Chapter 8: To the Heaven I Dream
A lot of words could be used to describe the mining sector of Belobog's Underworld yet at the moment two were the best amongst the many; hot and suffocating.
Geomarrow was a special mineral with even more special characteristics. It was capable of storing energy and releasing it in controlled radiation form of heat while at the same time never losing its potency until it was exposed to open air.
That was to say to keep the Geomarrow 'fresh', the miners had no choice but to build an array of dampeners that kept cycled air trapped in the mine which contributed to the humid heat all around the area. Seele foresaw this and gave each of them a water bottle to keep them hydrated. Judging from the way March sweating bullets it probably had saved them from an inevitable heatstroke.
Kiana, Bronya and Mei had no need of their share but they kept them pocketed anyway for the three teenagers. Kiana had discarded her Valkyrie jacket and changed her Battlesuit to her Void Drifter set, one Mei still found pleasingly appealing to the eyes especially now with how much Kiana had grown. The Kaslana caught her staring and winked cheekily and suddenly Mei felt the heat on her cheeks was more concentrated than the rest of her body.
"You two had sex and the notion of ogling made you blush?" Bronya teased with a chuckle, earning a mortified groan from Mei. Despite Mei and Bronya being on the furthest back, Kiana heard them still and laughed from the middle of the group, startling Stelle who was talking with her thanks to the sudden interruption. Mei felt the heat crept even further to her neck and ears.
"I wasn't staring..." Mei denied weakly and Bronya snorted as a response.
"Right, and I'm a donkey." She deadpanned. "Just don't be distracted too much. The last time one of you was lusting over the other, we literally got run over by a space train"
"Bronya!" Mei hissed in an odd mixture of embarrassment and apology. "There's children."
"They're teenagers, Mei. They know what sex is" Bronya shrugged nonchalantly then. "I doubt they heard, anyway."
Bronya, as always, was correct. The only reason Kiana heard them was because of her Herrscher traits that gave her superhuman sensory receptors. Still, Mei couldn't help but to feel embarrassed all the same. "Thank you, by the way" Mei began anew. Although she wanted to change the subject first from her behind the door life, she was sincere in her gratitude to Bronya. "Your help means a lot."
Bronya hummed and waved her hand dismissively. "Enough, Mei. It's nothing."
Nothing to her but everything to Lysetia. Mei had explained to her what her help was needed for and Bronya was right in her assumption. It involved a kid in trouble as always with Mei. Lysetia was asleep in the short moment Bronya checked on her with Mei, the latter telling the former the girl's story. It was hard to not feel sympathetic and Bronya was sure she would help regardless Mei's request.
Unfortunately, Lysetia would have to wait. While Bronya could create her limbs back with a literal snap of her fingers, the recovery procedures would require a more delicate and closer attention. Lysetia was not a soldier. She was not trained to handle the following shock of having her body modified so suddenly. She would survive, but it would be painful.
Right now, it was a secondary concern. As much as Bronya hated to rank the girl second on her priority list, they had a more pressing issue to handle first. The mine was huge and it wouldn't be a surprise if they got lost without proper guide. Seele, thankfully, knew the Underworld like the back of her hand.
As they went deeper and deeper into the heart of Underworld's economy source, none of them uttered a single word. Like ducklings following their mother, Seele led them into the main entrance where the commotion was.
People of various age and injury scattered about the vast gap of rocks, muttering hushed conversations to each other while they looked out anxiously. Amongst them, two men with red ribbons on their arms stood on guard, expression tight in a grimace.
They moved to approach them, carefully maneuvering between the sea of people. March and Stelle stared wide eyed at the victims around them, horrified at the sight of severed limbs and bleeding flesh.
"This is horrible." The pinkette muttered, clearly horrified. Stelle put a hand on her shoulder to guide her away from the sight, squeezing it comfortingly.
"We're here to help." She said resolutely and March nodded. Mei moved first, again approaching a group of children who looked like they had fallen in a coal pit. Dirty, bruised and scared, she closed the distance as slowly as she could so to not startle them before offering them her share of water.
