1
Chapter 1
After thinking for a bit Mei understood that this might be how he said…a set-up by some sort of very powerful being.
He needed a cook and tech assistant. Both Bronya and her fit that bill.
But, Kiana… She ain't one of those.
"We will accept but only if you take all of us in. Kiana—" Mei pointed at the white-haired girl. "She is good at fighting, if you truly possess the means to travel to other places you would need someone who can fight."
Mei gave him a good reason why he should take this girl in.
"Okay? Aren't you all good at fighting AND something else?" He asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Hmm…umm…can we find other things to do? Extra pair of hands is always good, right?" The oldest of the trio pushed more.
"I suppose a maid? Since the living quarters are big there will be a lot of things to clean." He said that after thinking for a bit.
"...That doesn't sound like a Garage anymore…" Mei said with a sweatshop.
"Semantings. It is a pocket dimension in the first place if you worry about classifications." He said with a shrug.
"...I guess…" Mei said that while looking at Kiana, who gave her a thumbs up.
"I guess we have settled this then." As he said that white portal appeared behind him.
"Follow me."
~~~
As the trio passed through they were greeted by a dark grey room. It was big, the ceiling was very high and it was wide!
"Look at that thing! How tall is that Mech!?" Kiana exclaimed loudly as she saw the GINN standing on the other side of the Garage.
Though Mei is more concerned about how much work they will have… More precisely how much Kiana is going to need to clean? Should she join? She doesn't see a problem with that.
"That's ZGMF-1017 GINN, it comes from a world where humanoid robots of this size dominate the battlefield. Its precise height is 21 metres and 43 centimetres. It's this big because of the head design. Normally they make these mechs around 19 to 17 metres tall."
"...Wait! So, this mech is not from this world!?" Mei exclaimed with shock. They already meet elements from an another-another world!?
"Yes, the world we are right about is Earth from the year 2023, something this advance doesn't exist."
Bronya looked at it and then at Marcus.
"This world…it doesn't have great conflicts. Meaning technology progress is much slower?" The silver-haired girl asked with a deadpan voice.
"Correct. There is no outside influence that could force rapid development of technology." As he said that he then looked at her.
"This means you will be helping me with technology development."
The silver head slowly nodded at him. She then looked at the machine in front of her. She frowned a bit. Without her powers, she can't understand it from a distance. In other words, she would need to do everything the old fashioned way.
"I suppose it would be better if I fix you up. This way you would be at maximum efficiency."
"...Fix…Bronya? You can do that?"
"...I do manipulate time. I can alter a few things, there was a time in your life when you could use your legs properly. So we are going to pull that. And rewrite your injury."
His words made all three look at him with shock. If he can do that…
"Could you…send us back!?" Kiana asked him as she realised he could track their steps back and send them back!
"Yes and no. If I do that you would be living in a loop. You would always end up here. The portal which took you here would always happen at said time. Not that I do that. I need my helpers." As he said that he eventually shrugged at them before looking at Bronya.
"The choice is up to you. I could fix all the issues you experience in your life."
"No. Bronya doesn't trust you." The girl almost immediately said no.
"...Bronya…" Mei said with a worried tone, while Kiana observed this from the side. She wanted to see how Marcus would react to the 'No'.
"You don't need to trust me, the issue is that you will be working under me, as my 'employee' I need you at peak condition. So, I will be fixing your legs."
As he said that he snapped his fingers and Bronya that moment could feel her legs.
"All done." He then looked at Mei.
"You on the other hand will be my cook, yes?"
"...Umm…yes… I Have some experience with food." She said that with a slightly respectful tone. The older girl realised that he could help Kiana with her issue as well. And he only would need to snap his fingers for that to happen.
"What Mei wants to say is that she is the greatest cook around!" Kiana chipped in from behind.
"Kiana!" The older girl exclaimed with some panic.
"But it's the truth. Everyone loves your food!"
