"Good girl, little Kiana. Now let's discuss serious matters. The reason you can't use your Herrscher powers is because of Kevin. He placed restraints on you all. Without breaking these restraints, you won't regain your authority - this is part of the Stigma Plan's power."
After releasing Kiana, Dr. MEI began discussing business with them.
"Big Sister Mei, are you saying you have a way to break these restraints on us?"
Hearing this, Kiana's eyes lit up as she asked excitedly.
"Of course. But this depends on whether the Herrscher of Sentience can defeat you."
As she spoke, Dr. MEI glanced at Senti, signaling it was her turn.
Senti froze momentarily before immediately adopting an arrogant expression, crossing her arms and glaring at Kiana: "Defeat her? In her current state without authority? I could crush her with one finger."
"Heh, then try if you can."
"Wait, Big Sister Mei, what are you-"
Before Kiana could finish, a red light flashed as Senti pulled her into the consciousness space.
Seeing this, Bronya immediately summoned Project Bunny in attack mode, aiming at Dr. MEI.
"Dr. MEI, please explain why you had the Herrscher of Sentience attack Kiana."
Seeing Bronya's emotional reaction, Dr. MEI shook her head with a wry smile.
The usually rational Herrscher of Reason hadn't remained as calm as the Herrscher of Thunder beside her. Couldn't she see Mei wasn't worried at all?
"You'll understand soon. But I don't recommend keeping that weapon pointed at me, or something terrible might happen."
"...I hope you're not lying. Otherwise, Bronya will stop at nothing to kill you."
Bronya sensed imminent danger and recalled Project Bunny, though she couldn't identify the source of this terrifying feeling.
Meanwhile, in Senti's consciousness space:
"Kiana, last time you only won because of that old fossil. Without her, let's see if you can still defeat me!"
"No, Senti, I don't want to fight. I just want to know how to break the restraints."
"Not listening! Fight first!"
Senti shook her head stubbornly. This time she would redeem herself - her previous loss was just scripted, definitely not because she was weaker!
"Sigh."
Reluctantly, Kiana drew her greatsword.
During the battle, Kiana noticed each hit slightly loosened the restraints. She suddenly understood Dr. MEI's intention.
"Harder, Senti! Hit me with everything you've got!"
"...As you wish."
Hearing this scripted line made Senti's eye twitch. Without context, she'd think Kiana had developed some strange masochistic tendencies.
True to Kiana's request, Senti thoroughly beat her until the restraints shattered.
"Enough! I admit you're stronger now."
"Of course! Even if you became the... ahem, regained your Void powers, you're no match for me!"
Catching her near slip-up, Senti quickly corrected herself. Luckily, Kiana was too focused on reclaiming her authority to notice.
"Now let me out."
Exiting the consciousness space, Kiana excitedly explained: "Senti, I understand now! Dr. MEI provoked you to attack me because mental assaults break this psychological restraint!"
"...I already knew that."
Senti waved dismissively, basking in her scripted omniscience.
"You knew? That's amazing! But she left? Let's regroup with the others."
Kiana felt embarrassed for only realizing this now, but quickly shook it off to find their companions.
They eventually found the group with a new member.
"Huh? Mei, did you make a new friend while I was gone? Why does she look so much like Bronya? Even the height..."
"Idiot Kiana! Bronya will still grow taller!"
Bronya's face darkened at the height comment, while Prometheus simply stared at Kiana with unsettlingly blank eyes.
"Sorry sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned height."
Kiana quickly apologized under that gaze.
"Hmph. I'm the android Prometheus. If I wanted height, I could easily replace my limbs. Don't mention height again."
"Wow, you can grow taller that easily?"
Kiana marveled at how simple height adjustment was for androids.
"Idiot Kiana, that's not the point! The point is she's an android who explained everything in your absence. She'll guide our next steps."
As Bronya refocused the conversation, Prometheus flawlessly delivered all her scripted lines. If there was an award for best actor, Prometheus would win for her perfect delivery.
After receiving their assignments, the group split up. Kiana briefly met Durandal before preparing to help Mei break her restraints.