"I'll let you guys do the talking," Kiana told Seele somberly who nodded back. She turned towards the Astral Express trio and sighed. "I won't force you to join. It's a rather gruesome scene." She began with a reassuring smile. "But if you want, then let's go."
Kiana didn't try to shield them. The old her would without hesitation. Instead, she gave them a choice in which they took with grace. They shared a glance and smiled resolutely while Dan Heng nodded.
"We're here, either way. It is better if we do." He said.
The next few minutes were spent with the crew helping the wounded. Kiana and Mei, being a former Valkyrie thus having enough knowledge in first aid, went and helped Wildfire's medics in administering treatments around them. Bronya watched it all with crossed arms, standing close to Seele and her Silvermane counterpart to listen to their conversation. She would've helped, but she had her own duty to perform as the team's tactical genius.
"—northern sector's is holding up but we're not sure how long the barricade will last especially with the vagrants cutting our supply line." One of the Wildfire members told Seele in angry mumble so to not be overheard by the civilians. "It wouldn't be long until we have a breach."
"Those assholes were usually holed up on Robot Settlement." His friend added with a similar tone. "This stupid mining feud spurred them to arms while they wouldn't be bothered if it was a monster attack. It's money they after."
"Just like any other Underworlders." Seele scoffed. "I wouldn't blame them for trying to survive."
"But it's a crime still, no?" The lone Silvermane Guard asked, drawing Seele's attention to her. It seemed she had forgotten the Silvermane Bronya's existence in the short time she talked with her colleagues.
"Obviously. That's why we're here."
"To bring them to justice?"
Seele's brows dipped as she scowled. Bronya could feel the aggression in the air as Seele stared down the Commander, still she kept quiet and watched from behind. "To kill them. A crime of this magnitude means death."
"Kill?! Surely there's justice system in place...?"
"What fucking justice system, princess? Your mother took it with her when she closed the Underworld. The only justice around is example." Seele spat, glaring at the startled Silvermane with clear disgust in her purple eyes. "If we kill them, it'll show them to not pull the same stunt again in the future. Do it with actions, that's how it is here."
"... how's the Supreme Guardian's heir be down here anyway?" Asked a Wildfire member to Seele who shrugged.
"It's Nat. She must be up to something."
Seele took a step away but a hand stopped her before she could took another. Looking down to its owner, she was met with a pair of shocked silver.
"You can't be the judge and jury." Bronya whispered in horror. Seele's cold purple regarded her for precisely three seconds before she tore her hand from Bronya's grasp and sneered.
"I've been the executioner, too." She felt another pair of silver staring at her, courtesy of another Bronya. Glaring at the aloof woman, Seele began. "What? Are you going to stop me, too?"
But the Herrscher was different. Despite the hint of sadness in her eyes, her expression was not changing. That sadness was not directed at the situation but rather Seele herself, something the purple haired woman caught. Seele was not oblivious. She'd noticed the way the other Bronya would look at her from time to time. She couldn't put it into words but it always seemed soft, almost affectionate.
She didn't understand.
"I'm not going to interfere," Said the Herrscher calmly. "However you conduct yourself and your business is not my concern. I'm here to help, that is all to it."
Seele blinked, a pleased smile slowly forming on her lips. "Huh, even if we have to kill people?"
"Yes."
Short, clipped. Almost disinterested. Seele was grinning now and Bronya's eyes never left her shining purple. "Shit, didn't expect you to be that cold and decisive. I think I like you better than I do this princess over here."
The two Wildfire members were staring at Seele in disbelief, never had they seen her admitting she liked someone upfront. Babochka spoke with her fists and scythe. If there was a conflict, she would resolve it by throwing punches not words. But Bronya didn't find her praise comforting. In fact, it did the opposite to her.
"That's not fair," The Herrscher of Truth began as she uncrossed her arms, looking at a surprised Seele with a reprimanding gaze. "She has her own struggle as I have mine. I grew up in a harsh world and it was a fate I wish for nobody to endure. She doesn't know what you've gone through as you don't know what she has gone through. Until you understand each other, you cannot judge. Hence, it's unfair to say you like me better. Not for her and for yourself."
A breeze of cold air unfamiliar to Jarilo-VI hit both women as the Herrscher brushed past them, it carried with it disappointment and disapproval so thick it left a metaphorical trail behind her. She didn't glance back when she spoke next. "It is not my place to judge either. However, you cannot understand if you do not accept. Trust is vital for a peaceful world."
"Hey, Bronya?"
"What is it, Kiana?"
"Are you mad?"
"... I'm not."
"Bronya..."
Kiana stared at her through concern filled ocean blue, gone was her usual playful aggravation that usually present whenever she talked with Bronya. The sight made Bronya pause on her work to properly regard her best friend. "What makes you say that?"
The Kaslana shrugged, hands in her pockets as she rocked back and forth. Kiana had always had a seemingly infinite energy in her body even before she gained Herrscher powers, a vessel too small for a hyperactive girl like her. Yet, she seemed more anxious than anything as she asked Bronya. "You're frowning."
It would've been normal to see someone frown, but Bronya was not just a someone. While Kiana was extremely expressive to her emotions, Bronya was not. To see her showing a minuscule of twitch on her face meant she was genuinely feeling it and that emotion she was feeling would've been very strong to begin with. The X-10 experiment took a lot of things from her, which was why the first time Kiana saw Bronya cry was also her last time.
Words couldn't describe their feelings. They never sufficed. Their only option was action and that action spoke louder than what was shown. The fact Kiana was here asking her and worrying about her, was an action enough to show her care to Bronya. A Kaslana could be unbelievably stubborn it was almost impossible for a human, so Bronya relented.
"It's nothing we can do," she curtly told Kiana, continuing on her work. The miners required a transportation for the wounded so Bronya used her Truth power to fix and create mining carts to move them to Boulder Town. The Underworld was a massive mining network all the way to its heart, after all. "They would need to solve it themselves."
Kiana glanced at where Bronya gestured with her thumb, revealing Seele and this world's Bronya. Raising an eyebrow inquisitively, Bronya waved the question she knew Kiana would've asked, the are you certain? and some. "Huh. Are you upset this Seele is not your other self's girlfriend like you are to her back home?"
Bronya, understandably, fixated her with a deadpan stare. "Bugger off, Kiana."
The Kaslana stuck her tongue out and skipped away to where Mei was. Bronya snorted and shook her head, a small smile on her face, one that was similar on Kiana's own.
Kiana had always had an odd way to cheer someone up. These Kaslanas...
The rest of the job was done in a relative quiet afterwards. From time to time, a Belobogian would approach her out of curiosity only to ended up nervous when Bronya's gaze settled on them loosely. Having a face that of a big shot's was not enjoyable at all. There was a reason why she kept secret of her service in the Honkai War, turning them into hearsays in her company for her employees to play guess. Here, however, it was an inevitability and not within her control.
So, Bronya smiled curtly out of courtesy, finding no reason to keep their curiosity at bay. The power of Truth was as fascinating as it could get. Watching materials being made out of thin air with mere thought was beyond magical.
A loud creaking noise to her far right interrupted Bronya's thought and she glanced to its source. Kiana was hauling an overturned mining cart out of the rails with her bare hands like it was nothing. People stared at her with awe and shock while the Kaslana dabbed her hands together, smiling to herself. "Alrighty! We good to go!"
She gave Bronya a thumbs up and Bronya nodded, creating the final piece of the plan; the small locomotive engine to pull the carts with. Again, a simple thought was all it needed for it to appear from thin air right on the tracks.
"Load the wounded." Bronya ordered the others who complied immediately. She climbed onto one of the carts and stretched her hands, pulling people onboard to be transported off. "Children first and those who can stand!"
Through the corner of her eyes she saw a flash of purple and silver amongst the crowd as Seele and her Silvermane counterpart moved to help too. Some were reluctant to grab her hands and the same could be seen happening to the other Bronya, yet it didn't stop neither of the two from helping. With combined efforts, they finally finished loading everyone up.
