A/N: Yet another story I will never finish lol please don't hate me.
Cover image belongs to Kather (Pixiv).
Chapter 1: Good Old Friends.
"There is no time to explain"
It began with that. A sentence consisting of 6 words and 22 letters, delivered in a suppressed urgency by a familiar voice through her phone for her brain to process. Said brain deciphered the information in less than half a second later for her heart to react with the appropriate emotions and feelings but above all one stood obvious.
Dread.
It began with dread, and then the confusion and unfounded panic emerged. She had asked back the what and why but all she received in return was a vague you'll know, as if it would explain everything and wash away her worry.
It began 5 hours ago.
It began with a blinding flash of light that awoken the residents sleeping in night hours with her being the exception. She hadn't gotten a sleep since the call ended, switching between pacing around her room in the dark and staring anxiously at the pale white rocks that seemed to glow in the endless nights surrounding them outside her building. Waiting and expecting something she didn't even understand the what.
Then the light came and she immediately rushed out, snatching her jacket from the hanger behind her door. It rattled and fell to the floor but the owner had long gone to care or notice what fate befell it.
Kiana jogged to her destination, passing through many confused scientists on her way out who looked at her for answers she couldn't provide. Slipping her resized Valkyrie jacket around her body, she zipped it up to her chest level just in time for the last airlock to open, exposing her body into the cold temperature of the moon.
Countless stars hung above, twinkling in the boundless sky as guides for those who looked. Despite the bright blue energy dome covering the base and allowing its relatively hospitable environment, it couldn't really take away the breathtaking view. It made for a good date, something she could vouch for both herself and Mei.
Mei...
The thought of the purple haired woman sent a surge of urgency in her veins her steps turned into an outright sprint, a dull ache on her finger where a silver ring rested was a reminder of what dear for her. Kiana traversed the catwalks connecting the base exteriors to where the Stargate was, eyes glued to its ever glowing center signaling a transit in progress.
She spotted a head of red hair on the observation area and made her way there, careful not to step on the energy lines dispensing the excess heat the Stargate created.
"Doctor Tesla?" She called out but when the smaller woman didn't budge a bit on her second call Kiana decided to go at her. "Doctor, are you okay?"
Kiana grabbed the woman's shoulder gently, pulling the redhead out from her stupors. Tesla blinked and adjusted her glasses, glancing back towards Kiana. "Ah, sorry, you were saying?"
Kiana frowned internally. "I said are you okay?"
Tesla seemed to ponder the question a bit and it scared Kiana more than anything. She had worked intensively with the woman for almost a decade now, though worked was not really work but just her sitting on a chair with various instruments and questions directed at her but nevertheless. Kiana never seen Tesla this unsure and the way she kept not so subtly glancing at her made Kiana nervous on her feet.
"Kiana. If, this is an if, Mei was taken from you and you had a chance to take her back at the cost of someone close to you...Will you take it?"
"Did something happen to Mei?!" Kiana almost yelled in panic but she was quickly suppressed by an exasperated Tesla before she could bombard her with questions which the ultimate answers were no's.
"It's a rhetorical question" Tesla clarified and when Kiana blinked at her blankly she elaborated. "A question that is more to elicit a response than for information"
"Oh... I swear I heard that word before" Kiana chirped and Tesla chuckled, though Kiana noticed it was a bit different than normal. She also looked less enthusiastic today and more melancholic for some reason. "Well, I wouldn't want to burden that someone but I wouldn't be giving up on Mei either"
"So, what would you do?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Kiana grinned in hope to alleviate whatever worry the good Doctor was having, although it seemed to have the opposite effect when the redhead's smile faltered a little before she forced a wider one. "I believe in Mei as much as she believes in me. We both would want to meet and we both would do whatever we could to reunite and be happy. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week or year but we wouldn't be giving up on each other. There will always time and chances, no matter how small and unlikely, and the people around us would definitely help us out if they could"
"You and your love story" Tesla admonished jokingly with a roll of her eyes. "You both are not really a good example of ideal relationship"
Kiana laughed merrily, showing her ringed finger. "Hey, we've got our happy ending so it works out"
"Mei beat you up for being an idiot"
The Kaslana shrugged and grinned slyly in return. "Mei likes it rough"
They both stared at one another until Tesla chuckled while Kiana gave her a suggestive raise of her eyebrows. Whatever turmoil Tesla had, had simply been forgotten in the little banter between the two friends. "But seriously, what is going on?"
Tesla sighed, her mechanical arm flexing as she thought over her words. Once, she got a direct contact with Honkai and it costed her an arm. The itch hadn't been noticable until recently. "You've got the message from Overseer Theresa?"
"I did. But Aunty didn't tell me anything except a vague foreboding that something is coming"
Tesla nodded. "There has been... a happening. I would like to tell you what but the Overseer gave her strict order to wait for her" The flexing of her fingers stopped and Tesla crossed her arms, cold metal over warm flesh. "It's Welt"
Kiana blinked, her jaw dropping in surprise as she straightened up. "Mr. Yang? Is he okay? Do we know where he is?"
"I..."
Before Tesla could spill the beans, the light intensified and out of it five figures emerged. Kiana immediately recognized every single one of them and jumped out to greet the newcomers.
"Guys!" She shouted, excitedly running towards the dying light of the Stargate transport beam, only to tackle a certain woman into a spine shattering hug. "And Mei!"
Mei giggled, returning the hug with the same intensity. She planted a kiss on Kiana's forehead as her hand moved to brush a stray strand of white hair. "Hello, Kiana"
"Hi!"
"Annnnddd they're sucking on each other's faces" Bronya said flatly, appearing from behind Mei. Her stare was as emotional as her words as she looked at the two, which to say as devoid as the night sky itself. "This is why I refused to travel together to the Moon"
Kiana tactfully flipped her the bird.
