Because of You (2)

Twelve seals condensed beside the Corrupting Herrscher, while twelve spears firmly pierced into the surrounding eyes.

Inside, the Corrupting Herrscher was completely immobilized.

In midair, a young girl raised her slender right hand, her face filled with a gentle smile.

With a light gesture.

Countless fragments of light swirled in from space, and a pink beam of light condensed into a sphere in her hands. Delicate feathers floated around the luminous sphere. In that moment, a cross-shaped radiance began to shine on her body.

Behind her, a massive fresco, thousands of meters tall, appeared. The mural was outlined in a deep pink, with stars and the moon forming the backdrop behind her. It radiated a divine and affectionate glow, casting its brilliance upon the land below.

This was the Six-Six-Six type of armed divine revelation.

May the stars illuminate the path ahead.

After reuniting with all the heroes, she had completed her long-awaited task.

Now, she wished to offer herself a fitting conclusion.

Only the grandest and most magnificent ending would be worthy of her glorious life, only such a finale would bring perfect satisfaction.

"Walk along the footprints,"

She softly chanted, her voice drawing shimmering stardust into the air.

From within the mural, a figure emerged. The surface of the image shattered into glowing fragments.

It was a form resembling Elysia, though composed purely of pink energy.

With those elegantly sketched curves, she stood behind Elysia.

"To witness the Flame-Chasers crusade,"

Elysia whispered, her gaze carrying dreams of the future. She thought of humanity—of that Herrscher girl who was human just like her...

She lifted her bow, and the illusion behind her mirrored her movement.

"In the end, you will go beyond the graves."

[Ah, how I long to embrace]

All light and energy converged onto the arrowhead.

The glowing figure behind her synchronized with her every motion, radiating brilliance.

That arrow, shining like a golden spear, became even more dazzling.

She drew back her bow, the corners of her lips lifting as she recalled the smiling faces of her comrades—those who had fought alongside her, all watching intently...

She couldn't help but smile.

"And create a future —"

Images of each Flame-Chasers flashed quickly before her eyes.

"We could not reach!"

[The future breaking out of shades from the past]

[Still ablaze]

The pink arrow transformed into a golden one, and a brilliant golden arrow shot forth from her hand.

Even the illusionary form of Elysia merged into the arrow, which flew unerringly toward the Corrupting Herrscher's eye.

Boom—

The Corrupting Herrscher was engulfed in golden light, its enormous eye instantly dissolving and fading.

All the surrounding seals erupted in a brilliant burst of colors, and boundless energy scattered outward.

A silent explosion expanded, consuming the entirety of the Elysian Realm...

Even space itself seemed to dissolve into vast whiteness, everything was melting away in that moment.

Suddenly, the music stopped.

The short film playing reached an abrupt halt—the soaring crescendo disappeared entirely… signaling both an end and a beginning.

Then, within the void, an enormous image appeared.

It was formed from layers upon layers of memories—the memories of heroes.

They pieced together into something dazzling, something breathtaking.

Yet, like a final afterglow, it was merely the last echo left behind by the realm.

Then, several burns began to appear in the image.

They spread rapidly, and soon, everything faded into nothingness.

All returned to emptiness—including Elysian Realm itself.

Then, the massive form of Elysia, made entirely of pink energy, reappeared.

With both hands, she gently embraced a white sphere of light—

It was the remnants of the Elysian Realm after its destruction.

Though nothing remained within it, though all those memories and data had vanished like mist—she still held it close to her heart, cherishing it.

And then, she, too, dissolved into a flurry of pink petals.

Scattering into the void.

At last, the Elysian Realm completely faded, its mission fulfilled.

Along with it, the consciousness of the Flame-Chasers who had rested there disappeared as well.

He called it the final grave of the Fire Moths.

She called it the concert hall within her heart.

But they all said—

This was a story that existed because of you.

A story that existed because of Elysia.

From the birth of Paradise to its end.

Look, wasn't she always both the beginning and the end?

-------

[Standing upon the scorched earth, I make this vow to her—to all of them. No matter the cost, humanity... will defeat Honkai!]

[They once lived with such pride, unwavering from start to finish.]

[Tragedy is not the end, but the prelude to hope.]

[Farewell, all Flame-Chasers of the Fire Moth... Farewell, the stories you left behind.]

