Not long ago, when Mei was asking SAKURA about clues regarding the Deep, the other had already noticed it through her aura.
Elysia said: "How could that be~ Distinguishing those extremely subtle differences through aura is a talent exclusive to Sakura. As for me… mm-hmm, it's more about a girl's little intuition~"
"Look at your expression right now—so eager to go there, so eager to see her again. All those complex and intense emotions are practically overflowing."
"…"
Elysia's approach still left Mei somewhat defenseless.
She went straight to the point: "So, what exactly is the Deep? Is that also part of Aponia's abilities as a MANTIS?"
Elysia replied: "Ah, no, that's not it. As I mentioned before, the Elysian Realm is a space constructed from the memories of the Flame-Chasers. Thirteen streams of flowing consciousness disperse and converge, weaving together such a vast and magnificent world."
"But some people… certain memories of theirs are simply too intense, their colors too vivid, to the point that they can exist independently without needing others' perceptions to merge with them."
"And the Deep that you saw is exactly such an example—it's a domain born solely from Aponia's own memories."
"That's precisely why everything in that domain is created by Aponia's subjectivity, and its appearance is far removed from the real Deep that existed in history."
"Rather than calling it a memory… the Deep within the Realm is more like Aponia's inner world."
Mei said: "Eden said you could take me to the Deep."
Elysia covered her small mouth in surprise: "Oh my, Mei… that's quite a bold statement."
"…?"
Mei looked at her puzzled.
Elysia continued: "After Mobius and me, now you want to walk into Aponia's heart too? I didn't expect you to be such a dangerous girl."
Mei immediately denied: "That's not what I meant…"
Elysia said: "Even if that is what you meant, it's fine. I said it from our first meeting—I don't dislike naughty girls."
"But… going to the Deep… mm, even for me, that would be something extremely, extremely difficult."
"It might… require a little help from Mei."
Mei said: "My help? If it's something I can do, then of course…"
Her words came to an abrupt halt.
Because she noticed Elysia's gaze turning toward her—as usual.
Then it slowly moved upward, upward… finally stopping at just the right angle.
There was nothing there except her twin horns.
"…?"
Mei stared at her in shock.
"Mmm-hmm~" Elysia made an adorable sound.
Mei couldn't believe it: "You…"
Elysia showed a cute expression and said: "Let me think… this should count as… paying off foreshadowing?"
"…"
Mei was silent for a long time…
From the clues she had gathered by asking the Flame-Chasers,
The Deep concerned the dark side of Fire Moth, and it was the final destination of the answers she had always pursued.
After some hesitation.
She still agreed.
So, she sat on the sofa in the lounge.
"Mmm…"
Elysia was carefully touching the horns on her head, occasionally letting out sounds of realization.
"…"
Mei could only endure in silence, but her breathing grew heavier.
"Mmm…?"
"…"
"Oh…"
"…"
Elysia sighed in wonder: "Wow… this is really… completely different from what I imagined…"
Mei immediately said: "Have you touched enough?!"
Elysia smiled and said: "Alright, alright~ That's enough. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity—I'll be happy all day~"
Mei asked: "So, the method to reach the Deep…"
Elysia said: "Don't worry, I'll do my very best. A promise is a promise—once you're ready, we'll set off~"
After she left.
Mei also looked around.
Thinking that the scene just now probably wasn't seen by anyone.
The viewers, seeing this moment, all wore doting auntie smiles.
"Hahahaha, as expected of Elysia—this woman is so naughty, I love her."
"Whether she's pink-cut-black or not, I'm already defecting."
"Hahahahaha, while Kiana's in Anti-Entropy, her beloved Mei is getting her horns touched by someone else—she's never even touched them herself."
"No way, this is making me tear up. The Elysian Realm arc is actually so interesting."
"Gotta say, I love this fun and cheerful vibe. The Flame-Chasers are all really fascinating."
"What do I do? I think I'm falling for Elysia, but I'm also worried she's a bad guy."
"Don't be afraid—I love her naughty side. She's just too good at teasing."
"I want to know—is this the actor playing herself? Why does she look so genuinely happy laughing?"
"I feel like… when the actor was performing, she must have found it incredibly fun and satisfying."
"…"
In the Flame-Chaser lounge.
Mei watched the scene and blushed furiously.
