"I didn't expect to meet you in this form, my host."
In the Stigmata Space, the two of them stood facing each other with a treasure chest between them. Seele looked at the person before her, identical to herself in every way except for her eyes.
"You are... the voice that's always in my head!"
"Yes, it's me. I am the memory etched into the Stigmata. From tens of thousands of years ago, I was transcribed into humanity's genetic factors to pass down the power left by the previous era and... the resentment towards 'God,' also known as the 'Honkai.'
I was born from you. I am the opposite of your will. I am your Stigmata Consciousness. I... am you.
My memories are synchronized with yours, but I know a little more about the Stigmata on your body, as if it were instinctively engraved in my mind.
Inside that box is technology, knowledge, and power far exceeding that of your era. But you can't control it yet. Once you open the box, you'll be devoured by what's inside."
"But... Sister Bronya is in there, I have to save her!" Seele retorted firmly.
"Bronya? How could Bronya possibly be here? Were you even listening to me? You could die if you open that box!"
"But..."
Seele was still hesitant. She had clearly seen Sister Bronya inside the box.
"So naive. If you die, I'll disappear too. Don't drag me into this!"
The other Seele transformed into Sin Mal, tackled Seele to the ground, and shouted at her in Sin's voice, trying to scare her away.
"Crybaby Seele! You can't do anything right, how could you possibly complete the experiment successfully? Stop daydreaming!"
"Sin..." A trace of confusion and fear flashed in Seele's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a determined gaze as she stared at Sin and pushed her away. "Seele... No... I'm not afraid of you anymore!"
Sin's lips curled up slightly, and then she transformed into Cocolia.
"Seele, this experiment is too dangerous. Mama doesn't want to lose you. Come back."
Seele hesitated for a moment, but ultimately made up her mind and rejected the false Cocolia.
"Mama... I'm sorry, Mama. I've already made my decision."
"Seele... you've grown up."
The false Cocolia affectionately stroked Seele's head, then transformed into the person Seele wanted to see most.
"Seele!" The other Seele transformed again, this time into Bronya, and hugged Seele tightly.
"The Bronya will always be with Seele. It doesn't matter if Seele doesn't do anything. The Bronya will protect Seele. The Bronya doesn't want to see Seele disappear..."
Seele's eyes widened, and tears began to flow uncontrollably. She understood now. These were all illusions created by her other self to stop her from opening the box. So real, so real it scared Seele...
Because this was what Mama Cocolia and Sister Bronya truly thought...
Seele tried hard not to cry, but the tears kept streaming down as she was no longer afraid.
Seele pressed her forehead against the Bronya that her other self had transformed into, their fingers intertwined.
"If... if Seele's experiment fails... then Sister Bronya will have to undergo it, right?"
Seele hugged her other self, resting her head on her shoulder.
"Every time Seele hid in the toy box crying, Sister Bronya would hold me just like this."
After holding her for a moment, Seele sat up straight, crying and smiling at her other self.
"'Don't'... 'I'm sorry'... those words of avoidance might comfort me... but this time, I won't run away. I won't let my dearest Sister Bronya get hurt again because of my weakness."
Bronya smiled at her, then transformed back into her original form, which was also Seele.
"Seele, you're such a kind child. I really don't know what to do with you, my host."
The two Seeles faced each other, finally reaching out and holding each other's hands.
"I can't take it. Fine, fine, I don't care what happens next.
But Seele... no matter what lies ahead... I will walk this path with you.
Because... I am you."
Holding hands, they opened the treasure chest together. In that moment, a brilliant light shone, and Seele saw the Bronya she longed for. She smiled and said to her.
"You finally found me, Seele—"
0.2 seconds. The space around the test subject began to warp.
0.6 seconds. The metal sphere she was controlling erupted in a dazzling light.
0.8 seconds. The metal sphere vanished into the quantum world. The distortion ceased, and everything returned to calm.
In those 0.8 seconds, filled with Seele Vollerei's courage and resolve—the experiment was a success!
Watching the data stabilize and Seele awaken, the research staff stood up excitedly, shouting with joy. Some couldn't help but shed tears.
Seele smiled excitedly too. She did it. This time, Seele protected Sister Bronya.
Seele gave Mama Cocolia, who had run up to her, a heartfelt smile. Cocolia was also overjoyed. She was just about to speak to Seele, but the moment she said her name, Seele's entire body vanished right before her eyes.
Cocolia was stunned, then slammed her hand on the operator's console in a fit of rage.
"What's going on! Why did Seele's body suddenly disappear!"
"Unable to determine. According to the detection data, the test subject's material structure is collapsing.
It might sound like something out of a fantasy, but... the test subject is undergoing quantization!"
At this point, Seele had not yet fully quantized, but her form was no longer visible to the naked eye. The inner persona Seele floated naked behind her, then gently embraced her.
"As I thought... your body still can't withstand the power from the box.
Seele... you're about to disappear from this world."
"I want... to see Sister Bronya one more time..."
"Alright, alright. Before you disappear, let's go see Sister Bronya one last time. Embrace your power, Seele."
The inner persona used Honkai energy to conjure a blue and white, off-the-shoulder short dress for Seele. The Stigmata on her chest was particularly striking against her pale skin. Blue stockings with white stripes tightly wrapped around her legs.
[Image]
On her head was a delicate hairpin, inlaid with sapphires and rubies, with three petal-like decorations in black, blue, and white next to it.
[Image]
Then, the inner persona herself transformed into a giant scythe—Nursery Rhyme—which Seele held in her hand. Seele's eyes turned from blue to crimson, but this time, it was still the surface persona Seele in control of her body.
Seele swung the scythe, slicing open the container she was submerged in, and then vanished from the laboratory.