No matter how things developed, in the end, she and Mei would walk together into the sea of stars—that much was certain.
Even in the worst-case scenario, it would still be so.
Having crossed into this world as Kiana and being born as the Herrscher of Finality, dying wasn't exactly easy for her.
And as for Mei—her future self was the one who wept for the dead, Acheron. Even Nihility itself could not fully consume her.
Kiana's existence here, something that shouldn't have happened, would undoubtedly alter Acheron's fate. But she was always preparing for the worst.
It would be difficult, yes—but she would do everything she could to guide events so that Izumo's future wouldn't end up worse than the one in the story.
After talking for a while—about topics that let them understand each other a little better—the two of them found a spot to sit and admire the scenery before them.
Since arriving in this world, Kiana had spent nearly every day working hard just to survive. In such a peaceful place, she naturally began to relax.
"Actually, about my father…"
After quietly gazing at the lake's surface for a while, Mei was about to speak more about her father—but then she felt a sudden weight on her shoulder. The words she'd been about to say faded away.
Three days ago, after Almighty Thunder's death, she had tried contacting her father. This time, he had responded—but only briefly. His reply seemed to exist solely to prove he was still alive.
There was no warmth in his words.
He didn't ask about her, didn't mention Howl, and didn't even give her Sirin's contact information.
It left Raiden Mei completely disappointed.
Carefully turning her head, she saw Kiana resting against her shoulder, her arms loosely wrapped around her, eyes closed in sleep.
"Haven't been sleeping well lately?" Mei murmured softly.
She raised her hand, wanting to touch Kiana's face—but hesitated halfway and quietly pulled it back.
What if she woke her up?
And besides, touching Kiana's face while she slept felt… improper.
For some reason, though, her heart felt lighter. Even looking at the tranquil lake before her filled her with a new sense of calm.
That deep blue color…
It was so much like Kiana's eyes.
Both were equally clear, equally pure.
"If only it could stay like this forever," she whispered.
She truly enjoyed these quiet moments with Kiana—and she was sure Kiana felt the same.
The shrine was spacious, yet Kiana always insisted on staying nearby, even when doing nothing but watching her.
Kiana…
Mei quietly pulled out her phone, found the right angle, and took a picture of the two of them together.
When they got back, she'd print it out.
And keep it in her room—somewhere she could see it every day.
Still holding that pose, Mei's thoughts drifted once more—to her own swordsmanship.
Howl's power was undeniable.
But she hadn't given up her blade training. She continued steadily developing a new style suited to her Stigmata.
Time passed quickly in meditation. Clouds drifted across the sky, and daylight slowly dimmed.
"Mmm…"
Resting with her head tilted like that wasn't exactly a comfortable sleeping position. Perhaps finally rested enough, Kiana stirred awake.
She rubbed her eyes. If not for her enhanced physique, her neck and shoulders would probably be sore by now.
"Awake?" Mei asked gently. "We should head back."
"Huh? Oh—I actually fell asleep, didn't I?"
Only now did Kiana realize what had happened. Judging by the light, it must have been around five in the afternoon.
"It was just too peaceful—the breeze was nice, and I couldn't resist," she said, scratching her cheek in mild embarrassment.
"As long as you like it here," Mei replied with a smile, unconcerned about her having fallen asleep on her shoulder.
Like it here?
The scenery—or…
Kiana abruptly stopped that train of thought, quickly standing up and brushing stray bits of grass from her clothes.
Then she extended a hand toward Mei. "Come on, let's go back."
"Mm."
Mei placed her hand in Kiana's, using her strength to stand even though she didn't really need it.
She took one last look at the peaceful lakeside scenery, ready to mention dinner plans—but before she could speak, her brows furrowed suddenly.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Mei frown, Kiana immediately grew concerned. "Did I press on you too hard? Is your shoulder sore? Want me to massage it for you?"
Mei shook her head, looking toward the mountain on the eastern side of Mirror Lake. "It feels like there's a Kami nearby."
Thanks to the many Kami she had slain, she could now recognize their unique energy signatures with ease.
"What a coincidence?"
Kiana followed Mei's gaze to the mountain, pointing. "Over there?"
"It should be in that direction."
"Then let's go check it out."
That had been part of the plan anyway—to find a few Kami to hunt. She didn't know what level this one was, but even a small catch was still a catch.
With the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons over after Almighty Thunder's death, her source of income had practically dried up. Finding these hidden Kami was proving difficult.
Kiana trusted Mei's instincts—and rightly so. They had barely walked a few steps when a bright burst of fire suddenly flared halfway up the mountain.
"Someone's there?"
Kiana and Mei exchanged a glance and quickened their pace. The closer they got, the stronger the Honkai Energy concentration in the area became—far higher than normal.
Which meant…
"Honkai creatures?"
Kiana's pace quickened again, hoping her suspicions were wrong.
"Honkai?"
Mei pressed her lips together and surged ahead, overtaking Kiana, determined to see what it was.
As they neared the source of the flames, the ground trembled with heavy, thunderous impacts, and strange roars echoed through the forest—inhuman, violent. Faint bursts of fire illuminated the area.
Within a few breaths, Mei reached the scene—and saw a massive green creature, over five meters tall, swinging a tree trunk like a club as it struck at a cloaked girl dressed in black.
The creature's skin was marked with strange patterns—lines that clearly pulsed with Honkai corruption.
"Civilians, evacuate immediately!"
The agile girl noticed the approaching figures. Her eyes widened slightly before she barked a warning in a cold tone.
The newcomers weren't wearing the black robes used to cover mutated parts—meaning they probably weren't her comrades.
Which meant, most likely, they were just curious civilians—uninformed and powerless.
Mei didn't move to leave. Her eyes instead focused on the blade in the girl's hand—a sword wreathed in orange-yellow flames—and on the clawed, inhuman hand gripping it.
Someone from Sirin's group.
How fortunate.
Mei's hand closed around the hilt of her own weapon. Thunder roared.
In the next instant, lightning flashed across the battlefield.
Before the struggling girl could react, a blinding streak of electricity cleaved through the air—and exploded across the monstrous Kami's body.
In an instant, the enormous creature—once so powerful and resilient—was torn apart into countless charred fragments. The black curse of the Kami's death spiraled toward the warrior who had slain it.
One strike… and it was over?
The girl stood frozen, her burning blade slowly dimming as the flames faded away.
Such overwhelming power…
A name surfaced in her mind.
"Raiden Mei?!"