Fu Hua's jaw tightened when she felt the edge of Rita's scythe pressed against her throat. She glanced over her shoulder, giving the calm maid a smoldering gaze. If looks could kill, Rita would be a pile of ash right now. However, Fu Hua knew it wouldn't be so easy. Rita did not earn the title of S-Rank Valkyrie because she was weak.
If Fu Hua didn't play her cards right, she would never make it in time to save Theresa and the others. Let alone stop Cecilia from destroying the world.
[Burst Mode Activated: Entering Eclipse Mode]
Fu Hua's Burst Feature came to life. A wave of Honkai energy burst forth from her body, knocking Rita back. The maid slammed her scythe into the ground, anchoring herself against the sudden gust of wind. She narrowed her eyes.
"Master Fu Hua, if you don't comply, I'm afraid I'll have to use lethal force if necessary," Rita said, twirling her scythe.
"Why? Why are you stopping me from going over there?" Fu Hua demanded.
"The Overseer has not ordered us to fight the Herrscher," Rita answered.
"What!?"
Rita sighed at the sudden outburst. "Allow me to explain plainly for you. The Overseer has several trump cards up his sleeve. And yet, he hasn't used any of them. The situation is still within control and whatever is lost can be salvaged. If we interfere now, the Overseer will not be pleased with the outcome," Rita said.
"Salvage… what's lost? What about the people who'll die fighting her right now!?" Fu Hua seethed.
"I'm afraid I don't follow. A new headmistress of St. Freya can always be appointed. It's not as if Lady Theresa is irreplaceable, though tragic as it may be. And while it is unfortunate to lose the Third Herrscher, the core can always be transplanted onto someone else," Rita replied.
"Tch! Then move. I don't need your help to deal with something like this. Otto's deluding himself if he thinks he can control her. Once the Herrscher of the Void reaches the peak of her power, she'll lay waste to half the planet before we can even begin to salvage the situation like she did 17 years ago," Fu Hua said.
"... I see you still don't understand. Perhaps my words must have been chosen a bit too callously. We're currently in a massive maelstrom of chaos, Master Fu Hua. Every deviation from the plan will lead to unknown consequences. Your actions will only serve to endanger us and everyone else," Rita twirled her scythe and leveled it at Fu Hua.
"I'm not going to judge your actions nor say that you're wrong. But… like you, I am obliged to defend my position and perform my duties. Unfortunately, orders… are orders," Rita finished.
Fu Hua glared at her before widening her stance.
[Target Acquired: Rita Rossweisse]
"Fine then, if talk won't resolve this. Then… clearly I need get you out of my way," Fu Hua said.
Rita's eyes shone in the dim light. "If our paths must cross, then I must defend myself. Valkyrie Rita Rossweisse apologizes in advance for any rudeness she might have expressed."
"After all of this… you still don't understand?"
Theresa glared at the Herrscher of the Void upon hearing her voice.
The apathetic look on the Herrscher's face epitomized how she saw them. To her, they were nothing more than a few pathetic ants attempting to fight back when squashed. To her, this was the struggle of a dying, wounded animal in the face of the predator. And she might be right in this regard.
"Why do you bar my path, little girl?" the Herrscher asked.
"That body… it doesn't belong to you!" Theresa roared.
"Huh? This body? This body was made to be my vessel by a greedy human." She spread her arms, showing a crackling display of Honkai energy. The lightning arced across the sky, causing the world to glitch erratically. "It is an offering for my rebirth."
Her Void abilities are incredible… Compared to Herrschers like me and Wendy, damn it! So this is what True Herrscher powers are like…
"I did not give you permission to heel before her, Raiden Mei. Get up!"Her alter ego demanded.
"I'm not giving up. I… refuse to leave Cecilia in the hands of a monster like her," Mei said, gripping her katana tightly.
The Herrscher of the Void rose an eyebrow at the sudden spike in Honkai energy within Mei. Her poisonous yellow eyes twinkled and a soft laugh escaped from her lips. "Aha. Ahahaha. Well, I suppose insects can provide some form of entertainment. Benares, be a dear and play with these worms for a little bit."
"!?-" Mei saw a white blur descending from the skies at frightening speeds. "Principal! Incoming"
"Wha-!?" Theresa saw it.
