Honkai Impact 3rd: Will Of The Universe

(S2) - On the Other Side

5 days later 0600 Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base

The persistent hum of the alarm sounded inside the quiet, still room, attempting to wake the little girl who was still deeply asleep under the blankets.

"Hey, it's morning already." A voice spoke gently, followed by a finger poking at her cheek. "Seele! Seele, wake up!"

Seele shifted to the other side, pulling the sheets tighter over her head as she groaned, "...Five more minutes..."

The girl, who looked almost identical to Seele, sighed. Though they shared the same face, this one possessed sharp, crimson-red eyes and a distinctly more mischievous aura. "It can't be helped, then."

Smirking, she tapped into a fraction of her power, weaving a tiny, hyper-realistic illusion that was guaranteed to stir any sleeping girl instantly. "Hey, Seele. Open your eyes!"

Seele's eyelids fluttered open, her vision clearing just in time to see a fat, fuzzy caterpillar chilling merely inches away from her face.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Seele screamed at the top of her lungs, launching herself completely out of the bed and hitting the floor in a frantic scramble.

A few minutes passed after the chaotic morning ordeal.

Seele was now walking down the sterile, metallic corridors of the base, rubbing her arms to soothe the lingering goosebumps. Hovering lazily right beside her was the mysterious, identical girl who had woken her up. It was none other than her alter ego, "Veliona." Ever since Bronya had rescued Seele from the deep abyss of the Sea of Quanta, the dark spirit would occasionally manifest in the physical world out of sheer boredom. Of course, since she was a entity bound to Seele's stigma, only Seele could actually see and hear her.

"Waaaahhhh," Seele grumbled, her shoulders slumping as she walked.

"Haha! That's the fourth person who has asked you about that scream," Veliona teased, floating upside down with her arms crossed, a smug grin plastered on her face.

"If it wasn't for the caterpillar on my pillow this morning..." Seele's blue eyes darted to her alter ego, her expression practically screaming, 'You definitely did that for fun!' She pouted, "You know bugs scare me the most."

"Huh? So now you wanna blame me?" Veliona rolled her eyes, dropping right-side up to pace her. "Remind me, who was the one who promised to rise early and read stories to the kids last night?"

"I..." Seele stammered, her defense immediately crumbling. "I am grateful for your wake-up service, but maybe... you could do it differently next time?" she proposed, desperately hoping to negotiate a future without any creepy-crawlies involved.

"I tried to wake you up gently, but you didn't seem to hear me at all. What else was I supposed to do?" Veliona smirked, leaning in close. "Oh, of course, I suppose me playing with the kids in your stead would be another fantastic choice."

"...Forget it," Seele muttered, immediately shooting down the idea. "The last time you popped out, you frightened little Evan to tears," she added, remembering the disaster from their earlier days at the base.

"Well, the brat was bad-mouthing you. He thought he was keeping his voice low, but I heard him," Veliona whispered defensively as Seele reached the door of the children's quarters.

Seele paused, hand on the door control. "Did you say something?"

Veliona shook her head, shrugging her arms with an indifferent sigh. "Nothing. I just said I hate dealing with kids. It's your job now."