220 I will fall into the darkness and return you to the light.
Mei gazed up at the sky. The circle of light had vanished, and with the Herrscher's arrival, the city's Honkai energy had been completely drained.
She jumped onto the dragon's back, Sensing her resolve, the Dragon spread its mighty wings and took flight.
The crisis in Nagazora City has been resolved.
Finally, it was over.
This was Raiden Mei.
No longer the girl desperate to be a hero, to prove herself, even at great cost.
The red dragon landed gently upon the rooftop of Chiba Academy.
This was where it all began, the place where Kiana had helplessly fallen. Now, it was time for Mei to make her final farewell, to leave the past behind.
"You won't need to worry about Nagazora City anymore. She'll protect it in your place." Kevin's voice was cold as he addressed a startled Kiana, who had just woken up.
"What?" Kiana's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mei...but why?"
Kevin didn't reply. Instead, he stared at a distant, flickering purple light in the sky. "She's coming..."
His tone remained chilling, but Kiana couldn't help but focus on his words. She followed his gaze, her eyes filled with a flicker of fear, as she watched the lightning in the sky. Then, in a flash, a bolt of red lightning blazed before her.
But now, the other party is no longer what he remembers.
Her lips trembled as she looked at the most familiar yet unfamiliar person.
"M-Mei?" Kiana's voice was barely a whisper.
Mei looked at the weak Kiana in front of her. What she wanted to say had already been said in her heart countless times. Or could she really make the other party understand by saying it?
Or can it only make the other party blame themselves more?
---
As expected, the final animated short film is about to start.
We all know how powerful these short films can be in Honkai Impact III – the quality, the music, they drive the story forward.
But honestly, the emotional gut-punches they deliver are even more memorable.
Elysia frowned, knowing that Mei cared about the other person the most, yet she still wanted to fight each other for some inexplicable reason. She sighed. This story—she didn't like it.
In the villa, Kiana and Mei glanced at each other, both hesitant. The next scene probably wouldn't be too good. Neither of them wanted to click on the next animated short film.
But obviously, Luo Mo had already considered this situation, so the animation automatically played after following the plot.
jump over? quit? It's all impossible.
[?? I haven't ordered the short film yet, have I? ]
[Damn, this company is becoming more and more cruel.]
[Where's the skip button? I refuse this pain! Let me jump past it!]
---
Lament of the Fallen
The first scene of the animation is so nerve-wracking.
[The way of heaven is reincarnation, who will be spared by heaven]
There are dark clouds in the sky, and lightning breaks through the clouds from time to time.
Under the sky of black clouds, she is the only one in Kiana's eyes. In the picture, Kiana's neck is being pinched by Mei.
from the throat and neck made Kiana clearly feel the pain of being unable to breathe. The two finally reached this step.
"Give up."
Mei threw Kiana violently, and her floating body floated out of Kiana's consciousness. Then there was a dull pain from the impact and fall.
"What a joke," Kiana struggled to her feet, her battered body protesting. She glared at Mei, wiping blood from her mouth, defiance burning in her eyes.
"I won't let you go!"
"How? You could barely stand."
Mei returned a cold and contemptuous look, squinting at Kiana, who was barely standing up with her hands on the wall.
"All I need are my fists!" Kiana threw a wild punch, fueled by sheer determination, but Mei easily dodged the clumsy attack.
Of course, Kiana couldn't just let Mei disappear with some strange organization called the World Serpent... it felt like a cruel joke.
What kind of joke are you kidding me about?
Relying on the natural reaction of her fighting skills, her legs suddenly swept out, but she was easily blocked by her hand.
Sweeping through the air, she dodged by squatting low.
A force suddenly hit her lower abdomen, and Kiana flew backwards.
She hit the ground, rolled, then scrambled back onto her feet, charging forward again.
Without thinking at all, Her fist flew out, fueled by raw emotion, but Mei dodged with practiced ease.
Then she reluctantly swept out with one leg, but regardless of her flaws, she was naturally caught at the opportunity and fell to the ground.
Then, in a move that seemed reckless, she raised her head – putting herself directly in the path of Mei's attack. A flash of lightning, and Mei's kick connected brutally with her chin, sending her flying.
