Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A winding staircase in a dimly lit theater would have left most people with the hairs on the back of the neck standing up, but that was not the case for the two individuals currently climbing those steps. The first was a short girl with gray hair in twintails, wearing an orange shirt and brown jacket with prosthetics for legs. Her eyes were hardened, carefully watching their surroundings with the technique of a trained assassin.

It was her companion’s stoicism that would have left any onlookers perplexed. The young, blue-haired girl didn’t seem like the warrior type. She wore a blue dress with a black skirt over a short sleeved jacket, revealing the red mark above her chest. Completing the outfit were white stockings and dark slacks, making her look more like a common schoolgirl than a Valkyrie in training. Yet looking close into her normally blue eyes, one would be able to make out the faintest traces of red, the only indicator of who was really in control.

“This is annoying,” Seele hissed. “It’s like no matter where we turn, we’re trapped in this damn hallway. All the while, who knows what those puppets are doing to Kiana.” She didn’t get a response, but that was fine. She just needed to grumble.

Not long ago, Seele herself had been targeted by the Herrscher of Dominance. A thousand puppets all with the same face, thinking they could convince Seele to be one of them. The idea would have been laughable if it hadn’t enraged her so. But now they wanted Kiana, and had pulled her into their theater. If Bronya and Seele didn’t get to her fast, she would be lost to them forever.

“You can’t assume that. Kiana has a strong will. She’ll fight them with all she has.”

The voice of Seele’s more naive self made her shake her head. She had given Seele permission to control their body while inside the theater, but it was clear the two of them had different expectations on what would be inside.

You saw Kiana when she and Bronya returned from that mountain. The girl is a shell of her former self. Bad enough that she was there for the disaster at Arc City, but now she holds herself responsible for the death of a close friend. The Herrscher knows this and will use it to manipulate her. Do you understand why I am in control? There is a chance Kiana will be beyond saving.

Her thoughts were easily read by the other girl, and Seele could feel the horror leaking out of her. “Do you really think we’ll have to…”

I don’t know, but I’ll be prepared either way. That was the end of their conversation, as one of the damned puppets dropped in front of them with a cackle.

“That was a clever trick to avoid hurting our hostages, but your time is up!” It looked at Seele. “Unless you’ve reconsidered and wish to rejoin our ranks.”

Seele answered by tearing her claws through the puppet’s neck, tearing its head from its body. Alongside trapping them in this infinite staircase, the Herrscher had tied their lives to those of their “other halves.” Real people who would have died if they weren’t careful. Through some analysis by Bronya and precise use of Seele’s quantum powers, they had disabled the trap. Now they just had to escape this place, which had weakened as the Herrscher used up too much of its power.

But just as they finally made it to a wide, long hallway, their path was blocked by another legion of puppets. Using the Herrscher of Reason’s power that they had stolen from Bronya, they created dozens of mechs to surround the two girls.

“You’ve disappointed us so greatly!” the lead puppet announced. “But with another Herrscher’s power, we—”

Its words were cut off as it suddenly screamed, falling over while a crackling red aura surrounded them. All the other puppets were in a similar position, shutting down as another Herrscher’s authority overpowered them.

“Is that… Mei-sama!?” Bronya gasped.

“That girl has interesting timing,” Seele mumbled. Then, she focused her sights on the room in front of them. “Come on, Kiana’s just ahead!”

They found the white-haired girl unconscious on one of the theater platforms, wearing her Void Drifter battlesuit. Yet as if she had been waiting for them, her eyes opened the moment the two girls had kneeled by her side.

“Bronya…. Seele…” She mumbled. “Why are you here?”

The answer died on Seele’s tongue when she caught Kiana’s eyes. They weren’t the normal sky blue she was so familiar with, nor were they the mismatched colors she normally had when using her Herrscher abilities. Instead they were a deep sapphire, dark crosses cutting through their center. It was only the fact they weren’t gold that kept Seele from letting her fingers morph into deadly claws, but she still felt her heart pound in her chest.

At least Bronya didn’t freeze up like her. “To save an idiotka, of course. What happened to Kiana’s eyes?”

Kiana looked down at the marbled floor, which was barely reflective enough for her to make out her reflection. “Oh… The Herrscher of the Void and I, we came to an… agreement. That must be why they changed.