[...Glory to the Thirteen.]

[To the Thirteen Flame-Chasers. I pay my respects.]

----------

In the Golden Courtyard

"Victory... I was really worried just now. What if we had truly failed…? Wouldn't that mean the Herrscher of Corruption would have escaped? Wouldn't that mean all those sacrifices would have been in vain? Thank goodness..."

"So, is this the grand and magnificent ending that you wished for in the future?"

Kiana looked at Elysia, who was standing to the side, her voice trembling as she asked.

She pressed her lips together, her eyes carrying a hint of reverence.

The lives of the thirteen Flame-Chasers had passed one by one, and their experiences lingered in her heart. Their teachings, the knowledge gained through their actions, and the will they imparted…

None of it explicitly stated why they were called heroes.

Yet each of them had their own distinct and vivid presence, leaving a deep impression in her memory.

"That's right… How should I put it? I never thought I would do such a good job myself."

"Fighting alongside everyone, fulfilling a wish deep in my heart. Although I was indeed the one who established this organization, appearing together with everyone on the battlefield… thinking about it, that's really quite rare~"

Elysia's eyes sparkled with joy as she watched the final cinematic.

She really liked its title. The song, the voice acting… she loved all of it!

"There's no need to think about it. It simply never happened."

Mobius' cold voice cut through, ruthlessly shutting Elysia down.

"Haha— Ah, well, Mobius isn't wrong either."

Elysia smiled and nodded, showing no sign of being upset.

"So… being able to call them together for one last battle at the moment of final peace, even I wouldn't have dared to imagine such a thing."

"A truly romantic thing to happen."

She repeated the words, smiling as she watched herself fade away on the screen.

"So this is... the story of my Elysian Realm... No, our story?"

The older Griseo was slightly dazed as she looked at the thirteen figures standing side by side, and finally, at Elysia shooting the last arrow that vanquished the Herrscher of Corruption.

Her heart was filled with complex emotions—pride and honor, but also sorrow and loss.

After all, she was also one of the Flame-Chasers.

As intense emotions surged through her, her form flickered for a brief moment like a snowflake, before stabilizing once more.

"…Huh?"

She noticed the strange occurrence and frowned slightly, lowering her head to look at herself.

"…It's nothing. I was just trying to read ahead… attempting to glimpse the future."

A faint voice echoed from above—it was Su, speaking in a weary tone from a higher dimension.

No one else noticed this moment. It had been too brief, too insignificant. Most of them were still immersed in the story that had just unfolded.

(T/C: must be the time in the OG)

"…Truly, only Elysia could have done such a thing, believing in her companions from beginning to end and bringing together all thirteen wills to fight as one."

"For you, fighting alongside friends is what brings you the most joy, isn't it?"

Mei nodded slightly, smiling as she spoke.

"As expected of Mei. Even without experiencing it yourself, you understand me well. That's right, a story written by only one person wouldn't be very interesting."

"As I thought, having everyone together feels much more fitting for what I hoped for~"

"A story that exists because of you… I prefer it to be a story that exists because of all of us. Elysian Realm isn't just my dream; it's everyone's dream."

Elysia tilted her head slightly. In the story, she had been the hero, successfully defeating the final boss!

It was enough to make anyone's blood boil with excitement.

As expected, a beautiful girl can do anything!

"Let's ask a question: Right now, when you think of a pink-haired girl, who comes to mind?"

Luo Mo curiously raised a survey question, looking around as he spoke.

"…"

Kiana gave him a look.

"Indeed, how cunning. There's only one possible answer."

She murmured to herself but also smiled helplessly.

After watching her story, Kiana was on the verge of becoming a fan herself. Her charm was simply overwhelming.

(T/C: come to the light, dear sister~)

-----------

After that, in the vast darkness, it did not feel like the end.

The solemn music continued, and the last moments of Elysian Realm still lingered.

A sorrowful yet tender melody spread out, drawing out the warmth in everyone's hearts. If the previous scene was a magnificent and grand conclusion, then this was a gentle and serene farewell.

The screen lit up once more with color, showing the thirteen Flame-Chasers in their daily lives in a world without Honkai.

This was what they had pursued all their lives, and it was the blessing they deserved.

This was the life they should have had from the very beginning.

