Flashback
The spatial crack sealed behind them as the group arrived safely aboard the Hyperion.
Rainbow Gotchard gently transferred the unconscious Mei into Sakura's arms. For a brief moment, the violet crystal necklace resting against Mei's chest pulsed faintly.
Gaim Kiwami Arms.Wizard Infinity Style.Rainbow Gotchard.
Their forms dissolved into fine violet particles.
The particles spiraled inward—
Absorbed completely into the crystal.
Present — Hyperion Bridge
Sakura stood near the viewport, eyes fixed on the darkened skies below. Bronya monitored the console beside her while Einstein reviewed tactical data.
Bronya: "About 4 km from Dr. Tesla's signal broadcast. No anomalies detected in the vicinity."
Einstein: "Roger that. Reduce cruising speed and begin descent. Initiate search for Dr. Tesla and company. Full alert, Squads. The Herrscher may attack us at any time through the Imaginary Space."
Bronya hesitated slightly.
Bronya: "Doctor, our casualties..."
Einstein's fingers paused briefly over the console.
Einstein: "...we're badly hit. Madam Theresa's wounds have been tended to, but it will take a while for her to fully recover. As for Mei... she suffered heart injuries when the Herrscher took away the Gem of Conquest. Despite the clone healed her, she's still unconscious and need time to recover. We have no choice but to withdraw after locating Tesla and the others..."
Before anyone could respond—
Alarms screamed across the bridge.
Red warning lights flashed violently.
Bronya's eyes snapped to the radar.
Bronya: "Radar picked up a large swarm of Honkai beasts attempting to attack the battleship."
Einstein's voice hardened instantly.
Einstein: "Battle stations!"
Hyperion — Wings and Deck
The hatch doors burst open.
Sakura dashed toward the port side, her blade already drawn.
Bronya vaulted onto the starboard platform.
Honkai beasts swarmed from below like a black tidal wave.
Bronya extended her hand.
"Project Bunny."
The mechanized construct materialized behind her and immediately launched dark energy orbs into the sky. Explosions blossomed across the swarm, tearing apart several beasts mid-flight.
But there were too many.
More poured in from every direction.
Sakura's blade flashed silver arcs through the air, carving through claws and armored hides. Each step was precise, each slash lethal.
Still—
The sky darkened with numbers.
Suddenly—
The Hyperion lurched violently.
A massive impact struck the hull.
The thunderous ring of metal on metal was deafening.
Bronya's vision spun.
Gravity shifted erratically.
Inertial forces threw her sideways like a rag doll across the deck.
Her systems flickered.
What... happened? Has the Hyperion crash landed?
Her sight dimmed—
Then slowly returned.
Light pierced the smoke-filled air.
Flames burned across sections of the outer deck.
Bronya: "Nyet... Bronya must return..."
She forced herself upright.
Through the haze—
She saw a familiar silhouette standing against the fire.
"...Major Himeko."
Himeko stood firmly amid the chaos, greatsword resting against her shoulder.
Himeko: "Excellent work, Bronya."
Bronya's scanner flashed urgently.
Bronya: "...incoming hostiles detected..."
Himeko's gaze shifted skyward.
Himeko: "Return to the Hyperion! Leave this to us!"
Bronya hesitated—
Then above them—
The clouds split.
A white figure descended like a falling star.
Weapons manifested in the air.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
Blades, cannons, lances, axes—every variant of Kyu The Weapon materialized simultaneously in a radiant halo.
It was Kouga.
In Shishi Red Orion form.
With a single gesture—
The entire arsenal fired downward.
The sky became a rain of divine steel.
Weapons streaked across the battlefield like guided comets, each precisely targeting a Honkai beast. Explosions rippled in chain reactions across the swarm.
At the same time—
Kouga opened shimmering spacetime portals mid-air.
Honkai projectiles flew toward the Hyperion—
Only to vanish into the portals—
And reemerge behind the swarm.
Detonating among their own ranks.