Author's note: First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the profound influence of renowned Honkai and Persona fanfic authors on my writing style and approach. To begin, I've chosen the name of the protagonist from a notable Honkai fanfic, as it resonates seamlessly with the character and storyline. Furthermore, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated Honkai and Persona fanfic writers, with a special mention to LordChaldea, for crafting exceptional fanfics that have enriched my reading experience. While drawing inspiration from their work, the majority of this story is my original creation. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the talented writers in the Honkai Impact and Persona fanfic communities, both in the realm of crossovers and traditional fanfics. Your creativity and dedication are truly commendable. Now on to the first chapter!
Chapter - 1 - Part 1
A pair of orange-alloy eyes belonging to an unknown figure awoke from their slumber.
Looking around, he discovered that he was smoothly descending what appeared to be the interior of a sizable, transparent bridge of a vessel that was covered in soft blue velvet. Underneath him, the stand, the carpet, and the handles were all a soft, soulful shade of dark blue.
In addition to steering equipment, navigation charts, communication systems, engine control, and other miscellaneous features, the bridge's control room was decorated with intricate buttons and dials that reminded one of a science fiction control panel rather than a normal control room.
A command board with various switches and buttons was to his right, which was off at the time, and was positioned in the center of the glassware rack.
Overhead lighting from a multi-tiered fixture casts a calming blue-white glow throughout the room as hidden speakers began to play an ethereal song with a woman's voice singing to the sound of a piano.
He also realized that he was not on the bridge by himself. Two others were on it with him, both of whom had apparently been looking in the opposite direction across from him.
The first was thin, almost skeletal, dressed in a perfectly pressed black and white suit with white silk gloves, and clearly not human. With the exception of fringes of fine white hair on the sides and back of his head, he was bald and hunched over. His nose was even longer than his ears and resembled a flesh-colored beak more than anything else. His ears were pointed and nearly fifteen centimeters long. He was sitting in a chair behind a desk, and his hands were resting on its surface as he stared at him with a look of anticipation and delight.
The person at his side was a young, white haired woman wearing a mixed high neck blue long dress that with an elegant yet simple design. Her hair was as white as fresh snow, and she was pale. Her hands sat softly on a large briefcase, her knuckles creasing the smooth leather surface as if it held something important. Soon after he regained consciousness, they both turned to face him; the man's eyes were bloodshot and bulbous, while the woman's were an unsettling yellow-gold.
The imp-like man said in a smooth, gentlemanly voice, "Welcome to the Velvet Room."
For a brief moment, a sense of fear enveloped the unknown figure, as he did not know how he appeared here but it quickly faded away as the man's words stirred a sense of curiosity within him.
"Where am I?"
He asked the man hesitantly, his gaze shifting from the strange man to the unfamiliar room around him.
The bridge appeared to be completely alone in its own small world because the sky outside was so dark and it was obvious that it was night. Its exact location was also hidden by the clouds.
"What exactly is this place?"
The unknown figure was nervous when he asked this question as it seems that he was in completely unknown place.
"This is the realm that exists between dream and reality, between mind and matter," the man replied. "It is a room where only those bound by a "contract" may enter."
He gave a quick blink.
"What do you mean "bound by a contract"? More so, what do you mean by mind and matter?"
"My, my." The hunched back man chuckled. "You ask a lot of questions, don't you?"
The figure in front of him nodded hesitantly, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just that I've never seen anything like this before, and I'm a bit curious as to where I am." He said trying to be polite.
The imp like man chuckled and replied. "There is nothing to worry about, dear guest." He says it with a tone of delight and anticipation. "Your quest for knowledge will soon be rewarded, for the answer to your questions lies in a place far from here."
With a wave of a gloved hand, a small stack of blue cards appeared on the table before him. "My name is Igor, and this is my assistant, Safie."
"Tell me, do you believe in fortune telling?" he posed rhetorically before continuing with a knowing smirk. "If you choose to trust in their power, these cards can reveal a lot about your future."
Taken aback by the sudden appearance of the cards, the unknown figure warily glanced around the room, unsure of how they had appeared so quickly.
"Tarot? Where did these cards come from?" The figure began to question themselves, wondering who had placed them in the room and how they had done it without being noticed, as the cards appeared out of nowhere. He looked at Igor warily and gazed at the cards, feeling a strange, almost magical energy coming from them.
Igor flicked his hands, and the cards blurred with movement where they sat, shuffling themselves at astonishing speeds. The top cards then reorganized themselves into seven face-down spots on the table. The backsides of the cards all shared the image of a drama-like mask, half white and half black, decorated with vines and what seemed to be harps at each corner.
Seeing the magical display, the figure at the table gasped in awe at seeing the cards shuffle themselves.
"There is no need to be so amazed, dear guest." Igor said, stretching his grin even more at seeing his expression. "As I previously stated, this is a realm that exists between mind and matter, between dream and reality."
