-2 Days Later-
Kenji shuffled along the uneven sidewalk, his steps sluggish. The early morning light reflected off the puddles from last night's rain, but it didn't do much to lift his spirits. Every muscle in his body ached, and his ribs still twinged with every deep breath. He adjusted the strap of his bag, wincing as it dug into his shoulder.
"Nine Seraphs," he muttered under his breath, voice heavy with exhaustion. "Nine. And Who plans a late-night park event these days anyway?"
He rubbed at his neck, still sore from where one of the Seraphs had attacked him too fast for him to dodge and thrown him into a lamp post. The chaos of last night was still fresh in his mind—how the park's festive glow had been snuffed out in an instant, replaced by screams and frantic footsteps. The Seraphs moved fast, and corralling panicked civilians had been almost as hard as fighting the damn things.
Kenji sighed, his gaze falling to his scuffed boots. "Next time, I'm skipping the crowd control."
And the night before? Even worse. A Chariot-class Honkai Beast had shown up out of nowhere, tanking hit after hit like it was nothing. He'd poured everything into taking it down, but not before it had left a solid path of destruction behind. His Danger Sense had been screaming at him the entire time, but the collateral damage was unavoidable.
Then followed by the other multiple appearances of Seraph's in the streets. He feels like he is going to lost it if he sees just one more of them.
He passed by a storefront with shattered windows, now hastily covered with plywood. A pang of guilt shot through him as he noticed the shopkeeper sweeping up the last bits of glass. Kenji pulled his hood lower, he knew they wouldn't recognize him, but he felt guilty all the same.
"At least no one got hurt," he muttered to himself, though his tone showed how tired he was.
Blue Dragon Couriers loomed just ahead, its faded sign hanging crooked above the door. The building wasn't anything to write home about, but he needed to make money somehow and above all else, it was calming. He needed that more than ever right now.
Kenji reached the curb, stopping as a line of sleek black vehicles rolled past. The Schicksal logo gleamed on their doors, catching the morning sun like a beacon of authority.
He frowned, his tired eyes following the convoy as it disappeared around the corner. "Great," he muttered under his breath. "First Honkai attacks are suddenly becoming more common, now Schicksal's showing up more often."
He had run into some Schicksal agents while fighting the chariot. He did save them from getting splattered on the ground but their eyes when they looked at him, looked like they were analyzing him, kinda creepy if he had to say.
Dragging his feet, he reached the courier office and pushed open the door. The familiar chime greeted him, and for a moment, the world felt a little quieter. Just the faint buzz of the fluorescent lights and the muffled sound of chatter from the back.
Kenji let out a long breath, shoulders slumping as he walked toward the staff lockers. He threw his bag into his cubby with little ceremony and leaned against the wall, letting his head rest back for a moment.
But as he stood there, a familiar unease crept in. That feeling again, like someone—or something—was watching him.
It wasn't new. For the past few nights, the sensation had lingered at the edges of his mind. During patrols, during fights or after, it didn't matter where or when. It was always there.
Kenji ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as if that would dislodge the thought. "You're just tired," he muttered to himself.
Still, as he grabbed his delivery assignments and stepped back outside, the feeling clung to him like a shadow.
---
The streets of Nagazora were alive with their usual hustle, the hum of everyday life masking the city's deeper undercurrents. Kenji adjusted his messenger bag as he stepped into the rhythm of his delivery route.
The weight of the bag, combined with his aching muscles, felt heavier than usual, but he pushed through. A little inconvenience wasn't going to stop him.
The first few stops went smoothly, his well-worn sneakers scuffing the cracked sidewalks as he handed over packages to shopkeepers and office clerks. It wasn't until he turned onto a quieter street that the atmosphere shifted.
Parked along the curb were a half-dozen sleek black vehicles, their polished surfaces gleaming under the midday sun.
The Schicksal insignia was unmistakable, an emblem that radiated authority and control. Kenji slowed his pace, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.
Operatives in dark uniforms dotted the area, their movements precise and deliberate. Some spoke with locals, their voices low and professional, while others held handheld scanners, the devices emitting faint beeps as they waved them over walls and pavement. Whatever they were doing, it wasn't subtle.
Kenji adjusted the strap of his bag and kept his head down, his posture casual. As he passed, he couldn't help but listen in on a snippet of conversation.
"…energy spikes consistent with prior readings. Continue the perimeter sweep," one agent said, their voice clipped and mechanical.
Kenji's stomach twisted. He kept walking, his eyes fixed on the sidewalk ahead. Just as he thought he was clear, he felt a prickle at the back of his neck, someone was looking at him. His Danger Sense didn't flare, but that's what makes it more unnerving, it was enough to make him glance over his shoulder.
