Kiana wakes up and prepares to escape.

Elysia squirmed under the Flame-Chasers' collective gaze, awkwardly rubbing her hands together. A blush crept up her cheeks – was that a mischievous elf caught out, or simply someone genuinely embarrassed?

She couldn't even explain her outburst to herself. 

That slip of the tongue was completely uncharacteristic! Elysia, of all people, was the champion of beautiful girls everywhere, a guardian of their joy and potential.

"Eden, there must have been a misunderstanding," Elysia began, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "My only wish is..."

She hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "My only wish is for Mei to find true release – freedom from pain, from sorrow."

"She deserves happiness. Flowers, fairytales, the most beautiful things in the world! Her soul should shine brighter, blessed with joy and enduring memories." Elysia's voice held a newfound intensity, as though she desperately wanted to convince both Eden and herself.

She tightened her grip on Eden's arm, swaying gently as if seeking reassurance. Yet, the response wasn't quite what she hoped for.

"I didn't expect you, Elysia; you changed so quickly. It's really... unexpected."

Mobius remarked, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. There was a subtle accusation in her tone, as if those beautiful pure humanity had been tainted by something less pure.

"Well...we all remember what you said, loud and clear." Kalpas' voice, though muffled by his mask, carried a distinct note of amusement. His words hung heavy in the air, breaking the fragile tension.

Vill-V inevitably sighed, as if she were lamenting the fate of her friend.

Eden's eyes turned slightly to the Kevin side. This was the first time he couldn't bear to look at Elysia.

Elysia, feeling the weight of everyone's stares, finally threw her hands up in defeat. 

"It's all Luo Mo's fault!" she declared dramatically. 

There was a desperate edge to her voice, a last-ditch attempt to blame her outburst on someone, anyone, else.

...

[Argh, that Luo Mo strikes again! What a way to backstab me! This chapter... I can't even call it bittersweet, it's just plain bitter.]

Meanwhile, all the other viewers are clearly blind to the awesomeness of Mei's powerful catchphrases. They're obviously getting frustrated by the story. The comments are overflowing with a mix of anger and sympathy for Mei:

[Damn it, can't my cook do anything? ]

[Mei... What is it like to watch the person closest to you disappear around you, but you can't even hold her hand? Sigh—— ]

[Kiana's Mei's soulmate, right? After seeing her on that cooking show, I'll always be on Team Mei! Stay strong!]

For some people, Mei's cooking skills are a beacon of hope. Their own partners might be culinary disasters, their attempts leaving a trail of burnt offerings and near-kitchen fires. 

To them, Mei is an inspiration, a testament that delicious, lovingly-made food is possible. If she can pull it off, they think, maybe there's hope for the rest of us!

In the eyes of the people involved in the Dome, this is another scene.

Now, the spoon in Mei's hand fell to the ground, and she stared blankly at the scene of her cutting herself in front of her.

She thought that her emotions would not be very good in the game, but she did not expect that just from the words and the accompanying picture, she would feel deep sadness in her heart.

Kiana's coat was in her arms, but she could only feel Kiana's warm breath through it.

The person I want to see is right in front of me, but I am unable to take her back.

So powerless, so like myself—

Mei sighed, a weight pressing down on her. In the real world, she had already made her choice. Right or wrong didn't matter – it was a matter of the heart, and that was settled. 

But if she dwelled on hesitations now, on every "what if", her heart would twist with regret.

"Idiot, Kiana?"Bronya's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Ever since the game scene play, Bronya had been quietly observant. 

With their history, she understood the unspoken feelings between Mei and Kiana, and knew they'd need an occasional nudge to keep things from spiraling.

"Uh, yeah, hey, don't worry about me. It's just... wow, didn't realize how hard this would hit Mei." Kiana stammered, caught off guard. Forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, she tried to play it off.

She nibbled on her bread, her eyes distant and unfocused. What was going through her head? Every now and then, she'd let out a sigh and stare blankly at the screen.

"..." Bronya said nothing, but her gaze lingered on Kiana. Her instincts were sharp, Mei's reaction felt normal, expected even.

There's something wrong with Kiana's state—how could Kiana start thinking seriously?

If it were her before, she should have thrown herself into sister Mei's arms and comforted her now.

"Waaaah, this is just... it's too heartbreaking, Liliya!" Rozaliya wailed, practically burying herself in Liliya's arms.

Bronya had a headache. She almost forgot she was sharing the space with these two.

They certainly have the goal of becoming idols.

but their ability to get swept up in the drama was on another level. It wasn't just immersion, it was like they were living the story!

"Wuuuuaaaah Liliya! If someone took you, too, and I couldn't save you, I don't even want to think about it!" Rozaliya whimpered, squeezing Liliya with surprising strength. Tears threatened to spill over, and her nose was turning a concerning shade of red.

The thought of Kiana being whisked away by some powerful Valkyrie, while Mei was left behind clutching only her clothes... it was enough to make Rozaliya's heart break. 