"It is a place of wonder," Igor continued, "where, if one has enough resilience in their heart, the impossible becomes possible." He raised his hand in the air and waved it.
"Let's see what your future has to say about it, shall we?"
Before the unknown figure could ask any questions, Igor motioned his hand in the air as if flipping a card. As he did so, the card on the lower right revealed a picture of a man holding a stick with cloth tied around one end and carrying items, with the entire array being carried over the shoulder, at the edge of a platform, accompanied by a dog at his heels. A number was written at the bottom, "0." Igor repeated the process again and revealed the identity of the lower left card: a sword with two bowls suspended, each at either side of its hilt, at equal distances from its center, positioned in the middle of the card with chains atop it, all being split in half with the right side being red. Roman numerals were written at the bottom: "VIII."
"Hmm. The fool in the upright position foretells new beginnings, the beginning of a journey in the near future, and the justice in the upright position indicates the truth being revealed and the consequences that come with it. Hmmm... how intriguing."
The person sitting in front of Igor decided to put aside his curiosity about the mysterious cards and pay attention to the two cards that were dealt in front of him.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that a new beginning is coming soon," Igor explained with a subdued theatrical flair. "And when it does arrive, the truth of a situation will be revealed, along with its consequences, which could be either good or bad depending on the circumstances."
Despite the fact that Igor was vague about the new beginning he was referring to, the tone of his voice and the expression on his face were enough to make it clear that it was an important moment of some kind.
Wondering what he was talking about, the unknown figure looked on expectantly, as if expecting Igor to provide further insight into his cryptic message.
"Do not worry, dear guest." With a reassuring smile, Igor concluded, "The future is always uncertain and full of surprises. No matter what happens, we of the velvet room will always have our doors open for you."
As the words left his mouth, a sense of dizziness overtook the man sitting in front of Igor.
Somehow he knew that his time in this strange place was nearing an end, so he tried to ask as many questions as he could in the little time he had.
"I understand that you must have more questions," said Igor. "However, it appears that our time together has come to an end for the time being." Igor smiled knowingly as sleep slowly overtook the guest. "If you ever find yourself in need of help, remember that the velvet room is always here, waiting to provide its solace and comforts."
"For now, farewell."
Before the unknown figure could say anything, his vision began to swim tiredly and fade to black.
? POV
Nagazora City,
At the train station
CE, January 10th, 2014
At the bustling train station, amidst the hurried commuters and the rhythmic clatter of departing trains, stood a striking woman. Her fiery red hair cascaded like molten lava, framing a face of ethereal mature beauty. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of orange, held an enigmatic allure. She exuded an air of quiet confidence, her presence commanding respect.
A long sigh escaped her lips as she glanced out the window, lost in meditation. She couldn't help but wonder whether things might have turned out differently if she had made a different decision.
Himeko Murata wondered whether she had made a mistake by not staying in her house and calling it a day for today.
She stood at the railway station, where her now-found nephew was expected to arrive, in her mid-twenties, with brilliant red hair and orange eyes. It began so simple: wake up, get ready for a date, attempt to locate a man who feels good enough for her, go home and take a long-deserved bath, then drink a beer and get intoxicated.
Nevertheless, fate had other plans for her, as she received a call from her boss alerting her of the arrival of her nephew.
She'd always been told to follow her instincts, but she couldn't escape the sensation that she wasn't prepared for this. She genuinely wished she had done more planning ahead of time, but it was too late now.
"Haaaaah… How could this have happened to me?" She inquired as she felt nearly all of her energy leave her for a brief while, leaving her fatigued from the present struggle as she considered why she was here.
Himeko had been raised in a loving and caring household of relatives. She had been living with them while attending the California Institute of Technology and was developing a deep relationship with her cousin, who was also a student there. But she had to go to the East Coast for employment after graduation and eventually lost contact with her relatives. She didn't want to bother them with her issues at first, but as time passed, she realized that they were actually concerned for her and wanted to assist her with what she was going through.
She had been working furiously to obtain a doctorate in order to fulfill her ambition of becoming a scientist like her father, and she hadn't been getting enough rest for the time being. Her relatives were concerned that she would pass out in the middle of her work, so they attempted to assist her in getting some rest and adequate sleep on occasion.
It took some time, but with her father's and relatives' guidance, she began to open up to them and found comfort in their support, which helped her overcome the problems she had during her studies and gave her the determination to keep going. She was able to successfully defend her thesis and realize her goal of becoming a scientist thanks to their encouragement.
It almost felt too wonderful to be true, as if she had accomplished something precious in her life that would stay with her for the rest of her life. And she wished it to remain like that for the rest of her life.
Then there was the honkai.
It sprang out of nowhere in her eyes. She could see perfectly one day, but the next, her vision saw red dots descend from the sky.
Some claim that the stars dropped from the sky that day; some believe it was a sign of approaching catastrophe, while others believe it was a celestial occurrence that science has yet to explain.
