Kiana understands reality

In the swirling darkness, Mei's deepest fears and anxieties took shape.

The cruel faces of her classmates at Chiba Academy, the ones who taunted and mocked her, seemed to whisper their insults all over again. Images of her own self-doubt flickered across her mind.

But she pushed them back. "It doesn't matter," she resolved. "I will fight my way through any obstacle, defeat anyone who tries to stop me. I'll do anything to reach her, to protect her."

Mei imagined herself, knife in hand, striking down shadowy figures, one after another.

No matter how many doubts or enemies appeared, she would destroy them.

This was her truth, her undeniable purpose.

Kiana wanted to be the hero, she wanted to save the city. But every hero faces a cost, a sacrifice. And Mei was ready to bear that burden for Kiana.

Why shouldn't she take on that responsibility?

The plot of the game lingered in her mind. The Conquest Gem, a part of her for so long...she had mastered its power, learned to control it.

Becoming a Herrscher, accepting a nature that set her apart from ordinary humans – wasn't that sacrifice the price of such strength?

With each swing of the knife, she confronted her inner demons: past weakness, lingering fear, the hesitation that sometimes threatened to hold her back. Every phantom of doubt, including those from her earliest days, fell before her resolve.

[You are going to truly become a Herrscher; there is no way you can look back.] 'Mei' echoed within her.

Mei lifted her gaze, a touch of sadness in her smile, but with an underlying thread of relief.

"I know," she whispered, her voice barely louder than a breath. Her hand tightened around the knife's hilt, but something stayed her hand.

The blade slid back into its sheath with a soft, decisive 'clang'.

[Soft-hearted? Is that what you see?] 'Mei' dripped with mocking scorn.

[You hold back, and your power remains incomplete. Is this truly what you want?]

"Half the power is enough for now," Mei replied. Her voice was a cold mask, hiding any flicker of doubt. "If more is needed, I'll unleash it."

She embraced the Herrscher's merciless logic, burying any warmth beneath a façade of indifference. Yet, deep down, a different emotion stirred – a warmth reserved solely for Kiana.

[Haha, just like always,]

'Mei' sighed.

[Yet, killing her… perhaps that was the wiser choice. Cities can burn, people can die, all to fuel your strength. Was your hesitation merely a lucky accident that saved countless lives?]

'Mei' looked at Mei as if giving her a final look.

[ do not give up]

"Well, goodbye."

Mei whispered, the word barely escaping her lips. As she walked away, a silent acknowledgment bloomed within her.

This voice, She... it had been her first companion, long before she ever met Kiana.

Since I don't need extra strength, why not learn from Seele how to get along with other personalities?

'She' is not the Herrscher personality; this is the fact that Mei learned after taking over the power of conquest. Because she didn't fully grasp the power of authority from beginning to end, she just didn't want to touch it.

Vaguely, Mei seemed to hear someone calling her softly.

Mei closed her eyes, a flicker of unease crossing her face. When she opened them, a flash of lightning crackled from her gaze, vanishing in the swirling Honkai energy.

Ahead, a shimmering golden barrier pulsed, seemingly containing the Honkai's chaotic flow. Yet, on closer inspection, it was more like a mirage, an illusion of solidity amidst the storm.

She glanced at Kiana, who was paralyzed on the ground, and Sirin, who was half-kneeling. They were both looking at her, as if they were watching whether she was a friend or foe.

Sirin clung to the shimmering space barrier, her body trembling with exhaustion. The Honkai energy within surged, a bittersweet poison both healing her wounds and making the barrier almost impossible to maintain. She is nothing more than a half-baked Herrscher.

that was all she was...and the end was near.

Sirin's gaze locked onto Mei, her eyes filled with a mix of wariness and desperate hope. Who would emerge from that shifting storm of energy? The Herrscher? Or was it Mei, somehow reclaiming control?

Mei hesitated, then forced her lips into a strained smile. Her body felt unfamiliar, changed by her recent ordeal. Perhaps it was guilt, a reluctance to face Kiana with Herrscher-tainted eyes, that made the smile so bitter. Her nose twitched, a nervous betrayal of her inner turmoil.

"I'm back," she whispered, her voice barely louder than the surge of Honkai energy around them.

A fierce determination burned within Mei. This time, she was the one stepping into the heart of danger, the one shielding Kiana from harm. No longer content to watch from the sidelines, she'd bear the burden herself.

Kiana rushed to her, tears streaming down her face. "Mei, Mei, please...don't ever do that again. Why won't you let me share this? Let me help?" Her voice cracked, choked with a mix of relief and lingering fear.

The girl's voice sounded like she was crying. She hugged Mei tightly, her clothes wet with tears. Along the way, she thought about how she could turn the tide.

After all, shouldn't a member of the Kaslana family face a crisis head-on?

She naively thought that, with the help of the game which shows her the 'future', she might be able to solve the crisis quickly and become a hero.

But as the time drew closer, she thought, she didn't ask for any heroes anymore; as long as it was solved smoothly, so many people's lives would be saved.

