In the Recording studio.
"She really did a lot… and she truly made it happen. Because she once existed, the world became a better place."
No matter what little thoughts Kiana might have about it, she still admitted that Elysia had done something beautiful.
When all of it was shown—through her friends, through the future she left behind, through the worries after her passing—it was clear to everyone that the world had indeed become more beautiful because of her.
"'Elysia will not answer your expectation'… Saying that at this moment really is enough to break someone's heart."
"The protagonist really doesn't have it easy… after going through so many trials…"
Even the Herrscher of Sentience, who had been smiling in expectation, gradually froze. She couldn't help rubbing her face, sighing at the thought.
From a gamer's perspective, she'd thought this was the point where the hero would gain the uplifting Primal Power… yet instead, all it brought was disappointment.
"Elysia…"
Mei's gaze drifted. In another possible future, their fates had been so tightly entwined.
She could put every choice, every action into this moment… and it made her, even outside the screen, feel a sudden surge of emotion.
"That's why the Church of Love is such a meaningful gathering. I truly hope you all will join."
Luo Mo spoke with sincerity.
It left Kiana speechless. If Elysia had a list of people she'd rank as the "ultimate villain," she wouldn't even put herself on it—she'd give the top spot to Luo Mo. Didn't he realize he was the mastermind behind so many of Elysia's tearful moments?
And yet this man had become the Church of Love's leader. She almost wanted to see Elysia's face when she first learned that.
Kiana didn't bother to press the matter. She just muttered under her breath:
"Even though I know Mei will still succeed in the end… I can still feel Mei's disappointment and uncertainty. It's like that time when we could never see teacher Himeko again…"
"If it happened again, I'd want it to be a farewell with a bit more warmth."
Of course, she would never join that troublesome "church," nor allow Mei to join either.
(T/C: join the Pink side~)
----
Inside the game.
Time passed without her knowing how long it had been, until the pocket watch in Raiden Mei's hand finally slowed… and stopped moving entirely.
The faint hope she had been clinging to in her heart vanished completely into emptiness.
She stared at the unmoving hands of the watch, unable to calm her heart for a long time.
So… no miracle happened after all?
And at that moment, an unexpected person appeared before her in this strange, special space.
"Hello, Miss Mei. Tell me… if I said this meeting was a coincidence—would you believe it?"
It was a woman with short gray hair, striking crimson eyes, dressed in a tight black-gray combat suit and a wide-brimmed hat, leaning casually against a stone pillar in this incomprehensible station-like space. She looked at Mei with a half-smile, half-smirk.
"A coincidence? Here?"
Mei didn't believe that answer for a second.
If a place like this could still produce a 'coincidental meeting,' Mei would have to re-evaluate the kind of ties she and this person shared.
Obviously, that was impossible.
Raven merely smiled without explaining further, instead turning the conversation toward the children and the Stigma Project.
"Mei, do you know? You're just a passerby in the dark—you've always belonged to the light from beginning to end.
I'm different. I stepped into the abyss long ago, and there's no way out for me."
"Compared to you… I'm the one with nowhere to go. I always have been."
"So, even if you don't agree with the Stigma Project, you're still going to stand in my way?" Mei asked sharply.
"As long as the result is acceptable, I have no position to object. Besides… don't forget, I'm still on World Serpent's payroll."
"As for the children… before the Stigma Project began, World Serpent gave them a worry-free life. And after it starts, the master has promised them—of all things—a brand new world."
Raven gave a self-mocking little laugh, pretending to speak lightly.
"At the very least, that's much better than the little island villa I used to dream of."
After this brief conversation, the two of them simultaneously ran out of time.
Mei and Raven looked at each other—and almost at the same moment, drew their weapons.
A flash of lightning tore through the air, a sharp blade-light shooting toward Raven.
She spun away with agile precision, leaving countless gusts in her wake.
The two had already crossed blades many times before. Counting this one, Mei had won twice and lost once.
But ever since Mei had fully mastered the Herrscher of Thunder's power, Raven had long since ceased to be her match.
Vwoom—!
Under a flurry of blinding lightning, Raven fell as expected. During the fight, she still found time to drop a few cryptic hints—her way of reminding Mei to face her true self.
