A Few Days Later – Beneath the Sea
Under the shimmering blue depths, Kouga—now transformed into Kamen Rider Aqua—swam smoothly through the water. Around him were Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and Himeko, all equipped with streamlined battlesuits and full-face visors connected to twin white propulsion jets on their backs.
Schools of fish darted between them as light from the surface shimmered like liquid glass. The group moved methodically, scanning the seabed for signs of Honkai activity.
Kouga glanced over just in time to see Kiana holding a tiny jellyfish in her hands, the glow reflecting in her visor."Wow, it's gorgeous here!" she said, spinning slowly in place.
Himeko's voice came sharply through the comms. "Kiana, what are you doing? Focus!"
Mei's tone followed, calm but serious. "Major, strong Honkai energy reaction detected inside the cave ahead."
Bronya added, "The location and pattern of the readings match the data from the intelligence department. There's a 34.2% probability that this is, indeed, the Nine Realms."
Himeko nodded. "Alright. Everyone, move out!"
The team swam through the shadowed tunnel until they emerged inside a massive underwater cavern. When they stepped onto solid ground, the girls removed their visors and jet packs, shaking the water from their hair. Kouga, however, kept his Aqua Form active, his armor gleaming faintly under the bioluminescent moss along the walls.
"Wow, this place is huge!" Kiana exclaimed, her voice echoing through the cavern.
Himeko's eyes swept across the glowing rock formations. "The Honkai concentration here is extremely high… This could very well be the Nine Realms."
"That's great news, Major," Mei said with a faint smile.
Kiana, ever the chatterbox, grinned. "Major Himeko seem serious about this mission. She usually just goes on a bender once she gets home. But ever since we took this mission, she been researching till midnight everyday!"
Himeko gave her an exasperated look. "Kiana, you—"
A dry cough sounded over the communicator. It was Theresa. "We're still on a mission here, girls. Keep your little family squabbles for later."
"Alright, I'll let it slide this time, Kiana," Himeko said, giving her student a side-eye before turning serious again.
Theresa's voice continued through the comms, crisp and official. "Major Himeko, i'll repeat the mission briefing. Explore this cave. Verify if it is the nine realms. If it is, you'll need to find the Xuanyuan Sword and Stigma lost in this place."
"Understood," Himeko replied.
"I've found an advisor for this mission.," Theresa added.
"Advisor?" Himeko frowned.
Another voice joined the channel—a calm, familiar one."It's been a while, Major Himeko. Allow me to guide you through this mission"
"Fuhua ? well then ..." Himeko said, blinking in surprise.
Kiana groaned. "Ugh... Isn't she the annoying class monitor ?"
Kouga rolled his eyes under his helmet.
Theresa chuckled faintly over the link. "Fuhua was born in the God's Land. She's an expert on the Xuanyuan legends and their cultural origins. If you have any questions, she's your best source. Godspeed, boys and girls."
The transmission clicked off.
The five of them—four girls and one Rider—looked toward the glowing depths ahead. Water dripped rhythmically from the stalactites above as the faint hum of Honkai energy pulsed through the cavern walls.
"Alright," Himeko said, drawing her weapon. "Let's move out. Stay sharp."
With that, the team of five stepped deeper into the Nine Realms
As the group ventured further into the glowing cavern, Kiana's voice broke the silence."Hey, Kouga, Mei—what do you guys think of the class monitor?"
Both turned to her in mild confusion."Class monitor… you mean Fuhua?" Mei asked.
"Yeah, the uptight girl," Kiana confirmed with a dramatic sigh.
Mei smiled slightly. "Fuhua's the best student in our class. She passed the Valkyrie trials early and became an A-rank Valkyrie before most of us even graduated. We could learn a lot from her."
Kiana puffed out her cheeks. "But she's always lecturing me!"
Mei chuckled. "Well, it's always your fault, Kiana. You installed Sbeam games on Hyperion's command hub—and you made hot pot in the classroom."
Kouga let out a quiet laugh behind his mask, covering the mouthplate slightly as he remembered helping Kiana clean up after some of her disasters.
"Whatever!" Kiana said, pouting and turning away. "You always take her side, Mei. Hmph!"
Kouga shrugged lightly. "She's got her secrets and burdens, but from what I've seen, she's a good person."He thought silently to himself, Though she does seem like she's carrying something heavy.
The group continued descending until the narrow tunnel widened into a colossal chamber filled with strange rock pillars glowing faintly with Honkai energy. As they moved deeper, Kiana's voice came again, more thoughtful this time."Hey, Bronya… don't you think Major Himeko's taking this mission a little too seriously?"
"...Kiana idiotka," Bronya said flatly.
