"I still have things to do."
Kiana gazed at the sky where the pillar of light continued to scour the rift. "I've seen this before. Using the Sky Sovereign's power, I can seal that void and end this storm."
"What?!" Mei Yi's eyes widened. "No! Your wounds haven't healed—you can't fight!"
Kiana locked eyes with her, voice unwavering. "Mei, I must. Monsters keep coming. Honkai energy gathers. This disaster will spread. I have to stop it."
"Stop being reckless!" Mei Yi grabbed her arm. "Don't you understand? If you do this, your body will—"
"It doesn't matter." Kiana cut her off. "I know my condition. I'm terrified—my hands shake at the thought of dying. But I won't run. I'll do what I must... for those I've hurt... for myself... for Himeko-sensei."
A fragile smile touched her lips. "Don't worry, Mei Yi. I'm strong. Just... wait for me."
A gale roared as she shook free, leaping onto the dragon's back. The lone figure pierced the storm, flying toward the distant golden wheel.
Quantum shadows swarmed her.
Each collision tore the sky with golden light—each flash, a fragment of Kiana's life burning away.
Mei Yi screamed, begging her to stop.
But the wind stole her cries; the rain swallowed Kiana whole.
---
Kevin's Watch
Nearby, Kevin stood motionless. Raven waited at his side, eyes tight with conflict. "My lord—"
Kevin remained silent.
Raven swallowed her words.
(Will you pass the World Serpent's trial? Will you transcend?... It's all on you now.)
---
The Fall
Chaos reigned in Changkong City.
Within moments, a weapon from the void struck Kiana down. She fell like a broken bird.
Mei Yi sprinted toward her—only to face the Imaginary beast alone.
Outmatched, overwhelmed...
Bella's last act was shielding her from a killing blow.
Pain. Shame. Despair.
Honkai energy surged into Mei Yi as darkness swallowed her.
---The Abyss
"Crybaby. Long time no see."
Light fractured the void.
Purple tendrils embraced her, pulling her toward a voice—cold, familiar, echoing through oblivion.
"You've changed."
"First time you've sought me willingly."
"Not afraid anymore?"
Fear?
Strangely, Mei Yi felt none.
All pain, guilt, sorrow—gone.
Only stillness remained.
"Go deeper, and hell awaits."
I'll walk through hell for her.
"You'll lose everything. Companions. Family."
I'm used to being alone.
"They'll scorn you. Your path grows colder."
That's the fate I deserve.
"You'll lose her forever."
Mei Yi hesitated.
"No more smiles. No holding her hand. No turning back."
"...Do you truly choose this?"
...
...Yes.
They'll care for her.
Let me bear this.
"Then go."
"Bury me. Turn my rage, my grief, my end—into your strength."
"Announce to the world the Thunder Queen's return..."
"Become the true Herrscher of Thunder!"
"Goodbye, Raiden Mei."
---Rebirth
BOOM—!!!
Thunder split the sky.
Space shattered. Light devoured the city.
Within that lightning—Mei Yi rose.
True Herrscher of Thunder.
With a gesture, she annihilated the Imaginary beast.
Bella's form reshaped into Kurikara. She mounted it, soaring skyward.
CRACK!
With every beat of Kurikara's wings, thunder roared. Quantum creatures rained from the sky.
BOOM—!!
Mei Yi stood on Kurikara's back, sword drawn. A hundred-meter bolt of violet lightning cleaved the heavens—erasing all enemies.
No escape. No survivors.
Cleansed in seconds.
---
Teyvat Reacts
[Nahida]: "To force such gentleness into this... What a cruel world. What a cruel Kevin. Must she become a Herrscher?"
[Ganyu]: "Will Mei Yi... never return?"
[Keqing]: "I preferred the gentle girl."
[Yae Miko]: "If only my god sacrificed for me like this..."
[Kujou Sara]: "THIS is the Raiden Shogun's past self! AT LAST! RAAAAGE! KILL! LET THE WORLD TREMBLE!!!"
[Kamisato Ayaka]: "Such power... Is this what the Almighty Shogun once wielded?"
[Zhongli]: "Surpasses even Ei's current might."
[Raiden Ei]: "Naturally. I was formidable."
[Venti]: "Herrscher power for just becoming one?!"
[Furina]: "If I became a Herrscher... could I defeat 'her'?"
[Venti]: "...Don't even think it."
[Zhongli]: "We lack that connection. Only the Lord Lin could enable it."