Yet the rest of the world would soon learn that horror had emerged that day.
She took a long breath and cooled her fury, attempting to conceal the pang of emotional sorrow that had appeared in her heart.
The Second Honkai War had killed more people than practically anything else in human history, the first being the plague, which had killed more than 50 million people in Europe and other nations.
The second honkai war was initiated because of the birth of the second herscher, during the Second Honkai War, chaos had reigned unchecked. The world had plunged into a nightmare as the Honkai, a malevolent force unleashed its devastating power upon humanity.
Ten million people died that day. Her relative and her family were among them.
She sighed as she gazed towards the railway station, anticipating the arrival of her nephew.
She agreed it was hard; it was much sadder when she grasped the full scope of the situation: her nephew was coming to live with her permanently following his parents' untimely deaths and after having been placed in an orphanage for the previous ten years.
He didn't know he had a family left, had likely lived along and fend for himself for the next 10 years after the incident.
She knew she couldn't erase the past, but the fact that she hadn't spoken to him in 12 years and had no idea he'd survived made her feel terrible and responsible for his present condition, adding to the weight of the obligation she now had to bear.
She inhaled deeply and urged herself to be in the moment and make the most of what she had. She was worried and apprehensive as she stared at the train slowly approaching in the distance, anticipating the arrival of her new nephew.
She hoped that their time together would be fruitful and that she would be able to provide him with the advice he required.
She was aware that he had been dealing with personal troubles and wanted to be there for him as a supporting family member, just as the majority of his family had been for her.
Himeko took a deep breath as the train drew to a halt and prepared to embrace him with wide arms.
The train door opened, and Murata Himeko braced herself for the long-awaited reunion with her long-lost relative. She was excited and worried as she searched the throng for his familiar face, wondering how much he had changed since they last saw each other. Seeing a hair of red like hers, she tried to get his attention. As their gazes connected, she couldn't help but grin and cry out to him.
"Hey, look over here."
When he looked around, he noticed her beckoning him and smiled warmly. When he approached her, he looked to be in a daze, staring at her hair and appearing lost in contemplation for a time before recomposing himself. Himeko saw his attention and giggled at his reply, feeling both amusement and flattery.
She wondered if it was because of her hairstyle or something else, but she decided to just enjoy the moment and not overthink it. She broke the stillness by tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and asking him if he needed anything.
He shook his head and sighed. "Your hair is just like hers." He stated it sadly, his voice falling off as he reflected on something.
Himeko winced as she recognized who he was referring to. She could tell the experience was terrible for him, and she didn't want to probe, so she merely nodded in agreement. She was aware that her nephew would need time to open up to her, but she was determined to be patient and supportive.
"Let's go home," she whispered as she rested her hand on his shoulder.
"We have a lot of things to talk." He nodded and followed her, and Himeko couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed in a single day as they walked away from the railway station.
She had lost her family many years ago and faced many challenges as time went. She fought many things that would make others cry and fall to their knees as they await their death. She fought so much and succeed where others failed despite the costs and now had a new responsibility and family to take care of.
Himeko felt a wave of peace and relief rush over her as they walked. While things had not gone as planned, she had found a new purpose and a new family in her nephew. And perhaps, just perhaps, there was hope for a better future ahead.
Haruto seems to have begun to adjust to his new circumstances after some effort with the bags. Himeko, seeing his sorrowful expression, tried to say something to him but ended up just stroking her nephew on the back, hoping to bring him some comfort.
She knew they still had a long road ahead of them, but she was determined to be there for him every step of the way. "Let's gather your stuff and head back to my apartment," she replied, motioning to the suitcase he'd brought with him.
He nodded, and the two of them walked to the exit. Himeko couldn't help but notice her nephew's anxious demeanor as they strolled through the station.
"Is everything all right?" she said, anxious. He paused for a beat before answering.
He shook his head then said. "It's nothing…. I'm just simply not sure whether I'm ready for this," he said. Himeko came to a halt and turned to face him, a calming hand on his shoulder.
"I know it's a lot to take in," she quietly whispered, "but we'll figure it out together. You are not alone in this situation."
Her comments appeared to console him, and he offered her a little smile.
"Thank you," he said. "I'm grateful."
They continued heading towards the exit, and as they walked outside, Himeko inhaled deeply. She felt a wave of relief rush over her as they left the station's buzz and bustle behind them.
"Well," she asked her nephew, "what do you want to do first? We can go out to dine, or I can show you around the city."
He shook his head. "I'm not sure," he said. "I believe I'm simply tired from the journey."
Himeko gave a nod. "Yes, I can see that. If you choose, we may take it easy today. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you."
He nodded, and they proceeded to Himeko's car. Himeko couldn't help but feel both excited and nervous as they drove back to her flat.
She was well aware that it would be difficult to take care of him, but she was determined not to show it on her face. Himeko brought her nephew up to her apartment as they arrived at her apartment building.
