Kenji's body was a blur of red lightning, leaping from building to building, dodging claws, beams, and debris with precision that seemed almost instinctual. His Danger Sense flared constantly, sharpening his senses as he struck at Honkai beasts and evaded their relentless attacks. Every movement was fueled by pure adrenaline, his mind focused on survival.
He and Himeko didn't exchange words, but there was an unspoken understanding between them. She would handle the Templars while he dealt with the waves of Seraphs and Chariots swarming from every direction.
Kenji landed on a rooftop just in time to see Himeko unleash a powerful strike against one of the Templars, her greatsword carving through its armored hide and sending it reeling backward.
She moved with ferocity and precision, her strength unmatched as she engaged all four Templars at once. The ground shook with every clash, buildings crumbled under their attacks, and the air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of destruction.
For a moment, Kenji felt awe creeping into his chest. But there was no time to admire her skill. His Danger Sense screamed, and his focus snapped back to the fight as a group of Seraphs dove toward him from above.
Kenji gritted his teeth and pushed himself further. Activating 40% of One For All, his body crackled with energy, red lightning dancing across his frame. The strain burned through his muscles, making him wince with every movement, but he had no choice. The Seraphs were fast, and he needed to be faster.
With a burst of speed, he darted forward, a streak of red cutting through the smoky sky. The Seraphs didn't stand a chance. In mere seconds, Kenji's fists had torn through the group, their mangled forms collapsing to the ground below.
Kenji barely took a moment to breathe. Scanning the battlefield, he saw a pack of Chariots charging toward Himeko, their massive forms barreling through the wreckage to reach her. She was too occupied with the Templars to notice. Without hesitation, Kenji launched himself toward them, determined to divert their attention.
He landed on the lead Chariot with the force of a meteor, the impact crushing it instantly. The remaining Chariots roared in anger, their glowing forms locking onto him. Kenji smirked, adrenaline dulling the pain in his body. "Alright, come and get me."
The Chariots charged, their massive forms shaking the ground with every step. Kenji stayed light on his feet, weaving through their attacks with a mix of agility and sheer instinct. He used a combination of punches and flicks of air to keep them off-balance, his movements precise and deliberate.
One Chariot lunged at him, claws slashing through the air. Kenji ducked under the strike, grabbing its leg and using its momentum to swing it into another, the collision sending both beasts crashing into a nearby building.
The last Chariot tried to corner him, but Kenji leapt into the air, sending a powerful burst of wind downward that crushed the creature into the pavement. His breaths were ragged, his body screaming in protest, but he couldn't afford to stop.
As he dealt with the last of the Chariots, his Danger Sense flared again, this time with a different intencity. Turning his head sharply, he saw movement in the distance—shapes that didn't belong to the chaotic swarm of Honkai beasts.
Kenji's eyes narrowed. At first, he thought it was reinforcements, his heart lifting at the possibility of help. But as the shapes came into focus, his relief turned to confusion. They weren't Valkyries or allied soldiers—they were mechs. Sleek, imposing, and unmistakably Anti-Entropy.
"Mechs?" he muttered, his brow furrowing. "Are they here to help?"
But Danger Sense didn't lie. The moment one of the mechs raised its arm, a spark of electricity arcing from its cannon, Kenji realized the truth. He dodged just in time as a bolt of energy blasted past him, scorching the rooftop where he had been standing.
"What the hell?!" Kenji shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.
He barely had time to recover before more Seraphs swooped in, their claws slashing at him from all sides. Kenji leapt to another building to catch his breath, narrowly avoiding another barrage from the mechs. He yelled down at Himeko, who was still locked in combat with the Templars.
"Himeko! Why are the mechs attacking me?!"
Himeko glanced in his direction, her eyes narrowing as she dodged a strike from a Templar. She cursed under her breath before calling back, "Anti-Entropy isn't your friend, kid! My guess is they want to catch you, so don't let them!"
Kenji ducked under another electric blast, his frustration boiling over. "Easier said than done!" he shouted, driving his fist into one of the mechs. The impact sent it flying into a nearby building, but the jolt of pain that shot through his arm made him wince. These things were tougher than he'd expected.
