Chapter 99: One's Vicissitude
Ein was apologizing to MEI because not only did he barge in on their cuddling with Su in tow. She was also sore down there due to his little gift for Kevin. "Heh. Such weakness is surprising MEI, you won't believe the prowess of Ein at a date night."
Vill-v teased her and gave her an enhancement pill as well. Knowing the troubles MEI is undergoing too well. "Vill-v, 1st of all. I don't need you to tell me how your so called nights go. I could hear it for hours on end ever since we were at MOTH. And 2nd, this might come in handy, thanks." She deadpanned at Vill and glared at Ein.
"Well, sorry about that. Why didn't you guys even tell us about it immediately in the 1st place? You dirty little girl, you were getting it on with Kevin while listening to us weren't you?" He narrowed his eyes at MEI and Kevin with a smug smile on his face.
They went silent and MEI blushed profusely, she couldn't give a good reason and got mental block. Vill gasped and Einstein who was working behind them dropped her mug of coffee. "Am I... Supposed to hear this?" She gave an awkward look at them.
"No... No you shouldn't. Anyways, forget about that Dr. Einstein." She then quickly ran away after MEI sighed. "You should've thought of a come back. You always had one when meeting with higher ups back then." Kevin chided her and they started quarelling.
Ein then left with Vill to let them enjoy their time together. It was unimaginable to see them have a small spat back then because MEI was insanely busy. While Kevin started to become a literal ice block that followed orders like a drone.
__
Hua was meditating on the base of Ein's sakura tree because she felt at peace there. "I feel something vague here. That this place was the happiest I've ever been, but I can't remember." She smiled wryly and thought being immortal certainly has its downsides.
Ein sat at Hua's side, appearing randomly. As the more he absorbs Null energy from the sea, his presence became more faint like absolutely nothing was there. "How are you doing my little bird. Frustrated that you can't remember us?"
He gave a tender smile and she nodded. "I'm sure you people are important to me Ein-san. I feel happy when I am here, I feel like I found something that was truly treasured by myself... But I cannot remember." She looked at the falling petals and had a hazy flashback of a party. Something she hasn't done for thousands of years.
"Hmm, you know. You guys had a group called the flame chasers, like moths pursuing the light that would inevitably burn them. Do you know what your code name was Hua?" She tried remembering, but all she got was nothing and she shook her head.
"It's Vicissitude. Rank 12 of the flame chasers, Hua. The youngest one there too." She pondered at his words. "An unfortunate circumstance? But why?" She was curious and Ein sighed heavily. Remembering the days of the previous era that was like just a few months ago for him.
"You lost everything at the age 14... Your father, your home, the place where you were raised and born... And then she came, your mentor. HIMEKO, lovely lady that gal was. Feisty, smart, and fiercely loyal." She listened intently and had a slight pang on her chest, as her heart started to beat faster. The body and sub-conscious remembering the name.
"We then trained you to become a soldier. Destroying the honkai was your new purpose, win an uphill battle against the honkai... But in a sequence of unfortunate events, your mentor died." He patted the base of the tree and Hua didn't even notice she shed a tear.
He ruffled her hair and gave a small smile. "You know Hua, I don't think you should even remember those memories. Some we definitely need to restore, but the battles. Seeing your comrades getting torn apart and gunned down by lasers." He shook his head slowly and she went wide eyed.
"Did I... Really fight battles like those? Where I saw my own team get killed?" He remembered the fight with Mahesvara and Hua's team got obliterated by it. Running away as they were mowed down with lasers of honkai energy. Just a teen, Hua witnessed her comrades die like blades of grass being cut down.
"Umu... But enough of that, let's get some of your memories back. To get a background on us okay?" She faced him and was preparing to receive them. Ein tapped her forehead and rummaged through her memories. Even the deepest parts.
He then noticed that a lot of them were totally missing. Deleted by Fenghuang down, she might have taken those unpleasant memories from her time at MOTH. Or it was simply gone due to dying and becoming unstable. Though he could salvage enough to let her know them again.
"How is it? You okay?" He asked nervously as she froze and stared at empty space. Hua didn't reply until a minute later, rummaging through her memories. And some unpleasant ones resurfaced. "The book of Fuxi... It was Nuwa and Fuxi's final gift for me..."
She started to remember one of her most bitter sweet memories. The very last gift she received from Fuxi and Nuwa, the book of Fuxi.
__
At least 1000 years ago. Tang dynasty in Shenzou. A land of peace and prosperity with many friends and allies. It was more advanced than normal and that is thanks to the trio who initiated project Ember. Hua, Fuxi, and Nuwa.
But its advanced civilization attracted an ancient enemy that seek to corrupt its good work. Humanity was once again at war with the honkai horde. Threatening the survival of humanity itself.
But there was a protector in Shenzou. The immortal celestial, the Empyrean, the phoenix who lived high in the mountains of Taixuan. Tirelessly, she was steadfast for centuries, protecting the land of Shenzou. (pic here)
"Little book. Time to wake up little book." Hua waked up the little Elf that was made to look like Fuxi with her blue eyes. (pic here)
"Hngh, pheonix. Oh dear, did you beat all the honkai beasts?" She rubbed her eyes and woke up from her slumber. "We did." Hua replied succintcly, becoming rather stoic from the thousands of years of being the protector of Shenzou.
"Just like always, fast and efficient. You're too OP and I'd just get in the way, I'd rather take a nap." The little droid was also coded by Nuwa, so she was a gamer at heart.
"You've slept long enough, it's time for us to go." Hua started walking to leave. "Wait!? Where? Going where!?"
"Back to the temple. We've defeated all the honkai here, so our job is done." The ELF then protested. "I object! We only arrived here at the great wall this morning! I demand we stay here and rest master Phoenix, running around is so very tiring you know!?"
They then had company and the people cheered upon seeing both of them. "Wah! It's the immortal celestial herself! We cordially invite you to a feast that will be held in your honor." A soldier cupped his hands for respect and gratitude.
"Thank you, but no." She ignored them and walked past the people. "What!? Please lord Empyrea! Don't leave us like this! Join us for tonight's spring festival and leave on the morrow!" They pleaded, but she just walked away.
"Master Fuxi, did we make her angry? Why is the lord Empyrea becoming ever so distant?" One asked and Fuxi frowned. "That numbskull just did things for free again. Hah, okay people. Listen up, but brace yourself for a lengthy story."
"The immortal Phoenix and I roamed these lands for thousands of years." She remembered their journey of fighting for the people.
"We've defeated numerous honkai beasts and kept the peace in this realm. She was very different back then, in fact... She was warm and caring, meeting many people and making many friends..." She frowned at thinking of those Hua lost.
The ELF sighed and breathed in deeply. "Though old age and time left no marks on the immortal Phoenix, it didn't spare her friends."
The people started to understand and were downtrodden. "The Empyrean knew and understood the cycle of life and death. Yet the pain was too much to bear and she started distancing herself from people. Only when honkai beasts attacked in hordes would she join the fight on the great wall."
Everybody nodded and felt sorrow for their protector. "She saw the carnage that was left after the people fought. Fresh new faces that she just saw died, nothing was left in her heart except sorrow. That's why she doesn't want to join your festivities, you'll become her friends and she'll grieve your deaths."
The one who asked Hua to join spoke. "I thought we annoyed her in some way, thank you for informing us Master Fuxi. Well, then we won't force you to stay. Godspeed and safe journeys."
Fuxi got annoyed. "Hey! At least try and give me a farewell gift! You can't give up just like that!" She then looked at the horizon.
'Is this what you really want Phoenix?' "Humans are such complicated creatures. Hngh, I'm tired." She laid down on one of the flat surfaces of the great wall.
"Alright, Fuxi. Stop sleeping on the job and join Phoenix immediately, time to get moving." She was about to fly again, but children started lifting her up.
__
'Hmm, that's odd. Little book isn't back yet.' Hua then heard someone call for her. "Terrible news Lord Empyrea! Master Fuxi was taken by surprise by the monsters! She left her scrolls at the great wall and she went missing!" He handed Hua Fuxi's scrolls and Hua immediately started to find her.
She searched far and wide. It was now sunset and she huffed from moving too quickly. She arrived at a cave and saw the little droid sleeping on a flat surface.
Hua then sighed in relief, remembering how she came to be. Coming home one day to her home and saw Fuxi and Nuwa with a little ELF.
__
"Hey Phoenix! Welcome home, how about you tell me more of your epic saga so I could write it down!" Nuwa was creating a story of Hua's adventures and treated it like a light novel. She couldn't make anime after all, so she sought the next best thing.
"Un, you're hardly home. You should rest more and relax." Fuxi still had her signature sleepy look, and she was quite worried that Hua was shouldering too much.
"Oh dear! Look at her fabulous dress! I'm surprised it hasn't fallen off of her yet." Nuwa looked at her dress that was torn in multiple places. "It's fine. It would be good as new in a couple of stitches."
"Absolutely not! Get out of that dress and we will make it good as new. Geez, you should really tone it down with your fights."
Fuxi nodded and chided her. "Nuwa's right, you're the protector of Shenzou and our field agent. If you look like a beggar while fighting, it will also tarnish our pristine image."
The twins then started presenting something to help Hua. "In any case, I have here a little gift that would help your quality of life." They presented the book of Fuxi, a little ELF that was made in Fuxi's image.
"So. What is this little thing?" Hua didn't see the ELF that Einstein created in the continent of Mu. And she forgot Klein over the years as she deleted her memories.
"I helped you know!? That's why it's so cute." The ELF then started to wake up and blinked. "Little book, time to meet your new master. Starting from today, the little book will take care of your daily chores." The droid yawned.
"Nyaa, mus... Mustard?" Hua raised a brow and crossed her arms. "I didn't ask you guys to improve my quality of life. I'll just go back here and stitch my clothes right back up if there's tears on them."
Fuxi raised a finger and wiggled it around. "Tsk tsk, don't forget Phoenix. We aren't immortal, we won't be sticking here forever. And that's why we need you to master the art of living independently."
Nuwa nodded and pointed at her. "Yeah! Stop being so sloppy and live like a true diva and celestial Empyrean!"
__
"Little book! Are you alright!?" Hua quickly went near her and the droid opened her eyes. "Hngh, Master Phoenix? Is that you? Thank goodness you found me quickly."
Hua then sighed. "Are you hurt?" She was still worried and Fuxi smiled. "Nah, obviously not. I wasn't taken by honkai beasts. But I was by human kids though. I wanted you to stay for the spring festival so I made a plan, and that was to go missing."
Hua frowned and ignored her earlier sentence. "I'm glad you're alright, let's return home quickly." Fuxi then grasped her sleeves and looked at her. "Master Phoenix, my creators left me with a strange program."
She then sighed and told her story. "The 2 lady creators installed several modules to help you in your endeavors. A gps, honkai scanners, and advanced fire controls."
Hua nodded and thought of Fuxi holding back an emperor class beast with her barrage of fire.
Fuxi remembered the words of her 2 creators. "There's still sub routines that can fit in her program." Nuwa then excitedly gushed. "Ooh, I know. Let's add the compendium of lame jokes and some manga."
The ELF looked at the 2 with worry. "Um, lady creators. If my role is to support Master Phoenix, then I recommend firepower mods."
Nuwa then looked at her funny. "Oh no, your role isn't to be made for combat little book. You're a companion droid, your role is to stay by her side." Fuxi nodded and added. "Yeah, you're going to be her family little book."
The ELF was confused about that as she thought it strange, but agreed nonetheless. "Remember this little book, a lonely traveler might lose her way." Fuxi said with a smile.
"She'll be extremely sad when we leave. Guide her and don't let her become an emotionless, cold hearted, and emotionless honkai killing machine little book." Nuwa patted her head and smiled wryly.
"Dr. Ein would've wanted it to be that way as well." The twins said in unison and it stuck to the newly made ELF.
Little book then stood her ground. "Master Phoenix, please. Let's attend this spring festival." Hua looked at her and simply sighed. "Okay then little book." She gave a smile and Fuxi cheered.
__
Hua and Fuxi were roaming the streets of the city. Lanterns abundant, lighting up everything in a festive mood. Fireworks were lit and they illuminated the night sky.
Hua then remembered her friends that she lost along her journey. Fuxi, Nuwa, the yellow emperor and her adjutant. They smiled at her and she gave a genuine smile as well. "It's beautiful. Thank you..."
Fuxi then noticed her smiling and propped up. "Ohh? I haven't seen you smile like that in a long time Master Phoenix!" Hua smiled wryly, showing her back to the ELF.
"I was just remembering the past." She shed a single tear and Fuxi got excited. "I know you feel happy around people Master Phoenix! You should go out more and make more friends! Maybe you can start a school..."
Hua raised a brow. "Start a school?" Fuxi nodded and gave a bright smile. "Un! You can teach a few disciples and train them how to fight and defend this land." Hua looked at empty space and had a nostalgic feeling that she was trained as well by a great teacher.
"I'll think about it." She smiled and Fuxi started to get sleepy. "Think about it carefully Master Phoenix. Promise me you'll do it all for me." She plummeted to Hua's arms.
"And I thought you were the one who wanted to come to this village. So what should I do with a sleepy little book?" Hua's words were calm, but she gritted her teeth. Thinking that this day was inevitable.
"Sorry master. I'm running out of power... I'll be forced to shut down soon, and there's nothing we can do about this." Hua looked at Fuxi that was in her arms and was holding back tears.
"You probably knew it all along. That's why you let me slack and sleep while on the job to save my battery reserves." Her voice started to weaken. Being drowned out by the festivities, but Hua heard it loud and clear.
"You're my best friend, Master Phoenix. I really loved all the adventures we had all these years... Don't be sad, the day will come when human civilization will be advanced enough and I'll wake up again. We'll be together once more."
Hua couldn't resist and started thinking that even the very last person that she has would be gone. "Yes, and I'll wait for that day to come."
"Mast... Master Phoe... Phoe... Phoenix. Look, Fire... Fireworks." She pointed at the display of fireworks in the night sky. "Is... Isn't it pretty?"
Hua looked at it and smiled. "Yes little book. It is..." She then looked at the ELF and she closed her eyes. Not responding anymore.
__
Hua started to shed tears and she hugged Ein tightly. "Ein... Why did they all leave me? Was I a bad person? Did I deserve that? I only did what I thought was right. I protected Shenzou with all my might!" She started to develop a natural stigmata. It was faint, but Ein noticed it and started to calm her down.
Ein hugged her and stroked her long hair. "Shhh, it's fine Hua. We're here now, and don't think like that. You're an amazing lady, HIMEKO would be proud of you. And I'm proud of you."
She cried louder and Ein just continued stroking her hair. "It was tough huh? Don't worry. We're here now, and nobody will ever leave again. Shhh, it's fine my little bird. Cry all you want."
He cradled her until she started to get exhausted from all the stress, falling asleep while in his arms. "HIMEKO would be proud of you Hua. Isn't that right Hime?" He leaned on the trunk of the tree and he let Hua sleep on his chest while patting her head.
__
Thanks for reading guys, ciao.