The girl stood in the midst of a vast, bleached desert. The sky above is dark, but full of tiny white dots, the glow of distant stars shining brilliantly.
She stands amongst a small group of warriors. They have one mission. The final battle of this long war will be fought here on the earth's natural satellite.
???: Prepare yourself, HUA
The white-haired male standing next to her spoke, gazing towards the blue marble in the distance.
???: According to MEI’s calculations, “she” would be here shortly…
Girl: KEVIN, I hope humanity will survive this
Kevin: They will. Just look above to quell your doubts
The girl raises her head to see her home, Earth, an azure blue orb suspended in the great yawning void. The planet’s deep blue curves emitted a warming halo that seemed to repel the surrounding darkness.
Her eyes widened slightly. It was a spectacular view, one that reminded her of everything she fought for, and the reason she fought for them.
.
.
.
.
.
Currently, inside of an abandoned apartment room, Kiana is seen sleeping on the floor with her back against the wall. On the bed next to her, is an unconscious Rita.
It has been a few hours since the two made their escape from Heliopolis. Kiana had brought Rita to a safe location after she suddenly fell unconscious.
As she was sleeping, Kiana was then stirred awake as if she was disturbed by something.
Fu Hua: Kiana?
Kiana hears Fu Hua’s voice from within her mind, speaking with a concerned tone. The girl looks up to see Fu Hua, kneeling beside her with a worried expression.
Kiana: …Did I fall asleep?
Fu Hua: Yes. But you seemed like you didn't have a peaceful rest. Did you have a nightmare?
Kiana: Kinda…? I dreamed that I was on the moon right before some big fight. I was talking to some guy who looked familiar… I don't know who he was but he called me “HUA”...
Fu Hua was shocked to hear what Kiana had said, but she didn't show it.
Fu Hua: …Those were my experiences, Kiana. Because of us being bound by Fenghuang Down, it seems that you could also see my memories
Kiana: You have memories of being on the moon? Who exactly are you, Fu Hua…?
Fu Hua: I didn't tell you many things because they may sound unbelievable. I'm not just a Schicksal Valkyrie. My life stretched all the way back to the Previous Era. I am a survivor of an ancient time
Kiana: Wha…? I always felt that you were special, but what you said just now is just… unbelievable…
Kiana then falls silent to take time and process what she just heard. A torrent of questions flooded her mind.
Kiana: Then… Who’s the guy talking to you on the moon?
Fu Hua: Kevin Kaslana. The founding father of your House. He’s also a Previous Era survivor of the Final Battle…
She explained.
Fu Hua: He’s the greatest defender of humanity. At least, that was the way it should’ve been if he were to fall in that battle… But the Final Battle ended with such cruelty that it changed both me and Kevin. If he was still alive to take part in that battle, I bet it would've changed Akiri too…
She said that last part with a low voice, as if it weren't meant to be spoken.
Kiana: Wait, what did you say?
Fu Hua realized that Kiana had heard what she said.
Fu Hua: I-It’s nothing
Kiana: I could've sworn I heard you say something about Akiri…
Fu Hua then clears her throat and carries on, hoping that Kiana will lose interest.
Fu Hua: Anyway… After the war ended, Kevin created the World Serpent and started carrying out projects from the Previous Era to revive humanity
Kiana: Project STIGMA…
Fu Hua nodded.
Fu Hua: That is one of them. The project may be important, but humanity could not afford to pay its price. Many Pioneers opposed Kevin’s proposal to proceed with the project and turned against him. Then, he disappeared from history altogether
Kiana: Disappeared? How?
Fu Hua: It’s a long story that I’ll tell you later. You just need to know that his disappearance was welcomed by many. The World Serpent collapsed afterwards. At least, that's what I thought…
She finishes as she then looks out the window.
Fu Hua: Listen, Kiana. We must leave Arc City. This city is no longer safe for you
Kiana: What? But why?
Fu Hua: Remember what we discovered in Heliopolis?
A couple of days back, Kiana had snuck into Heliopolis Biomedical Park herself. It was on that night she discovered about the World Serpent’s schemes to use Arc City for their experiment.
She also learned something else that night. The World Serpent was mentioning the awaited return of their “Sire”.
Fu Hua: If that man had indeed returned, the situation would be much more serious than we thought. I know him, Kiana. If he finds out about you, he will kill you without hesitation
Kiana lowered her head, seemingly thinking about it.
Kiana: …Does that mean I have to run away again like what I've been doing for the last three months?
She clenches her fists tightly, her nails dug into her skin.
Kiana: What's the point? Should I go hide in another corner and hope that no one finds me?
She then slams her first to the concrete floor beneath her, causing it to crack.
Kiana: No… I won't leave Arc City! I don't want to remember myself as the girl who always runs away from her problems
Fu Hua then released a sigh as Kiana then stood up.