One of the Schicksal operatives had paused mid-scan, their eyes locked on him. It wasn't an aggressive stare, but it lingered just long enough to make Kenji's pulse quicken. He turned back quickly, forcing himself to keep his pace steady.
"Relax," he muttered under his breath. "They are just normal people doing their very normal jobs. Just keep moving."
As he turned the corner, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly, but his thoughts didn't. Schicksal's presence here wasn't random, he was sure of it.
They were too coordinated, too methodical. Were they just investigating the recent Honkai attacks? Or were they hunting for something—or someone?
The memory of the Seraphs flashed in his mind, their glowing forms tearing through the park the previous night. He still remembers how odd it was that Honkai Beasts just appeared out of nowhere. If Schicksal was here because of that… Then it might actually make sense.
But that means, something unnatural is going on in Nagazora. Kenji really hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn't be too bad.
...
He made a few more stops without incident, his deliveries routine and uneventful. But the Schicksal vehicles continued to pop up along his route, a constant reminder of their presence.
Each time he saw their operatives, his unease grew. They moved like they owned the city, and for all Kenji knew, they did.
By the time he reached his next delivery point—a small café tucked between two older buildings—he was ready to shake off the morning's tension.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the open door as he stepped inside, his bag swinging lightly at his side.
"Kenji! Right on time," the barista called out, a cheery grin on her face as she wiped down the counter.
He offered a tired smile, setting the package on the counter. "Morning, Clara. Got your shipment right here."
She accepted it with a nod, her movements quick and efficient. "Thanks. You look beat. Long night?"
"You could say that," Kenji replied, leaning against the counter. "Been a weird couple of days. Could use a drink."
Clara nodded and slid a steaming cup of coffee toward him. "I knew you were going to ask for that, so I made one just in case."
Kenji took the cup with a grateful nod. "You're a lifesaver."
As he sipped the coffee, his eyes drifted toward the window. Across the street, another Schicksal agent was speaking to a shopkeeper, their conversation animated but cordial. The agent's scanner beeped intermittently, its faint glow reflecting off the glass.
"You know what's going on?" Kenji asked, nodding toward the scene outside.
Clara followed his gaze, her brow furrowing. "Not really. They showed up a couple of days ago. Asking questions about Honkai stuff, I think."
"Honkai stuff, huh?" Kenji muttered, his grip tightening on the cup.
"Yeah. Kinda creepy, though. Those uniforms make them look like they're from a sci-fi movie or something." She shrugged, brushing it off. "But hey it's schicksal, without them we would have been wiped out by the Honkai by now."
Kenji gave a nervous smile, setting the empty cup on the counter. "Yeah, I guess your right."
---
The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the city in warm, golden hues as Kenji finished his last delivery of the day. He tucked the receipt into his bag and gave the customer a tired nod before turning to head back. The streets were already starting to quiet down, Nagazora easing into the lull before the evening rush.
Checking his watch, Kenji estimated he could be back home before dark. "If I get there fast," he muttered to himself, "I can grab maybe five hours of sleep before heading out tonight." The thought of a warm bed was tempting, but his body still bore the aches from last night's fights. Sleep was a luxury he'd learned to appreciate, even if it came in small doses.
Unbeknownst to him, far above the city, a drone hovered silently in the clouds. Its sleek, angular form blended seamlessly into the overcast sky, hidden further by cloaking technology that rendered it invisible to the naked eye. Its sensors overseeing the entirety of Nagazora, feeding live footage back to its operators.
...
Miles away, the interior of the Anti-Entropy research facility was alive with activity. Rows of monitors displayed live feeds from their city-wide surveillance network. Maps of Nagazora were overlaid with glowing markers, each one representing a spike in energy readings. Bright red dots denoted Honkai activity, while faint, pulsating blue spheres marked the anomaly energy that had confounded researchers for months.
At the center of the room stood a massive screen displaying a real-time visualization of Nagazora. Concentric circles of varying intensities highlighted areas of energy concentration.
"Zone 13 just registered another spike in anomaly energy," one researcher called out, his fingers flying across his keyboard.
A second researcher leaned over his console, adjusting the view on his monitor. "Same pattern as before. It seems to flare during periods of Honkai activity, then dissipates."
Another researcher joined the discussion, her tone cautious. "But this time, it lingered longer. Look at this." She pulled up a graph showing the overlapping energy levels. "The Honkai energy faded after the Seraph-class Beasts were neutralized, but the anomaly energy remained elevated for nearly an hour."
The others gathered around her screen, murmurs of agreement spreading through the room.