Kiana frowned. "Why are you talking in Russian again?"
Bronya sighed and tapped her visor. "Subject Kiana is the only one unaware of this. Bronya shall provide Exhibit A."
A holographic screen flickered to life, projecting a file in front of Kiana. The header read: Annual Physical Exam: Murata Himeko.
Bronya explained in her calm, mechanical tone, "Major Himeko has poor Honkai adaptability. Nevertheless, she accepted an artificial stigmata transplant to continue fighting. It's been corrupting her body. The side effects… are shortening her lifespan."
Kiana's eyes widened in disbelief. "I didn't know… no wonder Theresa always complains about artificial stigmata. She said they'd kill us even with their benefits."
She clenched her fists. "Isn't there anything we can do?"
"The best means," Bronya replied, "would be to locate a natural stigma—to perfect Schicksal's research on artificial ones."
Kiana's expression hardened with resolve. "Then I've got this! Now that I know how important this is, the Kaslana blood in me is boiling!"
Kouga, walking beside them, listened quietly. His mind wandered.I wonder… could Fourze's cosmic energy, Wizard's hope ring, or maybe Kamen Rider ZO's ki restore her lifespan?
The team pressed forward, until Mei signaled for everyone to stop. Hiding behind a stone ridge, they spotted movement ahead—rows of metallic shapes gleaming under dim light.
Kiana peeked over the edge. "Hey… why are there Anti-Entropy tactical mechas here?"
Indeed, multiple mechanical units of various designs stood guard ahead—spider types, arc units, even hulking constructs that looked ancient but deadly.
Himeko narrowed her eyes. "So, Anti-Entropy is after the Xuanyuan Sword and the Stigmata as well… interesting."
Mei frowned. "Didn't expect them to show up here. Major, perhaps we should retreat for safety?"
Himeko hesitated, her expression shadowed with disappointment. "...I suppose we have no choice. We should call off the mission."
Kouga opened his mouth to object, but Kiana beat him to it."No way! Himeko, we can't back off now!" she shouted. "This is our chance—we can cure you!"
"Cure me?" Himeko repeated, blinking in confusion.
Kiana stammered. "N-No, I mean—well, this is the Xuanyuan Stigma! If Anti-Entropy gets it, the whole world could be destroyed!"
Kouga chuckled softly under his breath. That's a very Kiana way to say she cares.
Himeko smiled faintly, the fire returning to her eyes. "Indeed. We'll continue the mission—but stay vigilant, everyone."
The moment she said it, the group burst from cover.
Bronya unleashed Project Bunny, blasting apart waves of mechas in a thunder of explosions.Mei dashed between the mechanical soldiers, her katana flashing with arcs of lightning.Himeko swung her claymore in wide, fiery arcs, cleaving through armor with brute strength.Kiana twirled her dual pistols, alternating between shooting and smacking mechas into walls.
And Kouga—still in Kamen Rider Aqua form—leapt forward like a torpedo. His punches shattered the armored bodies of the Anti-Entropy units in single blows, each strike creating ripples through the air.
Missiles rained down from the Storm and Lightning mechas; spider and arachnid types charged with self-destruct sequences. The team dodged, countered, and retaliated in perfect rhythm—Kiana's shots exploding mid-air to intercept the missiles while Kouga kicked an incoming mech straight into another, turning both into scrap metal.
After a fierce exchange, the battlefield fell silent, save for the hiss of cooling engines. Broken mechas littered the cavern floor.
After the fight, the group ventured deeper into the cave until they came upon what appeared to be a massive stone door. The surface was covered with cracks and age-old carvings that shimmered faintly under the dim light of their lamps.
Himeko stepped closer, running her hand along the rough surface. "This massive stone block… looks like a door," she mused, her tone curious yet confident. She then activated her communicator. "What do you think, Fu Hua?"
Through the holographic display, Fu Hua observed the door from her end. "This is man-made," she replied calmly. "Chinese dragons are engraved into its surface ."
Himeko smirked and gripped her claymore. "Hmph! Then we've found the right place. Step back, everyone. I'll split this open with my blade."
"Wait!" Fu Hua's voice quickly interrupted. " Major Himeko, we should use the mechanisms correctly to avoid triggering any trap"
Himeko paused as Fu Hua continued, studying the surroundings through the feed. "There's a stele beside the door," she explained. "The pictographs suggest there are control mechanisms located on both sides of the chamber."
Realizing her oversight, Himeko lowered her weapon and gave a small, sheepish smile. "Heh… guess I got carried away. All right, let's split into two teams and find those mechanisms."
The group nodded in agreement.
Team One: Mei, Kiana, and Bronya.Team Two: Himeko and Kouga.