Kevin stood in the midst of the solemn forest, the weight of grief lingering in the air as he contemplated the losses he had endured. However, the somber moment was abruptly interrupted by a peculiar sensation, as if the fabric of space itself had shifted not far from where he stood. His gaze shifted towards the sky, and in the wake of that spatial disturbance, a sudden appearance unfolded before him.
A little girl with long white hair, dressed in a pink outfit, materialized seemingly out of nowhere, freezing in place moments after her sudden appearance before pivoting to meet his gaze.
While Kevin wasn't surprised by the girl's immediate awareness of his presence, he couldn't ignore his curiosity. Her youth, reminiscent of Griseo's age when she became MANTIS, stirred memories of the past. But it was the fragility evident in her features that truly caught his attention. The devastation reflected in her eyes reminded Kevin of the despair he had seen during endless battles against the Honkai in his bygone era.
They stared at each other for a lingering moment. Then, almost as if realizing the gravity of her expression, the little girl hesitantly scrubbed at her face, as if attempting to mask her vulnerability. With a determined effort, she conjured a comforting smile—or at least, an approximation of one—before tentatively flying closer to Kevin. Despite the multitude of tragedies that had hardened his heart, witnessing her fragile attempt at solace stirred a pang of empathy within him.
"Are you lost? It's dangerous in the forest alone," the little girl said, her voice soft and gentle as she approached Kevin. He appreciated her honest effort, sensing the underlying bravery in her attempt to offer assistance. Despite his own internal turmoil, Kevin couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude toward her concern. He knew, just by looking at her, that the girl had forced herself to act, masking her own feelings to reach out to him. At that moment, Kevin wrestled with the desire to reassure her that he was fine, to spare her any unnecessary worry, and the reluctance to refuse her genuine offer of help.
After a pause, Kevin found himself speaking, his voice tinged with a warmth he hadn't realized he still possessed, "I appreciate your concern, but I'll be alright. Though I must say I'm a bit lost here. Can you show me the way to the nearest city?"
His words seemed to lift a weight off the girl's shoulders, and a genuine smile spread across her face, unlike the forced one she had worn moments before. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of purpose as she nodded eagerly.
"Of course! I can take you there," she replied with enthusiasm, her voice ringing with confidence.
Kevin nodded in acknowledgment and began to follow the girl through the winding paths of the forest. As they walked, his mind wandered to the uncertain future that lay ahead. With the threat of the Honkai seemingly vanquished, Kevin found himself grappling with a profound sense of purposelessness.
What was left for him now that his life's mission had reached its conclusion?
The realization settled heavily upon him, overshadowing the faint glimmer of hope that had stirred within him moments ago. Perhaps there was no reason for him to continue living in a world devoid of the imminent danger that had defined his existence for so long.
Yet, a lingering sense of duty compelled him to at least inform Schicksal and Anti-Entropy of his continued presence. Despite their opposition to his methods, they had emerged victorious in their own right, proving the validity of their approach over his own. With a resigned sigh, Kevin resolved to leave his fate in the hands of the victors, ready to abide by whatever demands they may have of him in this new era of peace.
With an acceptance of his newfound purposelessness, Kevin pushed aside his existential ponderings and focused on the practical matter at hand. As they continued their journey through the forest, he couldn't help but feel a sense of obligation to present himself properly before Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.
Though his mind churned with uncertainty, he knew that at the very least, he could ensure his appearance was suitable for the occasion. With a subtle gesture, Kevin tapped into the power of one of the beasts within him, weaving its essence into a delicate silk fabric. Transforming the silk with practiced ease, he fashioned it into simple clothing, draping it over his body.
