Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider!

From the moment it was created, loneliness became its eternal companion.

An instinct buried deep within its genes urged it to seek companions, yet none could match its strength.

Its companions could not help it multiply.

They were weak, even needing external armor to possess any meaningful combat capability.

And their numbers were constantly dwindling.

Why? Why?

It pondered endlessly, until someone finally gave it an answer:

"Because certain insects keep reducing your companions. Those insects are rapidly driving your kind to extinction…"

"Help us. Only then can your wish truly come to fruition."

Insects? The concept was foreign to it, yet it understood one truth clearly:

Anyone who harmed its companions deserved retribution!

"Follow our guidance. Let's exterminate those repulsive insects together."

Someone wanted to help it gain more companions?

Still naïve and inexperienced, it extended initial goodwill toward these people who spoke to it.

"We are companions in exterminating insects."

They want to increase my companions, so they must be companions too.

That must be true… surely it was…

But when did things start to change?

It hadn't even been a few hundred years yet. It felt like the hammer had struck only a dozen times, yet the speakers had changed generation after generation…

Why had their faces begun to show fear towards its companions?

Why, why?

Then why did you kill my companions?

Why did you do this to me?

Weren't we companions from the very start?

Why have you now become indistinguishable from those insects in my eyes?

I see. I finally understand.

Those insects must have corrupted you. They must have made you this way!

I must cure you, even if you resist!

At the very least, I won't allow my companions to be harmed anymore. I won't allow my numbers to dwindle again.

I finally have so many companions. I'm finally no longer alone…

...

Hoshigaki Sora slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the open book before him.

Was I just reading the contents of this book subconsciously?

He glanced at the cover, which depicted a massive mechanical structure suspended mid-air by countless mechanical arms. Connected to this structure was a young girl with pure white hair.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her arms stretched out like a cross as machines suspended her in midair. Thin rivulets of crimson blood trickled from her wrists.

The entire scene radiated an aura of sacred inviolability, with the drops of blood particularly striking.

Sora looked around, noticing there were no shelves filled with books, unlike other Planetary Libraries he'd encountered.

Instead, there was only this single book in front of him.

Did the [Planetary Library] glitch somehow? Sora wondered doubtfully.

He hadn't often used the [Planetary Library] on other planets. This was the first time he had encountered a situation like this.

Then, just what exactly was the book before him…

Sora's eyes returned to it again, and instantly the pages began flipping on their own. The contents once again flooded directly into his mind:

...

It hurts, it hurts! Why are you doing this?

Aren't we companions? All I wanted was to cure companions (you) with companions (myself).

I just wanted you to join me, to remain my companions.

Didn't you say we would become "wanderers" together?

I cared deeply for them, so why did they destroy my companions?

I'm scared, I'm scared!

I'm so terrified of being alone. Terrified of being solitary again!

You… you're no longer my companions. You're the reason my companions are disappearing!

I will… I will…

Destroy you all!

...

As he continued reading, the deep pain within these emotions overwhelmed his heart:

The earnest wish to heal friends, the desperate desire for understanding from them…

The profound loneliness, the chilling horror of feeling companions die, and finally—

The ruthless desire to annihilate those former companions who betrayed him!

Because of betrayal, because they'd broken their promises, they must be destroyed.

This was to never feel loneliness again. To ensure everlasting safety!

Thus, all who trusted and obeyed him—his companions—launched their assault under his command.

...

Destroyed, destroyed! Everything has been annihilated!

The planet's energy core was ignited, obliterating everything within thousands of light-years.

Though some desperately tried to destroy me and I sustained some injuries, the result was satisfying.

No one can threaten me now. No one can isolate me again.

But why… why do I feel so cold? Why am I suddenly so hungry?

Why did the energy supply system go dark?

Who's this person beside me, holding something—

"You, destroyer of our Republic—I will sacrifice my life to annihilate you!"

He raised his hand? What's that small, bright thing…?

...

!!!!

"Ahhhh!"

Sora suddenly sat up, breathing heavily as he struggled to digest what he'd just experienced.

"That book definitely isn't normal!" Sora instantly realized.

Typically, the [Planetary Library] conveyed information strictly through text, like with Promia.

But this book directly transmitted the sensations of those experiences into him. Every emotion—joy, agony, loneliness—was vividly and fully imparted.

And everything pointed towards a force long vanished from the galaxy.

Is this… the true cause behind the fall of Glamoth?

Sora lay back again, calming his tumultuous emotions.

Once he settled down, he finally observed his surroundings.

A soothing incense lingered in the air, and pristine white decor confirmed he was in a hospital room.

His memories returned: they'd infiltrated Serus's core, rescued Robin, and after Hotaru destroyed Serus completely, he'd lost consciousness.

In other words, he was safe now.

Sora rested briefly before confirming his body felt fine, then opened the door and stepped outside.

Just outside the door stood two figures who had previously chosen to believe in him—Yingzhu and Chenyu. Both immediately brightened upon seeing him awake.

"You're awake!"

"How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," Sora reassured them, then asked, "How's everything now?"

The two swiftly updated him.

Robin was recovering due to severe blood loss but was stable. The planet's energy supply remained stable, and life was slowly returning to normal.

Patients needing care now received proper medical attention.

Only the widespread ruins served as a painful reminder of recent chaos.

Most of Hotaru's kin had returned to normal duties, re-equipped in Fyrefly suits to maintain order.

"We had no choice," Chenyu sighed helplessly. "Even though we're wary of these suits, after the chaos the Fyrefly caused, it's necessary to maintain stability."

"But it's good you're awake," Yingzhu smiled softly.

"You just woke up—don't move around too much. Rest. I'll get you some food."

Thus, Sora experienced first-class treatment. People constantly visited his room, tending to every minor need. If he hadn't firmly declined, they'd probably have fed him by hand.

"My hands and feet still work. It's really not necessary…"

...

After enjoying the luxury, he asked about Hotaru's whereabouts. Yingzhu and Chenyu exchanged glances before revealing her location.

Since it wasn't far, Sora decided to visit personally. However, a sizable entourage followed behind him, making it feel more like a raid than a friendly visit.

Sora tried to protest repeatedly, but they insisted on following.

Eventually, he found Hotaru's room. Opening the door, he saw she wasn't alone.

Numerous guards stood at attention inside. As the door opened, their gazes collectively turned towards him.

Among them, Sora recognized Xiyi and Yunqing—the latter he had rescued from the burning armor earlier.

The entourage behind him silently merged back into their ranks.

"So, you were waiting for me here," he remarked dryly.

No one responded. The atmosphere felt solemn, the room entirely silent.

Only he and Hotaru now stood face-to-face.

With crimson highlights streaking her hair, Hotaru finally spoke:

"From the beginning, my people were created solely to fight and die against the Swarm—this was our only purpose."

"On this death march, there was no empire, no empress. We were moths flying into flame, lives willingly sacrificed."

"They gave us no chance of survival to save resources."

"This was our history, a reality born from malice."

"And even after one evil ended, another pursued our people relentlessly."

She calmly narrated her people's past, while Sora listened quietly.

"I wished to rewrite our fate. That's why I appeared here."

"At first, I planned to bare our sharpest fangs to show we aren't easily bullied."

"But a very strange man appeared…"

Her steady expression shifted subtly, and Sora began feeling awkward.

"Can we skip the next part?"

"No," Hotaru firmly rejected his plea. "When our people were utterly isolated, he said he wished to become our friend."

Sora's lips twitched involuntarily.

"When learning of our persecuted past, he promised to protect us all in the future."

Sora's toes curled in embarrassment.

"When facing the very embodiment of malice, he responded with pure goodwill."

"He expressed himself through actions. It's now our turn to respond and voice our decision."

Hotaru took out a jade-like bracelet, intricately carved with tiny patterns. Half of it depicted a heart, the other half a firefly—interwoven beautifully.

"This was forged from fragments of our [Cicada Transformation Devices]."

In silent agreement, the Iron Cavalry around revealed their [Cicada Devices], each now bearing a small missing piece matching the bracelet.

"It symbolizes our people's friendship, the highest form of our goodwill."

Gently, Hotaru took Sora's hand, placing the bracelet firmly around his right wrist. It automatically adjusted to fit him perfectly.

"We'll sense your heartbeat. If danger arises, call us—no matter where you are, we'll come."

"Isn't this… a bit too precious?" Sora murmured softly.

"It's exactly what you deserve."

"You're our people's first—and most important friend. You're worthy."

Finally, Sora noticed a faint crimson embedded within the bracelet.

"It's time we say it clearly to you…"

Every voice in the room spoke as one:

"The future of our people is now bound with yours."

"You are our most important—"

"Friend."