The Honkai Dragon that had attacked their ship. Benares, she called it. Theresa bit her cheek and twirled her spear. As she prepared to throw it, the dragon opened its mouth and let loose a searing bolt of electricity at Mei.
"M- Mei! Watch out!"
However, before the two could even think to dodge, a barrage of black energy intercepted the lighting. A blinding explosion robbed all of them of their vision temporarily.
Mei and Theresa looked in the direction of the one who fired the energy bombs.
"Wha…? You!?"
Bronya hovered in the air, dressed in yellow-plated body armor. Her eyes had a fierce look in them. Behind her, Project Bunny hovered protectively. Its arm was raised and a red light emanated from its palm. An incredible amount of energy was condensed in its center.
"Anti-Honkai Force Field, completed. Yamabuki Armor potential maxed. Operating at maximum output-" Bronya felt a sharp pain go through her body. The amount of Honkai energy her battlesuit was using. It was approaching a critical limit.
"Bronya!?" Theresa exclaimed.
"Bronya, why are you here? You're supposed to be resting with Wendy!" Mei said.
"The Bronya is happy to see Mei and the Principal. It seems that the Bronya made it in the nick of time," she replied, ignoring their stupefied and worried expressions.
Her gaze was solely fixed on Benares and the slightly surprised Herrscher of the Void.
"The Bronya… has rested long enough. The Bronya is now reporting for duty," she said. The glow in Project Bunny's hand died down and the mecha slammed its fists together, synchronizing with the resolve of its wielder.
Benares roared and dove to the ground, causing it to quake as it landed.
"Tch, I guess I'll take what I can get. Girls, eyes forward," Theresa said.
"R- Right!" Mei replied.
"The Bronya will provide supporting fire. Mei, Principal, please attack at will!" she said.
"I'm supposed to be the one barking orders… but, I got ya, kid. Mei!" Theresa dashed forward,s straight into the literal jaws of death.
Mei nodded and shot off after her.
Benares roared and raised its paw. It slammed it into the ground at Mei, narrowly missing her as the girl zigzagged out of the way, leaving only an afterimage to be destroyed. She jumped into the air, drawing out electricity from within her.
She swung, unleashing a cutting arc of electricity in Benares's face. The Dragon roared before swinging its tail at Mei.
"!?"
A series of energy blasts knocked the tail's trajectory off course, allowing Mei ample time to dodge.
"Mei! Go for it!" Bronya yelled. She fired the missiles stored in Project Bunny's shoulders.
The missiles bombarded Benares, causing it to stumble back in pain.
"I can't… let my girls." Theresa jammed a golden spear through its leg before using it as leverage to launch herself into the air. She held her hand out, creating a golden spear. "I can't let them get ahead of their teacher!"
She threw it, piercing through its side. Using her speed, she managed to launch off the air and kick the spear with enough force that it went clear through its side. The Dragon slid across the field before slamming into one of the pillars and collapsing it on top.
Benares growled before quickly getting up. It raised its claws and slashed the air, clashing with Mei's rapid barrage of strikes.
Mei blinked out of its last swing, reappearing in a clap of thunder. She assumed a quick draw stance. Her eyes turned violet.
I can extend my senses like this. Honkai. Human. Herrscher. They have bodies and nerves! I can feel their impulses and predict their moves like this! Mei thought.
Left!
She dodged the swipe from its tail.
Right!
Its maw came down in an attempt to bite her in half.
Under!
Mei slashed its talons, cutting off the tip. She rushed forward and thrust her sword straight into its chest, pushing it across the courtyard.
"Principal! Bronya!" Mei planted her foot down on its underbelly before flipping, slashing upward in the process. Blue vital fluid sprayed across the air and Benares roared in agony.
Mei landed on the ground, looking up in time to see its paw hurtling toward her.
However, a barrage of black orbs collided with Benares, causing several explosions that knocked it back.
A swarm of chains snaked toward it, like a horde of ravenous serpents. The chains wrapped then pierced through its carapace, binding it tightly. Benares struggled, feeling its own Honkai energy slowly beginning to disappear with each passing moment. It thrashed and moved, causing the ground to shake.
Its mouth opened as it sought out the caster of the chains. Lightning crackled within its maw before it unleashed a stream of volatile electricity at Theresa. The lightning arced and cut through the air, traveling faster than any of them had anticipated.
However, for a seasoned Valkyire who had the abilities of an S-Rank, this was nothing.
Theresa grabbed Judah and slammed it into the ground in front of her, absorbing the lightning and nullifying it in the process.
"It's gonna take more than that to take me down, you overgrown lizard!" Theresa grinned as she closed her fist.
The chains glowed and constricted even more around Benares. The sound of cracking and popping was heard as blue liquid began to trickle down onto the ground.
"Mei! Bronya! Now! While I have it under control!" Theresa yelled.
"Bronya! Cover me!" Mei sheathed her katana and placed her right leg in front of her left. She leaned forward and closed her eyes. An incredibly dense amount of honkai energy began to collect around her body. Lightning arced off her skin and her wing grew larger.
She then opened her eyes and shot forward.
"Project Bunny, releasing energy limiters. Preparing firing sequence," Bronya announced.
Project Bunny raised its arm. Light collected at the center of its palm, growing brighter and brighter with each passing second.
"100%... 110%... 120%..."
Bronya struggled to maintain her focus as she felt the intense strain from their link.
"Target locked on! Fire!"
The world went dark for a split second as Bronya fired a highly concentrated beam of dark energy at Benares.
The beam cut across the world, blinding those who witnessed it momentarily.
The beam detonated upon making contact with its target, producing a brilliant flash of light, followed by a deafening roar. The accompanying shockwave almost threw Bronya back and even the Herrscher of the Void had to shield herself from the turbulent gales.
"Now… it's over!"
Mei's voice cut through the cacophony of noise. She burst through the smoke and cut Benares down.
A myriad of cuts appeared all over its body as Mei sheathed her blade.
Benares roared in pain before releasing a burst of Honkai energy that managed to shatter the chains. It took off into the air before flying toward the Herrscher of the Void and hovering by its side.
"Tch," the Herrscher clicked her tongue. Her eyes burned with fury at the sight of the cuts on Benares's body. She focused her gaze on the three. "What a disappointing start. Fine then, I, the Queen, shall settle this matter herself. It's time for the main event to start."
Mei's eyes widened. It took a few seconds for her body to catch up with her brain. The location. They were no longer in the same arena. Everything was different. The only thing that remained constant was the sky above but their terrestrial landmarks had been altered drastically.
"Our surroundings have changed. Did… Did she just teleport us?" Mei asked.
"Obviously. Tch, this Herrscher of the Void. She's far more powerful than I expected." The Third Herrscher cursed.
"The Bronya cannot make contact with the Hyperion nor can I triangulate our current location," Bronya said, staring warily at the Herrscher.
The Herrscher of the Void crossed her legs and looked disdainfully at them. "It's time to have the pathetic worms make their exit, one at a time. First, I'll deal with the girl with the funny hair-do. Then, I shall eliminate the little girls with the big cross. And finally, my other half, it will be just us. We shall become one and complete the ritual."
"!?" Mei shifted uncomfortably and fearfully as she took a slight step back.
"Good." A sadistic smile twisted her features. Her eyes glinted in glee at the discomfort and terror she was instilling. "Let me see how you insects will struggle in vain."
Theresa stood protectively in front of her students, staring down the descending Herrscher with a fierce, defiant glare on her face.
"Mei, Bronya! Maintain formation!" Theresa barked. She slammed Judah in the ground next to her and pulled out a spear. "Buckle up, girls! It's do-or-die time!"
"Right, Principal!" both of them responded simultaneously.
Theresa nodded and turned her eyes back on the Herrscher.
"Herrscher of the Void, you shall not prevail here!" Theresa held the spear in front of her.
[Restrictions lifted]
[Initiating Honkai Beast Gene Activation]
[Fourth Generation Godsbane Suit: Blood Knight - Moonlight activated]
Theresa's body was enveloped in a blood red light. Her usual nun's habit and outfit disappeared in favor of a white bodysuit. A red bladed skirt hung around her hips and a pair of red horn accessories appeared on her head. Her once blue eyes were now red.
