"Munch! Munch!"
The lavish dinner originally prepared for five people now became Kiana's personal feast.
Zeke naturally wouldn't compete with Kiana for food, nor would the others—they weren't overly fixated on indulging their appetites.
"Eat slower; here, have some soup to take your time." Zeke attentively cared for Kiana, occasionally moving dishes closer to her, serving her portions, and even wiping her mouth—honestly, it resembled more of an old father doting on his young daughter than a romantic couple.
However, this was how they consistently interacted, both having grown accustomed to it as second nature.
"She has quite the appetite."
"Indeed, eating well promotes good health—it shows she's a healthy and energetic young lady."
In their Void forms, Fu Hua and Su exchanged remarks, their smiling gazes filled with warmth, reminiscent of grandparents watching a child.
Contrastingly, despite sharing a blood connection with Kiana, Kevin remained an unyielding block of ice. His indifferent expression concealed any hint of emotion or thoughts, making it impossible to discern what he might be feeling.
After quite some time, Kiana finally leaned back contentedly, patting her full stomach. The table before her was laden with empty plates, and her face, now slightly less scarred, radiated pure joy as if she had all she could ever desire.
"Slap!"
Zeke swatted away Kiana's hand resting on her belly, his expression stern. "Don't touch your stomach after eating; it's unbecoming."
"Agh! Zeke, why so fussy? It's just a little thing!"
"Say that again?"
"...Hmph! I'm grown up now, not arguing with Zeke anymore," the girl declared firmly, admitting defeat.
Shaking his head helplessly, Zeke produced a warm, damp towel. He gently draped it over Kiana's face and began wiping carefully.
"Zeke, hug me!" Moments later, thoroughly cleaned, Kiana spread her arms wide and cooed sweetly. She promptly leaped into Zeke's embrace, eyes squinting like a satisfied kitten, emitting delighted giggles.
"Hehehee~"
Suddenly, all shyness vanished, despite several people watching nearby—Zeke couldn't fathom what this girl was thinking, but he simply held her close, placing her on his lap and softly stroking her hair.
As a result, Fu Hua and Su's gazes grew even more affectionate.
Only Kevin remained impassive, showing no discernible reaction.
Without exception, everyone's gaze was fixed on the heartwarming sight of Zeke and Kiana.
Eventually, Zeke lifted his head and nonchalantly asked, "What are you all staring at?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just thought it looked quite lovely," Su responded with a smile.
Indeed, it truly was beautiful—the pure emotions of human affection, love untainted... It is precisely these joys that give meaning to their mission: protecting the world, sacrificing everything to find hope for civilization.
Unfazed, Su discreetly glanced at Kevin's unchanging expression from the corner of his eye.
How unfortunate—those who have lost warmth forget their original purpose. Protecting the world, protecting the world... It isn't about protection for its own sake. Kevin, when will you remember that what you first sought to safeguard were Mei and the lives of countless beings?
Su sighed deeply within himself, suddenly feeling a crushing sense of defeat bearing down from all directions.
If Kevin had strayed from his initial intent, replacing the desire to protect life with vengeance against Honkai, then Su was indeed a complete failure. He hadn't changed anything; not only did he fail to save the world, but he couldn't even help his closest friend, who lived like a walking ghost.
Just then, a hand rested gently on Su's shoulder.
"Kevin?"
Kevin hesitated briefly, his mouth slightly agape. Unsure of what to say, he simply continued patting Su's shoulder.
Taken aback for a moment, Su soon wore his usual gentle smile once again.
"I'm okay now, thanks."
"That's good," Kevin replied mildly, lowering his hand.
Their brief exchange might have seemed cryptic to outsiders, but countless unspoken words had already passed between them.
Fu Hua sensed something subtle and quietly shook her head as a soul entity, saying nothing.
As for Zeke and Kiana, who was kicking her legs leisurely while cradled in his arms, they both tilted their heads synchronously. With equally clear and puzzled eyes, neither understood what these two were doing, almost like watching a mime performance.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Kevin turned toward Kiana and said, "Oh right, you... I acknowledge your name, Kiana Kaslana."
Kiana's leg kicks paused, and she blinked blankly.
"Is it because... I can eat?"
After pondering, she realized that the only distinctive trait she had displayed before this unfamiliar ancestor was her appetite. As for her once-prided exceptional appearance, with her disfigured face now, there was no point discussing that!
Kevin seemed visibly exasperated—though not evident on his expressionless face, everyone except Kiana could tell he was at a loss for words.
"No. It's because your performance in battle was commendable, and also due to his request." Kevin glanced briefly at Zeke.
Kiana blinked, then looked up to see Zeke's lowered gaze and those tranquil eyes.
Zeke gently pinched her soft cheek, softly asking, "What is it?"
"Mwah!"
Kiana kissed him lightly on the cheek, jumped down from Zeke's lap, and swiftly ran towards the mansion. "I'm heading back... Oops! Going inside now!"