On the main screen, the words [Artificial Eruption Completion: 40%] flickered into view, the stark text drawing the researchers' attention.
"We're nearing the halfway mark," one of them noted. "At this rate, the eruption will be ready within the week."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the main door sliding open. The researchers straightened instinctively as Cocolia entered, her imposing presence immediately commanding their attention. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the room, taking in the data on the monitors before settling on the primary display.
"How are the readings?" she asked, her voice measured but expectant.
The lead researcher stepped forward, tablet in hand. "Director Cocolia, the anomaly energy continues to behave as predicted. It spikes during Honkai incidents, but the intensity has been steadily increasing over the past few days."
"And the location?" Cocolia pressed.
"It remains concentrated in Nagazora," the researcher replied. "We've identified multiple hotspots, but the energy seems to pool across the city rather than at a single point."
Cocolia's gaze lingered on the screen, her expression unreadable. "What about the artificial eruption? Is everything proceeding on schedule?"
The researcher nodded. "Yes, Director. Unlike our previous attempt with the Herrscher of Thunder, this operation has been streamlined significantly. Without the difficulties of dealing with a Herrscher, the Honkai energy required for the eruption is being gathered far more efficiently."
A faint smile tugged at Cocolia's lips. "Good. And what's the current estimate?"
"A week at most," another researcher chimed in. "If all goes according to plan."
Cocolia nodded in satisfaction, her sharp heels clicking against the floor as she approached the main console. Her eyes flicked to the anomaly energy markers on the map of Nagazora.
One of the younger researchers hesitated, then cleared his throat nervously. "Director, if I may ask… why go to such lengths for this anomaly energy? The artificial eruption is no small undertaking, and there's no guarantee it will yield results."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. The other researchers exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes darting between the young man and their commanding officer.
Cocolia turned slowly, her piercing gaze locking onto the researcher. For a moment, the room seemed to grow colder.
"Do you doubt my judgment?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge.
The researcher's face paled, but he held his ground. "N-no, ma'am. I just… I want to understand."
Cocolia studied him for a long moment, then turned her attention back to the screen. "The anomaly energy represents an unprecedented opportunity. It is a power we don't fully understand, but its potential is undeniable. If we can harness it, we could shift the balance of power, against the Honkai, against anyone who stands in our way."
She took a step closer to the screen, her voice growing softer but no less commanding. "If this energy continues to grow unchecked, it could become a threat. But if we control it…" She let the sentence hang, the implication clear.
The younger researcher nodded quickly, his earlier hesitation replaced by determination. "Understood, Director."
Cocolia turned back to the group, her expression steely. "Focus on the data. Monitor every fluctuation, every spike. And ensure the artificial eruption remains on schedule. I will not tolerate delays."
"Yes, Director," the researchers replied in unison, their voices firm.
Satisfied, Cocolia strode toward the exit, her sharp gaze lingering on the map of Nagazora one last time. The door slid shut behind her, leaving the researchers to their work.
In the corner of the main screen, the progress bar for the artificial eruption ticked upward, a silent reminder of the storm that was about to be unleashed.
...
Meanwhile, Kenji continued his walk home, oblivious to the invisible surveillance above and the machinations unfolding miles away. As the first stars began to dot the evening sky, a faint unease crept into his mind. He shook it off, chalking it up to exhaustion, and quickened his pace.
Far above him, the drone adjusted its position, its sensors continuing to quietly monitor the city.
-----
-----
----
The sprawling grounds of St. Freya Academy basked in the soft golden hues of the afternoon sun. Birds chirped lazily from the treetops, and a gentle breeze rustled the manicured hedges lining the cobblestone paths. Students wandered about, chatting or heading to their next activity, but one figure stood out from the bustling crowd.
Himeko Murata strode purposefully across the wide-open area, her long crimson hair trailing behind her in the wind. The polished boots of her Valkyrie uniform clicked against the stone pavement as she approached the large ship docked at the academy's hangar. The imposing battleship loomed over the surroundings, its sleek metallic body reflecting the sunlight.
Standing at the base of the ramp leading into the ship was Theresa Apocalypse. The petite Overseer of Schicksal, clad in her usual casual attire that belied her rank, greeted Himeko with a warm smile.
"Ready to head out?" Theresa asked, her voice as bright as ever.
Himeko returned the smile, albeit with a hint of weariness. "I'm always ready. Besides…" She paused, glancing at the towering ship behind Theresa. "People with his 'unique' set of abilities don't appear often. If he really is as special as you've shown, this should be… interesting."
Theresa tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Interesting? You think he might not be friendly?"