"Make yourself at home," she added, motioning to the living room. "I'll brew some tea for us."
She couldn't help but feel nostalgic as she turned on the kettle. She hadn't had to care for someone else in a long time, but she was up for the task. As she returned the tea to the living room, she noticed her nephew lost in contemplation, looking out the window. She took a seat next to him and offered him a cup.
"Is everything all right?" she said, anxious.
He turned to face her, his face solemn. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course," she responded.
He paused for a beat before speaking. "Why did you took me in?"
Himeko inhaled deeply. She knew this was a question that would come up at some point.
"You know, at first I thought the same thing too." Himeko said with a wistful expression. "I had never had to take care of a person or had the mind to do so for a long time…"
She then looked at him "But now… I think it is nice to have somebody to look out for."
Haruto looked at her with an unreadable expression then asked. "Why?"
"Because you're family," she simply stated. "And family looks out for one another."
Haruto seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. "All right," he responded as he sipped his tea.
Himeko reclined back on the couch, pleased with herself. Himeko felt a sensation of calm rush over her as they sipped their tea. She was aware that tough times lay ahead, but she was prepared to confront them head-on.
Himeko's Apartment,
Haruto's new room
3rd Person POV
"It was an odd feeling."
Haruto Fukamiya believed he had been alone since that tragic day. In fact, he was astounded by how much his life had changed after the tragedy. He sat on the side of his bed, surveying his empty room, which had yet to be filled with the items he had brought with him.
He'd lost all he cared about twelve years before. His parents, small sister, neighborhood, and nearly everyone he had known since infancy had all died during the second eruption and the subsequent Honkai War. He has been living alone since then, attempting to find purpose in his life, trapped in his own pain and anguish, fending for himself from childhood.
He used to be a happy, extroverted person who was often surrounded by friends and family. But suddenly he felt as though he were on a whole different planet. A world devoid of happiness, laughter, and love.
Despite his best attempts, he couldn't banish the recollections of what had transpired. He was taken back to that day every time he closed his eyes, reliving the pain and misery all over again that was like a never-ending nightmare from which he couldn't awaken.
Haruto did his hardest to put on a brave front and try to seem as though everything was OK. Yet he was straining to keep his head above water on the inside. He felt as if he were drowning in his own sorrow and anguish, trying to find some kind of relief in what he did.
He sat alone in his room, staring at the empty walls and wondering whether he would ever be happy again. Was he ever going to be able to live a regular life again, free of the constant worry and anxiety that had taken over his mind?
When he looked outside, he noticed a group of people playing music in the park across the street. They were smiling and having a good time, and their music was filling the air. Haruto felt a twinge of jealousy. He wanted to be carefree and cheerful like them. Yet he was well aware that it was impossible. He had lost too much, and he would never be the same again.
Haruto liked music. He used to play the guitar and have a nice singing voice. His parents had always told him that he had a natural ability for music and that if he followed it, he would become a great musician. Yet everything felt worthless today since he seemed to have forgotten how to play his guitar.
He took up his guitar, which had been handed to him many years ago and had been sitting unused in the corner of his room all day. He attempted to play a few chords, and the music echoed around the room. It felt fantastic to grasp the guitar again, but he couldn't play it as well as before.
Sighing slightly, he put on his headphones and closed his eyes, allowing the music to transport him away from his worries and into a world of song and rhythm. When he began to listen to the song through his headphones, he proceeded to unpack and arrange his possessions.
It took some effort and time, but he eventually got everything back in place. He noticed the music had stopped as he concluded. He removed his headphones and looked down at his phone.
It was late, and he had been immersed in his thoughts for some hours. Haruto decided to retire for the night and went to bed. When he closed his eyes, he promised himself that he would keep living, keep going forward, and trying to drown the pain and memories of that day.
He was well aware that it would not be easy and that there would be days when the suffering would be intolerable. But he also realized he had to give it a go. He had to keep going the following day and the day after that until he finished his degree and accomplished what he wanted, despite his history.
Haruto attempted to sleep with that notion, resolved to face whatever the day brought.
Yet, before falling asleep, he remembered the strange dream he experienced in the middle of his voyage to Nagazora City. He couldn't recall it as well as he had before arriving in the city, but he had a faint memory of a song and the sound of a woman singing in a blue chamber.
He was curious, what was the point of that dream? Despite remembering little about it. He knew he had seen something incredible and had been informed about some type of truth being revealed, but as far as he knew, the dream he saw that day made him feel like he was grasping at thin air.
Haruto eventually settled into bed, closing his eyes and sighing deeply. He was fatigued after a hard day today and had been anticipating this moment all evening.
As he gently drifted off to sleep, the last thing on his mind before losing awareness was about the dream he had in the train and how the "truth" told in his dreams may potentially impact his life forever.
?
?
3rd person POV
… Hm?
