Elysia chatted with Mei for a while, then with Hokuto.
Kiana was still focused on the story.
In the story, Mei, for the first time, frankly admitted that Elysia was someone she just couldn't bring herself to dislike.
However, she also knew better than to let Elysia steer the conversation in that direction—it would never end.
So she changed the subject. "Elysia, there's something I need to talk to you about. And… it's urgent. It's about Aponia."
Elysia seemed a little disappointed. "Asking about someone else again… What is it?"
Mei answered truthfully: "She told me I would die by her hand in ten days—at this point, I think there are only four days left."
Upon hearing this prophecy, Elysia's reaction was similar to that of the other Flame-Chasers.
She earnestly hoped Mei would take Aponia's prophecy seriously.
To that end, Elysia gave quite a few examples.
She emphasized that Aponia truly possessed the ability to foresee the future, and no matter the process, whatever she saw would come to pass.
By this point in the story—
All the evidence stacked up: Mei's death in ten days seemed unavoidable.
Players couldn't help but feel worried, while racking their brains trying to guess how Mei could break the deadlock.
Without the post-Honkai plot armor, Mei didn't seem like the type of character guaranteed to survive.
So even if—ptooey ptooey ptooey—no, there's no way Mei, one of the main trio, would fall here, right?
Just as players were still worried for Mei's safety—
In-game, Mei recalled how Vill-V had once helped fake her death, prompting Aponia to take action.
With that in mind, clever Mei came up with a very good plan.
She decided to seek death early, to bring about her prophesied demise ahead of schedule.
And so, she went to the Elysian Realm's designated rage machine—Kalpas.
Using the "polite" phrasing she had learned from Kalpas himself, she "politely" issued a duel challenge:
"Kalpas, get over here."
Since Aponia predicted she would die in ten days, then if she got Kalpas to kill her early, wouldn't that nullify the prophecy?
Not gonna lie, Mei's logic here shocked every player.
It also shocked Kalpas.
He didn't even get mad right away, only responded in confusion: "Huh? Herrscher… Did you mistake me for someone else?"
Of course Mei didn't mistake him for someone else—once her mind was made up, she wouldn't hesitate.
She provoked him again.
Under Mei's deliberate taunting, Kalpas quickly flew into a rage and challenged her to a duel in the deepest part of the Realm.
What followed was, of course, Mei going deep into the Realm to fight Kalpas.
And Kalpas lived up to his reputation as a top-three Flame-Chaser.
Even facing a fully powered Herrscher, he didn't back down in the slightest. In fact, once he activated [Simulated Erosion], he completely dominated the battle.
He pummeled Mei into the ground.
But what really left a mark on players wasn't just Kalpas's overwhelming strength—it was his nonstop barrage of over-the-top battle lines.
"Congratulations, Herrscher. You've given your all, and finally proven yourself worthy… to be killed! But this isn't a battle—it's a HUNT!"
"A Herrscher? Is that who you're facing? No—you're facing KALPAS!"
"Herrscher, burn with me in flame!! Let's see who turns to ash first!!"
"Hahahahahaha…!"
Players couldn't help thinking: Kalpas, you sure know how to "talk."
Also… poor Kalpas's voice actor in real life. That must've been exhausting.
Did MiHoYo at least provide lozenges?
The battle, far from easy, continued.
Kiana skillfully controlled Mei, chaining stable combos to slowly whittle down Kalpas's HP.
Finally, after much effort, she emptied the health bar of Kalpas in his [Simulated Erosion] state.
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief—
Kalpas moved again, and text popped up on the screen at the perfect moment:
[Kalpas is entering an uninterruptible berserk state, releasing fury over a wide area. In this state, Kalpas is undefeatable. Ensure your survival and patiently await a chance.]
"Undefeatable?"
Kiana blinked in surprise.
Previously, when Mei fought Elysia and Mobius, there hadn't been any notice like this about being unable to win.
Sure, Elysia held back—but Mobius was definitely going all out. If not for Klein's betrayal, Mei might've fallen to Mobius.
But…
The gap between those battles and this one was too big.
Now Kiana finally believed that Mobius really was the non-combatant scientist of the Flame-Chasers.
It's not that Snake-sis can't fight—it's just that the other Flame-Chasers who can fight, fight way too hard.
Compared to them, Snake-sis's combat ability was negligible. Her real power lies in her mind.
Kiana shook off the thought and focused on handling the final phase of Kalpas's fight.
But Kalpas's nearly endless rage, and the hellfire falling from the sky to burn everything in sight…
It was getting harder and harder for her to dodge.
Then came a single mistake.
Mei was struck by the falling flames, her HP dropped to one, and she was gravely injured.
Kalpas slowly walked toward her: "Is that all? You remind me of the first Herrscher I tore apart… She died too quickly, didn't let me enjoy it. Not even enough time to despair."
"Was it the fourth… or the fifth… I don't remember. Doesn't matter."
"So… I'll give you a chance. Say your last words."
Mei stared at him. "So, you're not going to stop here."
"Too late. If you wanted to 'hold back,' you shouldn't have come to me. For me, things must be brought to an end. And there's only one way to end them."
Kalpas swung down his final blow.
Mei saw it clearly. If it landed, she would undoubtedly be destroyed from every angle.
Then… now's the time!
Reveal yourself!
Players were just as tense, waiting for Aponia to make her dramatic entrance.
But the plot that followed felt like a cruel joke—on both Mei and the players.
Because Aponia… didn't show up.
No sudden twists, no helping hand.
It looked like Mei had miscalculated.
Realizing this, a flicker of tension crossed Mei's mind.
But she was no longer the person she used to be. Though events had strayed from her expectations, she wouldn't just roll over and give up.
Mei tightened her grip on her weapon, ready for a desperate last stand.
Players, too, were laser-focused, preparing for the ultimate fight.
Then—twist again.
Just when everyone thought she wouldn't appear, Aponia really did show up.
The emotional whiplash hit players like a rollercoaster.
To protect Mei, Aponia invoked her Logos to repel Kalpas.
"Could you please relocate for now? I would like to speak with Mei alone."
"You want to die again, Aponia?"
In response to Kalpas's seething fury, Aponia calmly uttered two words—like the Buddha calling out to the Monkey King:
"Kalpas."
Kalpas froze like Sun Wukong under the tightening of the golden circlet. Furious, but helpless, he backed off.
"There won't be a next time, Herrscher."
[TOP3. TOP3.]
[When Aponia said "Kalpas," I couldn't hold it in—busted out laughing.]
[Sun Wukong vibes intensify.]
[Kalpas: Disgusting mind types.]
Viewers spammed the chat with comments.
And through this scene, it became clear: Kalpas and Aponia really don't get along.
[Now I understand why Kalpas wants to destroy Aponia, but… looks like he's got no chance. She hard counters him.]
[Honestly, it's good someone can counter Kalpas. Otherwise, the Realm would've been blown up already.]
[Fair point. Very fair.]
Kalpas left.
And Mei received the Logos Signet from Aponia.
However, even though Aponia ultimately intervened, Elysia would've saved Mei anyway if she hadn't.
In other words, the "preemptive death plan" still failed.
Aponia's prophecy remained unshaken.
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