Honkai Impact: Road To Nagazora

Chapter 26: Fracturization

The boy was in complete shock was to what he was saying.

He didn't wanna believe it at first but it was indeed Mei, however for some weird reason he didn't feel relieved to see her.

Something just felt, off for Alex for some reason not to mention Mei's new appearance also raised an eyebrow from him.

Her hair was now back to being long and let down all the way to her ankles as she now had two long dark red horns on her and her eyes were now red instead of their usual indigo.

Lastly she now wore a white, black and red suit, black gloves, a black dress, white thigh highs and black heeled shoes.

The last thing that made Alex feel that something was up was the fact that Mei expressed no worry nor panic at Kiana's state as she simply kept a stoic and emotionless face.

"M-Mei is that, you?" He asked, just wanting to make sure that it was indeed her.

"Alex...................I'm, glad to see you're safe." She replied in a rather monotone voice, something that was completely odd coming from her.

"What the hell is going on Mei? First you and Kiana suddenly gone for hours, then this random Honkai Spike suddenly happens, and now I come across this!? What happened to Kiana!?" Asked the boy, though Mei didn't answe and simply keeping quiet.

In this silence Alex looked at Mej and noticed that she also had bruises and scratches as he then looked back at Kiana's.

Upon seeing this, Alex quickly came to a realization, one that shocked and sickened him to his stomach.

"Mei. D-Did you do this to Kiana? Did you fight her?" He asked in a pleading tone, hoping that wasn't the case.

Hoping that his conclusion was a simple misunderstanding.

When Mei had once again opted not to answer, this all but confirmed his fear.

"Answer me dammit! Why did you do it!? Why did you fight her!?" He shouted.

After a few more minutes of silence from Mei, she had finally spoken.

"Do you wanna know how bad Kiana's Honkai Infection really was?"

"H-Huh?"

"This morning before I left the Helios, I had served Kiana sweet pepper curry. You wanna know what she said? She said it was spicy as to not hurt my feelings. She can't taste anymore Alex. That Herrscher inside of her is sapping away all of Kiana's senses slowly but surely. I can't allow that anymore."

"Then how do you explain all of this? What's with the new form? Why fight your best friend? The one who saved you years ago!?"

Again, Mei remained silent for a bit before answering once more.

"I was given the opportunity by a person from the Serpent to save Kiana from her severe infliction of Honkai Poisoning. All I had to do was become the Herrscher of Thunder again, in which I would gain a new Herrscher Core meaning the old one Sirin took from me would dissolve, in turn improving Kiana's condition. That means I'd have to join them as only the Serpent has resources to save Kiana that neither Anti-Entropy nor Schicksal have. With the Serpent, I'd be able purge the Honkai, capture future Herrschers and seal their powers, in turn starving the Void Queen and keeping Kiana safe from danger.

"W-What?" Was all Alex could say after being given all of that information.

He then began to ponder on who exactly could've been the one who have given Mei this "opportunity", as she had put it.

Since she said Serpent he immediately wanting to assume that it was his Sensei Raven however he quickly declined that as he found that being too far fetched.

That then just left one person from the Serpent that Alex knew, and when he started to line the pieces up, it began to make perfect sense.

Only they could have the resources to enact this entire scene and turn Mei back into a Herrscher.

Once he had had figured out the culprit, all Alex could do was merely chuckle to himself.

"I finally get it. I see how it is. It all makes sense now. The sudden Honkai Spike, you becoming a Herrscher again. He's the one that orchestrated all this wasn't he? It seems like Jack Frost had his way of words with you huh? Tell me, why would you agree to a deal with Kevin Kaslana of all people?" Asked Alex.

"It's as stated. He gave me his word that this would in fact save Kiana and protect her wellbeing." Said Mei.

"Mei. You do remember his plan right? Project Stigma. Kevin wants to expose the entire world to the Honkai so everyone could form a resistance to it. You know damn well as I do that a plan like that will just leave us with more casualties. With a Herrscher by his side, it'll only help speed up that process even more. Are you REALLY going to sacrifice the entire world, just to keep one person safe?" Asked Alex.

Mei then slammed her fist against the chain link fence behind her in frustration.

"I get what I'm doing is wrong, but I don't care anymore! Kiana isn't just some person! She's my entire world! Without her, I have no reason to keep living! Time and time again, I've been too weak to do anything! I'd just be helpless, seeing Kiana go through so much! She'd always get beaten and battered around, yet she'd always keep a smile on her face through all the pain. Ever since she reached her hand out to me back at Nagazora, she changed my destiny forever. Kiana, is the most important person in my live. I'm done with just being the bystander. Now, I'm willing to do anything to save her." She said in a heated tone.

Even after having just taken part in a battle with Kiana, Mei slowly withdrew her sword fully ready for another fight, electricity crackling around her as she held her blade in front of her, once again getting into a fighting stance as Alex just stared at her in shock and disbelief.

He knew Mei was the most worried about Kiana's condition but he didn't think she'd get this desperate about saving her that she'd side with the enemy.

Alex really didn't want to fight Mei, however he knew that their clash was unavoidable as He placed his hand on the handle of both of his sword, slowly withdrawing it as he held it beside him, reluctantly and begrudingly getting into a battle stance.

"Mei please, don't do this." Pleaded Alex one last time, hoping she'd at least back down and not go through with this.

Unfortunately, Alex's plea would fall on deaf ears as the electricity crackling around her got even harsher as Mei looked up.

Alex stared at her face as he saw tears in her eyes that were slowly trickling down her cheeks.

She tried to keep an expressionless face, however deep down she was hurting immensely knowing she'd have no choice but to do battle once again with another close friend of hers.

"If rescuing Kiana is a sin, then I'll gladly become a sinner."

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Chapter 26: Complete