No one paid attention to Tesla; everyone's mood couldn't brighten up in the face of the heavy facts.
First, Fu Hua broke the silence and said, "This mission should follow the second act's scene, which is when Kiana saved Sky Dome City."
"The reason we didn't see Mei last time was mainly because she was acting with Tesla. It's estimated they found Kiana's traces with great difficulty."
"Also, I suspect that in the future, Theresa and Anti-Entropy might have cooperated; otherwise, Tesla wouldn't help Mei."
"...That's a possibility." Theresa nodded, agreeing with this view.
Some of Anti-Entropy's ideologies coincided with their Far East Branch, and there were no absolute conflicts of interest, so the possibility of cooperation existed.
"As for the Imaginary Tree, it should be a field we cannot yet detect, so let's not discuss it for now," Fu Hua pushed the corner of her glasses. "Because of Kiana's adventurous actions, she will be seriously injured and likely fall into critical condition. Moreover, Mei and Kiana have a very good relationship, so she won't just stand by and watch her die."
"To this end, Mei must re-awaken and become a Herrscher. Only then can she save Kiana."
"So, everything originated from Kiana's serious injury, which led to Mei joining World Serpent."
"Theresa, have you found any information about that organization?"
After speaking, Fu Hua's rational gaze turned to Theresa, who was scratching her head.
"Not yet. That organization is hidden very deep and is very difficult to root out. We might need the power of Schicksal Headquarters."
"Does anyone recognize the name Kevin?" Himeko asked doubtfully.
"No." Kiana and the other two shook their heads.
"I seem to have some impression... it's just, I can't remember. Sorry."
Fu Hua apologized.
"This mission will probably be very difficult. We know nothing about the Imaginary Tree. Looking at the hints, it even has the function of reversing time. Imaginary Tree Honkai... this name doesn't sound ordinary." Theresa sighed.
"Exactly. I originally thought Herrschers were the strongest, but then this 'Tree' thing suddenly popped up, and it's even the'source of all laws.' It sounds terrifying." Kiana shrunk her neck and stuck out her tongue.
Amidst everyone's discussion, Tesla always felt a sense of discrepancy, as if she were in a different world.
What are they talking about?
When did Anti-Entropy ever cooperate with Schicksal? That's completely impossible; no one would believe such a joke.
And what is this Imaginary Tree? The source of all laws of existence? Is this some kind of myth?
What on earth is World Serpent? Some new breed of snake? And Kiana is in critical condition? This silver-haired girl looks perfectly fine, doesn't she?
And so, Tesla fell into deep thought.
Connecting it to the word "future" that Fu Hua had just mentioned, Tesla had a startling realization.
Could it be that this is a space where one can observe future parallel worlds?
If that's the case, it would explain everything.
It couldn't be that a whole group of people is seriously and solemnly playing a prank on me, right?
Finally, Tesla couldn't take it anymore: "Hey, hey, hey, at least acknowledge me. Don't just play by yourselves, let me join in..."
"Go play somewhere else, kid," Theresa said, shaking her head nonchalantly.
"K-Kid? You little short-stack, who are you calling a kid?"
"You're the short-stack!"
Seeing that the two were getting more and more heated, Yunduo put a stop to the farce.
"So, who wants to try the challenge first?" she asked.
"Me! Me! Me! I want to go! Being able to turn into Mei must be really fun."
As soon as she heard it, Kiana couldn't wait to raise her right hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"...Idiot. Kiana, your personality is completely different from Mei's; you have nothing in common. If you take the challenge, you'll definitely fail at the very first objective," Bronya said coldly.
"This challenge you're talking about—is there a penalty for failure?" Tesla asked.
"Honkai Erosion. For a Valkyrie, it means a loss of lifespan; for an ordinary person, it could mean death," Yunduo said slowly. While everyone was discussing, Mei kept her lips pursed.
She was hesitant, but this challenge was clearly about her future.
Sinners Song... who is the sinner?
The answer was beyond doubt.
"I'll do it. I'll go first. Since it's my responsibility, I won't run away this time."
Mei ended the discussion and took a step forward, her gaze resolute.
To save Kiana and to know how the future unfolds, she had to do this.
Defeat the Imaginary Tree Honkai!
"Are you sure? This is a very difficult, almost impossible task," Fu Hua asked with a frown.
She knew Mei's character and personality—gentle, hesitant, introverted... she was actually not suited to be a Valkyrie at all.
What a Valkyrie needed was the courage to charge forward and the fearlessness to sacrifice oneself.
"I've decided. I'll be the one."
After Mei spoke, no one else objected.
With a flash of white light, Mei's figure vanished.
Tesla looked dazed at the image that suddenly appeared... Tick-tock, tick-tock.
A light yet restless sound echoed in her ears, like gravel hitting papyrus, or beans jumping in a blender.
A total chill rushed to her brain, and a consciousness gradually formed in the darkness.
Raiden Mei—that was her name.
"Where... is this?"
She was in the darkness, unable to find an exit.
What happened?
Why did her heart ache so much?
Inexplicably, a name appeared in Mei's mind.
Benares!
Her body felt so heavy.
She struggled to open her eyes.
Before her, the dying dragon lay on the ground, its deep blue body having lost its former vitality. Blood flowed silently, emitting a thick, metallic scent.
A golden greatsword was slowly pulled from the wound in the dragon's heart, taking away its last breath of life.
"No, Benares, no..."
Mei's memories told her what had happened.
Just now, the Imaginary Tree Honkai had suddenly revived and swung its sword at her; she had been powerless to block it.
At the critical moment of life and death, Benares had blocked the sword for her.
And the dragon had been killed by the Imaginary Tree Honkai.
"Kiana..."
Darkness. As far as the eye could see, there was only darkness.
Only her body, freed from the shackles of gravity, drifted aimlessly.
On that day three years ago, the world had died like this too.
A nostalgic, familiar voice came from beside her ear.
"Are you no longer afraid?"
Afraid? She could no longer feel fear.
Unwillingness, self-blame, sadness, pain—all emotions had vanished.
"If you continue forward, you will fall into a deeper hell."
It doesn't matter. I can get her out of hell in exchange.
"You will say goodbye to everything you have now—to your companions, to your family."
It doesn't matter. I'm already used to being alone.
"You will endure doubt and criticism, walking further and further down a lonely path."
It doesn't matter. That is the fate I should have faced long ago.
"You will leave her forever."
"Do you... really want to do this?"
It doesn't... matter. Everyone is here. Everyone... will take good care of her. Let me do what I must do.
I have decided!
"Go then."
That familiar voice was full of pride and madness.
"Go and announce to the whole world the return of the Thunder Empress!"
"Go and become the true Herrscher of Thunder!"
"Farewell, Raiden Mei."
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