... Hm? 'It feels odd.' In his dream, Haruto pondered as he looked around and tried to walk carefully. The area he was in was surrounded by a bizarre orange and purple hazy outline shrouded in haze, making it difficult to see anything clearly. Yet when his eyes adjusted, he realized he was in a place that was both familiar and foreign to him. He observed buildings that resembled those in his hometown, but they were deformed and twisted in strange ways. Others surrounding him wore dark shadows and shade over their entire bodies instead of revealing their features. They walked aimlessly from one location to another as they walked past each other without interacting much with each other.
Haruto took a few steps ahead, his steps slowed by the sensation of walking in molasses. As he proceeded, he saw that the landscape and buildings appeared to shift and alter in front of his eyes.
They twisted and spun, their forms growing increasingly dissimilar until they bore no resemblance to anything he recognized. When he gazed around at the weird, warped environment he was in, he felt a sensation of anxiety rush over him. He felt stuck, unable to leave this strange realm, no matter how hard he tried.
Haruto continued to walk when he heard a voice scream out from someplace in the distance. He shifted his gaze to the sound, struggling to see through the thick cloud.
"Please," the voice said again, louder and more insistently.
"Anybody, anyone! Please assist me!" The voice became a little clearer.
"Fath%(! Kia&*! Kia&*! Please! Please help me!" The voice became distorted suddenly before getting clearer at the conclusion.
"Please!" Haruto was startled awake as he awoke from his dream. He sat up in bed, opened his eyes, and took deep breaths to calm his beating heart.
"Such a strange dream," he whispered to himself, still uneasy from the warped reality he had just witnessed. Yet when he laid back down, he couldn't escape the sensation that something significant had happened in his dream. Something he needed to keep in mind.
His alarm clock sounded as he looked at the clock and realized it was already daybreak. Haruto muttered as he pulled himself out of bed to face the day. He couldn't stop thinking about his dream while he went about his everyday routine.
He couldn't exactly place it, but he had a strange hunch that it was significant. Throughout the time it took Haruto to get ready in the morning, he was captivated by the recollections of his dream. He replayed it in his thoughts, trying to figure out whether there were any hidden meanings or connotations. But every time he tried to grasp it, the facts went through his fingers like sand.
Haruto had almost given up on attempting to interpret his dream by the time he finished putting on his clothing. He assumed it was merely a random collection of images and thoughts with no actual meaning.
He took a deep breath and readied himself for the day by going to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Imagine his surprise when he saw breakfast on the table and his aunt getting ready to go to work.
"Good morning, Haruto," she remarked cheerfully. "I prepared breakfast for you. And don't forget, we have a lot of work to do today to get you enrolled at school."
Haruto looked at his aunt, then back at the food on the table, as he realized he would be living with her starting today. When he glanced at his aunt, Haruto felt a flood of emotions pour over him.
The reality of his new living conditions hit him like a ton of bricks. After 10 years of living alone, he would suddenly be living with someone. He couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the prospect. He'd become used to living alone, cooking for himself, and doing everything alone. Living with someone else, especially a relative, would be a major change.
Yet as he glanced at his aunt's happy face, he felt a sense of warmth and comfort he hadn't felt in a long time. Even though they hadn't seen each other in years and only met yesterday, Himeko had been a supporting figure in his new living arrangement.
Haruto thanked his Aunt, his voice somewhat raspy. "Thanks… Aunt Himeko."
Himeko's grin broadened. "Oh, certainly," Himeko says. "You are now my family and my responsibility." Himeko took a pause. "And family looks out for one another." Himeko added it after a moment.
Haruto nodded, a knot forming in his throat. It had been a long time since he had been cared for. He had a family for the first time in a long time. Haruto was grateful to his aunt for taking him in and giving him a sense of belonging he hadn't had in a long time. He knew it would take some time to adjust to his new life, but after witnessing how nice and compassionate his aunt was, he was starting to get used to it.
Himeko inquired about Haruto's interests and hobbies during breakfast, and they discussed his forthcoming school enrollment. Himeko appeared sincere in her desire to learn more about him and assist him in any way she could. Haruto realized he had been so preoccupied with his own troubles and challenges that he had forgotten what it was like to have someone on whom he could rely. He smiled and replied with happiness after she had asked him.
Following breakfast, they spent the rest of the day preparing Haruto for school. Himeko accompanied him to the store to get new school clothes and supplies, and they spoke about his schedule and extracurricular activities. As the day progressed, Haruto began to feel more at ease with his aunt and his new living arrangement.
Nagazora City,
Shopping district
3rd Person POV
CE, January 10th, 2014
Haruto was browsing over the many school uniform possibilities, attempting to decide which one best suited him, when Himeko abruptly inquired, "Haruto, what do you want to do once you graduate high school and receive additional education?"
Haruto raised his head, astonished at the inquiry. He paused for a while, hesitant and a bit pensive at telling his aunt before opening his mouth to tell about his answer before saying,
"Aunt Himeko, before I tell you, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
Haruto paused, wondering if this was the right time for this question. Gathering his determination, he looked at her, then asked, "Aunt Himeko, are you a valkyrie?"
