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

Blood, warm and slick, coated Kiana's hand. The pieces clicked into place.

"Obsidian Concord!"

She scrambled to her feet, rage surging through her, her fist clenching as she prepared to attack.

But a hand clamped down on her wrist, stopping her.

Kiana turned, her eyes meeting Mei's lavender gaze. She hadn't expected Mei to be the one holding her back.

The fight drained out of her. She lowered her fist, placing her hand on Mei's shoulder.

"Mei, they're insane! They want to unleash the Honkai! You can't be with them!"

Mei shook her head, silently urging Kiana to stop.

"Why? Even if you're leaving, even if you're becoming a Herrscher… why them? Are they controlling you? Threatening you? Did they trick you?" Kiana's voice rose, the woman's dying words echoing in her mind.

The Obsidian Concord would drain the Herrschers dry, leeching their power, using them to unleash their vengeance upon humanity.

Ren, their first target, was already spent. And now… it was Mei's turn.

"No! You can't go!" Kiana gripped Mei's arms, but Mei easily shrugged her off.

"You can't stop me, Kiana. From now on, we walk our own paths. You have more important things to do, people to save."

Mei looked into Kiana's eyes, her voice soft as she spoke a single name.

"Ren. The one who saved you from the darkness."

"I couldn't save you, but he did. Even after I'm gone, the others at the academy… he… they'll be there for you."

Protect, follow, or hold back?

She wasn't strong enough to clear Kiana's path, nor could she hinder her journey. So, she would follow.

Like the stars orbiting the moon.

This was the answer Mei had found, the conviction that had solidified her resolve.

She would walk in the darkness with the Obsidian Concord, following Kiana's light, shielding her from any who dared to threaten her.

"Let him walk with you now."

"No, don't go…" Kiana reached out, but like with Ren, her efforts were futile.

With the Gem of Conquest gone, her strength had faded, leaving her drained and empty. Even without the corrosive burden, it would take time to recover.

"Let's go, Liuli." Mei turned and walked away, not looking back.

The thunder seemed to quiet, silenced by the Raiden Shogun's presence. The storm gradually subsided, though the rain continued to fall. Kiana tried to follow, but Liuli blocked her path.

"From now on, she is our new leader. Our Raiden Shogun."

"You bastard!"

"You should be grateful, Kiana. Raiden Mei willingly sacrificed herself for your freedom. She chose to bear the burden of the Gem of Conquest, to ease your suffering. From now on, we will remain hidden, until the day you return to the darkness."

Liuli leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "But… you should hurry. Herrschers are… expendable."

Liuli laughed, a cruel, mocking sound, as she watched the fear bloom in Kiana's eyes. "Yes, I enjoy seeing you like this, so desperate. Ren, Raiden Mei… how long can they endure the Obsidian Concord's manipulations?"

"Kiana, can you save them?"

Thud.

Kiana's head slammed into Liuli's face, blood splattering across her cheeks, giving her a chillingly feral appearance.

"One day, you'll pay for this."

"I'll be waiting."

A sudden gust of wind swept through the ruins, and Liuli vanished. Only a streak of red lightning remained, arcing towards the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

The lightning pierced the clouds, allowing sunlight to filter through once more.

The Honkai beasts quieted, the rising water receding.

"I can't do anything…"

Alone on the rooftop, Kiana sank to her knees, exhaustion claiming her as darkness enveloped her.

…

Because Mei had taken the Gem of Conquest directly, without drawing on the residual Honkai energy in Nagazora, Otto's experiment remained unaffected.

But while Schicksal's plans proceeded as scheduled, other events were unfolding.

In Nagazora's western sector, the once teeming hordes of Honkai beasts had thinned, those remaining fleeing towards the east.

It was the pressure of an apex predator. In the center of the main square, Benares lay, confused. It had been carrying its master, soaring through the sky, when suddenly, her presence vanished. Its claws held only a lifeless puppet.

Following its instincts, Benares had flown towards Nagazora, only to be attacked mid-flight.

A woman with a red cloak had shot it with an arrow. Though the wound was superficial, she had pursued relentlessly, bringing reinforcements.

Desperate to find its master, Benares had pressed on, finally shaking off its pursuers, but its injuries, worsening with each passing moment, forced it to land in the western sector.

Here, it could faintly sense its master's presence, a comforting reassurance. And during the lightning storm, it had sensed the other girl, the one who had been with its master before.

And the direction she had flown… seemed to be towards the woman who had attacked it.

…

In the warship's lounge, Ren sat with his eyes closed, attempting to conserve his energy.

To sever the connection with the Will of the Honkai, he had cut off the link to his true self. Without that connection, this body was rapidly reaching its limit.

He hadn't lied. There was no need. His preparations were complete. The stage was set.

Everything was in motion, even beyond his control now. He could only hope his influence on Kiana had been enough.

But even he wasn't certain. Their bond was still fragile. Kiana's affection for him was, perhaps, only slightly stronger than that of a casual acquaintance. Whether she would risk her life for him… he couldn't say.

A flicker of anxiety stirred within him.

Would she come?