A/N: Big chapter time
------------------------------------------
Inside the apartment given to her by Moth, Elysia lay on her stomach, legs kicking up excitedly, a sly smile playing on her lips as she scrolled through her contacts to find a particular someone's name.
She stopped at 'Moby-Chan' "Would that really be a great Idea? Could be fun to see, buuuut~ I'd much rather have the fun myself"
Thorald Arawnsson a new student at Chiba on the same day as Kevin. He was seen around Kevin and Su following that day since and later Raiden Mei seemed to join their little group as well. He's been a straight A student even though he's never paid attention in class, but that makes sense based on how he seems to insult how easy and rudimentary the questions are and still scoring 100%.
Elysia had done her research on the Thorald the moment she got back and while normally seeing this and his connection to Raiden Mei who Moth has had an eye on since her presentation on quantum mechanics a few months back would make him a prime target to recruit into moth, however.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing below the surface. Orphaned from birth, parents corrupted by Honkai, bounced around orphanages and while there are records there's nothing beyond it. All of this until he was 14 then nothing until now. No records of how he got into the school other thank a brief mention of a recommendation from an untraceable address. "I might be able to find something back at base but not here."
There was also the glaring issue of the complete absence of Honkai energy in his body. Even a trace amount that everyone has yet his body would be called 'Pure' or 'Normal' in comparison to every human born since the Honkai' s descent.
"Hah~ Why overthink it? I can just talk to them tomorrow, get to know them slowly. Maybe he's like me… maybe~" It was suffice to say that Elysia was known to have the best adaptability and compatibility with Honkai, even being able to see, wield and to a lesser extent control it externally almost like a Herrscher just without the Authority like the first's 'Creation' or the Second's 'Void'. So to anyone else Elysia's thought would be considered ludicrous.
Giving up her thoughts Elysia grabs the nearby remote lays back in the bed and puts on a cheesy drama to pass the time.
------------------------------------------
Its now been a few days since Kevin brought Elysia into our little growing group. If I had to be honest, I like the new addition, past me would of never agreed with such a thought. The same edgy past me who thought they were a demonic summoner the moment a Rune worked and summoned a disgusting amalgamation of a creature, urrgh not my best moments. Thankfully no one got any photos or videos of me at that time otherwise I think I'd die of embarrassment.
Anyway, back on the topic of Elysia, She is the textbook definition of a social butterfly, she even somehow managed to even talk to Mei casually on day 3. Me and Elysia have also seemed to get along very well, if you saw us normally form an outsiders view you'd think we had know each other for a long ass time, but in reality it was just that we were both straight forward with 90% of things.
She has however been trying to subtlety get answers out of me regarding what is obviously my lack of solid background and lack of Honkai energy in my body, but she's been pretty tame so far, nothing to big outside of stuff like 'where'd you live before coming here?' and similar questions. She's really been busy with getting closes to Mei.
Speaking of Mei, her and Kevin have been very awkward teenagers for the past few days since their little 'secret; crushes on each other was exposed, Though the fact Mei's birthday is in 2 weeks might spark a change in their relationship.
To me it's adorable, to see them be shy and awkward around each other, blushing and then awkwardly walking away from one another in the opposite direction and Kevin even walking into a table one time. Ahh, so this is how those Pioneer shippers felt back home. Though I will actually see the ship sail.
------------------------------------------
Coming back to reality though, I am currently sitting in front of a closed eye Eden who has finally managed to combine 2 runes together, now while not a Rune Hive level due to it being a simple physical enhancement rune and mental enhancement rune, the fact she could do it just proved to me how much potential my little apprentice, not student anymore, has.
Opening her eyes Eden is welcomed by her teachers smile and proud eyes. Whenever he had that look on his face it meant she accomplished something. At first hearing the genuine praise and acknowledgement from him each time made her a little shy and she has gotten used to it, it does still make her feel a little shy.
Without him Eden wouldn't know that there is a possibility of more eruptions, or that she could be easily corrupted by even small levels of Honkai without taking precautions like Moth do when in areas that have high levels of Honkai energy. Now though, not only does she have some ability to protect herself and not be corrupted so easily or at least be able to run away if needed, she also gained a friend, a true one at that.
Oh there she goes again, I know she can easily get lost in them, but her thoughts must really be something to keep her so distract, or maybe its my definitely top tier face that does it every time. Its not just to clarify. "Well Eden, It seems you can now be called a 'trained' rune user. Not really that high but for how quickly you've managed to do it, says more about the effort you put into it each day as talent means almost nothing outside of an affinity to use runes" I chuckle before I get up and grab the wine and two glasses.
Funny how she was the one who poured me a glass first yet it is now me pouring one for her.
"mmh, It's all thanks to you and your teaching, teach" She smiled brightly and also got up from her cross-legged siting position to sit in the chair as I wait and then hand her the glass once she sat and then so do I.
"Cheers" I hold up my glass
"Cheers" Eden does so as well clinking hers with mine
After having a sip and putting her glass down Eden asks "Teacher. What did you mean when you said trained Rune user? Are there more people who use runes other than you?"
