Chapter 5: Mundane life
"Ouch." Sirin whimpers as a needle pierced right through her skin. Viscous crimson liquid starts filling up the needle's container. Sirin could handle the pain though her memory of SIRIN's experiences made her see those needles in a scarier light.
Yes she was scared of them but it's nothing that she couldn't handle. She's more scared of the fact that her Herrscher persona might still rise and take hold of her body once again. It's been months since they left that cabin.
Though nightmares occasionally haunt the Kaslana. Nightmares about SIRIN's time in Babylon or about her status as a Herrscher.
"Thank you Sirin." Natalia smiled as she put the needle into a box for safe keeping. The scientist gave the girl a pat on her head which the girl enjoyed as well as a glass of milkshake that she made for the girls who participated in the weekly blood donation.
Why are they donating their blood? It's because of a condition made by Nathara for the Kaslana and ultimately it involves Sirin as well. Though only Siegfried's blood is needed, his daughters only volunteered to donate their blood since that would mean that their taxes and educational expenses would be paid off by Nathara's company.
AE wasn't kind enough to include those benefits. Though it's understandable why they only offered them shelter as they needed the money to win in their cold war with Schicksal and also their crusade against the Honkai.
"Hey Leon~." Sirin called out to the boy who sometimes sneaks glances during the donation process. He's still too scared around needles but the boy is curious on why they all agreed to that idea without much hesitation despite not needing to.
Leon is currently reading some study materials from their school they had just enrolled in. Kiana is laying down beside him reading a comic while her head rests on the armchair of the Sofa they were currently on. "You two are such nerds." Sirin huffed. "Wanna play a game?"
"Sure! I was getting bored anyway." Kiana excitedly turned on the TV and game console after she had just thrown her comic book away somewhere. Sirin made her way to her sister while catching the book with one of her void portals. Another one opens up on the table where the book nicely lands on its side after creating a loud thump.
"I'm not good at playing games." Leon replied deadpanned. The boy still tried to keep his expressionless façade despite his shock from the noise earlier. Leon is easily startled by sudden loud noises such as that. It's also the sisters' favorite way to mess with him, Sirin especially.
"I'll just watch you two." He's unsure why Sirin kept inviting him despite his total lack of experience and skills in playing video games.
The girl sometimes cusses about his skills. But she doesn't seem to be too mad about it. Sirin can be loud sometimes whenever she plays a game, Same goes with Kiana if the two were playing together. He didn't understand her reasoning. Is it to mock him? Or does she just like playing with other people?
The boy couldn't wrap his head around it. So he decided to spectate instead. It feels more fun for him to do so. But sometimes he has this itch to grab a controller and play the game himself just so that Sirin or Kiana wouldn't occasionally comment on his skills.
"Fine geez. You're such a nerd huh. How can you stay focus on reading boring stuff like that." Sirin decided not to bother him any longer. As soon as the game starts the twins find themselves immersed into the open world game they're playing.
"Least it makes you remember your curfew." Leon shrugs. "Just don't play until late at night or mom is going to scold you again."
"… We know." The twins rolled their eyes. Sirin clicks her tongue while Kiana becomes more observant to the clock on the wall. Being scolded by that woman is the last thing the twins would want. Natalia just likes to nag a bit too much, It doesn't help it either if their dad also scolds them alongside her.
They know how long it would last before the nagging finally stops, But thankfully Siegfried understands their predicament. Whenever he scolds them he'd always make sure that woman isn't around or listening.
The kids didn't hate it, even if they find it tedious to listen to her nagging. It's just part of their mundane everyday life in this extraordinary world. Sometimes being ignorant of the truth about the world around you can be a blessing.
Knowledge about the Honkai existence isn't exactly pleasant. Afterall who would want to be constantly reminded that anytime and anywhere a small apocalypse could occur and the normalcy you once knew would be gone in those very instances. Even the most resilient person need a sense of normalcy to keep themselves sane.
That's exactly what Sakuya needed as she blankly stared at the ceiling of her room. Even when she's resting on her comfortable bed she couldn't help but feel anxious. What if the Honkai attacked again? What if she was left alone again? What if some other bad people found her and kidnapped her or her family?
Those questions that shouldn't be on a child's mind continue to torment her. As much as she liked sparring with her sisters, she still chose to try and preserve these small peaceful moments. Naïvely the girl wishes that these moments can last forever.
Sakuya sighs as she extends her arm as if she's trying to reach for something. Though she didn't know what she's trying to reach for. So she emptily stared at her hand.
'Would I want my original memories to return? Is it really that traumatic that even the Stigmata sealed it away?' The girl wonders. Perhaps that's the thing she's trying to reach, Her past. A past that she lost from all the tragedy she had suffered to get to where she is right now.
…
…
…
"I'll just try to sleep again." Sakuya has given up on trying to think of an answer herself.
She took a pillow and covered her emerald green eyes with it. Her consciousness drifts away into the depths of her subconscious where her Stigmata place resides. Sakuya likes to hangout at that place either to study or train her muscle memory. Ever since Sirin's awakening the older Kaslana have had trouble sleeping. At least this method helped her solve her insomnia problem.
"Hmm right… Hopefully those three pay attention to the time. With Leon there it shouldn't be a problem I hope." Sakuya smiles slightly. The atmosphere of her Stigmata space always seems to magically calm her anxiety down. Now, she wonders if Stigmata Kyuushou is still waiting for her near the cabin as she begins to search for her.
Monday, the most dreaded day of the week for many children, teenagers and adults alike. As it's the day when their weekend break ends and school/work begins. Not even the Kaslana-Milkova joint family can escape Monday's wrath.
The Kaslana sisters wished they had gone to train with their dad instead of attending this nightmare of a place called school. Multiple dreadful hours of them sitting down on their respective seats while listening to their teachers teaching them multiple lessons of different subjects. It's effectively torture for someone like Sirin and Kiana who couldn't stay still in one place for too long.
Sirin groans as she rests her cheek on the palm of her hand. She idly listens to whatever the teacher is saying, not that it matters as she could hardly focus her attention on the lesson in the first place.
Kiana isn't much different, though she prefers to sneakily read her novel while occasionally glancing forward to the whiteboard in order to not raise much suspicion on herself, that she isn't following anything that her teacher has spoken about.
Somehow only Leon managed to pull through and actually listens to whatever the teacher is teaching them. Though the boy is already smart enough to understand most lessons taught in elementary school. He always scored the highest in school in any test related to mathematics and science. In comparison Sakuya could only enter the top 10 students in their class while her younger sisters scored somewhere in the middle.
Finally the bell of salvation rang as students received their lunch break for the day. As the students rush out of their classes to meet up with their friends. The Kaslana sisters and Leon head out to their favorite spot of the entire school, a quiet place in the park in the back of their elementary school.
"Oi Leon~ Let me copy your notes!" Sirin shamelessly asked while keeping an innocent smile on her face. She might not listen to her teachers but at least she reads her own notes, Sometimes.
"No."
"Whyyy!?"
"You always copied my notes."
"Your notes are more readable!" Sirin crossed her arms and grumbles.
"Fine…I'll give it to you later when we're back home." Leon grumbled. He didn't like it when his meal time was interrupted, Besides he didn't bring any of his notes with him. The boy wonders why can't Sirin and Kiana just copy everything that was written on the whiteboard instead of relying on him.
"Haha thanks! You're the best Leon!" The Kaslana grins as she light pats the boy's back
Though little does the boy know, his notes are much more sensible and easier to understand for those two muscle heads. If anything they'd rather have him as a teacher and study with him than go to school.
"Haa PE is the only fun lesson in this school." Kiana complains. Even if she's more tolerant to things unlike her more short tempered sister, She still finds this academic stuff to be tedious. What would be of use to her anyway? It's not like she'd use history to fight the Honkai, Many of the historical facts were altered as well making it even more useless.
"Why is that even fun? We could just win in a race. Regular humans are too fragile and weak. Hmph they cried too easily too." Sirin huffed.
"Sometimes a simple fall would make them cry or a simple fight." The Kaslana continues. She wondered why her family takes that oath to protect these kinds of people. Just because they're weak doesn't mean they're innocent.
"Hmph it's worse when I have to hear rude brats talking and bullying others."
Silently her sisters agreed with her sentiment.
"Humans are imperfect but we can still protect the beautiful ones!" Kiana chimed in.
"That's not a reason for you to start a fight, Kiana even if they're bullies." Sakuya shakes her head.
"I can't just let some kids get trampled like that!" Kiana argued.
"Those bullies basically ask for a beating. They needed to be taught a lesson." Sirin huffed. While Kiana wanted to help the weak or the victim. Sirin just wants to punish the bullies.
A different mindset yet both lead them to cause trouble even if they do win against those bullies rather easily due to their Valkyrie training. Sakuya sighs, this is exactly why she needs to monitor them whenever they're at school.
"There are other ways to deal with them without getting physical." Sakuya grumbles as she shoots a glare at her sisters. "Not everything can be solved with violence."
"Fine. Fine." Sirin pouts while Kiana laughs awkwardly. 'The Kaslanas are all simpletons aren't they?' Sakuya wonders if she has to monitor her dad too to prevent him to do something stupid.
"Anyway I'm sure those brats already got their lesson from yesterday's beat up. At least you didn't do it at school or else it'll be a bigger problem."
"Hmm that's true." Kiana looks upwards. "But Saku-Nee, would you really just leave it be if you saw those kinds of injustice?"
"Yeah." Sakuya answered without hesitation. It wasn't her business so there's no need for her to get involved unless it affects her friends or sisters she simply has no reason to act.
"So cold~."
"It gives you less trouble at least." The girl shrugs. "Well I wouldn't ignore it if you were the victim."
"I can defend myself just fine, Saku-nee. Hmph I'll become an S rank Vakyrie like mom in the future so I can't afford to be weak like that! And as Valkyries it is our pride to save as many people as possible!" Kiana naively exclaimed.
"Least don't get permanently injured or else you wouldn't be able to save anyone." Sakuya replied deadpanned as she slurps her last remaining tea that she bought.
Kiana wanted to retort. But she does agree with her statement, Injury would really hinder her when she eventually became a Valkyrie. "….Okay guess you're right on that Saku-nee." The girl rubbed the back of her own head.
"But being a Valkyrie sounds cool. Maybe I'll become one as well. I don't want to be left out by you two and someone have to keep you two from causing trouble." The older Kaslana stared at her younger sisters.
"Then let's all become Valkyries! Like mom! I bet we can make a great team." Kiana stood up with excitement sparkling in her eyes. She just couldn't wait until she could get her own battlesuit. Though sadly they're all still too young for that.
As much as Leon wanted to join them and become a knight like Siegfried. His body is still too weak and frail for that. No one knows when his body would finally adapt to his stigmata. It'll take years before he could really start to pursue his potential in the art of combat though for now simply learning the basics is a good enough start for him.
Leon wanted to help them in some way. His best bet is just to be their teacher so that their academic scores wouldn't fall off, Maybe until they all enroll at the rumored St Freya academy in Soukai City. A highschool for young Valkyries and Knights to attend, that their aunt, Theresa Apocalypse runs.
They continue their little menial talks for the rest of their lunch break. Time flies so fast when you are having fun, a stark contrast to the time they had to endure during lectures as it felt like it lasted for an eternity.
Just as the bell frees them from the class, The same bell also calls them back to the hell they thought they could free themselves from. They sat back down on their respective seats.
Being the protagonist of the story naturally gives you the seat that's located near the window of the classroom in which you could take a peak of whatever is happening outside. That seat of course belonged to Sakuya Kaslana and the girl occasionally used that peeking privilege whenever she was bored in class.
"Hmm, not much clouds today huh." She muttered to herself as chaos ensued in her whole classroom since the teacher hadn't arrived yet. "Haa, why are they always so loud." Sakuya frowns, she always likes it whenever the class is peaceful but when you put a bunch of kids in a single room it's inevitable that it'll get loud real quick when they're left without any supervision.
"Still…" Sakuya smiled a little. "This mundane life isn't so bad afterall." She knew full well things like this couldn't last. She experienced it herself before.
"Alright class, may I have your attention please?" Their next teacher enters the room. With just her presence alone she managed to calm down the entire class with relative ease. 'The power of authority huh.' Sakuya stares at her teacher as she walks to the front of the class.
"Now we shall begin. Open your science textbook everyone today, We would be learning physics." And just like that her teacher began to explain to them once again on whatever topic they're learning for this period.
Just as the sun was about to set, Students are finally allowed to leave school to head back to where they live. Since it isn't far, The Kaslana sisters and Leon usually walk their way back home while following the main road. Occasionally they would buy snacks to satiate their gluttony.
Such as now where they all bought themselves some ice cream from the local ice cream shop, famous for its sweet and delicious ice cream.
"Leon, you don't have to pay for everything." Sakuya frowned.
"I still have my savings and it's cheap." Though the boy doesn't seem to care that much as he began to eat his vanilla sundae.
"Hehe Leon is the best! Could you treat us another one?" Sirin asked. Naturally she would want him to say yes. Who would say no to free food?
"Use your own money for that." The boy replied with an unamused look on his face.
"Tsk." Sirin clicks her tongue and looks away. "Hmph, you always say no to me."
"Says the one who asks for unreasonable things."
"It's not unreasonable!"
Leon never really exaggerates his words though it is true that Sirin likes to ask a lot of things from him. Most of it are menial things that even Sirin herself could do. She only did it to garner attention from him.
"Then maybe you should treat me something as compensation for my efforts."
"That- Ugh Alright fine what do you want?" Sirin practically rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe Leon would want compensation so that she could have more freebies.
Both Kiana and Sakuya immediately stared at their sister. The two look equally dumb founded that their hard headed sister would give in that easily.
"…I was just joking." Leon is dumbfounded as well though he wouldn't let this opportunity pass by. "But…Buy me some doritos."
"Fine. What?" Sirin raises her eyebrow noticing that her sisters was staring at her.
"Nothing…Can I get one as well?" Kiana now looks at her with a pleading smile.
"Do-Don't get used to it." Sirin grumbles. Her cheeks flushed pink from embarrassment. Well guess they'd ought to get used to her soft side from time to time.
"I'll buy 1 family sized one so just share it. Don't ask for more."
"Hehe~ You're the best! Kindest sister ever!"
"St-Stop it, you're too loud!" Poor Sirin. The girl's cheeks only reddens even further. Kiana giggles seeing her twin's reaction makes her want to tease her more.
"Can't I praise my sister, hm?" Kiana wrapped her arm around the girl's waist. The original Kaslana embraces her clone in an affectionate hug.
"Le-Let go! I can't walk like this!"
"Nope~ Hehe." Kiana's grin shines as brightly as ever while her unfortunate sister is struggling to set herself free. Eventually Kiana let her sister go when they arrived at the local convenience store.
True to her word Sirin did buy them their family sized doritos. "There, happy now?" Sirin grumbles.
"Yes, thanks." Leon smiles a little as he holds his prize in his free hand.
"Aww Sirin's too cold~." Kiana made a faux hurt expression.
"Idiot. I can't walk if you hug me like that and we're outside!"
"What's wrong with public affection?" Kiana tilts her head.
"It's embarrassing."
"Hoo you're embarrassed by something trivial?"
"Ugh… It's not trivial."
"Sure, Sure princess." Kiana giggles.
With Sirin being at the mercy of Kiana's teasing. Sakuya caught on a rare smile from Leon. It's like finding a diamond, the mere occurrence alone is rare and precious as Leon isn't the type to express himself that well.
Perhaps it's because he's still learning about this new world he's standing on. Unlike Sirin who had her predecessor's memories, both Sakuya and Kiana are also human with who had lived for years in contrast to the boy.
In the first few years in his life the boy is lucky to have experienced what it is like to have a warm and accepting family.
"Shouldn't you stop the two of them, Sakuya?" The boy turns to the older Kaslana.
"Not really. They'll be fine." Sakuya crosses her arms and smiles. "It's just them 'bonding'."
"Are all siblings like that?" Leon points at the arguing Kaslana twins in front of them. "They look like they don't get along because of an argument."
"Sometimes. Maybe I can't really answer that but even if they do argue they actually do love each other even if they don't say it."
Leon looks intrigued. Human bonds are truly fascinating, The boy wished to know more about that. As a clone he sometimes questions whether it'd be alright for him to act like a human.
But after seeing it himself that not one human is the same. All of them are unique individually and they interact with each other very differently from person to person. Maybe from where he was born doesn't matter.
"Just like Sirin I didn't ask to be made like this either... Is this why she's always interested in getting my attention?" Leon muttered. Though it also surprised him that he didn't mind it.
"Guess that isn't bad. Maybe I should try teasing her from time to time. Kiana looks like she's having fun from it. Wonder if it's that fun?"
"Ah…" Sakuya shuddered when she heard his thoughts out loud. She could only hope that Leon wouldn't go overboard on this idea. Her sister's short temper may cause an unexpected fight to happen in the near future.
Perhaps she would have to get used to seeing some bruises on him. 'It wouldn't be like that right?' She sure hopes that's not the case.
As the day came to an end, Sakuya came back to her Stigmata realm after she had gone to bed in order to train. While she wouldn't build any muscle from this kind of training. She would however build up experience and muscle memory.
"So our guest finally showed up."
"!" Sakuya immediately recognized this voice. It was none other than the EGO that she heard all those months ago. Now she finally could see who she is.
A priestess clad in a blue and white outfit. She doesn't appear to be wearing any sort of veil like most priestess do as seen with her long violet hair running free down her back. Her deep sea blue eyes stared back at the girl.
She didn't understand why but Sakuya could feel something was very off. An unknown feeling crawled on her back, the priestess appearance and existence just very felt off.
"Seems like I couldn't hide my true nature from the likes of some humans like you, hm." The priestess hums.
"…What are you exactly?"
"Honkai." The priestess immediately says it without any hesitation. Her unnerving smile never wavered from her face at all. Confirming Sakuya's own suspicion about her
"!" Sakuya's eyes widened as she assumed her battle stance. Strangely she couldn't feel any ill intent or bloodlust coming from the priestess. Usually most Honkai beasts would emit an animalistic bloodlust whenever they met their prey. But what if they had intelligence like a human? What sort of monstrous bloodlust would it emit if she decides to hunt Sakuya right here and now.
"Calm down. I helped you before, didn't i? I've told you that if you die 'I' would die as well."
"Then… Why are you here?"
"To train you of course. Your resolve to do anything for peace, I like it." The priestess made an unsettling grin that made Sakuya's palms sweaty. She doesn't like it one bit to have that priestess around.
"No other motives?" The priestess shakes her head.
"Your Stigmata's will the one that calls herself Kyuushou, finally give me permission. Besides you tasted a battle with a weakened imperfect Herrscher before right? How overwhelmingly powerful they were. You wouldn't stand a chance against a perfect Herrscher at their full strength. My lover would also absolutely decimated you before you even lift a finger."
"L-Lover?" Sakuya is dumbfounded after hearing that. She couldn't even believe her ears if it had properly heard that right or not. A Honkai beast or humanoid or whatever could even feel a complex feeling that is love? The Kaslana isn't sure if that's a genuine feeling or a sick and twisted version of what the average human associates the word "love" with.
"Yes. The strongest Herrscher you humans would eventually have to face. I couldn't even beat her. Never once did I lose a battle and yet that Human was chosen by WILL to become it's apostle-."
"-She is always chosen. The white haired human who bears the name Kiana. Sometimes she has a family name attached, sometimes she doesn't."
"Wa-Wait! Kiana!? Will my sister become that harbinger of destruction?" The girl's breath quickens as anxiety begins to take a toll over her body. A mere thought that her sister would be the harbinger that would end humanity she couldn't accept that reality.
Kiana is a bright and strong girl. The Honkai usually targets weak minded humans right? It makes no sense for them to target someone they couldn't fully take over. Why would her sister be the final Herrscher?
