Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“One Ultimate Strike!” A strong but calm voice echoed out.

“All back to zero.”

SCHING

A slice rang out through the air as space seemingly distorted itself by lingering flames before being trapped in ice as the world returned to normal.

Half trapped in ice up to the waist was a black haired young man and piercing eyes with a disgruntled expression.

“You’ve been getting better at manipulating more honkai energy without hitting your body’s limit. That’ll be the end of today’s sessions then.”

A white haired man with no expression said as he crossed his arms.

“Hard to see improvement against a complete monster.” The younger boy sighed as he forced his way out of the ice. “Anyways. Thank you for your instructions.” The sword wielder bowed and thanked formally in accordance to eastern manner.

The white haired man didn’t move even as the boy left. He simply gazed at the forest clearing they were in. The flames were still trapped in ice, slightly moving as they continued to burn.

For several minutes he said nothing and waited in patience until the cheery voice of a woman called out. “Kevin! I see you still don’t hold back even against hatchlings! Don’t you feel sorry for making him try so hard and not win once? And are you really going to just stand there and make me have the first word?”

He responded without missing a beat. “It’s because he can take it that I go so hard on him. Now is there something you want?”

“It’d be nice if you said my name like the old days for one~!”

“...”

Kevin simply continued to gaze the the silent flames held within his ice.

Not too many years ago his descendent along with Raiden Mei and there other allies “defeated” the honkai in a sense. Truthfully he should be dead as he had planned, but things didn’t quite work out that way.

Against the honkai, no plan could ever be considered “enough”, but he was fairly confident that either he and the honkai would be truly defeated that year. As there was no reason not to, upon Raiden Mei’s finished exploration of the Elysian Realm, he released the Sims and Klein using flesh and blood and Soulium bodies with no tag line. Whether they wanted to continue fighting the honkai, or live their lives out, it was their choice and none of his business. While a few, including his sim self, chose to stick with him and World Serpent, the rest followed Raiden Mei and her friends.

When the time came for him to sacrifice himself, his sim came up with the idea of using both of them for a better chance of success. But he either underestimated his sim’s nature or the weakened power the former sim should have had, and so instead of dying alongside it, he had lived through the Honkai’s defeat.

He had already passed on World Serpent to Mobius, and to be frank, there was no purpose for him to exist in the current state of the world.

He chose to wander alone, before Raiden Mei or anyone could speak to him after the battle. He briefly considered freezing himself on some mountain until he either died or was released by some sort of honkai disaster, but that wouldn’t make up for the sins that were necessary for the Honkai’s defeat.

As a result, he contacted the former somewhat subordinate, Natasha Cioara. While she was surprised, she didn’t refuse his offer to assist her in taking care of those orphans. Since he had....”appropriated”, money that belonged to World Serpent, he had given her enough that she could ease up on being a mercenary, especially as he also took her place in that role.

It wasn’t much, but it was more than existing as an ice sculpture somewhere out in the world.

It was a dull, grim life even compared to his time in the MOTHs, but he couldn’t deny it was still better than having the Honkai around.

The life worked pretty well up until a small scale Honkai disaster in a remote island had lead to an unwanted reunion with her and Raiden Mei. Once the fodder beasts were taken care of, she stuck to him like moss until he was forced to accept the offer to work at St. Freya and Schicksal like many of the others.

“You know Kevin, I think Kosma is going to be jealous when he hears how well you get along with your latest student~<3”

Kevin simply closed his eyes as he listened to her talk. Eventually, she would bring up the reason why she was really here. Sooner or later often meant Later when this girl was involved, whether it be the one who’s life he took, or this one.

“Hey hey~. Get this, I hear Mei’s thinking of recruiting your little pupil for her squad. Apparently she met him as a child~. Did you know, did you~?”

He didn’t actually, but it mattered little to him. Adam was young, but at least in terms of skills, he was already reaching Kosma’s level in terms of decision making, gracefulness and technical skill. If he were to undergo MANTIS surgery, he could easily rise to the levels of the upper tier Flamechasers. While Adam’s name was shared with the child made with his Mei’s DNA along with his, his age and capabilities were more reminiscent with Kosma.

The closest thing to a problem with him was his humor, but Kevin was used to people with strong personalities anyways. The boy had a near one mind focus on training could also be counted as a flaw by some, so despite being popular at St. Freya by virtue of being male, he was often training with Kevin or by himself despite having no disinterest in socializing. As a result, Kevin ended up being the sole Flamechaser to actually talk to the boy, though Kevin thought he would have gotten along well with everyone in the PE. If they had a comrade like Adam, then most likely-

“Hm~. But isn’t it a shame such a handsome face is so stoic? Even though he gets along with that Carole girl, he doesn’t give other girls any time at all. Ah! I know! Why don’t you give him tips on how to be popular with girls~!”