As Kenji fended off the mechs and Seraphs, Himeko's attention snapped to the remaining Templars. She counted two in her line of sight, both still towering over the wreckage, their glowing forms pulsating with energy. Her brow furrowed. She recalled only killing one out of four. Where was the third?
Her blood ran cold as she realized her mistake.
"Kenji!" she shouted, her voice laced with urgency.
But her warning came too late. The missing Templar erupted through a nearby building, its massive form barreling straight toward Kenji.
…
Kenji's body twisted and turned, a blur of desperate movement as he dodged another barrage from the mechs and swarming Chariots. His Danger Sense blared incessantly, each pulse a scream in his mind as he fended off their relentless attacks. Sweat dripped from his forehead, stinging his eyes, but he couldn't afford to falter.
He darted between ruined buildings, using their jagged remains for cover. A sudden flick of his wrist sent a burst of air slicing through a group of Chariots, their hulking forms collapsing under the force. Yet even as they fell, more surged forward, and Kenji's heart raced.
"Don't let your guard down" he muttered to himself, his breath ragged.
But his Danger Sense spiked, sharper and heavier than before. His instincts screamed at him, and he spun around just in time to see the towering form of a Templar barreling toward him. The massive beast's glowing form filled his vision, its claws outstretched and radiating destructive energy.
"Shit!" Kenji barely had time to react as the Templar struck. He raised his arms instinctively, channeling 50% of One For All into a desperate block. The impact was cataclysmic. The force of the Templar's blow sent him hurtling through the air, crashing through building after building, the sound of shattering concrete and twisted metal echoing across the battlefield.
"Kenji!" Himeko's voice cut through the chaos, a mixture of anger and worry.
Kenji groaned as he came to a stop in a pit of rubble, his body half-buried under debris. Pain radiated from every inch of him, sharp and unrelenting. He tried to focus his vision, blinking away the haze as he took in the destruction around him. The Templar's attack had thrown him blocks away, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
His body protested as he tried to sit up, his shoulder screaming in agony. "Damn it…" he hissed, clutching his arm which was bleeding all over. He forced himself to his feet, wobbling slightly as the pain threatened to overwhelm him. Looking around, he realized he had been thrown through multiple buildings, the path of destruction a stark reminder of the Templar's power.
His shoulder hung awkwardly, and he winced as he tried to move it. "Fractured... maybe worse," he muttered. But there was no time to dwell on his injuries. The ground beneath him rumbled, and the Templar's massive form emerged through the wreckage, its glowing eyes locked onto him.
The beast let out a guttural roar, its immense bulk charging forward, toppling what little remained of the buildings in its path. Kenji's Danger Sense screamed again, pushing him to act. He leapt high into the air just as the Templar's claws smashed into the ground where he had stood, sending chunks of asphalt flying in every direction.
Kenji soared above the ruined cityscape, his heart pounding in his chest. But the Templar wasn't finished. It crouched low before launching itself upward, its colossal body tearing through the air with terrifying speed.
Kenji cursed under his breath, quickly flicking his fingers with 35%. The burst of wind sent him hurtling downward, crashing onto the pavement with a painful crash. He rolled to his feet, his breath coming in short gasps as he turned to face the Templar. The beast landed not far from him, the ground trembling under its weight.
"There's no running now," Kenji muttered, his jaw tightening. His Danger Sense pulsed again, urging him to move, to act. He couldn't afford hesitation—not anymore. He had to fight.
The Templar charged, its massive claws ripping through the air. Kenji gritted his teeth, pushing his battered body to move. Activating 40% of One For All, he dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. His movements were strained but precise, his mind focused solely on survival.
He leapt back to gain distance, his arm throbbing as he wound up for an attack. Channeling 50% into his right arm, he let loose a punch with all his might. The force was staggering, the shockwave obliterating everything in front of him. The Templar was sent flying, crashing into a building with a deafening boom. The surrounding structures crumbled under the sheer impact, clouds of dust and debris billowing into the sky.
Kenji stumbled slightly, his arm feeling like it was on fire. He clutched his shoulder, trying to steady his breathing. The pain was excruciating, but he forced himself to stand tall. He couldn't show weakness—not now.