In those terrifying final moments, Kiana clung to a desperate hope. Surely, even at the cost of her own life, someone would arrive to save the day. Her sister, the Squad leader... Red Kite Immortal, maybe even her aunt..

But in the end, no one came; she couldn't rely on anyone.

but what could she do herself?

the only thing that could come out of her mouth was, "I can't do anything"

In the end, it was Mei who went up. She couldn't turn the tide, like in the game.

Sure enough, I am still far behind.

Kiana hugged Mei, and the original arrogance and confidence of the protagonist in her heart were slowly shattered.

The more similar the game was to reality, the prouder she became, more arrogant she becomes, thinking that she can hold the future like herself in game.

She clung to the belief that she was the protagonist, the hero of this story. The tragedy Himeko had suffered in the game was a shadow on her heart, but a stubborn certainty remained: If she fought hard enough, she could change the ending.

Then reality delivered a harsh lesson to this girl.

Kiana reached out, her fingertips brushing against the unfamiliar hardness of the horns now sprouting from Mei's soft purple hair. A mix of shock and a strange sense of wrongness washed over her.

Mei squeezed Kiana's hand, feeling the shift within her, a change invisible to the eye.

But the most important change was clear: Kiana was safe!

Relief swept through Mei, and her eyes crinkled in a relieved smile.

This time, she'd altered the course of events.

This time, she had saved the life of the person she loved most.

...

In the ruins, the three of them did not fight again.

"It seems that the crisis has been resolved. Should we continue?"

Kevin looked at Fu Hua and Durandal and said, his eyes slightly cold, as if he were not facing old friends.

" Kevin..." Fu Hua looked at his former comrades,

"They became heroes and destroyed the World Serpent's conspiracy, that's all."

"Forerunner, what is your purpose for doing this?" Durandal asked with a frown.

The other party held them back as soon as they came up. After the plan failed, he let them leave with a calm face. She was completely confused about the other party's intentions.

Kevin didn't offer a word of explanation, merely sheathing his ice sword and turning his back on them.

The echo of his footsteps on the battle-scarred ground seemed a chilling punctuation mark, a declaration of distance rather than a simple departure.

Fu Hua let out a weary sigh. She knew Kevin too well. His silence was its own kind of answer. "Kevin may not speak it aloud, but he's never been one for deception," she said, gently guiding Durandal. "Time is of the essence. Let's check on the others...there may be casualties."

Durandal pursed her lips. This was the first time she felt that she was not strong enough. She had never thought that there was anyone with such strong strength.

...

"Hey, Bronya, looks like we're almost done here!" Hare grinned, taking a break from the fight and removing her battle mask. Inside this strange dream, she felt surprisingly in control of her powers.

She might not have the most refined technique, but those memories of her other self gave her a solid foundation to work with.

After exchanging blows with Bronya, a pattern had emerged in the conversation.

One word kept popping up over and over: "Seele." Clearly, Bronya was worried about the girl by her side.

That was understandable, Hare realized. After all, the girl seemed to have two minds inside her head, and one of them nearly attacked Hare moments ago!

That was definitely something to watch out for.

"Oh? Is this the end already? I was hoping you'd teach Bronya a few more things." Bronya, despite being on the losing side of the fight, sensed a change. It seemed her opponent was preparing to leave.

"Haha, there will be a chance next time!" Hare smiled slightly.

As Bronya felt dizzy, the space suddenly shattered, and she realized that she was standing on the same spot, motionless.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over Bronya, and the strange world around her shattered.

She found herself back where she started, as if she'd never moved. "From the start, huh? That's a scary ability," Bronya muttered, already figuring out how to handle this strange power.

Her eyes scanned the area. Theresa remained where she was, but Seele had somehow moved a good distance away.

The first thing Bronya did was rush over to wake Theresa.

"Well, Cecilia, don't do that. It tickles!" Theresa giggled, a contented smile on her face even though she seemed to be asleep.

"Hmm...that's not right, Cecilia. What's so special about that Siegfried guy anyway? Or that Luo Mo? He's alright, but I treat you so much better..." The 'mysterious voice' continued, sounding a little petulant.

"Let's just pretend I didn't hear any of that," Bronya decided, feeling a bit awkward. It was best to leave Theresa and focus on waking up Seele, who was still unconscious a short distance away.

"I didn't expect Principal Theresa to have such thoughts about Cecilia-senpai. Besides, she seems to be interested in the boss as well."

Bronya thought silently in her heart: after all, what is the identity of that woman?

My aunt? Then why are they exactly the same as Cecilia-Sama?

...

As the last remaining energy from the reactor bloomed, a burst of purple light erupted in the sky above Arc City.

Tourists from all over the world and locals alike paused in their daily routines. They stopped to watch, snapping photos and marveling at the sight. 

People in Arc City once again saw the purple light that lit up the sky, just like in the recently popular game.

"Look, it was Valkyrie who saved the world!" A little girl said it in her father's arms with a smile on her face.

As a child, who didn't expect that there was a mysterious force on the surface of the world? Games are a very good carrier of fantasy, carrying thoughts about unknown power.