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

"My silly Sister, we'll never be separated! Who would be cruel enough to do that to us?" Liliya gently stroked Rozaliya's pink hair, offering calm reassurance.

"But...what if there were really S-Class Valkyries? Like, remember that time I got in trouble and you ran for it? Principal Theresa was furious!" Rozaliya sniffed, a tremor in her voice.

"Hey, I came back for you, didn't I? Vodka girls stick together!"

Liliya couldn't help but smile at the memory. "You really are my silly sister." Her voice held a mix of exasperation and genuine affection.

"Don't say that to me, Liliya."

Obviously, the sadness of these two living treasures goes away as quickly as it comes. In other words, at their age, there is nothing worth being sad about for a long time.

"A pair of idiots," Bronya muttered under her breath. Her sister was safe, and these two were safe. That was all that mattered, and worrying any further was just a waste of energy.

Seele, ever the earnest one, leaned closer to Bronya. "But, Sister Bronya, it shows how strong their bond is, doesn't it? That kind of friendship is something to admire."

 [... Our relationship is also very good, Seele! Rather than that, why don't you let me out first? ]

 [I think the arm in front of me is a bit annoying.] The voice in my head was as irritable as ever.

Seele was in no mood to indulge Veliona, definitely not if "making friends" involved one of her outbursts.

[ha? All I need to do is get to know Seele... Now, I also hope to get to know Bronya as a 'friend'."]

Veliona switched gears in a flash. All she needed was an excuse to get out and stir things up. 

(Bronya) was just a cheap guy—not as big as her!

---

ARC City

The dust settled, and amidst the ruins, Rita stood motionless. 

Though Durandal had taken the Herrscher of the Void, Rita's eyes remained sharp, her gaze sweeping the wreckage. 

It felt unreal – the embodiment of destruction had turned savior. 

But, it was a fact as undeniable as the sinister forces that lurked beneath the city's surface.

Durandal, infallible in Rita's eyes, had the Herrscher under control. This only reinforced Rita's resolve – she needed to expose the darkness in ARC City. It might be a race against time, but she wouldn't sit idly by.

Rita made her way to the central database of Heliopolis Life Sciences, expecting the worst. 

And she disappointed, Broken terminals and missing drives – it was a deliberate erasure. 

A soft sigh escaped her lips. Of course, they had covered their tracks.

As the darkness faded, dawn finally broke over ARC City. 

The 'Snake' had slithered away, leaving the ravaged city behind. But those ever-watchful eyes, hidden behind the lenses of those glasses, remained fixed on this place.

The Jackal, loyal to her master, used the surveillance systems scattered throughout ARC City to track Durandal's movements. 

Their trail led to North Africa, to a Schicksal facility shrouded in secrets. It seemed that whatever crucial experiment was underway, Kiana was caught in the middle of it.

And Kevin's response was, "I know."

He also said that he had his own arrangements for the Herrscher of the Void.

…

Darkness swallowed Kiana whole. Her body felt like a lead weight, every muscle screaming in protest. No sight, no sound, not even the familiar scent of dust and old machinery – just a crushing, suffocating void.

Then, a voice pierced the silence. "Kiana... Kiana..." It was soft, almost pleading, and Kiana knew it was Mei.

With a desperate surge of will, she forced her eyelids open. The weight crushing her chest seemed to intensify, making it impossible to draw a breath.

And then, her vision cleared. No longer darkness, but a nightmare landscape. ARC City was a burning inferno, the once-vibrant city choked by smoke and the screams of the terrified.

"No, that can't be right." Kiana's voice was sharp with disbelief. She remembered, so vividly, pushing the bomb away, sending it hurtling into the sky. How could this be happening?

Panic rising, she searched for answers. Her surroundings were a blur – there was nothing, no clue to explain the devastation.

——Then, her gaze fell to her hands. Hands that looked wrong, Herrscher… the hands of the Herrscher of the Void.

The realization hit her like a physical blow. Kiana buried her face in her trembling hands, refusing to believe this cruel reality.

"No, it's not like that!" Kiana bolted awake, her body drenched in a cold sweat. 

The nightmare's echo clung to her, the burning city and those terrifying hands seared into her mind. She gasped for air, her breaths ragged and desperate.

"Just a nightmare," Kiana repeated, her voice barely a whisper. She tried to convince herself, but the memory of the burning city clung to her like a shroud.

Even seated at her bedside, reading, Durandal exuded an aura of unyielding resolve. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back, a stark contrast to her rigid posture. 

One look was enough to tell Kiana just how serious, how utterly inflexible, this woman could be.

Kiana was silent. She already knew what happened.

But she still couldn't stop asking.

Faced with Kiana's questions, Durandal seemed to know all the answers, and reading the book did not prevent her from answering all Kiana's questions.

Kiana tried to awaken Fu Hua in her mind, but no matter how she took the initiative to contact her, there was no sound feedback in her mind.

She understands that no one can help her now.

A feeling of helplessness came over her.

Now, it was up to her alone. 

