Class Reunion

[Back at Shin's perspective]

10 hours later...

I sprinted down the hallway, slashing through mecha titans with a single swing of my purple katana. The corridor seemed endless like I was trapped in a loop, but finally, I burst through the exit.

"Nighttime..."

The stars, so close and brilliant, filled the sky. I couldn't help but grin. "After this mission, I'm taking everyone for some stargazing."

"Hmph... Such an idiot plan," Tsurugi's voice echoed in my mind.

"Oh, shut it. Look at the starry sky. It's beautiful!"

"Yeah, yeah."

As I scanned the area, I spotted two familiar figures below, locked in battle with an Asleikr Mystletainn.

"Huh? Over there...! That's Major Himeko and Dr. Tesla."

Without hesitation, I vaulted over the fence, rolled to break my fall, and dashed forward. With a swift strike, I beheaded the Asleikr, sending it crashing to the ground.

"Shin?!"

"Major Himeko! Good to see you! Are you alright?"

"T-That's my question! What did Rita do to you?!"

"She... treated me well... That's all."

"Those long pauses are very suspicious," Dr. Tesla remarked, eyeing me skeptically.

"Major Himeko, what's the plan?" I asked, turning to her.

"We need to contact Principal Theresa and the others," she replied.

"I'll go with you two–"

"No, Shin. From now on, I'm ordering you to head back to the Hyperion and see what's going on there."

"But–"

"Shin!" she shouted, her voice firm. "This is just a possibility, but... Kiana might be with them. No, they're probably fighting Kiana right now. So do it for me."

I gritted my teeth, looking down for a moment before turning and running away.

[Switching to Murata Himeko's Point of View]

Himeko watched Shin go, a look of concern in her eyes. "Are you sure it's okay to let him go like that? You look like you'll need some help after all that fighting," Dr. Tesla said, turning to her with concern.

"It's alright. This is just a simple task," Himeko replied. "But Fu Hua mentioned there's something in the lab that can save everybody. Perhaps it's something we can use to defeat the Herrscher." She began walking forward. "Schicksal must have a fail-safe plan somewhere in case this thing got out of control. Maybe that's where the answer lies."

"Then... let's get a move on," Dr. Tesla said.

"Yeah," Himeko agreed.

Himeko and Dr. Tesla moved down the opposite path.

[Back at Shin's point of view]

As I sprinted through the area, Tsurugi's voice echoed in my mind. "Shin, can you sense it?" she asked.

"Sense what?" I replied, my pace never faltering.

"That woman's death."

I halted abruptly, confusion clouding my thoughts. "What do you mean?"

Before Tsurugi could respond, a group of Asleikr Baugi descended from above, their attacks swift and relentless. I dodged, countering with quick, precise strikes.

"Heehee, she had low Honkai resistance," Tsurugi continued as I dispatched the last of the Baugi. "The constant use of battlesuits and weapons, all powered by Honkai energy, slowly poisoned her body."

"And the more she uses them, the closer she gets to death, But I trust Major Himeko."

"Oh? Is that so?" Tsurugi's tone was almost amused.

"Yeah, I'm lucky enough to have you, Tsurugi. Relying on the weapons you gave me, Knowing I'm just borrowing your powers for my sake."

"Don't worry, Shin. You're strong enough to fend off a Herrscher like me. But now, focus on your task."

"Yeah."

Just then a familiar figure stood before me.

"Kika...? Is that you?"

She turned, her gaze sharp. "Shin."

I immediately took a defensive stance. "That's enough. You'll lose again."

She gave a gentle smile. "I didn't say I'd fight you, did I? Are you on your way to Hyperion?"

"How did you...–"

"I guessed."

"You guessed? That's ridiculous... You probably wiretapped us."

"Shin, have you ever heard of the Vermillion Battlesuit?" she asked, tilting her head.

"No."

"It's a mysterious battlesuit kept hidden within the heart of Helheim Labs in Schicksal HQ. It has a second claymore system like an outspread wing at its side. "

"The Gem of Haste embedded in the chest piece shines with a fiery glow. Ten sets of 4th generation Godsbane-class battlesuits are placed next to it, like an order of knights defending a sacred temple. 

"Fu Hua wanted Himeko to use that battlesuit."

My eyes widened, "That's suicidal!"

"I know, but to stop a Herrscher, you'll need Herrscher-level power to defeat it."

"Then what are you doing here? Is this why you're here? To give me a lecture?"

"Shin, I'll help you get to Hyperion, but in exchange..."

My eyes widened as I looked down, resigned. "Fine."

Kika smiled. "Very good."

[A few minutes later... Switching to Bronya Zaychik's Point of View]

The Hyperion hovered in the airspace above the Southern Outer Passageway of the Helheim Honkai Energy System Labs.

"About 4km from Dr. Tesla's signal broadcast," Bronya reported, scanning the surroundings. "No anomalies detected."

"Roger that. Reduce cruising speed and begin descent. Initiate the search for Dr. Tesla and company," Einstein ordered. "Full alert, Squads. The Herrscher may attack us at any time through the Imaginary Space."

