NOVEL NEXT Chapter 282: Flight
After the second tsunami, the situation in the Philippines stabilized.
Manila, the only coastal city in Rita's hastily constructed defensive line, had been the most vulnerable point. But with the tsunami neutralized by Lin Wei and the subsequent Honkai beast wave swept aside by Durandal, the situation had become far more manageable.
Rita's presence as an S-rank Valkyrie, and the timely arrival of Yuno, had further solidified their advantage.
As time passed, reinforcements arrived, including Durandal's Immortal Blades squad, nearly fifty Valkyrie units from around the world joining the fight, launching a decisive counteroffensive.
"Counteroffensive" was perhaps an overstatement.
The land was still heavily corrupted, uninhabitable for the foreseeable future. But it was a victory, albeit a bittersweet one, especially for Snow Lotus, who'd suffered heavy casualties.
The Valkyries mourned their fallen comrades, their shared laughter and dreams now just… memories. The weight of their loss hung heavy in the air.
Anna's safe return had been a moment of joy, quickly overshadowed by the devastating news of Jell's death. The news had broken them, the exhausted Valkyries crowding around Anna, demanding answers, their voices filled with grief and anger.
Anna, emotionally and physically drained, recounted the events, her voice barely above a whisper, as if seeking their forgiveness.
Their grief and rage intensified, a burning need for vengeance fueling their desire to fight.
Anna, equally lost and heartbroken, needing an outlet for her own grief and confusion, led the remnants of Snow Lotus to the front lines, their reckless courage and impressive results drawing the attention of the other Valkyrie squads.
Rita, watching them, sighed, sending Yuno to assist and protect them.
Yuno, expecting hostility and distrust, was surprised by their acceptance, their willingness to fight alongside her, their easy camaraderie. She wasn't used to such… normalcy.
She was also concerned about Anna.
The cheerful, energetic Anna, always smiling, always full of life, was gone, replaced by a quiet, withdrawn figure, her brow furrowed, her lips pressed tightly together, lost in thought, sometimes retreating to a quiet corner, like a lost child.
Yuno didn't understand what had happened to her.
"Anna, are you alright?" she asked, finally finding a moment to speak to her friend, after the battle had subsided, the focus shifting to cleanup and rescue operations.
"Yuno?" Anna looked up, wiping her eyes, forcing a smile. "I'm just… tired. Come, sit…" She shifted, making space for Yuno beside her.
Yuno sat down, her voice soft. "I was worried about you." She wasn't good with words, so she simply stated the truth.
In the past, Anna would have laughed at her awkwardness, but now she just smiled sadly, shaking her head. "You'll be returning to HQ soon, won't you?"
"Yes, with Rita. Later." Yuno paused. "Anna, will you come with us?" She remembered how, back in school, whenever she was upset, she would go home, cry, sleep, and everything would be better in the morning. Perhaps Anna needed to do the same.
Or maybe… ask that… powerful woman for help? she thought, remembering Fu Hua.
"I'm the vice-captain, the acting captain now. Manila is my responsibility, and my squad… I can't abandon them," Anna said, shaking her head, then took Yuno's hand, her voice soft, her smile apologetic. "I'm sorry, Yuno. Every time you come here, you… experience unpleasant things. Last time… and now… I'm sorry…"
"Every time? Last time?" Yuno tilted her head, confused. "I've only been here once."
Anna stared at her, dumbfounded. "But you…"
"The Overseer wouldn't let me leave," Yuno said simply. "I know he's hiding something from me, but I don't know what."
Anna stared at her, then, realizing Yuno was serious, she felt a surge of anger and betrayal, tears streaming down her face.
"Liars… they're all liars!" She wiped away her tears, gripping Yuno's hand tightly.
"Yuno, don't go back to HQ. Leave! You don't belong there, in that… den of lies!" She felt a deep resentment towards Schicksal, towards the glory she'd once craved.
She felt betrayed, deceived. Even Yuno, her friend, seemed… unfamiliar.
