The girl wandered aimlessly, hoping to hide from the real world.
She knew that nowhere was safe enough. No one could truly run away from their own past.
Her purpose—what she was meant to become—had been decided even before she was conceived.
She was a victim of fate.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
It was not hatred that had driven her to rage at Fu Hua.
It was helplessness.
A crushing sense of powerlessness before a fate she had never chosen…
The girl knew what was hiding within her.
SHE had awakened when Kiana turned twelve.
The consequences had been devastating.
So Kiana ran.
She pretended that SHE had never existed.
The girl never dared to remain in one place for too long, nor did she allow herself to grow close to anyone. She was terrified of losing people again.
And then she met…
Mei.
Bronya.
Theresa.
And…
They became her family.
They gave her a home.
A home she desperately wanted to keep.
But perhaps that had always been a foolish dream.
No matter how far she ran…
No matter how desperately she struggled…
The ending always seemed to be the same.
The dark streets slowly came to life beneath the glow of neon lights.
A crowd gathered around the night market, and the warm scent of freshly cooked food drifted through the air.
Kiana shivered like a wet gutter rat caught in the middle of winter.
She knew she couldn't stay here for long.
There were too many people.
Too many chances for something to go wrong.
She should avoid the crowd.
She should leave.
But…
She remembered night markets like these.
She remembered wandering through them with the girls, eagerly trying every food stall they could find.
For a brief moment, she couldn't control herself.
Like a moth chasing a flame, she found herself walking toward the lights.
And with those lights came another memory.
St. Freya High.
Her days as a student.
Her teacher…
Her instructor…
Himeko.
Kiana remembered challenging her teacher to combat.
She had been defeated almost instantly.
Every slash, pirouette, and cleave had been executed with absolute precision. Kiana hadn't stood a chance.
Her instructor demonstrated the overwhelming difference between raw talent and years of experience.
Before Kiana even realized what had happened, the edge of Himeko's greatsword had left a small nick against her neck.
The instructor stared directly into her eyes.
June 2014. After class.
Himeko: "What's on your mind, Kiana?"
Kiana: "Nothing."
Himeko: "What? That's not what your stupid face says."
Himeko: "Alright, sweetheart. Tell mama what you're thinking about."
Kiana: "…KYAAA! Not my ears!"
Kiana: "I'm not a kid! Don't treat me like one. Hngh… alright. My stupid old man left me when I turned 12."
Kiana: "I told myself that I'm not a kid anymore. That I've gotta get used to living on my own."
Himeko: "Oh dear. Father's Day is coming. And I was a little worried that you were too stupid to get sentimental."
Himeko: "Look sugar, you're luckier than me. Your old man taught you everything early on."
Himeko: "And I used to think the world was rosy pink up till the age of 19."
Himeko: "I thought life was good and filled with possibilities."
Himeko: "I wanted to explore crazy places, do some deep sea photography, and settle down with a nice guy."
Himeko: "And if that didn't work, I'd just work at my old man's applied Honkai energy lab."
Kiana: "Eh? You'd work at a lab? Are you a scientist?"
Kiana: "Why did you end up as a Valkyrie with beefy arms?"
Himeko: "…Because I work out and because life isn't perfect, sugar."
Himeko's expression briefly changed.
Himeko: "My old man… he became a Honkai beast after an infection. Couldn't even recognise his little girl."
Kiana immediately regretted asking.
Kiana: "I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
Himeko: "It's alright. I left it all behind and joined the Valkyries for answers. Granted, I was a little too old for it."
Himeko: "But I met someone. She told me that getting started is the most important step of any endeavor."
Himeko: "I joined her squad. She kept talking about the future…"
Himeko: "She wanted to become a gardener and teach kids how to grow herbs, berries, and flowers."
Kiana: "So did she become a great gardener in the end?"
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Himeko: "She made it to the KIA list. Her squad was disbanded. I thought about what she said and came here."
Himeko: "I became a Valkyrie because I don't want sugar fairies like you losing their fathers."
Himeko: "But I guess too many fairies are leaving their fathers because of some heroic aspirations."
Himeko: "They could get a job, fall in love, or make games… but they gave all that up to become a Valkyrie."
Himeko: "A real shame. Is it worth it?"
Kiana lowered her gaze.
Kiana: "I don't know. I didn't have a choice, you know. I guess someone's gotta do the hard work."
Kiana: "My old man told me that Kaslanas boil over when they see people in trouble."
Himeko: "That's gotta be the worst piece of advice."
Himeko: "Hopefully your old man taught you something useful."
Himeko: "Perhaps fate took them away to make us treasure our friends and what we have."
Himeko suddenly leaned closer with a mischievous smile.
Himeko: "Come on, sweet heart, let mama give you a kiss."
Himeko: "Nuh-uh, sugar. I think it's about time you get some special girl-versus-girl training."
Kiana: "Kyaa! NO! School's over already! Let's leave training till tomorrow!"
Himeko: "You're not getting away, sweet heart."
The memory shifted.
The instructor eventually ended up smashing her greatsword against the floor and walls until alcohol finally got the better of her.
Kiana had somehow managed to haul her drunken instructor back to her room.
