Flashback Clip 3: Escape / Lightning

This is a story from five hundred years ago, a tale of escaping Schicksal and heading to the Far East.

This adventure picks up where the "Purple Phantom thief" chapter left off, right after the shocking truth about the human experiments was revealed and Kallen Kaslana managed to escape Schicksal with a mysterious Black Box.

This journey of escape is where Kallen Kaslana undergoes a crucial period of self-reflection.

The deck of a ship, shrouded in the stillness of midnight, was nearly deserted.

The cold moonlight painted the landscape in silver, and the wind carried a sharp chill.

The Danube River glittered beneath the moon, its waves like a tired and weary traveller.

Kallen stood alone, her face hidden under the shadow of her hood. She knew she couldn't be seen. A massive bounty was placed on her head, and countless people were searching for her.

It all started with that box,

And Kallen Kaslana held it close.

She knew she had to take it, but where could she safely lock it away?

Where was the right place to hide it?

Maybe it was the Far East, where the Immortal resided...

Maybe it was a place even further, an unknown land.

This was a lonely journey, destined to be one of solitude.

No one could be trusted, no one could be relied upon...

Perhaps, from the beginning to the end, she could only rely on herself.

"Budapest is a major city, Schicksal will definitely have sentries at the docks. I need to disembark before reaching there and travel overland to Belgrade."

"But if that's the case... why not simply cross the Carpathian Mountains and take the Cumanian Steppe?"

"Then..."

Kallen paused, her mind racing. She knew the dangers of both routes, but she couldn't share her thoughts with anyone.

It was too risky.

She tightened her grip on the box, her eyes fixed on the vast, star-filled sky.

As Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, she hadn't faced such a miserable situation in a long time.

The events of recent days still left her with a sense of sorrow. The changes in Schicksal were unbearable, and the transformation of her friends was even harder to forget.

Now, she was completely alone.

"The last time I was this miserable was during the retreat from the Eastern Expedition..."

"...War truly changes everything."

"After that disastrous defeat, Otto's father... his grip on the entire organization became much weaker,"

"Everyone was fighting for power, looking for any advantage they could find."

"The shifting power made everyone smell the scent of profit,"

"They were desperate to show off their so-called achievements, just so their stories would sound more impressive when they were trying to climb the ladder."

"Victor was like that, the Archbishop was like that... Is Otto also..."

Kallen paused for a moment, unwilling to speculate or succumb to these malicious suspicions.

But deep down, she felt like she was falling into an abyss, a chilling sense of helplessness engulfing her.

"Though the profit he seeks is never something as shallow as money," Kallen said, her voice firm, almost as if she was trying to convince herself.

She wanted to believe that Otto's goals were pure, that his ambition was driven by something deeper than simple power.

That he was still fighting for the dreams they shared, just like he always had.

"...Miss Shakespeare was right,"

"The human heart is nothing more than a game of storytelling. When people believe in you, you become capable of anything in their eyes; but when people don't believe in you, you instantly become worthless."

"...But when did I start drifting away from Otto?"

"Was it after I learned about Sasha? Or perhaps... it started even earlier?"

She asked herself these questions, but there were no answers. 

The small boat touched the shore, and Kallen, the fugitive Valkyrie, began her journey on land. The weight of her escape, of her betrayal, pressed down on her.

She knew the distance between her and Otto hadn't sprung up overnight.

It had been growing for a long time.

As early as when she became a phantom thief... as early as when she was filled with righteous anger over the 'Redemption Scroll'...

That rift had already subtly appeared.

She didn't know when it started, but she and Otto had become two people with their backs to each other, standing under the same twilight sky.

One watched the sunset burn out, teetering on the edge of collapse,

While the other had already stepped into the initial darkness, their figure fading away.

So close, yet so far apart.

Now, two different voices echoed from opposite ends of the world.

A child stood in the sunset, saying:

"Go ahead and act. Don't you want to make the world a better place?"

An old man stood in the darkness, saying:

"How can the world ever be better?