Oh, she caught that. "Hmmm, I guess I could tell you a little about us Rune users. Rune users have existed since the middle ages while the runic language dates back as far as cavemen, these came to be known as the mythological runic languages specifically, like the Celts, Norse, Greek, Shinto, etc. Eventually some people came to accidently use them and then its the snowball effect, more people find out, more users, more... and stuff like that along with ranks, cults and all that jazz, but they then started to die out in the modern era leaving very few of us left, and to my knowledge I'm the only- sorry us being the only ones left" Yeah its the history of my world but it works and is true to my most recent knowledge.
Eden however, didn't know what to think hearing that. Like her brain literally shut down and rebooted after hearing that as what can she say to that. "oh" or "uhm" or maybe even a "So there's none left?" as that could hurt his feelings maybe? "Tell me Eden" she shook her head then looked at him staring off at the sun that would soon set. "What are you thoughts on the Honkai, as while I have told you most of what I know about them you are new to all this. So tell me how do you feel about the threat of Honkai?"
Eden was confused. What do I think of Honkai and the Threat it poses? "Teacher, to me Honkai shouldn't exist, the tragedy it has brought, the pain it has caused, and the future pain and tragedy it will cause, I'd rather it not exist than exist."
Good answer, While I knew she hated Honkai, I didn't know how much of a resolve she would have when the day comes where she is face to face with a possib- Nah not possible Herrscher a definite Herrscher. Sadly she's not very good at CQC, but at range with elemental runes she's pretty good, maybe when Mei's nanobots are done I can use them to make her a weapon specifically attuned to Honkai and maybe even make it nullify or bend it. On the topic I myself haven't been slacking in this month of peace and adapting to a new world I have been trying to train my body back to where it should be.
I've also been working on using what I've seen from Eden's use of Honkai energy and runes and created quite the nifty little rune. I'm also surprised I didn't think of a similar rune before.
(A/N: This rune will be shown soon just cba to info dump further)
------------------------------------------
We just sat in silence for a while, until I put the now empty glass down and got and walked towards the clearing beside the Mansion. "Follow me."
Eden though confused did follow him.
Now standing opposite one another Thor casts multiple barries encasing the two of them.
A now confused and also nervous Eden ask. "Tea-Teacher? What's this all about?"
I smirk at her before I close my eyes. "Eden, my dear student. While you have been training in runes and understanding Honkai better, you still haven't seen a honkai beast or Herrscher let alone, seen the practical applications of runes for a true battlefield.
So I'm going to show you a small glimpse of power" I slowly open my eyes.
"<£*$&("%£>"
The birds stopped tweeting, the wind stilled,
Eden's world froze.
Rumble.
Rumble.
The ground beneath her trembled, then shattered. The sky darkened into a pitch-black void as the world crumbled away, leaving her suspended in the emptiness of space.
She couldn't move. Her body locked in place, her eyes wide with panic, darting about in search of Thorald.
Then a flash. A burst of brilliant light bloomed before her, blinding her as she still couldn't move even her eyelids.
As the light dimmed, her breath caught. Before her unfolded a breath-taking sight: countless galaxies spiralling in an ocean of stars, the Milky Way front and centre—impossibly close, yet she somehow knew it was still trillions of lightyears away.
Before she could process it, she was moving. The galaxy grew larger. Closer. Reality blurred around her as she rocketed toward it at a speed no human eye should be able to follow.
And then
'So Eden, what do you think?'
Thor's voice echoed in her mind.
Not hearing an answer Thor turns to look at her and realises she can't even move let alone manipulate Honkai energy. 'Oops, forgot to let you move' He taps her on the shoulder returning control of her body to Eden as she lurches over and coughs almost as if she's about to throw up.
Maybe I should've of protected her mind a little better. Not like it would do much, this rune is meant to be used against Eldritch Fiends let alone a single weak human. Using this rune for something like a domain is almost an insult to it. 'Sorry about that but anyway what do you think little Eden.'
Eden using the nothingness beneath her to somehow stand up and looks to Thor. "....."
"..."
'Eden you can't speak here. It's space after all.'
'T-T-T-Thor where is this!? What happened?!' Reasonable reaction I guess. She even dropped calling me teacher.
'This Eden is just one of the small applications of Runes. Manipulation of Reality. Difficult, Yes. Draining, also yes. But powerful, definitely. Let me show you. Look towards Mars'
"..." That didn't answer my question. Sigh, Eden looks towards Mars as her vision seems to zoom onto Mars to see... Thorald just outside of the planet? Huh? Before she could speak however Thors voice echoed in her head yet again
'Shhh, just watch Eden'
Keeping focus on the 2nd Thorald who seemed somewhat like an older version of him dressed in a regal golden blue robe. Her vision shifted again and this time she also saw a part of the planet itself. Ships, thousands, tens of thousands stationed in low mars orbit waiting. What looked like a civilisation on the surface and just as quickly as she saw it her vision returned to the 2nd 'Thorald'. Still internally panicking, yet trusting her teacher she watched on as 'Thorald' raised his hand and swung towards the planet in a slashing motion.
