Project K-324

Chapter-20: The Aftermath

After our protagonist left Himeko lying on the ground and left to fight The Herrscher of The Void, she said some confusing words. Those words kept echoing inside Himeko's mind. "I won't lose you again. Not this time. Not like this." While Himeko tried to sit up from her position, she could hear the sound of a huge beast landing on Hyperion. No matter how much she wanted to go after her student, she wasn't physically capable of that. The serum that Diana injected her with, was indeed helpful in healing some of her wounds, but without the Gem of Haste, she couldn't keep her consciousness any longer. She fell in a long deep sleep.

The moment she woke up, a few days already passed. She looked around and found herself into a hospital room, with medical equipment connected to her. She saw a button on her left and she pressed it. After a few seconds a nurse and a doctor entered the room. The Doctor started informing Himeko about her state of health and how long was she there for.

Himeko listened carefully and was surprised to hear that most of the Honkai radiation in her body was no more and so was her stigmata. The doctor informed her that she needs to spend at least the next month and a half in there to recuperate. She accepted since she was a lot weaker without her artificial stigmata and that in her state she could hardly make a few steps from her bed.

The next day Theresa, Mei and Bronya visited Himeko. At first they talked about how glad they were to see that Himeko was awake. But then Himeko asked about Kiana and Diana. The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

"At the moment, all we know is that the Herrscher of The Void was defeated, leaving behind a bright light. But Kiana has gone missing." Theresa said in a serious but saddened voice, then she glanced at the Devourer of Olympus leaning against the bedside table. "And Diana as well. Her Katana that was beside you is the last trace we could find."

"..." Himeko was silent. She looked down and tried to remember her last words before she left.

"...The last time I saw her, was when we were evacuating, but suddenly she took off somewhere." Mei said after a few seconds of silence. "She is not the type to run away. Especially on times like this."

"Did Diana..." Bronya began but was cut off by Himeko.

"She came after me..." said Himeko with a little frustration in her voice. "She hit me in my abdomen hard enough to make me unable to move. Then she put me the floor while leaning against the wall beside the elevator." she started narrate, while the others were looking wide eyed at her. Even Bronya was a little wide eyed. " She started using her unknown power on me to take the Gem of Haste, but even after she took it, she did not stop. She only stopped when she took most of the Honkai energy and the artificial Stigmata from my body."

"...B-but the for her to absorb that much Honkai energy without any short of Honkai radiation appearing on her body is impossible!" Theresa said in a panicked voice. By now she already realized her niece's intents.

"That's right, it is impossible." Himeko said. "She injected a serum in my arm and got up to leave, but stopped and started coughing. She coughed blood." remembering those moments only brought pain upon her, but she needed to tell them what happened. "By that time some of my senses came back to me. I tried to stop her... I tried to get up and stop her... I tried to tell her not to do that... But... She only turned to me and dropped her sword beside me." at that moment her frustration and pain transformed in sadness. A small tear started falling. "She knew this would be my last mission, my last lesson. But she still..." Himeko couldn't finish.

"...Don't worry. They are there somewhere. We'll find and bring then back." Theresa assured.

"Do not worry, major Himeko. Bronya will find them both." Bronya said while Mei gave Himeko a sad smile and nodded.