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

Roar!

A Chariot-class Honkai beast lunged, its massive claws aimed at the support pillars of the Nest. But before it could land a blow, its body froze mid-air. Cracks spiderwebbed across its armored plating, spreading rapidly until the entire beast crumbled into dust.

Kiana landed gracefully, sheathing her Xuanyuan Sword. Ignoring the disintegrating beast behind her, she raced towards the next threat.

The battle had raged for two hours, the relentless tide of Honkai beasts showing no sign of abating.

Her breath hitched. A wave of weakness had washed over her as she struck the last beast. If she hadn't reacted quickly, delivering a final, decisive blow, she might have been overwhelmed.

She glanced at her arm. Honkai fissures, like a spiderweb, covered nearly her entire forearm.

The Herrscher cores' corrosion had reached its final stage. Even the Gem of Serenity's power couldn't save her now.

Her body was a shattered vessel, held together by sheer willpower. If not for Ren's repeated efforts to stabilize her, the overflowing Honkai energy would have long since torn her apart. Even if he were here now, he couldn't help her.

I can't use Honkai energy anymore. I'll die.

The thought echoed in her mind. Kiana looked towards the Nest.

"I… can't stop yet."

She exhaled, tightening her grip on her sword.

The once bright sky had darkened, heavy clouds gathering overhead. Now, the light faded completely, the sky a canvas of impending rain.

Lightning flickered, followed by a rumble of thunder. Rain began to fall, plastering Kiana's clothes to her skin.

The drumming of raindrops on the rooftops was a cacophony, like a thousand voices arguing in her ears. The rain blurred her vision.

Her mind hazy, she jumped from the rooftop. As she landed, her right leg buckled, sending her sprawling.

She coughed, blood mingling with the rain.

A massive shadow loomed over her. Kiana turned, seeing the descending Honkai beast less than a meter away.

BOOM.

A deafening crack of thunder split the sky, a bolt of crimson lightning striking down.

Kiana, bracing for the impact, felt nothing. She lowered her arms, disbelief in her azure eyes.

Beneath the crimson lightning, lavender hair danced in the wind.

…

Three days earlier. Anti-Entropy HQ.

Since the recent attack, a sense of unease had settled over Anti-Entropy. Despite the best efforts of the two scientists, the leader's injuries had shaken their confidence.

The residential area was quiet. Aside from the training facility, where lights still burned, the base was asleep.

Unnoticed, a tall figure drifted through the residential area, its shadow stretching across the wall, the glint of a sharp blade catching the dim light.

Raiden Mei, exhausted from training, slept soundly in a chair, oblivious to the approaching danger. The blade was less than half a meter from her throat when she jolted awake.

Her eyes snapped open. She drew her katana in a blur, the polished steel flashing in the light, meeting another blade.

Mei's eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized the figure before her.

Before she could speak, the blade lunged again. Mei parried instinctively.

The clash of steel echoed through the silent training room.

Eighteen hours of daily training had left Mei exhausted, but now, adrenaline surged through her. She could feel the effectiveness of her training, her Hokushin Itto-ryu swordsmanship honed to a razor's edge.

Clang.

The final clash. Mei seized an opening, her blade stopping a hair's breadth from her opponent's throat.

Sweat dripped down her face as she whispered a single name.

"Homu Swordsman."

Light spilled across the figure, revealing a large Homu plushie.

The yellow Homu, its large belly swaying, wore a black headband tied around its forehead, adding to its comical appearance.

Mei's voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes as she lowered her katana.

"Dad."

The man inside the Homu suit removed the head, sighing. Before he could speak, Mei threw her arms around him, years of longing and separation pouring out in a choked sob.

Raised by her father, Mei had been seen as a pampered heiress at school, but beneath the surface, she had carried a deep loneliness, a burden she couldn't share with anyone.

Then she had met the strange Homu Swordsman at the dojo. He had become her confidant, a silent listener to her unspoken worries. As she trained in Hokushin Itto-ryu, he had become her pillar of support.

But when Raiden Ryoma was wrongly imprisoned, Mei discovered the truth—the Homu Swordsman was her father. And with his arrest, her world had crumbled.

The bullying she endured shattered her defenses, ultimately leading to her awakening as the Herrscher of Thunder.

If not for Kiana, she would have ended her life.

Now, Kiana was suffering, consumed by the Herrscher cores, and Mei could do nothing but watch her leave. The despair was a chilling echo of the day her father had been taken away.

Ryoma's return was a beacon of hope, guiding her lost daughter home.

Years of pain, the heartbreak of Kiana's departure, the repeated setbacks…

It all came pouring out, tears soaking the Homu suit.

Ryoma gently stroked Mei's hair, holding her close.

"It's alright, Mei. Dad's here."

…

Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, Mei drifted off to sleep in her father's arms.

Ryoma carefully removed the Homu suit, placing her gently on a nearby chair.

Looking at her tear-stained face, he gritted his teeth, picking up his katana, preparing to leave.

But before he could reach the door, a white-haired woman blocked his path.

"Mister Ryoma, have you forgotten something?"