Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

A roar broke the oppressive silence.

The giant Honkai beast had somehow caught up to them.

"As long as I'm alive… I'll find a way to get you out of here! Even if you bite me, I won't give up!"

Amid the swirling snow, the blinding white obscured their vision. Yet the enormous shadow ahead clearly marked their dire situation. Standing before it was her foolish sister, clutching her sword stubbornly, refusing to retreat even an inch.

Because she was a fool, she didn't understand.

Because she was her sister, she couldn't accept her suggestions.

"…Idiot," Lilia muttered, lowering her head. Her heart ached with sorrow.

If this continued… both of them would die.

Why? Why couldn't her sister listen to her now of all times?

In the bitter wind, Rosalia stood her ground against the monster, sparks flying from their clash. Her pink hair swayed as she stared down the giant beast with unwavering determination.

There wasn't a shred of hesitation in her eyes.

But this wasn't how things were supposed to be. They were supposed to fight together.

Now… she could only watch.

A card was tossed her way—a pass granting various permissions.

"Run while you still can. If you can move, run. If you can't, crawl. Just get away."

Rosalia panted heavily, addressing her sister.

"…"

The frail Lilia clutched the card tightly in silence.

Then, she began to move, shuffling backward at first, before walking, then stumbling, and finally breaking into a clumsy run as she fled into the distance.

…

If only she could escape…

That thought lingered in Rosalia's mind as she fought desperately against the Honkai beast.

Even though her massive sword was driven into the beast's head, the blood pooling on the ground blurred whose it was. The battlefield was chaotic, the snow-covered ground scarred as though plowed.

The intensity of the battle was evident.

Though victorious, Rosalia herself showed no signs of life.

Her vision began to blur, and the sky seemed to drift further away…

Was that snow falling above her?

She didn't know. Unable even to lift her greatsword anymore, she heard the sound of clear footsteps approaching. Judging? No, she was certain. She had returned.

Was she surprised? No, she should've expected it.

Shock, anger, guilt… she couldn't tell what she felt at that moment or what she was supposed to feel.

She wanted to roar, to demand her sister leave this cursed place, but the metallic taste of blood in her throat silenced her. All she could do was watch as, under her sister's guidance, two doctors and a stretcher rushed toward her.

The cold grew deeper as her eyelids slowly closed.

A long, dreamless sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the scent of disinfectant filled her nose, and the bright light of a fluorescent lamp shone above her.

She felt as though she'd been transported to another world. The first thought that came to her was her sister's name.

Where was she?

The next moment, the warmth of a soft, trembling hand in hers seemed to answer her.

A gentle, fearful voice spoke in a trembling tone.

"…Doctor, I'm ready."

"Is there nothing you want to say to her?"

"Um… I have too much to say, so much that I don't know where to start. So, let's begin, doctor. Please save her."

Her voice carried hesitation and a faint sob.

She didn't know what was happening, but the light above seemed to dim slightly.

Yet, she could feel it, the grip on her hand growing tighter, as if the person holding it was afraid of losing something.

Yes, she was losing something precious, so precious that it left her breathless.

"I respect your choice, but I must remind you one more time."

"First, the ■■■■ will affect you, not her."

"Second, this is a path of no return, for both of you."

"Mm. I won't regret it, doctor. Sisters protect each other, but when my sister needs me, it's only right for me to protect her too."

Without hesitation, without questions, she had long understood the path she needed to take.

So… let me stay by your side forever, sister.

It was hard to say whether she was conscious or not.

She didn't know what choice her sister had made.

But the grip on her hand grew stronger, so strong that it caused her pain.

Soon, however, the pain was replaced by a warmth flowing into her from that hand.

That warmth embraced her gently, just as she had often done before.

And within that warmth, slowly, she closed her eyes once again.

This was the last chapter of the sisters' story.

--

"Phew—"

Delta suddenly opened her eyes, her blue gaze filled with panic, confusion, and fear. She reached out, trying to grab something.

But what lay before her wasn't a frozen wasteland or the harsh lights of an operating room. Instead, she was in a primordial forest, the scent of grass thick in the air. Fireflies drifted through the sky like a dream, surrounding the sleeping figures of her companions. Candle-like lights danced, casting soft hues, while shadows in the dark rustled and creaked.

