End of the line (1)

In the pursuit of Wendy, we finally closed the gap, but her demeanor reflected the turmoil within her.

"All of you don't know when to give up. I have to teach you a lesson!" Wendy declared, her voice laced with frustration.

"Hey, that's my line!" Kiana retorted, her voice resolute.

"Wendy, please trust us. You're not yourself. Honkai is misleading you," Mei urged, her tone soft but determined.

However, as Kiana prepared to act, Bronya stepped forward, gently stopping her in her tracks.

"What are you doing, Bronya!? Get out of the way!" Kiana exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.

"Wait, subject Kiana. Bronya wants to talk to subject Wendy," Bronya requested, her tone calm but unwavering.

"No! Stop! I don't want to talk with you, Bronya!" Wendy snapped, gritting her teeth in frustration.

Undeterred, Bronya addressed Wendy, her voice carrying an unexpected warmth and empathy.

"Bronya remembered a younger sister named Seele back in the orphanage. Subject Wendy reminds me of her. Seele was strong and kind, like subject Wendy. Seele was corrupted by Honkai, but she fought hard and got herself back. Bronya endured a lot of pain during the modifications... and still suffers to this day... But there is hope. Bronya understands subject Wendy's pain. Bronya knows subject Wendy can overcome this pain. Do not give up. Bronya believes in you."

After a moment of silence, Wendy nodded, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I... I trust you, too, Bronya..." She started crying out of nowhere as she floated down the ground, "All right! I'll give myself another chance!"

Since when did she get energetic?

"That's a relief..." I exhaled, a sense of hope rekindling within me.

"Great! Wendy came back to us," Mei said with a warm smile.

"Pfew. That was really close. Alright, back to the Hyperion. We're all kick-ass Valkyries. If you get controlled by Honkai again, I'll defeat you in no time," Kiana remarked with a playful grin.

"I'll knock that head of yours instead."

As we prepared to head back to the Hyperion, Bronya assured Wendy. "Don't worry, subject Wendy. Bronya will take you home."

"Bronya, can I sit on your robot again? Can I?" Wendy asked with a hopeful expression.

Bronya nodded with a warm smile. "No problem. Project Bunny: activate!"

Looks like I'll be taking a rest in the dorm, huh... That's great.

But the moment of peace was short-lived. As Theresa tried to communicate with Major Himeko, a chilling interruption hijacked the comms.

"Bronya, your Matushka commands you to recover the 4th Herrscher. The 4th Herrscher is an important test subject. We can't let Schicksal get hold of her. We must destroy her if we can't get her back."

The chilling authority in the voice paralyzed Bronya. "N-No!!"

Bronya resisted, but an unseen authority took over, forcing her into a menacing transformation.

By the highest level of authority: Project Bunny, switch to attack mode. Target: 4th Herrscher.

Wendy was thrown to the ground, as Wendy was about to face an imminent attack from Project Bunny. I didn't hesitate to step in, intercepting Project Bunny's attack, my katana straining against the force. "Wake up! Bronya!!

"Bronya? Why did you attack me?" Wendy's voice trembled, her Herrscher form intensifying.

"Wendy!" I called desperation lacing my tone. "Listen... Bronya is kind and trustworthy. She may seem detached, but her heart is pure!"

Wendy's expression softened for a fleeting moment, tears brimming in her eyes.

"That's why... Believe in Bronya! Believe in us!" I urged, feeling my blade on the verge of shattering.

She gazed at me, nodding with uncertainty, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Turning to my friends, I pleaded, "Principal Theresa, find a way! I can't hold it much longer! Kiana, Mei-senpai, please, take Wendy away!"

They swiftly grasped the urgency as I confronted Bronya, my voice strained with worry. "This isn't like you... Idiot."

"Bronya, hurry up and eliminate the 4th Herrscher," the unknown voice hijacking Bronya's actions commanded.

With determined steps, Bronya readied herself to strike Wendy with her laser-equipped Project Bunny. The charging energy hummed ominously in the air. 

Before Bronya could unleash the attack, instinct propelled me forward. I sprinted towards her, throwing myself at her back to stop the impending strike.

"Bronya, please! Don't do this!" I pleaded, my voice strained with urgency.

My arms wrapped around her, attempting to restrain her, but she resisted fiercely, struggling to break free. The relentless charge of the Project Bunny continued, its glowing form casting an eerie light around us.

I sprinted toward Bronya, desperation urging me forward. Kiana's voice echoed behind me, filled with urgency and concern.

"Shin! What are you doing? Move!" Kiana's shout was a rallying cry, urging me to act quickly.

Bronya's struggles lessened for a fleeting moment. Amidst the chaos in her eyes, a glimmer of recognition flickered. But despite the faltering resistance, the charging energy from Project Bunny remained unyielding.

The earth trembled beneath us, signaling the imminent peak of the surging energy. Time dwindled, each passing second felt like a weighted eternity. I needed to act before it was too late.

"Bronya, listen to me! You're stronger than this! Fight it!" I pleaded, the urgency dripping from my words, hanging in the air.

As the energy crackled and surged toward its zenith, my heart pounded with a growing sense of dread. I was running out of options, but I couldn't stand by and watch.

With a surge of determination, I dashed forward, reaching out to Bronya. There was no time to hesitate; I wrapped my arms around her in a firm, yet gentle embrace.

The charged energy continued its ascent, threatening to unleash catastrophic devastation. Amidst the chaos, I smiled faintly, hoping my warmth might reach her.

There wasn't a grandiose action or a spectacular display. There was only the silent hope that my touch, my embrace, might spark something within Bronya.

The charged tension hung heavy in the air as Bronya's tears silently traced her cheeks. Her valkyrie battlesuit shimmered, and her strength waned, her consciousness slipping away.

"Bronya..."

"I... Shin..." Her voice trembled as she whispered, then she fell limp in my arms, overcome by unconsciousness. "Sorry."

"No... It's fine, I'm here now," I murmured, holding her closer.

"Impossible... even the highest authority, Why did Bronya stop...!? Tsk, I guess it's time for plan B."

Mechanical beings, Technical Mechas, began to reveal themselves, surrounding us, their movements calculated and menacing. I was cornered, holding an unconscious Bronya in my arms.

"Shin! I've called Major Himeko! She should be here now!" Theresa's voice echoed, offering a glimmer of hope in the dire situation.

"Principal Theresa... There's too many of them," I uttered, my voice strained with worry.

"Yeah, Shin, I want you to go with Mei and Kiana. I'll give you a path," Theresa said confidently, preparing to face the imminent threat.

"What about you?!" I couldn't help but feel anxious about leaving her behind.

Theresa assumed a determined stance, her confidence unwavering. "Are you underestimating me? Your principal?"

"There's no time for jokes..."

"Really, I'll be fine," Theresa reassured me with a confident smile.

I nodded, acknowledging her determination. "I'll be back."

"Hehe~ Now then! Go!"

As Theresa conjured lightning spears, I lifted Bronya gently, cradling her unconscious form. The spears launched towards the encroaching mechas, creating a chaotic path with their explosions.

I dashed through the clearing, following the path Principal Theresa had created, every step propelled by urgency and the hope of safety for Bronya.