the night when Kiana was kidnapped.
That had not been a fun conversation to have with her and Kiana.
"Never again Haruto." The dark purple haired teenager pleaded as she held my cheeks in a tender, almost desperate manner. There were tears in her dark blue eyes.
"Tell me you won't ever sacrifice yourself for us please!"
The conversation we had was…heavy to say the least and while we had resolved it by telling her the truth I could tell it affected us all still. Mei would have this cautious look whenever one of us were alone, fearing that something bad might happen should she look away.
Kiana on the other hand was much harder to read. Because she acted like her usual cheery self but it was clear to me that something was bothering her, her smile never reaching her blue eyes.
I just hoped it was nothing too major.
But I couldn't worry about that, only time would tell me an answer. Clearing my head of those thoughts I nodded to Fu Hua in understanding before standing up from my seat and making my way to the door to find my other teammates.
"...And if I am being truthful, Haruto." Fu Hua spoke up before I left the room. "You, Layla, and Mashu deserve the B-Rank Promotions. I can think of any worthy warriors then you all for it."
I turned around and gave the bluish gray haired Valkyrie a smile of gratitude. "Thank you Class Monitor."
Fu Hua just smiled as I turned back around and left the room, completely missing how the moment I closed the door her smile turned into a sad one.
"Do not thank me yet Haruto."
Schicksal knew how to throw ceremonies.
And they knew how to make a very big deal of them.
Standing off to the side on a large stage I, alongside the 6th and 5th Valkyrja Squad, waited silently for the ceremony to begin. We didn't have to wait long until Otto walked onto the stage, with Bianka and Rita flanking his sides, as he approached and stepped up onto the center podium.
When he situated himself on the podium the low hushed conversations that were happening in the crowd slowly quieted down as the present audience began to shift their focus onto him. The audience were mostly the students, staff, and other valkyries of St. Freya Academy.
There were some members of the audience that did not call St. Freya home. Mostly those individuals were the Immortal Blades, like Midori, and other Valkyries that were stationed temporarily here.
But the most concerning watchers were the drones that were hovering over the crowd, their cameras pointed directly at the stage.
Because why wouldn't this event be telegraphed for the entirety of Schicksal to watch?
"My dear sisters and brother in arms!" The Overseer started with a loud and charismatic voice, officially beginning the Promotion Ceremony. "Two weeks from this very day our enemies had believed that they could strike us without consequences. That they could cowardly attack us under the cover of night!"
He flourished a hand out, the screens behind him flickering to life as video footage of St. Freya's defense began to play. I did not miss how he started it off with the arrival of the 6th Valkyrja Squad on the frontlines. It might've just been my suspicion influencing my thoughts but I swore that I had more screen time than my teammates did.
"But they were sorely mistaken! For they learned first hand that Schicksal's new generations of valkyries being taught here will usher the world in a new era of peace!"
The clips then changed to play Mashu's declaration to Anti-Entropy as she was donned in her new Kingsbane Battlesuit, Layla right behind her donned in her suit as well. I could hear murmurs of awe within the crowd as they saw first hand how vital their new Kingsbane battle suits were in shifting the tide of the battle. Glancing over I could see Layla nudging our shielder with a teasing grin, much to the Schariac's embarrassment.
"And that is why we are here!" He declared as the video screens stopped playing. Behind him Bianka and Rita walked forward, both now holding a tray that had medals on them. "To commemorate the valiant effort of those who stood against our enemy, reminding them that Schicksal does not kneel!
"Haruto Nakamura!" He announced as he motioned to me with one of his hands, placing both a literal and figurative spotlight on me as the crowd's attention shifted to me. "May the first knight in training of St. Freya Academy step forward!"
Unable to do anything else under the attention of so many people I merely nodded and stride towards the Overseer without showing how nervous I was. Walking up to the podium I caught Bianka giving me a look of reassurance, which I smiled and nodded back in thanks for.
Rita was watching me with that usual guarded expression of hers but I quickly forgot about trying to figure out what she was thinking of as I looked to Otto, who was concealing a smirk behind his smile.
I merely showed nothing in response to his expression as I stepped up onto the podium, meeting his green eyes.
"Kneel." Was all he said to which I could do nothing but follow.
"Haruto Nakamura," He started as he unsheathed a ceremonial saber that he had strapped to his side and touched one of my shoulders with the tip of it. "With my authority as the Overseer of Schicksal, as the head of the Apocalypse House, I do hereby knight you into the honorable order of Schicksal."
He switched his saber over to touch my other shoulder before moving it away.
"Arise B-Rank Knight of Schicksal and be recognized."
