The words Project Stigma surfaced in Kiana's mind. In an instant, she recalled the related information she had glimpsed in the classified documents of Heliopolis Life Sciences' Project Stigma.
Those inhumane experiments, those depraved plans—each one trampled upon human dignity and life.
Buried memories resurfaced, each one a stinging reminder of the horrors she had witnessed. The image of Griseo's suffering was vivid in her mind. Kiana clenched her fists, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Not only that, but the other soul within her began to stir, awakened by these memories.
Humanity's sins never ceased. The tragedy of the Tower of Babylon was never truly gone; it simply repeated itself, again and again.
"Kiana, calm yourself. Don't forget you still have a chance to turn things around," Fu Hua said softly, sensing the Herrscher of the Void's consciousness stirring within Kiana.
Kiana's chest heaved. After several deep breaths, she finally regained her composure. Clutching her core, she said resolutely, "I have to stop them. The experiment begins in four hours. I still have time."
While the Ring of Eden had provided information about World Serpent's plan, it hadn't revealed the location of the detonation. Kiana needed to investigate further.
Worse, the long-dormant Herrscher of the Void was awakening. Fighting at full strength risked losing control.
Regardless, she had to act. Kiana, determined not to waste any time, immediately began investigating World Serpent's recent movements.
Meanwhile, atop the signal tower, Jackal activated the anti-Honkai bomb's countdown timer.
Achieving optimal activation required a period of energy coupling, precisely four hours.
Having learned from past failures, Jackal had added a fail-safe. Besides the timer, the bomb would also detonate upon contact with a high concentration of Honkai energy. This was to prevent the Herrscher of the Void from tampering with it.
If Kiana used her spatial powers, it would trigger a Honkai energy fluctuation, detonating the bomb prematurely. While it wouldn't achieve the perfect awakening effect, it was better than nothing.
"Commencing…"
As Jackal spoke, a series of explosions rocked ARC City's downtown area.
Kiana, walking down the street, stopped abruptly, the sound of rushing wind echoing from above. A billboard, damaged by the explosions, was collapsing towards the street below.
The more alert pedestrians noticed the falling debris and scattered.
But the streets were crowded. People fell in the panic, and seeing the impending disaster, Kiana acted decisively. Leaving a deep footprint in the pavement, she launched herself into the air.
The heavy metal structure, falling with increasing momentum, buckled under its own weight. Catching it directly was impossible. Kiana twisted her body, pushing the billboard against the side of a building, using the friction to slow its descent.
A series of bangs and clangs echoed as the metal frame groaned and twisted, but Kiana had achieved her goal. Seeing the crowd below dispersing, she released her grip. As the stunned onlookers watched, she landed gracefully, rolling to absorb the impact.
Behind her, the heavy billboard finally crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.
"Everyone, get to safety! This area is dangerous!" Kiana's expression was strained. She was afraid someone would recognize her, the Herrscher responsible for so much destruction.
After making sure everyone was clear, she quickly left, leaving behind only a fleeting image for the survivors she had just saved.
"It's Magical Girl Kiana! Mom, that was Kiana!" While most adults didn't recognize her, the children instantly knew who she was. The legend of the Magical Girl had spread among them, replacing the Light Warrior as their idol, a symbol of hope and inspiration.
The explosions continued, World Serpent, disregarding the safety of civilians, trying to buy time against Schicksal and the local authorities. This significantly hampered Kiana's investigation.
"Control your Honkai energy, just like I taught you."
Faced with the Herrscher of the Void's encroaching influence, Fu Hua, unlike last time, actively guided Kiana, helping her manage the power within, even as the corruption intensified, honoring her promise to remain silent.
This different approach had also changed their dynamic. With Fu Hua's understanding of Taixu Sword Qi, Kiana managed to channel and dissipate the excess Honkai energy, significantly slowing the rate of corruption.
The threat of the anti-Honkai bomb loomed, but Kiana couldn't ignore the citizens in danger. She had made that mistake once; she wouldn't repeat it. She couldn't bear to see another family torn apart.
As Kiana rescued more and more people, her actions, along with her previous rescues over the past month, fueled the spreading legend of the Magical Girl across ARC City's internet.
An account named "Chiba" even managed to capture perfect footage of her rescues from various angles, posting them on social media.
Using the explosions to endanger civilians—it was a despicable tactic, but effective. Kiana, rushing from one crisis to another, had unknowingly wasted two precious hours.
"Kiana, Taixu Sword Qi's support is reaching its limit."
After confirming there were no more explosions in the immediate vicinity, Kiana landed on a rooftop to catch her breath.
She was breathing heavily, her energy depleted, Honkai fractures reappearing on her skin. However, the experiences of the past few months had strengthened her resolve. The Herrscher of the Void's consciousness wasn't so easily unleashed.
"But I can't stop. There are still people who need me." After a brief respite, she leaped from the rooftop, soaring towards another building.
However, as she was airborne, a cloaked patrol mech locked onto her.
Whoosh—
Several missiles, trailing smoke, streaked towards her. Kiana's expression changed, and she quickly conjured a spatial platform in mid-air.
It was Kiana time!
She narrowly avoided the missiles, and the subsequent barrage of machine-gun fire vanished into spatial warps.
Then, with a thrust of her spear, the mech was pierced, exploding in a fiery blast.
"That was close." Having escaped the ambush, Kiana sighed in relief, slowly descending.
However, she didn't notice Raven, perched atop a distant tower, a cold smile playing on her lips.