???: "Karel, my child…"
???: "Take care of Michelle. If she wants your candy, just give her half. And look after Tania too. She can't walk yet."
Bronya heard a man's voice speaking somewhere in the darkness.
She tried to see, but her eyelids remained tightly shut, instinctively protecting her eyes from the biting wind.
Yet there was something far more painful than the howling gale.
???: "My dear… you have gone before us, to pave the way for your friends."
Bronya's vision slowly began to return.
She tried to open her eyes, but immediately shut them again.
She couldn't stop the tears from forming.
Even in that brief moment, she had seen it.
Sunlight.
Dazzling. Blinding.
Only sunlight reflecting across an endless field of snow could be so painfully bright.
Bronya slowly opened her eyes once more.
A tall priest dressed in a black habit stood before a grave, his long blond hair swaying gently in the freezing wind. He was delivering a sermon for someone who had passed away.
Crying filled the air.
Several familiar figures stood around a tombstone with their heads bowed.
The Priest: "Children… if you ask me why some people had to leave early…"
The Priest: "…It is the trial of death. There will be no more sorrow, wailing, pain, or terror… it is now… history."
Bronya's eyes narrowed.
Bronya: 'That man… Overseer Otto?'
Her gaze moved toward several of the children.
Bronya: 'Principal Theresa and Joachim… in world 2…'
A thought immediately entered her mind.
Bronya: 'Seele… will Seele be here?'
Suddenly, someone gently took Bronya's hand.
She turned around.
Seele stood beside her.
Seele: "…"
The moment Bronya saw her, her racing heart slowly calmed.
Bronya gently squeezed Seele's hand.
The Priest: "Let us return, children. Unless you wish to speak to our friends."
Theresa: "Karel, here's your favorite toy car."
Theresa: "Joachim and I used crayon to cover the parts where the pain fell off. It's not perfect, but…"
Theresa carefully placed a small wooden toy car beside the tombstone.
One by one, the children offered their final words before leaving.
Seele: "The priest and children are heading towards the hill."
Bronya: "We should follow them."
Bronya and Seele quietly followed behind them.
As they walked, Bronya studied the scene around her.
Bronya: "It's a funeral for a child."
Bronya: "No flowers. No photographs. Only a priest and several children."
Bronya's expression slowly darkened.
Bronya: "The Bronya… we… we've seen this before…"
Seele: "…They're orphans in an orphanage like us."
Seele suddenly pointed ahead.
Seele: "Bronya, look. A wooden cabin! That must be their home!"
The children entered the wooden cabin one after another.
The priest remained outside for a moment, speaking quietly to several of them.
Despite his serious appearance, he seemed remarkably close to the children.
Seele: "That priest is in charge of the orphanage."
Bronya: "The Bronya never expected to meet Overseer Otto…"
Seele: "Do you know him, Bronya?"
Bronya hesitated.
Bronya: "He is an evil, dangerous man… but he might be different in this world."
Bronya: "Matushka Cocolia was completely different in the previous world…"
Bronya looked toward the cabin.
Bronya: "Joachim must have the key to rectify this world. The Bronya must approach him."
Bronya and Seele entered the building.
However, they failed to find the priest.
The children were seated around a worn wooden table, their expressions quiet and gloomy.
The atmosphere inside the orphanage felt heavy.
Theresa: "Everyone's hungry, right? Guess what I've made for lunch?"
No one answered.
Theresa's smile faded slightly as she looked at the children.
Seele: "…Borscht?"
Theresa: "No, Seele. That's for Tuesday. Wednesday is for potatoes and roast beef!"
Theresa tried to sound excited.
Unfortunately, her attempt to lift everyone's spirits failed.
Theresa: "Bronya, do you think there are potatoes or beef in this pot?"
Bronya: "Potatoes?"
Theresa: "Wrong, Bronya! Your punishment is double beef to make you taller!"
Joachim: "Theresa…"
Theresa: "What is it, Joachim?"
Joachim: "I know you want us to be happy… but you shouldn't force yourself."
Joachim: "Karel's gone. We need time. You need time as well."
Theresa slowly set aside her ladle and lowered her head.
Theresa: "Joachim, would you not… reconsider?"
Joachim: "I've already decided, Theresa."
Theresa: "…Then let's eat."
The front door opened.
The priest stepped inside.
The Priest: "Hmm? Everyone's having lunch?"
Theresa: "Father? You just changed your outfit. Heading to town?"
The Priest: "Winter is coming. I need to stock up on more groceries."
The Priest: "Theresa, do you want more bitter melon biscuits?"
Theresa's eyes immediately brightened.
Theresa: "Of course I do! I love crispy hot bitter melon biscuits. Thank you, Father!"
The Priest: "I'll buy a few. Everyone can have a piece or two."