Standing up I turned to see Bianka approaching me, a medal in hand, before she pinned it onto the breast pocket of my uniform.
"Congratulations Haruto," She whispered to me with a smile. "You deserve this honor."
"Thank you Bianka," I whispered back with a smile before turning to face the crowd, who then shouted their approval of my promotion without hesitation.
The ceremony continued on without much trouble, with the 5th and 6th Valkyrja Squads getting knighted and receiving their B-Rank Promotions. After the knighting the Overseer had one final speech that ended with everyone shouting "Sieg Schicksal".
Victory to Schicksal.
Once the ceremony ended I found myself with everyone else in the 5th Squad's dorm room a few hours later as we threw a celebratory party. It wasn't anything huge, just a dinner with close friends and family to celebrate our promotions as B-Rank Valkyries and Knights.
Unfortunately Bianka, Midori, and Rita could not join us as the moment the ceremony had ended a majority of the Immortal Blades had left with Otto to return back to the main Schicksal base. There was still a battalion of the Immortal Blades stationed in St. Freya but it felt kind of bitter to not be able to celebrate with everyone on this occasion.
Though a part of me was alleviated at the fact that Otto was no longer here, the less time I spent near him the better.
But this was a time of joyous celebration, not of brooding. So I pushed those foreboding emotions away for now and focused on celebrating this moment with everyone. We were currently all congregating in the dorm's living rooms, taking amongst ourselves and enjoying our new positions as B-Rank Valkyries.
"Told you Mei-senpai that we were destined for great things!" Kiana grinned with a smug expression on her face as she and Mei were sitting on the couch, her B-Rank medal proudly pinned to her shirt. "The tale of the legendary Kiana Kaslana has begun!"
"Yes you did Kiana-chan." Mei just smiled encouragingly.
Not too far away from that duo was Mashu and Layla. "Mwhahaha" The sniper laughed victoriously as she held her medal in her hands, looking at it as if she was living a dream. "See Mashu I told you we were going to go down in history!"
"You're in a good mood Himeko-san" Marie noted as she sat next to my aunt, who was currently downing her 3rd can of beer in the last hour.
"Of course!" Himeko shouted with a tipsy grin. "Being a part of the B-Ranks means that my paperwork has been cut in half!"
It was sort of hard to believe now that in such a short period of time all of us had become B-Rank Valkyries and Knights.
"Congratulations Haruto," Fu Hua lauded as she walked up next to me, a beverage in hand.
"Thank you Fu Hua," I thanked her as the bluish gray haired Valkyrie stood beside me as we watched our friends talk with one other in silence. Though as I looked to everyone present I noticed the absence of someone.
"Where is Theresa-san?" I asked Fu Hua, unable to spot the petite white haired principal in the dorm room. "I thought she would've joined us."
"There was a concerning Honkai reading that was coming off of Nagazora. She was sent to assess the situation and could not make it for the celebration." She informed me as she took a sip of her beverage.
At the mention of the city that I once lived in, my happy mood slightly dipped. Nothing good could come from a 'Honkai reading' that originated from that city. "By herself?" I couldn't help but incredulously ask.
The bluish gray haired Valkyrie nodded, showing the same concern I was having of this news. "I voiced the same concerns as you did but the scientists feared that a new Herrscher might be forming. Waiting for confirmation could quickly escalate into a disaster and Theresa was the only Valkyrie close enough that can potentially deal with a Herrscher."
That was true. Theresa had the Oath of Judah by her side and if there was any weapon best suited in restraining it was that Divine Key. Not to mention that Theresa had fought against the Herrscher of the Void before so she knew not to underestimate one, even if it was only a fledgling Herrscher.
Still…
"Is that so?" I said, hoping that my voice did not show how uneasy I was. I couldn't describe it but I had a bad feeling about this.
A very bad feeling.
Yae Sakura did not expect there to be anything waiting for her when she had been sealed. She knew there was no hope for redemption when the one she loved was forced to do the deed, the both of them knowing this was the only way to end that horrid night.
The pink haired warrior only hoped that whatever awaited her would finally give her some peace.
What had happened to her was beyond her wildest expectations. A second chance at life, though she wondered if this was meant to be a reward or a punishment. After all, how could she live life knowing what she had done…
What she had lost?
Though perhaps this unexpected chance was an opportunity for her to finally enjoy what it meant to live.
"That's good Seele-san," She smiled encouragingly to the indigo haired girl that was slowly limping her way to her. The two of them were currently in the ruined building that they called home. "Just a bit more and you'll be good."
