"...Though taste might not be all that important to me, if I had to choose, I do prefer white peach flavored things a bit more."
At this moment, Acheron, who had just taken a sip of SoulGlad, had completely shed her earlier mysterious and cool demeanor.
Buried under a pile of questions, her eyes even seemed a lot clearer as she looked, full of confusion, at the smiling Lynelle and Kiana beside her, who looked like she wanted to say something but held back.
"But... how did you know? Have we really met before... If that's the case, then I'm sorry, but I honestly have no memory of you two."
As she said this, as if feeling a bit bad for possibly forgetting her friends, Acheron thought for a moment, then placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"After I draw this sword, my memories will stabilize a bit. But since my power is a bit special, please stand back so you aren't caught in it. I'll try to see if I can remember you this way..."
"Ah, wait—"
Lynelle, sitting right beside Acheron, quickly and deftly reached out to stop her hand.
"No need, no need... And you've misunderstood. We don't actually know you. We just know someone... hmm, someone who looks a lot like you."
"Looks like me? I see..." A flicker of understanding passed through Acheron's eyes.
"I understand. The universe holds countless similar yet different people. I've witnessed some myself, seen their fates tread similar paths. I believe, in academic circles, this is also referred to as an expy."
"Well... how should I put it? If you know my expy, then... your past together probably wasn't easy, right?"
"In a sense, there might have been some heavy parts in that past, but overall, it was still healthy, bright, and positive." Kiana chose her words carefully before answering.
"As for those heavier parts... we're working hard to make sure they don't happen."
"And Acheron, you just mentioned feeling a special sense of closeness to me..." Lynelle took over the conversation now, reaching out her hand towards Acheron.
As she did, a translucent, crystalline pink crystal flower bloomed in her palm.
"Is this... the kind of power you mean? I don't have any proof, but I feel like the power within you should share some common ground with mine, in a certain way."
"Because that feeling of closeness you mentioned... I can feel it in you too..."
"..."
For a moment, Acheron was completely silent.
She gently held Lynelle's hand, gazing at the Origin energy flowing within the girl.
It was as if countless memories flashed behind her eyes. After a moment, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
"So that's how it is. It seems it's not just expys; maybe even our experiences have quite a bit of overlap... That's not surprising then."
"As thanks for helping me recall some things I thought I'd long forgotten, let me tell you a story. A story... that happened in my homeland."
"My homeland, Izumo, was once a beautiful planet. But long ago, the Eight Million Gods descended upon Izumo, bringing disaster to the world."
"To save the land, Izumo's people forged twelve peerless Edict Edges, a noble pact forged from the seventy-three thousand and thirty-three swords they shattered."
"The first, True Sword, was forged to cleave the [Kami]..."
Accompanied by Acheron's gentle tone, an incredibly heavy story was slowly revealed by her in such a casual way.
And by the time the story reached its end... the common ground Acheron had mentioned between her and Lynelle became self-evident.
"If my guess is correct... you two correspond to 'Origin' and 'Finality' respectively, right?"
"No."
Contrary to Acheron's expectations, Kiana denied this claim.
"If I were to correspond to your story, I should be the very last Edict Edge forged... In our world, the Herrscher corresponding to Origin has now been passed down to the second generation. I, on the other hand, am the Herrscher of Finality who ended that man and forged all authorities into one."
"I see... It seems you two were quite fortunate." Acheron sighed, standing up.
"But our homeland... wasn't so lucky."
"Let's go. Perhaps because of the story I just told, my memories seem to have stabilized for a bit... I think I remember the way out of here."
"Don't want to talk a bit more?"
Lynelle tilted her head. "Kiana's current form of existence is quite special. Once we enter the dream, you won't be able to see her anymore, you know?"
"There will be a chance." Acheron smiled faintly.
"Penacony has many banquets. Not long ago, a beautiful lady invited me to dance a waltz, a memory I still cherish."
"It seems, given your strength, you probably won't lose your memories after leaving this space either, so..."
"Let's continue today's tea party once we meet again within the dreamscape of Penacony."
"After all, you have your own goals too, don't you? And... they seem to be related to this dream enveloping Asdana?"
"That's right, you guessed well, Acheron..." Lynelle nodded.
"But, I have a feeling... this matter will end up involving every guest attending the Charmony Festival. Maybe even you, Acheron, won't be an exception?"
"If it really comes to that, I'd be willing to do my small part for everyone's safety."
Having recalled the route, Acheron wasted no more time. After a few turns, she quickly led the two to a large door.
"Push open this door, and you'll return to reality... no, the dream." A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Acheron's mouth. "With your abilities, you shouldn't need me to see you out, right?"
"I'd rather avoid being slashed or anything..." Lynelle quickly shook her head.
No way, she wasn't sure if spiritual death counted as death in the system's judgment. What if one slash from Acheron sent her straight back to Honkai Impact 3rd? That would be a real headache.
"Alright." Acheron waved her hand gently. "Then, may we meet again in waking reality..."
The next moment, accompanied by a flash of light, the world before Lynelle's eyes seemed to undergo several bizarre transformations.
When she opened her eyes again, she was back on the Astral Express—right next to Stelle, who had also opened her eyes, only to find herself uncontrollably shedding tears, and Pom-Pom, who looked a bit at a loss.
"Stelle, Passenger Stelle, why are you suddenly crying? Did you have a nightmare? This isn't good news. It seems your resistance to the Memoria here in Asdana is very poor... Ah, Passenger Lynelle is awake too!"
Seeing that Lynelle hadn't exhibited any abnormalities like Stelle, Pom-Pom couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"It seems only Stelle's resistance is problematic... Passenger Lynelle, please be sure to take good care of her after you get off the train."
"Passenger March is already waiting for you in the parlor car. If you're ready, go find her quickly."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.