The siren going off in Seele’s head was so loud her other self surely heard it too. “An agreement?”

“It’s hard to explain,” Kiana admitted. “We should defeat the Herrscher and get out of here first.”

Later on, Seele would regret not demanding an answer from Kiana then and there. Now, though, she was only thinking about how weak those puppets were. Mei’s attack had cost them most of their Herrscher authority, leaving the prime opportunity to finish them off. After all the shit they’d put her through, Seele felt a thrill at the thought of tearing them apart.

“Be careful. They won’t go down that easily.”

Seele repeated her other self’s warning to the others, and they made their way to the center of the theater. Of course, more puppets were already waiting for them there. One stared at Kiana in confusion.

“You didn’t lose to the Herrscher of the Void… but you didn’t defeat her either. What has happened to you, Kiana?”

“Confused?” Kiana asked. “Neither of us like you things, this plan of yours was never going to work.”

Something about her phrasing sent a spike of alarm through Seele, and a glance at Bronya confirmed she was having similar thoughts. That cruel edge to Kiana’s tone didn’t match the girl she’d come to know. Though Seele hadn’t been around during Kiana’s happier days, she’d heard the stories. Even then, Kiana had seemed more sad than angered by her circumstances.

Seele was beginning to think she’d misread the girl.

The puppet laughed at Kiana’s derision. “This is even better! You belong with us more than ever. We are one and the same.”

“No!” Kiana snapped, and Seele could have sworn her eyes glowed for a brief moment. “This ends now. You can’t defeat us.”

“We are the shadows and unspeakable ugliness that truly exist in the human heart— it’s the unity of the wills of the 1000 people that control them!” the puppet declared. “Do you deny this, Kiana? Haven’t you seen the madness and greed of humanity more than anyone?”

Of all things, Seele didn’t expect Kiana to hesitate . “That still doesn’t give you the right.”

“Admit the truth. Humanity is weak and cruel. You cannot defeat the malice of the human heart.”

“Enough!” Kiana summoned twin pistols to her hands. “You’re nothing but puppets of Honkai. It’s time we destroyed this theater and put an end to this charade.”

The doll’s head twisted a full 360 degrees. “Fine. The final stage has been set up for you, Kiana. Come! Up next is the showdown between the heroic and the malicious!” With that, the puppet ran up the steps to the stage, forcing them to chase. As they ran, the Herrscher’s voice echoed around them.

“Pride, envy, apathy, hatred, greed, hopelessness, abandonment…” A portal opened above them, and from it dropped the puppet master. The true Herrscher—a hideous black and gold thing with large hands from which more puppets dropped, these ones looking even less human-like. Their descent marked the beginning of the final clash with the Herrscher of Dominance.

Kiana and Bronya began to shoot at the nearest puppets, but Seele’s attack style wasn’t nearly as meticulous. Massive red claws extended from her hands, which she used to tear into any puppets that approached her. She had destroyed many of these things before, and would be happy to do so again.

The Herrcher itself fired some kind of drill at Kiana, but Bronya was there, using Project Bunny to deflect it. Meanwhile, the puppets continued to taunt them.

“Why don’t you stop?” one asked. “What you’re doing is pointless.” Seele ripped it in half the moment it finished speaking.” Of course, that didn’t stop a dozen more from dropping, nor another drill from being shot at Kiana. This time, Seele had to be the one to deflect it while the others shot down the minions.

“Your fate is to be trapped here forever and ever!” a puppet shouted. “Until the end of time!”

“Shut up!” Seele snapped, rushing at the offender to tear a hole through its chest. Only the moment she did so, the Herrscher itself went on the offensive, blasts of energy firing from its hands. The girls were forced to focus on dodging until an opening arose.

Seele thought she spotted one when the Herrscher appeared behind Kiana, folded in on itself to slam into her. Just in time, Seele managed to get between them, stopping the Herrscher dead in its tracks with her claws. Sparks flew from where they connected, and Seele gritted her teeth as she was forced an inch back.

