Kiana fought desperately against the surrounding Honkai Beasts.
Her exhausted body moved through the ruined streets as claws, lances, and distorted limbs came at her from every direction. Despite the warnings echoing inside her mind, Kiana continued fighting.
She activated the abilities of her battlesuit.
A massive holographic cat paw materialized above one of the Honkai Beasts before crashing down.
BOOM!
The creature was smashed into the ground.
Kiana immediately summoned her dual pistols and opened fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets of energy tore through the approaching monsters. Another Honkai Beast lunged toward her from the side, but Kiana spun around and struck it with her weapon before delivering a powerful kick.
A second giant holographic cat paw appeared.
CRASH!
The creature was sent flying into the remains of a nearby building.
Kiana breathed heavily.
Then something appeared in her vision.
Kiana: "Me?"
No.
It wasn't her.
The girl standing before Kiana possessed the same face and the same white hair, but everything else was different.
Instead of Kiana's familiar hairstyle with two large braids, this girl had long white hair flowing freely behind her.
Her eyes were yellow, their pupils darker and diamond-shaped, surrounded by pointed rings.
A black and orange hairpin rested in her hair.
A yellow Kaslana collar wrapped around her neck, while black fur covered her shoulders. She wore a black, white, and pink outfit, along with a long black-and-pink glove on her left arm and a black glove on her right.
A white and orange wing extended from behind her.
Three Subspace Lances floated at her back.
Black and pink shorts, black thigh-highs, and dark shoes completed her appearance.
Kiana knew exactly who she was looking at.
The Herrscher of the Void.
Sirin.
Kiana clenched her teeth and turned away.
She refused to acknowledge her.
Another Honkai Beast charged toward her.
Kiana raised both pistols.
BANG! BANG!
The creature collapsed.
But the voice remained.
Herrscher of the Void: "Humans… they always make the same mistake. They always sacrifice themselves for others."
Kiana continued fighting.
Herrscher of the Void: "They never knew that their sacrifice left a festering wound in your heart… and allowed for me to return…"
Another monster lunged.
Kiana ducked beneath its attack and fired directly into its chest.
BANG!
Herrscher of the Void: "You'll never be rid of me."
The Honkai Beasts surrounded her.
Kiana gritted her teeth and continued firing.
Herrscher of the Void: "Moments of weakness and painful memories fuel my strength and bring ruin to your surroundings."
A claw slammed into the ground beside her.
Kiana barely rolled away.
Herrscher of the Void: "Escape? Where can you hide?"
The white-haired Herrscher appeared directly in front of her.
Her yellow eyes stared into Kiana's soul.
Herrscher of the Void: "I AM YOU, Kiana!"
Kiana froze for only a moment.
Then she turned away.
She raised her pistols again.
And continued fighting.
Inside her mind, another voice suddenly called out.
Fu Hua: "Kiana, you're losing control of your energy."
Kiana's breathing became increasingly unstable.
Honkai energy surged through her body.
Fu Hua: "Take a deep breath and stay calm."
Kiana tried.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
But Sirin's laughter echoed around her.
Herrscher of the Void: "Just use your powers, Kiana."
Kiana's eyes opened.
Another Honkai Beast rushed toward her.
Herrscher of the Void: "Do you really want to die here?"
Kiana fired.
BANG!
The creature fell.
Herrscher of the Void: "Pathetic little coward."
Kiana stumbled.
The Honkai energy within her continued to rise.
Herrscher of the Void: "Where can you run to?"
Another monster fell beneath her attacks.
Herrscher of the Void: "You have nowhere else to go."
Finally—
The last Honkai Beast collapsed.
Silence returned to the ruined street.
Kiana stood there for several seconds.
Then her legs gave out.
She fell to her knees.
Her body trembled violently.
Too much Honkai energy had accumulated within her.
The ground beneath her began to crack.
A familiar voice whispered from behind.
Herrscher of the Void: "I've brought you to your knees, finally."
Kiana clenched her fists.
Kiana: "I… won't let you…"
Kiana slowly raised one of her pistols.
Her trembling hand brought the weapon toward her own head.
If she ended her life now—
Then Sirin could never hurt anyone else.
Her finger moved toward the trigger.
At that exact moment—
The orange-red crystal necklace around her neck began to glow brightly.
But before the necklace could react any further—
Someone appeared behind her.
