Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

Upon hearing that Bronya had been injured, Cocolia rushed back to the orphanage, leaving her experiments behind. Now, she was personally tending to Bronya's wounds.

"How did you fall down the stairs?"

"It was Bronya's carelessness," Bronya replied as Cocolia carefully wrapped a bandage around her right leg. A faint smile played at the corners of Bronya's mouth, but she chose to keep the truth hidden.

"Oh? Are you hiding something, Ural Silver Wolf?" Cocolia's hands tightened slightly as she secured the bandage knot, causing Bronya to wince in pain and break into a cold sweat.

After finishing the bandage, Cocolia sat down beside Bronya, her sharp eyes studying the girl.

"With your skills, it's hard to believe you'd fall down the stairs. Or... was someone responsible? But if it were you, you could've easily snapped their neck before hitting the ground, right?"

"I simply slipped," Bronya said calmly, meeting Cocolia's gaze.

"Is that so... If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you." Cocolia stood, handing Bronya a list before walking away. "Take care of yourself. The experiment is approaching, and I can't afford for your injuries to delay our work."

"I'll take care of myself."

Bronya looked down at the list in her hand. Three names were on it: hers, Sin Mal's, and Seele Vollerei's.

"Also... don't forget to say goodbye to Seele. Don't leave with regrets," Cocolia added as she left.

"Yes... Mother."

After Cocolia was gone, Bronya stared at the list for a long time before making a decision. She had known about the experiment for a while, as had Sin Mal, but Seele was unaware. Cocolia hadn't intended to tell Seele, and Bronya didn't plan to either. After all, Bronya had agreed to participate in the experiment precisely to protect Seele from it.

That night, Bronya returned to their shared room—a modest space with two single beds. Seele wasn't immediately visible, but Bronya noticed a large chest in the corner. From inside the chest, she heard Seele's voice, repeating, "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Seele often hid in the chest when she was scared, shutting herself inside. The chest could only be opened from the outside. In the past, it had always been Cocolia who found her there. Now, it was Bronya's turn.

Bronya unlocked and opened the chest, revealing Seele curled up inside, clutching her head and crying. Dropping the crutch she had been using, Bronya knelt, took Seele's trembling hands, and looked into her tearful eyes before pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, Sis Bronya... I saw what Sin did to you..."

"…but I was too scared to move."

"It's okay, Seele... Bronya only wants you to stay as you are."

Bronya smiled at Seele—a rare sight, as she seldom showed any emotion to others.

"As long as you're here, Bronya won't feel any pain."

"But… but you're so strong, Sis Bronya… and it's all my fault…"

"No... It's not your fault."

Bronya hugged Seele tightly as memories of their past surfaced.

The Second Eruption had shattered countless families and displaced thousands. Many orphaned children were taken in by the military, raised, and trained as child soldiers. Bronya Zaychik was one of them. Trained as an assassin, she earned the title Ural Silver Wolf for her unparalleled efficiency and deadly precision.

During a mission to eliminate the Witch Cocolia, Bronya was captured. However, instead of killing her, Cocolia spared her and brought her to the orphanage.

Two years ago, not long after Bronya's arrival, heavily armed terrorists infiltrated the orphanage and kidnapped Seele while Cocolia was away.

At just 12 years old, Bronya tracked the kidnappers down using the traces they left behind. She discovered their hideout—a heavily guarded compound. Rather than storm in, Bronya disguised herself as a wandering prostitute. When the guards let their guard down, she strangled them with her stockings one by one.

Stealing their weapons, she silently eliminated all the kidnappers. Finally, covered in blood, Bronya found Seele curled up in a corner, crying. However, when Bronya tried to comfort her, Seele's reaction left her frozen.

"Monster... Don't come near me! Stay away!" Seele screamed, trembling in fear.

Bronya thought Seele was referring to her, but she didn't realize that a shadow loomed behind her—a figure wielding a massive scythe, its crimson eyes glowing ominously.

From that day forward, Bronya promised Seele and herself: she would never harm another person again.