"What about the dead?" A Wildfire member asked the question everyone knew but refused to ask. His words drew the last straw for them to stare at a group of still bodies remaining on the floor.
Nobody wanted to say it despite knowing it was necessary so Bronya took it upon herself to carry the burden. "Leave them. Make another go when you're done transporting the living." She told him, gesturing for the locomotive. "Go and come back later. There will be more."
More of what was also obvious but this time Bronya kept it to herself. They knew enough an explanation was not needed. She saw him nodded as he hopped into the locomotive and Bronya jumped off the cart, ignoring the looks she received from the people around her.
After all, she had always been good at ignoring people.
The carts moved and with it flow a cacophony of whimpers and moans from the hurt and scared. Mei was on her phone calling Natasha, informing the doctor what to expect coming from the mine. Her worry was palpable as she spoke through bitten lips.
Bronya checked on the trio teenagers then to make sure they were doing alright after such a mentally exhausting endeavor, grimacing slightly when she noticed the blood on their hands and clothes. They were still inexperienced in handling a wounded so it was expected from them to be a little messy. Still, Bronya praised them and their willingness to help. A mess or not, their help was invaluable and praises went as far as they could go to someone.
"I just hope we can save more of them." March somberly told them as they washed their hands on nearby well. Stelle, who was near her, paused and patted her on the back comfortingly.
"We will, March. We will."
"Don't think too much of it." Dan Heng joined in. Of the three, he was the one with less mess on him and Bronya noticed it. He didn't physically try to comfort March but his expression softened considerably as he looked at the two females. "We did what we could."
Bronya hummed, nodding in agreement from where she was watching the three. "Dan Heng is right. Don't think too much of it. There's no end to that thought." She glanced to Mei and nodded, receiving a nod in return from the Raiden. "We have to go. We've been hold up for too long."
March wiped her hands and shrugged, a warm smile on her face. "Well, no rest for the weary. Let's go help more!"
"She bounced back quite quickly, huh?" Stelle mumbled to Bronya on their way and Bronya chuckled.
"She reminds me of someone." She said, gesturing to Kiana when Stelle looked at her inquisitively. "They can be quite the handful bunch."
"Kiana? She doesn't seem like she worries much."
"She used to be." Memories of Kiana shouldering everything alone flooded the front of Bronya's mind and she shook her head to banish them. She was not particularly fond of the thought. Kiana had learned a lot she was no longer the naive girl she was back then. "She's a Kaslana."
Stelle hummed, intrigued. "What does that mean? Aside from, you know, being a part of Schicksal foundations and all that."
How to define a Kaslana? Bronya could think of hundreds of ways to describe them. Headstrong, sacrificial and ridiculously obstinate were amongst the many but one stood up the most.
"They're a loner." Bronya settled to say. "They do everything alone, carrying their pain on their own backs and their longing on their own hearts. A Kaslana dies and be forgotten to protect the weak and innocent, it's in their oath."
It was almost like a curse, or maybe it was. Everything began with Kevin and ended with Kiana, two warriors of two different era's whose ideals clashed against the other like tide against the beach. One strived for a change while the other believed truth was on his side, that options were no longer available and that sacrifice was absolute. In the end, Kiana emerged victorious. Her vision for what was best, defeated Kevin's own and she proved it to him. With that, she fully broke free from the curse of the Kaslana and stopped fighting alone. Finally learning to pave her own way instead of the one Himeko left her.
She trusted her family and friends. Fighting for them was not necessarily a lonely path she must took. She stopped trying to be on their front and taking the brunt with her body and mind, instead she had them by her sides to help her brave the storm, hand in hand and heart to heart. Kiana had changed. She didn't stop caring. She simply understood that she must not care alone.
It was hard to explain yet easy to say. The Kaslanas were always a simple bunch, yet their motivations would either sound idiotic or beyond noble to those who not know them. Bronya took the middle ground for the safest description. "But Kiana is Kiana. She might not be the same girl she was back then but she's still an idiot to the bone. It won't change any time soon."
"I heard that, Bratnya!"