The campfire was dimming, but the moonlight filled the void, its cool glow spilling down.

Was it cold?

She didn't feel it.

Delta extended her hand again, grasping at nothing. She pursed her lips, her wide eyes gradually narrowing as she regained her composure.

"…"

"Nothing happened. It was just my imagination… Go back to sleep, Seele."

She spoke casually, but her eyes refused to close again. She watched the countless stars twinkling across the sky.

The cold no longer bothered her.

-----------

"And what happened after that?"

Back at the villa, Theresa's expression carried a trace of sorrow. In just a few short minutes, the story had vividly depicted the sisters' harsh, unforgiving world and their shared fight for survival.

Clinging to each other for warmth, yet ultimately unable to stay together? Did one of them have to die?

This kind of plot…

If it weren't for the fact that the real person was standing before her, Theresa would have harshly criticized Luo Mo. So many tragic stories, couldn't he write something brighter?

"And after that? That's it, that's the whole story. Vivid and evocative. So, when will they have time for a sparring session?"

Delta popped open a can of soda, her gaze calm as she looked at the screen. But the slightly deformed can revealed her true feelings weren't as calm as they seemed.

Her past, her secrets, had been laid bare for all to see without a ripple of hesitation.

And this happened just a day after she joined.

Who exactly was this person?

She could understand the need for background checks before boarding the ship, but to disclose everything so quickly and publicly?

"So, that's all of it… meaning your sister has already…"

Theresa trailed off, her words caught in her throat as she glanced sympathetically at the cold, silent woman. Delta's high-collared attire and her unapproachable aura made her seem distant and aloof.

Originally, Theresa thought Delta was just hard to talk to. But if her personality had once been like Rosalia's, then losing her sister had turned her into this… Suddenly, Theresa couldn't help but feel sympathy for her.

To experience such loss at such a young age… To have fate take away the last important person in her life.

"Phew… Saying that might not be entirely accurate, but… yes, that's the whole story. My sister… she'll always be with me, forever."

Delta frowned slightly and spoke softly.

She ultimately decided not to reveal the truth to this seemingly naïve person. Besides, she didn't like receiving sympathy from others, even though she knew it came with good intentions.

"Hmm..."

Theresa, however, was more focused on Delta's last words, forever cherishing her sister in her heart.

She suddenly felt deeply moved. It hadn't been easy for either of them...

Theresa sighed, glancing around the room at the group—Luna, Kongming, Delta, Irene, and Kasumi. Of course, she didn't forget Bronie, who had gone back to sleep, but she found it hard to sympathize with someone who stayed up all night gaming...

Still, it was a shame Bronie wasn't her student. Otherwise... hmph.

Comparing her life to theirs, Theresa realized her own was relatively smooth and fulfilling. She had her grandmother, Cecilia, Himeko, and Luo Mo...

(TL: what?... why Him?)

Life was, overall, pretty good for her, even though comparing like this might not be very polite.

Outside, a pink-elf girl knocked on the door. With a hint of a smile and a small gift in hand, she arrived punctually at the villa entrance. She even adjusted the wrinkles in her outfit before stepping in.

Like Delta, she also had pink hair, but her lively demeanor stood in stark contrast.

Delta, being the closest to the door, opened it. She glanced at the girl before turning and heading back inside.

"So, is this all real, Delta~?"

"What? Are you curious too? About the fusion warriors of the previous era?"

Delta's voice was cold as she stood still, refusing to move further.

Unlike Bronie, who indulged in gaming, Delta had deliberately researched the backgrounds of those present yesterday. At the very least, identifying their identities posed no challenge.

Although some terms remained unclear to her, she had gleaned enough understanding from various online explanations.

"Hmm? Your story earlier was quite moving, though parts of it seemed... peculiar. Your sister isn't actually gone, is she? At least, not entirely,.she left part of her consciousness within you, didn't she?"

Elysia stepped across the threshold, lightly hooking her shoes off as she entered. She stretched her toes before slipping into her designated indoor slippers with practiced ease.

The villa was now tinged with Elysia's signature pink!

"...Why not see what happens next? I'm curious too—how will this hero's tale conclude?"

Delta chose not to respond directly, instead heading toward the living room.

