Kiana stood on the highest observation deck at Headquarters, taking in the panoramic view as dusk approached.
In the gentle breeze, clad in a long white dress and wearing simple sandals, she leaned against the railing like an ethereal elf about to drift away with the wind.
"Why didn't you contact me? What were you thinking?"
"Zeke... You're here."
Kiana turned around, unsurprised by his presence.
The wind suddenly picked up, lifting her flowing gown and tousling her loose silvery hair, creating a picturesque scene framed by the setting sun behind her.
Struggling to hold down her dress with one hand and tuck her hair back with the other, Kiana maintained her composure, exuding a delicate grace reminiscent of a blooming flower bud.
Then, Zeke reached out, tying Kiana's waist-length silver locks neatly with a red ribbon.
Just as he finished securing her hair, the wind subsided perfectly.
"Are you still feeling any discomfort?" Zeke asked softly, his gaze fixed on the girl's snow-like pale face.
Kiana shook her head. After a brief pause, she spread her arms gently and embraced Zeke.
"I'm feeling fine now. But returning from the Sea of Quanta must have been difficult, right? Did it interfere with your important duties, Zeke?" Kiana gently asked, nestled in the embrace she cherished most dearly in this lifetime. She tilted her head back, gazing up at Zeke with clear and flawless eyes filled with tender affection.
Naturally wrapping his arms around her soft, slender waist, Zeke paused for a moment before looking into Kiana's bright eyes and reassuring her, "It doesn't matter..."
Kiana let out a slight sigh of relief, only to hear Zeke promptly add without hesitation:
"You're more important."
She was utterly taken aback.
The straightforward declaration from a clueless man held no embellishment or calculated charm; precisely because of that, it felt even more moving than any sweet words.
After a brief pause, Kiana smiled radiantly, like a blossoming flower.
"Silly! Zeke is destined to bear the fate of humanity on his shoulders. You can't be so impulsive anymore!"
"As I've said before, I am indeed quite impulsive."
"Then you need to change. Books always emphasize that emperors must prioritize the welfare of their realm."
"...Are you lecturing me now?" Zeke furrowed his brow slightly.
Kiana blinked innocently, responding playfully, "Is what I said incorrect?"
"No, you're absolutely right."
Zeke spoke mildly while gazing at the sunset—Tsk! He couldn't believe this girl had managed to outwit him!
As if sensing Zeke's annoyance, Kiana let out a giggle.
"Feeling quite pleased after defeating me?"
"Well, it doesn't happen often! Are you upset now, Zeke?"
"Yes. And I'll hold a grudge."
"Sore loser..."
"Say that again?"
"Heh heh! No way am I falling for that trap! If I repeat it, you'd really remember your grudge against me."
Kiana stuck her tongue out playfully, smiling mischievously.
Then, she snuggled closer to Zeke, pressing her soft body even more intimately against his, causing his heart to melt entirely.
After enjoying the embrace for some time, Zeke asked:
"What did you experience? Initially, I thought you were just being stubborn or unwilling, but now it seems like losing your power wasn't the only thing affecting you."
"I...had a very long dream."
"What kind of dream?"
"She departed from me but left behind some traces. We were twin flowers growing from the same stem. Through her, I witnessed the present, and through me, she saw the past. I glimpsed her memories, experiencing the life of the girl named Sirin—from birth to destruction—and felt her pain and resentment... Zeke, the true Sirin, the original one, died long ago in Siberia. Your vengeance has already been fulfilled."
Kiana spoke softly, her small face reflecting sorrow and mixed emotions.
Zeke paused, slightly surprised yet not entirely caught off guard. The former Sirin had been reduced to only a Herrscher Core; considering it as her death made sense—unlike Welt Yang in the original storyline, who could repeatedly revive even with just his core intact.
Zeke nodded and asked, "And what else?"
"If... if she was truly that old Sirin, there's no way I could have accepted her, regardless of whether you forgave her for my sake or not. I couldn't let go of it."
"But she isn't that Sirin. Like me, she's merely a soul reborn within this fleshly body from traces of Sirin lingering in the Core.
Unlike her, I inherited nothing, born as a blank slate. In contrast, she embraced all of Sirin's resentment and suffering, thereby gaining access to the Herrscher abilities forged through agony. Perhaps, after our separation, these powers remained solely with her for this very reason?"
Kiana shared her dreams, thoughts, and reflections, oscillating between moments of sorrow and relief.
Zeke listened attentively without interrupting. At this moment, Kiana needed someone who could simply lend an ear, allowing her to open up completely.
She continued, "I once believed she was the original Sirin, so I deeply hated her. But the truth is, Sirin has already died. Neither she nor I am truly Sirin, yet we both represent continuations of her... So, it seems impossible for me to hate her anymore. After all, hating her would be akin to hating myself... Zeke wouldn't want me to dwell on such negative thoughts, right?"
Kiana lifted her head and gazed softly at Zeke.
Zeke nodded with a gentle smile, perhaps unaware of its tenderness as he gently ruffled her hair. "Of course."
Feeling his warmth, Kiana smiled sweetly and continued, "I feel incredibly fortunate to have met you, Zeke. Now, I'm like Sirin's continuation towards love, while she represents Sirin's extension into hatred. We oppose each other fiercely, yet deep down, we're strikingly similar... I've experienced her resentment and suffering, and I believe Aunt Cecilia must have felt it too back then. That's why she unconditionally showed motherly love to Sirin. Unfortunately, Aunt Cecilia ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice; otherwise, things might have turned out differently."
With a soft sigh, Kiana expressed profound admiration and affection for that immensely kind and admirable figure from her memories—how she wished they could meet in reality.
She fell silent, lost in thought.
Zeke then asked, "So, what do you plan to do next?"
Kiana looked at Zeke and, instead of answering directly, posed her own question: "Zeke, Herrscher of the Void's abilities are incredibly useful, aren't they?"
"...Yes, indeed," Zeke replied truthfully.
From a combat perspective, it was the nemesis of all physical attacks. In terms of applications, whether for scientific research, military purposes, or bolstering political influence, its value was irreplaceable.
Nodding, Kiana showed no trace of fear or hesitation as she said, "I want to utilize the equipment from Warehouse 47."
"That's extremely dangerous."
"It's alright, trust me, Zeke."
"Rejected. It's too risky." After a brief moment of hesitation, Zeke made his decision.
Kiana gently held Zeke's face, ensuring their eyes met, and with unwavering determination, urged him, "Zeke, please trust me! I'm not a child anymore. I can protect myself and use my power to help you. Believe in me, okay?"
"..."
"I've grown up now, Zeke," Kiana gently replied with boundless affection. Then, standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him without any resistance from Zeke.