"Honkai Impact: The Magician's Descent"

"Resonance of Hope: The Bonds We Forge"

Chapter 4: Bonds Tested by Fire

The Hyperion lay quiet in the aftermath of Wendy's rescue. The winds had calmed, and the once-destructive force of the Herrscher of Wind was now at rest. Wendy, her body weak but alive, lay under Lyka's protective spell. The crew had taken her back to the Hyperion to recover, but Lyka was still slumped in a chair nearby, her body trembling with the aftershocks of using the "Infinite Layered Magic Circle." Blood still stained her clothes, and her breath was shallow.

Kiana sat beside her, glancing nervously at Lyka every few moments. Her usual carefree attitude was nowhere to be found. She had seen the toll that spell took on Lyka, and the memory of seeing her friend collapse was still fresh in her mind.

Kiana Kaslana (quiet, but firm):
"You need to stop doing that... you nearly died."

Lyka Ashwind (softly, eyes half-closed):
"I had no choice. Wendy would've—"

Kiana cut her off, her voice sharper than usual, though it was laced with concern.

Kiana Kaslana (worried, voice rising):
"Wendy survived, but you almost didn't! You can't keep pushing yourself like this, Lyka!"

Lyka was silent for a moment, feeling the weight of Kiana's words. She understood her concern, but there was no room for hesitation in the heat of battle.

Lyka Ashwind (with a weak smile):
"I've faced worse before, Kiana. But... I understand."

Kiana's shoulders dropped slightly, relief mixing with the lingering worry in her eyes. Just as she was about to respond, the ship's alarms blared, piercing the silence with their urgent call.

Bronya Zaychik (over the intercom, her voice tense):
"We have a situation. Cocolia forces are moving in. We need to prepare for—"

Bronya's voice was suddenly cut off, leaving the crew in stunned silence.

Mei Raiden (over the intercom, shouting):
"Bronya! What's happening?!"

Kiana shot to her feet, her eyes wide with alarm.

Kiana Kaslana (urgent, panicking):
"Bronya! Mei!"

Lyka struggled to stand, her body still too weak from the spell, but she forced herself to move, leaning on her staff for support.

Lyka Ashwind (gritting her teeth):
"They're in trouble... we have to move now."

Kiana grabbed her twin pistols, her face set with determination, but she glanced back at Lyka, worry flickering across her expression.

Kiana Kaslana (worried):
"You're in no shape to fight. You need to rest—"

Lyka shook her head, her grip tightening around her staff.

Lyka Ashwind (firm, but weary):
"I'm coming with you. We'll save them... together."

Kiana hesitated, but she could see the resolve in Lyka's eyes. She nodded, and the two of them rushed through the corridors of the Hyperion, heading for the source of the disturbance. As they reached the lower deck, the scene was chaos.*

Bronya and Mei were gone, and Wendy—who was still recovering—was barely conscious, her face pale and drenched in sweat. Beside her stood a squad of Cocolia's forces, armed and ready to take them on.

Cocolia (calm, cold voice echoing through the ship):
"You've fought bravely, but this battle is not yours to win. Bronya and Mei now belong to me."