For a few seconds it looked like nothing happened until a cosmic crack opened on the surface of the planets crust. Another slash followed, and then another, again, again and again until the planet mars was no more than giant slabs of slowly splintering off from what used to be mars.
However, it seemed he wasn't done yet, with just a finger raised a small white and black orb appeared, bending the light around it he pointed to where the now destroyed planet was and it travelled and travelled and suddenly begun to pull in the debris around it, growing and growing pulling more and more of the giant slabs of mars until all was consumed.
'This is the best part Eden, experience this and etch it into your mind'
The now planet sized orb shrunk slowly back down to the original size and continued until she could no longer see it then- Flash -Another bright flash blinded Eden causing her to squint. As the light began to dim enough for her to open her eyes. Eden saw it. A hole, in space, and beyond that. The void.
While Eden is in awe of the display Thorald is looking at the void with a frown on his face.
Moments later immense pain shot through her head followed by a deafening screech
*SSCREEEECCCHHH-*
"That's enough" His voice to heavy for the space to handle as the newly made space around them slowly shatters.
(A/N: In terms of Herrschers this ability at his current level would not work on Sentience, Binding, Domination and maybe corruption, though who's to say whether he'll not be stronger by then as that is what 5 in world Years?)
------------------------------------------
"Eden" Maybe that was a bit too much in the end. I'm looking at her standing there, motionless, unresponsive, yet still normal, just shocked I guess.
Sigh, "I'll be inside come in when you've processed all that." With that I make my way back into the mansion,, giving Eden some clearly much needed time to process the path she now walks.
------------------------------------------
While sitting on the sofa I look at my hand to see the whole thing blackened and charred up to the wrist. "Better than the first time. Before half my body would be affected by that, It's even receding and healing at a visible speed. I really should work on mastering that rune so I can spam it like all my other mastered runes. Also that rune still takes an absolute fuck ton of energy to power even for just a few minutes.
Sigh, How much longer is she going to be. I mean it wasn't that bad was it?
They already have games and movies that are working at that scale anyway, its not that different from that.
I mean, she already knows of Honkai, Runes. Corruption, etc yet... Sigh. I'm sighing too much." Suddenly I feel Eden trying to contact me through the rune.
'Teacher? Where are you?' Well she sounds calm and controlled at least. Let's just hope that carries over to face to face.
'I'm inside. You've been standing there for so long that the sun had already set fully'
------------------------------------------
"Ummm, Teacher. What was that?"
"That Eden, was a showing of the path you will walk if you stick with runes.
What was THAT specifically, a rune that in simple terms lets me warp reality around me to a certain degree, though not without a price, I'm not powerful enough to ignore the backlash yet" I would raise my hand to show her, but it already healed.
"Backlash? Like what?" Eden narrowed her eyes scanning Thorald for any sign of harm only to find nothing obvious enough to her.
Aww, how sweet, my student cares for me. I chuckle a little at Eden's concern. "No need to worry about me, it's already passed."
Following that me and Eden spoke for the next few hours about what more advanced training I will give her should she continue to learn runes, of which she accepted simply, I also explained some more about Honkai energy powered runes that I understood from her that we will try next session.
------------------------------------------
Thorald was about to leave for the night when Eden called out,
"Wait! I have something for you."
She sounded unusually excited.
"A gift from my student already?" Thorald thought. It's only been a month since I started teaching her...
No matter. Let's see what she's brought me.
Eden re-entered the room, this time carrying a massive lead case. The faint glow of her active enchantment rune flickered along her arm.
Hoho, Thorald mused, a lead case? Must be radioactive… or something equally volatile. Could come in handy for a few upgraded bombs.
With a heavy thud, Eden set the case down, wiping an invisible sweat from her brow.
"Teacher, I wanted to thank you for everything you've taught me so far, and for what's yet to come. So, I thought I'd get you a gift as a token of gratitude." Her smile was bright.
She unclasped the heavy lid and lifted it open. Inside rested a perfect sphere, glowing with a strange light.
The surface shimmered with iridescent purple, streaked with fiery orange cracks that pulsed softly, as if alive. An overwhelming surge of Honkai energy radiated from it—alongside another, stranger force that Thorald couldn't immediately place.
"Oooh, what is it?" he asked, leaning closer.
Eden's eyes gleamed. "You once told me runes need a strong material to be engraved repeatedly, right? So I hunted for something that could withstand it. I found this at an auction someone claimed it broke a diamond anvil or something ridiculous like that. I bought it, hoping it could be useful at least. I did try throwing a few runes at it and they did nothing but I haven't tried to engrave anything yet."
Thorald's fingers twitched. This wasn't just any material this was something far beyond anything he'd imagined. 'I was going to wait until Mei and Su properly developed the nanobots before making a material to solve this issue. But this, THIS could be what I need to unleash my full capabilities without killing myself again and again.'
He reaches forward to grab the sphere under Eden's joyful gaze. Feeling the material in his hands he pulls it out of the case and holds it up to his eye.
