Late at night, the seaside cottage was silent. Minerva had entered a low-power standby mode, her respiratory simulation system running at an extremely soothing rhythm, providing the most stable embrace for Artoria in her arms. But Artoria did not fall asleep immediately.
The day's interactions with Tony, Banner, and S.H.I.E.L.D., Hulk's childish and aggrieved "baby talk," and finally accepting the consultant's appointment letter all left her mind in turmoil. But what stirred her even more deeply was the consecutive use of character Projections from the honkai impact 3rd World over the past few days—Fu Hua and Kiana (Herrscher of Finality). Every time she linked to those powers, the pasts, emotional fragments, and even the tragic undertones of the Worlds those characters inhabited would leave a faint but indelible mark deep in her consciousness.
Especially... Himeko-sensei. Murata Himeko, who, in the cold Universe, ignited the flames of transition with a mortal body to carve out a future path for her students. And Kiana, that innocent and romantic 'paramecium' who carried the burden of sin and responsibility all the way, eventually watching over everything alone on the throne of Finality as K423.
She closed her eyes, as if she could see that burning sky again, hear Himeko's final words, and feel that vast loneliness and tenderness on the throne of Finality.
"System," she called out softly in the depths of her consciousness, with a hint of confusion and longing she hadn't even noticed herself, "these powers I use from honkai impact 3rd... their World, that story... in the end, was that really the only conclusion? Himeko-sensei... Kiana and the others..."
Her question was fragmented, but the system seemed to understand her unspoken emotions.
After a brief silence, the system's voice sounded in her mind. It was still that steady, waveless electronic tone, but it seemed to have a hint more of... an indescribable, subtle rhythm similar to "lament" or "nostalgia" than usual.
[Retrieving user's deep emotional associations... Confirmed target: Core tragic nodes and character fates of the honkai impact 3rd intrinsic World-line.]
[Starting information interaction, authorization confirmed: User has stably used relevant World character templates multiple times, compatibility continues to rise, and emotional resonance has reached the threshold. Unlocking partial non-critical background information.]
Artoria's heart skipped a beat.
[Answering user's query: The'story ending' you perceive, evolved based on the original honkai impact 3rd data, did indeed occur in the specific history of that Universe known as the 'Intrinsic' or 'Trunk' line. Murata Himeko sacrificed herself during the Second Honkai Eruption, using a mortal body to carry the Gem of Haste and pave the way for the birth of the Herrscher of Flamescion; Kiana Kaslana (K423) went through many hardships, eventually fighting the final battle with the Herrscher of Finality on the Moon, taking on the authority of Finality and watching over the cycle of civilization in solitude... Those pains, sacrifices, and partings were all real.]
Artoria's heart sank, and an unspeakable sense of sadness and helplessness flooded her mind. Even knowing it was a "story," after personally linking to those powers and feeling the soul fragments of those characters, those tragedies were no longer distant tales, but heartbreaking regrets that felt as if they had happened to friends in a parallel space-time.
However, the system's voice continued, changing its tone:
[But, please note the words 'did indeed.' The user needs to understand that the 'plot' you know is merely one 'record' among the infinite possibilities of that Universe. And the Universe itself is a dynamic ocean full of variables.]
Artoria was stunned.
[Around the key node of the 'Final Battle' in the 'Intrinsic' timeline, an... in words you can easily understand, 'unobservable high-dimensional variable intervention' occurred in that Universe.]
[Source of the variable: A... well, in your words, 'Transmigrator senior' whose ID is no longer traceable and whose registered name is suspected to be 'Traveler' or 'Observer.']
"Transmigrator... senior?" Artoria was completely dumbfounded.
[Yes.] The system's electronic voice seemed to take on a very subtle, almost "humanized" helplessness. [That individual entered the Honkai Intrinsic Universe in an unknown way, and their form of existence and interference capabilities exceeded the norm. Specific behavioral details cannot be fully parsed or recorded by this system due to ultra-high-dimensional information disturbance, but the final result is clearly verifiable:]
[Murata Himeko, survived. Her sacrifice was circumvented by some high-level means involving timeline manipulation and conceptual replacement. She currently still serves as an instructor at the Far East Branch of St. Freya Academy. She occasionally gets headaches due to some strange training devices left behind by a certain 'junior' (referring to the Transmigrator senior), but she is healthy and full of energy.]
[Kiana Kaslana, after properly handling the authority of Finality, did not fall into eternal lonely vigil. Together with Raiden Mei, Bronya Zaychik, and other partners, she found a new path to balance civilizational development and Honkai energy in the new era. They occasionally go to other World Bubbles for 'vacations' together (with transportation services provided by a certain former Herrscher of Reason who wishes to remain anonymous).]
