13 minutes ago
Containment Bay 7 – Helheim Honkai Energy System Labs, Schicksal HQ
The room was barely fifteen square meters.
Cold concrete walls. A narrow bed bolted to the floor. Basic sanitary fixtures. No decoration. No comfort. It had once housed test subjects — not patients.
Now, Himeko Murata lay there.
Bandages wrapped around her torso and arms. Her red hair spilled across the thin pillow like fading embers. The once fierce Valkyrie now looked painfully fragile.
Rita stood near the bedside terminal, reviewing the data. Fu Hua remained at Himeko's side.
Both of them bore fresh bandages of their own.
Rita finally spoke : "The test results are out. Miss Murata's vitals have returned to normal."
Fu Hua did not look relieved as she said : "She's still unconscious."
Rita folded her hands neatly and answer : "Her body has endured extended periods of abuse and over-exhaustion."
A pause lingered between them.
Then Rita added gently : "Oh, don't blame yourself, Master Fu Hua. It has nothing to do with you."
For a brief moment, both women felt it again.
A phantom chill crawling up their spines.
Containment Bay 9.
The memory of the black armored Rider.
Even restrained — bound in multiple layers of suppression — the thought of him was enough to send unease through them.
If his body do that to protect him…
What else could it do?
Rita then straightened : "We're supposed to send them back to Church. The accident was unexpected. We should treat them first. I've provided emergency treatment using these facilities. Decent rest will restore her health."
She turned toward the exit as she turn back at Fu Hua "Now, allow me to excuse myself. You see, Dr. Tesla must be accommodated as well. I shall meet you again once everything is in place. I'm leaving this place to your care, Master Fu Hua."
She bowed politely and departed without another glance.
The heavy door slid shut.
Fu Hua exhaled softly : "Rita has all corners covered. I'll just forget her for now."
She approached the bedside fully.
It was difficult to reconcile the image before her — the proud, reckless warrior — now reduced to quiet vulnerability.
Fu Hua raised her right hand.
A warm, rosy glow blossomed from her palm.
Light poured gently over Himeko's body. Her breathing steadied. The tension in her brow softened.
Fu Hua closed her eyes.
This will help soothe the pain.
Pristine feathers manifested in the air — shimmering, translucent, beautiful.
They drifted slowly across the small room, brushing the walls, the floor, the bed — glowing faintly as if infused with ancient memory.
Then, one by one, they dissolved.
For a split second, pain flickered across Fu Hua's normally calm face.
It'... s alright... I have more of these feathers...
She gritted her teeth.
The glow intensified.
Suddenly—
ALARMS SHRIEKED.
Red emergency lights flooded the containment bay.
Fu Hua's eyes snapped open : "…a warning!"
The automated system echoed through the halls.
Alarm: "-Non-combat personnel, please report to the nearest shelter!"
Fu Hua's gaze sharpened : "Has it finally started?"
She steadied her breathing.
Her stance firmed : "I'm... ready."
The light faded from her palm.
She turned and exited the containment bay.
Outer Passageway – Containment Area
Honkai Energy System Labs: Helheim
The corridors were in chaos.
Emergency lights. Cracked panels. Distant tremors.
Fu Hua walked swiftly — only to encounter Rita once more.
Rita spoke immediately : "Master Fu Hua, the Overseer has sent a message. The experiment worked, and the Herrscher is now awakened."
Fu Hua's eyes narrowed : "Hmph. Let's go."
They advanced together.
Suddenly—
Low growls echoed through the corridor.
Warped silhouettes crawled from shattered bulkheads.
Honkai beasts.
The alarm continued to blare overhead.
Alarm System: "Non-combat personnel please report to the nearest shelter!"
Fu Hua reacted instantly : "Honkai beasts? Have they already made it this far? We can't let the containment facilities be destroyed!"
The beasts lunged.
Rita moved first.
Her scythe swept outward in a graceful arc — precise, elegant, lethal. Violet energy carved through the monsters like silk being parted by a blade.
Fu Hua stepped forward, stance lowering.
The air around her sharpened.
Her movements were refined, disciplined — each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. Palms, fingers, elbows — every motion precise and devastating. Honkai beasts fell before they could even roar.
Within moments, the corridor was littered with dissolving remnants.
Rita assessed the situation calmly :"Honkai barrier of the containment area is down. We'll need to reset it. There are 3 control terminals. All of them should be nearby."