Dammit, I won’t let this thing get the better of me! Seele heaved with all her strength, desperate to push the Herrscher back. It was no use. Before she could even brace herself, another blast of energy flew from its fist. Seele shouted as she was flung off the platform, descending into the depths below.

She must have blacked out, because she wasn’t entirely sure what happened next. One moment, she was falling into an abyss, the cries of her other self echoing through her mind. The next, she was shocked awake by the sensation of her limbs twisting painfully, a sharp material digging into them.

They were at a lower level of the theater, the chamber lit by candelabras and orange lines glowing in the pillars. Kiana was on the platform below, looking up in horror at Seele and someone else. With her own growing despair, Seele realized that other person was Bronya. The girl was bound by thin white strings that were being pulled on by the many hands of the Herrscher above. Seele felt the strings on herself more sharply now, pulling not only on her limbs but her stomach and neck as well. She couldn’t stop the gasp of pain that escaped.

“L-Let me take over! I’ll try to get us out.”

That stupid girl. Did she really think Seele would let her suffer this pain? No, whatever came next, she would bear it for them both.”

“Do you see now?” The Herscher’s voice boomed across the theater, taunting Kiana as a legion of puppets surrounded her. “Hope. Joy. Love. All are born of naivety. It all fades in time. Only the malice in human hearts is eternal. Only we may survive.”

Its words were accompanied by a yank on the strings, stretching Selee’s limbs to their near breaking point. She couldn’t stop herself from crying out in pain.

“You… How dare you!” Kiana screamed, rushing forward with a lance in her hands to slice at and and dismember the puppets. The Herrcher just laughed at her struggles.

“Do you still think yourself a hero? Who have you ever managed to save? No one.” As though to emphasize its point, the Herrscher manipulated Seele and Bronya like dolls. Seele nearly passed out from her shoulders popping out of their sockets and the string on her neck cutting off her air.

Not like this! I refuse to die hopeless! She tried to summon any type of power, but it was futile. Any attempt at fighting back only caused the strings to draw more of her blood. Seele realized with a burning rage that Kiana was her only hope.

“Enough!” the girl herself yelled. “Give Bronya and Seele back to me!” Puppet after puppet fell to her onslaught, yet she wasn’t any closer to freeing them.

“All you’ve done is lose. Your friends, your loved ones, your aspirations. All slipping through your fingers while you cling to your worthless ideals.” Kiana barely managed  to duck under an attack, grabbing the puppet by its mouth to slam it into another.

“The despair of mankind… Even you cannot escape its grip.” Kiana tried leaping off a puppet to reach them, but another blast of energy got her caught in the explosion. Seele’s heart stopped when she saw the girl drop to the floor.

“You can’t change this ugly world.” Puppets piled onto Kiana, forcing her onto her stomach. Even still, she didn’t give up, summoning lances to cut at the hands holding Seele and Bronya’s strings.

“See? You can’t even protect them.” The lances were caught in strings of their own, shattered by the pressure. Then, all Seele knew was agony.

Her arms and legs reached their limits, snapping like twigs under the Herrscher’s strength. Black spots filled her vision as blood splattered out of her, splashing onto the theater floor. She could only be thankful Bronya’s metal legs would protect her from feeling the worst of it. As for herself, she could barely stay conscious. For a few seconds, she certainly passed out.

Her vision returned to her just in time to see the puppets dogpiling Kiana get blown to pieces.

“What?” The Herrscher of Dominance leaned back as though knowing the danger it suddenly found itself in. For any trace of doubt or fear in Kiana’s movements was gone. She rose, glaring at the Herrscher with hatred glowing in her sapphire eyes. 

Kiana was donned in the attire of the Herrscher of the Void, yet it wasn’t the same. The dress had turned a pitch black with a white interior. The pink shirt underneath, as well as the lines on her skirt, were now a bloody crimson. It gave the outfit a far more sinister feeling than before, which only worsened as Kiana’s lips curved into a cruel smirk. For a moment, Seele was sure the Herrscher of the Void persona had taken over. Except the words that came out of her mouth could only belong to Kiana.

“You dare bring harm to those I hold dear?” her doubled voice echoed around the theater. ​​ ”A worm such as you has no right to call itself a Herrscher. I’ve tolerated your presence for long enough. This time, I’ll make sure there’s no trace of you left to come back.”

