Waking to a shattered dream, just a second away from reality.

With a determined glint in her eyes, Sirin, standing next to her, declared, "Ah! I'm going to say it too, Ich Liebe Dich!" Her voice echoed with a sense of competition. She had no intention of letting Kiana outshine her. After all, if Kiana could express her feelings, why couldn't she? It wasn't as if their mother was alone in this world!

Durandal, on the other hand, remained relatively quiet. She didn't show much of her emotions, merely coughing softly. Her eyes, however, betrayed her, unconsciously darting in that direction. Her fingers twisted nervously, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks, revealing her inner turmoil.

Cecilia, their mother, was quick to include the stoic Durandal in her affectionate embrace. "All three of you are mommy's good daughters!" she proclaimed, wrapping her arm around the trio. Her voice was filled with warmth and love, making the girls feel cherished and valued.

The family portrait they presented was a sight to behold. Two shades of white hair, a deep purple, and a light blonde - the hair colors of the four individuals slightly intertwined, creating a beautiful contrast. They were huddled together, their familial bond evident in their close proximity. The scene was particularly warm and beautiful, radiating a sense of love and unity.

Meanwhile, Bella, who was sitting next to them, could only continue to manipulate her game, her attention divided between the unfolding plot on her screen and the heartwarming scene playing out beside her. She was an observer, a silent participant in this moment of familial love.

The plot of the game took a dark turn, revealing the ruthless side of Schicksal through the depiction of the Babylon Laboratory Tower. The tower, a symbol of scientific progress, was revealed to be a site of horrific experiments, a place where ethics were discarded in the pursuit of knowledge.

As the players navigated through the game, they were bombarded with a series of unfamiliar and unsettling terms - experiments, containers, consumables. Each word struck their minds like a hammer, causing them to shudder. The reality of the game's narrative was so convincingly portrayed that they found themselves questioning if such a tower could exist in reality. Could the real Schicksal also harbor such a monstrosity?

The tower, a beacon of prosperity on the surface, was tainted with filth hidden in its shadows. The players were left to wonder, how many human lives were sacrificed to build this tower? How many corpses and bones were buried within its walls, their existence erased in the name of progress?

The game offered no answers, leaving the players in a state of unease and suspense.

In the midst of this, Theresa, voiced her concerns. "… Grandmother, how is that tower," she asked with a sigh. she was involved and naturally knew about the scandal.

"Destroyed!" came the curt reply from Kallen. Her eyes were cold, reflecting her reluctance to discuss the matter further. The tower was indeed a reality, not just a figment of the game's narrative. Although it didn't bear the arrogant name of Babylon, the atrocities committed within its walls were no different.

The experimenters had initially claimed that they could create artificial stigmata using materials from pre-civilization. However, their ambition had led them down a dark path. For the sake of their experiments and funding, they had resorted to preying on homeless orphans, luring them into a life of torment. The game, thus, served as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which humanity could go in the pursuit of knowledge.

but Kallen couldn't argue that the artificial stigmata research they produced provided an extra card against Honkai, if Kallen lived another 100.. no 20 years maybe she would allow researchers to do such experiments, she was getting less and less optimistic about the current civilization, ideas like sacrificing orphans to save the world over time tempted her, if there was no Luo Mo giving new hope she would likely get her hands dirty now.

The Game Continues

The game's narrative continued to unfold, immersing the players in its intricate plot. In the climactic showdown, Kiana, one of the main characters, achieved her goal. She stood victorious, having defeated the formidable Second Herrscher with the aid of her mother, Cecilia. Their combined strength had successfully protected Cecilia, adding a triumphant note to their virtual journey.

However, just as the players were beginning to breathe a sigh of relief, believing the conflict to be resolved, a familiar voice echoed through Kiana's ears. "Kiana, why are you here!" Theresa, another character in the game, asked Kiana, her face etched with surprise.

Kiana, basking in the afterglow of her victory, responded with a smug grin. She proudly announced that she and Cecilia had already defeated the Second Herrscher, implying that Theresa was late to the party.

Theresa, on the other hand, reacted with confusion, unable to comprehend Kiana's triumphant declaration. As she struggled to make sense of the situation, a new character made her entrance. Accompanied by a puff of smoke, Fu Hua appeared, donning the black armor of the Shadow Knight.

Fu Hua wasted no time in stunning Theresa, indicating that it was time for her to step back. She then turned to Kiana, revealing a shocking truth - everything Kiana had experienced was an illusion, a cruel trick orchestrated by the Herrscher!

[Wasn't that a data space just now, a dream of Kiana's? This...]

[How could Kiana take such a blow? Obviously, obviously she had a hard time meeting her mom, but it turned out to be the Second Herrscher who killed her mom who did it on purpose?]

[Fu Hua is too direct. Can't you be more tactful? Can't you be more tactful?]

[I'm the only one who noticed that Theresa is an S-rank, the highest rank in the Schicksal. Even if Fu Hua is more than A-ranked, how did she knock her with a single blow?]

For Kiana, the protagonist of the game, this was an odyssey beyond her wildest imagination. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, a whirlwind journey that oscillated between the extremes of joy and despair.

One moment, she was basking in the glow of hope, happiness, and tenderness. Her heart was filled with optimism, her spirit buoyed by the promise of a bright future. But in the blink of an eye, this idyllic dream was shattered, replaced by a harsh reality of sadness, anger, and despair. It was a stark reminder of the thin line that separates a dream come true from a beautiful dream turned nightmare.

Overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, Kiana found herself grappling with a torrent of emotions. She was unwilling to accept this cruel twist of fate, her heart aching with the pain of loss. In a desperate bid to salvage what was left of her dream, she cried out the tried-and-true mantra from her dream, "Ich☆liebe☆dich."

But this time, the world remained indifferent to her pleas. It no longer danced to the tune of her commands, leaving her feeling helpless and alone.

In response to her emotional turmoil, a massive surge of Honkai energy erupted from within her. Ethereal wings of light sprouted from her back, their purple, transparent hue shimmering in the virtual sunlight. The pupils of her azure eyes turned to pure gold for a fleeting moment, signaling the onset of a transformation. She clasped her hands to her head in agony, her body convulsing under the strain of the change.

Meanwhile, Fu Hua, another character in the game, prepared for combat. Her face was obscured by a helmet, and golden crystals sprouted from the joints of her black combat suit, adding an air of menace to her appearance.

She spoke firmly to Kiana, her words piercing through the chaos of the place. It was unclear if Kiana could hear her in the midst of all the turmoil, but Fu Hua's message was evident: "It's time to wake up from the Dream."

[Come to think of it, isn't that the line about waking up from a dream in the PV, next is 'nightmare'?]

A beautiful and fragile dream will eventually wake up, and when it does, it's time to face reality.

The question Kiana's ability to accept this bitter truth. Could she come to terms with the fact that the comforting voice that accompanied her in her dream was nothing more than an illusion? What was the source of this voice that seemed to be a constant presence in her subconscious?

Caught in the throes of this revelation, Kiana cried out, "Mom!" She found herself back in Cecilia's comforting embrace, momentarily stunned by the image that had just flashed before her eyes. As the protagonist of the game, she had fully immersed herself in the narrative, feeling every triumph and setback as if they were her own. The game had done an exceptional job of blurring the lines between fiction and reality, making her feel like she was truly a part of this virtual world.

However, the shocking revelation had left her dazed, her mind struggling to process the information. It took her a while to regain her composure, to come back to her senses. Once she did, she voiced her realization, "The game is really fake, it's still the best to be by your side, oooooooh, mom, don't leave me!" Her words were filled with a mix of relief and desperation, a plea for her mother to stay by her side.

In her emotional outburst, Kiana clung to Cecilia, her tears soaking a patch on Cecilia's clothes. But Cecilia, being the loving mother she was, didn't mind. She understood her daughter's turmoil, offering her comfort and support in this moment of distress.

Cecilia cast a glance at Sirin, who was huddled next to her, her body frozen in disbelief. She had curled up into a ball, her body language reflecting her inner turmoil. With a sigh, Cecilia reached out, attempting to pull her closer in an effort to provide some comfort.

Sirin's reaction was immediate and intense. Like a startled animal, she recoiled at Cecilia's touch, fleeing from the perceived threat. Her actions were driven by fear, her instincts overriding her rational thought.

However, recognition soon dawned on her. The familiar scent of her mother acted as a soothing balm, calming her frayed nerves. She hesitated for a moment, then, with a couple of huffs, she pounced back into Cecilia's embrace.

Despite the comfort of her mother's presence, Sirin was still grappling with disbelief. Her memories were slowly resurfacing, piecing together a narrative that she found hard to accept. The sight of the tower, a structure she had encountered in the game, triggered a flood of fragmented images. These disjointed memories were pushing her towards a horrifying realization - she could be the Second Herrscher, the villain from the game who had killed Cecilia.

The villain who had not only claimed Cecilia's life but had also tormented her own sister. The villain who, she was beginning to realize, was a reflection of her own past actions, including the serious injuries she had inflicted on her mother.

Amidst this emotional turmoil, Cecilia's voice cut through, offering a beacon of hope. "Don't be afraid, Sirin and Kiana, mommy will always be by your side!" Her words were filled with love and reassurance, her gentle voice seeping into their hearts and offering a balm for their grief.

Cecilia pulled her daughters into a comforting embrace, her actions reinforcing her words. Despite the revelations and the emotional upheaval, they found solace in their mother's arms. Their sobs continued, a testament to their shared pain and the catharsis they were experiencing.

In the midst of the unfolding narrative, Otto, a character within the game, issued a command that pierced the tense atmosphere. "Hurry up and bring her to headquarters, Durandal!" His voice echoed through the virtual space, prompting a reaction from Kiana.

Kiana lifted her head, her large, misty eyes fluttering open. They were tinged with red, a testament to the tears she had shed. With a sniffle, she turned towards Durandal, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, "Big Sister, are you going to arrest me too?"

Durandal was taken aback by the question. "Wait, Kiana, this is the plot of the game, why would I arrest my own sister!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with confusion and panic. She couldn't comprehend the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Just moments ago, they had been a cozy group of four, huddled together in familial warmth. Now, it was just her and Kiana, their arms wrapped around each other in a tight embrace.

As for Sirin, she was lost in her own thoughts. She let out a sigh, her mind filled with images of the atrocities committed by the Second Herrscher. She had seen the destruction caused by the Herrscher, but she struggled to understand the circumstances that had led to its creation. She couldn't fully grasp the implications of the words spoken by the characters in the game.

It was no surprise to her that Schicksal had allowed Sirin to live, albeit in the shadows. Cecilia, their mother, had always shown a remarkable level of tolerance and understanding towards Sirin. She knew that even Kiana hadn't received the same level of compassion.

Sirin was a testament to the inherent goodness of people. She had been a kind and gentle child, her heart filled with dreams and aspirations. But the tower had crushed those dreams, replacing them with resentment and pain. It had stripped her of her innocence, leaving her to shoulder the blame for the second Honkai eruption.

...