At that moment, the Gray Serpent lurking in the shadows made his move.
Anyone who had entered a dreamscape before would naturally be more guarded—but fatigue affects the mind all the same, leaving one open to attack.
This was his plan: to draw Raiden Mei back into a dreamscape once more.
Only this time, he chose to trap her inside her own heart.
That was also why he was dissatisfied with Raven's parting words—she had said something she shouldn't have.
In the end, Gray Serpent expelled Raven completely from World Serpent and let her escape freely.
---
[Exactly. And when it comes to payroll, it's not like St. Freya is paying you either! Wait… was that a subtle jab at the fact Mei also once got paid by World Serpent?]
[Didn't Mei already "pay it back" by cooking? She even gave Hyperion a period of bitter melon soup.]
[Raven: I once dreamed of a little island… but I never imagined the "new world" they'd give me would be a whole continent. Wait, I hope it's not Mu…]
----
In the Company.
"Although I knew I'd leave eventually, I didn't expect to leave World Serpent so late… and this close to the end. Isn't that basically betting my life on Mei's side?"
"Seems like I must have trusted them a lot back then. As expected, saving the world really is a young person's job."
The crimson glow in her eyes gradually faded back to normal. Sharp eyes weren't exactly helpful for daily office work. Honestly, Raven wasn't very used to such slow, idle days.
But in a collapsing world, she couldn't think of anywhere safer than here.
After all, she wasn't about to throw the children onto some lunar base.
As for the "dark" and the "light" in the game, Raven only gave a faint smile. She now had an official, above-board identity—not something that would get her hunted down like a villain.
More importantly, she wondered: had World Serpent truly forgotten her?
Judging from how loudly that Hare colleague had shown up—and the fact that she was clearly much more important—it seemed World Serpent wasn't going to hand Raven any major assignments.
Which was fine by her. She didn't want to suddenly be given some back-stabbing mission against the colleagues she had only just gotten used to.
Most importantly… this place was thick with Herrschers. Compared to extra pay, the children needed her more.
Sorry, Gray Serpent. I didn't say anything wrong.
Those strange words suddenly came back to her mind. She gave a small, knowing smile, her staff badge swaying on her chest.
From the top floors of the company, she could faintly see students down below.
They were all under the sunlight.
That, in itself, was the best ending.
---
Inside the game again.
Mei faced her past self.
From childhood to now—from the moment she became the "Queen of Thunder"—the once-frail girl had shouldered her own life.
Even when faced with unfairness from those around her, she could meet it head-on.
In this special dreamscape, it seemed she could make choices at crucial points in time.
More than her childhood, what mattered most now was the unavoidable choice before her…
After meeting Kiana, if she had chosen to run away from the collapse… would there have been a brighter, easier future without so much suffering?
If she no longer carried the determination to change the world, then maybe… they could simply care for the life they had now.
Such days—grumbling out loud, but living warmly in a small room, occasionally seeing news of Valkyries in action—might inspire them to admire those warriors' fight. But they would still live quietly as ordinary people, content with their lot.
A life like that—without earth-shaking waves or life-and-death struggles—would still be a beautiful annotation in their own small world.
In that imagined peace, she remembered the words of an ordinary person she had once seen at the end of the world:
"I don't care about the truth of the world or who wins in the end. I just want someone to hold me when I die."
That was the true sentiment of ordinary people in chaotic times. To them, truth and victory meant nothing—life was everything; death was simply the end.
But… was that really possible?
As she grew, and learned more secrets, she understood that retreating into her own small world was just delaying judgment day. The world wouldn't go easy on you just because you stayed still. It only meant the cost would be doubled—and left for your future self to bear.
More importantly… she knew Kiana better than anyone else. Kiana would never make that choice.
Mei calmly raised her weapon. With lightning flashing, she shattered all illusions.
That "future" was nothing but a possibility.
She didn't need it.
She didn't want it.
The real space was revealed once more, and the puppeteer's identity became vivid.
The Stigma Project was not yet strong enough to freely enter and exit a Herrscher's core through sheer will alone. The only possibility was that this presence had already existed within her consciousness—someone she thought had left long ago, someone she had once mistaken for the Herrscher's own will.