"You're meant to, Kiana Idiotka."
The guards noticing their approach tensed up until they saw Seele in the group. She greeted them by names as they passed by, not even bothering to stop.
The outpost was filled with Wildfire members. Tents were erected in the small clearing, giving housing for the wounded and the officers to conduct their duty. Doctors, fighters and logistic personnel moved about the place like the wind itself, unhindered and certain with their destinations. For a supposedly ragtag group of militia, they acted and carried themselves like professional soldiers.
"Hey, chief!" She called out to someone and a rather elderly man turned around to face them from inside a tent. "Nat got us help!"
He was a rather elderly man, judging from his white hair and short, stubby mustache and beard. His face was set in a frozen stern expression but not unkind, as there was a hint of warmth in that icy gaze as he looked at them with scrutinizing gaze.
The scar on his left eye told a story of an unkind past yet it failed to stop him from appearing friendly. Oleg was, for a lack of better word, a conundrum. His appearance belied his kindness as many who didn't know would think harshly of him while the truth he was your average doting grandpa.
"Thank you, Seele." He said with a slight smile and Seele waved the gratitude off.
"Are you the leader of Wildfire?" Kiana asked the man curiously, entering the tent and offering her hand. "I'm Kiana."
"My name is Oleg. I'm the acting chief of operation." He replied, shaking Kiana's hand with a surprisingly gentle grip. "I'm sorry, I wish we met in a better circumstance but alas."
"It is no problem, sir. My name is Mei and these are my friends." Mei began to introduce the rest of the Astral Express crew and Oleg shook their hands in kind. Although, he did appear baffled for a moment when it was Bronya's turn.
"I... was not aware that Lady Rand has a twin sister." He admitted, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. Both Bronya's shared a glance, the Silvermane Guard grimacing while the Herrscher shrugged.
"We are not related." Said the latter flatly. "I'm with the Astral Express and not from this world."
"Lady Zaychik's existence is not something I was aware of until a few hours ago," Continued the former, stepping forward to stand before Oleg directly. "For I am the future Supreme Guardian, I wish to know more about life in the Underworld so I can rule fairly."
Oleg was visibly surprised by the bold declaration, his smile widening further. "Of course, ma'am. The fact you are here is enough testament of your will and intentions. I hope you rule true to your heart one day." He paused to regard her better. "However, I'm sure you are aware since you yourself is a Silvermane Guard but we cannot protect you if you wish to proceed henceforth against the vile monsters hiding in the mine ahead."
"I can take care of myself, sir Oleg."
"Please, just call me Oleg." He raised his hands and chuckled. "All of you."
"Now that pleasantries are behind us, I think it's time we talk about the current situation." Mei proposed in which they nodded in agreement. She glanced around, eyes meeting Kiana's amidst the group and gave Kiana a nearly imperceptible gesture with her head for her to move.
Kiana smiled and waved her hand, stepping back and away. Grabbing both March and Stelle, she gave the two an apologetic smile as she dragged them with her. "Sorry, girls, I need your help."
"Huh, what?" The pinkette asked, confused. A prospect shared with Stelle.
"You guys remember Lysetia?" Her confusion deepened for a brief moment until a sad look passed on March's face while Stelle frowned. How could they forget Lysetia when she was like that, lying on the bed missing limbs and covered in bandages? They voiced their affirmation and Kiana hummed. "I need your help in finding her parents. The folks back on the entrance said they are still here."
"Why? What do you want from them?"
"Me? Nothing. Mei, however, needs their permission."
"Wait!" March jumped to Kiana's front, effectively stopping her on the spot. "Permission for what? Kiana, you need to explain first!"
Kiana rubbed the back of her head and laughed sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I got ahead of myself." She then gestured for them to come closer and whispered to their ears. "Bronya and Welt explained to you what Herrscher of Truth is, right?"
March nodded a little too vigorously and the result was her forehead banging against the side of Kiana's head and knocking said head towards a clueless Stelle's head. They collectively groaned in pain while Stelle whined. "March... I think it's an established fact already that your head is harder than any of ours."
