Honkai, Traversing Otto, Path to Godhood

He paused, gazing intently at Cecilia. After a long moment, he continued, his voice low and earnest:

"Otto Apocalypse promises you now that he will never abandon you. So, you must also protect yourself well, and don't make sacrifices so easily for just anything."

"It would break my heart."

It would break his heart.

Cecilia's nose stung, and for some reason, her eyes welled up.

It was a joy born from hardship overcome, a happiness that felt as if it came from her very bloodline.

It was a delight of finding life anew, emerging from the brink of death.

But she didn't let tears fall. Instead, she stepped forward, embracing Otto and reveling in the sense of security he provided.

The surroundings became incredibly quiet at that moment, with only the man's gentle whispers echoing in the street:

"You must grow up well, my dear girl. Don't lose to the wind, don't lose to the rain, don't lose to the Herrscher, don't lose to Honkai."

"I will be your strongest support, but please, don't depend on me. Don't consider me the master who decides your life and death."

"Because you are first and foremost yourself, and then someone else's."

"I am willing to take you across mountains and seas, to walk the paths I once walked. Just as that girl named Kallen once embraced the world with joy in her heart, leading a naive me."

"But I believe even more that Cecilia Schariac is far stronger than she imagines. Her existence doesn't depend on anyone. Otto is merely an embrace when she's tired, not a tree trunk she must cling to."

"Perhaps living for me sounds romantic, but girl, I hope you cherish your own life more, rather than becoming anyone's subordinate."

"You'll live a life of confusion like a puppet controlled by strings. In reality, those who want to hinder your growth aren't worth your concern, and those who truly cherish you won't crave to take your entire life."

"Girl, I wish you happiness, and for you to smoothly embark on new dreams, and of course, to stand in this world independently, strong, and confident."

"I, Otto Apocalypse, wish for you to live freely, according to your own will. Always love yourself, always love your life."

"Be it joy and sorrow, love and hate."

"Your life and future are yours."

"Because, girl, you belong to yourself, needing no one else, unconcerned with the world."

Chapter 22: It's Cecilia's Birthday!

It was nearing midnight when they returned to the hotel. Otto greeted the staff and asked a few questions before returning to Cecilia's side.

"Let's go to my room first," he said. "I have something for you."

Cecilia naturally had no objections and followed the man to his room.

"Turn off the lights," Otto said after Cecilia had changed into her slippers.

"Turn off the lights... It's already dark," the girl tilted her head, her face full of confusion.

"Just turn them off for now," Otto insisted. "This is called a sense of ritual."

"??? Okay."

Cecilia turned off the lights and was led by Otto to sit by the table.

"Wait here for a few more seconds."

"???"

The girl grew more confused but still listened to Otto's footsteps, remaining perfectly still.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

The clock tower in the city center chimed. Cecilia, with nothing else to do, silently counted in her mind.

One, two, three...

A total of twelve chimes.

When the bell finished chiming, a blurry figure sat opposite Cecilia, and the sound of footsteps ceased.

In the glow of the colorful lights outside the window, she saw the man cross his thumb and middle finger.

" Clap ."

A soft light suddenly illuminated the table, and the flickering candlelight made Otto's face flash on and off.

A delicate and beautiful cake was placed before the girl.

"Happy birthday, Cecilia."

December 25th, Cecilia Schariac's birthday.

He had found this online in his previous life when he had nothing better to do.

It was perfect for this occasion.

As for the technique of lighting candles with a snap of the fingers? Don't ask. Just know that Honkai is omnipotent.

(Void Archives: You're using me to pick up girls?)

"Come, Cecilia, close your eyes and make a wish," Otto continued. "You don't need to say it out loud. Once you've made it, open your eyes and blow out all the candles in one go—you can do that, right?"

"Mm."

Cecilia's gaze remained fixed on the cake, the large "Cecilia Schariac" inscribed on it inexplicably touching her heart.

It was hard to say what she was feeling right now, but she felt something melting within her, like joyful river water flowing into a tranquil ocean.

It was warm and gentle, like soaking one's skin in warm water when extremely tense—a very comfortable sensation.

"Alright, make a wish. This is your first birthday since your return... and your first birthday in the 21st century. I believe that on such a special day, your wish will surely come true."

"Okay."

Cecilia devoutly clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and whispered her wish.

What was she wishing for? What did she long for?