Himeko was taken aback by the question but quickly composed herself. "Yes, Haruto, I am," she answered calmly.
He gave a nod. "I see."
Himeko appeared perplexed by his response.
Haruto seeing her perplexed look decided to be honest with her.
"Aunt Himeko…. I want to acquire a job at Schicksal or Anti-Trophy as a captain or commander of frontline battle units against the Honkai."
Himeko froze and widen her eyes in surprise, a worried and anxious look appeared on her face. "Schicksal? Anti-Entropy? She repeated herself, almost as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Haruto, do you truly want to battle the Honkai on the frontlines?"
Haruto raised his head from his school uniform, taken aback by Himeko's reaction. "Yes, Aunt Himeko," he said tentatively. "I want to join the battle against the honkai,"
Before Himeko could say anything, Haruto then further explained. "A few days ago, I had been searching about various things about the organizations fighting against the honkai, there were abundant information about Schicksal and Anti-Entropy for the public access and possible recruits ever since the second eruption, so I was considering applying to Schicksal in the future, but I wanted to prepare beforehand and waited when I was ready."
"When I was looking for a higher study and attempting to see whether there was any opportunity for me to apply for a position at Schicksal in the future, I had learned about the the genetic feature that permits female humans to be valkyries and male humans to be knights known as stigma. Information about the stigma was very sparse and little, so in my effort to learn more about them, I was abruptly summoned by someone in Schicksal and informed about a living relative. " He then stared at Himeko. "And I was told that a Schicksal member who is a valkyrie was my living family."
Himeko appears to nod, astonished by this knowledge. "You were attempting to apply for a position at Schicksal, and Schicksal discovered you to be linked to me."
Himeko nodded in agreement. "I see. That's probably why my superiors told me about a surviving relative... but do you really want to do this Haruto, there are better jobs out there you know?" Himeko inquired, unsure of how to feel about her nephew joining such a dangerous cause.
But then he offered an unexpected question. "Is there a stigmata in our family, Aunt Himeko?"
Haruto's inquiry concerning stigma in their family surprised Himeko. "How do you know about stigmata, Haruto?" she said, perplexed and slightly tense.
Haruto looked at her with a calm smile then elaborated "While I was in Schicksal, I had found out how valkyries and knights were chosen. I was fortunate enough to learn a bit about the stigma and how they function and how they develop tremendous physical strength and speed, allowing a person to combat the honkai more successfully. Since a stigma appears in a person if they were compatible with the honkai energy and can either appear on a person with a strong resistance to people against the honkai energy or be passed through bloodlines, I wondered if there was a history of our family having one."
Haruto's understanding of the Valkyries and his explanation about the stigmata in what few time he had been in Schicksal impressed and lessen the tension in Himeko's mind.
"You're quite the scholar, Haruto," she observed. "But to answer your question, as far as I know, there is no stigma in our family. But I know Schicksal is always seeking great people to join their team." Haruto sighed and nodded carefully.
"Yes, I guess so." Himeko observed Haruto's disappointment and made her a bit confused. She placed a soothing touch on his shoulder.
"Is there a reason you're asking me this, Haruto?"
Haruto pondered for a bit before speaking. "It's only that... I've always felt that I could have made a difference, that I could help people against the honkai but now I'm not sure where I fit in. When I had learned about the stigma and the valkyries, it made me wonder whether there was anything I could do to help fight the honkai that maybe I could have done something if I had a stigmata as well but now that isn't possible." Haruto looked a bit sadden by what he heard.
Himeko listened to Haruto's remarks and felt a bit sympathy at his expression. She knew what it was like to be unable to achieve anything and to question one's position in the world. Yet her expression hardens as she was also aware that the stigmata were not to be taken lightly.
Unknown to the general public, even though various information about Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were out in the public after the second eruption, there were still secrets that the organizations hid within their base and organizations.
One of the secrets hidden were the birth of stigmatas and how they came to be. The lower level members of Schicksal were told that Stigmatas were created and founded by the Schicksal organizations dating back to a few hundred years and were likely to be found within individuals with higher resistance from mankind when they were found by the organizations of Schicksal and given a Stigmata upon contact with Schicksal. This was partially the truth since Schicksal did create Stigmatas after a long time after their establishment, but what they did not know was that this was an artificial Stigmatas made based upon the real natural ones that dated about a few thousand years ago before the establishment of Schicksal.
What more is that such artificial stigmatas could really kill a person using it if they were to use it more for too long or so.
"Haruto, the stigmata is not something that can be desired or sought after," she remarked softly. "It is a hereditary characteristic handed down through specific lineages or circumstances. Not everyone who carries the stigmata goes on to become a valkyrie or a knight, and not everyone who goes on to become a valkyrie or a knight is necessarily suitable for the job. That is a hard load to carry and should not be taken lightly." Himeko says she felt compelled to utter those things because she recognized the cost of carrying an artificial stigmata.