Elysia smiled faintly. Wandering in the Sea of Quanta, especially alone on a boat, was always purposeful.

What might her purpose be? She had merely selected the most likely possibility.

"Hmm... Is that it?"

Kongming muttered softly to herself, observing Delta's sometimes uncontrollable tail swinging playfully.

If handing over a water glass earlier was meant to soothe her frowning sister, what did this playful wagging gesture represent?

Perhaps a polite greeting on her sister's behalf?

--

Compared to the relative calm here, the dubbing studio was a scene of high drama.

The office was only a temporary workspace—nothing beat the comfort of the recording room's large screen. Besides, Luo Mo was curious about Bronya's current state.

Before he could receive a report from the "license-less biker girl," he was greeted by the sight of Rosalia and Lilia sobbing uncontrollably, clinging to each other's heads.

"Waaah, Lilia! I suddenly don't envy their power anymore. I can't imagine a life without you!"

"Waaah, it's okay, Rosalia, it's okay. We won't end up like them."

Tears streamed down Rosalia's pretty face as she clung tightly to her sister, terrified she might vanish like in the video.

They'd always been together.

If one of them disappeared, she couldn't imagine how she'd feel.

Like losing her partner in mischief, like two-player games missing a second player, like a vodka girl without vodka, or a cherry pie without blueberries!

(TL: I don't like blueberries.)

The regret, pain, and heartache spread through her small frame.

At her young age, she was burdened with a sorrow she shouldn't have to endure.

"When the sister is in need, the younger sibling should protect her too..." Seele murmured, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she spoke admiringly. "Lilia's words are truly beautiful."

If only she could say something like that to Bronya herself...

Indeed, compared to the online lists of "10 lines to copy," simple, unembellished words like this were far more fitting when spoken aloud.

Seele nodded to herself, determined to remember this.

Of course, among those 10 lines, the one about "Please, other me..." still made her feel a bit awkward.

"Waaah, I'd rather never hear Lilia say those words if it meant we'd never be apart! It should be the older sister protecting the younger one!"

"...Stupid sister. I won't let that slide."

The two squabbled, just like the pair in the video, both seemingly eager to be the one to make the sacrifice.

It was touching, but Bronya couldn't help feeling a bit helpless.

She was still here, wasn't she? And it wasn't yet time for them to save the world or make sacrifices for it.

---

"So... how does it feel, True Herrscher of Reason?"

Luo Mo rubbed his chin as he asked, sizing up Bronya, who seemed unchanged. What exactly defined her growth milestones?

It wouldn't be something absurd, like suddenly growing up eight years later, right?

"True Herrscher of Reason?"

Bronya tilted her head slightly. His odd phrasing hadn't changed at all. With her soft, childlike voice, she corrected him, "It's Herrscher of Truth!"

"...Strength-wise, there's been improvement, but... it seems my upper limit hasn't changed."

She rubbed her forehead and sighed in frustration. "For example, I used to exert myself fully to construct a Moonlight Throne and then collapse from exhaustion. Now, constructing one isn't difficult, but I still can't manage a second."

"...So weak."

(TL: ouch... but I agree with Boss. I think Luo needs to play Otto's role in making the girls feel pain. Why not ask Senti for help.)

Luo Mo didn't bother hiding his disdain, trying to make his interactions feel less rigid. If she really meant what she said, then her performance was indeed lacking.

"Hehe."

Bronya didn't argue. After all, it was clear enough, it was her problem.

She had nothing to say.

Her control over her power was lacking. Although not as bad as she made it seem, only being able to utilize less than half of her strength was still disheartening.

Would it really take eight years to master this power?

She glanced at Fu Hua, who was silently following her, and questioned herself.

---------

The rest of the document was an experimental report.

It detailed the Honkai factors she used, the duration of their usage, and the subsequent symptoms—fever, rashes, shock... accompanied by emotional hypersensitivity and a persistent dream-like state.

It also described the ability she ultimately gained—the power to manipulate emotional factors in combat.

As for the paint she used during battle, it was merely a fluorescent protein reagent. What she wielded was the manifestation of emotions.

Note: "Emotional Factors"

It is hypothesized that these are substances materialized from the subject's emotions, combined with the "Honkai Factors" in their body. The generation of "Emotional Factors" is related to the subject's "emotional hypersensitivity."