Elysia... long time no see

Kevin's mind was filled with a growing sense of unease. The test he had just undergone was not very challenging, yet he could not shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

The person standing opposite him was using Elysia's ability, the same one that he had witnessed many times before. He could not help but feel a twinge of confusion. Was this really Elysia, his friend and comrade?

"Do you still want to try, Kevin? I will accompany you to the end! ♪ " The person who looked and sounded like Elysia said, flashing him a smile that he remembered so well.

Behind her, he could see other people. he looked tense and wary, as if they were facing a dangerous foe. But Hua… she was exactly the same as he recalled, with no sign of change.

Was this all an illusion? Or had he somehow entered a different reality?

However, he still shook his head, indicating that there was no need to fight anymore.

His current condition is not very good, and why must he attack his comrades?

since the last contact, according to Gray snake's words there is someone who predicts the future in the real world, Kevin can only give "yes" instructions.

After that, he wandered in the Quantum Sea and accidentally found a Stigma Awakener.

He offers to take her back with him and serve the World Serpent.

The other party was stunned and refused after thinking for a day. Kevin felt a little regretful.

However, since the other party firmly refused and believed in her so-called sister, he stopped meddling in her own business.

He did not care about the first Herrscher of the current civilization, the one who claimed to be the defender of humanity guarding so-called "exit". He was nothing but a naive idealist, who did not understand the true nature of the Honkai.

He had followed Su from shallow to the deep level of the Quantum Sea. He only needed a Herrscher core, to restore his strength and escape.

He waited patiently, until one day, Gray Snake delivered what he had promised. A Herrscher core, sent through a special device that could penetrate the Quantum Sea.

Kevin looked at the core with some nostalgia in his eyes. He had seen it many times in pre-civilizations and laboratories.

Although most of them are used as experimental subjects in Mobius or Vill-V's laboratory,.

It has the same origin as the Herrscher of Reason, who blocked the road, and it also has the power of construction and reproduction. According to the final Gray Snake report, the God Key it made was inexplicably damaged 500 years ago, leaving only the core.

It is exactly the core of the lawyer of the last century.

A figure holding a black umbrella appeared in the distance. Gray snake walked behind Kevin. Gray Snake first bowed to Kevin and said,

"Lord, it's like this..."

After hearing this, Kevin glanced at Luo Mo in surprise, and his 'ice cube' face also frowned.

He had learned that the current Elysia was not the real one, but a projection of his memory. But how could the memory have the same power as the original body? How could she use the ability that only Elysia possessed?

Luo Mo felt Kevin's cold gaze, and he flinched. He moved closer to Elysia, seeking her protection.

Elysia looked at him with annoyance, and Luo Mo gave her a sheepish smile. He did not mean to offend her, he was just acting on instinct.

The main reason is that I feel that I still have a bit of conscience. I did something wrong and stole someone else's house. It was a bit embarrassing when I met the rightful owner.

He packed up and took away almost the entire Elysian realm, and took half of heroes inside. Who wouldn't be embarrassed to see the real owner?

How could he be cowardly? Why is this cowardice?

Luo Mo tried to convince himself that he was not a coward, that he had a good reason for what he did. He tried to boost his confidence and faith, to justify his actions and motives.

"Since the heroes of the Elysian realm trust you, I will not interfere with this matter anymore." Kevin said in a calm voice, without showing any anger or resentment.

He also doesn't agree with the stigma plan, but this is the only way to ensure success. As a hero of the last era, he made a promise and should abide by it.

Since they in the Elysian realm are willing to go out and help strangers, then so be it.

He wished them well, and he wished himself well. He hoped that they could defeat the stigma plan, and that he could find peace.

"Elysia, long time no see." Kevin's eyes flashed with a complex emotion, but it vanished quickly and he regained his composure.

"Hi, Kevin, it's been a while," Elysia greeted him warmly. She scanned him from head to toe and exclaimed, "Wow, Kevin, you look so different!"

Kevin felt speechless; of course, he was different.

He had spent millennia wandering through different civilizations and eras. He had seen almost every corner of the world, and his knowledge and perspective had changed drastically from what they were before.

