A Conversation Across Time (part 1)

The two stood face-to-face, a thick silence hanging between them.

It wasn't that they didn't want to meet, but rather that they had so much to share with each other, they didn't know where to begin.

It had been 500 years since they'd last seen each other, and this unexpected reunion left them speechless. Their hearts were pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

They couldn't help but study each other closely, noticing the changes time had brought.

Their faces were different, their demeanor were older, but the love and the deep connection they shared were still clearly there.

They both knew that despite the years, their feelings for each other hadn't faded.

Their hearts were filled with a kindness that time couldn't touch. They had always been willing to give everything for each other, and that hadn't changed.

Otto delicately adjusted his hand, allowing the once pristine white Overseer dress shirt, now marred with unsightly brown stains, to fall gently.

He wanted to hide his injuries a little, not wanting to appear so pathetic in front of her.

This was his only Hope and Prayer.

He knew that in her presence, he would always get nervous. His heart would beat faster, and he'd start acting silly, just like a kid.

He'd want to do more and more for her, but the more he tried, the more mistakes he'd make.

"Kallen... seeing you again, it must be a miracle..."

"Yeah, it's good to see the real you," Kallen replied, a faint smile touching her lips.

She looked at him with a mixture of joy and sadness in her eyes. Her gaze was intense, as if she was trying to read his soul.

"Have you truly understood what happened in those five hundred years? Not just the good parts, but also the things that are hard to talk about," Otto asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

He'd never wanted her to know about those dark moments in his past.

He never thought she would learn about those things.

"Yeah, of course, but I can't punish you now, can I?" Kallen said, her voice light. "As for understanding... I learned about it through a game, kind of. Speaking of, what kind of game is Kallen's Fantasy?"

Kallen's face was calm at first, but then a soft smile touched her lips, like a gentle breeze had rustled her hair. She looked at him with a hint of mischief in her eyes. 

"Hehehe..." Otto let out an awkward laugh, his emerald eyes filled with embarrassment. He tried to keep his cool, but he couldn't help but blush a little.

"I imagine... it would be a game you'd like. After all, didn't you once say that we'd save the world together when we grew up?"

"That's exactly a game to save the world!"

Otto's gaze was steady, his words firm. Looking into her bright blue eyes, there was no trace of a lie.

This was a time for them, undisturbed, free from any calamity... unexpected or otherwise.

Time had calmed this corner of spacetime, allowing them to have this long-awaited reunion.

Before the next adventure started, before things got crazy again, Otto Apocalypse truly appreciated this miracle.

He was grateful for this chance to see Kallen again, to be with her, even if it was just for a little while.

"Saving the world, huh? But are you truly saving the world?"

Kallen couldn't help but ask, a hint of reproach and scolding in her tone.

She knew it wasn't the best way to start their reunion, but she couldn't hold back her question.

She couldn't help but worry about him.

And when it came to Otto, she felt her usual hesitations melt away.

"I am saving my world; I didn't lie~."

Otto said calmly, his gaze unwavering.

He was like a lone lighthouse in the middle of a stormy sea, guiding lost ships to safety. He didn't need anyone's approval or support.

He was strong and independent, doing what he believed was right, even if it meant going against the grain.

 "...For example, Red Kite Immortal, I didn't lie?"

Kallen couldn't help but chuckle, teasing him a little.

Her gaze was playful, her chin raised, her eyes bright and charming, just like before.

It was as if the five hundred years had never happened. The years had melted away like ice in the sun, like water flowing down a river, leaving only the present moment.

But in this moment, it was a spacetime transcending the world.

They faced each other, just like they used to, just like they were back in their younger days.

They remembered their adventures together, the late nights by the campfire, the rainy days by the river, the thrilling escapades of the thief, the tireless work of the doctor, the moments when they couldn't hold each other in front of the prison.

It was like the warm sunrise that first peeked over the wall, pure and innocent, a feeling of perfect peace.

So warm, so nostalgic.

"Heh—, I didn't expect you to know such details, but she was indeed my friend. I understand her, nothing will happen. And, I really didn't lie," Otto said, winking playfully.

He looked at her with warmth in his eyes.

Kallen seemed to know a lot about him, but he had never intended to deceive her. At most, he had told a few harmless white lies.

Whatever she wanted to know, he was ready to tell her everything!

Even if he gets beaten in the end!

but she can't… now it's strange that someone really wants to be beaten, but now all he wants her clean white hands to touch his face with force and scold him.

"Tch—"

From a distance, the Herrscher of Sentience couldn't help but let out a click of her tongue. In this space where no one could move, it was surprisingly clear, a silent gesture that spoke volumes. She simply rolled her eyes.

Both of them, without a word, chose to ignore the sound from the side.

"Lying... you didn't lie, exactly, but it wasn't entirely the truth either~"

Kallen shook her head, thinking back to what he had said to Fu Hua.

She had a hard time arguing with him, he was so good at weaving lies with truth.

It was almost impossible to catch him out. And he was even better at it now than he used to be.

Otto didn't deny it. He simply smiled and moved on to another topic.

As for Theresa, who wasn't far away, Otto was curious.

Would she exist in this world too? and how does she exist in this world? Maybe himself and Kallen in that world... 

"I'm curious too, about that little Theresa... does she exist in this world as well? And those thirteen Flame-Chasers, there seems to be a lot of wondrous things happening in this world."

Otto's voice, strained to maintain its warmth, spoke, his emerald eyes flashing with the image of that small figure.

Theresa was the only other person he had left in this world, besides Kallen. He hoped she would be okay, that she would find her way. 

With those people's help, she would carry Schicksal, in a way different from her grandfather.

and in future she will erase the stain left by her grandfather.