Power exploded out of her, hundreds of portals opening in every spot possible across the chamber. From them emerged enough lances to supply an army, all pointed at the Herrcher of Dominance.

“Farewell, fool of a Herrscher.”

Following Kiana’s words, the lances shot forward like bullets. The first volley was caught by strings, only to be cut free by those that followed. Seele felt herself drop from the strings holding them, a purple cube catching her in midair before resting her on the ground.

She didn’t need to look to know the Herrscher of Dominance was being destroyed above her. Kiana was making good on her threat, not showing a scrap of mercy. Yet that was no longer Seele’s concern. As the blood loss caught up to her and she lost consciousness once more, Seele had one final thought. One she knew would hold true when she woke up and Kiana had vanished, only to be sighted a few days later terrorizing a Schicksal transport.

The true Herrscher of the Void has awakened.

Chapter Text

Schicksal’s headquarters had been beautiful, once. A floating base with reinforced buildings connected by roadways, interspersed with grass fields and artificial bodies of water. Surrounded by a dome of the same material used to shield Anti-Entropy’s mechs, it should have been impenetrable. Should someone manage to break in, they would find themselves confronted with dozens of Valkyries, ranging from D-listers to the S-rank titans that fought to defend humanity every day,

This stronghold of humanity’s war against the Honkai was in ruins. Buildings had crumbled, and scattered pieces of the island had fallen into the sea below. Most of the Valkyries had managed to evacuate, though a few corpses littered the once pristine roads. Fires rampaged all across the base, leaving few pockets of safety. Trudging through those flames were Honkai beasts of all classifications, creeping forward as though trying to sniff out survivors.

While Schicksal itself could recover, no one would return to this place. Once the fuel keeping it afloat ran out, it would crash into the ocean below, a forgotten relic of mankind’s hubris.

At least, that was how Seele assumed Kiana saw all this. She and Bronya had just arrived at these ruins and could see the Herrscher floating above, soaking in the devastation. No doubt she saw her former friends arrive, but she had yet to descend, simply watching them with glowing blue eyes.

Unlike her gentler self, Seele had no patience for Kiana’s whims. As soon as she disembarked from Project Bunny, she shouted up at the stubborn girl. She pulled from the energy granted as a Stigmata made manifest, knowing Kiana would sense her manipulation of Honkai energy. “Come down here, Kiana! I have a demand to make of you.”

That definitely caught Kiana’s attention. She floated downward before stopping a few feet in front of them, hovering a couple inches off the ground with her arms crossed and a frown marking her face. “You’re not Seele. Are you possessing her?”

Of course that was where Kiana’s mind would go first. Seele scoffed, but at a nudge from Bronya refrained from rolling her eyes. “She and I are both Seele, and I use this body with her permission. I’ve done so before, but you never noticed.”

“What did an idiotka do this time?” Bronya asked, stepping forward. They had both received the report, but wanted to hear Kiana’s recounting of the event.

The girl herself just shrugged. “This was where Otto had his lap dogs bring me to reawaken Sirin. I figured it was time to show him how I felt about that decision.”

“Idiotka.” Seele chose to use Bronya’s far-too accurate term. “You realize the Valkyries could have overwhelmed you in most circumstances. You at least weren’t dumb enough to strike when the Immortal Blades were here, but Otto could have stalled until an army arrived to eliminate you. You’re lucky the bastard decided the casualties weren’t worth it for once.”

Kiana waved off Seele’s point. “I’m not someone who can easily be pinned down.” Her sapphire eyes narrowed. “And I’m going to tear apart everything that piece of shit has built over hundreds of years. He deserves no less.”

Seele couldn’t exactly deny that, but Kiana’s methods were downright suicidal. Did she have a death wish after all? Seele considered asking directly, but Kiana continued speaking before she could.

“That’s not why you came here, isn’t it? Either of you. What’s going on?”

Upon her request, Bronya let Seele handle the talking. “You felt my control over the Honkai. My existence is possible because the other Seele has the Stigmata of Death. That power is mine to use. And after what you’ve done with it—” she gestured to the wreckage around them, “—you are clearly undeserving of the gem of Serenity.”