"Holding up, kid?" Himeko's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned to see her approaching, her greatsword resting on her shoulder. Her crimson hair was disheveled, and her armor bore signs of battle, but she still exuded a calm, commanding presence.
Kenji managed a weak smile. "I don't think anything's broken, but my shoulder's definitely messed up."
Himeko's sharp eyes scanned him briefly before turning back to the Templar, which was already recovering. She glanced behind her, noting the other Honkai beasts and mechs closing in. "Things aren't looking good. You know that, right?"
Kenji nodded, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I know."
Himeko frowned, readying her weapon. "There's still time for you to run."
Kenji's eyes burned with determination as he met her gaze. "Not happening."
She offered no response. Instead, she turned back to the approaching horde, her grip tightening on her weapon. The ground trembled as the Honkai beasts and mechs closed in, their combined roars and mechanical whirrs filling the air.
Kenji took a deep breath, ignoring the pain coursing through his body. He could feel the weight of the moment, the enormity of what lay ahead. But despite the odds, he refused to back down. Together with Himeko, he prepared to face the oncoming storm.
And the battle began anew.
---
The battlefield was chaos incarnate. Smoke and flames painted the shattered city in hues of orange and black, the ground littered with debris and the remains of fallen Honkai beasts. The roars of Chariots and Seraphs mixed with the mechanical whirs of Anti-Entropy mechs, their combined cacophony drowning out everything else.
Kenji and Himeko moved like a storm through the chaos, their actions synchronized without a word exchanged. Himeko's massive greatsword cleaved through mechs and Honkai beasts alike, her raw power a force of nature. Kenji darted between the fray, a streak of red lightning as he provided support while managing his own share of enemies.
The unrelenting tide of enemies demanded all their focus, leaving no room for strategy or delegation. It was pure survival. Kenji could only admire Himeko's sheer tenacity as she fought the three remaining Templars and a swarm of mechs simultaneously. Every swing of her greatsword sent shockwaves that rattled the ground, her strength nothing short of awe-inspiring.
But Kenji didn't have the luxury of distraction. A group of Chariots and Seraphs caught his attention, their grotesque forms bundled together like an ominous tide surging forward. An idea sparked in his mind.
Jumping high into the air, he positioned himself above the group. "Alright, let's see how you handle this!" he muttered to himself, channeling 50% of One For All into his right leg. The strain was immediate, his muscles screaming in protest, but he ignored the pain.
With a yell, Kenji sent a devastating kick in their direction. The force of the blow unleashed a shockwave that tore through the Seraphs, their fragile forms disintegrating instantly. The Chariots fared no better, their hulking bodies sent flying through the air like ragdolls. Some crashed into nearby buildings, reducing them to rubble, while others disappeared from sight entirely, their fates sealed by the sheer impact.
Kenji landed heavily, his breath coming in ragged gasps. A fleeting grin tugged at his lips. "That'll do—"
Danger Sense flared.
He barely had time to react as a mech's arm shot toward him, crackling with electricity. He twisted his body mid-air, the attack narrowly missing him. The electrical charge scorched the ground where he had just stood, leaving behind a smoking crater.
Kenji landed and turned on his heel, sprinting toward the offending mech. He dodged another swipe of its arm, this time grabbing hold of the mechanical limb. With a guttural yell, he planted his feet and pulled with all his might. The mech's arm tore free with a screech of metal, sparks flying as Kenji hurled the severed limb away.
The mech staggered, its remaining arm flailing as it tried to regain balance. Kenji didn't give it a chance. He surged forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent the mech flying backward into the side of a building.
Kenji's chest heaved as he straightened, his body aching from the relentless pace. He glanced around, taking in the scene. The number of Chariots and Seraphs had noticeably thinned. The tide was turning, though the battle was far from over.
The ground shook beneath him, and Kenji's eyes snapped to the source. The hulking form of a Templar emerged from the smoke, its massive body blocking out the light as it loomed over him. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, and for a moment, Kenji felt a pit of dread form in his stomach.
But then he noticed the deep gashes across its armor, its movements sluggish and uneven. Something was wrong. It wasn't charging at him—it was collapsing.