He believed in her, but he also felt a pang of heartache.

Maybe he hadn't been a good grandfather... He wondered when Theresa would realize she didn't have the magical ability to make her cooking taste so good anymore.

"Theresa… she calls me grandma, you know. Thankfully, I didn't let her call me mom, otherwise..." Kallen said, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

"Ahahaha, that was my fault then. Her current title is fitting. But, Kallen, look... one person's strength is enough to change the world, right?" Otto said, chuckling. He smiled at her.

"How significant the death of one person can be, what a magnificent full stop it is. And the future that was once stagnant moves forward. Kallen, you're changing the world, aren't you?"

Otto looked at her, his eyes full of admiration.

After a moment of silence, under her slightly annoyed gaze, he couldn't help but ask a question. His eyes were fixed on hers, waiting for her answer.

"Well... yes, one person's strength is enough to change the world. Back then, I really underestimated myself. But if... I think, having a qualified childhood sweetheart would make things a lot smoother," Kallen said, a playful smile on her lips.

She thought for a moment, then covered her mouth with a soft laugh.

There was a definite truth in her words, something she had wanted to tell him for a long time.

"Heh—, that's true," Otto said, unable to help but freeze for a moment. He let out a helpless laugh, but he understood what she meant by "qualified."

"But, sigh, you even saw that part? Void Archives is really useless," he said, pretending to be troubled.

He waved his hand dismissively, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.

Those embarrassing moments, even for him, were a bit too much to bring up in front of the person he cared about most.

But it was true that the First Key was useless. It hadn't even been able to detect the outside prying eyes.

Still, Otto wouldn't dare throw it away in front of Theresa, for fear that Schicksal would actually be stolen.

"Void Archives? I've heard that the First Key has shattered, leaving only a broken core,"

Kallen pondered for a moment, giving him the answer.

Otto paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Oh, is that so? Heh, that's a pleasant surprise, one less potential threat," he said, trying to sound Casual.

He shrugged, but the warmth of a long-time friend was missing from his tone. They had been companions for five hundred years, after all.

If Void Archives knew, it would probably only feel helpless.

"Hehe, do you still remember the Yae Sakura you mentioned?"

There was a hint of amusement in Kallen's eyes, but there were still some tears in her eyes, tears that hadn't had time to dry.

Otto's face tightened as Kallen mentioned Yae Sakura.

"As far as I know, the one over there should be Miss Sakura, one of the Flame-Chasers," he said stiffly. It was clear that the mention of his lifelong enemy still bothered him.

She must have wanted to mention it when telling Kallen's Fantasy, but unfortunately, he couldn't interrupt it now!

If Kallen already knows what he did and maybe... think, why lie to her again?

All their relationship problems are because they are not honest with each other!

And for Yae Sakura...

Actually, Otto does not really have a personal grudge against Yae Sakura, he is just jealous.

Kallen stated that he fell in love with a herrscher named Yae Sakura in the trial, Otto knows it was her way commit suicide but it's still... he is jealous!

"There's no need to be so hostile, she's now gone in this world... Otto, I need to reiterate, I didn't like her like that," Kallen said, sitting up straight when feel hostile aura soar around Otto.

She addressed Otto, her cheeks flushed, but she still glared at him fiercely but then softy.

"Uh..."

When Otto heard this, a surge of joy filled his heart.

But he stared at her dumbfounded when she has little smile in her face.

"Sigh, let's not talk about that for now."

Kallen's face was still have a little flushed, she didn't want to dwell on it any further.

"Alright, then tell me your story, Kallen," Otto responded. He didn't push the subject any further.

He was glad that his Kallen wasn't stolen by the vixen but also sad to see Kallen alone for five hundred years.

Otto had braced himself to hear words like "lover," "married," and so on, and would be 'happy' to hear it. anyway kallen's happiness was more important than his personal feelings.

himself in the other world? Huh? this meeting alone was enough reason to scold him!

As for Kallen's story, he was indeed interested.

But more because his body was extremely weak right now, and it wasn't good for him to continue talking. And he hadn't forgotten that he had a more important task to complete.

He needed to finish what he started.

He just wanted to hear her voice, to see her flawless face, stained with tears, and wipe them away.

He wanted to hold her hand... to hold onto this miracle of seeing her again before it vanished.

There were so many things he wanted to do, but he knew he couldn't have it all.

[Beggars can't be choosers] he thought to himself.

"...If you're willing to listen, but it's really too long, isn't it?"

"I'm willing to listen to anything you say."

Otto simply shook his head slightly, speaking softly.

…

"It all started a long time ago, when I tried save a little kid from a Honkai beast at the execution grounds,"

Kallen said softly, her eyes gazing down at the red sand beneath her feet.

"You remember that, right Otto?"

"I… I remember it, Kallen," Otto quickly nodded, his voice barely a whisper.

He couldn't forget it. It was a memory seared into his soul.

She turned and started walking, her footsteps leaving trails in the crimson dust.

Otto followed close behind, his body aching with pain from the many injuries he had suffered.

Despite the pain, walking behind Kallen felt strangely peaceful.

It was like being carried by a gentle current, like a ship gliding through calm waters.

"For a moment, everything was bathed in bright light. I saw a figure, someone I knew, holding a giant golden sword, one I recognized. It was blazing with flames."

"But then, the figure disappeared, the light vanished, and the Honkai beast that had been attacking me was gone. All that was left was a big hole in the ground."

Kallen stopped walking and turned to face Otto, her gaze locking with his emerald green eyes.

as if finding confirmation she continued,

"The silhouette… it was…"

The silhouette… it was…

"It's you, Otto~" Kallen finished, a soft smile gracing her lips.