In Izumo, Making Honkai Great Again

Ten years ago was the last time I came here. Compared to then, the scenery hasn't changed much; it's been very well preserved.

"Have you been here many times, Mei?"

"Just once." Mei walked ahead, seemingly lost in thought. "But it left a deep impression."

"What kind of impression?"

"Many reasons." Because she was talking to Kiana, Mei didn't stop there but spoke of the past. "The most important one is that it was the first time Father took me out to play. It was a reward for winning a competition."

It was the first time, and the only time.

"No wonder you have such a deep impression, Mei. You must have been very happy that day, right?"

"Mhm, I thought I had earned my father's approval." She nodded, then smiled at Kiana beside her. "My feelings... were probably similar to how I feel now."

"Eh? Because I'm with you? Then I'll take you to more places in the future, Mei, so you can have more happy memories!"

Is Mei truly indifferent to her father's whereabouts, or is she just trying to keep me from worrying, so she's avoiding the topic?

Kiana's thoughts flickered.

"What about you?" Mei asked. "How do you feel? Does your mood lighten up when you're in an open space?"

"I feel fantastic!" Kiana tugged Mei's arm playfully. "This place is beautiful, and you're with me, Mei. As long as you're by my side, I'll be happy anywhere!"

"Is that so."

"Yeah, yeah, believe me, I'm telling the truth."

"You..."

Kiana's words always carried a strong, misleading ambiguity. Kiana's intention behind it was unclear, or perhaps it was just her usual way of speaking.

"Mirror Lake is beautiful. Once the Oni Gods are dealt with, I'll take you to see more scenery that Izumo doesn't have, under the stars!"

Hehe, I'll definitely take Mei to Penacony for the Grand Ball then, and give Welt Yang a big scare!

It'll be so amusing then!

"The stars?"

Hearing this, Mei looked up at the sky. Besides the sun, the most prominent thing she saw was Takama-ga-hara.

She heard that the Oni Gods invaded from there.

"Is that where Kiana is from?"

"...No."

Kiana's smile faltered. She also glanced at the sky, but she wasn't looking at the sun, Takama-ga-hara, or the stars.

"I can't go back."

"I don't have a home anymore."

Although she often joked that Honkai was omnipotent, she knew that even if she became the Herrscher of Finality, she couldn't return to her homeland.

She was already dead.

She would never be able to return home.

Mei thought Kiana was a traveler, and Kiana had never mentioned how she came to Izumo.

Her eyes widened slightly. She never expected that the seemingly optimistic Kiana would have such a past.

Can't go back, no home.

Does that mean... her homeland was destroyed?

Just like Izumo is currently facing the Oni Gods, and the newly appeared Honkai.

...Honkai?

Was Kiana's homeland destroyed by Honkai? Is that why Kiana is so wary of Honkai, fearing it would bring about a more terrifying disaster than the Oni Gods?

"I'm sorry, Kiana, I..."

"Why apologize!" Kiana's smile returned, and she said dismissively, "I accepted reality long ago. I won't give up on life and the future just because I can't go back!"

She felt lucky enough.

To be able to transmigrate after death, to continue her life, and to meet Raiden Mei before she became Yomi.

Although the landing might not have been ideal, with the "handsome dark guy" right beside her, she was quite satisfied with her current situation.

"Is it because of Honkai?" Mei's voice was soft, mindful of Kiana's feelings.

"...Honkai?"

Kiana fell silent. Her transmigration... well, it actually did have something to do with it, considering her system was the Honkai system.

"That's all in the past now."

She didn't know how to explain it, so she decided to be vague and let Mei guess.

Chapter 57: Raiden Mei?!

No matter how things develop.

She and Mei beside her would both walk into the sea of stars, of that there was no doubt.

Even in the worst-case scenario.

It would be the same.

Transmigrating into Kiana, and being the Herrscher of Finality from birth, the difficulty of dying would certainly be immense.

And Mei's future would be that of the 'Yomi who mourns the dead,' whom even the Void couldn't completely devour.

Her appearance, which shouldn't exist, would definitely affect Yomi's fate, but she had always planned for the worst.

Although it was difficult, she would strive to guide events, ensuring Izumo's future wouldn't be worse than in the original story.

After discussing topics that allowed them to understand each other better, the two found a place to sit and admire the scenery before them.

After transmigrating, Kiana, who had been working hard every day just to survive, naturally relaxed in such a peaceful environment.

"Actually, about my father..."

After quietly watching the lake surface for a while, Mei was about to talk to Kiana about her father when she felt a weight on her shoulder and didn't finish her sentence.

Three days ago, after Takemikazuchi died, she had contacted her father. This time, she had received a response.

But the reply to her concern was brief. He seemed to be replying only to prove he was still alive.

He didn't ask her any extra questions.

He didn't even mention the Resonating Blade, nor did he give her the contact information for Sirin that she wanted.

This thoroughly disappointed Raiden Mei.

Mei carefully turned her head and saw Kiana, who had her head resting on her shoulder with her eyes closed, holding her.

"Haven't been resting well lately?"

Mei murmured, reaching out to touch Kiana's face, but her hand tensed and withdrew.

What if she woke Kiana up?

Besides, secretly touching Kiana's face was somewhat impolite.

For some reason, her mood lightened considerably, and she looked at the calm lake surface with a different perspective.

The azure color.

It was very similar to the color of Kiana's eyes.

Both were equally clear.

"If only things could stay like this forever."

She also cherished the time spent with Kiana, she thought, and Kiana probably felt the same way.

Even though the shrine was vast, Kiana wanted to stay near her, even if it was just watching her idly.

Kiana...

Her right hand subtly took out her phone, found an angle, and took a picture of the scene.

She would find a shop to develop it when they returned.

She'd put it in her bedroom, where she could see it every day.

Mei remained in the same position, gazing at the lake, her thoughts drifting back to her own One-Blade style.

The power of the Resonating Blade was undeniable.

But she hadn't abandoned swordsmanship; she was still steadily forging new sword techniques suited for Stigmata.

Time passed quickly in her meditation. The clouds drifted across the sky, and the sky gradually darkened.

"Mmm..."

Leaning against each other with heads resting on shoulders wasn't a comfortable sleeping position. Perhaps having rested enough, Kiana finally woke up.

She rubbed her eyes. If not for her exceptional physical condition, she would be feeling sore in her neck and shoulders right now.

"You're awake? We should head back."

"Huh? Ah, I fell asleep just now!"

Kiana only then realized what had happened. She looked up and saw that it was at least past five in the afternoon.

"It's too peaceful, and the breeze is so pleasant. I couldn't help it and accidentally fell asleep," she explained sheepishly.

"I'm glad you like it here."

Mei smiled, not minding that Kiana had fallen asleep on her shoulder.

Like what?

The scenery? Or...?

Kiana forcefully stopped her wandering thoughts, stood up from the grass, and brushed off any clinging blades of grass.

Then, she reached out to Mei, who was still sitting on the ground, and said, "Let's go back."

"Okay."

Mei placed her hand on Kiana's, and though it wasn't necessary, she used Kiana's strength to stand up.

After a final glance at the peaceful scenery near the lake, Mei intended to discuss dinner with Kiana. Before she could speak, however, Mei's brow furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Mei frown, Kiana immediately grew concerned. "Did I lean on you too hard? Is your shoulder sore? Should I give you a massage?"

Mei shook her head and looked towards the mountainside on the east side of Mirror Lake. "It seems like there are Oni Gods nearby."

Thanks to the many Oni Gods she had slain, she could recognize similar energy fluctuations, even if finding them took time and effort.

"What a coincidence?"

Kiana followed Mei's gaze towards the mountain and pointed. "Over there?"

"It should be in this direction."

"Then let's go check it out."

She had wanted to come out and find some Oni Gods anyway. Although she didn't know what level the Oni Gods Mei sensed were, any gain was better than none.

Without the Night of a Hundred Demons caused by Takemikazuchi, her income sources had dried up, making it difficult to find these hidden Oni Gods.

Kiana trusted Mei's judgment implicitly, and as it turned out, her instincts were spot on. They had only taken a few steps when a fierce fire erupted halfway up the mountain.

"Someone's there?"

Kiana and Mei silently quickened their pace. The closer they got, the more Kiana felt that the Honkai Energy Concentration in the mountainside was abnormal.

It was higher than in normal areas.

So...

"Honkai Beasts?"

Kiana sped up again, hoping her suspicions weren't true.