The Full Potential

"The 12th Herrscher..." I began, my voice trailing off as I turned to see Yae Sakura standing before us, her face concealed behind a fox mask. "Are you perhaps the 12th Herrscher... Miss Yae Sakura?"

Yae remained silent, her expression unreadable as she slowly drew her katana from its sheath, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light of the cave.

"So you're not gonna say something, huh..." I muttered, feeling a sense of unease settling over me.

"S-Shin! What's going on? Why is Miss Yae acting like that!" Kiana's voice trembled with uncertainty as she looked to me for answers.

"It's the power of corruption," Kika interjected, her voice tinged with gravity. "The Herrscher of Corruption."

Kiana's eyes widened in realization as she turned to Kika, her expression filled with dread. "What do you mean by that?"

Kika sighed heavily, her gaze fixed on Yae Sakura. "It's a power that consumes its host, twisting their thoughts and emotions until they are consumed by darkness."

"Is that what happened to Miss Yae?" Kiana's voice wavered with concern. 

Kika nodded solemnly. "I fear so. And if she's the 12th Herrscher, then she poses a grave threat to us all."

Kiana's eyes widened in horror as she took in the severity of the situation. "So... what do we do?"

I swallowed hard, steeling myself for what needed to be done. "We'll have to stop her, whatever it takes. Even if it means killing her... Is what you wanted me to say."

"Huh?! Are you an idiot? The only mission is to retrieve the 12th Divine Key!" Kika's voice rang out, filled with frustration and disbelief.

"I know that, but I already accepted someone's favor to save her from her emotions," I replied firmly, my resolve unwavering.

"You have the guts to defy the mission briefing," Kika said, her gaze piercing as she glared at me.

"Say whatever you like, but I will not kill Miss Yae."

"I agree with Shin too," Kiana chimed in, her voice resolute as she took a stance with her Kata Gun Style. "Seeing Miss Yae cook us some meal, preparing the mattress for us... It's unacceptable! I'll save her too!"

"You two..." Kika sighed, her expression softening slightly as she regarded us. "Do whatever you like. I'll be taking the 12th Divine Key."

With that, Kika turned on her heel and strode purposefully toward the shrine, leaving Kiana and me to face Yae Sakura alone.

Just as I was prepared to engage, Yae Sakura disappeared before us, and a sense of urgency surged within me. 

"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow you to take this," she said as we turned toward the shrine, standing beside the 12th divine key.

"Haahh? Do you want to die that badly? Very well," Kika retorted, her determination evident as she aimed her laser cannons at Yae Sakura. But before she could fire, Yae Sakura effortlessly absorbed the lasers with a raise of her arm.

"Oh? So that's the power of corruption, huh," Kika remarked, her smirk undeterred as she continued to fire. However, Yae Sakura swiftly closed the distance between them, delivering a devastating uppercut followed by a powerful kick that sent Kika crashing to the ground.

"Ack!"

"Kika!" I blinked toward Yae and clashed blades with her. "Kiana, get Kika back!" I called out, my focus on keeping Yae Sakura occupied while Kiana rushed to aid Kika.

"Miss Yae Sakura! I'm sorry, but I won't back down," I declared, channeling all my strength into my blade as I knocked her back with a powerful strike.

Yae Sakura staggered but quickly regained her footing, her determination shining through as she retaliated with a flurry of kunai. With swift reflexes, I deflected the projectiles, my focus unwavering as I prepared for her next move.

As she lunged forward once more, our blades clashed in a symphony of steel, echoing through the cavern. Each strike was met with equal force, the intensity of our battle escalating with every passing moment.

"Your blade is filled with kindness, young boy," Yae Sakura remarked, her voice laced with a sinister undertone. "How about I help you get stronger?"

"I don't need another mentor," I replied firmly, dashing backward to create distance between us before unleashing a technique sword technique as I whispered, "Yurei no Tochika." My movements became swift and silent as I closed the gap between us once more.

"You're full of openings," Yae Sakura taunted as she attempted to strike, only to find herself slashing at my afterimage.

Confusion flashed across her face as she searched for my true location, her movements growing more frantic.

As she looked up in search of my elusive form, I seized the opportunity to strike, evading her attack and landing gracefully behind her.

"Not quite, Miss Yae Sakura," I stated calmly, my voice cutting through the tension of our battle. "But perhaps you could use some guidance."

With lightning speed, I launched another attack, aiming for her exposed flank. Though she managed to twist and parry my blow, our blades clashed once more, the clash of steel reverberating throughout the cavern.

She's experienced with sword fighting, I know that I'll lose even just for a mistake but... That's only IF I made a mistake.

Switching to Kiana and Kika's point of view.

Kiana hurried toward where Kika had been knocked down, her heart pounding with concern as she reached her side. Kneeling down beside Kika, she checked for any signs of injury, her brows furrowing with worry.

"Kika, are you okay?" Kiana's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her concern evident in her tone.

