Chapter 9: Kiana's Past
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Fu Xuan: A clone? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Siegfried: Kiana, don't you dare overthink it. If you were my daughter for one day, you are my daughter for a lifetime! ]
Looking at the information exposed on the inventory livestream, Siegfried was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. At this moment, he felt an intense urge to rush to St. Freya Academy.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: But I'm just a clone created using your daughter's genes. I'm not your real daughter! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Siegfried: Bullshit! I said if you're my daughter for a day, you're my daughter for life! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Xuan Yong: Miss Kiana, why are you so obsessed with whether or not you are Siegfried's biological daughter? Even if you aren't, why must you care so much? Just live for yourself! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Murata Himeko: Mr. Xuan Yong is right. Why dwell on your past? You are Kiana now, and you should live for yourself. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: But… ]
[ Genshin Impact - Zhongli: Perhaps we should continue watching. Look toward your future; maybe then you won't feel this way. ]
"Later, after meeting Raiden Mei and Bronya in Nagazora, she joined St. Freya Academy alongside them."
"She undertook various studies at St. Freya and became a B-rank Valkyrie, though her academic grades were failing across the board—a true academic underachiever."
"After experiencing the Sirin Rebirth incident and the 'Final Lesson,' she chose to face her inner self. She took on the responsibility of sealing the Herrscher of the Void, using the Herrscher's authority to heal the wounds brought by the Honkai."
"Later, through the 'Refined Dust,' she examined her past from a third-person perspective and through empathetic reflection. She discovered her own shortcomings and, because of them, chose to work even harder. It wasn't until the appearance of the Herrscher of Domination that Kiana Kaslana truly chose to confront her heart, completing the flaws of the Herrscher of the Void."
"Kiana had always rejected the Herrscher Core. She was afraid to face the past, afraid to face her former self, and unable to accept the fact that her consciousness was one with the Herrscher of the Void. But later, during the battle against the 'Legion,' the thoughts and feelings of Bronya and Fu Hua transformed into Herrscher Cores, embedding themselves into Kiana's greatsword. This allowed Kiana to gather the powers of four Herrschers—Reason, Sentience, Flames, and Void—simultaneously, becoming the Herrscher of Flamescion!"
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Cocolia: Interesting. ]
At Anti-Entropy headquarters, Cocolia narrowed her eyes. Looking at the introduction on the livestream, she began to harbor designs on Kiana.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Otto: Regardless, she is a Valkyrie of our Schicksal. If you Anti-Entropy folks want to interfere, you'll have to ask if Schicksal agrees. ]
Seeing Cocolia's comment, Otto immediately understood her intentions and sent a message carrying a hint of a threat.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Cocolia: I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. How could I dare touch Bishop Otto's people? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Theresa: Kiana is my student. Whether it's Anti-Entropy or you, Grandpa, neither of you can touch her. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Otto: Of course. Why would I ever touch her? ]
Otto didn't take Theresa's threat to heart. If he couldn't do it openly, couldn't he do it in the shadows?
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Silver Wolf: I can't help but feel that the Bronya from this other world looks a lot like me. ]
Silver Wolf looked at the fleeting image of the Herrscher of Reason—Bronya—and couldn't help but feel curious.
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Xuan Yong: She's much more 'developed' than you, you little washboard. ]
Seeing Xuan Yong's words, Silver Wolf flared up with rage. However, she couldn't take revenge on him; after all, she couldn't beat him in a fight.
"First, let us play a video."
[ The Birth of the Herrscher of Finality ]
Kiana was seen walking alone through a grand hall. Not far from her, a flaming red sword was plunged into the ground.
With an indifferent expression, Kiana stepped forward, snapping the countless silver threads blocking her path.
She reached the flaming greatsword and looked at it, saying coldly, "Don't worry. Kiana is no longer that child who simply followed the light."
Suddenly, Kiana swung her hand, summoning a greatsword and thrusting it fiercely into the ground beside the red one. Then, she turned and left.
Kiana walked to a massive door, pushed it open, and entered. As she walked deeper, countless stone pillars rose, each topped with a statue.
She stopped before a statue that was kneeling on one knee.
"Now, you have already become a light, and those unbearable pasts will transform into your strength."
As she looked at the statue, Bronya's voice echoed in Kiana's ears.
The statue then transformed into a small kite, flying toward a female statue nearby.
A brilliant light erupted from that female statue. Kiana gave it a faint glance before lifting her foot and continuing forward.
The scene shifted, and Kiana arrived in a strange space.
She continued walking until countless streaks of light flashed above her head. She stopped and looked up.
The lights circled around before plunging straight into Kiana's body.
Kiana slowly fell backward, eyes closed, descending continuously.
Then, she snapped her eyes open, turned in mid-air, spread her arms, and flew downward at an even greater speed.
At that moment, a purple light instantly took the form of Raiden Mei, placing a hand on Kiana's shoulder and asking gently, "Are you ready?"
Another blue light took the form of Bronya, placing her hand on Kiana's other shoulder, looking at her with a tender gaze.
The three shared a look and flew forward together.
After a flash of light, countless hands covered Kiana's hand, and an intense radiance burst forth.
Countless memories flashed before Kiana's eyes. Among them was Elysia, looking back and giving Kiana a faint smile.
Kiana slowly opened her eyes. Behind her was a giant version of herself, though this giant form was entirely pink.
The pink silhouette gently sent Kiana toward the distance.
With a flash of white light, a pair of jade-like legs in white boots stepped onto the ground. As the camera panned up, revealing a figure with near-perfect proportions, Kiana stood there dressed in pure white.
Kiana slowly looked up at the Cocoon of Finality before her, then turned to look at Bronya and Raiden Mei behind her.
Then, a figure radiating white light slowly appeared before the three.
"Who are you? Not you, Raiden Mei. Not you, Bronya Zaychik," It asked, looking at the three girls.
"…" Kiana took a deep breath, placed a hand over her heart, and spoke slowly. "I am Kiana Kaslana, an ordinary Valkyrie; I am also K 423, an experimental subject created by Otto; and I can also be considered… an extension of Sirin."
…