"Vileness is the passport of the vile, and nobility is the epitaph of the noble."

"But you have to decide, which one do you really want?"

"If only... I had supported him more in the past."

"He was the best friend I've ever had in my 23 years..."

"But now, we've built a high wall between our hearts..."

"Our ways of seeing the world have ultimately diverged at this age when we enter society."

"I, who draw my sword to right injustice, and you, who thirst for knowledge and dare to make deals with the devil..."

"...We could have complemented each other perfectly."

"Otto... are you still dreaming of building a machine that can make people fly?"

[Otto has revisited that time countless times, but time cannot be reversed.]

[Otto... he actually regrets it too. As he said, Kevin envies him, and he envies Kevin...]

[Otto has lost his mind...]

[Because he just wants to protect you. He doesn't want to be a great inventor, but to protect the girl who calls him a great inventor.]

[Well... it's a pity. If two people could understand each other without any obstacles, and see everything clearly, then there wouldn't be so many tragedies.]

[Comment…]

Kallen's voice continued to lament, completely alone now, facing the entire world.

Even though she thought she was strong and could handle anything, she couldn't help but feel a bit down.

"Why do you have to invest so much energy in those dirty deals?"

"Though I understand that only by diving into politics can a person truly prevent political disasters,"

"But Otto, what you're doing, what's the difference between you and Victor, and your father?"

"During the day, I saw that look in your eyes. Confused, helpless, lacking confidence..."

"...You're like me now, you don't even know what you're doing, right?"

The fugitive Valkyrie shook her head.

If she had the chance, she would lock herself and Otto in a small dark room and have a good fight, really figure out each other's thoughts.

She needed to really understand what was going on in his head and see if they could find some common ground.

Kallen wanted Otto to understand that she, the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal, didn't need someone to protect her. She needed him to explain things to her, to help her understand what was going on inside her soul.

She longed to tell him; "I don't need you to protect me. I'm strong enough to take care of myself. What I don't understand is how to protect everyone else, how to guard them, how to make my dreams come true."

But Otto's actions always seemed to go against everything she hoped for.

She wished she could tell him, with complete conviction; "If we can't save the old world, then let's break it apart and build a new one!"

"But... at this age, we can't do that, can we?"

"Perhaps, time, is our greatest enemy..."

The fugitive Valkyrie finally realized something at this moment,

She was just as impatient as Otto, just as eager to prove the correctness of her beliefs through her actions.

She craved sealing that box more than anyone,

She craved proving Schicksal wrong more than anyone,

She craved someone to truly support her from the heart more than anyone.

But that person... could no longer be her best friend.

Besides, she had a more important task at hand.

She had to evade Schicksal's pursuit while dealing with the box that had brought so many problems,

On this journey leading to an unknown destination...

Dwelling on irreparable troubles was pointless.

As for what happens after that...

If she can still be her old self after sealing this cursed box...

"If I'm still kicking around by then... I'll go back and give him a good scolding."

The road ahead was long, and the sky was just beginning to lighten.

At this moment, she couldn't realize... what kind of cruel joke fate had in store for her.

[Huh? Why did she still die?]

[Things don't always go as planned...]

[If there had been enough time, Otto becoming the Archbishop might have saved everything...]

[The reality is, Otto didn't gain the power to protect her until long after Kallen's death.]

-----

"Kallen went to find Old Antique?"

The Herrscher of Sentience tilted her head, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

But she couldn't recall that happening. She was sure Kallen hadn't found her.

"Back then, the Immortal I was searching for wasn't on Mount Taixu. The mountain was completely destroyed, just ashes from a huge fire were left," Kallen explained, shaking her head.

She talked about things that didn't directly involve her, but her mind was also wandering back to her thoughts from that time.

Perhaps... if she had another chance, she could ensure there was no entanglement between them.

But time wasn't that merciful. It was fair, always moving forward, never stopping for anyone.

Kallen just shook her head and let out a quiet sigh.