[Elysia, Fu Hua, Sirin, etc... etc., all have better endings.]
[More character fate corrections: Cecilia Schariac survived and is active on the front lines against the Honkai alongside Siegfried Kaslana; Seele Vollerei and Bronya reunited, with stable consciousness fusion; even that Overseer of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse...]
The system paused rarely, as if searching for an appropriate description.
[...He successfully resurrected Kallen Kaslana, but because the resurrection process involved a large number of illegal operations, time paradoxes, and overdrawing the World's origin, he is now sentenced to 'work for Schicksal and the cause of human survival for free for two thousand years' to repay his 'karmic debt.' He is currently in a hidden laboratory writing self-reflections while developing a new generation of Valkyrie armor. His direct superior is the retired Theresa Apocalypse (the Principal stated this was her most pleasant decision in five hundred years). As for Kevin Kaslana, after confirming that the flames of the new era were sufficient to continue, he chose to go to a scenic World Bubble for a long-term vacation with the consciousness remnants of Dr. Mei (the most recent observation signal came from coordinates similar to Hawaii).]
Artoria: "..."
Her mouth was agape, unable to speak for a long time. She imagined Himeko-sensei scolding people with her hands on her hips, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya shopping together, Otto bitterly writing reports while being scolded by Theresa, and Kevin and Dr. Mei sunbathing on the beach... What, what on earth is all this?! Isn't this style a bit off?!
[In short,] the system's summary interrupted her confusion, [the'story' of the Honkai Intrinsic Universe, under the reasonable intervention of external variables, has led to a relatively perfect 'happy ending' where each character found their place. Its World-line has stabilized, the Honkai is effectively controlled, and civilization is ascending in a spiral. You do not need to feel sad for the tragedies of that World; they have been rewritten.]
The huge amount of information and subversive content took Artoria a full minute to digest. Shock, confusion, absurdity, and finally, it turned into an unspeakable... relief and ease. It turned out that in that story she once worried about, everyone finally found happiness. This feeling was truly good.
"Then... what about that'senior'? What... happened to him later?" Artoria couldn't help but ask.
[Unknown. After completing the main intervention and stabilizing the World-line, the individual detached from that Universe to continue their 'travel.' Their final destination and status are beyond the observation range of this system.] The system's voice returned to absolute calm, [But what is certain is that their existence itself confirms a basic rule this system previously informed you of: the Universe is infinite. What you see is but a drop in the ocean.]
"Infinite..." Artoria murmured, repeating the word.
[Yes.] The system's voice seemed to become slightly distant, [The Honkai Intrinsic Universe is just a point. Beyond it, there are countless parallel Worlds, derivative Worlds, and even other Universes with completely different rules. The 'templates' you link to may have their power sources from some recorded and observed'story Universe,' but their projections, echoes, and variants may exist in countless similar yet different Worlds.]
[The 'Himeko's ending' you worried about before has been changed in the Honkai Intrinsic Universe. But, in the vast ocean of infinitely mapped parallel Universes, perhaps at this very moment, on some similar World-line not visited by a 'variable,' Murata Himeko is walking toward her destined sacrifice; Kiana is crying alone, burdened by the crown of Finality; tragedies are still playing out, and stories are still repeating.]
Artoria's heart tightened again.
[Therefore,] the system's voice took on a hint of guidance, [if your power is sufficient in the future, if your understanding and resonance with a specific World reach a sufficient depth, and if you complete the corresponding 'World coordinate parsing' and 'transmigration protocol' through this system, you could, in theory, try to go to such parallel Universes to provide your 'assistance' and 'change.' To become the 'variable' of that World and carve out a different path of destiny for those you care about. This is precisely one of the deep meanings of this system's existence—to link, to witness, and when possible, to lend a hand.]
I can go to... other Honkai Universes? To save the Himeko-sensei of that World? To help the Kiana, Mei, and Bronya there? This possibility was like a thunderclap, exploding in her heart and igniting a scorching fire. But at the same time, she also instantly realized the weight behind it—the responsibility, the risk, and the unknown consequences that intervention in a strange World-line might bring.
"How... strong do I need to become?" she asked in a low voice.
[Far beyond what you are now.] The system answered without any ambiguity, [Cross-Universe navigation and high-dimensional interference require a level of power, knowledge accumulation, and mastery of the essence of one's own existence that are beyond your reach at the current stage. It is a long and dangerous road. But, it exists.]
Artoria fell silent. Infinite Universes, countless possibilities, stronger power, unknown journeys... and those sad parallel Worlds waiting for assistance. All of this far exceeded her initial expectation of just wanting to "lay low" in this Marvel World.
