Kiana activated the Time Fracture effect of the Valkyrie armor [White Comet], stepping on the incoming missiles as footholds and getting closer and closer to the rooftop.
As the Time Fracture was about to end, she performed a graceful midair flip and used the powerful air current from the missile explosions to propel herself onto the top of the tower.
At the center of the rooftop sat a spherical bomb glowing with purple light, radiating an ominous aura.
Everyone watching the video could clearly feel its danger.
"So this is it… I have to deal with the bomb quickly."
Without hesitation, Kiana rushed forward. Her only target was the bomb.
But when she got within a few steps, the Honkai energy leaking from it surged like a violent storm, repelling any approach. Even with the Kaslana bloodline's resistance to Honkai energy, Kiana groaned in pain.
"So much Honkai energy!"
Gritting her teeth, face twisted in agony, her right eye quietly turned gold. She stretched out her right hand toward the bomb.
Before she could get close, purple markings appeared across her palm. The Honkai energy began eroding her body more and more.
"Ugh—!"
Her outstretched arm was knocked back. She slid backward, the pain in her arm like insects gnawing into her bones.
Her body creaked under the strain. Clutching her right arm tightly, she didn't give up.
Enduring the storm of Honkai energy, she forced herself forward step by step—and grabbed the bomb.
The moment she touched it, an even greater surge of Honkai energy flooded into her body through the contact. Her left eye instantly turned gold as well.
The armor on her right arm—White Comet—began to crumble into dust under the corrosion.
The pain was beyond human endurance.
But she was no longer the Kiana of the past. Compared to the physical pain, the sorrow at Schicksal HQ, the confrontation in the Imaginary space—the mental anguish she had once endured was the true unbearable burden.
With her left hand, she struggled to cover her left eye, squeezing it shut as if trying to hold something back. Golden particles seeped out between her fingers.
Suddenly, a phantom arm reached out from beside her and gently rested on her trembling hand.
Kiana showed a look of disbelief.
"Kiana."
A mature, gentle voice sounded beside her ear.
Her eyes widened as she turned toward the voice.
"Himeko… teacher…"
The faint, translucent figure of Himeko Murata stood beside her, quietly watching with a warm smile.
"…Yeah…"
Tears streamed from the corners of Kiana's eyes. Her spirit, once shattered by pain, gathered again.
The confusion in her expression vanished, replaced by unwavering resolve.
"I promised you… I'll turn this imperfect story into the ending we hoped for."
Strength surged back into her body.
Gripping the bomb with both hands, she pulled it free and hurled it toward the sky—the Honkai bomb that could destroy all of Sky City.
Kiana followed it upward, flying into the air.
Her appearance began to change. Pure white hair flowed in the wind. The attire of the Herrscher of the Void appeared on her body.
But her eyes were no longer gold—they turned a clear, bright blue.
Blue is a beautiful color.
Because it represents hope.
At this moment, the girl named Kiana Kaslana grasped the power known as a Herrscher.
Above the city, a purple meteor streaked across the sky.
People in Sky City looked up at the night sky and prayed upon seeing the shooting star—completely unaware that the star bringing them joy was a reaper capable of destroying their everyday lives.
Scenes flashed rapidly: Rita's faint smile. Mei's worried prayers. World Serpent's furrowed brows…
The meteor pierced through the clouds, through the night sky, finally reaching a height where it would no longer affect the city.
Kiana's strength was nearly exhausted.
Still, she gritted her teeth and endured.
Suddenly, her subspace wings shattered.
Her ascent stalled.
A flicker of shock crossed her face—but was immediately replaced with resolve.
She did not stop.
Using the last of her strength, she formed a Subspace Lance and thrust it into the bomb, detonating it high in the sky.
The massive explosion lit up the heavens, scattering clouds and darkness, illuminating the entire night.
Having spent all her strength and leaving the Herrscher state, Kiana fell like an autumn leaf.
She had given everything.
Silently drifting downward, her expression was the most relaxed it had ever been.
She smiled, as if recalling something precious, and murmured softly:
"This is… my promise."
