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

45. ELYSIAN REALM: THIRTEENTH TRIAL & RAVEN

One, two, three, four...
???, ???, Bodhi, Gold along with a bonus signet...
These were the activated portals Mei finished in a quick manner and acquiring their signets.

Five...
Taking a little trip to Phyllis's Shop, Mei quickly scanned through the signets that could help her.
When checking them out, there weren't many choices to pick from.
She wasn't stumped by this, nor was she disappointed.
After taking a few, she immediately headed towards her objective.

Six, seven...
Bodhi, Bodhi along with a Core Bodhi Signet.

Eight...
Gold along with a Core Gold Signet.
Now in front of her, three odd portals activated in front of her.

Mei:  '...'
With silence, she heads through one and activates the portal.

...
...
...

Nine...
Bodhi.

Ten...
Phyllis Shop.
Still no other signets to choose from.
Even so, Mei took a few more and kept going.

Eleven...
Vicissitude with a bonus signet and a Core Vicissitude signet.

Twelve...
???.

...
...
...

When Mei made her way to the odd twelfth space, there was a certain someone already waiting for her.
She patiently waited for the lightning mistress, sitting comfortably on top of a firm and sturdy tree branch.
It was as if she was there the entire time.

Raven:  "Hi, Mei."
Raven:  "You're a bit late."

Mei:  "Why are you here?"

Raven:  "Is my memory fooling me, or have I answered this question before?"
Raven:  "It can't be helped."
Raven:  "Everyone has to repay a favor every once in a while."
Raven:  "Sorry, my lady."
Raven:  "I can't allow you to go deeper into the realm."

Mei:  "...World Serpent certainly has a unique way of looking after new members."

Raven:  "I didn't lie to you."
Raven:  "Even now, I'm here to protect you."
Raven:  "I was hoping something would stop you, then I wouldn't have to do it myself."

Mei:  "Why?"

Raven:  "Ah, I thought you would say, "You can't stop me".
Raven:  "Alright, I guess I misjudged you."

Mei:  "..."

Raven:  "I'll just put it like this: Someone thinks you've crossed the line."

Mei:  "Crossed the line?"
Mei:  "Looks like we define "the line" very differently."
Mei:  "I'm yet to get anything of value here."

Raven:  "Who knows, but I'm carrying out the order."
Raven:  "Maybe it's more about what you will see rather than what you've seen—The anomalies have created more uncertainties."

Mei:  "Did you cause the anomalies?"

Raven:  "Funny you say that."
Raven:  "Yes, I'm getting you out of here, but I wouldn't use an unfamiliar method like that."
Raven:  "Ah, why don't you just go with me?"
Raven:  "Saves us a lot of trouble."

Mei:  "You know my answer."
Mei:  "The reason I'm here is that Kevin has kept too much from me."
Mei:  "If someone is trying to stop me, then I know I'm on the right track."

Raven:  "Which means..."
Raven:  "You won't listen anyway."
Raven:  "Can't blame me for trying."
Raven:  "I'm just going through the motions."

Mei:  "Going through the motions?"
Mei:  "You sure that's all you're doing?"

The spot where Raven sat looked as if it was illuminated by a weak winter sun.
And there was the unmistakable sound of ravens cawing nearby.