Deal

In the world of Honkai, a pinnacle of the Honkai life form exists, they are called Herrschers.

These Herrschers manifest through human avatars and are capable of manipulating physical laws through their corresponding authorities. 

Among Herrschers, the 12th Herrscher, Herrscher of Corruption can be described as the most complicated as it doesn't possess a physical body but exists as a sentient virus capable of corrupting machinery and living beings like humans.

In the Previous Era, Dr. MEI only manage to seal the 12th Herrscher by using herself as a bait and imprisoned it in a black box but even then, it was already too late as the Herrscher already launched the nuclear weapons of Fire Moths and destroy the last remaining three cities of humanity, signifying the defeat of that era.

This shows the terrifying ability of the Herrscher of Corruption, not only did it end the Previous Era but even survived until the Current Era.

All in all, the Herrscher of Corruption would be a terrible disaster if it awakens in the Current Era, especially with the advancement of technology in the current civilization.

'Shit, the Herrscher of Corruption is considered a taboo for them.' The Eyeball who now knows himself as the supposed 12th Herrscher, Herrscher of Corruption thought.

Being similar to the Herrscher who put the final nail in the coffin for the Previous Era, it is absolutely reasonable for him to be considered a great threat that needed to be put down at all cost.

Most people would probably curse their luck but he was more concerned about something else.

If he's the Herrscher of Corruption that's supposed to appear as the 12th Herrscher, doesn't this mean that 11 Eruptions have already passed? What about the others? And why does he feel connected to this place despite having no physical body?

"Little mouse, are you listening?" Dr. Mobius asked with an annoyed look.

Surrounded by various gadgets, two people are sitting in front of each other with one of them holding a TV box in her hands and the other holding a miniature doll.

Who else could it be other than Mobius and Elysia?

Mobius wasn't expecting the Herrscher to suggest her laboratory to talk, after all, it was known as the Devil's Lab back in the day. This is also ignoring her actions earlier.

Maybe it's because of Elysia that her soon to be lab rat gained confidence and put itself on the tiger's den?

Either way, it doesn't matter. As long as she gets the Herrscher to her table then all of this would be worth it.

Hmph, who made her not forget what happened to her earlier.

Unbeknownst to her, The Herrscher of Corruption and Elysia had already seen her intention. The former due to his knowledge and Elysia due to her experience.

"It's nothing Dr. Mobius but are you sure she likes that?" He glanced at the struggling figure in her arms.

She wears an eye patch with short green hair and a lab coat befitting her dwarf-like size.

Or in this case, an ELF.

"Doctor, I still have work to do, so can you please let go?" The little green person pleaded.

"Be quiet Klein." Mobius ignored her. Elysia can carry that Herrscher in her arms so she did hers.

Totally not because she's annoyed at Elysia being able to carry her little mouse without facing hostility.

Not at all!

Hearing her Doctor, Klein was helpless. She stopped struggling and decided to continue her work after Mobius released her.

Seeing their interaction, Elysia smiled and asked the TV in her hands.

"Are you sure? This is Mobius' lab. I heard that most people here don't come out the same…. Or even if they come out at all." 

"Does it matter? I'm not those guys anyway." It may sound cocky but he's a Herrscher, a Herrscher with a very massive advantage at that.

That and Elysia accompanying him.

He didn't think that Mobius would be unwise enough to repeat the same things she did earlier.

"So Mr. Herrscher, do you have a name? Or do you like being called a little mouse~?" Mobius asked with narrowed eyes. Honestly, she doesn't care if he has a name or not. However, it'll be more convenient to have something to call it.

And to see if a Herrscher is capable of retaining their human identity.

Who can blame her? This is the first time it happened… well unless you count that one incident.

Mobius took a glance at Elysia but quickly switched her attention to the TV box in front of her.

'Name… huh?' The Herrscher of Corruption thought.

Now that he thought about it, what will his name be? It'll be lame if he's always called 'Mr. Herrscher' or "Herrscher of Corruption.'

"Aamon…. That's my name, Aamon." 

Elysia blinked in surprise.

"Wait, Mr. Herrscher has a name?! Why didn't he tell me?" Ms. Pink Elf pouted and whined.

Aamon ignored her and looked at Mobius.

"Hmm~ Aamon huh? Is that your previous human identity?" Loli Snake asked the most important question.

"... No, I just thought of it right now." The Herrscher of Corruption now named Aamon, replied.

Elysia and Mobius shared surprised looks. 

Does this mean this is the Herrscher personality? If that's the case then…

Mobius looked at the TV box with hungry eyes. She must get this Herrscher to her table.

