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

"Liliya, Mei needs to rest." Raiden Ryoma raised his katana, but with a flick of her wrist, Kiana immobilized him.

"Rest? Of course. She can rest. Just… somewhere else. What do you think? As a father, shouldn't your daughter come home?"

Unlike her demeanor around Ren, Kiana fully embraced the role of the Herrscher of Domination.

Under Ryoma's furious gaze, she picked up his fallen katana and walked towards the sleeping Mei.

"My, my. It seems Mister Ryoma is quite reluctant. In that case, she's of no use to us."

Faced with Kiana's blatant threat, Ryoma gritted his teeth, his eyes closing in defeat as he finally acquiesced.

The next morning, Theresa and the others discovered Mei's disappearance. The security footage revealed only a single, deliberately placed clue—the mark of the Obsidian Concord.

"That bastard! She dares to show her face again?!" Tesla, already on edge, fumed, her twin drills practically vibrating with rage. Her colorful language regarding Ren was best left untranslated.

But anger was futile. Einstein sighed. "There's nothing we can do. She bypassed our network security with ease. Our defenses are useless against her."

Theresa wasn't about to accept that. She stood, heading for the door. "Kiana and Mei are my students. I'm going after them."

"But the Hyperion is still damaged. It's too dangerous," Einstein protested. Seeing Theresa's defiant expression, she added, "The Helios has been repaired. You can take that."

Theresa paused, then nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Dr. Einstein."

Tesla watched her go, sighing. "You're too soft. Every ship is precious to us now. It's too dangerous for her to go alone."

"We can't abandon our allies. Especially now, when Anti-Entropy is at its most vulnerable."

"I meant… she should take my mecha."

Einstein chuckled at Tesla's matter-of-fact tone. That was the Tesla she knew.

"Alright. Let's get to work."

The two scientists, having not slept in two days, returned to their research.

…

Mei's eyes snapped open. She instinctively reached for her katana, but her hand grasped only air.

Her vision cleared. She wasn't in the Anti-Entropy training room, but in a traditional Japanese dojo.

Outside, cherry blossom petals drifted through the air. It was late May, the end of the cherry blossom season.

The falling petals, mesmerizing in their dance, seemed to distort time, transporting Mei back to her childhood, training alongside her father in their family dojo.

She rushed outside, sliding open the door. Bright sunlight flooded the room.

The dojo, serene and spacious, the calligraphy hanging on the wall… it was almost identical to her memories.

She crossed the room, her bare feet padding softly against the tatami mats, stopping beside the man kneeling in the center of the dojo.

"Father."

A gentle breeze stirred the fallen petals, their fragrance filling the air, calming Mei's troubled mind.

Her worries seemed to dissipate with the falling blossoms, her tangled thoughts unraveling.

"Mei." After a long silence, Ryoma finally spoke. "Do you remember what I taught you?"

"Where the blade points, the heart follows. Where the heart goes, the blade will follow."

He pushed a katana towards her. "Swordsmanship is a cultivation of the heart. Every movement, every strike, originates from within. Only with unwavering conviction can the blade's true power be unleashed."

"Last night, I felt your improved skill. You've been training tirelessly. But swordsmanship isn't just about technique. Mechanical practice can hone your skills, but it cannot change your beliefs."

"Mei, when you fixate on technique, your heart begins to waver."

As Ryoma spoke, the rose-tinted memories of her childhood began to fade.

The falling cherry blossoms were merely decaying petals, a poignant reminder that even escape couldn't change her weakness.

She had failed.

"Pick it up. Let's spar."

Mei hesitated.

"Yes, Father."

…

The clash of steel echoed through the dojo, sparks flying with each parry and thrust.

Despite days of relentless training, Mei found herself losing ground against her father.

"Mei, your conviction is wavering. Your heart is not strong enough." Their blades met, a shower of sparks erupting. Mei's arm went numb, forcing her to step back.

That single step was a sign of hesitation, of retreat.

"You've begun to doubt yourself. You question your strength, your ability to succeed."

The clash of steel continued, driving Mei back.

"Mei, I ask you, what do you fight for?"

His words resonated within her. She stopped retreating, her stance firm as she blocked his next attack.

"Good. But not good enough." Mei's counterattack was a momentary reprieve. Ryoma quickly regained control.

His attacks grew sharper, more precise. Mei's momentary resolve shattered, revealing more openings. She was losing.

"I know you care for that girl, Kiana. But have you considered how you want to be by her side?"

"As a protector?"

"As an admirer?"

"Or do you simply want to keep her close?"

Clang.

Mei's katana flew from her grasp, spinning through the air before clattering to the tatami mats.

Disarmed, she sank to the ground, her eyes filled with confusion.

She had never considered these questions before.

She had only wanted to protect Kiana, to bring her back to their friends, to return to their carefree days.

But the more she clung to that desire, the more Kiana sacrificed, the further they drifted apart.

"Mei, that girl is a torch burning in the darkness, the moon in the night sky, a hero who will save the world. She cannot, and will not, stop. Trying to keep her by your side will only hurt her."

Mei's heart ached. She closed her eyes, pain twisting within her.

Had she been wrong all along?

"So, Mei, I ask you again. What does your blade fight for?"

If it was protection, then embrace resolve, become destruction incarnate, and sweep away all obstacles in her path.

If it was admiration, then cloak yourself in darkness, chase the burning flame, and guard her journey.

If it was possession, then stagnation was inevitable, dragging the moon from the sky, leaving the world in darkness.

…

I understand, Father.