Without hesitation, they split briefly to locate the terminals.
Each station required manual override under combat conditions.
More beasts emerged — but neither Valkyrie faltered.
Scythe arcs and Taixuan strikes illuminated the damaged halls until—
The final terminal activated.
The barrier shimmered back to life.
Rita exhaled softly : "All nearby Honkai Beast signals are gone. This place is safe for now. ...I've never seen the HQ so badly damaged before."
Fu Hua turned slightly.
A thought resurfaced as Fu Hua ask : "Where did you imprison the red-haired girl?"
Rita answered smoothly : "Don't you worry. She's well-accommodated in the guard tower to the north. Defense systems over there are just as robust as what we have in the Containment Area."
Fu Hua nodded once : "…understood. Continue your mission."
They moved forward again, disappearing deeper into Helheim as distant tremors shook the facility.
After dealing with all the Honkai beasts, the last Honkai beast dissolved into ash beneath Rita's scythe.
The Honkai barrier shimmered steadily once more.
Rita touched her earpiece, posture perfectly composed despite the damage around them : "Rita here, Overseer. We have neutralized all Honkai Beasts infiltrating Helheim. Awaiting further orders."
Static crackled briefly before a familiar voice answered.
Otto : "Good. Stay put. Durandal will lead the Immortal Blades and rendezvous with you there. Let us welcome the moment when God herself bows before humanity."
A faint smile crossed Rita's lips.
Rita : "Understood."
Fu Hua, who had been listening, immediately activated her own communicator : "Wait. Durandal is heading our way? Then who's dealing with the Herrscher? She's the only one who can fight the Herrscher head-on!"
Otto's voice returned, light and amused : "Don't worry. Everything is under my control. Theresa will help us secure Herrscher-grade powers."
Fu Hua's eyes widened :"What? Theresa is fighting the Herrscher?"
A soft chuckle echoed through the line.
Otto : "Hoho, calm down, my friend."
The signal cut abruptly.
Dead silence.
Fu Hua pressed the communicator harder : "Hello? Hello?"
Rita adjusted her own device : "Apologies. Communication systems are down. I'll run a check."
She knelt beside a damaged console, fingers moving swiftly.
Moments later—
Rita : "An EMP attack that hit us pretty close. Comm systems are down."
Fu Hua's gaze darkened.
EM? Could it be Mei?
Without hesitation, she turned toward the deeper corridors and said to Rita : "Rita, fix the comm systems and contact Durandal. Tell her that the awakened Herrscher may have broken free of controls. Muster the Valkyries. I'll delay the Herrscher to win some time..."
Rita rose smoothly.
Then stepped directly into Fu Hua's path.
Rita : "Master Fu Hua. Apologies, I cannot obey."
Fu Hua froze : "…why?"
Rita's expression remained calm : "The Overseer did not order us to fight the Herrscher."
The air shifted.
Fu Hua: "What?!"
Rita continued evenly : "Allow me to explain. The Overseer has several trump cards up his sleeve. He has yet to use any of them. The situation is still within control. He won't be pleased if we meddle with his plan."
Fu Hua's eyes sharpened with anger as she said : "I do not intend to argue with you. You don't have to help me. Just to let you know, the plan got out of control once that Herrscher started attacking the innocent. I will stop her."
Rita shook her head gently.
Rita : "…you still don't understand, Master Fu Hua. We're in a massive maelstrom of chaos. Every action will lead to unknown consequences. The Overseer ordered me..."
She lifted her scythe.
The blade gleamed under the emergency lights.
Rita : "… to make sure you don't jeopardize our plans and everyone's lives."
The corridor felt smaller.
Heavier.
Both warriors shifted into battle stance.
Rita's grip was elegant and precise.
Fu Hua's posture lowered — Taixuan discipline radiating from her form.
Rita spoke again, voice calm but resolute : "Master Fu Hua, I don't want to say you're wrong nor judge your actions. Like you, I am obliged to defend my position and uphold my duties."
Fu Hua did not lower her guard.
Fu Hua: "Hmph. Talk won't resolve this...get out of my way!"
Rita's eyes softened faintly — but her stance did not falter.
Rita : "If our paths must cross...then I will do what I can to defend my position. Valkyrie Rita Rossweisse apologizes for being rude."
With that done the two rush toward each other.