"I'm sorry, Bronya"
"No you are not, Mei" Theresa interjected with a barely concealed amusement as she joined the trio. Mei sent her an apologetic look after she pushed Kiana's face to her bosom so she could free her face from Kiana's clutch. "But you're not one to talk either, Bronya. Don't think I'm oblivious to what's happening behind that door whenever Seele visits you"
Bronya huffed and turned around to hide her reddening face, a bad move because it allowed Kiana a clear picture of it. Face still planted on Mei's chest, the Kaslana sent Bronya a smug grin the latter returned with a glare.
Kiana would've teased Bronya more. It was all good jab and poke between long time friends that knew each other so much to make fun of their own predicaments, the small smile on Bronya's face was unmistakable nor was the one on Kiana's own. This was her family of a lifetime and all of them was just as precious. She did, she had and she would sacrifice herself again and again just to see their smiles, a notion all of them shared towards another.
Bronya had sacrificed herself once to save them from Cocolia's grasp so had Mei for Kiana. For her, the little circle of friends were her everything and it only got bigger now with more joining the once three figures.
Case in point was her older sister.
"Bianka!" Kiana greeted cheerily at the other woman, releasing her hug on Mei only to envelope the blonde in her arms. Bianka reciprocated the gesture with a smile. "How are you? How's papa?"
"Dad is doing well, he's currently on a vacation" Bianka replied softly, pulling back to look at Kiana in the face. "So am I"
Kiana's eyes traced the gentle curve of her sister's smile and equally gentle blue eyes. So much of what Otto did to her had worn off as more and more of the woman's true self surfaced. Her hair had more white streaks on it, almost as much as her golden locks. Kiana knew because she had been secretly paying attention to it the last time they brushed each other's hair.
"The doing well part or the vacation part?" Kiana asked cheekily and her sister chuckled.
"I'm sorry, but I'm here for work"
"Ah, bummer"
It had taken the newfound father-daughter a while to catch up. The first few months had been stiff and a little awkward with Siegfried open eagerness and Bianka's tentative acceptance mostly hindering the progress. Siegfried being Siegfried tried to talk to Bianka every possible time Theresa had to kick him out once when he intruded into a meeting he wasn't supposed to be in for a simple reason he wanted to ask his daughter for a lunch together, said daughter happened to be the one to report in said meeting.
Bianka reasonably freaked out. Though the girl had never truly lost her composure in the years Kiana knew her yet the distress was obvious when her sister called her on that exact same day. Bianka was afraid she had offended her father and wanted to apologize but didn't know how so there she was asking Kiana, the only living relative with direct relation with the old man.
"Papa is like that" She had told her sister then with a laugh through the phone. "He does whatever he does. Don't worry, just talk to him and he'll forget it ever happened. Besides, it's not your fault Aunty had to kick him out. Look, just go have a lunch with him and talk, it'll make him a happy old man"
"I don't know what to talk with him" Bianka replied anxiously, as if Kiana had just sent her into her yet most difficult battle.
"Just be yourself" Kiana smoothly assured. "He loves us too much to care about the details. To have you there with him is a great joy for him"
"Well, if you say so..."
"Sis, I know him enough. I want you to know him, too. Look, don't look into it too much and just go. You'll know what to do"
"Okay, then. Thank you"
"Make sure he doesn't embarrass himself, though. Send me pictures of your get-together, okay? Love you, and tell him I love him too. Now go, you've got this"
So that was the first few months, after that they found their own pace without Kiana needing to help. She was more than content to hear either Siegfried or Bianka talking about their days together, which usually followed with a wistful words of her being there with them to complete the family. Kiana did what she did best and comforted them it wouldn't be a dream for long, with Honkai manifestation rapidly climbing down all over the world it would be a reality in a few years to come.
She held that thought deep in her heart as a reminder of what she fought for and what her hardships were for. Her family had grown big so it was her duty to keep them safe together, as they would to each other.
Kiana pulled back from the hug entirely, letting her hands rested on Bianka's arms for a moment before she let them go. Still smiling, she turned towards the last newcomer, expecting a greeting only to find her already knee deep in conversation with a certain redhead.
Doctor Einstein, Tesla's long time friend and coworker, was just as precious as any of her other friends. The decade she knew her, Kiana had grown a fondness for the bluenette the same way she did Tesla. She was not as... temperamental, as Tesla with most of her banters strictly reserved for the redhead but she was a honest and good companion. She didn't sugarcoat stuff, always talk from the scientific point of view when encroaching a topic which allowed Kiana a firsthand experience of the past.
It was from Einstein she truly learned what happened during the Second Eruption for the good Doctor was there herself. While Tesla also talked about it, her story was mostly about how mad she was to what Otto had done, which from then would spiral into a cursing and cussing. Kiana was sure she would tear the late Overseer's soul apart had he heard her.
Right now, Einstein was currently speaking with Tesla in a hushed tone and whatever it was it had the redhead looking hopeful and anxious at the same time. Kiana caught the latter glancing at her for a split second before she redirected her gaze to Einstein.
"So, what's the occasion?" Kiana asked out loud, giving her sister and friends a sweep with her smile. A smile that faltered immediately when she noticed their tight expression. "Something wrong?"
"How about we head inside first?" Mei proposed, offering a hand to Kiana who immediately accepted it. "I'll cook something for you"
"Won't say no to your cooking!" Kiana said with a grin, dragging Mei away from the group while giggling.
"Lovebirds" Bronya muttered under her breath, following the duo. Bianka chuckled and fell a step behind the silver haired woman.
Mei was an excellent cook but few knew it wasn't a skill she born with. When Kiana met her in Nagazora all those years ago, before the tears and disasters, Kiana was a terrible cook through and through.