"It was after that, grandma, that you were taken back, right?" Theresa asked, looking up at Kallen with curiosity. Then, she instinctively snuggled closer to her.

"Yes, at that time, I had a death wish. I wanted to use my life to make a final stand, to end my own life."

Kallen said quietly, not stopping these questions.

"Sigh, if you guys had just communicated properly back then..."

Theresa's little face was filled with worry. Although she had always disliked Otto, that was just in the game, wasn't it? She thought,

She had looked through history over and over, but there was no information about him at all.

But now, she realized that her grandmother had a really strong connection with Otto. How to say it? She was scared to be friends with him, but with her grandma around, he didn't seem so scary anymore.

In a way, he truly loved her grandmother, willing to do anything for her.

She believed in his feelings,

But it seemed like her grandma didn't feel the same way about him. She cared, but there wasn't any romantic stuff going on.

Of course, Theresa wouldn't even think about asking her grandma about her feelings.

"Yeah, if we could just communicate properly..."

Kallen nodded with a touch of melancholy, her brow furrowed with a hint of sadness.

Communication, it should be the simplest skill humans possess, but in many cases, even though we do so much, we lack that crucial step.

Because of this, they never really understood each other.

She thought that way on her journey of escape, but the situation was unpredictable. When she returned, it was all too late, the village in the Far East was also eerily silent.

"Perhaps from the very first step, it was one wrong step after another... I should have told him what was going on earlier. What I needed then was someone who would change the world with me,"

"I always thought Otto was that person, but he wasn't… If I had been clear about what was happening, he would have been willing to fight alongside me..." Kallen said with a touch of regret.

But these were just memories of the past waking up, memories of past sadness brought back to be felt.

She was still the same Schicksal Overseer, there were no ifs, ands, or buts.

…

The Flame-Chasers also saw that familiar object, and they suddenly felt like they were partly responsible.

"That black box... it must be it."

"Yeah, I think so too. Looking back at that part of the comic, it's pretty obvious."

"It's a legacy issue, I guess. Though I don't know how it ended up as a katana, it's definitely the Herrscher of Corruption."

Mobius nodded, a bit sheepishly. Who knew that sword would cause so much trouble later?

Oh, right, it was a black box.

But, if things hadn't gone a bit wrong, maybe RIN wouldn't have survived either, so they didn't say anything.

That thing... well, everything has its pros and cons. A Herrscher that's been controlled,

Who knows why humans would intentionally release it? That said, the place where they stored it should be secure.

Elysia let out a deep sigh, her eyes filled with sadness. "It could have been such a beautiful love story," she murmured, "but it was cut short. What a waste..."

She looked at the photos and memories of Otto and Kallen, their past together. It was clear to Elysia that they were on the verge of something truly special.

They were both incredible people, capable of doing amazing things.

Together, they could have changed the world for the better.

But fate had other plans.

Otto was so focused on Kallen that he missed a lot of important things.

He was blinded by his love, and maybe, just maybe, that was what ultimately led to their downfall.

Or perhaps, they were just too young and inexperienced to handle the challenges they faced.

The world threw them a curveball, and they weren't ready for it.

It's a shame, because they could have had such a happy life together.

"Love? Let's not even get into whether Kallen actually loved Otto. Just looking at Otto, it's clear his feelings for her were way more intense than just love," Mobius said, her voice sharp with suspicion.

"Wait, why are you so obsessed with love? It's just a word, right?"

Mobius looked at Elysia with suspicion, her voice laced with doubt.

"Hmm?" Elysia didn't blush, instead striking a pose for her to admire. After all, she was so cute!

"Something's wrong... You wouldn't have been tricked by someone, would you?"

"Oh come on, who doesn't long for a beautiful love story? It's like a dazzling diamond in the rough, shining brighter than anything else. Even I, with all my power, crave that kind of brilliance," Elysia said, striking a pose with a playful smile.

"What's wrong with wanting something beautiful?"

"Don't you want to have a sweet romance with me, Mobius?"