Kika groaned softly, her expression tense with pain. "I'll live," she managed to reply, her voice strained. "But that woman... she's stronger than I anticipated."

Determined to help her companion, Kiana extended a hand to assist Kika to her feet. "I'll help you up," she said firmly, determination flashing in her eyes. "We can't let Shin face her alone."

With Kika's arm slung over her shoulder for support, Kiana turned her gaze back toward the ongoing battle between Shin and Yae Sakura. She could see the determination etched on Shin's face as he clashed blades with their formidable opponent.

"Shin... is strong," Kika remarked, her voice tinged with admiration as she observed the two fighters.

"Yeah, but I don't think he'll last long against her alone," Kiana replied, her concern deepening. "I'll get you to the nearest safe spot, and then I'll go help Shin."

"No, I'll help too," Kika insisted, determination burning in her eyes despite her weakened state.

As Kika attempted to stand on her own, she nearly stumbled, but Kiana quickly caught her, concern flashing across her face. "Don't force yourself!" Kiana urged, her voice filled with worry.

"Don't be stupid... I can still get up!" Kika retorted her voice firm despite the pain she was clearly in.

"Kiana! Kika! Behind you!" Shin's urgent shout echoed through the cavern as he continued to parry and slash Yae's relentless attacks. 

Kika and Kiana swiftly turned around, their eyes widening in alarm as they spotted a group of zombie archers and kunoichi zombies emerging from the shadows.

"Argh, figures! Why are there so many of them all of a sudden!?" Kiana exclaimed, her frustration evident as she swiftly took a defensive stance, preparing to engage the undead foes with her kata-gun style.

"It's because the Herrscher of Corruption can control the zombies she has," Kika explained calmly as she joined Kiana, her laser cannons ready to fire as she surveyed the approaching enemies. "By the way, are you perhaps one of the Kaslana?" She directed the question to Kiana as they began to fend off the zombies together.

"Yeah! My name is Kiana Kaslana!" Kiana replied with a determined grin, swiftly dodging a kunoichi's katana slash before swiftly dispatching it with a well-aimed shot to the head.

She then resumed her combat stance, ready to take on the next wave of enemies.

Observing Kiana's movements, Kika couldn't help but be impressed by Kaslana's combat prowess.

The Kaslana family was renowned for its exceptional combat abilities and adaptability to Honkai, and seeing Kiana in action only reaffirmed that reputation in Kika's mind.

"This is my first time seeing how a Kaslana moves," Kika thought to herself as she provided covering fire for Kiana

Back to Shin's point of view.

"I'm tired of this... I shall end this with one last attack," Yae declared, her voice tinged with determination as she assumed a formidable stance, her fingers tracing the steel body of her katana. "I'm sorry."

"Miss Yae, is this really what you want?" I pleaded, my voice echoing in the cavern.

She remained silent, her focus solely on her stance.

"I see, so that's your answer..." I murmured, a heavy weight settling in my chest as I knelt down, thrusting my katana into the ground. "Rin is right."

Yae's expression flickered with surprise at the mention of her little sister, but she maintained her stance, unwavering.

"Then... I shall go all out with this one attack too." I forced a smile, closing my eyes as I centered myself.

My stigmata... it absorbs, store, and unleash Honkai energy from the environment, but I've always been cautious not to push myself too far. Headmaster Theresa's warnings about the vulnerability of my body to energy overload echoed in my mind.

But this time... for Rin and Miss Yae.

"Forgive me... Miss Theresa... I don't mean to cause you worry, but..." I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

"Protocol Stigmata, Honkai Energy Seal: fully remove!"

As I uttered the command, my body began to glow with an ominous light, the Honkai energy pouring into me like a tide. I felt dizzy and disoriented, but also strangely powerful.

"What is this power..." Yae murmured, her gaze fixed on my transforming form.

Warning: Excessive honkai energy will cause irreversible damage.

Warning: The system detects the Honkai energy concentration in your body has exceeded the limit...

Warning: Honkai Energy exceeded by 50%... 60%... 70%... 100%... 150%...

To be honest... I could feel my entire body slowly breaking... What am I even thinking? I'm only trying to help. But then, I realize that I'm pushing myself too hard. If it's just to save Miss Yae from her own regrets, I could communicate that in my own words.

Is it because Miss Yae is the Herrscher of Corruption? Or... is it because of the familiar scene reminiscent of my brother and me?

...How ridiculous.

Warning: Honkai Energy exceeded by 250%

I guess I just don't want Miss Yae to think that she's carrying her own burden alone.

As I opened my eyes, I retrieved the katana from the ground and made it disappear. "I'll be borrowing this... Tsurugi," I murmured, summoning a violet katana out of thin air and assuming a stance. "The Void of the Sakura Tree1."

Yae stood before me, calm and composed. She removed her mask, revealing her serene face with pink eyes, and a smile playing on her lips. She sheathed her katana and picked up the 12th divine key from the shrine, pointing it at me. "Come at me," she said, her voice tinged with a sinister edge.