Kiana obediently waited where she was, following Himeko's instruction.
Once certain all traces of her swimsuit were gone, Himeko adjusted her emotions, cleared her throat, and turned around.
"Long time no see, Kiana. You've... grown so much."
"Teacher Himeko, I..."
Though countless words swirled in her mind, the moment she saw Himeko, Kiana couldn't form a single coherent sentence.
In the end, she dashed forward and hugged her tightly—wordlessly.
The sudden embrace left Himeko momentarily flustered.
But eventually, she gently patted Kiana's back, comforting her.
Kiana didn't know how long she held on—only that, no matter how reluctant, she had to let go.
"It seems you've suffered a lot while I was gone."
Himeko raised her right hand, tenderly wiping the tears from Kiana's eyes.
Even if she knew most of these hardships were illusions, she couldn't help but worry.
"No, everyone's been good to me. Aunt Theresa still nags me about my studies. Bronya plays games with me. Mei... Mei went somewhere else for her own goals."
"But I'm doing fine. Everyone treats me well. You don't need to worry, Teacher Himeko. I'm not the fledgling eaglet who needed your protection anymore."
Like any wanderer far from home, Kiana refused to let those who cared for her see her struggles—even if they were real.
Himeko knew Kiana was putting on a brave face. Even without reading the script, the forced smile told her everything.
"Come. This is my mental space—no different from St. Freya. Let's walk and talk. Tell me how you've been."
"Okay. After you left, everyone..."
As they walked, the familiar scenery made Kiana feel like she was back in her school days.
Words poured out endlessly—everything she wanted to tell Himeko. And Himeko listened, patient and attentive.
Then they reached a white door.
Himeko stopped.
Kiana knew—this was the end.
If she stepped through, this place would vanish. She'd never see Himeko again.
Seeing Kiana hesitate, Himeko asked softly, "What's wrong? Don't want to leave?"
"...Yeah. Because I know once I go, I'll never see you again."
"Listen. A teacher's duty is to light the path ahead. My task is done. Now it's your turn—to walk further and pave the way for those who come after."
"But Teacher Himeko, I... I still don't want to let go."
"Kiana, you can't live in the past forever. You have to face a new future."
"But there's still so much I want to say..."
"..."
This time, Himeko didn't reply. She only gazed at Kiana—gently, silently.
"..."
Kiana understood. It was time.
One last, lingering look—then she stepped toward the white door.
Just as she moved, a fiery figure embraced her, a hand softly stroking her hair.
"Go. Create your future. Fulfill your dream. At the end of that dream... I'll be waiting. Always waiting. My most proud... and cherished student."
With those final words, Kiana stepped through—without hesitation, without fear.
In an instant, she stood in a pitch-black theater.
"Now begins the final battle—hero versus villain. Will justice prevail? Or will evil triumph for the first time in history?"
"Arrogance, envy, selfishness, despair, apathy, greed—these are humanity's deepest emotions. Their most primal malice!"
As the declaration ended, a dark void split the sky.
From it emerged giant claws—gold-black, pulling countless puppets on invisible strings.
At the same moment, another void opened behind Kiana.
A puppet-formed hand lunged—aiming to kill in one strike.
Kiana reacted, ready to counter—
—when a blue figure flashed past.
A single punch collided with the golden claw.
But before the clash could finish, another massive hand descended from above, slamming both Kiana and the blue figure away.
The blue figure was captured instantly.
Then, from nowhere, another attack targeted Kiana.
Distracted by the earlier rescue, she couldn't dodge in time.
"Kiana, MOVE!"
Bronya's voice rang out as she charged forward with Project Bunny, shoving Kiana aside—
—only to be seized by the golden claw herself.
Now, Kiana stood alone.
Watching Bronya and Fu Hua taken, Kiana roared at the Thousand Herrschers:
"GIVE THEM BACK!"
Against the endless horde, Kiana fought desperately—until her authority was stolen, reverting her to her original form.
Gasping for breath, she faced the ceaseless tide.
"Give up. It's meaningless. Meaningless time. Meaningless world. Meaningless lives."
As they spoke, Kiana's blade cut down several puppets—but against their numbers, it was nothing.
Then, invisible strings dragged Bronya and Fu Hua into view—
—wrapped around their vital points. One tug, and they'd die.
(Well, except Fu Hua. The strings couldn't even leave a mark on her.)