The Dusty Past

"Could you please fetch me a basin of water? Thank you," Yae Sakura handed Sheng Jiu a basin, then smiled sheepishly at him, "How rude of me, I haven't even asked for your name, sir."

"Just call me Sheng Jiu."

Yae Sakura nodded at Sheng Jiu with a smile, then picked up a bowl of herbal medicine and spoon-fed some to Theresa.

Sheng Jiu leaned to the side, gazing at Yae Sakura wistfully, "Sakura, do you know how we can defeat that vine monster?"

"It's difficult, Mr. Sheng. It's a Pseudo-Herrscher that hasn't fully developed. As it stands, neither you nor I have enough combat power to defeat it."

"..."

"Cough, cough," At this moment, Theresa, held in Yae Sakura's arms, groaned twice and slowly opened her eyes.

Looking at Yae Sakura before her, Theresa dazedly reached out and gently pinched Yae Sakura's cheek, a look of relief spreading across her face.

"Academy..." Sheng Jiu wanted to remind Theresa, who still had a high fever, but Yae Sakura raised a hand to stop him.

I am Theresa Apocalypse. I was born in a laboratory, a synthetic human created by combining cells with Honkai Beast cells.

My grandfather, Schicksal's Bishop Otto, told me that due to some special defects, my body could no longer grow.

I possess the strongest bloodline to fight the Honkai, and through my own efforts, I became the strongest warrior.

But, after achieving all this, am I truly happy?

...No...

The people in the organization doubt me, fear me. In their eyes, I am a monster more terrifying than a Honkai Beast...

Until that day, I met her—Cecilia, the Saint of the Saniate family. Only she didn't treat me like a monster and always treated me with kindness.

From the day I was born, Grandpa taught me to protect everyone, but deep down, I didn't agree with his teachings.

I never truly had anyone I wanted to protect, until this day, when I finally found someone I truly wanted to protect.

When Cecilia smiled at me, I thought, my life is over. To see that smile again, I would surely do many things I knew I shouldn't...

I originally thought Cecilia's family could live happily forever, but on that day, with the launch of 12 Honkai Energy fission bombs, I lost the person I wanted to protect most and the person I promised to protect...

Until two months ago, I lived like a walking dead person after losing everything. Until I met you again, Kiana, Cecilia's daughter, I finally had a chance to fulfill my promise.

In a daze, Theresa's eyes saw Kiana lying on the hospital bed. She slowly reached out and cupped Kiana's chin...

Theresa gazed at Kiana deeply, "...I will... protect you well..."

"..." Yae Sakura simply held Theresa gently, letting her touch her face in silence.

Theresa's hand slowly drooped, and she fell back into a deep sleep.

Yae Sakura looked at the sleeping girl in her arms, and a familiar figure appeared in her mind:

"Sakura, I will protect everyone..."

"Sakura! I will fight alongside you!"

"Sakura, no matter what happens, we will face it together..."

"Sakura..."

Hiyori appeared beside Yae Sakura at some unknown time, "This woman is dying. I advise you not to waste your time on her."

"No! There must be a way. As long as I kill that damned monster, it will end, right? I'm going now!" Hearing Hiyori's words, Sheng Jiu urgently drew Jueying and tried to rush out the door, but his body stiffened and he fell, "...What... is happening...?"

"Hmph, useless trash. The Honkai Energy's erosion on you is deepening. The pills can only slow down the erosion rate, not completely eradicate it... If you can't inject the serum in time, you'll turn into a Mortal..."