The Templar crashed to the ground mere feet from him, its massive frame kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. When the dust settled, Kenji saw the unmistakable signs of a fatal blow across its chest, its glowing core dimming to nothing.
He turned his head to find the source of the attack and froze.
Himeko stood atop a nearby pile of rubble, her greatsword resting against her shoulder. Her crimson hair whipped in the wind, her armor battered but her posture unyielding. Her face was lit by a manic smile, her eyes blazing with intensity as she clashed with the remaining two Templars.
Kenji watched as Himeko darted forward, dodging a swipe from one of the massive beasts before delivering a brutal upward slash that sent the Templar staggering. She followed up with a spinning strike, her greatsword cutting through its defenses with frightening precision.
Kenji's awe was short-lived. A movement at the edge of his vision caught his attention, and he turned to see another group of Seraphs approaching. Gritting his teeth, he activated 40% of One For All, red lightning crackling around him as he surged forward.
The Seraphs barely had time to react before Kenji was upon them. He moved like a streak of light, weaving between their attacks with inhuman agility. His blows were quick and devastating, each punch and kick amplified by his quirk. Within seconds, the group lay in ruins, their forms reduced to ash and rubble.
Landing back on solid ground, Kenji looked toward Himeko. The two remaining Templars were still standing, but their movements were sluggish, their bodies riddled with damage. Himeko's relentless assault was taking its toll.
Kenji's resolve hardened. With the remaining Chariots and Seraphs dwindling, he finally had the chance to help her. Without hesitation, he leapt into the fray, red lightning crackling as he joined the battle against the Templars.
---
Himeko drove her armored boot into the side of a Templar, her sheer strength sending the hulking beast crashing to the ground. The impact shook the area, cracks spidering out from where the massive Honkai beast landed. But before she could capitalize on the moment, the second Templar lunged at her, its massive claws cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
"Shit!" Himeko cursed, twisting her body mid-air to prepare for the incoming strike. Her muscles tensed as she raised her greatsword, ready to block the devastating blow.
But it never came.
A sudden, deafening burst of wind struck the Templar from the side, throwing its massive form off course. The beast roared as it was hurled into a nearby building, the structure groaning under its weight before collapsing around it in a plume of dust and debris.
Himeko's eyes darted to the source, already knowing who it was. "Thanks, kid!" she yelled, her voice filled with equal parts gratitude and amusement. Without wasting another second, she turned her attention back to the downed Templar.
It was still recovering, its glowing eyes dimming slightly as it struggled to rise. Himeko seized the opportunity. With a fierce battle cry, she charged forward, her greatsword raised high over her head. Her movements were swift and precise, her crimson hair a blur as she closed the distance.
The downed Templar barely managed to lift its limbs in a feeble attempt to block her, but it was too slow. Himeko's blade came down with devastating force, piercing straight through its armored skull. The ground beneath them cracked from the impact, and a concussive shockwave rippled outward, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.
The Templar let out a final, gurgling roar before its body fell limp. Himeko wrenched her blade free, blood-like Honkai fluid splattering across the cracked pavement.
Kenji landed beside her, his chest heaving as he steadied himself. His bruised and battered frame bore testament to the relentless battle, but his eyes gleamed with determination. He glanced at the remaining Templar, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
"We're almost done," he muttered, his voice tinged with both exhaustion and hope. "Just one more."
Himeko nodded, gripping her blade tightly as they both prepared to finish the job. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like victory was within reach.
But then the ground began to shake.
Kenji froze, his blood running cold as the tremors intensified, each one stronger than the last. It was as if an earthquake was happening suddenly. His Danger Sense screamed at him, louder and more insistent than it had ever been before. The overwhelming warning sent every nerve in his body alight with panic.
"What the hell is that?!" Kenji shouted, his voice rising over the tremors.
The answer came in the form of a deafening crash. Something barreled through a building to their right at an impossible speed, the structure crumbling instantly as the massive figure tore through it like paper. The shockwave from its movement sent both Kenji and Himeko flying, forcing them to use every ounce of their strength just to regain balance mid-air.
Kenji landed hard on the pavement, rolling to a stop as debris rained around him. His body ached from the impact, but he forced himself to his feet, his wide eyes locked on the massive creature now standing before them.
