Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

Late at night, Bronya was sound asleep. Seele quietly got out of bed and stood by her side, gazing at her cousin with a conflicted expression.

I didn't realize... you still harbored resentment over me calling you a demon.

Back then... you promised me you'd never hurt anyone again, all because of me...

A voice emerged from the darkness, low and sinister.

"Heh, too bad your dear Bronya doesn't know... that when you saw her drenched in blood, it wasn't fear that surged through you, but excitement..."

That was the moment I, your true self, began to awaken...

A black shadow took shape, wrapping its arms around Seele from behind. Like a demon from the Abyss, it whispered ceaselessly into her mind.

"No... no, it's not like that! It's not true!" Seele covered her ears, but the whispers echoed louder in her thoughts.

The shadow pointed to a calendar on the wall. A date was circled with a red heart, drawing the eye.

"Next week, you were supposed to go to the beach with your dear Bronya. But now...

Thanks to Sin Mal injuring Bronya's leg, that dream is ruined."

The shadow's grip tightened, its hands stroking Seele's back in a way that sent shivers down her spine. A crooked, sinister smile curled across its lips.

"Tell me, Seele... don't you want revenge? If you don't act, Bronya will keep getting hurt. By Sin Mal... and worse."

Images of Sin Mal's cruel smile flashed in Seele's mind. Her eyes grew vacant, her voice cold.

"You're right... I must protect Bronya..."

Meanwhile, Sin Mal stood alone in the corridor, clutching a notice for the X-10 experiment. Both her and Bronya's names were written on it. The bravado she displayed earlier had faded, replaced by trembling hands and a pale face.

"Damn it, I'm terrified... But I can't lose to Bronya."

Her thoughts twisted as she stared at the paper. A part of her felt relieved for injuring Bronya's leg—it meant Bronya couldn't participate in the experiment. Sin Mal could carry the burden herself, for once. She smirked at the thought.

I'm pretty amazing, huh? But still... I'm scared.

"Sin Mal"

A sudden voice shattered her thoughts. Sin Mal froze, her body stiffening. Cold sweat trickled down her neck as she slowly turned around.

Seele stood behind her.

Unlike her usual timid self, hiding behind Bronya, this Seele seemed resolute. Her piercing gaze locked onto Sin Mal.

"Tch. Oh, it's you. What do you want, crybaby? Scram. I'm in no mood for your whining."

Sin Mal's usual arrogance returned, masking her fear. But Seele didn't flinch.

"No... I won't leave," Seele said softly. "I saw you push Bronya down the stairs.

If you don't want Mama Cocolia to find out, stop hurting her!"

It was the loudest Seele had ever spoken. Her voice trembled, her face flushed, but her words were firm.

Sin Mal narrowed her eyes, a cruel grin spreading across her face, baring her shark-like teeth.

"Calling her your 'dear Bronya,' huh? You two must be so close. A pair of orphans, clinging to each other like fake sisters.

How... disgusting."

Hatred flickered in Sin Mal's eyes. She had cared about Bronya and Seele once, but they never returned her affection. Now, their bond only fueled her jealousy.

"If I can't have them as friends... I'll ruin them instead."

With a sudden shove, Sin Mal pinned Seele to the ground, her hands pressing hard against Seele's wrists.

"Looking at your face pisses me off. Acting all delicate and weak—what, were you trying to avoid the experiment?

Fine. I'll break you too. You can be my little gift to hell."

Sin Mal licked her lips and tore open Seele's shirt, exposing her chest.

"Huh? What's this weird mark? A birthmark? Never noticed it before..."

Her gaze dropped to the strange red symbol on Seele's chest—the Stigma she had awakened two years ago.

"A witch's mark, huh? Figures. Something this creepy... no wonder your parents abandoned you."

Seele's tearful cries filled the air, begging Sin Mal to stop.

Then, darkness descended. Shadows surged around Sin Mal, binding her limbs and rendering her motionless.

"You're such a hypocrite," the voice said mockingly. "You say you want to protect Bronya, but you can't even handle someone like her.

Look at you—shaking like a frightened dog."

Seele rose slowly from the ground. Her blue eyes were gone, replaced by a glowing, blood-red hue. Dark energy coiled around her, dense and alive, like living shadows.

She grabbed Sin Mal by the hair, forcing their eyes to meet.