No matter how things developed, in the end, she and i would walk together into the sea of stars—that much was certain.
Even in the worst-case scenario, it would still be so.
Having crossed into this world as Kiana and being born as the Herrscher of Finality, dying wasn't exactly easy for her.
And as for i—her future self was the one who wept for the dead, Acheron. Even Nihility itself could not fully consu her.
Kiana's existence here, sothing that shouldn't have happened, would undoubtedly alter Acheron's fate. But she was always preparing for the worst.
It would be difficult, yes—but she would do everything she could to guide events so that Izumo's future wouldn't end up worse than the one in the story.
After talking for a while—about topics that let them understand each other a little better—the two of them found a spot to sit and admire the scenery before them.
Since arriving in this world, Kiana had spent nearly every day working hard just to survive. In such a peaceful place, she naturally began to relax.
"Actually, about my father…"
After quietly gazing at the lake's surface for a while, i was about to speak more about her father—but then she felt a sudden weight on her shoulder. The words she'd been about to say faded away.
Three days ago, after Almighty Thunder's death, she had tried contacting her father. This ti, he had responded—but only briefly. His reply seed to exist solely to prove he was still alive.
There was no warmth in his words.
He didn't ask about her, didn't ntion Howl, and didn't even give her Sirin's contact information.
It left Raiden i completely disappointed.
Carefully turning her head, she saw Kiana resting against her shoulder, her arms loosely wrapped around her, eyes closed in sleep.
"Haven't been sleeping well lately?" i murmured softly.
She raised her hand, wanting to touch Kiana's face—but hesitated halfway and quietly pulled it back.
What if she woke her up?
And besides, touching Kiana's face while she slept felt… improper.
For so reason, though, her heart felt lighter. Even looking at the tranquil lake before her filled her with a new sense of calm.
That deep blue color…
It was so much like Kiana's eyes.
Both were equally clear, equally pure.
"If only it could stay like this forever," she whispered.
She truly enjoyed these quiet monts with Kiana—and she was sure Kiana felt the sa.
The shrine was spacious, yet Kiana always insisted on staying nearby, even when doing nothing but watching her.
Kiana…
i quietly pulled out her phone, found the right angle, and took a picture of the two of them together.
When they got back, she'd print it out.
And keep it in her room—sowhere she could see it every day.
Still holding that pose, i's thoughts drifted once more—to her own swordsmanship.
Howl's power was undeniable.
But she hadn't given up her blade training. She continued steadily developing a new style suited to her Stigmata.
Ti passed quickly in ditation. Clouds drifted across the sky, and daylight slowly dimd.
"Mmm…"
Resting with her head tilted like that wasn't exactly a comfortable sleeping position. Perhaps finally rested enough, Kiana stirred awake.
She rubbed her eyes. If not for her enhanced physique, her neck and shoulders would probably be sore by now.
"Awake?" i asked gently. "We should head back."
"Huh? Oh—I actually fell asleep, didn't I?"
Only now did Kiana realize what had happened. Judging by the light, it must have been around five in the afternoon.
"It was just too peaceful—the breeze was nice, and I couldn't resist," she said, scratching her cheek in mild embarrassnt.
"As long as you like it here," i replied with a smile, unconcerned about her having fallen asleep on her shoulder.
Like it here?
The scenery—or…
Kiana abruptly stopped that train of thought, quickly standing up and brushing stray bits of grass from her clothes.
Then she extended a hand toward i. "Co on, let's go back."
"Mm."
i placed her hand in Kiana's, using her strength to stand even though she didn't really need it.
She took one last look at the peaceful lakeside scenery, ready to ntion dinner plans—but before she could speak, her brows furrowed suddenly.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing i frown, Kiana imdiately grew concerned. "Did I press on you too hard? Is your shoulder sore? Want to massage it for you?"
i shook her head, looking toward the mountain on the eastern side of Mirror Lake. "It feels like there's a Kami nearby."
Thanks to the many Kami she had slain, she could now recognize their unique energy signatures with ease.
"What a coincidence?"
Kiana followed i's gaze to the mountain, pointing. "Over there?"
"It should be in that direction."
"Then let's go check it out."
That had been part of the plan anyway—to find a few Kami to hunt. She didn't know what level this one was, but even a small catch was still a catch.
With the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons over after Almighty Thunder's death, her source of inco had practically dried up. Finding these hidden Kami was proving difficult.
Kiana trusted i's instincts—and rightly so. They had barely walked a few steps when a bright burst of fire suddenly flared halfway up the mountain.
"Soone's there?"
Kiana and i exchanged a glance and quickened their pace. The closer they got, the stronger the Honkai Energy concentration in the area beca—far higher than normal.
Which ant…
"Honkai creatures?"
Kiana's pace quickened again, hoping her suspicions were wrong.
"Honkai?"
i pressed her lips together and surged ahead, overtaking Kiana, determined to see what it was.
As they neared the source of the flas, the ground trembled with heavy, thunderous impacts, and strange roars echoed through the forest—inhuman, violent. Faint bursts of fire illuminated the area.
Within a few breaths, i reached the scene—and saw a massive green creature, over five ters tall, swinging a tree trunk like a club as it struck at a cloaked girl dressed in black.
The creature's skin was marked with strange patterns—lines that clearly pulsed with Honkai corruption.
"Civilians, evacuate imdiately!"
The agile girl noticed the approaching figures. Her eyes widened slightly before she barked a warning in a cold tone.
The newcors weren't wearing the black robes used to cover mutated parts—aning they probably weren't her comrades.
Which ant, most likely, they were just curious civilians—uninford and powerless.
i didn't move to leave. Her eyes instead focused on the blade in the girl's hand—a sword wreathed in orange-yellow flas—and on the clawed, inhuman hand gripping it.
Soone from Sirin's group.
How fortunate.
i's hand closed around the hilt of her own weapon. Thunder roared.
In the next instant, lightning flashed across the battlefield.
Before the struggling girl could react, a blinding streak of electricity cleaved through the air—and exploded across the monstrous Kami's body.
In an instant, the enormous creature—once so powerful and resilient—was torn apart into countless charred fragnts. The black curse of the Kami's death spiraled toward the warrior who had slain it.
One strike… and it was over?
The girl stood frozen, her burning blade slowly dimming as the flas faded away.
Such overwhelming power…
A na surfaced in her mind.
"Raiden i?!"
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