If Honkai had never existed… this would have been their reality.

Under the evening sun, a girl without cat ears or a tail crouched down, smiling at a few cats of different colors gathered at her feet.

Hua was practicing martial arts in a Chinese dojo, her movements precise and natural as sweat dripped down her face.

Griseo sat beside her parents, who had never perished because of Honkai—happily painting on a board, her eyes shining with joy.

Mobius was analyzing an experiment, while in front of her, a woman awoke from slumber, it was her mother, gazing at her with the same gentle expression as Mobius herself.

(T/C: mom or Klein?)

Kosma leaned against a large tree, surrounded by a sea of flowers, playing his harmonica. Nearby, Dystopia rested with her eyes closed, listening quietly.

Two pink hair sisters, running together in the theme park while holding hands. Rin, pointing at a ferris wheel smiling at her big sister to go there.

Su, wearing his doctor coat, waved goodbye at a child who was his patient, with a smile.

Inside an orphanage, Kalpas, who is wearing his mask, was helping while carrying heavy boxes, only to get mad at the children who were running around him, as he struggled to balance the boxes to not fall. And in the back, the nanny was shouting at the kids.

In a magic show, Vill-V was holding a card between her fingers with a smile, and next to her, two mirrors were reflecting her image, but each of them was shows a different persona of Vill-Vs.

Eden, with a golden goblet in hand, sang her final melody under the desert's starry sky.

Aponia, wrapped in thorny vines, knelt on a stone slab. A ray of light pierced through the dark clouds, illuminating her figure as golden butterflies fluttered around her.

Kevin gripped a baseball bat, standing amidst the ruins of a towering city, facing down a massive Honkai beast. Only his unwavering silhouette remained.

And finally, the last scene.

A vast sea of pink flowers. A hand gently touched the soft petals of a blossom.

She wore a flowing white dress—her Herrscher of Origin attire. She flicked her hair behind her ear and turned around, smiling softly.

As if she had said everything—yet also nothing at all.

(Image)

[For the Thirteen Flame-Chasers]

[Elysian Realm Warps Up]

The white screen displayed these words, making it truly feel like—

The Elysian Realm story had come to an end.

「 Our story is over. Next… it's time for your story. 」

「 A tragedy is not the end, but the beginning of hope. 」

All the blessings are now fully revealed.

In the end, were those Flame-Chasers in the artwork merely a fabrication of Elysia's dream, or were they the hopes of the world itself?

But the story, at this moment, is slowly coming to its final chapter.

This is the story of thirteen Flame-Chasers, and also the story of thirteen ordinary people with great aspirations.

And now, they are truly enjoying a normal life, where the dreamlike scenes are unfolding in reality.

-----------

In the Golden Courtyard

"I didn't expect… that there was still another hidden part. Even I didn't know about it."

Elysia spoke with a complex expression.

The battle just now hadn't stirred her emotions. Even though it didn't quite seem like it, she was still a Flame-Chaser. Getting a few minor injuries was nothing unusual.

But the final soothing music, combined with scenes of the Flame-Chasers in their everyday lives, immediately made her feel an inexplicable heaviness. The excitement from battle faded, and the peacefulness instead stirred her heart.

Was this a depiction of their lives after Honkai, where they had finally entered a normal existence?

Elysia was slightly lost in thought. Every scene struck at the deepest desires of each Flame-Chasers.

"How nostalgic… If such a day really came, in my dreams, I always imagined keeping a few cats and basking in the sun together."

Pardo also sighed.

There was a hint of melancholy on her young face.

Precisely because it was such a stark contrast to the previous civilization, this peacefulness seemed even more enviable.

"Well, you can make it happen now, little Pardo…"

Mobius narrowed her eyes, tapping her fingers on the table with restless impatience.

Those familiar with her would know—this was a sign that Mobius was deep in thought or slightly irritated… Except when she had bubble wrap; then, she much preferred that.

"I didn't expect that the final scene would be about Mobius and… your mother. Uh, it is your mother, right? But inside, Mobius is still so small, with no intention of growing up. Is that normal?"

Elysia asked curiously.

"Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say."

"Rather than focusing on me, shouldn't you look at Kalpas? Look, wasn't it him who said he didn't like children?"

Mobius deliberately changed the subject, her eyes carrying a deeper frustration.