Fu Hua: Alright. Since you've made up your mind, I won't get in your way. But promise me this, Kiana. If we find evidence that Kevin is in Arc City, you must leave at once
Kiana: Okay. I promise
Fu Hua: So, what do you plan to do next?
Kiana: Stop their experiment. I have to stop it, or a lot of people will die
Fu Hua: And how do you plan to do that?
Kiana: I'm taking a direct approach. Head back to the Biomedical Park and find the person behind this
The girl fixes her jacket and checks her equipment before heading towards the door.
Fu Hua: What about her?
Fu Hua gestures with her head to the sleeping Rita. Kiana went over to her and briefly examined her wounds.
Kiana: Leave her here for now. She’ll wake up soon
She said as she then inspected her surroundings, making sure she had left no traces of herself, a habit she gained after months of being on the run.
Fu Hua: Remember, Kiana. Be careful
With those words of warning, Fu Hua’s body then fades into nothingness, and Kiana walks out the door and closes it, not noticing the pair of eyes that soon opened.
Rita: (thoughts) Who could she be talking to?
Somewhere while Kiana was conversing, Rita had woken up and decided to listen in on her conversation with the other person, who couldn't be heard nor seen.
Rita: (thoughts) I'll worry about that later. First…
She switched on her communication device and waited for a response. A minute of static passed, and no one picked up. She was about to turn the device back off, but she then heard a familiar voice.
Alvitr: (coms) Adjutant Rita? Thank goodness! We were worried sick about you!
Rita silently breathes a sigh of relief, hearing her voice.
Rita: Alvitr. It's good to see you again
Alvitr: (coms) The Herrscher girl saved us. But why did she?
Rita: I wish I knew
Alvitr: (coms) Although, some still didn't make it… Anyway, I was trying to contact HQ, but our long-range comms are jammed
Rita: I see… First thing first, I've planted a tracker on K423. Can you check its location for me?
Alvitr: (coms) I got the signal. It seems like she's moving towards the Biomedical Park
Rita: Keep an eye on her for me
Alvitr: (coms) Got it. Anything else you need me to do?
Rita: Look after the squad. I'll join you shortly
Alvitr: (coms) Roger. Stay safe, Adjutant
Rita then switched channels, trying to contact HQ, but just as Alvitr said, she couldn't get through.
Rita: (thoughts) …Then I have no choice but to leave a message
She switches channels again.
Rita: Operation Artemis. Recipient; Durandal. Sender; Rita Rossweisse…
It took her a few minutes to complete and send her message. As soon as she is done, she then gets another idea.
Rita: (thoughts) Maybe Miss Kaslana’s friends would be interested in my invitation? But how could I possibly get in touch with them…?
She lowered her head and started to think. A moment later, an idea popped up in her head as she reached into a pouch and pulled out a cybernetic eye.
Rita: (thoughts) The Gray Serpent’s eye… Perhaps I could still communicate with the Ningyo…
(Timeskip)
Kiana had infiltrated the Biomedical Park once again, this time determined to end the World Serpent’s schemes once and for all.
The facility seemed full of activity as she saw humanoid mechs scattered all around, seemingly busy moving some supplies around. There were also a few patrolling security mechs, but she managed to slip past them without a problem.
She is now watching from atop one of the lookout towers on the perimeter of the facility, looking for a way inside.
However, something then caught her eyes. A hooded woman was issuing orders to a convoy crew as they loaded up metallic crates onto some trucks.
Kiana: That woman… She was the one who ambushed Rita earlier. I believe her name was… Raven?
Fu Hua: What could they be doing?
Fu Hua’s voice spoke from within Kiana’s mind.
Kiana: I don't know, but it can't be good…
Fu Hua: Do you want to follow them?
Kiana: That Raven seems to be someone important. Maybe I can get a few answers from her
She then saw the hooded woman boarding one of the trucks as they seemed to have finished loading their supplies. The trucks then started to move in a line, driving out of the facility.
Kiana then made her move. She runs out and drops down to land on top of the trailer of the truck that is the last in the line.
Kiana: I'll start my attack once we’re far enough from the Biomedical Park
Fu Hua: That way, reinforcements will take longer to survive. Good thinking
Kiana stays low as she carefully walks to the roof of the driver’s cabin of the truck she's standing on.
Fu Hua: Also, you should watch out for the Honkai neutralizing gas they used to ambush the Immortal Blades
Kiana: I know. I already have a plan. But, I still need to fight her first
She started to run to the front of the truck she was standing on and she leapt to the vehicle in front and made her way to the leading truck.
She then ran to the roof of the driver’s cabin and aimed her pistol at where the driver should be.
Kiana: Here goes nothing
She utters as she pulls the trigger, shooting a bullet straight down which then pierces the roof and hits the humanoid mech which was driving the truck.
