"Kiana, stop it! You're just making fun of me now!"
Covering her face, Raiden Mei never imagined that the cool line she'd once said could sound so embarrassing when repeated by someone else - especially when that someone was so important to her, amplifying the embarrassment tenfold.
"I'm not making fun of you at all. I meant every word. When you said that back then, it was really cool. Though... I did feel pretty helpless at the time."
Kiana gently shook her head, her gaze softening as she locked eyes with Mei.
"But now everything's better. We can fight side by side again, just like our days at St. Freya."
She never considered those words mockery. On the contrary, she'd genuinely thought Mei was cool back then - though it would've been better without the beating.
"Kiana... Yes, we'll fight together again."
As Mei turned, Kiana noticed a hole punched through the wire mesh fencing.
"Huh? When did this hole appear here? I don't quite remember..."
The damage looked familiar, yet she couldn't recall its origin.
Mei awkwardly scratched her cheek. "That was... probably from when I knocked you through it."
"Oh right! But Mei, you hit me so hard back then! No more of that, okay?"
Just remembering made Kiana's stomach twinge with phantom pain. Mei hadn't held back at all, putting everything into that strike.
"There won't be a next time. Never again."
As they spoke, the scenery around them began shifting once more, transporting them to where Mei had once battled the Void Archives.
"This is the place. Kiana, get ready - our opponent will appear soon."
Drawing her katana, Mei gave Kiana a gentle warning. Having defeated this enemy once before, she had no doubts about their victory now with two of them.
"Got it! Let's show this monster our teamwork!"
Time seemed to slow as golden light flashed, revealing the silhouette of interlocking gears. From above and below, two gear-shaped entities collided, forming a monstrous construct of dark gold clockwork elements.
"This is the Void Archives. Be careful, Kiana - it can resurrect. We can't give it any openings."
"Don't worry, Mei. I won't give it a second chance."
Taking flanking positions, they charged simultaneously. The battle commenced in an instant.
Caught between their pincer attack, the Void Archives could only face one opponent at a time. When it turned toward Mei, Kiana struck from behind. When it targeted Kiana, Mei launched a sneak attack. Thus, the Void Archives' first life was swiftly extinguished.
As its body began glowing gold during resurrection, instead of waiting passively, they joined forces to eliminate it during its vulnerable state.
The moment it was destroyed, their Herrscher authorities were fully restored.
"My power... it's back!"
"Yes, the restraints are completely broken. We can return now."
"Return... to where we belong."
Kiana slowly extended her left hand, gently intertwining her fingers with Mei's right in a firm grasp.
"!!!"
"Let's go, Mei. Time to wake up."
Not giving Mei time to react, Kiana ended the dream layer first. White light flashed as the distinctive fragrance unique to Mei drifted through the air, lingering around Kiana's senses.
"Kiana... that was sneaky of you just now."
"Heheh, just some classic Kaslana flirting techniques."
Kevin (from afar): Can confirm.
Kiana's claim received silent verification from their hidden observer.
"Welcome back, Mei-senpai. And idiot Kiana. Judging by your expressions, you're ready to face the Void Archives. Let's move out."
"Got it, little Bronya. Lead the way."
"Idiot Kiana! Don't call Bronya 'little'! Bronya just hasn't finished growing yet! You'll see - thirty years east of the river, thirty years west!"
Bronya rolled her eyes at the new nickname before guiding them to where Prometheus and Senti awaited.
"Done already? Great! I can't wait to get back and punch Kevin. How dare he push forward with that stupid plan? He's begging for a beating."
"...You think you can take Kevin?"
Kiana raised an eyebrow at Senti's bravado.
"It's fifty-fifty. I might not beat him, but he can't do anything to me either."
"...Prometheus, lead the way."
"Understood. Please follow me."
With a human-like nod, Prometheus guided them to a portal.
"This gateway will return you to your original world. The rest... is up to you."
"Don't worry. I won't let Kevin execute that plan."
After this assurance, Kiana stepped through first. The instant she emerged, a golden blur tackled her in a hug.
"Huh?"
"Kiana! Long time no see! I've finally found you again!"
"Du-Durandal? Why so excited?"
Kiana was genuinely confused by Durandal's enthusiasm. She didn't recall them being this close.
"Why wouldn't I be? My dear little sister."
"...Huh?"
The address short-circuited Kiana's brain momentarily before she let out a stunned noise.
"No need for confusion. I've recovered all my memories from the Stigma space. My name is Kiana - the one you're thinking of."