Joachim looked toward Theresa.
Joachim: "Father… we can't share the bitter melon biscuits. Theresa always ends up eating all of them."
The Priest: "Oh yes, Joachim… Madam Lieserl will pick you up tomorrow. Are you packed and ready?"
Joachim's expression immediately changed.
Joachim: "…Not yet."
The Priest: "Then go. Say goodbye to your friends. Make this day count."
The priest turned toward Theresa.
The Priest: "I'm heading out. Please take care of the house, Theresa."
Theresa: "Be careful out there, Father!"
With that, the priest left the orphanage.
Theresa began serving the children before moving around the room to collect several scattered toys.
Bronya approached her.
Bronya: "Does Theresa require assistance?"
Theresa paused and thought for a moment.
Theresa: "Hmmm… five hampers of laundry, a large pile of bills to check, and a leaking roof at the north end to fix…"
Theresa: "We're also running low on firewood. Can you help us get some from the hill slope?"
Theresa: "It will get cold really soon. We must be ready."
Her expression gradually darkened.
Theresa: "The boys should be taking care of this because they're stronger."
Theresa: "But we lost Karel and Joachim is leaving the orphanage…"
The little liveliness remaining inside the orphanage disappeared.
Bronya did not know how to respond.
Seele stepped forward.
Seele: "It's alright. I'll help Bronya to gather some firewood."
Theresa looked at her gratefully.
Theresa: "Thank you so much. Get back before sunset!"
She lowered her gaze.
Theresa: "I… I probably need some time alone myself…"
The moment Bronya and Seele stepped outside, Bronya looked toward the sky.
A dark, distorted figure hovered high above them.
Bronya: "A Quantum Shadow hovering in the skies."
Bronya: "The people in the bubble universe can't see them."
Seele stared at the strange figure.
Seele: "Strange… this world seems unstable."
Seele: "It's just like a blurry dream…"
Bronya continued walking through the snowy plains.
Something about this world felt wrong.
Bronya: "This is odd."
Bronya: "We have covered a long distance since we left the orphanage, but no hostile encounter emerged."
Bronya: "The snowy plains are devoid of Honkai beasts or even predatory animals…"
Bronya fell silent.
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned their surroundings.
Bronya: "…"
Bronya: 'This feels wrong. There seems to be something in the air…'
Seele suddenly pointed ahead.
Seele: "Bronya, there's a little bush up ahead."
Bronya: "Do not push yourself too hard, Seele. The Bronya can do this."
Despite Bronya's words, the sight of Seele attempting to use an axe made Bronya somewhat uneasy.
Seele: "It's alright. I can maintain my form in these worlds."
Seele looked toward Bronya with a gentle smile.
Seele: "I want to share your burden."
She swung the axe, cutting several branches and gathering fallen twigs from beneath the snow-covered trees.
As they worked together, Seele's expression became thoughtful.
Seele: "This place feels like the orphanage we grew up in."
Seele: "Those children reminded me of us when we were little girls."
Seele gathered the branches and carefully stacked them together.
Seele: "The days were tough, but we worked hard together. We were happy."
Seele: "We lost our family, but the orphanage gave us a new one."
Her expression slowly became more serious.
Seele: "But… the children seem disconnected from each other. Joachim is also leaving this place."
Bronya: "The priest said that Joachim will be adopted soon."
Seele: "Being adopted is great news for an orphan, but I think he's behaving strangely."
Bronya considered Seele's words.
Bronya: "They must be hiding something. We must ask Theresa."
Bronya looked at the pile of wood.
Bronya: "Enough firewood has been gathered. Time to head back."
Seele: "Da, Bronya."
The two began making their way back.
Seele: "…"
Seele: "…"
Bronya: "Theresa, we have returned."
Theresa immediately looked toward them.
Theresa: "Thank you, girls. We totally needed your help!"
Despite Bronya and Seele struggling to drag the firewood back, Theresa effortlessly lifted the entire bundle.
Bronya watched in silence as Theresa skillfully separated the wood by size before placing several pieces into the fireplace.
Theresa: "Life is hard, but we can make it because Father and everyone are here."
Bronya watched her for a moment before asking.
Bronya: "When did you arrive, Theresa?"
Theresa: "I don't know who my parents are. Riding on Father's back was the first thing I knew."
Theresa: "I was in a warm bundle strapped to his back while he gathered firewood. It was snowing but warm."
A faint smile appeared on Theresa's face.
Theresa: "When I grew up, I learned that he built this orphanage."
Theresa: "I'm not the first one here, but I've stayed the longest. I like it here. I will never leave."
Bronya hesitated before asking another question.
Bronya: "What about Joachim?"
Theresa's expression changed.
Theresa: "Why are you asking about him?"
Bronya: "Theresa and Joachim seemed to be arguing during lunch."