Someone she had never truly understood before—
Another version of "herself."
Compared to the Herrscher personality, the awakened Stigma personality was a far more fitting name for her.
Having already eliminated the opponent, she was awakened again by the Stigma Project, used as a substitute for Mei. In the world of the Stigma Project, compared to the Herrscher identity, the awakened Stigma personality felt even more justified in her role.
This personality was quite peculiar—she had a morbid sort of love for Kiana. She was willing to step forward and try to eliminate Mei again, simply because—she was dissatisfied with how Mei had handled things.
"I gave you my strength… gave you everything—why did I do that?!"
She roared angrily at Mei, her eyes bloodshot.
"For Kiana."
Mei replied calmly, but her gaze was just as cold and unyielding as her opponent's.
"—Exactly. And for that, what the Stigma Project has given us… is nowhere near enough!"
"?"
She didn't understand. Then why stand by and watch the other walk toward death? That plan… hadn't the civilization before them failed as well?
Why Kiana?
Why must it be Kiana?
"You're confused… because you never truly understood Kiana."
"A person's character is their fate—and the reverse can also be true."
"When the end of the world comes, Kiana can only make one choice: to use her own way to stop it, and to protect the majority of this world."
"To just watch her go to her death…"
The awakened Stigma personality couldn't accept this explanation. In her own memories, she was still that person who screamed and yet could do nothing.
And this time—still unable to protect her.
"In the end, it's just because you're too powerless—just finding excuses for your own weakness."
"You… have no intention of stopping her at all, even if it means losing her again? Losing everything?"
She couldn't help but speak. She couldn't understand why the girl, who in the last world had been even more important to her, had changed into this.
"This is the life she wants. It's her choice. I have no right to interfere."
But Mei knew in her heart that what Kiana needed was not that kind of protection!
She was a brave girl, willing to fight for all the beauty in the world. What she needed was friends to stand by her side—not to stand in front of her and bear everything alone.
Shouldering everything alone… in the end, that only hurt both sides.
This was a thought left unspoken, but it was something both of them could recall later when their paths drew apart. They would think—if only they had communicated a little more, perhaps it wouldn't have hurt so much to be apart…
Back then, both of them thought they could do everything. Ironically, it was precisely that belief that ended up hurting the other, who thought the same way.
Mei's growth wasn't to stop Kiana—it was so that… she could walk shoulder-to-shoulder with her, share her burdens, and let her freely pursue the things she wanted to do.
She was no longer gentle—she had become ruthless.
But only by making herself strong and unyielding could she have a chance to preserve her gentleness.
In the end…
A crimson slash struck down upon the white ground between them, like a dividing line—completely splitting the two Raiden Meis apart.
She bid Mei a complete farewell, and was convinced by her and her strength.
"Ha… ha… Good. Very good! Since you've fully grown up—then go cut down that piece of trash."
She spoke madly, walking toward the truth of destruction.
Just like her younger, stubborn, and chuunibyou self—the process of growing up was also the process of killing that self.
---
[Trash Serpent: …? Do you even remember who woke you up?]
[It's still protection—but the way one protects changes completely between youth and maturity.]
[The process of searching one's heart is also the process of tracing back to the source. I have a feeling, "lovE-ly" is about to make an appearance.]
---
Golden Courtyard.
"If you compare Mei from these two different points in time, the difference is huge. The path she's walked… she really has grown a lot."
Elysia tapped her head lightly and smiled softly.
"So which kind of protection do you agree with more?"
Mobius asked with a hint of something unreadable in her tone.
"Of course the kind Mei has after growing up. Compared to having one person shoulder everything, being a companion clearly feels much warmer."
She answered without hesitation.
After all, that kind of unity and shared effort fit perfectly with the Pink Elf's philosophy.
That time, in the imaginary space, had made her cry so hard—obviously, things didn't have to develop to that stage…
"In the end, people need to step out of their own comfort zones."
Kevin said calmly, bringing an almost conclusive tone.
"So, those two who arranged the mental supports at the cost of their own lives—who did that, hmm? So curious. And they didn't even tell us."
