Chapter 65: Dancing with Death
[Himeko Murata's point of view]
Brrzzaaa.... brrzzap!
——The fire spread in the darkness.
——The burning embers shone like the morning sun.
——Everything was baptized in the blazing fire.
Dr. Tesla's voice crackled through the comms, her tone urgent. "Space curvature anomaly detected. Honkai energy levels are off the charts! More hostiles incoming! We have to stop the Herrscher from summoning more minions!"
Himeko nodded, determination etched on her face. "I'll distract the enemies. Focus on saving the wounded!" She moved toward the approaching Honkai beasts, her blade ready. "Can we restart the Hyperion's engines?"
Tesla's response was laced with stress. "Port-side armor plating compromised. Drive chamber impacted. Shock absorbing systems damaged. We need time to make her air-worthy again. Drive conversion rates…"
Himeko cut her off, her voice firm. "Calm down. Just tell me how much time you need!"
"Three minutes. Just give me three minutes and we'll be out of here!"
Himeko's path was blocked by three Praetorians, a Joyo-Ninja, and four archers. She sighed, her grip tightening on her weapon. "Haahh... Bunch of ants."
Without hesitation, Himeko charged forward, her blade cutting through the air.
With a fierce cry, Himeko's flaming blade sliced through the Praetorian zombies, reducing them to ash in a single, sweeping motion. She moved swiftly to the archers, their attempts to draw their bows futile as she cut them down effortlessly.
Suddenly, Himeko's body tensed, a sharp pain ripping through her as she coughed up blood, her vision blurring momentarily.
In that brief moment of vulnerability, the last Joyo-Ninja sprang from behind, its blade aimed at her back.
And then... slash.
[Meanwhile, Back at Raiden Mei's Point of View]
Mei's eyes widened as she spotted Theresa and Einstein's mech approaching.
"Principal?" Mei called out, relief evident in her voice.
Theresa landed beside her, assessing the situation quickly. "Great, I've managed to catch up. Professor, I've met up with Mei. But Kiana…"
Einstein's voice crackled through the comms, concern lacing her words. "High Honkai energy readings detected in Kiana's body. We're getting a reading of 4458 HW... Is this reader broken?"
"Where's your mech unit?" Theresa asked urgency in her tone.
"I have not received signals from any of the 61 mech units of the Vanguard. The number of hostiles is still increasing. Many are joining the battlefield as we speak... and the situation is not looking good for us."
Theresa's expression hardened. "I've no choice but to bet on this... We have a chance of winning if we can stir Kiana's sense of self."
Three chariot beasts suddenly appeared, their menacing forms ready to attack.
"Looks like I have no choice either," Theresa said, determination in her eyes. Lightning spears materialized in her hands, a massive cross forming behind her. "Mei, stand back. I'll take care of this."
"Y-Yes!" Mei stepped back, watching in awe as Theresa surged forward. "That's the Oath of Judah... The 11th Key."
Theresa threw her lightning spears with precision, summoning more in the air to rain down on the beasts.
As the chariot beasts were struck, six Cassiel descended from the sky, lightning crackling around them.
"Watch out! These are lightning attacks from an Honkai dragon!" Mei warned, her eyes scanning the sky.
Theresa didn't hesitate. She leaped into the air, meeting the descending Cassiel head-on. Lightning clashed with lightning as she engaged them, each strike of her spear charged with the full force of her resolve.
Honkai beasts continued to pour into the battlefield, swarming around Theresa as she fought relentlessly.
[Meanwhile, back at Einstein's command center, tension was high.]
"Report! Theresa and Raiden Mei have engaged with the Herrscher," an operator called out.
Another voice chimed in urgently, "The Honkai Beasts have blocked off the battlefield. The mechs can't provide effective support. There are too many of them. We'll lose contact with our vanguard if this goes on."
Einstein clenched her fists, her mind racing. "The situation looks worse than I'd expected," she muttered to herself.
Her thoughts turned to the system they had in reserve. "...Should I activate the system here? This will give us the edge we need!... No... The system can only be used once. Now is not yet the time. I must wait for a better opportunity..."