The smell of iron tinged the air heavily.
[Honkai energy detected.]
"The Principal… is generating Honkai energy inside her body," Bronya gasped.
The Herrscher of the Void raised an eyebrow with interest. This girl. She felt like Benares.
"Prepare yourself, Void Herrscher." Judah glowed brightly and a field of gold spears manifested around her. Theresa pointed her spear at the Herrscher.
"We shall take you down here and now!"
CLANG!
Scythe collided with gauntlet, giving off a blossom of fiery sparks. Fu Hua threw another quick jab for good measure, knocking Rita back a considerable distance. She had no time for this. She needed to go help them. Without her, Cecilia would surely level the place in due time. Just what was Otto thinking?
Every swing Rita makes is well-calculated. She's only holding out against my attacks. As expected, she's not trying to take me down. She's trying to buy time. Time I don't have. I guess I'll have to use this…
Fu Hua's eyes turned red and feathers began to manifest around her, giving off a warm red glow.
Her senses began to grow fuzzy. She shook her head and cleared her mind. "!?" Rita narrowed her eyes. The sensory interference was still present. So… she's that serious? "Are you tapping into the power of the Divine Key? Hmm, well then, I shall respond appropriately."
Fu Hua said nothing.
Rita flipped her scythe, holding it in a reverse position.
Just as they were about to attack, a silver lance plummeted from the sky and impacted the ground between them. A wave of considerable power exploded from the lance upon impact, disrupting their killing blows.
That's… Abyss Flower!? They're here already!? Fu Hua thought.
"..."
Rita felt an ice-cold blade pressed against her throat. Her red eyes turned slowly to see Edelweiss glaring fiercely at her. The chill of the Divine Key sent shivers down her spine.
"You… and…"
There she was, sitting on one of the higher platforms with her legs crossed. The heir to the Key of Creation and the current Saint of Schicksal. Perhaps the second strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal's employ and a S-Rank monster of a Valkyrie personally cultivated by Kriemhilde Kaslana. Ana Schariac.
"Master… Ana?" Rita asked in confusion.
"Enough. You've crossed the line, Rita," Ana said.
Rita offered her no response. She set her scythe down and raised her hands.
Edelweiss nodded before sheathing her sword. Edelweiss turned to Fu Hua and motioned for her to go.
"Go."
Fu Hua stared warily at her. She had no idea who this girl was. All she knew was that she was the Valkyrie slated to replace Kriemhilde.
"Fu Hua," Ana said softly, catching her attention. "If you go, we cannot offer you any support. However, know that you made the right choice. We fight to defend the people we love and our own beliefs. I would have made the same choice if I were in your position."
"..." Rita said nothing in response.
"You heard her. Go while Rita is still on her leash," Edelweiss said.
Fu Hua glanced at the younger Kaslana girl. The way she carried herself. The presence she gave off. She was similar to Kiana. Imposing and powerful. Yet, she lacked the warmth Kiana had. Those icy blue eyes held the typical Kaslana obsession. She was going to be dangerous, Fu Hua thought. In the future, a girl who thought of nothing but power and the mission. She would be a dangerous asset.
She nodded and prepared to take off in the direction of the battle when Edelweiss spoke up.
"I'm a little disappointed that I won't be able to deal with the Herrscher personally. However, at least with you, Uncle Siegfried's death will finally be avenged."
Fu Hua offered no words. In one single leap, she took to the air. Several sonic booms accompanied her as she jetted toward her intended destination.
Edelweiss stood calmly on the ground, arms crossed. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh before turning around and walking into Helheim Labs.
"Where are you going?" Ana asked.
"To guard our wards." Edelweiss replied.
"Progeny, are you really going to give up here?"
Kiana squirmed beneath her restraints. Her face was contorted in a mixture of anxiousness and pain despite her eyes being closed. She felt a well of emotions circulating through her. Anger. Hatred. Pain. Agony. Desperation. Hope.
"Kiana…"
"Mmm…"
"Kiana…"
Kiana moved her head from side to side as if to shake it.
"Kiana!"
Kiana's eyes shot open. She panted. A cold, heavy sweat dripped down her forehead. A throbbing pain shot through her head as she tried to remember how she ended up… her eyes widened. Where was she?
