[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roaverse]
===
After gradually moving away from the star field where the Luofu was located,
Acheron stopped.
She held 'Acheron's hand.
And then, it was as if she actively released a certain restriction.
Immediately, a chilling sensation spread out from the two of them.
'Acheron' could, of course, feel it.
The essence of this power was unmistakably Nihility.
But!
The intensity was enough to make even 'Acheron' feel alarmed.
She couldn't even imagine what she was about to face.
However, reality did not bend to her will.
She could feel herself gradually sinking into a certain shadow.
That boundless, pitch-black, silent body of water was slowly consuming everything about her.
And at the end of that water, a black sun floated there, perfectly centered.
Just then, Acheron's voice suddenly rang out by her ear:
"Stay alert. Maintain your sense of self. Can you hold on?"
"…Yes."
In the initial moment of shock, 'Acheron' quickly regained her composure.
She wasn't sure if it was the excellent state of the host body or the robustness of the system's protection.
In any case, 'Acheron' was not affected by the Nihility as she had been before.
Acheron looked at Baiming, whose eyes were clear and unaffected, and nodded slightly.
This was within her expectations.
Since the opponent could withstand the full force of her released power,
then merely stepping into the shadows of the Nihility should, theoretically, also cause no harm.
"Where is this?"
'Acheron' looked at the landscape, which had been completely transformed.
Although she already had a guess, she asked the question, holding onto a sliver of hope.
"We are stepping into the shadow of Nihility. Go a little further, and you will see everything I want you to see."
"Alright."
'Acheron' heard this, suppressing the thoughts churning in her mind.
She followed Acheron's guidance, sinking into the pitch-black water that rippled faintly.
When her vision was restored,
'Acheron' found herself on a desolate shore.
Unending torrential rain poured from the sky.
And high above the cloud-shrouded firmament, the black sun emitted a chilling, heart-palpitating light.
An unknown viscous liquid, its source indiscernible, flowed into the pitch-black sea.
It raised not a single ripple.
However…
What truly shocked 'Acheron'
were the hideous, emaciated, terrifying arms stretching out of the sea, reaching toward the black sun, relentlessly craving light.
And the infinite murmurs and wails emanating from beneath the sea's surface.
Snap—
A red oil-paper umbrella was opened by Acheron.
The umbrella appeared above their heads, shielding 'Acheron' from the continuous dark rain.
It wasn't just memories from the game.
The body she was currently using also told 'Acheron' what those terrifying hands were.
She turned to look at the calm-faced Acheron,
struggling to suppress the shock and trembling in her heart, she raised her arm and pointed to the sea, where countless hands stood erect:
"Those… are the obsessions of Pathstriders, born from the shadow of Nihility, right?"
"Yes. They are Soulguilts. They regard themselves as the object of their fixation, constantly repeating the actions the departed performed in life."
"Then why does this shore exist?"
'Acheron' looked at the monstrous sea, complex emotions stirring in her chest.
She voiced her question.
And Acheron provided the answer:
"This place never 'exists.' This is also a reflection. For Nihility, space and distance have no meaning. By sinking into the shadow, one can reach here."
Acheron paused for a moment after speaking.
And only when the other person seemed to have composed herself did she speak again:
"Since you imitated everything about me, then you should also know my true name."
'Acheron' looked at the woman before her with a complex gaze and nodded:
"Raiden Mei, Warden of the Styx, right?"
"Yes, Raiden Mei. That is my original name… For countless ages, I have guarded the passage to the abyss of Nihility, guiding every life unwilling to fall into it back to this world. Warden of the Styx is my duty."
"..."
'Acheron' suddenly turned her head away.
Endless wilderness, and an endless sea.
There was no trace of life here, only the infinite Nihility.
"You… you watch over this place all the time?"
"Not always. Occasionally, I leave for certain reasons. For instance, recently, I accepted a Pathstrider's dying wish and offered a firework display on a certain planet."
Acheron spoke lightly.
In fact, even when she first watched that scene in the game, 'Acheron' was only stunned, shocked, and even surprised by the Easter egg.
However,
when she truly immersed herself in the shadow of Nihility,
and came to this abyssal passage that has been guarded for countless years,
listening to Acheron's seemingly ordinary account,
'Acheron' only felt a sense of tragedy and bitterness.
"Do you have to face them constantly? Even though you yourself are already so…"
'Acheron' didn't know what adjective to use.
She just felt that the woman before her shouldn't be this way.
Nihility had consumed everything about her.
She, who should have died, held on firmly to life.
Yet, Acheron did not go out to experience the brilliance of the universe; instead, she placed shackles on herself.
Forcing herself to remain here forever, for countless years, facing the culprit that ruined everything she had.
A warm hand was placed on 'Acheron's head, stroking her hair.
A smile appeared on Acheron's face:
"Indeed, you are a very gentle person. But just as you take pity on my fate, I too take pity on these poor souls who could not find peace."
She raised her hand and pointed to the sea.
"I am still able to maintain my self-awareness, to stand here and tell you all this, and to feel your pity for me. But they… they have no such chance anymore. And the only thing I can do is prevent them from falling into the abyss."
"..."
'Acheron' didn't know what to say.
Those with firm wills step onto their respective Paths, becoming powerful Pathstriders.
However… those with firm wills, after death, turn into Soulguilts struggling in the shadow of Nihility due to their unquenchable resolve, unable to find rest.
The worldview of Honkai: Star Rail is a bit grim, isn't it?
Seeing 'Acheron's complex expression.
Acheron just vigorously ruffled her hair.
"I brought you here simply to show you what true Nihility represents."
"..."
"Although I am very happy that in this world, I can still see someone who knows my past and remembers the existence of Izumo, please don't use my power again in the future."
'Acheron' gazed silently at the woman before her.
She opened her arms and gently hugged her.
The warm body temperature passed through the contact, and with it, 'Acheron's gentle whisper.
"You won't be alone anymore."
As the words fell, Baiming's panel showed a significant jump:
[Character Impersonation System]
[Name: Baiming (Acheron)]
[Lifespan: 02:20:59:53 (Paused) + 24 Days (Character Impersonation)]
[Available Transformation Characters: Great Herta (Recharge: 18.2%), Acheron]
[Available Draw Count: 1 (3.6%)]
===
Note: This story is currently available up to chapter 35 on my Patreon, go check it out.
Gain access to exclusive early chapters, and so much more. This is your chance to get a ton of exclusive content while supporting my work.
https://p4treon.com/roaverse
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Power Stones==Bonus Chapter