"Doctor, our casualties..." an operator began.

"We're badly hit," Einstein interrupted. "Madam Theresa's wounds have been tended to, but she'll need time to fully recover. Wendy overused her powers and passed out from exhaustion. Mei... suffered heart injuries when the Herrscher took the Gem of Conquest. Her vitals are weakening; she needs cardiac surgery to survive."

"We have no choice but to withdraw after locating Tesla and the others..."

Suddenly, an alarm blared inside the Hyperion.

"Radar picked up a large swarm of Honkai beasts attempting to attack the battleship!"

"Battle stations ready!" came the response.

"The Bronya will assist and eliminate the threat."

"Thank you."

Bronya took the elevator out of the bridge and headed up to the roof, ready to face the oncoming swarm.

Bronya's Project Bunny sprang into action, missiles launching and fists pounding as she blinked through the onslaught of Honkai beasts. Metal clashed against metal, the thunderous noise reverberating through the air. The powerful inertia tossed Bronya around violently, her body flung like a rag doll.

Disoriented, Bronya tried to regain her bearings. "What... happened? Has the Hyperion crash-landed?" Her vision blurred, but gradually, light pierced through the darkness. "Nyet... Bronya must return..." The light grew brighter, revealing a figure standing before her.

The fire continued to burn.

"...Major Himeko?" Bronya blinked in surprise.

Himeko stood there, clad in a new battlesuit that glowed with a fiery radiance. "Excellent work, Bronya."

Bronya's sensors picked up new threats. "Incoming hostiles detected."

Himeko's eyes hardened. "Return to the Hyperion. Let me take care of this."

Bronya nodded, retreating to the elevator as Himeko prepared to face the oncoming enemies alone.

[Himeko Murata's point of view]

Brrzzaaa.... brrzzap!

——The fire spread in the darkness.

——The burning embers shone like the morning sun.

——Everything was baptized in the blazing fire.

Dr. Tesla's voice crackled through the comms, her tone urgent. "Space curvature anomaly detected. Honkai energy levels are off the charts! More hostiles incoming! We have to stop the Herrscher from summoning more minions!"

Himeko nodded, determination etched on her face. "I'll distract the enemies. Focus on saving the wounded!" She moved toward the approaching Honkai beasts, her blade ready. "Can we restart the Hyperion's engines?"

Tesla's response was laced with stress. "Port-side armor plating compromised. Drive chamber impacted. Shock absorbing systems damaged. We need time to make her air-worthy again. Drive conversion rates…"

Himeko cut her off, her voice firm. "Calm down. Just tell me how much time you need!"

"Three minutes. Just give me three minutes and we'll be out of here!"

Himeko's path was blocked by three Praetorians, a Joyo-Ninja, and four archers. She sighed, her grip tightening on her weapon. "Haahh... Bunch of ants."

Without hesitation, Himeko charged forward, her blade cutting through the air.

With a fierce cry, Himeko's flaming blade sliced through the Praetorian zombies, reducing them to ash in a single, sweeping motion. She moved swiftly to the archers, their attempts to draw their bows futile as she cut them down effortlessly.

Suddenly, Himeko's body tensed, a sharp pain ripping through her as she coughed up blood, her vision blurring momentarily.

In that brief moment of vulnerability, the last Joyo-Ninja sprang from behind, its blade aimed at her back. 

And then... slash.

The air was filled with the sound of a blade slicing through the enemy. A familiar figure in a St. Freya uniform stood behind her, a katana in hand. As he sheathed it with steady, focused breath, he looked at Himeko.

"That was close, wasn't it, Major Himeko?"

"Shin... You're late."

"Yeah, I had a few errands to take care of."

[A few minutes earlier]

"A favor?"

"Yes, I have a favor to ask you. In return, I'll teleport you to Hyperion instantly."

I sighed, looking up at her. "Alright... What is it?"

Kika smiled, "Good. Now... I want you to deliver this to Wendy." She handed me a small box.

"What's this... an engagement ring?"

"Huh? Do you think I'm a lesbian?!"

"You're not?"

"I'm not! In fact, I'm actually interested in y–" She coughed, regaining composure. "Anyway... Let's leave it at that. Just give this to her, will you?"

I nodded, taking the box from Kika's hand. "If that's all, then teleport me to the Hyperion right away."

Kika nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. In an instant, I was teleported to the roof of the Hyperion, just in time to see a Joyo-Ninja lunging at Himeko from behind.

Reacting quickly, I unsheathed my purple katana in mid-air. With a focused breath, I dashed forward, slicing through the Joyo-Ninja from behind before it could strike Himeko.

A sinister voice echoed through the air, dripping with malice. "Oh dear, can't believe I'm getting stopped by this. You should stick to the script, girls."

The sky churned violently, torn asunder to reveal the Herrscher amidst crackling lightning.

"Kiana...!" Himeko and I exclaimed in unison.

"Found you! It doesn't matter who goes first now. You're all insects to me."

"Goodness gracious... Is that really Kiana? She's quite the trash-talker now."

She singled me out with a pointed finger. "I'll start with you... boy."

"Oh..."