"snort."
Kiana scrambled up, ignoring the pain, and charged again. There was no strategy now, just a desperate need to fight.
Mei didn't hold back. Her next blow sent Kiana hurtling backward, slamming into an iron railing. Kiana used the railing to flip mid-air, launching herself in a desperate attempt to grab Mei's neck.
All she wanted was to stop Mei from leaving, to bring her back.
But what greeted her were cold and indifferent eyes and the whipping legs that followed the sound of the wind.
Kiana barely caught the move. She raised her hand at this time, and a and a golden light flashed in her eyes. She wanted to use the power of the Herrscher.
Even if it meant breaking Mei's leg, she had to stop her!
However, she forgot that using Herrschers power would only arouse Mei's anger even more.
Why, Kiana? Do you still want to use this power?
Don't you know it's eating away at your life?
Do you not love yourself so much?
Mei gritted her teeth and was furious. Gritting her teeth, she channeled the Honkai energy within her into her hands.
A blast of lightning sent Kiana reeling, knocking her away with brutal force. Mei didn't hold back this time; she needed to shock Kiana out of this dangerous delusion, make her face reality.
Kiana flew backward, crashing into a bench like a discarded ragdoll,
No longer caring about her fighting skills, Kiana just scrambled for the nearest weapon – the bench itself. She ripped it out of the ground and hurled it at Mei.
Mei watched the bench approach, her eyes cold. An arc of electricity sizzled across it, splitting the bench in two.
"I won't give up!!" Kiana cried out, leaping into the air.
Mei responded with a swift, brutal strike. Honkai energy crackled in her hand as she drew her blade across Kiana's chest – a controlled attack, designed to inflict pain without leaving a lasting mark.
Her final blow, a lightning-charged strike to the abdomen, sent Kiana flying backward like a cannonball.
Mei watched Kiana fall, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face – had that last attack been too harsh? Surely, Kiana wouldn't be so stubborn after this... would she?
...
[Domestic violence scene, full-on domestic violence! This is organized!]
[Payback time! Remember when Sirin hurt Mei? Mei's getting revenge, time to be the Cook! She Cooking The Scene Right now!]
The room fell silent as everyone watched Mei unleash a relentless barrage of attacks against Kiana on the screen.
Everyone present was a little embarrassed.
Who is the most embarrassed? Of course, it was Raiden Mei who was the culprit.
"Wait, Kiana, no matter what you say, I'd never hit you like this!" Mei protested. Yes, she'd held Kiana at first, wanting a serious talk. But this brutal fight? It went beyond anything she'd imagined.
Unexpectedly, her outstretched hand was subconsciously slapped away by Kiana, who was deeply involved in the plot.
"Ya, Mei, don't be like this. I will be obedient from now on." Kiana looked at Mei weakly and flinched.
The torture in the video was a little too advanced, and our dumb Tuna couldn't accept it.
She said that next time she encounters such a situation, she must listen carefully to what the other person says!
"It's not about that, Kiana," Bronya spoke up calmly. "You keep using the Herrscher of the Void's power. Don't you understand what Mei is worried about?"
"You! I don't want Mei to leave either," Kiana grumbled, feeling defensive.
Feeling sheepish about how she'd reacted, Kiana sidled up to Mei and playfully nuzzled her.
"Kiana, you can't keep doing this, or else..." Mei glanced meaningfully at the screen, where the short film had ended.
"Alright, Mei, I was wrong. But wait a minute..." Kiana paused mid-sentence, a realization dawning on her. "I can't do it even if I wanted to! I'm not the Herrscher of the Void."
She shot a glare at Bronya, who was trying to hide a smirk. "And you, little Bronya, stop trying to cause trouble between me and Mei!"
"And you, little dwarf, don't sow trouble between me and Mei!"
---
Kiana hadn't even caught her breath when massive, imaginary Portal erupted around her, trapping Mei in a sharp, deadly cage of spears.
One final spear pointed directly at Mei's throat, cutting off her escape.
This is Kiana's Trump card, even though it is incomplete.
She ascended a set of void herrscher-forged steps, one hand covering her eyes where Honkai energy overflowed.
Her exhaustion was clear, her every breath ragged.