Within Kiana's mindscape, Fu Hua gently placed a hand upon Kiana's shoulder.
She carefully pushed the pistol away.
Her voice was calm.
Gentle.
Reassuring.
Fu Hua: "I'm here, Kiana."
Kiana's trembling slowed.
Fu Hua: "This is not the time for despair yet."
The Herrscher of the Void sneered.
Herrscher of the Void: "Hngh… you never give up, do you?"
Sirin's gaze shifted toward Fu Hua.
Herrscher of the Void: "You hid that Divine Key… and it gave you this strange power."
The Herrscher's expression twisted into a cruel smile.
Herrscher of the Void: "Relentless you may be, you'll never win. Not in the real world, and definitely not in my mind."
Herrscher of the Void: "Your tenacity is admirable… at least you're a human I can have fun killing."
Herrscher of the Void: "You will die eventually."
Sirin looked toward Kiana.
Herrscher of the Void: "This girl was conceived for a single purpose: to serve as my mortal vessel."
Herrscher of the Void: "Her past and her name are built upon lies. She's nothing but a trap for a GOD."
Herrscher of the Void: "The girl you've been trying to save is nothing but a bag of fabricated falsehood."
Herrscher of the Void: "She's already given up. She'll not respond to your calls."
Fu Hua remained silent for several moments.
Then she stepped forward.
Fu Hua: "I've made plenty of mistakes. I trusted the wrong person."
Her expression became distant.
Fu Hua: "I've lost faith in humanity before… and I merely carried out my duties without thinking."
She looked toward Kiana.
Fu Hua: "But giving up is not my style. It simply isn't who I am…"
Her voice softened.
Fu Hua: "…And it simply won't do when someone else placed so much faith in her."
Fu Hua closed her eyes.
Fu Hua: "I can't do this alone."
For the first time, there was something almost pleading in her voice.
Fu Hua: "Please help me, Instructor Himeko…"
She raised her hand.
Fu Hua: "…Fight with me."
The power of Fenghuang Down erupted.
Golden and crimson light spread throughout Kiana's mind.
Sirin's expression immediately changed.
Flames surrounded the Herrscher of the Void manifesting Chain
Fu Hua poured the last of her remaining power into suppressing Sirin.
The Herrscher struggled against the chain.
Her roar echoed through the collapsing mindscape.
But Fu Hua did not stop.
With one final surge of power—
Sirin was forced back into the darkness from whence she came.
The pressure surrounding Kiana disappeared.
Silence returned.
Fu Hua's figure began to fade.
Particles of light drifted from her body.
Kiana looked toward her.
Fu Hua: "Kiana…"
Fu Hua's voice was becoming weaker.
Fu Hua: "…You are on your own from now on."
Kiana reached toward her.
But Fu Hua continued fading.
Until she disappeared completely.
Kiana's mind finally seemed at ease.
For now.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The ruined city returned to her vision.
Kiana took a deep breath and tried to stand.
Her legs trembled.
She forced herself forward.
One step.
Then another.
But suddenly—
THUD!
Kiana stopped.
A sound came from above.
She slowly turned around.
Three Honkai Beasts stood on the remains of a ruined structure.
Their crimson eyes locked onto her.
Kiana's face paled.
The creatures jumped down.
BOOM!
They landed in front of her.
Then they charged.
Kiana tried to run.
But her exhausted body refused to cooperate.
She stumbled.
And fell to her knees.
The Honkai Beasts raised their lances.
Kiana quickly covered her head.
She waited.
For the impact.
For the pain.
But—
Nothing happened.
Kiana slowly opened her eyes.
The world had stopped.
The monsters were frozen.
Dust hung motionlessly in the air.
Even the wind had disappeared.
Kiana slowly looked forward.
Then—
CRACK.
Reality shattered.
A small fracture appeared in the air.
From the broken fragment of reality—
Someone walked out.
Kiana's eyes widened.
"…"
Long crimson hair flowed behind the woman, tied into a high ponytail by a metallic gold clip.
Her fierce orange-red eyes remained as familiar as ever.
She wore a striking crimson, black, and gold mechanized bodysuit with heavy white, angular armor plating covering her shoulders, forearms, and lower legs.
An asymmetrical, glowing golden exhaust port rested upon her left shoulder like a small wing.
A matching golden technological collar framed her neck.
