To Anti-Entropy

Unlike the North African desert, China, at the cusp of summer, was lush and humid. Mist clung to the air, the morning sun filtering through the trees, painting the scene with an ethereal beauty.

Kiana reached out, as if to touch the light, then stopped, her hand hovering by the window.

She drew the heavy curtains, plunging the room back into darkness.

She stood there, motionless, her white hair cascading down her back, like a silent statue, lost in thought.

Click.

The door opened. Mei entered, her usual gentle expression masking a deep anxiety.

"Kiana, Theresa and the others were attacked. The Hyperion won't be able to pick us up." The Honkai's corruption was worsening. Mei's heart ached for her.

It had been two days since they contacted Anti-Entropy, yet no one had come.

Of that vast organization, only her former comrades were willing to accept the Herrscher of the Void.

Now, with Theresa in trouble, they had to risk exposure by going to Anti-Entropy themselves, like…fugitives.

Hearing the news, Kiana, surprisingly, felt a sense of relief.

Hiding her Honkai-corrupted wrists beneath her sleeves, she shook her head. "Mei… I don't want to go back."

"But the corruption is getting worse. Those pills won't last forever." Ren's medicine, neatly arranged on the bedside table, provided temporary relief, but its effectiveness was waning against the growing Honkai energy within her.

"Kiana, don't be stubborn. Come home." Mei placed her hands on Kiana's shoulders, her eyes pleading.

Mei knew Kiana feared hurting her friends, but this wasn't the time for such concerns. She'd saved ARC City. Now, she needed saving.

Kindred had sacrificed so much to save Kiana from Schicksal. Now it was Mei's turn to carry on his will.

Kiana looked away, avoiding Mei's gaze.

Even if she returned to Anti-Entropy, what then? She'd just be lying in a different bed. She knew her condition was beyond treatment.

And she could lose control at any moment, a ticking time bomb threatening her friends. Even if she maintained control, what would others think? Would Anti-Entropy harbor a Herrscher?

Fear. 

Disgust. 

Rejection.

She'd seen those looks too many times in the past few months. She didn't want Mei to endure them too.

For now, while she still could, she wanted to chase her light, to bring him back.

To say goodbye, then die quietly.

That small gesture sent a pang of unease through Mei's heart.

"Kiana, you've changed. You've become… closed off, shouldering everything yourself. But we're friends. Remember what you said? 'With Mei, I have the strength of a hundred.' I want to help you, be your strength, see you get better, see you smile again, like before."

Mei embraced Kiana, tears falling.

From a carefree optimist to this… burdened soul. How much pain had she endured, how much hatred had she faced?

"Mei…" Feeling the dampness on her shoulder, Kiana sighed. "I can't go back. After the Herrscher of the Void awakened, I no longer belong in this world."

"During my time on the run, I saw countless lives ruined by the Great Eruption. It's my fault, my sin. The Herrscher within me caused all this."

"Himeko-sensei is still missing. He… the Herrscher of Fire… he appeared in ARC City. I have to find him, ask him about Sensei. There's so much I need to do, so many people I need to save…"

Kiana wasn't sure what she felt for Ren. During their time in ARC City, he'd been her only light. She'd thought it was gratitude, but during her recovery, she'd had time to reflect, to remember.

「Perhaps I just saw him as a replacement for Himeko-sensei, a way to cope with my guilt.」

She'd used that excuse countless times, convincing herself to forget him, to suppress any deeper feelings.

But at night, when the pain kept her awake, she'd remember their time together.

The light he'd offered in the darkness, guiding her home.

Their conversations under the starry sky, sharing their pasts, their dreams.

The inferno that lit up the sky, their final goodbye.

Remembering those moments calmed her, eased the pain of the Honkai's corruption.

「Was he really just a replacement?」

She couldn't lie to herself anymore.

He was a friend, a partner, someone… special.

It wasn't friendship or love. He was… family.

Unconditional trust, unwavering support, her deepest salvation.

He understood her sorrow, not offering empty platitudes, but sharing her burden. He was trapped in his own darkness, yet he'd given her hope.

Like two survivors huddled together in a blizzard, encouraging each other to live. She saw in him the warmth of family, the care of a teacher. That's why her feelings were so confusing.

Now, having overcome her darkest hour, it was her turn to save him.

"During my time on the run… I was lost. Every night, those voices tormented me. I wanted to give up, to end it all. He saved me. I don't want to lie to you…"

She was about to say Ren's name, but Mei spoke first.

"It was Ren, wasn't it?"

"How… how did you know?"

The leader of Obsidian Concord, the one who'd helped them escape ARC City. Mei had learned much about him through the organization's forums.

Sharing this information was a violation of the organization's rules, but seeing Kiana's pain, she couldn't stay silent. She'd received intel that Ren was being held by Schicksal as a test subject.

"He…"

Before Mei could finish, the door burst open. Raven entered, her expression cold. She glanced at Mei, then spoke to Kiana, her voice sharp. "Let's go. I'll have someone escort you to Anti-Entropy."

Mei's heart sank. Ren's situation was more complicated than she'd thought. She couldn't tell Kiana.

Kiana, confused, looked at Mei, then at the image of Ren in her mind, sensing a connection she didn't understand.