"Otto!!!" Zeke charged at Otto, swinging his fist towards him. In that moment, his vision was consumed by the image of Kiana lying in a pool of blood and Otto's infuriating grin. An immeasurable fury burned within his chest, driven by a single thought—to kill Otto!
But Zeke's punch struck nothing, shattering both Otto's figure and the space in front of him like breaking glass. The snowy landscape abruptly transformed into burning ruins amidst flames.
"What is this?"
Young Zeke felt disoriented as he realized he had grown slightly taller, and his tattered clothes had transformed into something more refined and comfortable.
"Shhhk!"
The sound of something solid piercing flesh came from behind him, causing Zeke to whirl around abruptly.
A colossal Honkai Beast extended its razor-sharp claws, aiming to crush a mother and daughter embracing on the ground. However, its claws were intercepted—piercing through young Kiana's body as she desperately clung onto them with both hands.
"Aaargh!" Kiana screamed, releasing her agony either as a final cry before death or summoning her last reserves to protect those behind her at any cost.
In the ensuing explosion, the Honkai Beast disintegrated, leaving a bloody hole in Kiana's body. Once again, she swayed and collapsed right before Zeke's eyes.
"Kiana!" His expression twisted, and he sprinted madly towards her like a man possessed. Just as he was about to catch her falling body, the entire world shattered once more.
What followed became a cycle, akin to an unending nightmare. Kiana continuously appeared only to die repeatedly, shattering Zeke's sanity each time.
In the real world, within the laboratory.
The oppressive Honkai energy surrounding them continued to intensify, making it feel as if even the air was being squeezed out, suffocating everyone present.
"Crack!"
In the silence, the cracking sounds on the fluid tank's surface were unmistakably clear. Simultaneously, signs of collapse, distortion, and tearing spread across the floor and walls.
"Whoosh!"
Mobius calmly held her coffee cup while multiple metallic tentacles shot out from beside her, instantly reaching the damaged areas around the fluid tank and throughout the laboratory. They suppressed Honkai Energy, repairing the destruction.
Hera glanced at Mobius before nonchalantly returning her gaze to the fluid tank, reminiscing about their discussions when planning these scenarios. Suddenly, she sighed,
"All the scripts are excellent, but why am I predominantly portrayed as the main villain in most of them? Ah, Zeke's misconceptions about me run so deep."
Silence... multiplied by N.
Misconceptions? Excuse me?!
Apart from Li Sushang, who remained puzzled due to her lack of knowledge about Hera's true identity, everyone else was speechless—typical Otto, shamelessly unscrupulous.
At that moment, Fu Hua furrowed her brow, concern etched on her face.
"This isn't right. Normally, with such blows, Zeke should feel overwhelming grief bordering on despair, setting the stage for his negative personality traits... But all I see now is pure anger. This might not be enough."
Upon hearing this revelation, nearly everyone's expressions shifted slightly, recognizing it as an unexpected obstacle.
Only Hera gently shook her head and said, "Old friend, your deception lacks depth."
"What do you mean?"
"Although Zeke willingly cooperated, allowing you to suppress his memories and cognitive abilities successfully, and the 'Kiana' you created was remarkably close to reality... It seems that instinctively, Zeke still discerns between truth and falsehood. Thus, you've only stirred his anger but failed to truly breach his psychological defenses."
Hera smiled, fully understanding and agreeing—this is who Zeke truly was, just like herself; neither could be deceived by a false Kallen.
As Fu Hua struggled with the situation, Hera turned towards Kiana.
A clear emotion flickered in Kiana's eyes. Upon meeting Hera's gaze, she seemed conflicted for a moment before stepping forward and standing beside Fu Hua.
"Fu Hua-sensei, I'll help you."
"Kiana, you..."
"This decision matters greatly because it's what Zeke chose, right?"
Causing harm to Zeke weighed heavily on both Fu Hua's and Kiana's hearts. However, since it was Zeke himself who decided upon this path, despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to support him.
Little Kiana's soul had awakened.
The change wasn't immediately noticeable, but Zeke sensed it.
In the sunlit garden, the adolescent Zeke stood before a colossal Titan mech, engrossed in research and modifications. Though his cold, world-weary expression mirrored his true self, the innocence evident on his delicate features clearly indicated he was just entering adolescence.
Suddenly, Zeke paused, turned, and glanced at the white-haired girl chasing butterflies nearby.
Kiana stopped playing, puzzled. "Why are you staring at me all of a sudden?"
"...No reason."
Feeling somewhat bewildered, Zeke resumed his work as if nothing happened, yet the corner of his mouth involuntarily curved upward.
Without warning, darkness engulfed the sky, its crimson hue spreading across the heavens. The Lance of Subspace descended swiftly, instantly enveloping the area where Kiana stood.
"!"
Zeke whipped around, spotting the Queen of the Void cackling madly above him. With trembling hands, he swept away the billowing dust cloud.
As visibility cleared, he saw countless Lances of Subspace embedded in the ravaged ground. Amidst this devastation, one long spear pierced through Kiana, suspending her mid-air, blood gushing down like a fountain.
