NOVEL NEXT Chapter 149: We Will Meet Again
Every bubble universe was a world. Shattered worlds were quickly consumed by the Sea of Quanta's energies. But some were different.
While the current world knew little about the Sea of Quanta, Ren, with his knowledge from the Previous Era, knew of things beyond the main storyline. Shattered worlds weren't entirely empty. They left behind Ether Singularities, the cores of these worlds, also known as Star Cores.
Unlike Durandal's Ether Anchor, which was anchored to a specific point within a large, existing world, Star Cores were formed from the collapse of small bubble universes. Ren hadn't expected Older Kiana to bring one with her.
Possessing a Star Core was like owning property in the Sea of Quanta. He could access it directly, like Kevin, without needing the Eye of the Deep. A Star Core also acted like an anchor, providing a link to a vast reservoir of energy.
While Welt's world was small, its energy output was inferior to Durandal's, it offered an advantage: it could unleash its full power without affecting the inhabitants, potentially devastating.
Ren looked at the ocean, considering the possibilities. Perhaps he could control Tonatiuh, making it Older Kiana's personal weapon, a counterpart to Kevin's Mexicatl.
"Alright, from now on, you can be Kevin Kaslana."
"No way! That name sounds way too depressing."
While Ren was focused on Tonatiuh, danger approached the four girls. Tonatiuh, after being repelled, wasn't attacking him, but heading towards the shore.
The girls, battling Honkai beasts, didn't notice its approach. Only Seele sensed it.
"Look out!" Her warning came too late. Rozaliya, twirling her greatsword, stumbled into Tonatiuh's claw, and was sent flying.
The lobster-like claw flashed, piercing her abdomen.
Blood sprayed. Rozaliya's eyes widened. She didn't feel the pain, only the darkening sky above.
The curse… it's real…
Even now, that's what she was thinking about.
"Sister!" Liliya screamed, her usually soft voice filled with anguish.
Rozaliya tried to answer, but the wound tore open. Impaled on Tonatiuh's claw, she was lifted high, then slammed into the ground.
"Cough…" The impact shattered her body. Blood gurgled in her throat. She lay in a crater, broken.
Pain. Agony radiated through her. Blood stained the sand. Her vision dimmed, each breath a struggle.
What was that monster? Why was it so fast?
Am I… broken? Every bone hurts.
Liliya's here. I can't let her see me like this…
Random thoughts flickered through her mind. Normally, she'd be full of mischievous ideas, but now, they faded, replaced by a single, unwavering thought.
Liliya.
"Rozaliya!" The sudden attack drew everyone's attention. Tonatiuh, giving them no time to react, leaped into the air, then slammed down like a falling star.
BOOM!
The ground buckled, shockwaves radiating outwards. Liliya was thrown back. Only Seele, using her phase-shifting abilities, managed to reach Tonatiuh, slashing off one of its claws with her scythe.
But when she reached Rozaliya, she couldn't detect a heartbeat.
Tonatiuh, injured, contracted its body, charging its energy. The air trembled.
Bronya's shield wouldn't hold. Seele's phase shift had ended. Only Liliya could move.
"Sister…" Tears streamed down Liliya's face. She braced herself, facing the oncoming attack.
Bang!
She was sent flying, though she'd managed to partially deflect the blast. The impact was far beyond what she could withstand. She took the full force with her body.
Tonatiuh, now in its speed form, appeared beside Liliya, ready to strike again.
At the last moment, flying blades deflected the attack, saving Liliya.
The Hyperion's reinforcements arrived, mechs dropping from the sky, engaging the Honkai beasts. Theresa, wielding Judah, activated her Twilight Paladin battlesuit, her blades slicing towards Tonatiuh, but the beast was too fast.
Unlike Tlaloc, which had been anchored, Tonatiuh was highly mobile. Its speed overwhelmed them.
Unnoticed, the seashell in Rozaliya's pocket crumbled.
If Ren hadn't intervened, Rozaliya would be dead. He'd masked her life force. A Herrscher's help came at a price.
Unable to assist, Theresa and the others could only watch. Liliya, badly injured, crawled to Rozaliya's side.
Looking at her unnaturally still sister, tears flowed freely.
"Silly Rozaliya… don't scare me… wake up…"
But Rozaliya didn't respond. Liliya knelt beside her, her vision dimming.
The impact had shattered her internal organs. Exhaustion and the lingering effects of the Ganesha fusion overwhelmed her. Sleepiness threatened to consume her.
She bit her tail, forcing herself to stay awake. She cradled Rozaliya, humming an old lullaby from the orphanage.
A deep despair filled her eyes. Twins, linked in life and death. Liliya embraced the encroaching darkness.
…
A sigh echoed in the air. Ren landed beside her. He was getting too soft. This wouldn't do.
"I can save her."
"..."
"You both share Ganesha's power, your lives intertwined. Reactivating her Honkai energy can revive her. But it will cost you your life."
"Save… my sister… I'm… not afraid to die."
Ren quietly roused Rozaliya's consciousness, handing Liliya another seashell.
"Remember the pact of the seashell. I will transfer your life force to her. Liliya, are you certain?"
No! Liliya, don't! Rozaliya, her consciousness separated by the feather, witnessed the scene and desperately tried to intervene. But this was what Ren wanted. What better way to force growth than the sacrifice of a loved one?
"As long as my sister lives…"
"Then the pact is sealed."
Domination threads extended, connecting Rozaliya and Liliya, drawing out their Honkai beast powers. He wasn't merging Ganesha; the beast was useless to him. But Rozaliya had potential. She could become a new generation MANTIS.
He only partially drained Liliya, also removing her narcolepsy. But he made it appear as if her life force was fading.
Rozaliya watched helplessly as her sister "died." As despair threatened to consume her, Ren put her to sleep.
He couldn't risk her realizing the truth.
He secretly healed Rozaliya's injuries with the Gem of Serenity's power, then controlled her body, making her sit up and hold Liliya.
"Your body hasn't healed…" Rozaliya's injuries, though still visible, were no longer life-threatening.
"Leave it. I'll go with you. Don't take all of Liliya's power."
"But you'll only have a year to live…"
"Twins are connected. If Liliya dies, what's the point?" Rozaliya looked at her sister, her eyes filled with love. "I'm sorry, Liliya. I have to go. The others at the orphanage need me. Say goodbye for me."
"Sister, don't go!" Liliya finally understood. Rozaliya had made a pact with that seashell weirdo when he'd saved her. But the transfer wasn't complete, and Rozaliya only had a year to live. This was goodbye.
"We will meet again, but not now…"
Rozaliya gave Liliya her wristband, then left with Ren. As she watched her sister disappear, Liliya's eyes grew heavy, and she fell into a deep sleep.