Mobius sneered lightly, her gaze drifting slightly toward the window as she commented in a strange tone.
Though she hadn't named anyone, there was no mistaking who she meant.
Elysia's face froze. She hadn't expected Mobius to point directly at her. There were, of course, plenty of excuses she could make—like saying she was the only one who could do such a thing…
But clearly, that wasn't the answer Mobius wanted—nor was it something that could convince herself.
The mission… The flower across the shore had mentioned it long ago.
She didn't think it was the right thing. On the contrary, when Kiana had pulled her out of that bleak scene, it made her love that moment all the more.
"Looks like… it really was me. Because even if we walk together, if the future is fixed and hopeless, Aponia can see that despair clearly."
Elysia sighed lightly.
"As long as there's even the slightest chance, I'll choose to face it together with you all ♪~"
"Hmph—"
Mobius gave a small snort, still keeping up her sharp tone.
"You'd better remember what you just said."
She wouldn't say sentimental, gentle things like the others. This wasn't like before, when there was no hope to be seen—this time… surely, they should be able to see it.
----
In the Recording Studio.
The group looked at Mei with mild surprise. They hadn't expected that the "violent" side of her was actually her awakened Stigma consciousness, not her Herrscher personality.
Although the outward behavior wasn't much different, the essence inside was completely different.
But more than that, they were curious—why did that consciousness also care about Kiana so much?
"Right, why is that? Must be because Kiana's such a sinful woman~"
Luo Mo's tone was mocking, glancing between Mei and Kiana as the atmosphere thickened.
"Huh?—What kind of description is that? I can't accept it at all."
Kiana pouted in disgust. Her face, originally flushed, cooled quickly at Luo Mo's nonsense, the "love potion" effect Mei had on her gradually fading.
Her brain, now back in control, started to think—
When had she ever influenced that Mei?
She truly didn't know!
And besides… it's not like she'd done anything to wrong Mei, right?
Mei's lips parted slightly in surprise. She really didn't understand why her other personality would have that kind of feeling toward Kiana.
Could it be that her own emotions had influenced the other?
"Bronya suspects that during the third Honkai, to Mei, there was no one in the world who cared about her—but to that Stigma consciousness, it was the same reasoning."
"What Kiana did had a strong emotional impact on both of them, thus creating that strange feeling."
Bronya analyzed calmly.
"Mei and Kiana… that's wonderful. The fact that they can understand each other, connect heart-to-heart, and support each other to do these things."
Seele's eyes sparkled. To her, this kind of bond was warm, comforting, and reassuring.
Maybe this… was the best way to show you cared for someone
"Because after going through 'Celestial Dome Falling Stars' and 'Ballad of the Sinner,' it was exactly because they went through those differences that they found the best way to get along with each other — and the best distance to keep."
Luo Mo nodded slightly in agreement.
Nothing in life is a one-and-done thing. Growing up, companionship… it's the same.
"Ah—? Then can you help me find the best 'distance' for getting along with luna? Like, for example, which part of the ship should I place her in?"
Kongming, lightly waving the feather fan at her side, looked up at him and teased with a smile.
Even though her gaze carried a cold, biting sharpness, Luo Mo only felt danger from it — but he still didn't dare to be careless.
"Well… of course the answer is: wherever you are, she'll be there. Haven't you two been getting along pretty well lately?"
"Heh."
Kongming gave a cold laugh and said nothing.
What eyes of his had seen them "getting along well"?
Short Note — Facing the True Self
No matter how many times it repeats, she must insist on saying it:
She and Luna are completely at odds — like water and fire!
Strangely enough, in terms of appearance and temperament, she, Luna, and Theresa could almost pass for triplets, yet the emotional bonds between the three were… subtle, to say the least.
Ironically, Irene was the one who fit in perfectly, getting along harmoniously with all three.
Perhaps this was the "like repels like" effect — too many similarities in certain areas.
Luna's relationship with Theresa was somewhat better, since Theresa could be considered the "big sister" who kept helping her understand the world. Luna never showed much hostility there. And before Theresa became the Herrscher of Binding, her relationship with Kongming was also decent — she hadn't joined the main battlefield of the alliance's political struggles.