"Y-Yae-san!" The girl gasped, sweat pouring down her face as she hobbled her way to the pink haired woman. Weeks of rest and physical therapy had allowed her to finally begin to make small steps with her injured ankle.
Though small steps were far away from being able to walk normally.
The indigo haired girl had managed to make it half the distance before her injured leg wobbled, the girl already falling forward. Acting quickly Yae was able to catch the girl before she fell, reassuringly holding onto the girl's shaking body.
"You've done great Seele-san," She soothed, whispering soft words of praise. It was such a strange feeling, holding unto this girl. It had just happened to be a meeting of chance, turning around one corner and finding her being chased by honkai beasts. She could've gone a different way and would have never met her. Even after saving her she only took care of the injured girl as it was the right thing to do.
Yet as they spent weeks in each other's company Seele grew on Yae. A feeling that she had believed to be long gone from her body had come back to her, pushing her to care for this girl in ways she never would've done.
A feeling that she hadn't experienced since…
Since Rin…
Before she could think of any further a familiar loathing voice interrupted her thoughts. "Of course you would latch onto this…rotten piece of filth."
Unbeknownst to the girl Yae was holding in her arms a wispy demonic red fox materialized in front of the warrior's purple eyes. The pink haired warrior did not have to fear Seele seeing the spirit, it was something that only she could see.
Which meant that it was her responsibility to deal with it.
"Silence." She sternly commanded the demonic spirit, glaring at it to heed her commands. To say she commanded the spirit would be to lie, it was more along the lines that the two were bonded with each other and that if she died then so would they.
But that didn't deter the demon from speaking their mind.
"You know that staying near this girl will invite disaster." They snarled, brandishing their fangs threateningly in the direction of Seele. "And yet you still persist in caring for her."
"I wouldn't expect such a malicious spirit such as yourself to understand what love is." She shot back, tightening her embrace of the girl in her arms.
The fox just scoffed. "Why would I need to understand such a useless emotion?" They disdainfully said before throwing a mocking look in her direction. "If I recall it correctly, wasn't it love that killed you?"
At the mention of what her love had to do a rare look of anger appeared on Yae's face as she glared at the demonic fox spirit. "You would dare!"
"I would!" They gleefully laughed as they approached her. "Poor Kallen Kaslana, to think that the 'noble' warrior would have to-!"
The fox stopped so suddenly that Yae could not help but instantly be on guard. Their maw hung open, midspeech, before their ears began to droop. A rare sign of weakness from the demon that normally would have put Yae in a pleasant mood.
But the emotions that she was feeling through her connection with the spirit had her on guard. Emotions that would not normally be felt by a demonic fox.
Emotions such as fear.
She opened her mouth to ask what had happened to them only to be interrupted by a small weak word, a far cry from the haughty demon she knew.
"Run."
"Huh?" She questioned, not at all believing what she had just heard. Was this not the same demon who kept persuading to try and kill Seele each day that they were together.
"RUN!" They snarled again, seemingly back to their usual self, though the underlying fear could still be heard in their voice. The red wispy spirit fox's eyes began to erratically dart around the room, looking for a way out.
All of this was throwing Yae out of the loop, run from what exactly? "What are you-!" She tried asking again to know what they were talking about, only to be interrupted once more.
However it wasn't the demon who interrupted her, no it was the girl that she was currently embracing in her arms.
Feeling a cry of pain emanate from the girl and the tightening of her grips on her hand Yae instantly shifted her focus unto the younger girl. "Seele-san!" She shouted alarmingly, scanning the girl for any injuries. "Are you-?"
She stopped her question mid sentence when she noticed the tears that were pouring out of Seele's indigo eyes.
"Y-Yae-san?" The girl wept as tears began to pour out of her eyes, not even stopping when her arms wiped her eyes to no avail. "I…Why am I crying? I don't know why but I feel so sad all of a sudden. M-My other self is in so much pain right now, w-why is that Yae-san?"
Yae knew very little of Seele's other self, only knowing their existence in the first place from both the girl and the demonic fox. The only things she did know of was that this other half was similar in nature to her fox and was much more amenable than they were.
Why the both of them were feeling like this was completely unknown to her.
Not knowing how to help the girl, Yae merely embraced the girl, who sobbed harder into her chest, and rubbed soothing circles onto her back.
"You two will be alright," She whispered tenderly to the girl, hoping to alleviate her pain somehow. "You'll be okay."
She was not sure how long she held the indigo haired girl in her embrace but she did not even consider letting go until Seele's tears had somewhat alleviated and her body had slightly stopped shaking. When that did happen her purple eyes caught the demonic fox walking back to her, coming back from wherever they had wandered off since Seele's outburst.