"Haha, how can there be any Valkyries in the world?" The man chuckled, shaking his head slightly. Then, a curious thought struck him. "ARC City officials didn't tell me about any shows like this. I wonder what's happening?"

"Hehe, maybe someone really saved the world from the crisis!" the little girl replied with a mischievous grin.

Her eyes sparkled with imagination – when she grows up, she wants to be just like a Valkyrie!

She'll fight for all the good things in the world, because saving the world sounds like the coolest thing ever!

...

In the darkened alley, Rita surveyed the piles of broken machines with a frustrated sigh. All that effort, and it had come to nothing.

To make matters worse, they'd only managed to recover four of the five promised soul-steel bodies. As a maid, she felt like she was failing at her duties!

Rita cast a disapproving glance sideways. Tonight's mission had been a disappointment.

Just then, a strange noise from far away caught her attention. She looked up, her eyes narrowing. The giant screen on a distant building flickered to life.

First, there was a calm, unfamiliar voice, and then Luo Mo himself appeared, smiling down at the city below.

[Insert a piece of news.]

[It is reported that the boss of Mihoyo announced that he will hold an event in ARC City tonight to express his blessings and commemorate the new chapter of the game.]

[Repeat, Mihoyo...]

[...Sorry to interrupt everyone. I'm sure everyone in ARC City noticed the incredible purple light that flashed across the sky a short while ago,] Luo Mo said, his familiar smile radiating from the screen.

He paused, letting the crowd's whispers and murmurs grow louder.

[The story of ARC Meteor is all about Kiana's journey of growth. It just so happens that parts of ARC City were used as inspiration for our game. Since you've all been so supportive, we hid a special Easter egg there for you as a surprise. Don't worry – everything's fine!]

[My greatest hope is that Honkai Impact III keeps growing alongside its amazing fans, bringing even more smiles and excitement in the future.]

As Luo Mo's image faded from the screen, an expectant hush fell over the giant square. Then, a wave of excited chatter erupted from the crowd, buzzing with theories and anticipation.

Online, you'll find dedicated fans of Honkai Impact III excitedly discussing the latest plot twists and sharing their favorite moments. Those who've never played the game might be a bit confused at first, wondering what all the fuss is about.

But when they ask their friends who are fans, something special happens. These players put aside any online debates for a moment.

With genuine smiles and a warm enthusiasm, they'll start describing all the heartwarming and exciting parts of Honkai Impact 3's story.

The rumors? Those aren't the real game, they'll explain that like fanatic.

Seeing their friends' passion, newcomers can't help but trust in what they hear.

In these moments, Honkai Impact III players are a united force!

Of course, there's one thing they all agree on: the game's creators sometimes make decisions that drive fans crazy! It's not unusual to hear angry rants about the writing team or the bosses, wishing they did better by the characters.

Sirin, Kiana, and Mei supported each other and walked down from the high place. Their mission in ARC City might be over, but their adventures weren't! There was still so much to explore and do.

The sounds of the crowd washed over them. Luckily, thanks to their plain clothes and well-placed masks, no one noticed the three girls passing by. It was a good thing too, because the conversations they overheard were... interesting!

"Hey, these people actually want to convince me to play Honkai Impact 3. They keep saying the plot is super sweet, like eating candy! Seriously? Do they not know what I've been through?" Kiana grumbled, a hint of frustration in her voice. Had someone tricked another poor soul into playing the game?

Despite her annoyance, Kiana couldn't help a giggle. "The poor boss, everyone's roasting him! And Su Lu, too..."

"Don't worry about it," Sirin replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Strange as it sounds, the boss probably loves seeing those comments. It means people care about the game."

The exhaustion washed over Sirin n like a wave. Every muscle in her body ached, and her bones felt like they might crumble. If only she were stronger, she could just teleport everyone back to safety. Then, she could finally show everyone that she was an essential part of saving the city!

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she glanced at Kiana. "Hehe, sister, that whole 'I will fight for all the good things in the world' speech? That should be my line!" Siren thought, imagining stealing Kiana's heroic moment.

After all, Kiana is supposed to be the protagonist! But what has she even done? Nothing compared to the amazing Raiden Mei!

Sirin couldn't help but admire Mei, even with those strange horns on her head. Most people simply assumed she was cosplaying a cool character.

...

The World Snake base hummed with a low, mechanical energy as its operatives returned one by one.

Silence hung heavy in the grand hall until Gray Snake broke it, his voice respectful. "Lord, it seems Raiden Mei was the one who saved the city – an unexpected outcome."

"The hero's identity matters little. I am only concerned with the result." A cold, detached voice drifted down from above.

Kevin sat upon his throne, half his face shrouded in shadows cast by the faint blue light. His expression was unreadable, a mask of indifference.

"Then, Lord, your wish has been granted," Gray Snake replied. "The data has been collected; the next stage of the plan can proceed." He bowed, his duty fulfilled.

Gray Snake retreated, leaving Kevin alone in the vast chamber. Silence descended once more.

Perhaps he was lost in thought, contemplating the true nature of his desires.

Was it the title of hero he sought? The title of savior? Or perhaps his goals centered around the Stigma Project? ...