No, it was disingenuous to continue that line of thought. Both for his comrades and to Adam. Even if it were true. There were no IFs to drag on. He had few regrets outside of Mei’s death anyways.

“Hmm. Are you going to just ignore me? That’s pretty rude even for you~.”

“If you’re going to speak to anyone, successors like Adam can gain more than myself.”

“Is that your way of trying to get rid of me? I’m hurt! But that you think your favored pupil has so much to gain from me, I’m really touched~!”

Her ability to chat and compliment herself no matter what was as strong as he remembered. He was sure that even if the real deal had survived him, lived into the Current Era, and saw him enact his plans, Elysia would not have changed her attitude toward him by much. That thought of the overly cheery woman lightened yet burdened his heart.

“You know, it’s rude to think of other girls when one is giving you her full attention. Hmph~! Fine then, but I won’t get jealous even if you want me to~!”

He looked over to the pink haired woman, smiling as if the words she was saying weren’t out of sync with her face.

“....You’ve left me alone since badgering me to join you and Raiden Mei....why don’t you just be upfront with what you’re seeking.”

She hopped closer to him and leaned forward. “Ne, Kevin, maybe it’s not the same for you, but I really see you as my dear old friend. Even if centuries past, there are some things that won’t change.”

“Don’t mistake me for the Kevin you know. Even you are not the Elysia I knew.”

“You really know how to break a girl’s heart. I’ve been waiting so long for you you know? I’ve even given you space since we reunited.”

“.....And I’m thankful for that. But what I feel doesn’t change.”

“Hmm. But for me, you still seem like quite a shy boy. I bet Kosma gets that from you you know.”

If one day, you sacrifice the minority for the majority, or the other way around...

You won’t be the Kevin I’ve always know.

And the light of the wishes he made long ago have already went out. Those names will never return no matter what seems to come in front of him.

“You’re blinding yourself with your own kindness and hopes. I know you haven’t forgotten the words exchanged from that time.”

“But even so, it doesn’t mean that our bond is destroyed.”

“There is no bond between us. Not in the way you desire.”

“If it’s like that, all we need to do is make a new bond. Kevin, even if your heart has turned to ice, it can still be warmed up no matter how tired you’ve become. But you have to let your friends and comrades in to do so.”

He sighed. “This has gone on long enough. Are you here to chatter on to me, or is there a purpose?”

She hopped closer and turned around so they were facing the same way, before leaning on his shoulder slightly. “I was planning on having a little Flamechaser reunion. While there are people from the Current Era’s organizations who know about us, not many of them are actually acquainted with us. I wanted us all to meet and catch up so we can teach them. Even if there are those like you or me who have met some of this era or Eden who has a new rising career here, it’s not the same as actually passing on our history to them and becoming friends and comrades.”

“....It’s unnecessary to pass on anything at this point. We who have failed to become heroes have already been surpassed. Even if there is something to pass on, it would be the duty of the rest of you. Hua and I....no...just I, would be exempt from it all.”

“Kevin...even little Hua has grown. Even with three of her around, if one of her has the duty to pass on our legacy, and another is capable of living in the present, that doesn’t mean she still can’t do both at the same time. It’s not as if you’re pretending otherwise to begin with.”

Kevin won’t deny Fu Hua’s life. Nor will he tell the one of the Previous Era that she cannot live.

But likewise, it doesn’t change that the Eden of long ago chose to perish along with the art of their world. This one who chooses to return the past and create anew is simply someone else entirely.

That they all share memories does not mean that everything is the same.

“Only you believe that talking can do anything. My presence is unnecessary when my actions will speak for itself to those of the current era.” Truthfully he still thought the leaders of this era were too soft to just let him enter their organization like this. Even if he had become disinterested in acting out in any interests.

“You haven’t lost what I found most unbearable about you. I’ve always loved your love for MEI, but dragging along everything on your shoulders, the pain and sins and history, it won’t allow you to live at this rate.”

“...Even if it’s been years since the Honkai’s defeat, the me who lived, loved, protected, had died long before that. I only exist to watch over humanity for any future threats.”

“Even so, I want to eat and walk forward with you. Su wishes the best for you. Eden hopes you can enjoy her voice once more. Aponia wants you to be relieved of your sins. Felis, Kosma and Griseo want to see you smile. Hua, Sakura, even the ones you’ve fought, care for you. You can watch over humanity even if we’re by your side.”

“Da~ka~ra, Ne~, Kevin, won’t you say my name anymore?”

“50,000 years have passed since I’ve said that name to it’s owner along with many others.”

“Regardless on if this body can still live long or not, that won’t change even if another 50,000 pass.”

“Hmm. I guess I should be happy you think so highly of me, or for you, her, but you know, your past won’t mind if you step forward.”

“The past cannot make decisions for me. MEI had Adam and helped me create the Kaslana line so I was to look forward to the future. I always knew that. It was my choice to do what I believed was necessary. You also know that I don’t have anything to do with you or the other Flamechasers. I see enough ghosts of the past without adding in your faces.”

She smiled at his honesty. Undeterred by the heart that was eroded by the weight of the world and it’s hopeless battle. After all, if she didn’t keep going, then her dear friend wouldn’t heal.

“How has your body been? Your power is about the same as ever, but it looks like you’ve still been weakened since that final battle. Or rather than weakened, shall I say you were healed of the MANTIS surgery for the most part? MEI would be happy for that!”

“.....I don’t have any intention on changing my way. It’s enough that our two wishes we all fought for were achieved. Anything else is already impossible.”

“Really~? But I’ve always wished for more. Honkai’s defeat. Humanity’s survival. But I never stopped wishing for my friend’s happiness even above that.”

“....It’s as I said. Anything else is impossible. Hua is the only one who continue that wish.”

She forcefully took his hand. It was cold from the use of his powers, but it wasn’t unbearable anymore and was sure to warm in time. Even if he denied her wish for him impossible, she had hope. “Kevin. Despite it all, you’re a warm person deep inside. It’s because you’re alive.”

“Death is just running away from taking responsibility. It has nothing to do with that.”

“Mhm-mhm. That’s not what I mean Kevin. I just mean that because you’re alive, you can be selfish. But you’ve gave up that long ago. But I don’t think you have to anymore. There will be those who stand by you even in MEI’s place. It’s what she would have wanted.”

He took back his hand and crossed his arms as he watched over the frigid ice and relenting flames.

“....Do not be mistaken Elysia. I made the choice to follow her wherever she went long ago. I even agreed with her own choices or methods. I knew her well enough to predict what she would have done in my place.”

“But just as I had followed her plans and will in life, it was and is, equally my own choice to ignore it at any time.”

Chapter Text

Su was “technically” independent of organizations.

There were plenty of people who needed healing from the Honkai or disasters in general. The reconstruction efforts couldn’t be everywhere, so a lot of people were living in the ruins of old cities in makeshift homes.

Healing and spreading medical knowledge was time consuming, but worth the efforts.

He still kept in contact with most of his old comrades.

The exception being...his old friend.

It was like rewinding to the time when he first disappeared. When he joined the MOTHs and they had lost contact.

When Kevin has first disappeared, he was admittedly worried. He wasn’t sure what his old friend would choose to do. The Honkai were defeated, but it wasn’t necessarily a permanent thing. Would he continue Project STIGMA?

Elysia, of course, didn’t seem all that worried. “He’s just going off on a little vacation~. It’s been so long since he had a nice one after all~.”

Even now, when his friend is joined with Elysia with St. Freya, Su has still not contacted him. What was it that stayed his hand, he wondered. Was it that he wasn’t exactly the Su who was his best friend? Or was it because of his own failure to come up with effective ways to combat the Honkai infections and follow through with Project Stigma on his own? Or maybe even because Su couldn’t see his best friend in the cold hearted warrior who had released him from the Elysian Realm?

Su didn’t know for sure, and that just made him feel all the more guilty.

When Elysia had sent him the message of the gathering of Flamechasers, Su had been hesitant to accept, but ultimately, he was convinced.

Su had failed in understanding and supporting Kevin.

He would not do so again.

——————

Sakura was quietly reading a book among cherry blossom Trees in a park.

The book she was reading? A light novel about a normal teenager sent to another world and becoming a hero in the process.

These light novels were quite useful in distracting her mind. She was in a new world, essentially, and her sister was gone.

It would be a lie to say she’s accepted it. But she also sees the effect that her sister’s death as caused to both Aponia and Kevin.

She wants to be spiteful. She wants to feel satisfaction.

But why is it, that all she feels is more sadness?

Ultimately, it was Elysia who helped her come to a decision.