"I care not if we hate each other but if you value both your life and hers you must get out of this accursed city now!" The demonic fox warned before turning their head back to where they had just walked from, a snarl being let loose from his maw.
"Why?" She said as she followed the fox's gaze, not taking long for her to realize why they were staring in that particular direction.
For it was the direction of where that Honkai angel had landed not too long ago. She had always thought it strange that a being of that power had not left the ruins of the school it had landed in but she had not given it much thought.
If it was not an immediate threat then she could care less about its existence.
But now she had a sinking feeling that it had not just been sitting idly by.
She knew there was folly in trusting this demon's words but she knew that if there was anything it valued above all else was its own preservation.
Which meant that she was already planning on how she and Seele were going to escape this city.
"Because…" The fox snarled as they bared their fangs out once more.
"Death approaches."
Ryne Hinori was meant for greatness.
Her father was one of Japan's greatest politicians, it was only natural that she would be too!
She had been enrolled in Chiba Academy, the most elite academy in all of Japan, and she expected to be the Queen of that school as for what other role could she have but to be the ruler of that academy and all that were beneath her?
Yet Mei Raiden stood in her way
So she disposed of her the moment the opportunity had presented itself. After all it was what her father had taught her, if you wanted something you took it for yourself.
But instead of gaining what she rightfully deserved, she lost it all. She had been expelled from Chiba Academy and even with her father's influence and power she could only be placed in the second rate Senba Academy.
Even then whispers and gossip began to spread about her, of how she had failed to aspire what she was always meant to be, of how she would be a second rate failure who would never amount to anything.
She was Ryne Hinori! She would never be second in anything!
But just when she thought all was lost she heard it.
The voice.
An angelic voice that soothed her soul and hers alone, promising that not all was lost. It promised that the humiliation she was facing was temporary, that soon she would be promised to herald a new age.
That she would usher God's voice and bring forth a new era of humanity.
She believed that voice with all of her being, believing at long last that her destiny was finally being realized.
It was only when it was too late did she realize that she would indeed usher God's voice…
By being the sacrifice that brought it forth into this world.
"I-It hurts," She cried out in pain as golden illuminated chains tightened their hold on her, slowly squeezing the life out of her. All around her she could hear the similar cries of pain of her former classmates as they too were being slowly suffocated by the golden chains…
By the being who controlled these golden chains.
In the dark depths of the building that was once known as Senba Academy, in the middle of glowing chains that sprawled the entirety of the ruins, was a woman with long ash white hair kneeling with their hands clasped together in reverent prayer.
"Dear Heavenly Lord,"
The woman who had a metal, crown-like, mask covering her eyes began as the golden chains resonated with her words, glowing brighter as they spread like snakes all over the area.
Bowing before it was the Virtue that had waited here ever since it had arrived, to serve the purpose that it had been made for.
To await its master's coming into this world.
"Thank you for this new day that you have granted us."
She prayed as the chains engulfing the people surrounding her began to constrict, slowly killing those trapped in their golden prison.
"To give a wretched sinner like me another chance to spread your message is beyond kindness itself. I am undeserving of this second chance to spread your gospel to this world once again."
With each word the woman said the chains grew tighter and tighter, squeezing all within its grasp.
"D-Daddy…" Ryne Hinori begged as her breath began to be hoarse from the crushing pressure the contracting chains were having on her body. Tears filled the olive haired girl's eyes as the beginning of the end was in sight.
The chains were growing tighter…
She just wanted to make him proud of her…that was it.
And tighter…
S-She didn't want any of this…
And tighter…
Not this at all-!
"Blessed be your name."
The woman wearing the clothes of a nun intoned as the moving chains brightly glowed…
Before simultaneously closing in, killing all within their grasp.
Ryne Hinori felt no more as the chains clamped on her body, killing her instantly and spraying her blood everywhere.
Some blood splattered on the nun's metal eye mask, painting a horrid expression on this seemingly devoted woman of faith.
"Amen."
Theresa Apocalypse walked up the stairs of Senba Academy, where the concerning Honkai energy signature had been detected at. It had suddenly popped up on their radars without warning and with St. Freya Academy being the closest Schicksal base meant that only they could deploy a strike force fast enough to investigate before the signature could possibly disappear.
And since St. Freya was still in the process of being rebuilt, with many of their forces currently recovering or on guard, meant that she was the only one equipped to deal with a possible Herrscher threat.
The scientists had assured her that it wouldn't be anywhere close to a Herrscher threat but her experience fighting against the Honkai showed that anything was possible.
Though if there was a possible Herrscher threat they wouldn't be alive much longer with her Oath of Judah trailing behind her.