"Thanks..." The pinkette mumbled before her mind could catch up to her lips. "Wait, what was that supposed to mean?!"
Stelle ignored her. "Why are we being inconspicuous, anyway? I know Bronya can build things with just her thought so what's the harm in telling people that?"
All trace of light-hearted amusement left Kiana's eyes and she adopted a more serious stance, straightening up until her back was ramrod straight and expression grim. She eyed her surroundings, making sure nobody overheard their conversation. "The Authority of Truth allows Bronya to create anything and I mean anything, including human bodies." She told them, watching both girls with apt eyes. Stelle frowned in thought for a second until she caught up to what Kiana said, eyes widening and mouth falling open.
"Oh..."
March, as expected, failed to understand. "What? What does it mean?"
"... It means Bronya can give Lysetia a new hand and leg." Kiana told her. March mirrored Stelle's reaction only that hers was followed with a hopeful smile. Kiana hated to break that smile but knew she had to. "No, March. We can't."
Her smile disappeared. "I haven't even said it..."
"I know what you are thinking. I felt the same, too." Kiana put a comforting hand on March's shoulder, sighing. "Believe me, I wish we could but the risk is not worth it."
"What's that?"
"Hm?"
"The risk."
"... A calamity."
"Did you find them?"
Kiana nodded to Mei's question. "Yeah. Do you want to talk with them?"
The Finality watched her Origin pondered the question, conflict raging behind her pretty amethyst orbs as her gaze grew distant for a brief second. Eventually, Mei shook her head and Kiana smiled a sad smile, knowing the decision Mei took before she said it. "No, it's better if we wait until we're done here."
"They're staying behind." Kiana said softly, drawing a curious look from Mei. "Lysetia's parents, I mean. Her father is a former Silvermane Guard."
"I see..."
Kiana continued. "Now you know where our little heroine comes from with that tendency of hers."
Mei chuckled bitterly in response to Kiana's words. "Duty bound fathers and their daughters, am I right?"
Kiana laughed. "Yup! Doesn't sound that foreign to me. Even in a different galaxy altogether."
Mei shook her head fondly. "Oleg wants us to go to the north side of the mine," she told her after a short pause. "We've reports that the barricade the Wildfire put has collapsed and monsters are breaching in steadily."
"All of us?"
"No. I'll have the kids accompanied our Silvermane friend evacuating the remaining civilians. Seele will go with Bronya and conduct a SAR."
Kiana put a hand onto her hip and grinned. "You and I fighting together again? Can't wait for that."
Mei chuckled. When was the last time she and Kiana fought together? It had been so long she couldn't recall. Sure, they sparred regularly on the Moon in occasions where Kiana wanted to feel her blood rush as they engaged in a familiar dance of blade and pistol but a real fight?
It probably wouldn't be as spectacular and it was probably for the best. Any enemy needing Kiana or Mei to blow kilometers wide hole on the surface was probably a problem big enough for them to worry. Not to say they didn't worry, far from that in fact, for those who survived long enough in the battlefield would start to think they were invincible. That, alone, was the beginning of doom to many.
Never underestimate your enemy. Bronya told them that a lot and there was no better teacher in that regard than their best friend. She told them of instances where people got too cocky in a battle, oftentimes ending up dead or dying against what should've been an easy target. Kiana might be the Queen of Honkai, but that didn't mean she was invincible.
"Hey, Mei." Kiana began in a troubled tone and Mei blinked, looking down to the white haired woman. Kiana, however, had her eyes set on Seele and Bronya, alternating between their best friend and the Silvermane Guard for the latter. "Are you sure that's a good idea?
"... What do you mean?"
"Bronya," Kiana breathed out. "I don't think she thinks highly of those two."
Mei grimaced as she shifted on her legs. Thunder made a sort of hum in her head, more or less telling her that she agreed to what Kiana said. That in itself was alarming since Thunder could hardly care about other people.
"Bronya is your friend. It would've been troublesome if she folds here." Said the Herrscher persona.