Her right arm was covered by a long black-and-red armored gauntlet, while her left hand wore a shorter glove.
Asymmetrical armored boots covered her legs.
She stood there in the unmistakable —
Himeko Murata.
Kiana could barely breathe.
Himeko slowly walked past her.
She stopped several feet behind Kiana.
Then—
Himeko: "Kiana…"
Kiana's body trembled.
Himeko: "What are you waiting for?"
Kiana turned around.
But Himeko was already disappearing.
Her body broke apart into countless crimson flames.
The flames drifted into the darkness.
Then vanished.
Kiana stared at the place where Himeko had stood.
Her lips trembled.
But another voice suddenly spoke beside her.
A familiar warmth wrapped around her.
Someone placed a hand upon her shoulder.
Kouga: "It's okay Kiana."
Kiana immediately turned.
Her eyes widened.
There he was.
Kouga Hayata.
The red-haired boy she knew better than anyone.
The person who had always stood beside her.
The person who had protected her.
Her friend.
Her rival.
Her lover.
Her voice was about to break.
Kiana: "Kouga ..."
Kouga smiled gently.
Kouga: "Stand up, Kiana, I'm alway by your side no matter what."
Kiana reached toward him.
But just like Himeko—
Kouga began to fade.
His body dissolved into warm, flame-like particles.
He disappeared.
Kiana stood alone.
She slowly closed her eyes.
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Kiana: "Miss Himeko…Kouga"
Something changed.
Energy began flowing through her body.
Kiana's feet slowly left the ground.
She began to float.
Four Subspace Lances materialized behind her.
They hovered in the air .
Tears continued falling from Kiana's eyes.
But this time—
She wasn't crying because she was afraid.
She understood.
She finally understood what they had wanted for her.
The three Honkai Beasts rushed forward.
Kiana opened her eyes.
A massive surge of energy erupted from her body.
BOOOOOOM!
The three monsters were instantly annihilated.
Kiana floated silently in the air.
Her tears drifted away.
Kiana: "I see it now…"
The Subspace Lances rotated behind her.
Kiana: "I will change this imperfect world…"
Kiana opened her eyes completely.
One blue eye.
One yellow eye.
Her expression hardened.
Kiana: "…Into the one I want!"
Her body erupted with brilliant light.
The light consumed her.
When the radiance finally faded—
Kiana was no longer wearing the White Comet battlesuit.
Her familiar twin braids were gone.
Long white hair flowed freely behind her.
Her left eye was blue.
Her right eye was yellow.
A black-and-orange hairpin rested in her hair.
She now wore a black coat over a black-and-white suit.
Black-and-white gloves covered her hands.
A white belt rested around her waist.
Her right leg was covered by a black thigh-high boot.
Her left foot wore a black shoe.
Four Subspace Lances hovered behind her.
Kiana slowly descended to the ground.
More Honkai Beasts emerged from the darkness.
They rushed toward her.
Kiana calmly raised her dual pistols toward them.
The first creature lunged.
BANG!
Kiana fired.
The bullet struck them ending some Honkai beasts, but they keep on coming.
Then the air twisted.
Suddenly—
WHOOOOOM!
A powerful gravity field erupted.
The Honkai Beast was slammed violently into the ground.
The asphalt shattered beneath its body.
It struggled.
But the gravity continued increasing.
CRACK!
The creature was crushed.
Several more Honkai Beasts attacked from different directions.
Kiana disappeared.
A spatial distortion flashed.
She reappeared behind them.
Her Subspace Lances fired simultaneously.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
The weapons tore through the monsters.
Kiana raised her hand.
A small, dark sphere appeared above her palm.
The surrounding Honkai Beasts stopped.
They began sliding backward.
The sphere grew.
The creatures desperately tried to escape.
But the gravitational force was too powerful.
One by one—
They were dragged into the miniature black hole.
Their roars disappeared into the darkness.
The black hole collapsed.
BOOM!
A shockwave swept across the street.
More creatures charged.
Kiana calmly summoned another Subspace Lance.
But instead of launching it—
She grabbed it.
The weapon solidified in her hand.
Kiana swung it like a spear.
SLASH!
A Honkai Beast was cut in half.
She spun.
The lance followed her movement.
CRASH!
Another creature was thrown through a wall.
A third monster attacked from behind.
Kiana opened a portal beneath its feet.