Indeed… If there had been no Honkai, she should have survived.

It wasn't something that defined her entire life—Klein's loss was far more painful—but seeing this scene appear now… It made her heart tighten a little.

"…I don't recall ever saying that."

Kalpas fell silent for a moment before furrowing his brows.

Yes, he had said a lot of harsh things, and maybe in some moments of frustration at the sanatorium, he had uttered such words. But there was no way Mobius could have heard them.

She was spreading rumors about him!

Kalpas was sure of it.

Most of the strange rumors about him likely originated from that very person. Even after countless cycles, he had kept track of this.

"…Really?" Mobius asked in surprise.

That shouldn't be the case.

Aponia, as always, remained silent.

"..."

Kalpas was, deep down, a gentle child.

She had always known that.

No matter what he said, what mattered was what he actually did. And Kalpas had done a lot for the younger ones. No matter how harsh his words, he was always watching over them silently, protecting them.

"Rin."

Sakura felt her hands clench slightly as she looked down at Rin's delicate face. She seemed even smaller than in the video, as if her age had been frozen at a younger point.

But that wasn't the issue.

She was grateful for everyone's help, and she was also grateful for this blessing. She would cherish this life.

She didn't like illusions, but she didn't reject a beautiful reality.

Those tangible moments were what she longed for…

"So, next time, how about we go to an amusement park? Conveniently, there's one right here on the island."

She smiled and picked up on an old promise she had once made.

What a careless older sister she was, forgetting it until now… She silently complained to herself.

"…Okay!" Rin's face lit up with a bright smile.

It wasn't about where they went, it was about spending time with her sister.

What she had truly wanted back then was for her sister to be with her after her missions. So now, just having these ordinary moments was already more than enough. She wouldn't ask for anything more.

But surely, her sister wouldn't mind her small, unspoken wish, right?

"You Old Timer, you're the most unpredictable of all! Look at everyone else—they're in warm and meaningful scenes, and you—"

"…Are practicing martial arts?"

Herrscher of Sentience couldn't help but raise her voice, utterly incredulous.

(T:🤣)

She couldn't understand why, in such a beautiful moment, someone would choose to do that.

"…Martial arts training is beneficial for physical and mental health. It extends lifespan."

Fu Hua calmly explained.

Honestly, she couldn't imagine what a 'normal life' for herself would be like.

Thinking about it… it was highly likely she would just inherit the martial arts dojo, even if there weren't many students left.

But she didn't think…

That this would fit the so-called definition of "unpredictable."

"Huh—"

Herrscher of Sentience covered her face with one hand, looking utterly speechless.

"Kevin, what about you? What do you think?"

"I think… it's great! Look, behind him, Kevin is—fighting Honkai beasts?"

Kevin stated matter-of-factly.

"…Huh?"

Herrscher of Sentience blinked in surprise before looking over, realizing it was true.

Of course.

He was Kevin, the man who destroyed Honkai itself!

The thought came to her instinctively.

-----

In the World Serpent

"The Lord, still the Lord. Even in ordinary daily life, still constantly thinking about fighting Honkai beasts."

Grey Serpent sighed, taking the opportunity to educate Jackal and Hare, but the two didn't seem to care, each minding their own business.

This Grey Serpent was clearly an extreme fan of Kevin, leaving them speechless.

"Elysian Realm... If the Elysian Realm still existed, at least we'd have one less troublesome enemy to deal with, but it was still completely wiped out by That Person..."

Grey Serpent grumbled, bringing up another topic.

"A reminder, that was because Mei brought it in. I don't think that even with a place like Stigmata Space, anyone could have forced St. Freya apart and scattered them."

"Not to mention, it was Kallen—who is always gentle."

Hare spoke leisurely, looking at the other party indifferently.

"So, your statement doesn't hold."

"..."

"The thirteen Flame-Chasers... What a wonderful story. It's worth using as promotional material for our World Serpent. Look, it embodies the will that has been passed down through history!"

Grey Serpent spoke with conviction.

"If you're making a joke, then it's quite successful. Unfortunately, it's a Schicksal game."

Jackal said helplessly.

"Haha—That doesn't matter. Also, just now, wasn't that funny?"

Grey Serpent was silent for a moment before asking back.