"Well...?" Mobius only heard the first part of the sentence, and was about to nod, then she heard the second part.

She couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

"Romance my foot! Go find someone else, don't bother me!"

"Heh... are you blushing?"

"You're imagining things."

-----

"Hey, you're back?" Raven asked, settling back into the plush sofa in the dimly lit lounge.

She held a colorful cocktail in her hand, its bright hues a stark contrast to the dark wood paneling and warm glow of the wall lamps.

The room felt cozy, like a high-end pub. Red velvet sofas lined the walls, inviting you to sink in and relax.

"Want a drink? Eden's got a whole collection of fancy stuff," Raven offered, gesturing towards the rows of expensive wine bottles gleaming in the soft light.

"I told you I don't drink."

A cold voice replied. It sounded familiar to the players, but also a little strange.

It had been a long time since they parted ways, even though they knew they would meet again someday, to relive the good times.

But different environments had shaped their growth paths. Even though their will remained unchanged, and their desires were still the same, their personalities and actions would inevitably undergo subtle changes.

"Oh, that's a shame," Raven said, taking a sip of her wine.

"It's one of the few things that are light and fun in this whole place… Elysian Realms * hiccup" She seemed used to the somber tone of the room, enjoying her drink as if it was a little escape.

Although the word "Elysian Realms" made people curious.

"It would be enjoyable for me if you didn't get in my way next time we meet."

Mei didn't appreciate it, her voice cold.

She seemed to speak less gently than before, without that hesitant feeling, quite... 'straightforward'.

"That won't do, work is work," Raven replied, taking another sip of her drink.

"Seems like you're enjoying losing," Mei countered, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh? So confident? Don't forget this is a consciousness space... If you're going to say that, I won't hold back next time," Raven warned, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.

"Really? Then I suggest you review World Serpent's worker's compensation process, especially for mental health," Mei retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Their eyes met. They bantered back and forth for a while, neither giving an inch.

"Alright, alright, I'm not going to tease you anymore," Raven said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "You've been in Elysian Realms for too long, your mouth has gotten quite sharp. Where did that harmless little Mei go?"

"...You're just hanging around here, don't you have anything to do?"

"What could I do? World Serpent's been pretty idle lately, no action," Raven shrugged. "The last mission was a few days ago, handled by Grey Serpent himself. He said he accompanied the Lord to return the Void Archive to Otto."

"Void Archive?"

Mei's heart skipped a beat.

By now, she knew what the Void Archive was.

"Kevin... returned the Void Archive to Otto? Why? Wasn't the original agreement..."

Raven shrugged, a gesture that said, "It's not my place to know." How could she, a mere messenger, possibly understand the decisions of those above her?

Mei frowned, and Raven caught that subtle change in emotion.

"What's wrong? Are you still worried about your old friends on the Hyperion?"

"...More than that, I'm more concerned about Otto's actions themselves," Mei replied, her brow furrowed.

"Actions?" Raven asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"That man, like your Lord, always acts with meticulous planning, never does anything unnecessary," Mei explained. "Their sudden, unnecessary trade makes me feel uneasy."

"Then...why don't you ask the Lord yourself?" Raven suggested, her tone teasing.

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"Me? Spare me," Raven said, waving her hand dismissively.

"It's a rare chance to relax, let me enjoy it a bit. Just tell Grey Serpent that I was beaten by you and disappeared in Elysian Realms, whereabouts unknown." She chuckled lightly, her tone nonchalant, as if they were just discussing the weather.

Mei got up and walked towards the exit, then suddenly turned back, as if remembering something.

"...Thank you for telling me this, Raven."

Raven swirled the wine in his glass.

"Don't be like that, Miss Mei. Makes it sound like I was waiting here for you just to pass on a message. Just chatting, that's all... Don't forget, I'm still missing."

[World-famous painting - Kiana in Anti-Entropy]

[Kiana: Old friend? You're the old one! Mei and I are close!]

[What? Mei is so assertive now? Wuwuwu, she's finally not the cooking maid anymore.]

