Herrscher of Dominance in Honkai, starting with the abduction of Kiana

Despite the downpour, the fire in Kiana's eyes burned bright. Weakened, her body ravaged by Honkai corruption, she didn't flinch, her gaze locked on Older Kiana.

Lightning crackled. Older Kiana raised her katana, pointing it at the sky.

"No!" Mei screamed. Stray electrical arcs converged around her, forming miniature lightning bolts.

The residual Herrscher of Thunder powers within her responded to the storm, a surge of energy blasting towards Older Kiana.

This single attack drained Mei, a desperate attempt to stop her.

But the lightning struck Older Kiana with little effect, not even slowing her down.

As darkness closed in, Mei watched helplessly as the blade fell.

Like a lightning-wreathed instrument of destruction, the katana sliced downwards, unleashing a storm of wind that pushed the rain away, clearing a circular area around Older Kiana.

Kiana's eyes widened, her silver hair whipping in the wind.

Beside her, a deep fissure snaked across the ground, stretching towards the harbor.

Older Kiana laughed, tossing the katana back to Mei. She gently tucked a stray strand of Kiana's severed hair behind her ear.

"Impressive courage. I understand why he chose you."

Kiana, snapping out of her shock, tried to attack.

But Older Kiana caught her wrist, lifting it high, preventing any movement.

So close, Kiana could feel the warmth of her breath.

The enemy who wanted to kill her now showed no hostility.

"What… what do you want?"

"Just testing you. You need to understand why you lost. Don't worry, your friends are just unconscious." Older Kiana released her wrist.

Kiana wanted to attack again. The destruction around them spoke volumes. But Older Kiana's azure eyes were calm. She seemed genuinely interested in talking.

Sensing Kiana's suspicion, Older Kiana explained, "Just some property damage. I held back. No casualties. As for your friends… they're too weak."

"You attacked my friends, and you call them weak?" Kiana bristled.

"Yes, weak. They can't protect you. They're not worthy. They wouldn't last a minute against the coming threat." It wasn't an insult, just a statement of fact. "I'm merely showing you the difference in our power. Without growth, you'll die."

"He will try to protect you, but he can't protect you forever."

"He?"

"Don't play dumb. Ren. I don't think your memory is that bad."

Kiana's eyes widened. "Where is he? Who are you? What's your relationship with him?"

Older Kiana smirked. "Guess."

But Kiana, now calmer, wasn't so easily misled. She saw the flicker of something in Older Kiana's eyes and added with a touch of sarcasm, "Even with my face, you can't fool him. The harder you try, the more obvious it is he's not interested."

"..."

Was this… the confidence of the "real" girlfriend?

"Feisty, aren't you?" Older Kiana sighed, abandoning the pretense. The Puppet shifted, returning to her older form.

Kiana stared, shocked. "How?"

"Honkai energy is versatile. And I am Kiana. What's so strange about looking my age?"

Time travel didn't exist in this world yet, but altering one's appearance was possible.

"As you can see, I'm you, grown up. I'm Kiana too. If you don't catch up to him, I won't wait."

The sudden influx of information left Kiana reeling. Older Kiana frowned, looking at the sky.

"If you're looking for him, go to Nagazora City. You might find answers there. Now, get some sleep."

Before Kiana could respond, a wave of dizziness washed over her.

She'd been pushing herself. Older Kiana simply amplified the Honkai energy, knocking her unconscious.

Catching Kiana, Older Kiana looked towards the rubble, beckoning.

"Seele, enough hiding. Take them back."

Aside from Ren, Seele knew Older Kiana the best. Ten years in the bubble universe had forged a strong bond of trust.

This fight seemed pointless. Everyone was injured. But Seele didn't believe Older Kiana was malicious. Bronya had fired the first shot, after all.

After returning with Theresa, she'd witnessed the confrontation between the two Kianas, hiding and listening, finally understanding.

Veliona was still suspicious, but Seele's trust left her no choice.

"Here. He asked me to give this to you." Older Kiana placed Seele's hairpin, the one she'd given Ren, back in her hair.

"Is… Mr. Kindred truly dead?" Seele remembered Ren being consumed by the black tide. If not for his crystal, she and Bronya wouldn't have escaped. She wanted to thank him.

"It's a secret, Seele. Kindred isn't singular. You'll meet him again someday, but not now."

And then, the question Seele had been dreading. "Kiana-san, what happened to Rozaliya? Why did you take her?"

Older Kiana shook her head, pulling out several photos from a portal to the Theater of Domination.

The photos showed Rozaliya training with a red-haired woman, surrounded by shattered training pillars.

"Rozaliya has gotten so strong…"

"This is our secret. Don't tell anyone, not even your sister. If you hadn't called out my name, they wouldn't be hurt." This was a lie. The fight was inevitable. But Seele was unlikely to reveal anything.

"Alright, let's go." Older Kiana nudged Seele, then closed her eyes, her consciousness withdrawing from the Puppet.

Its true owner took control.

Welt Yang, the Herrscher of Reason, had finally arrived.