Himeko chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Kind of. Who knows what goes on in the mind of a superpowered vigilante"
Theresa laughed lightly, the sound carrying in the breeze. "You'll be fine. I trust you to handle it. Besides, and I know you never back down from a challenge."
"True," Himeko said with a smirk. She glanced at the ship one last time before giving Theresa a nod. "Wish me luck?"
"Always." Theresa's expression softened, the Overseer's typical cheer giving way to a quiet sincerity. "Take care out there."
With a final nod, Himeko ascended the ramp and disappeared into the ship. The low hum of the engines grew louder as the battleship prepared for departure, its sleek form casting long shadows across the academy grounds.
...
From a distance, three figures stood by a dorm window, watching the scene unfold. Kiana Kaslana leaned against the sill, sipping on a smoothie, her eyes following Himeko's every move. Beside her, Raiden Mei stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mix of worry and frustration. Bronya Zaychik sat calmly on a nearby chair, her blank gaze shifting between her two friends.
"She's really heading to Nagazora to find him," Mei muttered, her voice low as if the walls themselves had ears.
Bronya tilted her head slightly. "Subject Mei and Subject Kiana have been acting strangely all day. Who exactly is 'him'?"
Kiana nearly inhaled her smoothie the wrong way. She coughed and waved a hand in Bronya's direction, trying to play it off. "Uh, you know... him. The guy. Our friend. The one with the thing."
Bronya blinked slowly, unimpressed. "The guy with the thing. Very informative."
Mei shot Kiana a warning look before turning to Bronya with a strained smile. "It's nothing, Bronya. Just someone we know who, uh, might get caught up in this."
Kiana nodded vigorously. "Yeah, yeah. Totally not a big deal or anything! Just, um, a little concerned, you know?"
Bronya's gaze shifted between them, her expression flat. "Bronya is not convinced. You are both terrible at lying."
Mei rubbed her temples, exhaling sharply. "We're not lying. It's just… complicated."
Kiana pointed out the window toward Himeko's ship, desperate to change the subject. "Look, the ship's leaving! Shouldn't we be, I don't know, doing something?!"
Mei froze, her eyes widening. "Wait a second. Kiana." Her tone turned sharp, like a whip cracking through the room. "You did tell him, right? About Himeko coming to Nagazora? When I told you to tell him a couple of days ago?"
Kiana stiffened mid-sip, the straw still in her mouth. Her eyes darted toward Mei, guilt written all over her face. "Uh… define 'tell him.'"
"Kiana!" Mei yelled, grabbing her phone in a flash. "How could you forget something that important?!"
"I got sidetracked!" Kiana shot back defensively. "And besides, he's, like, super capable! He doesn't need me to babysit him."
Mei pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath. "I swear, Kiana, sometimes I don't know how you function." She grabbed her phone in a panic. "We need to warn him right now before Himeko gets too close."
Kiana scrambled for her own phone, nearly knocking over her smoothie in the process. "I'm on it! Geez, Mei, calm down. He'll be fine."
Bronya observed the chaos from her chair, her expression as neutral as ever. "If he is as capable as Subject Kiana claims, why are you both so concerned?"
"It's complicated!" Kiana and Mei shouted in unison, their voices overlapping in frustration.
Bronya raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly unconvinced. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her lips twitching ever so slightly into what could almost be called a smirk. "Subject Bronya finds this amusing."
Kiana was hunched over her phone, frantically tapping away. "Do you think he'll even see the message in time? He's probably napping or something."
"Then call him!" Mei shot back, practically shaking her phone in frustration.
Bronya's gaze drifted back to the window, where the battleship was now rising into the sky. "If you are so worried for him, perhaps you should have warned him sooner."
"Not helping, Bronya!" Mei snapped, glaring at her over her shoulder.
Bronya shrugged, unbothered. "Bronya is simply pointing out facts."
The ship began to ascend, its engines roaring to life. The trio watched it disappear into the clouds, their phones clutched tightly in their hands.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Kiana asked, her earlier bravado giving way to quiet worry.
Mei hesitated before responding, her voice soft. "I don't know… but we have to make sure he knows what's coming."
Bronya tilted her head, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. "Who exactly is 'he,' and why is he so important?"
Mei forced a smile, though the worry in her eyes betrayed her. "It's… a secret."
Kiana nodded quickly, holding up her phone. "Yup! A big, important secret. Classified. Super top-secret."
Bronya stared at them for a long moment before sighing. "Bronya will wait for you two to stop acting ridiculous."
As Kiana and Mei frantically tried to contact Kenji (getting more frustrated at no response), Bronya leaned back in her chair, her gaze flicking between them and the now-empty sky. Whatever they were hiding, it was clearly important. And judging by their antics, it was going to be a long night.