Elysia sighed nostalgically: "Ah… back when we were filming, touching them really felt amazing. As expected of Mei's horns—so wonderful!"
Mei hurriedly said: "Ely! That was acting—just acting!"
Elysia laughed: "I know, I know. But I really like Mei a lot—scenes like this should happen more often."
Eden said with a smile: "For something like this, you just need to mention it to your husband and it'd be fine, right?"
"Mmm…"
Elysia pondered for a moment: "I asked my husband. He said joy has its limits."
???
Everyone was confused.
What did that mean?
Was the plot about to take some kind of turn?
Everyone turned to look at the TV.
And on the TV.
Mei entered the Elysian Realm.
Elysia was already waiting: "Hi, Mei. I've been waiting for you. I've found a way to open the path to the Deep. After crossing the golden forest, you should see the entrance."
"But… I remember I only promised you. A second guest will require an extra fee, you know."
Mei asked puzzled: "Second guest?"
Raven stepped out: "Sorry, Elysia. I don't seem to have horns for you to experience. Wonder if you're interested in my claws? They're red too."
Mei immediately asked: "Raven? Why are you here?"
Raven said: "Don't forget—you're not the only one looking for that woman."
Elysia sighed in wonder: "Wow… what has Aponia done? How is every girl so fixated on her?"
"I feel like something really interesting is going to happen. If I keep prying… wouldn't that be a bit tactless? Then I'll make an exception."
"Enjoy yourselves in the Deep."
The two entered the golden forest.
Mei, who had been silent the whole way, couldn't help but speak: "Raven… back then… you saw it?"
Raven asked: "Saw what?"
Mei said: "Nothing, never mind."
Raven suddenly spoke: "I only saw the full process of you getting your horns touched. Nothing more."
Mei decisively drew her weapon: "Could you please forget about it?"
Raven said with a smile: "Come on, it's not that serious. I'm not going to tell anyone."
"Could you please forget about it?" Mei emphasized word by word!
Raven remained completely calm: "Hmm, let me think about it carefully."
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance to the Deep.
Here, the two encountered the silent boy Kosma, inscribed with Daybreak, and the painting girl Griseo, inscribed with Stars.
After obtaining their Signets.
Mei was once again proactively approached by Aponia.
"It seems you've already met those two children."
"Mei, you've done better than I expected, and you've truly brought changes to this Realm that shouldn't have existed."
"Changes?" Mei asked puzzled.
Aponia continued: "It was you who made those two children leave that dreamscape. Since the Elysian Realm was built, they rarely made such decisions. I think Griseo must have seen something in you… that made her want to leave."
Mei recalled what Griseo had said to her and replied: "New colors… I don't know exactly what she meant. And… I don't understand, Aponia—what does this have to do with the repeated conversations between you and me?"
Aponia sighed: "Alas, Mei… at first, I was simply curious. I wanted to see what kind of person the Herrscher who came here as a successor would be… and whether the changes she brought to the Realm would be good or bad."
"I've already received my answer. At this moment, my heart is filled with… regret and sorrow."
Mei: "Regret… sorrow…?"
In the pitch-black cage, Mei could hardly see anything clearly.
But for some reason, she was absolutely certain that on the other side of the iron bars, she saw… a gentle smile.
"Please let me hold your hand, Mei."
Her body responded before her will could.
Aponia took Mei's proactively offered hand: "Ah… so slender and delicate, so pitiable…"
"I can touch your resolve, your determination, and… the sorrow hidden deep within your heart… and the loneliness."
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes… how I wish that tragedy ten days from now could be avoided."
Mei asked: "…The tragedy ten days from now??"
Aponia said: "Yes… a tragedy no one could foresee and no one wishes to recall. Your arrival will bring destruction to the Realm, and none of us want to see this place reduced to rubble because of you. For that reason, ten days from now, I will have no choice but to…
"End your life with my own hands."
"What did you say?!" Mei was even more shocked.
Aponia let out a sigh: "Sigh… I don't want to believe it either—that the fate entwined between us would conclude in such a way."
"But that is a story already written, our… predetermined ending."
Mei said: "…Absurd! I don't believe in any fate. The future is decided by me."
Aponia continued: "Mm, hold fast to that conviction."
"But please understand—there is only one fate, and no one can escape it."