Haruto glanced down at his hands, seemingly lost at thinking about something. After a few moments, he eventually replied. "Aunt Himeko, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to say something like that."
Himeko made a shaking motion with her head. "No, Haruto, that's not it. It's simply that stigma is a difficult and sensitive issue. That is not something to be taken lightly or addressed casually. But I understand why you're intrigued, and I'm here if you ever want to talk about it more.
Haruto kept looking at his hand for a while before looking at his aunt with an appreciative grin. "I see. Thanks, Aunt Himeko. I'm glad you care."
Himeko returned his grin, thankful for the opportunity to bond with her nephew. She knew the road ahead of him would be difficult, but she was happy for now, knowing that her nephew was thinking carefully about his future and would care for himself at that time.
Unknown to Himeko, Haruto had clenched his fists a bit in frustration and sadness when she was not looking.
Not seeing his hidden emotions, Himeko soften her eyes with a serious expression then asked Haruto.
"Haruto, do you truly want to battle the Honkai on the frontlines?"
Haruto raised his head from his school uniform, taken aback by Himeko's reaction. "Yes, Aunt Himeko," he said tentatively. "I want to join the battle against the honkai,"
Himeko appeared to be about to say something, but she paused and stayed silent for a few seconds. Himeko studied him for a moment, staring into his eyes, before eventually speaking something. "I understand your motivation, Haruto," she remarked quietly. "But fighting on the frontlines against the Honkai, even as a commander, is risky and could lead to death."
Haruto grimaced, a determined expression on his face. "I know it's dangerous, Aunt Himeko," he declared emphatically. "But I want to do this, I want to fight against the honkai even if it is dangerous in the end."
Himeko groaned at seeing his determination and looked at Haruto with concern and resignation. "I see you're determined, Haruto," she then interjected him with a question. "But is there a reason for why you are doing this?"
Haruto opened to mouth to say something but paused then looked down to think about something for a while. He then said. "I want to know the truth…"
He looked back at his aunt seeing her confused look then clarified. "I want to know why the second Honkai eruption occurred, and killed my family."
"I want to know why people died on that day and why people suffered at the hands of the Honkai for no cause." When he finished the phrase, Haruto's determination became apparent in his voice.
Himeko's eyes widen and a look of shock appeared on her face. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself. A look of pain appeared on her face as she gave a look of resignment and sadness at his decision as she said. "I see…. I can't stop you then."
Himeko then put up a determinant face as she continued. "I know that you would continue on this dangerous path… but please, please promise me that you would be cautious and take care of yourself. And remember that you may always depend on me for assistance or support."
Haruto nodded, appreciative of his aunt's assistance. "Thank you, Aunt Himeko," he said, expressing gratitude. "I appreciate your concern, but I must proceed. I want to know the truth." He then turned back browsing for his school uniform.
The mood was tense for the entire session of the shopping.
Himeko's POV
Himeko couldn't help but feel uneasy when Haruto voiced his willingness to join the fight against the Honkai. She had witnessed the Honkai's atrocities firsthand and understood the dangers of being a front-line combatant.
At first she had thought he would do something risky or possibly endanger himself in his cause to fight against the Honkai but her worry was unfounded.
She knew that as a survivor of the second eruption, Haruto would likely have a deep trauma of the second eruption. Although she had not known what happened to him during the past twelve years much to her guilt, she knew that his trauma would manifested in one way or another.
However, she didn't expect it to manifest as as a reason to search for the cause of the devastation behind the second honkai eruption.
Her worry came back in full force as her heart broke when Haruto explained his reason for wanting to join. Unlike him, she was aware of the reality behind the second eruption, the Herrescher of the Void, and the world's devastation cause of her desire to simply wait for a man similar to her to fight her on fair grounds. She wanted to give Haruto the truth, to save him the agony of chasing something that would not offer him closure, but she couldn't.
Himeko understood that nothing she could say would prevent Haruto from his goal after seeing his determined countenance. She knew it was terrible to allow him to continue down this path without fully realizing the risks he would face, but she couldn't bear the thought of robbing him of his optimism.
Himeko's thoughts kept returning to Haruto's desire for vengeance against the Honkai while they continued shopping. She knew it was a risky route to take, but she couldn't deny that she felt his agony. Losing one's family and home to the Honkai was a traumatic experience that no one should have to go through, and Haruto was understandably right.
She couldn't help but feel guilty as she considered her own lack of involvement in Haruto's life. She'd been gone for so long, and suddenly she was thrown into the role of caring for a devastated child.
She wanted to do the right thing for him and help him in any way she could, but she also realized she couldn't protect him from reality forever.
Himeko took a deep breath as they exited the store, preparing to bring up the matter with Haruto. But when she saw his expression, she realized she couldn't do it.
No, not yet. There was still so much for him to digest and so much healing for him to accomplish. For the time being, she would back him up in his ambitions and be there for him when he needed her.