But as the atmosphere gradually turned strange, Kongming began to sense something was wrong.
Her good relationship with Theresa also came to a stop.
Still, to be honest, looking at that sulky face, Kongming felt there wasn't much of a threat.
In the end, that ship would have to set sail — and the Overseer of Schicksal could hardly be absent from Schicksal's own destiny, right?
Kongming still maintained her composure and confidence. The only thing that had ever pierced her defenses was that damned oversized, gaudy Luna outfit — why in the world was her future self not putting in more effort?!
Clearly all her future self needed was to mature in figure, but she had to overcomplicate it with so many concerns.
Whether that answer was "correct" or not, as Kongming's face sank into dark thoughts, Luo Mo was already thinking of how to slip away, while also shooting an annoyed glare toward the group watching him — especially that smug-faced Kiana who seemed to be enjoying the show.
----
In the game.
Having completely broken free from her personal consciousness space, Mei awoke from her dream once again. Looking around, she realized she was still inside the core space of the Stigma network.
Leaning on a black umbrella, Grey Serpent was quietly waiting here. In the imprisoned space, his red eyes glowed with a constant, steady light.
It wasn't until… he had finished watching the entire process within her consciousness that the emotionless color in his eyes finally surfaced.
His experiment had failed — the awakened consciousness of Stigma could not replace the Herrscher. What a pity. She could have held a rightful seat in the new world.
She responded to him with equal coldness, and then the blades crossed.
Illusory constructs began forming here without pause — endless, ceaseless — and lightning destroyed every piece of this space without restraint. But even lightning would tire eventually.
These constructs corresponded to the dreams of 7 billion people.
What Raiden Mei was fighting against were all the dreams that ordinary people didn't want to wake from.
Humanity cannot give up sweet dreams, even if they are fragile and easily shattered.
But just as Mei was fighting and thinking of how to respond, something strange happened — those constructs began committing "suicide," withdrawing from the battlefield.
And it wasn't just a few here and there — it was… all of them.
It was as if… no matter how sweet the dream, humanity would eventually wake up.
The "Existence Principle" and Serpent's form both disintegrated in the Stigma space, becoming part of it.
At this moment, Vill-V's golden pocket watch spun rapidly. Durandal's communication came through, telling Mei that the Stigma's central plan was undergoing some unknown change. Mei, slightly regretful, admitted that the current plan might be wasted.
She hadn't obtained the Authority of Origin's power.
Suddenly, Durandal's voice became urgent — she warned Mei of her observations: an unidentified domain was rapidly approaching Mei's signal location.
The waveforms of their signals were strikingly similar — almost as if something was being drawn to that signal.
"Ding~ Special broadcast time!"
An overly energetic and strangely cute AI young lady addressed the entire universe with a message.
"But, to avoid distracting Mei's focus, we won't bother notifying her about this trivial interlude."
"That's right. I knew the Serpent's faction was having an internal conflict, and to help it along, I lent one side a 'sugar-coated bullet' — yes, literally."
"But details aside, the future as a whole is the result of both humanity and creation together."
'You can fool all of the people some of the time,
You can even fool some of the people all of the time,
But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.'
"So keep it up, all you humans out there."
The lively girl's voice echoed through space.
Just as she said, Mei didn't pay any attention to her words.
She truly had encountered something strange — the kind that made her uncharacteristically happy.
---
In the World Serpent base.
"It seems even revealing the Project Stigma's plan isn't easy. Just when success was in sight, so many strange existences jumped out and completely messed it up."
Grey Serpent muttered to himself as he calmly walked deeper into the passage.
"…Fine. This time has nothing to do with me."
"…Why are they all so fixated on becoming human? Elysia, Hare, Ai, Hyperion… The world really is full of wonders."
Shaking his head, Grey Serpent stepped completely into the pitch-black void.
Compared to Otto, who claimed to be in the dark, he was a criminal through and through from start to finish.
-----
In the Recording Room.
"Wow, Ai, you actually tricked Grey Serpent?"
"I really thought last time you'd been turned into a normal human by him."
Kiana looked at the tall green-haired figure with surprise. No matter what, she couldn't help mentally swapping her with that mischievous AI-chan from the ship in the game.