"Honkai energy seems to be running through the material while also leaking out through the crevices, the rest of the sphere seems to be made out of a purely different energy, not an actual material but solidified energy. Interesting indeed." With the sphere still in hand he turns to Eden and thanks her for the joyous gift.
"I'm just glad you like it." She smiles somehow more brightly than before if that was possible.
"Well Eden, I'll make sure to test this soon. This could be big, in terms of being able to properly set up Formations or even create weapons from it this could make fighting the Honkai no longer a challenge but Child's play." Thorald puts it back into the case and closes the case.
"I'll leave this here with you for now until we decide to test it properly as I don't really have the free space to store it. Ok"
"Ok teacher, I'll hold onto it until then."
With that over Thorald finally leaves and heads home for the night.
(A/N: Yeah, I suck at third person. I'll keep trying though. At least its better than the first few chaps)
------------------------------------------
It's been a week since then, and while I haven't fully tested the material yet, Eden and I have done a few small preliminary experiments. I tried using Crush and a few other runes, just to see if I could even deform it, but nothing worked.
I even used all my physical strength to strike it. The impact launched the sphere hundreds of miles, and the air pressure from the attack levelled everything in its path. Even the clouds parted. I did spend quite a bit of 'time' clearing that up but still no effect on the sphere.
Eden has grown stronger too. She's been pushing her runes harder, and I'd say she's powerful enough now to take down that Honkai beast I fought in Kanazawa, probably quite easily. She also tried to attack it physically and while not like mine she did create a small crater below it when she axe kicked it for some reason. She broke her leg doing it so I had to heal her up. Thank God to pain nullification runes or she'd have been in agony.
In the end we decided that Eden would find and purchase any more of what I have now named 'Auralite'. 'Aura' because it emits an Aura and 'lite', well lite is because a lot of materials have 'lite' in them for some reason. So far we've managed to acquire around 2 cubic metres of it. Easily enough for some weapons and formations, though having more will always be better.
"Ohh Thor~"
"Hmm, Elysia? What is it?"
Over the past week Elysia here has been almost daily at least making the effort to talk to me and fish for info while also getting to know me, now whether that's genuine or to get me to lower my guard... Can't tell.
I look at her to see her in what can only be described as a maid outfit. "What... are you wearing?"
"Sooo~ what do you think?" She says as she puts her arms behind her back and leans forward, emphasising certain... 'assets'. (Picture in comments)
Oh yeah, before I forget, were in a mall at a cosplay store, as turns out Elysia over here is into cosplay and asked me of all people to go with her. Now we're here, and it seems I've been turned into the impromptu judge for this.
"Do you want the kind answer or the honest answer?" I ask her.
"Hmm~ Honest." She says after a few seconds of deliberation.
"Well, first off, it suits you. You're cute, and it matches well. You're beautiful, and it complements that too. To put it simply, it's cute and sexy." I said, my tone sincere.
Though I'd say something is missing... Ah right there's that. Just as I was about to say that I see her face flushed. Ho, seems someone is weak to honesty eyy.
"O-oh. Ahem, Thor, how 'honest' of you to say that~." How cute. That outfit combined with her flushed face is a diabolical combination. She's even trying to regain control of the conversation at the end there.
Pretending not to notice it I continue my thought. "Though something's missing" I say while gripping and tapping my chin. "Ah, that's it. Since your in a maid cosplay why don't you try calling me 'Master'."
I put on a sly smirk at her while her flush returns, a little lighter than before, but still there.
"H-huh. Really, you want me to call you 'Master~'?" And now she's back to normal. Well fun while it lasted, though teasing her in future should be easier now.
"It was a joke, Really thought. You look great, personally I'd say buy it right now, but I assume you want to get some more outfits?" Might as well give her an out.
"Yeah~, there's still a few different one's I've had my eye on since we walked in here." With that she turns back into the changing room to change out of the maid outfit, while I am subjected to the jealous stares of guys. Cliché, what is the romance anime main character's thoughts here. 'why are you staring at me like that. She's not even my girlfriend.' Yep cliché.
For what felt like hours I was subjected to 'torture' of seeing Elysia in different cosplays from classic sailor uniforms to shrine priestess, she also threw in a bikini and... wedding dress? For some reason why did they have that? Aren't those like 100s of thousands of Yen? And why did it look so good on her? (Swimsuit and Dress in comments)
She ended up buying all of them, including the wedding dress and that did cost 200,000 Yen and she paid for all of them so casually. 550,000 Yen so easily, who is she, Eden?
------------------------------------------
Another week passes.
Now while today was meant to be me teaching Eden I had to cancel.
The energy that was trying to fuse with my soul since I got here has vanished. As in I can't even sense it anymore. It hasn't fused with me that's for sure but, outside of that there's no trace of it.
Now though that makes it all the more suspicious of why it was trying to fuse with me. It's either A. parasitic or B. Corrupting and that it gave up after it couldn't corrupt me and dissipated or died when it couldn't bond with me. I will have to watch out for that.
That however was not the reason for me cancelling on Eden. As today is Mei's birthday and Elysia and Su told me of Kevin's 'Plan' for today as he did ask all of us to leave lab early today after our little 'Party' of 5.