Aponia released Mei's hand, and the darkness separated them once more.
"I'm sorry to bring you such news, Mei."
"But I still believe… you have the right to know your own fate."
"…"
"..."
"Hey, wake up! Mei, wake up…" When Mei regained consciousness again, Raven's voice came to her ears.
Seeing her awake, Raven relaxed: "You're finally awake…"
Mei said: "Sorry… I didn't mean to…"
Raven said helplessly: "…It was her again, right? What did she say to you this time—more of those incomprehensible words?"
Mei shook her head and said: "…No, this time I understood perfectly."
"She told me… ten days from now, I will die by her hand."
The Honkai Impact 3rd ending theme suddenly played.
Leaving all the viewers watching the show completely stunned.
"It's over? Why did it end here?"
"No way… what happens next? What's this tragedy ten days from now?"
"Holy crap, is this necessary? Cliffhanger right here—clearly just trying to torture us."
"Damn director—still holding a grudge because we let Otto die earlier, now pulling this."
"I'm actually speechless. Right when it was getting good, it ends."
"What the hell is this director trying to do?"
"That's it? One of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers hasn't even appeared yet."
"…"
Just as viewers across the internet were suffering.
Kiana pointed at the TV and questioned Hessian: "Why did it end here? What does this tragedy afterward mean? Is Mei going to be killed? Are you planning to knife Mei?!"
Theresa also asked: "What exactly is the Elysian Realm arc about? What's the answer? Why did Aponia prophesy like that? This whole episode was just planting flags, right?"
Himeko asked: "Director He, did you seriously not figure out the later plot? Makes sense—after the big villain Otto died, the rest is hard to plan, but you can't just half-ass us like this."
"Yeah, yeah! Ending here is way too painful."
The others all started heckling.
Hessian said: "Don't worry, I've already thought of the plot. I can write it out today—guaranteed to make you all watch it with satisfaction and enjoyment."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed.
Himeko even said directly to Eden: "Let's go drink, Eden. Tonight we won't stop until we're wasted."
Eden smiled: "Sure~ But I don't have any spare gems to give away casually anymore."
Himeko immediately said: "Do I care about gems? I just purely want to drink with you and appreciate art."
Eden also invited Elysia: "Ely… come with us. I want to see the audience's reviews of you together too."
Elysia readily agreed: "Sure~ Let's go drinking."
Kiana egged on: "Right! That's how it should be. Let this guy who loves cliffhangers stay alone—we're all going to drink and party!"
Hearing the suggestion.
Durandal and the others all agreed, thinking it had been ages since they properly gathered.
Eden even called to have all the food and drinks for the party delivered to the Golden Courtyard and invited everyone… except Hessian… to join.
Officially calling it… as the director, he must quietly think through the rest of the plot properly—absolutely cannot end abruptly like this episode!
Hessian was annoyed and waved his hand: "Go have fun. I'll write the plot and send it to you guys soon. We'll start shooting tomorrow."
Mei: "Got it, Director He!"
Kiana: "Director He, good luck!"
Li Sushang: "Director He, don't worry—I'll send the drinking videos to the group for you to see."
SAKURA: "Director He, don't be scared. I'll lock the door—no one can sneak in and attack you."
Kalpas: "Don't worry about starving. There's still leftover food from lunch—heat it up in the microwave yourself. Write the script well and make me look badass."
Kevin: "Can I bring MEI along?"
"…"
After the whole group grandly left the company.
Hessian decisively locked the company door from the inside.
As for the usual livestream, today he chose to take a break and go off-air for the day.
As time quietly passed.
He figured their party should be about to start.
So he privately sent the already-written follow-up plot to each actor.
About half an hour later.
His phone exploded with messages.
Except for Mei, every participating actor sent him the exact same message: "I died?"
Then Mei sent in the company group: "Except for me… they all died?"
Kiana immediately followed: "Director He! Dog director! Just because we didn't let you join the party, you killed everyone off?"
Pardofelis sent aggrievedly: "And I died more than once"
Himeko's shocked message came: "What? A character can die multiple times? Director He, how twisted are you?!"
Hessian: "This is the script I just came up with. Have fun, and remember to come early tomorrow for shooting~"
Kalpas in a rage: "Have fun my ass! How am I supposed to drink now? Dog director! I'm going to kill you!"