Still, seeing the smug villainous Grey Serpent getting duped even once filled her with glee — her face practically lit up with a huge grin.
"Well… if I'm not mistaken, it did have a big impact. After being caught in the Stigma project, I indeed couldn't keep calling myself a simulated time crystal anymore."
"But on the flip side, I now have more ways to wake people who don't want to wake up. Many times, the reason humans can't leave a dream is simply because no one gives them a little pull — instead, they're left to rest comfortably in it."
"When awakened within the dream, they'll, for all kinds of reasons, willingly wake up themselves."
Ai smiled softly, speaking as if it was no great achievement. She had merely sped up the destruction of the dreamscape a little.
Next… would be the story of Origin.
(T/C: I always wonder why whenever I have a sweet dream, I get kicked out the moment I want to stay)
---
In the game.
Amid a flash of white light, Mei once again returned to that familiar platform.
She once thought there was no way to gain anything from this train that had stopped here.
In this station where time had never flowed, a mysterious power was quietly taking root.
Perhaps it was just the stillness, but there was a faint floral scent drifting through the air.
It was the fragrance of tulips.
Once again, she looked toward the far end of the platform of hope, eternity, and destiny. There, the mysterious teleportation gate still shimmered with a soft, radiant glow. This time, when she stepped forward, there were no longer any obstacles in her way.
With complex feelings hidden deep in her heart, she crossed the threshold. She distinctly felt herself passing through an unseen, constraining layer.
Before her, within the hazy white light, it felt as if she had reached the very end of space and time.
In the vast cosmos, human civilization had intersected with a certain mysterious existence.
That foreign substance had brought humanity immense suffering…
And in turn, humanity had answered with its own innate nature.
After countless cycles of reincarnation, a new consciousness was born.
It possessed human virtues, understood human emotions, and longed for human beauty—born into the world in imitation of mankind, she eventually became truly human.
She was called the Primal Origin, the Herrscher of Origin, transcending good and evil.
In the golden-tinted memories of time, Mei saw countless weathered wind vanes planted into the earth.
The shadowy figure of Raven appeared, blocking the path back to the distant white palace—her sharp talons and deep crimson feathers a symbol of her very being.
"Planning to cut off your escape completely, thunderous swordswoman?"
She spoke with such words.
"You're about to face an enemy whose awareness far surpasses yours, whose obsession has endured for millennia. You share the same hope, yet are destined to walk different paths."
"You will challenge his will, bury his mission, and bring his existence to its final full stop."
"—Are you ready?"
"...Of course."
Mei placed her hand over her chest, looking firmly at her opponent—even if it was only a shadow.
She wanted to make her will clear to her.
"I have once taken up a weapon to protect someone, and because of that, we went our separate ways."
"I have faced many people in battle, with different positions, reasons, and states of mind—each encounter entirely different."
"But one thing has never changed—because their will was as unshakable as mine, I had to give my all in return."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of tenderness within them as if recalling a meeting in the past. Her voice was firm.
"I will bear on my back all the possibilities I have cut off, all the hopes that refuse to fade, all the wishes that vanish."
"I will carry… every will worthy of respect."
"Very well… In the face of contradictions from others, you have already grasped the courage to wear your chains."
The shadow of Raven let out a soft chuckle. The heavy chains on her grew heavier still, and Raiden Mei immediately felt the great weight pressing down on her. Yet she continued toward the door without faltering.
---
In the Golden Courtyard.
"Mission paths… is that referring to us?" Elysia asked hesitantly.
Mission, awakening, hope, obsession… those words made her think of Kevin, and of all the Flame-Chasers among them.
"Yes, yes, planning to bury you somewhere," Mobius said with a faintly sarcastic tone.
Whether there was bitterness in her voice, or simply dissatisfaction with the earlier conversation, was unclear.
"It's about burying the Stigma Project's mission, isn't it? Don't lie to me, Dr. Mobius."
Elysia laughed. "Mei's answer was wonderful. She will create a future they themselves cannot see. Indeed, she's inherited the true treasure of the Elysian Realm ♪~"
"All you talk about is Mei Mei… sheesh, people might think Kiana doesn't even exist."