"Ki...ana?"
"Zeke...cough...I...love you..."
Blood pouring from her lips, Kiana uttered these words with her last remaining strength.
In that instant, Zeke's sanity began to shatter.
"Rumble!"
In the real world, on the deck of the floating research base, Kevin stood at the edge gazing out to sea. Elysia sat nearby, swinging her slender legs rhythmically. The entire colossal vessel trembled violently.
"Hummm~ hmm?" Elysia hummed a carefree, nameless tune and casually remarked, "Oh dear, it seems like things are progressing as planned! I've never seen Zeke's Honkai Energy this wildly volatile before—it's practically akin to an abyss swallowing light. How terrifying!"
Kevin glanced sidelong at her but continued staring at the sea, showing no intention of engaging in conversation.
Undeterred, Elysia smiled brightly and sighed softly before leisurely asking, "Doesn't this scene feel somewhat familiar, Kevin?"
Unyielding as a mountain, Kevin remained silent for a moment, his gaze momentarily wavering. Then he spoke gravely, "I'm not in the mood for chitchat right now."
"My apologies."
"...No need for apologies."
"It's not about talking with you; it's because...for fifty thousand years ago, I want to say sorry again." Elysia tilted her head, smiling warmly at Kevin.
"Craaaack!"
Though Kevin said nothing, tendrils of frost spread from beneath his feet without warning.
After a prolonged silence, Kevin, expression stoic, finally replied:
"No need."
"Are you sure? I think it's quite necessary. After all, making you draw your sword against me is my fault. And also...try to be more understanding, okay? You know, no matter which version of myself, I wouldn't blame you."
"That's enough. Let's end these pointless words and prepare for battle."
"Don't worry, I'm always ready to give it my all!" Elysia smiled brightly, resembling an innocent, carefree young girl.
But Kevin knew her true nature—she had willingly become the Thirteenth Herrscher to unite the last fighters of the previous era. Then, adorned with makeup and a smile, she died by his hand.
Elysia was that kind of person.
"Crack!"
Kevin continued staring at the sea, expressionless. However, the distinct sound of bones cracking from his clenched fists betrayed his emotional turmoil. Coldly, he stated:
"This time, you won't have the chance to act recklessly again."
"Haha, indeed, there's no longer any need for me to do such things! Who would've thought? Despite being the most suitable candidate for the Thirteenth Herrscher, Zeke ended up craving that power more than I did. In our era, this symbolized corruption and betrayal, right?"
"Enough. I have no interest in discussing this; it's pointless," he replied icily.
"Eh, you're always so difficult. Even when I personally try to reason with you, it hardly makes a difference—it's quite disheartening! How about transforming myself again like before? Would that finally move you?" Elysia joked.
Kevin's expression instantly darkened as he looked down at her, his icy blue eyes filled with profound emotions.
"Elysia, I've said enough is enough!"
"The one who needs to stop is you. I'm certain my past self must have tried persuading you repeatedly, just as I am now. How long do you plan to dwell on this? It even makes me feel guilty, despite having done nothing wrong! Honestly, I detest these kinds of situations!" Elysia asserted forcefully, expressing her genuine dissatisfaction—a rare sight from her.
Even Kevin, momentarily caught off guard by his emotional state, hesitated briefly. He opened his mouth, and the chill emanating from him abruptly dissipated.
Kevin could straightforwardly resist anyone else broaching this topic, but with Elysia herself involved...he found himself unsure how to respond.
Kevin stood dumbfounded, while Elysia expressed her anger through a stern gaze. After a moment of mutual staring, Elysia broke eye contact first and lowered her head. She sighed,
"Forget it, forget it. Who am I to stop you, being Kevin after all? Today, no - from now on, I won't interfere anymore. Do as you please!"
Elysia kicked her legs, pouting with evident dissatisfaction.
Witnessing this, Kevin felt somewhat at a loss. Despite his usual icy demeanor, deep down, he cherished every relationship dearly, whether romantic or platonic.
If Elysia remained unhappy, would she abandon their friendship? The thought seemed absurd, yet it still caused Kevin some anxiety. Amidst the chaotic turmoil of emotions, accompanied by the ship's swaying and the roaring sea, Kevin slowly spoke, attempting the simplest and clumsiest way to mend things: "Elysia, I... I'm sorry."
"Mm-hmm, received it. And yes, I forgive you."
"...Thank you."
For a brief moment, Kevin appeared dazed, as if recalling a scene from fifty thousand years ago. Coming back to reality, he let out a relieved breath and repeated, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me, we're good friends, right?"
Elysia gazed at the ocean surface, swinging her legs leisurely, and once again, a sweet and charming smile graced her lips.
A fifty-thousand-year-old apology, a fifty-thousand-year-old response—seemingly blurring the boundaries of time in that moment.
The ship continued to shake violently, with the emanating Honkai Energy growing increasingly terrifying. Yet, both Kevin and Elysia felt remarkably lighter-hearted than usual.