Y/N, THE 14TH MEMBER OF THE FLAMECHASERS: An [Honkai Impact 3rd] Mini-Story

28. MEI/ELYSIA: ABOUT MOBIUS [1]

Mei just came back from the Elysian Realm for the seventh time.
While fighting enemies to get used to the realm itself...
She stood by the battleground, the entrance to the Elysian Realm to collect her thoughts as well.

Mei took a deep breath and exhaled.
As if she was ready to jot notes on what she found so far.

Mei: "Yes..."
Mei: "I've obtained a lot of information."
Mei: "Better to sort it out now."

Mei: "What is Honkai?"
Mei: "Seeking the answer to this question took me on this journey."
Mei: "But after I came here, I found out Kevin wanted to show me much, much more."

Mei: "The Elysian Realm, a place of memories."
Mei: "It's broken and chaotic, but it reveals a long and complete history."
Mei: "They're images of the past, a legacy of the people who fought Honkai till their last breath."
Mei: "If I can figure out the meaning of this legacy, I'll get more than an answer to my question."
Mei: "But up to now, all the memories I saw only scratch the surface."
Mei: "All the paths leading me further stop at one name..."

Mei: "Mobius."

Mei: "No doubt someone set this up elaborately."
Mei: "She guided me through the wilderness towards the point she designated."
Mei: "Looks like I need to give her an answer and tell her I'm ready."

Mei: "..."

Mei: "Elysia, we need to talk."
Mei: "If I'm correct, she should be at the lounge like before."

...
...
...

She finds Elysia at the lounge as usual.
But, something felt off.
As if it felt different.

Mei: "She... seems to be waiting for me?"
Mei says as she makes her way towards Elysia.

Elysia: "Oh, you've come."
Elysia: "I've sent everyone away."
Elysia: "I believe you'd like a private conversation?"

Mei: "I'd like to talk to you about Mobius."

Elysia:  "Hmm, I knew it."
Elysia:  "How much do you know about her?"

Mei:  "First factor."
Mei:  "From what I've found, she is a MANTIS."
Mei:  "Serial No. CM-003."
Mei:  "Kevin, Sakura, you, and her were the first members."

Elysia:  "Correct."
Elysia:  "I wonder who told you this."
Elysia:  "Kevin?"
Elysia: "Unlikely."
Elysia:  "He rarely brings it up now."
Elysia:  "Sakura?
Elysia: "Maybe."
Elysia:  "She's a gentle soul and always kind to visitors."
Elysia:  "Am I right?"

Mei:  "She only told me of the serial number, and you told me the rest."

Elysia:  "Haha, I'm glad you remember what I told you."

Mei:  "Second factor, every sign points to the fact that she handled classified research in the MOTHs, and it included creating MANTIS soldiers."

Elysia:  "Hmm, mostly right, but not quite."
Elysia:  "It's not that she alone created MANTIS soldiers."
Elysia:  "Many worked on this tech."
Elysia:  "But Mobius was fervent about its application."
Elysia:  "The more accurate way to put it would be that she 'manufactured' MANTIS soldiers."
Elysia:  "But you're quite close, so I award you one point."
Elysia:  "Just say thank you."
Elysia says with her usual smile.

Mei:  "Third factor, I heard there is bad blood between you two."

Elysia:  "Bad blood?"
Elysia:  "No way."
Elysia:  "Everyone here sees each other as important partners."
Elysia:  "Mobius might see things differently, but I've known her since I joined the MOTHs and we've been good friends ever since."

Mei:  "Really?"
Mei:  "But you said you weren't exactly a united group."

Elysia:  "Ah, I think I misled you."
Elysia:  "We've had our differences on certain topics, but it was a matter of perspective."
Elysia:  "It was our shared vision that brought us together, and this has never changed."

Mei:  "..."
Mei:  'It's questionable...'
Mei:  "Last factor, Mobius is a Flame-Chaser who survived the Tragedy of Binding."
Mei:  "So the Elysian Realm must have preserved her memories."
Mei:  "That's the purpose of the Elysian Realm."
Mei:  "To pass on the stories to later generations."
Mei:  "The known history and secrets."
Mei:  "Everyone has warned me of Mobius but they all avoid talking about her too much."
Mei:  "Unlike you and the others, she was born from the shadow."
Mei:  "She's the dark side of the MOTHs."

Elysia:  "Bingo."
Elysia: "Ah, I didn't expect independent thinking to get you this far."
Elysia:  "You'd probably make a great Herrscher of Reason."

Mei:  "And I think I know why you've kept her away from me now."
Mei:  "What happened on this land might far exceed the imagination of people of my era."
Mei:  "But that's why I need to step into the real history and face the dusty past."
Mei:  "Elysia...'
Mei:  "I need Mobius's memory."

Elysia:  "Hmm, how can I turn you down from that?"
Elysia:  "Come, get ready and let's go."

The two went on to the entrance of the Elysian Realm, and moved on to their next objective...
Meeting Mobius.