Mei was a heiress of one of the biggest technology companies in the world. Her father, Raiden Ryoma, was a leading genius who pioneered many breakthroughs in both military and civilian worlds. After he was framed by Cocolia and the subsequent fall of the company, Mei was left alone to face an uncaring reality. Her once vibrant world was left dull after her teachers and 'friends' shunned her, even the staff who once worked and cared for her also saw her with leering eyes in her own house.
Mei's life was not an easy one. A lie took everything she had once. She was a kind hearted girl who looked after everyone with equal eyes despite her title and upbringings, always mingling with those around her without discrimination. Yet that lie proved those people around her wanted nothing but her wealth, which Kiana found stupid because nothing worth more than that kindness itself.
It was that same kindness that connected Kiana and Mei, a kindness that had dulled but burned bright again once Kiana reached out towards it. Mei never told just anyone that Kiana was the reason she was a good cook, not out of shame but because if there's something special between them it was that little secret they shared.
Kiana nuzzled that lonely girl's hand and that girl fed and took her into her heart like she would a cat. Kiana wasn't complaining though, in fact she loved it.
Dinner was filled with merry talks and stories, a familiar sight for the St. Freya girls. They had this before, exactly before everything. While nobody said a word about it, it was a thought residing in their minds since years after their reunion. Eight chairs, seven occupied and one empty with a can of full, opened beer as opposed to the half or empty cans on the table, reserved in memory of her per tradition whenever they had dinner together.
Mei picked a stack of dirty plates and maneuvered her way to the kitchen sink, intending to wash them. Kiana who saw her smile silently stood up and followed, ignoring Bronya's not so subtle eye roll.
"Hey" Kiana whispered to Mei's ear, wrapping her hands around the taller woman's stomach. Mei hummed in response but didn't say anything in return, simply relaxing into the embrace. "I miss you"
"It's been a long month" Mei said just as silently, putting a cleansed plate into the dryer and picking another dirty one to wash. "Did I miss something?"
"Moon rocks" Kiana mumbled, voice muffled by Mei's shirt as she buried her face into her back. "How's the kids?"
"They're doing alright. You know you're barely ten years older to call them kids, right?"
"Eh, doesn't matter. They remind me of us"
"Carole is as energetic as ever. Everyday she's turning into you more"
"I like her" Kiana giggled, the vibration made Mei's chest rumble pleasantly. "She's a good kid"
"I'm sure you do, you both get along fine. Maybe it's the recklessness"
Kiana hummed but didn't say anything more, content to hold her and feel her warmth. Mei took her time to turn off the faucet and dry her hands with a rag, still not moving from their interlocked position. When Mei's cold hands found Kiana's warmer ones, the latter barely flinched from the contact.
"Something happened, right?" Kiana mumbled and it was Mei's turn to flinch. It was all Kiana needed for confirmation, releasing a sigh Mei couldn't see. "I see"
Kiana released her hold and retreated back to the table, her demeanor returning to her cheerful one as she rejoined the conversation. With nothing to hold, Mei's hands fell to her sides and clenched at nothing, seeking a warmth that was no longer there.
"Kiana, what I'm going to tell you is a question you will have to answer with a yes or no. I will tell you the consequences of each so I hope you'll make a wise choice"
"Wise doesn't mean correct, does it?" Kiana joked but there's a hint of bitterness in her tone. Einstein who sat across from her simply stared back. "Sorry, that was inappropriate"
The Doctor nodded. "To put a week worth of headache into a short story; we found Welt"
Kiana blinked, once and then twice, processing the information she just received. "Oh... Is he alright?"
"We don't know" Tesla answered and for the first time Kiana remembered there was other people in the room. Usually, her sessions had one of the Doctors only accompanying her but now she had half her family with her. "We only received a message, at least according to it he is"
"What does it say, precisely?"
"He's in a journey" Einstein answered and Kiana furrowed her eyebrows in thought.
"Journey?"
"Yes. Apparently, he lost Void Archives shortly after he entered the portal and got picked up by someone. He also mentioned Aeons, Astral Express and Antimatter Legions"
Kiana scratched the back of her head in confusion. "I don't understand what those are"
"Don't worry, neither do we" Tesla exhaled frustratedly, her prosthetic finger tapping her thigh as she thought over her words. "But he said it might give us a lead about Sky People"
Kiana's expression darkened at the mention of Sky People. After Honkai had mostly been sealed, these strange group of enemy began to appear all over the world to wreck havoc, destroying everything in their path like Honkai itself. But they were not Honkai, they didn't even know what they were except that somehow they're capable of harvesting Honkai energy. For what purpose remained a mystery the scientists still couldn't figure out to this day.
Her friends had been fighting them actively for the last decade while all Kiana did was watch with her thumbs fiddled. It pissed her off once and still was but Kiana understood she had her own duty to conduct. She trusted Mei and the others enough to hold on, even if Kiana had to vent her anger and worry when she learned Mei almost lost her life to them a while back on the moon. The kilometers deep craters on the dark side of the moon was her doing, marks of her frustration that would stay hidden for the rest of the time, hopefully.
Kiana was the Princess of Honkai itself, yet she couldn't protect her most beloved nor come to her rescue. Thankfully, the kids were able to get her to safety or otherwise.
Otherwise she might actually descend and lay waste on the invaders.
"What about it?" She asked slowly, just to hide the growl threatening to slip out of her throat.