Even if the night is endless and eternity stretches on,
I will become a star that ignites hope.
Your vow… I will fulfill it.
The video ended.
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya—along with Rita, Raven, Theresa, and everyone else—were immersed in what they had just seen.
They could all feel Kiana's resolve. Unfearing of pain, disregarding life and death—without a doubt, she was a hero.
"Is that really Kiana…?" Theresa wondered. The niece in the video felt unfamiliar.
Not only others—Kiana herself could hardly believe it.
Was that mature, resolute hero really her?
Tesla: Miss Kiana, your resolve shines brighter than the rising sun.
Einstein: True despair is what lets us light the path forward even in darkness.
Praise filled the chat.
Kiana couldn't help blushing.
Kiana: Hehe… I'm not the Sky Ranger from the video yet. That's future me. I wonder when I'll grow enough to become like that.
She started daydreaming about Mei being impressed by her heroic form and approaching her… and couldn't help smiling foolishly.
"…I don't want to admit it, but since Himeko appeared, that really is future Kiana. But idiot grasshopper, you're still far from that point," Bronya snorted.
From the video, Kiana's appearance hadn't changed much. Maybe only two or three years in the future, Mei estimated—worry filling her heart.
Especially Himeko's phantom…
Suddenly, Kiana cried out in pain.
She dropped to her knees, exiting the Sky Ranger state and reverting to normal.
"Kiana! What's wrong?!" Mei and Bronya rushed to support her.
"I'm fine… probably hit my limit," Kiana said weakly.
"Ten minutes since transformation," Bronya calculated. "As expected, current Kiana is still too weak."
"…Yeah." Kiana didn't argue. The pain she just felt was real. She couldn't imagine how much resolve future her needed to maintain that form.
"So future Kiana… becomes a Herrscher like me," Mei murmured.
"No, Mei. The order's reversed," Kiana said quietly. "It's not that the core gave me Herrscher power. I already have it inside me."
She could feel it in her chest—the power came from within.
Bronya spoke after a pause: "The Herrscher of the Void is actually the Second Herrscher. It appeared in Siberia in 2000 and caused the Second Honkai Eruption. It was later killed by Schicksal Valkyries."
So why did Kiana possess that power?
No one knew.
There had to be a hidden conspiracy.
"And another thing," Bronya added. "Why did Kiana see Himeko-sensei's illusion?"
Silence filled the room.
Even Kiana realized what that might imply.
Her face turned pale.
"A person's growth requires three transformations," Mei said softly.
"Age. Understanding. And the heart."
Whatever Kiana would go through in the next few years…
It wouldn't be easier than what Mei herself had endured.
The dorm fell silent.
Wiping her tears, Kiana stood up, planning to go find Himeko.
"Kiana, wait," Mei stopped her. "That's the future. Himeko is still fine now. I saw her name in the chat. Let's talk to her when she returns."
"…Okay."
Kiana nodded and then suddenly hugged Mei, burying her face in her chest.
Mei sighed and hugged her back.
Bronya clicked her tongue and looked at the screen.
[Round 1 complete. Round 2 will begin shortly.]
[Question 2: Who pulled Kiana back when she fell into extreme despair, sank into the abyss, and was on the verge of mental collapse?]
A: Otto Apocalypse
B: Kevin Kaslana
C: Anna Schariac
D: Fu Hua
[TL note: bro what kind of answers is this 😭]
The second question stunned everyone.
Extreme despair?
Falling into the abyss?
Mental collapse?
Even knowing Kiana from the meteor video, it was shocking.
What kind of tragedy could push someone with that resolve into such despair?
People who knew her couldn't imagine it.
"…Impossible. It must be fake. Kiana… she…" Mei covered her mouth in shock.
Theresa: Kiana, you're in the dorm, right? I'm coming over immediately!
Himeko: Theresa, wait. I'm already on my way. We don't know the situation yet. Both questions involve Kiana—having everyone gather rashly is unwise. Stay back and be ready to support.
Rita: Major Himeko's suggestion is very reasonable. Lady Theresa, please consider the bigger picture.
Theresa: …Tch.