"Is that so lit— *cough* Aamon~?" Mobius switched back again to her little sister personality.

'Come to think of it, wasn't this how Ellie talked?' Aamon threw a wary look.

"Yes…. But can you answer my questions Dr. Mobius?" He stated his purpose.

Mobius thought for a while and said.

"You may."

"What's this place?" As a Herrscher that is supported to have no physical body, he can somehow manifest here inside a TV box…. In fact, he feels he can do more.

So what is this place? And how does this place work?

Mobius started at Elysia with the latter staring back.

Once she reveals what kind of place this is, it may prove fatal to them. This is after all, a Herrscher that is meant to erode and corrupt technology.

Even if he didn't show any kind of Herrscher-like behavior, who knows if it's actually the truth? It already happened back then after all.

While Mobius was still thinking whether to answer or not. Elysia already beat her up to it.

"This is our paradise, the Elysia Realm." Elysia smiled but Aamon could see the sadness behind it.

"This is where the memories of 13 heroes reside, to help the next era fight against the Honkai." She finished with a sigh. The first time Aamon saw her doing so.

"I see…" Well, she still didn't tell what 'kind' of place this is.

"As you heard from Elysia, this is the Elysian Realm. Here resides the memories of the 13 Flame Chasers, the 'heroes' of the Previous Era." She finished with a snicker. Seeing Elysia spill the beans, she decided to do the same. 

Who made Elysia trustworthy? ….. even if she's a traitor.

"... What kind of place is this then?" That's what he's the most interested in.

Hearing this, Mobius smiled. But unlike the smile full of mockery, she smiled full of pride.

"This is one of the masterpieces of the Previous Era, a place that can store memories and genetic information of someone that can last for thousands of years!" 

"To put it on simple terms, this is similar to a digital space, a virtual reality as people call it." She didn't say anything more.

"A digital space?" No wonder he can control it using his powers. He's inside of a literal matrix… wait, should he rename himself Neo then? 

He'll be escaping the matrix after all.

"Aamon, what will you do now?" Elysia asked the million dollar question. Although she was smiling. Inside, she's feeling nervous.

Mobius was the same, she may have agreed to tell but at the end, she's still facing a Herrscher.

"How do I get out?" Aamon asked. Honestly, that's what he wants to know. It may be convenient for him here due to his nature but he still wishes to see the world.

Mobius and Elysia once again shared looks with the latter having happiness in her eyes.

"I'm afraid it's unwise to do that." Mobius replied. She's telling the truth, as the Herrscher of Corruption, he's gonna need to possess a vessel to function, especially when he's gonna walk in the outside world.

"But it's possible right?" He didn't doubt Mobius' words. She's a scientist and he's not.

"Yes~ but it'll be difficult or else I would've been out of this place a long time ago." Mobius said with annoyance.

The Herrscher of Corruption thought about it for a while.

"Dr. Mobius can you help me out of this place?" 

"Why would I do that?" Mobius asked in surprise. Not because he thought she'll help him but the fact that he asked her of all people for help. 

No one could just forget what happened earlier.

"I have heard of your genius Dr. Mobius." Aamon used the tactic of every young master lackey, Ass kissing. 

"Also, I'm a Herrscher, someone that I'm sure you would like to be in your table." 

It may sound like a fool's gambit, but that's all he can offer and he's sure she won't refuse.

What? Harm him? He can still control the digital reality around him and he'll grow enough to even suppress Mobius.

Of course, Elysia is here too.

Hearing this, Mobius perked up and licked her lips. No way she would miss this opportunity.

"Happy cooperation little mouse~" 

"Happy cooperation too Dr. Mobius."

He wants to offer a hand but he realize he can't do that.

"Are you sure about this Aamon?" Elysia asked with a worried look. She knows Mobius after all. 

Hearing this, Mobius was annoyed. Why does the fat woman always have to ruin her good deeds?!

"I'm sure of it, Who told her to be the most knowledgeable person in biology." Aamon assured her.

Seeing her little mouse complimenting her, Mobius smiled.

"So when are we gonna start Aamon~?" She preferr if it's right here and now. Of course, just throw Elysia outside, but she knows that the decision will still be in the Herrscher in front of her.

"Can I think about it for a while? I still need to—" Before he could finish an explosion rang out.

"HERRSCHER!" 

Elysia, Mobius and Aamon looked at the door that's now destroyed. They spotted a masked figure surrounded by flames.

All of this happening with Klein again struggling at Mobius' arms.