"It doesn't mean I am the best. Don't forget we are in a completely different place!" The purplish black-haired girl reminded her. To which Kiana simply shrugged.
"Good to hear that there are people who have confidence in your cooking. Not that I am a picky eater. So you won't be having difficulties with me." He said with a small smile. This made Kiana grin for a second. She already was thinking that they were going to have this in the bag. With this guy's help, they will find a way to get back to their world.
"Anyway. Let me show you around the living quarters."
As he said that he motioned them to follow him. They started to walk East. Though Bronya was extra quiet as she was wondering if this guy had tampered with her in some way. It won't be the first time something like this has happened to her.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you to the A.I. of my Garage, Legion, why don't you introduce yourself?".
[Certainly sir, Artificial Intelligence Legion version 1.1 greets the Outworlders to Marcus Goldman's Interdimensional Garage. If you require guidance on where is what or information I will assist in any way I can.]
"Oh…impressive. Did you make one of these yourself or it came with a garage?"
[I was programmed fully by my creator Marcus Goldman before this dimension was created.]
Mei nodded when she heard the explanation, Kiana hummed she was thinking that this guy is not that shabby, while Bronya's expression didn't change.
"Since the A.I. told us your name. I think it would be appropriate if we introduce ourselves to you."
"...Oh right! We haven't done that yet!" Kiana almost facepalmed.
"Right, I am Raiden Mei."
"Kiana Kaslana. You can call me Kiana." The white-haired girl gave him a small thumbs up.
This left the last one to introduce who simply said one word.
"...Bronya."
The pair of girls looked at Bronya, is she annoyed that he fixed her legs?
"Don't mind her, she will get over it. What you did is extremely hard to do in our world… The Honkai corruption, the energy in our world, is something we have been fighting for a long time."
"Hmm… I know." His words made her shocked for a second, he knows!?
"I backtracked Bronya and saw what she saw. So I have a pretty good idea about your Earth." He said with a shrug.
"...How? Is this the power of time you wield?"
Marcus nodded at her.
"Correct, it's time stream manipulation. However, this doesn't mean I can be in a different reality easily. I needed to hitch a ride with Bronya over there."
"What… Did you see?" Bronya asked him, there was a little bit of panic in her voice.
"Hmm, I suppose, enough for me to hug you? Why don't we leave it at that?"
The girl slowly nodded, she was relieved that he was not spilling the beans and just telling things like that.
~~~
"Look at the view…" Mei exclaimed with widened eyes.
The trio looked through a window in the kitchen area. The kitchen area was one big area with the living room and dining room in one.
This means that one of the walls was done into body size windows that lead outside. However, this was a pocket dimension, so the concept of 'outside' is hard to describe.
As there was water as far as one could see… just looking at the horizon one could have a hard time differentiating where the water ends and where the sky with stars begins.
"Honestly, I spent a few days thinking what kind of view I should have," Marcus said to them as he was looking at this as well.
"You spend days doing this?"
"Yes? I mean once you no longer grasp time as normal people do, you start losing yourself in certain aspects. Like this." He pointed at the console on the wall.
It was a computer built into a wall. A Gundam Seed-style console. It has a few buttons on it. With quite a small screen. Quite primitive to the trio. Even Kiana understood that.
"That console is linked with the view." As he said that he walked over and pressed a few buttons.
Moments later the water stayed but the stars disappeared and got replaced by a large sun at the edge of the horizon. It was behaving like a moon. And casting flaming mirror images on the water.
"That's what I have to do to deal with Mei. One simply can't pick a permanent image, so went for a console."
The girl for a second smiled, a smile was an understanding one. (not really, she is just going along with him).
"Bronya doesn't understand…is this technology? Because it doesn't make sense." The silver-haired girl exclaimed with a deadpan look but her voice was that of frustration. She thought that it was more primitive than their world. But a console that can shift the whole sky? That's impressive!