"Kiana? Of course she's one of us," Elysia replied without hesitation.
"Uh… Don't look at me like that. I mean this batch of Herrschers of Humanity—there's three of them, after all."
"You'd better mean it."
Mobius gave her a sideways glance, clearly irritated. She didn't believe for a second that was Elysia's original intent.
Still, the Herrscher of Origin… no matter how many times she heard the story of her birth, it always felt like a miraculous coincidence of cosmic scale, now standing before them in reality.
That's why she hoped Mei could accomplish that task.
-----
In the game.
Passing through the feathers scattered along the way, Mei saw the Thunder's Edge thrust into the ground—her weapon, once hers in truth.
As expected, the shadow in her exact likeness stood before her, asking:
"Are you prepared to discard your true heart, Herrscher of Humanity?
"In your heart you long for calm and peace, but fate has given you an endless battle. The further you go, the deeper you will step into the storm."
"Look—she whom you have fought so hard to protect is now within reach. And you, with your own hands, could place the Crown of Finality upon her head."
"—Are you ready?"
There was no color in those eyes, yet Mei felt as though her own inner voice was questioning her.
And the question, without doubt, was about the one person she cared for most.
"Calm and peace… yes, those have always been my wish. Even now, I often dream of the Academy of Anti-Entropy, of the days at St. Freya."
Mei took a deep breath and replied with unwavering resolve.
After passing the trial of the Stigma consciousness, the answer was already clear in her heart.
"But nothing in this world comes as a given. In any era, people carry their burdens and move forward together."
"This isn't about abandonment or betrayal—it's about a dream we share. For the sake of the future we choose, we will both give our all."
"If there truly is a Crown of Finality… it will not rest upon the head of just one person."
This was her answer.
It was also her recognition of her companion.
Peace cannot be begged for—it can only be earned through struggle.
Even if she were crowned with finality, she would face it together with her.
She would… no longer run away.
"Very good… In facing the contradiction within yourself, you have already grasped the resolve to seize your chains."
Clang—with that sound, the weight on her body grew even heavier, yet she still pushed forward with all her strength.
----
In the Recording Room.
"Mei, you don't need to worry so much about my fate. How could I possibly lose?"
Kiana patted Mei's hand, still wearing that same carefree smile.
Inside, she actually felt a little sweetness. See? Every time the image in Mei's heart appeared, the concern was always about her.
And what did that mean? It meant Mei had always kept her in her heart!
Wasn't that reassuring enough?
As for which Mei, or how many versions of Mei liked her—that alone was enough!
"But in reality, you might not be the protagonist… Still, no matter what, Kiana, I'll face it together with you. I… also hope you think the same way."
Mei spoke seriously, voicing her heartfelt thoughts.
"Of course I think that way. I've already learned to shoulder everything myself, to keep from hurting my friends. And of course, I'll take on the most dangerous parts myself!"
The white-haired girl said with a bit of embarrassment. Her blue eyes were brighter than ever as she smiled and made that promise, as if no danger could faze her.
"…If that's really what you think, then I guess I'll have to fight you for the right to wear that crown."
Mei raised a hand to her forehead.
----
In the game
Moving forward, beyond the door ahead stood only a black umbrella and an iron chest, with the shadow of the Grey Serpent slowly taking shape.
Of course, this wasn't the real Grey Serpent—only something borrowing its form.
"Are you ready to think carefully about the decision for this world, descendant of the Herrscher of Origin?"
It asked, its voice carrying the weight of that identity.
"This world doesn't belong solely to humanity. Inorganic and organic life share this land—"
"And humanity, reborn generation after generation, mechanical lifeforms, the Stigma constructs, and the intelligent non-human species all exist as equals."
"You have no right to use yourself as the standard to pass judgment. That would be nothing more than a kind of arrogant criticism—dangerous hubris."
"Even so—are you ready?"
Its question pressed down on Mei like the weight of an army.
This was a challenge to the pride humanity naturally held in its own intelligence, to its flaws… flaws that were, after all, also part of humanity itself.
Humanity was not pure. It was not painted in only beautiful colors.
She, too, had witnessed the evils committed by humans—but that was never a reason to erase humanity's existence!
