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Ever since she was a child, Kiana had gazed into the lightning filled skies in adoration. She gasped in wonder at each flash of light, and her eyes sparkled when the heavens roared with fury. Her cheeks were flushed florid from adrenaline from the spectacular sight.
In her childhood, during her time at the academies, Kiana would hear the other girls her age cry in fright at the horrifying display of the sky. But not Kiana. No. Kiana would never cower under some measly thunderstorm. She was a Kaslana, after all. Instead, Kiana would run outside into the rain and spread her arms out, as if a gust of wind was enough to push her to the skies. With the flashes of colour up above and war drums filling her head, she flourished. She didn’t understand why, but she never complained.
Her dad, however, did complain though when she caught a cold the next day. Although Siegfried’s exasperation somewhat simmered when he caught a glimpse of the wide smile on his baby girl's face.
-=-
Throughout the years, Kiana’s love for thunderstorms only grew. After her mother died, and her dad disappeared, it was where she found the only solace. An escape from the prying eyes and the far too many false “I’m sorry’s.”
Sometimes, she would reach up her hand to the skies above, as if the lightning would strike down her miserable life. She would pray, cry, and beg for whatever cruel god was out there to take her away into the sky. She would punch the ground until her hands bled, and scream until her throat was raw. Kiana would bite her tongue until the metallic taste of blood would fill her mouth. She wanted the thunder above to shake her to her very core, and bring her home to the clouds. Wanted the thunder to give her the gift of flight so she could soar away and never come back.
She would occasionally inquire out loud as to why she was there. Only to suffer? To go through loss after loss? Why was the comfort of a damn thunderstorm the only thing comforting her when she should have her parents with her?!
Those pleas were always left unanswered, and she was always alone.
-=-
The Kaslana clan's main weapon had always been dual pistols, the sword form of Shamash being the only exception. The Judgment of Shamash was a perfect example of their passed down teachings, so it was only natural that Kiana would take up the weapon as well.
But, with each bullet that dug into zombie after zombie, it only reminded the young knight of the roars of thunder she longed to join. Soon, Kiana is up on the rooftop of the school building.
As she pushes her aching body forward, Kiana is forced to a halt. There in front of her was another student of Senba High, if the female uniform was any indication. Violet lightning swarms around the unknown girl with the fury of one hundred warriors, ready to take down an army like a hurricane.
At the sound of footsteps, the girl turns around with slitted magenta eyes, clouded with rage. When the two locked eyes, Kiana was instantly smitten.
“Go to hell.” The girl says, voice hoarse and gravelly with barely contained fury. Maybe she was hallucinating, but Kiana swore she smelt the comforting scent of ozone and petrichor.
With a grim smile, Kiana cocks her pistol and braces herself.
-=-
“Are you okay?”
Mei’s head feels as if it’s filled with cotton. She reaches a hand to grasp at her aching head, and slowly opens her eyes. The bright sunlight instantly blinds the girl, and she winces. Light footsteps ring out and the sound of a magazine being reloaded made her slightly open her eyes again. Mei holds up a hand to block out the light, but is almost instantly covered by a shadow.
The girl she (the other her?) fought was there, in front of her, alive, and reaching out a hand towards her?
“Are you okay?” The girl repeats, tilting her head to the side with a warm smile.
Mei nods slightly, “I think so…” she trails off. “Why…” the right words evade her head, and does she have a concussion? “Why did you save me?” The question felt heavy on her tongue, and as the events that transpired came back to her she felt sick to her stomach.
“Oh god-“ Mei begins, “oh my god… I-“ she shakily inhaled, her lips trembled. “I am so sorry…” the girl in front of her looks confused, lips pursing in thought, eyebrows scrunched together.
Mei gasps in horror, and scrambles to her feet. “I’m sorry-“ she repeats, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Tears dropped down her face and oh god, why couldn’t she breathe? Mei covered her mouth with her hands, and backed away from the girl who saved her.
The white haired girl's eyes widen in horror, and she stretches out a hand. “Wait, no!”
Mei’s foot is met with air, and her eyes closed in resignation.
Kiana raced forward, and spiderweb like cracks spread through the concrete from where she took off. She can see Mei’s hand disappear behind the rooftop wall, and damn! Why couldn’t she move faster? The world faded away, as if time was slowing down.