"Nah, nothing of that sort, I simply used the power which was given to me to alter the sky via a console. You can say it's simply… magic?" He said that with another shrug. He hasn't bothered researching how the whole dimensional thing works.
If it does that then his salvaging trips would have to wait, and that is not the point. Since Space study is something he pushed down the line for way-way later.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...So we have big Mechs, magic, personal pocket dimensions…did I miss something?" Kiana said while counting things on her fingers.
"Multiversal travelling?" Marcus chipped in.
"Oh, that too… and we were here for less than 30 minutes? Is it 30 minutes?" The white-haired girl asked, before looking at him for confirmation. At that moment she realised that he is the ultimate form of a clock.
Does this mean she can use him to get as much sleep as she could want!?
Such a thing is simply glorious! Forget sleepless nights or nightmares, even if she gets nightmares like she used to get back in Valkyrie school. With this guy, she could just get back to sleep like nothing has happened as she would get enough sleep regardless!
"Yes, it seems about right. Anyway, let me show you three of your quarters, after that, you can settle in."
~~~
The trio was somewhat baffled by the amount of space they all have for each other. It's like an apartment is given to each. Bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathrooms, not just showers but baths! Even a balcony gives them a view of that 'magical' horizon.
Though before long Kiana already blasted into Mei's room with a huge grin on her face.
"Mei! This place is awesome, the fridge is stacked with food! The rooms are big! Much bigger than our dorms!"
The older girl sighed, it appears they have huge spaces. She is starting to worry about the amount of stuff Kiana will need to do in this place…
"Kiana, do you know you will need to clean all of it? I might help you, but I am Marcus' cook first and at most…" The girl reminded the white-haired girl about her circumstances.
She still doesn't know how flexible the situation is. If she can help Kiana or if he wants to see how useful she is to him. All that is still unknown,
"Don't sweat Mei, this is 200% easier than fighting! I got it covered." The white-haired girl said with a pumped-up look.
This reminds the white-haired girl about the leisure times they had in St.Freya Valkyrie school.
Though it instantly made her remember that they do need to return, Honkai won't stop just because they are not there.
"I hope you do since this place is massive," Mei said with a sigh as her mind wandered as well. She was thinking about how to ask Marcus to check on Kiana, she still has her Herrscher core and the Gem of Sincerity.
"Even if this place is big, we will get over it. It is just cleaning and besides, I doubt he will check around every inch of this place." Kiana said as she took her seat on the couch.
"...Do you think we will find a way to return? There is no Honkai here, we can't even access basic Valkyrie stuff." The white-haired girl asked with a slightly more serious tone.
"...I don't know… it depends on him, he is the only one with any sort of power here," Mei said as she tried to sense her Honkai energy, as Herrscher of Lightning she should be able to sense anything electrical. But there is none of that. She is feeling…very weak at this moment and that just feels wrong.
"Yes… but that's just…that… He said that we are his third gift… Mei do you think… he knows more?" Kiana said as she was thinking deeply about this. She needs to return…back!
"...He does." That moment doors opened and Bronya entered; she wasn't wearing her leg armour.
"...Bronya…"
"...Marcus Goldman knows much more than he says. Bronya simply knows. His time powers allow him to see far more than we can even think." The girl said as she walked over to take her seat. Opposite, where Kiana was sitting, the White-haired girl looked curiously at the silver-haired girl and how she was awkwardly walking.
"...that's very possible, though what do you think we should do?"
"Marcus A.I." Bronya said with a deadpan look.
"You gonna hack his A.I.!?" Mei exclaimed with shock, she then frowned.
"You can't, not now at least! He just took us in! If he is going to find out… We could be stranded in this place."
Kiana nodded at Mei, and she then looked at Bronya.
"I don't think this is necessary, we can simply ask him, he already fixed your legs. We might get something out of this. Remember he is planning to visit other places, we might gain different sorts of things." The white-haired girl thought about this as she imagined having a Mech of her own!
Mei nodded at Kiana and then added her thoughts.
"I don't think he is a bad person… He might be eccentric…but that's not bad."
"..."
"And Kiana is right, we might get something out of this."
[My apologies, but I have a schedule for Raiden Mei.]
All three nearly jumped out of their seats as they heard the A.I. voice.
Panic settled in Mei and the other two girls.
Did the A.I. hear what Bronya said!?
"H-Hold a second! Did you hear what Bronya said!?" Mei asked with a small shutter.
[I am installed in almost all facilities except bathrooms and bedrooms. Bronia Zaychik's words have been recorded.]
Bronya's eyes widened as did the A.I. Know her surname!?
While Mei and Kiana slightly panicked as it was only a matter of time before Marcus would learn what Bronya said!
"T-There is no need to tell.to Marcus what Bronya said! I am sure that it was just a random comment! She used to hack a lot of things!" Kiana jumped out of her seat and tried to persuade the A.I. that it was just a false alarm! She won't lose her tall Mech just like that!
[ It is against my protocol to withhold information. The percentage of anything happening to you three is less than zero. Creator won't accept the fact that anything will happen to you three.]
"..."
"...What?"
"...Bronya wishes to know what this means?"
[My databanks have been updated with three unique protocols related to Kiana Kaslana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya Zaychik]
That moment the Silver Haired eyes widened as they understood one single thing… Marcus Goldman can manipulate time…this means he most likely knows EVERYTHING she could think of when they are in his workshop.
"Oh? There is stuff related to me already? What did Marcus add to me? I am super curious." Kiana asked curiously.
[There is a considerable amount of Data. Including information on the 'Herrscher of Void' which has a major file on its own that is linked with the Kiana Kaslana file.]
Mei and Kiana for a second were baffled, how on earth…
This is where Bronya realised that her bunch on time powers was right. Marcus most likely gathered a considerable amount of information on all three of them already.
However, now she wonders what he is going to do with this data. Back in their world having three Herrschers in one place… In such a weakened state is something one would not pass easily.
"Are there any projects created related to us? As his Assistant, Bronya should know, after all."
Mei's eyes slightly widened and she had an understanding look.
[None. Herrscher unique powers have not brought the Creator's interest. He added this information in case Honkai energy manifests in the Garage Dimension, but this is extremely unlikely. However, one should never be too careful.]
This time Bronya's mouth slowly opened. Did she hear this right!? She was not the only one! Both Mei and Kiana had disbelief all over their faces!
"Bronya doesn't understand…why doesn't he want Honkai or Herrscher powers?" She asked with a frown.
The silver-haired girl didn't easily accept this. There should be a reason!
He wants to salvage and gather technology, no? Technology based on Honkai is extremely flexible!
[Honkai and Herrscher power research has been branded as non-important at this moment. The creator is focusing on different things. Currently, he is investing in Sakuradite metal and GN particles,]
"""???"""
"What are those?" Kiana asked with a confused look. Mei shrugged, she doesn't know either.
[Sakuradite metal is extremely conductive. Any robotics built with these will be extremely reactive to the human interface.
While the GN particle is a particle generated from a perpetual motion engine based on solar energy. It emits specific radiation which evolves the human brain making one evolve to the next stage of humanity in the most natural way.
Though this is a side effect as the main effect of GN Particles, It is a power source from which technology can be developed. Like Beam technology, Anti-gravity. All these are something my Creator wishes to acquire.
According to the schedule, only then he will consider investing his time fo Honkai and Herrscher's study.
My consensus is that once you three are 'higher humans' you will be able to access Honkai energy at a much more stable level than ever before.]
"...Wait…Marcus…is planning to make us stronger?" Mei asked as she was wondering… if she had misheard it.
[Correct, this is what the data I have is telling me.]
This time Kiana giggled for a second as her guess was right!
Mei looked at the white-haired girl for a second. She wanted to make sense of what was going on. She then remembered what Bronya said…
He knows more…much more than he is saying. That's the only reason he is going through all of this for them. Which made her relieved but at the same time it made her think about how they will pay him back.
'Hard work?'
"...Legion was it? Can I see the schedule?"
[Certainly. You can see it at the closest terminal.]
Mei nodded as she walked over and checked at the terminal.
Once she saw the timetable she looked at the clock. A small smile appeared on her face as she saw that she has at least three hours before she has to serve dinner.
"My thanks. What about Bronya and her timetable?"
[Bronya's work table is much more flexible as dinner serves to anchor my creator to the regular time of the outside time.]
"Anchor?"
[Creator abuses time to make his work more efficient, I request that one of you pull him out of work when you think it's too much. It's most likely the case. He spends months in a single afternoon.]
"...Months in a single afternoon, how does it even work?" Kiana tried to understand that. But she ended up holding her head. It was too much.
Mei simply patted her shoulder as she walked back to her original sitting place.
[I don't suggest understanding how time manipulation works. When it's time for his dinner one of you should bring him out of the main garage.]
"Got it! I will do it!" Kiana swiftly snapped out as she said with a small smile.
~~~
Mei was impressed with the kitchen. The fridges…yes! Fridges! They are packed with things depending on which continent the fridge is dedicated to! There are five fridges in total… The Asian one is extra large as it has dedicated sections for Chinese, Indian, and Japanese.
This made her giddy to show off her cooking. If it works he might allow her to help Kiana with cleaning!
That's why she was trying to make her best dish with this abundance of materials.
It only made her happier seeing that both Kiana and Bronya are here watching TV just a few metres away in the living room.
"It's so strange…none of these channels I know. But there are so many of them. Did that many exist in our world?" The white-haired girl asked if Bronya was just sitting next to her without saying anything, it looked like she was spacing out.
"Subject Bronya should not think too much, we are in a completely different reality, and things are very different in this place."
"Hmm…I don't think so. We have the same continents, many similar nations exist here. There are many similarities… I wonder if this is what Earth looks like when Honkai doesn't exist." Kiana said that as she was watching things on TV. She only needed to see the map of the world once to see many similarities. Not that she went to the details. It's not her thing but she did see many different and similar countries.
"Hmm…Bronya needs to do her research then."
"Take your time. We have that one here. It's strange to say that." The White haired girl said that with a small chuckle. She forgot how many times she would need to rush to save someone. The same could be said about others rushing to save her as well.
So, telling one to take time is quite alien.
"Okay! I am almost done. Who will go to find Marcus?" Mei's voice got the attention of the pair.
Without thinking, Kiana got on her feet.
"I will do it. I want to ask him a few questions~" The girl said with a mischievous smile. She swiftly went to find him.
Seeing all that made Mei a little bit nervous, she hopes Kiana's over-the-top character doesn't get to him.
~~~
Marcus is very satisfied with his last use of the book. After getting the trio into his verse he made the book bound to him and turned invisible.
He decided that this book is his final-final weapon in case his time powers can't deal with the issue. He knows that certain enemies he will face do have some impressive powers. Regardless, his book should be able to deal with it. His summoning the trio of Heroines from Honkai is proof that he can mess with Honkai's Will and the energy as a whole. His energy readers haven't picked up any sort of unnatural energies or radiation. This means he 'kidnapped' them cleanly without getting that thing in his universe.
Though he is feeling slightly perplexed that he did kidnap them. At the same, this was for the best. Their world is a death trap world.
He knows that he is putting in extra responsibility by pulling them here. To pay back he is planning to make them far more powerful than they were before.
His plan is quite simple, he wants to get Sakuradite from Code Geass. That metal mixed with GN particles should theoretically evolve the human brain and its body. Making it superior to regular humans. Such a thing would make Herrscher much stronger at the base level. As well as stronger at an emotional level. As when you become an Innovator…an evolved human one grasps things at a higher level. From a cosmic point of view. Like sixth sense.
Apart from that he is thinking of getting his hands on Genetic research from Gundam Seed. None of the data was there. Which has been annoying Marcus. He thought he could study this to improve the baseline of humans before trying to ascend as an Innovator.
'I guess I would need to invade Gundam Seed not just for their advanced tech developed over the war but for genetic study as well.'
As Marcus was thinking the doors opened and Kiana saw him sitting in front of the computer.
"Marcus~ there you are!"
The girl swiftly walked over to him.
"Kiana… What is it?" He asked her curiously as he paid his full attention to her.
This made her slightly conscious, she didn't expect him to drop his things and just look at her.
"Dinner is almost ready! By the way, what are you doing? If it's not a problem for you to tell." She asked but then the girl got once again self-conscious. She is curious about their destination, as he is going to visit a place soon, right?
"Oh, I see… Time sure flies when you have fun."
"...Ummm…how much was it for you?"
"Just a few days. I was going through the things I acquired with the mobile suit. You could say it's my starting technology."
"...days…wow…"
"Yes. Anyway, let's go. I do want to taste Mei's cooking."
This time Kiana started to smirk at him.
"Yes! Her food is the best in the world! I am not exaggerating. By the way… I wanted to ask how much you know about our world. Did following back what Bronya did give you a full glance at how it is?"
"...How do you say this? Apart from Bronya's perspective, I gained an overall perspective as an observer. So I do know things one normally should not know."
This time she got confused, she looked like a confused cat.
"Hmm… The closest thing which I could tell you to make sense is that this is like a 3rd person's view or like how the narrator tells you things in a book or a game."
"Oh… I see… does that come with the power of time? Yours is more impressive than the void powers I had." She nodded to herself. It sounds quite cool. Is she kind of jealous? It would be useful to know things before they happen.
"Hmm, from my understanding your Herrscher of Void can create spatial rifts in small areas. It can do that through Honkai as a medium, my power is direct time control. So I guess it is more impressive."
She nodded at him, only understanding half of what he told her. Nonetheless, it was time to ask him about what Legion said to them.
"Hmm…so…umm…your A.I. Said that you are going to make us strong… Why?"
Her question got him confused.
"Because you three would not stop bothering me either way. If I don't do anything. Bronya and you would get naughty on me. And besides the tech, I would bring back would help us either way. So, there is no point in NOT helping you get stronger."
"Tehehe…I guess you are right. It makes sense when you put it that way…"
After getting some clarification Kiana was feeling much better. Though her interest didn't wane. Now she wants to know what he knows from the '3rd perspective' as he said. What kind of secrets did he learn that normal people should not learn? Did he learn something about Honkai that they don't know?
Though, she can ask him later. As it was time to get Mei's food. Especially the one where Mei is giving 200% to impress!
"S-Since I didn't know what you like I did a few things," Mei said as she looked slightly nervous. It was like exam time all over again.
"Damn… That's a lot of stuff… But I guess Kiana can finish excess food." Marcus said that sagely. As he saw the table full of stuff. He forgot that the girl is Japanese and she is quite humble which translates to diligence in such situations.
Quite an impressive trait.
"H-Hey! It's not my fault her food is that good!" The white-haired girl exclaimed as she was about to eat without waiting for anything…
"Kiana… can you just wait?" Mei said while slowly putting her hand on her forehead. It appears she didn't change that much over those incidents. Or just how the surroundings changed which affected her to become this carefree once again.
"Fine!" The white-haired girl huffed as she crossed her arms waiting.
"Don't mind me. I know this food is good Mei." Marcus said that as he got in his seat and started to eat. Seeing this Kiana didn't wait either.
'I guess…I overreacted…there was no need to do this much…'
Internally she sighed in relief. This might be as not as difficult as she thought.