"Astral Express is an interstellar train capable of superluminal travel. He mentioned that these Antimatter Legions bear great resemblance with the Sky People in terms of nature although also with great difference. The amount of destructive race out there is astounding, to say the least, and it is imperative for us to send our own vanguard force"
"... you want me to go to him"
"I ask if you want to accept the job" Einstein emphasized. "Like it or not, the force attacking us right now is merely a beachhead for a larger invasion force. If we don't get to the bottom of this, we'll lose"
"Does he know? The homeworld, I mean"
"No" The blue haired Doctor said with a shake of her head. "However, the Astral Express itself has a lot of navigational data on its databank. Even if it doesn't have a fix on it, there's plenty of sapient race in the galaxy that might be of help in this quest. For every sparks, there's fire in the making, so if the Sky People have been doing what they're doing for long there's a big chance someone knows something"
"It's a witch hunt. Just in a forest with your eyes closed in the middle of the night with said witch hiding in a mouse hole" Tesla explained. "The only clue you have of its existence is a piece of paper you found in the bathroom that morning that might or might not have been true"
"The odds are against us" Einstein added.
"Have they ever not?" Kiana asked back with a sigh. "The odds have always against us yet here we are now"
Here we are now in a world won against an adversary with yet another struggle.
Perhaps, she was looking too much into it but who could blame her? In all honesty, Kiana was tired. Only so much a woman could do to protect the world and its beauty, a thought born not out of pessimism but reality instead. Even right now her friends were still fighting for a tomorrow uncertain.
No rest for the weary.
"Was it a yes?" Einstein began anew, watching Kiana standing up to her feet. The Kaslana paced about the room, blue eyes tracking nothing in particular until they stopped on a certain purple haired woman.
She made her way to Mei and the rest on the far wall. "I have my happiness here, Doctor" She said, grabbing Mei's hands between her own, eyes never leaving a pair of amethyst. "Should I abandon it..."
"Oh, you misunderstood us"
Kiana blinked and turned on her heels to look at the scientists. "Sorry?"
Tesla put her prosthetic hand to her hip and smiled, cocking them to the side. "Bronya and Mei are going with you"
Kiana's lips parted in surprise, staring at Tesla dumbly and then Mei and Bronya. The former simply smiled while the latter crossed her arms and stared back impassively.
"Wha...?"
Mei grabbed Kiana by the cheeks. "We promised to stay together until the end and we will"
"That, and the more technical reasons" Bronya piped in. "Honestly, I'm sick being the third wheel so I would've refused if I could"
"You didn't want to go?" Kiana asked worriedly and Bronya fell quiet. Sighing, Bronya then gave Kiana one of her rare smiles. Smiles that were reserved for her family.
"I said I'm going so I will"
"What about Seele?"
"Seele understands. She is more mature than you in that regard" Kiana protested but Bronya ignored her with a nonchalant shrug. "This journey will require us three anyway"
"The power of Truth and Origin are indispensable" Einstein explained when she noticed the question in Kiana's gaze. "As well as Bianka's Genius system"
"Finality is a power immeasurable" Tesla joined in. "And without guides we risk damage, or worse, destruction of countless universes"
"Hold on, let me be the one asking. It's a bit overwhelming"
They shared a glance and nodded, gesturing for Kiana to sit down again. Silently, Kiana pulled the chair and took a seat, eyes glazed for a moment as she pondered where to begin. A vague warmth rested on her shoulder and drew her attention, revealing Mei's hand.
Her gaze found the silver ring there and it gave her the resolve.
"So... You need me for what, exactly?"
"We received Welt's message via one of our Quantum Beacons with its source being the cardinal quadrant of what we call Cluster Heinrich. Deep Space Scout Scope pointed out the real time equivalent being a galaxy seventy six million light years away from the Perseus Arm's edge of our own galaxy. To put it simply, Welt is far away from home"
"Okay, but Quantum Beacons?"
Tesla waved her prosthetic hand dismissively. "Mophead dumped tons of them a few years back into The Deep with Seele's help. Better not ask the technical"
Kiana wisely nodded. "I'm guessing you want me to open up a portal and go there?"
"That would be impossible" Einstein replied curtly. "The distance itself would take forever for you to scale even with Void power. However, by drawing power from the Imaginary Tree itself with your Finality Authority, we're given access to limitless energy already. What you need is a guide and helping hands"
"Origin"
"Origin" Einstein repeated with a nod. "Origin and Finality are one and the same. With Origin's help, Finality is unstoppable in time-space control. Mei will help you create a path while Bianka's Genius system will be the guide to your destination" She paused and gave Bronya glance. "I don't think I need to explain why you need Truth"
"Create everything Bronya wishes, yadda yadda"
"Precisely. Once you make contact with Welt, Bronya will need to acquire the necessary information to create a working Subspace Communication Network so you can establish permanent contact with home and a way back"
"So, that's all?"
"Based on what we know, yes. You will have to act accordingly, however, because circumstances are most likely to differ"
"Do you accept?" Tesla asked and Kiana could sense the hopefulness in her tone.
"... with a cost" The Kaslana said with all the seriousness. Tesla who saw the glint in those blue orbs immediately narrowed her eyes.
"Name it"
Kiana grinned and it sent a chill down Tesla's spine. She knew that grin, a devilish expression befitting a cat that had caught the canary. The last time she saw it they had to clean a mess the couple left behind everywhere. "3 months vacation for Mei, in which she'll stay on the Moon with me"
"Are you serious- Ugh, fine. Just... don't go too overboard with it this time, please. The stains from the last time are still on the ceiling"
"Oh, my..." Mei mumbled, face red and thoroughly mortified. Kiana gave her a wink that deepened her blush even more.
"No promises, Doc"
Both scientists worked fast in setting up all the equipments necessary for Kiana to ramp up her Finality power to its highest since the fight against Kevin all those years ago. With Honkai gone, the opening of the floodgate might cause some unprecedented outcomes that might risk a sudden spike. Kiana, despite being its ultimate ruler, hadn't tapped into it for a long time so it was better to be ready for all scenarios.
