Ch-67 < the year of silence >

As the year unfolded, the absence of Kevin Kaslana from the Fire Moth's ranks began to weigh heavily on the minds of its members.

Elysia, in her usual vibrant manner, had initially reassured everyone that Kevin had merely used space manipulation to enter a subspace where he would confront the Herrscher of Sentience.

She explained how the Herrscher's ability to transcend physical reality made it necessary for Kevin to battle her within the confines of his mind and soul, a task that would take time but would undoubtedly result in victory.

However, as two months passed with no sign of Kevin's return, the anxiety within Fire Moth grew palpable.

Kevin had always been their beacon of hope, the pillar around which their faith in survival was built. Even as his connection with them weakened, Elysia, Mobius, and Mei remained steadfast in their belief that he was still alive.

Though they could barely sense him, his basic abilities—those shared through the bond—remained accessible, a subtle reminder of his enduring presence.

Elysia continued to reassure everyone, her usual confidence unwavering. "Kevin is still alive," she would say, her voice calm and certain, as if her words alone could anchor the world.

During this period, Eden, the rising star who had survived the 7th Herrscher incident, officially joined Fire Moth. Unlike most, Eden did not take up arms against the Honkai. Instead, she chose a different path—one of compassion and support.

She became actively involved in disaster relief, traveling the globe to help rebuild the lives destroyed by the Honkai. Her charitable foundation provided resources to survivors, giving them hope and the means to start anew. Her efforts earned her widespread admiration, and she quickly became a symbol of resilience.

Eden and Elysia formed a close bond during this time, often finding comfort in each other's company.

One evening, as they sat together in a quiet corner of the Fire Moth's headquarters, Eden turned to Elysia with a question that had been on her mind for some time.

"Elysia, you speak of Kevin with such admiration. You've told me so much about him—how he's brave, selfless, and always there for those he loves. But tell me, didn't he ever get jealous of your extroverted nature? Or suspect you, even once?" Eden asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Elysia chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Kevin? Jealous of me? He's definitely protective, especially when I insisted on going to the frontlines. But you know," she paused, thinking back to those moments, "he did tell me that he likes my active character. He said it made me who I am. but ".

Eden leaned in closer, intrigued. "But…?" she prompted, sensing there was more to the story.

Elysia smiled, a mysterious glint in her eyes. "All beautiful girls like to have secrets, don't we? But Kevin, he knows almost everything about me. It's like he has a sixth sense, predicting my actions before I even make them."

"So that's what they call a lover's connection," Eden mused, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Their conversation flowed naturally, with Elysia sharing more stories about Kevin, recounting how he had once donned a prince's costume at her request.

Eden couldn't help but laugh as she imagined Kevin in such a role, her laughter ringing like a melody.

"He looked so handsome in that outfit," Elysia remarked, her voice filled with fondness.

Eden's expression grew thoughtful. "Do you really think he'll come back, Elysia?" she asked, her tone serious for the first time.

Elysia's eyes met Eden's, unwavering. "Definitely. I can sense Kevin. It's like a bond, something stronger than anything else."

"Like a lover's bond?" Eden asked, her curiosity piqued.

Elysia nodded. "Something like that. But Kevin has a special ability—a soul bond that connects us. It's deeper than anything else."

"Did he get that ability from a beast's essence?" Eden inquired, trying to piece together the mystery of Kevin's powers.

Elysia hesitated for a moment. "Maybe," she relied.

As the months went by, Fire Moth's struggles continued.

Two particularly dangerous Honkai beasts appeared—a peacock-like creature and a butterfly, each causing mass hysteria. Their powers attacked the mind, plunging soldiers into illusions and causing them to turn on their comrades in a daze. When the soldiers finally awoke, they had no memory of the battle, as if it had all been a dream.

Kalpas, known for his ferocity, took on the peacock beast, his fiery flames bathing it in destruction.

Meanwhile, Elysia faced off against the butterfly, with her skill she one shot the butterfly.

Even Kalpas, who had been briefly caught in the butterfly's illusions, was brought back to reality with Elysia's help.

Amidst the chaos, Su, a former member of Fire Moth and a friend of Kevin's, returned.

The moment he heard of Kevin's disappearance, he marched into the Fire Moth's headquarters, demanding answers.

Mei and Elysia explained the situation to him, and after hearing their account, Su made the decision to rejoin Fire Moth. His resolve was unshakable—he would find Kevin, no matter the cost.

The two honkai beast was compatible with Su and Aponia, so they both underwent surgeries to integrate the newly subjugated Honkai beasts into their systems.

Su's enhancements granted him the Bodhi Eyes, a powerful tool that allowed him to gather information and predict the best outcomes. Aponia's psychic powers, already formidable, were amplified to the point where she could command others with a mere word.

As the days turned into weeks, and then months, the hope within Fire Moth began to waver.

****

It was a rare moment of peace for Elysia, Mei, and Eden as they sat in a small, cozy restaurant, enjoying a meal together.

The three women, each carrying the weight of their own battles, found solace in these shared moments. Elysia, ever the social butterfly, had chosen the restaurant for its ambiance and the promise of good food. Mei, ever the pragmatist, had agreed, knowing they all needed a break from the relentless fight against the Honkai.

As they chatted and laughed, the door to the kitchen swung open, and the chef approached their table with a tray of delicacies. Elysia noticed something off in the chef's demeanor—a tension in her movements that set off alarms in her mind. Before she could react, the chef lunged at Mei, a knife glinting in her hand.

"Mei, look out!" Elysia shouted, moving with blinding speed.

Mei barely had time to register the warning before Elysia was upon the chef, disarming her with a graceful yet deadly precision. The knife clattered to the ground as Elysia pinned the chef to the floor but the chef killed himself,

Elysia eyes narrowing as she noticed the strange, unnatural glow in the chef's eyes.

"he's not herself," Elysia muttered

"Mei, there's something wrong here."

Mei quickly knelt beside them, her sharp gaze catching sight of a small, shimmering gem embedded in the chef's chest. It was eerily similar to a Herrscher Core but far less powerful. Mei extracted it carefully, frowning as she examined the gem.

"This... this is almost like a Herrscher Core, but not quite. It's less potent, but the energy signature is unmistakable," Mei said, her voice filled with concern.