Losing Fu Hua and Phoenix Down, the endless battles... it had all pushed Kiana to her limit, allowing her to wield this sliver of spatial power without Sirin taking control.
However, all this did not make Mei happy at all.
Why did they have to be apart?
There are many answers to this question.
The most important one? She desperately wanted Kiana to stop using the Herrscher's power.
And now, the other party is still using it in front of her?
She has always told Kiana not to use that ability again. Every time she uses it, it means the other party is burning her live, and the life countdown bell rings.
However, how could Kiana care about this when faced with Mei's leaving figure?
"You've always been like this, Kiana... You've always been like this!"
A heavy rain suddenly started, and the cold raindrops fell on her cheeks, accompanied by water drops that she didn't know if they were tears.
"Even when you're battered, you'd still force a smile."
Memories flashed through Mei's mind, scenes she'd tried so hard to block out.
The other person's smile after going on a mission and not wanting her to worry about it, but the blood was still gushing from the wound;
She also once lay weakly on the bed like a little girl, with no time to taste the delicious food in front of the table.
There are also the meteors that no one knows about in the sky—the figures that fly upward and collide again and again.
Mei confided in all this: her sadness, her pain, her powerlessness, and her heartache.
"You saved me. You saved us all."
Yet you shoulder everything alone; why don't you let everyone, or me, help you?
"Even at the cost of your life!"
Mei grabbed the spear in front of her throat. As for the wound on her neck, she didn't care.
She looked at the golden and blue eyes in front of her, and the resentment in her heart still couldn't be calmed down.
"Mei... This is my..."
"mission..."
...
"Mission? She does sound like a disciple you taught, Immortal, but..." Book of Fuxi gently covered the screen. The images troubled her deeply. Sadness washed over her, yet a strong sense of curiosity urged her to peek through the gaps between her fingers.
"... a mission? What she carries on her shoulders is the teacher's last expectation. She just... is a little stricter on herself." Fu Hua sighed softly.
Saving the world shouldn't be on her shoulders.
No matter how bad it is, this is Schicksal..Anti-Entropy or the mission of myself and others, not a young girl.
Cheng Lixue watched with wide eyes, the half-eaten apple forgotten in her hand.
What was this purple-haired girl saying to make Kiana listen? It was just like trying to reason with her own master – whether Kiana spoke up or not, she'd always find a way to throw herself into danger for the sake of her mission.
Honestly, she wanted to scoff at Fu Hua. "Don't talk about others when you do the same thing!" But of course, as a disciple, she wouldn't dare.
Could this girl's words work where hers always failed? Cheng Lixue watched intently, hoping to learn something.
...
"I also understand the big principles of saving the world."
The energy of the Herrscher soared in her body, and the roaring thunder informed her decision.
"Mei, stop!" Kiana's voice cracked with desperation.
"But how can I pretend this is the right thing? I only know that deep down..."
Thunder and light broke the Archon Spear, and countless fragments were destroyed, but the past six years of Kiana's world emerged in her mind.
"The world means nothing to me..."
The cold rain of black clouds was invariably bound and still in the sky, just like those warm daily routines, all dispersed.
The thunder was rolling, and Kiana couldn't help but use her arms to block the majestic light for a moment.
"Without you!"
Her words were almost a roar, revealing the turmoil of a heart usually held so close.
She completely liberated the core of the Thunder Herrscher, Lightning crackled all around her, celebrating the Thunder Queen's wrath.
She was everything, a world brighter than this one.
She couldn't imagine a world without her.
All she'd ever done, it was all for her.
The world and you—I choose you.
That's all the reason to leave you.
---
Elysia stood with her back turned, her long pink hair swaying slightly. Her shoulders trembled as quiet sobs escaped her.
Mobius, fresh from an ultimatum, didn't dare risk upsetting her further. She eyed the lines in front of her, a flicker of something – calculation? sympathy? – crossing her face.
Well, the other party's lines are good; maybe they can be used to persuade people who don't want to come to the experiment table in the future.
"Doctor?"
Until she was pulled by Klein, the innocent look in her eyes made her realize,
"..." Looking into the other party's eyes, Mobius was not sure what the other party wanted to ask.
