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

57. ABOUT APONIA [3], ABOUT THE SPECIAL PLACE & THE DEEP END [1]

==========================
==========================
ABOUT APONIA [3]
BACK IN THE LOUNGE...
==========================
==========================
Mei was now all alone in the lounge.
Just how she wants it to be.

Mei:  "..."
Mei concentrates and closes her eyes.
She concentrates deeply...
Until only a black blank space was within her mind.
She concentrates more deeply now...
Connecting with the person that was still bind to her empty yet otherworldly area.

???: "Raiden Mei?"
???: "Are you okay?"
A gentle voice echoes within Mei's mind.

Mei: "Yes, I'm fine."
Mei: "After collapsing, Pardofelis was able to take me back safely to reality."
Mei: "..."
Mei: "Y/n, I have a few questions."
Mei: "Do you know of a gold pendant with a sapphire embedded in it?"

Y/n: "A gold pendant with a sapphire embedded..."
Y/n: "That pendant belongs to Aponia."

Mei: "You know of this pendant and the owner?"

Y/n: "I do."
Y/n: "When we were alive, she was one of my great friends, along with Ellie and Eden."
Y/n:  "She's a wonderful individual filled with gentleness and kindness."
Y/n:  "Raiden Mei, from that pendant..."
Y/n:  "You were able to encounter 'The Deep End' within your dreams?"

Mei:  "Yes, it was as if I was under her control."
Mei:  "It's possible the more closer I got to her, the more control I lost over myself."
Mei:  "No matter what I did, my body and mind couldn't get out from it."

Y/n: "As you probably know from the others, she's one of the strongest psychic MANTISes in the Flame-Chasers."
Y/n: "From when I tried to get in contact with Raven, my communications were completely cut off."
Y/n: "Same case with you a few minutes ago, I tried contacting you as well, but..."
Y/n: "Same results, my communications were entirely struck down."
Y/n: "I'm just assuming, her psychic powers overthrew mine, causing a huge gap between us, unabling us from reaching each other further."

Mei: "Do you think the cause of it is the pendant?"

Y/n: "Yes and no."
Y/n:  "Perhaps it's her overwhelming powers came to play here as well."
Y/n: "Remind you, Raiden Mei, it's Aponia we're talking here."
Y/n: "When it comes down to putting people unconscious in her "The Deep End" dreams, Aponia has the ability to do that."
Y/n:  "Just like she did to you moments ago."
Y/n: "From there, even I myself won't be able to connect with you from there."
Y/n:  "Physically speaking, I would be able to, but..."
Y/n: "In this case, Aponia's powers are strong, even nullifying her powers tenfold would cost me more than my own power in this current state."
Y/n:  "I'm only supporting you within my crystal necklace you have in your possession, so there's little support I can do for you."

Mei: "I see..."
Mei: "..."
Mei: "Y/n, I talked to Eden earlier."
Mei: "I asked if she knows the way to the Deep End."
Mei: "Eden said she's unable to help because she's not familiar to the place, and only Aponia is able to access that place freely."
Mei: "She did mention Kalpas and Elysia could help me get there, but, she also mentioned you as well."
Mei: "She said without restrictions, you're way more familiar getting to the Deep End."