Deep in the recess of the Moon Base, almost a kilometer underground was the heroes of the Honkai War. Each busy preparing themselves for what to come and go. Bianka and Theresa being Schicksal's top echelons had to stay put in case of emergency, leaving the trio and duo scientists to deal with the actual operation.
Currently, Kiana was talking with her sister about the application of the Genius system and how to use it but frankly, the woman hardly understood a word her older sister said.
"So, it's a compass?"
"In short, yes. Overseer Theresa made a few modifications to it so it's now compatible to be used with the power of Finality. A few limitations have also been liberated with the advancement of technology"
Kiana scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Walk me through? Again?"
"Of course" Bianka put the circular device into Kiana's open palm and it immediately glowed up upon contact. "Former Overseer Otto's research data was set to open use upon his retirement which allowed us a good look on many sort of apparatuses, one being the Genius Device. From here we developed it further"
"Otto was a selfish prick but he loved his Valkyries and hated Honkai with passion so I'm not surprised"
"Indeed" Bianka agreed, smiling fondly at her little sister. "He gave a lot for us to cherish, actually"
Kiana chuckled softly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Hey, now. Don't get all sentimental on me. We've talked about it"
"Sorry, I just... I don't think I've told you how grateful I am to have you as a sister"
Kiana looked at her sister's face and smiled, putting her hands behind her back knowing Bianka wouldn't talk about job at the moment. A rare occasion, but she learned she did that often when she was around Kiana. "Wanna talk about it?"
The blonde hummed affirmatively. "Dad sent his regards, he wishes you luck and, um..."
"Um...?"
"... he said 'woo as many women and spread the charm of the Kaslana in the galaxy in your journey' and I must tell you that because it's important"
Kiana, understandably, face palmed. "That old man... He does realize I'm married, right?"
"He was there"
"He was there" Kiana deadpanned. "Do me a favor and tell him I only have eyes on Mei, and that Mei would absolutely murder me if I flirt with someone else in her presence, God knows she could. Not everyone has the same patience as Mom"
"Sure. Anything else?"
Kiana's lips quivered, her expression softening. "Tell him to not worry, because I know he is. I have my family with me so I won't be alone this time, you too"
"... Is it that obvious?"
"Nah, I just know. Call it sisterly intuition" Kiana winked and grinned. "So, how do you use this thing? And please spare me the technicals and give them to Bronya, just tell me what to do"
"Right, so the Imaginary Tree..."
The next morning saw a buzz of activity on the Moon Base with the heroes of the Honkai War and the Princess herself gathering in the Main Test Room. After a night long of sleepless preparations and explanations, the trio were finally ready to embark on their journey across the universe in a seemingly impossible quest to save the galaxy.
But first thing first, they had one final obstacle they needed to remove.
"In order for this to succeed, Kiana will need to revitalize the Herrscher Authorities of both Mei's and Bronya's" Einstein explained, dropping a heap of equipment onto the floor where it then clicked on place as its magnetic clamps engaged themselves. The room was in Zero-G state to help the scientists moving around equipments with everyone except Kiana wearing magnetic boots to help them stay glued on the floor. "To do this, you will have to act as a relay with the Imaginary Tree for them both"
"How do you want me to do it?" Kiana asked, sidestepping to give a worker carrying a person size energy coil a way. The man gave Kiana a thanks which she returned with a nod and smile.
"The same way you did to Mei years ago; by connecting your consciousness with theirs and tapping into their power to establish contact"
"The Herrscher Core inside Mei went dormant after we sealed Honkai on the moon" Tesla joined in. "Though, due to the unique nature of Reason's power, Bronya's simply weakening. For this you'll have to inject them both with a healthy amount of Honkai energy to fish out their powers back"
"I don't have the Herrscher of Reason's Core anymore but I'm still a part of the ad idem. Unlike yours or Mei's, my metamorphosis is also unique on itself. Kiana don't have to worry about tapping my power back up, I will guide it on my own"
"So in short, you just need a recharge?" Kiana asked and Bronya nodded.
"That is correct"
"I feel like there's a catch to this..."
"Nothing major" Tesla assured with a wave of her hand. "It sounds easy because it is. To begin with, the only reason Mei and Bronya lost their powers is because we cut Honkai's manifestation on Earth, disallowing them to draw energy from nearby. We don't return them because it might cause incident in Honkai-free Earth but with you around you can act as a gate to control the flow of the energy"
"You sure it won't cause an Eruption, right? Because if we're to go out there, I'd rather we don't bring a disaster with us"
"Kiana, you're the ultimate ruler of Honkai. You can snap your fingers and it will stop existing for all we know. Besides, Mei and Bronya also have absolute control over their powers so you don't have to worry about them losing it"
Kiana shrugged. "Just voicing my thoughts"
"They are a good thoughts" Mei said softly, the clicking of her magnetic boots echoing in the room. Stopping beside Kiana, she crossed her arms and gave the scientists a smile. "Compassion towards fellow sapient beings is a quality we must have in this journey. We cannot disregard any possibility that we might accidentally harm them due to negligence. Honkai is destructive by nature, we all know this more than anyone else, so we must be careful when using its power out there"
"We've been fighting since we learned of its existence" Mei continued, glancing to everyone and stopping on Bronya. "Some are earlier than the others. We survived because we are strong, but most importantly because we are together. Until we can confirm the situation, we must limit the use of our powers"
"I concur" Bronya said. "As Mei said, Honkai is destructive in nature. We risk contamination on local biospheres if we are not careful"
"Welt should be able to help you in that regard" Tesla added helpfully. "He's been there for a while now so he must have a good grasp of the surroundings. Consult with him before you go all out"
"But of course" Said a familiar voice from the doorway, drawing their attention and revealing a smirking Theresa. "We won't send you guys without... precautions"
As soon as she finished talking, the Overseer stepped aside to allow a group of workers inside. They carried with them metal crates of various size, each floating in the cycled air of Zero-G environment. One of them set the crate he carried down near the trio, followed shortly by his friends.