She asked tentatively, "Klein... ? To me, you are more important than the world."
"..." Klein looked at the other party helplessly. It seemed that the doctor had really forgotten everything and her 'didn't like the game'.
"Doctor, the experiment is ready. We can't waste all this work, can we?"
" Eh? Oh, so fast?" Mobius quickly pulled the other party away from the scene and hurried to see her precious experiment.
"So, Doctor, what was that you were saying earlier?" Klein's curiosity got the better of her. She took a break from assisting with the experiment, tilting her head and resting it on her hands.
"Oh, that... Just something I picked up from a game. Forget about it." Mobius tried to sound dismissive, but her voice wavered slightly.
"Sorry, Doctor, I can't just forget. I'll keep those words close to my heart." Klein responded calmly, yet there was an undercurrent of something more in her voice. As an E.L.F., her memory was perfect.
"Doctor, are you feeling alright? Your hand trembled a moment ago. You nearly made a mistake."
"It's nothing, Klein. Really. Your chatter isn't helping, so please, just focus." Mobius tried to brush it off, but a flicker of unease crossed her face before she forced herself back into the precision of her experiment.
Snakes are supposed to be cold-blooded, right? Then why did her ears feel like they were on fire? Her whole face was burning. This was ridiculous!
She must be getting sick. Why else would she be acting like this? It felt just like those times around Elysia... Ugh, she really needed to get that under control. Maybe a checkup was in order.
---
This Kiana – the Kiana who fights so hard, hurting herself in the process – is her whole world.
If Kiana won't protect herself, if the world won't protect her, then she'll do it herself!
Her anger and grief turned into the strength to move forward alone at this moment. The determination revealed in those deep purple eyes made people's hearts tremble.
With a burst of speed, she launches herself into the air, soaring towards Kiana. No matter what, she'll stop Kiana's destructive Herrscher form, even if it means facing her head-on.
This overwhelming conviction, it nearly suffocated Kiana. A tidal wave of emotions washed over her, throwing her body into involuntary retreat. She fought desperately just to stay aloft.
Kiana Archon Spear couldn't pierce this fierce determination. The countless imaginary structures clawed at her, but their desperate attempts couldn't match her relentless climb.
[O your smile is tainted and your face is cold]
[There's no more comfort in your lips and cheeks]
[The whirling noise is pulling me within]
[The tainted carcass of this world]
Mei charged towards Kiana, the full might of the Herrscher of Thunder crackling around her. But before she could even attack, Kiana froze.
The sight before her was otherworldly, a dreamlike sweetness.
The storm clouds were gone, replaced by a sky ablaze with holy light. The golden radiance bathed everything in a warm glow, illuminating Mei's face - a face of unparalleled beauty.
Beneath this vast sky, on this wide-open land, Mei was the only figure in Kiana's world.
She aimed a blow, a beam of light meant to pierce the darkness. Yet...
That beautiful face held such immense sorrow.
In a flash, the blazing, enchanted sword, was drawn. Thunder echoed with every strike, each sword shadow aimed at Kiana.
Yet, even as the attacks rained down, Kiana reached out. She held onto the image of Mei reaching back, the two of them reuniting as if nothing had changed.
The sword's light struck. Kiana, in her pristine white battle suit, fell limply from the sky. Against the sunlight, she was a fallen angel, bathed in pure white.
This time, Mei caught her. Her black-gloved hand gripped Kiana's tightly as a flood of memories washed over them both.
"You reached out your hand to me on that day."
"You changed my destiny from the moment we touched."
They stood in the familiar grounds of Chiba Academy, yet the world felt different. Time had twisted their paths, reversed their roles, but here they were again.
A flicker of tenderness softened Mei's usually sharp, violet eyes. She gently cradled Kiana, and the words came unbidden, "You are the most important person in my life."
Kiana lay still on the sun-drenched stone, forever peaceful. Mei's gaze lingered for last time, a silent farewell.
"If rescuing you is a sin, I'll gladly become a sinner."
"Farewell, Kiana."
The dragon's red wings whipped up the strong wind and blew away the last trace of mottled emotions, and Mei ran alone into the darkness hidden in the distant sky.