At what point did Sakura fall in love with Kevin? She couldn’t say for sure if it was that moment he stopped her blade or when she saw him freeze his divine key. She wouldn’t say her love for him was like Mei’s or Elysia’s. It was more than respect, yet less than their love. Perhaps their feelings were the ones that were heavy, but perhaps her past as simply dulled her emotions to those outside of family too much.

Sakura was just tired. She was tired of killing and hurting and fighting.

She wanted to be with her family, yet the only family she had was a motley crew of personalities.

So maybe Elysia was right. Maybe they just had to lick each other’s wounds to start healing.

Maybe she just needed a new family to devote herself to.

——————

“Fufu~! He called me by my name again~.” One would assume that being shut down at every turn would be discouraging, but not for Elysia. She was a girl who could get along with anyone after all~.

Kevin was indeed a different man than the one she knew, but in many ways he was still the same. He was still that caring young man who’s heart bled for every death on his hands. He was their greatest warrior. Their leader. But ultimately, he was just a normal boy, and that was what lead him down this road. She had cursed him with her sacrifice. She had known what it would do to him, but she did so because out of everyone she knew, he was the best leader anyone could ask for.

She knew even without asking him. The reason the Kaslana house gained the ideal of destroying the Honkai and also protecting humanity as warriors. It was to prepare them mentally. To make sure they were settled on a path that Kevin couldn’t bring himself to follow because it wasn’t an effective defense.

She accepted his sins. How could she not? She was one of many who forced him into a role that was self destructive by nature. She may not approve, but that didn’t mean she had any right to refute it entirely. She knew that he loved Mei more than he cared for humanity. She knew he never intended on being the Hero Leader they were forcing him to be.

Or maybe that was just her love for him speaking? It was easy to forgive someone you were close to after all. And for 50,000 years she had spent time with the Kevin whose heart hadn’t been shattered. Unfortunately, for all her attempts in that large timeframe, she never quite succeeded in seducing Kevin’s sim. But that just made her love him more for his devotion to someone who wasn’t even there. He really was every girl’s dream.

Some would call her odd for pining over an uninterested man, but it was that disinterest that fascinated her so much. It wasn’t the reason she loved him, of course. But it was just another thing she loved about him.

Like his cravings for ramen. And how he used to peak at her chest and ass when she wasn’t looking. But naturally, a beautiful girl like herself always knows when the boy she loves is looking at her.

She didn’t quite think Kevin realized this, but despite having been a sim, she was more like the Elysia he knew than he thought. At the same time, he was right that she wasn’t.

The ending of Honkai had done strange things. Su and Aponia had the closest insight to it all, but long story short, the sims ‘souls’ and the real them ‘souls’, had merged. Something about the samsara cycle not having them around despite them dying in the previous and how that changed things.

It went over her head by her own choice. Because really, it hardly mattered to her. She was the Elysia who forced Kevin to kill her. She also held memories of spending 50,000 years with him(and company). She was the one who Kevin wondered should have lived in his place, even if it meant separating from Mei even sooner.

Kevin wasn’t the type to be pushed around into what he didn’t want(ie, being with her). If he had joined St. Freya with her, it was because a part of him wanted to let himself be healed by her. Or was willing to let her try and heal him anyways.

She couldn’t quite heal him with a threesome with his lover, but she could get close enough.

Kevin believed he simply lost the ability to feel happy. Or that he didn’t have the right to be happy. That was what she gathered from their last conversation.

The best way to prove him wrong was to feel connected to her. And others. She thought that Kevin’s Mei wouldn’t mind. The woman had always been more open to their relationship than Kevin liked to pretend. Between her weaker body, dated lifespan, and simply being unable to touch Kevin, she had always been of the thought that Kevin should be with the other MANTIS soldiers even if it were just sexually, as they were more than capable of touching him for longer periods of time. It was because she loved Kevin that she didn’t want him to cage himself.

And it was because Elysia loved her two friends that she would make sure that one could rest peacefully watching over him, and that the other could live peacefully.

The bigger problem was simple. Who did she have a threesome with?

It wasn’t as light of a problem as it seemed. If she seduced Kevin alone, it would be easy for him to brush it off as her being her.

But if he realized the love he still had, even if Mei’s presence wasn’t physical?

That would be harder. Kevin liked to pretend, but he didn’t choose to ignore.

So does she choose Eden? Her dear friend who was admired by Kevin and soothed him with her voice, winning him over the normal way. Or does she choose Aponia, who Kevin is wary of but understands is a huge softie, and can cheat by linking their minds mentally and have him understand their love faster?

Ah, decisions decisions. She would have to remind Kevin later on to thank her for putting so much thought into getting him laid.