"All done, Madame" The man said respectfully to Theresa who thanked him with a nod. Giving a nod himself, he gestured for his friends and not long after they vacated the room again.
"What are these?" Kiana asked curiously, approaching the smallest of the three crates. There was something written on its surface and she focused on the white letters.
7th Divine Key.
Kiana gasped, eyes wide and mouth open. Hands moving before she could stop them, she quickly opened the lock and then the crate, gaze fixed on the dual handguns in it.
Her fingers traced the smooth surface, feeling the signature ambient warmth she hadn't felt for a long time on the sensitive skin of her index and middle fingers. Grabbing the grips, Kiana pulled the weapons out and tested her grips on them, smiling a nostalgic smile all the while.
"Judgment of Shamash..." She muttered, twirling the guns as her muscles regained their dormant memories. These were the signature weapons of the Kaslana family, the banisher of Honkai and the creator of martyrs. Countless Kaslanas had died wielding Shamash in the past in their duty to be the shield and sword of humanity sans three so far.
Kevin, her father and Kiana herself were the only Kaslanas who ever wielded Shamash at its full potential and survived. In her case, she was about to keep using it, as intended for a true Kaslana.
"I didn't know you guys managed to recover it"
The weapon was listed as 'lost' following the war, for Schicksal to be able to recover it showed how far their technological level had reached. After all, it was a relic from the Previous Era and nobody really knew how they worked, similar to many other Divine Keys.
"I figured, rather than to keep them on storage collecting dust I should just give them back to you guys" Theresa said. "With Honkai gone, the Herrscher Cores in Divine Keys went inert and they become dormant. We have no use for them anymore without Honkai powering them"
"But we should be able to use them still" Mei softly piped in and Kiana tilted her head curiously when she saw her unlocking another crate. This one read 3rd Divine Key. "It's been a long while, old friend"
Unlike Kiana, Mei simply took the weapon straight from the crate, holding it in her right hand as her left traced the sharp edge of the purple sword. Like Kiana, she was also hit by a sudden wave of nostalgia, of a head of pink hair and cheerful greetings.
"Hi, Mei~"
Elysia...
The Third Divine Key; Key of Sanction. More commonly known as the Seven Thunders.
Each Divine Keys were unique on their own rights and the Seven Thunders was no different. It was a weapon made of the Previous Era Herrscher of Thunder's Core and had shape shifting ability because Vill-V thought it would be cool, or funny, for a weapon to have its own moods. Natasha had told her once all those years ago when she joined World Serpent how the weapon almost got her killed because it shifted into a catapult in the most dire of situation. Apparently, it could and would decide whether it liked its wielder or not by itself.
Mei never had the problem, though. Being the Herrscher of Thunder, the weapon bent to her every will because it recognized her power. In a way, it had become an extension of her power, greatly improving her already strong constitution towards lightning.
Sighing, she sent a jolt of electricity to it from her weak Core, watching it pulsated weakly with purple energy before it disappeared. Even now, sending a few volts took so much effort compared to back then and Mei had no doubt it was only possible because she was on the Moon where traces of Honkai existed.
Kiana watched Mei's smile with a fond smile of her own, deciding to let her be she shifted her attention to the last crate. This one was bigger than the other two and thicker, almost twice as thick as the one containing Seven Thunders in fact. Kiana was a curious girl by nature, often compared to cat in that regard, so it was not her fault when she lost to her urge to find out what it actually contained.
She only managed two steps before she froze on place, smile disappearing from her face. Large crate meant large letters and large letters meant they were clearer and more visible from the distance.
6th Divine Key.
"It can't be...?" Her blue eyes turned about the room until they found another pair of blue. "Why is it here?"
"Because you will bring it with you" Bianka explained gently, moving to unlock the last crate. Kiana could only watch as her sister took the weapon and presented it to her. "Come, take it"
"But... It's yours"
"And I'm giving it to you" The blonde took Kiana's limp hand, holding it on her own until it loosened before she put it on the handle of the weapon, fingers wrapped around Kiana's own. "Well, technically it belongs to Schicksal so..."
"Sis, I can't take this. I know how much it means to you!" Kiana protested but Bianka shook her head in an obvious disagreement.
"It means to protect everyone I hold dear and right now this is the only way for it to be useful in that regard"
Despite the Zero-G environment, the weight of the lance nearly caused Kiana to topple over when Bianka let her hand off. The 6th Divine Key, the Key of Creation was probably the most valued weapon in their small family due to its history.
Designation Abyss Flower, it was a weapon made of the Core of the Herrscher of Death of the Previous Era. The lance could actually split into two; Black Abyss and White Flower, each possessing powers opposite to one another. Due to its nature with Death, Black Abyss could quite literally kill and corrupt any living being. Anything damaged by Black Abyss would wither and die with only one way to reverse it; White Flower, the exact opposite of it which was restoration.
Combined, both weapons became Abyss Flower, the night in day of Death and Life. However, it also had a special relation with the Schariac Family, an ability that only a Schariac could use.
Honkai neutralization.
It was unknown exactly how but the Schariac Family, the designated Holy Maid of the Three Houses, had a special genetic make up in their blood that gave it anti-Honkai characteristics. Unlike the Kaslana and their immense Honkai resistance, Schariac could control and neutralize Honkai if the blood was potent enough. The previous wielder of Abyss Flower, the one and only beloved mother of Kiana and Bianka, sacrificed herself by using Abyss Flower to draw her blood and scatter it across Siberia to cure the state-wide Honkai Corruption during the Second Eruption in 2000. It costed her her life, but her blood sowed the flowers of future generation. Everything was thanks to her deed, that Kiana and Bianka could be here right now talking as sisters.