"No one can truly decide who has the so-called 'right'… Not even us. The Stigma Project has no right to destroy humanity either."
"To pursue the ideals in one's heart and keep them alive, no matter the cost—that is humanity's arrogance, but also its pride."
"In that case, let arrogance and pride continue side by side. A hundred flowers blooming, good and evil coexisting—that is the true face of humanity."
"And also the true face of the world."
The voice echoed again: "Even if the pain cannot be erased?"
"Even if… the pain cannot be erased."
"—You admit it without a hint of deceit. Good. In facing this contradiction born from the world itself, you've turned your chains into a crown."
Again and again, questions were thrown at her heart, each one wearing the face of someone she knew, each asking if she was ready.
But none of them could shake her body or mind. She had already made her choice—and no one would change what she held in her heart.
---
In the Golden Courtyard
"As expected of Mei—your heart is in sync with mine. Good and evil can't be summed up in a single word when it comes to humanity. Arrogance and pride coexist."
Elysia couldn't help but praise her.
She felt Mei was the true inheritor of the civilizations before—a person truly worthy of her attention!
"I thought… in your heart, there was only the beautiful side of humanity?" Mobius asked curiously.
"I never said that. It's just that, for me, beauty tends to last longer in memory—so perhaps that gives the illusion."
"Borrowing one of Kiana's sayings—compared to humanity's ugliness, I choose to believe in its beauty."
Elysia said with a smile.
"That's true. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here with us."
Mobius said knowingly.
"Ah… well…"
Ellie didn't know whether to praise Mobius or not.
"Tch, at least you know yourself," Vill-V muttered. And when it came to the complexities of human nature, this one embodied them deeply.
"Arrogance and pride… it almost sounds like you're talking about ultimate evil~ At different points in time, even if the essence doesn't change, it can bring completely different feelings."
She sighed.
---
In the game
It was like something out of myth…
In the face of truth itself—was this humanity weighing its soul against it?
Step by step, she walked forward, looking ahead at the unchanging scenery, thinking of those who had given her strength. She… and they… had all once faced the truth, judging its weight with their own souls.
Kiana, Elysia…
Suddenly, she understood why Elysia always proclaimed her love for everyone.
Because when you love someone, you end up loving the world they exist in. You love humanity in that form. You love the world as it is. Each person is an island—but there are countless bridges linking them together, and that is what makes a world.
Her steps grew lighter and faster, her lips curling naturally into a smile, excitement and joy spreading through every cell.
She let her heart open outward, recalling every beautiful moment.
"We are Herrschers… In the face of good and evil, we already speak with the voice of nature—it is our creed incarnate—"
"That's why we can become bridges between heaven and earth, linking the human world and the other shore…"
"When there is no angel, become an angel; when there is no paradise, create one."
"There will never be another you in this world—"
"But that's fine, because in the end, everyone will be you."
And then, along the path Mei walked, countless figures like her—"other hers"—ran together toward the distance. They carried her past, her future, her footprints in the search for truth, and the miracles she left behind for future generations.
The reason to protect this world… turned out to be so simple.
Because someone once gave their all for the things she loved. Because here, she met those who mattered, laughed with them, fought for them. Because this place is the ground of our existence, the irreplaceable place where we gather.
At this moment, more than ever, she was closer to the Herrscher of Origin—closer to… her.
"So…"
"Answer me, Elysia."
...
In the gap of the world, at the intersection of time and space, she called from the bottom of her heart, speaking the name of the girl who would answer everyone's hopes.
The joy of paradise—the name of the garden.
A ray of light quietly lit up. Pink petals floated down from above, and then the entire world bloomed into dazzling colors. The once-white world became a sea of rainbow hues, the boundary between stars and ocean indistinguishable, and within the painting, smiles bloomed.
"To think someone could make it here… I suppose I should give them a proper greeting."
"So, how does it feel?"
She smiled softly, sitting amid the starry sea. Her spiritual form, as light as a dream, was reflected in the waters beneath her feet, while pink stingrays swam gracefully around her.
In her hand, she held a long magic staff, her smile both real and illusory as she gazed at Mei—
Making her feel, for the first time in a long while… something almost unreal.
And filled with joy.