I also thought it enjoyable to invite Eden to come with us and watch Kevin's obvious confession. It was also a good time to introduce them in a more casual way rather than all that formal introduction stuff. Su however might have a bit of a reaction to her, being his 'Oshi' as he calls her.
Right now though just outside the lab me and the 'disguised' Eden are standing Infront of Su and Elysia.
Elysia was the first to speak up. "Who might this be~ Thor~" She comes up next to me and hugs my arm, while looking up at me.
She really has gotten a lot more affectionate this past week. Though I guess I have our constant 'outings' that are definitely not dates, totally. It's not like we go out, have fun, get food, do some more stuff, talk, have dinner together. Definitely not a date.
"I'm glad you asked Elysia. Though before that. Su keep your voice down and I mean it. We don't want them hearing us out here." I make sure to look him in the eyes as he nods. "Good."
I turn to Eden. "You can take of the hat and veil now. It's just us. And those two in there."
She nods and takes of the hat and veil causing Su to jaw drop and Elysia to smile.
"Hello there. My name's Eden, Thor invited me here to watch this since he had to cancel our plans today for this." Guess she's a little nervous to speak like that. Elysia however didn't seem to mind as she let go of me and grabbed Eden's hands clasped in her own.
"Hiii~ Name's Elysia, I'm a 'friend' of Thor, it's nice to meet you, sorry that we can't talk properly but I hope to get to know you better~" What do you mean 'friend'. Why did that sound weird. We're not in a relationship. Yet, but really that's surprising.
"Su. close your mouth before a fly gets in there and introduce yourself." Jeez this guy was stun locked so easily.
Su snapping out of his daze, embarrassed by his stun locked state as it must of made Eden feel uncomfortable. Coughs before introducing himself. "Ahem, Sorry about that, I just wasn't expecting the Eden, 'The Voice Of Heaven' would turn out to be a friend of Thor of all people. The guy's anti-social as hell. He only talks to the four of us. Mainly Elysia and Mei but still I'm just surprised."
What the fuck does he think he is saying. Anti-social? ME? How the hell is that possible? If he's talking about the student's. Well that's simple. Their morons. Kevin's an exception even though he's not the best tool in the shed, he's just chill unlike the snakes in this school. Ok now I get it.
"Well anyway. As she said, she's Eden a friend of mine and I wanted to introduce her to the 4 of you, well 2 of you now, we'll introduce her to Kevin and Mei latter, wouldn't want to ruin Kevin's mutual confession." I turn back towards the door and gesture for the 3 of them to come and peak with me.
------------------------------------------
Now to Kevin and Mei still in the lab unaware of the 4 peepers recording the drama about to unfold.
Kevin was looking at Mei who was finishing her cake from earlier as now that the rest have left she has the time to eat in peace.
Kevin Pov:
"breathe in... breathe out... Let's do this." I muttered to himself. It's just us now. Those 3 have left and now it's just us.
It's show time.
"Hey Mei, Happy birthday again. I hope you enjoyed it and had fun." He starts.
"Un, thanks Kevin, I loved it. Compared to my past birthdays where my parents just gave me some money for books and that was it. Today... Today was really nice thank you, tell them that as well when you see them." She gives him a small genuine smile.
"Hey, uh, I know that this whole time you've been trying to create these nanobots and enter that Fire Moth organisation you and Thor told us about before, but I was wondering do you have anything else you want to do?"
She stops and ponders it for a moment then says "I do have one other than that. Who knows maybe I can get the in future." She looks at me closely while saying so.
My heart pounded. This is it. This is the moment I need to say it. Then just as she turns away I start.
"Mei, I have something to tell you." Heart pounding harder.
She looks up to me curious but patient.
"I like you. No I love you. I've loved you for a while now and just didn't know when or how to say it, but today seemed perfect for it."
Her eyes widen as she bits her lip thinking for a minute.
Then she beams. A smile brighter and more genuine than anything I've seen from her before. "Kevin... I lik- no I also love you too."
Before Kevin could respond she continues. "Though before we do any of that you need to take me on a date mister. Seeing Thor and Elysia going on dates all week has made me want one too." She pouted giving a stray thought to Thor and Elysia's budding relationship.
"Haha, yeah, they really have haven't they. Still I will make sure to take you on the best date ever. One you'll never forget ever." He says while he hugs her and kisses her cheek.
She blushes instantly. "Ho, Seems Mei-Chan is shy huh." A shit-eating grin marring Kevin's face
"Hmph, get off me, Bastard" Still she made no effort to get him off her but glared at him.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I was so happy I just couldn't resit kissing you." He then stared at her eyes, "I promise Mei, I'll make you the happiest girl to ever live."
"Humph, you better" She says while blushing.
(A/N: As you might guess this scene was influenced by another fan fics scene between these two as It's not my usual style, but I think I did okay for it might do some more in future though not these sappy ones, just Thor's ones.