"I don't think I'm worthy..." Kiana muttered, giving Bianka a look that had the blonde frowning. "It's Mom's, and you're her daughter. I have Judgment of Shamash from Papa so if I were to take Abyss Flower too..."
"Kiana" Bianka began sternly. She did not like the way Kiana admonished herself. "You are more worthy than anyone else I know. Abyss Flower is a prized weapon of us, the Schariacs, but at the end of the day it was just a weapon. We trained together for years so trust me when I say you are an excellent lance user. Abyss Flower is in a good hand"
"I..." Kiana drawled before she gave up and sighed. "Thank you"
"You are as much as a Schariac as you are a Kaslana. Remember what I taught you and you will be fine"
"I understand" Kiana shot Bianka a grateful smile the blonde returned. Patting her shoulder fondly, Bianka stepped back to give Kiana some space. She knew what she was about to do, so did Mei and everyone else in the room. "I'm going to use Void power to store these, is there anything else?"
"That would be all. I'm sorry but Welt has the Star of Eden, Bronya" Theresa admitted solemnly to Bronya who simply shrugged.
"It's fine, Madam Overseer. Falcon Flare is enough for me, besides I don't think I will need it anyway"
"Well? Where's your weapon so I can store it too?" Kiana asked but Bronya waved her hand dismissively.
"I will construct one later. I designed it myself after all so I know the ins and outs of it"
"If you say so"
Kiana took a deep breath, relaxing her muscles and closing her eyes. Around her, both Tesla and Einstein quickly returned to their respective terminals to monitor a possible deviation in Honkai energy flow. It never happened before, but they were not taking risks when it came to Honkai.
A spark in the air, then a sudden expansion of a void portal right beside Kiana. When she opened her eyes again, her irises were crossed and glowing slightly from the steady flow of Honkai inside her. Kiana grabbed Abyss Flower and put it inside the portal gently, doing the same with Seven Thunders when Mei handed it over, and unceremoniously chucked Judgement of Shamash inside before she closed the portal. The weapons were now safe in her dimension pocket, undisturbed even if the universe was to come to an end.
"Proceed at once" Einstein ordered and Kiana nodded, extending both hands towards Mei and Bronya. They silently took her hands, one held on each, and they closed her eyes in concentration.
Kiana focused her mind on the throbbing heat in her chest, beating incessantly with each rhythmic beat of her heart. That heat was the flow of Honkai she allowed to exist, small and almost insignificant. A little push and the flame was stoked, burning brighter and hotter until it enveloped all her veins.
She then directed that heat to the points of contacts on each of her hands, balling her fists to hold tighter on the warmth flesh of her friends' hands. The warmth crept and spread to their limbs, straight towards their chests. For Mei, it was as if she had been shocked awake, feeling her skin tingling and heart beating erratically. She gritted her teeth and panted, finding it harder to keep her mouth shut instead of open in fear she would scream from the pain.
Kiana didn't notice because she kept injecting Honkai energy into her, otherwise she would have stopped and refused to continue until they figured out how to revitalize her Core without hurting her. If she screamed now, it would be for nothing, so Mei opted to keep her mouth shut and jaw clenched.
The pain subsided, receding like a hot wave from her skin until all Mei could feel was coldness. When she opened her eyes again, everything was dark and silent.
It was not dark dark without light. It was dark as if a fog had just descended upon her mind and blanketed her thoughts with nothingness. She found herself standing on a familiar room of a house no longer existed, but instead of the warmth daylight she remembered it was the abyss staring back at her from outside the sliding doors to her left.
This was her old house, back in a district in Nagazora. This was her old training room where she would train her kenjutsu after school, often alone until the sun set over the horizon.
This was built with her memory.
She felt rather than saw the gaze piercing her body, scrutinizing and sharp with confidence. A chill ran down her spine yet Mei couldn't help but smile crossing her arms as the sliding doors slid open to reveal a void.
A pair of narrowed amethyst eyes and red horns looked at her, unblinking like a tiger scouting its prey. They glowed in the dark, the only light in an otherwise lightless abyss.
"Thunder" She greeted simply, tone flat betraying her smile. Thunder's eyes narrowed even more until Mei could see her approaching, stopping only when she reached the veranda.
It was a familiar face. A youthful one Mei had a decade ago, cladded in her old Thunder Armor. It seemed when her Core lost its energy, time stopped for her other self.
"Raiden Mei" Thunder said back, voice thick with echoes and coldness Mei came to associate with the Herrscher of Thunder incarnate. Once, she was terrified of her, but that was once when she still feared many things. "I did not expect we would meet again"
"You are always a part of me" Mei replied warmly, if not fondly, and it had the Herrscher frowning.
"How many years have it been?"
"Long. Almost a decade now"
"I see..." Thunder paused and for a second Mei could see her mask falter, only a second though. "How is she?"
Mei's smile broadened. If there's someone who loved Kiana as much as Mei loved her, it was Thunder. Long ago she made a vow she would be the one to kill Kiana, an attempt to hide her fascination towards their silver haired knight who reached out and saved both of them, quite literally. Thunder would never admit it, or maybe she would now, but her love for Kiana was so big Mei had to fight her to make her understand Kiana had to go to the Moon. Mei wasn't sure if she still held a grudge on her because of it, most likely did still.
Wordlessly, Mei raised her hand, giving Thunder a clear view of the ring around her finger. What happened next was almost comical because Mei had never seen Thunder look stunned she was rendered speechless, despite her time sharing a body with her.