"How much further?" She asked through her intercom as she ascended the steps of the academy grounds. What once might've been a place of learning was only a ruin of desolation that had honkai beasts prowling its perimeter.
Though how strange was it that not a single one had tried to attack her?
"The energy signature just disappeared Madam Theresa," Her combat operator informed her. "We're doing everything to try and locate the signal again but we believe that it hasn't left the immediate area around-,"
"No need," She interrupted them as she finished ascending the steps and came face to face with the academy's front gate.
"I think I've found the source of the energy signature."
In front of Senba Academy's main gates was a pile of destroyed Anti-Entropy mechs piled up unto each other to form a mini hill of mechanical scrap. It wasn't the new models that organization had used to attack her school with, they were the previous standard mechs, but that didn't mean that they were weak in a fight.
Yet the current state of them showed that they had been little challenge to the one that destroyed them.
Who was most probably the black and dark purple haired woman nonchalantly sitting on top of the pile of destroyed mechs, casually holding up a mechanical arm as she looked into the distance seemingly deep in thought.
Before Theresa could say anything else the mysterious woman beat her to the punch, aware of her arrival. "You know these toy soldiers looked intimidating at first glance but ultimately were disappointing. Can't really have much fun killing a soulless soldier now can we?" She boredly spoke her disappointment as she nonchalantly threw the mech arm into the distance, uncaring of where it landed.
The black and dark purple haired woman then turned her head, revealing to Theresa the woman's slightly brighter purple eyes. The bored expression that she had heard in this mystery woman's voice was reflected in her eyes.
The boredom quickly changed to curiosity when the two locked eyes. "Hmm?" She spoke as she leaned forward, no doubt interested by her arrival as she examined her person. "Hey you look awfully like that dude…what was his name again?"
She placed a finger on her chin in contemplation. "Was it Kenny? No, was it Karl?...Kain?" After spouting out a bunch of random names that started with the word 'K' she gave up trying to guess with a shrug of her shoulders. "It started with a K but that's irrelevant. The bastard's here somewhere in this world and I intend to pay him back for what he did to me."
The curiosity in the woman's purple eyes faded "But you don't look like much." She gave her an appraising look from head to toe, seemingly unimpressed by what she saw. "This is no place for a child-"
Not even letting her finish that sentence Theresa Apocalypse activated the Oath of Judah, the Divine Key responding to her commands. Within seconds the golden cross opened up, revealing an array of similarly golden spears, as she armed herself with one of the spears as a weapon.
She was no child, she was the freakin Principal of St. Freya Academy!
At the sight of her activating the Divine Key the mystery woman slightly leaned back in surprise. "I see…" She muttered before smiling and began to clap loudly in approval of what she saw. "What a pleasant surprise! I like you already!"
Standing up from her pile of scrap metal the woman jumped off, landing on the ground in front of Theresa. "You see there are two people in this world." She started as she closed her eyes and cracked her knuckles.
"Those boring as fuck, the ones that like to make useless chit-chat and get nothing done, and those that know the one true pleasure in this wretched world, my favorite type of people."
The black and dark purple haired woman opened her eyes once more, but this time instead of a light purple her eyes had now turned into a demonic red.
Her smile turned into a savage, bloodthirsty grin.
"The battle."
So for my long term readers who have been with me since Chapter 1 of this journey I'm not sure if I talked about this but I mentioned that there was like this one scene/arc that basically pushed me forward to write this fanfiction.
I am happy to announce that we have finally hit that part at long last XD
Don't want to give too much away but all I can say is that canon is officially fucked now with what I have planned from this chapter onward.
*Looks at the giant ass roadmap I have and begins to laugh maniacally.*
I hoped I sort of threw you all out of the loop, initially giving out the false illusion that there would be a recovery chapter of the invasion before diving into the next arc and so on and so on.
NOPE.
We get our first glimpse of Otto and Haruto's interactions, a glimpse of the talk of Haruto and Kevin, the 5th and 6th Squad's Promotions to B-Ranks, a sneak peak to our new threat…
Couldn't think of a better Christmas Present for you all XD.
Pretty sure I won't get a chapter out before New Years so Happy Early New Years everyone!
Welp that's all for this chapter. If you enjoyed it, drop a fav/follow/kudos as they really help me out with creating great chapters. Reviews are deeply appreciated, they're the biggest motivation to keep writing, and if you have a question or a really interesting theory I am more than happy to reply. Please be patient if I don't respond to you super fast. Even if I don't respond to your comment for whatever reason, know that I read each and every one of them! PMing me is the best way for me to respond to your questions.
Peace!