The creature fell through it.
Another portal opened high above the battlefield.
The Honkai Beast emerged from the sky—
And slammed directly into the ground.
BOOM!
Kiana stood in the center of the battlefield.
The monsters surrounded her as Kiana moved through the battlefield like a phantom.
A Honkai Beast attempted to attack from above.
Kiana raised her hand.
The creature froze in midair.
Gravity crushed it downward.
BOOM!
Another monster lunged from behind.
Kiana immediately opened a portal.
The creature's attack passed through it—
And emerged from another portal directly in front of another Honkai Beast.
The two monsters collided.
Kiana pointed a Subspace Lance toward them.
SHING!
The weapon pierced through both.
One by one—
The Honkai Beasts fell.
Then—
A surviving monster suddenly appeared behind Kiana.
Its massive claw swung toward her.
Kiana turned.
She was too late.
She prepared to endure the attack.
But—
The crystal necklace around her neck began glowing.
A brilliant flame-colored light erupted.
Kiana instinctively closed her eyes and raised her arm against the brightness.
The expected impact never came.
Silence.
Kiana slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes widened.
Standing before her—
Was an orange, transparent warrior.
Kamen Rider OOO Tajadol Combo.
The transparent Rider held the Honkai Beast in the air with one hand.
The creature struggled desperately.
Then Tajadol raised his other hand.
Flames appeared.
The fire engulfed the monster.
Within seconds—
It was reduced to ash.
Kiana couldn't move.
The transparent Rider turned.
Then more Honkai Beasts rushed toward them.
Tajadol moved.
Flames erupted from his body.
He flew through the battlefield.
A storm of fire followed him.
Every Honkai Beast caught within the flames was burned away.
Until—
Only Kiana and the transparent Rider remained.
Kiana stared at him.
She couldn't say anything.
The figure was transparent.
She couldn't see his face.
But she knew that armor.
She had seen it before.
She remembered the person who wore it.
Her lips trembled.
Kiana: "Kouga... ??"
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
She tried to stop them.
But she couldn't.
Kiana slowly walked toward the transparent Rider.
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
She raised her arms.
She wanted to embrace him.
Even if it was only an illusion.
Even if it was only for one moment.
But before she could reach him—
The transparent Rider turned into orange particles.
The particles drifted through the air.
Then flowed directly into her crystal necklace.
Kiana froze.
Her hand slowly moved toward the necklace.
She held it tightly against her chest.
Her tears continued falling.
But a small smile appeared on her face.
Kiana: "So you were always by my side..."
The crystal continued glowing softly.
Warmly.
Like a familiar presence.
A few moments later, Kiana's transformation ended.
Her long white hair returned to its familiar style.
Two large braids fell behind her head.
The White Comet battlesuit returned.
Her jacket rested over her shoulders once again.
Kiana stood silently beneath the fading darkness.
Then—
Fu Hua appeared within her vision once more.
Fu Hua: "Kiana…"
Kiana turned toward her.
Fu Hua: "…You've mastered the Void Queen's powers by the sheer might of your own will."
Kiana remained silent.
But regret soon filled her expression.
Kiana: "…"
Her hand tightened around the crystal necklace.
Kiana: "If only I could do that sooner… just a bit sooner… perhaps…"
Fu Hua looked at her quietly.
Fu Hua: "Miss Himeko won't be happy if she sees you mired in endless regret and grief and Kouga most certainly want you to live a good life."
Kiana lowered her head.
Fu Hua: "She did everything she could to give you her final lesson because she BELIEVES in you and Kouga gave you the necklace to protect you."
Kiana closed her eyes.
For a moment, she remembered them.
Himeko.
Kouga.
Kiana slowly opened her eyes.
This time, her expression was different.
Determined.
Kiana: "I understand… I won't dwell on the pains of my past."
She looked toward the horizon.
Kiana: "I'll live up to their expectations."
Fu Hua gave a faint smile.
Fu Hua: "Let's go. Sirin's ego may be sealed for now… but who knows… SHE might appear again."
Kiana nodded.
Fu Hua: "We have a long way ahead of us."
The darkness of the night began to fade.
Fu Hua: "There are plenty of things to do."
Slowly—
The sun rose over the city.
Golden light spread across the horizon.
Kiana took a deep breath.
She touched the crystal necklace resting against her chest.
Then she began walking forward.