Steeling her resolve, she began to focus inward, formulating a desperate plan to reach the Herrscher core deep within her…

"I told you, you need to take a good rest now!"

Durandal was at her side in an instant, her hand clamping down on Kiana's shoulder. Surprise flashed across Kiana's face, mirrored in Durandal's icy blue eyes. Those sharp eyes locked onto her like a hawk, tracking every flicker of defiance.

It was obvious that she was not happy.

---

"Really, why doesn't she cherish her body so much?" Durandal grumbled, hefting a dumbbell with casual ease. 

The sheer weight displayed – something no ordinary Valkyrie could even lift – hinted at her annoyance.

Rita, standing nearby, offered a carefully measured response. "Probably because, inside, she regards you, Lord Durandal, as her enemy!" Her tone was neutral, a masterclass in diplomacy when dealing with Durandal's moods.

Rita, as always, gave meticulous attention to her appearance. Today's choice was a classic black and white maid's uniform – simple at first glance, but subtly altered to accentuate her charm. 

The lines of the bodice, the drape of the sleeves, even the length of the skirt – each detail was carefully considered. A crisp white headband framed her short gray hair, the single beauty mark beneath her eye adding a touch of playful allure.

The true test was in the absolute domain formed by the sheer white stockings clinging to her legs. The delicate flash of skin above the knee was a calculated risk, designed to draw the eye without being overt.

When Durandal's gaze lingered for a fraction of a second longer than usual, Rita smiled inwardly. Today's ensemble, it seemed, was a success. She'd make a note to replicate it in the future.

"Even as you fight the Honkai, self-care is crucial! How can you expect to be a strong warrior with such disregard for your well-being?" Durandal's voice held an edge of reprimand.

Rita stifled a sigh. Durandal's relentless training regimen made her the least qualified to criticize others on this point. Still, a practiced smile remained fixed on her face.

"Kiana has goals, people she desperately wants to see again. Perhaps, within the game, she feels burdened by an overwhelming sense of responsibility," Rita offered, her voice thoughtful.

"That's reckless, not responsible. She throws herself into danger, caring nothing for her own life." There was a note of frustration in Durandal's tone.

Rita's judgment was very clear. Kiana thought about many people now, but the only one she didn't care about was herself.

Kiana, it seems, gives no thought to herself – no concern for her health, her future, or the consequences of her actions. Her focus is solely on fulfilling promises made, on washing away guilt through reckless sacrifice.

So... so naive!

Rita sighed softly. Kiana's determination burned brightly, but such a path was unsustainable. How long until that bright flame burned itself out?

"..." Durandal remained silent. As she tried to place herself within Kiana's in-game experience, Rita's words struck a chord of truth.

"So... Kiana aims to destroy herself? How utterly heartbreaking." There was a flicker of unease in Durandal's eyes. From her unique perspective, watching her sister's suffering unfold in the game was its own kind of torment.

...

(Shigure Kira · Idol Theater, Part 2)

""Details, details! Shigure, focus – what amazing performance are you going to blow the audience away with?" Luo Mo pressed, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Whoa, hold on a sec! It's Kira, not 'Shigure'. Get it right! And performance... you mean singing, right?" Shigure Kira's eyes widened in alarm. 

"Look, singing isn't my strong suit, okay? Unless you consider fainting from sheer awfulness some kind of groundbreaking performance art." She threw her hands up in mock surrender.

One sunny morning:

"La la la la la la la—" Kira's voice soared with questionable enthusiasm. 

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she turned to Luo Mo. "So, when does the idol stuff officially start?" She'd been training her vocals nonstop, though the results of her effort were rather... distinctive.

Across the room, the audience Luo Mo had 'recruited' were not faring well. 

Eyes glazed, expressions pained, some mumbled incoherently or clutched their heads in their hands. Word on the street was that Kira's singing was less 'performance' and more 'sonic assault'.

Luo Mo was a master of multitasking. Turns out, forcing lazy employees to attend Kira's concerts was a win-win: punishment for the slackers, and a captive audience for his budding idol. A true genius!

At first, those 'lucky' employees were less than thrilled. A concert as punishment? However, when their coworkers witnessed their shell-shocked state upon return, a wave of morbid curiosity spread through the office.

"Yo, whose concert was it?" whispers rippled through the cubicles. "Seriously, how bad could it be?"

"Start? What are you talking about?" Luo Mo gave Kira a dubious look. "The date's on the poster, isn't it clear?"

Kira stared at the poster in confusion. June 31st? She just assumed it was a bad joke.

Luo Mo, ever the optimist, tried to be encouraging. "See, that gives you more time to perfect your act!"

"Oh, whatever, just set it up already! I'm ready to rock!" Kira declared, a determined gleam in her eye. Then, as if fueled by sheer audacity, she belted out a tone-deaf rendition of... something. It was hard to tell exactly what song she was attempting.

The sound was so uniquely awful that it felt like a musical achievement in its own right.

(Side note: hare: "So, was I even in that scene?" )

(Editor: This line feels out of place, can it be removed?)

(author: nah)