A chilling sense of isolation washed over her.
"But what about you? And that man… what about him?" Yuno asked, concerned. "You asked me to look after him. I can't just leave. And I have… questions for him." She wanted to know why he'd saved her, why he'd handed her over to Schicksal without a word.
"But…" Anna started to say something, then noticed a Valkyrie from Snow Lotus approaching. She quickly composed herself.
"Vice-Captain, the survivor, Chen Tianwu, is awake. He and his sister want to see you and… Mr. Lin Wei," the Valkyrie reported, after greeting Yuno politely. "Since Mr. Lin Wei isn't here, I came to find you."
"I understand." Anna stood up, and Yuno followed.
Anna looked at her, seeing her unwavering resolve, and didn't argue. Yuno would be safe at HQ. And perhaps, with Yuno there, Lin Wei would be safer too? She clung to that hope, giving Yuno a sad smile, then followed the Valkyrie.
She couldn't ignore the Chen siblings' request.
...
Chen Tianwu had been lucky. The Honkai beast's claw had taken his arm and part of his shoulder, but he'd survived, thanks to Rita's timely arrival and the advanced medical technology on the EOS, which had arrived with Immortal Blades. He'd lost his arm, but he'd gained his life.
He and his sister were now recovering in a makeshift medical tent in the newly established survivor camp, under the care of medical professionals.
Even without the information he'd provided about Lin Wei's location, his courage, his determination to escape the ruined city with his sister, had earned Rita's respect.
When he woke up, his first thought was of his sister. Seeing her sitting by his bedside, her eyes red-rimmed, he relaxed, then asked about Lin Wei and Anna, hoping they were safe.
When the medical staff learned that "Anna" was a Valkyrie, they contacted the nearest Snow Lotus unit, who, upon learning of Chen Tianwu's request, immediately informed Anna.
Anna entered the tent, hugging the little girl who ran to greet her, then looked at Chen Tianwu's bandaged shoulder, her voice filled with guilt. "I'm sorry… it's my fault… because of my selfishness…" She still didn't regret her decision. Lin Wei would have suffered a far worse fate otherwise. But she still felt responsible.
"Don't blame yourself, Miss Anna. If not for you, I would have suffocated under the rubble," Chen Tianwu said, smiling.
He'd felt a flicker of resentment when he'd seen her, but her apology had dispelled it. "We're grateful to be alive. Is Mr. Lin Wei… alright?" He assumed Lin Wei was safe. Anna had returned, hadn't she?
"He… he was taken by Schicksal," Anna said, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze fixed on the floor. She shook her head, forcing a smile. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"I have a… request." Chen Tianwu sat up, gently pushing his sister towards Anna. "Can my sister… become a Valkyrie, like you?"
Anna stared at him, stunned.
"This… this disaster… it will happen again, won't it?" he asked, his voice filled with a quiet resignation.
"We were lucky this time. But what about next time? Maybe… if Wenwen becomes a Valkyrie… she'll be able to protect herself…" He'd thought long and hard about this. It seemed like the only way to ensure her safety.
"Brother…" The little girl looked at him, her eyes filled with a sadness that belied her age. She'd grown up quickly during these past few days.
"No! Absolutely not!" Anna exclaimed, her voice filled with panic. She couldn't condemn this child to the same fate.
"I see… I guess we're… not worthy…" Chen Tianwu sighed, disappointed, then forced a smile. "It's alright. Forget I asked."
"No, it's not that! Wenwen is… wonderful. I like her very much," Anna said quickly, waving her hands, her voice frantic. "But Schicksal… being a Valkyrie… it's not what you think…"
Being used, abandoned, sacrificed – wasn't that a Valkyrie's fate? How could she condemn Wenwen to such a life?
She couldn't bear to tell them the truth, knowing they wouldn't understand. "I'm sorry, I have to go. You two… find a new city, start a new life…" She couldn't look at them. She turned and fled, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow.