[Original/Outdated]Honkai Impact: A Merc's Involvement

Chapter 35: Dawn of a Revolution

"K-423.........................clone of Kiana? A-Are you trying to pull my leg here!?" Asked Alex.

Otto expected this type of reaction from Alex as he merely shrugged it off, sighing to himself.

"I have nothing to gain from lying to you Mustang. Whether you choose to believe my words or not is entirely up to you. I'm just merely giving you the truth, the reasoning as to why all that had happened, happened, and why the revolution that is upon us is occurring." Calmly stated the Overseer.

Alex thought it over for a while, until he knew that it was best to just listen to Otto.

"Alright then. Continue speaking." Said Alex.

"After the 2nd Honkai War in Siberia had concluded, I realized that I had a promising specimen in my hands. Kiana Kaslana, daughter of Siegfried Kaslana and Cecilia Schariac, was someone I couldn't ignore, even as a child. After all, being an offspring to both the Kaslana and Scharic bloodlines meant that she had potential. Unfortunately, the first batches of clones I had produced were failures. That was until I had decided to implant the 2nd Herrscher's core inside the 423rd Kiana clone produced. To my amazement, it worked. The clone woke up, thus, K-423 was born." Explained Otto.

"S-So, the Kiana I've been with, the Kiana that everyone at St. Freya has been with, has been a clone that is also a Herrscher this whole time?" Asked Alex in total shock.

"Bingo. However, K-423 is completely unaware of those facts. To her, she's simply the one and only Kiana Kaslana. You see, what I strive to achieve is a human who can fully control and cooperate with their Herrscher powers. With that, I let K-423 out into the open, allowed her to form bonds, friendships, grow close to those in her life, make her care for the world. Once that was achieved, I had my dearest Fu Hua bring her back to me so the Herrscher persona within her can awaken. Now, the final step in my plan has arrived."

"F-Final step? And, what is that final step?" Hesitantly asked Alex.

"Now that K-423 has acquired a deep connection with this world and the ones she cares for, once the Herrscher within her fully awakens, I'll have the K-423 fight back and get in control of her body after her Herrscher powers have been fully realized and awoken." Said Otto.

"A-And how the hell do you plan to have Kiana gain back control of her body after the Herrscher awakens?"

When Alex asked that, he was unaware of just what Otto had in mind to reawaken Kiana.

"Hm, how do I put this?" Said Otto as he pondered to himself for a while before finally snapping his fingers, an idea seemingly coming to his idea.

"I got it. You're involved in the art of Alchemy correct? Then, to put it in a way you'd understand, to gain something, something of equal value must also be lost." Said the Overseer.

".......................equivalent exchange."

Alex began trying to connect the dots.

'In order to reawaken Kiana, something of equal value most be lost. To wake up a person, then that means........................!?'

At that moment, Alex had pieced the puzzle together, and came to a horrific realization.

In anger and frustration, Alex smacked the table.

"S-So that's how it is huh? To awaken Kiana, you're gonna have someone close to her die! Like a pawn! Just as a damn sacrifice!" Shouted the boy.

"Trust me Mustang. Even I am against this. However, knowing how close those girls are to K-423, someone is bound to give their life away in an attempt to save her. The question is, who will be the sacrifice? That is the part I'm most interested in." Said Otto.

"Is this all just a game to you!?" Asked Alex, who's anger was only increasing more and more by the second.

"That's a harsh way to put it. It's more so along the lines of, I'm interested to see who's willing to rise to the occasion and rescue K-423. That's all." Said the blonde before turning to look at Alex. "You however, are being spared."

"Huh? Spared? What do you mean?"

"Like I said before, you're an unintended participant. You weren't supposed to get wrapped up in all of this. I fully expected you to part ways after you had retrieved the Selene and especially after you had invaded Anti-Entropy yet, you stayed and here you are." Said Otto.

"Okay so I'm an 'unintended participant'. What of it?" Asked Alex.

"Since you aren't important to this event, I'm allowing you to leave Schicksal unharmed, head back home, and return to your daily life."

Alex was initially taken aback by what Otto had said.

"Y-You really think I'm just gonna go back home that easily!? Especially after what you've just told me!?"

"I'm not forcing this on you Mustang. It's just the option I'm suggesting for you. If you elect to stay and fight, you will die. Either to a Honkai Beast, one of my Valkyries, or maybe even at the hands of Kiana herself. Unlike them however, your death would be meaningless." Said Otto.

"And what if none of that happens huh? What if I manage to stay alive, prevent anyone from St. Freya dying, AND save Kiana as well!?" Said Alex.

Upon hearing that, Otto had a small laugh, clearly enjoying the defiance from Alex.

"I'd welcome that with open arms. I am interested to how a wild card could factor into this plan. Just know that you won't make it out alive, and should worst come to shove, I may have to personally take you out, or take out somebody right in front of your very eyes." Said Otto in an almost threatening manner.

Alex merely chuckled and smirked at that, as he had his hand in a fist and aimed it at Otto.

"That's a risk I'm willing take." Said Alex.

Otto saw this and smirked as well.

"I see. You've made your decision. Very well then, leave this room. Go and join the battlefield Mustang. Just know that the next time our paths cross, it'll be as enemies." Said Otto.

"I'll keep that in mind, Otto Apocalypse."

With that, Alex left the room and immediately tried to work his way out of whatever building he was in.

As he was making his way outside, a sudden boom, explosion could be heard outside as it shook the building causing Alex to stumble a bit.

'What the hell was that!?'

Alex immediately rushed his way out of the building.

Eventually, he had finally made his way outside and what he saw shocked him immensely.

In the distance was a large, massive fire burning, smoke accompanying it as numerous Honkai Beasts scattered the area as well as Schicksal Valkyries and Anti-Entropy Mechs, with the previously blue sky now an overcast, ominous dark color.

With all the chaos that was unfolding in front of him, Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as he only had one thought on his mind.

'Kiana, I'm coming for you. We WILL, save you.'

Chapter 35: Complete