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

Ren looked at Kiana, standing before him, and laughed. "So, Anti-Entropy is even more incompetent than I thought, relying on a civilian girl for mercy. Have you forgotten? I brought you here. What right do you have to ask me to stop?"

"I…" Kiana faltered. She wasn't part of Anti-Entropy, but she couldn't stand by and watch them die. "They're just ordinary people. If you're angry about Bronya's attack, I'll take her place. But if you're doing this for Ren, you should know he'd never hurt civilians."

The simulated black hole had dispersed the storm clouds, revealing the dawn.

Sunlight illuminated Kiana, making her glow.

But Ren stood with his back to the sun, shrouded in shadow.

"Ren…" He released Welt and walked towards Kiana, stopping inches away.

He could see the tremor of her eyelashes, hear the soft intake of her breath.

"I do know him. But in what capacity are you making this plea? Friend? Lover? Confidante?"

His warm breath brushed against her cheek, her already pale face turning rigid.

"You claim he'd never hurt civilians. But how well do you truly know him? Are you speaking for him, trying to spare him pain, or are you simply using his supposed kindness, our supposed connection, to manipulate me?"

"Kiana, did you consider his feelings when you decided to use your perceived influence to save these people?"

His voice was gentle, like a casual conversation between friends.

He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his reflection appearing in her azure eyes. He was so close he could see every flicker of emotion in her face, hear every nuance in her voice.

But Kiana's lips moved soundlessly. Ren strained his ears, but heard no answer.

Confusion flickered in her eyes. She looked away, unable to meet his intense gaze.

She'd realized her feelings for Ren, but hadn't considered what he meant to her.

Her claim that Ren wouldn't harm civilians was a desperate attempt to exploit Older Kiana's feelings for him, not a genuine understanding of his character.

"About him—"

She tried to speak, but Ren placed a finger against her lips.

Her hesitation had rendered any further explanation meaningless.

His eyes, now dark, looked away. He returned to Welt's side.

"Herrscher of Reason, I've given you enough time. Your answer."

His voice was flat, devoid of emotion, his gaze no longer lingering on the Herrscher.

He just wanted this to end.

"Impossible! I—"

Spurt!

Crimson blood sprayed, hot and thick, splattering Kiana's stunned face.

Welt's eyes widened in disbelief. He looked down at the pale arm protruding from his chest.

Ren's hand emerged from Welt's back, clutching the dark Herrscher of Reason core, blood dripping from it.

"A Herrscher core, huh?"

Spurt!

Ren withdrew his arm, more blood gushing out. He flicked the core, splattering blood. Welt collapsed, lifeless.

The spreading pool of blood reflected Kiana's pale face.

Bronya and Mei, having regained consciousness, rushed towards them.

"Welt-san!" During the Herrscher of Reason trials, Bronya had glimpsed Welt's life through the core's memories.

Though she hadn't accepted her inheritance, his dedication to humanity had moved her. And now, he was dead.

"Guilt and pain create only illusions, Kiana. He was just a reason for you to keep going."

The blue Star Core armor dissolved, transforming into a small, teardrop-shaped gem. The battle with Welt had depleted its energy.

"A gift. And a farewell."

He placed the gem in Kiana's hand, then vanished without a word, walking towards the setting sun.

…

Grief permeated the Anti-Entropy base. Welt survived, but he'd lost his powers. Unable to reclaim the Herrscher core, he was a dying man, waiting for the inevitable.

Two days later, the base was operational again. Most of the mechs were destroyed, key buildings damaged. Anti-Entropy had lost control of the Asian region.

"Sister…" Seele entered the balcony, looking at Bronya, sitting alone in the cold wind.

The Homu plushie Seele had made sat untouched beside her.

Seele placed a bowl of soup she'd made beside Bronya. "Sister, Welt-san's death wasn't your fault."

Bronya stared at the miniature Project Bunny in her hand, created from the residual Herrscher energy within her.

The core was gone, but the connection to the Imaginary Tree remained. Like Mei, she could reclaim the core, given the opportunity.

"I know." She looked at Seele, shaking her head. No one was to blame. It was their weakness.

"If I'd accepted the core sooner… Rozaliya, Liliya, Welt-san… I could have prevented this." Pain flickered in her eyes. But after two days of reflection, she'd made a decision.

"I'll start Welt's training program tomorrow. Even without the core, I will reclaim the will of 300,000 and bring everything back."