"Not that Kiana, the one who you called your sister. She SHOULD be the one that bears the stigmata of finality yet, she doesn't have the scent of a Herrscher. I'm sure you have felt that scent with the Herrscher of the void."
Sakuya nods. She did feel a difference in Sirin's aura, It felt elegant yet empty but also powerful. 'So that is what she called the scent that a Herrscher would emit.'
"Your Kiana doesn't have any of that. I was surprised that she's just a regular human. But the Kiana I love is different even if their personality and tenacity is surprisingly similar, This shouldn't have happened. But I don't have any answer as to why this anomaly occurred."
"That's a good sign then." Sakuya let out a sigh of relief. At least her sister wasn't the one. But that would mean, the one who'll become the final Herrscher is still out there.
"For you Sakuya, and I want you to stop her." The priestess points her finger at her.
"Me? Why? Don't you Honkai want us dead?" Sakuya raised one of her eyebrows. It's weird enough for a Honkai to declare that they love a human but to also declare that she wants to stop that human to destroy humanity is even weirder.
"Not all Honkai think the same way. What you fought is the human equivalent of insects. Do you really think they would be able to have common thoughts other than their basic instincts?"
"I-I-I Suppose not." Sakuya looks away. Perhaps her judgement of the priestess is misplaced.
"Alright enough chit chat. Our training will start now."
Sakuya gulps. Her limbs started to shake and cold sweat dripped down from every pores on her body. Her body wouldn't move no matter what order she gave.
"Face me. Get used to this existential fear you're experiencing because a rampaging Herrscher would be scarier than this." The priestess's appearance started to change. Her white and blue clothing changes into a black and red one. Her violet hair is covered in a dark veil. On the outside it looks normal but the inside, there are eyeball patterns scattered around a red background.
Her red eyes alongside her dark sclera felt more ominous than ever. An invisible pressure built up around her. It was just like that time when she used this power, yet the power she uses doesn't even compare to how maddening this feeling is. She felt like she would lose her mind if she stayed here any longer.
"Don't freeze in place or else you'll die." And just like that. The priestess already closed the distance by simply walking there herself. Sakuya couldn't even react as her mind is still preoccupied trying to comprehend the terrifying aura this Honkai is emitting.
With one light punch to her cheek. The girl collapsed instantly. Her eyes became all white.
The priestess kneeled down onto the unconscious girl and smiled "Impressive, to think I have to punch her first before she collapses. Most humans would collapse as soon as they experience this gap in power or see this appearance of mine. With your resolve, you're truly worthy to wield my power. Sakuya Kaslana Or should I say Houraiji?" The priestess hummed as she shot a glare at Stigmata Kyuushou who was watching them from behind the cabin. Like her master she's also scared to the boot just to stare at the beast.
The EGO or the priestess known to many as the Herrscher of the sea or to some as Jyahnar, the celestial Honkai beast. For her to acknowledge her tenacity is no easy feat as there were only a handful of humans that she truly found interesting.
"One day. One day you'll be free from this cycle my love. And maybe then you can witness the world that you dream of to be created." Jyahnar sat down on the grass as she waited for her interesting human to wake up so she could continue to train her into the warrior that would be tenacious enough to beat the impossible.
Note:
Damn I'm not really great at making fillers so this took longer than expected. Didn't watch or read many slice of life genres so the only reliable source i have for school life is from movies or my personal experiences. Hopefully this isn't too bad for my 1st filler chapter with the reveal at the end though most already guessed correctly that it is Jyahnar from GGZ.
Also i decided to write a 2nd story along this one. Chapter 1 of that story is still 50% done at least. It'll be a Honkai x Dies Irae (A VN) Took many references on how I write my stories from that game.
The prologue arc of Retrospective change might also be a little longer by 1 or 2 Chapters since this isn't a remake chapter and the old chapter 6 i would be splitting it into 2 parts to tell the backstory of Kevin in more detail while still keeping it fairly summarized.
Anyway thanks for reading. If you want to ask me about something feel free to send me a PM.