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

31. ELYSIAN REALM: THE SEVENTH TRIAL: "THE FINAL TEST" (AFTER THE BATTLE)

[AFTER THE BATTLE...]

Elysia: "Ah, I lost."
Elysia: "You're unbelievably strong!"
Elysia: "If anyone else found out, I'd have to surrender my No.2 seat."
Elysia: "But you're a Herrscher after all, and I think I wasn't too bad."
Elysia sighs.

Mei: "You didn't take this seriously, Elysia."
Mei: "You were just playing around."
Mei says, disappointed.

Elysia: "Ah, so were you."
Elysia: "Maybe we shared this tacit understanding and both saved our strength."
Elysia: "Anyway, I don't think you'd have any problem facing Mobius now."

A beam of light appeared in the distance and formed a glistening portal.

Elysia: "As promised, she's on the other side of the door."
Elysia: "Time to gather your courage and go through."
Elysia: "But don't underestimate her."
Elysia: "She is a Flame-Chaser, after all."

Mei: "..."

Mei didn't move.

Elysia: "What?"
Elysia: "You're reluctant to leave me here?"

Mei: "What will I run into later?"

Elysia: "You'll have to find out yourself."

Mei:  "Let me ask this in another way."
Mei:  "What's the purpose of the Elysian Realm?"
Mei:  "As a database, it's inefficient."
Mei:  "As a testing ground, it's too costly."
Mei:  "It wouldn't have been created without everyone's approval."
Mei:  "It must have some special meaning."
Mei:  "The reason why World Serpent has kept it up to now."
Mei:  "Every visitor is supposed to know this before their journey starts, but I'm still in the dark about it."
Mei:  "Or..."
Mei:  "Is the answer a secret that no one can know?"

Elysia:  "Come on, there are no secrets between us."
Elysia:  "The meaning of the Elysian Realm..."
Elysia:  "I'll have to think hard to give you an answer."
Elysia:  "Maybe there isn't a correct answer because in different people's eyes, it can mean very different things."
Elysia:  "For Eden, it's the twilight of past glories."
Elysia:  "For Kalpas, it's the continuation of the war."
Elysia:  "For Mobius, it's the child of Project Stigma and the best chance to realize her life-long dream."
Elysia:  "And for Kevin, it's more like a symbol, a monument to the Flame-Chasers."
Elysia:  "But if you ask me, the answer is even simpler; "It's a story book of fairy tales about a past age, a voyage, and the lives of thirteen.""

Mei:  "...I don't quite understand."

Elysia:  What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of our era and the MOTHs?"
Elysia:  "Smoke and fire?"
Elysia:  "Scorched earth and broken walls?"
Elysia:  "Blood and death?"
Elysia:  "Everyone has this impression but it's wrong."
Elysia:  "When our world was dying, people were still living their normal lives day to day, thinking about tomorrow's breakfast."
Elysia:  "People were still talking about plans and dreams that would take years to fulfill."
Elysia:  "Even on the last day, people were still hopeful for a brighter future."
Elysia:  "When civilization was crumbling, there was still light coming out from the cracks."
Elysia:  "In such a world, there were fourteen remarkable individuals."
Elysia:  "Knowing their world was doomed, they still chose to fight till the end and imprint their proud faces onto history."
Elysia:  "That's the story Elysian Realm tells."

Mei:  "That's it?"

Elysia:  "That's it for me."
Elysia:  "Quite my style, right?"
Elysia:  "In the story you can find pain, failures, betrayals, departures."
Elysia:  "But you can also find happiness, joy, warmth, and kindness."
Elysia:  "Sorrow doesn't go away easily, but touching memories can be treasured by the heart forever."
Elysia:  "That's why I said "Our memories must be preserved.""
Elysia:  "Hatred and anger shouldn't be our only legacy."
Elysia:  "Only those who've experienced the beauty of our age can understand us."
Elysia:  "Leave the facts for the textbooks."
Elysia:  "The Flame-Chasers must also pass on our pride, glory, and the reason why we fought."
Elysia:  "That's what has kept our souls alive in this flame chasing journey."
Elysia:  "As our successors, you can follow our trails and the imprints of our souls to find your own answers."