NOVEL NEXT Chapter 142: You're Too Late
Chaos. Irritation. Whispers, indistinct yet omnipresent, like mosquitoes in the dead of night, buzzing incessantly, impossible to swat away, a torment she had to endure.
Even in sleep, Kiana's brow was furrowed.
Ever since absorbing that Honkai bomb in ARC City, she'd been battling these whispers in the darkness.
It was better than a week ago, but the torment was still unbearable.
She knew her weakened state made her vulnerable to the Will of Honkai. The slightest lapse in concentration could bring ruin to everyone around her.
So, she tried to calm her mind, to push the thoughts away.
But every time she closed her eyes, the image of ARC City ablaze would appear, the flames illuminating the sky, the figures of her friends shrouded in shadow. Ren, Himeko—the two who'd kindled her flame—were missing, their fates unknown.
I have to save him…
This thought sustained her, pushing her to recover, to accept Mei's help. Yet, the unease remained, a dark cloud over her heart.
Sleepiness overtook her, her consciousness fading.
"Here it comes again…" Even in sleep, she felt herself being pulled into a deeper dream.
…
The world was a faded photograph, worn and old. Gray sunlight reflected on the water. Pale gardenias swayed by the wall. A cat by the window was a smudge of dark ink.
Peaceful memories flowed like time itself. Ivy climbed the fence, gently plucked by a young girl.
"Meow~" A black cat, as if waiting for her, jumped from the window, landing on Kiana's shoulder.
Her shoes were muddy, her skirt stained. She seemed to have been walking for a long time.
A traveler on an unknown journey, searching this world for something.
But what was she looking for?
She didn't know. It was as if she'd forgotten everything. A voice in her heart urged her onward, telling her to keep searching.
So she walked, through thorny bushes, across muddy paths, past a quiet cottage.
The cat nuzzled her cheek, gazing ahead with her.
"Little cat, are you searching too?"
"Meow~" The cat seemed to answer, or perhaps urge her on.
Kiana had never seen this cat before, but a voice whispered its name: [Taxue].
So the girl and the cat continued their journey, searching for the same thing. And as they traveled, their blurry target slowly came into focus.
A young man, holding an extinguished torch, struggling through endless darkness.
Winter's wind was biting, autumn's chill melancholic, summer's sun harsh. Only the spring rain brought life, coaxing green shoots from the earth.
In a ruined city, she finally found him, standing amidst the rubble, his back to her.
"I found you!" Kiana waved, but he didn't turn.
A cold wind whispered in her ear.
"You're too late…"
The world blurred. Kiana ran towards him, reaching out.
A shadowy figure appeared beside him. She glanced back at Kiana, a strange smile on her face. But her white hair obscured her eyes, making it impossible to see her clearly.
The two figures walked away, leaving Kiana and the cat behind, unable to catch up.
…
Kiana woke up suddenly, covered in sweat, her heart racing. The Honkai's influence was acting up, and her old wounds started bleeding again.
Hearing the noise, Mei hurried from the kitchen to Kiana's side.
"Bad dream, Kiana?" Mei's face was etched with worry as she looked at Kiana's pale face. She'd been caring for Kiana during their time in hiding, witnessing firsthand how badly she was suffering.
And this was with her care. The pain Kiana had endured while wandering alone was unimaginable.
After a while, Kiana's breathing steadied. She closed her eyes, burying the dream deep within her mind.
When she opened them again, her expression was calm. She smiled weakly and shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a bad dream. I need to rest."
But the smile was strained.
Mei wanted to say something, but she held back, gently stroking Kiana's dry hair.
Kiana was out of immediate danger, but she needed better treatment, something Obsidian Concord couldn't provide.
She was determined to contact the girl in charge. She had to bring Kiana back to Anti-Entropy for treatment, even if it meant breaking Obsidian Concord's rules.
They both harbored their own thoughts, unspoken.
Kiana seemed to regain some of her old St. Freya cheerfulness, looking towards the kitchen, her voice tinged with a playful whine.
"Mei, I'm hungry!"
Mei sighed, playing along. "Alright, tidy up. Dinner's almost ready." She returned to the kitchen. Thankfully, the food wasn't burnt, though it probably didn't taste great anymore.
As Mei left, the pain returned, blood welling up in Kiana's mouth. She quickly grabbed a tissue.
Looking at the bloodstained tissue, her eyes unfocused. Hearing the stove click off, she opened a small portal, tossing the tissue into the Imaginary space where she'd been discarding them.
…
"Mei's cooking is the best!" Kiana heaped praise onto Mei, shoveling food into her mouth as if afraid it would disappear.
But the food had almost burned…
She couldn't taste anything, could she?
"Keep eating. I'll wash my hands." Mei excused herself, retreating to the bathroom, her eyes red-rimmed. She bit her lip, holding back tears.
She pulled out the phone Obsidian Concord had given her, typing out a request to bring Kiana back to Anti-Entropy. But before she could send it, a new message arrived.
Bring her to Anti-Entropy. We've diverted Schicksal's attention. It's safe now.