Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 77 Riverbed

<Danube River>

The ferry was crowded with Valkyries and the breeze gently carried them to Vienna. Having spent the past few weeks clearing up the few cities among the Danube River they were now off to Vienna. Most of them lounged peacefully, and others played cards. It was a nice change of pace from having to travel on foot and camp in the wilderness.

"It feels improper," Cathy thought out loud. "To laze around when we're on an expedition."

"I abstained from hiring servants. Sailors." Alice replied suggestively. "You're too stiff, relax. Ellie is relaxed. Trust Ellie if you don't trust me."

"Mmmm," Cathy grunted. Her eyes shifted to Cohline who was happily scribbling love on parchment.

"Oh, he's thinking of a new variety of sweets! Maybe I should ask him to send it to me. Himself. Yes, he'll deliver it!" Cohline squealed. She shook her head, hands cupping each cheek to keep herself in check. "That's right Hedge, it's dangerous for him. But he'll find a way! He'll find a way! Oh Hedge I knew that when I saw your streamlined feathers that I had to have you!"

"Swqauk!" Hedge flapped away from Cohline's hug.

"Hedge! Don't be afraid. I just want to thank you for your speed. Three letters a week! I knew I was the problem. My letters never reached him fast enough! So come here!"

"Don't be so excited." Eleanor took Cohline's hand which caused Hedge to squawk appreciatively. "He'll die if you embrace him and if he dies you'll-"

"Stop! I know! I know! It's just! It's just. I'm so very, immensely, exceedingly, tremendously, grateful! I am!"

"Psh!" Eleanor turned to laugh.

"Oh, does the princess realize how mirthful the art of trading words is?" Vera popped out of nowhere. Despite the storage rooms on the ferry, she was always laden by her knapsack, four times the size of her body. "You must exuberance at the sight of a bashful maiden, at a hopeless ignoramus."

"You killed me," Eleanor replied dryly.

Cohline sent Hedge away with a semifinished letter as Vera prepared to respond. A mischievous smile played on her lips.

"I-"

Vera's eyes sharpened. With ghastly speed, she reached for her axe. The purple blast was before her.

'No time.'

Crack! The space bent around the ferry. Chips of cracked wood started to hum in the air. The phenomenon lasted for less than a second. There was no time for sound to follow as the ferry boat exploded.

A whirlpool dragged countless Valkyries to the depths of the river. Vera was nowhere to be seen. Violent riptides rang out. Water! Water! It raged, into the mouth, into the nose, and to the brain!

Eleanor dove under her eyes piercing the bog. She could feel them, her friends, Valkyries. With a thought, a hundred strands of webs shoot out through the water. They span like bullets and find their targets. Eleanor dove deeper, the water was almost solid around her feet. It wasn't solid enough. That's why she needed the riverbed. Fish tossed and turned. Weeds and dirt swayed viciously, hoping to entangle any unfortunate Valkyrie.

'Floor, jump!'

The river strained against her power, and the tension of the water broke as she rocketed to the shore with a single jump. Bodies and debris rained heavily after her landing. Cohline, Cathy, and Alice were fine, no Cohline was unconscious. What of the other Valkyries?! She only saved seven all awakened but shaken.

"Build a temporary camp! Trees, fire, and cots!"

Cathy sprung into action and so did a few others. Olivia immediately tended to Cohline by stomping out a cot in the sand. They were lucky they recovered a medic. Eleanor turned back to the river. Some of the stronger Valkyries were jumping out as well. The strong underwater currents were no match for their strength but the weaker ones could be in danger.