章節 83: The Void and The Blade (Part 3)

Outskirts of Arc City – Secluded Corner (Kiana's POV)

Kiana stood alone, gazing at the vast lunar surface, her eyes drawn to the familiar faces beside her—Mei, Bronya, and... ####?

####?

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before her, his voice cutting through the dream.

"Hua."

He approached her with a gentle but firm expression and flicked her forehead, jolting her out of the dream.

Kiana awoke abruptly, sitting up in a daze. "Wha...?" Her mind still lingered on the dream as she tried to gather her thoughts.

Fu Hua was standing nearby, watching her closely as she walked over. "Kiana?"

"...Did I fall asleep? I had this weird dream that I was on the moon before some huge fight... And there was this guy who looked familiar, but I don't know who he was. He called me by another name... 'Hua.'"

Fu Hua's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Those were my experiences, Kiana. Somehow, our minds must have intertwined. Your dreams are a reflection of my past... though there are many things I haven't told you. They might have seemed... unbelievable."

Kiana's brow furrowed, confusion evident on her face. "What do you mean, 'unbelievable'?"

"I'm not just a Schicksal Valkyrie," Fu Hua continued, her tone heavy with the weight of countless centuries. "My life stretches all the way back to the Previous Era. I am a survivor from an ancient time."

"Wha?! I always felt like there was something special about you, but this? Are you saying you've lived since the Previous Era? That's insane! So, were those records we found in the lab all real?! Then... who was the guy who made my dream come true? The one who called me 'Hua'?"

Fu Hua hesitated, her gaze distant. "His name was Kevin Kaslana, the founding father of your house. He, too, was a survivor from the Previous Era, one of humanity's greatest defenders in the Final Battle."

She paused, her voice becoming quieter. "That was the way it should have been... if the battle had ended there. But it didn't. The cruelty of that final conflict changed both Kevin and me... forever."

"After the war ended," Fu Hua began, her voice somber, "Kevin created the World Serpent and began implementing PE Projects to revive humanity."

"World Serpent? PE Projects? Wait... do they include Project STIGMA?" Kiana asked, her mind racing.

"Yes. The project is significant, but the cost is too great for humanity to bear. Many early leaders opposed Kevin's methods and turned against him. Then, he vanished from history."

"What? What happened to him?"

"It's a long story, one I'll tell you later. What you need to know is that Kevin's disappearance was a relief to many. Afterward, the World Serpent seemed to crumble. I thought it was destroyed centuries ago. But the records we found in the Heliopolis labs... the symbol of the Serpent... it's clear now. They never disappeared. They've been hiding, waiting for the return of their leader."

Fu Hua's eyes locked onto Kiana's with sudden urgency. "Kiana, listen. We need to leave Arc City."

"But—"

"If Kevin returns, if all of this is part of his plan, this city will no longer be safe. I know him. If he finds you, he'll kill you without a second thought! I may have protected you before, but things have changed..."

Just then, a familiar voice interrupted. "And why would I let him kill Kiana?"

Kiana and Fu Hua turned to see Shin emerging from the shadows.

That voice...!

"Shin...!"

"Finally awake, Tuna. Did you have a good sleep?"

So I wasn't dreaming after all... He's still alive.

Kiana blinked in confusion. "What happened while I was out?"

"Did the Class President not fill you in?" Shin glanced at Fu Hua.

Kiana shook her head, still puzzled.

"Hmm... if she didn't, I'll leave it for later," Shin said casually. "For now, let's focus on what's important." Clearing his throat, he looked at Fu Hua. "So, what's the point of making Kiana run away? Hide her in some corner and hope no one finds her? Don't you think it's time to let Kiana be free?"

Kiana quickly added, "I agree with Shin. I'm not leaving Arc City. I don't want to be the girl who always runs away from her problems anymore."

Fu Hua sighed, clearly conflicted. "Since you both have made up your minds, I won't stop you."

Shin nodded approvingly. "That's the Kiana I know."

I can't resist anymore...

Kiana looked at him, then without warning, slowly walked over and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

Shin's eyes widened in surprise, and his heart started pounding in his chest. "Kiana... what's wrong?"

She hugged him tighter, her face pressed against his chest. "Nothing... I'm just... glad you're here."

He's here... He really is here... I don't want to let go...

Shin, caught off guard, felt the intensity of her emotions.

His heart raced as he tried to maintain his composure. "Kiana... you've been through so much, but you're still the same stubborn girl."

You've been always supporting me non-stop... Whenever I'm in front of a wall that I can't climb onto, You always reach your hand.

"I'm not running anymore," Kiana said firmly, her voice muffled by his shirt. "I'm done being chased by my past. I've run away for long enough. If Kevin Kaslana or the World Serpent comes for me, I'll fight them head-on. I'm not afraid."

"But promise me this, Shin, Kiana," Fu Hua said, her tone serious. "If we find evidence that Kevin is in Arc City, you must leave at once."

Kiana hesitated for a moment before slowly releasing Shin from her embrace. "...Okay, I promise."

Shin, sensing the weight of the conversation, turned to Fu Hua. "By the way, Class President, about STIGMA... The vaccines were shipped to Shenzhou last year. Did the Serpent start its plans back then?"

Fu Hua shook her head. "No. Modifying the vaccines was just part of it. STIGMA activation requires another crucial step, known only to key Serpent personnel."

"I see... It sounds like the Serpent is speeding up its plans," Kiana said thoughtfully as she began walking toward the exit.

Fu Hua called after her, "Where are you heading, Kiana?"

"I'm taking a direct approach, I'm heading back to the biomedical park to find whoever's commanding the zombies. I'm pretty sure she's a key Serpent member, and she must know something. Besides, Rita created diversions there before. Our chances are good."

Fu Hua's eyes softened. "But Kiana... you've spent too much power in that fight. Are you sure you're ready?"

Kiana clenched her fists. "I'm tired, but we don't have time to rest. I'll manage."

Before she could take another step, Shin spoke up from behind her. "Then I'll support you."

Kiana turned slightly, her resolve firm but weary. "You two... don't push yourselves too hard," Fu Hua warned.

Kiana managed a small smile. "I've rested enough. If we move now, we'll have more time before they respond."

Shin chuckled lightly, "Wow, did you just grow a few brain cells, Kiana? I'm impressed. You've matured."

"Hehe~ I'm afraid I've had to," Kiana admitted with a soft laugh. Her smile faded slightly as she continued, "But... I'm scared. What if I lose control again and she takes over my body like last time?"

"Sirin?"

Kiana nodded.

Shin looked at her with gentle intensity. "Kiana... Have I told you before?"

Suddenly, a surge of Honkai energy burst from Shin, enveloping him in an ethereal aura. The ground around him seemed to tremble slightly, and the air grew heavy. His eyes glowed with newfound power as he stepped forward, his voice low but clear.

"I'm actually a Herrscher..."

The Herrscher of Blades