Perhaps... even she herself didn't know.

But with her eyes closed, Cecilia could still see Otto's figure reflected in her mind, shimmering like bright times.

"Mm, looks like you've finished making your wish."

When the woman opened her eyes, Otto stood up and walked to the door.

"Then... blow out the candles."

After Cecilia blew out the candles, he immediately turned on the lights, and the room was bright again, with smoke rising from the candles.

"Now that the candles are blown out, it's time for... never mind, let's just eat the cake."

Otto hesitated for a moment, abandoning the singing part. He walked back to the table, placed the plastic knife into the woman's hand, and removed the candles.

Guided by fragmented memories and Otto's instructions, Cecilia awkwardly cut the cake and handed the first piece to Otto.

"Here, Brother."

"Thank you."

Otto raised an eyebrow. This piece of cake had a lot of frosting, and the "Cecilia" inscription was almost entirely on it.

He grinned and, as if it were nothing, scraped it with his fork, sending the letters into his mouth.

So moist.

Cecilia also scooped out a piece for herself, staring blankly at "Schariac," feeling as if she was grasping something in her mind, yet catching nothing.

This was Schariac, her surname.

I am Schariac.

She suddenly felt a little reluctant to eat it, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but eventually, the confusion turned into resolve.

The woman solemnly picked up the surname and ate it in small bites, her expression as serious as if she were making an oath.

The four-inch cake was quickly finished. Otto asked Cecilia to move away from the table, then pushed out the dining cart from the corner—where the cake had been placed earlier. He tidied up the leftovers and pushed them into the hallway.

When he returned to the room, Cecilia was sitting cross-legged on his bed, quietly gazing out the window.

Otto also sat down. Cecilia shifted, moving closer to him, and then leaned against his shoulder.

"Want to get more comfortable?"

Seeing the woman nod, Otto changed his position, sitting behind her, and massaged Cecilia's shoulders.

Cecilia leaned back, falling into Otto's embrace.

She didn't speak but closed her eyes, listening to the breathing of the person behind her.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

The man's voice began haltingly, as if embarrassed, but gradually became smoother, his magnetic voice singing softly, imbued with the mystery and vicissitudes of time, reminiscent of the deep blue sea.

It just kept repeating "Happy Birthday To You." It was so monotonous, as if a line was missing.

But Cecilia didn't ask. She was immersed in that ocean, imagining airflow striking and traveling within a slightly damp cavity, then pouring out as moonlight on the sea.

She wished she could just fall into a deep sleep like this, in the man's embrace, thinking of nothing, doing nothing.

However, the surname "Schariac" lingered, hiding in a corner of her heart, making faint rustling sounds, like an alarm clock waking her up in the morning.

Schariac... I am Schariac...

So noisy.

But... she knew from the depths of her soul that she would eventually have to face it.

When the singing ended, the woman nuzzled against Otto's chest as if acting spoiled, her smile sweet, with a hint of relief.

Thank you, Brother.

She said in her heart.

The two fell silent again in the darkness. After a long while, Cecilia suddenly asked, "I was very tired in the past, wasn't I, Brother?"

Otto stroked the woman's hair and nodded in reply, "Yes, Cecilia."

"So, Brother, you... don't want me to regain my memories now?"

Otto's hand, which was caressing her hair, paused, but he wasn't particularly surprised.

He didn't have a habit of treating others like fools.

"Yes," he admitted frankly, "I don't want to at all."

"If it's just being very tired," Cecilia opened her holy cyan eyes, "I think I can accept it."

Otto let out a laugh and said, "I once read a very interesting book. It said that many things are like a besieged city: those outside want to get in, and those inside want to get out. Love is like that, games are like that, and you now... are also like that."

Cecilia didn't understand and tilted her head.

"A long time ago, you also lay in my arms like this and asked me a question."

The man leaned down and whispered in her ear:

"You asked me, was your life... meant to be a Valkyrie?"

Chapter 23: Don't Disappoint Me

Cecilia was initially shy from Otto's closeness, but after hearing those words, her rapidly beating heart suddenly slowed.

She had doubted herself.

Fragments of memory flashed through her mind, like shimmering gold on the water, reflecting scattered glimpses of the past.

Is that... how it was?

"Your life before," Otto continued, "wasn't very free."

"How unfree was it?"

"Like a bird in a gilded cage, living in one area from beginning to end."