Journey That Lies Ahead (Common Route End)

2 Months Ago, After Fighting Hokushin Mei on an Island

Shin paused his journey in the Philippines, taking a much-needed rest after a month of travel. He stayed with two companions in a small house nestled in a modest subdivision.

Sitting on the roof, he gazed at the sky. "It's been a month now since I got here... It's so damn hot."

A voice called up to him, "That's why you should get down from there, idiot." Owl, his companion, leaped effortlessly from the ground to the roof.

Shin raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, Owl."

Owl nodded. "Ana just finished making breakfast. You coming?"

"Yeah."

"Make sure to come down." With that, Owl jumped back down to the ground.

Owl, a Valkyrie from St. Freya, had initially shocked Shin when they first met. Shin had witnessed him battling Honkai beasts alongside Ana Schariac, another Valkyrie and captain of the Snow Lotus Squad. Shin had heard of them before, but seeing them in action was something else.

Shin stood up and jumped down from the roof, landing lightly on the ground before heading inside. As he entered, he noticed Owl and Ana exchanging furtive glances. Owl was trying to hold Ana's hand, while she hesitated.

Clearing his throat, Shin broke the moment. "You know, I wouldn't mind leaving this place and continuing back on my journey."

Ana blushed, pulling her hand away. "O-Oh! S-Sorry." She looked away, her cheeks flushed, while Owl quickly sat down at the table.

Shin sighed. "But it's true, I'll be heading out once the Honkai beasts here in Manila are dealt with."

Owl nodded. "Thanks to you, we have nothing to worry about, Shin."

Ana joined in, serving breakfast. "Yeah, really, thank you."

Shin smiled. "What are you two talking about? A Valkyrie would never turn down help."

Ana returned his smile. "That's true."

The three of them sat down to eat. Once they finished, Shin and Owl prepared to head out to eliminate the Honkai beasts causing destruction.

As they walked, Owl reloaded his dual revolvers, securing them in the holsters on his waist. "By the way, Shin, what are you going to do once you get back to your friends?"

Shin, slashing through the last Honkai beast in their path, sheathed his demon katana1. "Hmm... I guess the first thing I want to do is see ######."

Owl raised an eyebrow. "This girl... Is she your loved one?"

Shin smiled, a bit wistful. "You could say that, but I don't know. I haven't confessed yet."

"I see." 

"Sir Owl, there are no signs of Honkai energy in this vicinity," a member of the Snow Lotus squad reported.

"Good," Owl replied. "Everyone retreat and make sure the coast is clear."

"Yes, sir."

Shin smirked as he and Owl headed back to the jeep. "I see you're now the vice-captain of Snow Lotus, huh?"

"Yeah," Owl nodded. "I'm still doing this for my little sister."

"Oh? Your little sister? Where is she now?"

"She's studying abroad."

"I see."

They fell silent as the jeep driver arrived and they drove away. After a few minutes, Owl broke the silence.

"Shin, I don't know why, but it feels like everything has changed."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"I just have this feeling... like there's death around us, even though nothing is happening."

"Isn't death always with us?" Shin replied, staring out the window. "Every time we fight Honkai beasts, we just pray we come back in one piece."

Owl nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."

"So that's why," Shin said with a smirk, "once I'm not here, I hope you and Ana get engaged and have a child."

Owl's face turned beet red. "What the—What are you talking about!?!"

"Why are you blushing?" Shin teased. "Don't tell me you two have already—"

"Wha—I'm throwing you off this jeep right now!"

"Oi! I'm just teasing you! Don't do it!"

...

...

...

Despite the short time, I had fun in the Philippines. I hope you two live a normal life once this is all over.

Shin signed the paper and placed his name under the signature. He looked out the window, noticing the sky had darkened. "Oh, it's already night." Rising from his seat, he walked out of his room and headed to the kitchen, placing the letter on the table.

As he moved toward the front door, he paused, catching his reflection in a nearby mirror. Dressed in his St. Freya uniform with a katana at his waist and gloves on his hands, he smiled to himself.

"...I've changed, haven't I?" he murmured, opening the door and stepping outside.

Summoning a sword from thin air, he stood on it and soared into the night sky.

The feeling of the rush of wind and the weight of his journey ahead. He glanced back once, the small house growing smaller in the distance.

"This is just the beginning."