Chapter 73: Setsuna: Sakura II
"Because she lacked the authorization to access the archives, Sakura broke through the patrol robots and took the elevator into the archive room. After the system screened the movement records of personnel in various areas, Sakura learned that Rin had been transferred to Basement Level 33."
"On her way to Basement Level 33, Sakura was stopped by Kevin. Unable to convince each other due to their differing views, Sakura used her true ability, flashing behind Kevin in an instant and sprinting deeper into the passage without looking back. At the same time, alarms blared from other floors. Mei demanded that Kevin strike immediately; a Herrscher had awakened."
"After successfully escaping, Sakura encountered many Zombies. Upon observation, she realized these Zombies were all personnel from the base. While harborring doubts, Sakura continued toward Basement Level 33."
"Sakura encountered many Deadweights along the way, but before Sakura—a MANTIS—these Zombies were nothing. After dealing with the Zombies blocking her path, Sakura entered Basement Level 33 and found the confinement room where Rin was held, only to see Rin's mangled corpse. Mentally broken, Sakura sat blankly on the ground, unresponsive to the swarming groups of zombies. Kevin, having finished clearing other areas, arrived at Basement Level 33 at that moment and eliminated the swarm on that floor."
"Kevin remained on site to guard the Herrscher's corpse and protect the unresponsive Sakura while waiting for Mei's reinforcements. However, the Herrscher's consciousness had already eroded the electronic systems and begun to fight Mei for control of the nuclear silos."
…
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Yae Sakura: Why does this feel so familiar? ]
At this moment, Yae Sakura only felt how similar Sakura's experience was to her own. Her own sister had been cruelly sacrificed by villagers, while this Sakura's sister had been brutally tortured to death by those soldiers of Fire Moth.
Thinking of the words her sister said to her before she died, tears slowly flowed from the corners of Yae Sakura's eyes.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kallen (Recovering): This seems just like your experience. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kallen (Resurrected): It really is similar. ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Jing Yuan: Perhaps they are from different worlds, but are the same person. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Yae Miko: This… ]
…
"The communication system subsequently collapsed, and Mei only had time to convey this information to Kevin. Kevin planned to move Sakura to a safe place first, but Sakura, realizing that Rin's personality might not have been completely consumed by the Herrscher, decided to ignore the danger and go to her. A strike that froze space controlled Kevin."
"By the time Kevin reacted, everything was over. Sakura had exhausted her strength to eliminate all the eroded mechs and Zombies, reaching Rin's side. The Herrscher's behavior became disordered as a result, creating an opportunity for Dr. Mei to seal the Herrscher."
"When Kevin found Sakura, her life had reached its end. Learning that Rin had become disordered because of her actions, Sakura felt greatly relieved. She asked Kevin to take her body back to her homeworld and bury it under a cherry blossom tree."
"When Kevin returned to her homeworld with Sakura's body, all he saw was an endless wasteland. The Herrscher had successfully launched the nuclear missiles, and the last three cities of humanity had been turned to ash. In Kevin's eyes, not a single cherry blossom could be seen."
…
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Mei: Kevin. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kevin: I hereby swear that humanity will eventually defeat the Honkai. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: Humanity will eventually defeat the Honkai. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Murata Himeko: Well said, we humans will eventually defeat the Honkai. ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Xuan Yong: Well said, I believe in you, but first you have to solve the trouble in front of you. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Hu Tao: Why do I always feel like you don't seem like the Aeon of Destiny, but rather the Aeon of Elation? ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Aha: Exactly, old man, how about I give you the position of the Aeon of Elation? ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Xuan Yong: Tsk, who wants your position? Isn't my own position good enough? And who said that a changed destiny isn't destiny itself? ]
…
"Next, we will play a video of Sakura's final moments."
"I have upheld my pride as an older sister."
The screen slowly revealed a giant factory.
"Rin, are you still alive?" At this time, in this empty factory, Sakura's voice echoed throughout the space, but the weakness in her tone made one's heart tighten.
Kevin came before Sakura, quietly looking at her without speaking.
"Kevin, where is she?" Sakura stared fixedly at Kevin, her voice now carrying a hint of a sob.
"Sakura…? What are you going to do?" Kevin asked involuntarily as he looked at Sakura, a bad feeling rising in his heart.
"I'm going to find her." Hearing Kevin's question, Sakura directly stated her purpose.
"Are you crazy? She's not Rin anymore." Hearing Sakura's words, Kevin shouted instantly, his tone trembling slightly.
"Sakura-, don't go…" At this time, Seele also began to advise Sakura.
…
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Bronya: SEELE!!! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Seele: I'm here. ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Bronya: Such… such a cute Seele. ]
[ Honkai Star Rail - Seele: Hmm? Am I not cute? ]
[ Genshin Impact - Furina: What a cute young girl. ]
…
"Seele…" Hearing Seele's words, Sakura fell silent.
"It's very dangerous there, you will, you will…" Seele's eyes were full of worry, even her tone was anxious, and her hands involuntarily hugged herself.
"It's precisely because it's dangerous that I must go. You won't stop me, right?" Hearing Seele's words, Sakura was somewhat at a loss, but she tried to keep her tone as gentle as possible.
Then, as if falling into a memory, Sakura continued with a trembling voice: "Rin must be very lonely right now. She has always been a child who is afraid of loneliness. …She needs me."
Hearing Sakura's words, Seele fell completely silent. She didn't know how to advise the older sister before her.
The roar of artillery and the sound of alarms intertwined all around, never-ending. She knew that letting Sakura leave would be a journey of no return, yet she couldn't say it. She couldn't find any excuse to advise the girl before her.
"Waaaah, then… Seele wants to go with you." Seele's tone now carried a few sobs. She suppressed her inner sadness and looked at Sakura with a determined face.
"Stop joking! Rin is already dead." Hearing Seele's words, Kevin stepped out instantly, interrupting the conversation with an angry expression.
Hearing Kevin's words, Sakura didn't say anything, but simply turned around and walked toward the depths.
"Stop it, Sakura!" Seeing Sakura's movement, Kevin became desperate and couldn't help but shout.
"…Seele, I'm sorry." After apologizing to Seele, Sakura directly unsheathed her weapon. With a "shring," amidst a flurry of sword light and shadows, she froze all the surrounding space.
"Our journey together ends here." Looking at the two people frozen in place, Sakura's voice was filled with sadness, and she then turned and left.
…