[Raven must be a World Serpent traitor.]

[I think that's just the normal mindset of a worker. One word - resignation.]

[Comment…]

Mei said nothing more. She turned and walked back down the long, dark corridor, the silence amplifying her thoughts.

Finally, she stood before Kevin again.

Under the cold moonlight, the man on the steps was like a cold statue. He sat on his throne and said softly,

"Have you found the truth you seek? Raiden Mei."

"..."

"The further I dig into the past, the deeper the roots of truth are hidden. Sometimes... they even lead me to places that aren't so glorious."

"But perhaps those are the things I want you to see."

Mei considered her words for a moment. She didn't want to discuss this right now.

She didn't need the truth, she didn't need the past, she needed the present reality. She needed to understand what was happening right now.

"World Serpent returned the Void Archive to Otto."

"That's right," Kevin confirmed, his tone steady. He wasn't hiding anything.

"Do you know what Otto is going to do with it?"

"I do."

"... " Mei fell silent for a moment.

She didn't understand... If Kevin knew, why did he choose to do nothing?

Or was the information she had wrong?

She needed to think.

"What he's truly going to do will have no impact on World Serpent. It's the same for your former companions. In fact, it might even be slightly beneficial."

Kevin seemed to see into Mei's mind, adding that sentence.

"...You know, it's my habit to confirm things myself."

"That man's plan has already begun,"

Kevin interrupted Mei, his words firm and decisive.

"It's too late for you to go now."

"No, Kevin."

Mei spoke with a sense of determination.

"Even if time is tight, I will confirm the situation in my own way."

"In my own way... to help my companions."

[Oh, snap? Mei's going to make her move? Kiana finally won't be alone! Yay!]

[Kiana-Mei party wins big!]

[Mei has changed a lot, she's not fazed by Kevin, she's not holding back... Is she going to switch from defense to offense?]

[It seems like Mei is doing well in World Serpent, she even has someone to give her a heads-up when something happens to her little friend.]

[Mei: Don't even mention it, it's a whole big confusing mess. Everyone's a riddle-speaker, and they're all acting like they're possessed.]

[Comment…]

-----

"Oh, isn't this Elysian Realms? Now that you mention it, I suddenly feel a bit nostalgic. After all, I designed it with Eden."

Elysia's eyes lit up as she looked at the things on the screen, suddenly feeling a bit nostalgic.

"It's a pity... that even now, my story hasn't been released..."

Elysia sighed, her eyes dimming.

She seemed truly heartbroken.

"Ahem... You can be sad all you want, but don't look at me."

Luo Mo coughed twice, a bit embarrassed.

"Sigh, I never get to see pictures of me and Mei, or stories of us fighting together... I might actually cry."

Elysia said with a sigh, as if she had lost the whole world.

"Really?"

Luo Mo's eyes lit up. Suddenly, he felt motivated.

"???"

"What's that expression? Are you still my best friend?"

Elysia said in astonishment. He was actually excited? What the heck!

…

Within World Serpent,

"Raven, always doing unnecessary things… It seems bringing her here wasn't a bad choice after all…"

Grey Serpent's inorganic voice echoed, his pupils reflecting a dark light.

He was a bit annoyed. Raven always did things that were unclear in meaning.

Now she was openly causing trouble for him. As expected, giving her to Schicksal as a hostage would be putting her to good use…

As for the villa, heh, he suddenly thought the other side's proposal wasn't bad either. After all, he'd paid the other side, it was Raven's problem if she didn't get it.

As for the Stigmata… Grey Serpent looked at the glowing card in Kevin's hand and remained silent.

"Don't worry about them, we'll continue doing our own thing."

"As for Raven… let her stay there."

Kevin picked up the card, closing his eyes as he spoke.

"Lord… Otto's existence is truly unrecorded in the world. Except for a novel mentioned in Schicksal's secret archives, everything else is an extension from the game. It didn't actually happen in history."

Grey Serpent said respectfully.

"...Hmm."