Also before I get the whole MC is a beta cuck bullshit in the comments, this is literally just so I don't need to bother making up some bullshit for why Kiana can exist in future besides this story won't follow cannon beyond certain points to make certain characters exist)
------------------------------------------
Back to Thor's Pov
"Awww~, Thor, now that was sooo~ cute. Ahh~, I just want to go in there and give Mei a hug and congratulations. Though I guess that would ruin the moment wouldn't it."
"Elysia, I understand how cute that was but I think you forgetting something." I grin evilly while holding up my phone that was recording the whole thing and got all the audio perfectly.
"Oooh~, you better send that to me later, some blac- teasing material will be good for the future. Maybe we should make a few... Changes to the video and show it to them." Both me and Elysia laugh to ourselves while off to the side Su and Eden watch us.
They turn to each other and shake their heads and then look back to us.
"My dear Elysia, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I grin.
"I think I do Thor~" She also grins back at me
""Dub/Dub~ it"" We say at the same time.
For the next hour me, Elysia, Su and Eden head out of the school talking about whatever comes to mind, Su asking about Eden and Elysia asking how we met, of which we both answer with our prepared bullshit script, which seemed to pacify Elysia for now at least. Su didn't seem to care much for that.
We also discussed Kevin and Mei's little scene while also giving Eden some backstory on the two considering she has never even met them yet.
------------------------------------------
Come the next day Elysia, Su and me enter the lab early only to see Kevin and Mei sitting next to each other almost sharing the seat.
*Whistle* "Seems our dear friend over here is going in for the kill huh Elysia~" I turn to Elysia and Su.
"That seems to be the case Thor~, what about you Su?" She asks Su as well.
"Me? I'm happy for him, my friend finally has a girlfriend, I got a little worried there for a second." How many girls did he reject for you to say that?
Well no matter. Today is the first sync test for Mei and now equally Su's passion project of nanobots. The question of how we even made them is simple. Mei called in a favour from a connection she made at her conference months ago and they hooked us up with the equipment leading here.
"So Mei. Big day today right? You excited to test these little critters today?" Mei seemed to light right up when I said that.
"Yep! Thor. I just want to thank you for all the help you've given me and Su with this project, honestly without your guidance we never would of even been able to get here, let alone test them."
As nice as that is to hear I didn't do much. It was just the small things. Problems or issues they would of found and fixed later anyway, nothing to complicated so this feels a little weird to hear.
Su leans forward. "She's right you know. Without you Thor she wouldn't be able to get here and I wouldn't of even come across to help Mei as well."
"While kind of you to say, I didn't really do much. Just some small things you would of gotten anyway later on." Would this be humble bragging? Well I guess that's only if what I did was that important.
Mei and Su sighed at my comeback, then Mei got up and walked over to briefcase that contained the nanobots.
Kevin curious of the now made nanobots spoke up. "Hey Mei. What are they even made of? Only you and Thor know. Su doesn't even know"
"I guess we can say now. It doesn't really matter anymore." Mei looks to me. "Do you want to tell them?"
"Sure. To put it simply these nanobots are A metallic composite designed for insulating Honkai energy. The nano-robots can automatically repair Honkai-induced corrosion. That was the goal, but on top of that theoretically this could be used against the Honkai themselves if what we found out turns true." Su raises an eyebrow at the last part most likely understanding what I'm implying.
Elysia on the other hand said nothing but look at the briefcase somewhat intently.
Mei continues for me "While we have no-one to test on right now. In the future we may be able to open some clinical trials as Su's parents agreed to support it in future."
------------------------------------------
With everything in place, we finally begin the experiment.
The nanobots. Soulium, as Mei insisted on calling them. are suspended in a syringe. We're injecting them into a jar of water mixed with glycerol, a liquid close to blood in viscosity and flow resistance.
The entire test is simple: have the bots move between three floating markers while we record their movement data. We can't do much else right now. Using Honkai energy is out of the question. We don't even know if they can handle it yet without corrupting themselves.
"Mei, if you would do the honours."
She nods and carefully depresses the syringe, a clear stream swirling into the thick liquid. When she finishes, she sets the syringe down and looks to the rest of us.
I then activate the program to begin the trial.
"Now we wait. It shouldn't take long, but someone needs to monitor them through the lens. Su, I'll leave that to you."
He leans forward, eyes locked on the display.
A few minutes pass before the program alerts us that the trial is complete. The bots are ready for extraction.
We guide them back using a magnetic pulse, drawing them to the tip of the syringe. From there, they travel up the needle's point smoothly and are put back inside the briefcase.
Then the data appears on screen.
The 3D trajectory graph renders in a swirling blue holodisplay at the centre of the table, with each nanobot's movement traced as a glowing thread of light. There are no deviations. The bots moved cleanly between all three markers, creating a triangular pattern when we flattened it to 2D.
"So far, so good," Su says, shifting slightly as he scrolls through the telemetry. "No deviation, no lag. Their cohesion's excellent."
Then we shift to the energy levels and that's when the problem surfaces.
"They're almost empty," Mei mutters, biting her thumb. "That fast?"