The elevator doors to the bridge slid open, pulling Einstein from her thoughts. She looked up to see a figure stepping out, a determined expression on their face. Einstein's frown deepened as she recognized them.
"You two..."
The figure spoke, their words resolute but filled with an unspoken tension.
"What?""
More words followed, and Einstein's eyes widened. "This is suicidal, especially for you... you're still recovering from surgery."
The figure nodded, their determination unwavering. "...I've made up my mind."
Einstein sighed, "Allow me to give you a piece of advice."
The figure listened intently.
"Take this weapon. You'll need it, And you... I'll allow you to use your powers just this once."
The figure accepted the weapon with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Professor."
Einstein's gaze softened as she handed the weapon over. "Don't mention it. Just don't forget to bring it back to me when you're done... and come back alive."
The young girl beside the figure looked up at Einstein with determined eyes. She nodded, her resolve clear despite her delicate condition.
Einstein watched them go, a mixture of hope and worry in her eyes. "Please, try not to lose this," she thought to herself, knowing the weight of what she had just handed over.
The bridge doors closed behind them, and Einstein returned to her screens, the battle still raging outside.
[Back at Theresa and Raiden Mei's point of view]
Huff… huff…
Theresa and Mei stood panting, their eyes locked on the ominous figure emerging from the dimensional wormhole.
"Pathetic vermin. Lowly insects," the Herrscher of the Void sneered, her presence commanding the battlefield. "Fight all you want. You will only make it easier for me. After all this while, you still don't understand, do you?" She turned her cold gaze to Theresa. "Why do you bar my path, little girl?"
Theresa's grip tightened on her weapon. "…Shut up! That body does not belong to you!"
The Herrscher's laugh echoed around them. "Hah. A greedy human made this body as a vessel for me. It is an offering for my rebirth!"
Mei's eyes widened with realization and fear. "Her void powers are immense... I can't even get close to her... It's day and night different from Wendy and me. True Herrscher powers..."
The Herrscher of the Void snapped her fingers, and Benares, her dragon, roared as it descended beside her. "Haha... I suppose insects provide some form of amusement. Your clumsy dance steps make me laugh. Benares, go give them a dance lesson."
The dragon soared into the air, electricity crackling from its maw. Mei and Theresa braced themselves as blazing arcs of electricity spewed towards them. But before the breath could reach them, several rounds of black energy orbs intercepted the attack, causing a blinding explosion.
Through the smoke, a familiar voice rang out. "Anti-Honkai force field... fully functional... Yamabuki Armor potential maxed. Operating at maximum output."
"Bronya!?" Theresa gasped, spotting the figure who had launched the energy bombs.
"Bronya, why are you here?" Mei asked, relief and surprise in her voice.
Another figure descended from the air, her new Valkyrie armor glinting in light green and white. "Don't forget about me too!"
"Wendy too..!?" Mei exclaimed.
"Bronya is happy to see Mei and the Principal. Bronya came in time. Bronya has rested for long enough. Bronya shall report back to duty," Bronya said, her usually stoic face showing a rare smile.
"Bronya-onee-chan, I'll support you too!" Wendy declared, her eyes fierce with determination.
"Thank you, Wendy," Bronya nodded.
"Hehe, I wonder if Shin is here too! I wanted to show off my powers for him!" Wendy added with a playful grin.
"Wendy, The Bronya wants to talk to you after this later..."
Bronya raised her arm, her eyes sharp and focused. "Bronya will provide covering fire. Attack at will, squad!"
Wendy stepped forward, "I'll be Bronya-onee-chan's vanguard!"
Theresa nodded, her voice firm. "Got it, Bronya! Wendy!" She glanced at the others, a steely resolve in her gaze. "Everyone! Be careful!"
The group moved into position, muscles tensed and weapons ready.
"Yeah!" They responded in unison.
…!
The Herrscher of the Void's eyes widened, momentarily taken aback. "The Herrscher of the Wind?" she murmured, then sighed. "What a disappointing start. No matter."
Her gaze hardened, a sinister smile curving her lips. "The Queen shall settle this herself. Let's get the actual show started. I'm beginning to tire of this pathetic stage."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Yamiru
Yamiru I'll take a rest for a day, Love ya'll
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone