During their prolonged battle, Raven kept hurling taunts at Kiana.
She mocked Kiana for being just a clone, a thief who stole someone else's life, claiming no one truly loved her for who she was.
Since she couldn't actually beat Kiana up, Raven settled for psychological warfare—venting her frustrations by tearing into Kiana's mental state.
And it worked. Kiana's composure cracked, her defenses crumbling.
Kiana feared no enemy, no matter how strong. What she truly feared were opponents she couldn't defeat—ones who knew exactly how to twist the knife with their words.
"Shut up! I am Kiana! Kiana Kaslana!"
Finally, with Mei's help, Kiana landed a solid kick to Raven's abdomen, sending her flying off the rooftop.
"Gah—! That hurt! I'll be back! But I've bought enough time. Later, losers!"
Clutching her stomach, Raven spread her cloak and glided to safety on a nearby building.
Hearing Raven's parting words, Kiana's gaze snapped toward the Honkai reactor.
The reactor pulsed with violet light, teetering on the brink of detonation.
"No... There's no time left. I... I can't do anything. I failed to keep my promise to Himeko-sensei..."
Just by judging the distance, Kiana knew she couldn't transport it away in time.
Their mission had ended in failure.
Then, Fu Hua's voice spoke up.
"No. There's still a way. I'll suppress Sirin's consciousness while you tap into the full power of the Herrscher's authority. It should be enough to resolve this crisis. But afterward... I'll fall into a deep sleep. You'll be on your own."
"Class Monitor..."
Kiana stared at Fu Hua in stunned silence.
Then, wiping away her frustrated tears, Kiana steadied herself and nodded. "I won't let you down."
She sprinted toward the reactor.
The moment she touched it, the overwhelming Honkai energy seared her skin, leaving visible corruption marks.
"Class Monitor... I'm counting on you."
Channeling the full power of the Herrscher of the Void, Kiana's outfit transformed into full Herrscher regalia.
She looked identical to Sirin in her rampage—except for her eyes. Not the cold, godlike gold of the Herrscher, but the vibrant blue of Kiana Kaslana.
Lifting the reactor skyward, Kiana poured every ounce of strength into pushing it higher.
There wasn't enough time to teleport it away—the sheer Honkai energy would warp space unpredictably.
To avoid harming innocents, Kiana chose the only option left: launching it into the sky to detonate harmlessly.
"Go—! UP!"
A violet meteor streaked across the heavens. To the people below, it was just another shooting star.
At the last moment, Kiana mustered her final reserves to propel it even higher.
Watching the reactor ascend, its violet light blooming like a deadly flower, Kiana closed her eyes in relief.
"Himeko-sensei... I kept my promise. I turned this imperfect story... into the one I wanted..."
Then, consciousness fled. Kiana plummeted.
But before she could crash, a golden-haired figure soared through the air, wielding a white knight's lance. She murmured something under her breath.
From the earth below, colossal vines erupted, stretching skyward to gently catch Kiana and lower her safely to the ground.
The woman landed beside her.
"My dear little sister... Our first meeting under these circumstances... How fitting. You've suffered so much."
Brushing Kiana's hair aside, the woman gazed at her sleeping face.
"Get your hands off Kiana!"
A blade flashed. Mei had arrived, forcing the golden-haired woman—Durandal—back with a single slash.
Durandal studied Mei with an unreadable expression.
Mei couldn't shake the feeling that Durandal was looking at her like a father scrutinizing his future son-in-law.
It was... unsettling.
"The Herrscher of Thunder, Raiden Mei, correct?"
"Who are you? Stay away from Kiana!"
"...I am Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal. By the Overseer's orders, I'm retrieving test subject K-423. If you wish to stop me... then try."
Mei's pupils constricted at the name.
Even at St. Freya, Durandal's reputation was legendary.
An S-rank Valkyrie whose combat prowess surpassed even Herrschers.
Sweat slicked Mei's palms as she gripped her sword.
But she didn't back down.
Durandal approved. This was the kind of resolve worthy of her future sister-in-law.
Though, judging by the script, her little sister seemed to be the "bottom" in this relationship.
Poor Kiana. So meek. Unlike her—when she said "jump," Rita asked "how high?"
"I see your determination. Then come, Raiden Mei. Show me you have the strength to protect what matters."
The instant Durandal finished speaking, Mei blurred forward, a crimson lightning afterimage marking her original position.
"The Herrscher of Thunder's power? You've begun awakening it?"
"None of your business."
When Durandal effortlessly dodged, Mei intensified her assault, lightning crackling violently.
Minutes later...
Mei stared at Durandal, who hadn't even broken a sweat.
The gap between them was insurmountable. Ten of her wouldn't be enough to win.
Seeing Mei's defeated stance, Durandal scooped Kiana into a princess carry.
As she walked away, Mei's anguished cry echoed behind her:
"I really... can't do anything!"