"Then... are there many'seniors' like this?" She changed the question, trying to sketch that broader and more mysterious picture of "transmigrators" from the system's description.
This time, the system's silence was longer than any before. When the voice sounded again, Artoria even captured a very, very faint, almost illusory hint of... "lingering fear" from that consistently steady electronic tone.
[...Insufficient data, unable to calculate. But 'Travelers,' 'Observers,' 'Descenders'... similar traces of existence have appeared from time to time in the history of the endless Void Sea. Their purposes, philosophies, and behavioral styles vary greatly.] The system's speech speed seemed to increase slightly, [Most of them follow some basic 'non-interference' or 'limited interference' principle, but there is no lack of... unconventional individuals.]
It paused, as if recalling some unpleasant database records.
[For example, there were once two... well, individuals with extremely high authorization levels who, due to a fundamental disagreement over 'how to optimally save the Honkai Intrinsic Universe' (especially regarding the disposal plan for Kallen Kaslana), had a... heated debate in a sub-dimension used as a public communication area.]
"Heated debate?" Artoria had an ominous premonition.
[The debate quickly escalated into a 'display of ideological conflict' at the rule level.] The system's voice became incredibly flat, as if reading a disaster report, [The specific process cannot be fully recorded due to information annihilation, but the aftermath caused that sub-dimension to completely collapse. Its dissipated energy residues affected the physical constants of at least seventeen surrounding stable World Bubbles, triggering a series of small-scale space-time tremors... The scene was once very chaotic.]
Artoria: "..." Is this really what "Transmigrator seniors" should be doing?! Arguing over Kallen and then tearing apart a dimension?! What kind of Terrorists are you people!
[Since then, that public communication area has been permanently closed, and a new "Basic Code of Conduct for Cross-Universe Travelers (Trial Version)" has been established.] The system's voice seemed to regain some "calm," but Artoria always felt there was a bit of "after-fear" beneath that calm. [In short, the user must remember: there is always someone better, and there are Worlds beyond Worlds. When you explore power and perhaps one day try to step into other Universes, maintain awe, maintain rationality, and clarify your own path. Power is a tool, a path, not the goal itself.]
Artoria took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The amount of information tonight was too vast and too shocking. A perfect Honkai Universe saved by a senior, infinite parallel Worlds waiting to be explored (and possibly saved), and those "seniors" who sounded like they were not to be trifled with, who would tear apart dimensions because of ideological differences...
"I understand, System." she finally said, her tone becoming firm and clear, "Thank you for telling me all this. I will focus on what's in front of me first, gain a firm foothold in this World, and improve myself. As for the rest... I'll consider it when I'm truly capable and prepared."
[A wise choice.] The system's voice seemed to carry a hint of approval, [The current World is equally vast and wonderful, full of challenges and opportunities. Please continue your journey, Artoria. This system will, as always, provide support.]
The conversation ended. Her consciousness returned to tranquility.
Artoria lay in Minerva's warm embrace, but she no longer felt sleepy. She kept her eyes open, looking at the blurred outline of the ceiling, her heart surging. The faint sadness and regret she had previously felt because of using the Honkai characters' power had been replaced by a greater sense of hope, responsibility, and awe for the infinite possibilities.
Himeko-sensei is still alive and doing well in another Universe. Kiana and the others are also happy. This is truly good.
And in some corner of the infinite Universe, perhaps there is another Himeko who needs help, another Kiana who is crying... If she becomes strong enough in the future, she might be able to go there and change something.
But those were all for the future. Now, she was in this World with Iron Man, Hulk, S.H.I.E.L.D., and countless superheroes and lurking crises. She had Minerva by her side, new friends (Tony, Banner), and a new identity (S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant). What she needed to do was live each day well, protect the people around her, continue to grow stronger, continue to understand this World, and continue to understand the power from the "system" and the countless "templates" within her.
The road is still long. The Universe is very big. But at least tonight, she knew that the journey was not lonely, and the end was not despair. There were countless possibilities ahead, countless stories happening, and countless warmth waiting to be passed on and protected.
She turned on her side and snuggled closer into Minerva's embrace, feeling that reassuringly stable "heartbeat." Minerva seemed to sense her movement, her arms tightening slightly, letting out an almost sleep-talking, soothing single syllable.
"Sleep, Artoria." Minerva's voice sounded in the silence, with her unique, calm tenderness, "I am here."
"Mm." Artoria closed her eyes, a hint of relief and a firm smile on her lips.
The galaxy outside the window was still vast, and the sound of the ocean tides never ceased. And above the endless Void Sea, more stories were playing out or waiting to be written. But at this moment, in this place, in this heart, there was peace and power.
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