She looked around the room, noticing that she was in a plain, dark metallic cell of sorts. There was one toilet, a table with a lamp, and the bed she was currently tied down to.
"Where am I?" Kiana moved her arms, struggling against the restraints. She frowned. They were on tight. Tight enough to bind her but not enough to cut off circulation. She clenched her fist and moved her arm. The sound of tearing echoed through the cell as she wrenched her left arm free.
"That's a start." She grabbed the other restraints and tore them off.
After a few minutes, Kiana was standing up inside the cell, closing and opening her fist. The pain from her previous battle with Fu Hua and Rita were still fresh. Her body protested at her movements, having been strained from the previous use of the Honkai Genes within her body.
"Cecilia… everyone. Wait for me. I'm gonna break out of this cell and-!?" Her eyes widened as an intense pain shot through her.
Purge the Honkai…
Kiana's knees buckled and she grabbed the sides of her head, covering her ears as an array of whispers began to invade her mind. Every nerve inside her body felt like they were dipped in magma.
It is your duty…
Cast down the False God.
Destroy the Herrscher.
"N- No… shut up…" Kiana closed her eyes as the myriad of whispers assaulted the deepest parts of her subconscious. Was this that woman she met in the Stigmata Space or something else entirely? No, Kiana could tell the difference. Her tone of voice, despite its stoic tone, did not possess the sheer imperative this voice possessed.
Kill the Herrscher, Kiana…
Kiana's eyes widened. Black fluid began to leak out of her left eye. Kiana covered her eye, feeling an intense agonizing sensation behind it. However, that paled in comparison to the twisted mockery of the person whose voice it began to mimic.
"Don't… Don't talk to me using her voice!" Kiana yelled, falling to her hands and knees.
"Progeny…"
The whispers slowly began to dry out as KIANA's voice began to drift into her mind.
"You-!?"
"The whispers of the CHIMERA must not overcome your mind. Unless you want to become nothing more than a beast whose sole purpose is to devour the Honkai. A beast worse than what you want to destroy."
Kiana looked up and saw a translucent apparition of KIANA standing in front of her. She really did look like Cecilia. It was uncanny.
"Why are you here…? I thought I can only meet you in Stigmata Space?" Kiana asked.
"I'm not here. At least, not physically. Because you've awakened your genetic abilities and tapped into the depths of our Stigmata, we can speak to each other via quantum entanglement."
"Wha-"
"That is not what is important. The Void Herrscher has awoken."
Kiana closed her eyes and clenched her fist. "I know. So what? My choice has always been the same. I'll save her no matter what."
"Even if it means your own life?" KIANA asked.
"You know the answer to that," she replied.
The phantom remained silent. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Brother… she's just like you… I feel like I'm staring at a ghost.
"Very well, Progeny. But the time for you to make the choice might be closer than you think."
"I told you I don't care about that choice-"
"Even if that means that choice can save her?"
Kiana went silent. "I told you before, didn't I?" Kiana smiled as she walked past her. However, she knew that she couldn't hide anything from the imaginary apparition behind her. If she had seen the smile, what face would her ancestor make?
"Even if it means throwing away my own life…" Kiana looked down at her hand. Faint black lines were beginning to form at the base of her wrist. "I'll bring her back no matter what."
KIANA said nothing.
Kiana turned around and saw that she was once again alone in the room. Or so she thought.
"So…"
Kiana stood, staring at the door. She didn't need to see who was behind the cell door to know who it was. The presence was familiar enough to her that she grew to hate it with each passing second.
"What do you want?" Kiana asked.
"..."
"No response? I guess kidnapping and killing other people's families is all you're good for, isn't it?" Kiana pressed.
"Himeko is coming."
"What?" Kiana raised an eyebrow.
"Major Himeko is coming right now to break you out. I suggest you stay put and not make noise. It might make things harder for her to get you and the doctor out," Fu Hua said.
"Oh? And why should I trust you?"
"...Because-"
"Because we were friends? No, no, that's not how this works. Why should I trust you?" Kiana asked.
Fu Hua fell into a deep silence.