Finally, Kiana threw herself over the wall and grabbed Mei’s hand.
That day, Kiana decided she would never let go.
-=-
St. Freya high, a notorious battle academy that produces the world's best valkyries, and Kiana and Mei have the chance to go! Together!
Kiana giggled in joy as she jumped up and down like a small child. Beside her, Mei’s eyes widened in shock.
“Are-“ Mei began, and licked her lips as she fiddled with her torn skirt. “Are you serious, Miss Himeko?”
The woman in question gave a toothy smile, eyes flickering with… something. “Of course! Now, are you in?”
And as quickly as she came, Himeko was gone, and Kiana was numb.
-=-
Seeing Mei again after those four long months is like heaven. Good in theory, but probably not all it’s racked up to be. The scent of ozone is stronger than ever, and the hairs on her arms stand up. Kiana swore her heart was beating 300 beats per minute.
Mei is eerily silent as tenderly wrapped her arms around the void drifter. Kiana sees the unspoken questions weighing on her beloved, but the silence between the two stays. They’ve always been able to converse easily, so why does Kiana’s tongue feel like lead, and why does Mei’s mind fill with static? Kiana sighed, already tired when neither had said a word, and leaned into the embrace and let her head bump against Mei’s shoulder. She let a small, bitter smile creep across her face when Mei softly, oh so tenderly kissed her cheek.
After a few minutes of basking in each other’s presence, and confirming that yes this is real and isn’t a fever dream, the two finally meet eyes. Kiana is instantly put into a trance.
Mei leaned down slightly towards Kiana, and tenderly tilted the girl's head to lightly trace shapes over Kiana’s face with her fingertips. Neither aren’t so sure this is real. Only when she pinches herself is she sure. Mei has always had the ability to make the young warrior’s heart flutter and drift into daydreams.
Kiana slowly, but confidently brought both her hands up to cradle Mei’s face, and leaned in. Mei sighed fondly, her eyes fluttered, and followed Kiana’s lead. The two meet halfway, and their lips are finally touching— oh god their lips are finally touching. And oh- oh, Kiana feels giddy and breathless at the sparks that course through her body like electricity.
Looking into Mei’s eyes shows that the swords woman felt the same.
They mold together perfectly, as always, and they can’t get enough of each other. Their lips moved in perfect sync, playing a tune they’ve written together. Mei’s hands dropped down and pulled Kiana flushed against her.
Kiana moved her hands from Mei’s cheeks to her hair, and oh… Mei’s sweet lips are the first thing she’s tasted in months.
-=-
It’s over- it’s finally over! Kiana runs through the broken cities and feels like a little girl again. She isn’t bothered by the residual honkai energy left over. Finally, after all this time, humanity has another chance.
Kiana rushed through alleyways and jumped over cars. It feels so nice to be free again. Her heart is working overtime to pump blood through her veins, and her face flushed from both the wide grin on her face and the adrenaline. Kiana finally slowed down when a droplet of water hit her face. When did the storm roll in? She doesn’t recall seeing rain in the forecast…
As soon as she caught sight of the red lightning, and the roar of a wyvern, she began to run. However, not on her original path. No, she ran straight into the center of it all.
Kiana vaulted over fallen building blocks, and rolled into a somersault onto her shoulder to break her fall. At this point, she is completely drenched by the rain, but she couldn’t care less. Her wet braids trailed behind her, and she could see she was almost there. So close- so, so close.
And there, in the center of it all, is Mei. Kiana skidded to a halt in front of the Mei, no, the Herrscher of Thunder, and her heart aches. Kiana put her hands on her knees and leaned forward. Her ragged pants were almost completely drowned out by the sound of the heavy rainfall.
“Mei-“ Kiana began, and preened when the mentioned woman turned around. “Welcome home.” Her smile is wide, and her eyes close in happiness.
Mei smiled, and walked forward to embrace the warrior.
Kiana opened her eyes to stare at the love of her life, who towered above her with crimson bolts of electricity; she is then met with the understanding of why she’s always drawn to the eye of the storm. And faintly, distantly, timelines merged together for a single moment as two soulmates made their vow.