He was not the same person he used to be, the one who cared, regretted, or reflected.

He had questions that haunted him, questions that he could not answer.

Why can birds fly? Why did they perish in the last century?

He faced his former friends, but they were strangers to him now.

He wanted to explain himself, but he did not think it mattered.

So, in the end, he replied curtly.

"Hmm."

A tense silence filled the air. None of the people there, except for Elysia and Fu Hua, had ever met Kevin before.

Without a word, Kevin turned his back on them and walked away. He had only one goal in mind: to see the Stigma Project for himself. He did not care what the other heroes wanted, or what they thought of him.

Elysia let out a sad sigh. She could hardly believe that this was the same Kevin she knew. The Kevin in the paradise was quiet, but not so aloof and indifferent.

"Kevin, won't you say anything to your old friends? Is it because I'm just a memory of yours? What about Hua? Don't you want to talk to her?"

Elysia gazed at his retreating figure with compassion. She felt sorry for her former ally, who seemed to have lost his way.

"I know about Hua's situation. She doesn't remember me either, most likely."

Kevin stopped, turned his head, and looked straight at Elysia. He spoke in a serious tone, "And I'm not leaving because you're a memory."

"Then why are you leaving? Tell me, please? ♪ " Elysia pleaded with Kevin, her eyes full of hope.

Kevin remained silent. He knew he could not explain himself to her, nor could he face her emotions. He was still bad at dealing with her, after all.

Regarding this familiar scene, which seemed like the remnants of the past—the interaction between old friends spanning centuries—the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but it was fleeting, as if there was no smile from beginning to end.

"Is there anything else you need? Kevin asked.

"You've become so cold and distant… Kevin, I miss the old you. But, is there anything else? Let me see: "

Elysia put her finger on her forehead, acting as if she was in trouble. She pretended to rack her brain for an answer.

Then, she clapped her hand, as if she had a brilliant idea. She said with a bright smile, "Oh, I know! Kevin, please let me take you(memory) out of the Elysian realm!"

Kevin just folded his arms and stared at her silently. He did not respond to her request, or her enthusiasm.

"Hey! Don't give me that look; you'll make me blush!" Elysia said playfully, pushing Luo Mo and dragging him to her side. "Besides, it was his idea! ♪ "

Luo Mo was brought to the front with a puzzled expression on his face. He looked at the icy Kevin in front of him, and his mouth twitched nervously.

He felt a familiar pressure on him, a pressure that he had experienced before in the Elysian realm. He saw the same piercing eyes that judged him, that questioned his motives and actions.

The only difference was that he had not done anything wrong before he entered the Elysian realm. He had been innocent and pure, a loyal and brave 'hero'.

Wait, think about it this way: in the Elysian realm, you would commit a crime in front of your face!

He tried to justify himself, to explain his reasoning. He said, "Kevin, heroes, who are called 'Saviors', I always believe that the heroes' destiny is not to stay in a small paradise, but to join the post-Honkai world."

"Do you really believe that?" Kevin asked coldly, then shook his head. "You don't need to make any promises to me; if the heroes agree, you can take them with you as you please."

"It's their choice, and I won't oppose it!"

Kevin fixed his gaze on Luo Mo, his cold expression showing no doubt or hesitation.

------------------

(small theater)

Ellie: Hi, Kevin! It's been ages since we last met; why are you so serious? Come on, show me a smile!

Kevin (said coldly, glancing at the people who resembled Elysia): Friend or foe, make your choice!

Ellie: But I just want to have a fun reunion with you and the other Heroes! ♪

Kevin (stigma pondered for a while, lifted his head, and said): Tell me, what did you have for the reunion meal?

Ellie (puzzled face):? ? ? I have no idea! Does it matter?

Kevin (with a grave face): It matters a lot… You see, at Quantum Sea, I'm sick of eating instant noodles.

Ellie:…

Ellie: Oh, right, you can stay young forever if you eat Ah Hua's spring rolls!

Fu Hua:?

Luo Mo's mouth twitched, and he kept silent.