Kiana will walk the road ahead alone.
When the thunder cuts off the past, you and I will embark on our own future.
But I am no longer by your side. I wish you... well...
This is our goodbye.
Lightning strikes, shattering what was, and we go our separate ways.
When the storm fades and the rain dries...
I will fall into the darkness and bring you back to the light.
It's for the best.
---
"Am I more important than the world? Hehehe..." Ever since hearing Mei's near-confession, Kiana floated on a cloud of giddy happiness. It doesn't matter what words Mei actually used – Kiana's convinced it's all true.
As far as Kiana's concerned, the tragic events of the game are a distant threat, never to touch their reality. But the emotions blooming between them... well, Mei's blush speaks volumes of Truth.
"Kiana, don't be like this."
Mei shook her, not caring about her blushing state.
"The relationship between the two sisters... is really enviable." Seele said with longing,
That sentence, "You are more important than the world," obviously hit her sweet spot.
"Ahem... Well, if that's what you want, Seele, then you're more important than the world to me!" Bronya coughed twice and said it casually.
But the constant gesture of trying to grab something with her hands revealed her thoughts.
"Hey! Bronya, those are Mei's special words for me!" Kiana pouted playfully. But then hesitation hit. Should she say it? Did it even count if they were technically still enemies?
"Sister Mei doesn't mind; what do you mind? Besides, Bronya can borrow it for a little bit, no problem."
...
"Uuuuhhhh..." Elysia sniffled, dabbing at her tears. Her chest felt tight, a wave of sadness stubbornly refusing to pass.
She forced a smile, trying to regain her usual cheerful Face.
"If you're going to fake it, at least do it better. That's even uglier than your crying." Kalpas comment was accompanied by his trademark scoff.
Elysia deflated, the smile fading. "Kalpas, don't be so harsh. A girl's crying! Can't you show a bit of compassion?"
"Where's Mobius anyway? She's usually the one stuck dealing with my moods," she sighed. "I really could use her right now."
"Haha, Ellie, sadly Mobius is busy in the lab," Eden chuckled, eyes still closed as if savoring the memory of the earlier scene.
" Wonderful! An elegy dedicated to yesterday! Save a person from Collapsing; what an innovative approach!" Vill-V clapped enthusiastically, her timing a touch too perfect.
"Vill-V, how can you not be sad? Don't you feel the bittersweet ache of friends parting ways?" Elysia voice held a perplexed note.
"Me? Oh, trust me, the main personality is weeping buckets right now," Vill-V confessed, a hand dramatically pressed to her chest. "But I'm a [Magician], darling. All I can offer is applause for a performance well-played."
...
MihoYo Headquarters, St. Freya Island
Inside the office...
"Boss, where's this sugar you promised?" Su Lu's voice held a hint of desperation. Her hand, clutching a pack of instant noodles, shook slightly.
It's hard to tell how many tears are in the other party's bowl of instant noodles. A line of tears seems to flow into the bowl without end.
Then she thought that the only bell pepper curry provided by the company now would only make her feel more uncomfortable, and her face became even more bitter.
—— In sharp contrast, Across the table, Luo Mo was practically inhaling her food, laughing out loud at the stream of comments on her screen.
Su Luo envied her boss's ability to stay so carefree.
She couldn't pull it off if she tried.
She had to eat. The stigma made her feel better, but it also increased her appetite.
"See, the bonds between girls...while beautiful, they can also be restrictive. Sometimes, separation allows for greater growth." Luo Mo lectured between bites.
"Kiana matured in Arc City. Now, in Nagazora, it's Mei's turn," she continued. "It's the trust and reliance that make their departures so significant for their development!"
Su Luo sighed, barely suppressing an eye roll. "Save the speech for the players, boss. I've lost my appetite."
[Hahaha, good knife! Let me try the knife! (vomited blood and died.)]
[It's all knives; not a single candy is seen; only the Raven island villa still has a trace of warmth.]
[Anyone else stockpiling tissues? Asking for a friend...]
[My pen bleeds not ink, but RAGE. Each word a dagger aimed at this tragic page. Screenwriter, meet your fate!]
-----
Edit: thanks RVN_RZGRZ for suggestions and improvements