Almost immediately, the truck started to swerve side to side uncontrollably. Kiana hops off the out-of-control vehicle as it then crashes and rolls to its side, blocking the road for the trucks behind.
The white-haired girl lands on the tarmac and gazes at the destruction she has caused behind her.
Kiana: That went well…
???: So you’ve finally shown up, Herrscher
She heard a voice and turned her head to see someone walking out from the flames.
Raven: Do you seriously want to face me head-on? You might be dumber than I thought
Kiana: I have questions for you. And you will answer them right here and right now
She pulls out her pistols with a twirl and points it threateningly at the woman in front of her, but she doesn't seem to be fazed at the gesture, and instead lets out an amused laugh.
Kiana: We’re in an open space. You cannot use that Honkai-neutralizing gas against me. You're at a disadvantage
Raven: Is that what you think? Well, if I can't make you weaker…
She pulls out a syringe, showing it to Kiana before stabbing it into the side of her neck, injecting herself with its contents.
Raven: I'll make myself stronger!
She brandishes the sharp claws extending out from her fingers, the light from the streetlamps and the raging flames behind her reflects off the thin metallic extensions.
Raven’s lips curled into a smirk, and before Kiana could even react, she had disappeared from where she was standing.
Kiana: What the-?
Suddenly, she felt a searing pain across her back as she was slashed by Raven’s claws. The girl turns around and fires some shots, but Raven disappears yet again.
Raven: Pitiful. You Herrschers aren't so tough after all
Kiana was slashed a few more times, and not having a chance to retaliate as Raven would keep moving around her at inhuman speeds.
Kiana: You…
At this point, her whole body was in pain and she then started to feel heavy as she started to pant heavily.
Kiana: Why is my body…?
Raven: My blades are coated with the neutralizing serum. Haven't you noticed?
Kiana turns to the source of the voice, aiming her pistol, but before she can fire, Raven appears next to her and grabs her arm before slamming her body down to the cold hard tarmac.
She knelt down and grabbed Kiana’s hair, pulling her head up close to her.
Raven: I can kill you right here and now, Herrscher
She said to the defenceless girl with venom and spite in her voice.
Raven: But I have orders to capture you alive…
Seeing Kiana finally falling unconscious, she let go of the girl’s hair and stood up before reaching a hand to her earpiece.
Raven: It’s done, Jackal
Jackal: (coms) Just as I thought. Even a Herrscher can be defeated with the right tactics. Bring her to the lab, Raven
Raven: Yes…
She replied with a sign of disapproval in her voice as she then lifted the unconscious girl up and started to make her way back to the Biomedical Park.
(Timeskip)
Rita: Looks like security isn't as tight as last time…
Currently, Rita is seen sneaking through Heliopolis Biomedical Park once again. The woman noticed that there were fewer security mechs compared to when she first infiltrated the facility.
Rita: (thoughts) Are they running low on mechs?
Alvitr: (coms) Adjutant Rita. K423 has been captured by the enemy
Rita: That’s unfortunate… But I doubt they will kill her. A live Herrscher is far too valuable, so I don't think anything bad will happen to her
Alvitr: (coms) what should we do?
Rita: For now, I'll have to leave her other own, while I infiltrate the Biomedical Park
Alvitr: (coms) Are you really going in before reinforcements arrive?
Alvitr’s concerned voice came over the comms.
Alvitr: (coms) I know I'm not supposed to question decisions made by a superior officer but… you were injured in the previous operation. Doing this alone isn't brave, it's…
Alvitr held her tongue.
Rita: You’re right, Alvitr. As a leader, I take full responsibility for the poor decisions, bad leadership… and everyone who fell in this operation because I underestimated our enemy…
Rita lowers her head and clenches her fists, remembering the members of her squad who were killed because of her.
Rita: But I am still standing and the mission has not yet ended. I will stop the World Serpent and their plans. To do that, I must first find a way to recover my strength. Perhaps there is a way to reverse the effects of the gas
Alvitr: If the situation is as serious as it is, shouldn't we wait for reinforcements?
Rita: It could be too late by then. This is something I must do as a Valkyrie of Schicksal, no matter the risk
Alvitr: (coms) I understand. Forgive me for questioning you, Adjutant Rita!
She couldn't see it, but Rita could somehow tell that Alvitr was bowing apologetically.
Alvitr: (coms) Please be careful, and I wish you luck
Rita continues to sneak inside the facility while stealthily taking out the patrolling mechs one by one.
She navigates inside the main building and makes her way towards the lab to search for clues.
She came across a computer terminal and started to access its files in the network.
Rita: There must be something here…
As she was searching on the computer, she then suddenly felt a cold sharp steel pressed lightly against her neck, forcing her to stop.
???: Don’t move a single muscle…
Rita only smirked at the familiar voice.
Rita: Miss Raiden. It's been a while…