"Well, yeah," I say, stepping forward. "They were designed to run on Honkai energy, not electricity. So this isn't exactly surprising."
Still, the numbers on the screen are worse than expected.
"But this level of drain… for such a short runtime? All they did was move around," I add, eyes narrowing. "That's more than a power mismatch. This could be a design flaw. Though not great, it could just-"
Mei's expression doesn't change, but I can see how tense she is.
"It's most likely just an efficiency issue with electric energy," I continue, trying to ease the blow. "Honkai energy will compensate for it. Honkai energy, while more volatile than nuclear energy, is a whole lot more efficient." I tap Mei on the shoulder "It will be fine Mei, they'll work."
Su leans back in the chair. "We'll need to get this data to my parents so they can propose it to the board and maybe find some volunteers in the later stages of Honkai corrosion."
Kevin confused at how casual they are about this just had to say something "Why are you guys being so casual about this. You CREATED real WORKING nanobots, something we only saw in movies until today. Give yourselves some credit, you just did something no one else could. Ellie back me up here."
Elysia snaps out of her daze and returns to normal. "Yes yes~ Kevin says the important stuff. Maybe next test. Boom, problem solved~"
With that Mei relaxes a little and ponders to herself that they are right, just that it's the first time ever and she should be proud of what they've done so far.
Almost knowing I was just about to do something Eden calls me 'Teacher, we have a problem.'
'Hmm, Eden. What's this problem? And why are you calling me teacher again? I told you to call me Thor yesterday.
Silence follows for a moment, 'Sorry Thor. Anyway back to the problem at hand. Have you noticed the increase in Honkai beast attacks near Nagazora?'
Now that could be an issue. I excuse myself from the group and hold up my phone before putting it to my ear and leaving the lab. I lean back against the wall. 'Not until now, how did you know?'
'I was on my way to pick up some more of the Auralite when I saw Agents from that Moth organisation blocking off the area and asked why the area was closed off and that's what they told me. I also managed to sneak around and see that the attacks were getting closer and closer to Nagazora.'
Ok that's really bad. I really need to pay Moth a visit real soon. But why are they converging?
I remember Ellie who is full of Honkai.
But Ellie isn't leaking any of her energy so it's not like they can be attracted by it. That energy also stopped trying to fuse with me just yesterday as well. Related? Most likely
'Teacher?'
'Sorry Eden, lost in thought. Continue'
------------------------------------------
Random Pov:
Something's been off lately, since 2 days ago when I was having 'dreams' if you could even call them that, they felt so... Real, it was scary.
Sometimes my fingers cause sparks whenever I touch metal. I feel stronger, faster, I don't even need to wear my glasses anymore. However I've begun to notice the way people look at me.
It's disgusting, even the people I called friends look at me the same. A tool, something to be used and discarded, a disposable object.
I hate it
I HATE It
I HATE IT
...It's fine though.
'I have you don't I?'
No words were needed just the warm feeling curling beneath my skin. Electric... Alive!
'You're all I will ever need right?' Another electric feeling permeates me.
"Not them, not those 'friends', not my 'parents'" Her eye begins to flick and turn purple. Her skin begins to glow with orange streaks.
"Just...
...YOU"
*CRACKLE*
*CRAAASSSSHHH*
*BOOOOOOOM*
The building caves as a figure begins to rise from the rubble.
Nearby people begin to turn to zombies... the really unlucky ones transform into Honkai beasts.
Terror and panic erupts in the centre of Nagazora
The Third Eruption. The Third Impact. The Descent of The Third Herrscher
The Herrscher Of Thunder
------------------------------------------
Thor Pov:
'Alright Eden I'll meet you there later, just keep a look out for more Auralite and Moths movements alright.' We conclude our discussion of the convergence of Honkai on Nagazora.
'Ok Thor, I'll see you later th-' Eden is cut off by an earth shattering boom.
*BOOOOOOOM*
HUH, what the fuck was that.
I activate my Runes and rush outside only to see a battlefield, no more so a massacre.
A lone figure in the sky exuding waves of Honkai energy, not even trying to hide it. From that energy alone they have more than Elysia and she's had the most Honkai energy I've seen since I've been here.
She's throws lightning all around her, creating a sort of shield. The magnetic control she wields is evident by how she pulls and hurls the beams with precision.
Looking below her at the cranage, Honkai beasts that eclipse the buildings take up the width of streets. Some with shields and spears, others like the one I fought at Kanazawa, just different colours?
Finally there are two giant flying Honkai beasts. 4 Diamond shaped detached limbs floating beside them a glowing stripped torso and 4 upwards fins each as the spin them wrecking havoc on the city below them.
Shit, I'll deal with that in a minute first gotta get those 3 out of the city.
I make my way back to the lab only to see Kevin panicking and Su and Mei trying to calm him down while Elysia is of to the side with a pale expression on her face with her phone held up to her ear.
I need to get Kevin to calm down first.
"KEVIN!"
He stops to look at me.
"Calm yourself and listen to me, all of you actually. The Third Eruption has begun, The Third Herrscher has descended." The 3 of them gasp and my words only serve to worsen Elysia's expression further.