But Mei knew better, her answer was for both Kiana and Thunder. "Bronya is smart and wise. She understands that she cannot expect those two to get along so quickly just because she and our Seele are in a relationship. It is bitter and I can tell from Bronya's expression, but there's nothing she can do."
"Say, what if in this journey you meet another me that hates the other you?" Kiana asked softly. It was a possibility and more a probability, if Seele and Bronya existed with such a conflicting relationship in this strange new galaxy. Honestly, Kiana couldn't picture any of that happening but it did happen with their friend and Bronya loved Seele more than she did the world or herself. Seeing the contradiction between the two here pained Kiana.
"Then it does not concern me." Mei spoke with utmost certainty it surprised Kiana. She put her hands on Kiana's cheeks and leaned in to kiss her in the forehead, practically turning Kiana into puddle as the Kaslana instinctively pulled Mei into an embrace. "You are you. Even if there's thousands of Kianas out there, you are the only one for me. You were the one that held me close when I had terrible nightmares back in Nagazora, the one who put tattered rag on me when the night turned cold and the one that embraced me when I cried my eyes out. It's all you, Kiana Kaslana, not nobody else."
"I'll also have you know," Mei continued after a while, retreating back a little to stare at Kiana's surprised blue eyes. A pair of beautiful sapphire that reflected the soul of the most beautiful individual Mei had ever met. "That you are the only Kiana who gave me happiness, purpose, and chance. You are irreplaceable to me."
Kiana's face had been heating up the moment Mei confessed her heart out to her to the point Mei's touch felt slightly colder. She made a noise behind her throat that sounded a lot like a squeal as she dove into Mei's bosom. "Well, I feel the same way too."
Kiana's voice reverberated on Mei's chest and she giggled. "Bronya feels the same. While it's certainly displeasing, it doesn't matter to us."
Kiana hummed and Mei moved to pat her back comfortingly. They stayed like that for a while until the source of Kiana's worry approached them with raised eyebrows.
"Suckling Mei's tits in the public, now? There really is no end to your indecency, huh." Bronya began with an exaggerated shock and Kiana glared at her before she promptly flipped Bronya the bird.
"Sometimes I wonder if it's really worth it to worry about you." The Kaslana grunted out with a scowl. "What do you want?"
"I want you to move your ass because it's time we head out." Bronya stated, throwing a bag full of bottled water to Kiana. "Bring that out in case you meet survivors. They've been in the mine for hours in this heat so they might be dehydrated."
Kiana opened the bag to check if everything was in order before she shrugged, seemingly to throw it into a random place until a golden portal swallowed the bag mid air. "Okay, then. Do you know what to expect?"
"Fragmentum monsters. A lot of them, according to the report. Wildfire vanguards are holding on as we speak so you better go now," Bronya urged and Kiana nodded. "Also, more importantly, don't use Shamash while you're near a Geomarrow reserve. The last thing we want is to accidentally blow up the Underworld."
Kiana groaned exasperatedly but she still nodded in concession. "Well, bat it is. Too bad Stelle won't be coming with me, we could've had a match."
"You can always do it the other time," Mei offered gently with a concealed amusement. Kiana and Stelle hit it right off the bat, no pun intended, the moment she found out the latter used baseball bat as her weapon just like Kiana and the countless Kaslanas before her. She even declared Stelle a honorary Kaslana a while back much to Bronya's chagrin and Mei's amusement.
"I'll leave you two to it," Bronya pulled her phone out and showed them the screen. "I've sent the mine's map to our group chat, once you both cleared your area Oleg will send more reinforcement to plug the hole back, he originally wanted to send his men into an all out fight but I convinced him that you two will be enough."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Kiana said with a grin. "Well, shall we?"
Mei nodded, returning Kiana's smile with her own. "Let's do this."
TBC.
Sorry about that, I thought I made it clear enough which Bronya was which in the last chapter. I've made it even more clearer here so I hope it's not an issue anymore or in the future.
Yes, some things will be skipped or altered to better fit the narrative but I'll try to not skip or alter any major event too much. I don't want to make the characters go back and forth like in the game where they could've done some things directly.