The beast was colossal, its sheer size dwarfing the already intimidating Templars. Its body was covered in thick, almost impenetrable armor, each plate glowing faintly with ominous Honkai energy. Two massive tusks jutted from its monstrous head, and its red, glowing eyes burned with malevolent intelligence. It stomped once, the ground beneath it shattering like glass.
Kenji's heart sank as recognition dawned on him.
"An Emperor-class..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Ganesha."
Himeko landed a short distance away, her armor dented but intact. She straightened, her expression grim as her crimson eyes locked onto the towering figure. "Of course it had to be Ganesha," she muttered, gripping her greatsword tightly.
The beast let out a bone-rattling roar, its voice reverberating through the broken streets of Nagazora. Windows shattered from the sheer force of its bellow, and Kenji felt his knees tremble as the oppressive aura of the Emperor-class Honkai Beast bore down on them.
"This just got a hell of a lot worse," Himeko growled, her voice low but steady.
Ganesha's glowing eyes fixed on the duo, its monstrous form radiating raw power. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, the chaotic battlefield falling into an eerie silence.
And then, with a thunderous stomp, Ganesha charged. Its massive frame tore through the already ruined streets, each step shaking the ground and sending chunks of debris flying into the air.
Kenji's Danger Sense flared again, and he leapt back instinctively, narrowly avoiding the beast's charge. Himeko darted to the side, her movements just as quick and precise.
The two exchanged a brief glance, their expressions grim but resolute. No words were needed. They knew what was at stake.
---
Kenji was utterly overwhelmed. His Danger Sense flared almost constantly, sending waves of alarm coursing through him as Ganesha loomed like a living mountain of destruction. Every instinct screamed at him that fighting it meant certain death. He wasn't even close to being in the same league as this beast. If Himeko, with all her strength and experience, was having trouble, then what chance did he have?
His every movement was defensive, every dodge a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the devastating attacks that shattered the ground and buildings around them. Kenji leapt from rubble to rooftop, the massive beast's roars reverberating in his chest like a drumbeat of doom. He clenched his fists tightly, his muscles screaming with exertion. He couldn't let his fear paralyze him.
Himeko, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of crimson fury. She moved with the kind of precision and speed Kenji could only dream of, her movements a blur as she circled Ganesha. Her greatsword gleamed in the dim light, its edge humming faintly with energy as she weaved between the beast's attacks. She darted to its flank, then rushed in, blade poised to strike.
Ganesha roared, its massive form twisting with shocking speed to intercept her. Its colossal tusks glowed faintly with Honkai energy as it prepared to meet her charge head-on. But at the last second, Himeko feinted. Her blade veered away from its armored side and slammed into the ground instead, the force of the impact creating a massive crater beneath the beast.
Ganesha roared in confusion as its footing gave way, its immense weight throwing it off balance. Himeko seized the moment. With a powerful upward swing, she drove the flat of her greatsword into its jaw like a thunderous uppercut.
The impact reverberated through the air, and the Emperor-class beast let out a guttural scream of pain as it staggered back, its tusks slicing through the rubble like massive scythes. Himeko wasted no time, readying herself for another strike.
Kenji, watching from the sidelines, barely had time to admire Himeko's incredible display of strength before his Danger Sense screamed again. His head snapped to the side, and his heart sank. One of the remaining Templars had its sights set on her, its glowing claws raised to strike.
No, not on his watch.
Kenji didn't hesitate. With a flick of his fingers, he sent a gust of wind at the Templar. The force was just enough to stagger the beast, throwing off its balance and drawing its attention away from Himeko. Kenji clenched his jaw as the Templar turned to face him, its glowing form locking onto him with deadly intent.
"Come on, big guy," Kenji muttered, his voice tight with both fear and determination. "You want me? You've got me."
The Templar roared, charging at him with terrifying speed. Kenji leapt back, narrowly dodging its first swipe as its claws sliced through the air where he'd just stood. His heart pounded as he tried to think of a plan, any plan, to survive.
In his mind, a brief flash of triumph flickered. He'd succeeded in drawing the Templar away from Himeko. But that triumph was quickly overshadowed by a sobering thought: Now how the hell am I supposed to survive long enough for her to finish off Ganesha?