Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die for Me/ Book 1: Promise

Chapter 5 Rest

<Abandoned Barn>

Otto woke up on a pile of rotting hay. Roughly a day and a half had passed after Kallen's escape from Koleston and Otto had been knocked out cold the entire time. His mind in the gutter as he struggled to take a bearing of his surroundings. His face bore a purple and swollen bruise and he suspected he suffered a minor concussion. He struggled to his feet only to collapse back onto the brittle hay. There was blurred movement in front of him, he couldn't see well.

"How are you feeling Otto?"

This voice was Kallen's voice! Otto felt instant relief as his body began to relax.

"I'm fine." Otto said shakily.

"Can you walk?"

"No."

"Do you want to cooperate with me?"

"Of course, wait what is the situation?"

Otto was gradually recollecting his senses.

"Kallen what did you do?"

A sense of worry and dread was building in his heart as his vision began to clear. He saw Kallen standing in front of him in a tattered nun uniform with the Oath of Judah strapped to her back. They were in an abandoned barn, with creaking and rotting wood. Abandoned for one, two years? The barn still held the stench of animals that was gradually being overpowered by the scent of decaying wood and mold.

"I kidnapped you."

Otto sighed. It was clear from Kallen's cold voice that she did not want to restart the conversation they had the day prior. What did Kallen want? Otto mulled over the question as he began to recall the events he could remember. The library, the hurt and betrayal plastered on Kallen's face, and his desire to protect Kallen. Ends justify the means, that was Otto's philosophy. A philosophy that was shaken by recent events but still held true to Otto to some extent. He aimed to imprison Kallen for a while, keep her safe while he worked to create warriors powerful enough to defeat Honkai so that Kallen wouldn't have to risk her life. So that she wouldn't sacrifice herself for nothing.

Otto's eyes began to clear, had he been in good condition he would have come up with the answer immediately. Kallen was simply contemplating on knocking Otto out or not. She was judging his willingness to cooperate with her.

"Alright what's our next move Kallen?"

Kallen hid a breath of relief. She wasn't sure Otto could take another blow to the head and she sure as hell didn't want to drag him like a baby across the entire world. It was best if he complied. Though she didn't trust Otto she knew that Otto at the very least didn't want her to die. Had she been apprehended back at the library Otto could have easily covered up the incident securing her safety. Now that she already escaped the city Otto could do nothing to protect her.

"I'd say we're about 30 kilometers from the bridge, I need you to buy us a horse."

"You didn't bring any money?"

"I did but I lost it."

"You traveled 70 kilometers on foot?"

"More than 70, I had to avoid the main road and towns."

"How long was I out?"

"For about a day and a half."

Otto couldn't help but laugh. The pain from his shoulder and chin stopped him short. Kallen made no move to treat him as he winced.

"You're clumsy as always."

"The horse."

"And you can't put your foot down without acting cute."