If her words offended Kiana, the Herrscher didn’t show it. She cackled, eerily reminiscent of the Herrscher of the Void that had once possessed her. “Is that so? This gem was taken from me once. Never again. You’re one of the people I want to protect, so I won’t kill you for such an outlandish suggestion. But you should leave if you want to keep all your limbs intact.”

“She’s getting worse.” The other Seele noted, and Seele nodded in agreement. From what they’d heard of others’ encounters with Kiana since she’d reawakened to her powers, the girl had retained a semblance of her former self, just filled with anger. Yet here she was, casually threatening dismemberment at her friends. Whatever force was behind the Honkai, it had done an excellent job twisting Kiana’s mind.

“I’m not here to ask for it,” Seele said, and with those words she let her hands morph into a pair of deadly crimson claws. “I’ll skip to ripping it from your chest if I have to.”

Now the anger was on full display, Kiana seemingly trying to light Seele on fire with her gaze despite having a gem perfectly capable of such a feat. “I like the other Seele better,” she growled, right before half a dozen portals opened around Seele and fired lances at her.

Thankfully, Seele wasn’t alone. Bronya’s Herrscher dress flared into existence as she formed blue and white mechs to catch the lances, tossing them toward the rubble. Kiana’s eyes widened at seeing her friend turn her powers against her, but hardened a moment later as she raised a hand. A massive void cube appeared above them, which Kiana slammed downward a moment later.

Trusting Bronya to take care of herself, Seele moved, diving away just in time to avoid being crushed. Unfortunately, the action put her right in front of Kiana, who didn’t hesitate to try slicing a lance through her shoulder. Clearly, she’d been serious about cutting off Seele’s limbs. Seele barely raised one clawed hand fast enough to block, forcing Kiana to back away with a swipe from her other hand.

The exchange had only lasted a second, but that was enough time for Bronya to get around the cube, forming a series of cannons in the air. As Kiana tried shooting more lances at them, those cannons fired radiant beams that destroyed the weapons instantly. Protected, Seele had no qualms about rushing in with a flurry of attacks to put Kiana on the backfoot.

She shouldn’t have expected it to be that simple. Seele’s attacks connected, but the gashes in Kiana’s arms and chest began to close a moment later, having no effect except a minor flinch from Kiana. Then, the bitch had the audacity to smirk . She knew exactly where that healing had come from.

Well, Seele would just have to hit her harder. She swiped upward, launching Kiana into the air. That brief instant of vulnerability was all Bronya needed to redirect the cannons at the Herrscher, blasting her at all angles.

No sooner had the explosion faded than Seele leaped forward. This time, her claws slammed Kiana into the ground hard enough to make a dent. The Herrscher snarled, surrounding herself in flames to stop Seele’s follow-up.

Kiana was tired. Seele had known that, and it was why she’d planned for this fight to happen now. Coming off of driving away the bulk of Schicksal’s forces, Kiana had surely used most of the energy in her core. Any physical damage she took during the fight would have healed, but that wouldn’t change the fact she was far from full strength. Because of that, maybe she could have been excused for forgetting how Seele truly fought.

“Your turn,” Seele said, retreating to the back of their shared mind as her other self took the lead. A quantum scythe materialized in her hands, and Kiana barely had time to widen her eyes before the weapon cut through the flames and slammed into her.

“I’m sorry, Kiana!” Seele’s other self yelled. “But you have to stop this!”

She moved with the grace of a butterfly, zipping back and forth while continuously slicing at Kiana. While some hits were deflected with void lances, many left gashes in the Herrscher. And maybe Seele’s mind was playing tricks on her, but she swore they were healing just a bit slower than before.

Bronya wasn't idle either. With Kiana distracted by Seele’s onslaught, the gray-haired girl was able to get Project Bunny close enough to attack. That left Kiana to fight the battle on two fronts, quantum and Herrscher energy working in tandem to bring down the already exhausted girl.

“ENOUGH!” Kiana’s shout was accompanied by waves of fire pouring out of her. No sooner did Seele and Bronya duck away than Void lances stabbed out of the ground around them, trapping them in cages so small they were practically restrained. Another lance poked the edge of their throats, as though daring them to move and be gutted.

Kiana was covering her face with one hand, but through her cracked fingers Seele saw the Herrscher’s cold glare. “I saved your lives,” she growled, ”and you just want to take more from me. Everyone keeps taking what they can. Everyone everyone everyone everyoneeverone! Why won’t you all just quit!?” She stepped forward, leaving fiery footprints in her wake. Ignoring Bronya for now, she stopped right in front of Seele, slowly lowering her hand. Then, in a flash of movement, she gripped their neck so tight they couldn’t breathe.

“Kiana—!” Bronya began to shout, only for the blunt end of a lance to strike the back of her head, knocking her out cold. Kiana didn’t even glance her way, her scornful eyes locked onto Seele.

“Let me take control, now!” Seele yelled from the confines of their mind. Thankfully, her other self listened, and Seele immediately formed her claws. She planned on using them to break free, but Kiana was faster. Lances were fired from above, stabbing through Seele’s hands and pinning them to the ground. She would have screamed had her oxygen not been cut off. As it was, black spots formed in her vision, and the shouts of her other self were muffled by the pounding in her ears.

Would Kiana stop before killing them? Or was she too far gone to care? Seele didn’t know, but she couldn’t let it end this way. She wasn’t alone in this body, and she wouldn’t let her other self die because of her own foolishness. Through her connection to the Sea of Quanta, she reached for as much energy as possible.

It slipped away. Her body was too exhausted to handle the quantum powers she fought with. Her sight darkened entirely, her senses beginning to fade one by one. Seele could only feel an abyss, and she sank deeper each passing second.

Deeper…

D e e p e r…

“NO!”

Seele gasped as awareness flooded back to her. Her eyes snapped open just in time to see the lances around her shatter, pieces flying in all directions to cut into herself and Kiana. But while Kiana stumbled backward, bleeding from dozens of puncture wounds, Seele hardly felt a sting before her skin patched itself up, as pristine as it had been before the battle Yet it wasn’t really her skin at the moment. She wasn’t one in control.

Unable to stop herself, Seele chuckled from her place within her other self’s mind. “Of course it would be you. I shouldn’t have expected anything less.”

The other Seele stood tall, dressed in a navy blue and black sleeveless dress and dark tights. Her light hair flowed freely behind her, the headpiece adorning it blooming like a flower. There was a black band around her left wrist, while her other hand easily held up her scythe. Eternal Night’s Embrace. The name for this new outfit resonated within Seele’s mind. It fit the other her.

“Y-You did it…” Kiana’s jaw was agape, and Seele caught the way her hands trembled. “H-How!? What did you do, you cheater!?”

Seele shook her head. “I really am sorry, Kiana… We only want to save you from yourself. You can’t continue down this path! It will destroy you!”

“Shut up!” Kiana snapped. “I was already dying slowly, bit by bit with each person I failed to protect! This world took everything from me two lifetimes over! I’ll make sure there won’t be a chance for a third.” A portal opened behind her, making Seele’s eyes widen.

“Kiana, wait—!” It was too late. Kiana stepped through the portal, which immediately shut behind her. She was gone.

Even so, they had what they came from. Seele could feel the core of Death thrumming in their chest. Its power was cut off from her, but she didn’t mind. Her other self would put it to far better use than she ever could have.

“Check on Bronya,” Seele advised before the other her could get lost in her thoughts. She listened, looking for any signs of lasting damage on the other girl. Thankfully, she was just unconscious. Any head trauma would be negated by her own core.

“She’s gone,” Seele whispered. “I-I didn’t think I would be the one with the power. What do we do now?”

That was the real question, wasn’t it? Kiana could be anywhere, and she wasn’t about to give up even after losing her unbeatable healing. Seele’s eyes flickered to the devastation around them, sickened by how some Honkai beasts mindlessly crunched bodies underfoot. They wouldn’t dare approach the two Herrschers, but the sight still left her uneasy. Where would Kiana strike next, and how bad would the destruction be?

“There’s nothing we can do at the moment,” she finally said. “Now that Kiana lost the gem of Serenity, we’ll have to see if the agreement World Serpent and Schicksal came up with leads anywhere.

“If anyone can force an end to this madness, it’s Kiana’s own family.”