Before closing the door…
Kiana paused.
For just a moment…
She thought she saw Himeko again.
Not the battle-hardened Valkyrie.
But the rosy-cheeked nineteen-year-old girl she had once been.
August 2014. First deployment.
Himeko stood before her squad.
Himeko: "Alright fairies, this is your first field assignment. I will say this one last time…"
Himeko: "…Keep your eyes on the enemy AND your friends!"
Himeko: "Your friends may end up becoming your enemy!"
The girls fell silent.
Himeko: "Valkyries are always at risk of a Honkai Cascade. We know that the Honkai powers our abilities and battlesuits."
Himeko: "But it can overwhelm us and turn us into mindless monsters."
Himeko: "Every Valkyrie must be prepared. All of us are at risk."
Himeko: "If you see a fairy experiencing a Cascade…"
Her expression hardened.
Himeko: "…You MUST end her life right there!"
Kiana's eyes widened.
Kiana: "…But what if you're the one experiencing the Cascade thing, Miss Himeko?"
Himeko: "Then you MUST do the same thing and end my life right there!"
Himeko: "A Cascade is irreversible. More will die if you hesitate. Head back to the dorms if you can't do this."
Kiana swallowed.
Kiana: "I… I understand."
Kiana: "But if I… you know… get that Cascade thing… I wish that you're the one to do it, Aunt Himeko."
Himeko smiled confidently.
Himeko: "It'll never happen, sugarplum."
Kiana: "Oh?"
Himeko: "As your instructor and Squad Leader, I won't let any of you get in trouble."
Kiana: "That sounds like a real plan. Hey wait, I need action! Gimme action!"
Himeko: "You'll act according to plan."
Himeko turned toward the battlefield.
Himeko: "Alright, fairies. Prepare for drop. Initiate field operations!"
The memories continued.
And then…
Kiana remembered him.
The red-haired boy with crimson eyes.
The boy who had sacrificed his life.
Kouga Hayata.
She remembered the first time they met.
They had accidentally bumped into each other and fallen to the ground.
With Kiana landing directly on top of him.
It had been an embarrassing first meeting.
She remembered losing her credit card and desperately searching for somewhere to rest.
That was when she found a house that looked completely abandoned from the outside.
But once she entered…
The inside was surprisingly clean and tidy.
And there was food.
Fresh food.
Kiana had devoured it without even questioning why it was still fresh.
Eventually, she found a bedroom and fell asleep.
Only to wake up and find Kouga—the same boy she had bumped into earlier that day—standing there.
She had attacked him first.
Only afterward did she realize something horrifying.
She had literally broken into his house.
Yet Kouga didn't call the authorities.
He didn't throw her out.
Instead…
He allowed her to stay.
Maybe that was why she unconsciously began to regard him as a friend.
Even after finding her credit card…
She still stayed.
Kouga was kind.
Even if he sometimes looked like an edgelord.
Kiana remembered their friendly rivalry over Mei's affection.
She remembered constantly complaining about how Kouga made everything look so easy.
Sometimes, she felt like he wasn't even trying.
And yet…
Mei still paid attention to him.
She remembered how Kouga always stood up for her and Mei.
Even when everyone else hated him.
She remembered the day he revealed the truth.
He was a warrior from another dimension.
And then…
She remembered their dates.
The laughter.
The happiness.
Those peaceful moments.
She remembered his smile.
For a brief moment…
Kiana smiled as well.
Then the memory shattered.
Horror replaced happiness.
Kiana remembered the day Sirin had taken control of her body.
She remembered becoming the Herrscher of the Void.
She remembered pinning Kouga—who had transformed into Kamen Rider Chalice—against a wall with countless sub-space lances.
She remembered his green blood staining her hands.
She remembered the Herrscher of the Void using the Authority of Thunder to torture him.
And then…
She remembered his screams.
His screams of pain.
Kiana suddenly covered her mouth.
Her body trembled violently.
She nearly vomited.
Those memories were unbearable.
The sadness.
The guilt.
The pain.
They crushed her heart.
Her instructor had died.
Her lover had died.
And both of them…gone.
Because of her.
All she had left of Kouga was the crystal necklace she now wore around her neck.
She still didn't understand why.
Even when Sirin had completely taken over her body…
Even when Kouga himself had been terribly wounded…
He had still placed that necklace around her neck.
As though…
Even at that moment…
He still wanted to protect her.
Kiana slowly raised her trembling hand and clutched the crystal necklace against her chest.
Tears streamed down her face.
Then…
Himeko's words returned to her.
Her voice echoed through Kiana's mind.
Kiana: "You told me…"
Kiana: "That if a Valkyrie submits to the Honkai…"
Kiana: "I must end her life right away…"
Kiana lowered her head.
Her fingers tightened around the crystal.
Kiana: "But why…"
Her voice broke.
Kiana: "Why did you…"
The memories finally faded.
Kiana returned to reality.
The neon lights of the city were gone.
Instead…
Several Honkai beasts surrounded her.
Their growls echoed through the darkness.
Kiana stood in the middle of the street, trembling as she clutched Kouga's crystal necklace tightly against her chest.