"Mei… I'm not your Kiana. This will only make Kiana sad, you know?" Xia Qi looked at Raiden Mei, forcing a light smile.
"…"
The Herrscher of Thunder went quiet for a second, but her hand didn't let go. Her eyes, glowing with purple lightning, were dead set.
"But do you remember? At Senba Academy, you reached out and caught me when I fell?"
"… I remember, but that…"
"That is enough."
The Herrscher's voice was calm.
"I don't care where your Raiden Mei is, or if she's safe. You are Kiana, and you're here with me. I won't let you go. You belong by my side, Kiana."
"…"
Xia Qi fell silent.
"Mei!!"
Shouts came from outside the bathroom, followed by running footsteps.
"Come meet them with me, Kiana. I'll handle it."
The Herrscher held her hand tightly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"…"
Xia Qi stayed quiet, letting Mei pull her toward the door. Then, she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Haah… You're always like this. No matter when, whether it's the Mei who went through all that, or the Mei before… you're the best. It's just… so good."
"What?"
The Herrscher stopped and turned, frowning slightly in confusion.
"What did you go through, Kiana? Tell m—"
Bang!
The Domain of the Void materialized in Xia Qi's hand. A beam of searing light shot out and struck the Herrscher of Thunder squarely in the back.
"!"
Caught completely off guard, the Herrscher stumbled forward. Xia Qi caught her, kneeling gently and letting her head rest on her lap. Xia Qi's blue eyes were misty, the corners red, but her face showed nothing but resolve—a sad, bittersweet kind.
"Ki…a…na?"
"I'm sorry, Mei. Whatever happens, I won't let you go through those things again. You just… stay with Kiana. With Teacher Himeko, with Class Monitor, with everyone. Live a good life. That's enough. And tell Teacher Himeko… I never forgot what she taught me. I've kept it close."
She stroked the Herrscher's cheek softly. "This time… let me face it alone."
Then she laid Mei's head down on the floor and stood up. She took one last, long look at her—eyes full of heartbreaking finality.
"Ha… Getting to see you again was really… wonderful, Mei."
With that, a tragically beautiful smile crossed 'Kiana's' face. She turned and stepped without hesitation into a spatial rift that tore open before her.
"Kiana!"
The Herrscher didn't fully understand the words, but a deep, cold fear gripped her.
How can Kiana hurt me this badly in one hit? How can she leave me unable to move? Why did she say it was good to see me? What is she going to face?!
She struggled to reach out, fingers trying to grab the edge of Xia Qi's cape. But all she caught was the frayed, burnt hem before it vanished into the rift.
"Don't go!"
The rift sealed shut.
"Mei!"
The others finally burst into the room.
"What happened?!"
Just before they'd reached the bathroom, a clear barrier had blocked their way—even Project Bunny's attacks did nothing.
They'd heard everything inside, frantic and helpless.
"Kiana…"
The Herrscher of Thunder weakly closed her eyes, her terrifying presence fading. But above St. Freya, the black clouds and wild lightning kept raging, as if furious, terrifying to behold.
"Hurry! Get Mei to the infirmary!"
Theresa shouted. Himeko immediately scooped Mei up and ran.
Theresa quickly scanned the room. "Bronya, find anything?"
"There are Honkai energy fluctuations. According to records, the frequency matches the Second Herrscher opening a spatial rift."
Bronya's brow was furrowed, Project Bunny hovering beside her, analyzing.
"The Second Herrscher?"
Theresa's face went pale with shock.
"Kiana?!"
Just then, Himeko's cry came from outside. Theresa and Bronya cut off their thoughts and rushed out.
"Instructor Himeko? What's wrong with Mei?!"
Kiana looked at Mei in Himeko's arms, her own face pale and anxious. She was so weak she had to lean against the wall.
"Mei's hurt, unconscious. Theresa, Bronya, help Kiana back to bed! Kiana, don't worry, I'll take Mei to the doctor!"
Himeko called urgently before hurrying off. Theresa and Bronya rushed to Kiana's sides, supporting her.
"Foolish Kiana, come back with Bronya. You're still weak."
"Right! You're so troublesome! Come back first!"
"Wait… What just happened?"
Kiana asked anxiously, but Theresa and Bronya went quiet.
"Kiana… we'll need to wait until Mei wakes up and ask what you know about the other you before we can figure this out."
"Mm. The Headmistress is right. Right now, you need to get back to bed and rest."
---
Xia Qi hadn't really left.
After pushing down the storm inside her, she transformed and stood calmly high above St. Freya. Amidst the swirling black clouds and thunder, her gaze was detached, serene, watching the scene below.
"Kiana…"
She sighed deeply.
Lightning danced wildly around her, but none touched her.
When she gently raised her right hand, slender fingers giving a slight wave…
The heavy black clouds began to scatter in all directions. The roaring, frenzied lightning calmed, fading into nothing.
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