Bronya: "And Joachim is leaving tomorrow. The Bronya wants to learn more."
Theresa remained silent for several moments.
Eventually, she sighed.
Theresa: "I shouldn't keep this from you…"
Theresa: "Joachim has nothing against me… but Father…"
Seele: "What happened between him and Father?"
Theresa lowered her head.
Theresa: "…"
Theresa: "Father Otto killed Joachim's Dad."
Bronya's eyes widened slightly.
Bronya: "Why? How?"
Theresa: "Joachim's Dad was a doctor, and he tried to bring Joachim's deceased mother back to life."
Theresa: "He dabbled in the forbidden arts…"
Theresa: "The doctor first tested on mice… then he moved onto cats and dogs…"
Theresa: "By the time Father found him, the doctor was testing on homeless orphans…"
Seele's expression darkened.
Seele: "That's… evil…"
Theresa: "Father Otto had to end that."
Theresa looked toward the window.
Theresa: "…But it made Joachim an orphan."
Bronya slowly processed what she had learned.
Bronya: "Understood. Joachim hates the priest."
Theresa shook her head.
Theresa: "If that were the case, I think they would work it out eventually."
Theresa: "Joachim knew his Dad's crimes. He tried to stop him but failed."
Theresa: "No. Joachim doesn't hate Father Otto."
Theresa: "He came to the orphanage and took care of us like a good elder brother. He protected us."
Theresa: "For a while, I thought he had put his past behind…"
Bronya: "Please continue."
Theresa: "Joachim's really smart and handy with the tools. He did everything wonderfully."
Theresa: "Father decided to hand the orphanage to him."
Theresa: "But that decision changed Joachim. He became… sullen…"
Theresa: "That's when I knew he had never forgotten about what happened."
Seele: "Perhaps he didn't want the orphanage. He probably wants a life of his own."
Theresa: "If that were the case, Joachim would have said it out loud. But he didn't."
Theresa: "…He's afraid."
Seele: "Afraid of what?"
Theresa: "Afraid that he must make Father's decision when the time comes."
Theresa: "Afraid that he might have to make another child an orphan."
Theresa: "He could never forget about that."
Theresa's voice grew quieter.
Theresa: "Soon, Madam Lieserl from the neighboring town offered to adopt Joachim…"
Theresa: "…And he agreed."
Bronya understood.
Bronya: "Joachim is trying to run away."
Theresa: "Leaving this place allows him to start life anew."
Bronya: "But Joachim will never get over it."
Theresa: "We all can tell what's right and what's wrong, but it's always easier said than done."
Theresa: "I don't think any one of us knows how to leave it all behind."
Bronya: "…"
Theresa: "I just don't want to see Joachim so dark and gloomy. He wasn't like that."
Theresa: "I want to help him. He's family to all of us."
Theresa suddenly glanced outside.
Theresa: "…Oh dear, it's late. Father should be back already."
She walked toward the door and looked outside.
Her expression immediately became concerned.
Theresa: "That's odd. I'll look outside."
Bronya: "Unable to locate the priest."
Theresa: "We should split up. I'll look on the other side of the hill."
Theresa: "Please help search this side!"
Bronya: "This is the end of the road. The priest clearly wasn't here. We should return."
Bronya thought about Theresa's words as she trudged through the snow.
The sunlight reflected across the pristine white ground.
The sight reminded her of another day.
A day from seven years ago.
The day she first met her Matushka.
It was a painful memory.
A chain that continued to bind her heart.
Bronya: "…"
Bronya: 'The Bronya also has things that she can't simply put behind her…'
Seele noticed the troubled expression on Bronya's face.
Seele: "Bronya, are you alright? You seem to be troubled…"
Bronya: "Seele… the Bronya…"
Bronya could not find an answer.
Before she could say anything else, Seele gently took her hand.
Seele: "Would this make you feel better?"
Bronya looked down at their joined hands.
Seele: "You used to hold my hand like this when I was scared."
Seele: "The warmth of your hands comforted me."
Bronya: "Seele…"
Seele: "Stop thinking about the past if it only brings pain."
Seele: "I will be here for you, just as you had been there for me in the past."
Bronya remained silent.
Then she gently squeezed Seele's hand.
Bronya: "…"
Bronya: "Spasibo. The Bronya is fine."
Bronya raised her head.
A look of determination returned to her eyes.
Bronya: "The Bronya has decided to face the problem directly."
Bronya: "We shall meet Theresa."
Bronya turned around and began walking back.
Behind her, Seele stopped.
The gentle smile on Seele's face slowly faded.
Seele: "…"
Seele: "…"
A voice suddenly echoed through the silent snow.
???: "Good job, Seele…"
???: "We're even closer to our objective…"
Seele looked down at her hands.
Seele: "Was that… the right thing to do?"
???: "It's alright, Seele…"
???: "We're doing this to get back to the real world with Bronya…"
Seele remained silent.
Seele: "…"
Finally, she quietly answered.
Seele: "I understand…"
Bronya and Seele continued their search.
Bronya: "We split up at that location. Theresa should be on the other side of this hill."
Suddenly—
Theresa: "Father! Father!"
Seele immediately turned toward the voice.
Seele: "It's Theresa. What's happening?"
Bronya: "We must head over there quickly."
Bronya and Seele rushed toward Theresa.
When they arrived, they froze.
Father Otto lay unconscious in Theresa's lap.
Dark marks resembling Honkai corruption had spread across his face.
Theresa desperately tried to wake him.
Theresa: "Wake up… please wake up…"
Theresa: "Father… please… wake up…"
Seele: "The priest has fallen! What happened?!"
Bronya quickly examined him.
Bronya: "…The priest has passed out. We must carry them back to the orphanage."
Bronya turned toward Seele.
Bronya: "Seele, stay and help Theresa. The Bronya shall ask the older children to help."
Bronya immediately rushed back toward the orphanage.
But she did not get far.
Several Honkai Beasts suddenly emerged from the snowy landscape.
Bronya immediately summoned Project Bunny.
Bronya: "Honkai beasts… they appeared without warning."
Project Bunny raised its weapon.
Bronya: "Hostiles are too close to the orphanage."
Honkai Beast: "…!!"
More shadows emerged from the snow.
Bronya: 'More Honkai beasts appeared. Something is happening…'
Bronya tightened her grip.
Bronya: 'Alert! Seele and Theresa will be in danger…'
Bronya was about to activate the blue crystal necklace around her neck.
She was ready to summon the five transparent warriors.
But suddenly—
The Honkai Beasts stopped.
Honkai Beast: "…!"
Bronya lowered her weapon slightly.
Bronya: "…Hmm?"
The creatures slowly turned around.
Without attacking, they began marching away.
One by one, the Honkai Beasts disappeared into the endless snow as though responding to the command of an unseen force.
Bronya: "What happened?"
Bronya held her breath.
Something strange was happening.
Then she saw it.
A familiar presence.
Bronya's eyes widened.
Bronya: "The Bronya… knows you…"
The figure before her was surrounded by a faint, ethereal light.
Bronya: "Fenghuang Down, the 8th Divine Key…"
The mysterious figure spoke.
Fenghuang Down: "Bronya."
Bronya stiffened.
Bronya: "…You know the Bronya's name?"
Fenghuang Down: "You were touched by a feather. I can see you… and know you."
Fenghuang Down: "I'm surprised. You don't belong here."
Fenghuang Down: "You're present in everyone's memories, but you're not from here."
Bronya remained silent.
Bronya: "…"
Fenghuang Down: "I'm one of the three thousand feathers of Fenghuang Down… awakened by the priest's will to protect."
Bronya looked toward the direction in which the Honkai Beasts had disappeared.
Bronya: "You were the one who kept the Honkai beasts away from the orphanage?"
She looked back at Fenghuang Down.
Bronya: "Why would the priest own a feather of Fenghuang Down?"
Fenghuang Down: "The owner of Fenghuang Down was indebted to him. This feather was left in his heart."
Fenghuang Down: "He brought this feather to this place. I agreed to protect these snowy plains."
The figure's voice became quieter.
Fenghuang Down: "His life is ending… and my powers shall fade when he gives up his soul."
Bronya's eyes widened.
Bronya: "The priest is dying…"
Fenghuang Down: "There is unfinished business. A deep, yawning gap in his heart that shackles him."
Fenghuang Down: "He wants someone… someone he approves of… to inherit my power."
Fenghuang Down: "But there is an insurmountable barrier between the two."
Bronya immediately understood.
Bronya: "It's Joachim… the priest didn't want him to leave."
Bronya: "The rift between them will never be resolved if Joachim walks away."
Fenghuang Down remained silent.
Fenghuang Down: "…"
Then she spoke again.
Fenghuang Down: "It's not just the rift between them. Your heart bears a similar gap as well."
Bronya stiffened.
Bronya: "…What does that mean?"
Fenghuang Down: "Bronya… you came looking for answers."
Fenghuang Down: "You're not doing it for others. You're doing it for yourself."
Fenghuang Down: "That is why you dove into the Sea of Quanta."
Bronya's expression became unreadable.
Bronya: "…"
Fenghuang Down's presence began to fade.
Fenghuang Down: "Press forward to reveal the answers you seek."
Fenghuang Down: "You will walk out of your past and find your way."
The familiar figure disappeared into the light, leaving only a faint echo of her presence behind.
The feathers she had left behind silently faded into the snow.