As she sprinted, she accidentally tripped over her own feet, stumbling momentarily but eventually made it indoors and closed the door behind her.
Kiana leaned against the door and slowly slid down to sit on the floor.
"...Thank you, Zeke."
After a moment of silence, Kiana softly murmured as she gently wiped her teary eyes, her lips curving up into a tender smile.
Was the name "Kiana Kaslana" important?
Of course it was—it marked the true beginning of her life, the first Anchor Point that made her realize she existed. Naturally, she felt terribly guilty towards the original Miss Kaslana, but having used this identity for over a decade without thinking much about it, there was no way she could suddenly abandon it now.
Being able to claim this name openly brought immense joy.
But most importantly, it was all thanks to Zeke's intentions. No matter when or what the issue, he always cared deeply for her, quietly resolving problems whether she noticed them or not—just realizing this again made Kiana tearful.
"I had already decided to give up on 'Kaslana'... Seriously, how pushy can you be? Couldn't you at least ask me first?"
Through teary eyes, Kiana muttered as she grabbed a tissue nearby to wipe away her tears.
"Thanks..."
"You're welcome."
"(Huh?!)..."
Kiana stiffly turned her head and saw Zeke standing beside her, leaning down with a pack of tissues in hand.
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard you crying."
"Don't say things that make me want to cry even more at times like this!" Still tearful, Kiana complained softly while lightly punching Zeke's thigh.
Zeke sat down next to her, both of them leaning against the doorframe now. He placed the tissues by her side and asked,
"It's not because you're sad or in pain, right?"
"No...it's not."
"That's good."
"Don't be so nice to me! I'll get spoiled; seriously, it might turn me bad!"
Kiana rested her head on Zeke's shoulder, speaking in a muffled tone.
Zeke gently held her head, stroking her hair, then after a moment of thought replied:
"Eh, no worries—you won't become that bad. Besides, you've always been quite a handful anyway."
"Ha! Ahhh! Don't joke around at times like this! You're making me want to both cry and laugh."
"...No, I wasn't joking."
"Huh?"
Kiana abruptly lifted her head, staring incredulously at Zeke.
"You mean it?"
Zeke pondered briefly before giving a firm nod, confirming the sincerity of his words.
"Zeke!"
Kiana lunged forward, knocking Zeke onto the ground with her straddling him as she pummeled his chest repeatedly with her small fists.
In that moment, Zeke's expression conveyed deep helplessness.
Meanwhile, Kiana was beaming radiantly.
Outside the mansion, Su opened a portal leading to the real world.
Fu Hua glanced at her two old friends and smiled gently.
"Well then, farewell for now. We'll meet again back home."
With a wave, Fu Hua's spirit drifted towards the portal.
She had already bid Zeke goodbye before he left, and now it was time to return to reality—to reunite with her physical body.
On one hand, being within her own body provided the best sustenance and maintenance for her consciousness. On the other, she had stayed here for Kiana long enough; it was time to go back and personally reassure the girls waiting anxiously for her safety.
However, the word "home" in Fu Hua's smiling farewell momentarily stunned both Kevin and Su.
Indeed, how long had it been since they last set foot on that most familiar land?
Even Kevin, with his heart seemingly as still as stagnant water, couldn't help but momentarily falter.
Suddenly, Su exclaimed, "Wait!"
"What is it?"
"This boundary separates the Sea of Quanta from the real world. Are you certain your consciousness can withstand the transition?"
"Oh, that's no issue; I'm well-prepared," Fu Hua nodded confidently.
With her spirit tempered through countless trials and Zeke having healed her grievous injuries, after further refinement and advancement, Fu Hua could now utilize her consciousness akin to a physical presence to some extent. In any case, traversing this channel posed no problem for her.
Su scratched his face, sighed, and spoke wistfully, "Then go ahead. Take care, my remaining old friend—there aren't many left."
"...Who isn't facing the same?" Fu Hua replied quietly.
As she stepped into the spatial ripple, leaving behind only a lingering sigh, both Su and Kevin fell silent.
Crossing the spatial boundary, Fu Hua returned to the real world and instinctively raised her hand, gently clenching it into a fist.
"The Honkai Energy here seems less active, slightly weaker in concentration, making it harder to harness... Well, let's discuss more once back at the base." Smiling, Fu Hua shook her head and transformed into a pillar of crimson light, soaring into the skies.
She felt eager, wanting not only to share the good news with the students at the base but also to have a proper conversation with the Book of Fuxi about the unexpected joy of reuniting with old friends on this journey.
"Is that... Benares?"
Passing by a white dragon impaled on a massive metal pillar, Fu Hua continued without stopping, heading straight for the base.
"I shall reverse all creation! Ha ha ha!"
As Fu Hua approached her room, she heard a familiar voice—clear and robust, yet mad with laughter. Moments later, someone burst through the door right before her eyes—undeniably, it was her own body.
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙)?
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙)??
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙)???