Note: 5 Chapters today! Happy reading!
Chapter 10: Kiana's Resolve
Then Kiana chuckled and continued, "Of course, more than all that, I am Siegfried's daughter, Theresa's niece, Durandal's younger sister, Himeko's student, and a friend to Mei, Bronya, Fu Hua, and the others… as well as Kevin's descendant."
"Why have you come?" It asked curiously.
"Is this… asking for a reason? Or asking… for a wish?" Hearing Its inquiry, Kiana smiled, her face brimming with joy as she spoke.
"Hmm… a long, long time ago, my wish was to find my deadbeat dad; after entering St. Freya, my wish was to become the strongest S-rank Valkyrie; and for a period of time after leaving school, my wish was to turn back time." As she spoke, Kiana's gaze gradually became resolute. She stared directly at It and continued, "But now, my wish is to bring this imperfect story one step closer to perfection."
Kiana took a deep breath and continued, "Just like in the past, when people learned to create fire to cook food and ward off wild beasts. To solve the predicament before us, to make our wishes come true, I have come before you."
Kiana then placed her hand on her chin, saying with a thoughtful expression, "But as time stretches on, whether it's fire or the power of Finality, they will all become a part of people's ordinary lives. And human life will take another step toward the future."
"So I have come for this—to become the lightning that strikes down the great tree. As for what humanity will create with the embers from that withered tree… let us wait and see."
"…Why are you doing this?" It continued to inquire.
"I didn't expect your 'why' to have two different meanings. Honestly, regarding such a question, no person in action would think too much about it, because the answer has always been within their reach, right before their eyes." Kiana smiled, then put her hands on her hips, speaking with a face full of pride.
"Because this world raised me; and because there are people who keep moving forward to make this world a better place, to make those who once helped them happier. It was they who taught me strength and persistence; it was they who gave me the courage to move forward; it was they who told me what love is and what beauty is; and it was they who accompanied me to this day."
"Though sometimes we are strangers who have never met, who could say they have never received help from others? So even if it weren't me standing before you today, someone else would have come for them. And that other person would show the same will as I do now—the world gave us life, but only by burning it can we realize our own value."
Then It asked the final question. After three strange, loud bangs, Kiana said with a smile, "Does that even need to be said? I am willing to give everything for all that is beautiful in the world."
"As I thought, you are just a mirror… or rather, you are me."
Then Kiana, Bronya, and Raiden Mei assumed combat stances, staring fixedly at the Cocoon of Finality before them, which resembled a Great Dark Lord.
"Facing one's truest self—is this the qualification to inherit Finality? It seems we've finally reached the same starting line as Kevin. Though his actions were akin to theft, the Cocoon still recognized him; it looks forward even more to the victor among us. In that case, it won't do if we don't win beautifully."
"Of course. After all, we and Kevin each represent an era. Compared to ordinary people, we have taken a step forward to stand before this spotlight. We have indeed become Herrschers, but our hearts still belong to humanity. What we must do next is carry out the human will to the end and engage in the final confrontation with the Gatekeeper."
"Humans are a species that seeks truth; everyone grows gradually in the process of pursuing it. Yes, we will make mistakes, we will go astray. But the human will is manifesting right here. If a mistake is made, just correct it; if you go astray, just turn back. Though past sins cannot be changed… as long as we have the present, we can still forge tomorrow."
"Origin is a kind of ending, and Finality is also a kind of beginning."
"Re-establishing truth cannot be eternal, therefore the pursuit of truth is a never-ending process."
"This isn't a game between the three of us and Kevin; this is the struggle of all humanity against fate."
"Sincere to the past…"
"Transcend the present…"
"Until… the future."
As a burst of white light flashed, a scene full of vitality appeared, and the story of a writer and a girl gradually unfolded.
…
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Xuan Yong: Hahaha, interesting, too interesting. To actually choose to face one's own destiny and lead humanity to resist. ]
As the Aeon of Destiny, Xuan Yong extremely approved of Kiana's approach. Whether obeying fate or resisting it, the final outcome is written by humans themselves.
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng: Choosing to face one's past to create a future, huh. ]
On the Astral Express, Dan Heng looked at Kiana's resistance against fate and fell into deep thought. Could he himself face his past self?
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Durandal: My younger sister?!! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Rita: Lord Durandal, when did you have a younger sister? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Otto: Who knows? ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Welt Yang: Heh! ]
At this moment, Welt Yang on the Astral Express had a cold sneer. Others might not know what kind of person Otto was, but how could he not? This old fellow definitely knows something.
[ Genshin Impact - Venti: Girls resisting fate… this is a beautiful story worth writing into a poem. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Yae Miko: Oh my, look at how Kiana can keep moving forward in such a desperate situation, while a certain deity chooses to isolate herself. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Raiden Ei: … ]
Looking at the girls in the video who resisted fate and constantly sought a way forward, Raiden Ei's heart seemed to be touched by something. She slowly took out the Musou Isshin.
Looking at the Musou Isshin in her hand, Ei's expression gradually became firm. She said coldly, "Only Eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles."
[ Genshin Impact - Nahida: Resisting fate. ]
At this moment, Nahida, who was inside her cage, seemed to have made a certain decision and reached out a hand.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: I'm not actually that great. ]
After watching the video, Kiana also gradually chose to face her destiny. Since it couldn't be avoided, she would just face it bravely.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Theresa: You're probably blooming with joy right now. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Raiden Mei: I can testify to that. Kiana has already started giggling non-stop. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Bronya: Idiot Kiana is just Idiot Kiana. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: You guys… ]
While everyone in the livestream was praising Kiana and the others for resisting fate, the Q&A question for the livestream appeared.
"Question: What is the nickname of St. Freya Academy, the institution that trains Valkyries to help fight the Honkai?"
"A. The Far East Demon Lair"
"B. Herrscher Academy"
"C. The Far East's Number One Valkyrie Academy"
…