As they proceeded along the street, she quietly remarked, "I'm proud of you, Haruto, I know you'll become an excellent leader one day."
Haruto grinned, his eyes bright and determined. "Thank you very much, Aunt Himeko. I'll give it my all."
Himeko feels guilty for not telling him the truth about the second eruption, the Herrescher of void, and the horrors she perpetrated. She understands that people who become Herreschers are destined to be mankind's adversaries and will go to any length to destroy it. She wants to warn Haruto that he should leave the battle to those who can deal with the Honkai and the Herreschers, but she sees the resolve in his eyes and knows that nothing will stop him from discovering the truth about the second eruption.
Himeko notices the discomfort between her and Haruto as they finish shopping for school supplies. She knows she needs to confront him about his ambitions, but she doesn't want to discourage him from following his aspirations.
As Himeko was thinking about what to do and not to do. Haruto's attentions was somewhere else.
"Ryoma Raiden, the CEO, is suspected of stealing millions of dollars from the company. The authorities have opened an investigation into the incident," the anchor stated.
A news broadcast was a nearby TV attracted their attention. ME Crops, the CEO of a huge firm, was accused of embezzling funds.
Haruto's eyes widened as the news of the TV reached him. This did not go unnoticed by Himeko as she noticed Haruto's shocked expression when the news anchor narrated the situation. Himeko could tell that the news had troubled Haruto, and she wondered if he was upset about it.
"Do you know anything about ME Crops, Haruto?" she inquired softly.
Haruto froze for a moment, his face blank then shook his head, still processing the news. "No, I don't know anything about them," he said quietly.
Himeko could tell there was more to Haruto's reaction than he was revealing, but she didn't want to press him anymore. "That's well, Haruto; let's just enjoy our next shopping, okay?" she added, smiling.
Haruto nodded, glad for his aunt's patience. They lingered at the clothing shop for a little longer, taking in the warm atmosphere and the calm air.
Himeko, unbeknownst to Haruto, couldn't help but feel uneasy after hearing the news broadcast. She was aware that ME Crops was an anti-entropy supporter and questioned if there was something wrong with the group. The CEO's embezzlement of funds seemed odd because she had met him before and knew he wasn't the type of man to do such a thing.
Someone seems to be attempting to frame Ryoma Raiden by bringing false charges against him. Himeko made a mental note to look into the topic more and monitor any advances with ME crops and anti-entropy. Himeko couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on behind the scenes as they returned to their home for further preparations, and she knew she had to be ready for anything that might come their way, her mind racing with thoughts about the ME Corps and the accusations leveled against its CEO.
It was when she was in the middle of getting the certificate and other documents for her nephew's enrollment that she was interrupted by her nephew's voice.
"Aunt Himeko, I think I got the right size."
Himeko turned her attention to Haruto, who was wearing a white school uniform with orange and green inner collar cuffs and inner lining hidden behind the outside of the clothes. The uniform looked crisp and new, a symbol of a fresh start in his life.
She smiled warmly at him, appreciating the effort he was putting into his preparations for school. "You look great in that, Haruto," she said, her voice filled with pride. "It suits you perfectly."
Haruto's face lit up with a small yet subtle grin. The uniform seemed to bolster his confidence a bit as he looked at himself at the mirror. Smiling a bit, he was going to say something when suddenly he stopped and looked a bit pensive at the mirror.
Noticing his blank expression, Himeko asked. "Haruto, is there something wrong?"
Haruto looked at his aunt and then with a bit of nonchalant look said to her. "Nothing much, Aunt Himeko, just… a bit of reminiscing."
Himeko looked unconvinced but decided to not say anything. She instead looks at the mirror with a puzzled look.
It was just an ordinary mirror, found in shops for an individual to check the clothes they want to buy. Feeling a bit disappointed, she lost her interest in the mirror and decided to focus on elsewhere for now.
Haruto had already taken off his school clothes and wore his normal ones, however his expression had changed drastically as now a pensive expression was on his face.
Himeko was worried about him, so she asked him. "Haruto? Is everything alright?"
Haruto seem quiet for a while then looked at his aunt with a bit of smile then said. "It's nothing, aunt Himeko. I just remembered some harsh memory from the past, that's it."
Himeko stay silent at hearing this, and slowly nodded with a understanding look. Haruto seeing that his aunt was not pursing for question, felt glad that his aunt gave him space and looked at his hands.
After a few moments, Himeko assumed that he has yet to recover from his trauma and looked at him with a sympathetic and understanding look.
'As I thought, he still has not recovered well from his trauma, it is still not time for me to tell him everything yet.' She thought as she decided to put a stop to her plans to tell him more about the 2nd honkai eruption for now.
However, as she started at her nephew, wondering why he acted the way he did now, unseen by Himeko, when Haruto had looked at his aunt to talk about the uniform.
A burning flaming figure appeared at the mirror for a brief moment.