"Oh..." The Herrscher of Thunder muttered, still in apparent shock, before she recovered as quick as lightning itself. There was a glint in those amethyst eyes when she looked up again, a glint of determination Mei saw on her own face on daily basis when she woke up everyday on her room in Elysian Realm. "I want to talk with her"
Mei chuckled. "Sorry, but you'll have to wait. We have a situation and—"
"Fine, whatever, call me when you need me. When can I talk to her?"
"Later" Mei promised and Thunder must have seen the sincerity because she didn't argue back. Thunder was an embodiment of determination and conquest, always getting what she wanted when she wanted it. It's hard to appease her so this victory was rare. "I'll let you borrow the body for a day when we're on the clear"
"You promise" It wasn't a question, it was a statement from Thunder. Crossing her own arms, Thunder flashed her a warning look. "I get what I want"
"Of course" Mei said with a nod. "It's good talking with you again, but I'm afraid I have to go"
Thunder didn't say anything and Mei expected as much. She gave one final smile before she turned around and headed for the door, intending to leave her other self behind when said other self suddenly spoke.
"Likewise"
Mei's smile widened as she stepped out.
Bright blinding light, as cliche as it sounded it was exactly what washed over them the moment their bodies accepted the power they once had in abundance. Like a dried sponge, the Core inside Mei absorbed everything Kiana gave her, opening the dead floodgate and filling the dam to its brim.
Bronya was no different. Although she had no Core anymore, the unique characteristics of Reason and her Truth allowed her access to the power past beyond any real Herrscher of Reason could. Material was the true power of Reason, the ability to create anything from nothing. This same reason applied to their Core and its rule, wherein other Herrschers required them a Core the Herrscher of Reason only needed to be accepted by the power itself to wield it.
She was accepted once, by none other than the progenitor Welt Yang himself after she finished his trials. From there on, Bronya developed the power further until she broke the barrier of Truth, a barrier no other Herrscher of Reasons had ever broken through in the past. Bronya was the first to do so, and most likely would be the last, with a power to transcend time and reasons itself, she could stand in an equal ground with both Origin and Finality as a representative of humanity and its will.
The three women stood their ground, seemingly unaware with the change of their attires. Mei's pained expression relaxed until all she showed was passive serenity, the flow of Honkai finally stabilizing. Their bodies, trained well to resist the Honkai as Valkyries, showed great resilience and it paid off, both in the past and present.
Kiana was the one to open her eyes, blue with a deep tint of purple in her crossed irises as the power of Finality flooded over her body. She traced her gaze on both Mei and Bronya, noticing the familiar armors cladding them both, and she smiled in content.
Feeling sufficient, she cut the flow and lowered her hands, bringing down both Bronya and Mei's. They noticed the shift and opened their eyes too and for a moment they only looked at each other.
"I must say" Kiana begin, voice a whisper for only them three to hear. "You look super hot in Origin armor"
Bronya promptly sighed and let go of Kiana's hand. "If you both want to flirt with each other, please refrain from doing so with me around"
Mei gave Bronya an apologetic look, releasing Kiana's hand too. "Sorry about that" She said, ignoring a purring Kiana to look at Einstein and Tesla instead. She couldn't see neither Theresa or Bianka so they most likely had vacated the room as agreed. "How was that?"
"All within acceptable thresholds" Einstein replied, gaze locked on her terminal. "We're good for phase 2"
"If you guys have something to say, this is your last chance" Tesla reminded them and for a moment Kiana looked hesitant. The Kaslana gave both Bronya and Mei a concerned look but they waved it off.
"I've told the kids and my father" Mei explained. "Don't worry about me"
"Likewise" Bronya chimed in. "I have my goodbye with my team and Seele"
"Okay, then. I guess we're good to go"
"You don't want to say anything to your father?" Tesla implored gently and Kiana paused. "Just say something, it's recording"
Grimacing, Kiana shifted to face one of the cameras. "Papa, I uh... I'm sorry I can't tell you this in person but I'm going now. I've saved the world once so I figured I should up my game and save the universe now" She chuckled, but it came wet with unshed tears. Mei moved and grabbed her back in a comforting manner, an action Kiana was thankful for. "I know Bianka told you but I need to say it myself; I love you. I love you and Bianka and I'm really, really grateful to have you both as my family. Bianka, please take care of Papa when I'm gone, we both know he has a thing for troubles"
"... is that all?" Tesla asked when Kiana fell quiet. The Kaslana pondered the question for a few seconds before she nodded.
"Yep. I'll tell the rest when I'm back. The kids love story and I know I'll get plenty once I return"
Tesla chuckled. Kiana, always the optimistic Kiana. "Alright. Whenever you're ready?"
Nodding once more, Kiana proceeded to tear open space and time with a mere thought. A portal emerged before the trio, meanwhile the two scientists were doing their best to monitor the spike of Honkai energy bleeding into real space, looking for something that might spell trouble.
"We're going now"
"Good luck!"
Kiana glanced back to Tesla with a grin. "You don't say that to soldiers before they go. You say—"
"Good hunting" Mei and Bronya chorused in unison and the Kaslana laughed.
Thus, the three warriors of humanity set foot onto the unknown, braving the darkness as pioneers that would light the way forward. Their story began with a laugh and they were determined to end it with one, no matter how long it would take them to finish.
A thousand years journey began with a single step, one little step for a man was a giant leap for mankind. A new chapter unfolded for a story filled with uncertainties, yet none of them could wait to see what it had to offer.
A story's end was not the boon, it was the journey that mattered most. They had theirs once, and now they would have another.
The Origin, the Truth and Finality walked into a void, ready to embrace their destiny once more.
TBC
I've had this idea for a year now and now with Star Rail finally released I can write a crossover I desire so much.
Please leave reviews on your way out, thank you very much!