"You need to get out of the city now!" I grab Elysia by the shoulders. She looks into my eyes
"Get them out of the city and keep them safe, I know your capable of that. I'll handle the Herrscher and try to minimise the casualties. Ok?!" She nods stiffly as she regains her self the nods fully while also slightly shocked that I knew of her strength.
"You heard him guys, we need to leave the city, the further the better." Elysia takes the lead to sort the 3 of them out and get them ready to leave the city, packing up the nanobots and whatever crucial equipment they have, before heading to the door.
Just before reaching the door it bursts open with 2 men in suits scan for Mei and... Me?
I still ask "You here for me or Mei"
They look at each other before nodding to me saying "Both"
"FireMoth?" Mei asks and they nod
That makes this easier "Alright you 4 head with them they'll most likely get you out quicker."
As they follow them Su sees that I'm not following. "Thor, what are waiting, as you said we gotta leave."
Hmm, an excuse that would work... Eden.
"I'll see you soon anyway I've got to go and find Eden, she's in Nagazora, I'll find her and then meet you outside the city." Good enough I guess.
His eyes flash with realisation as he slowly nods while Elysia urges them to go while Kevin and Mei are confused by who Eden is.
------------------------------------------
Finally once they thanks to Ellie's persuasion left, I call Eden
'Eden, the Third eruption has begun. I need you to stay on the outskirts of the city and try to keep this contained.'
'Thor, I... uh, Yeah, I'll do my best.' She was a nervous wreck.
'It's going to be ok Eden, just remember the training, FireMoth is also nearby, they just came to pick me and Mei up, but I used you as an excuse to stay behind. They will also be trying to contain this. Use stealth and assist them but keep yourself hidden, I'll handle the Herrscher' I reassure her
'Un, Good luck Thor.' Not that I need it, They use lightning for Gods sake, something I have dominion over conceptually.
------------------------------------------
Herrscher Pov:
She hovers amid the crumbling ruins, electricity crackling around her like a storm about to unleash.
"Humans!! Your screams have Such a delicious taste hahahahaha."
Her eyes flash purple, orange streaks flickering beneath her skin.
"I call upon Thunder... but thunder is nothing without the storm. I... Am the storm."
She raises her hand, sending magnetic arcs that tear through the streets, ripping buildings apart.
"Pathetic mortals... clinging to your fragile lives, your fleeting hopes. You are nothing but fuel for my conquest."
A bolt of lightning strikes down at a crowd fleeing the chaos.
She glances upward, sensing movement.
"Foolish pest! Do you think you can stop the storm?"
------------------------------------------
Thor Pov:
She launches an Arc of lightning at me and I...
I just let it hit me. And nothing, no damage, not even the Honkai energy imbued in that damaged my clothes let alone to me.
As the smoke clears the shock that appears on her face seeing me unharmed.
Time for a bit of acting "Hoho, little one, to think you would dare defy a God" I spread my arms out in front of her while using some runes to cause a light show behind me.
"INSECT!!" She swings her hand down calling upon lightening to rain down onto my position.
I simply raise a finger and it stops just above my head. "A mere mortal believes this could harm me. Pathetic!" I flick my finger towards and the lightening immediately changes direction towards her.
"What!" She comes out of her shock and tries to regain control of the lightening and seeing that it didn't work uses her speed to dodge only for the lightening to change direction again locked onto her.
"Shit!" She uses her lightening again to 'run' from it.
Now that she is busy with that, let's deal with these beasts.
I flash towards the two largest Honkai beasts.
Infront of the first I pull my hand back and punch it combining my strength with lightening blasting a hole right through it demolishing the area behind it. It immediately stops in its tracks and falls back with a large *CRASH* causing a small shockwave from its fall.
"One down" I flash towards the other and instead of punching it just charge right into it. Throwing it up into the air. I flash above it and grab it by what I guess you can call it's face and force a fire rune through its body melting it from the inside out. I then just drop it as it will melt before it hits the ground.
I scan the area below me to find that Moth has evacuated all that they can since I took the attention of the Herrscher and two biggest Honkai Beasts. This seems to be the least casualties of any Eruption so far. Go me... And Moth.
*Crackle*
I side step
*Woosh*
An arc of something not entirely electricity or Honkai energy fly's past me.
I turn to see our charred Herrscher, seems she actually got hit by that.
Hovering hunched over with ragged breaths "Huff... Huff... HUMAN!! YOU DARE HUMILIATE ME LIKE THIS. I'LL DESTROY YOU!!" The Herrscher attacks.
Bit much don't you think.
------------------------------------------
A/N: Finally the Third Eruption has happened. Almost 9K words and a bunch of development for somethings and rushing others but, I guess no one really wants to read 10 more SOL chapters for no reason.
Also let me know what you think of the Herrscher, I'm conflicted between having her regain her ego at the end and survive therefore having another OC or just killing her, decisions decisions.
Anyway, next chapter might be the same length IDK, depends on how much I want to write for it.
P.S. if anyone wants her to live, comment it here otherwise I'd have to think of one.
Ciao