"That's what I-"
"You're right. You have no reason to trust me. However, all of this has gone farther than I could have possibly imagined. All the things I was told… the people I trusted in-"
"I don't care about your reasons. I only care about getting to my sister. Now, if Himeko really is coming, I'll rendezvous with her and save Doctor Tesla together. You'll just be in the way," Kiana spat.
"...Fine, then head to the same place I told the Major. Head around the tower to the back. I'll meet you both there and tell you where your sister is," Fu Hua said.
Kiana felt her presence vanish after she said that. "Hey! Hey! If you're going to stand outside my cell and break me out, at least open the damn door, you cowardly piece of-!" The moment Kiana's fist made contact with the cell door, it opened.
"Wha…? Did she…?" the door was ajar. Perhaps it had been this whole time. Kiana frowned. She shook her head. She would deal with Fu Hua later. Right now, she needed to find Tesla and Himeko so they can get to Theresa and the others.
No doubt. St. Freyja and Anti-Entropy have begun engaging her younger sister. And if events played out like they did in Siberia all those years ago, then Kiana expected to stumble upon a bloodbath. At least, she hoped not to despite her rationality telling her otherwise.
Kiana slowly crept out of her cell, taking immediate note of her surroundings.
The cameras are all… disabled? No, even if they are, I have to be careful. Who knows what's patrolling here, she thought. The moment she took a step, a whirring sound caused her to freeze.
Kiana looked up into the air and saw them. "Drones… I hope Himeko is having better luck than me. First things first, I need to find a weapon. They took Shamash away, so getting Shamash back is my next goal after finding them. I just have to evade the drone patrols."
She made her way around them easily. Patrols such as these were all the same to her. Whether it be the goons that crime lords or oligarchs hired back in Siberia or the Valkyries and Drones of Schicksal. They were all the same. Memorize their patterns and you can easily become a ghost that can penetrate any sort of fortified compound.
"Mmm? USP-45s? I guess these will do." Kiana picked up the pistols. Cecilia… She shook her head and furrowed her brow in determination. "Don't worry. Big Sis will save you."
Kiana took off in a sprint down the hallway, masterfully evading the drones as they patrolled.
There! An exit!
Kiana spotted an exit up a ramp that led to the second floor of the compound. She quickly ascended, making sure not to get caught by any of the drones. However, as soon as she was about to make it past the exit, a sense of danger filled her. She slowed to a stop before the metal doors.
Her blue eyes went dull. She pressed a button to open the door. As soon as she did, she aimed her pistols at the would-be attacker only for them to raise their hands immediately.
"Woah! Woah! Kiana! It's me!"
Kiana blinked owlishly. That voice. That flaming red hair.
Himeko stood in front of her with her hands up, laughing nervously.
Kiana sighed. "Damn it. I almost shot you!"
"I didn't know it was you. I was about to put my blade on your throat. But… still, you're as fast as ever," Himeko chuckled.
"Still." Kiana pulled the pistols back and rested her arms at her side. "I'm glad to see you. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Never better. Listen, did Fu Hua come to bust you out?" Himeko asked.
"Yeah, she did. She told me that she went to go open your cell too," she replied.
"Listen. I need to tell you something. Fu Hua, she gave me something that can help us. Something that can help save Ceci-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Kiana shoved her, pushing her a considerable distance.
Himeko groaned in pain and was about to yell at her when she saw a jagged wall of ice separating the two.
"What the…?"
"I knew that she would go and pull something like this. It was a good call for me to patrol the labs."
Kiana stood up and turned around.
That voice, she thought.
"Kiana," Himeko said, grabbing her Proto Pulse Cleaver. The white greatsword glinted in the light.
"Yeah." Kiana twirled the pistols in her hands before aiming them at their foe. She didn't even bother to hide herself. There she was standing on a platform above them.
It had been years since she saw that hair and that face. However, they were how Kiana remembered. That shade of white she had grown to despise. The ice-blue eyes she had grown to loathe. And now, Kiana almost called it fate that the two met each other here again.
Her eyes flicked down to the misty, blue odachi in her hand.
"Edelweiss," Kiana said with no measure of warmth or welcome in her tone.
"I'm so glad you remember me. After all, it's been six years, hasn't it, Kiana?"